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A Blaring Call for Impeachment
HAMPSTEAD, Md. - At a busy intersection in the bucolic and conservative town of Hampstead yesterday morning, seven people waved signs calling on Carroll County drivers to honk for President Bush's impeachment -- and yelled "thank you" to those who cursed at them.
The honks and horn blasts from cars and trucks pierced the air at a rate of about two per minute.
But nearby, an unlucky man who worked the night shift was trying to sleep. He called the police.
The protest organizer, Brad Brown, 27, of Westminster displayed his permit. Capt. Jay Gribbin of the Hampstead Police Department read Brown a transportation code that bans honking on highways for nonsafety reasons.
Brown agreed to move the small group to the northeast corner of Main Street and Gill Avenue so that most of the honking drivers were traveling away from the man's house. Brown didn't really mind. He was just tickled by all of the honking.
"In this county, I just can't believe it," said Brown, who borrowed the "honk for impeachment" idea from a Web site and organized a similar protest last weekend in Westminster. "It's just amazing. In Carroll County, of all places."
Brown is leading a small contingent of peace protesters this summer at four stops in Carroll and Baltimore counties on his way to a nationwide pro-impeachment march in Washington next month.
Brown and a network of grass-roots activists nationwide are trying to build support for impeachment, even in conservative areas such as Carroll County, where almost 70 percent of voters cast ballots for Bush in 2004.
"The Democrats in Carroll County, I don't want to say they're desperate, but probably the best way to describe it is that Carroll is a red county in a blue state," said Larry Helminiak, chairman of the county's Republican Central Committee, who did not pass by the protest. "Democrats who want to be in public office here switch to being Republicans. That's not a joke."
Helminiak said he often sees bumper stickers that say, "Courage is being a Democrat in Carroll County."
The seven people, working under the banner of Carroll County Progressives, certainly had chutzpah. They flashed peace signs, gave supportive drivers a thumbs up and waved American flags. But they also absorbed insults and vulgar gestures during their two hours in 90-plus-degree heat.
One driver yelled, "Do you know a president that doesn't lie?" Another yelled (erroneously), "We didn't impeach Clinton." (He was impeached by the House but not convicted in the Senate.)
One woman pulled over and asked sign-wavers whether the Democratic Party was sponsoring the protest. When they said no, the woman said that she was glad or she would have changed parties.
Most people just scowled or giggled at the sight of people in their 50s taking such a hard-line position.
According to a recent CBS News poll, President Bush's approval rating has fallen to an all-time low of 34 percent. A July survey by the nonpartisan American Research Group found that 45 percent of respondents said they want Congress to begin impeachment proceedings, while 46 percent opposed the idea.
Democratic leaders in Congress have vowed not to do so -- likely with independent voters such as George Bellgraud in mind. Bellgraud, a Hampstead resident, said that he found yesterday's protest "repulsive."
"It's not President Bush's problem," Bellgraud said. "It's our citizens' problem. We don't vote the right people in."
Protesters said that the war in Iraq, Bush's efforts to "neuter" the other two branches of government and their overall anger motivated them to take to the streets.
"People ask me why I do this, especially in Carroll County, and I say that it's even more important to show people here that we're not all of one opinion," said Jessica Conaway, 54, a psychiatric nurse and mother of three who lives in Eldersburg. "Some people who agree are passive, but hearing someone else honk gives them encouragement."
Helminiak, however, wondered whether the protesters had thought through the potential consequences of their call to action: "Then Richard Cheney would be our president."
Brown's answer was on his T-shirt: Impeach Cheney too.
Copyright © 2007 by The Baltimore Sun
43 Comments so far
Show AllOne fortunate thing about the whole Bush misadventure is that a lot of Americans seem to be thinking about what democracy actually is, and about what are their duties and responsibilities as citizens in such a democracy. This is fortunate, because due to your past apathy and carelessness it seems that you are now on the brink of losing that democracy that you always thought was your trademark.
There seem to be a lot of people also who still don't get what it is all about and I think that Adamslp is one of them. This is not about revenge, stupid, it is about accountability. You can stick with your people in the 'old' Democratic Party, while other more far-sighted and courageous people will be building a true multiparty democracy in 'the land of the free'. Break the lock on corrupt two-party politics !
How about "Don't honk if you support impeachment."
That way the hardcore neocon minority will honk and get hassled by the cops, and the protestors can -- rightly so -- claim that their sign was not inciting anyone to honk. Everyone's happy. ;-)
Advice: Carry a portable "Don't" that you can paste on the sign when this happens.
If would sure feel good to impeach Bushchimp, Darth Chaney, Tourquemada Gonzales, and Rove (the alien from Star trek "the cage."
REVENGE IS A DISH WHICH IS BEST SERVED COLD
(Khan)
I believe in Nancy P., John C. and the rest of the leaders our our party. What good would be to indulge our passion for revenge only to lose power in the general election.
The dems are not the republicans. We don't get everything we want from our leaders just as a petulent child doesn't recieve anything from a good parent. Other then your fatasy conspiracy theories of government, I would prefer the preservation of our government to the dems instead of giving it back to the Reps.
Thank you
The protester's sign should read:
"Drive Through This General Area For Impeachment."
That way every motorist, and even the police, inadvertantly supports the preservation of our democracy, in much the same way our routine driving supports despots and sheikdoms and bad energy policy.
Plant a little seed that reminds people that they're part of the wider world, even when they're alone in their car.
I don't understand the logic behind the notion that Democrats should not impeach in order to maintain control.
If you really wanted to draw a contrast between the Dems and the Republicans, then wouldn't you want to impeach because it's the right thing to do, rather than not impeach in order to win elections (not that that logically follows in any way)? Is it not the Republicans who do everything for political advantage?
OK, so what happens if Bush & Cheney are NOT impeached?
Immediately after the next terrorist attack, Bush declares marshall law, postpones the election for the duration of the emergency and begins arresting thousands of "suspects" = dictatorship. That's the choice - impeachment or dictatorship.
Adamslp believes that sacrificing our CONSTITUTION is better than holding our elected officials responsible for their illegal activities. This I have a little problem with.
IMPEACHMENT IS NOT ABOUT REVENGE. It's about preserving the Bill of Rights. It's about ending an illegal and immoral war. It's about the rule of law.
If the Dems are shying away from impeachment because they fear their electability will suffer than THEY AREN'T WORTH ELECTING IN THE FIRST PLACE, (and most of them AREN'T anyway.)
What would you sacrifice to defend the Constitution?
Peace to you and yours.
How about "honk lightly twice" if you want Gonzalez, Cheney, or Bush impeached? The loudness is less important than the show of solidarity. i guess we could just as easily ask people to blink their headlights. Anything to show solidarity in protest.
the "Honk if you are against noise pollution" crowd are joining the "Hummer owners for better gas milage" group this weekend, and throwing a pig roast for PETA.
The Democrats Congressmen will be there to show their total support for all sides of every issue.
canuckcuck... as usual, you provoke within me mad giggles.
Impeach the Bastards...
How about wave your hand for impeachment? It's quieter.
Impeachment is for "high crimes" of which there have been MANY with this bunch. Clinton's so called offense was trying to preserve his personal privacy in a civil law case.
Ken Starr was evil and anyone that wants to know what the Republican party stands for should start with a review of his conduct as special prosecutor. He conducted an anything goes witch hunt for years and years and then Janet Reno kept adding things that he could investigate!
Contrast that with Gonzo, Chimpo and Libby that would never think of doing anything fair and honest. This would NEVER cross their minds. It is their first instinct to lie and cover up.
impeachment is a slap on the wrist. they should meet the same fate as saddam.
c'mom adamsip, did you ever hear of the concept (because it's the right thing to do). this is a time for the dems to shit or get of the pot, or move over and make some room for somebody who's got a pair.
impeachment first, war crimes tribunals next!
i'll buy that.
Would anyone reading this like a "starter kit" for impeachment? We are offering a 30 minute DVD entitled HIGH CRIMES, which lays out the main grounds for impeachment of Bush and Cheney, with graphic, well documented footage of Iraq, Guantanamo, and key speeches by Bush, Joe Wilson and many others. You will receive a poster and flyer. In addition, there are suggestions for holding a house party or community screening, background information on impeachment, suggestions for local actions. etc.
Cost of kit is $25. Email paracove@mcn.org, or go to www.paracove.com to see the trailer and to order.
Peace, Carol Wolman
Cochair- Impeach Bush-Cheney
NO TABLE BUSH IMPEACHMENT NANCY! MOVE UP OR MOVE OUT AND LET SOMEONE WITH KICK BUTT.
Don't impeach so the democratsd can "Control".
What have we heard from a democrat that makes wht a republican says differeent./
what have we heard when ti comes time to vote by a democrat that is different than a republican vote?
Anyhone supporting the democrt party today is not Progressives as they are for more of the same crooked special interest politics and not one of them I have heard has agreed to do away tiehrt bush signing statements., Exercutive Orders, revamp the powers of the VP or the Justice DEpt but by their continuernce ot vote for futuere fiancing anfd agreement to make laws that amde tier actions and Executive Branch Actions illegal and unconstituional now legal.
When are the American peole going to wake up and realize it is the system and the people who made the system the way it is that have caused the decline in country, a war in town major countries with three smaller ones well under way and are threatening to use nulcar arms against Ira, these are Democrats and Republican party members and are no different than the ruling communist party members in any of worlds worst coutnrys. From Romania, Bugaria, old East Germany, to China and Russian party members for the party and not the peoples.
Good God. You're selling recorded information that is available to the public and calling that democracy?
It does go a long way in exposing just what democracy means in this country...
As long as we can make money without working, it's gotta be the best system out there right?
How 'bout this? Stop sending these repugnant bastards your money and with it, buy yourself a posterboard and a flyer and on it with your own hands write, stencile, draw or fingerpaint in your own blood...
I AM NOT A PART OF THIS MADNESS!
If Nancy Pelosi & Co loved truly loved this country and its Constitution, impeachment hearings would start tomorrow. She and her cohorts care more about their own political futures than the fate of the nation. If there is no impeachment, whoever is elected president next steps into an office with much too much power. The Executive Branch has to be scaled back.
I have watched with listened and bloged with some who attended the Bolosphere groupies talk and questions with the Presidential candidates and come to find out the leaders of theoe blogs almnost to a man kissed the Democratic partys butt in every way they could.
Hard questions? "What do you want on your salad , gold or silver, and what color lipstick shall I leave on your butt cheeks?"
For those of us who visit the KOS and others bring smoke upon them for becoming part of the kiss butt to get on board the powerfulls likeability meters instead of represnting what hundreds of thoudsands if not millions of internet users have been deammding be asked of our politcal leaders.
I wonder what band of toothpaste or mouthwash they use today to get rid of the stench and hair.
Yuppies wanting to show just how yuppy they were I guess.
They could of been auditioning for White House Press corps for major media; you know the ones we don't trust because they never ask the right questions, instead of reading and representing what has been on almost every blogs site for years impeachemnt and corruption led by deciet of Demcorats sinse elections.
Feel as if I was sucker punched!
They get tow old line Democs noted for butt kissing, one who protected Nixon, "In order to not destrouy the country": his words, and another who never voted for any less demo or republican pork or military bill than a neocon would of to pick and choose the questions to be asked.
Funny how just being admitted to the "CLUB" dining, or their mens and ladys rooms for that matter , makes any one of them gush and blush like a school girl on her first kiss.
Politics in the office and now politics by the ones many people who opose the poltcal disgrace of US politics depended upon for frank and honest representation.
Seems the bloggers forgot about asking any hopefull where they stood upon impeachemnt of even Gonzales never mind ther Pres and his puppetmaster Cheney.
Good going!
With friends like them, oh well.......!
P.S.
Could be they were more afraid of the democrats than the democrats are of the republicans.
72 hous of playing grab butt amongst themselves and trying to merge and increae each blogs donations.
Tied up in the techicalities fo blogging and not the issues of why they have a blog site.
Damage has already been done
I get my DVDs under a buck so shipping must of realy skrocketed.
When does profiting off a war get obscene?
When what you know but do not tell unless for a price can get the other guy killed. When the price is too high to purchase was it profit or the war that killed the unknowing?
What the whining Wilsons have to say, they are both prostitutes for pay to the military corproate and political power brokers, looking for the proverbial I found GODs' Foxhole to save their own a@@ is no more than devalued worthless currency in todays world.
to those who say we shouldn't impeach bush bec then we would have cheney:
you don't really believe that the chimp is running the show now? he wouldn't last a day without cheney and his gang of neocons telling him what he is for.
It seems to me that the blogs of those without even a smattering of the english language are the ones I am afraid of most. I love this country. Those extreemists on either side aren't speaking for me. Extreemism is what got us in this mess. I'm looking for those who look at all the facts and are able to come to rational conclusions.
Impeach.
Try.
Convict.
Imprison.
been hearing the same crap for years and nothing will be done until it is too late.too many of you believe what you read in the corporate media..I have protested,blogged,written my reps all to no avail...I think I will just sit here with my guns and food to wait for the end..goodnight
Note to Mr. Bellgraud: Neither in 2000, or in 2004 did president Bush win the election. So we the majority in fact DID NOT vote the wrong people in. However, you were half right, because it is the peoples problem, and will be for generations after Bush & Co. are out of office. That is why those of us in the IMPEACHMENT movement are trying so hard to force impeachment of Bush and all of his gang. The sooner he's out of office, the fewer problems we'll be stuck with solving.
And for all those reading about this for the first time here on the not censored media source (the internet) Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced House Resolution 333 in late April of this year. The Resolution contains three articles of Impeachment against Richard Chaeney. It has now been signed onto by at least 15 other congressional members.
Thrilled to see how my comments have stirred up a bees hive of indignation from a bunch of tiny brained miscreants who buy into any and every conspiracy theory that crops up.
I'll tell you again and say it slowly for the weak minded.
YOU WILL NOT MAKE A CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT INVOLVING THE CENTER. YOU CAN NOT WIN ELECTIONS BY APPEALING ONLY TO THE FRINGE ELEMENTS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
Ya, we know the Republicans have driven us into a ditch. Most people get it. However, it would appear that most people on this website have never been to that large world outside of the blue state called "The rest of the USA." Those people, whom we need to win elections will never vote for the Green party.(GREEN PARTY will never win and so cannot effect change for the rest of us who really want it so bad)
The DEMOCRATS ARE NOT REPUBLICAN LITE. And I do not appreciate the personal insulting language WINNITOU or whatever. The are way smarter then 95% of the gullible fools on this site. "Its the right thing to do" BULLSHIT. The right thing to do is plan your strategy and win. That what the Repubs did. They took 25 years to get us where we are and we won't change it overnight. The constitution which I LOVE doesn't allow for those things to happen for as I said before, our founders feared the mob as much or more than the monarchy. In fact the constitution, for those of you who don't know, was written to protect business and property rights with the bill of rights thrown in at the end. Don't question my love of this country. I'm not the one trashing it. You ARE.
If you want to read a very thoughtful discussion of why we need to impeach Bush and Chaney go to the pbs website and read the discussion that Bill Moyers had with two journalists, one of whom is a conservative. Their main point is that Bushco has made a radical change in our form of government and unless Congress impeaches and takes back their power, we will basically be a dictatorship. Let's not forget Hitler was "elected" too, by dirty tricks. He did not come into power with a military coup like many dictators do.
continued apathy by the masses.mandatory voting perhaps?
adamsip. we know the elections are imperitive, and i don't question your love of country, but if the perception of no accountability to these genocidle madmen goes unchallanged, i fear that in the future, other administrations will consider it as a green light to even more atrocities. they must come down on these assholes with all the force that can be mustared. also most of the posters here are as concerned as you. accountabillity is the biggest deterrent. the best to you.
A vote for impeachment is a vote to save civilian lives.....
Lets see;
Taxes cut for the upper income - not an impeachable offense but definitely irresponsible.
As one said all presidents lie. But too purposely lie, distort, intelligence doctoring, manipulating, creating false documents to support a illegal war with Iraq. Impeachable
Signing statements almost all presidents have done it. But to intentionally not follow the law created by Congress rather than Veto the bill. Impeachable
Executive powers a number of presidents have tried but the Constitution make no provisions for it and the Supreme Court has never held it's legality. Impeachable maybe but contempt of Congress through use of this power may well be Impeachable.
Torture and elimination of Constitution rights granted in the Bill of Rights. Impeachable.
Warrentless domestic wiretapping. Illegal and Impeachable.
Remember the annual budget is created by the executive. It's only a budget and can be and it manipulated. For instance not accounting for interest. How many have kept their own budgets. The number to watch is the number reported by the Treasury Dept in the Fall is the National Debt. Under Bush the debt has gone up about $4 trillion as of last year. It's now well past $8 trillion, the highest ever. Not impeachable but definitely irresponsible.
The comment "We don't vote the right people in." There are many who say Bush was not elected by the people as both elections were rigged.
Could go on but why? This is the most dishonest, irresponsible, reprehensible, murderous, treasonous administration in the history of the USA. Hopefully there is still a country when this is over.
Yippee! I live in Carroll County and am astounded at the neolithic neighbors I have who continue to support this criminal administration. I will continue, with our growing band of progressives, to demonstrate in town (and elsewhere) and challenge the notion that our country is on track. Of special interest to CD readers may be the recent article by Fitzrakis and Wasserman, "Will Bush Cancel the 2008 Election", which details clearly the dangerous path we are currently on.
Response to Adamslp:
I am sure you love that country the USA more than I do. I am not even American: I am Dutch and I live in South Africa. I take the liberty to talk on a mainly American forum, because the U.S. government is the de facto world government (actually the U.N. should be) and they are fucking up big time and we are all suffering from that. And I love my planet ....
I would be great if you citizens of the most powerful country in the world would be well informed and your democratic institutions would be working properly. But your institutional framework for democracy is weak, I don't know whether you can still reclaim your democracy within the existing framework. It is clear that there are all kinds of loopholes, by which un-democratic people can seize power. I think many democratic countries have that. The neighbour of my adopted country, Zimbabwe, is also technically still a democracy, but to become a real democracy again, will not be an easy path (most likely, there will be quite some bloodshed). I think America is in a similar situation.
The problem that I have with many Democrats is that I don't think they understand the seriousness of the situation. They won't change the constitution, they won't change the rules of the game. And that is what is necessary, because otherwise your democratic framework will remain weak and susceptible to abuse.
In Zimbabwe, the people who want complete change, a revolution, are not the fringe, neither are those who want that in America. It is the people who cling to the status quo, the Republicans, who are the fringe (lunatics). They must be defeated decisively. You can support the Democrats, but if you allow the Republicans to steal yet another election, it should be OUTRIGHT CIVIL WAR. Be confident: you WILL win the next election. Just stop blaming the people who want REAL CHANGE.
And if the progressives manage to beat the Republicans in some places as a minority party, you should treat progressives with as much respect as you treated Republicans in the preceding years. Stop talking about us as a fringe. One thing I can tell you for sure: the whole rest of the planet is on the side of the progressives. We ARE the majority (unless your whole world is America of course). And it would anyway also be a good idea to deal with other countries on a basis of mutual respect.
South Africa also went through a revolution, and once it is over, it feels very good !
Justice will be served when Bush is boiled in Saudi oil.
And while I agree with 'Impeach Cheney first', I wish I had the nerve to put a 'HANG CHENEY FIRST' sticker on my car. It's just that there's enough morons out there who still support this gang of criminals (and watch Fox News as their sole information source...) that neither my car nor my own safety would be assured...
For goodness sakes folks!,why all the talk and NO action on these issues?.
By far,the greater majority of Americans want Bushco,Cheneyco,Ricecofluff,traitorous Gonzales and warmonger Gates the heck out of governmnet.Pelosi came on so strong in the beginning and had such great hopes for her,afterall,we DID give the Dems the huge mandate to clean house but it appears she is the stop-block to Impeachment right now,won't allow it to proceed,WHY??,her ofice should be deluged with calls,faxes,emails,letters,lest we dump her butt.Bill was impeached for a lousey BJ and yet he was by far,the best President America has had to date.The charges for a special procecutor to assemble and get the job done are so numerous to count here.Hopefully,Hilary WILL get elected but in the meantime,let's GET Bush OUT of the Whitehouse NOW!!.Other than Israel,who have we got for allies anymore,even Britain's Brown is distancing himself from El Busho.Presently the world at large pretty much hates us all strictly due to Bushco and frankly I don't like it.Bushco has us all living in a state of fear,a prison without walls but is really building those walls,closing us off from the world,sealed borders,sealed everything,spying on true blue Americans at will and those stumblebums he's installed in the Supreme Court cater to his every whim,phooey!!.WE made Saddam what he was,WE made Hitler what he was.Our much treasured Constitution is nothing but a piece of paper anymore,near to completely redundant.WHO,presently,is the worst terrorist--Bush?,I think so,so do you but we sit on our hands and DO nothing.This is what he wants us to do for goodness sakes.Saudi Arabia is one of the richest,most powerful nations in the middle east and yet we are giving them multi billions in arms,WHY??.The Saudi's are NOT our friends!.Phooey again.Nuff said.
The question of impeachment has been taken off the table by Nancy Pelosi with the support of almost every leader in the Democratic Party. The Democrats are as bereft of honor and integrity as the Republicans. Mind you, I am not speaking of the huge majority of the rank-and-file Democrats *or* Republicans, but of their leadership. Lying time and again to their voters, both parties pretend to be working for the betterment of the nation and it's people, but in fact, they are working to protect and improve their individual bottom lines.
The only meaningful way to effect change is to tear down the rotten facade of the Democratic and Republican parties and replace them with a multi-party democratic republic, which is what the founders envisioned. For me, the choice is the Green Party. For others there are other active parties, ranging from Libertarian to Constitution, with other parties in place or under development. Find one that suits you and work for change, not within one or the other divisions of the corporate party, but from outside either of them.