The Logic of Impeachment - Robert Parry

[WillyT]

The Logic of Impeachment

By Robert Parry
July 21, 2007

<snip>

...

Still, many leading Democrats argue that impeachment would just be an exercise in futility, because conviction in the Senate requires a two-thirds majority and because the sizable Republican minorities in Congress would stick by Bush no matter what – which may indeed be true.

Impeachment hearings in the House, however, would at least focus the public’s attention on the severity of Bush’s offenses, demonstrate the pattern of abuse, and explain how this administration has deviated so far from the course laid out by the Founders. Impeachment also offers a definable – and constitutionally envisioned – response to leaders who threaten the survival of the Republic. The Founders put the impeachment clause in the Constitution for exactly this kind of moment.

Even if impeachment didn’t reach the ultimate goal of removing Bush and Cheney, it would put down a marker of congressional resistance to executive abuses.

The public would get the point, too.

The current Democratic strategy of fighting and losing legislative battles over symbolic resolutions of disapproval or meaningless votes of no confidence only invites the consolidation of the Bush-Cheney vision of an all-powerful presidency. The Democratic fecklessness also alienates the only logical allies in the fight to save the Republic, millions of citizens alarmed at the Bush-Cheney power grab.

In my neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, lawn signs have sprung up reading simply “Impeach Him” or “Impeach Them Both.” No one needs to say who the “him” and the “them” are. From opinion polls, it’s clear, too, that Americans across the country are furious with Bush and Cheney. Many recognize that Bush and Cheney represent an unparalleled threat to core American principles, such as the concept of inalienable rights.

These millions of Americans are searching for some courageous politicians willing to take the lead. Instead, the people get all-night Iraq War debates that go nowhere – and empty promises that, some day down the road, the Democrats will finally get serious.

What these citizens want is for the Democrats to stiffen their spines and finally declare, loudly and clearly, “Impeach the bastards.”

<snip>

Link: http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/072107.html

IMPEACH THE BASTARDS!!!

:mad:

[Drum]

1. Recommended.

Good post, and true true true.

[EFerrari]

2. IMPEACH!

:bounce:

[Mme. Defarge]

3. My take on this ...

"Even if impeachment didn’t reach the ultimate goal of removing Bush and Cheney, it would put down a marker of congressional resistance to executive abuses."

It would also force those who voted against impeachment to defend their vote in the court of public opinion and at the polls (if that really matters now).

[MissWaverly]

4. this should be heard every day, keep up the pressure

we have to get the word out every day, impeach them both.

[Vincardog]

5. Impeach them all NOW

[LittleOne]

6. Impeachment would go a long way to restoring

American credibility with the international community.

[indepat]

8. Impeachment would give the voters an opportunity of knowing which senators will not vote to convict,

no matter how compelling the case, so this can be taken into consideration as each Senator comes up for re-election.

[babylonsister]

7. Rec'd! nt

[PBass]

9. HELL YES, especially this part:

"Even if impeachment didn’t reach the ultimate goal of removing Bush and Cheney, it would put down a marker of congressional resistance to executive abuses.'

It will be a long-lasting DEEP SOURCE OF SHAME for the Democratic Party, if the historical record shows that Democrats stood by and did nothing, because they were being "pragmatic" or they cared more about an upcoming election, than they cared about protecting the Constitution, or protecting the 'balance of power' in the federal govenment.

Do the Democrats in Congress care more about consolidating their own power, than they do about their oath to protect the Constitution?

The irony is that Democrats will ultimately LOSE their political gains, if they do not (at least) attempt to TAKE SOME ACTION on impeachment, IMO.

[bbgrunt]

11. you summed it up perfectly. kick.

[Poiuyt]

10. Kick - Excellent article!

[porphyrian]

12. Impeachment is the best use of Congressional time and effort right now.

Anything else is ineffective in solving the problem.

[Senator]

13. Failure To Impeach Is Complicity -- Approval -- Exoneration For The Regime

That's the simplest logic of impeachment.

Will the treachery of this regime be duly noted for posterity?

Will the stage be set for a proper final judgement of their never-elected, never-legitimate status?

Will the American People be absolved for that which was done in their names, but without their proper consent?

Will the first vital step be taken toward the Redemption of Our National Soul?

Either they define America -- for generations to come. Or We The People have our Objection voiced.

There is no middle ground. There is no time to lose.

Only Impeachment leaves Our Legacy.

It is our ONLY moral, patriotic option.

-----

[malaise]

14. Great article.

Just do it -Impeach!

[WillyT]

15. Kick !!!

:kick:

[leftofthedial]

16. Impeach the bastards!

[ProudDad]

17. Beautiful

Thanks for that...

Kick

[mmonk]

18. Impeachment exists for a reason.

This is the reason.

[Faux pas]

19. ..

:kick:

[BuyingThyme]

20. kcik