In terms of the structural aspect of the hearings, I think having a theme for each one of them is very helpful to focus the audience on how widespread the criminal activity was during that time. Secondly, the fact that there are so many different visuals on that giant screen to stitch the narrative together along with the committee members speeches and questions to the witnesses. They made it a TV show without it looking like a TV show due to the serious nature of these hearings.
As for your second question Mary, I think this last hearing showing what Donald was and wasn't doing for that 3 hours and 7 minutes has to wake Garland up to the immediate need to indict him and others who have not been charged with federal crimes yet. The committee still needs to indict the entire GOP for their white nationalist Christofascist ideology. I hope Liz and Adam don't prevent that from being stated explicitly during one of the hearings in September so it gets the MSM coverage it needs.
Also, thank you for doing the livestreams of the hearings. I really appreciate you and all of your guest's commentary and insight.
I think the committee is doing a MASTERFUL job of revealing all the people, places and things that had to come together (or apart) in order for us to have reached an attempted coup. I certainly think the DOJ has enough to bring charges against the leader of that coup - and perhaps the worst American alive - Donald Trump. What I honestly worry about though; is that all the people who were horrified at the coup when it happened are the same people who are even MORE horrified as we see all the pieces that we were not privy to, initially. And similarly, all the people who watched, rooted and stormed are STILL the RIDICULOUSLY HIGH percentage of Republicans whom still TO THIS DAY believe the 2020 election was stolen. Who refuse to be vaccinated against a deadly virus that is only getting worse with each week that goes by. Who will not wear masks when they KNOW those masks can mitigate harm to themselves and others. And who cheered the overturn of Roe v Wade. This group here Mary, is not the group that needs convincing. And I fear that NOTHING …. NO TAPE … NO TESTIMONY … NO PROOF … will do a thing to move the huge group of Americans whom MUST be moved if we want to save our democracy, our human rights and the safety and health of our planet. That’s what makes me nauseous during every trial. During every day. That’s what keeps me up at night.
I find it so hard to believe there have not been more charges and indictments against some of these people, especially with so much evidence of wrongdoing. I understand that money and power play a role in people getting off, but with such serious issues that will affect our country, it is time to look past who some of these people are and prosecute them to the full extent of the law. Our democracy depends on it!
I keep thinking about the old "Twilight Zone" episodes where the devil tempts the star to sell his soul -- I just never thought I'd see so many actual people do it as flagrantly as the republicans have, assuming they ever had souls.
The most striking thing to me about the hearings is the brilliant writing of statements for Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. It takes my breath away and makes me think that these are the speeches history will remember. I also think the smooth orchestration of the hearings makes the impact far greater than any Congressional proceeding I've seen.
I do think this last hearing, particularly the Jan. 7 outtakes, was the drop the mic moment (or 3 hours). If DOJ doesn't decide to indict Donald and others, I don't know what will. If DOJ doesn't take on Donald -- I vote for treason -- I'm afraid our democracy may be irreparably harmed. Donald's MO is to push the boundaries, and each time he gets away with it, he pushes even more. Jan. 6 and leading up to it was the ultimate boundary push. If he's stopped now, there are no limits left.
The must stunning revelation for me was learning that Pence's SS team feared for their lives, even making farewell calls to loved ones. I am assuming these folks are tough and well-trained and to think they were that fearful indicates how violent the mob really was.
I've lived in various states and ended up in Connecticut for more than 25 years. Then I moved to Missouri (grew up in St Louis so came home to retire). I knew what I was getting into as far as St Louis being a blue island (along with Kansas City) in a red state. But Hawley is beyond the pale. I LOVE the running gif, especially some of the music used. I agree with a lot of comments below on the structural aspect of the hearings. I like things to be well organized and filled with information. I can't stand the political grand standing that usually occurs (i.e., Jim Jordan et al) so these hearings have been a pleasant surprise. Keep up your good work.
I think the most effective structural aspect of the hearings are the live testimony combined with taped hearing to tell the story of what really happened that day and how active Trump was in leading his army to the capitol to overthrow the government.
I’ve been realizing to my shock that we can’t assume anything. Always being on guard is emotionally wearing but very necessary in these times. Thank you for shining the light on the dark shadows so it’s clear what’s been going on.
The dignity and respect among the committee members and the logical presentation of mind boggling revelations to me has been the most effective structural aspect of the hearings.
If people aren’t convinced by now, then the revelations that will be revealed in September may have the greatest potential to make a difference in terms of whether or not these hearings have the desired effect. If the DOJ doesn’t indict Donald and everybody else implicated in the insurrection, then America is truly dead. If the hearings don’t convince American voters that our democracy is not safe in the hands of the Republican Party, the country will collapse and voters will have to find out the hard way that that they made a fatal mistake.
Mary, there are many, many revelations that knocked me off my feet, but one of the most delightful revelations has been your LIVE podcast coverage of the Hearings on YouTube.
P.S. I may never recover from the one with Kathy Griffin and Rosie O'Donnell. My Gawd!
Without a doubt, Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony was a huge revelation regarding Trump’s deliberate intent to disrupt a lawful and peaceful transfer of power.
1. The live witness testimony (both the emotional testimony of the Capitol Police officers and poll workers, and the Republican after Republican after Republican aides/staff/officials) interspersed with the graphic visuals of video and text messages.
2. I don't think the hearings will force the DOJ to do anything - I think the DOJ is already very deep into the work, is keeping abreast of the hearings, and I do think ultimately will indict some of the critical players, including Donald. I know, I know - many disagree because the DOJ is, admittedly, moving at a (seemingly) agonizingly slow pace! But with the charges brought so far and the activity that we have seen (I think there's a lot that we don't see), coupled with the snippets Garland has said gives me faith that there will be meaningful accountability, absent some unforeseen curveball (I do sometimes wonder what/if national security implications might come into play). Not to mention Garland's background and the part of his confirmation hearing where he got choked up talking about what coming to this country meant to his family and the importance of the rule of law - I don't believe what's at stake is lost on him or the D.C. US Attorney, for that matter. The revelation that I hope motivates everyone to vote Democratic up and down the ballot is that the attempt to overturn the election by various means was clearly and unequivocally planned, is still in motion, and will be (already is being?!?!) attempted again. I'm glad to see the Committee pointing that out and I hope they start to hammer the point that this is beyond Donald a bit more.
P.S. The Nerd Avenger J6 panels have been wonderful - a big thank you to you and your guests! Keep up the great work and rest up for September!
In terms of the structural aspect of the hearings, I think having a theme for each one of them is very helpful to focus the audience on how widespread the criminal activity was during that time. Secondly, the fact that there are so many different visuals on that giant screen to stitch the narrative together along with the committee members speeches and questions to the witnesses. They made it a TV show without it looking like a TV show due to the serious nature of these hearings.
As for your second question Mary, I think this last hearing showing what Donald was and wasn't doing for that 3 hours and 7 minutes has to wake Garland up to the immediate need to indict him and others who have not been charged with federal crimes yet. The committee still needs to indict the entire GOP for their white nationalist Christofascist ideology. I hope Liz and Adam don't prevent that from being stated explicitly during one of the hearings in September so it gets the MSM coverage it needs.
Also, thank you for doing the livestreams of the hearings. I really appreciate you and all of your guest's commentary and insight.
I think the committee is doing a MASTERFUL job of revealing all the people, places and things that had to come together (or apart) in order for us to have reached an attempted coup. I certainly think the DOJ has enough to bring charges against the leader of that coup - and perhaps the worst American alive - Donald Trump. What I honestly worry about though; is that all the people who were horrified at the coup when it happened are the same people who are even MORE horrified as we see all the pieces that we were not privy to, initially. And similarly, all the people who watched, rooted and stormed are STILL the RIDICULOUSLY HIGH percentage of Republicans whom still TO THIS DAY believe the 2020 election was stolen. Who refuse to be vaccinated against a deadly virus that is only getting worse with each week that goes by. Who will not wear masks when they KNOW those masks can mitigate harm to themselves and others. And who cheered the overturn of Roe v Wade. This group here Mary, is not the group that needs convincing. And I fear that NOTHING …. NO TAPE … NO TESTIMONY … NO PROOF … will do a thing to move the huge group of Americans whom MUST be moved if we want to save our democracy, our human rights and the safety and health of our planet. That’s what makes me nauseous during every trial. During every day. That’s what keeps me up at night.
I find it so hard to believe there have not been more charges and indictments against some of these people, especially with so much evidence of wrongdoing. I understand that money and power play a role in people getting off, but with such serious issues that will affect our country, it is time to look past who some of these people are and prosecute them to the full extent of the law. Our democracy depends on it!
Justice Delayed; is Justice Denied"- MLK
I keep thinking about the old "Twilight Zone" episodes where the devil tempts the star to sell his soul -- I just never thought I'd see so many actual people do it as flagrantly as the republicans have, assuming they ever had souls.
The most striking thing to me about the hearings is the brilliant writing of statements for Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. It takes my breath away and makes me think that these are the speeches history will remember. I also think the smooth orchestration of the hearings makes the impact far greater than any Congressional proceeding I've seen.
I do think this last hearing, particularly the Jan. 7 outtakes, was the drop the mic moment (or 3 hours). If DOJ doesn't decide to indict Donald and others, I don't know what will. If DOJ doesn't take on Donald -- I vote for treason -- I'm afraid our democracy may be irreparably harmed. Donald's MO is to push the boundaries, and each time he gets away with it, he pushes even more. Jan. 6 and leading up to it was the ultimate boundary push. If he's stopped now, there are no limits left.
The must stunning revelation for me was learning that Pence's SS team feared for their lives, even making farewell calls to loved ones. I am assuming these folks are tough and well-trained and to think they were that fearful indicates how violent the mob really was.
I've lived in various states and ended up in Connecticut for more than 25 years. Then I moved to Missouri (grew up in St Louis so came home to retire). I knew what I was getting into as far as St Louis being a blue island (along with Kansas City) in a red state. But Hawley is beyond the pale. I LOVE the running gif, especially some of the music used. I agree with a lot of comments below on the structural aspect of the hearings. I like things to be well organized and filled with information. I can't stand the political grand standing that usually occurs (i.e., Jim Jordan et al) so these hearings have been a pleasant surprise. Keep up your good work.
I think the most effective structural aspect of the hearings are the live testimony combined with taped hearing to tell the story of what really happened that day and how active Trump was in leading his army to the capitol to overthrow the government.
I’ve been realizing to my shock that we can’t assume anything. Always being on guard is emotionally wearing but very necessary in these times. Thank you for shining the light on the dark shadows so it’s clear what’s been going on.
The dignity and respect among the committee members and the logical presentation of mind boggling revelations to me has been the most effective structural aspect of the hearings.
If people aren’t convinced by now, then the revelations that will be revealed in September may have the greatest potential to make a difference in terms of whether or not these hearings have the desired effect. If the DOJ doesn’t indict Donald and everybody else implicated in the insurrection, then America is truly dead. If the hearings don’t convince American voters that our democracy is not safe in the hands of the Republican Party, the country will collapse and voters will have to find out the hard way that that they made a fatal mistake.
Mary, there are many, many revelations that knocked me off my feet, but one of the most delightful revelations has been your LIVE podcast coverage of the Hearings on YouTube.
P.S. I may never recover from the one with Kathy Griffin and Rosie O'Donnell. My Gawd!
Thank you Mary for all you do!
Without a doubt, Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony was a huge revelation regarding Trump’s deliberate intent to disrupt a lawful and peaceful transfer of power.
I believe that focusing the blame on Donald would leave the new Republican gang in power which would be the end of the United States.
Thank you, Mary Trump. We need to band together to save democracy.
1. The live witness testimony (both the emotional testimony of the Capitol Police officers and poll workers, and the Republican after Republican after Republican aides/staff/officials) interspersed with the graphic visuals of video and text messages.
2. I don't think the hearings will force the DOJ to do anything - I think the DOJ is already very deep into the work, is keeping abreast of the hearings, and I do think ultimately will indict some of the critical players, including Donald. I know, I know - many disagree because the DOJ is, admittedly, moving at a (seemingly) agonizingly slow pace! But with the charges brought so far and the activity that we have seen (I think there's a lot that we don't see), coupled with the snippets Garland has said gives me faith that there will be meaningful accountability, absent some unforeseen curveball (I do sometimes wonder what/if national security implications might come into play). Not to mention Garland's background and the part of his confirmation hearing where he got choked up talking about what coming to this country meant to his family and the importance of the rule of law - I don't believe what's at stake is lost on him or the D.C. US Attorney, for that matter. The revelation that I hope motivates everyone to vote Democratic up and down the ballot is that the attempt to overturn the election by various means was clearly and unequivocally planned, is still in motion, and will be (already is being?!?!) attempted again. I'm glad to see the Committee pointing that out and I hope they start to hammer the point that this is beyond Donald a bit more.
P.S. The Nerd Avenger J6 panels have been wonderful - a big thank you to you and your guests! Keep up the great work and rest up for September!
You nailed it Mary! He orchestrated it all and then gleefully watched as it was happening!