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King George Loses His Crown

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Posted on Apr 5, 2007

By Marie Cocco

WASHINGTON—A great gust of common sense has blown away the rhetoric that obscures the president’s soft-on-polluters policy with slogans such as “Clear Skies.” The Supreme Court decision demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency take steps to regulate emissions that are linked to global warming is a victory for Mother Earth. And much, much more.

The high court issued another unequivocal reprimand to the Bush administration’s ceaseless arguments that the president can ignore or circumvent any law of his choosing, and make up out of whole cloth an alternate set of rules.

The substance of the environmental case was simple: The Bush administration, in its ideological war against regulation in general and its refusal to acknowledge the scientific evidence of global warming in particular, subverted the Clean Air Act by having the EPA abandon its mandate to treat certain auto emissions as air pollutants. All the usual weasel words the administration uses when it wants to get its way—that there is some overarching presidential power to replace laws and congressional requirements with the political judgments it prefers—were swept away.

When Congress required the EPA to use its judgment in assessing the danger of air pollutants, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court’s 5-4 majority, it meant the judgment had to be applied based on facts about the public’s health and welfare. The agency’s decisions, the court said, were to be made “within defined statutory limits.”

“Put another way,” Stevens wrote, “the use of the word ‘judgment’ is not a roving license to ignore the statutory text.”

There is nothing new about such roving adventures. President Bush has undertaken them for the past six years.

He has asserted his right to exercise grossly excessive powers, including the power to imprison American citizens indefinitely and without charge; to use abusive interrogation techniques that are barred by U.S. and international laws; to eavesdrop on Americans’ phone calls without a warrant. Bush has issued hundreds of “signing statements” in which he approves legislation overall but singles out provisions he simply has decided not to obey.

Alleged terrorists aren’t the only targets. According to research published by The Boston Globe last year, Bush has decreed that he won’t follow certain affirmative action rules, that he can order the Justice Department to withhold information from Congress, that he can tell a scientist not to give Congress the results of government-funded research. Bush has declared that only he can decide whether certain government and contracting whistleblowers can provide information to Congress—despite an explicit congressional mandate that they come forward without fear of being fired.

Aziz Z. Huq, co-author with Frederick A.O. Schwarz Jr. of “Unchecked and Unbalanced,” a book that examines Bush’s assertions of presidential power, says the White House even has ignored a 2002 law that requires it to disclose when it has refused to follow a statute because the president considered that law unconstitutional.

“With very few exceptions, it’s the job of the executive branch to take care that the laws are followed,” Huq says. “In a wide variety of areas, what you’ve seen is a resistance to doing that.”

With respect to Bush’s policy of detaining accused terrorists without charge or trial, the Supreme Court already has rebuked him twice. But his disdain for the court appears to be undiminished.

After its EPA ruling, Bush effectively reiterated his intent to do little about global warming—he pointedly failed to say he would order the environmental agency to get moving. Instead, the president rehashed an argument for inaction, saying that there must be international progress on climate change first. This is an assertion the administration made in its legal arguments—and the Supreme Court had just explicitly rejected it. The president’s “broad authority” in foreign affairs, Stevens wrote, “does not extend to the refusal to execute domestic laws.”

We are left to address a political crisis that grows ever more bizarre. Bush’s contempt for Congress only has deepened since the Democrats won control of Capitol Hill. His apparent disdain for Supreme Court rulings has been given less notice. Ordinarily, a president with a habit of lawlessness would be impeached. There is little political will for this, the nation having only recently endured an impeachment over the excruciatingly inconsequential offense of lying about sex.

Once the clock finally runs out on the Bush presidency, we may well uncover more affronts to the law and the Constitution. And we will wonder, perhaps, why we let them go on. 

Marie Cocco’s e-mail address is mariecocco(at symbol)washpost.com.

© 2007, Washington Post Writers Group

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By vanjejo, April 9, 2007 at 3:50 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Umm - rockefeller?  I highly doubt they will object......

Excerpts from the Illuminati Protocols
Originally written in the late 1700s and updated through the early 1900s
(translated by Victor Marsden—Circa 1910, London, England)

We shall create an intensified centralization of government in order to grip in our hands all the forces of the community. We shall regulate mechanically all the actions of the political life of our subjects by new laws. These laws will withdraw one by one all the indulgences and liberties which have been permitted by the goyim, and our kingdom will be distinguished by a despotism of such magnificent proportions as to be at any moment and in every place in a position to wipe out any goyim who oppose us by deed or word. We shall be told that such a despotism as I speak of is not consistent with the progress of these days, but I will prove to you that it is.

In the times when the peoples looked upon kings on their thrones as on a pure manifestation of the will of God, they submitted without a murmur to the despotic power of the kings: but from the day when we insinuated into their minds the conception of their rights they began to regard the occupants of thrones as mere ordinary mortals. The holy unction of the Lord’s Anointed has fallen from the heads of kings in the eye of the people, and when we also robbed them of their faith in God the might of power was flung upon the streets into the place of public proprietorship and was seized by us.

Moreover, the art of directing masses and individuals by means of cleverly manipulated theory and verbiage, by regulations of life in common and all sorts of other quirks, in all which the goyim understand nothing, belongs likewise to the specialists of our administrative brain. Reared on analysis, observation, on delicacies of fine calculation, in this species of skill we have no rivals, any more than we have either in the drawing up of plans and political actions and solidarity…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

- “For more than a century, ideological extremists at either end of the political spectrum have seized upon well-publicized incidents to attack the Rockefeller family for the inordinate influence they claim we wield over American political and economic institutions. Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as ‘internationalists’ and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure - one world, if you will. If that’s the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it.”
David Rockefeller, Memoirs, 2002 -
- Hermes-Press.com -
(Posted here: July 11, 2005)

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By Margaret Currey, April 6, 2007 at 6:57 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

This president is more concerned with so called jobs than the environment, the people in China are chocking on their own success and soon we will be doing the same.

If you asked the Native Americans how they kept their society together for thousands of years they will tell you that to have jobs forever is not substaniable, for instance what happens when you run out of natural resources and that day is fast approaching, soon all sand will be mined for oil, maybe not all but that is what is going on in Camada, soon will there be murder for gas to run your car?

mad as a wet hen in Washington State

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By DSmith, April 6, 2007 at 3:55 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

I think Bush looks at his poll numbers and deludes himself into thinking,"One day they will see I was right.” Bullshit! I hate these religious bastards who have conversations with their imaginary gods.

You can just see it on Bush’s face...It’s not as much fun to be president now that his party doesn’t control the house and senate. I hope Rockefeller will investigate the Bush’s invasion of Iraq and the bogus intelligence sent up by Doug Feith.

Off the sufject, but I just needed to vent!

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By Hugh E. Scott, April 5, 2007 at 4:24 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Last summer during an appearance by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Fox News, she was asked why the United States would not agree to an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon. 

Her answer: “Because President Bush must do what he thinks is right.”

Thinks?  Show me in the Constitution where it says the chief executive can do what he or she THINKS. 

Such wording does not exist in the cherished documentand for good reason.  Our founding fathers were afraid of replicating a dictatorial monarchy like the one they had escaped in Great Britain.  Their fear was so great that many framers of the Constitution wanted separate offices for domestic and foreign affairs, one person for president, the other for commander-in-chief.

Following a long and often rancorous debate, our founders agreed to consolidate the positions and make one person responsible for war and peace, with Congress having the final say-so before armed conflicts began.  What the framers didn’t anticipate was a power-hungry politician like Dub-ya—ironically, a blueblood Yankee aristocrat born in New Haven, Connecticut, to a family of means with ancestral ties to England’s King Henry III.

Motivated by political gain and personal revenge, Royal George attacked Iraq and ascended to the throne one month later aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, wearing an ermine flight jacket and a crown shaped like an aviator crash helmet.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Thanks to Bush’s belligerent and incompetent leadership, Iraq is a disaster, Iran has emerged a major Middle East power and Lebanon, the only Arab democracy, was nearly destroyed by Israel last summer, all because Bush thought he was doing the “right” thing.

Assume for a moment the Constitution did say our chief executive could take actions based on THOUGHT.  What assurances would we have that the president’s thinking was “right” for the American people? 

None, of course.  We would be at his mercy like our founders were under King George III in England. 

In the mother of all ironies, as affirmed by Condi Rice on Fox News, the United States has become the dictatorial monarchy our forefathers feared, controlled by another King George.

For citizens in denial about Bush’s obsession for absolute ruling authority, he made it clear on August 21, 2006, at a White House news conference by proclaiming, “We will stay in Iraq as long as I’m commander-in-chief.” That’s a king talking, not a president. 

Hugh E. Scott, Vietnam veteran and editor of http://www.King-George.biz—the only website with hardcopy proof of White House corruption.

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By Dee, April 5, 2007 at 3:17 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

What is so scary is that some young people want to grow up being Bushies! More Americans to bully the world, great! All of America must wake up to this nightmare and say, “NO MORE”.

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By Margaret Currey, April 5, 2007 at 2:56 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

You know even if Bush is impeached and Chaney becomes president it would be worth it because maybe that will send a message that a president is not above congress, maybe when the Republicians were in power and controlled all three branches he could do his will, but like Ms. Nancy Palosi said this is a new day mr president.

And even if Chaney did become president could he stand it, I mean will he come out of his bunker or will we have a new president that will not be seen or seen only when he comes out to snarl at Ms. Palosi.

Margaret from Vancouver, Washington

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By enemy of the people, April 5, 2007 at 2:50 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

so.

are we now to hold our breath waiting for shrub to comply with the edict of the supremes?

Good.

I needed a laugh.

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By 127001, April 5, 2007 at 2:44 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Unfortunately, history will undoubtedly show that these current decades have been full of lawlessness by governmental authorities throughout society.

It’s not limited to the Twig and his cronies. It’s in all levels of government, has been for awhile, and it will take a lot to clean it up.

The majority simply just notice what’s going on in D.C. right now. There are a growing number “noticing” (or have for some time) what is happening around the corner from where you live.

Look around.

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By SamSnedegar, April 5, 2007 at 1:43 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

My only fear is that by blaming poor George Witless, you perpetuate the myth that the man himself ever had one single cogent thought that was worth recording. Impeach? don’t be silly. He’s not in charge and never could possibly BE in charge. At least Reagan could ACT sort of like a president, but the moron can’t even do that, just pick his nose and fart. And don’t forget feeling up the chancellor of Germany and patting his own wife on the ass.

Things are bad enough; please don’t blame the boy idiot for them though, and do try to find out where Cheney is located in his undisclosed location so you can find out who gives him the orders to pass on to Rove who then tutors Botch in how to behave and what to say.

And don’t start patting yourself on the back about the Supremely corrupt Court handing down a decision that sounds reasonable; they know as well as I that the Bushitter gang of thugs rules them like it rules the toothless Congress, and so the ruling is meaningless.

What will it take for people to understand that we now live in a totalitarian state, not a democracy, not a republic, but a dictatorship of sorts where the dictator directs and manipulates a puppet government which has no power to govern save that given to it by the secret cabal, more than likely consisting of James Baker and Frank Carlucci, along with Boyden Gray and a few other major players.

And for God’s sake stop blaming the Jews for Iraq; they didn’t put the oil there, and if the oil wasn’t there, neither would we be.

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By Steve Hammons, April 5, 2007 at 12:58 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The courts, other legal authorities, Congress and the rest of us should take a good, hard look at the Bush-Cheney administration and limit their abuses of authority.

Finally, truth about their activities is slowly emerging. And, there is probably much more yet to be uncovered and dealt with.

Congress is acting assertively now, and they should keep up the good work. Take a look at:

“An urgent task for the new Congress: Conduct necessary inquiries and investigations properly”

October 22, 2006

http://www.populistamerica.com/an_urgent_task_for_the_ new_congress

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By vet240, April 5, 2007 at 11:48 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

the bu$h administration brings back memories of a movie released in 1964 titled “7 Days in May”.

The premise of the movie is that the President enters into an agreement with the Soviets to destroy both sides Nuclear stockpiles. The military decides to overthrow the government, feeling they have the backing of the majority of Americans whose position is based not surprisingly, on fear.

In the current rendition the president has taken many steps to strip the people of their role in the governance of this country.

On many occasions he and his gang have over-rode, ignored or side-stepped the laws of the land.

bu$h is a treasonous individual with no loyalties to America. His loyalties are with Corporate America, the military/industrial complex and to people like wealthy jewish businessman Sam Fox.

As many of you may know, Fox was nominated for the Ambassadorship to Belgium shortly after donating 100K to the Mitt Romney candidacy for president.

Fox went before the Senate Foreign Relations committee and was given harsh treatment about his donating 50K to the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” one week before the 04 elections. I like to call them the Swift Boat Liars Group. Their charges have been proven false regarding John Kerrys vietnam service.

During the Senate Foreign Relations hearings, Whitehouse spokesman Perino added that the president did not know about Fox’s $50,000 contribution when he nominated him, but said he still believes Fox is qualified to serve as ambassador.

The Whitehouse withdrew the Fox nomination barely one hour before the Committee was to vote on the Fox appointment.

The about-face by the White House was hailed as a striking example of the changed dynamic in Washington, with Democrats in control of Congress for the first time in a dozen years. Such a retreat would have been virtually unthinkable when the Senate was in Republican hands.

Hold on a minute. bu$h had a plan. One he has used often. He appointed Fox as Ambassador to Belgium while congress (and bush) were off for one week.

This demonstrates the Socio-pathic and Paranoic evil of bu$h and his gang of thugs.

Can you imagine the amount of respect Fox will get when he shows up in Belgium? He, like most Americans abroad will be ridiculed and hated behind his back, or perhaps even to his face.

Perhaps of greater issue is this.
Could our country actually be taken control of by the executive branch? Of course it could. If bu$h is allowed to continue flaunting the laws of the land by the Legislative branch we must assume they are part of the conspiracy to destroy the very foundation of our Democratic Republic. No longer will we have a voice with regard to our future. The Corporatacracy will in fact be the “King”.

Our forefathers envisioned a three part leadership. The Legislature would be the representatives of the people, the Executive would be the facilitator of directives from the Legislature and the Judicial would safeguard the legitimacy of laws and acts passed by the Legislature. This system was supposed to protect us all from our naturally self-serving nature. 

If the president is allowed to disregard the legitimacy of the Legislative and Judicial branches of our government and to sieze power of both, It’s 1964 in reverse, but we still lose our heritage and more importantly, our rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

Demand impeachment now. Pelosi, you must act to restablish our government to what ourconceive forefathers first conceived.

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By Phillip Crist, April 5, 2007 at 11:18 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Yes it does seem like the last 6 years has been and still is one big roving adventure kind of like Gullible’s Travels or Babes in Military Hardware Land(and air and sea). George has lost his crown but much of his wealthy power base and military-industrial infrastructure remain intrenched in the Imperial mindset so demonstrated on this journey.

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By Mike in Arkansas, April 5, 2007 at 10:53 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

“Ordinarily, a president with a habit of lawlessness would be impeached.”

Hardly ordinary for that to occur.  It’s only happened twice in the history of the United States—and in both instances, there was no conviction by the Senate.

Even if there were enough votes in the House for impeachment and in the Senate for conviction, impeachment of Bush is a bad idea, as much as I am looking forward to him no longer being in office.  With the vice president as his successor, I’m afraid that things could become worse than they already are.

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By Quy Tran, April 5, 2007 at 10:26 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

King George loses not only his crown but everything from personality to human value.

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By Kevin G, April 5, 2007 at 8:12 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Here here! This presidents blatant ignoring of the law cloaked in the guise of national security is truely a black mark on the history of oue nation. I’m hope that once he has left office we get a clearer picture of how he uses his office to circumnavigate the law, but sadly I am sure it will be swept aside regardless of what party is in office.

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By FrostedFlakes, April 5, 2007 at 8:03 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Why wait to see what other crimes this cabal has committed? We all know that they are varied and vast. Regardless of the political will, it is only right and just that “King George” and “Darth Vader” be indicted and impeached. The mass of constitutional violations and outright illegalities are tantamount to high crimes and treason. And if a popular president can be impeached for a blow job, how is it that a villainous, hated, partisan, incompetent “pseudo-dictator” not be prosecuted for crimes that the American populace know have been committed? It’s simply inexcusable!! Society and Congress must grow some balls and stop these fools before anymore damage can be done. We don’t have two more years to entrust ourselves with this completey immoral and criminal regime. Impeachments now!!!!!

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By Outraged, April 5, 2007 at 8:00 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

George loses his crown, Cheney is hiding in the bushes, Rove almost gets arrested by college students and apparently for fashion reasons McCain shops in a flak jacket.  I never thought I’d say it, but these guys really are laughable!

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By Lee, April 5, 2007 at 7:49 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

My concern is Bush’s consistent distain for anything that is not part of his major plan; his private agenda for the world, his disregard of the Bill of Rights and The Constitution; may result in some major negative event happening just before the 08 elections, timed just so Bush can claim martial law and we will have King George! 
Bush has said, your are with me or you are against me; point being; no options.
As a limp duck, Bush’s slash and burn policy may increase to an unprecedented level even for him.
Hope I am wrong.

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By David, April 5, 2007 at 7:04 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Jeeze, people, GWB never met a law he wouldn’t break.  Just because a court says so, don’t mean he will do so.  What planet have you been living on???

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By Steve Hammons, April 5, 2007 at 6:23 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Even the Supreme Court, somewhat packed with Bush-Cheney appointees and supporters, has put some limits on the administration.

The dangers of radical increases in power in the executive branch, minus the checks and balances of the courts and Congress, are clear to many Americans.

This kind of understanding about the dangers of the Bush-Cheney administration, their cronies and supporters seems to be emerging now among Americans of many political perspectives.

As more Americans and people internationally wake up to the dangers of the Bush-Cheney gang, we may make progress on many fronts.

For more on this, take a look at:

“Intelligence, psychology and human heart: All are needed for success in war and peace”

PopulistAmerica.com
Populist Party of America
March 31, 2007

http://www.populistamerica.com/intelligence_psychology _and_human_heart

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