OK...I was scanning over the Huffington Post earlier and ran across a comment in David Swanson's article
here.
As we've come to expect from David, it's a good article. A point he made just really sticks out to me though...
Public opinion polls show a majority believing that Bush lied about the reasons for the war - and
a near majority wanting impeachment proceedings begun. They also show a growing percentage of Americans wanting to end the war, and another large slice of the public wanting a gradual withdrawal begun. These numbers - belief that Bush lied and belief that the war should end -- have risen together, the former staying ahead of the latter.
But here the media has played another trick on us. The desire to end the war, while lower in the media's own polls, has become a respectable position in the media's news stories. Meanwhile the belief that the president lied about the war and should be impeached for it, while stronger in the media's own polls, has been almost taboo in news stories. Certainly the I word is completely forbidden in public (that is, corporate controlled) discourse.
Here is the kicker...
And this way of thinking has been accepted thoughtlessly by most Democrats in Congress. While 58 percent of Democrats favor impeachment (Zogby), most progressive Democratic congress members are afraid of the idea. They and their staff members recite the same mantra endlessly: "That would allow the Republicans to attack us." If you don't believe me, call up your congress member. Even call up some of the most progressive members of congress just for kicks. Ask them why in the world they haven't introduced articles of impeachment. They will say the following words: "That would allow the Republicans to attack us."
Emphasis Mine.
Now is it just me or does this sound completely insane? We can only get 58% of Dems to realize that the criminals currently running this country need to be removed from office? 58% Are you kidding me?
Then you've got this classic BS: "That would allow the Republicans to attack us."
Excuse me, but what in the hell do you think they've been doing for the last 5 years? What do you think they are going to be doing for the next 50 years? If you can't get over that then you have no buisness being in office. They attack us because they are cowards and bullies. Sometimes to get the bully to stop it you've got to punch him square in the nose, really hard. He may come back for more, but you've left an impression and he will think twice before trying the same tactic again. If you aren't willing to counter-punch then what's to keep him from doing it over and over again?
Look, I know a lot of discussions and work is being done behind the scenes, but we've got to get on the ball and get the public behind us. We don't want another swift boating to go un-defended and counter-attacked again. We can't afford it. That's exactly what the Republicans are counting on. Just more rolling over and recoiling into our discussion groups.
I'm happy to see a lot more activity going on with Dems trying to get a firm grasp on the issue and that's excellent. We just can't let up on the pressure. Armando, Kos and many others see the size of the opprotunity that we have at hand. If the Dems don't act on it then there is a very strong chance they will disappoint their grass roots support to the point where many may just crawl back into their private worlds again. Dems have so many people so ready to jump at their call it's simply amazing. Yet, if these volunteers and bloggers are let down again (like what happened with Kerry and the Swifties in 04), they are going to get fed up. No, they won't become Republican...they will just decide to no longer be involved. Again, exactly what the Republicans would love to see.
Oh and one last thing...have any petitions against the administration ever done anything? I just got another request from Kerry to sign yet another petition. What good does that do? "Well, it shows support." Uh...ok...you've got the support. What are you going to do with it? We had a ton of signatures for Conyer's petition for the DSM. It got handed to the White House. Did anything happen afterwards?
Folks we're getting some crickets with some really tired legs out there.