The latest revelations from the Mueller investigation showing criminal activity by those surrounding then candidate Donald Trump, and even potential felonies (an impeachable offense) perpetrated by the Donald himself have brought on a strong wave of nostalgia for an earlier constitutional crisis.
And I don’t mean the GOP’s failed Clinton impeachment but — wait for it — Watergate.
And the poem is called “H2O-G-A-T-E Blues”
And if H2O is still water, and G-A-T-E is still gate
What we’re getting ready to deal on is the Watergate Blues
(Rated X!)
Let me see if I can dial this number right quick
*Click! Whirrr! Click!*
“I’m sorry, the government you have elected is inoperative
Click. Inoperative”
[Verse 2:]
Just how blind will America be? (There ain’t no telling)
The world is on the edge of its seat
Defeat on the horizon. Very surprising that we all
Could see the plot and claimed that we could not… (Alright)
Gil Scott-Heron/ Brian Jackson
Yeah, the real old days — way, way back to the 1970’s when articles of impeachment against President Nixon passed — with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Nixon, widely believed to be guilty of various crimes, resigned — some say to save the nation suffering a trial. He was quickly pardoned of all crimes by President Gerald Ford.
Any bets on how current events will fit the Watergate rhyme?
A lot of smart people are hoping that he survives until the 2020 election and then pays for his crime when a real government is elected. Impeachment or resigning would not convince the addlepateds that he was unfairly removed.
Of course, there’s a lot of unknowns in all possible avenues. Could he win a 2020 election (with help)? Would Pence immediately take the role and perhaps pardon this horse’s ass? (if not, what is the game plan?) Will the russki’s or other internal forces get to his life support (burgers) to cause some massive indigestion? Would another feel-good liberal government say that it’s time to let bygones be bygones……. Und so weiter.
Watergate was plenty complicated politically, but somehow it feels like there are more moving parts to this Trump/GOP crisis than Watergate. And to me much more seems to be at risk – that might be a feature of being 45years older.
It’s stunning that the Republican party learned absolutely NOTHING from Watergate.
They appear to have simply gone even further in the direction of strictly transactional ethics. For people who claim “godliness,” they sure don’t seem to hold themselves to a very high standard.