Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Until we ELECT our US Attorney General, Government will forever remain above the law.

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:03 AM
Original message
Until we ELECT our US Attorney General, Government will forever remain above the law.
The President appoints/nominates the US AG, then confirmed by the Senate.

Tasked with upholding every law set forth in our US Constitution. Given near total autonomy and power to investigate, prosecute, appoint a special prosecutor. Known as the highest ranking law enforcement officer of the land. It can be argued that the USAG is the most powerful person in America.

Alberto Gonzalez and John Ashcroft. Bushco's AG's.

Tasked with overseeing law enforcement and oversight of government criminal wrongdoing. Given the power to investigate and indict high crimes if they so choose. Instead they chose to enable Bushco's tyranny and oversaw some of the worst crimes ever perpetrated in American history.

War crimes.

Falsification of evidence to sway congress to approve the Iraq War Resolution.

Stonewalling 9-11.

Torture.

Alberto and John witnessed constitutional crime after crime.

We needed an AG that would prosecute.

"Al" and John enabled, instead.

.............................................................................

Atomic Ronny Ray-Guns AG, Edwin Meese built a fine reputation as Chief Enabler of government high crimes as well.

Meese oversaw and witnessed the Iran-Contra scandal. 10's of thousands of people died because of the high crimes known as Iran-Contra.

America needed a prosecutor.

Edwin Meese was a high crime enabler.

.............................................................................

President Obama and his AG, Eric Holder witnessed along with all Americans, some of the worst crimes ever perpetrated in American history before Obama was elected. Crimes committed by Bushco.

Our US Constitution demands that these crimes be prosecuted.

IT IS THE SWORN DUTY OF THE US ATTORNEY GENERAL TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

By law there can only be 1 choice. PROSECUTE BUSHCO.

Bush, CHEE-NEE, Rummy, Condi, Rove, Wolfy, Ashcroft, Alberto, just a start. Prosecute every one of these criminal fascist warpig motherfuckers!

America needs a PROSECUTOR.

Holder has been nothing but an enabler, so far. And I see no reason to change that belief in the near future.

....................................................................

There may be a solution. But passing this kind of change into law may be nearly impossible.

ELECT our AG rather than have the President appoint an immediate ally. Til then government will forever remain above the law.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Davis_X_Machina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:08 AM
Response to Original message
1. AG of different party than president...
...and you've got Bush-era politicization of the Justice Department on steroids.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:20 AM
Response to Reply #1
9. If they witch hunt and lose=political suicide. That's what would keep anelected AG quasi-honest.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:11 AM
Response to Original message
2. what a disaster that would be. thankfully, it won't happen. you'd have to
pass a constitutional amendment.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:18 AM
Response to Reply #2
8. Appointed AG's haven't been a disaster?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #8
10. As a system, it's better than electing them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kurt_and_Hunter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:12 AM
Response to Original message
3. Elected AGs are a disgusting thing... look at the states
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:18 AM
Response to Reply #3
7. Appointed AG's are also a disgusting thing. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
The Velveteen Ocelot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:14 AM
Response to Original message
4. Terrible idea.
Cabinet positions should not be filled by popular vote. If you thought Alberto Gonzalez was bad -- elections could get us the likes of Sarah Palin.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:17 AM
Response to Reply #4
6. Elections can also bring us Bushco and perhaps one day(I shudder the thought), Palin as Prez.
Elections can bring good or bad. It's all part of living in a democracy.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
SargeUNN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:15 AM
Response to Original message
5. Hmm I don't know
I think the AG should not be a political position. It has been put in such in recent years and has had a horrible effect on law enforcement. However, I fear making it an elected office that would open it up to being extremely political. One example of how this can become is the Sheriff of Maricopa County where Joe Arpaio is very much a political whore and plays to political positions leaving stuff like serving felony warrants unserved because it is not politically attractive. We have another Sheriff here in Pinal County that is also headed into the Arpaio mode and is very active in promoting Republican/Libertarian stuff. He will be a future problem just like Arpaio since he has the support and closeness to Jeff Flake.

I agree the AG needs to be fixed where it is beyond the reach of any political control but not sure how that can be done.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LiberalFighter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:29 AM
Response to Original message
11. It would be too much for the electorate to make that decision.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
TheWraith Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 11:39 AM
Response to Original message
12. We have an elected AG here in New York State.
It's basically the understudy job for the next Democrat who wants to run for governor, to give them the chance to attack unpopular groups and raise their public awareness. Actual legal work? A lot less than that.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
franquigley Donating Member (1 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 06:24 PM
Response to Original message
13. UnionYes Has It Right
Most states and municipalities directly elect multiple executive officials, including state attorneys general and local prosecuting attorneys, who prosecute the vast majority of crimes in this country.

Research shows "unbundled" executive structures, rather than a president with all executive powers and duties invested in one person, do a better job of reflecting voter preferences. Reseach also shows that the existence of independent prosecutors internationally cuts down on corruption.

And the historical record show the founders never intended for the president to have full control over federal law enforcement. It is not at all clear that a constitutional amendment is required to elect an AG.

With the Attorney General under Presidential control, we have justice for all--except for those at the very top, who appoint and control their own would-be prosecutor. Nothing has proved this system to be more dysfunctional than the reaction to torture, in both the Bush and Obama administrations.

For anyone wanting to read more (a whole lot of footnotes, too, so I apologize in advance!) on the topic, see http://works.bepress.com/fran_quigley/2/ Thanks.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Hippo_Tron Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-31-09 06:33 PM
Response to Original message
14. Election hell no, but perhaps the Justice Department should become independent
The AG could be appointed for a fixed term by the President and confirmed by the Senate but not subject to dismissal by the President.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Mon Apr 29th 2024, 11:11 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC