In the wake of hurricane Irene in August 2011, Texas congressman and GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by saying:

"FEMA is not a good friend of most people in Texas because they only come in and tell you what you can and can’t do… they hinder the local people…They contribute to deficit financing and, quite frankly, they don’t have a penny in the bank."

Part of that statement is true. FEMA is not a good friend. They do however, have plenty of money in the bank, but as we shall find out in part two of the FEMA story, it´s not being spent on disaster relief.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the homeland security for the United States of America. They give useful advice like avoiding hazards during an earthquake, preparing for hurricanes and tornado´s and safety tips in case of wildfires.

Though FEMA was first established in the 1930´s to help people in disaster hit city´s it had gradually been granted powers that are beyond constitutional laws since Richard Nixon´s administration in the 1960´s and 70´s. In 2003 it was established as part of the homeland security for the national government with the purpose of supporting its citizens and acting as first responders in disasters to ensure that as a nation a governmental department can work together to build, sustain, prepare, protect and recover from disasters.

What their website doesn´t tell you however is that FEMA also has the power to suspend laws, move entire populations, arrest and detain citizens without a warrant and hold them without trial, it can seize property, food supplies, transportation systems, and can suspend the Constitution. Yet it was not created by constitutional law by congress. What that means is they are above the law.

FEMA has even been given control of the State Defense Forces, a civilian army that will substitute for the National Guard should the Guard be called to duty overseas. The National Guard has the power to seal borders and take control of U.S. air space and all ports of entry. In the event they are called overseas FEMA would be sub-granted those powers.

Since laws passed after 9/11 were introduced by President George W. Bush, again without the permission of congress, the President of the United States has the power to declare martial law a move which activates FEMA's extraordinary powers. Martial law can be declared during time of increased tension overseas, economic problems within the United States, such as a depression, civil unrest and in a drug crisis.

These Presidential powers give FEMA the right to seize property of those suspected of being drug dealers and against individuals who participate in a public protests or demonstrations. FEMA therefore have the right to order the detention of anyone who they class as being involved in conspiracy or acts of espionage or sabotage. The plan also authorizes the establishment of concentration camps for detaining the accused without trial.

Doesn´t it strike you as odd that an organization with a profound history of incompetence and criticism that has been directed at FEMA is allowed such extraordinary powers. Without a doubt there biggest downfall was their response and reaction to hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005, an ineptitude so disappointing the FEMA director Michael D. Brown handed in his resignation. But it wasn´t FEMA´s ineptitude to implement the recovery plans they were originally set up to do, but their open refusal to allow outsiders to help the starving and needy.

In the aftermath of the hurricane Katrina debacle, the New York Times reported that FEMA had turned back Wal-Mart trucks carrying supplies. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that FEMA would not allow the Red Cross to deliver food to the starving people of New Orleans. A spokesperson for the international charity was quoted as saying: "The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans."

The US governments homeland security agency were even slated by international papers such as German newspaper Spiegel also reported that FEMA had refused to allow a German plane carrying 15-tons of food and supplies to drop their load. Instead they turned the plane back. And there are dozens more examples.

The St. Petersburgh Times reported that in the four years prior to hurricane Katrina FEMA had been “ intentionally downsized, underfunded, politicized and diverted from its role in responding to natural disasters.” The USA Today explained this by saying: “The reasons for most of the departures are unclear. But since 2003, FEMA has been downgraded — swallowed up by the new Homeland Security Department, created to protect the nation from terrorism. The shift is logical.”

Logical it may be but it doesn´t stop organizations like Wal-Mart increasing their stocks of flashlights and canned goods in areas with approaching hurricanes; or the Red Cross from preparing shelters; or the National Guard is standing by. When disaster strikes, the media informs citizens around the country, who respond with billions of dollars in donations and volunteers attached to non-profits organizations and charities that are ready to save lives. If FEMA doesn´t turn them away. There is nothing logical about that USA Today!

In their defense, FEMA got great praise from their response to the hurricane Irene that hit the predominantly white, economic capital of the world. But what is there real purpose? Because it doesn´t appear to be to build, sustain, prepare, protect and recover from disasters.

Find out more in Part 2 tomorrow: The Beginnings of an Orwellian State!

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 Posted by Emily on Nov 02, 2011 10:19 PM