and I'm glad to see the Committee addressing such an important issue at their first meeting. Will the meeting be televised on C-span?

It is very encouraging also to see that the Committee membership includes such articulate and activist members as: Representatives William Delahunt, Shelia Jackson Lee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Maxine Waters.

thank you.

After watching Cheney nauseate the world on Wolf Blitzer today, it's an immense relief to know that you have our Judiciary Committee up and running. I am looking forward to the first oversight hearing as well, and to the restoration of Judiciary Committee integrity by one of the best Congressmen the United States House of Representatives has ever had.

IF you have to start somewhere, well, you might as well examine what compels the man to create those caveats that grant himself such unconstitutional powers in the first place. "I'll follow the law unless..."

But to ask, under Bush? How about, at all!

Does the President have or hold the capability to craft law? Or merely to veto the crafted laws as presented so as to be sent back for better craftsmanship? If only to include Presidential caveats.

To be honest, I let out a big "All right!"

====================================================
You aren't defending, protecting, preserving the Constitution of the USA
When you allow the usurpations of the Constitutional laws of the USA.

And may it be the first step in restoring sanity, honesty, dignity and integrity to our country and Constitution.

Congratulations, Congressman Conyers, on getting the Judicial Committee up and running and fully staffed!!!!!!!

I LOVE the topic of your first oversight hearing! I also echo that I hope the hearing will be shown on C-SPAN. I think MANY PEOPLE will want to catch this hearing, sir.

Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to your other hearings. In my opinion, you're starting off with a bang!!!

In fact, I'm so excited about this hearing topic, I'm sending a big HUG your way! (I get emotional when I get excited!)

while -- YES, those signing statements NEED desperately to be dealt with. You're looking forward to it and so are we -- whatever steps may be taken in the RIGHT direction, we will be with you 100% (but I kinda' think you know that).

P.S. Glad to see that the Committee is up and running and your position of humility and honor is well understood by all of us (I say that in the spirit of what I believe to be "our" community here).

P.S.S. And I'm sure you know, as well, there is no TIME to waste.

I share everyone's sentiments and excitement! I hope it's broadcast, as well, would be great to listen to this one.

Jan. 28, 2003 THE FELONY
Feb. 3, 2003 A BIGGER LIE THAT OMITS THE FELONY

Result?
Over 650 thousand Iraqis and 3000+ American soldiers silenced, FOREVER!

Revealed -
Sen. Chuck Hagel in an interview with GQ Magazine...and I edit for brevity...

We've abdicated our responsibilities. And if you recall, the White House had announced that they didn't need that authority from Congress (to invade Iraq). Mr. [Alberto] Gonzales was the president's counsel at that time, and he wrote a memo to the president saying, "You have all the powers that you need." So I called Andy Card, who was then the chief of staff, and said, "Andy, I don't think you have a shred of ground to stand on, but more to the point, why would a president seriously consider taking a nation to war without Congress being with him?" So a few of us-Joe Biden, Dick Lugar, and I-were invited into discussions with the White House. "It is incredible". That's what I said to Andy Card. Said it to Powell, said it to Rice. Might have even said it to the president. And finally, begrudgingly, they sent over a resolution for Congress to approve. Well, it was astounding. It said they could go anywhere in the region. (Bush's original AUMF) said the whole region! They could go into Greece or anywhere. I mean, is Central Asia in the region? I suppose! Sure as hell it was clear they meant the whole Middle East. It was anything they wanted. It was literally anything. No boundaries. No restrictions. Wide open. We had to rewrite it. Joe Biden, Dick Lugar, and I stripped the language that the White House had set up, and put our language in it. I'm not defending our votes; I'm just giving a little history of how this happened. All this stuff was doctored. Absolutely. But that's what we were presented with. And I'm not dismissing our responsibility to look into the thing, because there were senators who said, "I don't believe them." But I was told by the president-we all were-that he would exhaust every diplomatic effort. I eventually was sure they knew. Even before we actually invaded, I had a pretty clear sense of it-that this administration was hell-bent on going to war in Iraq.

GQ: Even if it meant deceiving Congress?
That's right.

U N A C C E P T A B L E!

That the President can knowingly commit a FELONY and be rewarded with a war that profits his friends.

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?

Until there is some, anything goes with this group of corrupt mobsters. ANYTHING!

I hate to make the comparison, but Hitler didn't just want Austria when he invaded but the whole of Europe.

OPEN YOUR EYES MY FRIEND!

While it may not be the same, it is OF the same intention; HEGEMONY through military coercion (aka TERRORISM). It may not be as systematic as the Nazi's in Germany were, the clowns dressed in Presidential costumes, now, keep tripping over their egos. For that, we should be grateful. But to stand still and not flinch? PATRIOTIC SUICIDE!

Signing statements are what happens when LIARS are allowed to LIE.

Mobsters are what happens when criminals are allowed to profit from their crimes.

Band-aids? or surgical cancerous removal?
Is this really THAT tough of a decision?

Oh, I forgot...
IT'S ABOUT '08. ISN'T IT?
BULLSHIT!

What does '08 have to do with the National Security of a Nation shamed and loathed for their Foreign (non-diplomatic) Policy that ferments disgust each and every day the criminals are free?
As IF '08 will change this in the worlds eye? BULLSHIT!

National Security begins at home!

Bush's continual assault upon our securities and the continued infringement upon other nationals world wide happens because he's allowed to. In his most recent SOTU he addressed all of Congress and implored that YOU, Congress, continue the fight to keep America and Her people secure.

Let me remind you, Congressman, that it is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that affords me my securities not the actions of men. Allow those securities to be taken away, and you do us a disfavor and a great injustice.

Give me Liberty or give me death

Why wait for '08
When it will be too late?

====================================================
You aren't defending, protecting, preserving the Constitution of the USA
When you allow the usurpations of the Constitutional laws of the USA.

Congressman Conyers:

It is nice to know that your Judiciary Committee is now organized and up and running. It is also encouraging to believe that hearings will be held to investigate the illegal actions of BushCo - past and present.

However, Congressman, many in the electorate are wondering whether these hearings will be mere data mining exercises or whether there will be appropriate consequences that will follow what is already known as well as what else might be discovered.

I read an interesting article by Tom Engelhardt and Elizabeth de la Vega earlier today, which included the following:

We may still be stumbling around in the dark, struggling to get a grip on what the administration is doing, but we are getting nearer to the destination; this, then, is decidedly not a good time for Congress to be slip-slidin' away. On the contrary, wouldn't this be a good time to reach for a subpoena?

To read Tom and Elizabeth,s complete article click here

By the way, I have serious doubts that non-binding resolutions can stand up to Bush hubris and absent appropriate consequences it is unlikely that his signing statements will cease.

Your thoughts - please?

Thanks John

keep us informed.

Roger The Okcitykid

Thank you Mr. Conyers for beginning the investigative process.

Since we already know that BushCo will simply tell you to "Go Cheney yourself", if you dare to expect any answers, can we expect arrests for contempt?

John Bolton was court ordered to provide information regarding his fact finding to impugn Joe Wilson, he refused, and was given a "recess appointment" to the UN with no repercussions. If he had been arrested for contempt, the FISA violations could have been presented in a manner that had nothing to do with terrorism.

Don't get bogged down while edifying America's reputation as a debating society. Go with violations George has admitted to. Don't give them an opportunity to stonewall the process.

Little things like George issuing more signing statements than all other presidents combined are indicative of his wish to usurp legislative powers from Congress.

When George mentions Article II of the Constitution, throw Article I at him. My pocket Constitution doesn't even mention the presidency until page 9.

Article. I., Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Thank you very much for making the investigation of Bush's claim to dictatorial powers, a first priority. But don't get bogged down with semantics. Go for his throat like Kent Starr went after Clinton.

Dick and George are beginning to drop all pretense of caring about our history as a Democratic nation. The faster you push these investigations, the more frantic and dictatorial they will sound, and the more evident it will be to many GOP'ers that they have been supporting a false prophet.

America has seen too many investigations and prosecutions that have taken years to complete, only to end with nothing. A case in point would be the Foley page affair investigation. Everyone shared a little blame and noone is accountable. Or the Teflon Tom DeLay trial that never was. Or Libby.

Thank you Mr. Conyers, but please hurry. We don't have time for stonewalling. Dick and George have dropped all pretense of love for America. At least a Democratic America anyways.

Thank you Congressman Conyers. I hope you and Sen. Feingold have the support you need to get this started.

Conyers and Feingold Announce Judiciary Hearings on Bush Admistration Policy in Both Senate and House...

Conyers and Feingold Announce Judiciary Hearings

FYI: Conyers and Feingold Announce Judiciary Hearings On Bush Administration Policy in Both Senate and House Here,s are (snips) from the Bradblog report (via Rawstory.com):

"…Two announcements were released today concerning upcoming oversight and investigative hearings in Congress on Bush Administration policy…

"…In the House, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee --- the one which would lead the way concerning any Articles of Impeachment for a sitting U.S. President or Vice-President --- announced today that hearings would be held next Wednesday in the committee on "Presidential Signing Statements under the Bush Administration: A Threat to Checks and Balances and the Rule of Law?" (Complete media release, with details, scheduled witnesses, etc. at end of this article.)…

"…In the Senate, Russ Feingold (D-WI) will chair Judiciary Committee hearings on "Congress' Power to End a War." In a media advisory just released, (posted in full below) Feingold refers to Congress' "power of the purse to redeploy our troops safely from Iraq so that we can refocus on the global terrorist networks that threaten our national security…" (End of quotes)

Even though the Democrats won the majority, Congress--especially the Senate--is still so divided that even a "nonbinding" resolution to remind an out of control president that the Congress is still a part of government with a voice on funding of the military, is so controversial that the vote came down to a 12 yea, 9 nay total. In this still toxic atmosphere, Congressman Conyers and Senator Feingold have stood up and taken the first steps that could lead to change. What can we do to help? We can call, write, visit, fax--each member of Congress to remind them we've Had Enough, it's time for Accountability, and that we support Rep. Conyers' & Senator Feingold's Hearings.

Senator McCain is playing defense for Bush, by stubbornly and obstinately trying to block Chairman Levin's call for benchmarks. Lieberman has the colossal gall to say anyone who questions the President is guilty of treason. It's time to let the likes of McCain, Lieberman, et al know exactly who it is that is guilty--of treason, guilty of sending people to die needlessly, enabling multiple continuous violations of the Constitution, of allowing the US to torture people, etc, etc.

...at this.

The irony is palpable.

--
Those who forget history
Condemn the rest of us to repeat it.

The man has a hammer, and Iran looks like a nail. Cheney, that unregenerate SOB, has every intention of starting World War III as soon as he can. Then everything else goes by the board, because "You don't change horses in the middle of the stream," even though the horse may be dead.
The investigation of the totally unconstitutional, illegal, immoral (and fattening?) "Signing Statements" is important, yes - but we have FAR MORE IMPORTANT items on our plate. For the very survival of our Nation, we MUST REMOVE GHENEY - NOW!!! Articles of impeachment against that unamerican egotist can be drawn up in a day. Peculation, bribery, outing of undercover CIA agent, influence peddling - hell, his corruption has been so open and blatant that he is hanging by a thread now - when a rope around his neck would be more fitting. Start the removal process before he starts a war we cannot win, and drives us completely into third world status!

For those interested, Lou Dobbs has taken up the challenge of reporting on the North American Union. Yesterday he interviewed Robert Pastor, known as the architect of this Congress-overriding idea. It was one of the interviews toward the end of the show.

Here is a portion of the transcript. The full transcript is available at http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/25/ldt.01.html, but you must scroll about 3/4ths of the way down to find the segment.

******

DOBBS: Two years ago the Council on Foreign Relations published a report titled "Building a North America Community." among the goals expressed, to break down trade regulations between the United States and Canada. Between Canada and Mexico and of course, then the United States. But without congressional approval or certainly without congressional oversight or voter approval.

Critics call the plan the North America Union. And many say that it would ultimately destroy U.S. sovereignty.

Robert Pastor is a member of the group that broke the original report. He joins us tonight. It's good to have you with us.

ROBERT PASTOR, CENTER FOR NORTH AMERICAN STUDIES: Thank you very much.

DOBBS: Robert Pastor, you were co-chairman of an independent task force sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations, and in this report titled "Building a North American Community" the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass states, "The Task Force's central recommendation is establishment by 2010 of a North American economic and security of community, the boundaries of which would be defined by a common external tariff and an outer security perimeter."

At this point what is the basis for moving forward on that?

PASTOR: Well, the United States, Canada and Mexico now are already the largest free trade area in the world. We have $800 billion worth of trade. This is a source of comparative advantage for the United States. But the council report feels that we could take greater advantage if we were deepen economic integration, if we can secure ourselves better, not only at our borders, but also by thinking about continental security perimeter as well.

DOBBS: Why would you think about, just out of curiosity, a common security perimeter when the United States does not have secure ports nor does it have anything approaching secure borders?

PASTOR: Well, it's precisely because our ports are not secure and our borders are not secure that we need to find not only better ways to do that but also better ways to turn our two neighbors into partners to enhance our security and to enhance our prosperity as well.

DOBBS: And that can't be done with sovereign nations? There has to be integration of an economy? A customs union, if you will? And a common security perimeter?

PASTOR: I think the vision defined in that report is one of three sovereign nations cooperating with each other to deepen economic integration, to create a common external tariff, to improve our economies and to secure ourselves better.

DOBBS: Let me ask you, the Banff meeting in September of last year. You were there, weren't you?

PASTOR: I was.

DOBBS: And representatives of all three governments. Military, business, economic ministers and commerce officials. Why was the press not permitted to be there?

PASTOR: Well, there were press in the room. But the leaders of the three groups decided that they wanted to keep the discussions active and vigorous, and therefore confidential.

My personal view is that I would have preferred for the meeting to have issued a statement or a report afterwards. And I hope that if the group comes together again that they'll do that.

DOBBS: Under what authority are they coming together?

PASTOR: Oh it was a conference.

DOBBS: I know it's a conference. I'm asking what authority?

PASTOR: I think the three leaders. One was George Schultz from the United States. Peter Lougheed, the former premier of Alberta, Pedro Aspe, a former minister of finance of Mexico. Just assembled a group of about 75 people.

DOBBS: Just willy-nilly, got together.

PASTOR: Oh yes, don't you attend conferences from time it time to learn about the world.

DOBBS: No I prefer frankly to learn about the world through travel, my reporting, my reading and studying. The fact of the matter is, I really have an aversion to conferences altogether. But I know that some people make a living on them. Who is paying for all of this?

PASTOR: Well I was not organizing that. You'll have to get to the organizers of the conference. I think foundations. There may have been some corporate sponsorship as well. I was just invited to it.

DOBBS: Right, you also are considered by many to be the architect of this North America Union, or competitors council as it's coming forward.

I would like to ask you something, I found rather curious in the North America Forum. Saying, "While a vision is appealing, working" - this, by the way, brought forward by Judicial Watch through freedom of information.

"While a vision is appealing, working on the infrastructure might yield more benefit and bring more people on board, evolution by stealth."

Why should anyone in this country, Mexico or Canada, presuming they're interested in the sovereign rights and power of their respective nation, tolerate this kind of elitist nonsense?

[If your interest is piqued, and I hope it is, the rest of the transcript can be read at the link above.]

******

Bush: "I'm the Decision Maker on Iraq"

Snip: "President Bush, on a collision course with Congress over Iraq, said Friday "I'm the decision-maker" about sending more troops to the war. He challenged skeptical lawmakers not to prematurely condemn his buildup..." Of course, what he actually means is: "Come up with MY plan & I'll go along; otherwise, butt out".

Meanwhile, Rep. John Murtha (remember him-he,s the combat veteran who had a plan for Iraq that if it had been implemented would have saved hundreds of American troops, lives,) and Speaker Pelosi are in Iraq, doing their own assessment of the situation there. They have to go there, because the real reports about what,s happening aren,t getting through: Helping Lara Logan Get "Battle for Haifa Street" Aired If this link doesn,t work, here,s the link via this Kos Diary

Funny, I thought it was Congress that had the power to authorize war, and to fund the military, not the self-appointed "decider".Apparently Bush has come to believe in the last six years that he is in essence, a dictator, and that Congress is merely a rubber-stamping window dressing, a "quaint" symbol of Democracy, whose time has passed.

BTW, how are things going in Iraq, under the Decider?:
Loss of Single Helicopter is a (Command & Control) Disaster. On this helicopter were a lot of high ranking, experienced people:

2 Colonels
1 Lieutenant Colonel - One Col. Was the top ranking Medical Officer for US troops in Iraq.
1 Major
1 Captain
2 Command Sergeant Majors
1 First Sergeant
1 Sergeant First Class
2 Staff Sergeants
1 Corporal

"It's no disgrace not to be able to run a country nowadays, but it is a disgrace to keep on trying when you know you can't." Will Rogers