Unfit for Command
Today is Friday, 19 May 2006.
Officers receiving a commission in the armed forces of the United States must swear an oath.
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
Note that “true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution of the United States takes absolute precedence over obedience to orders of the President of the United States. Thus must it ever be in a government of laws, not persons. The opposite is the Third Reich, in which officers swore an oath to Adolf Hitler the person, not to the German Constitution.
General Michael Hayden, Director-designate of the Central Intelligence Agency, swore this oath.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 provides for two avenues to legally secure electronic surveillance of suspect persons. One: application to the FISA court for a warrant before surveillance begins. Second: application to the FISA court for a warrant within 72 hours after surveillance begins.
Nearly a half-decade ago, George W. Bush ordered the National Security Agency, through its director, General Hayden, to commence warrantless surveillance of suspect persons’ electronic communications. This was a patently criminal act, since the Constitution nowhere grants to the President the power to suspend any law as he sees fit. (This is, of course, a high crime and misdemeanor, and thus an impeachable act.)
By carrying out the order, by failing to refuse the order and resign, General Hayden betrayed “true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution, betrayed his sworn oath, and dishonoured himself.
An officer who betrays the Constitution is unfit to be an officer, let alone director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
All senators who vote to approve Hayden’s appointment as director of the CIA likewise violate their oath to obey the Constitution; they betray the Constitution; they are unfit to be citizens, let alone senators.
Enough of high treason against the Constitution! Reject Hayden! Impeach the president who betrayed the Constitution and his country!
Imprison Hayden and Bush for their crimes!
Jail to the Chief!
CC: G.W. Bush, United States Senate, NSA, FBI, Department of Justice
______________________________
On this day: Ho Chi Minh born (1890); Malcolm X born (1925)
Officers receiving a commission in the armed forces of the United States must swear an oath.
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
Note that “true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution of the United States takes absolute precedence over obedience to orders of the President of the United States. Thus must it ever be in a government of laws, not persons. The opposite is the Third Reich, in which officers swore an oath to Adolf Hitler the person, not to the German Constitution.
General Michael Hayden, Director-designate of the Central Intelligence Agency, swore this oath.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 provides for two avenues to legally secure electronic surveillance of suspect persons. One: application to the FISA court for a warrant before surveillance begins. Second: application to the FISA court for a warrant within 72 hours after surveillance begins.
Nearly a half-decade ago, George W. Bush ordered the National Security Agency, through its director, General Hayden, to commence warrantless surveillance of suspect persons’ electronic communications. This was a patently criminal act, since the Constitution nowhere grants to the President the power to suspend any law as he sees fit. (This is, of course, a high crime and misdemeanor, and thus an impeachable act.)
By carrying out the order, by failing to refuse the order and resign, General Hayden betrayed “true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution, betrayed his sworn oath, and dishonoured himself.
An officer who betrays the Constitution is unfit to be an officer, let alone director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
All senators who vote to approve Hayden’s appointment as director of the CIA likewise violate their oath to obey the Constitution; they betray the Constitution; they are unfit to be citizens, let alone senators.
Enough of high treason against the Constitution! Reject Hayden! Impeach the president who betrayed the Constitution and his country!
Imprison Hayden and Bush for their crimes!
Jail to the Chief!
CC: G.W. Bush, United States Senate, NSA, FBI, Department of Justice
______________________________
On this day: Ho Chi Minh born (1890); Malcolm X born (1925)
posted by HH at 7:50 PM
1 Comments:
HH,
This commentary, I would say, is appropriate to send to any newspaper editor and to any news outlet e-mail on which you can get your hands.
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