Bush and Cheney pay no heed to the will of We the People, as we expressed it in last November's election.
We the People want to get out of Iraq; Bush responds with a "surge", and a plan to escalate to 70,000 troops by year's end. We the People want attention to global warming, Bush ignores it. And so forth.
The recent skirmish with Congress over the "surge" shows that Bush still holds the trump card; his Senate Republicans, barely in the minority, can filibuster any legislation that would slow him down. For instance, last week's vote by the House to censure the "surge" has no teeth, since the Senate failed to pass it by 60 votes, which would be needed to prevent a filibuster.
The time and energy of the new Democratic House will be tied up endlessly in such stalements, if the focus remains on the war. Meanwhile, the suffering of the Iraqi people continues.
The way out of Iraq is impeachment.
While the Democrats quarrel fruitlessly with Bush-Cheney, the planning to attack Iran continues. The march of fascist bureaucracy at home continues, relentlessly. Torture continues. The war on the poor continues, as services are cut and cut again. The war on the environment continues.
The only way to stop Bush-Cheney on all these fronts is to start impeachment hearings. This will place them on the defensive, and de-legitimize their outrageously immoral programs.
We are in terrible danger from many directions.
Nuclear war- this is the greatest danger of all. It could wipe out civilization, even higher life forms. Bush is threatening to nuke Iran, either directly or via his proxy, Israel. Iran has a mutual defense treaty with Russia, which still has thousands of nuclear warheads, mounted on long-range missiles, aimed at the US, set to go off on hair-trigger alert. Would Russia defend its ally Iran by nuking the US? It could be all over, folks, by the end of this year.
Global warming- this is accelerating and needs immediate attention. The ice caps and glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. Bush is still dragging his feet on the Kyoto Treaty, on increasing the gas mileage required in vehicles, increasing funding for alternative energy, and other simple measures.
Fascism- Bush-Cheney are prceeding vigorously to build prison camps, replace federal prosecutors who represent We the People with their own lackeys, to increase surveillance, with the help of Pelosi's HR 1, and otherwise to set the machinery of a police state in place. Gonzales, the attorney general, continues to make provocative statements indicating that US citizens no longer have any rights at all.
In every area, we face imminent threats from the aggressiveness of Bush-Cheney. Before the year is over, we could have a nuclear war and/or martial law. It is urgent that impeachment hearings, so labeled, start at once.
The House has the votes to impeach. If hearings are done publicly, We the People will become so outraged as many egregious crimes are brought to light, that the Senate will be forced to convict, or Bush and Cheney will have to resign.
The window of opportunity will not last forever. Any number of "emergencies" could provide Bush-Cheney with justification for martial law, and our precious democracy will be gone forever.
(The New York Times) 19 Feb 2007 ...a provision quietly tucked into the enormous defense budget bill at the Bush administration's behest makes it easier for a president to override local control of law enforcement and declare martial law... Beyond cases of actual insurrection, the president may now use military troops as a domestic police force in response to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, terrorist attack or to any "other condition." Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/opinion/19mon3.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Impeachment is peaceful, legal and democratic. It would stop the Bush regime in its tracks. It also would defend the Constitution from the worst enemies it has ever had. It would also bring criminals to justice.
Carol S. Wolman, MD is a psychiatrist in Northern California. A lifelong peace activist, she has written extensively on the psychology of our times. She is a cochair of Bay Area Impeach Bush-Cheney. You can join or form a local group at http://impeachbush.meetup.com/
She ran for Congress in '06, and is now a Gteen candidate for Congress in CA district 1. She is a coordinator of The New Broom Coalition, for a clean sweep of Congress.
Of course, reasonably sane and politically engaged Americans think that Bush should be impeached. But though it obviously provides some emotional satisfaction to work for that impeachment, it seems quite clear that if the Dems in control of Congress don't have the courage right now to start impeachment proceedings, it it totally unrealistic to think that it will happen -- no matter how many angry dissenters scream for impeachment. And let's stay attached to reality: impeachment even if it was initiated would drag on for a long time - and the Iraq war would continue under Bush's command. Blame the Dems and blame the mainstream media for not focusing on the positive case for impeachment. My frustration is that angry dissenters are not venting their anger toward the Dems - especially all the neoprogressives out there.
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (133 articles, 37 quicklinks, 60 diaries, 533 comments)
on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 1:30:09 PM
Your tone here seems to throw cool water on the idea of
impeachment, dismissing pursuit of it as "unrealistic." Yet the perceptions you express seem not so much opposed to impeachment, as merely skeptical that much will be gained by pushing for it.
I'm also not convinced that working with a group for impeachment is the most effective thing one can possibly do, in a cost-benefit sense. But I do think it's noble work, & that even if it failed in the sense of getting the votes in Congress (or even in getting as far as being seriously discussed by Congress), it at least contributes to consciousness-raising. If Congressional Dems actually attempted it (which they clearly lack the guts to do), that itself would be a terrific victory from which much good might result -- even if they ultimately failed to get the votes.
Working with an impeachment group is very similar to working for 3rd party candidates, or for quixotic candidates like Kucinich that have zero chance of getting anywhere near being nominated, despite the virtues of their positions. It's similar to writing Letters-to-the-Editor or to your Congressperson, which also feels good but probably accomplishes very little. And it bears comparison to the small-group work done for "civil rights" in the years before the "Civil Rights Movement" hit the national consciousness. (One big difference, of course, as Carol Wolman points out in the above article, is that the world may blow up in a very few months, re an attack on Iran, so there's a time pressure that didn't exist in the 1950's South.)
I very much agree with your general comments about the Dems. People who remain loyal to this terminally spineless & corrupt party simply do not understand what its real function in the political system is. Dem Party loyalists think the D's "stand up for the little guy," while the truth is that both parties work together, symbiotically, to defend the interests of the privileged. Having a fake feeble opposition party supposedly defending the "little guy" is brilliant strategy, on the part of the ruling class -- and Dem Party loyalists just don't see through it. Incalculable damage results from this mechanism.
by
Richard Mynick (2 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1232 comments)
on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 3:22:14 PM
"Working with an impeachment group is very similar to working for... quixotic candidates like Kucinich that have zero chance of getting anywhere near being nominated, despite the virtues of their positions."
Thank you, sir, for providing the PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A NEGATIVE SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY! In fact, it's the very one that prevented Dennis Kucinich from getting elected last time. Only that I had a nickel for every time I heard some "realist" say this!
It is precisely this kind of lunacy, along with it's lard ass flipside--you don't have to lift a finger to do a damn thing if you run around saying this--that brought us what we have today, the very horror show Carol so eloquently speaks of.
For anyone who's actually not sleeping, there is every indication that Dennis Kucinich will make it this time around. The article in the preceding link is from one of the most conservative papers in a conservative state in a conservative town, the very one my father lives in and that I visit once a year.
If you plug "Dennis Kucinich" into a Google Alert, you can have such articles appear in your inbox on a daily basis, along with fewer and fewer negative articles. To proclaim that Kucinich is "quixotic" simply because he does his homework, speaks the truth, has bold ideas, and stands up to power, is about the same as laying down in the grave and asking the Republicans to throw dirt on you. If that's your choice, please don't let me stop you.
For those who want change, who want real progress, who believe that speaking truth is a good thing, that peace is healthy for human beings and other living things, I urge you to get behind Dennis Kucinich and do everything you can to spread the word about him. Start by visiting Vote Dennis to learn more about this courageous individual.
Plug "free kucinich bumper sticker" into Google if you want one, and would like to help the cause of saving Planet Earth.
by
Daniel Geery (26 articles, 74 quicklinks, 123 diaries, 750 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 8:35:06 AM
You're misunderstanding me. Kucinich has zero chance, but
not "because he does his homework, speaks the truth...stands up to power," etc. I'm every bit as familiar with the case for Kucinich as you are, having given plenty of time, money & effort working for his '04 primary campaign.
The reason he has no chance is no reflection on him. It reflects, rather, on how the political system functions; the nature of media coverage; the learned behaviors of primary voters, the necessity of corporate backing, & so on. These factors all guarantee that anyone who seriously "speaks truth to power" cannot become the nominee. The more truth you speak, in fact, the less likely are your chances of being nominated. The system is set up that way -- that's why we're in this mess in the first place.
Recall what happened to Dean in '04. Dean was a garden-variety Democratic politician, with positions little different from the rest of the pack. He was not remotely as progressive as DK on the war, health care, or anything else, & was far more in line with what corporatism expects of their politicians. But because he spoke against the invasion of Iraq -- arguing not that the war was unjust, but simply that invading was unwise for US strategic interests -- the media & party poo-bahs kneecapped him in Iowa. Dean's candidacy was destroyed for stepping just slightly out of line -- & his position was not remotely as principled & genuinely antiwar as DK's. If DK's electoral prospects had been as promising as Dean's, he would have gotten the same treatment or worse.
There are already 3 different foci of interest being advocated in this thread: impeachment, a new constitutional convention, & now with you, Kucinich. All 3 spring from deep concern with the intensifying collapse of US democracy; all 3 are quixotic in the sense that they are nobly motivated, yet face great odds (to put it mildly). There's something wryly amusing here, to hear a constitutional-convention guy calling an pro-impeachment article "unrealistic," and a Kucinich guy getting indignant about the word "quixotic." Let's face it: all 3 of these things face very long odds. If I were a betting man, I'd bet the Dems nominate a smooth-talking corporatist (who has a thin veneer of fake populism), just as they always do.
by
Richard Mynick (2 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1232 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 10:32:49 AM
Impeachment, even if it drags on, puts the spotlights on the Administartion, keeps them conferring with lawyers, and it shortens their leash.
We need it as a tactic (see my article "Impeachment Now as a Defensive Tactic" at CosmeticDemocracy.com).
We must use any arm at hand.
And I fully agree with you, we have allowed the Dems to get away with murder. BushCo and Republicans take us to the that lowly place only they could adore, but Democrats act as enablers, working hard to keep real opposition tame and quiet. That seems to be their mission.
by
alan k (12 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 34 comments)
on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 10:37:20 PM
Hi Carol,
Another good,well-written article.
Isn't it amazing how some people can see the
"handwriting on the wall", while others just drone on
oblivious to the world around them?
The signs of the times are here now!
Wake up Christians and all others who love the truth!
Bob
by
Bob Gormley (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 941 comments)
on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 7:41:43 PM
I'd like to commend Carol Wolman for this piece, and point to an article "Impeachment now as a defensive tactic" on CosmeticDemocracy.com and at alank.newsvine.com which makes the case that impeachment may be the only way to stop the US from attacking Iran.
To Mr. Hirschhorn who commented in:"Theory versus Reality", it all depends on how many steps back you are willing to take to assess your "reality."
This Administration is waging a war ON America (Iraq is only a symptom), tearing apart its institutions, insinuating loyalist cronies, plotters, and worse into the highest positions, altering laws and invalidating the Constitution.
Piece by piece, brick by brick this sick Administration is creating the repressive edifice from which it intends to rule unimpuned.
Are those of us who agonizingly watch this slow-motion coup take place just to sit by and allow it to happen because virtually none of our elected representatives deem it expedient to tell us what really is going on, nor seek to formulate a plan together with the People to stop this?
In city councils, in state assemblies, in DC and on the streets we must clamor for those who have the power to push for impeachment, whether it wins or loses, whether they like it or not.
For those who think Congress is now moving for great changes, it seems they are yet way behind the curve, and not even denouncing to the People what dangers lurk in the current situation. With few exceptions our Congress is changing the drapes while the house is on fire.
The Wolman article makes a good case. I would just like to point out that we-for many reasons-should impeach Cheney first.
by
alan k (12 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 34 comments)
on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 10:29:44 PM
Dear Ms. Wolman,
The first step in generating momentum for impeachment is a poll showing solid support for it. The most recent impeachment poll, by Newsweeek, was last October. It showed 51% of the people favored impeachment then. It must be more than that now. Yet, the mainstream press not only refuses to mention the word impeachment, they will not take a poll on it. Please use your editorial soapbox to advocate for an impeachment poll. A large majority favoring impeachment would be hard for even the weak-spined Democrats to ignore.
by
Deano (2 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 16 comments)
on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 10:30:22 PM
We, us people, in assemblies in our towns, districts, townships, counties and states, can convene groups to write and enact Version 2.0 of constitutional law for our country.
Which then puts the sitting Congress out of office, out of business.
And begins us to collect our tax money to our Treasury to our Assembly of Congress to appropriate the public funds to schools, hospitals, welfare, justice, and as we determine.
Forget existing Congress since it has forgotten impeachment and our constitutional law.
Start over, a new Consti2tion. Start over, a new 'branches of government' (we design it). Start over, our new country.
Let sitting elected office holders and bureaucrats stare on with their mouths gaping open. Next year, tax payments are made to U.S.Consti2ted legal America.
[ Hey, give up on talking to a brick wall of the sitting traitor Congress to immediately commence impeachment -- What part of the criminal Congresspersons don't give a sh-t what you SAY, (or if you DO any action, they shall have you arrested and tortured and killed for talking to Congress), don't YOU understand? ]
by
meremark (1 articles, 3 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 507 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 12:37:14 AM
Where are the polls? In the absence of independent polling, politicians have little inclination to alter positions.
I agree that letters and e-mails accomplish very little.
by
Halo (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 29 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 12:48:55 AM
Congressional democrats will never impeach Bush because they are complicit in his crimes. Both parties are corrupt and neither party represents the people. It is way past time for Americans to realize that we can't reform our rotten form of government politically.
We will have to do that the old fashioned way.
by
rabblerowzer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 227 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 8:27:42 AM
Let me start off by saying, I'm 100% for impeachment - the constitution is very clear in this situation. However, I've started looking at Bush/Cheney like a cornered animal. I am concerned that a big push for impeachment (if it was getting mainstream exposure), could potentially cause these traitors to go for broke. I believe that the first order of business would be to repeal some of this administrations post 9-11 warmaking powers, and making it very clear to the military that congressional approval is needed for any future military escalation or policy changes.
By the way, I'd like to thank everyone taking part in the debate, activism, and information sharing taking place throughout internet sources like Opednews. I was having one of my "It will have to get REALLY bad before it gets better" days, but it helps to know how many people are out there - working hard (a lot harder than Bush), researching, and spreading the truth. We may not always agree on the means for fixing the problems that ail or nation - but I feel I'm in the company of true patriots. (Jeffersonian Patriots, not the kind that blow whichever way the nationalistic breeze may take them.)
One more quick thought: It has become painfully obvious the MSM has failed us (someone please chastise me for the understatement). Maybe the next 500,000 person rally should be out front of Fox studios main office - maybe one of the other stations might accidentally shed some light on the truth. Amazing work has been done to change the internet into a tool for the common good, but for every site like Opednews, there is at LEAST one website spinning lies and propaganda. We have to get our message on the main stage, and achieve some level of balance if we are to stop Mr. Bush from widening this conflict. Time is short, maybe it's time to visibly sink our teeth into corporate America.
Any thoughts...
by
Ben (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 46 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 10:01:10 AM
I have been as vocal a critic of the Democratic Party as anyone here, and I am still such as that. However I would add that there are currently 52 separate investigations proceeding in House and Senate committees on a wide ranging number of administration failures, constitutional violations and possible corruption and collusion. Thats FIFTY TWO.
Is it likely that at least one of these investigations will produce impeachable evidence? Is it more likely that most of them will do so? That we never hear a word about these goings on in our "free press" is another bit of evidence that we have no such thing any longer......
Take heart, push for expedience and hold the dems feet to the fire, what else can we do? Aside from working for third party politics of course.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 11:32:33 AM
I'll try to summarize- and let's continue to talk-
1) Impeachment as a defensive tactic- this makes sense to me. Keep them so tied up in knots that they can't cause trouble. Yes, there's a danger of panicking them into doing something rash- but if impeachment proceedings are underway, their legitimacy is already being called into question- high time- and they're much less likely to get cooperation from the military and local police.
2) Constitutional Convention- much less practical than impeachment, and also, there's nothing wrong with the one we have, if people would uphold it.
3) Polls- absolutely. Zogby is the best- anyone know them? Maybe we should fundraise and commission one! Or get special referenda on impeachment in every state!
4) Civil disobedience- sit-ins in the Capitol- this requires massive conviction on the part of the public that Congress SHOULD be impeaching, and the airways are so clogged with spin, it's hard to get through. That's why I keep writing these essays.
Peace, Carol Wolman
by
Carol Wolman (220 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 105 comments)
on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 12:02:16 PM
15 comments
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