Why we like Barney Frank
This is a few days old, but worth repeating, a statement by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank on the FBI search of Congressman William Jefferson's office.
(Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I disagree with the bipartisan House leadership criticism of the FBI's search of a Member's office. I know nothing specifically about the case, except that the uncontroverted public evidence did seem to justify the issuance of a warrant.
What we now have is a Congressional leadership, the Republican part of which has said it is okay for law enforcement to engage in warrantless searches of the average citizen, now objecting when a search, pursuant to a validly issued warrant, is conducted of a Member of Congress.
I understand that the speech and debate clause is in the Constitution. It is there because Queen Elizabeth I and King James I were disrespectful of Parliament. It ought to be, in my judgment, construed narrowly. It should not be in any way interpreted as meaning that we as Members of Congress have legal protections superior to those of the average citizen.
So I think it was a grave error to have criticized the FBI. I think what they did, they ought to be able to do in every case where they can get a warrant from a judge. I think, in particular, for the leadership of this House, which has stood idly by while this administration has ignored the rights of citizens, to then say we have special rights as Members of Congress is wholly inappropriate.
Comments
Messr. Frank hit the proverbial nail on the head! Too bad he doesn't vote quite like he is speaking on this matter.
Posted by: Hog Snout | May 31, 2006 04:43 PM
Finally, a sane voice on this debate.
Where were our representatives when ATT gave our information to the NSA?
Posted by: Gary | May 31, 2006 04:51 PM
I heard Rep. Frank give this speech live on C-SPAN. As I've said before, I always stop and listen when Barney Frank speaks, and I'm sure glad I was at my desk for this one!
Of course, it went in one ear and out the other of the congressional leadership. But at least he stood up and said it!
Posted by: Patrick, Pocahontas | May 31, 2006 05:02 PM
As Jon-Luke Pickard said, "make it so!"
Posted by: Jim | May 31, 2006 05:16 PM
We have a good representative in Vic Snyder, but, boy, wouldn't it be an honor to be represented by the likes of Barney Frank? His constituents must be proud.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 31, 2006 05:41 PM
Wonder how long it'll be before the gay bashing begins? Hunkawhatever - Dr. Anon, you out there?
Posted by: Anonymous | May 31, 2006 06:05 PM
I watched Barney on C-Span also and funny thing, while he was speaking I didn't see a penis or 2 guys kissing or an angry Kansas bigot preacher. All I saw was an intelligent man speaking the truth about a double standard that exists. A double standard I'm real sick of.
I don't feel that Senators are more American than I am. I don't think they deserve any more or any less freedom than the rest of us. I hope everyone in Congress thinks real hard about one branch of the government attacking the other. I tend to think those that have screamed the loudest about the raid on Jefferson's office are probably the ones that would be as guilty as hell if the FBI raided their office and found out all the things they're up to.
But all in all, Bush shouldn't be allowed to steal my rights while Congress whistles and looks the other way. In the end, Bush-Cheney will have screwed us all. Where are those boiling pots of oil I used to see in the old Jungle Jim movies?
Posted by: Deathbyinches | May 31, 2006 06:44 PM
DBI,
What about those Tarzan movies where they strap some poor native to two opposing trees and let them go splitting them in half. Maybe we should lobby for that punishment for our Chimpster in Chief - after all he's trying to please two opposing factions - the relgious wrong and big bidness. They can each have half of the Chimpster - works for me!
Posted by: BlueTicker | May 31, 2006 07:31 PM
The sad trick is that once you let the palm tress fly it just pulls the hands and feet off of the bush puppet and the rest of us are left with a real pile of shit to dispose of. The Democrats have no solutions? Hell, the country has never been dipped by a limbless monkey in such deep shit. These fuck wizards have guaranteed a generation of enmity from the Islamic world and done their best to keep this poor continent's wealth in an increasingly few hands. Good luck to what ever unfortunate bastards inherit what these people have done to the country.
Posted by: P | May 31, 2006 09:13 PM
Barney just spoke briefly into the record--elegantly, I'd say--what we've all been thinking since the story hit. I'm glad it will be there for historians to read when they're shaking their heads and trying to figure out what the hell happened to a once great country. I wonder who they'll be?
Posted by: widj | May 31, 2006 09:26 PM
I'm afraid I have to take a contrarian position on this. This was an unprecedented act by the executive branch against another branch of government. And totally unneccessary since they already clearly had the goods on Jefferson. This is tantamount to Denny Hastert ordering the Capitol Police to go raid the Oval Office. At the very least representatives of congress should have been allowed to witness the search to ensure documents seized related only to Jefferson's alledged criminal acts.
There are acclaimed constitutional scholars highly critical of this action.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-05-30-voa68.cfm
Posted by: jb | June 1, 2006 08:19 AM
I don't recall ever agreeing with Barney Frank on anything except once.
He chastised christians for fearing homosexual marriage would destroy the family while ignoring divorce as the greater threat. I agree with him on that even though I do not support homosexual marriage.
Posted by: Dr. Strangelove | June 1, 2006 09:34 AM
I know this is way off topic but speaking of gay marriage, I want to start a petition for a constitutional amendment to ban the biggest threat to marriage...divorce. Then I would stand near churches (preferably Baptist and Catholic) on Sunday and watch the people coming out squirm about signing it.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006 02:41 PM
Anon---sadly to say you are right. They would squirm to high heaven. Unfortunately, they want their cake and eat it too. Divorce should be recognized for what it is---a scourge.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006 03:21 PM