Two serious issues came to mind as I pondered what to post about. There is a shocking escalation to the violence and savagery in Iraq. This “low grade” civil war is traumatizing the entire population. The other issue of concern is the presidential practice of using signing statements. Given that one effects US citizens directly and the other is being perpetrated on Iraqis by Iraqis, I'll talk about signing statements.

What is a signing statement and why is it so important? A signing statement is a legal note that a President attaches to a law passed by congress that explains his view of the laws intent. It might even explain that he has the right not to follow the law. The “legalese” is quite convoluted and messy so you can read more here. President Bush has signed many of these (as have other presidents) two of which are particularly disturbing. The first of these concerns the McCain Feingold torture amendment. Bush claims he can choose not to follow it. The second is the Patriot act. Our naive representatives thought they could ensure our privacy and give oversight to the surveillance powers that were given in the act. However through his use of signing statements, the President has circumvented these protections and declares himself above the law. Our Senate and Congress has given up there power as a separate but equal branch of our government. They have pledged loyalty to their party, and have dismissed their oath of office. The only thing that stands in George Bush's way now is the two term limit, but I suspect we're only one well timed act of terrorism away from that being changed as well. With this in mind I encourage you to read this piece by Bill Moyers.