What now? To ask the question is still to be at a loss for answers. I reach for my mantra, and the title of our community here: Steady. A vote anticipated is still a vote that shocks. The “constitutional” argument against the trial was a fig leaf without precedent. And it was defeated.
I have been a democrat all of my life. I served my country and I even have friends that have been radicalized by the use of the internet and the abundance of propaganda, misinformation and lies. But now when I look at the democratic party and ask how or why did they let the radical right contaminate and poison the election system and after thirty years of down sizing or right sizing and then de-regulation amongst other crimes allow this to continue? The democratic party has been amazingly quiet while much of this was happening and I noticed that the democratic congressional and senatorial leadership were beginning to look like republicans. What I think has happened is they have all become capitalists. They say capitalism is not a political system or a form of government but I disagree completely because it is both when it has been corrupted like it has in the United States. Our governing body has been bought and paid for by dark money. I believe almost every politician whether democrat or republican or any other party affiliation are all capitalists whos loyalty is bound to the dark money of the most wealthy. Capitalism can not police itself or be expected to "do the right thing" . Those who already have excessive wealth have excessive power to impose upon the public thereby becoming a false government. They do not deserve to have a voice or any power to influence government. These capitalist do not care about the constitution or the people or our country they only care about how much more wealth they can squeeze out of us and every other country on this planet.
Those who voted "not guilty" also perpetrated the Big Lie; therefore they are as guilty of inciting insurrection as he is. We simply have up our game and work as hard (or harder) on the next election(s) as they do. We proved we can do this in GA. Now we can do it in TX (God's timing ALWAYS amazes me). We do what we can and we keep pushing forward, and Dan if you ever want to see what it's like living in a Dem state, NY is waitin for ya! Then again, Beto's gonna need your vote when he runs for Gov. Yes? Nice to be here via Steady, even if I am a little late.
America needs to chose a party that represents it values. I still believe in One nation under God, indivisible...liberty and justice for all still is a far stretch...
Trump's posturing is designed to enhance his children's influence in the Party. They are his heirs and they will continue his vendetta against Republican "criminals" who opposed him. They will be seen more often in the limelight of OANN, FOX and Qanon and they will push his agenda at the state and local levels. We must remember, Donald J. Trump trusts no one outside his immediate family and very few who are in it. His and their vitriol will be enough to draw in the masses to future rallies, where they will raise billions to fight "Democratic socialists". The SDNY fire will be quenched by Trump through countless suits and appeals. In the end, just like before, he will sign a plea deal where he admits no guilt and suffers no penalties. His faithful are already dismantling the state and federal judiciary, replacing AG's and preparing laws to make voting an exercise availed to white, evangelical Republicans.
The result of the impeachment is straight foolishness (said with rolled eyes and kissed teeth). One of the most infuriating things is listening to McConnell say 45 is responsible, but couldn't be impeached because he's no longer sitting...knowing full well he (McConnell) held up the impeachment process before the transfer of power...UGH! Then to see that there was a majority voting to impeach but it wasn't a 2/3 majority. Really?!?! (throwing hands up in frustration). Mobilization and grassroots efforts are what we need on the grandest scale ever. 2022 is another pivotal election year. In the meantime, we have to pay attention to our local offices and ensure we're putting the right people in place there too. Lastly, we need to educate our young ones, specifically those who will be turning 18 in time to vote in 2022 and 2024 and possibly check into that 2/3 majority rule.
I have come to believe that the relationship between Trump and his cult followers is very much like the relationship between an addict with an addiction to power and the co-dependents who feel an unhealthy attachment to the illusion that his addiction gives them power too. Their love and loyalty never questions his bad judgment, his temper, his choice of promoting himself over his country, his unwillingness to ever tell the Truth---(especially that the voters had decided on Biden.) He could not fathom the idea that he should concede like any other good sport or person of integrity would do--- and transfer the power he still holds onto so tightly to protect his gigantic, but frail ego. He simply cannot let go of his addiction. And his cult-like followers go along to get along so as not to lose the only leader they ever felt connected to--- even if it meant being loyal subjects to a king. Or a dictator. Or a sociopath hell bent on "winning"--- no matter who he had to hurt in the process. It's the insanity of addictions and the role they play in destroying everything around them in search of that elusive high. "They LOVE me!!! They love ME!!! I don't know much about QAnon, but I understand they like ME very much." To an addict it is only the high they get that matters. To the enabler, they just want the addict to love them. Even if he doesn't. And the merry-go-round continues until one of them decides to get off the dizzying ride and face the truth. The addict eventually will end up losing everything, in prison or in Trump's case, responsible for the injuries and deaths of police officers trying to protect the very ones in the Senate who still---STILL--- will not hold the addict responsible. How sick is that? Sad.
The Democrats erred by not moving to impeach immediately upon learning of the Trump phone call to the Georgia Secretary of State--coaxing, cajoling, threatening him to "find" the votes necessary to move Georgia to his column. The recording of the call made the facts incontrovertible. What defense could have been put forward? It was clearly illegal, clearly immoral, clearly unAmerican. I don't see how anyone but Cruz, Hawley and Graham could have voted to acquit.
There would not be room on a single page to list all of Donald Trump's impeachable offenses, but in instance after instance, there was paralysis. His violation of the Emoluments Clause was immediate upon his taking office, as was his blatant disregard for anti-nepotism laws. He should have been impeached every week from the moment the Democrats regained the House. It would at least have stalled the McConnell/Trump cavalcade of judicial confirmations based solely on the say-so of the Federalist Society and it's even possible that enough Senate Republicans would have tired of having to sit through impeachment trials, one after another, to finally produce 17 Republican spines.
You said it perfectly. Is this a country where lawlessness is rewarded, cowardice condoned, and democracy undermined? This was a day when the indefenceible was defended.
Looking at this country right now sadly reminds m of George Orwell's "1984." We don't say what we mean, we don't call things what they are. Personally, I am going to promote calling thins what they are. George Floyd's death was a murder. Stop the Steal was a coup attempt. Many of the Republicans are Trumplicans. A "not guilty" means "I am afraid." When Graham can stand on national television and say that it's all about winning, can we please please step forward now, and say what's real? Nobody wins, we all lose, and I will not accept this. I have so much to say that I can't say it all and you're right, although the verdict is no surprise it is so disappointing.
Thank you. Yet again, you perfectly articulate the emotions I've felt since learning of the vote. No, it wasn't a surprise - but it still hurt. Thank you for providing this expanded format - continuing your service to us by reporting and commenting on what is critical for the future of the world.
I felt so similar. Although I knew what the outcome would be, there was a small glimmer of hope that the truth and evidence to that truth would prevail. It did not, because of the Constitution itself. However, I do see a silver lining, the 14th Amendment. Will it be used, can it be used? I have felt strongly all along that this is a criminal case, I just don’t understand why the Commander in Chief is not being tried in a military court?
I have been a democrat all of my life. I served my country and I even have friends that have been radicalized by the use of the internet and the abundance of propaganda, misinformation and lies. But now when I look at the democratic party and ask how or why did they let the radical right contaminate and poison the election system and after thirty years of down sizing or right sizing and then de-regulation amongst other crimes allow this to continue? The democratic party has been amazingly quiet while much of this was happening and I noticed that the democratic congressional and senatorial leadership were beginning to look like republicans. What I think has happened is they have all become capitalists. They say capitalism is not a political system or a form of government but I disagree completely because it is both when it has been corrupted like it has in the United States. Our governing body has been bought and paid for by dark money. I believe almost every politician whether democrat or republican or any other party affiliation are all capitalists whos loyalty is bound to the dark money of the most wealthy. Capitalism can not police itself or be expected to "do the right thing" . Those who already have excessive wealth have excessive power to impose upon the public thereby becoming a false government. They do not deserve to have a voice or any power to influence government. These capitalist do not care about the constitution or the people or our country they only care about how much more wealth they can squeeze out of us and every other country on this planet.
Those who voted "not guilty" also perpetrated the Big Lie; therefore they are as guilty of inciting insurrection as he is. We simply have up our game and work as hard (or harder) on the next election(s) as they do. We proved we can do this in GA. Now we can do it in TX (God's timing ALWAYS amazes me). We do what we can and we keep pushing forward, and Dan if you ever want to see what it's like living in a Dem state, NY is waitin for ya! Then again, Beto's gonna need your vote when he runs for Gov. Yes? Nice to be here via Steady, even if I am a little late.
America needs to chose a party that represents it values. I still believe in One nation under God, indivisible...liberty and justice for all still is a far stretch...
I really need to know how to hasten the demise and rebuilding of that party. How does one widen the fissures ?
I'm hurt, and ashamed! Something died!
Trump's posturing is designed to enhance his children's influence in the Party. They are his heirs and they will continue his vendetta against Republican "criminals" who opposed him. They will be seen more often in the limelight of OANN, FOX and Qanon and they will push his agenda at the state and local levels. We must remember, Donald J. Trump trusts no one outside his immediate family and very few who are in it. His and their vitriol will be enough to draw in the masses to future rallies, where they will raise billions to fight "Democratic socialists". The SDNY fire will be quenched by Trump through countless suits and appeals. In the end, just like before, he will sign a plea deal where he admits no guilt and suffers no penalties. His faithful are already dismantling the state and federal judiciary, replacing AG's and preparing laws to make voting an exercise availed to white, evangelical Republicans.
The result of the impeachment is straight foolishness (said with rolled eyes and kissed teeth). One of the most infuriating things is listening to McConnell say 45 is responsible, but couldn't be impeached because he's no longer sitting...knowing full well he (McConnell) held up the impeachment process before the transfer of power...UGH! Then to see that there was a majority voting to impeach but it wasn't a 2/3 majority. Really?!?! (throwing hands up in frustration). Mobilization and grassroots efforts are what we need on the grandest scale ever. 2022 is another pivotal election year. In the meantime, we have to pay attention to our local offices and ensure we're putting the right people in place there too. Lastly, we need to educate our young ones, specifically those who will be turning 18 in time to vote in 2022 and 2024 and possibly check into that 2/3 majority rule.
I have come to believe that the relationship between Trump and his cult followers is very much like the relationship between an addict with an addiction to power and the co-dependents who feel an unhealthy attachment to the illusion that his addiction gives them power too. Their love and loyalty never questions his bad judgment, his temper, his choice of promoting himself over his country, his unwillingness to ever tell the Truth---(especially that the voters had decided on Biden.) He could not fathom the idea that he should concede like any other good sport or person of integrity would do--- and transfer the power he still holds onto so tightly to protect his gigantic, but frail ego. He simply cannot let go of his addiction. And his cult-like followers go along to get along so as not to lose the only leader they ever felt connected to--- even if it meant being loyal subjects to a king. Or a dictator. Or a sociopath hell bent on "winning"--- no matter who he had to hurt in the process. It's the insanity of addictions and the role they play in destroying everything around them in search of that elusive high. "They LOVE me!!! They love ME!!! I don't know much about QAnon, but I understand they like ME very much." To an addict it is only the high they get that matters. To the enabler, they just want the addict to love them. Even if he doesn't. And the merry-go-round continues until one of them decides to get off the dizzying ride and face the truth. The addict eventually will end up losing everything, in prison or in Trump's case, responsible for the injuries and deaths of police officers trying to protect the very ones in the Senate who still---STILL--- will not hold the addict responsible. How sick is that? Sad.
The Democrats erred by not moving to impeach immediately upon learning of the Trump phone call to the Georgia Secretary of State--coaxing, cajoling, threatening him to "find" the votes necessary to move Georgia to his column. The recording of the call made the facts incontrovertible. What defense could have been put forward? It was clearly illegal, clearly immoral, clearly unAmerican. I don't see how anyone but Cruz, Hawley and Graham could have voted to acquit.
There would not be room on a single page to list all of Donald Trump's impeachable offenses, but in instance after instance, there was paralysis. His violation of the Emoluments Clause was immediate upon his taking office, as was his blatant disregard for anti-nepotism laws. He should have been impeached every week from the moment the Democrats regained the House. It would at least have stalled the McConnell/Trump cavalcade of judicial confirmations based solely on the say-so of the Federalist Society and it's even possible that enough Senate Republicans would have tired of having to sit through impeachment trials, one after another, to finally produce 17 Republican spines.
Lawlessness condoned, cowardice rewarded, democracy denied! Recorded for all of history.
What more can be said! Except...there is a lot of work to be done in the next two years!
You said it perfectly. Is this a country where lawlessness is rewarded, cowardice condoned, and democracy undermined? This was a day when the indefenceible was defended.
Looking at this country right now sadly reminds m of George Orwell's "1984." We don't say what we mean, we don't call things what they are. Personally, I am going to promote calling thins what they are. George Floyd's death was a murder. Stop the Steal was a coup attempt. Many of the Republicans are Trumplicans. A "not guilty" means "I am afraid." When Graham can stand on national television and say that it's all about winning, can we please please step forward now, and say what's real? Nobody wins, we all lose, and I will not accept this. I have so much to say that I can't say it all and you're right, although the verdict is no surprise it is so disappointing.
Thank you. Yet again, you perfectly articulate the emotions I've felt since learning of the vote. No, it wasn't a surprise - but it still hurt. Thank you for providing this expanded format - continuing your service to us by reporting and commenting on what is critical for the future of the world.
Adoration of wealth seems at the root of this fascist course on which our nation has set itself.
I felt so similar. Although I knew what the outcome would be, there was a small glimmer of hope that the truth and evidence to that truth would prevail. It did not, because of the Constitution itself. However, I do see a silver lining, the 14th Amendment. Will it be used, can it be used? I have felt strongly all along that this is a criminal case, I just don’t understand why the Commander in Chief is not being tried in a military court?