Is There a Silent Encroachment of Freedom Afoot?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By Rabbi Manuel Rodriguez Jr.
 
Please don't call me a conspiracy theorist, but…, could there be (as James Madison said) a "silent encroachment" of freedom afoot in this nation? 
 
Since the Obama administration has been in the White House it has proposed a stimulus package, which will be used to ensure nationalized healthcare.  It has signed a recent executive order repealing the "Mexico City Policy," which will force American taxpayers to support groups internationally who promote and perform abortions for the purposes of population control.  And it is looking to pass a hate-crimes bill that will extend hate-crime violations to speech, which will make it possible to prosecute people for simply voicing critical opinions about certain lifestyles. 
 
And now this…, 
 
Representative Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla., has just introduced bill H.R. 645 to the House of Representatives, which calls for the Director of Homeland Security to establish national "emergency" centers on military installations. 
 
This bill (aka the "National Emergency Centers Establishment Act) states:
 
a) In General – In accordance with the requirements of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish not fewer than 6 national emergency centers on military installations.
 
b) Purpose of National Emergency Centers – The purpose of a national emergency center shall be to use existing infrastructure:
 
1) to provide temporary housing, medical and humanitarian assistance to individual and families due to an emergency or major disaster;
 
2) to provide centralized locations for the purposes of training and ensuring the coordination of Federal, State and local first responders.
           
3) to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response and recovery efforts of government, private and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations; and
 
4) to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary  of Homeland Security.
 
The term "emergency" defined in this bill is "any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States." [1]  This means that the President can declare an emergency (as he defines it) and take over all Federal, State and local governments without the approval of Congress.  However, why establish "emergency centers" when these things stated in the above purposes are already being accomplished at military installations and are included in local emergency operation plans?  And, who exactly will be placed in these camps?  Civilians?  Unfortunately, these "emergency centers" sound more like detention camps than anything else.      
 
FEMA is already able to provide emergency housing for people in case of emergency or disaster.  Organizations such as the Red Cross can provide first-responder training.  And most communities have established areas that are designated for emergency response and training.  Also, most (if not all) communities have emergency preparedness joint control centers that provide for recovery efforts, which include not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations.  All one has to do is contact their local emergency response coordinator to find out this information (usually the sheriff or local fire chief). 
 
Again, I am not implying that there is some vast conspiracy taking place in our government.  Yet, all of this does seem very interesting (to say the least).
 
James Madison said, "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations." 
 
Does all of this mean that we are to live our lives in fear and paranoia?  No, this simply means that we continue to have faith in our L-RD Yeshua.  Our trust in G-d must remain steadfast; for He is the One with all authority.  And we are to continue to reach the world with the gospel; this is our Biblical mandate; 
 
"And Yeshua came up and spoke to them saying, "All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.  Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I AM with you always, even to the end of the age" – Mt 28:18-20 (NASB).
 
Shalom.
 
 
 
 
 

[1] The term 'emergency' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).