Sunday at the Hollywood Theatre in NE Portland, Rep. Earl Blumenauer took questions and comments from citizens (constituents and otherwise, apparently). Most people speaking had some little pet agenda to lecture him about. But a large number (at least 30, out of maybe 60-100 people there) were part of the "Impeach" movement, easily identified by their uniform (red "Impeach" t-shirts). They held up signs, had a big "Impeach" bubble in front of the place, and generally overwhelmed the meeting. Numerous "impeachment" advocates hammered Blumenauer with anything from semi-rational rants to outright obscenity, usually to overwhelming applause and cheers. One man, who identified himself as a teacher from Jefferson High School, screamingly called Blumenauer a "fucking coward" for not pushing harder for ending the Iraq occupation immediately.

Of course, there were some random "9/11 Truth" nuts hanging around too - one was holding a "9/11 Truth" sign and also wearing the Red "impeach" uniform. But most people were pushing for impeachment.

Blumenauer had to listen to about two hours of this nonsense; give him credit for taking it stoically. I got there late and wanted to speak and tell him I think he's doing a great job and agree with him that impeachment of Bush/Cheney now is not the wise thing to do (not without 67 Senators in favor of it), even though those two certainly more than deserve to be removed from office early. Impeaching Bush now with zero hope of removing him only distracts Americans from important issues (Iraq isn't the ONLY thing happening) and gives the sinking Republican Party something to rally against.

I will say, though, that if these impeachment nuts want to win more converts, they are going about it in the worst possible way. Perhaps they have no idea how silly they look dressed up in their little t-shirts and sounding like...crazies. Certainly their demeanor will turn off a lot of people who see them in action - mainly other Democrats and independents, who were not well represented at this event that had little publicity. It's fine to favor impeachment, and you certainly have the right in this country to express that sentiment however you wish, but it's possible to HURT your cause if you go about it in the wrong way. These guys would be better off calming down and form a bowling league, since they already have the shirts...

Andrew

Bowling league! Love it, and that describes that whole mess perfectly.

It's a bummer too. I actually still think impeachment is a good idea, but it's more for principle than actually doing us any real good. Those making the case for impeachment really need to focus on the "doing us some real good" part, or they are just making a lot of noise.

Given the choice, I'll take actions that will do the good first, which is why I'm not running around in a goofy shirt!

I really don't think they have a case now. Too much time has passed. Besides, it would just tee things up for the remaining GOP to just say, it's the Presidents fault and look better than they really are this next cycle.

Better to keep the high ground, and get an election cycle with more change, IMHO. Wish these guys would get there...

Andrew-
Thanks for the update. My wife and I thought about attending but we probably would have walked out when the crazies started.

My daughter had a chance this past spring break to visit DC and meet Earl, as she calls him. Turns out she and those on the trip had an inside scoop. One of my daughters friends is Blumenaur's step-daughter.

It's too bad the townhall meeting turned into a zoo. Opportunities to actually asked a Senator a question in a public forum don't come around that often.

My heart would like to see impeachment if it had some real teeth behind it. But I tend to agree it's too late now and we have more pressing matters.

You guys have your crazies. Conservatives have our own. Fred Phelps comes to mind. Anyone who pickets a brave soldier's funeral is not only a nut case, but flat out uncivil and wrong.

Herb

But do your crazies have a decent bowling league Herb?

"Opportunities to actually asked a Senator a question in a public forum don't come around that often."

Yeah, and Representatives too!

I admire Earl. Once upon a time, I voted for him for city council, for mayor of Portland, and more recently, for the House. I am sure you saw his response in this forum to my letters on the new generation of nuclear weapons. He was the only politician who responded. He deserves far better from Portlanders. This sort of action is a transplanted idea, so we can guess what kind of people participated.

I rode my bicycle from work behind two folks who had the "Impeach" jerseys. I also rode past folks with "Team Nike" jerseys. The contrast between the two is only slight. If it were a silent demonstration, I would applaud them, but since I probably saw the foulmouth on the way home, forget it.

I have friends with art cars. They are outspoken, free thinking, generous and wonderful human beings. Some have made real change with their imagination and hard work. Mention this is a war about oil -- in the context of their passion for expression -- and they get pretty defensive.

We all live utterly contradictory lives. It does not matter which side you are on. I think the time for ranting and screaming at politicians has long passed. It is time to calmly and quietly push for a new era in America with rational discourse. More bowling would not hurt either.

Write Earl a letter. He'd love to hear from you if you think he was a brave fellow today. I think -- based on Andrew's account -- I will.

http://blumenauer.house.gov/about/Contact.shtml