Chariman Conyers,
I know your time is tight, but I am going to share a very brief personal story.
When I went to buy flowers for my mother's funeral ancient florist and internment camp survivor Junkho Harui shook my hand and said:
"Your mother Natalie has done so much for the Japanese-Americans and Philipino-Americans and the Rainbow Coalition on Bainbridge Island over the years, these flowers are our 'thank you' to her."
My mother taught me many choice swear words at a young age only to be uttered at the likes of George Wallace and Richard Nixon. Had he known about her, she would have been on Nixon's 'enemies list' too. But those such as Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez were held up as the types of leaders her son was to follow.
I am a direct descendant of settlers from the original thirteen colonies, but so is George W. Bush. I was taught that fact does not distinguish me from my fellow citizens who were detained nor those stolen from across the ocean whose genealogical heritage was stripped from them forever.
My heritage has, however led me to recognize leaders of the caliber of those previously mentioned. Your distinguished legacy, Chairman Conyers puts you in the company of leaders my mother led me to recognize and my Representative Keith Ellison appears to be on the same road.
We of ImpeachforPeace can assume everyone here is fully aware of multiple impeachable offenses committed by multiple former and current members of the Bush Administration. We also all know that the road to peace always leads through justice. There is no other path. King marched unflinchingly into Bull Connor's dogs and Ghandi marched into the teeth of the British Empire.
Courage for justice brings change.
My partners and I also recognize quietly among ourselves that impeachment may be unlikely - especially in light of only one additional H. Res. 333 cosigner after the August Recess despite heavy lobbying nationwide. It is our sincere hope that the bombing of Iran is not what it takes to bring impeachment to the table.
Where our perspectives seem to part is whether impeachment is the right course of action to take to address the lawlessness of the Bush Regime.
We hear of investigations, subpoenas, the possible use of inherent contempt against Harriet Miers and others, but we need to know what steps toward justice are being pursued, not just for ourselves, but for the thousands that we communicate with daily.
If impeachment is not chosen (and we have an appeal that I would like to read later), then please convince us that the path of accountability you and Congressmen Nadler, Waxman, Leahy, etc. are pursuing is a better one than the one we have worked tirelessly for over the last 2, 3, 4 years
We are hearing such dissatisfaction - even rebellion among progressives and activists who do not trust the Democratic Party's strategy as reflected in the 11% and sinking approval rating of Congress. We fear that the chosen strategy of the Democrats that seems to appear wise only to those inside the beltway echo chamber is backfiring and a 2008 election disaster may result.
In conclusion, Chairman Conyers, we need specifics. We need dates. We need deadlines. We are all suffering together under a White House that dodges and ducks and hides everything. The Democratic Party leadership cannot expect those of us who are most informed and most committed to fight the good fight with you to sit back and trust that accountability and justice will come.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
