February 6, 2020

Matt Gaetz is filing an ethics complaint against Nancy Pelosi for tearing up her paper copy of Trump's State of the Union speech.

88 comments:

Rick said...

What petty crap. Plus it's stupid, never interrupt your opponent's mistakes.

cacimbo said...

Stupid move.

brylun said...

It will fail. Dumb, I agree.

Tarrou said...

Lame

Temujin said...

Blah, blah.

I like Matt, but quit groveling in the mud with Nancy. Let her stay down there. Get on with your work. Beat them by beating them at legislating.

rhhardin said...

What will women think of it.

rhhardin said...

Pelosi didn't seem to mean well, so that's a negative. Will women want her punished.

rhhardin said...

Pelosi's problem is that she invited Trump there and failed to be gracious, which is a pretty grave social error.

Trump played it gracious himself, so Pelosi is one down.

Chris said...

Not an official copy they'll say, and a stupid move.

Chuck said...

How is Matt doing, in his quest to get stenographic records of Trump’s meetings with Putin?

I must say, Althouse; the least important reason to convict Trump on articles of impeachment is Mitt Romney’s religious conviction. But the best reason to convict Trump was the evidence.

And the least convincing notion for ANYTHING is Donald Trump’s purported religious beliefs.

Lurker21 said...

Any chance McCarthy can put Gaetz on waivers or trade him to the Democrats for a Congresswoman to be named later? Preferably not one of "the squad."

pacwest said...

What a great idea. Since Pelosi was petty let's be petty too. /sarc

wendybar said...

If Joe Wilson got Censured for yelling "YOU LIE" to Obama when Obama lied about illegals not getting healthcare, then Nancy and her gang of white clad KKK members should be Censured for the nonsense they put us through during Trumps SOTU.

Bill Harshaw said...

It's not an official record. The official record is likely what is put in the teleprompter and maybe the official transcript of what was said.

The Archives can only afford to keep one version of anything, not all the copies.

Sally327 said...

I guess we have to tolerate all these weird old people running the show, playing their moronic little games, Trump doesn't shake Pelosi's hand, she rips up his speech. Such an inspiration to the youth of America, yes?

Or we could turn to (former) Mayor Pete who I think is the Democrat's version of Sarah Palin. Just not as good looking.

rhhardin said...

Soon the text will be emailed anyway and you can't tear that.

rhhardin said...

Nancy's act ends in tears.

Tommy Duncan said...

Gaetz is mocking Pelosi and having fun doing it. I can't fault him for that. If Gaetz was serious, this would be petty. But he's actually just yanking her chain.

traditionalguy said...

Matt is trying to regain favor with King Donald I.

Shouting Thomas said...

Tit for tat!

I thought it was a great bit of theater.

But it only seems right to... pounce!

Heartless Aztec said...

You can do that. But why? To what end?

AllenS said...

It's not a stupid move to me. Make Pelosi explain her actions, and keep on challenging her. Never give up criticizing her. This is war.

Larry J said...

"Nobody is above the law" is another of those pretty lies we tell schoolchildren. It isn't true. It never has been true. But it sure sounds pretty, doesn't it?

rehajm said...

Like endless investigations it keeps the negative Nancy story alive.

Also, women keep providing evidence rhhardin is right about them...

henry said...

seems legit. as with all things swampy, won't end with as much as a wrist slap.

Ryan said...

Idiotic move. Clearly the law allows throwing away or "mutilating" COPIES of official records.

Marcus Bressler said...

From what I've read, it is an official copy -- the one handed to the Speaker of the House. Having said that, let it go. Let Pelosi's childish act be the last thing people remember of the SOTU.

THEOLDMAN

Besides, any attempt in the House in doomed to defeat by the Dem majority. Tilting at windmills here.

Daniel Jackson said...

Why not? Quid Pro Quo.

Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...

"Nobody is above the law"

Those were the bombshells.

Eric said...

Heck, why not? She opened this door.

pacwest said...

Trump doesn't shake Pelosi's hand, she rips up his speech.

Sigh. This is not what happened of course, but because of the constant media barrage it will become ingrained. To that extent Pelosi's stunt worked. Gaetz's move here only allows the stunt to be elevated to a higher level. You're not going to win a tit for tat, it's just playing into the media operative hands.

Beasts of England said...

Not your best move, Gaetz. Her pettiness won’t be forgotten - let it marinate on its own.

Leland said...

It is regular political tit for tat. I'm sure it is funny in DC, a scandal on the coasts, but it is a sign not to take government seriously to everyone else.

Michael K said...

From what I've read, it is an official copy -- the one handed to the Speaker of the House. Having said that, let it go. Let Pelosi's childish act be the last thing people remember of the SOTU.

It should go in the National Archives just as she left it.

pacwest said...

Her pettiness won’t be forgotten - let it marinate on its own.

A thousand times yes.

rcocean said...

Inviting the President to address the House, and then tearing up his speech, is petty childish, and against the rules of the House. The Speaker represents the House, not just the D Party, or herself.

As others have stated, let her explain her conduct to the Ethics Committee.

rcocean said...

Notice, how the Never trumper and weak kneed moderates don't like to criticize Pelosi or take action against her, but are OUTRAGED at every Trump action.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

On the first part of the complaint, Pelosi will be able to produce any number of witnesses that her action did reflect creditably on the House. For the second, the standard in the statute is “willfully and unlawfully”. Also, the filing of the document had not been effected because Trump failed to shake Pelosi’s hand.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Why not file it. Lawfare should be a two way street. Make the Dems live up to their standards as a wise man once said.

It's not like the House is doing anything important anyway.

Howard said...

Lock her up

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Never give up criticizing her. This is war.

I don't know Allen. I'm still in the camp that says it's better to get out of the way when your opponent is trying to self-destruct. While this kind of petty behavior is a quick sugar high for the Resist! crowd, it's hurting them with voters who will decide the election.

Now I'll be willing to rethink my stance if Democrats do somehow win in November. Being rewarded for their tactics would convince me it's time to go full-on scorched earth. Until then, I'll continue to believe that Americans are smart enough to see these games for what they are.

Howard said...

One of the cute things about you people is how you only consider your reactions to things when attributing significance. All my libtard friends very happy with Nancy tearing up the speech and are even more happy with the potential for criminal charges yes let's have a trial but this time with witnesses.

Howard said...

Bring it on, Bitches.

Leland said...

Why not file it. Lawfare should be a two way street.

It's a fair argument and one I'm inclined to accept. However, this particular event is a bit more petty compared to the scale of other, more obvious, issues currently under investigation. While waiting for those investigations to pan out, let the DNC flail around on camera like angry children in the sandbox. Don't get in the sandbox with them. Instead, lead the way to a less destructive route.

Roger Sweeny said...

A lefty friend was going crazy that the Senate had voted against witnesses. I told him I thought witnesses wouldn't make any difference one way or another, that the whole impeachment thing was "partisan and drearily predictable". So is this complaint.

Leland said...

let's have a trial but this time with witnesses.

It is an ethics complaint about an incident clearly on camera. Do you want to world to continue to laugh at Democrats trying to call Trump to stand to testify about what happened literally behind his back? And then running a second impeachment for failing to testify in an ethics case? Geez, you clowns learn nothing.

Howard said...

You know Leland, when you're so stridently forthright and serious a little spit ball forms between your lips and dances around. It's quite distracting

bagoh20 said...

I'm glad that she did it, and I welcome any chance to remind the voting public of it. It was an open honest act showing her unhinged mindset and poor character. Not that we don't know all that, but it's good to be reminded of it when it comes from people constantly disparaging Trump and his supporters for being ignorant and uncouth.

Earnest Prole said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
hombre said...

As we saw with Crooked Hillary 18 USC 2071 is not applicable to Democrats.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

Good Lord, he’s not serious. This is how you troll the self-regarding. Get hip, folks.

Dad Bones said...

At this point she'd have nothing to lose if she tore that speech into as many pieces as she could, autographed them and sold them on ebay with a silver impeachment pen as a set.

Earnest Prole said...

Trump’s superpower is compelling the opposition to mimic and even one-up his violations of political and social norms.

Trump ruins everything, especially his enemies.

Meade said...

Howard said...
"Lock her up"

Haha. Seriously though, it's a good move to make her defend her behavior. That ethics complaint will be... FOREVER!

hombre said...

“But the best reason to convict Trump was the evidence.”

Chuck Channeling Schumer doesn’t specify whether he means the otherwise inadmissible hearsay adduced by Pencil Neck at his committee hearings and presented to the Senate or the denials by the President of the United States and the President of Ukraine that there was any pressure involved.

As a result of TDS, “evidence” has evolved to designate “wishful thinking” in the minds of LLRs, Democrats, pretend lawyers, journalists and other seditious fools.

stevew said...

Turnabout is fair play.

The effect is to keep her boorish behavior closer to the top of the discussion list.

Seeing Red said...

No dignity.

No respect for the office she holds.

Seeing Red said...

On the first part of the complaint, Pelosi will be able to produce any number of witnesses that her action did reflect creditably on the House. For the second, the standard in the statute is “willfully and unlawfully”. Also, the filing of the document had not been effected because Trump failed to shake Pelosi’s hand.

1. She failed to introduce The President as she should have.

2. He might not have seen her hand since he was already turning.

3. He didn’t shake Pence’s hand.

pacwest said...

There are calls for Pelosi to resign over this. The House Dems are going to split into factions to get control. Blood in the water, and Pelosi is the carcass. She may have just handed Trump the House.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Since Dems and their media insist Trump has turned the Presidency into a powerful authoritarian monarchy, can't he just have Nan, Schitt and Nads executed for insubordination? So much simpler IMO.

Talk about FOREVER!

TJM said...

How an educated woman like Ann Althouse could support a low life like Pelosi is beyond belief

dreams said...

It's not stupid to file an ethics complaint against Pelosi for destroying Trump's State of the Union speech but it is stupid of those of you who think so.

AllenS said...

For those of you who do not think that this is war with Pelosi and the Democrats, read this ==

LINK TEXT

tim maguire said...

dreams said...
It's not stupid to file an ethics complaint against Pelosi for destroying Trump's State of the Union speech but it is stupid of those of you who think so.


That's a compelling argument you make there. But I'm going to stick with, "this petty act distracts from Pelosi's petty act."

There's an election coming up. I expect the American people to punish Democrats for using anti-democratic means to deny them their preferred candidate. There's no sense in adding weight to the "pox on both their houses" position.

Anonymous said...

I like Trump and despise Pelosi but this is dumb.

He thinks he’s spiking the ball, but he’s actually whining in the tunnel on the way back to the locker room.

Iman said...

Petty for petty, pound for pound
Runnin’ around in the shoes of a clown

Francisco D said...

Haha. Seriously though, it's a good move to make her defend her behavior. That ethics complaint will be... FOREVER!

Do you mean that it is a stain on her blue, uh make that white dress?

tim maguire said...

Almost all of the printed copies of Trump's speech have gone through the shredder by now. How do we hold those people accountable?

Leland said...

My day is made, I got under Howard's skin while not even trying. Between Calvin yesterday and Howard today; I'm starting to wonder if there is a bag limit.

Danno said...

Agree with Bill, Republic of Texas on lawfare and reciprocating and playing BAMN.

As to the Lifelong Retard and his retort, "And the least convincing notion for ANYTHING is Donald Trump’s purported religious beliefs."

I measure Trump' religiousness by his support for allowing freedom in letting any religious group practice their religion, rather than the sanctimonious displays we so often see.

Skeptical Voter said...

There is of a course a physical solution. It's a pretty good bet that Trump will still be President after the November election (barring some truly surprising political event or a health issue with The Donald). It's less likely that still possible that Nan the Ripper will be Speaker of the House in the first quarter of 2021.

Assuming all of that happens, Trump simply hands Nancy the "official" copy of the SOTU printed on canvas--or sail cloth---or Tyvek---something the weak old girl's hands can't tear up.

Of course anticipating this, Pelosi will have a knife or scissors secreted in her desk before the SOTU.

Escalation on both sides!

n.n said...

It's parody. A skit. Improv. Democrats can surely appreciate the gaiety following exoneration. Ukrainians do. Americans do. Laugh.

n.n said...

I thought it was a great bit of theater.

Exactly. This is the denouement following more than 12 trimesters of tragicomedy. We now return you to our normal programming.

Martin said...

Maybe this plays well with Gaetz's constituents, tho in that case he shouldn't be worried, anyway.

Otherwise, this is just a stupid thing to do.

Anonymous said...

"Assuming all of that happens, Trump simply hands Nancy the "official" copy of the SOTU printed on canvas--or sail cloth---or Tyvek---something the weak old girl's hands can't tear up."

YOU. MAGNIFICENT. BASTARD.

Parchment. Get a calligrapher to write it with a fountain pen, while we're at it.

walter said...

In honor of San Francisco, San Fran Nan shoulda dropped trou and taken a dump on it.

Yancey Ward said...

There are times for Alinsky rules, and there are times for not using them. This is one of the latter.

Daniel Jackson said...

"As we saw with Crooked Hillary 18 USC 2071 is not applicable to Democrats."

Not yet.

Trump2 is coming soon to a theater near you.

Ken B said...

I like the idea of forcing her to defend herself. I love the idea of playing the tape over and over. But this has the feel of a sledgehammer. Better is something mocking, something that feels like a tap on the forehead counting coup.

Jim at said...

My wife tries to stay out of politics, but even she noticed Pelosi's tantrum and how it looked. And it wasn't good.

Pelosi didn't gain a single vote with her stunt. But she lost plenty. And maybe even the House.

Roger Sweeny said...

Now that would be funny. You print next year's on Tyvek and spread the word around beforehand. Just be sure to do it with a smile.

Steven said...

I don't understand.

The House Impeachment Managers explained that Trump was a dictator, and that refusing to remove him would continue his dictatorship. So what's the point in filing an ethics complaint against someone who was already executed for her public act of disrespect?

walter said...

I heard a clip of her responding to question on the dignity of her action.
Boy..that made her sound spittin' bitchin' mad. Maybe it was her teeth.

JaimeRoberto said...

Not a good move. Better to use is it in a campaign add. Juxtapose Trump's highlights with Pelosi ripping the paper. "The economy is doing great!" Rip. "No open borders!" Rip. Etc. Voiceover: "Pelosi and the Democrats want to rip up peace, prosperity and security. Don't let them."

n.n said...

Yeah, sometimes a public judgment is better than a court judgment, albeit a parody worthy of a pre-trans SNL... perhaps an episode of Mad.

n.n said...

It's analogous to a Planned baby, again. Usually one attempted abortion is sufficient, but even Governor Blackface will acknowledge that there are, albeit rarely, survivors. TikTok, right? Perhaps Pelosi has given up her hunter, judging ways.

brian said...

Should have a civility b.s. tag.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Stupid move, makes me think less of Gaetz's intelligence and political acumen. Some adviser should have stopped him--makes me suspect he hires badly, too.