Learn English – What does ‘dispensation’ mean in this particular context

meaningnouns

I was reading this article and stumbled upon this line

First, presidential dispensation is useful, but it's not remotely permanent. White House occupants change. A more authoritarian chief executive than Obama won't be bound by what he does.

The author comes up with this statement while discussing about a draconian and outdated law which many feel can be "overturned" by President Obama.

I looked into the dictionary meaning of the word "dispensation", but nowhere it means "overturned". The dictionary quotes that dispensation means to make special exemption for someone or distribution of stuff.

Can someone help me clarify the meaning of dispensation in this context and is it an oft used meaning of the said word?

Best Answer

Here's a bit more context from the article:

Wu says the way to fix this intolerable situation is to persuade President Obama to fix it:

"The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is egregiously over-broad in a way that has clearly imposed on the rights and liberties of Americans.  
With just one speech, the president can set things right."

But no, he can't. At least, not in a way we could trust.

First, presidential dispensation is useful, but it's not remotely permanent. White House occupants change.

In context this means that Wu says Obama is in a a position to change the interpretation of the law (i.e. grant dispensation), but the article's author contends that this isn't much use, as the next president can do just the opposite.

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