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Pushing the Limits of Presidential Power: The Bush Legacy
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by Rhonda J Mangus | July 26, 2008 at 01:02 am
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Pushing the Limits of Presidential Power: The Bush Legacy
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Those who organized and implemented the brutal and inhumane torture techniques for use in the "global war on terror", including techniques for "brainwashing" and "waterboarding" (simulated drowning) could escape prosecution if President Bush decides to issue a "blanket presidential pardon".
The United States Constitution provides the President unlimited powers "to grant reprieves and pardons" for federal crimes; only impeachment is excluded.
Since 9/11, President Bush has pushed the limits of presidential power in numerous ways -- although he has barely used the pardon power, among the most explicit executive prerogatives. At a press conference in February 2001, Bush responded to questions about Clinton's Rich pardon, saying, "Should I decide to grant pardons, I will do so in a fair way. I'll have the highest of high standards." By mid-2007 he had commuted the sentences of just three minor drug offenders serving long prison terms and issued 113 post-sentence pardons.
But after a federal appeals judge last year upheld the 30-month sentence of vice-presidential aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby for his role in the Valerie Plame spy scandal, Bush called the penalty "excessive," extolled Libby's "years of public service" and commuted fully his prison time. It was a clear demonstration of his willingness to protect top officials involved in his wartime policies.
So what of those responsible for torturing detainees? There is the distinct possibility that in his administration's waning days Bush will issue a preemptive pardon for all those who have or may have committed federal crimes relating to detainee interrogations. He might even invoke his father's Orwellian praise of the Iran-Contra defendants, who were pardoned because of their "patriotism" and "long and distinguished record of service to the country," and who the elder Bush believed had been caught up in "the criminalization of policy differences."
Such a pardon might seek to protect low-level government personnel who relied on legally dubious Justice Department memos on interrogations. But it would also provide blanket immunity to senior administration officials who bear criminal responsibility for their role in drafting, orchestrating and implementing a U.S. government torture program.
Constitutionally, neither Congress nor the courts can prevent President Bush from signing such a pardon. It would, however, be the first preemptive pardon in U.S. history for war crimes. And because of his own possible criminal role in approving the torture program, Bush effectively would be granting a self-pardon -- something Nixon seriously considered but no president has ever done. As he ponders his historical legacy, Bush might just decide that this is a pardon better left unsigned.
Charges for impeachment against President Bush and Vice President Cheney were introduced to the House Judiciary Committee by Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio. A Hearing on Executive Powers and It's Constitutional Limitations was held on Capitol Hill yesterday to address Kucinich's Articles for Impeachment. The American People can sign the Official Petition for Impeachment at http://kucinich.us/ Representative Kucinich will personally deliver it to your Congressman.
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (55)
at 01:12 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 01:17 on July 26th, 2008
Thank you for the Flag, Caoimhin1!
at 01:29 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
His behaviour is disgusting but unsuprising. After all, this is the guy that changed the law so his buddies at Entron wouldn't go to jail
at 01:35 on July 26th, 2008
mchawk, no doubt! Thank you very much for your comments and the Flag!
at 01:59 on July 26th, 2008
Has it really been a decade Zichi? Oh goodness, change the channel somebody! Lol
at 01:59 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 02:00 on July 26th, 2008
Hi zichi! Glad to see that you are still around! So true! Thank you for your comments and the Flag!
at 02:05 on July 26th, 2008
Hi tiha, thank you for your comments and the Flag!
at 02:17 on July 26th, 2008
Thank God Gore is not in office! Thank you Mr. Bush!
at 03:44 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
The President can Pardon himself, what can he not do or get away with? I wonder will he do this and if so, will Americans allow or let the ICC (International Criminal Court) take him to the Hague as result of him giving thy self a pardon of criminal actions in the U.S. when they come calling for him. Oh what a fear that most be for the president & one htat keep him in check over signing that document.
at 04:16 on July 26th, 2008
everchanging, thank you for raising questions related to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The United States is the only "democratic" country in the world that does not support the ICC! Questions and Answers about the ICC and the US can be viewed here: http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/icc/us.htm Very interesting! Thanks again!
at 09:22 on July 26th, 2008
Bush and compagny can still be percecuted by the ICC as well as by the Belgian Court!
The ICC would have some problem though to execute it due to the UN veto rights and the failure of the US to have signed the Treaty!
However Belgium's Laws would not pose this problem! All it needs is for someone to file charges and so on! Of course it does cost Money as any court case would!
at 16:16 on July 26th, 2008
We in America think that the Belgians are good for a couple of things - foremost their waffles. But their courts are way down the list. We do like our sovereign status after all.
at 23:04 on July 26th, 2008
I am sure so does any other country as well BigT! Even Iran, Iraq, Vietnam, Korea and all the others as well!
at 03:47 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
My guess is Team Bush will be wanted by a War Crimes Tribunal round about 2012.
at 04:18 on July 26th, 2008
Hi Mikasi, thank you for your comments and the Flag! Time will tell:)!
at 04:54 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. Delicate question impeachment. Bush is prepared.
98,842-acre farm in northern Paraguay,
Bush's alleged 100,000 acre hideaway farm in Paraquay. Politcal immunity on the way with friends. The Unification Church of the Reverend Sung Myung Moon acquired more than 300,000 hectares of land in the northern department of Alto Paraguay. Neil Bush, younger brother of President Bush, called on Paraguay's president as the guest of a business federation founded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.
If there is a nuclear war, the northern hemisphere will be a very nasty place to live. Or rather, not live. Prevailing winds will block anything flowing to South America when it hits the giant Andes mountain system. In the shadows of that, life will be good for anyone who has money, power and control of the military.And when the world's ecosystem goes to Carbon hell, they'll find plenty of water and relatively cool temperatures. Let it up to the reader to select the right message.
at 05:29 on July 26th, 2008
Hi Solarlife! Thank you for your comments and the Flag, and for the information on the alleged purchase of property! Very interesting! I located an article (not recent) regarding the alleged acquisition of this property, here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/oct/23/mainsection.tomphillips Also very interesting!
at 05:02 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:30 on July 26th, 2008
Thank you, Criticom!
at 05:10 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. Nice flames to boot Rhonda
at 05:33 on July 26th, 2008
Hi Barry! Thank you for your comments and the Flag:)!
at 05:17 on July 26th, 2008
Rhonda, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:36 on July 26th, 2008
Thank you, Karen!
at 19:18 on July 26th, 2008
As always, you're welcome, Rhonda!
at 05:19 on July 26th, 2008
My goodness, you mostly sound like a bunch of little kids. Don't you have anything better to do then snipe at the heels of President Bush? You sound like you have no idea what the world is like or of its history, and you have no idea of what it takes to defeat a vicious enemy of freedom.
at 06:39 on July 26th, 2008
Well, maybe it's just because I've had only one cup of coffee this morning, and my back hurts a little, which always makes me a little 'cranky', but this is simply one string of 'you-messages' I find myself unable to bear ( if you've never heard this term, and I would not be at all suprised if this were the case, please do yourself a favor and 'google' it ) ...
My dear woman, I consider myself passingly familiar with at least the high-points of Western history and would like to point out Bush II has, beyond any doubt sheparded our great nation closer to the absolute tyranny of the Fascist state than any American president who has ever preceeded him ... Patriot Act, my foot !!
Are you so deluded as to actually believe the current administration is a friend of freedom ?
While, indeed it is true that to remain in the 'center of the herd' is always safest ( but only in the short term, I might point out ), it is only on the perimeter, where, indeed the wolves may get us, that we can see 'ouside the box', perhaps even learning something new in the process, which we might then choose to share with somebody else ! Getting up on one's soapbox and spewing out the same old tired platitudes, disinformation, and propaganda which any of can obtain for ouselves from the state-controlled media does no one any good - most of all yourself ...
I understand very well that our culture has trained us all like Pavlov's dog to avoid independent thought at all cost, and it can be pretty scary when you first start to try it - what will the neighbors think, for instance ... but the status quo is sinking America like a great millstone around her neck ! The water is up to our nostrils - we are almost out of time ...
Don't bore us with your platitudes ! Start learning to think for yourself - first of all believing what your own eyes tell you, and then connecting dots ! We really need you ...
Remember - 'united we stand - divided we fall' ...
at 06:54 on July 26th, 2008
Just on one point, President Bush has safeguarded our freedoms better than any other wartime president - better than Madison, better than Lincoln and better than Roosevelt - and all were pillaried by know-nothings during their presidencies. Liberals always think this great country is about to collapse since they can't ever achieve their version of perfection.
at 07:00 on July 26th, 2008
Let me ask you, one question - are you in dollars , or gold ?
at 07:07 on July 26th, 2008
I made a lot of money in gold during the Jimmy Carter presidency.