No Masterskrain, killing them is not the best way. Once you start down that road, more of same follows. Study the fall of the Roman Republic and of the Athenian Democracy. The Athenians got to be very casual about declaring some at fault and then executing them. It was one of the reasons for the founders choosing a representative democracy.
Pelosi picked a weak case, should have used a shotgun approach and run up hundreds of articles of impeachment. Not too late to begin more investigations but they won’t.
By the way, in case anyone thinks that this is not something he would actually say, here’s Benjamin Franklin from the debate transcripts, July 20, 1787:
“History furnishes one example only of a first magistrate being formally brought to public justice. Every body cried out against this as unconstitutional. What was the practice before this, in cases where the chief magistrate rendered himself obnoxious? Why, recourse was had to assassination, in which he was not only deprived of his life, but of the opportunity of vindicating his character. It would be the best way, therefore, to provide in the Constitution for the regular punishment of the executive, where his misconduct should deserve it, and for his honorable acquittal, where he should be unjustly accused.”
We aren’t having debates, we have a party stand off by the numbers, and the lying Republicans support the criminal president in his effort to use a foreign country to get dirt on an American rival, Biden.
Did the Dems make a huge mistake by not waiting to get the courts to approve their subpoenas? Why, yes, of course, they did. (Mulvaney would not have honored the subpoena—but he already publicly confessed. And I don’t suppose even Nancy has the testicles to jail Li’l Mickey. Bolton would have testified if he were formally supoenaed.) Did they make a huge mistake in their Articles of Impeachment? Why, yes, they did. (For one thing, the average Trump voter couldn’t name even a TENTH of the countries of the world Trump has taken bribes from, let alone a tenth of the countries of the world.) Did they make a huge mistake by NOT starting impeachment hearings MONTHS ago? Why, of course they did! It seems like it was only (mumble mumble) decades ago when Jay Leno pointed out that the Republicans are the party of greed and evil, and the Democrats the party of incompetence……..
Well there’s truth to the argument. Leaders were deposed and executed as result of a revolution, coup, or assassination. Impeachment is an actual formal, political process to hold leaders accountable and give due process. Only the guilty runs, hides, lies, obstruct, and play victim instead of just participating in the process to defend themselves.
I wish I could remember (for the sake of accurate attribution) a recent remark in a column in the NYTimes, which began, “There’s no good way to get rid of a bad king”. Which doesn’t apply to bad presidents (and judges and even senators), who can be impeached and removed from office. Which, since everything is relative, counts as a “good way”.
Masterskrain Premium Member over 4 years ago
Well, in THIS case, perhaps the OLD WAY was the BEST WAY!!!!
richsolano over 4 years ago
Ben was always a glass half-full kind of guy.
H. Stickmin Esq over 4 years ago
When I came today, 2 presidents have been impeached. When I leave today, 3 will have been. Such a great date is today. So excited!
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 4 years ago
No Masterskrain, killing them is not the best way. Once you start down that road, more of same follows. Study the fall of the Roman Republic and of the Athenian Democracy. The Athenians got to be very casual about declaring some at fault and then executing them. It was one of the reasons for the founders choosing a representative democracy.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 4 years ago
The Democrats should follow the advice of this guy:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-12-17/how-democrats-can-call-the-republicans-bluff-on-impeachment
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
Pelosi picked a weak case, should have used a shotgun approach and run up hundreds of articles of impeachment. Not too late to begin more investigations but they won’t.
guyjen2004 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Good old Ben. Bats**t crazy but usually right. Brilliant man.
Michael G. over 4 years ago
Well put, Brian. Ben Franklin generally cut right to the heart of things!
PoodleGroomer over 4 years ago
A printer always makes money when there is something scandalous to print. Ben would have loved printing and blogging in our times.
Brian Carroll creator over 4 years ago
By the way, in case anyone thinks that this is not something he would actually say, here’s Benjamin Franklin from the debate transcripts, July 20, 1787:
“History furnishes one example only of a first magistrate being formally brought to public justice. Every body cried out against this as unconstitutional. What was the practice before this, in cases where the chief magistrate rendered himself obnoxious? Why, recourse was had to assassination, in which he was not only deprived of his life, but of the opportunity of vindicating his character. It would be the best way, therefore, to provide in the Constitution for the regular punishment of the executive, where his misconduct should deserve it, and for his honorable acquittal, where he should be unjustly accused.”
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
We aren’t having debates, we have a party stand off by the numbers, and the lying Republicans support the criminal president in his effort to use a foreign country to get dirt on an American rival, Biden.
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
“A republic if we can keep it,” Nancy Pelosi today.
Godfreydaniel over 4 years ago
Did the Dems make a huge mistake by not waiting to get the courts to approve their subpoenas? Why, yes, of course, they did. (Mulvaney would not have honored the subpoena—but he already publicly confessed. And I don’t suppose even Nancy has the testicles to jail Li’l Mickey. Bolton would have testified if he were formally supoenaed.) Did they make a huge mistake in their Articles of Impeachment? Why, yes, they did. (For one thing, the average Trump voter couldn’t name even a TENTH of the countries of the world Trump has taken bribes from, let alone a tenth of the countries of the world.) Did they make a huge mistake by NOT starting impeachment hearings MONTHS ago? Why, of course they did! It seems like it was only (mumble mumble) decades ago when Jay Leno pointed out that the Republicans are the party of greed and evil, and the Democrats the party of incompetence……..
ndblackirish97 over 4 years ago
Well there’s truth to the argument. Leaders were deposed and executed as result of a revolution, coup, or assassination. Impeachment is an actual formal, political process to hold leaders accountable and give due process. Only the guilty runs, hides, lies, obstruct, and play victim instead of just participating in the process to defend themselves.
Joe1962 Premium Member over 4 years ago
The Dems or jumping of the clif with Nancy Pelosi
AndrewSihler over 4 years ago
I wish I could remember (for the sake of accurate attribution) a recent remark in a column in the NYTimes, which began, “There’s no good way to get rid of a bad king”. Which doesn’t apply to bad presidents (and judges and even senators), who can be impeached and removed from office. Which, since everything is relative, counts as a “good way”.