The NIN Weekly Digest
Portland OR Vol. I, No. 31 12/28/08
Edited by Barbara Ellis, National Impeachment Network (NIN) coordinator for
South Side DFA MeetUp Group and the PDX chapter of We the People National
Coalition for Impeachment.
PLEASE COPY/SEND TO YOUR BLAST LISTS AND ACTIVIST FRIENDS
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Impeachment Regulars at Blumenauer’s Office Received Media Notice, 'Joe Anybody' Photo, Message Is Posted on PDX Indymedia
Joe Anybody (aka Mike Tabor), the official videographer for Portland activists, posted the still photo below on the quixotic Portland.indymedia.org website last week. Have a look: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/12/384000.shtml.
Tabor plugged his video about the dozen impeachment regulars on Blumenauer’s doorstep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrVkUvrGdQ). He also paid tribute to them. He noted that up to Dec. 12, they’d put in 73 Thursdays from noon to 2 o’clock—rain, shine, heat (100º)or cold (30º)—urging the Congressman to support bills to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney submitted by Rep. Dennis Kucinich in this session (the 110th) of Congess.
He added:
The protest vigil is “to encourage and remind [Earl] that his constituents want accountability [from the Bush regime] and an honest and forthright presidency. By Earl Blumenauer’s refusing (and continuing to ignore the lawlessness) to hold the Bush Administration accountable for their human-rights violations and for their disrespect on upholding (protecting) the U.S. Constitution as our honored “law of our land”…[protesters] are outside his office (weeklyJ), showing the world that we (as individuals and citizens for justice) are displeased and outraged that [he] will tolerate and allow these violations.
The group holding this protest will be here ‘til January 20 (2009) when the Liar in Chief steps down from his stolen position.
Sad News Comes From This North Pole Scoop on Santa's Alaska Stop
On Dec 23, 2008, at 9:57 AM, NIN Cofounder Tobi Dragert (LA) wrote:
I know ... it's ENOUGH of her face already!!! But this photo had to go out ...
Lobbying Begins for Support of Rep. Baldwin’s Refiling Bill to Repeal Bush Regime's Violations of the U.S. Constitution, Other Crimes
On Dec 23, 2008, at 7:04 PM, NIN Coordinator Mike Baldwin (Hayward CA) wrote:
… I sent my Rep. Pete Stark an email about Rep. Tammy [Baldwin]'s bill [H.RES 1509 to repeal all of Bush/Cheney high crimes to the U.S. Constitution].
He usually is very good about answering emails, and I will let you know as soon as I here back from him. I actually feel we might have a chance with him. Fingers crossed here! Here's my letter:
Dear Pete Stark,
First, let me thank you for your being such a great Representative. You have always reflected our values in your votes, and have always asked for our opinion. I feel we have the best advocate in Congress, and it's such a good feeling when various web sites ask us to pressure our Representatives, and when they learn mine is Pete Stark, they reply: "Stark is already on board".
I'm not just saying that to soften you up, then ask you to get on board with something. Well kinda, but not really.
Lots of people are asking [Wisconsin Rep.]Tammy Baldwin (no relation unfortunately) to refile her bill to repeal the worst of the Constitutional damage the Bush regime has caused, preventing precedents from being set.
I am not sure there's any chance of her doing so, but if she did, would you be willing to sign on with her? [The bill] has no co-sponsors, and I feel that is a real shame.
I have attached a copy of the bill below, if you care to give it a glance.
Thanks so much for all you do, Pete. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
[ED. NOTE: View Representative Baldwin’s bill by clicking on: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery. Scroll down to No. 6, H.RES. 1509. To urge Baldwin to refile that bill for the new Congress immediately, either call her DC office by phone, at 1-800-828-0498/1-800-614-2803; or the district office, 608- 258-9800; or FAX at
608-258-9808.]
New Petition Asks Obama’s A-G to Appoint Special Prosecutor to Investigate Bush and Cheney Admission of Torture, Other War Crimes
On Dec 21, 2008, at 12:11 AM, and Dec. 22, at 4:50 PM, NIN Coordinator Sharon Lynch wrote:
A petition that has been launched jointly by the folks at www.docudharma.com and www.democrats.com requesting Attorney-General designate Eric Holder to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate torture and war crimes. It is a well written petition that is immediately receiving a strong positive response. …[including Holder himself Dec. 20].
At 3:30 pm last Monday (Dec. 22), there were 240 signatures, and at 3:00 am as I am writing, the count has grown to …3,800. It is currently posted on about 10 blogs (there is a badge/logo that can be easily added to websites), and we hope to promote it via activists groups as well.
If anyone reading would like to get involved in this effort, please let me know (sharon.lynch@verizon.net). At the very least I hope you will take a moment to read and sign the petition:
• To sign the petition, go to: http://www.democrats.com. It is posted at the top of the page.
• To read more about it, go to http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/20/131745/92/83/675199 and recommend [the bloggers] to keep it on the rec list for as long as possible.
• For additional background, go to www.docudharma.com where you can see the evolution of the idea and get text that includes html code if you would like to post it on your blog.
If you haven't a moment to learn about Holder, here is a good place to start: http://docudharma.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=11038. [It has] a clip of him speaking about the rule of law that shouldn't be missed.
Buhdydharma, who wrote the petition, has been one of the biggest proponents of impeachment in the blogosphere. This is what he thinks can make a difference. Here's the text of the petition he and the folks at docudharma wrote:
Dear Attorney General Designate Holder,
We the undersigned citizens of the United States hereby formally petition you to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any and all government officials who have participated in War Crimes.
These crimes are being euphemistically referred to as "abusive interrogation techniques" by such respected figures as Senator John McCain. These are euphemisms for torture. Torture is a War Crime. Waterboarding is a War Crime. The CIA has admitted waterboarding detainees. Recently, Vice President Cheney has brazenly admitted authorizing the program that lead to waterboarding, other forms of torture too numerous to list, and ultimately, the deaths by homicide of detainees.
As Major General Antonio Taguba, the Army general who led the investigation into prisoner abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison has stated:
"After years of disclosures by government investigations, media accounts and reports from human rights organizations, there is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes. The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account."
A bipartisan panel of senators has concluded that former defense secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other top Bush administration officials bear direct responsibility for the harsh treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, and that their decisions led to more serious abuses in Iraq and elsewhere.
We the undersigned citizens demand a full and thorough investigation immediately upon your taking office. This investigation should be pursued no matter where it may lead and no matter what the political implications may be. To this end, we remind you that you work not on behalf of or for the President or the Congress, but for the People of the United States of America and for Justice itself.
The United States is a representative democracy. The actions of our government officials are done in the name of its citizens. War Crimes have been committed in our name. Torture has been done in our name. The only way to clear our name of War Crimes is to repudiate them through the aggressive prosecution of each and every person involved to the full extent of the law through the appointment of a Special Prosecutor.
In case you haven't already seen the clip of Holder address the American Constitution Society, I strongly recommend taking 20 minutes to listen. After the last eight years it seems too good to be true, but gives me more hope than I've had in a long time. (http://acslaw.org/node/6720).
Let's send him a strong message about what the American public wants in accountability. Please sign the petition, pass it on to as many people as you possibly can, and take a moment to keep buhdydharma's diary on the rec list at dailykos.
….Send Holder, Obama, and Congress a message [too]. Let Michael Ratner [chair of the Center for Constitutional Rights] and [New York Rep.] Jerry Nadler know the people are behind them. With what Cheney [pulled last] week, they are going to need to know that we are all watching and are with them.
Again, to sign the petition, click on: www.democrats.com or: www.docudharma.com
Rep. Nadler’s No-Pardons, Non-Binding, 11th-Hour Bill (H.RES 1531) Barring Bush Pardons Pals Picks Up Nine Co-Sponsors—No Action
On Dec. 21, 2008, at 12:11 AM, NIN Coordinator Sharon Lynch wrote:
NYC’s Rep. Jerry Nadler no-pardons bill (H.RES 1531), hoppered Nov. 20 with no co-sponsors has picked up nine at press time. [ED. NOTE: This non-binder expresses: “The sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States should not issue pardons to senior members of his administration during the final 90 days of his term of office”].
In sign-up order, the nine are:
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 12/9/2008
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] - 12/9/2008
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 12/9/2008
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 12/9/2008
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 12/9/2008
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 12/9/2008
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 12/10/2008
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 12/10/2008
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 12/10/2008
The text of the the no-pardons bill is available by clicking on: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.RES.1531.
Nadler also wrote a letter to [current Attorney-General Michael] Mukasey Dec. 20, following up on Cheney's [public admission he authorized torturing prisoners], asking that Mukasey appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Cheney, etc. …This is the fourth letter Nadler has written to Mukasey—and before him [Attorney-General Roberto] Gonzales—requesting a special prosecutor. It is not likely to get more of a response than the others, but hopefully Holder will respond differently.
….Word has it that Nadler will introduce a new resolution when the 111th Congress convenes [Jan. 6] . Hopefully, these nine [co-sponsors] will co-sponsor immediately.
[ED. NOTE: Whether Nadler refiles the bill is unsure because he’s among the candidates vieing for appointment to serve out the term for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. The choice will be made by New York Governor David A. Paterson on the day Clinton is confirmed as Secretary of State and she immediately resigns from the Senate.
Of the 24 bills he’s hoppered in this Congressional term (2006-2008), two others were non-binders (HIV housing, human-rights violations). In fairness, he’s also hoppered a pair of major binding bills: Restoring habeas corpus rights to anyone the U.S. detains (H.R. 1416) and a woman’s “right to choose” (H.R. 1924).]
Probe of Pelosi (et al.) Complicity in B&C's Constitutional High Crimes, Said to Require Distinction Between ‘Fake’ & ‘True’ Pardons
On Dec 23, 2008, at 5:27 PM, NIN Coordinator Susan Harman (Oakland) wrote:
Calling for the criminal investigation of [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Cheney, et al. may be our best bet [of all the measures for accountability on high crimes]. Yes, and most smart people (even The New York Times!) are calling for a Special Prosecutor appointed by Congress, the new Justice Department, new Attorney-General, or Obama.
Sounds great! But what about fake pardons? I’ve just come up to Brattleboro to help … get signatures for [the] True Pardon resolution, which encompasses the Revelation Proclamation.
These [two documents] are both intended to debunk the fake pardons and head them off at the pass.
A true Pardon would offer Bush a plea-bargain: Turn states evidence and we’ll let you off (distasteful to all of us, but maybe necessary). The Revelation Proclamation is for Obama to issue during his Inauguration, declaring [any] Bush pardons to be “fake,” and, therefore, null and void.
….As for allies in the Senate, Carl Levin would be my first choice, given his committee’s recent report and his comments on the Rachel Maddow [radio program]. Other choices?
NIN’s Impeachment Ads May Galvanize Sen. Carl Levin, Others to Seek Accountability for B&C Despite Their Official Departure Date
On Dec 20, 2008, at 5:22 PM, NIN Coordinator Susan Serpa (Boston) wrote:
Read below and keep in mind this is directly following our [YouTube] ad on Cable TV in Manhattan. It's working! Our ad in Michigan might have Sen. Carl Levin to move on accountability.
The ad ran in San Francisco and is now running in Indiana. And we have a great radio spot NIN Coordinators Ralph Lopez (NYC) and Stuart ("Hutch") Hutchison (Wayne, NJ) put together.
For cable TV ads (San Francisco, e.g.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluuR56hRK0
For radio, it’s: http://nationalimpeachment.org/radioAd60sec.wav
Cable TV is pretty reasonable, but radio is even cheaper.
You can [create them] yourselves, or have us do it. Either way, we are here to help with free advice on how to place ads on TV or radio.
Keep it up! If they want an investigation for criminal behavior, then it's not at all a big leap to impeachment.
Public shame is working to keep the pressure on Congress to act [in the new session, starting Jan. 6 providing 10 days before Bush and Cheney and their minions leave office.
Impeachment is the only remedy to keep the dangerous precedent of the “unitary executive” from being passed on to future Administrations.
Only impeachment can curtail detention without charge and warrentless wiretapping of US citizens.
Only impeachment can return equal power to Congress.
Only impeachment can restore our Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Tell your Congressional Representative to introduce a single article of impeachment, personal privilege, 3-day-hearing, up-or-down vote—for history [and to save the three branches of government].
Impeachment Activists Receive Big, Year-End ‘Thank-You’ for Staying the Course, From Afterdowningstreet's David Swanson
On Dec 24, 2008, at 6:04 AM, NIN honorary member and blogger David Swanson (www.afterdowningstreet.org)wrote:
Huge thank you to … all who pushed for impeachment and are still pushing, and those who pushed for prosecution and are still pushing, and those who are seeking to prevent the acceptance of illegal pardons!
Your efforts educated the public, turned a nation swiftly against a war by exposing its lies, and built a movement and an agenda for criminal accountability and structural reform.
[As famous activist/newsletter editor I. F. Stone wrote]:
"The only kinds of fights worth fighting are those you are going to lose, because somebody has to fight them and lose and lose and lose until someday, somebody, who believes as you do, wins. … [F]or somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing—for the sheer fun and joy of it— to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose. You mustn't feel like a martyr. You've got to enjoy it."
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