Former Repub Congressman Calls For "Thorough Investigation" Of Bush Admin

Mickey Edwards:

There should be a thorough investigation of the ways in which the current Administration may have disregarded the Constitution (examples: under the Constitution, the suspension of habeas corpus rights -- for anybody -- is flatly prohibited; the Constitution gives to the Congress, not the Executive, the sole authority to determine the treatment of captives; surveillance of American citizens requires a warrant). But that investigation should -- no, must -- be carried out not by an independent commission but by the Congress, just as Harry Truman, a Democratic Senator, investigated the War Department in a Democratic Administration and just as a Congress controlled by Democrats investigated the Watergate break-in during a Republican Administration. Party considerations must not trump legislative responsibility. The Congress has the obligation to examine whether laws were broken or new laws are needed. Members of Congress have taken an oath to defend the Constitution. During the Bush Administration, the Congress receded further and further into irrelevancy; it is up to its new members to ensure that it regains its position as the First Branch of government. The original post begins with the wrong premise: the competing forces in this drama are not Republicans and Democrats but the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch and it's high time that the legislative branch re-established itself as a separate, independent and equal check on the presidency.

more at:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/24/_presidential_overreaching_eve/#more

Marvin Henry "Mickey" Edwards (born July 12, 1937) is a former Republican congressman who served Oklahoma's 5th congressional district from 1977 to 1993.

:kick:

Sounds like a deal to me. Yes. Let's. :)

He is a decent guy but a serious conservative Republican. He was one of the three people that started the Heritage Foundation.

He asked me once if I had voted for him in some race - I told him I liked him but I would not vote for him if he was running for dog catcher. We were sort of dating at the time.

And I am glad Obama isn't going on that path.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4528094&mesg_id=4530950

you had me worried there.... :hi:

Not only should this be done so that if crimes were committed those responsible can be brought to justice, but we as a people can learn from our mistakes and so reform our government so the next fascist wannabe who comes along is unable to do half the shit that our drunken frat boy of a President did.

complete putz. I can say that because I'm from Oklahoma and I have to suffer the embarrassment of James Inhofe.

At least your other Senator is . . . uh, never mind.

This is the perfect time to do something like this. You know, after he's had 8 full years to wipe his ass with the constitution.

to go after criminals once they've become virtual nobodies...

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

Of course, he didn't retire voluntarily, he lost his election.

In general, though, your point is correct. I think the answer is that party loyalty is strong on both sides of the aisle. It's been noted that the collective views of Congressional Democrats on the subject of Vietnam took a lurch to the left on January 20, 1969. As long as the President prosecuting the war was a Democrat, many Dems felt they had to go along with it. Only when a Republican was inaugurated did they feel free to move to public opposition.

My experience has been that party loyalty among Democrats is shaky at best while among Republicans it has been very strong for the past 28 years. Watching my own allegedly Democratic representative here in GA, Jim Marshall, I can safely say that my liberal interests are advanced by him only about 50% of the time. Of course, that's better than a true Republican who would advance my interests 0% of the time.

Thanks for the response.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

and you'll get your answer...always ;)

100% correct. Pity you didn't raise this while they were destroying the Constitution.

I'm usually an optimist, but, damn, it didn't take long for the rules to change back one a Democrat was elected President.

Not many things more important to me than to bring these SOBs to justice

It is a good thing to investigate when things go wrong. This will help to keep it from happening again. And punishment for doing wrong is expected.

Democrats are still licking their wounds from 1994 and won't do anything they feel will cause that to happen again..They truly fear Republicans and it is becoming more apparent every single day that goes by with no accountability for the criminals..

But what the hell, I'll kick this thread.

And I don't expect Obama to do it either.

Bush and Cheney will go Scott Free no matter what we feel on the left here.

Our party isn't liberal. It's about time we come to grips with the sad truth.

may they begin to fall in line like dominoes.

and then some

Now that there is a Democratic administration - the GOP and Congress wants the rule of law.... hahahaha

Just a guess.

Don

I'm sure the rest of the world will chase any and all guilty party down the street until they are caught or wisked as fast as possible out of the country, to keep from being prosecuted.