The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office

By Barbara Olshansky and Dave Lindorff

Book Overview

It's time to act--and this is "the" guide. Now in paperback to meet a rising public demand, here is a hard-hitting argument for the impeachment of George W. Bush--and top members of his administration. Events since the book's hardcover release--including court decisions regarding war crimes and violations of the FISA law on wiretapping--have only heightened the urgency. Methodically detailing the Bush regime's offenses and refuting its lies and deceptions, investigative reporter Dave Lindorff and constitutional rights specialist Barbara Olshansky explain why the president and his inner circle should be removed from office for high crimes and misdemeanors. Among the most grievous harms: misleading the nation into war authorizing and encouraging the use of torture failing in almost every way to defend the homeland and our borders undermining habeas corpus and other traditional rights illegal NSA wiretapping, mail opening, and other assaults on the Bill of Rights the catastrophic federal failure to respond to Hurricane Katrina "

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031237254X
• ISBN13: 9780312372545
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 4.8"

Customer Reviews

To Impeach or Not To Impeach

This book makes a very strong case for impeachment of George W. Bush, and I believe that proceedings should be undertaken because it is important that Bush's imperialistic, unconstitutional, even illegal behavior as president not be allowed to pass uncensured by the Congress and the people. To ignore this would set an even more dangerous precedent than his appointment to the presidency by the Supreme Court did.

A Thuderous Cry For Bush's Removal!

Considering the Bush administration's assault on our civil rights, the Constitution itself, American principles as we know it and rampant republican cronyism, there is no shortage of books to read that outline the worst Presidency in American history. In fact, there is a literal litany of them to read and depress one's self over it all. The problem with such a plethora to pick from is you can't read them all and many of them are either too dry, histrionic or too full of legal blather to bother with. Enter David Lindorff and Barbara Olshansky and their book, The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office. Mr. Lindorff is a thirty-year veteran of journalism and Ms. Olshansky, an attorney, is the Director Counsel for The Center for Constitutional Rights. Together they achieve what few other books can on this subject, mainly a lucid argument for removing the Bush cartel without boring the bookworm to death or burying them in lawyer lingo. Blending a mixture of just enough pragmatic history, clear-cut evidence and easy-to-understand legal language, the authors present a damaging case that clocks in under 275 pages, including the index and ample supporting documents. Whether you need to wrap your mind around the cornucopia of criminality by Bush, or find a friend or family member still in denial and needs help grasping the grisly, grim truth about "Dubya", this book does the trick in just ten easy chapters. While the Internet, through grassroots efforts, has given rise to a thunderous cry for Bush's removal, The Case for Impeachment, gives a mainstream voice to a virulent presidency and a deep demand for the people-powered recall of a would-be dictator. -Frank J. Ranelli Progressive Author, Writer, & Researcher

Serious Book

As one who actually voted for Bush in 2000 and against in 2004, I feel that I gave him an honest and objective look over the last 6 years. I don't feel that all the counts laid out by the authors reach the level of impeachment but 2, at least in my mind do. Most importantly is mis-leading us into a war of agression regarding Iraq. The cost of this war on so many level will be with us for a very long time. When I picked this up I thought it might be a left-wing screed. Far from it, a very serious and worthwhile read.

Lays Out the Groundwork

The authors (Lindorff and Olshansky) believe that articles of impeachment in the book should be an open and shut case, that a prosecutor would have no problem drawing up eg. a FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) indictment, or convincing a jury to convict - if this were a regular criminal matter. They go on to assert that the only possible explanation for President Bush's conditions for appearing before the 9/11 Commission (no reporters, recording devices or notes; that he not be placed under oath; that only a few select members be present) is that he lied. Further, Bush's lies on Iraq have killed over 2,500 troops and an estimated 100,000 Iraqis (mostly civilians), and has cost hundreds of billions. Other charges include violation of signed international treaties that have become the law of the land (eg. Geneva Convention), ignoring or violating acts of Congress through the issuance of "signing statements" in which Bush declared his intention to interpret laws his own way and obey only those he feels like. "The Case for Impeachment" then reviews Bush's early record of business failures, early abuses of law as Texas' governor and resolving the contested Florida votes in 2000, and his administration's emphasis on secrecy, followed by background material on impeachment. Specific charges against President Bush include negligence (ignoring global warming, Katrina foul-ups, no plan or sufficient armor in Iraq, and poor defense of the U.S.), corruption (restricting Iraq bidding to a few U.S. firms, involvement with Abramoff), and illegal acts (authorizing torture, wiretapping, lying about the need to invade Iraq). The authors also believe that other officials should be impeached: V.P. Cheney (awarding contracts to cronies, support for torture, outing Valerie Plame), Secretary Rumsfeld (supporting torture), Rice (lying about the potential use of aluminum tubes), A.G. Gonzales (lying about warrantless surveillance). Lindorff and Olshansky realize no impeachment action will occur under the current Congress - however, they believe setting out the case for doing so will give proponents something to work towards and help bring about political change. Their "bottom-line" is that failure to act may reduce the Constitution to but a piece of paper by the end of Bush's second term. Like a frog that doesn't realize he slowly being boiled, we tend to lose perspective on events that slowly occur over time. "The Case for Impeachment" summarizes a number of alarming acts and clearly demonstrates that action should be taken.

Scary

In moderate tone, this books lists the impeachable offenses, G.W. Bush might have commited. If only 10% is correct, it is scary,in what low regard this president holds the values, which were once cherished by Americans, and which were admired and envied world over. With the flimsy excuse of the "war on terrorism", Bush seems to feel, he is allowed to do whatever he pleases. I suppose, every reasonable person would agree, that World War II was a bigger war, that the one this Draft Dodger wages. Still, I have not read anywhere, that Roosevelt ever condoned torture of POWs. (it surely happend, but the admnistration did not condone it) One might feel reassured, that Bush only has another two years, but will the next President -Republican or Democrat- give up the additional power of the Presidency Bush amassed? On a recent trip to the USA, I was amazed, how little American citizens seem to care! They do not seem to know, that Hitler also started slowly!