re: articles of impeachment of nixon
I agree that the charges against Nixon were flimsy. I don't think "unlawful entry" even if it could be pinned on him, rises to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor. The other charges are also trivial. I can't imagine that Nixon had any obligation to answer subpoenas. He was the chief law enforcement officer of the country, and only the executive branch can prosecute. His main mistake was not to resist the appointment of a special prosecutor by his Attorney General. All of the officers of the Department of Justice are required to obey the President or resign or be fired. The President can discharge any of his appointees he wishes.
Nixon was incapacitated by the long list of high crimes and misdemeanors that weren't mentioned in the Articles. His continuation of the illegal war in Viet Nam in which Congress and the Courts were implicated. His illegal invasion of Cambodia. His brutal bombing of civilians in Viet Nam. His ruthless sacrifice of American lives in his illegal pursuit of these criminal activities robbed him of sympathy and support by the American people.
You must have missed the lynch mob that I saw. Please believe me, I know one when I see one. A jackal court mouthing ignorant yawps. A mob of adulterers and liars attacking one of their own.
ARTICLE I, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, in
violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the
United States, and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take
care that the laws be faithfully executed, has prevented, obstructed and impeded
the administration of justice, in that:
On June 17, 1972, and prior thereto, agents of the Committee for the Re-election of
the President:
Committed unlawful entry of the headquarters of the Democratic National
Committee in Washington, District of Columbia, for the purpose of securing
political intelligence. Subsequent thereto, Richard M. Nixon, using the powers of his
high office, engaged personally and through his subordinates and agents in a course
of conduct or plan designed to delay, impede, and obstruct the investigation of such
unlawful entry; to cover up, conceal and protect those responsible; and to conceal
the existence and scope of other unlawful covert activities.
Wherefore Richard M. Nixon, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial,
and removal from office.
ARTICLE II, ABUSE OF POWER.
Using the powers of the office of President of the United States, Richard M.
Nixon, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of
President of the United States, and to the best of his ability preserve, protect and
defend the Constitution of the United States, and in disregard of his constitutional
duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has repeatedly engaged in
conduct violating the constitutional rights of citizens, impairing the due and proper
administration of justice in the conduct of lawful inquiries, of contravening the law
of governing agencies of the executive branch and the purposes of these agencies.
ARTICLE III, DEFIANCE OF SUBPOENAS.
In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon,
contrary to his oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United
States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution
of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the
laws be faithfully executed, has failed without lawful cause or excuse to produce
papers and things as directed by duly authorized subpoenas issued by the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on April 11, 1974,
May 15, 1974, May 30, 1974, and June 24, 1974, and willfully disobeyed such
subpoenas. |
