# The Trump Impeachment Inquiry **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 24, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771 "2019-09-24T20:23:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/881 "2019-09-27T15:55:03Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > **This game is on** , ladies and gentlemen, our Reps and Senators are going to spend the next 18 days tallying phone calls from their constituents[…] You think Senator Rick Scott gives one iota of thought about his constituency when he’s not up for re-election? Ha! ~Max ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/882 "2019-09-27T15:57:58Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > You think Senator Rick Scott gives one iota of thought about his constituency when he’s not up for re-election? Ha! > > ~Max So? Same thing with Cruz. He’s not up for re-election. Why should I call him? Because it _matters_. They literally tally up these calls, put them on charts, and track them daily. What are people talking about? How hot are they? What’s the call volume, per issue? And Rick Scott may not care. May not change him one iota. But, in the end, you can say you _tried_. And that’s what America needs right now, citizens who try. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/883 "2019-09-27T15:59:56Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What about the Ukrainian President, reformed comedian Volodymyr Zelensky? Is he complicit in this, or just treading water to keep foreigh aid coming? The sense I get – and I’m no expert – is that not only is he a political novice who’s in over his head, he’s also stuck between Putin’s tanks and Trump’s … Trumpy-ness. That’s gotta be tough. But since he ran on a “clean sweep” platform of returning integrity to Ukraine, I’m guessing he means well. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/884 "2019-09-27T16:03:02Z")
Fun Call to Action: Everybody send Bill Barr pics (email, social, snail mail, whatever) of John Mitchell. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/885 "2019-09-27T16:04:45Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > I have every confidence that all three of my Congresspersons are not only on board, they’re leading the charge and/or rounding up stragglers. I keep seeing them on the teevee, be it in hearings or on talking-heads shows. I’d only be distracting them with coals-to-Newcastle phone calls. But if I didn’t live in a solidly blue state, then damn straight I’d be hassling them. You can be sure that any Republicans in your state/district are contacting them to complain. Don’t let those be the only calls they get; make sure they are swamped by calls of support. Emailing them is also fine if you’re not a phone person. Those get tallied too. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/886 "2019-09-27T16:16:25Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Have you ever seen a tame dog that gets so scared and desperate it attacks? How about a person with a bully-mouth that is backed into a corner and starts fighting? The fight is usually over in less than 3 seconds and the scared, inexperienced, desperate party is always the loser. Sure, there might a glancing blow or a feeble bite, but they quickly get the ever-loving shit smacked outta them. I can’t say I’ve seen a tame dog attack, but I’m not about to put myself in a position where I’d find out. We don’t know what people would do when placed in the highest position of power on the planet and then watch everything cave in around him and face the real possibility of incarceration. Take an unstable person, give him the most power in the planet, and then place under extreme pressure. This is not a controlled experiment, this is frightening. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/887 "2019-09-27T16:18:27Z")
This from [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/whistleblower-impeachment-inquiry-09-27-2019/): > [@](#): > > **These 2 House Intel Democrats have canceled their events at home** > > From CNN’s Manu Raju and Ted Barrett > > Reps. Eric Swalwell and Jackie Speier, both Democrats from California, said they have canceled events in their home districts next week to prepare for action in the House Intelligence Committee. > > The House is supposed to be on recess for the next two weeks, but some Democrats have been told to prepare to stay in Washington. > > Nothing is set: They have not been told what they need to be in Washington for or what hearings have been scheduled. > > But it’s possible there could be a hearing: Committee Chair Adam Schiff said they preparing for hearings as early as next week. Democrats want to talk to the whistleblower as soon as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/888 "2019-09-27T16:22:32Z")
[Update](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-whistleblower-impeachment/2019/09/27/55b99276-e0a8-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html): Some kids have to work through recess: > [@WaPo](#): > > Members of the House Intelligence Committee plan to continue working next week through Congress’s scheduled recess, as Democrats seek to build a case for impeachment based on President Trump’s controversial call with the leader of Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/889 "2019-09-27T16:24:04Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > You can be sure that any Republicans in your state/district are contacting them to complain. Don’t let those be the only calls they get; make sure they are swamped by calls of support. > > Emailing them is also fine if you’re not a phone person. Those get tallied too. Dude: Rosa DeLauro is, like, Nancy Pelosi’s right-hand woman. And perhaps you’ve seen Sens. Blumenthal and Murphy on the TV lately? Trust me, Republican phone calls are not an issue. There’s no wavering here in the Land of Steady Habits. ---
**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:** [September 27, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/890 "2019-09-27T16:24:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The people “shooting off the nukes” are pretty damn isolated from the rest of the world while on duty, and if they are told that the nukes they are in control of need to go out in a retaliatory strike they will turn the proper keys and push the proper buttons because they are trained to do so. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > Right. The guys in the silos and submarines will have no idea whether the order coming in is a legitimate response to an actual threat or a reaction to a tweet that hurt Dear Leader’s feelings. They will do what they are trained to do. So if Donald opens the football and finds the code to order a strike on China, once he sends this down the chain there is little to stop the missiles from flying. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > We’re talking here about a bully who can send hundreds of nuclear missiles to targets on a whim. > > And as stated above, the folks in the silos do not have the ability to assess the order for lawfullness or whether or not it’s a good thing right now to nuke Bejing because they insulted Trump’s golf course. They just press the button as ordered. Guys, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just stop it. The command doesn’t go from Trump to Airman Jones, missileer. > **[IF10521.pdf](https://sgp.fas.org/crs/natsec/IF10521.pdf)** > > 389.63 KB [https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/11/27/trump\_national\_command\_authority\_and\_lawful\_orders\_112688.html](https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/11/27/trump_national_command_authority_and_lawful_orders_112688.html) ---
**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:** [September 27, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/891 "2019-09-27T16:26:53Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Guys, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just stop it. The command doesn’t go from Trump to Airman Jones, missileer. > > [https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF10521.pdf](https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF10521.pdf) > > [Trump, National Command Authority and Lawful Orders | RealClearDefense](https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/11/27/trump_national_command_authority_and_lawful_orders_112688.html) I concur. * * * Everyone else, please drop this hijack regarding going rogue and nuking everyone that **RioRico** started (Welcome to the StraightDope!). This thread is about the impeachment inquiry and things related to that. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/892 "2019-09-27T16:28:00Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > So? > > Same thing with Cruz. He’s not up for re-election. Why should I call him? > > Because it _matters_. They literally tally up these calls, put them on charts, and track them daily. What are people talking about? How hot are they? What’s the call volume, per issue? > > And Rick Scott may not care. May not change him one iota. But, in the end, you can say you _tried_. And that’s what America needs right now, citizens who try. Well, I agree with Mr. Cruz so I don’t see much point in contacting him. I don’t agree with Mr. Scott and eight years of experience - my entire adult life and then some - tells me that he literally doesn’t care about the people he was elected to represent unless it is an election year. I’m a bit of a defeatist when it comes to politics. If you really think my calling or writing in will make a difference, now is your chance to change my mind. I don’t think it’s going to happen absent some sort of insider report that my opinion counts for my representatives during the off-season, or compelling evidence that Mr. Scott is a great guy and cares about his constituents (ha!). And my representative in the House? Years ago he visited our school and practically told us, to our faces, that he is ‘a man of principle’. We got what we voted for, and for him to flip on an issue is out of the question (like that “traitor”, Charlie Christ). I didn’t vote for him. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/893 "2019-09-27T16:33:00Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I concur. > > * * * > > Everyone else, please drop this hijack regarding going rogue and nuking everyone that **RioRico** started (Welcome to the StraightDope!). This thread is about the impeachment inquiry and things related to that. > > [/moderating] I agree and thank you for keeping us focused. There is plenty to discuss on the main topic. Some committee members will be working through the recess. I think that’s the right thing to do. We really should wrap this up by Christmas, or at least by March. Otherwise it’s going to get tangled up in the election season. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/894 "2019-09-27T16:38:09Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Guys, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just stop it. The command doesn’t go from Trump to Airman Jones, missileer. > > [https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF10521.pdf](https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF10521.pdf) > > [Trump, National Command Authority and Lawful Orders | RealClearDefense](https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/11/27/trump_national_command_authority_and_lawful_orders_112688.html) When I stated that the guys at the end of that chain of command would push buttons, turn keys or (if flying, flip switches) when told to do so, it’s because I’ve seen the training they go through, the psychological testing they go through and the isolation they endure while on duty. They have no way of knowing the ultimate source of the commands they receive, and they certainly aren’t in any position to determine whether the orders they receive are legal or illegal. If the President does something untoward and those orders get to the people at the end of the line without being stopped somewhere else in the chain of command, those orders will be carried out. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/895 "2019-09-27T16:38:21Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > Fun Call to Action: Everybody send Bill Barr pics (email, social, snail mail, whatever) of John Mitchell. 😉 I know you’ve been busy the last 17 years and not able to post often, but I must take a moment to say how much I’ve enjoyed your posts now you’re posting. 🙂 * * * I think one reason Dems hope to move swiftly (not hurriedly, but swiftly, as I heard Swalwell say this morning) is because they understand the peril of giving the Trump people time to regroup and mount some counter-offensive, disingenuous though it [del]will[/del] may be. The Trump cabal knows the value of narrative and messaging – even if based entirely on lies. One of the most important questions asked of Acting DNI Maguire yesterday was whether the whistleblower’s complaint matched in substance what was contained in the phone conversation summary released by Trump. He said it did. That answer boxes Trump in based on the known facts to date. Another reason is due to the obvious insane, inherent volatility of this “president.” I think even Republicans know how destructive it may be to try to shoo him from the Oval Office in a close election in 2020. They’ve done the math. They know they are in peril for 2020. Much as they may hate to do it, an incontrovertible vote in the Senate that requires removal may do more to safeguard our election in 2020 than anything else. They’ve got to get the drop on him, however. There won’t be another chance, even as Dems mount additional impeachment efforts with bank and tax fraud, emoluments, etc. If they allow those further impeachment efforts to go forward because they failed to remove Trump over the Ukraine criminality, it’s a constant, slow dribble of filth against them in the run-up to November 2020, and they’ll be stuck with Trump as a candidate. If they get rid of him now, there is still a chance they can mount a successful run with an alternative candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/896 "2019-09-27T16:44:56Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > Fun Call to Action: Everybody send Bill Barr pics (email, social, snail mail, whatever) of John Mitchell. 😉 Here’s a [good picture and article about Mitchell](http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/celebrity/politics/john-mitchell) that everyone could send to Barr. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/897 "2019-09-27T16:48:26Z")
[Tulsi Gabbard now supports impeachment](https://twitter.com/mattmfm/status/1177624313584857090?s=20). Looks like this was too much, even for Russia! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/898 "2019-09-27T16:50:17Z")
CNN has a list of the 13 house democrats that are not yet supporting impeachment. > **[There are still 12 House Democrats who don't support impeachment proceedings....](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/house-democrats-impeachment/index.html)** > > In the past week -- amid allegations that President Donald Trump abused the power of his office for personal political gain -- there has been an absolute rush among House Democrats to call for impeachment proceedings against the President. What was... ---
**Author:** ![Aescwynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Aescwynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aescwynn)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/899 "2019-09-27T16:56:08Z")
Thank you for reminding me to send an email to Cornyn and Cruz. I will tell them that I walked the streets for Beto last year (and he came close to winning) and plan to do the same for whoever runs against Cornyn. And I will tell Marc Veasey to keep the faith – he’s already in the impeach group. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/900 "2019-09-27T16:59:27Z")
“The spinning that’s been done by the president’s defenders over the last 24 hours since this very damaging whistleblower complaint came out … is not surprising but it is astonishing and I think deeply misleading.” - Chris Wallace live on Fox News this morning [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=46)