Watergate

Herbby Beliard

July 3 2006

ENG 24

Watergate, WOW!

There has never been a situation like Watergate in the United States before. Former president Richard Nixon had tried to secure himself a second term in office, and had gone to extreme, illegal measures in doing so. But no matter how smart the Watergate scandal had seemed, it proved that our constitution had the highest power above everything.

Watergate will always be remembered in history not just for the crazy actions of Nixon and his people, but to show the real power of the Constitution. Nixon had tried to play dictator, but got checked by Congress, who made sure the law of the country was followed. They checked the president in many ways, such as putting in the twenty two bills of impeachment, ordering hearings, using an investigation. Congress followed the rules of the Constitution and made sure that all participants and actions in the Watergate scandal were properly dealt with.

The Supreme Court had the greatest position in giving the people justice. Many individuals had already been subpoenaed and in the end, it was sure that Nixon's tapes would prove his guilt or innocence. The Supreme Court continued to press against Nixon, demanding the tapes and he panicked becuse he knew they would prove his guilt. He gave instead edited transcripts of the conversations, but the Supreme Court had refused any replacements and demanded the tapes themselves. Nixon was held in contempt and was again commanded to hand over the tapes.

Congress also had a great role in Watergate. Specific committees were made, especially the Select Committee on Presidential conduct to specifically investigate the president and his people. The Senate had also ordered hearings for all individuals who were involved in the scandal. The hearings put fear into many of Nixon's governmental officials, now they would be tried under the highest form of judgment in the United States. Like flies, they dropped, one after one resigning from their governmental positions while others were thrown in prison.

Among all the heroes of the Watergate Scandal, I admire the mysterious "Deep Throat" the most. This person put himself/herself in great danger in giving information to Woodward and Bernstein of the Washington Post. He/She risked his position, even his/her life, in deceiving Nixon and his people. "Deep Throat" managed to bring integrity and honor to not only to bring justice to the government, but to the entire country and its people. His/Her