Feingold: Censure of Bush appropriate

Censure of Bush appropriate

By RUSS FEINGOLD

Posted: Mar. 17, 2006
The president has asked for the American people's trust as he conducts the fight against terrorism. But presidents don't only serve our country by asking for trust; they must also serve it by telling the truth.

This president has violated the public's trust, both by authorizing an illegal program to spy on Americans and by misleading the country about the existence and legality of that program.

Congress should respond by passing a resolution of censure condemning the president's misconduct. If Congress fails to censure the president, we will be tacitly condoning his actions and undermining the separation of powers and the rule of law.

Congress may also consider a range of actions, including investigations, independent commissions, legislation or even impeachment. But, at a minimum, Congress should censure a president who has so plainly broken the law.

The facts are simple: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act makes it a crime to wiretap Americans on U.S. soil without the requisite warrants, and the president has ordered warrantless wiretaps of Americans on U.S. soil.

more...

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=408983