They have no intention of leaving office in 2009.
I knew something like this was going to happen. They can't leave office yet. Their work isn't done. There are still more countries to invade, there are still more civil liberties to be squashed. After everything they've set in motion, did we really think they'd stand by and let the next administration undo all of that?
From the NY Times:
Cheney: Bush Administration May Challenge 22nd Amendment in 2008 Election.
By PHILIP MCKRACK
Published: April 1, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, North Carolina. April 1 — Vice President Cheney delivered a speech early Sunday morning before a formation of soldiers at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The speech was not publicized and the prepared remarks were intended to boost troop morale. The comments were fairly unremarkable except for one short comment near the end of the speech in which Mr. Cheney suggested that the Bush Administration may seek to challenge the 22nd amendment in the 2008 presidential election in an effort to ensure that the war in Iraq is successful.
Mr. Cheney again cited the war in Iraq as a key component in the effort to combat terrorism, saying "The war in Iraq is such a crucial part of the greater war on terror that we currently have our legal advisors looking into the possibility that the 22nd Amendment may not apply in 2008."
Because the speech was not publicized and was held on a secure military base, very few journalists were present, and none were able to ask questions about what the Vice President's comments might mean. Repeated efforts to contact the Vice President's Office to clarify the comment were unsuccessful.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution prohibits U.S. Presidents from running for a third term, stating "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice...". The 22nd Amendment was passed in 1951 after President Franklin Roosevelt broke a tradition that dated back to George Washington, in which Presidents voluntarily refused to run for a third term.
Political pundits and Constitutional experts are split on what the Vice President's comments could mean. Some see the comments as an effort to extend the Administration's "war powers" due to the fact that the country is at war. They argue that there is a tenuous case to be made that the 22nd Amendment doesn't apply during war time since the Congress waited until after WW II to introduce such an Amendment. Others say that the mere fact that the country had just ended the war in 1951, when the Amendment was passed, suggests that the Congress would have put such an exception into the language of the Amendment if they had intended it not apply during times of war.
Others say that the Bush Administration will argue that the 2000 race was not actually decided by an election and that the Bush administration has technically only been "elected" once since the Supreme Court's Decision in Bush v. Gore effectively nullified the popular vote. Anonymous sources inside the White House have corrborated that this may indeed be the Administration's plan.
Arguing that it was not actually elected would be a very interesting approach for the administration to say the least, but most experts agree that it is certainly possible given the Bush administration's history of creative interpretation of the law with regard to such cases as:
- the assertion that The Geneva Conventions do not apply to U.S. detainees captured on the battlefield,
- suggestions that the legal definition of "torture" only includes activities that cause death or organ failure,
- the argument that U.S. Citizens do not have a right to "due process" if declared "enemy combatants", which was recently rejected by the Supreme Court,
- Attorney General Albert Gonzales's testimony before Congress that the Constitution doesn't guarantee U.S. Citizens a right to Habeas Corpus,
- The Administration's claim that the FISA law does not apply to their warrantless wire taps of Americans.
Critics of the Administration argue that these cases are all the proof needed to believe that The Bush Administration would try to argue that its own victory in 2000 demonstrates that it could run for a third term in 2008.
19 comments:
First, I apologize for stealing your article and using parts of it at my blog. I was ranting about how Cheney is still running around claiming Al-Qaida and Saddam were linked, and then I read what you posted here. Also, if you will pardon my expression, Cheney totally sucks a big, dead donkey dick. Here are excerpts from a comment I wrote over at the Major's place in response to a detractor who is currently making his presence very well known at that blog:
I'm glad you feel comfortable that Bush and Cheney have your back. I don't really believe they have mine...
You may not put much stock in articles that appear in the New York Times; I often have trouble believing what I read from a number of sources, but here is some interesting thought-fodder regarding Mr. Cheney:
(I stole the NYT article from your blog and posted in that comment, hope you don't mind!)
Well, now isn't that special...! 8-)>
Here is the 22nd Amendment:
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the Congress. (It was ratified by the requisite number of states 2/27/51).
My point is, the administration is dicking around with the Constitution, which it seems to me has held up well since its inception. I don't think our Constitution needs adjustments, particularly with any more Bush/Cheney "creativity". My question is, does one serve the country, or serve Bush? I don't believe those are one and the same. Can someone serve the country and the American way of life, as outlined in the Constitution, while at the same time supporting people who are attempting to undermine the Constitution? You can go ahead and tell us about how many times Clinton violated the Constitution if you like, and I will believe you... I'm sure Bill did his share, but heck... the legal and Constitutional abuses I've seen during the past six years are enough to give me the willies.
Of course Cheney didn't say anything about declaring a state of martial law or suspending the 2008 elections, although I wouldn't put that past him. It only appears from his comments that the administration wants to allow itself to RUN again. If that's all their angling for, that is, a chance to run Bush one more time, I don't see how the guy could possibly win, or even get his party's nomination... so unless our whole system is suspended between now and then, I won't get too worried.
Seeing them admit that they didn't really win the 2000 election would be a treat, but knowing they would be doing so just so they could try for a third term sounds pretty typical of their MO. I believe they will do anything to keep their power and keep their control of Middle Eastern oil, and to continue the religious aspects of their Middle Eastern policy. If it is decided that Dubya can't run, they might as well just run Jeb. Or maybe Marvin! Now that'd be a hoot! 8-)>
I'll add this note: This has been one of my greatest fears from day one of the Bush administration, that is, that they would try and fuck up the Constitution's 22nd Amendment and stay in power, whatever it takes. Cheney hints that the White House legal advisors are looking into it, and I have serious doubts they will be successful in their quest... unless they basically just decide that America is on a new road now, with no Constitution, no Congress, no Supreme Court, and with the military in charge of everything, as led by the Commander-In-Chief. And if that were to happen, I suspect there would be mass rioting and a possible coup.
No matter how much some people such as Dickhead Cheney are trying to fuck up America, I believe our country will survive their efforts. I love America, and I have faith in it.
I still have not received any nasty responses re. my letter which was printed in the local newspaper, but I may use your article or quotes from it in any rebuttals I have to make. Thanks for printing this... It is dark and depressing stuff, but more Americans need to know about this kind of evil shit, and why our media won't make it into the big story it is? Totally beyond me...
i hope he does run again...because he'll lose.
Would we finally impeach him in a third term?
I mean really, are the checks and balances in the Fing system or not?
It looks like not.
Like I said on your blog, Snave, you are welcome to steal from here anytime. I consider it an honor. : )
I don't think they would be successful at taking a stab at the 22nd amendment either, but with the Supreme Court stacked in their favor, anything is possible. If something like this did happen, I would hope that the general public would finally get off their asses, myself included, and drag them out of the White House.
My guess is that they will let the Democratic nominee win in '08, and then run Jeb, or
g-d forgive, Marvin, in 2012.
No nasty responses to your letter to the editor yet, Snave? That is very encouraging.
1138, Let's impeach them in their second term. Like right now.
Very interesting and indeed willies inducing. Snave makes some very cogent points and I agree that in the end, there probably isn't too much to worry about with regard to an upending of the 22nd, or, that a succesful third run at the office would be likely, however, without sounding overly cynical, if such a thing were to occur, I really don't have a lot of faith in today's youth. Speaking for myself on the early side of of middle-aged, I'm by small margin apathetic (not lazy or indifferent) to current events (not something I'm necessarily proud of but life itself can be challenging and self-absorbing on its own) and I believe, from what I've seen I am not in the minority (part of the problem?). So, assuming I'm right, consider, with the way kids are today--being more fascinated by their MySpaces, Playstations, iPods and growing consumerism--one has to take great pause and consider that a blaze of real, revolutionary civil unrest being tindered by today's Abercrombie & Fitch-set in protest to a third regime (reich?) is about as likely to happen as a quarter-horse mudder winning the Triple Crown on three different dry and sunny days (please pardon the horse racing analogy).
And maybe I've missed something (remember, I have admitted to not paying as close enough attention as I should) but hasn't Dubya and his ilk lost enough face with even their core constituents to not merit a third pass?
-P
Oh dear God say this article is some kind of late April Fool's joke. I can see these Fascists actually attempting some bullshit like this. The only saving grace is that W is so unpopular right now, but Rove and the boys have stolen elections before.
Peter, Unfortunately, I think your response was spot on. As much as I would hope that the general public would rise up against this madness, I don't see it happening. If there were a draft going on or people were making material sacrifices for the war, then it would be a different story. Again, Rove & company thought this all through ahead of time. They didn't tell us to sacrifice for the war...they told us to "go shopping." In return, they got what they wanted -- a public that views the war like a TV show.
I never thought I would be for the draft, but that would get people out of their seats.
elvez, Yep...that's why I said that they would "let" the Dem win in '08. I know my cynicism is at an all time high, but I truly feel that the fix is in.
Lizzy, I'm sure you already know this has been an illegal war from the very beginning. It was an illegal election. It is an illegal administration. I'll say it once again. They are simply making up their own rules as they go along. It's a joke, plain and simple.
As far as the constitution is concerned, their excuse would be, its outdated and needs to be changed. Again, changing the rules that have been in place from the very inception of our country, in order to serve themselves.
How can the general populace actually still believe that what they are doing is the right thing?
I don't even know if I can trust the Left to make the right decisions anymore. So who do you turn to if you can't even go to your trusted elected officials any longer?
This whole fiasco has become the most ridiculous dog & pony show I have ever expreienced.
One thing I am certain of though, is that we need to get out of Iraq, get Bush & Co. out of office, and start giving this country back to the people, now.
We need to organize another party who will not fall victim to the politics of politics.
I guess there needs to be some sort of revolution in order for that to happen. We also need a strong leader who will uphold the laws of the land, and who will not be self seving. Incidentally, if you haven't noticed, that is what is going on at this very moment, and it makes me sick.
How dare them for putting the people of this country second.
No, they don't have our backs! They never did. They just keep patting themselves on the back!!!!
LOL. You had me going for awhile there. This article was from The Onion, right? Or National Lampoon? Right? Right?!?!?!?!???
Oh. My. God.
WF, I agree with everything you said, except for one thing. I don't think they are making it up as they go along. I think they are always 10 steps ahead of us. Just take a look at Rove's face sometime -- he always has that sick smile on his face. Right now he's probably planning the next big fucked up thing, as well as preparing for the scandal that will follow several months later.
Tom, It's no joke.
After further research, it has come to my attention that the article was indeed an April fools joke.
I am very sorry. While
many people, myself included, fell for it, I should have checked it out before posting.
I am relieved that it isn't true, but I feel terrible that I have led my dear blogger friends astray. It was by no means, intentional.
Don't worry about it! I forwarded the article to about 30 people, but then sent a retraction once I read in your blog that the article was a joke. I am also glad it was a joke, but I would say it was a MEAN joke... considering how utterly believable something like that would be coming from Cheney...! Hehehehe!
Hell, I still wouldn't put it past them though. I wouldn't put anything past them! I'll continue to keep my guard up.
Thanks, guys. The sad part is that the article was so convincing because we are not surprised by anything anymore. If we found out that Cheney has decided to start rounding up all non-Republicans into internment camps, we'd believe that, too.
It's sick state of affairs.
Internment camps... that's what my Christian fundamentalist brother-in-law thinks "liberals" want to do to Christians... sigh... He says that the camps are being built as we speak. Heh...
Yer right, it's a sad state of affairs our nation has found itself in.
Joke or no joke, life imitates...well you know. By the way, what's so wrong with "camps" for Christians? I've never thought about it before, but really they don't like the rest of us anyway...and this way they can pretend they are the only ones here. The "rapture" would be simplified, and would cause less havoc with the rest of the world...oh, I could go on and on...
"Internment camps... that's what my Christian fundamentalist brother-in-law thinks "liberals" want to do to Christians."
Huh?!?!
These folks build their own internment camps, "liberals" don't need to, or have any interest in doing so.
Hasn't he heard of "The Peoples Temple", the most infamous among many?
They separate themselves from society and then accuse us of doing it to them?
April Fool...didn't anyone see the date on the article?
Oh, I still hate the whole bunch of them. I still think the election(s) were stolen and I still think most liberals (I am one) can't actually do more than shout about anything.
Jesus Cheney finally blew a gasket!!
Just can't beleive the cajones on these numbskulls.
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