Why the Illegal FBI search of Rep. Jefferson's office is so bad:

[originalpckelly]

While Congressman William Jefferson is probably guilty of bribery, the investigation of his crimes represents another assault on our American principles. This principle is so fundamental to the operation of our country, but the only people defending it are the Representatives and Senators that a vast majority of Americans despise. Quite simply, what occurred on Sunday May 21, 2006, was a profound violation of the separation of powers. The FBI derives its authority from the Executive Branch. The United States Capitol Police derives its authority from the Legislative Branch. The proper way for the FBI to obtain the needed evidence would have been to request the United States Capitol Police to search the office of Representative Jefferson.

While many people might easily allow this unprecedented action to go unnoticed, the truth is that this is grave. Our Senators and Representatives need to be able to have a security in their offices. At the time our nation declared its independence, such shenanigans degraded the ability of the Houses of Commons and Lords to govern independently of King George III. While they were arrested in transit to Parliament in order to prevent them from voting, this is similar in its implications. What if Senators and Representatives come up with a compromise in secret the President can't know about because s/he would never sign it, but they also secretly manage to get a veto-proof majority? The President could order the FBI to search the offices of the legislators to find the compromise.

One would hope that the President and the Congress wouldn't be so adversarial, but it can and has happened before. People may be tricked into believing their actions are necessary, such as people at the FBI were during the late '60s and early '70s when they intercepted the phone calls of individuals providing vital information to reporters investigating Watergate. Representatives aren't angels, but President's aren't either.

I think most Americans can agree Rep. Jefferson should be punished to the fullest extent of the law if he committed a crime, but we cannot allow these profound abuses of power to pass. We need to remember that the Roman Senate had its downfall at the hands of a people who thought it was corrupt and self-interested, when those people allowed Julius Gaius Caesar to become an absolute dictator. 535 corrupt and self-interested legislators may be bad, but 1 corrupt and self-interested President will be no better.

[AX10]

1. KICK & RECOMMENDED!

[Ian David]

2. This is the power Unitary Executive Russ Feingold will weild in 2008

Oh, we're gonna have a kick-ass time!

At least eight years of "Gotcha Politics!"

[Senator]

10. Yes, the new and improved Urinary Authoritarian Executive

Based on the newly-discovered "inherent" (i.e., faith-based) constitutional authority to piss down the back of the American People and tell them it's raining.

But on a serious note, waste no opportunity to tell people on the right that all these neofascist bushcabal power grabs could well be in Democratic hands sooner than they think.

And while your at it whisper to them; "You can have Pres. Hastert now, or Pres. Pelosi later. Dump them now, while you still have the chance." (Never underestimate the power of paranoia on the right.)

--

[Spazito]

3. Thank you for this!

It clarifies very well how grave the action by the FBI was, it has helped me immensely to understand why even the republicans are concerned. Thank you again.
Recommended.

[Ian David]

4. At least, now they don't need to use Anthrax to search someone's office

It's much safer this way, isn't it?

Would you rather Bush go back to using Anthrax as a pretext to search someone's office?

"Oops... Anthrax... gotta disinfect those file cabinets."

[dogday]

5. They really did not need to search the office

They had more than enough to convict him of this... 90,000 dollars of marked money in freezer. Video of transaction and 2 witnesses... You have to ask yourself why they did this really????

[BurtWorm]

6. Was it for show?

Were they trying to shine as bright a spotlight as they could find on a corrupt Dem so no one in the land would miss it? So now the Sun-dits can say corruption is bi-partisan?

[dogday]

8. And are they not making the comparison

in the M$M right this very moment? :hi:

[Ian David]

14. Maybe he had "insurance" implicating Republicans? n/t

[RufusEarl]

7. MSNBC

The MSM is all over this! They did a internet survey that said 80% approved of the way the FBI handled itself while only 20% disapproved of the way the FBI conducted itself in this matter.

I feel so much better knowing that most citizen haven't a clue, when it comes to matters like separation of powers.

Peace!

[dogday]

9. CNN

is not slouching either on this... Every 15 minutes and right now have Brazile and Ford on talking about the precedent it sets searching a congressman's office.. Both against it....

[Kurovski]

13. It does set a precedent.

I'm glad to hear that it's being discussed.

[Mandate My Ass]

11. I'm glad the Senators and Congresspeople are concerned

about somebody's 4th ammendment rights.

[Senator]

12. Hey, what if the "compromise" is Impeachment ?!?

And this is the "pre-emptive" shock-and-awe strike?

Remember, they can have Pres. Hastert now, or Pres. Pelosi later. That's the threat.

Perhaps 'Pubby Paranoia is taking hold and they're considering cutting the anchor line before the mid-terms? They've already been squealing that it's every man for himself.

Ya nevah know. These neofascists eat their young.

--

[originalpckelly]

15. I think that might very well be what I am talking about...

We should be very alert because this is an audacious move.

I understand that the US Constitution does not specifically state this problem, but I think we can all understand the kind of effect it would have upon the work of Congress. I just heard idiot Bill Bennett say some very strange things about this issue. He makes me wonder.

[originalpckelly]

16. Bill Bennett is such an idiot...

He basically said that the law cannot apply to Congressmen/women if we do not search their offices. One, very ironic because he supports a President who doesn't follow the law.

Two, he is an idiot playing upon the hatred of Congress to rob it of power. The United States Capitol Police can search any Congressional office if requested to do so. This is a check and balance of the search because it cannot be for privileged information, for the eyes of Congress only. I doubt if any such information was in Rep. Jefferson's office, but like I said in the major post, it does establish a precedent.

[genie_weenie]

17. So, the Legislative Branch is immune to the FBI?

That doesn't make sense. Don't ALL law enforcement officers derive their "Authority" from the Executive Branch? I think the FBI has the highest jurisdication over all Domestic crimes. Just as your local home town sheriff couldn't hold onto an alledged criminal if the FBI requests the person.

The Supreme Court doesn't have a specific Law Force roaming around looking for violations of Judical descisions.

The US Capitol Police derive their authority form the Legislative Branch??? Are you sure? How exactly are they appointed by Congress?

I think you're reasoning is incorrect.

[IronLionZion]

18. Democrats just don't know how to be corrupt

He went himself to pick up suitcases full of cash from a businessman and hid it in his freezer?

Come on! A Republican would have the business hire lobbyists, and launder the money through his PAC and his fraudulent charity which is among the lowest rated by the Better Business Bureau. That's what Rick Santorum does!

William Jefferson needs to learn how to do it right!

:sarcasm:

It's wrong no matter who does it. But 1 Democrat doesn't make it a bi-partisan problem. It's still an overwhelmingly Republican culture of corruption.

[Acadia Blue]

19. Remind our stupid reps that they supported all this shrubs illegal

unconstitutional tactis to day. The buzzard has come home to roost and the supid media and congress are just soooo shocked that they could do it to them. How can they be so ignornant with the type of animal that they have delt with in the very recent past?

[Hubert Flottz]

20. "Why the Illegal FBI search of Rep. Jefferson's office is so bad:"

It reeks of the Jack Booted type thuggery,(pogrom)that you'd expect from you know whats!

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. IMO, the cabal and Congressional repukes wanted this to go to their

psycho-in-chief's SCOTUS. I think Jefferson was set up, they planned this whole thing just to get the issue before the High Court. Why are repukes screaming about this? I think it's all an act on their part. Hell, if the FBI wanted raid corrupt politician's Congressional offices, why not all the Abramoff repukes? Why did they set up a Dem and search HIS office when they have a MYRIAD of corrut REPUKES whose offices they could have illegally searched, but of course, it was a DEMOCRAT? It's all a set up to STOP THE FBI FROM SEACHING THE REPUKE'S OFFICES. The psycho's SCOTUS will make damn sure the repuke offices are safe from search and seizure. Of course, this is just a guess on my part.:hi: Didn't ANYONE find it EXTRAORDINARY that REPUKES were the ones to start screaming about the illegal search? They NEVER defend Democrats when shit like this happens. They're usually like VULTURES and go in for the kill to destroy them! The reukes are behind this. IMCPO

[lonestarnot]

22. systembreakdown in all areas, everything is up for grabs by the unitary

executive's office. SCOTUS is seeing to that.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

23. kick