The Constitution is in Grave Danger

We are back from vacation and what has happened? The stock Market is about to crash dropping 500 points with more to come some speculate. The Pat Tillman story is in the news again and with vitriol indicating that Pat Tillman may have been killed by his own men for his political views. On Thursday's Countdown Olberman noted that “Corporal Tillman held a number of personal views that were unpopular within the context of the Bush administration, perhaps also within the Army.” Tillman reportedly favored John Kerry in the presidential election, opposed the invasion of Iraq, and had plans to meet with Noam Chomsky. And now Army medical examiners were suspicious of the wounds and wanted the Army medical examiners to investigate whether his death amounted to a crime.

Michael Moore has been subpoenaed by the Bush Administration. By the way I saw the movie on Monday in Portland, Maine. Any of the criticism I read about the film is unwarranted. I believe there are flaws in the film, specifically his inclusion of Guantanamo Bay inmates as getting good health care, which seems to be silly including that in the argument and other arguments about France versus the Americans I felt was simplified and not worth the effort. He makes a strong case, however for single payer health care and we should be thankful to him for his courage.

This press release by the ACLU that the Constitution is in grave danger is perfectly worded and perfectly timed. The ACLU in a statement urged the U.S. Congress to "vote to hold White House officials in contempt for refusing to cooperate with legitimate congressional subpoenas." The ACLU statement said the issue had become "a constitutional crisis that threatens to destroy the separation of powers." "Presidents have tried in the past to overreach in claiming executive privilege," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "However, Congress has long served as a check to such abuses of power, slapping the president's hand when needed and pursuing contempt or enforcement actions that eventually resulted in the release of crucial information. Today's Congress must do the same if it wishes to remain a meaningful and independent branch of government."

In the wake of the ACLU's press release Patrick Leahy issued a subpoena for the draconian Karl Rove. Leahy issued the subpoenas, one to Rove and one to White House aide Scott Jennings, after consulting with Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the committee's ranking member. "The Bush-Cheney White House continues to place great strains on our constitutional system of checks and balances," Leahy added. "Not since the darkest days of the Nixon administration have we seen efforts to corrupt federal law enforcement for partisan political gain and such efforts to avoid accountability."

So, what is it going to be Congress? Are you going to go after these bastards? If Karl Rove does not have to comply then why should Michael Moore. Moore went to Cuba to help 9/11 workers get health care, Rove sought to politicize the justice system. And Robert Mueller's testimony before Congress left no doubt that Gonzalez is a serial perjure. Congress must act and soon if the 110th wants to maintain any credibility with the American people. Waiting on Iraq until September is one thing, but our Constitution hangs in the balance.

A bit of good news for the big box stores though, which I avoid with impunity. Lowe's has dropped its advertising dollars on the O'Reilly Factor. If I had to go somewhere then...Lowe's it is...