Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

COLUMN: All hail his royal highness, King George W. Bush
By Danny Groshong
Daily O'Collegian (Oklahoma State U.)
07/12/2007

(U-WIRE) STILLWATER, Okla. — After President Bush declared Monday that several key players in the firing of federal prosecutors would not be allowed to testify, White House counsel Fred Fielding wrote the following about the President's use of executive privilege: "You may be assured that the president's assertion here comports with prior practices in similar contexts, and that it has been appropriately documented."

As if we don't have enough problems with our president and his assumption of dictatorial power, he's decided that the executive branch may govern itself.

Executive privilege is defined as the right of the executive to withhold information from the legislature or courts. The reasoning is that the executive branch must defend itself from scrutiny when disclosure would adversely affect the operations of the executive branch.

In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall agreed with this need for privacy by the executive branch. It has since been used as a means for the executive branch not to discourage their advisors, critics and others who may take offense, and when necessary, to keep military information and other secret intelligence safe from the hands of the enemies - whomever they happen to be at the time.

It seems Dubya has once again decided to abuse a right - one not even granted in the Constitution - and twist it to further his own plans. Unfortunately for Bush, it is not within the power of the executive branch to determine when the use of executive privilege is appropriate and when it is not.

The White House was given a 10 a.m. deadline within which to meet the Congress questioning of the use of executive privilege in this case. This deadline was not met, and the White House continues to refuse compliance.

If there is nothing to hide, why is there conflict with Congress in the first place? Bush and his staff indeed have something to hide, and this blatant attempt at a power struggle with Congress can only lead to further disapproval by the masses.

This isn't the only thing being disputed, either. The Democratic Party is also investigating a secretive wiretapping program initiated by Bush without consent of the legislative branch, as well as a debate about whether many members of Congress are talking about pulling all of the troops out of Iraq much earlier than expected, because of Iraq's newfound government's inability to follow through with promises and the fact that more of our soldiers are being killed everyday with absolutely no end in sight.

It baffles me that Bush supporters are out there when he regularly defies the laws and traditions of the nation he claims to love. He has told Congress and the people of the United States that he will not comply with the Constitution or laws of the land on multiple occasions, such as those listed above. He has also added executive powers through initiatives such as the Patriot Act.

This is a blatant attempt to steal power away from the legislative and judicial branches of the government and should be seen for what it is. For those out there still wearing blinders, quit watching Fox News and start learning the truth.

[ Back to Student Voices ]