We of ImpeachforPeace.org had a 15 minute meeting scheduled with Chairman Conyers today. The meeting didn't happen. We will give our full perspective on www.ImpeachforPeaceorg and on YouTube very soon as to why that appointment was not kept by Conyers and his staff over the next 24 hours. In the meantime, here is the opening and closing statement I prepared with the help of our group and the excellent input and encouragement of Phil Burk, Sophie DeVries, Cindy Sheehan, Bob Fertik, David Swanson and many other national "justice through impeachment" leaders:
Chariman Conyers,
I know your time is tight, but I am going to share a very brief personal story.
When I went to buy flowers for my mother's funeral ancient florist and internment camp survivor Junkho Harui shook my hand and said:
"Your mother Natalie has done so much for the Japanese-Americans and Philipino-Americans and the Rainbow Coalition on Bainbridge Island over the years, these flowers are our 'thank you' to her."
My mother taught me many choice swear words at a young age only to be uttered at the likes of George Wallace and Richard Nixon. Had he known about her, she would have been on Nixon's 'enemies list' too. But those such as Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez were held up as the types of leaders her son was to follow.
I am a direct descendant of settlers from the original thirteen colonies, but so is George W. Bush. I was taught that fact does not distinguish me from my fellow citizens who were detained nor those stolen from across the ocean whose genealogical heritage was stripped from them forever.
My heritage has, however led me to recognize leaders of the caliber of those previously mentioned. Your distinguished legacy, Chairman Conyers puts you in the company of leaders my mother led me to recognize and my Representative Keith Ellison appears to be on the same road.
We of ImpeachforPeace can assume everyone here is fully aware of multiple impeachable offenses committed by multiple former and current members of the Bush Administration. We also all know that the road to peace always leads through justice. There is no other path. King marched unflinchingly into Bull Connor's dogs and Ghandi marched into the teeth of the British Empire.
Courage for justice brings change.
My partners and I also recognize quietly among ourselves that impeachment may be unlikely - especially in light of only one additional H. Res. 333 cosigner after the August Recess despite heavy lobbying nationwide. It is our sincere hope that the bombing of Iran is not what it takes to bring impeachment to the table.
Where our perspectives seem to part is whether impeachment is the right course of action to take to address the lawlessness of the Bush Regime.
We hear of investigations, subpoenas, the possible use of inherent contempt against Harriet Miers and others, but we need to know what steps toward justice are being pursued, not just for ourselves, but for the thousands that we communicate with daily.
If impeachment is not chosen (and we have an appeal that I would like to read later), then please convince us that the path of accountability you and Congressmen Nadler, Waxman, Leahy, etc. are pursuing is a better one than the one we have worked tirelessly for over the last 2, 3, 4 years
We are hearing such dissatisfaction - even rebellion among progressives and activists who do not trust the Democratic Party's strategy as reflected in the 11% and sinking approval rating of Congress. We fear that the chosen strategy of the Democrats that seems to appear wise only to those inside the beltway echo chamber is backfiring and a 2008 election disaster may result.
In conclusion, Chairman Conyers, we need specifics. We need dates. We need deadlines. We are all suffering together under a White House that dodges and ducks and hides everything. The Democratic Party leadership cannot expect those of us who are most informed and most committed to fight the good fight with you to sit back and trust that accountability and justice will come.
Minneapolis Organizer: World Can't Wait-Drive Out the Bush Regime ~~~ Co-Founder: ImpeachforPeace.org ~~~ Theatrical Entertainer and Ballroom Dance Instructor by trade
I doubt at this point that the DEMS have the integrity to investigate. The only way I can think of to force them to support impeachemnt, is to stop all contributions to DEMS unitl they, in office, take the step.
PASS IT ALONG, post it everywhere. Every little bit helps.
by
LickBush (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments)
on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 12:30:56 AM
I only support candidates that support impeachment
I have been answering all fundraising calls with the reply: "Does ______ support the impeachment of domestic enemies to the Constitution President Bush and Vice President Cheney?". If the answer is no then I say that the oath of office is to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic"... Candidate _________ is not ready to swear that oath, please contact me immediately when he or she comes out in support of impeachment.
by
Mikael Rudolph (50 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 79 comments)
on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 11:05:16 AM
Conyers is a has been. I hear of his years of service and on and on. We all know that one aw poop erases 1000 attaboys. Any member of the house or senate that has not voted for impeachment is a TRAITOR, plain and simple. I wrote Conyers a letter and told him he was a traitor. If impeachment wont pass then nothing should pass and the whole nation should be brought to a standstill. If our illustrious press werent globalist butt-licks we would probably already have a new prez. You can take both parties shove em, I am finished with them, The party is over, turn out the lights.
by
john riggs (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 440 comments)
on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 5:09:28 PM
3 comments
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