Impeachment Investigation is Authorized by the House

On party lines, less a couple of chickenshit Dems who fear the wrath of their electorate. Surprisingly, the GOP held the line, even got the Never-Trumps and Squishy GOP to vote Nay.

This is the 3rd Impeachment investigation I've lived through. The first was followed mostly on the evening news, and the morning and evening papers (Cleveland had two at the time). Later, as the hearings got underway, they televised much of the committee's work in the afternoon. Soap opera addicts had a fit about the timing, but for the rest of us, it made it very interesting. I was working in restaurants at the time, so I got to see quite a lot of the hearings in my down time.

Looking back, I was about as clueless about the whole thing as anyone - I believed the witnesses against the President. John Dean SEEMED to be so straightforward, detailed, and honest. Since then, I've learned a lot about his motivations, his involvement in the Watergate burglary, and other acts. I'm going to be much more suspicious of the motivations of the witnesses this time around.

The Clinton investigation was on, 24/7, at my house. My husband was completely in favor of Clinton. Me? Not so much. BJ's actions struck me as - at the least - sleazy and underhanded. His careful parsing of his words to avoid TECHNICALLY lying reminded me of dealing with my children and the kids I taught. My thinking was - if you have to be THAT careful about your words, you may not be guilty, but you're sure not innocent.

Well, Billy Boy wasn't innocent, we know that now. That unequal sexual activity was Classic #MeToo taking advantage of a vulnerable girl. But, the sad thing was, so many other things:

• Travelgate
• The bombing during the impeachment process
• The campaign violations
• The last minute pardons
• The post-Presidency payoffs - books, speaking engagements (particularly those when his wife was Senator and Secretary of State
• The sneaking around with Epstein

were worthy of Clinton's - both of them - being brought to account. But, what did we get?

Slap on the wrist for the email crimes.

NO investigation for the financial shenanigans.

Charity reports repeatedly revised, and accepted without penalty.

I'm expecting the House Impeachment Committee (HIC) to use this excuse to try to pry Trump's business records out of the hands of the accountants, harass anyone associated with him, bring in more hearsay 'witnesses', delve into any gossip they can round up, and persuade the publicity-hungry  to get their 15 minutes of fame.

This MAY be part of the reason that Trump has changed his primary residence. NY has been QUITE anxious to pry loose his financials, and has enlisted the assistance of local prosecutors to bring him. and anyone associated with him, up on bogus charges.

But, a likelier reason for the change is that he could take advantage of FL being a no income tax state.

About the only good outcome is that some of the Deep State will have to go before HIC and be cross-examined. Some of them will be surfacing for the first time, which at least allows Trump to identify them as Deep State. It always pays to know who the enemy is.

The timing of the investigation means that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's celebrations will provide a boon  to the manufacturers of acid relief products. I may just take along my crocheting and knitting and pretend that I'm not paying attention, in the name of a peaceful holiday season. Or, take off for a quick mass followed by a long session of coffee and sweets, away from argumentative relatives.