Court Of Impeachment And War Crimes: Impeach Bush and Cheney, Dump Pelosi, Watch Those Independents, and Go H. Res 333

Note To All Presidential Candidates: The sooner you Impeach Bush and Cheney; the sooner you can have the front page back to yourselves, but "We The People" are about to seize the Headlines!

THE INDEPENDENTS: FINDING A HOME FOR THE DISLOCATED
(BE SURE TO READ THIS ONE BELOW)

Behind the Numbers > 18% (I will be following and posting this series, because as I have told you often enough, despite all the Election hoopla and punditry; the 2008 Elections will be decided by this population: the Independents, the Disillusioned, The Enraged Voter, and the way things are going who knows what else will find its’ way into the “potage rural du jour or ragoût rural ”.

Sheehan brings new campaign through Houston Houston Chronicle - United States Sheehan joined other activists who gathered on the Montrose Bridge during the afternoon rush hour to hold signs calling for the impeachment of President ...See all stories on this topic

Republicans are Approaching Impeachment MentalityOpEdNews - Newtown,PA,USA by Rob Kall Page 1 of 1 page(s) Republicans in the senate are taking itty bitty baby steps down the road towards impeachment. They're not talking about or ...See all stories on this topic

Where's Jerry? On Cheney Impeachment, Rep. Nadler's a No Show Counter Punch - Petrolia, CA,USA By NIKOLAS KOZLOFF According to a recent poll conducted by the American Research Group, a startling 54% of the US public now favors impeachment of Vice ...See all stories on this topic

Poll on Cheney -- Critical Mass on Impeachment?Institute for Public Accuracy (press release) - Washington,DC,USAA new poll by the American Research Group shows a majority of the US public in favor of the House beginning impeachment proceedings against Vice President ...See all stories on this topic

Cheney impeachment bill gains yet another co-sponsorRaw Story - Cambridge,MA,USAJim Moran told RAW STORY that the congressman had decided to co-sponsor the impeachment bill introduced in April by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. ...See all stories on this topic

On Tuesday, a northern Virginia Democrat decided to add his support to a growing movement in the House of Representatives to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney.

A spokesman for Rep. Jim Moran told RAW STORY that the congressman haddecided to co-sponsor the impeachment bill introduced in April by Rep.Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. When he announced the bill, Kucinich, who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for president, said that he wouldn't push his fellow lawmakers to sign on. But the bill has gradually gained support since then, garnering at least 10 co-sponsors, including Moran, according to the Library of Congress.After DowningStreet.org lists 12 co-sponsors to the impeach-Cheney bill.

Despite vocal protestations on and off-the-record by Democratic Congressional leaders, the movement to impeach Cheney or President Bush has begun to pick up steam.

According to a recent poll, a majority of Americans favor the vice president's ouster from office,and anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan announced that she would run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if the San Francisco Congress woman does not introduce articles of impeachment within the next two weeks.

A group of progressives in California opened an "Impeachment Center"on Independence Day to serve as a clearinghouse for information and activism, while another group is planning to fly a pro-impeachment banner over AT&T Park in San Francisco before Tuesday's All Star Game.

Additionally, a rally is scheduled for July 23, which will include a march by demonstrators, including Sheehan, from Arlington NationalCemetery to Rep. John Conyers' Capitol Hill office.

Conyers, D-Mich.,is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which would consider Kucinich's impeachment bill before deciding if it should go to the full House.

Conyers said in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC over the weekend that he hoped the rising public sentiment in favor of impeaching Bush and Cheney would lead the president to be more cooperative with congressional investigators he has so far continued to stonewall.

"I didn't put impeachment on the table," Conyers said on This Week. "I was just telling you that 46% of the American people polled want Bush impeached."

The Library of Congress…Thomas (Moran Verification)
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d110:70:./temp/~bdGAxI:@@@N

H.RES.333 Title: Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (11)

Latest Major Action: 5/4/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

COSPONSORS(11), BY DATE [order is left to right]: (Sort: alphabetical order)

Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 5/1/2007-

Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 5/1/2007-

Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] – 5/10/2007-

Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 6/6/2007-

Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 6/7/2007-

Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 6/7/2007-

Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 6/12/2007-

Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 6/28/2007-

Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 6/28/2007-

Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 7/10/2007-

Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 7/10/2007-

Bush Approval Rating Only 29 Percent - More Want Impeachment Than ...Best Syndication

Impeachment: The Great American PastimeThe Nationwide Movement to Impeach Cheney and Bush group on Facebook has raised enough money to fly a pro-impeachment banner over AT&T Park before the game. God Bless America. Contribute to this action, if you're feeling it. WorkingForChange - http://www.workingassetsblog.com

A message from Ramsey Clark~ "Time is short: The question is whether we have the will to act" Help support the September 15th march in Washington

I am writing to you with the hope that you will help us organize and promote the September 15th March in Washington DC. Thousands of Americans from around the country will join together to demand the impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and insist on the immediate end to the war in Iraq. September 15th is the date General David Petraeus is mandated to make a report to Congress on the progress of the so-called surge. The eyes of the national and international media will be focused on Washington DC at that time.

In the coming weeks we will be taking out newspaper ads, producing 500,000 leaflets, flyers, and stickers, and setting up outreach committees for the September 15th March in Washington all over the country. I hope we can count on you to help in this momentous effort. Time is short. The question is whether we have the will to act.

President Bush has said ..."the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude." Feeling unappreciated he has questioned "...whether or not there is a gratitude level that's significant enough in Iraq." Let us count the acts of the Bush Administration for which the Iraqi people should be grateful.

http://www.impeachbush.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5197

Let's Turn the Wexler Censure Resolution Into Articles of Impeachment

By Bob Fertik So why don't we "amend" the Wexler Resolution and turn it into Articles of Impeachment? Choose a paragraph by its number and either add a paragraph below it (see my example of 4a below) or rewrite the paragraph itself. ...Democrats.com - The Aggressive... - http://www.democrats.com

ImpeachmentBy Andrew Sullivan Dave Weigel responds:. So an impeachment trial would 1) waste Congress's time, 2) take the Democrats' knees out, and 3) humiliate Bush and legions of wide-eyed Republicans. And... what are the arguments against it? The Daily Dish - http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/

Impeachment Comes to CT By mattw WHEREAS, Section 603 of the Manual and Rules of the US House of Representatives provides for impeachment to be initiated on a motion based on charges transmitted from a state legislature; and,. WHEREAS, President George W. ...My Left Nutmeg - Front Page - http://www.myleftnutmeg.com

The Washington Post

Gonzales Was Told of FBI Violations
After Bureau Sent Reports, Attorney General Said He Knew of No Wrongdoing
By John Solomon Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, July 10, 2007; Page A01

As he sought to renew the USA Patriot Act two years ago, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales assured lawmakers that the FBI had not abused its potent new terrorism-fighting powers. "There has not been one verified case of civil liberties abuse," Gonzales told senators on April 27, 2005.

Six days earlier, the FBI sent Gonzales a copy of a report that said its agents had obtained personal information that they were not entitled to have. It was one of at least half a dozen reports of legal or procedural violations that Gonzales received in the three months before he made his statement to the Senate intelligence committee, according to internal FBI documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.

The NY Daily News (Opinion Page)

This is not our fight

Congress must end U.S. role in a civil war nobody voted for
By ROBERT BYRD & HILLARY CLINTON
Tuesday, July 10th 2007, 4:00 AM

Robert Byrd & Hillary Clinton: On Oct. 11, 2002, the Senate gave President Bush authority to use force against Iraq. Nearly five years later, it is time for Congress to say enough is enough."

RELATED STORIES

Editorial: Defeat on the homefront

Nation/World: GOP pressure forcing Bush to weigh shift in Iraq tactics

On Oct. 11, 2002, the Senate gave President Bush authority to use force against Iraq. Nearly five years later, it is time for Congress to say enough is enough.

The American people have waited long enough for progress in Iraq. They have waited long enough for the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. Today, more than 150,000 members of our armed forces are caught in a civil war.

According to the Pentagon, overall levels of violence in Iraq have not decreased since the surge began. The last three months have been the deadliest period for American troops since the start of the war. It is time for the waiting to end and for our troops to start to come home.

That is why we propose to end the authorization for the war in Iraq. The civil war we have on our hands in Iraq is not our fight and it is not the fight Congress authorized. Iraq is at war with itself and American troops are caught in the middle.

Washington Post (Pampered Pelosi Pissing People Off)

Pelosi and Her Allies Use Flight Home to Strategize

Here are some additional insights to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from Post congressional correspondent Jonathan Weisman, who profiled Pelosi in today's Post.

For most West Coast lawmakers, the weekend flights from Washington to California is a time to rest, catch up on sleep, maybe read a brief or two, or finish a novel. For Nancy Pelosi, it has always been a time to work.

That transcontinental flight has been the subject of simmering resentment for many Democrats, who see it as a time for Pelosi's inner circle to whisper into the ear of their captive audience as they strategize about the party's future.

(This is a dangerous enterprise…Nancy attempting to think…Ed!)

"It depends on how tired people are, but she can get a lot of work done in a five-hour flight," confided Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who has long sat at the top of the speaker's cluster of advisers and confidantes. "The speaker believes that down time is a missed opportunity."

But the power of that flight has been severely diminished in recent months, members of that inner circle say. Pelosi still tries to fly home to San Francisco, but her route now tends to meander, from Washington to a fund-raiser in Florida perhaps, an event in Indiana, and maybe an appearance in Arizona. Advisers like Miller, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) or Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) are far less likely to tag along for the ride.

For all her rough-and-tumble politics, Pelosi has also maintained a touch of the San Francisco doyenne. Even in routine meetings in her speaker's suite, she insists on adorning her sprawling conference table with fresh cut flowers at almost every place setting, serving tea and coffee from a silver samovar and doling out Ghirardeli chocolates from dainty service dishes.

The presentation is so formal, and perhaps so lavish that some aides fret it could become a political liability, once Republicans decide to latch on to her entertainment budget.

-- Jonathan Weisman

By Eric Pianin July 9, 2007; 1:20 PM ET Previous: Clyburn Does Heavy Political Lifting for Dems Next: Top Byrd Adviser Leaving Hill, Joining ONE

It seems that hoping that Democrats would truly begin to turn this country around was another false hope. The war goes on, deals are still made among the privileged few, and Americans are still left in the dark. When or how does it end? Remove those at fault, and tell those that are elected that they will be removed if they are not working to truly make America better
Posted by: Van July 9, 2007 02:47 PM

Let's start with what voters don't want to see: free food, entertainment, travel and trips provided by interest groups for members and their aides - unless it's for fund-raising. Obviously aides like all the freebies from interest groups just as much as the members; however it has long smacked of corruption and vote-buying.

Therefore what Pelosi must start to do is significant behavioral modification and enforcement for members and their aides on this issue. If that means Pelosi needs a lavish tax-payer funded entertainment and travel budget to show members and aides there might be a better way, I say bravo to Pelosi. Interest groups should be paying for free food, entertainment, travel and trips only within a fund-raising setting!

Posted by: Chris Baker July 9, 2007 08:56 PM

Nancy sold out the sweeping Democratic vote when she agreed not topursue impeachment proceedings against President Bush when she was elected Speaker of the House. Its too late – she has to go. Sheehan is right - we were sold out for greed - airplane trips and power. Nancy has shown her colors to be no different than the rest of the do nothing Congress.

Posted by: Jeri July 10, 2007 09:32 AM

What the Hey? Come on Nancy quit being the debutant and do the job we elected you to do. Bush has to be impeached and so does Cheney. The history books will show you in the same light as the others if you continue to act like a Prima Donna.

You are a woman but have the guts to do what needs to be done. It is not what you want! You are supposed to represent us. I for one expected you to impeach and do more than have the picture perfect Adrien Arpel image. Roll up the sleeves of your designer suit and do some real work. So, you are the first female speaker.

Hurrah Hurrah, use this power for the people who elected you. No deals in the smoke filled back rooms. Do everything in public 'show some courage and back bone. Impeach the infidels. There are many doing without the basics in life while the elected officials already usually rich live like Kings and Queens. Do not make me sorry I vote for you. Sincerely, Mary L. Mayfield

Posted by: Mary Mayfield July 10, 2007 12:22 PM

Coy, cutesy, and disingenuous...Nancy has fooled no one! She has a power-hungry madness, and for all you 'dims' out there, don't hold your breath that she will follow through with what you 'paid' her for. Nancy is for Nancy and if you look closely (won't have to look hard) Hillary has the same look in her eyes.

Investing in the same corporations she 'says she' despises, hobnobbing with the same 'enemies' she says she eschews, and hiring the same illegals (read law breakers), you might even think she is a Republican.
Good luck, Y'all

Posted by: May Pelletier July 10, 2007 06:52 PM

What nonsense. At least she has a touch of class. Sadly lacking in the country for many years. Be patient, the Democrats have only one vote majority in the Senate and the Republicans will trump the '60-vote' requirement (wherever that came from) at every opportunity. They're fighting a Napoleonic and fascist executive branch which, in the past, took a few years to overcome.

If the Democrats don't prevail, this country is in serious trouble.No nation, no matter how powerful, can stand alone in this world. Diplomacy over arrogance!

Posted by: Kacee July 10, 2007 08:38 PM

Hey, did anyone really think that the democrats were going to be any different than the Republicans. The American people have no chance with the current two party system. bi-partisan relationship only works when the Washington elite get together to line their own pockets at the taxpayers expense. Take a current look at the corruption of our leaders in Washington, Who says we don't need term limits??

Posted by: mikemerrill2002 July 11, 2007 01:13 AM

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Behind the Numbers > 18%

(I will be following and posting this series, because as I have told you often enough, despite all the Election hoopla and punditry; the 2008 Elections will be decided by this population: the Independents, the Disillusioned, The Deliberators, The Enraged Voter, and the way things are going who knows what else will find its’ way into the “potage rural du jour or ragoût rural ” before November 2008.

The percentage of independents who make up the Disillusioned, according to a new survey of independents.. Read More.

The Independents: Finding a Home for the Dislocated

In conjunction with the Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation-Harvard University poll exploring attitudes of political independents, Behind The Numbers will take an in-depth look at each of the types of independents identified in the survey. Today's post focuses on the Dislocated, independents who are largely socially liberal yet fiscally conservative.

In an increasingly polarized political world, Dislocated independents, who make up about 16 percent of all independents, have been left ideologically homeless. More than half are socially liberal and fiscally conservative, a view many feel is not adequately represented by either major party.

But lack of representation does not translate into lack of interest. Sixty-two percent of the Dislocated are very interested in the 2008 presidential election and 65 percent pay a lot of attention to national government and politics.

Taking a deeper look at the issues, the group truly straddles the ideological divide. On gay marriage and abortion they hold more liberal views than many independents, yet unlike most other independents, they feel better represented by the GOP on the economy.

Much more on the Dislocated after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

The Independents: Expanding on Deliberators

In conjuction with the Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation-Harvard University poll exploring attitudes of political independents, Behind The Numbers will take an in-depth look at each of the types of independents identified in the survey. Today's post focuses on Deliberators, the classic swing voters.

Deliberators, comprising 18 percent of independents, are the archetypal independents. They believe in the two-party system and express hopefulness about its future. About four in 10 considered themselves partisan in the past, but currently, about a third do not lean toward either party.

Compared to other independents, Deliberators are slightly older, more likely to be married and more likely to live in a household where someone has served in the armed forces. They are also more likely to be religious than other independents.

Why are Deliberators political independents? More on their reasons and issue positions after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

AND THEN THERE IS THIS (AND IT IS NOT FUNNY IN ITS’ POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES)

BLOOMBERG ODDS

Michael Bloomberg's decision to bolt the Republican Party comes at a time when the GOP's public rating has dipped to its lowest level in nearly 18 years, in at least one poll, and stokes speculation behind a potential independent candidacy.

In the NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll released late last week, 49 percent of Americans viewed the Republican Party unfavorably, making it the party's worst showing ever in that poll and a mirror image of the party's standing in May 2003 when 49 percent viewed the GOP positively.

(The NBC-WSJ poll started asking the question in 1990 and offers a "neutral" option, which about two in 10 then and now said best expresses their feeling about the party.)

Since the Spring of 2003, as public judgment about the situation in Iraq has deteriorated, the party's standing -- led by spiking disapproval ratings of President Bush -- has slipped dramatically. In the latest survey, just 28 percent had favorable views of the party.

Widespread dissatisfaction with the GOP is an important backdrop for the mayor's announcement, but Bloomberg asserts that the switch brings his "affiliation in alignment," essentially truing his beliefs and policies with a more appropriate moniker. It also fuels discussion of his presidential aspirations.

Should he enter the presidential fray -- setting aside the numerous logistical challenges of running as an independent in our two-party system -- Bloomberg would face long-odds.

In a recent poll by the Pew Research Center, 56 percent of registered voters who had heard of Bloomberg said there was "no chance" they would vote for him if he were a presidential candidate. (Sixty-five percent said they had heard of him; 51 percent in the poll said they knew who Fred Thompson is and 36 percent said so about Sam Brownback.)

A June Fox News poll put up Bloomberg as an independent against Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani in a hypothetical general election (talk about a subway series!), and Bloomberg registered a distant seven percent; about twice as many said "other" or "don't know." Among self-identified independents, Bloomberg got 11 percent in the Fox poll. A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning has Bloomberg doing somewhat better in New York state, but still trailing. In that poll, 43 percent supported Clinton, 29 percent Giuliani and 16 percent the current mayor.

Underdog or not, Bloomberg's party jump and his deep pockets make for fascinating discussion -- and polling -- about the potential for a third-party challenger in 2008. It is fodder that should last well beyond Independence Day.

White House to back Iraq policy on Hill
By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - As the Senate debates taking a new course in Iraq, President Bush's national security adviser scheduled a meeting with more than a dozen Republican senators in a bid to shore up eroding support for the war.

Stephen Hadley was to visit Capitol Hill on Wednesday — one of many such forays in recent days — as the White House finalized a 23-page progress report on Iraq that concludes the government in Baghdad has made little progress in meeting reform goals laid down by Bush and Congress.

Iraq's inability to pass laws considered key to national cohesion and economic recovery or achieve other major milestones has prompted a backlash by Bush's one-time staunch political defenders.

At least 10 Republicans in recent weeks have said the U.S. should start reducing the military's role in Iraq, with the latest challenge to the president's Iraq strategy coming Tuesday from Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

"Simply put, our troops have been doing a great job, but the Iraqi government has not," Dole, R-N.C., said. "Our commitment in Iraq is not indefinite, nor should the Iraqi government perceive it to be. It is my firm hope and belief that we can start bringing our troops home in 2008."

Up to 20 GOP senators were invited to the meeting with Hadley to discuss the war.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a 2007 war spending bill that identified 18 benchmarks for political, security and economic reforms. The list was based on promises made by the Iraqi government when Bush decided to send in 30,000 additional U.S. troops.

The legislation required Bush to certify by July 15 and again on Sept. 15 that Baghdad was making significant strides in meeting the benchmarks. If he cannot, U.S. aid dollars must be cut, according to the law.

The law allows Bush to waive the requirement to cut funding.

Based on that list, the administration is likely to argue some progress has been made in reducing the level of sectarian violence and militia control. Iraq also has established several, but not all, of the needed joint neighborhood security stations in Baghdad, as well as increased the number of capable Iraqi security units.

But the report also is expected to concede that several major goals have not been met: Iraqi laws to allocate oil and gas resources and revenue, and to address amnesty for former Baath Party members.

Bush is not expected to withhold aid from the Iraqis.

The report comes as the Senate and House prepare to vote on Democratic legislation that would order combat to end by April 30, 2008, with troop withdrawals starting in 120 days.

Bush said Tuesday he would veto such legislation. He also said he would not rethink his military strategy until at least September, when the top military commander delivers a progress report on the troop buildup.

"That's what the American people expect. They expect for military people to come back and tell us how the military operations are going," Bush said. "And that's the way I'm going to play it as commander in chief."

Skeptical Republicans mostly agree they will oppose the Democratic proposal, and it is expected to fail. But these GOP members say they want to see legislation that would require U.S. troops no longer conduct combat missions, and focus on border control and counterterrorism efforts instead.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she wants to "leave it up to the military on the timing of the drawdown of the troops." But "by changing the mission, you're paving the way for a significant but gradual drawdown of our troops."

A Senate vote is expected next week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will call for a vote on a similar measure by the end of this week.

White House to back Iraq policy on Hill AP

US faced with Iraqi Army turncoats The Christian Science Monitor

Iraqis grapple with high unemployment AP

Bush Plans To Stress Next Phase In Iraq War at The Washington Post

U.S. Envoy Offers Grim Prediction on Iraq Pullout at The New York Times