And Fuck Russ Feingold

The Nutroots' Hero:

I believe that the President and Vice President may well have committed impeachable offenses.  But with so many important issues facing this country and so much work to be done, I am concerned about the great deal of time multiple impeachment trials would take away from the Congress working on the problems of the country.  The time it would take for the House to consider articles of impeachment, and for the Senate to conduct multiple trials, would make it very difficult, if not impossible, for Congress to do what it was elected to do – end the war and address some of the other terrible mistakes this Administration has made over the past six and a half years. 

While some have pointed to Republicans’ decision to impeach President Clinton, I am also concerned about the over-use of impeachment.  And I am conscious of the fact that I would have a specific role to play as a sworn, impartial juror should an impeachment be tried in the Senate.  If charges come to the Senate, I will approach them and the trial with the same seriousness that I had when I participated in the Clinton impeachment trial.  I would not prejudge the case one way or the other should it come to this.
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[I]t is the role of the House to impeach, and it is the role of the Senate to try impeachments. But the Constitution left it up to the judgment of members of Congress whether or not moving forward with impeachment is best for the country. 

Dude, you can spare us the civics lesson.  We know who is responsible for impeachment, which is why I find it odd that you'll muse about it yet say it's not your job to deal with it right now.

Further, your job IS to do a lot of hard work which can and really should include trying impeachment.  It's something that will help end the war and address the other terrible mistakes (read: crimes) that Bushco has foist upon us.  To wring your hands about "over-use of impeachment" is ridiculous: we've had 2 impeachments of presidents ever, while the last one was frivolous and thus doesn't mean that a legitimate use of the Constitutional tool would be "over-use," but rather, you know, legitimate.

If you believe there are impeachable offenses, then speak out for impeachment and work with the Speaker to begin the process.  We don't avoid prosecution of major crimes just because they would be inconvenient.  That's not how the rule of law works, you dumb bastard.

And while you have the luxury of playing the part of The Progressive Voice of Reason, people are dying as the crimes continue.  Trials over blowjobs are distractions--trials over wars, which are truly existential threats, are necessary.  If you don't want to get your hands dirty and do the work, mayhaps the people will find someone else to take your job.

I've often said I don't expect people, politicians least of all, to be saints.  But jesus fucking tits, I'd expect some of the smarter ones to not talk like complete gits.

ntodd