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WAPO: The Judiciary Committee votes to impeach, and Trump is on his way to his one line in history

By Jennifer Rubin

............

For the Republican Party, this episode is, we can only hope, the final nail in a party that has become a mouthpiece for foreign propaganda and an anti-democratic enabler of a corrupt president. We arrived at this point because Republicans rejected character as a qualification for president; Republicans joined in Trump’s assault on facts; Republicans attacked and smeared the intelligence community; Republicans refused to hold Trump accountable for obstruction of Robert S. Mueller III’s Russia investigation in Russian interference in the 2016 election; and Republicans refused to find fault and perhaps agree on a lesser penalty than impeachment. Without a willing and deceitful right-wing media and “useful idiots” in the House Republican caucus, we would not now be facing the ordeal of impeachment.

Impeachment is not, as some commentators have suggested, designed to “resolve” the matter or provide national catharsis. It is meant to establish, if only for history, that there is a line no president shall cross. It is a flashing red light to future presidents: Do not go there.

It is fitting I suppose that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is already colluding with the White House to conduct a sham Senate trial in which witnesses will be prevented from testifying. McConnell hammers the last nail in the coffin of the Senate’s reputation when, without hesitation nor any concern for the institution and in the role of the trial juror’s foreman, he plots with the defendant to promulgate rules that ensure the least amount of fuss in the march to their predetermined outcome. One could argue that this is no trial at all and that a subsequent Senate, if Trump is — God forbid — reelected, would be entitled to declare a mistrial and proceed with a full, fair and complete trial on the merits.

Anyone not intoxicated by the brew of Fox News-Breitbart-Federalist-Sinclair-talk radio conspiracy theories, out-and-out lies and hysteria would, after only a few minutes of viewing the past two days of House Judiciary Committee proceedings, conclude that one party is utterly unfit to hold office and is collectively off its rocker. The other, however imperfectly, is attempting to lay down a marker, to conduct constitutional hygiene and to leave bread crumbs for history that lead to the conclusion: This was the most corrupt president in history who violated his oath and betrayed his country.

The rest:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/13/judiciary-committee-votes-impeach-trump-is-his-way-his-one-line-history/

A Diverse America Votes to Uphold the Constitution-A Largely Male White America Votes to Abrogate It

The House Judiciary Committee just voted to send two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the full House.

The entire vote took just three minutes. But it said so much about the state of America today.

It will forever be portrayed as a party line vote, with 23 Democrats in favor, and 17 Republicans against. But it was also a tribute to the degree to which polarization in America today pivots on issues of diversity.

The Democrats who voted in favor included 11 women, and 13 people of color or Latinx (Ted Lieu missed the vote recovering from a heart procedure). Several are immigrants. These Democrats voted to uphold the Constitution a bunch of white men, several of them owners of African-American slaves, wrote hundreds of years ago.

The Republicans who voted against were all white. Just two were women. These Republicans voted to permit a racist white make President to cheat to get reelected in violation of the rule of law.

This is about a clash between the rising America and the past. And it’s unclear who will win this battle for America.


https://twitter.com/emptywheel/status/1205513081901727744
https://www.emptywheel.net/2019/12/13/a-diverse-america-votes-to-uphold-the-constitution-a-largely-male-white-america-votes-to-abrogate-it/

Michelle Obama To Greta Thunberg: "Don't let anyone dim your light"

"A fecal iceberg"

Explained here:
https://twitter.com/11thHour/status/1205361918317383680

This pretty much sums up Impeachment proceedings.

Swalwell: Our colleagues would have you wait until the building burnt to the ground.

Swalwell: Our colleagues would have you wait until the building burnt to the ground. This president has set our democracy on fire.

https://twitter.com/emptywheel/status/1205277038711648257

Democrats "should let the facts speak for themselves because they are in fact shouting"

More of this please.

Hey Donald Trump. My brother is in his early 20s and on the autism spectrum. Here's our story...

@xaviergonjr

My brother is in his early 20s and on the #autism spectrum. He was diagnosed when he was about 5.

Here's our story...

When my brother (Vincent) was a baby, we noticed that he wasn't quite developing in the same way my sister had.

Even back then, I remember looking into his eyes and feeling like something was...different.

He had this blank stare that seem to foreshadow what was to come in the following years.

Around the time that toddlers typically begin to talk or say words...Vincent didn't.

We all noticed. My mom was especially worried.

My parents took Vincent to get his ears checked. Maybe he couldn't hear. Perhaps that was the reason why he wasn't talking yet.

After many doctor visits...the diagnosis came.

Vincent was autistic. Non verbal.

Those first few years after that were extremely tough for the family. We were frustrated that we couldn't communicate with him. And little did we know...he felt the same way about us.

You see, the thing about autism is that it doesn't take away your desire to communicate. It just....complicates the process.

So many times I saw my brother struggle and get angry because it was obvious he was trying to tell us something...but literally couldn't speak the words.

The school years didn't get much easier for us. At first, Vincent was placed in a special needs class because...well frankly...the school didn't really know what else to do with him. The resources at the time were just not there.

But my mother would not stand for that. She fought to get Vincent into a "regular" classroom. She wanted him to be able to interact with kids in a "normal" setting.

She fought the school board, school district...and everything in between.

During his time in school (elementary, jr. high, and high school) Vincent attended a "regular" classroom. He was accompanied by an assistant who guided him through every part of his day.

And just a few years ago....Vincent graduated high school.
It was a proud moment for our family.

However, even with all the progress my brother has made over the years...life for him will never really be "normal".

As a young adult in his 20s, Vincent is still reading/writing/speaking essentially like a 5-6 year old.

He will always be playing catch up.
He will always need someone to guide him.
He will always be dependent on someone.

But one thing has always been consistent.
Vincent has always been a joy.

He's funny.
He's caring.
He's loves his family.

And unlike you, Mr. "President"....
He actually has empathy.

He understands when someone is sad or upset.
He reacts and offers his sympathy just like anyone else.

Donald Trump Your attack on Greta Thunberg this morning was pathetic. It was sad. It was beneath the office of the President.

The fact that she is on the autism spectrum makes it all the more personal to me.

Because, when you attack her....it's like you are attacking my brother. When your GOP stooges attack and mock her....it's like they are attacking my brother.

How sad for our country that we have such a disgusting and vile human being occupying the highest office in the land.

How sad indeed, Mr. "President".

Why don't you try and #BeBest...for once.


From this thread:
https://twitter.com/xaviergonjr/status/1205140505186713600