Daily Kos

Updated: Wexler Impeachment Petition Tops 67,000 Sigs

Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:07:05 PM PDT

In just two days a massive amount of people have responded to the Wexler Wants Hearings petition Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have put forth calling for immediate hearings on the impeachment of V.P. Dick Cheney.  

And the numbers continue to rise at a fast, steady pace.  

In the comments of a previous diary by dlindorff, coffeeinamrica said:

This will sound cynical... But I hope there is real grit to this Wexler effort and that it's not just a campaign tactic in his upcoming challenge!

That thought had crossed my mind, too.  But, as I noted, I think perhaps this one could be different.  Not only do we have three Representatives backing this effort, one of them, Rep. Baldwin sits on the very Committee it's intended to be delivered to.

In that spirit, I feel that we must indeed support their call to loudly, unrepentantly, and defiantly make our demands known.  We must continue to spread the word to those who are not yet aware of the call and to unceasingly question why the major media is not picking up the story.

I'm adding my voice to those 62,000+ folks who know what it will take to get our Nation back on track. I say our next aim is to put that number over 100,000.  Are you with us?

Tags: Robert Wexler, Luis Gutierrez, Tammy Baldwin, Impeachment, Dick Cheney, House Judiciary Committee, petition (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 122 comments

    •  HoosierDeb... (3+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      Empower Ink, pooh74, HoosierDeb

      Oh YES!!! I am with you all the way!  

      I just checked - 65,089  Yahoo!!

      Now, here are a few other things people can do that will help:

      Here's what I did and I want you to do it too because I believe it will help break this @#$%^&* Democratic leadership problem:

      ** I called the DNC. To my surprise, I was transferred to a very capable and helpful woman in the Director's office.  I assume that the Director's office is the place where Dr. Dean is.  I cried on her shoulder and told her how we feel... I begged her to talk to him and ask him to do something.  She said she would.  She thanked me for calling and then I said, "Wait. Don't just thank me for calling. I want you to talk to him and call me back with a report. Please, can you do that?"

      She assured me she would call me back. Meanwhile, the Wexler thing came up.  I doubt that it had anything to do with Howard Dean, but it was one hopeful step.

      I believe that something will happen if EVERY SINGLE PERSON who reads this diary calls Laurie.  

      Be sweet, upset and begging for Howard Dean to help take our party and this country back.  Remember Crashing the Gates?  That is why we’re here. The time is now and we must take them down first before we can ever get to Bush and Cheney.

      The woman's name in the Director's Office at the DNC is Laurie.  

      Democratic National Committee

      Main Phone Number:

      202-863-8000

      Call the main number and then ask them to transfer you to Laurie in the Director's Office.  

      Make it personal. Call her and have a heart to heart talk with her. Mention dailykos.com so that if she hears that enough that she will tell him and he'll come here and blog. Okay?  

      ** Here's another important thing you can do... tonight or tomorrow.  PLEASE!

      Join the Yahoo dailykos-IMPEACH group.

      I need some help with writing sample letters that we can give to people so they can begin to write locally to newspapers about impeachment and Wexler's site.  Let’s help people with sample letters they can use to write to their local papers... come and help me with that please!

      Post all of this information at any blog so as many people as possible call Laurie and the DNC.  I don't think Howard Dean will let us down, but I don't know what kind of power or authority he has... I hope it's not ZERO.  

      In my opinion, before we can remove Cheney and Bush, we have to confront both Pelosi and Reid.  Here’s another thing we can do.  It’s will be effective if they get enough calls.  

      **I've been calling every day and telling their phone people, "Hello, please tell Nancy/Harry that I represent 100,000 activists from the blogosphere and we're calling for her/him to resign. She/he does not represent the people of America on most issues, including impeachment, FISA/telecom immunity and torture.  Ask her/him to resign or we're going to bring her/him down."  

      They are (especially Harry's guy) always shocked when they hear those words.  

      Then I add, "And we're looking for the right progressive candidate to run against her/him.  We expect it to be a bad year for her/him." They don't like to hear that everyday... and if they hear it from 2000 people a day they're going to like it even worse!

      We are going to have to work on this over the holidays.  I pledge my time and efforts.  I want them gone so we can get our country back  Please come and help me at dailykos-IMPEACH

      **My final suggestion.  If you do this, please let me know how it works.  Even if 50 people do it every day for just an hour, it will help.  Maybe in cold and snowy states the HAD ENOUGH people can go inside the malls with a wireless laptop and a sign (get permission of course).  Bring a folding table and a couple of chairs.  Create a multimedia show (5-10 minutes of YouTube bliss on Cheney... you know the good ones.  Show the torture and the Gitmo shots.   Then ask them to sign the petition and send them to Wexler’s site:  www.wexlerwantshearings.com!

      Let me know if it works for you and how many people you signed up.  If it works, we can get more people to do it.  

      DO NOT do it without getting permission first... you don’t want the mall people to call the cops!  Okay?  That’s all I have for tonight.  Keep it going and know that we are UNITED all across the country.  We can get this done.

      Write yourself a To Do List and do it every day.  It gets to be a habit and it will create a wave of peace and an end of Bush/Cheney/Pelosi/Reid Neocon Party in the White House.

      •  Thanks so much for this! (1+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        victoria2dc

        I don't have to go in to work until noon tomorrow.  I can see I'll be having a busy morning!

        http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

        by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 07:19:57 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Yeah... all this plus (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          HoosierDeb

          keep your eyes on Harry... be sure to make that call first... and to your senators.  We have to have more than 3 senators support Dodd.

          We will beat Harry down on that bill tomorrow.  We have to.  We can't let him put that bill with telecom immunity up for a vote.

          Isn't it odd?  Only in the Democratic Party are some of the top Senators filibustering their OWN leadership.  Something is really, really wrong and that's why I'm hoping Dean will do something.

          Also, I've been studying the Jefferson Manual and I'm trying to get the files up on dailykos-IMPEACH Yahoo group.  I found out that there is a rule that allows the Speaker to be removed.  God, if we could make that happen then we have not only gotten rid of Pelosi, but Chairman Conyers doesn't have to deal with her "off the table" crap.

          I hope Congressman Wexler posts some news tomorrow.  I don't think he is looking for more than 50,000 sigs according to what I heard him saying on Randi Rhodes. He should be happy when he gets 100,000!! (Huge Grin!)

      •  PS... I've just zipped off a request to join the (1+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        victoria2dc

        Yahoo group. Am a pretty decent letter writer, so I'd love to help with that.

        http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

        by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 07:27:28 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Thanks Deb... (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          HoosierDeb

          I will send you an e-mail.  I have 2 big things to do... I want to figure out how to involve Media Matters in this.  You know how they put those clickable e-mails out there.  I want to contact them to include the NYT, WaPo and Miami Herald in their e-mail alert.

          I know they will help us... does anyone you know have a connection to them?  I just thought of this... we have a Colorado Media Matters.  I can call and go see them if necessary.  Hopefully they will see how important this is and take it national.

          Do you think I should put it in writing by just copying highlights from Wexler's site?

  •  Someone's running against Wexler this year? (1+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    HoosierDeb

    I see they are.

    Why the hell is Ben Graber running?

  •  Unless he levels with us.... (1+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    HoosierDeb

    ...re details of his conversations with Conyers on impeachment, my take is that this is just a cheap PR trick to beef up his campaign.

    •  Perhaps so, but so what... (4+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      snoopydawg, victoria2dc, bonesy, jayden

      it's still a viable avenue to make our wishes known.  Plus, he's got two other Reps standing with him on this.  Of course, Kucinich has been advocating this since April and has over 29 co-sponsors.  

      It's a long shot - but it's still a shot.  I'm willing to take it.

      http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

      by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:22:30 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  oops, typo (2+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        victoria2dc, bonesy

        over 20 co-sponsors.

        http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

        by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:23:31 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  It's certainly the best shot I've seen (7+ / 0-)

        taken by any Representative of the People. Finally we have a voice in what we want.
        Please recommend this diary, continue to run a diary every day to keep it on the rec list. Thanks HoosierDeb for picking up the ball. I signed the first night and also sent an e-mail to John Conyers. I asked him to jump on this train, because it's going someplace.

        *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

        by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:43:43 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Glad to keep the momentum rolling. (5+ / 0-)

          I think we can hit 100,000 by tomorrow.  I've also sent off a message to Countdown to draw their attention to it.  (Luckily, I have the e-mail addy for one of the producers so maybe that'll help, too.)

          http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

          by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:53:10 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  I sent several e-mails also, (3+ / 0-)

            Recommended by:
            victoria2dc, jayden, HoosierDeb

            McCafferty at cnn, one to KO at msnbc,and CBS. Thanks again HoosierDeb.

            *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

            by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:15:25 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Good Deb... thank you! (2+ / 0-)

            Recommended by:
            bonesy, HoosierDeb

            Can you paste that into a Word doc and send it to my e-mail addy?  Can we use that too as a sample media letter?

            Also, what media outlets should we send it to?  Someone said yesterday that they sent to CNN, but they didn't post the link or send me the sample note.  It's not that I can't do the work, but why reinvent the wheel when someone already did it?

            Do you think there's any sense to send it to Fox?

            What about Brian Ross?

            Should we/could we ask Muckracker to post the info... or they will do it already?

            I can write to Larissa @ Rawstory. I have talked to her before.

            What else?

            •  This is what I sent to Countdown... (2+ / 0-)

              Recommended by:
              bonesy, jayden

              Last Friday, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) joined with two other colleagues, Rep Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), in an appeal to American citizens to sign a petition calling for an immediate start for impeachment hearings for VP Cheney.  They were hoping to get 50,000 signatures.  Within 2 days, they've topped 62,000 - and it's still climbing rapidly.  Of note is that Rep. Baldwin is a member of the House Judiciary Committee - the very Committee enabled to call for the hearings.  Also of note, is that this news has not been even mentioned in any of the mainstream media.

              You can check the current numbers at www.wexlerwantshearings.com.  I sincerely hope you will pick up the story and get the word out to those who've yet to hear about it.

              Keep up the great work and thanks!

              I also just zipped off some letters to:
              Stephanie Miller (stephanie@stephaniemiller.com)
              Ed Schultz (wendyjoshultz@yahoo.com)
              Thom Hartmann (thom@thomhartmann.com)
              and Rachel Maddow via her website.

              I sent a shorter version to those contacts:

              I was wondering if you'd been keeping tabs on the effort by Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) on the petition he and Reps Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Juan Gutierrez (D-IL) started last Friday?  They were looking for 55,000 signatures.  As of this letter, they're at almost 66,000 and it's growing fast.  You can check the current totals at www.wexlerwantshearings.com and add your name if you haven't already.

              The mainstream media is ignoring the story.  The NYT & WaPo have refused to print an Op-Ed from them describing the petition & their motivations for starting it.

              Feel free to copy as is or adjust as you feel necessary.

              http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

              by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 08:33:31 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  Thanks for contacting the chairman... (2+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          bonesy, HoosierDeb

          we all need to put that on our TO DO LIST too!

    •  "I got 62,000 plus signatures (4+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      victoria2dc, bonesy, brentmack, HoosierDeb

      and wasn't able to do squat with them" does not make for a great campaign commercial.

      Through all your faults and all my complaints, I still love you.

      by jayden on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:36:24 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  What do you mean jayden? (1+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        HoosierDeb

        Did you get 62,000 petition signers for impeachment?  If yes, can you get them again?  That's wonderful!

        I might add that if you did that as an individual I really see that you have a trusting audience.  I will also say that you didn't have behind you (if that's what you are saying) 3 members of the House Judiciary Committee.  They appear to be committed (all 3 of them).  And I know that Steve Cohen from TN (I think) will join in on this push.

        If there is anyone here from TN please write him.  That's going on my TO DO list too.  I have the e-mail addy for his chief of staff.  I will write from the group to ask him to help Wexler.  He was working with Bruce Fein on impeachment papers... so I feel that he will fight for this.

        •  victoria2dc, my comment was snark directed (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          HoosierDeb

          at those that thought this may be a campaign stunt by Wexler.

          Clarity gets lost in the shuffle sometimes when you post a comment early on.

          A "snark" tag probably would've have proven helpful.

          Through all your faults and all my complaints, I still love you.

          by jayden on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 10:03:11 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  Who cares? (4+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      victoria2dc, jayden, brentmack, HoosierDeb

      I am so proud to have been one of the early signers of this petition. Come on people we have to do this!

      *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

      by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:12:17 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Look folks... if you want to get Dick impeached (1+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      HoosierDeb

      please don't insert your own negativity into this.  Wexler has been fighting Nancy (remember when his fellow Floridian--Wasserman Schultz-- came out as Nancy's little puppet leader in-training on the Ed Schultz Show?) on this for several months. This does not appear to be a trick.  Did you hear him on Ed Schultz and Randi Rhodes shows this week?  Did not sound like a trick to me.  Wexler is a progressive and he belives Democrats can walk and chew gum at the same time. Of course, he has been very careful not to start blaming Nancy and he is very, very respectful of Chairman Conyers.

      If you don't want to do it, please don't.  But don't come here and start crap. We're going to get the job done and Dick is going to go. Let's start with a positive and deal with the negative from the Bush Crime Family side, not from our own.

      Please, this is the only hopeful thing we have going for us now.  Also, please NOTE that this is not just a Wexler deal.  There are 2 other very good Democratic Party members and members of the Judiciary Committee, Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).  These 3 are on the House Judiciary Committee.  So before you start saying it won't work and criticizing Congressman Wexler, think about... or go celebrate the holidays while we do everything we can to be positive and make it work.

      Let's try it and start with a - it will work because I'm determined it will work attitude and then let's do it.  Starting something and then verbalizing or even thinking that it won't work will actually cause it not to work... please help us and let's do this from one united mind.  

  •  62,000 in such a short time is (7+ / 0-)

    remarkable and should tell Wexler everything he was wanting to find out. YES, start the debate!

    "Turning the page..."

    by Rumarhazzit on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:22:04 PM PDT

  •  We're now over 63,000 (4+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, jayden, JG in MD

    and that increase happened in the span of time it took me to post the diary up to this update.

    The People are speaking!

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:33:04 PM PDT

  •  A Measly 60,000? (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, HoosierDeb

    Good Lord is this the best progressives can do?  For all the endless complaining that goes on, this is the interest?  No wonder Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi don't give a shit about what you say!  Progressives give them a free ride everytime, just like Nancy and Harry give the Republicans a free ride, EVERYTIME.

    •  Do you have a better idea? (3+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      snoopydawg, victoria2dc, bonesy

      Considering this has gotten NO coverage in the major media, I think it's pretty good for two days. I'll use every opportunity I have to speak up. Have you added your name?

      http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

      by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:49:34 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  63,000 and counting in two days. (5+ / 0-)

      Go rain somewhere else.

      Through all your faults and all my complaints, I still love you.

      by jayden on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:50:58 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  It's already up over 60,000 (5+ / 0-)

      I'm with HoosierDeb, let's aim for 100,000, then when we get there, we will aim higher.
      E-mail as many people and news sources as you can. Come on people move your butts. We have to do this.

      *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

      by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:51:48 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Yes... and please send (2+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        bonesy, HoosierDeb

        a copy of your message to me (at my profile e-mail) and the e-mail address.

        That way we can get people to use the message you already wrote, modify it a bit and make it fast. Multiple (50,000 or so!!! Yeah, I'm dreaming) e-mails to the media will get some kind of response.

        If people join the Yahoo! dailykos-IMPEACH group, they can get that information off the site and it will make it easier for them.  You know, everyone is busy at this time of year... there is so much going on. That's why I think it's important to help them by making the process simple.

        •  my message was: (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          HoosierDeb

          why don't you go over to WexlerWantsHearings.com and see what's happening over there.
          I also sent the same message to John Conyers and suggested he get on this train because we have a winner here.

          *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

          by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 10:06:23 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  We agree with you on Nancy and Harry (1+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      HoosierDeb

      kerplunk... that's why my personal campaign is to call them every day and ask them to resign.  I hope they go down with Bush/Cheney and I'm willing to work for it.

      If you really want to do something, please follow my note above about calling the DNC and speaking to Laurie.  Ask her to get Dr. Dean to help us. Every sincere call to her will be registered and Dean too will have to act. When he sees how those two are destroying the Democratic Party, he'll have to do something. I believe he will act.

  •  Alert the Media!!! (4+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, jayden, HoosierDeb

    countdown@msnbc.com

    Caffertyfiles@cnn.com

    http://www.democracynow.org/...

    Use your persuasive powers to get them to mention the website and the petition!

  •  I ran Into Wexler at the Airport... (7+ / 0-)

    last night.  We had a conversation about the presidential race.  Gosh, I was impressed with him.  It's rare to find a politician who was so nice and so right on the issues that matter.  He would be a great Vice Presidential candidate anf his state matters in November!

    John McCain on Iraq: "McCain in NH: Would Be 'Fine' To Keep Troops in Iraq for 'A Hundred Years' "

    by howardpark on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:02:38 PM PDT

  •  At 63,695 and still going up, (3+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, jayden, HoosierDeb

    you have to remember with alot of good people posting this on other websites, it's climbing fast. If you haven't signed yet, what are you waiting for?
    This is our chance to have a voice in the decision to start impeachment hearings against one of the most disgusting, vile human beings in American history. Go now!

    *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

    by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:06:03 PM PDT

  •  Just Got Home (4+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, HoosierDeb, JG in MD

    I'm signee # 63,920.  Or so.

    They burn our children in their wars and grow rich beyond the dreams of avarice.

    by Limelite on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:13:59 PM PDT

  •  Click the refresh button, (3+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, jayden, HoosierDeb

    and you can see how fast the number is climbing.

    *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

    by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:18:32 PM PDT

  •  Wexler - Why we need hearings. (5+ / 0-)

    First, impeachment hearings are only proper when significant allegations exist that the President or Vice-President, or others civil officers, committed actions – within their official duties – that constitute 'High Crimes and Misdemeanors.' The allegations against Clinton – involving a personal affair - never reached this threshold. The serious charges against Cheney involve alleged crimes that are central to his duties of Vice-President; namely war and peace, the widespread violations of civil liberties, and the security of the United States and our covert agents.

    Unlike the show trial put on by Republicans against President Clinton, a proper impeachment hearing would involve a fair and objective presentation of the facts without hyperbole or political gamesmanship. The hard evidence that is presented at the hearings will be judged fully both by Congress and the American people. The evidence alone will determine the outcome, and if it is determined that Vice President Cheney committed "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" he should be properly impeached and put on trial before the Senate.

    But will he claim executive privilege or will he claim he's not a member of the executive?

    •  I don't have the exact rule immigradvocate... (3+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      bonesy, HoosierDeb, immigradvocate

      If you have any research skills, please see if you can look it up (See executive privilege below).  I spent about 4 hours yesterday at this GAO site reading the Jefferson Manual and looking for the rule that says that the ONLY time a President cannot claim executive privilege is during impeachment hearings.

      Also, I heard Jonathan Turley (the G W University professor of Constitutional Law) say on Randi Rhodes show that Bush can pardon himself and anyone else for crimes committed and found guilty by a jury. However, he cannot do anything about reversing the findings of the Senate if they should vote for impeachment. Once the Senate votes, then there is nothing he and Dick can do but leave.  

      Information I found is at the following URLs. However, as you can see, the information on executive privilege came from the Web and not from the GAO site or the Jefferson Manual! If you have time, could you (anyone) please help me isolate those rules/laws?

      Jefferson Manual

      http://www.gpoaccess.gov/...

      Removal of the Speaker

      http://www.gpoaccess.gov/...

      A Speaker may be removed at the will of the House, and a Speaker pro tempore
      appointed, 2 Grey, 186; 5 Grey, 134.

      § 315. Removal of the Speaker. The House has never removed a Speaker; but it had on several occasions
      removed or suspended other officers, such as Clerk and Doorkeeper (I,287–290, 292; II, 1417), who are officers classed by the Constitution in
      the phrase ‘‘the House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers.’’ A resolution for the removal of an officer is presented as a matter of privilege (I, 284–286; VI, 35), and a resolution declaring the
      Office of Speaker vacant presents a question of constitutional privilege (VI, 35).

      The way this reads to me:  The Speaker can be removed. It's in the rules, but it's never been done. Remember when Dennis did his presentation (as privilege) on the day that the Republicans forced the issue? So all it would take to remove Nancy is one person making the call and then getting it voted on. I'm sure she would resign if it got to that.

      Further:

      Rules of Impeachment

      http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/...

      Index

      http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/...

      http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/...

      SECTION 4. The President, Vice President, and
      all civil Officers of the United
      States, shall be removed from Office
      on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason,
      Bribery, or other high Crimes

      http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/...

      Section 4, Page 9 ---Impeachment of the President

      § 175. Nature of
      impeachable offenses. ------------ Page 10

      http://takomaparkibc.wordpress.com/...

      Executive privilege does not apply in an impeachment inquiry

      One argument for impeachment is that it would force the Administration to hand over material it has been withholding by citing ‘executive privilege.’

      Historically, executive privilege has been claimed by Presidents as a means of protecting the affairs of the White House from interference by Congress. They have argued that granting Congress access to ‘privileged’ communications between the President, the Vice President, and White House advisors would violate the Constitutionally mandated separation of powers among the three branches of government.

      In 1973, the House Judiciary Committee found that executive privilege does not extend to an impeachment inquiry, and in fact cited refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by Congress in the course of an impeachment inquiry in its Articles of Impeachment against President Nixon."Article III charged that President Nixon, by failing, without lawful cause or excuse and in willfull disobedience of the subpoenas of the House, to produce papers and things that the Committee had subpoenaed in the course of its impeachment inquiry, assumed to himself functions and judgments necessary to the exercise of the constitutional power of impeachment vested in the House." (emphasis mine) Impeachment of Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States. The Final Report of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives." House Report 93-1305, 93rd Congress, August 20, 1974.

      •  Excellent work, victoria2dc (2+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        bonesy, immigradvocate

        Thanks for adding the info here.  It's nice to know there's at least one thing they can't get around.

        http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

        by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:32:49 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Thanks Deb... (0+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          HoosierDeb

          I've been doing everything I can for over a year. Nothing can happen on this topic without the Congress really wanting it.

          You know that once the hearings start then we have another BIG JOB. We have to get the damn Dems to vote for it and then we have to lobby the Senate. It's a lot of work, but we can do it.  It takes a few people... and the others who have a candidate can be out there in the trenches.

          Since my candidate refuses to run, I just can't get into it. I don't care who wins as long as it's not Hillary. If she wins, I move from this friggin' country.

  •  Unless I'm mistaken, (4+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, jayden, pooh74

    I don't think he CAN claim executive privilege in an impeachment hearing.  Perhaps someone has better info than I.

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:44:12 PM PDT

    •  I don't think so... read my recent post... (2+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      bonesy, jayden

      Turley said the other night that even Nancy and Jane Harman (and Rockefeller, I might add) were all required by law to speak up on the torture situation BECAUSE it was a crime.  If it's a crime they can't claim Exec Priv. AND the members who were given information that they knew was against the law were required to speak.

      So I think we have one of three things Deb:

      * They were/are clueless about the law and the US Constitution.

      *  They were afraid of being called weak and kept quiet so the Republicans couldn't say, "Democrats don't care about national security."  

      *   They believed it was okay to know that they were breaking the law and thought they were outside the law.  

      •  I think maybe (2+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        victoria2dc, bonesy

        it's a combination of the first two. And perhaps a dash of 'let's drag this out so we can use it in the election races'.

        All the choices are shameful, no matter which way you slice it.  That's why I'm so intent on the impeachment hearings for Cheney.  I think we may find out a lot more than we ever suspected about the 'leadership' and their excuses for blocking the hearings.

        Something in DC stinks to high heaven. It's time we find out exactly what it is & get it cleaned up.

        http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

        by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:42:55 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  I think you and I are on the same wave of light! (2+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          bonesy, HoosierDeb

          Let's work together on this to make it happen.  

          At the same time we have to move Nancy and Harry out of the picture. I think it's possible so I'm trying! What a naive person I am, but I believe we have power if we will only use it.  I'm willing to use mine for the good of all.

  •  Wexler is passionate and heroic (4+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, pooh74, HoosierDeb

    and always with an ear to the people's wishes. He has guts and he does not look back once he decides he has a cause.  I am proud of Mr. Wexler. He is my Congressman.  

  •  2,000 sigs in less than 2 hours! (3+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, pooh74

    Lookin' good!

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 07:13:37 PM PDT

  •  This thing is really taking off, (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, HoosierDeb

    whoop, whoop hurray! I do believe we have a winner here. Seems to me there are alot of Americans working on spreading the truth about Cheney.

    *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

    by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 08:44:12 PM PDT

  •  Will hit 67,000 in about 8 min. (3+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy, HoosierDeb

    "The Conservatives definition of torture: Anything that provides death or false information from its captive." Me 2007

    by army193 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:13:24 PM PDT

  •  I'm still monitoring the petition website (1+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc

    and waiting for it to hit 67,000 so I can update the title - AGAIN!  Woot woot!

    We've also had a lot of activity upthread for actions and to-do lists.  Here's a consolidation so far to help folks get the job done:

    Laurie at the Democratic National Committee Main Phone Number: 202-863-8000

    Join the Yahoo dailykos-IMPEACH group.

    Democracy Now - contact page

    Stephanie Miller (stephanie@stephaniemiller.com)

    Ed Schultz (wendyjoshultz@yahoo.com)

    Thom Hartmann (thom@thomhartmann.com)

    Rachel Maddow via her website

    countdown@msnbc.com

    Caffertyfiles@cnn.com

    Toll-free numbers for Congress:
    800-614-2803
    800-828-0498
    877-851-6437
    866-340-9281
    866-338-1015

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:18:00 PM PDT

  •  Dangit... we're about to fall off the list (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy

    and we're only 25 sigs away from 67,000.

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:21:56 PM PDT

  •  Well, we hit 67,000!! (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy

    Considering we were at 62,000 when the diary started, that's pretty impressive!

    Just sorry it never made the Rec List.

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:25:10 PM PDT

  •  How do we stay on the Rec'd List? (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    bonesy, HoosierDeb
  •  Do we need more people to post? (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    bonesy, HoosierDeb
  •  What else can we do? Start another diary???? (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    bonesy, HoosierDeb
    •  I'm not sure what the formula is... (3+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      victoria2dc, bonesy, jayden

      but I think it needed more folks to hit the Rec button.  

      Maybe I should've put 'Edwards has no comment on petition' in the title? (/snark)

      I think another diary needs to go up & we start from scratch. I'm still tickled this one got so much attention.  Most of my diaries die a quick death. LOL!

      http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

      by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:46:06 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  yes, gotta start another diary over and (2+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      victoria2dc, HoosierDeb

      over again!

      *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

      by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:50:30 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Wanna write one now bonesy? (1+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        HoosierDeb

        I think there won't be people reading diaries at 3:00 a.m.  When is the best time to do a new diary to get maximum readership?

        •  I'd say between 8 and 10pm, (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          HoosierDeb

          don't quote me though, sometimes the best times is fickle. On writing the next diary, I really can't, sorry, three kids to tend to, twins preteen, oldest 13. Also my writing skills and posting of links suck.LOL! Please have somebody continue this though, we have to do this, for the good of our country.

          *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

          by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 10:18:49 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  I've started a draft for another (1+ / 0-)

          Recommended by:
          bonesy

          similar to this one, but I added the contact info we consolidated here.  If there isn't one up in the morning (I get up at 7 central time), I'll see if I can post it then.  I do know the FISA thingie is coming up tomorrow, so we may have that to compete with.

          Also, I don't think it'll be so horrible to have more than one diary about this floating around.  After 6 Edwards diaries on the Rec list, folks have no room to complain, imo.  Hopefully we'll be closing in on 70,000 by then.

          Gotta go take a bath & then get some shut-eye.  It's gonna be a loooong day tomorrow!

          http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

          by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 10:22:43 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Thanks Deb, for keeping (1+ / 0-)

            Recommended by:
            HoosierDeb

            this going, I'm sleeping in but I'll find the diary, hopefully on the rec list, snowed in, no school, roads are all drifted over.We got about 8 to 10 inches of the white stuff. I usually have to get up by 5a.m.

            *a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*

            by bonesy on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 10:43:21 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  •  This is why IMPEACHMENT must happen! (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    bonesy, HoosierDeb

    Air strike on Iraq had US backing: Turkey

    Posted 1 hour 15 minutes ago
    Updated 1 hour 18 minutes ago

    Turkey's military has claimed United States approval for its overnight air
    strike against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

    The head of Turkey's General Staff says the US gave its approval by allowing
    Turkish planes to enter Iraqi airspace.

    Iraq has summoned the Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad to protest against the
    strike, which it says killed a woman and forced hundreds to flee their
    homes.
    http://www.abc.net.au/...

    *--
    Have YOU had enough yet?*

  •  Bush allows our ally to bomb (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    bonesy, HoosierDeb

    our other ally... the country we attacked and are occupying AND responsible for!

    I hope the Iraqi government says, "Enough! Bush, get your ass out of Iraq.  We give you 3 months. No negotiations, no oil contracts. Just get out. With friends like you, we don't need enemies!"

  •  This crap has GOT to stop! (2+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    victoria2dc, bonesy

    It's like the closer we get to BushCo leaving office, the more bloodthirsty and greedy they get.

    WHY can't people SEE it?  Frustrates me to no end...

    So, in the meantime, we keep plugging away and hope something finally cracks their armor.  

    http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com Spread the word! (-5.00/-5.64)

    by HoosierDeb on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 09:50:44 PM PDT