The state of the union was just a Trump reality-show/political rally - just bs, in my view. He will create a war, either among ourselves or elsewhere. He will not solve anything except making fuss... so, I include something that I think is more relevant.
1. It is a political trial, so even if not "criminal", it is still impeachable. But there were criminal charges as well. They have not stopped looking for hard evidence, but the obstruction of congress, which is impeachable, have not given them the documents they are legally entitled to. Then there is blocking of witnesses. 2. The Mueller report found a lot, but at that time - not direct evidence of colluding with the Russia. But more has come out. 3. He may not get a second term, we have to see. But his response have always been to go on attack and deny any wrongdoing. He got many cases in court, where this has been his tactics. 4. they have not come with false claims against him. The defense claim that, but a lot of that is in fact false. Had they allowed witnesses, most everybody is aware of the outcome. But even without, the case is strong. He has no good defense at all. They have even admitted to wrongdoings. 5. Yes, but that is not correct either. They have claimed hearsay, but the facts don't support it.
Just some short answers. To really drive it home, there should be the top witnesses, and Trump himself. But the Senate have voted against witnesses, which then seem to block the case. We will hear the results tomorrow, I believe. Someone else could answer this better I suppose, and you did express your opinion, so... but for me, as it has been presented, he is guilty. The stonewalling of documents and witnesses, indicate it too. It has been difficult to follow the case, a lot of words, and some of them have significant legal implications that is not easy to sum up. I only have some common understanding of law.
Many would probably think I have become a bit fixated ? I don't know. But anyway, I came across something a Senator mentioned that made me check something. I did not pay too much notice of the testimony of Ambassador Yovanovitch, the treat - "she is going to go through some things". Sure, she was obvious shaken by it, but - Trump say a lot of things - however I came across descriptions of how he has intimidated others, which now seem to come into a different light. There are people that actually fear him. And when - as I understood it, a Senator kind of gave a wink in that direction, I started to wonder. And in fact, perhaps there are some real concerns about protection the whistle blower. It appears that Trump may not be a pleasant fellow to fall out with.
Here is a quote made by Trump himself: "I worked with John Kelly, and he was totally unequipped to handle the genius of our great President." - what a remarkable statement to say about yourself ? - and when you notice what he has expressed regarding former employees, you really may question it. And he has some strange stranglehold over people. To me it appears like fear, not someone you would like to cross. He is attracted to power, and I got a sinking feeling about more years with this guy. It may even look cowardly of the Senate not to get rid of him.
Feel a bit stupid to be chasing this, but... so be it.
@Frontnine35 - right, I forgot that you are so well informed.
United States core institutions do not seem to handle this very well. Presidents come and go, so - how do you thing other countries around the world feel assured that they can trust a President that is not reliable ? Even his own administration does not trust him. Do you think Ukraine trust him ? Or China ? Or Europe ? They do not need United States. EU trade rules, will not bow to US rules. Trump has even made worries withing Allied Forces that they cannot rely on him. Perhaps Congress and Senate, but when he actually block them, like military assistance to Ukraine - what do you imagine that tell them ?
The world have heard about his perfect call. Do you think they take question his perfect deals ? This is your line of expertise, isn't it ? Tell me about your sources.
All he has shown is that he put himself above the interrest of the people and the country. He show little respect of anything or anyone. The moment they are of no use to him, he backstabs and slanders them. Who have any reason to trust him ?
So, what ever happens, it is clear that the Republicans have sided with Trump, which will make them a target. The House can continue to get evidence, Bolton's book will come out, and Giuliani may be indicted, and Trump will never appear clean.
Former U.S. Sen. John Warner (R-VA) asserted in his statement that not having witnesses would do "lasting damage" to the Senate. "If witnesses are suppressed in this trial and a majority of Americans are left believing the trial was a sham, I can only imagine the lasting damage done to the Senate, and to our fragile national consensus. The Senate embraces its legacy and delivers for the American people by avoiding this risk,"
Yes, I believe there will be a lot more questions now. Is the Senate part of a cover-up ? The defense laywer implicated ? McConnel had information about who was implicated ? ....and we can continue...
Too bad, sad story, in my view - because the question has to do with the rights and role of the office, a question that should have been raised years ago.
I am following the Senate Trial, and at this very moment they have called for a "real" trial with witnesses and documents. In my view, any fair trial deserve that, as well as the people.
Well, remember that Trump did not start out on a Republican platform, but they came to support him. I believe he is very worried that they find out that he is double crossing them. Just as he used leverage to coerce Ukraine, he operates like this toward everyone. It is easy to use the Democrats as targets, and have everyone focus upon them. Then they will not look in his direction. Should they question him, then the house of cards may come tumbling down. I don't believe Trump think that highly of McConnell for example, which is typically of the elite that he despised. Now the Republicans question why the White House did not keep them informed ? And Trump will find something else to distract them with. I suppose Trump is familiar with Machiavelli, or he is just street smart. But if Trump can get his own men aligned behind him, the next targets will be Republicans he does not like.
It is really stupid of us all to become so caught up in his show. I wonder how much this attention is costing us all. What did the defense say the Mueller report cost ? Those expenses are something Trump caused.
@Frontnine35 - well, you could check out Steve Bannon's FRONTLINE intervue "America's Great Divide" as a start, it's was in 2 parts.
@hpylady -"No matter who is in office we will get deceived, the only thing we get is a vote." - yes, but there is no reason it should be like this. "government of the people, by the people, for the people” - they are accountable to the people, they are employed by the people. It does not only mean by the ballot box. There are other governments around the world that manage to hold government and leaders in check, far better then America. It could be done. A reason why it is not, may be some of what Bannon seem to say about the divide. I would probably understand it to point to the "swamp". The elite that seem to get away with it ? But sure, it doesn't have to be like that. And by the way, I agree with what you said and you may wonder a bit when you hear what a cruise missile cost. I would think those schools would be a better investment ?
" He is not in favour of monetary easing either." - well, Trump had to bow and accept it for now, while he actually want to raise taxes. So, if he will get another term, this may change. Cannot recall sources, except Steve Bannon told this as well. What you described is in fact what Obama did, and Trump continued. I don't claim to know that much about economics, but found it interesting that this was not what Trump wanted.
Frontnine35 - nice of you to offer some help. We are not gaining ground on any topic ? I guess that depends on what you measure, and what the objectives would be ? I have tried to figure out your stand on matters, which is not more convincing or more factual based then ideas others may have. We can probably agree that Trump have a pretty blunt and rough way choice of words. He is more into attacks then of argument. And that puts people off. His background history is not exemplary either. His manner cause opposition. There are a lot of natural causes for people to oppose him. Fair enough ? Many of his supporters seem to enjoy it, and I see it displayed often. Words does matter. Obama did follow what previous administrations did in economics. He had little choice regarding the matter. And Trump is bound by the same realities. He also would like to do some changes. He is not in favor of monetary easing either. There are obvious flaws in capitalism, which have brought us to the current situation. It sure was not the "left" that promoted or wished to export work places to China or elsewhere. Trump knows that very well, and have talked about it well before he came into politics. So all the talks about the traditionally parties, left/right, is not what he adhere to. But his hands are also bound by the current economic situation. And the impeachment is not simply that his opponents just want to sink him. He have caused much of the situation himself. For what reasons he have done so, is of course an interesting question. He may have his reasons, and that is what people want to know. It is obvious that we do not have the information. As it should be an open and free democratic nation, people are entitled to know. Without it, it is everyone's guess. And both you and me can exercise the freedom of guessing. It is that simple.
And btw. you are not alone having a vote. It is not dependent on education, of having the best argument, of having leanings to either this or the other side. Nor does it matter if some of us happen to be outside the border.
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Senate impeachment rules
February 5th, 2020 - sad to see the Senate fail to conduct it's duty - failing the people. It is a shame.