November 12, 2006


Investigate, not Impeach?

Now that the dust is settling on the 2006 election, and there are still a couple of months to go until the actual take-over of the congress, it's time to re-examine the question of Impeachment. As everyone who has been a long-time reader here knows, I have oft advocated impeaching the bastard and sending it to the Senate for trial, The Flying Spaghetti Monster knows how well-deserved that fate would be. But with the takeover of both chambers of congress, especially the winner-take-all House, that imperative is no longer there.

Why?

We have several really, really good chairmen of House committees that have both the experience, and fortitude (not to mention subpoena powers) to start their own investigations into matters that will plumb the depths of the depravity (yes, depravity) of the 1600 Crew and their use of the government as their own personal piggy bank. Bringing the misuse of funds, and the abuse of power at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue into the spotlight might spark calls for who knows what kind of Congressional legal action. And if it does, then Congress will just be doing the will of the people. All of the investigations should be done with staff of both parties involved so that results are seen as "bi-partisan", which is one of the reasons that the Watergate hearings were successful...Howard Baker's place in the American political landscape was assured by his role in Watergate as the minority committee member of the Watergate committee who asked "What did the president know, and when did he know it?".

If the work of the investigations is successful, and there is no reason to believe that it would not be, then the results will be viewed by most Americans (who are paying attention) as fair. If they mean that Bunnypants goes home with no pension, no secret service detail, and a place in history as the first impeached and convicted president, well so be it.

If he goes home being known as the single most incompetant and corrupt man in American history because he injured the very fabric of American society in his personal quest to destroy the Constitution and our country from within, well, I can live with that result too.

posted by Jo Fish on 11.12.06 at 12:09 PM





Comments:

Agreed.

There's no doubt in my mind that Bush is guilty of high crimes and my heart cries out for vengance but it is more important to repair our system of government and the public's confidence. If we do that job well, history's judgement (some portion of which W will be forced to endure) will make it's own judgements--and they will be harsh.

posted by: BroD on 11.12.06 at 05:02 PM [permalink]

I have made a very similar argument on another site. I think that impeachment has to be on the table but, I think that 3 to 6 investigations of the most egregious acts of constitutional power abuse should take place prior to starting ANY impeachment proceedings. If Clinton's treatment is any indication, then a straight impeachment would end up with Bush losing only a few months of his second term and suffering an ignorable amount of additional disgrace (over and above what he will be saddled with by historians anyway). If, on the other hand, criminal charges were filed as a result of one or more of the investigations, we would actually stand a chance of seeing some justice out of all of this as well as having the whole procedure serve as the head-on-a-pike sort of reminder to the rest of those who would be king.

CAFKIA

 posted by: cafkia on 11.12.06 at 07:15 PM [permalink]

Let the politicians walk on egg shells and try to draw a distinction between Impeachment and Investigations. In reality, one means the other.

We, however, don't need to pussy foot around.
Help to Impeach.
Impeach Bush Yourself...

 posted by: Jodin on 11.12.06 at 10:21 PM [permalink]

Since there's only two years left in the the BUSHEVIK regime, let's just investigate them reTHUGs thoroughly, and have Congress practice it's constitutional duty of oversight. Any 'signing statements' issued by Pretzel-Swallower should be swiftly countered with mandatory censure and opprobation in the halls of Congress :D.

 posted by: smaug on 11.13.06 at 04:22 PM [permalink]

Thorough investigation of these crooks should raise a hue and cry for impeachment that cannot be silenced.

 posted by: Jarhead Dave on 11.14.06 at 11:19 AM [permalink]

Hi!

I believe the thinking is to actually have evidence in hand before proceeding to impeachment. You want to actually and really look for the truth and get it before going after the evil doers who committed the criminal acts against the United States of America and her citizens. After all we Dems support following the Constitution, the laws of the land and the fact that people are innocent until proven guilty. You need evidence to show guilt. Investigate to get evidence.

Unlike the Rethugnants who investigated anything and everything while fishing to find anything on Clinton -- Xmas card lists, Lincoln bedroom guests, Whitewater, etc. All of these of course pale in comparison to the lack of oversight or investigation into thousands of US soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines dead, wounded and PTSD'ed. Dead Iraqis. BILLIONS lost and unaccounted for. Wiretapping illegally, since 2001. Unitary executive that the Constitution with three branches of government to prevent. The list is so huge. But you have to have evidence.

 posted by: Reality Check on 11.15.06 at 10:48 AM [permalink]


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