http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_ro..._to_reasons.htm
December 7, 2007 at 09:47:00
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.
