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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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5

House Dems Want to Impeach Judge for Torture Memos

GOP, Obama can't halt proceeding vs. Bybee

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(Newser) – House Democrats may start a constitutional confrontation over the fate of Judge Jay Bybee, and there’s nothing anybody—not even lukewarm President Obama—can do to stop them, reports Politico. As liberal think-tanker John Podesta argues, Bybee “authorized things that were illegal under US law” when he wrote memos endorsing waterboarding in his role as a Bush legal adviser.

Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to turn down a request from Democratic Congressmen John Conyers and Jerrold Nadler for a special prosecutor, but an expert on parliamentary procedure says that if the House votes to impeach Bybee from the 9th Circuit Appeals Court, the Senate would be forced into a trial. Meantime, Podesta adds, “He doesn't have the moral or legal authority to continue.”

A Texas Republican says Nancy Pelosi should be forced to resign for not opposing the torture tactics she learned about in classified briefings. Pelosi says she was forbidden from comment.
A Texas Republican says Nancy Pelosi should be forced to resign for not opposing the torture tactics she learned about in classified briefings. Pelosi says she was forbidden from comment.   (AP Photo)
In 2002, Jay Bybee approved a legal opinion that waterboarding and other torture methods were OK under federal law. He's since been confirmed as a federal judge.
In 2002, Jay Bybee approved a legal opinion that waterboarding and other torture methods were OK under federal law. He's since been confirmed as a federal judge.   (AP Photo)
John Podesta, co-chair of President Obama's transition team, is in favor of removing Bybee from office.
John Podesta, co-chair of President Obama's transition team, is in favor of removing Bybee from office.   (AP Photo)
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Clearly, any attorney should be able to offer their legal advice and give their best counsel to a president and to an administration without fear of someone trying to reach back and impeach them when they get to a higher office. - Rep. Lamar Smith

He doesn't have the moral or legal authority to continue to do that. And I think a simple matter would be to remove him from office. - John Podesta

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5 comments
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Reader65069154
Apr 28, 09 10:27 AM CDT
Nobody cares. There's about a million things more important than this, but the Dems don't get it. They will demonize the prior administration out of spite and in doing so, destroy their image. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Apr 28, 09 11:41 AM CDT
Goddamn, Reader, wake up. Bush and the republicans demonized America with their filth. I can see why you think blow jobs require a special prosecutor and not war crimes, but that's because you're republican, and as such, you openly shit on America. We'll I do not. America stands for something. We have values and principles that will endure beyond Bush, and to prove it, we wll hold accountable those who abused it. Who cares WTF any republican thinks
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Rob
Apr 28, 09 12:51 PM CDT
I agree with you Mad that the blow job stupidity does not hold a candle to the issues at hand. However, you are wrong to dismiss someone because they are Republican, especially in the same breath where you extol the virtues of the American system. Even Republican's have the right to voice an opinion. And if you do not believe that then it's you, sir, who does not understand America.
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wwwonderer
Apr 28, 09 5:57 PM CDT
And what amazes me is that people think that going after people who may have committed WAR CRIMES is living in the past, but we needed to spend MONTHS, and $40million to find out a president had an extra-marital affair, and because he LIED, needs to be impeached. That's the hypocracy that makes me sad. Reply
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SPH
Apr 28, 09 6:40 PM CDT
Bybee lied (or at best evaded) the torture questions during his confirmation hearings...A re-confirmation hearing is impossible, so the only options are to ignore the issue or have impeachment hearings....Or he could simply resign with a lifelong pension.... Reply
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