Janaury 10, 2006
A long list of peace organizations put together over 150 town
hall forums last Saturday on the topic of getting out of Iraq. Reports,
and audio and video, from dozens of these events have been posted at www.afterdowningstreet.org.
What I gather from reviewing the reports, and from the two events I
attended, is that the most popular topic was not the horrors of war or
any legislation to end it, but the demand to impeach President Bush and
Vice President Cheney.
Given that opposition to this war has grown as exposure of the lies
that launched it has advanced, going after the war-makers could turn
out to be the fastest way to end the war. No doubt, it's the best way
to end the war on terms that make the next war less likely to come
soon. In any case, it's where the people's passion is, and at some
point a democratic movement has to let that be its guide.
Of course, we've known the popularity of impeachment from polling.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/polling
But it's powerful to hear it in person in so many different voices.
And it means more now that Congressman John Conyers has introduced a
bill to create an investigation into grounds for impeachment, and the
bill has begun to pick up cosponsors. Judging by Congress Members'
remarks on Saturday, there should be some more cosponsors on the list
soon.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5921
We don't have reports from all of the events, but we know that
overflow crowds were turned away in Sacramento, Chicago, Wisconsin, and
Michigan. Progressive Democrats of America has summarized the day of
events here:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/6549
The Lincoln Journal Star in Nebraska ran this headline: "Antiwar
rally reflects changing attitudes," and wrote about people's opinions
shifting against the war.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/6544
Last Thursday, Congressman Jim Moran hosted a town hall forum with
Congressman John Murtha. A veteran of the current war asked them "Why
not impeach Bush-Cheney?" That question resulted in by far the loudest
and longest applause of the evening -- an extended period of
foot-stomping, hooting, and hollering.
That was a pattern that would repeat itself around the country on
Saturday. Some discussions ruled out that topic for debate, some
speakers dismissed it, some embraced it, some collected signatures in
support of Conyers' bills. But, across the country, the topic of
impeachment generated intense passion.
At the forum in Washington, D.C., I received applause when I
introduced speakers and mentioned that they'd done work to promote
impeachment. At the forum in San Diego, Congressman Bob Filner, I'm
told, received three standing ovations, the loudest and longest when he
mentioned impeachment. In Sacramento, Cindy Sheehan stressed the need
for impeachment and was a huge hit.
Our blogger, Suz Krueger, reported from Livonia, Mich.: "Though I
arrived later because roads were icy and despite terrible road
conditions, the room was to capacity and overflowing--close to 200
people here at Livonia Town Hall and people are still coming. When I
walked in the door, [Congressman Conyers] was discussing the Nixon
White House and how this administration is not only comparable to
[that] White House, but he explained how laws were passed as a result
of Nixon's abuse of power. He believes this will happen now to the new
Nixon."
Congressman Major Owens told a crowd in Brooklyn that, of course, he supports impeachment!
Rita Weinstein reported from Seattle: "[Congressman Jim] McDermott
believes that, as big and as serious an issue as the war is, an even
bigger issue is that freedom and democracy are at risk. This
excessively secretive administration wants to silence all dissent.
"They want one party, one country, one voice-THEIRS." He feels we need
two exit strategies-one for Iraq and one for getting rid of this
administration. He believes that the only adequate response is to
investigate the means of impeachment."
Jeff Richardson reported: "Our event in Tacoma, Washington, was
totally awesome! We had over three hundred people in this beautiful
church, First United Methodist on MLK Jr. Way, great sound system, lots
of enthusiasm, folks were itching to ask questions of our Congressman.
It was great. After the Q & A period, we showed the folks a little
slice of the Progressive Roundtable, which is our area's way of
connecting local activists. Then we had several workshops on everything
from The Growing Economic Divide to The Citizenship Toolkit and The
Stop the War Now! Panel, which received the most attendance of any of
the workshops. Half of the questions we received were on the subject of
impeachment. There is a hunger in this land for accountability, of some
way we can take this criminal President down and restore our national
credibility again."
Another Tacoma activist reported: "We came away with a few really
great ideas for actions that could involve more people and could bring
in to the impeach bush ideology, more common folk who are not currently
involved."
The Santa Barbara News Press published an article on the event
there, which said: "The event on the busy downtown street featured
people who displayed signs with biting political barbs denouncing the
Bush administration: "They lie to us. They spy on us. Impeach." Another
said: "Rich man's war, poor man's blood."
WISCTV News in Madison, Wis., reported: "A group of Madison citizens
wants to impeach President George W. Bush. More than 300 people packed
the Labor Temple Saturday afternoon to discuss weapons of mass
destruction, wiretapping and the war in Iraq. The rally wasn’t about
changing the administration’s view, it was about impeachment."
Lana Kitchel reported from Red Bluff, Calif.: "Red Bluff Peace &
Justice Coalition of California (zip code 96055)had a good turnout. We
held signs and collected signatures for Rep. Conyers' petition." The
petition is one in support of an investigation into grounds for
impeachment.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5768
B. Emily Sykes reported from San Anselmo: "No one wanted to leave
and everyone wanted to come again to Social Justice Center in San
Anselmo. Republicans were mentioned as potential next step targets even
though someone said. 'If you can't convince your own party why do you
think the Republicans will listen?' Turns out the only Democrat in the
meeting was just getting info to present to the party to form an
impeachment task force. The rest of us seem to be Green. People have
called today who missed the mtg. and want to be on our 'list'."
From Northbrook, Ill.: - "In the true spirit of a town hall meeting,
our entire program was based on responding to questions from the
audience. We also set the ground rules that we would only discuss how
to move forward in Iraq, not how we got into this mess. (As our
esteemed moderator, Mr. Aaron Freeman said, 'We'll leave that for the
impeachment committee...')"
Carol Wolman reports that Monday's East Bay impeachment meeting had
"3x as many as at any previous meeting. Most of the people had been to
at least one previous meeting. The discussion was lively, and the mood
much more upbeat and optimistic than at earlier meetings. This was
noted, and attributed to the revelation about Bush's warrantless
wiretapping, which has everyone up in arms."