Fact or Fiction in the Impeachment Inquiry

Fact or Fiction in the Impeachment Inquiry

Posted on by Jack

So far in the Impeachment Inquiry, it seems as if the Democratic members of the House Intelligence Committee are more interested in obtaining facts while the Republican members are more interested in fiction which misleads the public and defends President Trump.

We have heard from several witnesses and the picture that emerges keeps getting worse for the President. And Republicans keep try to defend him with misleading claims and constantly changing stories.
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Republicans defend from impeachment by misleading

Republicans defend from impeachment by misleading

Posted on by Jack

President Trump’s defenders like to spin the facts to mislead the public and maybe even fool themselves. This seems to be their way to defend the President’s behavior that has led to the impeachment inquiry.

Here is a fact check on some of the misleading claims –

https://www.factcheck.org/2019/11/scalise-spins-facts-on-security-aid/

Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Book

Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Book

Posted on by Jack

After reading about the many candidates running in the Democratic presidential primary and watching the primary debates, I decided that Senator Amy Klobuchar is the best candidate in that group. So I decided to read her book. The book is called The Senator Next Door: A Memoir from the Heartland.
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Republican hypocrisy on first hand witnesses

Republican hypocrisy on first hand witnesses

Posted on by Jack

Republicans hypocrisy again. We previously heard Republican complaints about the closed hearings and now open hearings in the impeachment inquiry. So far in the open hearings we have heard from several witnesses from the State Department about the effect on diplomacy and specifically their job as a result of President Trump’s actions.

As far as I can tell they have been very clear about what they know as a result of first hand information and what they believe based on what they have heard from others in the State Department.
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Amy Klobuchar for President

Amy Klobuchar for President

Posted on by Jack

Anyone who has seen my previous writings on Donald Trump will not be surprised that I do not think President Trump should be re-elected.

So I have been watching the Democratic debates and doing a good amount of reading about the various candidates. And there certainly are quite a few who I think would be a much better president.

But among them I favor Senator Amy Klobuchar for several reasons. She has been a highly effective senator and has been able to work well with both Democrats and Republicans. She has won re-election in a state easily carried by Donald Trump in 2016. And unlike President Trump she will be a President for all Americans, not just “the base”.

She is more moderate in her approach than many Democrats in this primary race but often shares the same goals. For example, I think all the Democrats running favor getting to health care coverage for all Americans with guarantees for coverage of pre-existing conditions. Some think the way is Medicare for All but Amy would rather improve the Affordable Care Act to move us toward universal health care and lower costs. Her positions on health care and many other topics are discussed in Much more detail on her website, https://amyklobuchar.com/.

The New York Times has provided a much shorter profile of Senator Klobuchar. The link at the top of that page (Who’s Running) will lead you to information on candidates (both R and D) running for president.

Trump family sacrifices

Trump family sacrifices

Posted on by Jack

In his new book Donald Trump Jr. recalled his family’s sacrifices for this country on a visit to Arlington Cemetery. Many of those buried there made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Others served and made less but very real sacrifices.

As I think about this on Veterans’ Day, I am struck by the ridiculousness of the comparison.

I keep thinking about the tragedy of bone spurs.

What do republicans want?

What do republicans want?

Posted on by Jack

First, they objected to the impeachment hearings being closed. Then when the resolution to make them open was passed they voted against that and then complained about open hearings.

President Trump said he would not cooperate with the impeachment hearings because the full House had not voted on it. Then when the House voted, he again objected and refused to cooperate.

What do republicans want?

Will Lindsey Graham be a bad juror ?

Will Lindsey Graham be a bad juror ?

Posted on by Jack

I’ve been on a few juries. You are supposed to pay attention to the evidence. Another important thing is using that evidence to reach a fair and impartial decision. Senator Lindsey Graham has indicated he will not listen to the evidence. He has made many statements indicating he is certainly not impartial.

If the House votes to impeach, the Senate holds a trial to decide if the person impeached is guilty. The Senators are the jury. The Chief Justice will preside.

Can Senator Graham ask to be excused since he does not seem up to the task?

Impeachment inquiry resolution

Impeachment inquiry resolution

Posted on by Jack

What do Republicans want regarding the impeachment inquiry? When the initial hearings were held by committees, they were closed. That is, they were restricted to members of those committees involved, which of course includes members of both parties.
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Brooklyn Legacies: An Erica Donato Mystery #5

Brooklyn Legacies: An Erica Donato Mystery #5

Posted on by Jack

This is the fifth in a series. I liked the first three and somehow missed the 4th. I liked them so much I eagerly jumped at the chance to read and review an ARC of Brooklyn Legacies: An Erica Donato Mystery #5 by Triss Stein. It will be out in early December.

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Marsy’s Law and the Pennsylvania Constitution

Marsy’s Law and the Pennsylvania Constitution

Posted on by Jack

The PA election tomorrow (Nov 5 2019) includes a ballot referendum on whether Marsy’s Law should be added as an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution. I plan to vote “no” and I will get around to telling you why but first I should tell you what the law is.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization concerned with elections and voting including educating voters. Here is their website on this ballot referendum on Marsy’s Law.
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Empire of Lies by Raymond Khoury

Empire of Lies by Raymond Khoury

Posted on by Jack

Raymond Khoury mixes alternative history with political science, human emotions, and time travel to give us a wonderful and fascinating book. This review starts with how I found Empire of Lies.

I was perusing NetGalley to see if they had any books of interest They provide advance reading copies (ARCs) for free and just ask for a review in return. I had found several books there this year and the latest finds were nonfiction so I was ready for a good fiction book.
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Deep State to the rescue

Deep State to the rescue

Posted on by Jack

I have a confession. I was a member of the deep state. Yes, I am a retired civil servant, a retired federal employee, and proud to add a former member of the deep state. I was there to do a job and I think I did it well. I worked in the area of public health.

I was never a whistle blower but think federal employees who see something that seems wrong need to bring it to the attention of those who can look into it. It is important to catch problems before they get too big or cause more harm.
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