The Prosecution: A great job. The presentation just blew us away. But the case was not a difficult one to make.
The Defense: Constitutional scholars have debunked the silly notion that the President may not be judged guilty now that he has left office. It is equally silly to contend that Trump was just exercising his free speech, first because we should expect a President to speak the truth, and to speak on behalf of the country and its people, rather than just uttering his trivial and false personal opinion; second because he was shouting "fire" in a crowded theater - which is beyond the pale of free speech.
The Outcome:
Wouldn't it be really great if the proceedings could wind up in a conviction either this Friday, or next Monday? Monday is Presidents Day - what poetic justice, and what a gift for past Presidents, to have the worst President, the twice-impeached President, the besmircher of their high office, thus repudiated on that day? OR a quick result on Friday, February 12 which (younger readers may be unaware) is Lincoln's birthday. I feel certain that Honest Abe by now is sick and tired of having GOP politicians refer to themselves as "the Party of Lincoln." He would be ashamed of what his party has become.
Also under the Conviction rubric, if it should occur: No Democrats, nor any democrats, should gloat over the result. It would be unseemly and divisive; it should be interpreted soberly as having barely escaped tyranny and restoring the country to its democratic course.
Of course, it is generally recognized that most of today's Republican politicians will continue to toady to the Tinpot Tyrant Trump. Despite incontrovertible evidence, conviction is unlikely. Nevertheless the attempt had to be made, and we must recall that it wasn't the attempt, but the shameful outcome, that was divisive. And though today's Republican Senators may view acquittal as a victory, and may save their jobs, if not their honor, for a year or two, it is the death knell of the Republican Party. Let us hope.
Republicans will never convince me that a man guilty of sedition while in the White House has but to step through the door to escape all culpability.
Posted by: PiedType | February 12, 2021 at 12:15 PM