Specter Goes To Runnymede

Why does Senator Arlen Specter plan to sue President George W. Bush?

He believes in the rights of all citizens to due process and habeas corpus.

Translated: George W. Bush is not above the law, damn it.

Specter prepping bill to sue Bush

WASHINGTON - A powerful Republican committee chairman who has led the fight against President Bush's signing statements said Monday he would have a bill ready by the end of the week allowing Congress to sue him in federal court.

"We will submit legislation to the United States Senate which will...authorize the Congress to undertake judicial review of those signing statements with the view to having the president's acts declared unconstitutional," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said on the Senate floor. --snip--

Bush has issued at least 750 signing statements during his presidency, reserving the right to revise, interpret or disregard laws on national security and constitutional grounds. --snip--

Signing statements have been used by presidents, typically for such purposes as instructing agencies how to execute new laws.

But many of Bush's signing statements serve notice that he believes parts of bills he is signing are unconstitutional or might violate national security.

The truly hilarious part: Senator Box Turtle Sex Guy is on Bush's side, but he claims the 750 signing statements a group of White House lawyers labored to research, write, and present to Bush are just opinions ...

Bush is not without congressional allies on the matter. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a former judge, has said that signing statements are nothing more than expressions of presidential opinion that carry no legal weight because federal courts are unlikely to consider them when deciding cases that challenge the same laws.

Which brings us to Runnymede.

From 1215 until the 18th century CE, British monarchs tried their damndest to amend and/or outright nullify The Magna Carta, which during its evolution, gave us...

No person shall be ... deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

And...

That no freeman ought to be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land.

So which is it, Bush?

Are your presidential signing statements "just your opinions," or are they designed to limit the power of congress to enact laws, thereby exalting you above all other citizens?

Choose wisely, you self-proclaimed history major. Monarchs have lost their heads for much less, you know.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.