A few years ago, I wrote the blog, "All Politics is Personal," about Watergate and Nixon's resignation on August 8, 1974. As I listen to the news, I am reminded about the Watergate investigation.
The information being presented begins with a phone call with a quid pro quo offer to a foreign country, namely Ukraine. There is a suggestion that there was an earlier deal with Ukraine in 2017 (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-may-have-worked-a-previous-ukraine-quid-pro-quo-wapo-72641605878?cid=sm_npd_ms_fb_ma&fbclid=IwAR0wpqbJeea3-H0yFJ75kXh0Ij4AXYTACqFxJOMwprp_EbAy5IRsOh2lDyc). The deafening silence about the earlier deal may have led some to think that this was "business as usual." No wonder these individuals are now puzzled by the attention this time.
Another concerning development is the defense of blaming the investigators, again seeking help from abroad (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-latest-russia-mueller-ukraine-zelensky-a9181641.html). Another defense is the switching of targets, "whataboutism." This was associated with Soviet/Russian propaganda (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism). Yet, while I am no lawyer, I doubt that the defense of someone else committing a crime would be adequate. This seems more a technique of distraction, assuming the public will not notice what the magician is actually doing.
Meanwhile, Time describes "abuse of power" in the behavior of the President (https://time.com/5714064/trump-abuse-of-power-women/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=ideas_&linkId=76320528&fbclid=IwAR1S9iJJ7Qe3jI8PwaLb2W03pQ03Gr9Y2i9B0n-eOdDIidRzcgHVOfn5hgg). They use the example of the pattern of abuse beginning in relationships with women, but then extending to others.
As I watch this unfolding, I am reminded of Nixon and Watergate. Nixon was a lawyer, and so had some knowledge of, and presumably respect for the Constitution. Perhaps that is why he chose to resign once it was clear that he would otherwise be impeached. This time, I am not sure how things will unfold. I hope that we are able to hold the country together.
The information being presented begins with a phone call with a quid pro quo offer to a foreign country, namely Ukraine. There is a suggestion that there was an earlier deal with Ukraine in 2017 (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-may-have-worked-a-previous-ukraine-quid-pro-quo-wapo-72641605878?cid=sm_npd_ms_fb_ma&fbclid=IwAR0wpqbJeea3-H0yFJ75kXh0Ij4AXYTACqFxJOMwprp_EbAy5IRsOh2lDyc). The deafening silence about the earlier deal may have led some to think that this was "business as usual." No wonder these individuals are now puzzled by the attention this time.
Another concerning development is the defense of blaming the investigators, again seeking help from abroad (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-latest-russia-mueller-ukraine-zelensky-a9181641.html). Another defense is the switching of targets, "whataboutism." This was associated with Soviet/Russian propaganda (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism). Yet, while I am no lawyer, I doubt that the defense of someone else committing a crime would be adequate. This seems more a technique of distraction, assuming the public will not notice what the magician is actually doing.
Meanwhile, Time describes "abuse of power" in the behavior of the President (https://time.com/5714064/trump-abuse-of-power-women/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=ideas_&linkId=76320528&fbclid=IwAR1S9iJJ7Qe3jI8PwaLb2W03pQ03Gr9Y2i9B0n-eOdDIidRzcgHVOfn5hgg). They use the example of the pattern of abuse beginning in relationships with women, but then extending to others.
As I watch this unfolding, I am reminded of Nixon and Watergate. Nixon was a lawyer, and so had some knowledge of, and presumably respect for the Constitution. Perhaps that is why he chose to resign once it was clear that he would otherwise be impeached. This time, I am not sure how things will unfold. I hope that we are able to hold the country together.
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