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March 29, 2008 at 12:35:15

Why Is He Still Our President?

by Kevin Gosztola     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

http://www.opednews.com


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About a month ago, I was talking to my roommate from India about Bush. He looked at me and said, “Why is he still your president?”

Essentially, that’s the question we all have to ask ourselves. It should be the bumper sticker phrase that we see on cars all over America: “Why is Bush Still President?”

The answer is not a simple one. The answer is quite complex. But part of the answer is undoubtedly that he is still president because we allowed him to take power.

We allowed him to take power in 2000. We allowed him to assume it again in 2004. And we are allowing him to leave power in 2008 knowing full well records of his presidency will be kept secret in Washington, D.C. or his presidential library while he retires at Crawford Ranch, a place he has gone repeatedly during his presidency to hide from the public.

The leader of an administration that has demolished the rule of law should not be allowed to retreat and be free from accountability. The time is up on Bush’s presidency is scarcely a good reason to not impeach but rather why it is essential that action be taken now.

Indictment and prosecution should be on the tips of the tongues of all Americans and yet we can barely bring ourselves to push the Democratic candidates to be more daring when it comes to challenging Bush and Cheney.

Obama and Clinton have refused to support impeachment claiming it to be partisan or politics of the past or that it would squander a mandate won in 2006 when Democrats took control of the House and Senate or that not enough crimes have been committed yet to warrant impeachment.

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the Democratic Leadership, despite their attempts to keep this issue off the table, have not been able to keep it off the table because more and more Americans are recognizing that at this point in history impeachment is required if American democracy wishes to continue.

A group of patriots---people like you who read pieces like this on a daily basis---are keeping the beacon of light that is democracy and freedom lit.

But, how far are you willing to go?

When candidates who provide alternatives to spineless, hapless, gutless Democrats like Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton emerge like Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney who in her final days in Congress in 2006 issued Articles of Impeachment for George Bush, Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice, like Independent candidate Ralph Nader who has said Bush is a “recidivist war criminal” and Bush and Cheney are “the most impeachable duo in American history”, or Libertarian presidential nominee Mike Gravel who says on his Gravel2008.US website:

“…Without Impeachment before we choose the next Administration, we as a Nation will be setting a legal precedent. We will be saying yes to the systematic destruction of the Constitution and Bill of Rights engineered by Vice President Cheney and President Bush, and will be formally agreeing to the end of American Democracy. We, as Americans, will be giving our approval and consent to the idea that the Vice President and President are indeed above the law, that they are in fact a law unto themselves…”

We who support impeachment fervently dismiss them as impossible candidacies. It is a dismissal that is issued on terribly erroneous grounds.

That Cynthia McKinney, Ralph Nader, or Mike Gravel cannot run for president because Obama/Clinton/McCain have more money, more media support, more public exposure, etc. are not reasons for us to shirk from supporting their intrepid candidacies. On the contrary, those reasons are why we should support all three of their candidacies in any way we can as vigorously as possible.

Impeachment should be the litmus test for those wishing to run this country.

Regardless of how much money, media support, or public exposure a candidate has garnered, not having the utmost respect for the Constitution or the rule of law (whether it be internationally, nationally, statewide, or citywide) should disqualify any candidate who wishes to run this country.

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Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. He is a Nader/Gonzalez supporter in this election but welcomes anyone who wishes to have an open discussion on why he should support somebody else. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral system, its military-industrial complex, its foreign policy of American exceptionalism, its media which has become the Fourth Branch of government,etc.)
His ambitions have him currently organizing and raising money for a Chicago Conference for Media Reform in April or May of 2009. It will be organized by college students to promote youth involvement in media reform and justice. Those interested in attending or helping with the organization of the program should contact him.

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10 comments

I do not feel it necessary for me to give you a bio..this is not High School
Susan NelsenI do not feel it necessary for me to give you a bio..this is not High School

Bush and his crazies are working on attacking Iran...

And Russia is not at all happy about it...is that the "crazies" plan?...drop bombs on Iran.... the Russians will get involved (protecting their oil deals) ..then instead of impeachment, Congress will have to declare war on Iran and Russia..because they would retaliate a strike, against the U.S.? Kiss your ass goodbye

by Susan Nelsen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 217 comments) on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 1:04:44 PM
 


a concerned citizen and supporter of a new Coalition 3rd Party!
jibbguya concerned citizen and supporter of a new Coalition 3rd Party!

Good Points

Imo the answer as to why Bush and Cheney havnt been Impeached yet is because Congress is a co-conspirator... Either by corruption or cowardly silence. If there was Impeachment, and all the sordid details about what  really went on for the last 7 years came out; about 75% of Congress (...including up to 98% of the Senate) would be implicated by their knowing silence as well.

Not a very good incentive to act; to ruin you own reputation and political career by outing yourself as either a corrupt liar or coward who puts your own interests ahead of that of the Nation's. 

Impeachment as an election issue is not happening in very many places yet; If it were, perhaps the already-high number of incumbents who are not running again would be double or tripple; and the number of Congresspersons supporting "The Big I" would also grow amazingly; to the point of reaching a two thirds majority.


What we need to do is force these pols into a corner: So they are damned if they do, or damned if they don't. Otherwise, they are too craven and won't touch it.  

by jibbguy (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 123 comments) on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 2:27:39 PM
 


Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. He is a Nader/Gonzalez supporter in this election but welcomes anyone who wishes to have an open discussion on why he ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. He is a Nader/Gonzalez supporter in this election but welcomes anyone who wishes to have an open discussion on why he ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

The problem with blaming Congress

Is that it makes it all too easy for us to throw hands up and do nothing.

We have to admit we are part of the problem too.

We continue to watch and get news from media that ignores impeachment and we continue to consider voting for candidates that ignore our requests for impeachment. 

by Kevin Gosztola (168 articles, 82 quicklinks, 62 diaries, 674 comments) on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 3:23:14 PM
 


Electrical Engineer
Harold SmithElectrical Engineer

It's time to ask what we will do after he attacks Iran.

Unfortunately it seems the ba$tards are far from done. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think they plan on leaving us a recognizable country.

by Harold Smith (0 articles, 2 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 357 comments) on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 4:27:30 PM
 


I am a retired opera singer. I was a leading soprano with the New York City Opera for ten years. I am a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich and worked for his campaign in 2004. I believe that he is the ONLY honest man in congress. He has been working against this insane war since before it began. I am 72 years old and I have been so frustrated with the media, the Congress and the American people that they don't tell the truth.
CaronomeI am a retired opera singer. I was a leading soprano with the New York City Opera for ten years. I am a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich and worked for his campaign in 2004. I believe that he is the ONLY honest man in congress. He has been working against this insane war since before it began. I am 72 years old and I have been so frustrated with the media, the Congress and the American people that they don't tell the truth.

Again I say - yell at your representatives to impeach!!!

 We have to take the initiative and tell Congress that if they don't impeach, they will be out!!! They work for us! We must assume the role of their bosses. Whatever deal they have made with the evil ones, we have to intercede and tell them that as long as we have the vote (however weak that might be) we can make a difference.

The most important thing to remember is that if we do nothing, it sends a nasty message to future generations that it's okay to lie, steal and kill as long as the people do nothing.

Sooooo, do something!

by Caronome (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 186 comments) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 8:16:15 AM
 


Bill Cain is a professional travel photo-journalist who writes primarily for the Concord Monitor in Concord, New Hampshire. He's visited all seven continents, countless countries and his travel experiences have contributed to and are reflected in his world views.
Bill CainBill Cain is a professional travel photo-journalist who writes primarily for the Concord Monitor in Concord, New Hampshire. He's visited all seven continents, countless countries and his travel experiences have contributed to and are reflected in his world views.

Where Do We Begin

Where do you suggest we begin? Look around you. The problem is that there are just too many people in this country who just don't get it. We are ripe for the picking, and the picking has begun.

My hometown newspaper just ran a front page story about impeachment. It was about a local 87 year old "firebrand" who was in favor of impeachment, and who the newspaper chose to characterize as an eccentric. To emphasize this, they ran an old photo of this person being carried away from a demonstration, along with some nasy comments about this person they managed to get from some local brain-dead politicians.

This is the spin on impeachment from what is supposed to be NH's breath of fresh air "liberal" newspaper.

There is a mental disease out there that defies explanation. So, where should we begin?

by Bill Cain (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 243 comments) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 11:08:14 AM
 


a concerned citizen and supporter of a new Coalition 3rd Party!
jibbguya concerned citizen and supporter of a new Coalition 3rd Party!

We begin at home at and work

... By changing one mind at a times at the grass roots level. Family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors.

We write letters to editors for our local newspapers. Write our Congresspersons. Yes most will ignore us. But every pin prick can add up. Eventually they will see that they are in the minority..  And they hate that ;)

Yes.. Its weak but what else can we do? And the grass roots path can work. Remember that information is like a single-cell organism: When you pass it to some1 else and energize them to do the same, then that is like cell division / replication. And the numbers can jump up exponentially.   

by jibbguy (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 123 comments) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 11:19:37 AM
 


Bill Cain is a professional travel photo-journalist who writes primarily for the Concord Monitor in Concord, New Hampshire. He's visited all seven continents, countless countries and his travel experiences have contributed to and are reflected in his world views.
Bill CainBill Cain is a professional travel photo-journalist who writes primarily for the Concord Monitor in Concord, New Hampshire. He's visited all seven continents, countless countries and his travel experiences have contributed to and are reflected in his world views.

Grass Roots

Sorry, but I don't agree that grass roots awareness is the answer. How many people need to be aware of what is really happening in this country, and then what is expected to happen? Masses taking to the streets with torches and pitchforks? Osmossis? It doesn't work that way.

Major paradigm changes - and that's what we are talking about here - always have taken place in the past under extreme conditions; usually with violent revolution. The current situation will require nothing less.

9-11 Truth needs to be disclosed, for only the revelation that not only is the boat in trouble, but that there is something fundamentally wrong with the entire ocean, is going to affect change of the magnitude that is now needed. Anything less will not make a significant difference.

We are talking about orchestrating an event that will fundamentally change everything and wipe the slate clean - an event that occurs only once every few hundred years, such as the revelation that the world was round, or that it revolved around the sun.

Grass roots awareness is fine for laying a foundation, but it will never be the catalyst.

 

by Bill Cain (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 243 comments) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 5:12:07 PM
 


I am a professional life-extensionist and liberty promoter who practices what I and husband, Paul Wakfer, preach. More detail about both of us - philosophically and physically - at http://morelife.org/personal/

When the comment time period has closed at OpEdNews.com, readers are welcome to post their comments/questions at MoreLife Yahoo after meeting the posting requirements of that group, sent to all new members upon joining. All archived messages, however, are available to anyone....

to see more of bio, click on member name

Kitty Antonik WakferI am a professional life-extensionist and liberty promoter who practices what I and husband, Paul Wakfer, preach. More detail about both of us - philosophically and physically - at http://morelife.org/personal/

When the comment time period has closed at OpEdNews.com, readers are welcome to post their comments/questions at MoreLife Yahoo after meeting the posting requirements of that group, sent to all new members upon joining. All archived messages, however, are available to anyone....

to see more of bio, click on member name

Don't Include Me in "Our"

First of all, GW Bush is not "my" president. Second, all those who did not vote for him did not "allow[] him to take power in 2000"...or "allow[] him to assume it again in 2004." He is the President of the US because he received the majority of electoral votes - and none of those were a result of voting by me. Kevin, you are quite correct when you write, "... if you vote for the lesser of two evils, you are still voting evil." I haven't voted in a government election since 1998 and my not voting is because I do not and will not participate in the system - unless I have to option to vote "No" on a government increasing measure or "None of the Above"/"Eliminate the Office" for any elected position. My non-vote is a message in itself.

As for impeachment of Bush, I've signed petitions and even sent in my DIY memorial for impeachment How many others who despise what Bush and buddies are ordering others to do have gone this route? How many are using negative social preferencing against the enforcers of the orders for harm-doing that Bush and buddies are giving verbally and in writing, whether or not these orders are in agreement with some law? Remember that it is the enforcers who are doing the actual harm! The commands are just words, whether verbal or written, and whether or not in accordance with some existing law (also just words).

The major candidates for President, and likely too all the minor or want-to-bes, are interested in power over the lives of others and the adulation they receive even as just "pretenders to the throne". People can become socially mature if they are required to be so; however, the measures of government are to keep citizens dependent and obedient. Individual self-order without rule by others is the social system whose members are humans, who have become fully adult. Just as people can become physical adults, so can they become social adults - if only they are allowed (and even required in the sense that they will not achieve their desires unless they do) to socially mature sufficiently.

Understanding the social interaction methodology by which more individuals would progress to become fully socially mature adults requires a paradigm shift in thinking about human interactions. I invite - and even challenge - those who seek a society of individuals interacting to mutual benefit (or are maybe only curious at this point) to read "Social Meta-Needs: A New Basis for Optimal Human Interaction" and then review the twin frameworks of the Natural Social Contract and Social Preferencing, both of which flow from that basis.

**Kitty Antonik Wakfer

MoreLife for the rational - http://morelife.org
Reality based tools for more life in quantity and quality
Self-Sovereign Individual Project - http://selfsip.org
Self-sovereignty, rational pursuit of optimal lifetime happiness,
individual responsibility, social preferencing & social contracting

by Kitty Antonik Wakfer (11 articles, 3 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 73 comments) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 3:04:38 PM
 

 

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