Happy Impeachment! Next step is removal. (Trump thread 98)

[TheClaws]

In the last thread, Trump was impeached by Congress. Now the question is when the articles will be sent to the Senate for Trial, as - at this stage - there is no guarantee from Mitch McConnell of a fair trial. Trump clings to his belief that his call to Zelensky was “perfect”.

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3732056-Trump-and-the-Giant-Impeachment-Trump-thread-97

If........Bolton has agreed to testify, it's still moot.

The House is not happy

Bolton:

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-news-john-bolton-read-statement-testify-senate-subpoena-a9272716.html

Which tells its own story, I reckon.

Bolton has said he'll testify because he's been assured he'll never be subpoenaed. Either than or they've all 'got their stories straight' and he's going to lie his head off.

Who can tell?

I guess he could skype his speech.

foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/06/trump-administration-blocks-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-addressing-un-security-council/

edition.cnn.com/2020/01/06/politics/us-troops-iraq/index.html

"Top general says letter suggesting US would withdraw troops from Iraq was a 'mistake'."

This has been rumbling on in the background and is quite intriguing.

www.npr.org/2020/01/05/785672201/deceased-gop-strategists-daughter-makes-files-public-that-republicans-wanted-sea

Mr Oliver,

.

Question is - will he be subpoenaed?

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/iran-trump-twitter-kellyanne-conway-soleimani-us-cultural-sites-a9272421.html

'One of Donald Trump's closest advisers has claimed, without evidence, that Iranian cultural sites which would be protected under US and international law could also be military targets.'

Just as long as McDonald's is not hit

"Donald Trump’s threat to destroy the sites of ancient Persia should send a shiver down the spine of any civilised person. How can anything justify American bombing of Persepolis or the mosques of Isfahan? Only the demented can see them as “threatening America”. It is on the same ethical plane as the Islamic State vandalism of Palmyra and Mosul."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/06/donald-trump-threat-iran-cultural-sites-grotesque-war-crimes

Hurrah for people with functioning consciences - aka Stephanie Hofeller (as referenced in lion's link above @ 22.56)

If only someone similar would find a hard drive containing Trump's tax returns and The Apprentice tapes!

Although as we now know - no fucks would be given by the MAGA disciples.

Interesting fact checking by CNN.
How many times did they add "dishonestly" to reports of Trump's claims with this much emphasis?

"Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dishonestly suggested on Saturday that he had opposed the war in Iraq "from the very moment" it began in 2003 -- even though Biden's campaign said in September that he "misspoke" when he made a similar claim."
t.co/d941PsxzIU

Although, this sort of thing adds up to why I don't think he's a good candidate. Personally and as a bet to win 2020.

www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-pence-iran-idUSKBN1Z5265

'WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will give a speech next Monday laying out the government’s policy on Iran, a White House official said, after the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general sparked protests across the Middle Eastern nation.

Pence will make the remarks at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ National Security Summit in Washington, and is expected to focus on differences between the Iranian people and their government, the official said, declining to offer further details on content and speaking on condition of anonymity.'

Better than nothing - but nowhere near enough.

www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jan/07/facebook-bans-deepfake-videos-in-run-up-to-us-election?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

thehill.com/homenews/senate/477173-mcconnell-to-gop-on-impeachment-rules-i-have-the-votes

McConnell announces he has the votes (without Dem votes) to pass the rules for the Senate hearing, adopting the Clinton impeachment procedures. Naturally Romney, Murkowski, and Collins have fallen back in to the party line despite their statements to the contrary.

The main thing about this is that it defers the question of calling witnesses to 'a later point in the proceedings'. Note that there were NO witnesses called during Clinton's impeachment, but depositions were taken.

McConnell is a stooge.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-press-secretary-stephanie-grisham-iran-soleimani-killing-us-intelligence-a9274361.html

NBC News
@NBCNews

'DEVELOPING: Iraq's al-Asad airbase, which houses US troops, is being hit with a rocket attack -'

he stirred up a hornet's nest on purpose just so he can throw his weight about stay in the spotlight and distract attention from impeachment

Ballistic missiles ...

Genius
and ministry of funny walks 🤣😅

I'm not happy at all.

Thinking of you and everyone in the region, Jaichange.