It's interesting that at the same time there are new calls for the impeachment of President Bush, on by any reasoned inspection with no damning evidence, we see Nancy Pelosi very well may have committed a felony in visiting Syria. In today's WSJ, Robert Turner makes this very point (subscription only link)...some excerps:The "Logan Act" makes it a felony and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years for any American, "without authority of the United States," to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government's behavior on any "disputes or controversies with the United States." Some background on this statute helps to understand why Ms. Pelosi may be in serious trouble.
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Ms. Pelosi and her Congressional entourage spoke to President Assad on various issues, among other things saying, "We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace." She is certainly not the first member of Congress -- of either party -- to engage in this sort of behavior, but her position as a national leader, the wartime circumstances, the opposition to the trip from the White House, and the character of the regime she has chosen to approach make her behavior particularly inappropriate.
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Ms. Pelosi's trip was not authorized, and Syria is one of the world's leading sponsors of international terrorism. It has almost certainly been involved in numerous attacks that have claimed the lives of American military personnel from Beirut to Baghdad.
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The U.S. is in the midst of two wars authorized by Congress. For Ms. Pelosi to flaunt the Constitution in these circumstances is not only shortsighted; it may well be a felony, as the Logan Act has been part of our criminal law for more than two centuries. Perhaps it is time to enforce the law.
The U.S. is in the midst of two wars authorized by Congress. For Ms. Pelosi to flaunt the Constitution in these circumstances is not only shortsighted; it may well be a felony, as the Logan Act has been part of our criminal law for more than two centuries. Perhaps it is time to enforce the law.
As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow the MSM will not create the hell on earth fire storm they would if this was a Republican subverting a Democrat president...ask any of your staunch liberal friends to defend Pelosi's actions and falsely acting on Israel's behalf! Then after they do you can tell them about all the terrorists leaders and Islamic Jihad members that liked Pelosi's shadow government foreign policy friendly talk as well....they're in good company.
Update: Iran's position on Pelosi might be proof of violating the Logan Act! Check it out on Littlegreenfootballs.
2 comments:
Interesting. I was not aware of this act. A valid argument. Would it also not apply to the 4 republican congressmen that visited Syria, or is it because she's the head of the opposing party that this becomes an issue.
Seriously, I'm asking because I'm woefully uninformed on the subject.
ANYBODY acting, or claiming to act, on behalf of the U.S. Govt. communicating with or visiting a foreign Govt. against the will of the President is wrong and should probably be punished in some form...Democrat, Republican, etc.
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