The impeachment trial shows American democracy is in bad shape. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images John E. Finn, Wesleyan University The Senate’s decision to acquit former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial may have been a victory for Trump, but it is a clear sign that democracy in the U.S. is in poor health. As a constitutional … [Read more...] about Trump’s acquittal is a sign of ‘constitutional rot’ – partisanship overriding principles
U.S. lawmakers will set up commission to probe Jan. 6 attack on Capitol: Pelosi
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Monday lawmakers will establish an outside, independent commission to review the "facts and causes" related to the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Pelosi said in a letter to lawmakers that the commission would be modeled on a similar one … [Read more...] about U.S. lawmakers will set up commission to probe Jan. 6 attack on Capitol: Pelosi
Your Heart Has a Light to Share in the World Today
I was heartsick about the betrayal of our cherished democracy by the mob of insurrectionists who attacked our Capital on January 6, 2021. Was this a dark moment for our country? Let me quote a wonderful Chinese story with an answer to my own question: Maybe yes, maybe no. Because, in a crisis, an unrecognized problem rises to the surface, out of the murky depths, where we can … [Read more...] about Your Heart Has a Light to Share in the World Today
Will Bunch: After impeachment, bipartisanship is dead — and so is the Republican Party
The Republican Party was born on March 20, 1854, the green shoots of a political spring. Unlike America's other parties that were often shotgun weddings of convenience, the Republicans burst forth around moral ideas that were so powerful — ending slavery and making America a world industrial power — that the tail of this supernova lasted for more than 166 years and inspired its … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: After impeachment, bipartisanship is dead — and so is the Republican Party
Frigid Arctic air, winter storms grip much of US
Houston (AFP) - An "unprecedented" winter storm system gripped much of the United States on Monday bringing snow and ice to the southern state of Texas and bitter-low temperatures from coast to coast. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the state and the National Weather Service (NWS) said more than 150 million Americans were under winter storm … [Read more...] about Frigid Arctic air, winter storms grip much of US
Jury intimidation in the Senate
Children who study our era a century from now will watch the videos we all saw of the Capitol attack, the unleashed barbarity of it, the mob searching for the politicians President Trump blamed most for his demise, starting with Mike Pence, the former vice-president, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Hang Pence,” they chanted. “Where’s Nancy?” For the lead attackers, this was an … [Read more...] about Jury intimidation in the Senate
The Acquittal of Donald J. Trump. Words Fail Us
Whenever America and Americans rise to the occasion – whether a national catastrophe such as Pearl Harbor and 9/11 or a national achievement such as the first man (an American) on the moon -- there are numerous soaring, lofty expressions we use to memorialize or immortalize such occasions. President Franklin Roosevelt called the cowardly attack on Pearl Harbor a “date … [Read more...] about The Acquittal of Donald J. Trump. Words Fail Us
ACQUITTED (CARTOON)
The impeachment vote was a travesty but it highlights Orwell’s prescience
The precedent this impeachment vote sets (57-43) turns my stomach. It doesn't matter that the 2019-2020 Senate impeachment trial was the first time a member of his own party voted to convict a president. And that this second trial, in 2021, had seven Republican senators honoring their oath, setting yet another record. ONLY 1-in-12 Americans support Trump enough to join a … [Read more...] about The impeachment vote was a travesty but it highlights Orwell’s prescience
REPUBLICAN SPINE (CARTOON)
Trump acquitted by US Senate (Reuters)
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump survived a second impeachment trial Saturday when the US Senate acquitted him on the charge of incitement of insurrection, ending Democratic efforts to hold the former president accountable over the deadly US Capitol riot. The five day trial, in which Democratic impeachment managers argued that Trump betrayed his oath of office by urging his … [Read more...] about Trump acquitted by US Senate (Reuters)
BREAKING: TRUMP ACQUITTED IN SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL ON 57-43 VOTE
Former President Donald Trump has been acquitted in his Senate impeachment trial. CNN: The Senate just voted to acquit former President Trump in his second impeachment trial. The vote was 57-43, with seven Republicans joining the Democrats. Senators needed a two-thirds majority to convict Trump. These are the seven Republicans who voted to convict the former … [Read more...] about BREAKING: TRUMP ACQUITTED IN SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL ON 57-43 VOTE
Bipartisanship in Congress isn’t about being nice – it’s about cold, hard numbers
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet Feb. 1 with Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, to discuss a coronavirus relief package. AP/Evan Vucci Daniel Palazzolo, University of Richmond Before he was even inaugurated as president, Joe Biden, elected at a time of strong political polarization, emphasized … [Read more...] about Bipartisanship in Congress isn’t about being nice – it’s about cold, hard numbers
Senate reaches deal on Trump call during riot, averting impeachment delay
By Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Makini Brice WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate headed off a prolonged impeachment trial for Donald Trump on Saturday with an agreement to enter into evidence details of the former president's remarks in a call with a top Republican during the deadly Capitol riot. The agreement followed a chaotic vote to allow … [Read more...] about Senate reaches deal on Trump call during riot, averting impeachment delay
LARRY FLYNT (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
You will hear a lot of really bad things about Hustler founder and publisher Larry Flynt, and all of them will probably be true. He was a porn peddler. He had very bad taste. He degraded, demeaned, and objectified women. He fought with religion. He’s probably the only guy to be attacked by preachers and feminists at the same time. He was no real champion for decency or … [Read more...] about LARRY FLYNT (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Trump lawyer made false claims about evidence, source says
WASHINGTON — An attorney for Donald Trump falsely claimed during his impeachment trial Friday that the Democrats prosecuting the case withheld key evidence from the ex-president’s legal team, according to a senior congressional aide familiar with the matter. David Schoen, one of Trump’s three defense lawyers, told senators at the unprecedented trial that the ex-president’s team … [Read more...] about Trump lawyer made false claims about evidence, source says
CNN: Trump Defended Rioters To McCarthy During Capitol Attack: Refused McCarthy’s Plea to Call Off Attack
Former President Donald Trump defended rioters storming Congress on January 6 in a shouting match phone call in which Trump refused McCarthy's pleas to call the pro-Trump mob off, CNN reports. This came after day's Trump Senate impeachment trial came to a close. The key takeaway: the Republican leadership did indeed know that this was a "riot" linked to and influenced by … [Read more...] about CNN: Trump Defended Rioters To McCarthy During Capitol Attack: Refused McCarthy’s Plea to Call Off Attack
Trump lawyers portray impeachment trial as Democratic score-settling
By David Morgan and Makini Brice WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump's lawyers said on Friday Democrats had provided no evidence the former president incited last month's deadly U.S. Capitol riot and had used his second impeachment trial to settle political scores. Trump is on trial in the U.S. Senate on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection by supporters who stormed the … [Read more...] about Trump lawyers portray impeachment trial as Democratic score-settling
Will Fox News ever add actual news to its primetime programs?
Will Fox News ever add actual news to its primetime programs, or will those programs remain fact-free? In a federal court case dismissed in September of 2020, Fox News admits that facts are not coming from one of its primetime hosts. The judge in the case agreed that Fox's primetime host is not stating facts and dismissed the case against Fox. Back in April of … [Read more...] about Will Fox News ever add actual news to its primetime programs?
Survey: 4 In 10 Republicans Say Political Violence May Be Necessary
> American politics has now turned a corner. Into an even darker place. A survey has found that 4 in 10 Republicans say political violence may be necessary. The mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol may have been a fringe group of extremists, but politically motivated violence has the support of a significant share of the U.S. public, according to a new survey by the … [Read more...] about Survey: 4 In 10 Republicans Say Political Violence May Be Necessary