The Silent Coup How a nation ruled by law, becomes a nation ruled by man
“We are living in an era of extraordinary expansion of executive authority….”
Arlen Specter United States Senator (Republican Pennsylvania)
“[the Adminstration] asserted a broad doctrine of presidential “inherent authority” to ignore the laws passed by Congress when prosecuting the war on terror. In other words, the rule of law is suspended, and the President is above the law, for the uncertain and no doubt lengthy duration of the undefined war on terror”
Patrick Leahy United States Senator (Democrat Vermont)
“If Congress doesn’t have the power to define the contours of the President’s Article II powers through legislation…//…If the President’s legal theory, which is shared by some of our witnesses today, is correct…//…Under this theory, we no longer have a constitutional system consisting of three co-equal branches of government, we have a monarchy”
Russ Feingold United States Senator (Democrat Wisconsin)
“It is our duty as loyal Americans to shut up once the fighting begins. Once the war against Saddam begins,we expect every American to support our military, and if they can’t do that is to shut up”
Bill O’Reilly
There is a battle far from getting the attention it deserves considering the stakes – the rule and governing of the USA.
You would only notice with great difficulty and after spending a lot of time viewing hearing in various congressional committees, picking up a piece here and another there, and painstakingly putting them into a historical context in a far from obvious manner.
At the center is the question of presidential power vis-à-vis the congress, a group of embittered individuals set on making right what they consider a violation of the constitution. .
When many Americans saw a restoration of balance of power when Congress went after and eventually reined in the Executive Branch in the Iran-Contra Affair, others saw an unconstitutional and deeply offensive act of neutering. The same people saw the same unconstitutional usurpation of executive powers when, following the Vietnam War, laws were passed and investigations were launched attempting to explore and rein in what was seen as abuses of the executive branch’s wartime powers (e.g ChurchCommittee, Pike Committee, War Powers Act ).
Such an interpretations of congressional actions during this period, has been voiced by Robert F Turner - co-founder of the Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia School of Law who served as counsel to the President's Intelligence Oversight Board, 1982-84.
“My conclusion is the President has broken no constitutional law, but Congress in the wake of Vietnam broke many, with terrible consequences. I strongly recommend that the Committee rewrite the resolution to censure the post-Vietnam Congress which violated its oath of office of its members, undermined our security and contributed directly to the consignment to communist tyranny in Indochina of tens of millions of people we had promised to defend and to the slaughter of millions of others”One of them was Dick Cheney and the man who would become his legal advisor, David Addington.
Throughout his history in politics, Dick Cheney had been and open advocate of what is known as “Unitary Executive” and the particular interpretation of the US Constitution - specifically Article II - that it is pinned on.
During the Iran-contra hearings, Addington was heavily involved in arguing that Congress was improperly tying the hands of the president by preventing him from helping Nicaragua's contras.
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
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Liza Persson (13 articles, 7 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 49 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.
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ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 100 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, 32 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 (44 articles, 19 quicklinks, 228 diaries, 3268 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, 49 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.
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gordon nelson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 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, 100 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 (41 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 169 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, 49 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.
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Edward Ulysses Cate (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 214 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, 388 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, 49 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 (68 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 39 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, 49 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, 49 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 (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 74 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, 49 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.
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ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 100 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.
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shadow dancer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 2:41:49 AM
I see where you are coming from; and you are correct. What we are going through, not just here in America, but on this planet, is the battle of good v.s. evil. This is not Republican v.s. Democrat, or rich v.s. poor. This may well be what was predicted in the bible and fortold centuries ago, when the Mayan calender stops in the year 2012. I'm not a member of any organized religon; but have done my homework enough to know that we are approaching some big tipping point in history. It is up to each and everyone of us to make a stand against this encroaching prue evil. Call it what you will: New World Order, One World Government, The Bilderbergers, Illummaniti, Council on Foreign Affairs, The Federal Reserve (banking cartel), Nazis, Fascists, Communism. We need to join hands, stand tall, and let them know, God put us here to fullfill his plan and not to be enslaved. Look within yourselves and let your inner voice guide you. God Bless you All.
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ronheri (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 100 comments)
on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 7:06:52 AM
