Keith Ellison, who I just listened to speak at the Peace Rally in Loring Park last Sunday, voted with the mainstream Democrats in favor of the supplemental bill to continue funding the Iraq War, which passed the House 218-212. He, the most loyal peace politician we all know, voted to continue funding the war.
Ouch.
Our House Representative – MY Representative Keith Ellison did, however, participate with the national Democrats to narrowly pass a bill to call an end to this endless war at some point – a bill that the ‘resident has already pledged to veto anyway.
Am I disappointed with Keith Ellison, who I also supported above and beyond all other Democratic candidates long before he received the DFL endorsement?
No… but yes.
I called and asked his aides to tell him to vote against it, then I called and explained after the fact how I understood the choice Keith had made to vote for it.
Neither vote would have ended the war. Neither vote would have changed anything except in forcing the public dialogue – in framing the debate.
This ‘resident will not obey Congress so the passage of this bill means nothing to him. His veto is a guaranteed death to it. This ‘resident will not obey the Supreme Court, instead he simply has Congress pass a bill to legalize his lawbreaking after the fact (Military Commissions Act). This ‘resident will not be held accountable to the oversight of any purported “checks and balances” willingly.
This ‘resident considers himself a Unitary Executive. Do you understand what that means? Unitary = only. Executive = the person… in whom the supreme executive power of a government is vested.
HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF THE ONLY PERSON IN WHOM THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE POWER OF OUR GOVERNMENT IS VESTED.
This ‘resident has no-one above him. In his own mind he is a caesar. He does not consider himself to be a public servant. He considers himself the only authority – the only decider – after Cheney and Rove tell him what to think and what to say.
At least his reaction to the passage of this bill might reveal him to be what he is to a few of those for whom the visage is still a bit hazy.
He is the figurehead of an evil that simple protests or votes in Congress will never allay or thwart.
The only possible path to peace is through justice. He must have his power taken away from him.
Without impeachment, there will be no justice.
Without impeachment, there will be no peace.
Without impeachment, there may be the last war in human history in our lifetimes.
If you are trying to achieve peace without accountability your efforts are in vain. Keep burning the candle wax. Keep marching. Keep carrying the signs…
… but by all means don’t commit to holding him accountable. That might actually carry some weight and have some results.
… see you at next year’s peace rally?