Different Americas

By SAUL LANDAU

George W. Bush, like the old European monarchs, claimed he possessed inherent rights and implied that those who question such prerogatives might have treasonous motives. "As President and Commander-in-Chief, I have the constitutional responsibility and the constitutional authority to protect our country," Bush responded to stories of his authorizing wiretaps on US citizens without getting legal permission. Bush then turned on the leakers.

"It was a shameful act for someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war," said Bush. "The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy." Bush did not consider "shameful" the 2003 disclosure of a covert CIA operative's name to the media (Valerie Plame) by members of his staff. Nor did he recall that he assured the public that "a wiretap requires a court order It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in the place" April 20, 2004

W didn't seem to sense any contradiction between what he said and did. He also denied that the US practiced torture as the press revealed that his war on terrorism had spawned torture at Guantanamo, Cuba, Abu Ghraib, Iraq and at secret CIA-run prisons throughout the world. He also did not like the medias reporting on US agents kidnapping suspected terrorists and shipping them elsewhere (rendition) for torture and interrogation. For the Bush family such issues did not merit discussion as holiday conversation.

Indeed, the inner circle felt satisfied that on December 17, Bush had defined the proper position in his national radio address (and on TV). Wire tapping US citizens without warrants was "fully consistent" with his "constitutional responsibilities and authorities" (cnn.com, December, 17, 2005).

A week earlier he had snapped at a reporter who raised the constitutional question. "I don't give a goddamn. I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way."

One aide apparently said. "There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution."

"Stop throwing the Constitution in my face," Bush screamed back. "It's just a goddamned piece of paper!" (Doug Thompson, Capitol Hill Blue, Dec 8, 2005).

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