Entry 10: Executive Branch

Bush Announces Veto of Waterboarding Ban

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030800304.html

Constitutional Connection:

Article I, Section 7

"Every bill which shall have passed...shall...be presented to the President of the United States. If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it..."

A major controversy in politics during President Bush's era of Presidency was the waterboarding and torturing problems that took place withing the CIA. As a member of war George Bush felt it necessary to veto the waterboarding ban bill that expressed congress's view on the torture system. Congress, with the power to conduct bills, put together a fit bill that would ban waterboarding as a form of torture.

The first article of the constitution explains the powers of the legislative branch, but includes the right for the President to "veto" bills that he feels unnecessary. This article clearly demonstrates how the President has to the power to veto bills since it shows 2008 President Bush declaring he had vetoed the Waterboarding Ban Bill.

As a member of society i feel that President Bush was wrong to veto this bill. Torturing foreign prisoners who have done something wrong is not the solution the CIA or any executive agency should turn to. And the fact that the President of the United States supports Waterboarding is just plain wrong. I think that for Congress to be able to stand up to such actions is very righteous of them. Even though I know President Bush is very proud of his country and has did his part in the military and feels those who threaten or hate us should be punished, I think he just made a wrong decision for the country at the time.