I really and truly want to see the Dems push through their new voting rights act just as soon as possible. Smashmouth politics would be absolutely in order.
So, I have come to a conclusion that I feel good about. While there is general agreement that Trump is an abuser, what is not adequately addressed is that the U.S. legal system has difficulty dealing with abusers. Most of the victims of domestic abuse will attest to that. I say most, because active enablers, dreaded by law enforcement, prefer to join forces with the abuser when help arrives. Generally, however, the victims of abuse cannot help themselves because resistance risk additional injury, if not death. So, there has to be a third party intervention, AND IT HAS TO COME EARLY. Because abusers, even when they get their way, always escalate. Perhaps the lust for power is an addiction. Anyway, Donald Trump is an equal opportunity abuser and needs to be neutralized. While he has been fairly securely contained in the White House for four years, that has proved detrimental because many other important stuff got overlooked. Poor Donald needs specialized care.
The level of projection that emanated from DT's counsel was profound. The level of codependency and battered spouse syndrome from the Republicans was stunning. Those people must have grown up in highly dysfunctional households, or been born with something amiss...like DT having an undersized amygdala.
Senate Votes to Call Witnesses In Impeachment Trial February 13, 2021 at 10:27 am EST By Taegan Goddard The Senate voted 55 to 45 to allow the House impeachment managers to subpoena witnesses. The Republican senators who joined Democrats in approving witnesses: Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Lisa Murkowski, Ben Sasse and Mitt Romney. Graham originally voted “no” but changed his vote to “yes” after the roll call. ======================= Specifically, [the managers] want to depose Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) who confirmed on Friday night that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told her that Trump had sided with the mob during the riot. ====================== Trump ‘Stunned’ Trial Will Continue February 13, 2021 at 11:10 am EST By Taegan Goddard Sources close to former President Donald Trump are “floored” by what just happened in the impeachment trial, ABC News reports. The words being used: “Stunned,” “Stupefied” and “Digesting this.” Another report says there is “complete panic” on the Trump team.
Rep. Jaime Herrera (R-WA) confirmed on Friday night that the top House Republican, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), told her that former president Donald Trump had sided with the mob during a phone call as the Jan. 6 Capitol attack unfolded, the New York Times reports. She pleaded with witnesses to step forward and share what they knew about Trump’s actions: “To the patriots who were standing next to the former president as these conversations were happening, or even to the former vice president: if you have something to add here, now would be the time.” ======================= “A report from CNN published Friday evening, offering fresh details about a contentious call between Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on the day of the riot, led at least one Senate Democrat to say he and his colleagues would support extending the proceedings if House impeachment managers indicated a desire for it.”
Said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): “If they make a decision to call witnesses, obviously, we would welcome that.”
I was watching the whole thing and it is definitely worthy of seeing a clip...!
Trump's lawyer had several hissy fits. My favourite moment was when he, clearly unsettled, tried to argue that any witnesses, to be properly deposed, would have to be deposed in his office in Philadelphia. The Senators laughed out loud! Presiding Senator Leahy had to remind them to remain quiet. It was soooo funny.
Best of all, witnesses are voted on one by one, and it's all by majority vote!!
DT's Atty David Schoen wasn't there, because it's the sabbath and he's an Orthodox Jew. So Bruce Castor was the one having several fits. He also tried to ask a question about the vote and Leahy cut him off because debate is not allowed during the vote. He was incredulous! LOL!
Alan, "Trump 'stunned' that trial will continue". I can't even tell you how much I love this! And after gelatinous Graham *assured* him it would all be over by Sunday!
I figure Graham changed his vote because he suddenly got the idear that he could then force some Dems to get on the hot seat and be cross examined. Plus it would slow down Biden's agenda.
“When Senate Democrats stepped onto the floor on Saturday morning, they had no idea the House impeachment managers were about to drop a political grenade in their laps,” Politico reports. “While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his members had prepared for the possibility of voting on witnesses, they got no warning that the lead House prosecutor of former President Donald Trump was about to force a vote that sent the trial spiraling into chaos. The impeachment managers spent Friday night and Saturday morning wrestling with the question themselves.” ====================== Senate Reaches Deal to Avoid Witnesses In Trial February 13, 2021 at 12:52 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 79 Comments The Senate reached a deal to enter Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s (R-WA) statement into the record of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in lieu of calling witnesses. Herrera Beutler confirmed on Friday night House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told her that former president Donald Trump had sided with the mob during a phone call as the Jan. 6 Capitol attack unfolded.
Personally, I'd rather see the policies this country needs moving forward than have everything tied up with what I can only regard as poorly scripted TV drama. (Is there such a thing as well-scripted TV drama these days? It's been so long since I had the TV on I don't know.)
Listening to the reporting last night on CNN of the details of the previously known phone call between McCarthy and Trump, the word jellyfish came to mind, only that's an insult to jellyfish.
McCarthy was frightened and angry enough to say to the President of the United States, "Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?" and yet mere hours later he voted to disallow the certification of the Electoral College vote, just as that same president wanted. He spoke forcefully of the president being responsible for the insurrectionary mob, and yet days later he went down to Florida to pay court to that same president in retirement. That's not political opportunism, that's schizophrenia. McCarthy should be in the ward right beside Trump's in St. E's!
Shared guilt is a powerful bond. The mafia orders a novice to carry out a senseless "hit" so they have something on him should he dare to defect. How many witnesses to a crime are coerced into participating so they will not snitch? Yes, Trump is an indiscriminate abuser. He is intimidated by some women.
Wouldn't it be nice! On the other hand, Sen. McConnell said something very interesting; to whit, while in his view the former president is not subject to impeachment and conviction by virtue of now being a private citizen, as a private citizen he is subject to criminal and civil law. And the senator indicated quite forcefully that Citizen Trump *should* be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I rather fancy that's also the view of several D.A.s.
Does Moscow Mitch think that we didn't notice that he made sure that trump would be a private citizen by holding off the trial until AFTER the mango menace was out of office?
Hey, I never claimed McConnell was anything other than a slimy son of a bitch and I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Merely pointing out that his remarks linked above make for interesting listening. My suspicion is that both pro-Trump and anti-Trump outlets will edit said remarks heavily to fit the prevailing narrative (current fantasy?)..
I shouted that same thing at the television at least three times during McConnell's speech, Susan! I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't the TV's fault less I wing my teacup at the screen! He had a helluvalotta nerve to vote to acquit and then speak thusly! I was and remain FURIOUS!!!
Well, he wasn't going to be convicted. No one ever has been since we started this country. No president, anyways. But the word is out, the truth is out, it was SEEN. Excellent job. Hope the rest of the Tribe of Law does as good a job in their venues, but whether or not they do, or can do, I really think he's donedonedone. Oh, sure, a few of the very most disabled will hang on forever and ever, but as a force with any real power, he's finished.
Now Biden can continue to work his astonishing magic, and we can get on with healing. The GOP is rotten ice in April, and the sun is shining. Something deep and good has changed, right at the core.
I would love to think so, puddle. But I do not trust those rightwingers. If given the chance, that south will rise again. We must put good people in place to keep a close eye on them.
I was moved to look up something or other about Charles I, on account of him being impeached and convicted with extreme prejudice and all. That brought up Charles II, [Click] to whom I had never paid much attention. Boy, does his history ever give meaning to the chorus of Weevily Wheat, as I learned it:
Charlie he’s a fine young man, Charlie he’s a dandy; He loves to hug and kiss the girls, And feed them on good candy.
Impeachment Trial Sharpens GOP Divides February 13, 2021 at 9:22 pm EST By Taegan Goddard
Wall Street Journal: “The dramatic conclusion of former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial laid bare deep philosophical rifts between Republicans, as GOP senators splintered not only over the question of Mr. Trump’s guilt, but also the future of their party and Mr. Trump’s role in it.”
New York Times: “The vote stands as a pivotal moment for the party Mr. Trump molded into a cult of personality, one likely to leave a deep blemish in the historical record. Now that Republicans have passed up an opportunity to banish him through impeachment, it is not clear when — or how — they might go about transforming their party into something other than a vessel for a semiretired demagogue who was repudiated by a majority of voters.”
“Defeated by President Biden, stripped of his social-media megaphone, impeached again by the House of Representatives and accused of betraying his oath by a handful of Republican dissenters, Mr. Trump nonetheless remains the dominant force in right-wing politics. Even offline and off camera at his Palm Beach estate, and offering only a feeble impeachment defense through his legal team in Washington, the former president continues to command unmatched admiration from conservative voters.”
Been fairly tickled at how many of my Utah nephews and nieces have ended up on my facebook pages liking things I wouldn't have suspected. Just a nice feeling.
Headline:
ReplyDeleteImpeachment trial: defense lawyers argue Trump is victim of 'cancel culture'
Ah, yes..."cancel culture." Another right-wing hoodoo, or straw man if you will-- like "antifa," "socialist," or "entitlements."
I really and truly want to see the Dems push through their new voting rights act just as soon as possible. Smashmouth politics would be absolutely in order.
DeleteSo, I have come to a conclusion that I feel good about. While there is general agreement that Trump is an abuser, what is not adequately addressed is that the U.S. legal system has difficulty dealing with abusers. Most of the victims of domestic abuse will attest to that. I say most, because active enablers, dreaded by law enforcement, prefer to join forces with the abuser when help arrives.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, however, the victims of abuse cannot help themselves because resistance risk additional injury, if not death. So, there has to be a third party intervention, AND IT HAS TO COME EARLY. Because abusers, even when they get their way, always escalate. Perhaps the lust for power is an addiction.
Anyway, Donald Trump is an equal opportunity abuser and needs to be neutralized. While he has been fairly securely contained in the White House for four years, that has proved detrimental because many other important stuff got overlooked.
Poor Donald needs specialized care.
That is exactly what I was thinking! The Republicans are reacting to trump just like an abused wife reacts to the abusive husband!
DeleteThe level of projection that emanated from DT's counsel was profound. The level of codependency and battered spouse syndrome from the Republicans was stunning. Those people must have grown up in highly dysfunctional households, or been born with something amiss...like DT having an undersized amygdala.
DeleteThis just in:
ReplyDeleteSenate Votes to Call Witnesses In Impeachment Trial
February 13, 2021 at 10:27 am EST By Taegan Goddard
The Senate voted 55 to 45 to allow the House impeachment managers to subpoena witnesses.
The Republican senators who joined Democrats in approving witnesses: Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Lisa Murkowski, Ben Sasse and Mitt Romney.
Graham originally voted “no” but changed his vote to “yes” after the roll call.
=======================
Specifically, [the managers] want to depose Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) who confirmed on Friday night that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told her that Trump had sided with the mob during the riot.
======================
Trump ‘Stunned’ Trial Will Continue
February 13, 2021 at 11:10 am EST By Taegan Goddard
Sources close to former President Donald Trump are “floored” by what just happened in the impeachment trial, ABC News reports.
The words being used: “Stunned,” “Stupefied” and “Digesting this.”
Another report says there is “complete panic” on the Trump team.
Sounds like good fun to me. . .
DeleteI must say that Lindsay Graham surprises me, although I seem to recall Trump somehow being mean to him not long ago.
DeleteRep. Jaime Herrera (R-WA) confirmed on Friday night that the top House Republican, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), told her that former president Donald Trump had sided with the mob during a phone call as the Jan. 6 Capitol attack unfolded, the New York Times reports.
DeleteShe pleaded with witnesses to step forward and share what they knew about Trump’s actions: “To the patriots who were standing next to the former president as these conversations were happening, or even to the former vice president: if you have something to add here, now would be the time.”
=======================
“A report from CNN published Friday evening, offering fresh details about a contentious call between Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on the day of the riot, led at least one Senate Democrat to say he and his colleagues would support extending the proceedings if House impeachment managers indicated a desire for it.”
Said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): “If they make a decision to call witnesses, obviously, we would welcome that.”
I was watching the whole thing and it is definitely worthy of seeing a clip...!
DeleteTrump's lawyer had several hissy fits. My favourite moment was when he, clearly unsettled, tried to argue that any witnesses, to be properly deposed, would have to be deposed in his office in Philadelphia. The Senators laughed out loud! Presiding Senator Leahy had to remind them to remain quiet. It was soooo funny.
Best of all, witnesses are voted on one by one, and it's all by majority vote!!
DT's Atty David Schoen wasn't there, because it's the sabbath and he's an Orthodox Jew. So Bruce Castor was the one having several fits. He also tried to ask a question about the vote and Leahy cut him off because debate is not allowed during the vote. He was incredulous! LOL!
DeleteAnd this just after McConnell sent a letter to GOP caucus members saying he would vote to acquit.
DeleteAlan, "Trump 'stunned' that trial will continue". I can't even tell you how much I love this! And after gelatinous Graham *assured* him it would all be over by Sunday!
DeleteGreat minds work in the same way, Susan! I think this hullabaloo must arise from, or be related to this bit I posted yesterday:
DeleteTrump Refused McCarthy’s Request to Call Off Rioters [Click] It’s more of a story than one would expect from the lede.
Wait, I was wrong, It was Michael van der Veen who had the hissy fits.
DeleteI figure Graham changed his vote because he suddenly got the idear that he could then force some Dems to get on the hot seat and be cross examined. Plus it would slow down Biden's agenda.
Delete'The moral centre': how Jamie Raskin dominated the stage at Trump's trial [Click] An excellent backgrounder on the gentleman.
ReplyDeleteDammit! Chickensh!t Schumer folded and agreed there will be no witnesses. He is WAY PAST his "use by" date and he's hurting us.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's letdown.
Delete“When Senate Democrats stepped onto the floor on Saturday morning, they had no idea the House impeachment managers were about to drop a political grenade in their laps,” Politico reports.
Delete“While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his members had prepared for the possibility of voting on witnesses, they got no warning that the lead House prosecutor of former President Donald Trump was about to force a vote that sent the trial spiraling into chaos. The impeachment managers spent Friday night and Saturday morning wrestling with the question themselves.”
======================
Senate Reaches Deal to Avoid Witnesses In Trial
February 13, 2021 at 12:52 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 79 Comments
The Senate reached a deal to enter Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s (R-WA) statement into the record of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in lieu of calling witnesses.
Herrera Beutler confirmed on Friday night House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told her that former president Donald Trump had sided with the mob during a phone call as the Jan. 6 Capitol attack unfolded.
Personally, I'd rather see the policies this country needs moving forward than have everything tied up with what I can only regard as poorly scripted TV drama. (Is there such a thing as well-scripted TV drama these days? It's been so long since I had the TV on I don't know.)
DeleteCNN's timeline and commentary of the day...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-trial-02-13-2021/index.html
RIP Hal Holbrook
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cnn.com/2021/02/02/entertainment/hal-holbrook-obit/
He died several days ago. He was a big favorite of my dad's.
DeleteLeft a note at the end of the last thread.
ReplyDeleteListening to the reporting last night on CNN of the details of the previously known phone call between McCarthy and Trump, the word jellyfish came to mind, only that's an insult to jellyfish.
ReplyDeleteMcCarthy was frightened and angry enough to say to the President of the United States, "Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?" and yet mere hours later he voted to disallow the certification of the Electoral College vote, just as that same president wanted. He spoke forcefully of the president being responsible for the insurrectionary mob, and yet days later he went down to Florida to pay court to that same president in retirement. That's not political opportunism, that's schizophrenia. McCarthy should be in the ward right beside Trump's in St. E's!
I maintain that DT has some dirt on a lot of the Republicans and he reminds them of this as needed.
DeleteCould be. He seems a lot like a Mob boss.
DeleteShared guilt is a powerful bond. The mafia orders a novice to carry out a senseless "hit" so they have something on him should he dare to defect. How many witnesses to a crime are coerced into participating so they will not snitch?
DeleteYes, Trump is an indiscriminate abuser. He is intimidated by some women.
For your listening pleasure:
ReplyDeleteChristopher Plummer Magnificently plays Piano on a break at shooting of ELSA & FRED film. - Click
https://www.yahoo.com/news/magnitude-7-1-earthquake-strikes-162744405.html
ReplyDeleteVery deep and well offshore.
DeleteDeep means no tsunami, right?
DeleteDid offshore translate to mild onshore? I thought I heard "12 deaths" earlier.
COVID; CASES 937,541 and 16,340 deaths.
ReplyDelete1.74%
DeleteThey're voting.
ReplyDeleteMcConnell just voted not guilty.
Rubio was the 34th vote to acquit. He's acquitted.
ReplyDelete7 R's voted guilty.
ReplyDeleteFinal vote: 57 Guilty / 43 Not Guilty
These are the seven Republicans who voted to convict the former President:
ReplyDeleteRichard Burr
Bill Cassidy
Susan Collins
Lisa Murkowski
Mitt Romney
Ben Sasse
Pat Toomey
The other 43 members are the Big Lie party.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Remarks Following Vote on Impeachment - Click
ReplyDeleteSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Remarks Following Senate Impeachment Vote - Click
Is it too much to hope that DT will now fade into the obscurity he so richly deserves?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice! On the other hand, Sen. McConnell said something very interesting; to whit, while in his view the former president is not subject to impeachment and conviction by virtue of now being a private citizen, as a private citizen he is subject to criminal and civil law. And the senator indicated quite forcefully that Citizen Trump *should* be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I rather fancy that's also the view of several D.A.s.
DeleteDoes Moscow Mitch think that we didn't notice that he made sure that trump would be a private citizen by holding off the trial until AFTER the mango menace was out of office?
DeleteHey, I never claimed McConnell was anything other than a slimy son of a bitch and I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Merely pointing out that his remarks linked above make for interesting listening. My suspicion is that both pro-Trump and anti-Trump outlets will edit said remarks heavily to fit the prevailing narrative (current fantasy?)..
DeleteI shouted that same thing at the television at least three times during McConnell's speech, Susan! I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't the TV's fault less I wing my teacup at the screen! He had a helluvalotta nerve to vote to acquit and then speak thusly! I was and remain FURIOUS!!!
DeleteTried to post this at 4.0, but it wouldn't take.
ReplyDeleteWell, he wasn't going to be convicted. No one ever has been since we started this country. No president, anyways. But the word is out, the truth is out, it was SEEN. Excellent job. Hope the rest of the Tribe of Law does as good a job in their venues, but whether or not they do, or can do, I really think he's donedonedone. Oh, sure, a few of the very most disabled will hang on forever and ever, but as a force with any real power, he's finished.
Now Biden can continue to work his astonishing magic, and we can get on with healing. The GOP is rotten ice in April, and the sun is shining. Something deep and good has changed, right at the core.
I would love to think so, puddle. But I do not trust those rightwingers. If given the chance, that south will rise again. We must put good people in place to keep a close eye on them.
DeleteI was moved to look up something or other about Charles I, on account of him being impeached and convicted with extreme prejudice and all. That brought up Charles II, [Click] to whom I had never paid much attention. Boy, does his history ever give meaning to the chorus of Weevily Wheat, as I learned it:
ReplyDeleteCharlie he’s a fine young man,
Charlie he’s a dandy;
He loves to hug and kiss the girls,
And feed them on good candy.
Impeachment Trial Sharpens GOP Divides
ReplyDeleteFebruary 13, 2021 at 9:22 pm EST By Taegan Goddard
Wall Street Journal: “The dramatic conclusion of former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial laid bare deep philosophical rifts between Republicans, as GOP senators splintered not only over the question of Mr. Trump’s guilt, but also the future of their party and Mr. Trump’s role in it.”
New York Times: “The vote stands as a pivotal moment for the party Mr. Trump molded into a cult of personality, one likely to leave a deep blemish in the historical record. Now that Republicans have passed up an opportunity to banish him through impeachment, it is not clear when — or how — they might go about transforming their party into something other than a vessel for a semiretired demagogue who was repudiated by a majority of voters.”
“Defeated by President Biden, stripped of his social-media megaphone, impeached again by the House of Representatives and accused of betraying his oath by a handful of Republican dissenters, Mr. Trump nonetheless remains the dominant force in right-wing politics. Even offline and off camera at his Palm Beach estate, and offering only a feeble impeachment defense through his legal team in Washington, the former president continues to command unmatched admiration from conservative voters.”
I just noticed that there is a delete option in the comments again. When did that happen?
ReplyDeleteJanuary 29th. I sent you word of it in a Messenger message that day, remember?
DeleteAh. I thought it was some other problem that got fixed.
DeleteBeen fairly tickled at how many of my Utah nephews and nieces have ended up on my facebook pages liking things I wouldn't have suspected. Just a nice feeling.
ReplyDelete😊👍
DeleteVT cases: 13,561-13,415=146
ReplyDelete2825 active cases
189 deaths(0)
Recovered 10,547 (77.8%)
Hospital 48 (-3) ICU 8 (-3)
Tests 316,438 (+587)