Kucinich addresses many issues at Reno rally By James Ball (JBALL@RGJ.COM ), RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Touching on issues ranging from Yucca Mountain to the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq, presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich spoke to a crowd of several hundred people in Reno Saturday.
Despite a steady snowfall outside, a standing-room-only crowd packed into two meeting rooms at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to hear what the Ohio Congressman and Democrat had to say about issues he's most closely associated with: the environment and opposition to the war and the Bush administration in general. Those expecting Kucinich to deliver harsh words about the president weren't disappointed, as the half-hour campaign speech soon turned to talk of impeachment.
"On the way over here, I was reading a 50-page document that relates to Articles of Impeachment for the President of the United States," Kucinich said to a standing ovation. "And I want you to know that I'm actually preparing this document for submission to the House."
Kucinich said under the current administration, citizen's rights to due process and fair trial are in jeopardy.
"This is a moment when we're called upon to reclaim our country," he said. "You give me your vote, I'll give you back your country."
Kucinich also discussed how his concern for the environment would shape his presidency if he were to be elected.
"Think about this. The government has an engine of sustainability so that the Department of Transportation focuses on developing mass transit solutions. The Department of Housing and Urban Development develops green housing with natural light and passive solar. The Department of Energy incentivizes the production of wind and solar and green energy," he told the crowd.
But most of those on hand weren't there to hear about global warming.
Bill Cantella of Reno made his way throughout the crowd, handing out Kucinich pamphlets and stickers simply reading "Impeach," while others wore shirts and held banners bearing the same sentiment.
Cantella said Kucinich's "everyman" appeal draws him to the candidate.
"The most appealing thing about him to me is that he's not connected with special interests, international corporations and he does not accept campaign contributions from corporations or PACs." Cantella said. "He's not connected to the military industrial complex, oil companies and health insurance companies that rule our lives."
He was quick, however, to point out that shunning such donations could, in fact, hurt Kucinich's chances in a race populated by high-profile candidates like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on the Democratic side.
"That's probably his biggest problem," Cantella said. "Because you have to have a lot of money to win the presidency of the United States. "
Kucinich's wife, Elizabeth, who was raised in England, spoke about the perception that her husband traditionally has been seen as a fringe, extremist candidate.
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.
. . . the same Dennis Kucinich who tried to get the House to act on impeaching Vice President Cheney, and was told to sit down and shut up by the Democrats?
Yup, thought so.
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 6:46:44 PM
All Kucinich had to do to write up his 50-page document is to read the works of David Swanson and After Downing Street. David has been on top of this for several years, but (alas) Swanson can't file the articles--so let's cheer Kucinich as a legislator with a spine.
walt brasch
by
Brasch (55 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 44 comments)
on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 6:58:30 PM
Please bring Bush's Impeacment articles on Dennis Kucinich
If it gets the same treatment as the Cheney impeachment resolution with the Republicans calling for a vote and the Democrats to send it to Conyers Committee then you at least will have done all you humanly could (and history will record that) and it will be on Conyers, the very same Conyers who wrote or organised the writing of the Constitution in Crisis, if nothing happens then.
by
Brett Paatsch (0 articles, 2 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 901 comments)
on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 9:51:55 PM
Dennis Kucinich is someone that we, as Americans, can truly be proud of. He says what he thinks and he speaks the truth. Bush and Cheney should be impeached and I believe if we do not take action to at least attempt to do that we are missing the best opportunity that we will ever have to begin to redeem America in the eyes of the rest of the world. America is no longer viewed as a light for the rest of the world. As an American, I am ashamed of what my government has allowed to happen under the guise of 'keeping us safe'. If individuals are to be tortured merely because they are 'suspect' in order to make me feel safe, then let me live in fear. If we as Americans are to lose our rights and privileges in order for me to feel safe, then let me live in fear. I fear, far more, those who would take away the rights of others or who would take away my rights, under the guise of making me feel safe. I do not fear those 'possible terrorists', I fear a government who prefers that its people live in fear.
Go Dennis! You are a man of integrity and I applaud you. I will also vote for you!
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Crystal Purcell (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 44 comments)
on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 10:03:19 PM
9/11 has to be the top prority and the single most important argument. The massmurderers should not get away with their crime, otherwise history will repeat itself on and on and wars of agression would be perpetuated. There is also a sense of urgency in the air as the lucrative business of World War III looms in the horizon and is awaiting the next much more devastating 9/11 unless the warmogers are quickly removed and chained. Let us restore sanity to politics and let's give Al Gore a hand and a chance to save the planet.
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ramsheyi (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 397 comments)
on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 5:42:51 AM
For a very long time, my focus was entirely on 911. I consider it the most important single event in US History, and I firmly believe that our own government had an involvement, up to the highest levels.
There are other crimes committed to warrant impeachment, crimes that can be proven in a court, crimes against the Constitution. It would not be wise to enter into arguments regarding 911.
Impeach. Convict. Then indict the bastards for each and every crime, including 911. I suggest that waterboarding be used as a prosecution tool.
by
Angelo (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 157 comments)
on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 7:59:49 AM
If we can't stop them a the voting booth, we'll never see any indictments against anyone for anything. Priorities.
First we have to demand now that all votes be paper-trailed and publicly counted, otherwise nothing else matters. We're worse than Third-World countries in our election system. If we have to commit civil disobedience in that we physically destroy all E-voting machines to get our point across, it must be done. I'd much rather see peaceful civil disobedience, say the blocking of the delivery of the machines, but if they leave us no choice we would be better off then voting on a machine that has proven to be suspect.
Of course if we have another "false flag" attack and/or attack Iran all bets are off.
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Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 1173 comments)
on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 12:22:33 PM
Thirty Republicronians stormed the Whitehouse when Nixon was on the verge of impeachment. Until republicronians jump on board the impeachment train, the process is dead in the water. Bruce Fein, who did the Clinton Impeachment articles, a republican, has been on board to impeach Dick and George; however, even he has had little support. He is now showing a play trying to gather the American ppl to lead effort on this subject. I surely believe that if 200 million Americans took to the streets and demanded impeachment, the pressure would twist these neocon Democrats into listening to WE, the ppl. This President's powers will be handed over to the next President (whomever the illegal election desires); therefore, the imperialism will go forward. I speak this to republicronians and then their eyes light up when they think "Hillary" will have Bush's powers! It may be the only way I can get them on board to impeachment of Bush but whatever it takes.
by
shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 241 comments)
on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 7:07:56 AM
