It is my dearest hope that Congress should redeem itself and bring Bush to justice. I do not have faith that Congress will do it. So, realisticly I start a discussion of alternatives by proposing one controversial way of doing it. The Brattleboro measure is largely symbolic, but it would "publish said indictment for consideration by other authorities". This is unprecedented maybe, but it is not illegal or destructive of the rule of law, as some comments imply.

The idea, obviously is that the idea might appeal to people in a more powerful jurisdiction. For now I believe the most important thing is for other communities to take up an Indictment or more radical action. We here in Brattleboro aren't experts, but we're eager to help.

(Kurt Daims)
bushindictment@gmail.com

The War Crimes Act of 1996, a federal statute set forth at 18 U.S.C. § 2441, makes it a federal crime for any U.S. national, whether military or civilian, to violate the Geneva Convention by engaging in murder, torture, or inhuman treatment.

http://australianwarcriminals.jitgede.com/bin%5CTAP.DLL/JSDB10_NEWSZOOM?RECORD_NO=157&CATEGORY_NO=0

Hi all,

Just a thought here to question a statement the author of this piece makes...

"Towns do not have the right to file affidavits charging people with crimes, unless they violate some local ordinance, she pointed out."

Wasn't STATE'S RIGHTS a huge issue of the far right, conservative mind set? What happened? Or, is it one of those concepts that is only employed to serve one's agenda when in a desperate position. Remember that State's Rights lost in the slavery issue due to the enlightenment of the South to the injustice and immorality of slavery.

And, make no mistake about it,...our country IS in a desperate position, thanks to Bush/Cheney. Today we are faced with a more insidious injustice and immorality in the policies and Machevelian workings to dupe the masses into believing we are superior to other peoples and authorized by God to be THE AUTHORITY and rule over the rest of the world,...by ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

It is in our hands....to save ourselves. Every clear thinking citizen should keep well informed, speak out, vote their conscience and heart, and....pray that this multi-headed disaster can be stopped and repaired. We are in deep doo-doo,...and that sound you hear is the flushing of the toilet.

PAX...for all peoples

Oops ... I must have entered the children's chat room by mistake... just have fun kids

Der Cheney/Bush is der Fuehrer of the American Nasty Party and, like Hitler's Nazi party, it is a very noisy, violent minority who try to bamboozle the majority into following their lead.

We saw the start of this in 2000 when a well coordinated bunch of Republican Brown Shirts stormed the recounting sites in Florida to disrupt the recount and give it to der Bush and company.

We saw it in 2004 at the Nasty (Republican) Convention when protesters and innocent bystanders in the wrong place were dragged off the streets and imprisoned on a rat infested pier until the convention was over.

We are seeing it today, even as the Nasty party is bleeding with defectors.

Impeachment is not a partisan matter.
Impeachment is not a party ploy.
Impeachment is not a game.

Impeachment is a reaffirmation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Impeachment is a duty under that Constitution when it is violated, when human rights are violated.
Impeachment is a duty, to ensure survival of the United States as a Constitutional Republic, not a banana republic.
Impeachment is a bipartisan issue, a citizen's issue.

Impeachment is way overdue!

If nothing else, the good people of Brattleboro sure know how to get dumb, white trash to come crawling out of the woodwork. Speaking of secession, one of my (pipe) dreams is to see the northern tier of states from Minnesota to Maine secede and ask Canada if can we please join their federation. Screw all fascists and the ignorant chumps they so easily manipulate!

If the Congress was doing the job the Constitution provided as a remedy to our current lawless Executive Branch it would not be necessary for cities and states to take individual action.

On the other hand, maybe we concerned citizens should push for recall (of Senators with a lot of term left) of any and all Congressmen and Senators who have been complicit in these crimes while we are pushing to remove the head of state and his handler. John Dean on the Findlaw Website has covered much of this ground in a readable way.

Of course it is possible that cities and states doing things like Brattleboro might push some of the fence-sitters in Congress to show a bit of spine. We can hope anyway.

Well put Leeanng! Impeach! Now!

"I live in NH, but long to move to Vermont where I can be surrounded by intelligent people with a conscience."

I'm curious,

Why is the Conneticut River such a political divide?

After I read about this yesterday, I went on line to find an email for Brattleboro so I could send my support. The one I found generated an email daemon. I know Brattleboro has been innundated with emails and phone calls, but since so many of them have been negative, it seems like anyone who is in favor of their action should let them know.

Does anyone have the correct email address for those of us who wish to commend Brattleboro for this courageous stand?

MarineWife is certainly entitled to her opinion, but "merry troop of fools" applies a whole lot more to anyone who would favor the oppressive, warmongering Bush administration. It's a fool's stance to blindly support those whose intent is to create and maintain wealth and power for international energy corporations, the wealthiest citizens of the world, and a base of "haves and have-mores." Bush and his cronies have done more to destroy democracy, disgrace America, shred the fabric of American life, and carelessly murder thousands upon thousands of innocent victims for profit than any other administration in the history of America.

It was Thomas Jefferson who said that the greatest form of patriotism is dissent. He did not say that the greatest form of patriotism is to follow the insane policies of the president no matter what they are just because he or she is the "commander in chief." That way lies dictatorship, mindless destruction, and a population of disenfranchised sheep.

The hysterical right can react as nastily as it wishes, but Bush and Cheney are still guilty of war crimes and should be arrested and tried.

I live in NH, but long to move to Vermont where I can be surrounded by intelligent people with a conscience. I think everyone who supports impeaching Bush-Cheney should re-settle in Vermont and then Vermont should vote to secede.

Way to go Vermont. I do shop from the Vermont Country Store, mail order. They actually have people who answer the phone. I wouldn't pay much attention to the misguided bashers of your state. I think that what you are doing is setting a fine example. I think the majority of people would like to see some kind of accountability.

What a merry troop of fools you are in Vermont! We are a Marine Corps family, and we support the Commander in Chief--yes, we even supported Clinton, although we didn't agree with his politics, policies, or personal behavior. As for Vermont, you all certainly don't provide much benefit to the rest of the nation—the skiing is average at best, and your state's only notable exports are liberals and more liberals…not to mention liberal crackpots. We regularly visit family in New Hampshire and Maine, and I assure you, we will endeavor not to even DRIVE THROUGH Vermont, under any circumstances. You'll get no tourist dollars from us, and no more tolerance, either. Secede, already, you jackasses! Personally, I don't think we'd miss you.

Oh, and we've noted that Kurt Daims, the leader of the latest nutty Vermont "movement" (pun intended) is a San Francisco Liberal.

"Any time there's an attack on the president, we send a response," said spokeswoman Blair Latoff.

But when there's an attack in the Constitution orthe Genevaa Conventions they just don't mind, do they, Ms. Blair?

To say that Bush is a war criminal is to state a truth. People have a right and duty to speak the truth. It's not partisan politics.
If someone murders someone you call him a murderer. It's not a political statement it's the truth.
We should not succumb to intimidation by thugs and their enablers. Let's continue to call a truth a truth.

Just watch... they will not get away with their Republican Rip Off ways forever... They will pay.

Jack Walters- It isn't that Bush, etal is determined that the oil belongs to us. It is that Bush, etal is determined that the oil be controlled by a handful of oil conglomerates. Just making the oil scarcer is bringing these coporations windfall profits beyond previous dreams of avarice. It is doing the same for these war profiteers who keep getting those no bid contracts no matter how much outright fraud, overcharging and theft they do. War itself is a perpetual bloody industry that keeps the Bushs and their Have More pals swimming in wealth. They are not beyond building their financial empires by betrayal and treason. Heck, Prescott Bush should have been thrown in prison for the huge chunk of financing he provided Hitler to start WW II in Europe. Another profit-making enterprise.

For these folks, thinking puts them into a blind rage.

They're attracted to "strong" leaders, spouting tough law-and-order-type rhetoric who tell them what to do. Then, when their leader turns out to be a major criminal, breaking every law on the books, it causes confusion in their camp, but only when they are compelled to think about it by "liberals."

Their enjoyment of pure fascist joy is disrupted, and they spew. They ought not be taken seriously.

With a true shoulder-to-shoulder effort by all patriotic, concerned, honest Americans, we can surely get enough support to get the US Capitol moved to Brattleboro...in time for the first term of Ron Paul!

Typical freeper hypocrites. They broke the "Monica Lewinski" story, but this, oh my god! What a waste of tax payer time and money! What kind of Americans would expect accountability, transparency, honesty, and moral behavior from their president? Moonbats, I tell ya! I am going to call this a-hole about a thousand times tonight and hang up just to fuck with him. Cuz I'm a MOoOOOn BaaAaaAt!

If this is all we have to do to keep Repugs out of our state and basically disassociate themselves from us, by all means, every city, county and state should adopt an impeachment position. We could drive the thugs out without any bloodshed.

Among reasonable, thinking Americans; there can be no question that Bush, Cheney, Rice, Powell and other top administration officials carried out an organized plan to deceive us that there was no option other than attacking Iraq. It was a lie of enormous proportions, a lie that has cost nearly 4,000 lives of our soldiers and countless thousands of Iraqi citizens. It was and remains all about oil which these people are determined belong to us. The City Council should be applauded for their courage. I hope others will do the same.

"I visited Brattleboro about 10 years ago with a view to buying a property and was very impressed with the neat tidy little community but decided against it because of the severe winters."

Well, now with Global warming setting in Vermont is looking nicer and nicer to me. I'm actually going there on 2/8 to buy land right outside Brattleboro.
Philippe

Right on! All those reactionaries that puke out their intelligence i.e I would urge Vermont to move its primaries ahead of New Hamshire. Might get a better reading on our progressive candidates , giving them a head start on the media cycle.
Anyway those who won't visit Vermont because of this righteous effort, I would suggest Vermont check ID's on those coming into the state , that way they could keep these dangerous ingrates out of a peaceful state. As far as the maple syrup, I would raise tariffs to states that did not support these efforts.

I visited Brattleboro about 10 years ago with a view to buying a property and was very impressed with the neat tidy little community but decided against it because of the severe winters. Vermonters are the nicest people you could hope to meet, they stop their car if they think you wish to cross the road even though you made no indication to do so.

Can you imagine that happening in Texas.

The critics of the Brattleboro action are fools because once a nation discards its laws for political reasons it is doomed. Who would put money into a country without law enforcement, where a criminal gang disregard all normal procedures for the benefit of a few.

Yea for Brave little Brattleboro!! We should all be so brave!

Correction to the quote: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."- Mahatma Gandhi Most of it, not all, has been ridicule. But if we do not re-establish a process whereby justice can prevail quite soon, this will expand to the next level. More than a few "Bros" will be doing the tasing. More than a few Americans will find themselves imprisoned without recourse in the detention facilities constructed by Haliburton. The Bush administration and powers that be in the Republican Party have been setting the stage for some time. Will they be able to pull it off? This next year, at least, is very dangerous. The grassroots democracy actions are critical. Many municipal and some county coucils across the nation have voted in favor of impeachment. Brattlesboro is far from the first as they want us to believe. It went to the state level a couple of times but was stopped by the Democratic politicos from D.C. It has never been tried. Jefferson's writing indicates an alternate method of impeachment initiated by a single state legislature.

I meant to add that I am going to buy as much Vermont stuff as I can from now on.

Brattleboro shows the way!

Praise the Lord for Brattleboro. Now is the time for ALL good men to come to the aid of their country by following the lead of Brattleboro all over the United States.

ALL the conservatives from the majority population that are defending this EXTREMELY corrupt Bush administration are unthinking lumpen-proletariat conservatives, who neither know what a political conservative is nor have the capacity to know their political LEFT from their political RIGHT; but are being led through political ignorance by the RIGHT WING's DLC and the REPUBLICAN RIGHT WING propaganda machine down the RIGHT WING's unity cooperating purple people eaters DLC unity path of doom for the 70% MAJORITY COMMON POPULATION.

May God Bless the town of Brattleboro, VT with PEACE for their exceeding bravery and patriotism in our nations time of need. Amen.

Thank you for his address & phone #.

Anyone who doesn't see these 2 cowards as murderers & war criminals does not understand the human experience.

The brave US attacked an almost unarmed country, slaughtered its innocent citizens (see, Blackwater, unindicted), built a massive embassy using slave labor, etc., & its fascist, money-hugging "leaders" walk away scot-free?

Thank you, great Brattleboro. I will be visiting u ASAP & buying as many of your products as possible. Your citizens are my heroes.

"I'll make note not to visit Vermont … too many moonbats!" wrote Bob Bogart of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Should you care to direct a comment to Mr. Bogart or to ask him about what a moonbat is, he would probably love to hear from you.

Mr. Bob Bogart Jr.
1 Bohr Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37415
423-877-8050

I wish that we could get stronger voices to help in what seems obvious to so many, that these 2 men specifically, and the administration generally,are criminals!

There is no doubt in my mind that these men, and that's all they are, eventhough Bush would be King, should be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Our nation needs to cleanse ourselves of the quagmire of disdain that has been thrust upon us due to their warmongering!

Bravo Zulu to Brattleboro! That's from a real veteran and not a coward, that being bush!

another shining example of the 'real terrorists' in our midst! this administration has 'ruled' by instilling fear and terror into the psyche of all americans since at least 9/11! anyone who speaks out for the return of our constitutional ways is immediately attacked. the vitriol and abusive language is just another example of their 'compassionate conservatism'. our representatives, who profess to being a democrat, hide and cringe at such attacks. towns like brattleboro and fellow citizens who have had enough bear the brunt of these attacks. we must continue to band together and keep our voices strong. let's hit the 'rulers' in their collective pockets. stop buying exxon-mobil, switch accounts from bank of america to your local community banks, etc. we may not get the justly deserved impeachment proceedings, but this administration will be short of assets in no time. contact your representatives. tell them that they have lost your vote. switch to 'independent' at your voting registration locale. if nothing else, this will confuse the pollsters, campaign managers, candidates and representatives. they will wonder where their constituents are! peace to all.

It's been made very obvious who's payroll Drudge is on and just how dangerous the right wing fascists are. They will stop at nothing to pursue their agenda even if it means destroying the very nation they supposedly care about.

Yes, there are many nasties in this country.

I will love Brattleboro and Vermont forever for their attitude towards this corrupt administration.

I hope that the folks at the Town Meeting vote to have Cheney and Bush charged with war crimes.

The spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee says:

"It appears that the left wing knows no bounds in their willingness to waste taxpayer dollars to make a futile counterproductive partisan political point. Town people would be much better served by elected officials who sought to solve problems rather than create them."

Why doesn't she apply that pearl of wisdom to the Republicans who have been wasting billions of dollars on the illegal occupation and savaging of Iraq and throwing millions more at corrupt U.S. contractors in Iraq without asking for any accountability on their part?

A perfect example of how the authoritarian minority will react, mob-like, with hostility and rancor to any challenge to their leadership figures. The merits of the accusations are not material to them. In fact, the more merit the accusations carry, the more aggression and vigilantism the mob displays.

This sociopathy is a sickness on our great nation that will not be healed until there is widespread recognition of the damage done by these people (both the leaders and followers).

I M P E A C H
THAT'S HOW YOU SPELL RELIEF FOR THE REST OF US
I N D I C T
THAT'S HOW YOU SPELL PEACE OF MIND FOR THE REST OF US
C O N V I C T I O N
I M P R I S O N
THAT'S HOW YOU SPELL JUSTICE FOR THE REST OF US

I lived most of my life in Vermont. Back during the fight over Civil Unions, I remember there was a state legislator who was going to vote against civil unions, but then some anti folks burned a cross on the legislators front yard. The legislator changed their vote to pro civil union, citing their realization that the hate out there is real. This situation is reminiscent. I applaud the people of Brattleboro in expressing their will by allowing the vote. THIS is what democracy looks like.

Bravo to Brattleboro

First they ignore you, then they call you names, and then you win.

The degree of the vitriol is directly proportional to the power of Brattleboro's action.

Bravo to Brattleboro

From Houston

Does Brattleboro have its own flag? It should and I would buy it and wave it from my front porch.

It should not be exceptional that in this democracy people are heard to speak out against injustice, deceit and outright lies on the part of their government. It should not be exceptional that in this democracy the people are heard to demand that a president and vice-president be held accountable for actively failing to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States.

I worry that not just a few but a majority of citizens of this country have grown complacent and are easily fooled by charlatans of all stripes because they are in awe of power, or fame, or money.

I worry about what our children--especially here in Texas--have been learning for the past 7 years about what it means to be a citizen in this country. What they have witnessed is that it is unpatriotic to question authority. That free people should accept a little spying on the part of their government, for whatever reason. That what is good for big business is good for democracy. That our country invades, occupies, and bullies other countries if it is in our interest to do so. That might is right.

I say thank God for the citizens of Brattleboro and the courage they have shown in speaking truth to power. I hope their children are paying attention. The future of this democracy absolutely depends on it.