Takoma Park speaks its mind
And maintains its vigil on rights and freedom

by Tamra Tomlinson
PhotoS by Julie Wiatt

In a long-anticipated, uncommonly well-attended session on July 23, the Takoma Park City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution calling on members of Congress to “cause to be instituted…proper proceedings for the investigation of the activities of George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney, to the end that they may be impeached and removed from…office.” The city known for its fertile environment for activism is now one of a group of more than 80 cities across the country that have taken similar action.

Supporters of the impeachment resolution celebrated
after the city councilmember present passed it unanimously.

The vote has been featured on national news commentary shows such as “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and “Tucker” and remains a source of robust discussion on blogs.

Kathy Porter gives Tucker Carlson a lesson in civics on a MSNBC broadcast

What now? What does it really mean?

After her appearance on “MSNBC’s “Tucker,” shortly after the resolution was passed, Porter said that she's still puzzled by the pessimism and surprise that show host Tucker Carlson and other critics of the resolution express regarding the resolution.

"It's one of those basic, democratic ideals," Porter said of organizers' decision to approach the city council with the idea. "...going to the local government and asking their local government to speak on their behalf."
Porter, as well as the resolution's sponsor, Reuben Snipper (Ward 5) credited the efforts of community activists with real heavy lifting involved in getting the resolution in front of the council. "Lisa and Michelle did all the work on this," Snipper said, referring to local activists Lisa Moscatiello and Michelle Bailey.

Renowned musician Lisa Moscatiello was an organizing force behind the local movement to impeach Bush and Cheney.

"I have to say they did an excellent job...passing out information, educating people and getting them to sign petitions. They really did a lot of work in a very short time," Porter said. "The resolution wasn't creating the sentiment, it was building on it."

Rep. Chris Van Hollen of the U. S. Congress said that his office has received calls and emails "on an ongoing basis", encouraging him to support congressional efforts to initiate investigations of both the president and vice president, as well as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

"I welcome the input from the Takoma Park council. There's an important role for local government to play in expressing their views," Van Hollen said. "Just as a constituent can express their views, it's perfectly appropriate for a municipal body to do so." He was somewhat tentative, however, about the prospects that municipal governments' actions have for provoking Congress to undertake such a rare and momentous process. "It's very hard to gauge what impact it will have. I think it's too early to tell what impact resolutions passed by local governments around the country will have."

Ward 4 councilmember Terry Seamens seconded the motion, and encouraged the county to follow suit.	Ward 5 councilmember Reuben Snipper presented the impeachment resolution to the city council, calling it “symbolic but important.”

The congressman also expressed concern about what taking up the issue of impeachment might mean for other important policies that Congress is at work on. He described a "very full plate" currently in front the members, including lobbying reform, children's health care, and a bill to "dramatically change energy policy to address the problems of global warming."

"The concern is that impeachment proceedings would dominate the agenda and prevent us making progress on other key issues," Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen did say that he will soon be meeting with some of the organizers of the local impeachment movement. "I recognize the intensity of feeling and certainly understand the underlying motivations," Van Hollen said. "I welcome the opportunity to sit down with some of the groups."

State Senator Jamie Raskin was far more enthusiastic about the significance of the council's passage of the resolution, calling the impeachment process "the final check on tyrannical usurpations by the president."

Jay Levy supported the resolution because of the “threat to the Constitution” posed by the administration.	Anita Burkam thanked the council for their consideration of impeachment, saying, “It’s more than Congress has done so far.”	Philip Wheaton said the silence of Congress erodes democracy.

He also praised the organizers who brought the growing sentiment for impeachment to the attention of both the council and the State Senate. "The grass roots organizers did the right thing - they mobilized the people," he said. "The organizers really did their homework and improved the dialog about impeachment."

However, he also acknowledged that the number of issues jostling for attention in Congress might be an obstacle to action. "Congress has competing agendas and they're very sensitive to what's happening on a particular day," Raskin said.

District 5 county council member Valerie Ervin (at right with Thomas Nephew)
has announced she would present an impeachment resolution to the
Montgomery County Council. Photo: Seth Grimes

Even at the state level, he said, when the General Assembly returns to session in January, other, more practical matters will likely be the primary focus of attention. "The politics of the budget are overshadowing everything else right now. No other legislation will move until that's taken care of," Raskin said.

Whatever happens, Raskin said, "History will record that Takoma Park was not silent."

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