According to the US Constitution, the president is the CEO of the US government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces. Although we the people have the ultimate authority, we vest the executive power in the president, who is ultimately responsible and accountable for the actions of the government on his watch.
US Constitution
Article II. Section 1 The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America...
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following
Oath or Affirmation:
President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."...
Section 2
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States;...
Section 4
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Here's how a Roman centurion defined authority:
Matthew 8: 9 "For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes;
and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Bush refuses to accept responsibility for the outing of Plame, which happened on his watch, and was plotted by high officials in his administration, certainly with the knowledge and consent of his vice-president, if not of Bush himself. Not only does he disclaim any knowledge of it, he has failed to do an internal investigation, and even now, will not fire those who are clearly implicated.
Putting aside the question of why Plame was outed, it clearly compromised American security, since the Plame team was tracking WMD's on the international black market, to prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorists. The outers must have known this, or certainly should have checked, before revealing her name to the press. Their action has imperiled our security against terrorists. Such people cannot be trusted with state secrets, and should not have security clearance. Yet Bush recently refused to revoke Rove's security clearance, even when asked by senior Republicans.
As the CEO and C in C, Bush has the authority and responsibility to demand answers from his staff, and to take the necessary measures to safeguard American security at the highest level. By continuing to allow access to top-secret information, to people who are clearly untrustworthy, Bush is jeopardizing our safety. This is treason, deliberately giving aid and comfort to the enemy, who must have rejoiced when the Plame network was revealed.
Treason is the highest crime, when committed by officials who are sworn to uphold the Constitution and to serve the people who have delegated authority to them. Impeachment now!
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Carol Wolman
