Marie Yovanovitch knocked my socks off today. THIS is what a government employee looks like at its best. And IMO, Trump’s biggest fear, the GOP’s biggest fear, is that America might notice what a really great government employee looks like.
God knows they haven’t seen what that looks like from any ONE of Trump’s hires.
Everyone is talking about this, and I don’t feel I have anything different or new to say about it. I just had to write this because I was so overwhelmed today, by the forces of GOOD. And that feels GOOD, for a change.
It is so easy to think cynically these days. So easy to think government is a mess. And it is, and has been messy since the beginning of the republic. BUT, we have maintained our republic by having just ENOUGH--and sometimes by the hair of our chinny chin chins---good people. Today was one of those blissful days.
It thrills me to the gills to have seen this woman have the opportunity to speak up against the men who tried to put her down. The Three Amigos, plus Trump, and with no help or support from Pompeo. And what a job she did of that!
LOL, I thought the republicans pretty much looked and sounded like—just to be seasonal--- the kid in “A Christmas Story” who got his tongue stuck to an icy pole. And then, Trump tweeted and made their job harder, as he so often does--- so they all came back, post Trump tweet, w/all their compliments and fake respect for Yovanovitch, BEFORE they went about trying to skewer her once again. And they all STILL looked like the kid with his tongue stuck to the ice.
Because she was magnificent. Steady. Quietly forceful. Completely in command of her facts and her answers, and when she wasn’t sure, just as compellingly honestly so. So freaking TOGETHER. Who in God’s name is that together in Trump’s administration?!?! NOT ONE OF THEM. Not even close, and of course, the very least of them all, Trump.
Of course, that’s why he tweeted in the middle of what he said he was not watching. Because he---the malignant narcissist---was OF COURSE watching and he KNEW she was doing really well and looking real and believable and courageous, and that just scared the shit out of him. And when Trump needs to shit, he tweets. A diarrhea of tweets.
Can you even imagine the amount or preparation and courage and psyching oneself up to face this that this woman went through? Can you even imagine what she’s been through BEFORE today when we were allowed to hear her story? She did the ultimate---she made the hardest thing you can imagine doing look easy.
Moving on to Adam Schiff. To me, he was an equally firmly quiet but oh so forceful voice. He held steady and strong. He made me as proud as she did. He did not yell. He did not shout. He did not proselytize, he did not grandstand. He did his freaking job and he held the floor when he needed to. And he was, in his quiet way, as riveting as she was in her quiet way.
It was for me, an immensely encouraging day, in that I was awed by the really competent hearings the Democrats have set up so far. IMO, about as flawless as you could expect, and I say so particularly to those here who think Democrats can’t get it right when it comes to these things.
While today was a stand out in its own way, every day since these public hearings have begun in these last few days, imo, the Democrats have not misstepped. They have been on target and on point and organized in their approach.
SIGH. I don’t think this will change the outcome, although I really hope as it continues, it will. But let’s just say it doesn’t. Let’s just say, as many assume for good reason, the House will impeach, and the senate will acquit
So why am I so encouraged? Because we are seeing the best of what we believe in. Because we know we are not alone in the fight for decency in our government. Because I know this has caused Trump and his cult acolytes in the senate all kinds of pain that they richly deserve. Because I saw the best of what we can be today in both one woman and one man, and I know millions of us stand behind both of them.
Lift your chins up Democrats---we’re doing just fine with this impeachment thing. It was the right thing to do, and contrary to so many fears, I don’t believe it’s going to hurt us a bit. How much it will help us, who knows. It’s always that way when you do the right thing. You pays your money, you takes your chances.
But one thing I know is true, and can’t help but wonder how many others in America feel like I do tonight---which is that at last, in these public hearings, America has the chance to hear the truth. America is fighting back, if only part of us, against Trump’s lies, and the republicans’ cowardice. At least we still have that, and let not one of us forget that or doubt it. Because there are many places on this earth this would not be possible.
So yes, we STILL have that, and we STILL have the bravery of so many. Let’s go with that dear Kossacks---let go of our fears as much as we can, because they tend to corrode us, and fight the good fight w/all our hearts.
The way Marie Yovanovitch and Adam Schiff did today.