ARRRRGGGGGHHH!!! Wingnut coworker insists that Congress...

[quisp]

declared war!!!

Parrotting the RNC talking points that the CinC can spy on anyone because previous Presidents have done it during war. When I point out that there has been no formal declaration of war since WWII, he just says that can't be.

"We're at war with Iraq, we're at war with Afganistan. The President has to do everything he can to protect us."

Stand back while my head explodes!

:nuke:

(we need an exploding head smiley.)

[BR_Parkway]

1. Even if we had declared war - FISA was passed after all other

'wars' - it's the law of the land now.

[Straight Shooter]

2. Then why didn't bush even lift a finger to "protect us" before 9/11?

All we get from bush is talk, talk, talk. He hasn't implemented anything that protects us yet, but he's done plenty to restrict us. Perhaps we need to redefine the meaning of the word "protect."

[joefree1]

3. FISA changed that

78 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)

Go here for some more talking points: http://mediamatters.org/items/200512210011

And then download and print this poster for him. Better to watch your freeper co-worker's head explode.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

4. Congress can't authorize wiretaps without warrants.

It is specifically prohibited from doing so by the 4th Amendment to the Constitution.

If Congress did pass such a law, the President is duty bound not to use it, , since he swore to uphold the Constitution.

If previous presidents violated the Constitution, so what? It's still unconstitutional if BunnyPants does it, therefore illegal and impeachable.

[mattclearing]

5. Did you tell him there was never a formal declaration of war? n/t

[quisp]

15. I did but he said "We're in a State of War"

and "It's a war on Terror, you know, with al Queda."

[mattclearing]

16. The quick rejoinder is, "A war on ideas is fought with words." n/t

[tuvor]

6. Well, get him to prove it!

"That just can't be" just won't cut it.

If Congress declared war, he should be able to find a source online to prove it, and pronto. Otherwise, he'll just have to take your word for it.

It's one of those put-up-or-shut-up moments.

[Kierkegaard]

7. Not exactly a 'smilie', but will do in a pinch...

[quisp]

13. good one!

[Hubert Flottz]

8. The reason we are in Iraq is to fight a man who spied on his own

people.

Edit. so did the Taliban.

[BlueManDude]

11. very well put. n/t

[BlueManDude]

9. I no longer talk politics with right wingers

life's too short for that nonsense.

[BOSSHOG]

10. OFFER HIM A RIDE TO THE ARMY RECRUITING STATION

so he can help the president do everything he can.

[spanone]

12. Ask him what Congress he is talking about??? Empty headed parrott.

Maybe it's some alternative nation he lives in.

[underpants]

14. From the WSJ here is their case for War being declared

From UVa's Robert Turner-you might have seen him on C-Span yesterday morning before the Gonzales appearance in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
http://sixtiessurvivor.org/shockhorror/node/91

For constitutional purposes, the joint resolution passed with but a single dissenting vote by Congress on Sept. 14, 2001, was the equivalent of a formal declaration of war. The Supreme Court held in 1800 (Bas v. Tingy), and again in 1801 (Talbot v. Seamen), that Congress could formally authorize war by joint resolution without passing a formal declaration of war; and in the post-U.N. Charter era no state has issued a formal declaration of war. Such declarations, in fact, have become as much an anachronism as the power of Congress to issue letters of marque and reprisal (outlawed by treaty in 1856). Formal declarations were historically only required when a state was initiating an aggressive war, which today is unlawful.

[librechik]

17. Declaring war doesn't repeal FISA--if they want to do that

I'm sure the Pukkke congress would be glad to facilitate the legislation. Therefore, there is some other motive involved with those wiretaps. If we remember history, we know the eavesdropping technology is a hotbed of abuse. We would be fools not to investigate and be skeptical of the Bushies.

your coworker who wants to be a gullible rube is the fool.

[Toucano]

18. Oh, protect me Masser President!

Lordy, I's jus so glad to be on this plantation!

[zbdent]

19. Ask for proof

simple . . .

[Justice Is Comin]

20. Whose name was on the oval office desk

when the towers went down? Yes that's the putz I want protecting me.

[Nutmegger]

21. Double ARRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!