The main newspaper of the Atlanta metropolitan area, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, led this morning with a huge, prominent, and lead editorial, signed by Jay Bookman for the editorial board.
Bush asserts a king's prerogative
With showdown over Iraq looming, president courts constitutional crisis
— Jay Bookman, for the editorial board
In theory, President Bush is sworn to faithfully execute the laws of the United States. In reality, he has treated federal law as a menu from which he picks and chooses those laws he likes, while ignoring those that do not suit his taste.
There's not a whole lot to add. Follow the link for the full editorial. And if you agree, feel free to write to the AJC and Bookman (AJC source editorial has mail link) to express your appreciation for these clear and simple truths in a major US newspaper.
At the moment, the president's penchant for ignoring laws he finds inconvenient is best displayed in the standoff with Congress over subpoenas. Congress has demanded the sworn testimony of White House officials as part of an investigation into the Justice Department; the White House is refusing to allow that testimony, citing executive privilege...
...The wording of that law doesn't give the U.S. attorney any leeway. It doesn't say that he or she "can" or "may" bring it before the grand jury. It says he or she "shall" bring the matter to the grand jury, so the courts can resolve the conflict between the other two branches of government.
And concluding:
[This attitude of Executive inerrancy starting with the Reagan administration regarding Iran-Contra] provides the philosophical foundation — a foundation poured, set and cured over the previous six years — for the administration to continue trying to fight in Iraq no matter what restrictions Congress may choose to enact. And that would set the stage for a whole range of nightmares, up to and including impeachment.