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August 18, 2008 at 08:45:57

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IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE?

by Bruce K. Gagnon     Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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I've been closely following Nancy Pelosi's book tour protests at the After Downing Street web site during the last two weeks. You know the story, Pelosi says that she was not aware of any Bush-Cheney impeachable offenses. So activists have been showing up at her events trying to present her with Rep. Dennis Kucinich's list of 35 offenses but Pelosi has had security not allow people to bring any paperwork or signs or banners near any of her book promos. (Homeland Security of course, protecting the Speaker of the House from random acts of terrorism - stuff like that.)
 

But people have gotten creative. They bought her books and put messages on the inside of the book covers and open them just as they approach her for an autograph. Needless to say Queen Nancy is not pleased about this. She got a real hard time recently at an event in California and plaintively cried out to the audience, "I used to be an activist." Operative words here - used to be.

I can use those words too. I "used to be" a Democrat but then I wised up. I "used to" think we had a democracy but now I know we have an oligarchy. I "used to be" naive but then I opened by eyes and say things the way they really are - I used my nose and smelled the rotten cheese.
Helping to further throw me over the top was this video that landed in my inbox this morning about children in Falleujah, Iraq that have been born with deformities in the last couple of years. These deformities are likely the result of exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic residues from military ordinance. If these are not criminal, if they are not absolute examples of "impeachable offenses," then we should just rip up and burn the U.S. Constitution right now on the spot.
But I know why Pelosi does not want to recognize these war crimes. She can't because the Demo-rats are complicit in these crimes. Let me say it again - the Demo-rats are complicit in these crimes for funding this madness, for enabling Bush, for encouraging him, for excusing him, and in recent months for giving him even more money than he requested to pay for the Iraq occupation through 2009. And they are now complicit for refusing to investigate his (their) war crimes.
People tell me that the Demo-rats (Obama) would be better than Bush. How can they be better when they have already abundantly proven that they are made of the same corrupt criminal cloth? And these excusers of the Demo-rat crimes want me to put this cloth around my shoulders and wear it - to own it. Never! Not as long as I still have a soul.
My respect and admiration goes out to the Pelosi impeachment chasers who relentlessly pursue her with the unbridled truth. And my congratulations to Cindy Sheehan who is now on the ballot in San Francisco to run for Congress against Pelosi.
Pelosi might "used to" have been an activist. But today she is a war criminal and there is no doubt about it. Pelosi and Bush - I want to hear them try to defend themselves against the evidence of these children's deformities and the broken hearts of their parents. Let them both stand trial before a jury of Iraqi mothers. 

 

http://www.space4peace.org

Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  

Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.

He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes. 

  

Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans Who Tell The Truth.  In 2006 he was the recipient of the Dr. Benjamin Spock Peacemaker Award.

   

In 2003 Bruce co-produced a popular video entitled Arsenal of Hypocrisy that spells out U.S. plans for space domination.  His latest video, shot in 2006, is entitled The Necessity of the Conversion of the Military Industrial Complex. 

In 1968 Bruce was Vice-chair of the Okaloosa County (Florida) Young Republican Club while working on the Nixon campaign for president.

 

Bruce is a Vietnam-era veteran and began his career by working for the United Farm Workers Union in Florida organizing fruit pickers. 

 

 

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JC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
JC GarrettJC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

W, Dick, and Nancy

I hope Sheehan wins in a landslide.

George and Dick couldn't have asked for a better partner in crime than Pelosi.

by JC Garrett (40 articles, 65 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 604 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 9:33:04 AM
 

Faculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.
Peter WedlundFaculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.

Problem with Impeachment!

The problem with impeachable offenses is that there has to agreement on some standard justifying impeachment.  Thus far, I haven't seen any evidence the Democratic leadership is able to define what constitutes an impeachable offense.  Pelosi herself doesn't even believe there has been any crime committed.  I guess if you can't get her to recognize what is wrong inside America you will be hard pressed to get her to recognize any crime that was committed outside of America.

by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 189 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 1:51:27 PM
 

Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes.     Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bruce K. GagnonBruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes.     Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

It's simple

It's actually very simple, just follow the constitution.  Impeachable offenses for high crimes and misdemeanors.  Is not starting a war on a lie a crime?  Are not the deaths and injuries to GI's and Iraqi's crimes?

 It's not a matter of agreeing to the crime.  It's a matter of following the law.  The fact that the Dems won't follow the constitution is a crime in of itself.

by Bruce K. Gagnon (105 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 2:06:20 PM
 

Faculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.
Peter WedlundFaculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.

Dear Bruce:

I would not disagree with you.  However as I sit here it is mid-August of 2008.  Very little has happened in the last 1.5 years Democrats have controlled the House.  People complain.  People write letters.  People post opinions on this issue and what has really happened? 

We can vote Democrats out of office, but not without a majority vote and while progressives may be upset, look around at the majority of the public. Do they strike you as really caring about impeachment?  In my state, even the newspapers don't seem to care.  I would like to say holding Democrats accountable is a great idea and I do hold them accountable for their lack of action.  I will not give the National Democratic Party one cent of my money.  Punishing Democrats is a bit harder to do when the only serious alternative for my vote is a Republican.  I end up supporting the lesser of two evils, or no one at all.  Guess what?  Elected officials don't care how few votes they get just so long as they get enough votes to win.

I have long felt the evidence was overwhelming on the need for impeachment hearings.  What happened?  We finally had a non-hearing impeachment inquiry.  You figure out how you're going to make Congress listen and I will support you all the way.  I just don't see raising DU issues affecting Iraqi children as sufficient to move anything forward.  After all, hundred of thousands of Iraqi's are dead, millions are displaced from their homes and hundreds of billions of dollars has been incurred due to war damage.  That does seem like a pretty persuasive arguement for impeachment if the whole war was based on unjustified, trumpted up intelligence. It is all dismissed as "hey bad intelligence, what can you do?" You are addressing collateral damage. 

I have even written the International Court of Justice in the Hague requesting Bush and Cheney be held accountable for war crimes and human rights abuses since the Democrats seem unwilling to do their job.  Thus far, no comment.  It takes a lot of outrage to change things in this country and it seems in spite of many independent demands that justice be heard, little progress is made.  I just think you will have to find something more compelling to move more people to realize the need for justice.  Sorry to say this, but too many Americans just don't find the suffering of others "their problem".

by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 189 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 4:47:36 PM
 

Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes.     Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bruce K. GagnonBruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes.     Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

More

I understand all your points about the fact that the Dems are not responding - you are most certainly right about that.  They are all in Washington drowning our democracy.

 But a person has to stand for something.  If we don't stand up for the constitution and for the lives of innocent Iraqi children, then what does that say about us?

Why would anyone vote for any of these Dems when we know they stand for nothing?  How can anyone think that real change will come from them?  At least an alternative vote represents a real vote for integrity and truth.  As long as we keep giving votes to Dems, who turn right around and betray us, we are going nowhere fast.

How can we live with ourselves by working hard for peace and justice and then surrendering our very souls to these worthless Dems? 

 

by Bruce K. Gagnon (105 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 5:00:38 PM
 

Faculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.
Peter WedlundFaculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.

Don't get me wrong!

I don't support the National Democrats.  I won't vote for the one who represents me currently.  I send my money to Congressional people who represent my values and principles, not the ones who sit on their hands and do nothing. 

Believe me, I want change and not the status quo.  However, I have lived long enough to know, change comes slow at a national level.  You must touch the right nerves of people to inspire them to action.  You have to identify the right pressure points to get results and know where your efforts are going to be most likely wasted. That was my purpose in writing.  It is not the passion that is lacking.  It is the passion focused on the appropriate point that produces a significant reaction that we have been missing.

I have tried multiple approaches myself.  Appealing to the higher standards and principles of legislators.  Pointing out the difference between reasons and excuses for lack of action on impeachment.  Demanding answers to some straightforward questions about what constitutes an impeachable offense by every member of the House Judiciary Committee.  Writing editorials on "impeachment".  I think the dialog has increased, but I think we are no where near the potential needed to get over the bump required for impeachment to proceed.  I do worry about what that means for America.  We can't self regulate government anymore.  We no longer have sufficient numbers of people in government who understand their job function.  People don't care enough to change things. 

Perhaps we are even looking at the beginning of the end of the greatest experiment in modern democracy.  A democracy crushed and destroyed by those who only cared about what they could take for themselves while the rest of us watched and let them do it.  We watched as the populace grew ever more interested in having something than giving something back.  A populace more interested in espousing its greatness than ensuring its own survival.  Living the dream instead of aspiring to one. 

Perhaps all this is just the logical outcome to being successful, never stepping back to see what was required for you to reach that objective or perhaps just not caring once you have success.

by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 189 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 5:51:13 PM
 

Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes.     Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bruce K. GagnonBruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice.He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes.     Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Thanks

Well said and thanks for the good chat

by Bruce K. Gagnon (105 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 5:55:57 PM
 

Michael McCoy is a free American, Vietnam era vet and has ensured that he can withstand an IRS audit and any sudden, unannounced search of his home and documents, in his absence or otherwise. He obsesses about nothing but abscesses over the perversion of his country's ideals, values and democratic due process by cleverly disguised dictators. He has a passion to see the real mass murderers of 911 exposed with all due disgrace - and each conspirator/liar that sought the invasion of Iraq and the s...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Michael McCoyMichael McCoy is a free American, Vietnam era vet and has ensured that he can withstand an IRS audit and any sudden, unannounced search of his home and documents, in his absence or otherwise. He obsesses about nothing but abscesses over the perversion of his country's ideals, values and democratic due process by cleverly disguised dictators. He has a passion to see the real mass murderers of 911 exposed with all due disgrace - and each conspirator/liar that sought the invasion of Iraq and the s...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Politics and sausage

Anyone genuinely paying attention to the broader picture knows that both Afghanistan and Iraq, (Hussein), were priority #1 on the neocon agenda, long before Bush took office. When the Bush puppet was selected, the criminal thugs had carte blanche, lo and behold the 911 attacks arrive - with perfect timing - and the largest crime in US history is set in motion.

With ripple effects moving so slowly in the US political apparatus, and with the mainstream press as a full-fledged co-conspirator, the masterminds knew that before the criminal repercussions came to bear, the crime would be over and done with - the feeble public memory on their side - mission accomplished.

Remarkable to observe the manipulation of the world's largest corporation and military machine in pursuit of narrow, secretive interests, immoral ventures and murder on an industrial scale.

Whether blackmailed or outright threatened, our "Peoples Branch of the US government" - the Congress of the United States - offers the clearest demonstration, likely in human history, of cowardice by committee. And if history is any guide, 95% of the self-serving weasels will be reelected come November.

Unless, of course, any one of the showstopper October surprises that the neocon cabal has on tap falls from the sky. That way, the American public can be spared another sham exercize referred to as "an election".

by Michael McCoy (6 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 396 comments) on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 6:26:01 PM
 

CPA, University Lecturer Risk Finance, Major Royal Australian Infantry (Inactive) RFD, Former Mayor City of Greater Dandenong, Wife from Arabic speaking coutry, Former Lecturer Arabic & Islamic culture - Army Reserve Command & Staff College.
kwalshCPA, University Lecturer Risk Finance, Major Royal Australian Infantry (Inactive) RFD, Former Mayor City of Greater Dandenong, Wife from Arabic speaking coutry, Former Lecturer Arabic & Islamic culture - Army Reserve Command & Staff College.

Lawless

By the legal manoeuvre on multiple legal opinions and information cut outs the current government has so muddied the waters as to render criminal acts legal.  No body can now confidently rely on US law.  In any legal matter involving the US I intend to rely on my own right arm.

by kwalsh (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 227 comments) on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 8:27:26 PM
 

 

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