WEST VIRGINIA, IS IT TIME FOR IMPEACHMENT?

I spent an hour on the evening of July 4th standing at the corner of Greenbrier and Washington Streets. It was just as folks were gathering for celebration and fireworks at the new ball park. Even at 7 pm it was still uncomfortably warm. But my friends and I were there with a purpose. We were there in support of a banner proclaiming “Honk 2 IMPEACH”. As you can see there were clear directions for passing motorists. The amazing thing was that quite a few precisely followed those directions, some very enthusiastically and for a prolonged duration. One driver, parked opposite us waiting for the light to change, lay on the horn so long we began to worry it was stuck. There was no need for concern. He just wanted to make his support for our position evident to all. Many others waved encouragingly or gave us the thumbs up.

Now, I will grant you that ours was not a scientific poll. Also, it is hard to do statistics in ones head standing on a street corner so I won’t claim precision, but it was my estimate (supported by my colleagues) that well over half of the passersby were obviously supportive of our message. That includes a couple on a motorcycle who circled around to get another look at the banner before shouting “Hell, Yes” from across the street.

Not surprisingly, many drove by silently. A few passed by being verbally negative, obscenities kept within reason.

I certainly didn’t expect everyone to agree with our thoughts about the essential solution to much of what currently ails America. I understand the sentiment expressed as “don’t rock the boat”. What took me completely by surprise was the enthusiastic and voluminous support we did receive. The last I heard West Virginia was declared a red state. Since West Virginians did vote for Bush, do support the Second Amendment, and are religious and patriotic, we’re supposed to be willing to passively accept whatever illegal or incompetent program this administration decides to undertake. What I think I learned last night is that it just ain’t so.

My sense is we’re no longer fooled. We get it. With every wave, honk, and “you go man” I felt a renewal of our tenacious spirit. Mountaineers are always free.

You folks out there who think that this administration needs to be held accountable, you are not alone. If you suspect Mr. Bush has more concern for corporate oil profits than for our service men and women (except during photo ops), you are not alone. If you think that the foxes have been put in charge of our community henhouse, you are not alone. If you wonder sometimes whether the mafia has taken over, you are not alone.

The mainstream media doesn’t want to tell you that. It is a big fat secret. People who think they are in charge don’t want to encourage others to get together to share any uppity revolutionary thoughts (remember Thomas Jefferson said we need one every twenty years). But I just want to tell you the word from the street corner; you are not alone. Do not be discouraged. Do not give up. Act on the brave impulses of your better angels. You are not alone.

Hedda L. Haning - Member of Seneca2