To Impeach, Or Not To Impeach

[Tanya]

Ive heard different reasons as to why some think we should pursue an impeachment of President Bush, and reasons why we shouldnt.

The ones that stick out are these

Should:
soldiers lost
unneccessary war
recession
oil prices
lies

Shouldnt:
McCain may take office by assignment of chaney and call a martial law
(meaning no election for however long he thinks necc. resulting in mccain presidency

dont have enough time


what do you think?
are there any other legal options that would punish our current president?

[Kevin]

An impeachment, as I understand it, is not really the removal of a president from office, but the act of bringing charges against a president. Any process brought about at this late stage in Bush's last few months in office, wouldn't result in an actual conviction until after the next administration would be in place.

We have only had two presidents impeached (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton), and neither were convicted, because there must be a 2/3 vote of 'guilty' by the senate, and both impeachments fell short. The only 'punishment' that would result from a guilty verdict is a removal from office, which would be a moot point by the time this came to fruition.

The biggest problem, then, is that it will cost allot of tax-payer money, and will end with Bush getting off scot-free, even if he's found guilty.

However, I believe Bush COULD, if anyone with any power wanted to pursue it, be tried for war crimes. Here's a list of actions considered 'war crimes' in which Bush is responsible for:

1. Use of False Flag Operations as pretext for war (lying about Iraqi threat to U.S.)
2. Willful killing, or causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health
3. Torture or inhumane treatment
4. Unlawful wanton destruction or appropriation of property
5. Depriving a prisoner of war of a fair trial
6. Unlawful deportation, confinement or transfer
7. Taking hostages
8. Directing attacks against civilians
9. Killing a surrendered combatant
10. Settlement of occupied territory
11. Murder, cruel or degrading treatment and torture
12. Summary execution
13. Pillage
14. Rape, sexual slavery

Here's an interesting read on the subject, "The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder" by Well-known trial lawyer Vincent Bugliosi:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vincent-bugliosi/the-prosecution-of-g...

[Tanya]

wow kev!

this was thorough..you just taught me alot.

wouldnt it be great if he could be convicted for war crimes?

i think the harsher the punishment, the better!

[Stacy]

Let's just send them both on a 'fact finding' mission to Iraq and take the plane in for servicing once they get there and give their detail a couple of nights of well-deserved R&R! Bush and Cheyne in the streets of Baghdad without a security detail and no transportation sounds like a golden opportunity for punishment to me.

But, as I'm new to the board, I'll think about it and come up with a more thoughtful and prepared idea...this was just my first thoughts.

Hi everybody! Happy to be one of Tanya's posse!

[Tanya]

haha i think that is the perfect punishment..am i evil for this?

im thinkin either your idea Stacy..or a few days in guantanamo

Stacy said:

Let's just send them both on a 'fact finding' mission to Iraq and take the plane in for servicing once they get there and give their detail a couple of nights of well-deserved R&R! Bush and Cheyne in the streets of Baghdad without a security detail and no transportation sounds like a golden opportunity for punishment to me.

But, as I'm new to the board, I'll think about it and come up with a more thoughtful and prepared idea...this was just my first thoughts.

Hi everybody! Happy to be one of Tanya's posse!

[Cherry]

wow kevin thanks for all that info..but i have to agree with 4obama...but @ the same time i just feel bush should get some type of punishment and than again i guess he wiil because he has to answer to god...so that is where i would leave bush and cheney in god's hands..

[coachjdc]

Kevin is correct. Impeachment is political and messy. I don't see a war crimes trial getting very far. There is a bi-partisan aversion to opening up the US to that kind of scrutiny. We like to hold other countries to high standards of conduct that we ourselves reserve the right to ignore.
I think the best course of action would be US criminal indictments. This administration has broken Federal law and violated the Constitution at every turn. When I see "Impeach" lawn signs, I think they should read "Indict" I am sure that once a new Attorney General is appointed, the Justice Department will have no problem preparing a stack of Federal Indictments.
I propose a game: Over/Under on the number of Bush Administration members who will spend a portion of their retirement at Danbury Minimum Security Prison?

[Michelle2005]

I totally agree with Kevin...yet, there are more things I could think of to add to his list. (Kevin, it appears we must read the same articles, too...Huffington Post)

Personally, there are far more reasons to consider impeachment than the ones listed. Yet, I don't think that's going to happen...there's too much work to be done, to repair all the crap he's done to screw up our nation. It'd be a distraction from issues that will need President Obama's full attention. Trust me on this...he'll "get his"...it may not be immediately, but I do not believe history will paint him in a positive light...at all! I do believe that at some point the questions of potential "war crimes" will, indeed, be brought up.

Now is the time for coming together, and not allow distractions, no matter how good it may seem. There's a much bigger picture. I think the first one's that would stand in line on this one, are those in the Dept of Justice that got 'booted' out...because they didn't tow the party line. Bizarre, to say the least.

Michelle