I can see a certain wisdom in declining to start a tradition of prosecuting ex-presidents. But only some of the current partisans have any concern for further debasement of the process. Others don't seem to care, so long as they advance their agenda--undemocratic as it is. The chief accomplishment of the Clinton impeachment seems to have been to make the whole impeachment process repugnant. I have little doubt that some who brought that impeachment expected that outcome, along with providing pay-back for Watergate. They may be evil, but they are not fools. Think so at your peril.
Until and unless a substantial majority of US citizens come to appreciate that we have essentially eliminated the most potent check on abuses in government and that we essentially have a vastly weakened constitutional process, we are at risk that liberty might not long endure. I can only pray that we find the will and a way to remedy this before another conscienceless RW administration takes power, and, emboldened by the lack of consequences for Bush, et al, totally eviscerates the constitution in the name of security and seizes permanent power. As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
If what Bush has done is not impeachable, what will be in the future? When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
What is once lost cannot easily be restored. As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission could then be positioned as a soft compromise, well within the Overton window opened by the serious prospect of prosecution.
Keep in mind that a failed impeachment or prosecution could be spun as exoneration, even if the reasons for failure were procedural, legalistic, or simply a consequence of running out the clock. Words and ideas I offer here may be used freely and without attribution.
If what Bush has done is not impeachable, what will be in the future?
Just wait and see what the lunatic right tries to slap on Obama.
ARGeezer:
I can see a certain wisdom in declining to start a tradition of prosecuting ex-presidents.
The only thing which is protected by avoiding impeachment is America's self-serving view of itself as a meritocratic democracy. If a president is prosecuted and jailed, that mythology is torn to ribbons.
It would be traumatic in the short-term, but maturing and healthy in the longer term. The core US mythology seems to be that if you game the system with enough cunning, the law won't apply to you and you can retire rich.
A jail term would snap many people out of that fantasy, with a priceless 'Oh, shit...' moment.
It would be like the death of JFK in reverse - instead of proving that the system can be gamed, it would reinforce the fact that yes, the rules really do apply to you too.
Bush's impeachment wouldn't be done to necessarily successfully convict (there might not be time enough before the next president's inauguration) but to get all the dirty laundry out in plain view. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
