John Nichols wrote, "The Genius of Impeachment: The founders cure for Royalism". His wonderfully written book discusses the importance of the checks and balances of our nations government. The genius behind the design set forth in our Constitution. The separation of powers and the reasons that our founders found them to be so critically important to our nations long-term success and to prevent the creation of a "Royal" or "Unitary Executive".
Here are a few excerpts from a speech John Nichols gave promoting the book:
James Madison said, "A Nation in continual warfare will not long be free"
"No American should ever be honored to fight in a coloniel war" Abraham Lincoln
"The Provision of the Constitution giving the war making power to Congress was dictated by the following reasons:
- Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object of the war. This, our Constitutional convention understood to be the most oppressive of all Kingly oppressions. And they resolved to so frame the Constitution that no man should hold the power of bringing this oppression on the American people.
Your suggestion that Presidents should be allowed to make war as they choose and they should not be sanctioned in a time of war destroys the whole matter of the American Experiment and places our President where Kings have always stood."
Sincerely,
Abraham Lincoln
Benjamin Franklin argued that the impeachment power was in the President's best interest. History furnishes only one example of a Magistrate being formally brought to public Justice.
Prior to that, the only recourse was to assassinate an out of control rogue Monarch. Impeachment is a better way, and it is provided for in the Constitution for the regular punishment of the Executive when his misconduct deserves it.
James Madison considered the impeachment power, "indispensable.. for defending the Community [against] the incapacity, negligence or perfidy of the chief Magistrate.
Madison felt that limiting a President's time in office simply did not provide sufficient security against the potential abuse of power. During his tenure in office the president may "lose his capacity and pervert his administration into a scheme of peculation or oppression.. or betray his trust to foreign [or domestic] powers.
Madison concluded that "Impeachment is a necessary check because the President's "loss of capacity or corruption" could be fatal to the nation.
The Framers took impeachment seriously, here are some excerpts from the Constitution:
Article. I. Section. 2. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Bush has gone way too far. The people are blind and so ignorant that he feels that he can do everything that he pleases, like the OIL executives say when they jack-up the price of fuel, "BECAUSE WE CAN."
All the branches of the Government turn a blind EYE away from the Constitution and just let it ride, allowing Bush do as he pleases.
If we ignore what is going on there will be nothing left for real AMERICANS, but, to FIGHT!
With the BLOOD of Patriots and TYRANTS.
We have just about run out of choices and I am tired of riding on the razors edge.
Make it happen, because it's already too late!
by
1Bigbeam (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 7:20:53 AM
Before congress members will act they have to know that they will be out on their ear if at the next election if they don't. And there needs to be an alternative who will act. To have this fear in their minds they need to see the polls showing that 70% of the public wants action.
So if you want to see change get the public informed. And the best thing to inform them about is 9/11. There is abundant scientific proof that explosives were used to bring down all three towers. There is abundant evidence that the admin knew 9/11 was coming and failed to act, that they removed crime scene evidence, that they hid and destroyed records, that they denied the use of explosives and had a lying report prepared by NIST.
Tell all your friends. when enough people know you can expect action.
Yes impeachment is one solution to law breakers but a much better one is to apply the domestic and international laws. Most of the executive branch were involved in the war crimes committed during the past 8 years as were the military brass. The Bush people have ridden rough shod over many treaties the USA signed up to because they were considered a temporary solution to a problem and discarded when they were no longer needed.
All the people involved in the crime of 9/11 and the subsequent invasion of Iraq and Afgahnistan should be arrested and charged in an international court with war crimes or suffer the consequences of future US governments repeating the crimes.
by
douglas kay (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 83 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 9:38:48 AM
Yes, impeachment hearings are the solution to giving a fear in the hearts of the twin monsters in our White House in Washington, DC. Why not turn it back on them, they have placed fear on America at every step the last 8 years. Using it as a political bludgeon, on us. There is an absolute requirement that the House of Representatives follow the law and bring the truth out. Lies make a nation sick.
by
zephyr (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 64 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 11:03:50 AM
Impeachment requires HEARINGS first. Conyers should have requested these long ago and members of Congress should be shamed by their lack of interest in even looking into the serious wrongdoings of the Bush/Cheney administration. Here are just a few charges and laws anyone can see were broken:
1. Treatment of prisoners of war, violation of Helsinki Accords 1975 and Geneva Convention of 1949. Both signed and approved by Congress and the President is sworn to uphold according to our US Constitution Article VI.
2. Unlawful spying on US citizens. Violation of the 1978 FISA laws.
3. Politicizing the Department of Justice in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act which makes the politicization of any Department in government for political purposes illegal.
4. Destruction of government records is illegal under US Code 18, Chapter 73. The Administration admits to having destroyed these records. Cheney even told his secret service to destroy all his log books.
5. Misrepresentation of facts relevant to the Iraq invasion is a violation of US Code 18, Chapter 47.
6. Obstruction of justice for informing Federal employees they do not have to testify in front of Congress or answer Congressional questions related to accountability in government is a violation of US Code 18, Chapter 73.
7. Prolonged imprisonment of a US citizen without due process is a violation of his Constitutional Rights under the 14th Amendment.
8. I would add malfeasance to the charges as this is defined as "an unjust act which the person had to no right to perform under the law."
The case for investigating these vilations of the law seem more than adequate to justify a HEARING. This is not an issue about quibbling over some minor legal point. It is about serious violations of the law that have resulted in catestrophic costs, lost of life, misuse of government power and outright abuses. If Congressional Representatives are not interested in even holding HEARINGS on such serious charges, they have no business being re-elected to office regardless of their party affiliiation. It is total nonsense for anyone to claim -- we just don't want to do this because it would be too disruptive to the Government. Well, if the people in government are not performing their functions, if thay are not carrying out the jobs they were elected to do they need to be removed from office. It IS that simple.
I would encourage everyone to find out where your Representative stands and work accordingly to either get them to change their positions or work to replace them at the earliest possible date. We elect people to serve the PUBLIC not the PARTY. If they can't get that simple concept through their thick skulls, it is time for them to look for gainful employment elsewhere.
by
Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 164 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 11:40:40 AM
why should they, there is nothing in it for them, despite gooh i don't believe the vast majority of them will be opposed, they have the money, they have the power, they have the media, they have the voteing machines,
when i write or email my georgia senators i get back administration lines are are complete drivel, it reminds me of the first time i saw the bakers, jimmy and tammy, doing their pitch on television, i thought it was hysterically funny, a satire of religion and remarked that it was great comedy, but them i was informed that no, people take this seriously,
does anyone really believe that the american people are actually prepared to do anything other than drink beer and watch football in front of their televisions
by
MITYOJAB (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 21 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 11:53:46 AM
It's way too late, wiley old John Conyers has strung along the Impeachers with false hope that Congress might begin hearings. Y'all were had. To continue to pursue impeachment with barely seven months left to retake our country from the war criminals is a distraction. Too much is at stake (the Supreme Court and War on Iran for example) to indulge our vanities. Register people to vote against McConn and get them to the polls in November. Until them anything else is political sound and fury. Sure Bush, Chaney, et al. should have been impeached ten times over for what they have done. But why would one believe the Jellycrats in Congress would ever impeach Bush when they wouldn't stand up to him on anything since November 2006? Our revenge is to unite, ignore all distractions, defeat McConn and send the worst administration in our history packing. In one sense impeachment is too tame of a response to the crimes of Bush and Chaney. They really should be tried at the Haig. VEVO.
by
James Cordray (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 55 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 12:55:16 PM
I don't believe it's too late, beginning the investigation seems to be a moral imperative and really the only recourse for a free society. Why would we ever let some that perpetrated such huge evils, crimes worse then Enron, go free?
by
August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 4:51:49 PM
I have sent my representative a number of emails demanding her to take action on impeachment. Her comment is, "At this time I feel it is not for the best interest of the party." It is all about the party and not what the American people want. It's obvious! We asked them to end the war in Iraq and they are still funding it.
There are not enough Americans who care enough to do something about it. One day when we have lost all our rights, maybe they will begin to wake up and by then it will be to late.
That day could be here before we know it. The signs are clear and Bush has the mind to declare Marshal Law while he is attacking Iran.
by
Rick Theile (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 50 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 1:43:01 PM
How can we get more people involved? I've written my Congress person, Peter Roskam and my Senators. I posted Barack Obama's response as an article. They both said, "it's too late, let's work for change".
The change I want to see is the President and the Administration investigated, and the abuses of power, reversed. Not sure what Barack Obama's "change" would be - "change" could be anything - it's a buzz word.
Keep calling, writing, and educating others!
by
August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 4:54:41 PM
Who will twist the arms of Conyers, Pelosi and Reid?
They also seem to think they are above the laws of the Constitution, there is no need to answer to the "will of the American people"..that the oath they took to protect the Constitution was with the one hand, while the other hand was behind their back with fingers crossed....shouldn't they be held accountable for this mess too? (Along with every other DEM and GOP Senator and Congressman for blind complicity and hubris) Yet, with elections right around the corner...most American citizens would seem to forget these politicians imperialistic points of view.......and vote them back into office....
by
Susan Nelsen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 267 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 2:14:11 PM
Given the state of affairs we are in impeachment is imperative if we are to save our nation and the world from tyranny and lawlessness. Having orchestrated 9/11, and invaded and occupied two nations, they are now pushing to attack Iran next month. Running the federal budget into the ground, and eviscerating the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they are one presidential declaration away from declaring Martial Law. The trained monkey, Chief Executive, thinks war is romantic, having never had to fight one, and says being a dictator would be just fine as long as he is the one. The Vice- Pres in Charge says "So" when asked if public opinion matters.
The times are dire, if not now, When?
by
Ramon Puga (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 30 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 7:33:33 PM
I agree with you, it is the question we should be asking each of the Presidential Candidates, our Congress people, our Senators, and using our local governments in whatever ways we can to end this Presidency and restore the rule of law.
by
August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 8:03:22 PM
Trying to educate those around us about what has been really going on these past 7 years, including the government's fictional account of 9/11, is still worth doing. However, it's difficult to compete against corporate media messages, propaganda networks like Faux news, and fundamentalist churches, who are able to continually broadcast a much different message.
There was a reason that conservatives and fundamentalists sought to take over the curriculum in public schools starting in the 1980s. They hated wholistic educational methods that promoted inquiry, independent thinking skills, and higher level thinking skills; they referred to these as "secular humanism" . Their objective was a return to a rote memorization and worksheet-style of education, with standardized test scores being the only educational measure that mattered. The underlying goal of this was a generation of students who never gained much in the way of critical thinking skills. And they have largely succeeded.
Of course, these wingnuts had a lot of help from most children's complete immersion in television and video-style games, and the parents that allowed it (comforted by test scores indicating that their child/school was doing fine). But the end result is essentially the same; a generation of people that are virtually incapable of critical thought.
When you combine the apparent lack of independent thinking skills en masse, and the effects of corporate, rightwing media, we get what we have today: A population that buys most of what they are told in the MSM, and can be easily manipulated by fear of the boogeyman ("terrorists" and "Islamic extremists"). This is the climate in which the neo-cons have been able to operate with impunity.
Not only is the "average" American of today is almost a different species from my ancestors and yours who fought in the American Revolution, the U.S. citizens of today are almost unrecognizable to people like my parents, who are of the WWII generation. They can still think for themselves, and view what has happened to our government with dismay and disbelief. My dad's cousin, a decorated WWII fighter pilot, was so disgusted with the Busheviks that he and his wife moved out of the country. They are sick inside as they see this administration shred the constitution, and America's image become that of greedy bullies worldwide.
So yes, we do need to keep up using every opportunity to speak with our friends, neighbors, and co-workers about what is really happening, and what has been happening. But my feeling is that most folks fall into one of two basic camps: Those that are too stressed, financially overwhelmed, and struggling to survive to pay attention, and those that are just too damn comfy with their HDTVs, NFL package, and their 24/7 excess consumption to bother with being an actual citizen - they can only be bothered to vote for the next American Idol.
I hope we can succeed before there is no return, and I pray we haven't already crossed that line, but maybe we have. I wonder what else we could be doing to change things - I am so frustrated, as most of us reading this are! I don't trust the rigged election system, and clearly the folks we did vote in to change things have utterly failed us. So what now, other than talk and blog? Elect more of the same?
(Here's a link to a past post on my blog, written on the anniversary of The Boston Tea Party, and I explore what would happen if Americans tried to organize the BTP today. Feel free to visit The Mills River Progressive often!)
My Parents are Immigrants that can see what is happening
Thanks for the post, "people like my parents, who are of the WWII generation. They can still think for themselves, and view what has happened to our government with dismay and disbelief" My Mom was 3 in Germany during WWII, they took the children to the countryside while the cities were being bombed and liberated. Following the war, they nearly starved as Berlin was blockaded. They came to the US in search of a better life and were told that "Germans need not apply" to many jobs. They learned English and assimilated into the culture.
Today, they can see exactly what is happening. We have become an fascist Imperial Nation. My parents see it clearly and talk about it often.
Friends of mine from the West Coast, that came from South America, also see it clearly. They have survived US covert CIA missions. Watched the US military destroy farmers and their families as part of the "war on drugs". They too have come to the US for a "better life" and now, they are planning a return to South America.
A good French friend of mine, here and a US citizen, has asked me and we have frequently discussed the lack of American political discourse, and questions why we don't pour into the streets in protest. He said, in France, the government is afraid of the people, they know they will be out of office if they do not follow the people's will. The French Revolution and "rolling heads" are still a deep part of the French psyche.
Not sure what has happened here in the US - we can't seem to get out of ourselves long enough to realize that in order for society to succeed, there must be a "We" to the people.
My friends, family and I are sick of what is happening to this nation, to our government and to the political process.
I'll check out your blog. Thanks.
by
August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 9:59:59 PM
The real answer of course is to get rid of the lot of them, they're all in the racket of self servival with little or no interest in the people they claim to represent. Start afresh with a new middle of the road party, reclaim the FCC and get some decent news instead of this constant propaganda. While the contestants need to collect millions of dollars to run then the chance of real change is minimal.
by
douglas kay (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 83 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 8:38:06 PM
I've been involved locally to Impeach for two years now and have as my Rep "one of the most progressive" Dems the cowardly and Janus-faced Maurice Hinchey.
Now we have him on video in a town hall meeting as saying if the Dems take the House and Senate in the upcoming elections (2006- so long ago) that he will make it his top priority to see that Bush-Cheney are impeached. Again have it on video the very words from Maurice.
He also has stated on numerous occasions that Bush-Cheney "are THE most impeachable administration" in the history of the country. This too is public record.
Now we had been trying to get Maurice to meet with us locally in an attempt to get him to sign on to Kucinich's resolution and he refused. We offered to drive down to DC and he couldn't seem to fit us in his schedule.
So we finally threatened to take out radio ads which simply used Hinchey's own words and showed how he quickly back-tracked on impeachment once the Dems took the reins.
Well of course he dropped everything and drove up the very next day to meet "privately", he would now allow press, with about 30 of us from his district.
He was most adamant and strident in his refusal to consider impeachment though he again said for all to hear that he badly wanted to see Bush-Cheney impeached and that they were "the most impeachable" blah, blah, blah but that it was "not the right time" and so forth.
He was extremely rude to people in the room and became unhinged on several occasions- far worse than his stint in Kingston, NY which was filmed and is available on youtube- as he was pressed to explain his illogical positions that directly contradicted previous statements.
The meeting lasted about an hour and half and was held in the Tompkins County Council chamber room. It was surreal and the disconnects and the contortions that this "the most progressive" of Dems put on display baffled most of the folks in the room who were and probably still are some of his most ardent supporters.
The reason the Dems don't want to impeach, and by that I mean the party apparatus and higher ups, is that they were in on the whole crime. Hearings would pull out all sorts of information that would damn the folks who sat in those rooms and were privvy to the Intelligence Estimates and many of these people were some of the most powerful and hallowed Dems.
There are sooo many bloody hands involved here and pretending it is just Bush-Cheney obfuscates the deeper reality.
by
coyote (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 73 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 9:07:17 PM
Thanks for your post. I agree that there quite clearly must be "bloody hands" culpable throughout the house and senate. It's obvious that these Congress people are also guilty. They should all be removed from office and replaced. They have failed the nation, failed their moral and national responsibilities.
And, logically, if we accept that premise, then what can this nation due to ever right itself?
"Hearings would pull out all sorts of information that would damn the folks who sat in those rooms and were privvy to the Intelligence Estimates and many of these people were some of the most powerful and hallowed Dems."
"There are sooo many bloody hands involved here and pretending it is just Bush-Cheney obfuscates the deeper reality."
I agree with you, not sure the founders had a cure for deep systemic corruption with no one within the government willing to "blow the whistle".
by
August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments)
on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 10:08:49 PM
Impeachment can even be started after they leave office but.
James Coudray: NO it is NOT too late!
BUT... It needs to be started NOW of course.
Sure we can't remove them from office in 7 months BUT impeachment can occur AFTER they leave office: they cannot refuse to testify; they do it under oath in VERY VISIBLE hearings the right-wing media can't ignore...
Crimes and genocide relevant to international laws and treaties should be handle by an international tribunal - not LA Hague cause we're not signatory to the agreement recognizing this court.
A war crime tribunal, with judges from other countries should be held in America on the Nuremberg model indeed; that's a separate issue: Let the main victims _Iraq and Afghanistan call for it and they might.
chris
by
crispy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 20 comments)
on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 12:43:41 AM
