From a friend of IFP — I met with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono during her visit to Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I began by handing her a packet of “homework”, and asked that she read and give some consideration to the articles I provided. I then described the authors of the three articles I included: Ray McGovern, 27 year veteran CIA analyst; Scott Ritter, former UN arms inspector; and the psychoanalyst author of the book “Bush on the Couch”. She listened with smug condescension as I made a passionate plea for her support of HR 333 (Articles of Impeachment against Richard B. Cheney) as the only way to stop a US war of aggression against Iran. A war that will be far more disastrous than the occupation of Iraq, and will necessitate a further descent into tyranny and military rule in America. Ms. Hirono answered by indicating that she and her fellow Democrats in Congress had no intention of giving their support for an attack on Iran. I asked her why they were so certain that the approval of Congress would be sought–a question she ignored.
The American people have been betrayed once again.
The Honolulu Advertiser
Hirono talks story with constituents in Kahului
By Melissa Tanji
KAHULUI — Although Maui residents didn’t always hear what they wanted, those that visited with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono on Saturday were pleased to have a chance to speak one-on-one with their U.S. Representative.
[...]
Robert Pollock of Keokea said he couldn’t get Hirono to commit to his personal request to support Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s effort to begin an impeachment inquiry for Vice President Dick Cheney. While he didn’t get the answer that he wanted, Pollock said he was pleased to have an opportunity to meet face to face with Hirono and did find common ground with her.
Citizens’ Impeachment Hearing in Hawaii:
Monday, April 23, 2007 Keaau Forum on Impeachment
Public Forum – Join your neighbors!
Dramatic Presentation! First citizen impeachment hearing is set for 7 -9 PM
Kea`au Community Center (Behind the Kea`au police station and Bay Clinic)
Sign up, and testify for or against impeachment.
A vote of the jury present will be taken at the conclusion of testimony.
The charges — The President and Vice President have failed to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” in the following ways:
1. They have manipulated intelligence and misled the country to justify an immoral, unjust, and unnecessary preemptive war in Iraq.
2. They have directed the government to engage in domestic spying without warrants, in direct contravention of U.S. law.
3. They have conspired to commit the torture of prisoners, in violation of the Federal Torture Act and the Geneva Convention.
4. They have ordered the indefinite detention without legal counsel, without charges and without the opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention — all in violation of U.S. law and the Bill of Rights.
5. They have allowed their corporate sponsors to plunder the treasury.
These are the impressions by Bob Schacht as reported at pd-hawaii.com about Rep. Abercrombie’s views on impeachment during the April 7th meeting hosted by Americans for Democratic Action (Hawaii) and Progressive Democrats of Hawaii in which the parents of Ehren Watada attended.
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– Abercrombie said that he would vote for a motion to impeach, if it came to the floor. However, he didn’t think that it would happen.
– He also thought there weren’t enough votes in the Senate to find Bush guilty.
– He thought that there were more important things to do, and worried about the House getting tied up in knots debating impeachment.
– At one point, he defended the Democratic congress, pointing out how much had been accomplished in only 3 months, and that aggressive investigations were under way against the President’s misdeeds.
Not all the questions were about impeachment, but that was the main focus. After the Q & A had gone on for an hour, I was getting signals from Amy that we had 5 minutes more, but the questions were still coming fast and furious passionate, so when I tried to wrap things up, Rep. Abercrombie brushed aside the concern over time, and continued to respond to questions for another 20 minutes or so, and then stayed afterwards for about 15 minutes talking to individuals, including the Watadas, before leaving.
This meeting will not be the last word, but hopefully the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with Rep. Abercrombie. We are grateful for his attention, and for being so generous with his time!
If you were there, please add your own comments on the meeting!
Bob Schacht
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Contact info for the Hawaii State Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee:
Clayton Hee
Phone 808-586-7330 senhee@Capitol.hawaii.gov
From a friend of IFP — I met with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono during her visit to Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I began by handing her a packet of “homework”, and asked that she read and give some consideration to the articles I provided. I then described the authors of the three articles I included: Ray McGovern, 27 year veteran CIA analyst; Scott Ritter, former UN arms inspector; and the psychoanalyst author of the book “Bush on the Couch”. She listened with smug condescension as I made a passionate plea for her support of HR 333 (Articles of Impeachment against Richard B. Cheney) as the only way to stop a US war of aggression against Iran. A war that will be far more disastrous than the occupation of Iraq, and will necessitate a further descent into tyranny and military rule in America. Ms. Hirono answered by indicating that she and her fellow Democrats in Congress had no intention of giving their support for an attack on Iran. I asked her why they were so certain that the approval of Congress would be sought–a question she ignored.
Citizens’ Impeachment Hearing in Hawaii: