I am the Lizard King, I can do anything -- Jim Morrison
Short of shouting this memorable declaration, Bush could not have demonstrated more clearly his unchecked power than by rescuing Libby from serving a jail sentence. We now face the prospect of a President who can prevent the punishment of any crime by abuse of his pardon powers. This instantly immunizes the entire BushCo criminal enterprise from accountability to the law.
This is what comes of Nancy Pelosi's deer-in-the-headlights approach to handling the Bush administration. Pelosi and Reid somehow came to the conclusion that the slender Democratic majority in the House would translate into the moderation of BushCo behavior. This diary describes what we can expect from an out-of-control President in the next 18 months.
- War against Iran. The New York Times is back in Judy Miller mode, faithfully reprinting BushCo propaganda justifying an attack on Iran. Military officers are being shuffled to place only loyal Bushies in the chain of command that will execute the attack.
- Recess appointments. Every time the Senate recesses, a slew of appointments will be made to put BushCo apparatchiks in key government positions.
- Executive orders. Bush will steadily generate orders to all Federal agencies to pursue the BushCo agenda of plunder and destruction. Court challenges will be filed, but they will take years to complete.
- Destruction of evidence. All traces of incriminating emails are being carefully scrubbed from any computer system that might fall into the hands of unfriendly parties.
- Pre-emptive pardons. Pardons to avoid future prosecution will be issued. As in the case of Casper Weinberger under Bush I, anyone in danger of future prosecution will be protected by BushCo before the end of Bush's term.
As these outrages proceed, the Democratic leadership will howl with protest, but they will not take a single step to check Bush's power, for they covet this power and look forward to their turn in the White House. Events are in the saddle now, and only the harshest consequences of BushCo misrule can bring reform.