Posted on 05/26/2006 6:50:32 AM PDT by cougar_mccxxi
WASHINGTON — President Bush stepped into the Justice Department's constitutional confrontation with Congress on Thursday and ordered that documents seized in an FBI search of a congressman's office be sealed for 45 days.
"The Department of Justice's search was part of an important investigation of alleged public corruption. At the same time, the bipartisan leadership of the House of Representatives believe the search violated the constitutional principle of separation of powers and the speech and debate clause of the Constitution," according to the president's statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Does anyone else here smell a rat?
This is a blasphemy to the constitution.......
What the h*ll is the President playing at? Are Senators above the law?
Yes, of course.
I'm certain that the same courtesy would be extended to a Republican congressman, or even to common folk, like you and me.
/S
.
Regardless of his reasons for this, Bush pisses me off on this one. That demRat needs to be nailed on this and I don't care how many repubs get exposed as well.
You mean the ones screaming "unfair revenge target of the EEEVEEEEL administration!"? I cannot BELIEVE Hastert gave the media the excuse to use the "both sides of the isle say this is going too far" schtick.
Yo Hastert, if it had been a Republican there'd have been people in the streets screaming for his head ever since the NG asset crap in New Orleans. The man is a disgrace and you should be ashamed for taking ANY stance in his favor.
Because Hastert said the FBI search and siezure of the documents was unconstitutional. I'm as mystified as you WHY he took this stance. Maybe Hastert's got a few extra goodies in HIS freezer.
If Clinton did something like this, we would be screaming bloody murder. I'm long past the point where I'm willing to give a politician a pass for behavior because of party affiliation.
"Because Hastert said the FBI search and siezure of the documents was unconstitutional. I'm as mystified as you WHY he took this stance."
You're not mystified. You know the answer, you typed it. Not only does Hastert have a few extra goodies, I'd be willing to bet that the congress critter without the extras in the freezer is the exception.
What this does, is fuel the perception of a republican led congress being extrordinarily corrupt. November could be very ugly indeed.
Nice job fat Denny.
"I'm long past the point where I'm willing to give a politician a pass for behavior because of party affiliation."
Excellent! That is as it should be. One of the things that irritates me the most is when for example, a republican does something... the immediate defense is to point out when a democrat did something worse. BS! Right is right, wrong is wrong. I would rather have a democrat with integrity, (I know, I know, kind of like a unicorn), than a republican who is a crook.
I vote first on character. Party is second.
Everyone settle down - this was a brilliant political move by the President.
He effectively took this story off the front page, saved idiots like Haskert from self-distructing, and allows the search to stand. Time will show that this move was the right one.
Nice move Mr. President.
Government by the ruling class, of the ruling class, for the ruling class.
We are no longer in the equation folks.
Our trips to the ballot box only slightly change the political landscape between 2 parties.
While we have benefited by USSC appointments (that is a big one), GWBs position on the War On Terror (1000% better than the Dems), all else seems like it was directed by a socialist enclave.
I want to know who is being protected by this 45 day cover up. How long does it take for paper shredders, magic marker redacting, e-mail deletions to take place? In 45 days, Hillary could rewrite the history of the USA and make the MSM believe it.
Not to change the subject but maybe the documents Sandy Berger stole were sealed as well, hence nothing ever came of that either...
Exactly. The team of Dennis and Nancy show the average American - who gets fined for forgetting to put on the seat belt 'cause the government knows beter than we do, that politicians are a protected class which answers to "no controlling legal authority"
Hastert did the Republican party a world of hurt.
I vote first on character. Party is second.
and upright character is certainly scare these days
scare=scarce
Hastert's request was foolish, but Bush is doing the right thing. The courts can decide who is right and the evidence will most likely be used. It's a healthy respect shown for Congress' claim.
"Government by the ruling class, of the ruling class, for the ruling class.
We are no longer in the equation folks."
They know the rules and are all to willing to abuse them. This is on the same plane as the Patrick Kennedy assertion that he was heading to a vote when he crashed. If the claim hadn't be so overtly laughable, it would have worked. And provided yet another avenue for an elected official to avoid being subject to the same rules as the rest of us.
The good ol boys club protecting the good ol boys club.
Political arrogance is being displayed at it's greatest right now.
How can a corruption investigation move forward if there is interferance from the top?
Average citizens in the same position woiuld be indicted for obstruction of justice.
This case of corruption goes way beyond Jefferson I am thinking. Otherwise why would Republican(s) come to the aid of a Democrat? If it were the other way Demons would be jumping all over a Repub with the least shread of evidence. I smell a rat too.
What happens when the government decides it is above the law?
Not just acting outside of its constitutional authority, which has been happening, but in direct violation of written law.
I think this action would cause Clair Wolf's clock to advance out of the awkward period.
I tend to agree with you .. because the President doesn't do things without consulting legal counsel .. I wish people would remember that instead of flying off the handle and using everything Bush does as some kind of "there he goes again" action.
Just another excuse to BASH-Bush!
The one that really gets me is mandatory air bags - a system designed to force safety on those who won't wear seat belts, and which will decapitate a child or even small adult sitting in the front seat. So this "safety system" has indeed murdered some children, and kids can no longer safely ride in a front seat. AND there is no outrage.
"I vote first on character. Party is second."
Same here. Never have voted a straight ticket and never will. 3rd party anyone? There is plenty of time and the pickings are ripe.
Right on CyberAnt -
Most people (on subjects like this) simply REACT - they don't think about the issue - the ramifications - and the benefit of letting emotions subside - and reason enter the equation.
Bush always takes his time
This has been discussed ad infinitum here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1638257/posts
Yep. W ceded nothing. The DOJ will get the docs and precedent will have been set in the event other congresscritters are hiding evidence in their offices. ;^)
Exactly
Enough with the strategery and poker talk. This was a foolish move by the president. This stinks to high heaven and it looks like elites covering for one another. The Department of Justice has established precedent for investigating our "betters". They caught the guy red handed with $90 large, the president seals the investigation and you think this is good for the country? The president has abused his authority by interfering in a legal federal investigation.
I am truly amazed at how many FReepers believe this is good for the country. FReepers used to support the rule of law. We demanded it during the Clinton administration. Now we look the other way on illegal immigration and support the president when he stops the legal investigation of a dirty politician. What will you not accept?
Like, perhaps, this investigation: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1638463/posts
Your nuts - the President is in charge of Executive branch - and guess what genius - the Judiciary reports to the executive.
You need a civics lesson
Oh, as to the leak investigation, here is a fun place with lots of neat inside skinny and probably some speculation: http://macsmind.blogspot.com/
Sorry to diasgree, Goose, but the president did not make a nice move here, once again he has ticked off a large part of his base.
The constitution is clear and he should have pointed that out to these screamin, whining senators and representatives. Senators and reps are NOT immune to search if it envolves a felony. There is nothing murky or unclear about it. President Bush screwed up here and you have to wonder why.
What the hell is this. Has President Bush lost his mind? Is this the beginning of politicians who will be above the law. No longer subject to investigation and court ordered warrants are meaningless. Bush, is making a mistake. Too many mistakes lately.
Sorry, I agree this was a good move by Bush. It gives those dumbe@$$ republicans in the House a chance to climb off the ledge. Meanwhile Justice takes it to Court and wins. If and when (I believe) Justice takes it to Court, that will be Bush telling them they aren't above the law.
"Never have voted a straight ticket and never will."
It looks like we won't be able to vote straight ticket in Missouri anymore even if we wanted to.
http://www.senate.mo.gov/06info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=83706
"The act repeals provisions that allow straight ticket voting."
With any luck, since Bush is involved, maybe the press will bash him daily for obstructing the FBI in the investiagation OF A FELONIOUS, CORRUPT, BRIBE TAKING RAT for 45 more days.
If Reno had searched Delay or Gingrich's office I'd like to think Freepers would be "screaming bloody murder".
But apparently not.
The president did not stop the investigation of anyone. He took the Congressional claim seriously and sealed the documents for 45 days, until a court can decide if Congress' claim has any validity. That IS the rule of law. Jefferson's investigation certainly can wait 45 days and it sounds like he is totally nailed already on other evidence.
Exactly "brownsfan"! My thoughts when I heard this were: If he was so drunk or stoned to be driving like he did then how did he have the presence of mind to play his "get out of jail free" card.
Wait=stop. Those sealed records can not be viewed by the investigators for at least 45 days. So as it relates to investigating those records the investigation has been stopped.
big deal.
More 'new tone in Washington' crap from the President.
You raised the point.
45 days re one part of the evidence is insignificant. They will not indict the guy for a year anyway.
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