We are all disgusted by that sham of a trial in the Senate. We ask ourselves, "How can there be a trial if witnesses are not called, and evidence not presented?" Well, the answer is simple, there can't be. That was not a trial.
When the Senate votes to acquit down party lines, it will be a vote of shame. History will record it as such. Donald Trump will not be exonerated simply because he was not removed by the Senate. The House impeached him, and that impeachment stands forever. He can never escape that great truth. He was impeached.
We knew the Senate would do this, and that Trump would not be removed from office as a result. This is awful, but not a surprise. The thing we must do is persevere, organize, register voters, and vote to remove him in November.
Call me a political literalist, but Democracy is not something that can die. It is an idea, a political construct, a governmental norm for many enlightened nations. I take comfort in history. Yes, evil exists, but it never triumphs in the end. It only rises to the top when we allow it.
Let's vote for a Democratic nominee who can actually beat him, and who has the ability to bring this country together. Enough with the division and hate that evil thrives upon.
I agree, Colette. Even though I am brokenhearted by the whole sham of a process, we must persist. We must support the Democratic candidate. We must make every effort to restore sanity to our nation.
ReplyDeleteThere is no alternative.
DeleteSo well said.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYou are completely correct, but I also understand the rage and frustration that some people feel! Yes, for god's sake, let's get him out in November.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand (and feel) the rage and frustration. But if we don't channel that emotion into action, it will fester until we become cynical and start to give up. Then we really lose.
DeleteSage advice. We cannot run around with our hair on fire. There's going to be a lot of bragging now from the WH and McConnell -- let them brag. The facts, as Adam Schiff said, will come out. And with each new revelation the country will at least have the information. The complicity of so many will be once again revealed.
ReplyDeleteAnd eventually our victory will be sweeter because it was achieved through great struggle. If history can teach us anything, it is that nothing stays the same forever.
DeleteThe matter of election interference from Russia has NOT been addressed properly and that is one of the things that I worry about most. That no matter who the Democratic party runs, Putin's puppet will win. Perhaps I am simply too cynical but at this point in history, I'm not sure that's even possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it isn't clear to me if we can even have a completely fair election anymore. We won't be able to combat that problem until we have a Dem controlled House and Senate, and get rid of Trump. But how can we do that if the elections aren't free of interference? Folks are saying that massive voter turnout can still allow us to win. I have to believe that's true. If not, well, I'm not even ready to go there quite yet. Sheesh, what a world.
DeleteIt can be hard not to despair but I believe in the system and I believe there are always corrective measures. Let’s hope the correction takes place good and soon.
ReplyDeleteDespair is the natural and obvious reaction to injustice. Unfortunately, it's not an option for us. Which sucks, because right about now I'd like to turn off my computer and crawl in bed with the covers up for a couple of years. It was good to read your comment. It reminds me that history is cyclical, and nothing - nothing ever stays the same. We can do this.
DeleteI agree. The "trial" that isn't a trial disgusts and saddens me, but we need to vote to change things.
ReplyDeleteLike Obi Wan Kenobi, voting is our only hope.
DeleteThank you for the well stated reminder. As my Joe Hill says, "Don't despair. Organize." We will get the job done, hopefully this year.
ReplyDeleteI do love me some Joe Hill.
DeleteI think there is even more evil that 45 can do from now until next January. It scares me especially now the acquittal will embolden him and he will hurt more people. I have chosen the person I will vote for in the primary but if that doesn’t work out, I will support any other candidate.
ReplyDeleteHe will do more, he no longer has any worry about being removed by anything except the general election. My hope is that his emboldened and outrageiously bad actions will encourage more moderate Republicans to vote against him. But that will depend on who the Dem's nominate. Like you, I have a couple of favorites (haven't decided who to vote for yet) for the primary, but in November I will #VoteBlueNoMatterWho
DeleteAgreed, I will Vote for anyone NOT him!
DeleteI love your optimism, truly. It inspires me and gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lilycedar!
DeleteI really hope a Democrat candidate merges who can defeat Trump and finally put an end to his un-presidential behaviour.
ReplyDeleteHere in the UK the Brexiters are saying democracy has been restored now we've left the EU. Try telling that to the thousands of people waiting absurd lengths of time for medical treatment. No sign yet of the NHS getting all the extra cash that was promised during the referendum.
I worry about the UK.
DeleteWritten Beautifully... they may be trying to kill Democracy in this Administration, their Mock Trial with no Witnesses and no Evidence was a predictable Farce and no Surprise given how well he's intimidated, Mob Like, the whole Party he is a part of. A Corrupt and Evil Leader is nothing new, people supporting such Leadership is shocking, but also nothing new... a great many can be deceived or have a lack of a moral compass and the most basic of Humanity within themselves so they will support what is most like them and their 'ideals'. But I agree with you, those of us who resist and who stand for what is good, Democratic and Just must rise up and drive out that which threatens to defile our Country with their Greed, corruption and inhumane actions. We must never Witness Evil and Wrong and do nothing, that would be complicit. Viva the Resistance!
ReplyDeleteMusic to my ears.
DeleteDemocracy as a principle will not die. Democracy, as practised in a given state, may die; in fact it may bring about its own death. In the German federal elections in July 1932 the Nazi party became the largest party but without an overall majority. All legit. In November 1932 another election was held (things were in a very bad state) and the Nazis lost a few seats. Not surprisingly Hitler lost interest in democratic processes and seized power (undemocratically) in January 1933. But until then Hitler was - to outward eyes - operating within a democracy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can understand the US system - and I stand corrected by those who have an education that I lack - the principle of executive power is vaguely defined. Previous presidents who have tested its limits have given in when challenged. But DT is never going to give in to such a flimsy reaction. The decision to withold witnesses came originally from the White House claiming executive power, and (however outrageous their reasons and their behaviour) these decisions have been supported democratically by Republicans in the senate.
And here we arrive at one of the weaknesses of democracy. Outrageous behaviour would normally be punished at the ballot box and perhaps some Republicans will suffer their condign fate. But we have to hang around for elections and DT will have penty of time to do terrible things in the interim.
However there is another factor which I do know something about. During my six years in the US (in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, 1966 - 1972) I was astonished by general attitudes towards the federal government. People from all levels of society treated its actions at best with suspicion, at worst with contempt. The prevailing view was that the federal government never acted beneficently it only "interfered". And this view was shared by Democrats and Republicans. Remember how everyone laughed when Governor Wallace said his first act as president would be to throw Washington's "pointy-headed intellectuals, with their brief-cases, into the Potomac".
Those attitudes seem to have remained dormant in the intervening fifty years but I can't help feeling they have coalesced under Trump. Wish I could go on but you've probably had enough and my singing lesson beckons.
Yes, there are still plenty of Americans who like to say government is corrupt, all politicians are crooks, why bother, etc. It enables them to not have to think deeply or choose wisely. These days they go one step further and fancy themselves "independents." As if not choosing a side makes them somehow superior. It is a dangerous trend. It is especially a cop-out in these times, when sides are clearly drawn. That will annoy a lot of people, but that's what I believe.
DeleteOh, and a significant number of Americans still hate "pointy-headed intellectuals." That's how Trump has been able to ensnare and beguile them, by appealing to their insecurities and fears.
p.s. I LOVE the historical stuff.
I Love the Historical stuff too... there is so much about it I don't know and enlightenment is always a good thing. It is by ignoring the past that we tend to repeat it's mistakes.
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