There were 11 articles of impeachment leveled at Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States. Nine of them directly addressed his firing of Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War (these days known as the Secretary of Defense.)
The 10th article, in short, accused him of making public speeches during which his intent was to, "...bring into disgrace, ridicule, hatred, contempt, and reproach, the Congress of the United States." The 11th was, at its heart, "Bringing disgrace and ridicule to the presidency by his aforementioned words and actions."
Much later Ken Starr was an independent counsel investigating President Bill Clinton in what was known as the White Water affair--a land deal Clinton was involved with years before he took office in Washington.
After digging and digging Starr couldn't nail Clinton on anything. However, through a tenuous connection he was able to link Clinton to Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern who had given Wild Bill two, or three blow jobs. Clinton, denied the BJ's and was accused of asking Lewinsky to do the same. The republican controlled House ended up impeaching Clinton on charges he lied to a grand jury about yet another extra marital affair which occurred prior to his presidency along with obstruction of justice.
Andrew Johnson was acquitted in his Senate trial by a single vote. When it was Clinton's turn in the dock over 100 years later the votes weren't even close. He left office, still president, a year later with a job approval rating of over 60%.
The only other president who faced impeachment was Richard Nixon. After the articles against him were drawn up, but before a vote in the House was taken he met with republican congressional leaders to see where he stood. All of them, including arch conservative Barry Goldwater, told him in no uncertain terms he was fucked. Facing certain conviction he resigned just in time to save his pension and other perks. Within days of his resignation he was pardoned by the new president, Gerald Ford of all crimes in the past and any which might come up in the future.
Andrew Johnson ended up being a less than one term president as did Ford. Ken Starr later became president of Baylor University. He was forced to resign after it was found a significant portion of the school's football team spent their off seasons committing rapes. The crimes were covered up by the head coach--a guy Starr had given complete and unquestioned reign over the program to. As for Clinton? He survived a heart attack after his presidency was over and continues to make big bucks speaking to various groups of people everywhere. His long suffering wife was defeated by the current resident of the White House in the 2016 presidential election, although she garnered three million more votes nationwide than he did.
All of which brings us to one Donald John Trump. He has gone way beyond a few speeches which are designed to bring hatred, ridicule, and all that other stuff to congress. Plus his very presence in the Oval Office is a disgrace to the presidency.
Lately his flat out refusal to allow aides and former aides to appear before congressional committees, in violation of subpoenas, could be and is, interpreted by many to be the very definition of obstruction of justice. Not to mention a brute power play meant to secure supreme authority in his hands and relegate the legislative branch as irrelevant as Russia's State Duma.
But, as we've just learned impeaching a president is no easy feat. Johnson was a democrat facing a congress which was overwhelmingly republican and even he survived. Clinton breezed through the process. Only Nixon appeared doomed, but we'll never know for sure.
Impeachment is also unpopular with the general public. Reports from the time indicate that, while Johnson wasn't a fan favorite, most people disapproved of the proceedings against him. Clinton's approval rating when he left office was 60%, but in the immediate aftermath of his Senate trial it was over 70%.
Now you know why Nancy Pelosi is so reluctant to green light the impeachment of Don Trump. Politically it could backfire on democrats not only in the next presidential election, but in the Senate and House as well. To put it in terms Game of Thrones fans will understand, if you go after a king, you'd better not miss.
And miss democrats will. The Senate will never convict Donald Trump at this point. In fact right now the fucker could walk naked down Pennsylvania Ave while masturbating and GOP Senators would vote to acquit.
On the other hand, Trump's arrogance and complete disregard for the fundamentals of American government and democracy must be confronted. I used to think he was ignorant of the legislative process. Now I believe he understands it, but simply has no respect, or use for it. Besides saying repeatedly a free press is the enemy of the people, he has told donors America might be better off with a president for life. The weird bromance with Vladimir Putin is well documented. There has even been speculation, by reasonable democrats, if he loses a razor thin election next year he might declare the results invalid for one reason, or another.
Let's face it, Nixon knew he was going down for high crimes and misdemeanors. Trump, who has committed them all his life with impunity doesn't even grasp the concept of wrong doing. He is the most dangerous of all things--a spoiled, self entitled, rich thug who has never been told no by anyone.
All those factors added together are why I've decided that, while the effort will be in vain, for the sake of the republic, it is time to impeach the son of a bitch.
Hey, sometimes a lost cause is better than no cause at all.
5-22-19
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