by Susan Cocco
Just when you think the Bush Presidency cannot get any worse, it does. George W's commutation of Scooter Libby's 30-month sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice underscores the cynicism and disrespect for the democratic institutions of America held by the President and the sycophants comprising his staff. The commutation is far more than a slap in the face to the prosecutor, the judge, the jury and the people. It is a declaration of invincibility, a contemporary version of the Sun King's motto, l'etat c'est moi. Bush flaunts his power as callously as the 17th century potentate. With low approval ratings and dubious value to the Republican contenders for his job in 2008, Bush revels in his freedom to practice his own brand of "Helter Skelter" on the American people for the next 18 months. What's next? War with Iran? A government bail-out to protect Halliburton's profits? An Executive Order declaring an official religion? Anything is possible.
This Republican administration has made secrets and illegalities a specialty. Bush and Cheney have declared, "Don't mess with me, my boys or my business," frequently since 2000 as unmistakably as a visit from a member of the Soprano family. Cheney demonstrated disregard for the law upon taking office, famously asserting that disclosure of the attendees at meetings of the White House energy policy task force was off limits. Recently he reinforced his royal privileges by declaring that the Vice President was not part of the Executive Branch of the government and therefore not subject to rules covering the handling and archiving of secret documents. Bush has issued over 700 "signing statements" since taking office, noting that while he signed a law, he was not necessarily bound to follow it. Bush's commutation of Libby's conviction for lying about illegalities perpetrated in the West Wing, (revealing a spy's identity, a national security violation), is just another example of the protection game in action.
Add to this abuse of power the mendacious testimony and behavior of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the utterly fabricated rationale for a war in Iraq, the consequent deaths of over 3,000 Americans and the destabilization of the Middle East, the warrantless domestic spying program, Abu Ghraib, the White House torture memo, Guantanamo, US prosecutors canned on the recommendation of Karl Rove and the ensuing cover-up which includes defiance of Congressional subpoenas, leaking the name of a CIA agent, et al, and you have a litany of acts, which alone or in sum, constitute plausible grounds for nothing short of voter-led revolt. Impeachment, which should be our recourse, is likely to be out of the question due to a variety of factors. Too bad.
Bush and company taught us that checks and balances can be destabilized by
willing operatives in the Courts, the House and Senate and the White
House. It is our job to demonstrate with our calls, our wallets and our
votes, that the instability and abuses of the Bush years will not be
tolerated today or in 2008.
The writer is a 20 year resident and the Chair of the Ridgefield Democratic Party.