Trump 2nd Impeachment News/Talk Megathread

[GALeftist]

You know, my sympathy for these Republicans is extremely limited considering that they have very much made their own bed in this regard. For as long as I can remember, the GOP has been prattling on about God and guns to make sure that these very same yahoos keep showing up to the polls, and now that democracy itself is on the line they're all "why do these crazy God freaks in my district have so many guns??" To quote Rashida Tlaib, "suck it up buttercups. Y'all brought this on yourselves."

[GALeftist]

Anyway happen to know if any of these members of Congress explained why they did not vote on impeachment?

Four Republicans did not vote: Representatives Kay Granger of Texas, Andy Harris of Maryland, Greg Murphy of North Carolina and Daniel Webster of Florida.

Webster said he was dealing with a family medical issue and Harris said he was treating patients. Don’t know why they didn’t vote by proxy though.

Harris said in a statement that he basically thought it wasn't worth his time, and Murphy's wife apparently just had surgery. Harris, Murphy, and Webster are all on the record opposing impeachment, though. I'm pretty sure Granger has COVID and is isolating.

[GALeftist]

Anyway happen to know if any of these members of Congress explained why they did not vote on impeachment?

Four Republicans did not vote: Representatives Kay Granger of Texas, Andy Harris of Maryland, Greg Murphy of North Carolina and Daniel Webster of Florida.

Webster said he was dealing with a family medical issue and Harris said he was treating patients. Don’t know why they didn’t vote by proxy though.

Harris said in a statement that he basically thought it wasn't worth his time, and Murphy's wife apparently just had surgery. Harris, Murphy, and Webster are all on the record opposing impeachment, though. I'm pretty sure Granger has COVID and is isolating.

Jayapal also has COVID and is isolating but was able to vote by proxy. If Granger couldn't vote, I wonder if either her COVID is particularly bad or if there was some other reason.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the COVID was probably a convenient excuse to get her out of a tough vote, but I'm not 100% sure obviously.

[GALeftist]

If 45 Senators think the trial is unconstitutional I don't see a conviction happening unless Mitch starts whipping this.

McConnell was one of the people who voted not to table. I don't think that necessarily means he thinks it's unconstitutional.

[GALeftist]

Paul raised a point of Order that the trial is unconstitutional. It was rejected 55-45, with Collins, Murkowski, Romney, Sasse, and Toomey joining Dems.

https://twitter.com/SenatePress/status/1354164503601172489

So are those 17 guaranteed nos, then?

Dang, shocking lack of Bipartisanship from Senator Daines. Friendly reminder that this is NOT a good look, bestie, that's it, that's the tweet.

[GALeftist]

To be honest, I'm not sure hammering home the "you can impeach former officials point" is worthwhile in this case (even though it's obviously unambiguously true) just because it's besides the point. Donald Trump was the President when the House impeached him, so it's not impeachment of a former official.

[GALeftist]

I love "sitting" in an ancient ethical & political philosophy (Zoom) class rn when I could be watching Jamie Raskin just commit homicide on live TV instead.. oh well, I guess that's what Wednesday's for.

Literally in a constitutional law class as we speak.

Political and social philosophy class here

[GALeftist]

Ancient Roman and Greek democracies destroyed by partisanship, folks.

Not only is this stupid and obviously wrong but also Ancient Greece was obviously neither a singular polity, nor uniformly democratic, nor was Athenian democracy even destroyed from within by any stretch of the mind.

[GALeftist]

"Senator Sasse is onto something" is going to age poorly. Quote me

[GALeftist]

I think if you describe a "Greek Republic" and are referring to any time period prior to 1822 you should be immediately smote by Zeus.

[GALeftist]

People are drawing comparisons between this dude and Giuliani, but I disagree. I think that assuming I knew nothing whatsoever about the legal system I would have done about the same as Giuliani. However, I truly think that even with zero knowledge of Congress I could have defended Trump better than that Castor guy.

[GALeftist]

OK, this guy is better. At least he's properly pounding the table and yelling like hell.

[GALeftist]

If it is indeed so offensive that people not be able to vote for whoever they choose then why is it in the Constitution? Heck, why are term limits in the Constitution?

[GALeftist]

Lol "with all due respect Senator Leahy you are unable to act as an impartial juror"

[GALeftist]

Slightly off-topic, but does anyone know why Schoen puts his hand on his head when he is taking a sip of water? Is that a religious thing?

He's probably used to wearing a yarmulke and is making sure it doesn't fall off his head (although it's obviously not there atm).

[GALeftist]

Slightly off-topic, but does anyone know why Schoen puts his hand on his head when he is taking a sip of water? Is that a religious thing?

It is, yes, in lieu of a kippah. Some of us - more Orthodox sects particularly - are strict about head covering when eating, drinking, or saying a silent prayer. Kapo Schoen is devout for a mob lawyer.

Does one's own hand count as a kippah? For some reason I had thought that it needed to be someone else's hand so I figured it must be out of habit

[GALeftist]

Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on his 2024 nomination for President of the United States by the Republican Party