Replies: 67 Comments

Comment #1: Sandra said on 7/5/05 @ 8:57pm ET...

This is just the tip of the iceberg, I'm sure. But, it's the beginning of the oncoming criminal prosecutions and holding these people accountable.

Thank you, once again Congressman Conyers. Your letter is quite compelling and pointed.

Keep up the fight!

Comment #2: Sandra said on 7/5/05 @ 9:07pm ET...

Possible responses:

1. Denial
2. Plead the 5th
3. Resignation

From the press reports there were actually 6 journalists/outlets to have received this same smear campaign message of 'fair game'.

Who else will step forward?

p.s. If you can't find co-signatories during a recess week I'm sure there are plenty of American patriotic citizens willing to sign it with you :0)

Comment #3: Jonathan Gold said on 7/5/05 @ 9:11pm ET...

John, how hard would it be for your to hold a National Press Conference on prime time? A "Truth Telling Extravaganza" sponsored by Americans... I would donate for a cause like that...

Thanks,

Jonathan Gold

Comment #4: mpfoster said on 7/5/05 @ 9:25pm ET...

If the country does not care about the lose of their election system, what incentive does Bush have to get rid of the man that gets things done for him? It would be like Hitler getting rid of Himmler, because he was a murderer. If they get the job done, and nobody seems to care, than they can go right on hurting people for their own benefit and call it morality. What is, is not!

Comment #5: Jonathan Gold said on 7/5/05 @ 9:40pm ET...

The "country" does not care because the "country" doesn't know... They just don't know. If they did, I can almost GUARANTEE people would hold those responsible, accountable.

Comment #6: Bill_o_Carolina said on 7/5/05 @ 10:03pm ET...

I agree, the majority of Americans are unaware of most of what's going on! MSM is unbelievable.

Comment #7: Nolip said on 7/5/05 @ 10:23pm ET...

Let the drumbeat for impeachment and the removal from office of these criminals continue to beat loudly until that drumbeat is heard throughout this land and all are removed from positions of power where their legacy will be their abuse of power not for anything they contributed to the body politic...in the same vein as Haldeman, Erlichman, Dean and Nixon before them.

Comment #8: Hope2006 said on 7/5/05 @ 10:30pm ET...

Thank you, Congressman Conyers for once again having the courage to stand up for the American people in what you believe in.

Comment #9: Sandra said on 7/5/05 @ 10:56pm ET...

Bill/Jon,

Although I'm beginning to see more insightful reporting by CNN, the MSM remains corporate controlled and has financial interests in play.

Just as the Banks are compelling Bush to go all over the country to get those Social Security funds via 'private accounts'... Wall Street is on the brink and will soon collapse -- a dark age not even close to comparable to 1929.

Even the MSM will not be able to hide this truth much longer. The facts will speak louder than words. GM and Ford are going in to government receivership, the airline pensions are insolvent and the government is unable to secure their funds. Many banks will also have to go in to receivership or close their doors.

One by one the resignations must now begin. Rove will be sacrificed first.

We are the PEOPLE! Be the MEDIA! Shout it from the roof tops if you must! But, keep the communication going, inform the uninformed, and don't give up hope. America is just awakening from it's long slumber and they will be dealt a shock of reality very soon.

Comment #10: Sandra said on 7/5/05 @ 10:58pm ET...

Comment #7: Nolip

My thoughts exactly!

Comment #11: Horkus said on 7/5/05 @ 11:09pm ET...

According to O'Donnel, too many people within "journalism" have known this bit of info for months.

I pose the question, what else might they know, but have been silent about?

It's great that a very small minority in the press are starting to do their jobs. But don't let them off the hook either. If or when the whole Rove/Plame (possibly
Jeff Gannon too?) affair gets dealt with accordingly, members of the press need to address their months of silence on this matter.

Comment #12: Sandra said on 7/5/05 @ 11:14pm ET...

Comment #11: Horkus
re: MSM
Absolutely. Their diversionary tactics and hiding the truth must be dealt with accordingly. Democracy relies upon a free press and they clearly have not served this nation well.

Comment #13: Happy said on 7/5/05 @ 11:16pm ET...

"Plamegate" - if that's what it is - is a compelling story. Mr. Rove, if indeed responsible for the leaked information, has an opportunity to be a true patriot and a hero to all Americans. He could come clean and tell all. He could surrender his catalog of insider knowledge regarding the dubious affairs of this nation's executive branch.

Most likely, he will, like a loyal warrior, do everything he can to protect his master. He may go down swinging and attempt to drag this issue out and hype it so much that it will become like a soothing blanket to cover up this administration's other failures: On Iraq, on social security, on tax cuts for the ones who deserve tax cuts least, etc...

What we as caring Americans must not do is lose sight of the forest for this tree. Though this is a big tree, please Mr. Conyers, do not let it get in the way of the critical work to expose and demand answers regarding the content of the D.S. memoranda.

Every day that passes with out so much as an answer to, or acknowledgement of the letter your conceived, (and I signed onto with over one half of a million fellow Americans) is an indictment of the Bush administration.

Their attitude of being 'above and beyond reach' of the people, and the law, is unacceptable.

Please don't let Rove's complicity in this divert us from the 'big kahuna.'

Though, perhaps plamegate will help in some way with the other investigations into this administration's shady manuevers!

Thank you for all your hard work Representative Conyers.

Robert Whitlock

Comment #14: Nolip said on 7/5/05 @ 11:42pm ET...

Comment #10: Sandra
In a related development...and maybe you concur...

By invoking the ghosts of 9/11 in his recent address, Bush confirms once more just how disconnected the war in Iraq is from 9/11. The key terrorist, OBL, remains at large because Bush ignored the intel on OBL before and after 9/11. Why? He was too focused on removing Hussein (Richard Clarke's "Against All Enemies").
9/11 happened on Bush's watch but, for whatever reason, some people in this country embraced his personal characterization of himself as the "war president" as he led this country into an illegal war through obfuscation and fixing intel around a bankrupt policy (See Colin Powell's presentation to the United Nations before the war as well as the Downing Street Minutes).
OBL-at-large continues to be ignored by Bush (almost 4 years later) while encouraging this country to "stay the course" (tired old saw from his old man).

The course to go into Iraq was wrong from the get go. To stay the course locks this country into an exercise in futility. Iraq must decide its own fate. Our presence there only infuriates the Muslim world even more while maintaining a top notch training ground for future terrorists. We need to leave. The sooner the better. If Iraq collapses, the collapse will be Bush's legacy. Iraq is just another business gone bad for Bush, just like the businesses he bankrupted while a civilian. His ability to bankrupt is not in question. It's how many deaths will it take for Congress to realize they have a lying, albeit politically savvy underachiever at the helm and impeach him from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors".

William Goldman, in his screenplay for "All The Presidents Men" had Deep Throat utter "follow the money". The money trail ends at the White House, just as Harry Truman once said "The buck stops here". Why does the money trail lead to the White House? Oil and the control of that commodity appears to be the prime mover here. Why not, the Bush family and the Saudis go way back so why not line their pockets while robbing ours (Craig Unger's "House of Bush, House of Saud)? It's the American way, right?
With Representative Conyer's efforts this country will wake up to the terrible train wreck known as the Bush Administration sooner than later and will deliver this bunch of miscreants to their local federal jail.

You know this stuff already. It helps to repeat it. The references cited are for the benefit of those who seek to know the origins of the comments above.

Comment #15: ljm said on 7/5/05 @ 11:46pm ET...

Mr. Conyers, it's wonderful to get it on record that this type of abuse should not be tolerated. I just hope you give Fitzgerald the space he needs to complete his investigation and the grand jury to do their work. A congressional investigation at the same time could pose problem according to John Dean. The grand jury lasts until October. Thanks for being vigilant.

Comment #16: Doug Eldritch said on 7/6/05 @ 12:47am ET...

Regarding the issue of Rove, it all connects back into the DSM. We should certainly have the Grand Jury find the man in contempt if he did in fact leak the CIA agent's identity.

Because that would mean Karl Rove was ordered to slander Joe Wilson and the CIA task force which were refusing to manufacture the evidence. This would lead to a scathing indictment, proving that the CIA network "WHIG" fixed the intelligence and facts around the policy.

It would mean that the administration now only has plausible deniability, when prosecution of this case fully begins to preside.

Doug E.

Comment #17: Sandra said on 7/6/05 @ 1:14am ET...

Comment #14: Nolip
Yes, concur and have emailed you.

Comment #18: Patriot said on 7/6/05 @ 1:38am ET...

This letter, like the previous letter, will be ignored. The questions will continue to pile up. The right will continue to participate in the cover-up... Until someone on the right has the courage to stand up and say, "I won't be part of the raping of America."

The letter to Bush from the Representatives was ignored. I've not heard anyone but me say that it wasn't just a letter from 128 members of Congress, it was a letter from the representatives of close to 70,000,000(?) American citizens. Bush chose to ignore the American people by ignoring those whom we elected to represent us.

I cannot imagine any other president, in the history of America, nor in America's future, who would ignore a question put to him by more than 20% of the population.

Mr. Bush, WE THE PEOPLE, demand accountability. Answer our questions. Lead, follow or get out of the way. You will go down as the most influencial president of all time, one who took a peaceful country where friends and family had mutual interests and have turned it into a country near civil war. I've lost most of my life, many of my friends, most of my relatives, my standing in my community because I will not stand down from the values I hold dear.

Accountability, Mr. Bush. The time is now for you to act.

Comment #19: Lemon said on 7/6/05 @ 2:31am ET...

St. Germain 6.10.05

Every day will give you opportunities to spread the Light, and even without realizing it you affect the train of thought of another. You have a love of talking and as you come together so you express your ideas and opinions. All of the time you are re-assessing your position on matters, and the media also greatly influences you. It is almost entirely under the influence and control of the Illuminati who dictate what you should be made known to you. More importantly, they decide what you should not know about and this is where your problem lies. For many decades you have been deceived and often fed outright lies, all to condition you so that you can be manipulated and kept in place.

In the circumstances, it has been left to many individuals to pursue their own line of investigation, and mainly through your Internet the findings can be made public. Fortunately there are always people even in high places that are not prepared to toe the line, and they will find ways of leaking information that is essential to your understanding of the truth. As you are aware, the difficulty in some areas such as politics is that you endanger yourself once you are seen to go against the establishment. Reputations have been reduced to tatters, and jobs have been lost because people have had the audacity to speak out.

It is regrettable that some of the professional bodies are amongst the most closeted and vociferous, when they turn upon their own. Fortunately you have free thinking people that will stand up for what they believe. Truth has a ring about it that speaks true when you hear it, and this is where your intuition plays a big part. You often speak of something “feeling” right and this is where an open mind is essential. Everyone is capable of having a bias for wanting a certain truth to confirm their own views and opinions. Certainly no one likes to be proved wrong about any of their pet beliefs. Yet, in this current period of great changes, the truth can no longer be hidden and it is important that you do have an open mind.

Now more than ever it is essential that you do take notice of what is being said, but allow yourself to question it and if need be read between the lines. The new energies that are grounding upon Earth are helping reveal the secrets held in the closet of the dark. No longer can they be brushed aside, and attempts to keep them concealed will eventually fail. There is much to come out, and a great deal of it will have to wait until the changes are underway. Some matters are no longer relevant, but in giving the truth, it will necessarily cover those areas that have been important to your development. It goes back into your ancient history, and will reveal how as a race you have been deliberately mislead and kept in the dark.

Your written history is but a pale reflection of the truth. A whole succession of events have been written to show them in the way it is preferred that you should remember them. You currently have your on going arguments about the reasons for the war on Iraq , and eventually attempts will be made to permanently hide the truth. Going back to an event that occurred in many of your life times at the close of World War 2, you will find that there is evidence that before the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan , they had offered to surrender. It was ignored because another agenda had already been prepared, and thousands upon thousands of people were killed or injured unnecessarily in appalling circumstances. Bringing such events nearer home, the attack on Pearl Harbor could have been prevented, but again it was allowed to happen so that an unpopular decision to take America into the war could be justified.

Dear Ones, all through your history you have been used and manipulated to satisfy the lust and greed of your leaders. You have had a whole era of nothing but frequent wars with the consequent high loss of life. Your history will try to glorify such wars and appeal to your patriotic feelings as a means of justifying them. Of course there have been times when everything else has failed to prevent one, and you have been forced to defend yourselves. This should be a last resort, and not as with Iraq a reason to start a war.

There are few disputes that cannot eventually be settled through diplomacy, but it requires goodwill on both sides. At present you have a leadership that is only interested in self aggrandizement and global domination. Where you are now, is a great challenge to those who oppose war and wish for peace amongst all men. The giants amongst men are rising up and making their voices heard, and even the closed media has to concede some space to these people. They are gathering support and so many of you are questioning the way in which you have been used. The more you talk amongst your selves, the more you will stimulate others to see beyond the official view of news and how it should be presented. You will begin to break out of the mould that has brainwashed you for eons of time. It is time to insist upon being told the truth.

I encourage you to look deeper into events that are now taking place in your lives. See the real motives that lie behind decisions that are made in your name. Demand the truth, and no more lies. Your voices carry power and no authorities like to be questioned, but if you persist you will enforce changes. I will use an expression that many use, and that is “it is time to stand up and be counted” and the more of you that band together, the stronger your voice will be and more difficult to ignore. Great help will accompany your efforts and we will back you and protect you in such important and necessary action. You will be instrumental in the removal of the dark and help those who have a more direct involvement. Success is to be yours and victory will be your prize.

I am St. Germain and see how close we are to achieving our goal. Once we do so, peace will descend upon Earth, and you will see how quickly people can come together in a common cause for good. The flag of freedom flies in the winds of change that are now bringing you release from the energies of the dark, that have held you back for so long. Be strong willed and the legions of Heaven will walk with you in great Love and Light.

Thank you St. Germain

Mike Quinsey

Comment #20: Teresa said on 7/6/05 @ 2:50am ET...

Lemon #19

I give it two to three years for this phase of the truth to emerge. If we continue with all of our might together I think the lies of this administration will bring them down. This is just a start. I think Iraq is the vortex/volcano in the cradle of civilization that is a turning point in this struggle. The truth is erupting uncontrollably while the elite's money and power is being sucked in. And still the reason for the war cannot be established. Some of us know the truth behind their motives, but there is a bigger truth trumping them. Many of us believe that there is a genuine awakening in the human race occurring now and I am hoping that more and more of us become aware of this big picture.

So far the kings and rulers have been unable to truly succeed and it is a good time to start turning the tables.

Comment #21: Teresa said on 7/6/05 @ 2:58am ET...

But first things first.

Rove is a key player and his crimes are being revealed. He should be removed. He rules with an iron fist and has complete control over his domain. If he falls, a lot of others will be lost, I believe.

We can't even entertain the notion that this won't happen. If we want to survive we have to end this kind of behavior in our government. We have to believe completely that we can accomplish his removal from power and go about the process however long and difficult it is. We can't stop now nor back down in any way at all no matter what they throw at us.
We've got the goods.

Comment #22: Kitty Gambler said on 7/6/05 @ 3:16am ET...

#2 (Sandra) -

If only our hyper-religious President would take the fifth COMMANDMENT, the one about honoring they father's judgment:

"...[We] need more protection for the methods we use to gather intelligence and more protection for our sources, particularly our human sources, people that are risking their lives for their country.
....I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors."

- George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States.
1999 Dedication of George Bush Center for [CIA] Intelligence
http://www.cia.gov/cia/public_affairs/speeches/1999/bush_speech_042699.html

Comment #23: Kertis said on 7/6/05 @ 6:56am ET...

Congressman

Enjoyed the letters to the Speaker, the Chairman, and to the President.

The FOIA request I have been waiting for, I wonder how long it can be stalled.

Re; Disappointment about investigation of vote fraud.

The extant of the Congressmans' surprise is related to the exent to which investigators usually try to appear responsive when performing before those who sign the checks. The gloves may be coming off.

Second Data Point; Cunningham Investigation.

http://cunningham.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=29491

Cunningham served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years and became one of the most highly decorated pilots in the Vietnam War. As the first fighter ace of the war, Cunningham was nominated for the Medal of Honor, received the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations.

Cunningham serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations subcommittee, He also serves on the Defense subcommittee, which provides funding for our national defense and armed services. In January 2005, he became Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence on the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

Credentials don't get much better or jobs much more important. O.K, so he's a republican, but :

Question; How well does the Congressman know the Congressman?

Question; Whose side is he on, Loyalist or Rebel?

Question; Who is bringing the pressure on him, Democrat, Republican or Rebel?

Question; How often do Congressman get raided?

Question: Is somebody trying to get somebody USED to something?

Have no concern, paranoia is not contagious. You have to build your own case. Once you've built yours though, it gets tough to close your eyes. This can be a strain, but it's a good thing. You learn so much more about what's happening around you. And then it is not a surprise when the police screw you.

And this looks differant ; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/03/AR2005070300880.html

==================================================================================================

Positive suggestion about building cases ; I suggest it might be helpful to add a page to this website.

That page to include :

1/ The list of questions asked the President.

2/ The answers found to date regarding those questions.

3/ The sources of those answers.

4/ A charaterization of those answers (Roumer/Hearsay/Evidence/Proof/Ironclad Proof)

5/ Other information as appropriate.

This may be helpful in charting progress, fixing the goalpost and making mission creep measurable.

I appreciate the opportunaty to make these comments.
Kertis

Comment #24: Kertis said on 7/6/05 @ 7:15am ET...

I agree with comments #13 & #18 above.

I think that once paranoia builds to a culturally appropriate level, my earlier comments regarding 1/The need to fillibuseter, 2/Trading the bird in hand for two in the Bush camp, 3/Section 3 amendment 14, U.S. Constitution, will make a lot more sense. These are not things you do because you are in control, no, you do them because you are not.

I appreciate this opportunaty.
Kertis

Comment #25: Patriot said on 7/6/05 @ 8:11am ET...

#23 Kertis - I will write the program for that if all of you will supply the information. This could be a wonderful and very rewarding group project.

I'd like to add that it's nice to see everyone drifting back to this blog. It's feeling good.

Comment #26: Nolip said on 7/6/05 @ 8:18am ET...

Comment #17 Sandra
Message received. All good stuff. Thanks! In the grand evolution of things, its comforting to know that while the so called "mainstream" media are not doing their job reporting on these events, modern technology has given us the internet to carry on this dialogue.
However, while we type, bodies are dropping in Iraq and America's reputation, in a good place post 9/11, has sunk to an all time low as a result of Bush's war of revenge (GW:"Saddam put a hit on my daddy and he's going to pay...I mean is that anyway to thank your handlers?") Not only are bodies dropping but human beings are maimed and tortured in the name of liberty. Will we stop the madness? Let's keep trying.

Comment #27: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 11:51am ET...

If you want to help in the 9/11 Truth Movement, you can start by handing out this flyer...

Click Here

Comment #28: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 1:01pm ET...

Police Ban G8 Protests
Click Here

Comment #29: Neerav Trivedi said on 7/6/05 @ 1:52pm ET...

Good work spreading the activism around to get Bush accountable, espeially my dear friend Sandra, who I am in touch with via e-mail.

Ignore the people like DUmmie and other freepers. The power of Truth is so overwhelming that it will knock them out.

Keep up the good work folks!

Comment #30: The_Man said on 7/6/05 @ 3:58pm ET...

Please, Let's all understand gravity of the points made in the congressional authorization for the use of force in Iraq. Furthermore, I offer the following questions:

1. Who are the authors of this legislation?

2. What intelligence reports, now deemed to be false, contributed to specific statements in this bill?

3. Where did those reports come from?

4. At what point did the President and his administration conclude that Iraq was in default of the provisions noted in this legislation?

5. Is this declaration Constitutional, based on the War Powers Act?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021002-2.html

Obtained on 7-6-05

Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq

Whereas in 1990 in response to Iraq's war of aggression against and illegal occupation of Kuwait, the United States forged a coalition of nations to liberate Kuwait and its people in order to defend the national security of the United States and enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions relating to Iraq;

Whereas after the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, Iraq entered into a United Nations sponsored cease-fire agreement pursuant to which Iraq unequivocally agreed, among other things, to eliminate its nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons programs and the means to deliver and develop them, and to end its support for international terrorism;

Whereas the efforts of international weapons inspectors, United States intelligence agencies, and Iraqi defectors led to the discovery that Iraq had large stockpiles of chemical weapons and a large scale biological weapons program, and that Iraq had an advanced nuclear weapons development program that was much closer to producing a nuclear weapon than intelligence reporting had previously indicated;

Whereas Iraq, in direct and flagrant violation of the cease-fire, attempted to thwart the efforts of weapons inspectors to identify and destroy Iraq's weapons of mass destruction stockpiles and development capabilities, which finally resulted in the withdrawal of inspectors from Iraq on October 31, 1998;

Whereas in 1998 Congress concluded that Iraq's continuing weapons of mass destruction programs threatened vital United States interests and international peace and security, declared Iraq to be in "material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations" and urged the President "to take appropriate action, in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws of the United States, to bring Iraq into compliance with its international obligations" (Public Law 105-235);

Whereas Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things, continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations;

Whereas Iraq persists in violating resolutions of the United Nations Security Council by continuing to engage in brutal repression of its civilian population thereby threatening international peace and security in the region, by refusing to release, repatriate, or account for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully detained by Iraq, including an American serviceman, and by failing to return property wrongfully seized by Iraq from Kuwait;

Whereas the current Iraqi regime has demonstrated its capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against other nations and its own people;

Whereas the current Iraqi regime has demonstrated its continuing hostility toward, and willingness to attack, the United States, including by attempting in 1993 to assassinate former President Bush and by firing on many thousands of occasions on United States and Coalition Armed Forces engaged in enforcing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council;

Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;

Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of American citizens;

Whereas the attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001 underscored the gravity of the threat posed by the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by international terrorist organizations;

Whereas Iraq's demonstrated capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction, the risk that the current Iraqi regime will either employ those weapons to launch a surprise attack against the United States or its Armed Forces or provide them to international terrorists who would do so, and the extreme magnitude of harm that would result to the United States and its citizens from such an attack, combine to justify action by the United States to defend itself;

Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 authorizes the use of all necessary means to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 and subsequent relevant resolutions and to compel Iraq to cease certain activities that threaten international peace and security, including the development of weapons of mass destruction and refusal or obstruction of United Nations weapons inspections in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, repression of its civilian population in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688, and threatening its neighbors or United Nations operations in Iraq in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 949;

Whereas Congress in the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) has authorized the President "to use United States Armed Forces pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 (1990) in order to achieve implementation of Security Council Resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, and 677";

Whereas in December 1991, Congress expressed its sense that it "supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 as being consistent with the Authorization of Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1)," that Iraq's repression of its civilian population violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 and "constitutes a continuing threat to the peace, security, and stability of the Persian Gulf region," and that Congress, "supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688";

Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act (Public Law 105-338) expressed the sense of Congress that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove from power the current Iraqi regime and promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime;

Whereas on September 12, 2002, President Bush committed the United States to "work with the United Nations Security Council to meet our common challenge" posed by Iraq and to "work for the necessary resolutions," while also making clear that "the Security Council resolutions will be enforced, and the just demands of peace and security will be met, or action will be unavoidable";

Whereas the United States is determined to prosecute the war on terrorism and Iraq's ongoing support for international terrorist groups combined with its development of weapons of mass destruction in direct violation of its obligations under the 1991 cease-fire and other United Nations Security Council resolutions make clear that it is in the national security interests of the United States and in furtherance of the war on terrorism that all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions be enforced, including through the use of force if necessary;

Whereas Congress has taken steps to pursue vigorously the war on terrorism through the provision of authorities and funding requested by the President to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 or harbored such persons or organizations;

Whereas the President and Congress are determined to continue to take all appropriate actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such persons or organizations;

Whereas the President has authority under the Constitution to take action in order to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States, as Congress recognized in the joint resolution on Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40); and

Whereas it is in the national security of the United States to restore international peace and security to the Persian Gulf region;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the "Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq".

SEC. 2. SUPPORT FOR UNITED STATES DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

The Congress of the United States supports the efforts by the President to--

(a) strictly enforce through the United Nations Security Council all relevant Security Council resolutions applicable to Iraq and encourages him in those efforts; and

(b) obtain prompt and decisive action by the Security Council to ensure that Iraq abandons its strategy of delay, evasion and noncompliance and promptly and strictly complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) AUTHORIZATION. The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to

(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq.

(b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION.

In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon there after as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq, and

(2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorists attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

(c) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS. --

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION. -- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.
(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS. -- Nothing in this resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.

SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS

(a) The President shall, at least once every 60 days, submit to the Congress a report on matters relevant to this joint resolution, including actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in section 2 and the status of planning for efforts that are expected to be required after such actions are completed, including those actions described in section 7 of Public Law 105-338 (the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998).

(b) To the extent that the submission of any report described in subsection (a) coincides with the submission of any other report on matters relevant to this joint resolution otherwise required to be submitted to Congress pursuant to the reporting requirements of Public Law 93-148 (the War Powers Resolution), all such reports may be submitted as a single consolidated report to the Congress.

(c) To the extent that the information required by section 3 of Public Law 102-1 is included in the report required by this section, such report shall be considered as meeting the requirements of section 3 of Public Law 102-1.

Comment #31: Sandra said on 7/6/05 @ 5:00pm ET...

Meeting as they are behind maximum security, watchtowers and layers of fencing, you would think that the G8 leaders were being held in Guantanamo Bay style conditions, which some of them more than others certainly deserve to be.

Instead they will discuss in complete opulence their profoundly undemocratic ruling of the world. We believe that the rulers of the world should change drastically, because under their stewardship it is only becoming a more dangerous, unjust and polluted place.

REV ARTHUR CHRISTIE, MONKTON AND PRESTWICK NORTH CHURCH

Comment #32: Jacques Graber said on 7/6/05 @ 5:01pm ET...

This man should never have a chance to simply clear his name. He has committed numerous crimes against the State and this would have to be his biggest. A man potentially on the verge of being indicted for Treason for revealing the identity of a fellow Federal Employee should have no more chance of clearing his name as any other Traitor. He must follow procedure and go on trial as should Bush for his lies to incite war, Cheney for a multitude of acts including trading with a Hostile Nation (Halliburton and the Iran oil ties) and Rumsfeld breaching the Geneva Conventions among others. The Three Stooges must be tried for Treason and Impeached simultaneously.
I trust Representative Conyers will have the tenacity and fortitude to pursue this to the bitter end.
He is a true American Patriot.

Comment #33: Sandra said on 7/6/05 @ 5:30pm ET...

Citizens for Legitimate Government; Excerpts of Interview with Ambassador Joseph Wilson

CLG: Who did you think was the source of the leak to Novak? Did you think that Rove was involved prior to the latest news? Do you think that Rove was indeed a source or the source?

JW: I wrote in my book that there was a conspiracy in the white house to find out everything they could about me and then use it against me. I think the logical place to look for the conspiracy is in the White House Iraq group (WHIG) which included Rove, Scooter Libby, Karen Hughes, Ari Fleischer and others. I don't know who among them might have been the leaker or authorized the leak.

~snip

JW: I have obviously followed the inquiries into 9/11 and I know Dick Clarke and Rand Beers very well but I am not an expert. I look to the "Jersey Girls" who have so assiduously pushed the case in the memory of their late husbands, for real understanding. I have great admiration for them and for what they have done. They are not satisfied, so neither am I.

~snip

JW: This is a radical regime, not a Republican administration. It is the most oppressive crowd I have ever seen and is a real threat to our republic. While I am not an expert in elections I can see how people might believe the last two elections were stolen. The lesson for the democrats is to stop rolling over and stand up for what you believe in. The republicans believe the democrats and the press are soft and can be pushed around and that is what they are doing. To the detriment of us all.

----

Update from Joseph Wilson, 06 July, 2005 3:23 PM EST

Statement of Joseph Wilson on the sentencing of New York Times reporter Judith Miller

The sentencing of Judith Miller to jail for refusing to disclose her sources is the direct result of the culture of unaccountability that infects the Bush White House from top to bottom. President Bush's refusal to enforce his own call for full cooperation with the Special Counsel has brought us to this point. Clearly, the conspiracy to cover up the web of lies that underpinned the invasion of Iraq is more important to the White House than coming clean on a serious breach of national security. Thus has Ms Miller joined my wife, Valerie, and her twenty years of service to this nation as collateral damage in the smear campaign launched when I had the temerity to challenge the President on his assertion that Iraq had attempted to purchase uranium yellowcake from Africa.

The real victims of this cover-up, which may have turned criminal, are the Congress, the Constitution and, most tragically, the Americans and Iraqis who have paid the ultimate price for Bush's folly.

read the full interview here:

http://www.legitgov.org/clg_interview_joseph_wilson_060705.html

Comment #34: LeslieB said on 7/6/05 @ 6:00pm ET...

Thank you Rep. Conyers for writing this letter and demanding answers from the Bush administration.

Whatever Rove's involvement, he wasn't alone. The Washington Post today wrote: "Fitzgerald may learn more details from Cooper's notes. Sources close to the investigation say there is evidence in some instances that some reporters may have told government officials—not the other way around—that Wilson was married to Plame, a CIA employee."

What's hard to believe about that is how could the Bush administration NOT know who Plame was or worked for? And, assuming they didn't know, shouldn't they have found out first before risking national security for a political hatchet job? Also, is WaPo implying that one of those reporters may have been Judith Miller? Because WaPo says that Miller spoke to Rove soon after Wilson published his article in July 2003, perhaps before Novak published his article 8 days later. Miller reportedly asked Rove about Plame and Wilson.

Meanwhile, who was behind the fake Niger documents, which lead to the outing of Plame in the first place?

Comment #35: Sandra said on 7/6/05 @ 6:06pm ET...

A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murder is less to fear: Cicero Marcus Tullius - Born on January 3, 106 BC and was murdered on December 7, 43 BC.

http://www.iep.utm.edu/c/cicero.htm

Comment #36: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 6:24pm ET...

Here's a black and white version of the 9/11 Truth Movement flyer I posted earlier...

9/11 Truth Flyer

Comment #37: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 6:42pm ET...

FORMER BUSH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS OFFICIAL 9/11 STORY IS 'BOGUS'

Washington Times
Click Here

Comment #38: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 6:58pm ET...

Karl Rove Publicly Denies Leaking CIA Identity

This is a clip taken from an interview Karl did on CNN during the Republican National Convention in New York City, 2004.

Click Here

Comment #39: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 7:56pm ET...

Here's the transcript...

Click Here

Comment #40: Hemingway said on 7/6/05 @ 8:26pm ET...

Dear Congressman Conyers,
It is both noble and admirable that you have taken it upon yourself to spearhead a movement to confront President Bush regarding the implications of the Downing Street Minutes. Even when action is in the best interest of our nation, far too many politicians bury their heads in the sand and go with the flow rather than go against the grain.

I’ve seen you as a guest on Bill Maher’s Real Time, and believe you are a man of integrity. Although I commend you for your efforts, you are trying to slay a dragon with a fly swatter. Please explain to me why Senators and Congressman alike refuse to challenge Geo W. Bush on issues with even more incriminating allegations and long-term consequences than the Downing Street Minutes? Surely these documents are merely the tip of the iceberg. There are so many unanswered questions regarding the war in Iraq and 911, and a simple search on the Internet will yield an avalanche of compelling data that suggests gross incompetence, conspiracy and treason. As is the case with any emotionally-charged, controversial topic, much of the information is hearsay, speculative or just plain melodramatic. However, much of it is credible and raises enough questions to justify a thorough investigation. Why aren’t you or any of your colleagues pursuing these issues with vigor and patriotic bravado?

Other than a handful of tenacious, independent journalists who unfortunately do not have the credentials to effect a formal inquiry, no one of authority has exposed or confronted the White House with this hard-to-ignore information. In particular, the Norad stand down that took place on September 11 reeks of foul play. That in itself is enough to launch a full-scale investigation. The Internet is littered with fact upon disturbing fact, question upon disturbing question that strongly suggests George W. Bush, Dick Chaney and other top officials purposely and with intent took measures to ensure that the 911 tragedy would not be foiled.

Our current administration has embroiled us in an immoral war with no clear exit plan in sight. To date, 1,800 American soldiers have died, we’ve slaughtered thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens, senselessly spent billions of dollars to support the war—money that should have been used to resolve domestic issues—did not pursue measures to prevent 911, and overall Geo W. and his henchmen have abused the power and authority of the Oval Office. The time has come for responsible Americans to take action. And you, Congressman Conyers, should vigorously lead the attack.

Comment #41: Jonathan Gold said on 7/6/05 @ 8:30pm ET...

Radio Broadcast Of Karl Schwarz & Me

Click Here