Really GREAT Article on IMPEACHMENT

[cushla_machree]

I came across this article on impeachment today, and it really just summed everything up. I think it shows why this is an important issue and how it doesn't have to 'hurt' democrats. If we don't act, or at least START the process, this administration will never be held accountable for their abuses of power, issuing signing statements, outing CIA agents (treason! NOT FAIR GAME!), spying on Americans and claiming executive privileged all along the way. I for one still do not understand the argument that OBAMA puts forth, that we should just vote them out of office and start fresh. Did the IRAN CONTRA people 'pay' for their activiteS? No, and look at all the fun things they have been up to lately. Whats to stop future presidents for doing the excact same thing again and again, if someone doesn't put their foot down? Voting in Obama doesn't make the past 8 years go away! It will be a start...but how can we let these illegal activities, these abuses of power, stand?

http://www.alternet.org/rights/90610">Impeach Bush Now
By Elizabeth Holtzman, The Nation


+ Impeachment is the only way to force a President who steadfastly refuses to obey the law to do so. And it sends an indelible message to future Presidents as well.

+ We know that the impeachment process, done properly, without partisan rancor and with fairness to the President, can have a hugely positive effect on public understanding of the Constitution and strengthen the democratic underpinnings of the society.

+ There will not be another opportunity to hold this President accountable in this way; and if we do not act, the signal to future generations is that impeachment, a weapon intended to defend the rule of law, has grown rusty and unusable on our watch.

+ The framers believed that unchecked power, including unchecked executive power, was the greatest threat to our liberties, but too many citizens today perceive that danger as unreal.

[babylonsister]

1. Thanks for the link; I love Elizabeth Holtzman! nt

[0rganism]

2. Impeachment's the only path to using the new FISA laws

Since (AFAIK) Bush can't blanket-pardon his buddies if he's under taint of impeachment, this is the only way to make good on the "criminal prosecution is still possible" part of the law.

Otherwise, these bushista fuckers are going to get off scott free for their myriad felonies.

[unblock]

4. there are no restrictions on the presidential power of pardon.

right up until the day he's kicked out of office, he can pardon key witnesses, etc.

[unblock]

3. impeachment is not the only way

impeachment is only about removal from office. it's merely firing someone from their job. a temp job, at that.

what if a president out-and-out murders someone, is impeachment the only way? of course not, it's certainly warranted, but once out of office, put the criminal in prison.

surely some of the violations of federal law could be prosecuted. impeachment is easy. prison is what these ratf*ckers deserve.


now, i have no illusions about that happening any more than impeachment, and to let this gang ease into a cozy and lucrative retirement is itself criminal. my point is just that impeachment is not the "only" way.

[cushla_machree]

5. what can you do once he is out of office?? n/t

[unblock]

6. treat him like any other criminal.

arrest him, give him a trial, and let his sorry ass rot in prison.

[babylonsister]

7. I'm salivating; delicious. nt

[Voice for Peace]

8. cushla_machree - OT question - is that from Barnaby's fairy godfather?

[cushla_machree]

9. what?

I am not familiar with the lingo...OT?