Hearings to be held at DNC because Repub. Denying Dems Use of Room

[Kevin Spidel]

HEARINGS ON DOWNING STREET MINUTES SET FOR 1 PM THURSDAY

Hearings to be held at DNC because Republicans Denying Democrats Use of Rooms on Hill

On Thursday June 16, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. in the Wasserman Room at 430 S Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C., Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and other Congress Members will hold a hearing on the Downing Street Minutes and related evidence of efforts to cook the books on pre-war intelligence.

The hearings are being held at the Democratic National Committee because the Republicans controlling the House Judiciary Committee refused to permit the ranking Democratic Member to use a room on the Hill. http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/UndertheDome/index.html Nonetheless, Republicans are welcome to attend.

Later on the same day at 5:00 p.m. ET in Lafayette Square Park, in front of the White House, a large rally will support Congressman Conyers who plans to deliver to the White House a letter addressed to President Bush and signed by over 500,000 Americans and at least 94 Congress Members. The letter asks the President to respond to questions raised by the Downing Street Minutes.

Among those speaking at the hearings will be: Joe Wilson, Former Ambassador and WMD Expert; Ray McGovern, 27-year CIA analyst who prepared regular Presidential briefings during the Reagan administration; Cindy Sheehan, mother of fallen American soldier; John Bonifaz, renowned constitutional lawyer and co-founder of AfterDowningStreet.org.

Among those speaking at the rally will be: Congressman Conyers and various other Congress Members, Cindy Sheehan of Gold Star Families for Peace, John Bonifaz of AfterDowningStreet.org, Ray McGovern former CIA analyst, Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange, Rev. Lennox Yearwood of Progressive Democrats of America, Stephen Cleghorn of Military Families Speak Out, Kevin Zeese, Director of Democracy Rising. More information, and flyers promoting the rally, are available at www.afterdowningstreet.org


Flyers to print, copy, and distribute widely:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/rally.pdf



LOCAL RALLIES PLANNED AROUND COUNTRY

Supporters of this campaign are independently organizing rallies on Thursday at locations around the country.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=211



AfterDowningStreet.org is a rapidly growing coalition of veterans' groups, peace groups, and political activist groups, which launched on May 26, 2005, a campaign to urge the U.S. Congress to begin a formal investigation into whether President Bush has committed impeachable offenses in connection with the Iraq war.

[JoMama49]

1. will the hearings be televised? n/t

[pacalo]

2. A lot of us have written to C-Span asking for live coverage.

Only thing is, I told them it would begin at 2 p.m. eastern time.

[ChiciB1]

3. I Wrote Them Yesterday....

And asked them VERY NICELY!

[pacalo]

8. If they have to meet at a McDonald's, I hope C-Span is there. :)

[KFinMN]

67. C-Span

page shows that they are showing the Conyers' hearings on C-Span 3 tomorrow at 2:30.

Hurray!

[pacalo]

70. Thanks, KF. :)

:hi: Welcome!

[Duer 157099]

5. a fellow DUer is going to video it and make DVDs

more info here:

http://web.takebackthemedia.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20050613235500912

and here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1851032

[Just Me]

4. YEAH!!!!

:woohoo:

GO CONYERS GO!!!

:woohoo:

[Just Me]

6. Sensenbrenner's resignation should be demanded!!!

We don't operate like "commies" who suppress free speech and close down hearings by elected officials,...DO WE?!?!?!!! }(

[LightningFlash]

10. Flood him to uphold the rule of law...

[email protected]

Or else Wisconsin will permanently remove him.....It's over this time. And WI has the verified paper ballot.

[LondonReign2]

65. Done

Of course I got the auto-reply thanking me for contacting him to suggest that he take his large, fasicst posterior and resign.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I agree

I think it's really telling of how Conyers is still inviting the republicans to the hearing even after how Sensenbrenner acted. I wonder if any would show up? Should be interesting. I hope someone video tapes it though just in case CSPAN doesn't show up. I also Emailed them last week and asked.

[The Blue Flower]

7. just wrote to CSPAN

This hearing could be the prelude to the Nuremberg Trials of our times.

[Coexist]

12. Me, too - here's my letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

After watching the shameful behavior of Rep. Sensenbrenner on C-Span (thank you so much for covering that), one would think that partisan politics couldn't sink any lower.

Well, they have. The Downing Street Memo hearings have been denied a room. In response, they are being moved to DNC headquarters, to begin at 1:00p.m. Following the hearing, there will be a rally at 5:00 pm in Lafayette Park. I cannot make it to D.C. this week, but I am very interested in being able to witness these hearings. Would C-SPAN be able to cover these events. Politically, they are very important.

Without great stations like C-Span, most Americans would remain ignorant on some very important issues, getting only sound-bites, talking points and press releases from our elected leaders. Watching the actual political process has been enlightening and has made me a better citizen. I owe that to C-Span. I urge you to cover these hearings - when people are trying to silence voices - it becomes increasingly important to let them be heard.

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/UndertheDome/061405.html

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

[fooj]

9. This is an outrage!

Sensenbrenner must be held accountable for his actions! These travesties of justice has been allowed to go on for far too long!

peace.

[pacalo]

11. (dupe)

[pacalo]

13. They're forgetting one thing: Those hearing rooms are paid for by

ALL taxpayers. They belong to the People.

How do you like the way your government is running your business, People?

Is this the kind of government we want? Only Republicans will have a voice. Only Republicans will have representation.

[vanboggie]

63. I just demanded a tax reduction

I know angry emails don't help, but I just fired one off to this neo-con patsy.

[katinmn]

66. Good. Why should we pay them to work against us this way?

[pacalo]

69. I like your way of thinking, vanboggie!

[vanboggie]

71. Thanks - Get Senselessbrenner out of OUR House

We pay taxes for those buildings and meeting rooms. Why should we provide space for Moonie parties and neo-con conspiracy planning?

John Conyers, you are a hero and great USA Patriot. Sensenbrenner and his goon McLaughlin are not fit to be in OUR House.

[pacalo]

72. Agree! :)

[katinmn]

14. This makes me very angry! It's the People's House, not

Sensenbrenners and not the Republicans.

We are paying their salaries day after day just so they can abuse us over and over.

They are denying our representatives the right to use the facilities we pay for every fucking day.

How dare they????

If I didn't have a big event here on Thursday I would be making plane reservations right now.

Those Republicans are SCUM!

Write to them. :smoke:

[helderheid]

17. this makes my stomach turn

[FreedomAngel82]

20. That's why we have to fight back

[katinmn]

25. My letter to S, and I copied about 10 editors!

Subject: Mr. Sensenbrenner, I am outraged

Representative Sensenbrenner;

Your new "policy" regarding use of Congressional meeting rooms is absurd and just shows how anti-American you extremist Republicans are.

I could not believe my eyes when I read "....majority staff recently announced a new policy to deny any request from a committee Democrat for the use of a committee hearing room."

How dare you deny access to meetings rooms for U.S. Representatives who represent American citizens?
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/UndertheDome/061405.html

I don't care who is the majority in Congress. We pay your salary. We pay for the maintenance of the buildings. We pay your staffs' salaries.

You work for the citizens, not the other way around.

We will not allow you to silence all voices in America!

Shame on you. You are a disgrace. Clean this up.

Sincerely,

xxxx
St. Paul, MN

[bklyncowgirl]

15. This is really outrageous

They wouldn't even give Conyers a room.

Frankly, I think they should have held the meeting somewhere other than in the DNC, Republicans will try to make this a Democrat thing and not a Congressional hearing.

Maybe the Watergate Hotel has a banquet room available.

[FearofFutility]

22. I totally agree

It should be somewhere else because that is precisely what will happen."It's a democrat thing. No need to pay attention." Watergate Hotel!! Perfect!

[Eloriel]

55. Nonsense! They've MADE it a "Democratic thing"

It's perfect. I'm elated, just elated. One more piece of evidence about the NEW IMPROVED DNC, which is FINALLY stepping up to the plate and getting involved with something other than raking in the corporate cash, thanks to Howard Dean.

[FearofFutility]

61. I hope that you're right

and that the DNC really gets involved besides providing a room.

[Raksha]

60. Now THAT would be poetic justice!

Re >>Maybe the Watergate Hotel has a banquet room available.<<

[BurtWorm]

16. If anyone is getting their hopes up that Bush will be impeached

by this Congress, this ought to disabuse you of that notion.

[LSK]

19. thanks for the reminder of why I hate Republicans with a passion

Not that I needed a reminder..

[Straight Shooter]

21. Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.

It seems to me the Republicans have gone quite literally mad with power.

I am especially offended by their treatment of the Honorable John Conyers, Jr. He has more integrity in his left eyebrow than Senselessbrenner has in his entire disgusting body.

[uppityperson]

23. Repubs denying use of rooms right now?

Interesting coincidence of timing. Thanks for the notice.

[Coexist]

24. kick

[katinmn]

26. Refuse to pay taxes. I won't support these animals anymore!

Not one fucking dime.

[undeterred]

27. Republicans are bullies

[katinmn]

28. Send him a letter and copy the media.

Let them know you're outraged.

This sucks.:grr:

We can't let them do this.

[spanone]

29. Isn't it lovely to watch our form of democracy being trashed by the right.

[spanone]

30. Isn't it lovely to watch our form of democracy being trashed by the right.

[redqueen]

31. Thanks for the notice...

Just when you think power-mad neo-cons can't sink any lower...

[bvar22]

32. Not at the DNC.

The hearings should be held at a public forum not affiliated with a political party....
like the steps of the Lincoln Memorial!!!


It will be easier for the CorpoMedia and the Republicans to discount a hearing at the Headquarters of the Democratic party.

[Horse with no Name]

33. I agree

But would the problem be that they wouldn't be able to get a permit to hold a public meeting?
Unfukkinreal.

[bvar22]

37. Then it is time for Civil Disobedience!

Let the Poilice try to Break Up this Meeting on Nationwide TV!

Hold it on the Steps of the Capitol, or the Steps of the Lincoln Memorial (I like that one!)

[katinmn]

39. Yes! I just called Betty McCollum's Office

Now I'm calling Dayton.

[katinmn]

41. Dayton's office put me in touch with their press staff.

Waiting to hear back from them.

[katinmn]

34. I agree completely. DNC spells political maneuvering

It is a BIG mistake to hold the meeting there and we can say goodbye to anyone taking it seriously.

We shouldn't just give up on a Congressional office room. It's where the hearing should be held.

Write to Sensenbrenner and copy the media. Expose them. We should have a revolt over this.

And write to Howard Dean. There should be a press conference this afternoon with all Dems present and backing him up!!

Enough is enough.

[Kevin Spidel]

35. I agree.. we tried everywhere...

CSPAN needs a place they plug into and that is miked, etc. all public places meant no coverage by cspan.

[bvar22]

36. Even a conference room at the Holiday Inn....

...would be preferable to the DNC.
I have SEEN C-Span coverage of MANY outdoor events.

They can use MY apartment! ANYTHING but the DNC.

[katinmn]

38. A hotel would be ok and we can let people know that we have

to pay double for our meetings now because of the crazy Nazis.

This is not going away.

[tavalon]

57. Big mistake as you know

Make it happen on the Capitol steps. C-Span can do outside rigging, they have before.

[Coexist]

40. help me with this letter to S (I want to cc it to LTTE)

not crazy about it - but I have limited writing ability.

Representative Sensenbrenner;

Having just learned about your new "policy" regarding use of Congressional meeting rooms, I am outraged, ".... majority staff recently announced a new policy to deny any request from a committee Democrat for the use of a committee hearing room." <http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/UndertheDome/index.html>

This new, authoritarian rule was presumably over semantics. “Lungren said, in at least one case, members were addressing Conyers as “Mr. Chairman.”

You have brought partisan politics to a disgraceful new low. It is a harsh abuse of power for you to disallow your duly elected colleagues the courtesy of holding formal hearings. It is going far into the realm corruption and intimidation for you to also deny these Representatives the use of taxpayer funded rooms for them to carry out the business that they feel is important to the decision-making process in this country. Because you are not interested in hearing dissenting voices, you are attempting to silence them and the voices of the millions of American citizens that they are elected to represent.

You are an embarrassment to the great House of Representative and to this country.

Sincerely,

[catmandu57]

43. Reads very good to me FLDem5

I wouldn't question your ability, it's better than what I planned to send, I was going to get down in the gutter with them, maybe they would understand that.

[katinmn]

44. that's what I did.

called S. a "disgrace" and told him to "clean it up."

His office is probably having a good laugh right now. Only I copied a whole bunch of news editors and called my Dem rep and senator.:evilgrin:

[katinmn]

45. I think it's perfect.

:thumbsup:

[Coexist]

47. thanks - now I need to find that darn media blaster.

I thought I bookmarked it, but its not there.

[vanboggie]

64. Excellent!

Though I could not bring myself to call him a Representative. I was not nice at all, but yours sounds great.

[JDPriestly]

42. I believe the Republicans allowed Rev. Moon

to be coronated (or something like that) on the premises of the Congress. What rule did Sensenbrenner invoke to prevent Conyers' hearings? It's my Congress too, and I want to see these hearings. These hearings are far more important than the the coronation of Rev. Moon. The Repubs are constantly holding prayer meetings at my expense. Why can't they allow a meeting that will benefit our whole nation? This is an historical moment. Go! Conyers. We've got your back, and we are there for you.

[katinmn]

46. So Rev. Moon can use it but elected leaders cannot?

The Repukes are in hot water now.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

49. Moon was crowned the Messiah in the Dirksen Bldg.

Senator John Warner booked it for him.

[marions ghost]

51. GREAT point... Rev Moon got a lot more respect than Conyers

We should demand a room in Congressional buildings, NOWHERE else.

Has anyone EVER heard of this happening to Republicans when Dems were in the majority? I DOUBT it. :grr:

[mzteris]

48. media

Why isn't this on the news yet?

Not the meeting. Not the rally.

And certainly nothing yet about the pubs refusal to allow a room!!

I don't understand why our leadership isn't all over the news right now denouncing this!!!!

aaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh:grr:

[kaitykaity]

50. Just another thing that the Thugs must be punished for.

God I hate these people.

Just when you think they can't sink to a new low,
they sink to a new low.

This is desperation time showing up here.

[marions ghost]

52. KICK

:kick: for Thursday

[I Have A Dream]

53. Kick.

:kick:

[Eloriel]

54. YEAAAAAARRRRGGHHH!!!

DNC!! Hearings at the DNC!

When's the LAST time you heard such a thing?

WooHoo!! The DNC is FINALLY beginning to act like and look like a REAL opposition Party!

Howard Dean, I love ya, man.

[Blaze Diem]

56. Taxation Without Representation..Our forefathers knew it and WE know it..

Sensenbrenner needs to be reminded who is paying his salary...who's House it is.

Conyers will only speak louder and to a larger crowd.
"You Say You Want A Revolution..."??

[Hapameli]

58. LOCAL RALLIES -- DU Thread ----------> All talk and no walk??

Are you all just going to complain or are you going to DO something about it???

Local Downing Sreet Memo Rallies Thread Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3860885&mesg_id=3860885

[DearAbby]

59. Isn't there a resolution "rebuking" Sensenbooger?

Thought I had heard it on Randi's show this afternoon...if he is to be rebuked for his actions, then it stands to reason the ban would be lifted, sense it was issue illegally.

Conyers should demand a hearing room at the capital, It is the People, Even the repukes have to acknowledge this...Otherwise have it at the Lincoln Memorial...The Gettysburg address...OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE.

We must demand access to the People's Capital. Period, end of sentence!

[Larkspur]

62. I see that Dr. Fate is silent on this. Eating crow can do that

[Royaras]

68. Damn, I just can't be polite any more...

Here's what I just sent Sensenbrenner's office:

Rep. Sensenbrenner:

You have taken the partisan politics that have divided this country to an all new low. Congratulations. I didn't think it was possible for you to stoop any lower than your reprehensible behavior on the June 10th hearing on the Patriot Act, but you clearly have depths that I could not conceive.

How dare you prevent Rep. John Conyers from holding a press conference on the Hill tomorrow? Last time I checked, you were still an elected representative. So is John Conyers. Are you under the misguided belief that because Mr. Conyers represents his constituency as a member of the minority party that he has LESS rights than you? I am sure that the founding fathers are spinning in their graves over this egregious abuse of power.

Let me remind you again Mr. Sensenbrenner that the holding of the majority is a constantly moving pendulum. Your actions may actually spur the pendulum away from the current majority, as it is becoming increasingly clear that the American people are waking up to the plutocratic and neo-fascist actions of the Republican party and becoming more and more dissatisfied. Don't believe me? Take a look at your poll numbers. Your approval ratings are sinking fast.

A rebuke is the least of your worries. Continue on this path, Rep. Sensenbrenner, and watch the public start calling for your removal from office.

Wake up, stop being the big bully on the Hill and start playing politics fairly, or be prepared to be out of a job.


I also emailed all of my representatives (and a couple of neighboring ones as well) requesting that they be there, that they move the meeting out of DNC HQs for a public space like the Lincoln Memorial (don't you think the symbolism of having it in front of the Vietnam Wall would be chilling?) and called C-SPAN and requested that cover the meeting, no matter the location. I wish I could attend a local event, but my kids are still in school and I have to be here to pick them up.

Is there anything else that I (and people like me who are horrified by what is happening) can do?

[wtmusic]

73. Hearing will be at the Capitol (in a room in the basement)

http://conyersblog.us/

[friesianrider]

74. NICE!