[Cross posted at
E Pluribus Media ]
Oh, the humanity. Congress is fighting mad at the Executive Branch all of the sudden.
Why, you ask? Iraq? Health care? Terrorism? Torture?
Nah. Because the Executive decided to raid a Congressional office. And Congress, in a rare display of bipartisanship, is accusing the Executive of overstepping their bounds and violating the separation of powers.
It's enough to make you cry, isn't it? For weeks Congress has known that the President -- blatently and without remorse -- violated the separation of powers in our Constitution by ignoring the FISA law and instituting a wiretap program. The President continually flaunts his view of Executive authority in the form of bill signing statements. His cabinet ignores requests from Congressional committees to testify on a myriad of issues, from mining safety to post-Katrina housing.
But, hey, that's not bad enough to cause a stink about the abuse of Executive authority, because, after all, all that stuff only affects the public. It doesn't affect our super-insulated legislators.
So, after the Saturday raid of Congressman William Jefferson by the FBI that is part of a corruption investigation of the Congressmen, Republicans and Democrats in Congress swung into action!
Speaker of the House Denny Hastert derided the FBI for conducting a "constitutionally suspect raid". Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that the FBI should not engage in such behavior that might "undermine" our checks and balances.
Excuse me a minute...I need to find a bucket to barf in.
Rep. Jefferson has basically been caught red-handed, and our leaders want to engage in arguing the nuances of the Speech and Debate Clause. Why? Because it could be their ass on the line next.
Pardon me if I'm not jumping up and down and harumphing with Hastert and Pelosi about the precious privacy rights of Congresscritters. You have a legitimate beef, to be sure, but maybe it wouldn't ring so fucking hollow if you've been doing your job and countering abuses of executive power for the past six fucking years.
Hits home doesn't it, Congress? Suddenly, the FBI appears on your inner sanctum like thugs, and you're starting to sweat.
Well, maybe next time you'll think about doing your job instead of puckering up to the White House. Maybe next time you'll think about the fact sometimes, giving up privacy for the sake of security IS a bad thing. Maybe next time you'll think about acting like public servants instead of high dollar whores that go to the highest bidder, leaving your nether-regions exposed when the law finally catches up with you.
Ladies and gentleman, your 109th Congress: pampered, whimpering and oblivious.
No wonder Bush ignores them.