Will Obama mirror Bush power grab?
Jacob Sullum, a senior editor at the libertarian Reason magazine, has a nice piece on the expansive, almost dictatorial powers the Bush administration tried to grant itself in the days after Sept. 11:
“Justice Department memos released last week paint a picture of a post-9/11 America where the military censors, searches, and seizes people at will. Explaining why he sought to rationalize something akin to martial law, John Yoo, the memos’ main author, says he was asked “unprecedented questions under the most severe time pressures” during a period when many people feared more terrorist attacks were in the offing.
Yet civil liberties do not mean much if they are abandoned whenever the government thinks it has a good reason to violate them. It is precisely in times of crisis, when politicians are most tempted to take legal shortcuts and the public is most inclined to go along, that constitutional protections are most needed. Although Attorney General Eric Holder claims to understand this, his embrace of Yoo-like rhetoric and reasoning suggests his differences with the former Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) lawyer may be a matter more of circumstance than of principle.”
Sullum’s suggestion that the Obama administration may be willing to seize such powers itself is more than a little strained, however, and is bolstered by no evidence. It reads like an effort to create an equivalency where none exists.
But hey, read it and judge for yourself.
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91 comments Add your comment
I Report/ You Whine
March 11th, 2009
7:08 pm
Yeah, we know, OneTerm would have probably surrendered on 9/11.
Check it out, none of this ever happened and Bookman’s cut and paste states that it was for a time that never came, because of the strengths of the Bush presidency, a time of more terrorists attacks.
Talk about the most perverted of navel gazing.
Don’t wanna talk about your boy, huh?
DB, Gwinnettian
March 11th, 2009
7:09 pm
A look at John Yoo’s legacy that includes a not-crazy, fairly measured criticism of some of the doors that the Obama administration seem to want to leave open.
Decent read. Thanks. I should probably have a peek at Reason more often–while I’m not on the same ideological page as they, any not-crazy criticism is worth a look.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 11th, 2009
7:11 pm
IR/YW, serious question.
Have you ever considered contributing from a desktop, laptop or handheld device that doesn’t have a “Post Something Retarded” button?
I Report/ You Whine
March 11th, 2009
7:12 pm
Oh, I know what it is, the libs are all depressed about their dud OneTerm “president” so let’s chow down on some old moonbat comfort food.
Makes the wittle inner libbie happy, do it?
No, you democrats didn’t want Bush to fail, did you?
Tank
March 11th, 2009
7:12 pm
Again Jay, your creativity and originality continues to amaze me. Also, I never felt my civil liberties were at risk. Any you liberals call conservatives paranoid.
RW-(the original)
March 11th, 2009
7:15 pm
Is having a lawyer spitball about potential legal situations really a Presidential administration trying to grant itself dictatorial powers?
I don’t think so. That’s like saying if you had a meeting to discuss how best to undertake some endeavor and you brought in multiple viewpoints, some good some bad, then you were automatically trying to take all the proposed actions which you clearly weren’t.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 11th, 2009
7:23 pm
“Again Jay, your creativity and originality continues to amaze me”
Tank, just how much original copy do you expect a typical newspaper-columnist-with-a-blog to produce?
Do you hang around Wooten’s joint complaining that he isn’t “original” enough? Or any other daily paper’s online comments threads? I only ask because you seem terribly concerned about this.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 11th, 2009
7:24 pm
Reason’s not-so-happy look at Eric Holder’s War On Terra II: Electric Boogaloo might be worth a look as well:
http://www.reason.com/news/show/131848.html
DB, Gwinnettian
March 11th, 2009
7:25 pm
“if you had a meeting to discuss how best to undertake some endeavor and you brought in multiple viewpoints, some good some bad, then you were automatically trying to take all the proposed actions which you clearly weren’t.”
Well, that’s what Pelosi says, essentially, when people accuse her of facilitating torture.
(And I’m not sure I buy her story either.)
Bud Wiser
March 11th, 2009
7:27 pm
From the Associated Press: BOSTON – More than one out of every five dollars of the $126 million Massachusetts is receiving in earmarks from a $410 billion federal spending package is going to help preserve the legacy of the Kennedys.
The bill includes $5.8 million for the planning and design of a building to house a new Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate. The funding may also help support an endowment for the institute.
I could only hope that the new building will also house a swimming pool with free lessons for burgeoning politician wannabees.
That’s a lot of our tax money going to ‘honor’ a murderer and a drunk. I think a building housing an electric chair display with a bottle of Wild Turkey laying askew on the floor would be just as effective.
No wonder America loses more and more of its youth every day on the roads to driving while under the influence…the government honors in a way only a perversion like this that could be accomplished by naming a bunch of crap after a guy who killed a young girl while he was probably driving drunk.
Bud Wiser
March 11th, 2009
7:29 pm
BTW, President Liar signed this package today, this bill with more than 8000 earmarks, after promising to “ban all earmarks…” (1-06-09)
President Liar.
Character doesn’t matter.
The Liar you can believe in.
Morons.
I Report/ You Whine
March 11th, 2009
7:30 pm
It keeps getting more bizarre by the minute-
On another potentially controversial matter, the president also issued a “signing statement” with the bill, saying several of its provisions raised constitutional concerns and would be taken merely as suggestions. He has criticized President George W. Bush for often using such statements to claim the right to ignore portions of new laws, and on Monday he said his administration wouldn’t follow those issued by Bush unless authorized by the new attorney general.
Someone should make a list of everything the libs whined about Bush doing, if such an undertaking is even humanly possible, and check how many of them WonderDunce has done hisself in the first freaking month in office.
TnGelding
March 11th, 2009
7:30 pm
Let’s hope not.
What do you think, Corporal, indictable offense?
I’ve been disappointed the Justice Department has continued the Bush administration’s arguments in several areas. That should endear Holder to his critics, tho.
CommunistAJC
March 11th, 2009
7:35 pm
Bookman gets his blog subjects from strange sources. His next topic will come from UFO Today.
TnGelding
March 11th, 2009
7:35 pm
Bud Wiser
March 11th, 2009
7:27 pm
Now that’s really a stretch!
We might be morons, but we can recognize when conditions change and don’t see everything in black and white.
Let O! get settled in and then make your criticisms.
Michael Szedon
March 11th, 2009
7:35 pm
To IR/YW….
Liberals did NOT want Bush to fail. A failed Bush presidency would have resulted in massive job losses, severe loss of home values, a reduction of gov’t tax revenues, a crippled health-care system, the triumph of religion and dogma over science and learning, the over-extension of our military in exchange for little or nothing, the fostering of terrorist recruiting, a loss of our international reputation, and a loss of hope for millions of people.
Oh…………yeah.
Who in the world would cheer for that? RUSH LIMBAUGH!
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
March 11th, 2009
7:36 pm
Bookman, thanks for the last thread. It really separated the decent intelligent funny folks from the half-wit humorless chickenhawk whiners.
Anyhow, HBO tonight – gonna catch up on Big Love, and Eastbound and Down.
Ciao!
DB, Gwinnettian
March 11th, 2009
7:39 pm
Later, folks. Be excellent to one another.
CommunistAJC
March 11th, 2009
7:41 pm
Michael Szedon,
james carville wanted Bush to fail. As did Hillary, Bill and the rest of the democrats.
I Report/ You Whine
March 11th, 2009
7:41 pm
Michael Szedon March 11th, 2009 7:35 pm To IR/YW….Liberals did NOT want Bush to fail. A failed Bush presidency would have resulted in massive job losses, severe loss of home values
Home values under Bush went up 300% and then fell 15% from there.
Hmmmmm.
Oh yeah, you dumbas-s liberals bought in at the high end, I forgot.
never mind.
CommunistAJC
March 11th, 2009
7:42 pm
GodHatesTrash, Superstar aka Jeffery Dahmer, come on, tell us the truth. You have a klan meeting tonight. No way you’re into Big Love. Have fun with the cross burning!
RW-(the original)
March 11th, 2009
7:42 pm
DB,
Do you have a link to where Nancy Pelosi said she convened a meeting to discuss various options, among them torture, then formed some contrary viewpoint? It sounds more to me like you’re referring to where she was one of the viewpoints and hers was pretty harsh.
What a great standard that is though. You just go to a meeting and make some bizarre suggestion then claim the administration is doing it just because they allowed you to suggest it.
RW-(the original)
March 11th, 2009
7:44 pm
Commie,
I keep expecting Jay B to hit Pravda for a blog topic. It’s a goldmine when you don’t feel like writing anything.
fed up
March 11th, 2009
7:45 pm
Sounds sort of like Obama taking advantage of the economic crisis, huh?
I Report/ You Whine
March 11th, 2009
7:45 pm
Hahahahaha>
Trash, SuperSissy March 11th, 2009 7:36 pm Anyhow, HBO tonight – gonna catch up on Big Love
hahahahahaha
Big gay love: HBO’s Big Love has ignited debate about hetero polygamy, but polyamorous relationships are not news to the many gay men with multiple long-term partners. How do they fit in to our fight for visibility?
Aahhh, yes.
RB from Gwinnett
March 11th, 2009
7:46 pm
Jay, this one is a stretch even for you. Do you have any evidence of any civil liberties Bush actually took from you, me, and Aunt Bea? Are you really so naive to think the people responsible for this nations safety didn’t discuss things like this in the days following a 3,000 plus death attack on our nation? Don’t bother answering, Jay, we all know the answer. Hopefully, so does Julia.
On a day with so many things you could write about, you post this POS???
BTW, I noticed you didn’t answer my question from this morning. Why is it you always avoid answering tough questions posed to you, but swoon in and hurl childish insults at posters (your customers)? Do you have the ability to debate on this blog or don’t you? Can you defend your pathetically unsupported postings or not? Or are you so arrogant you think your writings are above question and you don’t need to defend them?
Bud Wiser
March 11th, 2009
7:55 pm
President Liar is already formulating plans for a secondary stimulus package?
What’s the matter…..wasn’t the 25 jobs created to date simply not enough to claim the trillions spent so far are a ’success’?
And Gelding, I’m not sure which part you were calling my criticisms – was it the institute honoring the drunken murderer, or the part about President Liar?
How long should I wait before criticizing President Liar again? Should I wait for his next Big Lie? How about when he appoints another tax cheat to a cabinet position? Or when his SecState pisses off another very important country? How about when the US dollar becomes worth less than the Argentine dollar, or the Mexican peso? What about when the Mexican drug wars spill over on to US soil and the drug lords start killing American citizens on our side of the border, while our Border Patrol sits and watches because they have ‘do not fire’ orders?
I really, really do not know.
I am so confused.
Please enlighten me.
Please enlighten us all.
While you’re at it, please also tell us how proud you are so far of the staggering stupidity and incompetence displayed to date by these rank amateurs. And also how much more O! will let your 401, IRA, etc., whatever, shrink in value because he and his trolls don’t know what the hell they are doing, but they’re sure having a great time spending all of your and my money.
Please, tell us….we so need to know.
jon
March 11th, 2009
8:10 pm
Hey, hey, O-B-A,
How many billions did you spend today?
steve
March 11th, 2009
8:26 pm
Get a grip Bookman, Bush isn’t President anymore!
G
March 11th, 2009
8:33 pm
Sen. David Vitter, Rushpublicant – Louisiana, (yes, he’s the “family values” guy who was supporting a bevy of prostitutes) railed mightily against taking earmarks.
Guess what? He’s gotten $249,000,000.00 worth of earmarks in the omnibus spending bill. Hypocrite.
No doubt the bulk of it will go to Hookers R Us.
oldmac
March 11th, 2009
8:40 pm
What size type are you planning to use for the “Obama renegs on “no to earmarks” campaign pledge?” Guess not…..
NM
oldmac
March 11th, 2009
8:43 pm
I’m looking for the “Obama renegs on “no more earmarks” campaign pledge headline.” Don’t see it anywhere…….
MN
oldmac
March 11th, 2009
8:44 pm
Duplicate post not my fault…..(inherited from Bush I guess.)
NM
TnGelding
March 11th, 2009
8:47 pm
Bud Wiser
March 11th, 2009
7:55 pm
I’m sorry, I was referring to linking Teddy Boy to teen alcohol abuse.
Terrific Tim seems to be gaining his footing. Let’s hope the markets are headed toward another multi-year gain that will equal the 400% during the Clinton era. Several leading business leaders have endorsed the stimulus package, but I agree with you. Enough is enough!
TnGelding
March 11th, 2009
8:49 pm
Oops! No wedding bells in Alaska after all. Bristol Palin devastated:
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRISTOL_PALIN?SITE=GACAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-11-19-59-00
Chad Harris
March 11th, 2009
8:55 pm
Another day and the irrelevant rethugs cryin’ on a blog while
Sen. John McCain is putting together a major economic plan that will be structured, in some ways, off of Newt Gingrich’s famous Contract With America.
In an email obtained by the Huffington Post, the Arizona Republican’s chief of staff, Marc Buse, asked an outside adviser for help with a “ten principles” program that the senator could use as a “definitive” platform.
“We are looking for some guidance on a definitive plan (aka contract with america style) on the economy…principles,” writes Buse. “Ten principles that JSM could point to on what MUST BE DONE to address the problems our nation faces.”
Buse doesn’t offer specific suggestions of his own, save “NO TAX INCREASES.”
In news in Alaska Redneck Bristol has ditched Baby Daddy who is now free to make mo babies.st
That report is also in contast with Faux flunkie and fired from CNN talkin head Gretta von Clueless.
Bristol, true to rethug values and most of the rethugs here, has not attempted to return to high school ’cause it’s real hard. She has found something at the school to fulFILLher um
needs. She is going into high school two days a week to help the high school’s new swimming coach, Matt Hanley, with his duties at the pool. She is signed in at the office as an “aide.”
RW-(the original)
March 11th, 2009
8:55 pm
Does anybody here subscribe to the AJC home delivery? I heard they have to weight it down with a rock to keep it in your driveway and wondered if it’s true.
RW-(the original)
March 11th, 2009
8:57 pm
Jay B.,
Why are you letting all this abuse get heaped on an 18 year old kid?
G
March 11th, 2009
8:57 pm
See there? Family values and market discipline are what everyone should have except for those who are in power. That is the GOP message.
How is it that conservative free marketeers are the ones who need government subsidies and bailouts?
How is it that conservative, Bible-thumping, family values-talking do-gooders are the ones whose kids get pregnant, get busted for drinking/drugs, and have questionable personal lives?
Give me a break from all this hypocrisy and sophistry.
It’s time for business and government and religion to part ways.
Time for the radical Christian right to step off.
TnGelding
March 11th, 2009
9:00 pm
SunTrust a good neighbor:
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2009/03/11/suntrust_helps_homeowners.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab&cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Jenn
March 11th, 2009
9:00 pm
Poor Bristol.
Is Joe the plumber married?
jon
March 11th, 2009
9:01 pm
Here comes Porkulus II. Madame Pelosi has found a few constituents that didn’t get stimulated enough by Porkulus I, and is planning Porkulus II, since the first one was such a success.
Meanwhile the O-man continues to give lip-service to fiscal responsibility, while digging his hand deeply into the pockets of the few taxpayers that will remain in this country after his agenda is fully enacted.
Will the O-puppet stand up to his masters, Pelosi and Reid and insist on fiscal responsibility in Government? I wouldn’t bet a nickel on it.
Chad Harris
March 11th, 2009
9:07 pm
The wingnuts here don’t read newspapers–too hard.
G
March 11th, 2009
9:16 pm
Who would ever think that the Rushpublicant party could be such a huge laugh machine?
They ought to have their own channel.
SNL ought to be a riot this week, for sure!
Chad Harris
March 11th, 2009
9:20 pm
Republican PORKULUS alive and well:
Bashing Democrats on the day President Obama signed the $410 billion omnibus spending bill was the easy part for Republican leaders Wednesday.
But getting Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell on the same page on earmarks will be a lot tougher.
At a joint press conference designed to present a united Republican front against Democratic spending habits, McConnell (R-Ky.) and Boehner (R-Ohio) appeared to diverge on earmark reform.
“I think the president missed a golden opportunity to really fulfill his campaign commitment to not sign bills that have a lot of wasteful spending and are overburdened with earmarks,” Boehner said. “If you look at the earmark reforms that he proposed, the question I have is, ‘Where’s the beef?”
McConnell declined to answer the question about earmarks.
The Amazing GodHatesTrash
March 11th, 2009
9:23 pm
Bookman, on the previous thread there are almost 300 consecutive posts without a single one from Whine&Whine.
That has to be a record.
G
March 11th, 2009
9:24 pm
Meghan McCain (John’s daughter) is talking with Rachel Maddow now.
She says she’s 24, but she sounds more like 14.
jon
March 11th, 2009
9:28 pm
When the slop hits the trough, all piggies (R&D) show up to eat. One elected official had the opportunity to stand up for all of America and refuse to sign the earmark laden budget bill. That was the O-man. What a hero he would have been to Americans if he had refused to sign the pork heavy budget!! But. alas, he dances on the strings of Pelosi, Reid, Carville, Begala, and various Clintonistas.
Chad Harris
March 11th, 2009
9:32 pm
Rethug Minority Whip Eric Cantor “GIMME LOTS MORE STIMULUS WHILE THE BOOKMAN WINGBUTTERS CRY ABOUT IT”
fed up
March 11th, 2009
9:32 pm
There’s not a D behind her name that’s why RW.