“Scoop” NZ—Bush IMPEACHMENT Resolution, Illinois– Michael Collins(autrank)

[autorank]

Bush Impeachment Resolution Introduced In Illinois

Representative Yarborough, Illinois State Legislature Introduces Bill
Invokes Never Used Provision from Thomas Jefferson’s Rules

Scoop News http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00294.htm

By Michael Collins (DU autorank)
For “Scoop” Independent Media
Washington, DC, Monday, 24 April 2006, 2:03 pm

Representative Karen A. Yarobrough, a Democratic member of the Illinois State Assembly, introduced a resolution calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush. House http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=50&GA=94&DocTypeId=HJR&DocNum=0125&GAID=8&LegID=25794&SpecSess=&Session">Joint Resolution 125 was introduced on April 20, 2006 with two co sponsors, Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and Eddie Washington, also both Democrats. Derided by Thomas Jefferson as “scarcely a scarecrow,” the presidential impeachment process is a rarity in United States history. The impeachment of federal judges is more common but also a rare event.

<snip>

Illinois Resolution Sponsors


(Left to right) Illinois State Assembly Representatives Karen
Yarborough, sponsor; Sara Feigenholtz and Eddie Washington,
co-sponsors. All Democrats, the three representatives are from
the Chicago area.

Jefferson’s Revenge

There is a little known set of supplementary rules for both the US Senate and House of Representatives developed by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was clear on his opposition to centralized federal power and frequently sought balances giving states greater liberties and rights. Jefferson’s rules, Section 603, state:

Inception of impeachment proceedings 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; by charges preferred by a memorial, which is usually referred to a committee for examination; by a resolution dropped in the hopper by a Member and referred to a committee; by a message from the President;by charges transmitted from the legislature of a State or territory or from a grand jury…”

The language in Jefferson’s parliamentary guidelines is clear. State legislatures can set “an impeachment in motion” with a “Joint Resolution” approved by the legislature (both the state Senate and Assembly). No state has taken advantage of this provision. In fact, it is so obscure; the majority of Vermont legislators who asked for impeachment did so in a formal letter to the House of Representatives rather than invoking Jefferson’s Rule 603.

Illinois Joint Resolution 125

Bush is charged with the following “high crimes and misdemeanors” in Representative Yarborough’s resolution (summary):


1. Ordering the National Security Agency to spy on American citizens without a warrant (a “felony”).
2. Violating the Torture Convention of the Geneva Conventions, “a treaty regarded as supreme law by the United States Constitution;”
3. Holding American and other citizens as “prisoners of war without a charge or trial;
4. Manipulating intelligence to start the Iraq war “resulting in the deaths of large numbers of Iraqi civilians and causing the United States to incur loss of life, diminished security and billions of dollars in unnecessary expenses; and,
5. Leaking “classified national secrets to further a political agenda” thus exposing U.S. agents “to potential harm and retribution while simultaneously refusing to potential harm and retribution while simultaneously refusing to investigate the matter.”

<snip>

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

<snip>

Flight of Fancy or Emerging Reality

Bush’s popularity ratings have taken a nose for the past two years. The only point that he approached 50% was on Election Day 2004. For months prior to that day and subsequently, his popularity has trended downward. His most recent approval rating was only 33% as measured by the sympathetic Fox News public opinion poll. His disapproval rating is in the 60% range in almost all polls. Nearly two out of every three Americans strongly disapprove of Bush. State by http://www.usasurvey.com/50State2006/06041850StatePOTUSApproval.html">state polling shows only four states in which Bush has an approval rating over 50%.The



<snip>

[reprehensor]

1. Engage!

Impeach the treasonous cur! Impeach him, I say!

[autorank]

5. I second that emotion...enough. These are three good citizens!

They're not sitting on the Left Bank discussing the philosophy of revolutionary existentialism (although that's where I'd like to be;), they're doing the heavy lifting FOR THE WHOLE NATION.

Vermont legislators sent a great letter, bless their green hearts. CA is doing something today but
you know that it's going to be Lincoln's state, Springfield, IL, near his birth place.

IL is our most Democratic large state (not forgetting you RI, never) and it's feeling * ism full
force.

I think there's a 50-50 chance right now and that's before the calls come rolling in. There will be few intermediaries on this one...the MSM national outlets are neither a source for state news nor are they taken seriously by Allin.

I'm writing Representative Yarborough and offering to hand deliver the Joint Resolution directly
to the Clerk of the House...I'll say

"Thomas Jefferson sent me..."

[Joe Chi Minh]

23. Brilliant, Auto! Thomas Jefferson sent me!!!

[Usrename]

37. Gotta love it, this whole thing is beautiful.

Here's another link to the actual IL Bill:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=125&GAID=8&DocTypeID=HJR&LegId=25794&SessionID=50&GA=94

Thomas Jefferson indeed!

[autorank]

49. So, who will be last, Florida or Virginia;)

I'm in the state of Jefferson. It's citizens that carry the passion for liberty and innovation.
We have a rather staid legislature (until the Republicans took over, not it's "know nothings").

This is "Jeffersons Revenge."

[shenmue]

2. I've got to...

move to Chicago. :patriot:

[autorank]

6. Rigth now, it's about the best big city anywhere...

...and don't you love their politics? It's my kind of town, Chicago...

[mopinko]

25. and we'd be happy to have you

and since everything is blue here, there are still good jobs, and lots of opportunities.
you'll need to bring a pretty large stack of money with you if you want to buy a house, tho.

[babylonsister]

3. Rec'd! Great news to wake up to! nt

[autorank]

4. Morning...

You and Reprehenssor ... I didn't think I knew anyone on DU up this early.

Bless you;) and the Land of Lincoln...

[babylonsister]

7. LOL! Morning to your own self, autorank!

I'm not always up this early but this is what happens when I go to bed at 8pm!
Yes, bless the Land of Lincoln; seems like this sentiment is slowly sweeping the country; maybe Congresscritters will take note!

[Memory Container]

Good news for this Buffalonian....

Thanks autorank.

The screen is my morning paper, and the coffee's hot.

[autorank]

36. Welcome. I'm without coffee....lard...that's why it's called a coffee

break :evilgrin:

I thought people needed something to cheer their week. We'll see how MSM handles this but they're
already out there in Chicago. Great place, great people, and

:patriot: s

[livvy]

8. Yes! Every state should follow suit. K & R

Nice piece autorank!

[autorank]

9. Millone Grazie Livvy :)

HAVA nice day!

[stellanoir]

10. This is great !!!

albeit long overdue. Let's hope it catches like wildfire.

K & R

[autorank]

11. "Scoop" beats Chicato Times on Bush Impeachment Story;)

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-impeach24.html

But I'm very happy the Chicato Times is running this.



News
Dem asks Legislature to push Bush impeachment

April 24, 2006

BY TRACY SWARTZ Sun-Times Springfield Bureau

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-impeach24.html


SPRINGFIELD -- Leave it to the Democratic-controlled state Legislature to find an obscure way to attempt to oust President Bush.

State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) has sponsored a resolution calling on the General Assembly to submit charges to the U.S. House so its lawmakers could begin impeachment proceedings.

It would be the first state legislature to pass such a resolution, though the measure faces a dim future in a Republican-controlled Congress.

[dogday]

14. Your article is much better!!!!

Great Article --- the Chicago Sun Times article sucked in comparison

[autorank]

33. dogday, You're in the will. you get my x.31. Thank you!!! Pray for IL

These state legislators are just plain folks, not really but they're from their communities in the sense that none of them are real hot shots, well until now. They're hard working people who like to contribute and were called to action by patriotism and intellectual honesty. How do you make money doing a thing like this?

Chicago south side, north side, and Waukegan (north of north Chicago). Feigenholtz represents the northern part which includes Old Town (home of Second City - SCTV and rokken restaurants and bars) and I think she has Lincoln Park which is really amazing.

It will be fun to watch this build over the next week or two. It it takes off, fasten your seat belt. It will be a wild ride.

Cheers

[hholli11]

12. I'm about to get flamed for this....

but it's a bad move. A bad, bad, bad move. I'd rather wait a few months and get President Pelosi than go it now and get President Hastert. But that's just me.

[IndyOp]

16. Introducing the resolution is a long way from his being impeached...

There still have to be hearings and then a vote from the House to impeach and from the Senate to convict. Is it a bad time to introduce impeachment (from a state or from the US House) -- I don't think so, I think a whole lot of people will vote *for* Dems who campaign on "Vote for Me and I will Impeach in DC." And as for whether we wind up with Hastert or not, that, sadly, depends on how effective the thefts of elections are in 2006 --

[autorank]

19. Oh, they'll do everything to stop anything serious. What 1/2 the country

is represented by passed resolutions of impeachment? CA, IL, NY, 70 million or so. Let's see where we get some more. WA, OR no we're close to 80 million 25%. Get me some states IndyOp...NJ, MA, RI, CT (why not, stick it to Old Joe). We at 100 million yet. Oh, MD, yeah baby. IA. Well that's about it. If we run that table, we top out at 120 million (doing this from th grade memory;). VT, MA, ME. Who else. Maybe MI, PA, nah. Oh, WI and MN...are we over 130 million. That's 1/2 the country that want's him impeached. I know, Iknow.

Imagine the news cycle. "This week three additional states presented impeachment resolutions to the Clerk of the House of Representatives..."

Check the chart below...

[autorank]

21. Survey USA 04.18.06 -Four (4) states ONLY >50% Weighted 36%-61%

Oh, and please nobody pipe up and say that * actually won
2004:ROFLMAO:
Be sure that these are inflated in places and that he's lower.
He's in FREE FALL.  bye bye

31 States, < 40% APPROVAL!!!!!!
26 States, > 60% DISAPPROVAL!!!

Stick a fork in him, he's done!

---------------------------------------------------------
JOB APPROVAL / PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH  (Released 4/18/06) 
http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/06041850StatePOTUSApproval.html	
SORTED BY 'APPROVAL' IN DESCENDING ORDER 		
		4/18/2006 	Net 4/06
Approval 	Tracking
---------------------------------------------------------	
# 	State           '04 	App	Dis	Net
1 	Utah 	        Bush 	55% 	40% 	15% 	UT 				
2 	Wyoming 	Bush 	54% 	44% 	10% 	WY 		
3 	Idaho 	        Bush 	53% 	43% 	10% 	ID 				
4 	Nebraska 	Bush 	51% 	45% 	6% 	NE 				
5 	Oklahoma 	Bush 	48% 	48% 	0% 	OK 					
6 	Alaska 	        Bush 	47% 	50% 	-3% 	AK 				
7 	Kansas 	        Bush 	46% 	51% 	-5% 	KS 				
8 	Alabama 	Bush 	45% 	51% 	-6% 	AL 			
8 	Louisiana 	Bush 	45% 	52% 	-7% 	LA 				
8 	Texas 	        Bush 	45% 	51% 	-6% 	TX 	 				
11 	Mississippi     Bush 	44% 	53% 	-9% 	MS 				
12 	Arizona 	Bush 	43% 	56% 	-13% 	AZ 			
12 	Georgia 	Bush 	43% 	55% 	-12% 	GA 	 			
12 	North Dakota    Bush 	43% 	53% 	-10% 	ND 				
15 	Tennessee 	Bush 	42% 	55% 	-13% 	TN  			
16 	South Dakota    Bush 	41% 	56% 	-15% 	SD 				
17 	Indiana 	Bush 	40% 	58% 	-18% 	IN 				
17 	Montana 	Bush 	40% 	55% 	-15% 	MT 				
19 	Kentucky 	Bush 	39% 	59% 	-20% 	KY 	
19 	North Caroli    Bush 	39% 	58% 	-19% 	NC 		
19 	South Caroli    Bush 	39% 	57% 	-18% 	SC 				
19 	West Virgini    Bush 	39% 	57% 	-18% 	WV 		
19 	Wisconsin 	Kerry 	39% 	58% 	-19% 				
24 	Arkansas 	Bush 	38% 	60% 	-22% 	AR 				
24 	Washington 	Kerry 	38% 	59% 	-21% 				
26 	Florida 	Bush 	37% 	61% 	-24% 	FL 	
26 	Oregon 	        Kerry 	37% 	61% 	-24% 		
26 	Virginia 	Bush 	37% 	60% 	-23% 	VA 					
29 	Colorado 	Bush 	36% 	62% 	-26% 	CO 			
29 	Minnesota 	Kerry 	36% 	61% 	-25% 				
29 	Missouri 	Bush 	36% 	61% 	-25% 	MO 		 			
29 	New Hampshir    Kerry 	36% 	61% 	-25% 				
33 	New Mexico 	Bush 	35% 	61% 	-26% 	NM 		 			
34 	Hawaii 	        Kerry 	34% 	58% 	-24% 	HI 					
34 	Iowa 	        Bush 	34% 	61% 	-27% 	IA 				
34 	Nevada 	        Bush 	34% 	65% 	-31% 	NV 					
34 	Ohio 	        Bush 	34% 	63% 	-29% 	OH 					
38 	Michigan 	Kerry 	32% 	65% 	-33% 	MI 	 			
39 	Maine 	        Kerry 	31% 	66% 	-35% 	ME 				
39 	Maryland 	Kerry 	31% 	66% 	-35% 	MD  			
41 	California 	Kerry 	30% 	67% 	-37% 	CA 				
41 	Pennsylvania    Kerry 	30% 	67% 	-37% 	PA 		
43 	Illinois 	Kerry 	29% 	67% 	-38% 	IL 					
44 	New Jersey 	Kerry 	28% 	69% 	-41% 	NJ 					
45 	Connecticut     Kerry 	27% 	69% 	-42% 				
45 	Delaware 	Kerry 	27% 	70% 	-43% 	DE 					
45 	Vermont 	Kerry 	27% 	70% 	-43% 	VT 				
48 	Massachusett    Kerry 	26% 	70% 	-44% 	MA 					
49 	New York 	Kerry 	24% 	72% 	-48% 			
49 	Rhode Island    Kerry 	24% 	74% 	-50% 	RI 					
-----------------------------------------------------------	
Weighted Average        	36% 	61% 	-26% 	  	

[Joe Chi Minh]

24. Yep. that's what I thought when you quoted the polls, Auto,

though you hinted at it when you said, I think, about Fox being the most favourable. You can bet they're a lot lower. They're esentially damage limitation and not wanting to be left behind and humiliated, aren't they?

Funny to see old mad Larry interviewing Jane Fonda this mornining, and so sympathetically. I think there was a lump in the old tyke's throat. The interview wouldn't have happened even a month ago, I think.

[autorank]

27. Ahoy friend...

The Survey USA summary is quite devastating. They actually let you sort the data three ways: alpha by state; approval; and net difference, maybe more. It's a fun poll. Hard to rig. They're a bit more optimistic than Fox but I have a theory . Rupert sees the writing on the walls. He's figured he needs to turn the ship around, which will take a while, but, in the mean time, he'll give the Dems great "stories' that somehow screw *. 33% approval is quite someting...we're talking Nixon (and * is so unpopular, many would take Nixon in a heart beat over *).

Ah, Larry King...Jane Fonda. Well, at least he's moving up to a younger crowd, 60 year old starlett, rather than the octogenarian song and dance crowd. My God, he had Art Linkletter on (surffed by). Who even remembers him ... "Kids say the darnedest things!" I'm glad he's squirming a bit, groveling to the former outcast.

Cheers.

[mom cat]

44. Even the "Solid South" has defected! I think that you are right. Now

is the time for the groundswell to drag our beltway brat democrats kicking and screaming into standing for impeachment or face standing in the unemployment line.
Time to tell our congress critters that We will only vot for reps who will:
Vote for impeachment
Vote to end the war
Vote never to use nukes in war, except to defend against a massive ingoming nuclear attack.

[mopinko]

26. stop war on iran

if you want to stop the nuclear bombing of iran, this is the only way i see. whether he is actually impeached or not, this is the only thing that can stop the forward momentum of the war machine.

[autorank]

35. Very good point...a passed IL resolution plus CA in the hopper..

makss thiw very sobering for anyone who wants Republican party of any sort. They will need more hours of Diebold, ESS and Sequoia programming than they have time for in order to fix this one (but they WILL try).

[leesa]

32. It MAY stop the nuking of Iran and a disaster beyond your imagination

OR their next 9-11 agaionst their own countrypeople. Isn't that worth a few months? These guys are killers.

[Peace Patriot]

66. There is never a bad time to impeach George Bush!

Now is the time. It always has been.

[autorank]

72. You wonj't get flamed by me...worse, you get a link, my favorite link...

...the one that causes people to leave threads when the see me coming...here it is...


End Game: *BUSH is FINISHED. The Script from "Management"

i guess getting flamed might have been better;)

You make a good point but things may just get out of control. If CA goes for this, watch out...35 million people.

Cheers

[DemReadingDU]

13. Excellent, K&R!!

Thanks for all your dedication!

[CrazyOrangeCat]

15. Some good news on a Monday . . .

. . . well I'll be hanged.

Nice job, Autorank!

The Shrub is about to get steamrolled courtesy of Thomas Jefferson . . .

[autorank]

47. At least my state is contributing something...Jeffereson & Patrick Henry

would know what to do (and it didn't include getting hanged;), athough King George threatened that, openly. Can you imagine? Thanks for you kind words.

Adios * and company. Pack up and "seek opportunities elsewhere."

[mod mom]

17. Excellent k+ r

[Mnemosyne]

18. This is called Hope! Now how do we get the

other state legislatures to follow suit? If Illinois and Vermont impeach where does it go from there?

How many states would need to do this to take * out? If enough states cite Jefferson Section 603, or a letter of resolution as in Vermont, how do we get it enforced on the national level? Am I asking the right questions?

Since our national legislature seems too cowardly to do this it is greatly encouraging to know there is another option!

Great morning autorank and a great article to wake up to here!

[fooj]

40. Hope sustains us.

:hug:

[Mnemosyne]

57. Since * stole office it's mostly all we

have some days. :hug:

[EFerrari]

20. Kick

[druidity33]

22. excellent article!

Thank you Autorank for your continued hard work! When can we expect the IL legislature to vote on this? And what ever happened to Vermont's resolution? Did they never send it up to the house?

Good news monday! yeah!

[autorank]

28. IL will set its own schedule, depends on constituent support.

From what I can gather, Vermont did not know about this option so they sent the letter. I could be wrong, though. In any event, they can go back and get it right. It would be better for all involved, if a large state did it first. Wonder what their two Senators will say;). I know what I'd say, "Pass the damn bill and get it up to Capitol Hill just as fast as you can!"

Thank you for your kind words.

[Stinky The Clown]

29. HELLLLLLLLLLL-o!

Okay ... what works ...... ?

The train has left the station?

The snowball's rolling downhill?

The juggernaut has put to sea?

hehehehehehe

K&R

[autorank]

73. "The train has left the station chasing a snowball down a hill"

Hello, this is a nice Monday gift isn't it?

People are banging away at it on the internet, lots of people searching "bush impeachment"

Maybe we can get a cut of the contract...the firms, what,"Political Insults R US!" :rofl:

[Us vs Them]

30. I wrote my Illinois State Sen. and Rep. about this over the weekend

I REALLLLY hope this passes!

[autorank]

34. You're doing exactly what needs to be done. Enough "uU vs Them's"

...and we're talking bills of impeachment.

The particular charges were very well thought out. I like the removal from office and ban from any future office. Ouch! He deserves it.

[understandinglife]

31. Most excellent!!!!

Never Forget: George W. Bush willfully violated National Security to cover-up his willful launch of a war of aggression and illegal occupation of Iraq.

[NVMojo]

38. Right on!!!! KICK and RANK THE PAGE!

[autorank]

41. I'm often referred to by that term.

Amazing things. If NV starts one of these, we know the end is near. My state, VA, it would take the resurection of the great revolutionaries Jefferson and Patrick Henry to breathe the spirit into the modern Burgesses;)

Cheers.

[fooj]

39. Hey Little Lord Pissypants...can you hear us now?????

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2586824

Peace.:patriot:

[autorank]

42. I was born in Sacramento...the city of the blasphemous autorank

Just kidding, I'm mainstream;)& I'm a "native son" of the Golden State.

California...could not be better. In fact,, aside from my current home and NYC, CA and ChicagoLand (home to the three sponsors) are my favorites. OK, California, Oakland specifically is my favorite.

If CA goes for this that will energize the entire country. AFter all, you're reasonable people, bipartisan, you elected a Republican. If you go for this, it's curtains.

Why don't you post a link on this thread to the Resolution...better yet, post the resolution for all to see.

Great subject line, it looked like a flame war (((LOL))). That's just how Raiders fans say hello.

[fooj]

55. Most excellent...

Here is a kit to help with promoting this resolution and with passing others in your towns and cities and states. Also on this page is information on activities in other states and localities:
http://www.impeachpac.org/resolutions

Get organized in California to pass this bill!
http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=CA


Peace.

[glitch]

43. WA State is right behind. Right now the Dem caucuses have Impeachment

planks to present, but this is the practical outline we can all use.

Can you imagine if all the states got on board with this? Street protests are great, lots of energy and fun, but this, this gets my heart pumping.
Grassroots Impeachment. Beautiful.

[autorank]

48. A bill deliered to the Clerk of the House 1-2 x's a week would do;)

That's the kind of ground swell we need.

Illinois is VERY Democratic. They could just pull it off. Amazing times. A state based legislative
Velvet Rebolution...get your orange out.

[glitch]

50. I have tons of orange. I want an orange umbrella (here in seattle often

necessary) Wouldn't a sea of orange umbrellas marching down the streets of America be so lovely?

[autorank]

74. Like the umbrellas in the Hitchcock movie come alive...magnificent!

[bleever]

45. The Land of Lincoln, standing up for We The People.

I was visiting the Illinois State Capitol Building just two weeks ago, and sat in both chambers.

Here's a photo of the dome of the capitol:

[autorank]

46. Fitz can impeach too!!! "by charges transmitted ... from a grand jury…”

That is the last phrase of the Jefferson rule..."charges...from a grand jury." Doesn't say which grand jury or under what circumstances. Jefferson really didn't like federal power and dropped these little surprises in the rules to even the playing field if they were ever needed.

The rules are needed now. If Fitzgerald decidees he (a) has charges against * and (b) lacks the CLEAR authority to indict a sitting president and wants to see justice done, he would be able to submit a bill of impeachment from one of his many grand juries, maybe a Chicago grand jury.

Isn't is amazing, such clear language and intent (we know a lot about Jefferson) discovered by a member of the Illinois General Assembly.

[onenote]

56. fitz cannot "impeach"

At most, it may be possible for him to present charges to the House, but its not clear if the House can be compelled to pay any attention to him, and even if Fitz' presentment to the House was conveyed, the matter would be referred to committee and that would be the end of it. Only the full House of Representatives can actually "impeach" anyone.

There are precedents for these things that will govern how the House responds.



http://www.gpo.gov/congress/house/precedents/hinds/vol3.html

onenote

[Peace Patriot]

67. No, no, no, you don't understand, Onenote! It's PRIVILEGED resolution!

That means it MUST be considered, and all other Congressional business must stop until it is. That's what Jefferson did in his Rules. He gave the state legislatures and grand juries the same right to introduce a privileged resolution as a member of Congress or a committee of Congress. And if Illinois is followed by Vermont, and California--think of it! Bush at 30% or below, his White House cracking apart at the seams; Fitzgerald about to indict Rove (his new Grand Jury is hearing evidence right now)...

SNOWBALL!

The Repubs in Congress are in BIG trouble and they know it. The man Bush designated to oversee their campaigns this year--Karl Rove--is very likely going to be indicted. Bush is poison. If one of the these state impeachment bills gets filed in the House, they cannot ignore it, and politically they cannot table it. Of course they will try to blunt--but Bush has no political capital left. The very least that will happen is a Bush tumble into the 20s, and a scramble on the part of the tatters of a regime left in the WH to defend Bush against the charges. They will have to be answered. What Repub running for office this year will want to be in that position--defending Bush against the bad opinion of 70% to 80% of the American people?! And then if a SECOND state resolution shows up...Wow!

SNOWBALL!

As for consequences down the line--say, Bush gets impeached, with Cheney in line of succession, think about this: Cheney has been named in the Fitzgerald indictment of Libby, not as a target, but clearly pointing to a Cheney-led conspiracy to out CIA agent Plame and the entire CIA counter-proliferation network she headed. HIS approval rating was EIGHTEEN PERCENT a couple of months ago. 18% And that was BEFORE he shot that Republican in the face. If he were to succeed Bush, the Repub party would be dead. It could not survive that. Who knows what the political fall-out would be--but it does NOT include Cheney becoming president! That is politically unfeasible. If impeachment got momentum, he would probably be impeached, too.

The very least upshot of this state impeachment scenario is a WH under siege which could not possibly engage in a war of choice against Iran--especially not with Russia already having publicly nixed it, Blair already in trouble in England and having to say he opposes it, and there not being a ally--not even the small bought and paid for ones--on the face of the Earth who could engage in such evil. State impeachment resolutions would disrupt that plan, would put the Congressional Republicans into a defensive, panicky and divided mode, and would also affect the campaigns of any running this year. People immediately imagine a wall of Bush "pod people" blockading impeachment. I'm saying that's not the likeliest scenario at all. Disarray in the face of it is much more likely.

It is BEAUTIFUL IDEA! A strategy to derail this junta and stop its evil plans and illegal actions!

[autorank]

75. ...I was about to say all that;) Thank you, as always.

[onenote]

78. I do understand and you are being naieve

My guess is that you haven't taken the time to read the relevant portions of Jefferson's manual, the House Practice Manual, the House Rules, Deschler's precedents, and Hinds' precedents. Its a lot to digest. Let's clear up some common misconceptions to start. The language in section 603 of Jefferson's manual wasn't written by Jefferson and isn't in the Constititution. Take a look at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_house_rules_manual&docid=hruletx-57.pdf

The large font language is Jefferson's. The small font language,which is where you'll find the discussion of how impeachment process can be initiated and the privileged status of impeachment resolutions is explanatory language written later based on rules adopted by the House and various precedential decisions by the Speaker, the Parliamentarian and the House itself.

Moving on, the language cited states that impeachment resolutions are "questions of privilege". And so they are. Not just resolutions emanating from a state legislature or from a grand jury, but all impeachment resolutions. Yet, as we know, impeachment resolutions that are introduced in the House of Representatives are routinely referred to Committee. For example, Charlie Rangel introduced a resolution to impech Rumsfeld back in 2004 -- referred to the Judiciary Committee. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c108:1:./temp/~c108ODiuWD::

But let's assume that a member of Congress takes a resolution from a state and proffers it as a question of privilege (and remember, nothing obligates any member to do so, which then raises the question of who is going to proffer such a resolution and if they were willling to do so why didn't they just proffer a resolution of impeachment directly themselves?) Anyway, if you plow through all the materials cited, you'll discover that once a question of privilege is asserted, its up to the Chair -- meaning the Speaker -- to decide initially whether to accept it as properly asserted. Here's where we get into naievete. Its naieve to think that Hastert will go along. He may simply try to refer the resolution to committee. If challenged, the Parliamentarian could be consulted who may or may not conclude that there is precedent for referring a privileged resolution to committee. Or Hastert may even challenge whether the resolution is properly asserted as a question of privilege. Notwithstanding the fact that it would appear that it is, the call is for the chair in the first instance. All that can be done if he rules against is to appeal, in which case the entire House votes and the repub majority defeats the question -- which isn't the motion to impeach, simply the issue of whether it is privileged. Once that happens, Hastert sends it to its lonely death in Committee.

Take the best case, Hastert agrees that its a question of privilege and assigns one hour of debate, split between the minority and majority. First of all, if a member wants to stand on the floor of the House and argue for impeacahment, he/she can probably find a way to do that now, without introducing a resolution. But the bigger question is how different will the world be after one or two members speak in support of an impeachment resolution for a half hour/15 minutes or even if 30 members each make a one minute statement?

Finally, after going on for an hour, a repub will rise with a motion to refer the resolution to committee, which will pass and the process will be back where I said it would be...dying in committee.

Again, I'm not saying that these state initiatives are a bad idea -- they're not, although I'll be surprised if any of them pass before 2006 . I'm also concerned about the impact if some of these resolutions actually come to a vote and are soundly defeated. I like these resolutions because raising the impeachment issue, having it debated, and getting it publicized makes it more and more "mainstream" and seem less draconian. Plus it builds the case for voters to give Democrats control of the House and/or Senate in 2006. But it won't shortcut the process or result in an up/down vote on impeachment in the House while the repubs are in control.

onenote

[Swamp Rat]

51. kick and recommended!!!

:woohoo:

[autorank]

52. Well, here's our John Heartfield. Impeachment NOW!!!

Not yesterday or tomorrow. The Fightin Illini!!

Who doI want for mayor? and here's where I spent sunday, damn. Get there ifyou can.

http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/index.shtm#dada

[Swamp Rat]

53. Viel danke! Here's a brand new one:

:D



I have not been to the Moderne Centre Pompidou in 15 years - if I were rich, I'd hop on a plane and go RIGHT NOW!

Ich lieb Max Ernst! :D

[autorank]

76. See Above. I love it!!!!

Great stuff. Betty and Gerald never looked so good...imagine that lunk falling on them...oops, ou did and it's great. NOLA needs an avenue with flags of Swamp Rat hanging at all times (your stuff would be great on a flag.

[Swamp Rat]

77. did you say flag?

:D

[Buns_of_Fire]

54. K&R. I wanna see Smirky Shitstain dragged kicking and screaming

out of President Gore's house.

Vindictive? You're damned right.

Get over it? Not in this lifetime.

[pat_k]

62. Time for members of Congress to Wake Up and Stand Up!

If we want members of Congress to Wake Up and Stand Up for Impeachment, we need to go ALL OUT for the ones who are leading the way.

Check out the DU Challenge to keep the
Sheeler for U.S. Senate campaign's
"Be Patriotic! Impeach Bush" Billboard up.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1011338&mesg_id=1011338

Related:

The Third Man (Providence Journal editorial 23-Apr)

[Uncle Joe]

58. To the great state of Illinois!

:yourock: :patriot:

[autorank]

71. Hey, Uncle Joe, great taste in avaars. Thank you!!! n/t

[Uncle Joe]

79. I totally agree autorank, you obviously are a person of excellent taste,

and sound judgement.:toast: :hi:

[Kurovski]

59. Cool!

My good ol' homestate of Illinois. :thumbsup:

[FogerRox]

60. Thanks Auto-- IMPEACH, INDICT

We Dont want his stinkin fight.

KNR

[autorank]

70. ...don't need no stinknin bushes!!! n/t

[paineinthearse]

61. California Becomes Second State to Introduce Bush Impeachment

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2588460

[Nothing Without Hope]

63. Applause for our autorank and for the Illinois State Assembly members

who are acting with integrity in this time of crisis. We can't wait until the next election - not only is that too far away but we all know the Rethugs will steal it (again) unless they are stopped. Bush has his beady little eyes on Iran and his finger on that nuke button, and there's just nothing in this country that he and the cabal that pulls his strings haven't ruined. Since the US Congress hasn't found its spine to act as it should to avert further catastrophe, every bit of pressure to do the right thing must be brought to bear.

K & R

[autorank]

68. Very nice to see you!!!

Wouldn't you just love to see the Clerk of the House getting one or two of these a week for about three months. We're cooking and IL can do it. The Capitol Hill folks need to see what real, dedicated Democrats can do when they are in fighting spirit and action mode.

:hi:

[garybeck]

64. kick

[althecat]

65. Story is rating great.... referrer logs.... here is where it is linked

Plus search strings... the no at the beginning shows the no. of clicks for the link in question

48: http://bushwatch.com/e-mail.htm
45: http://algorerhythm.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bush_Impeachment
37: http://www.bushwatch.com/e-mail.htm
21: http://www.vikrammohan.com/bushimpeachment/index.php/Main_Page
19: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,39515.0.html
18: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=impeachment&btnG=Search+News
13: http://www.google.com/news?q=bush%20impeachment
11: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2586988
10: http://www.scoop.co.nz/news/scoops.html
9: http://www.bushwatch.net/e-mail.htm
9: http://cannabisnews.com/news/21/thread21766.shtml
7: http://www.pawspace.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=5088
7: http://forums.go.com/abcnews/Politics/thread?threadID=347468
6: http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=EV&action=m&board=7088116&tid=presidentialelection2000&sid=7088116&mid=4165214
5: http://forums.go.com/abcnews/thread?threadID=347468
5: http://www.twelvestone.com/forum_thread/view/30598
5: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-impeach24.html
4: http://beta.twelvestone.com/forum_thread/view/30598
4: http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scoop.co.nz%2Fstories%2FHL0604%2FS00294.htm
4: http://planet.ucc.asn.au/
4: http://www.conyersblog.us/archives/00000431.htm
3: http://twelvestone.com/forum_thread/view/30598
3: http://news.google.com/news?q=President+Bush+opinion+poll&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=news&ct=title
3: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=Bush+impeachment&btnG=Search+News
3: http://www.forums.larryville.com/viewtopic.php?t=9084
3: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00299.htm
3: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00265.htm
3: http://www.vikrammohan.com/bushimpeachement/index.php/Main_Page
3: http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/showthread.php?t=393
3: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-impeach24.html
3: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/20060424/RTD/60424004
3: http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=illinois+impeachment&c=
3: http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=impeachment&c=
3: http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?sm=Yahoo%21+Search&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&fr=FP-tab-web-t&p=impeachment+bush
3: http://www.plunderbund.com/
3: http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/magaddiction/comments/its_about_time_the_bush_impeachment/
3: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00262.htm
3: http://www.scoop.co.nz/
3: http://news.google.com/news?q=bush+impeachment&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=news&ct=title
3: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ie=UTF-8&q=illinois+bush
2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1007789&mesg_id=1008954
2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2586988&mesg_id=2586988
2: http://news.google.com/news?q=Candidates+for+U.S.+Senate+2006&hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-02,GGLG:en&sa=X&oi=news&ct=title
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=illinois+impeachment&btnG=Search+News
2: http://search.msn.com/news/results.aspx?FORM=NRRE&q=%22BUSH%20IMPEACHMENT%22
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=impeachment
2: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=impeachment&sm=Yahoo%21+Search&fr=FP-tab-web-t&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=indict+bush&btnG=Search+News
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=impeachment&btnG=Search+News
2: http://us.f804.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?MsgId=7784_1025375068_1566_1956_14590_0_31083_41074_2989945353&Idx=8&YY=59996&inc=25&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&box=Impeach%20Bush
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Karen+Yarbrough&sa=N&tab=wn
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=bush+impeachment&btnG=Search+News
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_progress_060423_three_members_of_il_.htm
2: http://digg.com/security/Illinois_State_Legislature_Preparing_to_Drop_a_Bombshell%2C_Bush_Impeachment
2: http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=bush+impeachment&fr=sfp&ei=UTF-8&x=wrt
2: http://www.pawspace.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=107538
2: http://www.jaksplace.net/blog/
2: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00294.htm
2: http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=bush+impeachment&rs=0
2: http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=bush+impeachment&c=
2: http://news.google.com/news?q=Bush+impeachment&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=news&ct=title
2: http://news.google.com/news?oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&percentage_served=*%3A100&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=illinois+impeachment
2: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bush+impeachment&fr=FP-tab-web-t&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8
2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1007789
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=illinois+legislature&btnG=Search+News
2: http://www.alternationstudios.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1252
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=bush+impeachment&btnG=Search+News
2: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00297.htm
2: http://news.google.com/news?q=impeachment&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&percentage_served=*:100&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
2: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp%3Fnid%3D11690
2: http://erikarn.livejournal.com/
2: http://news.google.com/news?q=bush+polls&hl=en&lr=&ct=title&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d&sa=N&start=10
2: http://tinyurl.com/k34tq

[autorank]

69. Wow...

al, does this mean I have to stay up until 5:58 a.m. (when the thread goes off Greatest;).

I like that site Al Gore Rhythm. I'm sending them a copy of the Gore speech article...Scoop
live at the event.

Thank you so much for this. We'll have some more surprises for folks soon, without a doubt.