One More Thought On Tlaib

The burbling nontroversy about Rashida Tlaib's comment "We are going to impeach the motherfucker" revolves on two axes.

First is motherfucker.  This is largely bullshit.  The idea that men and women don't use obscenities in everyday life is ridiculous. The policing of "tone" is among the laziest, worst ways of commenting on public discourse.  The counterargument that Trump has said worse is slightly off target.  The appropriate response is not to argue that Trump's language gives permission for Tlaib or others, it's that no one fucking cares, as long as you aren't doing on live TV during prime time.

The second makes a little more sense, but only a little.  This is the idea that Democrats can't "rush to judgment" on impeaching Trump.  The House must act like a sober jury from the imagination of responsible centrists.  This ignores the fact that we already have ample, ample evidence in the public record that Trump is guilty of numerous crimes, and that he is manifestly unfit for office.  We absolutely SHOULD impeach the motherfucker. 

There is an argument that impeaching Trump won't mean anything unless the Senate convicts and removes.  Maybe, but perhaps putting the onus on the Senate to defend Trump's criminality is its own reward.  Here's another idea.  You could impeach Trump on charges of campaign finance violations.  Senate acquits.  Impeach him on Russian collusion next. Senate acquits.  Then impeach him on emoluments.  Let the GOP Senate continue to defend the indefensible, up until November 2020.

The question becomes how the Never Trumpers will respond.  Right now, Democrats are siphoning off moderate, suburban women Republicans. You want to make them Democrats, so that you can win past 2020.  Once they identify as Democrats and not as Never Trump Republicans, you've got them.  So...maybe...that cohort wants to see a sober, impartial impeachment process, whereby the House Democrats act like regretful public servants rather than partisan warriors.  Maybe that's the thinking, and if so, it makes sense to slow-roll impeachment.

But it's going to be difficult in the next six months NOT to impeach, given what we already know about Trump.  Best get used to the idea.