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ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

Washington, Jun 10 - Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio
In the United States House of Representatives
Monday, June 9th, 2008
A Resolution

INDEX

Article I
Creating a Secret Propaganda Campaign to Manufacture a False Case for War Against Iraq.

Article II
Falsely, Systematically, and with Criminal Intent Conflating the Attacks of September 11, 2001, With Misrepresentation of Iraq as a Security Threat as Part of Fraudulent Justification for a War of Aggression.

Article III
Misleading the American People and Members of Congress to Believe Iraq Possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction, to Manufacture a False Case for War.

Article IV
Misleading the American People and Members of Congress to Believe Iraq Posed an Imminent Threat to the United States.

Article V
Illegally Misspending Funds to Secretly Begin a War of Aggression.

Article VI
Invading Iraq in Violation of the Requirements of H. J. Res114.

Article VII
Invading Iraq Absent a Declaration of War.

Article VIII
Invading Iraq, A Sovereign Nation, in Violation of the UN Charter.

Article IX
Failing to Provide Troops With Body Armor and Vehicle Armor.

Article X
Falsifying Accounts of US Troop Deaths and Injuries for Political Purposes.

Article XI
Establishment of Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq.

Article XII
Initiating a War Against Iraq for Control of That Nation’s Natural Resources.

Article XIIII
Creating a Secret Task Force to Develop Energy and Military Policies With Respect to Iraq and Other Countries.

Article XIV
Misprision of a Felony, Misuse and Exposure of Classified Information And Obstruction of Justice in the Matter of Valerie Plame Wilson, Clandestine Agent of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Article XV
Providing Immunity from Prosecution for Criminal Contractors in Iraq.

Article XVI
Reckless Misspending and Waste of U.S. Tax Dollars in Connection With Iraq and US Contractors.

Article XVII
Illegal Detention: Detaining Indefinitely And Without Charge Persons Both U.S. Citizens and Foreign Captives.

Article XVIII
Torture: Secretly Authorizing, and Encouraging the Use of Torture Against Captives in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Other Places, as a Matter of Official Policy.

Article XIX
Rendition: Kidnapping People and Taking Them Against Their Will to “Black Sites” Located in Other Nations, Including Nations Known to Practice Torture.

Article XX
Imprisoning Children.

Article XXI
Misleading Congress and the American People About Threats from Iran, and Supporting Terrorist Organizations Within Iran, With the Goal of Overthrowing the Iranian Government.

Article XXII
Creating Secret Laws.

Article XXIII
Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

Article XXIV
Spying on American Citizens, Without a Court-Ordered Warrant, in Violation of the Law and the Fourth Amendment.

Article XXV
Directing Telecommunications Companies to Create an Illegal and Unconstitutional Database of the Private Telephone Numbers and Emails of American Citizens.

Article XXVI
Announcing the Intent to Violate Laws with Signing Statements.

Article XXVII
Failing to Comply with Congressional Subpoenas and Instructing Former Employees Not to Comply.

Article XXVIII
Tampering with Free and Fair Elections, Corruption of the Administration of Justice.

Article XXIX
Conspiracy to Violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Article XXX
Misleading Congress and the American People in an Attempt to Destroy Medicare.

Article XXXI
Katrina: Failure to Plan for the Predicted Disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Failure to Respond to a Civil Emergency.

Article XXXII
Misleading Congress and the American People, Systematically Undermining Efforts to Address Global Climate Change.

Article XXXIII
Repeatedly Ignored and Failed to Respond to High Level Intelligence Warnings of Planned Terrorist Attacks in the US, Prior to 911.

Article XXXIV
Obstruction of the Investigation into the Attacks of September 11, 2001.

Article XXXV
Endangering the Health of 911 First Responders.

Full Content…

From Liberty Coalition Release

Transpartisan Alliance Seeks Internet Privacy/Security Guarantees; Demands Government and Business “Stand Up and Play Right”

(Washington, DC) … A broad range of advocacy organizations, ranging from the Rutherford Institute and the Equal Justice Alliance to the International Association of Whistleblowers, are uniting in support of a newly drafted eBill of Rights, created to protect the “Constitutional right of all Americans to private and secure communications, including those made by digital means.” Under the auspices of The Liberty Coalition — a consortium of groups promoting personal autonomy and individual privacy — the eBill of Rights seeks to influence public policy and impact corporate interests dealing with digital communications.

Michael Ostrolenk, National Director of the Liberty Coalition noted that, “It’s about time government and the private sector stand up, play right, and provide and protect American citizens’ Constitutionally-guaranted privacy rights.” He went on to say:

“In the wake of scandals involving government prying into the phone calls and e-mails of Americans in the name of ‘national security,’ and the practical and imminent threats of viruses, spam, and spyware, there is a need for protection of private property rights and the reliable security of our communications systems.”
The eBill of Rights asserts that, “Citizens’ digital communications shall be protected against unreasonable searches and seizures as construed by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” and that, “all forms of digital communication shall be construed to be private so that such communication may not be accessed or used without the prior express informed consent of all of the originator(s).” Section VI of the ten point statement declares: “Users of digital communication equipment, systems, or devices shall be able to utilize encipher technology in order to protect the privacy and security of their communications.”

Section VIII of the eBill of Rights states:

“Government agencies and companies in possession of any private digital communication or property shall not disclose any information for any reason, including the pretext of a National Security Letter, without the presentation of a fully executed warrant.”
The full text of the statement, including a list of the initial organizations who endorsed it, is attached.

Jane Orient, MD, Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), commented:

“The main point is that government does not have the right to seize your life, liberty, or property unless you have committed and been convicted of a crime through just process of the law. The danger is that government may use information accessible through digital communications to suppress thought and dissent and to convict people engaged in peaceful, normal behavior of a widening array of newly imagined “crimes”— in enforcing a totalitarian regime of control of every aspect of our lives.”
Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr (now the 2008 Libertarian Party candidate for President) stated, “The eBill of Rights is welcome news to all Americans who understand and treasure the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution — and who fear the rights spelled out in those
documents may be further diluted or ignored in this age of the internet.”

Attorney Jim Turner, Chairman of Citizens for Health (one of the organizations which signed the declaration) noted that, “Congress needs to hear loud and clear the ten principles set forth in this eBill of Rights statement. Privacy rights and freedom of speech are very important concepts to
citizens of all political persuasions.”

Among the organizations endorsing the eBill of Rights are …

• the Rutherford Institute (www.rutherford.org)
• the Defending Dissent Foundation (www.defendingdissent.org)

• the International Association of Whistleblowers (www.internationalassemblyofwhistleblowers.org)
• the American Policy Center (www.americanpolicy.org)

• the Equal Justice Alliance (www.equaljusticealliance.org)
Michael Ostrolenk summed-up the call for enactment of an eBill of Rights by asserting: “Congress, state legislators, and business leaders must respond to the widespread public unease and exasperation with the status quo of internet information systems. Visits to a doctor, tax professional, attorney, or mortgage broker shouldn’t put your personal information and privacy rights at risk.”

The Liberty Coalition, founded in 2005, works to help organize, support, and coordinate transpartisan public policy activities related to civil liberties and basic human rights concerning such issues as the Patriot Act, National Identification Cards/National Drivers License, government databanks, medical privacy, and national security whistleblowers.

From Congressional Release

May 13, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – Today, the Majority Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), released a comprehensive report examining homeland security challenges for mass gatherings.  The report, entitled “Public Health, Safety, and Security for Mass Gatherings” details 30 recommendations for what should be done by Federal, State, and local governments, as well as the private sector to protect the public should an act of terrorism or disaster occur.   

The report shows that mass gatherings such as the Super Bowl, NASCAR races, concerts, and political conventions could be terrorist targets.  While the public health, first responder, law enforcement, and intelligence communities are doing the best they can with what they have – more can and must be done.  The report’s recommendations focus on countering biological terrorism and other threats to human health, planning for emergencies, and sharing information and resources. 

Chairman Thompson issued the following statement with the release of the report:

“First responders and their partners are working hard to ensure public health, safety and security at large-scale mass gatherings. The external threat to these venues is real and rising as interest in targeting mass gatherings grows. Without increased Federal support and guidance, they will remain vulnerable.”

Link to Report

Washington, DC - At a packed meeting of the American Conservative Defense Alliance on Wednesday, Congressman Ron Paul, MD (R-TX) addressed a wide range of national security issues.

During the meeting he expressed serious concerns about what the Patriot Act has meant to the liberty of Americans stating, “What’s left of the 4th Amendment? Not much really.”

He called on Americans to unite behind candidates who support the Constitution, conservative fiscal policies and limited government.

He also expressed concern that President Bush would attack Iran before leaving office.  He believes a conflict with Iran would lead “overnight” to $200 a barrel oil prices and a cascading collapse of the American economy.

Congressman Paul also said that the President is provoking Russia by attempting to place missiles in former satellites of the USSR, an act he compared to Russia placing nuclear arms in Mexico.

Finally, he expressed concern over the expanding number of lobbying ”complexes” that wield enormous power in Washington. Congressman Paul said in addition to the traditional lobbying power of the Defense Industrial Complex, that other special interest alliances representing the healthcare, insurance and finance industries have garnered massive amounts of power in recent years.

Congressman Paul details these and other issues in his best selling book, The Revolution: A Manifesto.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today a notice of proposed rulemaking that will establish biometric exit procedures at all U.S air and sea ports of departure.  The majority of non-U.S. citizens are already required to submit digital fingerprints and a digital photograph for admission into the country.   The US-VISIT Exit proposal would require non-U.S. citizens who provide biometric identifiers for admission to also provide digital fingerprints when departing the country from any air or sea ports of departure. 
 
“The 9/11 Commission called for biometric entry and exit records, because biometrics confirm that travelers are who they say they are and the purpose of their travel is as they claim it to be,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.  “We’ve built an effective entry system, and combined with the proposed exit system, we’ll have made a quantum leap in America’s border security. Air and sea carriers would actively participate in the proposed exit system, and I look forward to an ongoing dialogue on solutions to meet this key 9/11 Commission recommendation.”
 
The United States Congress, the 9/11 Commission and the department have concluded that biometric records of the entry and exit of international visitors are essential for the integrity of the nation’s immigration and border management system.  The proposed rule does not change current exit procedures for departing visitors. Visitors departing the U.S. should continue to return their paper Form I-94 or Form I-94W to airline or ship representatives.
 
The proposed rule would require commercial air carriers and cruise line owners and operators collect and transmit international visitors’ biometric information to DHS within 24 hours of leaving the United States.  Carriers are already required to transmit biographic information to DHS for all passengers prior to their departure from the United States.  DHS is committed to protecting the privacy of international visitors and will require that these systems meet the department’s transmission capability and data security requirements. The proposed rule does not designate a specific location within the port of departure for biometric collection and does not apply to small carriers or vessel owners and operators, or to general aviation.
 
DHS completed a test of biometric exit procedures at several U.S. airports and seaports last year. Based on the results of this test, DHS determined that biometric exit procedures must be integrated into the existing traveler process to ensure compliance and provide visitors with a consistent experience from port to port.
 
DHS intends to implement air and sea biometric exit procedures by January 2009, fulfilling a key provision of the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. This proposed rule will enable the Secretary of DHS to retain the necessary authority to manage the Visa Waiver Program effectively. If the exit program has not been implemented by June 30, 2009 the department may not be able to extend Visa Waiver Program privileges to new countries. The Secretary’s waiver authority is critical for the United States to invite more of its allies to participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
 
The notice of proposed rulemaking will be published in the Federal Register and will provide the general public an opportunity to submit written comments electronically or by mail. Once published, comments may be submitted via:
 
Federal Rulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
 
Mail: Written comments may be submitted to: US-VISIT, Attn: Air Exit NPRM, Department of Homeland Security, 1616 N. Fort Myer Drive, 18th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209.
 
Submissions must include the agency name and docket number DHS-2008-0039.  The text of the proposed rule is available at www.dhs.gov.  Following the 60?day public comment period and review, a final rule will be published outlining the new requirements and their effective date.

Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment Chair Jane Harman (D-CA), and Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight Chairman Chris P. Carney (D-PA) sent a letter to

The letter details the Members’ dissatisfaction with the lack of not only a legal framework and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the NAO but also adequate assurances from the Department that the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties issues involved with turning spy satellites on the homeland have been comprehensively resolved.  In September 2007, Chairman Thompson, Chair Harman, and Chairman Carney requested that the NAO be put on hold until their concerns had been addressed.  Now, over seven months later – and despite a commitment from the Department that the overdue documents would be provided in due course – many of the same concerns have yet to be satisfactorily addressed.  DHS nevertheless plans to operationalize the NAO in the very near future.

The NAO is a planned element within the Department of

The letter can be accessed here

From The Boston Globe, by Bryan Bender

For more than a year, a Burlington-based Internet company hosted a website that taught its members how to outfit a suicide bomber, aired Al Qaeda propaganda videos, and offered an “exclusive” Taliban video showing the beheadings of three “spies,” according to computer records.

The English-language website, Leemedia.net, was taken down earlier this month - but not in a counterterrorism crackdown, government officials said. Instead, the Web server, Endurance International Corp. Inc., shut it down after Internet watchdogs made repeated demands to remove the terrorist material.

The case of Leemedia.net, which was operated by a suspected terrorist sympathizer in Karachi, is the latest example of how US Internet companies are unknowingly hosting possibly hundreds of the most virulent Islamic extremist websites in the world, inciting young Muslims to kill Christians and Jews.

Full Story…

From WashingtonPost.com, by Robert O’Harrow Jr. and Ellen Nakashima

Several thousand law enforcement agencies are creating the foundation of a domestic intelligence system through computer networks that analyze vast amounts of police information to fight crime and root out terror plots.

As federal authorities struggled to meet information-sharing mandates after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, police agencies from Alaska and California to the Washington region poured millions of criminal and investigative records into shared digital repositories called data warehouses, giving investigators and analysts new power to discern links among people, patterns of behavior and other hidden clues.

Those network efforts will begin expanding further this month, as some local and state agencies connect to a fledgling Justice Department system called the National Data Exchange, or N-DEx. Federal authorities hope N-DEx will become what one called a “one-stop shop” enabling federal law enforcement, counterterrorism and intelligence analysts to automatically examine the enormous caches of local and state records for the first time.

Full story…

CYBER STORM II EXERCISE HELD TO FURTHER CYBER SECURITY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES

From DHS Release 

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting the largest cyber security exercise ever organized. Cyber Storm II is being held from March 10-14 in Washington, D.C. and brings together participants from federal, state and local governments, the private sector, and the international community.

Cyber Storm II is the second in a series of congressionally mandated exercises that will examine the nation’s cyber security preparedness and response capabilities. The exercise will simulate a coordinated cyber attack on information technology, communications, chemical, and transportation systems and assets.

“Securing cyberspace is vital to maintaining America’s strategic interests, public safety, and economic prosperity,” said Greg Garcia, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications. “Exercises like Cyber Storm II help to ensure that the public and private sectors are prepared for an effective response to attacks against our critical systems and networks.” 

Cyber Storm II will include 18 federal departments and agencies, nine states (Calif., Colo., Del., Ill., Mich., N.C., Pa., Texas and Va.), five countries (United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom), and more than 40 private sector companies. They include ABB, Inc., Air Products, Cisco, Dow Chemical Company Inc., Harris Corporation, Juniper Networks, McAfee, Microsoft, NeuStar, PPG Industries, and Wachovia.

Cyber Storm II objectives include:

Examining the capabilities of participating organizations to prepare for, protect against, and respond to the potential effects of cyber attacks

Exercising strategic decision making and interagency coordination of incident response in accordance with national level policy and procedures

Validating information sharing relationships and communications paths for the collection and dissemination of cyber incident situational awareness, response and recovery information

Examining means and processes through which to share sensitive information across boundaries and sectors without compromising proprietary or national security interests

For more information on Cyber Storm II visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/training/gc_1204738275985.shtm.

From FedAgent.com

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced yesterday that it is developing the Federal Motor Vehicle Registration System, which will register all federally-owned and commercially-leased motor vehicles that display official U.S. government license plates. The system, under development by GSA’s Office of Governmentwide Policy and the GSA Fleet Program, also will hold a complete inventory of all U.S. government license plates manufactured, including those held by federal agencies for future use. The initiative is intended to strengthen national security efforts, GSA officials say.

“With efforts by our first responders to protect our communities and neighborhoods, they should not have to second guess whether a government vehicle is authentic. This new registration system will give our state and local law enforcement the added tools they need to help ensure the public’s safety,” said Kevin Messner, Acting Associate Administrator of GSA’s Office of Governmentwide Policy.

The Vehicle Registration System will be accessible to law enforcement officials at the federal, state and local levels through the International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets). Nlets is a non-profit organization, owned and governed by the states.

Full Story…