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Free acting lessons

By Michael Frandzel - Portsmouth | Dec 15, 2019

I have been watching the impeachment hearings. The Republican members of both the Intelligence Committee and the Judicial Committee are providing a master class in acting.

Watching their facial expressions and body language is a treat: slouching; scowling; narrowing their eyes; looking away as a witness answers their questions; rolling their eyes like a testy teenager. It is quite a show.

And it’s not just body language. No, siree. They talk over witnesses, they interrupt and most egregiously, they provide five minute soliloquies while supposedly “questioning” witnesses, a sure sign they don’t want to hear the truth. We have seen a host of impressive witnesses from the diplomatic corps, the military, the intelligence community, many of them part of the Trump administration. They have broken ranks, risked their careers and detailed the truth.

But the Republican committee members dishonor their service and pretend not to see the evidence. They have tried to impugn the witnesses’ veracity. They are betraying the honesty and sacrifice these well-informed and well-intentioned civil servants are displaying.

Trump committed impeachable offenses, betrayed our allies, sought to profit at the expense of our national security and the Republican committee members know it. In their desperation, they pretend not to see the evidence. It is indeed a master class in (bad) acting!

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