Dennis Kucinich announced yesterday evening he intends to files articles of impeachment against Vice President Cheney. I recently read through H Res 333 and couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it.

[Cheney] has purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States by fabricating a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to justify the use of the United States Armed Forces against the nation of Iraq in a manner damaging to our national security interests, to wit:
(1) Despite all evidence to the contrary, the Vice President actively and systematically sought to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States about an alleged threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction:

He then goes on to list some quotes from the Vice President in order to back up his statement. Mr. Kicinich fails to mention hundereds of WMDs were found in Iraq.

However if it is determined by members of Congress these are indeed impeachable offenses, I hereby call for the resignation or impeachment of the following individuals:

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), for saying “Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” Dec 16, 1998

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), for saying “We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.” Sept. 27, 2002

Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), for saying “We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction.” Dec. 8, 2002

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), for saying “There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years … We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction.” Oct 10, 2002

Article III states:

[Cheney] has openly threatened aggression against the Republic of Iran absent any real threat to the United States, and done so with the United States proven capability to carry out such threats, thus undermining the national security of the United States

Notice the phrase absent any real threat? Here is what Hillary Clinton said about Iran

“I believe we lost critical time in dealing with Iran because the White House chose to downplay the threats and to outsource the negotiations,” Clinton said. “I don’t believe you face threats like Iran or North Korea by outsourcing it to others and standing on the sidelines.”

Barack Obama agreed with the Iran threat just last month:

Obama spoke about Iran’s “uranium enrichment program” on March 2, 2007, stating that Iran’s government is “a threat to all of us,” and that the US “should take no option, including military action, off the table.”

Much like the spending bill expected to be pushed through Congress today even though a veto has been promised, Kucinich intends on proposing impeachment even though he has little or no support. The Constitution is very clear on the idea of impeachment:

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors

Vice President Cheney has committed none of the above offenses. Even if the accusations laid against him were 100% true (which they are not), in order to impeach Cheny, Kucinich would have to prove he willyfully lied to Congress and the American people.

Wether you believe Vice President Cheney statements were correct or incorrect, there is no argument as to wether or not he was acting in good faith.

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Constitution, Iran, Iraq, Politics