Molly Ivins: Is this what we have come to?

[Bluebear]

When in the future you find yourself wondering, "Whatever happened to the Constitution?," you will want to go back and look at June 8, 2004.

That was the day that the attorney general of the United States -- a.k.a. "the nation's top law enforcement officer" -- refused to provide the Senate Judiciary Committee with his department's memos concerning torture.

In order to justify torture, these memos declare that the president is bound by neither U.S. law nor international treaties. We have put ourselves on the same moral level as Saddam Hussein, the only difference being quantity.

Quite literally, the president may as well wear a crown -- forget that "no-man-is-above-the-law" jazz. We used to talk about "the imperial presidency" under Richard Nixon, but this is the real thing.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/columnists/molly_ivins/8907477.htm?1c

[killbotfactory]

1. The US tortures for freedom!

Saddam tortures for Evil!

It's totally different!!!!

[redqueen]

2. Star Telegram

Please note the publisher. I suggest that all Dallas area DUers consider cancelling subscriptions to the Dallas Morning News in favor of the Star Telegram. Much better paper!

[Octafish]

5. People who worked there call it "The Startle Gram."

Thanks for pointing out what readers outside the Metroplex may not know. In addition to Molly, there's a greeeeeeeeeat cartoonist there by the name of Etta Hulme:

[redqueen]

6. I never knew and I've lived here all my life

I really miss the Times Herald.

I only realized the difference last year, when I noticed the difference in Iraq war reporting.

Love the cartoon... thanks for posting it!

[kentuck]

3. Democrats should press the contempt of Congress against Ashcroft...

until the Repubs have to respond publically to the charge. I is unacceptable. We cannot permit government officials to ignore the will of the people and hte law of the land. This should be a daily topic of hte Democrats until we get some resolution. Appoint a couple of Senators to keep it in the public eye. It is that important. we cannot just let it slide.

[Q]

4. Don't hold your breath...the Democrats have simply given up...

...and only a very few are pressing to get these memos. I guess they're waiting for Bush* to self-destruct. I wish them luck.

[Generic Other]

7. We keep saying as long as they don't do this or that then we can continue

to believe nothing is wrong. The moment when Ashcroft told the senate committee to buzz off, I knew we'd reached the critical moment. There is no longer any law to protect us from these folks.