I Am Tired

 This link is where we are headed if we fall asleep while fanatics are driving the bus.

https://link.motherjones.com/public/33196514

 They call us the devil...but it would be just as easy for us to call them the devil.

 

Here We Are - You Have to Laugh

 

Can It Be As Simple As Lack Of Empathy?

 Please read Debra's Post on "She Who Seeks". It is an eye-opening explanation of where we are at with the conservative efforts to takeover the government. But the problem remains: what is the antidote?

Pre Election Day Political Rant

Why Democrats are not an Overwhelming Majority is Unfathomable

 

 At the risk of becoming the target of wrath I will put this thought out there.

There is a strong possibility that republicans will come out ahead in the midterms. Or at least have a showing that will give them the appearance of having a mandate.

The tragic flaw of democracy lies in the fact that it can become paralyzed when there is no longer a clear majority, or perhaps...when the majority is no longer clear. When it takes so little to tip the scale.

If the scale tips to the right and republicans take control of the Senate and have a strong hand in the House we may be facing years of vengeful attempts to thwart any and every democratic proposal, or worse, a slew of congressional committees with a mission to impeach and overthrow democrats and the work of the January 6th Committee. Or worse, a twice impeached, criminal, traitorous, incompetent, sociopathic, narcissistic ex-president running for president in 2024.

If these things happen, we will all, to one degree or another, deserve what we get. And the Democrats will share in the blame. Democratic candidates and leadership have been, as is their habit, way too nice.

Always on the defensive, rarely on the offensive. Practically silent on the issue of the economy - an issue on which they could have aggressively and legitimately taken the upper hand. And there are the many accomplishments of the Biden Administration that they could have spotlighted.

And the Dems could have more aggressively pointed to the obvious hypocrisy of the republican governors and elected officials taking credit for the dollars their states received thanks to Biden and the Democrats who passed the funding bills - bills the republicans opposed and voted against.

And most of all, the angry, ignorant, misinformed supporters of the republican party candidates will deserve what they get: a fascist, far right, christian nationalist, conspiracy-driven, hate mongering, election-denying, anti-everything republican party running/ruining the country and pulling out the rug from under them.

It may take years, but when their path of destruction becomes undeniable by their own constituents, when the degree of suffering and misery they cause becomes intolerable, maybe then those that supported them for whatever selfish, conspiratorial, religious, libertarian and anti-government reasons will finally be forced to admit that the republican party is a complete and utter failure and a clear danger to democracy and our country. But that may be optimistic.

Hopefully by then it won’t be too late to fix things. But that, too, may be optimistic.

So long as the republicans are influencing public policy to any degree or should I say dismantling government, we need to brace ourselves — especially LGBTQs and women and those dependent on Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and the poor and the sick and indigenous peoples and blacks and latinos, and educators and librarians and doctors and nurses and health care workers and hospitals and so many others. 

And I don't understand why we are not in the clear majority. (Can someone enlighten me?)

Yes, brace yourself. It will be a bumpy ride.

Prepare for the ride ahead. 

Prepare to endure some suffering. 

Prepare to endure much misery. 

And prepare to resist.


 

It's Only Gotten Worse

     I came across an old email exchange from 2010 and I offer it as a glimpse into what has now become ingrained in the psyche of many conservative Americans. That is the belief that as conservatives their mission is to save America from socialism and all it stands for: diversity, equality, civil rights, LGBTQ acceptance.

    These beliefs or belief system has grown out of the “seeds of doubt and discontent and discord and hate” that the right-wing extremists and republican ideologues have been sowing for years. The thing about seeds is that they are tiny, almost unnoticeable and insignificant. But eventually they bear fruit.

    Back in 2012 an email was forwarded to me by my cousin (a former school teacher). The video by ABC News was about bridges being built by a Chinese construction crew in California. It is presented in the email as “shocking” and it “will make you sick” - ostensibly because it’s un-American.

    Well it didn’t make me sick, but the sentiments behind the message did:

This is absolutely SHOCKING !!

I can't believe ABC exposed this!!!  We have the dumbest Government
Subject: U.S.A.Bridges and Roads Being Built by Chinese Firms  
U.S.A. Bridges and Roads Being Built by Chinese Firms
Shocking to say the least! This video is a jaw-dropper that will make you sick. (It was also shocking that ABC was actually reporting this story.) The lead-in with Obama promising jobs in the U.S. by improving our infrastructure is so typical of all his promises! Our tax dollars are at work - for CHINA !!!
I pray all the unemployed see this and cast their votes accordingly in 2012!

(https://youtu.be/fcPnDigSu2M)

    So I watched the video and had this reply to the entire group to whom the email was sent, most of whom I did not know. I couldn’t help but to play the “persecuted gay” card for emphasis:

    Goes to show, Nothing is simple.  The world economy is so complex. Further, this appears to be a California decision, not an Obama policy; in fact, that National Policy seems to have been circumvented by California's desire to save money.

    I don't understand why Obama is being vilified.  There is something very deeply wrong with our society that is at the root of such divisiveness.
 
    Neither Obama, nor any of  the Republican [presidential] candidates are going to fix this illness that the country is experiencing.  It would be fantasy to even think so.

    But I sincerely believe that without an obstructionist congress, Obama's vision would have produced results that we could all be proud of.

    I think many people are willing to sacrifice real, equitable solutions to America's economy and social responsibilities for narrow, ideological, and "religious" beliefs. This is sad and destructive.

    As a gay person who has experienced 60 years of hatred, ridicule, discrimination, and condemnation from right wing, evangelical, and narrow-minded people, how could anyone expect me to support my oppressors - those who continue to spread lies, erroneous "opinions" and hatred toward fellow Americans who happen to be gay or Lesbian.

    I am sick and tired of being mister nice guy, and keeping quiet, so as not to offend anyone. I will speak my mind and call judgmental statements couched in pseudo-religious, sanctimonious rhetoric what it is - HATRED.

    All of the current Republican [presidential] candidates share that in common and I, for one, believe that that alone makes them unfit to be President.

    Please keep religion out of government, because if we let YOUR religion influence government, other religions will soon demand the same influence, and we may not like the results. That is my Gay Agenda.
 
    The fact that the Chinese are “building our bridges” pales in comparison to the insidious hatred that is being spread by right wing ideologues.
 
    If and when we can heal our country's wounds and learn to respect those who are different, the issue of “Bridges and Who Builds Them” will take care of itself.

    Sorry if anyone is offended, but my VERY LIFE is being threatened by those who spread hatred.

-Frank DeFrancesco



    On Jan 29, 2012, my cousin, “G,” who, I repeat, had been a school teacher, replied by email. (I have inserted bold print for emphasis):


Thank you,  [Frank]
    
    I never thought of you as a gay person. I think of  you as my loving cousin.    

    I think religion should be kept out of all government. I want as little government as possible. I don’t want them telling me what I can and can not do.    

    We should all have the same opportunity to live our lives as we choose. I don’t want them telling me what car I should drive, what lightbulbs I should use or what health care I have to buy. I don't even want them telling me I have to use a seat belt when I drive.     

    I am smart enough to take care of myself. It's too much government. As a senior citizen I worry if I'm going to have any healthcare as I age. I don't want America to become a socialist country. I believe Obama is leading us in that direction.
 
         That article about the bridges just came to me as I was writing to you, which just started out as a joke on my part. I don"t know whether it came down from Obama or not, but it certainly isn't good for the country.
 
     I don't know who is best to fix this country. My heart doesn’t feel it's Obama. I'm a registered democrat, but I have lost faith in them.
 
    I'm sorry you were so hurt by that note.  It was not intended to do so. I could not have known what you experienced all your life and you should not have had to go through all of that.
 
I'm glad you answered me and I pray for what ever is best for the country.
 
“G”


    Just to reflect on some of her sentiments which are sometimes illogical or biased or contradictory, but which are the fruits of the “seeds of doubt and discontent and discord” planted by right wing ideologues:

    These folks who’ve bought into the right-wing propaganda don’t want government telling them what they can or cannot do but they fail to recognize that they really do want government to tell some people what they can or cannot do. They won't ban guns but want to ban books; they won't support needy children but they want to ban abortions.

    My cousin easily conflates having to buy new low energy light bulbs with having the option to purchase affordable health insurance. And so she rejects both as if somehow the government has infringed on her freedom - even if it means rejecting the sensible, beneficial choice which will improve her life.

    In the next breath she worries about having health care as she ages, oblivious to the fact that she is on Medicare. She fears the idea of America becoming socialist while failing to acknowledge that socialized health care (Medicare/Medicaid) - actually insures that she will have health care as she ages.

    She is a “registered Democrat” but has “lost faith” in the Democrats. Those seeds of doubt and discontent have definitely sprouted. (Sadly, my cousin now has advanced Alzheimer’s and is in a nursing home, and is entirely dependent on Medicaid).
    
    I am coming to the conclusion that we need to prepare ourselves psychologically and “spiritually” for the possibility of a fascist takeover. The crazies and the ideologues and the power hungry and the narcissists and the vengeful and the mob could soon be running things or ruining things.  

And I fear what that may entail.

 

We know what they're AGAINST But....

Black Preacher Tells It Like It Is About Walker

 I really don't like posting political stuff...but have been doing so because I remain outraged by the Republican power hungry political machine. Here's one for today.

Just a Reminder

 

Just a Little Reality Check

 David Frum: But if both Republicans and Democrats, left and right, suffer political violence, the same cannot be said of those who celebrate political violence. That's not a "both sides" affair in 2020s America. You don't see Democratic House members wielding weapons in videos and threatening to shoot candidates who want to cut capital-gains taxes or slow the growth of Medicare. Democratic candidates for Senate do not post video fantasies of hunting and executing political rivals, or of using a firearm to discipline their children's romantic partners. It's not because of Democratic members that Speaker Nancy Pelosi installed metal detectors to bar firearms from the floor of the House. No Democratic equivalent exists of Donald Trump, who regularly praises and encourages violence as a normal tool of politics, most recently against his own party's Senate leader, Mitch McConnell. As the formerly Trump-leaning Wall Street Journal editorialized on October 2: "It's all too easy to imagine some fanatic taking Mr. Trump seriously and literally, and attempting to kill Mr. McConnell. Many supporters took Mr. Trump's rhetoric about former Vice President Mike Penceall too seriously on Jan. 6."

 [David Jeffrey Frum (/frʌm/; born June 30, 1960) is a Canadian-American political commentator and a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, who is currently a senior editor at The Atlantic as well as an MSNBC contributor.]

I Love This Guy

 I wish he'd run for president again.

If You Ever Thought Republicans Were Innocuous - WAKE UP!

 

We as members of the larger LGBTQ community are living in dangerous times. Prepare for the McCarthy era "Lavender Scare" all over again. The republicans in congress are proposing insidious bills to make us and our authentic lives illegal once again. Even if this bill does not pass, the animus behind it is palpable and real. These haters are NOT going away and they will not stop their hateful rhetoric and attempts to make LGBTQ lives a living hell.

Thanks to Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters for the alert:

Be aware that Congressperson Mike Johnson (La.) has/or will introduce a bill that is so broad as to make any LGBTQ discussion, dipiction or activity illegal. The definition of "sexually oriented material" (see highlighted) is all encompassing. This bill is ostensibly aimed at "drag queens" reading to children in public libraries, but is really a version of the Russian anti-LGBTQ law that has terrorized people in Russia and Chechnya.  

I'm not sure if congressperson Johnson is aware that his bill can be used to target and repress heterosexuals as well as LGBTQs, but, while not its intent, it can perhaps be turned against them as well.

From Holy Bullies Blog: "Alejandra Caraballo, clinical instructor at the Harvard Law Cyberlaw Clinic, breaks down the damage Johnson's bill  can do in a Twitter thread. According to her, should Johnson's bill become law:

"Universities, public schools, hospitals, medical clinics, etc. could all be defunded if they host any event discussing LGBTQ people and children could be present. The way they define "sexually oriented material" simply includes anything about LGBTQ people...

I can't overstate how radical the private right of action portion is. The bill is so broadly defined that a pediatric hospital could be sued for having a pride flag or a medical pamphlet about gender dysphoria. It deputizes anti-LGBTQ bigots to engage in bounty lawsuits."

These are the Co-sponsors of the bill: 

The Body is Back From Vacation But the Spirit Hasn't Yet Arrived

 The Body is Back From Vacation But the Spirit Hasn't Yet Arrived back to the Land of Entrapment. I will just say that the Province Lands and Cape Cod National Seashore is as glorious as ever.

I will post photos one of these days but, for today, let me just share some very different videos: 

Here is a trailer for "Bros" - a gay RomCom which Hubby and I and some friends saw today. We enjoyed it immensely although I imagine not everyone will share that reaction. It is funny, serious, obnoxious at times, sentimental, sexy, over the top (Billy Eichner as Bobby can be obnoxious - enough already!), engaging, and entertaining at a time when we all need some frivolous enjoyment and diversion. Not to mention Luke McFarland. And the fact that a number of scenes are filmed in Provincetown, where we have spent many a vacation, including this past one.

Recommended.

  

 

 

On a completely different wave length is this from the Interfaith Alliance:

I would direct you to the enlightening comments by Wajahat Ali at time mark 6:35 and 50:30

Unfortunately this type of analysis and discussion does not get wide coverage or attention in the media.

Sunday Bible Study

 

…I do find value in some of the teachings of Jesus. I read this parable again, and it is not only fitting for this situation, it is very powerful.

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going from Guatemala, fleeing a drug cartel that wanted to kill him and seize his daughters as sex slaves, when he found himself on the brink of starvation, having crossed a desert, a river, and another desert with limited supplies and no money. He went to a prosperity gospel preacher for help, but they had just had the carpets cleaned so the preacher refused him shelter. He went to the Christian governor for help, but the governor shipped him to Martha's Vineyard with no support or direction so he could own the libs. But a pinko, commie libtard saw him and took pity on him. He clothed him, and fed him, and sheltered him. He brought him to an immigration lawyer and said 'Look after him. When I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell victim to drug cartels and gangs?"

The expert in the law replied, "The bleeding heart, pinko commie libtard who had mercy on him."

And Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

I Become Less Optimistic Every Day

 Let me refer you all to this link:

Holy Bullies - Christofascism

 Tell me what you think.

 Here's what I think even without thinking to long and hard:

This is frightening. And what makes it that much more frightening is that the forces driving it are irrational, insidious and infiltrating and have already infiltrated our government at every level. 

The statements are contrived and the recitation made to appear "prayer-like" or based in religion. They are neither. The statements are political, reactionary and I would say subversive or even treasonous. 

This country (and we are not alone) is in danger of being taken over (not taken back) by fanatical "religious" cultists. It is already happening.

These people are like the individuals who've been appropriated by the Borg on Star Trek or like the goat-head weeds that germinate after a desert rain and grow like wild in days - They look quite non-threatening but their thorny seeds can puncture a bicycle tire or cause serious injury.

In some way it also reminds me of having to recite the Pledge of Allegiance back in grade school. I always felt uncomfortable, like we were all being brainwashed or controlled and mindlessly following some cult. 

 I also remember back in the 70s when the charismatic movement began to "infiltrate" the Catholic church and I guess it was called "pentecostal" in protestant churches. I thought that was scary. But I'm pretty sure this is the result. 

At this point in my life I have a great mistrust of ALL religions and have a "show me" by your behavior and actions what procedes from your beliefs.

How do we push back against such an irrational cult?

Tips of the Icebergs

 I've been following the January 6th Select Committee hearings and I must say I am riveted to the TV during the 2 to 3 hour long sessions. My feeling are mixed. On the one hand I am reassured that the corrupt administration of trump and the Republican cult that used him to gain unprecedented power that continually disregarded the law in its day to day assaults on the people of the United States is being held up for the American people to finally see clearly. On the other hand, I am skeptical about whether anyone, least of all trump will be held accountable.

I hope so.

But trump and his ridiculous lies about the election being stolen and his narcissistic refusal to let it go is only the tip of one of the more obvious icebergs posing a mortal danger to this country.

I listened to parts of NPR this morning (I was in and out of the car doing errands) and found Terry Gross’ interview with New Yorker journalist Andrew Marantz eye opening. 

While it focused on Hungary, the connection between Hungary and the GOP/CPAC (Conservative Politcal Action Conference that was held in Hungary this year) is really frightening.

The take-away for me was, and I am putting it in my own words and how I interpret it, this: 

trump has become expendable even if he doesn’t think so, and he was a very convenient and pliable instrument for the republican party to advance their authoritarian agenda. The ultra right republican ideology was able to make advances with trump at the helm but the Republican party/cult now has such momentum that it no longer needs trump. It can bulldoze the government and easily set up an authoritarian regime. Republicans like Romney, Cheney and Kinzinger should be worried about the fact that their party has become an authoritarian cult and they and any old school republican will be irrelevant in the party's quest for power and complete control.

Warning: the republican party is a danger and a threat to democracy with or without trump. You can listen here.

https://www.npr.org/2022/07/13/1111274698/how-the-american-right-became-aligned-with-hungary-and-its-authoritarian-leader

In another interview did I hear Jason van Tatenhove (the former Oath Keeper who testified in the Jan 6th investigation) correctly? I thought he said that he identified as openly queer.

But he also detailed the growing threat of very un-regulated militias that are aligned with white supremacists and other far right ideologies. These people are sabotaging local governments, school boards, and councils and confronting citizens, and particularly LGBTQI+ events, with threats and intimidation.The tip of another iceberg. And I believe there are many more icebergs we haven't seen the tips of.

 

 I hope I am Chicken Little. I hope the sky (or should I say Democracy) is not in fact falling. Time will tell.

Just a Non-professional Diagnosis of TFG

 Someone suggested that “DT always intended to lie about his loss and try to steal the election,”

I think that DT's ego is so inflated and his narcissism so pathological that he is constitutionally unable to accept or admit to a loss or defeat, ever; so much so that he must make up lies and ridiculous, crazy scenarios to support his delusions and will use any other's lie or made up story or conspiracy theory or video, no matter how repeatedly debunked, as evidence of the "truth" of his Big Lie.

Good Morning

 Let's keep this going

Thoughts and Prayers are a Joke

We were eating dinner when the evening news came on. I told Leon I could not watch the news of children being shot while we were having dinner. It is difficult to eat when one has tears in one's eyes. I had to turn off the TV. 

Seeing the pictures right now on the morning news of some of the children and the teacher who lost their lives so needlessly and tragically. It is so wrong. We should all be sad beyond words for these children, teachers and their families. And for those who lost their lives and their families in Buffalo.

The second mass shooting in as many weeks. Business as usual. Life goes on.

Sick and angry with the gun culture in America, the NRA, and the republican's phony reasoning about the 2nd Amendment. And the evil and disgusting take on the President's speech by the Fox idiots. As if he were somehow disrespectful to the victims and families for calling out the lack of action by the congress to control gun sales and possession. Fox had the nerve to criticize his speech as "politicizing" the tragedy. Blood is on the hands of the Republicans who enshrine gun ownership and falsely use the 2nd amendment to justify their lack of action on gun control.

I've seen the photos of Republican politicians and their families including children, posing with guns and assault weapons for Christmas cards! SICK. Disgusting but as American as apple pie. Yeah right. I'll take the apple pie any day. Blame anyone, anything for mass killings except the ridiculously easy availability of guns. Deflection, projection, and lies. Anything but gun control.

The Republicans, the hideous, hypocritical "pro-life" party has blood on their hands. And like the Pharisees are like "whited sepulchers, .... full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

I hope the midterms will untie Joe Biden's hand so he can lead us back to sanity.

 

 

How Do We Stop This Madness?

 If anyone says that things are not getting worse for LGBTQs they are not paying attention  

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/05/teachers-already-getting-fired-resigning-speaking-dont-say-gay-movement/

Sandy Hook and Our Spinless U.S. Congress

On the Anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy we are reminded not only of the lives lost there nine years ago, but of the hundreds, no thousands, of lives lost to gun violence since then; and we are reminded that the United States Congress has refused to adequately, meaningfully, responsibly address the issue of gun violence and the almost unregulated access to guns in this country.

Some possible actions to reduce the access to guns and hold gun owners responsible for their choice to own guns could be passed in the legislature immediately. High cost liability insurance for one - making insurance companies set a price for insuring the gun owner against loss of life, limb or property; tracking devices; buy-back cash for guns; banning assault weapons completely. I'm sure there are other solutions that have been put out there.

I am reminded that there was a game called "Lawn Darts" and that some child died when struck by a sharp dart. Lawn darts were soon banned. Completely banned: According to Wikipedia:

In April 1987, seven-year-old Michelle Snow was killed by a lawn dart thrown by one of her brothers' playmates in the backyard of their home in Riverside, California, when the dart had penetrated her skull and caused massive brain trauma.^[9] The darts had been purchased as part of a set of several different lawn games and were stored in the garage, never having been played before the incident occurred.^[9] Snow's father David began to advocate for a ban on lawn darts, claiming that there was no way to keep children from accessing lawn darts short of a full ban,^[9][10] and, partly as a result of Snow's lobbying, on December 19, 1988 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission introduced an outright ban on lawn darts in the U.S.^[11] In the previous eight years, 6,100 Americans had visited hospital emergency rooms as the result of lawn-dart accidents. Of that total, 81% were 15 or younger, and half were 10 or younger. 

But of course there was no Lawn Dart Lobby; no campaign money in the millions of dollars coming from the Lawn Dart Industry. There was no money to incentivize legislators to override a ban. Instituting the ban cost nothing.

They say that they hold life sacred, especially unborn life; but they stand by and look the other way as children, teachers, students, movie goers, shoppers, bar patrons are gunned down. It is unconscionable. 

The Elephant In The Room And The Beat Goes On

Some random thoughts and comments on the Second Impeachment Trial of x45

 As necessary as I believe this impeachment trial is, the thing that irks me the most is that x45 IS STILL THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM ... and occupying my attention and that of the American people.

First off, it is my contention that our former "president" should never have been on the ballot, let alone been elected. His only "talent" is being a full blown narcissist:
- Grandiose sense of self-importance;
- Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love;
- Belief they are special and unique and can only be understood by, or associate with, other special or high-status people or institutions;
- Sense of entitlement;
- Need for excessive admiration;
- Interpersonally exploitative behavior;
- Lack of empathy;
- Envy of others or a belief that others are envious of them;
- Demonstration of arrogant and haughty behaviors or attitudes.
A person with this type pf personality disorder should NEVER be allowed to run for high office. It is just too dangerous. His lust for power and adulation and his deep-seated narcissism should have disqualified him from even running for office. There needs to be much higher criteria than having money and being third-rate TV personality with a big mouth.

If the impeachment trial is theater, that is merely a side effect/bonus. I agree that the impeachment and the trial in the Senate is a necessity to put the traitor in front of all America and the world for his seditious acts and to demonstrate beyond all doubt that he is guilty. What the GOP cowards do will be on record for history to judge. I harbor a tiny hope that 12 of them may actually be persuaded to do the noble and right thing and convict. I'm hanging on to that hope for as long as possible.

Listening to the pathetic "defense" is tortuous...I have to take the dog for a walk.

The problem with an incompetent defense: The GOP Senators don't care; they've already decided.

I think I heard a threat: "if you do this,we will impeach a Dem president for something at the first opportunity"

Hubby and I both cried when we saw the events as they were happening. It is still very emotional to watch or to hear those who were there in the Capitol, speak about it.

Acquittal is a foregone conclusion…but for some unforeseen event. Like half the GOP Senators vacating at the critical vote.

McConnell: “Vote your conscience.”  This can be shredded on so many levels: 1. Anything McConnell says cannot be taken at face value; 2. There will ALWAYS be repercussions and retaliation for voting against the "party". 3. There are no, or at most a handful, of republicans with a "conscience". 4. He is a sleazy swamp creature and cannot be trusted. (We must postpone a Senate trial until after the inauguration....Now: it's unconstitutional to hold a Senate trial after the former president is no longer in office.)

Any Senator who does not vote for conviction is blind, deaf or still on the Koolaid. They will be committing political suicide.

About the trial being “a waste of time”
It is a just and necessary "waste" of time. No matter the outcome, this trial must be held and the Senators must see and hear the facts as presented by the house managers. The Senators must be put on the record as being sympathizers of a traitorous x-president and his lies or as having the guts to convict

On Lindsey's "Offensive and Absurd" comment: I watched the house managers. Their presentation was riveting, gut-wrenching, compelling, factual without being “political” – quite the opposite of “offensive and absurd” – unless by offensive you mean that the xpresident’s behavior was indeed offensive. These GOPers will just not admit that they have been kissing and continue to kiss the orange ass. I hope many will find themselves torn between their conscience and their loyalty to x45. I’m kidding. At least they will go on record and down in history as supporting a traitorous president and as being an accomplice to sedition and an attempted coup. May they forever have blood on their hands.

Pence was a fool and a lackey. He behaved like one of those half-naked movie-actor fan-wavers to the Pharaoh for four years. He was close enough to 45 to know what kind of sociopathic ass he was kissing daily. He should have known he was being used like toilet paper. Betrayed by his boss. So now he's a hero. Well, if it get's x45 convicted, good. He should be called to testify.

I think the House manager's arguments have been quite compelling. A slam-dunk under most people's reality. I'm not sure what would be slam-dunk in this trial. It is not an impartial jury. Quite a number of Senators have already decided how they will vote, slam-dunk not withstanding.
 

The GOPs are not there as an impartial jury. But as this goes on they are hopefully more and more between a rock and hard place.
 

My fear is that the rebuttal, no matter how incompetent, will have enough time and distance from the presentation of the evidence as to cloud their (GOPers) short memories and make their decision to acquit palatable (to themselves).

The trial is not a farce, but the GOP Senators certainly are doing their best to make it one. This trial, no matter the outcome, is on the record, the facts are clearly outlined and presented to the public and will hopefully come back to bite the GOP big time. There is such a thing as being on the wrong side of history.

The "defense" is that there is no due process. The house managers made it perfectly clear that all due process was granted and followed. The defense is a hollow argument, because they have nothing else. And they know they don't have to actually have any legal ammunition because the verdict will be presented to them on a silver platter.

And the beat goes on.