This morning we’re experiencing an infestation of Trumpists who apparently don’t like our new MAGA hat design.  We’re fumigating the Salon right now.  The comments are the usual, with childish name calling, baseless boasting, and the occasional threat of violence because they disagree with us.  One of the recurring themes of these comments was “Trump isn’t impeached because Pelosi hasn’t sent the articles to the Senate”.  This talking point started in the last day or so, fueled by Harvard law professor Noah Feldman (yes, the same Noah Feldman who testified in favor of impeachment a couple of weeks ago) making the argument that Trump’s not impeached until the Senate gets the articles.  Almost every other legal scholar disagrees, including Jonathan Turley, the only legal expert to testify against impeaching Trump during the House investigation.  Even Feldman admitted that the issue is more “symbolic than practical”.  The Constitution says that the House has the “sole power to impeach”.  It doesn’t say anything about it having to go to the Senate to be an impeachment.  The Senate has the “sole power” to hold the trial.  I wouldn’t count on McConnell doing anything legal or Constitutional.  After all, he sat on Obama’s SCOTUS nominee for a year, never holding one single hearing or even meeting the nominee.

That doesn’t matter to Trumpists and the talking point has taken off in the echo chamber, as most RW bullshit does, proliferating on websites, and, of course, Fox Noise.  Like all other of their memes and silly arguments their false indignation has nothing to do with the law, Constitution, or even basic morals, but all about tribe.  Their spray painted, bad combed over cheesy reality television star is not a felon who pays bribes to porn stars and extorts foreign leaders for self gain, he’s “a real person”, “salt of the earth”, and even…wait for it…”sent by God.”  Statements that make normal people slack jawed are articles of faith for Teabaggers-cum-Trumpists.  It’s weird, but very consistent.

Anyhoo, back to fumigating.

Here’s our new Salon design for 2020…A MAGA cap with the iconic Number 3 standing for Trump’s position in the line of impeached presidents, and on the back, George Conway’s now trending hashtag #impotus.

Nice, eh?

Screwy Louie did it today – from the floor of the House, he spouted Russian propaganda about the false notion that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election.  And Nadler was having none of it.  I won’t play all of Screwy Louie’s screed, but will play the end of it and then Nadler’s response.  The exchange is pretty entertaining.

Nancy Pelosi and the chairs of the House committees that investigated are now announcing two articles of impeachment against Trump.  One is for abuse of power in extorting Ukraine, and the second for obstruction of Congress.

More later.

1. As JJ pointed out, Roger Stone got the book thrown at him today, convicted of all seven felony charges of lying and obstruction.  Those convictions were critical to bring the the forefront of our nation’s conscience that lying to the congress and the FBI is a CRIME; a serious CRIME.
2. Add to that the virtually flawless testimony of Marie Yovanovitch, the former Ambassador to Ukraine who had been recalled and smeared by Trump because she got in the way of his drug deal Giuliani was trying to pull off.  She was very straightforward, non-partisan, and professional, and even acknowledged the appearance of conflict with Hunter Biden’s board seat on Burisma’s board.
3. The big news of the day, though, is when Trump committed another felony (and added another article to his impeachment) LIVE on Twitter and national television when he tweeted a personal attack against Yovanovitch.  When the tweet came out, Schiff halted the questioning, and read the tweet to her, soliciting her immediate response.  Her response was muted, but talked about her career as a professional being stationed in troubled places around the world whose troubles didn’t start with her.  The backlash against Trump was swift and loud, and even Fox Noise talking heads spoke out against Trump’s actions.  When the Trump National Network is speaking out, you know it’s bad.

All of this adds up to a bad day for Trump, a very bad day.  I found it immensely entertaining.