What The Hell Is Wrong With John Conyers??

[orleans]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjCR9C-L4dE&feature=related

conyers to vets:
conyers: "what's holding me back is that i haven't decided to do it. and nancy pelosi is not holding me back. when she said she took it off the table she took it off her table. she didn't take it off my table. the fact that you have described that there is something holding me back is merely the fact that i have never decided."

about 35:30 into "hearing"


one of the vets talking to conyers (who at their last meeting with conyers was apparently told that they will meet with him again and be surprised by his plans)

"by your own admission what seems what is holding you back from this one (decision regarding impeachment) is your own indecision. you said i might be surprised by your plans. you haven't put forth any. and frankly, i'm not surprised. i'm very disappointed."

the camera pans across table to conyers. he sits there. doesn't say a fucking word.

[JDPriestly]

1. He does not want to be blamed for

a) losing the election for Obama or distracting from Obama's campaign;
b) a terrorist attack should one occur.

The attacks on Schumer were ridiculous. If they impeach, everything bad that happens will be blamed on the impeachment effort. Of course, I still think they should impeach Bush and Cheney and Condi Rice, et al. Impeachment will cause a lot of problems, but not impeaching will cause even more.

I don't think they should worry about conviction or removal. Bush and Cheney are exiting anyway. (At least we hope that Cheney is not vying for four more years as VP.)

[orleans]

2. ugh. did you watch these two videos? n/t

[jannyk]

3. I feel physically sick after watching that.

Up until then I had admired Conyers - now I, like those poor fucking vets, feel totaly betrayed. But wow on the young one with the beard! Did he pin Conyer's ears to the wall or what? And so eloquently and concisely.

Basically Conyer's told them he'd just been so terribly busy that he'd had no time to even think about impeachment.

I was pretty disallusioned with the Dems prior to watching that - now I'm bereft and feeling openly hostile.

[KharmaTrain]

4. The Problem Is He's A Lawyer

While there are plenty of political crimes that can be used as a basis of impeachment (99.9% of what people here cite), Conyers comes from a law background...one that looks for a criminal basis for impeachment. This is how it was done in with Nixon (the impeachment there was based on Nixon being an "unindicted co-conspirator") and Clinton's was based on the infamous "Starr Report"...both based on real crimes thus impeachment wasn't a political game but one based on case law. Without an Independent Prosecutor and with little real legal evidence to go by (much being stonewalled and obstructed), the legal case isn't there...yet. And there's the rub.

One of the first things a lawyer is taught is never to bring a prosecution unless they're certain they are gonna win. Conyers surely can't believe that...especially with 33 Repugnican enablers in the Senate who would not only prevent a conviction but an corporate media that will play it as a vindication. As the saying goes, if you're gonna shoot the king, you must not miss. There's precious little criminal evidence directly linked to either booosh or cheney thus all charges are based on speculation than fact and without that fact any articles will be considered strictly political.

Finally, there's the 16 tons of pardon hanging over his head. Right now this regime is protecting itself with a wildly interpreted version of "Executive Privilidge". The hopes are repugnican judge Bates will rule shortly on the suits (this, IMHO is what's holding up inherent contempt) and that if Congress wins (and there's been some hints they may), the game changes as people will be forced to turn over documents and compelled to testify under oath. Remember, any indictment at this point is sure to be met by a pardon.

The one wild card in this scenario is the Red Cross report accusing this regime of war crimes. That's got some firepower behind it and within could be the ultimate smoking gun for either impeachment or defacto impeachment but also paving the way for War Crimes trials. I'd like to see that report made public and then let's invite the folks from the Red Cross up to testify about it.

[orleans]

10. re: 16 tons of pardons. there would be no pardons unless they come out of

pelosi's mouth

[KharmaTrain]

14. So She Pardoned Scooter Libby

I didn't know. That lady's powers are awesome!!!

[orleans]

18. there would be no pardons unless pelosi, as president, pardoned

anyone.

get it now?

[Canuckistanian]

12. All we're asking for is an investigation

Hearings. Testimony. Evidence. And there IS evidence.

We're not asking for prosecution YET.

There's a series of events that have to happen before that.

[KharmaTrain]

15. And That Appears To Be Happening...

Expect Representative Kucinich to speak, with others I'm sure (Jon Turley comes to mind) in front of the HJC soon. I agree, hearings should happen...but I'd far prefer a full set of hearings with witnesses subpoenaed and forced to appear, that's not gonna happen right now unless you put half of the White House in the Capitol basement...(and I wouldn't be against that)...

[MonkeyFunk]

5. Nothing's wrong with him

he knows impeachment would go nowhere, distract from this election, and ultimately have no positive effect.

[orleans]

9. well, if he knows that why is he dicking liberals around and this vets for peace

group? why doesn't he just come out an say that?

[soothsayer]

6. hes a politician.

[opihimoimoi]

7. Its actually the Republicans that want US DEMS to do their dirty work..to impeach

They are suffering no end by Bushies presence

They cannot impeach cause they supported him

Thus they send trolls here and everywhere to suggest we impeach..

The Pubs should grow spines and do it themselves...Its THEIR GAIN...

[Breeze54]

16. I am not a troll and neither are the other DUers that want impeachment ON the table!

:grr:

[opihimoimoi]

17. Some are.....! Its called pile on while its hot...and by the way. I support IMPEACHMENT TOO

I just called attention that in a way...we are helping the GOP do THEIR DIRTY WORK...IMHO anyways,,,,

[sandyj999]

8. He Is Preoccupied With Thoughts of His Wife.

She is Monica Conyers and is on the city council of Detroit. Just Google her name and you will see what he is dealing with. No excuse for sure but understandable!

[shadowknows69]

11. I hope he's at least being threatened

A man should have something at stake before turning into such a jellyfish. No offense intended to the many noble species of jellyfish around the world.

[yardwork]

13. Wait. Why are we picking on Conyers? He's the only one out there!

Where the hell is my representative? I'll tell you - nowhere out front. Neither is any other representative. We need to get Conyers help. He can't do this himself.

I'll write my representative now. Yes, Representative Price. I'm talking about you!

[kentuck]

19. They went after his wife...

And he knows they are serious. They will put her in jail if he keeps it up..

[shadowknows69]

20. fuckin keep what up

He's been blowing the same useless smoke up our asses since 2004.