The following exchange is from Dialogue Group 12, Thread 5.

1. Effect of Hearings on me.
Thu, Dec 31, 1998 - 6:53 AM/EST
RalphG...

Being retired allowed me the time to view Starr's sworn testimony & the 4 days of debate ending in adjournment. Between Hearings I looked up
numerous definitions in Webster's on-line dictionary.
The result was a profound renewed appreciation of living in a constitutional republic.
(Previously I favored a parlimentary form because a single "no" vote by a member precluded a topic from being brought up for debate. Thus providing a second protection for the minority in addition to the supreme court)
I appreciate & believe the following:
The elected representatives through debate & deliberation can arrive at better decisions than
can the sovereign people by majority vote. For example, India, presumed to be the world's largest democracy.
The senate will handle the 2 articles of impeachment delivered to them by the house.
I look forward to viewing the upcoming trial & feel fortunate to be able to observe my government making history.

2. Effects...
Thu, Dec 31, 1998 - 8:22 AM/EST
CurreyTM

RalphG:

I, too, have enjoyed revisiting the nooks and crannies of the Constitution during all of this. How fortunate we are to have C-Span so that we can watch the proceedings firsthand. Makes you wonder how much more involved the public might have been if such a medium had existed in 1867 during the Johnson impeachment and trial. Of course, they may have been more involved because they had comparatively limited media resources. Maybe we, as a society, are so overwhelmed by the media that we have become immune to public involvement. Hmmm..."Modern Media Facilitates Citizen Apathy." Sounds like an entirely new dialogue thread.

Anyway, back to revisiting. I decided that it was time to reread THE FEDERALIST PAPERS -- found a great edition compiled by American historian Gary Wills -- Barnes & Noble, $5.95. I think you'll find it interesting...especially FEDERALIST #65 where Hamilton discusses Impeachment.

Good hunting...Terry

3. Effects
Thu, Dec 31, 1998 - 11:48 AM/EST
Buddy

I must say that I found the hearings intriguing. But I was stunned to learn how little our representatives actually know about the Constitution. The testimony of the academics was especially illuminating in that regard.

While many of our representatives are lawyers, most law schools do not require that sutdents take a constitutional law class. The Federalist papers? Even fewer people are aware of them. I think most folk are comfortable with the Supreme Court looking out for the Constitution while the rest of us go blithely on our way.

4. More on academics
Thu, Dec 31, 1998 - 2:01 PM/EST
MichaelD

I was interested, and amused, by the diversity of opinion amongst the "academics". First one long list of scholars says one thing, then another list say something else.

I loved the discussion in the House early on about the definition of "high crimes and misdemeanors".

7. Background noise
Fri, Jan 1, 1999 - 6:11 PM/EST
Annie

That has been the effect on my life. I pay attention more closely when there is something I can do about a situation. I do vote. I read what other people think about what is going on. I discuss what is going on with my friends. I am well aware of how fortunate I am to live under our present form of government. I consider the present situation to be much ado about nothing.

9. Effects of the Hearing on me
Sat, Jan 2, 1999 - 12:30 PM/EST
Lily

I was struck by the insecurity of our congressmen. Everyone seemed afraid to state what he REALLY felt for fear his constituents wouldn't send him back next term.

Each seemed to be looking around to see what someone else was going to do before being decisive.

The pity is our representatives, in my opinion, are far more interested in reelection than our
(the nation's) welfare, and more interested in fulfilling their obligations to the PACs and far too interested in the polls.

I want a representative who will represent me!

10. Hearings Fall-Out
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 11:23 AM/EST
rightbrain

For me, the hearings challenged my own political beliefs. I tend to be conservative, but I had to take that hat off and really study the issues. I kept wanting to go back to the comfort of my political past and wash the stuff under the rug. But I endured, and came out just really sad for our country. I can see both sides of the issue and agree with both. How is this possible?