I went to the John Conyers Town Hall Meeting in Michigan today.

[IdaBriggs]

The speakers were amazing. Lila Lipscomb was there, as well as the CIA gentleman who testified at the Congressional hearing on Friday. Someone from a well respected radio program whose name I didn't catch spoke, too, as well as the editor of the "Michigan Citizen" (I think). Oh, and a respected peace activist from the Detroit area gave a very sensible talk, also.

To be honest, there was a bit of a "pep rally" feel to the whole thing, and it wasn't until the last speaker -- a constitutional scholar from Wayne State University -- that I really felt like I was learning anything new: specifically, the historical definition of "high crimes" for impeachment in the constitution meant "abuse of power" for the 18th century framers. This was "changed" by the folks in power during the Clinton impeachment so they could "get him" and scholars are expecting HIS impeachment to be revoked as soon as the Democrats get back in charge and are able to restore the "traditional" interpretation again. According to this scholar, Nixon was charged with two things: protecting the folks who did the Watergate break-in, AND abusing his authority by using the power of the Presidency to get confidential tax records of private citizens. (I did not know the second part!)

Based on what all of the speakers said, it is obvious that Junior has committed "high crimes" -- abused the power of the Presidency -- and he needs to be impeached.

I spoke with Lila Lipscomb (mother from Fahrenheit 911), and expressed my gratitude for her work in standing up for all of the folks in the military. She is an amazing human being.

I also spoke with the CIA gentleman, who pretty much blew me away with his brilliance. I bluntly asked him if the DU rumor was true -- is there a war going on between the Administration and the CIA, with the CIA "leaking" stuff to discredit the Bush folks as the Bush folks try to "pin the blame" on them for everything "bad" that has happened in our foreign policy? He emphatically declared this a "NO!" with two examples: 1) CIA folks undergo routine lie detector tests where they are asked if they leak, meaning that to do so would end a career; and 2) they accept and are proud of their roles in protecting our country -- they understand their most brilliant accomplishments will never be acknowledged, while their failures will be public fodder. (To be fair, there wasn't any other answer he could have given to a stranger, but I believe he was sincere.) He also said Valerie Plame is not allowed to discuss what has happened in public, so her co-workers are stepping up.

Finally, Mike from www.takebackthemedia.org was there, and he interviewed me on the stuff that happened in New Hampshire with the recount last November/December. I hope I did a good job explaining, but at first I was extremely nervous; later, I think I was doing better, but Mike was so exhausted, HE STARTED FALLING ASLEEP! LOL! Its official -- I can be boring!!! (He apologized profusely -- he was on no sleep from a long day / night of travel, followed by a long day of "saving democracy" so he definitely had reason!) Still, I was honored to participate, and hope I was able to provide some insights into what happened last year.

I should add that it was "standing room only" in the 300 seat auditorium; this is a topic that obviously is of interest to a wide range of people. Other Representatives were holding similar "Town Halls" today all over the country, while "parties" were thrown with a conference call happening, too. (I don't know anything about them, so, someone else needs to fill in the blanks there, please.)

Thank you again, Representative Conyers. You are a true hero to us all!