Even as we learned Trump yesterday tweeted 142 times (141 of them outright lies) we got to see and hear the stirring words of Adam Schiff ringing loudly and clear in the Senate Chamber:
“You are left with no choice but to demand to hear from each witness with firsthand knowledge” of Trump’s pressure campaign, A fair trial requires nothing less.”
The historic trial, only the third of its kind in U.S. risks devolving into a farcical Potemkin sham unless the 53 Republicans pull their collective heads out of their asses and attend to the case and the arguments presented by those like Schiff. They ought to be reminded they are also on trial - along with Trump - as history suffuses the chamber including the presence in the room of John Roberts, the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme court.
Just after 1pm, Adam Schiff stepped to a lectern between the tables to narrate the sordid story of Trump’s wrongdoing. Schiff and the other 6 House impeachment managers laid out their case in stages, to powerful effect. (At least for anyone of normal sentience - as opposed to the Repuke kool aid drinkers and Dotard asslickers like Lindsey Graham). In meticulous detail they presented Trump’s corrupt scheme in narrative form, with a factual chronology and video of past witness testimony, to move thereafter to a description of the constitutional framework for impeachment.
But Schiff's presentation blew everyone away with its powerful combination of appeal to the Constitution, Senators' moral conscience and the future welfare of the nation. At a break in the trial, the minority leader, Chuck Schumer, called Schiff’s performance “a tour de force”. He said:
“I think a good number of my Republican colleagues for the first time heard the argument against the president – powerfully, succinctly and completely– and I hope that can begin to change minds,”
Both wifey and I concurred that Mr. Schiff delivered an argument for the ages, in clear, concise terms given he had to bring all the evidence to bear on Trump's extortion of the Ukrainian president and his subsequent obstruction. Hell, the orange, pus-filled maggot even bragged while still in Davos of his crime, keeping the materials hidden, e.g.
Polling released on Wednesday by the Pew Research Center indicated public backing for the Democratic call for witnesses and found that 70% of respondents said Trump “definitely or probably acted unethically” while 51% said Trump “should be removed from office”.
“We’re trying this case over two juries,” Schiff said. “The Senate and the American people.”
But have any Republican Senators been moved to action? Hardly!
“I didn’t hear anything new today,” said Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.
Errr... were you really conscious then, Toomey, or on an MJ candy high?
“I haven’t heard any evidence in there that the president’s done anything wrong,” said Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Then you need to take remedial American Government classes again, Hawley, with emphasis on Article 1 of the Constitution.
Lisa Murkowski, (R-Alaska) then reportedly chafed at Jerry Nadler's remark that any Senator who refuses to allow witnesses is effectively assisting Trump in the "cover up". Miffed at any such suggestion, Murkowski whined: "I am very offended! I took it as very offensive since I am listening attentively and working hard to ensure a fair process."
Spare me the faux offense, Senator. If you are not prepared to allow witnesses - especially relevant ones to this supposed trial - then all you're doing is posturing for FOX News zombies. And that also means, logically, you are assisting in Trump's obstruction! Which also means collaborating in the cover up. (See news link above how he bragged about withholding materials.)
Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham yelped about a "crusade" by the Dems to get his master, Dotard. After seeing this dishonorable puke cry, bark and barf, one had to wonder if he was missing his latest Trump ass lick fix. Or maybe he's on some kind of brain -frying junk, given he also congratulated Schiff on a "job well done". Which is it, Lindsey?
With the majority leader, Mitch McConnell, having succeeded the night before in winning approval for a speedy trial, the House prosecutors have limited time in which to plant seeds of doubt in Republican minds about the conduct of the president. But for realists, the odds of getting any such seeds planted are about the same as Tau Ceti aliens abducting Dotard before he leaves bellows another lie.
There is also the issue here of Mitch McConnell's "rules" which appear to have any force at all. One often beheld the Senate Repukes visibly frustrated at the long hours of the trial, appearing at times to be on the verge of mild mutiny, openly flouting rules requiring them to remain at their desks and instead circulating in a cloakroom off the Senate floor. They drew no rebuke from Roberts. My take? Roberts correctly saw the truth was gradually infiltrating their neurons risking about one trillion neural embolisms - so gave the Reeptards a break.
The seven House managers selected to present the articles of impeachment have about 16 remaining hours spread over two days to present their case to convict and remove Trump from office. Then the Dotard team has its opportunity to rebut the charges. Translation: Jay Sekulow and Co. will strain to see how many lies and concocted bullshit they can come up with (mainly using Russian tropes) to appease their master, Dotard - and to hell with the Constitution and country.
Trump of course is not expected to appear at his own trial. He bragged in Davos he'd like to come, but of course those are the empty words of a con man. You take everything this twit says or tweets with less than a National Enquirer headline.
Moderate Republican senators (e.g. Susan Collins, Murkowski, Cory Gardner, and Mitt Romney ) have made cooperative noises and also expressed discomfort with rushing the proceedings. But this is likely all political posturing - especially for those up for re-election - like the weasels Gardner and Collins. Point: none of the "moderates" voted with Democrats on several motions on Tuesday that would have cleared the way for new witnesses and testimony. Clearly, Trump has their brains and spines locked up firmly in the remote recesses of his fat behind - never to see the clear light of day.
Winding up his oratory, Schiff warned that democracy was on the line. “Our future is not assured. A fair trial, with impartial consideration of all of the evidence against the president, is how we keep our republic.”
As Ben Franklin once told a woman who asked what kind of government we had: "A Republic, if you can keep it." Right now it appears that owing to the cowardice of the Republicans, and their placing party over nation, we may not keep it - but lose it to an authoritarian Trumpocracy.
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