Report from the meeting at Price's office in Durham + Price letter on impeachment

At the meeting with District Liason Tracy Lovett at Rep. Price's Durham office we had two people from the western Triangle and two from Durham.  I think we were all late, and I was last, I think at least partly because I publicized the wrong address for the NC Mutual Building.  I hope the small size was not because of the address error or full visitor parking spaces (another reason why I was late to the meeting).  Basically we were providing comments, since Price was not there.  We discussed the Democrats soon having subpoena power in Congress.  I asked what Price has done (besides the wiretapping letter to Bush), and will do, to implement the suggestions in the Al Gore speech he praised to us when we met with his January 30th in Chapel Hill.  We were not given an answer, but I said that I hope that Price will do more for investigation, and will not be afraid to consider impeachment or censure, if and when Congress 'reveals' the crimes and undercutting of democracy and our liberties by the Bush Administration. 

 

I presented 50 signatures to the DSM petition on paper, 86 from www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html (of which I think about 50 are new), and 35 GRIm collected at the Hillsborough town meeting last July, on paper.  I've been circulating the petitions at stores, at a few meetings, and online, rather than more actively circulating it, and it is mostly a one person effort.  We will continue to collect signatures.     

 

Below is an email on impeachment I received from Price's office November 29th.  I don't remember sending an email though.  I think this is not enough, though it could be an improvement, and that the Democrats collectively didn't speak out and vote many times when they should have to oppose Bush's policies.    

 

Dear [southplumb]:

Thank you for contacting me regarding possible grounds for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

I share your concern about the policies of the Bush administration and understand calls for the House to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President and Vice President. I think it is very likely that, among other things, the President exaggerated intelligence findings to strengthen his case for war in Iraq, that he and/or members of his administration authorized the use of torture, and that he violated federal law by authorizing wiretaps on the communications of U.S. citizens without obtaining the approval of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. I have voiced my opposition to these policies as forcefully as I can, and have pushed for investigations into presidential abuses of power. Unfortunately, congressional oversight of the executive branch has been almost totally lacking over the last six years.

When the 110th Congress convenes next January, under new leadership, I am confident that the situation will fundamentally change. We will have aggressive and extensive committee oversight on the broad range of President Bush's policies, and investigations into the many allegations that he and the Vice-President have abused their authority.

As you may know, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to be elected Speaker of the House in the next Congress, has indicated that the House will not initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bush at this time. She also made very clear that the House will once again be in the business of holding the executive branch accountable for its actions and policies. Rep. John Conyers, the likely chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has similarly indicated his intention to intensely scrutinize Bush Administration policies and the actions of the President and Vice-President.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to stay in touch on this and other issues of concern.

Sincerely,

DAVID PRICE

Member of Congress   

Meeting with Rep. Price's staff about impeachment, December 7th

There will be a meeting with David Price's Durham
stafd to present petitions and discuss impeachment
December 7th at 4pm at the Mutual Life Building (411
West Main St.).  There is visitor parking by the
office.  We should meet outside the office 10 minutes
early.  This meeting is to find out if Price's
position on holding Bush accountable has become more
active now that the Democrats will control Congress
and after further anti-democratic acts by the Bush
Administration. Updates will be posted at
downingstreetactionnc.blogspot.com.  Help
publicizing the meeting is appreciated.

The petition is online at
www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html and on
paper at the Durham Food Co-op, The Peoples Channel
studio, and Internationalist Books.

A petition to the Durham City Council is
online at www.petitiononline.com/durimp and one for a

State resolution is at www.petitiononline.com/ncres.

Democrats.com called for impeachment committees to be
set up in all Congressional districts, and there are
now committees in all (?) of the districts in the
Triangle (link from www.impeachbushcheney.net).
Meetup.com impeachment groups are active in Durham

(next meeting November 29th) and Raleigh (soon to ask the

City Council to pass resolutions) and GRIM is planning

events in December and January.  There will be a demonstration

in DC January 27th and there will probably be charter buses from the Triangle.

Changes to DSA-NC

There is now a new mission statement, reflecting my view that impeaching Bush and others is necessary, but that many leading Democrats must answer for their actions (or inactions). Now that the Democrats control Congress, it is definitely their duty to oppose Bush's bad policies, and they will be more to blame when the Federal government (inevitably) betrays democratic principles.

I had hoped that this blog would be a hub for the local impeachment movement, but instead it has been more like a personal impeachment blog. I'm still open to the option of a joint effort. I hope to increase the originality of content, usefulness of commentary, and regularity of postings on Downing Street Action. Thank you to the people who do read and post here. The struggle to hold Bush accountable is mainstream now, through the work of GRIM and other local and national groups.

I changed the official name of the blog. I decided against using After Downing Street, but I didn't get around to changing it here. It's time to stop copying the After Downing Street Coalition's name! It could be time for an entirely new name, but I say keep DSA-NC, because that is the name in circulation and it commemorates the start of our local movement.

The old header is:

This blog grew out of the Chapel Hill, NC meeting on the July 23, 2005 day of action on the Downing Street memos (called by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. and the After Downing Street Coalition). This is a site for discussing and organizing action on the Downing Street memos and the impeachment of Bush & Co in North Carolina.

Meeting at Price's Durham office in December on impeachment

I'm scheduling a petition delivery meeting with Tracy
Lovett at Rep. Price's Durham office (411 W. Chapel
Hill St, the Mutual Life Building).  Thursday,
December 7th or 14th, at 4 or 5pm is available.  I
think December 7th would be good, since the After
Downing Street Coalition is calling for impeachment
events for Human Rights Day, on the 10th, and I assume
if we meet at 4pm we could talk longer than at 5pm, if
there is more to say.  What do you all think?  

 

There are more signatures on the first petition (online version at

www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html) and there is a similar petition 

from over the summer to present.  The situation in Congress has of course

also changed since the last time we met with Price's staff (in Chapel Hill) and

Bush has pushed further against the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

(for example, with the Military Commissions Act, which can be used against

citizens).  As I said, I don't expect a lot from Price on

truly holding Bush accountable, but maybe something has changed, and it is

necessary to show what we think, even if it is not yet enough to move Price to act. 

Impeachment events around Human Rights Day, December 10th

This is another message from David Swanson, of the After Downing Street Coalition, sent Tuesday the 14th.  The local Grass Roots Impeachment Movement (www.impeachbushcheney.net ) is already using some of the tactics called for below.  The meeting at Rep. Price's office in Durham to present more petitions will probably be around December 10th. It might be on a Thursday in the late afternoon. 

Now that the Democrats control Congress impeachment is more likely, but we still face an uphill battle.  Rep. Nancy Pelosi and others have already rejected impeachment (or say they do).  I think Rep. Brad Miller rejected it (see the post about the CCR video showing in the summer).  Price might vote for impeachment, but I'm sure he won't be in the lead on it.  If the members of Congress do their Constitutional duty and impeach, it is likely they will be soft on Bush and others, since many Democrats in Congress support some of the illegal and anti-democratic policies pursued by the Bush Administration.  For example, many supported the attack on Iraq.  The Bush Administration was lying in its case for War, but many Democrats ignored the evidence that Bush was lying and these Democrats wanted "regime change" anyway.  Some wanted a UN Security Council seal of approval and a stronger coalition, but they still wanted to wage a war of aggression against a developing country that was not a threat to the USA and did not have weapons of mass destruction or ties to al-Qaida (unlike 'our allies' Pakistan and Saudi Arabia).  Many Democratic politicians are still advocating increased force in Afghanistan (instead of in Iraq) and harsh measures, possibly military force, against Iran and the DPRK (meanwhile some Democrats, such as Price and I think Miller, voted for Bush's nuclear deal with India, rewarding India for violating the non-proliferation treaty).  The Democrats might be more firm on Bush's signing statements and actions against Congressional oversight - we'll see.      

From David Swanson:

Can you modify any elements of this you want to use and send to the largest list you have? 

IMPEACHMENT BY SPRING: HERE'S THE PLAN

________________

Plan Events on December 10th, Human Rights and Impeachment Day

December 10 is Human Rights Day, and this year we're making it Human Rights and Impeachment Day. Slogan: "Putting Impeachment on the Table."

We encourage you to organize a town hall forum or rally on this day for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

You can create a public listing of your event here. You will be able to communicate with the people who sign up for your event, and to edit the listing for your event, changing or filling in details later.

You can view existing events and sign up to attend one here.

Here is a list of available speakers with their contact info.

Be sure also to invite your Congress Member or newly elected future Congress Member to speak.

Here are resources that will make your event easy and effective.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/december10

________________

Collect Signatures on Petitions
Collect millions of them, especially in front of your Congress Member's offices. Use this to build local organizations as well as a national list of names.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/petition

________________

Join a Congressional District Impeachment Committee
Organize locally to lobby your Representative:

http://www.democrats.com/cdic

________________

Pass State and Local Resolutions
Pass impeachment resolutions in your town or city, state, political party, or labor union. Use the petitioning (above) to help make this happen:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resolutions

________________

Be a Media Activist
Work the media for impeachment:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/media

________________

Talking Points and Other Resources to Assist You

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resourcecenter

________________

Impeachment Conference Call November 13, 2006
81 organizers and activists from across the country took part in a conference call Monday evening to discuss upcoming actions to advance the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. You can listen to the 90-minute call to catch up and get involved. We'll post the transcript and notes ASAP.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/impeachcall.mp3

________________

Audio and Video from Philadelphia on Veterans Day
Here is video of our impeachment movement launch:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/phillyvideo

Here is audio:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/phillyaudio

________________

We Now Have Shirts With Long Sleeves

http://www.wavelengthclothing.com/impeach_bush.html

________________

Invite the Bush Chain Gang to Your Town
Reduce fear and roadside trash: put them to work.

http://backbonecampaign.org/chaingang.cfm

Impeachment events around Human Rights Day, December 10th

This is another message from David Swanson, of the After Downing Street Coalition, sent Tuesday the 14th.  The local Grass Roots Impeachment Movement ( www.impeachbushcheney.net ) is already using some of the tactics called for below.  The meeting at Rep. Price's office in Durham to present more petitions will probably be around December 10th. It might be on a Thursday in the late afternoon. 

Now that the Democrats control Congress impeachment is more likely, but we still face an uphill battle.  Rep. Nancy Pelosi and others have already rejected impeachment (or say they do).  I think Rep. Brad Miller rejected it (see the post about the CCR video showing in the summer).  Price might vote for impeachment, but I'm sure he won't be in the lead on it.  If the members of Congress do their Constitutional duty and impeach, it is likely they will be soft on Bush and others, since many Democrats in Congress support some of the illegal and anti-democratic policies pursued by the Bush Administration.  For example, many supported the attack on Iraq.  The Bush Administration was lying in its case for War, but many Democrats ignored the evidence that Bush was lying and these Democrats wanted "regime change" anyway.  Some wanted a UN Security Council seal of approval and a stronger coalition, but they still wanted to wage a war of aggression against a developing country that was not a threat to the USA and did not have weapons of mass destruction or ties to al-Qaida (unlike 'our allies' Pakistan and Saudi Arabia).  Many Democratic politicians are still advocating increased force in Afghanistan (instead of in Iraq) and harsh measures, possibly military force, against Iran and the DPRK (meanwhile some Democrats, such as Price and I think Miller, voted for Bush's nuclear deal with India, rewarding India for violating the non-proliferation treaty).  The Democrats might be more firm on Bush's signing statements and actions against Congressional oversight - we'll see.      

From David Swanson:

Can you modify any elements of this you want to use and send to the largest list you have? 

IMPEACHMENT BY SPRING: HERE'S THE PLAN

________________

Plan Events on December 10th, Human Rights and Impeachment Day

December 10 is Human Rights Day, and this year we're making it Human Rights and Impeachment Day. Slogan: "Putting Impeachment on the Table."

We encourage you to organize a town hall forum or rally on this day for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

You can create a public listing of your event here. You will be able to communicate with the people who sign up for your event, and to edit the listing for your event, changing or filling in details later.

You can view existing events and sign up to attend one here.

Here is a list of available speakers with their contact info.

Be sure also to invite your Congress Member or newly elected future Congress Member to speak.

Here are resources that will make your event easy and effective.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/december10

________________

Collect Signatures on Petitions
Collect millions of them, especially in front of your Congress Member's offices. Use this to build local organizations as well as a national list of names.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/petition

________________

Join a Congressional District Impeachment Committee
Organize locally to lobby your Representative:

http://www.democrats.com/cdic

________________

Pass State and Local Resolutions
Pass impeachment resolutions in your town or city, state, political party, or labor union. Use the petitioning (above) to help make this happen:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resolutions

________________

Be a Media Activist
Work the media for impeachment:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/media

________________

Talking Points and Other Resources to Assist You

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resourcecenter

________________

Impeachment Conference Call November 13, 2006
81 organizers and activists from across the country took part in a conference call Monday evening to discuss upcoming actions to advance the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. You can listen to the 90-minute call to catch up and get involved. We'll post the transcript and notes ASAP.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/impeachcall.mp3

________________

Audio and Video from Philadelphia on Veterans Day
Here is video of our impeachment movement launch:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/phillyvideo

Here is audio:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/phillyaudio

________________

We Now Have Shirts With Long Sleeves

http://www.wavelengthclothing.com/impeach_bush.html

________________

Invite the Bush Chain Gang to Your Town
Reduce fear and roadside trash: put them to work.

http://backbonecampaign.org /chaingang.cfm

Invitation to an Impeachment - announcement

> From: David Swanson [of the After Downing Street Coalition, which I endorse through 2 supporting groups]
> Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2006 23:57:57 -0500
> To: 00David Swanson
> Subject: Invitation to an Impeachment
>
> Invitation to an Impeachment
>
> We're organizing a new campaign for the impeachment
> ofd Bush and Cheney and
> need your input and participation.
>
> We've planned a conference call for 9 p.m. ET on
> Monday, November 13th.
> Conference Dial-in Number: (402) 756-9100
> Participant Access Code: 462356#
> RSVP to [David Swanson]
>
> For those who can make it, we'll also have a
> face-to-face strategy meeting
> on Saturday, November 11th, in Philadelphia, Penn.,
> from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
> ET. The meeting will follow a forum at the National
> Constitution Center
> entitled: "Organizing for Impeachment: Announcing a
> Movement". In the first
> hour (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.) speakers will include:
> Elizabeth Holtzman, former
> Congress Member; David Swanson, Co-Founder of
> AfterDowningStreet.org,
> Washington Director of Democrats.com; Tim Carpenter,
> Co-Founder of
> AfterDowningStreet.org, Director of Progressive
> Democrats of America; Jodie
> Evans, Co-Founder of CODE PINK Women for Peace; Bill
> Perry, Delaware Valley
> Veterans For America; Cindy Sheehan, Co-Founder of
> Gold Star Families for
> Peace; and moderator Bob Fertik, President of
> Democrats.com.
> Representatives of other participating organizations
> will attend. From
> 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. we will lead a Blogger Panel to
> discuss the issues we raise
> in the first hour. If you can attend, please sign
> up and get a ticket here:
> http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/impeach
>
> Why are we moving so quickly on impeachment?
>
> GOP scaremongering persuaded Nancy Pelosi to declare
> impeachment "off the
> table." She even pledged there would be no
> impeachment on "60 Minutes."
> But after Election Day - assuming a Democratic
> takeover of the House - we
> are determined to put Impeachment back "on the
> table" over the objections of
> the Republican Party, the GOP-controlled corporate
> media, and cowardly
> Democrats. Pelosi has a 100-day plan to pass
> "positive" legislation, but
> she will get a rude shock when Bush nullifies her
> bills with
> unconstitutional signing statements. With 51
> percent of Americans
> supporting impeachment (according to Newsweek) and
> an election just behind
> us, the moment seems ideal to create the public
> pressure needed to allow
> those Members of Congress who favor impeachment to
> act.
>
> Grounds for impeachment are detailed in our
> petition:
> http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88
>
> We are looking for suggestions and proposals for
> changes and additions to
> the following tentative plan:
>
> 1. Declare a mandate for Impeachment based on
> election results, exit polls,
> and local impeachment referenda in CA, IL, WI, and
> VT.
>
> 2. Start a grassroots petition drive to collect 1
> million signatures. (Each
> group keeps the names and contact info it collects,
> as well as Emailing it
> to us to add to the petition, and we pay $0.25 per
> valid Email address.)
> http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/petition
>
> 3. Form Impeachment Committees in 435 Congressional
> Districts to lobby every
> Member of Congress:
> http://www.afterdowningstreet .org/cdic
>
> 4. Hold Town Hall Meetings and rallies on
> impeachment around the country on
> December 10th (Human Rights Day):
> http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/december10
>
> 5. Pass Impeachment resolutions in state
> legislatures, cities, towns,
> unions, political parties:
> http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resolutions
>
> 6. Expand our Citizens Impeachment Commission to add
> prominent citizens,
> celebrities and bloggers:
> http://impeachpac.org/citizens
>
> If you would like to be listed on the Citizens
> Impeachment Commission or
> want to recommend someone else to include, please
> send that information to
> david [at] davidswanson [dot] org
>
> If you are available to speak at an event on
> December 10th, please let us
> know and tell us what contact info for you can be
> posted publicly and what
> area of the country you can speak in.

Discussion of class, government, and the loss of our rights, Nov. 4th

There will be a discussion of class, government, and
Marxism, with a focus on the loss of rights in the USA and the new detainee act,
at 4pm Saturday, November 4th, in the downstairs
conference room of the Chapel Hill Public Library.
There will be a speaker from the Durham branch of the
Bill of Rights Defense Committee, a group working to
safeguard our rights under the Constitution and on
related democratic issues.  Currently it is focused on
the new Military Commission Act, which abolished habeas
corpus and permits torture and military trials, and can be

used against citizens, as well as foreign prisoners.  A

suggested reading is chapter 1 of The State and Revolution,

by Lenin, to discuss how this relates to our current struggles. It is online at
www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/ch01.htm
and www.marx2mao.com.

This is part of the non-partisan Triangle Socialist
Forum, open to anyone interested in discussion.  It
was called the Marxist Forum, but members thought
socialist might be a more accessible name to the
general public.  Any updates will be posted at
durhamspark.blogspot.com.  The next four discussions
will probably be on working class politics, the
national question (focused on whether there is a black
nation, or other nations, within the USA), war and
globalization, and socialism.

Please let other interested groups know about this and let's make it a big meeting!

Short updates

It sounds like there were hundreds of people at October 5th events across North Carolina.  The Durham protest was more modest, with about 12 people, but that might be double the number there for the Impeachment Day protest September 1st.  GRIM's new impeachment banner was displayed at the event SDS organized at UNC and at our event, as well as Chapel Hill's Festifall last Sunday.  I'm told Festifall was smaller than usual, but the GRIM table had good business.  Now we need to maintain the momentum.  Unfortunately GRIM, the Triangle regional group, has been less active lately and the most active groups are the Durham and Raleigh (?) Meetup.com groups.     

 

The Durham impeachment Meetup group will meet at 7pm on the 18th at the Parkwood Branch Library.  That will probably be changed if Bush is in Greensboro that day for a fundraiser.  He is supposed to come between the 16th and 18th. 

DIY impeachment - innundate Congress on the 12th

There seems to be a legal precedent for initiating impeachment through grassroots efforts.  It seems like we've been trying this, but numbers would make it more likely to succeed, and this press release proposes a nationwide effort on October 12th. 

 

For more detailed information on the DIY impeachment go to:
http://Impeachforpeace.org/ImpeachNow.html
------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCTOBER 2, 2006, Minneapolis, MN

12 October, 2006   A flood of "Do-It-Yourself Impeachments" inundate the
houses of Congress.

Next Thursday hundreds of thousands of letters demanding Bush's
impeachment are going to be arriving
in the houses of Congress.

Jodin Morey, an organizer for Impeach for Peace (a Minnesota based
impeachment group), researched a method for impeaching the president using
a little known and rarely used part of the Rules of the House of
Representatives that empowers individual citizens to initiate the
impeachment process.

The "Jefferson's Manual" is an interpretive guide to parliamentary
procedure, and is included (along with the Constitution) in the bound
volumes of the Rules of the House of Representatives. It is ratified by
each Congress – including the current one – and has been updated
continuously through the history of our democracy. The section covering
impeachment lists the acceptable vehicles for bringing impeachment motions
to the floor of the House.

Before the House Judiciary Committee can put together the Articles of
Impeachment, someone must initiate the impeachment procedure. Most often,
this occurs when members of the House pass a resolution. Another method
outlined in the manual, however, is for individual citizens to submit a
memorial for impeachment.

After learning this information, Morey found a precedent in an 1830
memorial by Luke Edward Lawless, which had been successful in initiating
the impeachment of Federal Judge James H. Peck. Morey then used this as a
template for their "Do-It-Yourself Impeachment." Now any citizen can
download the DIY Impeachment Memorial and submit it, making it possible
for Americans to do what our representatives have been unwilling to do.
The idea is for so many people to submit the Memorial that it cannot be
ignored.

Impeach for Peace is now certain that it has a legal document that U.S.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert must recognize. The main organizer for the
group, Mikael Rudolph, explains: "He might still toss them all in the
trash, but with House Minority Leader John Conyers also receiving copies,
Hastert can be held accountable by Conyers. Imagine dozens of extra trucks
are called into service to deliver tons of mail to Speaker Hastert and
Congressman Conyers in mid to late October. The DIY Impeachment has been
downloaded over 175,000 times."

The expected media attention surrounding the delivery of these memorials
is being timed strategically to influence the November elections. Rudolph
reasons, "It's like a legal method for voting outside of the scheduled
polling dates. It is incredibly empowering and awakening for individuals
to learn that they can do this." The constitution provides for both the
electoral process and the impeachment process – the latter being necessary
when the elected officials do not honor their oath of office.

According to Rudolph, "Impeachment would lead to the ouster of Cheney,
Rice, Rumsfeld and many others, as they are all equally guilty of war
crimes. In an open impeachment trial, the evidence would come out. It
isn't the only way we'll succeed in impeaching Bush and restoring
democracy, but it is an important avenue."

Contact:

Jodin Morey
Author, DIY Impeachment
Co-founder, ImpeachForPeace.org
jodinwcw at beingism dot org
 

Details on October 5th events planned throughout the State

October 5th is really taking off in North Carolina.  12 events are planned in the State (see list below) and only California has more planned!  Last week 50 events were planned nationwide, now up to 180.  There will be a protest at noon at UNC-Chapel Hill and it sounds like Orange and Wake County will be represented at the Durham protest. 

 

This is an announcement about the Chapel Hill protest at noon on the 5th:

 

> (Please post this to any and all websites,
> listservs, friends, etc.)
>
> Mass Demonstration - Thursday October 5th, 12 noon
> at the UNC- Chapel Hill
> Pit.
>
> Join UNC Chapel Hill Students for a Democratic
> Society, the Feminist Student
> Union, Student Action with Workers and many others
> for a national day of
> action against war and occupation. Stand up and
> speak out against the war in
> Iraq!
>
> For more information:
>
> Website: http://unc-sds.blogspot.com
> Email: unc.sds at gmail dot com

This is a list of the events planned in North Carolina, other than the ours in Durham, from the NC WCW coordinator:
>
>   Second: People all over the country are responding
> to the call for the Day of Mass Resistance in
> tremendous numbers. Last week there were 50 protests
> planned. After our USA Today ad hit the newstands,
> that number has TRIPLED to over 150. North Carolina
> is #2 in the country in terms of the number of
> protests, with 12 planned statewide, with only
> California having more.
>
>   Last: Here is the list of protests. Be at one. The
> only one that's not listed is Durham, and it should
> be on the website today at www.worldcantwait.org .
>
>   Asheboro, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 4:00 pm until...
> Hwy 64 / Hwy 42 Intersection, BP station corner.
> Rain or Shine!!!
>
> Bring your signs and your outrage!
> Everyone is welcome - we are a diverse group, from
> all walks of life, from 18 to 78! Join us as we
> unite to achieve our common
> goal: DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME!!!
>
> Email us for more information and to share your
> ideas.
>
>
> asheboronc at worldcantwait dot org
>
>   Asheville, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 11:30am
> UNC-Asheville Quad
> The UNCA Socialist Unity League of Students for a
> Democratic Society is holding a Walk-Out of classes,
> a Rally on the Quad, and a March downtown to end the
> war in Iraq.
>
> You can check out our website at
> http://www.digital-10k.com/sul/ for more
> information, and to sign up on our announcements
> list.
> UNCA-SUL at googlegroups dot com
>
>   Chapel Hill, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 12:00 noon
> UNC Chapel Hill in the pit
> unc.sds.gmail.com
>
>   Charlotte, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 6:00 pm until at least 8:00 pm
> The Square, Trade St & Tryon St
> Join us for a rally at The Square in the center of
> uptown Charlotte. Guest speakers and music. See
> http://www.CharlotteAction.org or call (704)
> 492-8527 for updates and more details.
> bringthemonhome at yahoo dot com
>
>   Greensboro, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 6:00 pm
> Corner of Market and Eugene St. downtown
> We will have a permitted march downtown that steps
> off at 6:30pm. Gather at the corner of Market and
> Eugene in the grassy area in front of the
> courthouse. There will be a short rally followed by
> a LOUD but peaceful march through the streets of
> downtown!
>
> We have to show the world that people in Greensboro
> and NC are NOT going along with the Bush regime's
> fascistic program of war, repression, torture,
> spying, bigotry and division! Spread the
> word...unleash the people from "politics as
> usual"...
>
> http://www.geocities.com/nccantwait
> phone: (336) 574-9088
> ncworldcantwait at yahoo dot com
>
>   Greenville, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> email for info
> was on greenville blvd
> We didnt get any support so if you want to come with
> us to greesboro then just email me
>
> antiflag33087 at yahoo dot com
>
>   Hickory, Newton, Maiden, Conover, Mountain View,
> Claremont, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 1:00pm-6:30pm
> Barnes and Noble bookstore on Hwy 70 & Startown Rd
> From the "40" exit 126 and head south. On the corner
> of Startown and Hwy 70. If you are unhappy with our
> current situation or would like to see a change
> please come out and show your support. Our goal is
> for 1000 people to show up. If you can't show up at
> 1:00 ... we will be there until 5:00pm. One day of
> work/school will not hurt you... and you will be a
> part of something great!!! If anyone can help us
> organize it would be appreciated.
> nollsgame at gmail dot com
>
>   North Wilkesboro, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 12 o'clock
> Main Street
> We meet on main street, at melodie square and march
> down mainstreet all the way up to Wal-Mart.
> danielhirtler at gmx dot at
>
>   Swananoa, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> During the day
> Outside of Gladfelter
> On the sunderland lawn we will be holding time for
> silence, reflection, and a place to be during the
> walkout. Students may walk out at any time during
> the day. The night before we are going to chalk up
> the campus with poems for peace, stories of war, and
> crimes of the Bush Administration.
> socialjustice at warren-wilson dot edu
>
>   UNCG campus, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> all day
> all over campus
> 11:05am---Walkout; students that have an 11am class
> are encouraged to go to their class, announce the
> plans for the day, then leave class, inviting
> everyone else (professors included!) to join them.
> We will convene at the Atrium fountain around 11:15
> and begin a day that will hopefully swing this
> apathetic campus back into action!
>
> 11:30am---Staged Bush Crimes, various places around
> campus
>
> 3:30pm---"Happening of Mass Resistance", EUC front
> lawn
>
> 5:00pm---Rush Hour March to Downtown. Assemble at
> Atrium fountain. We'll march from there to downtown
> to join in the Downtown Greensboro march that starts
> at 6.
> lauren_wcw at yahoo dot com
>
>   wilmington, NC  2006-10-05 [edit]
> 12:00 p.m.
> Federal Courthouse Downtown
> We are following our fellow brethren on Oct. 5th to
> end the Bush regime and walk out of school, take off
> of work and meet in downtown Wilmington, NC at the
> Federal Courthouse on Front and Market street at 12
> P.M. to make a statement to our government NO! THIS
> REGIME DOES NOT REPRESENT US! AND WE WILL DRIVE IT
> OUT!
>
> PROTEST THE STREETS OF WILMINGTON IN A PEACEFUL
> DEMONSTRATION
> ocgraysurf at yahoo dot com

>
> NEW LOCAL WEBSITE!
> http://www.geocities.com/nccantwait NC Chapter, The
> World Can't Wait!
> NC events, announcements, and activist
> calendar...check it out today!
>
> http://www.worldcantwait.org  The World Can't
> Wait--Drive Out the Bush Regime!
> National website--check frequently for news,
> updates, downloadable organizing materials and
> more...an invaluable resource!

Anti-Bush Administration protests Thursday

There will be a vigil against the Bush
Administration's illegal and immoral policies and
demanding that Bush and Cheney be impeached, Thursday,
October 5th, 5-6pm at the intersection of Highways 54
and 55 in Durham.  The Durham Impeachment Meetup
(www.meetup.com) and the Grass Roots Impeachment
Movement ( www.impeachbushcheney.net) organized the
protest as part of the World Can't Wait
(www.worldcantwait.org ) national day of action. I think our state

is near the top in having many October 5th actions planned. 
Please bring signs.  For more information email southplumb at gmail dot com and
check for updates at downingstreetactionnc.blogspot.com.

I think the UNC chapter of SDS will have a rally and
march from the Pit on the 5th, but I don't know the
details yet.

There is an impeachment petition to Rep. Price online
at www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html (and on
paper at the Durham Food Co-op, The Peoples Channel
office, and Internationalist Books).  A new petition
to the Durham City Council is online at
www.petitiononline.com/durimp.
 

I'm trying to set up another meeting with Rep. Price
or his staff this month to deliver more petitions.

Reportback from the Durham teach-in

Thursday evening GRIM hosting a showing of the Center for
Constitutional Rights' "How to Impeach A President" and discussion
(the CCR campaign is online at www.articlesofimpeachment.net).  The
video was very general and referred to a new book by the CCR.  I
missed the name of the first section of the show, but others were 2.
Focus your arguments, 3. Make a strong case (here or in a section
called Article 2 the video outlined some major grounds for
impeachment:  lying about Iraq having a connection to 9/11 and having
weapons of mass destruction, torture of prisoners, rendition to third
countries for torture, and signing statements saying that Bush does
not have to follow laws passed by Comgress and ratified by Bush.  Next
was 4. Don't be deterred, which argued that we should start with Bush
but that his whole administration is tainted.  It also pointed out
that Nixon "crushed McGovern" in the 1972 presidential election, with
61% of the vote, yet he was later impeached by a House that was only
55% Democratic.  5. Take action outlined several steps citizens can
take for impeachment:  write to your representatives, pass resolutions
in civic groups and governments, which works best concurrently with
petitioning,  take the CCR up on its offer to send a free copy of its
impeachment book to your representative, host video showings and
discussions, write to your newspaper, etc.

Next we had a very good discussion, although I have some concerns
about some of what was said.  The first question was about people judt
not wanting to hear this and avoiding hearing about the Bush
Administration's crimes.  The conversation then turned to the issue of
complicity of the Administration in 9/11, with some people believing
that is relevant and others wanting that discussion to be separate
from reasons for impeachment.  I think more people might have believed
it was relevant that that it wasn't, but I'm not sure.  Next there was
some talk of our resolutions.  I wanted to point out that Mayor Bell
appears not to have contacted Price on this, that the Durham County
Commissioners might bee more receptive, and I wanted to ask what our
chances might be with the State Legislature.

It shouldn't be surprising, but is very disappointing, that it seems
like elected Democrats are more opposed to impeachment than
Republicans!  Rep. Miller told people who came from Greensboro that
the Democrats should be more noble than the Republicans and this seems
to be the consensus!  I think he also told them (or was it Mel Watt,
who had almost the same line?) that the impeachment of Clinton was a
terrible crisis that should not be repeated (people here mentioned the
fact that the House only spent 3 days on it and the Senate spent 1
month and that Gingrich did worse).  This is terrible reasoning,
showing that they excuse the crimes and offenses that the Bush
Administration appears to be committing.  Some defenders of democracy!
 They also could be afraid of impeachment being used against them (but
Andy said look at the polls) and it was suggested that some were being
quiet since the Voting Rights Act was up for renewal.

There was some talk of other impeachment methods.  Fitzgerald was
mentioned, but pundits say he is not political.  A special prosecutor
would have to be appointed by Bush (see his response to the letter
Price co-sponsored on the NSA spying).  Many people seemed to think
there would be investigations and subpoenas if the Democrats win a
majority this fall.  Someone said it was all over if the Democrats
didn't win.  In a way this is true, but I felt like pointing out that
grassroots pressure works regardless of what party is in power.
People power has caused many governments to fall (for example,
Bolivia, the Philippines, Ukraine, etc.).  It would be easier with the
Democrats in control, but it is defeatism to pin our hopes on them and
I think the Democrats will still avoid it, and when they do it, they
will avoid the big issues.  That is what happened in some ways with
the Nixon and since Congress now is as guilty as the Bush
Administration on some things, they will want to disturb things as
little as possible (at which point I think it will be our role to
build the grassroots pressure).

There was a question about how to unify our efforts.  I think holding
a Piedmont wide or State conference at some point would be a good
idea.  There are supposed to be lots of groups, but I've only heard of
GRIM, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Kernersville, and Charlotte efforts
dedicated to impeachment.

We discussed the possibility of election fraud.  Our state is well off
with voter verified paper balloting, but it is one of only 12 states,
and they aren't the most important ones.  There are problems in Ohio,
Florida, Pennsylvania, and California.  On the other hand, people said
the Republicans would accuse the Democrats of cheating if the
Democrats win this year.  It was said that special elections and local
politics point to Democratic gains.

We ended returning to the issue of how to bring up these issues with
people.  It was suggested that we focus on things like the costs of
Bush's crimes (it could like to gas costs too I think).  At some point
someone said, 'Do you want a liar in office?'  As scheduled at 8:30
the meeting ended, but most people stayed to continue discussion over
refreshments.

In all there were 14 people, including 5 who carpooled from Greensboro
(through three dangerous downpours).  The Indy publicity brought out
three new people (though the website mentioned in the ad is a .org,
not .com).  There is a range of opinion within the impeachment
movement, from Democratic Party-centered to non-centered, as can be
seen above.  We collected some more petition signatures and
strategized some.

Teach-in on impeachment Thursday in southern Durham

Below is a notice about an upcoming event and general actions.  Also, I would like to point out that Rep. Price voted for H. Res. 921 (online at thomas.loc.gov), which supports Israeli aggression in Lebanon and lays the basis for a US war with Syria or Iran.  This is an example of how the US has a bipartisan problem, although right now the Bush Administration is at the main expression of it.  If you want to read more of what I have to say about this, see durhamspark.blogspot.com. 

 

The Grass Roots Impeachment Movement (GRIM)
(www.grassrootsimpeachment.org ) is hosting a video
showing and discussion, Thursday, July 27th, 7-8:30pm,
at the Peace Covenant Church in southern Durham on
Highway 54 just east of Fayetteville Rd. (601 E.
Highway 54). The video, "How to Impeach a President"
is by the Center for Constitutional Rights (for more
information see www.articlesofimpeachment.net).

You can sign the local petition for impeachment online
at www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html or at
Durham Food Co-op or Internationalist Books
(updates at downingstreetactionnc.blogspot.com). New
signatures will probably be presented to Price or
his staff in September. They also might be useful for
lobbying the Durham City Council, which won't vote on
a proposed impeachment resolution at this point,
allegedly because it wouldn't be passed unanimously.

Some other ways to encourage the impeachment of Bush
and Cheney are by asking local governments to pass
resolutions (Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County
have already done this), asking the State Legislature
to submit articles of impeachment to Congress, getting
civic groups to pass resolutions, writing to
newspapers, attending upcoming events, and wearing
orange for impeachment on Fridays (see
orangetoimpeach.blogspot.com ).

Raleigh meeting and July 4th flyer draft

Raleigh town meeting

 

The Raleigh town meeting was earlier tonight, 7-9pm.  I arrived near the end and counted about 48 people.  Ajamu Dillahunt had to cancel, so the speakers were Al McSurely and Stan Goff.  A former NC (?) Secretary of Labor and a candidate for the State Supreme Court came also.  It was probably mostly an older crowd, but there were also young people.  The group was mostly or all white though, which I assume doesn't reflect the racial makeup of Raleigh.  This time we got a video recording of the event, and I think the filmers want to put it on Orange County's cable access channel, The Peoples Channel.  GRIM, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee (BORDC), Stan, and the Green Party tabled.  The September 30th impeachment rally in Charlotte (1-6pm in Freedom Park) is being organized by the Action Center for Justice, Charlotte Coalition for Peace & Justice, Charlotte CodePink, Charlotte NOW, Freedom Group, and the NC Green Party.  It will feature speakers Nadia McCaffery, David Swanson, Ann Wright, Jacek Teller, Tim Pluta, and Bill Grass, along with performers the Bellyfull, Hardcore Lounge, Peter Moore, and Michael Sharpe.  I heard that there was a regional impeachment meet-up yesterday in Winston-Salem, so maybe the Winston-Salem meeting isn't July 26th.  July 18th at 7pm at the Durham Main Library there will be a presentation about the reasons to doubt the truthfulness of the official account of 9/11.  GRIM should have a regular meeting coming up in early July, but it doesn't look like anything has been set up.  We need to organize and advertise regular meetings to build the group I think.   

 

July 19th day of action

 

After the meeting I spoke with Andy Silver and he suggested that we organize a local event for the July 19th day of action on impeachment (see www.articlesofimpeachment.net/).  So far there are two events announced in this State, in Charlotte and Stokesdale.  I could easily reserve a space in Durham or elsewhere for this and help with publicity.  If GRIM gets behind this we could have several events throughout the Triangle. So far we don't have any events planned for July and another event in Durham would be good for building the impeachment movement here.  I assume we will have more town meetings in the fall, especially to reach students.  As Al said at the Raleigh meeting, we will continue to organize and have meetings regardless of what happens in the midterm elections (one point of discussion was whether the Democrats will gain seats in Congress and whether there will be electoral fraud by Republicans like in the apparently stolen elections of 2000 and 2004).   

 

July 4th flyering campaign

 

Below is a draft flyer for July 4th impeachment publicity.  Comments?  This is a Durham-specific flyer and will need to be chaged now that the Raleigh meeting has passed.  Since the upcoming events are all out of this area, having some local July 19th events would be a good way to further emphasize that this is a local movement.  Andy suggested that we need to work more on Etheridge.  I focus on Price since I live in his distrcit, but it would be great if my petition and other materials were adapted to lobby other Congress members (or local officials like the Durham City Council).  If you want the Word version of this, email me at southplumb at gmail dot com.       

 

 

 

Impeach Bush and Cheney! 
 

Their crimes:

• Violation of Americans' civil rights.
• Warrantless wiretapping and surveillance.
• Misleading Congress and the public to justify the occupation of Iraq.
• Authorizing war crimes and torture in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
• Undermining Congressional and court oversight.

 

What can regular citizens do?   

-  Attend the Raleigh town meeting on impeachment June 29^th, 7-9pm at 3313 Wade Avenue, the Charlotte teach-in July 19^th, the regional meeting in Winston-Salem July 28th, or the regional rally in Charlotte September 30 ^th.   

-  Sign the petition to Rep. Price (online at www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html and at the Durham Food Co-op, Internationalist Books, and The People's Channel) and write to Price to support House Resolution 635 (online at thomas.loc.gov).    

-  Ask the Durham City Council, County Commissioners, and State Legislature to pass impeachment resolutions (contact info. at www.lwvodc.org/Contents.html). 

-  Ask civic groups you belong to to pass resolutions.   

-  Advocate impeachment in letters to newspapers.  

-  Wear orange on Fridays (campaign blog: orangetoimpeach.blogspot.com).  

For more information about the non-partisan effort in the Triangle see:

www.grassrootsimpeachment.com , www.impeachbushcheney.net, and downingstreetactionnc.blogspot.com  

Mark July 4^th by joining the movement to reclaim our democracy! 

Raleigh impeachment meeting Thursday, June 29th

Information about the next impeachment town meeting is below.  I thought this was in July.  Maybe the Winston-Salem event is in July. There will be a rally or other large event in Charlotte in late September I think.   

 

> 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC
> See impeachbushcheney.net for map
> Thursday, June 29, 2006
> 7:00PM
>
> Public Discussion
> Featuring
> NC Justice Center Activist Ajamu Dillahunt
> Special Forces Veteran Stan Goff
> Civil Rights Attorney Al McSurely
> Singer/songwriter Janet Bratter
>  The Raging Grannies
>
> IMPEACH BUSH and CHENEY
>
> Sponsored by:
> NC Grassroots Impeachment Movement
> http://www.impeachbushcheney.net/#hearings
> 929-3316

July 4th project + radio coverage of the Pittsboro event

July 4th is a revolutionary, democratic, and civil rights holiday, so advocating impeachment of a criminal and unjust leader is a good way to mark and resconsecrate that day.  Also, July 19th is an impeachment day of action and July 23rd is the anniversary of the Downing Street Miknutes, one of the 8 DSM.  GRIM is planning to table in Carrboro and possibly elsewhere on July 4th, and I'm plan to suggest a publicity campaign.  One part would be a flyer listing some of the reasons impeachment is necessary (the Iraq War, war crimes and violations of international law, and violations of Americans' civil rights), upcoming events, and how to join the effort.  Ways to help include attending the July 29th event in Raleigh and other events, (in Durham) writing to Mayor Bell, the City Council, and the County Commissioners in support of local impeachment resolutions (the Orange County County government and governments in Raleigh also haven't passed resolutions yet), writing to State legislators (since they can influence Congress directly according to a previously obscure rule), writing to newspapers, getting groups to pass resolutions, wearing orange on Fridays, and signing and circulating the impeachment petition ( www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html, available on paper at the Durham Food Co-op, Internationalist Books, The People's Channel (?), and the Friday peace vigil in Chapel Hill), hopefully to be delivered to Price or his office again later in the summer.  Do people have other ideas for campaigns or things to include in a flyer?

 

The update about Pittsboro is that at 7:30pm Wednesday there was a segment on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (?) Radio One about the Pittsboro town meeting!  I think it is online at www.cbc.ca/dispatches .  Wow, international coverage!     

Article on the Pittsboro town meeting

Below is an update (from www.impeachbushcheney.net/article2.htm) about the last town meeting, held in Pittsboro in May.  The Raleigh town meeting will be July 29th and a meeting is being planned in Winston-Salem.  GRIM now has its own website, www.grassrootsimpeachment.org (www.impeachbushcheney.net is a separate site associated with GRIM, like this blog). 

 

Impeach Bush rally held in Pittsboro By Cara McDonough, Chatham News May 25, 2006 Normally the Superior Courtroom in Pittsboro is reserved for issues of a serious nature. Last Tuesday night was no different. Only the crowd expressed their message not only with passionate speeches and statistics, but harmonicas, guitars and a group of singers known as the Raging Grannies. (The name speaks for itself). The North Carolina Grassroots Impeachment Movement, which has already won support with the Chapel Hill and Carrboro town councils, brought their cause to Pittsboro last week. The group supports activist groups across the county that are standing up to the current administration. Outside the court room visitors could grab fact sheets and bumper stickers being handed out by Wes Hare of Chapel Hill's Peace is Patriotic group. The rally, which drew about 50 people, included entertainment from singer-songwriter Janet Bratter as well as the Chapel Hill group The Raging Grannies. Bratter began the evening with her song, "Little Boys With Poison Toys." The Raging Grannies next took the stand, singing several tunes, most notably their famous impeachment song to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." "We are calling for impeachment, all the live-long day/We are calling for impeachment just to send those crooks away," they sang, wearing flowered hats, and accompanied by a kazoo. But though amusing at times, the rally was a serious call to action. Chatham's own Rev. Carrie Bolton, in her first public engagement since suffering a stroke eight months ago, told the crowd that "we need to stop all the lying." "Mr. Bush, take your seat in the corner and let someone else take over," she said to the those in attendance, who expressed their agreement vocally and with a standing ovation. "What this administration has been about is destruction, destruction." Kent Kanoy, who ran unsuccessfully against incumbent David Price in the primary race for the 4th District U.S. Congressional seat, said he ran on a platform for impeachment and is now urging Price to do the same. Kanoy said that he ran for office because the cause was great enough that he felt he had to do something. "I tossed my hat in the ring. I've never held political office in my life. I'm not a political activist," he said. He also read a letter he sent to Price soon after the primary election, encouraging the current house representative to stand up to the Bush administration. Attorney Al McSurely, who recently accepted an award from the NAACP for his civil rights work, spoke about the importance of the grassroots mission. "We're talking about high crimes and misdemeanors," he said. "The case for impeaching Bush and Cheney is clear." He said he believed 60-70 percent of the American people would agree to impeachment. "Impeach means to charge. That's what we want to do. It's not as bad as everyone thinks it is," McSurely said. Waiting until the next presidential election just isn't an option, he said. "January 2009 is what some people want to do. January 2009 to clean up this mess – no," McSurely said. "This is a crisis and we have to do something. We can't wait." For more information on the grassroots movement visit www.impeachbushcheney.net .

Town meeting in Pittsboro tonight, call-in Wednesday, and other updates

Durham has been asked to pass impeachment
resolutions and a vote is coming up.  There is an
article about it in the Monday Herald-Sun (available
online at www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-737104.html).
There will probably be a call-in radio show about
it 7-9am Wednesday on WPTF Raleigh 680 AM, between 1
or 2 GRIM members and Durham City Council member
Eugene Brown, who opposes our local resolutions.  We
could use supportive calls (I think it is a
rightist station) and shows of support for the
Durham resolutions, whether in letters or at the meeting when they
are voted upon. I think the 4th Congressional District
Democrats just passed an impeachment resolution also.  A GRIM website is being created, probably at www.grassrootsimpeachment.org. 

 

Pittsboro town meeting tonight!

Come discuss the case for impeaching Bush and Cheney,
the process, and what citizens can do, Tuesday, May
23rd, 7-9pm at the Superior Courhouse, Pittsboro
Traffic Circle. Featured are local youth activists,
Rev Carrie Bolton, civil rights lawyer Al McSurely,
former Congressional candidate Kent Kanoy, and
singer/songwriter Janet Bratter. Music will be
provided by the local chapter of the Raging Grannies.

This meeting was organized by the non-partisan Grass
Roots Impeachment Movement (organizer of the Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, Durham and Hillsborough impeachment town
meetings).

For more info. visit
http://www.impeachbushcheney.net/#hearings

[You can join GRIM's listserve at
www.impeachbushcheney.net .]
 

impeachment resolutions in Carrboro and Chapel Hill

Below is the text of the two-part impeachment resolution passed by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen sometime recently.  Earlier this month, maybe it was last Tuesday, the Chapel Hill Town Council passed a similar resolution (news article and probably eventually the text posted at www.impeachbushcheney.net).  The progress of House Res. 635 (see also 636 and 637), and other bills in Congress, can be followed by searching  thomas.loc.gov.  I think GRIM will propose a Durham City resolution at a Council working meeting Thursday at 7pm.  David Sokal is leading that effort.  I have been talking to an NC Libertarian Party leader who was planning to submit an impeachment resolution at their convention this month, but some problems took precedence this time.

 

Also, there will be a Pittsboro town meeting later this month, but I can't remember whether it will be May 26th or 23rd, at 7pm.  We are working on a Raleigh meeting for the summer and the NC Green Party wants to organize a town meeting.    

 

The GRIM meeting for May will be this Friday at 7:30pm in Chapel Hill again.  Email me at southplumb at gmail dot com or GRIM for more information.  

 

 

A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE TO SUPPORT US HOUSE RESOLUTION 635
 

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has committed high crimes and misdemeanors as he has repeatedly violated the United States Constitution and other laws of the United States, particularly the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Torture Convention, which under Article V1 of the constitution is a treaty as part of the "supreme law of the land", and
 

WHEREAS, David Price, upon taking the oath of office to the United States Congress, swore to preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States, and

WHEREAS, The members of the Carrboro Board of Alderman, upon taking the oath of office, each swore to preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States, and
 

NOW THEREFORE, The members of the Carrboro Board of Alderman in order to uphold their oath to defend the Constitution of the United States by supporting House Bill 635 which will create a special committee of the United States Congress to investigate whether the president's misconduct rises to the level of impeachment.

MOTION WAS MADE BY JACQUELYN GIST AND SECONDED BY DAN COLEMAN TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE TO
SUPPORT U.S. HOUSE RESOLUTION 635.  VOTE: AFFIRMATIVE SIX.  ABSENT: ONE (HAVEN - O'DONNELL)
 

RESOLUTION
 

WHEREAS, Section 603 of the Manual of the Rules of the United States House of Representatives provides for impeachments to be initiated on a motion based on charges transmitted from a state legislature, and
 

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has committed high crimes and misdemeanors as he has repeatedly and intentionally violated the United States Constitution and other laws of the United States, particularly the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Torture Convention, which under Article V1 of the constitution is a treaty as part of the "supreme law
of the  land", and
 

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has acted to strip Americans of their constitutional rights by ordering indefinite detention of citizens, without access to legal council, without charge and without opportunity to appear before a civil judicial offer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretion designation by the President of a U.S. citizen as an enemy combatant", all in subversion of law, and
 

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has ordered and authorized the Attorney General to override judicial orders for the release of detainees under U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services jurisdiction, even though the judicial officer after full hearing has determined that a detainee is held wrongfully by the Government, and
 

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has admitted that he willfully and repeatedly violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and boasted that he would continue to do so, each violation constituting a felony,

NOW THEREFORE, the Town of Carrboro Board of Alderman submits that his actions and admissions constitute ample grounds for his impeachment, and that the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina has good cause for submitting charges to the U.S. House of Representatives under Section 603 as grounds for George W. Bush's impeachment.
 

The Town of Carrboro Board of Alderman further submits that Articles of Impeachment should charge that George W. Bush has violated his constitutional oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, by acting in a manner subversive of constitutional government to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the State of North Carolina and the United States of America.
 

WHEREFORE, George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any offices of honor, trust or profit under the United States of America.
 

MOTION WAS MADE BY JACQUELYN GIST AND SECONDED BY JOHN HERRERA TO APPROVE THE SECOND RESOLUTION AND FORWARD IT TO THE STATE DELEGATION.  VOTE: AFFIRMATIVE SIX.  ABSENT: ONE (HAVEN - O'DONNELL)

Thoughts on the radio show

"What's Left" on NC State's radio station last Wednesday focused on impeachment and had several local and national speakers.  Andy Silver, mainly representing www.impeachbushcheney.net and the orangetoimpeach.blogspot.com, and I were in the studio and spoke for the first quarter of the hour. Next David Swanson, of www.afterdowningstreet.org and well-known to activists for impeachment, came on by phone, probably from Washington.  Next Kent Kanoy and then GRIM co-chair John Heuer joined the discussion by phone.  I thought an hour would be a long while to talk, but we barely scratched the surface and didn't lay out a lot of details about impeachment and local actions.  I didn't have a prepared statement or outline written out, but I think it went well.  The hosts expected calls, but maybe we were clear and people agreed with us.  It was especially an honor to be on the same program with Swanson, but that segment was mainly with the hosts.  I heard that the hosts contacted him on short notice and late at night and got a reply in 5 minutes.  Media requests are probably supposed to go through the website rather than by his personal email though (I noticed a reminder about this on After Downing Street around that time).  

 

Lately impeachment discussions often seem to turn to the possibility of an attack on Iran.  At the Durham town meeting much of the discussion was about this.  Reportedly the US and its allies and proxies are already operating in Iran aggressively.  I wouldn't rule out more overt action, and it could be in a way energizing for us, which might be why it is talked about so much (as in, out of the wish that Bush is crazy enough to seriously advocate attacking Iran and thinking that we could stop it this time).  On Iraq the antiwar movement is winning politically, but maybe losing energy or public interest in the three years of struggle to get this far.  The US has been in Iraq for awhile now, so maybe it is becoming less of a pressing issue to people, the same way US forces in Colombia, Haiti, and supporting rightwing dictators are not high-profile or primary struggles for Americans, judging by the activity level.  Stan Goff's argument that the Bush Administration is not insane and has goals that would be hurt by war with Iran makes sense.  There could be war with Iran, but it is probably unlikely before or near 2008, but we should stay vigilant and denounce the current aggressive and hypocritical moves by the Bush Administration.  After all, the current Iraq War came out of the first war with Iraq about 12 years ago. 

 

 

We also discussed Kanoy's campaign some.  Kanoy got more than 2000 votes I think, more than the Democratic challenger to the right of Price, which represented a few percent of the vote.  Lots of people were voting in my southern Durham precinct, so I thought the turnout was unusually high, but host JohnnyK said only a tiny fraction of the electorate turned out this year. 

 

 

Hopefully this will increase support at NCSU, although the spring semester is ending, and support for the planned Raleigh town meeting.  GRIM is hoping to have one of the representatives sponsoring Conyers' H. Res 635 speak at that meeting.  On What's Left we also brought up passing impeachment resolutions.  Carrboro already passed two resolutions without GRIM's involvement.  On the 15th the Chapel Hill Town Council will be asked to pass a similar resolution and on the 18th we might get started in Durham.  There is also a GRIM meeting coming up Friday, May 15th at 7:30pm, again in Chapel Hill.  

 

The radio program will be available in mp3 format at WKNC's website soon, if it isn't already. 

David Swanson on WKNC 88.1FM tonight

The other guests on "What's Left" tonight will be Andy Silver, Kent Kanoy, and David Swanson, of the After Downing Street Coalition (!).  People can also call in.  Can anyone from GRIM tape this?  Hopefully I can get a copy from the station if not. 

Impeachment on 88.1 FM today 7-8pm

I will be a guest on "What's Left," a left student show on every Wednesday evening on NC State's radio station, The Revolution.  Possibly there will also be other speakers and you can probably call-in. I was asked to do this because of the on-going petition and this blog, though the main part of the campaign is now the Grass Roots Impeachment Movement ( www.impeachbushcheney.net).  

 

I briefly looked for the election results online, but the results of the Democratic primary for Price's seat weren't on the Herald-Sun website or a blog a checked.  I didn't do as much today for the campaign or the Kanoy campaign as I had planned.      

Reportback about the latest town meeting

The town meeting went pretty well and I've heard that
it could have been the best one yet in terms of
discussion and interest. There might have been around
60 people, up from 55 at the Hillsborough event, but
less than the Auditorium's capacity. Did anyone make
an exact count? I thought there were around 30 when I
got there, but later there were more people and I
might have underestimated. The crowd was somewhat
diverse, but mostly white and there were few people
under 30. GRIM, the Durham and Orange Co. BORDC's,
Kent Kanoy, and Stan Goff tabled.

Thanks to Joan, also representing the Durham Bill of
Rights Defense Committee, and John for moderating
(Joan moderated during the first half and John did so
for the second half). The meeting started with three
songs by the Raging Grannies, including one on
impeachment and the one saying "I'm going to let it
shine." Stan spoke first, linking the case for
impeachment to the Iraq War and from there to social
issues such as the huge and predominantly black US
prison population. He also pointed out Democratic
Party cooperation with Bush and the need to exert
pressure on both parties. Al McSurely spoke next and
talked about strategy and GRIM's list of impeachment
objections and answers, from the objection that
getting rid of Bush gives us Cheney to the argument
that working for impeachment detracts fron other
causes. Rev. Curtis Gatewood spoke about the
hypocrisy of "Bush Christians" (unfortunately none
came) and also linked impeachment to working class
issues and poverty.

There was time for several questions and comments.
There was some back and forth discussion, especially
about whether Iran will be attacked overtly and how
this could be sold to the public. We could have
talked for a while, but the Library was close to
closing. Kanoy was invited to speak briefly. Bowser,
a former Durham official and candidate for sheriff
this year, attended. I plan to write more here on
what was said later.

I'll write about the process of organizing this later,
since it could be useful for future events. I don't
think any of the media we contacted attended this time
and we don't have a recording. It could have been
better organized, since some decisions were made at
the start of the meeting and it started late, and the
publicity was good but could be better. There also
might have been conflicting election related events.
At the earliest we could have a second Durham event in
June without being too much in a rush. In the future
it would be good to have women speakers represented,
but I wasn't able to find anyone this time.

What are other people's impressions of or comments
about the meeting?

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Durham town meeting on impeaching Bush and Cheney Thursday

Come discuss the case for impeaching Bush and Cheney,
the process, and what citizens can do, Thursday, April
27th, 7-9pm in the Auditorium (to the right at the
entrance) of the Durham Main Library (300 North
Roxboro St.). Featured are NC NAACP 2nd Vice Pres.
Rev. Curtis Gatewood, civil rights lawyer Al McSurely,
Raleigh activist and author Stan Goff, and the Raging
Grannies.

This meeting was organized by the non-partisan Grass
Roots Impeachment Movement and follows the format of
the previous Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough
town meetings. The next GRIM meeting might be around
May 19th. A formal organizing meeting was last Friday
in Chapel Hill, though the group has been around since
the beginning of the year under that name. Pittsboro
and Raleigh town meetings are being planned (and we
could use help). You can contact me by commenting here
or emailing me at southplumb@gmail.com.

www.davidpricewatch.org and www.impeachbushcheney.net
are also useful local sites and GRIM's new listserve
is grim@impeachbushcheney.net. The petition to Price
is still available online at
www.petitiononline.com/dsmnc/petition.html and on
paper in various places. There is also a campaign to
have people wear orange for impeachment on Fridays
(see orangetoimpeach.blogspot.com).

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