Reply #119: The Impeachment IS The Justice [View All]

[Senator]

Even without conviction -- or a successful House vote for that matter -- impeachment is a measure of justice for The American People, for that which has been perpetrated in their names without their proper consent. From that point it is only a question of how large that "measure of justice" can grow.

As to your scenario, resignations in disgrace would be an enormous, historical (Nixonian) measure of justice. As would be escape/exile to Paraguay -- in fear of Bugliosian murder charges -- an unprecedented victory.

And FWIW, a couple of other nits. Extradition treaties can be negotiated with Paraguay. But more importantly, pardons are not really magic wands -- though it's easy to think of them that way, even "legally." But politcally, acceptance is an admission of guilt. (Another large measure of justice.)

And just because no one's ever been prosecuted for abusing the pardon power as part of an ongoing criminal conspiracy, doesn't mean it can't be undertaken. Even a right-wing (formerly) Supreme Court would be hard-pressed to conclude that the framers intended the pardon power to be available for criminal purposes, like obstruction of justice.

---