We make the same mistakes over and over again. To greater or lesser degrees we listen to the promises and lies of those elected or appointed to serve us.
When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Turkey, perhaps we missed her comments, comments that were so typical of the Bush administration and their “do as I say, not as I do attitude”. According to the BBC, Rice stated that Russia must do more to show they are committed to democracy, to show they are intent on strengthening the rule of law and permitting a free press.
But as my father used to say, “Isn't that a bit like the pot telling the kettle it's black” ? Has Rice ever considered her role in the suppression of our rights and the dismantling of our democracy being carried out by the Bush administration?
Ever since the Bush administration assumed power they have systematically sought to centralize power in the executive branch. Their gain in power, would of course come at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches of the government. This power grab or “unitary executive theory” basically states that the President has certain executive powers that cannot be reviewed or questioned by anyone, sort of like being a king.
This power apparently allows the President, when signing laws passed by Congress, to choose whether or not he is bound by the new law. These “signing statements” have been used to exempt the President from hundreds of laws, putting him above the law.
This power allows the President to imprison people indefinitely without charges, trial or legal representation. Torture is apparently OK and these “enemy combatants” can include US citizens, or anyone else the administration wants out of circulation.
This power allows warrantless wiretaps, spying and private property searches of any American, for any reason, no matter how vague. National security is reason enough. Issuance of a “national security letter” gives the administration carte blanche to ignore Congress and the courts in carrying out their secret police activities.
This power allows the President to lie with impunity and to expect others to lie for him, whether it it concerns his reasons to invade other countries, the success of “the surge” or the reasons for our inability to insure children.
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