which says:
"The Logan Act is a United States federal law that forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. It was passed in 1799 and last amended in 1994. Violation of the Logan Act is a felony, punishable under federal law with imprisonment of up to three years."
From what I understand obama is negotiating with foreign governements on his "world tour". Does he have this power? Is HE president of the United States yet? I don't think so but it sure sounds like it from what I've been hearing...even on the cable news shows that are clearly in the tank for Obama like...CNN.

Here's what I heard:
(and before I'm asked for a source...it was on CNN!)


"CNN VIDEO
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
CNN Reporters: Obama “Presumptuous” & Negotiations Overstep His Authority as a Senator
Last night on Anderson Cooper 360, two CNN political analysts charged that Senator Obama overstepped his authority as a United States Senator in acting as a negotiator with the Iraqi government and publicly disclosing statements made during those interviews.

During an interview with Anderson Cooper, David Gergen, CNN’s Senior Political Analyst stated,

“Barack Obama made the first mistake of his trip, in my judgment, in releasing a statement in which he said exactly what Maliki had said in those conversations.

We have a long tradition in this country that we only have one president at a time. He’s the commander in chief and the negotiator in chief. I cannot remember a campaign which a rival seeking the presidency has been in a position negotiating a war that’s under way with another party outside the country.

I think he leaves himself open to the charge tonight that he’s meddling, that this is not his role, that he can be the critic, but he’s not the negotiator. We have a president who does that. So, I think the underlying facts support him, but I think it would be a real mistake — and I think it was a mistake — to get into these conversations and let it be used politically. “

Gergens comments were later echoed by a second CNN Analyst, Gloria Borger, who charged,

“I do agree with David. And Candy, in her earlier piece, talked about walking the fine line between being this candidate and being presumptuous. And I think that he may just have crossed that, because, you know, it is a tradition. You don’t talk about these private conversations. And it’s not up to Barack Obama right now to negotiate troop withdrawals. It’s up to Barack Obama to be on a fact-finding mission, which is indeed what he has said he was on. “

He might be able to claim that he is doing this as a Senator but without the Presidents approval he probably is violating it but nothing will be done to him here. Expecting him to be punished is like the liberals crazy idea that Bush will be tried for war crimes.

lavell can you answer my other thread

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurembe...#Principle_VII
Based on these Bush should be tried for war crimes.

It's not illegal to talk to foreign heads of state about common issues. It's not illegal to discuss what you might do if you are elected.

__________________
Man up.

what? in a thread about Obama?

__________________
Aint but three things in this world thats worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine.
Tom T. Hall
http://www.obamatruth.org/

I don't necessarily think that he did or did not break the Logan Act. But, I do believe that he crossed the line when he decided to discuss his conversation with the media. He is going start to make enemies before he gets into office, which will be a huge mistake.

what thread is that, I get lost in here sometimes with as many threads as there are.