By Congressman Dennis Kucinich, special to www.ImpeachCheney.org
As a member of Congress, I have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution and the laws of our nation, and I have pledged to represent the views of my constituents and of all Americans.
That’s why I feel both duty and sorrow in pursuing the path of impeachment against Vice President Richard B. Cheney.
While the impeachment movement has generated intensely strong sentiment and activism, there have been only two polls published on the question of impeaching Vice President Cheney. In a national poll, 54 percent of Americans favored impeachment. In one state poll, 64 percent of Vermonters favored impeaching the Vice President.
Twenty-one of my colleagues have heeded the public demand and signed on as cosponsors of my resolution, H Res 333. Others in the Congress have claimed they have more important priorities, but have told their constituents they will keep their views in mind if the matter ever comes up for a vote.
Well, the issue is coming up for a vote this week on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the “distraction” will require members to balance their priorities between Constitutionally proscribed justice and recourse and the alternative: Constitutional abuse and dictatorial power.
Only by taking up impeachment can we reinstitute a balance of powers and slow down the rush to launch a new war of aggression against Iran.
I am urging my colleagues to recognize that impeachment will not create a crisis by briefly disrupting their schedules on Capitol Hill. The crisis, as Americans outside the Beltway know, is upon us. Congress, the first branch of our government, to which the first half of the Constitution is devoted, has been reduced to almost a bystander as the policies of the wealthiest nation and the largest military ever known are set in secret by the Vice President's office. Under Bush/Cheney, we have become a nation that illegally threatens and launches aggressive wars for political – not national security -- reasons. For this crisis of confidence, this denial of our Constitutional beliefs and rights, impeachment is the only cure available.
I urge you, my fellow citizens, to share your sentiments with your Members of Congress and with your family, friends, and the news media in support regarding the rule of law and the imperative of impeaching a vice president who has misled both the public and the Congress about the gravest matters possible: war and peace. Please join with organizations like www.ImpeachCheney.org in making your voices heard as soon as possible! Every individual Member of Congress will have to decide within days where they stand.
On Tuesday, when I introduce my privileged resolution to force this issue to a vote, some other member of Congress will almost certainly move to table (kill) it. A Yes vote to table is a vote to delay the enforcement of the rule of law aside. A No vote to table is a vote to give impeachment a chance for a full and fair hearing. Please help me get this message out.
And, please help me sustain and expand YOUR platform on this and other issues by voting for me in Democracy for America's presidential poll:
Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people: Impeach Cheney Now
Please contact YOUR congressional representatives on THIS
"I urge you, my fellow citizens, to share your sentiments with your Members of Congress and with your family, friends, and the news media in support regarding the rule of law and the imperative of impeaching a vice president who has misled both the public and the Congress about the gravest matters possible: war and peace."
Citizens of the United States of America this is use it or lose it time. If you do not know what your own representatives thinks on this matter then in my opinion you are asleep at your post in a time of national and international crisis and you do not deserve the freedoms you are about to lose not just for yourselves but for your successors.
Also you will have earned your share of the contempt that the rest of the world rightfully feels for your country which claims to be pro rule of law and yet patently is not. And next 9-11 don't ask why just look in the mirror.
Democracies do get the governments that they deserve.
Whether the citizens of the United States of America deserve better than Dick Cheney is an open question, but we who have treaties with you deserve better than Dick Cheney (and President Bush) from you. You owe it us in the rest of the world to ensure that your elected representatives keep their oaths and uphold the law. Your laws and our shared laws in our treaties.
by
Brett Paatsch (0 articles, 2 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 961 comments)
on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 9:27:01 PM
You constantly speak as if none of us here in the US have done a damn thing when it comes to taking action against the current administration and their policies... Apparently WE can do no right in your opinion -as your constant criticism damns us if we do and likewise damns us if we don't. We are all lumped together in a simplistic handbasket to hell everytime you see fit to sling crap at WE who are doing whatever we can to make a difference. You are obviously intelligent but you're wasting your time preaching to the choir in rather condescending and angry tones! Your purpose might be better served by attacking any right-wing site instead...
Most of us DO share your common goal!
-Chris
by
C.Bid (0 articles, 7 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 647 comments)
on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 9:44:23 AM
Your system puts the power to impeach in the hands of the people if they want it enough. But enough of you do have to want it not just a little bit but enough. The test of a democracy is an objective one.
by
Brett Paatsch (0 articles, 2 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 961 comments)
on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 2:51:49 AM
our Representatives DO NOT listen to the WILL of the people -considering the outcome of yesterday's motions!
That's becoming clearer and clearer each day... There is a collective feeling of powerlessness now reigning over the majority of us Americans these days... and our Media doesn't help.
I am losing hope every minute and wishing I had the means to be elsewhere.
by
C.Bid (0 articles, 7 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 647 comments)
on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 11:47:05 AM
I began reading some of Dennis Kucinich’s resolution H.R.333 and I noticed this name in bold.
‘‘We know they have biological and chemical weapons.’’ March 17, 2002, Press Conference by Vice President Dick Cheney and His Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain at Shaikh Hamad Palace.
Then on Saturday I read this: Read the name in bold.
Bahrain's Crown Prince, Sheik Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, said Friday that Iran is striving to acquire nuclear weaponry, Israel Radio reported.
Here in Kuwait, everyone is preparing mentally for a 50% likely attack on Iraq in the next year by the USA or Israel or allies.
What you said is true. Bahrain has more to worry about than anyone else--as it has more than 50% shias among its population and Iran has claimed it as its own territory on a number of occasions.
In short, the leadership will say anything to make Iran look bad--and Irani leadership makes it so much easier.
The Drumming is in the air in the Gulf States today--as most never thought the U.S. would do what it did in Iraq. So, its an even bet that follow through in 2008-- a la WHEN WRONG IS RIGHT (movie)...AGAIN
by
ALONE (121 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 270 comments)
on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 10:55:23 PM
MAKE FOUR CALLS TO THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD, AND TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO DO THE SAME
Please call the Capitol switchboard at 800-862-5530 or 800-828-0498 and ask to speak to your Rep. Tell him/her to SUPPORT Kucinich’s resolution (H.R.333). At the very least, don’t let the House “table” this motion!
Then call again and tell Kucinich’s office you support what he’s doing.
Call twice more - (to the 800 number above) once to John Conyers and once to Nancy Pelosi, and ask them to let the resolution come to vote, so at least every member will be on record about impeaching Cheney.
by
Munich (0 articles, 53 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 739 comments)
on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 10:39:21 PM
And ask for an acknowledgement of receipt from your congressional representative.
Explain to your congressional representative that after their vote comes down that you want to be able to show the world that on this issue you were not idle. That you ensured that they, your representative, got your message.
by
Brett Paatsch (0 articles, 2 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 961 comments)
on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 11:14:34 PM
I just read on truth-out were Mr. Dich head is about to give all companies that mfg. nuclear plants the right to go ahead and do so without approval. this means that all nuclear processing and mfg. of nuclear plants can make billions of dollars without passing any laws. old dick head will make a fortune in kick backs. these tyrants in the white house really have gone to far. THEY ALL SHOULD BE IMPEACHED IMMEDIATELY.
by
vincent passiatore (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 161 comments)
on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 10:48:24 PM
If even 33% of congressmen and senators would get together and stop all procedures on the floor for a week by calling in every delaying tactic in the book, the IMPEACHMENT OF DICK CHENEY, could begin.
IN short, NO NEW FUNDING FOR WAR until IMPEACHMENT IS STARTED.
by
ALONE (121 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 270 comments)
on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 10:48:40 PM
Fallout, like the dust from depleted uranium munitions
The fallout from impeachment would be a return to Constitutional order with the legislative branch and the executive branch sharing power as co-equal branches of government.
The Office of the Vice President has not respected the rule of Constitutional law by pushing the limits of power during an endless war, manufactured under false pretenses. Presidential power has been pushed beyond the power of kings and Congress is forced to waste time investigating the dozens of scandals and abuses of power instead of creating better law.
Yeah, have you thought of the fallout and the blowback that will result from the United States fighting a nominal poorly justified, illegal war of aggression that furthers the American Corporate Oil Empire and alienates the rest of the world?
How about the fallout and blowback the Vice President's office is causing by endangering our troops with the suspension of the Geneva Conventions, endorsing harsh prisoner treatment tantamount to torture, and indefinite detention without trial.
How about the literal fallout caused by the use of depleted uranium munitions? Depleted uranium is nuclear waste that explodes into micron-sized dust particles on impact. The Office of the Vice Presidency is directly responsible for spreading hundreds of tons of DU laden munitions to the Middle East for an illegal, unjustified war. I could almost forgive them for starting and waging a war to further empire, but a war waged with dirty bombs that will contaminate the region with radioactive cancer causing dust particles that will kill and maim indiscriminately for millions of years- THAT is a barbaric ATROCITY.
Yeah, let us consider the fallout of returning the so-called Commander in Chief, almighty Unitary Executive back to the ordinary and human Office of the Presidency by rebuking the abusers of power at the center of so many high crimes and misdemeanors.
by
Tim Riley (7 articles, 4 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 126 comments)
on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 2:30:55 AM
, Bush, prosecute Rumsfeld and the rest of the sorry lot.
Cheney was born ready to be impeached. I’m sure George Snr and his wife often in the privacy of their bedroom wonder what they did wrong.
That aside reality dictates that with control of both houses of Congress and lots of help from the Clintons and 'muddied waters' the Republicans couldn’t oust him what make anyone think that with less control the Dems will be able to get rid of Cheney? They simply won’t unless they get overwhelming support from the people which they’re unlikely to get.
So why is Dennis Kucinich suggesting it? Desperation politics 101.
He needs profile so he suggests part of a wish list from the Dems rump getting rid of the Grumpy old rude, puppet master Cheney the best target for action. One could observe that dumb without dumber would still be ...well you get the point .
Even if it doesn’t happen he can say “at least I tried”.Apparently he believes that this differenciation alone will give him a bounce in the polls and the standings. If it works he’s on odds on for the nomination and probably President. That’s the theory anyway.
I predict unless he has another ‘rabbit’ he’ll be out of the race before the end of the primaries.
by
Andris (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 532 comments)
on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 12:54:03 AM
