KRT: Some activists, politicians speaking openly about impeachment

[sabra]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/editorial/13701168.htm

Some activists, politicians speaking openly about impeachment

BY JIM PUZZANGHERA
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - The word "impeachment" is popping up increasingly these days and not just off the lips of liberal activists spouting predictable bumper-sticker slogans.

After the unfounded claims about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and recent news of domestic spying without warrants, mainstream politicians and ordinary voters are talking openly about the possibility that President Bush could be impeached. So is at least one powerful Republican senator, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

...

But a poll released last week by Zogby International showed 52 percent of American adults thought Congress should consider impeaching Bush if he wiretapped U.S. citizens without court approval, including 59 percent of independents and 23 percent of Republicans. (The survey had a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.)

With numbers like that, impeachment could become an issue in this fall's congressional elections - and dramatically raise the stakes. If Democrats win control of the House of Representatives, a leading proponent of starting an official impeachment inquiry, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., would become chairman of the House committee that could pursue it.

[UpInArms]

1. my last great hope for my country

With numbers like that, impeachment could become an issue in this fall's congressional elections - and dramatically raise the stakes. If Democrats win control of the House of Representatives, a leading proponent of starting an official impeachment inquiry, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., would become chairman of the House committee that could pursue it.

Let it be so.

[CottonBear]

2. Conyers would be chairman of impeachment committee if Dems gain the house

in 2006! :)

[samhsarah]

8. Imagine that!!!!

It sure would be something to see!:popcorn: :applause: :woohoo:

[CottonBear]

12. Conyers was involved in the Watergate investigation as was Sen. Clinton.

No wonder the Republicans don't like either of them. ;)

[wordpix]

18. we have GOT to make this happen---Conyers chairman of impeach comm!!!

[asjr]

3. Arlen Specter is just making noise. He would never vote

for impeachment. He is like McCain. He says some things to try and make people think he is bi-partisan when in reality he will go along with anything the Repbs. do. Repbs. all work for this administration--not the people of this country.

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. There's something happening here...

What is ain't exactly clear...
and this is from and Red State Indiana paper!

[f-bush]

5. YEAH! BABY! GO FOR IT!

Even if the Senate doesn't convict, it will still stain the legacy of that arrogant, ignorant bastard, plus chip away at the GOP.

[rodeodance]

6. just very glad the big I word is spreading.

[f-bush]

13. Absolutely

we should be uttering IMPEACHMENT with every breath we take!

[RethugAssKicker]

7. If Bush is impeached.... we get Cheny for President!!

Even fucking worse!

We would have to impeach his whole administration.

[meow2u3]

9. We must impeach them both!

At the same time--yes, I'm talking aboout a double impeachment!

[aquart]

11. Pray that Fitzgerald does his job really really well.

And that Denny Hastert goes down in the Abramoff mess.

[wordpix]

17. I'm hoping Fitz is taking so long because he's building a case v. Dickhead

[gratuitous]

16. I'm willing to take them out one at a time

And, for our lurking snitches, by "take them out," I mean "legally remove from office using constitutional means, methods, guarantees and protections." I know what you scumbags mean by "taking someone out," but don't put your little word games on me, thank you very much.

[aquart]

10. IOW, the liberals saw it first. Everybody else is a day late.

[Moochy]

14. 77% of republicans hate US for our freedoms

I just did the math, and if 23% of (R) think he should be impeached that means that, the rest of the respondents think that it's ok to break the law, to protect americans. ILLEGALLY.

These 77% along with the 48% of dems who think it's OK to break the law, these are the true threat to America's values. These are the voters on which demagoguery and fearmongering works like a charm. And forgive me if I say it, but I despise these people.

[bpeale]

15. impeachment

if we cannot get them to grow a spine and fillibuster alito, what makes you think they will come through on impeachment? i say in this next election they all need to go home. we need representatives who actually represent their constituents instead of special interests. god i hate these guys! dems and repubs alike.

[StateSecrets]

19. NSA Accused of Psychologically Abusing Whistleblowers

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=\SpecialReports\archive\200601\SPE20060125a.html


NSA Accused of Psychologically Abusing Whistleblowers
By Sherrie Gossett
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
January 25, 2006

(The following is the first of a two-part series on the National Security Agency's alleged abuse of employee whistleblowers. Part 2 will be published Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006)

(CNSNews.com) - Five current and former National Security Agency (NSA) employees have told Cybercast News Service that the agency frequently retaliates against whistleblowers by falsely labeling them "delusional," "paranoid" or "psychotic."

The intimidation tactics are allegedly used to protect powerful superiors who might be incriminated by damaging information, the whistleblowers say. They also point to a climate of fear that now pervades the agency. Critics warn that because some employees blew the whistle on alleged foreign espionage and criminal activity, the "psychiatric abuse" and subsequent firings are undermining national security.

A spokesman for the NSA declined to comment about the allegations contained in this report.

The accusations of "Soviet-era tactics" are being made by former NSA intelligence analysts and action officers Russell D. Tice, Diane T. Ring, Thomas G. Reinbold, and a former employee who spoke on condition of anonymity. The allegations have been corroborated by a current NSA officer, who also insisted on anonymity, agreeing only to be referenced as "Agent X."

Tice, a former NSA intelligence analyst and action officer, first drew media attention in 2004 after the Pentagon investigated possible retaliation by the NSA against him.

The controversy began in early 2001, when Tice reported that a co-worker at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) appeared to be engaged in espionage for China.

"I saw all the classic signs," said Tice, who identified the alleged spy to Cybercast News Service. The person's identity is not being published in this article for national security reasons.

When Tice transferred to the NSA in November 2002 he continued to report his concerns. At one point, he criticized the FBI, which he labels "the Federal Buffoons and Imbeciles," for the agency's alleged incompetence. One of his emails was forwarded to NSA Security, which prompted the NSA, according to Tice, to order that he undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The NSA psychologist labeled him "paranoid" and "psychotic," Tice told Cybercast News Service.

That assessment, which Tice said was made by NSA forensic psychologist Dr. John Michael Schmidt, led to his security clearance being revoked and his firing.

All five whistleblowers name NSA psychologists as central players in what they allege is an ongoing abuse of authority by the NSA's Office of the General Counsel, the NSA Inspector General, the NSA internal security office and psychologists employed by the agency.

Tice's media profile quickly rose again on Jan. 10, when ABC News reported that he had been a source for the December New York Times article about a secret NSA surveillance program that was used to monitor the electronic communications of Americans suspected of contacts with terrorists.