[Peace-discussion] ACLU: US Constitution in Grave Danger

[Richard Duffee]

ACLU: US Constitution in Grave Danger
    United Press International
    Wednesday 25 July 2007
    Washington - The American Civil Liberties Union Wednesday said it
is "do or die time" to save the U.S. Constitution.
    The ACLU in a statement urged the U.S. Congress to "vote to hold
White House officials in contempt for refusing to cooperate with
legitimate congressional subpoenas."
    The ACLU statement said the issue had become "a constitutional
crisis that threatens to destroy the separation of powers."
    "Presidents have tried in the past to overreach in claiming
executive privilege," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU
Washington Legislative Office. "However, Congress has long served as a
check to such abuses of power, slapping the president's hand when
needed and pursuing contempt or enforcement actions that eventually
resulted in the release of crucial information. Today's Congress must
do the same if it wishes to remain a meaningful and independent branch
of government."
    The ACLU said it "rejected claims that Congress' responsibility to
conduct oversight or investigate executive misconduct was somehow less
important than its legislative function and therefore not worthy of
compulsory enforcement."
    "It's do-or-die time for the separation of powers," Fredrickson
said. "Congress is facing a historic moment when it can fight for its
rightful place in our Constitution or accept the president's continued
and sweeping claims of supremacy."
    The ACLU noted that U.S. courts "have long supported Congress'
authority not only to pass laws, but also to investigate their
application. The courts have asserted that claims of executive
privilege are a potentially dangerous proposition that should only be
applied, and can only be upheld, under narrow circumstances."
    The confrontation between the Democratic-controlled 110th Congress
and the Bush administration on warrantless surveillance has been
escalating in recent weeks, with both sides hardening their positions.