Can AutoPen Sign Legislation? - RF Cafe Forums

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Kirt Blattenberger
 Post subject: Can AutoPen Sign Legislation?
Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 11:51 am 
 
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Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 2:02 pm
Posts: 878
Location: Erie, PA
Greetings:

CBS News ran a story about the president's use of the "AutoPen" to sign the Patriot Act legislation.

If a machine can sign for the President, could Sasha, too?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20066958-503544.html

The AutoPen as only been used in the past to sign non-legal items such as Christmas cards, campaign letter, etc. The same U.S. Justice Dept. which did not pursue the Philadelphia Black Panther voter intimidation case because the perps were Atty. Gen. Holder's "people," decided this was OK.

The reasoning is that the prez made known his intentions, therefore anyone can sign for him. Whoa! That's not exactly what the Constitution says, but then there does not seem to be much regard for the Constitution theses days. If the Writers had intended a proxy signature to be valid, a line of succession would have been delineated.

Now it is reasonable to ask how many other laws, orders, etc., have been signed using the mechanical hand? How about the order to launch cruise missiles into Libya while partying in Brazil? The order to kill Bin Laden while playing a round of golf? Should a review of all documents signed since January 20, 2009, be performed to determine which have been signed by the AutoPen?

I don't care which political party is committing unconstitutional - or extraconstitutional - acts, it should never be allowed. If no man is above the law, then it applies everywhere - even at the top of the food chain.

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- Kirt Blattenberger :smt024
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Posted  11/12/2012