The articles of impeachment approved in the Judiciary committee, that will now be voted on by the entire House of Representatives, are cogent and simple. “Abuse of Power” and “Obstruction of Congress” (Justice.) The two articles are very similar to two of three articles brought against Nixon.
However, back in the day when facts mattered and politicians actually put the country before party, Nixon’s staunchest supporters ultimately did not deny the facts of the case. When Nixon realized he didn’t have the votes in the Senate to save his presidency, he resigned, rather than face the specter of a public trial and the humiliation it would bring.
But we live in scary times. Our democracy is under siege. Facts seem to have little meaning. We have an entire political party standing behind a vile man who at every turn flaunts the rule of law. Our country is being led by an ignominious ignoramus whose only concern is his own enrichment and power; an orange haired bully who gets his greatest joy from devaluing others; a man whose greatest skill is lying with such ease that he has convinced millions of people that he is telling the truth and everything said about him is “fake news”; a craven criminal who believes he can get away with anything.
Instead of Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham going to the oval office (like one of Nixon’s staunchest supporters, Barry Goldwater did) and saying Mr. President: “We love ya, but you did some bad stuff and we can’t support you no more,” they are doubling down in their defense of him.
Here’s what each said about the role they will play in the senate trial:
“I am trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind. I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here,” Graham said, adding, “What I see coming, happening today is just a partisan nonsense.”
During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, the Majority Leader said that “everything” he does “during this, I’m coordinating with the White House counsel. There will be no difference between the president’s position and our position as to how to handle this, to the extent that we can.”
Graham and McConnell’s are jurors in the Senate trial. If they were to make statements like that during a jury selection process in any trial in this country, they would immediately be sent their marching papers. The Don has taught them well. You can thwart any sense of normalcy, defile your oath of office and people will scream for a while, but then no one will care. This is The Don’s brilliance: when everything is not normal then that becomes the new normal.
Maybe there are a few really stupid lawmakers (I mean you Louie Gohmert!) out there that can’t differentiate facts from fiction, or who like a battered spouse, will defend their partner despite the devastation they cause, but almost all of them know that The Don is guilty.
Based on the facts of the case, any second-rate trial lawyer, could sleep walk through this case to victory. Every person who testified reaffirmed the same thing. The Don abused the power of his office to obtain dirt on a political appointment from a foreign government to advance his prospects for winning the 2020 election. He withheld almost $400 million (extortion and bribery) in military aid to Ukraine-a classic example of quid pro quo-which compromised Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself against Russia. He threatened our national security by attempting to allow a foreign government to meddle in our election and by allowing Russia to get an upper hand in its attempt to appropriate part of Ukraine, which is a sovereign state. Then he obstructed Congress at every turn in its attempt to pursue the truth.
The facts are not in question here. What is in question is the Republicans commitment to their oath of office to protect the constitution of our country. The constitution as a political document is only as meaningful as the people’s willingness to defend it. The Republicans are engaged in a shameful and dangerous dereliction of their duty. Their sycophancy is only superseded by their immorality. They have abandoned their posts as the protectors of our democracy and will be remembered for their treasonous behavior; they will be remembered for propping up a malignant narcissist who seeks absolute power and who has shown himself to viciously abuse that power. He will do anything to win a second term and Republicans will be held responsible for the mayhem that will ensue, as we ain’t seen nothing yet.
The very presence of The Don in the White House is a stain on our country. His amorality fundamentally disqualifies him from being president; his lack of humanity and malignant narcissism make him a “clear and present danger” to our country and the world on a daily basis. The list of his impeachable offenses is long but for multiple reasons only two were brought.
That being the case, I’d like to put forth one more for fun.
Impeachment Article 3. Time Magazine Person of the Year award envy.
The Don was apoplectic when he found out he was usurped by Greta Thurnberg, the 16 year old Climate Change Activist, tweeting:
So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!
Scene: The Don in the oval office.
The Don: I should have won. I have done more regarding climate change than anyone, ever!
Aide: Mr. President, actually you’ve done more to dismantle climate change policy than anyone.
The Don: So? More is more. It doesn’t matter what kind of more it is. It’s just goddamn more! Now get Time on the phone. This will not stand!
OMFG TRUMP - Tales From the Other Side 