Republicans are number one in two categories. Donald Trump is still the most dangerous president in US history, and Mitch McConnell is now the most disgusting senator in the last 50 years.
The impeachment of Donald Trump came out exactly as expected because it was a political spectacle not a justice event. Even Mitch McConnell, the highest ranking Republican in America, after voting NOT to convict Trump, made it perfectly clear that “former president Trump’s actions preceded the riot and were a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty. . . . There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the event of the day. No question about it. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president. And having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the rolling crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories, and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet earth. . . . It was obvious that only President Trump could end this. . . . If President Trump were still in office, I would have carefully considered whether the House Managers had proved their specific charge. . . . President Trump was in office when the House voted but not when the House chose to deliver the papers.” The fact that McConnell was the one who delayed the impeachment trial by refusing to reconvene the Senate and then argued that impeachment was not constitutional because Trump was out of office, makes him the most disgustingly cunning politician in America.
The constitutionality of impeaching a former president is controversial. The fact that impeachment occurred while Trump was president and only the trial occurred after he left office seems to have escaped many Republican senators. However, 57 out of the 100 senators agreed the impeachment and trial and conviction of former president Trump was constitutional. Excusing Trump’s despicable actions on technical grounds was itself despicable. And, of course, Trump, as usual, took it as complete vindication and proof of being the victim of a “witch hunt.” That will, without a doubt, increase his dangerousness.
Trump’s years of agitating violence and appealing to irrational extremists was a careful grooming of his devotees. He groomed them the same way any con artist grooms a victim. It’s a gradual process building to total loyalty and obedience. He demeaned, demonized and threatened anyone with whom he disagreed thereby justifying violence against them. He often specifically told his loyalists to be violent with protesters at his rallies. He praised agitators as patriots. He worked hard to convince them of lies and conspiracies. He promoted fear and himself as their only savior. A large percentage of his patsies are devout religionists because they are already primed to fall for absurd fairy tales. Someone once said that the only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of adherents. As Voltaire wisely said, “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” That’s exactly what Trump did. We must have more courage than Republican senators. We must oppose Trump at every opportunity and defeat any attempt of his to regain power.
BSCRITIC 