Leahy Gains Ground for Truth and Reconciliation Panel

"If I was a cynic, I would say it was hypocritical, but being a kind, benevolent person, I'll just call it forgetful." - Patrick Leahy

The rising tide of angry voices calling for an investigation of the Bush Administration have pushed Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) to call for a Truth and Consequences Panel. In this Rachel Maddow interview, Leahy said it may not be a perfect way, but it may be the only way to get the truth out and to assure that future administrations will behave in a more transparent manner. Leahy, a former prosecutor, suggests that he would offer immunity from prosecution to those willing to testify to all that they knew, inferring that those who do not come forward or who fail to disclose everything are open game.

Leahy said that Republicans with whom he spoke said it would be terrible to investigate a former President's Administration, that they would never do it. He quickly countered that Republicans had spent six years and tens to hundreds of millions of dollars to investigate the former President Clinton Administration. "If I was a cynic," Leahy said, "I would say it was hypocritical, but being a kind, benevolent person, I'll just call it forgetful."

Democratic leaders, John Conyers and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, said that they are open to the idea and would pursue prosecution if it is apparent that crimes were committed. Maddow suggests that there appears to be an emerging consensus amongst the Democratic leadership; whether it is an attempt to expose crimes or silence the disgrunteld public is yet to be seen.

Here is a petition launched by Leahy to gather signatures asking for the commission.

Pelosi Challenger Sheehan Achieves Ballot Access as Independent

Cindy Sheehan, who is challenging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the 8th Congressional district, achieved ballot access last week, the first major hurdle of the campaign. This political ad, posted on YouTube attacks Pelosi for blocking impeachment discussions and not inhibiting war spending. It was not produced by the Sheehan campaign but it is representative of her supporters' enthusism.

Pelosi has just released a new book, "Know Your Power: A Message to American Daughters." whose sales are off to a very slow start. Her book tour is haunted by anti-war and pro oil drilling activists. While pundits do not see Pelosi losing this upcoming re-election, she clearly will not be getting a free ride.

Pelosi & Gingrich in Green Spot Together

Nader Charges Citizens to Tackle Politics Head On, No Seatbelts Required

"How do you satire a satire?" Nader asks in this hour long video address (which starts about half way through the clip), before an applauding crowd at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on April 5. Suffering a little campaign fatigue but showing no intent to let up his opposition to this "Whitehouse marininated in oil" or this Congress, the orator eloquently rises and delivers his impassioned and concerned appeal for greater citizen participation in politics.

"Are we a serious people requiring our members of Congress, 535 members who put their shoes on every monring like we do, to stand tall for the major framework of law and justice in our country, the US Constitution?”

His begins with a call for the impeachment of President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney; Nader has long called for their impeachment. However, he trains his eyes on the Democratic Congress and assails it for abdicating its responsibility to impeach “the most impeachable President.” He remarks, “There’s something deficient in the DNA character of the Democratic Party.”

He then talks about the media, whom he finds to be derelict, more fascinated with interpreting the latest gaff between candidates and manufacturing gossip than in pressing for greater depth.

He also has a word for lawyers, some 800,000 of whom he would like to see out there in droves defending the Constitution, but for one reason or another have excused themselves. “We give lawyers the privilege of monopolizing access to the courts, that privilege comes with a responsibility to defend the public interest, especially in such dire times.”

Finally, Nader calls upon individuals to awaken our civic mindedness and get involved. “Unless we develop the civic personality that gets us really upset to break with our routines, to connect with our neighbors and communities, to do what we didn't think we were capable of doing, to develop our civic talents, we will simply watch this country of ours continue to slide into the abyss under the domination of a two party duopoly that excludes competition and turns our government over to giant corporations. These giant corporations are now THE government.”

He likened the spirit of citizen watchdogs to that of birdwatchers. He hopes that we all turn an eye to our legislators and learn what they are doing and set high expectations on their conduct. If someone in one part of the country sees something, then a whole flock of activists can look at it. And if that bird should land on the Capitol Dome, the watchers will follow.

In conclusion, he quotes the philosopher Cicero, "Freedom is participation in power." As always, go forward.

Nancy Pelosi Should Listen to Karl Rove

In this editorial, activist Medea Benjamin criticizes Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi for failing to meet with her constituents because of time constraints, yet observing that Pelosi has been attending fundraiser and coffee clutches in So-Cal and other Western states.

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