Bush says Congress must stay in session until it passes new spying law

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Bush said today that Congress must stay in session until it approves legislation modernizing a U.S. law governing eavesdropping on foreigners.

"So far the Democrats in Congress have not drafted a bill I can sign," Bush said at FBI headquarters, where he was meeting with counterterror and homeland security officials. "We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk. Time is short."

The president said that lawmakers must not leave for their August recess this weekend as planned unless they "pass a bill that will give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect the United States."

Earlier today, the White House offered an eleventh-hour accord to Democrats in the negotiations over the matter, saying it would agree to a court review of its foreign intelligence activities instead of leaving certification up to the attorney general and director of national intelligence.



Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003820002_websurveillance03.html

[jimshoes]

1. How many months has

the admin known about this? And why is it vital at this late date? And I wouldn't give gonzo certification to pay the paper boy.

[Eurobabe]

5. they need to spy on more Dem congress critters

or Pres. candidates. Silly!

[MidwestTransplant]

6. Because they are just trying to shove it through without review.

[dglow]

38. FISA amendment

Apparently, a few months ago, a FISA Court judge ruled the spy program illegal, and could not continue. The administration kept the decision from the public. This bill guts the very purpose of FISA - to protect the privacy rights of Americans. The amendment actually expands the executive surveillance powers. We already know they've been listening in on the phone conversations of Americans (probably mostly their political opponents), and that they've been data mining our phone records, bank records, and email accounts. Moreover, the bill retroactively nullifies Bush's criminality for previous wiretapping, ruled illegal by the Federal Court and now FISA Court.

Why would anyone think it wise to grant more power to those who have already so abused it? I heard that Pelosi has been strong-arming those Dems who have been reluctant to pass the measure.

There's nothing wrong with the FISA law that the impeachment of snoopers Bush/Cheney/Gonzales can't resolve.

Call your senators to vote NO on the FISA amendment!

[donkeyotay]

58. As long as they're in session, I'd rather they impeach his chimpy ass

than this: "...the bill retroactively nullifies Bush's criminality for previous wiretapping..."

[smtpgirl]

79. Yep, if the congress is in session, NO RECESS appointments!!

[Qutzupalotl]

63. Welcome to DU, dglow.

Great first post.

[Arugula Latte]

69. Welcome to DU dlgow!

:hi: :toast:

[Maraya1969]

72. Welcome to DU dglow

:hi:

[creeksneakers2]

76. Do you have a link for some of those facts?

I'm wondering about gutting FISA. What I'm reading is that the only change would allow calls between two foreigners to be spied on if they pass through the US. If so, the privacy rights of Americans aren't in jeopardy.

I haven't read anywhere else that the bill nullifies criminality that Bush engaged in, unless it was spying on foreign calls that passed through the US.

What other surveillance powers does the bill expand?

Where did you hear that Pelosi was strong arming Democrats to vote for FISA changes? The problem with the rank and file Democrats is that they are too gutless to vote against the FISA changes. It doesn't make sense that Pelosi is strong arming them to vote for it.

[aggiesal]

90. Not only phone calls, but e-mails and any web sites, ...

because of the web based e-mails that are prevalent.

So, let's think about this.
If they can listen to phone call coming into the US, or going out the US, or just passing thru the US,
what happens when your e-mail get's routed to a server outside the US?

Just think, if you e-mail a friend across the street, your e-mail could be routed to a foreign server, and now your e-mail could be subject to spying.

Why is Pelosi giving in on this? She has not given an explanation of any kind why she wants to appease these criminals in the WH, unless they have something on her.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

83. Welcome to DU!

Enjoy yourself in our crazy, addictive village!

:hi:

[bdamomma]

84. welcome to DU dglow, your post is spot on!!

:hi:

[bonito]

91. ACLU link to make things easy here

https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=687&pg=makeACall&page=UserAction&JServSessionIdr011=yjtjbq2la2.app26a
Thanks and welcome to DU!

[Auntie Bush]

143. Now that's what I call a great first post!! Welcome aboard dglow.

:hi: Glad to see you here. :bounce:

[dickbearton]

70. Why...

Why would Democrats do anything Criminal Bush wonts? The Bush
administration will not even honor the law and subpoenas. They
should tell Bush to go F himself.

[Roland99]

2. How dare the Dems not pass a law allowing Bush to spy on them!

What nerve!

[0007]

10. Gee! The uniter is just trying to save our sorry asses!!


"Bush said the administration offer is a "a narrow and targeted piece of legislation that will close the gaps in intelligence."

[bamacrat]

3. Can he order them to do things like that?

Also, wasn't he on recess a majority of the time before 9/11? He won't let Congress go until they give him what he wants, sounding more like and emperor or king every day.

:mad: :puke:

[Kagemusha]

4. Don't be silly, he has no such control whatsoever.

He's using the bully pulpit, that's all.

[damntexdem]

8. And he's just the bully to do it, too.

But he may find that his pulpit isn't what it used to be.

[Spiffarino]

28. Like all bullies, he's a cowardly little pants-shitter on the inside

If the Dems face him down by going after Gonzales' (in)credibility, he's toast. He'll be curled up on his little yellow rug soon enough drinking from a bottle of Jack with a nipple.

[The Wizard]

59. But what if

he's secretly promised terror attacks in Democratic states if they don't play along. Don't put anything past these gangsters and war criminals.

[nealmhughes]

46. No, but he can call the full Congress back or else just one house, unfortuately.

[zbdent]

147. it was probably on a "signing statement" ...

[damntexdem]

7. What's he going to do: charge them with contempt of president?

Congress should instead stay in session and impeach Gonzo, Cheney, and Dubya, in that order.

[Demeter]

9. Amen!

[angryxyouth]

49. Dont' stop there, Take em all down

Bush is worried about American security? He is the greatest threat to America.

[dickbearton]

80. You are so right.

[Tyler Durden]

11. Tyler says Bush must suck my dick...

STILL in a bad mood, politically speaking.

[EFerrari]

29. Beth says Bush should go cut brush. Grown ups are trying to work here. nt

[zalinda]

12. If the dems were smart, they'd stay

and make all the repubs stay too. They should write and pass bills like crazy, and make the repubs either stay in session or fly back and forth to vote. It would show the public that they really are there for the people.

zalinda

[momster]

15. No Recess Appointments!

Stay, Democrats, stay. (Needless to add, they shouldn't pass *anything* Monkeyboy approves of.)

[pokercat999]

71. Exactly stay through all the holidays and force the

war criminal in the whitehouse (WCITWH) to veto bill after bill after bill.

[JerseygirlCT]

24. I agree there might be more to gain by staying at this point

Especially if it's done with a big splash.

[soothsayer]

86. yep, and they should let those subpoenas fly!

[Bitwit1234]

13. If this piece of human excrement

had stayed in DC and not went on vacation in August 2001, 9/11 might not have happened. He certainly wouldn't have been able to attack Iraq, our treasury would not be depleted, Iraqi wouldn't have been killed and our military would still be with us.

And the piece of turd is complaining about the congress not giving him a bill written the way HE wants. Damn...what a piece of waste material he is.

[Spiffarino]

14. Isn't Bush on vacation right now?

If not, then I think they should stay in session. Keep stringing Chimpy McCokespoon along so he can't take any time off, then ultimately take a vote on whether or not they have any intention of trusting Alberto Gonzales with an updated FISA program.

Dems shouldn't even think twice about it. They should hand him a nice, juicy shitburger to eat on the last possible day.

[JerseygirlCT]

25. LOL. "We're staying, Mr. President. Perhaps you should do the same"

Wouldn't that be something?

[eppur_se_muova]

16. But...but...they need to go clear brush! nt

[DeSwiss]

17. Bush wants to keep Gonzalez....

...in the loop on the FISA retooling and the Dems say they can't trust him. Bush should have listened to them when they said he needed to go.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1502839

As ye sow, so shall ye reap. SUCKAAAAAA!!!!!!!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

18. Sez Pelosi: "You're not the boss of me!"

Just before caving in to him.... :shrug:

[knight_of_the_star]

19. I doubt she will

Considering it wasn't her that caved on the war funding but the Blue Dogs who did.

[orleans]

20. maybe george and nancy should go on another double fucking date

and that will help

[0007]

21. This debate is just now starting on c-span.......

It is gonna be a good one. Perhaps these dinkies will come to blows today.

[humbled_opinion]

22. Congress can recess if they want to......

Bush can then call them back into session if he wants to...

Politics, Politics, popping the corn as we speak... This showdown is going to be worth serious political points one way or the other.

[JerseygirlCT]

23. When in his entire life has he ever worked "hard and in good faith"? nt

[Lionel Mandrake]

77. When has he ever worked hard OR in good faith???

W is lazy, stupid, and dishonest. He's also a war criminal. He also has violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

Impeachment of Bush and Cheney is long overdue. Shame on the House Judiciary Committee for not having started the process.

[Kagemusha]

26. I'm sad to say my original reply was wrong.

Constitution of the United States, Article II, Section 3, referring to the President:

He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

---

But hey, you can bring a legislator to Congress, but you can't make him vote.

[avrdream]

74. Exactly!

I have no problem at all with congress staying in session. Bad things happen when they are away, especially after Dubya has had a nice rest.

Agree with all above who say the Democrats should take big advantage of this - vote on other bills, work and work, put impeachment on the table....hey, these are all good reasons for missing a vacation.

[Spiffarino]

27. I just called Rep. Heath Shuler (NC11)

...and I told him don't dare vote for any FISA changes until Gonzales is OUT OF THERE!

I strongly urge you to call your congressperson and do the same, regardless of party. We know and, more importantly, they know that Gonzales is not to be trusted with our Constitution.

[Marnieworld]

30. they should ignore him like he ignores them

they ignore subpoenas and all oversight. Why would the Constitution only come into play when it benefits them?

[Deep13]

32. Indeed!

It will be in session, but no one will be there.

[Deep13]

31. FYI Art. II, sec. 3

Sec. 3. Recommendations to Congress--Convene and adjourn Congress--Receive ambassadors--Execute laws--Commission officers.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States

[LiberalFighter]

139. Who gets to define extraordinary occasions?

Not exactly a vital necessity to enact this legislation. If it was then why wait almost 6 years after 9/11 for this demand?

In addition, when the Constitution was written Congress was not meeting year round which it does now with the exception of not more than 4 weeks shutdown.

Time periods the House met during the 1st thru 5th Sessions.

1st Congress
March 4, 1789 to September 29, 1789
January 4, 1790 to February 16, 1790
February 16, 1790 to August 12, 1790
December 6, 1790 to March 3, 1791

2nd Congress
October 24, 1791 to May 8, 1792
November 5, 1792 to March 2, 1793

3rd Congress
December 2, 1793 to June 9, 1794
November 3, 1794 to March 3, 1795

4th Congress
December 7, 1795 to June 1, 1796
December 5, 1796 to March 3, 1797

5th Congress
May 15, 1797 to July 10, 1797
November 13, 1797 to March 5, 1798
March 5, 1798 to July 16, 1798
December 3, 1798 to March 3, 1799


http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwaclink.html#anchor1

[Deep13]

141. I heard Mr. Shitferbrains on the radio.

Congress has not passed a bill that I can sign, he says. What an asshole. He sounds like a Caesar more and more each day.

[LiberalFighter]

144. Who will be Brutus and the Roman Senators involved in the plot?

[Deep13]

145. My guess is Bird, Feingold and Kennedy. nt

[LiberalFighter]

146. I thought Brutus was a close friend of Ceasar

[Deep13]

152. Only in Shakespeare. nt

[sarcasmo]

33. If he forces Congress to do this, doesn't it make him a Dictator?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

65. YES, THIS MAKES HIM A DICTATOR. nt

[DRoseDARs]

151. No, it makes him playing games in interpreting Article II Section 3 of the USC...

...and what the Framers meant by "extraordinary occasions."

Article II
Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

[Hobbs]

34. Boy King PR stunt

As if he isn't going to break the laws of anything they pass and then claim executive privilege. He has been doing that since 9-11 and all of a sudden he wants a resolution. What they should stay is session for is articles of impeachment and defunding Bush wars.

What an ass clown.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

35. DON'T YOU DARE MEET BECAUSE GEORGE SAYS YOU MUST.

CALL HIS BLUFF

[glitch]

68. No, MEET, but don't cover his agenda. Keep holding investigations. HOIST him in his own petard. nt

[Hydra]

36. Well, I said this would happen the other day

Now the second half: What will be the Dem response?

Wow, I just heard it on the radio- * is really ratcheting up the terror rhetoric! If I didn't know what a liar he was, I'd have though he was actually concerned about us! :puke:

If any of the Dem strategists are reading this- push him back and bring up the cases of PATRIOT Act and other domestic intel abuses! He doesn't need more power to screw things up for us!

[Blue Gardener]

37. Repubs won't like it either

So he'll make members of his own party miss summer vacation too just to piss of the Dems? Smart move Georgie. :sarcasm:

[bdamomma]

85. he doesn't care about his party, this is all about him and cheney

plus he someone tell him there are both Democrats and Repigs, he loves to point the finger at the Dems, and in the next breath, fear. I hate the stupid man.

[Why Syzygy]

39. He can't take vacation

until we get the twin towers and a million lives back.

Can he even do this? He isn't their boss.

[zbdent]

149. If that's so, then

he'll never leave ... I'd give him a break on not leaving until the towers were back ...

[The Backlash Cometh]

40. Bush sounds like a time-sharing salesman.

Have you ever experienced those condominium time-sharing vacations? The closers are downright mean, and if you have any ounce of wimpiness in you, they'll smell it and strike you with a deathblow.

Of course, any smart person leaves the table, knowing that there's more to gain from buying yourself more time to think about the deal, than there is to accept a shifty saleperson's first pitch. And everyone knows, that what Bush wants, is legitimacy for his past misdeeds on his little wire-tapping problem. I guess he thinks that the Congress won't figure that out if they get closed before the recess begins.

[superconnected]

41. Bush officials argue for new spy powers

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - When three soldiers were abducted in Iraq in mid-May, U.S. government lawyers began drafting emergency warrants to try to monitor communications that could lead to the suspected captors.

The Bush administration and its allies, The Associated Press has learned, have argued that the legal work ate up precious hours because of an odd twist to a U.S. surveillance law. One of the soldiers was later found dead in the Euphrates River, and an al-Qaida offshoot has said the others are dead as well.

Normally, warrants wouldn't be needed to eavesdrop on foreigners in Iraq or elsewhere. However, since a secret federal court ruling was issued earlier this year, the Bush administration believes the government must obtain legal approval to listen in on foreign suspects when their conversations cross into the extensive U.S. communications network.

The administration wants to amend the law to allow such monitoring without delay. Many Democrats agree that adjustments are needed, but skeptics say the soldiers' story is being misused.



Read more: http://www.komotv.com/news/national/8895127.html

[xxqqqzme]

42. 'The Bush administration....

...argued that the legal work ate up precious hours because of an odd twist to a U.S. surveillance law.'

And we are supposed to believe this because they say so.......sorry lying pieces of shit don't get a say.

[BearSquirrel2]

93. No it DOES NOT ...

He has THREE DAYS!!! He can listen in and can apply for a retro-active up to three days later. There is ZERO need to adjust the legislation.

[HeraldSquare212]

47. Bush Admin misusing story of a soldier's death?

Nah, couldn't happen.

[Hydra]

50. Oh, now I see

The only time he waits for a warrant is when the soldiers need our help. Otherwise, he just waits until someone catches him at it.

Please tell me that I'm not crazy for reading it that way!

:crazy:

[donkeyotay]

57. You are not crazy for reading it that way

His Benevolence is just trying to help, trying to protect us and our soldiers, so he let this secret court ruling stand for x months, until just now, when he was suddenly overtaken with concern and thought he could score some GOPers-are-tough-on-terra points with the public.

Bonus points for going on the offensive instead of defensive regarding his corrupt AG, Pat Tillman, and the crumbling infrastructure, the latest sign of the opportunity costs of this boondoggle of a war. Nope, completely sane.

[Hydra]

61. Thanks for that

Some days I read this doublespeak, and I wonder at the sheer audacity of what they are doing. It's like watching 100 criminals calmly looting a store, with someone standing out front talking about "Confiscation in the name of national security!"

It's not the people doing it that makes me freak out- it's the people that walk by and say, "Oh, well if it's in the name of national security..."

[Nay]

43. Bush pushes, congress refuses to be pushed, 'terror attack' happens,

Bush gets to say the Dems caused us to be attacked because they wouldn't pass this bill unchallenged.

Folks, I've been thinking the whole "gut feeling" terror thing was bullshit, but now I'm not so sure.

[rfranklin]

51. Yes, I was thinking the same thing before I got to your post....

This is a setup and either way the Dems will be shafted.

[lovuian]

44. Yes Mastah whatever you say Bush sounds like

Hitler more and more
Congress gave him the Patriot Act and extended that

Congress gave him an extension on the Iraq War and made Secret deals on his bombing of Iran

Now they will probably give him new spying law

Everything they touch fails so

[Wiley50]

45. Give Him Half of It. Stay in Session and Impeach Him Over FISA Violations n/t

[chill_wind]

48. Perverse Paradox. BushCo warning of possible ter'rist threat on Capitol Hill over Congress Recess

according to HS feds' liason sources (See Josh Marshall's TPM site) Timeframe being bandied---between now (Aug) and Sept 11.

Hard to imagine his McConnell point man hasn't been working hard to scare them sh#tless in these bill briefings in order to get it passed....

Seems kind of interesting that this kind of pressure is being brought to hump congress into passing this "emergency" FISA bill, in part because of this alleged new threat (timing is everything, eh?)-- BUT Busholini says you can't leave town, even though you might be in danger, until you pass it.

So you better hurry up,see.


Pure Machiavel. And our gang rolls over for it every time.

PS-- We'll see how many keep coming back to "babysit" over recess.

[stray cat]

52. Bush doesn't obey laws anyway - and hasn't he been vacationing

[rateyes]

53. I say that they SHOULD stay in session, and

while there hold INHERENT CONTEMPT trials for Miers and Rove, and get the impeachment of Gonzo going. Oh, and also NOT pass any funding bills for the war in Iraq.

[bdamomma]

54. FU *

[eringer]

55. What About a Trade?

Gonso's resignation for a W signable bill?

[Hydra]

62. Uh-uh!

Gonzo for FISA? Bad trade, especially since whoever they have set up to replace Gonzo is likely to be a(n) (un)holy terror.

I hope this isn't a set up for a terror attack(* was pretty pushy about "the safety of all americans"), but barring new pearl harbor 2.0, NO DEAL!

[soothsayer]

87. how about if we impeach gonzo, cheney, and shrubby dubby?

[SteppingRazor]

56. Sure, stay in session -- no recess appointments for Bush n/t

[Solly Mack]

60. what becomes of legitimizing a wanna-be tyrant

...

[liberal N proud]

64. Congress should tell the President that they will stay in session, BUT...

Their time will be filled with hearing on the crimes his regime has committed against the Constitution and against humanity.

They should tell him in Cheney's words, Go Fuck Yourself.


Speaking of ol'Dick, does this mean he has to stay there as well? He is President of the Senate as he wants us all to know.

[glitch]

67. Exactly. nt.

[HughMoran]

66. Bush plays infantile politics again

...doesn't yet realize that nobody listens to him any more...

[betrue2meonly]

73. Best defense is a good offense...

Shrewd move by the Master of Machiavelli, Dick Cheney. Bush could have never thought of this on his own. Now, to the ignorant, Bush is doing his job. Savvy show, Mr. Cheney, putting your enemies on the defensive.
Hopefully, as some here have suggested, it'll backfire on you.

[Doctor_J]

75. The man who took Aug 2001 off after hearing the country would be attacked

Why, oh why don't the Dems throw August 2001 back in his ugly, gin-blossomed face?

[smtpgirl]

78. Congress must stay, UNTIL they can give GWDouchebag

WHAT HE WANTS, what a crybaby?

This didn't happen until the Dems became the majority, oh how different it would have been if the DEMS had the majority from the beginning!!!!

OH, right, he wasn't elected, he was SELECTED!!

[OwnedByFerrets]

81. Correct me if Im wrong.........

but I think I just heard on KO that congress will likely give the misadministration everything it wants.:wtf:

[Tab]

82. Last I looked...

The Executive Branch didn't get to tell the Legislative Branch what do to.

Cheney might be able to, since he apparently is not "in" the Executive Branch... :eyes:

But for someone who had more vacation days in office than any other President in recent history, George can shove this up his ass.

[TheCowsCameHome]

88. They'll come back when the Iraqi Parliament does. How's that, Chimpface?

[reprobate]

89. My email to Pelosi demanding they deny Bush this amendment. Where's yours.

It is imperative that congress NOT allow the FISA amendment to pass. It was enacted for a reason. That the rights of citizens be protected while at the same time giving government sufficient power to investigate what is necessary.

It has been reported that you have been engaged in arm twisting Democratic representatives to pass this legislation. If this is true, the Great Usurper is not the only one who should be tried for shredding the constitution. Please tell me it isn't so. I can't believe that you who were elected to stand up for the rights of the citizens of this nation would allow such a fiasco to happen.

I look forward to your reply that you will NEVER allow our rights to be sold down the river like that.



Here's her email address: http://speaker.gov/contact/

[Dj13Francis]

92. Why the rush?

Today was the day that George Bush truly went from president to dictator, a position he’s coveted for a long time. He delivered a speech today, in which he announced his order that congress stay in session through August recess - until he gets a bill that authorizes his domestic spying program. He threatened to veto any bill that he believes is insufficient “to prevent an attack on the country.” Bush is holding the congress hostage until he gets what he wants. I’ve got no faith in the congress standing up to him. Within the next few days, congress will pass the bill that the president wants, and then adjourn for the rest of the month.

Bush said in his speech, “We’ve worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk, time is short.” I wonder what the rush is… Why is time so short? Something is going to happen during the recess, and Bush absolutely knows about it. Bush needs this now because he knows that a month from now will be too late. He needs to be able to spy on Americans because he knows the “Reichstag fire” type event will be happening soon. His power grab will happen while Congress is on vacation. Without these unconstitutional dictatorial powers, he will have a much harder time in squashing the rebellion. He needs the data to be able to round up his political enemies and intern them in the camps he’s already built. I would bet even money with anyone that a major disaster happens this next month. It will be used to justify the imposition of martial law, and suspension of the Constitution, the very document Bush swore to uphold and defend. I don’t know what it will be, but I know THEY do. Live life to the fullest, because every day might be your last. We’ve got maybe a month left living the good life. Use it wisely.

[kevinore]

94. Since they are back in session

Time to start impeachment proceedings against gonzo, beef up
investigations of bushco, start push for withdraw
timelines....

[spotbird]

95. Bush: Congress must stay until surveillance law upgraded [Bush orders]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Friday that Congress must stay in session until it approves legislation modernizing a U.S. law governing eavesdropping on foreigners.


Bush said the intelligence community needs "the tools they need to protect the United States."

"So far the Democrats in Congress have not drafted a bill I can sign," Bush said at FBI headquarters, where he was meeting with counterterror and homeland security officials. "We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk. Time is short."

The president, who has the power under the Constitution to keep Congress in session, said lawmakers cannot leave for their August recess this weekend as planned unless they "pass a bill that will give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect the United States."


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/03/fisa.upgrade.ap/

---

Well pigs do fly! For once, I agree with Bush.

They should stay in session long enough to prevent recess appointments, but that won't happen.

It would be a hoot if he required them to stay. Just another reminder of who rules the roost. Congress is there to serve him, they are powerless, he knows it, and so do they.

[kestrel91316]

96. Just the Dictator doing his dictating. I imagine the Dems will meekly comply.

[spotbird]

98. Absolutely they will.

THere are about seventy examples of what they should do if they are forced to stay, but it's frustrating to even imagine.

[Warren Stupidity]

97. Great, those subpoenas can be acted on!

Plus there is a whole lot of other stuff to take care of. I sure hope our leadership uses this blunder by Bush to their advantage!

Oh never mind, what is the chance of that?

[spotbird]

100. Less then zero. nt

[DavidDvorkin]

99. Let's call it, oh, I dunno, the Long Parliament

[coalition_unwilling]

116. Brilliant. (I wonder how many DUers get the reference?) -nt

[Vidar]

121. Here's hoping Bush winds up like King Charles.

[DavidDvorkin]

122. He's stubborn, like Charles

Until fairly late in the game, Charles could have calmed things down by giving in on a few things and not insisting on what he saw as the rights and privileges of his office.

Gee, the parallel gets closer the more I think about it!

[peabody71]

101. This is just to cover his impeachable ass!

[havocmom]

105. Yep, holding Congress hostage to make his crimes legal

just like he holds the troops hostage to make obscene profits for his corporate masters.

[Demeter]

126. Gee, Think They'd Get Ticked Off Enough To...I Don't Know...IMPEACH Already?

[IndyOp]

102. CALL DC - Call your Senators and tell them TO STAY IN DC and NOT PASS * stupid bill

* is trying to force them to pass this bad bill by creating a time-urgency similar to the one that lead to the passage of far-reaching horrendous Patriot Act.

Senate: [phone]

And the Senators will *not* allow any recess appointments over the break - Reid has organized pro-forma sessions to be held during the break - often enough that Bush can't make any recess appointments.

[texastoast]

103. Cornyn and Hutchison will be right up shrub's butt on this one

Sorry for that visual, but it will do me no good to call them about anything humane, constitutional, or environmentally sound.

[Wwagsthedog]

132. No apology is necessary!

They are the worstest!

[spotbird]

104. That Reid thing might just be a rumor.

There isn't any verification anywhere.

[IndyOp]

110. It might just be a rumor... It is on U.S. News & World Report website...

Bush's Summer Hires Targeted
May 20, 2007 12:09 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has a little trick up his sleeve that could spell an end to President Bush's devilish recess appointments of controversial figures like former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton. We hear that over the long August vacation, when those types of summer hires are made, Reid will call the Senate into session just long enough to force the prez to send his nominees who need confirmation to the chamber. The talk is he will hold a quickie "pro forma" session every 10 days, tapping a local senator to run the hall. Senate workers and Republicans are miffed, but Reid is proving that he's the new sheriff in town.

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2007/5/20/bushs-summer-hires-targeted.html

[spotbird]

114. Yeah, but there is

nothing in it which is directly attributable to Reid. Also, that was in May, but there hasn't been anything since.

[IndyOp]

115. Agreed. (n/t)

[Lance_Boyle]

108. often enough that BY TRADITION (not law), he can make no recess appt.

Tradition, though, like Geneva, is "quaint."

[IndyOp]

112. What would he have to do "by law" - have daily pro forma sessions? (n/t)

[truedelphi]

128. Has Reid really done that?

I had heard he was about to but never heard if that is confirmed??

Any update appreciated.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

106. Will the idiot have to stay in Washington and miss his August vacation? That sounds unlikely.

[Speaker]

107. Cool

Use the extra time to impeach his ass.

[Bitwit1234]

109. I don't think he has the right to hold congress in session.

[Speaker]

113. Yep

Article 2

Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.


They should use the extra time to impeach his ass.

[geomon666]

120. "he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper"

They'll be there 'til the day he dies then.

[zbdent]

134. So why didn't he pull this stunt last year

when the Repukes didn't bother putting together a budget before the 10/1 deadline and left it to be done by the incoming Democratically-controlled Congress?

He could have pulled it then, too ... made all those Repukes who wouldn't bring themselves to put in a full 2.5 day work week do some honest work for a change ...

[LiberalFighter]

137. Better yet, why wasn't the eavesdropping on foreigners priority one right after 9/11?

He waited 6 years to come up with this?

It would had passed in a heartbeat with a Republican controlled Congress.

[zbdent]

148. He was too busy flying Osama bin Laden's family

out of the country while the rest of America was a no-fly zone ... even for emergency organ transplants ...

[Zorra]

111. Bu*h has an agenda, and I guarantee it's bad for the people of the US. n/t

[spotbird]

118. No doubt about it. nt

[DRoseDARs]

117. So would this extended stay count as another, er, "stunt" by the Democrats like the all-nighter?

:shrug:

[superconnected]

119. Of course since the three branches are an equal balance of power

The legslative could simply ignore the executive branch. Apparently that is the standard way of dealing with each other now a days.

[19jet54]

123. Pigs fly when you throw them off the barn roof...

... close the gate so the cows don't get out - Yup, Bush is a rancher alright! As long as our Bulls are in the neighbor's pasture fighting other bulls, we need to keep the cows locked up tight? Chicken-hawks too, until the bulls come home? So what do you want for dinner, chicken, steak, pork or fish? :rofl:

[Ilsa]

124. What would happen if the Dems and Congress didn't want to stay?

Can they ignore him the way he has ignored the Congress? What can he do about it if they didn't want to remain in session?

[LiberalFighter]

142. The key is defining extraordinary occasions as allowed under the Constitution

I seriously doubt that it would qualify as an extraordinary occasion when he waited almost 6 years after 9/11 to demand this legislation.

Congress should just tell Bushwad to go out to the outhouse and stuff himself into the hole.

[ericgtr]

125. Another quote from this..

<snip>
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/03/fisa.upgrade.ap/index.html
"We've worked hard and in good faith with the Democrats to find a solution, but we are not going to put our national security at risk," Bush said after meeting with counterterror and homeland security officials at FBI headquarters. "Time is short."
<snip>

They have done absolutely nothing in good faith, what a crock of shit. Nobody is buying the national security bit anymore either.

[DRoseDARs]

127. I was just thinking a decent person wouldn't wash a hog with that tripe. eom

[glitch]

129. Why on earth would Congress respect Bush's wishes on this? His staff don't answer their subpoenas.

Why should they give him the time of day.

Actually, I do agree they should not recess, but they shouldn't even consider passing his bill. Stay in session, just don't even bring up what he wants passed. That would piss him off even more.

[MasonJar]

130. He stayed on vacation while New Orleans flooded. Do not let him bribe you, Congress

[spanone]

131. hey, throw that constitution out the window, what do we care. give jr. what he wants

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[sniffa]

133. can congress meet in crawford?

wouLdn't want the douchebag in chief to miss out this. :eyes:

[The Gunslinger]

135. Wow. He does think he is the supreme ruler

I am worried though. I will lose all faith in the Democrats in Congress if they cave and give him more power. He has done nothing but bad mouth the Democratic party, even during a speech about the tragedy in Minneapolis.(which I have heard no rebuttal from any Dem in congress, nor from the only democratic mouthpiece on the MSM, keith Olberman). If they don't stand up now, they never will. Maybe they should agree to stay in session , and begin impeachment proceedings.

[NoodleyAppendage]

136. The DICTATOR in CHIEF just got his way. Thanks Senate Dem COWARDS.

J

[bdamomma]

138. oh, this is disgusting, forcing a vote to get rid of more of our civil rights.

[Auntie Bush]

140. Bush won't do what congress wants so why the hell does Congress

have to do what bush wants? Respect and following the law works both ways doesn't it?

[sofa king]

150. MUST stay in session?

Jesus Christ, I think that wanker thinks he's already taken over the government.

[ProudDad]

153. Posted on another thread

Bill Of Rights Pared Down To A Manageable Six

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/bill_of_rights_pared_down

Didn't he already do this???

----

As for this POS legislation, as I posted elsewhere and elsewhen:

------

Let me see if I've got this straight...

bush/cheney has been illegally wiretapping since 2001 (or maybe before).

Now they're demanding that Congress make legal their illegality. (retroactively?)

THE DEM'S WANTED to make legal their illegality for only 4 months?????


:wtf:


Who the FUCK voted for the Dems so that they could cover bush/cheney's ass???

I sure as HELL didn't!

Which one of you did that???

Anyone here at DU vote for that shit???

Hell, anyone in the NATION vote Dem so they could pull this shit???

Damn... :grr:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2941347#2941409