Layton Ehmke, Homer Tribune — As political parties gathered around the state for Super Tuesday’s support for the next president, some are looking at the current president with the same disdain they’ve been holding onto for years. And as candidates look to step into office and implement change, advocates for impeaching today’s administration say if they miss this chance, the office of president is stained forever.
Citizens for Impeachment have been imploring Homer City Council to join in the Impeach Bush and Cheney push, th local activists will soon have their day with the local governing body.
Now that caucuses have already cast their votes for Bush’s replacement, why would spending the energy to impeach Bush now make any sense at all? Amy Bollenbach, co-chair of the locals for impeachment, says it’s more to do with principle and precedent.
“Oh, I think it’s very important because I think the founding fathers were right that people really like power ““ that was their purpose for including impeachment ““ to say that powers can be taken away if they are abused,” she said. “Even if it was someone I really like as president, they’re likely to want lots of power, too. Somebody has to say what’s wrong with what Bush and Cheney are doing so that the next presidents don’t think they can do anything they want. I don’t think people really realize the amount of things Bush and Cheney have done.”
Bollenbach said the Citizens for Impeachment will ask the council to pass a resolution petitioning the House of Representatives to begin an inquiry into the possible crimes that Bush and Cheney have committed.
“We will present the council our petition with over 800 signatures. Along with other Americans pressing for impeachment across the country, we hope our petitions and a probable City Council resolution will be part of the momentum to pressure the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives to begin impeachment hearings,” Bollenbach said.
Homer City Councilman Dennis Novak has offered up a resolution simply stating that the City of Homer officially recommends the current and outgoing administration be impeached. Councilman Novak is sponsoring what is a tentative resolution for the Feb. 25 council meeting.
Councilman Novak said that while the Citizens for Impeachment have some valid points, his point is about calling for accountability.
“Is this really about impeaching Bush and Cheney? No. This is really about recognizing the abuse of power that has taken place, to have a judicial review of the things that happened and set it straight for the future. Is it even feasible in the time constraints to impeach? The debate is the real point. It’s an unlikely outcome — but it’s the vehicle to look into the abuses of power,” Novak said. “The point is, we’re not isolated on an island out here, and the actions of the federal government trickle down to everybody, and do we as a government have the right to say something about the things we see in other government? Yes, I think so.”
Bollenbach and company aren’t the only Alaskans who have been calling for impeachment. Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who made a short-lived run for the presidency, was all about ousting Bush and Cheney. His Web site quotes:
“When we have a Vice President and President who openly declare they are above the law of the land, above the Constitution, how can we as Americans pretend that we live in a Democracy?”
Whether it’s charging the Bush Administration with allegations of bringing the country into an illegal war, manipulating intelligence, ordering illegal tortures, exposing covert agents for political purposes or obstruction of federal justice — the process can seem overwhelming. Some argue the accusations ought to be documented with the Department of Justice, while others focus their current efforts at the very place where many problems began: by counting the presidential vote properly.
Last September, the Homer Tribune spoke with those carrying petitions and signs at the WKFL Park on Pioneer Avenue. Bollenbach said at the time that her motivation was worry.
“I guess the motivation is that I’m very worried about our country and our reputation throughout the world,” Bollenbach said. “This administration has done some things that are very bad and have harmed the rest of the United States.”