The Robert Mueller Investigation

[jimmyjazz 45,999]

It would be nice if they just polled the legislators "who here appreciates Mr. Mueller's service?" at the jump and then get on past that silly repetitive praise.  We get it.  It's not germane.

[DixonHur 11,343]

13 minutes ago, triplehorn said:

followed by this:

 

 

Ted Buck be like...

[LonghornJudas 1,101]

2 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

I thought that Amash was on judiciary?  Was that not right, maybe it was appropriations where Barr testified?

He's on the Committee on Oversight and Reform. 

[SmokeyTheBear 5,562]

 

[hayden_horn 11,364]

2 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

It would be nice if they just polled the legislators "who here appreciates Mr. Mueller's service?" at the jump and then get on past that silly repetitive praise.  We get it.  It's not germane.

it's funny, the D's do it to establish his credibility, and the R's do it to try and take the edge off their questions/attacks on his credibility.

[jimmyjazz 45,999]

Just now, hayden_horn said:

it's funny, the D's do it to establish his credibility, and the R's do it to try and take the edge off their questions/attacks on his credibility.

More to the point, both do it to establish their patriotism, whether it exists or not.

[LonghornJudas 1,101]

I wish someone would pull a Larry David and just say, "Nice to meetcha!"

 

[Longhornfan1024 1,707]

1 minute ago, jimmyjazz said:

More to the point, both do it to establish their patriotism, whether it exists or not.

We know it doesn't exist for the Rs.  

[Mojo Hand 4,580]

12 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Wait . . . Article 2 Section 2 isn't talking about pardons in the event of POTUS under impeachment, is it?  I believe it limits POTUS' ability to pardon other officials who are being impeached.  Am I reading it wrong?

As far as I know, it's never been decided.   And certainly the language can be read that way. But I don't see a real purpose to the exception read that way — every crime can be pardoned, no matter how serious, except for an official who was impeached?   Even though that official can resign 5 minutes before being impeached and can then be pardoned for the exact same crime? 

I think it makes much more sense to read the clause as depriving the president of the pardon power while he is subject to an impeachment case, in order to stop him from corruptly using that power while essentially under trial for corruption. 

At the very least, lay that marker down with Trump and let a court decide. 

Edited July 24, 2019 by Mojo Hand

[shnsajax 3,591]

15 minutes ago, Horn Dog said:

Is Nunez high?

There is a level of stupidity where people just assume you are high. 

[Anastasis 23,479]

Mueller getting tired I think. 

[WhatTheBuck 28,793]

Should've made Trump hide from testifying by tying it up in the courts rather than letting him just say 'I forget' over and over again (i.e. the Reagan defense) in written testimony. 

[WhatTheBuck 28,793]

2 minutes ago, LonghornJudas said:

I wish someone would pull a Larry David and just say, "Nice to meetcha!"

I'm sorry, I'm not Brad. I'm me!

[dcbc 14,494]

[Anastasis 23,479]

Mueller had his tax filings. 

[Mojo Hand 4,580]

@Bateshorn — when a rep yields his or her remaining time to the chair at the end of talking (not yielding specifically to someone else), does that time just get added up for the chair to use or give to someone else later? 

[hayden_horn 11,364]

5 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

Mueller getting tired I think. 

yeah, starting to slur a bit, it seems to me.

[jimmyjazz 45,999]

5 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

Mueller getting tired I think. 

Ever been on a 7 hour job interview?

[hayden_horn 11,364]

1 minute ago, Mojo Hand said:

@Bateshorn — when a rep yields his or her remaining time to the chair at the end of talking (not yielding specifically to someone else), does that time just get added up for the chair to use or give to someone else later? 

i'm not bateshorn, but i believe the chair has discretion to either use or forego that time by moving onto the next in line.

[Mojo Hand 4,580]

Just now, hayden_horn said:

i'm not bateshorn, but i believe the chair has discretion to either use or forego that time by moving onto the next in line.

So if he moves on, that time is essentially lost? 

[hayden_horn 11,364]

1 minute ago, Mojo Hand said:

So if he moves on, that time is essentially lost? 

i think so, but i'm no parliamentarian

[Mojo Hand 4,580]

I don't know how Schiff is getting him to actually answer these non-report questions. He's like a Mueller whisperer. 

[hayden_horn 11,364]

1 minute ago, Mojo Hand said:

I don't know how Schiff is getting him to actually answer these non-report questions. He's like a Mueller whisperer. 

it's because he's tired, i reckon.

[Bateshorn 9,928]

9 minutes ago, Mojo Hand said:

@Bateshorn — when a rep yields his or her remaining time to the chair at the end of talking (not yielding specifically to someone else), does that time just get added up for the chair to use or give to someone else later? 

As in "I yield back"?  They are saying they are done.  It doesn't go in a general pool to be used later, in committee. Each member has a set speaking slot, so if they have no other questions, it's how they wrap up.  The time is gone at that point.

Sometimes members will yield their time to somebody else to continue to pursue a line of questioning, but it has to be when they are called upon.  There was a lot of chatter during the Kavanaugh hearing that the bulk of the D's should have yielded their time to Harris, since she's so good at prosecutor questioning, but that would have required subverting egos.

The rules are different for the Floor of the House. I can explain that if you want, but I suspect you don't.

Edited July 24, 2019 by Bateshorn

[Anastasis 23,479]

7 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Ever been on a 7 hour job interview?

He is an old man, and the testimony is long and intellectually intense.  It's not a fault, its just reality. 

[unclebean 29]

leftist dreams are imploding the longer this goes on. this hearing is much about nothing.

[Bateshorn 9,928]

1 minute ago, Anastasis said:

He is an old man, and the testimony is long and intellectually intense.  It's not a fault, its just reality. 

Kinda makes what Hilary went through look even more impressive.  She was trading barbs and giving sarcastic responses 10 hours in.

[LonghornJudas 1,101]

2 minutes ago, hayden_horn said:

it's because he's tired, i reckon.

Seems like it took a minute for Mueller to catch on to the speculation aspect of the questions.

[jimmyjazz 45,999]

2 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

He is an old man, and the testimony is long and intellectually intense.  It's not a fault, its just reality. 

I don't disagree -- my point is that this kind of scrutiny for this long is tiring for anyone of any age.

[Carl Spackler 3,487]

53 minutes ago, Mojo Hand said:

I disagree.   Even without removal, impeachment would have significant consequences.   First, while the Dems impeaching Trump wouldn't convince everyone that he is guilty, the failure to impeach sends the message that even Dems didn't think his conduct was bad enough to impeach over.  That moves public opinion, and is a big reason why Trump is hitting all-time polling highs since the Dems didn't respond to the damming allegations in the Mueller report.   It was the impeachment hearings in Watergate that moved public opinion too, the other way. 

Second, "impeachment hearings in the matter of Donald J. Trump" would have brought massive ratings and attention to his crimes. 

Third, Trump loses his pardon power in cases of impeachment.  The failure to impeach allows him to continue to obstruct justice by dangling pardons, and maybe even pardon himself. 

Fourth, Trump's defense in various lawsuits seeking documents is in part, "they can't get this unless it's pursuant to impeachment hearings."  Even if that defense fails, it's helping him run out the clock. 

Fair enough.  As much as I would enjoy seeing Trump impeached, I think the dynamics of the situation are very different than those that were present during Watergate.  I also think that impeachment proceedings would play into Trump's hands in terms of playing the victim card when it comes to the "liberal media" and claiming victory and "innocence" to his supporters if the proceedings ended without a conviction -- as they almost surely would.  The "ratings" you cite could cut both ways.  I don't see the point relating to the power of pardon as being a big factor mitigating in favor of impeachment.  Your fourth point has, IMO, more validity, but in the end I think it's largely outweighed by the negative effects that exoneration would have.  

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13,585]

54 minutes ago, Dnaguy said:

Nunez looking frustrated. 

That's his resting face.

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13,585]

Dp

Edited July 24, 2019 by Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand

[DigglerontheHoof 21,205]

6 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

He is an old man, and the testimony is long and intellectually intense.  It's not a fault, its just reality. 

Yeah, the dude is 74, a couple of years below the average male life expectancy....which he might reach by the end of this hearing. 

 

[SimonBolivar 10,958]

6 minutes ago, unclebean said:

leftist dreams are imploding the longer this goes on. this hearing is much about nothing.

If you're going to invoke The Bard please do it correctly.

[Dnaguy 12,012]

Just now, Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand said:

That's his resting face.

AKA Resting Dick / Bitch Face

[Nolacycling 893]

The look on Mueller's face as Nunes closes.

"You fucking traitor, if only I knew you in Nam". 

Edited July 24, 2019 by Nolacycling
Because Nunez w/ a z is way too ethnic. Right Raphael?

[Dnaguy 12,012]

Ole Devin Dick-Bitch Nunez

[DDD Dad 14,344]

26 minutes ago, LonghornJudas said:

I wish someone would pull a Larry David and just say, "Nice to meetcha!"

 

 

[Mdhorn 5,974]

POTUS is a complete moron if he thinks today went well for him meaning he doesn't understand what he's watching and surrounded by "yes" peeps.

[tantric superman 4,667]

4 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

If you're going to invoke The Bard please do it correctly.

Old man, me'thinks thou doth protesteth loudly before thou wert wise.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,819]

6 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

If you're going to invoke The Bard please do it correctly.

Incapable.  His brain is a nothingburger.

[hayden_horn 11,364]

1 minute ago, tantric superman said:

Old man, me'thinks thou doth protesteth loudly before thou wert wise.

more like:

This Nicholas anon leet flee a fart,
As greet as it had been a thonder-dent,
That with the strook he was almost y-blent;
And he was redy with his iren hoot,
And Nicholas amidde the ers he smoot.

[Mdhorn 5,974]

11 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

Fair enough.  As much as I would enjoy seeing Trump impeached, I think the dynamics of the situation are very different than those that were present during Watergate.  I also think that impeachment proceedings would play into Trump's hands in terms of playing the victim card when it comes to the "liberal media" and claiming victory and "innocence" to his supporters if the proceedings ended without a conviction -- as they almost surely would.  The "ratings" you cite could cut both ways.  I don't see the point relating to the power of pardon as being a big factor mitigating in favor of impeachment.  Your fourth point has, IMO, more validity, but in the end I think it's largely outweighed by the negative effects that exoneration would have.  

why--because it would rile up his always riled up base?  He broke the law in multiple ways--talk about it all the time.  For the Dems, stay on point--the president and the Republicans always play the victim card. 

[LonghornJudas 1,101]

Well, the good news is I think we can rely on the House to do their job now after those hearings.

[Mdhorn 5,974]

my guess is the rw posters on here are regrouping and will come charging in after they get their talking points from Fox, Limbaugh and the rest of their leaders.  

[4th&Five 41,569]

6 minutes ago, Mdhorn said:

POTUS is a complete moron if he thinks today went well for him meaning he doesn't understand what he's watching and surrounded by "yes" peeps.

 

[retread 2,951]

 

[Biff Tannen 45,694]

4 minutes ago, LonghornJudas said:

Well, the good news is I think we can rely on the House to do their job now after those hearings.

[triplehorn 2,664]

playing by mob rules.

[retread 2,951]

August vacation for Congress coming up.