Impeachment vs Censure and timing

[LSK]

Censure has no legal binding on the President, it is a slap on the wrist. From Wikipedia:

Censure is a congressional procedure for reprimanding the President of the United States or a member of Congress for inappropriate behavior. News and other media often use the term incorrectly, confusing their viewers. When used to condemn the president, however, it serves merely as a condemnation and has no direct effect on the validity of presidency. Unlike impeachment, censure has no basis in the Constitution, or in the rules of the Senate and House of Representatives.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censure

So if the Dems would grow a fucking spine and support Feingold, it would send a message. And its a NO LOSE situation because it really has no legal binding on Bush. So if it fails, so what. The Dems showed America where they stand.

Impeachment from Wikipedia:

The procedure is in two steps. The House of Representatives must first pass "articles of impeachment" by a simple majority. All fifty state legislatures as well as the District of Columbia city council may also pass articles of impeachment. The articles of impeachment constitute the formal allegations. Upon their passage, the defendant has been "impeached."

Next, the Senate tries the accused. In the case of the impeachment of a President, the Chief Justice of the United States presides over the proceedings. Otherwise, the Vice President, in his capacity of President of the Senate, or the President pro tempore of the Senate presides. This would include the impeachment of the Vice President him- or herself. In order to convict the accused, a two-thirds majority of the senators present is required.

Following conviction, the Senate may vote to punish the individual only by removing him from office, or by barring him from holding future office, or both. Alternatively, it may impose no punishment. However in the case of executive officers, removal follows automatically upon conviction. The defendant remains liable to criminal prosecution. It is possible to impeach someone even after the accused has vacated his office in order to disqualify the person from such emoluments of office as a pension.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment#United_States

Impeachment is something that we all want to stick. We want an impeachment trial and we want Bush removed from office. Right now we do not have the votes to even get it started in the House. Do we really want the Republicans right now do force Impeachment right now when it has no chance of going anywhere? Or do we want the Impeachment effort led by a Democratic Congress and Judiciary Chair John Conyers about a year from now?

I know I want Impeachment to remove BushCo. How about you?

[xultar]

1. We're not going to get a Censure, even if all Dems voted yes it will

look like petty revenge.

We need to take our time win in 2k6 and investigate and then hit the fucker. We can't investigate cuz we don't have control of shit.

What about that can't any of you guys understand?

[wryter2000]

2. Thank you both

As much as I admire Feingold for wanting to do something, I think it's largely tilting at windmills. Nothing's going to happen even if all the Dems climb on board. Then, if we try to bring up the issue again later, when there's a chance serious steps against Bush can be taken, they'll be able to say "What, this again? You tried this last year, and the 'Murikan people didn't want any part of it."

[xultar]

3. Zactly!

[magellan]

4. It will not look like petty revenge to the majority of Americans

...who still value the rule of law and the Constitution. And it will not have any effect on future impeachment proceedings UNLESS the Dems don't denounce now the actions they supposedly plan to try and impeach Bush** on later.

What part of all this don't you understand?

[OzarkDem]

8. Americans understand - no one is above the law

The public will understand this gesture for what it is - sending a message that presidents aren't above the law, the abuse is serious and that the GOP in Congress is corrupt for not calling him on it.

[OzarkDem]

7. No, it will send a message

Voters complain again and again that they don't know what Dems stand for.

Its time we start letting them know instead of letting the opposition define us.

[creeksneakers2]

5. Censure is just a gesture n/t

[madrchsod]

6. bush will never be impeached

censure is the closest action we will ever see in regards to bush`s illegal acts. the house and senate are ,all but a few,over paid marionettes who are manipulated by the highest bidders. there are a few actual reformers in the deomcratic party but the rest have no intention of ever doing anything meaningful to advance this society.

[Little Star]

9. Can I have my eggs in two baskets?

That's where I am. Sling enough at that asshole until something sticks. Heaven only knows he supplies enough fodder.

[mb7588a]

10. You're right. Dems have nothing to lose.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x659553