Rep. Conyers answers Rep. Moran's Call for Grassroots Movement to IMPEACH

[berni_mccoy]

Today in a town hall meeting, Rep. Moran said Impeachment, though appropriate, won't happen because the Repubs control the Congress. Rep. Moran said that a grassroots effort is required. He doesn't seem to be aware that many of us have been working on this since the Iraq War started. Many here on DU were upset at his defeatest attitude and pushing the responsibility on the people.

I partially agree... the people need to get involved. But they are constantly being lied to by the gov't and lulled to sleep by the media.

Well, Rep. John Conyers is doing something about it. I just got an email that EVERYONE HERE SHOULD READ and ACT UPON.

You can read the email here: http://www.conyersforcongress.com/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=1999990393.165241.194&gen=1

Here are the contents:

Attend Local Events in Support of Resolution to
Investigate Impeachable Offenses

I have taken steps to begin the inquiry into possible impeachable offenses by the Bush Administration, and have called for censure of the President and the Vice President. Now I am asking for your help to stand with me in fighting for accountability.

We need to present a unified front in our call for justice. A coalition of organizations, led by AfterDowningStreet.org, has organized a series of town hall events and house parties this weekend to coordinate grassroots activity in support of efforts to investigate impeachable offenses.

On January 7th, there will be over 130 events held across the country, several attended by Democratic Members of Congress. These will provide an opportunity to meet like-minded people from your area and to coordinate efforts to hold this administration accountable for misleading us into war. I will be at the Speak Out on the War Town Hall in Livonia, Michigan.

These events will also set in motion a massive grassroots campaign in support of our efforts. The Progressive Democrats of America have set up a follow-up outreach program on January 9th, called the PDA National Call-In Day, the details of which may be found here.

Become a Citizen Cosponsor

I also want to let you know about a program I have started called the Citizen Cosponsorship campaign which encourages people to sign onto my legislation calling for the investigation of possible impeachable offenses. We have amassed 30,000 signatures in a week and are seeking to reach 100,000 cosponsors by the time Congress reconvenes at the end of January.

This campaign follows a thorough review of Bush Administration misconduct I undertook which culminated in the publication of a 250-page report.

The latest incidence of the Bush Administration's abuse of power underscores why we must unite to take strong action now. Late last night we learned that NBC is investigating reports that the National Security Agency (NSA) conducted wiretaps of CNN reporter, Christiane Amanpour. While it is very troubling that the NSA would be targeting journalists to uncover terrorist plots, what is especially disconcerting is that Ms. Amanpour's husband served as a senior advisor to the John Kerry presidential campaign and would have been using the same phone that the Agency is alleged to have been wiretapping. The overreach of the NSA in conducting warrantless wiretaps is astounding in its audacity and I have demanded the White House disclose to Congress whether, and to what extent, journalists have been under surveillance and report on additional elements of this program. 21 other Members of Congress joined me in this request, a copy of which may be found on RawStory.com.


These continued constitutional abuses means your voice needs to be heard. Please take the time to get involved. Help send the message to the President, the media, and the American people that we want an end to the war and we are not going to stand for an imperial presidency any longer.

Sincerely,



John Conyers

[quiet.american]

1. Thanks much for posting this. n/t

[Acryliccalico]

2. Thank you. n/t

[Rainscents]

3. WOW... I'm on!!!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

4. Moran did NOT call for grassroots movement to IMPEACH.

The opposite, in fact. He was vehemently against impeachment
of anybody at all of any kind from any source or movement.
He called for grassroots movement politically to change the
leaders, NOT through impeachment. In fact, right or wrong,
he said he thought impeachment was not a democratic action.

[Oversea Visitor]

7. I think they replaying it on C span 2

at 11.25

Go take another look and listen

He did say there is zero chance of that
It is a fact Congress and Senate is control by Republicans and they wont go for impeachment.

He also explain by saying that when democrats representative try to push for discussion on Downing Street Memo they end up in a room in the basement
I witness that on Cspan also

Why dear God are you after Moran ass for?
Dont you think it is better for you to go after bush ass?

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Right

I watched that part. He told about the hearings in the basement and how difficult it was because they had votes that day too and I remember they had all sorts of votes that day to keep them busy. He said it wouldn't happen because of the republicans controlling the House and government in general and it was being realistic at this time. I didn't see him being as being against impeachment but being realistic at this time.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

11. I'll say it again.

Moran, in the forum on CSPAN on this date today, was TOTALLY
and EMPHATICALLY AGAINST IMPEACHMENT.

[Moochy]

16. He said

That he was opposed to impeachment, as being an undemocratic process.
He mentioned he voted against Clinton's impeachment.

He said if the people want him impeached they need to tell their representatives. He sounded a seeming defeatist note, since the republicans *DO* control congress...

But pretending otherwise seems to be what you are demanding? I'm 100% for impeachment, but how does one get around that darn (R) party unity and majority in the house?

SCREAM REAL LOUD!!!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

20. "he was opposed to impeachment, as being an undemocratic process."

Exactly.

[Moochy]

26. And my point being

Maybe you are just stirring shit up, but maybe not. Let's assume not.

I guess you have a problem with his position, he did seem to call on "us" to speak up and demand impeachment.

on edit added this: I felt that he did *NOT* want a movement for "impeachment" like the HOUSE REPUBLICANS did to Clinton, and that the normal way to boot a crappy president is to vote him out.

He's a pro-stability democrat, not a horrible position to have post Clinton, but at least he's honest and consistent.

Peace A-Schwarz, didnt mean to inflame this, just was curious where you were coming from too.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

28. I was stating his postion as he stated it.

How is that stirring up shit?

[Moochy]

29. Sorry for jumpin on ya there

I saw something different when I watched the CSPAN-2 program this afternoon, your post was an excerpt of what Moran said, not his full statement. IMO.

Public support needs to be in place to do an impeachment "right" according to his understanding of democratic process, ie. you represent your constituents, you just dont' decide to impeach.

I guess I would ask Moran if he thinks that the college of Electors embodies a "democratic process"?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

30. I understand.

I think my take on it was being interpreted as being either
against Moran (who I really liked today) or against impeachment
(and I admit I'm ambivalent about it, with Cheney or worse in the
wings). Anyway, peace.

[Griffy]

41. WRONG.. I WAS THERE !!!

he is just not going to talk about it when it cant be done, I believe he will be right there with impeachment if we take the house in '06. What you can rigthfully point out is that he is being meally mouthed about things like most politics. He wont stand up for a cause that right but futile(under this GOP controlled house).

look.. I was there.. and you can watch it yourself.. and at the end I went up to him and asked what he was doing about Depleted Uranium and the exposure of our soldiers and Iraqis... he said he couldnt discuss it.. I ask.. "butyou are aware of the problem?" he nodded yes... and turned to the next person.. I made him uncomfortable at that moment.

So stop saying misinformation again and again....

[A-Schwarzenegger]

43. You were there and heard him say he was for impeachment?

Yes or no, dont wait for the translation.

[Griffy]

44. so your either with us or against us??

your black and white veiw doesnt fit reality. He has not publicly calling for impeachment.. but he did sign on to Conyers resolution.. I heard him say he didnt want to discuss impeachment, since the subject of the town hall meeting was what to do in Iraq now!

so I would say.. did you hear him say he against impeachment? .. did you.. no translation required!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

45. "did you hear him say he against impeachment?"

Yes, I did.

See how easy it is to state a fact?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

10. What are YOU talking about?

I'm not "after Moran ass". The OP incorrectly
stated that Moran called for a grassroots movement
in suppoprt of impeachment. To the absolute contrary,
Moran was emphatically AGAINST impeachment of any kind
for any reason. YOU go listen to it again. I wasnt being
critical of Moran in the slightest. I was stating a little
thing some people like to call a FACT.

[berni_mccoy]

14. I don't think what he said means he's against impeachment

As you recalled: "He called for grassroots movement politically to change the
leaders..." When he said that, I took him to mean that it is up to the people to motivate Congress to do it. He said impeachment wouldn't happen because of republican control. I also took that to mean that they've gone down this road 'off-the-record' to see if they could get enough repubs to support impeachment and they can't. This means it requires the people putting pressure on enough repubs or by voting them out in November.

I've seen Moran speak before and he is very much against the neocon agenda and bushco.

I don't think my take is an "absolute contrary" of what transpired there.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

18. I cant say it any clearer than I already have.

I was glued to the whole thing. Please everybody
watch it if you havent already. Murtha was great as
always, and I'd never really heard Moran before, and
was impressed. HOWEVER, he was just as adamantly opposed
to impeachment as a man or woman can get, believe me. He
said he was against the Clinton impoeachment, is against
impeachment of Bush, period. You will see this is true when you
either read the transcript or watch it again. If I am
wrong, I will come over and clean your house.

[berni_mccoy]

23. I didn't hear that from his responses... but you obviously did...

If that's the case, I'd say to Rep. Moran that I'm sorry he doesn't like it, but it's part of the Constitution.

I'd still agree with Moran on the fact that we just don't have the votes.

And I also agree that with someone like Conyers leading the effort, the people CAN RISE up and force this issue to a head.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

22. Well, OK, but you said,

"Rep. Moran said Impeachment, though appropriate, won't happen"

But he DIDNT say it was appropriate. He said it wont happen, and
he's against it, and it's undemocratic. How is that saying it's
appropriate?

[berni_mccoy]

24. I was paraphrasing...

Moran wasn't arguing that Bush hasn't committed impeachable offenses, but he apparently (and I missed this) doesn't believe in impeachment as a democratic process.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

27. Right. Moran was a little moderate for my tastes on some things

but overall he impressed me a lot. I liked his reference to
the policy of Native Americans which considers the effects of
actions on seven generations down the line. While we today think only
of ourselves and maybe 7 MONTHS down the line at most. Peace.

[Justice Is Comin]

32. I found him wanting to wallow around

in the shallow end of the pool. The democrats have got to stop being wishy washy about standing on top of the tables and shouting this president has committed MULTIPLE impeachable offenses.

Didn't he hear the goddamn room erupt in screams of approval when the guy said it should happen. What is it going to take, a signed check with Bush's signature made payable to Bin Laden with a check memo stating "payment to assure terror scam through 2008" ?

What part of felony doesn't Moran understand? I wasn't impressed with him at all.

[Nordmadr]

35. I watched the entire program on C-SPAN last night live. Moran

very clearly stated, as has been pointed out here, that he did NOT support a call for impeachment. He believes the Democratic way is to vote them out as I understood it. This is not to say he supports Bush or his policies, which clearly he does not. I have ot say I do not agree with him. Why should an American public be forced to wait until an election to out a clearly criminal President? So that he can do more damge in the meantime? I think not.

You should have heard the room ERUPT in applause and cheers when the statement was made by a citizen to call for impeachment.

Olafr

[Oversea Visitor]

17. Hmmmm

1+1+1+1+1+1=6

Now if you looking for the 6 please add it up.

Did he not ask the people to speak out
What does that means

Bloody waste of time talking with you
You somehow can not seem to comprehend what is being say
You just maybe like to stir bushit.

[berni_mccoy]

21. He's making a fair point... not "stir bushit"

And it's not a waste of time talking with A-Schwarz.

He caught something I didn't perceive, which is that he perceived that Moran doesn not believe in Impeachment as a democratic process, period.

To Moran I would respond, it doesn't matter what you think of Impeachment, it's part of the U.S. Constitution.

However, I believe Moran was pointing out a practical point: we don't have the votes in Congress.

Moran also said that change would come about through the people. This is the point I decided to focus on.

A-Scharz and I just decided to focus on two different parts of the meeting.

Let's be nicer to each other here and focus our energies on removing bushco.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

25. Thank you for that. And as you say,

"To Moran I would respond, it doesn't matter what you think of Impeachment, it's part of the U.S. Constitution."

As I said somewhere up there, "right or wrong" Moran said it was undemocratic.

To oversea visitor, peace.

[Oversea Visitor]

33. Peace

Just finish rewatching it on C span.
Ok I understand where you coming from
But I also understand where MOran is coming from
Before you can called for impeachment you need to get hearing to expose the wrong doing
If you cant get to the truth
Then you have no facts
The only way to get to the facts is to have hearing
The only way to have hearing is that Congress and Senate must want them
What he is saying is there is zero chance at moment
Would it really be good to go round shouting Impeachment as a Congressman without proof.
Whereas the people can express it.
That expression will be a signal for the Congress and Senate to act
That mean start the first "I" word..... INVESTIGATION
Once that is completed Impeachment is a foregone concluesion.
Without the people forcing the Congress and Senate to investigate it will go no where just more slandering and politicalisation of the process.

I hate Bush yes and getting his ass kick out of office make this world safer.
But I can see that Americans need to stand up to hold the Administration accountable.
Right now sorry to say your Congress and Senate has lose the way
And he is asking the help of the American people to speak out to correct this wrong direction.
Cause in a democracy the people voice is always heard.
They are represented by the elected representative.
Right now you know where you at on that score.

Do not please do not let that Impeachment word overshadow all his other message.
Unless the majority of American make a stand and scream out loud nothing is going to happen until the
2006 election. Even then if people like Moran is still a minority nothing will get investigate therefore do not even think of impeachment when you cant even investigate.

[AndyTiedye]

5. K/R

:kick:

[Hissyspit]

6. We can shame Repub-controlled Congress into impeachment.

It is not impossible. Just think about how much has changed concerning American's perception of Bush in the past year.

[SushiFan]

13. Absolutely IMPEACHMENT is NOT impossible

It is a very legal process and in fact NEEDS a grassroots groundswell to be taken by the nation as a whole as a legitimate goal.

We must do ALL that we can to boost the Impeachment dream. LTTE, fax / write / email congress people, talk to frends, rels, anyone who will listen. Just speaking LOUDLY in public to a friend about Impeachment will mean that some will overhear.

Once the seed is planted in enough minds, we will be energized and so will everyone else who dislikes the CORRUPTION in Washington DC.

If Cheney ascends, then he can be Impeached too. The US Government is US, not the GOP or its stupid butts who gained office by stealing elections and paying off Jack Abramoff. WE CAN MAKE BUSH GO HOME. If we really want to and work hard enough.

[me b zola]

19. They have no shame. They respond to fear.

And the fear of losing their Congressional seat can be pretty persuasive ;)

[Hissyspit]

31. Well, that's kind of what I meant, but, yes, thanks for clarifying.

I tend to leave too much implied in my posts.
Republicans ultimately had to give in on Nixon, even though the Vietnam war as still on. When Repubs get the sense that Americans are ashamed of them with regards to this administration, they will start to get scared and abandon the Bush ship.

[me b zola]

51. I was fairly sure that is what you meant

I was really just agreeing with you :hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Oh wow

I didn't know that about Ms. Amanpour's husband! So that makes sense on why they would be spying on her so they could spy on her husband too! Kill two birds with one stone.

[libertypirate]

12. Or kill the bird you want in the name of terrorism /nt

[Nutmegger]

15. Thanks so much for posting this!

Nominated!!!:thumbsup:

[Nothing Without Hope]

34. Kicked, recommended and bookmarked. Thanks! n/t

[texpatriot2004]

36. Impeach the Son of a Bush already nm

[Norquist Nemesis]

37. How do we find out info about the Jan 7th town hall meetings?

Anyone know where there's a link to find one close to home?

[blue4barb]

50. From the email I received from johnconyers.com, it linked to

www.afterdowningstreet.org
It lists events for January 7 by state.

That's how I found out John Conyers will be speaking in my neighborhood
tomorrow. Hopefully he will talk about impeachment as well as Iraq.

[madokie]

38. He is the MAN we should be behind for president in '08

He deserves to be drafted if need be. What a true patriot. I don't know if it is what he says or the way he says it but I can listen to him all day, his demeanor is so soothing, his dedication to our country is so conforting. What a Man

[berni_mccoy]

39. There's a reson why he's my user image.

Conyers is a TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

[madokie]

40. An American Treasure

[stepnw1f]

42. Moran Did Not State That

I saw it with my own eyes.

[jazzjunkysue]

46. Now that I read that, I'll be in Brooklyn tomorrow. I'm coming, John!

We love ya! :hug:

[dennisnyc]

47. thank god for john conyers!

[Marleyb]

48. another way for the grassroots to encourage their 'representatives'

http://benfrank.net/blog/f/sotu-mlk.pdf

[helderheid]

49. PROVO UTAH!

Events within 30 miles of your location
Event Name Location City/State Description Attendance
- Enough Box B-16 RR 3 Sundance Provo, UT 84604
, Provo UT.,UT Political Events have built to such a staggering and terrifying level that I would like to ask you to come to see us for an open discussion of what we might do as ciitzens to regain something of the 3 Sign Up!