Quoting Justice Joseph Story (who served on the Supreme Court from 1811-1845): "Oaths have a solemn obligation upon the minds of all reflecting men." If witnesses in even the most minor civil or criminal cases are required to swear an oath, says Justice Story, then "surely like guards ought to be interposed in the administration of high public trusts."
Therefore, when President Bush swore an oath at his inaugural to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution," the hopelessly old-fashioned fuddy-duddies at the Cato Institute actually expected him to uphold that oath. Unfortunately, as the report bears out, what we've gotten is an "oaf of office" instead. Consider the Joseph Wilsons and Richard Clarkes and others who tried to blow the whistle on illegal activity or failed policy and received the ominous warning from the Administration: "Remember, you are under oaf."
If the conservative's conservatives can recognize and point out these impeachable violations, whither the Democrats? Or, should we say, wither the Democrats? Maybe they figure that if they focus on "bread and butter" economic issues, by some magic this whole nightmare will be over and it'll be just like "West Wing" once again. What they fail to grasp is that "The Sopranos" have pre-empted the programming, and they have no intention of giving up their time slot.
Take John Kerry's response to reports of election fraud in Ohio. Author Mark Crispin Miller ("Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election & Why They'll Steal the Next One Too") ran into Kerry at a party several months after the 2004 election. Miller showed Kerry his book, and surprisingly enough Kerry agreed that the election had been stolen. "Then why not speak out?" Miller asked.
Kerry replied that he couldn't, lest he be branded a "sore loser."
This reminds me of a very sad and dark joke that circulated among inmates in the Nazi death camps. Two Jews were standing in front of a Nazi firing squad, and one shouted, "You Nazi bastards! The whole world will know your evil, and you will be defeated!"
Whereupon his fellow executee nudged him and said, "Ssssshhhh! Don't make trouble!"
So much for the Democrats. While it may still be possible for we the people to lead them, following them will lead us nowhere. So what are we to do?
There is an image I have from the documentary, "Bringing Down a Dictator" about a group of young people who brought down Slobodon Milosevich without a shot being fired. At one point, the students had to convince all of the opposition parties to align behind one candidate so that there would be a united challenge to Milosevich's dictatorial regime. I can still picture one scene in the movie where the opposition leaders are marching together to be on the same podium. You can see how uncomfortable it is for them to appear with their political enemies. And yet, they did it because their country's freedom -- and their future -- was at stake.
As the sign on the map (not to mention the writing on the wall) says , "You are here."
The body politic has been infected with a virulent disease that has gone unchecked and unbalanced by the safeguards our Founding Fathers wisely established. Our Constitution has been de-constituted by illegal actions cloaked in the garb of "law." Now it's up to us, and only us. We the people must serve as the immune system. If we get 50 million or so "cells" activated at the grassroots, the leaders will follow.
We're Having An Impeach-In!
Our friend David Swanson at www.afterdowningstreet.org is suggesting we turn July 4th into an impeachy keen event. In addition to the impeach cobbler recipe at our www.standupamericans.com site you can order the 4th of July Impeach Bush kit with signs, bumperstickers and a tee shirt at www.VotetoImpeach.org.
Meanwhile, the Center for Constitutional Rights, America's leading institution of constitutional scholarship, has developed a legal case for the impeachment of George W. Bush. Starting July 19th in collaboration with Melville House Books and progressives across the U.S., they are sponsoring a "National Teach-In" to share their case, what's at stake, and what impeachment means for every American. You can click here to set up an "Impeach-In" in your community and read the articles of impeachment. Every American citizen should read and reflect on those charges in the light of what the Constitution and our laws say. It will help break the trance that what's going on is "just politics."
To add your name to the Vote to Impeach, go to www.votetoimpeach.org. Imagine 50 million Americans giving this regime a vote of no confidence, and transferring that confidence back to government of, by and for the people.
The Up-Wising Has Begun
Therefore, when President Bush swore an oath at his inaugural to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution," the hopelessly old-fashioned fuddy-duddies at the Cato Institute actually expected him to uphold that oath. Unfortunately, as the report bears out, what we've gotten is an "oaf of office" instead. Consider the Joseph Wilsons and Richard Clarkes and others who tried to blow the whistle on illegal activity or failed policy and received the ominous warning from the Administration: "Remember, you are under oaf."
If the conservative's conservatives can recognize and point out these impeachable violations, whither the Democrats? Or, should we say, wither the Democrats? Maybe they figure that if they focus on "bread and butter" economic issues, by some magic this whole nightmare will be over and it'll be just like "West Wing" once again. What they fail to grasp is that "The Sopranos" have pre-empted the programming, and they have no intention of giving up their time slot.
Take John Kerry's response to reports of election fraud in Ohio. Author Mark Crispin Miller ("Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election & Why They'll Steal the Next One Too") ran into Kerry at a party several months after the 2004 election. Miller showed Kerry his book, and surprisingly enough Kerry agreed that the election had been stolen. "Then why not speak out?" Miller asked.
This reminds me of a very sad and dark joke that circulated among inmates in the Nazi death camps. Two Jews were standing in front of a Nazi firing squad, and one shouted, "You Nazi bastards! The whole world will know your evil, and you will be defeated!"
Whereupon his fellow executee nudged him and said, "Ssssshhhh! Don't make trouble!"
So much for the Democrats. While it may still be possible for we the people to lead them, following them will lead us nowhere. So what are we to do?
There is an image I have from the documentary, "Bringing Down a Dictator" about a group of young people who brought down Slobodon Milosevich without a shot being fired. At one point, the students had to convince all of the opposition parties to align behind one candidate so that there would be a united challenge to Milosevich's dictatorial regime. I can still picture one scene in the movie where the opposition leaders are marching together to be on the same podium. You can see how uncomfortable it is for them to appear with their political enemies. And yet, they did it because their country's freedom -- and their future -- was at stake.
As the sign on the map (not to mention the writing on the wall) says , "You are here."
The body politic has been infected with a virulent disease that has gone unchecked and unbalanced by the safeguards our Founding Fathers wisely established. Our Constitution has been de-constituted by illegal actions cloaked in the garb of "law." Now it's up to us, and only us. We the people must serve as the immune system. If we get 50 million or so "cells" activated at the grassroots, the leaders will follow.
We're Having An Impeach-In!
Our friend David Swanson at www.afterdowningstreet.org is suggesting we turn July 4th into an impeachy keen event. In addition to the impeach cobbler recipe at our www.standupamericans.com site you can order the 4th of July Impeach Bush kit with signs, bumperstickers and a tee shirt at www.VotetoImpeach.org.
Meanwhile, the Center for Constitutional Rights, America's leading institution of constitutional scholarship, has developed a legal case for the impeachment of George W. Bush. Starting July 19th in collaboration with Melville House Books and progressives across the U.S., they are sponsoring a "National Teach-In" to share their case, what's at stake, and what impeachment means for every American. You can click here to set up an "Impeach-In" in your community and read the articles of impeachment. Every American citizen should read and reflect on those charges in the light of what the Constitution and our laws say. It will help break the trance that what's going on is "just politics."
To add your name to the Vote to Impeach, go to www.votetoimpeach.org. Imagine 50 million Americans giving this regime a vote of no confidence, and transferring that confidence back to government of, by and for the people.
The Up-Wising Has Begun
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