If you, like me, have lived through, now, three impeachment episodes, please weigh in.

[Stinky The Clown]

I am talking about Nixon, Clinton, and now Trump. Yes, I know, only one was impeached. No matter, "impeachment" was in the air and on people's tongues, hence term "impeachment episodes."

I remember the Nixon episode as serious and, when it mattered, bipartisan after things started to build. While I couldn't watch the hearings live, the evening news summaries and highlights were compelling. I recall, as a recently discharge Navy sailor, being proud to be American as the country acted like grownups - finally.

I recall the Clinton episode even better. That one caused me to become more polarized. Televised as it was, and me in circumstances where I could watch much of it, it has become a series of sound bytes and video clips. A blowjob. Ken Star with his hand always in his pocket, moving around as it should not. Blue Dress. "I am you." ". . . in a very UUNNprofessional manner."

And now. Whether the technically true or not, one word overrides: Criminal. This one still has a long way to go.

Share your thoughts and recollections.

[rusty quoin]

1. Well, Clinton's was total bullshit. No president more than Trump deserves it.

[ProudLib72]

3. If Clinton got impeached over a bj,

the Rump needs to be drowned, hanged upside down and cut lengthwise with a rusty saw, burned and have the ashes blasted off to the Sun.

[warmfeet]

18. And please have it broadcast live on every television and cable channel across the world.

The ratings will be Yuge!

[dlk]

2. The Clinton Impeachment was Payback for Nixon

It was the initial ramping up of the Republican scorched earth approach to absolutely everything. It was embarrassing to see all of the self-righteous and judgmental posturing about a man who cheated on his wife by men who had also cheated on their wives, and much worse (e.g., Dennis Hastert). It was also their racheting up of hypocrisy on steroids. Thank you Lee Atwater.

[lunatica]

28. Remember Hyde and his "youthful indiscretion" excuse for

having an affair when he was 40?

[dlk]

36. I Remember His Involvement in the Resolution Trust Scandal

Hyde was definitely dirty. In addition to payback for Nixon, the Republican vendetta against Clinton was also a distraction from their many crimes and they have only become more corrupt over time. Bush & Cheney were a stepping stone to where we are today.

[lunatica]

42. So true.

The progression is obvious now. And logical, in sad hindsight.

[world wide wally]

4. Not even Nixon compares to Trump

This is extremely serious bullshit

[Tiggeroshii]

5. Are impeachment proceedings actually officially beginning???

[PufPuf23]

6. Nixon was a light weight compared to GWB and Trump

Clinton's impeachment was ugly spectacle and not correctly compared to Nixon, GWB, and Trump.

GWB and now Trump show just how far we have declined as a nation and society.

Today is a fucked up ugly mess.

Reagan should be in there as well for Iran-Contra and the climate of corruption he fostered (I was a student at Cal when Reagan was Governor and resigned as a Fed from an agency Reagan decimated).

I have identified as Democratic and been political since McCarthy and my first POTUS vote was McGovern. Living in the SF Bay Area and Berkeley (BS and MBA) during the late 60s and 70s and Vietnam raised my political awareness.

Nixon, Reagan, GWB, and Trump are ever worse crooks that have killed and ruined the lives of so many. Too many Americans are way dumb patsys.

[LastDemocratInSC]

9. I have always thought that the rise of "conservatism" and the decline of ethics are the same thing.

[True Blue American]

30. I wish I could give

You many thanks for that absolutely true post!

[Frustratedlady]

7. Yes, I was also watching those impeachment hearings.

I don't know if I could watch one for Trump, since the Republican congresscritters are being such assholes, but I'll try.

I may be wrong, but I can never picture any of these Republican clowns becoming patriotic enough to stand for country and not for Trump. They are so entrenched in the corruption, decency is dead in their souls...if they ever had one.

Hopefully, the Democrats will stand strong and show them how it's done.

[BeyondGeography]

8. All I can say is Trump wouldn't have stood a chance of avoiding impeachment in the Watergate era

[SergeStorms]

13. Trump never would have been elected...

in any era but the one we're currently suffering through. The people's TV fixation, short attention spans, and "it's all about me" attitude formed a perfect vortex that took us to the Twilight Zone of Donald Trump. People actually read books in the 70s!

[FakeNoose]

23. +1000 You're so right about that

As much as I hated Nixon, he at least understood the rules and knew how to work the system. The man had a law degree and a commitment to a career in politics and government. Yes Nixon took a deep dive into the Dark Side, but like you say he was nothing compared to the Twilight Zone of Donald Chump. We Baby Boomers were voting age in the 1970s and we studied history, current events and civics and we knew WTF was happening (for the greater part.)

The younger generation of today can barely get their noses out of their cellphones.

[wryter2000]

40. Just a po' country lawyuh

Loved him

[Shell_Seas]

10. Nixon was before I was born and I was just a kid during Clinton.

But I know the history. Trump's crimes against America are by far more egregious than the two of them put together. I don't think there's any comparison.

[Nitram]

11. My friends and I were glued to the TV set during the Nixon impeachment hearings. We were in

Last edited Tue Jun 11, 2019, 05:25 PM - Edit history (1)

a college dorm. We all knew Nixon was guilty, but until the tapes were released we didn't know if he'd be caught or not. My parents, meanwhile were like, "Well, sometimes the President has to break the law for the good of the nation." They never explained why breaking into the Democratic National committee headquarters was for the good of the nation. The GOP vowed revenge, and they tried to take it when Clinton was in office.

The Clinton Whitewater investigation was a nothingburger, but it dragged on and on until they managed to entrap the president in a lie about a BJ. It was all about revenge for Nixon's impeachment and a determination to implement a right wing agenda. It was a great relief that there was not a majority in the Senate willing to find the president guilty. The interesting thing is that they didn't even vote to censure Clinton. I believe that is because most voters were so sick and tired of the GOP wasting time and treasure on a witch hunt vendetta.

Trump has committed so many crimes both before entering office and since it boggles the mind. Call me naive, but I would never have expected the GOP to be the craven mob of lickspittle fools they've turned out to be. If the House doesn't investigate and impeach Trump, the Legislative branch will have handed all the authority the Constitution gives it to the Executive Branch. The Constitution demands that we impeach Trump. Criminal indictments can start after impeachment. Trump must be sent to prison for the rest of his life if we want this democracy to survive.

[Taraman]

12. and Biden is wrong. They are not redeemable.

The Republican Party needs to fold up its tents. At least rebrand as Conservative Party or something.

They have made a bargain with the Devil.

[lunatica]

29. We would never have known the depths of depravity

of the Republicans without Trump. It’s a good thing to know. The truth is always a good thing to know. Even if it hurts.

[McKim]

33. Glued to the Tube for Nixon Impeachment and We Must Impeach

I was glued to the tube during the Nixon Impeachment. The situation we find ourselves in today is much worse. WE essentially have a criminal dictator in charge who has done much damage to our country. We live in a time of tattered ethics and Trump and his Republican Henchmen have taken shocking advantage of Democratic Party passivity. We must move forward to impeachment to topple the god like way that this cheap little man is revered by some. The media has made him into a god and that god like image must be brought down or we are no longer a democracy.

[Nitram]

38. I believe what you mistake for Democrat passivity is a belief that we should work through the system

in an ethical way rather than circumvent the system and degrade our democracy. We were all caught by surprise at the depths Republicans would go to hang onto power. We're in new territory, and we're learning how to deal with it as we go along. We're getting tougher and less forgiving of people who game the system or bypass it altogether. We're beyond giving the GOP the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we're slow learners, but the optimism and values Democrats hold will prove to be a strength in the long run. On to impeachment!

[SergeStorms]

14. I've been through all three.

I was in my mid-twenties for Nixon's impeachment. It was "must watch" TV at the time. People were marching all over the place to get rid of Nixon. I haven't seen a single demonstration for Trump's removal, and Trump is 10x worse than Nixon. Why aren't people all over the country demanding impeachment proceedings? We need a march on Washington, just to rub this in Trump's stupid orange face! Impeachment of Trump is page 3 news, below the fold for chrisakes! It's time for the people to get involved!

The Clinton impeachment was payback for Nixon, and wasn't even close to Nixon's crimes. Lying about a blowjob isn't exactly earth shattering news, or in any way a "high crime or misdemeanor". Republicans play dirtier than anyone has ever played the political game before, but they play to win! Unfortunately they usually do.

[FiveGoodMen]

19. "but they play to win!"

Yup. And so should we!

[Nitram]

39. Were there demonstrations for Nixon's removal? My impression is that demonstrations were against

Nixon administration policies, such as the Vietnam War. We've had lots of big demonstrations against Trump's policies. I joined the March for Science in D.C.

[SergeStorms]

46. Oh yeah...

we protested everything that s.o.b. did. There was no quarter given to Mr. Nixon, believe me.

[murielm99]

15. I have been through all three.

I would like to live long enough to see our country back on the right track. This corruption is deep. It did not develop overnight. It will take time to fix.

[Trumpocalypse]

16. Was 10/11 year old during the Nixon episode

And was really ticked that the hearings canceled Match Game.

But I looking at both the Nixon and Clinton episodes, the Nixon episode should be the template to go forward. Investigate for a year to educate people and sway public opinion, then move forward with impeachment.

[LittleGirl]

20. Our government is

A complete disgrace.

We can’t have nice things for all the b.s. and corruption.

We get the government we deserve, sadly.

Sorry cynicism run amuck

[bluescribbler]

21. I was also a recently discharged Navy sailor.

I was attending college in MA, so was able to watch the hearings. I remember my Dad chortling about a bumper sticker he'd seen which read, "Impeach the Cox sacker". The night Nixon resigned, I was volunteering at the reelection campaign HQ of Rep Robert Drinan. He said, "We solved the war, we solved Nixon, now let's solve the economy."

The first vote I ever cast was in the 1972 Presidential Primary. I voted for Shirley Chisholm. I'm still proud of that vote.

[Stinky The Clown]

22. Rep Rev Robert Drinan, SJ

I remember him favorably!

[SergeStorms]

26. "Impeach the Cox sacker".

I love it. I never saw that one back in the day. Living in a dead red rural county in NYS at that time, I wasn't exposed to many anti-Nixon or anti-GOP messages.

I once had the honor of sitting next to Rep. Chisolm on a flight from Washington DC to Rochester, NY. She was an extremely gracious and amiable lady, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company and the flight. I was attired in full Hippie regalia, with a full beard and hair past my shoulders. Most people would have run away from me. Even in the early 70s Hippies weren't considered the best of company. She showed no prejudice whatsoever, and acted like I was a close relative. She owned the shoulders that just about every strong woman stands upon right now. A true American treasure.

[bluescribbler]

45. Indeed she was.

The first member of Congress to call for an end to the Viet Nam War, the first woman to win delegates to a major party's national convention, and the first person of color to win delegates to a major party's national convention. I wouldn't take that vote back for all the money dolt45 claims to be worth.

[dchill]

24. 151.5 lbs. (Weighing in.)

[Linda Ed]

25. Nixon and Clinton

Yes, was pregnant with my first son during Watergate. I watched it every single day ...was glad for the outcome but very angry that Ford gave Nixon a pardon...After hearing all the corruption ...

Clinton was watched every single day also...was transferred to Washington state, started to watch his inauguration a terrible storm hit and blew out the power for a week...But yes, watched every day of his so called trial..Listened to all the dirt and the so called Clinton book conspiracy come out about him..(Clinton Cash) However, Clinton won the second term and was re-elected..They put us back in the black..

I also watched the OJ Trial every single day,,,that was also another riveting trial...

Who is next? Trump...which is in my estimation one of WORST...I did not think anyone would surpass Bush but here we are!

[Generic Other]

44. We missed the Inauguration

I remember! I live in the SWPNW.

[lunatica]

27. I've been around for all three.

I remember the the 18 minute gap in the Nixon tapes and that he blamed his Secretary. She mistakenly erased 18 minutes because she was a cluts. He just threw her under the bus. But that was after it took him forever to finally hand them over. It was a huge splashy surprise when they found out about the tapes in the first place. I remember when he announced he was quitting. He was sweating. And I remember how he climbed the steps into the helicopter but then turned and threw his arms up showing us his victory sign. No one knew what the hell he meant. We still don’t know.

With Clinton I remember that no one cared about his affair. The Republicans were losing the public’s interest and then suddenly one day Joe Lieberman came out and condemned Clinton for the affair saying he couldn’t overlook it anymore. That he had to say something because what Clinton did was so bad. Then suddenly everyone was interested again, and the Republicans went after Clinton, deciding at that point to claim it wasn’t the affair they were persecuting him for. It was the lies.

At that point Hillary believed him and rallied all the lawyers and decided to work on his defense personally. And I remember that blue dress! It still had his semen on it and it was sent to a lab to test for DNA. Bill Clinton clung to his lie until the day the results came out, and it was then that he told Hillary the truth. Very soon after that the first time we saw them again Chelsea was walking between her parents to the helicopter. She was holding both of their hands and she guided them past the journalists taking pictures and calling to them. They looked like their marriage was broken. Chelsea held her head high. I was never so impressed by anyone as I was by Chelsea at that moment.

There are lots and lots of moments I remember but this is good for now.

[True Blue American]

31. That puky Joe Lieberman

Cost us Single Payer,too. His wife was a lobbyist for an Insurance company, he became one, too.

I was really angry with Al Gore for choosing Joe. He kept saying,” I can not believe I was chosen!” I actually yelled at my TV,” You are NOT Jesus, Joe!” I despised him. Was not too thrilled with Gore,either.

[The Figment]

32. I was 16 when Nixon resigned,

Myself and a bunch of friends were standing around the TV when he made his resignation announcement...the party we had is one that was still talked about at my 40th high school reunion!

[Atticus]

34. In large measure, the unwarranted investigation and impeachment of Clinton was

plain old-fashioned "payback" for the totally justified impeachment charges and forced resignation of Nixon.

I recall a many-blocks-long impeachment parade down Michigan Avenue in Chicago featuring a huge banner that read "NOBODY WANTS A CROOKED DICK!" I spent several days collecting signatures on an "impeachment demand" and a quarter from each signer to pay for the TELEGRAM to transmit the demand and signatures to Congress.

[OregonBlue]

35. Seems to me it took a long time for the Dems to make the case against Nixon.

Nancy is right. They need to take their time and do this right. Nixon was a crook but he was not a traitor. That one is going to be much harder for Americans to accept. That the man they elected is happy to betray his country for his own profit.

[wryter2000]

37. Yo

The huge difference now is that in the 70's, Republicans cared about the country. Most of their ideas about the best policies were off-base, but they cared about truth and the rule of law. By the 90's, they'd become corrupt. Now, they're insane as well.

[lunatica]

41. Now the best Republicans

are as sleazy because they turn a blind eye to the obvious corruption. Reagan’s admonishment that no Republican should speak against a fellow Republican was truly taken to heart. They must feel righteous in following those orders, like they’re good little Republicans.

Plus they’re scared to death of the Alt-Right and Trump’s base. They would rather be beaten in their next election.

[Generic Other]

43. Who thought there could ever be a more ridiculous process than last time?

Under Clinton, it was all about lying about a blow job. There was no there there. It just seemed a stupid waste of time and resources. A bit like reading Penthouse Forum. I seem to recall a bevy of wounded victims (Linda Tripp and Paula somebody or other) who raised money for plastic surgeries based on their notoriety.

They did not act this way under Nixon. People took their jobs seriously. But I do recall Nixon slowly disintegrating under the pressure. And listening to the tapes. Hearing that voice. And seeing the double V for victory signs when he left the White House in the helicopter for the last time.

Now? Our Constitution makes it clear what should be done. Now, the three-ring circus begins.

edit: I forgot about Martha Mitchell.