Where Congress Fears To Tread

Where Congress Fears To Tread

Madam Speaker,

On the 4th of July, 2007, I am calling on you as Speaker of the House to reverse your position on impeachment proceedings against the President and Vice President of the United States.

For the good of country, and putting that greater good ahead of partisan advantage, I call on you to put impeachment back on the table.

Are there not sufficient grounds to measure high crimes and misdemeanors when the President intentionally misleads the Congress and the public to justify his invasion and occupation of Iraq, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1001; and intentionally conspired to defraud the United States in connection with the war against Iraq in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 371;

When the President admits - nay, proudly announces! - to ordering the National Security Agency to conduct electronic surveillance of American civilians without seeking warrants from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, duly constituted by Congress in 1978, in violation of Title 50 of the United States Code, Section 1805;

When the President conspires to commit the torture of prisoners in violation of the UN Torture Convention and the Geneva Convention, which under Article VI of the Constitution are part of the "supreme Law of the Land"; and enacts a policy of extraordinary rendition of these prisoners to hidden facilities in other lands to avoid the conscience of our great republic;



When the President subverts civil law by ordering indefinite detention of citizens, without access to legal counsel, without charge and without opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation by the President of a U.S. citizen as an "enemy combatant";

When the President fails to ensure the competent functioning of emergency agencies, and even praises officials whose undisputed incompetence caused unnecessary deaths as one of our great historic cities was destroyed;

And when the President commutes a standard sentence for a close political aide convicted in a jury trial of lying under oath and obstructing an appropriate investigation into the Administration's activities;

When the President has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President, subversive of constitutional government to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of this republic?

Please tell me, in the face of this, what is the sacred duty of the people's branch of government?

Madam Speaker, put patriotism over political expediency. Do what is right and impeach this President and this Vice-President.

Or else, pray persuade the people why Congress should not.