Impeachment Critical to Set Standards for Future Administrations

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/19/7146/

Impeachment Critical to Set Standards for Future Administrations
by Nancy Sullo, Tom Moore, Liz Robinson and Bruce Robinson

snip//

To those who say we should get over it and move on, we ask you to consider the following: Could our children be falsely accused and not have the right of habeas corpus (the right to face their accusers and know the charges)? Or could they be disappeared as was done by Pinochet in Chile? Will they have the protections given us in the Bill of Rights and in the Constitution? Could they be arbitrarily defined as “enemy combatants” or “terrorists” with no legal rights, per Bush’s presidential directives?

Who wins the next election is of minor importance in comparison to the question of whether future administrations are bound to operate under the rule of law and to do so openly in full compliance with the Constitution.

We need to establish, once and for all time, that we are not to be dragged into war based upon lies, that we will not tolerate torture, that we expect full compliance with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and that we will not tolerate signing statements that change the meaning of laws. The purpose of impeachment is to set standards for future administrations. Even to begin impeachment hearings will serve notice that they will be held accountable.

Why Boulder City Council? Impeachment is a matter for citizens. It is important because it is mentioned in the Constitution six times. House rules make it clear that the House will accept petitions from local governments. Court cases point to the same conclusion. Our City Council should represent Boulder citizens in matters of public importance. In their oath of office, they promised to “support the Constitution of the United States”. There was nothing in that oath that gave “potholes” precedence over the Constitution. We should expect them to take serious interest in both.

Is Boulder so insular that we should not be concerned about the shredding of our Constitution and the loss of our civil rights? Do we really think it cannot happen here or will not affect us? (See Naomi Wolf’s book, “The End of America.”)

Citizenship is not a spectator sport.

Edmund Burke wrote: “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.”

[jaysunb]

1. k & r

n/t

[TooBigaTent]

2. I wonder why I keep seeing stuff about impeachment posted here when neither

HC nor BO want it. And I wonder what the supporters in each camp think about impeachment and how they can reconcile their candidate's position with their own, if it differs.

In the cause of Democratic unity, shouldn't the admins ban all impeachment threads as disruptive?

I also agree that it is more important to the long-term health and survival of America than which conservative wins the next election.

[aquart]

3. Because Democrats are not made from cookie cutters.

Neither is democracy. We do not agree on all points with each other or our candidates.

Why should a candidate's differing position shut off our right to free speech and opinion?

Are you expecting us to rubberstamp whoever wins the election? To follow blindly and hold no opinion but theirs? To be, in fact, Republicans?

[emperor121]

4. well impeachment might be a bit of a problem.

Personally I would love to see bush impeached and subsequently convicted. I think the problem lies in what will happen if it fails. The republicans will have a field day, yapping about partisan bickering and waste of resources and all that. Even if it succeeds, it'll alienate a lot of republicans. Personally I don't care whether the republicans in congress feel alienated or not, it's just that they could make things difficult when we need legislation passed.

[ClassWarrior]

5. Personally, I would hate to see Bush** IMPEACHED...

...because it's not going to be an easy row to hoe. But it's not about Bush**. It's about defending the Constitution and our nation from a criminal presidency - now AND in the future.

Visualize IMPEACHMENT.

NGU.

[babylonsister]

7. Bingo! If we don't want * shredding the Constitution, why are we letting

him get away with it?

[Spurt]

6. Welcome to DU emporer121

quote <what will happen if it fails. The republicans will have a field day>

That is nonsense. Impeachable offenses should not be excused because prosecution "might" fail. In many aspects of life we all take risks every day and accept the possibility of failure. Such is life. As to the opposition having a field day - I think not. They will be running for cover more like.

Call the bastards to account! It is the right thing to do. It is also essential to confirm that in future such behavior will not be tolerated. The precedent must not be allowed to stand.

Cheers.

[pokercat999]

12. I might agree if all nominees for the democratic party

would state their intention to investigate, prosecute, convict and imprison all members of the current administration within their first days in office.

[intaglio]

8. I have been waiting for someone to point this out

thank you Babylonsister

[Senator]

9. An Impeachment vs. Torture Battle Would Be A Winner For November

Because it flips the "national security issue" on its head.

McCain can be challenged on his "strongest front" by Military-Dem after Military-Dem, making the point that torture and war crimes have made us far less safe. And that impeaching and prosecuting them wins us allies and hearts/minds worldwide.

Also, the "air of accountability" would go some way to abate the real threat: election theft.

---

[AlertLurker]

10. Fuck impeachment.

He ( and Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Wolfowitz, et al.) should be tried, convicted and promptly executed for war crimes. The trial military tribunal should take place in Iraq, not Den Haag.

[ClassWarrior]

13. Sorry, we need to IMPEACH first to save our Constitution...

...then you can have them for an international military tribunal.

NGU.

[King Coal]

11. Thanks Sis.