The Road to Peace...
Could run through the American court system if federal prosecutors decide to bring charges against Nancy Pelosi for her blatant disregard for American law and the U.S. Constitution.
"Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects."
Article II of the Constitution assigns international diplomacy to the executive branch. And, Article I mentions nothing about diplomacy under the Speaker of House duties and responsibilities.
But, let's not allow Madame Speaker to go to court alone. The way I see it, she should have plenty of company in the courtroom if feds appropriately bring up charges against the congressmen that accompanied her on the trip:
David Hobson (R-OH)
Keith Ellison (D-MN)
Tom Lantos (D-CA)
Henry Waxman (D-CA)
Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Nick Rahall (D-WV)
Frank Wolf (R-VA)--led a previous unauthorized delegation
For the record, I do not agree with the President's Foreign Policy techniques. I think we should always keep communications open with these countries. But, there is a legal and constitutional way to pressure the President to adjust his foreign policy. Going in to Syria and meeting with one of the greatest state sponsors of terrorism and telling him that the road to peace will come through his country, on a trip that is unauthorized by the U.S. State Department is a blatant disregard for American law, borne out of complete arrogance and dismisiveness toward an equal branch of government.
How can the Democrats complain about Bush's disregard for the other branches of government when Pelosi's disregard is no different?
[UPDATE 4:39 PM]: The Wall Street Journal originally introduced the idea of prosecution under the Logan Act. Here is their article on the subject: http://opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110009908
Comments
Imagine if a Republican had led such a delegation??? The gnashing of teeth, orgy of indignation would be unbearable.
Some of us said these Democrats were more radical than any group to come to power in American history. Unfortunately, we were right on target.
Posted by: Sen John Douglas | April 6, 2007 04:23 PM
Jace,
Using the Logan Act is a great idea! The Dems would be so pissed that DC would get tied in a giant knot for years. They wouldn't have time for anything else. Finally we would have a Congress that did no harm.
Posted by: Joe | April 6, 2007 04:38 PM
I wish I could take credit for the idea, Joe. But you'll have to chalk this one up to the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal.
http://opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110009908
Posted by: Jace Walden | April 6, 2007 04:41 PM
Despite a lot of press reports to the contrary, Speaker Pelosi and her delegation flew in an official US Air Force 757. If it wasn't authorized, they couldn't have gotten the plane from the Pentagon and if President Bush opposed the trip, he could have easily pulled their plane and frankly he should have. I don't doubt that Pelosi violated the Logan Act in spirit if not in fact but the only price she will pay is political and only if Republicans can effectvely press the case and not lose interest as they always seem to do. Despite all the charges of politicizing the Justice Department, Bush's people couldn't bring Sandy "I have secrets in my pants" Berger to justice. That was a slam dunk but no one was competent to slam or dunk Berker apparently.
Posted by: DMZDave | April 6, 2007 10:53 PM