Sen. Byrd: No President is Above the Law

[cosmicdot]

No President is Above the Law

By Sen. Robert Byrd

Americans have been stunned at the recent news of the abuses of
power by an overzealous president. It has become apparent that this
administration has engaged in a consistent and unrelenting pattern
of abuse against our country's law-abiding citizens, and against our
Constitution.

We have been stunned to hear reports about the Pentagon gathering
information and creating databases to spy on ordinary Americans
whose only sin is to choose to exercise their First Amendment right
to peaceably assemble. Those Americans who choose to question the
administration's flawed policy in Iraq are labeled by this
administration as "domestic terrorists."

We now know that the FBI's use of National Security Letters on
American citizens has increased 100-fold, requiring tens of
thousands of individuals to turn over personal information and
records. These letters are issued without prior judicial review, and
provide no real means for an individual to challenge a permanent gag
order.

Through news reports, we have been shocked to learn of the CIA's
practice of rendition, and the so-called "black sites," secret
locations in foreign countries, where abuse and interrogation have
been exported, to escape the reach of U.S. laws protecting against
human rights abuses.

We know that Vice President Dick Cheney has asked for exemptions for
the CIA from the language contained in the McCain torture amendment
banning cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment -- thank God his
pleas have been rejected by this Congress.

Now comes the stomach-churning revelation through an executive
order, that President Bush has circumvented both the Congress and
the courts. He has usurped the third branch of government -- the
branch charged with protecting the civil liberties of our people --
by directing the National Security Agency to intercept and eavesdrop
on the phone conversations and e-mails of American citizens without
a warrant, which is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment.

~snip~

http://makeashorterlink.com/?A6002446C

[FourStarDemocrat]

1. Wonderful speech.

I read it a few days ago over at truthout.org. He tells it like it is.

[Catrina]

2. Yes he does ~ I wish Hillary and others

would speak out as strongly in defense of the Constitution. He's been doing it from day one. He knew this administration was real threat to this country's freedom. He spoke out even when it was almost considered treason to do so. He has been proven right in everything he predicted about this administration.

He said, in another great speech a while ago that the 'truth will come out' because the American people would eventually demand it, and, he said 'when it does, this house of cards will fall'.

Too bad back then, that few of his fellow Demcorats backed him up. He was thrashed by the right, because they can't stand the truth. But at his age, I guess he's impervious to their stupid attacks.

Good for him, he is what we need right now. I really do hope the rest of his colleagues will join him in his outrage. It is absolutely appropriate. To remain silent now is simply not an option for any true Democrat.

[NanceGreggs]

3. Well said, Catrina ...

"To remain silent now is simply not an option for any true Democrat."

THAT should be the battle cry of ALL Democrats!

:applause:

[rosesaylavee]

5. I agree!

Good post.

[robbedvoter]

6. My new e-mail signature. K&R

[Lasher]

4. Here's a link to a video clip of the speech

http://byrd.senate.gov/newsroom/tv/tv.html

[mzmolly]

7. Thanks.

:)

[yellowdogmi]

8. Kick

I think this man may be the last patriot in Washington. My own Senator (Obama) doesn't think that calling for impeachment serves our nation. What a ball less DINO. Thanks for the post.

[DavidDvorkin]

9. Unfortunately, this president is above the law

As long as his cabal controls all three branches of government, and the press is their lickspittle.

If the situation changes, it could be a different situation - assuming the Democrats keep building vertebrae. But for now, yes, he is above the law.