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Shoonra

(602 posts)

19. This makes no sense

Tue Jan 21, 2020, 02:09 AM

Jan 2020

When the Founders used the words "high crimes and misdemeanors" as impeachable offenses, in 1787, there were no federal criminal statutes. The federal criminal laws didn't exist until two years later. That's one reason the Founders explicitly mentioned treason and bribery - two offenses for which statutes didn't yet exist but were easily recognized as wrongful acts. One thing we learned from Watergate was that impeachable offenses were whatever Congress decided, not necessarily something for which ordinary citizens could be jailed.

People who think only statutory crimes are impeachable offenses probably are not more numerous than the people who think the earth is flat.

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Pic Of The Moment: Trump's Defense Boils Down To "Abuse Of Power Is Okay -- If You're A Republican" [View all] EarlG Jan 2020 OP

K&R Gothmog Jan 2020 #1

Kick! DesertRat Jan 2020 #2

K & R! Iliyah Jan 2020 #3

What happened to that guy? Piasladic Jan 2020 #4

I'd rather assume he was always this way. Same BootinUp Jan 2020 #15

Kick dalton99a Jan 2020 #5

Well, we certainly have a double standard here. PatrickforO Jan 2020 #6

Such a disgrace. calimary Jan 2020 #7

KNR N_E_1 for Tennis Jan 2020 #8

You nailed it. This is their true brand. JudyM Jan 2020 #9

Self styled "liberal democrat" Moral Compass Jan 2020 #10

I'd be curious to hear Dershowitz's excuse for this. yardwork Jan 2020 #11

You won't. maxsolomon Jan 2020 #12

Lonely for him in the Hamptons. yardwork Jan 2020 #13

Tiny violins maxsolomon Jan 2020 #14

It's because republicans think they are I_UndergroundPanther Jan 2020 #16

He is a fucking sell-out! He used to be liberal until the money became more important. Lowlife! nt Quixote1818 Jan 2020 #17

Yeah right... the founders were all Ok with abuse of power Ohioboy Jan 2020 #18

This makes no sense Shoonra Jan 2020 #19

DON'T GLORIFY THIS NUT JOB!! blakstoneranger Jan 2020 #20

There are two places I would look at when it comes to impeachment. Fortinbras Armstrong Jan 2020 #21

Great post I_UndergroundPanther Jan 2020 #22