Octopus Overlords

Holman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 5:48 pm It's not beyond consideration that the war on Iran is Trump's way of buying Bolton's friendly testimony.

I had the same thought. Seems far-fetched, but . . .

The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over.

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:46 pm The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over.

That's like a judge telling the DA not to bother trying a case, right? Shouldn't that always be up to the DA?

Paingod wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:49 am

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:46 pm The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over.

That's like a judge telling the DA not to bother trying a case, right? Shouldn't that always be up to the DA?

It's more like the jury foreman ruling out evidence before the trial begins.

Holman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:10 am

Paingod wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:49 am

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:46 pm The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over.

That's like a judge telling the DA not to bother trying a case, right? Shouldn't that always be up to the DA?

It's more like the jury foreman ruling out evidence before the trial begins.

Or the jury foreman refusing to have a trial?

Holman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:10 am

Paingod wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:49 am

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:46 pm The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over.

That's like a judge telling the DA not to bother trying a case, right? Shouldn't that always be up to the DA?

It's more like the jury foreman ruling out evidence before the trial begins.

Well, a jury foreman that also literally has the on-off switch for the microphone the judge uses.

This isn’t really anything like ‘the senate is the jury’. They are also the entire legal system.

Roberts is just a game piece with little power here

Holman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:10 am

Paingod wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:49 am

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:46 pm The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over.

That's like a judge telling the DA not to bother trying a case, right? Shouldn't that always be up to the DA?

It's more like the defense attorney ruling out evidence before the trial begins.

FTFY!

Is everyone aware that the Senate can overrule any Chief Justice decision by a majority vote? So the Republicans really can make this whatever they want as long as they are willing to vote for it.

The Hill

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) told reporters on Monday that the Senate Republican caucus doesn't have the votes to dismiss the articles of impeachment against President Trump, who endorsed an "outright dismissal" over the weekend.
...
Republicans have warned for months that they will not dismiss the two articles of impeachment against Trump, predicting a trial will end with votes on either acquitting or convicting him.

But Trump revived talk of trying to dismiss the articles over the weekend, saying the Senate was "giving credence" to the allegations against him by having a trial.
...
Dismissing the articles of impeachment would require 51 votes. Because no Democrats would support the effort, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) could afford to lose only two GOP senators and still successfully dismiss the articles.

Multiple Republicans, including Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Rob Portman (Ohio), have indicated they would oppose a motion to dismiss, arguing that both Trump's legal team and House impeachment managers should be able to make their case.

The Parnas Document dump is proving to be extremely creepy, if not downright terrifying:

Texts from Giuliani cronies, just released by House, are incredibly disturbing.

One text discusses unsavory characters in Ukraine willing to "help" with Yovanovitch for "a price"

A few weeks later Yovanovitch was told to leave immediately over concerns about her safety.

Bonus - Trump saying she would "go through some things"...

This is absolutely stunning. During the House hearings we learned that Ambassador Yovanovich was ordered to leave Kiev at 1 am in the morning because of concerns for her security. Now we know why. I've read the Whatsapp and conversations and they are chilling. Giuliani's and Parnas' goons were monitoring the ambassador's location, movements, communications and security detail. They also say that they have someone "inside" the embassy. There is also mention of people offering to "help" for price, at which point the comment is made that you can get "anything" done in Ukraine for a price. Strangely, the person involved appears to be a Robert Hyde, who is a Republican donor and congressional candidate.

Several points here - the Democrats ought to immediately open an investigation into this and run with it. This is extremely serious stuff and deserves its own set of hearings. Secondly Republicans in the Senate need to think very carefully now. This just came out - what more is out there that might come foreward. If they acquit Trump in a perfunctory trial, and then more stuff comes out later, that's not going to be good news for them. I think this all just got a lot more interesting.

Pyperkub wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:06 pm The Parnas Document dump is proving to be extremely creepy, if not downright terrifying:

Texts from Giuliani cronies, just released by House, are incredibly disturbing.

One text discusses unsavory characters in Ukraine willing to "help" with Yovanovitch for "a price"

A few weeks later Yovanovitch was told to leave immediately over concerns about her safety.

Bonus - Trump saying she would "go through some things"...

I thought about that but Trump's comment comes 2 to 3 months after she left Kiev. Who knows what he meant when he said that but it could not have been related to this.

Giuliani and Hyde come across as petty thugs. Yet another screw up from this idiot. Are we absolutely sure Giuliani isn’t working for Pelosi?

Grifman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:15 pm Secondly Republicans in the Senate need to think very carefully now. This just came out - what more is out there that might come foreward. If they acquit Trump in a perfunctory trial, and then more stuff comes out later, that's not going to be good news for them. I think this all just got a lot more interesting.

This is why Pelosi is smart to draw out the trial. Drip, drip, drip.

Schiff is the lead manager.

I don't know all of these congresspeople, but I've seen it mentioned that many of them have prosecutorial experience.

I love that Schiff seems to revel in the role of Trumper boogeyman.

Dude, anyone watching the vote on sending impeachment articles???


Hardly anyone seems to be in attendance....

15 minutes to vote.
3 minutes left

Votes are 109/ 108 for/against


if Dems don't get in there, the Rep could actually vote this off right now. WTF?

Less than 2 mins left

122 for
129 against

what am I watching happen here?

ok, I guess the timer isn't absolute - it's until there is a quorum. still. I am looking at 75 No Votes for dems vs 41 No Votes for Reps.


Dems need to start taking this shit as serious as it is.

Unagi wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 2:26 pm ok, I guess the timer isn't absolute - it's until there is a quorum. still. I am looking at 75 No Votes for dems vs 41 No Votes for Reps.


Dems need to start taking this shit as serious as it is.

Calculated for maximum drama. Amazing come from behind victory!

Holman wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 11:25 am

Schiff is the lead manager.

I don't know all of these congresspeople, but I've seen it mentioned that many of them have prosecutorial experience.

Crow is my congresscritter. I think I like him. He's a former Army Ranger and before being elected last election, was a lawyer for a local firm. So he's at least got some experience.

LawBeefaroni wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 2:34 pm

Unagi wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 2:26 pm ok, I guess the timer isn't absolute - it's until there is a quorum. still. I am looking at 75 No Votes for dems vs 41 No Votes for Reps.


Dems need to start taking this shit as serious as it is.

Calculated for maximum drama. Amazing come from behind victory!

Seriously gave me a heart attack.

Grifman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:15 pmSecondly Republicans in the Senate need to think very carefully now. This just came out - what more is out there that might come foreward. If they acquit Trump in a perfunctory trial, and then more stuff comes out later, that's not going to be good news for them. I think this all just got a lot more interesting.

That math sounds right then you remember that the GOP *IS NOT AFRAID* of the public. They pick their voters in most cases. In the end nothing will happen.

Kraken wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 12:39 am

Grifman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:15 pm Secondly Republicans in the Senate need to think very carefully now. This just came out - what more is out there that might come foreward. If they acquit Trump in a perfunctory trial, and then more stuff comes out later, that's not going to be good news for them. I think this all just got a lot more interesting.

This is why Pelosi is smart to draw out the trial. Drip, drip, drip.

Woah there. Chris Cillizza said that Pelosi lost out big...oh wait that means you are 100% automatically right.

malchior wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:55 pm

Grifman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:15 pmSecondly Republicans in the Senate need to think very carefully now. This just came out - what more is out there that might come foreward. If they acquit Trump in a perfunctory trial, and then more stuff comes out later, that's not going to be good news for them. I think this all just got a lot more interesting.

That math sounds right then you remember that the GOP *IS NOT AFRAID* of the public. They pick their voters in most cases. In the end nothing will happen.

It won't matter for most Republicans but those in potentially close races like Gardner, Tillis, Collins, McSally have to be worried.

Tulsi Gabbard voted "present." What in the actual fuck?

It's apparently how she's protesting all the fighting and dysfunction. If I were in charge, I'd ask her to clarify her abstention. Is she in disagreement? Doesn't feel informed enough? Doesn't feel this is worth the discussion? I'm kind of a stickler for these things and this is important - she should be on record as more than a wet-noodle abstention.

Regardless this could possibly be in the death of media, but it's also good here - crackdown on press access during impeachment:

When the articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate, a procession full of pomp and circumstance, just one video camera and no still photographers will be allowed to document the historic moment. No audio recording at all will be permitted, leaving radio reporters empty-handed.

It's almost like the GOP wants to make sure there's no evidence this took place. I have no doubt they'd gas reporters if they thought they could get away with it.

The floor of the U.S. Senate had to be briefly evacuated today when the Christian Bible that was being used to swear in the hundred senators who will be jurors in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump exploded into a mass of flaming debris.

“You could feel that it was starting to get a little hot when the Democrats swore that they’d be able to treat the allegations against President Trump with impartiality, but when the Republicans began swearing they’d consider only the Constitution and the law, the amount of smoke coming from the Bible made it very difficult to breathe,” said Bryce Langdon, now eyebrowless senate page.

“Then Mitch McConnell reached his hand towards it and whomph, it went up like kindling.”

https://www.thebeaverton.com/2020/01/bi ... to-flames/

Aww the poor baby needs his diapy changed.

For some reason the all caps outburst cracked me up.

I'm confused. Wasn't he already impeached? I thought the next step was sending the Articles of Impeachment over to the Senate?

El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:44 pm I'm confused. Wasn't he already impeached? I thought the next step was sending the Articles of Impeachment over to the Senate?

I *think* one of the many Republican narratives held that impeachment didn't count until the House handed off the articles. And I'll guarantee you this: After the Senate exonerates him, he will refuse to acknowledge that he was ever impeached. "The do-nothing Democrats, they tried, they tried to impeach me, complete witch hunt, perfect phone call. And you know what? They failed." And the MAGA hats will nod. More fake news.

WTF is a "perfect phone call." Even his lies don't make sense.

YellowKing wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:16 am WTF is a "perfect phone call."

If you have to ask, you've never made one.

It's why everyone is asking.

NIXON GOT IMPEACHED FOR MAKING A PERFECT BREAK-IN!

Funny.

Accept we need to remember that Nixon, unlike Trump, was actually not impeached.

hepcat wrote:For some reason the all caps outburst cracked me up.

Old people are funny that way. "HEY SEND MORE PICTURES OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN" or "ARE YOU GOING TO SEND ME TO THE HOME?" or MEXICANS ARE TAKING ALL THE JOBS, EXCEPT JOSE THE GARDENER HE'S NICE"

$iljanus wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:12 am

hepcat wrote:For some reason the all caps outburst cracked me up.

Old people are funny that way. "HEY SEND MORE PICTURES OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN" or "ARE YOU GOING TO SEND ME TO THE HOME?" or MEXICANS ARE TAKING ALL THE JOBS, EXCEPT JOSE THE GARDENER HE'S NICE"

I'm watching this on some of my relatives FB walls. Some, who I haven't turned off, as they have the presence of mind not post propaganda still have friends whose GRANDCHILDREN KEEP POSTING FAKE NEWS ABOUT THE CLIMATE CHANGE HOAX

Details are beginning to come out about Trump's legal team for the Senate trial.

It includes Ken Starr, apparently because Republicans don't understand irony.

It also includes Alan Dershowitz, apparently because Republicans don't think being closely associated with Jeffrey Epstein sex parties is a bad look.

Also this:

Holman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 11:44 am

It also includes Alan Dershowitz, apparently because Republicans don't think being closely associated with Jeffrey Epstein sex parties is a bad look.

Trump was at those parties. Dershowittz doesn't bring any additional taint to the festival.