NationStates Jolt Archive


Understanding "the nature of the world."

Silliopolous
22-08-2006, 03:02
Regarding the judicial decision rendering the wiretapping program unconstitution, King George had this to say:

"Those who herald this decision simply do not understand the nature of the world in which we live," (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/18/bush/index.html)

Really?

Which world is that George? The world where the underpinnings of western society rely on the Rule of Law? Where the people of the United States enjoy certain constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure? Or where they enjoy the right to due process?

How about the world as envisioned by the founders of your country where, as a deliberate measure agains tyrany the founding fathers designed a framework of three seperate entities to provide checks and balances against the abuse of power by any one?

No George, people understand EXACTLY the world in which they live. We acknowledge the threat of those who would do us harm. We respect the need for heightened security against that threat.

What we DON'T "understand" is how that suddenly gave you immunity from the letter of the law. Why you utterly failed to involve yourself in the proper processes to enshrine the changes you required within a constitutional, legal framework.

You needed expanded surveillance facilities? Fine! Go and get them the right way. Why didn't you articulate your needs during the negoatiations for the Patriot Act? Or Patriot II? Why no attempt to work cooperatively with the Congress at all on this issue for over three years?

Why?

Because your arrogant belief in your own infallibility precluded you form doing so. No, you just decided on what you wanted to do and went ahead and did it.

Sorry George, but you are NOT the King. No one man in America is to have the absolute personal power to search, arrest and detain a citizen indefinitely without providing them recourse to the courts of law. That sort of abuse of power is EXACTLY what the founding fathers were dead set against. YEt that is exactly the power that you have assumed for yourself.

There is broad bipartisan concensus on the need to enhance the surveillance act, but rather than work with the Congress to reach a solution satisfactory to all, instead you seem unable to do anything except stamp your feet like a petulant child and cry foul if you don't get your way. All that the courts and congress and the people demand is the definition of the basic legal constructs of due process and oversight for you program. They demand these things because those constructs are a required part of due process under the Constitution that you swore to uphold.

The people don't understand?

the people understand just fine George. Just as they understood you when, on September 2oth 2001 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html), you told them that "Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat.

I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them."


Well put George.

But George? When are YOU going to start with that?

Indeed, your showing some leadership in this matter of applying principled governance would be GREATLY apreciated by those of us who understand clearly the world we live in, and who understand your position in it.
Sumamba Buwhan
22-08-2006, 05:05
Very well said :cool:
Andaluciae
22-08-2006, 05:15
Hear Hear

Hear Hear
Muravyets
22-08-2006, 05:28
I'll join the applause. Well done.
Boonytopia
22-08-2006, 07:54
I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them.

I think this bit is really telling & it makes it so much the worse that these principles have been completely brushed aside in the current climate of fear & frenzy.
Silliopolous
22-08-2006, 12:03
It is just tiring the oft-repeated notion that anyone who disagrees with GW's processes and policies is doing so simply because they are somehow incapable of understanding the framework around those policies.


Bin Laden and other extremist groups = bad.

We get that.


But that fails to explain why we need to continue to give carte blanche to a person who's track record at success is so fricken dismal.
BackwoodsSquatches
22-08-2006, 12:12
I think he misspoke.

I think he believes those people dont understand the kind of world hes trying to create.
Bottle
22-08-2006, 13:06
I love when rich white Christian males assume that they best understand a world in which the majority is poor non-white non-Christian non-males.
Lunatic Goofballs
22-08-2006, 13:13
I still don't understand how the fuck this prick got elected.

...And before this turns into THAT old debate again, let me clarify:

I still don't understand how the fuck this prick managed to become president however the fuck he did it. :p
Deep Kimchi
22-08-2006, 13:23
I love when rich white Christian males assume that they best understand a world in which the majority is poor non-white non-Christian non-males.
What, like Gauthier? Who believes he understands the Muslims and says that the problem is that we hold them to any standard at all? Who says that we should never question what they do at all?

I see. Gauthier understands the world. Terrorism is ok if Muslims do it, because they are poor, benighted people who we should feel sorry for.
Bottle
22-08-2006, 13:40
What, like Gauthier? Who believes he understands the Muslims and says that the problem is that we hold them to any standard at all? Who says that we should never question what they do at all?

I see. Gauthier understands the world. Terrorism is ok if Muslims do it, because they are poor, benighted people who we should feel sorry for.
What the hell are you on about? Who the hell is talking about Gauthier? I don't even know who the hell that is!

When did I fall through a rabbit hole?!
Deep Kimchi
22-08-2006, 14:49
What the hell are you on about? Who the hell is talking about Gauthier? I don't even know who the hell that is!

When did I fall through a rabbit hole?!
He's on NS General.

I know what you're thinking, 'cause right now I'm thinking the same thing. Actually, I've been thinking it ever since I got here: Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill?
Sumamba Buwhan
22-08-2006, 17:24
I still don't understand how the fuck this prick got elected.

...And before this turns into THAT old debate again, let me clarify:

I still don't understand how the fuck this prick managed to become president however the fuck he did it. :p


definitely a head scratcher

:confused:
Farnhamia
22-08-2006, 17:30
Hear, hear.
Kecibukia
22-08-2006, 17:35
I still don't understand how the fuck this prick got elected.

...And before this turns into THAT old debate again, let me clarify:

I still don't understand how the fuck this prick managed to become president however the fuck he did it. :p

Because he convinced more people that he was just a slightly smaller (and I mean minisculey) prick than the other prick that was running?