David Swanson is introducing John Nichols, who will host this brief event. Cong. Kucinich is on his way, and we are hoping for a photo op of The good Rep. standing next to Dana Milbank (WaPo snark, who mentions DK's height every chance he gets, altho' DK may tower over Milbank).
Cindy Sheehan, Bob Fertik, Tina Richards, Gael Murphy, Medea Benjamin and many others are here.
In fact this gathering is a reunion for the HipHop tour; we have Vets for Peace as well.
Courage, patriots, the Republic is in danger," John Nichols opens...
The folks who are here are the ones who are canaries in the coalmine (to borrow a phrase). These folks have been in the streets, in the op eds, have been denigrated and derided, but who have, nevertheless, continued on as truthtellers and light shiners.
Dennis Kucinich now up, thanking those who have gathered in defense of the Constitution across the country. The resolution introduced yesterday, HR 333, is the approximate number of the US soldiers killed in Iraq.
In today's WaPo, Dana Milbank suggeste4d no one is with Dennis Kucinich, but he is pointing out that the PEOPLE are with him. Representatives WILL hear from constituents.
Thew ACCOUNTABILITY movement that is sweeping the country is the real patriotic movement. "Patriotism is standing for truth." Dennis Kucinich
Next up: Debra Sweet from the World Can't Wait: Today we issue a challenge to the people in Congress and in the US. The political will of the people must not be derailed by any prattle about the "political reality."
Before the program began I overheard some discussion about why some of the state level initiatives about impeachment have failed to move forward (although Vermont seems to be an exception--they are voting today). The answer seems to come back, over and over, to "the case has not been made". Later I would like to discuss this belief--to unpack it and look at what lies behind it.
Chris Hedges is up now: "George Bush has refused to sign the Kyoto agreements, defied the Geneva conventions, etc...Most egregiously he initiated an illegal war based on false information we now know was a lie."
Hedges lambasting Bush on every single crime and evil act since 2000. He is gathering a crowd...
A warm welcome for Cindy Sheehan: She brings up all the Iraq Vets for Peace, MFSO, GSFP, etc. "This is just a start. Everyone in their administration needs to go."
"We elected them to do their jobs!"
"We can't afford to wait ONE MORE MINUTE to end this war."
John Nichols: "There are people inside that building (Cannon HOB) who tell us they do not have TIME to bring these criminals to justice. We don't have time not to."
Daniel Ellsberg: "This is not a partisan issue...The impeachment clause was written into the Constitution with officials like Bush and Cheney in mind."
Code Pink women are in pink cop outfits and they have subpeonas in hand...
The mayor of Nyack NY is here; they urged their Rep to impeach.
Mayor Rocky Anderson (Salt Lake City) up now: A little while ago he thought impeachment was too radical an action. But in too many fundamental ways, this administration has betrayed democracy. And now we can no longer distinguish ourselves from governments who condone torture, who oppress people, who listen in on citizens' conversations."
"So impeachment is absolutely crucial. We are at that fork in the road. We can either choose to condone violations of principle and law, or we must act." Rocky Anderson
I have to add that I heard nothing about impeachment on NPR this morning...or anywhere else for that matter. Are we really this cynical?
Questions from the media:
Asking Nyack mayor how the process happened. Answer:two residents brought it forward to him. He used to be a school teacher and he adds that if two students bullied others two weeks before graduation, he still would have expelled them.
Could not hear question, but David Swanson calling on all of us to contact Members. It can happen. George McGovern predicted in the LA Times that the President and te Vice-President will be removed. The people are the first to know.
Linda Boyd: "A housewife for imperachment" from Washington State speaking. "People like myself can create a better future for our children".
OK, people, what will you do today???