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Brookline votes to impeach president
By O'Ryan Johnson and Jessica Scarpati/ Boston Herald and Brookline Tab
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - Updated: 11:15 AM EST

The town that voted last year to condemn spanking voted last night to send President Bush to the woodshed over the Iraq war.

Brookline Town Meeting last night voted to impeach the president of the United States in a 104 to 52 vote that was greeted with an eruption of applause and cheers.

Jonathan Margolis, who sponsored the article, repeated the embittered claims of the left that Bush lied to the nation and picked and chose which laws his administration would obey.

Margolis was forced to defend his proposal against detractors who suggested he was pushing beyond the bounds of Town Meeting authority.

"While I understand your sincerity and patriotism," Margolis told one opponent, "I respectfully suggest you go back and read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States."

Reached last night, a White House spokeswoman declined to comment.

Voting against the motion was Robert Sperber, who said he thinks Bush will rank as one of history's "least effective" presidents, but said Brookline's call for impeachment gives aid and comfort to the enemy in time of war.

Brookline is one of several Bay State towns, including Cambridge and Amherst, that periodically delve into national and foreign policy matters. Closer to home, it remains unclear whether the spanking ban has been effective within Brookline's borders.

# posted by the Editor on Wednesday, May 31, 2006