Troubling questions remain concerning the secretive Executive Order Obama signed in the dead of night on December 17, which grants INTERPOL, the International Police Organization, full immunity from U.S. law.
In the face of these questions, the White House is engaging in stonewalling.
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan).
Of the major network news organizations, only ABC News reporter Jake Tapper has expressed an interest in the issue, as Michelle Malkin reports late this afternoon.
Malkin says that Tapper has asked the White House on two separate occasions within the last week about the executive order, but Obama officials have so far refused comment.
Despite the asinine contention of some that the executive order is innocuous and poses no threat at all, the order actually gives INTERPOL broad latitude in conducting its operations on U.S. soil--even exceeding some of the most troubling aspects of the Patriot Act.
Yet the Left continues to attempt to make the issue about the Patriot Act and George W. Bush, although this particular order has absolutely nothing to do with the former President, the Patriot Act, or, as one numbskull stated, 'This does nothing more than grant INTERPOL agents immunity from parking tickets.'
As Ed Morrissey at Hot Air states,
I seem to recall the Left getting hysterical over the Patriot Act extensions that Obama finally backed. This gives Interpol a much wider operational latitude than anything contemplated in the Patriot Act, and with no accountability at all.
In addition, confusion seems to reign supreme among some on the Internet with regard to INTERPOL's supposed heavy restrictions and limitations on U.S. soil. Some suggest that merely reading the organization's history and official mode of operation will be enough to clear up any lingering doubt over the agency's role in law enforcement in the United States.
This is all well and good...on paper.
But we all know that there is the official, public statement of purpose and then there is the actual, behind-the-scenes reality of how such organizations work apart from public view.
And with INTERPOL such a reality is even more pronounced given that it is not a U.S. agency and thus is not ultimately accountable to anyone in the U.S. government.
Obama, therefore, has removed what little safeguards were put into place by President Ronald Reagan that insured INTERPOL's adherence to U.S. law and the Constitution.
Some have suggested that the reason for this highly disturbing move is to make it easier for international charges to be brought against George W. Bush, members of the U.S. military, and other politicians who are deemed by the puppet emperors of the International Criminal Court in the EU to be guilty of 'war crimes' for merely protecting U.S. interests.
But is this really where we wish to go as a nation? Do we actually want the U.S. President to be accountable to a foreign criminal court for any military action he/she orders? Do we want our military personnel subjected to the political whims of a court in Europe that views practically any U.S. military action to be 'a crime against humanity?' Do we want the ICC (via INTERPOL) going after U.S. Senators for voting in favor of certain military operations that are designed to thwart Islamic Jihadists?
And much more importantly, do we want INTERPOL probing into the private lives of U.S. citizens on our own soil? And remember, if they can do it to our elected officials, they can do it to ANY citizen.
For commentary on other issues, visit my blog at The Liberty Sphere.
Comments
"Some have suggested that the reason for this highly disturbing move is to make it easier for international charges to be brought against George W. Bush"
If The People allow any past or sitting U.S. President to be taken and tried, convicted and sentenced like a common criminal by any international kangaroo court without armed intervention, it will be end of the United States of America as we know it. The U.S. will cease to exist. It will be nothing more than a hollow banana republic not worth saving.
I for one would like to see the executive order verbatim. If what you say is correct then this should be looked into very seriously.
John, it is a bit difficult to do that due to the nature of the order, but with some persistence it can be done.
The way the order reads, it states that sections thus-and-so of the previous order (from Reagan) were deleted. The sections are named. Thus, one must go back and look at the original order from Reagan to see what's in those specified sections.
This way, the GREAT 'O' has made sure it is not in black-and-white what he has just done. It takes a bit of research and work to discover the deletions.
Part of the usurper's push into the NWO. And destroy our sovereignty. That's "change", for sure. But without "hope" for the country.
And the Distraction Express once again lurches from the pseudo-conservative station, rattling down the wrong track, leaving ridicule in its wake while the pseuod-cons repeatedly focus on the meaningless and ignore the genuine problems facing the US.
Why don't you morons read the Interpol Constitution before making insane claims like prosecuting Dubya or the military? Or find a SINGLE example of Interpol doing any of the evil things you fear anywhere in the world?
the snark strikes again...given that our govt ignores our own constitution on a daily basis, how does your statement about interpol's 'constitution' prove your point?
transparency? the guy's not only a moron, he's also a deceitful liar !
okay snidely - give us all one SINGLE example where Interpol has done any of the evils feared since being reconstituted in 1945.
One... JUST ONE in the last 64 years.
You moonbats are crazier than the lefties.
Mr. Martin, Doesn't the Senate have 90 days to repeal an EO? In 1998 Clinton was overseas and signed an EO that took away states rights and gave them to the Executive Branch, when it was discovered what he had done, Congress repealed it. It is said that Clinton should have been tried for Treason for that, but of course he wasn't. The point is, had Congress not acted within 90 days, the EO would have held. I've written to Andy McCarthy about this but not heard back from him. Do you know?
maybe now interpol can investigate where mr. obama hussein was born? or is it barry saetoro?
I've said it before and I'll say it agin...Obama's desire is to see the US "fundamentally transformed". He has said so himself. Chipping away at US sovereignty is just one small method he is using to accomplish this goal. A lot of damage can be done in four years. God help us all if he is elected to a 2nd term.
Snark: The untouchable secret, secret planet police...you're right, what could possibly go worng?
Does this EO give only INTERPOL protections or anyone acting on INTERPOLs behalf?
From: interpol web site
National Central Bureaus (NCB) - Each INTERPOL member country maintains a National Central Bureau staffed by national law enforcement officers. The NCB is the designated contact point for the General Secretariat, regional offices and other member countries requiring assistance with overseas investigations and the location and apprehension of fugitives.
As I understand INTERPOL, they rely on a nations own police forces to act on their behalf. If FBI Agents are "assigned to INTERPOL duty" is the attached FBI (with our national assets, databases, etc) now above the Constitution and all checks and balances?
Pajamas,
Unfortunately, I know of no provision that gives the Senate the power of veto over an Executive Order. Now, the Congress can certainly address an issue involving such orders anytime it wants, particularly if the order usurps powers that previously were clearly in the hands of the legislative branch.
Executive orders have, indeed, been revoked or modified by statute. The Cato Institute has an interesting policy analysis on this issue. It's called 'Executive Orders and National Emergencies.'
The unabashed Obama worshiper snark is once again defending the unconstitutional actions of his master in chief. But what do you expect from a person who advocates killing children living in squalor in Yemen as a justified preemptive attack. It’s all right we should just let foreigners kill, torture, rape, or steal at will. We obviously are not qualified to take care of our own criminals. Note the latest bomber whose own father went to our embassy and said he was troubled. Obama and his henchmen (and women) have made it clear that our enemies are really retuning vets, libertarians, gun owners, and people who quote the constitution and the founding fathers (see the MIAC reports).
john: No - nothing in this changes DOJ status as part of the Executive Branch; it only grants something akin to diplomatic status to actual Interpol personnel & property.
Mitch the bitch continues with his libel, I see. I repeat: I support the counter-insurgency doctrine, which specifically says do NOT bomb a target if there is a significant risk to non-involved civilians precisely because that's the easiest way to create MORE insurgents/terrorists.
For that matter, I didn't vote for Obama - but I recognize that he's the current, legal CinC regardless of Mitchie's febrile fantasies.
can't be libel unless the 'victim' is using his/her real name...
Hi, Anthony! and Happy New Year!
I wonderif this has something to do with what my sources say is a long-overdue international investigation into Internet-wide click theft by "hacktivists" - for political and sometimes malicious purposes - and professional criminal gangs, who have, in effect, hacked the "hacktivists."
For the professional criminals, click theft is now a billion-dollar "industry," with no national boundaries. And all of the idiotic penny ante "affiliate marketers," along with the Script Kiddie "hacktivists," are making it all the easier for the professional thugs to ply their trade, by the relatively amateurish botnets they've set up, utilized and transformed into crimenets by the bad guys.
I expect this to break into the Internet scandal to end all Internet scandals very soon.
John Talleos wants to see the exec order verbatim. It is an amendment to an exec order originally from Reagan 12425, amended by Clinton 12971. The "jist" of the order remains as Reagan signed it.
As amended, it now reads:
"By virtue of the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and statutes of the United States, including Section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669, 22 U.S.C. 288), it is hereby ordered that the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), in which the United States participates pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 263a, is hereby designated as a public international organization entitled to enjoy the privileges, exemptions and immunities conferred by the International Organizations Immunities Act. This designation is not intended to abridge in any respect the privileges, exemptions or immunities which such organization may have acquired or may acquire by international agreement or by Congressional action."
Anthony G. Martin says:
"John, it is a bit difficult to do that due to the nature of the order, but with some persistence it can be done."
Actually quite easy to piece it together, unless one is used to being spoon fed.
Snarky Doo,
If you didn't vote for Obama how come there are pictures of Obama feeding you Snarky Snacks on the Whitehouse lawn?
See I guess I am febrile(???) because if a mans father went to one of our embassies and said his son was a terrorist I would believe him and put him on a 'no fly list'. You know the list that has over 1 million innocent American names on it.
Of coarse this is boom time for a crotch sniffing dog such as yourself. Maybe that's what Obama meant by new jobs for the economy.
GreatGray,
I did not supply him with the info precisely because I do not spoon feed people, which brings up the question as to why YOU would spoon feed someone immediately after raising the issue.
And actually, the changes are gargantuan. The one small section that grants immunity to INTERPOL is a major change of draconian proportions.
This is way over the line. I have sent letters to my representatives asking them for an explanation! I think this is in preparation for the NY Bush-Six Trials... We will not let this rest!!; Also, not going to let the bribery and criminal activity going on in arm twisting DEMS to vote for this awfull health insurance reform bill...
Anthony: You use the word "troubling" incorrectly. I think the term you're looking for is "paranoid." Maybe delusional could work, as well.
Mr. Martin,
Here is the link to the Clinton EO that I was referring. eagleforum.org/column/1998/aug98/98-08-05.html
What do you think? Now I'm going to try to find the Cato Institute article which you were referring to.
might not be easily actionable in court, snidely - but libel is libel and Mitch is lying about things I've said elsewhere.
I think it isn't about getting Bush, because he isn't against Obama's agenda, an agenda which coincides with making international law (read UN) superior to American law.
This could be a real nifty way of getting rid of the people who ARE against Obama and the UN's agenda--you and me.
Interpol arrests us...Obama is not responsible...and Voila! Two birds with one stone.
Anybody should be able to see the ramifications who cares about Americans.
This is reason to limit executive orders. Of course if congress were not so busy destroying our healthcare system, financial systems and taking our freedoms, perhaps they could do something to overturn the order. I assume they are having to check with the lobbyists in their pockets before anyone will do anything.
When are people going to realize what is going on here? Iremember robert redford in Italy saying under Bush we are loseing our rights. Where the hell is this idiot now? They all hated Bush. When will the worms turn on bho? Come down off your stupid mountain where your making your stupid movies and wake up to see what is going on under your nose with your guy. Maybe you and your ilk will be checked out by interpol, I hope and pray for the day all these idiots tumble.
Y'all are entitled to an informed opinion. Get one.
factcheck.org/2010/01/the-united-states-of-interpol/
Also, see: www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/world/31interpol.html?_r=2
Change ? Well,you got it...Now live with it.
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