* Erik’s Editorial: The Guilty Parties Who Put American Democracy At Risk In The Name Of Donald Trump

US White House upside down (public domain).

I do not fault stupid people for making the stupid decision to elect Donald Trump in 2016.

I do fault smart people for making stupid decisions. These include:

1. Senators who voted to acquit Donald Trump in his no-witnesses-allowed impeachment trial, including primarily Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell:

* Impeachment of Donald Trump (2020-02-05)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_of_Donald_Trump#Acquittal

* Mitch McConnell (2020-02-05)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_McConnell#Impeachment_trial

2. Members of the GOP who voted to disenfranchise voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – before, during, and AFTER the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol – including Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Jody Hice (R–GA-10), Mo Brooks (R–AL-05), Scott Perry (R–PA-10), Josh Hawley (R–MO), and Louie Gohmert (R–TX-01).

* 2021 Storming Of The United States Capitol (2021-01-06)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol

* 2020 United States Presidential Election Electoral College Count (2021-01-06 – 2021-01-07)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidential_election_Electoral_College_count

3. Donald Trump’s cabinet, who could have invoked the 25th Amendment to remove POTUS at any time:

* Cabinet Of Donald Trump (2017-01-21 – PRESENT)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_Donald_Trump

4. Social media, including especially Facebook and Twitter, for allowing their social networks to be used as platforms for hate speech.

* Donald Trump On Social Media (2017-01-21 – PRESENT)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_on_social_media#2021

5. Mainstream media, including especially CNN (on the left) and Fox News (on the right) for not doing their jobs – asking questions until they get answers – and allowing POTUS to lie unchecked.

* Veracity Of Statements By Donald Trump (2017-01-21 – PRESENT)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veracity_of_statements_by_Donald_Trump

6. Lawmakers at all levels, for failing to fix bad laws and for failing to enact good laws. Changes that must be made going forward include:

Limiting POTUS power:

  • Executive order power must be limited.
  • All cabinet members (acting/interim/actual) must be confirmed by Senate.
  • Treaties and tariffs must be the role of Congress so that POTUS cannot engage in trade wars.
  • War Powers Act must be updated to limit POTUS power to deploy the military.
  • Special Counsel Act must be updated to make clear that POTUS cannot fire special counsel.

Writing better and new laws:

  • Impeachment Act of 2021, to define how impeachment is conducted, including the requirement to have witnesses.
  • Follow the lead of The Restatements Of The Law project (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restatements_of_the_Law) and codify major SCOTUS cases, including especially Roe v. Wade.
  • Fix the Census.
  • Fix immigration.
  • Fix SCOTUS processes, such as limiting appointments to 2 per POTUS with the number of SCOTUS justices fixed at the number of Federal Circuits (currently 13).
  • Election reform, including who is qualified to run for POTUS and that tax forms must be disclosed to do so.

Just to name a few.

Stupid people, bad laws, and lies got us into this mess.

Smart people, good laws, and the truth can get us out of this mess.

LAW >> MAN.

#FailedPols
https://www.failblog.com/

U.S. Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital; U.N. General Assembly Rejects Move

On December 6, President Trump announced that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Trump also stated plans to eventually move the United States embassy there from its current location in Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem, a key piece in the peace process between Israel and Palestine, has been divided since 1967, with East Jerusalem occupied by Palestine. Trump’s move only declares official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but does not establish or move city boundaries for Israelis or Palestinians.

On December 21, however, the United Nations General Assembly voted to reject Trump’s position on Jerusalem. In the vote, 128 nations supported the U.N. General Assembly stance that the United States’ move will have no legal impact over Jerusalem. Nine countries voted against the U.N. position, and 35 abstained.

UN Overwhelmingly Condemns Trump’s Jerusalem Decision | CBS This Morning |  [2017-12-22]

UN Votes to condemn US decision on Jerusalem | Fox News [2017/12/21]

Up to now, the United States has refrained from officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The sensitive issue of Jerusalem, its boundaries, and its status, has long been seen as one of the ultimate considerations in the final peace negotiation process between Israel and Palestine. Many feel Trump’s move signifies that the United States has abandoned its neutral position in Israel-Palestine peace negotiations, and that as a result, the process has been disrupted.

What’s more, Trump’s decision is said to be in violation of several U.N. Security council resolutions pertaining to the Israel-Palestine conflicts. It also is seen as endorsing a move by Israel that may be a violation of a portion of the Geneva Convention that “prohibits appropriation of lands won in war to the territory of an existing nation,” according to CBS’ Jeffrey Wright.

UN Condemns Trump’s Jerusalem Decision | CBS News [2017/12/21]

US should dial back the rhetoric against UN: Larry Korb | Fox Business [2017/12/21]

The city of Jerusalem is considered holy to three major religions. It’s where Solomon is said to have built the first Jewish temple; where Christ is said to have been crucified; and where the prophet Mohammed is said to have ascended to heaven.

One issue that has not widely been discussed regarding the question of why Trump made such a move is the fact that Jerusalem is significant to American Evangelical Christians (81 percent of whom voted for Trump). The city figures significantly in what Evangelicals refer to as the “end times.” In order for Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled, they say, Jerusalem needs to be in the control of Israel. In order for Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to his base, Jerusalem needs to be recognized as the Israeli capital.

Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to move the U.S. embassy there has exacerbated hostility from groups who align solidly with the Palestinians. On the other hand, since the U.N. has trounced support of the decision, many feel Trump’s move will be contained in its worldwide impact.