"Divine right went out with the American Revolution and doesn't belong to White House aides..."

[jackstraw45]

"Divine right went out with the American Revolution and doesn't belong to White House aides. What meat do they eat that makes them grow so great? I am not willing to elevate them to a position above the great mass of the American people. I don't think we have any such thing as royalty or nobility that exempts them. I'm not going to let anybody come down at night like Nicodemus and whisper something in my ear that no one else can hear. That is not Executive privilege. It is Executive poppycock." - Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr., April 1973



Defying Nixon's Reach for Power
Monday, Apr. 16, 1973

THE jowls jiggled. The eyebrows rolled up and down in waves. The forehead seemed seized by spasms. Yet the lips continuously courted a smile, suggesting an inner bemusement. The words tumbled out disarmingly, softened by the gentle Southern tones and the folksy idiom. But they conveyed a sense of moral outrage.

"Divine right went out with the American Revolution and doesn't belong to White House aides," the speaker said. "What meat do they eat that makes them grow so great? I am not willing to elevate them to a position above the great mass of the American people. I don't think we have any such thing as royalty or nobility that exempts them. I'm not going to let anybody come down at night like Nicodemus* and whisper something in my ear that no one else can hear. That is not Executive privilege. It is Executive poppycock."

(cut)

MORE: http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,878518,00.html

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

1. Thank you for this very timely reminder, jackstraw45.

K & R. Brings back many good memories for me...

[kestrel91316]

2. Oh, Sam, we need you again right now...............

What a man. What a loss to this nation when he went.

[Jacobin]

3. Yes, we do. I'm waiting hopefully to see who can rise to this occasion

I'm nervous, frankly

[jackstraw45]

5. 70% of America is HUNGRY for leadership and accountability....

I have high hopes but tempered expectations...

[MLFerrell]

12. "I have high hopes but tempered expectations..."

Well said, sir. A prudent course indeed. I haven't yet fully decided on optimism or pessimism, but I lean toward the former. Your hesitancy is well advised.

We certainly do live in interesting times, no?

MLF

[WinkyDink]

4. Currently spinning......

[Elidor]

6. Bush was too drunk to notice all this at the time

Looks like we'll have to replay a bit of history for him. If only the news media today weren't so servile and credulous.

This thread needs more recs. :thumbsup:

[understandinglife]

7. It's Tribunal Time In The United States of America - We the People v Bush et al.

Recommended.


Peace.

[jackstraw45]

8. "Executive Poppycock"

I say as soon as the White House starts with the "Executive Privilage" crap, we start mailing tons of Executive Poppycock to the White House....

[nealmhughes]

9. Actually "divine right" went out with William and Mary's Glorious Revolution...

about 80 years before the colonies declared their independence!

[karlrschneider]

10. Sigh. Some of the old days actually were good old days.

Rec'd and :kick:

[troubleinwinter]

11. 1974- John Conyers voted articles of impeachment against Nixon on the House Judiciary Committee

[jackstraw45]

13. The FIGHT is on...

:kick: