Friday, September 7, 2018

Sorry Trump haters...

but there is no "evidence" of the President being unfit for office

Let's start with the ground rules. The bar for determining a President to be "unfit for office" or "incapable of performing the duties" would need to be set fairly high. Certainly it would require at least a "preponderance of evidence" - if not evidence that shows some form of incompetency beyond a "reasonable doubt". Moreover, this sort of situation (where you wish to undo the results of an election) would require some form of evidentiary hearing (either formal or informal) that would be on par with what we might see in court of law.

Given those ground rules (and I fail to see why anyone would argue them considering the stakes) it would be literally fair to say that there is actually no evidence to support the assumption that the President is either unfit or otherwise incapable of competently performing the duties of the President.

But wait!! What about all of those stories? Bob Woodward has a book coming out. The NY Times just published an Ed/Op from a "senior member of the Trump administration". The internet is "dripping" with accounts of incompetency and unhinged actions. Well without getting into the fact that the NY Times once described an unpaid intern as a "senior member of the Trump administration" the reality is that none of that is evidence. At best it's hearsay, and at worst is fiction.

To be clear, even the Ed/Op is the NY Times repeating (publishing) what someone provided for them. That makes it hearsay if for instance the editor of the NY Times was willing to come testify. On top of that, quite literally everything alleged in the story was another layer of hearsay (second hand information provided to the author). Lastly, the author is unidentified, meaning there is literally no witness testimony. Similarly the book by Woodward will be all hearsay. Likely hearsay of hearsay. Likely anonymous as well.

Why isn't "hearsay" allowed into court procedures? Well for starters, it's wildly unreliable. But most importantly because there is no opportunity to question the actual witness to the events, much less cross examine them. In court, you are generally (with very rare exceptions) only allowed to present witnesses who have first hand accounts of events. Those witness provide their testimony and the defense would then have a chance to cross examine and question them.

Imagine a Judge allowing a reporter to testify as to what an unidentified source told them. Imagine the unidentified source was actually using information gathered from another unidentified source. Imagine a Judge allowing double unidentified hearsay. It would never happen, and it would never happen for good reason.

What Trump haters have right now is not evidence. What they have are unproven allegations, with almost no tangible manner in which to prove them. Moreover, pretty much every allegation that has been made in the media has been denied by those who actually have first hand knowledge of whether or not something might have happened.

Would anyone sitting on a jury, ignore the open testimony of people who had first hand knowledge of a situation, and instead take the word of someone else who claims that another unidentified person "told them" that something happened? How about if that unidentified person was actually providing information told to "them" by a third unidentified person. Would you trust double unidentified hearsay over the first hand accounts of the actual people involved?

Of course not. Not unless you are the one who is actually dangerously unhinged, irrational, and incompetent... or perhaps if you are suffering from Trump derangement syndrome.

43 comments:

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

You are suffering from Trumpism .

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

A blatant attack on the First Amendment isn't evidence of disability to perform his duties as President.


President Trump was asked Friday whether he thinks Attorney General Jeff Sessions should investigate The New York Times column attributed to an administration official who wrote that Trump is unfit for office.

Yes, Trump said.

"I think so," he told reporters. "It's national security. I would say Jeff should be investigating who the author of that piece was because I really believe it's national security."

Attacking the President is not a national security issue.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Many were worried we were entering into a second Great Depression. So we worked hard to end that crisis, but also to break some of these longer term trends. And the actions we took during that crisis returned the economy to healthy growth and initiated the longest streak of job creation on record. And we covered another 20 million Americans with health insurance and we cut our deficits by more than half, partly by making sure that people like me, who have been given such amazing opportunities by this country, pay our fair share of taxes to help folks coming up behind me.

And by the time I left office, household income was near its all-time high and the uninsured rate had hit an all-time low and wages were rising and poverty rates were falling. I mention all this just so when you hear how great the economy's doing right now, let's just remember when this recovery started.

I mean, I'm glad it's continued, but when you hear about this economic miracle that's been going on, when the job numbers come out, monthly job numbers, suddenly Republicans are saying it's a miracle. I have to kind of remind them, actually, those job numbers are the same as they were in 2015 and 2016.

Anyway, I digress. So we made progress, but -- and this is the truth -- my administration couldn't reverse forty-year trends in only eight years, especially once Republicans took over the House of Representatives in and decided to block everything we did, even things they used to support.

So we pulled the economy out of crisis, but to this day, too many people who once felt solidly middle-class still feel very real and very personal economic insecurity. Even though we took out bin Laden and wound down the wars in Iraq and our combat role in Afghanistan, and got Iran to halt its nuclear program, the world's still full of threats and disorder. That comes streaming through people's televisions every single day. And these challenges get people worried. And it frays our civic trust. And it makes a lot of people feel like the fix is in and the game is rigged, and nobody's looking out for them. Especially those communities outside our big urban centers.

And even though your generation is the most diverse in history, with a greater acceptance and celebration of our differences than ever before, those are the kinds of conditions that are ripe for exploitation by politicians who have no compunction and no shame about tapping into America's dark history of racial and ethnic and religious division

Appealing to tribe, appealing to fear, pitting one group against another, telling people that order and security will be restored if it weren't for those who don't look like us or don't sound like us or don't pray like we do, that's an old playbook. It's as old as time. And in a healthy democracy it doesn't work. Our antibodies kick in, and people of goodwill from across the political spectrum callout the bigots and the fearmongers, and work to compromise and get things done and promote the better angels of our nature. But when there's a vacuum in our democracy, when we don't vote, when we take our basic rights and freedoms for granted, when we turn away and stop paying attention and stop engaging and stop believing and look for the newest diversion, the electronic versions of bread and circuses, then other voices fill the void. A politics of fear and resentment and retrenchment takes hold. And demagogues promise simple fixes to complex problems. They promise to fight for the little guy even as they cater to the wealthiest and the most powerful. They promise to clean up corruption and then plunder away. They start undermining norms that ensure accountability, try to change the rules to entrench their power further. And they appeal to racial nationalism that's barely veiled, if veiled at all.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/09/07/president-barack-obamas-speech-transcript-slamming-trump/1225554002/

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

It should not be Democratic or Republican, it should not be a partisan issue to say that we do not pressure the Attorney General or the FBI to use the criminal justice system as a cudgel to punish our political opponents.

Or to explicitly call on the Attorney General to protect members of our own party from prosecution because an election happens to be coming up. I'm not making that up. That's not hypothetical. It shouldn't be Democratic or Republican to say that we don't threaten the freedom of the press because – they say things or publish stories we don't like.

I complained plenty about Fox News – but you never heard me threaten to shut them down, or call them enemies of the people. It shouldn't be Democratic or Republican to say we don't target certain groups of people based on what they look like or how they pray. We are Americans. We're supposed to standup to bullies.

Not follow them.

We're supposed to stand up to discrimination. And we're sure as heck supposed to stand up, clearly and unequivocally, to Nazi sympathizers.

How hard can that be? Saying that Nazis are bad. I'll be honest, sometimes I get into arguments with progressive friends about what the current political movement requires. There are well-meaning folks passionate about social justice, who think things have gotten so bad, the lines have been so starkly drawn, that we have to fight fire with fire, we have to do the same things to the Republicans that they do to us, adopt their tactics, say whatever works, make up stuff about the other side. I don't agree with that. It's not because I'm soft. It's not because I'm interested in promoting an empty bipartisanship. I don't agree with it because eroding our civic institutions and our civic trust and making people angrier and yelling at each other and making people cynical about government, that always works better for those who don't believe in the power of collective action.

You don't need an effective government or a robust press or reasoned debate to work when all you're concerned about is maintaining power. In fact, the more cynical people are about government and the angrier and more dispirited they are about the prospects for change, the more likely the powerful are able to maintain their power. But we believe that in order to move this country forward, to actually solve problems and make people's lives better, we need a well-functioning government, we need our civic institutions to work. We need cooperation among people of different political persuasions. And to make that work, we have to restore our faith in democracy. We have to bring people together, not tear them apart. We need majorities in Congress and state legislatures who are serious about governing and want to bring about real change and improvements in people's lives.

And we won't win people over by calling them names, or dismissing entire chunks of the country as racist, or sexist, or homophobic. When I say bring people together, I mean all of our people. You know, this whole notion that has sprung up recently about Democrats need to choose between trying to appeal to the white working class voters, or voters of color, and women and LGBT Americans, that's nonsense. I don't buy that. I got votes from every demographic. We won by reaching out to everybody and competing everywhere and by fighting for every vote.

And that's what we've got to do in this election and every election after that.

Anonymous said...

CHT, Outstanding Triggering of foolish Alky.

Ty.

Commonsense said...

The same can't be said for certain Democrat senators. Their unfitness for office was up front and on full display to the public. No heresay there.

Anonymous said...

We have the Tape.

Anonymous said...

Alky was passed out during 2016 election.
"And we won't win people over by calling them names, or dismissing entire chunks of the country as racist, or sexist, or homophobic."


Hillary
"US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has called half of Donald Trump's supporters a "basket of deplorables".
Speaking at a fundraiser, she said they were "racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic - you name it".

C.H. Truth said...

Actually Roger...

It's exactly what a President is supposed to do. It is his job to supervise his cabinet members, including the Attorney General.

It would be like demanding that Eric Holder or Loretta Lynch should not do the bidding of what Obama asked them to do.... such as investigating police departments across the country and demanding they be "retrained".

This person is not a "political opponent" - he or she is someone who has openly stated that they are attempting to undermine the Administration priorities and Administration policies.

It would be irrationals and irresponsible "not" to root this person out and have him fired.


No company in the WORLD would allow such an employee to work for them. There is no reason why any President should have to put up with it. These people have no "right" to do as they please. They serve at the pleasure of the President and can be fired at any time.

Whether there is a "crime" I guess depends on what sort of abuse and undermining is going on.

caliphate4vr said...

, it should not be a partisan issue to say that we do not pressure the Attorney General or the FBI to use the criminal justice system as a cudgel to punish our political opponents.

But weaponizing the IRS, FBI and DOJ were just fine with you under Bumble

Payback is a bitch and you were warned

C.H. Truth said...

CHT, Outstanding Triggering of foolish Alky.

Rog is just pissed because he knows I am right.

Moreover, he DOES truly believe the double anonymous hearsay stories over those who actually know and were there.

Anonymous said...

Yep.

This week has been rough on the Socialist. Really bad as Bret handed the Socialist on the Committee thief collective asses.

Anonymous said...

"Payback is a bitch and you were warned"

Exactly. We where attacked by every agency under obumbles control and overcame his lawlessness.

The defeat of Hillary saved this Proud Republic.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Get loud rosie odonald.


"A vote for kavanaugh is a vote to kill women with back alley abortions – come on collins – stand up for women,” Rosie O’Donnell wrote, adding the hashtags “Stop Kavanaugh” and “women 4 women.”

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Trump doesn't know what Treason is.

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)

Criticism of the President isn't Treason, nor is anything in the OP ed that is a threat to national security.

Honest, decent, truthful Rev. said...

Even Commonsense couldn't have pretzeled himself into so many knots, Ch.

This is not a court case. This is the simple fact that numerous people close to Trump are worried about him.

That is immensely clear.

_____________

Good stuff at politicalwirecom

Obama Taunts Trump Over Nazis

John Dean Says Kavanaugh Would Shield the White House

Trump Say He "Fell Asleep" During Obama's Speech

Papdopolous sentened to 14 Days in Prison

Jared and Ivanka Think Kelly is Behind Op-Ed

Trump Executives Face Campaign Finance Probe

Did Jon Huntsman Write Anonymous Op-Ed?

Manafort Weighs Plea Deal to Avoid Second Trial



caliphate4vr said...

Say hello to an originalist SCOTUS and fed courts for the rest of your life, old Man.....

LMAO

JAMES'S FUCKING DADDY said...

Obama hangs with an individual who calls Hitler a great man.

His pastor wants God to damn America

That's all you need to know


C.H. Truth said...

This is the simple fact that numerous people close to Trump are worried about him.

That's where you are wrong...

It's a simple allegation. Without even a wisp of actual evidence. You may believe it if you so "choose to" but your belief doesn't bring it any closer to being true.

Anonymous said...

caliphate4vrSeptember 7, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Say hello to an originalist SCOTUS and fed courts for the rest of your life, old Man.....

LMAO"

Oh what President Trump is doing to the Federal Lower Courts is a thing of Big Beautiful thing.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

If you were in the Oval office and saw his Cabinet members removed his impulsive executive orders to kill Hillary Clinton as a Traitor you would deny that he is insane

C.H. Truth said...

If you were in the Oval office and saw his Cabinet members removed his impulsive executive orders to kill Hillary Clinton as a Traitor you would deny that he is insane

I heard he is a vampire. oooooh!!!

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

In Sioux Falls South Dakota the President held a fundraising meeting.
A $5,000-per-couple donation to support Noem allowed contributors to attend the event and remarks and get a photo with Trump. A $500 donation per person gave access to the event without a photo. Pool reporters estimated the crowd to be 500 people on Friday, meaning Noem's campaign stands to make at least $250,000 from the event.

Noem is running for the single house seat in South Dakota.

I met George McGovern in Rapid City. He was the first election I could vote. McGovern didn't even take South Dakota again Nixon. Nixon ordered the Watergate burglary despite that he didn't stand a chance.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

No, he would have her assassinated her on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn .

You would say that he can't be indicted for murder. Besides he would say that she was a national security traitor and it's legit. You would write a 1,000 word justification.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Retraining police officers is not the same as ordering the department of justice to prosecute his political opponents in the real world. Not the era of Trump .

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

It didn't happen. The investigations under the Republicans found nothinhg.

Anonymous said...

Bret Kavanaugh will be confirmed.

The question is how many Democrats will do the right thing and vote for him.

Commonsense said...

Good question! The red state Democrats can't afford to piss off the crazy wing of the party because they need them to show up. However, they will also need moderate independents and Trump Democrats to win.

They are in a rock and a hard place.

Anonymous said...



Rog is just pissed because he knows I am right.


i'd say rog is also pissed because ol' papadop got sentenced to a fucking pathetic 14 days in jail.

Anonymous said...


Blogger Roger Amick said...

Retraining police officers is not the same as ordering the department of justice to prosecute his political opponents in the real world. Not the era of Trump .



but nothing tops criminalizing the result of an election you were sure to win but lost very badly.

Anonymous said...



Blogger Roger Amick said...

If you were in the Oval office and saw his Cabinet members removed his impulsive executive orders to kill Hillary Clinton as a Traitor you would deny that he is insane



alky, you're actually proving the point of this post.

you don't have any actual evidence of trump's instability, criminality, etc., so you have to fabricate these outrageous hypotheticals to support your ridiculous hypothesis.

even your demands for impeachment are fucking ridiculous. and there's irony in that because your dear leader 0linsky really did commit some impeachable offenses in the way he weaponized the IRS, DOJ, and FBI. but fortunately for skeets, he was black, and there was no fucking way in hell the criminality could overcome the politics of impeaching the first half-rican american president...

...and skeets knew it. and that's part of the reason why he earned the moniker "the magic negro."



caliphate4vr said...

HE’S BACK! Obama refers to himself 102 times during 64-minute speech

Anonymous said...

Anonymous caliphate4vr said...

HE’S BACK! Obama refers to himself 102 times during 64-minute speech



no man knows a greater love than the love 0linsky has for himself.

what an asshole.

commie said...

And trump said I did nothing wrong 38 times yesterday in Montana!!!! I bet mueller might have a different opinion about that!!!! LOLOLOL

Another who gives a flying fuck since obama is not POTUS.....

Anonymous said...

Obimbo's EV promise was a million of them on us streets by 2015. That number is yet to happen. The government money is gone.

Anonymous said...

"no man knows a greater love than the love 0linsky has for himself."

It is amazing how much he be loving him some him.

Commonsense said...

I'm think Obama is the GOP's secret weapon for a midterm victory. He really did give the Democrats that malcious advise to run on Medicare for all.

Anonymous said...




Trump May Declassify the 20 FISA Docs Congress Wants


https://saraacarter.com/president-trump-may-declassify-the-20-fisa-docs-congress-wants/

Anonymous said...

"They are in a rock and a hard place."CS

Clare McCaskill is in thar position of her own doing. Last election she ran as a center right canodate, but has voted as a Obamaized radical Socialist.

Anonymous said...

Blogger Commonsense said...

I'm think Obama is the GOP's secret weapon for a midterm victory.


indeed.

no human being has done greater harm to the democrat party at all levels of government in the modern era than 0linsky.

Anonymous said...

Yep. He moved them to where they are today, Socialist.

IF ONLY, Hillary would have won. Oh the greatness of a United Socialist States of Omerica could have been.