Jim Morin for December 15, 2019

By announcing publicly, in advance, that he intends to violate his sacred oath to be impartial, the foreman of the Senate “jury” in the upcoming impeachment trial has now utterly destroyed any ability by Trump or the Republicans to claim exoneration in a trial.

Sure, Mitch McConnell may be able to deliver the votes to technically “acquit,” but no rational person will fail to see through the system that HE ADMITS IN ADVANCE HE INTENDS TO RIG.

Yeah, we all understand that the Senate can be compared metaphorically to a jury but is not actually a jury. There is no voir dire (challenging of potential jurors to ensure objective neutrality). These “jurors” are not selected by voir dire, but by elections in their respective states. A jury operates in a criminal trial. Impeachment is a political trial.

Senators are elected politicians and, yes, they bring their biases to the trial.

But they still take an oath to operate with impartiality.

By announcing in advance that he is coordinating with the defendant — the jury foreman coordinating with the defendant — Mitch McConnell has admitted that the trial is rigged and so any acquittal is thus tainted and without merit.

Mitch McConnell has confirmed Trump’s guilt for all of history.

cAN YOU SAY: COLLUSION AND OBSTRUCTIUON?

Funny that the right wing cartoonists were using the “Kangaroo Kourt” image to lambaste the Democrats. That was before Mitch admitted on national TV that he has no intention of allowing a fair trial. Now it’s the left’s turn.

Uh, not a kangaroo, but a turtle with it’s nose planted firmly up Bonespurs’ butt.

Moscow Mitch likes the way Traitor Weasel bounces against him in his pouch.

I listened to Adam Schiff on Colbert last night and he was so lucid explaining things and how it will work (or should) I can not understand how any of those “others” can look at themselves in a mirror!

Oh, how far America has fallen in just 3 years… it’s absolutely sad. The Confederacy couldn’t destroy America. The Axis couldn’t destroy America. Communism couldn’t destroy America.

BUT, The Republican party HAS Destroyed America. Well, it was nice while it lasted, folks.

The Supreme Court has recently claimed they are impartial to politics……they judge by they laws of the land……and if anyone believes that, I have swamp land to sell you in Florida…..

The rotten Republican kangaroo court, Moscow Mitch already announced that Fearless Leader was innocent. The party of lies, theft and cheating protects its own.

Recuse! Recuse!

Vlad is smiling more broadly every day. It’s not often you get more than one fish on a lure.

Remember back in the day when Trump complained about things being “fixed” and “rigged?” You can’t make this stuff up.

I’ll bet that pouch is slimy.

A fine example of American justice about to be displayed to the world.

Had a flash of Sammy Davis Jr. on the here come da judge line. Fondly.

Oh, stop worrying. The “fix” is in. At least “Old Snapping Turtle” says it is.

I thought a kangaroo court was one in which the accused suffered summary injustice. In this case, the American people and the Constitution are the ones that are in Moscow Mitch’s pouch. And, for what it’s worth, Chief Justice John Roberts is going to be the judge.

Moscow Mitch is drunk on power.

You gotta remember, that with the Trumpers, you’re not dealing with rational people.

That old alligator snapping turtle Mitch McConnell has had low numbers and still win. Remember dislike of congress, but love their representatives.

Who is in whom’s pocket?

Is Moscow Mitch a kangaroo-turtle hybrid?

Only in Fascist America can you have criminal Senators presiding over a political impeachment of one of their own and stating what the outcome is going to be before it even starts. Does anybody else feel like they’re in the Twilight Zone??

There is only one real solution to this problem. Vote for impeachment in the House and then sit on the articles. Don’t send them to the Senate. The Senate cannot try what it does not have, but the stain of impeachment will remain on Trump’s back for the rest of his term. He will not be able to claim exoneration since he will not be tried, but he will have impeachment hanging over him for the entire election cycle of 2020. He will be accused but never tried so his guilt will remain in the minds of the voters and he cannot point to Senate acquittal to claim he is innocent. The Democratic focus should be the absolute certainty that they retain control of the House and gain control of the Senate. If that happens and Trump is re-elected he can be immediately tried in the Senate and possibly be removed from office since the Republicans won’t have the primary power they have now and some of them might vote their conscience over party. It would also be a back-up if Trump loses and refuses to leave even if he loses decisively in the Electoral College.

Who knew Moscow Mitch is a Marsupial?

Article II, Section 4 provides:

The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers (like Senators & Judges) of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Repeating from above, but here not buried in a long comment thread:

McConnell has NO AUTHORITY in an impeachment trial.

The Constitution (Article I. Section 3.) says:

“The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside….” [my emphasis]

So a Senate trial will be invalid unless Chief Justice John Roberts is present and in control. Okay, folks, make sure your Senators are aware of that and enforce it!

(I certainly hope Ms. Pelosi is aware of that and is waiting to spring the trap when McConnell tries to take charge.)

Here Come the Judge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hIcKkKID8k

Or, as Pigmeat Markham said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRS62nccwmw