The first article of impeachment against Donald John Trump reports the fact that Trump suspended the release of Congressionally appropriated funds with the corrupt motive of pressuring Ukraine to do him a political favor.
The Government Accountability Office says suspending Congressional appropriations is a crime:
In the summer of 2019, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) withheld from obligation funds appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) for security assistance to Ukraine. In order to withhold the funds, OMB issued a series of nine apportionment schedules with footnotes that made all unobligated balances unavailable for obligation.
Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA [Government Accountability Office, Decision in the Matter of the Office and Management and Budget—Withholding of Ukraine Security Assistance, File B-331564, 2020.01.16].
When Congress says, “spend money,” the President must spend, for clear Constitutional and legal reasons:
The Constitution specifically vests Congress with the power of the purse, providing that “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 7. The Constitution also vests all legislative powers in Congress and sets forth the procedures of bicameralism and presentment, through which the President may accept or veto a bill passed by both Houses of Congress, and Congress may subsequently override a presidential veto. Id., art. I, § 7, cl. 2, 3. The President is not vested with the power to ignore or amend any such duly enacted law.See Clinton v. City of New York, 524 U.S. 417, 438 (1998) (the Constitution does not authorize the President “to enact, to amend, or to repeal statutes”). Instead, he must “faithfully execute” the law as Congress enacts it. U.S. Const., art. II, § 3.
An appropriations act is a law like any other; therefore, unless Congress has enacted a law providing otherwise, the President must take care to ensure that appropriations are prudently obligated during their period of availability. SeeB-329092, Dec. 12, 2017 (the ICA operates on the premise that the President is required to obligate funds appropriated by Congress, unless otherwise authorized to withhold). In fact, Congress was concerned about the failure to prudently obligate according to its Congressional prerogatives when it enacted and later amended the ICA. See generally, H.R. Rep. No. 100-313, at 66–67 (1987); see also S. Rep. No. 93-688, at 75 (1974) (explaining that the objective was to assure that “the practice of reserving funds does not become a vehicle for furthering Administration policies and priorities at the expense of those decided by Congress”) [GAO, 2020.01.16].
The law allows the President to hold back Congressionally appropriated funds, but only for clearly limited reasons, and only if the President tells Congress what he’s withholding and why:
The Constitution grants the President no unilateral authority to withhold funds from obligation. See B-135564, July 26, 1973. Instead, Congress has vested the President with strictly circumscribed authority to impound, or withhold, budget authority only in limited circumstances as expressly provided in the ICA. See 2 U.S.C. §§ 681–688. The ICA separates impoundments into two exclusive categories—deferrals and rescissions. The President may temporarily withhold funds from obligation—but not beyond the end of the fiscal year in which the President transmits the special message—by proposing a “deferral.”4 2 U.S.C. § 684. The President may also seek the permanent cancellation of funds for fiscal policy or other reasons, including the termination of programs for which Congresshas provided budget authority, by proposing a “rescission.”5 2 U.S.C. § 683.
In either case, the ICA requires that the President transmit a special message to Congress that includes the amount of budget authority proposed for deferral or rescission and the reason for the proposal. 2 U.S.C. §§ 683–684. These special messages must provide detailed and specific reasoning to justify the withholding, as set out in the ICA. See 2 U.S.C. §§ 683–684; B-237297.4, Feb. 20, 1990 (vague or general assertions are insufficient to justify the withholding of budget authority). The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch.
There is no assertion or other indication here that OMB intended to propose a rescission. Not only did OMB not submit a special message with such a proposal, the footnotes in the apportionment schedules, by their very terms, established dates for the release of amounts withheld. The only other authority, then, for withholding amounts would have been a deferral.
The ICA authorizes the deferral of budget authority in a limited range of circumstances: to provide for contingencies; to achieve savings made possible by or through changes in requirements or greater efficiency of operations; or as specifically provided by law. 2 U.S.C. § 684(b). No officer or employee of the United States may defer budget authority for any other purpose. Id.
Here, OMB did not identify—in either the apportionment schedules themselves or in its response to us—any contingencies as recognized by the ICA, savings or efficiencies that would result from a withholding, or any law specifically authorizing the withholding. Instead, the footnote in the apportionment schedules described the withholding as necessary “to determine the best use of such funds.” See OMB Response, at 2; Attachment. In its response to us, OMB described the withholding as necessary to ensure that the funds were not spent “in a manner that could conflict with the President’s foreign policy.” OMB Response, at 9.
The ICA does not permit deferrals for policy reasons. See B-237297.3, Mar. 6, 1990; B-224882, Apr. 1, 1987. OMB’s justification for the withholding falls squarely within the scope of an impermissible policy deferral. Thus, the deferral of USAI funds was improper under the ICA [GAO, 2020.01.16].
Donald Trump intercepted $214 million ordered by Congress to be spent to aid an ally and turned it into leverage for his reëlection campaign. That’s like if I took money budgeted to my department at work to a poker game and used that extra cash to leverage my bluffs and get more opponents to fold. That’s a crime—in my case, against my employer; in Trump’s case, against the Constitution. That’s grounds for termination, or in Trump’s case, impeachment.
Don’t expect the SD delegation to say anything. They are too busy ignoring the daily breaking news on the impeachment front. What corruption? They don’t see a thing. Apparently, trump COULD shoot someone and get away with, it as far as these clowns are concerned!
I wrote all three of our representatives (TWICE) mailed to DC expressing my concerns with Pres. Trump and all the witness testimony presented and the facts presented; and that MORE could be learned if the White House would release documents and witnesses, which they are not doing. I asked them HOW they could ignore all the witness information (foreign ambassadors)(they all put their lives and families exposed and on the line)! All THREE of our Reps. wrote back to me and said they do not consider what Trump did impeachable. Dusty J. just said we agree to disagree. I told them what they are doing is protecting the republican president at all costs. My faith in them, has disintegrated down to nothing. I told them to do the right thing by the constitution. Constitution before party.
MJK, got the same “agree/disagree” from Dusty. Makes you sick, these 3 See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Say No Evil monkeys. Their excuses are baseless. Thune must be afraid of losing his position over McConnell’s left shoulder at photo ops because he certainly never says anything. That #2 position is good for absolutely NADA, only a title, evidently. Nobody cares what Rounds thinks and Dusty looks/acts like Opie Taylor at a grown ups table, completely out of place. Oh well, SD never learns.
The GAO said Obama broke Federal law seven times. But it’s only bad if Trump does it. https://bongino.com/flashback-seven-times-the-gao-said-the-obama-administration-broke-federal-law/
Wow, Steve. Yeah, those things listed in the crank article at your link are exactly the same both in substance and in scale to the monumental daily graft, witness tampering, election interference, fraud, etc., of Trump. (Also, the author is a totally reliable and even-handed guy employed by the Von Mises Institute, the American Thinker, the National Review, et al. What, no byline from the Daily Stürmer as well?)
It’s really sobering to discover how many of the mean, cliquey cheaters from Junior High never actually grew up, and are now just as mean, dishonest, and cliquey as they ever were, and there’s no teacher or principal to make them play by the rules like decent people. Just people like Steve to make phony excuses and wave the pom-poms for them.
Someone will have to do the research to see if this is true or taken out of context. Hard to believe a right-wing rag that quotes Brietbart.
Obama’s administration was clean and has been proven not to be corrupt. Steve, you can’t say the same thing about Trump.
What’s really sad is a minister defending Trump-a person who has and still does break pretty almost all of the 10 commandments.
I received a similar reply from dusty. I replied: ” No, I do not agree to disagree. You sir are wrong and refuse to consider the evidence. You are a disgrace to the oath you swore.”
I saw nothing from extreme right wing nutter Bognino that implicated Obama in any of these alleged violations of the law.
None of the violations would have been impeachable offenses even if true.
@SteveHickey … What you say is true however it’s a false equivalency to compare. Feel free to impeach President Obama while we continue with the already finalized for all time, impeachment trial of Don Trump.
ps … You get your information from a radio guy named “BONGINO”?
Here’s what my newest hero did. It’s a clear demonstration of courage, as opposed to the GOP Senate.
________________________
“Teacher of the Year” who skipped last year’s White House awards ceremony to support marginalized communities, kneeled during the national anthem at a college football game with President Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
Kelly Holstine, 46, Minnesota’s 2018 Teacher of the Year and the director of educational equity at OutFront Minnesota, an LGBT+ civil rights group, attended the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday in New Orleans. Before the Louisiana State University-Clemson University game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the first couple took the field amid chants of “USA, USA” and “Four more years!”
The former English teacher from Shakopee, Minn., who was the first openly-gay teacher to receive the award, lined up for the national anthem with her colleagues, only 15 feet from the president and the first lady. As singer Lauren Daigle performed, Holstine took a knee.
“We were told that putting our hand over our hearts during the national anthem was optional, but that wasn’t enough for me,” Holstine tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “Kneeling is a way to show respect for the military and our country, while also supporting oppressed and marginalized humans.”
is.gd/2BtuH4
Hickey! Where have you been? By the way, you have way less credibility than even grudznick, you lying, evasive piece of grease.
Regarding Hickey, I don’t spend much effort thinking about the twisted knots Republicans get into when trying to justify the Great Orange Crook by pointing to irrelevant incidents in the Obama Administration. Serial whataboutism is all they can use in defense of Trump. They can’t argue the facts. Their favorite mantra until a couple days ago was “Trump broke no law.” Ha. GAO put that one to rest. As soon as one of their “defenses” crumbles, they’re off to a new one. Just wait a week, and that one will crumble, too.
So, no, it doesn’t surprise me that Trump broke the law, because he’s been a serial scofflaw all his life. He never really had anyone that held him accountable all his life This is what happens when you give the government over to criminals. Look at any of these autocratic regimes, and you’ll find similar behavior. But the cult followers don’t want to see or hear the truth.
Hickey is trying to loop different parts of the Obama presidency into breaking the law. For that, he is correct. The GAO however, did not specifically say that President Obama broke the law, like what they are saying regarding Traitor trump.
Bob, don’t be so kind to Hickey. Save that for when he trots out his misogyny, racism and homophobia. He’s a real sweetheart. ❤❤❤
Don is right, as usual. It can’t be “Trump broke no law!” anymore so it’s back to the default.
“Trump’s the REAL victim, here!”
That one get’s ’em where their heart would be.
Even Steve Hickey appears ready to concede that the offense Trump committed is impeachable. How about this, Steve: Let’s impeach the criminal in the White House right now as we should, and then will get a time machine and will go back in and peach every other similarly lawbreaking President? I’m willing if you are.
Cop pull Steve over on the highway.
Cop: My radar says you were doing 90 in a 60.
Steve: Did you see the guys coming through here yesterday who were doing 90?
Cop: writes ticket.
In the spirit of the idea that
Trump defenders are asserting that per Alan Dershowitz the Constitution does not authorize impeachment of a President for”abuse of power.”
At least this defense seems more honest than other defenses. If a Trumpist can agree with the fact that Trump “abused his power” but admit they don’t have a problem with such actions at least they might be telling the truth for a change.
In the posted transcript of a lengthy interview with right winger Mark Levin it appears to me that Dershowitz’s “abuse of power” analysis is being misrepresented by Levin’s fellow right wing Trump apologists. As I read Dershowitz’s comments to Levin, Dershowitz seems to be saying that it is simply too easy for the political majority to accuse a President of the opposite political party of an “abuse of power” and if the President and his minority supporters won’t admit such an abuse as a matter of fact, such an accusation is not a constitutional basis to impeach. I could not find a clear statement in Dershowitz’s interview that impeachment would not be constitutionally appropriate and permitted where the President admitted that he or she abused presidential power or the fact an abuse of power was uncontested.
https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/alan-dershowitz-says-it-would-be-unconstitutional-for-president-trump-to-be-impeached-by-current-inquiry
Regardless, Republican goal posts are currently on well greased and easily movable wheels.
I try to be generous, Debbo. Even to lying, evasive propmoters of weird death cults.
Chubby is breaking the bank as well as having broken the law. A good read from a smart economist guy, you know, the ones trumpers hate.
“t is becoming conventional wisdom that US President Donald Trump will be tough to beat in November, because, whatever reservations about him voters may have, he has been good for the American economy. Nothing could be further from the truth.”https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/grim-truth-about-trump-economy-by-joseph-e-stiglitz-2020-01
Strib has a good article about Minnesota farmers and Ag A$$hole in the WH. Many are remaining loyal, often due to stubbornness, but some are changing.
The same is s true in Wisconsin, where his margin was paper thin. It won’t take many to be enough to turn Wisconsin blue, presidentially speaking.
Oh, and last year 48 farms in Wisconsin went bankrupt, 31 in Minnesota. That’s more than one vote lost per farm.
is.gd/H7IjsH
Trump supporters – just like the reverend Steve here – CANNOT defend Trump without mentioning Clinton, Obama, or Democrats. They are all in on the Russian propaganda technique of what-aboutism.
The seven violations of law attributed to President Obama are all minor infractions of bureaucratic procedure. It is doubtful that he even had occasion to know about them. And none of them are personal violations of law by the president to extort a foreign government into getting involved in his political campaign. One must consider why a person would choose to be a disciple of a person so completely possessed by dishonesty, malice, and depravity as Trump is.
Each Senator’s legacy is on the table, now. Their short term credibility seems easy for them to sacrifice to their ImPotus. However, their “forever” reputation is theirs to create as they choose. There will come a time when lying is once again a pariah. Grandchildren will be cloaked in the actions taken by their famous family members. History, as it always does, will be the final judge.
It appears I need to correct one statement from my last comment (2020-01-18 at 18:42) regarding Alan Dershowitz’s “abuse of power” arguments. I opined that Dershowitz’s interview with Mark Levin seemed to indicate Dershowitz only objected to “abuse of power” as a constitutional grounds for impeachment if and when the “abuse of power” allegation is partison and denied by the President and contested by the President’s political party. Dershowitz’s recent public statements, however, openly and clearly support the “so what” argument, i.e., an actual “abuse of power” never can be the reason to impeach an admittedly abusive President.
For example, in response to a question from Fox’s Chris Wallace this morning, the video shows Dershowitz clearly and unequivocally stating that even if all “abuse of power” allegations against Trump are, in fact, true, that is not a sufficient constitutional basis to impeach. Thus, it appears that even if Trump openly admitted both an intent to “abuse power” and an actual “abuse of power” this would be okay with Dershowitz and Republican Trump apologists.
The implications of this extreme position are a bit un-nerving, but if the Senate accepts such a proposition we will see a fundamental change in our children’s protected liberty interests from government overreach. After all “abuse of power” could easily encompass a President deciding which of the Constitution’s Bill Rights ought to be enforced or ignored, including gun rights, freedom of speech, due process, cruel and unusual Punishment, among other safeguards. Since the Constitution explicitly tasks the President to protect, perserve and defend the Constitution” it would most certainly be an “abuse of power” to take action contrary to the Bill of Rights, yet under the Dershowitz analysis this cannot be grounds to remove a President.
And don’t forget, even if you trust the Courts to declare what is a violation of the Constitution and to order a remedy, it is the President who is tasked with implementing the Court’s ruling. Anybody remember Andrew Jackson and resulting “Trail of Tears?”
https://sustainatlanta.com/2015/04/02/remembering-the-time-andrew-jackson-decided-to-ignore-the-supreme-court-in-the-name-of-georgias-right-to-cherokee-land/
While somehow Republicans may have convinced themselves that Dershowitz’s position should be the law in the United States, they owe it to their descendents not forget that we may not always have a president as honest and compassionate as Donald J. Trump (🤮).
Dershowitz is grasping at straws. This is the most solid impeachment case ever brought. Impotus bribed Zelensky attempting to cheat in another election. He’ll do it again and he’ll be impeached again. Over and over until the rule of law prevails.
I can assure everyone that, as soon as a Democrat is elected President again, Dershowitz and all Republicans will be back to considering wearing a tan suit an impeachable offense.
Meanwhile, Dershowitz and Starr have both been irremediably tarnished by their personal association – and professional defense of – Jeffrey Epstein. Dershowitz helped negotiate the sweet plea deal for Epstein, which included keeping the deal secret from the victims, even while being accused by at least one of those victims of participating in Epstein’s party games with trafficked girls. (He has since admitted to getting a massage at Epstein’s, but said he kept his underwear on.) And Starr… well, read up on his behavior at Baylor.
The Repubs whining to “take it to the courts” over Trump’s obstruction are simply adapting the same tactic Trump uses in his private businesses. “If you have a problem with me not paying you – sue me.” In this case – they are packing the courts with “judges” with a favorable view of presidential power. This view of the presidency as having virtual monarchical authority has also been the belief if Trump’s AG Barr as well.
It seems to have bee a goal of the “conservative” Republican party as a while to maximize the power tilt toward the presidency for a century or more – interrupted only briefly by curtailments of presidential power the response to Nixon.
What the heck!! Goofy auto correct maneuvering words and letters about.
It seems to have been a goal of the “conservative” Republican party to maximize the power tilt toward the presidency for a century or more – interrupted only briefly by curtailments of presidential power as a response to Nixon.
I wish I could agree with Porter’s comment at 11:57, but I think he’s being too optimistic.
The arc of history may be long and it definitely bends, but there’s no guarantee that it bends toward justice. Some of these folk may be seen as heroes if the populist ascendancy continues to hold sway. The winners write the history.
Bob, we missed you this morning at the Breakfast Death Cult.
Well said Schreiver and Bat. Andrew Jackson is trump
‘s hero. https://www.salon.com/2019/10/02/donald-trumps-favorite-president-andrew-jackson-as-father-of-the-white-republic/
A lawyer’s legal ethical responsibilities include providing criminal representation to people accused of engaging in the worst of conduct. While there may be many reasons to criticize a lawyer, the fact that that lawyer represents a bad person is not a valid reason. Any lawyer that refuses to represent someone merely because the lawyer or public thinks that person is a sleazeball violates his or her oath.
Thus, I think it is an unfortunate mistake to demean Alan Dershowitz for representing Jeffery Epstein, Donald Trump or anyone else charged with potential criminal actions. Rather, such a lawyer ought to be appreciated and even commended for being willing to provide such representation. That lawyer helps our legal system satisfy each of our 6th Amendment rights to legal counsel and the right to due process. And providing representation to such an individual can be the toughest job a lawyer can face.
It makes perfect sense, however, to criticize a lawyer’s arguments and legal position when appropriate. Here, Dershowitz’s assertion that abuse of power is neither a crime nor an impeachable offense overlooks more than one federal criminal statute. In addition to the violating the statute in the GAO report, 18 U.S.C. § 242 provides in relevant part:
The people of the Ukraine are “persons,” the funds appropriated by Congress to the Ukraine were “protected by . . . laws of the United States,” and Trump certainly claims he was acting “under color of law.” Indeed, it is hard even to imagine a President’s “abuse of power” that wouldn’t constitute a crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.
Kal Lis wonders “if the populist ascendancy continues to hold sway”. Populism? Hmmmm ….
It’s still growing, isn’t it. This feeling among white males over age 50 that we “elitists” are responsible for their life situation. Their jobs got sent overseas because their jobs were polluting our air and water and the owners wouldn’t fix the problem. That populists are wrong in who they blame means little. They see power and they love it. They see “ImPotus” as their way back to self dignity.
~Here’s what we do. Let them sink, suffer, and sob. Forget you, populists. See what America is like when no political group helps you. About twenty years of living without Democrats trying to make their lives better should be enough to change their minds. If not, we’ll ignore your problems for another twenty. You’ll come begging like you did so many times before.
It seems like every time I read another explanation from Dershowitz I have to revise my understanding of his legal position on impeachment. Now it is reported that Dershowitz told George Stephanopoulos
https://www.yahoo.com/gma/dems-push-witnesses-senate-trial-alan-dershowitz-slams-135531035–abc-news-topstories.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=1_02
This seems a much more nuanced argument than a claim that Trump did not commit a crime or did not do anything wrong. It is likely based on a legal doctrine called “ejusdem generis,” which:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/ejusdem_generis
Thus, Dershowitz’s argument appears to be that “abuse of power” crimes such as violating the impoundment law, obstruction of justice, etc., are not similar enough to “treason” or “bribery” to qualify as grounds for impeachment under the Constitution’s express language due to application of the legal rule that laws must be interpreted according to the “ejusdem generis” principle.
This is not exactly the type of argument that will be understood by the lay person, but does make some sense to lawyers and judges. And “ejusdum generis” is not an absolute rule, it is only an aid in interpreting statutory language, and can be overcome if there are other indicia of the meaning of “other high crimes and misdemeanors” in the Constitution.
I don’t know whether such arcane legal details are of any interest, but at least they help one understand that Dershowitz, as a lawyer representing a scumbag client, is acting ethically in making this argument. And the argument does not seem frivolous in light of centuries of jurisprudence.
Mr. Dershowitz … bribery is bribery. Withholding aid money until Zelensky digs up dirt on ImPotus’ political opponent is bribery and a mentioned high crime.
I don’t know that populism is the problem, as much as the ascendency of the politics of resentment by people who are not self-actualized. Because they are such helpless, pitiful people, they cling to a strongman, or a pretend strongman, like an infant monkey clinging to its mother. Thus, the cult-like clinging to the every phrase of the pretend strongman, no matter how his utterance may contradict common sense or reality. There seem to be a lot of cowards among the Trump cult, to go along with the lack of judgement. The gun-toting and false-macho spew is just a symptom of what is wrong.
I have some empathy for most of them, because I do recognize that the “smart guys” took a big dump on those folks all their lives. They did figure that out, but they didn’t have the smarts to put it together right. There is a reason for the resentment. They can’t seem to figure out that the men running Don the Con are the same ones who took the dump on them.
Dershowitz also said that Bribery had to be THE article of impeachment, not included within the article of impeachment, as the House did. That seems rather arcane. It’s still bribery, whether you mention it under abuse of power.
I think Dershowitz is running an “if it doesn’t fit, you must aquit,” defense, except with words, rather than actual gloves. The gloves, in Trump’s case, can’t be denied, so it comes down to lawyers fighting about where whether the charge was drawn up with “bribery” in the right place.
I’m sure it will satisfy the dumb crowd, but arguing about that seems to actually hurt Trump in the long run.
What to make of Dershwitz claiming he is not a paid attorney and ill only be there for one hour to present his interpretation of abuse of power?
Miss lindsey is warning Dems if they call witnesses, he and wingnuts will call both Bidens and probably HRC to derail the and defame the alleged dignity of the Senate.
I don’t get wingnuts at all. They piss and moan because Dems didn’t have any House witnesses with first hand knowledge of drumpf’s criminal activities, then they go way out of their to ensure Dems can’t talk to those witnesses with first hand knowledge.
What, besides the truth, could wingnuts and drumpf be running from?
Of course it’s populisim, Don Pay. Populism is exactly what you described.
A survey out today (from the 20th annual Edelman Trust Barometer), shows a stark class divide — a growing gap in institutional trust between wealthier, more educated people vs. the rest of the population.
For the first time, a record number of developed countries — including Australia, France, Germany and the UK — are experiencing double-digit divides in trust between the informed class and the mass population.
populist ~
NOUN
a person, especially a politician, who strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
“he ran as a populist on an anticorruption platform” ·
ADJECTIVE
relating to or characteristic of a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
“They can’t seem to figure out that the men running Don the Con are the same ones who took the dump on them.” Donald Pay
“The conflict is not Left v. Right. It’s Top v. Bottom.” Jim Hightower
Both are excellent descriptions of the current milieu.
Meanwhile wannabe tough guys are parading around Richmond, VA, in their army man costumes and guns because Chief Ammosexual told them the Democrats are gonna take their penile enhancements. I think Army recruiters ought to put up a table and see how many baby rambos sign up.
John Dean think the initial brief laying out Crazy Crook’s defense is so weak and parts so poorly written that CC probably dictated that himself.
is.gd/yIer7d
BTW, Debbo, speaking of trying to “nullify the votes of the 2016 election”, it’s hard to come up with a better example than a bunch of people armed to the teeth with weapons of war marching through Richmond because the Virginia legislature elected in 2016 is trying to pass:
-Background checks.
-Limit on # of handgun purchases per month.
-Communities can ban guns from specific events/venues.
-Police can take guns from those deemed a risk to others.
All of which, ironically, the majority (90%) of Americans want.
By the way, the risk Liar-in-Chief poses to the USA is increasing.
“The nation’s top intelligence officials are pushing Congress to cancel their usual annual testimony to Congress on the nation’s top national security threats because they don’t want to publicly contradict Donald Trump’s false intelligence claims.”
is.gd/7kyajx
https://www.truthorfiction.com/alan-dershowitz-nixon-blacks-and-liberals/
I had never heard of this before. Not a real surprise.
Has anyone ever whined more than drumpf?
Porter, I think there are right and wrong forms of populism. Populism that throws off resentment and hate for working together for reform is a good thing. Rather than wallowing in misery, hoping for a “return” to a mythic past or an idyllic future and hoping a demagogue can save you, populism that is forward looking, has empathy for the problems we all face and seeks power to make change, not to be subsumed by a particular leader, is good. No one who is comfortable and content with how things are will be much good at making change. Neither will people who travel down the road of hate or division.
I can understand the resentment and the lack of trust in institutions. It was the smart guys who got us into the Vietnam War and the financial crisis. The smart guys thunk up nuclear power, then didn’t thunk up that the wastes had to be disposed somewhere. The smart guys thought you could turn sewage ash to gold. The smart guys have proved time and again they ain’t all that smart.
I value merit, but I don’t think the smart guys are necessarily right all the time. And when they aren’t right, they find a way that they can escape the consequences of their being wrong, and dump it on the not so smart guys. When that happens over and over, you lose trust in the institutions that seem to allow that to happen.
The odd thing is the dumb crowd, as I call the dumb populists, gravitate to the self-described “stable genius,” who has screwed the small guy over and over and over. Racism and religion tend to bend people into screwing themselves. In a way, they have been getting what they deserve all these years.
The “smart guys” that Porter refers to, are allowed to err, but for me, their avoidance of consequences, or more accurately, dumping their negative consequences on the rest of us, is what really burns me up. In addition, when they claim to be error proof, they lose the right to make mistakes.
The economic set up that pushes lower income folks into the desperate position of “volunteering” as cannon fodder is part of the evil equation.
We normal, middle class, liberals are the elitists being villainized. Not because we’re elite but because Republicans lie. Over age 50, white males can’t face the truth that their problems came from their decisions earlier in life. (Last NBC poll they support ImPotus over 70%) When you choose pain pills and bar stools over hard work and night schools the future results are predictable. Obvious but hard to own. It’s easier to call liberals elitists and make up stories about how it’s our fault, not theirs.
Porter, you’re right – there’s also a large amount of the universal, timeless bitter jealousy of age for youth. “How dare you be young and energetic and hopeful when I’m fed up and wrinkled and have nothing to look forward to? You should be doing what I tell you to, not having more fun than I ever did!” That’s the only way to explain the unbelievable level of venom spewed out on-line and on camera towards Greta Thunberg, the Parkland Florida survivors, etc.
Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old climate activist, is expected to criticize inaction by the world’s business and political leaders during a speech today in Davos, Switzerland.
Greta is correct. One thing for sure, the markets are already dictating the direction away from the Russian republicans. Here is what is way way cool. I gotta go in debt to get me one of these…
“Here’s what Tesla is offering in the 2022 CyberTruck:
250 — 500+ miles range
Very fast recharge speeds (>250W charging)
3,500 lbs cargo capacity (1 ¾ tons)
7,000 — 13,000 lbs towing capacity
0-60 mph from <6.5 to <2.9 seconds
16 inches ground clearance (highest setting)
Seats six
6.5 foot cargo bed with 100 cubic feet lockable storage under retractable metal cover. Optional solar cells on cover.
120v & 240v power outlets in the bed
Built in air compressor
$39,900 base price + $7,000 FSD, up to $79,900 with FSD included.
Available fall 2022 (dual and triple motor versions will be available late 2021)
For reference, the average price of an F-150 sold in 2018 was $48,800, and the nearest F-150 performance-wise to the Trusk, the Ford F-150 Raptor dual cab, sold for $54,000."
So while everyone is driving around in the same body style, boring vehicle, you can, for less money all the way around, drive one of these. No wonder Tesla is worth more than Ford and GM combined!
But, from an appearance standpoint, that Tesla is yuuuuuuuuuuugleeee!! 🤢 I like curved, swooping shapes, not boxy brutalist. 🤮
Politico has an article comparing Nixon’s GOP situation with what’s happening today. It’s good and worth your time IMO.
is.gd/lMcpC2
drumpf admitted obstruction of congress…. https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-admits-to-withholding-evidence-from-impeachment-inquiry?ref=home
And his lawyers lied about in impeachment hearing in Senate.
Just getting back here now. I see I’ve been missed and am still loved dearly. It’s mutual. Actually, I enjoy each of you, even Bob. Had to block him only because my family insisted when he wouldn’t tone himself down – lots of kids and youth on my page. F-bombs and namecalling are self-marginalizing behaviors. Be nicer Bob and you’ll have more friends.
You each have entirely missed my point. I’m not pointing to the 80 mph speeder trying to justify the 70 mph speeder. I’m calling Cory out and the rest of you for only caring about breaking laws if Trump does it. That’s the hyper-partisanship that is rank to the most of us these days. One has no credibility to moralize if they inconsistently do so.
The statement that the readers of this blog only care about breaking the law when Trump does it has no basis in fact. The readers do project a sense of rage at Trump’s misconduct because he is the president and has accrued a record of nefarious behavior that would disqualify him for a job as a janitor in an elementary school. He bragged about groping women. His businesses declared bankruptcy six times. The Washington Post score board on the number of lies he has told since in office went over 16,000 this month. He maligns other people with his juvenile libels.
It is true that people dislike what he is. The Old Testament justifies a righteous hatred: Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Yes, we pay attention to his transgressions because he is the president, and we don’t want to live in a country led by a recalcitrant juvenile delinquent. There are appropriate homes for people like him, but the White House is not one of them.
Steve Hickey – Your assertion is illogical. No benefit in explaining it to you, though.
Steve, good to hear from you again.
I believe you are missing the point. The impeachment is for The President breaking the law himself. Your link that the Obama administration listed the things that different federal agencies did that did not follow the law. Your link does not say that these violations were left unpunished (which would be wrong) nor does it say that the President was the individual who perpetuated these specific wrongs – or covered them up.
I will also reject your insertion of whataboutism into the discussion. That anyone else broke a law is in no way a defense for President Trump breaking a law. Your point seems to be that because anyone speeds, ALL laws are off?
I will condemn any flouting of law. We are a nation of laws. I especially condemn any time the policing of our laws is done in partisan ways to protect a corrupt tribal mentality of right and wrong.
The main problem I see with Hickey’s position is that in a discussion of impeachment and criminal behavior of a President one’s moral position seems rather irrelevant. One can qualify as “immoral” under whatever standards Hickey thinks may be appropriate and still recognize when a President has behaved in a manner that justifies impeachment.
If impeachment were appropriate under Hickey’s conception of “moral” or “immoral” conduct, then it seems appropriate to ask Hickey whether Trump should have been impeached on one or more of the following grounds:
– Establishing and enforcing unnecessary administrative policies to use our laws to seperate children from their parents, not to protect the children, but to harm and threaten harm to the children in an effort to punish and deter the parents for seeking freedom, safety and economic opportunity in the US sans possession of bureaucratic paperwork. Was this a “moral” act under Hickey’s standards?
– To admit pleasure in “grabbing” pretty women by the genitals and admitting walking in to private dressing dressing rooms in an effort to observe naked teenage girls and young women at Trump sponsored beauty contests. Were these “moral” acts?
– To be caught commiting fraud on young people seeking to further their education at Trump University. Was this a “moral” act?
– To be caught soliciting charitable donations with false promises to use the funds for chairitable purposes, but then use the funds for personal advancement. Was this a “moral” act?
The list could go on for pages, yet as best that I can recall I have seen no DFP comments from Hickey suggesting that Trump should have been impeached, or indeed, punished or chastised in any way, for any of this conduct, although I may have missed such a comment if it actually exists.
Thus, Hickey’s current accusations concerning Trump seem to be not only an attempt to make an irrelevant distraction, but the same type of projection that we often have read and seen from Trump and Trump apologists.
Pot calling the kettle. . .?
If anyone needs to worry about their reputation and liability, it is Hickey and his fellow evangelicals who are making a mockery of Christianity. You criticize Newland for profanity while supporting an extremely profane president who demeans disabilities, cheats on his solemn marriage vows sworn before God and so much more, ad nauseum.
You’re part of the problem and you’ve surrendered any credibility to the altar of political power. Shame on you Hickey. Shame on you.
Again, Steve admits Trump broke the law. Thank you. That’s the only point that matters here and in the Senate right now. When I’m President and I break the law, you can hold me to my words and impeach me.
A careful reading and you’ll see I didn’t say I think Trump broke the law. The GAO claims Presidents break laws and it appears those claims either are open to interpretation or Presidents can wiggle out from under the law via other justifications. Again my point is you Cory and why only Trump infractions matter to you.
Don’t mind Mr. Hickey, Cory. I remember, back in the day, when Mr. Hickey railed against President Obama as an immoral, undemocratic, racist Muslim tyrant who was taking away all our precious freedoms. It’s all in the (R) or (D).
Cheap Justice Roberts ushered in this impeachment mess and now gets to reap what he has sown…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/23/john-roberts-comes-face-face-with-mess-he-made/
Actually I rail against Trump regularly, Cory surely sees it. And back in the day I made enemies in the Republican Party calling out their smarminess. I think Cory’s work here would be better if he’d take on Dems too. Like Biden. Corruption on steroids, his whole family makes millions on his connections and position. Dems ought to call him out. Crickets. Republicans and Christians made great hay about Trump’s crotch grabbing comment and other early unacceptables. My view is that’s mainly 2006 and prior, Trump chapter 2, and he’s got some religion since and made changes. He’s still brash and a spectacle, but it’s Trump chapter four now and that’s who people like me are looking at. He is accomplishing a ton, albeit things the left doesn’t want done…. like a generation’s worth of conservative judges.
Again, I rail on Trump… his militarism and the debt and spending. BTW, I’m not a registered Republican anymore. I checked unaffiliated. No political box truly fits a thinking Christian.
Reverend Hickey,
I’d be a lot more willing to believe Trump was on chapter 4 if his tweeting showed a lot more of James chapter 3.
A “thinking Christian:” now, there’s a kneeslapper.
Has Hickey’s “railing” against Trump included a single comment “suggesting that Trump should have been impeached, or indeed, punished or chastised in any way, for any of this conduct?” If so, a link could support his claim and settle the issue.
Meanwhile, speaking of someone’s “chapter 2,” I wonder how Trump merits such treatment but apparently not Obama in Hickey’s comments?
And for a purported man of the cloth, one has to wonder why Matthew 7:5 (KJV) doesn’t discourage Hickey from “calling Cory out and the rest of you” imaginary hypocrites?
I guess maybe Hickey either perceives himself free of all sin and hypocrisy, or that it is appropriate to pick and choose which Bible verses are worthwhile and which can be ignored based on personal political opinions. Love the flexibility of that old time religion!
I’m glad Hickey has a sense humor:
“he’s got some religion since and made changes”
Perhaps Hickey is that gullible or simply learning to lie for convenience? I dunno, but that’s what the charlatans like Franklin, Jeffress, Dobson, Falwell, White and others tell their marks. As long as it keeps the $ and power flowing, it’s “gospel.”
Praise the Lord! Pass the $ plate! Vote GOP! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Chapter two? Chapter four? ImPotus’ biography will be the only book ever published with four Chapter elevens.
One of Hickey’s boys is urging ammosexual Virginians to violence. How Christlike of the Rev. Falwell.
“Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute and Virginia resident, countered Falwell’s call for civil disobedience by reinforcing the call for Christians to practice peace and non-violence.”
is.gd/iFoPrD
There’s more. It’s a good article. FYI: the Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran who so publicly opposed Hitler that he was imprisoned and eventually killed by the nazis.
Now there is a real and heroic Christian. Not at all like today’s trump salivating evangelical/fundamentalists. (Keep in mind that lots of evangelicals do not support Amoral A$$hole and many have left evangelicalism due to shame the “leadership” has brought.)
“President Donald Trump has demonstrably violated the commandments not to kill, steal, commit adultery, bear false witness, and covet. He has not only violated them himself but also, as the apostle Paul puts it, applauds others who have done so (Rom 1:32), pardoning a brutal Arizona sheriff and a murderous Navy Seal commander. He does not repent of his actions but persists in them and excuses them, mocking not only God but also his evangelical supporters.”
M.C. deBoer
is.gd/BzlRBB
I hear it is up to 6 chapter 11s, Porter.
For the record, I vow to support the impeachment of any President who commits the abuse of power, betrayal, corruption and crimes Donald Trump has committed in office.
Cory, I will too.
Ruh oh, John Bolton has put our two traitor senators in a bad bad way. They can either ignore the Constitution (not to difficult for these two crooks and liars) or they can stand for democracy and not stand with Putin’s Russia. The same goes for their supporters here in South Dakota. Here’s the deal boys and girls, do we really want to go down the same road as Russia? Isn’t that why your people left that part of the world in the first place?
Chubby is guilty as hell, impeach his crooked arse and let’s move on.
“ImPotus says he has no intentions of having John Bolton’s book read to him!” – Ivanka
If we still had a democracy, senators would demand witnesses and demand Bolton for sure. If we had law and order, the Supreme Court Justice, John Roberts would also call for witnesses and especially, John Bolton….If only we still had…like when America was Great…
And if our senators had backbone where nothing is packed except their party loyalty, they would do exactly that. And I, too, expected more of Roberts. Silly me.
Thune and EB5 Rounds are two boobs in the Chubby harness.
“South Dakota’s senators said more time is needed before they decide to support allowing witness testimony.
Sen. John Thune’s office said he still believes the Senate should wait until after senators question House impeachment managers and President Trump’s legal team before deciding if more information is necessary to make a decision.
Sen. Rounds agreed with Thune’s position while criticizing Democrats.”
“Criticizing Democrats” for proving, beyond a doubt, that Chubby is guilty and a Russian asset. Something that Thune should know clearly about. Who needs these squirrels when we already have Putin to lead.
drumpf is working for another Middle Eastern war between thug Israel and Palestinians with this one sided slap to Palestinian faces.
https://www.vox.com/world/2020/1/28/21111890/trump-israel-palestine-peace-plan-deal-century-apartheid
Israel takes what it wants and the Palestinians have to like it.
Public opinion is moving more and more heavily towards allowing witnesses. Crowds are showing up at the Capitol demanding witnesses. Capitol police forbid one type of demonstration, so they’re simply clogging up every space in the Capitol building, not saying a word. Signs, printed shirts and facial expressions are saying all that they need.
A friend of mine and this blog, South Dakotan Tiffany Campbell, is on her way to DC to join the fight to save our democratic government. She’s not the only South Dakotan.
THANK YOU DEMONSTRATORS!
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/29/politics/donald-trump-john-bolton-white-house-book/index.html
drumpf must be afraid he can’t leak all the secrets to Putin hisownself. k a threatens Bolton not to publish manuscript until it has been scrubbed of all drumpf damaging passages or something.
Dershowitz on drumpf in 2016…. https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/alan-dershowitz-in-2016-corrupt-donald-trump-will-violate-international-and-domestic-laws/
Give that man a kewpie doll.
drumpf defense lead lawyer has a serious conflict of interest which was only disclosed by release of info from Bolton’s new book.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/legal-experts-pound-trump-lawyer-cipollone-after-damning-bolton-book-leak-reveals-his-conflict-of-interest/
Marco Rubio says drumpf is guilty of impeachable offenses, but, will vote to acquit him.
Courage like that is hard to find in a flock of cowards, not.
After the recent vote in the Senate to not allow witnesses, and the clear path to an acquittal vote cleared, I now fully realize the depth of the Republican stance. It has been the President’s stance, Majority Leader McConnell’s stance (on impeachment and obstructions like the Garland denial). It has been truncated that these political figures are above the law – President Trump has said as much, but it is deeper than that. It is that BECAUSE hey have the support of voters, the voters endorse their actions – whether “legal” or not – and it is THAT support, the exercise in “democracy” that means they can never be above the law because the “law” IS the majority that put and retains them in office. How much of the GOP rhetoric was about “letting the voters decide” if the President ought to stay in office (while ignoring the poling that said remove him)?
I now hear in their words that it is not so much that they are above the law, but their supports’ support is so steadfast that even breaking the law does not affect that absolute support. Add to this the not-so-subtle-election manipulations that entrench the GOP in “democratic” power, to reenforce their “democratic” legitimacy. It is in this frame, that I now truly see the end of Democracy and the rule of law and the pathway for tyranny and despotism.
Our democratic system is broken. This perversion is the new playing field, and it is not a playing field for the fair minded.
I fully admit that, when I heard that they had voted against witnesses, my first thought was, “The Republicans have no intention of ever having another Democratic president.” And I believe that they believe they can pull it off.
The Democratic House held closed-door impeachment hearings in the Capitol basement and later denied GOP questions and witnesses from the process. Was it okay then or was it a sham impeachment kangaroo court then too?
In fairness, the results of the Trump Senate trial really aren’t new at all. They have strong precedent in the frequental acquittals of white people that murdered or lynched blacks in the South despite conclusive evidence that these defendants committed the charged crimes.
https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=wmborj
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/black-to-the-future/tolerance-for-violence/
The research and findings described in both these published papers is well worth considering. And the connection with Trump and the Senate jury seems quite close. Although perhaps current Republican Senators might not have based their votes on Trump’s publicly repeated racism, nevertheless the Republican Senators that openly stated they would acquit prior to trial, and refused to even permit the sworn testimony of eyewitnesses to the allegations against Trump seem remarkably reminicent of the Southern white juries that also decided to acquit whites murderers before trial while simply refusing to even consider eyewitness accounts of these murders of blacks.
It is interesting that although some white v. black acquittals in violent cases has somewhat subsided by this century, there seems to have been a quiet revolution in the Republican party that follows the earlier “acquittal regardless of crime” path when it comes to the current Republican President. And given this dark chapter in US history we really cannot call the behavior of Republican Senators unprecedented.
As an aside, I note that since two Republican Senators defected on the witness issue, it would seem that the vote to call witness was bipartisan while the opposition was purely partisan since only Republicans opposed witnesses. After all, isn’t that what we learned from the Republican characterization of the House vote on impeachment since some Democrats voted against, but no Republican voted to impeach.
Dear Mr. Hickey – Republicans were NOT barred from the closed-door depositions conducted by the House intelligence committee. Members of three committees — both Democrats and Republicans — participated. They were allowed to ask questions. The committee chair invited Trump and his lawyers to participate, but they declined.
“Transcripts of the closed-door proceedings, which were held before public hearings began on Nov. 13, show Republican committee members asking questions of the witnesses. For instance, the Oct. 17 closed-door testimony of Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, was later publicly released, and it shows several Republican lawmakers were present, including the ranking minority members of the intelligence, oversight and foreign affairs committees: Republican Reps. Devin Nunes, Jim Jordan and Michael McCaul. They all asked questions of Sondland, the transcript shows. The House intelligence committee Democratic and Republican lawyers — Daniel Goldman and Steve Castor — also were present and questioned Sondland.
“Similarly, the Nov. 16 deposition of Mark Sandy, the deputy associate director for national security at the Office of Management and Budget, shows both Democrats and Republicans from the committees were present and asked questions.
During the Jan. 21 Senate proceedings, Schiff, who is also one of the House impeachment managers, later addressed Cipollone’s claim, saying: “He’s mistaken. Every Republican on the three investigative committees was allowed to participate in the depositions. And more than that, they got the same time we did.””
https://www.factcheck.org/2020/01/false-and-misleading-claims-at-impeachment-trial/
Steve, you know that is not true, right? Please tell me that having about 1/2 the congressmen/women in those hearings belonging the the GOP and that they have questions on record is not just a fact you choose to ignore to perpetuate this false “unfair” narrative.
https://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2019/oct/30/rush-limbaugh/limbaugh-wrongly-claims-republicans-are-being-shut/
Steve Hickey2020-02-01 at 13:31
I thought you alleged kristians didn’t lie. I guess I was wrong because you are completely wrong. Admit it, you got yer talking points directly from drumpf news channel.
DOJ released statement around midnight last, saying OMB was still holding 24 emails with information about Ukrainian aid being illegally withheld by drumpf.
O, Mitch McCTurtlefartface declared on December 13, 2019 that there was nio chance of drumpf being removed from office. I guess this trial was really rigged from before the start.
Hickey is clearly part of the lying, traitorous scum that have put our democracy on life support, as O has described.
The voting on witnesses was set up ahead of time, like the SDGOP sets up everything in caucus so the public only hears the canned product. Moscow Mitch gave Collins a chance to vote No in an effort to save her seat. I don’t think it’s going to work. Her constituents are not stupid and saw that coming.
From my personal present perspective, the only hope I see right now for the USA is an overwhelming Blue tsunami in November. I’m talking about an enormous landslide.
Pootie, the GOP, NRA, Evangelicals and other America haters are working desperately hard right now to splinter Democrats because they see a similar problem. Thus Sanders is their tool, not willingly on his part, but nonetheless…… They’ll use gender, race, economics, everything, because they’re fighting to keep their traitorous a$$es out of prison.
The average Americans who continue to support the traitorous GOP are like the people who supported Germany’s National Socialist Party in the 1920s-30s+. The party appeals to nasty, angry and fearful white male citizens, as well as ignorant, angry and fearful white male citizens. “Angry, fearful and white male” being the keys.
I don’t know if the majority of Germans opposed the nazis, but I am greatly heartened that the majority of Americans oppose our 21st century version of nazis. I remind myself of that often when I am feeling fearful about the future of this once great nation. Then I can trust that we will be great again.
IMO, we need a leader of great courage and tremendous inner strength in 2021. Two candidates are most firmly, unwaveringly determined to end corruption. Elizabeth Warren has made that the centerpiece of her campaign and she knows how to do it. Bernie Sanders is the other.
Always, always, always— any Democrat gets my full support.
Good ones Mike.
The GOP states outright lies despite provable facts that disprove them because there are people who are possessed of deficient mentality or abundance of malice who repeat them. During the last half of the 20th century, political historians subscribed to the idea that Hitler rose to power through nefarious deceptions of the people. During the turn of the century, analysts began to assert that Hitler rose to power because he was exactly what a significant number of people in Germany and collaborating nations wanted. The anti-semitism that drove the Holocaust was not invented by Hitler; he took advantage of it.
Despite the fact that minutes and transcripts of impeachment hearings show the attendance and participation of members of both parties and that Trump was invited to have lawyers attend but ordered a refusal to supply witnesses and documents, the lie that Republicans were excluded from participation fits their mindset and their moral agenda. Trump was designed in the images of a class that dreams of a privileged class that existed in feudal times. That’s why so much of what Trump does and they praise is a direct repudiation of democracy and a rejection of the decency on which democracy is premised. So, they lie. And they endorse lies and liars. Orwell turns out to be more prophetic of our culture than critical of it. When the collaborators speak, it is foolery to believe or trust their words.
“there are people who are possessed of deficient mentality or abundance of malice who repeat them.”
Your entire comment, Dr. Newquist, is an excellent summation that helps me clarify the traitorous GOP and their 21st century politics. Thanks.
Mike, that’s my point: the trial was rigged, the Supreme Court was rigged, the Emoluments Clause doesn’t matter . . . No rule of law matters anymore, and the reason is elections. The flouting of law is no longer under the table, it is overt and expressed BECAUSE when only elections matter, the “law” is the ballot box.
Lies, deception and propaganda. Schiff and Team Impeachment, Comey, and the Obama DOJ/CIA, the media…. the truth is not what they are peddling. Schiff locked out the GOP and those Reps gathered at the door and held a press conference. Witnesses were told to answer Dem questions not GOP questions. Schiff denied subpoenas he didn’t want, including that he would testify for his traitorous work with the faux-whistleblower (Obama operative). It was a sham on the House side. The Senate should smacked it down like a fly the day it buzzed over.
There are real dangerous leaders in the world and Obama sent them pallets of cash and weapons. But your team only sees Trump as trouble. Fools.
Comparisons to Nazi Germany can be equally applied to leftist ideology today. Remember the school children singing to Obama? The so-called anti-fascists are fascist in their tactics. The anti-semitism of Germany/1930’s is seen on the left not the right today. For a Nazi, Trump sure is a friend of Jews. That charge is such a joke. The left is deplatforming and marginalizing conservatives in the university, censoring free speech online, restricting religious liberty, etc.. I’ve come to believe the CIA is our KGB and the survellience State, militarized police forces, kids in cages and all the rest Trump inherited from Obama sure look like the 30’s to me.
Speaking of lies, how ya doing Hickey?
Hickey is full of more skit than a holiday turkey. He is also peddling talking points straight out of Fake Noize studios.
Those alleged aggrieved wingnuts were mostly not members of any of the committees whose members were allowed in the closed door meetings and those closed door meetings were agreed to by both parties before hand.
Wow am I tired. It was in the 60’s here today and I spent a couple hours gathering Trumpist talking points off my lawn. I picked up about 30 pounds of it. Wait! It was dog poop. Dang its hard to tell them apart. Sorry.
Hickey, Hickey, Hickey. Perhaps a long rest will help. Shut off all your devices, see a reputable doctor for much needed medications and probably a mandatory stay of several months.
There were real people there whom we know who actually saw these things. That’s how we know what’s true. You poor, anti-American, nazi fool.
A blast from the past’
“Remember the future. Nothing lasts forever. Donald Trump certainly will not, and Trumpism, to the extent that it is centered on Trump’s persona, will not either. Failure to imagine the future may have lost the Democrats this election. They offered no vision of the future to counterbalance Trump’s all-too-familiar white-populist vision of an imaginary past. They had also long ignored the strange and outdated institutions of American democracy that call out for reform—like the electoral college, which has now cost the Democratic Party two elections in which Republicans won with the minority of the popular vote. That should not be normal. But resistance—stubborn, uncompromising, outraged—should be.
November 10, 2016, 5:26 pm” https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2016/11/10/trump-election-autocracy-rules-for-survival/
As true today as it was just after this knucklehead won the electoral college. Pay it heed for survival.
Hickey been smoking some pest bog weed. Highland Heather Hemp ditch weed.
Upon reflection I owe my dog an apology. Her droppings aren’t near as obnoxious as the Trumpist talking points. There is no real excuse for mistaking the former for the latter.
Hey, Hickey….. here is a guy you could learn to love.
https://the-immoral-minority.com/right-wing-broadcaster-wants-to-know-if-its-possible-that-hillary-clinton-could-have-killed-kobe-bryant-using-witchcraft/
Right up yer alley, or so it seems.
mfi, sounds about right.
Somebody finally says what needed to be said long ago…..
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-attacks-bloomberg-s-height-hours-their-dueling-super-bowl-n1128451
Bloomberg calls drumpf a pathological liar.
Bloomie scares ImPotus to a higher level than any Dem candidate. He has more money, more honest credibility, and he can prove every crime Trump’s ever committed. Bloomberg was Trump’s Mayor when Trump’s crime family was still confined to NYC. MB kept notes. (And, he doesn’t sell favors for campaign donations.)
Ivanna kuturnutzov is willing to impeach Biden right now.
\
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/republican-joni-ernst-pledges-to-impeach-joe-biden-if-hes-elected/
I guess you go from no trial to really no trial, just string him up for no crimes.
The young are overwhelmingly liberal and Democratic, per Axios, so we can be hopeful that the USA will right itself. In addition, the Religious wRong is killing itself off.
“In 2018, 41% of the population identified as white and Christian, down from 54% in 2008, according to the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). White evangelicals in particular fell from 21% of the population to 15% in the same time period.”
is.gd/sP2IWE
I just want to reiterate what I said above: “Regarding Hickey, I don’t spend much effort thinking about the twisted knots Republicans get into when trying to justify the Great Orange Crook by pointing to irrelevant incidents in the Obama Administration. Serial whataboutism is all they can use in defense of Trump. They can’t argue the facts.”
I guess I should have broadened that out to include Schiff et al and anyone else who has a reality-based view of life. You can’t argue will willful ignorance and conspiracy theories that the Trump cult engage in. Don’t bother. They are lost souls. Eventually, they will either come around to the truth, end up in some dead-end militia group pretending to save America for the cult or find professional help. About 90 percent of what Hickey says on this subject is myth, delusions, lies or conspiracy theories. We all know that. He’s not worth the effort it takes to rebut.
From now on, I’m just going to say, “Whatever, Steve, whatever.” or some such short retort that indicates I don’t have to even consider anything he says because he is too brainwashed by the cult to understand basic facts.
To Hickey, et. al.
“Okay, trumpelstilskin.”
Finally, someone in the Senate is using the right “C” word:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-manchin-trump-impeachment_n_5e389bb8c5b687dacc719650
Of course the Senate will not get 67 votes to remove, but this would allow a condemnation of the wrong doing instead of a clean-slate acquittal.
O, at least it would be something. I doubt the GOP has the spine or patriotism even for that.
Mitt Romney announced his intention to vote to convict drumpf’s sorry, criminal arse. One wingnut with a conscience, or at least a partial conscience.
Poor li’l drumpfy wanted to spend his leisure time chortling about how he was totally exonerated, but Romney ruins it and now drumpf is destined to rant bitter tweets until the cows come home. Life is looking better.
I have SOME sympathy for the “he did it, but it doesn’t rise to the level for removal from office.” (I do not agree, but I get the point.). that is why I wish there had been a substitute to censure. Acquittal means that everything the President did is OK (it WAS a perfect call); it also means that doing it again is OK. Censure would at least say that this is NOT OK.
Successful criminals (criminals who are not caught or punished) do not stop.
Our boy Thune was chewing gum like a crank head addict while giggling with Barrassole R from Wyoming. Yes, the high jinks never slow down when you’re trashing the Constitution.
Mitt calls out Thune and EB5 Rounds for the traitors they are. These two have placed a lasting stain on our state that is even deeper than what we have seen,
“Utah Sen. Mitt Romney pledged Wednesday to do what no other GOP senator would: take a vote of conscience to convict Donald Trump of impeachable offenses. Romney’s vote seals Trump’s fate in the annals of history as the only president to ever draw bipartisan support for removal of office.
But Romney’s declaration from the Senate floor was much more than just a recitation of what he planned to do, it was an unmistakable rebuke of all his Republican colleagues who had abandoned their responsibilities as public servants for the comforts of the GOP’s herd mentality. “Were I to ignore the evidence what has been presented and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history’s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience,” Romney said from the Senate floor.” https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/5/1916895/-Romney-delivers-scathing-rebuke-of-Senate-GOP-s-fecklessness-calling-Trump-s-abuses-appalling
Check it out and you can see that there are still some Republicans that know patriotism above party. Should give us all hope.
Speaking of the Iowa caucus, which no one was, the Boston Globe has offered a couple suggestions for alternatives to Iowa and New Hampshire. I like them, especially the rotating plan. Check it out.
is.gd/yq7Eg9
You know Jerry, real toddlers have a much greater and more honorable sense of fairness, kindness and equality than any elected GOP or party official or many party members.
BTW, did y’all know that the GOP is literally bribing voters? They have a scam “charity” that provides $ from taxpayer grants to their rallies. Then they draw ticket numbers and the winners are handed $1000s in cash! They are especially likely to do their bribing where there are more POC. Because, you know, in wee GOP minds POC are stupid.
It’s illegal for more than 1 reason. Charities must determine eligibility of recipients and clearly, that’s not done in the case of these Bribe Fests. In addition, taxes are due on these bribes, but you know that’s part of why the GOP is going with cash.
Soon the GOP will be throwing money into the streets and on election day they’ll be standing outside polling places with stacks of dough.
*I read about this at a reputable site, but now I can’t find it. Sorry. Anybody else?
FREE $$$ TO BLACK VOTERS … It’s Machiavellian genius! Think about this for a second. Giving money to black voters won’t buy their votes. Black people have been screwing whitey every chance they get since they were dragged off the slave ships. “Sure, massa Don. We gon vote like you wan us to, big Daddy. Send that chedda’ down here, sir!”
What this does, when publicized is to make the 70% of white males who are ImPotus’ base really pissed that the blacks are getting something they aren’t getting. Because … it’s just a bunch of bullshiet. Drumpf is widely known as being the cheapest ass who ever lived. He’s not giving money to anybody. Dems are just saying he’s giving money to people and we’re claiming he’s doing it as a tax write off.
*In truth, the whole thing was invented by we Dems as just the first part of the dirty pool we’re gonna unleash on this bleach blond bundle of blowhole this whole election cycle. They’ll deny it but even half educated whitey knows he lies like a rug. Pretty good, Dr. Evil stuff, huh libs?
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/29/trump-black-voters-cash-giveaways-108072
Y’all join in, now. Tell every red-neck, cracker Republican you know and meet how great you think it is that the President is giving big money to black people if they vote for him. Then … watch ’em fume.
“bleach blond bundle of fat”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kirk Douglas has passed on. 103 years old, but the Chubby stench took him.
American patriot and impeachment hero witness, Alex Vindman, was escorted from the kremlin annex and told to leave.
Can’t wait for all the lies drumpf has to tell about this one patriot.
Iraq says ISIS was behind missile attack that drumpf assassinated Soleimani for, not Iran. I am afraid drumpf’s attention span has moved on to the next shiny object in front of him.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/bombshell-iraqi-officials-say-isis-not-iran-likely-behind-rocket-attack-trump-used-to-justify-suleimani-assassination/
Elsworth lost a pilot to this Suleimani assassination as well when the Taliban shot it down over Afghanistan as a form of payback it seems. The man who was responsible for that assassination of Suleimani, Michael D’Andrea, was also aboard the plane. https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iranian-media-CIA-agent-behind-Soleimani-killing-shot-down-in-Afghanistan-615652
Howz this for law breaking…. Treasury refused Dems attempts to secure drumpf’s financial records for impeachment and Russia investigation.
Now, wingnuts asked for Biden’s records and Treasury delivered them on a silver platter.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/treasury-hands-biden-records-over-to-gop-after-refusing-to-release-trump-tax-returns/
Something stinks and it smells like partisan bias and wingnuts.
Yup. We have to remember that this is about much more than Liar-in-Chief. The GOP created every single item that made him possible. We need to keep laying him and his disasters at the feet of the GOP. They have to trip and stub their toes on their lawlessness and we have to turn out in massive waves in November to overwhelm Liar-in-Chief and take the Senate too.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/08/world/asia/afghan-us-soldiers-shooting-deaths.html
US soldiers and Afghan special forces got into a firefight with each other. At least 6 deaths (unconfirmed) on each side. No one seems to know what triggered the fight (no pun intended).
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/lindsey-graham-says-ag-barr-has-created-a-process-to-let-giuliani-provide-biden-info-to-doj/
According to traitor Miss lindsey, Barr is already accepting info from Screwdy Rudy, but info is based on made up lies from Putin. So, I guess, the info would be used as a slow drip of false info about Bidens to lower poll numbers, just like Benghazi hearings were designed to ruin HRC, with no chance of charging her with ant criminal activity.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/at-least-36-more-us-soldiers-diagnosed-with-traumatic-brain-injury-in-wake-of-iranian-missile-attack/
Makes over a hundred injuries drumpf passed off as headaches. Why is this disgusting, disgraceful deplorable still allegedly potus?
We know Cadet Bone Spurs and the GOP do not support the US military. Let me repeat that for emphasis.
Cadet Bone Spurs/GOP
DO NOT SUPPORT OUR MILITARY!
They don’t support active, Guard, Reserve or Veterans.
Cadet Bone Spurs/GOP are deplorable scum chickenhawks. 🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓 Worse than GWB’s neocons.
Doktor drumpf gave his professional opinion that traumatic brain injuries suffered by over 100 troops in Iranian missile attack are not serious. His professional opinion.
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-wont-change-his-mind-on-troop-brain-injuries-2020-2
Well, Bumble Brain should know. He’s spent his entire life with jiggling jello inside his skull. Give me any one of those brain injured soldiers instead.
Stuff is hitting the fan as DOJ wants to reduce Roger Stone’s sentence from 7-9 years to virtually nothing, because drumpf tweeted around 1:30 this morning the sentence was too harsh and the crooks were all on the other side.
All 4 US attorneys on the case quit in protest and 1 or 2 resigned from DOJ. This nation is in serious trouble as Barr wants the judge to discount Stone’s threats and intimidation of a witness and to basically ignore Stone’s threat to the judge herself.
Mike, you forget, Barr is a self described “Christian leader”, therefore it’s all okay.
Eerie indication of how much grasp drumpf has on stoopid effing wingnuts. This is scary…..
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/florida-man-prohibited-from-bringing-cardboard-cutout-of-trump-to-dialysis-clinic-for-emotional-support/
MFI … There’s an entire genre of kooks known only as “Florida Man”. There’s a catalog of kookiness with tens of thousands of stories that begin with “Florida Man” did this and “Florida Man” did that. Yes, I was born in FLA but no I can’t relate. Well, maybe some days. lol My favorite novelist, Carl Hiassen once noted, “Everything wrong with America flows downhill until it ends up in my state.”
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/14/politics/andrew-mccabe-justice-department-investigation/index.html
drumpf is gonna spend the weekend blasting his own DOJ, and just for dessert, drumpf told Geraldo Rivera he did indeed, send Rudy to Ukraine for dirt on Bidens after lying about it since last Fall.
The number of DOJ officials who’ve signed onto the letter condemning Crazy Criminal’s and Barr’s intervention in Stone’s sentencing is up to 2000 now.
In addition, the Federal Judges Association has called an emergency meeting to deal with the full on assault on the law.
is.gd/9q5EoD
Moar Ukrainian skullduggery by drumpf’s criminal cabinet enterprise
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/as-trump-pressured-ukraine-rick-perry-cut-deals-for-friends-that-could-be-worth-billions
MSM investigates and eventually the truth will out.