150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln justified the use of his war powers in a letter to Erastus Corning, regarding the arrest for treason of former Ohio Congressman Clement Vallandigham.
And now, we have President Barack Obama justifying his use of war powers in his allowance of the National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Agency having access to phone calls and emails and other electronic information of Americans, which apparently has, already, led to the prevention of many terrorist plots against the United States.
Both what Lincoln wrote and what Obama said create food for thought at a difficult time, and it makes one wonder how Obama will be looked at in history on this issue. Lincoln’s use of war powers in the Civil War is generally seen as justifiable in today’s world! Will the same occur for Obama over time?
Bammy’s corruption and obstruction no thanks to the MSM is becoming more clear daily. The very worst president and administration of the current or last century.
I hardly agree with The Morning “Shmoe” Joe Scarborough, but yesterday he said something to Mika and Chris Mathews that was on point.
“As the only Republican, I think, in this area code right now, it sure was hell as simple when George W. Bush was president. Everybody sure got the long knives out when George W. Bush was president … all of these questions were so simple, Mika. It was so black and white. George Bush and Dick Cheney, they were evil. Now suddenly, we’re launching drone strikes into countries, killing civilians, where we aren’t even at war … and we’re killing Americans, and suddenly everybody goes, ‘you know what, this is such a complicated thing.’â€
So true, now it’s so difficult and complicated to analyze these complicated National Security issues.. See at 11:20 to 12:44
( http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3036789/ns/msnbc-morning_joe/vp/52178122#52178122 )
Juan, I saw that moment on MORNING JOE as it happened. I can agree to some extent, but realize it is the torture and waterboarding that was most reprehensible under Bush and Cheney, and taking us into a war we did not need to go into in Iraq. So it is not quite the same situation.
Dave, you are being totally ridiculous, and showing once again, your total ignorance of history, if you can say that Bush II is a good President, or Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, or Nixon stand out above Obama. We already know this, though, and you continue to show further evidence of how laughable your comments are. Juan, on the other hand, makes some good points, while you have not made one yet, absolutely amazing!
I would without a doubt put Coolidge over Obama any day. As for Bush II, even though I did not agree with many of his policies, like expanding government bureaucracy and stopping the corruption over and Fannie and Freddie, I prefer him over Obama with my eyes closed and of course holding my nose. Because in the end Bush and the Bushie crowd, like Rove and the rest of the neocon big government Republicans, were responsible for bringing Obama upon us. That said, Bush II image has improved, with 49% now viewing him favorably and 46% unfavorably. http://www.gallup.com/poll/163022/former-president-george-bush-image-ratings-improve.aspx
As for Nixon, big government Republican v big government Democrat leftist, I would go for Nixon, in spite of Watergate. I mean there is a scandal a day with this administration now. ( http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/congressional-delegations/305441-royce-accuses-state-department-oig-of-keeping-congress-in-the-dark-about-cover-up-allegations ) What’s next? Seriously this administration is doing things Nixon never dreamed of!
As for Hoover, he was just another big government Republican, another Bush, another failure who brought us FDR who in turn extended the Depression for a decade by exacerbating and implementing Hoover’s policies on steroids.
Needless to say, I totally disagree with you on what you said above, with some credit given to Nixon for his foreign policy and domestic initiatives in cooperation with the Democrats—Consumer Product Safety Commission, OSHA, EPA–among them.
@Guano and Davy No Nothing
I am now home from vacation. I plan to do like the Professor said in an earlier discussion and not waste any more time talking to you. However, I will continue to laugh at your idiotic conspiracy comments.