Robert F. Kennedy Jr. often says that “we need to impeach President Bush as a civics lesson.” Apparently, our Congress does not agree. So if impeachment is “off the table,” what can We The People do to bring these two criminals to justice?
Guest Blogger Jack Mosel suggests in this original Op-Ed piece that it is time to take action at the local level, highlighting the case of one Vermont town which is setting an example as to how it can be done – and calls for other cities around the world to follow suit.
It stands to reason, after all, that if upon leaving office, Bush and Cheney have nowhere to run, they will have nowhere to hide.
OP-ED: GEORGE W. BUSH AND DICK CHENEY SHOULD BE IN HANDCUFFS, NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE
By Jack Mosel
Guest Blogger
“Bush and Cheney: Arrested for Gross Violations of International and U.S. Law!”
A new proposal in the township of Brattleboro, Vermont — authorizing local law enforcement to arrest Bush and Cheney — would make this headline a reality, should either of them step inside the town’s jurisdiction.
The Brattleboro proposal is to be voted on in the coming weeks at a town hall meeting. This innovative solution is up for discussion thanks to the hard work of community activists, who petitioned citywide to have the motion put to a vote.
The petition — with more than 436 signatures, or at least the 5 percent of voters necessary to be considered — was duly submitted and the town Select Board voted 3-2 to put it on the ballot. It goes to a town-wide vote March 4.
“This petition is as radical as the Declaration of Independence, and it draws on that tradition in claiming a universal jurisdiction when governments fail to do what they’re supposed to do,” said Kurt Daims, 54, a retired machinist leading the drive.
Daims has been circulating documents that claim the community acquires a “universal jurisdiction” to take such steps “when governments breach their highest duties.”
“We have the full power to issue indictments, conduct trials, incarcerate offenders and do all other acts which Independent jurisdictions may of right do,” the statement says.
The measure asks: “Shall the Selectboard instruct the Town Attorney to draft indictments against President Bush and Vice President Cheney for crimes against our Constitution, and publish said indictment for consideration by other municipalities?”
Fearful of the indictment, Bush and Cheney are mounting a counteroffensive. But in town after town in Vermont, the people have voted to support impeachment recognizing that Bush and Cheney have committed high crimes and misdemeanors.
After a concerned citizen’s call to 911, the Tyranny Response Team does their patriotic duty.
JAIL TO THE CHIEF
The Brattleboro indictment of Bush and Cheney is reflective of the tide of opposition to the current administration. The people of this country are refusing to let Bush leave office without facing charges for his criminal deeds.
Just this week, the New Hampshire State House held an impeachment hearing, which was flooded by activists and community members insisting that the state legislature take action.
Hollywood actor Ed Asner wrote a letter for the hearing expressing his support for the resolution, which indicts Bush for “invading Iraq without just cause or provocation.”
This, I submit, is the call for citizen activism for our voices to be heard on the subject of whether High Crimes and Misdemeanors are actually relevant as defined by the Constitution of the United States.
What I mean by that is simply put: Does the activity of a collection of townships and state legislatures (as of late Westchester County, NY included) taking proactive legal steps towards indictments of our President and Vice President seem over-reactive? Or are they simply stepping up to the plate and doing the one thing Congress lacks the courage to do?
This isn’t a question of a few isolated communities anymore. City, County, and State governments are getting more done at the local level on this matter than the members of the actual House of Representatives, whose task it is to introduce Articles of Impeachment.
The ‘Pyramid’ is upside down… Those folks in Washington work for us, not the other way around.
The elected officials in Washington, D.C. are going to have to take a stand and be accountable for either their ability to represent the best interest of their constituents and their country — or not.
On his perp walk down the runway, the Veep demonstrates the latest fall colors; orange jumpsuits are all the rage this year.
THE CONSTITUTION IS A WAR CASUALTY
A small town in Vermont’s resolution instructing their local police to arrest the President of the United States and the Vice President of the United States for Acts of Treason is awe inspiring… Awe inspiring to the extent that it is embarrassing to our elected representatives in Washington who failed us. Again.
Don’t get me wrong. I am proud of every local government which feels that they have no other choice but to do this. I’m quite sure that they would not pursue these activities if they did not have the legal authority to do so. They have taken a bold stand for the rule of law and are sending a strong message to those in Congress, in cities around the country, and indeed around the world.
There is something burning foks…It’s the smell of a nearly 220 year-old parchment (which our president calls “just a goddamn piece of paper!”), printed from the actual blood of people like you and me. The movement for a free Republic, the Revolutionary war we fought to win that freedom, and the signing of our Constitution in Philadelphia all those years ago is not so different from the activities which are currently going on in Brattleboro, Vermont, Concord, New Hampshire, or Westchester, New York. (Home to both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.).
The Constitution is a War Casualty… This is from the desk of ‘The Decider’. Our voices not being heard and the relentless refusal to not entertain the motions of Articles of Impeachment, is simply un-Patriotic, un-American and un-fair!
Why should we take a stand? Because it isn’t always about us, folks. The rest of the world is watching and waiting to see what we are going to do about our situation. They know that there are huge discrepancies afoot in our country’s actions over the last 8 years…that our deeds don’t live up to our words.
How are we going to save our face and continue to live up to the world’s expectations of America being a great, successful, democratic power if we handicap ourselves by taking the word of a handful of people who unilaterally claim to know best for all of us? Whatever happened to the “consent of the governed?”
When asked to testify for the 9/11 Commission about their prior knowledge of the attack on America, or about their activities on that day, both our president and our vice president balked, delayed, refused, and then finally (sort of) complied. But only with conditions — such as no record of the discussion, no paper allowed in the room, no sworn statements in testimony and no public participation…and we let this happen.
I have serious questions…and to this day, they remain unanswered. Obviously. I am not a nut. I am a father, a husband, an active community volunteer, an environmentalist by profession. I am a New Yorker born and raised, and I am still outraged that this heinous crime was committed in my state. I care about my country and the people I call Americans who live this dream with me, and above all, I am a realist.
The facts we’ve been given about what happened on September 11th and why we went to war just don’t add up. The ones that do point to politicians at the highest levels of our own government needing to answer these questions, even if we have to arrest them in order to get to the truth. The record needs to be straightened out for the sake of history, the true perpetrators must be brought to justice once and for all. So that your children and mine can have the same great American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness our forefathers gave us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Jack Mosel is an an environmental activist and owner of Aquatic Restoration, LLC. He can be contacted at: moseljack@yahoo.com.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions in the above editorial are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. or the owners of this website.
RFK Jr. News 
Great article.
The American people are sick of being lied to by their own government. It is not just one party who is to blame but both parties have forgotten that this is a government for the people by the people.
I remember in NH they had Live Free or Die on their licence plates. VT and both NY were part of the orginal 13 colonies who founded and built this nation with their blood, sweat, and tears. Are we beginning to see the beginning of another American Revolution where honest Americans decide to take this country back from the powerful interest groups who control both parties? I hope so.
My ancestors fought in the American Revolution. I was always a proud member fo the Daughters of the American Revolution, but even there I see people who are in denial about what is happening in our government not only under George Bush. This rot and corruption has been going on for years. To many people are afraid to rock the boat. You don’t know how many times I have been told I must not rock the boat but keep silent because we don’t want to make waves. I want to rock the boat and make waves. I want to shake things up with the truth so that hopefully we can change the direction this country is going on.
I ask myself what would my ancestors who built this country do? What would Jesse Buell who fought in the American Revolution from CT do? What would the brave women in my family tree who have gone before me do? Women who were strong, brave and fought for what they believed in. What would my Fuller ancestors do who came over on the Mayflower and founded and helped build MA. Who went to the Cape and settled in Barnstable County? Would they be afraid to rock the boat with the truth and have the courage to try and right the wrong they see. Would they put the needs of their country over their own personal needs?
I believe as I have read in our Family History book of the Buell family that they would have been in the center of the fight. They would not have reminded silent but would have wanted to rock the boat like I tend to do so that people will take an honest look and join the fight.
I believe that we can make our voice heard. I believe we must have the courage to try. These towns, cities, and states are doing what they feel is morally right and I support them. I think we need to ask ourselves what can each of us do to take this government back so that it is our government who represents the people and not large corporate interests.
We have an election coming up. Are we going to not rock the boat and vote for the least of two evils or will we by our principle either write someone in who we believe is the best leader who we believe is the most qualified? Or do we vote for the party’s choice that is not really a choice at all? Voting for the less of two evils just because they are in your party is still voting for evil. I choose voting by principle and making my voice heard in saying I don’t support any of the choices given me. For me that person is RFK jr and I must stand by my prinicples in voting for the best person who I think should be at the helm of the ship.
Fascinating comments, Chrisy, as always. Thank you so much for sharing some of your family’s history, and the role your ancestors played in the building of our Republic.
As a student of history, the pre-war battle between the colonists is almost as interesting a subject to me as the war itself. Many forget that there was tremendous loyalty to the British crown amongst the colonists – those advocating for revolution were a vocal minority for quite some time leading up to the war – most of the colonists simply did not want to “rock the boat.”
And who can blame them? The penalties for revolt against the British crown were quite severe indeed. Anyone who took up arms against England would certainly be found guilty of treason. By fighting against Britain, not only would the colonists be at risk of losing their homesteads, businesses, and all they had worked so hard to build for themselves, but they would also be putting their wives and children in imminent danger.
Yet and still, the call for Revolution eventually won the day, as the abuses of the British crown became more and more intolerable…is this starting to sound familiar?
There comes a time when patriots must take a stand, for as the old saying goes, “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”
It feels as if America is once again on the brink of saying We’ve Had Enough, Already. And we will be faced with the same difficult choice our ancestors faced, for freedom is never free. If we choose to fight, we must do so with the total understanding that lives will be lost in the struggle. There is no such thing as a bloodless revolution. So many lives already have been lost in what is still an undeclared war on our liberty and all we hold dear as Americans. Many of us do not realize that we are already at war…and that the enemy is within.
Yes, we all hope for a peaceful revolution, that it will never come to the point where we must stand and fight. We all realize the risks and what we’re up against. What we must ask ourselves is if our Republic is worth risking it all for. Is it worth fighting for, worth dying for? This is the same question our forefathers had to grapple with some 230 years ago.
Just as it was in 1776, there will always be a segment of the populace who would rather not “rock the boat.”
In 2008, many believe the answer is to rock the VOTE.
Come November, we shall see if the elections are free and fair (I don’t hold out much hope for that, in all honesty). If we cannot effect the change we want at the polls (did it work in 2006, despite electing Democrats to Congress?), well…what’s next? Do states begin to secede from the Union? Do we storm the Bastille?
While I say this reluctantly, I also say it with all my heart: if that is what it comes down to, my friends, I will see you on the barricades.
Great reponses from Both Chrissy and Brave New World. It really does boil down to becoming awakened to the fact that we are under seige from the least obvious forces imaginable, yet are the most potent… Our own Government…
Look at this video there are 8 parts but here is one
(I hope it works for you) It is the Japonese (Government holding record attendance) two weeks ago… Discussing the fact that 9/11 was an inside job on one side and supporting the “War on terror” on the other… AMAZING… Media blackout here in the U.S. of A. We are going to see pressure from other governments around the world soon, that give credence and support to our “Inside Job” cries, which go on ‘unheard’ and un-responded to within the politico community.
It wasn’t until we began to get killed or locked up in masses by Royal government thugs that ‘we reacted’, by fighting back and rising up against the crown. Which formed the greatest Democratic experiment the world has ever known and you and I are living it today… What is our role in providing preventative maintainance for it? When and how do we know if our forefathers’ fears are manifesting themselves in what they saw as the greatest threat to our republic, which was from enemies within?
If there is on shred of proof (ONE) which indicates a cover up of any of the events of 9/11, I respectfully submit that there is a conspiracy. There is more than one my friends… We are in link step with a conspiracy as we speak and we are in desperate need to have our voices heard and enact special hearings to our circumstances.
My Grandfather, William O’Connor was just awarded (Posthumously) an award for his effort in Ireland as one of the original ‘Flying Columns’ now known as the IRA. I too have history in my veins, which makes me want to keep my ‘hand in the till’. It is all of our history which needs to be known, respected and feared. It was real, it was bloody and it was for keeps… We are living the life of luxury and sloth today because of all those who died for their cuases back then… We couldn’t even risk our own precious reputations for those causes today!… We are prime for the picking (Sheep)…
I am not afraid for my reputation… I stand among you who read this and know that I at least have 3 friends here… I posted originally when I knew no one. I am not alone in my concerns and in my rhetoric. We will need Impeachment though in this case, to remedy the treason which occurred on 9/11/2001.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
BTW, one fearless member of Congress (the *only* one brave enough to actually bring an impeachment motion to the floor of the House), Representative Dennis Kucinich, is now calling for a full Congressional investigation of the insider stock trading that took place prior to 9/11.
Kucinich: “I’m Not Afraid to Ask Questions About September 11th”
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_lex_jone_080222_kucinich_to_investig.htm
Here, Here!!! I hope Ralph Nader helps to bring attention to this as well. Certainly any of our candidates for would want to be a big part in the business of the day on the House floor, which seeks to find oversight in our current administration, from perceived insider involvement on insider trading leading up to the events of 9/11 … OH, that’s right… This stuff doesn’t even appear on the radar for them… It’s all about the Health Ins. smoke screen, from each others agenda that is going to “Run the clock down”…
I WANT A REAL SUPERBOWL!!! Like our lives depended on it!
Jack, you may just get your wish…Nader entering the race just upped the stakes.
Progressives and Independents finally have a candidate who is not afraid to get in there and mix things up, ask the tough questions, talk about the real issues.
Stay tuned for our editorial about Nader’s candidacy which will run tomorrow at noon central time.
I know some democrats will probably shoot me for running this editorial, but I heartily applaud Ralph Nader’s courage. Ya gotta respect a man whose message has not changed ONCE in 45 years.
Which way is the wind blowing? Ralph doesn’t care. And that’s why I love the guy.
We have had some great comments so far.
I look forward to reading your editorial about Ralph Nader. I saw him on the tv yesterday and I thought he did a great job. He is not afraid to rock the boat and that is what we need someone who is not afraid to speak the truth to the American people. Americans have been denied the truth for years. Both parties when they held power have not been totally honest with the American people.
I also agree that the conditions we are seeing today are similar to what we saw Pre-American Revolution. I remember that the printing press had a lot to do with the American people waking up. This blog and other blogs may serve the same purpose as the printing press did in the 1700’s.
Yes, you might get some heat from Democrats and others who don’t want to rock the boat, because they are comfortable with the way things are now. They don’t want to loose their power, money, and they want to hold on to it.
Hey Chrisy –
Here’s a link to the Nader editorial:
I don’t buy the “it’s too late” argument of our Congress — and I, as a native to SF, will work feverently to elect a replacement to House Speaker Pelosi… and her, “impeachment is off the table.”
How dare she! You read that she has been made aware that her own “part” in the misdoings of this Admin will come out if an impeachment goes forward… whether that is so or not, is not the consequence of importance.
What is important: that if impeachment proceedings against Bush/Cheney were started now, they would not have the legal power to order marshall law right prior to the upcoming elections — which would stop elections from happening….
Do you think that is far fetched? Look at the rest of their actions since the onset of their administration? I am sure within countless meetings with legal counsel they are advised that they can only keep them from liability while (because) they are in office… Any other citizen would be looking at life in prison and mandatory relinquishment of monetary enrichments they provided for themselves… for many singular actions these two have propounded against our population, our armed services, and other countries’ populations. Who do you think is “more” desparate? I think they are.
[…] Bush and Cheney Should Be in Handcuffs article from RFKin2008 […]
Thank you for your response Mr.Scott and for your invitation in which you have extended an invitation to Mr. Kennedy to be present at your forum in Brattleboro, VT. I am not in direct communication with Mr. Kennedy, nor do I represent his opinions (implied or otherwise). That said, I am an active member within a community which has been known to be perused by him (online). I will forward your extended invitation to the RFKin2008.com website. and aditionally to it’s webmaster / administrator in hope for a response to your invitation. I will do this immediately and will forward any response I get to you.
Best regards,
Jack Mosel
Alex Scott wrote:
Mr Mosel,
I have been working with the fine people of Brattleboro on the
Indictment. This Sunday the Forum takes place between 3-5. On behalf of
the organizers I cordially invite Mr. Kennedy to join us.
Can you help me reach him to invite him directly?
Alexander R. Scott
I have followed news coverage of this action and definitely support it. President Bush may be President but that does not put him above the law, no matter what he believes. The only thing going for him is that he honestly believes he’s doing the right thing despite everyone–including me–saying he’s not. Then again, Usama bin Laden believes he’s doing the right thing. So did Mao Zedong. And Stalin. And Hitler. Etcetera.
Great article. Thank you for posting this for the world to see. These are the types of topics I follow on my own blog, link on my name. 🙂 I hope we can keep in touch.