Martial Law Sweeps Have Already Taken Place In Three States

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"Operation Sudden Impact" and involved more than 50 federal, state and local agencies in what local media deemed "an anti-crime and anti-terrorism initiative."

"The recent disclosures underscore the Bush administration's extraordinarily sweeping conception of executive power," said Jameel Jaffer, Director of the ACLU's National Security Project. "The administration's lawyers believe the president should be permitted to violate statutory law, to violate international treaties, and even to violate the Fourth Amendment inside the U.S. They believe that the president should be above the law."

Authority for Use of Military Force to Combat Terrorist Activities Within the United States.

This action took place in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. The initiative given the military name of "Operation Sudden Impact" rounded up fugitives, conducted traffic checkpoints, climbed on board boats on the Mississippi River and more actions that were labeled "crime-abatement." This is America's new target of "anti-terrorism", it's own backyard.

In Memphis is was reported by WREG that 332 people were arrested. 142 of those were fugitives. Those fugitives now have a new title, they are terrorists.

In Shelby County, Tennessee 71 people were arrested during the 24 hour sweep.

"Our community is considered an international distribution center and is a possible target for terrorists," said Capt. Dale Lane, commander of the Sheriff's Office Homeland Security Bureau.

The government took possession of hundreds of dollars and drugs that were recovered. Over 1,290 tickets were handed out to speeders and those illegally parked.

"Newly unredacted documents released today reveal that the Department of Defense is using the FBI to circumvent legal limits on its own NSL power," said the ACLU.

Businesses and stores were raided and their computers and paperwork was confiscated. One business owner was told that the FBI agents that raided his establishment was looking for stolen electronics. They are trying to track down possible terrorists before "something big happens."

"What we have found traditionally is that terrorists are involved in a number of lesser known type crimes," said Mark Luttrell, Shelby County sheriff.

There is no word if any of the goods confiscated led to arrests.

Those arrested by a federal law enforcement agency were subject to give over DNA samples. Gone are the days when fingerprinting was the standard of booking, now if you are arrested you are subjected to a cheek swab for the collection of DNA. The Justice Department has seen Congress expand their authority in two different laws passed in 2005 and 2006.

The DNA database, CODIS is being expanded. It is estimated that every year an additional 1.2 million people will be added to the database.

According to the Washington Post:

Dozens of the organizations known as fusion centers were created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to identify potential threats and improve the way information is shared. The centers use law enforcement analysts and sophisticated computer systems to compile, or fuse, disparate tips and clues and pass along the refined information to other agencies.

Martial law is already in the landscape of the United States. It's quiet and rarely written about but operations such as this one are taking place. Perhaps one of the most frightening aspects of the FEMA programs is the training of pastors and other religious officials to teach their flock to "obey the government."