What's with this crap about the raid being illegal?

[jerry611]

I guess Congressmen want a place where they can hind all their dirty work...

And then I'm supposed to believe no one is above the law?

[cspanlovr]

1. There was a hearing yesterday,

Constitutional scholars say: No one is saying he can hide incriminating evidence in his office and thats it. What they say is that there is a protocol which was thrown out the window with this raid.

[endarkenment]

2. How many rightwing memes would you like to catapult?

it is illegal because it is a direct violation of the separation of powers. There is an established procedure under which the search could have been conducted legally: the FBI contacts the capital police (who are under the jurisdiction of congress) and they conduct the search. Congress, and congress critters, must have a certain level of immunity from the executive branch just so the executive branch cannot simply arrest enough opposition party members to pass legislation they need to get passed.

[Bridget Burke]

3. Dueling Right Wing Memes!

Undocumented immigration? "That's ILLEGAL!"

Unconstitutional search & seizure? "Who cares?"

[Flavin]

4. Here's their argument

The jist of the arguement is that the debate protections given to the congress and senate were violated when the agents took whole file cabinets of documents and hard drives instead of specific papers and files from those drives.

I can kind of see their arguement, as there are supposed to be built in protections to keep and resect each of the branches of the Govt. from raiding the information, sources, etc. which might give one or the other branch the heads up or an advantage in the dice game which is our multi-branched government.

Should the white house have the power, wrapped up in a search warrent, issued by the white house controlled justice department to go into a senator/congressman's office and take what ever papers they please, say, the DNCs plans for the next elections, an individual senator/congresman's donner list, etc. So much for free and fair elections.

Flavin

[ramblin_dave]

5. If the White House is off limits from FBI raids then

why shouldn't congress get the same privilege?

Of course neither should be off limits, but I'm just pointing out some White House hypocrisy.

[Gregorian]

6. The Contract with America

That fake crap that the republicans schemed up was supposed to make it so no politician was above the law. It was so "common sense". And all lies.
But regarding the raid, there are many posts about how Congress is constitutionally protected, except in certain cases. I believe this case is not one of those that is protected. So again, it seems they are trying to play that thin line. From what I've read, this is tied in with Cheney. He doesn't want us to find out what he's been doing. It's an international crime/mob family. Just read Greg Palast's articles.

[Daphne08]

7. Watch the hearing on C-Span.

It could set a dangerous precedent if they don't do something.

Sensenbrenner's indignation was obvious (as opposed to his total lack of concern in the past about the privacy rights of the citizens of this country. I know... different subject legally, but it still galls me that he and others in Congress seem to have so little regard for the rights and civil liberties of their constituents).

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

8. Don't Hold Your Breath

Anything they do will be window dressing.

Perhaps spector can have a hearing so it looks like they're actually taking an interest.

If anybody thinks something will come of this, I've got a bridge to sell you. They scratch each others' backs, and will continue to do so for each others' benefit.