California Becomes Second State to Introduce Bush Impeachment

[davidswanson]

By David Swanson

Joining Illinois, California has become the second state in which a proposal to impeach President Bush has been introduced in the state legislature. And this one includes Cheney as well.

California Assemblyman Paul Koretz of Los Angeles (where the LA Times has now called for Cheney's resignation) has submitted amendments to Assembly Joint Resolution No. 39, calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney. The amendments reference Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual of the Rules of the United States House of Representatives, which allows federal impeachment proceedings to be initiated by joint resolution of a state legislature.

The resolution, in the words of Koretz's press release, "bases the call for impeachment upon the Bush Administration intentionally misleading the Congress and the American people regarding the threat from Iraq in order to justify an unnecessary war that has cost billions of dollars and thousands of lives and casualties; exceeding constitutional authority to wage war by invading Iraq; exceeding constitutional authority by Federalizing the National Guard; conspiring to torture prisoners in violation of the 'Federal Torture Act' and indicating intent to continue such actions; spying on American citizens in violation of the 1978 Foreign Agency Surveillance Act; leaking and covering up the leak of the identity of Valerie Plame Wilson, and holding American citizens without charge or trial."

Koretz submitted amendments gutting AJR No. 39, a resolution unrelated to impeachment, to the Assembly Rules Committee. The Rules Committee may take up the bill this week for referral, allowing him to formally introduce the amended resolution.

AJR 39 is a bill introduced in January by Koretz calling for a moratorium on depleted uranium:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/ajr_39_bill_20060104_introduced.html

"At both the state and national levels," Koretz said, "we will be paying for the Bush Administration's illegal actions and terrible lack of judgment and competence for decades—not only in the billions of dollars wasted on the war and welfare for the rich, but in the worldwide loss of respect for America and Americans. Bush and Cheney must be impeached and removed from office before they undertake even deadlier misdeeds, such as the use of nuclear weapons. There are no bounds to their willingness to ignore the Constitution and world opinion—we can't afford to wait for the next disaster and hope that we can survive it."

For more inormation and to thank this American hero, contact Paul Michael Neuman in Koretz's District Office: [phone] [e-mail] or go here:
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a42/Contact.htm

Here is a kit to help with promoting this resolution and with passing others in your towns and cities and states. Also on this page is information on activities in other states and localities:
http://www.impeachpac.org/resolutions

Get organized in California to pass this bill!
http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=CA


Illinois Legislators Were First to Introduce Bill for Bush Impeachment

Three members of the Illinois General Assembly have introduced a bill that urges the General Assembly to submit charges to the U. S. House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States, George W. Bush, for willfully violating his Oath of Office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and if found guilty urges his removal from office and disqualification to hold any other office in the United States.

The Jefferson Manual of rules for the U.S. House of Representatives makes clear that impeachment proceedings can be initiated by a state legislature submitting charges. The state of Illinois is on its way toward forcing on the House what not a single one of its members has yet had the courage to propose: Articles of Impeachment.

The text of the Illinois bill and information on its status are available here:
http://tinyurl.com/nhs3r

The bill takes up the issues of illegal spying, torture, detentions without charge or trial, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, and the leaking of classified information.

Please thank these sponsors of the bill:

Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough, phone [phone] or [phone]; fax [phone]

Rep Sara Feigenholtz , phone [phone] or [phone]; fax [phone] or [phone]

Rep. Eddie Washington phone [phone] or [phone], fax [phone]

Here is a kit to help with promoting this resolution and with passing others in your towns and cities. Also on this page is information on activities in other states and localities:
http://www.impeachpac.org/resolutions

Get organized in Illinois to pass this bill!
http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=IL



This article
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/9249

Future updates:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org

[GetTheRightVote]

1. I will do so and thank you for the posting !!

:kick:

[NEOBuckeye]

2. Awesome! It's spreading!!

First Illinois, now California. Whose next?

[pat_k]

57. If we want members of Congress to Wake Up and Stand Up for Impeachment,

. . .we need to go ALL OUT for the ones who are leading the way.

Check out the DU Challenge to keep the
Sheeler for U.S. Senate campaign's
"Be Patriotic! Impeach Bush" Billboard up.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011338&mesg_id=1011338

[fooj]

3. Can you hear us now, Little Lord Pissypants?

Rat bastard. :grr:

[Kikosexy2]

37. Didn't Vermont...

also do this as well? Well let me forewarn though when natural disasters strike Calif., Vermont or Illinois, that Incompetent Chimpie and gang are gonna screw us big time...FEMA who?? With Chimpie's recent visit to California, we've already been told pretty much to go "Fuck ourselves" when Gov. Groper asked for federal funds to upgrade our levies. So now I know (well ever since Katrina) that we're better off just preparing on our own when the Big One hits because Chimpie won't help any "blue state" period! But I'm totally for impeachment of those evil bastards!

[guidod]

44. Do you think FEMA will ever help anybody?

You're right, FEMA who? FEMA was good in the 90's, because of Clinton, but they haven't been around since 2000!

[Kikosexy2]

52. Well...

when Chimpie came into office FEMA fell to the shits and never recovered since. Everything that Chimpie touches is automatically destroyed...Is he the Destroyer or the Decider...frankly I can't decide which..har, har..

[guidod]

56. LOL...everything falls apart because

he doesn't fund it. I was in the 1994 Northridge earthquake and received $26,000.00 from FEMA to repair my house.

[AussieDave]

4. LOL - don't be surprised if Texas or Idaho or other states

with Repuke-controlled legislatures try to impeach Bill Clinton all over again......

[Erika]

15. Huh? Idaho wants Bush impeached, n/t

[PublicWrath]

19. Idaho is pushing for impeachment??? Or do you mean Illinois? n/t

[gordontron]

21. hahah

Idaho is red as heck. I'm embarrassed to live in an adjacent state to it.

[AussieDave]

62. Read what I posted - the WHOLE thing............

[pinto]

5. Yo! (aside) And I second the Times' call for Cheney's resignation.

[Imagevision]

6. Now your talking - New York to follow? - Rove indicted? - it's all

coming apart,

[Imagevision]

7. YES! - let's definitly start organizing on this one Viva California!

geez, was Arnie that pissed at Bush? - just kiddin.

[Pierzin]

8. Hoooooraaaaay!!!!

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

thanks David Swanson!!!!!

[pat_k]

58. And in the spirit of ImpeachPac. . .

. . .here's a call to get behind a candidate who's running on Impeachment.

DU Challenge to keep the
"Be Patriotic! Impeach Bush" billboard up
(Sheeler for U.S. Senate)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011338&mesg_id=1011338

[Imagevision]

9. Check it out even Paul Newman's site is listed!!

excellant!

[Imagevision]

10. sorry, wrong Paul Newman oops! but it's still great news!

[Triana]

11. How many states have to pass resolutions before...

...Lord Pissypants gets impeached? In other words, what / where does this get us and how does this work - if it works?

[shraby]

16. Only one has to pass the resolutions and

present it to congress. Then the House has to set aside all other business and deal with it.

[cyclezealot]

25. can a governor veto this resolution?

[Triana]

33. HA. Cool!

Of course you know they'll just poo-poo it and go on with their crookery.

[onenote]

43. wrong

The House does not have to set aside business. It will, like other impeachment resolutions, be referred to Committee, which is where it will die so long as the repubs are in the majority.

The House is a very traditional place and it looks to precedent. A lot of the threads that talk about the state legislature initiated impeachment process cite to section 603 of Jefferson's Manual, but apparently the folks citing it don't bother to actual read and understand it. If you look at section 603, you'll see some funny little numbers in parantheses such as:(III, 2469). These are references to something called "Hind's Precedents" which was published by authority of an act of Congress in 1907 and you can't understand Jefferson's Manual without reading them. The specific precedent cited in connection with the initiation of impeachment proceedings by charges transmitted form the legislature of a state can be found here: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=hinds_prec_vol_iii&docid=f:hinds_lxxviii.pdf

If you read it, you'll see that the resolution conveying the resolution of the state of Florida was referred to the HOuse Judiciary COmmittee. While the Committee eventually reported the matter back to the full House in that case, there's nothing that would require them to do so.

onenote

[Imagevision]

20. Vermont- California and Chicago? New York next? - How it works...

The resolution, in the words of Koretz's press release, "bases the call for impeachment upon the Bush Administration intentionally misleading the Congress and the American people regarding the threat from Iraq in order to justify an unnecessary war that has cost billions of dollars and thousands of lives and casualties; -- exceeding constitutional authority to wage war by invading Iraq;

Exceeding constitutional authority by Federalizing the National Guard; conspiring to torture prisoners in violation of the 'Federal Torture Act' and indicating intent to continue such actions; spying on American citizens in violation of the 1978 Foreign Agency Surveillance Act; leaking and covering up the leak of the identity of Valerie Plame Wilson, and holding American citizens without charge or trial."

[Canuckistanian]

12. Yippee! Good news

Now, do they have the votes to pass it? I'm not sure of California's political make-up.

[Hissyspit]

13. Impeach the motherfucker(s) already!

Resignations would be better, but they will never happen, except under EXTREME pressure and indictments.

Welcome to DU, davidswanson!

:patriot: :toast:

[Erika]

14. YES!!! Sanity reigns again! n/t

[pacalo]

17. David, how likely is it that this will pass in California?

Democrats have the majority in the CA legislature, don't they?

[Ecumenist]

18. I AM SO PROUD TO BE A NATIVE CALIFORNIA GIRL!!

the son of a bitch will be drummed out of the people's house, complete with his criminal cabal so fast that he'll watch sparks fly from his yellow bellied, lily-livered, panty-waisted ass, the lying slug.
:applause:

[Carla in Ca]

51. Me, too, Ecumenist

I'm a proud second generation SoCal gal! I called and thanked the above sponsors, and I emailed the LAT when I read the editorial. WooHoo!!!!!

So, who wants to be next? Step right up!

[Ecumenist]

54. We've never liked this idiot or anyone

associated with him and his... I believe that we're a bellweather state. We represent about 10% of population of the US. BTW, I'm a Angelina by birth... :hi: from the north state and the Capitol!!

[Pachamama]

22. Finally! I was wondering when my state was going to get going!

I want to see my fellow Californians let their legistlature know that both Bush and Cheney need to be impeached!

Meanwhile, I hope other states are paying attention!

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. This is a thousand of times more relevant than, in the Clinton years,

when conservative newspapers around the nation called for him to step down.

[Pacifist Patriot]

24. Florida can't (won't) join the movement with its absurdly Republican....

controlled state houses, but surely there are a few other states with democratic state legislatures that can also introduce resolutions. I realize only one is required but how sweet it would be to have 20% or more of the states present their resolutions to the House.

[Ecumenist]

53. Pacifist Patriot...

You might be surprised.... You might be VERY surprised indeed..

[NicRic]

26. I love it ,both my states !

I was born and raised in Chicago Ill. ,when I was 15 years old my family moved to the San Francisco Bay area,California ! I just love it that the two states of which Iam the most familar with and of which I was a resident at one point in my life ,seem to see the lite when it comes to the nightmare that this white house is for this country ,and we cant wait almost 3 more years for relief from the ignorance of the non leardership and just plain stupidity of bush and his gang of thieves !

[ClayZ]

27. WHOOO HOOO! K & R

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[PurpleChez]

28. Yippee Skippee!!!

Every day Our Glorious Leader's place in the history books seems to sink lower and lower.

[Lena inRI]

29. YIPPEEEEEEEE! NO WAITING FOR 2006 MAJORITY. . .

. . . MY THANKS AND ADMIRATION TO

ILLINOIS

AND

CALIFORNIA

LEGISLATURES!

:toast: :loveya:

[onenote]

47. Wish that was the case, but its not. Still need majority to do anything

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011916&mesg_id=1013183

[JDPriestly]

30. Calif. state Dem. convention April 28-29

Great chance for delegates to push this idea. If you are one, speak up.

[npincus]

31. Har Har- and it's a TWO-FER!

That sure takes care of the 'Cheney question'.

Now, let the rest of the state legistatures fall on this like dominoes.

[leesa]

32. Thank you California and Illinois! WooHoo! Will the nightmare end?

This is really going to make the GOP House look BAD if they don't respond.

[mconvente]

34. So we only need one state's legislature to pass this and it will start??

Wow, this will be great news if it gets passed! I don't know why Massachusetts doesn't start one, it would definitely get passed, and they have they votes to override a Romney veto.

Of course, as said above, it would be great if we got a whole bunch of states to pass this - show's it has legitmacy (at least more than one state) to the MSM... I suppose

[onenote]

46. No.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't support the California effort and similar efforts elsewhere,because the more actions like this that are taken, the more the mainstream will become accepting of the notion. However, it doesn't bypass the process; the resolution will still go to a committee where it will die unless the Democrats have captures control of the House.

Discussed more here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011916&mesg_id=1013183

onenote

[glitch]

35. Oh the irony of baby bush bringing the power back to the people.

inadvertantly, of course. K & R

[VP505]

36. Didn't Vermont

have a similar movement going??? Or am I confusing that with something else and applying a little wishful thinking???

[Ensalada]

38. this is the 1st time......

i've visited DU to find mostly good news on the front page. relativ ely good news of course-but in the condition we're in impeachment and inquiries & investigations & public outcry are all good news indeed.

thanks!

[pat_k]

61. Impeach for Hope and Renewal!!

When disasters hit, it's a tragedy, but when restoration and renewal are the horizon, it is VERY good news indeed!!

If we want candidates to Wake Up and Stand Up for Impeachment, we need to go ALL OUT for the ones who are leading the way.

Check out the DU Challenge to keep the
Sheeler for U.S. Senate campaign's
"Be Patriotic! Impeach Bush" Billboard up.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011338&mesg_id=1011338

Related:

The Third Man (Providence Journal editorial 23-Apr)

[Robbie Michaels]

39. I've Got A Song In My Heart

OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT
NO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT
OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE

We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister

[Independent_Liberal]

40. Kick!

[yy4me]

41. Go California & Illinois, where are you,

MASSACHUSETTS?

[Uncle Joe]

42. To the great state of California!

:yourock: :patriot:

[huskerlaw]

45. Proud Californian Right Here!

Yet another reason I adore my newly adopted state. Unfortunately, Assemblyman Koretz isn't my assemblyman...I missed his district by a few blocks (though mine is a Democrat, and he had damn well better support it).

[EFerrari]

48. Thank you, David.

:kick: from the Paris of the Pacific

[NJ Democrats]

49. Thanks David

Go California and Ilinois!!!

[scarface2004]

50. i t m f a!!!

yee haa!!

[robertpaulsen]

55. YES! Nail the pResident and the co-pResident!

Normally, that would put Hastert in the Oval Office. But with the prospect of Turkish bribes hanging over his head, he may have to resign as well.

[pat_k]

59. To get more of them to Wake Up and Stand Up for Impeachment,

. . .. . .we need to go ALL OUT for the ones who are leading the way.

DU Challenge to keep the
"Be Patriotic! Impeach Bush" billboard up
(Sheeler for U.S. Senate)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011338&mesg_id=1011338

Related:

Post about Sunday's editorial in the Providence Journal calling on Rhode Islanders to take notice of "The Third Man" (Carl Sheeler)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2586143

[nadinbrzezinski]

60. YYEEESSSSSS!

[Jodin]

63. Don't wait for your legislature to Impeach, Do it, Impeach Bush

Impeach Bush Yourself! That's right, this is not a powerless petition. There's a little known clause of the "Jefferson Manual (part of the House rules)" which sets forth the various ways in which a president can be impeached. Only the House Judiciary Committee puts together the Articles of Impeachment, but that occurs after someone initiates the process. There are various ways in which the Committee can have the process initiated (most commonly by members of the House passing a resolution for impeachment). But, one of the other methods put forth in the "Jefferson Manual" is for a citizen to submit a memorial. So, my organization researched a successful memorial (memorial of Luke Edward Lawless, from March 30th, 1826 in regards to impeaching Federal Judge James H. Peck. ), and used it as a template for the memorial we've created. We're suggesting that Moveon.org take on this project so that it gets legs. Currently it's located on our website as a downloadable pdf. We're asking folks to download it, fill in their relavent information in the blanks (name, State, etc.). And on October 12th, send it in. That's right, we're having everyone send it in on the same date to have the greatest effect. We hope to flood the Judiciary Committee with sacks of mail, and cause a newsworthy event. To further pressure the Committee to act on the memorials. For more details on the precident, the House Rules on this procedure, and the pdf of the document, visit our website at http://ImpeachForPeace.org and click on the link on the left side of the browser entitiled,

"Don't wait for your legislature to Impeach Bush, Do it yourself, we have the forms."