This isn't REMOTELY like Watergate ...

[PsychoBabble]

Last edited Sat May 13, 2017, 02:43 PM - Edit history (1)

I like to dabble my toe in the water from all sides, mainstream, far left and right, to know how people think and what is in the wind. Perspective is useful, IMO:

David Frum of The Atlantic posted this revealing tweet thread this week:

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Obviously, there ARE Watergate similarities ... but his distinctions are worth noting. I am wondering what weight/action his group of moderate/traditional Republicans are considering. Combined with Dems, their combined heft could be significant in a further crisis of Country vs Party. Also interesting to me that he is already prepared to throw Pence under the bus based on this past week. That is significant, coming from a Republican ...

TWEET SUMMARY:

- This isn’t remotely like Watergate. Watergate arose from domestic espionage.
- This isn’t remotely like Watergate. During Watergate, Congress cared whether laws had been broken.
- This isn’t remotely like Watergate. During Watergate, honorable people in government resigned rather than be associated with improper acts.
- One conclusion from the week’s events: Mike Pence is more orderly and disciplined than Trump, but no more respectful of truth & legality

[Sculpin Beauregard]

1. This is far more sinister than Watergate. It is a breathtaking level of crime and collusion.

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[DownriverDem]

3. 36% Approval - trump

I am white and find many whites who support trump are racist and think minorities are gaming the system. They are a total embarrassment. They aren't rich. They will need the programs that the repubs want to destroy. We must focus on beating the repubs and not fighting each other. After we gain control will it be time to make many of the changes that folks keep talking about.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. He's not entirely correct as to tweets #2 and #3:

#2: The GOPers in Congress stuck up for Nixon for quite a long time; even the votes on the recommended articles of impeachment in the House Judiciary Committee split mainly along party lines: 27–11 for obstruction of justice (21 Dems and 6 GOP for, 11 GOP against); 28-10 for abuse of power (21 Dems and 10 GOP for; 10 GOP against); 21-17 for contempt of Congress (19 Dems and 2 GOP for, 2 Dems and 15 GOP against). Some GOPers continued to claim Watergate was a liberal plot even after Nixon resigned (Pat Buchanan comes to mind).

Two honorable Republicans resigned and one was fired in the Saturday Night Massacre: Richardson, Ruckelshouse and Cox. Robert Bork did not resign and went ahead and fired the special counsel at Nixon's direction. But it was always the Dems that were pushing the investigation. It took the GOP a long time to see (or admit) what Nixon had been up to.

[PsychoBabble]

7. True ... and as I understand it once the tapes ...

came out, the evidence was incontrovertible ... and recalcitrant GOP members joined in -- did not DENY evidence, which seems to be what is happening now. So we need OVERWHELMING evidence, and/or criminal charges.

I am giving Frum credit for looking at the big-picture aspect.

[elmac]

5. Since the fascists are breaking all kinds of rules

we need to make or break a few of our own, null and void this election, have a do over with popular vote only.

[Ccarmona]

6. This is Both Like & Un-Like Watergate

It's like Watergate because the WH is trying to throw the investigation off course every chance it gets (firings, mis-information, lies, & tantrums)
It's unlike Watergate as there have been multiple crimes committed by numerous sources; it involves a foreign government; this President is dumber than a rock (Dick was smart, just too arrogant for his own good); the cover-up isn't going to bring them down, the actual crimes are.

[PsychoBabble]

8. That seems accurate

Though the cover-up will add weight to the crimes.

We need indictments.

[jimmil]

9. You should have said...

it involves a "hostile" foreign government.

[pansypoo53219]

10. more like iran-contra which was FOREIGN in its scope.

i listened to that whole thing, except ollie north. i thought that foreign thing made it worse. DEALING w/ terrorists well. jeez. i thought reagan was bad. this is just straight out traitors instead of sedition under obama. we need civics classes refresher courses to amerikans toot sweet.

[lostnfound]

11. Sally Yates, Preet, and Jim Comey did one better than resign..they refused, to point of firing

That takes even a bit more courage than to just resign.