Keith Olbermann And The House Of Scandal
By Logan Murphy Thursday Jun 28, 2007 8:30am
On "Countdown," Keith Olbermann talked with David Shuster about brewing controversy over The White House's refusal to comply with subpoenas issued by both the House and Senate requesting documents relating to the attorney purge scandal and the illegal NSA wiretapping program. The Solicitor General sent a letter to Congress today claiming executive privilege for both the President and Vice President, but as Shuster points out, an attachment to that letter reveals what is, in essence, an admission that the White House is much more involved in the attorney purge scandal than they have previously admitted.
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At the end of this clip our Dynamic Duo touches on Rep. Rahm Emanuel's proposal to defund Dick Cheney's office. It fell just a few votes short of passing today in the House...
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But, but, but....he's the Pretzelnit...the law doesn't apply to him!
How dare they belittle the President with these inane requests.
"At the end of this clip our Dynamic Duo touches on Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to defund Dick Cheney’s office. It fell just a few votes short of passing today in the House…"
GEEE...there's a shock.
The vote was amazingly close. Much closer than I would have guessed. Gave me a tiny bit of hope. Just a tiny bit is better than none.
A real adult should walk into the oval office, tell the chimp that it's time for him to come clean or he's going to jail. Wonder if there is anyone who could do that?
On KO's show this week, Johnathan Turley the constitutional expert said that if congress is investigating a crime (NSA Wiretaps) then "executive privilege" doesn't exist.
Hey,
Can you guys and gals put up Part One of Keith's expose' on Rupert Murdoch and his evil, evil ways? It aired on last night's edition of Countdown; Part Two will air on tonight's edition.
So, basically, COngress just told us that it's okay for the Veep to hold himself above the law?
POP, c'mon. You know for a fact that both Houses of Congress KNOW the results of the voting BEFORE they are taken. It's called politics. What do you think all the closed door caucusing is about.
They look at who is up for re-election, how they should vote based on what helps them, decide HOW the vote should finish...and then count them before the vote takes place.
Anytime you see a vote "postponed" its because someone has gone off the reservation, and the leadership got wind of it.
Happens EVERY day. You are gonna see ALOT of close votes. Close votes help the Dems, because they can say "we tried", and the GOP because they help THEIR President.
Politics as usual. I thought you knew that.
the White House is much more involved in the attorney purge scandal than they have previously admitted.
Of course it's involved, that's why they are ignoring every effort to get more information requested on the firings etc.
Bunch o' damn crooks! :(
"Bunch o’ damn crooks!"
Yeah, but they'd be so much fun to have a beer with.
I knew the defunding measure was too good to be true... Cheney and supporters still haven't explained why he should continue to get executive money if he's not part of that branch...
Beware folks, now that GW has QUIETLY signed into law the "National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive" with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security Presidential Directive, and HSPD-20, all it will take is a single strike and he-who-must-not-be-named can call ALL the shots... that's right... he can call off the elections in 2008. He can do ANYTHING. ... yeah... merry christmas.
The right is desperate, and on the ropes. Smash the GOP, it is time to deliver the Knock Out Blow.
Reality Check:
If the Congress had defunded the Office of Vice President, then they would actually be certifing that Cheney's claim of not being in the Executive Branch was correct. How stupid would that be. Having Cheney accept Executive Branch VP funding, granted by the Congress, makes more sense, since it actually challenges Cheney's absurd claim. Taking away the funds would actually be a way of saying: you are absolutely right Mr. Cheney.
...
Rick in Goleta - do not believe that bush can do anything. He did not pass his immigration scheme bill, the man is not omnipotent. A dictator needs a sizeable population to do his bidding and with 25% approval, none of his supporters will dare to lift themselves off the couch to do bush's bidding. Wth his presidential directive, dare I say: "Just try it george bush." This member of the 75% would do something to stop bush's self promotion to dictator. And I would enjoy doing it too.
Seamus - Certifying Cheney's claim would take an Amendment to the Constitution. Taking away the funds only actually is a way of saying: "the only thing Cheney cares about is money, now he dosn't get any. neener-neener"
Something tells me that the WH is doing everything it possibly can to stall
any and ALL scandals just long enough to set up another false flag event
that will magically coincide with the 08 elections. Will all the new Laws in
place just 'waiting', King George will cancel the elections, the masses will
be scared shitless from said attack, and GW will launch into Iran, bringing
his desired 'end of days' to fruitation.
.
.
.
Impeach.
.
.
.
Theres one thing about this WHOLLLLLLE thing that is absolutely hilarious: the fact that DEMOCRATS voted for the DICK to keep his Executive pay!!!!! I MEAN, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! This country's going to hell in a handbasket!!!!!!
Now, please excuse me while I go find a nice decent hole to crawl into for several years.
The Champ is out.
Schumer's incorrect. This is far, far worse than the Nixon white house.
The phrase should not be "please King George, don't cancel the elections." The phrase should be "why don't you try it King George, and we will see how far you get."
If a dictator takes over this country, are the bloggers going to be content to sit behind their computers and complain?
Seamus - De-funding Cheney's office does nothing to certivy the VP's claim. Congress controls the "purse." They can technically de-fund any branch of goverment, including themselves if they wished.
As Seele says, it would require a consitutional amendment to officially set the VP office apart as a shadow executive.
According to Perino. the White House is 'perfectly within it's legal rights to ignore those subpoenas'.
Boy, there's something about these WH spokespeople, first Snow, now Perino. It's way past time for Perino to have a colonoscopy. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with her colon.
But it would sure make a difference if she were purged of all that sh*t she's full of.
Ask the spineless Dems if they support Kucinich's impeachment and they say no.
Rahm's publicity stunt was pathetic.
No spine will not get them votes.
Geez.
The Democrats are proving to be all talk and no action. Pussies!
pissed off patricia @ 3:
>> Seems that tiny bit of hope is too much like the 5 to 4 votes in the Supreme court.
I'm getting tired of waiting. They've been pussy-footing around for 7 years now. After all the heinous crimes we've seen, nothing amounts to more than an early retirement for some and a slap on the wrist.
It seems like a delay tactic (remember him?). The Dems better get serious or they are going to find out this isn't corruption as usual in Washington.
IMPEACH! What the hell more does it take to get on with this? Un-frickin-believable!!
Congress will play it safe until 2008. They have their hopes on a democrat president. They're just buying time while the Whitehouse stalls until then. And after that, every criminal will go back to their mansions and all will be forgotten.
I'm ashamed of myself for hoping for this de-funding deal. I should have known.
notreallyabadguy @ 4:
There is no such thing as "Executive Privilege." In fact, the Constitution only gives this to Congress. "They shall be exempt from questions outside of their forum" -- something like that. And lying before Congress is supposed to carry the same weight as perjury. I'm guessing that the founding fathers meant for the meeting of Congress to contain more truth -- but that only seems to come to bear when there is a hearing. It's clear that "executive privilege" is a myth -- and that it only comes into play for those who already have a burden of scrutiny. Congress is supposed to have oversight, and in exchange for the burden of "always telling the truth" --they get to be exempt from interrogations in other forums. Meaning that Congress is supposed to police themselves and the other branches.
You can look at the Hatch act and see that the demand for recording all emails and having a record of the Executive, means that Presidents were never meant to have the privileges or power of "The Decider." Never. Ever. Not even in a "time of war." What is it, 6 years of war and no end in sight?
It all comes down to one fact so simple that everyone can understand it. When you are putting this much effort into hiding every facet of your activities, it seriously undermines any claims you may make that everything is on the up and up.
Don't hold your breath waiting for Blitzer to make this point on The Situation Room. :(
Impeach, impeach! From who are the democrats going to get the extra votes from the republicans they will need to successfully impeach bush?
But, don't be too sure the democrats will not put it to a vote. I predict there will be an impeachment vote in a few months because of this obvious Watergate break in copycat illegal spy program #2.
Un-scene Crisis
Someone, I was hoping our Democratic leader, needs to take charge of our efforts to bring about effective oversight. The Democrats will lose seats in the next election if we don't put a dent in this corrupted executive branch. Although the fight is an up hill journey, there must be something we can do to prevent hopelessness and the will to take on the current one sided cooperate power structure.
There are three branches of government, the TV and radio media is the unofficial forth and big Dick Chaney is making a bit for the fifth. On the surface it appears the Democrats have lost by the overwhelming power being asserted on them now. With the media's ability to turn on and off the left to liberal voices, this battle may very well be lost in commercial TV land. That leaves the internet as the last hope for getting out all that is to the left of the political spectrum. Boy do we need Al Gore.
Now is not the time for "middle of the road" politics, but the country should except it over total conservative control. I frown when I hear a Democrat taking the ,"I will vote independent because our Party will not bring the troops home tomorrow," defeated road. The Democratic support has got to find the true nature and process of how change occurs. This will allow a broader view of how one victory or perceived loss fits within the scheme of things. When the Democrats take on Independent ideologies, they have got to make sure they are not increasing the power dynamics of a already established monopoly, which is what the right holds over this country. You can't let the right get too big; the change will never take place in any direction but the right.
Actually, this county is already on the verge of a core melt down. This challenge Chaney is making concerning his records flirts with the Bush administration's attempt to finalize power's direction for a long time. Every branch of government should have a check to make sure they are not being abusive. Bush and Chaney are challenging this basic value at its core. Many Americans are too concerned with Paris Hilton to know we are in a crisis that can and will effect their lives in a very profound way.
Joseph
So this tells us.........the president and vice president (if they are republican that is) can do any damn thing they want. And if we are stupid enough to question them, they invoke executive privilege which means, WE CAN DO ANY DAMN THING WE WANT...
I realize Pelosi has said impeachment is "off the table" -- in regards to Busholini. Has she said the same about Evil Dick? I say start off with the impeachment of "president" Cheney and proceed from there.
WTF is wrong with this country???
"I frown when I hear a Democrat taking the ,”I will vote independent because our Party will not bring the troops home tomorrow,”
Joseph - I totally agree. Who are these fools thinking will bring the troops home, the republicans? HA! What I see from the supposed anti-war movement is alot of childish posturing in an attempt to claim they are more anti-war then thou.
How can Cheney be covered by executive privilige if he isn't a member of the Executive Branch?
Weaseldog - lol! A new level of hypocracy we are seeing from the republicans lately. I wonder how the ultra-right Supreme Court will dream up a way to say Cheney can claim Executive Privilege and at the same time not be part of the Executive?
The effectiveness of this admin's teflon coating is getting downright scary. I thought the pendulum was swinging our way? I'm beginning to think the only solution is mass sterilization - just let the whole human race die out and be done wit it. I shouldn't be thinking such dark thoughts, it's bloody summer fer crissakes.
Nice defeatism shantiquax. Great to have you on our side. (sarcasm)
Ok, let's see.
2+2 DOES = 5
We have ALWAYS been at war with Oceana
Some animals are MORE equal than other animals.
And this bullshit administrations actions defy belief.
Words escape me.
Pelosi On Bush Lawlessness: "The American people really don’t even know the half of it".
Then why the fuck is impeachment "off the table"? If we only know half of it, then what the fuck are you waiting for you spinless bitch.
You took an oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign & domestic. You are without a doubt failing to do your sworn constitutional duty.
Shame on you.
regarding the defund dick cheney amendment, i posted a diary on daily kos that lists the 24 dem representatives that voted against.
read 'em and weep.
ShimSham @ 27:
My thoughts exactly, except for the shame part. I never expected Rahm to achieve anything substantial - he never does.
I am sure impeachment will be on the table very shortly. Pelosi won control of the house and senate despite all the vote rigging we claim is happening.
Alot of the people on our side sound like children in the backseat crying "are we there yet," and dissatisfied with the answer want to get out of the car and walk home.
-yeah, I went there.
Seele^ @ 43:
Its also a bit like realizing that the driver lied, and you're going to opposite direction you want to go. Or like when you realize that your taxi driver is lost.
Joseph - I totally agree. Who are these fools thinking will bring the troops home, the republicans? HA! What I see from the supposed anti-war movement is alot of childish posturing in an attempt to claim they are more anti-war then thou.
I hope you did not misread where I was coming from. I was referring to the "all or nothing" aspect of Democratic support. I am a left-winged proud anti-war nightmare. I am willing to take what progress is available over none at all.
Joseph
So what are you gonna do Weaseldog, stay home on election day? That will show the democrats your disapproval wont it?
So shrub co. remains untouchable and nothing changes. In a few months maybe they'll think about starting that "legal battle" with some more paperwork? Cause that will help.
I understand what you are saying, and I see progress. There are setbacks too like the Supreme Courts overturning Brown vs. Board of Education yesterday. But I am throwing my support with the democratic party, the way I see it: they are the only allies we have got.
Can anyone listout the dems who voted for Cheney today?
Maybe impeachment should be reserved for the last couple of bozo's Bush put on our supreme court. Go over those confirmation hearing with a fine tooth comb and you will probably find that these holier-than-thou men lied about something. This supreme court as it stands will do more damage to our country over the next decade than Chimp and Darth can do for the next 18 months.
Look at the 2000 supreme court ruling Gore Vs Bush to see what will happen when bush takes his case to the courts. Remember, the courts lost one so called liberal justice since then. If election 2006 was a big win for the left, the fight only began in my opinion.
I understand what you are saying, and I see progress. There are setbacks too like the Supreme Courts overturning Brown vs. Board of Education yesterday. But I am throwing my support with the democratic party, the way I see it: they are the only allies we have got.
Yes, we are on the same page.
Joseph
The supreme court can be limited too. It is up to the executive to enforce the Supreme Court rulings, and the first great democratic candidate FDR used his presidency to suppress Supreme Court rulings.
Basically what I am trying to say is you have to pack the house and senate and the executive with a buncha democrats.
....this is as good as a blanket admission of guilt. Besides, wasn't it just last week that both Bush and Cheney were claiming to NOT be a part of the Executive Branch? Doesn't this appear to be contradictory that they are now using "executive privilege" to shield them? Is it just me or is this way too logical a thought process? Or is this moronically contradictory to consider themselves able to use executive privilege one day and then claim that they are not part of the Executive Branch the next day?? Wow! They've clearly gone 'round the bend now!!
Just one question: Is it on the table yet, Nancy?
Now I wonder which prosecutor plans to take on the next precedent setting case of "United States versus Bush"?? After all, the United States vs. Nixon resulted in his impeachment.
Anybody still guessing as to why Lenin executed couple of million Fascists?
More people need to be on the same page. These republicans are a tricky adversary, especially in the fact that the only thing they know how to do is win elections (given: 2000 and 2004 voter fraud.) We ALL have to be on the same page, and forget this "ohh the democrats and republicans are all the same" and "i'm voting for a 3rd party that has zero representation in washington"
The democrats and republicans are not the same, and 3rd partys have gotten us nowhere since they were used effectively to split the republican vote in 1992 and 1996 with Perot.
Hey dems! How about doing something crazy and actually go after your political opponents?
The fuckups who voted to fund Cheney should not be forgotten. Now they have played their part in covering up for Cheneys criminal activities - including secret prisons, torture and cherrypicking on the intelligence for war.
good thing obama has stepped up to the plate and said he wouldn't seek impeachment for bush or cheney. more democrat boldness. ug.
Where did Obama say that?
Seele^ @ 46:
No, I will vote for the candidate. Even though corporate shills will decide which corporate clones I get to choose from.
No party represents me. No party has earned my trust.
I've come to the conclusion that it really is impossible for a political party to represent its constituents over the long run. A political party must be concerned with its own survival first. If this takes all of its efforts, then it will become disengaged from its base.
Both major parties have to be complete slaves to the corporate system in order to survive. In many ways, this puts them in an adversarial position in respect to their constituents.
The parties then become grooming grounds for corporate prostitutes who go on display like Barbie Dolls, so we can pick our favorite. Ooh, ooh! That Corporate Shill is pretty and loves its mother!
A very few candidates rise to the top of the system based on character and ethics, but overall the system is stacked against them.
When it comes time to vote, I'll choose a candidate that seems to want to do the least harm. At least then I'll know that though I voted for the losing candidate, I at least voted my conscience.
Sure, people deride me because I won't remain loyal to a prty that doesn't serve my interests and lies to me all the time, but I sleep well nonetheless.
Do you remain slavishly loyal to people who lie to you and kick you in the teeth?
Thanks for the support Weaseldog, i wonder why you give support to the democrats when they are kicking you in the teeth. Perhaps the republicans are taking you to the dentist?
I think I've been to a related business establishment of the House of Scandal, called The Leather Castle.
Seele^ @ 63:
I see your polarized black and white point of view. If I'm not devoted to the Democrats, then I have to be devoted to the Republicans.
I know Republicans that are exactly like you. If you aren't a complete Bush supporter then you have to be a far left devoted Democrat.
On each end of the spectrum Republicans and Democrat personalities are exactly the same. Both reinforce their loyalty through paranoia and feigned persecution.
I learned the same behaviors in Baptist Bible School. From the way they teach it, Christians are still being fed to the lions. Its the sickness of a cult mentality. In politics, it is known as a bunker mentality.
By mimicking the behaviour of die hard Republicans I know here in Texas, you're not representing the Dems very well.
The people on each side have very similar personalities. Their differences mainly come from their team colors. They both play the same game. They are even sponsered by many of the same corporations.
Pelosi’s argument against impeachment was, simply, that it wouldn’t be worth expending the political capital and effort to push the process forward. If the situation had been Bush coming in as a new president, she said, things might have been different, but with less than two years left on his watch and his record as a miserable failure etched in stone , the stronger weapon was oversight. Pelosi specifically mentioned the subpoena power that, she said, is making the Dem Congress “Bush’s worst nightmare.”
This is absolute BULLSHIT.
The Bush/Cheney admin has been, without a doubt, the most criminal admin in our country's history and deserves impeachment. How many more felonies need to be commited before these criminals are stopped?
How much more damage to our country & constitution before these criminals are brought to justice? How many more innocent people will die before these criminals are brought to justice? Until then, Bush remains our worst nightmare!
hope you all understand that the reason the bushies think they can get away with everything, is becuase they can and will
they have stocked the scotus...its a done deal
the bushies did not get their Immigration plan through. They are not as omnipotent as some claim
My nephew broke his leg when his hummer ran over an IED in Baghdad last month.
I fear that he'll die in Iraq, while the surge continues, and Bush continues to expand his illegal power base.
Nancy is putting my nephew's life at risk while she plays politics.
I believe the reason she won't impeach is because she wants the Republicans to end the war themselves. But the Republicans will keep the war going forever, so they never have to admit it is a mistake.
It's all so frustrating. Our Democracy has become an Oligarchy run by evil and corrupt men. What else do these people have to do before Congress takes action? IMPEACH! IMPEACH! IMPEACH!
isis @ 56:
Oy. Nixon WAS NOT IMPEACHED! He resigned!
Dr. Acula @ 71:
Nixon was capable of feeling shame.
Seamus @ 13:
SSSHHH!
You're gonna spoil the self back patting that the Dems are doing about how clever they are to think to take away funds.
Then they might remember that Kucinich has ALREADY filed articles of Impeachment against Dick.
Dick has an operating budget of 4.8 MILLION for his official residence- susposedly for operating officially as the VP, and that includes "entertainment"....wonder what kind of entertainment? and who would think a Cave would be soooo expensive...and he does not have to supply the records ??? the Dems were right to ask for the Records about where OUR money goes....Go Keith...
Kucinich has filed Reso 333 on Impeaching the Dick....also Petition for Impeachment can be signed through Senator Kennedy's office...
I always thought HG Well's House of Pain would be a good name for a commercial dungeon.
Weaseldog @ 72:
He was a Quaker.
enigma4ever @ 75:
If there is a God...it'll happen... but I like the Res 333 for a 666 VP
Why hasn't C&L put up the video of KO and Jonathan Turley from June the 27th wherein:
...Turley said, "and that is, you know, for many years, since we first found out about this program, some of us have said that this was a clearly criminal act that the president called for. ... If we're right, not only did he order that crime, but it would be, in fact, an impeachable offense."
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Law_Scholar_Wiretap_subpoenas_may_open_062...
Dr. Acula @ 71:
And that was only 35 some odd years ago.
No wonder we're in the shape we're in. The American People don't know anything about recent events.
dems who voted against defunding cheney-
Melissa Bean (IL-8)
Dan Boren (OK-2)
Allen Boyd (FL-2)
Michael Capuano (MA-8)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Chet Edwards (TX-17)
Brad Ellsworth (IN-8)
Bart Gordon (TN-6)
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-at large)
Marcy Kaptur (OH-9)
Ron Klein (FL-22)
Nick Lampson (TX-22)
Jim McDermott (WA-7)
John Murtha (PA-12)
David Obey (WI-7)
Collin Peterson (MN-7)
Mike Ross (AR-4)
John Salazar (CO-3)
Joe Sestak (PA-7)
Ike Skelton (MO-4)
Adam Smith (WA-9)
Vic Snyder (AR-2)
Zach Space (OH-18)
John Tanner (TN-8)
Well, for Adam Smith And especially Jim McDermott to vote against it-I gotta wonder what was wrong with it. Jim McDermott was one of only a few reps that voted against the Iraq Atrocity, earned the pejorative nickname 'Baghdad Jim' for visiting the country before the US incursion, and has consistently been Dr Lefty. He was also persecuted by the reich in Congress for releasing a taped conversation some citizens turned over to him in which Newt was heard to be doing some illegal shit, and went into the hopper to unseat him
If Jim voted against it-I'll assume that there was some hidden piece of shit stuck in there. I'll have to check...
mcdermott's dc office said (per comments on daily kos) he didn't vote for it because he felt it was a 'stunt'. he did, however, sign on to HR 333, the bill to impeach cheney.
I am glad that Keith is pointing this out. This is demonstrate clearly and starkly that Democrats are intent in pursuing litigations, after litigations, and not only preventing this country from terrorism. It's the Democrats who have squashed away the public trust in Congress, Senate and this administration and in our democracy. I and we, the people, will have a voice and a vote to make in the near future, and it's definitely not for any Democrats.
Impeach and prosecute the bastards. If these Democrats don't do something I will not vote for a Democrat for National office. enough already.
I can no longer take the word of Pelosi, Reid, or Rahm.
I'll have to be shown from here on out.
Olbermann gets consistently annihilated in TV ratings because of his focus on convoluted political minutiae that 99% of the viewing audience does not care about. The convoluted twists of this so called White House scandal is of interest to Olbermann and his small tight knit circle of left wing political geeks. Keith better come up with something better if he hopes to emerge from the bottom of the TV ratings and compete with Billo Reilly.
[...] read more | digg story [...]
I am sorry MRogi but you need to check ratings. Despite what you may think Keith O.'s ratings are going up all the time while Faux News is losing viewers. People are beginning to realize that Faux News really is not a news station but only an arm of the current White House.
While you may not like K.Os news stories, he is the only one from whom you get reliable reports on what actually occurred not a spin zone report like you get from FOX.
Are his reports biased? I don't think so. Does he dislike the current administration? Certainly. Does he aim his reports against the current administration? Certainly. Does he tell lies about the current admin? No, his reports are true and factual. Does he have to go out of his way to find reports on the current administration that show them as cheats and liars? No, it would be hard to not show them. Proof? Just watch the news on Fox and see what they have to resort to showing for news to try to draw people away from the current admin.
Do people like you hate to hear the truth about their party? Certainly. Who really wants to hear that the party they voted for is run by a bunch of right wing cheats and liars who are only interested in filling their own pockets.
You voted for them.. tell us what they have done that has made your life better?
[...] Keith Olbermann, just [...]
Please realize that D and R are meaningless labels. If you're waiting for the "dems" to do something then you are living in a dream world. Most on both sides of the house and senate are told how to vote by the same lobbyists who are backed by the same corporations, interest groups, entities. The only meaningful labels are "bought out" and "still honest." The answer to your questions above that begin "Why doesn't nancy..." or "Why don't the dems blah-blah" is very clear: because they are sold out, paid for and completely in the pockets of entities with agendas not at all affected by political ideals. So clear those sleepers from your eyes because we don't have much time left.
So...I guess the General Strike of the Citizens of the United States is still a stupid idea that takes too much effort...?
Let's look to the Democrats for help...?
Maybe Superman will save us all...?
Classic...
While everyone is saying "somebody ought to do something..." nothing will get done. It's time to take this into our own hands and Strike...Shut the Country Down...oh yeah...that is a stupid idea...not practical...we all got bills to pay...Have any of you noticed that there is nothing left of the USA but its name?
As Dr Acula & Weaseldog correctly pointed out, Nixon was not impeached but resigned. Impeachment is not the removal of a president from office, it is the act of bringing formal charges against a president and the resulting trial in congress. If the House of Representatives passes Articles of Impeachment by a simple majority then a president (or other member of the executive branch) has been impeached, even though the trial stage of the process has not yet begun. Richard Nixon resigned just after the House Judiciary Committee voted to approve impeachment proceedings but before those proceedings actually began. Bill Clinton was impeached (think: indicted) but later acquited. Conviction requires a two-thirds majority of senators present and automatically removes the president from office.
Grounds for impeachment are "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Only congress may decide what constitutes high crimes and misdemeanors. Bill Clinton was impeached on December 19, 1998 by the House of Representatives on grounds of perjury to a grand jury (I did not have sex with that woman...)(by a 228–206 vote) and obstruction of justice (by a 221–212 vote).
A member of the executive branch can be impeached AFTER he/she leaves office and if convicted cannot hold any office again and loses all pensions.
Clinton was the second president to be impeached. Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 but acquited.
Clinton was impeached and nearly removed from office because of the high crime of committing perjury about being fellated by a woman who offered the service. The man who now calls himself president has openly admitted to his failure to uphold the Constitution (his sworn duty) by allowing the NSA to monitor domestic phone calls and that alone is grounds for impeachment but he is also implicated in a number of other crimes. Yet Nancy Pelosi tells us that impeachment is "off the table."
politians believe the people are like pigs and they can throw any type of stinking slop into our pen and we'll eat it up. this IS a dictatorship of the sheeple by the rulers and for the rulers profit.
Orwells story lacked the evolution of how it all started, now we know.
Keith Olbermann And The House Of Scandal
[...]On ?Countdown,? Keith Olbermann talked with the David Shuster about the brewing controversy over The White House?s refusal to comply with subpoenas issued by both the House and Senate requesting documents relating to the attorney purge scandal and...
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