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Opinion Editorials, October 2006, To see today's opinion articles, click here: www.aljazeerah.info |
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Human Price of the Israeli Occupation of Palestine Israeli daily aggression on the Palestinian people Mission and meaning of Al-Jazeerah Cities, localities, and tourist attractions
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The Betrayal of America By Don Speakman Al-Jazeerah, October 30, 2006 The oath to be taken by every president on first entering office is specified in Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Nothing could be clearer or more straight forward than this oath in both its eloquence and simplicity. With right hand raised and the left hand resting on the bible our president, George W. Bush twice made this vow while most of the world witnessed the ceremony. (No chance for fingers crossed on this occasion.) So now after six years it remains apparent that our Commander-in-chief never intended to honor that oath or even more frightening silently resolved to lend his own interpretation to the real meaning of the Constitution of the United States. After all as he stated, on at least one occasion, “I believe that God wants me to be president.” With God on his side, a craven Congress and a subservient Supreme Court President Bush has arrogantly claimed he has the authority to set aside any laws passed by Congress that may conflict with his interpretation of the Constitution. As proof, after seizing the reins of power in 2001, our Commander-in-Chief has surreptitiously disobeyed 750 laws enacted by Congress on the flimsy basis that they were in conflict with his interpretation of the Constitution. When one thinks of the countless brave souls who over the years willingly sacrificed themselves to preserve and protect the precepts embodied in this Constitution then to have it thus sullied and destroyed by this strutting popinjay who hasn’t the foggiest notion of either freedom or liberty, make words like repugnant and abhorrent by far too inadequate. Better to leave him to history. Unchecked and the usurpation of more power by playing fast and loose with the Constitution presents a chilling denouement to the runup for the Presidency in 2008. It is not inconceivable that George W. Bush, in the next two years, may yet devise some means to abrogate the 22 amendment limiting his Presidency to two terms. Whether it’s a national emergency or the clear and present danger from terrorist attacks or some ruse we know not of a salient fact remains that extreme vigilance is paramount until this man and his ilk are no longer part of our political process. During the Nixon Impeachment hearings of 1975 when Jim Mann a panel member from South Carolina justified his vote to impeach President Nixon with this immortal phrase, “If there be no accountability, another President will be free to do as he chooses. But the next time, there may be no watchman in the night.'' Don Speakman, Bahama, N.C., USA.
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Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent Al-Jazeerah's. editor@aljazeerah.info |