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Honorable Dede FeldmanChair, New Mexico State Senate
Public Affairs Committee
State Capitol Building
Santa Fe, NM 87501
February 21, 2007
Dear Senator,
I write you today in support of the Resolution for Impeachment. There are a litany of reasons which have drawn me to urge your support as the
Resolution comes before your committee.
Clearly, President Bush and Vice President Cheney have drawn the ire of
many good Americans who have had enough of the war in Iraq, and the policies supportive of that war. But the war in and of itself is not the basis of reason that I ask your support.
The President and Vice President has maintained policies and efforts which are flagrant disregard of our Constitution, the laws , treaties and obligations of the United States. It was not long ago that Vice President
Cheney pronounced "we are not going to play by the same old rules." And it was quite recent that the Administration's Attorney General testified before a United States Senate committee that habeas was not a guaranteed right . And within the last three weeks, European nations have brought up criminal charges upon agents of the United States for their actions in a "rendition program"-- essentially kidnapping suspects from one sovereign and free nation and clandestinely transferring the suspect to a third nation, where they were interrogated, confined and tortured.
President Bush has repeated improper and unlawful applications in the global war on terrorism. The duty of the American President is to prevent war and aggression, not spin words and verbiage in the draping of the American flag and soldiers. It is the duty of the American president to use military action only as a last resort...well after diplomatic channels, both formal and informal have been exhausted. It is irresponsible to selectively chose those nations which the United States will discuss the
common ground upon which a settled peace and justice may be maintained.
It is the duty of the President to respect the right of every people to choose the sovereignty under which they might live. And it is the duty of the President to respect the sovereignty of smaller states of the international community without being subject to aggression and superior force. These are duties established in long standing treaties and
International agreements and long since adopted by the United States Government.
To be clearer, the President and Vice President have subordinated the laws and principles of the United States into a policy which was developed and articulated prior to their ascension to the Presidency. One article, written by now Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared in the Foreign Affairs issue of October, 2000-- three months before President Bush and Vice president Cheney were inaugurated. That article describes how the next President will treat "rogue nations."
The global war on terrorism is not upon the sovereign nations of the international community. Nor should it be upon the people of the United States. It should be focused upon the perpetrators and within the bounds of the Constitution and international accords. That is the duty of the President and Vice President in carrying out their oaths of office.
Impeachment is a process which is orderly, Constitutional and democratic. It is to be when it is reasoned and when the office holder has abused the power of the office. And it is the right of the Legislatures of the states to initiate the process when it is so reasoned. Impeachment holds the character of a great nation to assure a government of the people remains of the people.
For the above and more, I urge your support Senate Joint Resolution 5.
Respectfully submitted,
Eliot Gould
Donelson Road
Rio Rancho, NM 87174-5932
Cc: Public Affairs Committee
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January 23, 2007
Re: Resolution of Impeachment
Before New Mexico Legislature
My fellow citizens,
It is with sadness for the nation that I stand before you in support of
the Resolution of Impeachment.
Two years ago, the President and Vice President began a second
Administration with words which virtually all Americans find close to
their hearts. Words
As "liberty" "freedom" and democracy-- craftily spoken so to instill all
the passions, traditions and spirit of a
thankful and prosperous nation.
For the whole of the 20th century had become a great nation-- just and
generous, prosperous and responsible in our relations with the nations
of the world. We had come to value long standing principles and come
to the realization that it is those principles that mark the
differences between the american way and those of the tyrannies of
history and the world. These included transparency, open government,
the rule of law, and the foundation of our Government, the
Constitution.
Yet those words so craftily brought before our ears were but hollow
and without meaning. Each day now passing we find more unraveling of
dark moments and actions-- that the determination of the
Administration
Represents not the People nor the will of the Congress nor essential
balances of our Constitution.
Seemingly, the Administration composes itself in arrogance, disdain
and opposition to the values it calls for within our hearts.
Clearly, we as a nation have been misled. But more, we have been
misled purposefully-- and in fundamental
opposition to the very values and character that marks the nation a free
and just people.
The resolution provides the examples-- the misleading statements
leading the nation into a prolonged war; the conduct of
surveillances absent the
requirements of law and by unmitigated power; the indefinite detention
without availing charge or Courts or assurances required by Constitution;
and the absence of obligation to the treaties of the United States.
The introduction of the resolution represents a working order of
Constitutional due process. It messages neither malice nor hatred--
but the hopes and aspirations that the nation be restored with the
essences of our greatness.
Some undoubtedly will object to this resolution -- announcing to the
nation and the world that we are aiding and abetting the enemy. They
may proclaim what they will, but the course of democracy, freedom,
and liberty provides that there can be no other manner than the
purity of the solemn oaths of those empowered to lead the nation.
Without that solemness, the cause of liberty and free self government
is lost and may be beyond the reach of future generations.
I urge your support of this resolution. It is the vitality of the nation.
May God bless.
