Ari's Planet

Dear Representative Frank:

I am writing to request again that you act to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. These individuals have openly stated that they have violated the Constitution. No further investigation is required. Their actions are beyond the pale of any action acceptable to me as a citizen of the US. To my prior request that you act on impeachment, you wrote that there is insufficient support for impeachment in the House and Senate and that following up on impeachment would alienate what little Republican support there is for other pressing matters, such as ending the war in Iraq and protecting civil liberties.

I am ashamed that the new FISA bill passed, including illegal retroactive immunity for telecoms. The war in Iraq shows no sign of ending. Detainees are still denied habeas corpus. The Iraq war and the mess that is the US economy interfere with spending on matters vital to the nation. The president and other members of the executive branch continue to violate the law. Karl Rove thumbs his nose at Congress. Your vaunted coalition of Republican support is a sham. Democrats have been aware of and have supported the president's illegal actions. This is part of the reason, I believe, that Democrats oppose impeachment: it will implicate them in crimes.

There are at least two reasons why Bush must be impeached.

1. There is a legal and moral imperative. Bush has violated fundamental precepts of moral action that have evolved over centuries and which have become part of our laws. Among others, denial of habeas corpus, torture of prisoners, and so-called extraordinary renditions are illegal and morally repugnant. Bush has violated laws and treaties. He has subverted the government to his own ends. He has committed what the constitution calls high-crimes and misdemeanors. He has expressly ignored the will of the congress, and thus of the people, and thus he has violated the most sacred trust in US government: government of the people, by the people, for the people. There is no doubt that he has done these things.

2. Failure to put a stop to his actions sets a precedent. Future presidents will understand that they can violate the law because Congress will not stop them.

It is your duty, under your oath of office, to defend the constitution. Recognizing the role of the opposition is a pragmatic aspect of your job necessary to good government, but this cannot be allowed to interfere with your obligation to the people. As a member of congress, the constitution has delegated to you and your colleagues the authority to impeach members of the executive. You must act.

You wrote "I am very frustrated by this, and the only way to change it is through the electoral process." I could have used the same words, except that I interpret their application differently. Since you and your colleagues will not impeach, I will use the electoral process by not voting for you and by advocating the same to others.

Sincerely,

Ari Halberstadt