Recall Senator "Peeping Pat" Roberts!!

[pat_k]

There can be no compromise between putting a stop to an ongoing criminal enterprise and aiding criminals in the commission of their crimes. Although states don't have a statutory mechanism to recall members of the United States Congress, Kansans can demand resignation through petition and local resolution.

Resolution Regarding Senator Pat Roberts

Whereas;
As Chairman of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Pat Roberts has made it impossible for the committee "to provide vigilant legislative oversight over the intelligence activities of the United States to assure that such activities are in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States."

Through action and omission, Senator Pat Roberts has obstructed the investigation of activities that fall within the jurisdiction of the Select Committee on Intelligence and no other. Specifically, Senator Roberts has consistently obstructed efforts to investigate executive branch activities that involve serious charges against George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, and other executive branch officials, including, but not limited to:

50 USC Sec. 1809--Unauthorized Surveillance
18 USC Sec. 844(e) Bomb threat (Mushroom Clouds in 45 Minutes)
18 USC Sec. 35 Bomb Hoax
18 USC Sec. 2441--War Crimes

And whereas;
George W. Bush's "early warning system"/criminal surveillance program may involve criminal activities and violations of privacy that were formerly part of the Total Information Awareness program -- a program that was unequivocally rejected by the people of the United States of American who demanded that Congress put an end to the program -- there is no doubt that, at a minimum, George W. Bush's program of surveillance of Americans without a warrant under color of authority violates 50 USC Sec. 1809--Unauthorized Surveillance.

And whereas;
Senator Pat Roberts abused his position as chairman to prevent the Select Committee on Intelligence from investigating the scope of the George W. Bush's criminal surveillance program as required to "assure that such activities are in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States."

Rather than leading the investigation to expose and end the criminal program as required by his position, Senator Roberts colluded with the perpetrators to develop a scheme to (1) ensure that the program is never investigated and (2) provide a mechanism by which the criminal activity, whatever its full scope may be, can continue.

In obstructing the investigation of a known crime, Senator Pat Roberts became an accessory to that crime after the fact.

In participating in the scheme to continue the criminal program, Senator Pat Roberts became an accomplice.

And whereas;
Senator Pat Roberts has repeatedly abused the power entrusted him by the people of Kansas to aid and abet George W. Bush's efforts to conceal the extent of his criminal surveillance program and conspire to ensure George W. Bush could continue a criminal surveillance program of unknown scope.

Therefore, be it resolved;
That the people of _________________ County Kansas call for the immediate resignation of Senator Pat Roberts.

Be it further resolved;
That true copies of this resolution will be delivered to Senator Pat Roberts, the Wichita Eagle, and the leadership of the United States Senate.

_______________County Kansas
Agreed to this XX day of Month, 2006

At a minimum, George W. Bush's surveillance of Americans without a warrant under color of authority violates 50 USC Sec. 1809--Unauthorized Surveillance.

Three years ago, Americans unequivocally rejected the Total Information Awareness (TIA) program and demanded that Congress kill it. The executive branch slapped on new labels and kept it alive (TIA Lives On, 23-Feb-06, National Journal). In so doing, they violated the principle on which our nation was founded -- the consent of the governed.

Unless independent investigation proves otherwise, Americans have to assume that Bush's "early warning system"/criminal surveillance is using the systems formerly known as "TIA" to violate our right to privacy and comb through masses of our emails, phone calls, purchases, banking transactions, Internet usage, and other personal data.

If Senator "Peeping Pat" Roberts gets his way, Americans will never learn magnitude or scope of the violations against them.

Instead of investigating and seeking to stop crimes in progress as required by his position as Chairman of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Roberts is creating a "terrorist surveillance subcommittee" that will politely ask known liars and criminals to give them "full access to the details of the program's operations" and to "to seek a warrant from the court whenever possible." (quotes from G.O.P. Senators Say Accord Is Set on Wiretapping, NY Times, 8-Mar-06)

Undoubtedly claims of "national security" will gag the members of the new subcommittee and make it a crime for them to publicly demand information Bush withholds or publicly object to anything they discover in the course of their "work."

Last month, the Wichita Eagle concluded this about Roberts' previous actions, "That's not oversight -- it's looking the other way." (Roberts' Credibility on the Line" 18-Feb-06)

When the chairman of the Senate intelligence committee knows that officials at the highest levels are violating our laws, but chooses to "look the other way" he isn't just being derelict in his duty, he is abusing his power to cover up an ongoing criminal enterprise. He is an accessory after the fact.

Referring to Robert's apparent intention to do whatever he could to enable Bush to continue, and perhaps even expand, his violations of existing laws, the NY Times complained that "The last thing the nation needs is to amend the law to institutionalize the imperial powers Mr. Bush seized after 9/11." (Doing the President's Dirty Work, 17-Feb-06)

"Peeping Pat" Roberts has now followed though on his intentions. To formulate the details, Roberts conspired with knowing participants in a criminal enterprise to cover-up and continue that enterprise. He has become more than an accessory after the fact. He is now a party to the crime -- an accomplice.

BTW, granting cover for 45 days at a time is nothing but a transparent attempt to give the plan the appearance of "oversight." Setting a five year time limit on the scheme shows an unmistakable consciousness of guilt. If Roberts and his conspirators intended protect our rights, they would not have designed something that covers only criminal acts already in progress and that expires when the criminals expect to move on.

Recall "Peeping Pat" Roberts!!

The NY Times complaint that "this is the last thing we need" does not go far enough. Complaint cannot hold "Peeping Pat" accountable for his criminal abuse of power. It is time for the people of Kansas to act and for the nation to get behind them.

Background on Kansas

Kansas does not have state-level ballot initiative/referendum or recall (which would only apply to state elected officials anyway). County and city resolution or petitions for recall/resignation are an option.

Resolutions by local Republican or Democratic Party organizations could be a first step.

Don't count out Republicans. I doubt the Wichita Eagle could be characterized as a liberal rag. Their editorial (cited above) reflects the growing anger with unprincipled and immoral Republican action. Pat Roberts' actions are wrong by any standard and Republicans do not hesitate to accuse and demand punishment for perceived wrongs.

About half of the state's population is concentrated in four counties:

Sedgwick County (pop 500,000), which includes Wichita city, Kansas (350,000)
Johnson County (pop 500,000), which Olathe (pop 100,000) and Overland Park (150,000)
Shawnee County (pop 175,000), which includes Topeka (125,000)
Wyandotte County (pop 170,000), which includes Kansas City, (150,000)

===============================================================
Note on NY Times article

The authors, David Kirkpatrick and Scott Shane, abandoned their role as journalists and reported that Roberts' scheme would reinforce the authority of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court." There is no conceivable argument that the scheme constitutes anything other than an attempt to restrict the jurisdiction of the FISA court and provide cover for executive branch intelligence activities that are currently crimes under the FISA act.

The NY Times needs to hear from us.

[Senator]

1. Kicked and rec'd!

[pat_k]

2. No Kansans on DU? (or folks who know a Kansan?) nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. There are a lot of us here

And I will kick this but I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell that Roberts will be recalled.

[pat_k]

8. whatever the outcome, the effort itself can yield enormous benefits.

You might be surprised at how much an individual or small group can accomplish. People have a need to be effective, and many are angry and want to do SOMETHING to channel that anger.

But, whatever the outcome, the effort itself can yield enormous benefits. When folks organize to circulate a petition or get a resolution passed, they are building connections that live beyond the single effort. They are finding out the skills others bring to the table and learning what they can accomplish together.

Through participation, people can meet their need to be effective as long as you set incremental goals and give people who help -- even if it was only in some small way -- feedback on achievements. It is rewarding to accomplish things and to feel like you were part of it. Once people start turning complaints into action, it tends to become a habit.
Even a single Democratic Club can generate news that sends a message far more powerful that dozens of letters. Our elected officials know how powerful people can be when they start to organize themselves. (for examples, check out http://impeachpac.org/?q=resolutions for links to news items on the resolutions to impeach that are being passed in various cities, counties, and states).

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. You do realize how Republican Kansas is?

Roberts is enormously popular here. Personally, if we are going to rid ourselves of a senator, I would rather go after Brownback. I think my fellow Kansan DUers would agree. Brownback is much much scarier and more dangerous than Roberts.

[pat_k]

10. Republicans tend to be much more willing than Democrats to accuse and . .

. . .demand punishment for perceived wrongs.

But what does the partisan make up of the state have to do with the benefits I described?

You seem to be focused on outcome which is completely unrelated to the benefits of the effort.

But, even if you do focus on outcome, it's worthwhile. Sure, there may be virtually no change that your efforts will kick off an enormous campaign demanding Roberts resign. But there is a chance. Everyone told us -- often with derision -- that we would never, never, ever get a Senator to stand up and object to the Ohio electors on January 6th. So much for predictions of failure.

BTW. Don't be so quick to write off Republicans. Recently, I've heard a number of Republican's express things like "Bush is like a 12 year old who never got punished" or "no one is holding anyone accountable for anything. It's intolerable." These people would be thrilled to see others demanding some accountability.

The Wichita Eagle is not exactly a liberal rag, nevertheless, their 18-Feb-06 editorial condemned Roberts in very clear terms.

But, as I pointed out in the previous post, even if you don't get a single Republican signature (something I would doubt) you can engage others, and perhaps even get some local coverage. News or gossip that this or that group passed a resolution (or is trying to pass one) calling for the Senator's resignation (or delivered a petition with X number of signatures, or whatever the action) can reach Kansans who have been sitting at home, yelling at the TV, feeling helpless. Hearing that "somebody is doing something" can motivate others to act. Every action can have powerful ripples you never see.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. We are protesting at Brownback's office

We have twice weekly anti-war protests in KC.
We just formed a new state wide group to counter Fred Phelps.
We are aggressively working to get rid of the horrid state school board.
A Republican has switched parties to run against our state AG, who is horrid.
We have a terrific Dem governor who battles the repukes and is doing a fabulous job of it.

These are battles we can find a lot of Kansans willing to fight. Going after Roberts, in spite of what the Wichita paper says, is just not high on any list of priorities I am familiar with.

I support this effort, but like I said, he is very popular here. The partisan makeup of the state has a lot to do with how Roberts (and Brownback the lunatic) got elected in the first place.

[pat_k]

16. We pick our battles. . .

. . . and you're certainly out there battling!

Right now, all the battles I pick serve the fight to impeach Bush and Cheney. Gave my reasons in couple posts to another thread this weekend (post #19 and post #28 in The Roadmap to Impeachment

For me, this one would be worthwhile because demanding Roberts' resignation as an accomplice to Bush's crimes and enlisting others in the effort focuses attention on those crimes. Exposing their crimes as crimes paves the road to impeachment.

[Scout1071]

7. You rang?

I'm marking this for later. Headed out of town for a few days but will see what I can do to help when I return.

Thanks for posting.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

[pat_k]

18. Great!! Let me know what non-Kansans can do

[blm]

3. K&R - I said this should be done after the DSM.

.

[pat_k]

4. It's definitely overdue -- but with the delay he's certainly given us. .

. . . more ammo. And now the case against him is being echoed in editorials (links in original post)

[pat_k]

6. FYI -- A version of this post is available online at

http://thedeanpeople.org/recall_sen_roberts.html

Pass it along!

[BuyingThyme]

11. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=446700

[pat_k]

12. Not clear what you're saying about demanding "Peeping Pat" resign

Do you see a conflict between the referenced post and demanding Roberts resign for his role as accessory after the fact (and now accomplice) in an ongoing criminal enterprise?

It is not clear to me what action the referenced post is calling for. Is it asking us not to call a program of unknown (but probably enormous) scope a "program"?

Why not?

I've assumed all along that the scope is far bigger than they have implied, and I thought I made that clear in the resolution. The program probably even involves planting national guardsmen in activist organizations.

But however large or small the scope of their activities, I see no reason not to lump it together under the label "criminal surveillance program"

[BuyingThyme]

14. Read it again.

[pat_k]

17. same questions/observations apply. . .

Program is a generic term. We define the scope.

How does usuage of terms relate to advocating demands for Pat Roberts resign for his criminal involvement?

[leftchick]

15. K&R

:applause:

<snip>

From Abu Ghraib abuses to secret CIA detainee prisons to the Valerie Plame affair, critics say, Roberts has become a dependable shill for the White House, ever ready to shield Bush policy from criticism and ever willing to compromise Congress' legitimate oversight role.

A prime example: He has dragged his feet on a promised but long-delayed Senate investigation into whether the White House cherry-picked and amplified prewar intelligence to fit its preconceived goal of invading Iraq.

:grr:

[ripple]

19. I'm in Douglas, County, KS

Let me know what I can do to help. In the meantime, I'll see if there's something already being organized through the state democratic party. Thanks for posting this!

[ripple]

21. oops! that's Douglas County- no comma

Good reason for a kick, though! :kick:

[pat_k]

22. I'm not a Kansan, but I could set up a Web site for coordinating. . .

. . . For example, track and feedback progress, perhaps a URL to go to sign a petition online (if folks would want to post the URL on flyers or some such).

Someone there may be better equipped to do this, but if not, I should be able to set pull something together.

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. I don't think the party is doing anything

but ask Mabus. She would know.

[pat_k]

24. His most egregious actions/scheme were just announced. . .

. . .yesterday.

I wouldn't imagine many groups/people are acting yet. But, this is the time to get something off the ground -- the faster the better. (a Recall "Peeping Pat" Roberts campaign would bring the intelligence committee's dereliction of duty to the attention of our fellow citizens, and some will be motivated to lobby for investigation and action in other ways)

[stop the bleeding]

20. Not from KS, but I want this puke gone

yesterday