kentuck
kentuck's JournalWhy were they so afraid of John Bolton?
Why are they trying to stop the publication of his book? What kind of "Top Secret" stuff did he put in it?
Do they believe that Trump will change his behavior?
Why would they think Bolton such a threat?
What could he say to change any minds?
So, why did they refuse to let him testify?
The Democrats Dilemma (or is it?)
Democrats need a strategy going forward. It requires accepting some hard realities.
A reckless and lawless president needed to be held accountable. The Democrats did their job. Unfortunately, the Republicans in the Senate did not. That is the first reality.
Secondly, it is obvious that they have no plans to hold the president accountable for anything. There is little need to offer facts or to proselytize. Their feet are set in concrete.
Thirdly, we have to do what is best for the country. Also, we must be true to ourselves. We must protect our Constitution. No one can be above the law. We will protect our country.
Perhaps a few Democrats, the ones frequently on TV, should attempt a temporary boycott (on certain subjects) on the cable news networks? Any questions asked about Donald Trump, the impeachment, or anything related, should be addressed to the Republican Party. Let them explain it. Just a thought.
The free press can be a very valuable weapon.
There are people in a certain Party that need to explain why they would deny witnesses in a trial? What were they trying to hide? It's not about political Party. It is about the rule of law.
Nancy Pelosi is right. It is a "cover-up". But what are they covering up??
Why is Sekulow talking about "If we call witnesses"??
They will want to cross-examine.
It appears that the White House Counsel does not know the vote count, if the rest of the Republicans do know?
That is a little strange. One might think the White House Counsel would be informed if they have the votes to not call witnesses?
But Sekulow is talking about calling witnesses? That would be irrelevant if they knew there was a vote for no witnesses.
Mitch McConnell and AG Barr have corrupted their branches of government in a very similar manner.
Both have decided that they work for the Executive, and not the people. They have shattered the wall of separation of powers.
AG Barr has become the lawyer for the President, rather than the lawyer for the people. This is a disgraceful position for him to take.
Likewise, Mitch McConnell, who should be assisting the House in their charges against the Executive, has decided to divorce himself from the principle of separation of powers, and to work for Donald J Trump instead.
Both men are doing a job they were not hired to do.
If McConnell postpones this hearing until next Wednesday, it means...
that he doesn't have the votes. When he has the votes, he acts. He doesn't worry about the consequences. He is a cold-blooded, power-driven politician.
With Murkowski voting NO on witnesses, it is possible that there is another vote we do not know about, that would have given 4 Republicans for witnesses? Murkowski "no vote" may have only taken it back down to three votes?
If it is postponed, Mitch does not have the 51 votes needed. That is the way I see it.
Lamar Alexander's "inappropriateness"...
Although there were only two charges with the impeachment, how could anyone not judge those charges in the big picture? How could they forget everything Trump has done in the last three years?
Granted, some of it could be labeled "inappropriate" - like the juvenile name-calling that he likes to do. How he sometimes tweets racist crap and lies like a rug. Those are inappropriate.
But Alexander, and other Senators, should be able to distinguish "inappropriate" behavior from illegal or unconstitutional behavior. It is illegal and unconstitutional to solicit favors from foreign countries and to attempt to bribe them for your own personal political benefit. Even if it is a Democrat that is the victim.
It's sad and disappointing to see Lamar Alexander and others attempt to minimize this serious Constitutional violation with such language.
Unimaginative Republicans
The GOP is a Party deciding and moving out of fear.
Many understand that Trump is a threat to their Party and the country.
At various times in the last three decades, we have seen coalitions like the Gang of Seven and Gang of Eight.
If we only had four Republican Senators, that were not afraid of Donald Trump, they could create a Gang of Four that would have more power than Trump and McConnell together. They could control the entire agenda.
If only they had a little courage and a little imagination.
The Legacy of John Roberts
What will history say about a Chief Justice that sat in on probably the most important impeachment in the history of our nation and said nothing?
What will history say about a Chief Justice that permitted a trial to end without witnesses or documents?
How can Roberts sit on the sideline and not involve the Judiciary is such an important case?
It doesn't matter...
How Lisa Murkowski votes or if the Chief Justice permits witnesses in the trial? The die is set.
Donald Trump is going to be acquitted, no matter how this little chapter plays out.
Nobody really expected Democrats to get 67 votes to acquit. But they did want to get out the truth to the American people. They succeeded a great deal with their impeachment. But they needed John Bolton and Mulvaney and a few others, to get to the whole truth. Republicans prevented that from happening.
However, in the big picture, it doesn't matter what they do today.
What is important is the election in November and will the people demand that the Republicans pay a price for selling out our country?
Trump's next move will be to indict the FBI and attempt to arrest James Comey?
He is emboldened already.
He will not be able to restrain his newly-gifted powers.
He will attempt to finish off the national intelligence network, including the FBI. He may fire Chris Wray?
He will continue to be the victim and attack everyone against him as a hoax and a witch hunt.
But, first of all, he will need to call Vladimir Putin and get his blessing.
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