In order for the president to be removed from office he has to be charged by Congress with "high crimes and misdemeanors", then convicted in a trial held by the Senate and presided over by the Chief Justice. Lewinsky notwithstanding, "high crimes and misdemeanors" are things like literally criminal acts, gross abuses of the office's power in defiance of the other branches of government, and perhaps the most egregious instances of ineptitude.

The problem here is that the worst of what Bush has done is neither criminal nor in defiance of Congress or the judiciary. In fact, both the other branches are complicit in most of Bush's abuses. Congress gave him the Patriot Act, authorized the war in Iraq, confirmed his appointments and re-organizations, ratified his budgets, was heavily briefed on torture, and so on. The courts confirmed his right to create an offshore torture gulag archipelago and many elements of the domestic espionage program. I don't see how Congress can now turn around and say that these are crimes committed in defiance of the will of Congress, nor do I see how this chief justice nominated by Bush and confirmed by this Congress can preside over the ensuing trial.

The one possible exception is the domestic warrantless spying in contravention of FISA. Here there's a clear, knowing violation of a law. It looks like Congress didn't know about it, and clearly doesn't approve post hoc. No courts reviewed any of the instances. However, I don't see enough detail about these activities in the public record for a formal charge. Who was spied on? How were they affected? If Congress starts asking for this detail, and Bush stonewalls or lies, maybe there'll be grounds for an impeachment ("it's not the crime; it's the cover-up"), but we're a long ways from this.

Unfortunately I see only one way for Bush to be neutralized by constitutionally authorized means. We the people have to clean house in Congress, and loudly and clearly demand that Congress re-assert its powers over law, funding, and the activities of the executive. The current Congressional leadership is just as guilty as Bush in this mess, so don't expect them to clean it up.

Red state voters, the ball is in your court this year.

While so much has gone wrong with the American political system, it is laudable that Mr. Keillor still retains his sense of humor. Thank you, Garrison, for your hilarious and satirical modest proposal! The idea that the Republican-controlled congress would actually impeach Bush is hilarious! I laughed so hard that I almost cried. Of course, there is no denying the country would be better off with Bush & Co. serving out the remaining years of his presidency in a federal penitentiary- but to suggest that our congress might spontaneously grow a spine? Pure comedic genius! What a delightful joke! I know that some sticks in the mud probably didn’t "get" it- they thought you were being serious that George Bush could be held accountable for his war crimes, and violations of domestic and international law. Ha! Those of us in on your joke know that the laws of man do not apply to George W. Bush. I find myself giggling again just thinking about it! Mr. Keillor, you have proven once again that you can maintain your funny bone even in the face of the direst threat to American democracy since King George III. Well done, sir!

Wow! When Garrison Keillor starts talking about torture and impeachment, you know things have really gotten out of hand. I am so pleased that he wrote this article (syndicated in newspapers all over the country). I'm sure he'll get hell for it, but maybe it is a sign of change to come. God willing!!!!!!!

Much as I agree with Keillor's premise, I am afraid that we would be going from the frying pan to the blast furnace. Isn't the Vice President the next in line? Nuff said.

Why not?

Thank you for saying "war crimes."

Love your column, Mr. Keillor. Yes, in my dreams is this man (and the hyenas who trot alongside him) G-O-N-E.

But among the grim fruits of his reign are also Americans' diminished trust in the US Government, as well as in the voting process that gives rise to it. Not only has the Bush Administration governed badly, but it has deliberately fed a whole range of negatives (like fear, cynicism, partisan extremism) that make us, likely, ungovernable by anyone.

Impeachment is a fine remedy, but only if it's applied through a bipartisan awakening from our long national nightmare.

Thank you Garrison Keillor! Now if we can get our Senators to wake up!

I agree that it is extremely unlikely that an effort to impeach Bush would prove successful. However, what is there really to lose? I don't think that an unsuccessful impeachment effort would serve as any vindication for his misdoings. In fact, at least it will go in the history books that he was one of very few presidents crap enough to incite an impeachment attempt.

And maybe an impeachment effort would send a strong message - particularly to the rest of the world - that the U.S. is not wholly comprised of Bush-backers and that Bush's policies/attitudes do not represent America's policies/attitudes. Other countries forget that too frequently in the statist international arena.

Furthermore, it's about time the Democrats finished licking their wounds and became proactive again. This could be the galvanizing project.

Thank you for loving this country enough to want to save it -- if it's not too late. And thank you especially for publishing the words "torture" and "war crimes." When the roughly 34% of Americans who still have a "favorable" opinion of this sadistic f**k-up (sorry, but that's the only word that comes close to expressing his criminal incompetence) whine, "But we didn't know!" we'll be able to point out this column as proof that they did in fact know but were simply not decent or humane enough to do anything about it.

is in charge Cheney?