Condie Pulls a Nixon!
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
May 1, 2009 1:33am CST
Here's what former Secretary of State Condie Rice recently said at Stanford University:
"The president instructed us that nothing we would do would be outside of our obligations, legal obligations under the Convention Against Torture... The United States was told, we were told, nothing that violates our obligations under the Convention Against Torture, and so by definition, if it was authorized by the president, it did not violate our obligations under the Convention Against Torture," - Condi Rice.
Watch the video here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/30/726287/-Condi-Rice-plays-Nixon.
I know some of you - OK, MOST of you...lol - don't "approve" of DailyKos as a source but I just posted it for the video, feel free to disregard any of the comments if you wish. Her own words speak for themselves. I'm not attacking Condie, actually I've always liked her even if she WAS part of the Bush Administration, but this is too close to Nixon's, "If the President does it, it's not illegal," don't you think?
Annie
1 person likes this
8 responses
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
2 May 09
Several of the "Founding Fathers" wanted to appoint a "King" to lead the new government after the Revolution, but George Washington and others rejected that move. The Kings of old got by with doing anything and everything that their hearts desired, they ruled with an "iron hand". What kind of country would we have if our leader had been patterned after King George? Some think that Bush and Cheney should be pardoned for their wrong doings and this would force the admission of their so called "crimes", what does everyone here think about that? After all, Ford pardoned Nixon, which was an admission of wrong doing.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
1 May 09
Well most president seem think that way. Mainly because it takes someone with a HUGE ego to even want the job. Name me one president we have had htat has not had a huge ego? I can't think of one.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 May 09
It definitely takes someone with a big ego to even think of running for President considering all that garbage that goes along with it. I'd hope that someone with that big of an ego would be proud to prove he knows the law and knows he's not above it.
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
4 May 09
I would hope so too....but it does not seem to happen. They think they are above it for some reason. No one is above the law.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
1 May 09
IMO no President is above the law and that includes the present one!!
1 person likes this
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
1 May 09
It seems that Nixon and GW figured they were like kings of the past and could do anything they wanted without getting into trouble, but they finally got their hands caught in the cookie jar. I believe Condie was a puppet for GW. Now I know all of you repubs are going to jump all over this, but it is just this old Vets opinion!
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 May 09
I think Nixon and Bush had the same type of arrogance and ignorance, two things that often go together, have you ever noticed? I think Condie is a smart and honest woman so I'm surprised and a bit disappointed in her for saying those things. I mean, she HAD to know better!
Annie
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
1 May 09
The video is also on youtube and yahoo also has the full article. In my personal opinion if we the people allow our presidents to be above the law than we get what we deserve. If they are above the law than with each new president we have no idea what we are going to get since they will know that their deeds will go unpunished.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 May 09
I agree and as much as I understand Obama and others from his Administration wanting to move on rather than going after the Bush Administration letting them all just get away with breaking the law sets a very dangerous precedent. The young low ranked soldiers who took the full blame for abu Graib got a really dirty deal, I'm sure of that now. Many of these orders to torture came from way high up in the Administration, possibly all the way to the D1ck or even Bush himself and it should be made know to the public, we have a right to know.
Annie
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 May 09
All presidents are that way, not just the Republicans. It is just that you disregard when Obama does something above the law, or when FDR did, but if Nixon, Reagan, the Bushes, or any Republican (and I suppose if Lincoln were alive you would have complained as well.) Besides you were in an intenable situation, 911 and the terrorist massacre of the Twin Towers. I suppose if Clinton had gotten in a second time, and 911 had happened during his term, do you suppose he would have said, "bad bad you can't do that" No he would not. He wold have used what means necessary to find out who was behind this.
On second thought, he would have done nothing.
If the President does something in extra-ordinary conditions, it is not illegal, but if there is no emergency, no one blew up and kill thousands of people on American soil, it is illegal. So if you want to bring Bush up on charges for water=boarding, you should be willing to bring Obama up on charges for destroying the American economy and for turning America into a socialist state.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
1 May 09
"I suppose if Clinton had gotten in a second time"...you're kidding, right? Suspenseful, the way you follow U.S. politics you can't possibly not have known Clinton served two terms.
Anyway, NO PRESIDENT is above the law, regardless of party and regardless of the situation.
Annie
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
1 May 09
I saw the same thing yesterday. I'm not suprised by antthing any more, disgusted, but not suprised.
And then theres this:
Obama administration says government abuses are 'state secrets' beyond judicial scrutiny
http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner~y2009m4d6-Obama-sticks-with-controversial-Bushera-state-secrets-position
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
1 May 09
so much for change. It seems he is going to repeat a lot of Bush's mistakes.
