I can't be the only one brought to tears by Kent & Taylor's opening statements...

[Hekate]

I thank the gods there are still such people as they serving in government. May we be worthy of them.

Because of time-zone differences, I DVRd the hearings, and caught up later. I'm still feeling shaken after all these hours. It's now 11:00 pm.

Decided to toast the Impeachment, and broke out the 20 year old Speyside whiskey.

A toast, my friends.

[pbmus]

1. Totally agree , it has been an eternity since this criminal organization

Called the Con administration took over our government...and it has been a few good men/women holding my faith in our country together...Kent and Taylor are another 2 wonderful patriots...

[canetoad]

2. I wasn't brought to tears

But hearing these two men, Kent and Taylor, did an amazing amount of repair work on my faith in humankind. They epitomize the spirit of co-operation and collaboration for the best outcome for all people involved.

I got up before 3am to watch the opening of the hearings live, knowing that it was a historic moment. Can't see much sleep over the next few weeks.

My friends and I, here in this little Aussie town have a tradition; we loudly clink glasses and shout, 'Cheers, big ears', just because its a silly cheerful thing to say. So I'm lifting my glass of shiraz, clinking it against your Speyside whiskey and shouting 'cheers big ears!'

[calimary]

4. I'll toast with a big mug of hot sweet green tea.

They elevate the term “public service.” Such a contrast with the shit smears all over our White House.

[Hekate]

5. I just really surprised myself, and it was Kent who set me off....

Cheers, big ears!

[Kid Berwyn]

8. When he described his granddad's ordeal as a Bataan Death March survivor...

...it got to me, too.

They are why we are free.

Greedhead GOP has no clue about such people.

Cheers, Hekate!

[Shanti Mama]

3. Posted on another thread

How grateful and proud I was.

[Silver Gaia]

6. You aren't the only one.

[handmade34]

7. "May we be worthy of them"

you are not the only one that cried.... how far we have fallen

I have been trying to put into words the differences between us, D's vs R's primarily but I know it is more complicated than that... it started for me when in 2008 I went to opposing rallies within a day (1st day an Obama Rally and the next day a McCain/Palin Rally) ...it was two entirely different worlds... laughing, hugs, singing at Obama's rally while waiting in line at the McCain rally it was quiet, somber... once inside, the thing I remember most were the raucous cheers when Hank Williams Jr. sang...

"But he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars my friend lost his life
I'd love to spit some beech nut in that dude's eyes
And shoot him with my old .45
'Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive"


the differences are palpable when we remember the intelligent speeches that President Obama gave and also remembering the concerts in the White House (not only Obama but Presidents since Carter appreciated the Arts and Humanities)

"“In Performance at the White House” has been produced by WETA since 1978 and spans every administration since President Carter’s. The series was created to showcase the rich fabric of American culture in the setting of the nation’s most famous home. “In Performance at the White House” events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David; celebrated Hispanic musical heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month; marked Black History Month with events featuring music from the Civil Rights Movement, Motown and the Blues; explored the rich roots and resiliency of Country music; and spotlighted Broadway and the unique spirit of the American musical."
http://www.pbs.org/inperformanceatthewhitehouse/home/

[murielm99]

9. I had a hard time sleeping after watching that.

We know trump and his minions are corrupt and greedy, but watching all those hours of it was chilling.

We Tivoed it and watched most of it in the evening.

My husband's uncle, like Kent's grandfather, was a Bataan Death March survivor, and spent three years in a POW camp. He was a veterinarian who lived well into his nineties.

[lunatica]

10. It feels good to be an American again

The world saw these two Americans yesterday, just like we did. It’s been a while since they saw this side of us.

I’m an American citizen who grew up in another country so I always think in terms of how we are perceived in the world.

When I was young I wanted to be a diplomat, working in an American Embassy. All of that aspiring came back to me during the hearing.

[Hekate]

12. Kent drew a parallel between America as a young nation receiving crucial foreign aid, & Ulraine now

Von Stuben trained the military for General Washington. Lafayette gave money. Others helped as well when we needed help to survive.

And now my eyes are moist again.

He talked about Ukraine being a young democracy. About how President Zalinsky's predecessor corrupted the government (worse than before) and ran the military down to rubble before absconding to Russia. About how this young man and his young administration came to office to clean things up, create democracy -- and how they had no defense when Putin invaded them because their military had been so trashed, but scrambled hard to defend their country. How they need help in every direction. Just as we did.

Perhaps just in case this could be dismissed as naive altruism, Kent also talked about how strategically important Ukraine is for the US, how huge it is, how it stands as a bulwark against Russian aggression into Europe. How America's role is to help a young democracy -- and how it helps us as well.

And thru all of this ran the thread of the importance of his own life's work, and of the life's work of all our diplomats and State Dept careerists. How they reflect American values. How our representatives abroad could always say: America doesn't operate its government on bribes.

I felt pride that we still have people like Kent and Taylor.
I felt grief at how far we have fallen.

[lunatica]

13. This century's history depends heavily on our actions.

What direction will we go in? The world needs to know.

We are important. If we fail it won’t just affect us.

[True Blue American]

15. Amen,lunatica!

[LisaM]

11. Not quite to tears, but the part that got to me was when Taylor spoke out

about how Ambassador Yovanovitch had been poorly treated. And the vast amount of knowledge they both had was impressive.

One thing I hope comes out of this is that some of the saner opposition realizes how important our diplomatic corps and embassies really are. Considering the shrieking and wailing over Benghazi, you'd think they'd realize the hypocrisy.

[True Blue American]

14. Made me feel better

Than I have felt in a long time. Showing that we have decent, honest, capable people working every day to protect our Country while the slime throwing Republicans rant, screech at everyone in sight.

They re not even as honest as the Baboons at the Zoo who throw their poo at people laughing, staring at them. They have truly become the scum of the earth.

[H2O Man]

16. Recommended.

It was a historic day, and these two gentlemen were outstanding.

[Upthevibe]

17. I was very, very moved as well...

My God...these men have truly encapsulated the American Spirit. Taylor - in the top 1% - 1%!!!! of his graduating class. And then he went to Vietnam at the height of the war in '69 and fought in the Infantry. And Kent - being a third generation of men in his family who have given their lives to the service of this country...My God.....