Dems and Reps Agree on at Least One Issue

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by TigerWins, May 23, 2006.

  1. TigerWins

    TigerWins Founding Member

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    It's rare these days to see reps and dems agree on anything, but they believe the FBI search of Jefferson's Congressional office is unconstitutional. It violates separation of powers.

    So, in their opinion, a Congressman can commit a crime and hide all the evidence in his office. And this office should be off limits to law enforcement?

    What brilliant people we elect...

    Full Story
     
  2. LSUDeek

    LSUDeek All That She Wants...

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    They had full cause to enter his office. They had video of him accepting bribes on tape.

    ****in congressmen.
     
  3. LSUGradin99

    LSUGradin99 I Bleedeth Purple 'N Gold

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    Today Bush ordered everything taken in the search be sealed for 45 days........
     
  4. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    Jefferson is probably a sleazebag criminal and congress won't be protecting him personally, in fact they asked him to resign from an important committee yesterday and are shunning him on the floor. They just want the FBI to pursue the investigation outside of the physical halls of Congress.

    Congress must be clear to the people about this. They concerned with the separation of powers for very good reason. This time it is about a criminal matter, next time it could be done for political reasons. This about the third recent issue where the Executive branch has overstepped the established lines regarding oversight and separation of power between Executive and Legislative privilege. Congress has been resisting but now they are fighting back.

    Jefferson is also a Democrat being pursued by a Republican Justice Department. The Republicans in charge today don't want to see any precedents established that could be used against them in the future. It is dangerous to allow the Bush administration any power that they would not like to see a Hillary Clinton administration administering. There is always political payback.
     
  5. TigerWins

    TigerWins Founding Member

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    So far, it appears they did this one by the book. A federal judge issued a warrant with special procedures before raiding the office.

    I understand the need for separation of powers, but to say law enforcement should never step foot inside their office to investigate makes it too easy to hide some evidence.

    Corruption seems to be the rule these days in DC, not the exception. I hope they nail all of them and I suspect the amercian people will support raiding their offices.
     
  6. TigerWins

    TigerWins Founding Member

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    '08 can't get here fast enough for me...
     
  7. Bengal Buddy

    Bengal Buddy Founding Member

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    I totally agree. So long as a warrant was obtained, I don't see any problem at all. Are they claiming a congressional office is a separte nation unto itself and not subject to the laws of this nation?
     
  8. Bengal Buddy

    Bengal Buddy Founding Member

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    Sorry Red, but there is a difference between an federal law enforcement agency searching an office with a legal warrant as part of a criminal investigation, and a politician odering an office be illegally searched for political reasons. It is not likely you could get a federal judge to sign a warrant for a political agenda. It is possible that some congressmen are concerned about the kind of prescedent this sets (it has never been done before), but I think it sets a great precedent. It tells public officials that in the future they cannot expect their offices to become a sanctuary for criminal activity. If that upsets some of them, tough.
     
  9. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    Of course. But just a simple search by the FBI can incriminate somebody in the eyes of the public. Just see the pathetic Richard Jewell case for an example. Congressmen are rightfully concerned about politically-inspired "investigations" being used for political mudslinging.

    Congressmen do not have the right to criminally abuse their offices, of course. But the Congress wants to police their own, apparently. They certainly need to.
     
  10. Bengal Buddy

    Bengal Buddy Founding Member

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    Congress policing itself. Oh yea. I can just see how effective that would be. Congress is not a law enforcement agency. As far as I know it has no authority to request a warrant or to search offices. Such an act would be as much a violation of the separation of powers article as what they are accusing the executive branch of doing. An FBI search certainly makes an individual look bad in the public's eye, but that cannot be avoided except by not allowing the FBI to do its job, which would be even a greater problem.
     

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