AM Feed - May 1: Bush Disobeys Over 750 Laws
Hot Topics
- So much for the rule of law: President Bush has disobeyed more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, claiming that it is his authority as president to do so. Bush’s decision to tap his inner Henry David Thoreau has occurred on a wide spectrum of policy fronts, including: military rules, affirmative action, “whistle-blower” protection, and protections against political interference in research. “There is no question that this administration has been involved in a very carefully thought-out, systematic process of expanding presidential power at the expense of the other branches of government,” said Philip Cooper, law professor at Portland State University. [link]
- Gas prices continue to hover close to $3 per gallon across the country, but a plan offered by Republicans in Congress to “deal” with the problem by offering $100 gas rebate checks to Americans is eliciting nearly as much scorn as the high prices. (Now, why, just a few months before a tough mid-term elections, would anyone offer to cut checks?) Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has been the man behind the plan, which also ties in an initiative for oil drilling in Alaska. Negative reaction to the rebate plan has come from both leading conservatives and liberals alike. [link]
- Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) has already lost the chairmanship of the powerful House Administration Committee due to his role in the House Lobbying Scandal, and now it looks like federal prosecutors are set to conduct a wide-ranging probe of the Ohio congressman. Ney, who put favorable comments about Abramoff’s business partner in the Congressional Record and accompanied the lobbyist on a luxury golf trip to Scotland, has claimed he was “duped” by Abramoff. Federal officials opted against pursuing a narrowly-tailored bribery case against Ney in favor of a larger investigation. According to court documents from the cases of Abramoff, Michael Scanlon and Tony Rudy, Ney has been accused of accepting “a stream of things of value” in return for taking action. [link]
Quote of the Day
“Do I think they care about it? No, I don’t.” – Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), speaking about his perception of voters’ reaction to the ongoing House Lobbying Scandal. Doolittle has hired a lawyer, and Congress’ approval rating stands at just 23 percent.
Morning Snark
- Could Rep. Doolittle be taking speech lessons from Sec. Rumsfeld? Yes he could be. Are both men currently facing some of the toughest challenges of their careers? Yes they are.
Comment
- Everybody make sure and hit the streets today in solidarity with immigrants and labor! The fascists in D.C are on the ropes and desperate! Bush has declared himself emperor and openly disregards hundreds of laws. The move for impeachment is building as Bush’s popularity is plummeting. This is the most corrupt and criminal administration in U.S. history and we must make our voices heard!
— John May 1, 13:44 # - My God, those regressives have a mania about destroying Alaska’s Arctic Natural Wildlife Reserve, don’t they? I don’t think it is about procuring the measly amount of oil there – It seems more to be about finally decimating the crown jewel of the Environmental Movement. And what is this about labeling vegans as terrorists? I mean, come on… do they think that people are going to think some white lady in a chicken suit is a terrorist? Are these guys beyond kooky, or what?
— Tamika May 1, 13:57 # - I think you’re on to something there about ANWR, Tamika. Other than the Endangered Species Act, designation of ANWR as a Protected National Monument is the only achievement of the Environmental Movement that they haven’t destroyed yet, that I can think of.
As for veganism, I went vegan back in 1995. I don’t want animals to be exploited, including humans. To call vegans terrorists is to render the designation all but meaningless. This is just the latest in an endless series of mindless notions of a morally bankrupt, anti-intellectual, hate-promoting, self-destructing plutocrats.
— John May 1, 14:13 # - Hey Dixie W., if you’re out there in cyberspace, what’s your take on impeachment of Bush?
— John May 1, 14:19 # - Of course vegans are terrorists…remember when Rod Paige called NEA members terrorists? What is wrong with these people?
— deborah May 1, 15:50 # - I think these inflated gasoline prices are the culmination of a plan hatched by Cheney and oil executives behind closed doors early in the bush administration just so they can win sympathy from the masses for their plan to drill in ANWR. They’re obsessed with ANWR and Tamika’s right – the crown jewel of the environmental movement! A feather in their cap to get it drilled and, I have to say, it’s a real irony that conservation is shunned by conservatives.
— jen May 1, 19:54 #
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