Today is the first day of arguments (without witnesses or documents, in an historic Fascist First) in the Mostly Moot Impeachment Senate Trial of Donald John Trump. So I will start a new thread here. #ImpeachmentTrial
Since the Repubs have set the rules so that no actual deliberations will take place, I'll tend to go a bit meta in this thread, writing of the background and intentions as well as noting whatever comes down with the gavel. #ImpeachmentDay
The trial started with an absurd display of piety, as a minister intoned a prayer to his god, claiming that he was omniscient ("You know our thoughts before we think them") but then reminding it of its duty. I suppose the god is getting old and forgetful then #ImpeachmentTrial
This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, in case anyone forgot that they are still South of the Canadian border. And now Rep. Schiff is up repeating the charges that we've all grown familiar with. #ImpeachmentDay
Schiff did not fail to intone Imperial Piety too, the insisted-upon delusion that the Aid To Ukraine was necessary to--get this--stop the Russians there so that they won't attack our borders. As if! As fucking if! #ImpeachmentTrial
See yesterday's thread for a brief discussion of the Donbass independence movement--unless you already know what "Donbass" means, which would put you among the geopolitical elite indeed here in the United States of Obliviousness. #ImpeachmentTrial
Here's Schiff speaking today (for about an hour so far) in front of the lovely black and white marble wall in the Senate Chambers. The wall may as well represent the intention of the Republican bloc here. They are bloc heads indeed and it's 53-47 all the way #ImpeachmentTrial 
"Resisting aggression, promoting freedom" Schiff says, standing on his hind legs before the Imperial Senate, saying Trump put us all in danger. Why can't he say the truth, that it's about corruption and fascism? No need to lie, T-Rump is bad enough already. #ImpeachmentTrial
The whole procedure is distracting the hell out of the Chief Fascist though, and I see from the news that I guessed right, that he is champing at the bit to burst into the Chambers. Do it, Fool On The Hill! #impeachMoot
And as my beloved points out, the "Russians Are Coming" conceit tweaks the hell out of the Republicans' base, since they always want to be first and bloodiest with imperialism. So there is a rational tactic in play. Yech. #ImpeachmentTrial
Schiff is making a good point now though, that the lack of process in the Trial is making a precedent that the President can't be investigated or held in check in any way. It makes me think--News Flash Form The Near Future--
'President Sanders announced today that he is diverting $700 million from the Pentagon budget to open new abortion clinics in all 50 States.' Do you think the Repubs would still say "Elections have consequences, just get over it?" --- #ImpeachmentTrial
Or would they go absolutely apeshit and begin impeachment hearings? I think we know the answer
Again, I want to explain that I have skin in the game, and I need this bastard impeached. Hear me out. I'm not going to claim that I have it as bad as POC under this Fascist In Chief, not as bad as Muslims have it, but things have changed. #ImpeachmentTrial
But now that Trump's Administration has demonized transgender folk, by banning us from service, by denying our health needs, by legitimizing religious bigotry against us, I once again see that all of his followers look on me as a criminal. #ImpeachmentTrial
I see the hatred in #MAGA fanatic faces. And some of Trump's most fanatic followers are in the police force. This means that I must sweat even the most basic traffic stop; it means that I have to decide whether I can risk using any public restroom. #ImpeachmentTrial
I have heard a great many cis White males say it's really all just a farce, and it doesn't matter whether the Dems or the Rs are in power. Well, it does now, for me, and literally for the prospect of survival for POC; fascist cops are even more empowered now. #ImpeachmentDay
So though my solidarity with BIPOC is sincere in this, the real motivating force is of course the fact that I too must now live in fear. So my beloved cis White male friends, do not say to me it doesn't matter, or if you choose to, expect my fury. #ImpeachmentTrial
Schiff is wrapping up now. He is an experienced speaker of course, and knows to slow his words, drawing out the vowels now as if speaking a poem or a prayer. His sermon is very familiar now, and falls on deaf ears, as we know. #ImpeachedForLife
Rep Jim Jordan is lurking in the hall (he's not allowed in the Senate Chambers with the House Impeachment Team and the Senators) without his jacket on per usual to show that he holds the whole Constitutional procedure in contempt. #ImpeachmentTrial
Senator Schumer, also lurking in the halls during the recess, says Schiff's speech was a "tour de force." Sekulow called him "Adam Shit" without blinking, and I think it slid past the reporters #ImpeachmentTrial
Rep. Nadler is up at bat. He is centering on the political removal of Ambassador To Ukraine Yovanovich--the mob-style intimidation, and the slander slime slid to the press #ImpeachmentTrial
Nadler's using slides to buttress his points about the Yovanovich firing--
Sylvia Garcia is in the batter's box now, pointing out that Zelinsky was invited to the White House before the Ukraine faux-investigation-for-aid scheme was hatched. She's wearing pearls and her Committee Pin. #ImpeachedForLife
Rep. Crow is up with more of the "defending against Russia" imperial horse muffins, intoning once again that Russia would have troops on our soil if not for Ukraine. With a straight face! #ImpeachedForLife
This screen grab from Crow's caw-out should be useful if you have trouble sleeping
Val Demings is nailing down all the corners #ImpeachmentTrial
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has that transcript that the Republicans think they want to read...I would like you to do me a favor though...
And he's pointing out that funny coincidence that we keep seeing, in which Vlad Putin's opinions keep coming out of Trump's mouth #ImpeachmentTrial
"Schumer is the devil! Jesus Christ! They're trying to overturn the election" --sez the #MAGA fan who just got dragged out of the Senate chambers. How did he get that far? #ImpeachmentDay
The Senators are taking a dinner break until just after the top of the hour. Ted Cruz is standing on his hind legs in the hallway. I have the sound down #impeachment
Next time Sekulow shows up on the Senate floor, think money--he's a millionaire from diverting Christian telemarketing funds. christianpost.com/news/jay-sekul… #ImpeachedForLife
Schiff is up again, and judging from the volume of hate-retweets coming out of Trump's account, he is setting the Rs on fire. He's bringing up the evidence from Volker's and Giuliani's text messages.
...
"Two plus two equals four" is a common thread in the Dem prosecution, and I wonder if they selected that in view of Orwell's 1984
All this bluster and mendacity about Russia reminds me that we have to put Bernie in, in a landslide, or else the Dems will try to shove their way into Crimea and the Donbass, risking nuclear war. #ImpeachedForLife
They may not have live witnesses nor (as Trump bragged) "all the materials" but Schiff is making a pretty detailed case. Just one thing you need to know: "I want you to do me a favor, though" --Colbert #impeachment
Wull I dunno, that could mean anythin'
"Dirt for Dollars" --HA! Schiff referred to Dirt for Dollars, and somehow I haven't heard the phrase before #ImpeachmentHearings #ImpeachmentTrial
Schiff once again grinds the facts into the camera. "They should investigate the Bidens...China should start an investigation into the Bidens...
Schiff (waiving heaviy redacted paper copy) "I'm sure if you could read this it would be a really perfect email" SNARK
Chief Stenographer Justice Robert can speak! He recognizes Mitch, who leads applause for the pages.
Adjourning til tomorrow, when the Dems will center on obstruction of justice. Bye Mitch
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