Sen. Josh Hawley (r): Is it ethical to throw an elbow so you can be first in line for The Faux News Channel camera?

24 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, social media, US Senate

Tags

abuse of power, bribery, Donald Trump, extortion, impeachment, Josh Hawley, microphone hog, missouri, quid pro quo, social media, trial, Twitter, U.S. Senate

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

Last night:

Josh Hawley @HawleyMO
What have I seen today? Lots of grandstanding – but nothing new. It’s the same old talking points recycled over and over. Team Schiff simply has no evidence to convict @realDonaldTrump
[….]
7:33 PM · Jan 23, 2020

As always, there was much hilarity in the responses:

You voted 9 times to block new evidence and witnesses. Remember? It’s the witnesses and documents the president blocked from the House investigation. But nice try, liar.

So much for Josh Hawley (r) complaining about evidence when he voted to not see any.

Maybe call witnesses you corrupt idiot. What do you have to lose if you think Trump is innocent? You have no good answer for that. Its not national security. Trump just taunted that he’s got the materials.

Senator Hawley does not want more evidence.

No amount of evidence can persuade Senator Hawley to do what’s right for America.

Senator Hawley only cares about what’s right for himself.

What’s right for himself is to pander to the Trump base.

They hold the cards in the GOP.

I live in Missouri, but I do not consider Josh Hawley OR Roy Blunt my senators. They seem concerned only with covering up a corrupt government and preserving their own political hides.

Josh Hawley thinks it’s ok for a foreign government to interfere in our election, and to think once Missouri had the great senator Harry Truman. Now we have to Senators that have sold out to corporate America.

What I’ve seen Elite Boy, is a brilliant layout of all the actions used by POTUS to coerce an ally to do his bidding regarding his bogus claim against the Bidens. He, Mulvaney, Ghouliani have all admitted it in public,on camera multiple times. Also noticed you too took Lev money.

Mr. Hawley…

Who exactly are best served w/ your predisposed words & stance? The law? The Constitution? People of Missouri? Any of the oaths of office you promised to support & defend? Nah. So far the only loyalty you exhibit is towards your dark money campaign donors.

Yeah, go on @MSNBC and try and get away with that crap.

You’re complicit.

And when it ALL comes out (and it will), we will remember how you chose to look the other way.

This situation is exactly why principled leaders have core values.

You & the GOP have failed spectacularly.

You’re all just covering up. Gaslighting. Destroying the rule of law. You’re just a thug. Sold out the country for not even that much money. He did it on television. We saw it. Traitors really don’t have happy endings.

Looks like you’ve made up your mind to cover up for the worst president in the history of our country. Not only is he foul, incompetent and demented, he’s also a career criminal. Go right ahead and side with that man, I’m sure it’s going to work out great for you!

Really? You see no evidence? How about the evidence that Donald Trump used our TAX DOLLARS for his own personal political benefit. Who pays for the salary for the ambassadors who were told to “work with Rudy”? We do. Who pays for the military aid that Donald Trump used to Leverage the Ukraine to do him a personal favor? We do. If you are not going to be a good steward of my tax dollars, you need to resign.

Trump must be held accountable for his actions. You are ignoring the facts to suit your partisanship.
You have no business being a U.S. Senator.

Where you even there? 21 Republican senators skipped out. Since Republicans control the cameras, we can’t see the half-empty room.

One splinter. How do you square Trump using his pers lawyer, who is not a gov’t employee and does not have SECURITY CLEARANCE, as a liaison to request a foreign govt investigate an American citizen/ political opponent when he heads worlds finest investigators, FBI?

Josh, when #45 conditioned the release of aid on President Zelensky making a statement that Ukraine was investigating Burisma/Biden and 2016 election, that was a bribe. When #45 released the aid because he was ‘caught’, his illegal conduct was attempted bribery.

You say “nothing new” yet you refuse to allow witnesses to be called and documents subpoenaed. #coverup
@senatemajldr #CoverUpMitch

Actually they have him dead to rights. You’re just a craven opportunist who would follow Hitler if it was politically expedient.

A reminder, Godwin’s Law has been suspended for the duration.

Trump was just bragging about how he was withholding the evidence!

Any impartial juror would find that disturbing, Senator.

Voted against hearing from witnesses with firsthand knowledge and then complains the he heard nothing new

Listen to the evidence and protect our Constitution. The evidence is there and it’s being shown to you #showmestate

“You heard nothing new” says the GOP senator who voted 9 times to avoid hearing anything new! #CorruptGOP #embarrassing #ConvictAndRemoveTrump

Hey Hawley….this Missourian wants to see the evidence and hear from the witnesses. Do your Constitutional job. This is the Show Me State….so show us!

There’s plenty, and more available, if you’d use the subpoena power to bring in witnesses. You fear the truth, though, and stick your head in the sand.

Quit trying to gaslight . Missouri voters are smarter than you give us credit.

LISTEN!!! I’m your constituent, and I demand that you listen to this trail! How dare you skirt your obligation to us!

You were sleeping and dreaming that you were watching Fox News if that was your take away. Do some stretches, have some coffee on your breaks, and pay attention to the actual information in front of you. Then make a statement. Thanks, from MO

Let’s see … you voted for no new evidence or witnesses. But more facts were presented. If you’d bring in the documents and witnesses, you could get corroboration or exoneration on those also.

Oh, there’s evidence and testimony. Your MO constituents want to hear it and see it. You should too, sir. That is what representation rather than loyalty to party looks like.

If that is what you think then you must have been one of the 23 republicans that left their seats and left the senate completely. Because what I saw and heard was a very compelling argument against an impeached president.

Another day, another night on Fox News. What have you done for Missouri lately?

I don’t know if the President needs to be removed but your lack of concern for his behavior is proof you aren’t representing the character and values of Missouri.

It’s the same evidence as last year.
That suggests Trump asked a foreign power to gelp his campaign. Don’t you want to know what really happened? Then ask to hear from witnesses close to Trump.

Get off your iPhone and do your job.

Signed,
one of your constituents

Well now that’s dishonest of you to say.

Maybe if you could stay in the chamber and listen might help!

Feels like maybe you should have voted to allow that new evidence. Or witnesses.

You’d think.

Which foreign nations are you going to solicit help from in your next election?

So we’re good with getting foreign help in our elections now? Noted.

I think it’s great. You should have to hear it over and over and over again. The whole truth will eventually come out. You will not be able to deny it when it does.

Then give them the documents and witnesses’. As a lawyer, you know this!

That’s “constitutional lawyer” to you.

YOU AREN’T LISTENING!!!!! Want new evidence??? Allow for all the documents and new witnesses!

Are we watching the same thing?

I am now dumber after watching the democrats speak

Must resist commenting…must resist commenting…must resist commenting…

It’s not too late to get on the side of truth. Vote to actually see the evidence you claim they don’t have. If it isn’t there, what are you worried about? #GOPCowards

Complete BS. You voted 10 times to reject seeing new evidence. #ImpartialJustice #WitnessesAndDocuments #CountryOverParty

With hot takes like this, I’m not sure how you even won a mock trial.

#TruthMatters and we know that a fair trial with witnesses and evidential documents will get us there. You’re not listening Josh.

Not true

You complain about seeing nothing new after voting not to allow anything new. and you think your constituents don’t see that? well your buddy Trump has announced that he has all the evidence so maybe ask him.

how did you ever get through law school? did you buy your way? you are the one grandstanding, chuckling like a loon and acting like a clown. there’s a mountain of evidence. you better hope your crack pot team have more than nonsense

Step 1: vote 11 times to make sure no new evidence or witnesses are admissable.
Step 2: complain that there’s nothing new.

Your complicity and corruption are pathetic.

Trump hurt our elections and national security. Stop whining and grandstanding; do your job and convict.

Well let’s see, there’s the constitution (I think you and the president are supposed to defend) the rule of law, morality, integrity, country before party and this little thing called self respect. Anyone or all would motivate a person with a beating heart to pursue the truth.

As a constituent of yours I am offended. If by the ‘same old talking points’ you are referring to the mountain of evidence brought about by courageous witnesses then yeah, you’re absolutely correct. Stop insulting the people of Missouri with your bias.

I’ve been a Republican my entire life. I fear what the Ds will do with the presidency and both houses of Congress, but corrupt liars like Trump and you are making it happen. There’s a mountain of unrebutted evidence, you little weasel.

Want to see something new? Ask for the documents being blocked by the WH. Want to hear something new? Ask for witnesses to testify. But you don’t want that. You don’t want the truth. You don’t care about anything except your own personal gain. Sounds like someone else we know.

Same old talking points?

You disgusting shill for smarter fascists than you. Those “talking points” prove the impeachable offenses by your Chief GOP Criminal, and the reason for conviction.

You need to be removed from office. You are complicit in enormous crimes against us.

And on and on…

“Faux News channel, fascist groupies” – protest sign, circa 2003- 2004.

Previously:

Impeachment Trial: “No” witnesses, “No” documents, “No” impartiality (January 22, 2020)

Sen. Josh Hawley (r): Famous! (January 22, 2020)

Sen. Josh Hawley (r): How would you know if you weren’t in your seat paying attention the whole time? (January 23, 2020)

Sen. Josh Hawley (r): “The logic of a twelve year old with something to hide…” (January 23, 2020)

Jason Kander (D) wins the freakin’ Internets today

23 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donald Trump, impeachment, Jason Kander, Marsha Blackburn, missouri, social media, Tennessee, Twitter, U.S. Senate

Jason Kander (D) [2016 file photo].

Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn (r), who has apparently been spending some of her Senate impeachment trial time on The Faux News Channel, reading a book, and on social media trashing a decorated veteran, earned a pointed response to one of her Tweets from former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D):

Jason Kander @JasonKander
A kiDnaPper is tHe sAMe as a FIreFIGHter bEcaUse THEy BotH CaRRy kiDs oUT oF BUildInGS.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn @MarshaBlackburn
Putting conditions on foreign aid is nothing new.

Clinton did it.

Obama did it.

4:14 PM · Jan 23, 2020

Marsha Blackburn (r) won’t get it.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): That’s a heck of an inspirational role model you’re quoting there.

23 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abuse of power, bribery, Donald Trump, extortion, impeachment, Kevin McCarthy, missouri, quid pro quo, social media, trial, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

“Россия” (Russia) – a variant of the Russian presidential flag.

Majority Leader McCarthy in 2016: ‘I think Putin pays Trump’
By Brandon Carter – 05/17/17 06:27 PM EDT

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) accused President Trump of being paid by Russian President Vladimir Putin back in 2016, according to a report resurfacing a conversation between McCarthy and other Republicans.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that McCarthy made the stunning remarks in a private conversation on Capitol Hill.

“There’s two people I think Putin pays: [California Republican Dana] Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy said, according to the report.

The Post reports that Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) stopped the conversation immediately and made the members present swear to secrecy.

“No leaks,” Ryan said. “This is how we know we’re a real family here.”

[….]

That Kevin McCarthy (r).

This Kevin McCarthy (r):

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
Yes, @GOPLeader McCarthy is absolutely right about this.

Their entire argument, which they bring up over and over again, is built on the fact that they do not want
@realDonaldTrump to be President.

No one should weaponize impeachment for politics purposes.

[….]

2:19 PM · Jan 23, 2020

So, quick question, was Kevin McCarthy (r) absolutely right in 2016? One or the other. Which is it? Just asking.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [2016 file photo].

“…No one should weaponize impeachment for politics purposes.” Have you ever heard of Bill Clinton? Just asking.

There was much hilarity in some of the responses:

Bullsh*t, Vicky. Even after being stonewalled by trump, the Democrats have more than enough evidence to convict and remove him. The problem? Republican senators violating their oath to be impartial jurors in IMPOTUS’ senate trial. Willful ignorance!

Oh, def! Cuz all those things the President did – like ask for a “favor” and block all evidence and witnesses – are totally fine! They have no VALID reason to push to remove someone who abuses the power of their office if they didn’t like him to begin with. #ImpeachmentTrial

Because he broke the law! Let’s be clear about something. On Tuesday, every single Republican senator voted to block access to firsthand witnesses and relevant documents. And now they have to gall to say that so far in the trial, they haven’t learned anything new.
Traitors

Someone needs to design a test to see if any of these GOP reps have read or watched the House testimonies or read the documents available to date. None of these folks are taking their oaths of office seriously. Shameful. Vote the entire GOP out from all levels of govt.

They don’t want him to be president because he has committed crimes while in office, has obstructed Congress, the Mueller probe and the Justice Department at every opportunity. His charity was shut down by NY state and he was fined & banned from running charities there, so YES!

Funny, I feel like you all are turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to everything for the exact same reason. You are not on the right side of history on this

It’s time for Republican senators to put country before party. Americans deserve to see a fair trial, not a GOP-cover up on Trump’s behalf.

No, @RepHartzler – the argument is that the president shouldn’t coerce a foreign government into helping him cheat in an election. The argument is that the president should place the national interest above his own personal interest.

Their argument is that Republicans should place country over party rather than be complicit in a cover up.

yes, we do not want an immoral man abusing his office for personal gain as President.

why is that a problem?

He committed a crime that Obama would have been burned in effigy for. We knew the president’s character was questionable prior to the election.. but we know now FOR CERTAIN he’s a crook. This isn’t about popularity.

If you’ve checked lately, Donald Trump (r) is not popular.

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

Exploiting Ukraine’s vulnerability as our ally is exactly what the president did. He unlawfully withheld aid (according to GAO) in order to obtain a sham investigation

We see through it, Vicky. No matter how much you all cry about anything besides the facts

You’re partially right on that one, we just don’t want a Russian puppet in office.

“Make America Great Again” – in Russian.

The American people deserve a fair trial.

But President Trump and Senator McConnell don’t even want to consider witnesses and documents.

Why are Senate Republicans enabling a cover-up?

Abuse of power/obstruction/bribery & extortion.

You’re the only one making this argument.

Well, to be fair, republicans are the only ones making this argument.

I’m sure witnesses and evidence would prove that…

More talking points handed down by your male superiors.

You are putting your party before your Country yet again. Uphold the Constitution. Quit drinking the Kool Aid. Do your job. Your part in this cover up will be remembered.

Their arguments are built on facts. Your specific argument here is built on an assumption: they are doing this for political gain. As an american i find your claims mere distraction from the reality: donald john trump acted criminally for personal gain.

Actually, and factually, they are saying they don’t think any President who acts in this way should stay in their position. Get the @gop, um, I mean goop out of your ears and pay attention.

Impeachment is weaponized to remove a bad president. Yes, it impeachment is a political process. Kindly explain to your constituents why you support him.

She got to ride on Air Force One once.

Didn’t @GOPLeader say Trump was paid by Russia? And now we find somewhere was McCarthy. #GOPCoverup #GOPCorruptionOverCountry #GOPTraitors

Heh.

Nonsense. Go re-read your oath. Try and live it or step down.

Fuuuuuck you!

Nope. Wrong again.

Oh ps your gopleader is a liar and a co-conspirator.

No one should be supporting a lying, racist, bigoted, xenophobic extortionist as president. But here we are.

Here we are.

Sen. Josh Hawley (r): How would you know if you weren’t in your seat paying attention the whole time?

23 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, US Senate

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

abuse of power, bribery, Donald Trump, extortion, impeachment, Josh Hawley, missouri, quid pro quo, rules, seated, U.S. Senate

You were there the whole time, right? Just asking.

Josh Hawley [2016 file photo].

Yesterday:

Josh Hawley @HawleyMO
#ImpeachmentTrial Day 1 = epic fail for House managers. Used 13 hrs to grandstand, repeatedly taking rebuttal time just to delay. Attacked senators. Alienated their audience. Admonished by the Chief Justice for unprofessionalism. If this is best they can do, should just stop now
11:21 AM · Jan 22, 2020

How about last night?

Oh, pearl clutching.

There was hilarity and much mocking of this partisan hackery in some of the responses:

Imma need to see some receipts…..oh wait. You voted against producing documents and witnesses.

I just don’t get the blind devotion to Trump. Explain it to me please.

Total BS. Fail by all 53 Republicans to defend the Constitution and our democracy. If Trump is innocent as you all keep saying, the evidence would exonerate him. Anything else is basically pleading the 5th.

WTH are you talking about?? The HOUSE has a boatload of evidence, and the self victimized Senate are the ones unwilling to review the evidence, even to the point of not allowing it OR witness in a TRIAL. “Sorry”

My husband and I watched 90% of the Trump trial yesterday. Here’s what we thought: Dems seek the truth, Republicans are covering up Trump’s abuse of power and obstruction.

Americans want documents and witnesses. We want facts. We want the truth. We want a true and real trial. We don’t want a cover up.

Our democracy is worth it! #ImpeachmentHearings

They did a remarkable job. They are laying out a strong case.Why hide the documents that prove the truth? Why hide them? There is only one reason and it’s obvious what that reason is. You’re a lawyer. It’s obvious they are lying and don’t want those notes to prove they are lying.

What would we do without Republican Poutrage?

It keeps both the fainting couch and vapors industries alive!!

“I was GOING to convict, but your deeply uncivil language FORCED me to install Stalin!”

Just saw you on C-Span. Did you somehow miss every single intelligence agency agree that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump? Even Pompeo! This is about a corrupt man, being corrupt 24/7. You’re either too stupid for the senate or completely amoral.

It could possibly be both.

Correction: both counsels were admonished.

“I think it is appropriate for me to admonish both the House managers and the President’s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

Heh. And we should probably admonish the Chief Justice for his inaccurate statement.

#EpicFail of the @GOP. You just stood on C-Span and said that the special counsel found “no collusion.” He found open cooperation despite individuals who actually lied in their interview. He also found 10 instances of open obstruction. There is no call ”transcript” either. @POTUS

You know what is unprofessional? This tweet. At least pretend you are taking this seriously.

What did you watch?
The chief justice told both sides to cool it
“. . . to admonish both the house managers and the president’s counsel in equal terms . . .”

One side told verified lies and was unprepared.
The other side showed evidence from sworn testimony & were prepared.

Well, there is the cloakroom.

trump just said he had all the materials. If he sooooo innocent than why not release the documents and question Bolton, etc. You are the embarrassment.

Ah the WH Lawyers were admonished as well – you see Josh some of us are watching – tell the truth because we will call you on it! If you like I can clip Roberts admonishing both sides from CSPAN if you like!

Either speak like a professional, hold a fair trial, and decide the case on the merits, or resign.

Last I checked, the House managers played out the cards they have, namely the proven truth. The fact you don’t believe proven facts is on you. Mitch wants a trial with no witnesses? He doesn’t want to require the W-H to release the subpoenaed documents? Why? Trump has them.

Trump admitted in Davos this morning that he does have all the documents but Congress can’t have them? This is a mockery of a trial, run by a guy who loves breaking the rules and is proud of it. Will Mitch allow new info? Nope…He knows none of it is exculpatory. Nice try Josh.

That’s right. Cheat and brag about it. Puff up when you frustrate your opposition. Just remember, the president doesn’t care about the law and he doesn’t care about you.

Josh, you’re a contender to be the worst senator out there today. And that’s saying something. I don’t know how the hell you got elected, but as a Missourian, I’m so embarrassed.

That’s all you got? No arguments or denying substance of allegations?
When you can’t defend the facts, you attack the process.
Brilliant strategy josh, oh and very worthy of the “r” behind your name.

The fail was the Senate not voting for Fairness. #ImpeachmentTrial #ImpeachmentTrialRules We the people are watching. Fox News is not our only news source.

Remember that Oath you took…we all do. I can assure you that I will do everything I can to make sure you don’t get reelected when your time comes up. I’m sick of the cover-ups and it’s clear you’re up to your neck in this crap.

I voted against a fair trial and to do my job to protect the constitution because @RepJerryNadler was mean to me….. Forget facts, forget what’s right, forget what the American public deserves and wants…. a Dem was mean so I will do as they accused me of, a cover up

Oh, que up the #GOPFauxOutRageMachine
You are so afraid of Donald Trump you are incapable of doing your job as a Senator in a CO-EQUAL branch of government. Resign your position. We Missourians need a real Senator with a spine.

We had one. Once.

Go figure, the Senator from the Show-Me state standing behind the President who refuses to produce documentation or allow witnesses.

As a Missourian who voted Republican in 2016…that will not happen again in 2020. I am embarrassed that you are my Senator. Stop playing partisan politics and seek the truth no matter where it leads you.

He said “”It is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and the president’s counsel in equal terms”, why did you leave out “the president’s counsel” in your discussion of the admonishment?

He’s a partisan hack? Just a wild guess.

The Chief Justice was clear in his comments that he was speaking to both sides of the case, not just House Managers or the president’s team. And some of the mis-truths from the defense team were pretty galling if you track these things. And I do.

Hawley, you have shown that you don’t care about impartial justice and only want to continue this partisan cover up. If you had any integrity you would resign into obscurity.

This constituent is embarassed to have you as a senator.

Do your job. Look at the facts. Quit twisting things and take your oath seriously. The Democratic prosecutors are laying out the facts. The @GOP is spewing rhetoric. And seriously? GOP senators hiding out while Schiff was speaking?? Grow up.

The other side of the coin is that you and all the Republicans are stonewalling, disallowing the admission of witnesses and documents. America wants a fair–keyword: FAIR–trial, and we’re NOT getting it.

The epic fail belongs to Trump’s lawyers. And Roberts wasn’t just talking to House Managers.

“I think it is appropriate for me to admonish both the House managers & President’s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

too bad Roberts doesn’t think it’s his job to admonish the republican members of the “world’s greatest deliberative body” when they walk out of the trial against the rules.

i am a part of the audience and you alienate me daily.

Ouch.

Epic fail is by you and your fellow cult members that only care about covering up the crimes of Trump and keeping your power to enrich yourselves. Resign since you lied already about being impartial. No trial has no documents or witnesses.

You forgot to mention that the Chief Justice admonished Trump’s attorneys. You can’t lie by omission. If this is the best you can do, should just stop now.

Epic fail on senate republicans. Nothing more to be said.

Moscow Mitch put together rules that would make sure this remained the biggest coverup since the beginning of the Republic. The whole thing is Pettifoggery at its best!

Maybe everyone could examine documents and listen to witnesses. You know, examine evidence like how legal proceedings work in the US. Just a thought.

Both. And trumps lawyers straight out lied about things and had to be fact checked. We are watching. We saw you just want to coverup.

With all due respect, Senator, I listened to the entire thing. Can you please tell me what constituted “attack”?

It was a very good presentation. I would know because I saw it. The American people aren’t stupid they can see it for themselves.

Allow witnesses and documents.

Yes, Josh Hawley was an epic fail for working to continue obstructing justice of a criminal president on behalf of dark money donors who love their tax breaks & obliterating protecting of their workers & the environment to increase profits

There’s that.

Uh, what were you watching…cause this wasn’t just on Fox. And specifically, what case like this have you tried as a lawyer?

Well?

You must not have been watching the same proceedings as I was.

There are rumors.

Stop defending the indefensible.

Oh look, Josh Hawley is attacking the process again.

Really? That’s your takeaway? I guess you missed a lot hiding out in the cloak & dagger room

You’re embarrassing yourself. And you’re embarrassing us.

My high school debate team would have wiped the floor with Trumps team, and we sucked.

Ouch.

But they have evidence, Josh. Lots of evidence.

And on and on…

Previously:

Impeachment Trial: “No” witnesses, “No” documents, “No” impartiality (January 22, 2020)

Sen. Josh Hawley (r): Famous! (January 22, 2020)

Sen. Josh Hawley (r): Famous!

22 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, US Senate

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

abuse of power, bribery, Charles P. Pierce, Donald Trump, extortion, impeachment, Josh Hawley, microphone hog, missouri, quid pro quo, Senate

One of Missouri’s dim bulbs is making a mark.

Today, from the great Charles P. Pierce:

Josh Hawley Is the Thirstiest Man in Washington, D.C.
In a town full of thirsty people, Josh Hawley is crawling across the Kalahari. Meanwhile, he and every other senator knows the president* is guilty as sin.
By Charles P. Pierce
Jan 22, 2020

WASHINGTON—Let me tell you something I know for certain. Listen, for this thing is true. There is a rookie U.S. Senator named Josh Hawley. He comes from Missouri and he is a Republican. He replaced MSNBC’s Claire McCaskill, who was a nominal Democrat, because Missouri is one of those states that has steadily lost its mind over the last two decades, which we’re not supposed to notice because it is impolite to all those nice people who carried the prion disease into our politics. Anyway, in a town full of thirsty people, Josh Hawley is a man crawling across the Kalahari. And this is the thing that I know for certain. The most dangerous place to stand in Washington D.C. is any place between Senator Josh Hawley and a live microphone….

[….]

Around midday on Wednesday, there was a bank of microphones and an exaltation of television cameras in the basement of the Capitol, where the little trams disgorge senators on their way to the chamber from their various office buildings. This is prime quote-stalking territory, even with the ludicrous restrictions that have been put in place, especially for these impeachment days. The microphones and cameras had been lined up for a scheduled press conference with the House managers of the impeachment trial. They were running a little late. Meanwhile, Hawley got off the tram, spotted the microphones and cameras, and reacted like a wolverine in a meat locker. His closing speed was nothing short of stunning. He was already at full boil by the time he’d reached his mark.

[….]

The people in the first rows of the galleries leaned over a little further, and the people in the rows behind them stretched and craned their necks. Down and to Schiff’s left, Mitch McConnell was holding the arms of his chair so tightly that his knuckles went bloodless and his lips were clenched tighter than his fingers were. You could not have pulled a pin out of McConnell’s ass with a tractor.

It was only a moment, and it passed, and McConnell soon slipped back into the placid mien of The Man Who Has The Votes. But the president* is guilty as sin, and they all know it, and they all know they can’t do anything about it because more senators don’t want to do anything about than do want to do anything about it. But the president* is as guilty as Jesse James, and they all know it. Every one of them knows it. They have to decide if they can live with that knowledge, and the tragedy is that they get to decide whether we have to live with it, too.

Charles P. Pierce [2014 file photo].

Go. Read the whole thing.

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

What a putz.

Impeachment Trial: “No” witnesses, “No” documents, “No” impartiality

22 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, Roy Blunt, US Senate

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

abuse of power, bribery, Donald Trump, evidence, extortion, impeachment, missouri, quid pro quo, trial, U.S. Senate, witnesses

What kind of impeachment trial has no witnesses and no documents?

A republican one.

Roy Blunt (r) [2016 file photo].

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

Missouri’s senators’ (r) votes against witnesses and documents in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump (r):

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1284 )
Vote Number: 15
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 04:33 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1284 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena certain White House documents and records.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The vote “Yea” is to table the amendment.

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to see relevant White House documents and records.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1285 )
Vote Number: 16
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 06:25 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1285 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena certain Department of State documents and records.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to see relevant State Department documents and records.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1286 )
Vote Number: 17
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 07:24 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1286 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena certain Office of Management and Budget documents and records.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to see relevant OMB documents and records.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No.1287 )
Vote Number: 18
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 09:21 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1287 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena John Michael “Mick” Mulvaney.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to hear from Mick Mulvaney (r).

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1288 )
Vote Number: 19
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 10:22 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1288 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena certain Department of Defense documents and records.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to see relevant Department of Defense documents and records.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1289 )
Vote Number: 20
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 11:12 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1289 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena Robert B. Blair and Michael P. Duffey.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to hear from Blair and Duffey.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1290 )
Vote Number: 21
Vote Date: January 21, 2020, 11:55 PM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1290 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To prevent the selective admission of evidence and to provide for appropriate handling of classified and confidential materials.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want to prevent selective admission of evidence.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1291 )
Vote Number: 22
Vote Date: January 22, 2020, 12:56 AM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1291 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To subpoena John Robert Bolton.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to hear from John Bolton (r).

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1292 )
Vote Number: 23
Vote Date: January 22, 2020, 01:13 AM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1292 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To provide that motions to subpoena witnesses or documents shall be in order after the question period.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t want anyone to hear from witnesses or to see documents.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 1293 )
Vote Number: 24
Vote Date: January 22, 2020, 01:21 AM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1293 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To allow additional time to file responses to motions.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 52
NAYs 48

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority wants to rush through a superficial trial.

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Schumer for Van Hollen Amdt. No. 1294 )
Vote Number: 25
Vote Date: January 22, 2020, 01:35 AM

Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1294 to S.Res. 483 (No short title on file)
Statement of Purpose: To help ensure impartial justice by requiring the Chief Justice of the United States to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents.
Vote Counts:
YEAs 53
NAYs 47

Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Yea

The republican majority doesn’t care about impartiality.

And…three years ago

21 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, Donald Trump, Kansas City, missouri, protest, Women's March

January 21, 2017. 10,000 showed up in Kansas City. That’s the number from several reports. We were there.

You’re out of your element Donnie.

Nope.

From the vantage point of The Link (covered overhead walkway between Crown Center and Union Station).

A woman’s place…

Rise up.

I can’t believe we still have to protest this same shit.

It feels like a lifetime.

Previously:

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 (January 21, 2017)

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 – part 2 (January 22, 2017)

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 – part 3 (January 22, 2017)

Three years ago

20 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, abuse of power, bribery, corruption, Donald Trump, extortion, Fascism, Fascist, impeachment, lower the bar, missouri, quid pro quo, She was right

January 20, 2017. A protest rally and march from the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, organized quickly via social media, with over a thousand participating:

Women hold up the sky…and are a force in the streets.

Fuck Trump.

Our hands are bigger than yours.

Not my pussy…

Tiny hands, huge asshole.

It feels like a lifetime.

Previously:

Funeral for Democracy – Warrensburg – January 20, 2017 (January 20, 2017)

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017 (January 20, 2017)

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017 – part 2 (January 21, 2017)

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017 – part 3 – marching (January 21, 2017)

Snow bird

20 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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birds, Carolina Wren, missouri, snow, Thryothorus ludovicianus, weather

Midday in west central Missouri:

Carolina Wren. Thryothorus ludovicianus.
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F5.6, 1/3200, ISO 1600, 400 mm.

Carolina Wren. Thryothorus ludovicianus.
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F5.6, 1/2000, ISO 1600, 400 mm.

Just visiting, eh? Snow and 18°.

Kansas City Women’s March – January 18, 2020 – photos – part 4

19 Sunday Jan 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

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Kansas City, missouri, protest, signs, Women' March

At noon yesterday at Mill Creek Park next to the 47th Street entrance of the Plaza several hundred individuals participated in a rally and march (through the Plaza) in solidarity with hundreds of similar women’s marches across the country advocating for women’s rights and commemorating the movement and the large 2017 nationwide march.

After marching to and through the Plaza the demonstrators returned to Mill Creek Park to rally, chant, and picket along 47th Street. The march was scheduled from noon to 1:00 p.m. – by 1:15 p.m. the park was empty.