Chris Owens for Congress: A Candidate for Peace and the People! "Impeach Bush, Create Jobs, Reform Intelligence"...He's Our Kind of Candidate! an original Vox Pop interview, by Sander Hicks Q: I noticed you are the only candidate in the race for this District who whole-heartedly calls for the impeachment of President Bush. What is the basis for the call? Yes, I am the only candidate in the 11th Congressional district to call aggressively for the impeachment of President Bush.  I could put forth numerous arguments in favor of impeachment.   There is one situation, however, that clearly provides more legal "meat." We have now learned of the Bush Administration's flagrant, arrogant and admitted disregard for laws passed in the aftermath of Watergate -- laws designed to prevent abuses of executive power while providing flexibility and support for domestic law enforcement activities.   We must remain vigilant in opposing those who would eviscerate our Constitution, deliberately or naively, in the name of "freedom." Accordingly, only by pursuing the truth in the most aggressive manner possible will we ensure that checks and balances on tyranny actually work.  This President has always had the option of coming to Congress to address perceived deficiencies in our nation's ability to address the threat of terrorism.  He chose not to.  We do not know if that choice was based upon incompetence or indifference.  It is time to send a clear message that Presidential administrations cannot use fear to ignore or manipulate the true meaning of our Constitution and laws promulgated to protect it. The danger of not speaking out on this issue has been demonstrated more graphically by the revelation that data pertaining to our telephone calls are being collected by the NSA for counter-terrorism purposes.   It must be noted that had there not been a previous controversy, we might never have known about this newest issue. 2. How can Congress stimulate job creation in Flatbush? There are a few ways Congress can stimulate job creation in Flatbush.  To begin, racism in employment must be confronted directly and sincerely, and the federal government has an obligation and a role in this struggle.   A recent Princeton study has illustrated how race adversely impacts the hiring of Black men, whether or not they have been incarcerated.  50% or more of the African American men here in New York City seeking employment cannot find a job, and the rate for women is not much lower.   Most importantly, there need to be concrete commitments from the federal government to create jobs for all Brooklyn residents.  The community has a right to demand real short-term and longer-term employment, not empty promises.  The health, tourism and energy sectors can provide enhanced employment opportunities for all of Brooklyn.   We know that health care institutions constitute one of the largest groupings of employers in the borough.  We know that more and more people are coming to Brooklyn to experience what we have to offer – and jobs are emerging from that curiosity.   We must plan and grow our ability to participate in the energy sector – new technologies and manufacturing potential exists. 3. What's your take on gentrification? How can neighborhoods develop without displacing long term residents ? Strategies must be pursued to help advance equitable development in our communities through harnessing the benefits of neighborhood change, while minimizing the downsides of that change.   The upside of gentrification is that it can be a boost to the local economy; it may lower crime rates, attract employment opportunities and help the regeneration of depressed neighborhoods.   Yet rent increases and a reduction low-cost rental housing often displace low-income and working class residents.   Cutbacks of affordable housing must be stopped and new legislation developed.  The federal government has always been the most powerful force for affordable housing.   Republican administrations have been cutting back on the programs and funding that have enabled urban areas, in particular, to provide affordable housing for Americans, especially when gentrification is taking place. Opportunities to support community land trusts and partnerships between the public, private and non-profit sectors must be developed and refined to provide taxpayers with value and Americans with affordable housing.  It is clear that market forces, when left unchecked, cannot meet the needs of urban Americans, many of whom have fewer resources and greater needs.  4. Recently in NYC, FBI veteran Lin DeVecchio was indicted for working with the Mob. What's your position on intelligence reform? All of our national intelligence services appear to be in crisis.  Bureaucratic turf wars between the FBI and CIA were major factors in our failure to connect the dots before 9/11.  FBI agents were found to be working as double agents.  It is also troubling that FBI agents have been accused of involvement in organized crime.   The CIA has been demoralized by the politization of intelligence, in order to equate Saddam Hussein with the 9/11 attacks to support the administration's case for the Iraq war. Real intelligence reforms begin with recognition of the crisis.  The first problem is that this administration has politicized intelligence.   Accurate information is needed to analyze a problem and develop solutions.  Therefore, intelligence officers must be insulated from policy makers.   The second major problem is the number of agencies doing intelligence work.  Each one jealously guards its turf because knowledge is power in Washington DC.   In my opinion, gathering intelligence collected, and coordinating it, should be the job of the head of the NSA. The De Vecchio situation is a law enforcement problem.  FBI investigations often involve the use of informants.   These tend to be shady people, involved in dishonest behavior.  The more information an informant provides, the more valuable she is to the agency and the more likely, to be protected by the agency.  Sometimes though, agents cross the line, and become involved with what is still familiar to them – criminal activity.  Strengthening and expanding whistle blower protections would help to keep this problem in check. 5. 500 people gathered in Chicago last weekend for the 9/11 conference. What are your views of the 9/11 Commission Report? Have you read anything of value from the 9/11 Truth Movement ? Many people were not happy with the 9/11 Commission Report.  The Commission decided not to examine the administration's role in intelligence and operation failures on 9/11.  In addition, Bush and Cheney testified together and were not under oath.  I have read differing opinions on the 9/11 Truth Movement.  While I believe there are still outstanding questions, some of the 9/11 Truth Movement's ideas are compelling to me.   The 9/11 attacks have made Bush's "war on terror" a worldwide phrase.  The Republican Administration now has a legitimate war to fight, and a real reason and place in which to sink this country's financial resources.   I concur that going war was a tremendous opportunity for those who profit from destruction, death and misery.    Join the Vox Pop community in supporting Owens, by making a donation, or volunteering, at www.voteowens.com.

Chris Owens Outside Vox Pop: Reading the Bill of Rights at a MoveOn.org-inspired vigil for the Constitution.     Chris Owens Returns to Vox Pop: Answering Questions, and Building the Campaign!                       photos: Sam Koprak We all need to pass the basket for progressives like Chris Owens. Join the Vox Pop community in supporting Owens, by making a donation at www.voteowens.com.