Ummm... yay?
The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a lower court ruling that the F.B.I. went too far in searching the office of Representative William J. Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat accused of using his position to promote business deals in Africa.
Without comment, the justices declined to review a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which concluded last August that agents had violated the Constitution by the methods it used in the May 2006 search.
Huzzah!
When the FBI raided the Congressional office of Rep. William Jefferson -- he of the $90,000 cash in the freezer -- and seized his papers and computers in their free-ranging search for evidence, the executive branch dangerously overstepped its bounds. And with the case alleging corruption of a Democratic Member of Congress solidifying, the brave guardians of constitutional principles on Capitol Hill cast all caution to the wind, disregarded the horrific optics of the Jefferson case and did right by the Constitution.
Ah, how refreshing!
Corrupt Democrat has office raided by FBI. Congressional Democrats wisely compartmentalize issues and public perception of corruption and stand up for the critical principle of separation of powers.
Corrupt Republican uses office to torture, steal, invade sovereign nations and eavesdrop on innocent Americans. Congressional Democrats turn immediately to the pollsters, who tell them the voters will surely punish them for seeking to compartmentalize issues and public perception of civil liberties versus security and stand up for the critical principle of separation of powers.
Makes perfect sense!
After all, separation of powers is sacrosanct to this Congress. For instance, Congressional Democrats may disagree with this president's refusal to honor duly authorized Congressional subpoenas, but they'll defend to the death his right to ignore them. Or something like that.
As an extra bonus for those of you wondering whether the House is ever going to realize that its court case seeking enforcement of the Miers and Bolten subpoenas isn't going anywhere, and finally settle the matter itself, with inherent contempt, we have this rather strong hint:
Referring to President Bush’s former political adviser, Ms. Pelosi said, "The White House wouldn’t like it if we sent the Capitol Police over there to search Karl Rove’s desk."
Can't have that.
