Senate conservatives rush to Cheney’s defense.
By on Jul 12th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Senate conservatives rush to Cheney’s defense.
Roll Call reports, “As the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares today to take up the financial services and general government spending bill, Republicans on and off the panel are expected to vigorously oppose a Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) provision that prohibits funding for the Office of the Vice President until Cheney complies with an executive order issued by former President Bill Clinton and renewed by President Bush.”
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You do that Republicans. Defend Cheney and his funding as hard as you’ve ever defended anything! Make it a truly ugly and public fight.
:-)
July 12th, 2007 at 10:17 amC’est res amusant!
July 12th, 2007 at 10:17 amOr tres amusant.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:18 amWell, that’ll give you the names of the real scum.
What there’s a need for is a Take Back the GOP movement. Remember these goons came to Washington promising honesty, integrity, and truth in government. There are small c conservatives who still pray for those values; they need to be enlisted in a war to rid the Republican party of these carpetbagging scum.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:18 amNow if only we can enlist the small l liberals to help the small c conservatives to rid both parties of the liars, cheaters and scum then we might have something to be happy about.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:23 amSo when are the Democrats going to flex their muscles.
The conservative Republicans keep using procedural moves to require a 60 vote majority to pass legislation.
This is a great time to use your muscle Democrats! The Republicans don’t have a 60 vote majority. So simply refuse to pass the legislation. Guess what happens. Cheney’s office and other Republican administration offices don’t get their money! Until the Democrats start showing some backbone, they are going to be frustrated at every turn.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:24 amGo right ahead, Republicans. If you prevent this bill from passing, no appropriations will be assigned at all…until a bill is passed. This is why the appropriations power, coupled with inherent contempt, should be the tools of choice. I am utterly delighted that Conyers has acknowledged he is fully aware of, and looking like he may have to use, inherent contempt.
So really, push hard, Republicans. Protect one of the least popular politicians to ever fill VP in our entire history. Tie Dick Cheney around your neck, and see what the hell happens. Think you can swim, or even float with THAT weighing you down? Good luck.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:28 amOkay, Senators. Let’s have an up and down vote. No fillabusters… just an up and down vote. Oppose this provision and the voters will be reminded of who supports traitors just in time for the 2008 elections.
Republicans – weak on national security.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:29 amGo ahead dems, push this ridiculous measure all the way, make it front-page news, because Americans dont give one shiite about things like this, its why the congressional numbers are in the tank.
Keep getting NOTHING done as you have done so far in your dem-controlled houses and watch what happens. Sink or swim, as you say, and Ill have fun watching the hysterical splashing.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:32 amRepublicans – weak on national security.
Weak on America.
Weak on Ethics.
Weak on Following Law.
Weak on Humanity.
Weak on Compassion.
Strong on Cronyism.
Strong on Killing and War.
Strong on Fascism.
Strong on Obstructionism.
Strong on Lying.
Strong on Subversion of our Constitution.
Republicans = The Death of America.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:34 amRepublicans are criminals. The ‘less of two evils’ no longer applies. Republicans have no respect for The Law.
If the corrupt republicans are allowed to continue, the terrorist win.
It’s no coincidence that the worst attack in US history came during republican control of congress with a republican (incompetent) president.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:35 amTruly the worst Admimistration in history along with all of the puppets
July 12th, 2007 at 10:38 amAhhh how we long for the days of intern hummers and intelligence in the oval office. Chimpy and his junta are f**king this country! At least Clinton restricted that to his women. “He lied under oath.” So, what, Chimpy has lied everywhere else; and about things that really affect our lives.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:43 amCorrupt supporting corrupt. How appropriate.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:44 amSince the only power left to Democrats without the 60 vote override is symbolic moves to stop the Bush/Cheney proliferation of stealing from the Treasury, I say, GO FOR IT. Symbolism is good and the drip drip of these moves sends a message that Dems are indeed relevant and Repugs are put on notice that the gravy train will be stopped a bit later, ( Nov.’08) but it WILL be stopped. King and Vice have had their way and put America’s debt at an all time high. Fattest cats are fatter still and 95% or more of the rest of us are so rope-a doped, they don’t know what hit them. The get out of taxes for the huber rich is obscene. The middle class has vanished by exploding healthcare costs and the insane war profiteers are do the rest. Yes, cut off the VP’s nuts, er, millions in enabling slush money.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:45 amDirty Dick’s defense will be go fcuk yourself.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:49 am“The people can always be brought to the bidding of their leaders. All you have to do is tell them that they are in danger of being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.”
July 12th, 2007 at 10:51 amA quote that this Adminisration holds near and dear. Who wrote it?
Hermann Groening-German Nazi marshal/politician
it just makes sense Cheney should have to 1) define what branch he’s part of and 2) adhere to the rules of that branch… why don’t Republicants have an issue with Cheney having his cake (salary) and eating it, too?
July 12th, 2007 at 10:53 amCheney still has his puppets. Wonder how long he can keep them?
July 12th, 2007 at 11:13 amwhy don’t Republicants have an issue with Cheney having his cake (salary) and eating it, too?
It’s the party of ‘Have your cake and eat it too’:
Pro-life but support Death Penalty
Research is immoral but killing innocent people on the other side of the world in false defence of our freedom is not only ok but promoted
Talk of ‘Family Values’ and abstinace only while visiting prostitutes
Condemn embrionic research while using that same research to increase fertility
Condemn extra-marital affairs while having extra-marital affairs
Republicans are hypocritical and therefore immoral.
Oh, and please, let’s not leave it to Cheney to define what branch he’s in. That must be written down somewhere. Anyone seen the Constitution lately? Who left it laying around and didn’t put it back where it belongs?
July 12th, 2007 at 11:24 amTo Bob –
Don’t forget — if it was the last administration and Al Gore was ducking a subpoena by claiming he wasn’t part of the exec branch, the Repubs would be clamoring for his head. But when Cheney does it, it’s OK.
Sheesh! And the conservative trolls accuse US of employing double standards…
July 12th, 2007 at 11:27 amThis will make for some great clips on The Daily Show!
July 12th, 2007 at 11:31 amGood one.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:31 amWait, let me give it a try:
(Ahem) Dick Cheney is a man. A ‘Muhricun man, m’kay…
……………………………Uh…………………………
So, in closing…if you don’t fund this ‘Muhricun man, then you’re not funding ‘Muhricuh! And um…well…God Bless ‘Muhricuh.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:36 amNot to sound too trollish, but didn’t the Veep admit he’s in the executive?
July 12th, 2007 at 11:37 amAnd isn’t it the President who dictates terms of his own orders? He came out and stated the order didn’t apply to Cheney’s office. I’m not defending Bush, but respecting precedent. It seems counterproductive to take this course, just more politics.
If it was the last admin they would have been impeached years ago. Like for allowing 9/11: not sufficiently protecting the citizens of the United States, failing to uphold the Constitution.
Of course there is no way a republican congress would allow Al Gore so much secret power as VP, but of course they will filibuster any atempt to quell the power that Cheney falsely claims. They must be glad they didn’t go with the ‘nuclear option’ (that was never really an option–it was an idle threat).
July 12th, 2007 at 11:39 amMind you, I think the Nat’l Archives should be allowed in. I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be given access to determine that proper procedures are in place to keep classified information classified.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:42 amIt was Cheney himself who had a spy in his office! You’d think this would be a priority for him.
Well, for any other veep, that is.
“Go ahead dems, push this ridiculous measure all the way, make it front-page news”
Man, I hope they do. It will highlight the lawlessness of this administration and Cheney’s silliness in even pretending that he’s not part of the Executive Branch.
“because Americans dont give one shiite about things like this”
Actually, they do, which is why Cheney’s numbers are in the tank and why, based on some polls, the majority of Americans want Cheney impeached.
“its why the congressional numbers are in the tank.”
Nope. Congressional numbers are in the tank primarily because Democrats and Independents are disappointed that Congressional Democrats aren’t going after Bush and Cheney aggressively enough.
“Keep getting NOTHING done as you have done so far in your dem-controlled houses”
Actually, the Democratically controlled House has been quite successful at getting legislation passed. The Senate, on the other hand, plays by different rules and Republican Senators have been quite successful at blocking nearly all legislation. They’re even quite proud of this and have publicly bragged about it. The problem for them is that the legislation they are blocking is, for the most part, quite popular, which means that the attack ads pretty much write themselves. It will be interesting to see how their tactics change as we get closer to the 2008 election.
“and watch what happens. Sink or swim, as you say, and Ill have fun watching the hysterical splashing.”
LOL… I don’t think those splashing will be who you think they are.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:45 am#
Not to sound too trollish, but didn’t the Veep admit he’s in the executive?
And isn’t it the President who dictates terms of his own orders? He came out and stated the order didn’t apply to Cheney’s office. I’m not defending Bush, but respecting precedent. It seems counterproductive to take this course, just more politics.
Comment by Wilco — July 12, 2007 @ 11:37 am
You do sound trollish.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:45 amThe VP has violated the law. Both the President and Vice President have violated their oaths of office…kind of like lying while taking an oath, so not so unlike lying under oath. They swore to protect and defend the constitution, while fully intending to do no such thing.
funky p,
July 12th, 2007 at 11:49 amin this particular instance, what law has the veep violated? He’s refusing to follow an executive order that doesn’t apply to him?
I don’t get it.
I know, I know, he’s a horrible person!
I completely agree!
He shot his friend in the face, and his friend apologized to HIM!
I’d love to see him out of office. I can’t wait for 08.
but in this instance, he’s broken no law I know of. And that’s the issue at hand, right?
If the Dems want him gone, don’t pussyfoot around it by defunding his office, just impeach the man!
“Not to sound too trollish, but didn’t the Veep admit he’s in the executive?”
I don’t think so. If I recall correctly, all that happened is that his spokesman changed tactics and stated that Cheney simply was not covered by this executive order. I don’t think they ever admitted just how foolish their original claim was nor did they back off from it; they just quietly stopped making it.
“And isn’t it the President who dictates terms of his own orders?”
Well, yes and no. If his original order had clearly stated that his office and Cheney’s office were not involved, Cheney would be in the clear. It didn’t, though, which means that you have to go by the plain meaning of the text, which means that Cheney’s office is clearly covered. After-the-fact “reinterpretation” of existing executive orders is one of those gray areas, particularly when that reinterpretation defies common sense and a plain reading of the text. I suspect Cheney is on pretty shaky ground.
“It seems counterproductive to take this course, just more politics.”
Of course it’s politics. I’ll go even farther and state that it’s political theater, not really intended to win, necessarily. What it is designed to do is to highlight the silliness of Cheney’s claims and the lawlessness of the current administration. On that score, I think it succeeds admirably.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:49 amHe came out and stated the order didn’t apply to Cheney’s office. I’m not defending Bush, but respecting precedent. It seems counterproductive to take this course, just more politics.
Comment by Wilco — July 12, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Yea, what like three years after the order was written? He also excluded his own office even though that office has complied with the order. They are just reto-fitting the order to agree with their procedure. Much like when they violated the law for warrentless wiretapping then had Congress re-write the law so what they do is no longer illegal.
Again, republicans are criminals, and there is plenty of proof that they are damaging the Rule of Law.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:50 amPaul B, I get your point, but what’s the point in going after this?
July 12th, 2007 at 11:52 amWouldn’t it just take an addendum or a new executive order then to state Cheney is excluded?
And who is going to enforce the original order?
The Nat’l Archives are run by the Executive. They would have to appeal to the executive if anyone defied the executive order. How far would they get?
I’m not disputing that this admin and plenty of other elected Reps have severely damanged this country, but any president should have the right to interpret his executive orders as he sees fit. They’re his orders. Congress should not intervene like this.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:56 amMaybe I’m wrong, but Congress has no hand in the enforcement of executive orders. That’s strictly the job of the executive itself.
I’m not disputing that this admin and plenty of other elected Reps have severely damanged this country, but any president should have the right to interpret his executive orders as he sees fit. They’re his orders. Congress should not intervene like this.
Maybe I’m wrong, but Congress has no hand in the enforcement of executive orders. That’s strictly the job of the executive itself.
Comment by Wilco — July 12, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Did you read Bob’s comment. Comment by Bob — July 12, 2007 @ 11:50 am
July 12th, 2007 at 12:09 pmThat nailed it; thanks Bob
It’s unbelievable that Republicans will publicly defend a man who violates our laws, and the MSM says nothing substantive about it. When are we going to hold the press accoutable? Anybody for a boycott?
July 12th, 2007 at 12:28 pmWatch how loudly the GOP will be clamoring to rein in all those unchecked powers-found nowhere in the Constitution-the next President will be set to take from W’s precedents the closer we get to the November 2008 elections
A President Hillary, with the same unchecked powers W’s trying to grant himself, and the ability to warrantlessly spy on, say, the NRA, is absolute anathema to W’s GOP & Lunatic Neocon Enablers
It’s only W with these powers that’s acceptable to the dead-end 26%
July 12th, 2007 at 1:21 pmhttp://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3
c-span 3 on Cheney’s creation of new “secret” classification investigation.
July 12th, 2007 at 1:26 pmCan the President write an exectutive order like this:
People whose skin absorbs more light than it reflects HAVE TO comply with this order, while people whose skin reflects more light than it absorbs DO NOT HAVE TO comply with this order.
Just because he can can issue an executive order does not mean that he can issue ones with “illogical” selective enforcement!
Who came up with the CRAZY idea that if something is not explicitly spelled out as being illegal is automatically legal?
If the president and vice president do not have to comply with an executive order, the presdient should state and explain why when issuing the order.
Even though he is the one that issues executive orders, he should not be reinterpeting them after the fact, instead he should cancel the old executive order and issue a new executive order.
But using suspect and unethical legal “technicalities” is Standard Operationg Procedure for the current CRIMINAL administration!
July 12th, 2007 at 1:28 pmAs long as Cheney refuses to obey the law his office should not be funded. He is not above the law. Cheney is clearly a member of the executive branch, and is not in any way a member of the legislative branch. If he wants to be funded he must comply with this order which applies to his office and all entities not just agencies has he has wrongly claimed. If he doesn’t comply Congress must investigate this. If possible a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate this like Plamegate.
July 12th, 2007 at 7:55 pm