An Important Federal Court Rebuke Of Bush

The federal court ruling that throws out Junior Bush's assertion that he can simply declare someone an "enemy combatant" and then lock them up indefinitely is a welcome development. You would think we have no constitution and no rights, like in an old time communist country. Bush is so used to getting his way that he basically feels that he can do whatever he wants, the Constitution and the rule of law be damned. Bush plans to appeal the decision and it may go to the Supreme Court. Since he has packed the court with right wing cronies, they might rule in his favor. Let's hope not. Fighting terrorists does not require that we abandon a 200 plus year legacy of legal due process.

Bush thinks he is so powerful due in large part to the fact that he had up until the last election, a Republican controlled congress that rubber stamped everything he did. If but one house of congress had been under control of the opposition party, there would have been more of a check on Bush's claims of almost king-like executive power. We now have "divided" government, where the congress is partially or fully under the control of the opposition party. This doesn't mean that Bush loses all battles. For example, the senate failed to pass the Gonzales no confidence resolution. But it does mean that there are checks on his power and real oversight of his administration.

Photo: Buenos Aires - just up the hill this narrow street leads to the bustling downtown of this European-like South American gem of a city

Jim