Reply #30: I can hear her voice! What an inspiration she was/is. The point she makes here is why it seems that

[omega minimo]

those viewing impeachment as "payback" and arguing against it strategerically don't understand the process.



From the CA Dem Conv. Progressive Caucus Impeachment Forum:

California Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) introduced amendments to California Assembly Joint Resolution 39, calling for state initiated impeachment of George Bush and Dick Cheney.

He watched an interview with one of the weapons inspectors, who said that Saddam had outdated weapons-- BEFORE Bush took the country to war. He said that a couple of years ago it was clear to him that this president deserved to be impeached.

“Only a couple weeks ago did it occur to me that I was the one that was going to have to do it.”

He said that Bush was on record before he was president, saying that he intended to start a war, finish it quick and easy, as a means to a successful presidency.

“That is heart of impeachment.” This administration is “violating the constitution with impunity.” Assemblyman Koretz calls for impeaching both Bush and Cheney.

His additional reasons for impeachment are Bush federalizing the national guard and implementing “a phony war that destabilized the Iraq and possibly destabilized the region.”

Shayana Kadidal is staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City. He is counsel in the Center’s pending challenge to the NSA’s warrantless surveillance program.

Mr. Kadidal's additions to the list of impeachable offenses were the Bush administration's assault on the separation of powers and their efforts at Total Information Awareness datamining, as well as giving false information to the Senate (quoting Founder James Ardell on impeachment), lying to commit a war of aggression and violating the oath of office.

Oh-- AND PLAMEGATE.

Mr. Kadidal suggests that since this illegal war and the illegal wiretapping are tied up with national security, people need to be encouraged to recognize that there has been “no net benefit” in terms of security. The administration is “not making us more secure, they are making us less secure.”

Elisabeth De La Vega is a former federal prosecutor with more than 20 years experience. She pointed out Bush appointed 30-40 staff who were on record as wanting to attack Iraq. Before 9-11 their focus was attacking Iraq. On 9-11, their focus was “how to use this to attack Iraq.”

There is an ongoing “conspiracy to defraud the nation to prosecute this war” and an “overwhelming case” for impeachment. Ms. De La Vega called it “RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR THE THE TRUTH AND THAT’S FRAUD.”

She advised that we “have the courage to talk to people that don’t agree with you. Be sincere, not histrionic. People are persuaded by sincerity.” People talking to each other about this in “committees of correspondence” can reach a tipping point, a geometric progression of awareness and action.



Full post in my journal. Video of forum @ www.afterdowningstreet.org