Post by mainstreet on Jun 5, 2017 4:24:19 GMT
I considered putting this post in the Commentary on Humanity. But the Commentary is me attempting to be nice, to be generous, to be as understanding as possible to those that disagree with me, and making legitimate attempts to "heal" or to "unify".
This post is not that, it cannot be that. I will preface this and say I am specifically going to be discussing association with the Republican party. You can be conservative and not be Republican.
This past week has seen two extraordinary, important events that have lead me to a conclusion. And I must for myself conclude I am done attempting to heal wounds, or be nice, when it comes specifically to the Republican Party, led by the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
Before I get into this week, a brief flashback in history. All of what I will discuss I personally remember.
I'll start with George W. Bush and the War in Iraq. I remember how Democrats that opposed the war, including my 11-year-old self, who hadn't necessarily declared for a political party but knew that he didn't want to see constant stories about members of his community dying. And I would -- I live in San Diego County, home of MCB Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, NAS North Island, Navy Region Southwest, and several other military installations. Republican responses were to call Democrats "traitors" and "un-American" for not supporting the President. Treason is defined in the Constitution, and failure to support the President's wars is nowhere in that definition (more on this later).
I'll continue to Barack Obama. I remember how people questioned the President's place of birth, implying he was not only lying about his birthplace but declaring it would affect his eligibility to be President. (In fact it doesn't -- an individual born in Kenya -- or any other country -- to an American citizen parent, including President Obama's mother, is an American citizen by birth, thus a natural-born citizen, thus eligible to be President.) I remember an unprecedented level of obstructionism -- more nominees of President Obama were blocked than that of all previous Presidents -- combined, including, most egregiously, sitting for over a year on the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the nation's highest court.
There are two reasons the behavior on Garland went beyond the pale, even moreso than other nominations. First, Republicans lied to the American people, citing a mystical "Biden rule", conveniently forgetting that Biden's doctrine, unlike this situation, actually involved full hearings, and a vote, in which Judge Robert Bork was voted down, not simply because the President nominated him in the last year of an election cycle, but because after hearings, he was judged too extreme for the last year of an election cycle. Judge Merrick Garland received no formal up-or-down vote, no Senators had to explain their votes, Judge Garland didn't even receive a hearing. And on top of that... the other reason... before the President announced his choice, Senator Orrin Hatch, President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, quite possibly the 46th President of the United States Orrin Hatch (should the Russia investigation proceed where I think it may, which I will discuss later), told Newsmax, and I quote "[Obama] could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man [...] He probably won’t do that because this appointment is about the election. So I’m pretty sure he’ll name someone the [liberal Democratic base] wants." He also once said about him "I believe Mr. Garland is a fine nominee. I know him personally, I know of his integrity, I know of his legal ability, I know of his honesty, I know of his acumen, and he belongs on the court. I believe he is not only a fine nominee, but is as good as Republicans can expect from this administration. In fact, I would place him at the top of the list." Why is Merrick Garland not on the Supreme Court -- no, why was he not given the base courtesy of an up-or-down vote, Senator Hatch, possible future President Hatch? Will you have the courage to nominate Judge Garland yourself, should you find yourself taking office before the 2020 elections?
But back to 2016. James Comey screams somewhat incoherently about an investigation into the private email server of Hillary Clinton. He is also investigating the ties of one Donald J. Trump and his campaign to the Russian government, including Russian bankers, hackers, and quite possibly, spymaster Kisylak and autocrat Vladimir Putin. What does he say about that investigation? Nothing. President Obama knows about this investigation as well. He also says nothing. Because he was afraid that Republicans would scream at him for putting his hand on the scale. They would, as always, conveniently forget that Comey had already done the same thing with Hillary's emails, which had nothing. Essentially, Obama plays "nice".
Democrats have always traditionally played "nice". It was even part of Hillary Clinton's campaign: "They go low, we go high."
It's time we faced facts.
For better or for worse, for the last 150 years America has been a power on the world stage. After WW2, they formed and led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, cementing our alliance with Europe and leading us into a time of great prosperity and mutual defense. At the time, there were 2 "superpowers": NATO, and the Warsaw Pact, led by the Soviet Union. Geopolitics changed, and in 2016 the major power, largely uncontested, was NATO, with perhaps China being able to make a claim to be their equal. Russia would be the third possible member of a triad of superpowers, but they have in general, been much weaker than NATO and China.
In the past week, the global situation has changed, perhaps irrevocably. The United States has humiliated itself in two major ways.
Donald Trump has proven he cannot be trusted with intelligence, and he has proved he does not care about our continued alliance with Europe. This has driven a perhaps permanent wedge between the US and Europe. Angela Merkle holds the "leader of the free world" title, but it cannot be said that Germany is a capable defender, at this time, against Russian aggression. Vladimir Putin got exactly what he wanted.
The US effectively withdrew for the Paris Climate Agreement, something with all but 2 countries worldwide had been a party to. Nicaragua did not sign because they felt it didn't go far enough. Syria is in the midst of a civil war. The US is humiliated on the world stage and is no longer looked to as a power. Who does that benefit? The enemies of the United States; most specifically, once again, Vladimir Putin.
It seems to be that with all the questions surrounding Trump's ties to Russia... frankly, it no longer matters if Russia and Trump colluded to get him elected or not. It doesn't matter if the Russians demanded anything from Trump. It doesn't matter if Trump promised anything to the Russians. We have the results in hands. Actions matter. Russia interfered in our elections, this is settled. Trump gained, and even if he had nothing to do with it, he's paid Putin back anyway. The US position on the world stage is damaged for many years to come, and Putin will laugh all the way to the bank. Even if Trump is impeached tomorrow and removed from office within the week, the US doesn't recover in standing in the world and especially with its allies for many years to come. This is exactly what Putin wanted. I can only conclude that Trump is working for Putin. Even if he is doing so unknowingly, ignorance cannot be the excuse for the President of the United States.
Before I continue, I will note that there are a few Republicans who have called for President Trump's impeachment. I am at a point where I will acknowledge that it is a start, but I am going to categorically state that that is no longer far enough.
Donald J. Trump has single-handedly conceded our power on the world stage to Vladimir Putin. Even if he were to be impeached today, and removed from office tomorrow, I do not believe our position in geopolitics can be recovered for many years to come. Donald J. Trump has betrayed the United States of America.
Republicans have been silent. Anyone in public office who continues to associate with the Republican Party implicitly supports Vladimir Putin's regime at the expense of America. Anyone in public office who continues to support Donald J. Trump, or associate with his party, is complicit in giving aid and comfort to the enemy, Vladimir Putin. Constitutional scholars will understand exactly why I used the phrasing I did. You see, the Constitution does not go out of its way to define terms. But it does define one. There are only two ways one can commit treason against the United States: make war on the United States, or provide aid and comfort to the enemy.
Donald J. Trump is a traitor. The Republican Party are traitors. I am done playing nice. Voting for Republicans is un-American and is itself close to treason. If Republicans can, during the Bush era, call Democrats "traitors" for not supporting his stupid war, we can certainly call *actual treason* treason!
Those Republicans in Congress that have made noise to show a lack of support for Trump, but continue to benefit from the position of being within the party of a traitor, should take a long look at what it means to be American. Senator Sasse, you claimed recently that you did not vote for Trump. But you're still in his party. Rep. Amash, you have called for President Trump's impeachment. Yet you continue to benefit from being in his party. I will not bother searching to find every other name I could list here, but you get the idea.
Senator(s), Representative(s), you want to prove that you do not support this traitor? Dissolve your association with the Party. Be independent (or perhaps Libertarian if you're of that mindset). Are you worried that it might cost you an election? You don't have the luxury of worrying about keeping your position in office. You need to establish yourself as an American, not a traitor, before anything else. You need to put your country ahead of your party identity, and hope that you can get through on name recognition without your party, because anyone that votes for your Republican opponent at that point is voting for a traitor. Did you really want their votes?
The Republican Party is now, officially, un-American. The Republican Party is a party of traitors and those that consort with traitors, and this will continue to be the case as long as Donald Trump remains President -- regardless of where we are in investigations or proceedings. (Remember, Vice President Pence and half of the cabinet -- all of whom are Republicans -- can remove him with a few strokes of the pen. 25th Amendment, Section 4. No excuses can continue to be permitted.)
Democrats need to stiffen up, lose the "nice guy" act, and shout this from the rooftops consistently and constantly. And it should be the line in Every. Single. Debate. I don't care what the issue is... if you're responding to a question, and you have 30 seconds to respond, take 5 to say "I don't know why we're listening to someone that works with <Russian spies/traitors/Vladimir Putin/etc.>, but..." then rebut the point. And if the Republican tries to deny it, do not take the bait. The line is "You associate with a political party led by a President who has handed our geopolitical position to the enemy. He has provided aid and comfort, and is a traitor, and you own that association. If you do not like that, declare yourself independent instead of a Republican. Right now. No excuses, no prevarication, no delays."
No more "going high". That not only doesn't win elections, it opens the door to treason in the highest levels of government.
I am done negotiating with the Treason Party.
We're done here.
This post is not that, it cannot be that. I will preface this and say I am specifically going to be discussing association with the Republican party. You can be conservative and not be Republican.
This past week has seen two extraordinary, important events that have lead me to a conclusion. And I must for myself conclude I am done attempting to heal wounds, or be nice, when it comes specifically to the Republican Party, led by the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
Before I get into this week, a brief flashback in history. All of what I will discuss I personally remember.
I'll start with George W. Bush and the War in Iraq. I remember how Democrats that opposed the war, including my 11-year-old self, who hadn't necessarily declared for a political party but knew that he didn't want to see constant stories about members of his community dying. And I would -- I live in San Diego County, home of MCB Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, NAS North Island, Navy Region Southwest, and several other military installations. Republican responses were to call Democrats "traitors" and "un-American" for not supporting the President. Treason is defined in the Constitution, and failure to support the President's wars is nowhere in that definition (more on this later).
I'll continue to Barack Obama. I remember how people questioned the President's place of birth, implying he was not only lying about his birthplace but declaring it would affect his eligibility to be President. (In fact it doesn't -- an individual born in Kenya -- or any other country -- to an American citizen parent, including President Obama's mother, is an American citizen by birth, thus a natural-born citizen, thus eligible to be President.) I remember an unprecedented level of obstructionism -- more nominees of President Obama were blocked than that of all previous Presidents -- combined, including, most egregiously, sitting for over a year on the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the nation's highest court.
There are two reasons the behavior on Garland went beyond the pale, even moreso than other nominations. First, Republicans lied to the American people, citing a mystical "Biden rule", conveniently forgetting that Biden's doctrine, unlike this situation, actually involved full hearings, and a vote, in which Judge Robert Bork was voted down, not simply because the President nominated him in the last year of an election cycle, but because after hearings, he was judged too extreme for the last year of an election cycle. Judge Merrick Garland received no formal up-or-down vote, no Senators had to explain their votes, Judge Garland didn't even receive a hearing. And on top of that... the other reason... before the President announced his choice, Senator Orrin Hatch, President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, quite possibly the 46th President of the United States Orrin Hatch (should the Russia investigation proceed where I think it may, which I will discuss later), told Newsmax, and I quote "[Obama] could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man [...] He probably won’t do that because this appointment is about the election. So I’m pretty sure he’ll name someone the [liberal Democratic base] wants." He also once said about him "I believe Mr. Garland is a fine nominee. I know him personally, I know of his integrity, I know of his legal ability, I know of his honesty, I know of his acumen, and he belongs on the court. I believe he is not only a fine nominee, but is as good as Republicans can expect from this administration. In fact, I would place him at the top of the list." Why is Merrick Garland not on the Supreme Court -- no, why was he not given the base courtesy of an up-or-down vote, Senator Hatch, possible future President Hatch? Will you have the courage to nominate Judge Garland yourself, should you find yourself taking office before the 2020 elections?
But back to 2016. James Comey screams somewhat incoherently about an investigation into the private email server of Hillary Clinton. He is also investigating the ties of one Donald J. Trump and his campaign to the Russian government, including Russian bankers, hackers, and quite possibly, spymaster Kisylak and autocrat Vladimir Putin. What does he say about that investigation? Nothing. President Obama knows about this investigation as well. He also says nothing. Because he was afraid that Republicans would scream at him for putting his hand on the scale. They would, as always, conveniently forget that Comey had already done the same thing with Hillary's emails, which had nothing. Essentially, Obama plays "nice".
Democrats have always traditionally played "nice". It was even part of Hillary Clinton's campaign: "They go low, we go high."
It's time we faced facts.
For better or for worse, for the last 150 years America has been a power on the world stage. After WW2, they formed and led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, cementing our alliance with Europe and leading us into a time of great prosperity and mutual defense. At the time, there were 2 "superpowers": NATO, and the Warsaw Pact, led by the Soviet Union. Geopolitics changed, and in 2016 the major power, largely uncontested, was NATO, with perhaps China being able to make a claim to be their equal. Russia would be the third possible member of a triad of superpowers, but they have in general, been much weaker than NATO and China.
In the past week, the global situation has changed, perhaps irrevocably. The United States has humiliated itself in two major ways.
Donald Trump has proven he cannot be trusted with intelligence, and he has proved he does not care about our continued alliance with Europe. This has driven a perhaps permanent wedge between the US and Europe. Angela Merkle holds the "leader of the free world" title, but it cannot be said that Germany is a capable defender, at this time, against Russian aggression. Vladimir Putin got exactly what he wanted.
The US effectively withdrew for the Paris Climate Agreement, something with all but 2 countries worldwide had been a party to. Nicaragua did not sign because they felt it didn't go far enough. Syria is in the midst of a civil war. The US is humiliated on the world stage and is no longer looked to as a power. Who does that benefit? The enemies of the United States; most specifically, once again, Vladimir Putin.
It seems to be that with all the questions surrounding Trump's ties to Russia... frankly, it no longer matters if Russia and Trump colluded to get him elected or not. It doesn't matter if the Russians demanded anything from Trump. It doesn't matter if Trump promised anything to the Russians. We have the results in hands. Actions matter. Russia interfered in our elections, this is settled. Trump gained, and even if he had nothing to do with it, he's paid Putin back anyway. The US position on the world stage is damaged for many years to come, and Putin will laugh all the way to the bank. Even if Trump is impeached tomorrow and removed from office within the week, the US doesn't recover in standing in the world and especially with its allies for many years to come. This is exactly what Putin wanted. I can only conclude that Trump is working for Putin. Even if he is doing so unknowingly, ignorance cannot be the excuse for the President of the United States.
Before I continue, I will note that there are a few Republicans who have called for President Trump's impeachment. I am at a point where I will acknowledge that it is a start, but I am going to categorically state that that is no longer far enough.
Donald J. Trump has single-handedly conceded our power on the world stage to Vladimir Putin. Even if he were to be impeached today, and removed from office tomorrow, I do not believe our position in geopolitics can be recovered for many years to come. Donald J. Trump has betrayed the United States of America.
Republicans have been silent. Anyone in public office who continues to associate with the Republican Party implicitly supports Vladimir Putin's regime at the expense of America. Anyone in public office who continues to support Donald J. Trump, or associate with his party, is complicit in giving aid and comfort to the enemy, Vladimir Putin. Constitutional scholars will understand exactly why I used the phrasing I did. You see, the Constitution does not go out of its way to define terms. But it does define one. There are only two ways one can commit treason against the United States: make war on the United States, or provide aid and comfort to the enemy.
Donald J. Trump is a traitor. The Republican Party are traitors. I am done playing nice. Voting for Republicans is un-American and is itself close to treason. If Republicans can, during the Bush era, call Democrats "traitors" for not supporting his stupid war, we can certainly call *actual treason* treason!
Those Republicans in Congress that have made noise to show a lack of support for Trump, but continue to benefit from the position of being within the party of a traitor, should take a long look at what it means to be American. Senator Sasse, you claimed recently that you did not vote for Trump. But you're still in his party. Rep. Amash, you have called for President Trump's impeachment. Yet you continue to benefit from being in his party. I will not bother searching to find every other name I could list here, but you get the idea.
Senator(s), Representative(s), you want to prove that you do not support this traitor? Dissolve your association with the Party. Be independent (or perhaps Libertarian if you're of that mindset). Are you worried that it might cost you an election? You don't have the luxury of worrying about keeping your position in office. You need to establish yourself as an American, not a traitor, before anything else. You need to put your country ahead of your party identity, and hope that you can get through on name recognition without your party, because anyone that votes for your Republican opponent at that point is voting for a traitor. Did you really want their votes?
The Republican Party is now, officially, un-American. The Republican Party is a party of traitors and those that consort with traitors, and this will continue to be the case as long as Donald Trump remains President -- regardless of where we are in investigations or proceedings. (Remember, Vice President Pence and half of the cabinet -- all of whom are Republicans -- can remove him with a few strokes of the pen. 25th Amendment, Section 4. No excuses can continue to be permitted.)
Democrats need to stiffen up, lose the "nice guy" act, and shout this from the rooftops consistently and constantly. And it should be the line in Every. Single. Debate. I don't care what the issue is... if you're responding to a question, and you have 30 seconds to respond, take 5 to say "I don't know why we're listening to someone that works with <Russian spies/traitors/Vladimir Putin/etc.>, but..." then rebut the point. And if the Republican tries to deny it, do not take the bait. The line is "You associate with a political party led by a President who has handed our geopolitical position to the enemy. He has provided aid and comfort, and is a traitor, and you own that association. If you do not like that, declare yourself independent instead of a Republican. Right now. No excuses, no prevarication, no delays."
No more "going high". That not only doesn't win elections, it opens the door to treason in the highest levels of government.
I am done negotiating with the Treason Party.
We're done here.
