It's Treason Season In Congress!(Republicans Go Lower)OpEd

[Napoleon the Clown]

So, here's an important question. Even if Boehner broke the law and could be prosecuted for it, what can Obama realistically do? If he does anything other than express displeasure it will only make the Republicans even more adamant that he's an evil despot, and they'll go into overtime to sabotage everything he does. The only way whatsoever Boehner will face consequences of any magnitude is if other Republicans cry foul and try to initiate impeachment proceedings or something.

And do any of us believe that would happen? Boehner knows that he can do damn near anything he wants right now. Either Obama will just call it inappropriate, or he'll do something that could convince enough people to get behind impeachment proceedings. The overgrown Oompa Loompa is making a calculated move.

[Gaidin]

So, here's an important question. Even if Boehner broke the law and could be prosecuted for it, what can Obama realistically do? If he does anything other than express displeasure it will only make the Republicans even more adamant that he's an evil despot, and they'll go into overtime to sabotage everything he does. The only way whatsoever Boehner will face consequences of any magnitude is if other Republicans cry foul and try to initiate impeachment proceedings or something.

And do any of us believe that would happen? Boehner knows that he can do damn near anything he wants right now. Either Obama will just call it inappropriate, or he'll do something that could convince enough people to get behind impeachment proceedings. The overgrown Oompa Loompa is making a calculated move.

He's already thrown egg on Boehner's face politically, and even has at least one Fox News reporters crying foul at this event.

[Borgholio]

An intellectual climate like that selects for people who will cut down the laws in an attempt to get at the Devil. And who will neglect the question of what happens when the Devil, at long last cornered, turns around and faces them- and now they have no law to shelter behind.

I love this.

[Elheru Aran]

Some excellent corroboration:

United States v. Curtiss-Wright, 1936

The Supreme Court declared, directly, in 1936-- almost 80 years ago and it hasn't been challenged since then until now-- that the power to conduct foreign affairs rests with the President, and by extension the Executive Department. *Not* the Legislative.

Quoth Justice Sutherland (emphasis mine):

It is important to bear in mind that we are here dealing not alone with an authority vested in the President by an exertion of legislative power, but with such an authority plus the very delicate, plenary and exclusive power of the President as the sole organ of the federal government in the field of international relations–a power which does not require as a basis for its exercise an act of Congress, but which, of course, like every other governmental power, must be exercised in subordination to the applicable provisions of the Constitution.

Bear in mind that Congress still has the power to approve or deny the actions of the Executive Branch; for example, should an ambassador write a trading agreement with another country, Congress still has to ratify the agreement for it to come into effect. BUT, Congress is not the one who sent the ambassador-- that is the Executive.

[Gaidin]

It should be noted the Democrats are apparently at least temporarily backing off their part of the sanctions. I am stuck on a mobile device for now so I can't find the link I found a few hours ago.

[Simon_Jester]

An intellectual climate like that selects for people who will cut down the laws in an attempt to get at the Devil. And who will neglect the question of what happens when the Devil, at long last cornered, turns around and faces them- and now they have no law to shelter behind.

I love this.

Wording is basically taken from A Man For All Seasons, a play by Robert Bolt.