briefly

[solarbird]

Please never refer to the modern Republican party as the Party of the Rule of Law again. You may add this to the list that includes "Party of Fiscal Discipline," "Party of Small Government," and "Party of Responsibility." Thanks.

Bush challenges hundreds of laws
President cites powers of his office
By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | April 30, 2006

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.

Comments

[stickmaker.livejournal.com]

The article does get one thing wrong. The law regarding wiretapping which was ignored does not make it legal to wiretap US citizens. That has long been legal through the regular courts. Rather, this particular law (Passed in the late Seventies IIRC.) allows an alternate, non-public route for quickly obtaining wiretap warrants in secret, where matters of national security are at stake.

In other words, there was a procedure in place which would have allowed Boosh to do exactly what he wanted, but legally. And he ignored it.