In 2009, America will try to begin to forget George W. Bush and his legacy: A legacy of Imperial Presidency, war of aggression and torture. We, as Americans, cannot let this happen. As much as we would like to forget these past seven years, it is important we remember not only the despicable acts that were committed in our name, but the way the events were allowed to take place.

This has been a holocaust for the United States Constitution. Not to compare the loss of life and human suffering to the atrocities perpetrated under Nazi Germany, but the spirit and the letter of Our United States most sacrosanct document has been eviscerated.

From the Orwellian named Patriot Act that provisions the arbitrary suspension of the most basic of democratic principals habeas corpus, to the politicization of the Justice Department and warrantless wiretapping on its own citizens, the administration of President George W. Bush has usurped the power of the United States Government and consolidated it in the Executive Branch. It has done this (and planned to do this from its inception) with a model called the Unitary Executive (or Imperial Presidency)

This model distorts or ignores the primary function of the Constitution: the separation of powers. All the Founding Fathers (especially George Washington) were adamant in the distribution of power away from a central authority. So much so that the first documents of American Government, the Articles of Confederation, did not have a president or figure head. We were sick of King George.

In fact, Article I of the Constitution does not lay out the powers and responsibilities of the President, but of Congress. Unfortunately, the Congress of the United States decided to be the Executive’s lap dog following the crisis of September 11, 2001. By systematically calling anyone and everyone Unpatriotic and Anti-American who questioned the necessity or wisdom of any part of any action the administration wished to take, the Bush administration brushed aside all opposition to its policies.

Some great local bloggers have the opportunity to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and you can help them get there by donating liberally to the cause. This is a rare opportunity, and I’m happy to see these guys going. The paypal link is in the body of the message below, but also here.

Also, the Utah Amicus is holding a kickoff party on Wednesday, so if you’ve got ideas of what they should focus on while at the DNC, show up and let them know - and throw a little moola their way to boot.
What: The Utah Amicus DNC Bloggers Kick Off Party
When: August 20 at 7 p.m. (MDT).
Where: 7119 West 8050 South, West Jordan
Press Release: JMBell.org

Utah Womena’s Alliance for Building Community Flyer
The Utah Women’s Alliance for Building Community (UWABC)
Presents… The Game of Politics

Do legislative decisions make you feel like you are out in left field?
Do you go to county council meetings with your bases loaded only to strike out at bat?
Have you gone to a political meeting having studied the opposing team’s playbook, but never made it off the bench?

Get in the game!

Join us for our World Series Panel of State Representative David Litvack, County Mayor Peter Corroon, and Midvale City Mayor JoAnn Seghini as they answer questions on the power plays, fouls, errors, and interactions of varying government entities. Jenny Brundin, News Director of KUER, will moderate.

Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Time: 5:30-6:00 p.m. Networking, 6:00-7:15 p.m. Panel Discussion
Place: Mountain America Credit Union, 7181 South Campus View Drive
(Northwest of Jordan Landing), West Jordan, Utah
Cost: Free

Register: www.uwabc.org

Food and drink provided
Sponsored by Mountain America Credit Union

see famous look-a-like faces