"Get Us Out of Here!"

The heading of this post is lifted from the last line of an article by Barbara Ehrenreich published in today's Huffington Post.

In the article, entitled "Unstoppable Obama", Ehrenreich attempts to analyze and explain the difficulty faced by Senator Clinton as she tries to formulate a coherent and positive reason to elect her over Barack Obama:

"Consider our present situation. Thanks to Iraq and water-boarding, Abu Ghraib and the "rendering" of terror suspects, we've achieved the moral status of a pariah nation. The seas are rising. The dollar is sinking. A growing proportion of Americans have no access to health care; an estimated 18,000 die every year for lack of health insurance. Now, as the economy staggers into recession, the financial analysts are wondering only whether the rest of the world is sufficiently "de-coupled" from the US economy to survive our demise.

Clinton can put forth all the policy proposals she likes - and many of them are admirable ones - but anyone can see that she's of the same generation and even one of the same families that got us into this checkmate situation in the first place. True, some people miss Bill, although the nostalgia was severely undercut by his anti-Obama rhetoric in South Carolina, or maybe they just miss the internet bubble he happened to preside over. But even more people find dynastic successions distasteful, especially when it's a dynasty that produced so little by way of concrete improvements in our lives. Whatever she does, the semiotics of her campaign boils down to two words - "same old."

We believe that Obama's promise of change has become a life-boat for many of us who are just so sick and tired of the same-old, same-old that we are desperately seeking a way out of the fiscal, environmental and political miasma that envelops America today.

As realists we understand that no one person can solve the overwhelming issues that the World faces. Obama is no super-man. He is not the ultimate fixer.

Positive change will only happen when a majority of Americans -- acting together and for a common purpose -- choose to take positive action that will result in positive change.

And America is in dire need of serious change -- not the timid or partisan incremental kind of change that happens in a Congress where every vote is filtered through a "what's in it for me?" lens.

In order to achieve a monumental kind of change, a President must have a mandate from the American people. And we do not mean the phony mandate claimed by Bush after squeezing out a microscopic victory in the 2004 election, but rather the kind of mandate handed to FDR during the Great Depression.

Like FDR, Obama has captured the imagination of the American people and his message inspires us to believe that something good can happen again.

Really, we have never seen anything like it in our 50+ years of living.

We understand now that change can happen only when the collective "we" -- not just Obama -- decide that we can and we must do something. And once a majority of citizens decide we want things to change in Washington, all of those stale and bickering politicians -- Democrats and Republicans -- will need to get on board or get out of the way .

Hillary and Bill have adopted a new "words are cheap" message to try to thwart Barack. But his message is more than words. Obama's call for "change" provides us with that longed for "courage of conviction" which has been so lacking in the Democratic Party since the mid-1990's.

It seems that the the Democratic Party lost their majority and their spine as soon as Newt Gingrich made his "Contract with America." And with no opposition party to counter the Republican machine, the country has suffered greatly.

Yesterday, the Democrats in the House of Representatives stood up to Bush for the first time ever when they refused to adopt the Senate version of the FISA bill that would extend the President's warrantless spying power and grant immunity to the telecommunication companies.

Even in the face of the usual (and empty) threats from the President and his Republican minions, Nancy Pelosi found strength and courage. Why now? Where did her fearlessness come from?

We do not know if the Dems will stay strong and fierce or if they will ultimately cave in to Bush's demands (as usual).

BUT, whatever happens, we believe the Democrats are feeling empowered -- in part -- by the resounding echoes of change that is ringing in their ears.

For even veteran politicos must know that there is a great movement afoot and that it would be political suicide to stand in its way.

"Change" has become more than a mere mantra. It is no longer just a buzz word. It is not a Madison Avenue slogan -- it has snowballed into an unstoppable movement. And that movement has a leader -- Barack Obama.

A great leader understands that he or she needs to inspire others to join in the revolution. And for years we have bemoaned the lack of true leadership in our government.

Well, now we have a leader who has reminded us that we have always had within ourselves the the power to make real and positive change.

You and I ARE the change we have been waiting for!

A Change of Heart for Nancy? Pure Fancy!

Yesterday we reported on rumors that Nancy Pelosi would reconsider Impeachment proceedings if 10,000 people sent hand-written pleas to her office.

This morning we called Pelosi’s DC office and spoke to Matt who confirmed that the story is, sadly, an “Internet fabrication.” As far as Pelosi is concerned, he added, impeachment is now, has always been and will thus remain “off the table.” Period. End of discussion.

So, no matter Pelosi’s sworn duty to uphold and protect the Constitution… no matter her position as a Representative of the people – a majority of whom want to see Bush and Cheney held accountable for committing high crimes and misdemeanors – no matter that she is supposed to be a leader of the (supposedly) opposition Party – Nancy refuses to budge.

As women (lesbians to boot) we were thrilled when Pelosi was named 1^st ever woman Speaker of the House. We had great hopes that she would have the courage to stand up to Bush Co. Now we see that she is just one more ineffectual and weak Bush/Cheney partner in crime.

Although we understand the likely futility of the letter writing campaign, we stand by our decision to TRY to appeal to Pelosi. We will go ahead and send our letters, and we will heed the advice of creative folks who commented on our original article. They suggest that we:

• Give envelopes and stamps to family, friends and neighbors and ask them to write their own letter;
• Photocopy or scan the letters and email or fax them to 800-891-8189 and we will cross-post them on www.Letters2Nancy.org (domain name purchased today -- website will be up later this evening).
  

In the meantime, let’s put our energy into defeating Pelosi and all of the spineless DNC-style Dems in 2008.

A few months ago Cindy Sheehan said she would run for Pelosi’s Congressional seat in San Francisco and unlike Nancy’s Republican challenger, Sheehan has a slight chance of defeating her.

Even if Cindy loses, Pelosi NEEDS to know her job security depends on her loyalty to the America people and the Constitution -- NOT to Bush and Cheney!

5 Easy Steps to Impeachment

Here is an action you can take that actually might -- for once -- make a difference!

The issue of impeaching Bush and/or Cheney was famously taken "off the table" by Nancy Pelosi over a year ago. She made this announcement prior to the 2006 mid-term elections hoping the statement would appease "centrists" and help Democrats win a majority in Congress.

Coincidentally, a 2006 win for Democrats also meant Pelosi was destined to be named the first woman Speaker of the House. So, we are guessing she may have had a bit of self-interest when she made such an untenable promise NOT to carry out her sworn duty to uphold the Constitution.

Pelosi may also be reluctant to initiate impeachment for fear she will be accused of doing so because she is third in line to be President. And right-wing critics are ready to pounce on Pelosi for that very reason. If so, rather than stand in the way of impeachment, she should recuse herself from the decision-making process.

Today “there’s rumors on the Internets” -- here, here and here (and lost of other places) -- that Pelosi will reconsider her no-impeachment stance – IF – she receives 10,000 HAND WRITTEN letters supporting the impeachment of Dick Cheney.

So, if you really want to see Congress – especially the Democrats – start acting like the co-equal branch of Government that they were intended to be – PLEASE write to Pelosi today.

For those of you unaccustomed to the snail mail process, here are 5 easy steps:

1. Find a pen and a piece of paper;
2. Write your letter;
3. Find an envelope and write Pelosi's address on it;
4. Put the letter in the envelop and attach a stamp to it;
5. Put it in a mailbox.

For maximum effectiveness, forward this message to everyone you know!

And to make it even easier – if you do not know WHAT to write, copy this letter that another Impeachment supporter already sent:

“Impeaching a high federal official for high crimes and misdemeanors - and other conduct and misuse of power incongruent with the office held - is not only a power of the legislature, but a constitutional duty. It is not a distraction to the work of Congress; it is the work of Congress. Impeachment by the House is not just an indictment, but the only way to break through the stone wall erected around the White House and enable real investigation of malfeasance and effective oversight to be performed. If the "discovery phase" of hard evidence gathering prior to a Senate trial verifies the alleged wrongdoing, the accused will be convicted. Otherwise the accused will be acquitted. Either way, justice is done and the rule of law is upheld. The founding fathers felt so strongly about protecting our democratic republic from would-be kings usurping Executive powers, they included the provision for impeachment in the Constitution six times. It was not by accident. Please, for the sake of our democracy, impeach Dick Cheney.”

This is a timely issue and needs to be acted upon NOW. There is ample public support FOR impeachment and currently, a resolution for impeaching Cheney (HB333, introduced by Dennis Kucinich) is languishing and under consideration in the Judiciary Committee.

Make sure you WRITE your letter – do not TYPE it. Include your name, address and telephone number so its authenticity can be verified. Write it in BLUE INK so it will not be mistaken for a photocopy.

Send your letter to:

Nancy Pelosi
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 14th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102

Cindy Sheehan is concerned that Pelosi may not accurately count the letters and therefore she is asking that you send them to her instead. We share Cindy’s skepticism but also, as pragmatists, are aware that Pelosi may disregard letters sent to Cindy since she is calling for those letters to be sent to her. Why not write TWO letters and send one of them directly to Pelosi and the other to Sheehan?

Letters to Pelosi via Sheehan should be sent to:

Cindy for Congress
RE: Impeach Dick Cheney
1260 Mission Blvd
San Francisco, Ca 94103

Taking the time to do this one little task may be the most important thing you have ever done. And we've given you everything you need except the 5 minutes of time it will take to write and mail the letter, a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope and a stamp.

Mabel, Mabel, Put Impeachment ON the Table

Bush is not the only one in Washington living in a bubble.

Democratic leaders in Congress -- including and especially Speaker of the House Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid -- are so far up each other's ass that they cannot or will not stand up to this rogue president and his outlaw administration.

What MORE does Bush need to do before they will consider impeachment proceedings?

Reid and Pelosi each took an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the US Constitution. They were elected by the people and work for the people.

It is up to US -- the people -- to remind Pelosi and Reid that -- as leaders of the opposition party -- it is their DUTY to protect the citizens from the Bush crime family.

Ignoring that duty is tantamount to charges of conspiracy and/or accessory after the fact.

And if we the people let these corrupt and cynical politicians get away with ignoring Bush's illegal acts -- like warrantless wiretapping, torture and extraordinary rendition, turning the Justice Department and other non-partisan governmental departments into an arm of the GOP, violating the Constitution and International laws, waging unjust wars, polluting the environment, lying under oath, dangerous executive orders and signing statements and more -- then we, too, are just as responsible for the death of our freedoms.

Pelosi and Reid will feel perfectly fine about doing nothing unless you tell them you are out here watching and waiting for them to take action.

Here is how to contact them**:

Nancy Pelosi: (202) 225-4965 or email

Harry Reid: (202) 224-3542 or email

Are Reid and Pelosi afraid of the political fallout? Are they thinking strategically that keeping Bush in office will somehow help Democrats take back the Congress and the White House?

Are they NUTS?

Either Pelosi and Reid are timid little mice, STUPID or they are Manchurian Candidates -- put in office to help the GOP dismantle our Democracy.

Either way, they gotta change their ways or GO!

If Reid and Pelosi think they are better off waiting out the clock until January 2009, they will reinforce perceptions that they really are spineless wimps.

Whatever their stated or hidden reasons for ignoring their Constitutional duty, we are headed on a course for disaster which will mark the beginning of the end of the "Grand Experiment" called American Democracy.

**If the straight community won't get off their butts and do something about this, we BETTER! After all, our families have MUCH to lose. If another Republican like Bush becomes president and the powers that Bush grabbed are not rescinded by Congress, we stand to lose more than most. Since the GOP sees itself as the party of GOD and aligns itself with the anti-gay movement, as the unclean immoral scapegoat of the fundamentalists, LGBTQ people may be in deep doo doo. Seriously.

For more details about why we need to Impeach BUSH and CHENEY, read this!

Sheehan for Congress!

Several days ago, Cindy Sheehan – who became a peace advocate after losing her son, Casey, in Iraq – issued an ultimatum to Nancy Pelosi – either file articles of impeachment against George Bush and Dick Cheney by July 23, OR ELSE.

What's the ultimatum? If Pelosi does not put impeachment BACK on the table, Sheehan says she will run against her in the next election:

“Democrats and Americans feel betrayed by the Democratic leadership,” Sheehan told The Associated Press. “We hired them to bring an end to the war. I’m not too far from San Francisco, so it wouldn’t be too big of a move for me. I would give her a run for her money.”

According to the pundits, she’ll never succeed … progressive and regressive “journalists” and bloggers are betting against her.

We think they underestimate Sheehan and the growing dissatisfaction with the status quo. We hope she DOES run… but we wouldn’t blame her if she DIDN’T. After all, she has had it with being the favorite punching bag of the wing-nuts who frequently and joyously smear and demean her in print and on the airwaves.

The Democrats and Republicans -- controlled by big donor corporations – need to be rejected by the people. Unfortunately, those corporations also control the media and thus control what we see, hear, know and understand to be true. Fortunately, for now, we have the Internet and shows like Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now to get the truth.

Our Democracy is dying. We really need brave souls like Sheehan to run against the polluted incumbents. Pelosi and the rest are just empty-headed puppets.

We have to believe it can happen! And even more, Pelosi needs to believe it can happen!

If all of us were to focus our anger and frustration over the war, economic and social injustice, lack of adequate health care, loss of jobs, and more -- the mass movement we create will have enough energy and momentum to restore democracy and take it out of the greedy hands of corporate interests and big money.

Together we could send a loud and clear message to state and federal elected officials that they work for US and not for the corporations who fund and currently control them.

If she runs, we plan to help Cindy Sheehan -- and others like her… will you join us?

On Monday, July 9, 2007, Ralph Nader appeared on Democracy Now. He was speaking at a three-day conference on “Taming the Giant Corporation.” Here is a quote from the interview that sums it up better than we could ever hope to do:

“We have to multiply our own civic energies with our neighbors, our relatives, our coworkers, our friends. When that happens, when word of mouth takes over as the prime communications system in this country, nothing can stop it. We have to replace big talk with small talk. And we have to make it apparent to millions of people that striving for justice is one of life’s greatest gratifications. In fact, outside of the family, it is the greatest gratification. Without justice, there’s no such thing as liberty and freedom, there’s no such thing as fulfilling life’s possibilities." Ralph Nader on Democracy Now, July 9, 2007

Let us know if you are ready to join us as we "strive for justice!"