Congressman Conyers Is Waiting for a Push to Start Impeachment Hearings
On Thursday, Chairman John Conyers' House Judiciary Committee held a hearing at which Attorney General Michael Mukasey said that he would not investigate torture or warrantless spying, he would not enforce contempt citations, and he would treat Justice Department opinions as providing immunity for crimes.
None of this was new, but perhaps it touched something in Conyers that had not been touched before. Following the hearing, he and two staffers met for over an hour with two members of Code Pink and discussed activism and impeachment, including Congressman Robert Wexler's proposal to begin impeachment hearings on Cheney.
Conyers expressed his concerns about what might happen following an impeachment, the danger of installing a Bush replacement or losing an election. He cited potential ramifications that have not yet been examined that could have the opposite effect. Conyers told Ellen Taylor and Manijeh Saba that you need to be more than brave and courageous, you need to be smart.
Help us let Conyers know that the smart thing right now would be bravery and courage.
The Chairman told Taylor and Saba that he has been listening to several advocates for impeachment, including Liz Holtzman and David Swanson. He hinted he could be swayed by a convincing argument, leaning out of his chair for dramatic effect.
We want to continue the dialogue with Congressman Conyers. On Rosa Parks' birthday last week, Leslie Angeline began a fast for impeachment. Taylor and over 20 other activists have joined the fast [http://afterdowningstreet.org/fast ]. Conyers has agreed to meet with Leslie to discuss impeachment on Tuesday.
Lend your voices to the conversation and make phone calls, send faxes and Email Congressman Conyers on Monday and Tuesday. Let the Chairman know that only impeachment hearings:
1-will reach a broad TV audience
2-will force compliance with subpoenas by eliminating "executive privilege"
3-will hold brazen criminals accountable
4-will convince citizens that Congress cares about upholding the Constitution.
Call: 202-225-5126
Fax: 202-225-0072
Email: john.conyers@mail.house.gov
