What is accountability?

[ProSense]

I have one question I wish I could ask everyone who mentions the word "accountability" from now on: What do you mean by that, and what form would it take? (OK, it's a two-part question).

It seems that everyone is throwing that word around and it means something different to each person. Frankly, someone could make a war crimes case against Bush, charge the appropriate members of the administration with treason (after a thorough investigation that is) and make a case for impeachment on one or several charges. So why not do it? What is accountability? Is sending a Democrat to the WH and unseating a few Repubs it?

So if you are for or against impeachment: What does accountability mean to you, and what form would it take?

This Daily Kos diary has some food for thought.

[ProSense]

1. First case:

Here is why Bush should be impeached.

[Posteritatis]

2. If you ask Harper, accountability means accountability.

It's become too politicized to be a real word anymore.

[ProSense]

3. What if impeachment fails?

That's the premise of the Digby piece linked to in the DKos diary. There are some, like the diarist, who believe impeachment will not get to the root of the problem: the entrenched right wing.

[ProSense]

4. Will Bush and Cheney being removed from office be enough?

They're impeached and removed from office. End of accountability? If the charge is lying to Congress, it could be. Are there subsequent trials involving other admin officials?

[ProSense]

5. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

6. Kick! n/t