Come Heller high water …
- So, did you watch? If your answer was “Watch what?” you’ve confirmed my belief that most Americans don’t care all that much about impeachment, the government or anything else going on in Washington. Impeachment, to most, is just one more bit of partisan squabbling. “Let us know when you’re done, OK?”
- On the bright side, we may be divided about politics but we’re united in not caring very much about it. That’s something, right?
- Among those who do care, many, I suspect, keep waiting for that moment of shame where Republicans in Congress flip from defending the indefensible to
voting the president out of office, as they did with Nixon. Good always wins in the end, right? But I don’t think that’s going to happen this time. There’s something different these days, something missing. The Republican Party has moved from country first, party second to themselves first, party second, country … what’s that? - Hey, Republicans, don’t worry about it. The House will impeach Trump but the Senate will save him, thereby making it OK for future presidents to thwart investigations and do as they please, including blowing off the views of the judicial and legislative branches. Neat, huh?
- The GOP added Rep. Jim Jordan to the House Intelligence Committee shortly before the impeachment hearing, as if he was a top draft pick coming off the bench to save the game. He didn’t. His grand gambit was to portray the testimony of the witnesses as hopelessly complex and therefore likely false. It fell flat. Jordan also – like a rookie – opened himself up for the zinger of the day. Griping about the whistleblower, Jordan whined “There is one witness that they won’t bring in front of us, they won’t bring in front of the American people. That’s the guy who started it all.” To which Rep. Welch responded, “I’d be glad to have the person who started it all come in and testify. President Trump is welcome to take a seat right there.” Zing! Perfect.
- Republicans keep insisting the whistleblower should be outed despite the fact that the whistleblower is no longer relevant. The whistleblower said Trump did it. Trump said Trump did. Trump’s own appointees said he did it. Which tells me that (stay with me here) he did it.
- Bill Taylor and George Kent were outstanding witnesses. They were serious, forthcoming, prepared and not in the least intimidated by the nonsense lobbed their way from GOP questioners. They outshone everyone in the room, including the Democrats. They were so good they somewhat restored my faith that adults still exist in government. I’ve heard it said that the bureaucracy is the most powerful part of the government. Let’s hope that’s so.
- Republicans clearly scored few if any points on substance but I don’t think that was their point. Their goal, I think, was simply to be seen asking “tough” questions. The answers didn’t matter because their base already believes the hearings are a sham.
- Trump said Wednesday that he was too busy to pay attention to the hearing, although not too busy to retweet 22 posts from GOP leaders about it. He also said the hearing was “boring.” How would he know if he wasn’t watching?
- “These are not grounds for impeachment. These are grounds for divorce.” — Maureen Dowd, on Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky.
You are always on target! You make so much sense. Look forward to each column.
Ha, well, I can’t agree that I’m always on target (I say a lot of stupid things, too.) But I like that you like it!!!
I had to work, but I recorded it an will watch it when I can. This is historic. It is necessary because of the Criminal-in-Chief. He was busy slow dancing with a murderous thug dictator instead. Sad.
I agree. I don’t want to miss a second. This is history.
“They were so good they somewhat restored my faith that adults still exist in government. ” Thank you Andy for putting my thoughts into words. While I could not watch today, I was able to listen to most of the proceedings. (I always knew my contributions to NPR would pay off someday.) Just for the record, I first registered as a Republican in September of 1963. And “Country First, Party Second” was the way my folks taught me. So, the BS spouted by those who claim to be of the Grand Old Party really hurt my heart. Please folks in both parties, give up the theatrics and make a serious effort to ascertain the facts. Then, and only then, will you be able to make a serious decision.
I totally watched it. It further comfirmed by belief that these particular Republicans have no shame as they tried their best and failed to make these highly respected and devoted servants of our country out to be liars.
The Republicans were animated with a faux expression of anger or skepticism on their faces as they asked their stupid, absurd and irrelevant questions that they knew they would not get a serious response to. It was nothing but an act on their part and an effort to score points with their cult leader. They disgust me and I hope they disgust most of the voters as well.
These are not people who care about the truth, our country or you. They know what the truth is, they are just trying to cover it up, because they are spineless, greedy unpatriotic assholes.
I could sure go for an edit button.
confirmed my belief
I watched.
The two witnesses were well prepared and meticuluosly guided us all through what occurred in Ukraine.
I do not think that anyone could listen to their testimony and come away wondering if they were fibbing.
The witnesses were straight forward and unwavering.
Devin Nunes has no shame, he is grasping at straws and still spouting his debunked conspiracy theories.
Jim Jordan is repulsive, the Congressman who zinged him with the donald trump answer drew laughter from the gallery.
The testimony from Sondland should be interesting.
I hope John Bolton somehow makes it to testify.
This process will expose trump.
The House will vote for impeachment.
The Senate will not convict him
The American people will vote him out in 2020.
Amen. From your lips to God’s ears.
Why would we watch it when you have summed it up so eloquently! Oh, and of course, David Muir highlighted the parts we really want to know about. Thank-you!
Could Democrats on the panel please cut the unnecessary cringe-worthy over the top flattery of the witness. She doesn’t need your approval. She knows who she is.
Republicans are a joke. Vote them out. Enough said.
Fred, While relaxing in Da Blind this afternoon, I was surprised to hear several Republicans actually offer praise and thanks for her service. Does this mean some of them were actually listening?
No . It means they were paying attention to yesterday’s predictions that they would be focused on her gender and would come off as bullying the little lady. So in order to protect their image some of them made an effort to praise her and use lighter tones in their questioning.
Bullseye Andrew, I did watch some of the broadcast, the best part for me was Jim Jordan getting his zinger. Bottom line is Trump is guilty, our country has moved to far from country first, party and individual second and third. Off with his head! Oh wait, wrong movie.
You can turn on NPR radio, and leave the impeachment testimony on all day, as good background noise, as you might do with a baseball game.
1. That Hunter Biden is a pill, certainly hurts his father. But, that Ukrainian company added him to its Board of Directors, along with several other new people, in an attempt to clean up their act. Or, to seem to be cleaning up their act.
2. Article of Impeachment: WHEREAS, Donald Trump is a sleazy prick who has told us fifteen thousand documented lies, THEREFORE, get rid of him!