John Conyers: First Take on Roberts - Lesson One: Do not be Distracted

[paineinthearse]

http://www.conyersblog.us/

First Take on Roberts - Lesson One: Do not be Distracted

As predicted in this blog, the White House scrambled today to change the subject with a hasty prime time announcement of a Supreme Court nominee. Its early in the process, but based on what I have seen, John Roberts could prove to be a real threat to civil rights, reproductive rights, privacy, separation of church and state, and the environment. Let me know your thoughts if you get a chance.

But the important lesson is that we not let the Supreme Court announcment distract us from the ongoing struggle to root out corruption and deception in the White House, by continuing our examinations of Rovegate, Downing Street, and the ongoing deception in Iraq. For example, there was an important article today in the American Prospect indicating that Rove may well have lied to the FBI -- a serious legal matter.

That is why we have scheduled the 8 town hall meetings on Downing Street and Rovegate around the country this weekend, to commemorate the 3d Anniversary of the DSM. I have also organized more than 200 house parties on DSM and Rovegate this Saturday, and just today mailed out DVD's and organizing materials to all of the Hosts. If interested in signing up to host or attend, just click here.

I for one will not be distracted. We have learned all to well that this Administration can and will manipulate the media to its advantage. However, its absolutely critical that we continue our work.

Blogged by JC

[Goldeneye]

1. Only 8 Representatives are holding hearings?

Lame. Conyer's is still kicking ass though.

[paineinthearse]

3. Wonder who the 8 are?

I've received nothing from my Rep., but his "specialty" is an exit strategy from Iraq.

Let me take a guess:

Conyers
Watt
Tubbs-Jones
Jackson Jr.
Jackson-Lee
Waxman
Brown

Do we see a pattern here?

[Totally Committed]

6. All but one are in the Congressional Black Caucus...

There is a lesson there. God bless all 8 of these courageous Reps.

TC

[paineinthearse]

8. This is just my guess

I'd like to learn who the 8 are and encourage an ACTIVIST action to get letters by members to the other 400+

[paineinthearse]

10. Got the 5 of the 8 names

Congresswoman Maxine Waters
Covenant Worship Center at Legacy Hall
Meeting Local Start Time: 12:00pm
425 South La Brea Avenue
Inglewood, California 90301
DETAILS:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/843

New York City Town Hall Meeting
Sponsored by The Nation and Democrats.com and Progressive Democrats of America
Speakers: Congressman Maurice Hinchey, former Congresswoman Liz Holtzman, Air America Radio host Randi Rhodes, and as moderator President of Democrats.com Bob Fertik.
New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 W. 64th St.
New York, NY
DETAILS:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/862

Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
Wayne State University Law School Auditorium
Meeting Local Start Time: 2:00pm
471 W. Palmer Street
Detroit, Michigan 48202
DETAILS:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/808

Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Grand Lake Theatre
Meeting Local Start Time: 11:00am
3200 Grand Avenue
Oakland, California 94610
DETAILS:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/868

Congressmen Jim McDermott
Seattle Labor Temple
Meeting Local Start Time: 1:00pm
2800 First Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98121
DETAILS:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/796

[paineinthearse]

11. Found another one - Boston 7/31

Note date difference (following weekend)

Forum: The Downing Street Memos

Featuring: Congressman Barney Frank, John Bonifaz, & State Rep. Gloria Fox

Arlington Street Church, July 31, 6:30 pm

The DSMs -- recently leaked to the British media -- demonstrate that, one-year before the Iraq invasion, the Bush Administration knew that the evidence for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was weak and that IRAQ POSED NO REAL THREAT. Nevertheless, the Bush Administration was already committed to war and intended to "FIX INTELLIGENCE AROUND THE POLICY".

Mr. Frank is a champion of progressive ideas in Congress, and an outspoken critic of the Bush Administration. He was among the first signers of Congressman John Conyer's petition calling on the President to be forthcoming about the information contained in the Downing Street Memos.

Mr. Bonifaz is a constitutional lawyer. In 2003 he challenged President George W. Bush's authority to wage war against Iraq in a federal lawsuit. Mr. Bonifaz is the author of the book "Warrior King: The Case for Impeaching George W. Bush." He is co-founder of a national campaign, AfterDowningStreet.org, calling for a full congressional investigation into whether the President has committed impeachable offenses in connection with the Iraq war.

Ms. Fox has been a State Representative for twenty years. She is a staunch supporter of justice, equality and public safety, as well as social, environmental, and economic justice. Ms. Fox will share her views on how the illegal Iraq War has harmed Boston and other cities because of the disproportionate impact of budget cuts on inner cities.

presented by Brookline PeaceWorks! co-sponsored by Boston Mobilization, Progressive Democrats of America, Pax Christi, Newton Dialogues on Peace and War and others

[Goldeneye]

12. Thanks for finding out who was holding hearings.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but 8 out of 200+ democrats? That's so sad.

[Zeke]

2. Bully !!!

Good post.
Nice work.

[ltfranklin]

4. Fight the good fight, but save your strength for the real battle

As past performance has shown, many SC Justices tend to temper their hard edges once they're behind the bench and no longer have to worry about accountability to their political masters. Even the most conservative of the current Supreme Court Justices have produced opinions that are not what the Far-Right had in mind.

I would council that the Democrats keep it low key and encourage the external groups to do the same. Express your doubts and concerns to the Media in a thoughtful way, make your major points in the hearings and floor debates, keep it low-key and clean in the Media, and save the vigorous stuff for the Plame and DSM affairs, which Bush hopes will go on the back-burner while Roberts goes on the front.

At this point, allow the outside groups to output data on Roberts (but encourage them to keep the discourse level...the Republicans will try to tie anything extreme to the Democrats), make public statements that judgement will be withheld until the hearings and debate (as it should be), and keep the pressure on the Plame affair and DSM. Do NOT let them pedagogue the SC issue to the top.

[bklyncowgirl]

5. Good advice

Bush desperately wants his opponents to focus on the Supreme Court and lay off the pressure on Rove, the Downing Street Memos and how he and his little gang of war criminals got us into this bloody mess to begin with.

He's wounded. Time to keep up the pressure.

[FloridaPat]

7. There is actually one near me! Now all I need is a time.

[paineinthearse]

9. Related post - "DIVERSION"

See Opposite Reaction's "DIVERSION" post from last night - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1941620

[Peace Patriot]

13. I agree! Getting these people exposed for their treason, and into

prison where they belong, AND election reform (state/local level) are FIRST PRIORITIES. (--although I might switch these around, because election reform--getting control of our election system out of rightwing, Bushite hands, and getting transparency and verifiability in vote tabulation--is something we, the people, can and must do, while TreasonGate indictments are Fitzgerald's job, and Bush "pod people" in Congress couldn't care less about treason or any crime--a hard mountain to climb; all we can do is support Conyers, and do independent news and investigation.)

Note: We are obviously going to have to protect women's rights another way. Roe v. Wade is gone, is my opinion. Someone posted that, in polls, 61% support Roe v. Wade. Well, 63% of Americans oppose torturing prisoners UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Yet we have the torture memo writer as Attorney General--a disgraceful appointment. And 58% of Americans opposed the Iraq war BEFORE the invasion--before all the lies came out. I'll never forget that stat. The Bush Cartel DOESN'T CARE what the majority thinks. They've demonstrated that time and again. And I think it's because they own the election system now. Why should they care?

It is essential that the public regain control of the election system, if we are to do anything at all to protect women's rights or anything else.

[kster]

14. Great work DU

We have this administration all figured out, now lets get back to work, pushing Plame DSM and the election theft. Lets get it right back front and center. Keep Pushing........

[faithnotgreed]

15. love for conyers

[Left Brain]

16. JC keeps his eye on the prize.

Courageous, conscientious, honorable. A real Congressional hero. I admire that man's tenacity so much.