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Former CIA Analyst Says Evidence Abounds for Impeachment
PORTSMOUTH - The evidence for impeachment of the president and vice president is overwhelming, former CIA analyst and daily presidential briefer Ray McGovern told a room full of people at the Portsmouth Public Library Monday night.
McGovern, who provided daily briefings for former presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush as well as other high ranking officials during his 27 year CIA career, said he has witnessed a "prostitution of his profession" as the Bush administration lied to the American people about the evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
"Don't let anyone tell you the President was deceived by false intelligence ... they knew," McGovern said.
For the next 40 minutes, he relayed a series of events leading up to 9/11 which illustrate the President's desire to go to war with Iraq well before 9-11, that reliable CIA evidence showed that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction and was presented to the administration and the "facts were fixed" in order to legitimize the invasion.
"The estimate which said Iraq had weapons of mass destruction was prepared to the terms of reference laid down by Dick Cheney in a speech on Aug. 26, 2002. It was the worst estimate of intelligence and came to the wrong conclusions, but it was designed to do that," McGovern said.
McGovern has been an outspoken commentator on intelligence-related issues since the late 1990s and since 2002 has been publicly critical of Bush's use of government intelligence in the lead-up to the war.
The recent report detailing Iran's stopping its nuclear weapons program four years ago, is an example of how the administration knows it can no longer hide such "incontrovertible evidence" from the American people in the fallout from the misinformation they received on the Iraq War, McGovern said. He added that he had almost given up on believing their were people still working at the top with a conscious and enough people at the top willing to let analysts do their job and accept independent analysis.
In late 2005, Congress requested an estimate on Iranian nuclear capabilities. "My former colleagues got really good, incontrovertible evidence that the program, such as it was, has been ordered stopped since 2003. The evidence was such that not even Dick Cheney could deny it. That's why the report was not produced until three weeks ago," McGovern said, adding that the Bush administration has been putting "spin" on their rhetoric ever since.
McGovern also addressed the reasoning he believes is behind the threat of war with Iran. He said he believes Israel thinks they have a pledge from the White House to deal with Iran before Bush leaves office and relayed the story of the U.S.S. Liberty, which was attacked by the Israelis in 1967 and covered up by the United States. Thirty-four U.S soldiers were killed and about 170 were seriously injured.
"It seems to me, that on June, 8, 1967, Israel realized it could literally get away with murder," McGovern said.
McGovern said he also believes Congress will be of little help. Recently House Speaker Nancy Pelosi admitted to learning about torture and illegal eavesdropping in briefings, but said it was her understanding when briefed, that she will not share the information with anyone else, including other members of the House Intelligence Committee.
McGovern called Pelosi out on violating her oath to uphold the Constitution "against enemies, foreign or domestic" by allowing acts in violation of the Constitution to continue by not saying "diddly."
He added that although an impeachment bill currently in Congress is gaining more support, Democrats are shying away because of the influence of lobbies and political analysts telling them to "wait it out" until the election.
Charges in the impeachment bill sponsored by Dennis Kucinich, are very detailed and "as good as any," McGovern said, and referenced the illegal eavesdropping of American citizens. He added that the President has "admitted" to this "demonstrably impeachable offense."
"The argument for impeachment is overwhelming," Randy Kezar of Kingston said after the event. "Impeachment is constitutionally required."
McGovern's visit was co-sponsored by NH Codepink, Seacoast Peace Response, NH Peace Action, NH American Friends Service Committee, Seacoast 9-11 Questions Group, NH Veterans for Peace and Witness for Peace-N.E.
© 2007 Foster's Daily Democrat
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THE TIME HAS COME FOR IMPEACHMENT. IT IS TIME TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND TO TELL THE TRUTH. IT IS TIME FOR DIANANNE FEINSTEIN, NANCI PELOSI AND ALL LIKE THEM TO BE TAKEN FROM THIER OFFICE. IT IS TIME TO REBUILD AMERICA BASED IN TRUTH AND LAW AND COMPASSION!! IT IS TIME THEY STOPPED TRYING TO SHUT KUCINICH UP! IF A MAN OCCUPIES CONGRESS HE HAS A RIGHT TO BE HEARD IF HE IS RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY! THE REASON HE IS STOPPED FOM SPEAKING IS BECAUSE HE TELL THE TRUTH!!
I may have said this before, but impeaching Bush/Cheney is not about Bush/Cheney. It's about the inhabitant of the White House on 1/20/09. If what W and VP did are deemed acceptable - and anything short of at least a censure assures that - then President #44 will feel as though she or he can likewise abuse the office.
what mcpete said.
Ray McGovern has been out there saying this from the beginning, nonstop. A true patriot. A true American.
A rare commodity on both counts.
Impeachment is the only course that can save what little honor we have left before the world. To deny it is to sanction what's been done forever.
Honor... another rare commodity in America.
These current squatters in the White House are just the latest in a long line of attempts to take over our government. For a brief history that details what we are up against, click here --> http://www.sonic.net/~taryfast/destruction.html
Yes, of course evidence for impeachment abounds. This has been obvious for a long time. Nevertheless, Ray McGovern deserves praise for stating the obvious in public.
Let us ask ourselves who is blocking impeachment right now.
Would they happen to be the same ones who make a proprietary claim upon our votes solely on the basis of being not-Republicans? I suspect so.
ADELE the CZECH. Proven legally you ask?
That is precicely the reason for impeachment hearings, to hear witnessess and attempt to garner the truths, beyond any reasonable doubt. If Dennis K's HR-333 bill were put on the floor by Congressman Conyers, the fit would hit the shan. So many crimes would come out, that both Cheney and Bush would probably resign before the process was completed. Then Nancy Pelosi could pardon them before impeachment proceedings were initiated against her. That may not protect them from the Haigue Courts.
There is very strong evidence that Bush did lie to Congress and to 'everyone' about the WMDs in Iraq, as he ordered the Director of the CIA, George Tenent to bury the NIE report, which clearly stated there were no WMDs in Iraq. Unfortunantly Tenent obeyed the order, he could have saved us all a lot of grief and over a million Iraqi lives, a trillion or so dollars and a brocken U.S. Army and National Guard and a ruined economy. That is what Bush hath done.
That of course is not the only impeachable offense that Bush, Cheney have comitted and they have already admitted some and are thumbing their nosses at all of us. It only takes one crime and it could be a misdomeaner offense. Being impeached does not necessarily mean the president would be removed from office, the impeachment has to be confirmed by the Senate.
Billy was impeached and he stayed in the White House.__ Shamed __ for awhile. He shamed the entire nation for being stupid and Linda Tripp did so also___ the slime-ball snake. Her treacherous act insured Gore would lose millions of votes and get these Bible thunping evangilicals activated. ___Amazing what one person can sometimes accomplish.
Of course the crimes Bush and Cheney have committed are a bit more serious than having "no" sex with a kid and then lying about it. Of course you can't blame Bill for lying, it was one of those rare times when it was absolutely necessary. His lie didn't ruin our economy and kill a bunch of people either. He was just guilty of really stupid behaviour for a genius, Rhodes Scholar and the President of the United States. __ He did insure oral sex became a household word.
So, let's see it happen instead of talking about it.
Impeach first, extradite to the Hague later.
Evidence of impeachment is immaterial if the democrats continue to ignore it.
Want congress members with spine? Elect Green Party candidates.
www.GP.org
We the People have known this for some time and polls show that We the People overwhelmingly support impeachment. Where are are supposed "representatives"? They should remember that aiding and abetting are crimes too.
Well Duh Ray we've all been saying this for years about the teflon President. My question is why isn't he impeached yet? Obviously there are some ridiculously powerful forces behind the scenes that are keeping him in power.
Strange, I watched all of the news every day this week and did not hear a single word about this meeting. Evidently what Mr. McGovern says is of little importance, he's probably one of those crazies, like the ones who read Common Dreams articles.
If McGovern was at all credible, surely our national newspapers and media would have insured his words were headline news. ___ NO?
barely human
'Impeach first, extradite to the Hague later.' Better idea, send him to the same Court in the 'liberated free democratic Iraq', that had Saddam Hussein (whatever his hue, the legitimate President of Iraq) lynched.
It is uncertain, however, given alleged voting complexities that GWB is the legitimate President of America, allegedly. Why not try out Iraq's democrocy and 'let freedom reign'? That would be a test for the real thing.
j.
Ray McGovern should have been considered Time's Man of the Year. However by putting Putin on the pedestal, they shifted the main internal stories that should be front page news (include Al Gore here as well) of the table. A clever $trategic move by the corporate media intent to maintain the $tatu$ quo. It's people like McGovern who are providing life support to a dwindling democracy.
DC Beltway said " Obviously there are some ridiculously powerful forces behind the scenes that are keeping him in power."
**********
Yes, there are. They are called DEMOCRATS.
Impeach, Hague, Hang. This goes for ANYBODY that has enabled this malfeasance of our Constitution. Democrat or Repuker. Their is a high price to pay when playing politics with OUR Constitution. There
should be a complete audit on our Governement from top to bottom. From school administrators to the assholes in the white house, congress to state govenors. There should be complete accounting for every penny of our tax dollars, along with mandatory fiscal responsibility. The legal system and appointing of political hack judges must be addressed along with EVERY law that violates our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Plus, they should tax the FUCK out of EVERY religion.
Oh, you people with your impeachment talk. C'mon. There are other things to think about. Like how the Patriots haven't lost this year and how it's snowing in parts of the country. And lead in toys? Outrage! And did you know that there could be a sexual predator in your neighborhood? Not to mention, there's an election going on--we should be watching the polls!
Impeachment is sooooo yesterday's news.
Oh wait a minute....
Impeach the Nazi bastards, indict them and then hang them in public.
Uh, I hate to tell you this but, uh . . . IMPEACHMENT IS OFF THE TABLE. Just ask Fearless Leader Nancy Pelosi who left it off the table so that Congress could actually get something done. So, Nancy, how did that work out for you? The headlines in the L.A. Times this morning: "Democrats Agenda in Ruins Despite Taking the Hill. Wow, Nancy. Glad you took it off the table.
If you live between New York and Washington anywhere near Route 1, drive over and give John Nirenberg a cup of hot tea, coffee, a bottle of root beer, or just walk with him and hold an "Impeach Bush/Cheney" sign. John will march to Washington for impeachment in your name. Find out where he is leaving from at www.marchinmyname.org
Seems to me Pelosi, Reid and quite a few others in Congress ought to be impeached for refusing to uphold the USS Constitution.
Everybody I know and have met these last few years, including many many republicans,are of the same opinion: IMPEACH THE DECIDING DUO, and hold them accountable in a court of law for unlimited crimes against American citizens and humanity of general . . . thus far amounting to the deaths of well over a million, mostly innocent, people. They must pay for their crimes however tragic the consequences.
Nancy Pelosi is the chief architect of the "no impeachment" position and as such should be arrested immediately, arraigned and tried. Collaborators should not be countenanced.
"never in history has the welfare of so many been in the hands of so few."
I heard that a day or two ago regarding the Bali conference.
That has to be an insecure predicament. . .worth preserving by any means necessary? Seems to be evidence of that everywhere nowadays.
"Not to mention, there's an election going on–we should be watching the polls!"
Hmmm... You think the campaign has been extended on purpose, as a distraction?
Who isn't listening? Doesn't Senator Reid and Representative Pelosi get it? While the process is complicated and lengthy, start somewhere. Why let these gangsters leave office without punishment for what they have done to our country and the people that have tried to defend it. If our White House leaders and what part of the staff was involved aren't charged, the country will not have much of a future to look forward to. START, START, START!!!!!!!!
i have had a theory for sometime. and Pelosi seems to be substantiating my theory. The whole lot of them are in Bush's pocket, bought and paid for to tank the reputation of the dem party. i can think of no other reason why with so much overwhelming evidence, (for crying out loud the downing st memo was enough to convict) that they lie dormant on virtually everything. think about it, their approval rating is lower than Bush's and he is at 18%. there is absolutely no reason for it. it seems very deliberate and scripted to me.
Impeachment is off the table? So put it on the floor...of the House.
Just think how much worse this gets when you add in their role in committing 9/11. I hope no one else has forgotten about that.
Of course impeachment evidence abounds. So let's get down to the real contest here - leftists who want to stay on the gravy train versus leftists who want change.
Unless the Demoks accomplish their assigned task to impeach the criminals and get the US military out of the Middle East by election day, progressives are voting third parties, which risks putting more Repuks in the White House.
We don't want Demoks in the White House to "heal the wounds". We want big change ASAP-either through a hard-left turn by elected officials, or through Repuk-driven societal collapse, and long-awaited revolution. Check the Green Party platform for directions after that.
Can it get any worse? I think the effing Dems MIGHT wake up if they lose because of a strong GP vote. And unless the Dems put up Edwards or Kucinch, C.Mckinney is gonna get my vote!
Yes 'green jello' I, and everybody I know haven't forgotten 9/11 -
there is far too much evidence not to imply something is amiss in our government.
I recently saw on C-Span the testimonials of a man who was in some top maintinance position at the World Trade Towers recounting his endeavours to help people out of the towers on 9/11. Early on he distinctly remembered hearing bangs beneathe him. He wondered about them, but continued to climb the inner stairs to each floor to try and evacuate whomever he came across. Miraculously, and with no help from the supernatural, he managed to escape the main floor just as the tower began to crumble . . . landing under a firetruck and miraculously, without the aid of you-know-who, survived.
I wish C-Span would run that again. We all know there are innumerable unanswered questions and suspicions about what happened at the towers. One thing that bothers me are the little white puffs of smoke that were visible as the towers fell . . . not unlike those little white puffs of smoke clearly visable when
they implode an ancient Vegas Casino . . . just last month as a matter of fact.
Impeachment must be on the table and an independent investigation of 9/11 launched. NOW!!!!
"Evidence Abounds for Impeachment"
The real problem with this openly criminal government is the Impeachment of Evidence. If at first we don't secede...
As each day passes, the case for impeachment, no matter how strong, will be sidelined. The excuse is - bush is such a short time lame duck, why drag the country through it?
Its about justice, preserving the law, respecting the sacred constitution, accountability.
But it would take courage, bull headed determination, a group of people who are beyond the corruption, out of the reach of the - behind the scenes lever pullers - (read, the BILLIONAIRES club)
There is no one left that falls into the courage and integrity camp, besides DK.
Sad, we've been betrayed, gang raped, first by the '63 junta, then by those who we thought cared, and who promised to make a difference.
Until WE American's start to cause MASSIVE civil disobience, it will be platitudes, lip service, more betrayals, more hand wringing.
Nothing will be done.
"Well Duh Ray we've all been saying this for years about the teflon President. My question is why isn't he impeached yet?"
Perhaps because those who should impeach him are supplying the teflon...?
Well, I'll say it again, Bush is just the tip of the politcaly corrupt iceburg. All of congrees lies just below the surface. No one is going to impeach Bush, period! This administration would not have been able to exsist without the approvel and help of congress. And next year we will elect another bible totting corporate sponcered president to rule over the masses. And the beat go's on.
Ray McGovern is bravely speaking out in the manner of a true patriot. That Pelosi is complicit along with Dubya & Cheney is truly sad. It does explain her "impeachment is off the table" comment in 2006 on 60 Minutes. If there is to be a Nuremberg style proceeding to mete out punishment to those involved, Pelosi would at minimum be called as a witness (and not come off too well), and could quite possibly wind up on the dock herself. The cynical pragmatist in me would offer Pelosi immunity so the prosecution could proceed. After all, it is a common practice in jurisprudence to offer immunity to lesser players if they can give you the big fish. Dubya & Cheney are the big fish.
Hey, here's a slogan for Daniel David: Vote Democrat and help replenish the teflon in Washington!
the bushes and their cronies are indeed remnants of the hitler regime...if this country cannot muster up the courage to try them for high treason and crimes against humanity....THE VERY LEAST WE MUST DO IS IMPEACH them(nancy pelosi,too)...now,right now..!!!
Somehow, anyone in tune with current affairs, knows that what is said in this article is true and that we have known for some time. Pelosi is starting to look more like she was 'planted' to win her election from the start. Ok, so she's a democrat which takes some of the heat off Bush and his vote fraud history. Nevertheless, she's working like a 'charm' for Bush and company because she was a highly regaurded democrat and is in a perfect position to pull 'wool' over her fellow democrats heads. Yup, seems to be working to perfection.
Will someone in authority with guts please tug Cheney and Bush on the sleeve and tell them, "We need to talk to you."
Jaded Prole: Up top here you said, "... polls show that We the People overwhelmingly support impeachment."
Actually (and I follow this closely), few polls on impeachment have been published in the corporate media, but the ones that have asked a specific question: "If President Bush lied to the American people about Iraq's WMD, should he be impeached?" A majority said yes.
The problem is, I don't see how it can be PROVEN legally that Bush lied about the WMDs, do you? And while there are many other possible avenues to impeachment, such as warrantless wiretapping and employing torture, a majority of the American people have not yet indicated that they WANT Bush and Cheney impeached on those grounds.
Of course, the media may not want to conduct any more polls on this subject -- particularly because the 2008 campaign is in high gear and the Bush regime seems less and less relevant every day.
That table that all these government people talk about and put things on occasionally has only three legs, and one of them is several inches shorter than the other two.
It won't be much longer until the US is a simpering has-been in geopolitics. And the world will be better for that, when the family of nations has no superpower. Balance will take the place of this lopsided state.
Maybe even Hillary will realize that the only way to salvage her campaign will bw to ADVOCATE IMPEACHMENT and DAMN Pelosi and Reid. THAT will get her nominated AND elected! Go get 'em babe! Show some ingenuity and leadership. Or don't you give a damn about the Constitution either?
Wasn't it Jefferson who said something like 'the tree of Liberty must occasionally be watered with the blood of tyrants'? Well, that poor tree is fairly dying from drought and Dubya's and his prince of darkness VP's blood would be just the nourishment it needs right now. I can't buy the argument that we should just let it slide because Dubya is a short-timer lame duck president. He needs to be removed from office as a clear message to future presidents that operating outside the Constitution will not, and cannot, be tolerated.
John Edwards for president, '08.
Gyro, way up top, has it right. The average American, if you ask them, would probably say yeah, he should be impeached. But as long as there's sports, weather and of course Britney Spears to distract them, who really gives a rat's ass?
If you haven't heard, three Dems on the Judiciary Committee are calling for Conyers to bring impeachment of the dick to the floor of the House for a hearing. They need your support. Go to the link below and sign the petition. This is really important. Wexler needs us to arm him with that petition to convince Congress that the American people want impeachment NOW! Then after you sign on, e-mail all your friends to do the same!!!
www.wexlerwantshearings.com
Thanks for all you do.
I am pretty sure that anybody that reads common dreams signed that by last friday night.
HANG JANE!
By last Friday, within 24 hours, Wexler already had 50,000. He is now looking for a million before Congress returns in January.
Spred the word!
"i have had a theory for sometime. and Pelosi seems to be substantiating my theory. The whole lot of them are in Bush's pocket, bought and paid for to tank the reputation of the dem party"
somebody here wrote this. the problem i think is different. both the pathetic dems and bush are in AIPAC's pocket. jimmy carter wrote that congressmembers do not dare to go against aipac's wishes. not if they want to get reelected.
i would love to see impeachment, but aipac won't allow it. aipac's role has to be made transparent. of course, this is nearly impossible with our press.
Impeach? Good luck, Pelosi is a "mole".