BUSH CENSURE MEASURES BEFORE HOUSE AND SENATE

In a very quiet move just before the beginning of the summer recess Senator Russ Feingold, (D WIS), in the Senate and Representative Maurice Hinchey, (D NY), in the House introduced Censure resolutions against President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

The two measures are yet another attempt by Feingold and his cohorts to attack the President over pre-war intelligence. This time though he has added to the measures the Terrorist Surveillance program, the firing of the Federal Attorneys and the Patriot Act. Following is a synopsis of the measures. The description of the , "charges, " in the measures are as stated within the documents and are not the views of this writer.

"The first censure resolution, regarding the conduct of the Iraq war, says the administration:

— Misled the nation regarding the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, as well as misled links between Hussein and Al Qaeda

— Didn't plan adequately for the war;

— Misled the nation about the strength of the insurgency.

The second censure resolution slams the administration for disregarding the "rule of law," citing:


— The National Security Agency's warrant less wiretapping program;

— The pursuit of "extreme policies concerning torture and the treatment of detainees," as well as the handling of detainees taken in the War on terror;

— The handling of the firings of nine U.S. attorneys last year — which Democrats believe were politically motivated;

— Misleading statements regarding civil liberties abuses under the USA Patriot Act;

— The administration's use of so-called signing statements — a tactic used by the president to say he will not enforce portions of certain laws passed by Congress, drawing lawmakers' ire."

A Censure vote against the President, Vice President and The AG by Congress is no more than an unofficial, "shame on you, " that has no authority of rebuke nor any legal and binding action against the Executive Branch. If a Censure vote is taken and passed by Congress against a fellow legislator they then can take measures of punishment against that legislator such as removal from a committee, the taking of seniority status etc., but Congressional Censure has no authority against the Executive Branch.

This move by Feingold is not at the moment supported by Majority Leader Harry Reid. Speaker Pelosi in the House has not issued a statement as of this writing regarding her position. Though I am sure if she were to support the measure it would put a brief smile on the otherwise sour face of her opponent for Pelosi's San Francisco House seat, Cindy Sheehan.

My first reaction to this lunacy was irritation because it is yet another attempt by Democrats, (Feingold and Hinchey are not the only supporters of the measures), to attack the President and rehash the rehashing of the many rehashings of the pre-war intell and to slam Bush for going into Iraq again. Then it dawned on me that these liberal members of Congress are attacking an administration that cannot run again.

This constant attack on the part of Democrats in an attempt to destroy the Bush Administration is the type of move that opponents make against an incumbent who is planning another run in order to tarnish his record and take votes away. Bush is not and cannot run. Yet Democrats still persist in these political, deceptive attacks against his Presidency. Do they really believe that these attacks will help them win in 08 ?

If Bush were running again maybe, but as far as the open run for the White House this continual attacking of the Bush Administration is doing absolutely nothing in helping Democrats get a foothold in the White House run. Could this also be part of the reason that Bush never fights back against these attacks ? Basically thinking that if they attack me they are leaving the others alone ? Definitely a possibility.

Either way these ludicrous attacks and especially this do nothing censure move by Congress not only accomplishes nothing but is yet another in a long series of moves that wastes tax payer money and absorbs the time of the Congress over stupid debate that is not only useless but repetitive, all to create sound bites that play well in the MSM and are ignored by the American people as politics as usual.

This type of political meandering is precisely why this do nothing Congress has only passed a grand total of 54 bills in the first seven months of Democrat leadership. They have spent the rest of the time attacking Bush, the war and constantly rehashing the same lame rhetoric.

When Congress returns after the summer break they will debate the Censure measures, rehash the withdrawal, (surrender), moves again and are already positioning themselves to claim that what is already adding up to a positive report in mid September by General Patraeus over Iraq is just the opposite.

So Democrats keep up the good work. You are your own worst enemy and your low approval ratings show that the American people see you for what you are and realize that you and your party are useless.

Ken Taylor