Update from Congressman Conyers posted at dKos

[understandinglife]

A total of 94 Members of Congress have now signed his letter to Bush.

For my part, I am recirculating the letter to the President from Congress to my Congressional colleagues on Monday to give them another opportunity to sign on. Many who missed the opportunity to sign on the first time around have contacted me about doing so.

I have already sent one additional letter to the President adding several names and requesting that they be considered as original signatories. I have attached an updated list below of members who have signed on thus far.

This is by far the most important issue we are faced with. The most serious matter for the Congress and the President is the decision to go to war. It is the sole constitutional responsibility of Congress to decide whether to declare war. The President has a constitutional responsibility to be straightforward and candid with the Congress in providing it with the information it needs to evaluate the case for war. If that decision is skewed or corrupted by false or misleading information, it raises the most serious Constitutional questions and substantial issues about abuse of power.

The tragic reality is that over 1600 of our men and women in uniform are dead in a war that was entered into under false premises. Tens of thousands have been severely injured. Many more innocent Iraqis have been killed or injured as well.

If, as the Downing Street Minutes appear to clearly indicate, the falsehoods that led us into war were deliberate manipulations of the public and Congress, we deserve to know and we deserve answers. More importantly, we need to hold this President accountable for a very grave abuse of power.

LIST OF CONGRESSIONAL COSIGNERS

Neil Abercrombie
Brian Baird
Tammy Baldwin
Xavier Becerra
Shelley Berkley
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Sanford Bishop
Earl Blumenauer
Corrine Brown
Sherrod Brown
G.K. Butterfield
Emanuel Cleaver
James Clyburn
John Conyers
Jim Cooper
Elijah Cummings
Danny Davis
Susan Davis
Peter DeFazio
Diana DeGette
Bill Delahunt
Rosa DeLauro
Lloyd Doggett
Sam Farr
Bob Filner
Harold Ford, Jr.
Barney Frank
Al Green
Raul Grijalva
Louis Gutierrez
Alcee Hastings
Maurice Hinchey
Rush Holt
Jay Inslee
Sheila Jackson Lee
Jessie Jackson Jr.
William Jefferson
Marcy Kaptur
Patrick Kennedy
Dale Kildee
Carolyn Kilpatrick
Dennis Kucinich
William Lacy Clay
Barbara Lee
John Lewis
Zoe Lofgren
Donna M. Christensen
Carolyn Maloney
Ed Markey
Carolyn McCarthy
Jim McDermott
James McGovern
Cynthia McKinney
Martin Meehan
Kendrick Meek
Gregory Meeks
Michael Michaud
Juanita Millender-McDonald
George Miller
Gwen S. Moore
James Moran
Jerrold Nadler
Grace Napolitano
James Oberstar
John Olver
Major Owens
Frank Pallone
Donald Payne
Charles Rangel
Bobby Rush
Bernie Sanders
Linda Sanchez
Jan Schakowsky
Jose Serrano
Ike Skelton
Louise Slaughter
Hilda Solis
Pete Stark
Ellen Tauscher
Bennie Thompson
Mike Thompson
Edolphus Towns
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Tom Udall
Chris Van Hollen
Nydia Velazquez
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Maxine Waters
Diane Watson
Melvin Watt
Robert Wexler
Lynn Woolsey
David Wu
Albert R. Wynn

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/2/15274/55931

Peace.

http://www.edwardsdavid.com.nyud.net:8090/images/cnn_crossfire_uk_memo_intelligence_fixed_050513-01.jpg

www.missionnotaccomplished.us - How ever long it takes, the day must come when tens of millions of caring individuals peacefully but persistently defy the dictator, deny the corporatists cash flow, and halt the evil being done in Iraq, and in all the other places the Bu$h neoconster regime is destroying civilization and the environment in the name of "America."

[paineinthearse]

1. Most excellent!

Some analysis:

1. A vast majority are CBC (Congressional Black Caucus).
2. Many members of the house progressives caucus.
3. Only 5 from Massachusetts - Barney Frank, Ed Markey, James McGovern, Martin Meehan, John Olver - need to work on the other 5. Does any other state have >50%???
4. Conspicuously missing - NOT ONE SENATOR. Kerry said he would be getting onto this issue next Monday, but it would be nice to see his and other Senators' names on this letter (at least we have a Senator's nephew, Patrick Kennedy).


Cross-posted to the JOHN CONYERS group - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=340

[understandinglife]

2. Brad Blog spreading the word.

http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001436.htm

Peace.


Emad Hajjaj, Al-Ghad Newspaper, Amman, Jordan

www.missionnotaccomplished.us - How ever long it takes, the day must come when tens of millions of caring individuals peacefully but persistently defy the dictator, deny the corporatists cash flow, and halt the evil being done in Iraq, and in all the other places the Bu$h neoconster regime is destroying civilization and the environment in the name of "America."

[Vincardog]

3. Thank GOD for John Conyers.

He and Sen. Boxer are the last rays of hope for this 'Democracy'.

[woodsprite]

4. I just wrote this to Castle (R-DE)

As one of your constituents and a Republican voter in Delaware, I am asking that you support Rep. John Conyer's and sign onto his letter asking President Bush for answers. I did not see your name listed. Right now 94 Congressmen have signed, some are Republican, so you won't stand alone, BUT STAND YOU MUST.

As Rep. Conyer's says
"If, as the Downing Street Minutes appear to clearly indicate, the falsehoods that led us into war were deliberate manipulations of the public and Congress, we deserve to know and we deserve answers. More importantly, we need to hold this President accountable for a very grave abuse of power."

Over 1600 of our service men and women, America's sons and daughters, are dead due to lies told by this administration. Many more thousands of our service people have been injured or maimed beyond help. Over 100,000 Iraqi and Afghani people have been killed by these lies. How much more has to happen before our Congressmen finally begin to take responsibility for letting this happen and demand accountability from this administration?

If Congress had been doing it's job and our representatives adhering to the oathes they swore in the first place -- irregardless of party loyalty -- we wouldn't be in this position. It's time to make your decision to fish or cut bait.

[me b zola]

18. Great letter

I wrote to all Dem (& Jeffords) Senators this morming asking them to get on board. I mentioned my family's military service, so that the inevitable "you don't support the troops" comments come from the repubs our Senators will be able to say that people who have served in the military has contacted them demanding answers/action.

I was so busy with this that I didn't know that Rep.Conyers is gathering more signitures! I guess I have a lot more letters to write!

[Wheezy]

20. I'm a total grammar dork, but...

...I gotta just tell you that 'irregardless' is not a word.

'regardless' says what you mean to say.

(in case others want to send it too, or something like it)

sorry--not trying to be an ass.

The letter rocks. Thank you.

[Nothing Without Hope]

5. Here is the wonderful 2 minute VIDEO that goes with that CNN screenshot:

It was posted May 13 by dzika - a time BEFORE the order for suppression appears to have come down from the White House.

It's definitely not to be missed. HERE is the way the reporters should be responding:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1782122

(Real Media format - recorded and posted May 13 by our wonderful dzika.)

[ROH]

7. I wish they would get this right: MINUTES rather than MEMO

Thank you for the link.

The fact that they are official minutes of an official meeting needs to be pushed to the media.

[understandinglife]

9. "The fact that they are official minutes of an official meeting..." YES

Please keep pushing this message; it is crucial.

Thank you.

We have all the evidence of mendacity and illegal war-making we need to indict and prosecute Bush, Blair and every other neoconster scum-bag on the planet having any involvement in the Bush's illegal war on Iraq and all the torture and other atrocities that have been committed since August 2002.

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[Nothing Without Hope]

13. This was from May 13, before that distinction was clear. I'd be glad to

see this kind of coverage now - but that suppression order seems to have come down. Check out these egregious examples of deliberate suppression of media coverage of the Downing St Minutes. The last of the four threads links to the best article on this I have yet seen:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1814999
Thread title: C-span this morning regarding Downing Street memo

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3753013
Thread title: Told KnightRidder rep that Cspan claimed UK memo was "internet rumor"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3757225
thread title: HEADS UP: Just got off the phone with UK memo reporter.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=128950#128999
Thread title: Media Black Out Downing Street Minutes
(refers to excellent article on this – the best I have seen so far)

[Nothing Without Hope]

6. This is EXCELLENT news - the list of names is growing

Last I heard, the WH is still saying that they don't have to respond. Is that an admission of guilt or what?

edited to add: Recommended!

[B Calm]

8. Why in hell hasn't every damn democratic congressman signed it?

[Nothing Without Hope]

10. We will see over the next week or two how many of them do after

having more of a chance to study the documents and think through their decision.

After two weeks, anyone who still refuses to sign...

[ClassWarrior]

12. Ask them, not me!! Call your Congressperson and demand answers!!

NGU. :patriot:

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. They skipped Congress the first time, and had to go back for a vote

Anyone remember that? Congress didn't seem to mind that the Executive Branch was enacting an invasion, then gave Bush an open door.

[KharmaTrain]

14. A Few Names Missing...

Where's Henry Waxman? I would sure hope he's on board with this.

And Loretta Sanchez? I see her sister signed, where's Loretta?

And Rahm Emanuel? He's in a very safe district and a star on the rise. This is where stars are really made.

[oasis]

15. Harold Ford signed. That's a surprise.

[stickdog]

16. Where's Pelosi?

[understandinglife]

17. Let's all call her and ask her!

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us - How ever long it takes, the day must come when tens of millions of caring individuals peacefully but persistently defy the dictator, deny the corporatists cash flow, and halt the evil being done in Iraq, and in all the other places the Bu$h neoconster regime is destroying civilization and the environment in the name of "America."

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Good question!

Why didn't she sign on???

[FreedomAngel82]

26. If Ford does surely Pelosi can

:shrug: And every democratic Congress person.

[bunny planet]

21. I don't see my Congressman's name on there. Think I'll send him a

friendly little reminder.

[GetTheRightVote]

22. My congress woman is on the list, Corrine Brown, called to thank her

:kick:

[understandinglife]

23. NYTimes: "Growing Problem for Military Recruiters: Parents" - Bravo!

By DAMIEN CAVE
Published: June 3, 2005

<snip>

Two years into the war in Iraq, as the Army and Marines struggle to refill their ranks, parents have become boulders of opposition that recruiters cannot move.

Mothers and fathers around the country said they were terrified that their children would have to be killed - or kill - in a war that many see as unnecessary and without end.

Around the dinner table, many parents said, they are discouraging their children from serving.

At schools, they are insisting that recruiters be kept away, incensed at the access that they have to adolescents easily dazzled by incentive packages and flashy equipment.

The wedge is in place and it is beginning to open a very large fissure that Bush and his neoconster buddies are not going to be able to repair or survive.

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[understandinglife]

27. Link on NYTimes homepage:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/03/nyregion/03recruit.html?hp&ex=1117857600&en=7488119338909c3e&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[FreedomAngel82]

24. Yay!

Great news! Can he get any Senators on his letter or is it just Congress now? Of course mine isn't on there. :eyes: (republican) Why aren't the three republicans who voted against the Real ID act on there? :shrug: Sad no republican wants to sign.

[lonestarnot]

25. Yahooo this news worth waiting up for!

[tsuki]

28. I noticed my Representative, who claims to be a Democrat, has not signed

on. Will be writing a letter. Will be taking it to the local.