“I tend to like to stay in the background,” said Mr. Dye, 27. “I hate it when I become the center of attention.”
Said the guy in the baby blue blazer. On the record. To the Times.
Yeah, he really, really hates to be noticed. Uh huh. Right. Far right.
29
I was frankly surprised that those signs were even allowed. Beyond sophomoric, dishonest, and idiotic, which they were, they could be construed as an attempt to intimidate witnesses and sway the court.
There isn't enough paper, time, or will in the world to deconstruct all that is fundamentally wrong and repellent about this GOP. That's work for the historians, an army of them. But the fact that they could not even pretend to rise to the moment and behave as they're paid and obligated by sworn oath to behave is simply pathetic.
I winced watching the show imagining the contempt and pity the rest of this world now feels for us. These hacks and clowns have done more damage than they will ever realize. The green jackets, the pizza parties, the moronic fist pumping and spittle flying... they wanted to create a circus but they're so far gone in their irrational hate and malign lying that it never even dawned on them that they were the clowns. I do not know anyone, including Republican friends and colleagues, who think that there was one moment where the Nunes Show rose to anything vaguely adult or becoming.
Were I on that side of the aisle, I would be working over time to put Jordan and Nunes and their ridiculous minions in the can. If any part of the coming proceedings unfolds in the same way, the GOP will have put the final nail in its coffin. No serious or decent people will accord them any more attention or interest. They'll have indicated that they're beyond redemption.
32
The head tilt and sad expression of Kavanaugh’s wife conjured a Modigliani painting. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
10
Trump is going out before the election.
The polls are baloney.
The good news is that 10.2 million watched something other than FOX news. Less than 25 percent watched FOX which equates to what Trump's base really is.
Popular vote results 2020
Any Democratic candidate 70%
Trump 30%
Some 13.1 million people tuned in to watch the first day of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry across the major cable and broadcast networks, as two senior U.S. officials testified in front of lawmakers and a daytime television audience.
Fox News drew the most total viewers, according to Nielsen, with about 2.9 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 2.7 million viewers. ABC and CBS each had about 2 million viewers, and 1.9 million people watched on CNN. NBC drew about 1.7 million viewers.
10
@libel President Mike Pence is going to have one of the shortest term's in history, From November 4, 2020 (just give Trump long enough to sign his own pardon) to January 20, 2021.
5
Will these right-wing Congressional aides ever realize that they enabled their bosses to lie with abandon and help tear down our Democracy?
33
Why are any such posters even allowed? This is Congress , not
a political rally. They demean what should be dignified
deliberations, no matter what the topic, no matter what the acrimony of the moment. Whatever has happened to decorum, respect and civility in the halls of the nation's Capitol? Shame on those of either party who resort to such histrionics.
52
The same young woman that was seen guzzling the coffee was also later caught smashing a large tissue or something into her nose for what seemed like forever, at a different hearing. You just wanted someone to text her and tell her to stop. She must have known she was highly visible after the coffee incident went viral. I don’t fault her for it; I’m sure I was just as oblivious at that age. But she must have a boss who can caution her against distracting behavior.
9
Design tip: if you’re going to make big dumb signs, at least typeset them properly. Every one of these signs uses fake small caps which just make the first letter of each word look bolder than the rest of the word. Looks stupid in addition to sounding stupid.
23
1) Lighten up, folks. Is the news content fractured by the publication of the crossword puzzle?
2) And, who is the really tall guy/staffer who was escorting Intelligence Committee witnesses through their security screenings?
Yes, I heard that Jim Jordan refused the offer to wear that Mint jacket because it did not go along with his shirt sleeve image hd in got as a college wrestling coach for looking the other way.
19
Posters? At a Congressional hearing? What is this - fifth grade?
About time we got some grownups in there.
40
@Migrant They're not really posters as much as flash cards. The kind used for small children.
19
"...Mr. Dye in his spearmint-gum-colored jacket."
Is that Wrigley's you're thinking of? Unless they've changed it, Doublemint comes in the green pack, Spearmint is in white.
13
Any photographer will tell you, never chew gum in a photograph unless you want to look like you are having a stroke.
6
Why is Congressman Jordon permitted to post those signs at the hearings? Clearly located strategically behind the members where the TV cameras et al photographers can get good shots and convey a biased anti- Democratic Party members on the committee- as well any other anti impeachment sentiments?
Seems like an improper thing to do. The public is entitled to have these committees run as true fact finding bodies.
38
While many find humor in this, it is sad to see our institutions devolve along with this administration. Some House members apparently authorized and /or participated in this behavior. So when we look up Expulsion and Censure, Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution provides that "Each House (of Congress) may determine the Rules of its proceeding, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member." When will folks go over the edge?
14
Trump is the most infamous celebrity during his own presidency. Ironically, as his infamy grows, his real estate holdings’ profits will. No one will want to do business with Trump, other than lobbyists and special interests. I predict Trump’s businesses will collapse after his presidency. I also predict that Trump’s family will resort to “financial engineering” or “partnerships w dictators” in an attempt to stay afloat.
30
See ' Bartleby The Scrivener ' by Herman. Melville; ' The Trial" by Frantz Kafka; ' Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad
8
Dye's mint blazer is the perfect M&Ms-esque candy coating for the walking brown note that is his boss Gym Jordan.
Alas, unlike the little chocolates, the vile GOP's lie-and-obstruct strategy never seems to melt, in their mouths OR hands, into an epiphany that they have laws to follow, a constitution to defend, and a disgusting laughingstock of a White House occupant to remove from office.
Perhaps like the Santa of the famous commercial, they'd faint if they realized they DO exist.
27
"0 Days Since Adam Schiff Followed House Rules." That one doesn't even make sense - it implies that Schiff *is* following House rules.
58
Now we’re celebrating the kids who DROVE the clown car?
Excellent. Maybe follow up with Sid Caesar and his exemplary work with pigeons.
34
Getaway car, more like; robbers tend to have one on hand. Helps when they already HAVE stolen OUR TAX MONEY to buy one. But hey, "small government" innit?
13
Pathetic, I was taken aback when I noticed these signs at the hearings. What kind of side show are the republicans running here. Nancy, rip those signs up and take order over your impeachment hearings. Or, put bigger ones up!
43
Putin is going to tell us everything he knows and release everything he has on Trump and all of his people inside and outside of the executive branch.
In the final weeks and days of the Trump administration Putin knowing that Trump's usefulness as an idiot is coming to an end, will tell all of us everything he knows about Trump and his people and release to the public everything he has on Trump and his people to further destabilize America and the world.
Congress has an opportunity to minimize the damage that Putin will inflict on America by removing Trump from office here and now via Trump's upcoming impeachment.
The Republican Party assumes responsibility for any and all events stemming from their failure to do their duty and the right thing for America by voting to convict Trump at his impeachment trial.
If you are one of Trump's people anything you would not want to become public will become public once Trump's usefulness to Putin as an idiot comes to an end.
It's not too late to help remove Trump from office.
It would be to your benefit.
20
@S Butler It would be to the benefit of the GOP. But most Republican representative would be inviting a challenge in the Republican primary, so it is not in their individual interest. The interest of the country does not enter into their calculations - yet. But there is more evidence to be unearthed, and another month for Trump to make a fool out of himself, as he did at the NATO meeting. As Elizabeth Warren pointed out, it is vital to get every senator's position on record before November 2020.
11
So Jim Jordan has his minty stagehand set up cheesy theater props to set the stage for his cheesy rants. It's good to be a citizen nowadays witnessing our public servants spending the public's money doing the public's work.
40
Is it surprising that young Republican staffers think image is more important than substance?
56
@MAmom2 Trump's world is more about image than substance.
Note the cheap brass on his buildings that pretends to be gold. Also what I call radiator paint that's also supposed to be gold.
9
My, what a ship of fools. As mentioned elsewhere, the sign in the center should, truthfully, read: "8 Days Since Devin Nunes Last Contacted Lev Parnas". As for the young man, he appears to be auditioning as a host for the Liberace Museum.
87
Watching Representatives Jordan, Collins and Ratcliffe was dispiriting. They appear so wrapped up in denial as to be oblivious to the real damage exponentially happening to our country. Their behavior typified three of Trump's "Junk Yard Dogs" blindly storming the gates without an ounce of reason. These folks in their pursuit of the spotlight are injurious to our constitution and our country's well being. The U.S. is becoming an unprotected sitting duck for foreign influence however it materializes.
35
I confess to be human. I sheepfacedly admit my humanity. This is my shambling, stuttering defense of the question I am about to ask: Who was the bearded guy sitting behind Adam Schiff, slightly to the right of him, sometimes smiling, sometimes passing on directions to one of the other aides? Because I think he looked like a Punjabi or a Sikh by ancestry. I say this knowing very well that we have all of us, humans, Trump included, descended from African ancestors.
5
One is deeply tempted to make jokes about this type of fashion statement and trying to stay far, far behind the Showers of Jim Jordan.
Wrassle much, champ? Yikes.,
15
Well! Now we know who put up the posters for Ohio frat boy, Jim Jordan. I'm sorry, Russell Dye, that you've joined the MAGA frat, along with your pal, JJ, and his pal, Devin Nunes. Do you order the beer kegs, too? Or just put up the signs that lead the way to the party? I wonder if you ordered the pizza served in the SCIF . . .
56
@Betsy Blosser
I think you nailed it, Prof. Blosser.
12
I forgive you for wasting our time with non-stories that waste paper, electricity, and photons-- running up our entropy bill. You have some very worthwhile stories out there; this one is not among them. Suggest your Style editor focus elsewhere.
18
Too bad hard working people are expending their talents on Republican sycophants.
15
@MLE53 Add these people to, "you can fool most of the people....." (you know the quote).
They don't seem to know that this is about the defense for a lifelong criminal.
3
Who was the blonde Bond Girl sitting behind one of the nastier repub inquisitors? What a scene stealer!
5
If you found this interesting, the next installment will be about what the pages did during the impeachment hearings. And this will be sexy. Our reporter on the scene saw a GOP page And a Dem page French kissing.
2
What kind of a clown wears bright green suits and a blue bow tie when the point is to not be seen at a serious Congressional hearing? Dye's about as stupid as any other conservative that I've seen.
64
The idiot propaganda posters look straight out of North Korea. Dems have to create a comprehensive strategy for detoxifying the air, maybe a precise definition of the regime's discourse: "My client can't be suspected of anything, refuses to provide evidence or his innocence, and demands you cease investigating his wrongdoings!" Then today, "Congress is Abusing Its Power by investigating me!" This beats King John of Magna Carta fame.
27
What's the matter, Mr. Dye? Embarrassed? Lie down with dogs, etc.
13
Way to go low profile, Russell -- bow tie and screaming green blazer.
Dye got the party message alright -- Lie to your gullible base and have them swallow it hook, lying and sinker. Then project the lying on to the opposition.
Just goes to show the contempt that Republicans have for intelligence of the American people.
Vesti la giubba, Russell.
27
The entire room could be filled with large posters proclaiming, "0 Days since Trump Committed Treason" or "Hurt Families" or "Imprisoned Children" or... the list never ends. Why are we ever subjected to Russell Liar Dye's bogus posters?
17
This is NEWS?
8
Yes. Because it turns out that aides to right-wingers can, more or less, spell.
10
@Robert but they apparently have no reasoning abilities.
6
Idiots--zero days "since"? is not a complaint it's a compliment--Dimwitted Republicans--gotta love em
33
weirdos...nuffsaid
7
Thank you! Laughed so hard I cried. I hadn't seen the one of the coffee guzzling reporter. "Good to the last drop!" Glad Ms. Sanderson got her meme.
7
Can't wait until the senate trial where hopefully Schiff will have to testify. And the Bindens, too. The media says the claims against the Bidens are "debunked." No the Ukranians gave the Bidens $3 million. What did they expect in return? And did they get it?
1
Curious what Russel and his family talked about over the table on T-giving. Perhaps there is a spot for him with Sean Spicer on Dancing With the Stars? Were the signs his idea? What difference does it make? Zero days since Shiff followed House Rules? So Schiff's been following House Rules. The Times needs to do a follow-up story in say..... three years okay.
9
@Steve Beck Or in zero years.
1
Mr. Dye,
Tell your boss to put on a jacket. The"hard" worker look is for those that are fighting for the Constitution, not the destruction of it.
53
Jim Jordan will go down on the wrong side of history, shirtsleeves and all.
33
The main 'celebrity' in this proceeding is President Trump.
"When you're a star they let you do it."
5
Are the PR handlers too much in control, trying to create a persona illusion that everybody knows is pure fake?
Job opening: Congressional Aide
Requirements: must be hardworking, obsequious, and completely mindless.
6
In fact, Mr. Jordan called her to make sure she wasn’t feeling trolled by nasty comments. “He was concerned,” she said.
Here Comes Mr Jordan - so there's hope maybe in the afterlife he'll realize the error of his Republican ways.
2
Like any Trump voters can even read those simple signs.
15
It's a glorious Republican clown show with the express purpose of disruption. Facts matter not in thier alternate reality where Trump is mighty and honorable.
10
I haven't watched a minute of it.
Spearmint gum is green?
2
Yep, that guys looks like every GOP staffer I have ever met.
9
Republicans are having a poster session while Democrats defend a dissertation.
31
This is yet one more example of how the press has demonstrated dereliction of its duty to us as readers and our society.
Not only do you follow every little or big distraction that Trump throws out to keep us "entertained" while his minions dismantle government programs (thus hurting our fellow citizens) and inject their bigotry, but you daily ignore the reporting necessary to bring forth the truth of what is happening in our government and society because of the harm this Head of State (make that Head of Hate) inflicts on us day after day.
In this piece you demonstrate the unworthy attention and reporter energy which could have used effectively in more meaningful reporting. For what? Do you think we believe there is humor in what is happening? Think of what these reporters could have accomplished if they turned their investigative reporting to important issues and exposed the fraud and bigotry that is being foisted on us all by the current administration.
Do your job and if you want to continue this fluff then resurrect Mad Magazine and go write for them.
BTW I can appreciate humor of the gentile kind in the Metropolitan Diary feature which I feel lightens my day, but this stuff is truly a travesty of your time, space in print and on the web, and of entirely missing the point as to what is going on in our society today.
I know you can do better there and I trust you will stop this trivia and drivel coverage.
17
@Brian Winkel Agreed. It's like watching the minor clown show between the republicans' main horror show. Can't label any of this a circus anymore. All of it is truly horrifying. The fake smearing of Adam Schiff is disgusting. His comportment is astonishing considering he has to sit next to Devin Nunes and look at Gym Jordan's tacky posters at the same time. I have the utmost admiration for him. Well over half the country's citizens must be taking ambien before bed every night, or otherwise spending their daytime hours severely sleep deprived.
12
@Brian Winkel I completely agree. It is infuriating, especially the misleading headlines intended to appear “balanced” when the facts point in only one direction: a corrupt, cultish kleptocracy.
4
"“I hate it when I become the center of attention.”"!! And then wearing that jacket that has gotten quite a bit of attention in the past already?! Hypocrisy is a requirement for Republican aides just as it is for their bosses.
48
Pay no attention to the sitting President and his operative working in Ukraine right now in order to interfere in the 2020 election, everyone, look at those crazy GOP staffers! What great reality TV! /s
8
"In fact, Mr. Jordan called her to make sure she wasn’t feeling trolled by nasty comments. “He was concerned,” she said."
Gee, would have been nice if Gym Jordan could have showed just a sliver of that same concern for the hundreds of boys and young men who were sexually molested and raped by the team doctor at the university where Jordan was an assistance coach on the wrestling team.
At least a dozen of those boys, and a referee just two weeks ago, said Jordan knew what was going on, and just joshed, "Oh, that's just Strauss being Strauss."
Yes. Strauss likely committed suicide because he was a rapist and a molester and was about to be outed, and Jordan couldn't be bothered to speak up. Disgusting.
54
I know we'll work this out, but I thought Mr. Dye, in the minty-fresh jacket was working with newly-baked giant loaves of bread. On the other hand, my wife, aware of the Jim Jordan angle, says the large objects are generous-sized sausages.
5
Impeaching Donald Trump is something that must be done no matter how unlikely that 20 Republican Senators join the Democrats in doing the right thing.
As long as you're impeaching Trump anyway how about impeaching him for EVERYTHING impeachable he's done so far?
How many articles of impeachment would it take to cover ALL of Trump's impeachable conduct?
Over 100 articles of impeachment by any objective count.
Make the Republicans in the Senate have to say that EVERYTHING Trump has done does not rise to a level that requires that he be removed from office.
Every single transgression. All of them.
Let Republicans across this nation have to say forevermore that Trump was and is innocent.
Let that be written in their obituaries that they thought what Trump did was legal and proper.
Let their children and grandchildren have to defend the sins of their fathers and mothers.
They will be responsible for everything that happens after the Senate fails to do their duty and the right thing for America.
21
These signs are juvenile. Can any Republican remember that they are members of a long line of representatives, going back to our founders? Do they have any sense of decorum, or even decency, at all?
28
@Chris "Do they have any sense of decorum, or even decency, at all?" Obviously not!
9
The signs shouldn't be allowed. Exhibits, yes, signs, no. They distract from a proper focus.
Advertising...ever more advertising. Advertising is the bane of our Society. And in much of today's world it is false advertising. Take a look at the internet.
Advertising should be subject to heavy regulation because it is destructive. Of all the things I've noted in a pretty long life, the worst is the mindless advertising. Can it.
23
Somebody man 'splain to jacket man or to "the name on the door" that "0 days since A. Schiff followed the rules" means Schiff has followed the rules right up to the present. Which is probably true. Jim Jordan on the other hand, is a kind man of great personal integrity. Oh, wait, that's wrong too. My bad.
One nice thing is that if we tire of learning about the facts and the law, we can enjoy the Republican circus, which is a performance embracing neither. Bring on the clowns! Or get the hook.
13
Does everyone understand that “0 days since Adam Schiff followed House rules” means that he has followed the House rules every day? This kind of ignorance is the price we pay for poor public education. Just what the right has been working for since Reagan. Sigh.
32
You know, the irony of this article is that it highlights and points out people who are supposed to be invisible by saying that it is getting harder for them to be invisible.
4
I work in IT and it never fails to astound me how technology and especially social media have changed the world, society, and how we look at both. Two generations ago you probably wouldn't have noticed somebody in the background. Two weeks ago with 4K cameras, infinite depth photography, and social media, the people in the background can steal the show. Kudos to them, some of the front liners are too full of themselves...
10
Who is paying for all these signs. What is the carbon footprint of supplies and delivery. Why are advertisement billboards allowed during hearings.
49
The answers are "putin", "yes", and "Perhaps because Democrats still think there's a chance of good-faith bipartisanship with them, for some bizarre reason", in that order.
5
I find this all quite fascinating and I have always been someone that notices the people milling about in the background, regardless of context, be it a Congressional hearing or simply an extra in a scene in some tv show.
That said, what remains puzzling to me is, why are these seemingly decent-hearted, hard working quality individuals working for people like Jim Jordan?
I mean, I'll be frank... it's hard to think highly of anyone who willingly works for a clown.
130
@M.A.A Good question. I think of Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions. Really both creeps when you think about it. Russell Dye probably graduated from Georgetown or AU and always envisioned himself on Capitol Hill and is now getting his 15 minutes of fame. Or maybe George Mason. The bow tie is a dead give-away!
13
@M.A.A love may be blind, but let it be known that employment is blind, deaf, and mute. You can’t afford to be bothered by your employer’s annoying habits or statements you disagree with, and you certainly can’t tell them about it. That’s how you end up without a job.
3
@M.A.A They are probably wrestling with that problem as well
8
Let me put it in the stark terms that it deserves:
No one wants to be a congressional staffer forever. Russell Dye is either the new Roger Stone, or else he's auditioning for that role.
42
@IowaFarmer His wardrobe choices make him look like a leprechaun from hell.
11
“O days since Adam Schiff followed House rules” is the dumbest sign of them all. “O days since Adam Schiff last broke House rules” would be better, or they’d have to make up a large number of days since he followed rules. As is stands, it makes no sense, grammatical or otherwise
96
@Antonio Aguilar It makes perfect sense: Adam Schiff always follows house rules -- even today. He even followed them this very minute. No days have passed since then.
18
As a Senate staffer for 8 years, our mantra was that it’s “all about the boss.” Any behavior, such as chewing gum, checking the blackberry (in those days), chatting on the back bench or generally drawing attention away from the boss was strongly frowned upon. Mint green clothes in a hearing room? Heresy. Obviously wanting to be seen. Actions speak louder than words, just like their bosses.
145
These are the people pulling all-nighters, living on coffee and vending machine snacks to research topics, write questions, etc. No matter their political views (and honestly you can't tell that just by who someone works for), they are hard working people, put in crazy circumstances, trying to do their jobs.
Thank you, all of you, for your work.
21
@mmliving9
Puh-leeze. Two clowns conspiring with one another is hard work?
And you can't tell anything about the person by whom they work for? You mean the assistant wrestling coach cover-upper?
22
This makes me remember Mrs. Dean at the Watergate hearings which made them, ah, very compelling!
24
@Brian Kenney
indedd like a statuesque..so serene and beautiful, and as I checked they are still together.
10
I just looked her up. What a stunner.
2
@Brian Kenney
And the most beauteous Fawn Hall of Iran Contra
3
I miss the days kids would watch CSPAN in the afternoons to see these kinds of antics during hearings.
Or was that just me? Anyone?
15
Russell, If you could just put up a sign that says, "my boss is corrupt" it would be the most truthful of the bunch.
147
Nothing says I want to "blend into the background" than wearing a bright, mint-green blazer and bow tie to a Congressional hearing full of dark suits and ties.
C'mon, man! You obviously want to stand out.
You wear it. Don't be afraid to own it.
126
Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz are the two most annoying Republican congressmen.
They do not know what humility means all they could do is interrupt any session and go for screaming matches.
Both are blind supporters of trump.
109
@B Sharp
Hey, I'm from Iowa, what about "California" Rep. Devin Nunes? He's a contender in the annoying category.
35
@B Sharp
Add Devin Nunes to that list.
4
@Chac
Yes indeed, worse actually, the gall of him suing CNN when Nunes knows he is guilty which shows all over his face.
4
In what way are these people celebrities?
How could anyone who supports Jim Jordan, a liar and propagandist for Russian disinformation be called a celebrity?
Jim Jordan is at the centre of an allegation concerning the rape and sexual abuse of wrestlers at Ohio State University.
Is the young man in the green jacket enough of an celebrity that he could find an ethical job supporting the principles America was built on?
81
@Susan One can be a celebrity for being infamous just as much as being famous. Exhibit A: O.J. Simpson.
13
I think it's notable that Rep. Jordan does not seem to possess a suit jacket, or doesn't know when the occasion warrants one, but his junior aide not only own one, but flaunts it, in mint green. Perhaps he could lend it to Mr. Jordan for the hearings -- it would be one way for the Congressman to stand out, besides his shouting.
140
@PJW Agree. The fact that Rep. Jordan does not respect Congress enough to wear a business suit reduces the respect with which his audience takes his remarks.
79
@ On the Other Hand, PJW et al
Hey folks, lighten up on Jordan for the shirtsleeves. He's just demo'ing his hardworking-for-the-people chops.
2
What amuses me about this is that apparently, everybody has missed the error in the sign that intends to criticize Schiff, but that says "0 days since Adam Schiff followed rules". This literally means that every single day, Schiff dutifully does follow house rules, exactly as he is supposed to, and that no days have had to accumulate that Schiff has NOT followed house rules. Schiff should thank them for noticing and for providing the public compliment.
What it says to me is that the Republicans have so completely gone off the deep end that they have lost touch with reality, with truth, with the very meaning of the words they speak, or in this case, write on a sign.
327
THAT is funny — good call!
43
@Hydraulic Engineer
A very cogent analysis. Too bad that to the Jerry Springer mentality of an awful lot of folks who are far better off than this mentality indicates they should be, that sign will read as intended, like it says Adam Schiff has never followed the rules.
Sadly this is how propaganda works. And propaganda does wiork.
41
@Hydraulic Engineer ... "What it says to me is that the Republicans have so completely gone off the deep end that they have lost touch with reality, with truth, with the very meaning of the words they speak... "
Wow, ya think? Just recently, eh?
9
there was a young woman with a terrible cold or sinus issue and apparently only one Kleenex to use during the afternoon
16
@bronx girl
I too noticed the young woman with the terrible cold.
She seemed much better this past Wednesday.
4
@bronx girl I noticed her also, and that she had recovered by the time she attended the Judiciary Committee hearing :)
4
The cold-sufferer distracted me too. I wonder how many colleagues and/or witnesses were contaminated
7
Viral memes will be the least of problems for Jordan's aides, as they will forever be associated with a member of Congress who obstructed the carriage of Constituional justice, while aiding and abetting Vlad Putin's evil schemes.
138
Wasn't it enough Donald Trump admitted on national television to collusion and obstruction ? Wasn't it enough, Trump, while standing next to Putin, announced "We beat Hillary Clinton". The evidence presented last week was overwhelming. If you defend his treasonous presidency, you are as guilty as he is.
195
@Bruce Savin I fear that it won't be seen that way when it is time to finally turn our attention to Trump's equally treasonous allies in the Senate and House.
7
Thanks for humanizing folks who for the sake of political decorum must dehumanize themselves in public, especially for humanizing folks with whom I usually have vehement political disagreement.
20
@Rocky Humanizing the people who dehumanize themselves in public in order to humanize their bosses who spend their time dehumanizing other people?
38
This is why America lacks the attention span of a toddler, because the notion that background actors get a whole article that celebrates them as celebrities and it's done at the expense of the seriousness of what is being said trivializes the moment we are all living in. There's no Truth That Matter here... stay focused on what is important—America is being run by a dictator and his despots.
152
@Mark Gonzalez I don't think the seriousness of the occasion is lost on anyone watching the proceedings. There's nothing wrong with a little levity in a never-ending stream of generally depressing news articles.
30
@Mark Gonzalez I disagree with your assessment here; I think articles like this are exactly what we need. Humanizing the people on both sides is important to ensure we can keep this a civil trial. People will never come together or change minds if they always see the other side as "other". It's only when we see the other side as people just like us that we can really start to communicate, and therefore open up opportunities to change minds.
9
Agree, the Times needs to focus on more important topics.
4