Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The usual silliness
All of the usual embedded experts ... including Coach Hastert ... are telling us that the search of William Jefferson's office is somehow unconstitutional, that it somehow violates "Separation of Powers".
Fucking Idiots.
There's no such thing as the "Separation of Powers" clause, and there's nothing in the Constitution that prevents police from searching a congressman's office. The only immunity for members of Congress is this paragraph:
They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
This is mainly designed to prevent low-level constables from harassing the members, and to preserve open debate by avoiding libel or slander suits for statements made 'on the floor'. Note especially that Felonies are excluded from the immunity. It's true that Felony was a smaller class of crimes back then, but it assuredly included bribery. ¶ 7:28 AM
Fucking Idiots.
There's no such thing as the "Separation of Powers" clause, and there's nothing in the Constitution that prevents police from searching a congressman's office. The only immunity for members of Congress is this paragraph:
They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
This is mainly designed to prevent low-level constables from harassing the members, and to preserve open debate by avoiding libel or slander suits for statements made 'on the floor'. Note especially that Felonies are excluded from the immunity. It's true that Felony was a smaller class of crimes back then, but it assuredly included bribery. ¶ 7:28 AM
