This is my first diary ever, anywhere. At the least, I hope to surprise you a bit and, perhaps, provoke some thought.. I am not your average DailyKos member.
Never say never. I have considered myself to be to the right of Attila the Hun and a little left of Genghis Khan, particularly in regards to military actions undertaken by the US. At times, I agree with the John Birch Society on some issues, although I have never been a member nor will I. I could quite happily vote for Ron Paul (in fact I did so in 1988) or Dennis Kucinich although I do not agree with either in some areas. Yes, I know how different they are but there are striking similarities, as well.
Long Ago, in a Far Away Place..
It was the saddest, most disgusting, frightening event I had ever seen on television; there in black and white lay the horrific remains of the Democratic Convention of 1968. I sat glued to the event for the 3 days of Aug. 26 – 29, 1968 as Democratic Mayor Daley’s police laid waste to the hippies, yippies, peace activists and students while the politicians, safely ensconced in their womb of privilege, droned on and on about the Vietnam War and who should be the Presidential Candidate. They stood tried and convicted for the hypocrites they showed themselves to be. I was 13 years old and from that moment on I hated Democrats...
Now, they want to come to my city.
While I was a registered Republican for many years, I have never voted for a Republican Presidential candidate, save for President Ford. I have been the strictest of Libertarians or more precisely what has come to be called a "Constitutionalist", until 2004 when I voted for Sen. Kerry for President. In November 2006, I put aside my past and voted a straight Democratic ticket, in hopes the Ship of State might be righted by folks like John Conyers who seemingly wanted to correct the abuses to our Constitution. I should have known better. This, again was all talk – no action. The reknowned hypocrisy of politics rears its ugly head.
Knowing the Democratic Convention is coming to Denver next year, I thought a bit of investigation might be in order. So, this past Saturday 11/18, I attended the "Be the Change USA" seminar on Impeachment entitled, "Who Killed the Constitution". What made this so interesting to me, was this was a forum conducted by Progressive Democrats and here I was enjoying the conversations with the folk supporting Dennis Kucinich for President, the 9/11 Truthers (do not assume I agree with them), the guys selling Tankless Water Heaters, Colorado Impeachment Folk, "Clean Campaigns Colorado" and others. It strangely reminded me of attending certain "Patriot" gatherings and gunshows in the ‘80’s and 90’s.
From the above groups you can imagine most of those I spoke with had their own little cause unrelated to Impeachment itself; but, here they all are trying to bring about what they view as needed change to restore the Constitution and the Rule of Law. I am still unsure, though, what priority these individuals might place on Impeachment given their more narrow working focus on a day-to-day basis.
What was somewhat surprising to me was a definite antipathy to some of Hillary Clinton's positions expressed by many individuals at this gathering, if not an actual dislike of her candidacy. This might be due to the large Kucinich following gathered at the event. In any case, I heard no similar remarks regarding other candidates; although, I did hear one individual remark how he wished Bloomberg would run. Just reporting this, folks, so take it up with your progressive brethren if you have a problem.
I have chosen to leave aside the workshop and various local speakers, all of whom I enjoyed and want to thank for their time and effort. The more nationally known speakers were, Mr. John Nichols and Mr. David Swanson, and they were the main event.
John Nichols is a wonderful speaker and presenter of why we as a country must Impeach the current administration before they leave office, in order to preserve and protect the Constitution; moreover, he explained why this action is necessary to restore the balance of powers and correct what has become a malignant growth in powers within the Presidential Office.
David Swanson , also, is a great speaker with many interesting observations regarding impeachment. Together, Mr. Swanson and Mr. Nichols, conveyed a coherent argument for impeachment now and how this will go far to prevent possible abuses of power by the President in any future administration.
After the event, there was a small group of us speaking with Mr. Nichols. We talked about Mr. Bruce Fein's (a conservative) efforts both for Impeachment and to restore Habeas Corpus and other rights and Mr. John Dean's efforts in regards to Impeachment. Mr. Nichols has seen and understands the confluence of two ,seemingly, very different political groups coming together and reforging the basic tenets of our Republic as expressed in the Constitution. I concur with his analysis.
In fact, we are not as far apart as some on DailyKos would have you believe. I am not a "wingnut" nor a racist nor any of the other more virulent terms attributed to Libertarians or Constitutionalists. I try to treat every one with the respect they are due for simply being another human being. Likewise, I have a deep and abiding respect for what some term "The Commons" and have no interest in exchanging a necessary ruling evil, namely "Government", for the more troublesome and less constrained "Corporation". Simply, because I do not accept a "progressive income tax" or the Federal Reserve to be a good idea or F.D.R. to be a saint does not make me inherently some despicable "wingnut". I have very rational reasons for what I believe and like everyone else I am subject to err. Neither am I some wannabe "LIBERTARIAN" who only cares about the legalization of drugs - I quit long before many of these kids were born - so these types bore me. Whatever you think about the labels "LIBERTARIAN" or "CONSTITUTIONALIST" or "PATRIOT" or "CONSERVATIVE" may or may not apply to me; but, I can say one thing for certain - many of the posts I've read here are simply polemic without investigation when it comes to these subjects. They have no more truth than Limbaugh on liberals.
I am most definitely what Senator Alan Simpson once described as a "Mind your own G_ D_ business Republican." Another view of this is "Every person has a right to go to hell in their own way." I'm Sorry, the current Republicans found their way and insist on it being our way, as well.
On Impeachment, my own view is Congress should at least conduct once a week public hearings and investigations in the House Judiciary Committee on the Impeachment of the President and Vice-President through November 2008 then bring the Articles for vote in the House and trial in Senate in early January 2009. Maybe the Senate will have more political courage a day or 2 before they leave office in 2009, so no pardons can or will be issued by the current administration that then have to be honored later.
I encourage everyone to hear either John Nichols or David Swanson speak on Impeachment. Decide for your selves one way or the other. I, also, want to thank both Mr. Nichols and Mr. Swanson publically for their time and service to what might be a defining chapter in our Nation's history.
It must always be remembered that no decision or action forthcoming from Congress is also a decision and may well be the worst decision possible; sometimes a boil must be lanced, even if it hurts, to prevent a worse infection from invading the body.
Thank you for your time in reading these ramblings and lastly, if you can find it in your heart, sit down and get to know one of us oldtime, western conservatives - we may surprise you (if'n we don't shoot you first for trespass - snark).