THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE ...

as Alito coneptualizes it is no different than the "law of Kings." Ben Franklin is turning 300 and one wonders what the former publisher would have thought of the media's coverage of the Alito hearings.

Coal stoves and Fire Safety; kites and Leyden jars; and of course, publishing

The fundamental nature of People being always the same, I'd bet that the same things that confront us today, regarding the truth of what the 'media' publishes or otherwise broadcasts, confronted Ben Franklin and the other Colonists petitioning for their Independance...

I bet there were British-owned newspapers that continually mischaracterized the Public Debate on Independance; that called Independance from England 'cutting and running'; that smeared the good names of any Colonists who opposed the 'administration' of the Colonies; that called into question any prior military service on the part of those Colonists who were positioning themselves at the head of the Continental Army; that called Martha Washington a lesbian, and Betsy Ross too...

I bet there were British-owned rags, tabloids, and scandal sheets that gowingly praised the British 'administration'; that distracted attention away from all corruption and scandal on the part of that 'administration'; that staunchly defended all that King George said, and attacked his critics as giving aid and comfort to the Colonies' enemies, to the French and the Indians...

I bet the 'administration' even embedded a male hustler or two into the 'American Press Corps'.

I bet 'Ben Franklin' would not be at all surprised at the state of todays 'media'; I bet he would agree that we must remain eternally vigilant, as the true and real price we pay for a Free Press; We the People, eternally vigilant...

Ben Franklin knew all this then, because he published, much to the annoyance (and anger and hatred) I'm sure, of the British 'administration'; and if Ben Franklin were alive today (and some say that he is), I would bet that he would not be surprised, and that he would be a publisher, and that he, along with we (We the People), would be eternally vigilant of the Free Press and of the 'administration'...

If Ben Franklin were alive today (and some say that he is), I would bet that he would be a Blogger.

"The Imperial Presidency at Work"

Even the NYT editorial sees the potential for abuse of executive power by Alito's confirmation.

see "The Imperial Presidency at Work" The New York Times | Editorial

Sunday 15 January 2006

[link to www.truthout.org]

"Alito's statement only raises questions; it doesn't answer them. What is the scope of Congress' constitutional authority? What is the scope of the president's constitutional authority? Alito's statement says nothing about that balance of power..." Bravo MMFA! Spot on.

The Lindsey Grahams of the world will see to it that Alito says nothing but platitudes, inference left up to each mind while the judge's mind remains a mystery.

Al Gore gave a great speech on the current executive's deplorable erosion of balance among the three branches of government as intended by the Constitution. See speech text: [link to www.truthout.org]

I caught George S. on Colbert Report yesterday, he seemed genial and game. What does he have to gain by "cropping" Alito's words? Why isn't the press making an issue of these obvious presidential power grabs and why are the critics being completely marginalized?

Legalisms

The non-denial denial, the escape clause, the meticulously worded response, the "one exception" that destroys the rule, all are legalistic tricks used today by Republicans and those they wish to install.

Bill Clinton was roundly criticized for his "legalistic answers" when being quizzed about his sex life. Yet, it's standard operating procedure for the Rightwing to obfuscate and mislead using such legalistic twistings.

Why is it reported that Alito has "backed away" from the "unitary executive" idea? Because that is the impression he wished to give. Did he REALLY? Not at all, but the analysis of the entirety of his statements would not make a soundbite story.

The rightwing understand the media's ... and thus the public's ... short attention span. In depth analysis will bore, and will not be tolerated (goes the conventional wisdom). Keep the story simple, give the proper sound bites, and the TRUTH? ... well, there's no need to burden the public with THAT.

For the record, Alito said NOTHING that would prevent him installing Bush as a Monarch. His "exceptions" cut to the core of what his job will BE.

He says Bush must follow the Constitution, but Alito veiws the Constitution much differently than precedent or any rational reading. When asked to get specific about what he believes the Constitution INTENDS, he craftily says he can't get into that, because a case might come before his court.

He's all set to install a Monarch in America, and Scalia and Thomas and Roberts are ready to help him. They have already revealed their TORY tendencies. Alito, for now, is the stealth nominee, hoping to fool and deceive in order to be confirmed.

Alito and Vanguard

Judge Samuel Alito's conduct in the Monga/Vanguard appeal also deserves closer scrutiny by the Senate Judiciary Committee than was given during the hearings. At the hearings, the Committee focused on Alito's 1990 promise to the Senate to recuse in Vanguard cases. However, the equally important issue raised by Alito's conduct and his departure from the laws in the Monga/Vanguard case was given no attention. An examination of the manner in which the Monga/Vanguard appeal unfolded in Alito's hands, the irregular procedures adopted against this widow who represented herself, and an inquiry into Alito's rulings favoring Vanguard, are all necessary to recognize the many false statements Alito made to the Committee. His actions were so glossed over, that millions of Americans now face potentially enormous threats from the institutions they rely on to guard their IRAs.

This issue is of national significance potentially affecting an estimated 44.3 million American households holding $2.41 trillion in IRAs, invested in mutual funds. Alito's decision in the Monga/Vanguard appeal invites IRA Trustees to explore ways to evade their retirement fund Contracts with the individual investor, and confirms the unfair advantage he affords powerful corporations over the individual.