John Chuckman

COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE BY KAZI STASTNA IN CBC NEWS

 

“’A descent into constitutional madness’: Legal defence of Trump’s Ukraine quid pro quo draws ire

 “Alan Dershowitz told senators that if a president believes his re-election is in the national interest, it’s not wrong for him to do something to benefit his own electoral interest.”

 

Simply unbelievable.

But it does tell us how much genuine protection is offered by a piece of parchment kept in a display case, the American Constitution.

The underlying reality in American politics is that what powerful men with bad intentions want to do, they freely do.

This argument of Dershowitz’s is just bizarre and unacceptable. A politician’s beliefs should determine the legality of his acts?  My God, that’s dangerous stuff.

But it is only in keeping with what we see in so many of America’s activities today.

Bragging about stealing oil in Syria? The assassination of another country’s national hero and making light of it in some remarks? Giving away things belonging to others, which very much are not yours to give away?

Is it any surprise that such a President would have such a defense offered?

The logic and legality here are in keeping with a Senate which appears ready to quickly close the trial down now without even listening to testimony that is central to the case, that of John Bolton.