Presidential Signing Statements Started with James Monroe

Regarding The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, (H.R. 6407) signed into law on December 20.

This is one of the signing statements added to the bill by Mr. Bush. (The entire statement [Link] )

The executive branch shall construe subsection 404(c) of title 39, as enacted by subsection 1010(e) of the Act, which provides for opening of an item of a class of mail otherwise sealed against inspection, in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with the need to conduct searches in exigent circumstances, such as to protect human life and safety against hazardous materials, and the need for physical searches specifically authorized by law for foreign intelligence collection.

Press Secretary Tony Snow said yesterday that the government needs this power to inspect mail in cases of emergency.

The concern being expressed by many is in the White House definition of emergency. Some fear it may be whatever Bush want it to be.

Presidential signing statements can be traced back to James Monroe. The American Presidency Project [Link] has a lot of information about signing statements issued by many past presidents and the particular concern with statements issued by President Bush.

The ACLU calls the signing statement "deliberate ambiguity".

Senator Charles Schumer, D-NY :

"This last-minute, irregular and unauthorized reinterpretation of a duly passed law is the exact type of maneuver that voters so resoundingly rejected in November."

Senator Susan Collins of Maine, Republican sponsor of the bill:

"It is my hope that the administration will clarify its intent with this recent statement,"

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, says Bush is:

"willing to circumvent those legal protections intended to safeguard both our citizens' privacy and our national security."

"Jerry Ford was, simply put, one of the most decent and capable men I ever met. ... George H. W. Bush

"I remember in his inaugural speech he said, 'You have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers' ... God certainly answered those prayers. President Ford was the great healer, and brought us together. We owe a great debt to him for how he put principle over politics at a crucial time in the life of or nation." - the Rev. Billy Graham.



"The American people will always admire Gerald Ford's devotion to duty, his personal character and the honorable conduct of his administration." - President George W. Bush.

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"An outstanding statesman, he wisely chose the path of healing during a deeply divisive time in our nation's history. He frequently rose above politics by emphasizing the need for bipartisanship and seeking common ground on issues critical to our nation." - Former President Jimmy Carter.

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"The nation's appreciation for the contributions that President Ford made throughout his long and well-lived life are more than we could ever have anticipated. These kindnesses have made this difficult time more bearable." - Former first lady Betty Ford.

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"Jerry Ford was, simply put, one of the most decent and capable men I ever met. ... Most of all, I will remember him as a devoted family man and a man of honor who never stopped serving this country he loved so deeply." - Former President George H.W. Bush.

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"He was a friend to everyone who met him. He had no enemies." - Former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., Ford's 1976 running mate.

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George Bush, the cutup (I mean cutout)

I find this video disturbing and am hesitant to put it here. So I'll give you a link to YouTube. Oh, it isn't violent or pornographic. It just makes me feel uneasy. Especially, following Mr. Gingrich's version of One Nation Under God. It reminds me of other times and other countries.

The YouTube description, in part:

Children directed to talk to a cardboard cutout of George W. Bush and asked to pray for him. Kids touch the picture of the president and then yell, "One Nation Under God."