Vice President Al Gore

Al Gore as well known, has been twice Vice President of the United State and three times a candidate for the office of Presidency - but nominated only once. He oftenreminds me of William Jennings Bryant who ran and was nominated five times? and who funally became Woodrow Wilson's Secretary of State.

Some may recall a prior blog of mine, too, in which I noted that there is no lmit to the number of times a person may be elected Vice President (if he has not served beyond a term etc as President). Al Gore could be Vice President four or five or six times, and the Democrats never lost when he ran for the Vice Presidency!

So run AL, please ? -- provided your interest and the campaign money materializes -- we love you -- your interest and your activity!

(Missed the Al Gore Decennial by one or two impeachment votes -- was that a Clinton-GOP deal?)

Immigration Reform & Privacy

Recent immigration reform bills, and this week's theft of Veterans Records reminds is blogger of the privacy vulnerability issue. Americans more than ever are vulnerable to the back door immigrant using his identity for illegal employment; benefits; credit; residence; or utilities. Whenever a crime is committed and discovered when arresting the cuplrit; the victim may never be told.

Requesting the information via the Privacy Act (for government informatin about oneself) may be unsuccessful becasue the Privacy Act conserves an exception for law enforcement information - ie a name or names conducted and held for a criminal charge or ivestigation. When not brought to trial the citizen or lawful resident may never know. Hence the citizen is denied the evidence of awrong and loses a chance to protect the property of his name and his identity.

The Privacy Act should be amended by a rider to any Immigration Reform Bill to require the disclosure to any resident or citizen of the United States seeking to police the misuse of his name or Federal and other state tax and identification numbers; and any other Federal record. Given that, the injured protects and recovers in his own interest - against employers and illegal aliens and other perpetrators by private lawsuit and evidence.

On another Immigration matter -- where continued illegal employment needs an enforcement partner - the law should be assisted by reducing a collective bargaining agent or union organizing election to a one-third work force qualifying vote - making organized labor a partner and ally in worker documentation. This could be applied in border states or in abused affected industries (which would be declared i that status by the President, AG or Director INS-HLS).

Privilege of Congress

Search warrant for a member of Congress' Capitol Office is not a violatio of legislative courtesy or privileges of members of Congress. Any Warrant granted by a Federal judge or pursued by other law enforcement against a Member or his offices meets an established respect for the member; but must be effectuated when lawfully granted.

Attempted exceptions would meet with a stay at the Capitol Hill Office door, etc.; while the appropriate member sought a quash or sepcial review by the offices of the House of which were a member; the whole house; or the assistance of the House or Senate Counsel.

Any other approach would grant members of the United States Legislative Branch an impbalanced privilege to commit crime and to avoid speedy accountability. Were an extraordinary privilege to be extended; it would have to have the same balance as the Executive Privilege to enforce member accountability and to permit law enforcement.

Ordinarily, both the American Legislative Executive and Judicial powers have the means to pre-negotiate a rule or procedure as needed to serve the necessity of search warrants, arrest or special legal process involving members of Congress.

The link above is Title 2, and gives examples of procedure for the US Capitol Police and the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police.

As to inocence and ethics of Congress --- Mark Twain is be remembered with a chuckle for the satirist:

" American has no native criminal class --- except Congress!"