My letter from my Congressman (Farr-CA) re: Impeachment, and my reply.

[Fiendish Thingy]

On July 7, I wrote my Congressman, Sam Farr, urging him to co-sponsor H.Res 333; a few days later, he did just that.

Today, I received the following email from him/his office:

Dear XXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me in support of impeaching Vice President Dick Cheney. You will be pleased to know that I have cosponsored H.Res. 333, introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH).

As you know, this resolution sets forth articles of impeachment stating that Vice President Cheney: (1) has purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States about a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, and about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda, to justify the use of the U.S. Armed Forces against Iraq in a manner damaging to U.S. national security interests; and (2) has openly threatened aggression against Iran absent any real threat to the United States, and has done so with the U.S. proven capability to carry out such threats, thus undermining U.S. national security.

I am hopeful that my colleagues in the House and Senate will join you and me in pursuing impeachment proceedings. In this time of increased oversight by the new Democratic Congress, it is imperative that this institution do all it can to rein in the megalomaniacal actions of a vice president with too much power and too little supervision.

However, I worry that we are running out of time to both bring impeachment proceedings against this Administration and try to solve some of the problems it has created or neglected, like accessible health care, affordable education, stable jobs, immigration reform, affordable housing, and - especially - getting out of Iraq. Though they would not welcome impeachment proceedings, the Republican Leadership would applaud Democrats being diverted from our other oversight responsibilities where real policy changes could make a more immediate difference.

Using the time frame of the impeachment of former President Clinton, it took 13 months (from approximately December, 1997 to January, 1999) to complete the process. During that time very little other legislative work was accomplished as all efforts by Congress focused on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Can we afford to use 13 months to try to oust this Administration when it will be replaced anyway in the November, 2008 elections?

But make no mistake: I have given the resolution of impeachment my full support and will do all I can to hold accountable all the officials of this Administration.

Thank you for your input to this valuable public debate. I appreciate hearing from you.

Sincerely,
SAM FARR
Member of Congress

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And this was my reply:

Dear Congressman Farr:
Thank you so very much for co-sponsoring H.Res. 333, the articles of Impeachment against Vice President Cheney. Your stand is a truly courageous act in defense of the Constitution.

In your email to me, you also mentioned a concern that there would not be enough time to conduct the impeachment process, using the example of the Clinton Impeachment. The 13 month time period you mentioned includes the lengthy Kenneth Starr fishing expedition, wheras the actual debate and voting on the articles of impeachment took only about 3 months, if I recall correctly.
There would be no need for a lengthy investigation, for Bush, Cheney and Gonzalez have committed their high crimes and misdimeanors in an arrogant and brazenly public fashion. It would only require the time it takes to list what is already a matter of public record in most cases, (although under-reported by the mainstream media) to present a solid case for impeachment. With aggressive action, the process could be completed by the end of 2007. You might even see the approval ratings of Congress improve, just in time for the 2008 elections.
The Bush administration and the Republicans in Congress may manage to stall the process. Nevertheless, your (and every other elected representative's) oath of office demands, and the Constitution deserves, the defense against the Bush administration's assault on our cherished freedoms.
Once impeachment hearings are announced, there will certainly be smears by the administrations henchmen, including Fox News. But as the President says "make no mistake", for the majority of the American people will support you and your colleagues.
Once again, thank you for your brave stand.

Your respectful constituent,

XXXXX

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Gosh, for a few brief moments, I could actually believe I live in a representative, participatory democracy!

Just had to share, thanks for listening...

[countmyvote4real]

1. Thanks. That was great insight into the reluctance for impeachment.

Your response was great.

I would also remind the high minded that want to move forward on legislation rather than impeachment, that they will not accomplish any of their goals while */Cheney are there to veto them. If they are serious about accomplishing anything else in this term of Congress, they must impeach whether or not there is an acquittal in the Senate.

Anybody that is against impeachment and a subsequent guilty judgment is in jeopardy of being tossed out in 2008. That's goes on both sides of the aisle.

[mmonk]

2. Thanks for that.

Ive been wondering how they are going to pass all this meaningful legislation I keep hearing about. We don't have veto proof numbers in the Senate. Sometimes we can't bring closure. But there is one thing we could do in an instant if the democrats agreed to do it. Vote on impeachment articles in the House. We wouldn't need one single republican vote nor have to worry about any veto. And there it would be, all there on record that someone was impeached over these high crimes and misdemeanors against us.