Militarizing Health Care

[Wind Dancer]

Bird Flu: the Nightmare Scenario

By NICOLE COLSON

><


But George W. Bush sees an opportunity to exploit. Bush told reporters earlier this month that he would be willing to enforce a quarantine in the event of a bird flu outbreak in he U.S.--with the "use of a military that's able to plan and move."

Congress may already be helping Bush's wish become a reality. The Senate Armed Services Committee is reportedly considering proposals to increase the military's role in natural disasters by creating National Guard units specializing in disaster response--and clearing the way for active troops to engage in law enforcement activities on U.S. soil, something that's currently illegal.

Congressional aides recently told U.S. News and World Report that some senators are also considering introducing legislation that would allow the Feds, in "extreme circumstances," to take command of the National Guard without first getting approval from a governor.

Bush claims a military response to a flu pandemic is necessary because the Pentagon is "the institution of our government most capable of massive logistical operations on a moment's notice," and has the ability to quickly mobilize needed equipment, personnel and communications capabilities.

-more-

http://www.counterpunch.org/colson10142005.html

I want to know which senators plan to introduce this new legislation? This is one scary scenario, we can't allow this to happen.
:mad: