Oh Holy Christ, this has got to stop

[sigma7]

When President Bush last week signed the bill outlawing the torture of detainees, he quietly reserved the right to bypass the law under his powers as commander in chief.

After approving the bill last Friday, Bush issued a ''signing statement" -- an official document in which a president lays out his interpretation of a new law -- declaring that he will view the interrogation limits in the context of his broader powers to protect national security. This means Bush believes he can waive the restrictions, the White House and legal specialists said.

Okay, are there any laws the executive branch feels deigned to actually follow anymore? Or are laws just for lesser people now?

There is nothing more hostile to a city that a tyrant, under whom in the first and chiefest place, there are not laws in common, but one man, keeping the law himself to himself, has the sway, and this is no longer equal. -- Euripides

Comments

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

For want of a better response:

O BLARGHARRGH?

[kateshort.livejournal.com]

Why can't it be 2008 yet?

[bishop282.livejournal.com]

Why can't the man find his veto pen? At least use it when McCain is a primary reason behind the bill.

[taelech.livejournal.com]

I agree with Bishop, veto the stupid thing! Signing statements, while not prohibited, are an instrument of executive power at its zenith. Right now on this issue, Bush seems to be bucking Congress, that means his power is at its lowest ebb. Remember laws are not set in stone. I will break any law given sufficient justification, as the Prresident should. Is there a rogue nuke within the borders of the US? The torture a 13 year-old if that's what it takes to find it. Granted, only the least action required should be taken... And this administration still doesn't seem to get the whole "least action" thing. :)