Impeachment.

Yes, yes, yes. Say it. Ring the bell. Pragmatically, we all know it's not likely to happen, but to mention it - to say the word, to put it out there - helps create a different perspective for where we go from here. A different perception, I should say. It has for me.

To hear impeachment mentioned beyond the blogosphere is really great. To hear Rep. Conyers put the issue on the agenda is great. To hear the political press weigh in on impeachment is, too, as is Sen. Boxer's request for legal opinion on impeachable offenses.

The Administration's gone way too far and has walked on the Constitution in a way most of us can recognize - Wholesale spying on Americans just doesn't fly. Wiretapping without a warrant is anathema to most Americans. Illegal search and seizure is...illegal. We all know this one.

If the limit of general dissent stopped at...general dissent, no one would do anything. While I tend to walk a more circumspect path as I get older, the specter of impeachment may provide some political fire to all involved. I hope the Republican leadership in the House and Senate are listening...this bell may very well "toll for thee".

Here's to the impeachment debate, regardless of the outcome.

War is over.

Ding!
Dong!

War is over (if you want it), and we do.

The Bush Administration violated the trust of the American people and caused damage to the country.

Regardless of the outcome...

War is over.

http://online.barrons.com/article_email/SB113538491760731012-lMyQjAxMDE1MzI1NDMyODQ0Wj.html

AS THE YEAR WAS DRAWING TO A CLOSE, we picked up our New York Times and learned that the Bush administration has been fighting terrorism by intercepting communications in America without warrants. It was worrisome on its face, but in justifying their actions, officials have made a bad situation much worse: Administration lawyers and the president himself have tortured the Constitution and extracted a suspension of the separation of powers.

...Putting the president above the Congress is an invitation to tyranny. The president has no powers except those specified in the Constitution and those enacted by law. President Bush is stretching the power of commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy by indicating that he can order the military and its agencies, such as the National Security Agency, to do whatever furthers the defense of the country from terrorists, regardless of whether actual force is involved.

Surely the "strict constructionists" on the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary eventually will point out what a stretch this is. The most important presidential responsibility under Article II is that he must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." That includes following the requirements of laws that limit executive power. There's not much fidelity in an executive who debates and lobbies Congress to shape a law to his liking and then goes beyond its writ.

Willful disregard of a law is potentially an impeachable offense. It is at least as impeachable as having a sexual escapade under the Oval Office desk and lying about it later. The members of the House Judiciary Committee who staged the impeachment of President Clinton ought to be as outraged at this situation. They ought to investigate it, consider it carefully and report either a bill that would change the wiretap laws to suit the president or a bill of impeachment....

http://online.barrons.com/article_email/SB113538491760731012-lMyQjAxMDE1MzI1NDMyODQ0Wj.html

I totally agree with your statement. You've put it far better than I could and in fewer works.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

:toast: to :peace:

Please check out the impeachment checklist.

Welcome to DU!! :toast: