The obvious has been officially confirmed ...

[Cow Poke]

... is so that if any of the witnesses need to discuss sensitive or classified information to answer the questions, that information can be protected.

And, since Schiff likes to compare this to a "Grand Jury" hearing - he needs to keep his big mouth shut about what's going on behind closed doors.

I'm sure you'd agree that a judge or prosecutor in a Grand Jury hearing shouldn't be running to the cameras "updating the public" on what's going on in secret, right Jim?

[oxmixmudd]

And, since Schiff likes to compare this to a "Grand Jury" hearing - he needs to keep his big mouth shut about what's going on behind closed doors.

I'm sure you'd agree that a judge or prosecutor in a Grand Jury hearing shouldn't be running to the cameras "updating the public" on what's going on in secret, right Jim?

I really don't know as it concerns that aspect of it CP. The public needs to be aware of what it going on. There are public statements that these people prepare and which are being released. So as long as what he is disclosing is not secret and fairly represents what it said, I don't see a problem with it. The lack of significant counter factual material from the republicans in the meetings to me says there isn't much to be added as a counter to what is being released.

I think the reality is, Trump has been abusing his power in office. And it has caught up with him. And it's time to just face the fact he is very likely unfit for office and needs to be removed.


Jim

[Cow Poke]

I really don't know as it concerns that aspect of it CP. The public needs to be aware of what it going on.

Then Schiff needs to stop trying to compare this to a Grand Jury process, Jim. He's not just a witness here - he's the prosecutor AND judge. He needs to stop running to the cameras every chance he gets.

[Sam]

Then Schiff needs to stop trying to compare this to a Grand Jury process, Jim. He's not just a witness here - he's the prosecutor AND judge. He needs to stop running to the cameras every chance he gets.

In what is Schiff "the judge"? He's chairman of a committee but everyone gets to vote.

--Sam

[Cow Poke]

In what is Schiff "the judge"? He's chairman of a committee but everyone gets to vote.

--Sam

He's running the show, Sam - it is NOT similar to a Grand Jury, which he keeps claiming.

[Cow Poke]

He's running the show, Sam - it is NOT similar to a Grand Jury, which he keeps claiming.

It's a political process, not a criminal or legal one, and Schiff knows that quite well.

[Sam]

WSJ's opinion page has gotten dumber of late but the Editorial board knows full well that Trump's lawyers will have access to House impeachment documents if and when he's impeached, just as it knows that House minority members in the relevant committees have access to all transcripts and documents right now.

They're just banking on enough readers being dumb or willing to forget themselves for a bit of convenient talking points.

--Sam

It's a political process, not a criminal or legal one, and Schiff knows that quite well.

[Cow Poke]

WSJ's opinion page has gotten dumber of late but the Editorial board knows full well that Trump's lawyers will have access to House impeachment documents if and when he's impeached, just as it knows that House minority members in the relevant committees have access to all transcripts and documents right now.

They're just banking on enough readers being dumb or willing to forget themselves for a bit of convenient talking points.

--Sam

So, until then, Schiff should just keep his big camera-hungry incredibly partisan gossipy mouth shut in public, and stop lying about it being like a Grand Jury situation.

[Mountain Man]

Sondland says that Taylor's testimony is full of cow patties.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2...ever-happened/

A little transparency would sure be nice.

[Sam]

In legalspeak, "I do not recall" ≠ "That didn't happen".

Sondland says that Taylor's testimony is full of cow patties.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2...ever-happened/

A little transparency would sure be nice.

[Cow Poke]

In legalspeak, "I do not recall" ≠ "That didn't happen".

Great memories!

[oxmixmudd]

Sondland says that Taylor's testimony is full of cow patties.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2...ever-happened/

A little transparency would sure be nice.

That would be expected. Taylor is the consummate professional that works and acts according to Principle. Sondland is a Trump crony - which means he acts according to what he believes will make Donald Trump happy while getting himself in the least amount of trouble possible. I would trust Taylor over Sondland any day of the week. BUT, there has to be objective evidence that one is lying and the other telling the truth before clear action can be taken.


Jim

[Mountain Man]

In legalspeak, "I do not recall" ≠ "That didn't happen".

In legal speak, unless there is proof that it happened, then it didn't happen.

[Mountain Man]

BUT, there has to be objective evidence that one is lying and the other telling the truth before clear action can be taken.

Bingo.

[Sam]

In legal speak, unless there is proof that it happened, then it didn't happen.

Your contention is that Sondland's "I do not recall that" is calling Taylor's testimony false. Were that the case, one would expect Sondland -- facing a pretty large criminal exposure -- to respond more definitively that Taylor's account is untrue.

Sondland appears to be in the position of hoping that his written correspondences and several other witnesses also facing legal exposure line up just right.

His publicly known text messages to date do not inspire confidence in his discretion.

--Sam