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!

c-span 3 on Cheney’s creation of new “secret” classification investigation.

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%

Comment by Wilco — July 12, 2007 @ 11:56 am

Did you read Bob’s comment. Comment by Bob — July 12, 2007 @ 11:50 am
That nailed it; thanks Bob

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.

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.

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.
The 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.

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.

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).

(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.

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.

Comment by Moderation — July 12, 2007 @ 10:28 am

Good one.

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…