It’s not *ever* that simple.

“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!”"

Now, can you just imagine when Bush wants…

…Legal Cover for Water-Boarding.
…Immunity for Telecoms.
…To Fire the USAs for Dis-Loyalty.
…To Out a Spy.

And, Bush says, in addition, that he’s got All the Inherent Powers and Legal Opinions that he needs to do it, too!

Ianapsychologist, but Bush comes across as nothing less than a Sadistic Megalomaniac, whose Word served as the Law. This same Maniac that would tell his fellow Republicans that the Constitution was ‘just a goddamned piece of paper,’ wouldn’t hesitate, imvho, to -

- Torture
- Wire-Tap US w/o Warrant
- Lie US into War
- Fire the USAs

Telling US, every step of the way, that he has All the Inherent Powers and Legal Opinions he needs.

The complicity of Bush’s Lawyers cannot be underestimated in the Impact of Bush’s Demands upon otherwise good, law-abiding, conscientious Citizens – Democrats and Republicans.

We both are not proud of those that tortured unnamed. These kids , God bless ‘um all.

But if the state of readiness and mental frame of those involved in interrogations is thus, it’s kinda hard to argue that it’s not to be highlighted, not in the public interest, and particularly now that whatever rationales they have tried have completely crumbled under the light.

I was living in Flagstaff at the time of Alyssa’s death, so my interest in her case was re-kindled. I started reminding people back in Flagstaff left and right–er, maybe that should be Left and Right– about Alyssa. I got pulled up short by some friends of the Peterson family saying they weren’t comfortable with people using Alyssa’s death to score points for their own point of view. The Flagstaff newspaper doesn’t refer to Alyssa’s death as “suicide,” but as “non-combatant.” Alyssa’s parents appear to be very patriotic, often appearing at Veteran’s events, where Alyssa’s mother often sings a patriotic song. I don’t think they’re very keen on outsiders using their daughter to score points that they may not agree with.

There is a memorial to Alyssa in Flagstaff, where her name is listed along with other locals who have died while serving their country.

Don’t forget Pat Tillman. Did DOD use something Alyssa wrote to explain away her death as a suicide?

I don’t want to take anything away from what Alyssa did. To me, she’s a hero. But I’ve begun to be uncomfortable with all the piling on about her in the past few days.

Bob in HI
Flagstaff 1987-2004

jay bybee – mormon
harry shitweasel reid – mormon
alyssa peterson – mormon

so who’s the real mormon?