"In possibly the most exciting moments..."

I was just wonder how exciting it will be when Congress fails in their duty as always & defending the Constitution is left to you & me? -General Strike 9/11/08

by chris rice (111 articles, 144 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 233 comments) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 2:28:32 PM

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The current atmosphere in regards to seeing Kucinich's impeachment resolutions manifested as the actual impeachment of both Bush and Cheney is rather clouded with doubt and cynism.

So what do we do when we "get it". When we realize that if we do not impeach this administration that a dangerous precedence will be forever set that any American administration is above measurable accountability. We act of course.

If every single one of us who agrees with this contacts their representatives to co-sponsor the resolution and politely encourages their contacts to do the same we will get somewhere. 

Impeachment depends so much on our "elected" officials, we cannot move forward without them. So put the pressure on.

It is so easy to give up and forfeit the fight for the realization of real justice, too easy.

The way forward isn't meant to be easy.

What are you going to do? Give up on the never actualized American Dream or dedicate your energy to achieving the government we deserve and the world is desperate for.

It's your call.

Great piece by the way Meryl. 

by Danielle Vyas (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 2:46:50 PM

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I Just rec'd this from the Kucinich folks:

Under circumstances that can best be described as "suspicious," the www.kucinich.us website was crippled early this morning a few hours after Congressman Dennis Kucinich introduced 35 extensively documented Articles of Impeachment against President George W. Bush. 

If you would like to show your support for the Congressman's efforts, please go to

myinfo.kucinich.us to offer your comments and provide us with contact information so that we can continue to keep you informed. 

by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 3:13:18 PM

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I'm so glad I didn't have time to read anyone else's article on this matter before reading yours.  And thanks especially for including the 35 article recap - that is most helpful for those who are pressed for time.

We have got to hold these criminals to account; the alternative is unthinkable.

Thanks for being on top of this, Meryl Ann.

by Rady Ananda (182 articles, 374 quicklinks, 49 diaries, 1718 comments [201 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 5:30:55 PM

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because Dennis Kucinich had the courage to stand up before Congress, the nation, and the world, and express clearly and succinctly all of the many reasons this administration needs to be held to account for its criminal actions. Now it's time for each of us to let our Representatives know that we expect them to do the right thing, and support the impeachment process NOW.  There can be no more lame excuses from members of Congress (like "there were no impeachable offenses committed"), and the media can no longer make the ridiculous claim that this is a publicity stunt. Here is a true American patriot stepping up and doing all he can to protect the Constitution of the United States, and we need to support his efforts in a big way.

by Gail Davis (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 76 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 7:13:49 PM

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No impeachment poceedings = no liberty in a land that has gone dark.

If the light of the torch of Miss Liberty has been doused by the Illuminati

then we must throw a wrench into the cogs of the wheels of this

machine of hell. We must disembowel the slave owners before

they try and emasculate our government any more.

by Wolfie (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 33 diaries, 1208 comments) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 9:15:27 PM

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...and a recap of what went on yesterday. This was historical and I am aghast that the major networks have ignored this for the most part. Time for all of us to be patriots and do our part by DIGGING this story and passing it around along with the transcripts and videos to everyone we know. We also need to call Pelosi and our representatives and tell them that IMPEACHMENT is BACK ON THE TABLE!

by Anita Stewart (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 67 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 9:19:42 PM

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GODDAMMIT!!! Will you pro-impeachment people please WAKE UP???

Not only is it too late to impeach Bush, with only seven months left in office, but you're ignoring the fact that THE DEMOCRATS LACK THE VOTES IN THE SENATE TO CONVICT AND REMOVE BUSH FROM OFFICE.

WAKE UP!!! There are only 48 Democrats in the Senate. There are 49 Republicans and two independents.

WAKE UP!!! One of those independents -- Joe Leiberman of Connecticut, who's already campaigning for John McCain, has repeatedly threatened to DEFECT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY if the Democrats go forward with impeachment.

WAKE UP!!! Leiberman's defection would THROW CONTROL OF THE SENATE BACK TO THE REPUBLICANS, with Vice President Dick Chaney casting the tie-breaking 51st vote. That means Republicans taking back committee chairmanships.

WAKE UP!!! The Supreme Court is now in the final month of its 2007-08 term. Rumors are flying thast Justice John Paul Stevens -- at 88, the oldest and most liberal justice -- will retire. If he does, Bush will certainly nominate a right-winger to replace him.

THINK, PEOPLE!!! We can't afford to have the right wing take a 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court. If they do, you can say "bye-bye" to Roe v. Wade.

And if the Democrats pursue impeachment now, Bush will then have NO REASON TO NOT IMMEDIATELY START A WAR WITH IRAN!!!

For God's sake, people -- LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE!!! Impeachment now will have disastrous consequences for the country -- consequences that Obama will not be in a position to do anything about, as he won't take office until next January.

NOW can you see the folly of impeachment? I say indict and try Bush in court -- where a judge will have the power to send the S.O.B. to prison if the jury convicts him -- a power the Senate doesn't have.

by Skeeter Sanders (32 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 78 comments) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 4:07:54 AM

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Low IQ nitwits believe it's a matter of great importance which party controls the Senate.

Something like this has zero importance, compared to preservation of the Constitution, which is really what's at issue. If Bush leaves office without any official challenge from Congress, it sets in stone a precedent which all future presidents can use. This will apply to signing statements, preemptive wars, torture, use of the media to carry govt propaganda, & govt spying on citizens, among other things.

Furthermore, having the Democrats control the Senate has accomplished exactly nothing. The results would have been no different with Republicans in control. In effect, having Democrats in control is the same thing as having Republicans in control, for all practical purposes.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 9:27:41 AM

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Impeach and imprison!

If only the Democrat-led leadership in Congress had the guts to impeach this criminal president, they would find that not only would they have the support and backing of a majority of the American public, but also the rest of the world, and likely guaranteeing a Democrat win in November for the White House.

The strength of America has always relied on the foundations set forth in its laws and Constitution. To ignore those cherished laws now in the republic's time of need, is a crime in itself, and indeed possibly a greater one.

by dotmafia (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 127 comments [8 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 4:50:04 AM

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Whooping it up so much reflects a kind of hysteria among liberals, born of frustration.

Instead of pretending that "democracy" has returned to America, it should be recognized that the initiative will go nowhere. I'd be astonished if more than 10 or 20 House Democrats support it, let alone enough to make any difference. For another thing, the media will not cover it. The thing will have no effect whatsover, and most of the population will not even be aware anything has happened.

It's just a kind of stunt, which may or may not be admirable. It's admirable in the sense that impeachment is absolutely necessary, if the public is interested in maintaining any semblance of accountable government. However, it's NOT so admirable, in the sense that impeachment should have been carried out years ago, and that even now, it has no chance to even get off the ground. So if the motivation is simply to pacify "progressives," tossing them a little crumb to be happy for one or two days, without the slightest chance that anything will come of it -- and this, in the attempt to make them believe that the Democrats fight for their interests -- if that's what the game is, it's not so admirable. To say the least.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 9:36:07 AM

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Well, I just ask myself, "What Would Jefferson Do?" And I have no doubt that he would be for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney up to his very last breath, no matter what the timing. Because, ultimately, it's about being able to look in the mirror, and know that the person looking back took the high road, the ethical road, the road that would provide the firmest foundation for the continuation of democracy in America. And that might be the "road less traveled by", but it does make all the difference.

This one is more about the forest, than the trees.

by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 11:37:52 AM

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arguing against impeachment -- I'm 200% in favor of it. Jefferson was no fool -- in sharp contrast to 99% of today's Democrats.

What I'm criticizing is:

1) the fact that the Democrats didn't do this years ago 

2) the fact that even this time, it isn't going to go anywhere, because nowhere near enough Democrats will support Kucinich's initiative, &

3) that there is so much hooplah & jubilation on liberal websites over what Kucinich did, even though everyone knows it's too little, too late; and that it won't even get off the ground.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 12:04:04 PM

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Thanks, Richard,  for your thoughtful remarks ... What I am suggesting is, that at the time of the American Revolution, there were plenty of people who said it was a lost cause and would never get off the ground. And even if that had been true, others hear the call of their heart, and so inspired, must act on it, without allowing themselves to be silenced by any perceived uselessness of results. In fact, the people who did that very thing, are the ones that brought about the change that was wanted.

I understand that you are frustrated with many of the "results" so far - and you are right about that, there are many results to be very frustrated about!

Do I think the Dems are, for the most part, acting like spineless drivel? Yes! Am I gonna let that determine whether I follow my heart's calling or not? Absolutely not. 

Of course the Dems should have impeached long ago. But that can't be changed. What can be changed are the steps taken from this moment on. ("God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...")

From my perspective, my energy and my time is my currency. I can "spend" it on being angry at what "shoulda woulda coulda" happened, or I can move forward in inspiration. 

 And here is what I know in my heart - in this universe,  there is no action that can be taken that does not produce a ripple effect. Sometimes the results of that wave are long in coming, or surprising, but they happen.

PS- And I think that "all that hooplah and jublilation" is darned good for the spirit, and I revel in it.  ;-)

by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 2:28:57 PM

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This is about more than Impeachment. It is about:

> Stopping a war in Iran. Did you bother to read some of those indictments? Bush through the CIA, paying and arming middle-eastern terrorists to wage a campaign of murdering innocents in Iran, to help start a war? It may be "only 8 months"... But that's plenty of time for Bush to ruin things even worse than they are now. Why are you people who are opposed to Impeachment so sure Bush is RATIONAL? His actions show he is not.

> Restoring , at least partially, the Rule of Law. It has been trampled, and ignored for years now. With disasterous consequences. The precedents set now will either save us, or plague us for decades. It is imperitive that we break this dangerously grown power of the Executive.

> Restoring the power of the common citizen to the government and Democratic Party. We have a chance here, to use Impeachment as the major sword to restore citizen's rights.... To make the voice of the people once again heard. They said "no", we say YES. We win... They are shut-up and forced to go along. The next time we say "Yes", they start listening.... Because if they don't they are gone. We turn this election into a referendum on being the America we want it to be. 

Votes in the Senate be damned. If it comes down to that, we have still "won"; and the chance of war in Iran drops significantly (it is quite high now).

It is like we are now living in a parallel universe: A bizzaro state were people care more about having a smooth dog-and-pony show election than the Rule of Law, care more about themselves than their Nation's future. And more about "Dancing With The Stars" than having representive government.

The mainstream media will pay for this suppression..... When the grass roots pressure forces Impeachment anyway, won't they look bad!... It will by the catylist for starting the national debate on the control of the mainstream media: A debate they cannot win. They calculated they could ride the storm out, that the chickenshits would prevail and there wouldn't be enough pressure pushing Impeachment. They will be wrong.

Everyone out there, if you havn't already, sign the petitions, have the letters to your Congresspersons sent, take the 5 minutes to fill out the forms. Spent the time to CARE about your future, and future of our children. Then, write a letter to your "Letters To The Editor" section of the local newspaper.  

Even if you are unsure about the wisdom or the timing or the futility: Those concerns are now moot. THIS is our time, and this is our main chance. Lets not blow it. Lets tell Washington that that there are still enough people who care, that listen, that watch, that know.....Crime and tyranny cannot succeed if there are enough witnesses with the courage to speak out.

And this, after all, is very much like a street crime: Those who saw what happened have an obligation to help, to bear witness, not just walk away and pretend it didn't happen. Are YOU one of those people who ignores the crys of a woman being assailed in the alley, and just walks away... Refusing to help? "Justice" is that woman.... And YOU are now faced with the choice. 

by Steve Windisch (jibbguy) (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 360 comments [54 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 10:09:32 AM

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and I refuse to engage in "hopeless realism"  - so many writers have addressed this constant hoplessness on the Left - we can never win if we don't try.

I cite several of those thinkers in this piece I wrote awhile ago:  Political Realism vs Negotiating with Our Hands.  While I wrote this article for the election integrity movement, the ideas apply across the board:

The election integrity movement is not the only social justice movement plagued by “political realists” who would compromise our position into meaningless reform such as low-percentage audits. In Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein contrasts two separate disasters that culminated in very different outcomes based on which reality was accepted, and thus, which strategy was pursued.

In the 2005 Katrina disaster in New Orleans, power holders successfully kept poor residents from returning to their apartments. As recently as two months ago, citizens were tasered and jailed for resisting the destruction of affordable housing. Land developers now stand to make substantial fortunes from the land grab. (Here we see Derrick Jensen’s 2nd, 4th and 5th Premises holding true.)

In the 2004 Asian tsunami, a different scenario played out. Klein writes:

“Dozens of coastal villages were flattened by the wave, but unlike in Sri Lanka, many Thai settlements were successfully rebuilt within months. The difference did not come from the government. Thailand’s politicians were just as eager as those elsewhere to use the storm as an excuse to evict fishing people and hand over land tenure to large resorts.

“Yet what set Thailand apart was that villagers approached all government promises with intense skepticism and refused to wait patiently in camps for an official reconstruction plan. Instead, within weeks, hundreds of villagers engaged in what they called land “reinvasions.”

“They marched past the armed guards on the payroll of developers, tools in hand, and began marking off the sites where their old houses had been. In some cases, reconstruction began immediately…

“The most daring reinvasions were performed by Thailand’s indigenous fishing peoples called the Moken… After centuries of disenfranchisement, the Moken had no illusions that a benevolent state would give them a decent piece of land in exchange for the coastal properties that had been seized.

“So, in one dramatic case, the residents … ‘gathered themselves together and marched right back home, where they encircled their wrecked village with rope, in a symbolic gesture to mark their land ownership,’ explained a report by a Thai NGO…

“All along the Thai coast where the tsunami hit, this kind of direct-action reconstruction is the norm. The key to their success is that ‘people negotiate for their land rights from a position of being in occupation;’ some have dubbed the practice ‘negotiating with your hands.’

Shock Doctrine, pp. 463-464.
Also see http://www.achr.net/

Another excerpt from Political Realism vs Negotiating with Our Hands:

by Rady Ananda (182 articles, 374 quicklinks, 49 diaries, 1718 comments [201 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 5:57:39 PM

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MSNBC ran a poll asking if the public felt Bush et. al should be impeached.

There were over 635,000 votes and 89% were in favor. People DO care, and people DO want these criminals held accountable. 

by Ginger Hastings Chapman (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 76 comments [8 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 11:46:47 AM

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Do you have the link to the poll?

by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 2:30:53 PM

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by Rady Ananda (182 articles, 374 quicklinks, 49 diaries, 1718 comments [201 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 at 5:47:00 PM

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www.opednews.com/articles/JUDICIARY-COMMITTEE-MEMBER-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-080611-963.html  

by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 at 1:31:46 PM

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Jay Janson reporting that during Kucinich's impeachment bill address,

I called Conyers' D.C. number as VFP mail asked, thinking I would get
his voice mail as it was already evening.

To my surprise Conyers himself answered, so I just politely told him
that I and millions of Americans have come to believe that he is more
responsible than Bush or anyone else for the all the loss of life in
the continuing wars of occupation, because he Conyers is blocking the
impeachment process the only hope Americans have to use
constitutional law to end the wars, and to prosecute the Bush
administration.

Conyers, speaking very slowing repeated me, "Let me get this
straight, you are saying that I am responsible for the wars
now..........." I argued the point politely but firmly and we talked
back and forth as he kept saying, "why don't you let me hear the
man"..... and I kept saying sure go ahead but Conyers seemed truly taken aback and therefore interested in what I was saying to him as a member of the Veterans For Peace, and he kept talking to me. He asked for my telephone # and arefully repeated it and said we would call me. He said it twice, with emphasis. He mentioned that he liked to answer his phone himself.

Just thought other members might like to know how worthwhile it is to
call Conyers.

At one stage in the conversation, I mentioned how many millions of
Americans there were, honest Americans, not capitalists, certainly
not communists who realize most of our elected officials are not
worth talking to and that was why we call him, as someone we hope is
worth talking to. (this is a line from Dancing With Wolves)

happy about VFP efforts,
jay janson
at your service

Repeating VFP ACTION ALERT
 
TELL CONYERS TO MEET WITH VETERANS
Call Representative John Conyers - Tell him that at this point he, John Conyers blocking impeachment, is more guilty than anyone, Bush, Pelosi etc., for tomorrow's deaths and maiming of Iraqis. 202-225-5126
John Conyers, is more guilty than anyone, even Bush and Pelosi if he continues to block impeachment. Call Representative Conyers (202-225-5126) For with an impeachment, the wars would end and many of our Iraqi brothers and sisters would not be killled during the ongoing U.S. occupation war.Call, and whether or not Conyers calls me back, I will call him again!

Call Conyers! 'Just Do It!'

by Jay Janson (105 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 117 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 at 10:32:28 PM

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