Alternatives to impeachment: post-presidency prosecution?

[meldroc]

Don't get me wrong. I really want Bush and Cheney impeached, and my posting history and my journal says as much.

But, what can we do aside from impeachment?

I'd say we need to have Leahy, Conyers and Waxman push for a post-presidency prosecution. We certainly have plenty of time for them to perform intensive, detailed investigations. Already, enough evidence has been dug up to justify a prosecution, assuming there's a US Attorney left in the DOJ willing to do it, or a new US Attorney appointed by a Democratic President that will do it.

Of course, there's plenty of things that can happen between now and then. The disadvantages are that 1. Bush and Cheney will still be President and Vice-President until January 20, 2009. There's the distinct possibility that the Democratic Party may fumble the election, or the Republicans will pull off a Rove and get their guys elected, and then issue them pardons. Bush could also issue pardons to Cheney, Gonzales or any of his other cronies. Also, chances are good that Bush and Cheney will escape to Paraguay.

On the bright side, this is something that can force them to play ball with us in the meantime - bring up the charges they will face when they leave office, and they might be more willing to cooperate.

[BOSSHOG]

1. bush is thinking like you

that's why he bought property in Paraguay, a country which does not have an extradition treaty with the U. S.. I suspect he plans on skeedaddling out of the country as soon as the next inauguration is over.

[meldroc]

2. Think we can do what Israel did?

They sent Mossad agents into Argentina, who grabbed Adolf Eichmann and brought him back to Israel for trial for all his Nazi war crimes. It didn't end well for him...

I will say no more than that. (Hi, Agent Mike!)

[jobycom]

3. Maybe. It will be hard for him to cover his records when he's no longer in charge.

So I suspect we will learn a great deal once he's gone.

I can just imagine him pardoning Cheney, then resigning a day early so that Cheney can pardon him. If Cheney lives that long.

[silverweb]

4. That's what I'm hoping.

I'd love to see Bush, Cheney, and Rice arrested AT the inauguration, immediately after the swearing-in.

Probably won't happen, but it's a nice dream.

[irish.lambchop]

5. I think that's an excellent idea!

There will be a Dem in the White House who will not pardon any of them but don't you think that the new U.S. Attorneys that will be appointed will, most likely, be bogged down by investigating this current DOJ's tainting of the system? So many investigations, so many webs, so many crimes. What would happen if we signed on to the International Court (sorry - probably have the name wrong), could they all be brought up on charges with the U.S. participating in an investigation undertaken by several countries/bodies?

[Parisle]

6. Okay,... this sounds great

--- But at the moment, Kuchinich is the only candidate who has seriously pursued the impeachment option,... and he isn't exactly one of the "front-runners." One of my main disappointments in Clinton and Obama as candidates is that I suspect they would not be interested in any post-election prosecution. Nor would Edwards .... nor would Gore. Clark,.... maybe.

--- Justice,... as in "paying the price for one's crimes," .. does not look to be a by-product of the 2008 election,.... and that pisses me off in the extreme.

[NJCher]

9. so true

And what kind of a legacy does this leave? It says that the U.S. is made up of people who will tolerate the most egregious of swindlers to come in and drain their treasury, besmirch their good name, and exacerbate the hatred that many already feel for the country. It shows that people in this country really do not take democracy seriously. And that is very, very sad.



Cher

[Hart2008]

7. You are forgetting the Presidential pardon power

Bush the elder pardoned those in the Iran-Contra scandal who could implicate him as his term expired. Expect the same from his spawn. If you want him tried in court, impeachment is even more important.

http://www.garyhartnews.com
http://www.rungaryhart.com
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3193854

:kick: HART 2008! :kick:

[mmonk]

8. I don't think our party is looking for justice.

Just a seat on the throne.

[Aussie leftie]

10. Give Bush and Cheney 24 hours to leave the country or face the consequences

[Lone_Wolf]

11. The criminals in the White House need to be tried for crimes against humanity

The Hague would be a most fitting venue.