John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) crosses the Rubicon

[Urbane Guerrilla]

What's keeping the Democratic impeachment-mongers on a leash is the occasional awareness that they, as members of Congress, should be trying to win the war. Dem Congressmen fail to do this at peril to their careers. America is watching the Jackass Party misidentify the enemy -- the myopically partisan among them would require the stimulation of a formal Congressional declaration of war before they would stop their silliness. It's a shame they have to be so damned dim.

That's why I haven't given my vote to a Democratic candidate for many years. I can't remember the last time I voted for a Democratic candidate for any office whatsoever. Looking at the jackass behavior of the national party, I don't see any prospect for a change. There aren't enough Liebermans to counterbalance the Kerrys and Deans.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

That's why I haven't given my vote to a Democratic candidate for many years. I can't remember the last time I voted for a Democratic candidate for any office whatsoever. Looking at the jackass behavior of the national party, I don't see any prospect for a change. There aren't enough Liebermans to counterbalance the Kerrys and Deans.

And there aren't enough McCains in the Republican party to counterbalance the DeLays, Pombos, and Cunninghams.

It also goes to the definition of 'winning'. Winning a war by tearing apart the Constituion is at best a pyrrhic victory. Almost every strongman and dictator in the world was given his power in a crisis.

Most people realize that the only reason the War or Iraq is under the umbrella of the 'War on Terrorism' is that the adminstration put it there. No amount of partisan posturing can change that fact.

2006 will be a very interesting election year.

[OnyxCougar]

Emphasis Mine....

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.


Find an Event in Your Area: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/event

Become a Citizen Cosponsor: http://www.johnconyers.com/index.asp?Type=SUPERFORMS&SEC={29336D51-F9AE-474D-8C08-8D69902D5149}

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.

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. [A copy of the report may be found at Raw Story.com and also at CensureBush.org.]


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.

I wish there was a candidate from North Carolina with balls like Conyers. Everyone always says "vote them in to change things" but when your choices are ball-less and suckup, there's not alot you can do beside vote for an opposing party, which isn't particularly responsible, IMO.

[richlevy]

Here is an interesting editorial e on Rep. Murtha, McCain, Kerry, and every other veteran who has complained and gotten smeared for disagreeing with the current adminstration. Complain too much, and they question your medals.

<nyt_headline version="1.0" type=" ">Purple Heartbreakers </nyt_headline>

<nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "> </nyt_byline>by JAMES WEBB
Published: January 18, 2006
<nyt_text> </nyt_text>Arlington, Va.

IT should come as no surprise that an arch-conservative Web site is questioning whether Representative John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has been critical of the war in Iraq, deserved the combat awards he received in Vietnam.

After all, in recent years extremist Republican operatives have inverted a longstanding principle: that our combat veterans be accorded a place of honor in political circles. This trend began with the ugly insinuations leveled at Senator John McCain during the 2000 Republican primaries and continued with the slurs against Senators Max Cleland and John Kerry, and now Mr. Murtha.