If you will permit me this one indulgence. I take some pride, and not a little heat, for being a bit of a contrarian around here.
I don’t think the NY Times is a worthless fish wrap.
I do believe a white man could give voice to a new generation of Democrats and be our nominee, if earned.
I don’t have a problem noting when (if) a particular Republican does something right.
I laughed when people screamed down anyone who challenged Nancy Pelosi’s claim to the speakership, and then I had Speaker Pelosi’s back when she determined that she did not have enough — yet — to go forward on impeachment, much to the fury of the same people who screamed that her leadership was necessary just months prior.
I preached patience. Evolution. Anti-Reactionary. The arc of the universe being long type of shit.
I still do. I still cling to many of those contrarian notions, but I cannot forgive the current Democratic Congress’s pace of action — nay “inaction” — any longer.
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The Trumplican impulse to “just do it” and worry about dealing with the Democrats down the road is working far too well, far better than it should, and I have been more than patient with the Democrats and cognizant of their limitations.
Recall Jared Kushner’s advice regarding how to handle MBS? “Just hold out till it blows over”? Right now, Kushner is the genius and I’m the fucking idiot, at least and until the Democratic Congress decides to “do something.”
They literally got away with murder in broad daylight, and I’m pretty sure it is — in part — because of the overlapping business interests with MBS. We have crimes committed in order to cover MBS’s crimes, and nothing has happened.
I haven’t had to mention Russia yet.
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But, since I just did, let’s discuss Russia.
On July 17th, Robert Mueller will report to duty in Congress. He has committed to sticking to the “four corners” of the document, not answering questions beyond it.
Fine.
Read the entire fcking document right into the Congressional Record, just do it on TV. Take as long as you need.
Because right now, I don’t see near enough happening. The Report sets forth as established fact 100+ contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, and the attempt to cover it all up. But a “report” is not on TV.
I don’t see enough happening on TV right now.
Perhaps Mueller’s sheer effort, and volume of information, and clear directive to Congress, will light a fire under Congress’ ass.
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Speaking of TV, maybe we can tear ourselves away from our “Debate analysis,” get away from shredding Biden supporters, Bernie Bros, Harris supporters, the folks who did or did not do well on our “televised debate” and recall why it all matters?
Here are some things that we all shared outrage about, sure that it would mean serious trouble for the Trumps, of which we are STILL waiting upon:
– Jamal Khashoggi
– Jared and Ivanka using personal email servers.
– Jared’s Security Clearance
– William Barr giving the White House a pre-view of the report.
– The strange case of Justice Kennedy, and his son — banker.
– Trump Hotel DC
– Trump stealing inauguration money.
– Trump Org pass-through money
– Kids in cages, dying, the administration ignoring court orders.
We could go on forever, but the list has three unifying features:
1) Each one was sure to cause Trump serious trouble
2.) Each one received promises of “action” from House Democrats who would “get to the bottom of it.”
3) None of them got real TV time with serious witnesses sweating.
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I realize that the White House is claiming Executive Privilege on everything, absolutely everything, and that does limit what can be on TV.
No, the US House cannot declare inherent contempt and throw people in jail, anyone telling you they can based on a 1931 law is lying. But Congress can start to defund damn near anything, starting this fall.
I told people here that the Democrats were doing “impeachment lite” in demanding the witnesses and information, ongoing investigations, etc. Despite a very promising start, I have seen almost no real follow-up.
I promised people here that, should it come to the point where I think things would move faster or be more powerful if we called them “impeachment hearings,” then I would support it.
It has come to that point, because I see nothing else with the sense of “urgency” needed.
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Why is urgency needed? It is not like Mitch McConnell is going to let Trump be removed no matter the evidence.
I will tell you why. Because we here are already acting like some of our candidates are “just about as bad” as what the Republicans are offering, which is Trump 2.0, bigger and bolder.
Excuse me, but f-that.
I do not want to talk about ANY of our candidates’ weaknesses unless and until ALL Trump’s weaknesses are set out for history, ON TV.
It is not hyperbole to say that if you think any of our candidates’ weaknesses are an issue right now, while the fate of western liberalism and — oh, yeah, the planet — ride in the balance, IF you believe that, then you’re an asshole deserving every bit of scorn we get as “liberals” with our heads up our asses.
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This is not about “removing Trump” through impeachment. It IS about removing Trump.
Two things:
1. SET the RECORD, getting it ON TV, so the country knows what happened, and digests it.
2. Forcing Trump to run against that same record ensures the greatest chance he loses the election.
Until we set forth Trump’s actual “crimes” as a nation, I couldn’t care less if you took the top 12 Democratic candidates and drew from a hat.
THAT is where we actually are as a nation. Yet we’re governed by people who prefer to pretend all this is normal.
That is the problem, it sure seems to be getting normal, and I can prove it.
Some people here are busy burying some of OUR candidates, while Trump talks about airports.
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No more excuses.
Time has run out.
Set the record.
Do it on TV.
Impeach him.
THEN let’s determine whom we prefer to run against that record, because only at that point will we know whom we trust to bear the burden of saving us from ourselves.
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Peace y’all.
No novels linked today, they are not on TV.
Very, very well said. Mirroring completely my progression of thoughts and opinions.
I am still puzzled that both-siderism only seems to run one way. With almost everything Dimwit Donny does there are no ‘both sides’, just him speaking or acting appallingly.
It is time to Impeach Trump, Speaker Pelosi.
To what end? The Senate will NOT convict Trump which is the ONLY legal way to remove him from office. And, given McConnell’s habit of ignoring precedent when it doesn’t suit his needs, I’m not absolutely certain he would even allow the House managers on the Senate floor to present the case. The Constitution’s actual words only say that the Senate “shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.” You’ll note, though, it says NOTHING that the Senate MUST “try all impeachments.” (The Senate actually has to adopt an order that notifies the House it’s ready to accept the House managers and, well, knowing how Mitch has played fast and loose with Senate rules in the past *cough*MerrickGarland*cough*, I can’t see him being willing to actually do his job in accelerating the impeachment process. And how many bills has the House passed in the past six months that Mitch has prevented from being taken up in the Senate?)
Until we can ensure at least 20 GOP Senators would be on board with trying the impeachment (and willing to fight McConnell tooth-and-nail to get the case on the floor of the Senate), Pelosi and the Dems’ impeaching Trump will do absolutely nothing to remove Trump.
What all the “impeach Trump” people seem to forget is that the ONLY TWO TIMES that a President has been impeached, BOTH Houses of Congress were controlled by HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES. When Andrew Johnson faced impeachment, he was a Democrat (chosen by Lincoln for a “Union” ticket) while the folks pushing his impeachment were Republicans who had spent the better part of a year battling him over virtually every single policy. And, when Clinton faced impeachment, he was impeached by a GOP-controlled House (in a near-partisan vote; 5 Dems voted “yea” on the two articles while 5 GOPers voted “nay” on one article and a dozen voted “nay” on the other) and faced a GOP-controlled Senate for the trial (enough GOP Senators, however, voted to acquit but, even if the vote had been completely partisan, the GOP didn’t have to votes to remove Clinton from office; that “67” is a pretty tough number to reach).
And, since Nixon chose to resign before impeachment could proceed in the House, we have no way of knowing what that outcome would’ve been (articles had only passed the House Judiciary Committee but hadn’t reached the House floor before Nixon resigned).
The hearings – which need to be on TV – are the most important part. The trial isn’t that important – and we all know the Senate won’t vote to convict until a lot more members believe the facts, not the propaganda.
Writer to her, don’t tell us.
Excellent commentary.
Impeach Trump Now!
investigative hearings first.
Impeach Pelosi first the hesitant, nervous nelly and timid “Leader”.
Democrats must go on the offensive but are defensive about lack of exposure of the Mueller report which I have not and will not read. I’m waiting to see Robert Mueller repeat it word for word on TV in front of Congress under Oath and it may be too late. The Republicans have lied their version into the nations consciousness and it may not be possible to uproot due to the lack of true leadership by Nancy Pelosi who stopped everything related to an effective attack on Trump and his crimes.
I’m disgusted with the present leadership of the DNCC. They did nothing when they had all three branches and they’re doing nothing now.
Shame.