Bush Impeachment - The Illinois State Legislature is Preparing to Drop a B

[stevenleser]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_l_060422_bush_impeachment___t.htm

Bush Impeachment - The Illinois State Legislature is Preparing to Drop a Bombshell
Utilizing a little known rule of the US House to bring Impeachment charges

by Steven Leser

http://www.opednews.com

The Illinois General Assembly is about to rock the nation. Members of state legislatures are normally not considered as having the ability to decide issues with a massive impact to the nation as a whole. Representative Karen A. Yarbrough of Illinois' 7th District is about to shatter that perception forever. Representative Yarbrough stumbled on a little known and never utlitized rule of the US House of Representatives, Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual of the Rules of the United States House of Representatives, which allows federal impeachment proceedings to be initiated by joint resolution of a state legislature. From there, Illinois House Joint Resolution 125 (hereafter to be referred to as HJR0125) was born.

Detailing five specific charges against President Bush including one that is specified to be a felony, the complete text of HJR0125 is copied below at the end of this article. One of the interesting points is that one of the items, the one specified as a felony, that the NSA was directed by the President to spy on American citizens without warrant, is not in dispute. That fact should prove an interesting dilemma for a Republican controlled US House that clearly is not only loathe to initiate impeachment proceedings, but does not even want to thoroughly investigate any of the five items brought up by the Illinois Assembly as high crimes and/or misdemeanors. Should HJR0125 be passed by the Illinois General Assembly, the US House will be forced by House Rules to take up the issue of impeachment as a privileged bill, meaning it will take precedence over other House business.

The Illinois General Assembly joins a growing chorus of voices calling for censure or impeachment of President Bush including Democratic state committees in Vermont, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Nevada and North Carolina as well as the residents themselves of seven towns in Vermont, seventy Vermont state legislators and Congressman John Conyers. The call for impeachment is starting to grow well beyond what could be considered a fringe movement. An ABC News/Washington Post Poll Conducted April 6-9 showed that 33% of Americans currently support Impeaching President Bush, coincidentally, only a similar amount supported impeaching Nixon at the start of the Watergate investigation. If and when Illinois HJR0125 hits the capitol and the individual charges are publicly investigated, that number is likely to grow rapidly. Combined with the very real likelihood that Rove is about to be indicted in the LeakGate investigation, and Bush is in real trouble beyond his plummeting poll numbers. His cronies in the Republican dominated congress will probably save him from the embarassment of an impeachment conviction, for now, but his Presidency will be all but finished.








----------------------------------------------------------

HJ0125 LRB094 20306 RLC 58347 r



1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


2 WHEREAS, Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual of the Rules of
3 the United States House of Representatives allows federal
4 impeachment proceedings to be initiated by joint resolution of
5 a state legislature; and

6 WHEREAS, President Bush has publicly admitted to ordering
7 the National Security Agency to violate provisions of the 1978
8 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a felony, specifically
9 authorizing the Agency to spy on American citizens without
10 warrant; and

11 WHEREAS, Evidence suggests that President Bush authorized
12 violation of the Torture Convention of the Geneva Conventions,
13 a treaty regarded a supreme law by the United States
14 Constitution; and

15 WHEREAS, The Bush Administration has held American
16 citizens and citizens of other nations as prisoners of war
17 without charge or trial; and

18 WHEREAS, Evidence suggests that the Bush Administration
19 has manipulated intelligence for the purpose of initiating a
20 war against the sovereign nation of Iraq, resulting in the
21 deaths of large numbers of Iraqi civilians and causing the
22 United States to incur loss of life, diminished security and
23 billions of dollars in unnecessary expenses; and

24 WHEREAS, The Bush Administration leaked classified
25 national secrets to further a political agenda, exposing an
26 unknown number of covert U. S. intelligence agents to potential
27 harm and retribution while simultaneously refusing to
28 investigate the matter; and

29 WHEREAS, The Republican-controlled Congress has declined




HJ0125 - 2 - LRB094 20306 RLC 58347 r



1 to fully investigate these charges to date; therefore, be it

2 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
4 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the General Assembly of the
5 State of Illinois has good cause to submit charges to the U. S.
6 House of Representatives under Section 603 that the President
7 of the United States has willfully violated his Oath of Office
8 to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
9 States; and be it further

10 RESOLVED, That George W. Bush, if found guilty of the
11 charges contained herein, should be removed from office and
12 disqualified to hold any other office in the United States.

[DanCa]

1. Welcome to DU Stevenleser

:hi: And I am so proud of my big blue state. :toast:

[WiseButAngrySara]

55. Ditto and Double the welcome! This is a fine post, and I hope you

post many more of the same caliber!

:hi: DanCa, Illinois Rocks!

[radfringe]

66. welcome...

impeachment or censure won't happen because bush has the "immunity idol"...



previous cartoons and downloads may be seen here: http://radfringe.tripod.com/radicalfringecartoons/

[dchill]

87. Double, double ditto and triple the welcome...

to you, Stevenleser. And HUGH! HOORAY for Karen A. Yarbrough and the Illinois legislature. It reminds me of something I believe Jerry Garcia once said way back in the "Vietnam Era", something like, "Somebody has to do something, it's just pathetic that it has to be us."

[leesa]

2. Oh, I like this idea. The more the I word is used, the better.

[Occulus]

4. But will it work?

Is it legit- CAN it fly?

[leesa]

7. Not sure, but it spells out the charges nicely. It will make the

Congressional Republicans extremely nervous...hard to pooh pooh it when it is layed out like this and when there is some potential for legal precedent.

[LiberalFighter]

14. Jefferson's Manual of the Rules says it can be done Section 53

If I read it right states should had brought up charges of impeachment against the Independent Counsel investigating Clinton.

There was a bit of explanation that impeachment cannot be brought if the offense occurred outside the term of office.

[LiberalFighter]

15. The question is will the House ignore it or act on it

[freefall]

78. Based on this from Stevenleser's original post, they will not have the

option. Action will be forced by House rules.

"Should HJR0125 be passed by the Illinois General Assembly, the US House will be forced by House Rules to take up the issue of impeachment as a privileged bill, meaning it will take precedence over other House business."

They will have to act on it one way or another before they can do anything else. That is actually what makes the whole thing so exciting. I have to go find out when the Illinois House is likely to vote. Did I miss that?

This could be really exciting. We might not have to wait until November to try to get rid of Bush. I'm so afraid of him attacking Iran :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:. I can't figure out if this would up the odds of a "preventive" attack on Iran or not but the idea of a possible impeachment is still exciting.!!!
:woohoo: :woohoo:

Peace,

freefall

[katty]

98. and today CA pressing for Impeachment-there is a glimmer of hope

[zann725]

28. 'Numerologically...I like the Bill's number..containing "25"...

...a 7." Numerologically Kerry seems attracted to "7's."

And NOW Illinois? In addition to Vermont and Connecticut's both recent vote for Impeachment?

Then a group of protestors in Marin County re-routing Airforce One...at Standford, no less?!

How many Generals is it that presently oppose the Admin's War (publically as well as privately?) There should be an answer like: "How many Generals does it take to stop a War WITHOUT the Man's approval?" (We're almost there, me thinks...)

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

85. CT Voted for Impeachment ?

The General Assembly discussed impeaching Governor Rowland, but I must have missed the presidential impeachment vote news.

[Stand and Fight]

3. Hot fucking damn....

That is about the sexiest thing I've read in years. Recommended!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. Impeach the Motherfucker already!

[PublicWrath]

12. btw, I just got my ITMFA pins yesterday! n/t

[Talismom]

31. I've got mine too, LOL! Been handing 'em out at work and they're

quite a hit! When people ask me what it means I say the version I give my 8 yr old twins is Impeach the Moronic Fools Already! and then I tell them to figure out the adult translation.

[PublicWrath]

45. I ordered a bunch of extra buttons,

now I'll have something special to tell people when I pass them out!

[freefall]

79. I don't know. . . .I kinda like "Moronic Fools." It's actually a more apt

description.
:)

Peace,

freefall

[LiberalFighter]

6. Vermont should do this too if they have majority

[PublicWrath]

17. Yes, definitely. If more than one state makes the case the repubs

will have a much harder time saying it's just a crackpot reading of the rule book. It will look like a popular demand. Say, isn't this one of those state's rights issues the repubs like so much?;-)

[Olney Blue]

8. The Land of Lincoln... rises to make things right.

[freefall]

81. Seems fitting doesn't it? This whole thread is making me smile. n/t

[Oversea Visitor]

9. Must be a great state

:)
:kick:
double :kick: :kick:

This look like right kind of medicine for bush America
Does he take medicine well?

[Olney Blue]

56. As long as he can wash it down with a swig of Jack Daniels....

[Just Me]

10. If the Republicans-in-charge don't have the courage to do it,...

,...maybe, the States of America will have the courage to show the world that this country DOES BELIEVE IN THE RULE OF LAW, DOES SEEK JUSTICE, DOES UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND PURSUE DEMOCRACY!

GOD!!! I am dreaming,...of States uniting to do something historical to save democracy and advance humanity. I can still dream.

[Mnemosyne]

39. Helluva great dream JM, I share it. Keep hope

alive!!

[fooj]

93. Hope sustains me!

:hi:

[WhiteTara]

11. Thanks for the post! this is just great!

:party: I am so excited.

[Old and In the Way]

13. Republicans, great supporters of 'States Rights', will no doubt

support this action. :rofl:

This is the only way to get such an actionin front of rubber-stamping Republican Congress.

Cheers to the great state of Illionois! :toast:

[colorado_ufo]

16. Wow! And Welcome!

What a post -

[shraby]

18. Anyone know the make-up of the Illinois

legislature? Reps to Dems?

[mopinko]

35. dem majorities, both houses, dem gov

house 65-53 dem
senate 31-27-1 dem.
had thug governors for the last 20-something years until this one, tho. so, lots of those guys belong to the party of money.
not sure how many boat rockers there are in that count, but remember that illinois had more votes than any state to reject the ohio electors.

[Gregorian]

82. (:

Thank you.

Two words- Democrat and Forced.

[icymist]

19. K & R!!!

You go Illinois!
:kick:

[CantGetFooledAgain]

Recommended. This news warms my heart.

Thank you, Illinois General Assembly!

[bluerum]

20. God works in mysterious ways,,,,,,,

[pnwmom]

21. Do the Dems hold majorities in the IL House and Senate? n/t

[PublicWrath]

22. You certainly have started off with a bang!! Welcome to DU! n/t

[LiberalFighter]

23. Inception of impeachment proceedings in the House

<<NOTE: Sec. 603. Inception of impeachment proceedings in the House.>>

In the House there are various methods of setting an impeachment in motion: by charges made on the floor on the responsibility of a Member or Delegate (II, 1303; III, 2342, 2400, 2469; VI, 525, 526, 528, 535, 536); by charges preferred by a memorial, which is usually referred to a committee for examination (III, 2364, 2491, 2494, 2496, 2499, 2515; VI, 543); by a resolution dropped in the hopper by a Member and referred to a committee (Apr. 15, 1970, p. 11941; Oct. 23, 1973, p. 34873); by a message from the President (III, 2294, 2319; VI, 498); by charges transmitted from the legislature of a State (III, 2469) or territory (III, 2487) or from a grand jury (III, 2488); or from facts developed and reported by an investigating committee of the House (III, 2399, 2444). In the 93d Congress, the Vice President sought to initiate an investigation by the House of charges against him of possibly impeachable offenses. The Speaker and the House took no action on the request since the matter was pending in the courts and the offenses did not relate to activities during the Vice President's term of office (Sept. 25, 1973, p. 31368; III, 2510 (wherein the Committee on the Judiciary, to which the matter had been referred by privileged resolution, reported that the Vice President could not be impeached for acts or omissions committed before his term of office)). On the other hand, in 1826 the Vice President's request that the House investigate charges against his prior official conduct as Secretary of War was referred, on motion, to a select committee (III, 1736). On September 9, 1998, an independent counsel transmitted to the House under 28 U.S.C. 595(c) a communication containing evidence of alleged impeachable offenses by the President. The House adopted a privileged resolution reported by the Committee on Rules referring the communication to the Committee on the Judiciary, restricting Members' access to the communication, and restricting access to committee meetings and hearings on the communication (H. Res. 525, Sept. 11, 1998, p. 20020). Later, the House adopted a privileged resolution reported by the Committee on the Judiciary authorizing an impeachment inquiry by that committee (H. Res. 581, Oct. 8, 1998, p. 24679). The authority to appoint an independent counsel under 28 U.S.C. 573 expired on June 30, 1999.

[SLCPUNK]

24. Great!

This is wonderful news......

[LiberalFighter]

25. A proposition to impeach a question of privilege.

Sec. 604. A proposition to impeach a question of privilege.

A direct proposition to impeach is a question of high privilege in the House and at once supersedes business otherwise in order under the rules governing the order of business (III, 2045-2048, 2051, 2398; VI, 468, 469; July 22, 1986, p. 17294; Aug. 3, 1988, p. 20206; May 10, 1989, p. 8814; Sept. 23, 1998, pp. 21560-62; see Deschler, ch. 14, Sec. 8). It may not even be superseded by an election case, which is also a matter of high privilege (III, 2581). It does not lose its privilege from the fact that a similar proposition has been made at a previous time during the same session of Congress (III, 2408), previous action of the House not affecting it (III, 2053). As such, a report of the Committee on the Judiciary accompanying an impeachment resolution is filed from the floor as privileged (Dec. 17, 1998, p. 27819), and is called up as privileged (Dec. 18, 1998, p. 27828). The addition of new articles of impeachment offered by the managers but not reported by committee are also privileged (III, 2401), as is a proposition to refer to committee the papers and testimony in an impeachment of the preceding Congress (V, 7261). To a privileged resolution of impeachment, an amendment proposing instead censure, which is not privileged, was held not germane (Dec. 19, 1998, p. 28107). On several occasions the Committee on the Judiciary, having been referred a question of impeachment, reported a recommendation that impeachment was not warranted and, thereafter, called up the report as a question of privilege (Deschler, ch. 14, Sec. 1.3). Under 28 U.S.C. 596(a) an independent counsel appointed to investigate the President may be impeached; and a resolution impeaching such independent counsel constitutes a question of the privileges of the House under rule IX (Sept. 23, 1998, p. 21560).

Propositions relating to an impeachment already made also are privileged (III, 2400, 2402, 2410; July 22, 1986, p. 17294; Dec. 2, 1987, p. 33720; Aug. 3, 1988, p. 20206), such as resolutions providing for selection of managers of an impeachment (VI, 517; Dec. 19, 1998, p. 28112), proposing abatement of impeachment proceedings (VI, 514), reappointing managers for impeachment proceedings continued in the Senate from the previous Congress (Jan. 3, 1989, p. 84; Jan. 6, 1999, p. 14), empowering managers to hire special legal and clerical personnel and providing for their pay, and to carry out other responsibilities (Jan. 3, 1989, p. 84; Dec. 19, 1998, p. 28112; Jan. 6, 1999, p. 240), and replacing an excused manager (Feb. 7, 1989, p. 1726); but a resolution simply proposing an investigation, even though impeachment may be a possible consequence, is not privileged (III, 2050, 2546; VI, 463).

Where a resolution of investigation positively proposes impeachment or suggests that end, it has been admitted as of privilege (III, 2051, 2052, 2401, 2402), such as a resolution reported by the Committee on the Judiciary authorizing an impeachment inquiry by that committee and investing the committee with special investigative authorities to facilitate the inquiry (III, 2029; VI, 498, 528, 549; Deschler, ch. 14, Sec. Sec. 5.8, 6.2; H. Res. 581, Oct. 8, 1998, p. 24679). A committee to which has been referred privileged resolutions for the impeachment of an officer may call up as privileged resolutions incidental to consideration of the impeachment question, including conferral of subpoena authority and funding of the investigation from the contingent fund (now referred to as ``applicable accounts of the House described in clause 1(j)(1) of rule X'') (VI, 549; Feb. 6, 1974, p. 2349). Similarly, a resolution authorizing depositions by committee counsel in an impeachment inquiry is privileged under rule IX as incidental to impeachment (Speaker Wright, Oct. 3, 1988, p. 27781).

[Peace Patriot]

50. You forgot to highlight "or from a grand jury"--which comes right

after "by charges transmitted from the legislature of a State."

Patrick Fitgerald just brought his new Grand Jury together for a hearing of new evidence. The surmise is that he's about to indict Karl Rove in Treasongate--probably for perjury and obstruction. It looks like Libby and Rove may be taking the fall for their bosses (Libby-for Cheney; Rove-for Bush), and are blockading the investigation. If so, the question is, can they take the heat? Will they tell what they know, or do jail time? (And if they think Bush will pardon them, WILL Bush be able to, with his quickly deteriorating political fortunes?) But there is also the possbility that Fitzgerald already has the goods on at least Cheney, from other sources. Will Cheney rat on Bush to save himself? Cheney and Bush probably have so much blackmail material on each other, it's hard to imagine what might come of a Bush vs. Cheney dogfight. But if Fitzgerald were to name either one in the Treasongate crimes, it would have to be as "unindicted co-conspirator" and be reported to the House of Represenatives for impeachment proceedings. Fitzgerald cannot prosecute Cheney or Bush himself. Upshot: The Grand Jury provision of Jefferson's rules is also relevant to the current situation, along with the Illinois bill of impeachment.

Bless you, Thomas Jefferson! :applause: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :applause:

[jaysunb]

61. Bless YOU, PP

you should make a dairy of this. It's right on the money of where we are and the coming fireworks that are sure to follow.
I just hope they go peacefully......

[LiberalFighter]

70. Somebody should make damn sure Fitz has this info

so the ball doesn't get dropped.

Fitz is only an attorney AND even the Illinois Legislature probably only stopped when they got to the part about the state legislature didn't registered with them.

[Me.]

26. Has HJR0125 Actually Passed, Really?

Not trying to be a drip, but want to be sure before I yell.

[mopinko]

32. not passed, just introduced

don't get tooooo excited.

[Me.]

33. What Are The Chances?

And thanks for the reply.

[stevenleser]

36. Hello to all and thanks for the warm response to my article, more info...

...both the Illinois House and Senate are Democratically controlled. The count in the Illinois House is:
Democrats: 65 Republicans: 53

and the Illinois senate is:
Democrats: 31 Republicans: 27 Independents: 1

Based on this, I think the Resolution has a good chance of passing. We should all write to the Illinois House and Senate Democrats to urge them to pass HJR0125. Also, if you click on the link to my article at OpEdNews, there is a link at the top and bottom to send a comment to your congressional representatives and your local paper to support the impeachment effort.

I have a call in to the originator of the Resolution, Karen Yarbrough, if she talks to me, I will publish the interview and post it here!

Steve

[Me.]

38. Thanks, Good News

with the legislature being controlled by dems and at the very least, a fighting chance.

[WiseButAngrySara]

60. Thanks for the additional information. Maybe you should cross-post this

in GD, and I would start a second separate thread with this new info pertaining to the direct link, so more can participate, and it won't get 'buried' in a long thread.

Thanks again. Hope springs eternal!

And Welcome again! :hi:

[stevenleser]

67. Someone posted over at FreeRepublic. I'm getting angry emails

and one angry response to the original article over at OpEdNews.com

Funny stuff.

[LiberalFighter]

71. Why should they be so angry?? If there leader didn't do anything wrong

they got nothing to worry about.

That is so Republican of them! Doesn't matter if they did something wrong, illegal, immoral, treasonous or unpatriotic. They are above everyone else.

[mopinko]

37. like someone said in another thread

a hell of a lot better than the chances if it wasn't introduced.
i know that my congresswoman has publically stated that she can't wait to vote for impeachment. i think many from the chicago area would vote yes.
if they get votes from downstate republicans, you know things are about to bust loose everywhere. i have no idea, but i do know that the rural folks in this state are in a world of hurt. at some point the wolves at the door get scarier than the boogeyman over there.
if any big state can do it, illinois can.

[Me.]

40. I'll Be Watching And Rooting The People From The Land Of Lincoln On

It seems fitting that they would stand up for all of us in this way.

[madrchsod]

43. maybe if a republican or two in a safe district

will join up..someone like jerry mitchell who will retain his seat untill he retires. out here in the cornfields people are really pissed off-the feds cut the funds for disabled farmers. yup farmers who still farm by using devices to drive combines,tractors,and trucks cost to much for the whitehouse. big front page article in the dixon/sterling papers..fat denny`s district. oh yes no money for denny`s district all for the 6th i know let`s forget about that...

[mopinko]

74. i'm hoping for candidates to jump in

i know there are a lot of dfa types that are running what they presume to be sacrificial races. they could pound this on the stump, and see what happens.

[onehandle]

27. Now let's work to get back Congress and start the investigations.

2006 Republican House and Senate. Impeachment in 2007 with a Democratic Congress.

[jaysunb]

62. President Pelosi ?????

Is this what you're hoping for ????

:evilgrin: I am.....

[Benhurst]

29. As a native of the great state of Illinois, Land of Lincoln, I proudly

make the 15th recommendation.

[The Wielding Truth]

30. Hurry, political pendulum, swing left . Let's get smart and good again.

[lovuian]

34. There has been a prediction That Civil war could happen

and Republicans better to be ready because Americans are pissed!!!

[madrchsod]

41. won`t happen

there will be dems that won`t go along with this. blago and daley are on really thin ice with the fitzgerald`s investigations and worse blago is running against judy who has support with both democrats and republicans in the state. nice idea but it will get nowhere.

[stevenleser]

46. Blago and Daley are in the US House tho, not the Illinois House

Right? That shouldnt impact Illinois HJR 0125 from being passed and sent to the US House.

[madrchsod]

47. they are the king pins in the democratic party in illinois

well, dick mell, who is blago`s father-in-law, is the real power broker in illinois. opps daley chicago mayor ,blago govenor

[stevenleser]

49. They are Democrats though? And you think they would try to

stop this from passage? Sounds like we all need to call and write them!!! Do you have contact info? If not, I can get...

[Zen Democrat]

42. I remember an April evening 33 years ago ...

Nixon spoke to the nation and announced that Haldeman and Ehrlichman (two of the finest public servants he had ever known), and Attorney General Kleindienst had resigned, and that he had asked for and received the resignation of John Dean, Counsel to the President.

In the analysis that followed that night, by reporters and politicians, I first heard someone ask, "Could this lead to impeachment?" Can't remember who said it, but the question was somewhat scoffed at by the others. Someone said that merely mentioning such a thing was harmful to the administration, but that it certainly wasn't likely to happen. Sixteen months later Nixon resigned after the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend bills of impeachment.

The difference between then and now is that several principled Republican leaders, e.g., Senator Hugh Scott, were outraged by the behaviour of the White House officials and said so. Even called for a special prosecutor -- and Hugh Scott was the Republican leader in the Senate. Of course, the syncophants were outraged that Nixon would be linked to the Watergate crimes by "the liberal media". This camp included Bob Dole, George Bush and Gerald Ford.

Memories ...

[LiberalFighter]

72. Someone should had responded...

The country comes before the administration.

If the administration needs to go to save the country then so be it!

[gulfcoastliberal]

44. California's legislature should do this too.

They have a dem advantage so it should pass.

[Peace Patriot]

52. Yup, a BIG Dem advantage--2/3rds, I believe, in both the Senate and the

Assembly. But I'm not terribly happy with the leadership. They ran like scared rabbits and hid in the briar patch while the Diebold cabal in the state and (I'm sure) Bush junta operatives swiftboated Dem Sec of State Kevin Shelley (who had sued Diebold and banned the worst of their election theft machines prior to the 2004 election). The Diebold cabal includes both Dem and Repub election officials and legislators. Very corrupt. As far as I'm concerned, anybody left standing now who supports Diebold/ES&S "trade secret" voting counting is a Bushite, whatever they call themselves.

So I just don't know--even with this great numerical advantage that the Dems have--if they have the will or the guts or the honesty to join Illinois.

[shenmue]

48. Yeah!

Viva Illinois! :patriot:

[WiseButAngrySara]

51. K & R! This is wonderful! I read another post on the Illinois impeachment

resolution, but I didn't realize the full implications of it. Is this another historic first?

[Peace Patriot]

53. I believe it will be if they pass it. I'm not sure if it's the first of

its kind, as a resolution. Can't recall if any state legislator introduced such a bill during Watergate (or Vietnam). Possibly. And before that era, my vision dims. Historians?

[barb162]

54. very interesting, thanks!

I'll be following this one

[pat_k]

57. Way to Go Illinois!! Now, Where are the Rhode Islanders ??

Are there any Rhode Islanders out there organizing to lobby the General Assembly?

Since Rhode Island tops the list with 74% disapproving of the "job" the urinary⁽¹⁾ authoritarian executive is doing on the country, the RI General Assembly could be very responsive if pressured to exercise their right under Section 603 of the United States House Rules and initiate impeachment proceedings by transmitting charges to Congress in a joint resolution.

I know Carl Sheeler has called on members to take action, but haven't heard about specific efforts.

There are about 600,000 registered voters RI, which sounds a bit more manageable than the 7 million or so there are in Illinois!

--------------------
(1) WH occupant claiming the right to piss down our backs and call it rain.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

58. Kick & recommend highly! Keep this going for the Sunday crowd!

[autorank]

59. Here's section 603, "charges transmitted from the legislature of a state

or territory or from a grand jury

They're good to go from Illinois. Fitsgerald could do it too, "grand jury"...rokken.

<107th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 107-284>





http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=107_cong_house_rules_manual&docid=hrulest-57

In the <<NOTE: Sec. 603. Inception of impeachment proceedings in the
House.>> House there are various methods of setting an impeachment in
motion: by charges made on the floor on the responsibility of a Member
or Delegate (II, 1303; III, 2342, 2400, 2469; VI, 525, 526, 528, 535,
536); by charges preferred by a memorial, which is usually referred to a
committee for examination (III, 2364, 2491, 2494, 2496, 2499, 2515; VI,
543); by a resolution dropped in the hopper by a Member and referred to
a committee (Apr. 15, 1970, p. 11941; Oct. 23, 1973, p. 34873); by a
message from the President (III, 2294, 2319; VI, 498); by charges
transmitted from the legislature of a State (III, 2469) or territory
(III, 2487) or from a grand jury (III, 2488); or from facts developed
and reported by an investigating committee of the House (III, 2399,
2444). In the 93d Congress, the Vice President sought to initiate an
investigation by the House of charges against him of possibly
impeachable offenses. The Speaker and the House took no action on the
request since the matter was pending in the courts and the offenses did
not relate to activities during the Vice President's term of office
(Sept. 25, 1973, p. 31368; III, 2510 (wherein the Committee on the
Judiciary, to which the matter had been referred by privileged
resolution, reported that the Vice President could not be impeached for
acts or omissions committed prior to his term of office)). On the other
hand, in 1826 the Vice President's request that the House investigate
charges against his prior official conduct as Secretary of War was

<[Page 315>]

referred, on motion, to a select committee (III, 1736). On September 9,
1998, an independent counsel transmitted to the House under 28 U.S.C.
595(c) a communication containing evidence of alleged impeachable
offenses by the President. The House adopted a privileged
resolution reported by the Committee on Rules referring the
communication to the Committee on the Judiciary, restricting Members'
access to the communication, and restricting access to committee
meetings and hearings on the communication (H. Res. 525, Sept. 11, 1998,
p. ----). Later, the House adopted a privileged resolution reported by
the Committee on the Judiciary authorizing an impeachment inquiry by
that committee (H. Res. 581, Oct. 8, 1998, p. ----). The authority to
appoint an independent counsel under 28 U.S.C. 573 expired
on June 30, 1999.

[redacted]

63. Recommended! Go Fighting Illini!

[redacted]

64. Recommended! Go Fighting Illini!

[0007]

65. Great Balls a Fire

[Douglas Carpenter]

68. start the procedure before he starts another war

http://www.dontattackiran.org

[ixion]

69. restore our republic: jail BushCo and rescind the unPATRIOTic Act

-- End the so-called War on Terror
-- End the so-called War on Drugs

[karlrschneider]

73. K & R

:kick:
:toast:

[mopinko]

75. we are and will be talking about this in the illinois forum.

please come on over.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=150x12499

[Jokinomx]

76. Thanks for getting my day off to a Great Start!!

I haven't been online for a few days and I thought I would check in.... now let us just hope that they follow through and don't get sidetracked by a few "terror alerts" from of course "credible" sources... that seem to be targeting Illinios for some reason....mmmmmm

Great post....

:toast:

[Oak2004]

77. Proud to be an Illinoian by birth and a Vermont resident by choice

(Even if some of the old "paleomachinedemocrats" are the moral equivalent of"newfangleddelayrepublicans".)

Go Illinois! Revenge the spirit of Lincoln, who must be spinning so fast in his grave over what his party has become that you could hook up a generator to his casket and power everything in the state south of Joliet.

[freefall]

80. Recommended. Abslutely the best news I've read in a long time.

Thank you and welcome, stevenleser.

:hi:

Peace,

freefall

[edwin]

83. Would recommend if I could!

Getting there though. I hope...

[PuraVidaDreamin]

84. Impeach Buch/Cheney THEN-->the Hague

These War criminals must pay

[file83]

86. This one gets the BIG *HEEE--HAAAWWWW*....

Kick it!:kick: Impeach that treasonous bastard!

[Bob K]

88. This is the way............

...to brighten one's day!!! Impeach the son of a beach!

[jean]

89. Warmest of welcomes to you and this excellent news!

[north houston dem]

90. welcome to DU

and thanks for the good news. Go Illinois!

I know we're not supposed to get too excited....
but I'm doing the happy dance -
I am so glad to see someone finally challenging these assholes.




:bounce: :applause:

[glitch]

91. I say we all join them. Every state replicate this resolution.

And another route in states where the people's initiatives can be made law if the legislatures won't step up.

edit: k and r and welcome to DU stevenleser.

ps I am taking this to the wa state dem caucus in June.

[PatrioticLeftie]

92. Good news!

I hope this goes far, and also ejects the rest of the Bush Administration, not just Georgie.

[wildflowergardener]

94. chances?

Just wondering what the chances are that Bush will actually be impeached with the republican controlled house and senate, even if it does make it there?

If it fails with the house and senate (pardon my ignorance if it doesn't go to both - I don't know exactly how impeachment works or how many votes you need, etc.) can they try to impeach again if the democrats come back into power after 2006 elections, or is it the sort of thing you can only try once and the person is found innocent you can't bring charges against them again?

As I said, I am not sure how this all works, though this sounds like good news.

Meg

[GetTheRightVote]

95. One man/woman can change the world, one state by one state

they can change the path of a nation as well.

Way to go with this posting, my hopes and prays are with them......

:kick:

[Roland99]

96. Go get 'im!! And California is starting legislation, too.

http://www.inetresults.com/impeach/strategy.html

B. JEFFERSON'S MANUAL

According to Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual, "there are various methods of setting an impeachment in motion": 1) By charges made on the floor by a member of the House; 2) By charges preferred by a memorial filed by a House member; 3) By charges contained in a Resolution introduced by a House member; 4) By a message from the President; 5) By charges transmitted by a State legislature, or a grand jury; 5) By facts developed and reported by an investigating committee of the House.

According to Section 604 of the Manual, " direct proposition to impeach is a question of high privilege in the House and at once supersedes business otherwise in order under the rules governing the order of business." It does not lose its privilege just because "a similar proposition has been made at a previous time during the same session of Congress." On the other hand, "a resolution simply proposing an investigation, even though impeachment may be a possible consequence, is not privileged." Where, however, "a resolution of investigation positively proposes impeachment or suggests that end, it has been admitted as of privilege."

The evidence supporting an impeachment resolution or a memorial suggesting an impeachment investigation may be based upon a variety of sources, including "common fame." (Section 304) "Common fame" includes information contained in newspaper and other media reports, as well as rumors commonly circulated in the community. The evidence upon which a resolution or memorial is based need not, therefore, be of the kind admissible and sufficient to prove a case in a court of law.

Once an impeachment resolution has been introduced or "charges suggesting impeachment have been made by memorial," the House may order an investigation at once or refer the charges to a Committee for examination and, if the Committee deems it appropriate for an investigation. (Section 605) The Committee may be "a select committee" or a "standing" one. In some instances the Committee has made its "inquiry ex parte," but "in the later practice the sentiment of committees has been in favor of permitting the accused to explain, present witnesses, cross-examine and be represented by counsel." (Section 606)

[rodeodance]

97. starting to grow well beyond what could be considered a fringe movement.

The Illinois General Assembly joins a growing chorus of voices calling for censure or impeachment of President Bush including Democratic state committees in Vermont, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Nevada and North Carolina as well as the residents themselves of seven towns in Vermont, seventy Vermont state legislators and Congressman John Conyers. The call for impeachment is starting to grow well beyond what could be considered a fringe movement. An ABC News/Washington Post Poll Conducted April 6-9 showed that 33% of Americans currently support Impeaching President Bush, coincidentally, only a similar amount supported impeaching Nixon at the start of the Watergate investigation. If and when Illinois HJR0125 hits the capitol and the individual charges are publicly investigated, that number is likely to grow rapidly. Combined with the very real likelihood that Rove is about to be indicted in the LeakGate investigation, and Bush is in real trouble beyond his plummeting poll numbers. His cronies in the Republican dominated congress will probably save him from the embarassment of an impeachment conviction, for now, but his Presidency will be all but finished.