Quote:
|
Originally Posted by host
That's fine...for you, but hoiw is your philosophy compatible with this oath, taken by a person as a condition of assuming the office of President of the United States?
|
I don't understand where you and DC want to go with this morality issue, and I don't know how to explain my view of right and wrong relative to what is legal in a manner different from what I have already done in this thread.
However, my approach to supporting political leaders is to first try to understand their core beliefs. Those beliefs that are inherent in a person's nature, how they would act under extreme pressure. When a person's core beliefs are not clear, I generally don't believe they have strong core beliefs other than doing what is convenient.
Personally my first "oath" could never be to the Constitution. I think if pressed, Bush would have to say the same. As I stated earlier, my first "oath" would be to doing what I think is right.
For example if I took an oath that included enforcing slavery, my taking that oath would be a "lie". However, prior to taking that oath I would make it clear that I did not support enforcing slavery. And that I would do everything in my power to not enforce slavery.
Getting back to FISA and the real world, Bush stated on many occasions that he would do everything within his power to defeat terrorists, and that was his top priority. I understood that every time he said it. I understood that he would take risks. I understood that he would do thing outside of the "norm". I was o.k. with it, as long as his actions were reasonable. I do understand how different people view "reasonable" differently and that is why I think it is fair to call Bush on his actions. However, Congress is simply playing political games with what I think is very serious.
You generally think Bush lies. I don't because I hear what he says. You and DC seem surprised - which may come down to they way certain people communicate. I often don't get "liberal" speak.
Quote:
|
Doesn't this discussion come down to whether the current president honored his oath, or not....and not what your reaction, or the reaction of a congressional majority is? Isn't the issue here that the president is pushing hard to have his failure to uphold his oath of office, somehow retroactively legitimized, by a congress that should be instead, drafting articles of impeachment against him for said failure?
|
Yep. That is what it comes down to. Impeach Bush and get it over with, or move on. Why do we have to be in this state of limbo?