(10-23-2019, 02:57 PM)ferocious Wrote: I assure you, the impeachment proceeding will occur in the open and in plain view.

Thank you, flsprtsgod, for confirming this is just a ploy. As the OP, I posted a link to William Taylor's opening statement, hosted on documentcloud.org, that is his actual opening statement to the House Intelligence Committee. I can not make you read it, nor can I decide for you what it contains. But it most certainly is not a leak. Perhaps you would know a little more about what it actually contains, if you would take the time to read it fully. That is what this post was for.

I am, nevertheless, curious, for you to tell me more about what I have I have already decided.
I will admit that you have piqued my interest, that's for sure.

Not a leak?  What are you talking about?  Was the testimony open to the public?  Was cross examination open tot he public?  Was the president's lawyer present?  Were they allowed to make objections?  If you want to handle this as an Ex-Parte Proceeding (Grand Jury) then that's fine.  That goes against historical precedent for impeachment, but even then under our system of common law those proceedings are CONFIDENTIAL.  You are not allowed to take that information and selectively leak portions of it to the Press without giving the accused their day in court to respond.  IF you did that in a criminal case that would be called obstruction of justice.  Also, it is incumbent on the prosecutor that conveigned the Grand Jury to present any and all Exculpatory evidence as well as preserve the presumption of innocence.  Schiff then would be responsible for also presenting the fact that there is yet no proof that the Ukrainians even knew about the hold on military aid and that there was evidence presented of potentially corrupt acts against the Bidens.  

As for, "I assure you" I call bull sugar.  There have been three instances of impeachment in our countries history.  In all three, the president was given full due process rights in the house of representatives following a full vote of the house to open a formal inquiry.  This secret tribunal crap with the plain text of a transcript in full view wreaks of desperation and is an affront to everything we understand and hold dear about our once democratic ideals.

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