Yes, you heard me right. The Supreme Court said in a ruling a coulpe of days ago that President Bush must follow laws passed by Congress, and the world. This came in the form of a ruling saying that prisoners of Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Geneva Conventions (get out!), and that he has to have congressional approval on whatever he does with them. This means that the days of "Well I'm the president, I'll do whatever the hell I want," are over. Now, he's obligated to follow the same rules as any elected official. That is, he has to follow the rules.
Republicans are trying to downplay this defeat (and that's what it is for them) by saying that the Court didn't put a stop to any of George's treatment/conditions of prisoners, but just that they have to get Congress to pass a law o.k.-ing military tribunals. Those Republicans would to well to review the part about the Geneva Conventions applying to these prisoners. That means the White House has been wrong this whole time (about four years) when they said that these prisoners didn't have any such rights. It also means they can't torture these prisoners any more and try to justify it. Wasn't this a great finale for Torture Awareness Month?
What this ruling really does is it sets a standard: The President is not above the law, and he can't just make up his own rules. When you think of it that way, this is a crushing blow to Bush's whole philosophy on how to govern. Now, laws passed by Congress can no longer be ignored. Take for example, Sen. John McCain's bill that bans torture of prisoners in U.S. custody: When he realized he couldn't stop it, Bush just let it get passed, then proceeded to say that he didn't feel obligated to follow it. Maybe now that he's been brought down from his throne, his obligations are a little clearer now, like that obligation the constitution gives him in Article II, Section 3- "He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." That's not the part of the Constitution the Court cited in this ruling, but I think you'll see that rule practiced a little bit more. This was a no brainer for the Supreme Court.
Yet, three justices still voted in the Presidents favor, and a fourth (Chief Justice John Roberts, a Bush appointee), couldn't vote because he'd already ruled in favor of the president in this case while on a lower court. In his dissenting statement, Justice Clarence Thomas said that we should all just "get behind the president", and that he was disgusted that his colleagues were impeding the war effort. Can you say "lackey"? This is exactly what we needed in this time of war.
25 comments:
Will the man ever learn that he is not above the law. The situation in Guantanamo does not sound good most of the time and it is not right that they have not had a chance to go to trial.. The American people would never stand for that for themselves and I know W. would not if he were in the situation they are. GMA
How can this be "exactly what we need in this time of war", as you said? This is the worst thing that could happen in the time of war. Softening up on the enemy. It couldnt get much worse. These damn sheetheads have useful information, and they're not just going to give it to you when you ask nice. They need to be beat.
Chris, why don't you just go live in Cuba, or any dictatorship? I think you'd like it...
I think that was more than a little uncalled for. I don't mind people who disagree with me, but that's just crude. If you don't have the maturity and intellect to comment in at least a semi-decent manner, then just shut the hell up. It's comments like that that make me think about moderating this stuff.
what did they say? was it bing?
Chris, did you leave that second comment that I deleted, because it was under your name. The stuff I deleted was was the rantings and ravings of someone who only knows how to swear and has nothing constructive to bring to this discussion.
New rules for commenting on balanced and unbiased:
1) No racial or religious slurs. If you have a problem with a group of people, say it without degrading terms.
2) Try to limit swearing. I don't mind a moderate amount because I think it shows passion and I don't believe in censorship. But you can't have an intelligent discussion if the only words you know can't be said in church.
As you can see, my rules aren't very strict. If you leave a comment and it isn't up within a day, you can assume that I didin't see fit to allow it, and you should leave a new, reworded comment. If you think it should've been approved, email me. What I'd like to see on these comment pages is an intelligent discussion of ideas that benefits everybody. Disagreement is good, because it makes everybody think, but namecalling achieves nothing.
Yall know what, them arabs are getin a long weeks wages at this gonzales place or whatever. I completely support our good mr. bush in all his hard work against these terrorist killers. Keep up the good work georgey!!
signed,
A faithful citizen to the US gov.
Daniel, your saying you don't belive in censorship but everyone of my posts got deleted? That's hogwash!
But I guess, Karma is a funny thing.
Chris, reread the rules. The comments of yours that I deleted (I allowed some too) definitely didn't comply with rule #1, and in my judgement (the only one that counts here) they didn't contain a limited amount of profanity (rule #2). It also doesn't help your case when all that's directed at me (but I try to be objective).
what the hell!i didnt leave any of that racist crap on here. its someone posing as me. its bill ogrady all over again and im getting blamed. the first message was the only one that was really me. (i did hear a good mexican joke the other day though).
its bill ogrady all over again
exactly what are you saying ...??
The fact is there are at least a dozen people named bill ogrady that will find that comment offensive.
I notice you don't leave your last name!
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
The author of balancedandunbiased.blogspot.com has written an excellent article. You have made your point and there is not much to argue about. It is like the following universal truth that you can not argue with: Intermittent faults will never occur in the presence of a technician Thanks for the info.
http://lumerkoz.edu Great site. Keep doing., http://barborazychova.com/members/Buy-Neurontin.aspx lighter ukans http://www.comicspace.com/buspar/ nakano http://www.comicspace.com/atrovent/ reviewcavan lorry http://www.lovespeaks.org/profiles/blogs/buy-enalapril ched prototyped http://msdnbangladesh.net/members/Buy-Atacand/default.aspx dehydration
balancedandunbiased.blogspot.com is the best. Thank your for this article. I enjoyed it very much.
AAA Toronto Payday Loans 1172 Bay St #101, Toronto, ON M5S 2B4 (416) 477-2817
i definitely adore your own writing type, very useful,
don't give up and also keep creating for the reason that it just simply well worth to read it.
looking forward to see even more of your well written articles, stunning day!
Good afternoon
Http://www.BuySellDirect.net is the one you need to sell your used products FREE and make money at home.
http://www.BuySellDirect.net is what Ebay users need to save paying charges when they sell or not.
catholic dating http://loveepicentre.com/advice.php singles china indian dating
hacking clickbank ebook http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/Schools-Periods-and-Styles/c1345/?page=4 viral treasure hunt for ebook [url=http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/Neil-Leach/m92357/]construction management ebook free download[/url] island of dr moreau free ebook
[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/coumadin.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/9.jpg[/img][/url]
cornerstone pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/relafen.htm port st john pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/cefixime.htm]tricare retail pharmacy[/url]
pharmacy technician job in california http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/lukol.htm online pharmacy prilosec [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/toprol-xl.htm]toprol xl[/url]
pharmacy degree ferris state http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/propranolol.htm walmart villa rica ga pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/calan.htm]compounding pharmacy san diego[/url]
pharmacy jobs sign on bonus in florida http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/refer-a-friend.htm nps pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/topamax.htm]topamax[/url]
dating site for midgets http://loveepicentre.com dating 40 plus
totally free dating online [url=http://loveepicentre.com/testimonials/]sacramento married women dating[/url] dating services burlington ontario
free pagan dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map/]marride dating[/url] free templates for dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/Ekowmo/]Ekowmo[/url] richmond va webcam dating
Post a Comment