I have lived through three presidential impeachments. I have learned that impeachment trials cannot and should not be confused with a legal trial. The rules of our legal system do not apply, even though the lawyers want us to think they do when it helps their client’s case. All impeachment trials are about whether the president was derilect in his duties and did he violate his oath of office. Whether he did or didn’t is not a legal definition, it is a political definition, which is why no president has ever been convicted during an impeachment trial. Whether that is right or wrong is not for me to decide. This impeachment will end like the other impeachment trials. There will be no conviction, even though the evidence for conviction seems overwhelming to me.
In the end the truth around what happened and who was involved on January 6, 2021 will eventually come out. In the end, those that were responsible will be held accountable for their actions. It may happen in the courts. It may happen in the court of public opinion. It may happen through journalistic reporting. It may happen when certain people feel their backs are against the wall. As we learned during Watergate, the Iran Contra Affair, and Monicagate, the truth will eventually come out one way or the other. In the end it is going to happen.
Today we learned that former President Trump knew that Vice President Pence had been removed from the Senate floor and Pence was in danger. Inspite of knowing this, Trump tweeted to his followers that Vice President Pence lacked courage.
Today we also learned that during a phone call with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy while the Capitol was under attack, President Donald Trump said, “Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,” McCarthy insisted that the rioters were Trump’s supporters and begged Trump to call them off. A furious McCarthy told the President the rioters were breaking into his office through the windows, and asked Trump, “Who the f–k do you think you are talking to?”.
Speaking of the truth coming out, Governor Andrew Cuomo has learned it the hard way this week. He is under fire, rightfully so, for significantly under reporting nursing home deaths during the pandemic. The deaths were reported in total as part of the pandemic, however,they were not included in the nursing home deaths. Cuomo was concerned that the higher number of nursing home deaths would lead to an investifation into his policies related to treatment of nursing home patients. What really makes this disturbing is that Cuomo was being hailed as a great leader during the early stages of the pandemic. In fact, he won a day time Emmy for his daily news conferences and he wrote a best selling book about his leadership during the ealy stages of the pandemic. The truth always comes out.
Stay safe. Wear your mask. Wash your hands regularly. Social distance. Schedule your vaccine.
Quote of the Day: “Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,” President Trump to Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy after McCarthy asked Trump to call off his supporters who had broken into the Capitol.
Orchid of the Day:; Delegate Stacey Plasket of the U.S Virgin Island for the professionalism and class she showed during the impeachment trial.
Onion of the Day: Governor Andrew Cuomo for knowingly under reporting nursing home deaths during the pandemic in the hopes of preventing an investigation into his policies for handling nursing homes during the pandemic.