Proposed Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush

[Jack Rabbit]

RESOLVED, That George W. Bush, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment to be exhibited to the Senate:

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT EXHIBITED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN THE NAME OF ITSELF AND OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AGAINST GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF ITS IMPEACHMENT AGAINST HIM FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANOURS.

Article 1.

In his conduct of the office of the President of the United States and as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and in willful disregard to the safety and welfare of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States, made false or misleading statements and directed his subordinates to make false or misleading statements orally and in writing to members of the United States Congress and in public speeches and interviews concerning national security threat posed by the regime in the Republic of Iraq and, on March 19, 2003, directed the armed forces of the United States to overthrow the Iraqi government and occupy the Republic of Iraq, causing the deaths of over 2300 service members as of April 1, 2006.

1. On several occasions, George W. Bush stated that the United States of America had proof that the Republic of Iraq was in possession of biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction, while no such weapons existed.
2. On several occasions, George W. Bush stated the United States of America had solid evidence of a working relationship between the government of the Republic of Iraq and terrorist organizations such as al Qaida, which was responsible for attacks against the United States of America on September 11, 2001, when no such relationship existed.
3. On several occasions, George W. Bush stated that the United States of America had evidence of attempts by the government of the Republic of Iraq to purchase materials for the construction of nuclear weapons and was actively pursuing a program to construct such weapons when the Republic of Iraq had no such construction program.
4. On several occasions, George W. Bush encouraged his subordinates to state or caused others to believe or failed to restrain his subordinates from stating or causing others to believe that the Republic of Iraq possessed biological or chemical weapons of mass destruction, was actively pursuing a program for the construction of nuclear weapons or had a working relationship with international terrorists responsible for on the United States of America on September 11, 2001.

In all of this, George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

Article 2.

In his conduct of the office of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, willfully disregarded treaties and conventions legally entered into by the United States of America, including:

1. The Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949, by detaining prisoners of war or other protected persons in a manner contrary to said conventions at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan, at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, at the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq and other detention facilities under the control of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
2. The Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, by directing that the administrator of the Republic of Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, to alter the laws of the Republic of Iraq to allow for foreign ownership if private businesses in Iraq.
3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1987, by causing detainees held in the custody at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq and other detention facilities under the control of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, to be treated in a manner contrary to said convention, and, in violation of said convention, to transport detainees to foreign states for the purpose of treating those detainees in a manner in violation of said convention.
4. The Charter of the United Nations, by waging in violation of said Charter a war of aggression against the Republic of Iraq without cause, provocation or authorization from the Security Council of the United Nations to enforce certain resolutions of the Security Council.

In all of this, George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

Article 3.

In his conduct of the office of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and in violation of the Fourth Article of Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, directed the National Security Agency to conduct searches of the private effects of American citizens and listen to privates conversations of American citizens through electronic media with the authorization of a legal warrant.

In all of this, George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

Article 4.

In his conduct of the office of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and in violation of the Sixth Article of Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, has ordered American citizens to be detained without criminal charge for an excessive period of time.

In all of this, George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

Article 5.

In his conduct of the office of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, entered a conspiracy to unmask the identify of a covert operative of the Central Intelligence Agency and to declassify documents or make unauthorized publication of classified documents for the purpose of personal gain in a manner inconsistent with the security of the United States of America.

In all of this, George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Summary

Article 1. Lying in order to engage the US in war.
Article 2. Treaty violations
Article 3. Warrantless Wiretapping
Article 4. Indefinate detention
Article 5. Plame unmasking

Did I leave anything out?

[rman]

20. might want to include

that the war in Iraq is illegal under international law (not only illegal under national law because of the lying)

[Jack Rabbit]

22. It's there

Second article, fourth clause.

George W. Bush . . . willfully disregarded treaties and conventions legally entered into by the United States of America, including . . . (t)he Charter of the United Nations, by waging in violation of said Charter a war of aggression against the Republic of Iraq without cause, provocation or authorization from the Security Council of the United Nations to enforce certain resolutions of the Security Council.

[neoblues]

2. Proposal: Nationwide Democratic Mailing Campaign

Action: Everyone should print out twenty copies of these articles and distribute them along with stamped envelopes addressed to the white house and instructions to all mail simultaneously on, say, May 5th (or July 4th?)... Or perhaps a shorter letter calling for Bush to Resign the Office of the Presidency of the United States with all due haste.

Goal: Overwhelm the Post Office and White House with paper. Minimum of one million letters timed to arrive more or less simultaneously.

Note: Of course Bush would ignore them (it is simply not possible for him to care less what the American people think or want (or need)), but we would set some sort of historical record--perhaps we could even get published in Ripley's Believe It or Not!

[pscot]

3. This would be a terrible mistake.

We need to keep the shrub around 'til the Iraqi end-game is played out. The boy king needs to get full props for what goes down there. Otherwise it will be "Yalta" and "who lost China?" all over again. We need to elect a Democratic Congress, fire up the investigative machinery and let that son-of-a-bitch twist slowly in the wind for the last two years of his term while we slowly peel off every inch of his hide.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. I agree. This wouldn't go in right away

Besides, I'm not a member of Congress.

However, I don't think agitating is a mistake. So here is a tool to add to your agitator's kit.

[pscot]

6. True

Not to diminish your effort. As for agitation, I believe I'm going to peel myself off the wall and go agitate some frozen berries and tequila.

[havocmom]

10. K & R for one of my favorite agitators!

I generally dislike posts about impeachment cuz they are done by people who think we can impeach today and are oblivious to the fact that we don't have the votes.

In your case, I know better! This is a great tool for agitating and teaching the masses. The idea about sending copies out is a good one. Do we have your permission to use your work? Only, I suggest the stamped response envelopes be addressed to Congressmen and Senators instead of the White House. ;) A bunch of them sent to local papers, TV and radio stations would be good too.

[Jack Rabbit]

17. Go for it

It would be healthy for the American body politic if the removal of the tyrants were to be a communal act.

[havocmom]

18. 'be good for the American body politic if people would act up!

Democracy is NOT a spectator sport!

[Jack Rabbit]

5. A shameless bump

:bounce:

[Rhiannon12866]

7. K&R, from me. Excellent. Thank you.

In all of this, George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. You're welcome

(Kick for the morning crowd).

BTW, I still think we should impeach Cheney first.

[Rhiannon12866]

29. I absolutely agree.

Cheney needs to go, especially before he shoots someone else.:-(

[stepnw1f]

9. I Have to Kick This

And I don't want to hear whinney politicos say anything to the contrary. I will instead warn them all to get fuck out of our way. Thank you for understanding.

[lonestarnot]

11. The sweet smell of peaches! K & R

[dogday]

12. Excellent read-thank you for this n/t

[niallmac]

13. Excellent and appreciated. Sadly, I agree with post 3.

I have conniption fits about our timid Dems and yet I agree with post #3.
When neck deep in the muck it can be dangerous to struggle without a branch to hang on to.
He is a criminal and I have faith that W will have his day in court.
Our government is in deep trouble and only guidance from the opposition
can keep it from doing a headless chicken dance into further disaster.
An impreachment trial now would be like relatives throwing blows over
the loved ones death bed.
Maybe my real problem is seeing Chaneys face once all the impeachment smoke clears.

[Jack Rabbit]

16. Cheney is going down, too

Articles 1 and 5 apply to Cheney as much as to Bush, if not more. Moreover, Cheney can (and should) be impeached for arranging no-bid contracts for Halliburton, of which he was once CEO. There are conflict of interest charges that can be considered in that matter.

[Montagnard]

14. That is very good

I would offer that it would be better to see the particulars of charges for war crimes against humanity presented before the world court.

[Melissa G]

15. KnR but definitely Impeach Cheney first! n/t

[originalpckelly]

19. We simply have to tell Republicans the truth...

If presented with the facts they (meaning the non-zombie kind) will eventually see how bad he is. No one in their right mind would allow torture. I think the reason people aren't more upset over the NSA matter is that they simply don't know the Constitution. If they did, wow! that man would be out of office so fast, his shoes would leave skid marks.

I think we must present the torture matter, most people will understand the we don't do that sort of thing. The President is at only 36% the Vice President is at 18%, I don't think they can last long. Congress is too self-serving to take those risks.

We Democrats are supposed to be against the President, for ideological reasons, and so when we ask tough questions about the NSA matter it really doesn't have great effect. However, when both Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees start asking questions like that, it counts. What is even more significant is that their questions weren't answered. They weren't about operations or sources, but just about the legality of the program. Tip: when people clam-up, there is a cover-up.

Republicans who watch C-Span (traditionally the non-zombie kind, though a few zombies make it through), are saying something to the effect, "I have been a Republican all my life, but George W. is no Republican, impeach him already." That makes me sit back and think that the President is a real danger, not just hype from us Democrats. You simply don't get a 36% approval rating in a 50/50 nation, without loosing Republicans. This is why it is our duty to get that man out of office, even Republicans are beginning to think he should be impeached.

He is dangerous because he chooses what laws apply and don't. That is a king. It may not be politically convenient for us, but we just like the Republicans have to do the right thing. This isn't about being mean to George W. Bush, this is about ensuring our Republic continues to exist.

I have an idea:
If the Republicans hold hearings, pass articles of impeachment, and convict the President, an agreement should be signed. No one can use this impeachment in campaigns or their ads. If anyone does, and it is sponsored by the RNC, the DNC or affiliated organizations, a stiff fine will be paid by the offending party. This way it can be an issue of simply protecting the Republic and the US Constitution.

[Jack Rabbit]

21. This is a little off-topic, but perhaps a good place to open up this idea

We would expect the impeachment process not to be completed for at least another year from now, by which time the Democrats will be in control of the House of Representatives. That means that Nancy Pelosi will be first elevated to Speaker and then, upon the removal of Bush and Cheney, will become President of the United States.

As this possibility becomes more real in the coming weeks and months, Ms. Pelosi ought to consider putting together a national unity government consisting of Democrats and Republicans who cross the line and join the fight against the Bush regime. This includes the possibility of a Republican Vice President. Another thing Ms. Pelosi might consider is announcing, immediately after being taking the oath of office and along with her plans for a national unity government, that she will not seek election to a term in her own right. One thing to consider in that respect is that she will be 67 years old by this time next year and idea of being President for much of the rest of her life may not be that attractive to her.

Those of us old enough to remember Watergate and how divisive that was might consider that the Bush years have done even greater harm to the American body politic than did the Nixon White House. Bush and his minions have promoted an us against them mentality that can be seen not only at Free Republic but here at Democratic Underground. It will be necessary to to purge this noxious mend set, but it will be very difficult.

[Jack Rabbit]

23. Another shameless bump . . .

[WillyT]

24. K & R, For Some Excellent Work !!!

Thanks Jack!!!

:hi::yourock::hi:

[Pithy Cherub]

25. Outstanding Work! Question on Article 2

Section 1 and 3 states respectively: "and other detention facilities under the control of the Armed Forces of the United States of America" and "other detention facilities under the control of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, to be treated in a manner contrary to said convention,..." Are these too broadly defined as the United States Armed Forces would initiate a defense that they transfered unlawful or enemy combatants to coalition partners and subsequent treatment of prisoners was no longer under US dominion. The USAF are neither in charge of said foreign detention facilities nor responsible for the actions upon the completion of transporting prisoners would be another defense.

Article 2 goes much more to the malice aforethought that in providing transportation to various coalition partners the United States did it knowingly and willingly of the detention conditions and facilities that would be in various countries. Then it would be possible to use the US State Departments own reports on human rights conditions in said country to illuminate that this was done intentionally.

This is outstanding and I have to come back and read it again later.

[Jack Rabbit]

26. 'On several occasions' in Article 1 is also vague

Did you even think to dispute that? If not, it's because those pronouncements were made so often and so publicly that we know about them.

The difference is that many of the detentions facilities in Bush's network of gulags are secret. We know that they are out there and we know what "aggressive interrogation techniques" they are using, but we don't know where all of them are.

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment specifically prohibits the practice the Bushies call "extraordinary rendition" (see Article 3 of the Convention), so of course that becomes an impeachable offense.

[Jack Rabbit]

27. One last shameless bump

:bounce:

[DrDebug]

28. Impeach kick n/t

[WillyT]

30. Kick !!!

:kick:

[Vidar]

31. Very good. I wish we coul;d add the two stolen elections but...