Wexler wants impeachment hearings
By Libby
There seems to be a growing recognition inside the beltway that something drastic needs to be done. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has an idea on how to solve the gridlock in the Congress and restore some constitutional balance to the government. Impeachment hearings. It so simple, so obvious, I don't know why we didn't think of that. Oh wait....
Still, I shouldn't be snarky, because he's serious about about impeaching Cheney so we can get this administration's crimes on the record. He's started a website to collect signatures and he wrote an op-ed with two other Representatives on the Judiciary Committee in support of it, that no major newspaper would print. Here's some excerpts the WaPo doesn't want you to see.
I'm convinced this is a good solution. What Wexler needs now is some visible public support to make it work. Please sign the petition and scroll down to read the whole op-ed.
There seems to be a growing recognition inside the beltway that something drastic needs to be done. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has an idea on how to solve the gridlock in the Congress and restore some constitutional balance to the government. Impeachment hearings. It so simple, so obvious, I don't know why we didn't think of that. Oh wait....
Still, I shouldn't be snarky, because he's serious about about impeaching Cheney so we can get this administration's crimes on the record. He's started a website to collect signatures and he wrote an op-ed with two other Representatives on the Judiciary Committee in support of it, that no major newspaper would print. Here's some excerpts the WaPo doesn't want you to see.
On November 7, the House of Representatives voted to send a resolution of impeachment of Vice President Cheney to the Judiciary Committee. As Members of the House Judiciary Committee, we strongly believe these important hearings should begin. [...]
The charges against Vice President Cheney are not personal. They go to the core of the actions of this Administration, and deserve consideration in a way the Clinton scandal never did. The American people understand this, and a majority support hearings according to a November 13 poll by the American Research Group. In fact, 70% of voters say that Vice President Cheney has abused his powers and 43% say that he should be removed from office right now. The American people understand the magnitude of what has been done and what is at stake if we fail to act. It is time for Congress to catch up. [...]
Holding hearings would put the evidence on the table, and the evidence – not politics – should determine the outcome. Even if the hearings do not lead to removal from office, putting these grievous abuses on the record is important for the sake of history. For an Administration that has consistently skirted the constitution and asserted that it is above the law, it is imperative for Congress to make clear that we do not accept this dangerous precedent. Our Founding Fathers provided Congress the power of impeachment for just this reason, and we must now at least consider using it.
I'm convinced this is a good solution. What Wexler needs now is some visible public support to make it work. Please sign the petition and scroll down to read the whole op-ed.
Labels: Cheney, Congress, Democrats, impeachment
posted by Libby Spencer at 8:08 PM
5 Comments:
I was driving home from Winston salem and there were a group of protesters holding signs that said, "Honk if you support impeachment" and "End the war." Kind of nice to know that peaceful protest lives on and, yes, I honked!
The call for impeachment is growing. I beginning to think it may happen.
Less than 400 days and counting, I really wish impeachment were possible, but I am a simpleton in cyberspace and skeptical about an outcome. Impeachment may require a simple majority in the House, but a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
And even if one were successful in impeaching a President, there is also a Vice President who is every bit as rotten as the President. Thus, there must be two impeachments, and this is an impossible hurdle to overcome given the current political calculus.
Would you settle for criminal prosecutions sometime in the future. Perhaps war crimes, or treason, or simply corruption charges? And if this doesn't get any traction, how about the aweful judgement of history? Or maybe rotten eggs and tomatos tossed everytime a member of the old regime rears its ugly head?
Or maybe nothing at all? We on the left have a child-like sense of right and wrong and justice, and maybe this isn't in the cards this time. Maybe we need to get our ducks in order and look past this administration.
Despite my reservations, and my previous comment, I did sign Wexler's impeachment petition. This may have as much impact as overcoming gravity ... but maybe I'm just too down to earth.
Signing the petitions helps even if it doesn't change anything and it's not too late for impeachment. We need these bozos busy so they don't have time to pass any more lamebrained legislation.
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