Have congressional Democrats lost their mind?

[LoAmmi]

Even better hear his own words.

Oh, right, because he said "I hope" and it wasn't a direct "you do this" order, that is fine. Because when my boss tells me "I hope you can have that report done by the end of the week", he isn't telling me to have it done by the end of the week. He's hoping it can somehow get done.

 

[mark46]

We should understand that the president asking to stop the investigation of Flynn is not illegal. Trump could simply have pardoned Flynn from all prosecution (which might have been reasonable given his sensitive position in the administration).

This one act is certainly not an impeachable offense to 3/4 of the Senate. Trump had every right to fire Cuomy for any reason at all, including that he simply didn't like the way he testified, and wanted his own FBI chief. Of course, that is NOT a reason for Cuomy to even consider Trump's requests. He should have immediately said no, and offered his resignation if Trump persisted. Cuomy tried to act on his own in 2016 and then in 2017. The FBI has its protocols for very good reasons.

In any case, the Senate intelligence committee will continue to investigate, and I trust their judgement. Impeachment would likely need to wait until 2019 with Democratic House, unless Trump was clearly involved and lies under oath. The fact that he has lied so many times with regard to meeting with Russia by his troops is NOT a criminal offense for a politician, or even high crimes and misdemeanors.

 

[LoAmmi]

We should understand that the president asking to stop the investigation of Flynn is not illegal. Trump could simply have pardoned Flynn from all prosecution (which might have been reasonable given his sensitive position in the administration).

This one act is certainly not an impeachable offense to 3/4 of the Senate. Trump had every right to fire Cuomy for any reason at all, including that he simply didn't like the way he testified, and wanted his own FBI chief. Of course, that is NOT a reason for Cuomy to even consider Trump's requests. He should have immediately said no, and offered his resignation if Trump persisted. Cuomy tried to act on his own in 2016 and then in 2017. The FBI has its protocols for very good reasons.

In any case, the Senate intelligence committee will continue to investigate, and I trust their judgement. Impeachment would likely need to wait until 2019 with Democratic House, unless Trump was clearly involved and lies under oath. The fact that he has lied so many times with regard to meeting with Russia by his troops is NOT a criminal offense for a politician, or even high crimes and misdemeanors.

To note, however, if the Democrats somehow gained a supermajority in the House and Senate, they could impeach Trump for whatever reason they decide. It could be political suicide to do so, but Congress is the ultimate judge in what constitutes an impeachable act.

 

[hislegacy]

Oh, right, because he said "I hope" and it wasn't a direct "you do this" order, that is fine. Because when my boss tells me "I hope you can have that report done by the end of the week", he isn't telling me to have it done by the end of the week. He's hoping it can somehow get done.

Innuendo is not proof, his direct answer to the query is.

 

[Rion]

In that they're both Trump's fault?

The Birther thing started with Hillary during the primaries.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Glad you guys are finally admitting that the Russia thing is the new Birther movement.

Indeed -- yet another brouhaha that Trump is in the middle of that he wishes the world would just forget...

 

[mark46]

To note, however, if the Democrats somehow gained a supermajority in the House and Senate, they could impeach Trump for whatever reason they decide. It could be political suicide to do so, but Congress is the ultimate judge in what constitutes an impeachable act.

Yes, this is indeed true.

However 3/4 of the Senate is virtually impossible. That's what it takes to convict.

With regard to impeachment (the House voting charges to send to Senate), that takes a simple majority, likely after the 2018 elections, and therefore when the new Congress is seated in 2019. With regard to the House choosing to set the bar wherever they want, lying about sex was the impeachment charge for Clinton. He was impeached and found not guilty by the Senate.

 

[TLK Valentine]

The Birther thing started with Hillary during the primaries.

You still enjoy that narrative, don't you? Trump is totally innocent of that one as well, I suppose?

 

[majj27]

The Birther thing started with Hillary during the primaries.

Incorrect. Some Hillary supporters anonymously circulated the rumor AFTER it showed up a month earlier on the questionable site FreeRepublic. It was then picked up, elaborated upon, and posted on Ruthless Roundup, a conservative blog, about 4 days later.

And then Trump went in with both feet, thundering the nonsense from his golden throne, because of COURSE he did.

So, if you want FULL accuracy, Freepers started it, some idiots spread it, and then Trump ran with it.

 

[Rion]

You still enjoy that narrative, don't you? Trump is totally innocent of that one as well, I suppose?

Where did I say that? You realize that they were besties until they both decided they wanted to be president and their egos clashed, right?

 

[mark46]

Incorrect. Some Hillary supporters anonymously circulated the rumor AFTER it showed up a month earlier on the questionable site FreeRepublic. It was then picked up, elaborated upon, and posted on Ruthless Roundup, a conservative blog, about 4 days later.

And then Trump went in with both feet, thundering the nonsense from his golden throne, because of COURSE he did.

So, if you want FULL accuracy, Freepers started it, some idiots spread it, and then Trump ran with it.

We could compare all the statements made by Trump and by Clinton with regard to Obama's birth certificate and place of birth. We could note content and date. The result of such an investigation would shed light on the nature of each candidate's beliefs and actions.

Certainly, by 2009 almost everyone agreed, well except those who don't believe that we landed on the moon (conspiracy theorists). We might investigate all of Trump's statements since 2011 (the beginning of that presidential campaign). BTW, when did Trump finally agree that Obama was born in the US (in 2016 as I recall)

Even if there was any doubt in 2008 (which there wasn't), the doubt was removed in 2009.

This is repeating theme for Trump. After all, climate change is a Chinese hoax. Again, there have been many differences of opinion. all but a very small percentage of scientist now agree. Trump remains among the conspiracy theorists.

 

[LoAmmi]

You still enjoy that narrative, don't you? Trump is totally innocent of that one as well, I suppose?

Moshiach Trump is incapable of sin.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Where did I say that? You realize that they were besties until they both decided they wanted to be president and their egos clashed, right?

Right -- Of course, it would help if there was actual evidence of Hillary Clinton embracing birtherism... best anyone can come up with was someone in her campaign floating the idea, which she never used. so, best case scenario, Trump ran with an unoriginal thought, and his loyal followers still want to squawk "Hillary started it!" as if it were 1. true and 2. relevant.

 

[Rion]

Right -- Of course, it would help if there was actual evidence of Hillary Clinton embracing birtherism... best anyone can come up with was someone in her campaign floating the idea, which she never used. so, best case scenario, Trump ran with an unoriginal thought, and his loyal followers still want to squawk "Hillary started it!" as if it were 1. true and 2. relevant.

You sound rather upset. Do like I did and take a week off.

 

[TLK Valentine]

You sound rather upset. Do like I did and take a week off.

Nah -- Trump triumphs when good men do nothing.

 

[mark46]

Nah -- Trump triumphs when good men do nothing.

The summary of the 2016 election cycle

 

[loveofourlord]

Even better hear his own words.

yeah i mean, not like when a mafia don says, "I hope nothing bad happens to your family while your testifying against us." he didn't directly say, "Were going to kill your family."

and it's pretty much proven to be a direct threat, when shortly after that he fires him. Pretty obvious it was intimidation.

 

[Rion]

Nah -- Trump triumphs when good men do nothing.

No one is good except God alone, which means that the likes of you and I can take vacation when we want.

Also, um... how is posting on this board going to defeat Trump?

 

[TLK Valentine]

No one is good except God alone, which means that the likes of you and I can take vacation when we want.

Now that sounds like a complete abdication of personal responsibility...

Also, um... how is posting on this board going to defeat Trump?

How is not posting going to accomplish anything?

 

[Rion]

Now that sounds like a complete abdication of personal responsibility...

Or a joke making light of the idea of calling one's self 'good.'

How is not posting going to accomplish anything?

Unplugging from the news, or from much online activity, for a time, is actually very healthy.