AT LAST, IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR WHAT OUR MOVEMENT MUST DO
Now that the Bushites have made it clear that the only way to defend the Constitution and the rule of law is to impeach them (see "Impeachment: The Time Has Come!" at click here one other thing has become clearer than it has ever been before: what the anti-Bushite movement must do.
It is time to organize to apply maximum pressure on Congress to move it to impeach the leaders of this lawless administration.
From one angle, it's unfortunate that Congress must be pressured to do this. One would wish that they would fulfill their oath to defend the Constitution on their own.
But from another angle, this is the best way for the impeachment process to unfold. A mass movement by which the people demand that Congress impeach these lawless rulers not only pushes the Democratic majority in Congress, it also provides them political safety.
The Democrats have been inhibited by the fear that any move to impeach these would-be tyrants would be interpreted --by the media and the public-- as mere partisan politics-- just a move to wrest power from their opponents.
But if enough people demand that Congress defend the Constitution by impeaching this lawless leadership, it will be clear that this is not a matter of power but a matter of answering the people’s impassioned call to fulfill their oath of office. What could be more defensible than that?
What protects the proponents of impeachment also undercuts those who would defend this lawless regime. In America, the will of the people is difficult to argue with. This is our country, and whereas the American people may not be qualified to make strategic policy we are fully entitled to demand that our birthright of a constitutional democracy be protected. "You took an oath, now fulfill it. Impeach those who are stealing OUR country!"
Already, according to the polls, about half the American people favor the impeachment of Bush and of Cheney. Such public sentiment is unprecedented in American history, and such numbers demonstrate the potential for an unprecedentedly massive social movement. If we can combine a clear and powerful message with putting our movement in its millions into the streets, the force on Congress would be irresistible.
That's our job now: to organize to accomplish it.
HOW TO ORGANIZE
I do not claim to know how this movement should organize itself, but I do have some thoughts.
One thought is that this movement should develop itself into a coherent force as quickly as possible. The Bushites have thrown down the gauntlet, and it is good to rise while its latest usurpations --trying to render Congress irrelevant with its claims of executive privilege, trying to render the judiciary irrelevant with the commutation of Scooter Libby's verdict, etc.-- are still fresh in people's minds. Also, of course, there remain only a year and a half in the administration's term, time enough for them to continue to wreak havoc but not so much that we can dawdle on the process of reining in the lawlessness.
Another is that it should organize itself in a manner that optimizes the benefits of having both good top-down leadership and effective bottom-up grassroots participation.
Toward that end, I propose moving simultaneously toward three preliminary goals:
1) A leadership group should be formed. I propose that the people comprising this leadership group should meet the following main criteria: a) They should be effective and credible spokesmen for the idea that this impeachment is a vital necessity for the nation; b) They should have the knowledge of the American system, and the connections, to be effective in making that system work for the movement; c) They should be regarded as people of integrity by the American people; d) They should make it easier, or at least not harder, for Americans who are politically moderate or conservative to join and support the movement.
Andrew Bard Schmookler's website www.nonesoblind.org is devoted to understanding the roots of America's present moral crisis and the means by which the urgent challenge of this dangerous moment can be met. Dr. Schmookler is also the author of such books as The Parable of the Tribes: The Problem of Power in Social Evolution (SUNY Press) and Debating the Good Society: A Quest to Bridge America's Moral Divide (M.I.T. Press). He also conducts regular talk-radio conversations in both red and blue states.
I think Dr. Schmookler has a wise and well thought out plan of action that has the potential to be quite effective. This is not something, though, that will plan itself. We would need people who can approach key leaders of the various established groups as well as those who have some influence with those who are more moderate in their foundation and established as people of integrity among all groups and help to facilitate a meeting of the minds in an effort to forge together as a united front.
One thing that strikes me the most that has been ignored by many is: "They should make it easier, or at least not harder, for Americans who are politically moderate or conservative to join and support the movement."I could not agree more with that. There has been a lot of alienation going on and that could very well be our downfall.
Certainly, this can be discussed here through comments, but perhaps the author could establish a forum for people committed to making this happen.
by
Cheryl Biren-Wright (26 articles, 25 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 403 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 12:26:39 PM
Here is something we can DO to push Congress to IMPEACH!
Now it is time to DO something together. You are so right. Your list of potential leaders for this coming-together looks remarkably like one I had put to readers some tiem back. It also had Bill Moyers at the top.
Incredible! Just look how we are still suffering from the fearful, unsettling and fragmenting effects of the McCarthy years -- our Great American Purge -- decades afterwards. This nation was deprived then of 2 to 2-1/2 generations of critical thinking.
I would like to point out here an immediately useful tactic to employ as we seek a conceptual unity around a peace, sanity and Constituttional law platform.
The neo-cons use every tool at their disposal to gain and keep power. Now WE must use every available political tool to save the democratic underpinnings of America.
I think there IS something effective we can still do to send a powerful message to the Collapsing Congressional Democrats as we start to form alternatives. Here's a sample message:
We Voted 'NO!' in November. They Didn't Listen.
Now We can Vote 'NO!' Again! This time with Our Feet -- and With Your Registration. THIS Time They will Listen!
As a former national Green Party co-chair I set up the above site to channel the rage into a useful political tactic that can have a real -- and unexpected -- impact.
Beleive it or not yourregistration could have more effect than your vote for someone who never has represented your point of view. More often than not, those who DO come close to your value system never make it past the money-fueled primary. If 1-200,000 or more Dems switched their Registration to Green Party,however, suddenly war funding might see its last days, and impeachment could go back on the table.
Let's take advantage of the Green Party's political party status and its public commitment to stopping this assault ON America (its Constitution, laws, people) by the current regime in Washington.
A switch to "Independent" is a largely meaningless protest gesture. It doesn't point to a programmatic change or goal. In fact, Independents who want to show what they feel about the war should also Switch. A Green registration, on the other hand, carries as much weight as a vote!! Why, you ask? Because the registration ITSELF says far more about you and your politics and your desired destinations than any of the many candidates you may have voted for over the years. A Green Registration says:
No to this war agenda
International negotiations in the Middle East
Impeachment of Bush & Cheney
Universal healthcare
Women's & workers' rights
A re-birth of democracy!
...and more
In short, it says what nearly 70% of the American people want (and which has disappeared from the major parties' Platforms and Practices). Growing the Green Voice through registration, brings life to the silenced voices of that 70%!
Those registration numbers show up. It tells your representatives: “I am now affilitated with a party which sounds just like my heart, mind and conscience. You cannot ignore this progressive constituency any longer!”
We can put this Congress on notice.
A switch in registration may be the ONLY chance you get to show your progressive credentials without being silenced. Those numbers SHOW UP, pointing to a growing progressive constituency that DEMANDS attention.
The Switch2Green.org site points out that OUTSIDE pressure is likely to have more of an effect, than decades of wasted inside begging and pleading.
I lived in Latin America and had seen the US handiwork there over decades. I knew it was a matter of time until the chickens came home. And sadly, here they -- and we -- are.
Switching -- and letting your representatives know what you have done (the site offers a way) -- can help. It can bring us together as a force.
People, of course, can vote anyway they want to, but this new GREEN Registration can do more than your vote!! This isn’t hype. Just think about how much that November vote brought us...
These cowardly misnamed "representatives" in Congress have simply IGNORED the single greatest threat to our sovereignty: the Bush Administration. They have given them a pass on everything: crimes, negligence, torture -- and worse.
This is urgent. Check out the site, and please -- mention it (and the logic behind this campaign) to others.It's a start. Maybe even...a snowball.
Taking a stand -- any stand -- can loose forces unexpected in the current paradigm. We are frozen with Fear and Inaction. Around such an unexpected move by a sizeable number of voters, new courage and leadership is bound to emerge, because suddenly there will be a new -- definable andquantifiable -- constituency whose positions are known, and which cannot be ignored.
by
alan k (12 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 34 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:35:17 PM
I just got a call from the DCCC that "promised not to take too much of my time" and I cut them off IMMEDIATELY with...
"Put impeachment back on the table and then call me back."
And then hung up on the fellow.
They need to know...
NO IMPEACHMENT, NO MONEY!
PERIOD.
If you get the call today, let them know how you feel. The word will get back to the people paying for the boiler rooms, EVENTUALLY, either in lower grosses, or actual reports of the "abuse" they are taking about impeachment.
MONEY IS POWER!!! They want ours... they better give us something WE want.
I don't expect them to do the right thing for the right reasons, but if they do the right thing for the WRONG reasons, that's good enough for me.
by
Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 715 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 2:54:07 PM
Right on the money (pun intended). Every phone call, every e-mail from the DCCC, presidential candidates, etc. has been met with that response by me. In fact, since last November, I have maintained my membership with MoveOn.org only to be able to reply to their requests for money or action by telling them to give me a call when they move on impeachment. Creating a stalemate in which the other party has more of a vested interest in having to change their tune is quite empowering.
by
Cheryl Biren-Wright (26 articles, 25 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 403 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 6:24:56 PM
Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism:
The right to criticize;
The right to hold unpopular beliefs;
The right to protest;
The right of independent thought.
The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood nor should he be in danger of losing his reputation or livelihood merely because he happens to know someone who holds unpopular beliefs.Who of us doesn’t?Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own.Otherwise thought control would have set in.
[...]
by
Blue Pilgrim (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 997 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 6:05:39 PM
The articles of impeachment must include the crimes of 9/11 . The panel that will be set up to prepare the articles must include some outstanding scholars on the subject of 9/11. There is no doubt that Dick Cheney and Giuliani masterminded the terror attack. It is self evident that Bush family did participate actively in its preparation. With a hindsight and given Bush's profound disdain for the ordinary citizen, it of no surprise to see the unfolding of the events. These criminals must be forced out of office before they will have time to proceed to their next planned war.
by
ramsheyi (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 523 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 8:04:28 PM
while i firmly believe there are dark reasons for some of the unanswered questions on 9/11, that requires an entire separate investigation (the first one was b/s). the grounds for impeachment are well-established already and some articles won't even require an investigation - the proof is there. for example, bush admitted to warrantless wiretapping (a felony). if we're looking to forge alliances across the political spectrum as the article proposes why jump to a very divisive issue?
by
Cheryl Biren-Wright (26 articles, 25 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 403 comments)
on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 8:26:49 PM
False Flag or not Impeachment is easier to digest.
Although, I am convinced 9/11/2001 was False Flag Operation, I don't want to believe it. If there had been a more thorough inquirery I might be less convinced, but The coverup is evident.
I also believe that more people think that these executives should be impeached mainly for their disregard of The Constitution then any other particular crime. Lets get the Articles voted on and the Hearings started if half of the crimes and suspitions are given the light of a House Hearing they will be removed or The People will rise up as never before.
by
Sleeper (1 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 276 comments)
on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 3:08:17 PM
If Bill Moyers would lead, that would be dreamy. Would he?
Another site that focuses solely on impeachment is www.afterdowningstreet.org, by David Swanson. Updated various times during each day, it provides instant up to date news on the movement.
Also, September 15 is already planned as a March on Washington, primarily organized by ANSWER, an anti-war group. In their piece about Sept 15 they say,
"ImpeachBush.org will be publishing newspaper ads urging those who support the impeachment of Bush and Cheney to make their voices heard from September 15-20, 2007. The ANSWER Coalition welcomes the impeachment movement. At the March 17, 2007, March on the Pentagon Impeach Bush signs and banners were everywhere.
October 20-27: A Week of Nationally-Coordinated Local and Regional Demonstrations
The anti-war movement and the impeachment movement are joining forces to carry out mass local and regional actions in cities and towns throughout the country from October 20-27."
Yes, let's all work together. Pass the word. Peace, Jane
by
Jane Dugdale (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments)
on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 3:27:08 PM
10 comments
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