MTG 14th Amendment challenge airing on C-SPAN: thread

[meow2u3]

Ron Fein, the attorney for the plaintiffs from Free Speech for People, just finished presenting his opening statements. Now it's time for EmptyG's lawyer to present opening statements.

[dixiechiken1]

1. Thanks!

[Bev54]

2. Here is the link

https://www.c-span.org/video/?519623-1/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-testifies-administrative-hearing

[meow2u3]

3. I'm watching it on cable

Thanks anyhow.

[PatSeg]

4. I'm watching it on YouTube

Greene's attorney is speaking now and he doesn't come across as terribly competent.

[dixiechiken1]

17. RIGHT?!?!?

Dude's rambling...

[PatSeg]

28. I know, he's awful

He could put himself to sleep!

[niyad]

5. I just watched the Randy Rainbow "marjorie taylor greene" /"Evergreen" video

again.

[meow2u3]

6. MTG's lawyer is making an absurd argument

He's implying that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is unconstitutional. He was saying the voters, not some "government authorities", should vote someone out, but he never mentioned the fact that she engaged in, or aided and abetted, the 1/6/21 insurrection.

[Walleye]

8. Sounds like he's not too bright

[PatSeg]

13. Not bright at all

He is painful to listen to and the judge looks really bored.

[Walleye]

15. Yeah you can read the boredom on the judges face. I guess this is their tactic to bore everyone

[PatSeg]

26. And if so, it appears to be working

[Walleye]

32. That lawyer was even boring himself to death

[PatSeg]

41. Yeah, I think I said the same thing

in another comment.

[Walleye]

45. Great minds etc

[PatSeg]

53. Ha, ha, stating the obvious

But still, we're the only ones who said it!!!

[malaise]

35. So many dumb fucks

Damn he's sub par

[PatSeg]

42. She must have found him on a matchbook

or a bus stop.

[Wednesdays]

69. Bathroom stall?

[PatSeg]

72. Oh, I can't top that!!!

When I first started watching it, I was reminded of every movie about the washed up, "has been" lawyer, whose best days are long behind him. An aged "Better Call Saul".

[Girard442]

9. The Constitution is unconstitutional. Yeah. That'll work.

[Buckeyeblue]

12. I heard that too

And I turned it off when he said an orange is not an apple. He doesn't come across as knowledgeable or articulate. Especially when you state that article 3 of the 14th amendment is unconstitutional.

Instead of just saying she wasn't part of an insurrection against the government they seem to be arguing some sort of technicality of the order of events.

Crazy.

[XacerbatedDem]

85. Boys Howdy, she sure doesn't know or recall a lot.

Even her own people using her twitter account? Or her giving them permission to use her account. Half of her testimony is, "I don't know."
"I don't remember." "I don't recall." ETC, and on and on and on.

He should ask if she remembers her name, or is she a total blank.

[Buckeyeblue]

92. Isn't someone running against her in the primary?

They should use this...

[XacerbatedDem]

96. Really. She probably can't recall what bill she's voting for, or what the bill's about.

She is 'DUH" stoopid!!! But whoever is running against her should definitely use that, over and over again.

Hey, Marjorie, what day is it?

I don't recall.

[madamesilverspurs]

7. Can't help wondering

if Gohmert is on her team.

.

[Atticus]

10. I'm watching. MTG's attorney is arguing that the 14th Amendment language only bars

a person from "taking office", NOT their candidacy---i.e., they can run for Congress but, if elected, cannot serve---cannot "take office".

As Dad used to say when he heard such nonsense: "I'll be go-to-hell!"

[Walleye]

11. He just said flaunt when he meant flout. Lawyer

[meow2u3]

14. That lawyer is twisting the 14th Amendment into a pretzel

He's trying to say that you can't participate in, and give aid and comfort to, rebellion or insurrection. The 14th Amendment states this:

Section 3.

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

(emphasis is mine)

[Effete Snob]

24. So?

That gets to the issue of "who decides?"

This is a state administrative hearing.

The state decides who goes on the ballot and they count the ballots. However, Congress has the authority to admit new members on the basis of the results.

The state does not decide whether the elected candidate can be admitted to office once elected.

To put a finer point on this - I assume you understand that this hearing is to inform the GA Secretary of State's decision to allow her on the ballot.

I would like to know how many people here are comfortable with state officials in, say, Arizona, deciding whether Joe Biden should be allowed on the ballot, if they deem him to be an antifa-supporting communist seeking to undermine the US.

Because, certainly if this effort is successful, that is exactly what we will see in states where the election officials will be inclined to pander to the GQP base.

[Walleye]

33. If Joe Biden lead an attack against the Capitol, yes

The insurrection actually happened, there is no equivalency here to anything else that I can think of

[Effete Snob]

36. That's not really the point, is it?

The Arizona state government is populated by officials - increasing in number - who claim that Joe Biden engaged in a massive election fraud and has illegally seized the White House.

It doesn't matter whether you think that "actually happened".

The question is do you want people who believe that it did happen, deciding whether Joe Biden should be on the ballot, yes or no?

In their opinion, what they believe Biden did was even WORSE than the attack on the Capitol, because Biden was successful.

They believe it, and they have the power to act on that belief.

[Walleye]

38. Well his hearing is about a congressional election,not presidential.

I’m sure they would keep Joe Biden off the ballot if they could because they’re afraid he will beat them again. I just don’t think there’s a constitutional amendment for that

[Effete Snob]

46. Seriously?

It's the same 14th Amendment. It applies to "any office".

----
Section 3.

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
------

Are you actually suggesting that the drafters of the 14th Amendment intended to disqualify insurrectionists from taking any office, but, oh, okay, president is fine.

Plus, they will do this to any Democratic candidate, since the GQP position at this point is that all Democrats are traitors.

[Walleye]

49. Oops sorry my brains all muddled up. Don't expect this lawsuit to workI just want to see her testif

I’m obviously prejudiced against her so I’m getting out of this whole discussion. It’s a nice day I’m going outside

[Effete Snob]

52. Some semi-moron elections officials in Arizoklabamatucky are taking notes

[Walleye]

39. Honestly I just want to see Greene try to testify under oath. Perjury is as good a charge as any

[Atticus]

78. Sorry, but this is more of the "bad things might/could happen" attitude that too often

paralyzes us.

Is what you say could happen possible? I think so, but I think it much more likely that it will not.

The best way to stop any undertaking is to insist that it be 100% certain to succeed.

Is there a 14th Amendment? Does it say what it says? Do Taylor-Greene's conduct and words fall within the clear intent of that language?

Why are we afraid to use that provision as those who wrote the language meant it to be used?

By the way, the "yes or no" question you posed is a false choice and a deflection.

[KPN]

87. Thank you. The we don't know, it looks thick, but the ice may possibly be too thin

to skate on mentality that sometimes permeates this place is exhausting. I think I can't! I think I can't! Yeah, that's an exaggeration, but it's also how it seems. There's always a reason not to do virtually anything if you look hard and long enough. Just because something could go wrong doesn't mean it will. ... Would anyone argue that the repuqs play this way? Geesh!

[Effete Snob]

93. It doesn't have to

There are some seriously deranged people in state governments with the inclination and power to do so, and a majority on the Supreme Court that will back them up.

[brooklynite]

59. Show the proof that MTG lead an attack on the Capitol

That's the problem here. There's been no evidence (that would be admissible in Court) that she engaged in planning for the insurrection, or encouraged people to attack the Capitol or stop the certification process.

[Dr. Strange]

75. What if Biden is accused of leading an attack?

Would that be enough?

[nolabear]

16. That judge looks like he wants to bang his head.

I’m not sure Midge’s lawyer is doing her any favors.

[meow2u3]

19. Now the lawyer is trying to pass off incitement to insurrection as political speech

Does "a 1776 moment" (read: overthrowing the Constitution) ring a bell?

[Walleye]

23. Yeah he's using what aboutism now

[Casandia]

18. I am watching the judge's face and

his body language. Fascinating

[Atticus]

20. Yup,---THAT'S a face palm!

[meow2u3]

21. The judge's palming his face with both hands

[PatSeg]

25. Yeah

He is having a hard time disguising his feelings. He is probably thinking, "Shoot me now!"

[Casandia]

27. The judge blinks frequently too

Morse code for help??

[PatSeg]

29. Ha, ha, ha!!!

I think he's trying to stay awake.

[nolabear]

22. I wouldn't bring up the KKK if I was him.

[Emile]

30. Well there you have it, she was an innocent victim.

[Walleye]

34. She was scared during the riot. That doesn't prove a damn thing

The video I saw from the room they were staying in show them yukking it up when our congresswoman tries to hand them masks. The Republican members didn’t look scared at all

[obamanut2012]

40. She was so dismissive and laughed nastily about the mask being offered

She wasn't scared, because she thought she was safe (she wasn't -- they would have raped and killed her, too -- everyone is the enemy to a mob).

[PatSeg]

31. Whew, he's finally finished!

Damn, that was painful to listen to.

[nolabear]

37. Did the Prof say "Bushrod Washington"?

Woof. What a name.

[Samrob]

43. Who is speaking now? is that MTG's attorney? nt

[nolabear]

44. Why is a guy allowed to wear a Trump hat in court?

Was his white hood in the wash?

[brooklynite]

47. It's an Administrative hearing...there's no jury to be influenced.

The guy with the yellow baseball cap?

[nolabear]

50. No, when they recessed there was an old guy in a multicolored hat

That literally hat that name plastered across the front.

[Tommy Carcetti]

54. I saw that too.

Wonder what the makeup of the audience is.

I heard the judge admonish someone for clapping. Not sure who they were clapping for.

[nolabear]

64. I actually thought that a response to the judge clapping his hands.

He did it once for emphasis and it looked like the guy, in ignorance, thought they were supposed to applaud.

[Tommy Carcetti]

48. Well, it's not a jury trial so there's no concern about prejudice. nt

[nolabear]

51. I suppose you're right.

[bucolic_frolic]

55. Interpreted clearly and literally, 14A is airtight

Crooked judges will be the hurdles

[Tommy Carcetti]

56. Margie's ready for her close-up. nt

[Emile]

57. She is all giggles. Nervousness

[PatSeg]

58. Not the typical overbearing Margie

Evidently she realizes this is serious.

[samnsara]

60. shes too stupid to be in congress

[meow2u3]

61. Plaintiffs' lawyer brought up her suspension from Twitter

Her go-to answer: "I don't know that."

What a crock! She knows. She doesn't want to tell the court. LOCK HER UP for perjury!!!

[Emile]

62. I'm getting bad vibes from this judge!

[nolabear]

65. Maybe not. It's Georgia. Affable is a cultural thing.

[Evergreen Emerald]

67. Me too

I am curious to know his political persuasion.

[chowder66]

63. Which lawyer is hers. I just tuned in. The grey haired guy?

Nevermind. I've got it now. Hoo boy!!

[Leith]

66. Did she just say that her husband

was prevented from voting because he was told that he already had voted absentee and therefore could not vote in person?

Does she have proof of that?

edited to add: they're on a short break to fix an IT issue...

[Wednesdays]

68. I'm not getting audio on it

Is it because they're on break?

[tavernier]

70. Yes

[PatSeg]

71. I switched to C-Span

They are playing a recap of earlier testimony and comments while they are on break. I was watching it on YouTube, but they lost the signal for a long time. C-Span is much better.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?519623-1/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-testifies-administrative-hearing

[brooklynite]

73. Matt Gaetz joins the circus.

Link to tweet

[Tommy Carcetti]

74. Might want to warn any minors who happen to be in the courtroom today...

Somebody's on the prowl....

Link to tweet

[BobTheSubgenius]

76. Honestly, I don't know why she's contesting this so vigourously.

Being a Rep - and I use the term loosely - has to take up at least a few hours of her week. Is she not missing having those hours to devote to her hobbies? Crossfit, firearms, adultery.

Those are time-consuming, and I can't believe she doesn't miss them...or at least miss giving them her full attention. Skanks gotta be skankin'.

[Probatim]

94. This is an attack on her version of America - of course she'll defend it to the death.

And if she wants to perjure herself or further implicate herself, all I can say is "please proceed".

[BobTheSubgenius]

112. True story.

I'd be THRILLED if this could result in her doing some time, but it won't. In my understanding of the process, it can't....but perhaps perjury would be an "over and above" the present circumstances.

Keep a good thought.

[Tommy Carcetti]

77. If anyone else watched the recent TV miniseries The Thing about Pam (starring Renee Zellweger)...

MTG is giving me strong Pam Hupp vibes.

[a kennedy]

79. I know.......exactly a Pam Hupp vibe.

[tavernier]

86. Bingo

[likesmountains 52]

97. Exactly.

[Evergreen Emerald]

81. She doesn't know if anyone had entered Pelosi's Office on Jan. 6th

She doesn't know anything.

[Leith]

95. Oh, she knows

She's been coached to claim that she doesn't remember.

She's also been coached to claim that CNN misquotes her all the time. I would like her to give an example or two - then the clip of what she said (proving that CNN quoted her accurately) put up on the screen.

[a kennedy]

83. as I asked on another topic, can someone please slap that smirk off her face?

Or is that inappropriate??

[PatSeg]

88. Certainly justified,

but probably inappropriate.

[nolabear]

89. Well she'll never remember it.

[a kennedy]

90. 🤣 😂 🤣

[appleannie1]

84. Apparently she suffers from early dementia and Don't Remember Shit

And does not have a clue what occurs in her own office.

[Emile]

91. So sad to see that for someone her age!

[Novara]

99. "We can't allow a peaceful transfer of power"

Lordy, there are tapes.

[Wednesdays]

100. "But," she cries, "the video was chopped up by leftist Democrats!"

No word from her about whether what was played was a lie.

[malaise]

101. Lots of tapes

She’s pathetic

[nolabear]

102. This hearing has more breaks than procedure.

[nolabear]

103. The mic at the bench is on.

Interesting the judge’s irritation at prosecution.

[malaise]

104. They got her

on tape with her 1776 - Jan 5th 2021

[Novara]

105. It's gettin' real obvious when she is cornered

That's when the I don't remembers come out.

The prosecutor has the receipts. He asks her if she said this or that and she plays dumb (psssst, it's not an act), then he presents evidence that she did indeed say these things.

[usaf-vet]

106. How can a person with such a short in adequate memory be qualified to made any decisions....

....affecting U.S. Citizens. She has less memory capabilities than TFG, and his are less than a 5th grader's

[brooklynite]

107. Senator Roman Hruska (1970).....

"Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance?"

[pwb]

109. They all hold their arms out like crucified Jesus.

Fake fucks.

[pwb]

111. He is on that thing around her neck.

Appealing to phony evangelicals.