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TechnoratiBoulder Weighs 'Impeach Bush'
Boulder's elected leaders are expected to decide next week whether to draft and vote on a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.For the past few weeks, activists have been showing up at Boulder City Council meetings, carrying signs, handing out "impeach" pins and asking City Council members to take up such a resolution. Similar measures have passed in cities across the country, including Detroit and Telluride.
Liz Robinson, one of the organizers of the effort, said people hoping to see impeachment proceedings have given congressional Democrats - who won a majority in the fall of 2006 - plenty of time to act.
But since they haven't, she said, locally elected officials should take up the slack.
"Whether or not it's the city's business directly, like potholes, I feel this affects all of us," she said. "We're the ones who are paying the taxes to support this administration's depredations, especially the war."
Impeachment proceedings would be worth doing even if they only put the last few months of Bush's eight years in office at risk, Robinson said.
"We need to send a message that this all matters to us, whether it's last-minute or not," she said.
The group appears to have some support among the City Council, although it's not clear if it has the five votes it would take to get a resolution drafted and subsequently debated.
City Councilman Macon Cowles wrote in a memo to his colleagues that he'll likely make a motion at the Feb. 19 meeting asking that a resolution be drafted.
"I believe that these citizens deserve a hearing," Cowles wrote to the council.
It wouldn't be the first time the City Council has weighed in on matters far outside the city's physical boundaries. In 2006, the council approved a resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and in 2003, the council passed a resolution opposing the invasion.
Deputy Mayor Crystal Gray, who helped draft the 2006 resolution, said Boulder has a tradition of debating big-picture issues.
"I'm a believer that the council should be responsive at the level of local government to issues that the residents raise, just like the Iraq war resolution," she said.
But City Councilman Ken Wilson said he's not on board. During a recent retreat, the City Council agreed to priorities ranging from fixing structural problems in the budget to doing better land-use planning.
That doesn't leave much time for issues over which the city doesn't have direct jurisdiction, he said.
"We did not identify national issues as a priority for work by council and staff. We are already seeing scheduling problems trying to address our priorities and the immediate needs of the city," he said. "Hours spent discussing national issues will reduce the amount of time we can spend on city issues."
© 2008 The Boulder Daily Camera
39 Comments so far
Show AllHey Boulder,
Little Cannon Beach, Oregon and Brattleboro, Maine and lots of other places have already beaten you to such a vote. What's takin' you so long?
You used to be a liberal and progressive city. Why don't you show it when it counts.
Of course, international policies & actions remain the role of local government. The core issue of every citizen -and our city councils - remains the funding of government services. The loss of revenue to the military/industrial/lobbyist cabal hemorrhages our tax dollars to the devious destruction of our most vulnerable people. Our children's healthcare is swapped for the immense profits of creating new weapons systems; our veterans are homeless because veteran's mental health programs are not funded; toxic, local Super-fund sites continue to pollute us because the military/industrial/lobbyist complex profits; and multitudes of trade-offs continue to deprive our local, essential needs so that the vampires of war can profit from the blood of our humanity. Impeachment of Cheney, Bush 2.0, & others remains a local issue.
Berkeley, Ca City Council decided last night that city government will determine the appropriateness of Marine Corp recruiting within its city. (Ideally, a Peace Center will replace those fangs.) Since House Speaker Pelosi & Senator Feinstein sold out to corporate greed, The People - acting thru city government - must act on impeachment.
Support a resolution for impeachment of Cheney/Bush by Boulder's City Council as The People's quest for Justice -- as you should encourage the City Council of Berkeley to replace military recruiting with a Peace Center.
(I've never been to Boulder, CO. I am glad of what I read in this article.)
1: "Hours spent discussing national issues will reduce the amount of time we can spend on city issues."
This will be the first argument against using city councils as civic forums to criticize the Federal government- as the floor of Congress doesn't seem willing or open (I assume state legislatures as well).
This argument is week, but not without some merit. WEAK: If any competent business man or administrator studies any city council meeting, they will see a great opportunity for better time management. The hard part is that these meetings are filled with 'too many cooks'. Yes, modern legislative processes and Roberts Rules of Order do make the whole thing drag on (for mostly good reason), but with modern technology and a greater citizen base things possibly could move in a faster, more dynamic way. The STRONG reason against this is any improvement will call for investment of money, and most cities are poor, and investment of people power, and most citizens are apathetic.
I think most of this could be overcome with investments in activists- you can break through the apathy of some (not all) and you have to be creative to do it. These activists will bring the people power and- with technology being what it is today- can significantly lower the financial burden with creative and volunteered solutions. note, 'Activist' can be anyone involved in any group associated with the city, and that's a pretty large base- just how creative can you be in bring them into the council?
I like to counter the 'wasted time' argument with this ones like this (thanks ezeflyer):
2. "If impeachment will drag the Republican's skeletons out of the closet, it would help Democrats get elected. Why won't they jump on it?"
If you go strictly by the numbers, Democrats popularity- and seats in government- increased with the impeachment process against Nixon. Why this is not a selling point the the DNC have no idea. But, as to city councils, allowing people to voice their opinions and feel at least somewhat relevant is a glorious and entirely successful move on part of any leader. If you "don't have time/money" to waste at council meetings, would a giant infusion of fresh faces and energy help? Damn straight it would! Of course, some 'leaders' don't want to listen to 'the people', but I digress. Also, I would think this is a win win course for city councils. It would increase their popularity, energize their constituency, and have no real fallout or consequences to deal with ('success' would mean cities motivating Congress to it on, making it their problem)
Then I saw a much more direct suggestion from Redneck Hippie. This could actually be a good path to work on, maybe getting the city councils to put pressure on their Governor (as well as their state and federal legislatures):
3. "Actually, what REALLY needs to be done is for a governor, one governor, ANY governor, to tell bush and the feds that there will be NO martial law in their state no matter WHAT false flag happens!"
I agree with other CDposters that it is high time for a debate on federalism, and this would get at the heart of the matter. Though mentioning martial law now is too alarmist. We are crying out for leaders though. The federal branches have not fit the bill. Our state legislatures are not much better. Some city councils are answering the call, their individual voices weak, but collectively they are strong (of course, "collectively" these days depend heavily on M$M). Governors traditionally fill the role of balance of state power versus federal power. If it's not an ultimatum on martial law, maybe it's one on taxes, or state guard units, or drug or immigration measures, or healthcare.
4. I would like to personally note that any change will most likely not come from an individual (unless Jesus rises again) but from overwhelming group pressure built from a local level, and focused against the federal level. It seems less effective to say things like "It only requires us to get off out fat asses and stand in the street each and every day until the truth begins again to be visible" (though I understand the sentiment and agree). The message, and there are many, might be better focused as "You must participate in your community, you must connect with your neighbors, in any way available, and for your whole life. When you recognize your community you will realize your power, and you may build a strong foundation that no enemy can take down." Maybe some of you savvy CD readers can turn that sentiment into a more visceral, shorter phrase. Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't like blaming the individual/victim; I do like reminding people of their own power.
I particularly encourage these words from the article "We need to send a message that this all matters to us, whether it's last-minute or not"
Go Boulder! Way to go!
Old Hippy,
re: Arrest warrant in Minnesota
That's great news. Tell us more !!!!!!!!!!!!
I am the author of a citizens initiative to indict Bush and Cheney in Brattleboro, Vermont. The initiative was certified for the town ballot on January 25 and will be decided by vote on March 4. Please be in touch ASAP:
(Kurt Daims)
Bushindictment@gmail.com
I now know how the Hamster feels. The wheel just spins forever in one place. This is not going to happen, unless something huge happens. And that would probably be something bad. So I spin.
Bush deserves time in Guantanimo Bay just like like the terrorists. But unfortunatly its apparently as immorale to shove him in there as what he did to Iraq. Damn him being classed as a prestdent
Washington is corrupt beyond repair. The middle class is going down as we prepare for a third world existence. It gets worse...check out this site. The news you won't hear on the networks. The Neocons are bringing us to our knees.
The slogon "Privatise the profits, socialize the losses" is the rule of the day...Bush and Cheney aren't the only ones who should be behind bars...the whole club should be.
http://www.worldreports.org/news/120_updated_embargo_sanctions_took_effect_noon_est?sent=1
Go
Boulder!!!!
When we suffer enough then we will awake. The majority still doesn't feel personally impacted by the incredible changes we are seeing: Torture? Illegal surveillance? Aggresssive war? Gulags? Etc,etc. All out in the open now, and no national outrage.
Most folks still hope the Democrats will sweep to victory in November and somehow "change things". Just as we hoped in '68, and later with Carter, who ended up facilitating the doctrine allowing permanent bases in Central Asia, for the oil.
When we see things dispassionately we will demand a complete revision of our political system, just like folks all over the world have done at such times. It only requires us to get off out fat asses and stand in the street each and every day until the truth begins again to be visible.....and mentionable. Have a nice day.
No, the best thing to come out of Boulder is Free Speech TV and Alternative Radio.
Actually, what REALLY needs to be done is for a governor, one governor, ANY governor, to tell bush and the feds that there will be NO martial law in their state no matter WHAT false flag happens! All it would take is one, and others would follow. The house of cards would come crumbling down! A governor could then deputize the entire friggin' state so that resistance to martial law would be legal! I say let's do it! Tell bush to go fluck himself! We in the state will take care of our OWN damn security!
I don't relish the thought of martial law one bit. It would get very ugly, if ya know what I mean.
If impeachment will drag the Republican's skeletons out of the closet, it would help Democrats get elected. Why won't they jump on it?
Boulder rocks!
This is the best thing to come out of Boulder since Jello Biafra!
Go, Boulder. Maybe the rest of the country will follow your lead. Congress (except of Dennis Kucinich) seems unable/unwilling to live up to its responsibility. It must be up to the citizens -- us little people -- to show them the way.
I intend to offer the following resolution at the Minnesota
Senate caucus the end of March.
Be it resolved that an arrest warrant be issued for the arrest and prosecution of George W. Bush and Richard K Cheney for violating the Constitutional Rights of every
citizen of the U.S.A.
I've always liked Boulder. It's a beautiful place.
I hope they don't forget to ask for extradition from other localities.
Or even better, rendition.
i believe yhay bush does need to be impeached. He has caused alot of mess that the next prtesident is going to have to clean up and sorry to say but i feel sorry fpr our next president because he has alot to fix. with the gas, housing market and alot more so that is my opion.
REBEL FARMER
vell, i hope zat ze kem patrick vill fulfill his promise az to make me zome beautiful prezent. but az wiz zeez big mouze talkers, i don't know if he comes across............wiz the perfume..............or anyzing else.........but az a hopeful person, i hope zat ze vorld vill see vhat a mess ze make and do somezing about it............zat is more important zan ze perfume from ze kem patrick or anyzing elze...........
Somebody please give bush a red shirt before he beams down.
Coco: You are SO funny! Love your posts. Is Kem going to leave you some perfume before he goes to jail?
PAULMAGILLSMITH
i think you are being somewhat 'alarmist' here. everything is under control. vee know who you are and vee know vhat you do. no need to be afraid. vee vill take care of you. do not vorry. vee vill make sure you are in ze same camp as kem patrick. he hass all ze food zat you vill need for your incarcaration. you vill be gifen a number und you vill haff to show ziss number ven you are assed. (better zan being gassed) .........
Just because a president leaves office that doesn't grant them immunity from prosecution for crimes just like any other citizen.
We're kind of damned if we do, and damned if we don't here. If we really push forward on impeachment the cornered rats will start biting (another apocolyptic event on the order of Pearl Harbor such as the false flag black op of 911...except much worse this time). These people have killed thousands of Americans & around a million Iraqis & Afghanis, without a bit of genuine remorse, so what difference does a hundred thousand more mangled bodies mean to them?
How many of you took the time to read the CD article about the faux FBI agents in our midst, that are liscenced to kill with prior granted immunity from prosecution? You should. It's an under-the-radar Gestapo that has grown from less than 2,000 a couple years ago to over 23,000 now (then there are countless Blackwater mercenaries to contend with also). These are people in some type of position of authority, spies for the administration, armed to the teeth, and just itching to use their toys (that we financed the R&D, manufacture, and distribution of BTW).
Tell me, what are you going to do when a dozen heavily armed goons invade your home while you are sleeping and 'disappear' you? What will your neighbors do after they tell them, "Oh, he was taken away because he was a commie/pinko/enemy noncombatant/Islamo-fascist/terrorist", and most of them will roll over & go right back to sleep. Isn't it amazing how the ignorant always buy the big lie, and always believe the government looks out for them...until it's their turn for a late night knock on the door that is. With secret 'detention' centers all over the US, with a capacity to hold 2 million or more, and now no longer any habeas corpus rights, how would anyone ever know what even happened to you?
I think I'd rather be damned for doing NOW, rather than damned like the pre-WWII Germans who only awoke LATER when it was TOO late.
Impeach, indict, convict, and incarcerate them NOW.
I am and have been for impeachment since the present war in Iraq began, but it's obviously clear Congress is going to do nothing about it except for by the extreme minority representatives brave enough to do the people'e will.
What is more important, how do we go about getting criminal charges filed against Bush and those responsible for war crimes? Justice will never be until Bush and company are imprisoned.
first it was brattleborough, now it's boulder. how many more b's are there left in the u.s.?? and by the time the whole alphabet is finished and people have finally gathered their wits about them to impeach, the culprits will be far away.................
If Bush and Cheney are convicted of felonies, don't they have to pay back the profit they made while committing the crimes? That could go a long way toward relieving our national debt.
"That doesn't leave much time for issues over which the city doesn't have direct jurisdiction, he said."
It's true! Some people have thought of Boulder as not a part of the USA, as if part of some foreign land?!
Reminds me of the deal where nobody did anything because everybody thought somebody else would do it.
Doesn't it occur to such imbeciles that if "we the people" don't get involved on a grass roots level and govern responsibly, we set ourselves up for the exact kind of problems our nation is facing. And as well educated and active as Boulderites are generally, who better to act for a just and true cause?
Thirty four years out from Nixon and we now have cowards who over think their positions and have a loyalty to their careers over the constitution – That's the thing that Bush calls 'just a goddamn piece of paper. The Republican side is so over the top with their nonsense of faith and values and remains so vitriolic that is hard to recognize them as countrymen. I can see where the Civil War was the only remaining outlet for the sanity of those who came after. I remain non-violent in my approach but I am no saint and the disgust I feel for those who abuse the truth is palpable. The world just spins around and there is no answer; the nonsense will not end with anything less than a world shattering event that affects all and that event would probably kill us off anyway. What a day today really is… even if it is raining…
If this city council doesn't have time to repond to the needs of their constituency, maybe the constituency should consider laying them off so they have more time to do the things that are more important.
Among the things they might ponder, during their unemployment:
1. the foundation of government in this country, our constitution and how it has been degraded by this administration;
2. the three branches of government and the deliberate subversion of the balance of power by this administration;
3. and the fundamentals of government in a representational republic.
In short, they could examine the job description of all elected officials and how they failed to live up to it.
I know this might be jumping the gun a bit, but if Bush and Cheney are impeached, does that mean they can still go on trial as mass murderers, for war crimes, and for torture?
Boulder is on the right track. Rep. Conyers need more prodding and more backing to proceed with IMPEACHMENT.
This must proceed and the time is right to compete with the trials of the accused terrorists. The Repubs will use these trials until election day and the uninformed will be influenced by their propaganda.
As noted in a previous writer, send a message to Rep. Conyers!!!!!!!
They need to build a new insane asylum in D.C. for all of our elected leaders who DON'T feel impeachment is necessary. Or maybe a prison...
All that is being done about impeachment is talk, talk, talk. Bush and Cheney should be behind bars. I won't vote for a war-loving Republican or their accomplices -- the Democrats. I've had enough. Nothing will change with Democrats in the White House. The unnecessary and illegal wars will continue.
There much more popular momentum for impeaching these criminals than there was for Nixon.
its too late for impeaching Bush...how about starting an "Impeach Hillary" campaign?
Looks like none of the Democratic Party leadership will be making any side trips to Boulder during their stay in Denver this summer.
Impeachment proceedings would be worth doing even if they only put the last few months of Bush's eight years in office at risk, (Liz)Robinson said.
"We need to send a message that this all matters to us, whether it's last-minute or not," she said.
So true, so very true. Not to act is the send the message to all subsequent administrations - democrat or republican - that they can get away with equal or greater crimes.
We need to clean house. By bringing up impeachment now, we'll force the current candidates to express an opinion or act on the idea and principles. We'll quickly see which candidates will represent the people and which candidates will retreat to political double speak.
Take action. Go to: http://www.democrats.com/conyers-start-impeachment-hearings
Conyers is re-considering. Help him decide.
It's way past impeachment!
It's time to secede.
"Hours spent discussing national issues will reduce the amount of time we can spend on city issues."
Just like the Democrats. Nobody has time for impeachment; everybody has other priorities.
And. since the congressional democrats have not acted, it is TIME to vote for independent candidates or greens. We cannot do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. Yes, it will take time (beyond one election cycle) but one by one we have to replace local first then federal representatives who think it is better to win rather than to do what is just and sometimes unpopular with the power brokers.
Change does not come easy nor without sacrifice.