Going Gentle Into That Good Night

We seem to be in the late innings of the impeachment "drama". Per the NY Times:

Republicans are optimistic they will be able to wrap up President Trump’s impeachment trial without hearing from additional witnesses like the former national security adviser, John R. Bolton. But Democrats are hinting at a gambit to frustrate the Republicans’ plans, though Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, has refused to tip his hand.

A gambit to stretch this out so the nation will ignore the Super Bowl, the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Real Men of Genius are working on this. And Women! (No word on whom Warren envisions as Not-So-Free Speech Czar but I bet it'll be a doozy.)

 

Comments

[Theo]

I think that the Democrats are better off without additional witnesses, especially since some of those additional witnesses would be named Biden. The Dems would rather caterwaul about not having heard from witnesses than actually hear from them.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--But Democrats are hinting at a gambit to frustrate the Republicans’ plans...--

Let me guess, they couldn't get him on their original lies so they're going to "discover" some new forged documents and finally get that stinking Jew Queens boy for treason and toss him on Devil's Island where he belongs.

[Theo]

I don’t think that they have the votes for that Ig. If they did, they would have done it by now.

My guess is some sort of procedural move, like endless motions or something.

We shall see — or not.

[MissMarple2]

Catturd
@catturd2
·
11m
Chief Justice Roberts is the Judge Judy of Judge Napolitanos.

[MissMarple2]

https://wtop.com/local/2020/01/ap-exclusive-barr-names-new-u-s-attorney-in-dc/

Replacing the one who was prosecuting Flynn.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
1m
Just landed in Michigan. Car companies, and many others, are building and expanding here. Great to see!

[JM Hanes]

Schumer's gambit? I suspect McConnell's got an app for that.

[Comanche Voter]

Dagnabit! The danged dimwitted Dems never learn.

More Kavanaugh is not what we need. But that's what Chuckie likes to offer. We'll see what they come up with.

[MissMarple2]

Love how these awesome Patriots are waving the American and Trump flags.

So much enthusiasm to see @POTUS.

We are going to win Iowa..AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/xk5WASWxS2

— Andrew (@smalltownandrew) January 30, 2020

Video at the link.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
4m
BIGGEST TRADE DEAL EVER MADE, the USMCA, was signed yesterday and the Fake News Media barely mentioned it. They never thought it could be done. They have zero credibility!

[MissMarple2]

Dan Scavino
@DanScavino
·
6m
🚨🚨FOUR MORE YEARS🚨🚨

[Jim Eagle]

Except for Turley and Dershowitz I have lost a lot of respect for our legal system that props up the likes of Roberts. Napalitano is a traffic court judge or should not have risen above that threshold. Judge Judy, you farce, go suck on one of Mel Krupins pickles.

This is the first partisan application of our Constitution’s impeachment articles and thanks to the Democrats is far from the last. Actually first in line. I feel for Fredericks generation but then maybe they will have the cojones we don’t seem to have to stop it.

When I talk to him, from time to time I see a little revolution in him and his teammates, classmates and this in the SJW kingdom of a Catholic school in CT.

Go figure.

[anonamom]

Comanche, I emailed lots of Senatorsthis week--told them we didn't need to see them fall for Kavanaugh 2.0.
Once was bad enough.

[lurkersusie]

Meanwhile Bolton is back on the speakers circuit.

memeorandum
@memeorandum
·
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton to Speak at Duke Feb. 17 (Melanie Benson / Duke Today)

https://today.duke.edu/2020/01/former-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-speak-duke-feb-17

[Jim Eagle]

I hope he fucks up their season.

[jimmyk]

NYT big headline:

"In Rush to Acquit, GOP Brushes off Bolton's Account."

I guarantee you they never wrote about the Democrats' "rush to impeach," or their "brushing off" all R witnesses.

[anonamom]

Here are Paul's questions:

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/01/30/justice-roberts-blocks-senator-paul-impeachment-plot-questions-senator-paul-shares-his-questions/

[anonamom]

Senator Rand Paul
@RandPaul
·
2h
My exact question was:

Are you aware that House intelligence committee staffer Shawn Misko had a close relationship with Eric Ciaramella while at the National Security Council together 1/2

[anonamom]

Senator Rand Paul
@RandPaul
·
2h
and are you aware and how do you respond to reports that Ciaramella and Misko may have worked together to plot impeaching the President before there were formal house impeachment proceedings. 2/2

[anonamom]

Senator Rand Paul
@RandPaul
·
2h
My question is not about a “whistleblower” as I have no independent information on his identity. My question is about the actions of known Obama partisans within the NSC and House staff and how they are reported to have conspired before impeachment proceedings had even begun.

[Jim Eagle]

Can we impeach Roberts while we are this carnival?

[Jim Eagle]

Like his dad Rand throws a monkey wrench into the whole charade.

We are a country truly fucked if this continues.

[anonamom]

Flynn defense fund:

https://mikeflynndefensefund.org/contribute/

clip of interview w Flynn's brother Joe and Gorka:

https://twitter.com/SebGorka/status/1222988862135459841

[anonamom]

JiB--what kind of "monkey wrench" is asking how this all got going?

You have trouble with questioning the origin of the FISA warrant on Page?

[hrtshpdbox]

Rand Paul is exactly right, i.e who said anything about a whistleblower? It has to be most odd for an NSC staffer to drift over to Schiff's committee and then help out an old buddy from NSC draft his "complaint". Particularly when those same two were reported by a military aide to be talking about removing Trump just one month into his term. Roberts is just applying some of that same impeccable logic that comes from "squint and you'll see a tax".

[Jane]

I want the senate to call the inspector general when this mess is over.

[MissMarple2]

Dab Bongino's podcast yesterday was full of connections. He was really on a rant and said that everyone involved in this impeachment mess, and the Russia hoax, and Flynn's case - all of it, they all knew each other and were working together.

He said they ALL wanted to get rid of Trump because they ALL knew that if he stayed in office for another term they faced prison time, loss of income, and at the least public humiliation.

[anonamom]

Or just release the ICIG's testimony.
Redact the names of the allegedly threatened staffers, or give them numbers or something.
This really isn't hard.

[Jim Eagle]

Amom,

Simple. Bringing up the WB and his complicity, runs the whole thing.

[JM Hanes]

Amom:

I don't think JiB was criticizing Rand Paul for throwing the monkey wrench, but commenting on the stupidity of a process when that's all it would take to destroy the whole case.

I'm sure JiB will correct me if I'm wrong, though

[Jim Eagle]

Amom, lett me answer another way. You bring Ciaramella and Mislo,it’s all over. Done. complete. Finished.

[D]

Anonamom:
You are right.
WB is the source of the entire process.
That the Senators wouldn’t want to explore the origins of this farce is amazing to me .
If you go back to the phone call, there is no reason for the impeachment hoax.
Partisan exercise which will backfire on the Dems big time.

[PDinDetroit]

Can the decision of the presiding officer be challenged? If not, why not? Guess "Roberts Rules" change on the fly...

Roberts needs to be hung from the nearest lamppost immediately!

Yeah, I have a migraine...

[anonamom]

Thanks. I didn't read it that way--thought you were complaining that his questions were damaging the defense in some way.

Right--let's just get the corrupt foundation out and vote to dismiss.

I am very surprised that the POTUS team never ran a video montage of all the impeachment calls and votes over the past three and some years.

[jimmyk]

The irony of course is that by censoring the question Roberts reveals the identity of the whistle blower.

[anonamom]

Kick them in the groin, and in the teeth on their way down.

NEVER EVER again!

[jimmyk]

Re my 4:31, somehow I’m reminded of that poison wine standoff in “The Princess Bride.”

[Jim Eagle]

Thanks, JMH,

Roberts is either dirty or Deep State, I go with the latter. They fucking all are.

[Old Lurker]

Jane "I want the senate to call the inspector general when this mess is over."

THAT is right up there with "Strong Letter..."

[Captain Hate]

Time for a second look at Harriet Miers?

[Marlene]

Good afternoon. I have to admit,I like Rand Paul's cool aloofness as a Senator. I'd be very confident having him operating on my eyeballs. :)

[Old Lurker]

Jimmy "The irony of course is that by censoring the question Roberts reveals the identity of the whistle blower."

To whom? The last person on earth who does not know it already?

Simply knowing the name does nothing. Being able to face your accuser and publicly impugn his testimony is the Right that is being lost here.

[PDinDetroit]

Glad I'm not the only one who is pissed off with all this CARP. F'ing flush this turd down the tubes already!

To say that the Articles of Impeachment are flimsy, is an insult to all things flimsy.

[D]

Sekulow didn’t mention Misko name or the fact both of them worked for Biden.
How come?

[D]

Roberts allowed the question because WB ‘s name wasn’t mentioned.

[anonamom]

Schiff carrying on about protecting the whistleblower. What a PILE of BS!

We do NOT need the person's name--just want the timeline of contact.

Sekulow is giving us the facts here.
No retribution is promised, NOT no identification.

Pointing out Schiff lied about his staff's contact w WB.

[hrtshpdbox]

The last person on earth who does not know it already?

Just in case there's anyone still sure, Trump will probably assist them after the acquittal with a "Hey, Eric Ciaramella, BITE ME" tweet.

[hrtshpdbox]

"not" sure, I meant

[D]

Need a follow up to the Misko /WB working at NSC against Trump and trying to impeach him way back in 2017.

[Old Lurker]

I do tire of having to defend my cautious views about how hard we are really trying to change the swamp (vs words words words), but this Am Thinker by Sharyl Attkisson piece 'splains my From Missouri demeanor:

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/01/the_department_of_justice_coverup_of_its_spying_on_me_continues.html

[clarice]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/six-years-is-a-long-time-lawmaker-in-romneys-state-introduces-bill-that-would-let-voters-recall-sitting-senators

[henry]

Is the “whistleblower” an actual whistleblower under the law? My recollection of the IC IG report suggests not. This protection is entirely fabricated by Schiff, a co-conspirator in a plot to reverse an election. Fellow conspirators include (but are not limited to) every witness the House called, the whistleblower, Schiff’s and committee staff. How about a special prosecutor to give that combined hemorrhoid a deep and thorough proctological exam?

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
1m
Leaving Michigan now, great visit, heading for Iowa. Big Rally!

[MissMarple2]

Periscope video of President's remarks in Michigan. Ended 16 minutes ago. About 1/2 an hour long.

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1PlKQmvOeAaKE

[jimmyk]

To whom? The last person on earth who does not know it already?

Of course, but they are still playing the game in order to stymie uncomfortable questions. So the point is that even in that pretend game they violate their own made-up rule.

[Melinda]

That’s my exact understanding, Henry.

[Melinda]

I would like a vote soon so I can watch the counterpunch.

[Threadkiller]

I wish Mike Lee wouldn’t ask questions.

[Extraneus]

How does Roberts know who the whistleblower is?

[Jane]

I loved Schiff’reaction to the whistleblower question.

[JM Hanes]

I've been trying to listen to the proceedings, but I just can't stand the production line of lies and red herrings coming from Team Schiff.

I was interested in one question about whether Giuliani could be guilty of a Logan Act violation, which was given an interesting (but I suspect specious) twist by the questioners. Here's what Wikipedia cites as the text of the act:

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

The questioners seem to interpret the phrase "without authority of the United States" to mean someone who has not been appointed or officially designated as a representative of the United States. When the purpose of the act was to prevent private citizens from undermining US foreign policy, i.e. the President's foreign policy objectives, it would seem logically inconsistent that someone assisting the President abroad, in whatever capacity, could be an unauthorized private citizen within the meaning of the statute. It's not just that private citizens can't unilaterally conduct foreign policy, it's that they can't attempt to defeat the purposes of the US in disputes or controversies with other governments.

I'm wondering about this, because it's not a point that Philbin made in answering the question. He seemed more concerned with emphasizing that Giuliani was not involved in matters of policy, or did not rise to the level of policy-making. At the same time suggesting that Giuliani was approached by Ukrainians as a potential conduit for getting information to the President.

Personally, I think the Giuliani business has been a red herring from the start, but he is a lynchpin of the Democrats' accusations who shows up on page 4 of the House Memorandum:

§To execute his scheme, President Trump assigned his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, the task of securing the Ukrainian investigations.16 Mr. Giuliani repeatedly and publicly emphasized that he was not engaged in foreign policy but was instead seeking a personal benefit for his client, Donald Trump.1

If there's a Logan Act violation here, it would be a violation that the President engineered against himself. I suppose that's why the House didn't actually make that accusation -- which also goes to show you how irrelevant some of the questions are. A great many of them might be more accurately called insinuations.

[clarice]

If we actually ever enforced the Logan Act, people like Kerry would be in jail.
Presidents have always used intermediaries for contacts with other governments. I can only take so much b.s.

[Threadkiller]

I loved Schiff’reaction to the whistleblower question

Was there another whistleblower question besides the one Robert’s didn’t read?

[JM Hanes]

clarice:

Kerry should have been in jail, before he had a chance to make a career of politics, let alone a chance to do it all over again. But we're just shouting in the wind, I'm afraid.

[clarice]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-is-kevin-clinesmith-11580417909?mod=djemBestOfTheWeb

FTA:This column is struggling to recall a more serious allegation of abuse of our democratic process by officials of the federal government.

Others may have a different view, so perhaps a survey is in order. In the comments section below this column, readers are invited to opine on which one of the following scenarios represents the greatest threat to American liberty:

A) After identifying a U.S. citizen volunteering for the U.S. presidential campaign of the party out of power, the FBI makes false claims and persuades a federal court that the citizen may be a Russian agent and should be subjected to electronic surveillance.

B) After observing a U.S. citizen obtain a Ukrainian company board seat for which he was manifestly unqualified while his father was running Ukrainian policy for the U.S. government—and in which capacity the father would later demand the firing of a local prosecutor investigating the son’s business associates—the U.S. President urges the government of Ukraine to investigate.

[Comanche Voter]

There've been some "Animal House" trial parodies bouncing around on You Tube with Chuck Schumer as Dean Wormer.

When a question re Schiff's staffs connection with the whistleblower finally got through the Robert's stonewall, Schiff's eruption was a masterpiece (more likely a master "pile') of wounded indignation that anybody would smear his staff on the basis of unfounded allegations. Lots of heat from Lil Adam, but hardly a full throated denial of the facts. More like the Texas governor in Best Little Whoretouse in Texas "side steppin". And well Schiff might side step--there's a steaming pile on the floor that he's standing in.

[MissMarple2]

While Democrats focus on WITCH HUNT, @realDonaldTrump is highlighting how he is working to help American autoworkers and American manufacturing! https://t.co/owCuzqdbc3

— Marc Lotter - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@marc_lotter) January 30, 2020

Link goes to a tweet with a 26-second video of the President talking about Fiat-Chrysler's investment in Michigan, plus the new Detroit plant.

[Jim Eagle]

Since he was my English electrive who saved me an 4.0 I give you Mr. Dyland Thomas.

Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas - 1914-1953

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'

[MissMarple2]

Retweeted by the President. Link goes to article in The Epoch Times.

Trump administration forms #coronavirus task forcehttps://t.co/mnpl6MiXQb

— Epoch Times Canada (@EpochTimesCan) January 30, 2020

[MissMarple2]

Retweeted by the President:

DeAnna for Congress
🇺🇸
vs Nancy
@DeAnna4Congress
·
6h
Replying to
@realDonaldTrump
and
@foxandfriends
Schiff hasn’t done a thing for his district nor has Nancy Pelosi in SF!

Nancy has been in power for YEARS and San Francisco is suffering from a homeless problem that only gets worse.

What does Nancy focus on?

Impeachment!

She doesn’t care about her own district! #WheresNancy

[Threadkiller]

https://nypost.com/2020/01/30/fatal-dwi-suspect-bragged-about-bail-reform-ill-be-out-tomorrow/

[Jane]

"Was there another whistleblower question besides the one Robert’s didn’t read?"

Yes, asked by about 14 Repubicans. Robert had already started reading it when he realized it. Schiff pretty much cried defending someone who he has no idea who he is. It was perfect.

[rich]

seem to recall Sen Kennedy wrote a penthouse forum letter to Andropov ... nothing wrong with that.

once and future speaker going to a meet-and-greet with Assad (bet he feels stabbed in the back) ...

and so it goes.

evening all. and an early evening for me.

[Threadkiller]

Is it really SuperBowl LIV?

That explains the lousy group of Dem Presidential aspirants.

[Jim Eagle]

rich,

As a gator, where are you, and what are you doing.?

[henry]

JiB,I remember that from Back to School (RodneyDangerfield), but never knew what it was from.

[Jane]

Read somewhere that on Twitter they were calling Patrick Philbin, The "Chic Geek".

That's very cool!

[rich]

>>>Simply knowing the name does nothing. Being able to face your accuser and publicly impugn his testimony is the Right that is being lost here.

Posted by: Old Lurker | January 30, 2020 at 04:42 PM<<<

i was thinking about this when i was in the car and talk radio was droning on ... also recall that the good ltc wrote up the talking points (which were ignored) and tried to edit the phone call transcript.

so schiff and his toadies had this plan in their back pocket the whole time and the opportunity of the ukraine election gave them the chance to act ...

too bad we can't ship some of these assholes off to Gitmo and waterboard them for a while.

[Melinda]

Schiff mentions Clinton’s in the well?

Whooops!

[Jim Eagle]

henry,

Just another Welsch drunk:)

[KevlarKid]

lol@ Kennedy Penthouse letter

[JM Hanes]

Seems to me there are two issues weighing against bringing in the whistleblower:

There's Schiff's self-serving insistence that he's in danger, which I doubt much of anybody thinks is relevant.

The more salient issue is the fact that I believe the case put forward by the House does not rely on any testimony the whistleblower actually provided. The eight references to "whistleblower" I located in the House Memo all have to do with the President learning about him, or trying to keep the contents of his complaint from getting out, or trying to intimidate him in some nefarious way. Feel free to pick this conclusion apart, but if the House didn't put his complaint into evidence, then the whistleblower is not legally the President's accuser.

As a political matter, of course, Ciaramella is a center stage character in this drama, but if the Senate rules adopted for the trial include letting Justice Roberts determine relevance, then I think it's quite possible that the whistleblower would't make the cut. Let us hope the Senate doesn't go the witness route.

[rich]

Posted by: Jack is Back! | January 30, 2020 at 05:45 PM

home such as it is and just got off work (had to go in way too early today for meetings) ...

[Extraneus]

... Thune also noted that even if McConnell wins on the issue of witnesses, the organizing resolution for the Senate trial would still give Democrats the opportunity to slow down its conclusion by way of introducing procedural motions that could extend proceedings for hours – or even days.

https://www.redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2020/01/30/report-mcconnell-looking-to-wrap-impeachment-trial-up-possibly-by-end-of-week/

[MissMarple2]

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1DXxyeggQjyxM

Live Periscope feed Trump Rally, Des Moines

[Jim Eagle]

Wish you the best Rich.

[henry]

Ace has the Schiff scenery eating re smear son his staff.

http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=385543

[Extraneus]

MSNBC Pundit: If Acquitted, Trump Will ‘Shut Down Voting’ in California!

Apparently having a vision of the future, Johnson, politics editor for TheRoot.com, feared: “Imagine Donald Trump deciding sometime in June, ‘Well, I heard this conspiracy theory that a lot of illegal immigrants voted in California, so I’ve decided that during the presidential election California has to undergo extreme vetting because we can’t trust their votes. We’re going to shut down voting in a state.’”

“This is literally the kind of thing he will do now. We’re not talking hypotheticals anymore.”

He pleaded with senators to convict the President:

So why people aren’t concerned, why people don’t realize that this is step one to actual autocracy? Not the theoretical one, not the one we talk about in class, but an actual president who will say, “This state’s votes don’t count. These people don’t have a right to vote. These people can’t come into the country.” That is what they’re allowing to happen here.

Johnson further wailed: “And I don’t understand how anyone cannot be terrified, not just angry, but literally terrified about what the future’s gonna bring.”

[anonamom]

I'd MUCH rather hear from the ICIG over the WB.

First question: Why did you change the requirement from first hand information to second hand information (gossip) in August?

Second question: Did you verify that the WB had no contact with anyone on Schiff's staff before transmitting your report?
If no--why not?

Third question: Did you verify that the WB was a neutral agent?

The WB is a hot headed kid. The ICIG ought to be hung out to dry for his involvement in this.

[anonamom]

But I really, really want to hear from NOBODY!

[rich]

Posted by: Jack is Back! | January 30, 2020 at 05:51 PM

thank you. i've run into a rough patch at work but still plodding along.

[henry]

anonamom, the hangman is welcome to say hello to a long list of our enemies.

[hrtshpdbox]

..too bad we can't ship some of these assholes off to Gitmo and waterboard them for a while.

We can't do that, rich, because that would make us like Stalin or Elizabeth Warren.

[henry]

@shimanpro

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has landed in Kiev, Ukraine for a visit that will include a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials.

[KevlarKid]

https://thefederalist.com/2020/01/30/media-continues-dishonesty-on-dershowitzs-argument-against-impeachment/

[JM Hanes]

“This is literally the kind of thing he will do now. We’re not talking hypotheticals anymore.”

Oh what a twisted web of law and language he weaves, Extraneus. LOLOL!

Apparently any man in the street can make up presidential quotes these days. Have we heard from Florida Man yet?

[anonamom]

MM--this is for you from a commenter at AoS, IRT the Roberts Kids' adoption:

That was hashed out at his confirmation hearing. It's known he adopted them in a Latin America country because Ireland would not let non residents adopt Irish kids. That's the shaky skirting the law aspect of the adoption.

[Extraneus]

Are you saying you're not terrified?

[jimmyk]

Apparently (haven’t had a chance to listen) Farage’s “Adios” speech to the EU was a barn-burner, to the extent that the prigs cut off his mic.

https://althouse.blogspot.com/2020/01/so-this-is-it-final-chapter.html

[Captain Hate]

When you've lost the Children of the Cornhole chances are they never understood you

https://newrepublic.com/article/156364/alan-dershowitz-senators-letat-cest-trump