Counting (On) Sheep

My next column in The Everett Herald:

Read the transcript, he said. Don’t be sheep. Think for yourself. Do your own research.  

Have you read the transcript? 

No. 

But it’s important to read it, and decide for yourself? 

Yes. 

But, to be clear, you haven’t read it. 

Don’t need to.

It was a real interview, of him and other rally-going Trumpists.  

Housing within his skull so many contradictory beliefs that he can’t see the irony, he’s the archetypal Trumpist. And now that impeachment is upon us, he’s the exact supporter Trump and his enablers are counting on: proudly, aggressively, uninformed. Inside a bubble so perfectly designed that he thinks he’s on the outside, he’s done with thinking. 

As only the third impeachment in our history, it’s serious business. Those who think Democrats aren’t giving it the gravity it deserves, like that prototypical Trumpist (let’s call him PT), accept, unquestioned, Republican screaming and dissembling and outright Foxotrumpian lies. 

Democrats presented dedicated, respected public servants (many of whom were Republicans), along with experts in Constitutional law. Republican committee-members responded with mockery, character assassination, and attempts to convince PT he didn’t hear what he heard.  

“This is an assault on America,” says the man who called the press “the enemy of the people,” the FBI “scum,” who declared, “liberals want to destroy you,” and who claims absolute power. Impeachment is, in fact, a counterattack on Trump’s assault on America. The articles leave out more of his corruption than they name.  

Senators Collins and Ernst, a pair of perfectly emblematic Republican hypocrites, will be among the jurors. During the Clinton impeachment, Collins demanded more witnesses before making up her allegedly open but predictably docile mind. Now she finds it unnecessary. Senator Ernst is counting even more on PT- style credulity: there’s no need to call new witnesses, because if Democrats didn’t call them, it’s their screw-up. Yep, that’s her position. Invited to send his lawyers, Trump refused. Democrats subpoenaed key witnesses, Trump blocked them. Therefore, it’s on Democrats. One assumes PT buys it.  

But none of these is as destructive, if entirely expected, as Moscow Mitch and Lilly-liver Lindsey admitting outright they have no intention of following the oath they’ll be taking as jurors in the Senate trial. Which means they hold our Constitution in even greater contempt than does Trump, who has regularly demonstrated he has no clue what’s in it, and doesn’t care to find out. 

For those who haven’t inquired, the oath pledges the following: 

"I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God." 

On government TV dba Fox “news,” Moscow Mitch proudly announced he’ll be taking orders from the White House. Lilly-liver Lindsey crowed, “… I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here.” Let’s recall his words last time ‘round, when he stated, correctly, about White House refusal of subpoenas, “It is not your job to tell us what we need, it is your job to comply with the things we need to provide oversight over you.” That was when elected Republicans at least faked it. 

These raised middle fingers to the rule of law reflect their confidence that the likes of PT won’t care, or even notice, how dangerously un-American this is. Nor will it occur to PT et ilk how clearly it confirms that Trump has plenty to hide, and that Republicans are happy to help. 

Hook, line, and sinking citizenship, their voters have gobbled the shouted lies and curated ignorance we saw in the House hearings. Then, they claimed the process was a kangaroo court. Now their Senators would make it exactly that: conclusion forgone, new witnesses and new facts forbidden, “presidential” malfeasance ignored, corruption approved and encouraged.  

Because of Moscow Mitch, the Senate trial will be a sham, while the citizens’ right to know will be tossed aside like the Constitution itself. It’s increasingly persuasive that the House should refuse to send impeachment to the Senate unless Mitch remembers his job, or until after the election, when he might be minority leader. Or gone.  

In a court of law, McConnell and Graham would be dismissed preemptively. Instead, they’re facilitating the end of democracy, confident that the ubiquity of PTs within their party allows ignoring the few remaining honorable Republicans, like former CIA and FBI director William Webster, and these actual Christians. 

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