Cheney Calls for Stronger Presidential Powers

[WePurrsevere]

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051221010009990003

WASHINGTON (Dec. 21) - Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday called for "strong and robust" presidential powers, saying executive authority was eroded during the Watergate and Vietnam eras. Some lawmakers objected that President Bush's decision to spy on Americans to foil terrorists showed he was flexing more muscle than the Constitution allows.

The revelations of Bush's four-year-old order approving domestic surveillance without court warrants has spurred a fiery debate over the balance of power between the White House, Congress and the judiciary.

"I believe in a strong, robust executive authority and I think that the world we live in demands it," Cheney said.

"I would argue that the actions that we've taken there are totally appropriate and consistent with the constitutional authority of the president. ... You know, it's not an accident that we haven't been hit in four years," the vice president said, speaking with reporters on Air Force Two en route from Pakistan to Oman.

aka: Fox believes that foxes should be allowed to guard henhouse and have free access without any interference from the farmer.

[Loonman]

1. Cheney calls for Empire

Pax Americana.

[WePurrsevere]

8. Pax/Peace isn't profitable enough for him and his Haliburton cronies.

I think they'd all prefer all war all the time especially as long as their spoiled rich brats don't have to DIE for it.

[Tight_rope]

90. To elaborate on your thoughts, "There's no business like War Business"

I totally agree with you.

[Julius Civitatus]

38. Cheney declares the American-galactic Empire

[Divine Discontent]

82. these pics are PRICELESS!

I want to say they're photoshopped, but after Cheney's announcement today of stronger puppet powers, I'm not so sure anymore! scary call for powers if you ask me..


http://www.cafepress.com/dontmakemedoit
http://www.cafepress.com/dontspyonme :hi:

[katty]

97. Why ask for it?! bush/cheney is DOING THIS ALREADY

[KakistocracyHater]

121. yeah & they

were unable to stop them even with the Aug 6 2001 pdb that said terrorists were about to strike. So claiming they needed more authority is bunk, they simply lack the competence-there lies all the difference. Other people would have been able to operate with the data available, instead Bush goes on vacation, to let the situation "sort itself out".

[waiting for hope]

2. He's setting the

stage.....get King George in the best dictatorship position, spike his vodka rocks with cyanide, then BAM! Cheney is King of the World - he isn't content with just PNAC....

[Radio_Lady]

63. "I just can't wait to be King..." from the Lion King musical.

This is sickening.

[Rocknrule]

119. I think "Be Prepared"

is a more appropriate song for these mofos

[Divine Discontent]

84. I wouldn't put ANYTHING past that grisly SOB. scary man. N/T

[PurpleChez]

104. "Grisly" is a perfect summary of Darth Cheney. He is a blight.

PS: as a guy who likes to think of himself as "straight but not narrow," I absolutely love your signature line. The world could use more fabulousness.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Cheney doesn't understand the Constitution

or he doesn't think it is applicable to him (he's the power behind the throne, after all).

[Fridays Child]

4. The Constitution? He has, as usual, other priorities.

eom

[WePurrsevere]

12. They do all seem to think of it as just a piece of paper...

toilet paper.

They have broken their oath of office, commited high crimes and treason... the ONLY truly Patriotic and right thing for our reps to do is impeach and remove them.

[Charles19]

137. They just play lip service to the Constitution but then demand

all the power because only "they" know what is best for everyone.

I hope this nonsense gets a lot of press so people can figure out how wrong it is.

[SammyWinstonJack]

26. It's just a God Damn piece of paper. I'm sure Dickhead feels that

way, too. In fact that's probably where Pinhead** first heard it.

[Zynx]

36. Republicans don't understand the Constitution.

They never have.

[0007]

110. Cheney hates children and hates blacks and wants more power

now that he sees junior may be on his way out.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Give em an inch..

and they'll take your whole arm off.

There's only one way to deal with thugs like this..

[dogfacedboy]

134. I'll send a couple o' guys over dere right now. n/t

[iwanmycntrybak]

6. Greedy bastards!

[Thor_MN]

7. Uh, Dick? We are getting hit more than twice a day on your watch

and precisely BECAUSE of the decisions of the White House. Last I heard over 2150 people have been killed because you and yours put them in harm's way. Add that to the people killed in the WTC, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania, also killed on your watch and your track record is pretty dismal. I don't know that the country can handle much more of your adminstration, much less grant more power to it.

[CJCRANE]

33. Not to mention New Orleans.... nt

[jeff30997]

37. Not to mention that the US as become the most hated country in the world.

[butterfly77]

76. Not to mention that..

they seem to be planning something for the new year , with their recent statements about the patriot act.

[driver8]

71. Well said! Just what these criminals need, more power. Cleaning

our treasury out isn't enough for these clowns, now they want more power? Why...so they can never be charged with any crimes?

These people are unbelievable -- Dick Cheney is pure evil personified.

[joefree1]

9. OK, but first Bush has to change his name to Bixon

And Dick Cheney has to change his name to Diro Chagnew.

... and then we impeach them.

[Cha]

114. That's great, Joe!

The Donkey's gettin' down with his bad self chawin' on an big ol' fat elephant leg..hope he doesn't get sick!

bixon and diro chagnew are askin' for it.

[underpants]

10. *cough* Federalist Society *cough*

excuse me had something in my throat

[Jim__]

11. Something on the order of the executive powers that Hitler had - n/t

[Divine Discontent]

85. LOLOL

EXACTLY! great one liner.


http://www.cafepress.com/dontmakemedoit
http://www.cafepress.com/dontspyonme :hi:

[Straight Shooter]

13. "it's not an accident that we haven't been hit in four years"

Hey, Cheney. The attack on the Towers wasn't an "accident," and it's not an accident that we haven't heard from Osama since before the election, either.

[onehandle]

14. Onehandle Calls for Strong Presidential Prosecution. nt

[Roland99]

15. Those powers were eroded to prevent dictatorial abuse you #$%@% POS!!

[LynzM]

20. Exactly!!

"saying executive authority was eroded during the Watergate and Vietnam eras"

Well, yeah, because presidents proved they couldn't be trusted with that kind of power, you asshat!! Gah! They are absurd!!

[prodigal_green]

75. Those powers were eroded by those

who overreached!!

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

16. Until a Democrat became a president. Then let's see how supportive

Cheney, et.al. is of the "strong, robust executive authority" he touts. MKJ

[Blue_Roses]

17. this man has gone totally NUTS!

I always knew he was evil, but now he has officially lost his mind:crazy:

[meow2u3]

18. King Richard the Chickenshit?

Cheney wants dictatorial powers--period!

[Evergreen Emerald]

19. I believe we are now seeing why Bush admitted to the spying

This is the beginning of the attempt at the blatant Hitler-like-power-grab.

One of the fundaments of our democracy is the system of checks and balances in which none of the three systems become too powerful. They want to change that.

Their attacks:

They have been assaulting the judiciary for years now, attempting to fill positions with their kind. They have used the press to minimize the actions of the judiciary by calling them "activist."

They have the greatest power in the Legislature than they have had in years.

They spent the last decade or so buying off the press, minimizing the press as "liberal media" and creating a propaganda machine. (they did not count on the internet--the thing that might save us).

They have greased the skids of the masses with talk of values and religion as they mesmerized them with propaganda.

Iraq: they needed a war and a way to keep the citizenry in a state of panic and fear so that we are vulnerable and more willing to give away civil rights to the man in the cowboy hat who says he will protect them.

I have been wondering why Bush so readily admitted the acts of spying. This is it folks.

It is time to stand up.

[Hard_Work]

53. already on it...

"They spent the last decade or so buying off the press, minimizing the press as "liberal media" and creating a propaganda machine. (they did not count on the internet--the thing that might save us)."


In point of fact, their past and current attempts to privatize the 'net are attempts to destroy it.

Too much of that 'voice of the people' shit, don't ya know.</sarcasm>

[cliss]

62. I think you're correct.

I believe they're just getting started. The gloves are off. I think any attempt to take away any power that they have stolen will bring a huge response.

Bush is REALLY showing us who he is. Forget the "humble" speech from just a few days ago. It was all an act.

[primavera]

70. Did you notice Cornyn's comment...

... about how overrated civil liberties and due process protections were? Civil liberties, who needs 'em! I'm amazed that he's willing to unzip his fly like that and let his Iron Cross hang out for all to see. It's the first time I've seen a Repuke lose the PR facade and come right out and say "yeah, damn right we're the gestapo and it's appropriate we should be."

[Divine Discontent]

87. I don't worry about the fight...

#1 I believe in the goodness of God in my life, so I will not fear them, they believe in nothing but corruption and a false god of money and "religion" as a way to usurp it.
#2 I believe my democratic & fair mind liberal & republican friends will not stand by if the time ever came to defend ourselves
#3 I find it HARD pressed to believe that people like Wes Clark, Obama, B.Clinton, Kerry, Dean, Conyers, Hackett, Boxer, Pelosi, Feingold, and even Hagel, would not demand action in the coming few months to stop this dictator from controlling our country....



YES, it's getting "scary" and testy lately with their blatant admittance of what they did to say, "there, take that" to the Constitution we hold dear, and now this demand for MORE power for the puppet master is, yes, terrifying, but not stoppable.

Humanity will win, never worry about the goodness that is at the heart of who we are as a people. These monsters will not win, they cannot win, and good people like every person on this website will defend freedom, I am certain!


http://www.cafepress.com/dontmakemedoit
http://www.cafepress.com/dontspyonme :hi:

[Maestro]

21. Let's just forget the

checks and balances and the Constitution. I swear to God when Bin Forgotten struck the towers, I could just hear the Cabal saying, "Excellent, this is exactly what we needed." Or maybe it wasn't Bin Forgotten... :tinfoilhat:

[leesa]

22. No, it's not an accident, Dick, it's just that you haven't planned another

hit on your country again. I have no doubt this man did 9-11.

[truth2power]

49. Bingo!! If we haven't been hit

it's because they haven't seen the need for it. First time was their doing (9/11). Second time (if and when) will be their doing also. MIHOP.

[arcane1]

81. exactly!

and if these recent attempts to justify and increase the Executive's powers are met with resistance from WE the People, I for one will be expecting MIHOP The Sequel to quickly follow

[cliss]

65. There's an article from back in 2001

It was an article from Time magazine. It showed photos of Cheney, as he was watching the destruction of the 2 towers. I could swear he has a faint smile on his face.

The article praises him for being "a real leader in a time of crisis", and "assertive" and "gruff" but really, all he's doing is sitting there, watching the destruction.

I'm sorry now that I threw away the magazine, because I think he's smiling. Maybe he knows something?

[adolfo]

23. Stop burning our Constitution

Cheney can go F**k himself.

[Dora]

24. Keep talking, Dick. Don't forget: You're A Loser. n/t

[dryan]

25. Seig Heil!!!!!!!

[thereismore]

27. "I believe in a strong, robust executive authority" We know that about you

We also know what you did last summer.

[MadisonProgressive]

28. I've run out of adjectives!

[Dukkha]

29. wow it's like George Lucas wrote about our future

Mas Amedda: This is a crisis. The Senate should vote the Chancellor emergency powers.

Palpatine: It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy … I love the Republic. The power you give me I will lay down once this crisis has abated.

then jump ahead 3 years...

Palpatine: The Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society!

This is how it always happens throughout history. The peoples fear and ignorance are exploited for corrupted power.

[VaYallaDawg]

30. I suppose he'd like to set a date for the Coronation and the

declaration of Divine Rights as well.

[TechBear_Seattle]

31. Presidential power was not "eroded" as a result of Watergate and Vietnam

Presidential power was replaced squarely within the limits set by the Constitution, limits that had expanded greatly beyond constitutional limits in the decades prior.

Cheney's demands are themselves violations of his oath of office.

[MadisonProgressive]

32. Cheney's demands are themselves violations of his oath of office.

Yes, they are. I hope the democrats yell it out loud!

[Strawman]

43. That's absurd for him to assert that

It seems like whichever branch of gov't the Republicans control will overreach. The Congress did when Clinton was in office. Now they have the Peesidency, which is the way they like it. Makes it easier.

But overall, the Presidency is more powerful and the Congress is less of a counterbalance than ever.

[President Kerry]

108. and don't forget the SCOTUS

that put * in office. Illegally. Of yeah I forget, those partisan hacks (5 out of 9) MAKE the law.

[Zynx]

34. The was a REASON why they were erroded after Vietnam and Watergate.

Fucking dictator. I believe in a weak presidency to prevent authoritarianism from ever rearing its ugly head in this country. I think I stand with the majority of Americans when I say I want a castrated president.

[jeff30997]

35. Hey Dick-head!

Go Cheney yourself, damn criminal!

[radio4progressives]

39. The Puppet Master Throws Down the Gauntlet

When will the Press and Congress expose Cheney's criminal activities and strip this bastard of his self appointed throne?

[Moochy]

40. Hey Cheney

Go Fuck yourself!

there it needed to be said.

[ktlyon]

41. How many terrorists have we stopped?

How many terrorists have been captured?
What plans have been thwarted?
What cities, buildings, planes or people have been saved?
I am sure if there where any they would be telling us all about it with full coverage on ever news show all day long.

[AzDar]

42. What truly alarmed me was when Sen. Rockefeller released his

"sealed letter" protesting the whole illegal spying bit,it was addressed to "Mr. VICE-pResident". If ever there was a shred of doubt regarding who might be the REAL Ringmaster in this circus, that lil' nugget eliminated it.

[BlueInPhilly]

44. I am so MAD!!!

These lying, hypocritical, fucking SOBs!!! SANTORUM, you will be FIRED soon! Count on it. :wtf:

[Jacobin]

48. HAH. I didn't catch that until you pointed it out

No longer even the appearance that the Chimperor is in control

[primavera]

67. You wouldn't want to burst BubbleBoy's bubble, would you?

I understand the shrub doesn't like bad news, it upsets him.

[Hyernel]

45. Stalin wanted absolute executive powers too.

As do most totalitarian dictators.

[Orsino]

46. Cheney: Bush Not Screwing Up on an Epic Enough Scale n/t

[Jacobin]

47. Just make the SOB an Emperor and get it done with

:eyes:

[savemefromdumbya]

50. Someone needs to take him on

The power of Cheney needs to be squashed. Democrats need to go after him!
Is fitzgerald going to do it?

[confludemocrat]

54. true, but who will step up?

and not continue to steer clear of him. Murtha has been the only one to call him out. THE ONLY ONE!!! Where is the rhetoric we need, much less the action?

[shanti]

88. it really makes one wonder...

do the cons have so much dirt on EVERYONE that the opposition is scared to step up to the plate?? we now know HOW they got the dirt too!

[savemefromdumbya]

100. Harry Reid and Pelosi together?

[genieroze]

51. GAWD!, what's dat smell? Cheney's talking and it's the bullsh*t .

[dapper]

52. The Trifecta!

I forget where I heard Bush talk about the "Trifecta"... and he was happy about it.

Dap

[myrna minx]

55. All Hail King Cheney!

:puke:

[The Backlash Cometh]

56. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Who writes this shit for them?

"Cheney cancels Christmas and the U.S. Constitution. Declares marital law."

[Canuckistanian]

57. Lovely timing, as usual, Dick

This is exactly what people want to hear right now. The emperor hasn't got enough power.

Heckuva job, Cheney!

[Ouabache]

101. The dick has been saying this on and off ever since the selection

I think we are just noticing it more now on the heels of chimpy admitting he has personally violated the 4th amendment of the constitution. But Cheney has been saying this. I saw an analysis once that it all stems from his days paired with Rummy as aides to Jerry Ford. Here they had attained the oval office, but were held back by all the checks and balances that the congress was re-asserting for itself, post Vietnam and Watergate. It is no coincidence that as soon as the executive was limited and congress had reasserted itself that there was Dick haunting the halls of CONGRESS from Wyoming, right? And I read somehwere that during the 80's he had the distinct goal of becoming the SPEAKER of the House. So his will to power by whatever means and channel necessary in demonstrably proven. He won't quit until he is dictator or... just sayin'. He doesn't want this for the presidency, he doesn't want this for Bu$h, he wants this for himself. If I was Bush, I would watch my back with this guy. He is just the type to MIHOP, blame it on the terrorists and use it as his vehicle to seize total control once he personally and unequivocally has landed in the oval office.

[Canuckistanian]

118. I think I read that same article

The one that says that Dick has basically spent his whole career either circumventing laws or advocating circumventing laws to acheive his ends of world domination.

Sort of a low-budget Machiavelli, except without the cleverness.

[Initech]

58. Stick a fork in the W cabal - they're done.

I mean really, how many more powers does this piece of shit need? He's already got our airports, our cars, our TV sets, and our phones... what's next?

[NJCher]

59. there goes another good word

"Robust."

I heard this last night on the radio while I was in my car and I nearly had to pull over to the side of the road. :grr:

Their PR people are at it again and they've absconded with a delicious word for their ugly intentions.

The very idea of this wimpish dolt uttering the word "robust" makes me laugh with contempt. I shall borrow this from cliss:

His head hangs down, as if he's looking at the floor. His voice is flat, monotone. He's ugly. He looks like Humpty Dumpty. When he smiles (or tries to) his mouth curls up in a horrid sneer.

Oh, how I would love to just laugh right in his face.




Cher

[Lyle]

60. This adminsitration has really been a COUP!!

Even if impeached and removed from office, I don't think they would actually leave. And what happens in '08? do you think Buscho will try to change the laws to permit a 3rd term under wartime?

[CAcyclist]

72. I fully expect them to declare martial law

and suspend the elections. Maybe they will declare the Democratic Party a terrorist organization and outlaw it,too, for good measure.

[Lyle]

73. yeah - I should have seen that.

I'll bet they stage another terrorist attack (MIHOP) and use that as an opportunity to declare martial law. These guys aren't going to leave the drivers seat without a nasty fight. I fear for our country....

[TankLV]

115. Well, they DID float that very idea more than a few times before the LAST

election!

Man, they are really ITCHING to bring that about - just SALIVATING!

[ixion]

61. so apparently BREAKING THE LAW is now called "flexing muscle"

:crazy:

Please stop the spinning. I'm getting dizzy. :eyes:

[pauldp]

64. Jesus. Can we talk about 911?

The tragedy that was the NeoCon wet dream that launched the PNAC agenda that involved
family members of Bush's business partners that smacks of extreme criminal negligence if not much
much worse. Once again, this is the excuse they CONSTANTLY bring up for every f*cking fascist power grab knowing that they can shoot us down with their cries of "conspiracy theorist" and "America hater" when we question them. Can we talk about this? Or will we get sent to the free speech pen?

There is a cover up going on people. Whether it was criminal negligence or MIHOP doesn't matter. We must get to the bottom of it and we MUST stop giving them a free ride on 911!

[Joey Liberal]

66. Cheney is Evil n.t

[ronnykmarshall]

68. You mean like martial law?

[Selteri]

69. Why would I want to give them more powers when...

they've already abused the powers we've given them with such flagrance that I want to see an impeachment so much I can taste it... the first time in my life and I was born under Ford.

[Amonester]

74. This evil coward's process of transformation is much too slow...

... to his taste (for blood). (OTHER PEOPLE's blood, that is.) :grr:

America 'Pearl Harbored'
Fanatical Warhawks Drafted Blueprint for Bloody U.S. World Domination Years Ago
http://www.americanfreepress.net/12_24_02/America_Pearl_Harbored/america_pearl_harbored.html

:puke:

~snip~

The cabal of war fanatics advising the White House secretly planned a "transformation" of defense policy years ago, calling for war against Iraq and huge increases in military spending. A "catalyzing event — like a new Pearl Harbor"—was seen as necessary to bring this about. (emphasis mine)
...

"The process of transformation," the plan said, "is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event—like a new Pearl Harbor."

American Free Press asked Christopher Maletz, assistant director of the PNAC about what was meant by the need for "a new Pearl Harbor."

"They needed more money to up the defense budget for raises, new arms, and future capabilities," Maletz said. "Without some disaster or catastrophic event" neither the politicians nor the military would have approved, Maletz said.
~ ~ ~ ~
http://www.americanfreepress.net/12_24_02/America_Pearl_Harbored/america_pearl_harbored.html

:puke:



Operation Iraq Liberation my a**! (No wonder these hypocrits changed it...)


http://icasualties.org :cry:

http://costofwar.com :grr:

[scarface2004]

77. where do i report for deportation...

and resettlement? my bags are packed, but of course you will insist i leave them at the station to be delivered later!

[seasat]

78. Presidential power was limited by the founders on purpose.

They didn't want a king. The expansion of powers was limited by both Vietnam and Watergate. However since then, presidential power has expanded way beyond what Nixon even dreamed of. Executive orders and recess appointments, intended for emergency use, have become a standard for presidents. A cowardly congress has abrogated its trade authority and war powers to Shrub Inc. In Nixon's wildest wet dreams, he could never approach the secrecy in which Shrub Inc shrouds itself.

Hey Cheney, you dolt, its our country and we don't want a dictator. You claimed that you threw out Sadaam because of his evil tyrannical ways. Look in the mirror, you've become him.

[ClintonTyree]

79. Two words for Cheney........

fuck you.

Hopefully this asshole will not see the end of his second term along with every other corrupt, power mad sycophant in the bush administration. They all must go, and damned soon. They're taking from the poor, giving to the rich and committing treason has become their favorite pastime. I want these evil fucks out of our government, NOW! :grr:

[Tight_rope]

89. I second that "FUCK YOU" to Dick Cheney!

[Catfight]

80. Cheney has the heart of Hitler. nt

[shanti]

83. so now we know

exactly what would happen if cheney became prez. :grr:

[Oakland]

86. Conyers needs your help - impeach, impeach, impeach!!!

John Conyers Post on Daily Kos

The Constitution in Crisis: Censure and Investigate Possible Impeachment
by Congressman John Conyers
Tue Dec 20, 2005 at 12:36:36 PM EDT
For more information, go to www.johnconyers.com
Cross Posted at Huffington Post and ConyersBlog

Today, I am releasing a staff report entitled, "The Constitution in Crisis: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution and Coverups in the Iraq War.

Before talking about the report, I must express my profound gratitude to the readers of this site, who kept this story alive when no one would cover it, and continued to talk about it after some in the media moved on. Much of the research in this report is a product of the input and hard work of DailyKos, Huffington Post and Conyersblog readers over the last six months (the help with my "timeline project" was particularly useful). I also am so grateful to progressive talk radio hosts and listeners, who have refused to allow the American people to forget the nation was deceived into war.

Finish reading Congressman John Conyers's diary at the link at the top of the page. Did you sign Dean's FOIA request? If not - quit yakking and start acting.

impeach! impeach! impeach

Also visit censurebush.org to join with other activists who want to move this issue forward.

[JerseygirlCT]

91. He's simply unbelievable. In every sense of the word. nt

[tabasco]

92. Does anybody think this turkey is the one making decisions????

Just exactly who are we giving these powers to??

[tuvor]

93. Why ask for it, dick? Just do it.

Calling for it NOW just smells a little like disingenuous bullshit.

[Donovan61]

94. To paraphrase Congressman Murtha

I like guys who had five draft deferrments telling us how to be strong. We'd be a lot better off if the Dickster stayed in his hidey-hole and Junior just rode his mountain bike instead of pretending to be a leader.

[warrens]

95. Dream on, fascist pig

You guys are exactly the reason we don't want a stronger executive. God, you'd have to build 300 jails a day to keep up with all the people you would make disappear, you pig.

[YOY]

96. NO MR. POTTER!

You can't control all of the Town! George Bailey and me won't let you!

[lucca]

98. Cheney is a disgrace.

What an evil man.
The guy has absolutely no conscience.

Ben Franklin:

"Sell not...liberty to purchase power"

"In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns."

[canichelouis]

99. Blah, blah, blah Dick

[oxbow]

102. once again, Rove et al. succeed in reframing the discusion

so now it's not whether they've broken the law or not, but how much more power the executive should have

[stepnw1f]

103. Have a Heart-Attack Already

or shut the fuck up you two-bit loser!

[Dean_Convert]

105. That's how Julius Ceasar became Dictator For Life.

And destroyed the Roman Republic in the process. All he wanted was a little more authority to fix all of Rome's problems.

[President Kerry]

109. what a great signature line..

There is such thing as decent politics, but you'd never know it listening to Cheney.

[kitkat65]

106. Go fuck yourself, Cheney!

You couldn't have said it any better, you fat fuck.

[RoyGBiv]

107. Horse. Shit.

". . . .executive authority was eroded during the Watergate and Vietnam eras."

Well, yeah, sorta. Executive authority was momentarily and very minimally checked in the wake of one Republican Executive named Richard Nixon getting caught abusing powers he had grasped without Constitutional authority and which had been bled out of Congress in stages over the preceeding 100 or so years. Reagan was good enough to do away with all those small checks, and Shrub has done a fine job of grabbing more power for himself.

I am not given to grand pronouncements of what the Founding Fathers would do in various modern situations, but this one, at least, calls for it. At the genesis of this country, a small but vocal minority felt George Washington at least should be given the authority and status of a king. The louder response was a suggestion that those idiots be taken out behind a barn and taught what was good for them. And I say that mildly so as not to give the wire-tappers any additional ammunition.

This idiot is a traitor.

[90-percent]

111. unlimited powers

to paraphrase Jack Cafferty; if you want to urinate on the Constitution and deighn (sp?) yourself with unlimited powers normally found only in totalitarian police states, JUST DO IT!

-85%

[sweetm2475]

112. "You know, it's not an accident that we haven't been hit in four years"

To hear that coming from Darth REALLY sends chills down my spine. Kinda sounds like: "You know, it's not an accident that we haven't allowed or orchestrated any attacks in four years"

[Cha]

113. Fuck that Shite..we knew

this was coming ..we can read that traitor like a bad novel.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

116. Prisoner_Number_Six calls for Cheney's arrest for treason

"I believe in a strong, robust cellmate for Mr. Cheney during his stay at the Ft. Leavenworth Federal detention center." Mr. _Six said. "I think that the world we live in demands it."

[donheld]

117. Cheney would love this country to be a Fascist Dictatorship

[Rocknrule]

120. So when will Cheney say "Execute Order 66!"

and have all Dems in congress wiped out?

[Zynx]

122. The Republic will be reorganized into the first NEOCON EMPIRE!

[Rocknrule]

123. "Every single liberal

including your former running mate, Al Gore, is now an enemy of the Republic. Do what must be done, Darth Lieberman. Show no mercy."

[Guaranteed]

124. Beautiful analogy.

I suppose it was meant to be exactly that, though. :)

[lonestarnot]

125. Fuck you dick!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

126. They should have asked before

they went ahead and did whatever the hell they wanted. Not that we would have stood for it then....

[DemoMemo]

127. Try Amending the Constitution

Let Americans decide if they want to grant the President special, expanded powers. We have a process for amending the Constitution. Nowhere is the President granted the power to appropriate new powers outside of this process.

[followthemoney]

128. The President can't be above the law just because there is a war

That's way too easy. All a bad president would have to do would be to start a war by telling a LIE and then he could be KING. That would be a moral hazard to a weak willed president. Is this country's constitution so weak that democracy is just one lie away from dictatorship?

[opihimoimoi]

129. Germany 1934

[Lasher]

130. Charles Manson calls for free guns and a pardon.

Not much difference, is there?

[StateSecrets]

131. NSA Veteran Comes Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- December 21, 2005



Former NSA Intelligence Analyst & Action Officer Urges to be Heard by Congress Regarding Unlawful Conduct by NSA





Russ Tice, former National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence analyst and action officer, has sent the following two letters to the chairs of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. Mr. Tice intends to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while he was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency (NSA) and with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). These acts involved the Director of the National Security Agency, the Deputies Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense, and were conducted via very highly sensitive intelligence programs and operations known as Special Access Programs (SAP). SAP programs and operations are more commonly referred to as “black world” programs and operations. Mr. Tice was a technical intelligence specialist dealing almost exclusively with SAP programs and operations at both NSA and DIA.



Mr. Tice stated: “As a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) officer it is continually drilled into us that the very first law chiseled in the SIGINT equivalent of the Ten Commandments (USSID-18) is that Thou shall not spy on American persons without a court order from FISA. This law is continually drilled into each NSA intelligence officer throughout his or her career. The very people that lead the National Security Agency have violated this holy edict of SIGINT." A pivotal question in this case is whether Americans were being spied on via a vacuum cleaner approach wherein vast amounts of information are sucked in. FISA warrants require a name of the target and would not cover such a mass approach. He also added: “In addition to knowing this fundamental commandment of not violating the civil rights of Americans, intelligence officers are required to take an oath to protect the United States Constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic. It is with my oath as a US intelligence officer weighing heavy on my mind that I wish to report to congress acts that I believe are unlawful and unconstitutional. The freedom of the American people cannot be protected when our constitutional liberties are ignored and our nation has decayed into a police state.”



"These actions by the current administration are a compulsion to secrecy, an expansive view of presidential authority, and reluctance to answer to the people and Congress. Woodrow Wilson, himself no novice concerning secrecy, claimed that it is a 'fair presumption that secrecy means impropriety'. That is a presumption that we have been called upon to suspend in the name of national security, but with recent disclosures that suspended judgment appears to have been unwise. We urge the congress to hold hearings and let patriotic witnesses like Russ Tice testify,” stated Sibel Edmonds, the director of National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC).



Michael Ostrolenk, National Director of the Liberty Coalition agrees with Mrs. Edmonds and stated further “I am glad to know that Mr. Tice takes his oath to the Constitution seriously. He obviously knows that his obligation is not to this or any Administration but to our Republican form of government with its proper checks and balances and to protect the rights it was instituted to secure.” He continued “This is less about a particular Administration and more about the natural tendency for government to become destructive to the very ends it was created to fulfill. I hope that Congress takes it oversight responsibilities seriously and investigates Mr. Tice’s allegations in an open and non-partisan manner.”



Here is the letter by Mr. Tice, sent on Dec 18, 2005, to the Senate & House Intelligence Committee:





Dear Chairman Roberts,



Under the provisions of the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA), I intend to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while I was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency (NSA) and with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). These acts involve the Director of the National Security Agency, the Deputies Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

These probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts were conducted via very highly sensitive intelligence programs and operations known as Special Access Programs (SAP)s. I was a technical intelligence specialist dealing almost exclusively with SAP programs and operations at both NSA and DIA.

Due to the highly sensitive nature of these programs and operations, I will require assurances from your committee that the staffers and/or congressional members to participate retain the proper security clearances, and also have the appropriate SAP cleared facilities available for these discussions.

Please inform me when you require my appearance on Capitol Hill to conduct these discussions in relation to this ICWPA report.



Very Respectfully,





Russell D. Tice

Former Intelligence Officer, NSA





Tice, Russ; Former Intelligence Analyst & Action Officer, Air Force, Naval Intelligence, DIA and NSA

Russ Tice worked technical intelligence issues as an all-source analyst, systems instructor, special programs expert, technical missions operations action officer, tasking agent, field intelligence on-site analyst and liaison, and advanced capabilities officer. Known as a stickler for technical detailed analysis and “by the book” on security regs. After returning from a temporary overseas assignment in 2001, he observed that a DIA coworker exhibited the classic signs of involvement in espionage. After quietly reporting this, his suspicion was quickly dismissed by DIA’s counterintelligence (CI) office. He continued to observe activity to suggest there was a problem and reported such. He returned to the National Security Agency and, busy with the Iraqi War, dropped the issue. When noting a report that FBI CI agents availed secrets to a China source for sex, he questioned the FBI’s competence. NSA retaliated by having him declared crazy, revoking his security clearance, and terminating his employment in May 2005.



About National Security Whistleblowers Coalition

National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC), founded in August 2004, is an independent and nonpartisan alliance of whistleblowers who have come forward to address our nation’s security weaknesses; to inform authorities of security vulnerabilities in our intelligence agencies, at nuclear power plants and weapon facilities, in airports, and at our nation’s borders and ports; to uncover government waste, fraud, abuse, and in some cases criminal conduct. The NSWBC is dedicated to aiding national security whistleblowers through a variety of methods, including advocacy of governmental and legal reform, educating the public concerning whistleblowing activity, provision of comfort and fellowship to national security whistleblowers suffering retaliation and other harms, and working with other public interest organizations to affect goals defined in the NSWBC mission statement. For more on NSWBC visit www.nswbc.org



About Liberty Coalition

The Liberty Coalition works to help organize, support, and coordinate transpartisan public policy activities related to civil liberties and basic human rights. We work in conjunction with groups of partner organizations that are interested in preserving the Bill of Rights, personal autonomy and individual privacy.

The Liberty Coalition is concerned about the threat to Americans' fundamental and inalienable rights. The Coalition is dedicated to upholding and protecting our basic rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In order to accomplish our task, we seek to protect those freedoms as articulated in the Bill of Rights. We base our concerns on the fundamental values and principles of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, particularly the separation of powers and federalism, and Bill of Rights. These are also embodied in the 14th amendment, especially the due process and privileges and immunities clauses.

www.libertycoalition.net

[cascadiance]

132. It looks like Sibel Edmonds and the NSWBC are using the shotgun approach!

... instead of the rifle approach to get their stories heard. Russ Tice was also mentioned in her Vanity Fair article too quit a bit. A few days ago it was Mike German that was also getting into the news with his legal challenges. Perhaps they feel that by doing the full broadside with many different cases, it will be hard for them to put Judge Walton or Judge Kollar-Kotelly on them all without raising more suspicions, and perhaps one will break through and rule for them, that would force the Supreme Court's hand to hear that case or let a lower court ruling stand in their favor. More cases also perhaps means more media coverage and public consciousness too. More power to them! Any way that works!

[Raine]

133. President Hillary Clinton

will put those extra powers to good use I'm sure. Actually I'm being facetious because I wonder if they have ever thought of something like that happening. :think: How would they feel about a future Democratic President making use of all those extended powers, they'd be shitting a brick. :scared:

[Zynx]

135. I'd be shitting a brick. No president should have such power.

[54anickel]

136. They wouldn't have to worry about loosing control to a Dem if they

had the extended powers though, would they?