THE ZIVOTOFSKY CASE GOES TO COURT AGAIN

The case of the American parents who wanted their son's passport to have Israel listed on it is going to be heard before the courts again:

A constitutional challenge to the president's long-standing claim of exclusive power over foreign affairs comes before the Supreme Court this week wrapped in a 11-year old dispute over a single word in the passport of an American boy born in Jerusalem.

The justices will hear arguments Monday over one of former President George W. Bush's "signing statements" in a case that could decide when, if ever, the nation's chief executive may ignore a law passed by Congress.

The outcome may further cramp President Barack Obama if he faces a Republican-controlled Congress next year and could limit the power of future presidents as well.

"Many presidents over many decades have claimed exclusive power in signing statements involving national defense, the intelligence agencies and the State Department," said Charles Tiefer, a University of Baltimore law professor. "This case has the potential to change that."

And maybe it's for the best that it does. It might lessen the chances of corruption in politics. If anything, those opposing the inclusion of Israel on a Jewish resident's passport have got to stop this hostility.