NYT editorial calls for impeachment of Judge Jay Bybee.

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/19/bybee-impeachment/

NYT editorial calls for impeachment of Judge Jay Bybee.


In his capacity as former head of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), Jay Bybee’s “name appears as the author of the August 1, 2002 memo justifying and authorizing clear acts of torture by the CIA.” For his willingness to engage in torturous legal reasoning, Bybee was awarded a lifetime seat on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bush. The Senate confirmed him with a 74-19 vote. The New York Times writes that the newly-released OLC torture memos make it appropriate for Congress to reconsider its decision to approve Bybee:

These memos make it clear that Mr. Bybee is unfit for a job that requires legal judgment and a respect for the Constitution. Congress should impeach him.

The California Democratic Party, which is holding its convention next weekend, will consider “a resolution from grassroots activists calling for Jay Bybee’s impeachment.”

Update: American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Jameel Jaffer, whose lawsuit helped propel the memos' disclosure, called the arguments "window dressing for war crimes" because they were "meant to support conclusions that were predetermined" rather than to produce a credible reading of the law.

Update: The LA Times has a front-page story today noting that conservatives are gaining sway over the 9th Circuit.

[L. Coyote]

1. It begins. This is just the first in a series of such calls for action, no doubt

Either that or we have all been hit with "stupid, blind idiot" fairy dust or something.

[originalpckelly]

4. Actually, we have been...

it's just that instead of dust, it's iPhones and other consumer junk.

[originalpckelly]

2. Gee, ya think?

Maybe next we'll sanction whoever these psychologists are who assisted with the torture?

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. "conservatives are gaining sway over the 9th Circuit."

No shit.


NYT has same eagle eyed perception as Nancy when YESTERDAY
"Pelosi Calls for Probe Into Financial Crisis".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3835632

Well, hell, at least the Times is jumping on the last seat at the very end of the bandwagon.

[dgibby]

5. This would be a great start.

If we petition Congress to start impeachment for Bybee, then it would follow that the others involved would have to be prosecuted, as well. Like dominoes falling,you just have to tip over the first one and the rest will follow.

[usregimechange]

6. Then he can stand trial for war crimes

[usregimechange]

7. K & emphatically R

[Raineyb]

8. Good. Because the first question that came to mind when I found out that the author

of that god-awful torture memo was a sitting federal judge was "when is he going to be removed from the bench."

This man is not fit to be a judge and ought to be disbarred.

Regards

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. It is not going to happen...but its a good thing to make noise about

[Laelth]

12. Why not?

:shrug:

-Laelth

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Consider the precedent it would set

The bubba has not done anything that qualifies as impeachable since he was confirmed. The time to stop him for his opinions was then, not now.

It would set the precedent that if a new administration did not like the opinions written by a sitting judge prior to confirmation they could impeach them. That the stuff of third world juntas, not a major republic. The Federal judiciary would be hamstrung every four years and become highly political. Consider what would happen to some one like Justice Ginsberg should the tea baggers once again get a majority. Is that what you want for this nation?

Its bad enough that in places like California, judges have to run for election. Remember what happened to Rose Bird and other liberals up for confirmation. We don't need that on a Federal level

[Laelth]

15. Good point.

And you're right. The Senate should never have confirmed his nomination, one might argue, but his seat needs to be safe now.

Judges are elected here in GA too. It's a bad system, ultimately. I prefer the lifetime appointments of the Federal Judiciary.

:dem:

-Laelth

[pleah]

10. K&R

[Laelth]

11. Good idea. k&r n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[spanone]

14. knr