Bush shuns Patriot Act requirement-Says Oversight Rules NOT Binding

[kpete]

Bush shuns Patriot Act requirement
In addendum to law, he says oversight rules are not binding
By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | March 24, 2006

WASHINGTON -- When President Bush signed the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act this month, he included an addendum saying that he did not feel obliged to obey requirements that he inform Congress about how the FBI was using the act's expanded police powers.

The bill contained several oversight provisions intended to make sure the FBI did not abuse the special terrorism-related powers to search homes and secretly seize papers. The provisions require Justice Department officials to keep closer track of how often the FBI uses the new powers and in what type of situations. Under the law, the administration would have to provide the information to Congress by certain dates.

Bush signed the bill with fanfare at a White House ceremony March 9, calling it ''a piece of legislation that's vital to win the war on terror and to protect the American people." But after the reporters and guests had left, the White House quietly issued a ''signing statement," an official document in which a president lays out his interpretation of a new law.

In the statement, Bush said that he did not consider himself bound to tell Congress how the Patriot Act powers were being used and that, despite the law's requirements, he could withhold the information if he decided that disclosure would ''impair foreign relations, national security, the deliberative process of the executive, or the performance of the executive's constitutional duties."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/03/24/bush_shuns_patriot_act_requirement/?p1=MEWell_Pos1

[mattclearing]

1. What a dick.

This guy totally hates the Constitution.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

2. And a censure is too much to ask for?

Better start moving Dems!

[InternalDialogue]

9. You're not kidding -- at least start making the motions.

A properly motivated Congress would be issuing censures every Tuesday and Thursday, with impeachment hearing held alternating Fridays.

Both sides of the aisle, wake up! Bush is crapping on your role in the system!

[Virginia Dare]

3. Criminally insane--he is taking our country down the toilet day by day.

The worse President by far that this country has ever seen. If there is any justice whatsoever he will be tried for treason.
:nuke:

[Just Me]

4. Tyrant! Dictator! Totalitarian! DICK!!!

:grr: :mad: :grr:

[cantstandbush]

5. Tell me again why Bush should not be compared to Hitler? n/t

[Junkdrawer]

6. So...have they had enough time to turn the FBI and the CIA back...

to being the reactionary Gestapo, or are there still any career civil servants watching out for our liberties?

[InternalDialogue]

7. We are past the "first steps toward a dictatorship"

that Sandra Day O'Connor spoke about last week. Adherence to oversight requirements is not something to be done at the president's convenience; it's all Americans' constitutional guarantee that we never have to trust one man who simply says, "Trust me."

[KittyWampus]

8. Sorta like Iraq War Resolution required him to inform Congress before

actually using force... but not like IWR because at least then he sent a letter to Congress full of lies.

At least this way he negates need to lie to Congress and just gives them the middle finger straight away.

[NewWaveChick1981]

10. He's the Chimperor and he'll do as he pleases.

Even Arlen Specter said it. He thinks he's above the law in every way. Hell, it's HIS fucking Patriot Act anyway! :spank:

[moondust]

11. Police state.

"You WILL live in fear of the Gestapo!!"

[Buns_of_Fire]

12. To bunnypants, Congress is one of those "quaint" institutions...

...like the Constitution.

I can't, for the life of me, understand why Congress isn't preparing to give Emperor Unitary I a royal slapdown by now. Their egos are every bit as big as his, and this constant nose-thumbing has got to chap them raw. (And remember, they're the ones facing future re-election!)

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. What will Congress do about this?

:eyes:

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. When is the madness of King George going to stop?!?!

[WePurrsevere]

15. If he's supposedly not doing anything wrong why SNEAK it do it AFTER...

the media and guests have left? Let's see... what is it that the neo-CONs say? "Why worry of you have nothing to hide?"

There is a reason for separation of powers as outlined in the Constitution and Bush is doing his best to override the oversight and separation mandated with his pushing the limits of this so called "Unitary Executive" thing. This must stop! We are not a nation ruled by a King or dictator nor should we ever allow ourselves to become one again as these new Republican "Tories" seem to be working towards.

"In America, the law is king. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other." (Thomas Paine - Common Sense)

[mod mom]

16. Congress is either complicit or incompetent. nt

[oasis]

17. When Chimpy looked into Putin's KGB soul he saw his own reflection. (eom)

[C_U_L8R]

18. How can these "signing statements" be challenged

they sound unconstitutional to me... but I'm no legal exp - just an ordinary schmo

[MadHound]

19. Asshole rams through the most criminal, unconstitutional bill

In US history, and yet he now is saying that he can't even abide by the fig lear provisions of it? Damn his hairy ass to hell, the fucking prick! He does indeed want to be dictator.:grr:

[ohtransplant]

20. Congress should pass a resolution...

invalidating *'s signing statement - asserting it has no legal force, violates the separation of powers and the law should be enforced as passed. Send it to the SCOTUS.

SCOTUS? Oh yeah...Never mind...