The problem I have with that arguement is that the Constitution does not provide for the executive to be above the law. Nor does it allow for the office of the president to use his/her office for political extortion as has been repeatedly alleged in this ordeal.
While I agree that those attorneys in questions did work at the pleasure of the executive branch, they did not have the right to request and/or encourage them to break the law they were sworn to uphold. Furthermore, when they refused to committ crimes and were subsequently released from their positions, that reeks of corruption and unethical behavior. Not to mention it violates numerous labor laws on the books in the US all of which have been deemed Constitutional by the SCOTUS in the past.
So the real question here is, does the executive have the right to overtly break the law, encourage others to do with threats and fear of retribution? Regardless of political views, the law is the law, and someone needs to remind mr. bush neither he nor his branch of government are exempt from the law.
This recent action is nothing less than criminal. Failure to appear when supeonaed is illegal and carries with it criminal prosecution under contempt statutes. The sad thing is the poor lackey who's being ordered to committ the crime will be the one who suffers legal ramifications while the true criminals again walk scott free as they have repeatedly done for over 6 years now.
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True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else. - Clarence Darrow
Widespread intellectual and moral docility may be convenient for leaders in the short term, but it is suicidal for nations in the long term. One of the criteria for national leadership should therefore be a talent for understanding, encouraging, and making constructive use of vigorous criticism. - Carl Sagan
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