I think the Roaring Fork Peace Coalition (RFPC) has finally tapped into the public psyche in a big way. Last Thursday’s showing of the Bill Moyer’s Journal episode on impeachment drew a full house of 46 people. They laughed, they cheered, they booed and afterward, they discussed our options; writing to our representatives and Nancy Pelosi, signing petitions and speaking to friends and family, especially the youth, who stand to inherit a severely diminished Bill of Rights if we do nothing to prevent it.
We were mostly in agreement that the president and vice president should be impeached. The exceptions being perhaps the two gentlemen in the western wear sitting in the back of the room who spent a good amount of time with their arms folded tightly across their chests and shaking their heads, presumably in disagreement with Bruce Fein’s and John Nichols’ enumeration of Bush and Cheney’s crimes. Oh and maybe alpha6, who introduced himself to me by asking if I thought he might be the only Republican in the room. He had some good input in the discussion though. I guess I’ll leave it to him to explain his position if he so chooses (and can refrain from sarcasm).
Remarkably, I believe this issue cuts across party lines. Republicans care as much about democracy, freedom, and civil rights as Democrats. Democrats care as much about our country’s stability, security, and prosperity as Republicans. We’re ALL on OUR side. There is growing concern among all parties that the president and his administration are NOT on OUR side.
It’s not just the mounting cost and casualties of the war in Iraq, it’s not just the unilateral foreign policies or the lax border security. It’s not just the PATRIOT Act, the illegal spying, the Executive Orders, signing statements, torture or destruction of Habeus Corpus. It’s all of those things combined that show a blatant disregard for the U.S. Constitution, that George Bush and Dick Cheney swore an oath to uphold. These, our employees, charged with protecting the security and freedom of this nation’s people, have failed us quite thoroughly. For this the Constitution, our legal document binding the elected officers of these United States to democratic principles and the rule of law, provides a solution; impeachment.
A majority of Americans believe impeachment hearings are in order. Under constant and relentless pressure from us, Congress must consent to bring articles of impeachment against the president and vice president for the grievous high crimes and misdemeanors that have been and are being perpetrated against the free citizens of the United States.
Write your representatives…often. Visit http://impeachbushcoalition.blogspot.com/
And plan to attend the next RFPC event on Monday August 20th at 7pm, US Bank next to Safeway in Glenwood Springs. We’ll watch an informative film on bringing articles of impeachment against the president and discuss our next move.
At Sue’s invitation, I decided to visit the RFPC’s showing of Bill Moyer’s Journal episode on cause for impeachment. I slipped into the room ahead of the crowd and ended up sitting on a side table as the room quickly filled up and the chairs ran out.
There were no speeches as the episode was started, only an invitation to partake in cookies and other refreshments that Sue had laid out in a tasty spread. I refrained from eating anything, because I wanted my mind clear and not be accused of “drinking their koolaid.” : )
I thought the film was interesting and it bought up some really provoking thought, but I didn’t think it made the case for impeachment. It did make the point of involvement of the people in our government and holding them accountable, both the Presidents office and Congress.
After the film, a couple of people left, but the vast majority stayed around, which surprised me. The floor was open to discussion, and people spoke up with various topics concerning the film and what action the people should take. I congratulate those that showed up and engaged in discussion to take action in their government. It was refreshing to see people willing to do something about what they believed in, even if it was at times different from my views. My input consisted of talking about having a good base plan of action and then moving forward with specific goals other then a shotgun approach of reaching Congress, but it was only one of many of the good ideas put forth by those in attendance.
I must say, that everyone there was very nice and friendly. There was no radical, over the wall rhetoric or other hidden agendas pushed. Sue, who is very out spoken here, said little and allowed those there to guild the direction of the discussion, which lasted about an hour after the program. All in all I was encouraged to see citizens willing to gather and discuss and maybe even to take action with regards to our government, and that I believe, is what our forefathers intended when they set up our system of government.
It was only at the end that I met Sue. I think she was surprised that I had actually shown up and we had a nice chat though short, as it was getting late. I tried to refrain from being too sarcastic, but not sure I was totally successful.
I can’t remember if I told Sue this that evening, but she put on a very nice forum for the community. Her willingness to be involved and to get others in the community to be involved is commendable, even if I may not agree with some of her ideas, she at least is out there doing something about it and that is more then most of us.
So, if you are interested in some of the topics that are being put on by the RFPC, you should try and attend at least once. No one will attack you, and you are free to leave if you want to at any time. I am not sure how others will fit into my schedule, but I can honestly say that I am glad that I went.
Thanks alpha6 for the kind endorsement! And though I do get a kick out of your witty sarcasm in the comments, I appreciate your sincerity here.
I must however, point out that this was not all my doing. The Roaring Fork Peace Coalition steering committee, which consists of nine individuals, is responsible for putting these events together. We have been doing this twice a month for the past five years, and in all that time I’ve never seen such a good turnout, so I know we’re on to something here.
Alpha’s commendation of the community members who participated in this event is well deserved. Those who took the time away from their families and busy schedules to participate in the responsibilities of citizenship are the truest of patriots.
It’s been a long time since I was able to say I’m proud to be an American, but after Thursday’s meeting, I truly am.
Part of being a good citizen is participating and letting elected officials know how you want them to vote. Since Representative Mark Udall is running for the Senate next year, he is starting to fund raise and will be visiting Aspen on Silver King Aug. 23th 6-8 PM. In September, he along with Rep. John Salazar, Senator Ken Salazar and Senator Wayne Allard will be voting on approving another supplemental appropriation for Iraq of over $ 140 billion. 20 US soldiers and 190 Iraqi citizens were killed today according to headlines. Congress can stop this blood shed by not approving this money. Money already exists to bring the troops home. Contact representatives or show up and tell Mark to stop voting for supplemental appropriations to continue the killing.