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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
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115 Comments so far
Show AllClaudius: 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.
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.
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 course left for Congress but Impeachment."
Act On Impeachment, Now by Mary Ellen Marino
Please support Cindy Sheehan
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 and email Chairman Conyers at 202-225-5126, John.Conyers@mail.house.gov and ask him to start the impeachment of Dick Cheney; and phone your own Congress Member at 202-224-3121, www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml 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:
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 course left for Congress but Impeachment."
Please also contact Nancy Pelosi.
Constituents can contact Nancy Pelosi via her regular U.S. Representative website: www.house.gov/pelosi/ or via this email address: sf.nancy@mail.house.gov.
Non-constituents can contact Nancy Pelosi via her House Speaker website: http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ or via this email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
Of course you can always just call Pelosi or use the US Postal Service:
Office of the Speaker
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-0100
Hear, Hear! I agree with you 100%.
Pelosi may become the "Gray Davis" of San Francisco politics.
RE: MOVEON NOW SUPPORTS IMPEACHMENT? NOT QUITE...
"MoveOn...now supports impeachment of Bush and Cheney."
Not quite - moveon's petition declares, in effect, 'We will support it if cheney/bush continue to stonewall.'
They do not demand impeachment now; and they do not challenge legislators to support it or lose moveon's support.
FROM THE MOVEON WEBSITE:
"Petition: Stop Executive Overreach
'Congress must force Vice President Cheney to respond to its subpoenas. If he continues to obstruct justice and disregard the rule of law, Congress has no choice but to begin impeachment proceedings against him.'"
http://pol.moveon.org/subpoena/