Atticus
Atticus's JournalDear Mr. Galli (editor, "Christianity Today"):
I don't get it.
I have read your recent editorial in which you state that Donald Trump should be impeached. But, what I don't understand is WHY you are just now so disturbed with his conduct that you believe impeachment is warranted.
Early in your editorial, you state as a reason to impeach that Trump used the power of his office to coerce a foreign leader to harass and smear his political opponent. And, then, right after that you state that this was illegal, but "more importantly, it is profoundly immoral". You see, that's the part that throws me: "MORE IMPORTANTLY, it is profoundly immoral". That sure sounds to me like you are saying that your primary concern---and that of "true" Christians---is morality, not legality. But, I MUST be wrong.
Immorality CAN'T be a great concern for you and your people.
Serial adultery didn't bother you.
His blatant white supremacy, religious bigotry, homophobia and misogyny never drew criticism or so much as a raised eyebrow from your evangelical community.
Paying hush money to a porn star and a Playboy model of whom he had "carnal knowledge" while married to his third wife? "Nothing to see here---move along!"
Boasting about being entitled to "grab 'em by the pussy"? Maybe I missed your prior editorial condemning this. No?
Well, sir, I remain deeply puzzled about why you took pen in hand to editorialize about how Donald Trump should be impeached. Clearly, you do not give a---I know you'll forgive me for this---big brown rat's ass about morality.
Could it be that you have concluded that Trump's days are numbered and you think it wise to disassociate yourself before the coming shit storm?
Do you think the 200 wingnuts he's already appointed to the federal bench are enough to gradually impose Dominionism on the rest of us?
Since you are retiring January 3rd, do you expect to supplement your nest egg with a few years of fat speaker's fees?
I don't know, Mr. Galli. I just know that the stench of evangelical "Christianity" will not dissipate as long as you and people like you continue to trade your souls for judicial appointments and a green light to discriminate against anyone you deem a "sinner".
One last thing---"Happy Holidays!"
Most of the time, I'm in favor of discussion. That is why I participate in this political
discussion board. On most issues, I am willing to state my opinion and consider the opinions of others. Sometimes an exchange of views changes my mind. Sometimes it strengthens my original opinion. But---not all discussions are helpful or even necessary.
Donald Trump is quite obviously guilty as hell of not only abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but also a dozen or more other impeachable offenses, some of them federal crimes, FULL STOP.
There is no "issue" there. There are no relevant facts left to be determined.
Despite all the panels and pundits and commentators and "experts" who spend hours of each broadcast day carefully trying to treat each side of this dispute "equally", there is no valid comparison between the two.
Democrats have provided clear and convincing evidence that Donald Trump withheld nearly four hundred million dollars in military aid approved by Congress in an attempt to coerce an ally into helping him smear a political opponent. When he got caught and Congress sought to investigate the scheme, he did all he could to obstruct them, even claiming broad privileges no one had ever heard of.
Trump and the Republicans did not present ANY evidence--- no witnesses, no documents, no tapes--- that in any way contradicted or disproved any aspect of the Democrats' evidence.
To engage in "discussions" about whether Trump should be impeached is to buy into the false premise that there is a genuine issue. The man has CONFESSED, for crying out loud, in writing and on videotape!
I understand that the 24 hour cable news monster must be fed, but let's discuss real issues, like what it is that Putin has on Trump; why Trump is so desperate to keep his tax returns hidden; the extent and nature of the fossil fuel industry's control over our government; or, the full extent of and the motivation for the complicity of McConnell and Graham and other Republicans in Trump's crimes.
I am probably way off base with this, but I can't shake the feeling that we are sitting on the
razor's edge; that we as a nation are just waiting for some relatively small event to nudge us either this way or that way---towards reason, tolerance and kindness or irrational bigotry and hate. I think that once the equilibrium is disturbed, things may happen in a rush,for better or worse; a flash flood that will either lift us to higher ground or pull us under.
Is this "the calm before the storm"?
The light FANTASTIX---
Try to remember that day in December
When Nadler was bold and you were yellow
Try to remember that day in December
When all your disciples could do was bellow
Try to remember that day in December
When you went nuts and Schiff stayed Mellow
Try to remember and if you remember
you shall go
shall go
Next third of November we're sure to remember
That everything that you touch dies
Next third of November we're sure to remember
And vote to cut you down to size
Next third of November were sure to remember
That you're just Putin in disguise
Next third of November, we must all remember and---
GOTV!
Ladies and gentlemen, could we pause for just a moment---seriously---and let it sink in that the
impeachment hearings now being televised should frighten and disgust every American and deeply embarrass every Republican.
The GOP finally settled on a strategy to defend Trump from impeachment: they have decided to simply lie----repeatedly, consistently, brazenly and arrogantly---while either smiling or snarling for the cameras as America watches and listens.
Despite direct testimony from numerous witnesses as to Trump's impeachable conduct, they lie and tell America there is "zero" direct evidence.
Despite Trump being invited to take part in the hearings---WITH his counsel---, they lie and tell America that he was denied the right to an attorney and the right to present a defense.
Despite having never proposed the calling of fact witnesses to defend Trump, they lie to America and say they were prevented from calling such witnesses.
It would be easier to list their few factual assertions than to attempt to catalog their lies.
And, folks------damned few people are outraged; damned few people are truly offended and angry. And, should someone comment on a talk show that "the Republicans lied throughout the hearings", they will be told that they were just following Trump's example---as though that somehow EXCUSES the lies!
This blatant lying in a proceeding authorized by the Constitution and VITAL to the survival of democracy in America is not simply deplorable; it may well be the self-inflicted wound that ends the 250 year old experiment in democracy we call America.
In any profession you care to name, this volume of lies would cost the liars their jobs. These Republicans deserve the same fate.
Like four-year-old brats at bedtime, the Republicans can kick, scream, cry and drag their feet,
but Nancy's going to put this to bed this evening.
Anyone know who the gray-haired "lady" is sitting behind Rep. Raskin? She has been shaking
her head "NO!" often as he speaks.
Thoughtful, principled law-breaking is an American tradition. Sometimes styled "civil
disobedience", we have repeatedly made the decision that following the law as written and enforced will result in or fail to prevent injustice.
Whether it involved sitting in, "dying" in, blocking traffic, trespassing or disturbing the peace, Americans with a conscience have long been willing to "color outside the lines" if that was necessary to achieve justice. And, that last "offense"---disturbing the peace---is one I'd like to recommend, in its broadest sense, as being our civic duty until, one way or another, we get rid of Trump.
We need to make having Trump in the White House inconvenient, uncomfortable and downright irritating to a solid majority of those who can be motivated to vote next November. We need to disturb their "peace" or satisfaction with the current dangerous state of affairs. We won't even need to commit a misdemeanor. How? Suggestions follow.
We need to start refusing to let MAGATs spew their hateful BS in public without being contradicted with the facts. I am not urging anyone to lose their job by contradicting their Trumper boss or to engage in violence, but that doesn't mean we allow a neighbor or a relative or someone in the next pew to sing Trump's praises without setting them straight. In most cases, you will have little chance of changing the Trumpie's mind, but that is not really your purpose. You are speaking to all those within earshot who just may be open to facts that they can confirm with their tablet or smartphone.
Of course, this means you'll have to HAVE the facts, i.e., know what you're talking about. This is sometimes pretty easy.
If the cashier at your neighborhood market or a bartender at your favorite pub never misses an opportunity to tell everyone present what a "great businessman" Trump is, five minutes on the internet before your next encounter will provide all the info you need to persuade your fellow customers that the Trumpie doesn't know what he or she is talking about. "What about Trump Steaks, or Trump Wine? Didn't those businesses fail? And, didn't Trump have to shell out $25 MILLION to settle the lawsuit over his fraudulent Trump University? If he is REALLY a billionaire like he claims, why is he still hiding his tax returns?" Wash, rinse, repeat.
In my community, I disturb the peace almost daily just by wearing my faded "Impeach Trump" tee shirt or driving a vehicle with a bumper sticker that asks "Does Your Trump Sticker Make You Feel Stupid Yet?" And, even in this scarlet red district, people approach me to quietly say "Thank you!"
Don't sell yourself short. There are people you deal with---at work, in a hobby group, in your church or even on a discussion board--- who consider you a decent, well- intentioned and sensible person. To many of them, the fact that YOU strongly oppose this Trump regime carries some weight and may be all the reason they need to re-examine their assumptions and reconsider which boxes they check next November.
But, we need to speak out. We need to "disturb their peace".
Let's be clear: the scripture-quoting, Jesus-hugging, holier-than-thou Republicans who are
"coordinating" the impeachment trial with Trump are, in effect, saying some pretty "unChristian" things.
They're saying: "Fuck truth!---
Fuck honesty, fuck integrity, fuck the laws, the Constitution and fuck this stupid 'oath before God' bullshit! God doesn't sign my checks!"
Some lies are necessary. Jews who denied being Jews in Hitler's Germany can
hardly be faulted.
Some lies are kind. "No, I have not ever seen a more beautiful baby!"
Some lies are transparent and, therefore, don't really count. "I always shoot below par".
But, there are a whole lot of other lies that are, at their core, arrogant devaluations of those to whom the lie is told. They disrespect the intelligence of those lied to and assume, almost always without justification, that the liar is a superior person and is, thus, entitled to take advantage of his inferiors.
Trump is closing in on 14,000 verified lies told since his "inauguration". This alone separates him from virtually all his predecessors and demonstrates to anyone with an ounce of self respect that the man has no business pretending to be our president. His habitual mendacity is reason enough to drag him kicking and screaming from his imagined throne.
One way or the other, let's do it.
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