Recorded May 29, 2007
Show Host(s): Sanjiv Manifest and John Biethan
Guest: Jacob Park, National Coordinator for a28.org

Welcome to AnationDeceived.org’s ongoing and evolving series “Impeachment Conversations”. Part 1 of the show is impeachment conversation with our guest and Part 2 of the show is the weekly impeachment update. The impeachment reference here, of course, is for the Bush, Cheney impeachment.

In this show we will explore:

a) How a28.org was created

b) Where is it at present, i.e., its key initiatives and events

c) How a28.org and AnationDeceived.org can help each other to continue to broaden the reach and add to the momentum of impeachment across the country

Contact Jacob Park
http://www.a28.org

Bush Cheney Impeachment Update for 5-29-2007
This is Sanjiv @ANationDeceived.org with our weekly impeachment update.

Reminder: Comment Line 206 337 0233

This week we have some very troubling news but, thankfully, we also have some very encouraging news. The impeachment momentum continues to grow as more cities pass impeachment resolutions and a newer state joins in “on the call.” Political activists continue to bring urgency to this issue because the Democratic leaders have taken no action.

But before continuing, I want to mention two important reminders:

a) Nancy Pelosi’s office is taking calls for impeachment poll. Please call 202 225 0100 and express your opinion - whether for or against.

b) Please vote on the National Cheney impeachment and the other Impeachment polls that are available at the top of our home page @ANationDeceived.org.

Oberlin became the first city in Ohio to call for impeachment of Bush, Cheney. The City Council voted unanimously and no one spoke in opposition at the council meeting.

Stockbridge, MA voted 76% in favor of impeachment. The vote was 110-34.

Detroit, MI is holding a town hall forum on May 29^th to discuss impeachment. The National Lawyers Guild, MIimpeach.org, Veterans for Peace, PDA, Democrats.com, AfterDowningStreet.org, World Can’t Wait and several other organizations have sponsored this meeting. The Detroit City Council members will be attending. Note that the Detroit City Council had unanimously passed impeachment earlier in the month.

In VT, the state’s popular third-party, The Progressives, passed impeachment - unanimously with one abstention.

In WI, the WI impeachment/Bring Our Troops Home coalition held a town hall forum urging people to work on impeachment. This group has collected over 5,000 names on impeachment petitions.

In West Point, NY, Dick Cheney’s address at the Military Academy drew several hundred protesters calling for an end to the Iraq occupation and some called for impeachment as well. There were some supporters of the war in Iraq but they were clearly outnumbered (about 300 - 50). A network of 50 organizations had sponsored the anti-war rally.

In, IL, the previous House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s “Hastert Country”, was ripe with protest last Tuesday, May 22^nd. Local residents from Mendota to Aurora participated in a forum on impeachment, at the Batavia Public Library. The Chicago chapter of the World Can’t Wait organization sponsored the forum. The small room was overfilled with passionate citizens desiring change. Across the country local chapters of World Can’t Wait have been convening town hall forums encouraging open dialog.

In MT, the state PDA has planned impeachment and Iraq war related demonstrations on June 20^th in the cities of Butte, Bozeman, Helena, and Billings. These are the major cities in Congressman Rehberg’s district - these demonstrations are part of the effort to sway the Congressman.

An interesting news article in New York Times, May 28^th, about Lewes, Delaware, “Silence Speaks Volumes at Intersection of Views on Iraq War Only one supporter of war in Iraq and dozens in opposition.

“Supporters of both sides in the debate over the war in Iraq have gathered here every week since September 2004 at the busiest intersection of this tranquil shore town of about 3,000 residents. In January, an additional group began congregating in silence on a third corner, their signs calling for the president’s impeachment.”

The National Cheney Impeachment vote remains at over 99% since its inception. Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark has mobilized almost 872K votes on VoteToImpeach.org. And MSNBC poll remains at 88%. Regardless of one’s views on polls, the message remains unmistakably clear - people are for impeachment. The National Cheney vote went from over 52K last week to over 56K as of last night.

Another very encouraging and clear statement of public opinion about the “wrong doings of the Bush Administration” was shown on the web by the unprecedented success of the www.impeachgonzales.org. Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films created a video clip that received over 130K hits in a few hours after the site launch. Within one week, the impeachgonzales site has gathered over 58K votes to impeach Gonzales. In contrast, the National Cheney vote reached over 56K in almost 5 weeks. Even though this site is about Gonzales, it demonstrates - indirectly - that the impeachment movement is growing across the country as people are becoming aware and are voicing their deep dissatisfaction.

Reminder: Comment Line 206 337 0233

On a deeply troubling note, on May 9, 2007, quietly, a Presidential directive was signed and issued as a Press Release. This National Security Presidential directive 51 gives President Bush unprecedented powers over the government and the country, completely bypassing the US Congress. A critical analysis of this directive can be found at www.globalresearch.ca. This directive was given no media attention and has not been reviewed by the US Congress.

The NSPD 51 directive overrides the National Emergency Act, which provides for the necessary Congressional oversight while also giving the Executive branch the necessary powers. This Act was explicitly created to handle national emergency situations and there is no need to subvert and override such an act. The directive has no reference to Congress and appears to negate any requirement for the President to provide Congress with some information stating that a national emergency exists or even seek Congressional approval/oversight. I urge listeners to review this information then contact their Congressional officials to express their opinion - for or against - such an extreme measure.

Important Additional Note May30, 2007

Upon further exploration and analysis, I, Sanjiv, have discovered that my alarm and concern regarding NSPD51 is unfounded.

Another disturbing news: the Iraq war-funding bill was passed in the US Senate on May 22^nd. The bill passed 80-14. 10 Democrats (including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama), 3 Republicans, and 1 Independent voted against this bill. The bill is stripped of any conditions that would slow the Bush Administration’s agenda in Iraq. Keith Olbermann (of MSNBC) has an excellent Special Comment titled: The entire government has failed us on Iraq. It is puzzling that the continued killing of people is considered “supporting the troops”. The best support for the troops is to end the war and bring the troops home. Period.

The national events and the actions of (or lack thereof) our Executive and Congressional leadership make it imperative that the people must voice their opinions to their representatives making the message clear and unmistakable.

Our upcoming guests: SG Mestrovic, author of “The Trials of Abu Ghraib: An Expert Witness Account of Shame and Honor” and Dave Lindorff (award winning journalist for 33 years and a prominent voice for impeachment. Dave is author, with Barbara Olshansky, of The Case for Impeachment: Legal Arguments for Removing President George W. Bush from Office. Please visit his website “thiscantbehappening.net”.

In Summary, even with continued failure on the part of the Democratic Leadership, the impeachment movement continues to gain momentum throughout the country. Unfortunately, the political leadership, including the Democrats, continue to fail the American public by not doing what the public wants - impeachment and ending of an illegal war/occupation. Again, it is clear that only the efforts of the people will bring about this most important change. So, Let’s keep on adding to the momentum!!

I again, encourage all listeners to contact their Congressional officials and urge them to join in on the Kucinich impeachment efforts and express their opinion on the most disturbing directive NSPD 51. Any added support to Congressman Kucinich’s impeachment resolution HR 333 is crucial to this most important issue and raises the possibility that it will be given serious consideration.

In closing, I remind our listeners about the DVD of the play titled “A Nation Deceived”. This can be purchased for just $7.25, which includes shipping. This DVD is an excellent educational tool to understand this impeachment case.

And, please give us your comments on 206 337 0233.

This is Sanjiv @ ANationDeceived.org with our weekly impeachment update. Thank you for listening and we will see you next week.

Show Publisher: John Biethan
Show Producers: Sanjiv Manifest and John Biethan
Show Notes Author: Sanjiv Manifest