The city of Santa Cruz has voted in favor of a resolution urging Congress to look into impeaching President Bush 6-1.

The lone dissenter, Council Member Mark Primack, said that while he agrees with the sentiment he felt that it was "not our place" to do this.

Santa Cruz is the first local government in the country urging Congress to look into impeaching President Bush.

( ed. As reported by Jay Campbell of The Agonist.)

Update: Jay says: Thank you, Sean-Paul, for posting my call-ins in such a timely manner. The council chambers were mostly empty until it was time to address Agenda Item 40, Letter to the House Judiciary Committee Communicating Concerns Expressed by Many Residents of Santa Cruz about President Bush's Actions Regarding the Recent War with Iraq, by Vice Mayor Kennedy, Councilmember Fitzmaurice and Mayor Reilly. As the short public debate began, the room overflowed with supporters of the measure.

Two local individuals expressed opinions against the measure, with their arguments boiling down to a few points: that local governments should not dabble in national politics, that the council's time would be better spent addressing area concerns, and that while the Administration's actions have been morally bankrupt, they have not technically been illegal. The President, it was said, is not under obligation to be truthful to the American public.

Mark Primack, the lone dissenting vote on the council of seven, expressed that he believed the Administration had acted against the better interests of the nation, but that he himself was elected to manage city resources, not state budgets or American foreign policy.

The motion had initially been rejected by the council, but public support for some form of formal protest grew until the council agreed to give the matter this attention. Local activist Sherry Conable was key in organizing a broad but vague collection of dissenting individuals into a formal, cohesive coalition of local organizations working to replace the upper tier of American management.

We expect dozens if not hundreds of other cities and organizations to adopt similar measures, given Santa Cruz's track record of breaking new ground on progressive issues -- a trait that has earned it the nickname "New Berkeley".

After the decision, a group outside hoisted a large "pink slip":

Notice of Termination

To Employee George W. Bush

This is to inform you that your services as President of the United States are no longer needed. Reasons for termination: (1) Conducted illegal wars - violated UN Charter and US Law; (2) Violated oath of office - ignored US Constitution; (3) Disobeyed employers - referred to superiors as "a focus group".

Please vacate your office within 24 hours. (Signed) The People of the United States.

In the tradition of "Keep Santa Cruz Weird", it was a bit of a circus (including a 9-11 numerologist) with a very serious underlying message: "No more killing in our name." Other themes included fiscal responsibility, accountability of actions and the public trust. As Campaign 2004 spins up, the left is starting to make some noise. -jc