Do we really want this...?

<center><h1><a href=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6732484/site/newsweek/>The Bid for Unchecked Presidential Powers</a></h1></center>

<blockquote> Just two weeks after the September 11 attacks, a secret memo to White House counsel Alberto Gonzales’ office concluded that President Bush had the power to deploy military force “preemptively” against any terrorist groups or countries that supported them—regardless of whether they had any connection to the attacks on the World Trade Towers or the Pentagon.

The memo, written by Justice Department lawyer John Yoo, argues that there are effectively “no limits” on the president’s authority to wage war—a sweeping assertion of executive power that some constitutional scholars say goes considerably beyond any that had previously been articulated by the department.

Although it makes no reference to Saddam Hussein’s government, the 15-page memo also seems to lay a legal groundwork for the president to invade Iraq—without approval of Congress—long before the White House had publicly expressed any intent to do so. “The President may deploy military force preemptively against terrorist organizations or the States that harbor or support them, whether or not they can be linked to the specific terrorist incidents of Sept. 11,” the memo states.</blockquote>

In addition to providing a rationale for invading Iraq, or any other country, the memo also stated that "...<b>the president's decisions are for him alone and are unreviewable</b>...". While this is in regards to the president's use of military force, it sets a precedent for unlimited...unchecked...unquestioned presidential power. Such power in the hands of the Executive, or any other branch of governement, clearly flies in the face of the intent of the framers of the Constitution, who sought to maintain checks and balances amongst all three branches so that none gains absolute control of the government.

Even more disturbing is that Alberto Gonzales, Dubbyuh's nominee to replace John Ashcroft, vetted and signed off on this memo. Is this really the kind of man we want as Attorney General...? One who would so cavalierly dispense with 200+ years of constitutional government as if it were toilet paper...?

The true colors of the Bush administration are revealed with the release of this memo. They care not one whit for the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. They scoff at the concept of international law, and view the Geneva Convention with utter, unveiled contempt. Power is their only goal, and they care not how many bodies they must climb over to reach it. They are unworthy of the offices they hold and they are a disgrace to they memories of our Founding Fathers.

<center><img src=http://homepage.mac.com/leperous/.Pictures/prisoner.jpg></center>

 

Why do you keep digging up stuff from two or three years ago? The President has always had the power to deploy troops for up to 180 days without the consent of Congress...

 

Sorry boyo, but this isn't simply about deploying troops for 180 days. It is about unchecked presidential power. Or is that just a trifling irrelevancy to you?

 

Actually it is a trifling irrelevancy for me. The system of checks and balances works just fine. Given that the Congress ultimately controls the budget, no president could wage war for long without their support. Exaggeration of the facts doesn't change a thing in my book.

 

The last paragraph sums it all up pretty well.
There still are no black helicopters.

 

<b>“I don't think that those memos <i>themselves</i> formed the basis of presidential action.” </b>

It means that they weren't the sole basis for presidential action, but were a part of the decision making process.

 

I just have to ask. If the current administration cares not one wit for the Bill of Rights or the Constitution, why bother looking at the legality at all?

 

You can tell by the way he didn't ask for any vote on the war... Wait that's wrong.

You can tell by the way that Congress didn't give him the power... Wait that's wrong too.


You can tell by the way that the SCOTUS was disbanned... Wait that isn't true.

You can tell by the fact that the President is Legislating... Wait that isn't true either.


It seems the President is well within his power to do everything that story says he did. Too bad, no scandal here.

 

Only in your mind, pal.
Taken in context reasonable people don't see it that way.

 

Well, when the shit intersects the fan-blade, I'll be standing there shaking my head and saying, "I toldya so...".