Other facts ought be considered by just plain common sense. — creativesoul
the founding fathers presupposed that the most rational, knowledgeable, wise and/or otherwise moral men would be the leaders.
— creativesoul
They supposed nothing of the sort. This is historically incorrect.
On the contrary, they assumed that future leaders would be venal, greedy, and no better or worse than people in general. That's why they designed a system with checks and balances so that no one individual and no one branch of government could run roughshod over the rights of the people. — fishfry
Other facts ought be considered by just plain common sense.
— creativesoul
Are we talking about "spirit of the law" here? — Kamikaze Butter
Obama assassinated Anwar al-Awlaki in a drone strike. If not for being the President, that would be straight up murder in cold blood.
However, in accordance with his duties as a government official, the President is not culpable of murder in such a case. — Kamikaze Butter
On the contrary, they assumed that future leaders would be venal, greedy, and no better or worse than people in general. That's why they designed a system with checks and balances so that no one individual and no one branch of government could run roughshod over the rights of the people. — fishfry
A pardon's not relevant until he's convicted of a crime. — fishfry
As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor.
...
Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9,1974.
I would hope, and even assume so, but what a travesty that would be if the Conservative arm of the Supreme Court let tribalism and party loyalty supersede what would be an American constitutional crisis, and all because the Republicans refused to confirm Garland, purely through partisanism. — Maw
Even kings have been subject to the rule of law in Anglo-American jurisprudence since what took place at Runnymede in 1215 — Ciceronianus the White
Because rightly or wrongly, it was considered an act of war and not murder. And furthermore, he was acting in pursuance of Government policy, and not in pursuit of his own commercial or political interests. — Wayfarer
The Queen is immune from prosecution (and arrest). — Michael
I do too. Trump's a troll. You let yourself get trolled. A pardon's not relevant until he's convicted of a crime. That hasn't happened. Why not save your outrage for things that are actually happening? That's my question. You can't stay outraged all the time. Can you? — fishfry
I see. You have a point. But the "cannot obstruct" argument is being made by his lawyers in what I think is a very real effort taking place now. — Ciceronianus the White
You can't limit the free expression of ideas and think you're going to keep a free society. — fishfry
Then somehow, the thread turned to free speech, with someone suggesting that there are categories of people who shouldn't have it. — fishfry
I notice you don't bother touching upon Trump's views on the NFL kneeling, — Maw
You really seem to be wildly extrapolating things I didn't say. — fishfry
And I'm still mystified at why someone played the Mitch McConnell card on me. What the hell does he have to do with anything? It seems that if one calls out Trump derangement syndrome, one is assumed to support everything Trump says. If that's not bad logic I don't know what is. That's exactly what Trump derangement syndrome is. I say, "Don't let Trump trigger you all the time," and people somehow think this has something to do with the NFL and Samantha Bee. — fishfry
In 2013, the Supreme Court refused to hear the request of former Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Lise Thibault to have charges against her dropped. She was being prosecuted for misappropriation of public funds but invoked royal immunity on the basis that "the Queen can do no wrong". As per convention, the court did not disclose its motives for doing so. She later petitioned a court in Quebec for the same motives. Judge Carol St-Cyr again rejected her demand, noting that constitutional law does not grant a lieutenant-governor the same benefits as the Queen and that royal immunity would only apply to actions involving official state functions, not personal ones.[14] She was sentenced to 18 months in jail but was granted conditional release after six months. — wiki
I believe tim wood brought up McConnell in relation to your claims about freedom of speech being at threat by the left. — Michael
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.