The 2008 Defense Authorization Bill, also known as HR 1585, will, if passed give authorization to the US military to merge with police departments during times of catastrophic emergencies. It also authorizes the Department of Defense to create a plan for martial law.

With the prospect of an economic collapse and the general population against a war with Iran, it is not surprising that such a bill has been constructed.

Section 1615 describes how the Secretary of Defense will determine how much military support will be given to local law enforcement during said emergencies.

In addition, the Secretary of Defense is to develop a plan that will sustain this martial law apparatus for five years as shown below in section (b).

(b) Plan for Funding Capabilities-

(1) PLAN- The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement a plan, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for providing the funds and resources necessary to develop and maintain the following:

(A) The military-unique capabilities determined under subsection (a).

(B) Any additional capabilities determined by the Secretary to be necessary to support the use of the active components and the reserve components of the armed forces for homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and providing military support to civil authorities.

(2) TERM OF PLAN- The plan required under paragraph (1) shall cover at least five years.

Section 1622 of the bill establishes a Council of Governors that will advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the White House on how they intend to integrate the National Guard into this martial law apparatus.

The information in this bill lines up with what was described in the Vision 2020 document which is a document released by USNORTHCOM which describes the goal of a future North American martial law apparatus. It also lines up with NSPD-51/HSPD-20 which gives the President authoritarian powers during a catastrophic emergency. One thing is for sure, these people would not be wasting their time putting this stuff down on paper unless they have plans to use it.

Some believe that such a bill is in direct response to Katrina, however, similar bills have been submitted and rejected over the years, leading one to believe that it is more than benign.

I’m really worried about the Posse Comitatus Act now.