It seems that this was a step towards obtaining the optimum of a unitary executive implementation - an executive branch virtually a closed community and ultimately responsible only onto itself and containing within itself oversight, decision-making, execution and accountability.
The nature of the designated enemy in ensuing war was entirely up to the executive branch to describe to the people – as only it had full access to intelligence reports.
The enemy turned out to be eternal, without borders, willing and able to use all aspects of social life for its motives – economy, information, communication, transportation, military. The same, as it became clear, was true of the war - and thus of the powers of the presidency according to the men with the plan for a unitary executive.
There can be no doubt when looking at the behavior of decisions made and behavior of the President and his staff following the declaration of “war on terror”, that all efforts made to expand the powers of the executive branch, and the supreme control of the President over that branch and those powers, intensified.
There is little doubt, as well, that these efforts had been underway and planned for some time before 9/11 as unveiled plans have shown.
With time and public outcry over what was seen as clear failures of the government in general and the administration in particular, it became more difficult to push and make creative interpretations of the law without getting unwanted attention and push back. Popular opinion and anger set a path for Democrats to reclaim political voice and seats, and whether they were pushed to it or always had been wanting to many of them began challenging and questioning decisions and actions taken by the administration under the auspices of national security.
One of the aspects of this systematic and planned attempt at extending the power of the executive was the matter of what was often referred to as the “Warrantless Wiretapping”.
President Bush, in 2001, secretly set up several secret programs – many of them still secret – that involved gathering of information and communication between people both within and outside USA, Americans and foreigners.
One program that was leaked was his so-called Terrorist Surveillance Program to wiretap. But it included Americans, which would require a warrant from the Foreign Surveillance Court – a designated body with the exclusive authority to review and approve of reasons for intercepting communication where one or more parties are located inside the USA. A violation of FISA is a felony and each violation can result in five years in prison. Even though all this was revealed by then, Congress approved of a much broader program by the passing of the Protect America Act than even the Terrorist Surveillance Program. In practice they not only legalized what Bush was doing before, but made it very unlikely that the Bush administration officials will be brought to justice for what seemed obvious felonies that they had been committing since 2001.
This all occurred even though in August 2007 Congress had a majority of Democrats in both houses.
On August 06 2007 Independent media broadcast Democracy Now featured Glenn Greenwald, political - legal blogger for Salon.com, who is also a constitutional attorney, and Marjorie Cohn, professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and president of the National Lawyers Guild.
They engaged with the host Amy Goodman in a discussion of both the recently passed Protect America Act and the Democrats failure to pursue the Bush administrations programs violating FISA by wiretapping Americans without warrant.
During the course of the show, however, Greenwald touched upon a much more sinister and, still, unexplored context of which the secret program of warrantless wiretapping was only a small fraction.
“This week, this last week, it was just revealed, in order to defend Alberto Gonzales, that when the President ordered the NSA program back in 2001, he did so as part of an executive order of which warrantless eavesdropping was but one of numerous covert spying programs aimed at Americans, the content of which we still do not know. And two months earlier, James Comey [former Depute Attorney General of USA] testified before the Senate that he and Ashcroft [former Attorney General of USA] and others had discovered that whatever it was that they were doing from 2001 to 2004 was so illegal, so unconscionable, that they had all decided to resign en masse from the government unless that behavior ceased immediately. And I had the opportunity this weekend at YearlyKos to interview several senators, including Senator Chris Dodd, and I asked him whether or not senators have any idea of how they have been using their secret spying in order to spy on Americans, what these additional programs are, what it is that we’re doing that made James Comey and John Ashcroft threaten to resign from the government. He has absolutely no idea, nor do the other senators”
The other interviewee, Mrs. Cohn, filled in with more about the fuller scope of this secret program of information collection:
“…what came out is that the government admitted for the first time that what they were talking about was not really this Terrorist Surveillance Program, but rather data mining. And this is the first time that the administration has actually admitted that they are doing this data mining, which the USA Today leaked. The data mining intercepts millions and millions of phone calls and email communications to track what the patterns are, but experts inside the administration say that, in fact, they also have access to the content of the communication. So we have no idea, and Congress probably doesn’t either, of the scope of all of these so-called intelligence activities, which, by all accounts, are not making us any safer”.
I am a Political and Behavioral Scientist with Psychology as my main subject and people as my main interest. As thoughts are the source of all human accomplishment I hope to be part of the exchange of them
Also see:
http://wildwickedwonderfulupfront.blogspot.com/
Wow, I got published - and I did not even have to go through the masochism of reviewing and rereading.
This was easier than when I make my opinions heard in every day life encounters...I tend to be met with much more resistance on such occasions.
I suppose to some degree the reception can be explained by a bit of "preaching to the choir", people typically come here willingly and knowingly. But it is not just that.
I am throughly amazed by the revelation that individuals can be so outspoken and filled with vitaliy in mind and soul, while - on a mass level - we act with such conformity.
Internet it such a mix of both - general patters and indivudal creativity, thining outsie the box alongside selling and buying of the same old goods of sex, drugs and cheap entertainment.
Godess help me to always be the outlier in every statistic chart and prediction of probability, so that I can be part of the trend that breaks the chart.
Thanks for taking your time reading
Love Liza
by
Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 9:49:42 AM
Great writing! I've had many articles published here. It is the go to site for truth seeking Americans. The MSM is so controlled, that for readers to get at a peek behind the curtain and view who is pulling the strings we need to go to the internet or talk radio. America is in dire straights at the time in history. The free press and the puppets in Washington have failed us. It's up to each and every American to research for the truth and take back our country from the transnational fascists who have taken over our political system. We can and will defeat this growing evil.
by
ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 151 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:35:06 PM
There's a great sense of satisfaction to being published....almost like (metaphorically) giving birth. I'm an author and talkshow guest and my focus is also human behavior. Regarding your comment about the contrast of people's outspokeness in the written word as opposed to public mass compliance, I've noticed it for some time as well. I often refer to the "compliants" as "sheople" and I see them everywhere including some in my "inner circle". These are difficult times, especially when it comes to change and realization that the world we live in is not the world we think we live in (something I always tell my audiences). People are frightened and confused for now but it may soon evolve to anger and action....perhaps within our lifetimes. Any way you look at it, it's going to be an interesting ride. Galen aka "The Ultimate Answer Guy" www.ultimateanswerguy.com
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Galen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 33 comments)
on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 12:39:51 AM
had in his article in Nation and in his book described the way the power was hijacked by Bush and his cronies in the Y2000 through treason. It is true that 9/11 was a catalyst. But EXECUTIVE POWER WOULD NOT BE THAT SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT A DEAL BETWEEN THE POLITICAL ELITE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. It was not a Cheney thing. It was a mutual agreement to 'tighten the knot' between the Clintonian Dems and GOP hawks. They ARE the new WAR Party.
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Mark Sashine (51 articles, 19 quicklinks, 244 diaries, 3462 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 12:43:30 PM
I agree, but I do not necessarily think that every act of individual memebers of Senate and House of Representatives that has served to concentrate power in the hands of the president - or for that matter, other private and government agencies beyond public control and regulation - has done so with that as intent.
Many of the legal steps taken, reinterpeting and passing new laws, involve extremely diffcult aspects and many "grey areas". With skilled legal staff, perception managers and the priviliege of already having the upperhand by representing the branch with access to the bulk of intelligence, it is easy to take advantage of confusion and lack of insight on behalf of members of congress.
Because of the lack of insight, and the delay of gaining insight after the fact, all legislation to restrict and balance the executive must be based on information that has had time to "expire" or be covered up.
Furthermore, and perhaps most of all, the system in which the members of the branches works is rigged in a way that serves as a moderator and incubator, preventing movement away from the norm. Because of the need for extensive unity, the congress has a harder time with this than the execuitve branch which ultimately need only one mans opinion. The ire and anger we can act on, is moderated in the congress and rarely turns into any decsive action.
Another moderating factor is the electoral system in which Americans - because of the fear of a vote for a third party would deprive the nest best alternative of a vote and thus giving the worst alternative the victory - can only chose between two parties.
Of course, to ever make it to the ticket, there are many groups and interest with interest not representative of the general public but with disproportional influence on the election becasue of their connections and resources.
Lastly, there is the undemocratic penetration of financial interest in the deomcratic process, regulating those we supposedly elect, alienating or substituting political representatives' decisions from the opinions of the public, and holds the whole political system and all its actors - including the public - in a stranglehold of national economy.
But I agree that there are members of all parties, as well as members of the public, that do or would work for the goal of empowering the executive - and for different reasons.
Some reasons has to do with ideological view points - just as someone like to see more parliamentary rule and others see that as leading to endless discussions and no actions, while others would like a president more or less being the enactor of the will of the congress.
Other reasons are purely self-serving - making possible furthering interests of certain groups. If the President becomes more powerful, then that means that anyone who whishes to use for their own purposes the resources the American people allows their government to manage in their name, need basically only win one person over.
Thank you for your comment!
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 10:58:01 AM
look no further than Bush news conference for evidence
Of executive authority. Almost ALL the questions WERE PLANTS! Isn't anyone listening? No media outrage? Go back and listen. And as I predicted, the Rove Fear Playbook (I'm sure he was behind the obvious Democrat-bashing plants this morning ,ie: " With a rapid pullout of Iraq that the Democrats are proposing...") now they are pulling out all the stops, on FISA=FEAR, Iran story about missles hitting Europe within 3 yrs today= FEAR, and I guarantee you the RepubCons planted the story about McCain's Panama birth, why you ask? because unless you learn to think as devious as Rove, and understand this is his way of opening back up Obama's father's birth origins, you won't know how to counter the propaganda, and democracy will continue to die.
by
gordon nelson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 22 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 12:56:40 PM
The New World Order criminals back Hillary. McCain is their "fall-guy". Obama with the backing Of the CFR and his adviser Illumanatti/Zbigniew Brezinski is their fall-back candidate. If all else fails; they fix the voting machines. Don't look to the MSM (Main Stream Media) for your information or the truth. They are owned by these same groups. We'll just muddle through the coming Depression and one day after all the suffering, Americans will be ready to take back our country!
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ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 151 comments)
on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 7:11:00 AM
Good article lots of good quotes and information.Let’s just hope that Bush doesn’t get cranky at the end of his term and declare marshal law and appoint himself King.If he does, see you when we get to GITMO.
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Michael Chavers (47 articles, 0 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 174 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 1:15:03 PM
I do not think that the danger is over when Bush leaves office, unless Congress repeals the laws allowing the president these powers or pass new laws nullifying them.
What makes us sure that the scope set of those working behind the scene, are not much more long-term than one administration?
Thanks!
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 11:00:42 AM
The Russian people were lied to with their own flag. The hammer really meant "law" and the sickle "finance." They were forced to overrun their credit and got clipped in the early 90's. Now we're overrunning our credit and it looks like we're being clipped. The law is used to "hammer" those who protest too much.
There was a book published in 1996 titled "Death of Common Sense" but it was subtitled "How Law Is Suffocating America."
The Silent Coup, absolutely! Good work, Liza.
by
Edward Ulysses Cate (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 217 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 1:16:16 PM
Nice job, well written and sourced. To me these kind of revealing articles, well written and referenced, are more frightening then a Stephen King novel because this is our country, our government and political process that have been cunningly taken from the people.
The media dumbs us all down, manipulates the news, selects our candidates and political leaders and manipulates consent of the governed.
After coming out of denial and realizing all of the forces outside of a democratic process that have worked to destroy this country from within, I'm saddened and unsure what we can do to change anything.
It's good to know what has happened, but how do we undo it when the democrats and are just as, or seemingly, even more responsible for handing all this power over to the executive.
The war machine is just too damn powerful and how in the world to stop that?
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August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 6:41:39 PM
I believe - mainly because we have the history to prove other options dead-ends - in grassroots. But it will take coming together fro groups oterwise keeping and kept separated by comparatively small issues, to stop their quarels and realize that they have a common denominator - the root of their problems is not in "the other" but in themselves and in the way this world is being ruled in their abscence.
It will take - sad to say - the equivalent of what we are told the terror threat of US consits of: coordination across borders, individual initiative within a common cause and strategy, extensive use of means of communication, and constant and unwavering movement towards the goal.
The main thing is to not use the methods and means of those we fight - which will differentiate us from both the terrorists and the government (-;
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 2:27:12 AM
Concentrated power is the American way -- for now. We see it in the media where power is concentrated in a handful of corporations. Mom and pop locally owned businesses are being knocked of business by chain stores and big box stores. Chains are no longer national but international. Trans-national corporations are getting the cheapest labor they can and using natural resources as cheaply is they can. Concentration for power and profit.
And, we're seeing it in politics with increasing power to the executive -- nothing new it has been occurring throughout the 20th Century with great leaps forward in executive power during FDR, Nixon and George W. And it is occuring in Congress, one example among many, Chairman John Conyers has been told he can't use his committee to investigate impeachment -- even though it is his job as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Power from the top down and Congress so unpopular as a result.
But, concentration is going to be seen as a 20th Century modality. This Century is going to be decentralization. We see it in the media with the Internet democraticizing print, radio and TV in the hands of anyone who wants to produce their own media. We are going to see it in energy production as energy moves from concentrated sources to each house/business producing much of its own energy. And, we are going to see it in politics as the grass roots retakes control of government and actually creates what Lincoln said we were -- but never really were -- a government of, by and for the people.
Decentralize to flourish or continue to centralize and kill off the planet?
KZ
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Kevin Zeese (77 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 44 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 7:01:20 PM
On a global scale the case is far from lost, but within US I am afraid people will have to move fast - and might need help from people outside the US - not to loose the manouver room and means they still have to counter the curtailing of the same.
I believe sooner or later the pendulum will swing back to public power - but how many lives and how much misery is accetable in the mean time?Even if the next generation reclaims their power, for this generation the battle was indeed lost.
Or?
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 2:30:56 AM
I am going to process them all and reply accordingly.
I sent a message to fellow oped newsmaker and US representative John Conyers, and invited him to join in and respond to those that has lost faith - not in the current administration, or even the Republicans, but in the political system of the USA.
When the amount of people feeling that the options they are given for societal change, are rendering useless all their efforts of changing wrongs and saticfying pressing needs through structured political action, reaches critical mass then USA s we know it will be gone. The political and legal system here is a part of what distinguishes a nation as a concept and a unique self-governing body.
I hope Conyers responds to our need for accountability for what has and has not been done.
See you all real soon
Liz
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:22:15 PM
They took away our right to hold them criminally accountable years ago.
Everyone knows that the people are supposed to be able to peacefully remove bad leaders through elections, but what if those who control the machines, and their secret vote count, want bad leaders in power? Is there another way that citizens can prevent abuse of power without resorting to violence?
Yes, there is or was another way to hold our governors accountable without resorting to violence. If you want to find out about the other civil check on government abuse of power that our Founders provided for us, then read What Happens When the People Lose the Power to Control Government and What You Can Do to Take the Power Back?http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_mark_ada_080204_what_happens_when_th.htm
For more election news that you didn’t hear about from the corporate media cartel or all of those organizations which claim that they are looking out for your rights, see Project Vote Count’s Election Newshttp://www.projectvotecount.com/ElectionNews.aspx You’ll learn about the other big secret that the corporate media cartel is trying to keep you in the dark on, secret vote counting is unconstitutional.
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Mark Adams (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 181 comments)
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:43:51 PM
IT TOOK THESE GLOBALIST THE BETTER PART OF A 100 YEARS TO GET THE CONTROL THEY HAVE, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RESTOR OUR CONSTITUTION, AND THE RUAL OF LAW, AND OUR FOUNDING FATHERS LAW OF THE LAND?
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RICHARD SHADE (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 460 comments)
on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 7:04:41 AM
It actually depends on us, but not just us Americans. If you fight forces which are global, then you got to go global as well. Not by a one world government - which will soon be more loudly advocated for as a solution to various problems - but by realizing and acting upon that we are all in this together.
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 45 comments)
on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 11:03:53 AM
We outnumber them by millions; just refuse to go along with their program. Everyone refuse the Real ID, and the RFID implant. They are counting on us to go along like a herd of sheep to the slaughter. We must confront this evil. Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. Jobs are gone; folks losing their homes, the dollar crashing and 20 million illegals here against the law. The Federal Reserve is a criminal private banking=cartel. Tell me; what is left...The Constitution has also been violated. Hillary. McCain, Obama? There is no hope with that trio.
by
ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 151 comments)
on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 7:14:15 PM
New World Order has been here a long time. Thank God the Kingdom of Heaven isn't a Republic, Representative Republic, Constitutional Republic, or a Democracy, nor is it run by Republicans or Democrats.
by
shadow dancer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 34 comments)
on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 2:41:49 AM
