Senator Feingold To Introduce Bush Censure Resolution In Senate "Soon"
By Logan Murphy Saturday Jul 21, 2007 11:15am
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) spoke with Tim Russert on this morning's "Meet The Press" and stated he plans to introduce a resolution to censure President Bush in a few days. When asked if the Senate Democratic leadership is supporting him, Feingold only went so far as to say that he has spoken with them and that they are working with him to put the resolution together.
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Timmeh uses his best straw man argument to give the appearance that this will just be seen a politics, but Senator Feingold reminds him that a censure resolution is actually a rather tame move to make, considering a growing number of Americans want to see the president impeached. Contact your Senators and ask them to support this resolution. A censure doesn't go far enough, but it's a start...
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Impeach already!
[deleted - no flamebaiting.]
"A censure doesn’t go far enough, but it’s a start…"
Impeachment doesn't go far enough. Anything short of imprisonment for these criminal thugs, liars and warmongers is getting off lightly.
...Here's to Russ, a Democrat with a pair!
It's a start... and let the steamrollin' begin. When they get this, it's only a stone's throw away to start the impeachment of Cheney first.... then Bush.
And to Timmeh: Yes, it may be seen as political... but everything this Bush administration has done, every appointment, every republican going along with him, and every signing statement has been political, divisive, dangerous.
Tim Russert and Randy Quaid - separated at birth?
A censure doesn’t go far enough, but it’s a start…
Well, the Senate cannot initiate impeachment. That has to be started in the House, if Nancy "Table Phobic" Pelosi ever quits blocking it, that is.....
This is bullshit.
Nothing short of impeachment will do.
A censure resolution has no legal consequences, as Feingold himself acknowledges. If it does pass, the Dems will say "see, we held them accountable!" and then ask America to "move on" past "the worst assault on the Constitution in U.S. history" to electing a Democratic president.
No Russ. You said that you believe they have committed impeachable offenses. In that case you have a sworn duty to act on that and impeach them.
Conyers said that he needs 3 more reps to start impeachment proceedings.
Call/write/fax your congresspersons.
I should add that I know that Feingold and the Senate cannot initiate impeachment proceedings.
However, if Feingold were to publicly call for impeachment (as his colleague in the Senate, Barbara Boxer, has) that would have a major impact.
good for Rus but, if we ever want to have real standing in world discourse it means impeachement.
Nobody believes US(A) anymore, and I'd think they were morons if they did.
You are correct, it doesn't go far enough and it is a lame gesture considering impeachment must be started in the house, where there is the required majority and an increasingly angry populace that sees the House of Representatives as a lot of mushrooms enjoying the dark.
Start the impeachment. the members of the house are all going to TRY be elected again 2 novembers from now, few if any criminal party incumbents are going to be re elected. I hope we can rid ourselves of the schulers and the murthas that vote to continue war.
Where in the hell are the priorities? IF the house starts impeachment, the R-Al and CA and VA will all be forced to get on board and vote yeah. If they don't, they will be forcibly retired.
why in the hell does no one understand the timing and protocol required for this to become reality? why are so many reaching for nothing when they could work together to remove this and prevent it from ever returning?
sad. sad and impotent actions of fools and tools.
It is a great shame to live in such a "democracy"
http://impeachforpeace.org/impeach_bush_blog/?p=2732
Conyers: 3 More Congress Members and I'll Impeach
What, exactly, would the President have to do to warrant impeachment?
You would think that torture, the politicization theocratization of government departments, illegal spying on citizens, secret prisons, rendition, ignoring the rule of law, manipulating intelligence, an illegal war, and manifest incompetence on almost every front, both domestic and foreign, might be enough.
Oooooo! A censure motion. Boy, that'll stop George and Dick in their tracks! They'd never bomb Iran once they'd been censured.
(sigh)
Wayne at 7, I just read that John Conyers said that if three more congressmen come forth in favor of impeachment, he will start impeachment hearings.
And now for another episode of "STOP!!! or I'll say STOP again!"
THIS is more like it...and doable!
hadenuf @ 13:
More on 3 needed ~ LINK
F. O. Canadian, I suspect that if Bush dismisses Congress, they might begin to occasionally harbor the concept of impeachment. But first, they would make sure that they still would be paid and have all their perks.
Mahir @ 8:
I'm pro-impeachment, too, but, for the hundredth time, *the Senate does not have the Constitutional authority to initiate impeachment.* That HAS to come from the House. So, all you folks who are bashing senators for "not having the balls" to start impeachment hearings are barking up the wrong tree. They CAN'T DO IT because the Constitution says so.
That being said, now is the time to write to Nancy Pelosi and your own representative and inform them of how strongly you feel. Don't just sit there. Do it. I've already gotten several responses back from both Pelosi and my own rep--a few of them unsolicited--because they know now that I'm paying attention and want some action.
Never mind Censure the President!
Impeach and impeach them both, Bush and Cheney!
Stop pussyfooting around Dems and get it over with!
Impeach the SOBs.
Does anyone know why Pelosi does not even want to discuss impeachment?
We the people just have to come to grips with the fact that accountability will never be on the table and neither will impeachment. In a just world impeachment would already be a reality and trials would already be under way. The republicans are a lost cause - it is never about country with them, it is always about party and power. And the Democrats, well they just can not and will not exercise their responsibilities to the people. The people running our country are war criminals and that is NOT an exaggeration, that is a fact by anyone's definition. This democratic republic was a wonderful concept and worked pretty well for a very long time but I'm afraid it is over. It seems almost impossible that so many things can be corrected for us to get back on track. So sad - America RIP.
Hail To The Chimp @ 20:
Is Nancy Pelosi a freakin' GENIUS??
Speaking of censure, the headline on the latest issue of The Globe states that Laura Bush believes that because of his drinking, her husband is a "ticking time bomb" waiting to explode. Unfortunately, the former librarian wishes, according to the account in the paper, to wait until after GWB leaves office before going ahead with divorce proceedings. If this story is to be believed, this country would appear to be, despite his wife's concerns and rebuke, in imminent peril from Bush's dependency on liquor.
Other commenters are right. Censure is very mild and it is perplexing why Finegold would not want to be in favor of impeaching Bush and backing Kucinich's proposal of impeachment in light of the many transgressions that have occurred under his watch [violating the FISA act, starting an illegal war of aggression in Iraq, condoning torture, the use of extraordinary rendition]. This administration must be impeached before he starts ordering that Iran's nuclear facilities be bombed, thereby causing the the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iranian people.
Russ is playing games. Censure is a joke. Indeed, it's a way to keep Bush in business.
I agree. Skip the tap dancing and get the crooks by the throat and get impeachment on the table.
Too little, too late Russ.
It's time for democrats to start behaving as though they are the majority party with right and justice on their side and the majority of Americans.
Impeach the criminals already.
This administration has NO respect for the power of congress or our system of government and they won't give a damn about a censure. It is time, passed time to impeach as they have tried to overthrow our system of government.
Tell Pelosi to impeach Russ. It's time.
Here's a link for Russ' recent diary where he seems to oppose the idea of impeachment:
There are over 1,000 comments, so be careful since it may crash your browser or run really slow.
If the good Senator wishes to censure the President, so be it. On the other hand, he should not stand in the way of impeachment (by using what little moral authority he has left). Censure is not what's needed, IMHO. Impeachment is. I say support H Res 333, , the articles of impeachment for Dick and then go after W.
Go Dennis and Co-Sponsors!
NO! Censure at this point is redundant in regards to Bush and Cheney. Impeach the treasonous bastards. We can't suffer another day of those idiots!
Hail To The Chimp @ 20:
Because she sees the big picture, knows impeachment proceedings won't be successful, and is working to ensure Giuliani isn't the next President and that more of her Party win seats in Congress in '08. Like it or not, this is a Centrist Nation...60% trumps the 20% on each side of the spectrum every time.
1st Censure
then Impeachment
then War Criminal Trials
[Deleted. A trip to the Hague will suffice. Please don't advocate violence on this site. Thanks-Sitemonitor]
Gee. That's probably gonna ruin shrubbie's whole morning.
I do not believe that Pelosi should advocate for impeachment; it clearly would be a conflict of interest. But anyone and everyone else should.
I am also not of the school of thought to give this administration enough rope and they will hang themselves. Look at the collateral damage. Impeachment is the remedy and it needs to be implemented soon. David Swanson says it could take a day--all the evidence is on video.
What is wrong with the Democrats???
Censure? That's not the proper path, Mr. Feingold. Wimpy.
The three men orchestrating crimes against humanity need to be tried. If found guilty of treason, then they pay the price.
Nothing less will do. Get these sons of b's out of office!
Hail to the Chimp
It takes away too much time for other things they wan't to accomplish!
Pelosi's words!
While I understand the sentiment expressed by many here about censure being too little to late, I still have to give props to Feingold. He's been on the right side of the issue of censure and impeachment for a long time. From where I sit, the problem isn't so much Feingold as it is the rest of the Senators and Congresspersons. Feingold's position only has strength when others in the Congress stop being so chickenshit and do what they know is right.
The weakness I see is really with the other Dems and Republicans, not so much Russ.
This is my Senator. When I called for impeachment he sent me a letter telling me that he believed Bush has CLEARLY broken the law. Thus, he wants to censure him. LOL
COOL! I'm down with that.
Lets go censure all of the criminals in our Wisconsin court system, too.
If I weren't having so many family problems, I'd go stand outside the court house with a sign advocating censuring felons.
This is why I don't like ANY politicians anymore. And yes, I understand that impeachment starts in the lower body. But imagine what it would be like if Russ stood up for impeachment proceedings being started in that lower body?
I won't be voting for Russ again.
Senator Feingold, yes, test the waters with your pinky finger, however the people of the Nation demand a cleansing bath, disinfecting, fumagating the White House, the Justice Department, the neo-fascist "Homeland" Security, and beyond. With your commitment to persue stronger remedies, Senator, I'll take your word that you believe Bush and his Administration HAVE committed IMPEACHABLE offenses against the people and the Constitution of the United States.
Eric Shook @ 36:
Just MHO, but even given your legitimate point that impeachment is what should be happening, I would hesitate to get rid of Feingold unless there is a clearly better candidate. He's on the right side of a lot of progressive issues.
Want to see bush impeached hell!! I want to see him in prison where our laws dictate that he should be!!!!
I just replied to his email, that no, only impeachment will work. Censure might shame and restrain a normal administration. This is not normal. This administration has shown time and again that it is capable of neither shame nor restraint. Cheney and Bush must be removed from power by either impeachment or by the military. I don't much care which, any longer, but it needs to be sooner rather than later.
Forget Impeachment, forget Censure, the tyrant should be brought to the ultimate justice! No, serious!
Eric Shook @ 36:
Why not?
Russ was the only senator with guts enough to try fillibuster in the whole 109th.
Again, he does not have the power to start impeachment, he can only push for censure. Now if impeachment goes forward, he can vote to convict.
Want to get onto someone for not impeaching? Write Pelosi, who is blocking it in the House. Impeachment must start in the House NOT the Senate.
sciguy @ 38:
I agree with this. While I have labeled him "wimpy", his peer group of invertebrates in Congress probably view this as radical behavior.
Democrats in general are sucking bigtime lately, however. They've had ample time to sign onto Kucinich's bill.
Ya ReTHUGS and Bushite NeoCONs.....change yer ways, or we'll, we'll, we'll....do NOTHING.
"We deserve better ..."
Damn right we do. IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH the fuckers NOW!
Chimpy will take your censure resolution, roll it up and do a couple lines of blow off the constitution while gonzo and dickhead take turns water boarding homeless guys in the oval office. Big fucking deal. Go big or go home Russ.
Censure is a start, but it is too weak. Even if impeachment didn't make it in the Senate. It would surely pass in the House and maybe that is enough to get people going on this. This country needs to do something. The frustration is palpable.
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/8562
>
They wanted the oil, they lied to get it, 650,000 dead iraqi's was not an issue ... slap on the wrist ... defund the war, and start the trials ...
Russ continues to hear the American peoples concerns and understands the gravity of constitutional protections and values them.
Russ Feingold could make an Atheist say AMEN!
If Bush continues to behave like an idiot and embarasses his party (as he has always done), they might grab onto Sen. Feingold's coat for survival.
We the people need to play our part and support this move in full force.
The slow reflexes from the republican politicians have led to the brink of disaster here at home and abroad.
I just watched Sen. Feingold on Meet the Press (I thought I had banned Russert) accidentally.
Congratulations for being the true patriot you are. We need senators like you in the office. The recent surveillance - microchip is created for spying on the citizens is an Orweillian Society come true. The 9/11 was an excuse used to harbor suspicions on the innocent people here at home and abroad.
The Bush govt. has created a subtle mind-game on we the people and an offensive battle in iraq, soon to follow Iran.
Our fundamental principles of a democratic process gone awry!
Folks, we need to rid Sen Reid for not supporting the censure resolution. He has mixed emotions on this one.
Reid is poor leader. Replace him.
I concur with comments that say, "IMPEACH ALREADY"
Civics 101 people!!!
A Senator cannot initiate Impeachment, so quit blaming Senator Feingold for not impeaching.
There already is an impeachment bill on Cheney, with 11 co-sponsors that Speaker of the House Nancy "Can't Find a Freekin Table" Pelosi won't let move forward.
Lets put blame where it belongs.
Senator Feingold has been the one lone Senator that has actually tried to DO SOMETHING, including filibuster in the RubberStamp 109th ( not one Dem Senator, especially the ones running for president had the guts to back him up )
Again Civics 101, a Senator CANNOT initiate Impeachment. Sheesh!!!
The Democratic party leadership in the House and the Senate are SHAMEFUL! On Bob Schieffer's show today, he asked Harry Reid our FEARRUL Leader if he would support this latest censure resolution by Russ Feingold. Harry responded by saying there are more PRESSING pieces of legislation that must be dealt with. I ask you progressive Democrats, what do we have left if the Democrats won't even support the wishes of their base? I think Democracy has been killed in this country. Bush/Cheney really killed everything that was once good in this country. What's left if we cannot count on hte Democrats to do the will of the people?
Yet another scattershot Dem effort that will get two days of coverage then dissappear to be replaced by another politically-doomed distraction. The Dems don't know how to lead.
Zero + Zero = Zero
I'm reading a book about impeachment of Bush. This shit gotta start with us contacting our legislators. It begins with US.
The legislators are to heed the call of the people. It's all mapped out for them.
Sany @ 53:
Both Reid and Pelosi need replaced IMHO.
We need leaders with the guts to do what is right and that think their Oath of Office ( to defend the Constitution ) is worth keeping.
Sany @ 53:
Maybe Harry doesn't want to give the impression that what's they're working on.
Yes, and did you hear David Brooks' subsequent comments on Feingold's censure? He had the audicity to say it was a big mistake and just showed hyperpartisanship on the part of the democrats, and just when some of the Republicans were beginning to move to their side on the war. Never mind that the Republican's have demonstrated hyperpartisanship since they took control of Congress in the 90's, OR, and more importantly, their legal and moral obligation to hold this administration accountable for high crimes and misdemeanors. If Brooks had a moral compass and could manage to get his head out of Bush's behind he'd be encouraging the Republicans to do the right thing and support this censure resolution, and that's at the very least, when in fact we know these criminals deserve impeachment.
For the President, to be impeached, he would have to be shown on television, riping the head off a small child, and sucking out it's entrails.
Really, WTF is going on in Washington? Are we going to have to storm the capitol, and have a citizens arrest of Bush and Cheney, if congress continues to bury it's collective heads in the sand? JC!!
I like Feingold, but who cares about some stupid censure? George Bush, Dick Cheney, and their entire Administration will be tarnished by history, and they don't need some stupid censure to take care of that. Feingold, just keep tryin' to persuade the Republicans to see the light on other cases, like Iraq. Well, in that case, ya might as well just talk to a wall, cuz the wall might listen to ya before the GOP does.
Good luck.
The Champ is out.
I agree about the censure comments, who cares? All Bush is going to do is ignore it like he does everything else since does think of himself as dictator. Too bad Sentaor Feingold isn't for impeaching Bush because "it would take up too much time." Funny how he said the opposite with President Clinton over a blowjob but it takes too much time to protect the Constitution. It's really disappointing and everyone should write him with your disappointment especially those he serves in Wisconsin.
Impeachment will never happen and so you’ll have a better understanding I’ll tell you why. It is marginal that Bushit will be impeached by the House. But he will never be convicted in the Senate needing a two thirds vote. The Senate can’t get 60 votes on issues that are less important. And the fallout of a House impeachment? As proven with the Clinton impeachment Bushit’s popularity will increase. Now what Democrat would want to see that happen.
I agree that impreachment is the way to go.
But I'm glad that Feingold is going ahead with the censure resolution. It keeps the kettle boiling for the moment.
Maybe when one of the more heavily funded of the democratic candidates for president comes out for impeachment, we can get the show on the road and force a change in course.
So far, they are cowering in the shadows.
I am in agreement with most of the above comments.
Impeachment is the only just action for what Bush is doing . It is the responsibility of Congress to impeach and remove him, for the thousands of crimes he has committed. It is time for Democrats to step up to the plate, and act as our founding fathers intended. If Republicans sabotage this necessary act, so be it, but at least there will be a permanent historical record of who stood up for what is right, and who didn't.
This is both a good idea, and a bad idea.
Good idea in that if he is censured, it will definitely tarnish the legacy Bush is busting ass to create.
Bad idea in that it's keeping them from actually doing anything that'll fix the problem.
Surprised no one else has mentioned this:
Feingold Turns to Dross
07-17-07 By Dave Lindorff
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/24766
In a diary entry on Daily Kos, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), one of the most consistently progressive liberals in the Senate, surrendered to the Democratic Party Establishment, with an embarrassing string of lame and tired excuses for not standing for impeachment of the Bush/Cheney regime.
Feingold, who once took the lead in opposing Bush’s and Cheney’s abuses of power and their undermining of the Constitution with a censure motion filed in the Senate, wrote in the DailyKos diary that while he agreed that Bush and Cheney “may well have” committed “impeachable offenses,” he nonetheless did NOT support impeachment.
**We lost Feingold last week. Censure is LAUGHABLE. The focus should be ENTIRELY on TOMORROW at 10am ET. John Conyers wrote a letter to Fred Fielding that that’s the deadline for Harriet Miers to respond to her subpoena. She won’t. If Conyers brings charges of INHERENT CONTEMPT against Miers we have a chance to SAVE THE REPUBLIC. If he cowards out then the country is DEAD and Bush will claim Executive Privilege for EVERY INVESTIGATION. I hope you all understand that. INHERENT CONTEMPT against Harriet Miers or all these Bush crimes will go un-investigated. INHERENT CONTEMPT IS THE ONLY PATH TO IMPEACHMENT. Its that simple. We’ll find out tomorrow what path our country takes.
Call John Conyers and demand INHERENT CONTEMPT: John Conyers: 1-202-225-5126
We need to at least censure him because the next repub prez will go war farther than Bush like Bush went way farther than Nixon
[Deleted. Trolling with flamebait-Sitemonitor]
lendmeadime @ 63:
Au contraire mon ami. I think once the ball gets rolling you would be surprised. Clinton and Bush are two entirely different animals. Clinton was more poplular after his impeachment because the people of this country knew that the whole thing was a farce. Bush and his cronies are truly guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors. Bush would be hated even more if impeachment failed. Because people would see it as proof that congress has been thoroughly corrupted. This country wants this administration to answer for their crimes. Well at least the true patriots do.
A statement saying that this administration has weakened the country, Mr. Feingold?
You know what the Repubs will do with that statement? Use it for toilet paper, and laugh. And when the country has finished its journey down the sewage system, will you feel proud of yourself for having a statement filed away somewhere gathering dust in the national archives?
Enough with the statements and half-measures already.
hadenuf @ 32:
Pelosi need not be an advocate for impeachment.
She needs merely to let it be generally known that impeachment is on the table, and that she will not stand in the way of any resolution that comes before the house,
but rather schedule it for debate and an up or down vote.
You see, Republicans always insist on an up or down vote.
Cesure my rear end. We need to impeach the SOB. Weak, very weak.
We are living in a time of the most corrupt administration ever. Its just sickening. There is likely no punishment great enough for Bush and Co. I would rather see impeachment proceedings than a wimpass censure. Bush and Cheney deserve to be tried as war criminals and imprisoned!!! Course Bush will probably make up some new law and pardon himself anyway.
The USA burns while Congress fiddles. How inadequate is a friggin censure at this point! Wonder if they will censure minibush after he imposes martial law for some "terrorist attact"?
Impeachment is the answer, but the Democratic leadership is too cowardly to take the step. They fear that the Conservative spin machine will say that they are using impeachment for political purposes, and the Democrats don't have the stomach to take that charge on.
http://the-age-of-ignorance.blogspot.com/2007/07/to-impeach-or-not-to-im...
Senator Fiengold: DEFUND the President! And the OCCUPATION! Forget about slaps on the wrist.
Senate to Bush/Rove/Cheney: Don't make me count to three!"
Censure is a completely useless waste of time. Censure is a political word for: Naughty Naughty. It is complete bullshit, and accomplishes nothing. Bush knows what the polls say. That is the people Censuring him. I like Senator Feingold, but I must say I do not understand what he thinks he will accomplish with his proposal. So if he mangages to get a majority to vote for it,what does he expect it will get Bush to change. Not a goddam thing. So why not just all stand up in the Senate Chambers and all chant, Naughty Naughty Mr. President, if that is what you need to convince yourselves that you really have done something significant.
[...] measure and when moderator Tim Russert pointed this out and called the bill purely political the nutroots went wild. If the bill is certain to be killed, isn’t supporting such an action not anything [...]
Eric Shook @ 36:
Hey Mr. Shook, I will trade places with you ANY TIME! My Rick Renzi and McCain for one of your Feingolds.
Fair enough? sheesh, you must be impossible to please. Count your blessings, dude.
Censure? Nope, not good enough. Not by a long shot. And I disagree it would represent a "start". It would merely serve to create cover for those prepared to disgrace their oaths by refusing to grasp the nettle of impeachment.
If this is the best Feingold and the Democrats can do, our country is lost. We are sinking into a fascist state right before our eyes. This has been coming for a long time and now it is upon us. What will the Democrats do about this? Censure Bush, that is a weak half measure. Nothing short of impeachment and removal of office of the President will save our republic. It is up to the Democrats to implore enough Republicans that this is beyond party politics. If Feingold is the strongest progressive senator we have, and he is, we are lost.
No one hates the Bush administration more than me, but all of this censure and impeachment talk doesn't have any legs. The nation is politically exhausted so no one wants another dog and pony show. We just want the Congress to box in Bush from causing further harm and get us to the 08 election where we can make a long overdue change. All of this stuff may have been warranted back in 05 or even 06, but with almost 18 months left, it's just a big waste of time.
Everybody... please also post your comments on mainstream sites... CNN on its Political Ticker is running this story along with a story about how outraged the repugs are.
Please go over there and post comments... we have to reach people who are sitting on the fence or just "sitting out". It also might help if some repugs see our comments... much more likely to do so on MSM media. It doesn't have to CNN... which ever... we need to reach people who don't come to Dem, Liberal, Left, etc. sites.
*YYYYYYAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWNNNNN*
Did I just read another Democrat posturing to help the Boosh Crime Family ride out the term knowing that the only thing the Dems want is their turn at the trough to enrich their favorite corporations and very rich constituents?
All these corporatists get the mike and they posture ad nauseum. We get to chomping at the bit and then they yank the reins! (repeat cycle of prissy-assed dem whining and idle threatening until 2008 election, where they expect to reap rewards of republican corruption, while having done NOT ONE DAMNED THING TO STOP IT!)
Where are the DNC candidates? What is going on with the 50-state initiative of the DNC?
I registered Democratic to eliminate all DLC, DSCC and DCCC candidates as early as possible.
INHERENT CONTEMPT IS THE ONLY PATH TO IMPEACHMENT
I'll piece it all together for my C&L friends. From the Friday Washington Post:
..."Bush administration officials unveiled a bold new assertion of executive authority yesterday in the dispute over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, saying that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges initiated by Congress against White House officials once the president has invoked executive privilege."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/19/AR200707...
A subpoenaed Harriet Miers refused to show up before Congress last week citing Executive Privilege even though she no longer works for the executive. As Judiciary Committe chairwoman Linda Sanchez spells out Executive Privilege in this case is nonsense.
http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/Sanchez070712.pdf
There you have it. Bush will NOT ALLOW the Justice Department to investigate any case where he cites Executive Privilege. And he's citing it here even though it doesn't come close to complying with the necessary standards. Therefore, Bush is saying, NOTHING WILL BE INVESTIGATED. Zero. Nada. None of his crimes will be looked into. And therefore IMPEACHMENT disappears into the ether. Because the only way Impeachment will happen is if a crime (that the public can easily understand) is uncovered that's linked directly to the President or Vice President.
There's one way around this. INHERENT CONTEMPT. Congress says FU to the President. Congress becomes the Judiciary and tries Harriet Miers and Josh Bolton in their Chamber. This is a Constitutional right of the Congress. With Bush's pledge to never allow contempt charges to be pursued when he claims Executive Privilege its the only way an impeachable crime will be uncovered.
On July 19 John Conyers said this in a letter to Harriet Miers attorney Fred Fielding: "Please let me know in writing by 10 am on July 23 2007, whether Mr. Bolten will comply. If I do not hear from you by then, the Committee will have no choice but to consider appropriate recourse."
http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/Conyers070719.pdf
If John Conyers chooses INHERENT CONTEMPT as the "appropriate recourse" the republic has a chance. If not, then Bush crimes will never be investigated and Impeachment will never happen. Bush will continue committing these crimes and even bigger ones. As will the next President (its precedent now). We should know what path the country will be taking tomorrow morning. Yet few are even aware this momentus event is upon us.