Impeach, Convict & Prosecute

Written by: Scott Trimble on Jun 1, 2007 3:21 PM EDT

I don't know how many of you have the time or inclination (or a flat-rate long distance plan), but if you would like to join me, this is the action I am taking today:

I am calling the Democratic members (and Ron Paul) of two subcommittees (which appear from their names at least to be a bit redundant):

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight

and

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on National Security & Foreign Affairs

Anyway, I'm calling them to insist that their duty of oversight with regard to foreign affairs includes a responsibility to censure or otherwise punish the President for violation of Public Law 107-243 (which was popularly known as The Authorization to Use Military Force in Iraq), which authorized the President to use military force in Iraq pursuant to two specific provisions:

(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq ; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq .

Undoubtedly, any threat to the US which was ever purported to exist from Iraq was removed when Saddam Hussein and his government were removed from power, and it has now become a matter of public record (and some of us knew long before the invasion ) that Iraq never posed a military threat to the United States. Furthermore, the UN Security Council resolutions of which the previous government of Iraq was held to be in violation all pertained to that previous government, and not the current government, which was established by elections and assembled over a year ago. Also, even before that government was seated, the government which was held to be in violation ceased to exist four years ago.

THEREFORE: The President of the United States, having kept an offensive military force in Iraq well beyond the existence of these conditions, and indeed well beyond a reasonable amount of time after the expiration of these conditions to have removed the offensive military forces, is in violation of US law, and should be punished appropriately, through censure, impeachment, or some other legal proceeding before Congress.

Below are the names and phone numbers of the Congress members I am calling. Please join me if you can.

Peace,
Scott


House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight
Chair: Bill Delahunt Mass
subcommittee office 202-226-6434
all other phone numbers begin with 202-225-
Russ Carnahan Missouri x 2671
Donald Payne New Jersey x 3436
ask for Stephanie
Gregory Meeks New York x 3461
Joseph Crowley New York x 3965
Ron Paul Texas x 2831

House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform
Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs
chair: John Tierney Mass x 8020
Carolyn Maloney New York x 7944
Stephen Lynch Massachussets 8273
Brian Higgins New York 3306
John Yarmuth Kentucky 5401
Bruce Braley Iowa 2911
Betty McCollum Minnesota 6631
Jim Cooper Tennessee 4311
Chris Van Hollen Maryland 5341
Paul Hodes New Hampshire 5206
Peter Welch Vermont 4115
Tom Lantos* 3531
*also chair of House Committee on Foreign Affairs

In support of Rep. Ron Paul's legislation to sunset the AUMF-Iraq (Public Law 107-243), but also to request investigation and admonishment/punishment/censure of the President for overstepping the bounds of that law. Since both elements of that authorization have been fulfilled, or are no longer relevant, it is unauthorized, and therefore unlawful, for the President to be keeping an offensive force in Iraq.

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