Another "Case For Impeachment"
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
This one is from Harper's Magazine. The entire article will be available in March's edition of Harper's.
Honorable Members of the RI General Assembly,
Approximately ten days ago, I called upon the Democratic Members of the RI General Assembly to support an impeachment initiative to prepare a resolution to be forwarded to the US House of Representatives. This occurred after no response form Congrressmen Langevin and Kennedy to join Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) in his efforts.
I sent each of you a letter making this request as well as a draft of articles outlining the reasons for impeachment. I also called on my US Senate opponents Shedon Whitehouse and Matt Brown to join me in this effort. There has also been no response.
This most recent effort was covered by the local media, Fox News and the Associated Press as well as dozens, if not hundreds of blogsites.
I hope you agree leadership is not achieved by entering political office, but by applying the simple principal of doing the right thing on behalf of the public and the citizens of Rhode Island. This places public interest before personal and political agendas. I believe Rhode Island and our nation deserve nothing less. It is not a partisan issue.
Let me call your attention to Daily Kos, the largest political website in the United States, and the conservative Magazine Harpers - March 2006 edition.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/19/1730/42036
I have not yet heard from any member from the State Senate or House. This is disappointing. It would be embarrasing if either another state precedes us or impeachment proceedings occur in Congress due to US Representative Conyer's efforts.
It is a reasonable to state your reasons for not supporting this request in writing in the next 10 working days, if your unable to concur with this patriotic effort.
With Respect,
Carl L. Sheeler
Sheeler for US Senate
592 Hopkins Hill Road
West Greenwich, RI 02817-2562
401-397-4618
www.carlsheeler.com
"An unknown naked young woman was spotted riding a bicycle around the Memorial Union Wednesday, police and witnesses said.
Tempe resident Elizabeth Brown, 23, said she was eating outside the MU at about 11 a.m. when she saw the woman riding toward the union.
"She was just wearing a Sun Devils baseball cap and a pair of sneakers," she said.
The woman had "Pro-choice" airbrushed on one leg, "Impeach Bush" on the other and "No oil" on her chest, Brown said."
Dear Dr. Dean,
The number one priority for this country is to impeach Bush and Cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors. Lying us into war, the illegal wiretapping of Americans, outing a CIA agent, rampant fraud and corruption-- there is an endless list of treasonous activities.
Impeachment cannot happen in the usual way, through the House Judiciary Committee, as long as the Republicans control the committee chairs. But there is an an alternate route. Under the House rules (Section 603), if a State legislature calls for impeachment, the entire House must consider the resolution.
Your home state of Vermont could initiate this procedure, and thereby get Congr. John Conyers House Resolutions 635,636 & 637 out of the Judiciary Committee and onto the House floor. We ask you to use your influence to persuade the Vermont legislature to pass a resolution calling for investigation into treason and other impeachable offenses on the part of Bush and Cheney.
Many of us are withholding funds from the Democratic Party until we see some action toward impeachment. This is an ideal way for you, as ex-governor of Vermont and current head of the Democratic National Committee, to use your influence.
Sincerely
"WHEREAS, United States House of Representatives rules allow for setting a federal impeachment in motion by charges transmitted from the legislature of a State or territory; and
"WHEREAS, The State of Florida and the former territory of Mississippi have established precedent by referring such charges to Congress, which in each case resulted in Congress ordering a Committee to investigate and report on the charges, and which in one case resulted in the impeachment of Judge Charles Swayne of Florida; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush, President of the United States, has so conducted himself and his office as to cause the people of the State to doubt his integrity and to believe that his official actions as president have constituted High Crimes and Misdemeanors having repeatedly and intentionally violated and ignored the United States Constitution and other laws of the United States; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush has ordered the federalization and deployment of this state's National Guard members overseas and thus has exceeded the authority granted in the provision of the United States Constitution that Congress shall have the power to "provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the laws of the Union, to suppress insurrections and repel invasions," reserving to the State Assembly, the State Senate, and the Governor of this state the authority to direct the training and arming of members of the state's National Guard for defense of the state; and
"WHEREAS, The federalization and deployment of National Guard members has rendered the National Guard force unable to carry out its state activities effectively and thus deprived the state of its Constitutional power to keep the National Guard for defense of the state; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush has allowed stop-loss orders that violate the mutual understanding between Californians in the Armed Forces including the National Guard and the state and nation they agreed to serve; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush has admitted that he willingly and repeatedly directed unwarranted surveillance of U. S. persons, in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of the United States; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush committed a felony under 18 U.S.C. 1001 by withholding information from Congress about doubts in the intelligence community about Bush's justification for war; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush committed a felony under section 1001 by providing information to Congress he knew or should have known to be false, including the claim that Iraq was seeking uranium from Niger and the claim that Iraq gave aid and comfort to the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush committed a felony under section 1001 by providing information to Congress he knew or should have known to be false, including the claim that the cost of the Medicare bill would not exceed the limits Congress intended; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush committed felonies under 18 U.S.C. 641 and 643 by embezzling funds authorized for use in the war in Afghanistan and diverting it to an as-yet unauthorized build-up towards war in Iraq; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush committed felonies, namely espionage, fraud, or obstruction of justice, through involvement in the cover-up of the leak of Valerie Wilson's identity; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush has committed an act of terrorism under 18 U.S.C. 2339A by ordering the kidnapping of President Aristide, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 956; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush has approved of torture under the name of stress and duress, has denied the applicability of existing laws and treaties against torture, and has indicated in his signing statement of H.R. 1815 his future intention to continue to disregard such laws and treaties; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush has repeatedly acted to expand the power of a unitary executive in violation of the principle of balance of power; and
"WHEREAS, the administration of the United States' invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq has resulted in the waste of assets, through incompetence, insufficient oversight, insufficient planning, and no-bid contracts; and
"WHEREAS, George W. Bush, though the above actions has denied the citizens of this state of their rights and their safety; now, therefore, be it
"Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of this state, jointly, That our Senators and Representatives in the United States Congress be, and they are hereby, requested to cause to be instituted in the Congress of the United States proper proceedings for the investigation of the governance of the Executive Branch by George W. Bush as President of the United States, and of his acts and doings as such, to the end that he may be impeached and removed from such office; and be it further
"Resolved, That the secretary of state of this state be, and is hereby, instructed to certify to each Senator and Representative in the Congress of the United States, under the great seal of this state, a copy of this resolution and its adoption by the legislature of this state."
"Which brings us back to the question: Does
George Bush deserve to be impeached?
Absolutely.
So should Democrats rally around nascent efforts to impeach the president?
Absolutely not!"

"I care what people think. Ultimately, I believe leadership is a blend of compassion, sincerity, decisiveness and courage. Inside, I’m the same kid who spent a good part of the day running around in slightly irregular clothes and shoes playing roller hockey, hoops, and stickball. My parents stretched every dollar, so there were times I put cardboard in my shoes to cover the holes and my mom put patches on my pants. I made some spending money delivering fruits and vegetables in the city and learned to save. My old man worked for the government almost all the time he was alive and I never told him I was proud of him. My folks taught me the value of frugality, hard work, and that it was good to be good and open-minded. I’ll admit I missed the lesson at times, and once had to declare personal bankruptcy. My grandparents were first generation from eastern Europe and Germany.
"We lived in many low and moderate-income areas in New York, Los Angeles, and outside D.C., but I learned a lot from these neighborhoods and appreciate that it’s not easy to leave them. We weren’t particularly religious. We celebrated Chanukah until I chose to go through Catholic confirmation and baptism when I was 18. I needed (and still do) the spirituality of G-d. I did fairly well in school and okay in some sports. I loved football, but spent a lot of time picking up splinters sitting on the bench. I ran track and have been running ever since. Occasionally I pump iron, too. After receiving Senatorial and Congressional nominations to the US Air Force Academy, I broke my wrist and was no longer qualified. There is no shame in success or failure, just another lesson.
"Between savings and working mostly minimum wage jobs for three years in retail, store security, and life guarding, I paid much of my way through college and later signed up with the Marines. Some of my bosses thought I was a good combat and staff officer and I’m sure some didn’t, but I was more interested in what my troops thought and I think I did okay there. Like most, I loved being a Marine for the challenges it brought and leading a diverse bunch of troops. In my late 20’s I rarely balanced the military, education, and my marriage very well. I worked in various management positions for a number of large corporations in sales, planning and operations, but I always wanted to be my own boss and figure out how to be a good dad and husband, too. The majority of Americans today struggle with these same issues and choices every day. That would have to wait until after I was deactivated from serving in support of Desert Storm.
"My eldest daughter will be a high school senior and now lives with her mom and step-dad in Florida. She is a national merit scholar and I’m proud of her. She taught me about cooperation and patience. My teen step-daughter, a very bright, witty, and fiercely independent woman is training to manage a restaurant. My teenage step-son loves to play guitar, his girlfriend and can play a mean game of soccer. He's into vintage war medals and WWII airplanes. My second eldest daughter is into the saxophone, creative writing, drawing and playing league softball. My son likes all kinds of music, reading, playing outside, drawing and is trying his hand at football this summer.
"I got my shot at running my own business in San Diego in 1992. My (then) wife and I chose Rhode Island as our home in 1998 with its strength as one large community despite its heavy taxes. I have lived in both Providence and in Kent County. Living in places like Brooklyn, Chicago, San Diego and Providence really opens your eyes to all walks of life and cultures. My company and lots of student loans have allowed me to pay for additional college education, be a part-time college professor, and run this campaign. I couldn't do this without the help of my ex-wife, who I am proud is helping me with this campaign, along with my current wife. Our cooperation is wasn’t always easy. More importantly, I’m learning the toughest job of all – being a parent in the MTV/MP3 world. These experiences make me better appreciate what it’s like to be a youth, sweat payroll, and stretch dollars to keep a roof over our heads and our family insured.
"I also have learned that being a Democrat is about helping to give others an opportunity, not lip service. This is why I disaffiliated from the Republican Party, as some of its influential members see the party’s role as “I know what’s best for you”. My experiences of helping others have shown me the importance of assisting people suffering from all the financial and legal struggles most of us deal with during our lives. I learned there are some great small and medium size business owners out there who are willing to accept the risks and are truly the engine that is our economy. Like you, I have become afraid that politicians are putting social security at risk, they're not keeping promises of prosperity and personal freedoms, they're creating an “us and them” society, they're buying their office and forgetting working families. I'm very afraid and angry. When I get angry, I get determined and think, “what would my mom say?” We should think, “What would mom say?” I want to replace fear with hope.
"Public interest is what defines my political platform, not special interests. That makes me a real political outsider. I can’t buy a U.S. Senate seat and I’m not going to condemn the good personal fortunes of the other candidates in this race. Between them, these men have millions of dollars at their disposal to get their message to you and media does not come cheap. I’ve made a personal investment to run for what I believe in, which is a better Rhode Island and America. I work for a living and my job would be working for, and being accessible, to you. I want to earn your trust and support by being authentic, honest with my thoughts, and hard working. I don't have all the answers, but I think together we do."
"No plastic, no poll tested answers. We want change. We want our dream of America back, we want our democracy back. We want Blue to mean something other than "sad". We want Democrats to walk the talk or step aside so we can take back our government of "We The People."
I need everyones' help. It's really quite simple. Dedicate a few minutes or an hour when you can to light up the blogosphere and send emails and phone calls to everyone you know on this god's creation in and outside of RI as it's a federal seat that is one more to gain to oppose this corrupted government.
I need the dough to pepper the state with these BE PATRIOTIC IMPEACH BUSH billboards and put as many bumper stickers on vehicles so the message gets to everyone ($10 bucks is 30 bumper stickers or pieces of direct mail and $110 is 1% of the cost of a billboard sign). Our "are you hearing me now?" and "read my lips" messages are unmistakable.
It's often lonely doing this thing, but simple touches of support make it so, so much easier to do this every day. Let's get the word out. Thank you again for taking the time to share."
"Sheeler also charged the president with failing to produce Weapons of Mass Destruction, the inability to provide adequate armor for troops, cutting the state's funds for domestic security, and national funding cuts for education and healthcare.
"Providing three separate articles of impeachment for Bush, Vice President Richard B. Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld for "high crimes and misdemeanors," Sheeler accused Bush of having, "repeatedly lied to our Congress and American, broke our laws and abused this executive authority with impunity..."
"Sheeler expressed his frustrations regarding Langevin and Kennedy's lack of action to intitiate impeachment hearings and stated that he was taking matters into his own hands.
Sheeler has secured a billboard located in the area of exit 18 on I-95 that will read, "Be Patriotic, Impeach Bush," set to be erected on Friday."
"They don’t have the guts to impeach Bush – now or ever."
"Although the program's secrecy prevents us from being privy to all of its details the Justice Department's defense of what it concedes was secret and warrantless electronic surveillance of persons within the United States fails to identify any plausible legal authority for such surveillance. Accordingly the program appears on its face to violate existing law." ("On NSA Spying: A Letter to Congress," The New York Review of Books, 2/9/06)
"If he has the authority to go around the FISA court, which is a court to accommodate the law of the war of terror, the FISA Act was created a court set up by the chief justice of the United States to allow a rapid response to requests for surveillance activity in the war on terror. I don't know of any legal basis to go around that. There may be some, but I'm not aware of it." (http://thinkprogress.org/2005/12/18/no-legal-basis/)
"'There is no doubt that this is inappropriate,'said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who favored the Patriot Act renewal but said the NSA issue provided valuable ammunition for its opponents." ("On Hill, Anger and Calls for Hearings Greet News ofStateside Surveillance," Washington Post, 12/17/05)
"Referring to what some see as a conflict between fighting vicious terrorists and upholding all civil liberties, Norquist said: 'It's not either/or. If the president thinks he needs different tools, pass a law to get them. Don't break the existing laws.' " ("Political opposites aligned against Bush wiretaps," San Francisco Chronicle, 1/26/06)
"Wallace: But you do not believe that currently he has the legal authority to engage in these warrantless wiretaps.
McCain: You know, I don't think so, but why not come to Congress?" (Fox News Sunday, 12/22/05)
"Chuck Hagel said he is looking forward to congressional hearings on the legal justification for the secretive National Security Agency program. He remains unconvinced that Bush could allow the program without fully consulting with the courts or Congress." ("Hagel UrgesBush to Explain Spy Program," Associated Press, 1/29/06) "If he needs more authority, he just can't unilaterally decide that that 1978 law is out of date and he will be the guardian of America and he will violate that law." (This Week, 1/29/06)
"It's bad to be spying on Americans apparently in violation of federal laws against doing it without court order. So it's bad all around, and we need to get to the bottom of this. . .And if we're going to say, well, simply because some people think that this is a new threat, we're going to throw the constitution and specific laws out the window and let a president rule by the seat of his pants, is extremely dangerous, and it's uncalled for. The president had full authority to have done this under the law. He apparently chose not to, and we need to find out why? . . . Well, I am because the law provides very vast authority, and for the president, or Frank Gaffney to justify the president saying even though I have the authority under the law to do it, I have to take certain steps, I'm just going to ignore that, puts us in a situation where we've seen in decades past, with Mr. Nixon, with President Lincoln and others, President Truman, when they overstep their bounds, they need to be held accountable.
"The proposed resolution will direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to send copies of the resolution, if and when it passes, to statewide elected officials including Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, to the California Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and all members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee."More HERE
Calling the Bush administration, "a partisan machine of fear and empty promises," Sheeler said, "It’s time we as ordinary citizens stop talking and start acting to bring the change we want to see in our America."
Ken-
Thank you for sending this to me. I have been very interested in why
impeachment process has not been started. I will forward this to
legislative council to see how to proceed.
Thank you-
Rep. David Zuckerman
Burlington (Progressive)
KEN,
Not only no, but HELL NO.
Take me off your list.
Rep. Larry Liston
"Dear Rep. Liston,
Thanks so much for your considerate response to my letter.
It is always nice to hear back from an elected official is such a professional manner.
I will be sure to contact you in the future regarding issues of importance to our nation.
Sincerely,
Ken Grandlund"
"Inception of impeachment proceedings in the House.>> House of Representatives 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); or by a resolution dropped in the hopper by a Member and referred to a committee (Apr. 15, 1970, p. 11941-42; 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)."