It just keeps getting better. Few of us are even aware of our current state of national emergency, or national state of emergency. Pick one. The way this is shaping up, even fewer care. No, this is not referencing the one instituted on September 14, 2001, by one of this country’s greatest ungifted orators, Bush the junior.

Today’s emergency information comes in the form of the latest state of national emergency extension declaration, by another of this country’s great orators, President Obama. Actually, it’s not today’s information, it’s over a month old. That’s right, on September 10, 2009, into that dainty daily publication known as the Federal Register, Obama placed the following words:

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT

TO CERTAIN TERRORIST ATTACKS

Consistent with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared on September 14, 2001, in Proclamation 7463, with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the United States.

Because the terrorist threat continues, the national emergency declared on September 14, 2001, and the powers and authorities adopted to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond September 14, 2009. Therefore, I am continuing in effect for an additional year the national emergency the former President declared on September 14, 2001, with respect to the terrorist threat.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

Which “CERTAIN TERRORIST ATTACKS” are we referring to here? The ones that Dick Cheney has referenced in his warnings before, and after, leaving office (in ceremony only)? Or should we be thinking of a new anthrax attack? How about a new version of swine flu? Bird flu?

While mainstream media has failed, again, to beat the drum on anything as significant as this, the American people are left to scratch their heads, preparing themselves for the upcoming national emergency. That, as previously stated, is if they even care.

For those who are unfamiliar with some of the gems associated with this renewed declaration, please follow. The president may, at his whim or discretion or wild hair, seize property. He may organize and control the means of production. He may seize commodities. He may assign military forces abroad.

If those emergency measures weren’t enough, consider this. He may institute martial law. He may seize and control all transportation and communication. He may also regulate the operation of private enterprise. If you’ve still not had enough of the he mays, he may restrict travel and he may, in he may ways that have yet to be announced, control the lives of United States citizens. These he mays are brought to you in part by a published report in 2007 from the Congressional Research Service.

For those still out of the loop, part of gift from “the former President” includes searches without warrant of citizens’ financial data. Additionally, if you are deemed to be an “enemy combatant” by the White House, you very well are assured no right to legal representation. For some of us, this is eight year old news. For others, they remain clueless.

While this type of government state has been slowly creating its place, it has yet to act upon its creation. When martial law is declared, it will be too late for the unthinking populace.

Then there’s the famous “Any incident, regardless of location ...” line, among many others, that comprise National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51), one of Bush’s great almost-going-away presents that he signed on May 9, 2007.

Of the numerous absurdities associated with this directive is the action allowed the President, with authority obtained from Congress (no real challenge there), to use federal troops (i.e. the U.S. military) for various purposes on U.S. soil. Thinking of engaging in what your government might call civil unrest? Think hard. In other words, sleep well at night knowing that soldiers, tanks and bombs may some day be marching, crawling, and creeping in a U.S. city street near you.

What about the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, you ask? That is an old federal law, and even older news. NSPD-51 effectively overrules that law limiting the powers of the U.S. military for law enforcement within the U.S. borders.

Let’s save discussion of the use of national guard units, without consent of state governors, for any purpose deemed necessary in their respective state or any other. Or the establishment of federal programs to assist in the implementation of martial law by using the business community, clergy, and academics.

Granted, we live in a society where government continues to infiltrate all aspects of our lives. Many government activities are ruled by the government secret. This does not deny the fact that, like it or not, our halls of Congress are filled with predators. We remain the prey.

In this instance, it is astounding indeed that the gifted orator has failed to orate to the masses who had hoped for change. Astounding.