Read the Fine Print - NYT's OpEd on Bush's Signing Statement

[WePurrsevere]

http://tinyurl.com/kffs7

Over 212 years, 42 presidents issued “signing statements” objecting to a grand total of 600 provisions of new laws. George W. Bush has done that more than 800 times in just over five and a half years in office.

Most presidents used signing statements to get legal objections on the record for judges to consider in any court challenge. For Mr. Bush, they are far more: part of a strategy to expand presidential powers at the expense of Congress and the courts. His signing statements have become notices to Congress that he simply does not intend to follow the law, especially any attempt to hold him accountable for his actions.

<snip>
The Bush administration often says the president is just trying to stop Congress from interfering with his ability to keep the nation safe, and that other presidents also included constitutional objections in their signing statements. That’s just smoke.

<snip>
The A.B.A. called Mr. Bush’s use of presidential signing statements “contrary to the rule of law and our constitutional system of separation of powers” and recommended that Congress enact legislation clarifying the issue.

Sadly I agree with the last paragraph from the OpEd that even if Congress were to pass a bill some how limiting the use of "signing statements" BuSh* would just sign another signing statement stating that he won't follow it.

ONCE AGAIN... Bush won't uphold the Constitution (as he has sworn to do with an OATH) because it's just a piece of paper to him. :grr:

[stopbush]

1. Of course, impeachment is the real solution to the * problem. nt

[WePurrsevere]

6. We'd have to impeach the whole cabal. Bush doesn't act alone....

Rove, Rummy, Cheney, etc should also be removed for their crimes against the Constitution, the American people, etc.

[snappyturtle]

2. Even though Bush might add a signing...

statement to a bill limiting that use, maybe, just maybe more than a few eyes would be opened to his real intent of blowing our constitution into pieces. He has to be stopped.

[WePurrsevere]

5. Maybe but only if it's reported where Americans will learn about it. n/t

[snappyturtle]

7. True. nt

[yurbud]

3. New York Times should support Conyers lawsuit over Bush

signing a law different from the version Congress passed.

That must be a standard business trick--the management at my community college district did it with our instructors' union contract. Luckily, we caught it.

[WePurrsevere]

4. I'm familiar with that tactic as well. It's a darn shame that a US

representative is pulling the same BS on the American people. It's great that someone is taking a stand against it but I'd really like to see a whole lot more get behind Conyers... and the Constitution.