Posted on 05/24/2006 1:00:39 PM PDT by Miss_Reagan
House Speaker Dennis Hastert demanded Wednesday that the FBI surrender documents it seized and remove agents involved in the weekend raid of Rep. William Jefferson's office, under what lawmakers of both parties said were unconstitutional circumstances.
"We think those materials ought to be returned," Hastert said, adding that the FBI agents involved "ought to be frozen out of that (case) just for the sake of the constitutional aspects of it."
The Saturday night search of Jefferson's office on Capitol Hill brought Democrats and Republicans together in rare election-year accord, with both parties protesting agency conduct they said violated the Constitution's separation of powers doctrine.
(Excerpt) Read more at lasvegassun.com ...
Show me the words in the Constitution that prevent searches of congressmen's offices.
If the Founders intended a general "privilege from intimidation" and complete separation of powers, they would have forbidden -- expressly forbidden -- any prosecutions of members of Congress. They didn't.
You're perilously close to saying congressmen are above the law. They aren't.
It surely looks that way- although someone at NRO made a good point- if Gonalez was a tad more politically astute, he might have considered a courtesy call to Hastert, first.
Meanwhile, back on the Senate floor...an interesting vote going on:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1637670/posts
I almost can't pay attention to what the Senate is doing; it's all making me sick.
Psssssst, don't say her name....
If Newt had been caught red-handed with 90 LARGE (FBI marked bills) in his freezer, associates already pleading guilty and turning "States Evidence", and confessions on tape, then I think you would find little more than a whimper out of our base.
LLS
They did nothing. Apparently hoping the problem would go away.
It does not take a very smart lawyer to figure out that when someone ignores a judges subpoena for months and months on end, the judge gets ticked. It does not surprise me that the judge then issued a search warrent.
The rational of legislative privilege stems from the founders fear that an evil president might threaten those inclinded to vote against him with felony indictments. Thus the reluctance to allow such actions to be taken. But this was not out of the blue. This has been on the back burner in the house for months and months. The house could have taken legal means to contest the court rather than just ignore the court.
It is a long standing legal principle.. Don't answer the subpoena and you are toast.
In this day and age I can't imagine a court ruling that a combination of corrupt president and corrupt judge would be able to intimidate members of congress. Such a president and judge would be impeached and convicted with in a heart beat.
On the other hand I can't see a single justice of the supreme court allowing this very nebulous legistlative claim to power be used to get a crook off who was caught with $90,000 of marked money in his refrigerator.
Chicago style pizza, frozen pasta, and stacks of big bills probably sealed in cryovac.
Back in the 60's the Illinois Secretary of State (Powell, I believe) passed away while in office. They found $400K in shoeboxes in the closets of his home.
Hasert needs to lose a primary.
Boehner has to be as dumb as Hastert. Who do they think will back them on this case...
My opinion of Boehner just went from buffoon to idiot.
Just proves the staff is a lot smarter than the congress man.
I thought Boehnor was passable until this. These two seem to be thinking(?) ONLY about the institutional issue...not that they're right about that...and not one whit about the "body politic" or "right vs. wrong".
I'm sorry you don't know the history and meaning of, or reason for, the speech and Debate Clause. I'm sorry so few here do.
That un-privileged papers were hidden among privileged ones does not override the Constitution's specific protection of Member's debates from Executive or Judicial act.
Boehnor = Boehner
And btw, it's good to "see" you. Haven't bumped into you for a while.
Does he mean the documents with Ben Franklin's picture?
You're absolutely right.
I generally find that reading posting history gives you a good feel for the person and any agenda they might have, while reading in context gives you a good feel for position.
I think they are excellent cross-referencing tools.
You have read almost every thread posted? From beginning to end?
I am in awe. You must have a LOT of time. Wow.
(BTW, I am not being sarcastic. I'm just stunned.)
If enough people get pissed and vote 3rd party their votes won't be thrown away. Besides, if you vote for who you believe is the best candidate you are not throwing your vote away. I, for another, am seriously voting 3rd party on some candidates in Nov. Not a conservative? You won't get my vote just because you have an R after your name.
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