More on the Bush war against our rights.
Nov. 7th, 2003 11:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
plutherusIn light of this news I have written the following letter my representatives. If you're in Eugene, Oregon like I am, they can be reached at these addresses:
Representative Peter DeFazio
2134 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Senator Gordon Smith
404 Russell Building
Washington, DC 20510-3704
Senator Ron Wyden
516 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
I urge everyone reading this to do likewise.
Dear sir,
I have always held that it was mere liberal clap-trap and childish politicking to be calling the Bush administration “elected, not selected.” Nor have I taken seriously the calls to impeach the president in the past.
However, in view of the administration's past attacks on laws passed in my former state of California, my previous and current home state of Oregon, and now of both California and New York, I am afraid my views must shift.
Specifically I am referring to the Justice Department's recent announcement that they intend to enforce a new law which has been blocked by the courts pending arguments about its constitutionality. The new law, aimed at Dilation and Extraction abortions (which they refer to as “partial-birth” abortions) has been blocked by the courts in New York and California pending arguments in front of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the constitutionality of this law, however given the fact that they ruled against a similar law in Nebraska in 2000, it seems likely they might.
The Supreme Court is the correct place to argue this issue. Regardless of your or my personal opinion on the issue, it is not the place of the Justice Department, part of the Executive Branch, to decide which laws to enforce and which not to. The Constitution of the United States delineates which powers rest in which branches of the government. For the Executive Branch to ignore the separation of powers like this and act in open defiance of the courts in order to appease specific interests among their supporters sets a dangerous precedent, and should not be allowed to go unchecked. I strongly urge you to remind the President of this fact. As I said before, I have not taken calls to impeachment seriously in the past, but if that is the only way to keep this administration from illegally seizing power to which it is not entitled, then so be it.
I look forward to your response to this issue. I am a registered voter in the Republican party who has voted in every election since I turned 18. I will keep your response in mind when it comes time to vote in the next one.
Representative Peter DeFazio
2134 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Senator Gordon Smith
404 Russell Building
Washington, DC 20510-3704
Senator Ron Wyden
516 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
I urge everyone reading this to do likewise.
Dear sir,
I have always held that it was mere liberal clap-trap and childish politicking to be calling the Bush administration “elected, not selected.” Nor have I taken seriously the calls to impeach the president in the past.
However, in view of the administration's past attacks on laws passed in my former state of California, my previous and current home state of Oregon, and now of both California and New York, I am afraid my views must shift.
Specifically I am referring to the Justice Department's recent announcement that they intend to enforce a new law which has been blocked by the courts pending arguments about its constitutionality. The new law, aimed at Dilation and Extraction abortions (which they refer to as “partial-birth” abortions) has been blocked by the courts in New York and California pending arguments in front of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the constitutionality of this law, however given the fact that they ruled against a similar law in Nebraska in 2000, it seems likely they might.
The Supreme Court is the correct place to argue this issue. Regardless of your or my personal opinion on the issue, it is not the place of the Justice Department, part of the Executive Branch, to decide which laws to enforce and which not to. The Constitution of the United States delineates which powers rest in which branches of the government. For the Executive Branch to ignore the separation of powers like this and act in open defiance of the courts in order to appease specific interests among their supporters sets a dangerous precedent, and should not be allowed to go unchecked. I strongly urge you to remind the President of this fact. As I said before, I have not taken calls to impeachment seriously in the past, but if that is the only way to keep this administration from illegally seizing power to which it is not entitled, then so be it.
I look forward to your response to this issue. I am a registered voter in the Republican party who has voted in every election since I turned 18. I will keep your response in mind when it comes time to vote in the next one.
