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Feb-21-2008 00:30printcomments

Op Ed: Impeachment Essential NOW
For Congress to Defend
Constitutional Demands

Constitutional abuses by the Bush administration thoroughly demonstrate the need to consider impeachment.

impeach bush logo

(BEND, Ore. ) - Our Founding Fathers locked themselves away together for total immersion in their self-appointed task to produce a fundamentally new approach to individual and national liberties.

Their total involvement and unprecedented insights produced our Constitution, the dream document of those seeking the blessings of liberty and both personal and political freedoms ever since --laid down for the ages in the Bill of Rights.

They saw the probability of malign intent leading someone or some group to attack the foundations of our new democracy --so they built in specific and sweeping powers for Congressional use, to protect us all --and the Constitution-- from the consequences, at any level, of any kind.

They well knew, from their own life experience, such attack was sure to come.

That process --very seldom required, but always ready and competent in the face of attack on our Constitution and our liberties --is well-known worldwide as Impeachment.

The time has come, once again since the Nixon debacle and the Clinton comedy, for the Congress to tighten its surveillance, set up secure hearings to explore and procure depth explanation for recent and current events, and then put into operation the Constitutional process provided by the Founders, if facts prove the need.

There is no simple escape left for this Congress, and there is no possible way in which such obviously and properly demanded official action can be thrown aside as “merely suspect in an election cycle” at this juncture.

The understandable reluctance of both political parties to actually start the process now demanded comes mainly from sensible avoidance of the huge risks, always present in current world status, for seeming to show potential weakness in the completeness and competence demanded of our governance today.

But there is inherent and immediately-threatening consequence, too, in allowing such gross violations and distinctly malign actions to occur without due and consequential question and then full accountability, too.

The two most recent impeachment situations --Nixon’s resignation in the face of assured trial, and the farce of the Clinton confrontation forced by malign GOP determination --have left a threatening legacy which many see as minimizing the Founders’ intentions and weakening our best-possible weapon for Constitutional protection in complex 21st Century conditions.

No system of governance can possibly withstand the challenge to stated principles in a world-renowned Constitution, from which we now obviously suffer in the current situation of overwhelming imperial action by a President who demands the power to disregard Congressional direction simply by self-declared letter-statement.

No system of governance can withstand the continuing threat of retaliation by betrayal and revelation for those working secretly in our security systems, placing not only them but their hard-won hidden sources at risk of disclosure and even death.

Overcoming that reluctance is demanded for any nation expecting to retain its reputation as a world leader in democracy --with all its tribulations as well as its blessings.

The current problems stem not solely and simply from the current Bush II Administration but are clearly and consequentially connected with much that mattered and was mounted into action in the preceding Bush I Administration --and its immediate predecessor, the Reagan Presidency.

Many of the same key personnel, closely connected with each and every one of the current inevitable issues and actions sure to be the foundation for any counts for impeachment, were at work in those preceding “administrations”.

They could, should --and many now feel MUST-- be held fully accountable politically, professionally and personally for the deeply damaging --some would say devastating-- consequences of policies, plans, actions and ensuing events set into train then and still creating reverberations and consequences now.

Both the consequences and the actions taken in operation of some of those policies constitute the wide range of charges now being considered seriously in this Congress for inclusion in any impeachment action --perhaps including President Bush as well as Vice President Cheney, and quite possibly others, too.

That definitely includes the concept of “the unitary presidency”, in which the President assumes powers far beyond those Constitutionally granted, claiming that those powers stem from his role as Commander in Chief --in effect making him Commander of the entire nation rather than of the Armed Forces, as decreed in the Constitution.

“Supply-side” economic policies which depend in large part on concepts of deregulation, depreciation, privatization, "free trade" and globalization, first put into full application in the Reagan and Bush I “administrations”, are in large part the basic causation for many, if not most, of the extremely damaging economic, social, cultural and even religious consequences now clearly evident in every societal area.

Fully-probing and comprehensive examination via public hearings and all other aspects of the Founders’ wise process will surely provide for the American people, NOW, a clear understanding of what has been perpetrated and put into place during this Bush II Presidency --thus providing us with the unquestionable determination, by our elected representatives acting via Constitutional provision, of the realities we now face.

That common sense consequence is what the Constitutional provisions for impeachment were intended to do for us, when complex circumstance and continuing consequential damage to every aspect of American life surely indicates “a need to know” and understand --now clearly overriding any reluctance to so examine our perilous status highly evident even to the Republican leaders left in any partial charge for that once-respected political party.

SO let us “get on with it”, in true American fashion, to take precisely those self-demanding steps our foresighted Founders knew we would some day need to follow.

What we can, should, and MUST learn about what has been done for us and to us in the Bush II years far outweighs any possible process-dangers --political, social, OR economic-- anyone can possibly document in the face of our deeply damaging current situation.

SO -- “Impeachment NOW” should be our next demanded and demanding step-and-stage, with whatever the outcome the sure reliance on continuing democratic process, as set forth in our famed Constitution, providing that basic reassurance still the heart-and-soul of our also-famed governance system.


Reader’s Note:
“See also” in S-N archives, Op Ed Aug. 4, 2007: Impeachment, citing major articles then available, reviewed again for this one. Many other published articles and Internet sources were also used for this Op Ed; all sources are available on request. Those used in the Aug. 4 article, and reviewed in detail then, are available at these URL locations:
  1. “Return of the Robber Barons”; Paul Craig Roberts; A Counterpunch Special Report on the Economy: www.counterpunch.org/roberts04242007.html
  2. “Impeach Cheney: The vice president has run utterly amok and must be stopped”; Bruce Fein; in Slate 6/27/07: slate.com/toolbar.aspx?action=print&id=2169292
  3. “Impeachment & the Constitution”; Stephen Crockett; at: www.consortiumnews.com/Print/2007/073107a.html




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Anonymous February 26, 2008 2:23 pm (Pacific time)

"(Our pres/vice pres are already chosen.)" That is not a quote from the websites. It is my observation as the advisers for both Clinton and Obama are also on the strategy group for determining the foreign policy for the next US president...sorry to have written poorly.


Henry Ruark February 24, 2008 5:57 pm (Pacific time)

To all: For the record, definitive Op Eds treated in detail the entire scurrilous story of the GOP Thirty-Year Plan to attack and decimate our democracy, leading to Bush II debacle, and thus to absolute necessity for impeachment. "See with own eyes: Op Eds dated Aug. 20 and Aug. 30, easily accessed by directions in my section of STAFF. You simply seek-by-date from content listings. Comments here have indicated profound ignorance of the overwhelming public record, detailed in this duo-report precisely to provide you with the essential information then --now proven even more meaningful due to the further Bush II debacle --itself now a historic and undebatable fact.


Henry Ruark February 24, 2008 7:57 am (Pacific time)

To all: Bush II devastation of Medicare continues at obvious impeachment-rate. "See with own eyes" on how he snatching back dollars long paid for many costs, for more than 40 years: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/washington/24medicaid.html?thandemc=th


Henry Ruark February 24, 2008 6:28 am (Pacific time)

"Helen" et al: Nice bellyrub re realities, but a bit too late here. NATION reputation surely outdoes any authority from a known distorter/perverter. Re impeachment: IF we allow Congress to refuse its duty clearly now shown by huge consensus of reliable reports, how can we expect another vote, possibly also "fixed" like the last two, to do the job for us ? Precedent-set for imperial Presidency most dangerous situation since Civil War...and that IS a prophecy.


Helen February 22, 2008 9:53 pm (Pacific time)

I recall quite clearly that Obama stated that he would pull our forces out of Iraq and then mentioned something aout bombing Pakistan. That's probably not going to be a policy he will run with if he is the final candidate, that is if he hopes to win. Obama meeting with various leaders without preconditions sounds really great, but exactly who will they be? Anyway I am quite confident that any impeachment proceeding is DOA, and I would imagine when the general election candidates are put to task and start explaining their policies, foreign and domestic, things will be a lot different than what the Nation magazine is reporting. Katrina vanden Hueval has a lot of appeal to the far left crowd but either Obama or Clinton will not be getting chummy with her in the general election.


Henry Ruark February 22, 2008 12:11 pm (Pacific time)

To all: NATION Magazine is noted for cogent content of key national issues. Here's today's report on key debate last evening: "In last night's Democratic debate, Barack Obama seemed able to project both confidence and humility when discussing the likely foreign policy dilemmas that will confront the next president. As Katrina vanden Heuvel wrote, Obama's willingness to meet with the leaders of countries at odd with the US --"with preparation but no preconditions,"-- signals an understanding that the next president must reach out to the rest of the world and not merely issue conditions from the White House and threaten military force if it does not get its way." This clearly mirrors an increasingly strong feeling that the "imperial Presidency" driving force behind the concept of "the unitary president", commanding the whole nation without recourse to Constitutional role for Congress, and able to set out on preemptive war at any time via simple presidential whim, is now a root issue for every candidate.


Henry Ruark February 22, 2008 10:36 am (Pacific time)

Helen et al: Could NOT agree more with your conclusion both parties guilty, work hand-in-hand to prevent "Of, By, For" as our Constitution sets forth. Nothing partisan in demand for impeachment; seek only justice-now and new-start, in time for election, too. BUT wise, rational,and sure reasonable further action as Constitution demands now must depend on clear, clean,and no-compromise end to current wholesale mess perpetrated by political pretension from both sides. Without that, we can depend on next-electee simply using same powers, with perhaps even more devastating results. See Harper article for solid pattern built from history of past similar situations. Your cogitation appreciated, but you need further detailed background and impartial evidence from history.


Helen February 22, 2008 9:06 am (Pacific time)

Monty I really never thought about looking at the whole picture about why we invaded Iraq, I did understand why we attacked Afghanistan, as did my late husband who retired from the Navy and who spent most of his career underwater. He never really could tell me what he did, and I accepted that as I believe that some information must remain secret for security reasons. Too bad the press cannot appreciate that need. Yes the democrats where involved up to their necks in this Iraq invasion, but maybe things will still work out for the Iraqi people, and that's what we should be concerned with. I now believe that this impeachment trial some want is nothing more than partisans trying to muddy the waters for the upcoming election. Henry your argument for impeachment which I believe is sincere, simply is not warranted. You nor the others have not made a pursuasive argument. Bert I sure have witnessed a lot of corruption over the years and people on all political sides are guilty. I don't know who I will vote for this November, but I do not intend on wasting my vote so I believe local elections will be very important this year.


Henry Ruark February 22, 2008 7:59 am (Pacific time)

Monty et al: Your timeline re "what we either knew and when we knew it"is disingenuous or purposely distorted. Bush II et al planned Iraq attack as carryover from Bush I, as now known; see also this link:http://downingstreetmemo.com/whycare.html which presents insight on how intelligence was perverted for purpose of justifying attack on Iraq preemptively --which is greatest danger of the "unitary presidency" now at risk as real precedent if Founder-remedy not applied. Under it, we could bomb Iran on same pattern, then others as needed to keep 'em all properly subdued. IF it worked on Germany, Korea,et al,why not continue ? Do we dare risk such deep distortion of Constitutional provision that CONGRESS must declare war ? If that is to prevail, then Congress and we the people must be able to trust ANY President to tell us the truth. "Intelligence" is intended to be OURS - NOT his alone !! WE PAY for it, and it is NOT a weapon for him to use to distort Constitution which he pledged to defend ! Otherwise, there goes any pretense to "OF the people, For the people, BY the people" now fully at risk if we allow this "administration" to be ongoing precedent. Harper's article cited NOW makes other very serious and well documented charges re the distortion/perversion of our Judicial Dept. for partisan political pressure through career/personal retaliations far beyond the outing of CIA worker Plame.


Bert February 21, 2008 9:14 pm (Pacific time)

I don't know if impeachment is going to fly or not, I put my name down for it, www.impeachbush.org, but it's the thought that counts, that it's gotten this far means that 'they' heard 'us', and more to the point the disapproval on what's gone on here. I'm likin' Paul and Obama. Don't promise me money, promise me you'll get in there and clean house(and Senate, if need be) and get to the bottom of the causal factors on our side that permitted all this to go forward to begin with. Public corruption's a biggie, here.


Henry Ruark February 21, 2008 4:16 pm (Pacific time)

Monty et al: Plain English: "The president deliberately led Americans traumatized by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, into the false belief that there was a link between Iraq and Al Qaeda, and that a pre-emptive invasion would make the United States less vulnerable to terrorism." I.e., Bush lied to us. That is without doubt impeachable. IF Congress does NOT act on that alone, there are other acts involving Constitutional rights so well understood that the entire Justice Dept. is involved. See March issue of Harper's: "Vote Machine: How Republicans hacked the Justice Department"; pp. 37-46; Scott Horton,distinguished attorney, reports in detail surely worth Congressional investigation.


Monty Sells February 21, 2008 2:36 pm (Pacific time)

The invasion of Iraq appeared to have happened for a number of reasons, all done with not implied, but with explicit permission of both major political parties. So once again Henry, I think no matter what we post, we will both have different perspectives. I do get a kick out of Bob Herbert, he pretty well sets a fine example of the type of people the New York Times likes to have on their staff. As far as weapons of mass destruction or terrorist connections to Iraq, I just have to wonder if some people simply do not understand that these connections have been made, but still our invasion was predicated on the intelligence of the time and there was a majority concensus to attack. I wish another way could have been pursued. Occupying foreign countries is not ideal, but so far in Germany, Japan and Korea it appears to have had a positive impact on them developing into successful democracies. So as far as the U.S. being an occupying force we have been more of a help than a hinderance. Hopefully both Iraq and Afghanistan will benefit as did the above-referenced nations. In closing, neither the democrats nor the republicans are going to impeach themselves. May I suggest another way to vent your bountiful energy and possibly develop a new fuel source, fusion would be great. Thanks.


Henry Ruark February 21, 2008 12:41 pm (Pacific time)

Monty et al: FYI here's one from my documentation file, 'way back in 2005, reporting an incident in 2004: It Just Gets Worse By Bob Herbert The New York Times Monday 11 July 2005 "Back in March 2004 President Bush had a great time displaying what he felt was a hilarious set of photos showing him searching the Oval Office for the weapons of mass destruction that hadn't been found in Iraq. It was a spoof he performed at the annual dinner of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association. "The photos showed the president peering behind curtains and looking under furniture for the missing weapons. Mr. Bush offered mock captions for the photos, saying, "Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere" and "Nope, no weapons over there ... maybe under here?" "If there's something funny about Mr. Bush's misbegotten war, I've yet to see it. The president deliberately led Americans traumatized by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, into the false belief that there was a link between Iraq and Al Qaeda, and that a pre-emptive invasion would make the United States less vulnerable to terrorism. "Close to 600 Americans had already died in Iraq when Mr. Bush was cracking up the audience with his tasteless photos at the glittering Washington gathering. The toll of Americans has now passed 1,750. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died. Scores of thousands of men, women and children have been horribly wounded. And there is no end in sight." Now, in 2008, with many more dead and billions more wasted, the time has come for Congress to act, as they must if we will properly motivate them. That's what the Founders intended, with "Impeachment" AND "The First Amendment".


Monty Sells February 21, 2008 11:33 am (Pacific time)

Henry I have reviewed a number of your previous posts and see that we come from different viewpoints, so it would probably not be very fruitful for us to debate this matter. I will offer one last observation though, the desired impeachment proceedings some have wished for will not take place. I am firmly convinced the Founding Fathers would not have wanted us to waste time on this when in effect the entire congress was involved (see congressional record) in protecting what was viewed "at that time" of providing national security, and we simply have bigger fish to fry than waste precious legislative time on partisan witchhunts. Hopefully our next President will earnestly support their oath of office and include not just protecting us from foreign enemies, but domestic ones as well.


Henry Ruark February 21, 2008 9:34 am (Pacific time)

Monty: Your version of political history may lay groundwork for what Bush II has done; that is inevitable in any democracy, especially when the leader is a self-confessed liar on the true reasons for war and unsistainable costs in blood, treasure and world acceptance. What the Founders gave us is a sharp weapon to punish those who then defy, deny, damage and try to destroy what those preceding have worked hard, throough democratic process,to achieve for all --only to see it denied, damaged and defeated. The list is long, devious, devastating, and widely cited by historians and commentators far beyond coverage here --and almost entirely in very strong, devastating terms,too. That's why action now is not "histrionic misbehavior" by Congress but demanded for any continuance of even a semblance of any effective democracy left to us after the concerted Reagan, Bush I and Bush II assaults.


Henry Ruark February 21, 2008 8:29 am (Pacific time)

Linda: You wrote: "(Our pres/vice pres are already chosen.)". A check on your two links shows no information re that flat statement. Can you document it from any solid source ? If so, please do so rapidly for our readership. It is a rumor frequently heard, but never yet substantiated by any solid reference, on request. It has turned up, from my own experience, in every last election since the early '50s or earlier. You MAY be right; if so, and you can show source, you will have broken very large news story for national attention. IF you have only rumor or hearsay, your honest note here will reassure many, too. Thank you for your kind and continuing attention, and for your frank statement re any substantiation you may have on this.


Monty Sells February 21, 2008 8:29 am (Pacific time)

I believe the Founding Fathers wanted us to act calmly and rationally, not as some histrionic misbehaving children. It's so remote that the House of Representatives would initiate an Impeachment proceeding at this time because it would simply remind America that all political parties were involved and all reviewed the same intelligence sources and all voted to authorize Bush to proceed with his Afghanistan and Iraq policies. Like it or not, what happened was by a process that included the majority of both political parties. This process predated Bush, 9/11/2001 and can easily be traced back to the 1970's. I believe the Founding Fathers would not desire to have the entire congress to impeach themselves, for logically if one wanted to cast blame, then that's where you would point to. I say let's prosecute the Plame prosecutor, he knew from the get go no crime had happened, but he continued to waste taxpayer money on a process that had nothing to do with what is main purpose was for. How about "Dollar Bill" Jefferson, and not the $90,000 marked bills in his freezer, but the tens of millions that were fraudently disbursed and how many other members of congress were involved?


Linda February 21, 2008 6:39 am (Pacific time)

It is unlikely that the Democrats will give up the "tyranny toolbox" created by Bush and Cheney. Please see the following Council on Foreign Relations website titled: "Council on Foreign Relations Partners with the Saban Center at Brookings on Middle East Strategy for the Next President." Scroll down the page to see the Strategy Group. Strobe Talbott and Sandy Berger are Hillary Clinton advisers. Zbigniew Brzezinski is an adviser to Barrack Obama. (Our pres/vice pres are already chosen.) The following Council on Foreign Relations website shows clearly that neither Iran nor Iraq are off the table: http://www.cfr.org/thinktank/tanusmes/index.html http://www.cfr.org/publication/15505/ It is these facts that should be televised and shoved into the faces of our representatives. Only in this way with the true intent of all the current frontrunners be revealed.

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