Below is the original text of a July 17, 2008, media advisory from House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers in the original Pelosiconi, followed by the English in all caps.
Conyers Announces Hearing on Bush Imperial Presidency CONYERS ANNOUNCES BRIEF DISMISSIVE TWO-HOUR REVIEW OF SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS OF SUCH BLATANT AND DICTATORIAL CRIMINALITY THAT HE IS CONSTRAINED TO NAME IT WITH AN OXYMORON TO AVOID USING THE WORD "IMPEACHMENT"
(Washington)—Today House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. announced that, on July 25, the House Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the Imperial Presidency of George W. Bush and possible legal responses. (CHENEYVILLE)--TODAY SENIOR MEMBER OF THE CAPITOL HILL DEBATE SOCIETY AND FORMER CONGRESS MEMBER JOHN CONYERS JR. ANNOUNCED AN INFORMAL GABFEST ON THE GEORGE W. BUSH DICTATORSHIP AND POSSIBLE RESPONSES THAT MIGHT BE TAKEN BY PROSECUTORS EMPLOYED BY THE ACCUSED, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT NO RESPONSE WILL BE FORTHCOMING FROM THE DEBATE SOCIETY. A LIGHT BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED.
“Over the last seven plus years, there have been numerous credible allegations of serious misconduct by officials in the Bush Administration,” said Conyers. “At the same time, the administration has adopted what many would describe as a radical view of its own powers and authorities. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Next Friday’s hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort.” SINCE THE OPEN COUP THAT STOLE THE 2000 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WE HAVE SEEN AN END TO OUR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC AND THE INSTALLATION OF A DESPOT WHO OPENLY VIOLATES LAWS (WITH CONGRESS IN SOME CASES RETROACTIVELY LEGALIZING THE VIOLATIONS), OPENLY REWRITES LAWS WITH SO-CALLED SIGNING STATEMENTS, OPERATES IN NEAR TOTAL SECRECY ON MANY MATTERS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY PUBLIC, REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH REQUESTS, FOIA REQUESTS, SUBPOENAS, OR CONTEMPT CITATIONS, ORDERS CURRENT AND FORMER STAFF NOT TO COMPLY WITH SUBPOENAS, BLATANTLY MIS-SPENDS MONIES NOT APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS, KIDNAPS, DETAINS WITHOUT CHARGE, TORTURES, MURDERS, SPIES WITHOUT WARRANT AND OPENLY CONFESSES TO DOING SO, SOLICITS BRIBES, KNOWINGLY MISLEADS THE NATION INTO CATASTROPHIC WAR AND JOKES ABOUT IT, AND ABANDONS AN ENTIRE AMERICAN CITY TO DESTRUCTION CLAIMING TO HAVE HAD NO IDEA A MAJOR HURRICANE WAS COMING DESPITE VIDEOTAPE OF HIMSELF BEING WARNED. UNLIKE THE ABUSES OF POWER COMMITTED BY RICHARD NIXON, BUSH AND CHENEY HAVE WORKED TO ESTABLISH THE PERMANENT RIGHT OF THE U.S. DICTATOR TO ENGAGE IN THESE ACTIVITIES. AS SENIOR MEMBER OF THE DEBATE CLUB, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT NO FURTHER MENTION EVER BE MADE IN THIS CHAMBER OF THE BOOK I PUBISHED TWO YEARS AGO IN WHICH I LISTED NUMEROUS FELONIES COMMITTED BY BUSH AND CHENEY, AND IN THE NEW FOREWORD TO WHICH FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN ELIZABETH HOLTZMAN WROTE LAST YEAR "IMPEACHING PRESIDENT BUSH FOR LYING TO GET US INTO A WAR WILL NOT ONLY PROTECT US FROM HIM, BUT ALSO SEND AN UNMISTAKABLE MESSAGE TO FUTURE PRESIDENTS: NEVER AGAIN." ON THE BACK COVER OF THAT BOOK I SAID OUR SECURITY AND LIBERTY WERE THREATENED BY BUSH'S AND CHENEY'S ABUSES OF POWER. WHAT I MEANT TO SAY WAS "IF I WERE TO ACT, FOX NEWS MIGHT CALL ME MEAN NAMES." SO, I'M STILL STALLING, AND NEXT FRIDAY'S SESSION WILL BE PART OF THAT STALLING EFFORT UNLESS SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES FAIL TO TOE THE LINE.
The Committee is expected to examine a range of legal and legislative responses to allegations of administration misconduct and their expansion of executive branch power. WHILE THIS HEARING IS AN IDEA I'VE TOYED WITH FOR MANY MONTHS AS A POSSIBLE WAY TO ADVERTISE BUSH'S CRIMES FOR ELECTORAL GAIN WHILE HOPING NOBODY NOTICES MY FAILURE TO ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM, AND WHILE I'M ONLY GOING AHEAD WITH IT NOW BECAUSE THE PRESSURE FOR IMPEACHMENT HAS BEEN GETTING TO PELOSI AND SHE TOLD ME TO, I WANT TO BE CLEAR FROM THE OUTSET THAT POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DEPTH DURING THIS 2-HOUR EVENT INCLUDE ASKING EMLOYEES OF THE DICTATOR TO TAKE HIM TO COURT AND ASKING THE DICTATOR HIMSELF TO VETO BILLS. IN CASE THAT'S NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU, I'LL NONSENSICALLY REFER TO BUSH AS AN EXECUTIVE EVEN THOUGH HE'S NO MORE EXECUTING THE WILL OF CONGRESS THAN IS ANY FOREIGN DICTATOR.
Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, the Committee has conducted extensive oversight into allegations of misconduct by the administration, including: (1) improper politicization of the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorneys offices, including potential misuse of authority with regard to election and voting controversies; (2) misuse of executive branch authority and the adoption and implementation of the so-called unitary executive theory, including in the areas of presidential signing statements and regulatory authority; (3) misuse of investigatory and detention authority with regard to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, including questions regarding the legality of the administration’s surveillance, detention, interrogation, and rendition programs; (4) manipulation of intelligence and misuse of war powers, including possible misrepresentations to Congress related thereto; (5) improper retaliation against administration critics, including disclosing information concerning CIA operative Valerie Plame, and obstruction of justice related thereto; and (6) misuse of authority in denying Congress and the American people the ability to oversee and scrutinize conduct within the administration, including through the use of various asserted privileges and immunities. EVEN THOUGH WE WON ELECTIONS AFTER TRYING TO IMPEACH NIXON AND LOST AFTER AVOIDING IMPEACHING REAGAN, AND EVEN THOUGH NO AMOUNT OF HUMAN BLOOD COULD DISTRACT ME FROM THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF ELECTIONS, I'M NOW GOING TO BRAG ABOUT SEVERAL OF BUSH'S AND CHENEY'S IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES I'VE LOOKED OVER IN DETAIL BEFORE REFUSING TO PURSUE THEM. IF THIS MAKES ME LOOK BAD AND HELPS DROP CONGRESS BELOW 9% APPROVAL, I WILL AT LEAST BE ABLE TO PLEAD OBLIVIOUSNESS. (1) AS PART OF A MULTIFACETED PROGRAM OF ELECTION FRAUD, BUSH HAS TURNED THE FORMER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INTO THE ELECTION CONTROL OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. (2) THE GAO HAS FOUND THAT IN MANY CASES BUSH HAS VIOLATED THE LAWS HE CLAIMED THE RIGHT TO VIOLATE IN SIGNING STATEMENTS. THIS WOULD BE AN OPEN-AND-SHUT IMPEACHMENT HEARING IF I GAVE A RAT'S ASS ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW OR THE SEPARATION OF POWERS. (3) WHILE TORTURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNEQUIVOCALLY ILLEGAL AND ABSOLUTELY BANNED REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION, I HAVE "QUESTIONS" ABOUT WHETHER BUSH'S AND CHENEY'S TORTURING OF PEOPLE IS LEGAL. (4) BUSH LIED US INTO WAR, THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, BUT I'LL TREAT IT AS IN DOUBT. (5) TREASON IS NOT A TOP CONCERN RIGHT NOW. (6) UNILATERALLY DISARMING BY REMOVING IMPEACHMENT FROM THE CONSTITUTION LEAVES ONE POWERLESS TO GET REQUESTS AND SUBPOENAS COMPLIED WITH, BUT NOT POWERLESS TO WHINE ABOUT IT.
The July 25 hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Additional information, including witness participation, will be announced next week. I WORK FOR YOU AND HOPE THAT YOU SHOW UP TO HOLD ME TO ACCOUNT SOMETIMES ON CAPITOL HILL. BUT I WOULD NEVER INVITE YOU TO SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT. I MAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE FOX NEWS IS THERE.
*****
AN ADDENDUM ALSO IN THE ORIGINAL AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten, habe ich nicht protestiert; ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie die Juden holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Jude.
Als sie mich holten, gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.
WHEN THE NAZIS CAME FOR THE COMMUNISTS I REMAINED SILENT; I WAS NOT A COMMUNIST
WHEN THEY LOCKED UP THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS I REMAINED SILENT I WAS NOT A SOCIAL DEMOCRAT
DAVID SWANSON is a co-founder of After Downing Street, a writer and activist, and the Washington Director of Democrats.com. He is a board member of Progressive Democrats of America, and serves on the Executive Council of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild, TNG-CWA. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and as a communications director, with jobs including Press Secretary for Dennis Kucinich's 2004 presidential campaign, Media Coordinator for the International Labor Communications Association, and three years as Communications Coordinator for ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Swanson obtained a Master's degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia in 1997.
members of the 4th Reich. They are all so certain there will be no trial. How else can we explain their current posture?
It is beneficial to reflect on the past in order to better understand the present.
Conyers' posture makes me sick. By obstructing justice and by enabling crimes, Conyers is as guilty as the rest. It didn't have to be this way but he chose this road and now he sits smiling at our attempts to motivate him to do what he should have done years ago. He smirks. He uses doublespeak and he thinks he has us hoodwinked.
by
Tony Forest (6 articles, 15 quicklinks, 153 diaries, 1354 comments)
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:16:32 AM
The Justice Committee won't even bring Rove in after he left the country instead of appearing before the committee as ordered. http://sendkarlrovetojail.com/
It's all quite strange.
by
Kathlyn Stone (42 articles, 220 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 638 comments)
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 12:31:17 AM
Campaign Against All Dems if They don't Hold Hearings B4 Nov
Many in the Democratic Party who are concerned about the need for full blown impeachment hearings intend to hold all House Democrats accountable who fail to call for hearings before the election.
To us the simple fact of whether or not Democratic Congressmen do or do not publicly call for iimmediate impeachment hearings is the acid test of whether they deserve re-election.
If Congressmen Refuse to honor their oath of office to protect Our Constitution, and Refuse to act as the Opposition Party and be a check on a rogue President, then they simply no longer qualify for any Federal office. Their failure to protect Our Constitution and the separation of powers is unacceptable.
We are and will continue to actively campaign against all Democratic Congressmen (who are seeking re-election or a Senate seat).
It is time to take off the gloves. Congressmen who ignore their duty to Our Constitution and also ignore the wishes of the voters must be denied re-election. If they won't hold Bush and Cheney accountable they won't get you single payer healthcare.
We call on all Democrats, Independents and Republicans who want real change to join us. Get out in the streets and actively campaign negatively against them. Use as your theme the fact that they refuse to even discuss or call for impeachmentand refuse to honor their oath.
Our Congressmen only care about re-election and about their perks and power. The only power we have to make Congress respect our wishes is at the ballot box. We have between now and the election to make ourselves heard. We lose that power on election day. Use it wisely now.
John H Kennedy, Denver CO, 43 yr Democratic voter, Obama delegate to the Denver County Convention
I absolutely agree with your post. However as a delegate for Obama will you vote for him anyway? Unless I'm way off base Obama has no plans to hold anyone accountable for anything. Can you say FISA?
I think he is great, but I will not vote for him unless Pelosi and Conyers get out of the way.
by
LickBush (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 comments)
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11:38:44 AM
VOTE For Obama, but Campaign aginst the House Democrats
We absolutely cannot have McCain in hte White House,
so vote for Obama.
You can however carry signs at Obama's events asking him to use his influence with the House Democrats to get impeachment hearings started prior to the election.
The Democrats will keep their majority the house and Senate and we can afford to lose a couple of seats.
So go after the House Democrats.... Hold Impeachment Hearings or we'll un-elect you. Use your power. It is gone after the election for another four years.
by
John H Kennedy (7 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 105 comments)
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11:47:02 AM
Thank you, David.The intensity of your writing is not only constantly in focus on our nation’s most important issue but is, in my opinion, the greatest driving force in the impeachment movement.We have more than a dozen players solely devoted to the impeachment of Bush and Cheney but none that makes impeachment not only the highest priority but the only priority and on a daily basis.
It is my greatest hope that more writers will follow in your footsteps and increase the pressure on the Democratic leadership until they relent.The main roadblock now is not from the Bush administration which is quiet as mice and their Neocon supporters have nothing to refute and are only offering diversions.Our only adversaries of any account at this time are Pelosi, Reid, Waxman, and Conyers.They are digging in and if they refuse to concede to pressure we must discredit and disown them.
I have said repeatedly that, NOTHING OF ANY VALUE, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WORTHWHILE CAN OR WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED UNTIL GEORGE W. BUSH AND DICK CHENEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CRIMES THEY HAVE COMMITTED AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!!
by
libertybill (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments)
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 1:26:17 PM
6 comments
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