Think Progress

Conyers releases ‘The Constitution in Crisis.’

“The report, which is some 350 pages in length and is supported by more than 1,400 footnotes, compiles the accumulated evidence that the Bush Administration has thumbed its nose at our nation’s laws, and the Constitution itself.”



36 Responses to “Conyers releases ‘The Constitution in Crisis.’”

  1. Bingo ! says:

    Bush loves the constitution as a blank sheet of paper.


  2. Jay Randal says:

    Good for Rep. John Conyers > I applaud him for taking a stand against the Bush Regime!


  3. Total Information Awareness says:

    Good for him.

    What ever happened with Conyer’s using your money and mine to pay for baby sitters?

    Anyone?


  4. Heynow says:

    Conyers is the man.


  5. Jay Randal says:

    Post 3 Conyers occasionally had a member of his staff watch his grandkids at his office, so the GOP knew that charge would NOT stick to him > lol.


  6. Just plain mad says:

    He doesn’t need the Constitution to accomplish what he wants and the Bill of Rights is dead. The senate as a deliberative body is now a glorified congress that is no longer needed (nuked).
    The Bill of Rights:

    Amendment I – DEAD Corporate press, christian country, free speech zones, answers are not available to partitioners regarding laws for national security purposes (even the income tax “law”)

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

    Amendment II – Essentially DEAD This amendment was to protect the people against a corrupt government. Government is supposed to fear the people, not the people to fear government

    A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

    Amendment III – DEAD Total information awareness for “National Security”, end of posse comitatas, police state tactics

    No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

    Amendment IV – DEAD Total information awareness for “National Security”

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

    Amendment V – DEAD

    No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

    Amendment VI – DEAD The crimes of high level people conveniently go unpunished even including pedophilia to murder

    In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

    Amendment VII – DEAD Golden rule applies

    In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

    Amendment VIII – DEAD Golden rule applies

    Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

    Amendment IX – DEAD Orwellian Animal farm society

    The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

    Amendment X – DEAD Big brother sees and knows all and what the people should know and believe

    The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.


  7. EnoughAlready says:

    Worried about baby-sitting money…how about the unaccounted-for millions lost to Halliburtonostra and other no-bidders? Why do you freaks always bring up the minutia instead of being outraged by all the HUGE stuff?


  8. DieNowForPeace says:

    #1
    I believe his words were: “It’s just a damn piece of paper.”

    Either he flunked his Government classes, or he’s a MONSTER, of historical proportions.


  9. moist says:

    oh my!!! this has made me moist all over…and i’m a boy!

    thank you congressman conyers!!!!


  10. Bruce Gorton says:

    The Constitution before Bush:

    An essential and revolutionary document, instrumental in the formation of America’s government, indeed in many ways what defines American government and what it is to be an American. This document has so inspired its readers as to be virtually copied into the legal systems of most democratic governments the world over. Many of its amendments form the backbone of what is considered now to be human rights.

    The constitution after Bush:

    A goddamn piece of paper. With brown marks on it.


  11. Jackie says:

    Bush has created his own Constitution which he is spreading around the world. Yes it’s the Bush democracy that is causing so much chaos. The GOP isn’t stopping Bush because their pockets are being lined with taxpayers money. We the people have been invaded by this group of corrupt devils and we the people have to fight to get the United States of America back. We are not the picture that Bush is showing the world. In 5 years Bush has brought chaos around the world and now he’s working on Cuba. Many Presidents have taken time to listen and respect other world leaders that the US disagrees with until now. Bush is a drunk and has appointed unqualified people who are learning on the job. Connie Rice is only qualified to play the piano.
    OK so that’s his girlfriend but to give her the job of Secretary of State only to let the world see she knows nothing. Bolton is a time bomb and rude. He needs medication for anger and knows nothing about dealing with world leaders. Karen Hughes is a soccer mom on vacation for the money not even middle east women could understand her dictating to them.


  12. dlet says:

    There is only so much of democracy in this world. The US had much of it for a long time. If we want to spread it to other countries we have to give some of ours to them. I mean democracy doesn’t grow on trees. We have to give up some to have others get a little. See, it makes sense.


  13. jason baddo says:

    we are in a monarchy…..the constitution no longer applies


  14. Willy says:

    By doing nothing about this, the Republican Congress are co-conspirators. But then again they’re a “do nothing” Congress, aren’t they?


  15. Evil Spaniard says:

    It’s time to change to a newer version of the Constitution. We let you copy ours. It’s from 1978. Almost a new one. Or even the french one. It’s 13 years newer than the USA one.

    /Sarcasm (?) off

    P.S.: Oh, and btw, for those who may think that Spain owes the Constitution to the USA, our (second) constitution is modeled after the european ones (= french based).


  16. Tobey Tall says:

    now the constitution is dead hows about another civil war , Red V blues


  17. Bruce Gorton says:

    Evil Spaniard

    Aah, but most of the European ones are influenced to a huge extent by the US constitution, which takes a lot of its cues from the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, which both take some inspiration from the French Declaration of the Rights of Man.

    This isn’t to say there aren’t major differences, and that the American form of government is even the most common, but that the American one has had a huge influence on everyone else’s.


  18. Bruce Gorton says:

    Sorry, still in holiday mode, anyway read “take some inspiration from” as “gave some inspiration to” above.


  19. Tom says:

    #3 – With our entire country getting trashed by a group of criminals to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, the best “snark” you could come up with is Conyers “babysitting” issue?

    I mean, come on. You forgot to mention that we are fighting them over there, so we don’t have to fight them over here, and all the other talking points you have been hand fed by Rove and his band of merry men (in tights, no doubt).

    Please stop drinking the kool-aid, you are an embarassment to our once great country. Please go away – NOW! Thanks for listening.


  20. Seixon says:

    I believe his words were: “It’s just a damn piece of paper.”

    Actually, that has now been found to have been fabricated, but as always you will believe what you want to believe.

    On Conyer’s report: it has footnotes! That must mean everything is true! ;)

    On the Constitution: it’s not a magical piece of paper. I would deduce that some parts of it need to be rewritten for the 21st century. Just as the Geneva Conventions also need to be updated to reflect modern times. Here I thought progressives were about being progressive, you know, making improvements and following with the times. I guess not. Meanwhile the conservatives want to amend it to outlaw gay marriage. Don’t ya love partisans?


  21. Evil Spaniard says:

    #17 This isn’t to say there aren’t major differences, and that the American form of government is even the most common, but that the American one has had a huge influence on everyone else’s.

    Comment by Bruce Gorton — August 4, 2006 @ 1:39 pm

    You mean the ancient greek form of government? Branding it the American form of government makes people (principally in the USA) think that Democracy was invented in the USA, and that every Democracy is a somewhat bastard son of the USA one, and isn’t exactly true. It has the inherent idea that, if a Democracy isn’t like the one of the USA, isn’t a Democracy at all, and I don’t like the idea, mainly because it can bring intolerancy and misunderstandings. I’m for a more general idea of Democracy (without falling in communism, fascism or demagoguery). Letting every country choose his brand of democracy is the first step to real democracy. And I understand “Democracy” as a legal system where everyone can vote a chosen government, a separation of the three powers (or four or five), and a fair legal system that grants the rights of the citizens. See? My definition is enough broad and fair to include the american and the french constitutions, as examples, and doesn’t try to define whose is better. And remember, the american constitution is based in the english legal system, where the french is based in the latin legal system, things that makes the USA and the French democracies different in a great number of issues, but both are democracies.

    Anyhow, I consider (somewhat again) the USA Constitution a “beta” version. It has the Égalité, and the Liberté, but lacks the Fraternité in a good degree… too protestant for my taste. And the USA Funding Fathers where heavily influenced by european thinkers, specially the french ones. The spirit of the new democracies lays in the Renaissance and the growing of the middle class. And, as I think, was born first in America because, when the USA colonies revolted, it was easier to implant a Democracy as a form of government.

    Well, end of my discourse. I’m not a legal expert, and I lack the necessary expertise in the english language to extend more this post.


  22. PLC (PatrioticLiberalChristian) says:

    Meanwhile the conservatives want to amend it to outlaw gay marriage. Don’t ya love partisans? Comment by Seixon

    The conservatives want to go against the spirit of the Constitution, limiting government’s control of individual and personal decisions and actions, by using the Constitution to grant the government the power to decide who someone should marry. No, I don’t love this kind of partisan.


  23. Paul in LA says:

    “I believe his words were: “It’s just a damn piece of paper.”

    “Actually, that has now been found to have been fabricated, but as always you will believe what you want to believe.”

    Fabricated? Hilarious. It’s how he feels, it’s how he acts — he has said that a hundred times, because that’s what traitors do.

    “On Conyer’s report: it has footnotes! That must mean everything is true! ;)”

    Har, har. It’s documented crimes — buy why should you care about that.

    “On the Constitution: it’s not a magical piece of paper.”

    Which is why it has been Amended over twenty times. Is this your big insight?

    “Just as the Geneva Conventions also need to be updated to reflect modern times.”

    Nothing about prohibitions on warcrimes needs updating. What needs updating is making it even more clear that the original definition of warcrimes under the Convention includes using cluster bombs and use of WP as a anti-personnel chemical weapon.

    “Here I thought progressives were about being progressive,” –Seixon

    Hilarious. Bird’s turds. How much did you get for your soul?


  24. DieNowForPeace says:

    At least now we have most of the evidence before us for the Grand Impeachment of the little Shrubbie.

    Got to go finish reading the report…


  25. Bruce Gorton says:

    Evil Spaniard

    It isn’t so much the democracy that was so revolutionary, it was the constitution itself, and the fact that America stuck with it (well, up until now.) Basically, this document, though not the first of its kind, really set the ball rolling on a lot of stuff all over the world, that said it would be a mistake to think that anybody’s legal system is a bastard child of anybody’s, it is more a case of what is a good idea in one country can spread into others.


  26. Ho Chi Minh says:

    Kudos to Conyers. Hoping that the Dems take Both chambers of Congress and let the impeachments begin.


  27. Marie says:

    When the Dems take Congress back, I hope they give Conyers all the assistance he desires to go after the Bush crime family.


  28. Marie says:

    I thought Seixon was banned.


  29. shaman says:

    # 28:

    No,Marie, Seixon being banned was a rumour started by Jay Randal (as usual).
    Do you believe everything he say’s? Sheeesshh.


  30. Jay Randal says:

    Who is shaman anyways? Never seen that nobody post much on here, but defends Seixon > lol.


  31. shaman says:

    So,Mr.Jay Randal;do you deny starting the rumour that Seixon was banned?
    In my book,the person (you) who pulls things out of his ass is the ‘nobody’.


  32. Paige says:

    Basically, this document, though not the first of its kind, really set the ball rolling on a lot of stuff all over the world, that said it would be a mistake to think that anybody’s legal system is a bastard child of anybody’s, it is more a case of what is a good idea in one country can spread into others.


  33. Olivia says:

    I hope they give Conyers all the assistance he desires to go after the Bush crime family.


  34. Cyra Brown says:

    GWB put his hand on a bible, and swore to protect the Constitution. I guess it slipped his mind. I’m sure someone has it on tape, he needs to have his memory ‘refreshed’, I would recommend it on a daily basis. Really, it’s what his job is all about. The “Oath of Office” is brief, and to the point. The entire administration could use a reminder. Their ignorance is shameful, and inexcusable. Or it is deliberate.


  35. Chloe says:

    In my book,the person (you) who pulls things out of his ass is the ‘nobody’.


  36. Chloe says:

    it is more a case of what is a good idea in one country can spread into others.



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