Feingold to call for rare presidential censure

[bishop]

article

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top Democratic senator said Sunday he plans to introduce Monday a resolution calling for President Bush to be censured for his domestic wiretapping program. Sen. Russ Feingold, a potential presidential candidate, told ABC's "This Week" Sunday that the resolution would not preempt discussions about changing a 1978 law governing a special court set up to approve wiretaps. "It's an unusual step," he said. "It's a big step, but what the president did by consciously and intentionally violating the Constitution and laws of this country with this illegal wiretapping has to be answered. "There can be debate about whether the law should be changed. There can be debate about how best to fight terrorism. We all believe that there should be wiretapping in appropriate cases -- but the idea that the president can just make up a law, in violation of his oath of office, has to be answered." Feingold, a member of the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees, said he is doubtful any Republican senators will join him in trying to reprimand the president. Only one president, Andrew Jackson, has ever been censured. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, also speaking on ABC, said Feingold "is just wrong." "He is flat wrong, he is dead wrong," said the Tennessee Republican -- also a potential presidential candidate in 2008 -- adding that "attacking our commander in chief ... doesn't make sense." "We are right now at an unprecedented war where they really want to take us down," he said. "A censure resolution ... is wrong. It sends a signal around the world. "The American people are solidly behind this president in conducting the war on terror." Sen. John Warner, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, noted Feingold's presidential aspirations, and criticized his move as "political grandstanding." The Republican from Virginia noted that, since 1978, when the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act was passed restricting covert surveillance, technology has changed dramatically. "Presidents must act instantaneously in the security interests of this country," he said. Bush authorized the National Security Agency shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to eavesdrop on Americans suspected of communicating with al Qaeda members overseas -- without obtaining a warrant from the FISA court. The administration has said the program is lawful, and although initially a number of Republicans were critical, most have moved on to "fixing the law," in Feingold's words, to erase any question of its legality. On Tuesday, four Senate Republicans proposed a bill to provide what one called "very rigorous oversight" of the program while also giving it the force of law. Sens. Mike DeWine of Ohio, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, all members of the Intelligence Committee, introduced the bill late Tuesday afternoon in an effort to address criticism of the program and reach a compromise. Feingold said revising the law isn't enough. "What I'm interested in is my colleagues acknowledging that we as a Congress have to stand up to a president who acts as if the Bill of Rights and the Constitution were repealed on September 11," he said. "We didn't enact martial law on September 11. We still have a constitutional form of government, and if the Congress of the United States does not stand up for that authority at this point, it will be an historic failure of our system of government." Sen. Carl Levin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he believes Bush's program is wrong but said he would rather wait for the investigation by the Intelligence Committee to be completed. But Levin, of Michigan, backed Feingold's right to harsh words for Bush. "I think criticism of the president is legitimate," he said. "I think we ought to welcome some checks and balances on the president."

[Jack]

"He is flat wrong, he is dead wrong," said the Tennessee Republican -- also a potential presidential candidate in 2008 -- adding that "attacking our commander in chief ... doesn't make sense."

This tactic of equating dissent and disagreement with aiding the enemy or demeaning our troops, or somehow being unpatriotic, is the surest indication to me that at least some people in government want us to surrender not just our liberty but our common sense as well.

[gr8fuldaniel]

Yup. Its gotta go on record.

This administration has established itself as the antagonist of all things American, all things Constitutional.

Good timing for this censure too.

If it happens it will fuel the impeachment festivities *already in motion.

*a) See Conyers Plea

Demand an Investigation of Impeachable Offenses I am taking steps against the Bush Administration’s handling of the Iraq War and its warrantless wiretapping. I am going to need you to stand with me in fighting for accountability. Join me to demand the creation of a Special Committee to investigate impeaching the Bush Administration for its widespread abuses of power. I have sought answers from the administration to questions arising from the Downing Street Minutes, the Valerie Plame leak, and scores of other abominable abuses of power that pervade the activities of this White House. 121 Members of Congress and many citizens like you have joined me in asking these questions of the President. I recently completed a thorough review of this administration’s misconduct and have produced a 250-page report that provides evidence suggesting further steps to be taken. [A copy of the report may be found at Raw Story.com and also at CensureBush.org where additional action items may be found.] It is time to take bolder measures in our pursuit of justice. This White House has responded to questions about its conduct with misleading statements, obfuscation, and vicious attacks against their critics. We must take the next step towards restoring accountability in our federal government. To this end I have: Read...

*b) See how Dems picked up a house seat Friday by default. The sole Rep candidate (incumbant for 20+ years) announced he will not run at last minute. Just hours before deadline 5:00 pm Friday.
The suddenness of this looks like somebody has some dirt on him. Since he stepped down, we may never know if it was really (only) for health reasons.

Thats 1 of 15 House seats needed to regain majority.

There is little chance of impeachment as long as our whole damned gubmint is blood red.
But Conyers can do the Investigation of impeachables and have it ready for the "fall".

Remember how Nixon stepped down before he was actually impeached? I can see a clown like bush saying "You cant impeach me" "I QUIT!" **snicker, heh heh, smirk**

Censure is a good start.
Lets Kick the Bastards OUT!
Fire the Liars!
Vote Dem so we can have a minimum of oversight.

[gr8fuldaniel]

Isher,
I didnt see your post before I posted.
I agree with you. dissent is as American as apple pie.

Somebody said (paraphrase) "When fascism comes to America, it will be disguised as patriotism".

Dissent is Patriotic.

We have a responsibility to attack the president if he has authoritarian designs.

Feingold for President!!

[RickSp]

I doubt the Dems have the stones to even support Feingold. A pity. If the Dems showed some backbone, they might even draw in some Republicans.

Maybe they should float the rumor that the wiretapping was outsourced to Dubai Survellience World. That would get everybody focussed.

[Scribbler1]

Yeah, Frist knows a LOT about what "WRONG" is, so I guess we should consider him an authority.

[shield772]

What exactly will censure accomplish? does it change anything? are there any penalties that go with censure? and last but certainly not least the President did not violate the law or else they would be doing something a lot worse than censure. This is just another ploy by those out of power to get power.

[Scribbler1]

As far as I know, censure is the same thing as saying "bad dog...bad" where they rub Bush's nose in his stuff and he becomes a little less popular to the sheep. Outside of that, it ain't even CLOSE to something like impeachment and we all know how that disintegrated Clinton.

Technically I think it is a few steps under "non-binding resolution" and is a way to generate nice video clips for the inevitable next campaign.

[bishop]

yeah... it's the senate's way of formally showing their disapproval, like a vote of no-confidence - except this vote has no real consequences. it's also a rejection of bush's assertion that he's operated within the boundaries of the law.

for their part, there are a few republicans out there with the balls to go after bush:

Sens. Mike DeWine of Ohio, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, all members of the Intelligence Committee, introduced the bill late Tuesday afternoon in an effort to address criticism of the program and reach a compromise.

it isn't as tough as feingold's measure, but it's something... i'm not sure what this compromise is though..

[RickSp]

Quote by: shield772 What exactly will censure accomplish? does it change anything? are there any penalties that go with censure? and last but certainly not least the President did not violate the law or else they would be doing something a lot worse than censure. This is just another ploy by those out of power to get power.

Of course the President violated the law. He has admitted to as much. He ignored the requirements of FISA when ordering wiretaps. What the President did is actually far worse than breaking the law. He claims that as Commander in Chief that he is above the law, that the laws do apply to him. The fact that he has not been impeached says more about the blind loyalty of the Republicans and the cowardice of the Democrats than anything else.

[Boetie]

It's a way of showing America what a bunch of goosesteppers the GOP is and why goosestepping creates the big mess the country is in.

What would be the point of having a GOP controlled Legislative Branch if all they are going to do is goosestep to a GOP controlled Executive Branch?

So far they blocked any investigation into Bush Jr's illegal wiretapping, they have stalled phase two, which is the part of the investigation looking into what role Bush Jr's administration played in the lying America into a war.

Remember when the Democrats called for a closed meeting about phase two? That pissed off the GOP, also note Libby is being charged for obstructing justice, similar to GOP tactic isn't it?

Bush Jr lied to the American people when he said he was cleared in phase two, Bush Jr continues to lie to the public that he had Congress approval to do illegal wiretapping, the censure will show the public that Bush Jr is not telling the truth, while at the same time expose the GOP for the goosesteppers that they are when they vote down party line to once again vote to protect their own and vote against the United States.

Note: this post is under anon, due to our repressive country. America like repressive Middle East countries.

[Osborn F Enready]

Over 600,000 have signed to impeach already.....

http://www.impeachbush.org/site/DocS....pdf?docID=121

This ad was shown Full Page in the San Francisco Chronicle I believe.

[IAmRightAsUsual]

Why is it that those who can not win elections must do what they can to hurt our country? If you can't win...work to make us all losers, eh? Fight the terrorists, don't fight those trying to protect us from the terrorists.

[Chris the Chees]

Quote by: IAmRightAsUsual Why is it that those who can not win elections must do what they can to hurt our country? If you can't win...work to make us all losers, eh? Fight the terrorists, don't fight those trying to protect us from the terrorists.

Reminds me of exactly what the republicans did to Clinton.

[IAmRightAsUsual]

Quote by: Chris the Chees Quote by: IAmRightAsUsual Why is it that those who can not win elections must do what they can to hurt our country? If you can't win...work to make us all losers, eh? Fight the terrorists, don't fight those trying to protect us from the terrorists. Reminds me of exactly what the republicans did to Clinton.

The republicans didn't do anything to Clinton. He did it to himself.

[Chris the Chees]

Quote by: IAmRightAsUsual The republicans didn't do anything to Clinton. He did it to himself.

Wrong, he had done to him exactly what the dems are attempting to do now, demonise the opponent in office.

[Quismo]

http://today.reuters.com/News/newsAr...PPING-BUSH.xml

White House dissmisses censure

[RickSp]

Quote by: IAmRightAsUsual Fight the terrorists, don't fight those trying to protect us from the terrorists.

Which terrorists are you referring to - those in the White House? or those in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

[Osborn F Enready]

The ones in the white house and the minority in Congress are more evil and damaging to the U.S. than those overseas could ever be.

9-11 took many innocent lives, but the U.S. and its unconstitutional laws have been locking up non-violent, innocent citizens for years, and I would bet at a rate 25X that that died in the WTC attacks.

Speaking of those WTC attacks, what ever happened to that full investigation that covered up?
What happened to the "official answers" to those with solid evidence that the official story was a fabrication as to WHY the towers fell?

Too many lies, too many scandals, and WAY to much bi-partisan corruption and complicity. Try em all and hang em for treason.

[Sonart]

.

Quote by: IAmRightAsUsual The republicans didn't do anything to Clinton. He did it to himself.

Like hell they didn't. They spent 6 years chasing one dry-hole scandal after another... Whitewater, travelgate, filegate, fostergate, Hillarygate, Chinagate, etc. etc. etc. Three -- count 'em, 3 -- congressional investigations into whether or not Vince Foster shot himself. And Whitewater... my gawd, 6 years and $80 million on something Clinton was involved with ten years before taking office, only to come up with absolutely nothing. And the Republicans weren't happy when one Special Prosecutor and 4 -- count 'em, 4 -- congressional investigations came up with nothing. They had to get a second Special Prosecutor and convene a grand jury to keep Clinton's "scandals" on the front pages. And in the end they never found anything Clinton had done wrong. But it was through the Whitewater investigation that they finally stumbled upon {GASP!} Monica Lewinsky.

Folks get all self-righteous about how Clinton looked America in the eye, pointed his finger and said "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." But no problem when Bush looks America in the eye and says, "No one anticipated the breach of the New Orleans levis." At least Clinton was technically telling the truth.

Quote by: IAmRightAsUsual Why is it that those who can not win elections must do what they can to hurt our country?

I dunno... ask the Republicans who impeached Clinton. But more to the point, how could anyone hurt our country worse than Bush has managed in the last 6 years? The War in Iraq itself will likely take a generation for us to repair the damage.

Quote by: Chris the Cheese Wrong, he had done to him exactly what the dems are attempting to do now, demonise the opponent in office.

With one minor difference, Chris. With Bush it's about screwed up policy. With Clinton it was about personal foibles.

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