did Nancy Pelosi commit a felony by going to Syria?

Question

in the U.S. Constitution under section 2, article 2 the Logan Act forbids any U.S. citizen to go to a foriegn country to discuss foriegn policy without permission or consent of the President of the United States...before she left for Syria the President made it very clear he was not in approval of her trip...i feel its time to put her in her place!

Answer 1

I believe she violated the law. I also believe her move was unwise, foolish, detrimental to the US and Isreal.
I predict the Bush Administration will do nothing, unfortunately.

Answer 2

If a felony had been committed I am sure she would be notified and more people like you would be up in arms. The other thing we do not know is, did she really discuss foreign policy? She also visited countries other than Syria. Many republican also visited Syria and one republican was with her entourage. I think she was taking the advice of the Iraq Study Group and open dialogue with other nations. Also many people in the US and foreign countries know Bush is a lame duck and on his way out so they are just waiting things because they know the next administration's foreign policy will be more amendable and not so hard line.

Answer 3

She's not a private citizen. She's a leader of a co equal branch of government. If someone did try and apply that statue to her the move would be seen as being completely politically motivated. Also the issue of if it even applies would, I believe, have to be settled by the supreme court and to my knowledge they've never ruled on this issue before.

Answer 4

I Wish President Bush would assert his Executive Power and prosecute her!
(see Act below)
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The Logan Act is a United States federal law that forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. It was passed in 1799 and last amended in 1994. Violation of the Logan Act is a felony, punishable under federal law with imprisonment of up to three years.[1]
The text of the Act is broad and is addressed at any attempt of a US citizen to conduct foreign relations without authority.

Passed under the administration of President John Adams, during tension between the U.S. and France, it was named for Dr. George Logan of Pennsylvania, a pacifist who engaged in semi-negotiations with France during the Quasi-War.[1]

In general, the Act is intended to prohibit United States citizens without authority.

Answer 5

Doubtful it could be considered a felony, but it was in horrible taste. Another example of liberal Democrats doing whatever they can to undermine the President. I didn't like it when Truman fired MacArthur, but he was the commander in chief, and MacArthur was insubordinate. Truman did what was right even though MacArthur may have been strategically correct. Pelosi probably did not commit a felony, but it is too bad the President couldn't fire her for insubordination. It's one thing to have dialogue and disagreement here in our own government, but to take your "crying towel" to known hostile regimes reeks of poor leadership. But then what do you expect from the likes of Carter, (N. Korea), Clinton (China), Kerry (Viet Nam hero, heh heh).. Then there's Madeline Albright. Now there's a figure that would strike fear into the hearts of any of our enemies!!!

Answer 6

Here is the language of the Logan Act:

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

You can clearly see in the first line "without authority of the United States". As speaker of the house, Pelosi has authority from the voters of the United States as well as the majority party of the House. Contrary to what you would like to believe, George Bush is not the King, he is merely the head of one of 3 equal branches of government. Pelosi also said that she delivered a message to Syria that the United States is united against terrorism even though we disagree on Iraq policy. Bush may not believe in Diplomacy, but that doesn't mean it won't work. I think it is important to maintain diplomacy regardless of who your enemies are. See: Otto von Bismark.

It amazes me that any of you still support Bush. What has he done to make you still support him? I just don't understand why anyone can support a President and an administration that so completely demostrates incompetence and lack of judgement time and time again. Has any prediction Bush made about Iraq come true? Is it a personality cult you people are following? Can you not clearly see that this President is severly misguided? Does it just take sloganism and non-answers to satisfy you? Does it not worry you to hand over your civil liberties? Does it not worry you that Bush has appointed some of the most incompetent and uneducated people into some of the most important positions in government? What would Bush have to do before you would question your support of him? Do you really believe what you are told by Fox News? If the devil said he was Christian, would you believe him?

I am an independent voter and I base my judgements on the actions of my leaders. Bush took a golden opportunity after 9/11 and squandered it in an attempt to grab more power. We had the world behind us until we went into Iraq, which even the Bush Administration admits was based on bad intelligence, yet he gave George Tenet the Congressional Medal of Honor. There is not enough room in cyberspace to list the reasons why Bush is the worst, most dictatorial President in the History of the United States, and I am a History major. It is scary to me that 30% of America still supports him. Only through education can we combat ignorance.

Answer 7

ok, so lets prosecute the republicans that were there the day after her.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070405/pl_nm/syria_usa_congressman_dc

The administration is being completely hypocritical. They didnt want to look weak and talk to Syria, but now that they can bash the Dems for doing it a day earlier, they can talk to Syria too without looking like they're the wussies that wanted to talk.

And look, the VERY next day a republican member is there and, and i quote from the article, "discussed ways to improve relations between Washington and Damascus."

hmmmm...wake up people.

Edit: i just found another article...interesting, and i didnt know this, that there was a republican delegation in Syria talking to President Assad several days BEFORE Pelosi. Hypocrites EVERYWHERE...i mean how can you even ask this question when the republicans were there before her? Stop being fed your opinions and research the facts. Learn to make up your own mind. Heres the link to the other article.

Edit again: and just so you know, the Logan Act is not in the Constitution, its a federal law. You cant even get that straight. Article 2 Section 2 is titled "Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments" in reference to executive branch powers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/01/AR2007040100314.html

Answer 8

She's just wandering around the desert for 40 years like the voices in her head said.

Answer 9

Why does everyone NOW bring up the Constitution, When Bush can Kill our Boys from a Lie, listen to our phone calls, read our Emails, Make Deals with Big Oil, Ect, Ect, Ect. And Someone does something good, that makes the US look better and you hawks want her burned for it.. Sounds like you have been brainWashed and lost your way.. Dont hate me, its my right in the constitution You might want to read the whole thing not just part of it, There is a real good section on Inpeachment...

And don't forget the Republicains went there just last week.. Quit Cherry Picking the NEWS>>>!!!!

Answer 10

I think so. Who does she think she is??? A small rep from San Francisco . Speaker of the House was not elected by the entire country. She does not speak for me

Answer 11

Wrong section and artical in question so try again