“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results (consensus Einstein),” makes the case for what to expect regarding impeachment from a Speaker Pelosi redux.
Storied vote herder and fundraiser Nancy Pelosi rebukes consideration of impeachment at seemingly every opportunity and should be taken seriously for her consistency, notably, "The Real, Cynical Reason Pelosi Won't Impeach Trump," Vanity Fair 12.13.18... where also it is written, “Electoral politics don’t matter,” tweeted Esquire’s Charles P. Pierce. “‘Optics’ don’t matter. Sean Hannity doesn’t matter. The House now has an unavoidable constitutional obligation to open an impeachment inquiry. If it declines, the constitutional provision is nothing more than what Jefferson called it: a scarecrow.”
Recall November 2006, just prior to first taking the gavel, Pelosi unequivocally “took Impeachment 'Off the Table,' (NY Times 11.8.06)."
Resulting from Pelosi’s naive agenda of playing nice and not whacking the hornet’s nest, Republicans dodged an enormous bullet, insanely gifted with vindication for invading Iraq. For that infamous capitulation, we all pay a price, deprived as we were of hearings and investigations into the invasion and occupation of Iraq, arguably no higher an American war crime, progenitor of today’s regional instability and reconfiguration, from which trump retreats, into which Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia flood; for which, to this day, Republicans have never even marginally been held to account by Democrats. Serial appeasement emboldened the repeated Benghazi hearings.
“Who will it be in 2020?” “Will they move to impeach?” “Too far left?” “Bribing with committee appointments?” are how Republicans and media alike are getting away with framing and defining Democrats at every opportunity. Shamefully, even with 2018’s victory, Democrats just can’t seem to ‘own the conversation’ with a legislative agenda. Wait... ‘Democrats’ legislative agenda?’
Democrats have no legislative agenda. That embarrassing ‘Better Deal?’ DOA. What do Democrats stand for anymore? Vague mutterings about ‘accessible’ health care?
Where is anything resembling a vision? Chuck and Nancy don’t commit to goals or values that would become legislative priorities. Maybe one or two of these: Repeal that malevolent looting of the treasury (stop calling it “tax reform”). Medicare for all/universal single-payer/pharmaceutical price regulation. Climate change/environment/renewable energies prioritized. Scrap the Social Security 'cap.' Sensible gun legislation. Sensible, humanitarian immigration, DACA legislation. Restructuring student debt. Internet, social media regulation. Marijuana legalization. Deeper prison, police reform. Redistricting reform. Choose one. Stand for something. Proposals? Details matter.
With 'four more years as Speaker' arrogance, it’s like we’re sliding down that old familiar crony-greased glide path to another superdelegate-styled coronation, about as welcome as HRC’s last run, replete with the kind of insider rigging that cost both Wasserman Schultz and Brazile their DNC Chairmanships. The seemingly inevitable Pelosi reanointment feels like another HRC-styled party preordaination. Likely result? Appeasement over impeachment.
Thing is, right now, we are under real attack; serious electronic, information attack intended to undermine the Republic and its institutions.
President's oath of office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Congress’ oath of office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Is trump in violation of his oath of office? Is the extent of his violations in the realm of misdemeanor, if not high crime? With unanimous consensus among intelligence agencies that the United States is under attack — right now! — with the president giving fealty to our attackers; alienating our allies and destroying our alliances — if that’s the treason that cannot yet be proven, don’t such seditious deconstructions of our most vital institutions rise to the level of misdemeanor? All of which precludes Mueller’s findings.
And by not ‘defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,’ isn’t every member of Congress not advancing impeachment in violation of their own oaths, however politically inconvenient that may be?
'Is impeachment inevitable,’ Elizabeth Drew posits? Not likely at all if Speaker Pelosi has her way. She was against impeachment (and war crimes hearings) then; she’s against impeachment and says so now. Believe her.
The good news, at this late date but with no precedent, the Speaker does not have to be a member of Congress; nothing in the Constitution requires it. Democrats have an impressive roster of more-than-capable, out-of-work talent — Biden, either Obama, Kerry, Hart, Frank, Toricelli, Boxer, Holder — to make the shepherding of meaningfully crafted legislation the full-time priority it should be. Pelosi could rededicate her efforts to her district.
Whatever one thinks of Leader Pelosi — this writer doesn’t care a whit about her age, gender or the go-to political target she’ll always be — she should be taken at her word: Speaker Pelosi does not impeach.
Alternatives yet remain.
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