More Impeachment Evidence?

Outside the Beltway

“#USAxAUS” by White House is in the Public Domain

More Impeachment Evidence?

Steven L. Taylor

January 14, 2020

Comments

“#USAxAUS” by White House is in the Public Domain

According to CNN, the House obtained additional documentary evidence from Lev Parnas in regards to Rudy Giulani’s efforts in Ukraine: House Democrats provide new evidence of Giuliani’s push to meet with Zelensky.

The House panel made some of the documents that Parnas provided public on Tuesday, including a letter from Giuliani to then-President-elect Zelensky requesting a meeting as the President’s personal attorney, as well as text messages that show Parnas’ communications with members of Zelesnky’s aides where he pursued a meeting between Zelensky and Giuliani and provided negative information about former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

The documents also include a hand-written note on stationary from the Ritz-Carlton in Vienna, Austria, that Bondy said was written by his client, which says: “get Zalensky (sic) to Annonce (sic) that the Biden case will Be Investigated.” There are also cryptic text messages suggesting that Yovanovitch’s movements were being tracked.

These simply provide further reasons for the Senate to have an actual trial, including witnesses. However, I remain skeptical that such a process will unfold.

Nonetheless, things are moving forward. Via WaPo: House to vote Wednesday to send impeachment articles against Trump to the Senate

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced that the House will vote Wednesday on a resolution appointing House impeachment managers and transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate, allowing the trial of President Trump to begin this week.

At a minimum, there aren’t the votes for am immediate dismissal.

“I don’t think there’s any interest on our side of dismissing,” said Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the fourth-ranking GOP senator. “Certainly, there aren’t 51 votes for a motion to dismiss.”

24 responses to “More Impeachment Evidence?”

Jay L Gischer

January 14, 2020 at 7:18 pm

Spying on an ambassador of one’s own country, from a representative of the head of state of that country. Did we fall into a time portal and suddenly find ourselves in Byzantium in ancient times?

7
EddieInCA

January 14, 2020 at 7:25 pm

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/rudy-giulianis-colleague-parnas-proving-the-whole-impeachment-case-shocked-internet-responds-to-new-document-dump/

This is bad news for Trump. It will peel even more support from those still sane minded.

This is real evidence of crimes.

This document dump makes a quick trial or outright dismissal nearly impossible.

4
Teve

January 14, 2020 at 7:54 pm

@EddieInCA: somebody joked that it was almost like they found his day planner and there were big blocks of time marked “DOIN’ CRIMES”

5
EddieInCA

January 14, 2020 at 8:17 pm

@Teve:

If you read what I linked to it shows just how brazen and “out there” the conspiracy actually was. It’s shocking. And I’m not shocked easily.

3
Teve

January 14, 2020 at 8:26 pm

@EddieInCA: oh there’s some stuff being discussed on Twitter that suggests a Trumper associate named Robert F. Hyde was part of a group having Yovanovitch followed and talking about ‘doing something’ w/r/t her? And Yovanovitch was told she needed to leave immediately? And if I remember correctly a few months ago Trump said something about maybe something was going to happen to her???? WTF.

5
Teve

January 14, 2020 at 8:34 pm

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Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
·
1h
One part of the Ukraine story that’s never *quite* made sense to me is the air of menace direct at Amb. Yovanovitch that’s always kind of unspecified and never spelled out. Obviously getting fired because you stood in the way of a political hit job sucks, but it’s more than that.
Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
·
1h
Trump famously says of Yovanovitch on the call “she’s gonna go through some stuff,” but I’ve never understood what he was implying. Professional sanction? Termination from the State Department?
Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
·
1h
And then Yovanovitch herself says that Ukrainians were telling her that her security was at risk. Not just that, when she gets recalled by State, she’s told that for security reasons she has to get the very next plane back to DC.

But I honestly never understood why.
Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
I have no idea what to make of the validity of the new text messages shared by House Intel. Maybe it’s just people talking tough and bs’ing.

BUT!
7:01 PM · Jan 14, 2020·Twitter Web App
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Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
·
1h
Replying to
@chrislhayes
the texts do appear to suggest that Yovanovitch’s every movement was being monitored by an associate of Parnas. That her computer(!) and phone (!) were being surveilled. That there was some consideration of maybe…kidnapping her? It’s really hard to tell.
Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
·
1h
But the whole thing feels extremely menacing and threatening and maybe sheds some light on why Yovanovitch herself experienced this period as full of menace and threats.

4
Teve

January 14, 2020 at 8:39 pm

From a CNBC story from November:

Trump, in his July 25 phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called Yovanovitch “bad news” and offered the cryptic remark that “she’s going to go through some things.”

That call is now at the center of the impeachment inquiry into whether Trump abused his office by asking Zelenskiy to announce investigations involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Yovanovitch, who was already removed as ambassador by the time of Trump’s July 25 call, said that Trump’s remark about her “didn’t sound good. It sounded like a threat.”

2
CSK

January 14, 2020 at 8:46 pm

Trump’s problem is that he, in his gross ignorance, and refusal/inability to learn, thought that he could run the country the way he ran–so to speak–his ramshackle sleazy real estate enterprise in NY.

It doesn’t work that way.

6
Teve

January 14, 2020 at 10:56 pm

‘She’ is Ambassador Yovanovitch. Hyde is a guy who’s been seen with Trump. These texts happened in Ukraine.

Robert F. Hyde: Fuck that bitch

Parnas: [links multiple articles]

Robert F. Hyde: Wow. Can’t believe Trumo [sic] hasn’t fired this bitch. I’ll get right in that.

Robert F. Hyde: [Links multiple articles/pictures]

Robert F. Hyde: She under heavy protection outside Kiev

Parnas: I know crazy shit

Robert F. Hyde: My guy thinks maybe FSB..?

Parnas: [Links articles]

Robert F. Hyde: [Links picture]

Parnas: Interesting

Robert F. Hyde: [Links to article]: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/white-house-personnel-official-described-trump-gop-nomination-as-end-of-the-world

Robert F. Hyde: What should I do with this?

Robert F. Hyde: They are moving her tomorrow

Robert F. Hyde: The guys over they asked what I would like to do and what is in it for them

Robert F. Hyde: Wake up Yankees man

Robert F. Hyde: She’s talked to three people. Her phone is off. Computer is off.

Robert F. Hyde: She’s next to the embassy

Robert F. Hyde: Not in the embassy

Robert F. Hyde: Private security. Been there since Thursday.

Parnas: Interesting

Robert F. Hyde: They know she’s a political puppet

Robert F. Hyde: They will let me know when she’s on the move

Robert F. Hyde: And they will let me know when she’s on the move

Parnas: Perfect

Robert F. Hyde: I mean where if they can find out.

Robert F. Hyde: That adress I sent you checks out

Robert F. Hyde: It’s next to the embassy

Robert F. Hyde: They are willing to help if we/you would like a price

Robert F. Hyde: Guess you can do anything in the Ukraine with money… what I was told

Parnas: Lol

Robert F. Hyde: Update she will not be moved special security unit upgraded force on the compound people are already aware of the situation my contacts are asking what is the next step because cannot keep going to check people will start to ask questions

Robert F. Hyde: If you want her out they need to make contact with security forces

Robert F. Hyde: From Ukranians

Robert F. Hyde: What’s the word bro

Robert F. Hyde: Any good stuff?

Parnas: Call you soon in studio

Robert F. Hyde: Let’s go Holmes

Robert F. Hyde: RG was good. But Ingraham had some hard questions

Robert F. Hyde: Nothing has changed she is still not moving they check today again

Robert F. Hyde: Hi buddy

Robert F. Hyde: It’s confirmed we have a person inside

Parnas: [Links youtube video]: “Trumps takedown of FBI (Winning montage!)”

Robert F. Hyde: Nice

Robert F. Hyde: Hey brother do we stand down??? Or you still need intel be safe

Robert F. Hyde: She had visitors

Robert F. Hyde: It’s confirmed we have a person inside

Robert F. Hyde: Hey broski tell me what we are doing what’s the next step

1
Teve

January 14, 2020 at 10:58 pm

In a sane world the FBI would be rolling trucks to the White House right now.

5
Gustopher

January 14, 2020 at 11:18 pm

@Teve:

Hey broski tell me what we are doing what’s the next step

Broski. Nice.

Anyway, that all seems perfectly normal and I’m not sure the Ambassador to Ukraine has any expectation of privacy while moving in public in Ukraine so I don’t see why anyone could complain.

And Robert Hyde is apparently the same Robert Hyde who is running for Congress. Perhaps he was previously considering asking for an ambassadorship, and wanted to know what the job was like.

1
OzarkHillbilly

January 15, 2020 at 5:24 am

@EddieInCA:

This document dump makes a quick trial or outright dismissal nearly impossible.

Oh Ye of little faith, Republicans have just begun to to befoul themselves. There is no depth they can not sink to.

4
sam

January 15, 2020 at 7:18 am

@Guarneri:

Cretin.

11
Kurtz

January 15, 2020 at 8:59 am

@Guarneri:

Uh huh. Care to make an argument? Why is it that you make vapid comments, and refuse to engage?

You’re like a little kid who slaps another kid unexpectedly and runs away. Do you think it makes you look cool or smart? Because it’s pretty obvious to anyone who thinks about it that you’re a frightened and immature.

8
Kathy

January 15, 2020 at 9:40 am

Political expediency turns out to be the most powerful thing on earth, almost omnipotent. Think, it has made the party of law and order aid an abet a high level, corrupt, criminal enterprise.
Steven L. Taylor

January 15, 2020 at 9:42 am

@Kurtz: An apt description.

2
sam

January 15, 2020 at 10:51 am

Guarneri Agonistes

I strive unending
the pillars
of the temple libtard
to lay low while
about my head the gnats
of opinion received
swarm their foul dance.
Ah, how like farts in
an elevator
are my apothegms received.
Steady stout heart.
Brainless in Naples
I soldier on
more gas in the pipeline.
Just you wait and see.

11
Teve

January 15, 2020 at 11:50 am

@Kurtz: it’s good to have him around. The fact that he can’t defend the Republicans confirms my worldview.

2
Joe

January 15, 2020 at 11:53 am

@Kathy: I have been struggling to articulate how the Republican party has succumbed to the fear that only Donald Trump can bring them success as measured by the current economy or the appointment of certain types of judges. They have bought into the fear, hook, line and sinker, that whenever Trump goes (however Trump goes) this all goes with him. That’s how much faith they have in Pence or their party generally or America as an economic or political force. And I find that very troubling.

But another way to look at it is that the Republican party could not get anyone to implement their agenda other than a conspiracy-theory spouting man-child. I guess is says as much about their agenda as it does about their lack of faith.

4
Just nutha

January 15, 2020 at 12:38 pm

@Kurtz: Guarneri has lost his focus and edge. He used to spout nonsense arguments. He’s no reduced to non-sequitur insults. Sad. Pathetic. Low Energy.

2
Kathy

January 15, 2020 at 1:33 pm

@Joe:

I’ve been reviewing part of 1984, specifically where O’Brien explains party politics to Winston. Here’s a piece that seems to apply to the modern GOP (emphasis added):

‘What are the stars?’ said O’Brien indifferently. ‘They are bits of fire a few kilometres away. We could reach them if we wanted to. Or we could blot them out. The earth is the centre of the universe. The sun and the stars go round it.’

‘For certain purposes, of course, that is not true. When we navigate the ocean, or when we predict an eclipse, we often find it convenient to assume that the earth goes round the sun and that the stars are millions upon millions of kilometers away. But what of it?

[..]

‘I told you, Winston,’ he said, ‘that metaphysics is not your strong point. The word you are trying to think of is solipsism. But you are mistaken. This is not solipsism. Collective solipsism, if you like. But that is a different thing: in fact, the opposite thing. All this is a digression,’ he added in a different tone. ‘The real power, the power we have to fight for night and day, is not power over things, but over men.’ He paused, and for a moment assumed again his air of a schoolmaster questioning a promising pupil: ‘How does one man assert his power over another, Winston?’

Winston thought. ‘By making him suffer,’ he said.

‘Exactly. By making him suffer. Obedience is not enough. Unless he is suffering, how can you be sure that he is obeying your will and not his own? Power is in inflicting pain and humiliation. Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing. Do you begin to see, then, what kind of world we are creating? It is the exact opposite of the stupid hedonistic Utopias that the old reformers imagined. A world of fear and treachery is torment, a world of trampling and being trampled upon, a world which will grow not less but more merciless as it refines itself. Progress in our world will be progress towards more pain. The old civilizations claimed that they were founded on love or justice. Ours is founded upon hatred. In our world there will be no emotions except fear, rage, triumph, and self-abasement. Everything else we shall destroy. Everything.[..] There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always — do not forget this, Winston — always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — for ever.’

‘And remember that it is for ever. The face will always be there to be stamped upon. The heretic, the enemy of society, will always be there, so that he can be defeated and humiliated over again. Everything that you have undergone since you have been in our hands — all that will continue, and worse. The espionage, the betrayals, the arrests, the tortures, the executions, the disappearances will never cease. It will be a world of terror as much as a world of triumph. The more the Party is powerful, the less it will be tolerant: the weaker the opposition, the tighter the despotism.

And it applies even more to Trump, in a dumbed-down, simplistic, ´Murica! sort fo way.

2
Joe

January 15, 2020 at 1:58 pm

@Kathy:

“Indeed”

– Steven L. Taylor

2
Steven L. Taylor

January 15, 2020 at 4:12 pm

@Joe: Yup.

1
Jax

January 15, 2020 at 4:37 pm

@sam: Hahahaha…..that was excellent. Now do Paul, he’s got some material for ya over in the other thread. 😉