The first item of business was a meeting with Representative Peter Welch from my home state of Vermont. He was kind enough to reserve a spot for a press conference on the grounds of the House of Representatives. For that I thank him.

He voiced his regard for my 40 day effort to meet with Speaker Pelosi but it was clear nothing I id or said would move him to reconsider his position, the position voiced by his party – the Democratic Party – that impeachment is off the table. He is a loyal first term foot soldier. The defense of his position remained the same as when I first discussed it with him back in September and October. Impeachment hearings would be a distraction, unpopular, doomed to failure regardless of what they found. The numbers just aren’t there, he insists. He offered a party line substitute for hearings which involves claiming to accomplish the agenda of the Democratic Party. I could not tell where the Democratic Party line ended and Welch’s position began. It was a tremendous disappointment.

More than that, his doggedness belied a mystery. It is still unclear why if the Democrats acknowledge the abuses, the lies, the crimes of this administration, they do not seek a way – any way – of exposing the truth. Before they can add a new room to the house, they need to get in the basement and shine the bright light of truth upon the rot in the foundation. Yet, they believe, I think, that because the “votes aren’t there, and besides, the Senate would never convict him,” it is better not to stand up against the most corrupt, abusive and criminal administration in the history of our republic. It would look bad. It is impractical. It wouldn’t pass. Nonsense. Until the bright light of the truth shines on the behavior of this administration the public will remain ill informed and fall for the propaganda and fear that spews out of the White House daily.

Unless there are impeachment hearings that can demand executive compliance in the pursuit of the truth, we will just not get at the bottom of the many charges against this administration.

Sadly, I must conclude that the reason Congress’s approval ratings remain lower than the President’s is because of the cowardice and misguidedness of the party leadership.

Instead of seeking to be practical, conventional, defending business as usual and shying away from a necessary confrontation, I urge more Democrats to act as Robert Wexler has done and pursue the impractical but morally right thing to do. Unfortunately for Vermont, Peter Welch just isn’t up to the task – even when his constituents support impeachment hearings by a margin of two to one – even while the mainstream media refuses to discuss the issue. They know better and have seen the obvious which Congress resists with all its might.

Clearly it is time for Democrats and Republicans alike who cherish our Constitution to get impractical in order to restore it to its rightful place as the supreme law of the land. Otherwise we will kiss it goodbye by the end of this year.

Frank, Me, Rep. Welch and Marilyn

Disappointing but amicable. He listened.

***

Next stop was a press conference for Real Media, Roll Call and some Indy Media. It was a cool, sunny day. David Swanson of www.afterdowningstreet.org introduced me with stirring words about the impeachment efforts and the promise of Wexler’s move last night on the House floor calling for hearings. One never knows what will happen with all these efforts. Sometimes a little push starts a landslide.

I spoke with the Capitol Building behind me and felt like a tiny stepping stone in a complex historical saga. I only hope it brings people to a place where truth can be sought; where it can be exposed to the light of day, and where real leadership can emerge to move it forward into our lives. My small effort to convey one citizen’s frustration to the powers that be reached a lot of people. I estimate I passed over 500,000 cars, the articles reached even more and the Internet more still. I decided to act, took my sign on the rod and made my way to Washington. In the short time I have been active, I have met with three Congressmen, staff of the Judiciary Committee and a staff member of the Sub-Committee on the Constitution as well as with activists from Internet blogs, Code Pink, Tacoma Park Impeachment, Northeast Impeachment, New Jersey Impeachment, many anti-war groups, and people curious about what I did and why. The news conference was a milestone spreading the word to a new audience.

  At the Press Conference 

I was also on Vera Brown’s Pacifica radio show appearing with Congressman Dennis Kucinich and author John Nichols. I must tell you, my conscience is feeling a lot better, a whole lot better, than it did before I departed Boston. But it has also awakened something else in me – the need to become much more vigilant about the condition of our larger society and attentive to my role as a citizen.

After the news conference today, a few of us headed inside the Cannon Office building to Nancy Pelosi’s District Office, she represents California’s 8th Congressional District which comprises most of San Francisco. It was a small, spare, cramped, ugly green space with virtually no decorations, no photos that usually fill office walls, and few senior staff – all too busy for a spontaneous visit. Speaker Pelosi was, of course, in her other office in the Capitol Building and Congress was in session. Missed her again, but getting closer.

This has the makings of quite a sage: In Search of the Speaker, soon to be major motion picture! I wonder if Harrison Ford could play me.

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