Conyers Meets Impeachment Activists Saturday; Seems To Promise, Then Seems To Balk

[Hissyspit]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_cheryl_b_070826_dancing_with_conyers.htm

Dancing With Conyers

by Cheryl Biren-Wright

http://www.opednews.com

The People's March for Peace, Equality, Jobs, and Justice on Saturday, August 25 in Newark, New Jersey brought thousands of impassioned pleas for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. It also brought Congressman John Conyers to the stage to promote the very popular National Health Insurance Bill, H.R. 676

While the discussion of health insurance for all and the great congressman from Michigan were well-received with cheers and applause, the cries for impeachment took center stage. In what has become routine now, Conyers fed into the momentum asking "What should we do?" "IMPEACH!" cried the crowd. "What should we do?" "IMPEACH!" and so it was repeated. The congressman went on to declare that we needed to bring back Rumsfeld and put him on trial and the big question was to decide who ought to go first. "Cheney!" shouted the crowd enthusiastically. Some knowing impeach activists in the crowd called the bluff asking "When are you going to act on this?" He replied that he was going to meet with impeachment activists. "When?!" they called. "Right after this march. Right here!" and he pointed back stage.

NJ impeachment activists, Stuart Hutchison (North), Linda Gochfeld (Central), and Cheryl Biren-Wright and Joanne O'Neill (South) positioned themselves behind stage to avoid getting the slip. After a few condescending and sarcastic assurances from the legislative aide that "Sure, sure, the congressman will meet you right here," they slowly maneuvered their way towards Rep. Conyers. By then, word had spread through the crowd that Conyers, not only was going to meet with impeachment supporters, but was going to sign onto H. Res. 333 on Monday. As the activists greeted the congressman, a warm exchange and introductions were made. "We're very pleased to hear that you've agreed to sign on to H. Res. 333 on Monday," announced Hutchison despite his doubt that this would actually be carried out. Conyers did not deny he said that, but replied "Well, you know I can't do it Monday, we're not in session." Biren-Wright interjected by pulling out a cell phone and suggested they could call Kucinich right there. Conyers proceeded, "...and, I can't do it on the 6th or the 13th...but I'll be back here in November." The NJ Impeach Group persisted and Conyers prepared to setup his next "deal." "Listen," he said, "You keep working here in New Jersey. You get one representative from New Jersey..." The members precipitously jumped in declaring, "We've got one!" Conyers was taken aback and shot a look at assistant, Joel Segal. "Who?" inquired Conyers. "Congressman Donald Payne who is on his way here right now," they replied.

Payne, New Jersey's only member of both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus signed on to H. Res. 333 after a strong campaign by the NJ Impeach Groups and a sealing of the deal by David Swanson of afterdowningstreet.com last month. The congressman, who represents the city of Newark, was on his way to join Conyers in leading the march and addressing the crowd. Rep. Conyers struggled to respond to this unexpected news and suddenly his approach was less amicable and more direct. He searched each activist intently asking "Do you know what will happen if this moves forward and doesn't succeed? Do you have any idea?" as if the mere thought was too much to bear.

The representatives replied that they understood the consequences of not moving on it and that is where the real danger was. Despite the contentions of some critics, Conyers readily acknowledged that as chair of the judiciary, he holds the power to propel the impeachment process forward. However, he insisted that a campaign to impeach that was not successful would have dire consequences - presumably politically. The NJ Impeach Group explained that the success would be acquired through defending the Constitution and standing up to an administration that has committed a felony and grave abuses of power. They reiterated that this was the will of the people and that a growing number of democratic constituents are positioned to walk away from the party if the dems do not hold this administration accountable. Conyers stood firm in his position which begs the question of why he continues to urge crowds to support taking out Bush and Cheney before their term expires. The discussion was stuck in a stalemate when the South Jersey impeach leader asked what Conyers was going to suggest would happen if they were able to get a NJ congressman to sign on to impeach Cheney. Suddenly, Conyers looked longingly back at the stage and said he had to "get back up there." In the aftermath of Conyers telling a group of Progressive Democrats in July that if they could get just 3 more to sign on he would move on it and then failing to do so and now the suggestion that something would come to fruition if this group could get a NJ representative on board, they pressed the issue. Conyers began to move away from the group while pointing to the stage at an unseen force beckoning him, Biren-Wright respectfully, but firmly drew him back in and asked, "Sir, why do you keep upping the ante?" With a hint of apology, the Congressman responded simply that he had to go.

After descending from the stage a second time, Congressman Conyers was surrounded and confronted by an unrelenting group of protestors demanding that he begin impeachment proceedings. As a long-time admirer of this great statesman and feeling sentimental as a fellow Detroit native, this writer stood observing from a distance while the 78-year-old endured the near 100 degree heat of the day and the even more heated reaction from the crowd and felt an urge to reach in and pull him out of the smothering environment. We made eye contact a few times while he was being inundated with demands from the people and I wondered at what point would he realize that the consequences of not pursuing justice outweigh his fear of failure.

Later, as Congressman Donald Payne joined his colleague and friend, John Conyers, on the march for peace and justice, I approached Payne in the presence of Conyers, shook his hand and thanked him for his support of the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney. With a wink and smile to my former congressman, John Conyers, I made my way back into the crowd and back to the drawing board.

MORE

[rodeodance]

1. oh, you are so so sly. nice work

[calimary]

2. All we can really do about this is NOT GIVE UP.

I'd say keep the pressure on. Doing things like this is very helpful, because it just might wear 'em down. Same thing should be happening to the republi-CONS. They should be made to sweat - a LOT.

[Individualist]

3. Words vs. actions

Conyers feeds the impeachment momentum in order to gain approval of the public. However, when it comes to actually taking steps to impeach... It's more of the dog and pony show, give the appearance of doing something regarding a specific issue while actually doing nothing.

[pinto]

4. Admittedly a subjective, somewhat self-serving piece, yet it shows the dilemma.

Where does public advocacy for impeachment - whether it be Gonzales, Cheney or Bush - meet Congressional considerations about their role in the process. It's a discussion worth having, with mutual respect and an eye to the big picture.

Unfortunately, Ms. Biren-Wright's piece seems more about blindsiding a possible ally as a political maneuver than any real dialog.

Grandstanding has its place, as does public rhetoric. Negotiation to an end takes another tack, though, imo.

[Hissyspit]

7. Doesn't seem that way to me.

She seems more disappointed than anything to me. I'm disappointed, too.

A poster at my post at DKos seems to confirm her description of the event:

"heard exactly the same thing from a friend"

[pinto]

9. I guess my point was more about the tactic, than the issue. With the chance

to discuss a matter with a member of Congress critical to your agenda - here, it's impeachment - blindsiding the guy seems self defeating, at best, or just plain inept.

Politics, in its day to day practice, remains negotiation, discussion, compromise, more discussion, etc. etc.

Advocacy in the public arena - keeping an issue at the forefront - is a different ballgame.

They are two different things, imo. Just my take away from the piece.

:shrug:

[bbgrunt]

26. I hardly think he was blindsided. He has

been actively whipping up support by acting like he is for impeachment, but then disappears down a hole when asked to actually support resolution 333. If anything, I think we are the ones being blind sided by these about-faces.

[bobbolink]

44. the choice of tactics decreases more and more as politicians become more slippery!

Finally, I'm glad that a group actually confronted him, rather than politely waiting!

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Now just WHO is doing the blindsiding here??

Conyers is no ally. He was. But he is not now.

[John Q. Citizen]

21. I disagree. While I have great respect for John Conyers, he is bringing it on himself when

he leads the crowd in chants of "Impeach," makes promises if the activists can bring him the co-sponsors, and then backs out of what he led people to believe he would do.

This isn't blindsiding, grandstanding (maybe on Conyers part, in terms of the chants) or underhanded. It's actually kind of sad.

Here is this lion of Congress setting himself up to look like he's a bullshitter.

Conyers suggested the backstage meeting, after all. He could have have said Sept 10Th, my office.

I felt the piece conveyed the sadness of the situation. I assume the OP is telling events as they saw them unfold, I have no reason to believe they are making it up.

What I would like Conyers to answer, is just what great tragedy he believes would befall the Dems, the Congress or the country in the event that an impeachment inquiry takes place? Shouldn't "follow the evidence" be a good dictum?

[Mojorabbit]

5. This is the one thing that I feel

personally betrayed on. I sent him money before the elections. He sent me his book. He promised action.
I really believed in him and it hurts on a personal level.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Same here

but I have learned my lesson. He won't get another dime out of me.

[bbgrunt]

6. Well, I want them to EXPLAIN EXACTLY what they think

would happen if they moved to impeach and it was unsuccessful. Are they being blackmailed or just afraid for the democratic party's prospects for the next election? Something is definitely not right here.

[porphyrian]

8. Yes. I want to believe in Congressman Conyers.

The fact that Congress is so actively avoiding impeachment stinks to high heaven, especially given the flimsy excuses for acting so. I want the truth we're not getting if they will not act.

[Middle finga]

10. Could it be Conyers and Pelosi and co. was threatened or

blackmailed, it just doesn't add up to me. When the dems were in the minority this was a man that was holding impeachment hearings in the basement and now that he has the power to do something he's unwilling to even talk about it, something smells fishy.

[seriousstan]

19. Take the tinfoil off and smell the coffee. Conyers is a politician.

In your own words "When the Dems were in the minority this was a man that was holding impeachment hearings in the basement and now that he has the power to do something he's unwilling to even talk about it". When he knew he didn't have the power he was the barking dog on a strong chain. Now that the chain is off, he isn't so quick to take a politically risky position.

[John Q. Citizen]

22. Except that it's a politically popular stand with the electorate. 54% to 40% in favor.

And that was a while back. My bet is it's even more popular now.

And this is why people say it doesn't add up.

[JTFrog]

32. It will get less popular soon

if we keep having Dems running around talking about shit is working now over in Iraq.

[snot]

11. Everyone, PLS K & R this! nt

[snot]

12. That said,

although I think it's imperative that every effort be made to ensure that justice is done, and that means impeaching, I'm not sure I DO know what happens if we attempt and fail . . . I'd like to make sure we know, for sure, exactly what Conyers fears . . .

[Senator]

34. There is no "attempt and fail"

Yes, I know what you mean, but in this case the action itself is the success.

Impeachment, of whatever level of "success," would be an objection -- more formally an accusation. And need not "come to" anything more to have huge value on every level (moral, political, diplomatic, economic...).

As for "what Conyers fears," I've got no reason think he knows himself. Impeachophobia is a virtual disease of the beltway. Much like with the groupthink that had them fearing "Mushroom Clouds ... in 45 minutes," the environment of the parochial, insular beltway keeps many otherwise rational people at its mercy -- in a bubble of non-reality. We can blame the Euphemedia, the strategery consultants, the RNC propaganda machine, etc... all do play an integral part in blowing up the bubble.

The bottom line is that Conyers and the rest are "just people." They must be forced to "see the wisdom" of taking one action and not another. It's not easy, but it can be done.

Those people in NJ may have done it. Or the next action may. We just need to keep demanding -- loudly and often.

---

[Ghost in the Machine]

36. Very well said.... thank you for saying it.

"The bottom line is that Conyers and the rest are "just people." They must be forced to "see the wisdom" of taking one action and not another. It's not easy, but it can be done.

Those people in NJ may have done it. Or the next action may. We just need to keep demanding -- loudly and often."

We can't give up on them right now, though I'm almost at that point. Something has *got* to get through to these people. What is it going to take?? I fear, and I *really, REALLY* hope I'm wrong on this, but I fear it's going to take Bush declaring martial, suspending elections and suspending Congress to wake these people up. I know it'll be too late by then, but that's how some people have to learn... by seeing the negative consequences of their actions.

There's going to be a Revolution in this Country. Whether it's a revolution of ideas and leadership or a revolution of We, The People remains to be seen, but there *will* be a revolution. The People are tired of the corruption, the lies and the status quo. Very tired....

[Ghost in the Machine]

37. The only "failure" would rest on the heads and in the hands of those who refused to convict

The crimes are already documented. The evidence is there to convict. Hell, der Chimpenfurher has admitted that he broke the law, then tried to pass new laws making his crimes legal.

The only 'failure' will rest on those who vote NOT to convict. It will show them as enabling criminal cohorts in a conspiracy to usurp our Government. We NEED an impeachment hearing to smoke these snakes out of their holes so we can identify them and target them for removal from office in the next election cycle.

It's time to take our Government back from the hands of criminals and return to the Rule of Law. By at least attempting impeachment, we show the rest of the world that We, The People, the American citizens, do not stand for or with these criminals. It's just that simple. There is no failure in the impeachment process, only rule of law or complicity in crimes. You get one or the other.....

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. A political backlash

Does anyone remember what happened in 1998? Apperently Conyers does.

[Senator]

39. Is NOT coming

This is not 1998. Any comparison to the Anti-Clinton farce is oxymoronic.

And even if it were comparable, exactly "what happened?" -- Not much.

And even if the dreaded, imagined backlash monster were under the bed ... and this is the hard question:

Why does "our side" get to benefit from ongoing torture and being a firewall for a war criminal regime?

--

[snot]

45. From the description, it sounded like Conyers was genuinely worried . . .

and however disappointed I may be that he hasn't initiated impeachment, I still respect his insight and integrity.

So the only explanation is "backlash," even though whatever backlash there was after 1998 didn't stop Bush from getting "elected"?

[Ghost in the Machine]

46. *Sigh* How many damn times do you impeachophobes have to be told something?

The repukes lost out because EVERYONE KNEW that their impeachment attempt was a partisan witch hunt. They had been trying to bring Clinton down from the day he took office. They were pissed because he took away Poppy's second term. Which is a GOOD thing, or we would have been going through this 10 years ago. It was all part of the PNAC agenda and it got derailed for 8 years.

Quit pushing your anti impeachment propaganda because it's BULLSHIT! Pull your head out of your ass and take a look around you so you can see what's REALLY happening. Laws have been broken and our Constitution has been shredded. We are a Nation in distress. Stop your damned lies and dissemination.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. I am about over Conyers

Just a few months ago, I had so much respect for him. Now I could slap him and not feel guilty.

Hey Mr. Conyers, remember when you asked us for these?

[Hissyspit]

17. That event, if reported accurately, seems VERY pandering. If it was a rethug

we would be all over him.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Which event?

The one in the OP?

[Hissyspit]

24. Yes.

Sorry for the confusion.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Yes good point

Why is Conyers getting a free ride on DU?

[Gregorian]

16. We need to ask him if Pelosi has him on a leash.

And who cares about political consequences! What consequences could be worse than what we have.

What a crowd! Good for them. They nailed all of the critical points.

[Wiley50]

20. Many of Us Are in For a Rude Awakening

When we finally get publicly financed elections

we won't have to wager our hopes and futures

on two-faced con men

Mr Conyers has been a showman for a long time

but the world cannot be saved with a Vaudeville routine

[AntiFascist]

28. To be honest, I initially had this opinion of Conyers when he began...

holding hearings on 2004 election fraud. They were great for allowing people to voice their grievances, but nothing much was getting accomplished.

[VP505]

23. With Bu$h's poll

numbers in the crapper, the RePublics scrambling to hold on to what little support they have left, when has there been a better opportunity to impeach with so little to loose politically. I just can't see the down side of publicly discussing impeachment, what would it hurt for Pelosi to announce that this Admin WILL be held accountable even if it means impeachment?

[FourScore]

27. This is a very poignant piece

Thank you for posting it. K&R

[eridani]

29. Please remember that politicians rarely lead

They act because the public pushes them. IMO, Conyers doesn't need more in person pressure. What he needs is a lot more cosigners on HR 333. We should all be bugging our own congresscritters instead of focussing so much on Conyers.

[goclark]

30. excellent point

[radfringe]

31. powder not dry enough.... n/t

[Ghost in the Machine]

33. I really think Mr Conyers is getting delusional or something. Does he think he's

a friggin' rock star or something now??

"While the discussion of health insurance for all and the great congressman from Michigan were well-received with cheers and applause, the cries for impeachment took center stage. In what has become routine now, Conyers fed into the momentum asking "What should we do?" "IMPEACH!" cried the crowd. "What should we do?" "IMPEACH!" and so it was repeated. The congressman went on to declare that we needed to bring back Rumsfeld and put him on trial and the big question was to decide who ought to go first. "Cheney!" shouted the crowd enthusiastically. Some knowing impeach activists in the crowd called the bluff asking "When are you going to act on this?" He replied that he was going to meet with impeachment activists. "When?!" they called. "Right after this march. Right here!" and he pointed back stage."

Yeah, go Johnny! go Johnny! It's ur birthday! GO Johnny, go Johnny, it's ur birthday! :puke: Do you think you're Eminem or something?

I used to admire and respect this man a lot. I remember the basement hearings. Remember his 400+ page Executive Summary? (right click>save target as> if you want to download it, otherwise just click it)

Mr Conyers? Please stop pandering and get back to doing business like you're still pissed off and you aren't going to take it anymore...

[leftchick]

35. the most important line in my opinion.....

"They reiterated that this was the will of the people and that a growing number of democratic constituents are positioned to walk away from the party if the dems do not hold this administration accountable."

I wish I knew how to put it in bold.

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. Like this:

"They reiterated that this was the will of the people and that a growing number of democratic constituents are positioned to walk away from the party if the dems do not hold this administration accountable."

[leftchick]

43. LOL! That Is What I am Talking About!!!!

Thank you Proud!!!

:)

[robinlynne]

40. excellent. Now we know WHY. Thank-you for the article, and for the respect you

show for Congressman Conyers, one of our very best. It is clear that only public outcry is going to make impeachment happen. And I don't understand why the dems think impeachment might fail? Why are they still playing the wrong (political) game?

[Hissyspit]

42. .