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Russell Shaw

Russell Shaw

Posted: October 18, 2007 08:04 PM

Hey Rep. Pelosi: What We Need Is, "Attack Iran and We'll Impeach You" Law


You know that there are circles in the Bush Administration that would love to attack Iran tomorrow. Bomb their nuclear facilities into oblivion.

But I remember the same "mushroom cloud" rhetoric in 2002. We, of course, attacked Iraq the following year.

So how do we stop this from happening again? By specifically passing legislation with the force of law, prohibiting Bush from doing so without Congressional approval.

I'm not so sure such a bill would sustain a veto, or even be held Constitutional.

I'd love to see Speaker Pelosi introduce this bill in Congress:

Whereas:

Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress the exclusive authority to declare War;

Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress the exclusive authority to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

This statute directs the Executive Branch, including the President of the United States, to seek the express and specific consent of the Congress before introducing any number of U.S. forces or aerial armaments into Iran.

Actions or conduct specifically prohibited by this statute without a Congressional declaration of war include one or more aerial attacks directed against Iran; its military bases, suspected nuclear facilities and other targets, as well as tactical insertion of Special Forces or other troops, or full scale land invasion.

This resolution of Congress has the force of law.

Any attempt to usurp or violate this law on the part of the President of the United States shall automatically be considered an unconstitutional high crime, and shall automatically trigger impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States.

 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Oldchef
Former Executive Chef, tr0ll watcher
11:33 AM on 10/19/2007
I am apalled and have been since the announcement right after the last election that "impeachment is off the table". The one way to rein in this president is off the table. Why? That announcement empowered Bush to do whatever the hell he wants, knowing that no consequences ensue.

I would have expected Tommy d'Alessandro's daughter to be a fighter. What happened to these people's sworn pledges to defend the Constitution? Don't they all promise this at their swearing in? Bush's attacks on the Constitution should be cause enough for Articles of Impeachment, right now.

If they won't stand for the people and the Constitution,vote them out. The only thing they seem to fear is losing their power. Well, we gave them the power with our votes and we can take it back, if they don't do as they promised.
08:17 AM on 10/19/2007
I'm bored with the word "impeachment". If there is hard evidence that the Bush/Cheney gang has broken laws, just arrest the bastards, charge them, and put them on trial.
10:57 AM on 10/19/2007
Can't be done. In our infinite wisdom, we excluded sitting officials from due process of law. Therefore they can't be charged and tried until they are out of office - and in the United States, impeachment and conviction is the only way to remove a high official before their term ends.

Of course, they ARE open to prosecution the minute their term ends. Anyone want to bet that Bush and Cheney have redeye flights booked to Paraguay the night of January 19-20, 2008?
06:24 AM on 10/19/2007
Dear Ms. Pelosi and Ms. Hufington,

I know it is impolite and impolitic to bring up the notion of impeachment, but what the fuck, go for it! What do we have to lose? FISA? S-CHIP?

Who cares? Go after these m-f*ckers! Show some spine! Even if you don't have cojones, fight back!

All of these Republicans are chickenshit chickenhawks -- Bush, Cheney, McConnell, Lieberman, etc. -- the whole lot of them are cowards and draftdodgers who would rather send poor people's children to fight their wars of greed and imperialism than send their own children or grandchildren.

These people are lying, cowardly punks. Why are you allowing them to get away with it?
05:35 AM on 10/19/2007
Yeah, and he'd probably sign it into law with a "signing statement" saying that he could ignore it if, in his sole judgement, it would constitute an undue burden on his powers as CIC.

---------
Kill your TV, and free your mind.
05:25 AM on 10/19/2007
Law cannot be used against the OUTLAW Bush-Cheney crowd. They do not respond to "law".

They easily found out that nobody holds them accountable for anything!

They do whatever they want.
So tough s*hit to all you polite & civil folks out there still trying to fight these guys the "nice" way.
That's no way at all!
03:30 AM on 10/19/2007
Neocon Nancy is a loser. A go-along-to-get-along, say-whatever-the-focus-group-advises, roll-over do-nothing Dem.

No cajones whatsoever.

She's covering Bush's back so he can start a war in Iran.

What's the kickback for her? - you know it's gotta be something.
03:22 AM on 10/19/2007
Impeachment would be meaningless because even if Bush & Cheney were removed, their successors would do the same exact things...Republican or Democrat. Come Nevember, I'll be submitting an unmarked ballot (except for a few local candidates), hoping that maybe the message won't be entirely lost.
03:16 AM on 10/19/2007
You would think a flower child from San Fransisco like Pelosi would be against war and not support Dubya's war policies.
02:24 AM on 10/19/2007
President Bush attacked Iraq with the full support of Congress. There is nothing to suggest he would attack Iran with anything less. If Congress didn't support the war in Iraq they would simply defund it.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MasterfullyInept
US Army veteran, progressive and opinionated
11:53 PM on 10/18/2007
Mr Shaw,are you kidding?If the evidence for impeachment isn't strong enough already it never will be.Speaker Pelosi has ruled it out.Arianna seems to think those of us who advocate enforcing the rule of law are dreamers or something.I wonder frankly how this even got posted.Nice try anyway.
11:29 PM on 10/18/2007
If Iran is attacked, we ougth to make sure that not only is Bush Impeached, but that the entire house and congress is cleaned out. Every last one of them.

This has been the plan all along. This is phase II of the neocons vision, and the are getting HUGE support from vast numbers of Democrats as well as Republicans.

Iran has not attacked another country for about 250 years, and they HAVE NOT threatened Israel, and would be terrified of the consequences if they were to ever attack israel.

We really ought to be focusing on forcing the Israeli Settlers out of the west bank and east jerusalem, and forcing the IDF out as well.

The settlements and the occupation that protects them are one of the primary catlysts of M.E. terror, and their end will reduce terror against Israel and the US substantially.

But don't just take My word for it, the Iraq Study group has said that we will NEVER get anywhere in Iraq until this is accomplished.

the 9/11 commission indicated that the settlements program and our support of it played a role in inspiring 9/11.

The UN, Tony blair, Jimmy Carter, and top CIA analysts all agree.
11:07 PM on 10/18/2007
Too little too late

Put that on America's tombstone

After the bombs start dropping, blackwater will be knocking at our door. While the good Germans are voting for the next American Idol.

Ask Arianna while impeachment isn't a topic of conversation with the speaker of the house.
Reply | posted 08:40 pm on 10/18/2007
10:14 PM on 10/18/2007
Russell, you are dreaming in Technicolor. Please do make a date with reality and take a quick peak at Arianna's recent 3 blogs regarding Nancy Pelosi and get a whiff of the general consensus of the posters regarding the motivations and general lack of good intentions of the Madame Speaker.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/ending-the-war-vs-impeach_b_68689.html?load=1&page=15#comments

And, while you're at it, please do have a chat with Arianna and try to get to the bottom of her reluctance to confront Nancy about the issue of impeachment. Inquiring minds would love to know... the Truth!
11:05 PM on 10/18/2007
Actually, what we need is, "Attack Iran and We'll Put You in a Straight Jacket."
09:48 PM on 10/18/2007
Russell,

You might want to start with "Hey Nancy, do your job or we'll make sure you and all war supporting Dems will be targeted for removal at the next election" Law.

They're going on and on doing nothing, and we've got to stop consistently wringing our hands "hoping" they'll get the message.

We need to let them know that the jig is up, either do the jobs they were elected to do and listen to their constituency or thats it.

Im sick of all the chances we've given to Mrs. Pelosi and the rest of the do nothing Dems. Set a date, let them know the consequences, and when they fail (and they will based on their past actions) from that point on no more asking them for anything. Find new blood and begin there.

Imagine her horror if there were 20+ columns per day backing Cindy Sheehan and slamming her. Endless attacks left and right. Give her some of the vitriol she deserves. Almost 4,000 US troops and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died for nothing, and their sacrifice deserves more than us asking these ass-clowns to do, you know, their job.

Once the rest see the reaction, they may get the point. If not. Buh-bye!
11:59 PM on 10/18/2007
"Do nothing dems" lol, omg; as if this were something new. Pelosie is a "Tool" a do nothing tool,.. wake up. Why are we wasting time and money? Iran should have been bomed days, if not years ago. Nothing But a bunch of FAKE Christains with plans for you and me. Get yer prayer rugs out people.
09:26 PM on 10/18/2007
Correction:Attack Iran, we will impeach you Nancy Palosi.