Bush gang tries to circumvent Congress on Iraq treaty
By Steve Benen Thursday Mar 06, 2008 7:30amGiven the clarity of Article II, Sec. 2 of the Constitution, and the fairly obvious role Congress is supposed to have in approving treaties, there really shouldn’t be any question about lawmakers’ role in approving a new security agreement struck between the White House and the Maliki government.
But this is Bush we’re talking about, so unambiguous constitutional language may not matter.
The Bush administration yesterday advanced a new argument for why it does not require congressional approval to strike a long-term security agreement with Iraq, stating that Congress had already endorsed such an initiative through its 2002 resolution authorizing the use of force against Saddam Hussein.
The 2002 measure, along with the congressional resolution passed one week after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks authorizing military action “to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States,” permits indefinite combat operations in Iraq, according to a statement by the State Department’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
The statement came in response to lawmakers’ demands that the administration submit to Congress for approval any agreement with Iraq. U.S. officials are traveling to Baghdad this week with drafts of two documents — a status-of-forces agreement and a separate “strategic framework” — that they expect to sign with the Iraqi government by the end of July. It is to go into effect when the current U.N. mandate expires Dec. 31.
Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-N.Y.), whose questions at a House hearing Tuesday elicited the administration statement, described it as an “open-ended, never-ending authority for the administration to be at war in Iraq forever with no limitations.” The conditions of 2002 no longer exist, he said.
“I don’t think anybody argues today that Saddam Hussein is a threat,” Ackerman said. “Is it the government of Iraq that’s a threat?”
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If I'm a reporter, I'm immediately getting positions from both Democratic candidates on Iraq occupation.
And we're surprised by this...why?
This has Dick Cheney's finger prints all over it. That treasonous bastard has been trying to usurp the Constitution for 30 years.
In GW Bush he found a mindless foil to fulfill his wet dream of unlimited executive power.
Well...when that troublesome checks & balances thingy gets in the way of corporate windfall war profiteering..... you just have to have a right wingnut majority on the Supreme Court and the rule of law...can become your own personal toy....
Wow...aren't Republicans just great....they just love laws & constitution...whew!
Hussein AND Proud @ 2:
Cheney = ventriloquist GWBush = Grandpa Prescott Yale Trustee paid 'degree' dummy
Article II, Section 2 - Article II, Section 2 - Article II, Section 2. It's all there in black and white and there's NO WAY this liar can spin it this time.
osiris @ 5:
George doesn't read. He's already admitted that.
Is the Constitution available as a picture book?
right wing hater @ 4:
The Apple doesn't fall far from the tree - We all know saggy, baggy old crone Pappy Bush is the Little Man Behind the Curtain at Oz! He's been trying to complete his grandpappy's job of overthrowing this democracy since the 40's. (Google Prescott Bush) He, along with his cohort, Herbert Walker, (yes, his other grandpappy!) were trading with the Nazis. Now we find that Marc Grossman has been trading with the enemy in Jr.'s name.
Ever since the Kennedy Assassination where Pappster Bush was head of the CIA, he's been working the scenes from behind to cover up, contort, twist, and otherwise defraud the public and slowly convert this democracy to pure fascism with a unitary executive rule.
Can't wait to see how these sickos like it when Obama takes over! All their criminal tactics will still be permitted by the rules, laws, and treaties they've overturned and will be used against every last one of them. And, yes, even senile old pappy bush will pay.
let us hope that Clinton is not able to usurp the nomination and hand the white house over to McCain.....no doubt Mccain will accept, amplify and protect whatever bush is able to scramble together in this regard (we know how much he cherishes the idea of eternal war-- and why-- he would have been ejected from the senate as the crook that he is (and was caught red handed), but for the pity-engendering torture he endured in another war... Mccain would be in jail had it not been for war...
Which congress critters should we email, fax, telephone etc.?
I want to make sure my concerns will be ignored by the right people.
Check out the video on Eschaton of Tom Friedman on Charlie Rose...spinning as fast as he can to tell why he is certain that invading Iraq was the "right thing to do"...he's come up with a whole new defense for his prez and the gang...now, I usually like the civilized conversations that Charlie Rose has with his guests BUT, my GOD, if he didn't challenge that crap he doesn't deserve to be on the air!
The Constitution is so pre-9/11.
[sigh]
I am neither surprised nor much outraged...and that is what's so sad about this.
What these fascistas underestimated was the importance of the Mid Term Elections. They'd decided NOT to hack the Diebold machines so their little charade would not be uncovered and boasted about winning, thinking they had it made in the shade (They'd contaminated the DOJ and Congress and were getting away with murder). That Congress needs a full investigation to unseat the GOP criminals who were aiding and abetting as traitors to our constitution.
They would have had it all quite handily sewn up by now if not for this major underestimation and blunder in not hacking the voting machines. They're working on the "fix" right now - doing little here and there in the primaries - again for the very same reason.
It's called the "winning the war vs. winning the battle" mentality. You can count of massive election fraud via hacking of the Opti-Scan machines in November! In fact, I think we can take it to the bank since these are very desperate people seeking very desperate measures. They're already trying to spin a near 50/50 race and we don't even have a Dem candidate. This absolutely CANNOT be a true poll and the people know it.
You do the math - 23% registered Repukes; 38% Registered Dems; 39% Registered Independents. There is NO WAY that the majority (20%) of Unaffiliated Voters would choose McTorture over Clinton or Obama. It's fuzzy math and does not compute. So when you hear that the race is close, don't believe it for a moment.
In order for the hack to go undetected by the public, the polls must show that the candidates are neck in neck. This is patently untrue right now and will be even more untrue when the election rolls around. Do not believe a word of it.
Joementum @ 9:
ROFLMAO
I feel just that way, after spending a lot of time on the phone on immunity....they're gonna roll over anyways...
what is going on up there in DC
I was thrilled to see Obama get in to vote against it at the last minute....but less than 40 senators voted against it?
and now the house is gonna roll over?
they all seem to be clueless...
osiris @ 12:
I disagree.
I know many Obama supporters (personally, not via blogs) who support Obama but would tune out of a Clinton/Mccain race, seeing it as same old same old...
Conversely, I know many people who regard Mccain rather highly (to my astonishment)...as if all the crookery, the bribes, the lobbyists, just don't matter to them......my take on it is that he's got a teflon shield of pity through which people assess his character, and because he's such a pitiful man (the torture, the arms), they just can't say or feel anything bad about him, whatever evidence of corruption is irrefutable...
So it's big business for all the war profiteers and fuck the world. Sounds like the ideal shrub co. arrangement.
Totally illegal, benefiting a chosen few, detrimental to everyone else.
Perpetual war until the country collapses. Heck of a job shrub.
this is great news,this admin and gop party keep shooting themselves in the foot with crap like this.
Couldn't happen at a better time. I say keep it up for another 6 or 7 months.
No surprises here. Almost since Day One, the Bush administration has been using every trick it can possibly get away with (such as signing statements and recess appointments) in their efforts to do an end-run around Congress and thereby undermine their authority. Bush has shown very clearly that he does not respect the Constitution or the system of checks and balances which our Founding Fathers put in place as a form of governmental oversight. Let's face it -- if Bush could have his way, he wouldn't be our President...he would be our king. To make matters worse, Congress has been letting him get away with it for the most part. For pity's sake, what good does it do for Congress to have teeth if they refuse to use them? If Congress is angry at Bush for usurping their power, then why don't they impeach him?!?!? They have the right and the authority to do that.
I'm not sure which is more pathetic; the Republicans who either choose to ignore/are completely unaware of the fascist tendencies of this administration, or the Democrats who believe either Hillary or Obama are our path out of the mire.
"The statement came in response to lawmakers’ demands..." Posting which "lawmakers" demanding might be a service to us all. My treasonous senators and "representative" are too busy licking their master's (Bush and Cheney) feet, so I know it isn't them. It'd be nice to know who to support.
Hussein AND Proud @ 6:
You know, the worse the stuff this administration does, the higher the chances that impeachment might work. Their stupidity and our perseverance may actually be enough to keep McCain out of office if we impeach his twin brother.
WTF!?! Everday somethin else makes me wish ill on these fuckers!
Today, I wish that the fleas of 1000 camels infest Bush and Cheneys armpits!
Can boosh even spell circumnavigate?
He can't even circumnavigate the oval office couch when he's on a bender.
USSalkaselsior @ 19:
Don't ever think for a second that the ones running this administration are stupid...they're quite the evil geniuses (except Bush, obviously) and have been planning this shit for a LONG time.
We have our work cut out for us ladies and gentlemens...if we want this nation to survive.
liberalNmoderation @ 20:
I'd say their crotches.
Take away their "war", and all you have left is the flag and the Bible.
The remedy is very simple (and long overdue): impeachment. But the Democrats have no will and no spine, and that's why they're equally complicit in this country's present climate.
liberalNmoderation @ 22:
True, it's just so absurd how far their going, there's got to be some point at which the public will break and realize how bad this shit really is. How long have politics based on fear lasted in the past? I mean we knew this was going to happen when 9-11 hit, the government always uses events like that to coerce the people with fear tactics. How long can we expect fear to keep working? Already the economy has surpassed the iraq war on many polls.
George Bush truly thinks he's a king. His whole life sycophants and Daddy always got him out of trouble. He surrounds himself with toadies and yesmen. I am truly frightened.
Why are we always surprised that they keep doing these things? They keep doing them because every single day they get up and they go back to our White House and nobody stops them. It's as simple as that.
Like a sociopath increasingly escalating the violence they inflict on their victims, Bush/Cheney have continually increased the outrageousness of their attacks on the Constitution and the rule of law.
Like the sociopaths they are, Bush/Cheney will never stop willingly. The day they stop is the day they are stopped. Until then, they will keep getting up every day and going back in and doing worse and worse things, both to this nation and the world.
Dead bodies piling up will not stop them. Our country in shambles will not stop them. Our military ruined will not stop them.
And the election will not stop them either, which is why, as soon as McCain had it locked up, we're suddenly hearing terrorist attack noises again. I thought the mysterious Ricin was a nice touch. They couldn't do anthrax without reminding people of how they quit bothering to even look for the Anthrax Killer, but they could do Ricin in New York. And a military guy letting us in on how much Al Queda hearts the Dems, probably because Al Queda has had such runaway success at recruiting under the Republicans that they're having growth managment issues and need a break.
At some point, we're going to have to quit talking and take action. Because if they are not forcibly stopped, they will never stop willingly. And McCain will only continue what is being done now.
This is precisely why neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton are about change. I suspect this whole notion of "change" is the same as the Right's notion of "abortion". It's worth talking about to get votes but not worth enough to do something about. Both these candidates know that We the People will do nothing to effect change for ouselves except cast a vote or two and punch keys in front of our computers. Our democracy and our Constitution was stolen right out from under us the moment the U.S. Supreme Court stepped outside the bounds of its Constitutional limitations in 2000 to dismiss our electoral process and appoint George W. Bush president and we did NOTHING! And so today we read about something like this and none of us are shocked. Our attitude is that this isn't news because it's what we've come to expect. It's merely a reality we've chosen to live with. SHAME ON ALL OF US! Now, we give ourselves permission to get angry at the Administration and our spineless Congress rather than do anything else.
"The conditions of 2002 no longer exist, he said."
It can be shown that they *never* existed. Here's an idea Congress.....REPEAL THE AUTHORITY. I'm no expert, but surely Congress can do that? But of course, the reality is that this current bunch of do-nothings *won't* do anything. Bah humbug.
Granted that Bush/Cheney have been disastrous for this country and McCain will continue their traditions, anyone who believes that Obama and/or Clinton don't also have their own evil agenda's has been smoking way too much cow waste.
ysbaddaden @ 23:
Yes! Even better! Crotches it is then!
So it has been written, so it shall be done!
Come on fleas!!!
I would like to ask all patriotic Americans to sign off on their messages with the words 'FUCK BUSH'
Yes, instead of ending your message by signing your name at the end, from now on sign off with the much more relavant 'FUCK BUSH'.
With any luck this will spread like a VIRUS.
FUCK BUSH
jdw @ 33:
Like Larry Craig has spare time on his hands.
I would much prefer
Indict Bush
Realist @ 31:
To say that about Clinton is one thing...
To say it about Obama is cynical and unfounded.....I'm no zombie, I know he's human, but to suggest his level of corruption comes even close to that of Clinton or McCain is not realism but misanthropic cynicism
xoites Hussein defends Constitution @ 34:
That works too. Also, Impeach Bush or any variant of that. If one doesn't have much time just sign off with the shortcut, FB or IB or KB...
Bush has never liked unambiguous constitutional language, as in you are required to get a warrent before wiretapping otherwise you are breaking the law. those laws are for other people.
This list is worth a look. It lists the crimes, misdeeds and blunders of the Bush Cabal
ohio progressive @ 35:
The level of corruption is what Obama is talking about when he talks about change, he just can't say it explicitly. Yes, part of why he uses it is for political purposes because the word sounds good. However, when he says it, he's talking about corrupt politics, and Clinton and McCain are just copying him.
Wow, that 2002 resolution is just the gift that keeps on giving! Thanks Hillary!
xoites Hussein defends Constitution @ 34:
<blockquote
Like Larry Craig has spare time on his hands.
Is spare time white and sticky?
osiris @ 5:
This is the President that said that the Constitution was just a piece of paper.
So, is some Iraq agreement in place being changed altered, amended, rewritten renegotiated, revised, added to, or readdressed in any way? If so, it needs Congressional O.K. It is that simple.
ohio progressive @ 13:
That's the problem. Our fearless leaders in congress will roll over as usual, and probably apologize for daring to question the boy-king.
Bush's presidency has been an unending succession of bases for constitutional confrontation. And congress has failed to seize these opportunities at every turn. Even if they oppose this particular outrage, they have been utterly derelict in their duty to unmask tyranny and denounce it as such. The legislature shares equal blame with the executive and the judiciary (and the press) in being an accessory to the death of america's constitutional experiment, and no amount of catch up now will redeem them (especially considering how little has changed since the dems won a majority).
USSalkaselsior @ 39:
If Obama can not speak openly, plainly, and explicitly, he isn't really saying anything at all.
Realist @ 46:
Funny, but that's one reason I support him-- he's the only candidate that does speak openly, plainly and explicitly. To that I would add directly, honestly, and without intent to obfuscate or confuse (as Clinton and Mccain do)
Are you sure you're listening to the same Obama? or are you a Clintonista, Hillary Halo guy?
Realist @ 46:
*sigh* Yeah, I guess at the very least I like Obama because having a government that can't get much done is better than a government that will screw you over with corruption. Obama sure as hell isn't going to solve all our problems. I'll agree with right-wing talk radio's annoyance with "Obama mania." I think at the very least he won't make things worse, then maybe Congress can start taking back some of power they handed over to the Executive Branch.
They, the Republican Neo-Con’s, and some Democratic supporters are out of control. And most of the so called reasons for using the term “War with Iraq” is in it self a breach of the Resolution, worse a violation of the Constitution, Geneva Convention, United Nation Resolutions, the War Powers Act, Military code of Conduct, or the Iraq Resolution itself which specifically states rules that fall under the basics in reporting actions with consultation with Congress with respect to the Constitution. Likely no reporting was done, here we had a rubber turkey Congress all Republican controlled.
Also, serious abuse and false interpretation by the Supreme Court which is loyal friendships in the Republican Party rather than loyal to the public service and honorable reflection of whats right in the Constitution for America, all begs the question. Why Supreme Court Justices are not considered for impeachment? Here, would change the perspective in the turmoil and political fight currently going on. Face a solid truism, America will not and is not going to get the truth from Mainstream Media no matter how goody they seem to come across. It should rile a huge political circles, and the intellectual wheelers that are honest when one views an interview Brett Favre while he wheezes and cries about his about his success and wants to retire really coming across with compassion and sincerity for his work, yet when a political like Hillary Clinton gets chocked up or lightly wells gets blasted as not having the courage to move the country forward. Amazing the bias and the audience and Mainstream Media that interprets it.
The perpetrators are not only of President Bush and Cheney but this action includes many long time Republicans with support from Democrats, with a list of likely thousands of Institutions and corporation of which Mainstream Media has been a complicit key player that held control of the House and Senate before the 2006 election. A very difficult hurtle involving a huge mass of Americas public that are guilty of not only conspiring but actually carrying out the actions that are counter to the Oath and responsibility of the electorate and the Constitution.
America, looking back in history, America has sponsored, and supported through CIA and other secret Diplomacy, many such military actions around the world that involved everything from assaination of political leaders because of America’s interest not being gained. Which includes, support of tyrants and training of generals of other nations that eventually turned on America, and we simply kill them. Obama’s Indonesia home is an excellent example. Shameful and true these past fifty years have been a deceitful mix of secret corruption known and viewed by world governments, likely paid off with so called aid money, but kept from the general American public for decades through what is generally known as National Security Secrets. This is the executive pile of dirty reasons to profiteer while Middle, and Poor America pay the tax tab.
What is laughable is the tone across the Mainstream Media that it’s “Getting Ugly Out There” when in fact it always was ugly out there because the basics in public responsibility for over sight and honest reporting to the public is and has been abused for decades by Mainstream Media. Mainstream Media has not been doing its job.
The Constitution in all areas are have been abused, violated, and breached were those involved need to be held accountable were those first line Journalist of which there are many would likely be in that category of co conspirators that need to be investigated, convicted and serve terms along with others without pardons. If there is anytime in the History of our government that begs a needed a closer look at “A Unified Theory of American Government” it is obviously now. A huge topic to bring up about Obama and what he represents is more than shallow to even a disrespect for what is good leadership and decision making.
For if one reads Obama’s book “Audacity of Hope” Obama, even after eight years in the opportunity to teach the Constitution and laws at the University Of Chicago says, he, Obama, offers no ideals in the unified theory of American Government. Obama’s continuous display of harboring the ideal he, Obama was not in favor of the War in Iraq. But only after being installed without having to be under duress, encouraged by false affirmation, and lies by the administration, consciously uses the explicit ideal that after seventy percent of the Senate was actually duped into voting for the Resolution for Iraq, plainly shows me Obama’s mix of confusion and good sense, is actually irresponsible to use this leverage to position himself as presidential quality. It confounds me how the electorate can not see through Mainstream Media and how it dodges this primer example of arrogance that goes against the grain of what is right.
ohio progressive @ 47:
I am a true conservative, who believes in limited government, privacy, the rule of law, the sanctity of all human life, and the Constitution of the United States of America. Obama and Clinton are both way too liberal for my tastes. McCain is neither liberal or conservative. He's just a dangerous nut.
USSalkaselsior @ 19:
I'm afraid congress has done such a fine job of ignoring/procrastinating that holding impeachment hearings now, so close to the election, would simply look 'political.' Must've been an oversight by the dems, huh?
Is Congress going to take this lying down? Just asking....
Diana @ 50:
I like to point out to Republicans that all the power that the administration is taking now, if a Democrat gets elected, they'll have that power, something no Republican really wants. Maybe the Democrats aren't a bunch of pussies, the more powerful ones are just trying to get elected so that they're the ones with the power. It's all just party politics. I hate parties.
Leslie @ 51:
Congress will do nothing and has done nothing, because the democrats can then use Bush's actions to justify their own when they get back in power.
Realist @ 53:
Exactly
the simplest response is to rescind the authorization to use force. he's used that to justify just about every single act of lawlessness and illegality he's engaged in. this won't happen, of course, but it is extremely long over due.
ohio progressive @ 8:
He is still calling the Vietmanese "Gooks". Not a good way to enjoy our new relationship with that Country. As far as his thirst for Eternal Wars - how does the idea of a draft strike his supporters?
The United States has not functioned as a constitutional republic since the Supreme Court coup d' etat of 2000.
Leslie @ 51:
Yes. Lying down on a bed of hundreds and thousands with male prostitutes. Business as usual.
the constitution is toilet paper.
Pass the KY as the Dems bend over and grab their ankles . . . again.
All I can say is....
A Vote for McCain is a vote for more of the same. More of the same Bush policies. McCain = Bush = US heading for a cliff.
Who cares what an AWOL coke-snorting fratboy drunk and his crime family want?
Just say NO to Bush. By this time next year it'll be all over.
Chuck @ 42:
Correction...."just a GODDAMNED piece of paper"
I think he should have been oustered for that comment alone!
What a fuckin fascist asshole!
McCain the Liar @ 62:
Ummm when they want a fascist dictatorship for America...I care...I care a great deal.
We HOPE like hell that it will all be over this time next year!
I ain't holdin my breath!
I'm confused. Why would you take a post that DEFINES the totalitarian nature of the bush43 Administration and use it to bludgeon any Democrat?
This isn't about Barack, this isn't about Hillary. This is about bush43. Stop beating up on your own best chances of getting out from under a 3rd bush43 term.
USSalkaselsior @ 48: I'll agree with right-wing talk radio's annoyance with "Obama mania."
If it makes useless, ignorant asshats like Rush Limbaugh annoyed, I'm all for it.
USSalkaselsior @ 52:
Do you honestly believe that people haven't already tried using that argument in the hopes that it will make the Republicans think twice about what they're doing? Believe me -- I know that they have tried, because I've heard them do it. Doesn't seem to be convincing them, unfortunately...
I have been saying this for several years now. If you go back and look at the text of the Authorization to use force and Bush's own speech announcing the war, you see that all of the goals and objectives have been either met or clearly shown to be unnecessary.
Why isn't Congress pulling the plug?
Saddam is dead, buddy.
USSalkaselsior @ 53:
That's what makes it all so frightening. The republicans finally have their wet dream--all the money and all the power--plus the mechanisms in place to keep it all.
What makes you think they will give this up? And who's gonna make them? Congress? The courts? Media disclosure? A piddly little election?
I'm trying not feel hopeless, but the criminals have covered all the bases, and it's difficult to see an opening. But I suppose I still do hope when I think that, at other times in history, even the most ruthless governments rotted and fell. The question is, how will it this one play out?
I suppose this means violating FISA (or any federal or state law for that matter) is legal under the 2002 resolution, since it is, in Bush's world, aimed at preventing further acts of terror.
Oh, and I guess Bush can enter any treaties now, since Congress has pre-approved 'em. This is sorta like judicial activism with teeth. So much for conservatism.
not completely useless @ 69:
Then they would have to resort to toupees.
You all do realize that Bush and co. know that the constitution is a whatever they tell their cult it means, don't you? The lawless one is here.
In case you haven't gotten this yet...no one, NO ONE on the right will care about anything anyone in their cult does. If Bush wanted to take anyone of you out and shoot you he could do it and Rush would tell his conditioned cult it was for the good of the country and conservatives would comply. They are trained to eat dog turds when told. Redefining the constitution is child's play for them.
This should be obvious by now. Conservatives care about their cult not the country. They do not care. Congress? The right is trained to hate our government why would they care about congress?
You have to understand the right has two rule books one for you and me and one for themselves.
Wow these guys spin like electric motors just going round and round spinning and lying and robbing and murdering. It has been an unending assault of lies and manipulation. Very poorly done but reinforced if not pushed forward by the corporate owned media, the warmonger crowd pelted the airways with enough lies and bullshit deceptions to fool the 25% bush supporters. Not so much because they are bad people but people that want to be led. Quite frankly they are people that would function better in prison or living some place where they are told what to do.
Or maybe they really are just good little nazi's? You know they don't mind doing these things to you (like waterboarding someone) because they believe they are doing and not receiving right up to the second it happens to them.
When it turns on them then listen to the cries, see how thier opinion changes.
But until that time arrives the rest of us will have to suffer living in a world with such greed arrogance and stupidity!
it's probably already been asked up-thread, but isn't saddam hussein, you know... like, dead?
ysbaddaden @ 73:
Or the RonCo Spray-On Bald Spot Remover!
not completely useless @ 69:
Because they're absolutely USELESS.
@ Bush:
Bush getting impeached?
Sure, like that will ever happen in the US.
The American people would rather stick their heads in the sand then go against one of their own.
Now you know how dictatorships start.
@ Status of Forces:
'Status of Forces' is a nice wor