President Elect Obama: Denounce and Renounce

I spent most of the weeks between the conventions and the election reading two essential books: Jane Mayer's The Dark Side and Barton Gellman's Angler. Both cast essential light, the first from a systemic perspective and the second from a personal one, on the degree to which Vice President Cheney created a secret cabal inside the Executive Branch. That cabal, co-headed by Cheney's ultra-pugnacious in-house lawyer David Addington, proceeded to eviscerate laws and treaties, paving them over with a series of (in some cases, still-secret) legal opinions binding on the Executive Branch, whose power Cheney (though publicly disavowing his membership in that branch) was determined to increase.

Those members of the government with legislative or constitutional responsibilities to weigh in on these matters, but whom the Cheney team didn't trust, simply weren't "read in" on the new policies. So State Department experts on the law of war, Defense Department JAGS, even Condi Rice and Colin Powell, all found out about these new policies--involving, at a minimum, detention, rendition, and interrogation methods that were designed to shock the conscience--in the press, as a fait accompli, if they found out about them at all.

It was an eerie experience, reading this material during an election campaign where such matters were rarely if ever mentioned. One benefit of keeping your most prized policies secret is that they don't get debated during an election, because they don't show up on polls of voters' concerns.

So, the question needs to be asked of the President-elect: do you plan to denounce and renounce these extra-Constitutional ways of doing business, and the illegal policies that resulted, before you take office? Because, one is entitled to fear that, if you don't, one day, when things get tough (as they will), you will look at this secret little tool chest, and it will appear all too tempting.

Comments

[vietveter]

Why should He?

He never advocated or practiced

Why denounce ?

Get over yourself !

[SurrealPumpkin]

I remember Obama mentioning the memos and executive orders early this summer. He mentioned that he planned to review all of them with the intent of undoing them.

[LanceJetson]

I remember the same thing. I thought Obama had already said part of his first 100 day plan was to undo all the extra-legal things Bush had done, like signing statements, etc. Maybe Harry wasn't listening that day. But we should definitely hold Obama to that statement.

[7crows]

If anyone has a link showing a quote by Obama in this regard I would love to have it. This has been a concern of mine and I have hoped that overturning these orders was part of his plan, though, I understand why it could not be made a campaign issue. I have tremendous faith in him in many ways but power corrupts. Even if Obama proves himself to be untouchable he will eventually have successors. The sooner these policies are addressed (once he is in office) the better.
Thanks

[AdamX]

He has alreadt "renounced and denounced", Harry! Frankly, I don't need anymore words. I would like to see some ACTION. Instead of "renounce and denounce", I would rather see a little "try and convict".

[Rule Of Law]

And, since Obama is a Constitutional Law Professor, let's see a battalion of Lawyers begin sifting through every piece of law that passed Bush's desk these 8 years, and a big shredder right next to it!

[Yermammy]

Sure have missed hearing from you, Brother! We need some brains and common sense in here! Right on!

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

I doubt anything will survive! And most of all I hope they find some way to convict him of something - while their at it they can take back the sum total of his pay and expenses, plus interest, to start filling in the hole he and his republican cohorts dug us into.

[Soulsurfer]

Too bad Eliot Spitzer exploded his career, he would have been great to prosecute the Bushies...­.......

[GonzoFactor]

We need a team of special prosecutors that will go after the criminals in the Bush administration.

[pjburns11]

YES! Thank you Harry!

He has a mandate, he has a groundswell of support. He is not going to be given a long honeymoon period. He is going to be expected to produce results fast. These 70 days provide a time to show unity and direction. Take aim at these criminals. A renunciation at the very least! I say. Serious investigations would be more appropriate.

www.thetruthburns.wordpress.com

[Emmory]

Obama will do whatever he can get away with.
Same as Bush.

[Yermammy]

I have an uncanny ability to detect BS. I hated Bush BEFORE he was President (look at his father). No, Obama will be a much different kind of leader. I can FEEL it.

[Emmory]

That's the problem with you people, you lead with your FEELINGS.

I can't believe you could be so naive.

You think Obama is cut from a different cloth than every other politician?
That is BS.

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

baseless allegation­...

[Bitsko]

Feeblemindedness is a terrible thing to waste.

[WIpatriot]

Nope, it's waste to start with....

[RepugsOut08]

I would love to see Obama renounce all of the extra powers that were handed over to the Executive Branch during the Bush administration. The Bush Doctrine should be tossed on the ash heap of history as soon as possible.
As the poster "Overdog" commented, Obama will definitely have his Frodo-at-Mount-Doom moment. It will be very tempting to rationalize needing a little something extra in these extraordinarily difficult years ahead, but he still needs to earn the confidence of a large chunk of the populace. Dismantling the Bush/Cheney secret chamber of horrors would go a long way towards earning that confidence.

[Yermammy]

Power is indeed a moral challenge. I banking on Barack to do the correct thing.

[Bitsko]

I'd love to see President 0bama use his powers as a modern-day Imperial President to destroy the right wing bigots in this country. But that's just a daydream.

[Yermammy]

Beware of what you wish for... After all the right wing bigots were destroyed, what then? Once you get a taste for "destroying", it doesn't go away. They'll come around, once their leaders are made examples of. Legally. By the Rule of Law.

[haramagoti]

We need to realize the full extent of the heist that occurred here. We have been caught in Cheney's ego's bitch slap to his any political superior from his past that drew any form of a line in the sand as to his efforts at running the whole show for his own personal gain. How do we know when Main Core is unplugged from his bunker? When will a just audit show just how much this administration profited from our youth's bloodshed down to the last blood stained Lincoln penny? This surprisingly short list of Cheney's cronies, these guys aren't untouchable figureheads, but tragic humans who committed heinous crimes for which they HAVE TO answer to. If we are to make strides as a democracy, let history accurately display those who have done anything in their power, as well as those who could have exposed them and did not, especially when having been elected/nominated to respect that they serve the collective power of the people, to attempt to trump that truth in the name of personal ideology and a thirst for a false god made of blood and oil. Prosecutable complicity for anyone around this level of illegality is in fact written into law, and why no one was tackled to the floor to stop any bit of it will be a deeply saddening mystery for generations to come. We know it's not a real heart Cheney, you didn't have to demonstrate that fact on a global scale.

[MsYellowDog]

Cheney was able to realize,while in office,what he only salivated over when he was a part of R.Nixon's grand heist attempt,which fortunately failed...h­e had nearly 30 years to think about what went wrong the first time,and was able to improve upon his methods to assure not getting caught this time.

[Yermammy]

Well, what a shame. He's going to be convicted, anyway. Now, or after he leaves office. Some of us have been WATCHING this for 30 years. We don't forgive and we damned sure don't forget. WATCH.

[spillersgirl]

Harry -- I agree that Obama needs to denounce these violations of the Consititution, but I think it would be wise of him to wait until after January 20th. Our Constitution has been butchered by Bush and Cheney. I do not believe that Obama will be tempted by chosing this "extra" power -- I believe he has too much respect for the Constitution and the American people!

[Yermammy]

We'll see, I suppose. I'm one of Barack's original activists. I'm going to be the most disappointed if he does not. He started out here in Springfield, Illinois with lofty rhetoric- he had better back it up, because I DO REMEMBER. I've got a question some may be able to answer!
Now that the Telco's have been granted Retroactive Immunity for illegal wiretapping, can that be overturned if it is ruled (either by Impeachment Conviction and/or War Crimes Prosecution) ???
Logically, to me anyway, you would think that anything done by a criminal could be reversed.
Yes, the original 1978 version of FISA needs to be restored. And the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, violation of Posse Comitatas, Signing Statements, and all the other transgressions to the Constitution need to be repealed.
Will he do it? We'll see I suppose, but you better believe I'm going to be actively involved to make sure he does.

[raptor]

Signing statements -- last I heard, Obama was in favor of using them. Has there beem an update?

[Yermammy]

Can you provide a link please? Or is this just hearsay as you imply?

[augiemarch]

No, emphatically no- in a town meeting appearance in Montana in the primaries, he was asked by a woman whether he approved of signing statements. He thought for a moment and then said crisply "No", and he proceded to give, extempore, a critique of the practice.

[Bienville]

Whatever Obama's view of signing statements, there are at least two varieties.
One, in which the Executive clairifies his understanding of the bill he is signing into law, is entirely necessary and proper.
The other, reprehensibly employed by George W. Bush, is a simple statement that without regard to the Congress' intent, the Executive will not enforce or obey the law.

[Senzasord]

First of all, let us remember that George W. Bush was never truly elected president. He stole both elections! That fact alone is enough to eradicate any possibility of respect that holding the office may carry with it.

As far as fillibuster, the antidote is simply make them do it. Here is the microphone and a bucket to piss in. There is the C-Span camera so everybody can see and hear you. Knock yourseves out. When the American people see how foolish these obstructionists really are in person where no spin can possibly save them. Then perhaps they too can be swept out of office and consigned to the rubbish heap of history they so truly deserve. ( I can just imagine the campaign commercials the Democrats can make of this C-Span footage.)

Finally, I want President Obama to assert his executive auithority in stating flatly that presidential pardons extended to people who have never been convicted of crimes are not proper and will not be acknowledged. Gerald Frods precedent was unconstitutional. It is time to hold these criminals who have run the country into the ground accountable.

[kellygrrrl]

if WE do not demand criminal investigations and some justice against the NeoCriminals
rest assured
This whole Nightmare will repeat itself soon

[Yermammy]

Thank you kellygrrrl! (WE DID IT!)

[Overd0g]

No, he will not throw the Ring of Power in to the fires of Mount Doom.

[RWG]

We have heard throughout his campaign that Obama would restore transparency to the White House. The question for any adiminstration is to what extent.

I agree with many posts that the worst has yet to be revealed about Bush/Cheney - and what has been so far should be grounds for impeachment.

Their cartel of evil, Abramoff, Addington, Rove, etc., etc., should, but will not be, held accountabl­e..

Bush himself seems awfully anxious to make the transition out of the White House - to cut and run while he still can.

Cheney has been conspicuously absent for the past two years - no doubt hiding under his proverbial rock until he can stealthily escape under the cloak of darkness.

These guys are all criminals should be treated as such.

[Yermammy]

"Their cartel of evil, Abramoff, Addington, Rove, etc., etc., should, but will not be, held accountabl­e.."
Sounds like you quit easy. What, do you think justice comes from "magic"? Unless we totally destroy the legacy of these criminals, they've just set a dangerous precedent for any future president to abuse the illegal powers they've installed. http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/ Get involved and get mad. I just had 8 years of my life that I'll NEVER get back with these animals at the helm. They'll be lucky with just being Impeached, if I have anything to do with it. I want serious War Crimes, High Crimes & Misdemeanors and First Degree Murder Charges put upon them. I want them to fight for the rest of their lives, desperately trying to avoid prison or execution.

[Ohg]

It is clear in history which ideas have had the power of sustaining time. Most of George Bush's changes will be reversed before the ink can dry. If Obama wants a legacy he should look to governing from the center. ........

http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/11/06/obama-and-sustainable-solutions/

[Yermammy]

Yeah, once the "center" is moved 17 steps to the LEFT......­.

[zitlight73]

Here ,here. Restore habeous corpus, renounce signing statements and keep Gitmo open only for convicted Bush Administration members.