Finally the ABA is investigating the legality of Bush's

[Cleita]

use of signing statements to circumvent laws passed by Congress. I was just watching the testimony on C-SPAN. Here is a press release from their website:

http://www.abanet.org/media/releases/news072406.html

Release: Embargoed for AM Editions, Monday, July 24, 2006
Media contact: Nancy Cowger Slonim

Phone: [phone]


Email: [e-mail]
Online: www.abanews.org



BLUE-RIBBON TASK FORCE FINDS PRESIDENT BUSH'S SIGNING STATEMENTS
UNDERMINE SEPARATION OF POWERS
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 24, 2006 – Presidential signing statements that assert President Bush’s authority to disregard or decline to enforce laws adopted by Congress undermine the rule of law and our constitutional system of separation of powers, according to a report released today by a blue-ribbon American Bar Association task force.

To address these concerns, the task force urges Congress to adopt legislation enabling its members to seek court review of signing statements that assert the President’s right to ignore or not enforce laws passed by Congress, and urges the President to veto bills he feels are not constitutional.

The Task Force on Presidential Signing Statements and the Separation of Powers Doctrine was created by ABA President Michael S. Greco with the approval of the ABA Board of Governors in June, to examine the changing role of presidential signing statements after the Boston Globe on April 30 revealed an exclusive reliance on presidential signing statements, in lieu of vetoes, by the Bush Administration.

In appointing the special task force Greco said, “The use of presidential signing statements raises serious issues relating to the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers. I have appointed the Task Force to take a balanced, scholarly look at the use and implications of signing statements, and to propose appropriate ABA policy consistent with our Association’s commitment to safeguarding the rule of law and the separation of powers in our system of government.”
This is the kind of pressure that should be brought on the Bush Administration by every organization who disagrees with the way he governs. It may not get rid of him but it might keep him from any further escalation of his war dreams until we can vote him out of office in 2008. More....

[unhappycamper]

1. I watched the press conference last week.

Here's a link to the Task Force home page.