About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Preserve, protect and defend
Author: Raine    Date: 04/02/2008 12:03:47

The DoJ declassified a memo from 2003. Yes. another one. Many more are still missing... but if this is an indicator of what we have yet to see... wow...
The memo, written by John Yoo, then a key architect of legal policy in the wake of 9/11, dismisses several legal impediments to the use of extreme techniques.

Yoo was long a proponent of an aggressive approach in the war against terrorism and a believer in executive branch authority. But the memo was withdrawn as formal government policy less than a year after it was written.

In the March 14, 2003 memo, Yoo says the Constitution was not in play with regard to the interrogations because the Fifth Amendment (which provides for due process of law) and the Eighth Amendment (which prevents the government from employing cruel and usual punishment) does "not extend to alien enemy combatants held abroad.":

The memo goes on to explain that federal criminal statutes regarding assault and other crimes against the body don't apply to authorized military interrogations overseas and that statutes that do apply to the conduct of U.S. officials abroad pertaining to war crimes and torture establish a limited obligation on the part of interrogators to refrain from bodily harm.
But this is the real kicker...
"If a government defendant were to harm an enemy combatant during an interrogation in a manner that might arguably violate a criminal prohibition, he would be doing so in order to prevent further attacks on the United States by the al Qaeda terrorist network," Yoo wrote. "In that case, we believe that he could argue that the executive branch's constitutional authority to protect the nation from attack justified his actions."
No where in the constitution does it give the executive branch that authority.

They knew they were breaking the law and committing unconstitutional acts. They did it then and they are doing it now. The very idea that they have people writing memo's to figure out how to get around the constitution should tell us about how little this Executive branch regards our precious Constitution. They pick and choose the amendments like it is some game.

The constitution is for EVERYONE, not the Executive branch's to use against the people.

If it wasn't so late in this administration's term, I would ask that every American send one dollar to go towards a fund so we could force these lawbreaking criminal nitwits back to a constitutional law class.

The idea that the constitution must be broken in order to save a nation is unseemly at the very least, and a HIGHLY treasonous crime imo. Mr. Yoo should be stripped of his citizenship. And *ush -- well -- I have spoken of how I feel about him many times here in this space. From Article II, section One United states Constitution:

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

That is the presidents job - to protect the constitution, not break it. This country will be unraveling the damage of the past 8 years for a long time. This election is VERY important; let's make sure we get the right person for the job! Let's elect someone who will treat the constitution like the beautiful document it is!

See you inside!
:peace: and

Raine

 

139 comments (Latest Comment: 04/03/2008 02:35:53 by Mondobubba)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by TriSec on 04/02/2008 12:38:34
Morning, folks. Only time for a quickie...



I'm in meetings virtually all day. I might have time for a blow-through around lunchtime, but that's about it.



:peace:





Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 12:54:03
Good morning Tri! if a quickie is all you got, you know I am easy enough to take it!

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:07:26
Mike Gravel's newest political ad....

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:09:43
Shane-o!

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:10:28
:rofl:

Comment by m-hadley on 04/02/2008 13:15:11
Quote by Raine:

:rofl:




So Shane-O is like me, he has a law degree, but has never passed a bar - he has always had to go in and knock back a few That's the last time I'll tell that joke, I promise.

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/02/2008 13:17:03
:clap: Great bloggie Raine!!



Morning all.



Velveeta booked a hotel room yesterday. :D

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:19:01
Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by Raine:

:rofl:




So Shane-O is like me, he has a law degree, but has never passed a bar - he has always had to go in and knock back a few That's the last time I'll tell that joke, I promise.

Cheers,

mfaye
HAH! :drink:



Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:20:41
Rush makes...

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/02/2008 13:21:59
Thank you KO!!!!!



A former Wal-Mart employee who suffered severe brain damage in a traffic accident won't have to pay back the company for the cost of her medical care, Wal-Mart told the family Tuesday.





Debbie Shank, 52, has severe brain damage after a traffic accident in May 2000.



"Occasionally, others help us step back and look at a situation in a different way. This is one of those times," Wal-Mart Executive Vice President Pat Curran said in a letter. "We have all been moved by Ms. Shank's extraordinary situation."



Eight years ago, Debbie Shank was stocking shelves for the retail giant and signed up for Wal-Mart's health and benefits plan.



After a tractor-trailer slammed into her minivan, the 52-year-old mother of three lost much of her short-term memory and was confined to a wheelchair. She now lives in a nursing home.



She also lost her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, who was killed shortly after arriving in Iraq. When Debbie Shank asks family members how her son is doing and they remind her that he's dead, she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time.






From CNN

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:22:00
Oh tweety...

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:22:48
YES! Thanks to KO and all the people who wrote letters to MaoMart!

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:24:56
Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:28:09
:rofl: Love that Hills compared herself to Rocky!



Does that make Obama Appollo Creed???

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/02/2008 13:30:36
Quote by Raine:

:rofl: Love that Hills compared herself to Rocky!



Does that make Obama Appollo Creed???


Um............ FYI Hillary, Rocky lost in the first movie............

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:31:36
Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by Raine:

:rofl: Love that Hills compared herself to Rocky!



Does that make Obama Appollo Creed???


Um............ FYI Hillary, Rocky lost in the first movie............


Does this mean she is going to have like 6 sequals?!?!?

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:33:40


Rach Schools Joe Scarborough!

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:43:12


Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 13:48:19
J-J-J-uicy!!! :banana:

Comment by m-hadley on 04/02/2008 13:50:29
Quote by Raine:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by Raine:

:rofl: Love that Hills compared herself to Rocky!



Does that make Obama Appollo Creed???


Um............ FYI Hillary, Rocky lost in the first movie............


Does this mean she is going to have like 6 sequals?!?!?




OMG, I hope to hell not, you know how the Dems treat their retreads - Dukakis, Kerry, McGovern, Carter - I don't believe that the Dems generally welcome a second act from pols, unless of course it is the great Al Gore, or the equally great John Edwards. (sarcasm-free - truly!) :D

Cheers,

mfaye



Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 13:53:57
Good morning everyone.



It was a brutal night in the salt mine and I came home pooped.



Oh, why can't I get a normal night's sleep (or a job where I can get a normal night's sleep).

Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 13:55:22
Quote by Raine:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by Raine:

:rofl: Love that Hills compared herself to Rocky!



Does that make Obama Appollo Creed???


Um............ FYI Hillary, Rocky lost in the first movie............


Does this mean she is going to have like 6 sequals?!?!?


NOOOOO!

Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 13:56:21
Four organs? That's a lot to handle.

Comment by BobR on 04/02/2008 14:01:17
Quote by Raine:

:rofl: Love that Hills compared herself to Rocky!



Does that make Obama Appollo Creed???


Obama Creed!



Who wants to do the photoshop on that one? :D

Comment by wickedpam on 04/02/2008 14:06:28
Morning :hug:

Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:07:32
Good morning Mala. How's it going in DC?

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:07:34
Quote by Raine:



Rach Schools Joe Scarborough!
for the next break... Let me add that Scarborough is a indignant f*ckhead.



Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:09:52
The Hillary supporters on the SMS Live blog are not supportive of the cause with the way they behave.

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:11:24
Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:12:41
Laura Flanders is doing a forum with Ani DiFranco and Susan Faludi this Thursday night and I'm off.



The only problem is it's in Los Angeles.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/02/2008 14:17:37
Quote by livingonli:

Good morning Mala. How's it going in DC?




Pretty well, just waiting for the real warm spring weather to finally stay. Keeps jumping from 70 one day to 50 the next. Just love that transitional weather.



Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:17:44
That story was rather disturbing. Big EWWWw factor.



:wank:

Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:21:20
Boner, t'ain't funny McGee.

Comment by TriSec on 04/02/2008 14:21:53
Quote by Raine:



Does this mean she is going to have like 6 sequals?!?!?




Nah, only the one. Remember, she's trying to turn Obama into "damaged goods" so that we get a President McCain. Then she can run against him in 2012 as the "I told you so!" candidate.







Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:24:50
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by Raine:



Does this mean she is going to have like 6 sequals?!?!?




Nah, only the one. Remember, she's trying to turn Obama into "damaged goods" so that we get a President McCain. Then she can run against him in 2012 as the "I told you so!" candidate.







At the rate she's going, if her behavior creates a President McCain, she will be hopefully ostracized and that will finish off her political ambitions for good.

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:26:26
I may never be able to go to a DD again... :P

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:27:01
Happy Birthday in Der leader!!!

Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 14:32:12
Quote by Raine:

I may never be able to go to a DD again... :P


What about Krispy Kreme?

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:36:53
Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:41:56
I posted this Tammy Baldwin story on les board.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/02/2008 14:42:47
Gays on a Plane : chuckle :

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:43:12
Nancy is like a Mom who writes a letter to get out of class.

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:47:21
Quote by wickedpam:

Gays on a Plane : chuckle :


:rofl:



Muthaf*ckn Gays on a plane!

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:50:59
We shop at three different places in order to save money on food.



Comment by Shane-O on 04/02/2008 14:51:06
Quote by livingonli:

Four organs? That's a lot to handle.


That was an "organ donation" (quiet Squeezy - I meant the other double entendre) I sent to months ago! But they seem to have less use for it than the wedding organ... Steph...

Go Booker T and the MG's!!!!

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:51:27
Comment by BobR on 04/02/2008 14:51:57
For some reason, that teacher story reminds me of Lord of the Flies

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:52:16
Quote by Shane-O:

Quote by livingonli:

Four organs? That's a lot to handle.


That was an "organ donation" (quiet Squeezy - I meant the other double entendre) I sent to months ago! But they seem to have less use for it than the wedding organ... Steph...

Go Booker T and the MG's!!!!
OMG! I LOVE THAT AUDICON!!!







Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:53:30
God, John McCain sounds like a psychopath...

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 14:55:06
:rofl: my grandfather was surprised by Lint.. :orfl:



I gotta remember that line.