Ellen, I watched some of MSNBC’s coverage during the break and it was night and day different from Fox’s (until Wallace spoke). You wouldn’t think they were discussing the same hearing.

Thanks, Eyes. I was watching MSNBC to hear what they thought, given that I was watching Fox all morning.

Watching Fox News’ all-in, full-throated defense of Trump during the break I think Nunes should have called in Bill Hemmer to be his pitch-hitter on the committee instead of Gym Jordan. Though Hemmer appears to have made the mistake of inviting Chris Wallace to the discussion who’s throwing a big cold bucket water on their Trump ass-kissing party. Chris when as far as to accuse previous panelist Ken Starr of data-mining spin!

Bemused, I agree with your explanation as to why Sondland got the job (also his donation) but I’d like him to explain on the record why he was interfering in Ukraine when it’s not in his portfolio.

Also, the aid to Ukraine was released to them after the whistleblower complained and they have the Javelin missiles. But a condition is, they can’t use them on the Russia battlefield.

Nunes is dumb as a fence post. That so-called “foreign aid” for Ukraine was supposed to help them buy Javelin missiles from the USA. That money won’t even leave the USA. Seems the only “aid” the USA has provided is for military purposes.

It would appear that Germany has provided US$ 1.2 billion in aid, some military but mostly for development and investments. Further, the EU as a whole has reportedly provided over US$15 billion in aid, mostly for development and investments. Makes Trump’s USA look just a tad stingy.

On cue, Trump spews his typical line of bullshit:

President Trump on Sondland: “I don’t know him very well. I have not spoken to him much. This is not a man I know well. Seems like a nice guy though. But I don’t know him well. He was with other candidates.”

Ellen wrote: One question I hope is asked: Why was Sondland involved in Ukraine? He’s an unqualified ambassador to EU.

I believe his lack of qualifications WAS his main qualification. After that little detail of US$ 1 million donated to Trump’s inaugural event.

To my mind, the people who appointed W. Taylor, Lt. Col. Vindman, K. Volker, J. Williams, etc. etc. did not realise that they were qualified, experienced civil servants. That realisation would have immediately disqualified them.

Will Ghouliani spend his last days in one of those country-club federal prisons?

One question I hope is asked: Why was Sonderland involved in Ukraine? He’s an unqualified ambassador to EU.

Bret Baier: Sondland testimony is cleaning up for Kurt Volker, not Trump.

During current break, Fox is discussing “quid pro quo.”

Goldman’s questioning is unbelievably brutal for Trump.

Yep.

Wow. If I can believe my ears, Sondland is throwing everybody else under the bus.

The extent to which Nunes et al are willing to demonstrate their illiteracy is mind boggling.

Transactions, exchanges, extorsion, bribery and all such terms are different sorts of “quid pro quo”.

Transactions and exchanges that are fair are “good” forms of quid pro quo. Extorsion, bribery, blackmail, price-gouging and such-like are not acceptable forms of quid pro quo.

So much so that there exists a large body of law to curb and punish such actions.

Rather than admit that Trump is corrupt, GOPers are willing to appear as dumb as the proverbial fence post.

I have an appointment so I’ll miss the morning hearing. But I am listening to the opening statements. Devin ‘Internet Cow Hater’ Nunes is claiming a lot of debunked accusations against Trump which, IMHO, never were debunked. But then he’s pretending there’s no evidence of Trump criminality against a mountain of the same.

I notice Nunes has not said anything about “hearsay” so far.

Now Nunes is complaining that impeachment is not bipartisan.

“Partisan extremists” have “hijacked the Intelligence Committee.”

Devin Nunes: “No conspiracy theory is too far-fetched” or “asinine” for the Democrats.