This Week In Tyranny
Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 06:00PM We are starting to get some clarity on the post-Protect America Act legislation. The President now says (via) that he won’t compromise on amnesty for telecommunication companies and Glenn notes that now the administration openly admits the real reason is that it simply doesn’t want the public to find out what it has been up to. Somehow I think even those of us who have been screaming about this will be shocked at the details.
The Washington Times is one of the most conservative newspapers in the country and even it is now editorializing in favor of a repudiation of the current mania for secrecy as it now approvingly cites Steven Aftergood: “[T]he new Administration could demonstrate a clean break with its predecessor, and lay the foundation for a more transparent and accountable Presidency.” Some on the right seem to be pushing back and that is an extremely encouraging sign.
Daniel Drezner asks “Which candidate will hoard executive power the least?” and makes a good case that John McCain is better than Obama or Clinton; Jeffrey Rosen thinks Obama would be very friendly towards civil liberties. From everything I’ve seen Ron Paul is the best remaining candidate on commitment to undoing the power grabs of the last seven years (before he dropped out Chris Dodd was great as well). I think he would actively pursue a rollback while the rest are answering questions and making pretty good sounds when pressed. It would have been nice if a debate moderator thought to ask about it.
Of course, making good sounds is better than making bad decisions (via):
[T]he Republican National Committee has informed a House committee that it no longer plans to retrieve the communications by restoring computer backup tapes.
It looks like the blurred line between the Republican campaign apparatus and the White House won’t get clearer any time soon.
Finally, just curious: Any Air Force folks reading this?
Reader Comments (5)
Latest Executive Order shows Bush doesn't feel at all like a lame duck.
Why in heck -- well, no, why in hell! -- haven't the Democratic candidates been grilled yet on this all-important issue? I agree with Rosen, but I think the discussion has to be out there.
We should put the big hurt on the Big D
The actions of senior Democratic leadership on this issue is galling. We should call up the people who are responsible for laying down the plans for this horrifying abrogation of our rights as citizens, and make it plain to them that if they try to go through with this unspeakably corrupt legislation, that we will reach out and touch them. I don't live in Silvestre Reyes's congressional district, or Steny Hoyers's, nor do I live in Nevada, home of Senator Harry Reid, or West Virginia, home of Senator Jay Rockefeller. But I can send money to primary challengers, and if they think they can trade my rights for their congressional safety, they have another think coming. It doesn't matter who occupies those chairs in Washington if the result is the same as GOP domination.
Silvestre Reyes:
Phone: (202) 225-4831
Steny Hoyer:
Phone - (202) 225-4131
Harry Reid:
Phone: 202-224-3542
Jay Rockefeller:
(202) 224-6472
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee:
202-224-2447
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee:
202-863-1500
Thanks for the contact info. Hoyer and Reyes need to hear from their constituents in particular. Pelosi, too.
I did connect with someone via email at the Obama campaign asking specifically about exec powers and got the runaround. The question was not answered; a disquisition on Obama's position on Congressional ethics was offered instead. Tried to pursue it, but email got bounced back. (One question per supporter is enough? Musn't be greedy?)
"The Washington Times is one of the most conservative newspapers in the country and even it is now editorializing in favor of a repudiation of the current mania for secrecy as it now approvingly cites Steven Aftergood" ...
anybody want to bet that this change in position is NOT because it is more likely that a democrat will be elected president in 2008?
"rules are for thee but not me."