Election integrity and the transfer of power

[malchior]

Why won't they have a hearing?

I imagine this is due to a combination of the GSA decision to delay the transition, Trump administration foot dragging, and Mitch McConnell.

[stessier]

Why won't they have a hearing?

I imagine this is due to a combination of the GSA decision to delay the transition, Trump administration foot dragging, and Mitch McConnell.

Ok, wasn't sure if it was a specific thing.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

This could go in a few threads, but since it relates to events last Wednesday...

https://twitter.com/RepBonnie/status/13 ... 31520?s=20

Spoiler:

Following the events of Wednesday, including sheltering with several colleagues who refused to wear masks, I decided to take a Covid test.

I have tested positive.

[Jaymann]

Does that mean that *shudder* Mike Pomposity will remain Sec of State until there is a hearing?

[Skinypupy]

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/ ... 5342075905

[Isgrimnur]

Why won't they have a hearing?

Winken and Nod are up first.

[LordMortis]

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/ ... 5342075905

Am I supposed to know who she is.

I watched waiting for Phoebe Buffet to make Phoebe comment about crystals or holistic healing or something. Ironically, that group are becoming Trump patriots. I think the antiscience groups have spent the last four years uniting under the MAGA banner.

[Isgrimnur]

HuffPo

A trailer for the Netflix mockumentary “Death To 2020” dropped Monday, and “Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow appears to play one of the more despicable characters. (Watch the clip above.)

Her role is designated as “Jeanetta Grace Susan ― nonofficial spokesperson.” She appears in quick shots prepping for a TV spot at what looks like the White House. At one point the teaser focuses on her book, “Conservative Voices Are Being Silenced.”

[LordMortis]

HuffPo

A trailer for the Netflix mockumentary “Death To 2020” dropped Monday, and “Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow appears to play one of the more despicable characters. (Watch the clip above.)

Her role is designated as “Jeanetta Grace Susan ― nonofficial spokesperson.” She appears in quick shots prepping for a TV spot at what looks like the White House. At one point the teaser focuses on her book, “Conservative Voices Are Being Silenced.”

That explains why she looks like Phoebe.

[Jaymann]

HuffPo

A trailer for the Netflix mockumentary “Death To 2020” dropped Monday, and “Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow appears to play one of the more despicable characters. (Watch the clip above.)

Her role is designated as “Jeanetta Grace Susan ― nonofficial spokesperson.” She appears in quick shots prepping for a TV spot at what looks like the White House. At one point the teaser focuses on her book, “Conservative Voices Are Being Silenced.”

LOL, I thought that was real.

[Skinypupy]

HuffPo

A trailer for the Netflix mockumentary “Death To 2020” dropped Monday, and “Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow appears to play one of the more despicable characters. (Watch the clip above.)

Her role is designated as “Jeanetta Grace Susan ― nonofficial spokesperson.” She appears in quick shots prepping for a TV spot at what looks like the White House. At one point the teaser focuses on her book, “Conservative Voices Are Being Silenced.”

LOL, I thought that was real.

Which says a lot about the current state of things.

In other news, Dow Chemical just told the Sedition Caucus to GTFO.

https://twitter.com/AaronKatersky/statu ... 9965527045

UPDATE: Dow, the massive chemical company, tells me it will not donate to any member of Congress that objected to the certification of the presidential vote

This is not a pause. The company won't donate to these Republicans ever again.

[YellowKing]

Every time I see an announcement of another company cutting off money to these guys, my mind goes to that line in the Humpty Dance, "I'm the one who said just grab 'em in the biscuits." And I. CAN'T. STOP.

[Isgrimnur]

WaPo

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday that the House will move forward with impeaching President Trump for a second time if Vice President Pence does not seek to remove him under the 25th Amendment by Wednesday.

Her threat came shortly after House Democrats formally introduced an article of impeachment against Trump, charging him with “incitement of insurrection” for his role in the takeover of the U.S. Capitol last week by a violent pro-Trump mob. Democrats say that measure already has 218 co-sponsors, enough to guarantee passage.

[Holman]

Why won't they have a hearing?

I'm probably not fully informed, but haven't we heard that there's a more technical reason for Senate inaction?

It's something about the kinds of sessions that are scheduled between now and Jan 20. Essentially they can't do anything unless there's a unanimous vote to change the senate calendar, and we'll get nothing unanimously.

This is also a convenient obstacle to beginning a trial in the senate after impeachment.

If I'm wrong, I'd love to know. But I do recall hearing that it's not *simply* McConnell's intransigence slowing the pace.

[Smoove_B]

If I'm wrong, I'd love to know. But I do recall hearing that it's not *simply* McConnell's intransigence slowing the pace.

No, it really is. The core argument is that no business can occur during a pro-forma session. However, you might recall back in 2011 when Mitch McConnell cast the dissenting vote and objected to unanimous consent, and then blocked appointments made by President Obama. So the argument that work cannot be done is off the table.

In truth, what it would take to have the Senate hold a trial after they're handed the articles by the House is for 48 Democrats and 3 Republicans to vote in favor of starting (as I've been made to understand it). So here, will Romney, Sasse and Murkowski (and every D senator) vote to begin ASAP? The world may never know.

[LawBeefaroni]

WaPo

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday that the House will move forward with impeaching President Trump for a second time if Vice President Pence does not seek to remove him under the 25th Amendment by Wednesday.

Her threat came shortly after House Democrats formally introduced an article of impeachment against Trump, charging him with “incitement of insurrection” for his role in the takeover of the U.S. Capitol last week by a violent pro-Trump mob. Democrats say that measure already has 218 co-sponsors, enough to guarantee passage.

"This is a matter of utmost urgency for the soul of the nation! We must take immediate extreme action!!! So, like, get back to me by middle of the week, won't you?"

They've let him run roughshod for nearly 4 years, what's a few more days?

[Daehawk]

Republicans block 25th Amendment resolution to oust Trump

ep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) objected to Hoyer’s request. Mooney, a Trump ally who has repeated the president’s unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, said he opposed Democrats rushing to pass a “resolution of this magnitude” with no debate.

[Daehawk]

DesJarlais the adulterer and Fleischmann the butthole licker have both said they'd vote no on a Trump impeachment. Typical.

[El Guapo]

DesJarlais the adulterer and Fleischmann the butthole licker have both said they'd vote no on a Trump impeachment. Typical.

Well, with names like that at least the voters presumably understood what they were getting when they voted for them.

[Skinypupy]

https://twitter.com/JakeBGibson/status/ ... 9705141249

SCOOP - Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf is stepping down

It's good for all our security apparatus to be entirely devoid of leadership when the threat of violence and terrorist attacks is so very high, right?

[Smoove_B]

Yeah, the people in my emergency response circles are wondering just who the F is in charge now - no one knows.

[Carpet_pissr]

DesJarlais the adulterer and Fleischmann the butthole licker have both said they'd vote no on a Trump impeachment. Typical.

Well, with names like that at least the voters presumably understood what they were getting when they voted for them.

Literally guffawed for several seconds at that.

[Daehawk]

Yeah, the people in my emergency response circles are wondering just who the F is in charge now - no one knows.

falls to FEMA now .

[Alefroth]

At what point do we say the Trump administration has collapsed?

[Little Raven]

It collapsed last Wednesday. But the dust will be flying for quite some time.

[Defiant]

That's not dust, that's asbestos and other things that will cause damage down the line.

[Smoove_B]

So about the only thing I've learned since 1/6 are that apparently when the President of the United States incites insurrection to maintain his position this is not resolved by swift application of the 25th Amendment or Impeachment. This is a terrifying realization, perhaps beyond terrifying I guess that he's still in the Oval Office 5+ days later, unencumbered. I guess when you consider that he's still in office, ~33% of Americans still approve of Trump and there are elected officials bending over backwards to continue to enable him, these are all things I definitely did not expect. I feel like we're in trouble.

[Grifman]

In other news, Dow Chemical just told the Sedition Caucus to GTFO.

Excellent name, that should stick!

[Grifman]

Foreign news reports have been far less than those in the US - they are plainly calling this a coup.

[Holman]

https://twitter.com/JakeBGibson/status/ ... 9705141249

SCOOP - Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf is stepping down

It's good for all our security apparatus to be entirely devoid of leadership when the threat of violence and terrorist attacks is so very high, right?

There's always the next level down.

I don't know who's next in line at DHS, but if they're not a Trump loyalist appointed for ass-kissing then, yes, we are better off.

[Grifman]

https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1 ... 46212?s=20

Sad.

[Zaxxon]

So about the only thing I've learned since 1/6 are that apparently when the President of the United States incites insurrection to maintain his position this is not resolved by swift application of the 25th Amendment or Impeachment. This is a terrifying realization, perhaps beyond terrifying I guess that he's still in the Oval Office 5+ days later, unencumbered. I guess when you consider that he's still in office, ~33% of Americans still approve of Trump and there are elected officials bending over backwards to continue to enable him, these are all things I definitely did not expect. I feel like we're in trouble.

You could say that we're fucked.

[Kurth]

https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1 ... 46212?s=20

Sad.

I saw those poll numbers earlier today. How is that even possible???

[Smoove_B]

I saw those poll numbers earlier today. How is that even possible???

Is it possible they conducted the poll among people present during the actual attempt to take over the Capitol?

You could say that we're fucked

I've just been thinking about how slowly this has all been unfolding. I know it's the federal government and wheels are slow, but it kinda feels like during an insurrection maybe they should be moving a little faster. I'm also left thinking there are lots and lots of people around the U.S. that absolutely support what happened (see above) and I'm having a hard time understanding how we just move beyond that. Case in point - Wisconsin GOP:

Just visit the homepage for the St. Croix Republican Party.

Scrawled across the top of the page is the Latin phrase "Si vis pacem, para bellum," which is followed by its translation:

"If you want peace, prepare for war."

Political patriots are then encouraged to join the "digital battlefield."

I'm beginning to believe the people predicting the next 2+ years are going to be a complete mess.

[Max Peck]

WaPo

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday that the House will move forward with impeaching President Trump for a second time if Vice President Pence does not seek to remove him under the 25th Amendment by Wednesday.

Her threat came shortly after House Democrats formally introduced an article of impeachment against Trump, charging him with “incitement of insurrection” for his role in the takeover of the U.S. Capitol last week by a violent pro-Trump mob. Democrats say that measure already has 218 co-sponsors, enough to guarantee passage.

"This is a matter of utmost urgency for the soul of the nation! We must take immediate extreme action!!! So, like, get back to me by middle of the week, won't you?"

They've let him run roughshod for nearly 4 years, what's a few more days?

What practical difference does a couple of extra days make, given that McConnell and the Senate will not convene the trial and will not vote to convict Trump before the end of his term?

[Isgrimnur]

Optics.

[malchior]

WaPo

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday that the House will move forward with impeaching President Trump for a second time if Vice President Pence does not seek to remove him under the 25th Amendment by Wednesday.

Her threat came shortly after House Democrats formally introduced an article of impeachment against Trump, charging him with “incitement of insurrection” for his role in the takeover of the U.S. Capitol last week by a violent pro-Trump mob. Democrats say that measure already has 218 co-sponsors, enough to guarantee passage.

"This is a matter of utmost urgency for the soul of the nation! We must take immediate extreme action!!! So, like, get back to me by middle of the week, won't you?"

They've let him run roughshod for nearly 4 years, what's a few more days?

What practical difference does a couple of extra days make, given that McConnell and the Senate will not convene the trial and will not vote to convict Trump before the end of his term?

None of this will have a practical difference. But that's the problem. The Democrats often don't act in this system because making anything work has become impossible and they always want to play within the bounds of the practical. The system isn't practical anymore though. That is why it was important to play a long game to demonstrate values and communicate that this was an outrageous, unacceptable act and constituted an urgent emergency.

And next time an election comes hammer at them over the choices they make in critical moments. That impeachment rarely came up during the election this year always baffled me. The Democrats saw it as a defeat and didn't want to speak about it. They were never going to convict Trump and should have been planning to punish the Republicans for their vote on impeachment/conviction instead. In other words, they just suck at political selling/messaging. Do we think for a second in the opposite the Republicans would have shown such restraint? We all know the answer.

Anyway, what did delay do? It gave the GOP time to go on tv on Sunday and lie some more about what happened. It gave them time to craft their rhetorical defenses. All because the Democrat leadership fails to imagine a world where they don't take blame for the failure of practical action when that is the inevitable outcome. The Republicans don't act under that sort of limitation of imagination.

Edit: Layout fixes.

[Alefroth]

https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1 ... 46212?s=20

Sad.

Who was it that was complaining about Trumpers and Republicans being lumped together?

[Zaxxon]

I'm also left thinking there are lots and lots of people around the U.S. that absolutely support what happened (see above) and I'm having a hard time understanding how we just move beyond that.

This has been the core issue for me for some time. There is no bottom for these folks, and they make up a huge portion of the electorate. And now the House--to the point that expelling those who voted against certifying the vote, for example, is impossible because *the crazies make up so much of the body*.

The problem isn't that part of the government is run by folks who want to run the country into the ground--it's that a major part of the country wants to be run into the ground.

There's no recovering from that, at least not in the short term, and not without major pain first, measured in years.

[malchior]

Uh....what? I can't wait until this circus act leaves town.

https://mobile.twitter.com/PeteJamison/ ... 0666139651