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DEL.ICIO.USHank Johnson says he wants Dick Cheney impeached
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-DeKalb County) just confirmed for us that the congressman has joined nine other House members on a petition recommending the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney.
Here’s part of the formal statement from Johnson that his office is about to issue:
“I am displeased with the operations of the executive branch, with regard to the secrecy, the incompetence and the lack of cooperation that is coming from the vice president’s office.
“This vice president has continually operated in the shadows beyond the view of the American public. I intend to hold him accountable to the same high standards that we must all uphold.
“We all acknowledge that he is the most powerful vice president in the history of this nation. However, he is not above or beyond the law.”
Johnson made his decision Thursday evening, said spokeswoman Deb Speights.
Remember that Johnson represents a district that often applauded the previous occupant, Cynthia McKinney, when she made her sharp attacks on President Bush.
Speights said that, for Johnson, the “last straw” was Cheney’s dismissal of a congressional subpoena this week, and his attempt to declare himself separate from the executive branch — and thus not subject to laws governing the handling of sensitive information.
The sponsor of the impeachment resolution, is Dennis Kucinich, the Democratic presidential candidate.
You can read Johnson’s entire press release, issued at 5:30 p.m., on the jump.
CONGRESSMAN JOHNSON VOTES TO IMPEACH VP Supports H.Res. 333 After Cheney Disassociate From Executive Branch
WASHINGTON—Congressman Hank Johnson, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, said he is fed up with the Vice President operating as if he is above the law and joined nine co-sponsors in finding H.Res 333, a resolution to impeach Vice President for high crimes and misdemeanors.“It is time to send a message to the Vice President that such arrogance cannot go without an equally serious response,” said Rep. Johnson. “Recent assertion that his office is not part of the executive branch and in defiant of an Executive Order relating to the handling of classified materials is outrageous and was the last straw for me.”
The resolution, introduced in April by Re. Dennis J, Kucinich (D-OH), states that the Vice President has “purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive” citizens and the congress by fabricating a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
“I am displeased with the operations of the Executive Branch with regard to the secrecy, the incompetence, and the lack of cooperation that is coming from the Vice President’s office,” said Rep. Johnson. “This Vice President has continually operated in the shadows beyond the view of the American public. I intend to hold him accountable to the same high standards that we must all uphold. We all acknowledge that he is the most powerful Vice President in the history of this nation, however, he is not above or beyond the law.”
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By applauld
June 29, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
I applaud their moxie, but Cheney will have to shoot someone else in the face before this will go beyond wishful thinking. The House has already tried to cut off Cheney’s VP money and the status quo refused to allow that.
By Will Jones
June 29, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Good for Hank and his fortunate constituents! Where’s John Lewis? Play “Loose Change” during Special Orders and impeach them for treason: Accessory After the Fact on 9-11 is not a pretty political picture.
By Bushwacker
June 29, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to sad story they use for mICHAEL VICK, he hasn’t been convicted or even charged with a crime. All I know is after the SECRET MEETINGS WITH THE OIL COMPANIES in 2001, gas in Atlanta went from $1.60 a gallon to .71 a gallon. They can have all the secret meetings the want as far as I’m concerned.
By Carismar
June 29, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Johnson appears to have about as much sense as McKinney.
By teresa
June 30, 2007 5:43 AM | Link to this
I’m sure that Dick Cheney is shaking in his boots…..
By teresa
June 30, 2007 5:44 AM | Link to this
I’m sure that Dick Cheney is shaking in his boots…..
By Bobby
June 30, 2007 6:02 AM | Link to this
ol’ Hank is just postering in order to prevent McKinney from running in next years primary. He figures that if he does the extreme ranting she does, he can stop her from having a chance.
By Craig also
June 30, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
Cheney was the prime mover behind the decision to torture prisoners, the illegal spying on American cititzens, and the decision to hold Americans indefinitely without trial. He richly deserves to stand trial for his crimes against America.
By Carismar
June 30, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
No kidding?
By Charles
June 30, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Seems that the ripple became a wave. Is the wave becoming a tsunami? It’s not just felonies, it’s about war crimes and crimes against humanity. DU weapons do not healthy babies make.
By that guy
July 2, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Awesome. Now all Bush has to do is nominate one of the GOP front-runners as V.P., resign, and we can all skip next year’s debacle entirely!