A perspective: impeachments, war deaths

Articles of Impeachment were brought against Richard M Nixon when he held the office of the President. His crimes: Watergate, unauthorized spying, breaking and entering by his agents, obstruction of justice, lies, self aggrandisement. Number of Americans who died as a result of Watergate - zero. Results of his removal from office - a presidential pardon by Gerald Ford.

Articles of Impeachment were brought against Bill Clinton when he held the office of President. His crime: marital infidelity. The result: Clinton was acquitted and continued his term of office. Number of Americans who died as a result of Clinton's affair: zero. At the time the impeachment proceeding was voted on, Clinton's popularity with the American public was at an all time high of 70%. He was subsequently disbarred.

Articles of Impeachment were brought against George W Bush in his office as President by outgoing Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney on 8 December 2006. His crimes: misleading Congress and the American people to pursue a war of aggression, manipulating intelligence, abuse of office and executive privilege; the charges implicate Cheney and Rice. The impeachment bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary where it now awaits some action by someone.


Number of American soldiers who have died as a result of Bush's agression in Iraq: 3,067.


Number of Iraquis who have died as a result of Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq: minimum of 54,982, maximum of 60,659.


Bush's unauthorized war and the deaths it caused will enter the history books long after he leaves office. How high will the body count go? At what point will Congress and the American people be indicted as silent co-conspirators in this unauthorized, ill-conceived agression against another country? When does the term "genocide" apply?


Number of civilians massacred at Nanking by Japan during WWII: 200,000.


Number of homosexuals massacred by Hitler during WWII: 10,000- 220,00.


Number of insane and disabled persons massacred by Hitler during WWII: 70,000- 275,000.


Number of Roma (gypsies) massacred by Hitler during WWII: 250,00 - 800,000.


Number of Soviet citizens massacred by Hitler during WWII air raids: 500,000.


Number of Jews massacred by Hitler during WWII: between four and six million.