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.
"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.