Day: March 24, 2006

Bush: I’ll obey the law if I feel like it

I wonder what it’s like to be in President Bush’s world, a world unconstrained by checks and balances or, apparently, reality. That’s where it seems our president spends his days, anyway, based on this Boston Globe analysis of the President’s “signing statement” for the Patriot Act renewal.

In the signing statement, Bush (or his staff) wrote that “The executive branch shall construe the provisions . . . that call for furnishing information to entities outside the executive branch . . . in a manner consistent with the president’s constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and to withhold information” (emphasis added). This point was made in response to a requirement in the law that the FBI notify Congress within a certain period of time if they have used the expanded powers under the act.

Of course, on the one hand, the president has to make a statement like this, or else risk compromising his position that he doesn’t have to tell anyone about secret wiretaps. But on the other hand, it makes you wonder what the president believes does constrain his activities, if anything.

Friday Random 10: Family Edition

I have a long drive ahead of me this afternoon, heading down for one of several annual Brackbill family gatherings; I’ve documented the summer picnics a few times over the years on this blog. It’s in Lancaster County, PA, where it smells strongly of cow—the Amish believe in natural fertilizer and the fields are full of it this time of year.

I refilled my iPod last night in preparation for the drive, so I hope there won’t be too many repeats from previous weeks. But you never know.

  1. Billy Bragg and Wilco, “Ingrid Bergman” (Mermaid Avenue)
  2. Mark Four, “I’m Leaving” (from the Peel Box)
  3. Sinéad O’Connor, “You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart” (In the Name of the Father Soundtrack)
  4. Doves, “The Sulphur Man” (The Last Broadcast)
  5. Doves, “Pounding” (The Last Broadcast)
  6. Robert Johnson, “32-20 Blues” (The Complete Recordings)
  7. Shannon Worrell, “Shoot the Elephant” (The Moviegoer)
  8. Mogwai, “Auto Rock” (Mr. Beast)
  9. Dntel, “Last Songs” (Life is Full of Possibilities)
  10. Sigur Rós, “Takk…” (Takk…)