ESQUIRE: Marie Yovanovitch Will Not Be Intimidated. (NOT BY THE PRESIDENT...)

Marie Yovanovitch Will Not Be Intimidated

WASHINGTON—The most extraordinary moment in the extraordinary testimony of former ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was contributed by the president* who’d fired her, for corrupt purposes, and came about because this president* is thoroughly incapable of not obstructing justice. Read More

THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATIONS, AND HEARINGS. PART 2.

As the Hearings Progress, you will no doubt be Bombarded by "EXPERT ANALYSIS" from both sides, Democrat and Republican. Here are a couple of tips that will help to separate RATIONAL DISCOURSE FROM RAVING LUNACY.

THE HOUSE OF REP. INVESTIGATION DOES NOT ESTABLISH GUILT OR INNOCENCE.

It decides,by Majority Vote, if there is enough evidence to bring Charges against the Official in question. Similar to an INDICTMENT FOUND IN AMERICAN CRIMINAL LAW, THESE "ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT" ARE THE FORMAL ACCUSATIONS THAT ARE PRESENTED AS EVIDENCE OF IMPEACHABLE BEHAVIOR. IF THE "ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT"ARE PASSED BY THE HOUSE, THE OFFICIAL HAS BEEN "IMPEACHED," AND MUST STAND TRIAL.


WATCH OUT FOR "EMPTY ASSERTIONS."

   What do these two statements have in common.

  "EVERYONE KNOWS DONALD TRUMP IS INCOMPETENT, SO
   WE NEED TO GET RID OF HIM."

  ''THE DEMOCRATS WANT TRUMP OUT OF OFFICE, SO
    THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE HIM LOOK BAD."

THEY ARE BOTH "EMPTY ASSERTIONS." 

SO WHAT IS AN "EMPTY ASSERTION?"

IT CAN BE DEFINED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, THE FOLLOWING ARE TWO EXAMPLES.

...ANY STATEMENT, (WRITTEN OR ORAL), THAT CLAIMS TO BE FACTUAL, BUT HAS LITTLE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE OR DATA THAT CAN WITHSTAND PROPER SCRUTINY,

...THE TRUTH OR FALSENESS OF THE STATEMENT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE QUALITY OR WORTH OF THE EVIDENCE BEING PRESENTED. 

In many cases, the act of criticizing the Assertion is discouraged, AND IT MUST BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT QUALIFICATION.

Unfortunately, statements like these are already being thrown around. The problem is that
neither actually addresses the quality of the evidence currently being brought forth in 
Testimony before the House. The more you see one side, or the other, or both, resorting to
this type of "ARGUMENT", it usually means they are out of Intellectual and Ethical Lines
of Reasoning to support their point of view.




    

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION- 2020 Eastern Division meeting highlights.

Dear DAVID,   Have you registered for the 2020 Eastern Division meeting, January 8–11 in Philadelphia, PA? If not, take a moment to register online now!   In addition to colloquium and symposium sessions, this year’s meeting features a robust program complete with sessions organized by APA committees and affiliated groups. Highlights include the following sessions: Arthur Danto/American Society for Aesthetics Prize Lecture: Keren Gorodeisky and Eric Marcus (Auburn University), “Aesthetic Rationality,” Thursday, January 9, 12:15–2:15 p.m. De Gruyter Kant Lecture: Patricia Kitcher (Columbia University), “Kant’s Ordinary Moral Agent,” Thursday, January 9, 2:30–5:30 p.m. John Dewey Lecture: Gisela Striker (Harvard University), “The Academic Practice of Philosophy (... in Two Countries),” Friday, January 10, 1:30–4:30 p.m. Presidential Address: Christia Mercer (Columbia University), “Empowering Philosophy,” Friday, January 10, 4:45–6:45 p.m. (a reception will follow) Early bird registration rates ($125 for APA members, $240 for non-members, and $40 for student members) are available until online registration closes on December 18. Eastern meeting registration will not be available December 19 through January 8. If you don’t register online by December 18, you can still register on-site at the meeting—but note that on-site registration rates are $50 higher than early bird registration for all categories.   Please note: You’ll save an additional $5 on meeting registration if you opt not to receive a paper copy of the program. The meeting program is available online, and our free meeting app for smartphones and tablets will also contain the full program.   Haven’t yet renewed your membership? Renew now! In order to receive the discounted meeting rate available only to paid members, your APA membership must be current. (Lapsed members who have not renewed their memberships for the 2019–2020 year pay the non-member rate of $240 in advance or $290 at the meeting.)   Register for the 2020 Eastern Division meeting today.   We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!   All the best,   Amy E. Ferrer Executive Director

THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATIONS, AND HEARINGS. PART 1.

As the Public Hearings on the possible Impeachment of DONALD TRUMP begin, you can count on the Political Hyperbole to run rampant, both inside and outside the U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Where the hearings are being held)

What we must do is ignore any POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING, BY EITHER SIDE, AND ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IMPEACHED?

-  HOW DOES THE U.S. CONSTITUTION LAY OUT
   THE PROCEDURES FOR IMPEACHMENT?

-  WHO ARE THE JUDGES, AND THE JURY, WHEN
    A DECISION IS MADE TO CREATE, AND PASS, THE
    "ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT?"

-  IF THE PRESIDENT IS "IMPEACHED," WHAT WILL
   THEN BE THE RESULT?

To begin, let us look at how "IMPEACHMENT" is DEFINED
 AND REFERENCED WITHIN THE BODY OF THE U.S.
 CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2, CLAUSE 5.
5: The House of Representatives...shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

ARTICLE 1, SECTION 3, CLAUSE 6.

6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

ARTICLE 1, SECTION 3, CLAUSE 7.

7: Judgment in Cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

ARTICLE 2, SECTION 4.

The President, Vice- President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

This is the sum total of the Information about "IMPEACHMENT" contained 

within the U.S. CONSTITUTION.

With that in mind, here is short introduction to get us started.

"IMPEACHMENT" is a process started by the U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, and is, INITIALLY, an INVESTIGATION, OR INQUIRY. It is an OFFICIAL FACT FINDING ENDEAVOUR, AND THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOUSE. NO ONE ELSE.

THAT IS IMPORTANT:
OTHER THAN HOUSE MEMBERS...
NO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
NO COURT.
NO OFFICE HOLDER.
ETC,... HAS  ANY OFFICIAL STANDING 
REGARDING A HOUSE INVESTIGATION.
The OFFICIAL WHO IS THE SUBJECT of the HOUSE INVESTIGATION
MAY OBJECT, BUT THAT HAS NO BEARING ON THE PROCEDURE,
OR THE OUTCOME. 
SEE PART 2.