City Council Strongly Backs Bid to Impeach Bush, Cheney

Lisa Moscatiello helped create a resolution that calls for removing the president and vice president from office. (By Susan Biddle -- The Washington Post)

Over the years, Takoma Park has declared itself a nuclear-free zone, established an immigrant sanctuary law and written a 5,000-word manual for its trash and award-winning recycling programs.

Last night, its City Council voted to call for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

"Takoma Park has passed many resolutions over the years, and I've been proud of most of them," council member Reuben Snipper told a crowd of about 100. "I personally am as appalled as many of you are at the actions of Bush and Cheney."

The council approved the resolution 5 to 0, with two members absent.

Earlier, during a public comment period, all 19 people who spoke on the measure expressed their support.

"I come before the council because America is under threat," said Jay Levy, a 32-year resident and a retired Montgomery County schoolteacher. He said Bush and Cheney are "shredding" the U.S. Constitution.

"This is the finest thing you'll ever do," resident Thomas Nephew told the council. After he finished, he walked to the side of the room, and his 9-year-old daughter ran up and hugged him.

Before the vote, council member Terry Seamens added two amendments, including one aimed at other Maryland politicians. It calls for the city of Takoma Park to write letters to the Montgomery County Council, the county executive, the Maryland legislature and the governor asking them to consider adopting similar resolutions.

At times during the meeting, the crowd cheered. Along a wall, someone held an American flag. Another had a banner that said simply "ENOUGH."

Wearing an impeachment T-shirt, Takoma Park resident Lisa Moscatiello stepped to the microphone and talked about an intrusive government that too many people seem to fear.

"The message that we've been getting from our president and our government is, 'We are watching you,' " she said, adding that she and others are trying to turn the tables. "We are saying, ' We are watching you.' "

It was Moscatiello, 41, who helped spearhead the resolution. Beginning in March, the singer and guitarist, along with a few others, met regularly at the Savory Cafe, a Takoma Park coffeehouse, to discuss ways to impeach the president and vice president.