[lbo-talk] Alterblog: When censure is not enough

[Shane Mage]

The blogger claims that censure would be "unconstitutional."  But
Congress repeatedly passes resolutions of censure or condemnation
against all sorts of (foreign) people and governments without
anyone ever claiming unconstitutionality.  Censure is "only" an
expression of congressional opinion without legal force--though
with enormous political impact on a censured president--and so
cannot possibly be an unconstitutional exercise of legislative
power.  And as for that racist bloodsucker Andrew "John Marshall
has made his ruling, let him enforce it" Jackson as a source of
constitutional jurisprudence...

But what would be entirely unconstitutional is for Senator Feingold
to propose impeachment, which is the constitutional prerogative
of the House of Representatives.  For him to propose that the
Senate, or Congress jointly, pass a resolution of censure against
this subcriminal president is quite proper, is politically effective
(which is why the Dumbocrats run in terror from the very idea),
and moreover doesn't risk adding legal sanction to Cheney's
usurped presidential powers.

Shane Mage

"Thunderbolt steers all things...It consents and does not
consent to be called Zeus."

Herakleitos of Ephesos