An open letter to Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy

[babylonsister]

http://mwcnews.net/content/view/14675&Itemid=1

An open letter to Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee
by James Marc Leas and Ellen David Friedman

Dear Senator Patrick Leahy,

Vermonters have reason to be dissatisfied with your response to our votes regarding impeachment.

First, the 37 Vermont towns, the Vermont Senate, the Vermont Democratic Party State Committee, and the Vermont Progressive Party State Committee did not all vote for Congress to initiate impeachment investigations of Bush and Cheney because we merely object to "policies" of this Administration. As the Town Meeting resolutions point out, we voted because Bush and Cheney lied to get us into a war, tortured prisoners, and spied on Americans without a warrant in violation of the constitution, US and international law, and their oaths of office.

Second, we are floored to find that your response provides only political reasons for opposing initiating an impeachment investigation of Bush and Cheney. You say "An impeachment inquiry would be a highly divisive ordeal that would dominate Congress' time and attention. Impeachment proceedings would likely compromise the ability of Congress to address the many issues that face our nation during the remainder of this Administration. With a closely divided Congress, the outcome of an impeachment proceeding is uncertain and the problems facing our country are numerous, so Congress must set priorities to accomplish the most important tasks that the American people agree need to be accomplished."

We respectfully urge you to consider that basing justice on polititical considerations is precisely what you rightly criticize Alberto Gonzales for doing. As a former prosecutor, you have clearly articulated the view that political considerations ought never be used to preclude arresting and prosecuting criminals. This is particularly the case when the criminals have awsome power and are bent on further crimes.

George Mason, a primary author of the Constitution, said that impeachment was the single most important part of the entire document. "Shall any man be above Justice? Above all shall that man be above it who can commit the most extensive injustice?" July 20, 1787

Vermonters are shocked to receive a response from you placing political considerations above justice, our constitution, and the rule of law, when it comes to the crimes of the criminals-in-chief, Bush and Cheney. As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, we urge you to immediately drop the political arguments and subpoena Bush and Cheney for questioning under oath for initiating and continuing the war of aggression based on lies, the torture, the spying on Americans without a warrant, and for politicizing justice.

Furthermore, the political expediency argument you give is flawed. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales demonstrated how a leading figure in this mafia administration discredits himself under such questioning. Several Republican Senators broke with Gonzales, and called on him to resign. Rather than being a source of partison division, the investigation of Gonzales brought Senators together across party lines. Bush and Cheney are as likely to discredit themselves if they are questioned under oath.

We respectfully urge you to consider that if you continue to focus only on the underlings, like Gonzales, you establish Bush and Cheney as above the law. Holding Bush and Cheney immune from investigation gives them a congressional green light for further crimes.

Senator Leahy, your own oath of office requires you to defend our constitution from this criminal duo, not to enable them. Political considerations do not trump that oath or the constitution.

Vigorously questioning Bush and Cheney under oath is mandated, and if the investigation supports the charges, then the House should vote to impeach and the Senate should vote to remove them from office. We urge you inititate investigation of Bush and Cheney in the Senate Judiciary Committee now.

[Vincardog]

1. We urge you inititate investigation of Bush and Cheney in the Senate Judiciary Committee now.

[williesgirl]

2. What a powerful letter which states my feelings accurately. Should be mandatory reading for every

American. He'll never respond other than to spin again just like *. recommended

[fooj]

3. Some "precedent" we are setting.

:spank:

[tomp]

4. no fan of leahy here.

when he investigates the anthrax mailings i'll reconsider. until then he's just another Democratic coward.

[bdamomma]

5. I hope all Dems are receiving letters like these, enough is enough

we are totally several steps ahead of our Congress.