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Tag(s): Action Alerts; Impeach; Impeachment; Judiciary; Kucinich-Dennis; McClellan
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June 26, 2008 at 00:17:35

Impeachment Action Is Working!

by Meryl Ann Butler Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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The sworn testimony of Scott McClellan has added more weight to HR 1258, Dennis Kucinich’s 35 Articles of Impeachment. Not that the resolution was in need of even another feather’s weight of proof—but the more, the merrier.

The Declaration of Independence was, in effect, articles of impeachment served against our first King George. In it, Thomas Jefferson penned: "... and when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is (OUR) right, it is (OUR) duty, to throw off such Government ..."

Inspired by Kucinich’s bill and Jefferson’s words, and in a flurry of matriotism, I handwrote postcards to all 40 members of the Judiciary Committee, letting them know that I want them to uphold the Constitution and impeach Bush. (Cheney, too!) In my approximately 100-word message, I thanked them for serving on the committee, and also mentioned my age (“mature”) and that this was the first time in my life that I had written to a Congressional Committee.

40  picture postcards (on sale): $6.00
40  27-cent stamps: $10.80
40  handwritten notes to Judiciary Committee: 5 hours
Participation in Democracy: PRICELESS!

Activists continue to call, write, and fax. And it’s working! Another member of the Judiciary Committee, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), has stepped forward to co-sponsor HR 1258. According to afterdowningstreet.org, Rep. Robert Wexler was the first to co-sponsor, then Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee, then Maurice Hinchey and Baldwin, then Sam Farr. The list will be updated here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HE01258:@@@P

The National Lawyers Guild unanimously and enthusiastically passed a resolution supporting the impeachment of Bush and Cheney last November. http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/28354

In September 2007, The National Coalition of American Nuns wrote the following to each member of Congress to call for impeachment:

Dear Member of Congress:

The National Coalition of American Nuns is impelled by conscience to call you to act promptly to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney for the following high crimes and misdemeanors:

1. For deceiving the public under the false pretense that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction;

2. For violating the integrity of the U.S. Constitution against the expressed will of the American people by setting up a National Security State which robs us of our Freedoms;

3. For destroying our reputation and the good will of other nations toward us, especially through violation of the UN charter by making a unilateral decision to wage preemptive war, by refusal to abide by the Geneva Convention regarding torture of prisoners, and by denial of habeas corpus to prisoners.

The time for impeachment is now-before the example of George W. Bush's regime is set in stone. Future generations will thank you for preserving the freedom of our nation and its relation to the entire human community. Win or lose, you and we know it is the right thing to do. Please act NOW before it is too late.

Sincerely,
Mary Ann Cunningham SL
Grace Pleiman SFP
For the Board of the National Coalition of American Nuns
http://www.ncan.us/

If you want to add your voice to the chorus, contact info for all the members of the Judiciary Committee is at the OEN article below:

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/manage.php?submit=view&storyid=61598

And you can even dress for success with a free, bright orange, “Impeach BOTH!!!” cap from The Pen: http://www.usalone.com/impeach_both_cap.php

www.merylannbutler.com

Meryl Ann Butler is an artist, author and educator who counts First Lady Dolley Payne Todd Madison as well as two signers of the Articles of Confederation among her ancestors. Mary Ball, mother of George Washington is in the ancestral lineage of Butler's great grandmother, Blanche Ball. Grateful to know that the blood of America's founding mothers and fathers runs in her veins, Butler has been newly filled with matriotism as a direct result of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Lest she appear too uppity, it should be revealed that she also has family ties to James Butler Hickok, better known as Wild Bill. Butler has been actively engaged in utilizing the arts as stepping-stones toward joy-filled enlightenment for the past two decades. A native of NYC, her response to 9-11 was to pen an invitation to healing through creativity, entitled, "90-Minute Quilts: 15+ Projects You Can Stitch in an Afternoon" (Krause 2006). They don't call quilts "comforters" for nothing! www.90minutequilts.com Butler was faculty advisor for "The Love for All Mankind/Anti-Apartheid Quilt" project at ENMU (1993), now in the collection of the Hon. Nelson Mandela. As Arts Advisor for the Center for Improving U.S.- Soviet Relations (CIUSSR) Baltimore, MD; her activities included the "First U.S.-Soviet Childrens' Peace Quilt Exchange" (1987-88), an historic project chronicled in the media of both countries. Citizen diplomacy trips to the U.S.S.R. in 1987 and 1988 included lectures and presentations to fashion designers, craftspeople and artists in Odessa, Moscow, Kiev and St.Petersburg, in which she focused on the topic of creating global peace through international art exchanges. Butler is the proud mother of a daughter and seven stepchildren (all grown), and a passel o' grand younguns. It is to these new generations that she dedicates her political activism. Archived articles www.opednews.com/author/author1820.html Older archived articles, from before May 2005 are here.,

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16 comments

Ray Louis is an aging, burnt-out, radical activist. He is of the opinion that most people have no idea how harsh and brutal the government is because they have never really done anything to resist or oppose it. While he doesn't at all engage in the level of activism he once did, he still has strong and unconventional opinions. His fear is the Orwellian nightmare coming true (with a mixture of environmental degradation and peak oil as the backdrop).
http://nihilo0.blogspot.com/
R. A. LouisRay Louis is an aging, burnt-out, radical activist. He is of the opinion that most people have no idea how harsh and brutal the government is because they have never really done anything to resist or oppose it. While he doesn't at all engage in the level of activism he once did, he still has strong and unconventional opinions. His fear is the Orwellian nightmare coming true (with a mixture of environmental degradation and peak oil as the backdrop).
http://nihilo0.blogspot.com/

From your keyboard to god's inbox!

I hope you are correct and this impeachment comes to pass. My past experiences with politics and the media makes me cynical, and it can be hard to to accurately gauge the pulse of the various political bodies when it comes to this issue, but I hold out hope and optimism. As with many great political achievements, like the abolition of slavery, this will be brought about by the relentless and tireless efforts of the activists who are putting pressure on the politicians and the media at every opportunity. Impeachment is so necessary for the great redemption that this country needs.

A favorite tactic I've seen recommended is to make it known your intentions and abilities to campaign for any candidate who seeks to unseat any member of congress who opposes impeachment -- regardless of district. An hour or two of campaign work is the least we can do and is probably something that truly makes these congress people uncomfortable. And that's a good thing because their support of Bush has made the world uncomfortable. Continue to write articles and letters to the editors, continue to call radio talk shows, and continue to keep up the pressure in general. This impeachment can, should, and very possibly may happen. The very notion of justice demands impeachment.

by R. A. Louis (9 articles, 2 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 60 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 5:56:19 AM

LOL

to god's inbox, LOL, you crack me up, thanks for the laugh! ;-) I sure don't wanna get spammed by god! ha!

by Meryl Ann Butler (43 articles, 42 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 351 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 1:54:45 PM

I am retired with not enough money saved to counter inflation and being forced back into the work force. I am a vet, (Vietnam era), extremely disappointed with the aggressive, imperialistic direction this country has taken in Iraq, to control and usurp it's oil, and the extent to which BOTH parties are complicit.
Nick van NesI am retired with not enough money saved to counter inflation and being forced back into the work force. I am a vet, (Vietnam era), extremely disappointed with the aggressive, imperialistic direction this country has taken in Iraq, to control and usurp it's oil, and the extent to which BOTH parties are complicit.

Impeachment should be prioritized

This is by far the most important issue facing this country and the world today. Democrats are showing such poor judgement and lack of leadership. Their reasons Not to impeach are strictly political (hoping to gain themselves a stronger majority in the upcoming election), but ignorant and selfish and unprincipled and unpatriotic. Their staterd reasons are not legitimate reasons NOT to impeach. That so many have come together like sheep to agree with Pelosi, Reide and Conyers is disgusting and unforgiveable. Kucinich, Wexler, Feingold are our true heros.We must hold all complicit democrats fully accountable, beginning with my own, Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts. Find out who your congressman is and let him/her know their sheepishness is unacceptable andf their job is on the line. That they don't want to impeach a president and VP with such compelling evidence against them is their fault. That we, the People, do nothing about it is ours. We are running out of time to make this happen and redeem ourselves. It's up to us, not them. They work for us. They will be happy to do nothing if we don't convince them otherwise.

by Nick van Nes (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 110 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 8:30:20 AM

John H Kennedy is a A 43 year Denver, Colorado Democratic voter and Obama delegate to the Denver County Convention. He is fed up with the do nothing Democratic Congress' failure to protect the Constitution and the separation of powers by impeachment. He is the organizer for the
Impeach Colorado Coalition http://ImpeachCO.com He believes that to accomplish Impeachment prior to the election we must ruthlessly pressure all Democrats who are in tight races nationwide and force them to call...

to see more of bio, click on member name
John H KennedyJohn H Kennedy is a A 43 year Denver, Colorado Democratic voter and Obama delegate to the Denver County Convention. He is fed up with the do nothing Democratic Congress' failure to protect the Constitution and the separation of powers by impeachment. He is the organizer for the
Impeach Colorado Coalition http://ImpeachCO.com He believes that to accomplish Impeachment prior to the election we must ruthlessly pressure all Democrats who are in tight races nationwide and force them to call...

to see more of bio, click on member name

It is time to give the House Democrats some tough love.

To Impeach before Nov 4, Do Something Different, Quickly!

WHY haven't WE caused Impeachment of Cheney? Or Bush?

Or at least pushed the House Democrats to hold Impeachment Hearings?

We've marched, protested, fasted, are holding strikes, vigils, sit-ins, die-ins and god knows what else to no avail whatsoever as long as our Democratic Congressmen ignore us.

The media, wanting access and good treatment from Congress, will also ignore us, for as long as Congress does.

What can we do that is different and radical enough to get action by Congress?

Perhaps it will help to consider that the current Democratic Majority in the House may be the danger to the Constitution.

If Congress takes an oath to defend the Constitution and does not, it is the enemy of both the Constitution and the people?

I am not proposing rebellion, but how are we to get their attention before the next election?

In Colorado we have done over 110 impeachment events in 14 months, all of which have been ignored by our Colorado Congressmen.

We have tried to learn from that and come up with a plan that could cause our Congressmen to pay attention.

Our conclusion was that we need to find the Democratic Congressmen who are running for re-election or for the Senate and are in tight races

and campaign against them primarily on the point

that they are a traitor to their oath and Our Constitution when they do not rise to the defense of the Constitution and call for Impeachment Hearings.

If they won't defend the Constitution they probably won't do a good job of defending the rights of the voters.

We are campaigning against Rep. Udall using harsh language. We also say he is betraying and diminishing the power of Congress itself if he does not defend it against the executive branch.

In a state where registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats and Independents are just as strong, We need only move the public's perception of him by a few percentage points to get his attention.

We believe that it will take a lot less money, people and effort to do that effectively than trying to persuade Congressman from "safe districts" to impeach. We believe that with enough pressure either Udall or one of the "safe seat" Congressmen will change their mind on impeachment.

A prominent local member of the Colorado peace and justice community asked me recently why we are going after Udall saying that surely we don't want the Republican to win the Senate seat.

I replied No, we don't want Schaffer over Udall, but if pressuring Udall within a hair of losing the election will get one or more of our Colorado Congressmen to come out for impeachment, we'll take the risk."

Getting the US House to hold impeachment hearings would go a long way to putting some steel in their collective spine for our other goals and would help restore much needed influence of the peace and justice/anti-war community.

We think it is worth the risk of losing one or two Democratic Congressmen across the country.

We think that the Democrats will add to their majorities in the House and Senate no matter what pressure we activists put on them.

It is more a matter of affecting the extent of that increased majority. No Congressman wants to be the one to lose by a few votes and that could happen to Udall. And more importantly, no senior Congressman wants to lose a Chairmanship they have enjoyed for the first time in 10 years, or if they are anticipating gaining a Chair, having it snatched away at the last minute by rabid protesters. We think it is possible to build on all Congressmen's fear of losing by attacking the weaker candidates.

It is not just about one candidate's race but about the percentage of Democrats in Congress. We can worry all of them by challenging that percentage.

Our plan is to pressure the weaker Democratic Congressional candidates, the ones in tight races for either House or Senate. We think that will put pressure on both the "tight race" Democratic Candidates themselves and the "safe seat" Dems as well to support impeachment hearings. It is to Rep. DeGette's advantage to have a higher number of House seats held by Democrats, it affects Committee assignments and senority, and her power and influence.

We have been protesting at our Congressman Udall's state campaign headquarters, at public appearances, at even Republican events where we can get our point about Udall noticed.

Since we have started down this path the honking at our impeach protests has easily quadrupled.

We think the voters are aware that the problem really is our Democratic Congressmen. We gave the House Democrats the Majority in 2006 because of their promise to stop the Iraq War and hold Bush and Cheney accountable. They accomplished neither but gave Bush more than he asked for on most occasions.

The huge increase in honking at our protests indicates to us that the voters are glad that we are forcefully trying to persuade the Democrats to impeach.

We recently had feedback from the Udall campaign via a well known local Democratic blogger and rabid Udall supporter asking us to back off. The plan is working here.

We are asking all activists across the Country

to consider changing your emphasis from the anti-war path

to that of challenging the fitness for re-election of all Democratic Candidates for the House or Senate based on their not protecting the Constitution and Separation Of Powers.

Sticking to this one point will help us teach the public about the necessity for protecting the Constitution by Impeachment and for doing it now.

Stopping the illegal Iraq War requires that UFPJ and other anti-war activists shift their emphasis for a few months to impeachment. An organization that can field over 1,000 protests on the Anniversary of the Iraq War should do no less for impeachment, as impeachment may be the only way to stop the war soon.

John H Kennedy, Denver CO.

43 yr Democratic voter, Obama delegate , organizer of

Impeach Colorado Coalition http://ImpeachCO.com

by John H Kennedy (7 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 105 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:37:51 AM

A native Californian, Jan Baumgartner is a freelance writer currently living in Maine. Her background includes scriptwriting, comedy writing for the Northern California Emmy Awards, and travel writing for The New York Times. She has worked as a grant writer for the non-profit sector in the fields of academia, AIDS, and wildlife conservation and anti-poaching for NGO's in the U.S. and Africa. Her articles and essays have appeared in numerous online and print publications in the U.S. and internat...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Jan BaumgartnerA native Californian, Jan Baumgartner is a freelance writer currently living in Maine. Her background includes scriptwriting, comedy writing for the Northern California Emmy Awards, and travel writing for The New York Times. She has worked as a grant writer for the non-profit sector in the fields of academia, AIDS, and wildlife conservation and anti-poaching for NGO's in the U.S. and Africa. Her articles and essays have appeared in numerous online and print publications in the U.S. and internat...

to see more of bio, click on member name

You go, girl

Thanks for the inspiration and kick in the pants to keep going, not give up the fight due to frustration. It will forever be a blemish on our collective consciences if we throw in the towel and accept some of the most blatant and heinous crimes against our country, civil liberties, and human rights around the world.

by Jan Baumgartner (52 articles, 136 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 249 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 1:27:02 PM

;-) thanks

thanks, i hope this will nudge folks to fire up dem writin' pens!

by Meryl Ann Butler (43 articles, 42 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 351 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 1:42:59 PM

AND BTW ...

Hey all o' y'all, thanks for your comments! And btw, postcards are available at the Post Office with the stamp already on them, for 28 cents (oy, sech a deal dahlink) and you have the whole back of the card to write a missive, if you want! Or else, just scrawl, "Impeach, please!" across the back, big as you want! I understand that postcards don't have to go thru any "anti-terrorist" filtration like letters do, and I think they carry more weight with Congresspeople than things you can copy easily such as faxes and emails - although ALL forms of communication are essential in this mission! Thank you all! IMPEACH, BABY!

by Meryl Ann Butler (43 articles, 42 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 351 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 1:48:31 PM

I'm a 61year old white guy, Veteran of 66-68, operate my own business with my wife and love to travel. Built a big sailboat in the 70's and went sailing for a few years, which ruined me for real work. Now, I fly hot air balloons for a living. Have been initiated as an Andean Paq'o. Yes, I am a liberal.
RogerI'm a 61year old white guy, Veteran of 66-68, operate my own business with my wife and love to travel. Built a big sailboat in the 70's and went sailing for a few years, which ruined me for real work. Now, I fly hot air balloons for a living. Have been initiated as an Andean Paq'o. Yes, I am a liberal.

Impeachment, perhaps

But it will sure be difficult to get a conviction in the Senate, where all but 15 Democrats just voted to cover Bush's wiretapping crimes. Personally, I think the White House must have photo's of the entire Congress flagrente with a herd of goats.

by Roger (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 359 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 2:34:44 PM

Bill Cain is a professional travel photo-journalist who writes primarily for the Concord Monitor in Concord, New Hampshire. He's visited all seven continents, countless countries and his travel experiences have contributed to and are reflected in his world views.
Bill CainBill Cain is a professional travel photo-journalist who writes primarily for the Concord Monitor in Concord, New Hampshire. He's visited all seven continents, countless countries and his travel experiences have contributed to and are reflected in his world views.

Congress

"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself." - Mark Twain

This shows that things haven't changed with respect to this august group of jellyfish in over one hundred years.

Relying on Congress to do the right thing has always been a waste of time and effort.

To correct what is wrong in this country will take a lot more than contacting your congressman, and hoping he or she will display some measure of common sense, honesty, or will be able to add two and two.

It will take either massive external intervention, or a colossal, clandestine counter offensive to the the forces now in control - something which could have, and should have been in preparation since 9-11. If it's not currently on the drawing board, then we wait for the first aforementioned alternative.

by Bill Cain (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 287 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 3:09:39 PM

Jennifer Epps is an anti-war protester, feminist, environmentalist, and activist with the L.A. Area Impeachment Center. She is also a screenwriter, stage director, and former film critic.
Jennifer EppsJennifer Epps is an anti-war protester, feminist, environmentalist, and activist with the L.A. Area Impeachment Center. She is also a screenwriter, stage director, and former film critic.

Nuns' sense

I did not know that NUNS want impeachment. How fabulous!!!!

And I don't think Hinchey had co-sponsored Kucinich's original resolution re. the impeachment of Cheney. Getting new converts of all stripes! :)

by Jennifer Epps (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 19 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 6:28:38 PM

YEP!

Those nuns ROCK!

by Meryl Ann Butler (43 articles, 42 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 351 comments) on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:07:39 AM

Margaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Margaret BassettMargaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I wrote the DNC on their own dime

If mail asking for donations to Democrats come in, I consistently give them a piece of mind. I simply write that I am sending no money to candidates until they tell me whether they support impeachment.

by Margaret Bassett (25 articles, 1685 quicklinks, 29 diaries, 1015 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:18:25 PM

Great idea!

thanks!

by Meryl Ann Butler (43 articles, 42 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 351 comments) on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:12:03 AM

A retired sales ad marketing trainer, escapee from the automobile business, who reads vorciously and writes whenever possible. The rest of the available time is spent doing woodworking or cooking. Lives in central TX, where the weather is great and politics are dubious. Usually logical and sensible but can be very cranky when assaulted by anybody leaning too far to the right and doesn't know it.
Ivan HentschelA retired sales ad marketing trainer, escapee from the automobile business, who reads vorciously and writes whenever possible. The rest of the available time is spent doing woodworking or cooking. Lives in central TX, where the weather is great and politics are dubious. Usually logical and sensible but can be very cranky when assaulted by anybody leaning too far to the right and doesn't know it.

Another project

I've had my fingers crossed so tightly about this impeachment issue for so long that my hands hurt. Now that you have introduced the modus operandi of postcarding, I guess I'll have to add writer's cramp to my list of personal miseries. Oh well.

I know the skeptics and nay-sayers abound ( you found a few), and "long shot" is an applicable term, but king georgie has got to go and take his corrupt and strangely out of tune orchestra with him.

I guess postcards aren't just for vacations, any more!

by Ivan Hentschel (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 252 comments) on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:41:41 PM

YEP, JUST UNCROSS THOSE FINGERS

and put a pen in 'em, LOL! ;-)

by Meryl Ann Butler (43 articles, 42 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 351 comments) on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:10:22 AM

I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I consider myself above all to be an American, above political parties in thinking and in my desire to see this country return to its former greatness. I therefore look at all issues with a critical eye, toss out the political propaganda and make up my own mind. I am opinionated and set in my ways, it takes some powerful convincing to change my mind once its set.
John ShriverI am neither Republican nor Democrat. I consider myself above all to be an American, above political parties in thinking and in my desire to see this country return to its former greatness. I therefore look at all issues with a critical eye, toss out the political propaganda and make up my own mind. I am opinionated and set in my ways, it takes some powerful convincing to change my mind once its set.

Impeacement

Impeacement is clearly called for in order to stop the Bush "war machine" before he sends more American soldiers to die for his warped thinking. Bush is clearly, and without reservation or doubt, guilty of each of the 35 articles of impeacement as read into the Congressional Record. Lame duck president or not, Bush MUST be stopped. It is also apparent that Bush and Cheeney are doing the bidding of Isreal, not acting in the best interest of the United States.

I urge every Congressman/woman abd Representative to get on the impeacement train and stop Bush. Our next president shouldn't even consider pardoning Bush for his war crimes when he leaves office. Bush, Cheeney, Rice and others should be held accountable even after leaving office.

by John Shriver (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 48 comments) on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 9:30:42 AM