McDermott on board with Impeachment

Washington Congressman Jim McDermott signed on today to HRes 1345, a bill to impeach George W. Bush, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

(Non)impeachment Hearings

See also: Blumenauer impeachment vigil [Week 53 /Week 54]






















See also: Blumenauer impeachment vigil [Week 53 /Week 54]

¡Adiós! Dennis

I heard on KPOJ this morning that Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio is ending his campaign for the Democratic nomination for US President. Of all the candidates, his message spoke to me the most. Was there perhaps a problem with the messenger? Do we ourselves have a problem? With "short" people?

I recall a conversation on this topic on the radio back in November. The radio hosts (Thom, Carl and Heidi) were discussing the importance of physical appearance in political campaigns. A caller astutely noted that in this media driven world, the visual package matters. Advertising works! Carl agreed, saying "There's a telegenic aspect to running for President." Height of course is merely one factor. To his credit, Thom said "I frankly don't care what the guys look like." And I suspect when polled, most voters would agree. But there is the so-called Bradley effect, which essentially refers to biases that people are perhaps to afraid to admit to themselves.

Heidi brought the discussion home referencing the US Senate race in Oregon and Thom ended the segment saying "teve Novick would make a great Senator, and it's got nothing to do with his height." I can think of only one possible advantage that Novick's 4' 9" would give him. (Well, I could think of a lot of silly things too.) Back to the question of "electability"... These are only opinions, not backed up by any data pulled out of my nether regions.

• I believe a certain fraction of the electorate are less likely to vote for a candidate based their race, sex, height, etc.
• I also believe it to be a fact that Novick's entire physical package (yes, hook and all) will more than offset lost votes due to hidden prejudices simply because he is indeed so different. I once heard him joke, "The voters want someone who's a little different. Well, I'm little. And I'm different!" Looking at the what we've already got, you've got to admit he's very different.

Ok, this is my take on the current field. If you didn't see the real ad on TV yet, you can check it out here.

Blum and Gloom XXVII

[Week 26 / Week 27 / Week 28]

It was sunny and cold with more bullshit from the Pelosi regime in the forecast. Join us Thursdays on the corner of NE 7th Avenue and Oregon Street as we petition our government to do their duty and uphold the Constitution by holding Bush, Cheney & Co. accountable by supporting impeachment. So far, Rep. Earl Blumenauer is missing in action.

Which reminds me, Veteran for Peace, Joe Walsh had an interesting take on the Larry Craig airport restroom affair. As the story first broke, this Lone Vet (who has more than a passing familiarity with our rights as citizens) noted that Craig's biggest problem was his ignorance of the law. According to the Article 1, Section 6 of the US Constitution the horny Senator could have simply told the officer he was courting to "step off!"

"[Senators] shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place."

Joe also informed us that Rep. Dennis Kucinich (who has already introduced articles of impeachment against Dick Cheney) will take the opportunity of Bush's State of the Union speech on Monday to call for the President's impeachment as well. The Congressman had this to say on the floor of the House yesterday.

"The President and Vice President lied and 4,000 of our soldiers died. The President and Vice President lied and a million innocent Iraqis died in a war that'll cost us two trillion dollars while people here in the states are losing their jobs, their health care, their homes, their dignity. Lies are weapons of mass destruction. Lies are also an impeachable offense. Monday, January 28th is the State of the Union. We already know the State of the Union, it's a lie." (January 23, 2008)

You won't find this in the Congressional Record however, as Kucinich was forced by House Republicans to strike his own remarks from the record. Some of you may be surprised that Freedom of Speech is not respected in the US House of Representatives.



[video h/t Joe Anybody]

Dennis Kucinich

I spent the morning watching Turd Blossom stink up the airways as Rovemort did a farewell tour of the Sunday talking heads. He spread his GOP branded bullshit high and wide across CBS, NBC and FOX.

Later in the afternoon ABC spared us a repeat of Bush's traitor of a brain trust and instead gave us a 90 minute Democratic debate from Iowa. I've mused openly before how Rep. Dennis Kucinich is literally the only presidential candidate on the national stage who consistently shares my principles speaking with a conviction that i trust to the core. I was content to say how i'd re-register as a Democrat to vote for him if he's still on the ballot in Oregon come May, but i am motivated now to take a more affirmative step. I have added a link so that you can donate to the Kucinich campaign. I want his voice to be heard. Listen for yourself and see if he speaks for you!

(from a recent AFL-CIO debate)