The Impeachment Hearing Room

Impeaching Bush and Cheney: Drop Everything And Prepare For The Show Down!

The Message: Impeach Now! Either Turn Around Coward Or We Will Turn You Out In November. Let Them Know It Is That Simple…You Can Be Blunt. This Is Our Nation Not Theirs! Congress In A Constitutional Work Place Not A Political Play Ground; So House Members Grow Up And Do Your Job…The Right Way. Check Your Oath!

And Don't Listen To The Nonsense That: "We Don't Have The Votes." Remind Them That It's Their Job To Get The Votes, And That If They Don't Someone Else Is Going To Get Your Vote In November. That They Understand!!

THE IMPEACHMENT TOOL BOX (Use It Now!)

We need to jam the House Phone System, The Email In Boxes and Over Heat the Fax Machines, and in between times do the same for the Media. This is it…time to Roll Our Dice;

Take Pelosi’s loaded pair “Off The Table”!

Conyers Plans Impeachment Substitute
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers is shelving impeachment hearings on George W. Bush, but will hold a wide-ranging inquiry on Bush's abuses. July 18, 2008

Rebuffing Dennis Kucinich’s calls for impeachment hearings on George W. Bush, the House Judiciary Committee instead will hear testimony about Bush’s “imperial presidency” and several of his administration’s scandals.

In a press release issued Thursday, Rep. John Conyers, House Judiciary Committee chairman, said his panel will explore a variety of Bush controversies, including manipulation of prewar Iraq intelligence, politicization of the Justice Department, and refusal to cooperate with congressional investigations.

But the Michigan Democrat also left little doubt that the committee’s review was meant to fend off demands from Rep. Kucinich that Conyers initiate impeachment proceedings against Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

With impeachment ruled out, it’s unclear how much the Judiciary Committee’s inquiry can accomplish, given Bush’s broad assertion of executive privilege when his subordinates are faced with congressional questions about criminal and other wrongdoing.

Conyers’s committee faced just that dilemma earlier Thursday when former Attorney General John Ashcroft refused to answer an array of questions about his role in decisions regarding warrantless wiretaps and harsh interrogations of detainees in the “war on terror.”

In effect, President Bush keeps broadening his claims of executive privilege – even citing it Wednesday to cover testimony that Cheney gave in 2004 to a federal prosecutor about his role in exposing a covert CIA officer.

Bush knows that Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers, have long ago rejected impeachment proceedings, the one instrument included in the Constitution for Congress to wield against a President who has abused his powers.

With only six months left in his term, Bush can easily wait out any court challenges to his privilege claims, cases that might take years to litigate.

Nevertheless, in announcing the July 25 hearing, Conyers said his committee would address “possible legal responses” to Bush’s “imperial presidency.”

“As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Next Friday’s hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort,” Conyers said.

Abuses on Display

Among the topics cited by Conyers for the hearing are:

-- The forced resignation of nine U.S attorneys allegedly because some balked at politically motivated prosecutions.

-- The misuse of the “unitary executive” theory, which involved Bush’s presidential signing statements to negate laws passed by Congress.

-- The abuse of the government’s powers to investigate and detain U.S. citizens and to harm administration critics, including disclosing the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame after her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, challenged Bush’s use of bogus intelligence to justify invading Iraq.

-- The assertion of executive privilege to prevent Congress and the public from overseeing the administration’s actions and decisions.

Kucinich, D-Ohio, cited those issues and others, such as sanctioning torture and invading Iraq under false pretenses, as part of his 35 articles of impeachment, which were introduced in June.

The House sidetracked Kucinich’s resolution by voting – 251-166 – to send it to the House Judiciary Committee. At the time, Kucinich said he expected Conyers to hold hearings within a 30-day deadline Kucinich had imposed, but Conyers chose not to act.

Kucinich rankled Democratic leaders last week when he stated that he would reintroduce impeachment articles if Conyers and other top Democrats tried to derail his efforts.

Earlier this week, Conyers told Congressional Quarterly that his committee’s actions will be limited to a public hearing.

“We’re not doing impeachment, but [Kucinich] can talk about it,” Conyers told CQ.

While continuing to rule out any attempt to oust Bush, Conyers said Thursday he was alarmed by many of the President’s actions.

“Over the last seven plus years, there have been numerous credible allegations of serious misconduct by officials in the Bush administration,” Conyers said. “At the same time, the administration has adopted what many would describe as a radical view of its own powers and authorities.”

Responding to questions about Kucinich’s impeachment resolution, House Speaker Pelosi told reporters that "this is a Judiciary Committee matter, and I believe we will see some attention being paid to it by the Judiciary Committee. …

"Not necessarily taking up the articles of impeachment because that would have to be approved on the floor, but to have some hearings on the subject."

Before Election 2006, Pelosi declared impeachment “off the table,” in part, to avoid alarming centrist voters. Now, with Democrats hoping to gain additional seats in Election 2008, a similar political calculation applies, fearing a backlash against a last-minute drive to impeach Bush and Cheney.

It wasn't disclosed who would appear before the Judiciary Committee, but Kucinich said one interested party is an unidentified foreign official.

“I’ve been contacted by representatives of a U.S. ally who are seeking an opportunity to appear before the Judiciary Committee,” Kucinich told CQ.

“Legislative leaders of a foreign capital” have a “new angle that I haven’t thought of before but is relevant,” he said. “This interest in whether we’ve been told the truth has extended to other countries.”

Conyers to hold hearings on Bush presidency

Deb Price / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Rep. John Conyers announced Thursday he will hold Judiciary Committee hearings next week on the "imperial" Bush presidency -- a step the Detroit Democrat's allies on the political left quickly trumpeted as "impeachment begins."

Conyers, however, was careful in his news releases not to use the word "impeachment," which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders have repeatedly said is off the table.

Instead, Conyers said the hearing next Friday will look at "credible allegations of serious misconduct" by Bush administration officials and "what many would describe as a radical view" of power.

"As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Next Friday's hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort," Conyers said.

The White House did not return a call about the hearing. But Pelosi's spokesman said she supports Conyers.

"The speaker supports this hearing and appreciates Chairman Conyers' strong leadership to ensure proper oversight and accountability," said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who was a Democratic presidential candidate, has introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush, largely around his handling of the Iraq war. On June 11, the U.S. House voted 251-166 to send Kucinich's bill to Conyers' committee in what was seen as way to kill it.

But Democracy.com -- one of several left-wing activist groups pushing for Bush's impeachment -- sent out an email before Conyers' announcement Thursday titled, "Impeachment begins July 25." The group, which did not respond to an interview request, urged impeachment supporters to attend the hearing.

"This is not yet a true impeachment hearing," the group wrote in a widely distributed email. "but it is our opportunity to push for one, and it represents a tremendous victory...."

Conyers has already held numerous hearings looking into whether Bush has overstepped his constitutional powers, leading two veteran political analysts to conclude that the hearings essentially will be a sideshow to appease the powerful left wing of the Democratic Party, which through the Internet has become a formidable mobilizing and fund-raising force.

Michael Franc, a political analyst at the Heritage Foundation, said the Internet-based left of the Democratic Party "can't be dismissed as the crazy uncle in the attic. They are a powerful force in Democratic politics."

But Franc said the Democratic left "tends to criminalize differences of opinion on policy, vision and the use of power." As a result, Franc said, Conyers' hearing -- part of a larger, continuing spotlight on the Bush White House -- could backfire if a Democrat is elected president.

David Bositis, a political analyst at the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies, said "actual impeachment hearings could make voters sympathize with Bush at the very time his record-low poll ratings make him useful to Democrats in the upcoming high-stakes presidential and congressional elections.

"Bush serves a great use, because the Democrats are going to wrap George Bush around every Republican in the country," Bositis said. "Why risk a good thing?"

At 10 a.m. on Friday July 25th, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a preliminary hearing on the topic of impeachment, with a presentation by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. This is not yet a true impeachment hearing, but it is our opportunity to push for one, and it represents a tremendous victory after years of effort by millions of Americans who want to keep the Constitution alive. This never would have happened without your hard work. And we can't let up now!

MAKE THIS ONE BIG ENOUGH THAT WE CANNOT BE IGNORED!

The National Impeachment Network is organizing a rally and asking everyone who can to take a day off for justice and meet at 9 a.m. on Friday July 25th in front of the Rayburn House Office Building on the Independence Avenue side. Bring impeachment shirts and posters! For more information contact ningroup@gmail.com

NOTE: The hearing itself will be in Rayburn Room 2141 at 10 a.m. If you want to get in, you'd be wise to get in line VERY early.

Between now and Friday the 25th, please take these steps:

Contact your member of Congress in support of impeachment.

YOUR elected representative has the power to help restore our democracy and stop the outrageous abuses of executive power occurring right now.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich has proposed a resolution with 35 Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush, meticulously documenting abuses of power that include lying us into war, torture, warrantless spying, and much more. To read the articles, go to:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/bush

The Democratic "leadership" says "impeachment is off the table". Working with citizens across the country, Kucinich has put it on the table. Now it's our job to make sure that our representatives cosponsor H Res 1258.

Please call your representative at 202-224-3121 . Call EVERY DAY.

And please send them an Email:
http://www.democrats.com/35-articles-of-impeachment

Then, don't stop. Print flyers. Go after the local media and go after your representative with meetings, honk to impeach sessions, sit ins, and every other form of nonviolent pressure. It usually doesn't take much to turn one of these cowards around.

Ask the media to cover the hearing.

Find radio stations with call-in shows near you and call in:
http://radio-locator.com

Please politely and concisely, and IN YOUR OWN WORDS, request coverage from:

C-Span Washington Journal
Support Democrats:
(202) 737-0002

Support Republicans:
(202) 737-0001

Support Independents:
(202) 628-0205

Outside U.S.:
(202) 628-0184

Email:
journal@c-span.org

"Cover the Hearings on Articles of Impeachment H Res 1345"

The most important thing after the hearings begin is that they get shown on C-SPAN!! We are asking all Americans to call and email C-SPAN to demand they broadcast every minute of the momentous event of impeachment articles being brought against a President of the United States. This is not a partisan appeal. The politicians may think it is, but it isn't. It is about restoring the Constitution, the rule of law, and a clear-eyed view of the national security. Republicans, Greens, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, please CALL C-SPAN. We are all just Americans now.

http://www.capitolhearings.org

http://www.c-span.org/Topics/Congress-Legislative.aspx

C-SPAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Main Number: (202) 737-3220
C-SPAN Archives: (877) ON CSPAN (general number) or (877) 662-7726 (to order tapes)
Employment with C-SPAN: (202) 626-7968

Washington Journal: Support Democrats (202) 737-0002
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Washington Journal: Support Others (202) 628-0205

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Capitol Hearings.org
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MSNBC
Phone: (201) 583-5000 or (201) 585-2622

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CNN
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Email forms for all CNN news programs

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http://dontattackiran.org

UFPJ: Call to Action July 19-21: No War With Iran

Fox News Channel
Email
Phone: (212) 301-3000
Special Report with Brit Hume: Special@foxnews.com

FOX Report with Shepard Smith: Foxreport@foxnews.com

The O'Reilly Factor: Oreilly@foxnews.com

Hannity & Colmes: Hannity@foxnews.com, Colmes@foxnews.com

On the Record with Greta: Ontherecord@foxnews.com

USE YOUR OWN WORDS when you phone or write. If they get the same exact message from more than one person, that hurts us rather than helping us.

Also see this list of Email addresses.

Here's a larger list of national media contacts

Sign the petition at Congressman Kucinich's website.

Update: Kucinich to testify

In a release Thursday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) announced he will hold a hearing July 25 examining "the imperial presidency of George W. Bush and possible legal responses."

The word "impeachment" was not mentioned in the announcement, but it appears the hearing is going to examine issues raised by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) in his resolution to impeach Bush. A Judiciary Committee spokesman tells RAW STORY Kucinich will testify at the hearing.

“Over the last seven plus years, there have been numerous credible allegations of serious misconduct by officials in the Bush Administration,” Conyers said in a news release. “At the same time, the administration has adopted what many would describe as a radical view of its own powers and authorities. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Next Friday’s hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort.”

Conyers did not say who would testify at the hearing

Impeachment Begins: Be on Capitol Hill on Friday July 25th
http://afterdowningstreet.org/hearingday

At 10 a.m. on Friday July 25th, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a preliminary hearing on the topic of impeachment, with a presentation by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. This is not yet a true impeachment hearing, but it is our opportunity to push for one, and it represents a tremendous victory after years of effort by millions of Americans who want to keep the Constitution alive. This never would have happened without your hard work. And we can't let up now!

The National Impeachment Network is organizing a rally and asking everyone who can to take a day off for justice and meet at 9 a.m. on Friday July 25th in front of the Rayburn House Office Building on the Independence Avenue side. Bring impeachment shirts and posters! For more information contact ningroup@gmail.com

NOTE: The hearing has not been announced, but two members of Congress closely involved in this have told us it is at 10 a.m. on the 25th, and Chairman Conyers himself has so informed Veterans for Peace.