Justus For All

New revelations about unauthorized spying on Americans by the National Security Agency provides even more evidence that this Republican administration has declared himself above the law.

When the New York Times revealed that George W. Bush had ordered the National Security Agency to wiretap the foreign calls of American citizens without seeking court permission, as is indisputably required by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), passed by Congress in 1978, he faced a decision. Would he deny the practice, or would he admit it?

He admitted it. But instead of expressing regret, he took full ownership of the deed, stating that his order had been entirely justified, that he had in fact renewed it thirty times, that he would continue to renew it and–going even more boldly on the offensive–that those who had made his law-breaking known had committed a “shameful act.”

As justification, he offered two arguments, one derisory, the other deeply alarming. The derisory one was that Congress, by authorizing him to use force after September 11, had authorized him to suspend FISA, although that law is unmentioned in the resolution.

Thus has Dubya informed the members of a co-equal branch of government of what, unbeknownst to themselves, they were thinking when they cast their vote. The alarming argument is that as Commander in Chief he possesses “inherent” authority to suspend laws in wartime.

But if he can suspend FISA at his whim and in secret, then what law can he not suspend? What need is there, for example, to pass or not pass the Patriot Act if any or all of its provisions can be secretly exceeded by the President?

Congress has no choice but to accept the challenge. Either the President upholds the laws of this country, or he must leave office.

Now for those who like to talk about grounds for impeachment, we’re there.

I think it’s lame how these government web sites are required to have a “for kids” section. It’s one of those things that the common man looks at the requirement, and says, “What were you smoking?”