I Thought This Was a Joke

Dave · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject: I Thought This Was a Joke

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Message to the Congress of the United States Regarding International Emergency Economic Powers Act

White House News

Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq

Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order blocking property of persons determined to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. I issued this order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order 13364 of November 29, 2004. In these previous Executive Orders, I ordered various measures to address the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by obstacles to the orderly reconstruction of Iraq, the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in that country, and the development of political, administrative, and economic institutions in Iraq.

My new order takes additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315 by blocking the property and interests in property of persons determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to

promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. The order further authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, to designate for blocking those persons determined to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person designated pursuant to this order, or to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

I delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, the authority to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of my order. I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The White House,

July 17, 2007.

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Okay. To be fair, the document does state that the group or people referred to must pose a significant risk of doing something or be likely to do something violent meant to, or actually succeeding at, threatening the peace and stability of Iraq or the Gov't in Iraq... but that's a pretty broad statement.

I really don't like the idea that the decision of who is considered a threat to be in the hands of one person (the secretary) who only has to answer to one other person (the president).

I hate to sound paranoid, but seriously speaking, I thought this was a joke when I heard about it. Then I read it. That seems like it's too much power with no oversight.
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Dipsosis · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

That doesn't disturb me one whit. The executive branch exists to initiate policy without extensive handwringing. The alternative would be a logjam of bureaucratic red tape, killing the prospect of actually getting anything done. Just take a look at how difficult it is to pass anything through Congress, and how bloated any piece of "successful" legislation is by the end.
My problem lies with the individual occupying the Oval Office. First term presidents have to deal with "oversight" directly stemming from voters, as they need to satisfy their constituency that they deserve a second term. Second term presidents can generally be relied upon to continue the track record that rewarded them with another four years.
I'm still flabbergasted that a man, who was a failure in the oil business, and couldn't even run a baseball team, was given the reigns of the most powerful nation in the world. And then was rewarded with a second term for his incompetence. Does he even have any idea of what he signed? Can any of you imagine W. even comprehending what the word "promulgation" means?

Dave · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:08 pm Post subject:

jynexia · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject:

I think that one paragraph would have sufficed here, it seems that he just repeated himself...twice. But other then that, I'm okay with it. It's no worse than the many other laws that a vague and don't require much proof. However, doesn't this mean that the secretary should be arresting the president? Because i'm pretty sure he is violating the peace of Iraq.
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Dave · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

trebuchet · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

God, I hate you so much right now Dave for making me read that piece o' crap! Next time, just link it for those of us who can't be bothered to read anything that asinine clown cares to "write." Please. For my sanity. And the children. Think of the children!
_________________
Conan! What is best in life?

To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!"

Dave · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject:

Nah, I know you welcome the pain.
_________________
"Addiction can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be changed."
-Clango, Diesel Sweeties
===
I (heart) Hanners of Questionable Content.

jynexia · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

'sides you didnt have to read it just becuz he posted it here. And the children cant read let alone understand that stuff.
_________________
~jynx~
I need to go to my Happy place, but I accidentally blew it up, so now I have to find a new one... Sad

Dave · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

jynexia · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

Awww. Isn't he just so adorable?
_________________
~jynx~
I need to go to my Happy place, but I accidentally blew it up, so now I have to find a new one... Sad

Dipsosis · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject:

It's been ages since I've seen a man emasculated so thoroughly with one sentence.
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Parsifal · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject:

I think its uppence, as in come-upence....not sure if its one word...
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trebuchet · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:42 am Post subject:

It's actually uppance, and yes, it is one word.
_________________
Conan! What is best in life?

To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!"

trebuchet · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:46 am Post subject:

Parsifal · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 3:04 am Post subject:

How very crass, Paul. Pfft, everyone knows a box of popcorn is the accepted form of delivery.
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