The Expansion Of Presidential Power: Can Trump Pardon Himself?

Donald's women wearing their token "Christian" "hijabs"... 
unlike traditional Catholic nuns who wear "the full hijab."

Dear F,

Thanks for your email.

I became aware of "executive expansionism" when my principal at Orange High School arrogated to himself the ability to do "whatever he wanted."

After 45 years of blithe unawareness, I suddenly realized that the top executive in any organization can do whatever s/he wants, knowing full well it will take "the courts" or The School Board (or any other oversight organization) a very long time to "get wind" of the offense; then more time to coordinate investigation; then even more time to gather evidence; and - mirabile dictu - yet more time to discuss the evidence; and finally... The Judgment which is often based on institutional stasis, a dull (and dulling) momentum that wants to "leave well enough alone." 

Ah! "The law's delay..."

Recall the full century during which the Catholic Church knew its priests were f_____ and s______ the children in their charge. Yet during that century, church hierarchs did nothing but "kick the can down the road" where "the bad eggs" planted their evil seed in new "killing fields." (Not that "the bad seeds" were limited to last century. http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-bad-popes.html)

Unfortunately, Kristallnacht sometimes "happens" (or can be made to happen) and then the sheeple applaud their Strong Leader, der Fuhrer, who -- thanks be to God! -- will lead them to safety.

Just before pigs fly.

Trump Will Go Full-Throttle Fascist Following The First Major Terror Attack.
Putin Knows This. (He Also Knows How To Hack The United States.)
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2017/01/trump-will-go-full-throttle-fascist.html

"Do War's Really Defend America's Freedom?"

(Homage To Marine Commandant, Major General Smedley Butler)

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/11/do-wars-really-defend-americas-freedom.html

Scare The Sheep 

And They Will Applaud Military-Industrial Profiteering

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/12/scare-sheep-and-they-will-cheer.html

Republican Lawmaker From Nevada Sends Christmas Card Featuring Fully Armed Family

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/12/republican-lawmaker-from-nevada-sends.html

"Whom The Gods Would Destroy, They First Make Mad"

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/12/whom-gods-would-destroy-they-first-make.html

The Mistaken Concept That Reducing Cultures To Rubble Results In Peace

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-mistaken-concept-that-reducing.html

"Are Republicans Insane?" Best Pax Posts

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/12/are-republicans-insane-best-pax-posts.html

Another Degenerate Trump Official Embarrases The Human Species

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2016/12/another-degenerate-trump-official.html

As H.G. Wells put it: "Increasingly, the fate of humankind is a race between education and catastrophe."

Tragically, here in America, Cowboy Capitalism, coupled with The American Way, have transformed citizens into pleasure-seeking "consumer units" eager for the next toy. 

In the toss-up between the next frisson and education-cum-civic-responsibility (under aegis of The Common Good and The General Welfare) Americans not only hunker down in their pleasure domes, they increasingly choose self-satisfaction over any Greater Good.

"Americans are fucked. They've been bought off. And they come real cheap: a few million dirt bikes, camcorders, microwaves, cordless phones, digital watches, answering machines, jet skis and sneakers with lights in 'em. You say you want a few items back from the Bill of Rights? Just promise the doofuses new gizmos."  George Carlin

"Shopping and buying - and getting and having - comprise the Great American Addiction. No one is immune. When the underclass riots in this country, they don't kill policemen and politicians, they steal merchandise. How embarrassing."  George Carlin

Favorite George Carlin Shticks

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-favorite-george-carlin-shticks.html

Most people are enamored of the sound bites they learned in Middle School (or Sunday School) and the more sated they become in their bourgeoise complacency, the louder they applaud dumbfuck stupidity.

Maybe it's time for "the fake news" and "the elites" to "get real."

Maybe it's time to call dumbfuck, dumbfuck.

Chesterton: "To Get All That Money, You Must Be Dull Enough To Want It"
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/09/chesterton-to-get-all-that-money-you.html

Love

A

On Wed, May 24, 2017 at 11:19 AM, FV wrote:

Dear A

Never thought of this and it's hard to believe that "Trump pardoning himself" is thought of as plausible. 

I would hope the courts would not want to set a precident. Presidents could commit Federal crimes knowing all I have to do is pardon myself. 

I do think, however, that dt can hold this carrot out to Flynn. Stay strong, keep lying, don't involve me and I'll pardon you. Wouldn't put that past him. Then if his obstruction is discovered he'd try the  pardon himself. 

Can't put it past him. I'm seeing the power of the Presidency in a light I never did.

The 3 branches are supposed to be equal but right now it seems the Pres. has a lot more power than I ever perceived. 

I woke at around 2a.m. and saw the meeting with Francis 8:30 a.m. Italy time.

Seemed cordial, some smiling, talked of peace, climate change, refugees, religious freedom. Gifts were exchanged. Part of Francis' gift were some of his writings which I'm sure he'll never read since his name won't be in them

Love

F

On May 24, 2017 10:53 AM, "Alan Archibald" <alanarchibaldo@gmail.com> wrote:

Could Trump issue himself a pardon?

Washington Post - 18 minutes ago