Well boys and girls it was another long day at the capitol. The Judicary Committee was scheduled to convene at 1:30, but started around 3:15. They heard about a dozen other bills first, so SJR5 regarding the impeachment of Bush and Cheney came up for consideration around 7pm.
I was one of about 20 people allowed to speak and here is what I said. (I tailored my comments to fit the guidlines that the sponsors thought would best advance their cause.)
Honorable Chairman and Committee Members:
Many people here have spoken/will speak about the situation in Iraq. While I vehemently oppose the war and believe that the steps that led to it were illegal, I recognize that some citizens sincerely disagree with that position.
I fail to see, however, how any American, regardless of political affiliation, is willing to accept the unraveling of our constitutional rights. No administration, Democratic or Republican, can be allowed to dismantle our cherished liberties. Engaging in warrantless spying on citizens and denying habeus corpus protections are unconstitutional acts and must be reined in and they must be investigated.
I believe we have a moral imperative to do so.
We the people, and our elected officials, cannot shrink from our duty is distasteful nor because it is frightening. We, on the home front, must also fight on behalf of democracy.
It would be easier if others would take on this task, but as of yet no one has. It falls to us, the people of a purple state, and to our representatives, to stand up of all Americans. I urge you pass this resolution. I urge to give the entire Senate the opportunity to debate this grave matter.
Thank you.
Three of the four Republicans on the committee bailed before it came to a vote. The fourth listened to all our comments and then made an impassioned — and lengthy speech — about how naive, divisive, and ignorant we all are.
The successful vote in favor of the resolution was 5 to 1.
Afterward I thanked the Republican Senator for having the courtesy to hear us all out. I left it at that.
The resolution will now go to the full senate where it needs 22 votes for passage. There are 24 Democrats in the New Mexico Senate. If it passes there it goes to the House. If it passes the House, it can be picked up by any member of the U.S. House of Representatives and investigations leading to impeachment can begin.
The vote in the N.M. Senate is expected to be very, very close. If you have friends or family in N.M. have them call their Senators. Make the calls short and sweet; “I support SJR5 and I hope the Senator will, too.” Apparently some callers have been a bit overwrought and have been perceived as scary.
I’m leaving for Tokyo on Wednesday and probably won’t be around for the conclusion of this matter. If you want to keep track of its progress, check here.
It it does pass out of New Mexico, get on your representatives right away to support it.