EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A CLOUD

For a long time, I’ve felt like all is darkness and there is not a chance that anyone in Congress understands the Constitution. Then today came a bolt from the blue. Seven Republican Congressmen were quoted as to their understanding of the ramifications of unconstitutional action by a president.

Take a look at this site, http://www.opednews.com/articles/3/Seven-Republican-Members-o-by-Cheryl-Biren-Wrigh-080711-38.html. Here are some excerpts from six of them:

Hon. Lamar Smith (TX) Phone 202-225-4236 . Fax: 202-225-8628 We should not underestimate the gravity of the case against the president. When he put his hand on the Bible and recited his oath of office, he swore to faithfully uphold the laws of the United States - not some laws, all laws

Hon. James Sensenbrenner (WI) Phone (202) 225-5101 . Fax (202) 255-3190…being a poor example isn't grounds for impeachment; undermining the rule of law is.
When Americans come to Washington, they see the words "equal justice under law" carved in the facade of the Supreme Court building. Those words mean that the weak and the poor have an equal right to justice, as do the rich and the powerful.

Hon. Elton Gallegly (CA) Phone (202) 225-5811 . Fax (202) 225-1100 This has been a very trying time. In a democracy, there are few more serious acts than to consider the possible impeachment of a president. I can tell you in true conscience it has caused me many sleepless nights.
I wanted to hear the evidence that would prove the charges were false. I believed that was the only fair way to proceed, and it was also my solemn constitutional duty and immense responsibility. I waited, I read, and I listened.
Mr. Chairman, I'm not a lawyer -- one of the few on this committee -- however, everyone that knows me knows I believe in the rule of law -- believe the rule of law is fundamental to our society. A society without laws is anarchy. Societies that ignore the laws are condemned to violence and chaos.

Hon. Bob Goodlatte (VA) Phone (202) 225-5431 . Fax (202) 225-9681 Mr. Chairman, this is a somber occasion. I am here because it is my constitutional duty, as it is the constitutional duty of every member of this committee, to follow the truth wherever it may lead. Our Founding Fathers established this nation on a fundamental yet at the time untested idea that a nation should be governed not by the whims of any man but by the rule of law. Implicit in that idea is the principle that no one is above the law, including the chief executive

Hon. Steve Chabot (OH) Phone (202) 225-2216 . (202) 225-3012 Thank you. Mr. Chairman, every member of our committee recognizes that this is likely the most important vote we will ever cast, and all of us would prefer that the president's actions had not led us down this fateful path. However, we have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and we must fully accept that responsibility.

Hon. Chris Cannon (UT) Phone (202) 225-7751 . Fax (202) 225-5629 We are at a defining moment in our history. What we do here will set the standard for what is acceptable for this and future presidents.
I believe profoundly that the behavior of this president is unacceptable because I agree with John Jay, one of our Founding Fathers, who said, "When oaths cease to be sacred, our dearest and most valuable rights become insecure."

These statements are excerpts from transcripts of the House Judiciary Committee's impeachment hearings. December 10-11, 1998. Each congressman is a current member of the House Judiciary Committee – so they were talking about Bill Clinton.

Do I think it means that we will see the impeachment of dick and W? Hell no, what it means to me is that these Republicans are even more cynical than I thought.

These folks won’t say the same thing about their fearless leader. Never mind that his actions have cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of people including nearly 5,000 American soldiers in a war that should never have been fought.

So it’s even worse than I thought. I thought they were too ignorant to understand what was going on. Turns out they are just so cynical that they don’t care what’s going on as long as it is going on in the name of their party.

These folks don’t even deserve a spit in the eye. Nothing short of vomit could send the right message, but maybe we should all call them and tell them what we think of their perfidy.

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry


Be the change you wish to see in the world. -- M. K. Gandhi

The reason for going was to keep the crude flowing and raise a false flag abroad. – from a poem by Jack Evans titled 3500 Souls - http://www.myspace.com/paralegal_eagle

Individually we have little voice. Collectively we cannot be ignored.
But in silence we surrender our power. Yours in Peace -- BR