Bush’s lame excuse, or at least the lame excuse issued by the White House: that Jimmy Carter and the universal scapegoat Bill Clinton also spied on citizens without due process just won’t do. Neither will his assertion that 9/11 changed everything or that he just didn’t have time to be bothered with upholding the constitution he swore (to his higher father) to uphold.
“In fact, Carter and Clinton issued those orders specifically to conform surveillance practices -- including warrantless searches -- to limitations imposed by the law, which was new when Carter was president and amended during Clinton's years”writes Ann Wolner, columnist for Bloomberg News.
His secret order of 2001 authorizing the National Security Agency to listen to international calls involving U.S. citizens suspected of ties to terrorism, claims the Texas Tyrant, was given with the implied permission of Congress. It wasn’t.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 requires permission from a special, secret court - FISA- to conduct such investigations. In the kind of emergency Bush suggests is the case, permission can be granted ex post facto for up to 72 hours. In the case of a declared war, 15 days is allowed, but of course we have not declared war on anyone since 1942. We are moreover, not in a state of war with the Quakers, environmental groups, peace advocates and people with funny sounding names - so much for that excuse.
Perhaps this is another one of those cases which define the President’s life. When the rules are burdensome or compliance might be inconvenient, he ignores them, whether it’s the requirement to report insider trading, or report for duty in the Armed Services or to inform the courts. We know that Gonzales told him that Congress would not waive the law or the constitution to suit the President and so Bush did what Bush does – he ignored the law and lied repeatedly to the American people about it; invoking patriotism and fear.
Our constitution was intended to protect us against the power of the Government but for decades that protection has been eroded by fear mongers, liars, Republicans and opportunists. I suggest that we are in far greater peril from the lack of such protection than we are from any foreign enemy. I suggest that rather than being the result of having foreign enemies, Bush’s emergency powers are his prime objective: enemies having been created to suit his need for power.
While some are calling for censure and others for impeachment, the time is growing short. What powers will his manufactured emergency require next? What manufactured emergencies will arise to justify more and more authority?
3 comments:
The new Enabling Act is being voted on next week.
"Humility and Dignity." Remember those buzz words from the campaign in 2000? What a terrible, ironic joke. As I've said before, thank goodness history will judge these times with a perspective that's not yet clear to so many of us. Just as McCarthy had his supporters, and many who just didn't focus on his self serving drunkenness with power (as well as booze), so too will "Bushism" (or Bush/Cheneyism) or some such new term enter the lexicon in the not too distant future (Quisling also comes to mind.) Whether it will be synomyous with liar, tyrant, arrogance, dangerous self-confidence, etc., remains to be seen, but his legacy will be payback. But like Newt Gingrich, I imagine he'll surround himself with sycophants the rest of his days, so sadly he'll probably not be aware of what most everyone else will be regarding the final assessment of his "reign."
On a happier note, thanks, Capt Fogg, for your wit, insights, and always fascinating posts. Your blog is a great place to visit and I always find myself thinking about the points you often raise for long periods after leaving your site.
Have a safe, happy, and fulfilling new Year. Best,
Don
Don,
Thank you very much. It can be discouraging to write for a tiny audience, but at least I seem to have a quality audience!
Merry Christmas.
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