U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler takes issue with editorial on impeachment

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/34128

U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler takes issue with editorial on impeachment
Submitted by davidswanson on Sat, 2008-06-14 12:33.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel ran an editorial on Thursday criticizing my support for the articles of impeachment against President Bush, opining that Congress should "get on with real issues" such as the Iraq war. In fact, it is this very war — entered into following an unprecedented campaign of lies and manipulated intelligence — that necessitates impeachment hearings.

This war has cost us the lives of 4,090 U.S. soldiers, injuries to over 30,000, and more than a trillion taxpayer dollars when it is all said and done.

It is a dark day when the Sun-Sentinel has the gall to tell the parents of the soldiers who have died in Iraq that pursuing consequences for those who prosecuted this war of choice based on outright deception is not a "real" issue that Congress should address.

Sadly, the war is only the beginning. We now know that this administration illegally ordered the torture of prisoners, obstructed justice by lying about the outing of a covert CIA agent and authorizing warrantless spying on U.S. citizens.

No one can deny that, if proven, these allegations amount to high crimes. Our failure to act sets an awful precedent and enables future presidents to break the law and violate our Constitution without sanctions from Congress.

The Sun-Sentinel says impeachment is the wrong "remedy" for this litany of crimes. What then is the proper remedy? A harsh lecture? A strongly worded editorial? Or how about doing nothing in the face of these outrageous abuses of power?

Impeachment hearings need not distract us from other important priorities such as the economy, gas prices and bringing the troops home from Iraq. Congress can and should address all important issues — including safeguarding our constitutional rights and obligations.

Robert Wexler
U.S. Representative Delray Beach

[Cirque du So-What]

1. K & R

and a tip'o the hat to David Swanson :toast:

[SpiralHawk]

2. A fabulous, patriotic letter

Thank heavens someone is defending the Constitution of the USA, because republicon propaganda organs like the Sun-Sentinel seem intent on whimping out on it...

The K

and

The R.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. damn. about time. Someone send this to Pelousy.

but, alas, no, she won't read it, her mind's made up.

[bjobotts]

23. Pelosi just can't get it. It's not politics...it's the constitution stupid. Make time to defend it

[Frustratedlady]

4. I seem to recall how the Repugs rued about how Clinton's crime would

cause the children of that time period to engage in all kinds of bad sexual behavior, so we impeached him.

So, if we are supposed to look the other way with Bush and Cheney's crimes, does that mean that we are telling our children that it's OK to lie, cheat, steal and kill because the Prez and "Vice" Prez weren't punished? You've got it.

Monkey see, monkey do.

[barbtries]

8. i've been saying that for years

because i am the mother of a homicide victim and have gone into the CYA to teach victim impact classes to youthful offenders. i have often wondered aloud how do i tell these kids not to hurt and kill when the biggest thug in the world is sitting in the White House? shit rolls downhill. impeachment is necessary to try to make this country just 1/4 right!

[Maraya1969]

36. Wow I am so sorry for your loss

:hug:

[barbtries]

38. thank you

[bluerum]

5. Ahhh. So this is their first line of defense firewall -

opining that Congress should "get on with real issues"

Expect to hear that one repeated from NASCAR tailgate parties to lunchrooms to MSM radio and TV media.

And be ready to defend your position.

[Bluenorthwest]

37. Real issues?

Did I not spend half of last year listening to Congress hold hearings on steroid use in major leauge baseball? Is that a real issue?

[CherokeeDem]

6. This Man is a TRUE Patriot...

"What then is the proper remedy?"

[barbtries]

7. brief, succinct and to the point -

the kind of letter people might even read. i hope it persuades some.

[elias7]

9. Can't argue with a single word...

[mmonk]

10. Time to defend the Constitution for all those who have died

defending it and those that have died as a result of it not being defended.

[Wiley50]

11. Wexler Wants Hearings But Nancy Wants Earings (Nose Rings, Actually)

Great Letter!

I want to move to his district

[CODemocrat]

12. I love

Wexler......

He seems un-affraid of the powers that be.

Kinda like Kucinich lite.

[petgoat]

19. LXXXVI XLIII in MMVIII! nt

[40ozDonkey]

13. My man-crush on the Wex continues.

Thanks again, Rob, you represent me well.

[Stevepol]

14. This is really well-stated. Both Wex and Wax (Waxman) have been honing their skills, hopefully

for some sort of full-scale impeachment hearings or evidence gathering hearings to provide the evidence for impeachment.

[windoe]

15. Impeachment IS honoring the troops

and everyone else who died for their country. THIS is what they died for. THIS is what they fought for.

[petgoat]

16. The "We're too Busy" line is a total con

A friend in California tells me what her Rep., Anna Eshoo,
has been so "busy" with lately:

The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Act (Calm Act), HR-6209 will
create an FCC rule to keep TV ads quiet.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h6209/show

Eshoo reportedly cites her important legislative agenda as a reason
not to impeach.

Bush could be impeached in one day. Open and shut case.

ABC7 Legal Analyst Dean Johnson: "Section 1809 of the FISA Act provides that any public official who engages in a wiretap, without authorization, is guilty of a felony - I think it's beyond a reasonable dispute that President Bush violated that statute."

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=4911758

[me b zola]

17. K&R

[pt22]

18. "if proven" allegations? They have essentially ADMITTED to many of them.

:grr:

[Cleita]

20. Logical.

:kick:

[ladjf]

21. I'm with Wexler.

[Phred42]

22. Good for Wexler! K&R

[Psyop Samurai]

24. Bravo, congressman Wexler!!!

:yourock:

The propaganda organs that sold this bag of shit need to recuse themselves.

Most of them are too far gone to be ashamed.

[wordpix]

25. Go, Wexler! I'm with ya

[proReality]

26. Go to the Sun-Sentinel site...

...and add your pro-Wexler comments.

[Edweird]

27. Good on him.

:toast:

[crickets]

28. Wexler tells is like it is.

Good for him.

What then is the proper remedy? A harsh lecture? A strongly worded editorial? Or how about doing nothing in the face of these outrageous abuses of power?

In other words, business as usual, which is what we've been getting up to now. Ho hum.

Impeachment hearings need not distract us from other important priorities such as the economy, gas prices and bringing the troops home from Iraq. Congress can and should address all important issues — including safeguarding our constitutional rights and obligations.

Of course. We should expect Congressional reps who can walk and chew gum at the same time. Upholding their oath to defend the Constitution isn't just part of their job, it's their duty.

Thank you, Congressman Wexler.

[bertman]

29. Goddam!! I wish he'd button-hole my Congressman David Price. David's letting

somebody convince him that impeachment is not a good thing.

"Too distracting from the real issues...", "would take too long." And what's sickening is that our district would back him to the hilt. It's one of he most liberal districts in the country.

Wexler and Kucinich are my heroes.

If I believed in god, I'd pray for her to save us.

[deacon]

30. k + r n/t

[Sunnyshine]

31. Yes he did! Just say all that. Sending this to many friends to witness.

It could not be any more clearer. Our Constitution obligates these law makers to protect and defend its efficacy. So that it may be preserved for the posterity of the future citizens of America.

Only a few people take that obligation serious enough. Everyone else fights over its legislated rights- without worrying about securing its lawful anchors. If we fail to correct the wrong, we are prone to being assailed by doubts about what we have relinquished. Not holding our leaders to a highest standard, means all future leaders are susceptible to repeat these obvious violations- in some form.

It really is unacceptable to let the Bush Administration leave office without so much as a peep or a price. Bush's entire cabinet should not get future payments from the taxpayers. NO WAY. The International Community is watching what we do here.

To do nothing goes against everything I know of what The United States of America stands for in spirit.

Bush has made us an empire, a homeland. It is time we set the real record straight and regulate. :headbang: Thank you Rep. Wexler.

[Swagman]

32. is a b/j with an intern a "real issue" ?

[provis99]

33. And Wexler lays a huge smackdown move on the Sun-Sentinel!

Who's your daddy now, Sun-Sentinel editors?

[Senator]

34. K&R&Impeach To Reunite The Nation

[jackster]

35. hot damn....

maybe Wexler should be veep!

[Bluenorthwest]

39. Without Impeachment

The veep matters not. The winner of the Nov election matters not. This country IS the Constitution. Let that wither and we have nothing.