Subj : Quid Pro Quo - Joe To : aaron thomas From : Lee Lofaso Date : Fri Dec 27 2019 02:47 pm Hello Aaron, >LL>impeached a second time. And so on. However, my guess is we the >LL>people will tire of it and in November decide to pull the plug on >LL>this dog and pony show. >Good luck with that! The House has the sole power of impeachment - they can do whatever they want with it. >There are more than a handful of US Reps taking the walk of shame this > November. All of them Republicans, not a single one of whom voted in favor of either of the two articles of impeachment. Putting party before the US Constitution (rule of law) is a crying shame, and the people of this country deserve far better! >What happens when you poke a beehive with a stick a bunch of times, and then > it falls on the ground right in front of you? Winnie the Pooh has a feast of honey? >You will find out when the GOP takes over the House! That might be a long time coming. In the meantime, the Senate has a trial to conduct. Or does it? The Senate has the sole power of trying impeachments - they can call or not call any witnesses as they see fit. Or do whatever the hell they want. After all, it is their trial to conduct. We all know it makes no difference if witnesses are called or not called. That is the reality, such as it is. The US Constitution does call for the Senate to conduct a trial. However, the Framers of the Constitution were very sneaky, and left out one important detail. No mention was made as to when such a trial must be held. And that means Moscow Mitch has an out. Keep in mind to notice the Framers of the Constitution did not include "maladministration" as being an impeachable offense. Only treason, bribery, and "high crimes and misdemeanors." That is why the House did not include any specific crimes. How does the Senate conduct a trial in which the defendant has not been charged with a crime? It would be impossible for him to be exonerated in such a case. So here is what is most likely to happen - Basically, the Senate can vote, by simple majority, to adjourn the start of the trial until November 4, 2020. This would allow the people to decide the issue at the ballot box. How to make that happen? It is a two-step process - 1. The Senate can dismiss the articles of impeachment on a procedural motion. A simple majority will do. 2. The Senate Judiciary Committee, through its chairman (Sen. Lindsey Graham) could hold hearings to show what a "witch hunt" the House process was. IOW, the good Republican Senator from South Carolina would be able to conduct his own trial to "acquit" the president through Senate hearings. All of this during the same time that Democrats are seeking their party's nomination for president. Just imagine the optics it would be, as one of them could be called to testify. So, there you go. A done deal. President Donald J. Trump. First (and Last) Dictator of the USA. --Lee -- Often Licked, Never Beaten --- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb * Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)