Congresswoman Lee Town Hall: The Action Begins

Flyers literally flew toward the illustrious bloggers when Medea Bengamin of Global Exchange and Code Pink introduced Barbara Lee to a firey crowd (anyone who's ever been to a rally when President Clinton finally showed up after his minimum hour and a half delay knows what I'm talking about).

Lee spoke of beginning a movement to get the administration to come up with a plan to "withdraw [from Iraq] as soon as possible, like now!" After a little more crowd pumping ("We know what's right...internationally and domestically"), Lee cited the recent CBS poll that said only 17% of Americans believe the war in Iraq has actually reduced terrorism.

Congresswoman Lee quickly moved into more somber, frank talk. She talked of the need to force the adminstration to stop the stonewall of Conyer's letter and its many congressional signatures through Lee's priveleged resolution of inquiry, which if it is not recognized by the speaker or committee chair of the international relations committee, must be brought to the floor for a debate and vote, perhaps with the help of some of the republicans she cited who have recently begun to see the light on Iraq (including, by the way, the congressman who renamed french fries "freedom" fries, and who has since apologized for his actions.)

"It is not in the interest of the United States, and it is not in the interest of the entire global family...we're going to have a very intense discussion today, and around the country there are nine [other town hall meetings] and we're building a movement for peace and justice. Thank you," Barbara Lee.

-Robert Klein