27 June 2006
Senator Spectre (sic) from S.P.E.C.T.R.E.
Philadelphia Inquirer 06/16/2006 Specter presses Bush in executive-power fight
By Laurie Kellman, Associated Press
"Specter also wants to examine the statements Bush issues when he signs bills into law, in which the president enumerates how he will interpret them.
"'There's a whole litany of questions that the attorney general is going to have to answer,' Specter said this week. 'We're going to press him as hard as we can.'"
Since Specter will likely not require that the attorney general be sworn in (as he has previously), Gonzalez likely won't answer directly or truthfully (as he has previously), no matter whether he is pressed, steamed, or dry-cleaned.
Philadelphia Inquirer 06/23/2006 Specter spars with Cheney on warrantless searches
By Steve Goldstein, Inquirer Washington Bureau
"In his June 7 letter, Specter wrote that Cheney had not sought him out at the weekly GOP policy luncheon at the Capitol, which the vice president usually attends.Might that change at the next opportunity?
"'Somebody brings Cheney's lunch,' Specter said. 'I've never seen him at the buffet.'
"Asked whether Cheney had a 'taster' to screen his food, the senator said: 'Well, in that group, he certainly ought to.'"
At least he has a sense of humor.
Philadelphia Inquirer 06/26/2006 Agreement on spy plan is close, says Specter
Associated Press
"Bush and senior officials in his administration have said they do not think changes are needed to empower the National Security Agency to eavesdrop - without court approval - on communications between people in the United States and overseas when terrorism is suspected.
"But Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and other critics contend the program skirted a 1978 law that required the government to get approval from a secret federal court before Americans could be monitored.
"'We're getting close with the discussions with the White House, I think, to having the wiretapping issue submitted to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court,' Specter said on Fox News Sunday."
So we reskirt it by rewriting the law and back dating it.
AOL News - (AP) Bush Ignores Laws He Signs, Vexing Congress
President Has Issued 750 Statements That He May Revise or Disregard Measures
By Laurie Kellman, AP 06.27.2006 12:55 PM EDT
(also published as: Bush Ignores Laws He Inks, Vexing Congress - Forbes.com 06.27.2006, 02:25 PM)
"...according to the White House. A law is not binding when a president issues a separate statement saying he reserves the right to revise, interpret or disregard it on national security and constitutional grounds.
"That's the argument a Bush administration official is expected to make Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who has demanded a hearing on a practice he considers an example of the administration's abuse of power."
Arlen Specter demanding a hearing is like Lil' Debbie inviting you over for tea and pound cake. Put your napkin in your lap. He always crumbles.
With Incumbent Republican Senator Rick Santorum 18% behind in the polls in Pennsylvania, one of the six seats needed to flip control to Democrats in the Senate in November, Specter could be butted from Chairman of Judiciary committee to ranking minority member. He may have to resign from S.P.E.C.T.R.E., and become a Spectre.
"Specter isn't sure how much Congress can do to check the practice. 'We may figure out a way to tie it to the confirmation process or budgetary matters,' he said."
Now that sounds like the Spooky ol' Spineless Sphincter we're used to.
JR Ford
UP (Unsubstantiated Press)
St. Petersburg, Fl.
sixtimeseven@aol.com
forty-two
“This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.” -- Will Rogers.
