Saturday, September 29, 2007

St. Paul Does Nothing, Bush's Impeachable Crimes Continue...

'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing'

The following describes Impeach for Peace's (IfP) attempt to encourage Rep. Betty McCollum to sign H. Res. 333 calling on the impeachment of Richard B. Cheney. Specifically, this describes my attempt to pressure her congressional district to pass a resolution calling on Rep. McCollum to co-sign 333.

This event is yet another example of what is wrong with the Democratic Party. The Democrats have shown over and over again how they are unwilling to stand up for what is right. I could blame it on their fear of what right wing media might think. I could blame it in this case on “Minnesota nice.” I could blame it on their pursuit of the politically moderate vote (although this assumes that the politically moderate and the right wing media don't favor accountability). Whatever their reason, the result is behaving exactly how the current Republican Party would have them act. Voters on the left side of the spectrum see those who are part of the Democratic machinery as being spineless. And, for whatever reason, those who are part of that machinery don’t care, or are unaware of the bold actions they need to take. Their political base, therefore, are not inspired to show up and vote for them -- and who can blame them. Much of the base either fails to vote at all or split the progressive vote by voting for the Green Party. I could accuse J.P. Barone (Chariperson of McCollum's Congressional District) of purposefully leaving the impeachment resolution off the agenda, but there is no way to know. What I do know is that J.P. Barone is part of the problem. He is obviously more interested in supporting the Democratic Party than supporting the needs of the people that Party is supposed the represent. His actions subsequently accomplish neither. Somehow when people become part of the Democratic machinery, they lose sight of where their allegiance should lie. I am not sure what the solution to this is, but, at least for my part, it’s holding them accountable.

Let's start back in June when DFL (Democratic Farm Labor, i.e., Democratic Party Minnesota) 5th Congressional District nearly unanimously voted on a similar resolution calling on their Representative, Keith Ellison, to sign 333. Subsequent to the passage of that resolution, Rep. Ellison did co-sign 333. This encouraged me to attempt to replicate our success in my own district. Granted, we should not have to go to such lengths to get our representatives to honor their oaths of office.

So I wrote an e-mail to the chairperson of the DFL 4th Congressional District, J.P. Barone. He informed me that guests were welcome to speak at their executive committee meetings, and the next one was on August 21, 2007. Many members of Impeach for Peace came to the meeting in support of the resolutions that I had created. I presented the resolutions and gave a speech about the need for local action, given the lack of oversight of the Bush administration being conducted at the national and state level. I told them how the 5th Congressional District had passed a similar resolution. I also noted that there exists a majority support in the nation and 76% support among Democrats. After I was done with my presentation, J.P. Barone immediately expressed his lack of interest in passing such a resolution. He expressed concern over whether their committee had jurisdiction and also whether the 4th Congressional District should be passing this type of resolution, given his view that the 4th Congressional Districts function is to act as a cheerleader for the Democratic candidates. His last area of concern was whether or not passing such a resolution would be strategic in getting Democratic candidates elected in 2008. He did concede that there is little doubt in his mind as to the existence of impeachable offenses. What followed was a debate amongst the committee members primarily around whether or not they had jurisdiction to pass such a resolution. They suggested waiting until January and starting from square one with the caucus process. I expressed that, “Rome was burning,” and that the situation demanded more immediate action. I also suggested that the super majority support among Democrats empowered them to act on their behalf. Ultimately, when they voted whether or not to consider the measure themselves or to refer the resolution to the larger central committee, they voted against considering it but to have the central committee consider it in September. The central committee meeting comprises a larger group of members than the executive committee.

September 17, 2007, I arrived at the central committee meeting (of which J.P. Barone is also Chair). I again gave my presentation, and J.P. Barone mentioned his reasons why the resolution might not be appropriate. Once again, a debate among the members ensued with similar arguments as in the executive committee meeting. One of the members who was more familiar with procedure assured the committee that they did indeed have jurisdiction to pass such a resolution and also expressed a belief that it is the committee's responsibility to pressure their representative on issues. While people fell on various sides of the issue, one concern that came up during the debate was that the resolution had not been listed in the agenda for the meeting. It was expressed by a member that, had it been listed, many members who were not present may have shown up. Another member remarked that it was not IfP’s fault that the resolution had not been on the agenda since I had gone to the trouble of passing it by the executive committee the previous month, and that the resolution should not pay the consequence for this failure. The secretary spoke out defending himself, stating that he had sent out the agenda, but that his role is to pass along the agenda as given to him by the Chairperson, J.P. Barone. At this point, J.P. Barone admitted that he had not put it in the agenda but dismissed the inaction as an oversight. When it came down to the vote, they decided to first vote on whether their committee wished to consider the matter at all. The vote was nine members in favor, nineteen members opposed and three abstaining. It was revealed after the vote that at least two of the members had voted against the resolution because it had not been on the agenda. I also do not know how many members may have shown up to vote had they been informed by the agenda of this topic's consideration. I asked J.P. Barone if the measure could be reconsidered at the next meeting, given its failure to appear on the agenda. Despite his firm insistence that a parliamentary procedure be strictly followed up until this point, J.P. Barone unilaterally decided, “No, it had already been voted on.”

Now, despite my efforts, I am forced to live in a district that has become complicit in the crimes of the Bush administration. However, my pursuit in getting Rep. Betty McCollum to sign H. Res. 333 is not over. Stay tuned.

Jodin Morey
Cofounder, Impeach for Peace

Friday, September 28, 2007

[Video/Oped] Iraq: It's Nancy Pelosi's War


When asked about her position on impeachment, Nancy Pelosi responded, "I've always said impeachment's off the table. This is President Bush's war, it's Vice President Cheney's war, and now it's become the war of the Republicans in congress."

Some might see her response as including a non sequitur. What does insisting that Bush and the Republicans own an unjustified illegal war have to do with impeachment being off the table? However, for those of us who have been following the Democratic leadership's justifications for failing to hold this administration accountable, it makes perfect sense. Pelosi and the Democratic leadership believes that by leaving Bush/Cheney in office, and by continuing 'their' war, they'll drive down Republican support and win the elections in 2008. In other words, Pelosi doesn't hold Bush/Cheney accountable because that might stop the war in Iraq. And the war in Iraq is a good political tool for winning elections.

Therefore, I submit that by failing to pursue accountability, the rule of law, constitutional reinstitution, and subsequently the end to the Iraq war, Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership now own this war.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Pelosi Has Put Impeachment Back on the Congressional Table

According to the U.S. House Congressional Record on August 3, 2007...
The SPEAKER presented a petition [...] of the Town of New Salem, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Link

Also, back in July 26, 2007 ....
Also, a petition of the City of Middletown Common Council, New York, relative to Resolution No. 167.07 calling on the Congress of the United States to formally and properly investigate these charges and determine if impeachment is warranted, and if found to be so warranted to vote to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Link

Also, back in July 19, 2007 ....
The SPEAKER presented a petition of the Town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution petitioning the Congress of the United States to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
[...]
Also, a petition of the Town of Leyden, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution calling on the Congress of the United States to investigate the charges and vote to impeach President George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney as provided in the Constitution of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
[...]
Also, a petition of the Delaware County Democratic Committee, New York, relative to a Resolution to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
[...]
Also, a petition of the Town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution calling on the Impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the Town of Colrain, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the Town of Shutesbury, Massachusetts, relative to a petition to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Link


Also, back in June 13/20 ....
Also, a petition of the Town of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary. on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the City Council of Oberlin, Ohio, relative to Resolution No. R07-06 petitioning the Congress of the United States initiate impeachment proceedings of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary. on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the Town of Whately, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Link



Also, a petition of the Town of Woodstock, New York, relative to Resolution No. 171-07 requesting an investigation of the activities of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney to the end that they may be impeached and removed from office; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the Town of Shelburne, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution calling upon the United States House of Representatives to investgate charges and vote to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the Town of Colrain, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution calling upon the United States House of Representatives to investigate charges and vote to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of the Town of Leverett, Massachusetts, relative to a Resolution requesting the investigation of the activities of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney to the end that they may both be impeached and removed from office; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Link


SO WHAT'S THE HOLD UP! Why only for New York, Ohio, Delaware, and Massachusetts? Why none for her own State California, which I know has been screaming for impeachment. And why none for me? I sent her a petition to put in the congressional record. Actually, I know of millions that have been sent in! Contact Pelosi and tell her to follow through with the process. Congressional Switchboard:
1-800-828-0498.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

[Video] Student Tasered for Asking Kerry about Impeachment


"As the person who filmed this event. I would like to say that although Andrew may appear to be a conspiracy theorist, he still was accosted by the police after Senator Kerry said he wanted to hear the question. If Accent Speakers Bureau had allowed all those standing in line to ask questions, this never would have happened. Unless of course the police would have stepped in anyway."

Sunday, September 16, 2007

[VIDEO] Comparing Bush's & Nixon's War Progress Speeches


This video Compares Bush's September 13, 2007 speech on the Iraq War with Nixon's November 1969 Speech on the Vietnam War. Courtesy of http://ImpeachforPeace.org

Friday, September 07, 2007

Minneapolis City Council Member Remington exhorts colleagues to pass impeachment resolution

remington.jpgdowntownjournal.com
Time to impeach Bush and Cheney
By Ralph Remington


It is high time that all progressive elected officials who take their jobs seriously demand impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.


This president and his vice president have condoned illegal wiretapping, readings of private e-mails and phone calls, and spying on the American people under the guise of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. They've used surveillance to kidnap people and throw them into dungeons abroad without any political or legal accountability. They have condoned torture at both Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib. They have been implicated in the outing of a CIA officer in retaliation for the exposure of going to war under false premises. They have ignored Congressional authority on several occasions. They lied to the American public about the reasons for taking our sons and daughters, mothers, and fathers to war. They have spent over $700 billion on a war in a time when over 45 million Americans are without health care; while at the same time cutting the benefits of veterans who have returned from fighting their "War of Choice".


They have established a presidency and executive branch that does not respect the rule of law. Bush is, in fact, sneering at the American people and in effect saying, "I am King". Together Bush and Cheney have flouted the agreement of transparency with the American people.


Our cities, counties, and states are vulnerable because we have allowed a virtual king to be created in Washington, D.C. If we now have a king at the head of our democratically elected government then we elected officials, on the local, state and national levels are defunct. Our purpose and our jobs are nothing more than ceremonial.


Congress has allowed the Executive branch of our government to overreach, in the name of politics and fear over what impact impeachment proceedings will have on the upcoming elections in '08. This is not what our founders intended. It doesn't matter if we're approaching an election year or not. We cannot allow the Executive branch to take on more power than it has ever had. This is doubly important as we approach a new election because our new executive leaders will inherit more expansive powers than any other President or Vice President in the history of the United States of America; powers that the founders never intended for them to have, be they Democrat or Republican.


Politicians and political staff are even getting confused. People are refusing to oppose Bush because they wrongly think that they've taken an oath to the President. When former White House counsel, Harriet Meirs, didn't appear before Congress she cited executive privilege. But what she and others fail to realize is that they haven't taken an oath of loyalty to the president regardless of what he does, they've taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. Those are two entirely different things. Bush and Cheney have blatantly obstructed a congressional investigation.


And, finally, the commutation of Scooter Libby speaks to a cover-up of gigantic proportions. We should all be out in the streets. As musician Gil Scott Heron said, "The revolution will not be televised". Bush and Cheney should be impeached for political crimes perpetrated in combination.


As John Nichols from The Nation Magazine recently stated, "Nancy Pelosi is disregarding her oath of office. She should change course now." The Judiciary Committee should begin impeachment proceedings as soon as possible.


We in city council and at the state legislature should not disregard our oaths. There are some who say that this doesn't have anything to do with local government. They are missing the point. If the president, as the leading representative of our democracy is an outlaw and we, other elected officials, allow that state of affairs to continue, we are also outlaws. The Minneapolis City Council needs to construct a resolution to recommend impeachment immediately, before it's too late. Our own collective integrity demands it!


(Original Article)

Click Here to Pressure the Other Minneapolis City Council Members to Impeach