Marcus Porcius Cato (the Elder) ended every speech he gave in the Roman Senate with exactly the same words.
It didn't matter if he was speaking on domestic policy, foreign policy, monetary policy, military policy, or the delivery of mail to Londinium during the autumn; every speech ended with the same sentence:
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
"...and therefore, I believe that Carthage must be destroyed." Now whether they were initially in the pro- or anti-Carthaginian camps, I have to believe that the simple and constant repetition of the phrase subconsciously led a great many Senators to share the opinion over time.
Three Punic wars later, no Carthage.
Given the current political situation in the United States, I should like to make a proposal. First, let me state baldly what I believe the situation to be, so perhaps the proposal will not seem quite so outlandish.
The President and Vice President of the United States have repeatedly and knowingly violated the laws of the United States, international agreements to which the United States is a party, and the Constitution of the United States.
They or their offices have refused to comply with both court orders and subpoenas issued by the Congress of the United States.
They have, in their dealings with the Congress, the press, and the citizens of the United States exhibited a breathtaking contempt for the truth, the rights of citizens, or their obligations under the law.
Through it all the party of opposition has scarcely opposed at all. And now that they have at last a majority in both Houses of Congress, now that they have, in fact, finally issued subpoenas, it seems obvious that the President and Vice President of the United States are dropping even the pretense of operating under our Constitution.
And therefore, my friends, it is up to us to spur our representatives in Congress to the deed they will not contemplate. It is up to us to place it in the public discourse. Not through shrill screeds (like this one, I'm afraid), but by the same message, placed everywhere we can place it, every time we can place it:
I believe the President and Vice President must be impeached.
You can even link back to here, if you like.
On July 4, I shall publish in these pages my annual gloss on the Declaration of Independence, which will outline the details of some of these outrages. I confess, however, that I haven't been keeping up the way I once did, so I encourage everyone to take a look and see for themselves where the current administration has done damage to this founding document of our republic.
You might try looking at the Constitution as well, and try to square it with the Unitary Executive. It might prove persuasive.
And therefore, I believe the President and Vice President must be impeached.
It didn't matter if he was speaking on domestic policy, foreign policy, monetary policy, military policy, or the delivery of mail to Londinium during the autumn; every speech ended with the same sentence:
"...and therefore, I believe that Carthage must be destroyed." Now whether they were initially in the pro- or anti-Carthaginian camps, I have to believe that the simple and constant repetition of the phrase subconsciously led a great many Senators to share the opinion over time.
Three Punic wars later, no Carthage.
Given the current political situation in the United States, I should like to make a proposal. First, let me state baldly what I believe the situation to be, so perhaps the proposal will not seem quite so outlandish.
The President and Vice President of the United States have repeatedly and knowingly violated the laws of the United States, international agreements to which the United States is a party, and the Constitution of the United States.
They or their offices have refused to comply with both court orders and subpoenas issued by the Congress of the United States.
They have, in their dealings with the Congress, the press, and the citizens of the United States exhibited a breathtaking contempt for the truth, the rights of citizens, or their obligations under the law.
Through it all the party of opposition has scarcely opposed at all. And now that they have at last a majority in both Houses of Congress, now that they have, in fact, finally issued subpoenas, it seems obvious that the President and Vice President of the United States are dropping even the pretense of operating under our Constitution.
And therefore, my friends, it is up to us to spur our representatives in Congress to the deed they will not contemplate. It is up to us to place it in the public discourse. Not through shrill screeds (like this one, I'm afraid), but by the same message, placed everywhere we can place it, every time we can place it:
You can even link back to here, if you like.
On July 4, I shall publish in these pages my annual gloss on the Declaration of Independence, which will outline the details of some of these outrages. I confess, however, that I haven't been keeping up the way I once did, so I encourage everyone to take a look and see for themselves where the current administration has done damage to this founding document of our republic.
You might try looking at the Constitution as well, and try to square it with the Unitary Executive. It might prove persuasive.
And therefore, I believe the President and Vice President must be impeached.


Comments
Seriously, though. It works for advertising and marketing. The strategy is proven.
You want to give me a lot of money.
:-)
And therefore, I believe the President and Vice President must be impeached.
Which may or may not be relevant. ;-)
When you think about it, the president has something in common with Cato.
So you contend that the invasion of Iraq is going to bring about the fall of the Republic? Can't say I particularly disagree.
I sincerely hope we're wrong.
And that IS why I believe the President and Vice President should be impeached. Along with the Secretary of State, and the Attourney General...
"I've got them on my list,
I've got them on my list,
and they never would be missed,
they never
would be
missed"
(Which I also imagine Cheney singing merrily to Gonzales as the cabinet choruses...)
And therefore, I believe the President and Vice President must be impeached. Good night, and good luck.
And therefore, I believe the President and Vice President must be impeached. Good night, and good luck.