Hi wireless_wonk; Regarding the impeachable offenses discussion... We already had that discussion. Now we're waiting for news. In the mean-time, we are discussing the cost of housing, marijuana, Christians, and each other's intellectual abilities.
At the risk of getting "off topic", I'll respond to your post.
I think the heart of the issue is the last part of the long quote in your post: In general, those offenses, which may be committed equally by a private person, as a public officer, are not the subjects of impeachment.
I believe that this is nonsensical, when compared with the rest of the Constitution.
In particular, since it is not possible for any local police force to indict the President, the only thing governing his misbehavior is the Congress. Therefore, the congress is the institution responsible for all punishment against a sitting President.
As an example, suppose the President deliberately tortured and killed Sox. This would constitute animal cruelty. It is clear that this crime may be committed equally by a private person, and that therefore, if the description you gave for impeachment were accurate, it would be unpunishable. Same for murder.
Therefore, since the only body that may indict the President is Congress, it must be able to do so for private as well as public crimes.
Therefore, misdemeanors must refer to misbehavior in general, not to only high misbehavior.
-- Carl |
