Lots of fur flying this morning, and us West Coast bloggers, of course, are as ever behind the time-zone eight-ball. So consider this a first volley as we try to bring you the nuts and bolts and offer a lot of summarized raw data and links for you to read through it all yourselves, even as we do same.
The skinny is that the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democrats, led by ranking minority member John Conyers (D-MI) have now released their full 250-page report, said to be more than six months in the making, on the Administration’s use/abuse of pre-war intel, torture policies and much more. The BRAD BLOG first reported exclusively on all of this as ‘coming soon’ last week. Yesterday, we added quite a few details about what to expect in this report. Our friends at RAW STORY have several articles, including links to the Full Report and its Executive Summary.
— Report Executive Summary here
— Report in full here [PDF]
— Report by chapters here (Includes links to all exhibits, key documents, etc.)
Along with the report, Conyers has introduced three resolutions in the House which call for the Censure of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for failure to provide oversight materials to Congress and for “misstatements” in their lead-up to war. One of the resolutions also calls for the creation of a new “Select Committee” — with subpeona power — to discover whether there are grounds for Impeachment of both Bush and Cheney. This committee has been described to us by a Judiciary Committee staffer as “similar to the Ervin Committee on Presidential Campaign Acitivites that kicked off Watergate, to conduct further investigation of the matters described in the report.” The committee would then refer evidence constituting impeachable offenses to the House Judiciary Committee.
The report — entitled THE CONSTITUTION IN CRISIS: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Toture, Retribution, and Coverups in the Iraq War — is described by Conyers this way in a Press Release this morning (complete text of Press Release posted at end of this article):
…
“The Report rejects the frequent contention by the Bush Administration that there pre-war conduct has been reviewed and they have been exonerated. No entity has ever considered whether the Administration misled Americans about the decision to go to War, and the Senate Intelligence Committee has not yet conducted a review of pre-war intelligence information, while the Silberman-Robb report specifically cautioned, that intelligence manipulation “was not part of our inquiry.” There has also not been any independent inquiry concerning torture and other legal violations in Iraq; nor has there been an independent review of the pattern of cover-ups and political retribution by the Bush Administration against its critics, other than the very narrow and still ongoing inquiry of Special Counsel Fitzgerald.”
The three House Resolutions created along with the report, were filed in the House on Sunday. Links to the complete draft text of each Resolution, and the introductory paragraph for each follow:
— H.R. 635 [PDF], Resolution calling for creation of a “Select Committee”:
— H.R. 636 [PDF], Resolution calling for Censure of George W. Bush:
— H.R. 637 [PDF], Resolution calling for Censure of Richard B. Cheney:
As we reported yesterday, the AfterDowningStreet.org advocacy website has introduced a new look along with a new URL. In addition to their previous name, they are now also known as CensureBush.org.
Conyers has set up some actions items at his own website JohnConyers.com where he is asking Americans to sign his letter informing George W. Bush about his intentions to censure and call for a Select Committee. A similar letter, asking for answers in regards to the so-called “Downing Street Documents” was signed by more than half a million Americans and delivered to the White House by Conyers’ earlier this year.
As well, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) has created a letter writing campaign to allow you to ask your own Representatives to support the resolution calling for the creation of a “Select Committee”. You can send that letter to your reps here.
We’ll update this item as appropriate throughout the day with additional material and/or links as we move through things.
The complete text of John Conyers’ Press Release as issued this morning follows…
CONYERS RELEASES REPORT ON MISCONDUCT OF BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING IRAQ WAR
Calls for Censure of President Bush and Vice President Cheney
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding today’s release of a staff report entitled “The Constitution in Crisis: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retributions and Cover-ups in the Iraq War.” The Report is my best effort to examine all of the charges of misconduct by the Bush Administration concerning the Iraq War.
Conyers Report: http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/iraqrept.html
“In brief, we have found that there is substantial evidence the President, the Vice-President and other high ranking members of the Bush Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq; misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for such war; countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in Iraq; and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of their Administration. There is at least a prima facie case that these actions that federal laws have been violated – from false statements to Congress to retaliating against Administration critics.
In response to the Report, I have already taken several initial steps. First, I have introduced a resolution (H. Res. 635) creating a Select Committee with subpoena authority to investigate the misconduct of the Bush Administration with regard to the Iraq war and report on possible impeachable offenses. In addition, I have introduced Resolutions regarding both President Bush (H. Res. 636) and Vice-President Cheney (H. Res. 637) proposing that they be censured by Congress based on indisputable evidence of unaccounted for misstatements and abuse of power in the public record. There are a number of additional recommendations in the Report that I expect to be taking up in the coming weeks and months.
The Report rejects the frequent contention by the Bush Administration that there pre-war conduct has been reviewed and they have been exonerated. No entity has ever considered whether the Administration misled Americans about the decision to go to War, and the Senate Intelligence Committee has not yet conducted a review of pre-war intelligence information, while the Silberman-Robb report specifically cautioned, that intelligence manipulation “was not part of our inquiry.” There has also not been any independent inquiry concerning torture and other legal violations in Iraq; nor has there been an independent review of the pattern of cover-ups and political retribution by the Bush Administration against its critics, other than the very narrow and still ongoing inquiry of Special Counsel Fitzgerald.”
##JUD-109-12/20/05##
It’s about time someone got the ball rolling. Salutes to John Conyres for having the balls to launch proceedings. I don’t know how far it will get in the House but at least it’s out in the open now for all Americans to discuss.
Thanks again john!
Best news I’ve heard in the last 5 years! WTG Congressman Conyers!
Where can i pick up a copy of this?
Happy Holidays everyone! Are you having fun? Are you busy going to social gatherings, eating little inedible hotdogs in mystery sauce? Perhaps you are swilling holiday cheer and laughing a nonsensical holiday jokes. Good for you, you are not using a large portion of your brain! If you are an announced candidate for office you are avoiding making any controversial statements that you might be called upon to justify later. It is the time to kick off your shoes/boots, loosen your tie, or your bolo in Arizona and get ready for a long winter’s nap…..WRONG!
If you haven’t noticed, our country is in the throes of a Constitutional crisis! We have to do something. We have to stand for something.
I am sorry, but we have let these people steal our government. I am a Democrat. I’m NOT a gun toting dues paying member of the NRA but I wish I was NOW!! Yes I’m a “social liberal” but also a fiscal conservative. I am riled and you should be too. I don’t care if you are a Green, a Libertarian, or a Republican, if you are an American you should be on your hind legs speaking out against what is happening here, now.
Your rights are being stolen. Your future is being squandered. Your life is about to change in such a fashion that you have no idea how you will adjust to this new Amerika.
So, put down the drumstick, get on the phone, get on your computer, write your idiot Congressman and Senator’s. Tell them to read the Constitution and remind them that they took and oath to preserve that Constitution. No man is above the law! This includes Bush and Cheney. Cheney is laughing at us; he telling people that opposition to their plans is “dumb politics”, yes, it might be “dumb politics” but it is American and it is patriotism.
Way to go John Brakey! It is time americans awakened from the" fear" dream instilled by power mongers in the administration and realized that the basis for our democracy is crumbling right before our very eyes. Every day it’s some new debacle for this white house – some new evidence of yet another corruption of or abuse of power. When will it stop? It will stop when law-abiding americans remind their representatives that we’ve elected them to uphold our constitution and civil rights. And to remind them of the old adage that "NO Man is above the law"!. The chicanery of this administration and the twisting of truth has become legion and will surely be that ‘legacy’ which W is so concerned about – a very sad day in the history of this country. Let’s look into the Diebold voting machine scandal while we’re at it – Miami recently successfully hacked into their own machines which proves that results can be reversed in an election. How sad! Go to http://www.blackboxvoting.org for the technical details.
the GOP hates the Constitution #4
For the full report Link Here
The only thing that bugs is it stops short of the 9/11 coverup of WTC building #7 (located across the street from WTC 1 and 2) which mysteriously imploded like the twin towers some 9 hours later and the FBI coverup of the Pentagon. I am American brought up with the ideals of truth and justice. A 3 story passenger jumbo jet does not fit into an 18 foot hole no more than the justification of this event used to invade Iraq and nor provide a useful tool to enstill fear and anger into the American people collectively to take away our rights and the US wildlands. Put yer shades on and aim for the heart of the sun. Whatever it takes to put these lying murderers into jail.
I’m kind of lost. I know what censure means but does censure "’in this case" mean bush can’t make a move without first consulting with the Senate?
#9 cont. – Flight 77 showed no passengers of Arab descent on board.
I think that’s the biggest thing that sticks in my craw.. a 100+ ft plane just "vaproizes" at the Pentagon without burning grass? without burning structures/items at the entry point? VAPORIZES? Under what bastardized concept of physics can that even happen? let alone with all the ‘not in Kansas’ crap that had to go with it..
that one fact alone SHOULD be enough to make EVERYONE in this country go "hmm.. I think we need a viable explination of that".. yet, people are silent.. talk about a paralyzing fear.. sheesh..
And what happened to all the little bags of pretzels?
THANK YOU Brad, Conyers and all who have started this ball rolling! It’s been along time coming!
Wow, that’s a lot to read! One of the 500,000 letters to Bush they were carrying that day was mine.
Been waiting for someone to knock at my door ever since lol.
He’s left out a couple things, but damn they have covered a lot with this! Wonder if the MSN will cover it….
Thank you Mr. Conyers and others responsible. I think our country just got it’s Christmas present. Not a freaking Holiday present, but a CHRISTMAS present!! Wow.
Thank You John Conyers. America needs the Total House and Senate to be like you and support this effort. If this does not succeed, then we the people
have to go to Washington and demand our consti-
tution back, along with the consequences for high
crimes and misdemeanors. Wake UP AMERICA, it
is time to take a stand before this once great
country loses every right and equality that has
been gained in legitimate wars.
Thanks again John!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robert: I will say this one thing though, don’t be taking every action too seriously. The ones in charge look for any ruckus they can cause and exploit to get everybody to go crazy, blow eachother up or whatever diversion of the day.
Truly the ones in power are a small, laxidaisical minority which created the likes of Tom Delay. Lets remember these haphazard bastards know damn well what they are doing in breaking the law.
Its done to rile all the patriots up, they can’t contain all of us. Their power does not exist, it has crumbled and is an illusion. The best thing all citizens can do is remember that and focus on making sure Diebold and the others are convicted.
Period.
Doug E.
Comment #12 Good Question. All evidence was not to be studied like on a TV murder crime show. Nooooooo!!! Does anyone try to get away from TV…murder??? Good luck trying.
Most all 9/11 evidence was either destroyed or immediately confiscated and sent over seas (probably to be melded down into RE ELECT BUSH/CHENEY/2004 BUTTONS). You guys rule because you are smarter than all of us stupid amerikans. Just go ask one of the most convincing LYERS in US history, former NY mayor Rudolph Giuliani. He was the calm voice of reason in NY on that day. Why so cool and collective on 9/11? Pay no attention to the fact he got secret word up to vacate the multi-million dollar bomb resistant floor built for him at WTC building #7 before any of the fireworks started on that ugle day. But that’s not all. This bastard then gave the OK to 2nd degree murder by telling all people that the air around the WTC was fine to breath when it was still toxic. This was the reward to gutsy Americans returning back to work or assisting with the clean-up effort . I salute you with a big FUCK U and hope you get the terrorist "special" treatment when you go to jail. There are plenty of Americans who know you were involved with the BUSH organized attack in NYC on 9/11. I personally look forward to you going down in a US court of law based on the factual evidence of your actions. To be politically correct – Happy Holidays LYING MURDERER> To Mr. Conyers Jr: maybe you should consider including having someone do a real comprehensive investigation of what happend on 9/11 other than FEMA who wasn’t allowed at ground zero, didn’t go to the Pentagon site until the following month AND isn’t even an investigative agency. We know where the evidence is but we don’t care.
I don’t know why everyone is getting so excited about this. Saddam was a threat to the world and Bush was trying to spread democracy to the Middle East. Even knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction he would have invaded. He and his minions keep telling us that over and over. Why don’t we take him at his word? He would have gone into Iraq regardless. The WMD were simply the excuse he gave to the politicians in Washington to get them to let him go ahead.
Mn Usa #18
I always pause when some one says "I don’t know" and then proceeds on as if they do know.
I am aware of the lie which indicates that "Iraq was a threat to the US".
If you know history, you know that a tiny nation near Iraq, called Israel, destroyed Iraq’s nuclear capability in 1981 within an hour. Iraq never recovered from that.
If you know history you know that Iraq could not even invade Iran and was resisted for 8 years during the Iran/Iraq war.
Iraq was a threat to tiny Kuwait, but was pushed out of there and completely crushed in 90 days.
Iraq was no longer even an imminent threat to its neighbors, much less Europe, and much, much less the US. That is pure myth fabricated by brain dead folk who "do not have time" to research the facts.
Bush does not know what democracy is, so it follows that what he is spreading is anything but democracy. He is spreading DU (depleted uranium) to the mid east, along with depleted "honesty".
Yes, he would have invaded period, because the second largest oil deposits are under Iraqi soil.
You ask "Why don’t we take him at his word?" … after I stop laughing and rolling on the floor … I will respond.
Well I do take him at his word in the sense I know he is lying anytime his lips are moving and forming "his word".
You say "The WMD were simply the excuse he gave to the politicians in Washington to get them to let him go ahead." …
No, those bu$hit words were not "the excuse" they were "the lie".
How do I know? His lips were moving.
There are lots more people watching than just the American.
Make the world and yourself a favor and kick those criminals in the butt, as we did with his fellows, JM Aznar & Co.
The wolrd would be a safer and friendlier place without these rats.
For me, the writing was on the wall when the SP selected bush in 2000. I had been predicting for years that ‘w’ would be the finisher. Clinton got in, for some reason, but that was not part of the plan, perhaps. Could be the Neo’s needed a little more time to formulate the Plan (which included 911) and used him as a diversion, all the while wasting our time and resources investigating him for 8 years. Meanwhile behind the scenes the Neo’s were busy, busy, busy, no one took notice..too many Clinton scandels to follow. "A vast right wing conspiracy", I believe Ms. Clinton called it. Well, she was certainly on the mark, but I believe in on the Game. Why do people like Clinton, McClain, Kerry, etc, allow themselves to be used like that. What is the carrot, or rather what is being held over their heads. I have been reading some pretty ugly stuff lately and from what I gather, the Neo’s have something on pretty much everyone in Congress. With rove driving the car, until the engine gives out, no one in Congress dare cross the line. The leakers will leak and our brains will all explode when all the Truth is known. M4
For those that don’t understand my english…SP stands for Supreme Court…lol.
Yeh and the robots in Washington (Congress) who represent the Corporate Elite Oil Companies who run this country with an iron fist will try to figure out if they will be able to go ahead and DIG IN THE ARCTIC after all since the bastards now tagged this onto the Defense bill in a trick move. Why a trick move? Because DIGGING IN THE ARCTIC WAS ALREADY DEFEATED A MONTH AGO AND THESE GREEDY LYING FCKS WHO DO NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE US are using a tactic typical of the BUSHIT ADMINISTRATION. The only thing left to due is the fillibuster (something these Fascist Rightwinger tried to get rid of earlier this year) because the bill already passed the House. Call the Senators in your state and tell them to pay attention to the indigenous people who live in the ARCTIC and met with 189 nations (not the US) in Toranto Canada to discuss how it is MELTING. Ask them if they can define the word MELTING???
I think John Conyers should be drafted by the american people to be our next president! What a true Patriot.
Thanks Brad Ithink congreesman Conyers is really on the ball Ialready did my part by signing the list. I have been watching all the senitors to see how they vote on a bill and so on. What is th Ben Nelson voting along with the Republicans? Is anyone else noticing? him doing it.Vote them out. They took from the poor and gave to the rich so they could give the tax break to the rich . I like the Iword if they can really get it done.
Folks,
Please get active in defeating the stealth Nazi takeover of America via electronic vote-stealing machines. If we can stop this particular brand of treason, we can take back the House and maybe the Senate this coming fall. Dumbya, Chicanery, KindaSleezy, Rumsfailed, and Bolt-On will all be gone forthwith if we do.
Paper Ballots, Hand Counted
http://www.blackboxvoting.org
merifour – you are right but I believe that the fact that the bushes, clinton and kerry are all Skull and Bones, Bilderbergers shows that they belong to the same club and that includes hillary.
Please visit Sibyl Edmonds’ site http://www.JustACitizen.com/
She has asked that people mention her site whenever possible and the petition she has to ungag her so that she can tell the whole truth about 911 and its motives which in an interview on her site before she was gagged seems to point in the direction of gold price fixing. She states that Hastert took some major bribes and that there are several Congresspersons who broke the law and who will be going to jail if 911 is investigated for real and the bribe taking.
http://www.CannonFire.com has detailed information on the biggest GOP financial scandal in American history – that billions have been granted to non-existent contractors with parking lots at the addresses they gave and went directly into GOP fundraising coffers. Details of the Duke Cunningham, who just resigned from congress after being indicted, scandal which is huge.
">www.blackboxvoting.org
India, a huge country, had a successful election with a machine they perfected. It is accurate and tamper proof. If we had an honest commission for reforming our system, it would have been examined. Why are we so powerless?
Thank you Brad for keeping up the good fight and for Clint’s courage after Rep. Feeney’s involvement in the murder of a vote fraud investigator in 2004.
Something needs to be done to give real protection to whistleblowers like Sibyl Edmonds and Valerie Plame who is being threatened because her husband Joe Wilson told the truth about bush’s forged Niger documents on yellowcake uranium. When Ms. Plame-Wilson called the CIA recently for protection, they told her to call 911 about the very serious threats she was receiving after being outted by the bush regime.
What is Fitzgerald doing? I hope it is not true but some people thought he had been compromised probably by threats from the bush thugs when he only indicted Libby. He has the authority to step into the latest scandal of the illegal NSA spying on Americans but where is he?
Someone pointed out that there is a statute of limitations on these crimes and Fitz has been investigating for 2 years.
Exerpting my response to this post at Graphictruth.com:…The fact that such a report has
been released at all indicates to me that the Republicans on the House
Judiciary committee are either concerned in principle over these
issues, or concerned in principle about their chances of re-election.
Not that the two are incompatable, but for the last couple of decades,
it seems to me, real issues and genuine principles have had little if
anything to do with a Republican election on any level.This gives me hope for the Grand Old Party, long overdue for a housecleaning. Now,
the thing about gifts is that once a gift is given, it’s up to the
recipient to use it as they like. In my case, I refuse to consider the
immediate political implications or the impact of the News Cycle today.
Today, I choose to think and speak about larger things,
bigger issues and ideas and the larger, long term implications of what
today’s news may hint at.
Continue reading "Christmas Eve, 2005, Santa Came Early"
#27 Lena, I agree, this is a close group, allegiance to each other, ie: Skull and Bones, etc. Have read much about this. Quite interesting to see how many in our government are involved in the various groups and have don’t care one wit about this Nation or it’s people.
Re: #28 I tend to believe the outing of Plame as a payback to Wilson was a smokescreen. She was involved in investigating WMD’s. I think that is the real story. I think they needed to stop her and the whole thing was set up to do so. Wilson was used to get to his wife, imo. M4 (who also believes Wilson is biding time waiting for the Truth to come out)