Act On Impeachment, Now
The Constitution states that the president and vice president can be impeached for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
If we do not impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, we establish that it is permissible for future presidents and vice presidents to deceive Congress and the public into futile wars, engage in widespread illegal spying on Americans, detain prisoners without charge, engage in torture, operate in secrecy and re fuse to execute laws passed by Congress. In writing the Constitution, our Founding Fathers chose impeachment as the primary check on federal officials who act as despots while in office. They had just removed a king and had no interest in replacing him with an elected one.
This was the message we, a group of constituents and leaders of the Central and South Jersey Impeach Groups, brought Rep. Rush Holt, D-Hopewell Township, on July 9. We delivered an impeachment resolution passed by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO), hundreds of signed petitions, and our passionate belief that our Constitution and democracy are in grave danger. The actions of Mssrs. Bush and Cheney continue to parallel the offenses that caused the House to impeach Richard Nixon 33 years ago.
We asked Holt to co-sponsor HR Res. 333, the resolution to impeach Cheney introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, on April 24, which now has 15 co-sponsors.
Have there been “high crimes and misdemeanors”? The Supreme Court found that the treatment of Guantánamo prisoners violated the Constitution and an appellate judge ruled that Bush’s secret wiretapping and electronic surveillance were a felony. Most of the administration’s offenses need no further investigation. Bush and Cheney are both on videotape admitting them. Others, such as the mishandling of the devastation of Hurricane Ka trina and the scandal at Abu Ghraib prison are visible to all. New offenses emerge daily, such as the refusal to honor Congressional subpoenas.
Until recently, many Democrats have hesitated to call for impeachment following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s declaration that impeachment is “off the table.” Now public opinion is shifting. Journalist Bill Moyers presented bipartisan experts who echoed our arguments warning of the expanded tool kit that could be used by any future president if action is not taken now on the abuses perpetrated by this administration.
Holt, who is a prime leader on voting reform and who opposed the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq, agreed that the administration committed illegal and criminal acts, but he did not think the American people understood impeachment.
The American people do understand. Forty-three towns and counties across the country have passed resolutions for impeachment, as well as 15 state Democratic parties and the Green Party, three unions, and many other local groups like the PCDO.
A poll by the American Research Group this month showed that 54 percent of Americans are in favor of bringing impeachment proceedings against Cheney in the House of Representatives and 46 percent support the impeachment of President Bush. A Newsweek poll in October 2006 found that 52 percent of the respondents, a clear majority, thought impeachment should be a high priority.
The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to impeach, i.e. to bring charges. This would be enough to start a thorough public investiga tion and set a precedent that Bush and Cheney’s actions violate our Constitution and must be stopped. When Nixon was impeached by the House for similar offenses, he chose to resign. Impeachment is its own punishment. It requires only a simple majority of the House. There is no obligation for the Senate to even hold a trial after someone is impeached.
Bush’s recent commutation of Scooter Libby’s sentence was aimed at obstructing justice by removing any incentive for Libby to reveal the truth. In this respect, it was similar to Nixon’s fir ing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.
Bush and Cheney can still do a great deal of damage before they leave office. For what goal are more Americans and Iraqis dying every day in Iraq? We need to remove the president and vice president from office to end our brutal occupation in that country, prevent a planned attack on Iran, end the assault on our civil liberties, restore competence in political appointments and prevent widespread election fraud as oc curred in 2000 and 2004.
# If we do not impeach now, we are all complicit in this administration’s crimes.
# If we do not impeach now, we effectively remove impeachment from the Constitution.
# If we do not act now, we are accepting Bush and Cheney’s “unitary executive” theory.
# If we do not impeach now, we destroy the balance of powers designed to preserve our freedom and democracy.
If not now, when? What further offenses must occur before our legislators act to uphold the Constitution in accord with their oath of office? The momentum is building. MoveOn, the massive 3.2 million member political action group, now supports impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Keith Olbermann of MSNBC’s Countdown demanded their resignation with a powerful list of accusations. Even Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., introduced a bill declaring signing statements an “unconstitutional attempt to usurp legislative authority.”
We hope and expect that Holt will respond to the growing impeachment movement in his district and across the nation, and become a co-sponsor of the impeachment resolution to protect the Constitution and restore the rule of law. We urge constituents to call Rep. Rush Holt at (202) 225-5801, or their own lawmakers in Congress at (202) 224-3121 and request that they co-sponsor HR 333 to restore the rule of law. Urge Speaker Pelosi at (202) 225-4965 to allow impeachment proceedings to begin.
Mary Ellen Marino is co-chair of the Central Jersey Impeach Group, a member of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization.
© 2007 The Times of Trenton
Let’s face it, impeachment is a technicality. Will Bush and Cheney actually be thrown out of office even if they’ve been impeached (but not convicted, which will never happen)? Or will they continue on as usual, but with an re-energized base of support? Nothing gets Right-wingers energized more than seeing their hero persecuted, which is how impeachment will be perceived.
Instead, maybe we should focus efforts on getting the Dem leadership to grow a spine and shout these clowns down at every opportunity, on every talk show, on every issue. Out ‘Karl Rove’ Karl Rove. Re-open 911 investigations, subpeona Bush over and over and over about the Iraq occupation. And on and on…
Impeach and jail them all. Or we are guilty of crimes against humanity too.
Impeach and try for war crimes
the title of this piece says it all….send them to the Hague when you’re done…..dems will never grow a spine without more stem cell research….
I am firmly convinced that regardless of the chances of successful impeachment it is Congress’ DUTY to undertake impeachment proceedings.
These proceeding should have been initiated AS SOON AS overwhelming evidence of impeachable offenses having been committed was apparent.
This IS NOT an elective act in my opinion.
It is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT responsibility of the Congress. For what could be a greater responsibility of the Congress than the defense of the Constitution and our Republican form of government which is in great peril at this moment.
There are those, including I believe Speaker Pelosi, who are afraid impeachment proceedings could harm Democratic chances in the 2008 elections. And they might be right.
But putting partisan political considerations ahead of the defense of our Constitution is a derelection of their duty to defend the Constitution they swore to uphold against any and all enemies.
I welcome any views on this point.
all the best
Jeff, I agree.
One does not do things because they are sure they can succeed. One does them because it is the fair and decent thing to do. That is impeaching Cheney, then Bush.
The tide is turning.
We must be successful.
HR 333.
Dennis Kucinich 2008.
SkySonja,
Glad you agree with me.
I had always thought that I was the ONLY person who knew everything:)).
Now I realize that I have to share my pedestal with at least one other person. Which I do not mind in the least:).
I shall check back later. I have plenty of time these days because I am so all-enlightened that I am currently unemployed.
all the best
A broad-based, highly-public impeachment campaign would not only be the right thing to do, it would help the Democrats’ political fortunes enormously.
The first phase, hearings in the House Judiciary Committee, would educate and mobilize the public behind impeachment. Ctee Chair John Conyers should start the hearings with about six weeks’ worth of testimony from a series of witnesses who would detail CheneyBush’s high crimes.
Then Conyers would subpoena some administration officials such as Condi Rice. When CheneyBush refuse to let them testify, the Dems start screaming, “COVERUP!!! COVERUP!!!” and keep on screaming it. All legislation in Congress stops while the Dems scream “COVERUP!!!” and draft articles of impeachment. The media are forced to cover it because it’s the only issue in Washington.
The Dems should also try to get the public to take action. If enough people demand impeachment and conviction, no politician, Dem or Repub, will dare to vote against it. Not only are CheneyBush sent packing, the Repub Party is damaged for decades.
There ought to be no choice for Congress in this matter. If Bush and Cheney have committed impeachable offences, and they clearly have, Congress must fulfill its constitutional duty and impeach. Call Nancy Pelosi 202-225-4965, and tell her that impeachment belongs back on the table and right away. Her Washington office should be flooded with calls.
Impeachment is important, but that is not enough. What law on this planet means anything if they are not tried (pray for conviction) for war crimes. They are the worst sort of muggles.
Jeff I agree fully as well. The moment the infamous “Downing Street Memo” surfaced we had enough to impeach. Disregard of the Genevea Conventions regarding torture, was enough to impeach. Spying on American citizens, enough to impeach.
That political careers are more important than justice is the reason we are in this mess as it is. A political career is a very lucrative thing these days with all the insider trading, bribery, kickbacks, private contracts, etc…
Inaction by the Dems simply expresses their desire to have the very same latitude when it’s their turn to “rule”.
If there was a speck of conscience in Congress, proceedings would be underway simply to make the point that even us foolish Americans have boundaries which cannot be crossed. To set a precedent for future morons who might somehow make it into the Oval Office. The offenses have been chronicled here on CD a hundred different ways. These people are hijacking the world!
Impeachment is a tool, a tactic, much like terrorism. They both exist. Who uses these tools and how and why are the real questions…
Technical point: Impeachment of the president is authorized if the president commits “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” Impeachment would have to proceed under “high crimes and misdemeanors” which has never been defined by the Supreme Court (or any court?). Just what crimes, exactly, could Congress pursue against W? Conflating Israeli interests with ours? Promoting false links between Iraq and 9/11? Re-directing a public’s anger toward a pet cause using discredited intelligence? Cronyism? Being a puppet of the vice president and lobbyists? These are bad things, but I’m not sure if any constitutes a federal crime.
Inform me.
If Congress fails to impeach, we can stop pretending we have a democracy; on cynical days that could be “the bright side.” I’m exhausted from the pretense.
the major arguments against impeachment–that it is a digression and might not work–show how “political” we’ve become. Arguing like that shows how we’ve become just like “them.” Choosing expediency over justice, truth and integrity. What kind of pacts with the devil have our elected officials made that they can’t do what they’re supposed to do? Enforcing the constitution should be coming from them, not the people.
Oops, just read marctileston’s comment, and disregarding the Geneva Convention sounds promising, but is the president linked enough with that? Maybe. My point is that Congress shouldn’t actually undertake this without legitimate legal basis, or the martyrdom of GW wouldn’t be worth it from a political perspective. It might be better to let him slowly deteriorate before he and his movement are swept into history’s dustbin.
Dear Mr. jeeves
It no longer matters what King George and his thugs might do. This is a question of the continued integrity of the Constitution. We- every single citizen in this country- but especially those in office who swore an oath to support the Constitution, every one of us has a DUTY to impeach, regardless of the outcome. Will we continue as a republic, with representative government, or will we sit by while the USA becomes just another banana republic, with an imperial president in the white house?
If they are impeached and refuse to leave? I bet you there are a bunch of people in the armed forces, who take their oath to defend the constitution seriously, who would be willing to march with us to the white house and THROW them out!
I don’t see why Bush/Cheney couldn’t be found guilty of treason: the invasion of a country which had not threatened us, & our disregard for the human rights outlined in our Constitution, has irreparably damaged our relations with the rest of the world for generations to come. They have bankrupted our economy domestically & our foreign relations abroad. This is all the result of conscious manipulation of the populace in direct contravention of democratic principles.
In my view, the most important reason to impeach is to demonstrate to the rest of the world our repudiation of the actions & underlying philosophy of this administration. Only then will we be considered as legitimate actors on the world stage.
what are President Bubble Boy’s high crimes and misdemeansors? Just the ones he’s admitted to:
Violating the FISA law with domestic surveillance without any judicial supervision.
His set up of US personell to torture- violates the anti-terror convention which was passed by Congress into US law in 1995.
Those two would be enough to start.
Bush is daring Congress to Impeach him. Rove obviously has recommended this action as a way to portray Bush as a victim so that he can be rehabilitated in the corporate media, hoping that could save the Republican Party in 2008. But the Democrats have no alternative but to press through and Impeach. Not only could it cure their political defect of appearing craven and feckless, but it is the right thing to do.
Let it begin, already.
The flood lights are on;
the deer are in the headlights;
NOW - NOW - Now
is the time for all good citizens (and Congress) to come to the aide of their country.
IMPEACH NOW! IMPEACH NOW! IMPEACH NOW!
This is the last call!
As said repeatedly in this column and blog, there will never be another time that is so right.
An old sixties quote: “Not to decide is to decide”
Not to impeach is to destroy the constitution and the country. We become complicit and guilty of the same crimes if we do not repudiate them now!
I started paying attention to politics too late to have followed the Clinton impeachment. So when I’d heard it on the news at the time, I was surprised to find out that it didn’t mean he was kicked out of office. Can someone shead some light on this?
Impeach the oligarchy!
KaneJeeves,
Impeachment basically means censorship, whereby the House of Representatives votes to effectively render the President powerless. If the high crime or misdemeanor is serious enough, then it goes to the Senate, whereby, with a 2/3 majority, the Senate can remove the President from office, and if they deem it necessary, send him to prison. If you look at the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House and nearly convicted by the Senate (he won by one vote).
What’s at stake here is the right to declare war. A right clearly given to the Congress which has been taken by the Executive Branch. Congress can have no higher priority that to retake the right to declare war away from the Executive Branch. If Congress can’t, or won’t, then America, and Americans, will certainly remain a target in war they don’t even want, but can’t get their government to stop. That’s because their elected officials aren’t running the war. The Executive Branch is.
Hoa binh
Impeach for precedent godammit… How hard is that to understand… If they’re not thrown out of office the record of attempt is still there and a horrible precedent that is the Bush reign is therefore not set. America can’t afford another president such as Bush. Impeach these bastards for precedent if nothing else. By the time they come for you it will be too late…
“It is better to correct error while new and before it becomes inveterate by habit and custom.” –Thomas Jefferson: Report to Congress, 1777. FE 2:136
What will it take short of a blow job in the Oval Office for Congress to show some spine and stop hiding behind self-serving excuses?
Barely seven paragraphs into the Constitution, our founding fathers gave the people’s elected representatives the power to impeach the president, and whomever, in the executive branch for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
The Framers never intended impeachment to be used in only extreme or rare circumstances. It was meant to be used forcefully and unapologetically, and as often as necessary, to check the excesses of power and corruption of the presidency.
It’s time for the American people and Congress to act. With so much at stake, we have a president whose administration stands out in its criminality and disdain for the rule of law. Please read The Case for Impeachment, which explains the legal history and grounds for impeaching George W. Bush and brings forth more than a half dozen articles of impeachment, the likes of: (1) Lying and inducing Congress and the American people into an unjust war; (2) Allowing his friends and business cronies to profiteer off the war in Iraq; (3) Authorizing torture and rendition of prisoners of war and suspected terrorists–a complete violation of the Geneva Conventions, a treaty the U.S. has signed and is therefore part of our law; (4) Stripping American citizens of their Constitutional rights–holding people with no charge, wiretapping them illegally, offering them no trial, and never allowing them to face their accusers; and (5) Failing in almost every way possible to defend the homeland and our borders.
It’s straightforward, and it’s that simple. Call your elected representative today and tell him, or her, how you feel, and keep calling until there’s a paradigm shift in what’s coming out of Washington, and what’s coming out of the major media. Only then will real change be enacted. Ranting and venting on message boards like this will not create the groundswell that’s required. We are all (for the most part) of like-mind. We don’t need to be convinced. They do.
Thank you Claudius. By ‘render powerless’ what do you mean? Are powers actually taken away, e.g. veto power, etc.
The sad thing is: for every one person concerned enough to take action (call or write their Representatives), there is a thousand that have no clue.
If you dont impeach now, you will decend quickly into dictatorship.
cheney has set the plan in motion, I predict the next “terrorist attack” will be the assasination of Bush, the acendancy of Cheney, and the end of elected democracy per Executive orders already in place.
KaneJeeves,
The President can still function in his traditional capacity, but it is virtually impossible for him to get any Congressional support to pass legislation for which he has lobbied. And if he vetoes any legislation, it will be overriden without any challenge. At that point, he essentially has lost all support and confidence from both political parties and becomes a highly paid secretary.
Of course, it could be argued that the presidential oath is itself a “solemn vow” to uphold the constitution of the United States, and to preserve, protect and defend it. The legal-minded among us will split hairs,as Bondai does above. And it’s true, so long as opposition continues to stay within the confines of the dialogue that are set by legal manipulators and cynics, nothing can ever really happen. The professional classes who benefit from the present arrangement prefer another Ronald Reagan dog and pony show, exemplified in our day by the cotton candy image pumping bullshit of Fred Thompson.
Which is why a third political force, bent upon redefinition of the terms of this discussion, willing to challenge the established order, break its laws, challenge the very right of the corporate order to maintain a constitutional system that works wholly to the benefit of thte monied elite. It must be pulled inside out, and only a third force, made up of the working class majority, steeped in respect for the democratic tradition and experience, but willing to encroach upon the alleged rights of the monied elite to full hegemony over the political process, is going to make a difference.
I believe our Constitution demand impeachment at this point, regardless of what the outcome may be. It is the right thing to do. It is the only way to hold this administration accountable and prevent further abuse of power. This is not the kind of power we want passed on to the next administration.
It is clear to me that many of us are on the same page with impeachment. Perhaps instead of posting more messages on this board, as unappetizing as the task might be, we ought to repeatedly flood the MSM discussion boards with our knowledge and push for impeachment. Your thoughts??
Thank you to Mary Ellen for an excellent article and a job well done.
Impeachment is NOT a technicality. It is our defense against tyranny. It is a way to peacefully change the balance of power.
When impeachment investigations were launched against Nixon, they didn’t have the votes either. That congress recognized its duty and executed it. It saved the Republic.
This congress is refusing to act. We must bring every pressure to bear, including threatening the Democrats with losing the next election in order to force them to act.
There is nothing more important than responding to Bush and Cheney’s attack on our system of government. Nothing will change until they are refuted.
Hi All,
Have you seen the press release “Green Party-CA: Greens Spearhead Impeachment Work, Praise West Hollywood Vote to Impeach Bush/Cheney” in the Progressive Newswire section on the right side of the Commondreams front page?
To visit the Los Angeles National Impeachment Center website, go to http://www.bcimpeach.com/. It’s worth a look.
Can someone email this entire page to Speaker Pelosi???
http://www.speaker.gov/contact
Seriously she is the ONE in the House of Representatives that can make it happen….
OR there is a Do It Yourself form (really) at http://impeachforpeace.org/index.php
I saw Bill Maher make the point a couple of years ago (and its on Youtube too) that Bush could be impeached for dereliction of duty for sitting in the classroom on 9/11 for 7 full minutes after an aid came and whispered in his ear, “Mr. President, the nation is under attack!” Really…if that’s defending the nation - I mean stand up and say, “Sorry kids, I have a job to do right now. You all do your jobs and learn! God bless America!”
And Impeachment is not a recall like in California. It is a means to redress and correct Constitutional abuses by the executive branch. It would force future presidents to stay within the proscribed duties of the office of the presidency. Impeachment is not a popularity contest, either. It is Law - and Rule of Law is imperative for this country to remain viably Republic and a Democracy. I have seen in this thread soooo many good reasons that are totally within the realm of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Impeachment is to be used to “fix” things…Bill Clinton deserved to be investigated for Impeachment merely on the fact he lied to congress under oath. (Ridiculous thing to get caught lying about, but hey!) He was impeached but not found guilty. Nixon deserved impeachment and he resigned rather than go through it. And definitely both Cheney and Bush deserve impeachment! Let the process begin NOW!
All the arguments against are inaccurate and politically driven. I mean I actually heard Pat Buchanan argue that Democrats might be hurt in 2008 if Impeachment were to commence. What does he care????
Thank you, Spicegal. Impeachment, as distasteful it is or however unhappy it makes us, is the right thing to do. We no longer have many, if any, other options. That is certainly unfortunate, but the abuse of power must end. Like you, Claudius, and many others whose blogs and essays I’ve read, whose speeches I’ve heard, we need to take action now because we all fear for this country, my country, our country. Our lives, and those of our descendents, are at stake here. Like you, my friends, I have heard the call to action. Time is growing short. But I, like you, need help. I feel helpless, because I am not being heard, and angry - very very angry.
Impeach, Impeach, Impeach. Thugs, thieves, liars do not repect the law until the law (or the people) get the better of them.
But it looks like Bush/Cheney has a hold on the Democratic party. Personally, I think Antrax in the mail box has something to do with it….
Impeachment/removal of Cheney/Bush simultaneously is both the correct move politically and, more importantly, morally, for the Dems. Given the lawlessness and stonewalling of this Administration, the Dems simply look weak and impotent now, and that’s reflected in the low approval ratings of the Democratic Congress. Everyone knows the Dems do not need 60 votes and 67 votes in the Senate in order to end the war. The Dems are wrong in their belief that spectacular symbolic gestures against the war will woo the American people.
The Dems will get the rest of the 67 Senate votes they need for removal from incumbent Senate Republicans who will be running for most of the 22 Republican Senate seats up in 2008. Once the Dems present to the American people the overwhelming, Unamerican high crimes and misdemeanors committed by Cheney/Bush in an organized and uninterrupted manner, which they will do when prosecuting well-drafted articles of impeachment, those incumbent Republican Senators running for reelection will have the choice of voting to remove Cheney/Bush or being removed by the voting of their constituents in 2008. They will also show the political classes there is a penalty to pay for the commission of high crimes and misdemeanors.
The process will take about 4 months and put the Repubs. on the defensive, after the Dems move forward despite the right wing temper tantrum. Nancy Pelosi, a true anti-war Democrat, will become the first woman President of the US in 2007 and will have the troops out by the time of the election in 2008.
The national polls say 75% of the American people want a new direction, 65% of them want an end to the Iraq war and a large plurality want the Bush Administration over NOW. Simulataneous impeachment/removal of Cheney/Bush is the quickest (and only) way to accomplish this expeditiously, especially given their stonewalling and the outright conmtempt the Administration is showing towards the rule of law. Once the Dems show they have the courage to do something, there will be a sea change similar to the one in 1932 after FDR’s election.
The time is right for simultaneous impeachment/removal of Cheney/Bush. If either Bush or Cheney is left in place, we can expect the same stonewalling we see now, with the one who remains pardoning the other (and Scooter) and using hte powers of the Presidency to continue the present course. So HR 333 needs to be amended to include well-drafted articles of impeachment against Bush also.
It may all be too little too late. Check out the beyond frightening interview Thom Hartmann did with Paul Craig Roberts,
“Old Line Republican warns something’s in the works to trigger a police state” at
http://www.markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com
Here’s what I just sent Speaker Pelosi…
It must be done….
Begin Impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Cheney now.
The Constitution must be protected.
The Rule of Law must be preserved.
This has little to do with “disliking” this administration or being against the war in Iraq, or trying for a recall election.
This is the duty of the Congress to begin investigations of High Crimes (illegal wiretapping against FISA rules; profiteering from no-bid war contracts; obstruction of justice in the Plame CIA outing - all crimes against the constitution) and Misdemeanors (lying us into war with false stories of WMD and Iraq ties to Al Qaida, signing statements, Hurricane Katrina, not pursuing Osama Bin Laden, refusal to cooperate with subpoenas…etc.)
Not performing your Congressional duties is abandoning this country to the whims of men and politics…the future will show the legacy of ignoring the calls to Impeach Bush and Cheney.
Respectfully,
Actually, Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution says “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
“Bribery” is of note as most of the current congress is guilty of this under our election system. Cheney and Bush should be easy targets, but it might force us to look a number of other corrupt congress members. Campaign finance record comparisons should be the starting place for establishing quid pro quo.
Hmm. Bush goes under anesthetic tomorrow and Cheney takes over….
Only temporarily, unless Bush suffers ‘complications’ and quietly slips out the back door on an unregistered flight to that compound in Paraguay.
Could be how the game gets played.
I do not think it is too late. I agree with many who have written on this message board that the time is right. My suggestion to get those who are right wing conservatives on board is to use the example I posted last night about the two border patrol officers who currently are in prison because the prosecutor was one of Bush’s “good friends.” So I suppose since those officers were not Bush’s “good friends” like Scooter Libby, they cannot be pardoned. WTH?? I think Bush’s quote “if you are not with us, you are against” us even applies in this country. Translation, if you did not financially contribute to my campaign, you stand a snowball’s chance in hell of seeing justice. Look at the evidence, in addition to what others here have listed 1)illegal prison camps used by the CIA 2) a rampant blight of (convenient) amnesia that seems to plague anyone in the Administration who has to show up on Capitol Hill i.e. Alberto Gonzales. What the hell else do we need to remove these guys from office? The incompetence is painfully obvious as is the flagrant violation of domestic and international law. I recommend info-ins in your local communities, refusal to use credit cards, carpool so that we minimize the use of gas, minimize your use of telephones (including cell phones), flood the MSM message boards because we need to broaden our support base even further for impeachment (at least get it started, even if it does not materialize). As some of you said, put pressure on the Dems so they have a crystal clear understanding that if they do not represent our needs and fulfill our demands, they will have to clean out their offices and look for a new line of work. Basically, everyone, we need to make a statement that is unmistakable, and we can start by doing the little things. Those are my thoughts.
Thanks for the link to Paul Craig Roberts. I think he continues to have the most accurate take on the current situation.
If Bush is not impeached, then it doesn’t take a lot of common sense to see that we are headed toward a cataclysm with Iran. After all this administration has done, after the dubious elections, and the nonsense they used to incite the population to war, and daily regurgitated nonsense in general, do you all at CommonDreams think this administration is going to leave office peacefully? Complete failures? With the republican party crippled?
You can see what’s coming as plain as day. I really do hate to be an alarmist.
am taking on all who want to wager 2 bucks
in my local watering hole..
bet is no election in 2008..
have 2 takers so far
good way to start the conversation
so i wonder..
suppose this means local elections also?
pretty sure i am going to run for mayor..
imagine
a left wing drunk
as mayor!!
ken
ken,
So is your victory party b.y.o.b. or what?
Impeaching Cheney might be the way to avoid a war with Iran. HR 333. Cheney first. Then Bush. Wear orange. Momentum is building.
Impeach Bush and Chaney for protecting us from fascist Islamists who want nothing more than to return the world to the 10th century? I think not. Prehaps we should impeach Pelosi and Reed for undermining a sitting president while fighing a war.
mfskinner,
I read the article from the website you suggested and have concluded that greater legal clarification and discussion is needed. To me, it seems to be more of a propogandistic scare-piece rather than a cogent, thorough legal didactic. I have VERY little confidence in the Congress, however, I think that by now, it would have surfaced (given the fact that the laws cited were written in 2003-04) in Congressional debates. That is not to say that I would not put it past this Administration to do something like this, but for my own satisfaction, I would like more public legal discussion and clarification.
To Correctivelens:
“My point is that Congress shouldn’t actually undertake this without legitimate legal basis”
There is and has been legitimate legal basis. Of course, the founding fathers deliberately left “high crimes and midemeanors” open to our discernment. But, if you want legalities:
After it was leaked, Bush admitted to Warrantless Wiretapping which was made a FELONY after the Nixon administration. There was no valid reason for him having ammassed billions of American’s phone and electronic messages, not even time urgency as you can apply for a warrant 72 hours after starting a wiretap. It is also a violation of the Constitution in that it was established that we should be free in our homes of government surveillance.
Torture and illegal rendition. The Geneva Conventions has become law of the land here, but more importantly it is a violatio of our Constitution as well in that those held in the custody of our government should not be treated cruelly or unusually.
Lying to the Congress for the reasons to going to war (these lies are well-documented, it was not that they had bad information). This undermines the checks and balances that are established - again - in the Constitution.
So, there are three solid legal, constitutional reasons. Oh, did I mention the over 1000 signing statements wherein the President has attached to bills that he signed into law stating that he can choose whether or not he follows that law?
Remember, we only need 1 article to be passed. The bottom line is a precedent needs to be set now that the executive branch (and whatever branch Cheney is in) is not superior to the other two. Whether the Senate finds him guilty is irrelevant. It needs to be established through impeachment which is an indictment that speaks volumes.
Oh, and great article, Mary Ellen, you laid it out beautifully - your impeachment colleaugue in S. Jersey, Cheryl
CherylBW
Well-stated.
Impaech and jail them.
If we do not impeach this war criminals then we remain complicit. My American fellow, this is our path to redemption, for allowing this criminals to commit war crimes.
Ms. Pelosy:
Why is impeachment off the table? You were elected to uphold the constitution. It is not up to you to decide what is on the table and what not.
Impeachment is probably the only thing Bu$h the inferior has ever earned in his life.
It is immoral to deny him what he has so richly earned.
Thanks. We all need to be doing this. As you have established, the movement is growing. Citizens in New England will be convening on July 29th in Worcester, Massachusetts to strategize as to how we can, together, overcome the resistance of mainstream media and spineless politicians.
Activists across the country can learn of the results of this collaboration at maineimpeach.org.
Below is the text of a letter I sent today to the editor of my local newspaper. It may be relevant that I live in a conservative town with a large military-industrial presence; as such I chose not to address the war but those other issues that are cause for impeachment and that might also appeal to conservatives who still value the Constitution. Jeff, as you can see, you are far from alone.
I never thought I would say that I’m embarrassed to be an American. I love my country, but I am appalled at what it is becoming. In our relatively short history, we have survived economic depressions, surprise attacks, and wars. Our capital has been invaded, and the White House burned. We have successfully faced the existential threats of Nazism and Communism complete with their armies and weapons of mass destruction, their concentration camps and gulags to house opponents. During the Great Depression, when 25% of the American workforce was unemployed, we gained hope and courage from the president’s pronouncement, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Winston Churchill spoke of the trials that faced the British people and inspired them. Rather than quake in fear, the British people sent their children out of London so they would be safe, and then they endured nightly German bombing raids for month upon month. Since 9/11, our current president has chosen a different path, whereby he has used fear as a political tool to keep the American people quiet while he took unto himself powers that are contrary to the Constitutional rule of law except in time of national emergency. And if, as he claims, the current war is one that will last well beyond the present generation, we can only assume that these powers will become virtually permanent.
Last Friday, on Bill Moyers’ Journal, I watched in amazement as conservative Constitutional scholar Bruce Fein and the very liberal John Nichols agreed that impeaching both the president and vice president is needed to restore the rule of law and protect the Constitution. What was equally stunning was that a majority of Americans polled support the impeachment of the vice president and that those for and opposed to impeaching the president were deadlocked. Yet impeachment remains “off the table.” To be sure, impeachment is not something to be taken lightly, and it is proper that we have a clear understanding before proceeding of why we should undertake such action.
Do we want America to be a country in which the government can, without a warrant, enter our homes, open our mail, and tap our telephones on the sole order of the President? Do we want America to be a country that kidnaps people off the streets and then sends them off to be tortured and imprisoned without due process? Do we want this to be a country that holds secret trials or uses secret evidence obtained by torture? Do we want a president to be able to claim exemption from laws or to interpret them, taking over the authority of the Judicial branch in such matters? Do we want the President to be able to withhold information from Congress, thereby obstructing their oversight responsibility?
Since we do not have a no confidence vote as in a parliamentary democracy, our Founders provided impeachment as the remedy to restrain any Federal official who claimed extra-Constitutional powers or that he or she was above the law. There are some readers who will claim that I am advocating impeachment for political reasons. But for those of you who are uncomfortable with the idea of a unitary executive or who are opposed to impeaching our current president and vice president, you might consider those same extra-Constitutional powers passing to any of the current candidates, Democrat or Republican.
Impeachment or not-impeachment
What a question . . .
Whether ’tis nobler to allow the criminals
to continue their nefarious deeds
or to stand up and repudiate the darkness
they represent, we cannot say.
Aye, there indeed be a Right
that cannot be denied, an honest way
of dealing with this World
and one’s fellow man;
And then there is the way of the bush,
filled with a thousand crows
pecking at the leaves;
pecking at the bark;
pecking, pecking, always pecking,
bleeding those who can neither defend
nor dispute the tragedy of what’s been done.
Oh, the pain to face such decisions:
To defend the People and the Constitution,
or continue making excuses
for the sociopaths in charge,
letting them slide by with nary a
tweedle-dee nor tweedle-dum.
Ah, there’s the rub!
For if we, in Congress, were to take a stand
for Truth and Justice, and uphold our sacred oaths
given when we took upon ourselves
the burdens of our respective offices . . .
Well, to do so would be to risk the wrath
of our corporate backers,
those who put us here;
those who require of us
our treason to continue
to protect their profits
and outlandish bonuses.
And so, let us give lip service
to the concerns voiced by the People,
by decrying the futility of taking
any action to redress their greivance.
But in the halls of power, let us pretend
to continue with business as usual,
while our soldiers bleed
and our country goes to hell.
We can chat all we want on public forums–and this can be useful for the exchange of information and mobilizing opinion–but i feel that unless our feet hit the pavement, and hard, these words will be mostly wasted. Why? Because the Bush administration has made it plain that nothing will alter their course, not even the Constitution; and because Democrats in Congress, bottlenecked by “leaders” like representatives Pelosi and Conyers, have traitorously removed impeachment from the table.
On Monday, Cindy Sheehan, Ray McGovern and others will attempt to take a strong message into the Washington, D. C., office of Rep. Conyers. This will be a prelude to a major Occupation Project starting August 6, involving a broad coalition of organizations including Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Declration of Peace, United for Peace and Justice, Veterans for Peace, and many more.
I urge everyone to consider becoming a part of this project so that our words will be better heard by the men and women who so far have done so little to represent our interests in government, or humanity in the Middle East.
Please have a look at the Occupation Project home page for more information:
http://vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project
Thank you.
Impeach them. Not because we can, but because we must. The cowards in Congress have to stand up to this illegal, immoral executive branch; or, we might as well save our tax dollars and send them home.
Here’s yesterday’s Keith Olberman’s clip:
http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Countdown-SC-Scapegoat.mov
And here is an article regarding Olberman’s comments:
New Executive Order Stomps on the Fifth Amendment
“…any (citizen) person who undermines efforts to promote
economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq.”
Gambling911.com
7-18-7
The Secretary may make his determination in secret and after the fact. Click here to read this new little gem out of the Bush Administration.
What’s it say, you ask? The White House will decide if you are in any way “undermining efforts” in Iraq, or related to Iraq or pretty much anything else, the Treasury Department is authorized to seize your money, property, stocks, etc
Although good in overall notion (stop terrorist funding), the ridiculously broad language in this order takes the 5th amendment, and flushes it down the toilet. As an example, if it appears that if you, say, donate to a charity that the Bush administration determines, without any proof, is trying to undermine the Iraqi government, all of your assets can be frozen. No due process, do not pass go.
The order permits the targeting of those who aid someone else whose assets have been blocked under the order — wittingly or not. And under Section Five, the government does not have to disclose which organizations are subject to having their assets frozen:
For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that, because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1(a) of this order.
The scope of the order has raised civil-liberties concerns. “Certainly it is highly constitutionally questionable to empower the government to destroy someone economically without giving notice,” says Bruce Fein, a Justice Department official in the Reagan administration.
“This is so sweeping it’s staggering. I’ve never seen anything so broad that it expands beyond terrorism, beyond seeking to use violence or the threat of violence to cower or intimidate a population. This covers stabilization in Iraq.
I suppose you could issue an executive order about stabilization in Afghanistan as well. And it goes beyond even attempting violence, to cover those who pose ‘a significant risk’ of violence. Suppose Congress passed a law saying you’ve committed a crime if there’s significant risk that you might commit a crime.”
How does the Secretary of the Treasury feel about a t-shirt that says, ‘Stop the War?’ Is such a T-shirt considered destabilizing?
http://www.gambling911.com/Executive-Order-Fifth-Ammendment-071907.html
http://www.rense.com/general77/asset.htm
Here is the Olberman clip:
http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Countdown-SC-Scapegoat.mov
VFTW: Your letter carries such a powerful non-confrontational tone, added to well thought out arguments, and concise, keen judgment. Thank you for sharing it with the CD forum, and more importantly sending it off. I think it may hit a nerve.
ROBERTM: I enjoyed your poem… alas, the ways we vent and try to find crevices in the Bush rock to splinter it!
Given the circumstances and information at hand, there is no other course of action save impeachment of bush* and cheney. If Congress does not impeach, they are either cowards or collaborators. Or both.
The majority of the citizens of this country now favor impeachment. If Congress does not bow to the will of the people, our democracy, as we knew it, is no more.
Impeach Now! Wake up America!
I just placed a carefully worded scathing indictment of the Bush Administration calling for impeachment and indictment on one of the MSM message boards, and got a sizeable response from people who are of a similar mindset! In fact, some mentioned marches taking place within their own communities. There was not one opposition voice that joined the discussion. Many people are afraid to post for fear that they will not be heard! When I put up my thread, the responses seemed endless. Go to the MSM message boards and share your message - people will listen!
Ok, a few Bush supporters just showed up and demonstrated much as expected, their lack of intelligence. It is fun arguing with them!
Ah, warpigs. How appropriate. How about impeaching a sitting pResident for starting an illegal war based on lies? You conservative fucknuts are beyond the pale. Had this been a democrat instead of the Texas village idiot you would be wetting your panties shrieking for due constitutional course. By the way, asshole, why aren’t you in Iraq fighting the “great leader’s” war?
Impeachment is wishful thinking at this point. Three months on, and Kucinich’s resolution has only 15 co-sponsors. Let’s look at the big picture, folks. Sixteen representatives is only about 3.5 percent of the House, and only about 7 percent of the Democratic House. We’ve got an awful long way to go to even get to impeachment, let alone conviction in the Senate. It’s simply not going to happen, much as I wish otherwise. They’re simply not listening to us.
I’m not as concerned about impeachment as I am of stopping the damned war. The Democrats have the power to do that and I’m sick and tired of their excuses. It’s like Kucinich said, don’t send them a bill. When the Republican’s base wanted to stop Bush’s immigration bill they got their representatives to do it, in spite of being in the minority, yet the Dems don’t have the balls to stop Bush’s war and they’re in the majority.
let’s face it, this is very very long overdue, but we can do it NOW!
some very good comments. would only like to add that about the only way we as a people can hope to regain the respect and confidence of other nations is if we impeach, try and hang the bastards. about time. their crimes merit the same treatment they gave Saddam.
The Democrats absolutely should be pursuing impeachment and to the degree they are not seems to me to not be a matter of political calculation but some sort of complicity, as in being owned by the same people.
I disagree with the outlook that if we don’t impeach now we can never do so again and can only expect to have crooked governments in America for the rest of time. Just because it might happen now does not necessarily bar the chance of having a government which chooses to follow the constitution. As it is it looks like the Pelosi led house is going to blow it, we might be best to drop the hyperbole and look ahead to a U.S. legislative body which chooses to follow the constitution.
well claudius:
think there will be no party..
spent the afternoon with an ole american wet worker..
ya know like
slide the silver shive
between the ribs
an twist a bit
an bath
in blood
that flows..
fuck
we gotta start somewhere
so
no parties
something honest
I hope..
Ken
Raster,
I will presume that since you did not mention a name with your profanity-laced message, you are talking to me. Well, it seems we have uncovered a Bush supporter who tried to fool everyone by cloaking himself in liberal anti-war clothing. Nice try, dude. To answer your question, I will not fight in a senseless, shameful, immoral, and illegal war. Since you seem to be in such a self-righteous mood, answer this question for me. How is it Scooter Libby, a convicted felon can have his prison sentence commuted, yet there are two border patrol agents sitting behind bars because they did their jobs. The prosecutor is a “good friend” of Bush’s and Bush claims “he looked at the facts, and I trust his judgment.” Are the border patrol agents not “good friends” of Bush’s? Is that why they are in jail? Is that the message Bush wants to send to the public? I don’t understand the logic behind it, do you? So here is a message to take with you to moron-central = your home planet, in the words of one of your leaders Mr. Cheney, you all can go f@#$ yourselves!
claudius, when you suggest posting on MSM message boards what do you mean? I’m new to this posting world and despite my rantings on other CD pages I’m really trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I’ve come to trust your postings and discussions and have respect for what you say. I’m not sure where raster is coming from either but I wouldn’t let him/her get to you.
claudius:
RE: RASTER
I like reading your posts, but i hope you have caught some sleep.
Good old RASTER was not talking to you but an asshole named “WARPIGS” above. You should apologise to Raster since he shooed away the real war supporter named WARPIGS.
peace
they won’t impeach, because the truth could come out. and that could be very incriminating to a lot more people than just bush and cheney. it would make for some very nervous polititians, on both sides.
The reason Pelosi is not pursuing impeachment is simple. Next president, which without a doubt will be a Democrat, will have much easier job ruling the country . The ground for him is being prepared by Bush. Just imagine new president and Democrat and with all this power to ignore republicans in Congress. Basically Democrats want what Republicans enjoyed for so long. And next president will not have to break law - Bush is doing it now for him. Also since we know, that Democrats are as much interested in oil from Iraq as republicans, it is good that Bush continues the war - Pelosi with democrats will have someone to blame for Iraq disaster.
To change this vicious circle we need good peple in Congress and that is why I beg Cindy Sheehan to run against Pelosi in next election. Cindy, go for it !
New Mexico Rep. Steven Pearce (R)- On Impeachment of Cheney
There is no cause at this time to consider impeachment proceedings against the Vice-President. He has served this nation honorably and to the best of his ability. Furthermore, the casualness with which impeachment is thrown around simply for partisan purposes over policy differences should be a concern to all American’s and the future of our politics. -IDIOT^
I like the last part, I think of impeachment for a blow job compared to impeachment for… well, you name it.
No we are not ‘all complicit’ in this so lay off with the guilt tripping okay? People like me have done everything these past 6 years except for armed conflict to educate people on how dangerous this bush bastard really is. The only ones ‘complicit’ are the right wing aholes who follow him blindly without thought.
But I can hear Pelosi saying–Let’s not impeach, we may need those powers for ourselves some day.
Democrats showing mercy to George W. Bush and Richard Cheney - they should feel shameful. Did Republicans show them mercy 10 years ago when the wanted to impeach Clinton for lying about having an affair. What Bush/Cheney has done and is continuing doing is much much worse;yet, you show mercy to them? Frankly, the Democrat Party is not left-wing enough!
Several times in human History, groups of people in a nation, who conspired to ruin said nation from within, were “cleansed” as it were based on empirical evidence as punishment for doing so. This “cleansing” can be a very noble and necessary action, if warranted - although there is a relatively common idea, particularly in the USA, that the group doing the cleansing were not noble or just for this cause. Whether it was Cuba kicking out the wealthy inhabitants or France kicking out the Aristocracy once upon a time; the USA needs to do the same for right-wing ideological Christians. Indeed, right-wing ideological Christians are class A hypocrites. Obviously! Think about it, these particular Americans already put the USA in debt of billions of dollars, ruined USA prestige by portraying hypocrisy with pro-genocide ideas and who believe that everything is fine in regards to human rights INSIDE their own nation which clearly it is not! Show the Republicans how “tough” you really are Democrats. They need to know, and do so in a way that shows no mercy. Remember, GOP members called you unamerican and unpatriotic for not supporting an invasion of Iraq, a Republican/ Evangelical Christian idea.
What Democrats and other left-wing ideologues can do? Ban the GOP! Make it a crime, punishable by death, for being Republican after the 2008 election (provided that the GOP do not cheat their way to the White House, which I will not be surprised if they do as they have done this act before). If the USA can punish and executed Communist Americans, as was the case during the nineteen-fifties, so the Democrats can punish Republicans for ruining the USA over the last twenty some years at least. The Democrats should think of this as a “final solution to the Republican/Evangelical Christian problem” in the USA. I doubt this scenario will take place in the USA because the Democrat Party is not left-wing enough. Pity…
“Left wing”?
Why that framing again?
Impeachment is an issue of legality, ethics, rule of law, and upholding constitutional balance of power — not of partisanship or political ideology.
Instead of hoping anyone is “left-wing” (thereby distancing about 75% of Americans who’d probably not identify with that label), how about “having a backbone”, “defending rule of law”, or “being a true opposition party”, or “acting accordance to the mandate that got them elected, and the public will.”?
My reply to Steve Pearce (R-NM)
A blowjob and being lied into occupying the Middle East via the Project for the New American Century plan has a major difference!
No one died from the blowjob.
Taboo Subjects
The Bush Administration, backed to the hilt by republican voters, republican pundits, the Republican owned Monopoly Media, Republican congressmen and Republican oligarchs, have committed far too many crimes to allow any investigations of their actions. Impeachment and War Crimes are “off the table,” and will never be investigated or prosecuted because all Americans are implicated, and the whole world knows it.
Republican crimes against the American people will never be investigated or prosecuted because the Democratic leadership is complicit in most of their crimes. High ranking Democrats have very carefully selected to investigate lesser crimes in which they are not complicit, which leaves a multitude of crimes, including treason, “off the table.”
This ignoring of “Taboo Subjects’ is like ignoring the world is round, and that’s the state of denial in our nation.
At this point, maybe our best course of action would be to start nuking other nations randomly to avoid being summoned to appear before the World Court and to maintain our dominance over the world. Perhaps that’s what Cheney & Bush have in mind to escape prosecution. Just keep obliterating one country after another until we’re the “Last Country left Standing.” Then no one would be left to condemn us.
That may seem harsh and extreme to some, but hey, we’re Americans, and we own the world. It’s ours to destroy if we choose.
Or, we could impeach Cheney & bush to bail ourselves out of this shit.
Make them take the fall.
Who deserves it more?
.
Reactionary conservatives are toothless against liberal pacifists… as long as the bank, Wall Street, the military or their employer doesn’t own the liberals.
impeachment of both cheney and bush are necessary and if the democrats continue to drag their feet then it might be time to gather all the grass roots organizations and take it to the streets and have series of protests to demand them to either leave office or face the consequences. We the people have to remember we have a lot more power collectively then we realize and that`s probably one of the things that scares the hell out of these criminals the most. Let`s use it to our advantage , i smell a (peaceful) revolution brewing in the air…thank you pluto.
Democrats are capitalists, that’s why they won’t impeach Bush. Because democrats are after $$$$. And there would be no $$$ in impeaching Bush, only in support of Bush there is plenty of $$$$ to spend it in nice cars, homes, yats, friends, relationships, nice health, nice bodies, etc. (money can buy heaven), and lack of money leads us the road to hell, that only tragic heroes can bear!!
Aymon,
Thank you.
Raster,
MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES! I DID NOT CATCH WARPIGS POST! AGAIN MY APOLOGIES!!!
malatesta,
If you go to CBS, NBC, ABC, etc., and click on specific articles, there are discussion boards much like the one here on CommonDreams. You will find the garden political variety of participants. From my discovery, there are people who monitor those posts who are too afraid to express their views because they fear others will shout them down. So when I posted my views, it was like a holy-sea. All of these people came out of the woodwork and starting posting their views. As far as Raster goes, I did not catch Warpigs post, so I thought he was responding to my posts. I apologize to Raster (Raster, just a note my friend, next time you post, please quote the person, and put his/her nom de plume in capital letters so that we can catch it, and avoid an embarassing situation such is this one for me. Again, my apologies.)
skeptical,
Thank you for the reference material. Did you just complete your comprehensive exams? (I am about to take mine here in a couple of weeks, and am nervous as all get out, that is why Aymon is right, perhaps I should get some more sleep so I stop making a fool out of myself).
Communism, government control of industries and the economic base, is the flip side of corporatism aka fascism, the merging of corporate power and government power. Either way it puts a relative handful of people in control and accruing power and wealth or the benefits thereof to themselves. Only the action of democracy and democratic processes making government power work for the public good are capable of achieving a balance. Corporations are not persons and should have no such rights. When the US was formed, the revolution against the King and his corporate monopolies and wars have convinced our founders corporatism wasn’t the way. Each state had law that severely limited corporate powers and ended any corporation’s existence after 40 years. The idea of a communist government sickens me just as much as this crooked privatized corporatist merge, the industrial-military (government) complex these Have Mores have going. BTW- This latest Executive Order of Bush’s has been a long time in the planning. When Ashcroft was attorney general he issued an order for all libraries (save law libraries not accessible to the public) to remove from their shelves and destroy five books (sounds like book burning to me), two being books of US statutes, with one common subject in all of them, i.e. telling citizens how they might recover their property, house, car, etc. when it has been illegally confiscated by the government.
The Center for Constitutional Rights has published probably the best Articles of Impeachment against GW Bush.
GOOGLE search CCR to see a summary.
Many impeachment orgs have used CCR’s legal version to petition state legislatures to send impeachment advisory resolutions to Congress.
Prepared by non-partisan Constitutional scholars/attorneys, CCR’s booklet also gives detailed background on the charges set forth in the Articles.
We used an adaptation of this version in Montana, to petition our state legislature to pass a pro-impeachment resolution — though it has yet to pass……
CLAUDIUS: Thanks for the idea about posting to the MSM… i.e. not to “the choir.” Have you ever tried to call into Cspan’s Washington Journal, or have other CD posters had this experience? I tried MANY times on both democratic and independent lines and NEVER got in with a comment. Meanwhile I could swear the same tired Republican voices got in time after time. Anyone else notice that?
Claudius, thanks, Main Stream Media, duh. I actally was trying to google MSM. i can be slow sometimes. Keep up the good work
Siouxrose and Malatesta,
I have tried C-Span and actually got through. You are right, it is difficult to get through. Yesterday’s experience was an eye-opener for me. I am wondering if many if not all of us ought to really concentrate our efforts on the mainstream media. Today was very encouraging. I am seeing more and more people calling for impeachment, sit-ins, protests, etc. I really think that if we can widen our base with many of these folks, it will make us that much stronger and really give us hope. Many people just do not know that there are so many of us out there who feel the same way. Howard Zinn was on C-Span and said that there literally are thousands of people working on protest movements, the majority of them grassroots organizations. I feel much better and empowered to see so many people who have been silent now speaking up. Obviously you will encounter Bush supporters, but a few pointed, irrefutable observations usually is enough to make them fold. They know they are outnumbered, and their arguments are weak. It is good that many of us are sharing our knowledge, and I for one am thankful to everyone for their contributions. I have learned a lot from reading the threads. I know that my contributions have nto been as eloquent and articulate as others, but hopefully they were helpful to all of you. In all honesty, I really do feel more optimistic that we actually stand a chance of taking back our country if all of us can communicate, connect, and unite. Forget about the politicians, we have numbers among the people. That to me, is where our focus should be.
As NMBill understands, it was absurd for New Mexico Rep. Steven Pearce (R) to suggest that impeaching Bush and Cheney would trivialize the impeachment concept for “partisan” and “policy” reasons. As NMBill points, out, this just begs the question of why the republicans impeached Clinton, if they think impeachment is so sacred.
But to suggest, as NMBill does, that no one died for Clinton’s dalliances, is skating on thin ice, and it ignores an important point. Remember “wag the dog”? At the height of the Lewinsky scandal, Clinton bombed the Al Shifa pharmaceutical plant in Sudan because IT HAD TIES TO AL QAEDA AND WAS MAKING CHEMICAL WEAPONS (sound familiar?). The factory owner and the Sudanese government denied the charges and immediately called on the UN to investigate this act of international terror, a move that the US opposed. The US has never accepted Sudan’s offer to investigate the bombing site, and has never produced evidence to establish its claims, though William Cohen testified to the 9-11 commission that the evidence was, to paraphrase, as good as it gets (again, doesn’t this sound awfully familiar?).
The al Shifa plant was the main producer of anti-malarial and anti-TB drugs in Sudan. The destruction of the plant may have indirectly cost tens of thousands of lives of individuals deprived of medicine. The US government, of course, does not have an inherent right to bomb factories in other countries. But Clinton was not impeached for international terrorism. Nor was he impeached for his most egregious crimes, waging a war of aggression in Yugoslavia, and carrying on the sanctions-of-mass-destruction that ultimately cost the lives of perhaps 1 million Iraqis.
Who set the precedents for Bush? Was it Clinton? Yes, but it goes back further, to Bush the elder, and before him, to Reagan, and to Carter, Nixon, Johnson, and Kennedy with his egregious use of the CIA.
The point is that we really *do* risk trivializing impeachment if we make it sound partisan– even by responding to partisan attacks with a partisan defense of Clinton. Because it isn’t. If we let the opponents of impeachment turn the discussion to democrats vs. republicans, or to a defense of Clinton, or to comparisons with other presidents, then we have lost. We need to stop arguing about Clinton (i.e., MOVE ON) and focus directly on the recent crimes of this administration, and to the present danger it poses to American principles, to our national security, and to the world.
The main crimes are 1) waging a war of aggression 2) systematically defrauding congress, the UN, and the American people over the causes for war 3) condoning and ultimately encouraging a policy of torture and rendition contrary to US statutory and treaty law 4) spying on Americans contrary to statutory law 5) systematically refusing to support and defend the constitution vis a vis the power of congress to enact laws, and instead, pursuing the power of a despot via signing statements and other expansive executive actions.
Finally, let me mention that Nixon was never convicted, nor even impeached. He resigned when all that had happened was that the *committee vote* had brought the issue of impeachment to the house floor. To get that far, only a few congresspersons were behind it– no more than the 16 congresspersons supporting HR333 today. But sentiment quickly turned against Nixon.
Imagine this happening with Bush. As soon as impeachment gets to the floor, the game is over. The facade will be broken. No senator will ever defend the “unitary executive” theory. No senator will defend spying on americans. Only a few (Joe Lieberman) will defend torture. But there will be no trial. As soon as impeachment gets to the floor, the game is over. Bush is guilty as sin.
fresh1,
I agree with you. And I used to be of the mindset that impeachment will never happen. But as you cite how Nixon resigned and a committee brought impeachment to the House floor, it was enough to change public opinion. That is why I think even if impeachment does not actually happen, just introducing it could have a profound psychological effect on this country, and we could push Bush, Cheney & Co. out of the White House before the next presidential election. Also, Conyers, Leahy et al need to start invoking the “inherent contempt” to get the rock rolling.
And yet there could be something other than the theoretical extremes of capitalism (fascism) or communism. Both of these resulted in power concentrations and corruptions. The Green TKV is about decentralization of power. There’s communitarianism, and other philosophies as well, which emphasize a self-determination which is a Middle Way between State or Corporation (fascism/capitalism/socialism) and every man for himself. I submit communitarianism, and the Green TKV with regard to decentralization and local economies.
Fine to talk about future states, here.
But one thing at a time.
Unless you’re convinced that only violent revolution is gonna resolve the present/egregious crisis of governance in the US, focus instead on political action to get Bush&Co mega-fascists politicaly dis-empowered: Either via impeachment, or election-ousting (insisting on paper ballots, of course..).
Buy time to avoid the necessity of reform-thru-violence, because: Humans are mostly unconscious, and (despite any politically-fancy re-education)can rarely separate violent means from violent outcomes.
The US revolution, arguably, being a possibly-durable exception — but provably not the USSR/China revolutions.
Communism-thru-violent revolution is a cognitively-defective solution to Humanity’s challenges: propagated by crypto-fascist, psychologically-rigid ideologues of the ‘Left:’ Provenly tunnel-visioned, ultra-absolutist, and, in the end, even more presumtuously- murderous than murderousness of corporate capitalism or Monarchy, as history shows.
America’s governance structure is rotten. Which means America’s present public consciousnes is rotten. Yes, yes.
But, America’s Constitution did get it basically right in the beginning. Viz: Nobody gets too powerful; nobody’s above the law or unaccountable to self-governing citizens: Not corporations; political parties [sorry, Marxists), elected officials, religious metaphysicians, ad nauseum….
From there, Humanity might make (and has made some) progress. But human progress has never happened from any starting point where the irrepressible ‘monkey’ in us, is murdered by even dumber monkies who blindly presume that their Ideology has figured-out all the dimensions of Us Creatures .
Any questions? Look at what the former USSR became; look at what PR China is today.
Get rid of Bush Neocons/collusive Democrats in goverment. Elect (with paper ballots) progressives who’ll move public epitemology and policy toward something truly-democratic/self-transforming via Reason, like the Scandanavian republics.
Political structures can’t reform monkey/human nature: Enlightened political structures can only not-get-in-the-way of average People doing that.
Communists/compulsory Communitarianism, etc., etc., won’t ever represent average peoples’ capacity for cooperative transcendance anymore than corrupt oligarchies.
As the Enlightenment-inspiried US Constitution’s Framers rightly knew…..
claudius and a few others, I can’t express strong enough how much I appreciate your (in the collective sense) comments. I am out of the country for a few weeks and have access to a computer sporadically (on rainy days). There’s always so much to catch up on. But I completely agree with your refreshing rational and coherent remarks and observations and I loved Raster’s comments. When I get back home I will definitely be hitting the MSM message boards. After awhile, the media moguls will have to acknowledge the numbers since numbers are their gods. After reading all of the comments on this post (up to 7-22-07 a.m.), I am once again heartened that enough Americans are awake and willing to do something about it. I am also excited about the Sheehan march supposedly to take place tomorrow. Thank you all for the information you have provided. It will be the beginning of something big, I can feel it in my bones.
Impeachment Trial: It will be interesting for the American public to see the evidence presented in the prosecution and again in the defense during the trial.
Perhaps we will get to see the US government more clearly.
We have all the time in the world to advance the principles of democracy and work on practicing them.
One thing that ought to keep the Democrats from pursuing impeachment is that we may find that they were very willing collaborators in the crimes of the administration. It thus will make it just as hard to vote for a Democrat as a Republican
So let’s have an impeachment and a trial and then let’s clean house and find human beings to represent Americans in the Congress and Executive Branch
It seems that it makes little difference whether or not there is a Democrat or Republican in office.
Claudius: I also wish to thank you for reminding us that it’s important to post our messages on the MSM. I will be doing so. Thanks for the encouraging news on “the numbers” growing to impeach these inhuman masqueraders.
Unsubscribe from Feingold’s: Progressive Patriots Fund until he puts his shoulder to the wheel of impeachment with the rest of us.
Russ if you cannot support us, how can we support you?
“Russ Feingold, U.S. Senator”
russ@progressivepatriotsfund.com
ABSOLUTELY IMPEACH NOW!! All OF THEM. Below is recent correspondence between myself and the representative in the State of Florida. This is what we are up against and who we need to target. As we are all aware of the painfully long list of impeachable offenses, I have not reiterated them below.
____________
Dear Representative Mica,
After the articles I have quoted below, I am submitting to you the growing list of impeachable offenses against Bush. I am angry and I am not taking it anymore!! Something has to be done! You were voted in to speak for the “People” of this state. Read the polls, we are in the majority and are demanding impeachment proceedings. Please read this letter in its entirety. Do the right thing, please, help us all.
–U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 4
states that:
“The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”.
–U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 3, Clause 7
states that:
“Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.”
HIS REPLY:
Thank you for your recent letter supporting campaigns to impeach the President and other members of his administration. I respect your opinion. However, I do not share your view regarding impeachment.
While the President’s policies and actions as referenced in your message may appropriately be debated, they are not grounds for impeachment. Thank you again for writing.
With my regards and best wishes, I remain
Sincerely,
John L. Mica
Member of Congress
_______________
MY REPLY:
Dearest Congressman Mica,
While I appreciate your prompt response to my letter, I beg to differ. There are many grounds for impeachment of this administration, and it will happen, with or without you and your opinions.
I would also like to remind you that it is not your opinion that matters. What matters is the opinions of the constituents that put you in office.
With my best regards, I remain
Most Sincerely,
LB
___________
TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS…PICK YOUR TARGETS.
santafebearclaw,
Sadly, Rep. Mica’s response does not surprise me. It just further confirms the pervasive ignorance and myopia consuming Congress. That is why, as I mentioned, we ought to forget the politicians and focus on the people who really mean something to us, share our views and WILL DO something about it: fellow members of the public. You are absolutely right when you say “together we can do this.” Please post your letter and spread the word on the mainstream media message boards. Good work, my friend.
Shenonymous and Siouxrose,
You are welcome.
Claudius
Bumper Sticker:
You Impeached Clinton!
A Little Head Never Killed Anybody!
In truth I know Fresh1 is right, besides Bill being a war monger, his adversaries mysteriously died.
abbybwood: thanks, and I sent the Olberman clip to the Whitehouse email address.
For those of you that do not have the time to look into the endless “executive orders” read it below and take note of #8.
Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq
Office of the Press Secretary
Tuesday 17 July 2007
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)(NEA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,
I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that, due to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by acts of violence threatening the peace and stability of Iraq and undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, it is in the interests of the United States to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order 13364 of November 29, 2004. I hereby order:
Section 1. (a) Except to the extent provided in section 203(b)(1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)), or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense,
(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of:
(A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq; or
(B) undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;
(ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or
(iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.
(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section include, but are not limited to, (i) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order, and (ii) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
Sec. 3. For purposes of this order:
(a) the term “person” means an individual or entity;
(b) the term “entity” means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and
(c) the term “United States person” means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.
Sec. 4. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order.
Sec. 5. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that, because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1(a) of this order.
Sec. 6. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government, consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order and, where appropriate, to advise the Secretary of the Treasury in a timely manner of the measures taken.
Sec. 7. Nothing in this order is intended to affect the continued effectiveness of any rules, regulations, orders, licenses, or other forms of administrative action issued, taken, or continued in effect heretofore or hereafter under 31 C.F.R. chapter V, except as expressly terminated, modified, or suspended by or pursuant to this order.
Sec. 8. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 17, 2007.
Why do they think we are so stupid? Because we elected them to represent us? WE don’t understand impeachment? DO THEY? We understand it all too well. It has come to the point where impeachment = preservation of democracy. We get it. I am baffled as to how our representatives can have missed this, when they are the ones unable to move right or left without executive permission.
I think we are one hell of a lot smarter than our representatives… that’s what I think.
Courtesy Democrats.com
“Call Congress Today for Impeachment”
“On Monday, July 23rd, the fifth anniversary of the meeting that produced the Downing Street Minutes, Cindy Sheehan, Ray McGovern, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Ann Wright, Debra Sweet, Dave Lindorff, David Swanson, Jodie Evans, Medea Benjamin, Kevin Zeese, and Tina Richards will lead a march to Chairman Conyers office and not leave until he agrees to begin impeachment proceedings.
If you cannot be there, you can take two minutes on Monday and do two things: phone Chairman Conyers at 202-225-5126 and ask him to start the impeachment of Dick Cheney; and phone your own Congress Member at 202-224-3121 and ask them to immediately call Conyers’ office to express their support for impeachment. Your Congress Member might be one of the three needed, not just to keep impeachment activists out of jail but to keep this nation from devolving into dictatorship.
Also email your Representatives:
http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/73”
“We’ve reached the impeachment moment for Vice President Dick Cheney. We’ve pushed the cosponsor list for H. Res. 333 up to 14. Chairman John Conyers says that if we get 3 more he’ll begin the impeachment proceedings.
And many Congress Members must be recognizing that there is no other path available. Cheney and Bush have repeatedly refused to comply with subpoenas, ordered former staffers not to comply, and announced that the Justice Department will not enforce contempt citations from Congress. When a special prosecutor attempted to hold this administration accountable, Cheney’s chief of staff obstructed justice, and Cheney persuaded Bush to commute his sentence. There is no