Impeachment Talk Is Back
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The Irons article is most appropriate. We must, for the sake of our future, at least consider impeachment as one means of relieving the present situation.
As a direct result of the President’s Iran initiative our credibility vis-a-vis hostages has been destroyed. This has resulted in the taking of more hostages and, answering this escalation, the President has moved elements of the Sixth Fleet to the coast of Lebanon. If he is not bluffing, a major military action could develop.
If the Iran arms deal had been stopped (as it may well have been if the President had insisted on consultation with the Congress as the law requires), hostages might have been lost. Horrible, but is it any worse than the present situation?
It is clear from the President’s own statements that he did not know all of the ramifications of the Iran deal. He should have. He is, therefore, at least guilty of nonfeasance and, depending on the facts that are developed by the independent counsel, could be guilty of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Serious consideration of impeachment may help the President reach the conclusion that he should resign at once rather than await the outcome of the investigations. This would at least keep him from involving us in a Mideast war.
One question remains: should the Vice President grant the President a pardon?
ROBERT J. BANNING
Pasadena
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