Will we have a Coronation or an Inauguration?

[ThomWV]

George Bush has assumed for himself and the Presidency powers that place him and the Office above the rule of law; they make the President a King. President-elect Obama may chose to reject his predecessor's illegal usurpation of power by the application of existing legal apparatus of investigation and prosecution where, and everywhere, warranted. In that case we will have an inauguration. However he may chose to remain silent, let sleeping dogs lie, and accept for himself that which George Bush has taken. In that case we will have had a coronation. Which will it be; is the Oval Office to be the national Throne room?

[cali]

1. more reductionist nonsense here at DU. I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you.

[ThomWV]

2. the mere mind of a simpleton my dear friend, I assure you :~)

[AnnieBW]

3. Your concern is noted.

n/t

[Trajan]

4. Hmmm ....

I am guessing you are no fan of the President Elect ....

One can have power, and not use it ...

What would it take for YOU to feel comfortable with Barack Obama ? .... What would you have him do ?

While I agree with your basic sentiment, your statement is somewhat addled, vague and confusing ...

Things like "the application of existing legal apparatus of investigation and prosecution where, and everywhere, warranted." .... How does THAT remove the changes instituted by the Bush White House ?

Isnt that, more or less, having power and NOT using it ?

Isnt in true that the powers gained by Bush were legislated into law ? .... How does Obama overturn law ? ... Is it the proper role of the executive branch to overturn laws ?

Like I said: I understand your sentiment, even if I do not approve of your 'coronation' rhetoric ... It's seems you want to hurl anathemas against the President Elect even before he has a chance to assume the seat of power .....

In any case: Your assertions are scattershot, and need to be solidified into a REAL course of action, instead of word groupings that seem 'pretty' to you ... Ultimately, there is no solution in your commentary .... Just apparent polemic ....

[davidinalameda]

6. I think you miss the point

people don't want the president to have the power

it's not a question of using it or not; he shouldn't have it in the first place

[Trajan]

10. What the hell can he do about before the fact ?

Take your issues up with the outgoing administration, AND congress ....

The PE did not cause this problem ....

[MADem]

12. Before the fact? He can talk to Pelosi and Reid about a legislative agenda that includes

dialing that shit back...THAT's what he can do.

No one has sewn his lips together. He's already working transition issues. No reason he can't work on a legislative agenda, as well.

It's never too early to plan ahead.

It doesn't matter if "The PE did not cause this problem..." Here's the truth--it's HIS PROBLEM come 20 Jan. He's going to have to deal with it...no excuses. There are a couple of ways he can go...he can play the laissez faire game, or he can actively endorse or excoriate.

[ThomWV]

7. You are far to touchy ...

I would say the same thing if Jesus Christ himself was going to be sworn in on January 20. No, I am not referring to those things which Bush has managed to get a compliant Congress to give him, I am talking about laws being broken right at this moment - warantless wiretapping would be a good for one, torture of those in our custody would be a good second point of focus. We have the "apparatus" to investigate this sort of thing right now and the next President will with use that apparatus or not at his discretion. We can not make Obama or anyone else form a Commission or do whatever else it will take to get the ball rolling. What I'm saying is that digression now rests with Obama and his decison to investigate and prosecute as indicated will make the difference between rule by Constitution or rule by individual. The ball is in his court and I have seen no good indication he intends to shed the illegal powers now being exercised by the office of the Presidency. Does that make what I'm trying to say clear enough?

[anigbrowl]

17. I have seen a good indication he intends to shed those illegal powers

Because he's made commitments to restore the primacy o the constitution. I'm happy to wait for him to enter office and get on with it, it's going to take several months just to unravel what the legal situation created by the outgoing administration amounts to.

[MADem]

11. Why did you have to insert that poisoned question into the discussion?

One can be a huge fan of the President Elect's, and still wonder if human nature would trump larger issues.

It's a natural fact that power is something that makes one want more of the same.

Will Barack Obama take a view that the Executive Branch is co-equal, or will he try to grasp the power Bush accrued, and then some, in order to pursue what he might regard as "the greater good"...his agenda?

FDR was a remarkable President. Not too many people remember that he tried HARD to fuck with the make-up of the US Supreme Court. He tried to acquire more power. He wanted to pursue HIS agenda...for the "greater good" of course,

A lot of Bush's assumptions of power were simply unchallenged because he had a majority in Congress and there was no way to gripe, effectively, and be heard. That could possibly be the same case with Obama, or maybe not.

Time will tell.

[pl259]

13. 'hurl anathemas'? Oh Noes!

:scared:

[thunder rising]

5. So you've written your Senators and Congressman about getting new leadership, right?

It's not so much that Bush assumed the unitary executive, it's that the weak, panty wetting House and Senate leaders Pelosi and Reid that let him have it.

[MADem]

8. We'll have to wait and see. NT

[Contrary1]

9. I hope Obama uses all illegal(?) avenues that Bush and friends provided him

just long enough to put the whole lot of them in prison.

[Phred42]

14. In 2000 we had an INSTALLTION

[Starry Messenger]

15. I think he will reject Bush's usurpation.

I think it will be an Inauguration. Interesting question, though. Anyone might be tempted to come into the office and attempt to "do good" with the expanded powers that Bush took on to advance the interests of his friends.

I think Obama will resist this temptation.

edit: typo

[NWHarkness]

16. This is an area where I have faith in Obama

I do believe he will restore constitutional balance.

I think it's a fair question to ask, however.

[Hekate]

18. Definitely a coronation, Thom. I for one am SO looking forward to the ermine-trimmed robe...

... as No-Drama Obama embraces his inner Drama Queen (you know it's in there, it just has to be). The crowds in the National Cathedral will swoon as the scepter is handed over and the crown is placed on his head.

Wait--will he have to borrow those from the Miss America pageant? I don't think there are any in the National Archives or wherever all the loot is kept.

Sigh. The US is overdue for a monarchy, now that our Great Experiment in Democracy is over. Because, really, W killed it once and for all.

There's no hope of regeneration. None. Ever. This election business was all pageantry. So what if the guy talks a good show? Surely there's something darkly evil that he's not telling us. It will only get worse from now on. No hope.

But the coronation should be thrilling nonetheless.

Oy.

Hekate

[CTyankee]

19. The simple answer: it's why we call him Mr. President and not Your Majesty.

Okay?