By Carol Wolman [1]
Tourists always crowd the little seaside town of Mendocino, California, on Fourth of July weekend. I made lots of copies of the attached letter to Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) [2], which encourages him to investigate possible grounds for impeachment, and sallied forth to collect signatures.
It's the easiest canvassing I've ever done. People stood in line to sign. About half the people who signed (around 100, in a couple of hours) also took a blank copy so they could canvass their friends.
I walked around a crafts fair and a cocktail hour hosted by a local hotel. Reactions were fascinating. Quite a few people burst out laughing when I approached them with: "Would you like to help impeach Bush?" Some of these were Bush supporters, who sobered quickly when they saw the general enthusiasm for impeachment. Others were just happily amazed that such a possibility even exists.
Lots of people said "It can't happen, why bother?" I explained that there is a big, rapidly growing movement, but a media blackout prevents this from being known. (Many people only use the internet
for news, weather, maps, shopping and the like, and have no idea of the range and depth of discussions that take place in Egroups and on listserves. Many more don't use it at all.) These people were
astonished to hear that 128 Congresspeople have already joined Conyers in demanding answers from the president.
A few demurred, saying that they were afraid of retaliation from the Feds, even though I showed them that these letters are faxed directly to Conyers' office. To the fainthearted, I threw out a challenge:
"The founding fathers put their lives on the line to sign the Declaration of Independence, so that you can have freedom. Won't you do the same for your descendants?" Next time they are approached, they'll sign.
My favorite encounter was with a friend from the Foursquare Gospel Church in which I was baptized, though I stopped attending it years ago (Presbyterian now). This is a rapture church, and she is an
ardent Bush supporter. I became instantly passionate. I shouted at her that Bush is a liar, and a hypocrite, just like the Pharisees. I yelled that Bush is a blasphemer who deserves impeachment for misusing the name of Jesus. She was stunned, but quickly muttered that what happens here doesn't matter anyway. "We're supposed to choose life, not pie in the sky", was my response.
Overall, my canvassing was a great success. Many people thanked me, and wanted to know if others are doing this. I referred them to www.afterdowningstreet.org [3]
The buzz about impeachment is getting louder. Many visitors were in Mendocino from out of town, and will spread the word when they go home. The mood of America is changing rapidly.
Those that are so invested in the established order that they fear impeachment, officials in both parties, are seeking to deflect impeachment energy into a "get out of Iraq" movement. This is a
wonderful byproduct, but doesn't take care of the worldwide prison camps, the unending assaults on the environment, the push to develop new nuclear weapons, etc.
We the people need to take back our power from the warmongering corporate criminals. Bush and Cheney have to go.
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. Print out the Resolution of Inquiry, make copies, get a clipboard, and go to your local barbecue, parade, fireworks display, and gather signatures. Impeachment is the way to restore the American spirit of freedom, justice and tolerance for people of all creeds, colors and nationalities.
HERE'S A KIT to help you get started:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/538 [4]