Swift Boat funder’s appointment may be illegal.
Mary Ann Akers of the Washington Post explains why President Bush’s recess appointment of Sam Fox as ambassador to Belgium may break the law:
To fight the Fox appointment, Democrats are questioning the Bush administration’s plan to have Fox serve in a voluntary capacity — receiving no pay for his duties as ambassador. This is an important legal technicality, as federal law prohibits “payment of services” for certain recess appointments. However, if the recess appointee in question agrees that he or she will take an unpaid position and not sue the government at a later date for compensation, then the appointment can go forward, at least as the White House sees it. …
But here’s the rub that makes Democrats view Bush’s recess appointment of Fox as a major-league no-no: Federal law prohibits “voluntary service” in cases where the position in question has a fixed rate of pay, as an ambassadorship does. That’s how the Government Accountability Office, an arm of the Democratic-controlled Congress, interprets the law.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) said today, “I intend to seek an opinion on the legality of this appointment from the General Accountability Office and invite other Senators to join with me in that request.”
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64 Responses to “Swift Boat funder’s appointment may be illegal.”
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I don’t know much about the legality of the pay issue but this isn’t the first time Bush has made recess appointments.
I just feel, my opinion, that Fox is not good Ambassador material.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:12 pmIs it impeachment time yet?
April 4th, 2007 at 11:15 pmDoes this mean we’re waffling on Belgium?
April 4th, 2007 at 11:15 pmNot to mention that the whole point of recess appointment power is for the President to be able to fill a vacancy when the vacancy opens up during Congressional recess and needs to be filled before Congress convenes again, which in the early days of the republic could be weeks or even months.
It is long past time for us to put an end to this unconstitutional Presidential “power.”
April 4th, 2007 at 11:17 pmI am pretty sure Clinton made a recess appointment for Luxembourg because the righties had a fit his nominee was gay. I am not sure where this is going. It has plenty of precedence. Perhaps we should get rid of recess appointments.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:17 pmonce again bush bends the American people over and sticks it to us.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:22 pmhow many more times is congress going to drop the soap
once again bush bends the American people over and sticks it to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2007 at 11:22 pmhow many more times is congress going to drop the soap?????
JPark,
I don’t think we should get rid of recess appointments, they are necessary, but maybe make it clear that they can only be used in emergency situations and also put a clause in that the President cannot appoint someone whom congress has already rejected and that person cannot be appointed if they were nominated and then withdrawn. I think that covers all the loopholes.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:23 pmDoes this mean we’re waffling on Belgium?
Comment by Zooey
*snort*
April 4th, 2007 at 11:26 pmThat’s right Ashenshard, who knows what might happen if there’s no US ambassador to Belgium….
April 4th, 2007 at 11:28 pmWatch this version of the Karl Rove Pelting Incident has a brief interview with the head of the college repukes, tell me what your gaydar is registering.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:28 pmIt is long past time for us to put an end to this unconstitutional Presidential “power.â€
Comment by Simplify
I agree, with todays technology there is no reason to have such a rule.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:28 pmWaffling on Belgum? Heh.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:29 pmGood lord, this is a stretch; an accusation that Bush has done something wrong which is viewed as commonplace and certainly not without precedent (from either side of the partisan aisle). This is an ambassador to Belgium for goodness sakes!! The person leading the charge: Kerry.
Here’s the real issue: the Dems are still upset that one of their candidates for the earlier presidential election (Kerry) was soundly discredited by his own military colleauges and roundly characterized as unfit for a leadership role.
Further, courtesy of powerlineblog.com:
Those of you who engage in emotional or personal attacks in the face of reasoned debate, please don’t join in this intellectual discourse. Your ilk are needed over at Huffington post.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:30 pmScrew all this, just get rid of this damn bush/ cheney/ rice / rove entire administration..Impeach the basterd’s and end of problem’s..America can’t last with a year and a half of these f***up’s…Blessings
April 4th, 2007 at 11:30 pmWow…it’s so nice to see Congress hold King George’s feet to the fire. I’m loving it. Something new every day and the Rethugs keep walking right into the fire.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:35 pmACCOUNTABILITY COMES TO CHIMPya
April 4th, 2007 at 11:40 pmAND CHIMPya IS AFRAID, VERY VERY AFRAID!!!!!
Yeah. What JT said. And don’t forget that Clinton had sex with a goat. And the Democrats faked the moon landing and have contrails in the sky just loaded with coke. Read this and other right wing factoids at any Rightwing mag.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:41 pmDoes this mean we’re waffling on Belgium?
Comment by Zooey
LMAO
April 4th, 2007 at 11:47 pmDoes this mean we’re waffling on Belgium?
Comment by Zooey — April 4, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
Is that wine number 2 your magic number?
Cause you are 2 funny, unless you’re 3 funny.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:48 pmCause you are 2 funny, unless you’re 3 funny.
Comment by shane
Girl, I’m 1 1/2 funny. :D
Isn’t that just too sad?
April 4th, 2007 at 11:51 pmlittle w is the first to toss out names at anyone who disagrees with him. and where do u think he learns those words? u guessed it rovey and chaynay. and they pass the note around to whole class via their underlings at fauxnews.
April 4th, 2007 at 11:51 pmGet this: I get an email off board saying it’s not wise to drink and blog. How did he know!? *snort*
April 4th, 2007 at 11:52 pmSo: Bravo to President Bush for standing by Sam Fox and, implicitly, by the Swift Boat Vets. -JT
What does this have to do with Sam Fox who was never on a swift boat?
April 4th, 2007 at 11:53 pmSwift Boat funder’s appointment may be illegal.
And how many more illegal things does he have to do for Impeachment to finally be back on the table!!??!!??
Geez…….
April 4th, 2007 at 11:53 pmSo: Bravo to President Bush for standing by Sam Fox and, implicitly, by the Swift Boat Vets. -JT
Are you aware JT that Harbour group has ties with Abramoffs group?
April 4th, 2007 at 11:57 pm[Alexander Group]
I get an email off board saying it’s not wise to drink and blog. How did he know!?
Bahh I do it all the time and never have I got a BUI! =)
April 4th, 2007 at 11:58 pmThose of you who engage in emotional or personal attacks in the face of reasoned debate, please don’t join in this intellectual discourse. Your ilk are needed over at Huffington post.
Comment by JT — April 4, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
Why don’t you just go watch Fox News and the next time you get an idea, keep it to yourself.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:02 amGirl, I’m 1 1/2 funny. :D
Isn’t that just too sad?
Comment by Zooey — April 4, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Nope, I’m a hangover after 1 person, saves money and time, teehee.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:05 am#28 Those types don’t GET ideas. They RECEIVE ideas.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:06 amBahh I do it all the time and never have I got a BUI! =)
Comment by Zep Tepi — April 4, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
You guys are “smokin” so keep it up!
April 5th, 2007 at 12:08 amComment by JPark — April 5, 2007 @ 12:06 am
What to you think JT stands for, Just o’ Turd or Jerkiest Troll.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:11 amBahh I do it all the time and never have I got a BUI! =)
Comment by Zep Tepi
I remember one time you were boggling my brain - -and I wasn’t drinking then. Busted — your first BUI. :D
April 5th, 2007 at 12:11 amNope, I’m a hangover after 1 person, saves money and time, teehee.
Comment by shane
And effort….. Heh.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:11 amHey, jt this is not red state and your no progressive..Back under the bridge troll…
April 5th, 2007 at 12:12 amComment by JT
Your lies posted from reich-winged powerline don’t pass here. Show something from a reputable source to back your claims.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:12 amFor example, the actual Naval records…..
For example, the actual Naval records…..
Comment by Wayne
Facts? JT don’t need no stinking facts….he’s happy with the piss in his shoes.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:18 amThis is another example of the little-boy-king and his infamous temper tantrums.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:18 am“I do what I want when I want. I am the king — you’re not the boss of me!”
#32 I am guessing I would get deleted if I told you what I really thought it meant.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:19 am#38 What fun is being the Deciderer when somebody slaps your hand for Decidering?
April 5th, 2007 at 12:21 amI remember one time you were boggling my brain - -and I wasn’t drinking then. Busted — your first BUI. :D
Comment by Zooey
I have boggled my own mind so many times…,, I just wanted to share =)
April 5th, 2007 at 12:23 amI have boggled my own mind so many times…,, I just wanted to share =)
Comment by Zep Tepi
Tonight it was my turn. :-D
April 5th, 2007 at 12:26 amWhat fun is being the Deciderer when somebody slaps your hand for Decidering?
Comment by JPark
Decidering which hand to slap?
April 5th, 2007 at 12:28 am#8 Maybe. I have no clue what an emergency would entail. I mean, would it matter if we didn’t have an embassador for a week?
April 5th, 2007 at 12:28 amfirst he was a uniter
April 5th, 2007 at 12:29 amthen he was a decider
turns out he aint neither
am guessing I would get deleted if I told you what I really thought it meant.
Comment by JPark — April 5, 2007 @ 12:19 am
Go ahead cause I think Zooey and Zep Tepi will be distracting any moderator for a while. They may be talking dirty but who can be sure.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:29 amTonight it was my turn. :-D
Comment by Zooey
And the morrow perhaps as well.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:30 amAnd the morrow perhaps as well.
Comment by Zep Tepi
You might very well be right. :D
I’m crashing. Goodnight, Zep.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:33 amGo ahead cause I think Zooey and Zep Tepi will be distracting any moderator for a while. They may be talking dirty but who can be sure.
Comment by shane
Nope, thoughts are clear =)
April 5th, 2007 at 12:35 amI’m crashing. Goodnight, Zep.
Comment by Zooey
GN Z
April 5th, 2007 at 12:36 am#46 Nah, I am way too classy to name-call!! :)
April 5th, 2007 at 12:41 amNope, thoughts are clear =)
Comment by Zep Tepi — April 5, 2007 @ 12:35 am
Dang - I’ve been married so long I live vicariously through others.
This is my only vice so I’m not exactly living on the edge. Thanks for the Firefox info on the other thread.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:42 amBush insults Belgium, because he wants to appoint a stooge who will get paid under the table to be our US Ambassador. The claim that he will take the position for free is baloney.
April 5th, 2007 at 1:58 amThe Congress is our representation in the operation of the government, so when the president bypasses them, in reality he is bypassing us.
But, I would not expect the typical 30%’er Republican to even realize that Bush is insulting them and not the Democrats!
April 5th, 2007 at 5:42 amI guess Republicans just hate Viet Nam War veterans. Here’s a good debunking of the Swiftboat slanders against Kerry.
http://swiftvets.eriposte.com/appendixa.htm
April 5th, 2007 at 7:00 amWe should just write the Belgian government and politely ask them to send Fox back to DC. (Not that they aren’t already thinking about doing just that.) Are the Belgians allowed to reject an ambassador?
April 5th, 2007 at 7:38 amIsn’t the GAO nonpartisan by design?
April 5th, 2007 at 9:11 amI don’t get it.
“Federal Law” Prohibits recess appointment from being paid.
“Federal Law” Prohibits a recess appointment unless he’s paid.
Seems highly contradictory…or a tool for either side to complain in the present or future.
April 5th, 2007 at 9:15 amHow pathetic. Liberals stand for nothing but hatred for President Bush and veterans.
April 5th, 2007 at 9:20 amPlacing volunteers in pay positions is against the law regardless of which party controls Congress. I have dealt with that question for more than 20 years looking for jobs that volunteers may do.
April 5th, 2007 at 11:00 amHave we all had enough of the f*@%#ed up hiring capabilities shown us thus far by BushCo?
April 5th, 2007 at 12:18 pmI think we can all agree that Michael Brown was a disaster…and the people placed in Iraq (because they were “loyal Bushies”) have done such a bang-up job there–this only makes me wonder what there is in Belgium that needs this special/particular attention….
This is so typical of this slimy,disgusting low-life! He’s really showing the world his true colors.He can’t be trusted and is a thieving,dishonorable LIAR! What a sham;ess example of how low a person will stoop to when he’s drunk with power!He’s a disgrace to the office of the presidency! He’s the gollum of politician’s.Please IMPEACH this lunatic/puppet and take Cheney,Rove,Wolfowitz,Rice,Snow,Gonzalez &Fox with him.Take them all out to be hanged for destroying our country.IMPEACH AND HANG NOW!
April 5th, 2007 at 3:16 pmThis person is totally untrustworthy.He’s the type who would steal from you while you went to the bathroom.What a total embarrassment to have him represent us as The President. He’s a sham and a disgrace.Truly one of the lowest points in American history!The worst part and even tragic part is how so many are too lazy or stupid,shallow,ignorant,backward,naive,narrow-minded,or just plain innocent and /or willing to be brain-washed with the political spin these gangsters are spewing!If ever 666 - Son of Satan was in the White House, this is it! And to think so many Christians fell for his rhetoric. But the Bible does say -”Even the very elite shall be fooled”. And they have. They elected a man who prefers WAR over Diplomacy.Would Christ be saying -KILL,KILL,KILL? I’m the big personality? The Decider? What a Megalomaniac! IMPEACH NOW,before it’s too late!
April 5th, 2007 at 3:34 pm[…] Dodd, John Kerry, and Robert Casey called for an investigation into whether President Bush acted illegally in recess-appointing Swift Boat funder Sam Fox as ambassador to Belgium. “We view the recess […]
April 6th, 2007 at 9:10 am