Freyne Land

Just watched former CIA "Medal of Freedom" winning boss George Tenet do the whole "Meet the Press" hour.

Pathetic.

If you missed it, check the transcript. Can anyone think of Georgie-Porgie's next job?

Talk show host?

Did want to take note that impeachment talk is still being talked. These two active Vermont women (State Sen. Jeanette White on the right, Liza Earle on the left), were snapped outside the Brattleboro restaurant where Democratic Congressman Peter Welch held his 60th Birthday Party and $75-a-head campaign fundraiser!

God, I remember when 60 sounded "ancient."

A few hours before the "Happy Birthday" festivities,   Mr. Welch met for almost an hour at the Hartland Town Hall with four leaders of that effort: Newfane Selectman Dan DeWalt, South Burlington Attorney James Leas, U.S. Army veteran, former-Sgt. Adrienne Kinne of Sharon and Richmond nanny/baker extraordinaire Liza Earle.

Welch, along with Vermont's U.S. Sens. Patrick J. Leahy (D) and Bernie Sanders (I), opposes making impeachment of President George "WMD" Bush and V.P. Dick "America" Cheney the focus. They say they have plenty of congressional investigations under way now that the Democrats have the majority, and impeachment would only sidetrack those efforts.

The Birthday Boy came "with an open mind," said Ms. Earle. "He said he disagrees with us on impeachment, but his job is to hear voters out."

She said Welchie agreed to do a town meeting at the Hartland Town Hall on the impeachment issues. It's tentatively scheduled for next Saturday. Stay tuned for more details.

According to Earle, Rep. Welch told the quartet "that his priority is ending the war. Everyday, he told us, he asks himself what will hasten that end, and he's made a judgment call that impeachment is not part of that answer."

Jim Leas told us Welch agreed with about 80 percent of what they wanted and they were "thrilled."

"We knew we wouldn't convince him [on impeachment]," said Leas, "but the door is open for discussion."

A number of folks showed up outside Welchie's fundraiser at the Riverview Cafe in Brattleboro to remind him that a whole lot of Vermonters think impeachment is the way to go. A raft with about six people and an "IMPEACH CHENEY" sign also paddled by the Welch event on the Connecticut River.

Energetic bunch of Vermonters, eh?

Attempts to get Welch's side of the meeting from Press Secretary Andrew Savage and Staffer Jon Copans [who attended], have unfortunately been unsuccessful.

Stay tuned.

***Update***

Welch Campaign Manager Carolyn Dwyer called after we posted this to tell us “about 75” supporters attended the Brattleboro fundraiser. She also was complimentary of the impeachment protesters.

“They did it with passion and humor,” said Ms. Dwyer, “and made their opinions clear, but in a respectful, light-hearted way.”

They even sang "Happy Birthday" to the congressman!