I noticed it this morning: The term "impeach Bush" had cracked the Top 5 Most Searched Term (No. 3) at Technorati. When I got back from my morning interview, I checked again, and by 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, the term was No. 1 in the Technorati cosmos.
The general interest in this subject has been stirring for months, but Technorati's search aggregator tends to track specific memes. This one is linked to a Zogby poll that found 42 percent of Americans favor impeachment if it turns out that Bush "did not tell the truth about his reasons for going to war with Iraq" (an interesting result, as that's a larger plurality than the one that supported impeachment of Bill Clinton for his infamous dalliance).
But the Zogby poll isn't driving this event: It appears to be generated (or perhaps, focused) by a blog-push from places like "The Bulldog Manifesto" and "Martian Anthropologist."
A California blogger ponders the same question (What is driving this?) and concludes that "Impeach Bush" is that rarest and most wonderful of networked-media fauna: "The Self-Supporting Meme."He traces its origin back to this Counterpunch post by Paul Craig Roberts on June 20, but it seems to me that the origins are more global. The most powerful memes, like all successes, have many fathers (not to mention proud mothers).
Could it be a clever manipulation of the Technorati list? I don't know, but this entire conversation brings us back to a point we've been discussing here for months: The next important moment in American politics is the 2006 mid-terms, where the Democrats need 15 seats to take back the House. The House initiates impeachment, and may do so by a simple majority. If the GOP holds on, then Bush will blunder through his lame duck years in relative peace. Should it lose control of the congress, however, his impeachment is practically inevitable.
Reclaiming "safe" (gerrymandered) GOP seats is going to require big majorities, a 50-state strategy and a vision. But it is worth stating this clearly: The difference between George W. Bush in 2005 and Richard M. Nixon in 1973 is that Bush's party has control of all three branches of government, a situation that renders the media's old template for "we report, the government acts" obsolete. Had Nixon controlled the House in 1974, you would not today recognize the names "Woodward and Bernstein," and Watergate might well be a footnote for conspiracy buffs obsessed with the details of "a third-rate burglary."
If you want to keep this going, so that the MSM notices, then blog about it, search it, and link, link, link. But if you really want Bush impeached, find a Democratic candidate you can live with and then work to get him elected in your local congressional district next year.
On the other hand, if you really want to see Bush's visage carved into the living rock at Mount Rushmore... we suggest you seek professional help.
I don't know if I'd say impeachment was "practically inevitable", even if the Dems take back the house. There's a lot going on right now that, right or wrong, makes the Republicans look bad (God bless the good ship GOP as she steams headlong into iceberg after iceberg). I think this will translate into considerable political capital for the blue team come 2006, and perhaps into 2008 IF THEY SPEND IT WISELY. Immediately stringing up the sherrif could be the equivelent of blowing all your allowance on candy. Let's say the democrats hold the house by one seat. Now there would be no room for dissonance -- every Democrat would have to vote to give GW the smackdown. In any event, it would be a big effort, and I think there might be some more important issues on thier plate, especially if you consider that after impeachment by the house, the Senate would have to convict him by a two thirds majority in order to boot him out. Barring that, you now have an impeached, seated President with a year and a half or so left in his term, and you know, maybe he's a little pissy about getting impeached, and suddenly there's more vetos in Washington than a Brooklyn phone book (think about it). Whereas, a less vindictive democratic house, focused on positive tasks, could GAIN some momentum for the big race in 06.
(PS, Conover, if that big blow is comming ashore, you get your ass back up to NC. I'll be praying for you.)
Posted by: Burbank Brad | Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 21:41
Well, it was a very bold statement, and probably too bold, but here's the (alleged) logic behind it:
The current administration's success thus far has been leveraged in no small way by its ability to dismiss factual criticism as "liberal bias." When nothing "comes of it," the public concludes there was nothing there. This is why subpoena power is so vital.
Now, if Democrats win in '06 and start holding hearings and issuing subpoenas, what would they find? For instance, if you were able to question Colin Powell under oath, what might you learn about the way the administration handled the run-up to war in 2002? He's a man with political ambitions and he isn't likely to lie to protect the president if faced with career-damaging perjury charges.
The donkeys would have their choice of investigations and subjects for inquiry: missing $9 billion in Iraq infrastructure money; Halliburton no-bid contracts irregularities; mishandling of pre-war intelligence, blah blah blah.
I suspect they're about one defection and one document away from criminal charges in each of these areas, and that's without even considering the Plamegate story, or the bungling of the Katrina response.
Does that add up to impeachment? No. But if I'm right about this administration, its first instinct will be to lie and spin when confronted with a partisan investigation by the House. And that act -- the coverup -- is typically the clincher. Lying to congress is a no-no.
My personal feeling is that the Democrats have made a political mistake in trying to "deal" with the current GOP. I think they will be successful again when they 1. Stand for something; 2. Say so; 3. And then fight for it, even if it means losing some short-term battles.
But you're right: If the Democrats win but with only a skinny majority in '06, they'll be under a lot of pressure to compromise. There are good arguments for this, but I just happen to think they're wrong. Incrementalism isn't the answer to these problems.
My advice: Dems, if you get the House back, just start turning over rocks and issuing subpoenas. This is the most corrupt administration since Nixon, and to build enough public political consensus to be able to govern in a cohesive way, the Democrats must effectively repudiate its central myths.
If the GOP is allowed to slink out of this situation without being called to account for its abuses, there will be no reform.
Posted by: Daniel | Monday, September 12, 2005 at 00:50
I'm tempted to agree with Dan, at least to the strategy the Dems should adopt.
That said, I think the flaw in the reasoning is that it's only the Bushies who are ignoring and lying about reality. Their media cronies -- Fox News, Limbaugh, Novak, etc. -- play an essential part, and we can't vote them out of office.
Even if subpoenas unearth wrongdoing, the right wing machine will make it seem like a witch hunt over things that are no big deal. A certain number of people will believe it, and political pressure will run against impeachment, and maybe even against accountability.
The silver lining is that Katrina seems to have helped many broadcast journalists recover their backbone (hat tip to Anderson Cooper), so the media atmosphere may be right for an offensive.
But the Rovian reality distortion machine will remain powerful no matter who controls Congress.
Still, I think you're basically right. Our best bet is a frontal assault. We've tried the appeasement approach, and they keep on invading. The only option is to fight back.
Posted by: benbrazil | Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 00:59
------------------------------------------------------------------
http://impeachbushcoalition.blogspot.com
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/
Note: Impeach Bush was the #1 searched phrase on Technocrati.com
for three days straight.
FEMA "DISAPPEARING" BODIES IN NOLA?
Skeletons (Real Ones) in Bush's Closet
There are some very troubling developments regarding the collecting of
bodies in NOLA. The company hired to do the collection is Kenyon
International. Kenyon International is owned by SCI, a major Bush
contributor. SCI was involved in a scandal called "Funeralgate" wherein
thousands of
bodies were improperly and fraudulently disposed of in mass graves of in
violation of numerous State and Federal laws on numreous occasions. Rather
than prosecute the company, the then Governor George W Bush and and his
campaign manager and future FEMA director Joe Allbaugh at least seemingly helped the
company engage in a coverup. Both Bush and Allbaugh were named as defendants
in a lawsuit regarding the issue.
The fact FEMA and the Bush Administration seem to be intent on blocking
media coverage of the collection of bodies, and unsubstantiated rumours of "mishandling" of bodies in NOLA already circulating on the internet, a charge on National TV by Jefferson Parish President that FEMA cut their emergency communications, reports by very reputable Journalists such as Brian Williams that officials were pointing guns at members of the media in a blatant attempt to intimidate them, and numerous reports by Ham radio operators that emergency frequencies were being jammed from somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico should lead to great concern among the public. Is the Government planning to cover up the number of dead in NOLA as they covered up the Abu Ghraib scandal?
One thing is certain: reporters for the Dallas times caught Police and
National Guardsmen red handed in this video:
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/photography/2005/katrina_video/straydogs.html
telling the media they were rounding up dogs to be collected by the ASPCA
and other animal groups, when in fact they were caught "exterminating" them
on camera. If the government will lie about that, what else will they lie
about?
The American people deserve to know the truth. The collection of American
bodies should not be farmed out to a Bush political crony, one which he
seemingly helped cover up the "mishandling" of bodies...a felony. SCI's
criminal practice of "mishandling" bodies should preclude it from engaging
in or profiting from the recovery of American bodies anywhere, but
particularly in NOLA...the outcome of the investigation is too important to
leave to a company with such a tainted past, particulary one that is so
incestuously connected to George W Bush, and particularly when the Bush
administration has so much to lose from an accurate body count.
The US media must be allowed to report on a crucial element of one of the
gravest governmental crises in American history. Congress should demand that
Kenyon International be FIRED immediately from any and all recovery efforts
in NOLA, and send an independent oversight group to be present in NOLA and
the surrounding area during the body recovery to insure the American people
are not being duped. These are not hanging chads, these are American
citizens.The present leadership within FEMA and the Bush administrationhave
proven themselves unworthy of American trust.
Following is a list of links detailing some very disturbing allegations
involving GW Bush, Joe Allbaugh, and the company
entrusted by the American people to recover the dead abandoned by the Bush
administration after hurricane Katrina...are you listening America?
Please dont just read this info, do something about it!
Contact Congress and the National Media to launch a formal inquiry, help
disseminate this info on the blogs. Its time to bring back accountbility to
our government.
Permission to use this post for any reason is granted Universally without
charge or obligation.
http://www.apfn.net/messageboard/10-26-03/discussion.cgi.163.html
http://www.kenyoninternational.com/kenyoninternatio.html
http://maverick.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/8/1269/39920
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/09/08/bush_cohorts_profiteering_at_all_levels.php
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2005/09/what_is_it_agai.html
http://www.hereinreality.com/funeralgate.htm
http://www.americanpolitics.com/20020304Baker.html
http://www.apfn.net/messageboard/10-26-03/discussion.cgi.163.html
________________________________________________-____
UPDATE:
BLACKWATER MERCENARIES DEPLOYED IN NOLA
The same firm that provided "security and consulting" services at in Iraq
is now in NOLA. Among its employees, BLACKWATER has recruited war criminals
from Pinochets Chile.
Dangerous coyboys "deputized" to arrest or shoot American citizens in NOLA
All payed for by you and me:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/10/15555/1458
Homeland security says they're not there, but their website says otherwise:
http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2005/archive/090505btw.html
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/04/285253.shtml
http://www.ntimc.org/newswire.php?story_id=902&topic=iraq
__________________________
Impeachment Proceedings
The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday became the nation's first local
government to ask Congress to look into impeaching President Bush on charges
he deceived the American public about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and
has used the Sept. 11 attacks as an excuse to crush civil rights.
In a 6-1 vote, the council decided to send a letter to members of the House
Judiciary Committee asking the panel to investigate the president.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/12/0930/16688
Posted by: dark rider | Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 14:41
------------------------------------------------------------------
http://impeachbushcoalition.blogspot.com
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/
Note: Impeach Bush was the #1 searched phrase on Technocrati.com
for three days straight.
FEMA "DISAPPEARING" BODIES IN NOLA?
Skeletons (Real Ones) in Bush's Closet
There are some very troubling developments regarding the collecting of
bodies in NOLA. The company hired to do the collection is Kenyon
International. Kenyon International is owned by SCI, a major Bush
contributor. SCI was involved in a scandal called "Funeralgate" wherein
thousands of
bodies were improperly and fraudulently disposed of in mass graves of in
violation of numerous State and Federal laws on numreous occasions. Rather
than prosecute the company, the then Governor George W Bush and and his
campaign manager and future FEMA director Joe Allbaugh at least seemingly helped the
company engage in a coverup. Both Bush and Allbaugh were named as defendants
in a lawsuit regarding the issue.
The fact FEMA and the Bush Administration seem to be intent on blocking
media coverage of the collection of bodies, and unsubstantiated rumours of "mishandling" of bodies in NOLA already circulating on the internet, a charge on National TV by Jefferson Parish President that FEMA cut their emergency communications, reports by very reputable Journalists such as Brian Williams that officials were pointing guns at members of the media in a blatant attempt to intimidate them, and numerous reports by Ham radio operators that emergency frequencies were being jammed from somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico should lead to great concern among the public. Is the Government planning to cover up the number of dead in NOLA as they covered up the Abu Ghraib scandal?
One thing is certain: reporters for the Dallas times caught Police and
National Guardsmen red handed in this video:
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/photography/2005/katrina_video/straydogs.html
telling the media they were rounding up dogs to be collected by the ASPCA
and other animal groups, when in fact they were caught "exterminating" them
on camera. If the government will lie about that, what else will they lie
about?
The American people deserve to know the truth. The collection of American
bodies should not be farmed out to a Bush political crony, one which he
seemingly helped cover up the "mishandling" of bodies...a felony. SCI's
criminal practice of "mishandling" bodies should preclude it from engaging
in or profiting from the recovery of American bodies anywhere, but
particularly in NOLA...the outcome of the investigation is too important to
leave to a company with such a tainted past, particulary one that is so
incestuously connected to George W Bush, and particularly when the Bush
administration has so much to lose from an accurate body count.
The US media must be allowed to report on a crucial element of one of the
gravest governmental crises in American history. Congress should demand that
Kenyon International be FIRED immediately from any and all recovery efforts
in NOLA, and send an independent oversight group to be present in NOLA and
the surrounding area during the body recovery to insure the American people
are not being duped. These are not hanging chads, these are American
citizens.The present leadership within FEMA and the Bush administrationhave
proven themselves unworthy of American trust.
Following is a list of links detailing some very disturbing allegations
involving GW Bush, Joe Allbaugh, and the company
entrusted by the American people to recover the dead abandoned by the Bush
administration after hurricane Katrina...are you listening America?
Please dont just read this info, do something about it!
Contact Congress and the National Media to launch a formal inquiry, help
disseminate this info on the blogs. Its time to bring back accountbility to
our government.
Permission to use this post for any reason is granted Universally without
charge or obligation.
http://www.apfn.net/messageboard/10-26-03/discussion.cgi.163.html
http://www.kenyoninternational.com/kenyoninternatio.html
http://maverick.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/8/1269/39920
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/09/08/bush_cohorts_profiteering_at_all_levels.php
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2005/09/what_is_it_agai.html
http://www.hereinreality.com/funeralgate.htm
http://www.americanpolitics.com/20020304Baker.html
http://www.apfn.net/messageboard/10-26-03/discussion.cgi.163.html
________________________________________________-____
UPDATE:
BLACKWATER MERCENARIES DEPLOYED IN NOLA
The same firm that provided "security and consulting" services at in Iraq
is now in NOLA. Among its employees, BLACKWATER has recruited war criminals
from Pinochets Chile.
Dangerous coyboys "deputized" to arrest or shoot American citizens in NOLA
All payed for by you and me:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/10/15555/1458
Homeland security says they're not there, but their website says otherwise:
http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2005/archive/090505btw.html
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/04/285253.shtml
http://www.ntimc.org/newswire.php?story_id=902&topic=iraq
__________________________
Impeachment Proceedings
The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday became the nation's first local
government to ask Congress to look into impeaching President Bush on charges
he deceived the American public about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and
has used the Sept. 11 attacks as an excuse to crush civil rights.
In a 6-1 vote, the council decided to send a letter to members of the House
Judiciary Committee asking the panel to investigate the president.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/12/0930/16688
Posted by: dark rider | Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 14:49