Renee Montagne: Last week it was revealed the Bush
Administration has sequestered 100 – 150 Federal
Executives in 2 undisclosed bunkers. It is hoped this
Shadow government will help keep the executive branch
running in the event of a major terrorist attack on
Washington, DC.
Commentator Paul Light is curious about the makeup of this new backup government.
Paul Light: When I heard the news about the shadow
government, I couldn’t help wondering who the Bush
administration had called for this bureaucratic Noah’s
Ark. Although the shadow government is designed to
protect essential government services, it’s not clear
just how the Bush administration defines the term
“essential.” Of course the shadow has to cover
National security and law enforcement, but what about
dairy price supports or environmental protection and
consumer safety? I also wondered how you’d keep the
secret if you were asked to join this clandestine
group—It’s members are prohibited from telling anyone
where they’re going or why, but their subordinates
have to know they’re missing. How do you tell your
colleagues that you’re going to be late for work for
90 days or so. I even thought a bit about what the
shadow government is doing out there: it must be a
little like being Vice President of the United States.
These employees really don’t have much to do unless
something terrible happens. The Bush administration
was only being prudent here, but it should have told
the Country what was going on earlier…listen to entire segment (Real Player 2:24)
Commentary
Shadow Government
March 6, 2002