Bush challenges hundreds of laws...Boston Globe

[JohnnyRingo]

What happened to all those wing-nuts who were screaming "rule of law!" eight years ago?
Can this be interpreted as anything but a move toward dictatorship?

<excerpt>
President cites powers of his office

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.

Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.

Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ''to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ''execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional.

<more>
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/04/30/bush_challenges_hundreds_of_laws/?page=full

[valerief]

1. Haven't you heard? Laws have been deregulated. n/t

edited for spelling

[Deja Q]

2. Here's a blast from the past:

TARRANT Well, it might. There's still a price on our heads from the old days.
SOOLIN Not on G-P, there isn't.
VILA G-P?
AVON I imagine that is what the locals call Gauda Prime, your home planet.
SOOLIN I grew up there, yes. But for a home you need a family and mine were murdered when the Federation declared Gauda Prime an Open Planet.
AVON A general suspension of the penal code.
SOOLIN That's right.
DAYNA You mean there's no law at all?
SOOLIN It's the fast way to get resources exploited, in this case mineral resources.
DAYNA I don't understand.
VILA Neither do I. How does junking the law speed up mining?
SOOLIN G-P was an agricultural world. The settlers were sent there to grow crops, raise timber. They were farmers, my family among them. They were given title to the land.
AVON And then somebody discovered there was more profit under the ground than there was on top of it, only the farmers were in the way, and the law was on their side. Hence the Open Planet designation.

TARRANT What, get rid of the law you get rid of the problem? You seem to know a lot about it.
AVON Orac is an excellent research tool. Do you imagine I would take us in blind?

TARRANT You've done it before.
DAYNA (to SOOLIN) What happened to your family?
SOOLIN When the mining corporations moved in, the farmers moved out. Those that didn't were murdered.
VILA And it wasn't even a crime.
SOOLIN Oh yes, it was a crime all right. It just wasn't illegal.
VILA That's what I meant.
SOOLIN I hope so.

TARRANT Planet must have been a draw for every crook and killer in the quadrant.
AVON A lot of people made a lot of money.
SOOLIN Some even lived to enjoy it.
AVON I imagine they are the ones who now want the planet returned to normal legal status.
SOOLIN (angry) You're not serious!
AVON Orac?
ORAC A formal application was laid before the High Council on Earth within the last thirty days. I could get you the exact date --

Excerpt from "Blake's 7", Episode 52: "Blake".

[valerief]

4. Cool. I had to look up what Blake's 7 was, Whoda thunk * was a fan? n/t

[converted_democrat]

3. Thank you for posting this JohnnyRingo.. K&R n/t

[scarface2004]

5. isn't the irs unconstitutional?

guess we can quit paying taxes now...cool.

[young_at_heart]

6. 9-11, 9-11, 9-11, 9-11

That's all they need to say to get their way.

[mandyky]

7. KargoX's take - Bush ends rule of law; Americans continue to shop,

enjoy TV. This diary at dailyKos helps digest the Boston globe article -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/30/92922/6097

<snip>
Today's Boston Globe has an article by Charlie Savage that I think you should read. And I'd like you to read it in conjunction with this diary by Jeffrey Feldman of "Frameshop" fame, which diary is itself based on this remarkable article from the Wired magazine blog.

Why? Well, I was going to title this diary "On the Necessity of Impeachment -- Part IV," but there are just too many Daily Kos readers who are still so turned off by the mere thought of impeachment that they won't read a diary with the I word in the title. But these two articles together are, I think, something every American should read and consider. Especially if you're in the "focus on the elections and win back Congress" camp.

</snip>

[Breeze54]

8. Bush claims he has the authority to disobey 750 laws!!

I 'edited' the title....it has a lot more impact and TRUTH!!!!!!!!

Snip-->
"Bush challenges hundreds of laws
President cites powers of his office

By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | April 30, 2006

WASHINGTON --

President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution. <--Snip

Pop-up GLOBE GRAPHIC: Number of new statutes challenged


Examples of the president's signing statements
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/04/30/examples_of_the_presidents_signing_statements/

"Bush administration spokesmen declined to make White House or Justice Department attorneys available to discuss any of Bush's challenges to the laws he has signed.

Instead, they referred a Globe reporter to their response to questions about Bush's position that he could ignore provisions of the Patriot Act. They said at the time that Bush was following a practice that has ''been used for several administrations" and that ''the president will faithfully execute the law in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution."

But the words ''in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution" are the catch, legal scholars say, because Bush is according himself the ultimate interpretation of the Constitution. And he is quietly exercising that authority to a degree that is unprecedented in US history."

[PATRICK]

9. To return to a wild theory

of mine which has since gone nowhere. it would have been magnificently convenient had the 9/11 attacks taken out the Congress. The slowness of taking anyone out of harm's way that day is more than enough to speak of at least a willful serendipity spoiled only by Flight 93 being late out of the gate.

The overall broad strokes of the Bush juggernaut seemed really set to profit from a real brand new, practically Cheney appointed set of grateful rookies whose sole purpose in life would be set in cement to do whatever the WH might want- in the fight against Terror of course.

What looks arrogant and incredible now would have been so much easier without real seasoned politicians, however loyal and lockstep. Trent Lott was quickly removed. Delay is gone. Shrug. This WH was set up for dictatorship from the start. The only patience they have shown is in waiting for the Congress to shut up or go away and who knows what lies beneath that show.

Of course, this is expecting that something about this administration makes sense.

[Blutodog]

14. Dictatorship from the start

I agree. Had we all realized what we were really witnessing that fateful day in Dec. 2000 we would have realized then that this was going to be a long slide into Dictatorship. The Bu$hiviks are not Americans as we've known them in the past. This is a very very radical group of people who intend to replace the American Republic with a Kingdom run by the nobility of the Big Corps. and the ayatollahs of the religious right.

[FighttheFuture]

47. Not exactly dictator... you want to be careful... better to keep on...

manipulating people with various levers of patriotism, religion, self-interest, greed, etc. Terra, 9-11, globalization, lazy americans who do not want to work so we need immigrants, offshoring is good, etc. crap.

Lots of TC, sports, American Idol, Simple Life, etc. while the news is turned into nothing but garbage and propaganda all owned by 5 major corporations.

Much easier than imposing force from above--look at Iraq!!

No, keep manipulating the gullible Amer can sheeple while destroying any excess income so every day is a quest for survival. With no time to think, only time to survive, control is easy. The few who rebel are quickly declared "enemy combatant" and never heard form again.

It took the USSR 70 years to finally collapse and that's with intense pressure from the West. Imagine what it will take us--generations, centuries, at the very least. By that time, History will be sufficiently vague to allow the cancer to survive and take root again.

The cycle of human exploitation.

[Blutodog]

49. Roman style Imperium

Bread and circuses.

[Virginia Dare]

36. I've had the same thought...

What if Flight 93's target was the Capitol Building(s), and something went wrong, either on board the plane, or with the plan itself, maybe a broken arrow shot it down, but the real plan that day was to establish a dictatorship for the Bush Administration. The anthrax attacks shortly on the heels of 9/11 is to coincidental. They couldn't do it through shock and awe, so they perhaps they are using intimidation and blackmail instead.

[FighttheFuture]

46. No, the Anthrax attacks on the two DEMS stalling the Patriot act...

was just enough.

[Greylyn58]

10. I've reached the point now

where I just don't know what to say anymore when I read some new outrage committed by the pResident occupying Our White House! :argh:

Words are beginning to fail me!!! :crazy:

[MsKandice01]

11. The Chimptator...

Impeach The Motherfucker Already!!!

[Brigid]

12. I saw this . . .

very article reprinted in my local paper. The gist of it is, the Constition means what * says it means, according to him. Excuse me, but isn't interpreting the Constitution the job of the judiciary? These are indeed very bleak times for civil libertarians. :banghead:

[Up2Late]

13. Plus, he said the other day that, He doesn't support Boycotts.

But I guess that's not much of a surprise.

[SammyBlue]

15. Plutocratic, theocratic autocracy HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!

You only thought you missed the tyranny of King George back in the 1700s.

[yorkiemommie1]

16. L'etat c'est moi

" I am the state." Louis XIV, GWB

edited to add last sentence.

[JohnnyRingo]

17. And I'm glad you did

I'm not even fluent in English

[onehandle]

18. Laws, and taxes, are for the little people. nt

[Selteri]

19. Laws Smaws He's the Decider!

Dictator by any other name stinks just as badly.

[Hubert Flottz]

20. Send a link to your congresscritters ASAP.

We need to get this item on the Senate Floor Tomorrow!

[SeattleGirl]

21. Jeebus, I feel like my head is going to explode!

Doing whatever the fuck he wants to do, "interpreting" the Constitution (which really means, using it to wipe his ass), taking more and more power. Dammit, I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!!! NOW!!!! He really WAS SERIOUS when he said things would be "a heck of a lot easier" if he were the Dictator. Well, with a spineless, wimp-ass REPUBLICAN MAJORITY Congress, who refuse to defy him, if Bush stays in office for the rest of his term, AND, if the Dems can't at least take back the House, I really AM scared about where we'll be in 2 years.

I'm not giving up the fight, but damn, reading this article does make me wonder if I have the strength and energy to keep fighting for that much longer. :cry:

[LaloBorges]

22. Bush and Hugo Chavez

Bush and Chavez love to hate each other, or so they say, but I am convinced that Chavez sends Bush tips on how to turn this nation into a dictatorship such as Chavez is trying to do to Venezuela and other countries in South America. Their biggest motive is to hold on to power, nothing else.

If you look at all the moves that Chavez has made in order to weaken that South American country's congress, judicial branch, and the media, you will find that Bush has followed on Chavez steps as if taking it from the same manual.

People do not realize that if the country ("We The People") do not wake up and continue in this sheepish attitude, the neocon will get away with implementing a dictatorship, and there cannot be anything worst than a dictatorship run by incompetents such as we have in the WH today. People need to start making their thoughts heard and start the intellectual fight against these unpatriotic group.

I recommend an article on "The Atlantic" on Chavez and then make your list of similarities.

[mod mom]

23. Doesn't this means it's officially FASCISM, right? I mean this was

the MSM, isn't it? Shouldn't all the folks that acted like we were kooks for the past couple years apologize to us. I know I won't hold my breath!

[Brigid]

24. On another board . . .

On another political board I belong to, which has members from both the conservative and liberal camps, I am one of the more vociferous anti-Bush, anti-Patriot Act members. Some pooh-pooh my concerns about the fascism I see developing in this country. I have yet to get an answer when I ask them just what, exactly, prevents it from happening here, given today's climate.

[bluestateboomer]

25. If you didn't think they were facist before....

It's harder to deny now...:grr:

[TechBear_Seattle]

26. A question to ask the Freepers....

"Would you feel comfortable if Clinton had asserted the same power unilaterally ignore existing law based on his interpretation of the Constitution?"

Then watch them squirm. :hi:

[dermalogic]

27. They would reply

"He did man, he was A CRIMINAL. He used supreme executive power when HE LIED TO CONGRESS ABOUT GETTING A BLOW JOB"

... 'cause i guess to them lying to keep your personal life private is the same as committing your country to war and condeming 2000+ american soliders to death. While lining the pockets of your political supporters.

[JohnnyRingo]

31. ....Or if they mind the NEXT Clinton possessing such unbridled power

I saw an interviewer ask Fred Barnes that very same question...
He said "Well, that's different". then added "I'm kidding, of course", but he then evaded the question by stating that "she's not going to be president".

It's obvious that he wouldn't put up with it for a Beltway minute.

[Virginian]

28. Re-intrepreting Just the laws enacted during his administration?

I don't think he stops there. I think he interprets any law passed in any administration to suit his liking.

Don't all republicans think that the same laws don't apply to them that apply to other people?

[Technowitch]

29. Elections are next

Seriously.

[low_phreaq]

30. He has refused his Assent to Laws

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
--The Declaration of Independence

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration.html

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

[NMMNG]

32. My head is going to explode

:nuke:

[bklyncowgirl]

33. This is frightening. Without the rule of law we are an outlaw nation.

I knew about some of these signing statements but I had no idea of the scope. What I'm afraid of is that Congressional Democrats and those few moderate Republicans who helped put these laws together, are under the illusion that the rules which they cherish are still in force. In reality Bush has taken the game board and thrown the loose pieces in the faces of Congress and the American People they supposedly represent.

[femmedem]

34. As Mark Crispin Miller argues in "The Bush Dyslexicon"

By taking seriously statements we've dismissed as verbal gaffes, we can discover Bush's true beliefs and intentions:

"The legislature's job is to write the law. It's the executive branch's job to interpret law."--Austin, Texas, Nov 22, 2000; SLATE

"I am mindful of the difference between the executive branch and the legislative branch. I assured all four of these leaders that I know the difference, and that difference is they pass the laws and I execute them." --Washington, C.C., Dec. 18, 2000; SLATE

Both examples come from The Bush Dyslexicon, pg. 190.

[bdamomma]

35. it just shows you how

bush is so very arrogant and ignorant and damn well dones what he pleases to do, we have to stop this, this man is breaking the law, and he must be held accountable. This man should be dethroned!!!! I am pissed.

[DallasNE]

37. Where Is The Supreme Court

I was brought up with the belief that the Supreme Court was given the responsibility to interpret the intent of the law and whether a given action was in compliance with that intent.

How odd that Republicans for decades have run against the "liberal" Supreme Court that has been dominated by Republican approintees for decades are now saying that the Supreme Court doesn't count when it comes to enforcement of the laws passed by Congress.

I in fact also find it odd that the Supreme Court hasn't taken issue with signing statements. I know I sure would like to know where that practice is covered in the Constitution. Obviously, the law passed by Congress is not the law being enforced by the administration.

But with a rubber stamp Supreme Court and a rubber stamp Congress there is no recourse other than articles like this Boston Globe piece that goes over the head of both Congress and the Supreme Court straight to the American people.

[paparush]

40. In his hip pocket....

Thanks for the LIFETIME APPOINTMENT...now, what can we do (or not do) for you today..?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

38. So what the hell is "ignoring" the law. Why not "breaking" the law? nt

[negativenihil]

39. oh my god. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

41. And every one of them should be listed as an article of impeachment.

[bigbrother05]

42. He creates the situation

and then when approached, has to translate the rule of law, that fits the crime.
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission.
Bush, Cheney, law, motto.

[paparush]

43. Q: Will this Story Lead on ANY of the Major News Networks Tonight?

[butterfly77]

44. And what are these silly ass...

&%$#&%&%&& doing about it? Will it be on world news tonight,c-span tommorrow or any of these other ass lickers shows tommorrow? There is no media these fake ass, phoney hypocrites like big ass Limburger. Did anyone see charley and the other guy on Good Morning America making excuses for fat ass. They said the good thing is that it informed the pubic about abusing drugs. The only thing I see in this country is a bunch of hypocrites and rich people who get away with anything and in most cases they happen to be white men! How in the hell do they expect this country to come together and follow their laws when we see them breaking them everyday, no wonder the illegals are saying fuck em!

[Pathwalker]

45. I will ask again: How many are drug laws?

I'm sure he granted himself amnesty for a few, at least.

[butterfly77]

48. Everybody uses drugs anyway ....

These phoney bastards want to pick and choose drugs.

[go west young man]

50. Thanks for the article.

I've clipped it out and intend to present it to the judge if I get called for jury duty. How can any of us judge our fellow man if our leaders break the law daily?