Dick Cheney Once Again Claims He Isn't Part Of Executive Branch
By Logan Murphy Monday Aug 20, 2007 9:10am
Not this again...
Via The Hill:
Vice President Dick Cheney’s office on Monday responded separately from the White House to a Senate subpoena for documents on warrantless wiretapping and resurrected the controversial contention that Cheney is not part of the executive branch.. Read more...
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8)
Inherent Contempt. I'm just saying. Clean out that out jailhouse in the basement of Congress and lock the guy up with Rove and Harriet. If nothing more than the sheer theatre of it.
If you're surprised by this, then you're an idiot. The only place for this fucker is jail!
The Champ is out.
Frigging impeach him already!
So he's what then, a baron, or a duke?
The narcoleptic Pinochetist needs to be put out to pasture
CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARS: ‘CONGRESS NO LONGER IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH’
Uh, then if he's part of Congress, doesn't Congress still have authority over him? And doesn't that also mean that he doesn't have executive privilege and they can subpoena his ass?
He's a Rasputin...
dick cheney is a criminal piece of shit who doesn't belong in any government in any capacity at all.
14All @ 8:
good point. If the Dems were smart, they'd haul his ass up on this technicality of his own making. Too bad the Dems aren't smart.
Does it mean anything that Dick Cheney was not elected to any office? Are we really going to let an unelected person be more then a stand in for the president at funerals? Are we?
And if we decide that the vice president should be elected by the people and have power in his own right, then the vice needs to run a campaign and take money from lobbyists. Who would then command his loyalty? We could have the president and vice president battling each other constantly.
[deleted - please save the blog pimping for open threads.]
The only federal institution I want Cheney to be a part of is a federal prison.
The SPINELESS DEMOCRATS will do nothing about this, of course. Why should they? It would only jeopardize their source of bribes, and we will continue to vote for them anyway.
Every Shrub needs a Fourth Branch.
-GSD
Outrage fatigue at max. Taking a nap now.
Dick Cheney is king of the world. Everybody can by god eat his shorts. What are you going to do about it? Yeah, that's what I thought, punk.
Not part of the executive branch? Good. No executive privilege then, huh Dick. So PRODUCE!!
Ok, then again, if he's getting a paycheck from Congress, then Congress should DEFUND .
DEFUND THE VEEP!
whats the problem?
Wild Wild West - Above the law ------------> He intimidates the entire Congress and everyone goes along. Way to go.......
The Dems tried defunding the VP -- it blew up in their faces.
If they could get their sh*t together, they could at least give the appearance of being in charge. No luck so far, though.
Impeach already!!!!!
What does it matter what he or his butt-boy George say or do anymore? Nothing will be done about it anyway. If any action were to be taken against them for anything it would have been done LONG before now. Face it, this country is screwed blue and tattooed. The next Administration, if there is one, will probably be worse. It is very rare that presidents ever willingly give up power accumulated by their predecessors.
Terrible @ 10:
I disagree. I think Dick would do an excellent job patrolling restrooms in National parks and truck stops along the Interstate in republican states. Think of all the wayward legislators and ministers he could snag..
Cheney is a pimp. He is making the Dems look stupider than they already are, which seemed impossible to do.
VeeKaChu @ 5:
He's a baron... Baron Muenchhausen
Forget the whole Repub bunch. They can go on and on with all their crap---time is on their side. The one hope is that we keep putting pressure on the Dems to do SOMETHING, even if it's symbolic, so we "the battle fatigued" can get interested in our country's future again.
GSD @ 16:
The hidden forth branch is the media, the fifth branch would be for Cheney.
Rahn Emmanuel was on the right track the 1st time -
DE-FUND the Office of the Vice President .... period.
Democrats better WAKE THE F UP. We're all taking names now. If you spineless AHOLES don't start enforcing the law you'll find yourself, all of you useless pieces of Sh*t, on the other side of it, unemployed.
Some of my pet peeves:
1. The Vice President of the US should be the runner up in a presidential election, therefore adversarial and not a running mate. Currently, a running mate gets into the administration without being elected.
2. If the Vice President is not in the Senate where he is supposed to be, what is he doing?
What has he been doing all these years??
3. Where is the accountability of our government in general? The absenteeism is worse than a seventh grade class and the voting records should be 100% since "not voting" is also an option...
This is a day to day job just like any other consulting job:
a) study and review issues
b) Travel and speak to constituents or government officials, foreign and domestic
c) Be in your seat when you are supposed to be in your seat
d) Vote your constituents views when you are supposed to vote.
We have gotten to the point were our elected officials are the best bullsh!tt3rs instead of high integrity and hard work!
If he's not part of the Executive then he falls under the Legislative. Let's send the Sargent of Arms around and cart off all the records which (according to him) should be part of the legislative record.
This discussion thread has already produced a few ideas that Congress should be considering or pursuing: subpoena him as a Congress entity (no executive privilege), defund the VP, inherent contempt. Are the Dems in Congress pursuing these ideas? What are they waiting for? I noticed Leahy was incredibly wishy-washy yesterday, saying the Dems might take action in September, maybe. Sheesh.
Another thought: Isn't Cheney's office at the White House? Even though he isn't part of the executive. Odd, that.
If the VP is taking such naps while at work; he should resign from his post gracefully and so is our president.
Joementum @ 22:
I hate to say it, but it really does look the congressional democrats are submitting to their republican counter-parts to make a political point. It looks they're making a point to prove we need a democrat president to get anything done. I've heard this criticism from republicans, but I'm not entirely convinced yet. It's sure looking that way so far. Some polls show 85%+ want Cheney and/or bush impeached.
DEFUND, IMPEACH, do something for fucks sake. sack up bitches.
Impeach the bastard and [Deleted. Do not advocate violence on this site]
He must think we're idiots. Apparently my democratic leadership can't get a handle on this, so maybe we are idiots.
Cheney himself said he will hunt the terrorists AT ALL COSTS. As in, he'll do anything and anything he does he can say he's just going after the terrorists. As well as whom he accuses of helping the terrorists (aka, terrorists @ heart). So basically, he hiding this info because it would help the terrorists. If the terrorist learned of his secrets, he'd be a terrorist. We'd have a terrorist in the White House. Oh wait.
I got warts on my wherewithal!
That pictures says it all, "Will that twirp ever stop talking and pretending he's ever given a deep thought to anything?"
RedRocker @ 37:
Donald Trump and the Middle-School Drill Team he just married?
Hmm, just like he told congress that they're not ALLOWED to
issue the White House subpoena's. Does he just make this
shit up as he goes? See how far I can get if "I" try making
up my shit. His pace maker needs to die.
LibertyLover @ 2:
I agree wholeheartedly. If he's not part of the executive branch, cancel his paycheck too. And his staffs'... they obviously don't work for the executive branch either.
Hmm, looks like the need to put some jumper cables on chainey ICD.
Im starting to agree with Bill Moyer the dems are pussies.
Why do they keep letting these people get away with all this stuff?
Lano @ 45:
Simple: because neither the Dems or Repugs give a flying shit
about their constituents. Know them by their fruits.
Herbert @ 32:
It used to be this way for Washington & Adams, but that model was abandoned because I think the two of them were at each other's throats when Adams was VP to Washington.
Shooting attorneys in the face? Making plans to run off to Dubai in 2009?
Considering that the average maturity level of a politician is 7th grade, you shouldn't be surprised.
Blue Buddha @ 27:
He's a robber baron. He robs from the US taxpayer and gives to Halliburton in no bid government contracts.
Impeach! Imprison!
hit_escape @ 38:
Umm, the evidence is really in his favor.
Leahy is crafting a stern letter now.
lucid fiction @ 46:
Impeach the president and vice president, dissolve congress and let's start from scratch.
Another prime example of mind numbing hubris....
Apparently our government is being redefined to an alternate universe...
Harley @ 49:
Harley @ 49:
If Leahy doesn't have writers cramp by now he's never going to have it. He should entitle his letters "War and Peace" because by now the stack is probably just as thick......on second thought, "More War Less Peace - The Stern Letters of a Spinless Democrat" would be a more appropriate title.
Not In Executive Office = No Executive privilege...
Drag the sonofabitch in front of the Senate and prosecute him for perjury!
Cheney has both middle fingers ready and on high alert for Leahy's next stern letter.
dick chainey after the jumper cables are attached to his ICD.
http://blog.kevinmeltzer.com/archives/EddieMurphyBuckwheat.jpg
Maybe Cheney should look at the White House web site, which indicates that the Vice President and his staff maintain offices in the White House and the Eisenhower EXECUTIVE Office Building.
Or maybe Cheney should read the US Constitution, where he'd find the following:
Article. II. - The Executive Branch
Section 1 - The President
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Section 4 - Disqualification
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Amendment XII.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President...
I could go on, but you get the point. Cheney's argument is stupid, and flies in the face of more than 200 years of US history. The only reason I can think of for making it is that he's trying to divert attention from more substantive issues concerning the way the Bush administration governs. Senator Leahy would do well to slap Cheney down HARD on this point and get Cheney to stop making it once and for all.
Harley @ 49:
LOL!
Rather than attach jumper cables to his heart, why not just drive a wooden stake through it? It's the only way to kill his kind, ya know.
Dick Cheney doesn't qualify as a member of the human race. He also has yet to say anything that was true. So why pay any attention to this despicable old creep.
Wow, then I think I'll claim that I am a messiah in my own
right, get tax exempt status with my body being a
'house of God', and not have to ever pay income taxes again.
Who in the FUCK does he think he is? I'll tell you.
He's a sack of putrid shit.
Cheney beats Nixon in debate....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J652Nowd7KQ&NR=1
He is either with the Executive Branch, exclusively. Or he is with BOTH branch. Not either Executive or House. If we accept that his claim as having dual occupation, then he would still be subject to contempt for failure to comply to SUBPEONA. He is also invoilation of OBSTRUCTION of justice by misapplying his authorities in both branch to stonewall a viable investigation of misuse of or abuse of power.
The mere fact that he holds authoritorial power and exercises it to stone wall an justifiable investigation does NOT place him in a bubble outside any laws. His lack of transparency within the government business is in itself an obstruction, for government is one entity with many components. Stonewalling, obstruction with in this one unit of government is like a blood clot to the activities of healthy responsive government. When such a clot exist, it must be removed. IMPEACHMENT is the remedy.
Impeach Cheney the clot before he stroke our democracy into a permanent breakdown.
So he thinks he is the ONE person, in the entire country, that has absolutely NO checks or balances on him. But he's having the last laugh, as the democrats have done NOTHING. They threatened to take his office's funding away, but did NOTHING.
Not he flaunts it, and is laughing at them.
By the powers of Lucifer, he has been anointed the duke of darkness.
After he receives his paycheck from the executive branch he offers tithes to the repug god, Lucifer.
darth is just another liar who needs to be impeached, tried and jailed for the rest of his stupid life.
How can he and his gang get away with such bullshit? Get the fat slob for obstruction first.
repugs are stupid as hell
Time wounds all heals....tic...tic....tic....tic....tic.....
Matt in Texas @ 61:
I'd sooner castrate the bastard and stick spikes in his eyes, but then again, I am old fashioned.
Leahy argues that finding out what has happened, is the most important thing to do in this case.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_awRNZ9cDg
Can anyone figure out what has happened?
Maybe the answer is here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK0cUv3ba-o
Democrats are like Charlie Brown wanting to finally kick that football and Cheney is Lucy forever telling him that this time I'll let you kick it and then pulling it away again at the last moment. The Dems fall for it every time.
in the words of the Republicans beloved emperor...."Fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again' — George W. Bush."
chainey should stop talking about which branch he belongs to.
He claimed to be Texan at one time, and you know what we Texans do with tree branches.
ysbaddaden @ 72:
Are you implying that we came from monkeys?
So if darth isn't part of the executive branch, who would take chimpy's place if he dies?
tHeGaMeOfLiFe @ 74:
Before or after Jenna is married?
We might have a steward stand in, until Tony becomes an official member of the family.
Weaseldog @ 75:
Of course, Jeb Bush could make a claim... but he might have to have Tony killed, if Tony and Jenna marry first.
When are they gonna get smart, and call him on it? No Executive Branch, no Executive Privilege! Frog march 'em to the well of the Senate and get on with it.
Weaseldog @ 75:
Are you talking about tony snow? He jumped ship awhile back.
Also I couldn't care any less about the skank jenna. The ugly bitch.
tHeGaMeOfLiFe @ 78:
Oops, meant Henry, not Tony.
'King George', 'King Henry', all traditional kingly names.
OVP Legal assertions are non-sense. They were issued a specific letter with legal counsel name on it. Specter's website has a copy of the subpeona with OVP counsel name on it; the supboena on page 8-9 of all the definitions specifically includes in the "White House" definition the OVP and Vice President. Doesn't matter if OVP legal counsel agrees or disagrees with the definition in the supboena: The OVP Counsel does not appear to have responded as required to the subpoena. OVP legal counsel appears to be making dilatory efforts, and not responding with credible positions. Appears to be far less than what might reasonably expect fo competent counsel.
Gag @ 81:
None of this matters. Bush will pardon any of his staff that get into trouble. He himself is immune from impeachment on Nancy Pelosi's say so.
No laws or legal documents bind this administration.
81. Should change "Specter’s website has a copy of the subpoena with OVP counsel name on it" to "Leahy's website has a copy of the subpeona with OVP counsel name on it"
Look for this at the bottom:
You'll see the definitions on page 8-9:
Distracting Attention From OVP Defiance Of Security Obligations
32 CFR 2800 defines the specific legal requirements on OVP to respond to revivews of classified information. You appear to be making a circular argument in support of lawlessness and anarchy: Weaseldog @ 82:
None of this matters. Bush will pardon any of his staff that get into trouble. He himself is immune from impeachment on Nancy Pelosi's say so. No laws or legal documents bind this administration.
Bush cannot pardon himself if he is in prison. Whetter he will or will not pardon others is meaningless. If the US chooses to ignore the laws of war, and not act as a civilized nation, then what hope does America have; and why would anyone want to continue supporting this President, GOP?
Whether the President is "immune" from Congressional action is meaningless: The States have teh power to act. You fail to account for action outside Congress and the US government. Whether the President follows the law is a different issue than whether he is bound by law. Where the US government refuses to enforce the law, then those complicit members of Congress can be prosecuted. The Constitution -- and all treaties againt illegal warfare and unlawful conduct -- are the Supreme Law.
I would ask that you kind reconsider your assertions. If you believe the law does not apply, then kindly step aside and let those who shall defend the Constitution do their job. Your argument appears to be more of the clap-trap we've heard from the DNC-GOP enabling toadies in Congress and the Executive Branch. Time to stop arguing for pathetic inaction; and require the President to defend himself in court. He is not above the law; nor is the Vice President. Regardless the OVP legal "position" on their position relative to the EOP, WH, or the Executive branch, this is a requirement.
Your argument fails on all levels.
Weaseldog @ 74:
I thought you'd like to see my baby picture:
http://www.codelphia.com/lali/06Nov12-Orangutan.jpg
OVPRealityCheck @ 84:
Not so much an argument as what I believe could come to pass.
I believe that Congress will protect this administration, because they have hopes that their favorite candidate will wear the mantle of these powers when they assume office.
Intellectually, I know that Bush has committed many crimes that warrant impeachment, prison time and possibly execution. Intellectually, I know that it is impossible for us to be having this conversation, because in a nation where the rule of law matters Bush would've been in prison in 2004, rather than be elected again.
But somehow, against all reason, here we are.
He's not part of the human race either but human laws still apply to him.
the should have taken away his funding. damn blue dogs..they are complicit.
Guess what.
Nothing will be done about this.
At all.
OK...dickey boy, then I'm NO LONGER A TAXPAYER,..on what grounds you say?...because I just seceded from your dictatorship. Please return my part of the money you mis-used to give to your corperate buddies.
Impeach his ass. then prosecute and imprison him for the rest of his life.
[Deleted. Off topic]
VeeKaChu @ 5:
"Underboss" or "Consigliere" would be more appropriate.
Better: "Reichsmarschall", Hermann Goering's title as 2nd in command and designated successor to Hitler.
Congress MUST lay down the gauntlet on this anti-American clown. I don't care if he and his puppet, Chimpus Maximus, are gone in 2009. I want them punished for their disregard for the concept of checks and balances.
Thank you for your response. I thought I would follow-up.
Is it your view that it is hopeless: That there are no options; that Congress has the final say; and that there are not going to ever be any consequences; and we have no power to ensure any lawful alternatives? If it is hopeless and nothing can be done, perhaps you could share your motivation for posting: What do you hope to convince others to do, believe, or accept that they might not already believe?
If it is hopeless, then it doesn't seem to require any more comment: We "all know" nothing can be done. If the situation were hopeless, nobody would have any hope, not even any hope to convince anyone of anything, even that it was hopeless, for that would require faith in something: Hopelessness. That's a contradiction that, in my view, makes no sense.
So, help me out -- What's the point of posting: How can those who have "no hope" possibly inspire others to also have no hope. You must be hopeful of something.
One can only hope his battery dies and he leaves us (permanently).
Cythraul @ 89:
Yup. This and many other abuses. Someone take his battery.
Congress WILL do no such thing.
If he is not a branch of government, take away his security clearance.
I'm all for Cheney no longer being part of the Executive Branch, or the Legislative Branch.
The Penal Branch sounds good to me.
Veep Alben Barkley presided regularly over the senate 50-75% of the time and was considered as being part of the legislative branch. President Truman's letters to him regarding the US Government Reorganization of 1948-1950 and Barkley's legislative role in getting portions of it accepted were written in such a way that seemed to accept that condition as a fact. Senate historians also seem to indicate that the Vice President's office was, at least during Garner's and Barkley's time, as being in their domain.
That's a great picture. Cheney actually looks peaceful. I wonder what he dreams about? I bet his subconscious is a mess. If Cheney could be as he is in that picture for the rest of his life, that would be fine with me. Then he could do no more harm.
Well, ok, wake him up for his trial. Then back to sleep for him. Proves even 'evil' men look innocent while they sleep.
Somebody wake the asshole up with a pitchfork and tell him he was NEVER honestly elected.Then throw his rotted ass in jail.
isn't sleeping on the job grounds for dismissal?
Let's put aside the non-sense, and embrace it! Suppose, for sake of discussion, we do accept Cheney's assertion is is "not" in the Executive Branch: If we accept that merely as a discussion point, what is he asking us to believe: That he's not subject to any classification requirements; or is there something else he's asking us to accept?
Get him or his legal counsel to answer that; maybe we can figure out what he's trying to do. Not that we need to agree with it. If he's not attaching to that argument any other power or option, could we agree to let him believe it, but ignore his claim as it's not really affecting anything; or is the lesson that we cannot give him an inch, as there's bound to be a mile hidden?
Here's what pisses me off:
So it seems that even if he did issue a contempt vote and it was successful they could run out the clock. Why does it take so long for a contempt vote to be processed by the courts? Shouldn't that go to the top of the docket of the Supreme Court immediately for the sake of the republic?
Someone please touch on this: I don't completely understand exactly how contempt of congress charges proceed, but that paragraph helped. For example, if it did go to a successful contempt vote, and it did go to the courts, and the courts finally decided they (Cheney, Gonzales) were guilty of contempt of Congress, but the Bush administration is already out of office, what would that mean? Would they still be subject to sentencing, jail or fines? Or would there be some sort of statute of limitation so that it would be only a symbolic victory?
Given the uncertainty above I think simultaneous impeachment hearings of at the least Cheney and Bush are necessary. Gonzales too but the former are more important.
The WORLD would have been a safer place if the BEAST stayed asleep.
Now that the BEAST has awaken, it is ready to destroy anyone and anything at his disposal. This is the BEAST that the "new world order" has warned us about. Now it has awaken, it is up to the people to protect itself from it.
I really hate the Republicans. And now I hate the Democrats almost as much for being spineless lapdogs.
When will Americans wake up?
I think today may officially be the 'it's too late to make things better' day.
Sorry, kids. I'd like to say that we tried but did we really?
Why are these guys still in office again?? This crap is ridiculous
-steve edwards
The delusions and hypnosis just keep on rolling along, like whores on meth. Please!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!! My fellow zombies, snap out of it already, or face dire consequences. The time for joking and messing around is over. The criminals in charge mean business, and their business is executing the most evil and diabolic agenda in the history of mankind. This is NOT an exaggeration. TURN OFF YOUR TVs. Stop reading and listening to the mainstream propaganda.
While you play games on blogs with comments on pseudo legalities, the sharks smell the blood of brainwashed dopes, and it is yours. The fake GOP-Dem spats; they are part of the set-up. THERE ARE NO “TWO PARTIES” ANYMORE. These are ILLUSIONS created to DISTRACT you from their ultimate, real intent: genocide,... our genocide.
The road to genocide is paved with lies, which become facts, which then become part of a growing history of murder: First, kill the economy (on the way); then they kill what's left of our Constitutional rights (done); then, through stealth, lies, and false terror attacks, the NAU/Amero will go into effect, simultaneously with martial law, RFID chips, and complete dictatorship; soon - “Welcome to Camp FEMA. We hope you enjoy your genocide experience.”
It has all been done before, it was called: the Crash of '29, the Depression, WWII, and Death Camps. [Do you honestly think all those historical events just happened by themselves???] Now history goes back to the future, with high-tech help. Still in self-satisfied denial? Still asleep?
Do your homework — Google / YouTube: North American Union, NASCO, Amero, Patriot Act, Executive Directives, FEMA Directives, EndGame, Habeas Corpus, Bill of Rights, FEMA Camps, DIA Mural, and of course - the best one of all; Chemtrails. The other pieces of the puzzle are China, Russia, Mexico, U.N., NATO, and the NWO.
Look at the present through the prism of history, and see the TRUTH. Wake up and smell the genocide America. Wake up before it's too late.
this guy needs to head back to the 6th grade and get a review of the basic government structure. i mean, hell, even his job title has the word president in it. Logic is fighting a losing battle here.
If you find yourself in the Executive branch one day and the Legislative branch another, most likely your an idiot everyday.
There's only one way to fix our government...
SECESSION
No joke, there are movements across the country right now just look into it. Or better yet, google the Middlebury Instittute for more information. Spread the word. If we don't act swiftly now, we may not have a chance again later...
seceding is a state right, let us remind the feds who works for who
[...] read more | digg story [...]
[...] read more | digg story [...]
If he is not part of the Executive Branch- then he can leave the white house altogether. Get his ass out of there and send him to Dubai.
[...] read more | digg story Posted by distroid Filed in Uncategorized [...]
whether Cheney is or isn't in the Executive Branch is meaningless. Someone needs to ask him directly, "Sir, regardless which branch your office is, are you saying that there are no standards, regulations, or rules that cover the OVP Security Procedures; and that you are in full compliance with the procedures that apply to your office?"
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