Cheney declares Bush Administration to be above Constitution

[ck4829]

"(A Democratic) victory would not stop the administration from pursuing a military option with Iran."
- Dick Cheney

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/nov/20/yehey/world/20061120wor1.html

Mr. Cheney, I'm pretty sure only Congress can decide whether 'military options' (AKA war) are appropriate or not. Bush is the Commander-In-Chief but he does not have the right to initiate military actions, this is known as CHECKS AND BALANCES.

[spanone]

1. We'll see Dick, we'll see.

[MADem]

2. Well, I guess if he wants to poop on it, he has to be above it first....the baastid! NT

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. They need a "DECLARATION OF WAR" passed by Congress.

Their little IWR is NOT a DOW...though that's what THEY like to tell the sheeple it is. Sounds to me like Cheney has just challenged Congress to stop them from illegally attacking Iran. I wonder how Congress will handle this one? Have the bastards arrested?

[OregonBlue]

5. Hope Dems are making it clear, you can declare war any time you

want but it will be a short one if there is no funding!!

[Parisle]

4. Something else for the incoming democrats to address,...

---- The "authorization to use military force" (AUMF) would seem to be open to modification or even to being rescinded by the legislature of the US,.... otherwise, Bush IS a dictator. It would make a good public debate, too.....

[sarge43]

6. Ah Dickster, you might want to check which branch of the fed gov't

controls funding, especially that of the armed forces. Start with the USC, Article One, section 8 (1) and (11 thru 16).

[MoonRiver]

7. Unfortunately, the bigger question is what does Lieberman want?

I'm sure he'll be for an invasion. The Dems just must stand up to him though.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. I'm sure Cheney was referring to the AUMF, aka the "carte blanche rubber stamp"

Congress gave him/Bush to wage unilateral global war.
Revising/redefining the AUMF should be a priority IMHO...as part of a thorough investigation of how the administration lied to get the AUMF, then ignored the Constitution in its execution of the AUMF.

[nealmhughes]

9. This is more or less the mind set one gets once one gets the Enabling Act.

That open-ended POS was a Constitutional abmonination. It is time for Congress to reassert its rights, but more importantly its duties under the Constitution.

The House originates money bills.
The Senate approves federal judges, cabinet officers and treaties.
The House and Senate declare war.
The House and Senate make law.

The President executes the laws as passed and signed or overridden, and is CIC of the Armed Forces.

The judicial branch is exactly that. Not part of the executive or the legislative.

Cheney's sole duty under the USC is to preside over the Senate and break ties and wait for the President to die or go mad or infirm. Period.