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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 19:39:36 GMT
I’ve done a search and I don’t see this posted anywhere. www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/politics/republicans-storm-impeachment-inquiry-deposition-laura-cooper/index.htmlthehill.com/homenews/house/467092-republicans-storm-into-house-hearing-to-break-up-trump-impeachment-testimonywww.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower/republican-lawmakers-disrupt-democratic-led-trump-impeachment-inquiry-idUSKBN1X2186From what I’ve gathered reading a lot of different sources, and please correct me if I’m wrong, here is what is going on. - Yesterday Bill Taylor testified that there was quid pro quo with regards to Ukraine aide for the purpose of helping Trump politically.
- Yesterday members of House Freedom Caucus met with Trump about impeachment hearings.
- Today a Pentagon employee was scheduled to be interviewed.
- These are closed door hearings in the SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities), and members of 3 House Panels are the only house members allowed. Approximately 1/4 of each political party’s house members are included.
- Democrats are saying that these initial hearings are closed for a couple of reasons. Namely that the witnesses can’t coordinate their stories and to avoid turning it into a 3 ring circus. Concerns with witness intimidation have been brought up as well. They have also indicated that all transcripts will be made available, but as far as I know haven’t indicated when.
- GOP is upset because they feel the impeachment hearings should be open.
- Previous impeachment hearings have been open. Both had special counsel investigations prior to the impeachment hearings where initial hearings/interviews were not public.
- It is common practice for House to have initial hearings closed in the preliminary stages when opening up an investigation. Recent major investigations of Benghazi had closed initial hearings.
- This part of the impeachment process is being compared to the Grand Jury/indictment stage, where everything is behind closed doors.
- After a couple of previous smaller public stunts to get in the hearings, about 45 members of the House GOP, including some from Freedom Caucus stormed into these hearings today. They refused to leave and are having snacks and pizza delivered. (Eta: now I’m reading about 24 GOP members)
- House minority leader was made aware and issued a comment supporting it.
- This is a secure facility and phones are not allowed. Many, if not all of them brought their phones with them, at least one was recording*, and many of them were tweeting from the get go indicating that they were in the room. After a while they tweeted that it was staff tweeting outside of the room. But initially no one indicated that so to me it is suspect. *Rep Alex Moody said he was reporting live from the SCIF
- Ted Leiu said they were violating house rules trying to crash committees they did not sit on.
For me, this sums it up nicely:
Seriously, what am I missing? How can Republicans defend this as anything other than a stunt to change the narrative and postpone the hearings? How is the same party that was so worried about the classified nature of Hillary’s emails violate the rules of a classified hearing? Eta: These initial hearings I am referring to are actually depositions. (Thanks artgirl1) And those are what are typically closed door meetings. Not the actual hearings. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Oct 23, 2019 19:52:06 GMT
Seriously, what am I missing? How can Republicans defend this as anything other than a stunt to change the narrative and postpone the hearings? How is the same party that was so worried about the classified nature of Hillary’s emails violate the rules of a classified hearing? You are missing nothing! The GOP says that the investigation should be public with ALL the evidence presented.......... TOO bad there is little to no written evidence to look at. Wonder why that is? Could it be that THE GOP has denied access to everything? They think THEY are above the law as well as the person in the WH. The DOJ will not do anything to help!! Sondland has committed perjury, should be referred for charges. Guess what, who at DOJ will do anything, under AG Barr? And to top it off, the lawyers (BTW: at least one was Manifort's) for Igor and Lev, Giulianni's henchmen are asking about executive privilege. dt claims he does not know who Igor and Lev are so how do they even consider executive privilege? |
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 20:02:42 GMT
Seriously, what am I missing? How can Republicans defend this as anything other than a stunt to change the narrative and postpone the hearings? How is the same party that was so worried about the classified nature of Hillary’s emails violate the rules of a classified hearing? You are missing nothing! The GOP says that the investigation should be public with ALL the evidence presented.......... TOO bad there is little to no written evidence to look at. Wonder why that is? Could it be that THE GOP has denied access to everything? They think THEY are above the law as well as the person in the WH. The DOJ will not do anything to help!! Sondland has committed perjury, should be referred for charges. Guess what, who at DOJ will do anything, under AG Barr? And to top it off, the lawyers (BTW: at least one was Manifort's) for Igor and Lev, Giulianni's henchmen are asking about executive privilege. dt claims he does not know who Igor and Lev are so how do they even consider executive privilege? From what I understand after the initial investigation all interviews will be made public and the hearings made public. As it’s typically done. I don’t see, and perhaps I missed it, how this is being treated differently than other serious issues, including the previous impeachment hearings. None of those initial interviews were public either. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Oct 23, 2019 20:09:36 GMT
From what I understand after the initial investigation all interviews will be made public and the hearings made public. As it’s typically done. I don’t see, and perhaps I missed it, how this is being treated differently than other serious issues, including the previous impeachment hearings. None of those initial interviews were public either. In the former impeachment situations there was a Special Counsel who did the initial investigation and that was private as is a grand jury. This initial investigation is being done by the House committees in private like a grand jury! A number of GOP committee members ARE ALLOWED to ask questions in the depositions! The info will be presented when the discussion of Articles of Impeachment happens! At this point they are being spoiled brats, above the law.... me me me me me........... wonder where they learned that? |
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by maryannscraps on Oct 23, 2019 20:19:26 GMT
It seems to me that the GOP is actively compromising our national security. The House is investigating crimes that affect our national security, and the GOP is actively compromising that investigation, having effects on our security at home and abroad. If it sounds like treason and acts like treason...
I think they should be arrested for interfering with an investigation.
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Post by artgirl1 on Oct 23, 2019 20:21:27 GMT
Previous impeachment hearings have been open. Both had special counsel investigations prior to the impeachment hearings where initial hearings/interviews were not public. I believe that all the initial investigations, testimony is held under closed committee. These are depositions, and fact finding only at this point. This is not an impeachment hearing per se, but an investigation as to whether there is adequate proof to bring an impeachment hearing. Parallel analogy is a grand jury investigation before charges are brought of a crime. I don't recall that the Trey Gowdy's private hearings on Benghazi were stormed by the Democrats, but the republicans have their own rules. Personally, I think that Matt Gatz should be returned to his playpen. What a tool. Along with the rest of these Republican crybabies. |
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Post by artgirl1 on Oct 23, 2019 20:22:48 GMT
I think they should be arrested for interfering with an investigation.  Instead they had pizza delivered while they interrupted the hearing for 5+ hours. |
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by AmandaA on Oct 23, 2019 20:30:55 GMT
I think they should be arrested for interfering with an investigation. Instead they had pizza delivered while they interrupted the hearing for 5+ hours. I read one blurb about them being brought snacks and they were sitting in there eating Cheez-its. Brings new meaning to bitch eating crackers 🙄 |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 23, 2019 20:33:24 GMT
I agree, those barging in should be held accountable in some way. It absolutely IS a national security issue. This is completely unacceptable. We have laws in place, rules that must be followed and that up until now always have been. These are some crazy @ ss times we live in. The problem is that I doubt very much anything will actually be done and a terrible precedent is being set. I still can’t believe this is where we are right now. It kind of feels like we’re circling the drain as more and more of our standard procedures and norms are being stripped away daily with zero repercussions for the offenders.
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Post by mollycoddle on Oct 23, 2019 20:47:39 GMT
I’ve done a search and I don’t see this posted anywhere. www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/politics/republicans-storm-impeachment-inquiry-deposition-laura-cooper/index.htmlthehill.com/homenews/house/467092-republicans-storm-into-house-hearing-to-break-up-trump-impeachment-testimonywww.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower/republican-lawmakers-disrupt-democratic-led-trump-impeachment-inquiry-idUSKBN1X2186From what I’ve gathered reading a lot of different sources, and please correct me if I’m wrong, here is what is going on. - Yesterday Bill Taylor testified that there was quid pro quo with regards to Ukraine aide for the purpose of helping Trump politically.
- Yesterday members of House Freedom Caucus met with Trump about impeachment hearings.
- Today a Pentagon employee was scheduled to be interviewed.
- These are closed door hearings in the SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities), and members of 3 House Panels are the only house members allowed. Approximately 1/4 of each political party’s house members are included.
- Democrats are saying that these initial hearings are closed for a couple of reasons. Namely that the witnesses can’t coordinate their stories and to avoid turning it into a 3 ring circus. Concerns with witness intimidation have been brought up as well. They have also indicated that all transcripts will be made available, but as far as I know haven’t indicated when.
- GOP is upset because they feel the impeachment hearings should be open.
- Previous impeachment hearings have been open. Both had special counsel investigations prior to the impeachment hearings where initial hearings/interviews were not public.
- It is common practice for House to have initial hearings closed in the preliminary stages when opening up an investigation. Recent major investigations of Benghazi had closed initial hearings.
- This part of the impeachment process is being compared to the Grand Jury/indictment stage, where everything is behind closed doors.
- After a couple of previous smaller public stunts to get in the hearings, about 45 members of the House GOP, including some from Freedom Caucus stormed into these hearings today. They refused to leave and are having snacks and pizza delivered.
- House minority leader was made aware and issued a comment supporting it.
- This is a secure facility and phones are not allowed. Many, if not all of them brought their phones with them, at least one was recording*, and many of them were tweeting from the get go indicating that they were in the room. After a while they tweeted that it was staff tweeting outside of the room. But initially no one indicated that so to me it is suspect. *Rep Alex Moody said he was reporting live from the SCIF
- Ted Leiu said they were violating house rules trying to crash committees they did not sit on.
For me, this sums it up nicely:
Seriously, what am I missing? How can Republicans defend this as anything other than a stunt to change the narrative and postpone the hearings? How is the same party that was so worried about the classified nature of Hillary’s emails violate the rules of a classified hearing? You are right; it is a stunt. They can’t defend Trump’s actions, so they are bellowing about the process. What is really interesting in all of this is the number of people who are willing to testify. Trump clearly did not expect that, and he can’t stop it. So A gang of dummies, led by Gaetz, barged into a secure room to disrupt the proceedings. They look ridiculous. |
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 20:57:02 GMT
Previous impeachment hearings have been open. Both had special counsel investigations prior to the impeachment hearings where initial hearings/interviews were not public. I believe that all the initial investigations, testimony is held under closed committee. These are depositions, and fact finding only at this point. This is not an impeachment hearing per se, but an investigation as to whether there is adequate proof to bring an impeachment hearing. Parallel analogy is a grand jury investigation before charges are brought of a crime. I don't recall that the Trey Gowdy's private hearings on Benghazi were stormed by the Democrats, but the republicans have their own rules. Personally, I think that Matt Gatz should be returned to his playpen. What a tool. Along with the rest of these Republican crybabies. You’re correct, it is a deposition, I will correct that in my original post. And that is exactly what I’m saying, this is being handled like all initial investigations, so what is the GOP protesting? They have even admitted the House isn’t violating any rules. At least one Democrat Republican not on the proper committees tried to enter the Benghazi hearings. And Gowdy confronted him and he was rightfully escorted out. Rep Issa Escorted Out of Benghazi Panel.
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 20:59:14 GMT
I agree, those barging in should be held accountable in some way. It absolutely IS a national security issue. This is completely unacceptable. We have laws in place, rules that must be followed and that up until now always have been. These are some crazy @ ss times we live in. The problem is that I doubt very much anything will actually be done and a terrible precedent is being set. I still can’t believe this is where we are right now. It kind of feels like we’re circling the drain as more and more of our standard procedures and norms are being stripped away daily with zero repercussions for the offenders.A thousand times this. The Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security did issue a letter to the Seargent at Arms for the House asking for him to “take action with members involved in the breach.” We’ll see what, of anything, comes of it. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 21:09:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 21:09:43 GMT
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Oct 23, 2019 21:17:18 GMT
I read one blurb about them being brought snacks and they were sitting in there eating Cheez-its. Brings new meaning to bitch eating crackers 🙄 their behavior brings to mind the Cheez-it commercials about how rude, infantile, and juvenile the Cheez-it crackers are... which means it was a perfect snack choice for the Republicans!! It's all their smoke-and-mirrors show... make it all about how the impeachment *process* is flawed, unfair, illegal (substitute whatever adjective you want), because the EVIDENCE is SOOOO, SOOOO BAD. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Oct 23, 2019 21:23:01 GMT
Dafuq kind of western movie is this?
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 21:26:07 GMT
Adding to the ridiculousness of this stunt www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/addybaird/republicans-storm-scif-impeach-trump-pizza-phones?__twitter_impression=trueWHERE ARE THE GROWN UP REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DENOUNCING THIS? In staying silent they are showing their support of their colleagues breaching security protocols and their willingness to not follow the rules of the House. And if any of these 12 brought their phones in, I think they should be removed from the committees at the very least. I don’t think any of them have the excuse of not knowing phones are allowed, but especially those 12 who have already attended depositions there. ETA: Nevermind what I said about “especially the 12” that should know better, there is a freaking sign on the door they entered through stating no recording devices were allowed. This is Gaetz, with his phone out obviously recording while entering the SCIF. |
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 21:28:50 GMT
I think they should be arrested for interfering with an investigation. Instead they had pizza delivered while they interrupted the hearing for 5+ hours. Yes, if they wanted to be able to claim this wasn’t a stunt, they shouldn’t have had pizza delivered. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Oct 23, 2019 21:31:32 GMT
Correct they should be punished. What they did is against all the rules, possibly illegal.. Call Barr and see how that goes!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Oct 23, 2019 21:32:27 GMT
From the Buzzfeed article dewryce posted: Slow clap. Well done, reporters, well done. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Oct 23, 2019 21:34:18 GMT
Correct! I don't recall that the Trey Gowdy's private hearings on Benghazi were stormed by the Democrats, but the republicans have their own rules. IF anyone has copy of the Benghazi report.. Trey Gowdy's statement for the closed door/private hearings is on page 360!! |
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 21:51:07 GMT
So the obvious question now is, is this all to detract from the content of the impeachment investigations and change the narrative to the Democrats “not being transparent, and/or is something else happening right now they are trying to detract from?
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Post by sleepingbooty on Oct 23, 2019 21:53:52 GMT
So the obvious question now is, is this all to detract from the content of the impeachment investigations and change the narrative to the Democrats “not being transparent, and/or is something else happening right now they are trying to detract from? I'll take 'spin-doctoring the impeachment narrative' for 100, Alex. |
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by AmandaA on Oct 23, 2019 22:03:42 GMT
My guess is it just a shiny object to attract the attention of the simpleton supporters away from the actual seriousness of the situation and the proverbial shit getting ready to hit the fan about their guy. Way to show the libs 🙄. Never mind the fact that testimony resumed and people are finally getting on the record about actual facts related to the suspect behavior of the members of this administration. It continues to shock me that so many of the rank and file Republicans are engaging, supporting, or ignoring these kind of shenanigans. I wonder how big they think “the base” supporting them still is when you look at recent polling regarding impeachment and removal from office.
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Post by artgirl1 on Oct 23, 2019 22:24:45 GMT
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Post by dewryce on Oct 23, 2019 22:32:41 GMT
Ha, totally missed that, thanks! I have been reading so many articles today my eyes are starting to blur. Either way, Gowdy was still insistent that anyone not on the included panels was not allowed at the hearings. So I’m sure he feels the same way about today’s depositions and will be denouncing his colleagues publicly. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 22:44:36 GMT
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Post by mollycoddle on Oct 23, 2019 22:45:48 GMT
My guess is it just a shiny object to attract the attention of the simpleton supporters away from the actual seriousness of the situation and the proverbial shit getting ready to hit the fan about their guy. Way to show the libs 🙄. Never mind the fact that testimony resumed and people are finally getting on the record about actual facts related to the suspect behavior of the members of this administration. It continues to shock me that so many of the rank and file Republicans are engaging, supporting, or ignoring these kind of shenanigans. I wonder how big they think “the base” supporting them still is when you look at recent polling regarding impeachment and removal from office. This ^^^^^ We will all need to rewatch Animal House to see what they come up with next. Maybe Gaetz will start a food fight. |
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,580
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Post by jayfab on Oct 23, 2019 23:00:42 GMT
So the obvious question now is, is this all to detract from the content of the impeachment investigations and change the narrative to the Democrats “not being transparent, and/or is something else happening right now they are trying to detract from? Trying to get yesterdays damning testimony out of the news and create hijinks to stall the hearings. The more they stall and gets past the new year the slimmer the chances of impeachment. I don't think it's going to work this time tho. |
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Post by mollycoddle on Oct 23, 2019 23:05:05 GMT
So the obvious question now is, is this all to detract from the content of the impeachment investigations and change the narrative to the Democrats “not being transparent, and/or is something else happening right now they are trying to detract from? Trying to get yesterdays damning testimony out of the news and create hijinks to stall the hearings. The more they stall and gets past the new year the slimmer the chances of impeachment. I don't think it's going to work this time tho. Yeah, this will play on Fox and that other conservative station (OAN?), but it won’t play well anywhere else. |
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