In a time of war, President Bush feels that in order to protect the country, he has certain rights or better, any right to abandon the constitution for the sake of the country. This may seem to make sense at first glance. But if we stroll through history, we've come to be a great nation because of the constitution and we've been protected by it. It provides checks and balances that protect our country without being manipulated by one man or one branch of government. For the Executive Branch of government to take it upon itself to breach the constitution with illegal wiretapping and torturing prisoners to name a few, in the name of "protecting" our country, has not made us safer.

Today, the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversite held a hearing, "War Powers for the 21st Century: The Congressional Perspective. Present was former House Representative Mickey Edwards, a strong Republican from Oklahoma. He delivered a very good speech about constitutional abuse and the need to protect the country. Here is part of the transcript  below:

“When the Constitution was adopted in 1787, when it was written in 1787 rather, we faced both Britain and France with the power, had they decided to focus on the United States, of strangling this country in the crib. They could have wiped us out. And we had a great man about to become president, George Washington. And with George Washington about to assume the presidency, and two countries ready to wipe us out if they so chose, the Founding Fathers said we are still going to withhold from the presidency the powers that kings have traditionally held. So that’s why the Constitution is not vague about who declares war, not vague at all. In fact, if you look at the Constitution and I’m sure you do, it even includes giving the Congress authority over treatment of prisoners, which people here seem to have forgotten. So let me just close with this: I’m partisan. I’m a Republican, I was Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee when I was in the House, part of the Republican Leadership. I prefer Republican policies. But political party loyalty cannot trump the Constitution. Loyalty to a president of your own party, when it violates the Constitutional principles, is acquiescence in something that violates the oath of office every Member of Congress takes. There is no excuse for taking the oath, saying ‘I’m going to uphold the Constitution’ — we all did that right? — ‘I’m going to uphold the Constitution.’ You take loyalty to the United States and this Constitution, not to a president. And we have seen to often a tendency of Members of Congress to line up with the quarterback instead of lining up with the Constitution.”

 

 

Really good post Andy. Bush and his gang should be impeached for violating the constitution.

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FYI - This is just the beginning.

Come January 2009, one can expect a ground swell of public outcry for the return to law and order by the government. The pre 2009 administration will be subject to accountability for their criminal activities and actions.
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