September 24, 2006

  • Don't just join a group or a movement, START ONE!!

    "We are the ones we have been waiting for"

     It has taken place. The movement of urging City Council – here in Newark – to demand that our Congressmen (of Ohio’s 12th and 18th Districts) immediately support and/or co-sponsor H.Res.635 is underway. On September 18th, 2006. I stood before Council and gave the following speech (this is in original context, I did do some minor grammatical editing just before I spoke.):

    "Members of Council,

     My reasoning for being here is to urge your consideration, drafting and passage of a resolution that demands the Congressmen of the 12th and 18th Districts to co-sponsor H.Res. 635. Which says the following:

     

    Creating a select committee to investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment.”

     

     I recently sent you a letter that requested the passage of this resolution in the model of Newfane, Vermont’s Town Hall resolution that passed in late 2005, which encouraged six other town halls in Vermont alone to pass similar resolution leading to Congressmen Bernie Sanders – the only independent in Congress – to sign on as a co-sponsor to this resolution.

     

     Similar resolutions have been passed at the local level of government in California, New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. In addition to this are the resolutions under consideration in Illinois and Pennsylvania, alongside State Level pending resolutions in California, Illinois and Vermont.

     

     As I did in my letter, I will repeat here tonight a reminder of the fact that Impeachment – an act that has only been successful twice in the past – is merely an indictment and is NOT a punishment. The resolution that I’m asking you to demand our Congressmen support isn’t even for impeachment – yet. It creates a committee that will investigate Bush’s war policies and opens the door for impeachment. In effect, it turns a two step process into a three step process.

     

     I’ll remind you that I am not in this alone, nor is this an attack against one party. I sent you a copy of a letter that I sent to DNC Chairman Howard Dean that which warned that if the Democratic Party doesn’t openly endorse this congressional resolution, then they will no longer receive money from me. I plan on sending a similar letter to the state Democratic Party as well. Furthermore, as a club member of the local party, I will renounce my official membership to that party if they do not endorse this in an ample amount of time.

     

     Why is this so important that I would stop supporting every level of the Democratic Party should they fail to act now? Because defending this Democratic-Republic from corruption and tyranny shouldn’t take a backseat to a Politician’s or Party’s selfish quest for power or more of it. If winning elections is more important than defending democracy when it matters – even if the odds are stacked against you – then that individual or party isn’t deserving of the power they seek.

     

     Remembering that you are – as elected members of local, state or federal government – servants of the people and as defenders of the United States Constitution; I implore you to act now. Our Constitution is in crisis and it is vital that you act now.

     

     What does the Constitution say about impeachment? In Article II, Section 4, it reads: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

     

     I have researched – and continue to research – the laundry list of impeachable offenses that have been committed by this administration. With at least 13 central subjects to focus on, I have dozens of resources that affirm my position. This includes over 750 broken laws, violations of at least 9 Constitutional Amendments, Treason, Bribery, and many other unconstitutional actions. There is no doubt that George Bush qualifies for impeachment.

     

     Reading the history books, you will find that the two presidents that have been impeached have seen his action based on weak cases. Why were they impeached? President Andrew Johnson was impeached in the late 1800s for firing a member of his cabinet. Why’s this an impeachable offense? Because it was a violation of a law that the Republican controlled congress passed – overriding a veto – that restricted the president from terminating a member of his own cabinet. The Supreme Court would later rule that law unconstitutional because the Executive Branch works for the president, and the chief executive officer doesn’t need the consent of the senate to fire a member of cabinet, just to appoint one.

     

     President Clinton was impeached for more serious charges with regards to perjury, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, but those were centered on his extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky along with all his actions to cover those actions up. Contrary to what you may or may not believe, Clinton was punished, paying finds, accepting the consequences through disbarment and relinquishing his right to serve on the Supreme Court, all after he later confessed to having deceived the public regarding that matter.

     

     If action is not taken now, then it will set a precedent for all future occupants in government that they can disregard the constitution, international and American law and get away with it. Is that what this country was created for? I realize that we live in a city and county that leans Republican. However, your duty to protect the constitution from the rise of tyranny supersedes the duty to do the bidding of the public, because the very foundation of all our rights is within that 230 year old document. It is the sacred Holy Grail of this great land, and even of the movement of democracy throughout the world.

     

     As a proud American, I see the desecration – through certain policies – of our constitution as sacrilegious, and disgraceful. I pledge to be here every time this Council convenes – in defense of this cause, with the necessary information – until either this resolution has passed, Congress has passed H.Res.635 or until it is clear that Bush’s tenure in office will be at an end without any action taken.

     

     Thank you."

     Afterwards, I heard some responses from City Council Members:

     Councilwoman At-Large Irene Kennedy (D): She expressed her belief that the local government isn’t the proper arena for this debate, and that I should start a “citizen’s petition”.

     Councilman At-Large David Rhodes (R): Noted that he completely agreed with Kennedy.

     Councilman At-Large Bob Diebold (R): Boldly stated that neither party had the answers and that only the people do. Agreed with the previous two Council Members. He then told me – privately – that my movement was cool, and even encouraged me to keep returning with follow-ups.

     7th Ward Councilman Bill Rauch (D): He told the press that he agreed with Rhodes and company, and expressed support for a possible new petition. He stated in council that he wasn’t too impressed with the previous two impeachments, but that the current Repug controlled government must make Warren G. Harding proud.

     Council President Marc Guthrie (D): I’m so happy that I know him personally. He told me that he greatly admired my “courage and tenacity” in this movement and that I remind him of himself when he was my age. I have begun to see this man as my mentor, it is so easy to look up to him, because he is so honest and right to the point. I’ll always have incredible respect for this man.

     I was very disappointed that my representative in Council – Democrat Shirley Stare – who remained silent on this issue. But, that’s why October 2nd will be so important. It will be the second of many speeches to come!! Down with BOOsh!!

     Repugs recently began slinging mud in Clinton’s direction claiming that he was to blame – yet again – for 9/11. On Fox News, Clinton slung the mud right back at them. He told them how it is when he insisted that he tried his damnedest to capture or kill bin-Laden, despite right wing accusations of “wagging the dog” and an apparent “obsession with bin Laden”. He then wanted to know why BOOsh has treated Afghanistan as if it’s 1/7th as important as Iraq in the “war to terrorize”, and why BOOsh has taken more time to get Bin Laden despite the fact that he has had more chances and support in his pursuit. You go Clinton!!!

     Did you know that some high profile Repugs even admit that their party broke the law in disenfranchising Democratic Voters, hell, they even think it’s funny!! Let’s all join in on their joy and laughter!!! Down with Democracy!!

     I want to know why there are those out there that would want to rip our brave men and women off. Why would anyone want to scam a soldier or the family member of one into getting a loan that is going to charge them interest that will bankrupt them? Furthermore, why are some Repugs so reluctant to stop it?!! What injustice for the people that sacrifice so the rest of us won’t have to.

     Does it creep anyone else out that there are so-called religious groups that train children and young teens to live by BOOsh’s example and even go as far as sometimes praying BEFORE A CUT-OUT cardboard IMAGE OF HIM?!!! Sure does here…

     If you think that Repugs stand strong for religion, then you have it dead wrong. How come, the Repug ran IRS has punished churches when they speak out against war, but when it comes to other so-called religious groups that openly and actively mobilize to get certain politicians elected; they receive no citation or phone call from that same government entity? Why? It’s because Repugs don’t care for Democracy, the Republic, or Religious Freedom!! That’s why they don’t like the separation of church and state, because the simply want a Theocratic Government that tells us what religion to practice.

     BTW, if some out there would be so naïve to believe that it would follow Jesus Christ, then you have another thing coming. Since when did Christ support the Death Penalty, War, Torture, “Shoot First Laws”, suppression of freedoms, tax breaks for the rich, and refusing the inherent right of accessibility to healthcare for ALL AMERICANS? There are so many more issues to note here, but the Repugs benefit more from the APOSTATE church, not the actual movement that obeys the commands of Jesus Christ.

     Did I ever mention that the Repug ran FCC has been censoring reports that could badly damage the image of our monopolized media? Well, it has. Isn’t it so odd how group of thugs could disrespect and disregard all of these Constitutional Amendments without recourse? America is truly an awesome nation.

     Also in a move to suppress the equal rights of the underprivileged, the Repug controlled House recently passed a bill to force voters to show an ID at the polls. This is despite the fact that there are many voters out there that could lose their IDs, and not have access – at that time – to any other proof of identification. Just another event that proves their true hatred for Democracy.

     According to a retired General, military operations in Iran have been underway for a year and a half!! He has cited evidence that has been given to him from a number of sources and has even pointed towards the similarities to the escalated military operations in Iraq in 2002 (without Congressional approval). War – officially – is right around the corner as it seems. (I’m really hoping I’m wrong)

     What a shame this Congress has become… I mean, when there are leaders an either side of any of the two houses that refuse to identify any interrogation methods that might qualify as tortuous because it could help the enemy train in defense of it, then this parliamentary body has truly lost its way. We MUST save the Republic!!

     According to a recently released report, our Prisons are unable to prevent the recruitment of inmates for terrorist organizations! Due to our overpopulated system, combined with a lack of qualified Muslim chaplains, the system has to rely on Muslim volunteers to come in and counsel the inmates when they request it. The result is that a large number of these volunteers are distributing deceitful and radical versions of the Quran, and leading a lot of inmates to have sentiments of hatred towards fellow Americans and other non-Muslims. Beautiful!!

     One Canadian man recently fell victim to BOOsh’s policies of CIA detainee renditions. He was captured in New York – en route from a trip in Tunisia to his home in Canada – and taken – in one of our government planes – to the Mideast, and eventually sent to Syria where he was detained for close to a year and beaten regularly with a metal cable until Bashar Assad’s Government concluded that he had no terrorist ties and released him. This is undoubtedly a WAR CRIME, and BOOsh MUST BE PUNISHED!!

     An employee of Halliburton that was injured in a convoy attack was actually offered the Defense of Freedom medal on the condition that he relinquish his right to sue to corporation that he works for. What a great American Corporate Entity to represent us in our Global Empire!! Screwing us over by curtailing our rights, one case at a time…

     Dumb-ass Rums-failed has claimed that if we had kept Saddam in power to this date, then he’d be even richer from the petrol sales!! Oh my Gosh!! He’d have the ability to get rich of off selling oil!! He’d gouge our gas prices!! Wait, hasn’t that happened ANYWAYS since Saddam was deposed?!! Oh yes, because the production of oil has been cut, therefore causing an increase in the price of oil!! Repug really should give up on their gas price rhetoric right now, it’s becoming too easy to connect the dots (relating to the dropping gas prices and their election hopes.) Stop while you’re ahead…

     Following suit of other countries that seem to be headed in the same direction; Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s son has proposed that his country join the nuclear club!! That’s all we need, another dictatorial regime with Nuclear weapons, but with all of BOOsh’s rhetoric and lack of respect for Cold War-era anti-nuclear treaties, many third world countries are bound to go back on their word to stay away from enriching uranium, using plutonium or, the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Great job Mr. Ass-face!!

    Tonight's Conclusion

     As I started this out, don't wait for a movement to catch your eye before you jump in. Hit the ground running with your own movement. We have never been a nation of followers, we are a nation of leaders, take advantage of the Democratic-Republic and become the wind-changer, become the radical change that you long for, be that inspirational leader that you have been looking for!! Start as soon as you finish reading this if you can...

     Just as Howard Dean once said during the 2004 Campaign "You/we HAVE THE POWER!!" Use it!!

    TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS

Comments (2)

  • This was a really cool entry... I am glad that you stood up and spoke your mind.

    Keep us informed!

  • Indeed I will...my next address before Council is this MONDAY!!

    I'll be sure to keep all posted on the progress of this movement, and will post the full transcript of my addresses.

    TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS

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