FLASHBACK: Cheney Argued Energy Task Force Probe ‘Interfered With Executive Branch’
FLASHBACK: Cheney Argued Energy Task Force Probe ‘Interfered With Executive Branch’
The Office of the Vice President has asserted that Dick Cheney “is not an entity within the Executive Branch” in order to thwart an investigation into his handling of classified material. But there was once a time when Cheney prevented investigations by claiming they interfered with the Executive Branch.
Dana Milbank reports today in the Washington Post:
Cheney has refused to comply with an order governing the care of classified documents; his office concluded that the order does not apply because he is not “an entity within the executive branch.”
That’s quite opposite the argument Cheney made in 2001, when he said that a congressional probe into the workings of his energy task force “would unconstitutionally interfere with the functioning of the executive branch.” Cheney has, in effect, declared himself to be neither fish nor fowl but an exotic, extraconstitutional beast who answers to no one.
Milbank is referring to an instance in 2001 when GAO chief David Walker sent a “demand letter” for information and documents related to Cheney’s energy task force meetings. In response, Cheney wrote a letter to Congress informing lawmakers “of certain actions undertaken by an agent of the Congress, Comptroller General David M. Walker, which exceed his lawful authority and which, if given effect, would unconstitutionally interfere with the functioning of the executive branch.”
Appearing on ABC’s Nightline on July 25, 2001, Cheney said, “This request that in fact we’re supposed to provide [Congress] with this information with respect to…those meetings in the Executive Branch between the Vice President and other individuals strikes me as inappropriate.” Last night, The Daily Show aired the footage of Cheney’s remarks. Watch it:
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Further proof that one’s heart does nothing more than pump blood….
For if the heart were at all related to humanity or compassion, Cheney’s would have ripped itself from his chest years ago…
June 26th, 2007 at 10:39 amThose journalists sure are quick on the ball. I mean sure, they believed it when Cheney said he never met Edwards, and they saw nothign wrong with secret energy commissions, and they saw nothing wrong with Cheney possibly drunk hunting and shooting a friend in the face, or with Cheney supporting an anti-gay platform while ensuring his gay daughter gets special rights, and the supported cheney when the said his daughters sexual orientation should be private while he touted it to his benefit….but suddenly NOW Cheney is a hypocrit.
If you ask me, its just another example of the rights willingness to tolerate any BS and wrongdoing and even illegal or immoral activity. At least until it comes close to election time and neither Cheney nor Bush can run again. I expect the right to expose their own hypcorisy on this matter more and more as election day gets closer. Actions they supported and even enabled will suddenly become intolerable, but someone else’s fault.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:43 amCheney’s response: Hey! Look! A bird!
June 26th, 2007 at 10:44 am#3 TB3K: Cheney’s actual response: “STFU. I’ll do whatever the hell I want and there ain’t nuthin’ you and your silly Constitution can do about it.”
June 26th, 2007 at 10:47 amThe offices of President and Vice-president confer shape-changing powers onto those who hold them. When they want to be something, they become that thing. For example, at a republic party campaign dinner, Cheney once turned himself into a tea cozy while Bush transformed into a gravy boat.
When either of these dudes claim to be Napoleon, you’d better not mention Waterloo.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:49 amBush likened Cheney to a “Chief Operating Officer” of the United States. Since they love applying corporate terminology, they should easily agree that there’s no other branch in the corporate world other than an EXECUTIVE one, right?
The last time I checked, there is no C.O.O. on any board of directors in the corporate world. Cheney’s “President of the Senate” title is merely symbolic, as he only gets a vote in the event of a tie, has no other input on legislation, and only officiates Senate swearing-in ceremonies and other minor, symbolic events.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:50 amAlso, because he’s completely psychotic, he’s not subject to the rules of sanity.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:51 amDarth Dicky Cheney must be impeached immediately > PERIOD.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:52 amGo here:
http://www.judicialwatch.org/iraqi-oilfield-pr.shtml
This is from Judicial Watch. There is a link to maps where Cheney and his “Energy Task Force” were already deciding how to divvy up the Iraq oil wells in March of 2001 (pre-9/11).
June 26th, 2007 at 10:53 amI’d like to know what the conservatives out there, have to say about this, if only for comedy relief.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:54 amRule of law? Prove it.
Keep modeling amoral behavior but do not question why America rots from within and lacks leadership.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:56 amThat Cheney Energy Task Force was a pack of VERY rich, powerful, high profile vultures ready to pounce.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:58 amI am embarrassed by, and for, the MSM who continues to attend WH press meetings giving these lying sacks of shit any credence. They are sullen by their duplicity.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:58 amEveryone with a 3rd grade education in this country knows that the Vice Presidency and the Presidency are by definition, the heads of the Executive Branch. There is actually a division within the Executive branch called “The Executive office of the President”.
The president is CALLED the Executive. The Vice President is the Second “Executive”.
There is no question here. Dana Perino is an absolute airheaded idiot for calling it an “interesting discussion for scholars”. She apparently is no scholar. Cause anyone who ever attended school in the United States knows the President and Vice President are the cheif executives.
Every college, every university and every school teaches clearly the division in our government. Its not a question. Its not a debate. There is not even a hint of doubt, or lack of clarity.
Here mr Cheney, you inbred dick. Let me give you a little PolySci 101.
There are THREE distinct branches of government in the United States.
The Legislative (Congress) The Judiciary (The Supreme Court) and the Executive (You and the other idiot).
There. Now you know.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:59 amhow did THE DAILY SHOW, a “fake” news show, scoop all the “real” news shows in showing this inconsistancy?
June 26th, 2007 at 10:59 amThat Stewart is the guy who’s exposing this so clearly is nothing to be shocked or ashamed at. Back in Athens, it was Aristophanes who keelhauled corruption in their government. Still, it is amazing that a think tank like Progress would be citing a comedy show on the subject of yet another impeachable offense by the semi-executive branch.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:03 amKeith Olberman did a segment on it.
We’ll soon be hearing more about it too.
This is going to play into their impeachment hearings and criminal trials.
Stating that they are not part of the Executive branch could be considered treason.
Thats right, TREASON.
They are attempting to dismantle the United States government, and that is treason.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:04 amJon was right on with his last comment on this clip. With each action Cheney takes where he thumbs his nose at every American, the Constitution, Congress, the Judiciary, every law and every rule, he basically tells everyone to “GO F*CK YOURSELF”!!
June 26th, 2007 at 11:05 amHe could care less and he believes himself to be untouchable.
Someone had better prove him wrong and do it pretty soon.
You know, it isn’t even just a matter of him being a really slimey secretive rogue bastard who managed to slip into the White House, he is setting a precident for future slimey bad guys that simply obliterates all lines and boundaries because they can see they can do whatever they want because NOBODY will do anything to stop them. This is the really scary part.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:09 amA question for all the lurking (paid and unpaid) trolls:
Do any of you HONESTLY believe that dick cheney has been good for you personally and good for the US? Think REAL had and let us all know, OK?
June 26th, 2007 at 11:10 amZippy it not what we can do about, it what we will do about it. Nothing.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:10 amdantheman
I’d like to know what the conservatives out there, have to say about this, if only for comedy relief.
F’ him. Take his pay, do whatever you can to screw him on this. Otherwise your setting all sorts of precedent and what not for the future.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:10 amHmmmm,
Cracks in your armor, a leak in the dike.
I firmly believe Cheney is in his last throes, if you will.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:11 amI firmly believe Cheney is in his last throes, if you will.
Comment by Zimzone — June 26, 2007 @ 11:11 am
BAWAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHHAHAHHAH…. whew…. sorry, that was too damn funny.
And accurate.
Cheney denying that the Vice Presidency and the Presidency is not part of the Executive branch is an act of treason to the United States.
It is a clear and blatant attempt at overthrowing the form of government we have embraced for over 200 years. It is out and out treason.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:14 amAny American who buys into “the VP is not part of the Executive,” ought to recognize that they are complicit in treason.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:15 amBut enough of all this Constitutional crisis talk…what Amurka REALLY wants to know is — what does Dick Cheney think about Paris Hilton getting out of jail?
/snarkiness
June 26th, 2007 at 11:22 amCheney has the best part-time job in America if he’s only part of the Legislative Branch.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:24 amslightly — but only slightly — O/T:
BREAKING:
team libby — with lawrence s. robbins
clearly in the first chair — filed their
reply brief last night, june 25. it is
only three pages long. and to my eye, it
is. . . well, anemic.
the full pdf is linked above, direct
from robbins’ law firm web-server. . .
occasionally, “brevity is the soul of wit. . .”
not this time.
his c.i.p.a. sections 6(a) and (c) v.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:28 amsection 6(e) reply is particularly weak.
My dream MSM segment: 1. Cheney’s energy task force quote, followed by 2. his quote that the VP is not part of the executive branch, followed by 3. Cheney saying “go f*** yourself, followed by 4. a commentator saying “America, this is what your elected VP thinks of you and your Constitution”.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:33 amI don’t know what all the hoo haw is, really. It’s not like Cheney ever said anything that we have on tape to prove that he’s ever acknowledged that he’s in the executive branch.
Oh, wait a minute, I guess we DO have it on tape. Someone should explain how this works, then, because they don’t get it.
I, for one, am ready to take to the streets to call for their impeachment. Too bad the media won’t cover it.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:34 amF’ him. Take his pay, do whatever you can to screw him on this. Otherwise your setting all sorts of precedent and what not for the future.
Comment by squegeebooo — June 26, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Sounds like you’ve abandoned the sinking ship and joined the 74 percenters. Now, throw all of that Republic Party baggage over the side - we don’t have room fo it on this boat.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:35 amBartlebee, NO SHIT and amen, bruddah!
I’m amazed that more 7th grade students aren’t writing them asking why they bother to take civics or constitution classes. I feel like I am living an episode of So You Think You’re Smarter Than A 7th Grader?
And Jon Stewart always gets real news out there, and in a funny way. Colbert, too (did you catch his Word last night? Pretty funny.) THAT’s the kind of infotainment I like.
Actually, I think Clinton’s impeachment set up our future governments. When you can get away with something like that - impeaching him for a personal matter (he lied about a personal affair that was consentual), yet do nothing when it comes to national security, treasonous acts, not even MENTION that, for example, Libby lied to cover up treason, etc., etc., etc., ad naseum, the precedent is already set.
It’s agenda above our country. It’s lies over truth. It’s appalling and unless something is done, we’re on a path to total destruction of this country.
Until Fox, et al, stops lying and presenting opinion as fact and until every person in this country gets a clue (I suppose we should start by raising our reading levels from the 4th grade USA Today level before we expect miracles), you’re never going to change the minds of people who don’t have the capacity to think critically or think that god determines everything and anything they do, including murder, is OK in the eyes of god. (Kiddies, Christ is spinning over your bastardazation of His word.)
If there’s a god, he is NOT happy with what has become the Christian way. Poor? F*ck em! Helping? Nah, too greedy. Compassion? For someone else.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:35 amOnce again, the Daily Show has its finger on the pulse of america while the MSN has their finger up…….
nevermind, I’ll play nice
June 26th, 2007 at 11:37 amTROLLBAIT3000
Sounds like you’ve abandoned the sinking ship and joined the 74 percenters. Now, throw all of that Republic Party baggage over the side - we don’t have room fo it on this boat.
Only on certain issues. Although the list has grown, I’m basically motivated by fiscal conservatism something these guys lack.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:43 amI’m amazed that more 7th grade students aren’t writing them asking why they bother to take civics or constitution classes. I feel like I am living an episode of So You Think You’re Smarter Than A 7th Grader?
Comment by MsJoanne — June 26, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Isn’t it “So you think you’re smarter than a 4th grader”? I thought it was 4th grade. I’m talking about the show Foxworthy does.
Hey, that gives me an idea.
Why don’t they make that a question on that show? They could also do it on Jeopardy.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:46 amYes, it is 5th grader, but they don’t usually get civics yet. A little poetic license if you will. :-D
June 26th, 2007 at 11:48 am“Isn’t it “So you think you’re smarter than a 4th graderâ€? I thought it was 4th grade. I’m talking about the show Foxworthy does.
Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 26, 2007 @ 11:46 am”
NOPE….
It’s “So you think you’re smarter than a 5th grader?”
Just saying…..
June 26th, 2007 at 11:49 amTP:
Why do you keep posting pieces about Cheney, only to delete any postings that get too close to the actual truth of the Conspiracy?
What is your policy on free speech?
What’s “Progressive” about censorship?
Go ahead an publish an article about free speech, and blogs that delete truthful posts. Let’s see how that turns out.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:49 amSally Quinn of the Washington Post says that Republicans are looking for a way to remove Dick Cheney. They “view him as toxic” and he’s
June 26th, 2007 at 11:50 am“seen as dangerous.” Really? Can’t imagine why. They obviously loved him when things were going their way, but with the presidential elections coming up, they’re obviously becoming desperate. Quinn also says that Fred Thompson looks good for the person to replace the Dickster.
Everyone knows the Veep also has a small role in the Legislative branch too. He is technically President of the Senate, but his powers are completely restricted. The ONLY time he gets to vote, is if there is an out and out tie.
Then he gets to cast one single vote. Thats it. That does not mean he suddenly is not part of the Executive Branch. Its insane.
I mean, its NOT EVEN AN ARGUMENT. There is NO GREY area here and this is not as that DINGBAT Dana Perino says, “an interesting topic for scholars to debate”.
It is ELEMENTARY. It is the cornerstone of our government.
THREE BRANCHES.
JUDICIARY (Supreme Court)
LEGISLATIVE (Congress)
EXECUTIVE (President and his cabinet)
For a sitting President to say otherwise is to attempt to overthrow the government of the United States, and is treason.
TREASON.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:51 amIf you are willing to overlook the war, the erosion of civil and human rights, torture, the abandonment of America’s poor and most helpless, secret government, cronyism, the fact that terrorism has increased due to Republic Party policies, and things like swiftboating - to focus only on fiscal issues, then, we don’t want you on the boat.
Now get the F out! Troll!
June 26th, 2007 at 11:52 amRoboTroll 3100 reports:
…
…
I got nothin’.
Fry him. See if I care.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:53 amCheney was FOR the Executive Branch before he was AGAINST it. End his funding and then IMPEACH!
June 26th, 2007 at 11:53 amIt’s “So you think you’re smarter than a 5th grader?â€
Just saying…..
Comment by RemoveBush — June 26, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Ok. Well I don’t watch it so I wasn’t sure but I knew it was down there somewhere. Either way I bet those kids would never be stupid enough to claim the President or the Vice President are not part of the Executive branch of government.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:53 amWhat does it say about our nation’s “serious” journalists when a comedian and a former sportscaster are on top of this story before they are?
June 26th, 2007 at 11:55 amBow down and bring homage to King Cheney! The bell is tolling for impeachment now.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:57 amIt has come to our attention that RoboTroll 3100 is overdue for regular system maintenance. RoboTroll 3100 will be offline for an unspecified period so that this maintenance can be completed. Thisis a simple, non-invasive technical procedure that does not involve waterboarding or extraordinary renditions, so do not fear for RoboTroll’s safety.
During this interim, we will be relying on (oh, God…) our regular squad of trusted (- choke! -) messengers to catapult the propaganda.
Thank you for your patience.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:57 am“Ok. Well I don’t watch it so I wasn’t sure but I knew it was down there somewhere. Either way I bet those kids would never be stupid enough to claim the President or the Vice President are not part of the Executive branch of government.
Comment by BARTLEBEE — June 26, 2007 @ 11:53 am”
I watch it all the time……
Just ONE of those kids are smarter than Cheney and Bush put together……
I would rather have one of them running this country rather than the pair of APES we have there now….
June 26th, 2007 at 11:57 amRole of the executive
The exact role of the executive depends on the constitution of the country. Not all of the following functions need be exercised by the central executive, particularly in federal countries: they may instead be exercised by local government (see below).
A good analogy is the owner - architect - contractor relationship. The Legislative branch acts as the architect to draw up the plans and specifications according to the wishes of the people who elected them, (The owners) and exercises oversight to make sure the Executive Branch acts by its authority with its advice and consent. The Executive branch executes the instructions given it by the Legislature, but has no power to act on its own without instructions, because that would put it in the position of acting legislatively.
The Laws issued by the Legislature must be complied with exactly. It is the Presidents job to Preserve, protect and defend them while executing them faithfully and it’s the Judiciary’s job to act as competent administrators to see that all parties are in compliance with the Constitution.
Relation to the judiciary
The Executive Branch acts by and with the advice and consent of the Legislation made by the Legislature and thus is subject to the Legislative Branch. (except in a dictatorship).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_branch
June 26th, 2007 at 11:58 amFred Thompson: Same shit, different day.
America doesn’t need another tired, mediocre actor pretending they bought a clue.
Audrey, I agree that it’s time to oust the Dickster, but I don’t agree with Quinn that Thompson ‘looks good’ as a replacement.
Actually, I support the idea of open stocks in D.C., displaying the former VP with the chance, as a political fund-raiser, to use a small leather whip on his white ass.
No, I’m not into S&M, just pissed off for nearly 7 years!
June 26th, 2007 at 11:58 am14 and 32… What you said. As much as I love the netroots, this is where I lose my patience. All this discussion and analysis is interesting on an academic level, but it’s completely insulting to every American citizen. Cheney’s claims are so ridiculous on their face that they deserve to be turned away, immediately and strongly, without hesitation or compromise. Nobody should have to listen to Perino, Kristol, or anyone alse attempt to explain why Cheney is right. He is so simply wrong, it’s outrageous. I don’t have time for these silly attempts to de-fund Cheney’s office, because that is a tacit approval of his stupid argument. Please, senators and representatives, let’s extinguish this argument right now. No participating in the White House’s annoying mind games. I don’t have time for it, and it’s too important to play around.
Really, the entire press — the entire American public — should have laughed in Cheney’s face when he suggested this.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:59 amA constitutional republic is a state where the head of state and other officials are elected as representatives of the people, and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government’s power over citizens. In a constitutional republic, executive, legislative, and judicial powers are separated into distinct branches and the will of the majority of the population is tempered by protections for individual rights so that no individual or group has absolute power. The fact that a constitution exists that limits the government’s power, makes the state constitutional. That the head(s) of state and other officials are chosen by election, rather than inheriting their positions, and that their decisions are subject to judicial review makes a state republican.
Unlike a pure democracy, in a constitutional republic, citizens are not governed by the majority of the people but by the rule of law.[1]
June 26th, 2007 at 12:01 pmI suspect that it will be the Republicans who will eventually bring Cheney down — just as it was Barry Goldwater who finally went and told Nixon that his party wasn’t behind him anymore (Nixon resigned shortly thereafter with no cards left in his hand).
Congressional Republicans have an election coming up in 2008 and they will have to choose between keeping their horses hitched to a cart mired in a cesspool (in a naive hope it can become unstuck), or distancing themselves from the cesspool as much as they can. Bush might actually grow a pair and contain Cheney, but I doubt it.
We now know what most of us have suspected all along — Cheney is actually running the country and trampling the constitution to do it. Americans still haven’t unplugged themselves from their ipods and their video games enough to care, but eventually the abuses will be too great to ignore.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:01 pm#45, what it says about serious journalists, is that our media needs to be taken out of corporate hands! As long as some Republican news media owner signs the paycheck of this country’s journalists, you’re not going to get the truth.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:03 pm“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
Thomas Paine
June 26th, 2007 at 12:07 pmSo what Dana Perino, that airhead, and Dick Cheney, and the President are saying, is that for over 200 years, every college, every university, every professor, every student, every policial science text book, every law, our constitution, and every American, was wrong.
And now George W Bush, the backwater hick, his sidekick Dick Cheney, and the airhead funbags queen, Dana Perino, are here to set us straight, by explaining to us that they are not part of the Executive branch.
For over 2 centuries, everything we knew about America was wrong. And they’re here to set us straight.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:07 pmFrom the Harry Truman Library;
June 26th, 2007 at 12:08 pmIf Dick Cheney is a member of both the Legislative and Executive Branches of Government he should be required to comply with the rules of both branches. Somehow using his logic he concludes that he is exempt from both. I’m sure Alberto Gonzales will agree with his interpretations of the laws.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:09 pmOh but Truman was wrong. Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and Abe Lincoln and Andrew Jackson and every President, Vice President and member of Congress and the Supreme court for the last 200 years, were ALL WRONG.
And Bush and his talking idiot Dana Perino, is here to set us straight, after 200 years.
Question for the genius Perino.
What branch of the government does she now claim they occupy?
Just curious.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pmHere.
Here is a worksheet that she can fill out.
PLEASE FILL IN THE BLANKS
June 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pmSorry, heres the link.
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/ whistlestop/ teacher_lessons/ 3branches/ 2.htm
June 26th, 2007 at 12:12 pmMany Vice Presidents in the Americas hold the symbolic position of President of the Senate.
SYMBOLIC!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice_president
June 26th, 2007 at 12:13 pmAnd if that ones too complicated for you, try this one.
CONGRESS FOR KIDS
http://congressforkids.net/ Constitution_threebranches.htm
June 26th, 2007 at 12:14 pmJust as Emmanuel responded to Cheney’s absurd claim by pushing to cut off his Executive branch funding, the GAO should revive its request that Cheney turn over the energy task force meeting documents, now, if he is not part of the Executive branch.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:14 pmDon’t discount Cheney’s brains. He definitely has them but this last bit of twisted logic may have finally busted him. Perhaps too smart for his own good. FINALLY!
Bush and Gonzo on the other hand…combine them together and you get a mail order degree from Regents…bought and paid for by dear old dad. Oh wait, I forgot that Ivy League colleges sold out to the highest bidder, too. Guess they couldn’t buy him more than a C average. That should have been the first clue. Sorry, I want a president who’s smarter than me. And Bush and Gonzo combined couldn’t compete with a 5th grader (let alone a 7th grader). They’d be out smarted and out classed every time.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm#28 - nolo
I suspect the Judge will not be impressed. :D
June 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pmWhat branch does Perino belong to? The under the desk one, of course.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pmCheney has resorted to just making up shit.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pmLet’s face it, this week, Chaney wants to be part of the Legistative branch, next week, he’ll want to be part of the Executive branch again. Chaney is used to doing what Chaney wants. He’s been unchecked for years. Why should now be any different. There are very few people who will stand up to Cheny, and even less who would win. They’re probably buried in the Rose Garden, if they did. Chaney’s spent years building friends in high and low places. He’s made sure his bases and ass are covered. Our only hope is that his arrogance will be his downfall.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:23 pmI posted this in another thread, but in case it gets lost I am going to post it here, too.
I have a constitutional question…or I think it is. Don’t smack me for not knowing, please. :)
If Bush were to have an accident, you know, if he, for example, went hunting with old Dick, and Cheney ascended to President. Would The Dick be able to select his VP at will? Would Congress have a say in nixing it?
I know if Cheney left, Bush could appoint a new VP of his choosing (at least I think that’s how it works), but could Cheney?
June 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pmUnlike a pure democracy, in a constitutional republic, citizens are not governed by the majority of the people but by the rule of law.[1]
Comment by ace
Thanks ace. No could you put that in really small, simple words and send it to the President. I don’t think he understands.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pmIf you think Dick Cheney is having a rough few days, it’s nothing compared to “Rudy Giuliani’s Very Bad Week.”
June 26th, 2007 at 12:32 pm#68 good question. Ford took over as President, after Nixon resigned, Agnew had already left, and Ford was Speaker of the House, at the time, so who took over the VP?
June 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pmMsJ~
June 26th, 2007 at 12:45 pmDon’t know the answer to your question, but I am curious what you are thinking…that he might put Rove in there…or maybe SATAN?!
Re: Audrey #39
Can you imagine McCain’s reaction if, after selling his political honor and sucking up to George W for seven soul-deadening years, Cheney gets sh!t-canned and Dumbya chooses Fred Thompson to fill the VP spot?
Ouch. That would have to hurt.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:45 pm#72, I honestly wasn’t thinking of a single person but the process. Of course anyone Cheney would instill would be his puppet, just as Bush is.
Now that you have me thinking of a WHO though, I am really scared!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:50 pmFord took over as President, after Nixon resigned, Agnew had already left, and Ford was Speaker of the House, at the time, so who took over the VP?
Comment by Nance — June 26, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Nance, Ford did not become Vice-President because he was the Speaker of the House. Carl Albert (D-OK) was Speaker at that time. Ford was appointed by Nixon and had to be confirmed by both the Senate and House. When he ascended to the Oval Office, Ford chose Nelson Rockefeller as his VP. Rockefeller also had to go through a Congressional confirmation.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pmThanks, spit…that was what I was looking for.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pmthanks, spit take, don’t know where I got the idea, Ford was Speaker. Now that you mentioned Nelson Rockefeller, I remember him now.
June 26th, 2007 at 1:02 pmHere. The following is for Dana Perino, Bush, Cheney, and any of the chowderheads that support them.
It is from CONGRESS FOR KIDS (wanted to keep it at their academic level)
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention also wanted to divide power within the federal government.
They did not want these powers to be controlled by just one man or one group.
The delegates were afraid that if a small group received too much power, the United States would wind up under the rule of another dictator or tyrant.
From CONGRESS FOR KIDS
http://congressforkids.net/ Constitution_threebranches.htm
June 26th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
June 26th, 2007 at 1:28 pmCONGRESS FOR KIDS
http://congressforkids.net/ Constitution_threebranches.htm
June 26th, 2007 at 1:30 pmConstitution for KIDS
http://congressforkids.net/ Constitution_threebranches.htm
June 26th, 2007 at 1:57 pmDumb Dick,
June 26th, 2007 at 2:36 pmYou can’t have it both ways ANY LONGER. You’ll have to hire LOTS of hitmen to keep your soggy ass out of the clink.
Good luck with that, baboon heart boy!!!
Well, well, well…The Cheney story is really starting to get “legs”–most MSM outlets seem to be giving it at least some coverage. Way to go, Washington Post! And Dick: You’ve achieved the anatomically impossible: You have, indeed, f****d yourself.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:40 pmHere.
I have prepared a test for anyone who wants to take it. It will help clear up our current constitutional crisis.
Please visit the following URL
https://www.quizlab.com/ secured/ authenticate_limited.cfm
Your user name is 2COOL4SKOOL
The password is lamebrain
Please log in and click on “ASSIGNMENTS†to take the quiz.
Thank you.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:51 pmhttps://www.quizlab.com/ secured/ authenticate_limited.cfm
June 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pmhttps://www.quizlab.com/secured/ authenticate_limited.cfm
Sorry, it truncated
June 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pmSigh. Can we impeach this felonius Dick now?
June 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pmJonah Goldberg even said it was a silly arguement, for Darth to say he was not part of the Executive branch.
June 26th, 2007 at 3:04 pmThese people lie with impugnity and nothing is done about it. They know they have a free pass. The Dems are too busy selling out the people they’re supposed to represent to care about the Constitution.
Viva the new third-world, latino U. S. of Mexico.
June 26th, 2007 at 5:22 pmI’m truly curious…has anyone seen the right wing talking points on this one? I havent heard anything yet resembling a coherent argument…snow saying “that was different because it involved outside people who had no obligation to make thier deliberations public” makes no sense at all… regardless of whatever components were involved, cheney still claimed executive privledge as part of his argument…
could cheney have {gasp] finally made a claim that even the trolliest of trolls find indefensible?
June 26th, 2007 at 5:58 pmBut what branch of the government does Blackwater belong to?
June 26th, 2007 at 6:41 pmHas anyone read the NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51 and HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20 which are available on whitehouse.gov?
It’s a great read. Those who want to know where the country is headed should read it. The President will control and defend the constitution if another national security or natural disaster takes place.
Keep in mind if this President doesn’t get to use it, the next will.
US Constitution out the window? RonPaul2008.com
June 26th, 2007 at 11:56 pmWhy the White House goons aren’t impeached and tried for the crimes they have committed is beyond me. Every day people in the US are reminded of the tragic waste that is Iraq (aka Vietnam Mark II), yet you do nothing but whine about the people who started it all (hint, its not Bin Laden or his ilk).
Get them out and restore your Constitution before the next disaster allows them unlimited powers over you.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:03 amthanks for the interesting info
June 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pmExecutive Branch: Headed by the president. The president carries out federal laws and recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties. Powers include directing government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with international powers, acting as chief law enforcement officer, and vetoing laws.
Legislative Branch: Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).
Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding cases involving states’ rights
http://congressforkids.net/ Constitution_threebranches.htm
June 27th, 2007 at 3:03 pmCheney is easily the crookedest and most unethical politician that I have ever witnessed in my life. At ever juncture of unethical activity in the U.S. government since Watergate (and Watergate included) that little SOB has at least been lurking in the distance. I have been investigating him since the days of Nixon (yes, he was around then) and he ain’t nothing but a snake in the grass and a draft dodging piece of shit. He is easily the only national office holder that I have ever seen that is actually worthy of assassination even AFTER he has left office and has no secret service protection. I mean, if he ain’t part of the executive branch, he doesn’t deserve protection. HE NEEDS IT, but he don’t deserve it. He is a one-cell cancer on the body of the American society and an absolute joke of an administrator. He has no sense of public trust. Absolutely worthless. And a thief, through abuse of power.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:00 am