Friday, February 8, 2008

Miami 02.07.08

Tiger Slave driver


Medea Benjamin Part 2 Miami

8 comments:

ntodd said...

So what happened with Leslie's meeting w/ Conyers yesterday?

JimPreston said...

In response to ntodd, I'll post the basic info that David Swanson mailed out last night. This info may not be complete or totally up-to-date.

Leslie did not meet with Chairman Conyers yet. The meeting is, I believe, scheduled for Tuesday. Check with codepinkdc about joining the fast.

Congressman Conyers Is Waiting for a Push to Start Impeachment Hearings

On Thursday, Chairman John Conyers' House Judiciary Committee held a hearing at which Attorney General Michael Mukasey said that he would not investigate torture or warrantless spying, he would not enforce contempt citations, and he would treat Justice Department opinions as providing immunity for crimes.

None of this was new, but perhaps it touched something in Conyers that had not been touched before. Following the hearing, he and two staffers met for an hour and 15 minutes with two members of Code Pink to discuss activism and impeachment, including Congressman Robert Wexler's proposal to begin impeachment hearings on Cheney.

Conyers expressed fear of what might happen following an impeachment, the danger of installing a Bush replacement or losing an election. He cited “potential ramifications that have not yet been examined yet” that could have the “opposite effect.” Conyers told Ellen Taylor and Manijeh Saba: "You need to be more than brave and courageous. You need to be smart."

Help us let Conyers know that the smart thing right now would be bravery and courage.

On Rosa Parks' birthday last week, Leslie Angeline began a fast for impeachment. Taylor and over 20 other activists have joined the fast [ http://afterdowningstreet.org/fast ]. Conyers has agreed to meet with Angeline to discuss impeachment on Tuesday.

The Chairman told Taylor and Saba that he is listening to several advocates for impeachment, including Liz Holtzman and David Swanson, and asked "So what could happen if two women pushed me over the edge?" Conyers leaned out of his chair for dramatic effect.

Let's push Conyers over the edge by flooding his office with phone calls, faxes, and Emails on Monday and Tuesday. Let him know that only impeachment hearings:
1-will make it on TV, to a broad audience,
2-will force compliance with subpoenas by eliminating "executive privilege",
3-will hold brazen criminals accountable, and
4-will convince voters that Democrats care about the Constitution.

Call 202-225-5126
Fax 202-225-0072
Email john.conyers@mail.house.gov

JimPreston said...

On a more personal note, I want to thank AZLiz for posting those photos of Tyghe and Medea. She is sick of hearing me ask "When is Medea coming back?? Where's Tyghe?? What's the deal??"

I almost finished the P-3 today, and we will have the maiden voyage next Friday at an (SDS maybe?) Funk This War event. Tomorrow I need to focus on the P-2.

Polar Bear 5 had their trial today but I have no news.

Be careful down there!! Use sunscreen!!
peace,
jim

ntodd said...

The meeting looks like it was supposed to be Thursday at 3pm. Did it get postponed, is the AfterDowningStreet post inaccurate, or what?

DAMN IT, I'M HUNGRY.

Seriously.

JimPreston said...

Leslie's meeting was postponed. Ellen and another member of CP did meet with Chairman Conyers.

caterliz said...

Great update Jim!!Medea Tighe send big hugs!!

we have much work on every level

LaFajita said...

Ack! I broke my fast too soon! I read Swanson's ADS entry on Conyers (and Wexler). Talk about optimistic interpretation. At least I made it to Thursday evening meal, and I surprised myself at how difficult it wasn't. Since I've proven to myself I can do this for two days, I will rejoin the fast on Monday. Maybe this next time I will try for three days if it proves necessary.

ntodd said...

jim - thanks for the update! I'll do a post today. I'm still going to break my 3-day fast on Sunday at 3pm, but will be willing and able to start anew if necessary.