Sue Major Holmes / The Associated Press – 2006-03-23 23:11:31
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/41145.html
ALBUQUERQUE (March 21, 2006 ) — The New Mexico Democratic Party is calling for President Bush’s removal from office. Party Chairman John Wertheim said Tuesday that delegates to Saturday’s state party convention supported a call for the president’s impeachment largely because of “perceived abuses of power and corruption in the Bush administration.”
He listed as examples of abuses of power, warrantless wiretapping of US citizens, the misstatement of facts preceding the invasion of Iraq, and the scandal surrounding the indictment of Vice President Dick Cheney’s former top aide in connection with the leak of the identity of a covert CIA operative.
“Everyone understands President Bush is not going to be impeached,” Wertheim said. “But these abuses of power and corruption in the administration are deeply serious matters and there should be more talk about this abuse of power.”
The one-sentence amendment, added from the floor to the platform’s section on political and election reform, reads: “Resolved, that the Democratic Party of New Mexico supports the impeachment of President George Bush and his lawful removal from office.”
Marta Kramer, executive director for the Republican Party of New Mexico, said Tuesday the Democrats “foolishly” voted to “to impeach and punish our president for aggressively waging the war on al-Qaida and terrorist organizations.”
“How will dragging the country into impeachment hearings protect Americans?” she asked. “How will censuring the president protect Americans?”
The amendment, suggested by Bernalillo County convention delegate Robb Chavez, was accepted on a show of hands by about 80 percent of the nearly 1,400 registered convention delegates, Wertheim said. It required support by at least two-thirds of the delegates.
Kramer said the action proved the only plan the Democrats have “is to attack our president, undermine American resolve and demoralize our troops.”
Wertheim said Democrats perceive a double standard between President Bush and former President Clinton. Concerns raised about Bush’s actions are “much more serious than anything that was said about President Clinton,” he said.
The Democrats met to nominate candidates for the June 6 primary election and to pass a party platform.
The delegates also approved a resolution concerning religious freedom in light of a lawsuit against the Air Force by an Air Force Academy graduate from Albuquerque.
The resolution states: “We believe no member of the armed services should be coerced, forced, manipulated or evangelized to any particular religion nor to any religious beliefs at all.”
Mikey Weinstein, who is Jewish, sued last October, alleging the academy was unconstitutionally imposing evangelical Christianity on cadets. The lawsuit, joined by active-duty officers, asked the court bar illegal proselytizing throughout the Air Force. The group’s lawyers recently asked to amend the lawsuit to also seek a declaration that the service’s new guidelines on religion are unconstitutional.
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Impeachment Resolutions Sweep America
From California to Vermont, from Wyoming to North Carolina, from New Hampshire to New Mexico, impeachment resolutions are sweeping America! They are popping up in Town Meetings, City Councils, and Democratic Committees. And when they pass, they make headlines locally and even nationwide.
Let’s turn this local activity into a nationwide grassroots movement! We’ve collected everything you need to know here:
http://impeachpac.org/resolutions
To help organize impeachment efforts in your town, county, or state, join the Impeachment Working Group of Progressive Democrats of America:
http://pdamerica.org/impeach-wg.php
Support Feingold:
Censure Bush – Stop Cowering!
It’s been 10 days since Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced a resolution to censure George Bush for illegally wiretapping American citizens. Just two Democrats have joined him: Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
Polls show Americans support Feingold’s censure by 48%-43% – including 29% of Republicans. Rightwinger Bill Kristol called it a smart move and says it helps Democrats. When the Republican Party ran attack ads against him in Wisconsin, Feingold got a standing ovation.
So why are the other 41 Democrats still cowering?
• Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and deliver a simple message:
“I urge you to support Senator Feingold’s bill to censure George Bush.”
And for Democratic Senators, add this:
“And stop cowering in fear of Republican thugs!”
• If you have time, join Jane Hamsher in visiting the local office of your Senator:
http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/03/22/git-yer-boots-on-its-recess-time/
• Post the replies you get here:
http://democrats.com/senate-censure
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33 Congress Members With Courage
Congressman Bob Filner from San Diego has signed onto H Res 635. There are now 33 Congress Members supporting Congressman John Conyers’ bill to create an investigation into possible grounds for impeachment. Filner’s name is not yet in the official list, because Congress is out of session this week, but Congressman Conyers’ staff confirms that he has agreed to co-sponsor. Learn more and ask your representative to join the list:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/635
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Boycott ExxonMobil
Consumers for Peace launched this boycott campaign, supported by After Downing Street and many others, seeking an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops and mercenaries from Iraq and the impeachment of George W. Bush and prosecution of US officials responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The campaign urges consumers to boycott of ExxonMobil products and to purchase CITGO products as an alternative.
ExxonMobil has been selected for boycott because of its apparent active involvement in US policy in the Middle East in general and Iraq in particular, and its power to help change these policies. The campaign urges the boycott of products and services of nine consumer products firms connected with ExxonMobil through its board of directors. They are: Campbell’s Soup; Carlson Companies (Radisson Hotels, TGI Friday’s); Corning Inc. (Steuben Glass); Metlife; Novartis; Pfizer; Verizon; Wells Fargo and Wyeth.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
A Panel Discussion with Cindy Sheehan, Ray McGovern, and Larry Everest
Speaking the Unspeakable. Is the Bush Administration Guilty of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity?
March 23, 7 p.m.
International House at 2299 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley
Political Musicians Anti-Flag and Congressman Jim McDermott to Discuss Depleted Uranium
March 24, 11 a.m.
Henry Fonda Theater Lobby, 6126 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Anti-Flag, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Dr. Donald Broder, Jodie Evans, Tim Goodrich.
Launch of a Petition Campaign to Support Depleted Uranium Munitions Study
http://www.anti-flag.com/
Town Hall Meeting Examining The Cost of Iraq: Lives, Jobs, Security, Community
Sponsored by the Progressive Democrats of Ohio
March 25, 1 – 3 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Ohio. Gold Star Mother and PDA Board Member Cindy Sheehan. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Tim Carpenter, National Director, Progressive Democrats of America, Francis Chiappa, President, Cleveland Peace Action, Paul Schroeder, co-founder of Families of the Fallen For Change. Farhad Sethna, Immigration attorney and concerned citizen
Event emceed by actress and PDA Board Chairwoman Mimi Kennedy
An opening chant for Peace will be performed by Michael McMurray in Arameyic, Hebrew and Arabic.
Progressive Plan for OhioARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST GEORGE W. BUSH: The Evidence, and What the Constitution Dictates
March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Amy Goodman of Democracy Now hosts a panel discussion featuring Michael Ratner, Bill Goodman, Shayana Kadidal, and Maria Lahood, attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights and authors of a new book, Articles of Impeachment Against George W. Bush (Melville House). At The Culture Project, 45 Bleecker Street, NYC (corner of Bleecker and Lafayette Streets) Admission is free – seating is limited – first come, first served
March to Redeem the Soul of America
April 1-14, 2006 in Texas: Irving ˆ Dallas ˆ Waco ˆ Crawford
ConsumersforPeace.org, Crawford Peace House, Dallas Peace Center, Texas Peace Action
www.marchforredemption.org
SOUTHERN REGIONAL MARCH FOR PEACE IN IRAQ & JUSTICE AT HOME
April 1, Atlanta will host the largest anti-war march in the history of the South. The date, APRIL FIRST, links the 3rd anniversary of the war, March 20, with the 38th anniversary of Dr. King’s death, April 4. Activists are organizing contingents from Birmingham, Alabama; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Memphis & Nashville, Tennessee; Tallahassee, Florida and all corners of Georgia.
Easter in Crawford, Texas
April 10-16
Join Cindy in Crawford. Everyone’s welcome!
Sign up for these events, find others, and create your own at
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/event
See Also UFPJ:
http://unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php?caltype=39&lcountry=&state=&search=Search
And PDA:
http://pdamerica.org/events/main-list.php
Matthew Gerbasi, Progressive Democrats of America, CA-31 District Point Person, Impeachment Working Group National Coordinator
web: http://www.pdamerica.org
matt@cotam.org
