Downing Street MemoGate: Smoking Guns for Impeachment?

What are the Downing Street Memos? What's in the memos and are they authentic? Why are the Downing Street Memos important? What have George Bush and Tony Blair said about the memos? Will Congress investigate these disclosures about pre-Iraq War planning?

Briefly....On May 1, 2005, a highly confidential memo of minutes of a July 23,2002 meeting was leaked to the Times of London. The memo recorded a meeting between British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Richard Dearlove, head of the British intelligence service; and other British intelligence and military chiefs. On June 12, 2005, additional, related British memos were leaked, and surprising revelations are stlll being revealed.

The Downing Street Memos state that intelligence and facts were "fixed" to provide a basis for Bush to wage war on Iraq. The memos also say that Bush decided to go to war with Iraq before 2003, and before securing Congressional approval. Under the US Constitution, only Congress can declare war.

As the world now knows, there were no WMDs in Iraq, and Saddam Hussein was not an imminent threat to the US or Great Britain. Thus, the reasons presented to Congress and UN for war were untrue.

Neither George Bush nor Tony Blair, nor any of their representatives, have denied the authenticity of the minutes and memos known as the Downing Street Memos.

Rep John Conyers, Jr (D-MI) and 93 other House Democatic members sent a letter to President Bush asking him five questions about the Downing Street Memo disclosures. Despite the fact the 500,000 Americans also cyber-signed the letter, White House press secretary Scott McClellan say that there is "no need" to respond to the letter.

Some believe that President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld could be impeached over these disclosures. (Bestill my hopeful heart....) Hearings and a protest will both be held this Thursday, June 16.

I simplify the Downing Street Memos for your quick and easy reading, so you can be part of the conversation. Then come join me in the US Liberals Forum message boards, where we can't stop yakking about it.