What Made You Do A Facepalm Today??

[Rick N. Backer]

We need witnesses!

 

No! Don’t let them call witnesses!

 

OK, you can have witnesses.

 

We can? Oh, you know what, never mind. We don’t need them.

 

:facepalm:

 

OK. We weren't gonna listen to anything they said anyway....

 

Why even ask for them, then? So that if the request was denied they could complain they were denied the ability to call witnesses?

 

The vote to allow witnesses was 54-46 in favor, which was not a good sign. Some Republican senators who were seen as possible votes for conviction voted against allowing witnesses. The Impeachment managers were then informed that Republican senators were ready to vote and go home for the weekend.

 

Less than two hours after the witness vote, the Impeachment managers told the Senate that they had no further motions. Three hours later, the acquittal was done.

 

The Impeachment managers simply threw in the towel, IMO.

 

It seems like they spent a fair amount of time yesterday arguing for witnesses. Did they think they had 67 votes to convict when they argued for witnesses? Did they not truly believe witnesses would convince anyone to vote to convict?

 

And when the impeachment process began, did they believe that they had a chance of getting a conviction? We may never know the answer to that.

 

We do know that the impeachment managers felt duty bound to at least try to hold the former president accountable for his crimes. Maybe a different group of managers would have fought longer and harder. Maybe....

 

But my :facepalm: was a little different. They argued that they needed witnesses yesterday. When they got them, on the same day, they changed their position. Seems disingenuous to me.

 

Disjointed and discordant, IMO.

 

There was no strong consensus among Democratic leaders regarding how strongly they should prosecute the case.

They was certainly much indecision on what to do, especially after the managers were told that the Republicans - and some Democrats - were ready to go home.

 

“We could have had 500 witnesses, and it would not have overcome the kinds of arguments being made by Mitch McConnell and other Republicans who were hanging their hats on the claim that it was somehow unconstitutional to try a former president.”

 

-- Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.), Lead impeachment manager.

 

 

So you think the House managers didn't discuss the request amongst themselves before making it? Or that they didn't know whether they were close to getting 67 votes to convict before the process started?

 

Maybe. More likely, they wanted to make the request and have it denied so they could make a point of how they were being submarined by the "obstructionist Republicans."^tm When their request was allowed, they lost their opportunity to act like peacocks.

 

If they didn't think they were going to get 67 votes and, "overcome the kinds of arguments being made by Mitch McConnell and other Republicans," why go through the exercise?

[Principled Man]

why go through the exercise?

 

They went through with the impeachment and trial because it was the ethical and moral thing to do.

They had to at least TRY to hold the former president accountable for his crimes.

They were duty-bound to try, even though the jury was hopelessly stacked against them.

If they had not tried, then their inaction would be far more dishonorable than trying and failing.

 

That's all I have to say about this impeachment debacle.

[Rick N. Backer]

why go through the exercise?

 

They went through with the impeachment and trial because it was the ethical and moral thing to do.

They had to at least TRY to hold the former president accountable for his crimes.

They were duty-bound to try, even though the jury was hopelessly stacked against them.

If they had not tried, then their inaction would be far more dishonorable than trying and failing.

 

That's all I have to say about this impeachment debacle.

 

 

Then here's my last word too:

 

Politicians owe more to the people than to put on shows. And the government isn't entitled to misuse processes and systems in order to "get" people because it's convenient. If Trump committed crimes, he's a private citizen now. He can be charged and convicted for crimes just like you and I. I won't hold my breath waiting for federal prosecutors, every single one of whom now report to Biden, to charge him and bring him to trial for what happened on January 6.

[goose]

Senators vote that it is constitutional to convict. North Carolina GOP Senator Richard Burr disagreed but accepts this verdict. Mitch advises GOP senators this is a vote of conscience. Burr`s decision is "Guilty" after considering the evidence.

 

Within half an hour, condemned by the NC GOP.

Politics is so political.

[IbanezJem]

Senators vote that it is constitutional to convict. North Carolina GOP Senator Richard Burr disagreed but accepts this verdict. Mitch advises GOP senators this is a vote of conscience. Burr`s decision is "Guilty" after considering the evidence.

 

Within half an hour, condemned by the NC GOP.

Politics is so political.

I think, and it`s bad news because actions in the US have a tendency to foreshadow what happens here a few years later, that the GOP and Dems are more blatantly partisan, whatever the issue. I`m not deluding myself that our system is any... cleaner (?) ... but it seems like MPs vote against their own party more often.

[goose]

Senators vote that it is constitutional to convict. North Carolina GOP Senator Richard Burr disagreed but accepts this verdict. Mitch advises GOP senators this is a vote of conscience. Burr`s decision is "Guilty" after considering the evidence.

 

Within half an hour, condemned by the NC GOP.

Politics is so political.

I think, and it`s bad news because actions in the US have a tendency to foreshadow what happens here a few years later, that the GOP and Dems are more blatantly partisan, whatever the issue. I`m not deluding myself that our system is any... cleaner (?) ... but it seems like MPs vote against their own party more often.

Once things get into a cycle of broken norms and revenge, it's hard to pull out. Here in the US we've fallen into a perfect storm of normalizing hyperbolic for-profit media, outrage and cancellation as a response to free speech, and career politicians leveraging it all for personal gain. This kind of climate not unique to history or to the US, but it certainly seems to have become more amplified in recent years.

[Rhyta]

We need witnesses!

 

No! Don’t let them call witnesses!

 

OK, you can have witnesses.

 

We can? Oh, you know what, never mind. We don’t need them.

 

:facepalm:

 

OK. We weren't gonna listen to anything they said anyway....

 

Why even ask for them, then? So that if the request was denied they could complain they were denied the ability to call witnesses?

 

The vote to allow witnesses was 54-46 in favor, which was not a good sign. Some Republican senators who were seen as possible votes for conviction voted against allowing witnesses. The Impeachment managers were then informed that Republican senators were ready to vote and go home for the weekend.

 

Less than two hours after the witness vote, the Impeachment managers told the Senate that they had no further motions. Three hours later, the acquittal was done.

 

The Impeachment managers simply threw in the towel, IMO.

 

It seems like they spent a fair amount of time yesterday arguing for witnesses. Did they think they had 67 votes to convict when they argued for witnesses? Did they not truly believe witnesses would convince anyone to vote to convict?

 

And when the impeachment process began, did they believe that they had a chance of getting a conviction? We may never know the answer to that.

 

We do know that the impeachment managers felt duty bound to at least try to hold the former president accountable for his crimes. Maybe a different group of managers would have fought longer and harder. Maybe....

 

But my :facepalm: was a little different. They argued that they needed witnesses yesterday. When they got them, on the same day, they changed their position. Seems disingenuous to me.

 

Disjointed and discordant, IMO.

 

There was no strong consensus among Democratic leaders regarding how strongly they should prosecute the case.

They was certainly much indecision on what to do, especially after the managers were told that the Republicans - and some Democrats - were ready to go home.

 

“We could have had 500 witnesses, and it would not have overcome the kinds of arguments being made by Mitch McConnell and other Republicans who were hanging their hats on the claim that it was somehow unconstitutional to try a former president.”

 

-- Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.), Lead impeachment manager.

 

 

So you think the House managers didn't discuss the request amongst themselves before making it? Or that they didn't know whether they were close to getting 67 votes to convict before the process started?

 

Maybe. More likely, they wanted to make the request and have it denied so they could make a point of how they were being submarined by the "obstructionist Republicans."^tm When their request was allowed, they lost their opportunity to act like peacocks.

 

If they didn't think they were going to get 67 votes and, "overcome the kinds of arguments being made by Mitch McConnell and other Republicans," why go through the exercise?

 

From what I have heard, the House Managers were not planning on calling for witnesses because they thought they had a solid case. When the question about the phone call with Tuberville and the former president was raised, the defense tried to evade it. Then that evening when Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler related information Minority Leader McCarthy told her about an angry exchange he had on the phone with Trump, they felt she should have her statement on the record. Other sources say the House Managers were told by some Republicans that if they went ahead with more witnesses, they may lose the few votes for conviction from their side. Lindsey Graham was also heard to threaten to call a very long list of witnesses which would cause delays (some would resist subpoenas) and bring other issues into the hearing. I believe they decided it was best to have Beutler's testimony entered and then vote while the case was fresh. Calling more witnesses would require delays . If the Senators could not be moved by the evidence of the insurrection then more witnesses would just prolong the fait accompli.

 

Personally, I think they should have had more than one charge, dereliction of duty ought to have been addressed. As many have said, if this case didn't qualify for impeachment then what would? Even conservative legal scholars said it was constitutional to impeach after they left office (William Belknap) but that was their reason to find him not guilty.

Edited February 15, 2021 by Rhyta

[goose]

Watching the trial on Hal Sparks' livecast on Youtube and it has this snowflake Schoen "fighting" the side of truth and justice with whataboutism. It's called a metaphor, not a freaking insurrection and the murder of a cop...

What if it turned out that the "murder of a cop" didn't happen as widely reportyed, and that claims of the officer dying from a fire extinguisher attack weren't actually supported by the forensic evidence? And what if this information was available weeks ago, yet somehow wasn't widely reported?

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2021/02/03/nobody-has-been-charged-for-the-killing-of-capitol-police-office-brian-sicknick-heres-why/?sh=5f5942a93be1

 

Nobody Has Been Charged For The Killing Of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick—Here’s Why

 

Two law enforcement officials told the New York Times last month that Sicknick’s injuries were the result of being hit in the head by a fire extinguisher, but a medical examiner has reportedly disputed that account, according to CNN, finding no evidence of blunt force trauma.

 

Law enforcement officials...are mulling whether Sicknick fell ill after being exposed to a chemical agent, such as pepper or bear spray.

 

Few details have been publicly shared about Sicknick’s death, and it’s not clear whether the 13-year veteran officer had a preexisting condition that made him more vulnerable to injury.

 

Would that make you do a facepalm?

[Rhyta]

Watching the trial on Hal Sparks' livecast on Youtube and it has this snowflake Schoen "fighting" the side of truth and justice with whataboutism. It's called a metaphor, not a freaking insurrection and the murder of a cop...

What if it turned out that the "murder of a cop" didn't happen as widely reportyed, and that claims of the officer dying from a fire extinguisher attack weren't actually supported by the forensic evidence? And what if this information was available weeks ago, yet somehow wasn't widely reported?

 

https://www.forbes.c...sh=5f5942a93be1

 

Nobody Has Been Charged For The Killing Of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick—Here’s Why

 

Two law enforcement officials told the New York Times last month that Sicknick’s injuries were the result of being hit in the head by a fire extinguisher, but a medical examiner has reportedly disputed that account, according to CNN, finding no evidence of blunt force trauma.

 

Law enforcement officials...are mulling whether Sicknick fell ill after being exposed to a chemical agent, such as pepper or bear spray.

 

Few details have been publicly shared about Sicknick’s death, and it’s not clear whether the 13-year veteran officer had a preexisting condition that made him more vulnerable to injury.

 

Would that make you do a facepalm?

Bear spray was used by the insurrectionists, someone is responsible for his death. What makes me want to do a facepalm is the number of rioters who had Thin Blue Line flags and look how they went after the officers. :facepalm:

[blueschica]

Watching the trial on Hal Sparks' livecast on Youtube and it has this snowflake Schoen "fighting" the side of truth and justice with whataboutism. It's called a metaphor, not a freaking insurrection and the murder of a cop...

What if it turned out that the "murder of a cop" didn't happen as widely reportyed, and that claims of the officer dying from a fire extinguisher attack weren't actually supported by the forensic evidence? And what if this information was available weeks ago, yet somehow wasn't widely reported?

 

https://www.forbes.c...sh=5f5942a93be1

 

Nobody Has Been Charged For The Killing Of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick—Here’s Why

 

Two law enforcement officials told the New York Times last month that Sicknick’s injuries were the result of being hit in the head by a fire extinguisher, but a medical examiner has reportedly disputed that account, according to CNN, finding no evidence of blunt force trauma.

 

Law enforcement officials...are mulling whether Sicknick fell ill after being exposed to a chemical agent, such as pepper or bear spray.

 

Few details have been publicly shared about Sicknick’s death, and it’s not clear whether the 13-year veteran officer had a preexisting condition that made him more vulnerable to injury.

 

Would that make you do a facepalm?

Bear spray was used by the insurrectionists, someone is responsible for his death. What makes me want to do a facepalm is the number of rioters who had Thin Blue Line flags and look how they went after the officers. :facepalm:

 

I agree. My son works in the DC Capitol complex and his office was evacuated that day. Enough said. There are insurrectionists on tape being incredulous that the police are treating them harshly. :o What happened January 6th was horrible for many families and we're lucky it wasn't worse. :(

[IbanezJem]

My favourite cat stares at me through the door, so I let him in. He nibbles for about eight seconds, walks into a bedroom, plays with his catnip fish, throws up, and goes to the same door again, all within a minute.

[Meow]

My favourite cat stares at me through the door, so I let him in. He nibbles for about eight seconds, walks into a bedroom, plays with his catnip fish, throws up, and goes to the same door again, all within a minute.

:rfl:

 

Maybe he just wanted to get your attention :)

[IbanezJem]

My favourite cat stares at me through the door, so I let him in. He nibbles for about eight seconds, walks into a bedroom, plays with his catnip fish, throws up, and goes to the same door again, all within a minute.

:rfl:

 

Maybe he just wanted to get your attention :)

I don`t mind really, he`s such a superstar :wub: But he does... err... try to "bang" me quite a lot! Starts off as innocent pummelling but gets a bit out of control and it`s quite difficult to stop him :tsk:

[Meow]

My favourite cat stares at me through the door, so I let him in. He nibbles for about eight seconds, walks into a bedroom, plays with his catnip fish, throws up, and goes to the same door again, all within a minute.

:rfl:

 

Maybe he just wanted to get your attention :)

I don`t mind really, he`s such a superstar :wub: But he does... err... try to "bang" me quite a lot! Starts off as innocent pummelling but gets a bit out of control and it`s quite difficult to stop him :tsk:

Bummer! I know what you mean. I had a hard time teaching my cat how to play nice :lol:

[invisible airwave]

I'm watching Hal Sparks' streaming podcast on Youtube and apparently Cokehead Jr doesn't know what party Greg Abbot is and Ted is still "lyin' and refusing to truly admit he messed up without blaming the other side and California. :facepalm: TAKE THE L AND HELP YOUR STATE, ZODIAC! Edited February 20, 2021 by invisible airwave

[driventotheedge]

(note the date of the Tweet)

 

 

:eh: :facepalm:

[invisible airwave]

Apparently it's a fake doctored tweet but let's not kid ourselves. He most likely believes that anyways. Climate change is a Turmp cult no no when licking someone's boots after they badmouth your wife.

[goose]

(note the date of the Tweet)

 

 

:eh: :facepalm:

You passed it on.

 

:facepalm:

[laughedatbytime]

(note the date of the Tweet)

 

 

:eh: :facepalm:

You passed it on.

 

:facepalm:

Yeah, it didn't really make sense to begin with...

[Rhyta]

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Texas on Saturday as the state struggles with the fallout from a winter storm that killed at least two dozen people and caused widespread blackouts and water shortages. Governor Abbott thanked the president for approving the major disaster declaration, saying in a statement it was "an important first step."

 

So while Abbott whined about whose fault the disaster was, Biden approved funds for the state. Then he whines it wasn't enough? :facepalm:

We sure do want our state to get that federal money but we reserve the right to be clueless idiots. :16ton:

FEMA sent food, fuel, blankets and water 2 days ago and it sat in Fort Worth until today waiting for the locals to figure out where to distribute it. :sigh:

Edited February 21, 2021 by Rhyta

[laughedatbytime]

We sure do want our state to get that federal money but we reserve the right to be clueless idiots.

Like passing a "covid relief package" which bails out states who've mismanaged their finances and have billions of projected unfunded liabilities in their pension plans that predate COVID.

 

Oh, wait, it's not like that at all. We LIKE the party who controls those states so that's not a problem.

[driventotheedge]

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Texas on Saturday as the state struggles with the fallout from a winter storm that killed at least two dozen people and caused widespread blackouts and water shortages. Governor Abbott thanked the president for approving the major disaster declaration, saying in a statement it was "an important first step."

 

So while Abbott whined about whose fault the disaster was, Biden approved funds for the state. Then he whines it wasn't enough? :facepalm:

We sure do want our state to get that federal money but we reserve the right to be clueless idiots. :16ton:

FEMA sent food, fuel, blankets and water 2 days ago and it sat in Fort Worth until today waiting for the locals to figure out where to distribute it. :sigh:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who represents the state of New York raised over $4 million for help with food, water, etc. to help people suffering in a state that basically despises her.

https://www.npr.org/...aises-4-million

 

Ted Cruz who represents the state of Texas tried to sneak off to Cancun.

Edited February 21, 2021 by driventotheedge

[goose]

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Texas on Saturday as the state struggles with the fallout from a winter storm that killed at least two dozen people and caused widespread blackouts and water shortages. Governor Abbott thanked the president for approving the major disaster declaration, saying in a statement it was "an important first step."

 

So while Abbott whined about whose fault the disaster was, Biden approved funds for the state. Then he whines it wasn't enough? :facepalm:

We sure do want our state to get that federal money but we reserve the right to be clueless idiots. :16ton:

FEMA sent food, fuel, blankets and water 2 days ago and it sat in Fort Worth until today waiting for the locals to figure out where to distribute it. :sigh:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who represents the state of New York raised over $4 million for help with food, water, etc. to help people suffering in a state that basically despises her.

https://www.npr.org/...aises-4-million

 

Ted Cruz who represents the state of Texas tried to sneak off to Cancun.

AOC's stock is rising, for sure. Meanwhile, Cruz is making a great case for term limits.

[invisible airwave]

Cruz obviously didn't see Braveheart which I have to say is overrated. On the flip side, Apocalypto is underrated.

 

Oh, and the calf just proves that self awareness and irony are dead. Getting stonehenge vibes from this. *looks at sig*

[goose]

On the flip side, Apocalypto is underrated.

 

 

:yes:

 

Great movie.