Contra-Gate - The U.S. In Crisis: (6)
Congressman Gonzalez turns his attention to the great danger posed to our civil liberties and constitutional democracy by the Reagan Administration's plans developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.) Although the Congressional Contragate hearings denied permission to discuss these FEMA plans, Gonzalez reveals how, at the mere declaration by the president, Constitutional guarantees will be suspended and a new civilian and military structure will be established at all levels of government. Indeed, a shadow government is now in place and in training for just such an emergency. In addition to Gonzalez, University of Texas history professor, Tom Philpott assesses the situation from an historical perspective, and reminds us of other periods in U.S. history when repressive laws and government activity were rampant. Philpott agrees with Gonzalez on the seriousness of the situation, which the press and Congress are ignoring.