Transcript Reveals Impeachable Offenses by Bush Re: Iraq

[ProSense]

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Transcript Reveals Impeachable Offenses by Bush Re: Iraq War

El Pais published a transcript (reprinted at this link) of the conversation between George W. Bush, Jose Maria Aznar of Spain, and Condoleeza Rice held at Crawford before the Iraq War. Bush is typically bullheaded, impatient, conspiratorial, bullying, arrogant, ill-informed and way over-optimistic. The transcript shows the true colors of the man-- a sort of thuggish, ignorant Mafia don-- who destroyed the United States and destroyed Iraq.

At one point Aznar prophetically says, "The thing that worries me is your optimism."

The transcript, it seems to me, provides a whole rack of smoking guns that could be a basis for impeaching George W. Bush. The transcript shows that Bush consciously intended to go to war without a United Nations Security Council resolution. The United Nations Charter, to which the United States is a treaty signatory (so that it has the force of American law), forbids any nation to launch an aggressive war on another country. The only two legal mechanisms for war are either that it came in response to a direct attack or that the attacker gained a UNSC authorization. The transcript shows Bush actively plotting to sidestep the UNSC if he could not, gangster-like, threaten its members into compliance.

The second grounds for impeachment is that Bush rejected out of hand a deal brokered by the Egyptians whereby Saddam Hussein would leave the country with a billion dollars and some documents about his WMD program. Reuters reports:

'The Egyptians are speaking to Saddam Hussein. It seems he's indicated he would be prepared to go into exile if he's allowed to take $1 billion and all the information he wants about weapons of mass destruction," Bush was quoted as saying at the meeting one month before the U.S.-led invasion.'

<...>

Bush goes on to say, "Saddam won't change and he'll keep on playing games. The time has come to get rid of him. That's the way it is. We'll be in Baghdad by the end of March."

In other words, Bush could have sent Saddam off to exile in Saudi Arabia and avoided the whole war, but refused to do so because of the family vendetta between the Bushes and the Tikritis. Nearly 4,000 US soldiers have died and thousands have been wounded because Bush would not take the deal Saddam offered him. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are dead, and millions displaced.

Going to war unnecessarily is an impeachable offense.

The whole immense catastrophe could have been avoided.

There is more evidence of thuggery in the transcript:

more

[liberal N proud]

1. It is still off the table

Madam Speaker doesn't want to upset the apple cart

edit to add:
:sarcasm:

[acmavm]

2. Both bush** and cheney have been caught red-handed doing

things that not only should have gotten them impeached, it should have earned them a prison cell.

But old Nancy will never let the rule of law and the Constutition take its course. Which makes me wonder if that in itself isn't enough to get rid of her.

[condejodido]

3. You go Cindy

Nancy and John Conyers have both betrayed the poeple who supported them

[Manifestor_of_Light]

25. Big Bill says Congress is totally sleep deprived from fund raising.

I watched his interview with Jon Stewart.

He said they spend five nights a week raising money and then fly home every weekend, and are perpetually grumpy and sleep deprived. Sounds like a good reason to me why they are not rational.

Sleep deprivation and blackmail.

[bananarepublican]

26. And to think innocents have been put to death in Texas! n/t

[Quantess]

4. More evidence?

piling up

[TahitiNut]

5. "That's the way it is."

Thus spake the Pragmatist ... arbiter of "reality" ... priest of pretentious prognostication ... the model of a person without principles and morals devoid of any sense of "duty" or "honor."

Funny how similar such amoral Borg behave, independent of the flags they wave.

[hootinholler]

7. Ya know, for being out there

You make a lot of sense sometimes ;)

-Hoot

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Quantess]

8. Bleh. Pelosi isn't

"evil" and she certainly isn't a "cow".
Spineless amphibian, maybe.

Edit: I think Nancy Pelosi is (was) excellent, otherwise. I voted for her when I lived in San Francisco in the 1990s-2001. (Apparently I can't remember how many years she was in office /ran for office, LOL.) But, I always voted for Nancy Pelosi!

[Didereaux]

10. you want Pelosi? HERE'S Pelosi....

Nancy Pelosi...POSTER GIRL for spinal osteoporosis!!!!





...and quite a number of other Democrats as well...sheesh! they have by the you-know-whats and they know it. Them ....or NO WAY!

[L. Coyote]

9. Bush lies. Kick Pelosi. I'm sick of this logic.

[Didereaux]

12. look do you think most of us like to...

kick a Democrat? But what the hell can we do in our frustration. Yes, yes any idiot can do the math and know that impeachment making it through the Senate is nigh onto impossible...but sometimes you have to try. And The majority leadership would rather play little political games. Why, I do not know, but one thing is certain, our political leadership on all sides is taking this country right down the tubes. Perhaps they DO knwo something we don't, perhaps its to damned late!

[L. Coyote]

13. And, perhaps not kicking our own would be a better strategy to advance impeachment.

[Didereaux]

16. sometimes you have to 'wake up the mule'...

JAckasses in this case(pun fully intended)! THere comes a time when 'Oh, stop you are making me nervous.' doesn't work. Especially when the nervous-maker has just yelled 'Hold ma beer. Hey y'all watch this!'

[Ghost in the Machine]

23. "Impeachment is off the table" | "George Bush is a *wonderful man* from an

honorable family" | "Yeah, the Constitution is worth it... if you can win" | "blah blah blabady blah... BLAH"

Need I say more?

[KharmaTrain]

11. This Is World Court Material

The crimes this regime have committed are well beyond impeachment. They require an international tribunal to truely find truth and guilt. This memo, if verified (and that hasn't been proven yet) is what would be material in that kind of trial...it'd mean little in a showtrial political impeachment.

I'll say it again...impeachment does little to address the crimes committed by this regime. Some of the worst criminals, Rummy, Rove and others would get away without suffering any consequences and all impeachment does is slaps boooshie on the wrist, sends him back to Texas with little other than a black mark next to his name. A failed impeachment is equal to a vindication...and imagine the message that sends to the world.

I strongly favor an impeachment IN ADDITION to a war crimes tribunal...using one to achieve the other. The only way the United States regains any good status in the world community is by bringing criminal charges against these war criminals and cooperating in an international investigation away from the corporate media and partisan posturing inside the beltway.

[Didereaux]

14. NOTHING is beyond...

Nothing is beyond impeachment, in fact it should be first. If their is a World case, and I agree at least a good argument can be made for one, then the impeached and ousted are sent to Brussels. But do not get into this highly defeatist mode that seems to be so prevelent of late, the one where the issuues and the acts are shuffled all over the place...for this is EXACTLY how a lot of the crap that these criminals have gotten away with, allowed it to happen.

[KharmaTrain]

21. I Want Criminal Justice, Not Political Ones

Yes, this is well beyond impeachment. There are no criminal penalties in that process...it's a political act, not one that addresses the crimes against humanity. Its meant to be a deterant, not a solution...but it offers no redress for those whose lives have been ruined by this regimes' hubris and bloodlust.

This isn't defeatist, this is calling for real justice. I want a trial with evidence and a jury of peers, not a game show run by politicians...half of whom are already biased in favor of boooosh that doesn't address the crimes committed by others in his name.

And if we're gonna have an impeachment, I want a full conviction...including the 67 votes in the Senate. A conviction in the world court will provide far more evidence than a political show trial limited to "abuse of power"...and would be a far more compelling case for an impeachment conviction as well.

Again, I want total justice, not partial. Maybe you'll be satisfied, I won't.

[G_j]

20. I agree

They have committed war crimes, international crimes, crimes against humanity.
They belong at the Hague.

[L. Coyote]

15. Translation

This is my translation of President Bush's comments, in part.

==========================================
Sadam Husein no cambiará y seguirá jugando.
Sadam Hussein will not change and will continue playing.

Ha llegado el momento de deshacerse de él. Es así.
The moment to get rid of him has arrived. It is so.

Yo, por mi parte, procuraré a partir de ahora utilizar una retórica lo más sutil posible, mientras buscamos la aprobación de la resolución.
I, for my part, beginning now will endeavor to use the most suble rhetoric possible, while seeking passage of the resolution.

Si alguien veta, nosotros iremos.
If someone vetoes, we will go.

Sadam Hussein no se está desarmando.
Sadam Hussein is not disarming.

Le tenemos que coger ahora mismo.
We have to catch (f**k) him right now.

Hemos mostrado un grado increíble de paciencia hasta ahora.
We have demonstrated an incredible degree of patience until now.

Quedan dos semanas. En dos semanas estaremos militarmente listos.
Two weeks remain. IN two weeks we will be ready militarily.

Creo que conseguiremos la segunda resolución.
I believe we will get the second resolution.

En el Consejo de Seguridad tenemos a los tres africanos , a los chilenos, a los mexicanos.
In the Security Council we have the three Africans, the Chileans, and the Mexicans.

Hablaré con todos ellos, también con Putin, naturalmente.
I will speak with all of them, also with Putin, of course.

Estaremos en Bagdad a finales de marzo.
We will be in Bagdad by the end of March.

Existe un 15% de posibilidades de que en ese momento Sadam Hussein esté muerto o se haya ido.
There is a 15% probability that Sadam Hussein will be dead or gone by that time.

Pero esas posibilidades no existen antes de que hayamos mostrado nuestra resolución.
However, these possibilities do not exist until we have shown (passed) our resolution.

Los egipcios están hablando con Sadam Hussein.
The Egyptians are talking with Sadam Hussein.

Parece que ha indicado que estaría dispuesto a exiliarse si le dejaran llevarse 1.000 millones de dólares y toda la información que quisiera sobre armas de destrucción masiva.
It seems he has indicated he is amenable to exiling himself if allowed to take a billion dollars and all the information he wants about weapons of mass destruction.

(Muammar El) Gaddafi le ha dicho a Berlusconi que Sadam Hussein quiere irse.
(Muammar El) Gaddafi has told Berlusconi that Sadam Hussein wants to go.


Mubarak nos dice que en esas circunstancias existen muchas posibilidades de que sea asesinado.
Mubarak tells us that in those circumstances the possibility exists to assassinate him.

Nos gustaría actuar con el mandato de las Naciones Unidas.
We would like to act with the mandate of the United Nations.

Si actuamos militarmente lo haremos con una gran precisión y focalizando mucho nuestros objetivos.
If we act militarily we will do so with great precision and with our very focused objectives.

Diezmaremos a las tropas leales y el ejército regular rápidamente sabrá de lo que se trata.
We will decimate the loyal troops and the regular army will quickly understand what that means.

Hemos hecho llegar un mensaje muy claro a los generales de Sadam Hussein: los trataremos como criminales de guerra.
We have delivered a clear message to Sadam Hussein's generals: they will be treated as war criminals.

Sabemos que han acumulado una enorme cantidad de dinamita para hacer volar los puentes y otras infraestructuras y hacer saltar por los aires los pozos petrolíferos.
We know they have accumulated an enormous quantity of dynamite to blow up the bridges and other infrastructure and to blow up the oil wells.

Tenemos previsto ocupar esos pozos muy pronto.
We foresee occupying the oil wells very quickly.

También los saudíes nos ayudarían a poner en el mercado el petróleo que fuese necesario.
Also, the Saudis will help us to put oil in the market as necessary.

Estamos desarrollando un paquete de ayuda humanitaria muy fuerte.
We are developing a large humanitarian aid program.

Podemos ganar sin destrucción.
We can win without destruction.

Estamos planteando ya el Irak post Sadam, y creo que hay buenas bases para un futuro mejor.
We are already planning the post-Sadam Iraq, and I believe there are good foundations for a better future.

Irak tiene una buena burocracia y una sociedad civil relativamente fuerte.
Iraq has a good bureaucracy and a relatively strong civil society.

Se podría organizar en una federación.
It could organize as a federation.

Mientras tanto estamos haciendo todo lo posible para atender las necesidades políticas de nuestros amigos y aliados.
Until then, we are doing everything possible to attend to the necessary politics of our friends and allies.

...Another segment with Condi Rice "Blix will now be more negative"

Edited on Wed Sep-26-07 11:33 AM by L. Coyote
PA.
¿Cómo se combina la resolución y el informe de los inspectores?
How will the resolution be combined with the report of the inspectors.

Condoleezza Rice.
En realidad no habrá informe el 28 de febrero sino que los inspectores presentarán un informe escrito el 1 de marzo, y su comparecencia ante el Consejo de Seguridad no se producirá hasta el 6 o 7 de marzo de 2003.
Actually there won't be a report on Feb. 28 unless the inspectors present a written report on Mar. 1. and their testimony to the Security Council will not be produced until March 6 or 7, 2003.

No esperamos gran cosa de ese informe. Como en los anteriores, pondrán una de cal y otra de arena.
We have high expectation of that report. Like in those previous, they may play hard to get.

Tengo la impresión de que Blix será ahora más negativo que lo que antes fue sobre la voluntad de los iraquíes.
I have the impression that Blix will now be more negative than before about the Iraqi intentions.

Después de la comparecencia de los inspectores en el Consejo debemos prever el voto sobre la resolución una semana después.
After the testimony of the inspectors to the Council we should foresee the vote for the resolution one week later.

Los iraquíes, entre tanto, intentarán explicar que van cumpliendo sus obligaciones.
The Iraqis, also, intend to explain that they are completing their obligations.

Ni es cierto ni será suficiente, aunque anuncien la destrucción de algunos misiles.
It is not certain nor will it be sufficient, even if they announce the destruction of some missiles.

PB.
Esto es como la tortura china del agua. Tenemos que poner fin a ello.
That's like Chinese water torture. We have to put an end to that.

PA.
Estoy de acuerdo, pero sería bueno contar con el máximo número de gente posible. Ten un poco de paciencia.
I agree, but it would be good to count with the highest number of people possible. I have some patience.

PB.
Mi paciencia está agotada. No pienso ir más allá de la mitad de marzo.
My patience is running out. I don't think I'll go beyond the middle of March.

PA.
No te pido que tengas una paciencia infinita. Simplemente que hagas lo posible para que todo cuadre.
I'm nt asking that you have infinite patience. Simply that you do what is possible so that everyone agrees.

PB.
Países como México, Chile, Angola y Camerún deben saber que lo que está en juego es la seguridad de los EE UU y actuar con un sentido de amistad hacia nosotros.
Countries like Mexico, Chile, Angola, and Cameroon ought to understand that what is in play is the security o the EU and act with a sentiment of friendship towards us.

(El presidente Ricardo) Lagos debe saber que el Acuerdo de Libre Comercio con Chile está pendiente de confirmación en el Senado y que una actitud negativa en este tema podría poner en peligro esa ratificación.
Lagos ought to know that the free commerce agreement with Chile is before the Senate for confirmation and that ny negative actions in this area might endanger ratification.

Angola está recibiendo fondos del Millenium Account y también podrían quedar comprometidos si no se muestran positivos.
Angol is receiving funds from the Millenium Account and this too could be compromised if they don't act positively.

Y Putin debe saber que con su actitud está poniendo en peligro las relaciones de Rusia con los Estados Unidos.
And Putin ought to know that with his attitude he is endangering relations with the United States.

....Another segment BUSH "....Milosevic is a Mother Teresa."

PA. ¿Es cierto que existe alguna posibilidad de que Sadam Hussein se exilie?
Is it true that some possibility exists that Sadam will go into exile?

PB. Sí, existe esa posibilidad. Incluso de que sea asesinado.
Yes, the possibily exists. Including that he be assassinated.

PA. ¿Exilio con alguna garantía?
Exile with some guarantee?

PB. Ninguna garantía. Es un ladrón, un terrorista, un criminal de guerra.
No guarantees. He is a thief, a terrorist, and a war criminal.

Comparado con Sadam, Milosevic sería una Madre Teresa.
Compared to Sadam, Milosevic is a Mother Teresa.

Cuando entremos vamos a descubrir muchos más crímenes y le llevaremos al Tribunal Internacional de Justicia de La Haya.
When we invade, we will discover many more crimes which we will take to the U. N. International Court of Justice in de Hague.

Sadam Hussein cree que ya se ha escapado.
Sadam Hussein believes that he has escaped.

Cree que Francia y Alemania han detenido el proceso de sus responsabilidades.
He believes France and Germany have halted the process of their responsibilities.

Cree también que las manifestaciones de la semana pasada le protegen.
He also believes that the statements of the past week protect him.

Y cree que yo estoy muy debilitado.
And he believes I am very debilitated.

Pero la gente de su entorno sabe que las cosas son de otra manera.
But the people surrounding him understand things differently.

Saben que su futuro está en el exilio o en un ataúd.
They understand that his future is in exile or in a coffin.

Por eso es tan importante mantener la presión sobre él.
This is why it is so important to maintain the pressure on him.

Gaddafi nos dice indirectamente que eso es lo único que puede acabar con él.
Gaddafi tells us indirectly that that is the only way that it can end with him.

La única estrategia de Sadam Hussein es la de retrasar, retrasar.
The only strategy of Sadam Hussein is that of delay, delay, delay

PA.
En realidad el mayor éxito sería ganar la partida sin disparar un solo tiro y entrando en Bagdad.
In reality, the best outcome would be to win the game without firing a single shot and entering Bagdad.

PB. Para mí sería la solución perfecta. Yo no quiero la guerra. Sé lo que son las guerras. Sé la destrucción y la muerte que traen consigo. Yo soy el que tiene que consolar a las madres y a las viudas de los muertos. Por supuesto, para nosotros esa sería la mejor solución. Además, nos ahorraría 50.000 millones de dólares.
That would be the perfect solution for me. I don't want war. I know what wars are. I know they bring destruction and death. I am the one who has to console the mothers and the widows of the dead. So of course, for us that woulD be the better solution. Besides, we will save 50 billion dollars.

PA.
Necesitamos que nos ayudéis con nuestra opinión pública.
We will need you to help us with public opinion.

PB.
Haremos todo lo que podamos. El miércoles voy a hablar sobre la situación en el Oriente Medio, proponiendo un nuevo esquema de paz que conoces y sobre las armas de destrucción masiva, de los beneficios de una sociedad libre, y situaré la historia de Irak en un contexto más amplio. Quizá os sirva.
We will do all we can do. On Wed. I will speak on the situation in the Middle East, proposing a new outline for peace as you know, and about weapons of mass destruction.

PA.
Lo que estamos haciendo es un cambio muy profundo para España y para los españoles. Estamos cambiando la política que el país había seguido en los últimos 200 años.
What we are doing is a very profound change for Spain and for the Spanish people. We are changing the politics that the country has been following in the las 200 years.

PB.
A mí me guía un sentido histórico de la responsabilidad igual que a ti. Cuando dentro de unos años la Historia nos juzgue no quiero que la gente se pregunte por qué Bush, o Aznar, o Blair no hicieron frente a sus responsabilidades. Al final, lo que la gente quiere es gozar de libertad. Hace poco, en Rumania me recordaban el ejemplo de Ceausescu: bastó con que una mujer le llamara mentiroso para que todo el edificio represivo se viniera abajo. Es el poder incontenible de la libertad. Estoy convencido de que conseguiré la resolución.
A historic sense of responsibility guides me as it does you. When within a few years History judges us I don't want people asking why Bush, or Aznar, or Blair did not assume their responsibilities. All said, people want to enjoy freedom. Recently, I remember the example of Ceausescu in Romania: it was sufficient that one woman call him a liar for the entire repressive regime to collapse. That is the uncontainable power of liberty. I'm convinced I will get the resolution.

PA. Mejor que mejor.
Better than better.

PB.
Yo tomé la decisión de ir al Consejo de Seguridad. A pesar de las divergencias en mi Administración, les dije a mi gente que teníamos que trabajar con nuestros amigos. Será estupendo contar con una segunda resolución.
I made the decision to go to the Security Council. Given the divergences of opinion in my administration, I told my people that we would have to work with our friends. It would be stupendous to have a second resolution.

PA.
Lo único que me preocupa de ti es tu optimismo.
The only thing that worries me about you is your optimism.


PB.
Estoy optimista porque creo que estoy en lo cierto. Estoy en paz conmigo mismo. Nos ha correspondido hacer frente a una seria amenaza contra la paz. Me irrita muchísimo contemplar la insensibilidad de los europeos sobre los sufrimientos que Sadam Hussein inflige a los iraquíes.
I'm optimistic because I believe I am right. I'm at peace with myself. It has fallen upon us to oppose a serious attack on peace. It irritates me greatly to think about the insensibility of the Europeans about the sufferings that Sadam Hussein inflicted on the Iraqis.

Quizá porque es moreno, lejano y musulmán, muchos europeos piensan que todo está bien con él. No olvidaré lo que me dijo una vez Solana: que por qué los americanos pensamos que los europeos son antisemitas e incapaces de hacer frente a sus responsabilidades. Esa actitud defensiva es terrible. Tengo que reconocer que con Kofi Annan tengo unas magníficas relaciones.
Perhaps because he is dark-skinned, distant, and Muslim, many Europeans think everything is fine with him. I won't forget what Solana once told me: that why do Americans think Europeans are anti-Semitic and incapable of confronting their responsibilities. This defensive attitude is terrible. I have to reestablish having magnificent relations with Kofi Annan.

PA.
Comparte tus preocupaciones éticas.
Share you ethical concerns with him.

PB.
Cuanto más me atacan los europeos tanto más fuerte soy en los Estados Unidos.
The more the European attack me, the more strongly I'm in the United States.

PA.
Tendríamos que hacer compatible tu fortaleza con el aprecio de los europeos.
We have to make your fortitude compatible with the appreciation of Europeans.

..........

[Truthiness Inspector]

17. It could have been avoided.

I mean, really, let's get real.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-7.html

It could have been avoided.

File that under: No shit, sherlock.

[Swamp Rat]

18. IMPEACH!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Conspiracy for agressive war

One of the indictments at Nuremberg.

Justice Jackson must be doing summersaults in his grave

[Prophet 451]

22. Do we get to re-lay the table yet?

Look, the necessary steps here are obvious:
1. Impeach Bush and Cheney (numerous counts, evidence right out in the open, not even denied in many cases)
2. Boot them over to The Hague for trial on war crimes charges (and send Rummy with them, we'll happily give you Blair to complete the set)


Can one of my American friends tell me if there's provision in the Constitution for a special election to be held in the event that the entire government falls?

[deacon]

24. k + r

[Vinca]

27. You could have a bound volume of Bush "impeachable" offenses

at the top of the NYT's bestseller list and nothing would happen. He's going on about his merry business - most likely including bombing raids on Iran - and nothing is going to happen to him. NOTHING! It's obscene. All ANY politician thinks about (with a few exceptions - Feingold, for example) is their own political hide.