Jake Thorn needs to step back, take a breath and reflect a little more critically on this impeachment he’s proposing (“Support Bush’s Impeachment,” Daily Nexus, May 12).

First, let’s put all our cards on the table so that what I’m going to suggest isn’t dismissed out of hand. I am a conservative Libertarian who voted for someone other than President Bush in the past two elections. And, I don’t believe he’s done much, if anything, to benefit the country since becoming the President – I’m inclined to think we’re worse off for his assuming the Oval Office. Point being, I don’t have any allegiance to the Republican Party or President Bush.

That said, pursuant to Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, impeachment and removal from office is a remedy that is available for “conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” I appreciate the fact that Thorn is quite convinced of the illegality associated with a number of President Bush’s policies, however, inasmuch as that issue has yet to be resolved by the nation’s legal scholars, or a jury, it seems highly premature to suggest that impeachment is in order. The Constitution doesn’t provide for impeachment when we simply disapprove of the job the president is doing – irrespective of how strong we are in our disapproval.

It seems that many people have been drawn to the concept of impeachment as a result of watching impeachment of President Clinton – which seems largely motivated by partisan politics. But, lest we not forget that in President Clinton’s case, there was little if any question that he had perjured himself, an act that is a violation of both federal and state law. The only question was whether such a crime – and it was a crime as a violation of the law – rose to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor sufficient to support impeachment and removal from office.

The point is, I think it’s swell that Thorn’s found something he feels passionately about but he really ought to critically examine the position he’s advocating before he gets swept up in the flock.

Joshua A. Rodine is a UCSB alumnus.