By Jennifer Umolac of ImpeachforPeace.org — On Tuesday, October 23rd, Impeach for Peace was granted a meeting with Representative John Conyers in Washington DC to discuss H. Res 333 and the status of impeachment. The meeting took place in the Judiciary Offices of the Rayburn building and was attended by Rep. John Conyers, an aide to Rep. Conyers and myself. There was no scheduled endtime for the meeting and ultimately the meeting lasted nearly 45 minutes. During this time many different aspects of the impeachment process were discussed. Representative Conyers was very generous with his time and made it very clear that he considers it very important for him to continue these conversations about impeachment. Unlike during his visit to Minneapolis, Rep. Conyers did not mention the matter of “time” as one of the factors against bringing forward H. Res 333. His most prominent rationale for not bringing forward the resolution was that he felt there wouldn’t be support for the measure and subsequently that it wouldn’t go anywhere. He spoke about all of the freshman Congresspeople who were elected in Red States and how they were unlikely to come out in favor of impeachment. He then stated that if he weren’t in his position, he would be “one of you…lobbying for impeachment.” I implored him to be one of us IN his position and to lobby his fellow Representatives in support of H. Res 333.
I also mentioned to him that I had a conversation with a Minnesota Representative, Tim Walz, who was in exactly that position, representing a traditionally conservative area that had narrowly elected him. In our conversation on impeachment, Rep. Walz had stated that though he wouldn’t sign on to H. Res 333, he would support articles of impeachment should they come to the floor. I suggested that this might be a far more widespread stance than he would expect.
Representative Conyers then discussed some of the on-going investigations and mentioned that the Judiciary Committee was going to go forward with Contempt of Congress charges against Harriet Myers, and that the best way to hold this Administration was by continuing with the investigations.
At this point in our meeting we were joined by Congressman Keith Ellison, who represents the 5th District of Minneapolis, home to ImpeachforPeace.org. Congressman Ellison is a co-sponsor of H.Res 333. There was much discussion of the discontent with Congress and the perception of many that this Congress has done nothing to hold the Administration accountable for the many abuses of power that have occurred.
When I expressed dismay with Speaker Pelosi’s leadership and asserted that, in my opinion, she had castrated the Democratic party by taking impeachment off the table, Congressman Conyers said “well, maybe we should get new leadership.” As we were leaving the meeting room, on our way to a filming for BET, we were again discussing bringing forward H Res 333 and the Congressman turned to me and said, “I really want you to convince me to do this.”
When we arrived at the location for the filming, Rep. Maxine Waters was coming out of the room and Mr. Conyers stopped her and introduced me to her saying “This is Jennifer and she’s here to lobby me on impeachment.” To which Rep. Waters instantly replied, “it’s never going to happen.” She then said, “I wish I could tell you something that would give you some hope, but I can’t.” I said to her, “Then maybe I can say something that will give you some hope,” and launched into a quick lobbying effort. I asked Rep. Waters if I could walk with her to her office, and we subsequently spent the next 5 minutes debating the “practicalities” of impeachment. (How impractical to defend the Constitution!) She seemed most moved by the argument that the Democrats are in danger of blowing the 2008 elections if decisive actions aren’t taken to show the electorate that the Democratic party is interested in change.
Upon returning to the filming for the BET segment, I had the good fortune to catch Rep. Conyers as he sung the praises of heroes such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King who led movements that brought about social change that at the onset seemed impossible. Leaving the room, I mentioned to him how glad I was to hear him honor those leaders who had stood up for what was right, despite the odds, and urged him to be that same kind of leader for his country and bring forward the articles of impeachment.
Jennifer Umolac
Impeach for Peace
Jennifer,
Again you do beautiful political work and then write it up so nicely. Thanks so much. Bob
Dear Nancy and Steny – LEAD or GET OUT OF THE WAY! Krash
Excellent piece and so good for all of us that you are there lobbying for impeachment.
The constitution is more important than any office or elected member. Pelosi should allow the process to move forward. She does not want to have this issue stuck around her neck in the future.
Thanks for all you do.
Beautiful work Jennifer. Thanks for telling us what you’ve been doing. It’s heartening for me to hear that Rep. Conyer’s is practically begging to be convinced. And I think thanks in part to your excellent responses and questions, you are helping us to turn the tide.
It makes more sense to me now that Conyers has been reticent on the issue. He doesn’t want to move on impeachment full bore until he is certain that he will win. Grass roots build up is the key. It seems to me that once enough energy is generated at the base, this thing will explode into a full blown impeachment.
It’s a delicate balance of timing and issues. Timing because it’ll be harder to impeach when Bush starts another war, but we can’t do it until the support is there.
One thing to keep in mind is that Bush has little conscience or empathy and he will do anything to save himself. I am quite certain that he will stop at nothing to keep his “legacy” intact. Here’s a guy who used to blow up frogs with firecrackers for fun, sucker punch opponents in Yale soccer matches, and as Governor of Texas, mock people begging for their lives on death row.
For the life of me I cannot understand why Cheney and Bush are still in office. They have broken so many laws. They’ve corrupted the entire legal system at the DoJ. And they’ve abused power like none before.
Do note impeachment is a remedy, not a political ploy (or shouldn’t be despite the politically-driven impeachment hearings against President Clinton for an erroneous and inconsequential act that was none of the nation’s business IMHO).
In contrast charges brought against Bush & Cheney are grave and serious. Their unprecedented abuse of power goes far beyond that of previous presidents. They’ve acted well-outside and well-beyond the rule of law.
When it becomes necessary to remove a president, the Founders understood the value of “impeachment,” which is mentioned 6 times in the Constitution. Neither have upheld the Constitution; that is impeachable.
“… George Mason, a primary author of the Constitution, said that impeachment was the single most important part of the entire document. “Shall any man be above Justice? Above all shall that man be above it who can commit the most extensive injustice?”
Legislators in Washington abdicated their responsibility. They have forgotten they represent the people and their sworn duty is to protect the Constitution. Instead they protect, allow and even encourage Bush & Cheney whose actions clearly demonstrate they believe they are invincible, free to act above the law. Well unless something is done, even if the next president doesn’t, you can rest assured future presidents will do likewise.
An assault on our Constitution is an assault on all of us.
Nancy Pelosi made a big mistake when she took impeachment off the table. She basically suspended the Constitution while giving Bush and Cheney the heads-up they could literally do anything and not have to worry about it.
The National Lawyers Guild unanimously passed a resolution supporting the impeachment of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney listing 16 incidents of abuse of power and/or criminal activity. (certainly many more charges could be added). Impeachment articles already passed in numerous cities across the nation.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/28354#comment
Because Congress is unwilling to bring impeachment to the table and
“Congress’ ongoing complicity with the war, the torture, the lies, the warrantless wiretapping, and the imprisonment without trial, and its failure to protect rights and civil liberties, it is up to the people themselves to defend the constitution and our civil liberties by building larger grassroots movements, including a movement for impeachment.”
The only way to remedy the abuse of power Bush & Cheney seem to think they are entitled to and to prevent future presidents from following in their footsteps is impeachment. It is in the Constitution and it is the Law. The Founding Fathers understood the importance of it. Why the Congress continues to ignore their responsibility is way beyond my comprehension.
How come Maxine Waters dismissed your efforts and just said that “its never going to happen”? How can John Conyers say with a straight face that he admires Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, when he has the power within his hands to put Dick Cheney under the microscope of justice and yet he refuses (by free choice) to do it? By refusing to address the criminality of this administration, the Democratic leaders are themselves complict in all the Bush-Cheney lawbreaking, war crimes, blood, war-profiterring, and bankruptcy. Their behavior is the very definition of an accessory-after-the-crime. Not only is this not leadership, it is a form of protection and safe sanctuary given by The Democratic Party leaders to Richard Bruce Cheney and all of his lawlessness and mass-murder. Bush may have started the War, but blood is on the hands of the Democrats until they start protecting the U.S. Constitution and stop protecting War Criminals.
Jennifer- Thank you for making the case so effectively. You brought some sunlight, you brought some air.
Thanks for the great report and insight into what the people we need to influence are thinking! Great Work!
Mark Manley