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Forum Post: Any comments on the Movement to Impeach?

Posted 10 years ago on April 23, 2013, 12:15 p.m. EST by ZenDogTroll (13032) from South Burlington, VT
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

By now all of us, I am sure, are intimately acquainted with the events that transpired on Boylston Street, in Boston, on Monday, April 15, Patriots Day.

We are acquainted with the twin bombs and everything that came after: the intense investigation, the photographs, the shootout, the lockdown of a major metropolitan area and the intense manhunt.

We are acquainted with the victims: Krystle Campbell, 29; Martin Richard, 8; Lingzi Lu, 23, and MIT officer Sean Collier, 26.

We know that each of these human beings died as a result of the callus actions of two men, and we know this because of extensive photographic evidence. We now know who they are, and we know one of them is dead, and the other is in custody.

And Finally, we know that four members of Congress did issue a statement calling for the surviving perpetrator to be turned over to military authority.

http://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=283aeb5a-ffc4-7534-730b-b9df7e3a648f

“The accused perpetrators of these acts were not common criminals attempting to profit from a criminal enterprise, but terrorists trying to injure, maim, and kill innocent Americans. The suspect, based upon his actions, clearly is a good candidate for enemy combatant status. We do not want this suspect to remain silent,”

Joint statement by: Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Representative Peter King (R-N.Y.)

No doubt, all of us are by now well acquainted with the suspect in question. His name is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, he is 19, and a citizen of these United States. Naturalized to be sure, but he is a citizen, having lived among us since the age of nine, having gone to our schools, lived and played along side our children. He is, without any question, one of us.

What these legislators have proposed is that this young man, this citizen, be classified as an enemy combatant, and be turned over to military authority, for an indefinite period, as a response to his criminal conduct. Most of us are well aware that any of our children may fall victim to the process of radicalization today. It is a prospect that none of us would wish, for anyone. Yet it can, and it has, happened, many times in recent memory. Never once has such a suggestion been made. Until now. That it has been made, on this occasion, seems so incredulous, that many of us may be apt to think to ourselves, they must be joking.

But this is no joke. By weight of their authority alone, such a statement becomes credible. This then is a very serious matter, and we must devote our undivided attention. We must do so now, for if it is acceptable for one of our children to be so declared and held indefinitely, then any of our children may treated in like manner under similar circumstance, and we do not perceive clearly where all of this may end.

The current President has insisted that we will not engage in enhanced interrogation. Let us be frank. What he has said is that we will not permit torture to remain as a matter of state policy, under any circumstances. He has also dispensed with the term: enemy combatant. The legislative actions that produced such terms and instituted torture as a matter of state policy may, perhaps, be forgiven, in that they were a response to an event that shook this nation, overwhelmed it with grief, inspired not only the imperative of response, but also an outpouring of rage.

What this President has done is to have stepped this nation back from the abyss where only darkness and tyranny rule.

What these four legislators have proposed is to propel us back toward that darkness.

We have, in this nation, erected long standing curbs to such action. They come to us in the form of our Constitution, wherein the right of due process has been enshrined.

The rights granted the People of these United States come to us at high cost, they were not easily won, and we see they are not easily maintained. We see that in time of war we may set them aside, however briefly. We have seen war waged between brothers, between father and son, and we have seen this nation torn in half in that dark hour. Yet we did emerge the stronger, with steps toward the promise of equality for all. Each step bore with it a heavy price, the price of American blood. Our fathers’, and our grandfathers’ blood.

We cannot today, take this most recent, most heinous criminal act, and convert it into an alter of war, whereon the memory, and the blood of three American children and one foreign national - a guest in our house - may be sacrificed. If we are to preserve all that has been purchased at great sorrow and great cost, from that day to this, we must hold these four legislators accountable to their sworn oath, to uphold the United States Constitution.

This they have not done, and so must be impeached.

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UPDATE:

Representative King Ups The Game

Petition to Impeach Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Representative Peter King (R-N.Y.)

72 Comments

72 Comments


Read the Rules
[-] 3 points by grapes (5232) 10 years ago
  1. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
  2. Naturalized U.S. citizens swore to uphold the Constitution of these United States of America just as the foursome elected Congressional representatives did who had advocated classifying Dzhokhar Tsarnaev as enemy combatant.
  3. All of the people mentioned in 2. have all of the rights, privileges, immunities, and responsibilities.
  4. Advocating denial of rights, privileges, and immunities of U.S. citizens are un-American because it goes against the Constitution.
  5. That coming from a group which swore to uphold the Constitution amounts to betrayal.
  6. Impeachment is just and called for. Let our Constitutional legal process decide.
[-] 2 points by Narley (272) 10 years ago

I know this is off topic, but the intent is to provide another reason for impeachment. Our legal system is broken.

On November 5th, 2009, Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, shot and killed thirteen people and wounded thirty more. He still has come to trial. In fact they argued in court for about six months on whether he should shave his beard. The trial is now scheduled to start on July 1st, 2013. I’m not holding my breath.

When it takes 3 ½ years for a admitted terrorist to come to trial something is wrong with the system

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[-] 1 points by Narley (272) 10 years ago

OK then, the military legal system is broken. Three and a half years is too long for justice to be served. When I was in the Navy I did something wrong and got an Article 15 and a dock in pay. I did the deed, got caught and went before the judge all on the same day. Granted this was more like a simple case of disorderly conduct. The Malik trial is taking too long to get going.

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[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 10 years ago

Speedy, thorough and deliberate administration of justice is the foundation of all good governance. Army Major Hasan's case has dragged on unreasonably long, calling into question if due diligence had been given to the investigation. As any cat can meow you, not licking its anus clean fast is bad for feline hygiene.

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[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 10 years ago

Yes, but not high enough to commit high crimes like some can.

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

I can only speak for myself and say 'yes, a bit - so ?' lol & recommend that you post it on other fora too, like : http://occupy.net/ and on the chat streams of, http://occupystreams.org/ etc. You are nearly there right ? You haven't got too many ... ''Miles To Go'' : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTOB-JW9sM4 :-)

pax ...

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[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

Of course you are right but nevertheless and in compliment and solidarity, I append :

fiat justitia ruat caelum ...

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[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

Yep & I'm gonna lay this down here softly and just quietly back away :

I respect and applaud your efforts but please don't pop a gasket at that link & maintain your 'Zen', dog !!

fiat lux ...

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Tweeted - http://occupywallst.org/forum/any-comments-on-the-movement-to-impeach/

Thought it a good post for wider consideration.

Any comments on the Movement to Impeach? http://occupywallst.org/forum/any-comments-on-the-movement-to-impeach/#.UXsc5FIYiZE.twitter 4 U'r Consideration on Healing Government. Please Consider/Share/Circulate

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Yep - a properly functioning democracy of the people is not just about electing people to office - it is also about getting rid of the mistakes in office ASAP as well.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Excellent Exercise In Participating In A Direct Democracy.

People - this is how a direct democracy can begin.

[-] 1 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 10 years ago

Calling for enemy combatant status for the bombing suspect is like a tiny splinter in America's eye. There's an enormous plank in the other eye called Afghanistan that needs our immediate attention.

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

No, calling for the enemy combatant status puts you, your family, your compadres and everyone else at risk. Period. This needs your immediate attention.

[-] 2 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 10 years ago

The enemy combatant status issue goes back to at least 2002 when Bush declared Jose Padilla an enemy combatant. This is nothing new.

Again our disagreement comes down to strategy. Thoreau put it best. "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to the one who is striking at the root."

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[-] 2 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 10 years ago

This already happened with Padilla on 2002. How can we slide down a hill we're at the bottom of?

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[-] 3 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 10 years ago

Padilla was an American citizen born in Brooklyn. He spent 3 1/2 years in military prison, tortured, before he was finally tried in civilian court.

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[-] 2 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 10 years ago

Where the alleged crime took place doesn't matter. Because he's an American citizen is the pivotal issue.

These four have only opened their mouths. Are we going to try them for words?

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[-] -1 points by Builder (4202) 10 years ago

Where have "we established the effectiveness of the Judicial system in terrorist cases"?

The "testimony" given to NIST? Confessions given under torture?

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

[-] -1 points by Builder (3490) 3 hours ago

With ID's as loose and interchangeable as they are around this joint, how could you honestly state that I'm here "chasing pussy"? I do live a full day's flight away from you people, remember?

As for your credibility, you're skating on thin ice here, ZenDog. After disappearing for the worst of the troll escapades, and returning to a rather staid group of debaters, you seem to have taken on this role of camp adjudicator, or maybe even mind-bending empathy sensei.

It's wearing pretty thin, ol' mate.

That's if you really are still ZenDog, and not his stand-in sock puppet. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle permalink


So, are you down with impeachment?

I find Zen to be quite credible. It isn't necessary for me to agree with every thing he says. That's very cool. Zen is Zen. He is exactly who he says he is.

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[-] 1 points by Builder (4202) 10 years ago

It's not mine, actually. It's yours.

You've wiped your hands of 9-11, and the torture that resulted in admissions of guilt. You take as gospel the corp-media releases of the latest psy-op, as if there never was an attempt to pull the wool over America's collective eyes in the past.

Now, despite the prez himself playing judge and jury with drone attacks, and the passing of laws that basically makes legal what your "special four" guilty of something, your focus is narrowed, and your target defined.

What's with that?

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[-] -1 points by Builder (4202) 10 years ago

Attack the post, not the poster.

You've hijacked ZD's ID, haven't you?

What have you done with him?

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[-] -2 points by Builder (4202) 10 years ago

With ID's as loose and interchangeable as they are around this joint, how could you honestly state that I'm here "chasing pussy"? I do live a full day's flight away from you people, remember?

As for your credibility, you're skating on thin ice here, ZenDog. After disappearing for the worst of the troll escapades, and returning to a rather staid group of debaters, you seem to have taken on this role of camp adjudicator, or maybe even mind-bending empathy sensei.

It's wearing pretty thin, ol' mate.

That's if you really are still ZenDog, and not his stand-in sock puppet.

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[-] 0 points by Builder (4202) 10 years ago

You think? Never mentioned Colorado.

Is it too late to impeach a former prez?

You know that Tony Blair would be beaten to a pulp if he ever had the gall to show his face on a British street?

I guess Bush the rerun is still making cash on the speaking circuit. With people like Murdoch still claiming he was a good prez, I guess that's alright, isn't it?

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

I've thought about it. I think that it is imperative that we move to impeach them.

I hate to say that regarding these circumstances. But, the reality is that this will set a precedent for citizens.

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

They pretend to be moderate. I don't think they are. If you put one of them next to say........Bachmann then you see sanity for a minute.

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Surely if any citizen has placed bombs that are set to go off, we do not intend to provide an attorney prior to dismantling and disposing of them.

I know, right?

And one more round of enhanced interrogation techniques and I will lose my mind. Thousands of years old and doesn't bloody work but let's play another round of denial.

No, we don't need that option.

I am in favor of impeachment or expulsion- since that is a bit unclear. My preference is to acknowledge limitations in advance so that there are no surprises and, frankly, it allows me to continue to give the finger to commentators that serve no purpose.

Omnibus Counterterrorism Act of 1995 indicates that we were on that track before 2001. If we choose not to acknowledge this then it would surely lead to circular arguments specifically designed for distraction and halt momentum.

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[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Made me want to chunk the tv and computer. I agree that the argument could very well be made it started in the 1950s. I agree with the outline. Let's roll.

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

lol

I am reading through Impeachment Grounds: A Collection of Selected Materials. It's PDF. I know. S.L.O.W. But, it's about 36 pages.
http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=%26*2%3C4RL%3B9%0A

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Do you think 2/3 of the House would get on board with the impeachment?

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

There has only been one attempt to impeach a member of Congress. That is William Blount. http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/expulsion_cases/Blount_expulsion.htm

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Well, I don't think that it is possible to avoid a circus and it can become bipartisan real fast-on the outside. They are four republicans. I doubt very seriously that you will find any of the house willing to go that far. I doubt very seriously that you will find any Dems to get on board with that because they would be up next or standing right next to them.

I'm merely stating this because we have already seen this repeatedly.

.

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[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

The legitimacy of the US government as a whole has already been placed in question and recently by Hedges v Obama. Given the opportunity to protect citizens-they failed to act. As it stands they have left enemy combatant status as a completely arbitrary option. They seem to have no problem allowing it to fester.

They aren't serious. They haven't been serious for quite awhile.

We may call for impeachment and it might serve our immediate needs. However, what we need is a complete removal of the option itself. Otherwise we have prolonged the agony and with each and every change of power it becomes a serious risk.

One of the issues that I find fascinating is that the international community CAN sanction the US. I think that we have come close to that, however, more than likely this would merely confirm many other countries beliefs.

I think that this is a very important issue but I think that it would be absolutely necessary to work towards removing the option all together. That said, it might very well open a whole new can of worms.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

It may just be a small start- but it is a good one. Impeach all that are working to destroy the Constitution - to destroy the rights of every citizen.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Yep - let em see it coming - their downfall - caused by their own actions as well as in-actions. Get people to consider the possibilities. The more actions like this getting out to the Public - the more the Public can grow in getting properly involved.

[-] 0 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 10 years ago

Tamerlan Tsarnaev reportedly listened to the conspiracist radio host (Alex Jones). “My show is anti-terrorism.” [RW Hate and Lie Radio IS Terrorism!]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/alex-jones-downplays-connection-to-boston-bomber

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[-] 0 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 10 years ago

Tamerlan, Alex or both?

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[-] 0 points by bensdad (8977) 10 years ago

Fourtunately the lyin Rs will not get their way.
IMHO - their whole game is not based on ANYTHING except giving Obama the finger

I wish someone could convince me that a single Rs in the federal government should NOT be impeached -
If I could, I would impeach them all

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[-] 1 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 10 years ago

As Cons descend more completely into a criminal cult, justice itself becomes partisan and avoiding it is just denial of facts.