The Notion of “Executive Privilege” on Full Display During Ashcroft Hearings
July 17, 2008
John Ashcroft’s appearance today before a Congressional panel featured repeated refusals to criticize the Bush administration. Even though it’s readily apparent that he’s uncomfortable with torture and domestic spying, he tows the party line, refuses to share what he calls “privileged information” while vigorously defending practices which — behind closed doors — he expressed grave doubts about.
I suppose there are two kinds of Bush officials, the Ashcrofts and the Roves who refuse to talk even if they may be on the wrong side of history, and the McClellans who choose to speak out.
So, I might be breaking the Obama campaign gag order I’m under by posting a comment here, but I’ve gotten tired of not being able to interact with my online friends…
I just wanted to say that my own education in US history does not lend credence to the idea that the founders intended to create an executive that is not answerable to the Congress. The whole point of the Executive branch is that the President carries out the orders of Congress, the orders being, written legislation.
This means that Congress is also well within its authority to ask HOW the President is carrying out the so-ordered legislation.
What this means is that the whole notion of “Executive Privilege” is a joke, and despite even the early founders’ (multiple *unsuccessful*) attempts, particularly by Jefferson, to assert such a right, no such right exists. Yes, despite the Supreme Court ruling otherwise. It’s worth adding here that the Judicial Branch in the Constitution was an afterthought, and not as well planned as it could have been.. which is why we have such myriad problems with its implementation.
And on from a more moral perspective, the US government serves at the pleasure and good faith of the American people. This means ultimately they’re answerable to us - and if we want answers on why or how they’re doing something, they are obligated to give them to us.
I don’t care if this sounds naive. I’m sick of living in a country where those who supposedly represent us, do no such thing. This is one of the reasons I like Obama as much as I do, because he is, if nothing else, very forthright with his thinking and he trusts the people to make the right choices with all the information, instead of denying them information hoping to force them into the choice he WANTS them to make.