It’s telling that there’s no Impeachment thread on VS...

[AngryScientist]

Thought this was interesting:

Trump’s Vindictiveness - The Atlantic

There’s no playbook for how to handle the aftermath of an impeachment—it’s only happened three times—but as I watched President Donald Trump’s post-acquittal statement today, I was inspired to review what Bill Clinton said after the Senate acquitted him in 1999.

The sometimes logorrheic Clinton was short and crisp:

"Now that the Senate has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility, bringing this process to a conclusion, I want to say again to the American people how profoundly sorry I am for what I said and did to trigger these events and the great burden they have imposed on the Congress and on the American people.

I also am humbled and very grateful for the support and the prayers I have received from millions of Americans over this past year.

Now I ask all Americans, and I hope all Americans, here in Washington and throughout our land, will rededicate ourselves to the work of serving our nation and building our future together.

This can be and this must be a time of reconciliation and renewal for America. Thank you very much."

As he finished, a reporter asked him whether “in [his] heart,” he could forgive and forget. “I believe any person who asks for forgiveness has to be prepared to give it,” Clinton said.

[Colinmclelland]

I'm afraid that we already ceded that moral high ground. We're a failed democracy and a punchline to most of the world. I have friends all over the world who have expressed their shock and revulsion at USA 2020.

Greg

+1

[guido]

Trump’s bonkers White House post-impeachment speech, explained - Vox

"So if anyone was holding out hope that going through the impeachment process and receiving a bipartisan vote for his removal from office would chasten Trump, his victory lap speech should resolve any doubt: It did not. In fact, the opposite appears to be the case.

Not only is Trump still Trump, but those who look back fondly on the days when presidents felt constrained by the rule of law can’t help but wonder how bad things will get."
--Aaron Rupar

[thollandpe]

This is the genius of the current occupant of the Oval Office.

Take an institution like the Medal of Freedom, and award it to someone whose behavior has been so beyond the pale, so misogynistic, so racist, so incredibly divisive. And award it precisely for that reason. At a time when reasonable people from all across the political spectrum bemoan divisiveness.

It is simply unimaginable that this would have happened under previous Presidents. As if Clinton had given the medal to Monica Lewinsky, or Obama to Bill Maher. I'm sorry those are poor analogies but they're as close as what my dumbfounded brain could come up with right now.

And yet here we are.

It's a test, to see if we can discuss someone who has said and done so many repugnant things, and is now pitiable because of his illness, for us to still maintain a measure of charity and respect for him as a human being. Precisely because he has not shown that respect and charity to others.

And yet we can certainly maintain charity and respect for others ourselves, and in our interactions here, because none of us are loathsome. Or that weak. Even if we fail the above test.

And it is also a test, for those who identify as conservatives or republicans or even fans of other things the current occupant of the Oval Office has done, to see if you defend or approve these latest actions. To use the award of that medal to deliberately open divides and inflame animosity. To behave like a petulant, disrespectful, undisciplined, and vindictive child at an event like the Prayer Breakfast.

"Still your president." That's not a retort, it's an absurdity. We've been played.

This guy is burning the building down. While we're in it.

[bcm119]

The only responsible thing to do, if we get out of this mess, is to end the Medal of Freedom program.

[HorsCat]

Thought this was interesting:

Trump’s Vindictiveness - The Atlantic

Yep. Takes a guy like Trump to make Clinton look like a gentleman and class act.

"Still your president." That's not a retort, it's an absurdity. We've been played.

Greatest con in recorded history. I challenge anyone to find me a bigger one.

[jclay]

The notion that Trump's corrosive behavior and language doesn't encourage or give license to others here and around the world is patently absurd.

The good news is that apparently ~75% of our electorate wanted witnesses to be called at the trial. Additionally, what was it, eight Republican senators expressed their belief that Trump committed that of which he was accused? They just didn't have any backbone. And I'd imagine that more evidence will manage to make its way into the public sphere between now and November.

[colker]

This is the genius of the current occupant of the Oval Office.

Take an institution like the Medal of Freedom, and award it to someone whose behavior has been so beyond the pale, so misogynistic, so racist, so incredibly divisive. And award it precisely for that reason. At a time when reasonable people from all across the political spectrum bemoan divisiveness.

It is simply unimaginable that this would have happened under previous Presidents. As if Clinton had given the medal to Monica Lewinsky, or Obama to Bill Maher. I'm sorry those are poor analogies but they're as close as what my dumbfounded brain could come up with right now.

And yet here we are.

It's a test, to see if we can discuss someone who has said and done so many repugnant things, and is now pitiable because of his illness, for us to still maintain a measure of charity and respect for him as a human being. Precisely because he has not shown that respect and charity to others.

And yet we can certainly maintain charity and respect for others ourselves, and in our interactions here, because none of us are loathsome. Or that weak. Even if we fail the above test.

And it is also a test, for those who identify as conservatives or republicans or even fans of other things the current occupant of the Oval Office has done, to see if you defend or approve these latest actions. To use the award of that medal to deliberately open divides and inflame animosity. To behave like a petulant, disrespectful, undisciplined, and vindictive child at an event like the Prayer Breakfast.

"Still your president." That's not a retort, it's an absurdity. We've been played.

This guy is burning the building down. While we're in it.

The plan is to ruin, run, burn down to the ground every single democratic institution. That´s what DT, Bolsonaro and the self called conservatives (they are actually fascists) are doing. It´s "direct democracy" and it means using the internet to call every prejudice, brutality, racist, mysoginist speech to come out loud and become the new status quo. That´s the plan and it´s working out fine... because you know socialism and globalization and healthcare are works of evil socialism. We are fvcked.

[jclay]

The plan is to ruin, run, burn down to the ground every single democratic institution. That´s what DT, Bolsonaro and the self called conservatives (they are actually fascists) are doing. It´s "direct democracy" and it means using the internet to call every prejudice, brutality, racist, mysoginist speech to come out loud and become the new status quo. That´s the plan and it´s working out fine... because you know socialism and globalization and healthcare are works of evil socialism. We are fvcked.

And once the uninformed and poorly informed masses figure it out it will be too late. Along those lines this gives a frightening look at how the social communication machinery is being used to accomplish it. It's not hyperbole to say that I find it alarming and frightening.

The 22 Election Will Be a War of Disinformation - The Atlantic

[Mabouya]

The only responsible thing to do, if we get out of this mess, is to end the Medal of Freedom program.

No, no, no. Where's the fun in that?

I won't mention any names, for fear of violating Godwin's law, but since the award can be given posthumously, the sky's the limit.
Why stop with El Rushbo? There are so many others in the propaganda business, some still alive, others long gone, who richly deserve it.

[colker]

And once the uninformed and poorly informed masses figure it out it will be too late. Along those lines this gives a frightening look at how the social communication machinery is being used to accomplish it. It's not hyperbole to say that I find it alarming and frightening.

The 22 Election Will Be a War of Disinformation - The Atlantic

WE are watching social entropy. We managed to separate state and faith after centuries and it only takes one fascist to bring it down. Religion is running the show in Brasil... the military are going along on the pretense they are straightening out the nation against communism. Retired militaries are running every state commission including a film agency! A religious judge will be nominated for Supreme Court. In the end the army loses their credibility and funding but the pentecostal churches? They are the real direct democracy: they get their money directly from the faithfull. No need for taxes or congress approval like the army. Who is the supreme idol of these gangsters and morons? Donald Trump.

[Corso]

WE are watching social entropy. We managed to separate state and faith after centuries and it only takes one fascist to bring it down. Religion is running the show in Brasil... the military are going along on the pretense they are straightening out the nation against communism. Retired militaries are running every state commission including a film agency! A religious judge will be nominated for Supreme Court. In the end the army loses their credibility and funding but the pentecostal churches? They are the real direct democracy: they get their money directly from the faithfull. No need for taxes or congress approval like the army. Who is the supreme idol of these gangsters and morons? Donald Trump.

Colky, be realistic. Take Trump out of the equation and chances are the events occurring in YOUR country would still be happening.

It's become de rigueur to blame Trump for everything. You're in the majority in that.

[Corso]

No, no, no. Where's the fun in that?

I won't mention any names, for fear of violating Godwin's law, but since the award can be given posthumously, the sky's the limit.
Why stop with El Rushbo? There are so many others in the propaganda business, some still alive, others long gone, who richly deserve it.

For the record: I don't agree with Rush getting that award. Never liked him.

But then again, Obama gave out a just a few of them, among the 123: Gloria Estaban, Lorne Michaels, Oprah and his VP, Biden.

The President gets to choose.

[HorsCat]

For the record: I don't agree with Rush getting that award. Never liked him.

But then again, Obama gave out a just a few of them, among the 123: Gloria Estaban, Lorne Michaels, Oprah and his VP, Biden.

The President gets to choose.

I see your but Obama and I raise you a but Obama didn't give one to Louis Farrakhan. Nobody's quibbling with the President's right to choose; people are quibbling with the President's right to troll and deface.

[mzilliox]

I see your but Obama and I raise you a but Obama didn't give one to Louis Farrakhan. Nobody's quibbling with the President's right to choose; people are quibbling with the President's right to troll and deface.

and we can judge him on his choices, and everything he does, because he is president, and its part of the job. Gloria Estefan was a nice lady and very talented, with a crazy long career of hits.
im sure she deserved her award.

[colker]

Colky, be realistic. Take Trump out of the equation and chances are the events occurring in YOUR country would still be happening.

It's become de rigueur to blame Trump for everything. You're in the majority in that.

No Corso, you are wrong. The tactics used to elect Bolsonaro were the same used by Bannon to elect Trump. Actually Bannon met many times w/ Bolsonaro and his sons/ tacticians. I don´t know the details of Orban in Hungary and the rest of the neo fascists around the world but the brazilian extreme right wing has taken clues directly from Bannon on what to do in order to demolish democracy and install intolerance.

[colker]

I see your but Obama and I raise you a but Obama didn't give one to Louis Farrakhan. Nobody's quibbling with the President's right to choose; people are quibbling with the President's right to troll and deface.

Peope like Trump use democratic rights to troll and deface democratic tolerance and virtue.

[Sbti]

Forever impeached and exonerated in no way, shape, form, manner or regard, Dotard says his impeachment should be "expunged."
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Based on advice from Matt Gaetz, Cheeto Jesus says Nancy shredding the copy of the speech is a "flagrant violation."
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Fire everyone you want Fucktard. Your day is coming and that right soon.

[GrantM]

The President gets to choose.

Of course he does, it's the Presidential Medal, nobody would argue he doesn't get to choose.
This President shows his own lack of character by choosing someone as unworthy of the honour as Rush Limbaugh.


As 2011 recipient for Literature Maya Angelou once wrote, "when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time".


-g

[Corso]

No Corso, you are wrong. The tactics used to elect Bolsonaro were the same used by Bannon to elect Trump. Actually Bannon met many times w/ Bolsonaro and his sons/ tacticians. I don´t know the details of Orban in Hungary and the rest of the neo fascists around the world but the brazilian extreme right wing has taken clues directly from Bannon on what to do in order to demolish democracy and install intolerance.

So blame Bannon.

And if you don't know the details of the rest of the world, why blame Trump in your earlier post?

I'll tell you why, it's so easy, particularly here on the Salon, where the majority of posters hate the guy.

Your countrymen voted Bolsonaro in. That's where your beef belongs.