America's Shadow (Emergency Parallel) Government

[Q]

- This issue seems to have dropped off the radar screen. But it should make freedom-loving Americans nervous to know that there's a secret, unaccountable, 'parallel' government created by an unelected president who declared a 'war on terrorism'. Will this 'government' be used only in a time of emergency? Or used to gain leverage for the GOP and Bush*?

Friday, 1 March, 2002, 12:13 GMT
Washington sets up shadow government

An emergency parallel government has been set up in the United States to try to ensure that federal rule could continue in the event of a catastrophic attack on Washington, US officials say. The operation was activated after the 11 September attacks but planning dates back to the Cold War era. It is reported to involve 70 or more officials drawn from all departments, depending on the perceived level of threat. Those taking part live and work underground for long spells at secret fortified locations on the East Coast. The core group of federal managers would put into effect orders from the president or his constitutional successor.

The plan for a shadow government has been implemented now because of heightened fears that Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network might obtain a portable nuclear weapon.

An unnamed senior official told Associated Press news agency that while US intelligence had no specific knowledge of such a weapon, the risk was great enough to warrant activation of the plan. He said President George W Bush did not foresee ever needing to turn over government functions to the secret operation, but believed it was prudent to put the plan into action in the light of the war against terrorism and persistent threats of future attacks.

Other officials, who spoke to the Washington Post newspaper, said the back-up government consisted of anything from 70 to 150 people at two principal locations on the East Coast. Once activated for what some call "bunker duty", they live and work underground 24 hours a day, away from their families. Those deployed for the operation are not allowed to tell anyone where they are going or why. "They're on a 'business trip', that's all," one official was quoted as saying.

Although it does not identify the sites, the Washington Post says they make use of geological features to render them highly secure. They are well stocked with food, water, medicine and other supplies and are capable of generating their own power. The newspaper said that only the executive branch is represented in the full-time shadow administration. Other branches - such as Congress and the judiciary - have separate continuity plans but do not maintain a 24-hour presence in fortified facilities.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1848303.stm

- Homeland security, Patriot Act and a Shadow Government. Have the terrorists already won?

[Octafish]

1. No Democrats Invited

Daschle mentioned he -- nor any other DEM he knew of -- wasn't invited to the shelter. No room for "Liberals," just like Germany after the Reichstagfeuer.

"Shadow Government" Assembled - The Boys of Mount Weather

March 2002, unknowncountry.com

The White House has set up a shadow government of about 100 senior civilian managers who live and work secretly outside Washington. This is the first time the “Continuity Operations Plan” to ensure survival of federal rule after an attack on the
nation’s capital has been activated. 

SNIP...

The absence of Vice President Cheney from Washington for much of the past five months is part of this plan. Cheney’s survival ensures constitutional succession in case something happens to the President, one official says, but “he can't run the country by himself.” 

The COG, or “continuity of government” group would try to prevent disruptions of the nation’s food and water supplies, transportation links, energy and telecommunications networks, public health and civil order. It would eventually begin to recreate the federal government. 

Only the executive branch is represented in the full-time shadow administration. The other branches of constitutional government, Congress and the judiciary, have separate continuity plans but do not maintain a 24-hour presence in fortified facilities. The military chain of command has long maintained redundant centers of communication and control that are protected against thermonuclear blasts. The headquarters of U.S. Space Command is inside the Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs, and the U.S. Strategic Command has a comparable facility under Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. 

It seems as if the Republicans know more about this shadow government than the Democrats. In her Sunday, March 3 New York Times column, Maureen Dowd quotes Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who says, “We have not been informed at all about the role of the shadow government or its whereabouts or what particular responsibilities they have and when they would kick in.” 

SOURCE...

http://www.michaelsheiser.com/mshv1n1shadowgovernment.htm

[Deja Q]

2. Didn't * say that Osama Bin Laden was no longer important to him

about 14 days later?

And the terrorists have won. If we weren't dog-eat-dog before, we sure as haliburton are now.

[Q]

3. Well...at least the Republicans have a plan to save themselves...

...and 'their' government. The problem is...this same warmongering government no longer provides civil defense shelters for the PEOPLE. I guess we're just supposed to 'duck and cover' while they're safe and cozy in their fortified shelters?

- This wouldn't be such a big deal IF the Bush* government was doing their best to use diplomacy with our 'enemies' and had a plan for peace. But the only plans they seem to have is for perpetual war...forcing our enemies into a defensive mode where they have to acquire nukes.