SEPTEMBER THE SILENCE ENDS IN RESISTANCE AND REBELLION STEP BY STEP TO THE END!
SEPTEMBER SHOWDOWN OR SELLOUT? THE CHOICE IS OURS!
CONSCIENTIOUS CITIZENS OR COLLABORATING COWARDS;
THE QUESTION SHALL BE ANSWERED!
SEPTEMBER SHOWDOWN OR SELLOUT? THE CHOICE IS OURS!
CONSCIENTIOUS CITIZENS OR COLLABORATING COWARDS;
THE QUESTION SHALL BE ANSWERED!
IMPEACH OR THE STREETS?
CHECK THESE SITES ALSO!
http://grassrootsamerica4us.org/
http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/civic
Rev. Yearwood: Liberator For The Mind, Leader For Its Body
Published: Thursday - August 30, 2007Words by Mike Cooper II
Confined by the stereotypes of an imprudent media's perception, hip-hop has become the scapegoat for a lifetime's worth of transgression whilst the very tyrant, who directs that culpability towards the culture of an oppressed people, commits far superior crimes disturbing the balance of humanity itself.
If hip-hop is truly not to blame for a world gone mad, if it's truly not dead, and if it's wise enough to point that finger back at the corporate cronies and media whores who dammed it in the first place, then it will require a leader willing to sacrifice for a cause greater than just the music, or the shoes, or the art.
Hip-hop wishes to plead its own case. For too long have others spoken for it. And those that have wish to censor and bowdlerize it.
Hip-hop necessitates for a leader, a guide for the movement, who understands what the culture has been through, and what it marches towards.
It has found such a leader in Reverend Lennox Yearwood.
BallerStatus recently spoke with Yearwood, the virtuous President of the Hip-Hop Caucus and National Director for the Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign, about the role of hip-hop in today's society and what it can do to better it.
BallerStatus.com: We'll I'm so glad you're out of jail now.
Rev. Yearwood: I'm glad I'm out of jail.
BallerStatus.com: How did it feel to be walking down the steps of the Capitol in handcuffs when you were protesting the biggest bunch of criminals this country has ever seen?
Rev. Yearwood: Yeah. You know? They're handcuffing the wrong people obviously. They shouldn't be arresting the ones who are protesting and trying to make the injustice visible. They should handcuff the ones who are committing the injustice in the first place. And so you're right... it was... it was very difficult.
My wrist is still hurting. They were plastic handcuffs, so they tighten up as you move. It was very tight on my left wrist. The damage to my thumb is still not right. I'm hoping it repairs itself naturally, but that is the cost literally for trying to bring awareness and trying to get this congress to do what it's supposed to do.
BallerStatus.com: You've spoken about John Conyers being your mentor. How does it feel to be let down by him?
Rev. Yearwood: Well, I mean honestly in regards to Congressman Conyers he is... I mean he was a great mentor for me since the days of being a White House intern for Clinton, and then when I was actually a political director for Russell Simmons, he was a great ear to discuss that, and on the issue of Katrina, and some many different things.
But unfortunately we both realized -- and it was disappointing -- that we did not agree on his role as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to uphold our Constitution by holding this President and Vice President accountable for admitting egregious impeachable offenses.
BallerStatus.com: Here's a quote you said about the sit in, "We sat down so others could stand up." Explain to the public what you had in mind when you said that?
Rev. Yearwood: It's funny because Rosa Parks worked in John Conyers' office, so it was actually ironic to me -- in the lobby of the office there's a bust of Rosa Parks -- and so we just followed suit to savor that Rosa Parks sat down so a whole movement could stand up, the Civil Rights movement. We did the same thing for the impeach movement.
We sat down even though it might cost us a day of our freedom to be arrested, and now be monitored by certain agencies about our personal information, but we sat down because we recognized its time for us to have the impeachment movement standup. We're standing up to this President and this Vice President.
We recognize that if we don't stand up now in the 21st century, then our future is very bleak.
BallerSatus.com: It came out a couple days ago, in the BBC, that apparently Prescott Bush was part of the Business Plot back in the 30s to overthrow Roosevelt and install a fascist dictator in the White House. Did you hear about that?
Rev. Yearwood: Nah, actually I didn't. I need to look that up.BallerStatus.com: Took them about 70 years, but they finally did it, to an extent.
Rev. Yearwood: Yeah, and that's the thing. The irony to this whole process is that Congressman Conyers' wife sits on the City Council of Detroit, the largest city, to call for, and put impeachment on the table. And so her husband is in the position to push it forward or keep it from happening, so it's important to note that Congressman Conyers is the authority on impeachment.
He and his staff actually wrote the book on it, on the crimes and what would be impeachable, while they were in the minority. And that's important because they listed out everything from Downing Street to torture, obviously Katrina, and then the signing statements. I mean there are so many acts that are breaking the rule of law, and the bottom line here is that if the law makers break the rule of law there is no rule of law. There is no law at all. And so Congress' job is to make laws, but if there is no rule of law, Congress might as well go home.
And I told somebody this today, I said, "Right now in 2008, we're voting for Hillary Clinton and maybe in 2028, we'll be voting for Chelsea Clinton." And there might be a situation where the precedent that is set now, for our generation, is a precedent that can be disastrous because if you cannot impeach this President now for torture and starting an illegal war where hundreds-of-thousands of people have lost there lives, for literally leaving the Katrina survivors behind while they go on vacation, for signing statements and egregious after egregious act then we'll never be able to impeach anybody in the future.
He and his staff actually wrote the book on it, on the crimes and what would be impeachable, while they were in the minority. And that's important because they listed out everything from Downing Street to torture, obviously Katrina, and then the signing statements. I mean there are so many acts that are breaking the rule of law, and the bottom line here is that if the law makers break the rule of law there is no rule of law. There is no law at all. And so Congress' job is to make laws, but if there is no rule of law, Congress might as well go home.
And I told somebody this today, I said, "Right now in 2008, we're voting for Hillary Clinton and maybe in 2028, we'll be voting for Chelsea Clinton." And there might be a situation where the precedent that is set now, for our generation, is a precedent that can be disastrous because if you cannot impeach this President now for torture and starting an illegal war where hundreds-of-thousands of people have lost there lives, for literally leaving the Katrina survivors behind while they go on vacation, for signing statements and egregious after egregious act then we'll never be able to impeach anybody in the future.
BallerStatus.com: That's really telling. What will it take, hauling off minorities and disabled to camps and gas chambers? That's next the run on this downward ladder to hell. When they impeached Clinton only one person wrote the bill if I'm not mistaken. I believe it was Hyde.
There were no other co-sponsors. And there are at least 15 signed on to oust Cheney as we speak. And you mentioned Detroit, and they are nearly a hundred other cities that are backing it as well. Perhaps as much as 40 percent of the population is backing impeachment.
Rev. Yearwood: That's funny because the people actually... this has essentially become a polling nation, where a focus group gets polled and decisions are based on that.
There were no other co-sponsors. And there are at least 15 signed on to oust Cheney as we speak. And you mentioned Detroit, and they are nearly a hundred other cities that are backing it as well. Perhaps as much as 40 percent of the population is backing impeachment.
Rev. Yearwood: That's funny because the people actually... this has essentially become a polling nation, where a focus group gets polled and decisions are based on that.
One of the things about being a polling nation is that they're done so often now, on every minor issue that many aren't taken seriously anymore.
Even the polls show that this nation wants impeachment. We brought one million signatures of people who were calling on this President to be impeached. It is the people who are calling for this impeachment.
And if the Congress does not follow the will of the people, then whose House is it? Is it the people's House? Or is it somebody else's House?
Even the polls show that this nation wants impeachment. We brought one million signatures of people who were calling on this President to be impeached. It is the people who are calling for this impeachment.
And if the Congress does not follow the will of the people, then whose House is it? Is it the people's House? Or is it somebody else's House?
BallerStatus.com: It's Wall Street's House. So anyway, when did you first become a minister?Rev. Yearwood: I became a minister right after college. I was the SGA President, and also I played college basketball. And while I was there, I was a White House intern.
That was someway I felt I could pursue in order to help, and I felt that I needed something outside of myself. In this day and age, you sort of need something visible to put on in order to make some change.
BallerStatus.com: What was your experience like as an intern in the White House?
Rev. Yearwood: My experience was... I guess you call it an experience. I believe in life you go through a series of experiences that get you to where you are.
Rev. Yearwood: My experience was... I guess you call it an experience. I believe in life you go through a series of experiences that get you to where you are.
So, you know, at the White House, I was like any other intern. You just go about and do intern stuff. But that gave me the opportunity to meet the President and I approached him on Lonnie Guinier, who was up for a position, but the Right was against her because she was "too radical" and he pulled her name out of the process even though most of the communities of color wanted her.
So I kind of stood up then, and I guess I've been standing up ever since.
BallerStatus.com: Will you be backing Cindy Sheehan's run in 2008 against Pelosi?Rev. Yearwood:
You know, it's funny the caucus is in a position now... I'll lead by this: Cindy Sheehan is my mother in the movement. And the caucus has backed the fact that we are not partisan. We are post-partisan. We push based upon issue. And so the issue there, as it simply boils down in San-Francisco, is about organized people versus organized money.
So I will definitely back the candidate who is for organized people.
BallerStatus.com: Have you ever been down to Camp Casey before?
Rev. Yearwood: I have. I've been down to Camp Casey. We were there over Easter when we did our "Make Hip-Hop Not War" tour. That was one of our stops. It actually snowed in down there in Crawford, about three inches. It was amazing. It snowed in the heart of Texas and we were dancing for justice in the snow.
It was also amazing because there were a lot of white anti-war activists and a lot of young urban black anti-war activists dancing together for justice. That's the bottom line for what we really want to achieve. I call ourselves the "Dream Generation," a generation where we are the sons and daughters of former slaves working together with descendants of some of our former slave owners, and that's a dream generation. We believe that we can actually -- and we will -- end poverty, racism and war.
The Dream Generation is a generation where it's not about black or white, Asian or Latino, and even male or female. It's really about Dr. King's dream, about being judged by your content and not your color.
So as this Dream Generation, we believe that we can end a lot of things the boomers refused to end.
BallerStatus.com: Tell me about the day-to-day functions of the Hip-Hop Caucus.
Rev. Yearwood: The caucus job is pretty simple. Our job is to make government transparent. I mean that's pretty easy, and to inspire and motivate the young to be more involved in social change and politics. And so obviously we do that through electoral activism. We do that through the culture with hip-hop programs. You know, it's really funny... the greatest thing the Caucus has brought so far... one of the things that we have now in the 21st century is this kiddy table mentality through which activism was created 'cause if you were under 30 you could only be involved with groups like campus organizations or with youth stuff.
The Hip-Hop Caucus... it's hard. I will admit it's hard. We don't have the infrastructure and the resources and all the people that other organizations have. But we do have influence and access, and we have our voice. Our voice is at the table, with the people. We're speaking up for people who don't normally get that chance. And so we're really trying to just dismantle that kiddy table mentality.
The Hip-Hop Caucus... it's hard. I will admit it's hard. We don't have the infrastructure and the resources and all the people that other organizations have. But we do have influence and access, and we have our voice. Our voice is at the table, with the people. We're speaking up for people who don't normally get that chance. And so we're really trying to just dismantle that kiddy table mentality.
BallerStatus.com: It was that march on the Pentagon when I first became aware of your movement and its mission. You were very recognizable up there with those "Make Hip-Hop Not War" shirts. What do you see as the difference between the hip-hop you grew up on, and fell in love with, and what we see today when we turn on BET, or hear when we turn on the radio?Rev. Yearwood: Yeah, I mean the difference between the rap music -- because hip-hop is a culture -- of then and now is that back then the music was seen as unprofitable.
So the trueness of the music came out. The trueness of the music was freedom music. Music is usually tied to that. Music comes from the people. It's still that way. That's one thing about it, if you go into other parts of the world like Brazil, France, and even in Africa, it's being used as wake up music.
Unfortunately in America, it was found to be profitable, and then it went from being profitable to being buffoonery and blackface. So you have those artists, but I don't discount all my comrades. There are some artists I don't listen to or some songs like that, but they still deserve credit for going through an experience, an experience that should be listened to. The caucus, being who we are, we work with all groups.
I say that because one thing about it, we're in this together, whether some artists see that or align with our message. Obviously there are some artists more in lined with our political thought. We just did a "Shut it Down, Stop the Torture!" concert with Mystic, Dead Prez and Wise Intelligent among others.
Unfortunately in America, it was found to be profitable, and then it went from being profitable to being buffoonery and blackface. So you have those artists, but I don't discount all my comrades. There are some artists I don't listen to or some songs like that, but they still deserve credit for going through an experience, an experience that should be listened to. The caucus, being who we are, we work with all groups.
I say that because one thing about it, we're in this together, whether some artists see that or align with our message. Obviously there are some artists more in lined with our political thought. We just did a "Shut it Down, Stop the Torture!" concert with Mystic, Dead Prez and Wise Intelligent among others.
BallerStatus.com: Interesting you mention Wise Intelligent, he has been featured on BallerStatus.com as of late. The man is quite a wordsmith. What do you have to do to make the public more aware of that type of hip-hop as opposed to the corporate conceived commercial side that's dominating right now?
Rev. Yearwood: I tell you this, and this is not a self-serving comment, I believe that organizations like the Hip-Hop Caucus... the stronger we get, the stronger they will get. If the people are not political, they're not going to want to listen to political music. So the more that they get involved in politics and gain an understanding about impeachment, the war, healthcare, police brutality, and all the bigger problems that are affecting their community, once that happens then they're going to want to hear the music along those lines.
That was the power of 95 because they were listening to the Million Man March and they were dealing with Rodney King. They were dealing with police brutality at that point in time. They were dealing with problems with education and healthcare in their communities, and we still are. It was politically inspired, so they could hear it. I believe as Hip-Hop Caucus gets stronger, so does Wise Intelligent. As the caucus gets stronger, so will Immortal Technique.
That was the power of 95 because they were listening to the Million Man March and they were dealing with Rodney King. They were dealing with police brutality at that point in time. They were dealing with problems with education and healthcare in their communities, and we still are. It was politically inspired, so they could hear it. I believe as Hip-Hop Caucus gets stronger, so does Wise Intelligent. As the caucus gets stronger, so will Immortal Technique.
When we get stronger, we will have greater influence and access to deal with media reform, and deal with getting people on radio. We'll deal with the FCC. We'll deal with the conglomerates who want to keep them off the air. We are a mechanism to organize, mobilize and energize the masses. We can then link with the artist to make change. Then as we get stronger, you'll hear them on the radio, and they'll become the face of hip-hop. And I think they're getting that.
I think that's the reason Immortal Technique and my staff, Liz, and the other people on staff talk and are dealing with things because we recognize how important it is for us to work together.
BallerStatus.com: What do say to the leaders of the black community, and elsewhere, who are pushing to censor the hip-hop culture and rap music?
Rev. Yearwood: Well, I think it's funny. I think what they're doing now is falling into the game, into the hands of those who want to confuse the community. Those that recognize the power of the hip-hop generation recognize that we have a wonderful ability to think outside the box, that we are not falling inline with their train of thought. So obviously they want to cut that down, cut our influence and access. They want to link together those -- the corporate, the ironic part, the corporate buffoonish blackface side with the side that is being much more political and calling for change.
So you would think it'd be the same way when Dr. King was coming up with SCLC and SNCC, and you know the Hip-Hop Caucus has often been called the 21st century version of SNCC. When SNCC came up, it wasn't popular to say black. It was a bad word. It was just like saying the "n" word now. It was bad. If you said that word, it was terrible. But they started saying "Black Power" and people got scared cause of that.
So you would think it'd be the same way when Dr. King was coming up with SCLC and SNCC, and you know the Hip-Hop Caucus has often been called the 21st century version of SNCC. When SNCC came up, it wasn't popular to say black. It was a bad word. It was just like saying the "n" word now. It was bad. If you said that word, it was terrible. But they started saying "Black Power" and people got scared cause of that.
There's a famous story about that. Dr. King didn't shut them down. He recognized this is the voice of the people. Instead of shutting them down, he said in the march, "Black Power." They said it was so shocking that one guy who had a camera, filming, dropped his camera. That's how it was.I think that what would really happen if more of the people who really are ahead of us... we're now finding out that we have a lot of superficial leadership in these positions who we call timecard activists because they're career activists who are really more concerned with their paycheck than the people.
The paycheck trumps people, and because of that they don't care. We have that problem. I mean that's where we are with that right now. I laugh too because buffoonery and blackface they come out now and act like its new, but I remember Pam Grier, "Superfly" and "Dolemite." That was just blackface that was used to take away power from the Black Panthers at that point in time.
The paycheck trumps people, and because of that they don't care. We have that problem. I mean that's where we are with that right now. I laugh too because buffoonery and blackface they come out now and act like its new, but I remember Pam Grier, "Superfly" and "Dolemite." That was just blackface that was used to take away power from the Black Panthers at that point in time.
It created another image of blackface in the 70s, so it's not a new thing and they act like it's new.That's why its so disheartening because our leaders themselves went through that when they were, back then, saying "Power to the People" only to be drowned out by things like "Superfly" or "Dolemite," those things that were used to show that they were cool with the police. When they we're talking about pigs in Oakland, they would come out with "Shaft" who was cool with the police, and all that kind of stuff.
You know? So we've always had that as an influence on our community, so I'm just shocked that these same leaders would then fall into that. We're not going to fall into that. We're going to empower our community, inside and outside the academy.
BallerStatus.com: So do you feel that Sharpton and some of the other leaders should be focusing more time protesting what Bush is doing and less time thinking about the current state of rap music?
Rev. Yearwood: Oh most definitely. There's no doubt about it. It should have been Iraq and not Imus. I mean yes, of course. That's no doubt. They're more worried about funding cycles than people. You are correct on that. That is clear... and they do. I will say this too: there are times when Jesse and Sharpton have spoken out on Bush.
But the media is certainly not putting that out there. I've been at events and heard Jesse speak out on Bush, and the media won't put that out there. They have been looking out. Is it enough? No. It would have been great beautiful moment to have Sharpton and Jesse Jackson with me in Conyers' office. I think that would have put out a statement. That would have been wonderful.
But the media is certainly not putting that out there. I've been at events and heard Jesse speak out on Bush, and the media won't put that out there. They have been looking out. Is it enough? No. It would have been great beautiful moment to have Sharpton and Jesse Jackson with me in Conyers' office. I think that would have put out a statement. That would have been wonderful.
BallerStatus.com: Certainly the whole Imus ordeal was a mess, and we here were pissed while it went down, because meanwhile in the nation's capitol Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was preparing to testify before Congress and that got no attention. And the reason he's in trouble right now is because he fired U.S. Attorneys, and the reason he fired them was because of voter suppression. And his purpose, the cause of Gonzalez, and Rove and that whole cabal is too suppress the minority vote in 2008. That is real racism. That isn't on the news.
Rev. Yearwood: You hit it on the head. That's the thing about it. You hit it on the head. I mean I'm more worried about someone treating me as the "n" word than calling me one. So that's the reality. And so you're right Gonzalez is out there doing this thing. I having this feeling that we're going through a higher form of Jim Crow. And you're right, Gonzalez has fired their attorneys -- that's what's crazy.
He fired his own people because they were not hard enough on trying to suppress the votes of convicted criminals or soldiers fighting overseas, most of all whom were black or Latino. So you're right. I mean, it's ridiculous that goes on at the same time as Imus. You know, it's funny we were all in Chicago when they all came on Oprah, that was the same week that our "Make Hip-hop Not War" tour was in Chicago, on the same day they're all on television talking about Imus and I'm thinking, "man." This very moment there are black soldiers who are dying in Iraq.
Studies show that it's safer for a black man in Iraq than it is on the streets of Chicago. I was shocked she was even wasting her time talking about that. It was disheartening, but that's the reason why there has to be new leadership and a new thrust of people. It makes sense for us to fight for our generation. At the same time though, if I'm 65 and blocking the way of other people coming up from behind then I'm wrong.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26257
Conyers Now Says Impeachment is NOT Off His Table
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-08-29 12:49. Congress Impeachment
By Ann Wright, Colonel, US Army Reserves (retired)
US Congressman John Conyers said in Pontiac, Michigan, on August 28, 2007 that, while Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi may have impeachment off her table, he has NOT put impeachment off HIS table!
At a gathering of over 500 citizens of the Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan area gathered to “Take a Stand” against the war on Iraq sponsored by Iraq Summer, Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that citizens must bring to an end “sad and tragic war.”
Conyers said that citizens must reject the “imperial” government of the Bush administration. Conyers listed torture, Geneva Convention violations, abuse of national security letters, and voters’ rights violations as parts of the “imperial system,” and that members of the administration have “inherent contempt” for the Congress. Conyers said he has no reticence or reluctance to “use the tool of impeachment,” when he “feels it is appropriate.”
I spoke to the gathering prior to Congressman Conyers. I called for accountability for the invasion and occupation of an Arab, Muslim, oil-rich country that had not attacked the United States and for other Bush crimes such as torture, kidnapping, illegal detention and warrant less wiretapping. I said accountability for illegal actions is critically important to our country as if the Bush administration escapes accountability, future administrations will attempt to do the same.
I asked Congressman Conyers to “Take a Stand” for accountability for the deaths of 3760 US military and 1000 US civilian contractors killed in Iraq, for the 700,000 Iraqis killed in the US occupation of Iraq and for the 770 persons imprisoned for almost 6 years in Guantanamo with only one charged and convicted by the US military commission.
I emphasized that investigations of allegations of criminal actions by President Bush and Vice-President Cheney were the right of citizens, that investigations that could lead to impeachment, were a part of the US Constitution that could not be taken away by individual Congressmen or women.
And, I reminded Congressman Conyers that I was one of 400 persons who came to his office on July 23 and one of 47 who were arrested in his office when he would not agree to consider initiating investigations on articles of impeachment. Conyers has said frequently that “we don’t want to jeopardize the 2008 elections with impeachment” and “we don’t have time before the 2008 for impeachment.”
I also promised to organize the “protection of the House Judiciary committee” if Nancy Pelosi attempted to take the chairmanship of the Judiciary committee from Conyers if he initiated investigations for possible impeachment.
The 500 citizens in the audience were committed to putting further pressure on the Congress for ending the war on Iraq and were enthusiastic about holding the Bush administration accountable for its crimes through impeachment.
September is a critical month for ending the war. We need as many people as can come to Washington to put pressure on the Congress to end the war and to impeach those in high offices who have broken domestic and international law. The Petraus/Crocker/White House report will be presented in mid-September, marches will be on September 15 and 29. The Iraq Moratorium Day is September 21. Come help in DC!!!
STOP THE WAR and Demand Accountability through IMPEACHMENT!
About the Author: Ann Wright is a retired US Army Reserves Colonel and a US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the war on Iraq. She served in US Embassies Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. She was on the team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan in December, 2001. She is the co-author of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience” which will be published in October, 2007.
I want to read what US Congressman John Conyers said in Pontiac, Michigan, on August 28, 2007. Is this just more pandering to the crowds? A month ago he was willing to have people arrested at his office, now he's back to "ya impeachment sounds good"? WTF?
September Showdown or Sellout? The Choice is Ours!
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-08-30 20:35. Activism
Congress returns on September 4th after a month's vacation. It has been 8 months since this Congress took power with a mandate to end the occupation of Iraq and hold Bush and Cheney to the rule of law. This Congress has funded the occupation, legalized unconstitutional spying, and promised never to impeach. Will this trend continue? Can we afford to allow it to? We have killed over a million people, and the death rate is double this year what it was last year, according to the Associated Press.
There are signs that the tide may be turning. A serious movement in Congress to impeach Gonzales helped lead to his departure. Twenty congress members of conscience have signed onto articles of impeachment for Cheney. Congressman John Conyers says he wants impeachment proponents to come to his office to urge him on (watch the video). And 70 congress members have committed to oppose funding the occupation, while funding a withdrawal by January 2009 or sooner.
What can we do to push Congress in the direction of peace and justice? Big marches are planned for the 15th and the 29th in Washington, but the pressure will be all month long. September has something for everyone!
There are local events all over the country on the September calendar. Here are some of the most exciting national (and international) dates:
Congress returns on September 4th after a month's vacation. It has been 8 months since this Congress took power with a mandate to end the occupation of Iraq and hold Bush and Cheney to the rule of law. This Congress has funded the occupation, legalized unconstitutional spying, and promised never to impeach. Will this trend continue? Can we afford to allow it to? We have killed over a million people, and the death rate is double this year what it was last year, according to the Associated Press.
There are signs that the tide may be turning. A serious movement in Congress to impeach Gonzales helped lead to his departure. Twenty congress members of conscience have signed onto articles of impeachment for Cheney. Congressman John Conyers says he wants impeachment proponents to come to his office to urge him on (watch the video). And 70 congress members have committed to oppose funding the occupation, while funding a withdrawal by January 2009 or sooner.
What can we do to push Congress in the direction of peace and justice? Big marches are planned for the 15th and the 29th in Washington, but the pressure will be all month long. September has something for everyone!
There are local events all over the country on the September calendar. Here are some of the most exciting national (and international) dates:
Aug. 29 - Sept. 2: International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in New Orleans, La.: http://www.internationaltribunal.org/
Aug. 31 - Sept. 1: People's Poll and Peace Rally in Ft. Worth, Texas. This will be a huge protest at the time and place where the Republican Party is planning to have 20,000 delegates from throughout the U.S. and all of the Republican presidential candidates attend their Straw Poll Convention: http://www.texansforpeace.org/peoplespoll/schedule.htm
Sept. 4: Stand watch over Congress! Join us in the gallery and STAND to show we are watching what this Congress does: http://www.americastandswatch.org/
Sept. 6: Call Congress! This one is for everybody. Call your representative and your two senators at . Tell them: I want you to act now to end the war and occupation of Iraq. The Congress has the Constitutional right and a moral responsibility to use the power of the purse to withdraw all U.S. soldiers and contractors from Iraq on a rapid and binding schedule. Four and a half years of this war is too long - it has to end now!
Sept. 7: Choose Peace Concert! Emma's Revolution, Randi Driscoll, Free Radicalz, and more, in New York City: http://www.democrats.com/node/14104
Sept. 8-16: Vacation for Peace in Italy!The people of Vicenza, Italy, have been struggling against the construction of a proposed new U.S. military base in their city. They have organized a week of camping, actions, debates, rallies, concerts and initiatives. Join them: http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/26308
Sept. 8: The War and Rural America! Farmers and veterans meet in New York City: http://www.democrats.com/node/14102
Sept. 11: March of the People Arrives in DC just in time for the White House's expected sales pitch for extending the occupation: http://www.marchofthepeople.org/
Sept. 11: Washington, D.C.: 3 PM to 7 AM following day, all night vigil in front of Tower Guard, by the Capitol Building, with the Action Response Team reading 12,000 impeachment cards with messages from people all over the Country to impeach Bush and Cheney! Come join and read some of these incredible hand written messages: http://www.arrestcheneyfirst.org/
Sept. 12: "Tell the Truth" event outside your local media outlet: http://www.democrats.com/node/14134
Sept. 12: 11 AM, deliver 12,000 impeachment messages to Nancy Pelosi personally. All are welcome to attend and stay for a nice chat with the Democratic Leader! http://www.arrestcheneyfirst.org/
Sept. 14-21: Days of Decision, nonviolent action at congressional offices to end the occupation of Iraq: http://www.declarationofpeace.org/
SEPTEMBER 15:
Thousands of Americans from around the country will join together in Washington, D.C., to demand the impeachment of Dick Cheney and George W. Bush and insist on the immediate end to the occupation in Iraq. Please join us: http://www.impeachbush.org/
Or hold a local event:
Use the occassion of September 15 to hold an impeachment rally in your town. You'll find big marches in Alabama, Kansas, and Florida on the calendar, and several more here. Hold your own. Visit your congress member's offices. Hold a Honk-to-Impeach event. Hold a sit-in. Screen a video. Event resources are here: http://afterdowningstreet.org/eventresources
http://www.troopsoutnow.org/
A Two-Month Surge of Resistance Against the War at Home and Abroad
The next two months will see many acts of protest and resistance against the war. We encourage you to organize, mobilize, and support as many of these actions as you can. Let's answer Bush's surge with a surge of resistance.
August 25 - March Against the the war at home and abroad - Newark - http://www.peaceandjusticecoalition.org%20/
August 25 - Protest the war criminals - Kennebunkport Maine http://www.kportprotest.org%20/
August 27 - Stop the War Against Women - http://iacenter.org/images/womennyc082707a.pdf%20
August 29 - September 2, 2007 - International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina & Rita - http://internationaltribunal.org%20/
September 11 - "Day of Outrage" against police terror - NYC - called by the D12 Movement http://troopsoutnow.org/sept11.html
September 15 - March Against the War - Washington DC - called by the ANSWER Coalition http://www.answercoalition.org/
September 22 - 29 - Encampment to Stop the War in Washington - http://www.answercoalition.org/
September 29 - March against the war at home and abroad - http://www.troopsoutnow.org%20/
October 27 and 28 - Regional antiwar protest around the country - called by United for Peace & Justice - http://www.unitedforpeace.org%20/
http://www.myspace.com/encampmenttostopthewar
Michael Marowitz: Why Bush must be impeachedMarin Independent-Journal - San Rafael,CA,USAIn combination, these actions provide more than sufficient grounds for impeachment. There are probably many more grounds for impeachment that the process ...See all stories on this topic
War, Impeachment on the Minds of McCollum's ConstituentsMinnesota Monitor - Minneapolis,MN,USA... any of the times that the topics of Congressional oversight, subpoenas of White House staff and records, or impeachment were brought up at the meeting. ...See all stories on this topic
When is enough enough?Pasadena Weekly - Pasadena,CA,USAUpstairs, other members of the Glendale/Pasadena Impeachment Committee and the Los Angeles National Impeachment Center (LANIC) weren't having as much luck ...See all stories on this topic
Tough Talk On ImpeachmentBy Anthony I listened to this podcast a couple weeks ago and it got me even more worked up about impeachment. Constitutionalists are furious about the precedents being set by George Bush, Dick Cheney, and their co-conspirators. ...The Cosmic Tap - http://www.cosmictap.com/
Impeachment Quickie: Conyers Says Impeachment Not Off His Table!By Ticia US Congressman John Conyers said in Pontiac, Michigan, on August 28, 2007 that, while Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi may have impeachment off her table, he has NOT put impeachment off HIS table! ...TPMCafe blogs - http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog
Impeachment of George W. Bush : a handbook for concerned citizens ...Title: Impeachment of George W. Bush : a handbook for concerned citizens / Elizabeth Holtzman with Cynthia L. Cooper. Edition:. Publisher: New York : Nation Books, c2006. Location: Bird-4th Floor. Call Number: KF5075 .H65 2006 ...History - New Titles - Syracuse... - http://library.syr.edu/
Conyers: "Impeachment off Pelosi's Table, but Not Mine"By Christopher John Conyers declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could not stop him from beginning impeachment proceedings in the House Judiciary Committee against a 'long list of people'in the Bush administration, although he did not make a firm ...From the Left - http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com
Conyers WANTS Impeachment Proponents to Come to His Office"I want you to know that I have no reticence, no reluctance, no hesitation to use the tool of impeachment ... whenever I feel that it is appropriate," Conyers said. "I only wish that I could be moved by a lot of people coming to my ...AfterDowningStreet.org - Impeach... - http://www.afterdowningstreet.org
Dear World Can't Wait Supporter,
Last week, this was posted on worldcantwait.org:
We Are What We’ve Been Waiting For!
If ever there was a time to step outside the boundaries of what “common wisdom” accepts as possible, this is it. We need - the whole world needs - a movement of massive and powerful RESISTANCE, a movement that begins to wrench the future of humanity out of the blood drenched hands of the likes of Bush and Cheney and puts it in the hands of the people. A movement that unseats a sitting president, and creates a new atmosphere of liberating, fierce, and joyous struggle in the place of the suffocating acquiescence to endless atrocities that exists today.
A groundswell of orange, assisted and amplified by the voices of prominent people and musicians wearing and promoting orange on TV, radio, and on stage at concerts can break people out of this conundrum where millions are just furious but still numbed and rendered inactive by the complicity of the loyal opposition Party and by the anaesthetizing effects of the presidential elections.
The world has been waiting…but the world can’t wait any longer. Can’t wait for a massive movement to arise, determined to make the sacrifices and take the risks; to overcome the obstacles, to show the courage and heart so urgently in demand today; to cry out “enough” - of the unjust wars, the threats of further wars, the mass destruction of entire cities and neighborhoods, the grotesque torture and endless imprisonment, the steady encroachment of a police state of pervasive and permanent government spying, the relentless poisoning of this planet and the very things that make life sustainable.
The World Can’t Wait for a movement that has the focus, energy, and resolve to Drive Out the Bush Regime. The world has been waiting – and we are what we’ve been waiting for
DECLARE IT NOW: WEAR ORANGE, DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME!
WITH THE WARNER ANNOUNCEMENT THE EVALUATION OF THIS ELECTION DATA AND THE HEARST/DAVIS RACE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTAIL!
Tom Davis Truth
Demographic Breakdown
He fired his own people because they were not hard enough on trying to suppress the votes of convicted criminals or soldiers fighting overseas, most of all whom were black or Latino. So you're right. I mean, it's ridiculous that goes on at the same time as Imus. You know, it's funny we were all in Chicago when they all came on Oprah, that was the same week that our "Make Hip-hop Not War" tour was in Chicago, on the same day they're all on television talking about Imus and I'm thinking, "man." This very moment there are black soldiers who are dying in Iraq.
Studies show that it's safer for a black man in Iraq than it is on the streets of Chicago. I was shocked she was even wasting her time talking about that. It was disheartening, but that's the reason why there has to be new leadership and a new thrust of people. It makes sense for us to fight for our generation. At the same time though, if I'm 65 and blocking the way of other people coming up from behind then I'm wrong.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26257
Conyers Now Says Impeachment is NOT Off His Table
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-08-29 12:49. Congress Impeachment
By Ann Wright, Colonel, US Army Reserves (retired)
US Congressman John Conyers said in Pontiac, Michigan, on August 28, 2007 that, while Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi may have impeachment off her table, he has NOT put impeachment off HIS table!
At a gathering of over 500 citizens of the Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan area gathered to “Take a Stand” against the war on Iraq sponsored by Iraq Summer, Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that citizens must bring to an end “sad and tragic war.”
Conyers said that citizens must reject the “imperial” government of the Bush administration. Conyers listed torture, Geneva Convention violations, abuse of national security letters, and voters’ rights violations as parts of the “imperial system,” and that members of the administration have “inherent contempt” for the Congress. Conyers said he has no reticence or reluctance to “use the tool of impeachment,” when he “feels it is appropriate.”
I spoke to the gathering prior to Congressman Conyers. I called for accountability for the invasion and occupation of an Arab, Muslim, oil-rich country that had not attacked the United States and for other Bush crimes such as torture, kidnapping, illegal detention and warrant less wiretapping. I said accountability for illegal actions is critically important to our country as if the Bush administration escapes accountability, future administrations will attempt to do the same.
I asked Congressman Conyers to “Take a Stand” for accountability for the deaths of 3760 US military and 1000 US civilian contractors killed in Iraq, for the 700,000 Iraqis killed in the US occupation of Iraq and for the 770 persons imprisoned for almost 6 years in Guantanamo with only one charged and convicted by the US military commission.
I emphasized that investigations of allegations of criminal actions by President Bush and Vice-President Cheney were the right of citizens, that investigations that could lead to impeachment, were a part of the US Constitution that could not be taken away by individual Congressmen or women.
And, I reminded Congressman Conyers that I was one of 400 persons who came to his office on July 23 and one of 47 who were arrested in his office when he would not agree to consider initiating investigations on articles of impeachment. Conyers has said frequently that “we don’t want to jeopardize the 2008 elections with impeachment” and “we don’t have time before the 2008 for impeachment.”
I also promised to organize the “protection of the House Judiciary committee” if Nancy Pelosi attempted to take the chairmanship of the Judiciary committee from Conyers if he initiated investigations for possible impeachment.
The 500 citizens in the audience were committed to putting further pressure on the Congress for ending the war on Iraq and were enthusiastic about holding the Bush administration accountable for its crimes through impeachment.
September is a critical month for ending the war. We need as many people as can come to Washington to put pressure on the Congress to end the war and to impeach those in high offices who have broken domestic and international law. The Petraus/Crocker/White House report will be presented in mid-September, marches will be on September 15 and 29. The Iraq Moratorium Day is September 21. Come help in DC!!!
STOP THE WAR and Demand Accountability through IMPEACHMENT!
About the Author: Ann Wright is a retired US Army Reserves Colonel and a US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the war on Iraq. She served in US Embassies Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. She was on the team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan in December, 2001. She is the co-author of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience” which will be published in October, 2007.
I want to read what US Congressman John Conyers said in Pontiac, Michigan, on August 28, 2007. Is this just more pandering to the crowds? A month ago he was willing to have people arrested at his office, now he's back to "ya impeachment sounds good"? WTF?
September Showdown or Sellout? The Choice is Ours!
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-08-30 20:35. Activism
Congress returns on September 4th after a month's vacation. It has been 8 months since this Congress took power with a mandate to end the occupation of Iraq and hold Bush and Cheney to the rule of law. This Congress has funded the occupation, legalized unconstitutional spying, and promised never to impeach. Will this trend continue? Can we afford to allow it to? We have killed over a million people, and the death rate is double this year what it was last year, according to the Associated Press.
There are signs that the tide may be turning. A serious movement in Congress to impeach Gonzales helped lead to his departure. Twenty congress members of conscience have signed onto articles of impeachment for Cheney. Congressman John Conyers says he wants impeachment proponents to come to his office to urge him on (watch the video). And 70 congress members have committed to oppose funding the occupation, while funding a withdrawal by January 2009 or sooner.
What can we do to push Congress in the direction of peace and justice? Big marches are planned for the 15th and the 29th in Washington, but the pressure will be all month long. September has something for everyone!
There are local events all over the country on the September calendar. Here are some of the most exciting national (and international) dates:
Congress returns on September 4th after a month's vacation. It has been 8 months since this Congress took power with a mandate to end the occupation of Iraq and hold Bush and Cheney to the rule of law. This Congress has funded the occupation, legalized unconstitutional spying, and promised never to impeach. Will this trend continue? Can we afford to allow it to? We have killed over a million people, and the death rate is double this year what it was last year, according to the Associated Press.
There are signs that the tide may be turning. A serious movement in Congress to impeach Gonzales helped lead to his departure. Twenty congress members of conscience have signed onto articles of impeachment for Cheney. Congressman John Conyers says he wants impeachment proponents to come to his office to urge him on (watch the video). And 70 congress members have committed to oppose funding the occupation, while funding a withdrawal by January 2009 or sooner.
What can we do to push Congress in the direction of peace and justice? Big marches are planned for the 15th and the 29th in Washington, but the pressure will be all month long. September has something for everyone!
There are local events all over the country on the September calendar. Here are some of the most exciting national (and international) dates:
Aug. 29 - Sept. 2: International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in New Orleans, La.: http://www.internationaltribunal.org/
Aug. 31 - Sept. 1: People's Poll and Peace Rally in Ft. Worth, Texas. This will be a huge protest at the time and place where the Republican Party is planning to have 20,000 delegates from throughout the U.S. and all of the Republican presidential candidates attend their Straw Poll Convention: http://www.texansforpeace.org/peoplespoll/schedule.htm
Sept. 4: Stand watch over Congress! Join us in the gallery and STAND to show we are watching what this Congress does: http://www.americastandswatch.org/
Sept. 6: Call Congress! This one is for everybody. Call your representative and your two senators at . Tell them: I want you to act now to end the war and occupation of Iraq. The Congress has the Constitutional right and a moral responsibility to use the power of the purse to withdraw all U.S. soldiers and contractors from Iraq on a rapid and binding schedule. Four and a half years of this war is too long - it has to end now!
Sept. 7: Choose Peace Concert! Emma's Revolution, Randi Driscoll, Free Radicalz, and more, in New York City: http://www.democrats.com/node/14104
Sept. 8-16: Vacation for Peace in Italy!The people of Vicenza, Italy, have been struggling against the construction of a proposed new U.S. military base in their city. They have organized a week of camping, actions, debates, rallies, concerts and initiatives. Join them: http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/26308
Sept. 8: The War and Rural America! Farmers and veterans meet in New York City: http://www.democrats.com/node/14102
Sept. 11: March of the People Arrives in DC just in time for the White House's expected sales pitch for extending the occupation: http://www.marchofthepeople.org/
Sept. 11: Washington, D.C.: 3 PM to 7 AM following day, all night vigil in front of Tower Guard, by the Capitol Building, with the Action Response Team reading 12,000 impeachment cards with messages from people all over the Country to impeach Bush and Cheney! Come join and read some of these incredible hand written messages: http://www.arrestcheneyfirst.org/
Sept. 12: "Tell the Truth" event outside your local media outlet: http://www.democrats.com/node/14134
Sept. 12: 11 AM, deliver 12,000 impeachment messages to Nancy Pelosi personally. All are welcome to attend and stay for a nice chat with the Democratic Leader! http://www.arrestcheneyfirst.org/
Sept. 14-21: Days of Decision, nonviolent action at congressional offices to end the occupation of Iraq: http://www.declarationofpeace.org/
SEPTEMBER 15:
Thousands of Americans from around the country will join together in Washington, D.C., to demand the impeachment of Dick Cheney and George W. Bush and insist on the immediate end to the occupation in Iraq. Please join us: http://www.impeachbush.org/
Or hold a local event:
Use the occassion of September 15 to hold an impeachment rally in your town. You'll find big marches in Alabama, Kansas, and Florida on the calendar, and several more here. Hold your own. Visit your congress member's offices. Hold a Honk-to-Impeach event. Hold a sit-in. Screen a video. Event resources are here: http://afterdowningstreet.org/eventresources
http://www.troopsoutnow.org/
A Two-Month Surge of Resistance Against the War at Home and Abroad
The next two months will see many acts of protest and resistance against the war. We encourage you to organize, mobilize, and support as many of these actions as you can. Let's answer Bush's surge with a surge of resistance.
August 25 - March Against the the war at home and abroad - Newark - http://www.peaceandjusticecoalition.org%20/
August 25 - Protest the war criminals - Kennebunkport Maine http://www.kportprotest.org%20/
August 27 - Stop the War Against Women - http://iacenter.org/images/womennyc082707a.pdf%20
August 29 - September 2, 2007 - International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina & Rita - http://internationaltribunal.org%20/
September 11 - "Day of Outrage" against police terror - NYC - called by the D12 Movement http://troopsoutnow.org/sept11.html
September 15 - March Against the War - Washington DC - called by the ANSWER Coalition http://www.answercoalition.org/
September 22 - 29 - Encampment to Stop the War in Washington - http://www.answercoalition.org/
September 29 - March against the war at home and abroad - http://www.troopsoutnow.org%20/
October 27 and 28 - Regional antiwar protest around the country - called by United for Peace & Justice - http://www.unitedforpeace.org%20/
http://www.myspace.com/encampmenttostopthewar
Michael Marowitz: Why Bush must be impeachedMarin Independent-Journal - San Rafael,CA,USAIn combination, these actions provide more than sufficient grounds for impeachment. There are probably many more grounds for impeachment that the process ...See all stories on this topic
War, Impeachment on the Minds of McCollum's ConstituentsMinnesota Monitor - Minneapolis,MN,USA... any of the times that the topics of Congressional oversight, subpoenas of White House staff and records, or impeachment were brought up at the meeting. ...See all stories on this topic
When is enough enough?Pasadena Weekly - Pasadena,CA,USAUpstairs, other members of the Glendale/Pasadena Impeachment Committee and the Los Angeles National Impeachment Center (LANIC) weren't having as much luck ...See all stories on this topic
Tough Talk On ImpeachmentBy Anthony I listened to this podcast a couple weeks ago and it got me even more worked up about impeachment. Constitutionalists are furious about the precedents being set by George Bush, Dick Cheney, and their co-conspirators. ...The Cosmic Tap - http://www.cosmictap.com/
Impeachment Quickie: Conyers Says Impeachment Not Off His Table!By Ticia US Congressman John Conyers said in Pontiac, Michigan, on August 28, 2007 that, while Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi may have impeachment off her table, he has NOT put impeachment off HIS table! ...TPMCafe blogs - http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog
Impeachment of George W. Bush : a handbook for concerned citizens ...Title: Impeachment of George W. Bush : a handbook for concerned citizens / Elizabeth Holtzman with Cynthia L. Cooper. Edition:. Publisher: New York : Nation Books, c2006. Location: Bird-4th Floor. Call Number: KF5075 .H65 2006 ...History - New Titles - Syracuse... - http://library.syr.edu/
Conyers: "Impeachment off Pelosi's Table, but Not Mine"By Christopher John Conyers declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could not stop him from beginning impeachment proceedings in the House Judiciary Committee against a 'long list of people'in the Bush administration, although he did not make a firm ...From the Left - http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com
Conyers WANTS Impeachment Proponents to Come to His Office"I want you to know that I have no reticence, no reluctance, no hesitation to use the tool of impeachment ... whenever I feel that it is appropriate," Conyers said. "I only wish that I could be moved by a lot of people coming to my ...AfterDowningStreet.org - Impeach... - http://www.afterdowningstreet.org
Dear World Can't Wait Supporter,
Last week, this was posted on worldcantwait.org:
We Are What We’ve Been Waiting For!
If ever there was a time to step outside the boundaries of what “common wisdom” accepts as possible, this is it. We need - the whole world needs - a movement of massive and powerful RESISTANCE, a movement that begins to wrench the future of humanity out of the blood drenched hands of the likes of Bush and Cheney and puts it in the hands of the people. A movement that unseats a sitting president, and creates a new atmosphere of liberating, fierce, and joyous struggle in the place of the suffocating acquiescence to endless atrocities that exists today.
A groundswell of orange, assisted and amplified by the voices of prominent people and musicians wearing and promoting orange on TV, radio, and on stage at concerts can break people out of this conundrum where millions are just furious but still numbed and rendered inactive by the complicity of the loyal opposition Party and by the anaesthetizing effects of the presidential elections.
The world has been waiting…but the world can’t wait any longer. Can’t wait for a massive movement to arise, determined to make the sacrifices and take the risks; to overcome the obstacles, to show the courage and heart so urgently in demand today; to cry out “enough” - of the unjust wars, the threats of further wars, the mass destruction of entire cities and neighborhoods, the grotesque torture and endless imprisonment, the steady encroachment of a police state of pervasive and permanent government spying, the relentless poisoning of this planet and the very things that make life sustainable.
The World Can’t Wait for a movement that has the focus, energy, and resolve to Drive Out the Bush Regime. The world has been waiting – and we are what we’ve been waiting for
DECLARE IT NOW: WEAR ORANGE, DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME!
WITH THE WARNER ANNOUNCEMENT THE EVALUATION OF THIS ELECTION DATA AND THE HEARST/DAVIS RACE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTAIL!
Tom Davis Truth
Demographic Breakdown
The Money
http://www.opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=VA&Year=2006
http://www.opensecrets.org/states/contrib.asp?State=VA&Year=2006
2006 VOTING RESULTS LINKS FOR EVALUATION
http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/results/2006/Nov/htm/detail059.htm#06011
http://us.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/VA/S/01/index.html
http://www.opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=VA&Year=2006
http://www.opensecrets.org/states/contrib.asp?State=VA&Year=2006
2006 VOTING RESULTS LINKS FOR EVALUATION
http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/results/2006/Nov/htm/detail059.htm#06011
http://us.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/VA/S/01/index.html
Sen. Warner to Say Whether He Will Seek Reelection
By Bill Turque
Washington Post Staff WriterThursday, August 30, 2007; 2:30 PM
Virginia Sen. John W. Warner (R), whose political plans have been the subject of intense speculation, will announce tomorrow whether he will seek a sixth term in 2008.
Warner, 80, is scheduled to reveal his decision tomorrow afternoon on the north steps of the Rotunda on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, according to a brief statement issued by his office this afternoon.
Speculation about Warner's retirement has circulated for many months. The departure of several long time staff members, and his almost nonexistent fundraising activity, have fueled expectations that he will step down. He reported in April that he raised just $500 in the first three months of this year.
Still, Warner cautioned that if he did decide to run, "I have every confidence that I will be able to raise sufficient resources."
His departure would significantly alter the 2008 political landscape both nationally and in Virginia. If he does not seek re-election, he will likely turn Virginia into a battleground in the GOP's fight to gain control of the Senate, which Democrats currently hold by a threadbare 51-49 margin. Democratic Party leaders are touting former Gov. Mark R. Warner as a likely candidate.
On the Republican side, Rep Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) has long coveted Warner's seat, and would probably have primary competition from the right wing of the party, perhaps former Gov. James S. Gilmore III. Davis's candidacy would also have a domino effect in Fairfax County. Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D), who has refused to commit to finishing his term if reelected in November, has made no secret of his interest in succeeding Davis in the 11th Congressional District, where Democrats are gaining strength. Former Rep. Leslie Byrne (D) has been mentioned as another possible contender.
Connolly's departure would set off a stampede at the local level, with a number of possible aspirants, including Supervisor and Metro board member T. Dana Kauffman (D-Lee), who is not seeking reelection, and Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock).
Why We Need More Investigations Like Cheney Needs More Power
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-07-12 19:51. Evidence Impeachment
Their crimes stand open on the table before us. Their lies about Iraqi ties to al Qaeda are on videotape and in writing, and they continue to make them to this day. Their claims about Iraqi weapons have been shown in every detail to have been, not mistakes, but lies. Their threats to Iran are on videotape. Bush being warned about Katrina and claiming he was not are on videotape. Bush lying about illegal spying and later confessing to it are on videotape.
A federal court has ruled that spying to be a felony. The Supreme Court has ruled Bush and Cheney's system of detentions unconstitutional. Torture, openly advocated for by Bush and Cheney and their staffs, is documented by victims, witnesses, and public photographs. Torture was always illegal and has been repeatedly recriminalized under Bush and Cheney. Bush has reversed laws with signing statements.
Those statements are posted on the White House website, and a GAO report found that with 30 percent of Bush's signing statements in which he announces his right to break laws, he has in fact proceeded to break those laws. For these and many other offenses, no investigation is needed because no better evidence is even conceivable. And rather than taking three months, the impeachment of Cheney or Bush could be completed in a day.
But the investigations that Congress has pursued at its glacial pace over the past six months, while thousands upon thousands died, have produced another impeachable offense, the refusal to comply with subpoenas. That is what President Richard Nixon did; and his refusal to comply with subpoenas constituted the offense cited in one of the three Articles of Impeachment approved by the House Judiciary Committee on July 27, 1974 as warranting "impeachment and trial, and removal from office."
Bush and Cheney are claiming executive privilege. Nixon also tried that one. It didn't work then; and it won't work now. Condoleezza Rice is claiming, with more frankness, that she's just not inclined to comply. Even Nancy Pelosi ought to understand by now that the removal of the threat of impeachment is what empowers the White House to ignore subpoenas, and that the threat of impeaching the White House for its stonewalling would break down the wall even before we reached impeachment.
And Bush and Cheney have now gone further by announcing on July 19, 2007, that the Justice Department will not enforce any contempt of Congress proceedings. So, that alternative to impeachment is out.
THAT LEAVES IMPEACH OR THE STREETS! FIGHT OR SURRENDER!
By Bill Turque
Washington Post Staff WriterThursday, August 30, 2007; 2:30 PM
Virginia Sen. John W. Warner (R), whose political plans have been the subject of intense speculation, will announce tomorrow whether he will seek a sixth term in 2008.
Warner, 80, is scheduled to reveal his decision tomorrow afternoon on the north steps of the Rotunda on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, according to a brief statement issued by his office this afternoon.
Speculation about Warner's retirement has circulated for many months. The departure of several long time staff members, and his almost nonexistent fundraising activity, have fueled expectations that he will step down. He reported in April that he raised just $500 in the first three months of this year.
Still, Warner cautioned that if he did decide to run, "I have every confidence that I will be able to raise sufficient resources."
His departure would significantly alter the 2008 political landscape both nationally and in Virginia. If he does not seek re-election, he will likely turn Virginia into a battleground in the GOP's fight to gain control of the Senate, which Democrats currently hold by a threadbare 51-49 margin. Democratic Party leaders are touting former Gov. Mark R. Warner as a likely candidate.
On the Republican side, Rep Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) has long coveted Warner's seat, and would probably have primary competition from the right wing of the party, perhaps former Gov. James S. Gilmore III. Davis's candidacy would also have a domino effect in Fairfax County. Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D), who has refused to commit to finishing his term if reelected in November, has made no secret of his interest in succeeding Davis in the 11th Congressional District, where Democrats are gaining strength. Former Rep. Leslie Byrne (D) has been mentioned as another possible contender.
Connolly's departure would set off a stampede at the local level, with a number of possible aspirants, including Supervisor and Metro board member T. Dana Kauffman (D-Lee), who is not seeking reelection, and Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock).
Why We Need More Investigations Like Cheney Needs More Power
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-07-12 19:51. Evidence Impeachment
Their crimes stand open on the table before us. Their lies about Iraqi ties to al Qaeda are on videotape and in writing, and they continue to make them to this day. Their claims about Iraqi weapons have been shown in every detail to have been, not mistakes, but lies. Their threats to Iran are on videotape. Bush being warned about Katrina and claiming he was not are on videotape. Bush lying about illegal spying and later confessing to it are on videotape.
A federal court has ruled that spying to be a felony. The Supreme Court has ruled Bush and Cheney's system of detentions unconstitutional. Torture, openly advocated for by Bush and Cheney and their staffs, is documented by victims, witnesses, and public photographs. Torture was always illegal and has been repeatedly recriminalized under Bush and Cheney. Bush has reversed laws with signing statements.
Those statements are posted on the White House website, and a GAO report found that with 30 percent of Bush's signing statements in which he announces his right to break laws, he has in fact proceeded to break those laws. For these and many other offenses, no investigation is needed because no better evidence is even conceivable. And rather than taking three months, the impeachment of Cheney or Bush could be completed in a day.
But the investigations that Congress has pursued at its glacial pace over the past six months, while thousands upon thousands died, have produced another impeachable offense, the refusal to comply with subpoenas. That is what President Richard Nixon did; and his refusal to comply with subpoenas constituted the offense cited in one of the three Articles of Impeachment approved by the House Judiciary Committee on July 27, 1974 as warranting "impeachment and trial, and removal from office."
Bush and Cheney are claiming executive privilege. Nixon also tried that one. It didn't work then; and it won't work now. Condoleezza Rice is claiming, with more frankness, that she's just not inclined to comply. Even Nancy Pelosi ought to understand by now that the removal of the threat of impeachment is what empowers the White House to ignore subpoenas, and that the threat of impeaching the White House for its stonewalling would break down the wall even before we reached impeachment.
And Bush and Cheney have now gone further by announcing on July 19, 2007, that the Justice Department will not enforce any contempt of Congress proceedings. So, that alternative to impeachment is out.
THAT LEAVES IMPEACH OR THE STREETS! FIGHT OR SURRENDER!
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