****LIVE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL 1/24/20 THREAD 1****

[BumRushDaShow]

[BumRushDaShow]

1. ***WILL BE STARTING SHORTLY***

[Kali]

2. do you know when it is supposed to start tomorrow?

thought I hear turtle say they had a briefing first or something...

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Not sure - Am guessing Turtle will let us know before today's session ends

[Kali]

7. I am so invested in watching this, but there is a funeral I should go to

...

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Turtle just said they will convene at 10 am ET Saturday.

[Kali]

42. thanks

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Did a quick search and saw this article from CNN

Senators considering short morning-only impeachment session on Saturday

By Ted Barrett, Manu Raju, Phil Mattingly and Lauren Fox, CNN

Updated 3:51 PM ET, Thu January 23, 2020
Berman slams GOP senators' behavior during trial

(CNN)Senators and aides in each party say there is an effort in the works to hold a short, morning-only impeachment trial session on Saturday to hear the beginning of the opening arguments from President Donald Trump's defense counsel and then allowing senators to leave town for the weekend.

The plan is not finalized but seemed to be gaining steam on Thursday as word of the plan circulated through the Republican and Democratic caucuses.

"I'm hoping for an early start on Saturday," said Sen. Roy Blunt a Republican from Missouri who chairs the Rules Committee and has been closely involved with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in arranging the logistics and other support of the trial.

An early start is possible, in part, because Chief Justice John Roberts would not need to do his day job presiding over the Supreme Court on a Saturday, something he's done all week before presiding over the impeachment trial in the afternoon and into the night.


https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/23/politics/saturday-session-impeachment-trial/index.html

So they may be working on that. Also just heard on CSPAN2 that the Democrats had about 8 1/2 hours left and may or may not use all of that and if they don't, the WH side might start today and then continue tomorrow.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

16. so confirmed: rules bend to fit Republicans' wants

[BumRushDaShow]

19. Of course

(and then I expect that whatever arguments their side has, it is a fraction of what the Dems have been presenting )

[Hermit-The-Prog]

23. My tv would not survive 3 days of screeching and squawking.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. ....

I am serious debating NOT doing a live thread of their bullshit. Seriously.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

29. Consider a live thread as a safety valve ...

Posting a live thread of the unstable geniuses shovelling their bullshit will provide a safety valve where people can respond in ways that are not dangerous to various and sundry television devices.

[BumRushDaShow]

39. I am burnt out now

Few hours of sleep this week. I normally get up around by 4 am and have continued to do that this week after doing these threads..

[Hermit-The-Prog]

47. You need to take care of you!

We'll make it! Get yourself some sleep and relax; you've been above and beyond on these threads.

[BumRushDaShow]

52. I am going to try

My mother always used to have an old saying that she said her grandfather used to say to her all the time - "You'll have plenty of time to sleep when you are in the grave".

[BumRushDaShow]

4. ***BENEDICTION***

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Pledge of allegiance completed. Sergeant at Arms - proclamation.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Turtle - schedule - tomorrow at 10 am for several hours.

[Mersky]

10. And they stood the Pledge of Allegiance

I hope the republicans considered the words as they mumbled them

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Adam Schiff up providing the upcoming arguments - Jason Crow will be up first

to go over application of Constitutional law to this process.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Jason Crow (D-CO) is continuing the argument of "corrupt intent" with respect to the Ukraine aid

[Wednesdays]

13. Note that the sergeant at arms omitted

the phrase about remaining seated upon pain of imprisonment.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. You made me rewind it and he did say "on pain of imprisonment"

[Wednesdays]

65. Yeah, about staying silent

but not for anything else.

That's a change, isn't it?

[BumRushDaShow]

70. I think he has a standard "proclamation" that he reads

The thing about what else they can or cannot do in there are part of the special Senate Rules they passed for this.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. I love every time they play that Mulvaney clip!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

17. Crow anticipating and refuting excuses

[Mersky]

18. Slide: pResident tRump Released Aide Only After His Scheme is Exposed

Aug. 26: Whistleblower Complaint Transmitted to DNI
Sept. 5: WaPo: “tRump Tries to Force Ukraine to Meddle in the 2020 Election”*
Sept. 9: House Announces Ukraine Investigation
Sept. 11: pResident tRump Releases Military Aid

___
Given at the start of Crow’s presentation
* https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/is-trump-strong-arming-ukraines-new-president-for-political-gain/2019/09/05/4eb239b0-cffa-11e9-8c1c-7c8ee785b855_story.html

[Hortensis]

25. And then he still illegally withheld, what? $40M?

[stevil]

20. This a lot to ask, can anyone do a quick recap?

I've spent 3 days in hospital with dad, laptop is dead because of a leaky water bottle, back at home now and wondering how it's going. Any summary would be appreciated.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

22. Jeffries is doing that right now

[Hortensis]

28. We're doing a magnificent, principled job, and

history will reflect that. Hopefully, the electorate will also next November. In any case, we can be very proud of them and ourselves.

The subversives who hold the senate majority will vote to place Trump beyond the control of the people and congress.

[Kali]

44. find the threads from the last few days

[BumRushDaShow]

79. The House Impeachment Managers have divided up the case into portions

1.) Arguing each impeachment Article - they are completing Article I now (Article II will be next)
2.) Article I was basically "Abuse of Power".
3.) For the Abuse of Power, they have had each Manager, in a chronological fashion (I think starting back in April 2019 and working their way until the present) walk through every action as a narrative -

the requiring of a fake "investigation" against a political rival by Ukraine in exchange for a meeting and funding

the subsequent holding of the Ukraine aid to carry out the threat if an investigation wasn't done

the coverup of evidence (classifying a call transcript and manufacturing a justification for holding the aid) - which was exposed and showed that what they were doing was illegal, only coming out once Congress was finally given notice of a whistleblower report, and that notice was was reported in the news

4.) To show proof of "abuse of power", they included testimony clips, news interview clips, texts, emails, and call transcripts, that established - 1) what was happening, 2) who was doing what 3.) what the result was 4) and why the actions that were carried out by the President, his staff, and his lawyers, resulted in an abuse of power.
5.) They then chronologically went through the above showing how the Constitution defined these actions as impeachable and how that compared with past impeachments
6.) And now they are arguing why what was done is so egregious that it requires removal from office as a penalty - due to the President being a national security risk.

[stevil]

97. Super thank you

Watching now.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. Crow has concluded and now Hakeem Jeffries is up.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

26. Crow: WH attorneys allowed wrongdoing to continue

[BumRushDaShow]

27. Jeffries calling the July 25th call "an 'imperfect' telephone call"

[Hermit-The-Prog]

31. Clips of Vindman's and Morrison's testimony about concerns re: phone call

[H2O Man]

30. Recommended.

I hope everyone enjoys today's events!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

32. Jeffries: the burying of the call on the highly classified server

[Hermit-The-Prog]

33. he means "system" but lots of people say and think "server"

[BumRushDaShow]

34. Jeffries now going into the coverup - the call transcript being put on the highly

classified server, supposedly an "administrative mistake".

[Hermit-The-Prog]

35. oops! sorry, cop, we accidently built that brick wall around that body.

[Mersky]

36. Relating how NSC lawyers tried to bury the call summary

Clip of Morrison saying he recommended restricting access to Eisenberg. That Eisnberg would go on to call it a mistake.

...
It would remain improperly classified until after the investigation began.

[BumRushDaShow]

37. Jeffries - "Who ordered the coverup of the call record?"

[Hermit-The-Prog]

38. woot! points out AG Barr knew, too

[Mersky]

40. Slide: White House Knew of Whistle-Blower's Allegations Soon After Trump's Call With Ukraine Leader

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/who-is-whistleblower.html

[Kali]

41. jeebus, McGuire seems like a lifetime ago

forgot about that poor sap

[Mersky]

43. I missed his opening argument slide

If anyone has it, please share. Otherwise, I’ll edit it in upon review later today.

(Cats, coffee, and plugging-in got in my way. )

[Hermit-The-Prog]

45. Jeffries: "There's a toxic mess at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

[Mersky]

46. That is the truth.

[BumRushDaShow]

48. Jeffries- an amazing speech about our "great nation" -"What are we going to do about our character?"

[Mersky]

51. What ARE WE gonna do about that?!

Call our senators and vote the spineless bums out!

[BumRushDaShow]

49. Jeffries has concluded and Jason Crow (D-CO) is back up.

[Arkansas Granny]

50. Hakeem Jeffries cuts straight to the heart of the matter.

What are we going to do about our character?

[BumRushDaShow]

53. Crow is bringing up how many times Bolton told his direct reports and others

to "go to the lawyers".

[Mersky]

54. Sondland's stipulating release of aid for Ukrainian announcement of an investigation

Was “an additional hurdle” according to Morrison in the testimony clip.

A “wrinkle” as Goldman described back.

___
Seems to be a hurdle/wrinkle the size of an elephant.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

55. the Senate SHOULD DEMAND Bolton testify ...

Bolton said he would respond to a subpoena from the Senate.

[Mersky]

58. Absolutely should subpoena Bolton.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

59. hope House Managers tease with Bolton's name over and over

[Mersky]

68. If the republicans do not, then they will forever be known

for betraying the country.

Bolton is a logically relevant and reasonable witness to call.

[Mersky]

56. Slide: Trump tries to force Ukraine to meddle in the 2020 election

Ukrainian democracy and independence. But we’re reliably told that the president has a second and more venal agenda: He is attempting to force Mr. Zelensky to intervene in the 2020 U.S. presidential election by launching an investigation of the leading Democratic candidate, Joe Biden. Mr. Trump is not just soliciting Ukraine’s help with his presidential campaign; he is using U.S. military aid the country desperately needs in an attempt to extort it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/is-trump-strong-arming-ukraines-new-president-for-political-gain/2019/09/05/4eb239b0-cffa-11e9-8c1c-7c8ee785b855_story.html

[Hermit-The-Prog]

60. Thanks for the link!

[Mersky]

82. Yw!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

57. president not concerned about corruption until he got caught

[BumRushDaShow]

61. Crow has concluded his portion on the misconduct.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

62. Crow concludes: "His misconduct continues to this day."

[BumRushDaShow]

63. Schiff is back up - noting last presentation for impeachment Article I

(and then expect to take a break before moving to Article II)

[better]

64. I **REALLY** want to see one of our managers bring up "heads on a pike"

and remind the Reality TV Senators that "this is Washington, not Westeros".

[Hermit-The-Prog]

66. hoping to see that, too

[C_U_L8R]

80. I first thought so too

But Republicans know very well that they're threatened violently by Trump and the media is doing a good job reminding them and informing us all. Maybe it's more noble if the managers don't mention it? It's the elephant in the room anyway. That said, I'd also cheer if they crammed it down the GOP's gullet with great relish.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

83. no relish -- they haven't earned condiments

[C_U_L8R]

84. Not even mustard?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

86. only if it's YELLOW :)

[BumRushDaShow]

67. Schiff is reiterating the misconduct and the ramifcations of that

[Hermit-The-Prog]

69. "irrevocable harm" -- separation of powers, national security

[Hermit-The-Prog]

71. Schiff: "conduct incompatible" with the office of the Presidency

[Mersky]

72. Slide 1: pResident tRump's Misconduct has Grave Consequences for Our Country

1. Harmed National Security
2. Endangered Our Elections
3. Ongoing Offenses Continue to Threaten Our Democracy


___
Given towards the start of the Lead House Manager Schiff’s presentation titled:

President Trump’s Misconduct Harmed Our Nation

[Kali]

73. Obama looking presidential

[Hermit-The-Prog]

74. Schiff - history Ukrainian independence, quotes McCain

[Mersky]

75. Slide 2: pResident tRump's Misconduct Harmed Our National Security

1. Emboldened Our Adversary and Threatened Global Security
2. Diminished US Credibility With Our Allies
3. Undermined US Efforts to Combat Corruption and Promote Rule of Law

[Hermit-The-Prog]

76. Schiff: consequences world-wide. benefits to Putin.

[C_U_L8R]

77. Ambassador Taylor

Every time he speaks, I hear Walter Pigeon.

The ambassador would make magnificent voice talent.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

78. Schiff quotes George Schultz, leave a garden for 6 months you get weeds ...

Schultz from Reagan administration.
Support for Ukraine must be consistent to deter Russian adventurism. Trump misconduct puts support in question in eyes of allies.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

81. Schiff - decades of policy undermined by trump, giuliani, parnas, etc.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

85. Schiff -- soon have no allies left

[Hermit-The-Prog]

87. Schiff - maybe we need a revolution of dignity, a revolution of civility ...

maybe we can learn from Ukraine

[Mersky]

89. I liked that

Especially after reviewing Yovanovitch‘s testimony about the Revolution of Dignity

And yet another clip of Yovanovitch saying how schemes like this, “widen the playing field for autocrats like putin.”

[Hermit-The-Prog]

88. Schiff continues to hammer on consequences here, Ukraine, elsewhere ...

This is superb. The evidence is irrefutable and the consequences are so grim, immediate and ongoing, even the dead hearts in GOPers should be moved. Only greed and cultism can hold them aloof.

[Mersky]

90. Missed that argument summary slide from five mins ago

I’ll get it in here, later. Was slow on the draw. I’ll post the newest one in a bit.

[BumRushDaShow]

91. ****LIVE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL 1/24/20 THREAD 2**** UP

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212905529

[Hermit-The-Prog]

92. clip of Trump spouting Russian propaganda while standing beside Putin

[crickets]

94. Greatest success of Russian intelligence propaganda ever. Propaganda coup! nt

I

[Mersky]

93. Slide: pResident tRump's Pattern of Behavior Foreshadowing Future Harm

1. Russia’s plot is ongoing
2. pResident tRump’s refuses to condemn Russian attacks
3. pResident tRump’s pattern foreshadows misconduct
4. pResident tRump’s ongoing offenses leaves our elections vulnerable

___
Eta: Will repost in Live Thread #2

[Hermit-The-Prog]

95. was hoping you caught that to post. maybe in thread 2, too?

[Mersky]

96. Yes, I'll fix it in a bit