Unfortunately, I got a policy violation notice from Google. But they don’t specify what the violation is. I can make some guesses, though, so I will be editing some of the comments, None of them violate our policy but this site cannot continue if Google suspends us which it will do if there are repeated violations.

EOF wrote: “Bemused, you’ve been out of the United States too long. There’s no indication Americans want a president who’s intelligent and analytical. Populism is taking over.”

So true, EOF, both about my absence and about what passes for political “thought” among the spoiled, whining brats of the Western world. Each and every one of the totally deluded me-first/me only generation should be made to live for six months like a local in any developing country. Or in any poverty-stricken area of the USA, comes to that.

I grew up in poor white* country and I’m frightened by reports on how being a c****** – once synonymous with ignorance and poverty – has become a point of pride. The ignorance is still there but the poverty is less and they’ve become incredibly arrogant. If they realise I live in Europe, they’re agonna want to bully me into agreeing with them and I have a wide stubborn streak.

We’re having similar problems in Italy. The ignorant and proud of it are increasingly raucous because they think they have power on their side. Their violence is being contrasted by people who call themselves “the sardines” because their aim is to pack as many people as possible during their protest events: peaceful, singing, smiling, numerous. They’re also pretty good at pricking the balloon of populists. I hope they won’t collapse like the 5-star movement did.

Note: Due to a policy violation notice from Google, this comment has been edited to remove a possibly offensive term.

Four GOIPiggy Senators will decide whether this proceeding is a cover-up or a real trial with witnesses like Bolton and Mullvaney. Right now, the four critical swing votes look to be Romney, Alexander, Collins and Murkowski.

Bemused, you’ve been out of the United States too long. There’s no indication Americans want a president who’s intelligent and analytical. Populism is taking over. They want to be told what they want to hear with simple-minded ‘solutions’ even the lowest IQ prole with ADD/AHDA can comprehend.

On a side note, I don’t know what my retail annual drug prices are. At one point they were over $26,000/year but I’m off the most expensive prescription now. Regardless, I’m early retired under my employer’s plan and pay $180/year deductible and after that I keep getting billed zero. I’m also on Medicare (long story) A & B which pays zippo obviously (though because of my specific condition they’re supposed to pay for 2 ‘specialty’ drugs – fighting that battle).

I did research Medicare Part D drug plans for future reference. The best only paid about 45% of my prescription costs. Even dumber, Part D drug plans are so bad you need to enter your drugs into an online program to make sure their formulary covers your specific drugs. Tweak a drug and it’s find a coupon (e.g. GoodRX) like a friend of mine is doing or pay full retail. That’s one reason the (empty?) promise of Medicare for All scares the s—t out of me.

Back on topic: while listening to Schiff’s opening address, I, too, felt that he would be a fine President of the USA. It’s high time for intelligence and sharp analytic skills to return to that position after three years of willful ignorance, arrogance and “mindless-gut” analysis (sic) .

Off-topic. I’ve just picked up a 2-month supply of medicines (thyroxine, amlodipina and pantoprazolo) and paid less than $5.00 for the lot. Part of that is because the Italian system makes a special effort to ensure that the elderly are not doomed to die for want the wherewithall for keeping themselves in health.
Italy comes second in the world (after France) for health results, spending less than half per capita than the USA. Trump wants to change all that, despite the resistance of the medical profession (whose opinion is worth less than that of the drugs companies’ greed).

To be honest, that outburst from the loony-toon in the gallery was easily the most eloquent defence of Donald Trump that I’ve heard so far…

Fox stopped airing the hearing in order to air its first evening propaganda show, The Five. The hosts have jumped the shark attacking Democrats (and mostly avoiding a defense of Trump’s behavior). I have some commitments for much of the rest of the day but will post about it tomorrow if not tonight.

John McKee, I think the managers are more set on persuading the members with appeals to their better angels rather than suggestions of disgrace, at least during this part.

But Schiff did hint at what you suggest during his references to the founders and how they viewed impeachment viz a viz the obligations of the Constitution.

They are doing just fine as it is, but I’d really love to see one of the managers spend 30 minutes or so on heroes in the history of Congress (both chambers, both parties), then a similar time on those who have disgraced their positions and shamed the Republic over the last 243 years.

If I was an American, I’d be quite happy to cast my 2020, 2024 or 2028 vote for President Schiff right now. The man is already a legend.

Schiff’s comments are both inspiring and so sadly poignant about where we are today.

Schiff is running through the timeline of the Ukraine extortion and it is so very damning. But, of course, the Republicans and Fox News will do their best to ignore the truth.

I am so glad Adam Schiff is heading the Democratic case.