Quote:
Originally Posted by epitome
Wasn't martial law in effect in New Orleans? Guess what? That is part of martial law, which is why it's rarely declared... It's a very serious thing that not even the government takes lightly (contrary to what the kooks on GFY think).
|
Kind of. LA laws are different from most of the states, and 'Martial Law' is not codified there. Instead there was a 'state of emergency' which is pretty much the same thing, allowing for the temporary suspension of civil and Miranda rights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial...ricane_Katrina
Also, the federal government cannot occupy a US city without first receiving a formal request from the local government. This, coupled with a breakdown in communication, played a role in Bush's delay in sending support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act
This is actually a pretty good article about an examination of the powers of the executive office and their role in the events of hurricane Katrina -
http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/vi...context=wmborj