Two lawmakers demand Bush obey laws

[sabra]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/03/28/two_lawmakers_demand_bush_obey_laws/

Two lawmakers demand Bush obey laws
Say Congress is owed Patriot Act reports

WASHINGTON -- Two senior Democratic House members yesterday demanded that President Bush withdraw his assertion that he can ignore portions of the USA Patriot Act calling on him to provide periodic reports to Congress on how new law-enforcement tactics are being used.

Representatives Jane Harman of California and John Conyers of Michigan -- the ranking Democrats on the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, respectively -- sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales asking that Bush follow the law.

''We ask that the administration immediately rescind this statement and abide by the law," the lawmakers wrote. ''Many members who supported the final law did so based upon the guarantee of additional reporting and oversight. The administration cannot, after the fact, unilaterally repeal provisions of the law implementing such oversight."

After some lawmakers raised concerns that the Patriot Act may pose a threat to civil liberties, Congress added a series of new oversight provisions to it. The law requires the Justice Department to keep track of how the FBI is using its expanded powers to monitor suspects and seize papers during counterterrorism investigations. The law required the administration to give Congress that information by certain dates.

[Rose Siding]

1. Wow- Harman teamed with Conyers?

That's big.

[IndianaGreen]

13. Harman has been a Bush enabler in the past, this is a BIG change

C'mon Jane, can you spell impeachment?

[nicknameless]

16. Jane may be afraid of running against the awesome Marcy Winograd.

Marcy is a true Dem. Maybe Harman thinks it's time to do what her constituents want her to. At least until the election has passed.

[KoKo]

2. Jeeze.....Conyers and Harmon. Harmon is a surprise. Where are the

rest of them. :shrug:

[wordpix]

3. only TWO? I guess it's OK with Congress that the pRes ignores their laws

[BlueManDude]

4. headline says it all about america 2006. n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. Look at it this way:

The Resistance has doubled it's numbers!

[Bonobo]

5. Kicked and nominated!

Most important constitutional crises facing America in 200 years!

[Panda1]

6. Be still my heart

Yes, that should make the thugs quiver in anticipation of further action.
It's a good thing, but only TWO?

[sutz12]

7. Imagine that, the chief executor of our laws obeying them..

what a radical idea? :sarcasm:

[Rocknrule]

8. Expect Lord Bush to obey laws???

Get real! We're at war until El Presidente says otherwise, so He doesn't have to obey any insignificant laws! Bush is the King of the World and answers to no one, not even God! :sarcasm:

[gratuitous]

9. From such tumbling pebbles a landslide may grow

It's certainly an improvement over mute resignation. I don't know how effective it might be, but I don't mind seeing the opposition party actually act like the opposition for a change. May other Representatives join this duet and turn it into a chorus.

[WhiteTara]

10. I called Harman's office

to thank the congresswoman. Her aide was effusive in her thanks of my support (I'm not in her district), but I think we should all give her a call. It's early afternoon here on the west coast and she could use some atta girls. The aide told me she was being beaten up, so here's here phone number
Phone: [phone] Please call her

[Mandate My Ass]

11. done

The aide was very sweet and thanked me twice for calling and offering support.

[Realityhack]

17. Will do later today.

Best way I can think of to spend a few cellular min.

[unblock]

12. "rule of law" party asked to obey laws.

orwell for president!

[UrbScotty]

14. Conyers makes me proud once again! (nt)