kentuck
kentuck's JournalDemocrat after Democrat and Republican after Republican, came out to talk after the "briefing"...
From the make-shift acting National Security Council, that is still left intact, to a couple of Generals from the Joint Chiefs, somebody gave Donald Trump the option of assassinating Gazem Suleimani.
But Republicans and Democrats were almost shaken from the briefing. They were very concerned about it. There was no "imminent threat" , they said. None were happy with the briefing.
One Senator, Mike Lee from Utah, said it was the "worst" briefing he had seen in his nine years in the Senate. He seemed very disappointed in what he saw from the acting National Security Council. ("disappointed" is not the word. He was more "angry" and "upset" that they were told to not "debate or dicusss" any future bombings of Iran, since it might embolden them)
It was a dangerous and provocative action, the assassination of Suleimani. Last night was a shot across the bow. It was a "monstrous blunder", a General on one of the talks shows called it.
And now, the Congress wants an explanation.
Speaker Pelosi is expected to present a bill to repeal some of the powers in the present War Powers Resolution. Perhaps it should be repealed in entirety?
The surprise may be that when the Resolution is passed to the Senate, it may get more support than anyone might now imagine?
A few weeks ago, Iran took out a Saudi refinery with pinpoint accuracy.
Reportedly, they fired 19 missiles and 17 were direct on their targets. They are very, very accurate.
So, those that missed the American troops in last night missile attack, were probably meant to have missed them?
There could have been many American casualties from the attack, if they so desired.
Trump is now on television celebrating that no Americans were killed or injured in the attack.
If Trump appears aggressive and revengeful about the Iran missile attack...
...Iran will have won the first battle in the war. The one for public opinion and moral superiority.
It would further indicate his incompetence for the job of Commander in Chief.
This is a very important speech in his presidency.
Why are some Democrats second-guessing Nancy Pelosi on releasing the Articles to the Senate?
Why are they in such a big hurry?
Maybe she would like to get a commitment from John Bolton to testify before the House Intel before she makes a decision?
Because every effort will be made by this White House, including executive privilege, to keep him from testifying. It is not a certainty that he will.
Perhaps Pelosi would like to get that commitment from McConnell before she releases the Articles?
Although there is not much anyone can do to stop McConnell from making the rules if he has the votes in his caucus, there is nothing that says Pelosi has to turn over the Articles immediately. I think she would be wise to hold them for a few days. Naturally, the Repubs would accuse her of holding them up for no reason, but I don't think that argument carries a lot of weight.
Also, Chuck Schumer has been doing a good job at messaging the Articles from a political viewpoint, but I think he might be more effective if he were less obvious politically and spoke more about our national security. Just my opinion.
If our country depended solely on Republicans, we would collapse in 24 hours.
The government is an alien entity to them. It is a liberal creation meant to stymie their opportunities to achieve wealth and power.
They don't worry about causing wars or adhering to our Constitution. Somebody else will die to protect them. They are not patriotic for our country. They are patriotic in hopes of destroying our country.
You don't believe it?
Just look at their actions right now. Look at them defend the criminal in the White House. Look at their indifference and disrespect for our laws. Look at their lies and deceptions. They don't care.
The first casualty of war is the truth.
Do not be deceived by these tit for tats and optimistic prognostications. They may not be real?
The odds are that they are not.
Of course, it should have no bearing on this White House? The first casualty of peace is truth.
Everyone wants to think the best. That it is over. That we will find a diplomatic way to escape from this international crisis.
Let's hope they are right.
Surface to surface missiles are landing on the heads of American soldiers...
...because of Donald Trump.
Republicans are mostly out of touch with reality. They don't even realize what is happening to our troops. The prefer to play political games, rather than look at reality.
This is a very serious situation.
Speaker Pelosi has a reason to hold up the Articles of Impeachment.
There is new evidence. It doesn't diminish what is in the Articles at this time. There was plenty for which to impeach. For those that care to see.
Now, the Senate has gotten back to town and agreed to some rules for their sham Senate trial. Trump wants it over with quickly. Like little lap puppies, the Senate Republicans are obliged to help in any way they can. The Constitution be damned!
Unfortunately, the circumstances have changed for Pelosi.
A lot of new evidence has come out since the House voted to impeach.
There are now emails that show Donald Trump directly ordered the aid to be withheld from Ukraine.
There are twenty emails that they refused to release. They were all redacted.
And now, he has started a frigging war!
So, Pelosi should withhold the Articles for a while longer, in my opinion. The new evidence cannot be ignored.
Republicans meeting behind closed doors this morning to count heads...
If they have 51 votes, and it now appears that they may have their caucus in line, they are ready to vote on the rules for the trial, without any Democratic Party input.
Once they make their announcement, perhaps this afternoon, Nancy Pelosi will name the House Managers. She will likely not commit to a definite date to turn over the Articles?
The Republican plan is to hear the case as presented by the Managers, and then vote on whether or not to call any witnesses. They will attempt to shut down the trial at that point. That is their plan.
Can the House continue to add to the impeachment charges so long as Pelosi is holding Articles?
What is to prevent them from doing so?
The charges that were passed were almost all-encompassing. How difficult would it be to pass addendums (addenda) to the present charges?
Why would there be any need for the whole House to vote on new charges or new information that comes to light, if the new info added to the information is about the same violation of our Constitution?
Until Mitch McConnell is ready for a fair trial, the House should continue to investigate and to add new evidence to the original Articles so long as the new evidence is relevant to the impeachment.
Or the addenda could be presented separately at the Senate trial? The important matter is to make public the charges against this president before the Senate votes. People need to know that their Senators voted with their eyes wide open.
Profile Information
Gender: Do not displayMember since: 2001
Number of posts: 111,110
