One thing everyone has to agree that this Administration certainly gets right: our national honor is at stake.
Our ability to to create and implement successful strategic policies that address urgent issues such as institutionalized violence and terror, nuclear proliferation, and global climate change is on the line. We are at risk of losing respect and goodwill. Much of this will be determined by how our nation deals with the difficult and dangerous situation in Iraq.
We will see the worst of this fallout, however, not because of seeking a rapid end to US troop involvement in Iraq. U.S. prestige, honor and credibility will be damaged for the foreseeable future if we do not hold accountable those people who used every artifice, true or not, legal or not, to get our nation into an unnecessary and illegal conflict no one wanted except a small circle of ideologues with illusions of grandeur and little concern for the lives of others.
At the center of this ideological operation sits Dick Cheney whose disdain for public participation in governance goes back decades when he and Donald Rumsfeld tried to deep-six the Freedom of Information Act during the Ford Administration. As he himself admits, he feels it is time to "work in the shadows." His taste for an authoritarian "imperial presidency" that scuttles any real balance of powers dates from Nixon's days.
When it is one day revealed through the use of that very Freedom of Information Act, it is likely we will see that he personally gathered such responsible and democratic stalwarts as Enron's Ken Lay to lay out, in secret, what he euphemistically called a national energy policy--otherwise known as the War on Iraq.
Enough evidence already exists that at least some of those closed-door "energy policy sessions" had to do with maps of Iraqi oil fields and the doling out of oil concessions to various companies. Nice turn of American Ingenuity to resolve our problems without having to leave the lucrative hydrocarbon business behind. It just happened to involve someone else's oil. No problem for Mr. Cheney.
Getting into the White House has its perks. Like moving with real soldiers around on a map, or writing no-bid contracts to friends.
Did we remind everyone yet of Cheney's Halliburton background? Well, these things mentioned here alone should be enough to question not only Dick Cheney's dedication to and passion for democracy, but also his, shall we say, cool and neutral examination of the circumstances in the Middle East that might require urgent military action because of perceived threats from the Saddam Hussein regime. I would say minimally that his judgment on the question at hand might have been clouded.
There is every reason to believe he was never straight forward with the American people about a real justification for war with Iraq. All announced threats were unproven innuendoes, pushed hard by the White House in spite of contrary information coming from onsite inspectors and our best intelligence. The climate of fear which resulted from 911 was steadily nourished by this Administration to get support for their planned invasion of Iraq. Rational thinking, any thorough investigation and openness were tossed into the trash heap.
Our nation's security, contrary to Cheney's assertions, has never been so compromised, as it is now, whether by creation of new enemies through preemptive use of force, the use of torture, the stretching thin of our military including the use of our National Guard abroad, or by the obscenely expensive and morally outrageous privatization of vital military services.
Yes, this nation faces a crisis of credibility and honor.
We will further erode an already badly battered image abroad, lose allies, escalate military confrontations, recruit anti-American forces, create a global distrust and distaste for American-styled "democracy", and deal a terrible blow to the rule of law both here and abroad if we do NOT impeach Mr. Cheney for all that he has done to seriously and deeply damage this nation, its people and its Constitution because of his own hubris and narrow exploitative view of human life.
It is therefore in the highest interest of this nation to go forward with the articles of impeachment brought about by Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
Impeach? Yes, of course. Anything less would make this Congress and the American people complicit in all that has gone on to damage the national fabric and our place in the world.
Impeachment is something that has to be done now. If we don't press congress to do the job all is lost. The truths that would come out in investigating the charges would chart the course this nation would take after the 2008 elections. It would open to view the duplicity of our present administration and alert the voting public to, by the power of their vote, make sure that we will never again suffer under the leadership of a bought and payed for despot.
by
walley (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 109 comments)
on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 10:26:22 AM
I have never posted anything yet, using the word impeach. Just like the administration repeated the lies to lead the people to believe that Iraq was was a threat to our nation, I encourage "We The People" to repeat 100 times, more if necessary, "IMPEACH."
First, We The People win. Second, the Democrats win. Third, even the Media wins. Can you imagine if impeachment proceedings begin, how many newspapers and magazines they wil sell. Citizens who have turned off their tvs will turn them back on. The media won't have to take up time and space with news about, Imus, Anna Nicole, O.J. Michael J or Britney to fill their hour or pages. 2008 Democrats candidates wil save millions of their campaign funds for adverttising. Repeat 100 times, more if necessary, IMPEACH
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Ron McCallie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 74 comments)
on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 12:10:51 PM
"Bush lied, people died" I am so sick of this mantra by the liberal left that probably don't even have the stones to kill a bug. Give it up! This is a just and needed war.
by
Logical1 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 12:40:09 AM
Guys, you may not like Cheney, you may even HATE Bush/Cheney but that's not a valid reason for impeachment....PROVE he did something illegal! Blah, Blah Blah....Cheney, Halliburton, oil money...get real..IF there were ANY illegal connections don't you think EVERY media source on the planet would be screaming it 24/7???? I WISH that the US was getting the Iraqi oil!! THEY should be footing the bill for the troops and equipment and paying the families death benefits..... SADLY it ain't so.
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RasDebol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 1:08:19 AM
U.S. prestige, honor and credibility will be damaged????
Sorry I forgot to comment on your "U.S. prestige, honor and credibility will be damaged"..You REALLY DO live in Fantasyland don't you???? We HAVE no credibility overseas (or even at home). The USA is a joke. Not really feared OR respected. Thanks to "foaming at the mouth" folks like you the enemies of the USA KNOW we will never really hurt them anymore as the US populace (or at least the very noisy "America is Evil" faction) can be counted on to protest and eliminate the poltical support for prolonged battles. Our enemies regularly QUOTE what you and others of your ilk say. We are a castrated "super-power" thanks to the clueless throngs that blame America for everything.... You have no real solutions or answers just anti-american rhetoric that gives hope and support to our enemies. USE YOUR BRAIN! Don't buy into the hype!
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RasDebol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 1:21:55 AM
Rasdebol said: IF there were ANY illegal connections don't you think EVERY media source on the planet would be screaming it 24/7????
This is a LAME argument, you sound like Bill O'Reilly. The managed media totally black-outs plenty of stories. For example: 9-11, 9-11 rescue workers health, use of depleted uranium in the war, and so on and so on. Just this week E. Howard Hunt's taped confession of his role in the Kennedy assination was released. Have you heard about it on Fox, CNN, or the others? No you have not. The key term I used was managed. Just because you don't hear it on the mainstream media doesn't mean it isn't so.
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David Utz (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 1:47:45 AM
I've only got one answer for you Liberal Bomb-Throwers----Ted Kennedy!!! Cat got your tongue?????? The impeachment is going nowhere because there is no basis for it. That half-dead little weasel Kucinich probably wouldn't have the strength to get through an impeachment trial. I swear he has already been embalmed!!! No one can look that bad and still be alive......
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dennis1105 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 2:44:14 AM
So , just because there is no proof it doesn't mean he's not guilty? Did I get that right? You mean he probably IS guilty but it just isn't being reported? WOW!! Great thinking there Sherlock! I probably shot JFK but it hasn't made into the news yet!
In case you haven't noticed the media is pretty much ANTI-Bush. WHEN was the last time you saw something positive about Bush/Cheney/Iraq?? Yea, I know this comes as a surprise to you since they have been SOOOOO supportive but => I <= have no doubt that if they COULD pin something on Cheney they would.... Bitch & Moan all you want but you've will have to learn to live with it for 2 more years....
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RasDebol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 4:19:01 AM
Oh by the way...The managed media totally black-outs plenty of stories. For example: 9-11, 9-11 rescue workers health, use of depleted uranium in the war, and so on and so on. Just this week E. Howard Hunt's taped confession of his role in the Kennedy assination was released.
I guess the "total blackout" didn't keep YOU from hearing about these things real or perceived...... Not much of a "blackout"...ha! If the "managed media" is managed by the conservatives then they are doing a piss poor job as it I see ONLY bad news for all things non-liberal.....
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RasDebol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 4:24:09 AM
So I just looked to HR333 and the thing is...manipulation and deceit are not illegal, assuming he did exactly what HR333 purports he did. You kinda need him to engage in specifically illegal activity.
That's how Clinton was impeached: perjury. I'm not talking about his "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" speach of his, I'm talking about him giving false testimony while under oath to a grand jury on August 17, 1998. That got Clinton impeached.
But the thing is...no one cares. So he got impeached; big deal. The senate declined trying Clinton, which is exactly what will happen if HR333 goes through. They need 2/3rds of the senate to convict and they won't get that from a (roughly) half-and-half senate. (After conviction, they just need simple majority to rule on judgement).
If we don't care that a president was impeached, why should we care if a vice-president gets impeached?
----
And another thing...the article says "illegal war." Congress authorized the use of force. Force was used. There you have it. Read the actual resolution. It was not "pre-emptive" even though they tried to peddle that in the media. It was for non-compliance. Read UN Resolution 1441 also. The real thing...not a liberal's article about it.
And technically this isn't even a war. It's a "use of force." I know it's just semantics in reality, but they decide what is illegal in courts and courts go by the letter of the law. If this isn't a war, it can't be an illegal war.
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Quit wasting my time.
by
ohcomeon (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 2:30:49 AM
Clinton was not impeached. He was accused and the impeachment failed. Perhaps you should research the "evidence" you choose to support your opinion.
Regardless, even if Clinton *was* impeached, he lied about a blow job. Bush's lies have resulted in the deaths of THOUSANDS. Clinton's lie resulted in Monica Lewinski starting a hand bag line...
by
Josh Fletcher (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 9:06:01 PM
Not only should Cheney and Bush be impeached; they should also serve life in prison for the CRIMES they committed against the United States of America and its people.
by
Null Null (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 2:36:05 AM
You are obviously the voice of reason and sound judgement! I feel certain that such a man of letters as yourself only came to this opinion after many hours of research into all the issues. I congratulate you. You are a role model for us all!
Who are YOU gonna vote for Hillary or Obama??
by
RasDebol (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 4:29:37 AM
Bush and Cheney are America. We Americans re-elected them to represent America. Did the 2004 election slip your mind?? Not everyone believes as you do. Not everyone get's there new from Left-Wing webpages. What crimes have Bush and Cheney perpetrated aganst me? Grow up!
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dennis1105 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 3:00:37 AM
I'm of two minds on this one. On the one hand, it's very unfortunate that Cheney is in office. (Of course, it's unfortunate that he's alive, but worse that he's in office.) I don't think he should be in office; I don't think Bush and Cheney should ever have been elected in the first place. However, I'm not sure they can actually be impeached for any of these offenses. Yes, they lied, yes, they were deceitful, but I'm not sure they can actually be impeached for it. I've read that it can be considered an impeachable offense to lie to Congress, so that might be a possibility, but then I've read elsewhere that you can't impeach someone for lying to Congress, so who knows? In any case, it's a bit late for impeachment now... Even if he could be impeached, by the time the process was over, it would be about time for him to step down from office anyway.
Mind you, I'm not some right-winger and I do wish that we could impeach the both of them. I wish we'd just been smarter from the start and not elected Bush and Cheney at all, really, but at this point it's a bit late to take action on any of this, and I'm not sure that it could legally be done, anyway.
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Sarah Wilson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 9:11:43 AM
I know that a lot of you HATE Bush and Cheney. Since this is still (for now anyway) a free country you are not only entitled to your opinions, you are actually encouraged to express those opinions.
Unfortunately for you, Bush and Cheney breaking the law is more of an opinion than a matter of fact. It could certainly be argued that laws were broken but the issues for which the Dems are trying to impeach are not founded on any logical reasoning associated with impeachable offenses.
The Democrats can continue to hate them and continue to try to derail their every move but it is a far fetched fantasy to think they will succeed in actually impeaching either Bush or Cheney.
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Jason (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 9:56:32 PM
American values demand Impeachment and there's lots of time.
Every Democratic presidential candidate has recognized the need to regain the respect, trust and goodwill of the people of the world. Impeaching this administration would be a responsible first step ....Impeachment summer has begun. It is time for sovereign citizens to demand and promote the human values of truth, freedom and justice which this administration has trampled.....We have 4 months until the end of Impeachment Summer. Lets get busy. After a summer's work we will still have 15 months. 19 months is a long time to not do anything about the criminal behavior of the Bush regieme....We can do this thing. Impeach!
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GeoRip (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 41 comments)
on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 11:39:17 AM
