Rep. Val Demings tells Lawrence O’Donnell that the foreign service officers who testified before the impeachment committee were "very courageous" and provided damning testimony against the president. Lawrence also discusses with Joyce Vance and Ron Klain. Aired on 11/21/19.
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Intel Cmte. Mem.: Evidence Against The President Has Been Very Overwhelming | The Last Word | MSNBC
These hearings have proven to the American people that Trump is guilty of bribery, abuses of power, and obstruction of justice. And we’ve also learned that Nunes and Gym Jordan, are two of the most self-abasing slavish little sycophants the world has ever known.
I’m not American, but listening too and watching this Jim Jordan person, it strikes me that America can’t possibly have a minimal standard regarding what kind of people can represent their party in the Congress.
Never seen behavior like this from anyone in such an important position. How can “you the people” accept representation like Jim Jordan, no matter what side of the political landscape you support. It has been a shameful display the last couple of days. In politics one may disagree, it comes with the territory, but for heaven’s sake show some respect for the institution, your opponents, the seriousness of the matter at hand and for the people who actually voted you into your position. Such a shameful display for all the world to see.
David J 👍
David J : Guilt was NEVER the question. The REAL question is, “Can the Trumps get away with this?” Is there enough HATE and DIVISION; enough RACISM and Cultish, unmanned, hysteria in America, to save Trump from the automatic disgrace, indictments and jail that would surely follow his removal from office? The GOP are betting that there is. And, given the alternatives, how would the Trumps NOT RIG 2020? This time, from the INSIDE, with Putin’s Goons having had, “experience,” from 2016? Gym Jordan, and the rest of the GOP all KNOW what would come out, if Trump was back on the street and under indictment. Half of THEM would go to jail, and the rest would be in the political wilderness for a Generation. This is the End Game for the Republic. Be sure to show up for it? You WON’T get another chance. . .
Cautionary lessons from the past. The threat that Trump poses to our democracy is real and eminent.
“The German and Russian state apparatuses grew out of despotism. For this reason the subservient nature of the human character of masses of people in Germany and in Russia was exceptionally pronounced. Thus, in both cases, the revolution led to a new despotism with the certainty of irrational logic..
In contrast to the German and Russia state apparatuses, the American state apparatus was formed by groups of people who had evaded European and Asian despotism by fleeing to a virgin territory free of immediate and effective traditions. Only in this way can it be understood that, until the time of this writing, a totalitarian state apparatus was not able to develop in America, whereas in Europe every overthrow of the government carried out under the slogan of freedom inevitably led to despotism.
This holds true for Robespierre, as well as for Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. If we want to appraise the facts impartially, then we have to point out, whether we want to or not, and whether we like it or not, that Europe’s dictators, who based their power on vast millions of people, always stemmed from the suppressed classes. I do not hesitate to assert that this fact, as tragic as it is, harbors more material for social research than the facts related to the despotism of a czar or of a Kaiser Wilhelm.
By comparison, the latter facts are easily understood. The founders of the American Revolution had to build their democracy from scratch on foreign soil. The men who accomplished this task had all been rebels against English despotism. The Russian Revolutionaries, on the other had, were forced to take over an already existing and very rigid government apparatus. Whereas the Americans were able to start from scratch, the Russians, as much as they fought against it, had to drag along the old.
This may also account for the fact that the Americans, the memory of their own flight from despotism still fresh in their minds, assumed an entirely different—more open and more accessible—attitude toward the new refugees of 1940, than Soviet Russia, which closed its doors to them. This may explain why the attempt to preserve the old democratic ideal and the effort to develop genuine self-administration was much more forceful in the United States than anywhere else.
We do not overlook the many failures and retardations caused by tradition, but in any event a revival of genuine democratic efforts took place in America and not in Russia. It can only be hoped that American democracy will thoroughly realize this before it is too late, that fascism is not confined to any one nation or any one party; and it is to be hoped that it will succeed in overcoming the tendency toward dictatorial forms in the people themselves. Only time will tell whether the Americans will be able to resist the compulsion of irrationality or whether they will succumb to it.”
― Wilhelm Reich, The Mass Psychology of Fascism
This is succinctly put. Thank you for sharing it with us. 👏👏👏
Yes no one can ever accuse you of being a red hat. Keep the facts and truth coming.
TRUTH TO POWER!
Yeah, we’re on the knife edge. And with the American tendency to revel in self-ignorance & sheepdom, “she ain’t looking good”.
David J another excellent post. I’d like to see your reading list!
Ok America, really though if this is not impeachable then what is…
What is so impeachable about it?
@James Jones the GOP and the conservative/Republican, as well as the right leaning independent/moderate voter have remained somewhat right of center. Any bipolar-ness would have more to do with liberals, as they have moved so far to the left that they actually embrace socialism.
@Edwin M There as none so blind as those that will not see. Read the constitution concerning emoluments. Then look at what the orange turd was doing in the punch bowl.
@Edwin M Hence my comment above. “Remained somewhat right of center” <-- delusional. This began in the early 80s, when a segment of Rs got up and left the table when it came to negotiating on just about anything. They gave up governing at that time. Gingrich, et al, gradually coerced and/or recruited others to go out there to the extreme right and sat there. Waited. Now the party is out there. Rs and independents that were recently still "somewhat right of center" have left the party.Tea party traitors have created this. Bipolar: 'pro family' and 'pro big business' only coexist in a bipolar mind; 'pro working class' and 'union busting' coexist in a bipolar mind; 'christianity' and 'support of trump' coexist in a bipolar mind. ETC.
Impeachment would be letting Trump get off easy. Trump and his family should be jailed and return all the tax payer money they stole
@Ian Bailey 😂😂😂😂😂
@Ian Bailey Trump has not been proved innocent,not by a long shot. lol
@james mack when did I say Trump had been proved innocent and the last time I checked EVERYONE in America is INNOCENT UNTIL PRVOEN GUILTY! what if someone accused you of a serious crime and you ha to prove your innocence, without the chance of asking the none witness witnesses rebuttal questions as they would then be proved innocent!! Where is the none whistleblower?
The Republicans will continue to protect this lying greedy corrupt CLOWN. Vote all Republicans out in 2020. 👣💙
I have every reason to believe that the blue wave in 2020 will be both epic and historic. But if we REALLY want true and positive change for the future, then we can’t simply vote out the Republicans and then feel safe… we also need to remove ALL corporate-sponsored politicians, regardless of which party they belong to. Progressives are the way to go forward.
@Tessmage Tessera
AOC 2024.
@j walsh 2028 would be better for AOC. We want Bernie to get his full two terms. Besides, AOC will be barely old enough to run in 2024. Let’s give her more time to grow into the job.
j walsh AOC for V-P in 2020 with Bernie?
putin strongly disagrees.
Val Demings is already a legend. Strong, intelligent women are stealing the narrative from the Plantation-owner class.
Mark, I appreciate your reflection on Val, and it is nice to see a man who is not afraid that strong women are entering our political arena with new ways of thinking and approaching this complicated world. The Plantation-owner class does not want to go down quietly so the new wave of representatives must be strong, articulate and hold the flame of truth to shine ahead, bu also peering into the darkest corners and issues of our country. This has a long, frustrating time while more and more of the corrupt parasites and traitors are being revealed. The almost. loss of our democracy has awakened many, including many women with excellent leadership skills and ideas to help pull us through this eye of the needle in our history in new ways.
We are watching, right before our eyes, the dying gasps of the white, male patriarchy (plantation-owner class). I think they are absolutely petrified to the point of uber irrationality, a state they have always tried to pin on women.
Men of today need not fear females, but be partners with us in creating a better world. The troglodytes should all step down and go golfing and let intelligent, logical adults run this democracy the way it was intended.
My only note is that they are not stealing, they are taking their rightful places through genuine service to our People, nation and greater good of the world.
@angela bluebird60 – like pulling teeth, unfortunately. That’s okay. More for Nunes & Jordan to whine about.
She is destinied for greater things.
HERE’S THE THING: if the President wanted to investigate something, he’s supposed to fully use the powers of his OFFICIAL office to do so, NOT entrust it to Rudy, Lev and IGOR!!!!!!!! The President’s actions were not only improper, but he put the country’s SECURITY in JEOPARDY by entrusting “intelligence operations” to The Three Stooges!! FULL STOP!!
there is nothing unusual about using outside channels in the least. your appeal to authority is astounding too. at some point, the president makes a decision (at which time the “policy” advise should be muted entirely) and replaced with a concerted effort to wholeheartedly implement his decisions. if they don’t like it, they should resign. PERIOD! BUT! working against the president, at some point, becomes treasonous. *outside assistance/sources* allow the president to circumnavigate the deep state traitorous moles that have been left behind to disrupt his administration. very smart move by the president. if they don’t like it, they can resign in protest, otherwise IMPLEMENT!
Crystal Giddens keep trying delusional little Crystal. More ramblings from an incoherent moron. Again little Crystal keep trying
@Crystal Giddens – MY appeal to authority? You sound like you think the President is a king! Sorry, but there are three CO-EQUAL branches of government as well as other checks and balances. It’s not true that if you don’t like what you see from the President, the only option is to hit the road. You CAN launch a complaint and set impeachment in motion, IF it’s warranted. Now, a President who entrusts “intelligence operations” to nightclub owners and personal lawyers who go on Fox and blurt things out like they’ve got tourette syndrome… YEAH, I’d say it’s warranted. I don’t find THAT very secure.
Hill told the truth, and Bolton sold the truth.
Yes so true
Oh, I think you’ll find he’s waiting for his spotlight moment. He doesn’t want others to steal it.
He needs everyone’s FULL attention. The money is just a bonus.
He’s not going down for Trump. Think about it. He’s going to string him along. More fun that way.
Bolton’s a smart, smart guy and Trump crossed him. Silly Trump.
@Jewels Star Hopefully Bolton is smart enough to not wait until Trump is close to getting away with everything before he does the right thing.
@C D I think it will entirely depend on what Bolton wants to do… does he want to be avenged and spill the beans or does he want to save his former boss and do a clean-up on aisle 9.
I don’t think crossing him is wise, in any case. You just know he’s enjoying letting both sides sweat it out… especially watching Trump sweat and melt down in public.
Lock up the Russian President
Vladimir Trump is strongly considering testifying. His bone spurs have prevented him from attending the hearing thus far.
@Bill Paris really PERSONAL FAVOR is CALLED ASKING …HEAR what U want friend TDS?
Mischaracterization; Putin has soft hands and feet.
@Tony Smith Quote it correctly, Tony … give us the full UNEDITED correct quote…
darlings .. the GOP is “OLD NEWS” ..
But they still have irrational power to get nothing done.
@Pensa Simpson Moscow Mitch is sitting on over 300 hundred, INCLUDING FULLY BI-PARTISON proposals from the House of Representatives to update and fix screwed-up laws in this country. Republicans had 8 consecutive years of the House of Representatives, 6 consecutive years of the Senate, the White House for the last 2 of them. I dare ANY Republican within the borders of the United States of America to PROVE to the Citizens of the United States of America that they made ANY attempt to update the screwed-up Immigration Laws in this country, good luck.
If republicans are saying trump is not guilty because it’s all hear say then no ordinary citizens in America should be sentenced to prison based on hear say. What ever measure is given to trump should be applied to all
Dr Hill: please don’t spread Russian conspiracy theories
Nunes: hold my beer.
Not fair. Hill and Nunes the best of each side.
Sondland is packing his trunks and filing his portfolios.
For a man that keeps no notes on his work, this may take some time!
🤣🤣🤣
The President has “committed crimes”. Five words put this in a nutshell. For those in doubt…”The President has committed crimes”. Now repeat that endlessly with your family at the Thanksgiving dinner table. I have offered to say Grace at mine and my opening line is “Dear God thank you for letting it be made clear that trump has committed crimes. I am grateful that the truth came out. Now let’s eat”.
@walter tobin What *are* you talking about, you fool? THE TRIAL IS HELD IN THE SENATE. Are you sure you are an American? You seem awfully clueless on the process and what is happening…
And Trump doesn’t *think* you’re gullible… he KNOWS you are… that’s why he lies so much to your gormless face…
@Jewels Star personal attacks show how strong your factual arguments are…..not.
@walter tobin I did both. I corrected your erroneous whining.
And the 90s called: they want their ironic catchphrase back… NOT!
Yep, Sondland was a bit too smirky and non-remorseful for my tastes. Just like his co-conspirator, DJT. It is only selling out our democracy to Putin…no big deal. Geeze.
REPUBLICANS HAVE A NEW ENEMY: TRUTH ITSELF !
The media “created” Trump in the 80s. He was interesting and chocking and made for great headlines. They are now finding out that he’s a lot harder to destroy….just vote him out please!
People believe Trump did nothing wrong because they are focusing on the PHONE CALL and not the SCHEME that he himself orchestrated.