NANCY PELOSI WALKING THE THIN LINE OF TREASON
Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution - "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is once again considering making diplomatic overtures with a country that the President and the State Department, (who Constitutionally set foreign policy for the nation), have stated that any dialogue is not in the best interests of The United States.
Pelosi along with Representative Tom Lantos, (D, CA), are seriously considering a trip to Iran to open a diplomatic dialogue with the rogue state that the President's foreign policy considers a terrorist state and has repeatedly stated that until Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions The United States will NOT have a dialogue with Tehran.
Pelosi's recent trip to Damascus and her one on one meeting with Assad was an embarrassment to the nation and her arrogance in telling Assad that Israel was ready to discuss peace which was quickly denied by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert proves that she has no business in the diplomatic field.
Additionally her actions were in direct violation of the Logan Act which states, "Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."
Her trip to Damascus was a direct violation of this act and as such she is guilty of a felony and adding to this her overtures toward Iran, Pelosi is walking the fine line of treason as her actions can be considered, "aid and comfort."
While her trip to Damascus was not authorized Assad considered it a State visit because of her position. Her argument as well as other liberals was that Republican members of Congress has visited Damascus which is true. But not one of them attempted to speak for The United States or suggest that their trip was to re-shape US foreign policy which is exactly what Pelosi said was the purpose of her trip.
In this same manner Pelosi is again trying to re-shape US foreign policy with her overtures to Iran while expressing her disgust with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements denying the existence of the Holocaust as a way to protect her political butt.
The President as well as other countries and the United Nations itself, who the left glorifies as the come all and end all in world diplomacy, have been maneuvering to isolate Iran as a means of forcing them away from their nuclear ambition and to attempt to check the terrorist state in its attempt to dominate the Middle East.
Pelosi's in announcing that she is even considering a trip to Iran in violation of US policy further emboldens Iran into believing that their current actions are acceptable and allows their nuclear black mail to work on the world stage.
It is also a proven fact that Iran is supplying manpower and supplies which are directly responsible for much of the Iraq insurgency and the killing of American soldiers. Yet Pelosi still plans to begin a dialogue with Iran in direct violation of US foreign policy and the President.
She is not President of The United states nor does she shape policy, but her liberal arrogance and her attempt to weaken the Presidency and the nation also in violation of the Constitutional provision of the Separation of Powers is aiding our enemies and assisting in sending mixed messages to Iran and Syria. She is damaging the position of Israel by misspeaking for the Prime Minister and aiding in the continued effort by Iran to create havoc in Iraq and kill American soldiers.
What better charges for treason have existed for anyone in United States history than Nancy Pelosi!
Ken Taylor
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is once again considering making diplomatic overtures with a country that the President and the State Department, (who Constitutionally set foreign policy for the nation), have stated that any dialogue is not in the best interests of The United States.
Pelosi along with Representative Tom Lantos, (D, CA), are seriously considering a trip to Iran to open a diplomatic dialogue with the rogue state that the President's foreign policy considers a terrorist state and has repeatedly stated that until Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions The United States will NOT have a dialogue with Tehran.
Pelosi's recent trip to Damascus and her one on one meeting with Assad was an embarrassment to the nation and her arrogance in telling Assad that Israel was ready to discuss peace which was quickly denied by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert proves that she has no business in the diplomatic field.
Additionally her actions were in direct violation of the Logan Act which states, "Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."
Her trip to Damascus was a direct violation of this act and as such she is guilty of a felony and adding to this her overtures toward Iran, Pelosi is walking the fine line of treason as her actions can be considered, "aid and comfort."
While her trip to Damascus was not authorized Assad considered it a State visit because of her position. Her argument as well as other liberals was that Republican members of Congress has visited Damascus which is true. But not one of them attempted to speak for The United States or suggest that their trip was to re-shape US foreign policy which is exactly what Pelosi said was the purpose of her trip.
In this same manner Pelosi is again trying to re-shape US foreign policy with her overtures to Iran while expressing her disgust with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements denying the existence of the Holocaust as a way to protect her political butt.
The President as well as other countries and the United Nations itself, who the left glorifies as the come all and end all in world diplomacy, have been maneuvering to isolate Iran as a means of forcing them away from their nuclear ambition and to attempt to check the terrorist state in its attempt to dominate the Middle East.
Pelosi's in announcing that she is even considering a trip to Iran in violation of US policy further emboldens Iran into believing that their current actions are acceptable and allows their nuclear black mail to work on the world stage.
It is also a proven fact that Iran is supplying manpower and supplies which are directly responsible for much of the Iraq insurgency and the killing of American soldiers. Yet Pelosi still plans to begin a dialogue with Iran in direct violation of US foreign policy and the President.
She is not President of The United states nor does she shape policy, but her liberal arrogance and her attempt to weaken the Presidency and the nation also in violation of the Constitutional provision of the Separation of Powers is aiding our enemies and assisting in sending mixed messages to Iran and Syria. She is damaging the position of Israel by misspeaking for the Prime Minister and aiding in the continued effort by Iran to create havoc in Iraq and kill American soldiers.
What better charges for treason have existed for anyone in United States history than Nancy Pelosi!
Ken Taylor
posted by The Liberal Lie The Conservative Truth | 1:16 PM
17 Comments:
Ken: You must not have gotten the memo. Rules, law, ethics and standards of conduct are ONLY meant to be applied to Republicans.
How else can you explain a three years investigation by a Special Prosecutor which hamstrung senior White House aides dragged in front of a grand jury for supposedly revealing the name of a renegade CIA agent (when even the prosecutor KNEW that it was Richard Armitage at the State Dept).
Pelosi has daily demanded accountability by every member of the Bush Administration but will never allow herself to be held to the same standard.
If she and Lantos (who admits that their efforts were part of a "Democrat foreign policy") have done nothing wrong, we would think they would welcome an investigation.
But we all know there will NOT be an investigation. That Democrats can flout the law with impunity and weaken the nation during a time of war and embrace dictators who have the blood of Americans on their hands.
The Washington Post called Pelosi's effort "foolish... ludicrous... counter productive..."
I would add disgusting, shameful, stupid and typical of the moonbat idiots Pelosi represents instead of the greater American good.
We just had this conversation over at MDCons' blog. I'll hit a couple of points that I made over there.
First, you are illustrating a complete misunderstanding of the Logan Act.
The idea that it is illegal for the Speaker of the House of the United States to meet with foreign leaders is simply laughable. Read the non-partisan CRS report on the subject.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/...isc/ RL33265.pdf
The State Department has explicitly stated that the Logan Act does not apply to members of Congress visiting foreign leaders as part of fact-finding missions. Quoting from the CRS report:
"The clear intent of this provision [Logan Act] is to prohibit unauthorized persons from intervening in disputes between the United States and foreign governments. Nothing in Section 953, however, would appear to restrict members of the Congress from engaging in discussions with foreign officials in pursuance of their legislative duties under the Constitution."
But let's ignore all of those facts. It has been widely reported that Pelosi explicitly spoke with Bush prior to leaving. He apparently expressed no objections to her. So, let's just assume that charges related to a violation of the Logan Act were actually brought against Pelosi (it would never happen, but I'll humor the thought). The fact that the President did not explicitly object to her when she spoke with him, could be argued as an implicit acceptance of her authority to make the trip. That would provide very solid legal cover.
The failure of the Bush Administration to have open dialogue with our enemies is a large reason we find ourselves in the foreign policy disasters that we now find ourselves in. You should read just a little about James Baker's philosophy and how we ended the Cold War. Diplomacy with the Soviets was critical to ending the Cold War. Shutting up and not talking to our enemies is childish and makes very little sense.
Here is the link for the CRS Report again:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33265.pdf
You should be able to cut and paste it into an open browser and see for yourself.
Strange, Pelosi can run amuck throughout Terrorist Haven "UNAUTHORIZED" wheeling and dealing with Terrorist leaders in a time of WAR, no fact finding mission involved, just freelancing her own political agenda, and she cant take the time to go meet with President Bush on Funding the Troops (Whom before she was elected to Speaker) PROMISED she would work with the President on ALL issues, (She Lied) but those that are indeed helping to get our Troops killed, they are just fine to talk to. Unfriggenreal!!
Yet, Bill Richardson D-NM, asked for and got permission from the President to go to North Korea to bring home the bodies of our Soldiers that were killed in the Korean War, all done properly by talking to and asking the President for the permission to go.
That's the way it's done. Bill Richardson wasnt spreading any political agenda of his own, he violated nothing because he got permission from the President to go.
If Syriana Pelosi goes on Terrorist Tour '07 Part II, without getting permission from the President this time it's time to flood the White House with phone calls and it's time for Syriana Pelosi to step down.
You guys are creepy-scary.
Marie - the Speaker of the House does not need permission from the President. The State Deparment has determined that to be the case.
What would "flooding the White House with phone calls" do to get Pelosi to step down. She is a member of Congress. Do you think that Bush can fire the Speaker of the House?
As for meeting with Bush. Why should any Dem make the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue so that they can be lectured. Bush has explicitly said that he won't compromise and there won't be any changes. So what would be accomplished when the President has made it clear that he has no intention of compromising on anything? It would just be a silly waste of time.
Actually Rob, the Logan Act might apply in this situation.
The Whitehouse not only requested that the Speaker not meet with Assad, but they directly condemned her actions and warned against interference with US foreign policy. Furthermore, this was not simply a fact finding mission as was evidenced by her delivering a non-existent message which she incorrectly stated was from the Israeli government. The quick reaction of the Israelis to challenge this statement and point out that Speaker Pelosi spoke with no authority on behalf of their government supports this.
The President did state that he did not approve of the visit, but obviously, as mudkitty pointed out, this is a free country. He could not prevent her from going. However, the Speaker of the House or Congress in general, holds no legal authority to negotiate or promote any American foreign policy with out the express permission of the President of the United States or the State Department.
While the strongest reaction of the Whitehouse so far has consisted of statement from the President calling the move counter productive and claiming that it sends a mixed message on US foreign policy and Condoleezza Rice stating that Pelosi’s trip was unhelpful, this could change significantly if she interjects internal US politics in the current situation with Iran.
While the trip and her delivery of the supposed Israeli message were foolish in Syria, a similar action could quickly become dangerous in Iran. Iran is an entirely different story. We are practically in a nuclear stand off with them over their uranium enrichment process, taking of British hostages and their direct intervention in the conflict in Iraq which has cost the lives of American servicemen. If she oversteps her bounds and delivers a similar message to Iran which contravenes or interferes with US foreign policy, the Logan Act could quite easily come into play.
Don't hold your breath. There has NEVER been a Logan Act conviction in the history of this country. There has only been one indictment.
The larger problem is that we are stuck with a childish foreign policy that does not allow direct discussions with Iran (and others). There is certainly room to negotiate. I know some folks here will say that is appeasement, but discussion and negotiation was a critical component for resolving the Cold War without nuclear holocaust.
Obviously there was greater tension and threat from the Soviets, had Kennedy not remained open to negotiation the Cuban Missile Crisis may have ended differently. Reagan didn't close off discussion with the Soviets - just the opposite - and it led to the end of the Cold War.
Actually, CC, it doesn't.
Rob,
Case again in point Bill Richardson, he has conveyed the White House message to the North Koreans (On the President's OK) and they are now willing to hault Nuclear Production as well as turn over the bodies of our fallen Soldiers from the Korean war.
Pressure and Isolation worked. That IS the Policy of OUR Government like it or not. We dont negotiate with Terrorists period!!
And even though the Democrats Control the House and Senate, dont forget George Bush is still the President!!
If Pelosi goes on this trip, it may even have farther reaching consequenses than just the Logan Act, she is 2nd in line for the Presidency.
What if Iran decides it want's to take her hostage? Then what?
She could set off WWIII with her actions.
Syriana Pelosi needs to go back to the damn Congress and fund our Troops so we can get this OVER WITH!!! Instead of running around to all these State Sponsors of Terrorist Countries!!
That is Condi Rice's job!! NOT Syriana Pelosi's.
The North Korean nuclear crisis emerged as a result of isolation. We had cameras in their nuclear facilities prior to Bush's foreign policy change that ended negotiated fuel shipments and discussions.
So after a couple of years of failed foreign policy with NK, what has Bush done? He has gone back to the policy of bribing them with fuel shipments and has reopened communication.
Pelosi has done nothing wrong and opening lines of communication is just what Baker's Iraq Study Group called for. We need more communication not less. It should be clear by how badly Bush's foreign policies have been that this is needed.
The troops are fully funded right now. Congress has passed full funding for the next year. If Bush vetoes it then he will be cutting off troop funding.
Rob , your assution that Pelosi's visit was not illegal is wrong and thst she did not violate the Logan Act is also wrong.
She expressly stated that her intentionas for the Damascas visit and her possible visit to Iran was and is to RE - SHAPE US foreign policy which is unauthorized by the Executive Branch who Constitutionally states US foreign policy and both trips are not authorized by the White House. Thsi also violates the Seperation of Powers in ehich she is overstepping her Congressional grounds.
True she has the free right as an American and Speaker to visit who she wishes but NOT to make that visit as an official policy maker of the US government nor as a spokesperson for US foreign policy without Presidential authorization whether directly or through the State Department.
As MArie stated Richardson followed correct proceedures and was in N. Korea as an emmisary fo the State Department with proper authorization.
Even those in the Congress who have visited Damascas DID NOT speak for the US while Pelosi went with the expressed purpose TO speak for the US to as Mike stated in his comment to disguss, "Democrat foreign policy." She is not the duly authorized foreign policy maker and without Presidential authorization has absolutly no grounds to speak for the country. her arrogance even caused her to falsly speek for Israel. She is a loose cannon who needs to be checked with legal action if necessary.
Rob,
I understand that the Logan Act has rarely been used. That is becuse there has always been a general understanding that the managing of US foreign policy lies solely under the pervue of the Executive Branch.
There have only been a handful of times in which the application of the Logan Act was even suggested. The reason that Senators John Sparkman and George McGovern were not charged for their visits to Cuba during 1975 was because the resulting reports stated that they had made it clear that they came with no authorit of the US and they were only there to lear and listen.
Pelosi's visit to Syria clearly does not fall directly under the Logan Act because her mistatement over policy involved Israeli foreign policy and not direct US policy. My point was that this could very easily not be the case in Iran. If she does challenge misspeak when she is there, it could easily be applied.
While I do agree that the State Department gives exception to fact finding or investigative actions by Congress, it does have to apply to their legislative duties under the Constitution. Since the Congress cannot legislate foreign policy and we currently have no domestic legislation pending involving Iran, she would not be necessarily protected under that exemption.
Let me first say that Pelosi will be charged with a violation of the Logan Act as soon as pixies spread magical dust over Iraq and make it a peaceful land of milk and honey.
Ken, it seems to me that if Pelosi spoke to Bush prior to going and he did not object to her going, you would be fine with her trip. Bush's knowledge of the trip and failure to criticize it prior to her leaving was fairly widely reported. You can go to the following link, but many news outlets reported it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/30/AR2007033002010.html?nav=hcmodule
Also, just read the press briefings at the White House webpage in the days leading up to the trip and immediately after the trip. At worst, Dana Perino called Pelosi's trip unhelpful, but at no time did she ever accuse the Speaker of the House of conducting illegal foreign policy.
Also, you nitwits...treason comes attached to a death penalty.
Wow....The statement was actually made: "However, the Speaker of the House or Congress in general, holds no legal authority to negotiate or promote any American foreign policy with out the express permission of the President of the United States or the State Department."
Since when did the President become the Supreme Dictator of the United States.
Last time I checked the constitution of the United States called for three distinct branches of government each equal to the other. Therefore, the President has no authority to tell any member of congress that they can not meet with any official of any government.
As for your call for prosecution under the articles of Treason. Bush and every member of congress who voted for the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act first. The Oath of office states "and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Maybe someday the doublethink will clear. While I defend Pelosi in this instance if you are going to make a case for Treason on her part I can think of several other reasons under which she could be charged.....
With the exception of one man.. Ron Paul the entire Bush Administration and the entire Congress should be immediately be brought up on charges of Treason!
Quit blindly defending a criminal government and restore the Republic... you notice I did not day Democracy!
The rightwing mindset is the classical paranoid mindset.
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