White House Declares Bush Emperor (Chris Weigant)

[G_j]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-weigant/white-house-declares-bush_b_57216.html


Chris Weigant

White House Declares Bush Emperor
Posted July 21, 2007 | 05:28 AM (EST)

George Bush's White House has leaked a story, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/19/AR2007071902625_pf.html
(anonymously, of course) to the Washington Post which is truly stunning, and which should concern any citizen who values checks and balances in American government. They are asserting that Emperor Bush has a power usually thought of as "imperial" or "monarchical" -- the power to do anything he wants, then define it as "Executive Privilege," and thereby completely ignore Congress and the Judicial Branch.

This is not hyperbole. Well, OK, "Emperor" crosses the line into the realm of hyperbole -- chalk that up to my amazement at the sheer gall of what the White House is claiming. From the Post article:

"Bush administration officials unveiled a bold new assertion of executive authority yesterday in the dispute over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, saying that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges initiated by Congress against White House officials once the president has invoked executive privilege."

Got that? The Justice Department (i.e., the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.) will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges against anyone Congress tells them to. This is an astonishing overreach on many levels. Once they wave the supposed magic wand of "executive privilege," then nobody can ever be held in contempt of Congress ever again, because contempt of Congress is a federal crime which must be prosecuted by (supposedly) independent federal prosecutors.

Bush is, in essence, saying that all federal prosecutors are no longer to be considered independent of the White House's whims.

I invite you to read the entire article, lest you think I overstate the case.
..more..

[fasttense]

1. Unitary Executive = King

Bush has for all practical purposes declared himself King. Just substitute the word Royal Decree for executive privilege and it makes more sense (if you are a bush lover).

But not only are they saying that the Justice Department will not prosecute this federal case despite the Law requiring them to do just that. They are saying Congress and the judiciary can't prosecute Royal Decree, I mean executive privilege, issues either.

"The President, through a United States Attorney, need not, indeed may not, prosecute criminally a subordinate for asserting on his behalf a claim of executive privilege. Nor could the Legislative Branch or the courts require or implement the prosecution of such an individual."

"If this were a dictatorship it would be much easier. As long as I was the Dictator." - bush* quote.

Now we all know.

[alfredo]

2. Two options: inherent contempt and impeachment.

Use them

[peacebird]

3. so - will congress take action?

[creeksneakers2]

10. The Post says

inherent contempt isn't being seriously considered. I'm starting to have doubts that anything will be done about Bush's transgressions.

Bush's executive privilege claims could be hard to overcome, unless the House voted for an impeachment inquiry for Alberto Gonzales. That would get Bush's attention.

[madokie]

4. the coup of 2000 is almost complete

do we stand up and impeach now or what the fuck, this is getting serious as hel

[IChing]

8. Is the American Public a live slow cooked frog?

Hitler's power grab was slow yearly process also.

[madokie]

11. it looks to me like they took hold back with the JFK assination and have been working their way up

since, although some of the people have changed the mission is still true to its origins, world domination is the goal, step by step little by little, drip drip drip

[Wednesdays]

5. Let's call a spade a spade

"Well, OK, 'Emperor' crosses the line into the realm of hyperbole..."

Oh, really? Then what title should we be giving him? If no entity--not even the courts and congress--can put a check on his power, then he is an absolute despot.

[FredStembottom]

9. True. He has actually become exactly that.

No longer hyperbole.

Thanks, Wednesdays!

I think they have now crossed a line that even the vast, uneducated bulk of Americans can feel is wrong. Right in their bones.

Americans are born with anti-Emperor stem cells coursing through our bodies.:thumbsup:

[quiet.american]

6. The fact that WaPo labels it "bold new assertion" is disgusting.

Somehow treasonous and felonious actions are always "bold" and "new" when it comes to MSM describing Bushco.

[FredStembottom]

7. I like this! It is so clearly over the top!

Childishly, desperately ridiculous. Like a move out of a lame TV movie of the week.

I hope this is just the beginning of desperate flailings by the Bushies that I have been hoping for.

Nice, clear over-reaching.

Go George! Go Dick!:popcorn:

[G_j]

12. Nixon

..in ways starts to remind me of Nixon's desperation, but I'm afraid these folks are far more dangerous than the other Dick.

[FredStembottom]

13. I fear that, too...........

n/t