It seems nowadays we live in the age of hysteria, fear controls the populations of "democratic free" nations. On October the 14th the Civil Contingencies Bill, was supposed to be reviewed to be passed by the British parliment in Westminster. For those that do not know what this bill entails a quick summary: To give a singular person all powers of parliment in times of national emergency. Times of national emergency relate to minor to full scale terrorist attack, natural disaster like that in boscastle last month, or anything that apparently threatens the "democratic" government. However while this may seem innocent at first, adds a twist, this will effectively kill democracy turning our country into a dictatorship. With these powers that singular person can dissolve parliment, proclaim his/herself as leader, dissolve the justice system, literally do anything he/her wants. The same bill takes on many forms in other countries like the USA with their patriot act 1 and 2, the war act in canada, and the same bill in austrailia.
We are supposed to learn by the mistakes in history, one man before took control of a nation in the exact same manner, with fear, and intimidation. That man was Hitler. People ask me "when will the new world order happen?", the asnwer is it already has. Welcome to the New World Order folks.....
Link to the civil contingencies bill:
Civil Contingencies Bill

A+
Hear hear!
*clapping*
The rules and regulations are put in place so a man can just step in and start using it. We may be able to trust our leaders now, but who knows who the next ones will be. We need to be protected from them. Our constitution used to be able to, but now it's become somewhat compromised.

From briefly reading the bill, it looks like they're allowed to do almost anything. There is a specific restriction against the government instituting conscription or interferring with labor union strikes. Other than that, they seem to give themselves a free hand.

If any britons are uncomftable with this bill, there is way to have your say in its passing. Where as the public is not voting on its passing we can however influence the MPs who are voting. Contact your local MP via post, phone or email asking his position on the bill. If he/she is against the bill, then lend him your support by writing to local newspapers voicing your concerns. If your MP is for the bill, then voice your immediate concerns to him directly, it is however what he was placed there to do, to voice the concerns of the people he/she is serving. Get other people aware of the bill, seeing as mainstream media is doing such a poor job at informing the nation. In may a very small article was done on it in national papers, VERY small and wouldn't have likely have caught the attention of most reading the days paper. Contact your local papers asking them to cover the issue, there are also groups around on the net in which you can join in on protest marches, and campaigns.

As for nations outside the UK, such as the US contacting your senator or equivelant would be advisable...

Celumnaz...Doesn't the last part of your statement expose the mistake you make in first part?
Moderately speaking that is.

Vimjams

After watching the Civil Contingencies Bill hearing in the house of lords yesterday, i bring you this update (and it was boring...you try sitting through three hours of old gits rabbiting on....). Anyway, the total number of lords non-content with the bill numbered only a third of total lords in the house. The non-contents, expressed the same issues as i have in the first post, such as lack of media coverage, what a single person can do with the bill if it was in the wrong hands. They also discussed the matter of including a possible military draft, which was rejected, and the use of community service sentencees in removing rubble, which was also rejected. The only amendment of the bill was a small change to the powers of the judiciary in being able to change sentences for crimes, including the possibility of capital punishment. The main focus of the non-contents was the lack of population knowing about the bill, the requsitioning of media equipment, hitler-esque qualities of the bill, and suspension of human rights. Apart from a small addition to sentences, nothing else was changed. No date that i know of has been set for parlimentry passing of the bill.

This bill makes me think of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the United States. Eerily similar.

We do have a FEMA equivelant here in the UK, just recently formed the Emergency Planning College.

FEMA doesn't take over the government (and can't). It just provides disaster relief after hurricanes and tornados.

FEMA might have a little more power than what people give it credit for:

Executive Order 12148

Federal Emergency Management

July 20, 1979

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. Chapter 58 note), the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 143; 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), Section 4 of Public Law 92-385 (86 Stat. 556), Section 43 of the Act of August 10, 1956, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2285), the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958, Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973, the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.), Section 202 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950 (31 U.S.C. 581c), and Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, and in order to transfer emergency functions to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Transfers or Reassignments

1-1. Transfer or Reassignment of Existing Functions.

1-101. All functions vested in the President that have been delegated or assigned to the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, Department of Defense, are transferred or reassigned to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

1-102. All functions vested in the President that have been delegated or assigned to the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, are transferred or reassigned to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including any of those functions redelegated or reassigned to the Department of Commerce with respect to assistance to communities in the development of readiness plans for severe weather-related emergencies.

1-103. All functions vested in the President that have been delegated or assigned to the Federal Preparedness Agency, General Services Administration, are transferred or reassigned to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

1-104. All functions vested in the President by the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), including those functions performed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, are delegated, transferred, or reassigned to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency[/COLOR]

FEMA.GOV LINK

All in all, it can be perceived that an emergency, "one deemed to be an emergency", could give total control of the United States to FEMA.

I had read that FEMA does actually replace the US government under certain conditions (when and if) they arise.
I went to google to search for this article/s but didn't find it.

Ten out of ten to Triniant for posting this comprehensive insight .

Vimjams

I think local governments have to first request federal aid for FEMA to do anything.

Said Dorothy to the Tin man

Come on America...Brush away the BS. Rub the sleepy-dust from your eyes.

http://www.hermes-press.com/germany1930.htm

Vimjams

Vimjams, i love that picture XD

Right, but for local emergencies. I am looking at it on a national scale where the president could make that determination alone.

FEMA's purpose is to keep the United States intact and running during and after any presidential appointed crisis. By giving these powers to one entity it allows for one controller, taking away any democratic processes. Now this is what the citizens want to believe; that this is what is best for the country, it is if the powers that be can show some integrity.

I believe FEMA is a great idea (in theory), but what do we know about human nature? As seen throughout history those with power always want more right? If we take that last statement as true, then can't we assume that FEMA could or would still be influenced by the powers that be?

vimjams, it's always a pleasure.

Yeah...It's a great picture Blood Angel and it really does 'speak' a thousand words.
I've got a copy on the wall in front of me now.

Triniant...I trust things are going well for you.

Vimjams

Thats why the constitution is so much more than a piece of paper, its not something anyone can take away from me. I dont care what you say, or what new bill you pass. I was told I have UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, and Im more than glad to take any action required to uphold them.