who has authority to place 1st army in total control?

[thunderchief]

Bush? The Governor of LA?

[alicia-w]

the President.

[Talon402]

A Google search looks like the Gov. of LA has to impose what is called "public emergency" (which has already happened) because there is no official martial law written into the LA constitution.

Failing that, obviously the President would order it.

[alicia-w]

true, but the governor has no authority over the Army units.

[ericinmia]

The President, or Congress only can...

BUT...

Becuase of States Rights... The Govenor has to request this to occur. At which point Congress and the President and the military commanders assume full control.
-Eric

[MBismyPlayground]

true, but the governor has no authority over the Army units.

Nope, once martial law takes effects, the only authority is the President of the US. The active duty military just enforce his authority.

[mahicks]

The President, or Congress only can...

BUT...

Becuase of States Rights... The Govenor has to request this to occur. At which point Congress and the President and the military commanders assume full control.
-Eric

Perfect answer

[Talon402]

Also, if the President wishes to impose it, and the Congress doesn't agree (because the constitution is kind of vague on who's authority the orders rest), there would be a split, and the Judiciary would have to resolve the dispute between the Executive and Legislative branches.

/my best friend is google.

[Downdraft]

Let's not kid ourselves the military is in control of this now and it's evident from what you see on t.v. Let's try to remember what everyone on here seems to be advocating a military takeover of a section of the United States. The same constitution we cherish so much for our civil liberties forbids this do we junk our civil liberties that we cherish so much? The answer is yes we just do it very quietly and with overwhelming military presence. That's exactly what your watching on t.v. now. We are doing it within the law but none the less it's being finally being done.

[RichG]

Downdraft,

I am not so sure the military is in charge yet. For example the National guard units currently in la reports directly to the governor of la. The active duty relief efforts are cooridnated through homeland security. I believe it takes the governor giving up and transferring to the President military control. I would be very surprised if she did that. There are all sorts of firewalls preventing the military "taking over". I just don't think the President is going take over without the governor giving up the ghost.

[Downdraft]

Downdraft,

I am not so sure the military is in charge yet. For example the National guard units currently in la reports directly to the governor of la. The active duty relief efforts are cooridnated through homeland security. I believe it takes the governor giving up and transferring to the President military control. I would be very surprised if she did that. There are all sorts of firewalls preventing the military "taking over". I just don't think the President is going take over without the governor giving up the ghost.

You can do things without doing things. You know what I mean?

[Talon402]

Precisely.

[Downdraft]

Let me clarify my post. You put 40,000 combined military forces on the ground in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Do you really think the Governor of Louisana (nice lady that she appears to be) feels competent in directing them. She's going to say General what shoudl we do now and he's going to say Madam Governor I think we should do x, y and z. There isn't a doubt in my mind she's going to say General take care of it.

[Air Force Met]

Let me clarify my post. You put 40,000 combined military forces on the ground in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Do you really think the Governor of Louisana (nice lady that she appears to be) feels competent in directing them. She's going to say General what shoudl we do now and he's going to say Madam Governor I think we should do x, y and z. There isn't a doubt in my mind she's going to say General take care of it.

Trust me...the Commander on the ground...a 3 Star...is in charge of those troops...whether they have been put on State active duty or federal...they report up the chain to the first army commander. Even those of us on the Air Force side of the house are reporting to him eventually...and he reports to NORTHCOM...and so on.

[MBismyPlayground]

Let me clarify my post. You put 40,000 combined military forces on the ground in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Do you really think the Governor of Louisana (nice lady that she appears to be) feels competent in directing them. She's going to say General what shoudl we do now and he's going to say Madam Governor I think we should do x, y and z. There isn't a doubt in my mind she's going to say General take care of it.

Trust me...the Commander on the ground...a 3 Star...is in charge of those troops...whether they have been put on State active duty or federal...they report up the chain to the first army commander. Even those of us on the Air Force side of the house are reporting to him eventually...and he reports to NORTHCOM...and so on.

AF MET......And where have YOU been? figured you had to have been busy or you would have been chiming in before now. Good to see ya around.

[schmita]

Yea Met,
Thought you were mustering out. Oh boy, gave my age up on that one.
I was with 34th ARRW at Patrick. CH 53's. I guess the new unit is going.
Thought they called you up to ATC at NO?
irina

[Air Force Met]

Yea Met,
Thought you were mustering out. Oh boy, gave my age up on that one.
I was with 34th ARRW at Patrick. CH 53's. I guess the new unit is going.
Thought they called you up to ATC at NO?
irina

We are waiting for $$$ to come down and for NORTHCOM to figure out the aerial ports that will be used.

[mf_dolphin]

i heard this morning that the AF had a team in New Orleans trying to get the airport there ready for air traffic. Haven't heard anything since but I assume this is a Combat Control Team in action.