"But let’s just say, in 10 years or a few years, a president is elected who doesn’t want to do those things, but you’ve given him this kind of power. What happens then?"
"Well," Cheney replied, "it will be up to him whether or not he uses it."
Quoting Above the VP to CNN’s Dana Bash on Air Force Two
Cheney’s idea of the head of state invested with absolute power is a venerable one. Bush’s presidency is the latest experiment to achieve it. Yoo’s memos are the founding documents. But the idea lacks an American pedigree.
The original commentary on it appeared in a pamphlet published in 1776, "Common Sense," written by Tom Paine: Blumenthal
"But where says some is the King of America? I’ll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve as monarchy, that in America THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other. But lest any ill use should afterwards arise, let the crown at the conclusion of the ceremony be demolished, and scattered among the people whose right it is." Paine
http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2005/12/22/spy_scandal/print.html
Colonel,
here is one for all your readers to cast their votes: MSNBC Live Vote
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10562904/
as of 1130am et Dec 22 05:
Do you believe President Bush’s actions justify impeachment? * 73644 responses
Yes, between the secret spying, the deceptions leading to war and more, there is plenty to justify putting him on trial.
87%
No, like any president, he has made a few missteps, but nothing approaching “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
4%
No, the man has done absolutely nothing wrong. Impeachment would just be a political lynching.
7%
I don’t know.
1%
We don’t need to wait ten years. A link to an article originally in Salon.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/122205M.shtml
“This president has admitted committing the crime. He just claims he’s above the law,” Pyle says. “So the issue is: Is the president above the law?”
If so, Pyle continues, “then we need not argue over the PATRIOT Act. We do not need the PATRIOT Act, because the president can do anything he wants in time of war. He can ignore all the criminal laws of the United States, including the laws against indefinite detention and against torture. I don’t think we want to go down that road.”
To Everyone; as a People who care about Our Nation, Our Comminitys..Our Friends and Familys.. and with an Eye on Our Government.. and those Elected and Appointed Officials who Govern..
Let end the Year with HOPE..and TRUST in all that is Good..
All that is good, is the Heart of America..Its People, Its Basic Core of Values..Its Belief in HOPE and answered prayer and God…For..
He is Our Real Homeland Security..
He is the Reason I celebrate this Holy Day and Holy Time..
I know what He has done for me..and all Mankind..
I Know that the Power of LOVE Comes from Him..and Love is Good..
For without it..we are nothing more that an Animal
with Intelligence..and a Dangerous one at that..
So I would like to Wish you all Blessings..and Wisdom and Happiness as this year Ends and the New Year Begans..
Some People face in different directions..as they Pray annd Meditate..
I Love putting my Face Toward Heaven..WITH THANKS..
Thats where the THRONE is..