and then the Board of Supervisors were disappeared

[Guest guest]

March 1, 2006

 

San Francisco Chronicle

 

 

San Francisco Supervisors Ask Lawmakers to Impeach Bush

 

 

By Edward Epstein, Charlie Goodyear

 

San Francisco's supervisors jumped into national politics Tuesday, passing a

resolution asking the city's Democratic congressional delegation to seek the

impeachment of President Bush for failing to perform his duties by leading the

country into war in Iraq, eroding civil liberties and engaging in other

activities the board sees as transgressions.

 

The supervisors, in voting 7-3 for the resolution, made it likely that San

Francisco again will become grist for radio and TV talk shows. The city has

appeared in the national media spotlight recently for voters' passage in

November of a nonbinding measure banning military recruiters from public high

schools and for Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval's recent comment on a Fox News show

that the United States doesn't need a military.

 

Supervisor Chris Daly, one of the most progressive members of the board,

sponsored the resolution, which also calls for the impeachment of Vice President

Dick Cheney. Daly said the measure is justified in light of the administration's

case for and handling of the war in Iraq, the federal government's inadequate

response to Hurricane Katrina and recent revelations about a domestic

wiretapping program.

 

" I think the case is clear, and I think it's appropriate for us to weigh in, "

Daly said.

 

Speaking in opposition to the resolution, Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier said,

" I don't think that we need to be calling for the impeachment of President Bush

and Vice President Cheney, as much as we may not like them ... and as much as we

don't like the policies that they put forward. "

 

Joining Alioto-Pier in voting against the resolution were Supervisors Sean

Elsbernd and Sophie Maxwell. Supervisor Jake McGoldrick was absent.

 

Mayor Gavin Newsom didn't want to pick up the impeachment drumbeat, but he

offered a sarcastic response when asked his position on the nonbinding

resolution.

 

" It's probably going to shatter the status quo in this country when it passes,''

he said with a smile. " I imagine, immediately, Congress will probably convene

into session and begin impeachment proceedings.''

 

Still, Newsom said he hasn't decided whether he will sign the legislation.

 

" On the list of 1 to 3,000, it's not even on that list of priorities for me to

sign a resolution -- that will have no force and effect -- talking about

impeachment,'' said Newsom, a partisan Democrat and frequent critic of the

president's policies.

 

In sending the resolution to Bay Area members of Congress, the supervisors

addressed a frustrated group that is tired of being in the minority.

 

" Real change in the direction of our country will come about when the

Republicans no longer control the executive and legislative branches,'' said

Rep. Tom Lantos of San Mateo, whose district includes the southwestern corner of

San Francisco. " We need to take control of the House, elect more Democratic

senators and take control of the White House in 2008.''

 

The House Democratic leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who represents much of San

Francisco, was asked about impeaching Bush during a January town meeting at

Marina Middle School.

 

Pelosi, poised to become the first female House speaker if the Democrats win

control in November's election, repeated Tuesday what she told her constituents:

" Win the election. Then you can change the policy of our country.''

 

Asked if San Francisco was setting itself up again as the target of talk-show

barbs, she said, " It's a democratic society. The Board of Supervisors does what

it does.''

 

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a former San Francisco mayor, wouldn't comment directly

on the idea of impeaching Bush. But she noted that as a member of the Senate

Intelligence Committee, she has been frustrated trying to get information about

the secret National Security Agency eavesdropping program.

 

" We're in the minority. We press and press, and all we get is stonewalled,''

said Feinstein, who is running for re-election in November.

 

The supervisors' vote might not generate the ridicule one would expect from

conservative talk radio, said Michael Harrison, editor of Talkers Magazine.

 

" I don't think the vote will be a joke because George Bush is in more trouble

with his conservative backers than ever, particularly talk radio hosts,'' said

Harrison, whose magazine covers the talk radio business.

 

Many conservatives are angry at the president over such issues as the planned

takeover of operations at six major U.S. ports by a company controlled by the

government of Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates, the secret spying and the

bungled handling of Cheney's shooting of a hunting companion.

 

And Newsom wasn't worried the board's action would hurt San Francisco's

reputation.

 

" I don't think it damages the city in any significant ways, " he said. " I think

the things we're ridiculed about ... are some of the proudest moments in the

city in terms of advancing our values -- and they tend to transcend our

borders.''

 

Edward Epstein reported from Washington, D.C., and Charlie Goodyear from San

Francisco. Chronicle staff writer Rachel Gordon contributed to this report.

 

" NOTICE: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may

have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this

without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor

protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President. "