The White House will take a more direct role in managing continuity of government plans to be used in the event of a “decapitating” attack on the federal government, under a presidential directive issued Wednesday.
Known as National Security Presidential Directive 51 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 20, the order establishes an office in the White House which will replace the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the coordinator of continuity of government plans.
“As a result of the asymmetric threat environment, adequate warning of potential emergencies that could pose a significant risk to the homeland might not be available, and therefore all continuity planning shall be based on the assumption that no such warning will be received,” states the directive.
“Emphasis will be placed upon geographic dispersion of leadership, staff, and infrastructure in order to increase survivability and maintain uninterrupted Government Functions.”
The prospect of a nuclear bomb being detonated in Washington without warning, whether smuggled in by terrorists or a foreign government, has been cited by many security analysts as a rising concern since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The order makes explicit that the focus of federal worst-case planning involves a covert nuclear attack against the nation’s capital, in contrast with Cold War assumptions that a long-range strike would be preceded by a notice of minutes or hours as missiles were fueled and launched. . . .
After the 2001 attacks, Bush assigned about 100 senior civilian managers to rotate secretly to locations outside of Washington for weeks or months at a time to ensure the nation’s survival, a shadow government that evolved based on long-standing “continuity of operations plans.”
Since then, other agencies including the Pentagon, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA have taken steps to relocate facilities or key functions outside of Washington for their own reasons, citing factors such as economics or the importance of avoiding Beltway “group-think.” — Washington Post
The federal government’s continuity of government planning has come under fire in recent years for inadequate facilities and supply planning (PDF) and trying to include too many services as essential.
In 2006, the federal government tested its continuity of operations plans in Forward Challenge ‘06, which reportedly had over 4,000 employees heading to underground bunkers to run the government. Nothing’s been heard about Forward Challenge ‘06 since, including whether the exercise was successful.
Usually, no news is good news. But in this case, no news is probably bad news. It’s quite possible that the government won’t even last three days in the event of something really serious. I hope you’ve planned to last longer than three days.
Be ready. In the event of a “decapitating” attack, the government might go into its bunkers and never come back out.
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Gardner Goldsmith reveals many of the myths and lies behind Barack Obama's push for medical fascism. Then, he reveals the shocking attitude of Tom Brokaw, who believes government health plans are good, and that those very same medical plans should restrict expenditures on "the elderly."
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Anonymous
May 13, 2007
Something about this stinks. Why do I get increasingly nervous every time I hear that the United States government is doing something else to “be ready in case of __________” (fill in blank with crisis of choice)?
Is has been accepted wisdom (perhaps incorrectly) that FEMA was going to be the vehicle for “continuation of government” for some time now. Has it turned out that all those government-school educated dunderheads have done such a lousy job since the inception of this unconstitutional morass that a new vehicle is necessary?
New Hampshire? I’m thinking more like Costa Rica…
Johan
May 14, 2007
This is another Bush FRAUD. Just as he pulled ethanol out of his behind, in order to gain “Political Capital” (remember how he loves that?) he is now putting on an ACT of courage. He “is heroic in the face of grave danger, boldly facing his own demise” BLAAAAAH. If this collection of cowards thought there was a Terrorist threat, the Mexican border would be sealed like a drum. This is pure THEATRE, put on to impress the SHEEP with the “war” president’s “courage”.
Jeff Hoyt
May 15, 2007
Ooops. Sometimes my ineptitude reachs new heights, such as when I post a comment as “Anonymous” instead of using my name, such as I did above.
When I get declared an “enemy combatant”, I don’t want the Justice Department to lack for evidence, ya’ know…
Anonymous
May 15, 2007
fuck you
Jeff Hoyt
May 15, 2007
Aaah, now that’s why I come to blogs like this; the erudite give and take…
Anyway, for the rest of you, a thought: Is it beyond anyone’s imagination that our current CinC would combine this “legislation” in combination with another false flag operation to declare marshall law and remain in power?
Or am I spending too much time reading blogs?
Michael Hampton
May 15, 2007
That’s a possibility, though you’ll hear varying opinions on how probable it is.
As for martial law, where are they going to get the soldiers for that?!
Johan
May 15, 2007
This: “May 15, 2007 1:26 pm” must be one of those courageous “neocons” who can’t find his way to a recruiting station. I could take him to the Marine Recruiter I joined at, but we would have to drag him there in chains.
Tyler Moore
May 15, 2007
They might only last three days? You say that like its a bad thing…
Michael Hampton
May 15, 2007
It’s certainly bad for those who are addicted to government and won’t survive without help when the government implodes.
Tyler Moore
May 16, 2007
Want me to be the cruel Capitalist I am?
Survival of the fittest…
:|
Johan
May 27, 2007
Bush is living proof of Lincoln’s “You can fool some of the people some of the time, some of the people ALL of the time , but not ALL of the people ALL of the time.” Just follow the poll numbers, as they have been steadily going down, down, down. People started out believing him, but one by one they are seeing he is nothing but a lying weaselly little coward.
ddhorton
Jun 10, 2007
Michael “when the government implodes” good use of scare tatics. At least you can keep some of your followers, especally those that believe in witch doctors. Have you put your war paint on yet? your true followers are all listed on this page. I guess it does’t actually take much to keep this web site up and running. Yes Jeff Hoyt, you are reading to many Blogs, especially this bullshit.
Jeff Hoyt
Jun 10, 2007
My, my; somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. And here I was, ready to take you at least somewhat seriously. Aah, well, mistakes will be made…