(Rep) Alcee Hastings says Bush deserves impeachment and jail, but it would 'tear this country apart'

[sabra]

Source: Sun Sentinel

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, says President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney deserve to be impeached for what they’ve done to the nation. But he voted against an impeachment resolution because it’s not a fight worth pursuing with just seven months left in Bush’s term.

“Bush and Cheney should not only be impeached, they ought to be jailed for what they did to this nation,” Hastings said. “I feel there are high crimes and misdemeanors committed by the president of the United States.”

Even though he thinks they deserve to be removed, and many in the Democratic base would love the idea, he said it would be a mistake.

“It would tear this country apart, despite my ideological feelings about what has transpired,” Hastings said. “This nation is in a gut-wrenching death grip ideologically. To split it no matter what Cheney and Bush have done would leave us probably beyond repair in our lifetimes.”

Read more: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2008/06/alcee_hastings_says_bush_deser_1.html

[Dora]

1. Tear this country apart? Like separating the wheat from the chaff, you mean.

It's time to work at keeping the good: let the waste blow away on the winds of fate.

[roguevalley]

72. alcee hastings is full of shit. letting two trracks of justice stand is

what is tearing us apart. Piss on him and those like minds.

[KingFlorez]

2. I agree

At this point, it would be the wrong course of action to take. Bush's term is almost up and it's time to focus on the General Election.

[pocoloco]

4. "the constitution is a god damned piece of paper" anyway.

Got a short fucking memory??

2000???


2004???

[DianeK]

20. it is possible to impeach even after he leaves office...

in fact there is precedent
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/link.php?id=49700

[JDPriestly]

36. But, if the Democrats are too scared and morally lazy to impeach now,

why would they bother after a new president is elected? If McCain is elected, many of our members of Congress will no longer be serving. We will no longer have a majority, most likely. If Obama is elected, Democrats will have the excuse that they don't want to spoil the good feeling in the country.

It's now or never.

The country could not become more divided than it is. The Congress is afraid. What if they impeach Bush and then there is a terrorist attack? That is what they are afraid of. They think they will be blamed for anything that goes wrong if they stand up to Bush. And they probably will . . . .

While they are at it, Congress needs to end the monopolization of the media. They need to pass laws that make media conglomerates a thing of the past. That may be more important than impeachment.

Dividing the country -- what a joke.

[JeanGrey]

42. They won't bother. It isn't going to happen now or later.

[cascadiance]

54. And if that is what is done, that will tell the next criminal president NOT to leave office!

... and declare martial law and cancel elections, etc. and basically shut down our democracy!

The *proper* move is to impeach NOW to form a symbol to anyone in the future who wants to try things that this criminal administration has, that there will be a price to pay while IN OFFICE, and that inevitably they will be held to be accountable for actions such as what he's done.

And if Bush pardons everyone in his administration, resigns, and then Cheney pardons Bush, what can we do after he leaves office?

IMPEACH NOW!!!!!!!!

[snappyturtle]

57. Last summer Bruce Fein warned us of exactly this point. The

Constitution calls for impeachment of *....not to do so gives the green light to more executive over reach for future office holders. Haven't we had enough hearings and background to build a successful case for impeachment? I want to see those presently in Congress to show their hands....before any of them are re-elected.

[cascadiance]

61. THAT is the real reason there's no impeachment. Non-committal Dems don't want to show their hands!

They want to continue their M.O. of not bringing to a vote the critical issues of the day and just do the more mundane votes that Korporate Amerika doesn't care about to bring up their "liberal ratings" and sell that to the American people as being "the voice of change", without really doing any REAL change that is needed to fix the mess we're in!

Congress critters need to be forced to take a stand! Those that are REALLY there to represent us, and not K-Street USA, shouldn't have anything to fear!

[snappyturtle]

106. Oh I agree! I believe Democratic Party candidates are missing the

boat....if ONLY they'd call for impeachment....WOW! I think they would be overwhelmed with positive public response. It's not only their loss that they do nothing, it is our loss too.

[Donnachaidh]

53. so we can leave the Constitution in tatters rather than go after the criminals?

Do YOU trust the incoming Dems not to use those powers against it's own citizens? I DON'T.

Go after them impeach. convict and imprison (or whatever the sentence might be for treasonous bastards like Bush and Cheney).

[KingFlorez]

83. They are not going to be convicted

The 67 votes to convict are not there and will not be there. A failed impeachment will only damage the Democratic Party and could cause us to lose the election. If it results in another Republican getting in office, then the whole thing will pointless.

[clixtox]

99. While the Senate is judging the impeachment evidence...

they are supposed to be acting like judges, not blatantly partisan hacks, and if the evidence is overwhelming, as it is likely to be in this situation, the Senators would not realistically have the option to ignore the evident truth.

Bush would do a "Nixon" and abdicate, so to speak, before the incriminating evidence is completely laid out.

The fact that the Rethugs KNEW that they were not likely to be completely successful in their persecution/prosecution of Bill Clinton wasn't an issue, they were not dissuaded.

Too many of our Representatives in Congress, even Democrats sadly, are complicit enough to be considered legitimate war criminals for their own documented history of unquestioned funding for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. This is the explanation that resonates with me to explain the tragic absence of patriotism, morality and honesty about impeachment in/from politicians.

[bdamomma]

3. like this country is not already divided, give me

a effing break.

[bemildred]

5. Indeed.

What little hope we have lies in holding as many of these weasels as possible accountable for their crimes.

[L. Coyote]

23. And, when will they learn if here is no punishment for crimes?

The great divide will be repaired if the politicos who created it are punished for their evil crimes.

It is time for those who fell for the con job to realize the truth of their views, belief in a sham and criminal scam!!

[asjr]

6. We have been torn apart for the last

7-1/2 years. The last president to be impeached was because of a blowjob. If that can happen why can't we impeach the Bush administration for crimes against humanity, for putting this entire nation at risk of losing everything? For robbing us of our tax dollars to promote and wage an unnecessary war? For allowing thousands of our sons and daughters to be killed and an untold number of Iraqis. Disgusting.

[nodehopper]

7. how would it tear the country apart if like 70% support impeachment?

[bdamomma]

14. and everyone "on the Hill" seems to forget we are

talking about a man who has what 25% approval ratings, give me a break, is it torches and pitchforks time yet?

everyone should watch V again.

[Patchuli]

68. I agree! V opens eyes! nt

[JeanGrey]

43. Trust me 70 percent do not. Irregardless of what polls say

Americans don't want to go through that again which I think you'd find out.

[AlbertCat]

50. Americans don't want to go through that again which I think you'd find out.

I think Americans don't want to go thru a bogus impeachment about something stupid like a blow job again. But doncha think this is a little different? As in LEGITIMATE? CALLED FOR? and REAL? This impeachment would be a balm on old open wounds, not a partisan witch hunt. Of course the GOP will say it's a partisan witch hunt. "Payback!" But I think all but that crazy 25% will know it isn't.

It's amazing how the Repugs (with the help of the MSM) have succeeded in making something as serious as investigating crimes against the state by its leaders just another dog and pony show....

[cascadiance]

55. That is what YOU think (and people who are spoon-feeding you that trash!) Polls show otherwise!

The corporate media know that there's a revolutionary sentiment brewing now, and are doing everything to keep it at bay! See through that crap. If we don't solve this issue and impeach using constitutional law to do so to reinstitute the form of government our founders put in place, there will be a helluva price to pay later when people might resort to means other than governmental process to have our government LISTEN to their bosses (US!)

[Zhade]

78. "Regardless of what polls with actual evidence show, believe my unsupported claim!"

Do you even listen to yourself?

[JeanGrey]

100. Look - there are two reasons why it isn't happening.

The dems in power know it would be wildly distracting and polarizing to the election number one and number two they don't have the votes.

So we can keep on gnashing our teeth but it isn't happening.

[anigbrowl]

114. Even if that figure is correct, that leaves almost 100 million who don't

Deeply unfair, yes. But it might be that the resulting political breakdown is not something we can afford economically or socially at this time. I've found it difficult to make up my own mind on the issue.

[miles 2 go]

8. It would greatly improve our standing in the world.

Letting them off the hook is saying that raping and bankrupting America (and the world for that matter) is ok.

[The Blue Flower]

9. Let the investigations go forward

I think Hastings should trust the power of truth. If the evidence for crimes is there, trust the American people to judge. Does he think we're all too stupid to know where things stand already?

[emmadoggy]

10. What a cop-out.

That's a ridiculously stupid excuse. Does he need 100% support in the polls to consider it safe to try??

Should we not go after criminals just because there might be a few people who don't believe they are guilty or want to see them punished?

Yeah, better to just keep the status quo and let the criminals walk to wreak more havoc another day. Screw the Constitution and the rule of law. We'll just look the other way on this one.


:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[LibDemAlways]

16. Totally agree. Why not save the taxpayers a bunch of money

and do away with the entire criminal justice system? If the guys at the top aren't held accountable for mass murder, why should anybody be in jail?

[Zhade]

79. It's nothing less than cowardice and complicity.

NT!

[Phred42]

11. BULLSHIT!!!! It would HEAL this Country -

This is the same bullshit that CAUSED the Mess we are currently in.

I can't believe that someone is starting this CRAP AGAIN!!!

Is Hastings completely incapable of LEARNING?

NOT IMPEACHING and, if Guilty - SERIOUS JAIL TIME, will PREVENT the NEXT Bush, Bush Sr, Reagan, Nixon. and Fascist Coup in this COuntry

We are here now BECAUSE these former bastards were NOT Impeached.

Geezusphuckinggod! What the hell is the matter with you?!

To NOT recognize this makes you an enabler and part of the problem.

Hastings is either a coward or a collaborator and has proven that she MUST be replaced ASAP

:banghead:

[emmadoggy]

13. Exactly.

[bdamomma]

15. isn't Alcee Hastings a man?

[brentspeak]

26. He is.

[Phred42]

44. Dont confuse me withthe details!

:rofl:

[newspeak]

52. so, what was the excuse after the Iran-Contra, drug, BCCI, money laundering

deal? Because there were no further investigations and people were left off the hook--look who has influence with this administration? Negroponte (death squads, anyone?) actually was in charge in Iraq. Some freepers actually think Oliver North is some damn hero for shredding documents that would have sent many to jail--a betrayal of our country-putting drugs on the streets--a betrayal of the American people. We didn't take care of the problem back then, and it came back and hit us in the face. Who's hurting now? A majority of the American people--because justice was put on the back burner.

[Zhade]

80. When Dems failed to impeach reagan and poppy bush, this administration employed their criminals.

It'll happen again if this Congress lets criminals walk.

[slipslidingaway]

88. Needs it's own thread IMO, great title :) /t

[DianeK]

12. the point of impeachment is not to

remove them from office, although if convicted that would the one of the consequences of that conviction...the point is to hold them accountable. If an 85 year old man shoots his 60 year old son do we decide that we will not bother to press charges because he is going to die soon anyway? What kind of logic is this. We either are a country of laws or we are not. How many times did we hear that during the frivolous impeachment of Bill Clinton?

[maxrandb]

17. Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet

or to restore democracy.

[oldskool]

18. Tear the country apart?

Over 80% of Americans think this country is headed in the
wrong direction,the middle class is wiped out.Not to mention
all the disasters happening. It won't tear our country apart.
It will show americans that our constitution is still the rule
of law.And that our government is doing their job that We the
People pay them for.

[Freddie Stubbs]

19. What the heck does this guy know about impeachment?

Oh yea, that.

[Lance_Boyle]

29. ...

:rofl:

[AlbertCat]

21. tear this country apart!

Nice bumper sticker, Rep Hastings....but what do you mean by this? Please define your vague cliche. What do you mean exactly by "tear the country apart"? Do you mean the Rockies will pull away from the plains as the east coast drifts south? Or do you mean the Repugs might say bad things about the Dems? They do that already. Do you mean it will upset Conservatives and some Liberals as well? I guess then letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire will also tear this country apart. And getting out of Iraq. And legalizing Gay Marriage. and a whole host of other....lesser things.

What do you mean....exactly? Define your terms....if you can. Start tap dancing...now!

[brentspeak]

22. Not at this point it wouldn't.

The majority of Americans realize now that Bush has been a total disaster for our nation. There won't be widespread opposition to impeachment hearings. And there's only 7 months left in his term; Bush is on the way out, anyway.

[barbtries]

64. not to mention that impeachment hearings

would put information in the face of the ignorant that they'll never learn otherwise.

[Rudyabdul]

24. That's a lame excuse coming from Hastings.

This country is already so divided that we are at the point of ruin. I think that Rep. Hastings is just scared. I think he still believes that stupid idea of holding Bush and his administration accountable is being unpatriotic.

If the Repubs have the fortitude to impeach a president for lying about having "inappropriate relations" with an intern, surely the Dems can do better.

[barbtries]

65. not unpatriotic;

impolitic. it's all about the politics

[The Stranger]

25. Impeach Hastings.

We have to start somewhere.

[LeftishBrit]

28. They already did; that's why he's in Congress instead of being a judge.

[Javaman]

27. The problem is not that it would tear this nation apart, the problem

is that many a congressperson would lose their jobs.

self preservation is the first rule of a congressperson.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

30. When punishing criminals has become an unpopular ideology with those entrusted to uphold the law

What's to stop future criminals from committing crimes?

[emmadoggy]

85. "When punishing criminals has become an unpopular ideology with those entrusted to uphold the law"

Ironic, ain't it??

[tom_paine]

104. We can see it already with the progression from Iran-Contra to today: NOTHING.

NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING.

And remember, in all likelihood, these ARE the Good Old Days to future generations.

[woundedkarma]

31. Any time I hear something like this...

I think that these people underestimate the strength of the people of the United States.

Then, my girlfriend reminds me that "we" elected bush. . . Twice.

After that, anything could happen. I would not be surprised to see deathcamps tomorrow and the MSM arguing about it back and forth like it was just another news day. I wouldn't be surprised to find in a year or two our country split in two.

None of that means we shouldn't impeach these evil people. I think we should impeach AND send them overseas for warcrime trials.

I'll be happy though to just see Obama elected president.

[AlbertCat]

46. Then, my girlfriend reminds me that "we" elected bush. . . Twice.

No. No "we" didn't. Both elections were stolen. Please tell your girlfriend to stop spreading GOP lies. Thank you.

[barbtries]

66. i hope when she says that you remind her

that bush was not elected to the presidency, ever.

[Mme. Defarge]

32. It would NOT tear our country apart, but,

it needs to be done in a manner that precludes pardons. While the symbolism of holding these criminals accountable may, or may not, be worthwhile in and of itself, it is, IMO, paramount that they be punished for breaking laws. If they're not going to be punished, holding hearings and expressing toothless outrage would only serve to inflame my anger.

[Book Lover]

33. Are you kidding, buddy? I can't imagine anything that would bring us closer together as a nation!

Never before did I so clearly see how out of touch Washingtonites are.

[the other one]

34. The Guilty from the Innocent. I'll take it.

[InkAddict]

35. Hmmm...when was the last time I heard "it would tear the country apart"...

Seems that's how we got Gerald Ford (R)post-Nixon/Agnew (nope, no crooks there, Hah). I just can't seem to recall any citizen or electoral college delegate voting to make him the POTUS, but I do recall Congress failing in it's constitutional duties then too. Fast-forward to GWB* - same big oil/money/guns players, no accountability for "shocking" practice on small Latin American and South American countries. The USA's interests are represented by greedy bullies of the highest order, capitalists without consciences courtesy of Friedman, Greenspan, and their colluding banks and investment firms. I fully expect, and truly wish I did not, that the worst is yet to come in spite of the much touted Dem "change."

[pleah]

37. What a load of crap!

It will not tear this country apart.:eyes:

[emmadoggy]

86. Yeah, with approval ratings in the gutter

people are really going to be all like, "Oh, noes!! Don't impeach the poor guy!!" :crazy:

[Contradistinction]

38. Impeachment?

This talk of impeachment needs to stop. Huge waste of time & money...Not to mention that idiot is almost gone anyways. Let it go people...

[E-Z-B]

41. Exactly.

[newspeak]

60. just let it go?

another major ripoff of the taxpayers while our infrastructure goes down the tubes--while our soldiers and Iraqi civilians are dying in a bogus war for oil and war profiteers, while Americans are losing their jobs, their pensions, their health insurance and the greedy CEOS grab more and more power--while corporations like KBR gets away with two alleged rapes of American women, while Blackwater gets away with murdering civilians (children) with the no repercussions and not following the Geneva Convention, while Halliburton gets no bid contracts and probably served our men and women contaminated food and water, while a plane load of our money was flown to Iraq and was unaccounted for--I could go on and on--but you want us to let it go.

WE WERE LIED INTO A BOGUS WAR TO STEAL THEIR RESOURCES (you do remember Cheney's secrect energy meetings, don't you?)--these corporations are using our resources (people and our taxpaying money) to further their goals and lining their pockets. Katrina, now Iowa, is what this country should be focusing on--the bridge that collapsed in Minnesota is what we should be focusing on--our jobs that are going bye-bye is what this country should be focusing on--people without health care is what this country should be focusing on--our educational system (there can be no democracy without an educated, informed public) is going down is what we should be focusing on--real security in our country, like examining shipments coming it, guarding security sites, etc.. is what our country should be focusing on. But, hey, they already damaged the country, their wealthy friends have already made a killing at our expense--so let's just forget about it. Put a fork in it we're done!!!!! No, I still believe in the rule of law, the Constitution--I'm not going to let this one slide.

[barbtries]

69. my sentiments exactly

every time i go to make a response such as was called for in this case i have to type more and more, to fit in all the crimes. and i can't do it, i know, because i don't know all the crimes. they need to go NOW. seven months is a long time to do a lot of damage in. it seems so obvious i don't know why sentiment isn't 100% for it. sigh.

[Zhade]

81. Yeah, let's let criminals walk! Woohoo!

Your cowardice disgusts me.

[emmadoggy]

87. So a criminal goes on a killing spree in your hometown, robs the bank,

pilfers several little old ladies out of their life savings, and defaces a bunch of public property. Then he high tails it out of town to parts unknown.

Hunting him down will take a lot of time and cost a lot of money in man hours, so the town says, "Nah, he's gone now anyways. Let it go...."

See how ridiculous that sounds??

[Shoedogg]

39. No matter what?!

"To split it no matter what Cheney and Bush have done would leave us probably beyond repair in our lifetimes.”

No matter what? Seriously? No one could possibly mean that.
That's the worst/scariest part of the whole thing: "No matter what they do, we aren't going to do anything".

And splitting something generally means halving it. Bush has nowhere near HALF the country's support.

[JeanGrey]

40. I agree as well as it isn't going to happen.

We are taking the country BACK in the fall and we will undo what they did. Bush and Cheney will get theirs, wait and see, eventually.

[Shoedogg]

59. But don't you think...

...that not impeaching implies that what they did was okay? Not okay in the moral or ethical sense but in the legal sense?

Doesn't not impeaching mean that future presidents would be able to cite the non-impeachment of the current administration as precedent?

[JeanGrey]

101. I think impeaching isn't realistic.

[ladywnch]

45. it is already 'beyond repair in our lifetimes.'!!!! and I'm only 50!!!

now if the time for a VERY STRONG message to be sent forth: If in the future anyone attempts to do what these lying thieving crooks have done, YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. If not, it is guaranteed, it will happen again the next time rethugs are installed in the WH....GUARNTEED.

[Overseas]

47. Such comments add to the impression that DEMS ARE WIMPS !!

Really. Comments like his just feed right in to the impression that Democrats are wimps. The Democratic leaders can't even impeach an administration that has racked up hundreds of crimes. Such statements, and Pelosi's refusal to impeach and Harry Reid's fear of filibustering the super-partisan supreme court appointments, all contribute to an impression that those wimpy Dems will cave in. And if they give in to Republican pressure, how can we trust them to stand up to the trrrrists ?

[Contradistinction]

51. Wimps?

No not wimps....Petty. Look, this will never happen. Maybe a year ago. Not now. Legalizing marijuana will happen before impeachment.

[TheWatcher]

98. You know, you're right.

So we should all "lay back and enjoy it."

I'm so happy we can finally live in a country where we don't have to worry about the burden of a Constitution, Rule Of Law, Justice, all that HARD, COMPLICATED stuff.

Just let me shop and bathe myself in Cathode Goodness in peace.

After all, everything will just magically work itself out like it always does, cause this is AMERICA!

Where you are so Goddamn FREE, you can start an illegal War, break countless laws, be responsible for the death of thousands of your own soldiers and almost a million innocent Civilians, Set Torture as National Policy, Illegally Spy on your own countrymen, wreck the economy, enrich all your buddies at the expense of the Population, loot the Treasury, Out undercover CIA Agents, and WALK AWAY SCOTT FREE When you're done!

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOMMMMMMMMM!

[NewJeffCT]

111. You're right

Over a year ago, Colbert said that Bush was laying down the gauntlet and daring the Democrats to impeach him... and, he was right.

Look at what happened with Eliot Spitzer? He was involved with a prostitute, which pales in comparison to the crimes of Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice, etc... however, with a couple of days, the Republicans in NY were demanding he resign or he'll be impeached.

[OhioChick]

48. This country is already torn apart....

So, what's the "real" deal?

[SlingBlade]

49. Groundhog Day ........ AGAIN !

Gerald Ford 1974-1977

Remarks after taking oath of office ....
"My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over."
(President Gerald Ford August 9, 1974)

30 day's later......

Gerald Ford Remarks after issuing pardon to Nixon ....

"It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States." (President Gerald Ford September 8, 1974)

Jimmy Carter 1977-1981

6 years, 1 month, 7 days later....... Their Baaaack !

The October Surprise Oct. 1980
Meetings are held in Paris between emissaries of the Reagan-Bush campaign, with Mr. Casey as "key participant," and "high-level Iranian and Israeli representatives."

The October Surprise conspiracy was an alleged plot that claimed representatives of the 1980 Ronald Reagan presidential campaign had conspired with Islamic Republic of Iran to delay the release of 52 Americans held hostage in Tehran until after the 1980 U.S. Presidential election. In exchange for their cooperation, the United States would supply weapons to Iran as well as unfreeze Iran's monetary assets being held by the US government.

Jimmy Carter had been attempting to deal with the Iran hostage crisis and the hostile regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini for nearly a year. Those who assert that a deal was made allege that certain Republicans with CIA connections, including George H. W. Bush, arranged to have the hostages held through October, until Reagan could defeat Carter in early November, and then be released, thereby preventing an “October surprise” from the Carter administration in which the hostages would be released shortly before the election. The hostages were released the day of Reagan's inauguration, twenty minutes after his inaugural address.

Ronald Wilson Reagan (1981–1989)

Not a conspiracy after all ......
Reagan returned to the airwaves in a nationally televised address, taking full responsibility for any actions that he was unaware of, and admitting that "what began as a strategic opening to Iran back in Oct. of 1980 deteriorated, in its implementation, into trading arms for hostages." . (President Ronald Reagan March 4, 1987)

It Continues .....
George H. W. Bush (1989–1993)

A Bump in the road
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton 1993-2001

Full Speed Ahead ....
George W Bush 2001*-2009

What day is this again .... ?

“It would tear this country apart, despite my ideological feelings about what has transpired,” Hastings said. “This nation is in a gut-wrenching death grip ideologically. To split it no matter what Cheney and Bush have done would leave us probably beyond repair in our lifetimes". (U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar)

----------------------------------------------
Forget Impeachment, Go for Treason, War Crimes etc. etc. etc.
No statue of limitations and no more games.

Drive a stake through the heart of this blood sucking monstrosity once and for all !

[DailyGrind51]

56. We survived Nixon and Clinton,

we will survive the impeachment of Bush.

[dflprincess]

58. Sure, proving no one is above the law would tear the country apart.

What is America if every little girl and boy cannot dream of one day joining the class that can do anything without fear of consequences?

[barbtries]

62. bullshit

keeping them in office is tearing us up from without and within.

[lovuian]

63. so you just let the criminal go You are full of BS and we know it

Democrats are in collusion with this NWO regime here is one of them

[Patchuli]

67. But I wonder if Congr. Hastings

thinks they should walk scot-free for their high crimes and misdemeanors? I also don't think this is just about the time the * Disaster has left in office but following up afterwards to make sure the rule of law is obeyed. Criminals need to be prosecuted. At least what Dennis Kucinich started will keep them busy in their last 7 months.

[lutefisk]

70. Hear that Junior & Dick? Now you can really start criminalizing- no one is gonna stop you!

Doing something about a treasonous, war criminal President and Vice President might upset some people, so I can see Alcee's point.

We should really just look the other way and move on for the good of the nation.



:hi: :patriot:

[Solly Mack]

71. so jailing a criminal executive is worse than the crimes of the criminal executive?

Bush's crimes didn't tear the country apart?
Bush implementing a torture policy didn't harm America?

Seriously? Seriously?

Then I want every single person currently in jail or prison..and any sitting in a holding cell or out pending their trial...to be released...because trying them for their crimes is far worse for America than the crimes they committed.

[eppur_se_muova]

73. Memo to self: Write letter to Hastings. Be blunt. nt

[hvn_nbr_2]

74. So he thinks that "tearing it apart" is worse than ripping it shreds, crushing it...

to dust, and pissing on what remains, while figuratively stealing the gold from the victims' teeth. "This country is in a gut-wrenching death grip" because ChimpCheney put us there; now they say we just have to roll over and die because the ChimpCheney asslickers won't like it.

[lonestarnot]

75. Another freak that thinks the Constitution is just a GD piece of paper!

[Zhade]

76. Yeah, so let criminals walk. Again. That's really great for healing the nation.

I swear, the fucking cowardice.

[superconnected]

77. These crooks need to be punished regardless of how much time left they have.

The quote "A crime that goes unpunished is worse than the crime itself" comes to mind.

If justice is not served by the government(city, state or national) then society will take justice into it's own hands and ignore the laws in place. Following the laws is a social contract society makes when it believes it will benefit by those laws. Being robbed by the people in charge and the laws being ignored by the officials, ends the contract. Laws stop being 'our' laws, and instead become 'their' demands on us. Really, these crooks need to be punished for the benefit of society continuing to support the laws and the government. Otherwise, if justice is ignored very long, we'll be having a revolution and putting in a government we do believe in.

[Zorra]

82. The country has already been torn apart. Impeaching Bu*h would help

to put the country back together.

Believe me, if Bu*h were to be impeached, it would lead to a dancing in the streets, carnival-like worldwide celebration, and a new National Holiday:

Impeachment Day

[Psyop Samurai]

84. There it is, folks, straight from the DC cocktail circuit (aka "upside-down world")

It would tear this country apart.

:puke:

[marshall]

89. What if Lincoln had taken that approach?

Lincoln: "The slaves deserve to be set free, but it would tear this country apart."

Yeah, it did tear the country apart. But we were a better country after it was over.

[TBF]

93. Exactly! If nothing else registers with people, the fact that gas is headed to $5/gallon

surely does. Putting aside all the murder, pillaging, and "terrorist hunting", I do believe there are millions of Americans who would simply call for Impeachment hearings based upon the gas prices and housing debacle.

Pelosi should be impeached right along with them.

[originalpckelly]

90. And Alcee Hastings knows a thing or two about impeachment.

:puke:

[annabanana]

91. The MEDIA would tear this Country apart.

Given the truth, the information, time to asismilate it and the Country would be fine with impeachment. The media would have an apoplectic FIT.

[TBF]

94. The MSM is owned by a handful of billionaires. Impeach them too.

The press is supposed to objectively report the news, not influence it. Are we afraid of the press now too?

[windoe]

92. I strongly disagree, impeachment must go on the record

and a trial to convict must happen. Corruption, injustice and drifting away from Constitutional law is what is rotting the very heart and soul out of this country. It will instead be a healing medicine for us to see that the catastrophes we have had to witness be finally avenged.
Yes, it is a bitter medicine, but we have to take it. We have to face what has occurred and look in the dark mirror, and people have to accept responsibility for their parts, because that is what adults do. Addicts and children avoid pain, numb themselves or go in to denial rather than face the truth. Justice is the path to sanity, and can provide closure to this international nightmare.

[libodem]

95. It would not be torn in half

maybe 80-20. I think cheney has about a 19% approval rating. The reason congress has a 19% approval rating is because they have not done what they were elected to do. Even Republicans were hoping that the Democrats would bail us out. Yep, it would tear the country into the top 1/10th of the 1% richest and the rest of us, as I see it. We have become the scourge of the whole world because we are sitting on our hands and looking the other way. Shame on us. Shame.

[samsingh]

96. repugs don't give a shit about tearing the country apart

we let the 2000 election get stolen because we were afraid that the country would be torn apart. Look where that fear got us?

why are democrats afraid of standing up to the repugs?

[TheWatcher]

97. Another Jellyfish masquerading as Leadership.

I wonder how things would have turned out 200 some odd years ago if the Forefathers had all thrown up their hands and said, "Well, all of this Tyranny is unjust, and we should fight for our Freedom, but Gads Gentlemen, that would just tear the Colonies apart! That's HARD!"

Jefferson would be SO proud of what our Congress has become.

Had THESE current people been our Forefathers.....

Well, I think you can figure out the rest.

[DeSwiss]

102. So essentially what he's saying....

...is that it'll get uglier than what we have now if we pursue justice, and so therefore he wants no part of it? Don't have the cajones for the work, eh Alcee???

“They who would give up an Essential Liberty for Temporary Security deserve neither Liberty nor Security.” - Benjamin Franklin

- What clearer words could we hear of Congress' abdication of their responsibilities???

[tom_paine]

103. Maybe it needs to be torn apart then, for what survives most assuredly has nothing to do

with the Old American Republic that came before it.

After all, this country was "torn apart" by the Civil War, but it was NECESSARY or otherwise the Bushies would have won, brought us into WWII on the side of that wonderful Bushfriend, Adolf Hitler, and very likely helped to end democracy and Liberty, just as in actual history the USA helped defeat Hitler and save democracy and liberty.

The longer we put it off, the worse the final "tear apart" is going to be. Or even worse, no "tear apart" at all but Amerika sinking into the role of totalitarian nation of subjects even furthr than we have already.

Take the risk, Mr. Hastings, or there will soon be nothing left to save.

[librechik]

105. Thanks for labeling the impeachment movement "ideological," Alcee

It certainly is nothing of the sort, but you gave the Pukkkes a great soundbite.

[jcla]

107. With sentiments like that a lot of crimes will be left covered up!

Impeach Bush and Cheney!

[JerseygirlCT]

108. So something like 19% of the people in this country still

support Bush and Cheney.

Explain to me WHO exactly is going to be upset at this? Isn't there some value to just plain doing the right thing, following and enforcing the law?

[lutefisk]

109. As a nation, we can't move forward until we've faced up to what has happened since 2000.

I know it sounds clichéd, but the Nation needs closure- some sort of resolution to what's taken place since the 2000 election. It won't end when Bush leaves office- the US government has been radically changed and we need to face up to it and make choices and take action!

The Bush administration has effectively turned the United States into a self destructive crime syndicate over the past 8 years. This can't be swept under the rug.

[Lost4words]

110. I think it would validate our system and make the USA stronger!

otherwise Law and Order means nothing!

8643

[fascisthunter]

112. Then the Country was Already Torn to Begin with. Truth and Honesty...

should NEVER be compromised, if not this country is a sham.

BS-only a small fascistic/undemocratic minority would be torn.

[TroubleMan]

113. It needs to be torn apart.

It would be the best thing for us, because the status quo isn't working.