-- and so, it begins
Trump Impeached but who will try him?
December 19, 2019
I have lived and breathed our political crises since the 1960's. Always as a well-informed but helpless bystander. I wanted to vandalize the prolific bumper stickers of Vietnam - America Love it or Leave It, redacting the 'or Leave It' part. I was immersed in the Watergate investigation from the time of the break in. I moved to Elmwood and got cable for the first time two weeks before the Drudge Report accusation in 1998. C-span was my most watched channel. Now is the third crisis of our Constitution. In the Nixon impeachment most people didn't believe the President knew of, directed, acquired pay off money, swore, or lied. As it became obvious Nixon was directly involved in illegal acts, that he intentionally subverted the checks and balances of our nation, was a bigot, swore, and lied, the majority were appalled shaken in disbelief. The truth of Watergate moved people even the most conservative of Republicans to demand impeachment.
Nixon departs last ride in the copter
The revelation of Clinton and Lewinsky came after a long-dogged investigation when accusations of murder, theft, and fraud had come back with paltry results. A few people were disbelieving of the revelations, but even Clinton supporters were, 'yes, I could believe it.' The process became scandalous and titillating, as it was manna for our hungry 24-hour news cycle. The majority of people felt embarrassed. It was more a personal affront than a high crime and misdemeanor. Many wanted censure. Impeachment seemed like revenge for the right wing, not a remedy.
Now we are here again. I am once again informed to the gills with the facts, politics, ins and outs. I am in an equally powerless position to affect the outcome. Yes, I can write the occasional letter to the editor, call my Congressman, or go stand in the cold in protest. Essentially appropriate and important responses, but not powerful ones. I doubt any Trumper all bristled up like an angry squirrel has read to this point. But if a Trump supporter is reading, let me lay out the differences in this impeachment crisis.
The actions of the Republican Party are designed to obscure and hide the facts. As long as enough of the base believes the rhetoric and ignores the actual events, maybe power can be retained. This seems the highest and only goal of today's Republican Party. It is very different from the 1960's. Another difference is a propaganda media on the right. People who watch Fox News, listen to right wing radio, head to right wing web sites believe in an alternative reality. A reality that is provably false. The cult doesn't care and will chose false over truth. Trump is a liar, a bigot, swears, demeans, cheats, defrauds, and is an adulterer. He is narcissistic and vile in his motivation; this is not a statement of a Trump hater. It is observable fact to anyone not deluding themselves.
When hanky panky became a impeachment crisis
I have long ago stopped looking for heroes. There are no perfect men or women in politics. Many Spiritual leaders have disappointed me, as well. I am a pragmatist. I do not hate; I simply avoid people like Trump. Trump however is President of the United States, it used to mean something.
Wakanda can not help us
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