Here's the article that won a Pulitzer: "Bush challenges hundreds of laws"

[babylonsister]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/04/30/bush_challenges_hundreds_of_laws/

Bush challenges hundreds of laws
President cites powers of his office

By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | April 30, 2006

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.

Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.

Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ''to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ''execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional.

Former administration officials contend that just because Bush reserves the right to disobey a law does not mean he is not enforcing it: In many cases, he is simply asserting his belief that a certain requirement encroaches on presidential power.

But with the disclosure of Bush's domestic spying program, in which he ignored a law requiring warrants to tap the phones of Americans, many legal specialists say Bush is hardly reluctant to bypass laws he believes he has the constitutional authority to override.
Examples of the president's signing statements
Pop-up GLOBE GRAPHIC: Number of new statutes challenged

Far more than any predecessor, Bush has been aggressive about declaring his right to ignore vast swaths of laws -- many of which he says infringe on power he believes the Constitution assigns to him alone as the head of the executive branch or the commander in chief of the military.

more...

[Jcrowley]

1. Picture

A twerp with power. That's why they installed him. They knew he'd sign off on everything they wanted.

[jody]

2. Many thanks.

:hi:

[Dervill Crow]

3. And another recommendation nt

[Uncle Joe]

4. Thanks for the thread babylonsister

Kicked and recommended

[Captain Hilts]

5. I guess he got this idea when he looked into Putin's soul. nt

[Joe for Clark]

6. I don't think that matters so much.

What does matter - he crossed the cultural line of right and wrong. He just did.

I don't know what the 21st century version of "run out on a rail" looks like - but we are about to find out just what it looks like now.

Personally, I'd rather he just retire - cause I would rather not know.

Good post though,

JOe

[petgoat]

12. We have to know what tarred and feathered looks like, so

future Presidents know what it looks like, and know not to cross
the lines Bush crossed.

Tarred and feathered and run out on a rail to The Hague.

Accept nothing less!

[TwilightGardener]

7. This better be the blueprint for impeachment.

[patrice]

8. Impeach!

I've been holding back on this issue, but I've had it!

But if we impeach him, what about Cheney? Or can we get two for the price of one somehow, i.e. Bush's impeachment will implicate Cheney?

[CrazyOrangeCat]

9. K&R

[DeepModem Mom]

10. K&R

[liberalla]

11. I'm so glad the Pulitzer was awarded for this article!

Thanks for posting the thread - I wanted to re-read it after I heard the news yesterday.

:kick:

[CRH]

13. Thanks for the walk through memory lane, ...

even if it was depressing. A very good reminder, a very sad statement.