Letters to the editor: Impeachment
Impeach
Risch, Crapo, Simpson, and Fulcher: I cannot stay silent. How can you sleep at night? Your silence regarding Trump’s abusive and divisive behavior and vitriolic rhetoric is implicitly supportive and ultimately complicit. He will be the downfall and destruction of our nation as we know and cherish it. Trump is obviously not a decent person, let alone competent for the presidency. Each and every one of you know it deep down inside. With your silence you are complicit, and the loss of our nation, way of life and global stature are on your shoulders, as well. You are an embarrassment and disgrace to your oath of office and to your Idaho constituents!
Your silence is deafening! Do not be silent! Voice your own convictions! Country before party!
I repeat, how can you sleep at night?
Randy Lentell, Boise
Appalled
I have never heard nor read of a trial without witnesses and documents. The vote by James Risch, Mike Crapo and their Republican colleagues to not have witnesses and documents reveals that they’re absolutely cool with abuse of power and with the president betraying his oath of office and our national security. It reveals that the president is guilty. It reveals that this is a cover-up. Our American democracy is dead thanks to their “no” vote. They rubber-stamped America being ruled as an authoritarian nation. I’m appalled. This does not represent a fair trial. The American people deserve the truth, and Risch and Crapo withheld that from the taxpayers who pay their salary to work for the best interests of Americans. I am appalled.
Karen Dawson, Meridian
Sham trial
Enough is enough. How long are you all going to allow political parties to do whatever they want without regard to the language of the Constitution? Maybe in the land of the Senate, the word “preside” does not mean what it means in the legal world. That seems counterintuitive since the Constitution is the alpha of all legal documents. Blacks Law Dictionary defines “preside” as “[t]o occupy the place of authority as of president, chairman, moderator, etc. To direct, control or regulate proceedings as chief officer, moderator, etc. To possess or exercise authority. To preside over a court is to “hold it” — to direct, control and govern it as the chief officer.”
The Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court is to “preside” over the Senate trial of Trump, so why is it that some leader of a political party can tell him how the trial is going to be conducted? Next time I go to court, I am going to tell the judge how it’s going to proceed and what witnesses the other side can present and see how that works out for me.
Arthur Bistline, Sandpoint
Witnesses
I have spent two days so far watching the impeachment trial on TV. Since all the amendments that were brought on Tuesday were tabled, there is only one vote left, that will make it possible to hear any witnesses, or obtain any documents that will shed light on what is happening to our country, our constitution. This vote will happen at the end of the three 8-hour days of opening arguments. Please join me in contacting our Senators, Crapo and Risch, and asking that they vote in favor of having more relative witnesses, for both sides. The number is (202) 224-3121. This is the Capitol switchboard and they will connect you to the Senate office you request. Might mention when you get Risch’s office, it would be nice if he would stay awake for the trial. I think he owes his constituents that much.
Ellis Walker, Boise