Why aren't more people outraged?

Question

About the fact that Bush and Cheney refuse to comply with a subpoena to release documents regarding the firings of US attorneys? Since when are they above the law? What is wrong with the population when they can get away with this and no one cares? This country is so f*cked.

Answer 1

Who isn't above the law when you're rich and powerful?

Answer 2

It's a relief: and very scary at the same time. It's a relief because things are coming to a head.

I remember US v. Nixon vividly. The Nixon was served with subpoenas that were clearly intended to require production of documents that would show that Nixon was aware of the plumbers' wiretaps and burglary and that he directed the executive branch to cover up the activities and his knowledge thereof.

Now here, we have an administration far, far more out of control than Nixon. Nixon spied on his political opponents. Bush is spying on everyone. Journalists have been especial targets of Bush's ongoing trampling of the Constitution. Nixon never had anyone spirited off to Saudi Arabia and tortured: Bush has sent hundreds to that and other countries, and now some of them are getting free and filing lawsuits. Several countries have indicated that they are going to file International Court of Justice proceedings against the United States on behalf of their citizens who were rendered to Saudi Arabia, tortured, and released by the Saudis when the Saudi Intelligence Service figured out that these were not bad guys at all.

Just like Nixon, Bush has declared his intent to contemn the subpoenas. The relief is that he's on the fast track to impeachment. The scary part is this: after the rulings that came down today, it's clear that Bush has stacked the Supreme Court. He has the five votes necessary to dictate the outcome in the court, and the outcome will be the quashing of the subpoenas UNLESS the Senate, spineless dogs that they are, makes it clear that there are 67 votes to convict Bush AND Cheney.

The scary part is this: Montesquieu foresaw this possibility 230 years ago. He gave us one of the most penetrating insights to American culture ever recorded: America's cohesion is due to respect for the courts. Troubles that Frenchmen would settle by starting a feud, Americans instead take to court. The Roberts ratification of Bush's criminality will be the tocsin of America's doom. The central faith of the people in the rule of law will be blown to smithereens. And we won't get it back. And with it will go what little of value remains in America. So that's the scary bit, and the scariest part is that it's more likely to be the way this plays out. Even if it does not...even if Bush goes quietly...this would be three impeachments/analogs in 40 years. Kind of makes the US look like a banana republic....which, on reflection, might be an improvement over the current situation.

I have my plans laid for evacuation, and I'm quite certain I will not be sticking around (like so many Jews did in Germany in the 1930s) to watch the American Holocaust.

People, it's time to wake up: Hitler is in Blair House, pulling the strings of his puppet across the street, and the Supreme Court is primed to hand him the keys to the Kingdom. I think the lower federal courts will resist gallantly, but the fact is that the game is already over. I am grateful that I have clients in China, which will be a safer and free-er country than the US within a generation. I can relocate to Europe and make almost as much money there as I do here. And remember, Europe, too, is a free country.

Answer 3

Serpico, it isn't that simple!

The Senate had the power to vote on the nominations until the idiots (Republicans) gave away a check and balance and let Bush appoint anyone he wanted to.

It appears now they were fired for POLITICAl reasons and the administration has been lying to congress.

That what it is about: Criminal malfeasence in the White House and Justice Department!

Most presidents hire and fire the assistant's as they see fit RIGHT AFTER WINNING the presidency. They don't have to have it done illegally because they failed to go after Democrats, as ordered!

They should be outraged! That is how you lose your freedoms, and they think the unconstitutional Patriot Act, which is a law Bush slipped saying he didn't have to follow it, and the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which parts of it, like holding a US citizen in military confinement for 3 1/2 years without charges, has been ruled Unconstitutional by the 11th Circuit Federal Circuit Court of Appeals!

They claim we are fighting for freedom, while they take ours away in the United States using unconstitutional means rammed through by a bunch of Republicans probably have never read the Constitution, like they don't read their bills! Are you going to vote on a synopsis written by a Republican? Hardly!

Now if Bush would only answer why he is building 600 Concentration Camps all over the US? And it is on his website. He claims they are for illegals! 600??? I don't think so, or it is another grab of taxpayers money for those on corporate welfare.

Funny, you never hear a Republican say a damn word! The only thing they say is we havent been attacked since 9/11. That is more luck than anything else. They could do the same damn thing anytime they wanted!

People do care! Thats why Republicans lost both houses and are about to lose the presidency! They think we are idiots. The real ones have Republican after their names! For the most part!

Answer 4

First of all, the president has the authority to hire and fire attorneys at will. They are not required to explain their actions on these matters. This is what Bush did. This is what every president does. There is nothing to prosecute.

The president has executive privilege, every president does. They can withhold documents and information from the Senate if they choose. The Senate does not have the authority to oversee operations within the executive branch (checks and balances).

The solution to the problem is to give the house some oversight on the hiring and firing of attorneys. There is nothing they can do with the current situation, other than waste more time.

Answer 5

There are lots of us outraged folks out here ! Just look at how we cream the cons on YA ! I listen to Thom Hartman every day to get the story you don't hear on the corp. media. Ignore all reports of the failure of Air America ! I've been a loyal listener for years. It's the corrupt media that leads you to think there is no outrage happening. I know it can be discouraging at first..but we're out here ! I think this Nation is in very serious trouble ! We could be facing another Civil War if this keeps up !

Answer 6

I am outraged that Leahy is allowed to pursue his witch hunt. Read the story the administration tried to cooperate and that is not good enough. Since when does a congressional subcommittee run the White House. The answer is never. There is a separation of powers so this can not happen. The person breaking the law is Leahy. He is trying to do something that is not allowed and then spinning it that he is a saint. He is on a witch hunt and a bunch of idiots are following him. What is the crime? Bet you cannot state that.

Answer 7

Clinton fired 93 , and one of them was investigating him and White Water, Bush Sr. and every other President has done the same... SO WHAT... Seems to me our elected which came into power in January have succeeded in doing no more than keeping scandal on the front page of the news papers.. are they unable to actually legislate anything because so far it seems the only thing they are succeeding in doing is keeping themselves out of the public eye... Time to put a stop to the garbage and GO TO WORK.....

Answer 8

Since when does Congress have the authority to question the dismissal of Presidential appointments? What part of "At the pleasure of the President" is so hard to understand?

Answer 9

the president has that legal right not to surrender information but the vice-president's right is not so clear.
as for the DA's that were fired, they serve at the president's pleasure and can be discharged at any time. the issue is not that right but the motive. the ones dismissed were working on cases that weren't going the way GWB wanted them to so he replaced them, not based on the individuals qualifications but rather the political sway they could make.

Answer 10

Hmmmm..... Politician, above the law ?

Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopecknie ring a bell?