Bush claims authority

Bush claims authority on war, eavesdropping...

President Bush yesterday said he has exclusive authority over a broad range of issues -- including forbidding White House officials to testify before Congress about the government's Hurricane Katrina response and ordering warrantless electronic surveillance within the United States.
"Conducting war is a responsibility in the executive branch, not the legislative branch," the president said at a 46-minute press conference. "Most presidents believe that during a time of war that we can use our authorities under the Constitution to make decisions necessary to protect us."
Asked whether he would support efforts in Congress to spell out his authority to continue the eavesdropping program, Mr. Bush cited what he said was the extreme secrecy of the operation, first revealed by the New York Times last month. "It's important for people to understand that this program is so sensitive and so important that if information gets out to how we run it or how we operate it, it'll help the enemy," he said.
Asked why his administration has refused to allow senior staff, including his former FEMA director, Michael Brown, "to testify, to interview or talk with congressional leaders" about the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Bush cited his executive authority.
"If people give me advice and they're forced to disclose that advice, it means the next time an issue comes up I might not be able to get unvarnished advice from my advisers," he said. "It will have a chilling effect on future advisers if the precedent is such that when they give me advice that it's going to be subject to scrutiny."

Let's see, it's bad that we found out he was breaking the law - it helps the enemy. One thing for sure, it proves to so many that some are corrupt.

Let's see - he wants to make sure he continues to get "unvarnished advise." How about worrying about getting the right advice - based on facts.

You are not the Supreme Leader. You job is to uphold and protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. That is your job. Do it. And if you are caught not doing it - do not blame the accuser - do not hide behind yor favorite screen: fear.