Boss Trump, GOP have lost their way
To the Times:
Let’s look at the House Impeachment Inquiry on Trump’s “Ukraine shakedown diplomacy” through an analogy that’s more familiar: the mobster protection racket of the late 19th century. Boss Swampy enters the Fifth Avenue corner grocery with two enormous thugs. He congratulates Mr. Small-Fry that his business is very good, but warns that it’s a dangerous city and only he has the wherewithal to protect the establishment from various sundry and unsavory happenings – the goons glower menacingly. Boss Swampy asks a favor in return. “Some believe that 20% is acceptable – like a partnership. But it could be anything; you understand?”
As Small Fry stands in shock, Swampy says “it would be a shame if something happened to your store, like it burned down. Or worse, should something happen to your nice family. Broken legs can be hard to set. And do dentures ever fit as perfectly as real teeth?” Now notice, Swampy never makes a direct demand; everything is couched in ambiguity. But his demand is absolutely clear nonetheless. Just take a look at the two goons gazing at you with unblinking eyes.
Fortunately, when faced with direct testimony of same, any court would find the mobster guilty. The only people who would argue that Boss Swampy is innocent would be his lawyers – who are paid to think this way.
Sadly, if the mobster were one of them, today’s GOP would find the evidence unsatisfactory. Substitute the congressionally appropriated $391,000,000 for protection services, Russian troops for mob goons, the orange clown for Boss Swampy and the Ukraine analogy is complete. And despite the similar ambiguous phrasing used throughout, President Trump has clearly committed an impeachable offense for which he should be convicted.
But the GOP are behaving, not as public officials, but as Trump’s lawyers. Trained to believe that everyone deserves legal representation, it’s easy to fall into this trap – to shade the truth and interpret facts differently for your side. Republican leaders Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, and Lindsey Graham claim they just don’t see it. Don’t see anything wrong.
They should be representing the American people, but in this, they have lost their way. They look at the facts and claim they are not facts. Channeling Groucho Marks, “Are you going to believe me, or your own eyes.”
Their Republican comrades say nothing – and are expected to vote in lock step for acquittal. We can’t let them get away with this. We are not mobsters.