Bush Issues Signing Statement On Defense Act, Waiving Ban On Permanent Bases In Iraq

[kpete]

Bush Issues Signing Statement On Defense Act, Waiving Ban On Permanent Bases In Iraq
President Bush yesterday signed the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act after initially rejecting Congress’s first version because it would have allegedly opened the Iraqi government to “expensive lawsuits.”

Even though he forced Congress to change its original bill, Bush’s signature yesterday came with a little-noticed signing statement, claiming that provisions in the law “could inhibit the President’s ability to carry out his constitutional obligations.” CQ reports on the provisions Bush plans to disregard:

One such provision sets up a commission to probe contracting fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another expands protections for whistleblowers who work for government contractors. A third requires that U.S. intelligence agencies promptly respond to congressional requests for documents. And a fourth bars funding for permanent bases in Iraq and for any action that exercises U.S. control over Iraq’s oil money.

more at:
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/29/signing-statement-iraq/

[kirby]

1. K&R n/t

[mike_c]

2. this is the essence of the neocon foreign policy in Iraq....

Permanant garrison occupation in support of permanent war in the region. The MIC requires nothing less.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Gee, a signing statement? Really? How unusual.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Jim Webb talking about this signing statement now on CSPAN2.

[KoKo]

4. okay Conyers.....how much more of this before you do something...n/t

[pleah]

6. Godless Warmongering Bastard!