The nation should consider itself lucky that we have someone like Biden in charge...

[986racer]

Imagine if we had a President who was a demagogue in office right now...

He could be looking at today's acquittal and start thinking, "I can now say anything I want without consequence."

For instance, he could start saying (and repeating for months)...
* The Supreme Court was "stolen" from us
* We need to "fight like hell" to take it back
* We can't let those who "stole" the court from us get away with it again

The he could start releasing the stuff Trump did to sell out the country, but he wouldn't be able to discuss details for security reasons
* Start calling Trump's behavior "treason"
* Anybody who voted for acquittal is a "traitor"
* Everybody knows what to do to "traitors" or "we won't have a country anymore"

Then...
* Invite people down to DC in the "take the country back" rally
* Make sure to invite the worst dregs of society (sorry, only the "finest" people)
* At the rally make sure that people have all of the baseball bats, tasers, flex cuffs, metal poles, riot shields, fireworks, and anything else they need to "protest peacefully"
* Say that people should "peacefully" march to Supreme Court and to the Capitol building and then "fight like hell to take their country back"

Sit back, make some popcorn and watch our nation crumble.

When done, just proclaim that all he was suggesting that people should "fight" in the political system by voting at the ballot box. Of course, nobody could ever have expected physical violence to occur.

Again... let's all be happy that Biden is in office right now. I don't think this scenario is far-fetched.

[leftstreet]

1. Where are our checks? n/t

[986racer]

5. I had a giant post I was going to write about the Federalist Papers

I was going to write about how important the Impeachment check is specifically when it comes to the President. It's really the most important check/balance that we have because it is the only branch of government that is concentrated into a single person. The temptation to make yourself a dictator can be too strong for some.

The Founding Fathers are rolling in their graves right now.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Lucky? That took a ton of hard work to make happen...

[LakeArenal]

3. I believe nation does consider itself lucky.

Public opinion is with Joe.

It’s these Disgraceful Senators who are on the wrong side of history. If it had been an anonymous vote, trump would have been found guilty. But they are lily- livered cowards and liars.

[986racer]

4. Anonymous vote...

I was thinking about this...

I don't think the vote should be hidden since the Senators do represent us (I also wonder though if this is why the Senators were originally chosen by the States before the 17th Amendment)

However, in the spirit of letting the flames of the moment die down, could they have had a secret ballot which wouldn't be opened until Jan 1 2022? This would still allow the public to know how their Senator voted, but it would let a lot of tension out.