Impeachment Is "Off the Table"- John Conyers WTF!!??

[Jcrowley]

Impeachment 'Off the Table,' Conyers Says
BY Jonathan Tilove
c.2006 Newhouse News Service

WASHINGTON -- Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., presumed to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in January, said Thursday that impeachment of President Bush "is off the table."
   "In this campaign, there was an orchestrated right-wing effort to distort my position on impeachment," Conyers said in a statement released by his Judiciary Committee spokesman. "The incoming speaker (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.) has said that impeachment is off the table. I am in total agreement with her on this issue: Impeachment is off the table."

Through his investigations as the ranking Democrat on Judiciary, Conyers became a hero to people who would like to see President Bush impeached for the manner in which the U.S. was led to war in Iraq, among other alleged crimes. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders have said the new Democratic Congress will not pursue impeachment.

But Tuesday's big Democratic victory, in which Conyers secured a 22nd term and Democrats regained control of both the House and Senate, has only invigorated a large national network of grassroots impeachment activists. Conyers' statement is unlikely to dampen their enthusiasm or efforts.

"This is still in some ways a democracy and we will, as American citizens, use our voices to suggest what we think should be on the table," said David Swanson, co-founder of afterdowningstreet.org and Washington director for impeachpac.org.

http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/tilove111006.html

In brief, we have found that there is substantial evidence the President, the Vice President and other high ranking members of the Bush Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war with Iraq; misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for such war; countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and other legal violations in Iraq; and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of their Administration.

    There is a prima facie case that these actions by the President, Vice-President and other members of the Bush Administration violated a number of federal laws, including (1) Committing a Fraud against the United States; (2) Making False Statements to Congress; (3) The War Powers Resolution; (4) Misuse of Government Funds; (5) federal laws and international treaties prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; (6) federal laws concerning retaliating against witnesses and other individuals; and (7) federal laws and regulations concerning leaking and other misuse of intelligence.

    While these charges clearly rise to the level of impeachable misconduct, because the Bush Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress have blocked the ability of Members to obtain information directly from the Administration concerning these matters, more investigatory authority is needed before recommendations can be made regarding specific Articles of Impeachment. As a result, we recommend that Congress establish a select committee with subpoena authority to investigate the misconduct of the Bush Administration with regard to the Iraq war detailed in this Report and report to the Committee on the Judiciary on possible impeachable offenses.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/122005Y.shtml

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Investigate first, impeach later...

Just because it's off the table now, doesn't mean it will stay off the table.

[Demoiselle]

2. Exactly right, Blue. (eom)

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Agreed, Blue

Let's get the troops home, find out what really went on behind the closed doors of Cheney's energy meetings, bring back the governance of protecting our environment and lands, and more.

[PretzelzRule]

6. Right you are

When Conyers says, "Impeachment is off the table," there are two words that are left unsaid:

"...for now"

[cool user name]

10. I understand but ...

They don't have to keep repeating it. It sounds like they are fucking trying to convince themselves. Just shut the hell up about it already - we get it, it's off the table.

So now when we finally commence impeachment proceedings, a montage of everytime they say, "Impeachment is off the table" will be aired over and over.

Just shutup about impeachment and start investigating.

This wasn't directed at you Blue_In_Ak

Just venting. It seems they are painting themselves into a corner so they can't impeach. I wish they would shut the fuck up.

[951-Riverside]

11. Mega Dittos!!!!! n/t

:eyes:

[alittlelark]

17. That's how I read it!!!!

[DODI]

3. Impeachment has to come from the people! Watergate

came from the people -- the threat of impeachment has to come from the people first -- and then it will become bi-partisan -- then they will resign. Let them do their investigations while the people build up the call for it. --- It can not look like revenger -- the crimes must be defined and proven -- and they will be. Impeachment starts with us!

[stevedeshazer]

5. Don't be fooled

It's only been two days.

Patience, my friend.

It has been twelve long years since Rep. Conyers has had subpoena power.

Bush has been kneecapped. There's no hurry. He'll have his day.

And that will be one fine day.

[Jcrowley]

12. I'd like to be

but with very public statements coming out by others as well this all smells weird to me.

After watching the numerous rollovers patience wears thin.

If Conyers really is thinking of down the road why would he comment at all or if forced to why would he not say, "We'll have to wait and see what the evidence shows us, we're not sure there is evidence" or some such thing?

[stevedeshazer]

16. Timing

They just won. It's only been three days.

After twelve long years, they'll have to get their stuff together.

January. That'll be one fine month. They haven't even been sworn in yet.

[niallmac]

7. If the MSNBC poll is accurate then 80+% of Americans

feel that impeachment is a good idea "if it's proven he lied about the war.."
It is a little disturbing that Conyers, Pelosi and Dean shove impeachment off the table
at the get go. Events and discoveries may make impeachment proceedings a
national demand. I am convinced the American public will be shocked at what
is revealed in the upcoming discovery process.

[Fridays Child]

8. Why don't we just change our symbol to a dog rolling over...

...to expose its soft underbelly? I am hugely disappointed in my party leaders for spouting such lickspittle, spineless crap.

[DODI]

15. It is up to US not them -- we need to rally for it, fight for it -- we

now have a Congress that will listen -- the Dems have the majority and a lot of Pukes are pissed -- write LTTEs about it -- write you congress critters about it -- it won't happen if we don't support it. If you have a repuke congressperson especially - write to them -- badger them -- as the investigations go on and information comes out -- write -- protest -- make your voice heard -- they will listen. Nixon won 49 states in 1972 -- he was facing impeachment in 1973- 1974 because the people and wise whistle blower spoke out. He resigned because he only had maybe one or two congressmen and senators on his side. The movement starts with us -- Conyers, Pelosi, McCain, Lott -- we can use the anger on the repuke side and the investigations to make this happen. It can't look like revenge for Bill -- for it is not -- this IS high crimes -- we need to deal with as a nation -- not a party.

[Gold Metal Flake]

9. Conyers wrote the impeachemnt charges against Nixon.

He knows what he is doing. Calm down.

[Cleita]

13. I agree. It should be off the table until the new Congress is

sworn in. There is no reason really to even discuss any changes, investigations, or legislation to be introduced until then.

Then if they still feel that way, it's up to us to harangue them by phone, email and letters until they take notice of us.

[Shipwack]

14. It could be a "briar patch" bit of misdirection...

"Impeach? Oh, no, no... who would want that?"

The rabid right wing base waits, and is disappointed as come January there are no impeachment proceedings, gay marriages aren't performed on the Senate floor, and Nancy Pelosi doesn't sacrifice and devour a baby on live TV. Despite the media whores best efforts, people realize that the world in not going to end just because the Democrats are in control.

They grow bored and start following the latest "Terra! Terra! Terra!" or missing white girl alert, while slowly but surely news starts coming out of various committees of all sorts of Bush administration scandals.

Finally, the people call for blood!

"What... impeach him? Well, if you insist..."

Or maybe not... I have no skill in politics or deviousness, which bars me from ever being able to serve above the office of dog-catcher.

[otherlander]

18. If he said otherwise, who would it help?

[phiddle]

19. Impeachment is the ace in the hole,

and NOBODY shows their hole card.