The Road of Bones

Here's one for the "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" file ...

Yesterday, when answering questions from reporters on the US Attorney scandal, White House spokesman Tony Snow said the following:

"There are -- in this particular case, the Department of Justice -- the Congress does have legitimate oversight responsibility for the Department of Justice. It created the Department of Justice. [Congress] does not have constitutional oversight responsibility over the White House, which is why by our reaching out, we're doing something that we're not compelled to do by the Constitution [...]"

Sorry Tony, but the Department of State's website seems to disagree with you in its opening paragraph describing the oversight powers of Congress ...

Dictionaries define "oversight" as "watchful care," and this approach has proven to be one of the most effective techniques that Congress has adopted to influence the executive branch. Congressional oversight prevents waste and fraud; protects civil liberties and individual rights; ensures executive compliance with the law; gathers information for making laws and educating the public; and evaluates executive performance. It applies to cabinet departments, executive agencies, regulatory commissions, and the presidency.

What we have, ladies and gentlemen, is an Executive Branch that now wishes to be above the law.

What do we call this set of circumstances when we witness it in other, smaller countries?

Say it with me class: An Executive Branch that over-rides the constitutionally-delegated power of the Congress has established a ... "Dick-Tate-Orrr-Ship"

Lordie. Next thing you know, they'll be saying that the Military Commissions Act or The Patriot Act gives them the authority to suspend the next election.

Labels: lies, separation of powers

Posted by The Gonzo Muckraker on Friday, March 23, 2007 at Friday, March 23, 2007 | Permalink