Bush issues signing statement on permanent bases

[deminks]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080128-10.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/29/121842/149/32/445408

(snip)

So, the President has asserted the right to refrain from establishing a war profiteering commission and enforce whistleblower protection laws. Could it get any worse than that? Apparently, it can.

Prepare yourself for this last one:

SEC. 1222. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES RELATING TO IRAQ.


No funds appropriated pursuant to an authorization of appropriations in this Act may be obligated or expended for a purpose as follows:

(1) To establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq.

(2) To exercise United States control of the oil resources of Iraq.There you have it.

(end snip)

and from the signing statement:

(snip)

Provisions of the Act, including sections 841, 846, 1079, and 1222, purport to impose requirements that could inhibit the President's ability to carry out his constitutional obligations to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, to protect national security, to supervise the executive branch, and to execute his authority as Commander in Chief. The executive branch shall construe such provisions in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President.