Stewart Myrent

Janis, thank you for reminding us of the Gettysburg Address.  Man, that Lincoln certainly had a way with words, unlike the current occupant of the Oval Office & praising the veterans who have served this country honorably, also totally unlike the current occupant of the White House.  I just don't like the way the Republicans are defending this president, as I am fairly certain if what he has done were done by a Democrat, the howls of "unconstitutional behavior" and "impeachment" would be deafening, but coming from the Republicans, instead of Democrats.  However, the 2020 election is but one year away & if the impeachment investigation drags on, because of the Republicans trying to save the presidency of a flawed (& historically crooked) man, so be it.  But if Trump loses in 2020, I will regain confidence in the Constitutional precepts that have served our country so well, for the past 230 yrs.  Yikes!

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

"...when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views."   -- Benjamin Franklin in his final speech before the Constitutional Convention.  He thought it impossible to expect a "perfect production" from such a gathering, but he believed the Constitution, "with all its faults," was better than any alternative that was likely to emerge.

Lincoln foremost among statesmen of succeeding generations continued the quest for a "more perfect union."

"Our Constitution requires the constant attention and devotion of all citizens."  

Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the delegates had created.  Franklin responded: "A republic, if you can keep it."

"The brevity of Franklin's response should not cause us to under-value the meaning of his answer:

"democratic republics are not merely founded upon the consent of the people,

"democratic republics are absolutely dependent upon the active and informed involvement of the people."

***Why do Republican Senators insist they have no interest in watching the impeachment hearings?  If Trump is impeached, they will be jurors in the Senate trial.  Have they no investment in our democratic republic? or respect for the rule of law?

Marvin Irving Blusteln

I repeat my comment of many months ago, "they have no shame;they are not patriots"

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Trump insists it's his right to know the identity of the whistleblower.  Countering Rep Jim Jordan's argument that the whistleblower started this scandal, Rep Peter Welch said, "I would be glad to have the person who started this come in and testify.  President Trump is welcome..."  (It is important to remember that Congress has the responsibility to uphold the Whistleblower Protection Act.)

The Constitution calls for oversight: It is Congress' responsibility to be a check on what is being normalized as presidential activity.

Ambassador Bill Taylor and Deputy Ass't Sec'y of State George Kent are both nonpartisans; they were both subponaed witnesses and exemplify the best of public servants.

They were present to testify to the facts (that are part of the storyline); they did not come as advocates.

Chair Adam Schiff kept the committee hearing on task - searching for the facts of the matter.  Each hearing is a brick of evidence.  Today was just a snapshot of the probe.

The Republicans did not contest the facts.  It's not just the phone call; it's the phone call and everything else.

The hearings today were no "sham" (to use Trump's word). 

Trump will not allow Republicans to present a reasonable defense.  He will not allow witnesses with direct evidence to testify.

An impeachment probe is an administrative hearing not a trial - nevertheless, it is a myth that hearsay evidence is not admissible in a court of law.  There are multiple exceptions to that rule.

If Trump fires the Inspector General, it's over.  He doesn't understand the job. 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

We are indebted to the foreign service officers for their valor.

It is sad to see Congress reduced to a competition of power.

Our legislators have ceased to have serious discussion to fulfill their constitutional obligations.

Republicans in Congress have allowed Trump to bring the U.S. to crisis.

Has Trump set (lowered) the standard we expect of American presidents?

Corrupt personal political motives are A-OK in America ? ? ?
no problem conditioning congressionally approved U.S. military aid on a public announcement to assist the president in his personal political interests... ? ? ?

American citizens are to be told to "get over (subversion of the Constitution)."  ❓

Stewart Myrent

Just finished another new release, "American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century", by Maureen Callahan.  Almost everyone in the U.S. has heard of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy & Jeffrey Dahmer, but have any of you heard of Israel Keyes?  Didn't think so.  The book starts in Anchorage, Alaska, where Keyes has kidnapped, murdered & dismembered his last victim, a 16-year old named Samantha Koenig, who was working alone one night as a barista at a coffee kiosk, and whose body parts are found at the bottom of a lake, because of Keye's confession.  Samantha's abduction, subsequent murder, & recovery by the FBI's Dive Team, take up the first two Parts of the book.  I will only recount one section of the book, because it really affected me.  From Chapter 15, "But to James (Samantha's father), the least he could do for his daughter was bear witness to those last hours of her life.  All Samantha's hard-won hope and promise, her essential sweetness, taken at random.  His little girl had fought to the end.  The world had been better with her in it.  James so badly wanted to say good-bye to his daughter, to see her one last time.  It had been left to (FBI agents) Bell and Goeden to tell James that he really didn't want to see his daughter that way."  This last passage pretty much brought me to tears, as I have thought for some time now, that the worst thing that can happen to a person, is for a parent to lose a child.  You would never expect to have to bury your own child, because that child is supposed to be burying your old ass, not the other way around.  The book was a very easy read, but I wouldn't really recommend it, because it's so disturbing.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Americans brag about freedom of speech...

but NO freedom of speech in the U.S. Senate.

Every day many Americans risk their lives for others.

U.S. Senators will not risk "their SEAT" to protect American families and law enforcement.

Common sense gun safety legislation is long past due.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Trump is intimidating Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in real time (and as a warning to future witnesses).

Truth is on trial.  Truth still matters.

Roger Stone is found guilty on all 7 counts, convicted of witness tampering, lying to Congress, and obstruction.

Message to Gordon Sondland: Tell the Truth.

"Everything Trump Touches Dies"

Stewart Myrent

After my last post, talking about "American Predator..." & talking about Keyes' last victim's father, I said that I had thought for some time that a parent losing a child is the worst thing that can happen to a person.  I later thought that with a graduating class of about 550, as I recall, the law of averages would dictate that some of our classmates had gone through this very thing, having to bury a child.  I don't know personally, what that experience is like, as I have been fortunate to not have to deal with anything like that, but I am guessing that some of our classmates have.  I have heard for decades that losing a child is very tough on a marriage, that many marriages do not survive that experience, for lots of reasons.  But, for those of you who have dealt with this very thing, I am curious about how any of you have dealt with this horrible circumstance.  I can certainly appreciate that whoever has lost a child, talking about it can be very uncomfortable - and if you are, I wouldn't expect anyone to comment on this.  But, if you feel comfortable enough to talk about this subject, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts about it.  I would guess that most parents who have lost a child, lost them due to some dreaded disease, as opposed to losing them to a serial murderer (as in the book), but if you feel like talking about it, I would appreciate any feedback.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is an American hero.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-New York) is an intelligent woman misusing her position to "gaslight the public" - she continues to speak out of turn and today tweeted criticism of House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff for not recognizing her.

George Conway tweeted in response: "(She) went to Harvard.  (She) can read.  (She) knew full well that the operative resolution (H.Res. 660) only allowed questioning by the ranking Republican or Republican counsel at that point, and that (she'd) get (her) turn later.  (She) pulled a stunt to gaslight the public."

Stewart, this might be a good time to dog ear your reading and watch the impeachment hearings.

Today's hearing is another brick of evidence... "light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

The witnesses and Democrats are restoring my confidence in the rule of law.  Republicans used some ot their time to thank Ambassador Yovanovitch for her service.
But Mike Pompeo - he is conspiculously absent.  His failure to stand up for Ambassador Yovanovitch is "an act of abject cowardice."  Pompeo may be no dummy, and he may have served as an infantry officer, nevertheless, astonishing as it is, "some people, plain and simple, are cowards, and that's what Mike Pompeo is."  Or is he so concerned the clock is ticking, that he sold his soul (curries favor) to jumpstart destiny... sadly Pompeo falls far short as a person and the promise of his CV.

(Rudy Giuliani is another part of this story... somehow Nikki Haley is expressing regret that Rudy Giuliani was not named a "special envoy" to Ukraine.)

(I do not hear anyone extolling Hunter Biden.)

Stewart Myrent

Janis, I read your suggestion that I should put a pause on my reading & watch the impeachment proceedings.  I feel like my reading is part of what keeps me sane, but I have NOT neglected following the impeachment procedures.  I have to say that the impeachment process has held my attention (I wouldn't miss it for the world), but I understand that Rep. Schiff's committee is taking it's time to build a strong (& irrefutable) case against the current CIC.  As I stated this past week, I am pretty sure how this is all going to end.  I don't think that Trump is going to be impeached (because of a weak & irresponsible Senate jury) & I think the only way to get rid of Trump is going to be at the ballot box, in November, one year from now.  I don't really have a problem with that, but if they try to remove Trump from his constitutionally-sanctioned election (damn that Electoral College!), I see Congress having to forcibly remove him from the White House, despite his protestations (& perhaps have to slap both handcuffs & leg irons on him).  Well, November, 2020 is now only one year away.  We have put up with Trump's shenanigans & shady (not to mention illegal) dealings for 3 years now, so it's only for one more, if we can survive it.  That will be the tough part.  By the way, about a week ago, I predicted that Sean Spicer's tenure on Dancing With The Stars, was going to end in the very near future & that he would NOT win this season's mirror-ball trophy.  He was voted off the show this past week.  My prediction was not based on any genius, just a study of the realities of current entertainment.  As sure as I was about Spicer being bounced from DWTS, I am equally sure that Trump will serve out the remainder of his term (unless the Republican Senators get some balls, or realize they may be sacrificing their political futures to protect a duplicitous & ill-prepared & criminal president).  But, Janis, rest assured that I have been following the impeachment proceedings.

Alan A. Alop

What a great idea Carol. The goddam Democrats are stirring up such a fuss that they must not be loyal Americans.  We could resurrect the House Un-American Activities Committee--altho we better place it in the Senate.  And that Senate Un-American Activities Committee could investigate just what ties these Dems do have to America--were they born here, did they ever criticize American values, do they regularly attend an appropriate house of worship, are they reading books of questionable value? Are they human scum (i.e. former Republicans who have turned on the president)?  Lets investigate whether these Dems are Real Americans.  And if they are not we can send them back to the shithole countries they came from. Good thinking Carol!  And who said the GOP was the stupid party, the party of know-nothingism, anti-intellectualism, conspiracy theories and anti-science? Not with people like Laura Ingraham and Rush Limbaugh coming up with thoughtful approaches to current problems.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Truth is closing in... facts still matter.  
Ad hominem attacks are not a defense.  

The question is how do we stop this civil war? How do we learn to understand one another? It's no time for Laura's cheap shots.

The White House has lost all credibility.  We will need truth commissions.  Spin is one thing.  Without truth, democracy will die.

Stephanie Grisham has not held one press conference.  She speaks only to FOX News; Trump speaks on the White House lawn as Marine One waits to lift him away.

Why do Republicans insist Trump's tweets are not intimidating? and ignore the impact of his tweet attacks on his addressees as well as the reality of the ripple effect when they themselves cower in fear of Trump's tweet attacks?

I grew up to be a Lincoln Republican, transitioned to be an Independent... I do not even recognize what is today as the Republican Party.  I fear the ghost of Joe McCarthy looming over the Republican Party.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

It's not just about winning, it's about governing.

and now Trump says he wants to testify...

he's furious with Pompeo.

Pompeo sold his soul and his presidential dreams went "poof."

Stewart Myrent

Carol, in your post of 10/02/19, you stated, "I am not back", & except for a post on 10/11/19, with remembrances of Sharry, which was very kind of you, you have stayed true to that statement.  So...I was somewhat surprised to see your post of 11/18/19, featuring a Laura Ingraham (poster?) with the quote, "Somebody needs to open an investigation into the Democrat (sic) Party to find out if they have any ties to America."  I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that Laura Ingraham (poster?) is hanging in a place of honor in a hallway in your home.  I know that she's said a lot of dumb stuff, but that particular quote kind of takes the cake.  I don't want to reference that quote with any legitimacy, but will say that the Democratic Party, according to Wikipedia,  was "founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson (one of president Trump's heroes), making it the world's oldest active political party."  So, to ask if the Democrat (sic) Party has any ties to America, seems at the least, disingenuous, & at the worst, totally idiotic.  But I have something way more important to discuss.  And that is that I have seen Nikki Haley, former Ambassador to the U.N., on TV, saying that as far as she's concerned, president Trump really tells the truth & he has been great to work with & he really pays attention, when she has had contacts with him.  I don't understand her comments (as they are laughable), but I'm pretty sure she will be the Republican standard-bearer perhaps in 2020, & certainly by 2024.  I think she got out of the Trump administration when she did, before any lasting damage was done to her reputation, or popularity.  To become that standard-bearer, she will need the support of the Republican Party & I suspect this obeisance to Trump is mainly to show party leaders that she will do, or say, anything to be loyal to the party.  I think the Republican Party would love to be able to run a woman for president, in the near future (who'd have thought it?)  So, I am expecting, in the very near future, to hear Nikki Haley totally back-track on her effusiveness towards Trump. (Unless she puts her political ambitions on hold until 2024).  Yesterday, I was in the car & tuned to the Bears pre-game show (it was a night game - I forgot), but instead, heard an interview with Nancy Pelosi, that turned out to be from a "Face The Nation" broadcast.  She was very measured in her speech & when the interviewer (moderator Margaret Brennan) asked, "Did the Democrats have a good week?", she responded with, "The American people had a good week."  She also mentioned that none of them came to Washington to impeach a president & how sad it was that the situation has come to this point.  And then she talked about things being able to get done w/o partisanship during the G.W. Bush era.  Nancy not only knows what she's doing, but understands how to do it properly, & legally, & constitutionally.  I don't mean to be effusive, but she was great!  One more thing, I saw on CNN this AM, that Mayor Pete (Buttigieg), is now leading in the polls in Iowa, for the Democratic Party, relative to the Iowa caucuses (which I believe is only a few short months away).  I really like Mayor Pete, plus he's way younger than most of his competitors (namely Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, & Elizabeth Warren).  All but Warren are older than we (including the current CIC), but I think we need a younger person to lead this country.  I will have no problem with Mayor Pete becomong President Pete.  I know that the 2020 election is still 1 year away, but I also know that 1 year will pass in no time at all.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Bravo Stewart!  👍 for all you share.

Worst of all, Laura Ingraham's comments are irresponsible.  Thank you for reminding us of the Democratic Party's history.  Laura's an intelligent woman.  Shame on her for misusing her ability for financial gain.
Nikki Haley's comments are totally bewildering / disappointing.  She has gone over the edge for Trump and squandered the respect she has earned.  
Nancy Pelosi has broken the glass ceiling on earning respect in a male dominated country.  She is an extraordinary House Speaker and an American hero.

Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is an extraordinary foreign service officer who shows courage in the face of American politicians and personalities who would silence her and/or compromise her integrity - she's an American hero.

I too like Mayor Pete.  I am taken how seriously (and relatably) my grandchildren listen to him.
Pete's competitors will go after him at the debate Wednesday night... a good test of his strength as a leader and an opportunity to build national support from voters who have not met him.

Glad there's time to read before public impeachment hearings resume tomorrow.
Lots to watch on TV this week - three days of hearings and Wednesday night, the debate.
Thanks for keeping up with everything and sharing on the Forum.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

"We are better than this."

What kind of country do we want to be?

What is our duty as Americans?

Today was another good day for the American people -

lots of facts from witnesses about shadow foreign policy.

Light shines on more bricks of evidence.

I am deeply inspired by the service of first generation Americans,

embarrassed by Tim Morrison who rushed to the lawyers, but wouldn't say why

(because "nothing concerned him about Trump's July 25th phone call with the Ukrainian president.")

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

There is no reason to believe Sen Johnson.
Trump and his supplicants are in deep doo doo.

Shame on John Bolton out selling his book while his underlings risk their careers fulfilling their patriotic duty.

"There was a quid pro quo... Everyone was in the loop, there was no shadow foreign policy. We followed the President's orders.  What Trump wanted was the announcement of an investigation of Joe Biden by President Zelensky."  
-- Gordon Sondland

More bricks of evidence...

we have crossed the Republicans' redline - there was a quid pro quo.

(Devin Nunes continues to make light of serious testimony in constitutional hearings.)
(The last time Laura Cooper was in an impeachment hearing, her testimony was delayed when Republicans stormed the SCIF with pizza and cell phones.)

Stewart Myrent

Janis, I did watch the Democratic debate last night, & I have to say, I still like Mayor Pete.  I also was very impressed with Kamala Harris.  Both of them belong to the generation that I think should be taking the lead in heading our country back in the right direction.  I would have no problem with a Buttigieg/Harris ticket, or a Harris/Buttigieg ticket to oppose a Trump/(Pence?) ticket.  The other candidates, like Bernie, Biden & Warren, are too old.  You may have a better chance of winning with a Buttigieg/Harris ticket, not sure.  But, I did see that Buttigieg was trailing with black Democratic voters, with 0%.  (Yikes! 0%!)  But Harris as his running mate could solve that problem.  Relative to the impeachment process, I am absolutely gob-smacked at the incredulous stuff coming out of the mouths of many Republican Congresspeople, in particular Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) & Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).  Talk about selling your soul to the devil - how do they anticipate that history will judge them in any way, other than crooked, duplicitous & outright moronic.  Forget history - how do they face their spouses or children, on a daily basis.  I am getting so SICK of the impeachment proceedings already - if the Republicans could come up with ANY justification for Trump's actions, decisions, or lies, it might be somewhat tolerable, but I'm guessing they don't really have much to work with.  When will they finally come to the correct decision, as in any BAD relationship, that it's TIME TO LET IT GO! 

Marvin Irving Blusteln

Stewart, I feel your pain.  
The Repuds will die first.   They are not patriots.  They have no shame.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

"Trump's defenders have no defense."
Peggy Noonan, WSJ

Non-partisan witness after witness 

all corroborated Trump's own words

overheard in real time by David Holmes.

Sondland recalls "There was a quid pro quo,"

without contrition: 'admission against interest'

"We followed the President's orders."

"Everyone was in the loop."

Today: more bricks of evidence and clarifying insight:

Powerful testimony 

and a challenge to all Americans.

Ukraine knew the military aid was frozen, their president received no invitation to the White House;

the United States president gagged the primary witnesses.

"(They were following orders to do) what (Fiona Hill now understood he was doing)"...

"a domestic political errand

which diverged from national security and foreign policy."

Sadly, in this time and place,

Evidence isn't what it used to be.

(just wondering if John Bolton listened to the impeachment hearings, and today to Fiona Hill's compelling testimony?)

Day 1036 of the Trump administration.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

It's time for John Bolton to "woman-up" and testify...  
(or might John Bolton - who is a policy person, not a politician - prefer an interview, perhaps with Chris Wallace, or maybe Fareed Zakaria ?  ?  ?

Military aid to Ukraine is congressionally approved, it's an investment in our national security.  
So also would be an invitation with date and time for the Ukraine president for a meeting at the White House.

Have we forgotten our American story and who we are as Americans? 
It is alarming to hear Republicans talk about winnining and losing - we are not in a competition, where do our loyalties lie?

Do we recognize open abuse of presidential power?
Do we value the Constitution and rule of law?

What is an impeachable offense in our democratic republic?   
Have we elected a monarch? a dictator? accountable to no one?

John Hendrickson of  The Atlantic ("What Joe Biden Can't Bring Himself to Say"),  interviewed Joe Biden earlier this year, and shines a light on (some of) Biden's verbal stumbles on the debate stage and his boyhood stuttering.

***Biden refutes The Atlantic article (which I felt was written out of empathy by a stutterer).

Donn Pearlman

The song "Sugar Shack" by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs always reminds me of the John F. Kennedy assassination. On November 22, 1963, when we were seniors at Niles West, I participated in a statewide speech tournament at Illinois State University. When word of the assassination came, the decision was made to continue with the tournament because high school students and faculty had driven there from across the state. However, all ancillary events were cancelled. So, in between my tournament categories I sat in the Student Union, and someone kept playing "Sugar Shack" on the jukebox. Time-after-time-after-time. So, even today when I hear that song I am reminded of the events of November 22, 1963. PS: I only came in third in the radio announcing competition. I believe I may have improved a bit since then. 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Last night, I dreamed I bumped into Marcy Keno - I was stunned (in my dream) because I knew she was included in the 'In Memory' section... we recognized one another immediately - it was as if we'd been together at West yesterday.

First thing I did when I woke up was check the 'In Memory' section to be reminded her brother gave a gift to our 50th in memory of Marcy.  Otherwise I was excited to share the good news.

Jack Edmund Bookwalter