The Trump Impeachment

[Tero]

Justice Roberts blocks Sen. Paul from naming whistleblower, source says – and Paul may force the issue

Asked by Fox News whether Paul, who has long raised concerns about possible intelligence community overreach, would press the issue during the upcoming question period, a spokesman for the senator told Fox News only, "tbd" -- short for "to be determined." Last year, Paul was vocal about wanting testimony from the whistleblower on the record.

Republicans have sought more information on the whistleblower ever since the intelligence community's internal watchdog found several indicators that the person might have a political bias. Fox News has previously reported the whistleblower is a registered Democrat and had a prior work history with a senior Democrat running for president.

It could be, Republicans have asserted, that the whistleblower coordinated his complaint with Schiff's panel for partisan reasons -- a disclosure that, if true, would likely undermine the credibility of the impeachment proceedings and possibly expose Schiff to his own "abuse of power" allegations. Thus far, the impeachment effort has arguably been elevated in importance from normal partisan bickering in part by the gravitas afforded to the supposedly well-meaning whistleblower at the center of the case.

On Wednesday, Schiff again denied knowing the identity of the whistleblower, even as Republicans accused him of deliberately lying. Schiff repeatedly shut down GOP questions during the House impeachment proceedings concerning White House leaks -- even though doing so at one point seemingly demonstrated that Schiff likely knew the whistleblower's identity.

FOX

[Tero]

Latest lame defense: Trump was working on his re-election in Ukraine, because, for national security, it is "dangerous to have any other president than Trump." It has been labeled the Sun King defense.

[JimC]

"L'etat et moi"

[Tero]

It would be so so super, if the final removal vote went 50-50. Clinton had 55/45 and 50/50 on his articles. Plus they took out his law license.

[Hermit]

"L'état, c'est moi."

This quote has not been attributed to Louis XIV until late in the 18th century. No primary sources exist. He is, however, recorded by numerous eyewitnesses as having said on his deathbed: "Je m'en vais, mais l'État demeurera toujours." ("I depart, but the State shall always remain.")

[JimC]

My grasp on French is somewhat vague - thanks, Hermit...

[Tero]

Still grabbing pussies:

Harris’s question refocused attention on an explosive moment in Trump’s 2016 campaign, when an Access Hollywood tape leaked and showed him bragging about abusing his position of power to commit sexual assault.

It raised a direct parallel with the way he has talked about his expansive power as president, and it also reminded lawmakers — and the public — about another damning set of allegations Trump faces: Currently, more than 20 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct.

https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2020/1 ... ala-harris

[Brian Peacock]

Rigged!

[pErvinalia]

Is it over yet?

[Animavore]

So the Republicans conceded that Trump is a scumbag who committed crimes but they don't see it as a reason to impeach.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 6929332714

Democracy dies today in the US. The Constitution left in tatters.

[pErvinalia]

Democracy? Don't get Scot started!

[Tero]

CNN
"At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the Chief Justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence, contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the chief justice, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution?"
As Roberts had done for countless other argumentative or awkward queries, he read Warren's card with a straight face and firm voice. Lead House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff suggested that the rule of law, not the chief justice's legitimacy, was at stake.
Nonetheless Warren's question reinforced the important moment for Roberts and his image in the public eye.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics ... index.html

[Tero]

CNN

They are right. The second terms of populists and nationalists have always been more extreme. In the US the pendulum swings in 8 year sweeps.

[Scot Dutchy]

What gets me is that many Americans live under the illusion that the USA is some kind of democracy where their vote actually matters.

[Svartalf]

well, if they are reds from an underpopulated landlocked state, and preferably in cahoots with their rep and senator, maybe it does...