Trumansburg To Consider Impeachment Resolution Tonight
Tonight, at 7:00 in the Fire Hall, the Trumansburg Village Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting to consider a petition supporting a resolution that would encourage an inquiry into impeachable offenses by the Bush White House. It’s essential to note that the proposed resolution does not call for impeachment. It does not pass judgment on whether any crimes have been committed.
The proposed resolution merely notes that there is substantial evidence that leads to reasonable suspicion that high crimes and misdemeanors have taken place, and requests that our representatives at the state and national level support an inquiry to explore the charges. You can support the resolution without supporting impeachment. In fact, it makes sense to do so. After all, if you believe that no crimes have been committed, there will be no better way than an official inquiry to determine that you’re right.
This resolution ought not to be controversial. Why would it be controversial to investigate alleged crimes? That’s what our local police officers do all the time, and no one accuses the Trumansburg police of being divisive just for investigating accusations of criminal behavior in order to determine whether they have merit.
In fact, the resolution ought to be an instrument of healing divisions within our community and our nation by confronting long-lingering suspicions and resentments, through a process by which the facts of the matter can be thoroughly examined. Supporting this resolution is a way to replace accusations with facts. Whether you support President Bush or oppose him, that ought to be of interest.
There are some who, taking a small view of the matter, say that the Trumansburg Village Board of Trustees should not deal with matters that extend beyond our village borders. They are forgetting that it is the role of local government to inform, advise, and make requests to higher levels of government. State and federal governmental bodies cannot function effectively without the input of local governments.
It is also essential to remember that each and every member of the Trumansburg Village Board of Trustees has taken an oath of office. That solemn oath begins with the promise, “I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States…”
The integrity of the Constitution itself is at issue in the allegations of criminal wrongdoing that underlie the resolution to be considered tonight. It is alleged that the President and Vice President knowingly violated the Constitution’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment, guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure of our persons and paper, the right to a fair and speedy trial, and the ancient legal right, continued under the Constitution, of habeas corpus. It is therefore not just the right, but the duty of every member of the Trumansburg Village Board of Trustees to consider the merit of this resolution, and not to dismiss it out of hand.
The comments of the public are welcome at tonight’s meeting. Pease attend. The text of the resolution is as follows:
VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURG IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY RESOLUTION PETITION
WHEREAS, substantial evidence has been gathered that indicates that President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney have committed high crimes and misdemeanors, and
WHEREAS, said high crimes and misdemeanors may include, but are not limited to the President and Vice President • Misleading Congress and the American people regarding Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction • Misleading Congress and the nation about ties between Iraq and al Quaeda • Using these falsehoods to lead our nation into a war in contravention of U.S. and international law • Authorizing the unlawful use of torture and extraordinary rendition • Engaging in unlawful spying on American citizens and otherwise violating citizens’ right to privacy • Declaring their intention to disregard their constitutional duty to faithfully execute the laws of the United States, and
WHEREAS, Congress has begun the process of holding hearings to examine several of these charges, and
WHEREAS, the Rules of the House of Representatives call for the referral of possible articles of impeachment to the Judiciary Committee for investigation, and
WHEREAS, the people of Trumansburg, New York, desire a full and comprehensive review of these charges in an orderly fashion, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE BOARD That New York State Senator George H. Winner Jr. (53rd Senate District) and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (125th Assembly District), be strongly urged to ensure that the Legislature of the State of New York submit charges to the House of Representatives in accordance with the House Rules, and that U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Michael Arcuri (24th Congressional District), be strongly urged to support the formation of an appropriate sub-committee to investigate and review said charges and that such support be evidenced by a written request to that effect addressed to the Speaker of the House, and
BE IT FURTER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be delivered to Congressperson Michael Arcuri, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, State Senator George H. Winner, Jr., Assemblyperson Barbara Lifton, and the media.
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