Rep Baghdad Jim McDermott gets Knighted, and violates the Constitution.
Only Jim McDermott.
McDermott knighted by king of Lesotho
Jim McDermott, congressman and doctor, has added another title: knight.
McDermott, D-Wash., was knighted by the king of Lesotho during an Aug. 22 ceremony at the Royal Palace in Maseru, his office said Friday.
"His Majesty Letsie III, by the Grace of God, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Lesotho, is pleased by these presents to appoint Jim McDermott Knight Commander of The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe," the official citation reads.
According to Lesotho officials, Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe recognizes distinguished leadership, particularly in the political sphere.
The knighthood acknowledges the Seattle lawmaker's leadership on the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which has enabled Lesotho to become the No. 1 African exporter of apparel to the United States. McDermott sponsored the act, which has directly created 50,000 jobs in Lesotho, his office said.
Just one little problem, namely the Consitution which explicitely forbids it. (hat tip: Orb)
U.S. Constitution - Article 1 Section 9
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
Whoops.
The Seattle PI covered the Knighting…I haven't seen them cover the Constitutional violation.
Crickets chirping…
Exit question: If this had been a prominent Republican….you finish it…
On September 12, 2007 at 7:13 am, Chris wrote:
After his past breaches of the law and getting away with it, does it suprise you that he did it again? As for the Seattle PI not covering the legal aspect, to them Jim is God in person so whatever he does is aceptable.
On September 12, 2007 at 7:21 am, Playin' Possum wrote:
Is that the same constitution the neocons have completely murdered?
Hypocrites again…
But I must say I was worried for a minute… I was afraid it was Knighthood by the damned Brits… That would put him in the company of some very unsavory "Americans."
On September 12, 2007 at 9:31 am, LSU wrote:
Your neocons argument is a lovely strawman but I wont swing at it.
Also, technically Americans cannot be "knighted" in Britain, only Brits can. Americans have been honored with the honorary equivalent, but that is not traditional Knighthood.
But the key fact is that Jim is a current office holder, and that is expressly forbidden. He should renounce the title or face an ethics probe.