which was instated in the aftermath of Watergate, had a "sunset clause" (5 years). Was to be voted on every 5 years, and was reinstated every 5 yeasr since 1978...funny tho, in 2000 they let it DIE!...hmmmmm? Congress had the power to keep it or let it die...they let it die...BushCo knew that it was gonna die and that is what has given these evil bastards their BOLDNESS (their IN YOUR FACE arrogance!) ...Now. even though they are caught red handed. there is NOTHING to stop them or bring them to justice. NOTHING...no tools left to Congress!
The law died with ken star...now only the president can call for a "special" council HA! and only he can appoint who will head it...re: kissinger
Democracy Is Dead!!!!
http://www.uncommonknowledge.org/99winter/323.html January 12, 1999
ROBINSON Welcome to Uncommon Knowledge, I'm Peter Robinson. Our show today, the Independent Counsel Statute, a piece of legislation first enacted in 1978 that must be renewed every 5 years. The next time the statute must be renewed, this very spring. We'll return to the statute in a moment, but first a brief civics lesson. As you know, our founders gave us three branches of government- branch number one, the judicial, the nine justices of the Supreme Court and the 900 some judges who sit on the federal bench. Branch number two, the legislative, the House, the Senate, they make up Congress. Congress enacts laws, the judicial branch interprets them. Branch number three, the executive. Here of course we come to the president of the United States, responsible for administering the vast federal government, for conducting foreign policy, and for enforcing the laws that Congress enacts and the judicial branch interprets. One, two, three, and four- the independent counsel, here he is, Kenneth Starr himself. Of course there isn't really, not formally a fourth branch of the American government. But many would argue that the independent counsel statute in effect establishes just that- a fourth and unconstitutional branch of government, accountable neither to the American people nor to any of the other three branches of government. As I say, this spring Congress must decide whether to reenact the legislation or let it fail. With us today, three guests- John Donohue is a professor of law at Stanford University, David Brady is a fellow at the Hoover Institution. John and David want Congress to reenact the statute but with major reforms. Our third guest, James Brosnahan is a senior partner at the San Francisco law firm of Morrison and Foerster. Mr. Brosnahan served briefly in the office of the independent counsel, he wants Congress to let the legislation die.
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