54 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 46 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Cheney: Vice President Exempt From Presidential Records Act

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   3 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Gustav Wynn
Become a Fan
  (23 fans)

Dick Cheney is hiding his records from the American people.

The AP reported Sunday on a Sept. 20 verdict compelling Vice President Dick "So?" Cheney to abide by the Presidential Records Act "as is".

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly rejected the grasp made by Cheney's attorney David Addington that the Presidential Records Act does not apply to the vice president -  apparently because of the extra word "vice" in his title. Preserving all official correspondence, therefore is not necessary, the Cheney team argued, as Cheney is not a part of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, rather is "attached" to Congress, in order to preside over the Senate.   

This audacious legal assertion "heightens the court's concern" that Cheney already destroyed records, according to the judge. The case was brought by watchdog group CREW against a number of agencies, fearing Cheney is guiltily covering his tracks.

Cheney's accusers stand firm that multiple White House scandals and questionable legal activities heighten suspicions that the White House will not hand over all records produced by Cheney and his office to the National Archives when the current Presidential term is over.

Saturday's ruling confirms Cheney cannot squirm out of compliance with the law, though reports have been widely published already of millions of "lost" emails and wiped-out hard drives, including several "Dog Ate My Homework" excuses issued by the White House during hearings relating to Plamegate, the DOJ firings, warrantless eavesdropping and fudging of pre-war intel. Other inquiries went back to the beginning - Cheney's closed-door Energy meetings and visits from Jack Abramoff, all never proven or disproven because the records "mysteriously" went missing.

Similarly, an ABC News report on rumors that the phone number at Cheney's Virginia mansion appeared on the call list of the DC Madam in 1994 was withdrawn without explanation or refutation. Those closely following the case of Jeanette Palfrey, found dead in a Florida tool shed last May have suggested Cheney, then CEO of Halliburton, was simply arranging prostitutes for government officials in the hopes of securing privatized contracts. Cheney could have cleared up the matter at anytime, but refused to comment before the story abruptly and inexplicably vanished.

Incredibly, the White House, including senior policy advisor Karl Rove who is himself wanted for questioning in multiple corruption investigations, has asserted no back-up copies of the official correspondence in question even exist, despite language in the PRA requiring the President to archive and protect all records for posterity.

Most ironically, records produced during periods in which the White House is accused of various crimes and violations could quickly vindicate Bush, Cheney and friends of wrongdoing were they released. Their suppression signals to analysts that they are likely burying evidence in a cover-up, itself a separate crime. Cheney's former Chief of Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby was tried and convicted for lying to investigators during Valerie Plame depositions, but quickly received a Presidential pardon.  

This will be an issue to watch, following this ponderous, floundering attempt to convince a federal court the vice president is not part of the Executive branch. Senator Pat Leahy noted in August 2007 when the notion was first floated, "...even their own Web site - this morning, at least - says that the Executive Office — that the vice president is part of the Executive Office of the President.”

Rate It | View Ratings

Gustav Wynn Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

(OpEdNews Contributing Editor since October 2006) Inner city schoolteacher from New York, mostly covering media manipulation. I put election/finance reform ahead of all issues but also advocate for fiscal conservatism, ethics in journalism and (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Limbaugh/Hannity Parent Company Admits Hiring Actors to Call Radio Shows

The #OWS Video Rupert Murdoch Doesn't Want You To See

LocalLeaks' Charges of Cover-Up by Parents, Police in Steubenville Rape Forces Official Response [Updated]

Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck Respond To Report That Parent Company Hires Actors for Call-ins

#OWS Cheers As Defiant Judge Stops Obama From Selling Immunity To Wall Street

Obama to Grant Banks Robosigning Immunity in Showdown With Breakaway AGs [Updated]

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend