Here and There

Real quickly, I’m staying in Berkeley for a few days, and have access to C-Span (finally!).

Today, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee held an open hearing on domestic surveillance.

Noteworthy in this discussion were Bruce Fein and Jonathan Turley, two very white, very upstanding men talking about the possibility of impeachment.

Fein, a former Justice Department official under Nixon and Reagan, spoke candidly about the necessity to hold the president accountable. Fein’s first remedy is not to accuse the executive of any wrong-doings, but rather to reiterate the separation of powers, and remind all three branches to work within their own legal means to fight the war on terror. In Fein’s opinion, should that fail to bring the Executive around, fail to get them to admit their overstepping and clean up their act, that’s when you start thinking about bringing articles of impeachment.

Turley, who teaches law at George Washington University among other things, separated himself from Fein a few minutes later. His take is that the president has already had a “credibility moment.” Turley says, more or less, impeachment is a relevant tool for such a brazen disregard for Constitutional law.

Maybe it’s just been a while since I’ve watched TV, but I’m amazed that these “normal,” non-fringe types are even thinking about impeachment.

As someone who disagreed with the Clinton impeachment proceedings (censure would’ve been just fine, thanks), I don’t take the idea of this country going through that again lightly. But I take a flagrant, arrogant disregard of the Constitution (both the Fourth Amendment and Separation of Powers) even less lightly. I’m proud to see the House (if at least Dems on the Judiciary Committee) holding these talks.

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