Note to Mr. Bush: The U.S. is not a monarchy

[norml]

Posted on Wed, Dec. 21, 2005

Note to Mr. Bush: The U.S. is not a monarchy

By Joseph L. Galloway
Knight Ridder Newspapers


WASHINGTON - Our forefathers created a system of government built on checks and balances that they envisioned would protect a free people from abuses of their privacy, their property and their liberty at the hands of anyone, especially anyone in public office.

They never intended for an imperial presidency to rise above the legislative and judicial branches of government, for they had their fill of kings and emperors who ruled with absolute power in the old world. They knew that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

They wanted none of this, and wrote a Constitution and Bill of Rights to enshrine the protections they knew were needed to keep Americans free and democracy healthy.

They crafted a system of government rooted in the principle that citizens have rights and presidents violate those rights at their own peril.

Let us review the bidding as the dark year 2005 fades:

President Bush admits that he secretly ordered the government to eavesdrop on American citizens, without recourse to the established legal methods of doing that. He declares that he had and has the right to do so. Says who? Well, he says so, and Vice President Cheney says so, and his attorney general, Alberto R. Gonzales, says so too.

Some legal scholars beg to differ, arguing that the president has violated federal law and has opened himself to impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors. They contend that he trampled the Constitution in a bid to expand the powers of the executive branch and conduct the war on terrorism.


snip


http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/13458546.htm

[Kagemusha]

1. Who listens to someone from a paper that Carlyle's buying out.

(note: meant as irony)

[texpatriot2004]

2. And we don't want any kings either...get it, especially not the likes

of you W. W is the worst ever.

[cliss]

3. Note from Mr. Bush to the American

public: Yes, I am a dictator. What are you going to do about it? Just try and stop me.

"You see, I've done about 1,000 things that would have my ass kicked out of the White House, if it were normal times.

But it's not. I OWN the White House. I own the Senate, the House, and all the people who work for me. Don't forget the media."

Whatchu gonna do about it?

[blitzen]

4. the guy forgot to mention that Gonzales is/was Chimps personal lawyer n/t

[tulsakatz]

5. tonight on Countdown.........

Allison interviewed a lady who has experience with Constitutional law. I forget who she was but she seemed to know what she was talking about.

She said that Bush and Gonzalez seem to believe that his expanded powers after 9/11 gave him the authority to spy on US citizens. But she said she doesn't agree with that argument and she also believes that many other scholars don't believe that argument either.

I can't wait until the hearings begin in January.........

[Demeter]

6. Furthermore, The People of the US Don't Agree With It

The consent of the governed has been withdrawn, pending further notice.

[Up2Late]

7. Great wrap up, this should be repeated over and over...

"...George W. Bush is not the emperor of America or the king of the 50 states of the union. He, like us, must live by the rule of law. He is bound by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In the end, he works for us...."