1.31.2020

DEJA VU, ALL OVER AGAIN

Whereas I have vowed to myself (and my coach) that I would not be taken in by the current happenings in Washington, DC, I have, today, cracked, and will be watching the votes as the Senate does its thing. I cannot help myself.

Nor could I help myself on May 9th of 1974 when the Impeachment Inquiry for Richard M. Nixon began its formal hearings. Those hearings (Democratically Controlled House Judiciary Committee) lasted until July 30, 1974. 

The Committee produced three Articles of Impeachment: Obstruction of Justice, Abuse of Power, and Contempt of Congress. Seven Republicans voted with the 21 Democrats for Impeachment. Ten Republicans voted No. The Articles sound remarkably similar to what we are hearing today in regard to Donald Trump.

A: Richard Nixon was not forthcoming about his knowledge of and approval for the Watergate break-in. (Obstruction of Justice)

B: As early as 1969, Richard Nixon called on Federal agencies--think IRS and FBI--to scare the very bejesus out of anyone who questioned his actions. (Abuse of Power)

C: Richard Nixon refused to reply to a number of congressional subpoenas. (Contempt of Congress)

1974 was an election year just like 2020 is an election year. I've not found any 1974 arguments stating that impeachment is unfair in an election year. "Let the voters decide in November" wasn't the mantra of 1974...or so I believe. In today's world, an attempted break-in of the Democratic National Headquarters seems nearly innocent. The sport of High School kids. But, of course, it wasn't the break-in that got Richard Nixon, it was the cover-up.

So, yes. Basically, Richard Nixon was impeached for lying. For covering up. For threatening.  For being unreasonable. For being Nixon. His impeachment never moved to the Senate because a group of wise statesmen paid him  a visit and explained that he must resign because he would indeed be convicted. And he did. The following afternoon, he gave the TV cameras an awkward wave from the door of his helicopter and flew off to California. He wasn't heard from very much after that. Self destruction is always SAD...