# Impeach Trump. Now. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 20, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327 "2017-02-20T16:47:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/361 "2017-05-16T16:30:38Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I guess I did step over the line. My apologies, and I will dial it back. I also apologize, and in rereading I think I was the worse offender. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/362 "2017-05-16T16:32:02Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Right. Because confidence in the Democracy only exists in a polling booth, but not the actual office. Keep telling yourself that. In the Voter ID thread, I was talking about confidence _in the outcome of ultra-close elections_, not speaking to the more general concept of confidence in democracy. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/363 "2017-05-16T16:33:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Done. This bet settles on January 20, 2021, or sooner if the House passes any article of impeachment by majority vote. $200 from me to you if the House does; $200 from you to me if we reach January 20, 2021 without it happening. > > Agreed? No provision for death or resignation? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/364 "2017-05-16T16:35:25Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > And as for Russian interference for which there is zero evidence, wtf was Obama doing with his high office/profile statements about Brexit and later the French election. Jesus wept. Get a grip people. I hate to point out the obvious, but when the French election was held, Obama was not a public servant of any kind. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/365 "2017-05-16T16:35:47Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > The USA has been undermining Russia, even right on direct borders, since the fall of the Soviet Union. The USA just never, ever stops with this shit. The reason the US and NATO is up against Russias border is that countries bordering Russia are pretty worried about them, and that on the basis of plenty of real-world experience. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/366 "2017-05-16T16:37:32Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > In the Voter ID thread, I was talking about confidence _in the outcome of ultra-close elections_, not speaking to the more general concept of confidence in democracy. Of course there’s no connection between the two whatsoever. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/367 "2017-05-16T16:41:29Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I don’t think this is remotely accurate. The Judiciary has done plenty of “checking” of Trump’s actions so far. States and municipalities have opposed some of his actions, and he’s received plenty of opposition from assorted federal agencies. And the voters get a chance to give him and his party a mid-term report card in a little less than 18 months, which, if it’s unfavorable, which will give him significant opposition. Whoops, mea culpa, not _entirely_. Got caught up in my own post. :o But a lot of what would constitute a check on the president’s more authoritarian actions is the house and senate. And they seem utterly unwilling to do anything about this. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/368 "2017-05-16T16:42:13Z")
[A PPP poll taken May 12-14](http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2017/PPP_Release_National_51617.pdf) (IOW, before yesterday’s big story broke) found a 48-41 plurality in favor of impeaching Trump. And this was in the absence of any major effort to talk up impeachment publicly. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/369 "2017-05-16T16:52:55Z")
Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, said before the election that [Hillary’s handling of her email server amounted to treason](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/3/michael-mccaul-hillary-clinton-server-hacks-its-tr/). Of course, some more minor functionaries, like [this Trump adviser](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/08/clinton-baldasaro/496199/) and [this WV state legislator](http://www.mediaite.com/online/republican-state-legislator-says-hillary-should-be-hung-on-national-mall-for-treason-murder/), said Hillary should be executed by specific means (shot and hanged, respectively) for treason, but while quoting state legislators and the like isn’t nutpicking _per se_, it’s getting close. And since the Republican National Convention chanted, “LOCK HER UP,” with little if any pushback from party leaders (ditto when this happened at practically every Trump rally last summer and fall), this is quite a turnaround for them. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/370 "2017-05-16T16:53:41Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Honestly, those who make claims of wanting “evidence” come off a nothing but high-tech concern trolling as far as I’m concerned … When folks you are engaged with are asking for evidence, this can appear to be accusing them of trolling. Do not do this. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/371 "2017-05-16T17:14:03Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, said before the election that [Hillary’s handling of her email server amounted to treason](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/3/michael-mccaul-hillary-clinton-server-hacks-its-tr/). > > Of course, some more minor functionaries, like [this Trump adviser](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/08/clinton-baldasaro/496199/) and [this WV state legislator](http://www.mediaite.com/online/republican-state-legislator-says-hillary-should-be-hung-on-national-mall-for-treason-murder/), said Hillary should be executed by specific means (shot and hanged, respectively) for treason, but while quoting state legislators and the like isn’t nutpicking _per se_, it’s getting close. > > And since the Republican National Convention chanted, “LOCK HER UP,” with little if any pushback from party leaders (ditto when this happened at practically every Trump rally last summer and fall), this is quite a turnaround for them. And when folks on this MB said similar things about Hillary, I called them on that, too. But if you want to feel like you get to call Trump a traitor because folks on the right called Hillary one, then that’s one thing. But if you’re going to assert it as a matter of fact in GD, then that’s a whole 'nuther thing (we really need that word to exist). Anyway, I’m not going to pursue this hijack further. Wouldn’t be prudent. I may open a separate thread to discuss the general idea. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/372 "2017-05-16T17:14:10Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > When folks you are engaged with are asking for evidence, this can appear to be accusing them of trolling. Do not do this. > > [/moderating] con·cern trol·ling nouninformalderogatory noun: concern trolling the action or practice of disingenuously expressing concern about an issue in order to undermine or derail genuine discussion. This is not trolling. The mere fact it uses the word doesn’t make it the same thing any more than a dumbwaiter will ask you if you wanted more tea. There is zero problem pointing out that someone is being disingenuous and undermining genuine discussion here which is what concern trolling is. Which means it’s not the same as trolling. If you would like I can say that “those who make claims of wanting ‘evidence’ come off a nothing but disingenuously expressing concern about the issue in order to undermine or derail genuine discussion,” though being forced to make such wordy proclamations in lieu of the perfectly good term “concern troll” shows you prefer the letter of the law instead of common sense and the proper use of the term. Your call. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/373 "2017-05-16T17:30:38Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > This is not trolling. The mere fact it uses the word doesn’t make it the same thing any more than a dumbwaiter will ask you if you wanted more tea. There is zero problem pointing out that someone is being disingenuous and undermining genuine discussion here which is what concern trolling is. Which means it’s not the same as trolling. > > If you would like I can say that “those who make claims of wanting ‘evidence’ come off a nothing but disingenuously expressing concern about the issue in order to undermine or derail genuine discussion,” though being forced to make such wordy proclamations in lieu of the perfectly good term “concern troll” shows you prefer the letter of the law instead of common sense and the proper use of the term. > > Your call. Accusations of trolling is a form of personal insult. Accusations of concern trolling is a form of personal insult. Don’t do either, in form or substance. Feel free to start an ATMB thread if you wish to discuss further. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/374 "2017-05-16T17:53:00Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Done. This bet settles on January 20, 2021, or sooner if the House passes any article of impeachment by majority vote. $200 from me to you if the House does; $200 from you to me if we reach January 20, 2021 without it happening. > > Agreed? Sure. I will do my very best to remember. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/375 "2017-05-16T18:29:38Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Anyway, I’m not going to pursue this hijack further. Wouldn’t be prudent. I may open a separate thread to discuss the general idea. Aaaaaaaaand [here you go!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=826356) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/376 "2017-05-16T18:56:37Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > And when folks on this MB said similar things about Hillary, I called them on that, too. But if you want to feel like you get to call Trump a traitor because folks on the right called Hillary one, then that’s one thing. But if you’re going to assert it as a matter of fact in GD, then that’s a whole 'nuther thing (we really need that word to exist). Why, do you think that’s something I’m going to do? I’ve looked through my posts here in the last day, and I called Trump’s information-sharing ‘bordering on treason’ at one point. Because no, I’m not sure if it qualifies as such, but IMH **O** it’s in the neighborhood. > [@](#): > > Anyway, I’m not going to pursue this hijack further. Wouldn’t be prudent. I may open a separate thread to discuss the general idea. Feel free to go on without me. I think this has less to do with me than you do, and I don’t find the subject that interesting. However, I thought it was important to note how drastically Republican opinion on the subject has swung in the past several months. We all do a certain amount of adjusting our views on issues as sides change, but this is flat-out nuts. And that’s my point: not that Trump’s committing treason because that’s what Republicans said about Hillary for lesser transgressions, but just one more nail in the coffin of what’s left of Republican credibility. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/377 "2017-05-16T19:20:14Z")
Kinda like the throne in GOT, made entirely of swords, a coffin lid made of nails. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/378 "2017-05-16T22:18:38Z")
[Comey says](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/notes-made-by-former-fbi-director-comey-say-trump-pressured-him-to-end-flynn-probe/2017/05/16/52351a38-3a80-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?utm_term=.2bf6bad8728d) Trump pressured him to end Flynn investigation. > [@](#): > > Comey’s description of the event make clear his understanding of the conversation was that the president was seeking to impede the investigation, according to people who have read the account or had it read to them, these people said. Comey felt the conversation was improper and decided to keep the details of the conversations away from the case agents working on the Russia probe. > > An FBI spokesman declined to comment. > > A White House statement denied the version of the conversation described by those who had seen Comey’s notes, saying “the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end an investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn… This is not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between the president and Mr. Comey.’’ ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/379 "2017-05-16T22:29:51Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > A White House statement denied the version of the conversation described by those who had seen Comey’s notes, saying “the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end an investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn… This is not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between the president and Mr. Comey.’’ I can’t wait for the Trump tweet that says the opposite of this. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327/380 "2017-05-16T23:07:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > They’re our enemy, but we [imported almost $1.7B worth of goods](https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c4621.html) from them in March of this year? And exported over half a billion dollars in good to them? > > Nope. Not buying it. > > Which treason case in the last, say, 100 years involved a country that most resembles Russia as “the enemy”. $2 billion is an insignificant trade amount. Canada-U.S. trade is nearly $600 billion. So is China - U.S. Russia is way, way down the list of U.S. trade partners, after Chile and Spain. [List of the largest trading partners of the United States - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_largest_trading_partners_of_the_United_States) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-trump-now/780327.md?page=20)