Unless you live under a rock you’ve heard the public impeachment hearings began in America yesterday. They’re being broadcast live on practically every airwave. There’s pre- and post-commentary. It’s a Big Freaking Deal.
I did the majority of my listening on our Echo or the car radio – I find it’s much less likely I’ll throw something when I don’t see every moment of this nutty with my actual eyeballs. It’s important, yes. It’s historic. It demands our attention, but there’s something to be said for protecting my sanity along with our flatscreen.
But this is a blog, after all, so here’s a few thoughts on day one.
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I’m flummoxed by the uproar about this process. Y’all were pissy when the hearings were closed despite the fact they were being held in accordance with impeachment rules Republicans put in place with a GOP majority in 2015. That’s right, you guys did this to yourselves. So now they’ve shifted to public hearings…and you’re STILL pissy?? Sorry, but saying whoops-a-daisy and feigning amnesia just isn’t an option. Next.
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whistle-blower (noun):
a person who informs on another or makes public disclosure of corruption or wrongdoing.
First of all, no. You don’t need to question the whistleblower. If someone calls 911 to report a fire do you need to find the caller or can you talk to firefighters on the scene? We have oodles and oodles (totally a technical term) of corroboration – let’s keep our eye on the ball.
Second, for the love of all that’s holy, STOP DEMANDING WE OUT THE WHISTLEBLOWER. The Whistleblower Law protects someone against retaliation in the workforce but is strangely amorphous when it comes to an enveloping protection for the whistleblower’s identity.
“John McLaughlin, the former acting director of the CIA, said part of the reason why federal laws do not prohibit the president from outing a whistleblower is that the concept was never considered within the realm of possibility before Trump took office…
“But as with so many of our supposed laws, compliance depends largely on a sense of integrity and voluntary compliance,” McLaughlin said. “You just have to expect people to obey the law and the established practices, which of course in this administration has not always been the case.” “¹
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Pro tip: Treating career apolitical professionals who’ve dedicated their lives to service under presidents from both parties makes you look desperate. Also kinda rude. Just saying.
¹ Allyn, Bobby. “Can Trump Legally Out The Whistleblower? Experts Say It Would Not Violate Any Laws.” NPR: Politics. www.npr.org/2019/11/06/776481504/can-trump-legally-out-the-whistleblower-experts-say-it-would-not-violate-any-law. Date of Access 11/13/19.
Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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It is a huge circus and all the clowns are up front on display. It is definitely The Emperor’s New Clothes…
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The Emperor’s New Clothes is an excellent description of this train wreck.
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The 45ers will follow the Republican defense, continue to call it all made up, continue to view it as a Democrat plot to rid us of Trump – which I wish they could. But party being more important than country now, in the end it’ll probably all be for naught, and we will continue more divided than ever. Which makes me very very very very sad, frustrated, and angry.. And to the GOP woman who said “he was elected by the people”, what a short memory you have! He was NOT. Because lately GOP presidents only get in office if the electoral college says so. Am I bitter? Yes, I am, and I DON’T WANT TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
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I am always happy to have your sad, frustrated, angry, bitter voice here, Carol — these are all the emotions of someone who’s paying attention. I have those emotions in spades. My daughter asked me yesterday what exactly “witch hunt” meant and whoa, what a history lesson that was.
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In my opinion, and I don’t generally give one about politics, but we as a country ought to be ashamed of how we are behaving.
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Yes, I am genuinely ashamed. There’ve been times when I’ve disagreed with our government or its policies, but this is a level of disgraceful behavior I never imagined we’d tolerate.
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Can MRPA hats be made in China ? And can we get them here in time ? Or is it supposed to be MRGPA ? Sorry about leaving out the G…
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“The perfect stocking stuffer for that family member who just won’t shut up about how victimized this poor, poor white house is. Order now!” 😆
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I’m so, so tired of these GOP apologists with their mind games. It didn’t happen! Ok, it happened, but it’s not a crime! Ok, it is a crime, but who cares because everybody does it! Ugh.
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Right? The shifting story is dizzying, no wonder there are folks who get lost in the noise. Amee Vanderpool runs an up to date impeachment testimony cheat sheet here: https://shero.substack.com/p/impeachment-testimony-cheat-sheet?r=1ejbr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy. She does a great job cutting through the distraction.
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I’ll definitely check that out! Thanks!
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Sure. She also writes articles under Shero — I think the link is at the top of that page. It’s worth checking out, too.
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You said: and you’re STILL pissy?? which is accurate.
I’d like to suggest that you’ve hit upon the official subtext of the current GOP. Pissy and proud of it…
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That is marketing gold right there. I see hats, t-shirts, giant inflatable bumpers they can put around their cars & trucks so they don’t get dinged in parking lots…
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I agree. it gets more insane by the day. what is wrong with people that they close their eyes?
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I’ll be very curious to hear how people who are still loyal to 45 — and I’m sure there will still be plenty — argue their side of it.
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It’s the classic modern approach. If someone is on your side then protect and cherish. If someone isn’t then they are an enemy an need to be exposed to the public, then discredited. I’d let the pets take over.
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True. I thought it was bunk…until I got so into the World Cup games this summer and found myself acting crazy about the opponents. I get it’s human nature, I just wish people we’ve trusted to lead us would rise above.
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