Drinking Liberally explains the impeachment hearings;
In Politics: Nationally, public testimony in the House of Representatives’ hearings on the Impeachment of Donald Trump began on Wednesday. It continues today as I write this invitation. It has been very damning for President Trump and the White House. On Wednesday, testimony linked Trump directly to the shakedown and Bribery scheme conducted by his representatives to get the newly elected Ukranian President to investigate Trump’s political rival, former Vice-President Joe Biden. To put pressure on the Ukrainians, the Trump Administration froze over $300 million in Ukrainian military aid previously authorized by Congress to help the Ukrainians fight the Russian invasion of their country. Despite the fact that this scheme undermined stated US policy and our security interests and those of our Allies, and despite mounting evidence that Trump directed this scheme of Bribery and Extortion himself, Republicans continue to defend him. They say as bad as Trump’s acts may have been, they haven’t risen to the level of an Impeachable Offense. For the benefit of Republicans, below I quote the Constitution and provide them with the legal definition of Bribery. Perhaps it will help them rediscover the Patriotism they profess to have and usually are quick to display.
US Constitution:Section 4, Article Two: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for… Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
A legal definition of Bribery: “The offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual holding a public or legal duty. … Solicitation of a bribe also constitutes a crime and is completed regardless of whether the solicitation results in the receipt of a valuable gift.”
Anyway, the next time you hear a Republican say “Trump’s actions haven’t risen to the level of an Impeachable Offense.” Just say, “Bull***t”. Bribery is right there in the Constitution. It is a constitutionally mandated Impeachable Offense. Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, have admitted to soliciting a personal favor, (the public statement of an investigation of Joe Biden and his son) in exchange for an Oval Office visit and the release of authorized military aid Trump’s Administration had frozen. If that isn’t Bribery, I will eat my shorts.
Of course, Republicans being Republicans they might argue that Trump is guilty of Extortion not Bribery and that, since Extortion is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, Trump’s conduct doesn’t rise to the level of an Impeachable Offense. I call this the Sergeant Schultz defense.
Excellent analysis. Jim Jordan, though. lol
He’s been violating the emoluments clause since day one of his presidency. The emoluments clause is an inherent distain for bribery. The emoluments clause should have brought impeachment proceedings against Trump long before the Ukrainian incident ever arose.
What is especially disturbing is Trumps degrading witness testimony while they’re testifying. I believe Trump bribed Ukraine. What makes it especially criminal is he used public money delegated by Congress not Trump. It wasn’t his to withhold. There’s a legal recourse identifying the funds as stalled but not withheld. I’m surprised Giuliani hasn’t taken this approach. I think both Trump and his lawyer have become ultimate narcissists. This will be their last ‘at bat’. Trump can resign and pardon everyone anytime now. He’s holding out because his hotels and resorts are specified for all government functions. He’ll drain the treasury as long as he possibly can. Then he gets a cushy presidential retirement and security. I suppose his presidential library will be collections of Playboy and Hustler.
The day will come when our descendants, saddled with his incredible national debt, will dig up his bones and piss on them.
Mr Barth, there was a significant federal debt prior to his taking office, but now that is his fault too? The Ukranians are thankful for the aid the Trump admin has provided – of course they were able to keep warm with Obama blankets before real aid arrived.
MJ, you know that the Russians did not attack them until 2 years AFTER Obama gave those blankets. I suppose they all could have stood around the missile exhaust to keep themselves warm. Also, the economy turned around due to the policies of Obama. The turnaround was happening when Trump walked into office and he has been enjoying it ever since.
Just as long as you got your piece of the pie right Jeff. I don’t see you taking a pension cut to help out the young communication workers of today. I’m sure you’ll be out campaigning for whatever socialists is on the D side of the ticket.
Tough keyboard talk from an overpaid pensioner.
LJL J.R., I will defend Jeff on this one. Jeff is enjoying what unions are supposed to be about, good pay and a comfortable retirement. Good for him. If the young communication workers are getting treated unfairly, it isn’t because of Jeff’s greed, it’s because of corporate greed.
OH I forgot corporate greed is to blame for everything …Good for you Jeff!!!
CWA members will be visiting your grave as well.
I certainly have many faults!
Though not necessarily those claimed by LJL.
I expect my CWA brothers and sisters will pass some whisky through their kidneys on their way to the cemetery to see me.
I am not sure when the blankets came but I know the substantial military attacks started in 2014, well ahead of Trump becoming our duly elected president; the real aid came only after he was in office; I am not sure I said anything about the economy- I said there was substantial federal debt ahead of January, 2017 but Mr Barth suggests a golden shower for only one person
If ThuneHaken ends up in the US House next year, maybe he can borrow Jim Jordan’s tie, when he goes on the House floor, and perhaps, Jordan could then borrow ThuneHaken’s sport coat from time to time, too.