Impeach Bush if He Attacks Iran
"The Congress shall have Power to...declare War..."
- Article I, Section 8, US Constitution
We have a president who does just about whatever he wants, the Constitution be damned. He has, among other things, asserted unchecked unilateral power, conducted surveillance on American citizens in violation of federal law and ignored universal prohibitions on torture. And although years from now historians may refer to the "Bush Doctrine" in much the same way that they talk about the Monroe or Truman Doctrines, they will most likely not hold it in the same esteem.
President James Monroe, faced with the possible threat of Europe colonizing countries in the western hemisphere, declared the US the protector of independent nations in the Americas. Following the end of World War II, President Harry S. Truman issued a policy of foreign aid intended to challenge Soviet ambitions throughout the world.
However, unlike the attempts of Bush's predecessors to serve American interests by defending or aiding foreign interests, Bush's so-called "preemptive military action" doctrine employs the very opposite strategy. It suggests that whatever foreign nation does not stand with the U.S. must, by default, stand against us.
The critical corollary to this doctrine insists that Bush, acting in preemptive self-defense of his country, has a right to use force -- that is, declare war -- on a potentially aggressive foreign nation. For the present time, Iran seems to fit the bill. In fact, war with Iran may be imminent. As security analyst Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, recently wrote in The American Conservative:
"There is considerable speculation and buzz in Washington today suggesting that the National Security Council has agreed in principle to proceed with plans to attack an Iranian al-Qods-run camp that is believed to be training Iraqi militants."
But does President Bush have the authority to unilaterally declare war against a foreign nation without the approval of Congress? Not according to our founding fathers.
The framers of the US Constitution, distrustful of the British king's power to declare war and raise fleets and armies, intended to ensure that Congress alone should have the power to initiate military action against other nations, while at the same time making the president commander-in-chief. As James Madison opined, "Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued, or concluded." Thus Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress -- not the president -- the power to declare war. However, the Constitution does grant the president the authority to act without the approval of Congress, but only when it is in self-defense.
Attempts have been made over time to weaken or redefine the Constitution's definitive statement of who can and cannot make a declaration of war. For example, in 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution, which gives a president the authority to wage war abroad for 60 days without congressional approval. It is questionable whether this act, if challenged, would hold up to constitutional muster.
The Bush Doctrine of preemptive military action, at least as applied to Iran, is exactly the type of military action the framers intended to be the decision of Congress, not the president. Even the knowledge that Iran might be developing nuclear weapons at the present time (several other world powers share this distinction, including the US, China, India, Israel, Russia and the UK), there is no indication that Iran poses an immediate threat to the US, let alone a threat greater than that presented by any other rogue nation.
Yet apparently the Bush Administration has plans to conduct preemptive military action against Iran. This has raised serious concerns in Congress. As House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.), in a letter to Bush on May 8th, 2008, writes:
"Our concerns in this area have been heightened by more recent events. The resignation in mid-March of Admiral William J. 'Fox' Fallon from the head of U.S. Central Command, which was reportedly linked to a magazine article that portrayed him as the only person who might stop your Administration from waging preemptive war against Iran, has renewed widespread concerns that your Administration is unilaterally planning for military action against that country. This is despite the fact that the December 2007 National Intelligence Estimate concluded that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003, a stark reversal of previous Administration assessments."
Certainly, the framers never intended that a president, acting independent of Congress, have the power to wage war against another country merely on the basis of a potential threat. The framers did not believe in entrusting "a single man" with the decision to commit troops and finances to war, which would, in essence, be a dictatorship. The framers left the war-making decision to the "deliberative process in Congress." In this way, nothing but a clear national interest can draw us into war.
As the past has clearly shown, when we wage undeclared war -- as we did in Vietnam and now in Iraq -- we can be assured that the result will be immeasurable loss, regret and a nation divided. And for Bush to ignore the rule of law under which this nation operates is to ignore our Constitution.
The duty of the president of the United States of America is not to carry out his own objectives but to lead and serve the American people while upholding the Constitution. To act otherwise -- especially in matters of war -- is an impeachable offense under Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution. As Senator Joseph Biden (D-Del.) has said: "The president has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran, and if he does, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, I will move to impeach him." And as Conyers wrote in his May 8th letter to Bush: "We agree with Senator Biden, and it is our view that if you do not obtain the constitutionally required congressional authorization before launching preemptive military strikes against Iran or any other nation, impeachment proceedings should be pursued."
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Our Dr. Strangelove in the White House won't care if Biden or Conyers makes this threat of impeachment. He only has half a year left on his Presidency, and he will hide behind national security as a justification. I am praying that this crackpot won't make things worse, and leave the new President with more of a hole to dig out of.
I honestly don't think President Bush cares if he's impeached.
Some of these comments are just sickening to read. "Treason and crimes against America" give me a break. Do any of you have family who are actually fighting in this war? Do you know people who joined the military after 9/11 out of duty and patriotism who are willingly going to Iraq to fight, nobody is forcing them. Many of them are going back a third and fourth time. Do you even appreciate what they do? No, you probably don't know anyone like and you probably don't appreciate it. In all actuality most of you on here sound like the types who would rather see a human lose their life before a red wood tree be cut down. Say what you want about our government and this country because you can but there are thousands of people who would gladly trade places with you to call America home.
Have you ever read the Constitution of the United States? Do you believe that it should be upheld? Do you believe that a President who betrays the Constitution that he swore to uphold should or should not be impeached? Do you think the loss of tens of thousands of lives is less important than Bill Clinton's sexual indiscretions? Do you watch anything other than Fox News? Have you ever had a close frend or relative return from war a shattered man? Do you care about the loss of life abroad and liberty at home? Your ignorance is sickening.
Unfortunately these soldiers who are willing to fight and die for our country have been lied to and betrayed. This administration has gone to war not to defend the USA and it's citizens but for it's own profits. You would be wise to take the old addage "follow the money" to heart and do some research as to who is profiting from this war. Democracy and patriotism isn't about blindly following leadership, it is about taking on the responsiblility of becoming an educated citizen and participating. Our brave and loyal soldiers have been deceived and lied into believing that Iraq was a threat to our country. Any serious research into the matter would lead one to know otherwise. Likewise every serious assessment of this war has come to the conclusion that we are less safe and that terrorism is on the rise. Not least due to the fact that Muslims are outraged at the US illegal invasion and occupation of a Muslim country.
When anyone dares to question the validity of this war and occupation you Neocons scream that we are not supporting our troops. Please inform yourself about the inadequate armor and humvees, health services or lack of thereof for returning soldiers and vets and the neocon lack of support for a new GI bill. Don't just spew out rhetoric, research the facts and information.
"Our brave and loyal soldiers have been deceived and lied into believing that Iraq was a threat to our country."
I think you should let those brave and loyal soldiers decide for themselves whether or not they have been deceived and lied to.
I have been terrified of this since I read an article from the LA Times & Washington Post "Iran action plan near, admiral says". The article talks about "increased lethal activity" & "It would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capabilities". Does the "Patriot Act" give Bash the authority to conduct an pre-emptive strike and declare "martial law"? Declaring martial law would deny this country the ability to inaugurate a new President. This administration has already spread their vile war-mongering in the Senate & Congress. After reading said article, I contacted one of my Senators. The reply was a direct result of this fear-monge
I would say the Israeli's will beat them to it, especially if Obama gets elected.
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……and so it begins.……
http://www
Andrew Cockburn reported on” CounterPunch” web site on May 2 that “six weeks ago, President BUSH SIGNED A SECRET FINDING AUTHORIZING A COVERT OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE IRANIAN REGIME that, according to those familiar with its contents, is “unprecedented in its scope” Bush’s secret directive covers actions across a huge geographic area-from Lebanon to ‘Afghanistan-but is also far more sweeping in the type of actions permitted under its guidelines up to and including the assassination of targeted officials.
The source for Andrew’s major scoop, a former official on the National Security Council, indicated that the new program of destabilization will mean money and weapons showered on dissident groups in Iran, Iranian Kurdish nationalists and the Ahwazi Arabs of southwest Iran.” Operations against Iran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon will be stepped up, along with efforts to destabilize the Syrian regime.”
The covert program is budgeted a $300milliom, which Democratic leaders in Congress approved in a secret session after listening to the request for a special appropriation.
Give the man a little credit please! He won't do that with less than 7 months in office. Now Obama or McCain may unless the israeli's don't beat them to it.
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No doubt the ardent support of the Israeli lobby for escalation toward war on Iran played a significant role in the Democrats’ green light, In rhetorical terms, the stage scenery is all in place.”
Is it fair to say that the Iranian-backed special groups in Iraq are responsible for the murder of hundreds of American soldiers and thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians?” Senator Joe Lieberman asked Gen. David Petreaeus in recent hearings.: It certainly is…. That is correct,” the general dutifully replied, testifying the next day that “unchecked, the ‘special groups’ pose the greatest long-term threat to the viability of a democratic Iraq”…….”T
You’re correct about the issues. The unfortunate truth is that the Bush Administration clearly doesn't give a damn about the Constitution and the evidence strongly suggests that the Bush Administration has planned to go to war with Iran for some time. Example: We ran a series of audits on the outsourced DHS terrorism database (the public TKB) and found overwhelming evidence of data corruption. We began circulating reports and meeting with interested parties in Congress beginning in 2005/2006. All attempts to address the various problems came to naught until we circulated our last report which was on Iran. Shortly thereafter, the public version of the multi-million dollar database was pulled off-line. Coincidence? Possibly, but given our findings, we suspect otherwise. Among other things, our audit of the Iran terrorism data unearthed the following: Multiple terrorist events carried out by Libya had been altered to blame Iran, either directly or by strong implication. This included a series of incidents involving oil tankers and related maritime traffic that took place during the Iran/Iraq war. (Shades of the infamous Niger document.) Bottom line: Iran is dangerous, of that there is little doubt. Doubly so, because it is being so actively threatened. But it is not the all devouring monster the Bush Administration makes it out to be. That being said, let's hope we wise up and avoid falling for the same poorly scripted plot twice. It is, after all, just another lousy summer rerun.
"For example, in 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution, which gives a president the authority to wage war abroad for 60 days without congressional approval."
You just answered your own question. As to whether it passes constitutional muster, the fact that it has been in place for over 30 years means that it either is constitutional, or Congress is too busy with other things to get around to it, making impeachment a distant pipe dream.
Since Bush did seek congressional approval before moving on Iraq, what exactly makes you think he will not do the same in the future. And if he does, what makes you think Congress will say yes?
And you quote Joe Biden to add credibility? You've got to do better than that.
Any other legislative branch in NATO or Britain would've impeached. George W. Bush has just crossed a line, yet congress does nothing. Bill Clinton gets impeached about lying about a BJ, yet Bush basically spits on the constitution, and DOESN'T GET IMPEACHED?!?!?!?
Bill Clinton may have had scandals, but he upheld the constitution magnificently.
My thoughts exactly! What is UP with this country's standards for impeachment. Like the bumper sticker says, "Nobody died when Clinton lied."
Unless Congress is SERIOUS about this, Bush will say "okay, Impeach me, I dare you". Then he'll issue a 'signing statement' declaring that he is immune to Impeachment because he is the Prez. Then he'll pull out the Presidential Directive he signed in May 2007, which he gave himself FULL Control and Power over ALL 3 Branches--Judicial (Supreme Court), Executive (White House which he already runs like he's a king in a palace) and Legislative (Congress), PLUS the right to declare Martial Law and put 'Homeland' Chertoff as second-in-command.
It will be up to Congress to make sure that he doesn't even DARE try to start any kind of Martial Law by having him and Cheney "escorted" out of the White House and brought to the jail under the Capitol until the Congress can all meet together and face him and Cheney about their crimes against Humanity.
Maybe this will be the final straw because everyone I know is just so fed up with Bush and his "ruler of the world" attitude, and we've been waiting, ever since he invaded Iraq to see him and Cheney Impeached and put in prison where they belong!
Where's the PETITION???
GOOD QUESTION! Answer:
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NOW WHAT-CHA GONNA DO?!!!
Why must America wait until king george bomb Iran?
Until one ponders:
No one is advocating impeachment and/or criminal charges for this monster's current crimes: Mass murder, treason, lying to America (Bill was impeached for lying about a bj, remember?), the lives of 4000+ young Americans needlessly lost......
I don't think the TOADY DEMOCRATS would do anything except wring their collective hands if Bush/Cheney decided to order the Pentagon to wage war on Iran. That's why, when the DNC calls me for a donation, they get a good ass-chewing instead of money.
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