Unrelated as they may seem, the dismal 23 percent public approval of Congress' performance and the American Bar Association's stinging denunciation of President Bush's flagrant indifference toward law have a lot in common.
The low esteem for lawmakers is the result of congressional spinelessness and the unwillingness of a co-equal branch to stand up to Bush's brazen bullying.
As for the ABA's stinging reproof of Bush for profligate "signing statements" to disregard laws as alleged infringements on his powers, this stems from the free hand the Bush-Cheney-Rove axis has been given by Milquetoast lawmakers.
A non-partisan 11-member ABA task force found that since the founding of the American Republic 230 years ago, 42 previous presidents issued "signing statements" challenging parts or all of 600 laws.
But since 2001 when Bush the Junior took office, the ABA estimates he's issued "signing statements" to ignore all or part of 800 laws, including rejecting Sen. John McCain's legislation banning the use of torture of war detainees.
That's an average of 14 per previous president versus 800 for one Bush.
Bringing up the rear like a cowardly cavalry troop too late to save the wagon train, weak-kneed Republican Sen. Arlen Specter is proposing legislation to give Congress the right to review presidential "signings."
Both Specter and the American Bar Association should hang their heads in shame: The Bush-Cheney-Rove axis has been abusing the U.S. Constitution for more than five years. Is this the first that Specter and the ABA have heard of Bush's arrogance toward law?
In another day, this president's behavior -- cumulatively or in parts -- would've prompted Articles of Impeachment long ere this.
But that's fantasizing. With Republicans in his hip pocket, and terrified Democrats running for cover or raising objections in whispers, why shouldn't Bush treat federal laws as irrelevant to his designs for the world?
Contemptuous conduct is "de rigueur" for the leading characters.
When Bush the Junior decided Air Force service safe from Vietnam duty was a bother, he just didn't show up for duty and vanished without penalty thereafter.
Vice President Cheney ducked the draft five times: His personal wants took precedence over national service. He aloofly claimed "other priorities" than serving in uniform during the Vietnam War.
And the law White House Rasputin Karl Rove observes is the law of the political jungle, wherein lying, sleight-of-hand, hatching distrust and appealing to prejudice got him where he is and how he got Bush the Junior where he is.
Pat Murphy
