Richard Nixon once claimed before the Supreme Court that he was exempt from laws - citing British common law as precedent. George Jr made a similar claim in his radio address. George Jr said he need not comply with laws; some made specifically because Richard Nixon and his plumbers were doing same. From ABC News of 18 Dec 2005:
Quote:
Bush Defends Secret Spying in the U.S.
Often appearing angry in an eight-minute address, the president made clear he has no intention of halting his authorizations of the monitoring activities and said public disclosure of the program by the news media had endangered Americans.
Bush's willingness to publicly acknowledge a highly classified spying program was a stunning development for a president known to dislike disclosure of even the most mundane inner workings of his White House. Just a day earlier he had refused to talk about it.
Since October 2001, the super-secret National Security Agency has eavesdropped on the international phone calls and e-mails of people inside the United States without court-approved warrants. Bush said steps like these would help fight terrorists like those who involved in the Sept. 11 plot.
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"Mr. Bush had secretly instructed the security agency to intercept the communications of Americans and terrorist suspects inside the United States, without first obtaining warrants from a secret court that oversees intelligence matters." That from the NY Times.
Why is the US kidnapping people on streets of other nations? Why is "rendition" transporting abductees (not prisoners) to third countries for activities such as torture - where the Supreme Court can say nothing? Why was Guantanamo Camp Xray established to evade US courts, international law, and to subvert basic human rights?
Nobody expects a Spanish Inquisition. George Jr today admitted to open violation of US law as acceptable, legal, and appropriate. He said the courts need not approve of wiretapping. He said his judgement alone is sufficient to wiretap anyone. Somehow, Eisenhower's U-2 flights over Cuba justify his actions. He also needs a Patriot Act so that other violations of constitutional privacy can be exercised without judicial restraint. Don't take my word for it.
His Speech of 17 Dec 2005
A silent response from most Cellar dwellars. Many were not congnizant during Watergate. This is how Watergate started. Most Americans were in denial of Watergate even when Nixon ordered the Saturday Night massacre. Back then, Richard Nixon also acted as if above the law - and most Americans paid little attention. Today, George Jr must be careful to not alienate religious right extremists when he does similar. Nixon made that mistake.
Before 11 September, at least four seperate FBI field offices could have prevented the attack. In at least three cases, George Jr administration halted or hindered investigations. George Jr claims to need extraordinary presidental powers to stop what he all but let happen on 11 September. Can you really trust a man who is told by god what to do? Who subverts 'rule of law' because he knows better? That is essentially what he said in his speech. "Trust me."
Terrorism is a threat to American laws and principles. That terrorist is George Jr. What will he do tomorrow to top this string of anti-American declarations and revelations?
Why does George Jr fear disclosure of "mudane inner workings of his White House"? Terrorists and criminals fear public exposure of their actions and intents. Is there a difference?