Wexler On Impeachment: ‘This Is Not The Lunatic Fringe — This Is Mainstream America’

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/20/wexler-impeachment/

Wexler On Impeachment: ‘This Is Not The Lunatic Fringe — This Is Mainstream America’


Today on the Ed Schultz Show, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) discussed his effort to increase public pressure for the commencement of impeachment hearings against Vice President Dick Cheney. Wexler has launched a website — WexlerWantsHearings.com — to collect signatures in support of his call.

Wexler explained that he launched his website after traditional media outlets rejected an op-ed he had written with his colleagues Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI):

We laid out precisely why the House Judiciary Committee should open up hearings. … And we set out in an op-ed why we should do it, and none of the major newspapers in the country — the New York Times or the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the LA Times — they chose not to run it.

I thought it was a fairly significant statement by the mainstream media that when members of the House Judiciary Committee lay out a credible claim for why impeachment hearings should begin regarding the Vice President of the United States, and they refuse to run it, then we decided well we would start this website…and see what the feeling was in terms of mainstream America.

Listen to it at link~

Wexler said he has been “astonished” by the outpouring of support:applause: — over 100,000 have signed up in five days. He said he plans to write a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) in early January, asking him to begin start impeachment hearings.

“This is not the lunatic fringe — this is mainstream America,” Wexler said. These are “people that believe in the very patriotic vision, and they’re all very upset about what they see as the abuse of power by this administration and the failure of Congress to hold them accountable.”

[JDPriestly]

1. Unfortunately, KTLK in L.A. airs sports instead of Schultz

and to stream him I think you have to subscribe to a service. I really like Ed Schultz and miss his show.

[liberalnurse]

8. You can still stream Ed Schultz free.....

On Ed's website, he provides many links. There are others if you need them, send me a PM.

I myself subscribe to the podcast since I can listen on my PDA/phone if I had missed the program. I traditionally stream his show on my PDA/phone at my desk at work from WCPT stream and or the new Columbus, Ohio link, WVKO-AM stream....but I do get busy sometimes so the podcast back-up is nice...

Right now, I'm fit-to-be-tired with Ed's rants....He is going to be on MSNBC/Hardball today.....about his anti-Hillary stuff....

[fenriswolf]

40. quake960.com internet radio rocks, no static too.

[diane in sf]

54. They changed their software in the last couple weeks and I haven't been able

to go on. I have a Mac, use Firefox--latest update and have updated Qicktime. It says I need a Quicktime extension and doesn't tell me which. Anyone have any ideas???

[diva77]

43. KTLK has been slowly & steadily replacing progressive talk shows with

sports afternoons & evenings, infomercials -- no programming on the weekends anymore pretty much. Would be great to have some sort of letter writing campaign (anyone know of one?)-- altho. it's owned by clear channel

There are so many sports stations in LA area that I can't imagine it's the very best business plan to format things the way they do

:grr:

[Blue_In_AK]

2. 114,271 n/t

[babylonsister]

4. I'm glad Wexler is hearing us loud and clear; where's everyone else? nt

[bdamomma]

45. I think they better not put us on back burner anymore

we have something to say, and damn them for not listening to us.

[MuseRider]

3. These are the things

that keep me engaged in the party even though I am no longer a member. I know little about Wexler and what his personal politics are but he is showing guts and a concern for us and for our constitution in this instance. WTG and hang tough, it is going to be a hard press to move this in the committee.

[demnan]

5. We are the Mainsteam!

There are impeachment groups all over the country! I sold IMPEACH HIM buttons all summer long. Believe me, people want it.

[pleah]

6. A big K & R!

[King Coal]

7. You know what is weird here is that usually media likes controversy,

because it sells product and advertising. For them to decide not to publish the letter in a story in itself. It is sad and scary at the same time, and that makes it serious business, IYKWIM.

[babylonsister]

9. IKWYM. They must have their marching orders from this admin to

ignore any mention of the 'i' word.

[Lilith Velkor]

10. To the greatest with you!

I loves me some Wexler because it's a fun thing to do. :patriot:

[pleah]

11. total at 115,175

[Blue_In_AK]

12. That's excellent...

Over a thousand an hour.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Maybe Mr. Wexler can go back to MSM and also tell them...

these are CONSUMERS and they want the TRUTH. Maybe he can run his op-ed then.

Is that not the epitome of fascism that the media wouldn't run something by elected officials???

I swear, it feels like so many people are about to blow. Everything from the scene in NOLA today to average people around the country much more stressed out than usual, even right before a big holiday. I can't tell you how often I've heard, "This is the worst year ever. I just want to get 2007 over with."

[K Gardner]

14. Remember the Fringe Folk?

When we were protesting and screaming over the theft of Election 2000, Bush remarked that we were "lunatic fringe". This prompted a wonderful website called "Fringe Folk", where we all posted our pictures and bios, and essays. Don't know whatever happened to some of those sites, but the tactics of marginalizing us certainly have not changed.

[kenfrequed]

22. Yeah

It's amazing how many people in our own party seem content to castigate the left and the people that have been opposing the Bush administration on principle since 2000.

It was easier for most of the people to roll over and blame Nader (and the left).

[ClayZ]

38. Fringe Folk

www.fringefolk.com

This is an archived site.

The fringe directory has been removed; however, much of the other information has been left intact.

The Fringefolk Project ran from 2001 - 2006.




fringe \'frinj\ n
an ornamental border
consisting of threads
or strips hanging from
cut or raveled edges


fringefolk\'frinjfolk\ n
people who rise up
to protest when the
constitution is
unraveled




FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA...

[pleah]

15. New total 116,517

[L. Coyote]

16. 116,853 = = K & R & Impeach two too == Smile to Impeach

[earth mom]

17. Great Pics-NONE of those people look like the lunatic fringe.

K & R! :kick:

[jonnyra]

18. I just saw Amy Goodman

interviewing Conyers, pointing out the numbers of people who have signed on to Wexlers impeachment petition..it was truly sickening to hear his feeble excuses. He was stuttering and stammering about not enough time and the media would turn Bush and Cheney into heros! WTF!?! Is he for real? Is he really allowing the media to call the shots? Is he actually saying hes afraid of the media reaction? Thats how I read it. Its absolute bullshit! We clearly have criminals running this nation into ruin and he refuses to stop them...thats the truth of the matter. It all makes me physically ill. Watch today's Democracy Now...if you can stomach it...Conyers is pathetic.

[mod mom]

19. On Ed Schultz today, fill-in Norman Goldman was interviewing Wexler about

Conyers. Norman said how Conyers was backed strongly because before the '06 he was talking impeachment, now he's backed down. Norman said he didn't expect Wexler to answer because he realized Wexler have to work with these folks but that he felt it was leadership who put the halt on Conyers. Wexler didn't argue nor confirm.

[L. Coyote]

20. I don't fault Conyers' media assesment. The MSM is parading Bush as if nothing impeachable

has ever happened. It already is the media situation, and Conyers has it correctly diagnosed. The media sides with Bush and will do the same if hearings begin.

The impeachment decision is a lot like any prosecution decision tree. One factor is evidence to convict. Remember Iran-Contra? It is not what we know today that mattered for Reagan, it is what evidence was admissable when the Reagan/Bush cut-outs would not tell the truth and implicate their bosses. How is today's scenario different yet, in the sense of the evidence in hand to convict? I'm sure this branch of the decision tree has more import legalistically for Conyers than media spin. The evidence, if sufficient, will even overwhelm the opinions of the MSM.

[me b zola]

21. k&r

[southerncrone]

23. K & R!

:kick:
We've got keep this kicked!

Sign the petition! Tell you friends & family! :woohoo:

The more signatures we can get, the better chance we have of Congress actually acting on this.
Nancy cannot ignore it!

Thank you, Rep. Wexler!

[MasonJar]

24. FU, Mainstream Media! You are in for a sharp downfall; the dems are

coming back and you are history, because you chose to cater to the lies of an incompetent president and his Lucifer.

[pleah]

25. 117,803

[pleah]

26. 118,052

[L. Coyote]

27. 118,273 and steaming right along.... chooo chooo the IMPEACHment Train is rolling along

[Major Hogwash]

28. How is it Ed can get these guys on his program, but no one else can?

There haven't been any appearences on any of the other radio stations by people like Wexler that I know of lately.

[pink-o]

44. Ed always has the best guests!

He's not really my cup of tea, but he's on Green 960 in SF as I'm driving home from work, so I listen. And the one thing that's always struck me is what amazing guests he has on. He must have really good staff that can charm their way into the Pol's's hearts.

[Peace Candidate]

29. Thank you Wexler!

WE must pursue impeachment so we know who needs to be replaced in Congress...

http://peacecandidates.com/

[Senator]

30. Only Impeachment Can Unify Our Once-Great Nation

Can we really live with not even trying?

Failure to impeach is complicity — approval — exoneration for the regime.

–

[Hekate]

31. 121,058 counting me. Kick...their a**es, that is.

:kick:

Hekate

[Hekate]

32. 121,289. The Mainstream will become a River, a Torrent. nt

[radfringe]

33. 121,341 as of 5:28am et Friday 12/21 (link)

http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com/?gclid=CLPi28mUuZACFQ1ZHgodiUE_Fw

[pleah]

34. 121,721

[chill_wind]

35. 121757 signatures. America can do better than this.

Go!

http://wexlerwantshearings.com/

K&R.

[pleah]

36. 121,883

[pleah]

37. 122,707

[emmadoggy]

39. One question...

WHAT TOOK HIM SO LONG???

Don't get me wrong - I've signed it and I'm thrilled that he's doing this, but seriously, what finally lit the fire under him? Also, is this connected with Kucinich's impeachment resolution in any way, or is this a whole separate effort? If it's separate, why aren't they working together?

Anyway....ITMFA!!!!

[L. Coyote]

41. one answer

TTBOMK, this is three members of the House Judiciary, where the two resolutions are awaiting hearings, urging that hearings start.

My sense of the situation, the public is being treated to an image (feigned?) of Dem reluctance to hold hearings, while same is inevitable now, and an effort is being made to make the hearings sem to be a demand by the people, rather than payback for Clinton. The Rs will spin it as payback, no matter what, so that is being carefully countered in advance. My sense, all is on track to impeachment.

[mnhtnbb]

42. I hope your sense is right that "all is on track to impeachment".

[bdamomma]

46. kick

[madokie]

47. we're going to get this hearing before its all said and done

there is going to be some heads a rolling in this coming new year

[bdamomma]

48. kick

[pleah]

49. 124,306

[GMFORD]

50. So how long with the media keep mum?

They haven't mentioned the bill, they don't mention the petition. Then I guess if we get the hearings they won't mention them either.

So the average person who gets their news from MSM would just wake up one day and discover Cheney no longer VP? Or would the MSM just stop mentioning Cheney and never tell anyone he isn't VP anymore?

Cripes, the press in this country sucks.

[pleah]

51. 124,482

[snappyturtle]

52. K&R

:kick:

[pleah]

53. 124,565