Why is there no Congressional investigation into the Downing Street Minutes?

[garybeck]

When the Dems took control, we all knew a lot of investigations would begin, and several have. But I have not heard of any that are focusing on the run-up to war, whether or not the American people and/or Congress were lied to by the administration, whether it was bad intelligence or blatant lies, and in particular no investigation seems to focus on the Downing Street Minutes and the fact that the war plans were being sealed while they were telling us they were trying to avoid it.

I would have thought this would be one of the investigations we'd get with a Democratic Congress. I know Conyers was all over DSM before and I think Waxman too.

So I asked David Swanson if I was missing something and he said there might be something going on in the Senate Intell Committee with Rockefeller, but nothing he knows of is going on in the House.

Am I alone in thinking there's something missing here? Shouldn't there be an investigation into "fixing the facts around the war," manipulating intelligence, misleading the public, etc....?

Isn't that the kind of investigation that could lead to impeachment? I know part of the debate about impeachment is that folks are saying "it begins with an investigation." Well if that's the case, I think we need an investigation that at least has its compass pointing in the right direction, don't we?

It seems to me, that while many are pressing congressional representatives for impeaching Bush, we should all at the same time be pressing for an investigation into the lies and the runup to war. An investigation like this is certainly warranted, and would be targeted right at the bullseye.

In response to my question David Swanson (leader of AfterDowningStreet.org) said we should "give Rep Silvestre Reyes hell"

[Dr.Phool]

1. Let's start getting on the phones now!

[napi21]

2. Do you realize that the Dems have onl been in office for 2 months?

There are SO MANY things that need investigated, and as far as I can tell, many committees have already begunseveral investigations. We're not talking about walking and chewing gum here, we're talking about 100 or more issues, and it really is impossible to investigate EVERYTHING at once!

[garybeck]

3. if you're saying it's "in the works" then great! I can wait. But I'm surprised it

hasn't come up yet, and I'd think it would be one of the first investigations they open up. Hopefully it will be in the headlines tomorrow.... or the next day.... or some day soon.

[Dr Fate]

6. You would think they could at least utter a sentence or two about it.

I've never even heard a top, household name Democrat even mention the 3 words since we won the election (and hardly ever before we won, for that matter)- if they did, I never heard it.

[napi21]

7. Well, there are at least two hearing scheduled on 911 & going to war in Iraq.

I would think the Downing Street memos will be part of that, don't you?

[Dr.Phool]

4. I keep telling myself that.

And realize it's not even 2 months yet.

After the nightmare of the last 6 years, the need for instant gratification can be a little overwhelming.

[Dr Fate]

5. How many seconds does it take to at least mention the 3 words?

Downing. Street. memo.- I just timed it and it took about 2 seconds-3 at a max.

I dont believe that they are going to look into it- they cant even seem whisper the words or even say that it is something they are planning to tackle- plus "impeachment is off the table"- and anyone knows that a full DSM investigation would only go in that direction.

[napi21]

8. Ihear ya, but I don't know if it's realistic for any Dem to make a list

right now. First, it would be VERY LONG! So long, I don't even know where to start! Unless youwant to include the Fl. debacleand the SCOTUS decision, we can start with 911, and continue with Downing Street Memos, broken promises of NEVER usingmilitary action except as a last resort, the Patriot act that takes all out rights away, false orange & red alerts, and on and on!

I really think we have to be patient and listen to the hearings as they take place. A lot of the issues we have are connected!

[Dr Fate]

9. I hope you are right-personally, I dont think they will ever adress it.

I was on top of the DSM from the very begining- it is a fact that most elected members of Democratic party cant even take 3 seconds to utter the 3 words. It's almost like it is a curse word to them or something.

I would be happy enough if they would at least mention the words when they go on TV shows & stuff- just to get folks aware and talking about it- if they were serious about it, they would have already been putting out trial balloons long ago.