AdD 1 #1 February 2, 2006 Homeland Security Contracts for Vast New Detention Camps News Analysis/Commentary, Peter Dale Scott, New America Media, Jan 31, 2006 Editor's Note: A little-known $385 million contract for Halliburton subsidiary KBR to build detention facilities for "an emergency influx of immigrants" is another step down the Bush administration's road toward martial law, the writer says. BERKELEY, Calif.--A Halliburton subsidiary has just received a $385 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security to provide "temporary detention and processing capabilities." The contract -- announced Jan. 24 by the engineering and construction firm KBR -- calls for preparing for "an emergency influx of immigrants, or to support the rapid development of new programs" in the event of other emergencies, such as "a natural disaster." The release offered no details about where Halliburton was to build these facilities, or when. To date, some newspapers have worried that open-ended provisions in the contract could lead to cost overruns, such as have occurred with KBR in Iraq. A Homeland Security spokesperson has responded that this is a "contingency contract" and that conceivably no centers might be built. But almost no paper so far has discussed the possibility that detention centers could be used to detain American citizens if the Bush administration were to declare martial law. For those who follow covert government operations abroad and at home, the contract evoked ominous memories of Oliver North's controversial Rex-84 "readiness exercise" in 1984. This called for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to round up and detain 400,000 imaginary "refugees," in the context of "uncontrolled population movements" over the Mexican border into the United States. North's activities raised civil liberties concerns in both Congress and the Justice Department. The concerns persist. "Almost certainly this is preparation for a roundup after the next 9/11 for Mid-Easterners, Muslims and possibly dissenters," says Daniel Ellsberg, a former military analyst who in 1971 released the Pentagon Papers, the U.S. military's account of its activities in Vietnam. "They've already done this on a smaller scale, with the 'special registration' detentions of immigrant men from Muslim countries, and with Guantanamo." Plans for detention facilities or camps have a long history, going back to fears in the 1970s of a national uprising by black militants. As Alonzo Chardy reported in the Miami Herald on July 5, 1987, an executive order for continuity of government (COG) had been drafted in 1982 by FEMA head Louis Giuffrida. The order called for "suspension of the Constitution" and "declaration of martial law." The martial law portions of the plan were outlined in a memo by Giuffrida's deputy, John Brinkerhoff. In 1985, President Reagan signed National Security Decision Directive 188, one of a series of directives that authorized continued planning for COG by a private parallel government. Two books, James Mann's "Rise of the Vulcans" and James Bamford's "A Pretext for War," have revealed that in the 1980s this parallel structure, operating outside normal government channels, included the then-head of G. D. Searle and Co., Donald Rumsfeld, and then-Congressman from Wyoming Dick Cheney. After 9/11, new martial law plans began to surface similar to those of FEMA in the 1980s. In January 2002 the Pentagon submitted a proposal for deploying troops on American streets. One month later John Brinkerhoff, the author of the 1982 FEMA memo, published an article arguing for the legality of using U.S. troops for purposes of domestic security. Then in April 2002, Defense Dept. officials implemented a plan for domestic U.S. military operations by creating a new U.S. Northern Command (CINC-NORTHCOM) for the continental United States. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called this "the most sweeping set of changes since the unified command system was set up in 1946." The NORTHCOM commander, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced, is responsible for "homeland defense and also serves as head of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).... He will command U.S. forces that operate within the United States in support of civil authorities. The command will provide civil support not only in response to attacks, but for natural disasters." John Brinkerhoff later commented on PBS that, "The United States itself is now for the first time since the War of 1812 a theater of war. That means that we should apply, in my view, the same kind of command structure in the United States that we apply in other theaters of war." Then in response to Hurricane Katrina in Sept. 2005, according to the Washington Post, White House senior adviser Karl Rove told the governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, that she should explore legal options to impose martial law "or as close as we can get." The White House tried vigorously, but ultimately failed, to compel Gov. Blanco to yield control of the state National Guard. Also in September, NORTHCOM conducted its highly classified Granite Shadow exercise in Washington. As William Arkin reported in the Washington Post, "Granite Shadow is yet another new Top Secret and compartmented operation related to the military's extra-legal powers regarding weapons of mass destruction. It allows for emergency military operations in the United States without civilian supervision or control." It is clear that the Bush administration is thinking seriously about martial law. Many critics have alleged that FEMA's spectacular failure to respond to Katrina followed from a deliberate White House policy: of paring back FEMA, and instead strengthening the military for responses to disasters. A multimillion program for detention facilities will greatly increase NORTHCOM's ability to respond to any domestic disorders. Scott is author of "Drugs, Oil, and War: The United States in Afghanistan, Colombia, and Indochina" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003). He is completing a book on "The Road to 9/11." Visit his Web site . http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=eed74d9d44c30493706fe03f4c9b3a77Life is ez On the dz Every jumper's dream 3 rigs and an airstream Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #2 February 2, 2006 The sky is falling, the sky is falling... This is nothing new... there has been a similar contract in place for the last 5 years... its a contingency... JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #3 February 2, 2006 QuoteThe sky is falling, the sky is falling... This is nothing new... there has been a similar contract in place for the last 5 years... its a contingency... J Well, that's a relief!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #4 February 2, 2006 QuoteWell, that's a relief! Then were was you outrage when the last contract was awarded? I'll give you a guess who was in charge when it was... his last name does not start with a "B"...All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #5 February 2, 2006 QuoteQuoteWell, that's a relief! Then were was you outrage when the last contract was awarded? I'll give you a guess who was in charge when it was... his last name does not start with a "B"... Not Bill? Who was it then?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #6 February 2, 2006 QuoteNot Bill? Who was it then? LAST name... Quotehis last name does not start with a "B"... read what is there, not what you think is there... JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #7 February 3, 2006 QuoteQuoteNot Bill? Who was it then? LAST name... Quotehis last name does not start with a "B"... read what is there, not what you think is there... J Back to the old CDIF defense. Can't you guys think of something new for a change?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #8 February 3, 2006 Nonsense, Bush wants all the illegals in the country that can make it here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #9 February 3, 2006 QuoteNonsense, Bush wants all the illegals in the country that can make it here They work cheap, and you needn't pay benefits. GOP business-parasites love that.Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #10 February 3, 2006 Oh goody, more overtime for me.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #11 February 3, 2006 QuoteBack to the old CDIF defense. I didn't have a problem with it when it was done then, and I don't have a problem with it now... apparently others can't say the same... QuoteCan't you guys think of something new for a change? pot, kettle... kettle, pot... JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #12 February 3, 2006 QuoteOh goody, more overtime for me. Some how I have a hard time seeing you as as "Mac the Man"...... Prison Guard. Seriously though, I find it entertaining watching the Chicken Littles reactions. Has anyone considered the ramifications of an outbreak of Avian Flu or a massive terrorist attack? Is it so hard to see that people might need to be confined to protect the rest of us from those infected with Bird Flu? Of course we could do nothing and then the same people would bitch that we weren't prepared if something happened, much in the same way they blamed the govt. for not being prepared after Katrina. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #13 February 3, 2006 "Some how I have a hard time seeing you as as "Mac the Man"...... Prison Guard." True, true... A different part of Halliburton as well. The part I work for is about to be the subject of a managementt buy out, so your stock might go up a wee bit. I was a bit puzzled by this post, does it make Halliburton evil, or the US Govt? Its one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't scenarios as you described in your post.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #14 February 3, 2006 You're not getting away with this that easy... Quotedoes it make Halliburton evil, or the US Govt? Both Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #15 February 3, 2006 Are Halliburton and the US Govt actually the same thing? Wish I'd known the answer when I signed my contract.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #16 February 3, 2006 Quote"Some how I have a hard time seeing you as as "Mac the Man"...... Prison Guard." True, true... A different part of Halliburton as well. The part I work for is about to be the subject of a managementt buy out, so your stock might go up a wee bit. I was a bit puzzled by this post, does it make Halliburton evil, or the US Govt? Its one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't scenarios as you described in your post. I dumped a lot of Haliburton stock last year when the lefties started whining about surrendering and withdrawing from Iraq. Been buying Exxon Mobile and Shell and lots of Shadow stock. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #17 February 3, 2006 "Been buying Exxon Mobile and Shell." Good call, record profits reported over here. Questionable ethics from Shell though.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdD 1 #18 February 3, 2006 Yep, Avian Flu and other viral diseases will be a good excuse for them to install furnaces. Seriously people, if you think this is benign wake up and smell the bullshit! Why not buy more respirators for hospitals with this money? there's a prophet on a mountain and he's making up dinner With long division and writing crop Anybody can feel like a winner When it's served up piping hot But the people aren't looking for a handout They're America's working corps Can this be what they voted for? Let them eat war [x2] That's how to ration the poor Let them eat war [x2] There's an urgent need to feed Declining pride From the force to the union shops The war economy is making new jobs But the people who benefit most Are breaking bread with their benevolent hosts Who never stole from the rich to give to the poor All they ever gave to them was a war And a foreign enemy to deplore Let them eat war [x2] That's how to ration the poor Let them eat war [x2] There's an urgent need to feed Declining pride We've got to kill 'em and eat 'em Before they reach for their checks Squeeze some blue collars Let them bleed from their necks Seize a few dollars from the people who sweat Cause it's freedom or death and they won't question it At a job site the boss is god like Conditioned workhorses park at a stoplight Seasoned vets with their feet in nets A stones throw away from a rock fight But not tonight, feed ‘em death Here comes another ration (feed them death) Cause they're the finest in the nation (feed them death) When there's nothing left to feed them When it's freedom or it's death Let them eat war [x2] That's how to ration the poor Let them eat war [x2] There's an urgent need to feed - Bad ReligionLife is ez On the dz Every jumper's dream 3 rigs and an airstream Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
