In the run-up to the 2000 decision of Bush v. Gore, the Republican establishment worked tirelessly to frame the events of those days as a 'constitutional crisis' -- a situation so dire, so delicate -- as to threaten the very foundation of our nation's existence.
So, it was with great relief that Justice Scalia hastily passed down the high court's decision to forego a genuine manual recount and award to George W. Bush the White House and all its associated powers, real or imagined.
Little did the Supremes (or the rest of the Republican establishment) imagine that those actions would be the catalyst that set forth a series of unfortunate, unforgivable, and completely unnecessary, events that would eventually lead to a genuine constitutional crises -- a situation truly dire and legitimately threatening to the founding principles of America.
But here we are -- crisis in hand.
Fortunately, there are those attempting to do something about it -- trying to bring to justice those who would sacrifice our nation's founding documents and principles in order to promote their personal agenda.
These are the leaders of a growing movement for President Bush's impeachment.
They include the venerable Center for Constitutional Rights, Bob Fertik at Democrats.com, Impeach Bush (.org), Impeach Bush (.tv), Garrison Keillor, Impeach Bush Coalition, Elizabeth Holtzman, Elizabeth de la Vega, Dennis Loo, Impeach PAC, and many others.
The latest to add their considerable voice comes from the great state of Vermont where dozens of municipalities have stood courageously to protect our constitutional freedoms by voting to back articles of impeachment for George W. Bush.
From the people of Middlebury, Vermont:
We the people have the power -- and the responsibility -- to remove executives who transgress not just the law, but the rule of law.
The oaths that the President and Vice President take binds them to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." The failure to do so forms a sound basis for articles of impeachment.
The President and Vice President have failed to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution" in the following ways:
- They have manipulated intelligence and misled the country to justify an immoral, unjust, and unnecessary preemptive war in Iraq.
- They have directed the government to engage in domestic spying without warrants, in direct contravention of U.S. law.
- They have conspired to commit the torture of prisoners, in violation of the Federal Torture Act and the Geneva Convention.
- They have ordered the indefinite detention without legal counsel, without charges and without the opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention -- all in violation of U.S. law and the Bill of Rights.
When strong evidence exists of the most serious crimes, we must use impeachment -- or lose the ability of the legislative branch to compel the executive branch to obey the law.
George Bush has led our country to a constitutional crisis, and it is our responsibility to remove him from office.
I'm sure this is far from new for the vast majority of you, but I thought it was important enough to warrant a continuous and growing chorus of voices who support... nay, demand removal from office those who would willingly destroy our nation's foundational principles.
Please consider this a humble call to action.
Thank you.