BREAKING: Conyers calls House Judiciary Committee back early from recess re: Suskind's evidence.

[99th_Monkey]

August 16, 2008 at 11:17:44

Headlined on 8/16/08:
Breaking: Conyers Calls Committee Back from Summer Recess to Investigate Suskind Allegations

by Ralph Lopez
OpEdNews

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers has taken the highly unusual step of calling his committee back from summer recess in order to investigate allegations by Ron Suskind that the Bush administration forged a letter to buttress the links made between Saddam and 9/11, and Saddam and WMD. The congressional Authorization for the Use of Force Against Iraq, the ""War Resolution" which, as far short as it fell of a congressional declaration of war, gave the invasion its constitutional legal cover, and gave Bush the authorization to invade only after he had certified to congress the existence of these two critical links. If Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, and if he did not possess WMD, the war was off.


The Authorization for the Use of Force stipulated:


Sec. 3 (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 thereafter 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--

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




On March 23, 2003, the president certified just that:

-"I have also determined that the use of armed force against Iraq 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 terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001." -George Bush, certification to Congress to authorize the use of force in Iraq, March 23, 2003


"Armed force against Iraq is consistent with...actions against...nations...who...aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11..." are the operative words in that statement without the subordinate clauses.

After the flurry of impeachment articles embodied in HR 1345, read on the House floor on June 9, 2008, Rep. Dennis Kucinich followed up on July 10 with a single article which lasers in on the exact war lies Suskind's alleged forgery has called attention to. Not that the document is needed to show Bush lied. He admitted as much, which in a courtroom is prima facie evidence which supercedes any other.

In a press conference with Tony Blair in Jan. of 2003, Bush said:

One question for you both. Do you believe that there is a link between Saddam Hussein, a direct link, and the men who attacked on September the 11th?

THE PRESIDENT: I can't make that claim.

THE PRIME MINISTER: That answers your question.


And on Sept. 18, 2003, on Meet the Press, Bush drove the nail in all the way:

-"No, we've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with September the 11th.


Conyers' reconvening of his committee was the result of enormous public pressure, most poignantly that coming from military families wanting to know why their loved ones are dead. Despite the exquisite, shining clockwork political operation now in place at the Executive Branch, working hand in glove with the media spin machine, it's still not that easy to get 4100 Americans killed over lies. Bush knew Americans would not subject their troops to such an uncertain fiasco over 17 violated UN resolutions, or Saddam's brutal but by no means unique human rights record. If we attacked every country which violated UN resolutions, we'd be bombing Tel Aviv.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Breaking-Conyers-Calls-Co-by-Ralph-Lopez-080815-807.html

[Selatius]

1. Even if it's proven the letters were forged by White House operatives, Bush-Cheney will still escape

Because nobody wants to impeach them, and as far as I can see, there is no political will to prosecute them after they leave office for mass murder and various other war crimes.

You'd think that with Donald Rumsfeld no longer being shielded by sovereign immunity, he'd be indicted and in holding by now awaiting trial.

[99th_Monkey]

2. The French authorities nearly jailed Rummy several months ago.

He narrowly escaped by fleeing into Germany. At least the French TRIED.

I know Conyers & esp. Pelosi have been piss-poor about upholding the constitution; but I guess
I'm hoping against hope that this unusual move by Conyers may signal a new level of seriousness
by House Judiciary.

But I'm not holding my breath either.

[Selatius]

3. Yeah, I heard he escaped onto consulate soil, which is out of French jurisdiction.

Funny thing with Germany is that they have a universal jurisdiction clause in their Constitution pertaining to war crimes/crimes against humanity. If a person in a country is not indicted on war crimes he apparently committed, Germany's constitution allows the German court to issue an indictment regardless if the crime was committed on German soil. This was written into their constitution under the supervision of the Allied Powers at the end of the last world war after Germany was defeated and occupied. Of course, the US was a different country back then.

[Hawkeye-X]

7. For Rummy, it is not over yet.

He'll still be indicted, impeached and dragged to the Hague.

[calimary]

4. I'm kicking this because my sig line has a lot of TOLL FREE Capitol Hill switchboard numbers in it.

PLEASE make use of them to call Congress on Monday. Call YOUR rep, call SOMEBODY ELSE'S rep, too.

Whether they're Dem or republi-CON, it does NOT matter. BOTH sides need these calls. The Dems need 'em as calcium supplement to their backbones and so they get a clearer idea of the OVERWHELMING majority sentiment on this. The republi-CONs need 'em to get an idea about how the walls are closing in on them and they better start reading the writing on those walls. They need 'em to be reminded of how OVERWHELMING public sentiment against them and their "pResident" is. And since ALL of Congress is up for reelection, the republi-CONS already feel a knife at their throats. Some of them might be persuaded to tip over on this one if they think it might help them survive November.

As a matter of fact, you could even plant that seed if you have to call a republi-CON. Say something like: "gee, I AM a Democrat but I appreciate the pursuit of justice - NO MATTER WHICH PARTY is involved, and I could actually see myself voting for him/her if he/she actually put Constitution and country over political party."

And... "I really admire backbone, and if he/she is the one who shows it, and pushes/supports this investigation, then I might have to switch my vote and vote republi-CON (for the first time). We NEED this investigation. This is about deliberately lying us into war. We'd NEED this investigation no matter WHO was president."

Plant the seeds. Destabilize the enemy. WHENEVER possible.

[99th_Monkey]

9. Thanks for the numbers & the suggestion re: calling toll-free. I'll be calling tomorrow. ~nt~

[miles 2 go]

5. tea kettle Conyers

Isn't that what a duer likened him to the other day here? He makes a lot of noise but nothing ever comes of it. His promises have been broken. He and Nancy can be tried for treason with the rest of them as far as I'm concerned. I used to be a huge fan, but they've sold us out too.

[99th_Monkey]

8. Yes. A sorry train of false starts and disappointments so far. `

I guess I'm hoping against hope that this very unusual move may mean something besides throwing another sop
to those wanting to uphold the constitution.

but I'm not holding my breath either.

[CrispyQ]

10. Thanks for sharing that. It would be funny if it weren't so tragic.

:(

Remember in in F 9/11 when Michael Moore asked Conyers why the dems helped pass the Patriot Act? I realize the Patriot Act was brought to vote quickly, but Conyers kind of joked about the fact that they don't read any of what they vote on.

[BeHereNow]

22. Conyers is all measured speech with no results so far.

Sort of the placebo effect, if you will.
More smoke and mirrors to appease the masses.
BHN

[Hawkeye-X]

6. Conyers, whatever you do - DO NOT LISTEN TO PELOSI

As the indictments and impeachments are back on the table, because of this - NO MATTER what.

Chimp's career is over. He SHOULD be stripped from all protections and sent to the Hague for war crimes effective immediately.

Pelosi is a neo-con, and has betrayed the Democratic Party over and over. Conyers, you alone hold the cards, and it's time to go all-in. If there is a case for impeachment and indictments - this is it.

There is no looking back.

Hawkeye-X

[99th_Monkey]

18. Yes. Come on John. We know you can do it. Afterall, you've assured us that Pelosi hasn't pressured U

or threatened to take your chairmanship away. Now's the time to walk that talk, all the way to the
House Sargent-at-arms office to arrange for the arrest of these criminals, who will assuredly refuse
to testify, thereby committing yet another high crime.

[orleans]

11. excerpt from transcript:

JUAN GONZALEZ: Congressman Conyers, I’d like to ask you, would you consider trying to get the former Israeli intelligence chief—I’m sorry, Iraqi intelligence chief to come and testify before Congress and get to the bottom of—because, obviously, he would have quite a bit of information on the allegations in Ron Suskind’s book?


REP. JOHN CONYERS: Well, he does, and so do a lot of other people. But, dear friends, I’m in the third day of an—I’m not considering an investigation. I’m investigating.


AMY GOODMAN: What do you mean?


REP. JOHN CONYERS: What do I mean, I am investigating?


AMY GOODMAN: Yes, what does it mean to be in the third day of that investigation? How do you begin?


REP. JOHN CONYERS: What do you think that means? You’re an investigative reporter. What do I mean, I’m investigating? You know what? You’re asking me to tell you what I’m investigating. I didn’t ask Ron Suskind when he was taking months to put the book together, I didn’t start investigating him. How can I tell you three days into an investigation? And you say, what do I mean?


RON SUSKIND: I’m sympathetic to you, Chairman Conyers. You know, people maybe shouldn’t see how the sausage is made, really just how it tastes and how you get to the finish.


I mean, one of the things, though, that I think we’re talking about here, which is interesting, is what powers Congress has to get many of these documents declassified. You know, the fact is, throughout this Habbush mission, from beginning to end, especially this year from January 2003 until December, when the letter comes out, there are, I’m certain, a pile of documents that are stamped “classified” inside of the government that I can’t imagine have any actual justification at this point for remaining classified. And I guess one of the questions is, what powers Judiciary or other committees in Congress, both House and Senate, might have to get these documents immediately declassified. Obviously, no one in the government, frankly—and I’ve said this before—there’s virtually no one inside of the executive branch that pushes for the declassification of documents. It’s certainly Congress’s role, though, to say this must be made public. And throughout the chain here on Habbush, there are many such documents. What powers do you think Congress will have to get these brought into daylight?


REP. JOHN CONYERS: Well, you’re talking to maybe the most frustrated person attempting to exercise the oversight responsibilities that I have on Judiciary. There’s nobody who’s been trying harder than me to get to access all of the things in the Department of Justice, the executive branch, the FBI, the CIA. No one has been more zealous in that than I.


RON SUSKIND: Chairman, I—


REP. JOHN CONYERS: But for me to get engage in a discussion this morning, the third day into the most critical investigation of the entire Bush administration, is a little bit much, I think.


RON SUSKIND: I’m just trying to get a sense—I think the viewers here are sort of trying to get a sense of the barriers. I know you’ve been the most ardent of anybody. But what sort of barriers do they throw up, in terms of saying, well, either “No, we can’t” or “It’s difficult to declassify documents” or “Well, we’ll look for that one, and we’ll get back to you.” I know they’ve offered you virtually every dodge and fake and excuse. I think it’s something I understand, but I think viewers may not understand how difficult it is to get them to cough this stuff up.


REP. JOHN CONYERS: Well, Ron, look, let’s—the past is already history. The present is going on right now.


RON SUSKIND: I hear you.


REP. JOHN CONYERS: I’m not here to tell you my troubles with the administration or—I’m happy to be on the program, because I’ve already read 96 percent of the book, and we’re investigating, but for me to start telling you what might be available and what the problems are and what the challenges are going to be, I think, is very unprofessional in an investigation of this seriousness.


RON SUSKIND: I agree.


JUAN GONZALEZ: Well, Congressman, I’d like to ask you, as a veteran member of the Congress, you recall another investigation that occurred decades ago in the waning days of another administration: the Iran-Contra scandal. And when quite a bit of information was dug up about what President Reagan and the administration knew or didn’t know about the lies to the American people around Iran-Contra, and the general thrust of a lot of the people those days was, “Hey, these are the last days of this administration. It’s over. Forget it. What’s the use of continuing the investigation?” The lessons you learned from that investigation and how it might affect the way you proceed in these waning months here?


REP. JOHN CONYERS: I don’t want to make that comparison. I was there, and you were on the case, as usual. And this is not—this is not a retrospective. The 110th Congress isn’t over. We’re starting our work, and then we’re doing it in a period where the Congress is in recess. I’m calling everybody back. We’ve got a huge amount of work to engage in. And because I don’t have the appropriate radio to hear the program at 8:00 in the morning, I am happy to be invited on, because I don’t have to wait ’til this evening until the releases come out at 11:30 to read what all of you said. So this is a wonderful service to me, and I’m grateful to you for it. But I am not here to tell you what was—it was like with Iran-Contra, as I know you know it well. But this isn’t a history lesson we’re in.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/8/14/after_ron_suskind_reveals_bush_admin

[99th_Monkey]

12. Thanks for adding this to the string. Interesting exchange, huh?

Near the end, I'm not sure how to read Suskind's seeming deference to Conyers' refusal to discuss details because
it would be "very unprofessional in an investigation of this seriousness".

Maybe I'll see if I can locate the video of this exchange at DemocracyNow website, to look for clues w/ body language,
eye contact, etc. ....

[orleans]

13. you're welcome. (kick) n/t

[Habibi]

17. I heard this exchange

and found it really bizarre! Conyers seemed pissed to be asked about the investigation, but goodness, what did he think he was invited on the show to talk about?

[Wiley50]

29. I think he started to say, "dear friends, I'm in the third day of my vacation" myself

and then he thought better of that in mid sentence

and did a slick recovery

He's a sly old fox but he's getting to be a very old and somewhat senile old fox

[fascisthunter]

14. It May Take Years, But We Americans Should Try to Hold all of Them Accountable

It's the only way we can honestly undo what these people have done. As tough as it might be for some to accept, the Bush Administration's actions can not be tolerated. If they are, we will see a repeat and the end of our Republic.

[99th_Monkey]

15. I agree. It just boggles the mind

to wrap ones head around all the felonous high crimes that BushCo has committed in broad daylight, yet somehow always just
under the M$M radar, except an occassional little burst of real news that gets a cursory treaatment and then is quickly
stuffed down the memory hole.

[Crabby Appleton]

16. I wouldn't get too excited, Conyers didn't actually call

the elected members of the Committee back from recess.

[99th_Monkey]

21. This would appear to read otherwise IMHO.

"...Chairman John Conyers has taken the highly unusual step of calling his committee back from summer recess".

however, I see upon further examination that you are correct, as indicated by this link i found.
http://impeachmentlefttoright.blogspot.com/2008/08/conyers-calls-committee-back-from.html

Thanks for the clarification.

[Individualist]

28. but the Charlie Browns still think he's actually going to do something

:shrug:

[CitizenPatriot]

19. well, I'mm shocked

I just started Suskind's book and I am amazed. I thought it might be a tough read, and since I've been working 12-14 hours I wasn't in the mood...but NO. It is a brilliantly written book, compelling in its narrative and character descriptions. Not only is he an amazing researcher (so unusual and appreciated these days) but my god...his writing. This is the must read of the last ten years in my book (pun not intended). I am awestruck by his skill, talent and exacting work, something we are simply not exposed to very often anymore. This is no hysterical cry-baby book of rumors (you suck corsi and this book and yours are not even in the same universe-- you look like the moran you is). Rate suskind up on amazon if you can:-) Everyone needs to read this!


call your reps and tell them to get to WORK (to coin a McCain phrase they might understand)

btw, this site has been a saving grace for me. thanks to everyone.

[dana_b]

20. I must read Suskind's book now

Sounds too interesting to let pass.

Thanks for the contact info as well.

[NightWatcher]

23. My Open Letter to Rep. Conyers.

Shit or get off the pot. You've known for YEARS that busco is corrupt and impeachable. Please stop peeing on my leg and telling it's raining.
We all know you wont do shit because the election is close at hand. Stop pretending to give a damn. Go legalize marijuana or something, so we can at least get high and forget about the crimes that he has committed and you have let slide.

- respectfully yours,
NIghtwatcher

[99th_Monkey]

26. I share your sentiments, just so you know. Stern letters only go so far.

and to date, that's not very far ... about as far I could throw Rush Limbaugh in fact.

sadly John's become a one-trick pony: just keeps pumping out those stern letters and
an occasional subpoena to be mocked and scoffed at by the BushCo Rethugs.

[NEM]

31. Give the man...

...Bingo. My sentiments exactly. No balls, no guts, no spine. All talk, no action.

Personally, I would throw all the spineless bastards out. America will get what it deserves.

[Hubert Flottz]

24. K&R

[Uncle Joe]

25. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Impeachment_Monkey.

[99th_Monkey]

27. yur most welcome Uncle Joe. ~nt~

[NEM]

30. Wont make a difference at all.

They can call them back all they want, and sit and talk all they want, fact is, they have shown they are all talk and no action. A waste of time and taxpayer money. No balls, no spine, no guts.

[wordpix]

32. go, Conyers, DO IT!!! Don't fuck around anymore with these impeachable offenses

[DU GrovelBot]

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[L. Coyote]

34. DemocracyNow two day interview with Suskind & Conyers

All TEN DemocracyNow YouTubes are embedded here:

Suskind - Bush Admin forged documents - Conyers to investigate Hotlist
Thu Aug 14, 2008 = http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/15/02552/6785/290/568207

Also, here is a link to Democracy now with today's rush transcript:

After Ron Suskind Reveals Bush Admin Ordered Iraq-9/11 Fakery, House Judiciary Chair John Conyers Opens Congressional Probe http://www.democracynow.org/2008/8/14/after_ron_suskind_reveals_bush_admin

[lonestarnot]

36. Guess that would be you LC!

Thanks!

[lonestarnot]

35. A big thanks to whomever just kicked this up! Just saw it for the 1st time!

:woohoo:

[Golden Raisin]

37. Wishful thinking and do not hold

your breath. This particular donkey is not biting anymore at the pathetic carrots Conyers regularly dangles before our noses. He's all talk and zero action. OK, maybe some committee members will get together and wag their fingers collectively and say, "Tsk, tsk, tsk!", but they do nothing. Bush keeps sneering. He has gotten away with everything. He is not now and will not be held accountable. We citizens and our shredded Constitution take it up the ass one more time.

[wildbilln864]

38. K&R! John Conyers!?

All bark.
No bite! :banghead: