Reply #119: Who said anything about "stop everything else that you might be investigating"?

[pat_k]

Re: "I certainly don't fit your first two paragraphs in the "anti-impeachment" camp.

The definition is introduced with the phrase "one or more of the following" -- i.e., only one of the five items need apply to qualify.

Re: "stop everything else that you might be investigating"

Congress has a duty to investigate and determine the damage done and root out co-conspirators. I have said this many, many times.

A variety of Congressional investigations in parallel with and following impeachment hearings are assumed.

Members who are prepared to open their mouths and accuse Bush and Cheney of their crimes have staffs that are more than capable of preparing a resolution enumerating articles. That is a first, not a last step. If the committee assigned the resolution takes it up, it can also be assumed that they would hold hearings to present supporting testimony, documents, and so on. There really doesn't need to be much. The case is INCREDIBLY simple -- which makes it all the more powerful.

If members on other committees conducting investigations uncover things they want to add to the articles they can introduce a resolution to add them. The judiciary committee or select committee or whatever committee that has been assigned jurisdiction over the resolution (or resolutions) enumerating articles would undoubtedly consider anything submitted by other committees. Impeachment hearings are where they "get together and formalize the evidence gathering." Getting the consensus required to vote finalized articles out of committee will require what it requires. You start with the case you have and go from there.

ALL I'm asking of each and every Member of the House (Republicans included) is to OPEN THEIR MOUTHS -- break the silence. The public has made accusations against Bush and Cheney. What are they doing about it?

If they believe the accusations are valid, open their mouth and join in the accusation. Declare their intent with regard to impeachment.

If they believe there is insufficient basis for the accusations, open their mouth and tell us what is missing, explicitly.

If they believe the accusations are bogus, open their mouth and tell us their reasons for dismissing them.

We can challenge what they have to say, but they have to say it first.

Their oath is an individual oath; their duty an individual duty. Each and every member has an INDEPENDENT responsibility to act. Any member that believes the Constitution is under attack has a duty to call us to arms -- to declare their intent to impeach, make the case, and call for support.

It does not matter what their colleagues are doing.

Silence is complicity.

Their unwillingness to say the I-word is silencing them. They cannot tell the truth because the truth demands action. They will not speak the truth until they are willing to say the I-word.

When the accusations are spoken, their duty to impeach is inescapable. Any member who publicly accuses Bush and Cheney will be asked "What are you going to do about it?" If the answer is "nothing, impeachment is off the table," they'll sound like morally confused morons. If they don't want to sound like idiots, they had better accuse and declare their intent to impeach at the same time.

Any proposed plan or process or strategy that does not challenge each and every member to "go public" and break their silence is unacceptable.

We lobby them individually. Our demand is simple. Open your mouth. Now.