Incitement. Insurrection. Inauguration. What we need now, on the part of Republicans in the United States Senate, is intrepidity. They would, no doubt, need to look it up. But then they’d probably have to reference the dictionary definition of the word “courage”–a synonym for intrepidity–because at least four out of five Senate Republicans have shown less political courage in the face of fact-free president 45 than a wet dish rag. At least a dish rag is handy in cleaning up a mess.
As the Senate sits in judgment of ex-president Trump in his second impeachment trial–a world record as only two other presidents have been impeached, once each, in the 244 years of our democracy–odds are that Republicans will again give the wayward president a pass. Never mind that the final verdict will most likely be a majority in favor of conviction. Without a two-thirds vote to acquit, Donald will declare the whole thing a total vindication of a partisan hoax. For once, when he proclaims his latest impeachment “the greatest injustice in the history of the universe,” he may be close to the truth if famously feckless Republicans let him off the hook. That would be the injustice.
I get it that there’s a plausible logic in arguing that a vote to convict and remove Trump from office when he’s already been succeeded by President Joe Biden is superfluous. But to call it unconstitutional is an exercise in conveniently, deliberately missing the point. Trump could have tried to dodge conviction by resigning one minute before noon, Jan. 20. But a similar gambit was tried before by a post-Civil War cabinet member. It failed. He was tried. That’s called a constitutional precedent. Someone must have clued Trump before they were fired, because he has no clue. Ever.
Chuck Schumer, now Senate majority leader, proposed an immediate trial. Mitch McConnell, now minority leader, suggested that in fairness the president should have time to prepare his defense. Yet after Trump self-exiled to Mar-a-Lago during the inauguration of Joe Biden, McConnell voted with the majority of Republican senators to argue that a post-presidency trial is unconstitutional. What do you expect from have-it-both-ways Mitch? He can argue with a straight face that with 11 months remaining in his second term, President Barack Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court vacancy created by Antonin Scalia’s death should not receive even a hearing. A bit more than four years later, just weeks before Trump’s failed re-election bid, McConnell rammed through the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Letters to Editor
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[…] have a confession to make. This piece is inspired by comments made on Steve Parks’ editorial on ex-president Trump’s second impeachment trial. The article itself was excellent, reflecting […]
BOB KOPEC says
I agree entirely Steve.
No Trump, Pence or any of Trump’s other puppets (we all know their names) should ever be permitted to hold an elective office in the US.
David Lloyd says
This is an incredibly well-written commentary. Makes it clear, once again, that Trump will have done more damage to this country than any other person. Destruction of our democracy has been his objective and that of his followers. Let’s hope Americans will see the light!,
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Parks, You mention “courage”. Will you ever muster the courage to move past your obsession with former President Trump? What are you doing?
You should be spinning cartwheels down Dover Street 24/7. Your candidate won the election, immediately turned hard left and is granting every wish on your list. Why not be joyful and look forward to a brighter day? C’mon, turn the page. What’s going on here?
Deirdre LaMotte says
Sorry, the stench is too horrible to turn the page, as you suggest. It took having that horrible person in the WH
for ordinary citizens to realize how fragile our nation is when attacked from within, as was the case these last four years.
WTH. Get over the ridiculous “leftest” argument; Load of cr*p. This is our nation not a party we are trying to save. And a lot of us grew up as Republicans.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Deirdre, I always look forward to your feedback. Could you please share with me and the readers how Trump destroyed your family? I have asked this of several other contributors, yet have never gotten a direct answer. Have you, these past four years, lost your home, children, financial assets, automobiles and pets? Please, share your personal narrative of loss. Thank you.
Deirdre LaMotte says
What a ridiculous but very telling question. It is not about “me” and all I own. How very selfish and Trumpy of you.
A decent person cares for our collective: public education, the availability of affordable health care, quality water and clean air, the rights of all our people,
the preservation of our nation’s open lands, moral leadership and ethical public servants. All of the above were
trashed during T’s four years.
So if I was to ask “did Trump ruin my life” ? He ruined America.
carol voyles says
It isn’t over until it’s over, and his trial is this week. Since he can no longer twitter 24/7, we’ll hope to hear less from and about him ASAP. but the Republican Party must also do its part to turn this seditious page.
Dick Deerin says
Right on!
Michael Davis says
Well said. Thank you.
Bill Keppen says
Thank you Steve, I see it the same way. Sixty court cases, and too many recounts to count, he is still a loser. And, so are those who claim election fraud.
Darrell Parsons says
Well said! Thank you!
Willard Engelskirchen says
Tom Ricks, in his recent book. First Principles, uses the concept “virtue” which had a different meaning 200 years ago. It was related to honor, self sacrifice, and the like. The founders would not understand Trump.
John Fischer says
I think the Spy is remiss in not noting for the reader that, holding or having held senior positions in the Talbot County Democratic Party, Mr.Parks has an agenda.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi John, Forget about any objectivity from Mr. Parks. He has hated this once great Republic since drawing first breath. I do not “get it”, probably never will. Do not understand how a human can stand getting out of bed in such a burning hell as the U.S.A.. Scratch my head every time I see his toxic words. I remain stumped.
Stephen W Parks says
What? Is this another nutty conspiracy theory? I have never held a senior or any position in the Talbot County Democratic Party nor any other regional party committee. I am an Easton native, but I only moved back to Talbot County in retirement three and a half years ago. As a journalist, my politics remained private throughout my 55-year career. But I will disclose now that when I first got the vote in 1968, I cast mine for Richard Nixon because he had a “secret plan” to end the Vietnam War and I was about to become draft eligible upon college graduation. Nixon proved I was a fool to believe him, my subsequently favorable draft lottery number nothwithstanding. But I remained a Republican for a decade or so to support such moderates as Charles (Mac) Mathias and Rogers C.B. Morton. These sensible Republicans are all but extinct today, Larry Hogan a possible exception. I cannot count on more than one hand that many others.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Mr. Stephen W. Parks, ” Cannot count on more than one hand sensible republicans”? Guess we need an “operational definition” for sensible. For the Dems, would you regard Pelosi, Schumer, Hoyer, AOC, “sensible”. Your answer will clear up a great deal.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Mr. Parks, A small point but I believe an important one. Lyndon B. Johnson ( D-Texas) sent over 500,000 troops to Viet Nam. Richard M. Nixon (R-CA) did, in fact, end the war. Look it up.
Stephen W Parks says
Didn’t I say I was a registered Republican at the time? I could not vote for Hubert Humbphey in 1968 under those circumstnaces. Yes, it was LBJ’s war and then after five years in office Nixon owned it. So, look that up.
Mary Hunt-Miller says
Well said Steve. For over four years I watched in horror as POTUS 45 tried to dismantle the guardrails of our separation of powers and our democracy. I am appalled and saddened that some people see this impeachment trial in a partisan light rather than as a patriotic American whose democracy and historic peaceful transfer of power were under attack.
Thomas Malone says
Right on!
robert c. shafer says
Please explain to me, Mr. Parks — were the Antifa riots that ravaged downtown neighborhoods in DC this past Saturday night not also another example of mob INSURRECTION? Terrified close friends who literally begged the Mayor’s office for law and order and protection — were impolitely dismissed because quite obviously, the victims could not differentiate the difference between “peaceful protest” and violent insurrection. Less than one mile away, thousands of armed National Guard militia were stationed guarding the Capitol and White House against a potential invasion from angry, non-existent MAGA white supremacists. No one among the national or local news media took the trouble to point out the tragic irony of this calamity ….. that being the fact that one man’s insurrection might well be another man’s “peaceful protest.” It all depends on one’s political point of view ….. I find intellectualizing between different expressions of mob violence to be a senseless exercise in futility…….
Deirdre LaMotte says
Ridiculous to compare the two. For one, it is obvious that the riots on the Hill January 6 were
planned with sitting Members of Congress. These anarchist were trying to undue a Constitutional
procedure. They had POTUS as a cheerleader; people died.
Antifa, the new favorite enemy of the nazi-class of voters, have no business rioting. And they are NOT
sponsored by the Democratic Party. You are correct, the National Guard was protecting the Capitol.
However, they should also be inside protecting Members against the gun-toting SOBs in the GOP.