BBC: Leading US senator (R) rebukes Bush

[mogster]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5218982.stm

Leading US senator rebukes Bush

A top US senator has moved to try to block George W Bush from refusing to enforce laws that he disagrees with.
Arlen Specter, a Republican, proposed new legislation after the American Bar Association said the president's actions undermined the rule of law.

At issue are "signing statements", comments made by the president when he signs bills into law which set out how - or if - he plans to enforce them.

He has issued more signing statements than all his predecessors combined.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5218982.stm

[Dead_Parrot]

1. Whoa...

Clinton's backing Bolton, and Specter is fighting Bush.



Could someone please direct me to planet Earth? I seem to be lost. Thank you.

[Binka]

2. Magic Bullet Man Is Making Noise Again

Fuck Arlen and the single bullet he rode in on.

[zbdent]

8. It's a momentary thing

look at his record ... he makes some noise, but when it comes time to walk the walk, he caves to Bush ... and he isn't up for re-election this year, Sanitarium is ...

[Tellurian]

20. Wait- While Arlen is spouting he's flipping the bird to Americans..

It's all a show. Spector masquerading as the Rule of Law, keeper..
chasing the Caped Crusader, Bush!

[Sherman A1]

3. Most likely much ado about nothing, but

at least he is making some noise about it. Which is better than what we are hearing overall.

[Frank Cannon]

4. Another fine Dog 'N' Pony production from Senator Specter

Arlen's the GOP's go-to guy for loud and phony investigations, designed to produce nothing except to make unpleasant truths go away.

[Kolesar]

7. Pissing away time until the reporters get bored and ignore the story

some other bush story will come along and distract the reporters, who will drop this story.

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. Yip Yip Yip!! Panel II said they'd rather see NO bill than the one

that Specter's proposing. I didn't catch all of the hearing yesterday, but DeRosa and Dempsey were pretty firm about that point. What he's proposing is worse than the way it is now.

[redqueen]

19. *sigh*

so that means this bill will probably go through, then

and all those not paying attention will think something's been done about the issue

wonderful

[magellan]

5. Specter's intestinal fortitude is due to give out any minute now

The man is incapable of holding Der Fuhrer to the law.

"Yea, by his Immodium ID you shall know him."

:hurts:

[rodeodance]

10. Keith O. says he caves on most things.

[dipsydoodle]

6. For the time being...............

"Experts said the bill had little chance of passage because the president's Republican party controls Congress."

..........but not for too long I hope.

[rodeodance]

9. says has little chance of passing. Wonder if Frist if the committee will

even let it out of committee?


"The president cannot veto part of bill... he cannot veto certain provisions he does not like."

Mr Specter's proposed law would forbid courts from taking presidential signing statements into account when interpreting laws and would allow Congress to take the president to court over signing statements.

"If the president is permitted to re-write the bills that Congress passes and cherry-pick which provisions he likes and does not like, he subverts the constitutional process," Mr Specter, an increasingly frequent critic of the administration, said.

Experts said the bill had little chance of passage because the president's Republican party controls Congress.

[Vidar]

11. Was momentarily excited, until I saw it was just Arlen farting again.

[spotbird]

13. Grandstanding from Specter

He's just another snake in the grass who will vote with Bush when Bush needs him.

[Doctor_J]

15. You'd think the media would stop printing his phony bloviating

but every time he yelps, they blare about what a maverick he is. More like a shetland pony.

[Mandate My Ass]

14. This schtick of his is really old

He'll rebuke for the cameras and reporters, then he'll give Bush even more than he asked for in the first place.

[gratuitous]

16. Oh it's you, Arlen. I was actually worried for a moment.

Old Snarlin' Arlen rears up on his hind legs, snaps once or twice, then resumes his customary place on Bush's lap. Nothing will come of this. Nothing will happen. It's getting very old. Perhaps someday soon the media will quit getting duped by this trick.

[ConcernedCanuk]

17. "He has issued more signing statements than all his predecessors combined.

.
.
.

That should say it all

Welcome to your 4th Reich . . .

USA is now, and has been since Bush took office,

A Dictatorship.

don't worry though

Hitler lost in the long run;

but sadly

after many suffered and died

(sigh)

[goforit]

18. Well Senator Spector does the US congress have ANY power???

Well, sir, ya gonna have to brave the "big bad old pwez" and
put your rally caps on to get the phucking job done!!!