Bill Moyers in Defense of the Republic

Bill Moyers on impeachment. And on civil liberties in time of war. Who is at war with whom?

Comments

[Gerry]

Great stuff. It is very refreshing to here a conservative defending the constitution against monarchical power. (The Tough Talk ... piece at that site is even better than the short one with just Moyers).

[Phil]

The Constitution is above politics, the container for politics. Keeping the rules of engagement, the social contract, fair for all, that was the idea.

[Gerry]

Yes, but it has been so long since we have heard anyone speaking passionately about the Constitution. Very refreshing. We can only hope it has an effect on Congress.

It was stricking that one of his guests made the flat out statement that the Congress does not understand the Constitution. The most important message here is that Impeachment is the cure for a Constitutional crisis, not the crisis itself.

[bUM fREE]

Developments:

Friday

"We’ve reached the impeachment moment for Vice President Dick Cheney. We’ve pushed the cosponsor list for H. Res. 333 up to 14. Chairman John Conyers says that if we get 3 more he’ll begin the impeachment proceedings."

via Listics and The River

Monday

"Conyers, on the other hand, was dripping with pretence as he met with Sheehan, Rev. Lennox Yearwood and me Monday in his office in the Rayburn building. I have seldom been so disappointed with someone I had previously held in high esteem. And before leaving, I told him so." -Ray McGovern, veteran CIA analyst

--

"The Congressman claims that there is absolutely no way that impeachment can go forward and when I was nearing the end of my hope I cried out: “So, if the people’s house won’t help us then we the people have no recourse against the executive branch.” To which he replied: “Yes you do, vote the enablers out in ‘08.”" -Cindy Sheehan

Tuesday

"We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak....there is such a thing as being too late....Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with lost opportunity....Over the bleached bones of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: ‘Too late.’" -Martin Luther King (quoted by Ray McGovern)

links via a tiny revolution via UFOB

Impeach (or not, no big whoop...)

[Phil]

Can we impeach him after he declares Martial Law, dissolves Congress, declares a state of national emergency, and put military figures in charge of justice? Whether he does all that or not is his call, as he interprets the Constitution. His job is to protect it. He does that by suspending it in times he declares to be a crisis. All that has been put in place. Now it is up to him. Conyers et al and Pelosi just watched in the gym has the administration set up the dominoes across the floor. They never objected. How can they object when he nudges the first domino and sets events in motion the result of which is his unilaterial control? What? They support Terrorists against their President in a National Emergency?

[bUM fREE]

A box canyon comes to mind.

(geography) A canyon with steep rock sides and a zigzag course, that is usually closed upstream.

[Phil]

Box canyon built of concrete to an excellent blue print by someone quite astute.

[Antoine Möeller]

I'm so confused.

[Phil]

Thanks, Antoine, blogged it.