I left this site a few hours ago and return to find not discussions about Burma, nothing about the torture and terrorism revelations today, but essay after essay discussing Daily Kos.
So what and who cares?
How is discussing another blog’s meta significant to the events and mission of this site?
If the mission gets sidetracked by constantly rubber necking in other blogs’ business, then it doesn’t really serve as the mission.
How is it that discussing an oil company advert. receives hundreds of comments and the investment of time, while several well-researched and presented essays are virtually ignored here?
We all of us have limited resources, and it is becoming evident where the interests are on this blog. Those interests are not trending toward broad, deep and well-referenced discussions of politics, policy and issues.
And yes, I’m cranky about this, because it’s important.
Is this a site for pie fights and meta and trivia and overriding silliness?
Is it a site from which to rubber neck other blogs?
Or is it a site that really encourages “blogging the future” and mandates “being excellent to each other”?
To that end, if you are at all interested, I wrote about Charlie Savage’s discussion of his new book which just possibly has some application to today’s revelations about Bush and Cheney’s program of torture and terrorism.
If you’re not, please let me know that as well, so that I don’t waste my very limited resources where they aren’t valued.
I just came from hearing Charlie Savage speak about his new book,Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy at the Boston Old South Meeting House. The ghosts are restless in that place, and there is a palpable sea change in the air.
Charlie spoke to his pursuit of the history and mystery of the presidential signing statements, the recalcitrance of the current crop of presidential candidates to speak to what they believe about inherent and concentrated executive power, and what they intend to do about it and with it if elected to office.
During the question and answer portion, questioners were often asking about the seeming disconnect between the will of we the people to impeach and Congress’ obvious reluctance to do so.
Charlie’s response was that it was interesting for him on his nationwide book tour to routinely get these questions and animated discussion about the imperative to impeach, while within the Beltway, there is no impeachment discussion at all – by anyone.
His view is also that once executive power has been claimed, it rarely is reduced via remediation by Congress. There is even a huge question about who holds the legitimate authority to question presidential signing statements in the courts, and individual members of Congress do not have that authority, according to his research findings. – Maybe Glenn would write to this.
The bottom line is that we the people, having been publicly informed, are now aiders and abettors of torture and terrorism as a state sponsored and sanctioned program as long as we do nothing.
As citizens, we have a clear mandate:
To collectively call for impeachment of the president and the vice president and any elected or appointed official who has broken the oath to uphold and to defend the Constitution
To call for a Constitutional convention and restore government function to that under the Constitution
OR
Nothing – and to be collectively responsible for living as citizens in a terrorist state.
The shadows of the Sons of Liberty cast darkly over the audience tonight. Imperial presidency or inherent power of the king: the oppression of the people is evident, and the people are fomenting a rebellion.
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Perhaps the next step is to begin to convene town hall meetings in libraries and schools and build momentum in small groups. Leafletting might also be effective.
If most people are unaware and get their “new” from Fox, leafletting and town hall type meetings will be more effective at getting the news to the grassroots.
… I think that “we the people” should ask for REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. It’s not up to us to impeach, that’s the job of Congress, as conviction is the job of the Senate.
So although it’s a small notion, I think it could be an important one – that we demand the removal from office of this criminal crew. And let the Congress and Senate have the burden on them as to how. I’d be happy with them being arrested as criminals. But again, it’s their job, not ours.
Don’t know enough about a Constitutional Convention, but do know it can be a double edged sword.
I’m interested in anything you write. I’ll never forget Smoke and Lapis Lazuli. It reminded me of the UK Channel4 I/P wars earlier too, but they went on for weeks and all but killed the forum.
For my part I’m not an American. I can only encourage and backpat. Be assured that I make a hell of a noise with various elected persons here in the UK on their dealings with this administration though.
If I had a vote over there I would vote for a candidate that was prepared to sign up to the ICC and was prepared to pass legislation to deliver certain individuals, retrospectively if necessary, to the Hague.
Please don’t stop writing here. It is a true pleasure to read your pieces.