Comments on: Censuring Bush http://www.liberalwalrus.com/2006/03/14/censuring-bush/ Large Liberal Commentary Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:30:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: walrus http://www.liberalwalrus.com/2006/03/14/censuring-bush/comment-page-1/#comment-62 walrus Wed, 15 Mar 2006 15:00:33 +0000 http://www.liberalwalrus.com/2006/03/14/censuring-bush/#comment-62 I agree with you that there are legitimate arguments over what the President's powers are in this area. In my understanding, the FISA laws specifically restrict the President from eavesdropping on American citizens inside the United States. If he ordered that to be done, it seems clear he was in violation of the law. If he believed that the law should be altered, then he should have agitated for it to be changed. I think that Feingold probably believes the President ought to be impeached, but he isn't crazy--he knows the current House and Senate won't do any such thing. So he is using the tactics at his disposal to keep the public focused on these matters. It may be politically beneficial, but I don't think that necessarily means he doesn't also believe it's the right thing to do. I agree with you that there are legitimate arguments over what the President’s powers are in this area. In my understanding, the FISA laws specifically restrict the President from eavesdropping on American citizens inside the United States. If he ordered that to be done, it seems clear he was in violation of the law. If he believed that the law should be altered, then he should have agitated for it to be changed.

I think that Feingold probably believes the President ought to be impeached, but he isn’t crazy–he knows the current House and Senate won’t do any such thing. So he is using the tactics at his disposal to keep the public focused on these matters. It may be politically beneficial, but I don’t think that necessarily means he doesn’t also believe it’s the right thing to do.

]]> By: Maryland Conservatarian http://www.liberalwalrus.com/2006/03/14/censuring-bush/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Maryland Conservatarian Wed, 15 Mar 2006 05:17:30 +0000 http://www.liberalwalrus.com/2006/03/14/censuring-bush/#comment-61 well, the Administration has been arguing he had the authority under the Constitution. It's a legitimate argument whether that's a proper understanding of his authority (I believe it is but....). In the Tuesday Post, Sen. Feingold is quoted as saying: "This is clearly more serious than anything President Clinton was accused of," and in the article you're commenting on, the Post notes his maverick ways by, among other things, "his opposition to dropping all charges against President Bill Clinton during impeachment proceedings". Well, if he thinks President Bush has outdone President Clinton here..and he didn't think impeachment charges against Pres. Clinton s/b dropped - then he should be calling for formal impeachment proceedings against the President. Anything less doesn't add up. A cynic might say that's because impeachment proceedings begin in the House and Senator Feingold couldn't be in the spotlight there. And a censure resolution - well, chances of passing that are nil but chances this plays well w/the Kossites: 100%. a cynic would say that but not me.....because Senator Harry Reid has assured us that Senator Feingold is a principled man. well, the Administration has been arguing he had the authority under the Constitution. It’s a legitimate argument whether that’s a proper understanding of his authority (I believe it is but….).

In the Tuesday Post, Sen. Feingold is quoted as saying:

“This is clearly more serious than anything President Clinton was accused of,”

and in the article you’re commenting on, the Post notes his maverick ways by, among other things, “his opposition to dropping all charges against President Bill Clinton during impeachment proceedings”.

Well, if he thinks President Bush has outdone President Clinton here..and he didn’t think impeachment charges against Pres. Clinton s/b dropped – then he should be calling for formal impeachment proceedings against the President. Anything less doesn’t add up.

A cynic might say that’s because impeachment proceedings begin in the House and Senator Feingold couldn’t be in the spotlight there. And a censure resolution – well, chances of passing that are nil but chances this plays well w/the Kossites: 100%.

a cynic would say that but not me…..because Senator Harry Reid has assured us that Senator Feingold is a principled man.

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