HYPOCRISY

Wednesday night I went to listen to Nancy “Impeachment is off the table” Pelosi at Temple Judea.  She was promoting her book “Know Your Power: A message to America’s Daughters.”  So, what overarching message did I take away from this event?  She’s a hypocrite. 

During the introduction, it was made clear that Madam Speaker would have no real interaction with the audience. There would be no live questions from anyone, including the media.  It was made clear that anyone who spoke out of turn would be escorted out.  A small group of us (proudly wearing our Impeach Bush & Cheney t-shirts) was approached by one of the several police officers present and told that not only were signs prohibited but that any interruption of the event would result in being tossed out.  That being said, we decided that our action would be to stand quietly in the back of the hall after everyone was seated so that Ms. Pelosi would at least be able to see that some of us think impeachment should be placed back on the table.

The ground rules laid out to us would not ordinarily have upset me, except that Speaker Pelosi’s first talking point was the importance of everyone, especially women, recognizing not only their power to speak out but actually using it.  I stood there shocked, thinking that she’s saying how important it is for women to speak out, and here this woman had just been told that I had to shut-up in order to stay in the room.  I can’t voice my fears, dreams, nada.  What is wrong with this picture? 

She went on to speak of her awakening to the power that she held as Speaker of the House and to speak of some of the legislation that the House passed in the past two years (equal pay, SCHIP, etc., none of which got past the Senate or a Presidential veto threat).  She also spoke about finally having a seat at the table and discovering what that meant.  She also spoke of the strength it took to raise five children and realizing that women could lead the way on what’s good for the country.  Two questions ran through my mind as she said those words:  Is the rule of law not good for the country?  If she had the courage to raise five kids, why doesn’t she have the courage to lead the House in standing up to George Bush and the Republicans?

Speaker Pelosi’s mantra was “Know Thy Power” as a woman, a mother, a citizen.  I couldn’t help but wonder, what about the power of the Constitution?  Having power is one thing.  It takes courage to use it.  My final question to Madam Speaker is, do you dare?