Truthout Editorial: Impeachment and the Table

[DemPower]

...in stating flatly that "impeachment is off the table," incoming Speaker Pelosi and incoming Chairman Conyers appear to have erred rather substantially. Impeachment, of course, is a matter of Constitutional law, not personal discretion on the part of individual lawmakers. The pre-emptive nature of the decision by Pelosi and Conyers stands in sharp contrast to every principle of law enforcement. Congress - whether controlled by Democrats or Republicans - has a solemn duty to uphold and when necessary enforce the law.

If there is some reason that impeachment is not warranted in a given circumstance, it should be stated in that context. But for an individual lawmaker, any individual lawmaker, to presume to preclude impeachment regardless of the circumstances scoffs at the Constitution. The great danger is that individuals in official positions might choose to assume unto themselves the power of the law at their personal discretion. If the last six years have taught us anything, it is that such hubris leads to ruin.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0611/S00253.htm

[rodeodance]

1. I agree. Dems should not be squeemish about impeachment.

[redqueen]

2. Can't argue with that.

Not at all.

[Tatiana]

3. An excellent editorial. I'm down with that. n/t

[wtmusic]

4. big mistake, and arrogant to boot nt

[Gregorian]

5. I think the keyword is DUTY.

This has been brought up a long time ago. We don't really have a choice in the matter. Now I have to go back to the Constitution and start looking through it.

[TahitiNut]

6. Career politicians are "Soft On (Political) Crime"!

As a citizen and veteran, a regard no class of crimes more heinous than a betrayal of public trust.

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Investigate, expose, and impeach - & win in 08 and beyond!

Shine the bright lights on these Republican cockroaches and they might never be a national party again. Kick 'em while they're down!

[lillilbigone]

8. Perhaps Pelosi's statement has something to do with her ability to count.

Since conviction in the Senate would require 67 votes.

Someone please remind me of how many Democratic Senators will we have in the incoming Congress....

[AntiFascist]

12. Impeachment should not be a partisan issue, as was the case with Nixon n/t

[lillilbigone]

13. Shoulda, coulda , woulda

Yeah, it would be nice if there were some Republicans in Congress with integrity. We should be so lucky.

To quote 'Junior' Soprano: "I want to fuck Angie Dickinson, let's see who gets lucky first."

[romana]

15. I vehemently disagree

This isn't about winning or losing. It's about doing what is right. The Bush presidency has been one of the most heinously abusive ones in this nation's history. We are obligated to prosecute him with every tool available to us. To do less for the sake of expediency is to betray ourselves, the founding fathers, the Constitution, and future generations.

[GeorgeGist]

17. NO guts No glory...

remind me again how many Americans approve of Bush.

[DisgustedTX]

18. Not enough to indict Rove - oh, that was in May.

:rofl:

[mmonk]

9. .

:kick:

[Canuckistanian]

10. It's like a cop refusing to even consider arresting a suspect

Even after the criminal has already confessed and the evidence is already piling up.

[AntiFascist]

11. Yes!!!!....What Pelosi should have said is...

impeachment is off the table for the time being and will not be negotiated. She should not have made any "pledges" regarding the future pending investigation. Her pledge is all the more reason why we need a public outcry.

[Swamp Rat]

14. IMPEACH!!! INDICT!!! IMPRISON!!!

[PATRICK]

16. Two other tables

at "Impeachment Restaurant" are vacant. When the mainstream media sits down to take up the menu other than to accuse the Democrats of cooking up botulism for the republic, THAT will be significant. The Dems will be just doing their jobs and thus moving to what the law should demand and require. When the people are allowed to think THEY have an option besides being a coaxed or ignored peanut gallery for the GOp/Corporate agenda, the big table will be set.

The other table then is reluctant GOP, distracting, accusing, delaying all the way even if 99% of the people want justice served on the WH. When they arrive, haggling over price, bearing expired coupons, demanding to see the chef, then dinner will be served.

To concentrate on the Democrats as if removing the President were the end goal of winning government is an attempt to condemn the entire restaurant before opening day. It won't happen until the public forum is liberated and the GOP accepts responsibility instead of allegiance in crime and the partisan political strawman is dust. The focus of DU SHOULD be on the real tables to be filled instead of the slow eaters who are there already.

Past Winner of the Extended Analogy Award.