Worrisome but still unproven


Did President Bush call the U.S. Constitution "a goddamned piece of paper?" There is an accusation but no proof
I don't know if this one is true or not. It is being reported on some left-wing and libertarian sites.

Last month, Republican Congressional leaders filed into the Oval Office to meet with President George W. Bush and talk about renewing the controversial USA Patriot Act.

Several provisions of the act, passed in the shell shocked period immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, caused enough anger that liberal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union had joined forces with prominent conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly and Bob Barr to oppose renewal.

GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

“I don’t give a goddamn,” Bush retorted. “I’m the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way.”

“Mr. President,” one aide in the meeting said. “There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution.”

“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”

Two things give me pause about this. First, the original site is highly biased against President Bush. That in and of itself isn't necessarily bad, but combine that with what is effectively an unsubstantiated rumor and I think a little more proof would be good.

Second, people have a long history of inventing things against a sitting President, and in particular Mr. Bush. The "Texas Air Guard memos" come to mind, but they certainly aren't the only example.

If this is true, it shows callous disregard for the Constitution. If it is not true, it is a calculated smear job. Which considering the political climate right now, is about equally as likely.

Hat tip to Sunni Maravillosa and the Conspirators, who has her own take.

Much of the rest of Thompson's rant is devoted to how awful this is. Compared to other rants I've read, though, he just doesn't seem to get all that exercised. And, really, why should he? The only difference between this president and numerous others before him is that his power grabs have been more brazen, and his handlers better at distracting U.S. citizens from what's going on behind the scenes.

Submitted for your consideration.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sat - December 10, 2005 at 04:59 AM  Tag


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