November 21, 2019

It's another impeachment hearing day?! The Democrats are smothering their own debate from both sides.

Last night's debate happened after a long grueling day of impeachment hearings. It ended late, many of us couldn't take the huge crowd and the wild yelling, but as we look at the news this morning, we see the set up for today's impeachment hearings. The debate never gets a chance to mean anything. It's forgotten like last night's bad dream... the one about being chased through Atlanta by Amy Klobuchar's vibrating hair helmet.

138 comments:

tim in vermont said...

Those swing states aren’t going to turn solid red by themselves! Of course there will be more impeachment show today. So far it’s been all dogs, but we promise, today... there will be a pony!

Kevin said...

This is just the Democratic Party reaching supernova.

Dave Begley said...

Nancy and the Senate Dems know that a Senate impeachment trial would totally doom any chance of them winning in 2020. Trump wins the House vote.

Birkel said...

Democratics are probably wise not to let people see their candidates or hear their plans to pilfer Americans.

Adam Schitt appears to be a horrible person.
I heard from a guy I know that Schitt buggers teenage boys.
Can I testify?

Mike Sylwester said...

The Walls Are Closing In on Trump!

This YouTube video never gets old.

Lucid-Ideas said...

Klobuchar.

Whoa wait, she's still in this? Amazing. I wonder how long it will take to clear these people from the roster so a Dem frontrunner can finally be anointed and start raising serious money so they and their donors can lose it all again next year.

Hurry up Dems. Chop chop.

Howard said...

since you are a well-known player in that field, birkle, I suppose it would be completely appropriate for an expert in buggery and pederasty like yourself to testify

rcocean said...

Did Trump demand Ukraine investigate Biden in return for aid?
1. Trump says no. And there was no investigation & Ukraine got the aid.
2. Lower level Staffers say Trump did ask for qui pro quo. They "overheard" stuff.
3. US Ambassadors to Ukraine are upset they were fired and/or bypassed.

As far as I can tell that's it. Why do we need more witnesses? Just shut it down, and let the D's vote for impeachment. Then we can get the Trial done by Christmas.

BarrySanders20 said...

It looked like Amy K had tremors of some sort. She didn’t sound nervous but the shaking was obvious.

And Biden was incoherent. He blinks hard to try to reboot.

henry said...

Trump Impeachment Hearings repeat, first as tragedy, then as farce.

Whatever comes after farce, that is where we are.

Howard said...

So I must confess I actually listen to a good deal of the hearings yesterday as we made the long slog into Boston and then back again the TDS wife insisted. There is nothing more frustrating and boring than listening to a career bureaucrat answer stupid questions from posing politicians

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

If you listen to all the hacks in the corrupt alphabet media stew - they simply repeat the same talking points.
"Bombshell" "Explosive testimony" "Devastating testimony"

and it's not even close. It's a joke. It's a deep state message machine protecting silly bureaucrats who think they are above the law, above truth, and above the actual POTUS.

All while Biden actually did everything they are accusing Trump of doing.

It's a joke.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Lying Adam Schitt lies to our faces and the democrats are all fine with it.

Temujin said...

And the real poll is the DNC's fundraising which is under water. Even their own people aren't currently sending them money. I'm sure that'll change once they have an actual candidate, but for now, they have had 3+ years of fictional attacks, every TV network showing their current clown show, and no one is sending them any money.

If it were my organization, I'd try a different marketing approach and change company leaders, post haste.

Michael K said...

Thirty one House Democrats are waiting to learn their fate. Sort of like the Upper Peninsula Democrat Congressman who was promised stuff to get him to vote for Obamacare.

Stupak, that who it was. He was naive enough to believe Obama on an abortion amendment to Obamacare.

In March 2010, President Obama and Stupak reached an understanding whereby the President promised to sign an Executive Order barring federal funding of abortion through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,[18] and Stupak and several of his allies promised to withdraw their opposition to the bill.[19] The Pro-life movement accused Stupak of betraying the pro-life movement,[20][21] and the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List revoked an award it had planned to give to him and instead ran $150,000 worth of radio advertisements against him.[20][22] Stupak was targeted by the Tea Party movement in the wake of his compromise.[23] In April 2010, Stupak announced his intention to retire from Congress,[24] leading conservative groups to point to the political consequences of his compromise as a possible reason for his decision.[22][23] However, Stupak himself attributed his retirement to the exertion of constant travel back and forth from Washington, D.C.[25]

Of course, Obama ignored the promise. Are these 31 Congress critters that dumb?

gilbar said...

Amy Klobuchar's vibrating hair helmet.

That's one of the problems with Adderall abuse. If you're not used to it; and start using it because all your competitors are, you can get the shakes... Which looks bad

Kevin said...

Of course, Obama ignored the promise. Are these 31 Congress critters that dumb?

The moral of the story?

Don't be Stupak.

Dave Begley said...

Victor Davis Hanson, at National Review, makes an excellent point. In a Senate trial, Eric C. (the leaker) will have to testify. That really would be a disaster for the Dems.

Did Schiff think of that? Or was he just hoping Trump would resign? Schiff and the Dems didn't expect Trump to release the transcript.

Rory said...

When Gabbard launched her broadside against the Democrat money machine, why did they just automatically turn to Harris to respond? Are they testing her out as a VP attack dog? Or is she the only one who's certain to double down on Hillary's theme that Gabbard is disloyal?

tim in vermont said...

It would appear that Democrats never read the story of Chicken Little

They met Foxy Loxy.
Goosey Loosey said,
“The sky is falling, Foxy Loxy. “How do you know, Goosey Loosey?”
“Ducky Lucky told me.” “How do you know, Ducky Lucky?”
“Turkey Lurkey told me.” “How do you know Turkey Lurkey?”
“Henny Penny told me.” “How do you know, Henny Penny?”
“Chicken Little told me.” “How do you know, Chicken Little?”
“I saw it with my eyes.
I heard it with my ears. Some of it fell on my tail.”


Two things about this story.

One, the sky was not actually falling, a seed had landed on Chicken Little’s tail, she only thought the sky was falling, but at least in this story, we have one eyewitness, something the Democrats don’t have.

Two, in their excitement they all make a fatal error and end up in Foxy Loxy’s lair, never to be seen again. Foxy Loxy has orange fur, BTW.

MayBee said...

Nothing could make these people sound more partisan than they way they keep saying "three amigos".

Limited blogger said...

I guess the eventual dem nominee was not even on that stage last night.

Bloomie? Patrick? Moochelle? Oprah?

And of course, 'you know who'

Bob Boyd said...

The Democrats are smothering their own debate from both sides.

Maybe that was the plan.

Howard said...

It sounds like mr. Skylark is asking George to tell him about the rabbits

Ralph L said...

Too much salad dressing on Amy's comb.

Lucid-Ideas said...

Despite the innate throw-back awesomeness of a 'hair helmet', I would have tuned in for Klobuchar's vibrator. That would've been must-see-TV, a debate first.

It would've been one of those "Where were you when" moments.

Dude, remember in 19 when Klobuchar took out her vibrator? I was baking a cake at the time. My wife declared 5th wave feminism dead and I got all bugeyed. What were you doing?

tim in vermont said...

Chicken Little would have been a lot more instructive to the Democrats than The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Read it to your kids tonight so that they don’t grow up morons like Schiff!

Story of Chicken Little

Bob Boyd said...

At the rate they're going, Dems will soon be saying that Trump really did literally destroy the earth in his first term, as they predicted, and the only reason we think we're still here is the effectiveness of the Republican spin machine.

tim in vermont said...

"t sounds like mr. Skylark is asking George to tell him about the rabbits”

Funny you should say that, Howard. One of my favorite lines.

“Tell me again about impeachment, George [Soros]. That will be something, won’t it? Marching Trump to jail in handcuffs!”

Howard said...

I think the Democrats are playing the tortoise and the hare strategy. If we are going to use nursery rhymes as our guide to dealing with the modern zig heist.

MadisonMan said...

Not having the Candidates be heard is a good tactic I think. The less the public hears about Candidates wanting illegal aliens to have free health care, the better for Democrats.

Howard said...

Great mimes ape alike

rhhardin said...

Syracuse University students report a swastika in the snow. My question is whether it was peed in the snow.

tim in vermont said...

" think the Democrats are playing the tortoise and the hare strategy.”

Except the race is over, bets are bing paid, and that nag you bet on is still running.

Bob Boyd said...

Make this Thanksgiving memorable with the new Amy Klobuchar Hair Helmet and Comp Salad Serving Set.
Available through the Althouse portaL.

Howard said...

It's still quite a long way to Tipperary

Chuck said...

Speaking just for myself, as a Trump-hating Republican...

I didn't watch, or even think about the Democrats' debate. I was completely engrossed by the impeachment hearings. I listened to most of the hearing live, and in the evening caught up on some work.

I'm not reading anything about the debate now. I am completely engrossed by what Fiona Hill is going to say, and on more Trump hilarity. (Yesterday he gets of AF One in Texas using the short ramp, accompanied by his doctor and Ivanka; and he proceeds to claim that "he" helped create an Apple plant that has been open for many years and was in planning long before Trump planned to run for President.)

And now I am listening to more Trump hilarity as testimony reveals Trump to have heard Sondland say that he was speaking from Kiev, with Trump responding that he thought Sondland was in Ukraine.

For me, nothing is overtaking the impeachment story.

And just think about your own memories of the past, if you are of a certain age. I remember almost everything about the Nixon impeachment/Watergate hearings. And about the Clinton impeachment hearings.

At the same time, I recall little about most of the primary campaign debates. Sure; I think I do remember quite a lot about debates as recent as 2016. But the primary debates fade in importance. Impeachment is living history.

Howard said...

Remember the first fucking rule of fight club people. mom has brought us to Disneyland and I think we can all agree we don't want to have to go back to the nursery school with our noses in the corner

Original Mike said...

I read somewhere yesterday that the Democrats plan weeks of hearings. I guess Chuck's clients will just have to muddle through somehow.

Birkel said...

Howard,
It was Adam Schitt's friend who was arrested for molestation.
You're flailing.

Tommy Duncan said...

As a Minnesota resident I want to make three things clear:

(1) I eat my salads with a fork.
(2) No one in my family has ever married a sibling.
(3) I do not keep boxes of pre-marked Democrat (DFL) ballots in the trunk of my car.

However, my neighbor does still have a "What Would Wellstone Do?" bumper sticker on his car.

Limited blogger said...

You're in Trump World now, bro.

tim in vermont said...

"It's still quite a long way to Tipperary”

Like I said, that nag is still running. Schiff is not going to be able to parlay four spades and a club into a flush. It only looks like a flush if you don’t look too close.

Birkel said...

I think Howard is playing the hairy turtle strategy.
Very similar to the opossum.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

The entire panel of debate moderator - question ask-ers - All radical leftists.

A ridiculous echo chamber of leftwing media hacks. Sad.

Bay Area Guy said...

Did Trump demand Ukraine investigate Biden in return for aid?
1. Trump says no. And there was no investigation & Ukraine got the aid.
2. Lower level Staffers say Trump did ask for qui pro quo. They "overheard" stuff.
3. US Ambassadors to Ukraine are upset they were fired and/or bypassed.


A good succinct account. Cuts through months of boring-ass testimony and bogus headlines and media hysteria.

Mike Sylwester said...

Chuck at 9:10 AM
I was completely engrossed by the impeachment hearings. I listened to most of the hearing live, and in the evening caught up on some work.

I am not interested in the impeachment hearings, because I think it was a good idea for Trump and Giuliani to encourage the Ukrainian Government to investigate the bribing of Vice President Biden through his son Hunter.

Do you, Chuck, think that that bribing should not be investigated?

Howard said...

Birkel means Denny Hasterts butt buddy Jim Jordan

Birkel said...

Skylark,
He has two clubs, a spade, a Draw Four Uno Card, and a Connect Four piece.
And if that won't work, he has the diver and the swimming pool pieces from Mouse Trap.

Bob Boyd said...

Dems have made politics into a status symbol. The problem with status symbols is, you have to keep getting a bigger house or a faster car or the latest fashion in order to stay ahead and not fall into being ordinary or having something common.
If your politics are your status symbol, you have to keep getting more extreme. That's what the Dems are up against now. You can see it in the debates. The candidates know they sound ridiculous, but they have to say these things.

Howard said...

Shut the fuck up Mike sylwester

Birkel said...

https://nypost.com/2019/11/14/ex-nbc-correspondent-bruce-hensel-arrested-for-asking-9-year-old-for-sexual-photos/

No, it was Adam Schitt's good, long-time friend who worked for NBC.

Mike Sylwester said...

Howard:
Birkel means Denny Hasterts butt buddy Jim Jordan
Shut the fuck up Mike sylwester

You seem to be drunk.

Howard said...

Delete your post Mike so and Altos doesn't have to you idiot you know we are not supposed to comment on band bloggers that's why I made the fight club rule comment idiot

tim in vermont said...

What’s funny is Howard’s confidence when he admits he doesn’t follow this stuff closely, just reads the headlines, I guess.

Iman said...

Apparently, Howard needs more fiber.

tim in vermont said...

Vindman falsified the call transcript? My oh my.

Watch him squirm.

https://twitter.com/JimHansonDC/status/1197526406357495808

AllenS said...

Howard, read your last comment. Please. Out loud if you have to.

wildswan said...

"Temujin said:
If it were my organization, I'd try a different marketing approach and change company leaders, post haste."

That's good common sense, Temujin. And some like to point out that common sense shows that the Dems won't impeach. Their House majority came from people who promised not to impeach and so... But San Francisco is covered in poop. The Dem candidates are getting Al Sharpton's endorsement and promising AOC a White House job. The Dem candidates are promising to seize the profits of large companies which would mean that all state pension plans invested in the stock market would crash along with individual IRA's and Social Security. Why does anyone expect common sense on impeachment?

Francisco D said...

@Mike Sylwester

That video you linked to is terrific. I hope people check it out.

This crazy bullshit has been going since the day Trump was inaugurated.

Most reasonable people would assume that the Democrats and their media acolytes are obsessed and very likely insane.

Howard said...

I already did read it out loud Alan S that's how it got onto the blog just like this post I'm reading it out loud as I speak

Howard said...

Thanks for your concern but I've been eating my prunes regularly for regularity and I'm quite satisfied with the results

AllenS said...

Who's Alan S?

NCMoss said...

"Apparently, Howard needs more fiber."

Maybe, but look how poorly it worked out for Swalwell.

Michael K said...

Howards rants on and Democrats have big plans to crash the economy while War in the Middle East looms seriously.

But, what the hell. Let's talk about the Green Nude Eel and shutting down fracking.

HH: Yeah, I just want people to understand if the Russian then get engaged and they hit an Israeli airplane, then it’s Israel V. the Russians, and the United States in Syria and Iraq nearby comes in, and the Iranians are in the middle of it. It really is a powder keg.

MO: I’ve been warning about it. I don’t know about the situation about America getting involved directly against the Russians, but it’s not as if it hasn’t happened before. In 1973, the American and Soviet fleets went eyeball to eyeball. In 19…7, they went eyeball to eyeball. In the 1956 conflict in Suez, Russia threatened to send ballistic missiles into Tel Aviv. It’s not as if it hasn’t happened before.


What me worry ? Let's have some more impeachment TV show. Would Democrats side with Israel if Iran attacks them?

I dunno. It has gotten pretty Corbynized.

wildswan said...

Sen. Klobuchar: 'I raised $17,000 from ex-boyfriends.'

quiff pro quo?

Howard said...

I don't know Allen I really don't know you maybe you could write a 5 paragraph biography of yourself I know I would be very interested in reading about it. You are one of the few Trump fans who is definitely absolutely never ever been a cuck in his life and so therefore it would be quite interesting to hear your story

Howard said...

Well then dr. Michael Kennedy Esquire I am sure then you are very upset that President Trump handed over an American air Force Base in Syria to the Putin Russian war machine

tim in vermont said...

quim pro quo, or possibly queef pro quo, quiff is a plastered down forelock.

Achilles said...

Democrats want Trump impeached because he asked Ukraine to investigate corruption, bribery, and kick backs.

No wonder idiots like Howard are upset the American people are supporting Trump.

It takes a very dull and stupid tool to support the Democrat party.

Iman said...

Is that Chalupa looking on over Holmes’s shoulder?

tim in vermont said...

"American air Force Base in Syria to the Putin Russian war machine”

Syria has been a Russian client since the 1970s. What are we doing there in the first place? Why were were pouring weapons into a civil war there? Why did we help create millions of refugees? have often wondered about this, for instance what did Kerry think were our “long term interests in Syria” that he spoke of. Why did Hillary think pouring gasoline on that fire was a good idea?

Now Howard comes along and I guess he knows! So please explain. And remember, no using discredited arguments that go us into Iraq!

AllenS said...

Click on my profile, Howard, you could learn a lot. By the way, why don't you have a profile? Some people who comment know who I am and where I live. 2 have been out to my place. I have nothing to hide.

tim in vermont said...

Democrats have a difficult job to do, they have to appeal to the sense of decency of Americans at that same time as they try to peel Americans away from their sense of decency regarding Biden’s corruption. Have some sympathy.

Browndog said...

It looks like Howard was such a fan of moderation he's going to force Althouse to re-instate it.

Michael K said...


Blogger Howard said...

Well then dr. Michael Kennedy Esquire I am sure then you are very upset that President Trump handed over an American air Force Base in Syria to the Putin Russian war machine


Howard is trolling again. Go away, Howard.

Howard said...

The only thing I learned Allen is you were a pressman. I've known a few pressman in my day and understand that it is a job that requires high intelligence and a keen artistic eye.

Howard said...

The doctor is forever commanding people to go away like we are resident or a nurse or medical student it must be so frustrating to be impotent of your former great dictatorial powers

narciso said...



https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/giving-weapons-to-ukraine-could-goad-putin-into-a-regional-war/2015/02/05/ec2e9680-abf5-11e4-ad71-7b9eba0f87d6_story.html

narciso said...

Interesting they always had reasons not to aid ukraine

gilbar said...

AllenS said... Click on my profile

John Deere manual? Aside from being Far better tractors, I-H's had (and CaseIH Has!) FAR more entertaining manuals. Nothing like the Classic Farmall days, but pretty good for modern literature

AllenS said...

I have two John Deere tractors, an A and an H, and a John Deere 40C (crawler). Three IH tractors, a Super M and two Hs. I have manuals for all of them.

You know what they say, a man can't have enough tractors.

Francisco D said...

It looks like Howard was such a fan of moderation he's going to force Althouse to re-instate it.

I politely suggest that we not feed the drunken troll. It only makes him less coherent.

traditionalguy said...

Does this mean the DEMs want to pick a new candidate at the Convention? Michelle my belle? A black Trans Woman who knows the right Soros/Clinton loot distribution channels complete with with the 100% required cover by MSM enamored over the coming great day of the collapse of the White Supremacist USA.

Michael K said...


Blogger Howard said...

The doctor is forever commanding people to go away like we are resident or a nurse or medical student it must be so frustrating to be impotent of your former great dictatorial powers


It's just advice, Howard. Like that I used to give people who were hurting themselves.

Stop drinking or stop using IV drugs or stop cutting yourself. Like that. Good advice, Howard. You are making a fool of yourself.

Anonymous said...

Some days, he sounds reasonable; and some days, he reminds me of a girl I used to know, when she forgot to take her Klonopin.

Iman said...

“Thanks for your concern but I've been eating my prunes regularly for regularity and I'm quite satisfied with the results.”

Thanks for the update, but you may want to increase your ration, as your writing indicates severe constipation.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

Klobuchar??

... stick a comb in her-- she's done.

J. Farmer said...

As much as I don't care about the impeachment hearings, I am equally uninterested in the whole Hunter Biden brouhaha. I just take it as a given that our political leaders are venal and corrupt people who peddle their influence through sleazy backroom deals. But in typical fashion, we yet again have Democrats and Republicans screaming at each other over a bunch of small potatoes while the Establishment keeps chugging along with its entrenched agenda. Why anyone takes this kabuki theater seriously is beyond me. Honestly, who gives a fuck about Ukraine? Let the Ukrainians and Russians sort it out. Make some boilerplate statement about how we urge both sides to show restraint and seek a diplomatic resolution but otherwise stay out of it. Not only does our interference get us nothing but headaches in return, it distracts us and draws resources away from much more pressing matters.

Sam L. said...

I am ignoring the hearings, as it is full of "sound and fury, signifying nothing".

mockturtle said...

I agree, Farmer. Strain at gnat, swallow camel.

narciso said...

Mostly, as it was with russia, the imf lent them money then it would end up in switzerland or the caymans. And theyd asl for more money.

mockturtle said...

But really, isn't it just intentional distraction from the agenda of the Deep State?

narciso said...

So privat bank lost 1.6 billion on their own, thats lehman bros for them

narciso said...

They 'lost' up to 7 billion.
Net.

J. Farmer said...

Mostly, as it was with russia, the imf lent them money then it would end up in switzerland or the caymans. And theyd asl for more money.

Yes, Russia has a lot of problems with political corruption. My response remains the same: who cares?

eric said...

Today's impeachment hearing has brought us comedy gold and I hope Althouse posts the video here on her site.

Cuomo tried to prove on his show, by calling his mom, that you can overhear a conversation. When no one could hear his mom, he put her on speaker phone.

So funny.

gilbar said...

here's a fun fact!
In December, 1991 guess who was the Third Largest Nuclear Power, in the WORLD?
The Ukraine!

Oh! And guess where some (most?) of the USSR's nuclear production facilities were?
You know what i mean? The Bomb factories ?
The Ukraine!

and they GAVE IT ALL AWAY! people at the time said that was dumb, at they turned out to be right!

One 'good thing' came of it, though.... No Country, will EVER give up its nuclear weapons again

narciso said...

Thats why chernobyl was there in pripyat.

Anonymous said...

Farmer, it's the 'broken windows' theory. If you ignore it, it gets worse. If you make an example out of the most careless, they'll at least keep it down to a low roar.

Browndog said...

Something to lighten the mood:

somebody on twitter today: trump's weird hand-scrawled denial today sounds like a ramones song.

me:

J. Farmer said...

@Phil:

Farmer, it's the 'broken windows' theory. If you ignore it, it gets worse. If you make an example out of the most careless, they'll at least keep it down to a low roar.

How precisely do we "make an example out of" Russia in regards to their own internal corruption?

Yancey Ward said...

Eric is right, Fredo Cuomo did an own goal.

In the segment, he tried to prove you could hear his mother over the phone, but he not only held the phone out away from his ear, but he also put her on speaker for the only part of the conversation that you could hear.

I can hear some of the conversation on my mom's smartphone, but only in a room with with no other noise and only when I am within 5 feet, and I have excellent hearing, and I can't catch all of it even then, just the higher intonations- especially the voices of women- and this is on a phone that is turned up the maximum non-speaker volume because my mother is partially deaf. I am guessing Holmes is just flat out lying. A restaurant would have significant ambient noise that would be quite a bit louder than any conversation coming out of the ear-microphone of a smart phone- I know this because my mother has used her phone in such locations, and I can hear nothing intelligible while sitting right next to her.

This really has devolved into a game of telephone. You literally can't parody this any longer.

eric said...

I didn't even know it happened in a restaurant.

No possible way you could hear it in a restaurant.

Maybe if it were on speaker. But even then, I'd be doubtful.

Seriously. Next time you're in a restaurant look around. Someone somewhere is going to be on the phone. Try and hear it. Just try.

Yancey Ward said...

The funny thing is Cuomo couldn't hear his mom while holding the phone 2 feet from his own ear. It was hilarious!

Automatic_Wing said...

Lol, not only are we the World Police, we're going to implement broken windows policing globally. What happens when one of these countries decides they don't want to stopped and frisked?

LA_Bob said...

Iman said, "Apparently, Howard needs more fiber."

Maybe so. But he certainly needs punctuation.

johns said...

J. Farmer, I disagree with you that nothing is being done while this silliness is going on in congress. Every day that Trump is in office, more harmful regulations are being eliminated; more judges who follow the constitution are being approved; more restrictions on Iran are being enforced; more support of Israel; more revelations about what China is doing are being made public; and more.

J. Farmer said...

Lol, not only are we the World Police, we're going to implement broken windows policing globally. What happens when one of these countries decides they don't want to stopped and frisked?

It's amazing how much the US still relies on the sledgehammer approach despite nearly 30 years of consistent foreign policy blundering.

MayBee said...

I don't have a hard time believing he heard the call. I can sometimes hear people talking to my husband on his phone. To me:

1. He didn't hear anything. "The investigations" that's it.
2. The twerp heard POTUS on a phone call and promptly went back to the embassy and told everyone what he heard, then called someone IN SWEDEN and told them what he'd heard about A$AP Rocky. He's blabbering about POTUS's private call!!!
3. The twerp asked Sondland "Is it true POTUS doesn't care about Ukraine". Is it true? Who is saying that?

Lewis Wetzel said...

Most of the industrial production of the USSR came from Ukraine. The rockets, the warheads, the tanks, the airplanes . . . all the way down to household appliances. Ukrainians are geniuses at making hardware, they are really good at growing food, but they have no genius for self rule. The educated, leadership class of Ukraine looks West -- because that is where their opportunities are. The common people (many of them ethnic Russians) look East. Geography makes it easier to trade with Russia than with the EU. Russia is a poor country; despite its advantages in industry, geography, and education, Ukrainians are poorer than Russians. The common people of Ukraine hate and fear NATO. So there's that.
The leadership class of Ukraine is pushing the idea that Ukraine has always had an independent existence, they do this by renaming things like the currency & spelling some words differently than the Russians.
It's an f'n mess. Russia will not allow Ukraine to become a Western-oriented nation, the EU has been an unreliable ally for the pro-Western Ukrainians.

J. Farmer said...

@johns:

J. Farmer, I disagree with you that nothing is being done while this silliness is going on in congress. Every day that Trump is in office, more harmful regulations are being eliminated; more judges who follow the constitution are being approved; more restrictions on Iran are being enforced; more support of Israel; more revelations about what China is doing are being made public; and more.

Well I did not say that "nothing is being done." But time and energy are finite, and time and energy put into this means time and energy not being put into something else. I'll grant you some progress (and some regress) on regulations and judicial appointments. Completely disagree about Iran, Israel, and China.

Anonymous said...

Not Russia, Farmer. US politicians. I was responding to your comment regarding the Bidens.

J. Farmer said...

@Lewis Wetzel:

Russia will not allow Ukraine to become a Western-oriented nation, the EU has been an unreliable ally for the pro-Western Ukrainians.

I think that is completely right. And precisely why we should not try to or encourage the EU to try to bring Ukraine into our sphere of influence, a move practically guaranteed to provoke a Russian reaction. We should wish them luck and tell them that Russia is their problem, not ours.

J. Farmer said...

@Phil:

Not Russia, Farmer. US politicians. I was responding to your comment regarding the Bidens.

My apologies. I misread you. I take your point about broken windows theory, and I did not mean to suggest that we should cease investigating and prosecuting political corruption. But if Biden had merely retired in 2016, does anyone honestly believe Trump would've pressured Ukraine to investigate Hunter? The whole thing is a sideshow. On both sides.

Anonymous said...

No worries, Farmer. As far as hypothesizing about what Trump would have done, in the event of a counter factual, I can’t even get it right when I’m guessing what he would do in the face of actual events. But yeah, I think he would have. I don’t think this is about 2020; I think this is about 2016.

I Callahan said...

I could be wrong, but that Howard seems different than our usual snarky one. This one just seems plain angry.

Anonymous said...

Oh, so now we’re in “Move On” mode, and supposed to ignore embezzlement of taxpayer dollars sent as foreign aid to corrupt shithole countries. This is a sure sign that some lefty bigfoot is about to get caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

If countries like the Ukraine are letting their home-grown mafiosi siphon off the money stolen from me by my government, and use it for yachts and cocaine and loose women, so be it. We can Move On, but I want every dollar of aid withdrawn, and an honest effort to disgorge our losses from those responsible.

But if, as seems increasingly likely, the embezzlement is being redirected to Democrat politicians, the Democratic Party, and leftist henchmen in the civil service, then I want everyone involved to hang by the neck on a public gallows on the Washington Mall, up to and including Obama and Clinton if it comes to that.

Guildofcannonballs said...

"But time and energy are finite, and time and energy put into this means time and energy not being put into something else."

You don't comment on infinite things, yet you make numerous comments on something you find boring? Don't you read Althouse? The point has been made people say things that aren't true about themselves because they want to believe something about themselves that is better than what they are, so look at what they do and not what they claim in order to determine what is actually of importance to them.

I find hypocrisy interesting in myself, Hunter Biden, Althouse, and even others too.

Of course, to me the golden days of the Althouse blog were edutcher and allie oops going back and forth for 40 comments. The need we feel to say each and every comment made can be overwhelming. Ying yang. Give take, to fro.



Qwinn said...

Farmer... Trump *didn't* call the Ukraine to ask to investigate Biden. The NY Times edited the transcript (including inserting an ellipsis to crop out over 500 words!) to get the words "Do me a favor" and "Joe Biden" and next to one another. If you read what the actual ellipsis removed, Trump asked about the hacked Podesta server, not Biden. It was the Ukrainian President who brought up Biden, again in that ellipsis. That's what makes this entire shitshow such a farce.

gilbar said...

Qwinn mentioned that ....
The NY Times edited the transcript (including inserting an ellipsis to crop out over 500 words!) to get the words "Do me a favor" and "Joe Biden" and next to one another.


I'm pretty sure, that the verb is Dowdify
Since the skag works for the NYT's, it all seems reasonable; don't ya know?

J. Farmer said...

@Skookum John:

This would be my solution: don't give the Ukrainians any money.

J. Farmer said...

@Qwinn:

Farmer... Trump *didn't* call the Ukraine to ask to investigate Biden.

Fine. Like I said, I have followed practically nothing about this story. Even if he did, I wouldn't care, except I never believed in supporting the Ukrainians anyway.

J. Farmer said...

@Guildofcannonballs:

The point has been made people say things that aren't true about themselves because they want to believe something about themselves that is better than what they are, so look at what they do and not what they claim in order to determine what is actually of importance to them.

And sometimes people are just bored and wasting time by farting around on the Internet. And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

phunktor said...

Howard said...
since you are a well-known player in that field, birkle, I suppose it would be completely appropriate for an expert in buggery and pederasty like yourself to testify

If you work at it hard, Howard, you can make it to dingleberry this year. But avoid 2020. Too much competition from other feculent smears.

Jim at said...

I could be wrong, but that Howard seems different than our usual snarky one. This one just seems plain angry.

You misspelled 'drunk.'

johns said...

J. Farmer, don't mean to pile on, as lots of commenters here are disagreeing with you, but i am curious why you think Trump's policy toward Iran is not good. The clamping down on Iran has seriously restricted Iran's ability to fund Hezbollah and Fatah. Important changes are occurring because of this, including the riots in Iran

mockturtle said...

And sometimes people are just bored and wasting time by farting around on the Internet. And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Yep.

tcrosse said...

I could be wrong, but that Howard seems different than our usual snarky one. This one just seems plain angry.

More evidence for the Theory of Polyhowardism.

phunktor said...

Chuck, imitating* an annoying, yappy ankle biter, said
"I'm not reading anything about the debate now. I am completely engrossed by what Fiona Hill is going to say, and on more Trump hilarity. (Yesterday he gets of AF One in Texas using the short ramp, accompanied by his doctor and Ivanka; and he proceeds to claim that "he" helped create an Apple plant that has been open for many years and was in planning long before Trump planned to run for President.)"
Oh noes! Politicians indulge in puffery! Whatever shall we do?
* rather well

Bruce Hayden said...

My view with the Ukrainians is that the Russians screw with us and our internal politics all the time. Obama was seemingly mostly fine with that, since they had a mutual interest there, and the Russians seemingly preferred him and Crooked Hillary over Trump. So, we might as well pay them back a bit and send the Ukrainians antitank and anti aircraft weaponry, for the next time the Russians try to militarily influence the Ukrainians. We have the advantage here, as we did with Reagan helping destroy the USSR. We have far more resources than they do, and we are, right now, leaving them mired in Syria, an excursion that they can’t afford, but can’t walk away from without losing significant influence worldwide. Moreover, with fracking and offering Europeans our natural gas, we have significantly weakened the power they derive through their oil and gas production. In any case, the sort of lethal military aid Trump has provided the Ukraine (and Obama denied) is far, far, cheaper than actually deploying troops in a combat zone. Pulling troops out of Syria, and letting the Russians sink in the quagmire there more than pays for what we have given the Ukrainians.

J. Farmer said...

@johns:

J. Farmer, don't mean to pile on, as lots of commenters here are disagreeing with you, but i am curious why you think Trump's policy toward Iran is not good.

That's a big question. It's hard to talk in generalities because my view of the Iran situation and what you might call the consensus view are miles and miles apart. I think there is a tremendous amount of scaremongering and histrionics regarding Iran. I've been arguing since September 12, 2001 that we need a detente with Iran. If it were up to me, we would reestablish diplomatic ties with Iran, reopen the embassy, and get on with our affairs like adults. Russian and China have diplomatic relations with all of the major players in the region (i.e. Israel, Turkey, Iran, and the Arab states). I see no reason why we cannot have the same. The US had a client state in Iran under the Shah, but that is gone and is not coming back. We need to reconcile ourselves to that. Instead, we have been attempting for the last 40 years to undermine, destabilize, and overthrow the regime. I think that policy should be abandoned, since (a) it's not likely to work; and (b) if it did work and the regime collapsed, we would have no way of knowing or controlling what would replace it.

I do not consider the riots in Iran to be "important changes," and every time there is some kind of protest in Iran, anti-Iran hawks always jump on it as some sign that the regime is teetering on the edge. And then the riots are dispersed, and things carry on. The sanction-them-into-total-submission strategy is not one with a good track record. Perhaps the best example you could point to was Libya's capitulation on WMD. But then look how that worked out for Libya.

johns said...

J. Farmer
Thanks for the detailed reply. For myself, I do not see an alternative to trying to starve them out. At the very least it deprives them of resources, and that seems to be having some effect.

J. Farmer said...

@johns:

For myself, I do not see an alternative to trying to starve them out. At the very least it deprives them of resources, and that seems to be having some effect.

Except the "them" that are being starved out are by and large millions of innocent Iranians. You can read this for a more thorough explanation.

wildswan said...

Quiff sex
A slang term originating in the 1920's, a quiff is a slut or cheap prostitute.
Mrs. Stengel was a total quiff today.
#quif#ho#cheap#prostitute#slut

I feel that I came across it in a Tom Clancy novel but may be wrong.

Nichevo said...


Howard said...
since you are a well-known player in that field, birkle, I suppose it would be completely appropriate for an expert in buggery and pederasty like yourself to testify

If he's not free, Speedy, you as a Marine are equally qualified.

Milwaukie guy said...

I am in favor of lethal aid to Ukraine. And fuck the Russians, who still threaten the Baltics. Just sayin'.

About impeachment. So it goes next to Judiciary to write up the articles? Would that happen after Thanksgiving? And then the House debate and vote?

Not to be a Fitzmas kind of guy, but Sen. Graham says the IG report is definitely coming out by Dec. 9 and Sen. Grassley has scheduled a hearing with the IG I think the 11th. As I understand it, that will also allow the Durham and the other investigation come to their conclusions.

Impeachment would suck but the Senate trial would have very high entertainment value.

tim in vermont said...

"I could be wrong, but that Howard seems different than our usual snarky one. This one just seems plain angry.”

Nah, he’s just an incipient dotard who can’t really keep up and he gets frustrated and lashes out from time to time. You have to make allowances and above all, treat him with kindness.