copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert.  BeThink.org

The people of this country might wish to consider House Resolution 1531, introduced by New York Representative, Jerrold Nadler.  This legislation is meant to prevent preemptive Presidential pardons, or at least try to restrain an a President whose power has gone unchecked.  

To understand the vital need for such a measure, we might only ponder the proclamation offered by the current President when his cohort, I. [Scooter] Lewis Libby was convicted.  The public was aware of the intent to commute the sentence; yet, they did as was customarily done.  Americans ignored many highly suspect practices within the Oval Office.  The word was it is not good to impeach a sitting President.  While the people posited apathy, Conservative Constitutional Lawyer Bruce Fein argued.  If investigations are delayed, and an objective to censure this Administration is obstructed, a terrible precedent would be set.  

By law, George W. Bush could pardon himself and the principal staffers who served at his pleasure.  (It might be noted, the White House, perchance nervous, felt a need to state it is not "inclined" to grant extensive, defensive, clemencies to prominent public servants.  The Chief Executive's office claims there is no need for such an formal forgiveness.)

Nevertheless, as the presumption looms large, I believe the American people must stand up and attempt to reclaim the rights afforded them in the United States Constitution.  

Fellow citizens, I beseech you.  We have avoided the use of provisions our founders endowed us with.  It is time to embrace the document bequeathed to us, and do as our forefathers would have done in a similar situation.  

Please America remember; only the people can accept or end a cycle of high crimes and misdemeanors.  I invite you to tell your Congressman and woman of your concerns, sign the petition, and send a Letter to your local Editors.  Let us begin to be a government of, by, and for the people.  Please do what you can, speak out.  Silence only secures further exploitations as it has in the past, in the present, and likely will in the future.

References and Reasons for House Resolution 1531 . . . 

• Representative Nadler Moves to Prevent Pre-Emptive White House Pardons. November 21, 2008
• Bush Commutes Libby's Prison Sentence, By Amy Goldstein.  Washington Post.  ?Tuesday, July 3, 2007; A01
• Carts Before Horses, Impeachment inquiry first, ask questions later.  By Bruce Fein.  Slate. Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at 4:55 PM ET
• Impeach Cheney, The vice president has run utterly amok and must be stopped.  By Bruce Fein.  Slate.  Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 5:06 PM ET
• Tough Talk on Impeachment. Bill Moyers Journal. July 13, 2007
• Submit this form to your members of Congress and Local Paper. The People's Email.
• Sweeping Pardons 'Unnecessary,' White House Is Disinclined to Grant Clemency to Officials Involved in Terror Policies.  By Evan Perez.  The Wall Street Journal. November 25, 2008