[Sosfbay-discuss] Rebuttals to Reasons NOT to Impeach

[Drew Johnson]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/2/opedne_rob_kall_071207_rebuttals_to_reasons.htm
Rebuttals to Reasons NOT to Impeach

by Rob Kall

At a recent  Impeachment forum, organized by the Bucks County Coalition
for Peace, former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman and journalist and
author David Lindorff itemized the many reasons TO impeach Bush and
Cheney.

Even people who believe Bush and Cheney lied or intentionally misled the
congress about WMDs and reasons to go to war, even though people people
believe that Bush and Cheney have treasonously violated laws and betrayed
the constitution, some don’t think there should be impeachment
proceedings. I’ve listed, below, some of the common objections, with
rebuttals to them.

First, let’s keep in mind that Richard Nixon never ended up getting tried
by the senate. A group of Republican senators took “the walk” to the white
house and told Nixon he had to go, that if he didn’t, they were ready to
remove him. Of course, that was after Agnew had been pushed to resign,
with hearings that disclosed enough to show how dirty he was.

That’s the likely scenario with Bush. Cheney will be investigated and
resign.  The GOP leaders will cut their losses at some point, when
supporting Dubya no longer seems at all viable, when the GOP brand will be
close to going down the toilet, and they’ll take “the walk” to visit
George to tell him he has to quit or they will side with the Dems and
remove him. I don’t expect impeachment to ever reach the senate.

But for these things to happen, Nancy Pelosi has to put impeachment back
on the table and let John Conyers, head of the house judiciary committee,
do the job he’s ready to do—start impeachment investigations of Cheney and
Bush. It worked to get rid of Gonzales. It will work for Cheney, then Bush
too.

Here are some common arguments against impeachment, with their rebuttals.
Frankly, if the Dems fail to impeach, and they fail to end the war, and
they let Bush’s disastrous economic policies and his massive war spending
continue, the USA will be in even worst trouble than the horrific
mortgage/ housing and dollar crash and credit disaster we are already in.


1- That will give us Cheney as president.

Well, of course, we have to impeach Cheney first, but we can and should be
INVESTIGATING both.  Once Cheney investigations start, the VP will get a
note from the Doctor. He’ll try to pull the plug on hearings by resigning
with his heart problems as the explanation.

2-Not enough time. Cheney and Bush will be out of office in 14 months. Why
bother?

Lots of reasons. They committed crimes. Investigations will turn up more
ugly dirt. Investigations will turn up new, fresh witnesses who will roll
over and testify against Cheney and Bush. It’s not about timely
convenience. It’s about the congress obeying their oath to uphold and
defend the constitution—which Bush and Cheney have treasonously violated.

3- . Bush and Cheney have broken no laws

Bush and his defenders argue that as Commander-in-Chief, Bush and his
designate Cheney have not violated any laws.  The counter argument:  The
violation of Geneva Convention principles would be a breaking of U. S. law
since the United States has signed "a treaty" banning torture and other
mistreatment of detainees.  International Treaties become U. S. Law and
may not be negated by the President.  Justice Bryer 9 Oct 2007. And just
because Bush issues a signing statement—actually, over 1000—doesn’t mean
he is right, that he doesn’t have to follow the laws the congress has
passed.

4- The Dems will be accused of wasting time.

So what. They're already being accused of that. It's a lame, weak,
unacceptable argument.

Lynn Woolsey says “impeachment would suck air out of the room and get
nothing accomplished”  Sorry, it may be inconvenient, may even not fit
with plans to keep the Republicans hanging out to dry, dangling with their
corruption, in the wind, until November, but the Dem leaders in a congress
have that annoying duty to uphold the constitution.

5- There's no clear proof

That's what hearings are for.

6. Impeachment will further divide this country. (That's Barack Obama's
stance.)

The country is already divided. It can’t get any further divided.
Impeachment will unite all the people who want to protect the constitution
and democracy.

7. Not enough people support impeachment

It’s not a popularity contest. It’s the job of the congress, when faced
with crimes and even questions, to investigate, investigate.

Recent polls have reported that more than half the respondents want
impeachment hearings for Cheney. Those numbers will climb when testimony
begins, just like it did for Gonzales.

8. You can hold Bush and Cheney accountable without impeaching them.
(Pelosi's stance)

Cheney and Bush, still free, still in control can still do further
horrific damage to America. And crimes should be punished as the law
prescribes., not ignored. If Clinton had prosecuted George Herbert Walker
Bush for his involvement in illegal actions, his son would never have
appeared on the picture, as a gubernatorial, let alone presidential
candidate. He’d be the  failure son of a corrupt politician.

9. Pelosi can’t pursue impeachment  because she’d become president and it
would look like she’s shooting for the job.

No she won’t . The Republicans will work it out with the Democrats. Bush
will appoint a VP replacement who will become president—someone the Dems
can tolerate.. The Dems will not allow anyone who might run for office, so
Bush must appoint someone who could bring integrity and bring America
together. He might even appoint  someone who actually creates something
that leaves a positive legacy—a first woman , Latino, African American VP.
Possible  VP appointees who might pass muster include; James Baker,
Dubya’s  father, Herbert Walker Bush,  or even Colin Powell, Sen.
Elizabeth Dole, Condi Rice or Mel Martinez.

10. Impeachment will not succeed in the senate.

Investigations can last until November, if necessary, and they will hurt
the right wingers still supporting Bush and Cheney. Gradually, more will
see the light, like Hagel, until before impeachment ever went forward,
enough senators would take “THE WALK” to the Whitehouse, to tell Bush it
was time to go.


Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of
Futurehealth, Inc, inventor  and organizer of several conferences,
including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application
of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback,
Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. He is a frequent Speaker on
Politics, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's
journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of
subjects.