In an unguarded moment, the nation’s chief executive, George Bush, told millions of viewers on “ABC News” that he had approved torture of U.S. detainees — including waterboarding. In his interview, Bush freely admitted that Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell and George Tenet collectively approved the decision and by doing so, had committed high crimes — for which there is one constitutional remedy — impeachment.

This stunning admission flies in the face of previous public statements. There is no longer any need for an investigation following Bush’s admission of guilt. This finally clears the way for a Senate vote for removal of Bush and Cheney and prosecution of Rice, Rumsfeld, Powell and Tenet, who have violated their oaths of office to uphold the Constitution. Our nation is in urgent need to remove these lawbreakers from high office before they commit our nation to more reckless adventures. Finally, we should heed the wise words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who famously said, “A time comes when silence is betrayal.”

Tej Uberoi

Los Altos

Mandatory recycling

Recycling has become standard practice in San Francisco thanks in large part to the steady service enhancements made by our local collection companies. Our three-bin system can be cumbersome but the actual process of sorting materials at the consumer level is remarkably easy, efficient and personally gratifying.

San Francisco’s world-class collection system comes at a cost, however. Millions have been invested in new facilities, equipment and workers to process our ever-expanding streams of waste. As a result, San Francisco’s stated diversion rate is an impressive 69 percent. Given these advancements, one has to question why ratepayers are facing yet another burden in the form of the suggested fine for not recycling to an undefined standard. Could this be yet another scheme to circumvent the public rate-making process by deputizing collection workers?

The infinitesimal gains resulting from mandatory recycling strips the intrinsic righteousness of voluntary environmental stewardship.

Russel Morine

San Francisco

Playing the race card

In 1980, Ronald Reagan played the race card against “welfare queens,” throwing the black women under the bus. In 1988, George Bush Sr. played the race card with Willie Horton, throwing the black man under the bus. In 1992, Bill Clinton played the race card with Sistah Souljah and Lani Guinier, throwing the black women under the bus.

I guess we’ve really solved the race problem now that we’ve evolved our democracy to the level where a black presidential candidate readily plays the race card on his preacher, throwing yet another black man under the bus to get elected.

Marc Salomon

San Francisco

Commander in chief

I think Mrs. Clinton would make an excellent commander-in-chief if she follows in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher and Indira Ghandhi who went to war against Argentina (Thatcher) and East Pakistan (Ghandhi), and did not even wear pantsuits, in addition to never having to be exposed to gun fire in Bosnia.

Joe Vloemans

San Francisco

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