Replies: 22 Comments

Comment #1: Patriot said on 4/9/06 @ 9:58pm ET...

I look forward to the day when I can express my admiration and appreciation in person, sir. You are an inspiration, the one person who gives us hope.

We will succeed. We have to.

Comment #2: Reed31463 said on 4/9/06 @ 10:09pm ET...

If not you sir, than who would have stepped forward for justice? It is my honest opinion that you are the only one who would have and did ask the question, "Is this true?", referring to the Downing Street Minutes.

534 members of congress would have gone about business as usual. This fight has required courage and faith for this story is a David and Goliath analogy.

We must continue to have faith and courage for they shall surely be tested again before the dark skies begin to clear. These are dangerous times and at times like this it always appears darkest before the dawn.

We continue to fight because there is hope. Hope leads us forward. Sir, you have inspired and provided that hope for millions upon millions of people around the globe. My hat's off to you as you lead us through these dark and trying times.

God bless and God speed.

Comment #3: feline said on 4/9/06 @ 10:20pm ET...

Congressman Conyers, you have been generous with us - even those who are not your constituents - to provide this forum. You have followed your oath to uphold and defend the Constitution; you have served the people, demonstrating integrity and sincerity in your work. It is an honor to have the opportunity to interact with someone of your experience, strength, patience, and perseverence. We will continue to coordinate our efforts to support your efforts, and we will succeed in restoring and maintaining our Democracy. THANK YOU!

Comment #4: cloblue said on 4/9/06 @ 10:53pm ET...

Dear Congressman Conyers:
We all thank you. It's because of you, that I, and probably many others started blogging and became active in writing our representatives to back you.
You, sir, are a national treasure.
Thank you very much.

Comment #5: DTW 06 said on 4/9/06 @ 11:13pm ET...

Congressman Conyers,

Thank you for providing this forum. It is great to be involved in so many intelligent and mostly focused conversations.

Immigration, Gay Marriage, & the Bay of Pigs
Today its immigration, last election cycle it was Gay Marriage. It smells like the Republicans are fishing for another wedge issue. However, it looks like the American People ain't biting this time. Thank God!

Yes, illegal immigration is an issue. It has been an issue for a very long time. Still, there are many far more pressing issues.

It is a question of priorities. America needs to conduct an unbiased national threat analysis and attack threats in an intelligent, methodical manner. We can no longer afford ideologically driven policies to dominate America.

This threat analysis needs to focus on areas of greatest vulnerability. Following are a few examples: massive national debts, dependency on foreign sources of oil, environmental degradation, declining global standing in education, outsourcing, and debt held by foreigners, global warming, violent crime, war, terrorism, lack of protection for whistleblowers, etc. etc. etc.

To help avoid Group Think (Bay of Pigs Syndrome), designing and implementing strategic plans to combat America's threats must be based on input from a wide range of professionals, outside of standard government agencies. Oversight can be covered via peer review and enforcing complete transparency.

For "We the People" the message to our politicians is this. We will be setting the priorities, Not You! It is time to throw the bums out of office and start over.

Pay Attention
ask question
Speak Up!
QuestionItNow

Comment #6: tahoebasha1 said on 4/9/06 @ 11:20pm ET...

I'm not sure what more I could add to the above comments, which pretty well sums up my feelings and thoughts about you, as well, Cong. Conyers.

You are a "rock" in the midst of a violent "storm" that has sought and seeks to render our spirit "spiritless." But, somehow, I feel confident that with your "spirit" and "ours," we will prevail in returning our America to its rightful place -- right alongside the Constitution and Democracy as invisioned by our forefathers. Thank you for your constant vigilance of "our" plight and all your "efforts" therefor.

Comment #7: cali said on 4/9/06 @ 11:34pm ET...

Thank you Congressman Conyers
You are my favorite person and my one wish is to someday meet you in person to thank you for all you do and for always standing up for us.

Comment #8: Ohiodem1 said on 4/9/06 @ 11:50pm ET...

DTW06 #5 - I agree that the immigration issue has been an issue for a very long time. Prior to 1835, 3 million illegal immigrants from Africa were forcefully removed from their homes to become a source of cheap farm and domestic labor. The illegality of course was perpretated against the immigrants.

Congressman J.D. Hayworth, who was primarily hawking his book on Meet the Press this morning, came out strongly in favor of the "Wall" to keep illegal immigrants out. The problem with creating a wall to keep people out is that it usually winds up being a wall to keep people in. This is unacceptable for America.

Mr. Hayworth went on to say, after plugging his book a couple more times that the biggest problem facing America is the illegal immigrant problem. I disagree. It is the illegal war started by the Bush administration that is killing our boys and girls in Iraq.

The second biggest problem is that the Bush administration is stirring up a campaign of fear, hatred and suspicion against Iran in an attempt to create war fever in a manner similar to the run-up to the Iraq war. Same stuff, Nuclear weapons, WMD, etc. As identified above and all over our newspapers, local and national news media, right wing talk radio, and many other places, war planning for Iran is taking place.

By most rational accounts, Iran will not be nuclear capable for at least 5 years. There is time for diplomacy to work. Not Bush faux diplomacy as practiced by "Aluminum Tubes" Rice, or "I hate the UN" Bolton, or "Lean and Mean Military" Rumsfeld.

Will Congress fall for this again, or if on the off chance that they will not be fooled again, will the Bush admin fall back on the 2001 AUMF as the justification to go to war with Iran?

Will the Bush admin try to put the veneer of a UN Resolution to authorize war with Iran, or will they conclude, as they concluded that the UN would refuse to be used in this manner just prior to the Iraq war, and just decide to put our troops in Harm's way, just to satisfy a desire for hegemony in the Middle East?

Thank you Representative Conyers for standing up to the Bush administration.

Comment #9: hpcharlie said on 4/9/06 @ 11:51pm ET...

Dear Congressman Conyers: It's because of "YOU" nearly a year ago when I saw on C-SPAN..."FREEDOM OF THE PRESS" WHICH I DID ORDER AND HAVE IN MY HAND BEFORE ME..THAT I REALIZED YOU ARE A "TRUE HERO!'

THINK DALLAS TX IS REALLY "PRO-BUSH"??

I've never seen in my entire 43 yrs a "March of this magnitude here in Dallas TX!" I WOULD VOTE 4 YOU IN A "HEARTBEAT" TO BE OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT!

THANK YOU SIR!

Charlie C.
Dallas TX

Demonstration 'rewrote history'

Participants say they want reform that treats them fairly

10:16 PM CDT on Sunday, April 9, 2006

From Staff Reports

[Click image for a larger version] SMILEY N. POOL/DMN
SMILEY N. POOL/DMN
Thousands of rally participants march down Ross Avenue in downtown Dallas.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully through downtown Dallas on Sunday for the rights of illegal immigrants, in what was easily the largest civil rights demonstration in North Texas history – and to some experts, the birth of a new social movement.

"It rewrote history," said Roberto Calderon, a history professor at the University of North Texas who participated in the march. "There's no turning back. It makes concrete the larger demographic and cultural changes that are taking place for the community here in North Texas and Dallas."

Dr. Calderon said he believes the march will spark greater activity, from voter registration to running for office, among Hispanics and immigrants from other parts of the world, groups that have long been politically underrepresented.

The impetus for Sunday's march, and for several student walkouts two weeks ago, is changes to immigration law being debated in Congress.

The most restrictive bill, which passed the House in December, would make felons out of illegal immigrants or those who aid them. Some marchers Sunday wore T-shirts that read "No HR4437," referring to the bill number.

But on a grander scale, the messages of the march were evident in the many banners that people carried, from "We have a dream, too" to "Fair treatment" to "I am a human not a criminal."

The march was notable not only for its size – 350,000 to 500,000 people, according to a Dallas police estimate – but for its organization and focus. Participants had been told to wear white shirts to symbolize peace, wave American flags and carry banners with positive messages.

And under a clear blue sky, they did.

The march was to begin at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, at Ross Avenue and Pearl Street. Long before then, however, participants, most of them Hispanic or Latino, flowed in from remote parking lots and began taking their places in line. Some carried large U.S. flags; another group had a 5-foot banner reading "Legalizacion. It's Our American Dream Too."
Also Online

Demonstration 'rewrote history'
• DMN photos
• Send your photos
• Immigration forum

DMN video
• Sights and sounds

WFAA-TV video
• Comprehensive coverage
• FW rally
• Channel 8's John McCaa

Chat: Join DMN reporter Michelle Mittelstadt for a discussion on immigration reform Monday at noon. Send in early questions now.

More stories:
• Activists sign up protesters to put them on road to polls
• Few counterprotesters rally
• Turnout for Fort Worth immigration rally pleases organizers
• For youths, 'we're all in it together'
• Closing wallets to open city's eyes
• Some immigrants choose to stand apart from protest
• Blog delivers up-to-minute protest news
• Ragland: Mass march amply conveys immigration's import

Official sites:
• LULAC
• Megamarch

Pressured by the pent-up energy of the crowd, organizers moved the barricades at 12:52 p.m., and the marchers began proceeding slowly from the church east on Ross Avenue, accompanied by shouts through megaphones, cheering and drumbeats.

"The people united will never be defeated!" and "Yes, we can!" were among the chants.

People marched down Ross Avenue and through downtown to Dallas City Hall. Some banged on drums, others rattled tambourines – one marcher even played the "Star Spangled Banner" on a saxophone.

At City Hall, they listened to a series of speakers and waved their flags. They heard songs such as "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. On the stage was a giant Statue of Liberty surrounded by red-white-and-blue banners.

Bishop speaks

Among the loudest ovations was for Bishop Charles Grahmann, who told the crowd: "We're on a journey, and it is a journey that is sometimes very difficult. ... We welcome the opportunity to voice our support for all of our people to become part of the American Dream."

One of the speakers at the rally was 16-year-old Gustavo Jimenez Jr., a Duncanville High School student who is credited with being one of the organizers of the student walkouts two weeks ago.

"This was kind of a wake-up call to all of us," he said. "To let the government know it is going to mess with our families."

Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle reported that no one had been arrested and no noteworthy offenses had been committed. "It's been a very good day for the city," he said. "This is a family-oriented group that's come here to demonstrate. No one we saw looked like they were planning to cause any problems."

Chief Kunkle attributed the peaceful nature of the protest to the work of the volunteers and organizers, as well as police efforts to marginalize the small groups of counterprotesters.

A small group of counterprotesters shouted from a parking lot at Ross Avenue and Harwood Street: "U.S.A., U.S.A., You're gonna go home, you're gonna go home."

Elijah McGrew, 48, one of the counterprotesters said, "They are breaking the law, and no one should get amnesty. If I break the law, I don't get amnesty."

Also in the group was Ben Blewusi, who said he came to the U.S. legally from Ghana. "Illegal immigration is a crime in every country. I believe they are a drain on the economy and don't pay taxes, and employers take advantage of them and enslave their labor. And as a result it drives down wages for legal migrants and U.S. citizens," Mr. Blewusi said.

Sunday's march also drew some odd groups. Shortly after noon, police officers spied about 10 members of the Girls Gone Wild video crew, presumably looking for subject matter. No word if they found any.

Comment #10: rblaster said on 4/10/06 @ 10:00am ET...

Dear Congressman Conyers,

It is very kind of you to thank us, but we are the ones who are in your debt...you will forever have our gratitude for what you are doing, and history will remember those few (such as you) who were the true Patriots in our nation's time of need.

- Richard

Comment #11: JRH said on 4/10/06 @ 10:16am ET...

Credit where it is due. That's all.

Comment #12: unspun said on 4/10/06 @ 11:14am ET...

Congressman Conyers,

Thank you for your inspirational leadership. Thank you for your tireless work in Congress on our behalf. Thank you for this Blog.

It is easy to be discouraged by the day after day blundering and malevolence of the Bush administration. It is disheartening to watch the GOP-dominated media hacks parroting the bizarre administration spin in their “reporting”.

Yet, you have provided this forum where you inform us and where we can see that there are others out there who are want the truth and are willing to work for reforming the government.

OT: I have started reading “Crashing the Gate—Netroots, Grassroots, and the rise of people-Powered Politics” by Markos Moulitsas (founder of http://www.dailykos.com/ ) & Jerome Armstrong (of http://www.mydd.com/). I’ve just gotten through the first chapter, but it’s a great read so far.

Comment #13: unspun said on 4/10/06 @ 11:25am ET...

Re Comment #12-- Correction: I meant to say: "others out there who want the truth..." (mind working too fast for fingers...:-)

By the way, I know there are many issues out there that need to be addressed by our leaders. However, the one that I feel should dominate at this time is Iraq. People are dying and being mutilated there on a daily basis and in appalling numbers--both Americans and Iraqis. I will admit I have a personal stake in this--my son is active duty. This administration has been criminally negligent in its use of the military. I cannot understand why congress continues to allow the administration to continue on the present course.

Comment #14: Alma said on 4/10/06 @ 11:29am ET...

Congressman Conyers,

I wanted to mention that besides all the good you do, for us, and with us, on the huge national issues, there are also small personal items that you have helped us with, without even knowing about them.

I had an example of one such instance last night. My daughter had homework for her Juvenile Justice class at college. Since she had the computer, I wandered off to do other things. When I came back into the room she told me: "Representative Conyers is helping me with my homework." She was using a 1996 dissenting opinion that you had written, and she was thrilled with all the links that were added to the piece too.

So Thank You! For all the big, and small things you have done, and continue to do, for all of us, and for the Country!

Comment #15: Alma said on 4/10/06 @ 11:36am ET...

We must really be getting the republican machine scared. I just saw on the CNN crawl, that former aides to Congressman John Conyers will be on Paula Zahn tonight. Time for the smear machine to kick into higher gear. Congrats. Sir! You are making waves. Heres what her site says about tonight:
Congressional babysitting scandal? In a CNN exclusive, former aides of Rep. John Conyers speak out. Tune in at 8 p.m. ET.

Comment #16: rblaster said on 4/10/06 @ 11:54am ET...

Re: Comment #15 - Yes Alma, they must be getting scared now; pretty soon the new Democratic "babysitting scandal" will trump all other news - Iraq / Leaks / Deficits / Millions Demonstrating in the Street / Abramoff / Nuclear War / Etc. I can see it clearly now, and I fear too many in the public will still fall for this despicable spin.

Maybe some other non-news (or fake news) event will happen today and bump this story...you never know.

Comment #17: unspun said on 4/10/06 @ 12:31pm ET...

Re: Comment #15: Ah.. The Republican Smear machine is revving up. I know it hasn’t aired yet, but we can guess what Mr. Rove’s minions will have cooked up.

I have some questions that should be asked of Ms. Zahn: First a statement: The timing of this story seems curious in light of all of the negative news reports about the Bush administration, both the newly revealed and ongoing ones. I would ask the following questions:

1. Did anyone connected to the Bush administration, right-wing think tanks or the RNC contact you regarding your "report" about Mr. Conyers? Are your sure?

2. Why would you choose to air this "report" about a person who is not currently in a power position, legislatively-speaking, while not reporting about this week's published scandals involving people who are in power positions? Examples: 1. Two DHS high-ranking employees accused of sex crimes involving children. 2. The President of the United States authorizing leaking of self-servingly selectively declassified NIE information. This leak ultimately revealed the name of a CIA operative—possibly for political reasons… Etc.

I strongly believe that democrats have in the past spent too much time on defense when assaulted by the GOP smear machine. It's past time for a really strong Offense. Goodness knows, they have provided the democrats with so much material to use against them.

As we all know, the GOPers are well versed in Biblical sayings, but perhaps we should remind them repeatedly of: Matthew 7:3: "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?"

Comment #18: unspun said on 4/10/06 @ 12:37pm ET...

Re comment #17, to clarify: by "not currently in a power position" I just mean that the democrats are in the minority and can pass/block no legislation without republicans voting with them.

Comment #19: Alma said on 4/10/06 @ 2:06pm ET...

I forgot to add in my #15 post that as always, I have your back Sir, and if theres anyway I can help you, just let me know! And I think this speaks for about everyone here. Your troops are ready and reporting for duty!

Comment #20: Citizen J said on 4/10/06 @ 2:40pm ET...

Echoing a comment by JRH, it's simply credit where it's due.

JC, you are DA MAN and a true patriot. Without your efforts, I honestly do not know where we'd be.

Whoever said they're aren't any heros left obviously didn't know about you, sir. You are my inspiration to KEEP FIGHTING and to NEVER give up.

God bless you sir.

Comment #21: Genghis Khan said on 4/10/06 @ 7:27pm ET...

Congressman:

The next time you're coming within 50 miles of SJC, let me know so I can buy you a beer...

Comment #22: Rusty said on 4/10/06 @ 10:49pm ET...

Alma,

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hoping this baby-sitting "scandal" won't accelerate global warming, trigger a clash of civilizations between Christianity and Islam, end life on earth as we know it, and lead to a cataclysmic implosion of the sun.

If it does, I'm cancelling my order for JC's "Constitution in Crisis" and requesting a refund.