I've just been catching up on that David Holmes deposition, though - wow, that's screwed the GOP (and Gordon Sondland) bigly!

How many more times is Sondland going to have to "have his memory refreshed" and what on earth is left for the GOP to attack with now? (And just imagine if the House actually had access to all those documents, and witnesses, that the WH is withholding.)

I've just been catching up on that David Holmes deposition, though - wow, that's screwed the GOP (and Gordon Sondland) bigly!

How many more times is Sondland going to have to "have his memory refreshed" and what on earth is left for the GOP to attack with now? (And just imagine if the House actually had access to all those documents, and witnesses, that the WH is withholding.)

You’d certainly think so, but throughout Trump’s reign he has always found that the Repugnant Party have been willing to abuse political morality in the hope that his (Trump’s) endorsement will secure their next term in office.

Whilst the GOP had Congress what oversight did they try to enforce? Allowing the Potus free access to disparaging everyone and anyone that even remotely and softly criticised him in the most unimaginative and childish manner. Such early oversight by a friendly party might have curbed his excesses now.

Why did the Repugnant party allow his cosying up to dictators of the world? Why was he not sanctioned for his remarks about Putin and against his own intelligence community? Why did they allow attack after attack by Trump against America’s most staunch allies in NATO? All of this lead to his betrayal of the Syrian Kurds and in his own way to belittle their efforts that lead to the assassination of Al Baghdati (spelling).

Through all this the Repugnant party has swallowed up and regurgitated the only defence Trump thinks he needs “Trump’s Trump!” so we all know that they will not break from modern tradition and cut him loose.

Once in the Senate he will once again get away with it so the only hope for the Democrats is to make enough voters turn against him at the ballot box which is what I believe they are doing but there is always a worry that he will get his second term.

I know your questions were rhetorical but just to be uncool and quote myself from an earlier post by way of response:

"...another desperate effort to deflect the blame from Trump - or, more accurately, from the "Republican" presidency that has delivered everything they'd dreamed of: massive tax cuts for the rich, the stuffing of the entire judicial system with ultra-conservative judges, a corrupt croneyism system running through all levels of government, the stripping away of human rights, workers' rights and environmental regulations, and so much more besides..."

Sadly I'm under no illusions that, however bad it gets for Trump and the GOP, they'll continue to brazen it out.

In relation to all of this, something struck me a while back: the reason people have no shame is that they have no self-respect. And, of course, to quote Rick WIlson once again: Everything Trump Touches Dies.

I see that Trump is now pretending that he'll "strongly consider" testifying in the impeachment hearings.

Aside from the fact that it's impossible for someone to consider something strongly, my reaction is: uh, yeah, sure, Donny. You'll do what you did during Mueller and pretend that you're willing to talk in person (because you're so tremendously, todally innocent an' all) while hiding behind lawyers' advice, who know for certain that you'd convict yourself out of your own mouth.

But in the first instance: why even pretend that you'll testify when you've denounced the entire process countless times as a sham, a hoax, a witch hunt? Wouldn't testifying legitimise it all? What's that you say, Donny? Because you just say the first thing that comes into your head to get the fake nooz reporters on the South Lawn off your back, knowing you can just lie your way out of it afterwards in the certain knowledge that the GOP and Fox News will still have your back?

Speculation is rife that Gordon Sondland will be taking the Fifth today. Now what's that phrase that Donald Trump has used numerous times over the years? Oh yes: Only guilty people take the Fifth.

Trump the legal expert

But there's also the possibility that the House will grant Sondland immunity in order to get him to spill the beans. Now that would be interesting!

Never mind taking the Fifth; Sondland's pre-released written statement is absolute dynamite. This is going to be the most explosive day yet.

I see that Trump is now pretending that he'll "strongly consider" testifying in the impeachment hearings.

Aside from the fact that it's impossible for someone to consider something strongly, my reaction is: uh, yeah, sure, Donny. You'll do what you did during Mueller and pretend that you're willing to talk in person (because you're so tremendously, todally innocent an' all) while hiding behind lawyers' advice, who know for certain that you'd convict yourself out of your own mouth.

But in the first instance: why even pretend that you'll testify when you've denounced the entire process countless times as a sham, a hoax, a witch hunt? Wouldn't testifying legitimise it all? What's that you say, Donny? Because you just say the first thing that comes into your head to get the fake nooz reporters on the South Lawn off your back, knowing you can just lie your way out of it afterwards in the certain knowledge that the GOP and Fox News will still have your back?

AS if by magic! Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General weighs in that she strongly advises Trump NOT to testify in his impeachment hearing due to the nature of the illegal Democratic questioning of never Trumpers ( those that can’t break wind) and deep state activists. The day after Sondland ( a $1m donator to Trumps inauguration) threw everyone in the White House under the bus.

Today, Fiona Hill will testify and in her opening statement WILL disparage claims by the Repugnant party that Ukraine not RUSSIA interfered with the 2016 election.

Who has made the most political gain of Trump’s election win? Putin of course.

Lindsay Graham who can subpoena witnesses to the hearing has gone as quiet as a church mose in the hope that he will escape the backlash after so many Americans can judge for themselves the traitorous nature of a Trump presidency, but it’s no wonder, who can they call? Mulvaney, Pompeo, Pence or perhaps Giuliani! All major players in the “drug deal gone wrong” and whose testimony under oath will lead to either their boss or themselves spending a long time in prison.

So, having seen the headlines earlier that Trump has lost it over the illegal hearing and Adam Schiff’s lies I have to say I have completely changed my mind about Trump and his re-election bid.
I seriously hope that he gains the White House yet again and then I hope that the Democrats continue to throw spears at him with more investigations and more accusations. The very best outcome for all in America would be for Trump to actually go insane from the incessant pressure put in his head (and possibly heart (if found)). I’d like Melania to realise she has 4 more years before she can divorce his sorry fat arse and lead the Potus into divorce court takes his Washington hotel.

So, having seen the headlines earlier that Trump has lost it over the illegal hearing and Adam Schiff’s lies I have to say I have completely changed my mind about Trump and his re-election bid.
I seriously hope that he gains the White House yet again and then I hope that the Democrats continue to throw spears at him with more investigations and more accusations. The very best outcome for all in America would be for Trump to actually go insane from the incessant pressure put in his head (and possibly heart (if found)). I’d like Melania to realise she has 4 more years before she can divorce his sorry fat arse and lead the Potus into divorce court takes his Washington hotel.

Nooooooooo, don't even joke about a second term! That would truly destroy America, and the rest of the world with it.

Meanwhile, at the end of a week of devastating testimony by a succession of highly regarded career professionals (and Gordon Sondland) ripping the Biden and Ukraine interference conspiracies to shreds, what does Trump's favourite castrato Lindsey Graham do?

Lindsey Graham Launches Senate Investigation Into Bidens and Ukraine

You genuinely could not make this stuff up.

Sooooo, looks like Bolton will be cleared by the courts to testify at the impeachment hearings.
There IS a White House email trail that clearly shows a concerted effort to legitimise the withholding of military assistance for a US ally whilst that ally was being attacked by Russia in order for the Ukraine government to agree to investigating Biden for corruption (never proved).
Lindsay Graham believes that Adam Schiff should be interviewed by the senate impeachment trial (why?).
Jeanine Pirro says Sondland’s testimony should be ignored because he was seen to smirk in his deposition and here’s the thing. During Sondland’s testimony, I was convinced he could have been more forthcoming in answering the questions relating to Trump’s calls. 8f one of his tame Fox News propaganda minister said sees this as a damning tale there is hope that enough GOP congressmen and Senators might just have enough morals to see Trump hung.
And this one is my personal favourite. Devin Nunes, the lead GOP congressman is likely to be charged (not investigated because there is already proof) that he, on the behest of Rudi Giuliani’s ex friends and paymasters spoke with the ex Ukraine investigator Shokin about any dirt that had been found ( made up by) the former corrupt government.

Is there anywhere for the corrupt Repugnant party to go?

American (and British, and other) businesspeople and politicians of a corrupt and/or authoritarian bent are now truly reaping the rewards of having carefully dumbed down their own society for decades, leaving huge swaths of the population seriously under-educated and far too easily satisfied.

As such, these huge swaths are compliant and unquestioning, ignorant of the great harm that's being inflicted as they uncaringly look elsewhere, and not just satisfied with but ever more reliant upon "entertainment" that turns their minds further to mush. Never mind trashy TV (which is most TV); the advent of the internet in general, and social media in particular, was an absolute godsend to the would-be plutocrats and autocrats, social media alone having probably knocked a entire generation off their expected timescale. In broad terms this is nothing new at all, of course (think bread and circuses); but it's depressing to realise that it still works so well in our supposedly sophisticated societies, when the "information superhighway" was supposed to educate and liberate us all.

It's no coincidence that authoritatian regimes always make it a priority first to discredit and then to imprison or murder all the dissident voices and the so-called intellectuals, characterising them as enemies of the people who need to be locked up.

The world we've grown up in is on the verge of destruction, and yet John Bolton is more concerned about saving all his juicy revelations for the book for which he's reportedly received a $2M advance. I sincerely hope I'm wrong but I don't believe for one moment that he, nor Don McGahn following the latest court ruling, nor anyone else significant for that matter will find - suddenly, out of the blue, subpoena or not - the moral fibre to testify against the Trump regime in any meaningful way. If they appear at all I think it will be all executive privilege this and executive privilege that.

I still absolutely believe that the House should go ahead and impeach the mthrfckr but I now have near zero hope that the pusillanimous Senate GOP will follow suit and do the right and honourable thing. It would take something truly extraordinary now - like secret tapes?

American (and British, and other) businesspeople and politicians of a corrupt and/or authoritarian bent are now truly reaping the rewards of having carefully dumbed down their own society for decades, leaving huge swaths of the population seriously under-educated and far too easily satisfied.

As such, these huge swaths are compliant and unquestioning, ignorant of the great harm that's being inflicted as they uncaringly look elsewhere, and not just satisfied with but ever more reliant upon "entertainment" that turns their minds further to mush. Never mind trashy TV (which is most TV); the advent of the internet in general, and social media in particular, was an absolute godsend to the would-be plutocrats and autocrats, social media alone having probably knocked a entire generation off their expected timescale. In broad terms this is nothing new at all, of course (think bread and circuses); but it's depressing to realise that it still works so well in our supposedly sophisticated societies, when the "information superhighway" was supposed to educate and liberate us all.

It's no coincidence that authoritatian regimes always make it a priority first to discredit and then to imprison or murder all the dissident voices and the so-called intellectuals, characterising them as enemies of the people who need to be locked up.

The world we've grown up in is on the verge of destruction, and yet John Bolton is more concerned about saving all his juicy revelations for the book for which he's reportedly received a $2M advance. I sincerely hope I'm wrong but I don't believe for one moment that he, nor Don McGahn following the latest court ruling, nor anyone else significant for that matter will find - suddenly, out of the blue, subpoena or not - the moral fibre to testify against the Trump regime in any meaningful way. If they appear at all I think it will be all executive privilege this and executive privilege that.

I still absolutely believe that the House should go ahead and impeach the mthrfckr but I now have near zero hope that the pusillanimous Senate GOP will follow suit and do the right and honourable thing. It would take something truly extraordinary now - like secret tapes?

Too right. Let’s hear the telephone recordings, not just take Trumps crooked word that the transcripts are a whole and truthful representation of the call. Every time I hear one of Trump’s cronies banging on about the transcripts I want to throttle them.

More than enough GOP members in BOTH houses and even the WH knows for damn sure what a crook they are protecting. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen this last week with the Prince Andrew scandal that 20-30 years is no time at all for keeping secrets.

The House GOP's pusillanimity is palpably pitiful and pathetic too, of course, but their votes shouldn't count provided the Dems stick together.

Uh oh, here we go: Rudy is now receiving the "I barely know him" treatment from his bestie. He's toast - but will he cash in that insurance policy he's been hinting at? He must know enough to put Trump away for several lifetimes, and I'm sure Trump wouldn't hesitate for a second in pardoning him - except that he wouldn't be able to because some (and maybe all - it gets confusing and I lose track) of Giuliani's numerous crimes are being investigated by the State of New York, where Trump has no pardon powers, and (maybe) only some others by the federal government, where he does.

So, look out for Bill Barr to wade in to rescue The Untouchable One, because SDNY, like all other law enforcement, comes under the Department of Justice and Barr can kill any investigation he likes. In normal times that would be utterly unthinkable but we are most assuredly not living in normal times.