[Cause]

Malankazooie, on 10 February 2021 - 09:20 PM, said:

Damn guys. That unheard before police communication right after Trump's speech finished is pretty damning evidence that those fuckers were incited into action. S M damn H.

I haven’t been able to find what this communication said?

[Malankazooie]

During Stacey Plaskett's evidence presentation. I'm sure it's easily found by searching. It's all on public record.

<img> below spoiler tagged for size. Had to make it bigger, hopefully it is not too blurry to read due to loss of quality.

Spoiler

From the snippets I've watched, I am hella impressed by the prosecution team. I know they won't convert enough Republicans (maybe I'll be wrong?), but it's been quite an education to watch legal minds at the top of their game.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'A survey released Thursday by the conservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI) found that the vast majority of Republicans not only don’t think Joe Biden was legitimately elected, nearly 40 percent of them think political violence is justifiable and could be necessary. Those GOP respondents justifying violence said they agreed with the statement: “If elected leaders will not protect America, the people must do it themselves, even if it requires violent actions.” Republicans gravitating towards violence while explicitly legitimizing it as a political tool is a dangerous precedent for the country. [...]

Two-thirds of Republicans say the election was not legitimate[...] “A majority (55 percent) of Republicans support the use of force as a way to arrest the decline of the traditional American way of life.”

Democrats were not immune to this type of thinking, but significantly fewer (22 percent)—along with 35 percent of independents—said they would support violence “to stop the disappearance of traditional American values and way of life.”'

https://slate.com/ne...l-violence.html

'It Sure Looks Like Trump Will Face Criminal Charges for Election Fraud

[...] Under Georgia law, it is illegal to falsify any records used in connection with an election, or to place any false entries in such records. And any person who “solicits, requests, commands, importunes, or otherwise attempts to cause the other person” to falsify voting records is guilty of “criminal solicitation to commit election fraud in the first degree.” The crime is a felony offense, punishable by up to three years in prison (and no less than one year). An individual is culpable even if they failed to induce fraud.

It’s easy to see how Trump’s conduct falls squarely within these prohibitions. The former president commanded Raffensperger to alter election records—on the basis of absurd lies—to hand him Georgia’s electoral votes. He thus asked the secretary of state to commit election fraud. This solicitation is, itself, a felony. Trump would likely argue that he lacks the requisite intent because he did not want Raffensperger to falsify the records, just to correct them. (Or, in his own words, get them “straightened out.”) This defense would hinge on the claim that Trump truly believed there were 11,780 legitimate votes for him waiting to be found. But that is a question for the jury, not a reason for prosecutors to decline charges.

the investigation includes potential violations of Georgia laws “prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local governmental bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election’s administration.” This lengthy list of possible offenses indicates that the district attorney is focusing on the most obvious charge, solicitation of election fraud, but also looking at a broad range of criminal laws in building her case against Trump. In her letter to state officials, Willis described the Trump investigation as a “high priority” and said the case will go before a grand jury as early as March, with subpoenas to follow shortly thereafter.'

https://slate.com/ne...al-charges.html

[QuickTidal]

Azath Vitr (D, on 11 February 2021 - 06:31 PM, said:

Two-thirds of Republicans say the election was not legitimate[...] “A majority (55 percent) of Republicans support the use of force as a way to arrest the decline of the traditional American way of life.”

What the fuck even IS the traditional American way of life? Being racist against POC and immigrants, controlling women and telling them what to do and not do with their bodies, no homosexuals, having no control whatsoever on guns, ect.? The 1950's is what they want?

[Cause]

So sometimes you argue with someone knowing you can’t convince the
But because maybe you convince someone watching. That said this impeachment is ridiculous. The GOP is meeting with trumps lawyers to discuss strategy. Some are making a big show of obviously not paying attention to the proceedings at all.

Does it really mean anything if they get more senators than just Romney to impeach this time? Who are they convincing now? Will any republicans change sides, pressure their senators?

If trump skates on Ukraine and skates in Jan 6th what will ever rise to an impeachable offense. Is this actually going anywhere?

[Mentalist]

QuickTidal, on 11 February 2021 - 07:33 PM, said:

Azath Vitr (D, on 11 February 2021 - 06:31 PM, said:

Two-thirds of Republicans say the election was not legitimate[...] “A majority (55 percent) of Republicans support the use of force as a way to arrest the decline of the traditional American way of life.”

What the fuck even IS the traditional American way of life? Being racist against POC and immigrants, controlling women and telling them what to do and not do with their bodies, no homosexuals, having no control whatsoever on guns, ect.? The 1950's is what they want?

Why are you acting so surprised?t

The 50s was whe the US was literally on top of the world (before Vietnam happened). Why wouldn't they want that back?

It's delusional, and it'll never happen, but that doesn't mean they don't want it to happen.

[Mezla PigDog]

So nobody can even bring themselves to talk about the impeachment verdict? I know how that feels chaps.

[Aptorian]

Oh, I mean everyone knew it wasn't going anywhere. Only thing that bothers me is that Trump wasn't grilled at Congress.

[amphibian]

I am disappointed that the Democrats were run off the idea of having witnesses testify. McConnell essentially said "if you do this, I will slow everything down to a snail's pace and the outcome will be the same."

The correct response in my eyes is "Fuck you, we'll do what we want and get what we need too." But the iron will and savvy to do that doesn't exist for the Democrat leaders.

We would be so much better off if AOC, Tlaib, Omar, Pressley, Bush, and Katie Porter were the Democrat leaders instead of just the young stars.

[Garak]

The next Presidential election will be an even bigger shit show. Oh gods.

[Aptorian]

Considering Biden doesn't intend to run for a second time, last I heard anyway, it's going to be a strange period. Kamala Harris is the likely prime candidate but will the rest of the party back her? Will it be another Obama scare campaign only worse because Harris is not just brown but also... horror of horrors... A woman?

That's assuming Biden is alive in four years of course.

This post has been edited by Aptorian: 15 February 2021 - 07:14 PM

[Malankazooie]

Positive spin: most bipartisan vote ever to impeach.

Blowback: Republicans who voted to impeach are now going to feel the heat and face some Trumper (more than likely QAnoner too) to challenge them. I guess Eric Trump's wife already has her eyes on a 2022 seat (in North Carolina? not sure).

Perplexing: What the hell exactly does Trump have on fancy southern belle, Lindsey Graham?

[Gwynn ap Nudd]

Malankazooie, on 15 February 2021 - 07:51 PM, said:

Blowback: Republicans who voted to impeach are now going to feel the heat and face some Trumper (more than likely QAnoner too) to challenge them. I guess Eric Trump's wife already has her eyes on a 2022 seat (in North Carolina? not sure).

Republican senators who voted to convict and their status:
Burr: retiring
Cassidy: Not up for election until 2026
Collinc: Not up for election until 2026 and likely would have faced steeper repercussions in the general for voting not guilty than she would in a primary for voting guilty.
Murkowski: Has previously won in Alaska as a write in candidate after losing the Republican primary. Also, with Alaska switching to ranked choice voting, not likely in any political danger.
Romney: Significantly more popular in Utah than Trump, not in any danger.
Sasse: Not up for election until 2026.
Toomey: retiring

Sasse and Cassidy might face some opposition from the right in 2026, if Trump is still relevant to the Republican party then. But I think that's far enough off in the future that their votes will make little difference to their re-election chances. Particularly as the Republican senate fund is set up to always defend incumbents.

[Cause]

Malankazooie, on 15 February 2021 - 07:51 PM, said:

Positive spin: most bipartisan vote ever to impeach.

Blowback: Republicans who voted to impeach are now going to feel the heat and face some Trumper (more than likely QAnoner too) to challenge them. I guess Eric Trump's wife already has her eyes on a 2022 seat (in North Carolina? not sure).

Perplexing: What the hell exactly does Trump have on fancy southern belle, Lindsey Graham?

I don’t think trump is capable of supporting his daughter in law. The spotlight wont be on him. I could see him tank that campaign.

[Malankazooie]

Biden town hall in Milwaukee starting within the hour. Impeachment in the rear view, time to step on the gas? Go directly to the American public? About a month into; Biden grade so far? Be vigilant, need to be as critical with Biden as Trump. Complacency can lead to dangerous course that slips by our collective ambivalence and disinterest.

https://www.youtube....h?v=nRCTc6stICc

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'An old tweet from GOP Sen. Ted Cruz criticizing California's energy policies went viral [...] as the senator's own state, Texas, reeled from a massive snowstorm that knocked out power to more than 4 million homes and businesses.

Cruz's August 2020 post had taken aim at a tweet from the Office of the Governor of California, which urged residents to conserve energy by turning off lights, limiting the usage of electrical appliances and adjusting thermostats.

At the time, California was gripped by a major heat wave and implementing its first rolling power blackouts since 2001. [...]

"California is now unable to perform even basic functions of civilization, like having reliable electricity.

Biden/Harris/AOC want to make CA's failed energy policy the standard nationwide.

Hope you don't like air conditioning!"

[...] As Monday's extreme snow and freezing temperatures caused Texas to implement its own rolling blackouts, multiple commentators referenced Cruz's old tweet, pointing out that the senator was perfectly happy to criticize California last August but noticeably quiet when it came to the emergency measures affecting his own state.

[...] "Here are three Texas Republicans mocking California power outages last year and my Dallas bathtub this morning, a literal block of ice

[...] Hey 'Ted.' Hope you don't like heat in your home! Both the electricity and the gas companies in Texas couldn't protect Texans against the worst winter in decades. What about the failed energy policy of Texas?!? I hear y'all trying to blame it on turbines? Ha .

[...] My parents hv been without electricity for almost 24hrs in Houston they are not even rotating power outages in Houston anymore. Looks like Republicans like you took energy for granted, and didn't invest enough in the power grid in Texas.

[...] It's almost as if in a world where extreme weather events become an annual thing, nobody anywhere has a power grid that can fully meet the emergency needs we've put on ourselves.

[...] TX: remember how cold tonight is. Remember all the GOP is good for is talking shit, fear mongering, endless distractions, & conspiracies. The reason you're cold tonight is because the GOP doesn't run on policy. They run on the easiest path to raw power."

As of Tuesday, outages in Texas were expected to last the full day for most affected homes and businesses.'
https://www.yahoo.co...-174358679.html

'At least 16 people have died in the polar vortex that has hit the United States this week[...] Most of the deaths were in Texas, where an unprecedented cold spell knocked out power for millions throughout the state[...] At least three of the deaths are suspected to be from gas or carbon monoxide poisoning as people struggle to keep warm in cars parked in enclosed spaces. A family of four reportedly died in a Houston house fire trying to keep themselves warm. Texas is unique as the only state with its own power grid, largely eliding federal regulation'

https://www.thedaily...-texas?ref=home

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 17 February 2021 - 02:26 AM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Guess I shouldn't be shocked:

'Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ran to the friendly confines of Hannity Tuesday night to blame the devastating power outages currently plaguing his state on solar and wind sources, directly contradicting his own energy department. Millions were still without power in the Lone Star State as the governor spoke to Fox News.

"This shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America. Texas is blessed with multiple sources of energy such as natural gas and nuclear, as well as solar and wind," [...] "Our wind and our solar got shot down and they were collectively more than 10 percent of our power grid. And that thrust Texas into this situation."

[...] the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, however, said hours earlier that frozen wind turbines during the deadly winter storms have been "the least significant factor in the blackouts," noting that the main factors are "frozen instruments at natural gas, coal and even nuclear facilities." Over the past 24 hours, numerous Republicans and right-wing media personalities have falsely claimed that failing windmills and renewable energy sources are the root cause of the widespread power outages [...] despite the fact that wind and solar shutdowns have only accounted for 13 percent of total outages.'

https://www.thedaily...-power?ref=home

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 17 February 2021 - 05:17 AM

[Maark Abbott]

Azath Vitr (D, on 17 February 2021 - 05:16 AM, said:

Guess I shouldn't be shocked:

'Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ran to the friendly confines of Hannity Tuesday night to blame the devastating power outages currently plaguing his state on solar and wind sources, directly contradicting his own energy department. Millions were still without power in the Lone Star State as the governor spoke to Fox News.

"This shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America. Texas is blessed with multiple sources of energy such as natural gas and nuclear, as well as solar and wind," [...] "Our wind and our solar got shot down and they were collectively more than 10 percent of our power grid. And that thrust Texas into this situation."

[...] the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, however, said hours earlier that frozen wind turbines during the deadly winter storms have been "the least significant factor in the blackouts," noting that the main factors are "frozen instruments at natural gas, coal and even nuclear facilities." Over the past 24 hours, numerous Republicans and right-wing media personalities have falsely claimed that failing windmills and renewable energy sources are the root cause of the widespread power outages [...] despite the fact that wind and solar shutdowns have only accounted for 13 percent of total outages.'

https://www.thedaily...-power?ref=home

Big Power gonna big.

[Primateus]

https://www.cnbc.com...-at-age-70.html

Rush Limbaugh is dead.

[Aptorian]

I've got nothing nice to say about his death.