Cheney DID NOT say he is no Longer a Member of the Executive Branch: The Real Story is Much Worse

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

Cheney DID NOT say he is no Longer a Member of the Executive Branch: The Real Story is Much Worse
by a progressive American patriot at http://progressiveamericanpatriot.blogspot.com/">Progressive American Patriot
http://progressiveamericanpatriot.blogspot.com/2007/06/cheney-did-not-say-he-is-no-longer.html">Link to original[br />
The story is making its way around the internet that Cheney has said he is not a part of the executive branch. Hard as it is to believe, the real story is much worse. His office is quoted as saying that because he is a member of the both executive and the legislative branches, he is therefore not required to reply to a request by the National Archives for it comply with record keeping laws regarding the executive branch. The quote from the letter in question is "...the OVB spokesperson indicated, 'This has been reviewed and it's been determined that the reporting requirement does not apply to The Office of the Vice President, which has both legislative and executive functions.'"

http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20070621095027.pdf

Cheney did not say the law does not apply to him because he is not a member of the executive, he said it doesn't apply to him because he is both a member of the executive and a member of the legislature. This is an important distinction because it arrives at the point where there is an explicit contradiction within the statement. This is a step beyond outright lying (i.e. VP is not part of executive branch). The logic of this statement goes like this:

(1) Records law applies to the executive branch
(2) The Office of the Vice-President is in both the executive and legislative branch
<1,2> (3) The records law does not apply to VP

This logic could be applied to Senate rules as well, and could well be used to argue that no laws apply to him at all. It is the letter linked to above that takes this unbelievably faulty logic to its inevitable conclusion and brings us back to reality:

(1) Records law applies to the executive branch
(2) Records law does not apply to the Vice-President according to Vice-President
<1,2> (3) The Vice-President is not a member of the executive branch

And I am sure Democrats on the hill will be able to take it even further

<3> (4) The Vice-President lacks executive privilege

The conclusion of any logical person of course is that the Vice-President is insane and should be impeached. But let's be fair: he acknowledges being a part of the executive branch, he just thinks that this law should not apply to him because he is also a member of the legislative branch. I really don't know how The White House or Republicans, or the press is going to spin this. Then again, they could spin it the same way they sold torture. Just repeat something over and over again, have no shame, and eventually people will come to believe the big lie. Torture is patriotic when done for the right reasons. Global warming is a myth. Science is inconclusive on the subject. Constitutional experts disagree as to whether the Vice-President is exempt from laws governing the executive as he is a member of the executive and the legislature.

I swear to God they are going to find a "constitutional expert" to say that the Constitution is ambiguous on whether laws governing the executive apply to the VP. And the press is going to quote both sides in a "fair and balanced way." This is the problem with American journalism which teaches that there are two equal sides to any story. Crazy people with no shame come along and they justify crazy things by making things up and repeating them over and over and over until people start to believe the big lie. And the "fair and balanced" press just continues quoting both sides in an equal manner. Signing statements Bush style are no longer unprecedented attacks on the Constitution according to CNN. Why? Because that is what the White House says and every story has two equal sides. Cheney doesn't think the law applies to him. Democrats SAY the Constitution says otherwise. They disagree. Fair and balanced requires that we present both sides equally, thus Cheney gets quoted on an equal footing with sane people who think the law applies to them.

They've done it. They have done what Nixon couldn't do. They announce their criminal behavior in advance and claim it is morally just and they get away with it. Or when they classify their crimes and they get caught, they say after the fact that it was morally just and they get away with it. Then the press reports "the Democratic position," they broke the law, and the White House position, we are morally righteous in what we do so shut up and write our side of the story or we'll out your CIA wife. That of course isn't criminal. See, this is where Nixon screwed up. He acknowledged that if he had done what he was accused of doing, that it was wrong. Nixon's problem was he said he didn't do it. He should of just said, yeah I did it and it was legal, and it was good for democracy and stopped the communists and he could have had 8 years like Bush. Unbelievable. I am a member of the executive and legislative so the laws governing the executive do not apply to me. This statement can easily be changed to apply to the legislative branch. I am a member of the legislative and executive branches, so the laws governing the legislative branch do not apply to me. An 8th grade civics education makes these statements absurd.

Update: And indeed since writing this I have heard two NPR stories on this. The first said Cheney "exempted himself" and totally spun the story "fair and balanced." Even NPR was able to spin it! He failed to comply with the law, which is a polite way of saying he broke the law. He didn't have the power to "exempt himself." But according to NPR, it is a story of Democrats vs Cheney. They quoted him as saying that his office is not an entity in the executive branch and that was the end of the story. The "journalist" said it with a straight voice. Unbelievable. How can you say that without laughing at its absurdity? An updated NPR story didn't even mention Cheney's faulty logic. At least one constitutional scholar has been http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1261266.html">quoted as follows,

“The vice president is saying he doesn't have to follow the orders of the president," said Garrett Epps, a law professor at the University of Oregon. "That's a very interesting proposition." He said the lines have not been drawn that clearly: "The vice president spans, in some ways, the branches of government.”

I don’t think he knew the exact quote because he makes the actual quote sound patently absurd.

If you liked this article http://www.buzzflash.net/submit.php?url=http%3A//progressiveamericanpatriot.blogspot.com/2007/06/cheney-did-not-say-he-is-no-longer.html">buzz-it!

[whistle]

1. Looks like Dick Cheney in his desperation to avoid accountability

...has tried to apply a thick coat of Teflon on himself and has now slipped right into the hands of congress who can impeach him without any question about executive privilege protection. He nailed himself!

'The time has come,' the Walrus said,
'To talk of many things:
Of wars -- and tricks -- and stealing tax --
Of criminals -- and kings --
And why Cheney's seat is boiling hot --
And whether Dick needs wings.'

[Harry Monroe]

38. If they have the balls...

...which they don't.

[Jawja]

84. Well actually, it's

the handful of Republicans in the Senate who are holding us hostile to this criminal government. If say, 6 or 7 Senate Republicans decide that country trumps party, THEN Congress can deal with Bush and Cheney. Otherwise, since the Democrats don't have the power to do it without some Republicans, it won't happen.

Until enough Republicans in the Senate either decide to put country ahead of party or are either voted out, the Democrats do not really have the power to do anything about it.


On edit: Who are Bush and Cheney's HENCHMEN in the Senate? (if you count Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Liddy Dole, it's HENCHPEOPLE). Everytime one of these thugs brazenly breaks the law and then they remain in office, look at the Republicans in the Senate as partners in crime. The Dems have House. The Dems can do something in the House; but need the Senate to really do anything about it.

In other words, it's not just Bush and Cheney. It includes Republicans in the Senate who are backing them every time. They are the head of the snake. The rest of the snake is in the Senate.

[Kikosexy2]

58. Again, say if ..

Preznut Chimpie is killed or dies from choking on a pretzel...is it not the duty of the VP to take over as Preznut...will Dick of Death be considered above the law

[global1]

2. So Cheney Feels That The VP Is More Important Than The President? .....

I'm not so sure that anyone would interpret this his way.

[malaise]

3. Bingo

Accountable to nofuggingone.

:puke: :puke:

[LiberalFighter]

6. Actually if Cheney says he doesn't have to follow Bush's orders

He is saying that he is Super President


If I was President and I had a VP like that I would have him arrested for treason. But of course Bush doesn't have any guts.

[smirkymonkey]

91. What scares me is that Cheney wouldn't be acting like this if he

didn't know that he could get away with it (upcoming "terra attack"? Martial Law on the way?, some other surprise in store that will completely dismantle our democracy?).

He's very cocky and cavalier about the whole thing which makes me think he knows that he doesn't he doesn't have to follow the law because soon the law and the government as we know it will be ancient history. Maybe I'm overly cynical, but I think a military dictatorship could be a distinct possibility. I'm not even sure we'll get to the point where we'll HAVE elections in 2008.

[emilyg]

64. He's acting like he is.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Doesn't Congress have over-sight over themselves?

Ding Ding Ding - We got Cheney screwed!!!

[lfairban]

69. I was thinking that too.

According to:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:7svg0cWkZY0J:lugar.senate.gov/CRS%2520reports/Recall_of_Legislators_and_the_Removal_of_Members_of_Congress_from_Office.pdf+Removal+of+U.S.+senator+from+office&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

Cheney can be expelled, but he cannot be removed, from the Senate by a 2/3 vote.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_senators_expelled_or_censured

[LiberalFighter]

88. Maybe not expell him

but if he thinks he is part of the legislature too then the Senate can make rules that affect him directly without a 2/3 vote. Not laws that are signed by the President but rules that members of the Senate must abide by.

[Deep13]

5. "The Real Story is Much Worse"

I've been reading and hearing that phrase a lot lately.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

7. It's sad, but true n/t

[madison]

8. If the vice president is not subject to the rules . . .

If the vice president is not subject to the rules of the executive branch, he cannot have the protections of the executive branch, such as "executive privilege."

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

12. This is why his comments are a beauty, he is going to have to retract them if the Dems go after him

this way n/t

[indie_voter]

15. IF is the key word. n/t

[Harry Monroe]

39. He's DARING Congress to go after him!!!

But I'd bet dollars to donuts they don't have the nads and the spine to stand up to this evil fuck.

[NewJeffCT]

44. I think you're right

As Colbert said about Bush - he's daring Congress to impeach him. It looks like Cheney is doing the same.

[JohnyCanuck]

57. Who needs a letter full of anthrax in the mail? n/t

[Jawja]

85. No, because it's the

Republicans in the Senate who have to do it. Dems don't have the power alone.

[bdamomma]

21. so that means is he screwing himself when he says he is

not in the executive branch, how much BS can these thugs shovel, we are in a constitutional crisis, and Cheney has said FUCK YOU to all us again.

[Harry Monroe]

41. And how much more bullshit do we have to stand for??

I will vote INDEPENDENT in EVERY FUCKING ELECTION from here on out if our Democratic controlled Congress does not stand up and do something about this evil shithead NOW!!! My faith in this once courageous party has now been shattered.

[calimary]

72. Have you contacted your reps and told them exactly this?

At the moment, they're shaking because they didn't realize how poorly their cave-in to bush would go over. They're stunned by the booing and the other adverse reactions from the Take Back America conference. While they've been home, they've been railed against by angry constituents who feel betrayed by their spinelessness. Then they read Newsweek and other news outlets and see how their overall approval ratings are lower than junior's.

I hope TO GOD they decide to make some adjustments. I hope they take that harsh dose of reality to heart. Otherwise they'll be taking it to the unemployment line. Nancy, too. Nancy especially. PUT IMPEACHMENT BACK ON THE TABLE, cookie-face. And if you're squeamish about conflicts of interest in succeeding bush and cheney upon their IMPEACHMENT and hopefully REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, then FOR PETE'S SAKE, TRADE PLACES WITH STENY HOYER OR SOMEBODY. Then you'll be comfortably out of range and off the hot seat. And QUIT IGNORING YOUR BASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

9. So, because he has duo functions, no laws apply to him?

Oh, sure,...that makes perfect sense.
:silly:
What a friggin' ROGUE!!!!

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

10. That's essentially what his office said n/t

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

11. Then, of course, his office says it's operating according to law.

Head-spinning bs, huh?

But, see,...that makes sense, too!!! Since their position is that the law doesn't apply, they are operating according to law.

:freak:

:argh:

When are these anti-social criminals going to be taken down? How far will they be allowed to go: full-blown dictatorship? After all, they are prepared to install a shadow government and destroy the other two branches in the event of some kind of national emergency. Isn't that a possibility that should be squashed BEFORE it happens.

:scared:

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

14. The cycle is just nuts n/t

[Prophet 451]

59. It COULD be but probably won't

Your nation is speeding toward a full-blown fascist dictatorship (I studied PoliSci, I'm not just using nasty names there, I'm using the words in their full technical meaning). It could be stopped before it goes that far but given that the Congress is terrified of being called nasty names by the Rethugs, the national press is asleep at the wheel and the electorate have been throughly distracted, it probably won't be stopped before it gets that far.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

13. Now Recomended diary on Daily Kos

If anyone is interested in what people are saying over there: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/6/22/9505/97261

[KoKo]

18. This is an Interesting Quote from Kos poster on how we can Frame This ...

This scandal needs a simple phrase (12+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
Superribbie, JuliaAnn, antirove, stacystace, chumley, Omen, DrSpalding, Carbide Bit, donnamarie, sccs, gchaucer2, alasmoses, Greasy Grant

to sum it up for mass consumption. Most people have a pretty tenuous grasp of the structure of our government and aren't going to get deep into the separation of powers questions (no matter how important). How about:

"Vice President says President cannot order him to protect national secrets."

"Vice President claims rules about classified secrets don't apply to him."

"Cheney says he's his own branch of government and not accountable to anyone."

by Marinesquire on Fri Jun 22, 2007 at 07:04:03 AM PDT

[Straight Shooter]

20. When you break it down like that, he's insulating himself against charges of treason in Plame case.

If rules about classified secrets don't apply to him, then he committed no crime by disseminating info about Plame. What a bastard.

I wonder if a little birdie told Cheney that Libby is about to do some talking.

[KoKo]

22. Good Point...maybe it's a contorted legal argument by a desperate VP trying to

make his last stand over what might be coming down the pike for him.

IF...he's ever held accountable. But, just in case he probably got that new Legal Team burning midnight oil to come up with CHENEY'S LAST STAND for his Imperial Presidency. Ugh.

[defendandprotect]

68. Plame and who knows what more? We don't know --

[bdamomma]

23. not accountable to anyone?

no no mr. cheney how much BS can you spew?? total arrogance of this jerk. He needs to be hauled out of office.

[lonestarnot]

70. And thrown on the fucking lawn like so much trash.

[PurpleChez]

77. The lawn is too good for him....

I say a midden heap or some other pile of shit. And throw him in face first. And try to make sure his mouth is open. There...I've grossed myself out for the morning...time for breaky.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

24. "Vice President says President cannot order him to protect national secrets." was my favorite n/t

[Eurobabe]

16. I need a Venn Diagram to follow DeadEye's skewed logic

:mad:

[PurpleChez]

78. a Venn diagram would require some loglical, conistent points of overlap

which I don't think exist here. This would be more of a scatter plot...the pattern birdshot makes when you shoot an elderly friend in the face during a drunken hunting trip.

[Eurobabe]

79. Good one!

:rofl:

[PurpleChez]

92. Thank you!

Always appreciated!

[Nightjock]

17. I can only imagine the spin defending Cheaney

over at FR. (I refuse to go there.)
Maybe even those blind, robot, racists will see the light about this evil man.

[Straight Shooter]

19. According to Cheney, the more power he has, the less accountable he is?

Uhm, wasn't that one of their arguments for regime change in Iraq, that Saddam had too much power and wasn't accountable to anyone? And if Cheney says he doesn't have to answer to bush, what does that do to bush's stature? (such as it is)

At least they can't say, "Gore did it, too."

[Harry Monroe]

42. "The more power he has, the less accountable he is"

Straight Shooter, wouldn't this define a dictator?? Of course he's been the real power behind the throne all along.

[Straight Shooter]

48. What's Cheney's precedent argument going to be? "Saddam did it, too"?

I suspect there is a real CYA policy going on, here, that Cheney is not only thumbing his nose at the Constitution, but also at bush.

We'll see how much more of a power grab Cheney attempts to assert. It's possible that all those operations he's had are stifling the flow of blood to his brain to where he truly cannot grasp how megalomaniacal he sounds.

[DFW]

25. Cheney's argument reminds me of an old Flintstones cartoon

Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble wanted to get into a club for free on Ladies' Night.
They went without Fred or Barney, and so were greeted at the door by a bouncer looking to
collect the cover charge from at least one of them.

Wilma said, "This is Ladies' Night, isn't it?" The bouncer said yeah. So Wilma points
at Betty and says, "I'm with her." The bouncer look to Betty for money. Betty says,
"This is Ladies' Night, isn't it?" The bouncer says yeah. Betty points at Wilma and
says, "I'm with her." Before the bouncer can figure out whether he has been had or
what, they both cheerfully march into the club without paying.

This, in effect looks like what Cheney is trying to pull. When it's convenient to
part of the legislature, he isn't executive, and when it's convenient to be part
of the executive, then he is. Whenever he's vulnerable, then that is exactly what he
is not. Pretty neat trick if you can pull it off.

So how come he thinks he can pull it off? Worse, how come he IS pulling it off?

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

27. We need the youtube clip of that n/t

[DFW]

30. Oh, sure, I'll just run to the time machine and grab it!

I saw this when I was something like ten years old, and not since! I have no clue if it's on Youtube or not,
and if I go scouring video stores here in the Rheinland, they'll all be German versions, and I only have a
device that plays US DVDs with me.

Sorry, can't help you with that one!

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

31. It is in the archives somewhere! n/t

[PurpleChez]

81. After all of the work that goes into negotiating the specs

of things like DVD formats, HDTV formats, etc., why do we still have--what is it?--five or six "regions" of DVD formats. I know this strays just a bit from the topic of the thread, but it just got me whining.

[AndreaCG]

40. Except Wilma and Betty were following the rules

They ARE both Ladies!

[PurpleChez]

80. Great reference!

And don't you think that the Dick looks a bit like Mr. Slate (the most common version) or maybe the Great Gazoo? I can see Dick being banished from his home planet for inventing something that would destroy the universe.

[Nikki Stone1]

26. The first time in US history that the power of the VP has been so extended in scope?

?

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

28. That's a joke question right? n/t

[Nikki Stone1]

32. Did I forget the :sarcasm: thingy again?

:dunce:

[Duppers]

29. the discussion on Countdown

OVP: Our Fourth Branch of Government?
By: Nicole Belle



On Countdown, Keith Olbermann talks about the startling and deeply disturbing assertions that the Office of the Vice President is making regarding oversight.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/Media/Download/18635/2/Countdown-Cheney-AboveTheLaw.mov

The Gavel:

The Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, Vice President Cheney exempted his office from the presidential order that establishes government-wide procedures for safeguarding classified national security information. The Vice President asserts that his office is not an “entity within the executive branch.”...

In his letter to the Vice President, Chairman Waxman writes: “I question both the legality and wisdom of your actions. … It would appear particularly irresponsible to give an office with your history of security breaches an exemption from the safeguards that apply to all other executive branch officials.”

SilentPatriot: There may be a bright side to this: If Cheney wants to assert that his office is not an “entity within the executive branch,” that means he’s not entitled to executive privilege, right? I want those energy task force minutes!!

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/06/21/ovp-our-fourth-branch-of-government/

[rodeodance]

33. WH On Cheney Ignoring Executive Order: ‘It’s A Little Bit Of A Non-Issue’

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject White House On Cheney Ignoring Executive Order: ‘It’s A Little Bit Of A Non-Issue’
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1162038#1162038
1162038, White House On Cheney Ignoring Executive Order: ‘It’s A Little Bit Of A Non-Issue’
Posted by Hissyspit on Fri Jun-22-07 02:39 PM

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/22/wh-order

White House On Cheney Ignoring Executive Order: ‘It’s A Little Bit Of A Non-Issue’

During a heated press briefing today, White House spokesperson Dana Perino tried desperately to downplay yesterday’s report showing that Vice President Cheney has exempted his office from a presidential executive order designed to safeguard classified national security information. At one point, Perino called it “a little bit of a non-story.”

She repeatedly said that Cheney exempt from a mere “small portion” or “small section” of the executive order, and that President Bush never intended for the executive order to apply to Cheney any differently than it applies to the president’s own office.

Perino later contradicted herself: first, she stated definitively that Cheney’s office is “complying with all the rules and regulations regarding the handling of classified material.” But when questioned how she could be sure, Perino said it was a “good question” and admitted she isn’t “positive” that his office is in compliance.

Perhaps most importantly, Perino failed to answer two key questions raised by the scandal:

– Perino offered no explanation for the fact that Cheney’s office followed the requirements of the executive order in 2001 and 2002, then abruptly stopped. “That I don’t know,” she said. Later, she responded sarcastically when asked whether Cheney’s office would offer more than the one-line statement it released yesterday. “I’ll ask the vice president if he’ll come to the press briefing room and answer your questions,” she said.

– Perino refused to say definitely whether Vice President Cheney is part of the executive branch. She would only say it is an “interesting constitutional question that people can debate.”

Watch it:

VIDEO AT LINK

[Chipster]

73. Nothing to See Here, Folks, Move Along!

[va4wilderness]

34. The real story is that he is not a member ...

of the executive branch. He's been "captured" by the corporate-military-contractors' oligarchy = Halliburton, Blackwater, Kellogg Brown & Root, etc etc etc = and is only beholden to them. He NEVER SERVED citizens (even tho they pay him) and he NEVER WILL.

Mainly, I was hoping the Cheney/VP argument would mean he would not be entitled to serve as President in the event of the demise or impeachment of Shrubbery, but I guess not. Gee. Get that out of my head.

[rodeodance]

35. WP-p. A01 Cheney Defiant on Classified Material-Executive Order Ignored Since 2003

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject Cheney Defiant on Classified Material-Executive Order Ignored Since 2003
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2889958#2889958
2889958, Cheney Defiant on Classified Material-Executive Order Ignored Since 2003
Posted by rodeodance on Fri Jun-22-07 07:44 AM

Source: Wash Post



Cheney Defiant on Classified Material
Executive Order Ignored Since 2003

By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 22, 2007; Page A01

Vice President Cheney's office has refused to comply with an executive order governing the handling of classified information for the past four years and recently tried to abolish the office that sought to enforce those rules, according to documents released by a congressional committee yesterday.

............


The dispute centers on a relatively obscure process but underscores a wider struggle waged in the past 6 1/2 years over Cheney's penchant for secrecy. Since becoming vice president, he has fought attempts to peer into the inner workings of his office, shielding an array of information such as the names of industry executives who advised his energy task force, costs and other details about his travel, and Secret Service logs showing who visits his office or official residence.

The aggressive efforts to protect the operations of his staff have usually pitted Cheney against lawmakers, interest groups or media organizations, sometimes going all the way to the Supreme Court. But the fight about classified information regulation indicates that the vice president has resisted oversight even by other parts of the Bush administration. Cheney's office argued that it is exempt from the rules in this case because it is not strictly an executive branch agency.

"He's saying he's above the law," said Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which released a series of correspondence yesterday outlining the situation. "It just seems to me this is arrogant and shows bad judgment."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/AR2007062102309.html?hpid=topnews

[rodeodance]

36. CHENEY: "VP OFFICE NOT PART OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH"

original story


Forum Name Topic subject Topic URL 1152430, CHENEY: "VP OFFICE NOT PART OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH"
Posted by kpete on Thu Jun-21-07 10:09 AM

Cheney tells agency that Vice President's office is not part of the executive branch Michael Roston
Published: Thursday June 21, 2007


The Office of Vice President Dick Cheney told an agency within the National Archives that for purposes of securing classified information, the Vice President's office is not an 'entity within the executive branch' according to a letter released Thursday by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

"The Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, you exempted the Office of the Vice President from the presidential executive order that establishes a uniform, government-wide system for safeguarding classified national security information," Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the Committee's chairman, wrote in a letter to Cheney. "Your decision to exempt your office from the President's order is problematic because it could place national security secrets at risk. It is also hard to understand given the history of security breaches involving officials in your office."

Waxman noted that Cheney's office had declared itself not affected by an executive order amended by President George W. Bush in 2003 regarding classification and declassification of government materials.

"Your position was that your office 'does not believe it is included in the definition of 'agency' as set forth in the Order' and 'does not consider itself an 'entity within the executive branch' that comes into the possession of classified information,'" a National Archives official claims Cheney chief of staff David Addington wrote to him.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Cheney_tells_agency_that_Vice_Presidents_0621.html


UPDATE

Vice President Exempts His Office from the Requirements for Protecting Classified Information

Washington, D.C. -- The Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, Vice President Cheney exempted his office from the presidential order that establishes government-wide procedures for safeguarding classified national security information. The Vice President asserts that his office is not an "entity within the executive branch."

more at:
http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1371

[rodeodance]

37. Cheney in Dispute on Oversight of His Office NYT

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject Cheney in Dispute on Oversight of His Office
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2890185#2890185
2890185, Cheney in Dispute on Oversight of His Office
Posted by RiverStone on Fri Jun-22-07 11:20 AM

Source: New York Times - June 22, 2007

By SCOTT SHANE

For four years, Vice President Dick Cheney has resisted routine oversight of his office’s handling of classified information, and when the office in charge of overseeing classification in the executive branch objected, the vice president’s office suggested that the oversight office be shut down, according to documents released today by a Democratic congressman.

The oversight office, a unit of the National Archives, appealed the issue to the Justice Department, which has not yet ruled on the matter.

The effort by Mr. Cheney to shut down the oversight office was disclosed by Representative Henry A. Waxman, Democrat of California and chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Mr. Waxman, who has played a leading role in the stepped-up efforts by Democrats since they took control of Congress to investigate the Bush administration, outlined the matter in an eight-page letter sent today to the vice president and posted, along with other documentation, on the committee’s Web site.

Officials at the archives and the Justice Department confirmed the basic chronology of events outlined in Mr. Waxman’s letter.



Read more: http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com/fairenough/nytA10.html


Shooter seems to only want to live by his rules.




I can think of no better application of the saying:


Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

[socretes73]

43. In 230 Years No one has gotten around to

writting appropirate laws for this "fourth branch" of government.

What an oversight!!!
How could that have happened!

I guess the Founding Fathers were not all they were cracked up to be.

[NewJeffCT]

46. What a bunch of losers!

I mean, if only the Founding Fathers had employed the US Air Force, they could have won the Revolution in 8 days instead of 8 years! Heck, maybe 8 hours.

Welcome to DU, by the way.

[socretes73]

50. Thanks

I've been here a month or so...

[Harry Monroe]

45. Nixon claimed "executive privliege" to try and save his sorry ass...

...and now Cheney throws "executive privliege" away to save his sorry ass. Pretty ironic. He's serving himself up on a silver platter to Congress; let's see if they have the moral courage to do anything about it. I doubt it.

[redqueen]

47. We'll at least get another strongly-worded letter!

:bounce:

[socretes73]

51. hey RedQueen

fancy meeting you here....

I assume you are the LV RQ

[redqueen]

52. the what now?

LV?

[socretes73]

53. maybe wrong redqueen

LV - intials of your town????

[redqueen]

54. not me!

sorry.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

56. I called and encouraged my Rep and Senator to do it n/t

[PurpleChez]

82. I doubt it too.

I was so happy in November. No more.

[Bluerthanblue]

49. he's untouchable-

at least that is how i've come to see this rotten administration.

He shot a man in the face, and didn't have to answer for his actions to the "Authorities" for what? 18hrs???

(they weren't drinking remember, he only had "one beer" at lunch)

He has lied to the american people about things that truly matter time and time again- things that have cost thousands of people their LIFE!!!

Not about having a consensual blow job by an "intern"- not about what the definition of 'sexual relations' are- about the reasons, necessity and justification of

WAGING A GOD-DAMNED WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST A SOVEREIGN NATION!!

We have become so used to feeling outraged, desiring justice or 'correction' only to face a "flag/cross/cash wall" that makes any real relief from this corrupt, malignant government a pipe-dream.

Not to say we should stop wishing- that would be death.

but it getting harder to muster up even the smallest genuine ...hope.

:nuke:
sorry

[Rosemary2205]

55. He isn't a member of the legislative branch either.

Cheney really does consider himself a nation unto himself. Congress can kiss his ass. The American people can kiss his ass. And now the President of the United States can kiss his ass. He's double dog daring to be impeached and removed from office - and even if the Congress finds the gonads to do it (yeah right) then Cheney will tie it up in court until Jan 20, 2009 and simply refuse to leave office.

An act of God is the only thing that will pry Cheney out of office.

[Flabbergasted]

60. Perhaps one of thee most compelling articles I've ever read here....Thanks.....KR

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

61. thanks n/t

[wiggs]

62. Speaking of power, deceipt, and reality....

...let's remember what's really going on here, from Ron Suskind:

"In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn’t like about Bush’s former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House’s displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn’t fully comprehend - but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency.

The aide said that guys like me were “in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who “believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality - judiciously, as you will - we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”

This should be repeated everyday.

They can do whatever they want and they will get away with it. They are pulling all available power, money, and position to themselves whether or not it is necessary at this moment in time. It is there and they want it for themselves and their friends.

Yes, we should assume the worst.

[Hosnon]

63. His major premise is probably this:

(1) Records law applies [only] to the executive branch, i.e., not to executive/legislative hybrid offices.

I have little to no knowledge as to whom or what the records laws apply to (beyond the posted material) but presume that the "only" should be left out. Furthermore, while the Veep is a hybrid office, I think it is unlikely that it would/should be considered as such if the records law is interpreted as Cheney desires.

Edit: Syntax and spelling.

[Marie26]

65. Laws are so pre-9/11

Anachronisms, really. It's a brave new world out there, and Cheney's in charge.

[stillcool]

66. "the VP spans the branches of government"...

no shit...so does the Pentagon.

[disndat]

67. It sounds like

a desperate move to me. Either
Scooter is threatening to sing , or any number of scenarios coming out of this corrupt administration are going to happen. Cheney/Bush/Rove/Rice have made their $$$ from the U.S. taxpayers, now they are ready to move on to Paraguay, Dubai, or wherever they will be safe from imprisonment for treason. Cheney/Bush . must have an exit strategy in place before they had even stepped foot into the WH '00. Or they are even crazier or more arrogant than I gave them credit for.

[ddeclue]

71. The Real Reason why Dick Cheney is "not in the Executive Branch"

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[questionW]

74. VP Office Is Subject To More- Not Less

With the now infamous up is down/war is peace, alternate universe logic; Cheney is trying to say that since his office spans two branches of our government at the same time, then his office isn't subject to any laws that apply to one branch or the other. (And this just a day after General Pace and Defense Secretary Gates tell the country that increased death and violence in Iraq aren't a sign of failure; so then, a decrease in death and violence would be what?)

Nice try, but instead of shooting a good friend in the face, this time Cheney's shot himself in the foot.
It's more likely that the Veep's office is subject to any and all laws that apply to either the executive branch and/or the legislative branch.

Just when you think the waste, fraud, and abuse of this Administration can't possibly get any worse, VOILA!
Trying to abolish the Information Security Oversight Office; I mean come on! This Administration is getting harder and harder to distinguish from the Kremlin or Zhongnanhai!

If the 110th Congress doesn't pull it together soon and live up to it's stated mission of holding the Bush Administration accountable, we are headed for some very dismal times. Signing statements, warrantless wiretaps, partisan firings of Justice officials, suspension of habeaus corpus, outing an Agent of the U.S.- TREASON FOR GOD SAKE! And now just outright exempting themselves from any laws that conflict with any whim. How much more do we have to take? The abuses of the Bush/Cheney Administration are beyond imagination!!!

If the 110th Congress doesn't do what it must; what message will be sent to future Administrations- 'Thank you pledge master, may we please have another'?
I fear there are dark days ahead...

[Straight Shooter]

89. We are already in the dark days, I believe.

Welcome to DU, questionW. What a great moniker! :hi:

[Old and In the Way]

75. Didn't he claim Executive Privalege on the Energy Task Force Meeting minutes?

You know the group that plotted the hostile takeover of Iraqi National Oil?

The Dick is trying to have it both ways. Release the evidence of war crimes, then.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

90. I'm afraid those notes are long since destroyed n/t

[Wisconsin Larry]

76. It no longer matters since the White House says we didn't mean it.

From today's LA Times

"An executive order that Bush issued in March 2003 — amending an existing order — requires all government agencies that are part of the executive branch to submit to oversight. Although it doesn't specifically say so, Bush's order was not meant to apply to the vice president's office or the president's office, a White House spokesman said."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-cheney23jun23,0,863839.story?coll=la-home-center

Nice logic though.

[Spinzonner]

86. So he created a non-existant signing statement

to the regulations that he himself promulgated exempting himself and the vice-president so they didn't have to follow them.

One would have thought that since they created the regulations, they could have just done so in the first place if they really had intended to.

[lonestarnot]

83. What?! HE IMPEACHED HIMSELF?

:rofl:

[Spinzonner]

87. We used to be a nation of laws

Now we are apparently a nation of men who decide what laws apply and what don't

If Cheney is exempt then any Vice-President is exempt.

Let's see the Republicans get behind that one.

Let's go back in history to recent Democratic Administrations and find where Republican Congress-Critters claimed to the contrary