The Members of the House of Representatives who voted against the resolution supporting the troops were Conyers (!), McKinney, Lee (of Oakland), Democrats, and Republicans Paul and Sanford, and the "present" voter was Furse.

Hubris: that certain kind of "can't touch me!" pride. Similar to arrogance, but not quite the same. The best example in all the world is the post-election answers to Hyde's 81 questions. In retrospect, I bet Clinton realizes this was a big mistake. Before that, the impeachment juggernaut looked to be running out of steam. After the answers, the steam was coming out of the ears of the Republicans, and he was doomed.
Not to the mention the hubris of starting up a relationship with an intern when he knew full well there were people watching his every move in hopes to catch him out.
Hubris is also demonstrated in the last 6 years' refusal to actually work with Congress, but to go around them.

It was really illuminating listening to Clinton's DEFENDERS. They were saying he was a liar, his behavior was despicable, that he couldn't be trusted. With friends like these, who needs enemies? Who needs a vast right-wing conspiracy? Someone (excuse me, I'm a news addict, so I see as many as I can and I lose attributions) said that once they (the Clintonites) decided it was all a plot, they stopped looking at their own behavior, as well. (added December 20, the title of an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial: "Why impeach him? He's only reprehensible.")

By the way, I'm deciding I do NOT like Conyers. Mr. "It's a coup" was trying to deny the appointment of Ford so that when Nixon was impeached, there would be a Democratic president. Now THAT would have been a coup.
Mr. "Think of the troops" voted AGAINST the "we love our troops" measure Thursday. I think John Conyers' picture is in the dictionary next to the word "hypocrite."

Though heaven knows, there were plenty of candidates for that particular "honor." On both sides of the aisle. All of the Democrats yelling "You resign!" to Livingston, and when he did, it was all "waitaminnit, does this mean Clinton should think about it??" Maxine Waters, my least favorite, screaming "hypocrite" yesterday... did she say "oh, wow" today? I don't think so.

On the topic of trying to stage a coup, though, is it now government by Hustler? I saw Larry Flynt smarming away on the tube, and I suspect both parties can agree that he's sleaze.

Bonior finally gave me blackout bingo with "get back to the job, etc." which he declaimed during the Democratic photo-op on the Capitol steps.

Notes I took while glued to the television (or the radio, though that was frustrating. They spent a lot more time telling us they were providing gavel-to-gavel coverage, and announcing who they were, than they did actually covering anything. At one point, though, the announcer said this was "A historic moment in American history". Geeze.):

Gephardt: "Upsetting the balance of power." Huh? This is a classic, Constitutional, example of the balance of power. I was thinking the Constitution ought to be looked at occasionally, the dust blown off it. It is a remarkable document and seems to work well. Mr. Constitutional law professor has been trampling on it for 4 years, especially the Bill of Rights, but also separation of powers (government by executive order.) I flew the flag all day. It yet waved.

I do like Asa Hutchinson. I like Lindsey Graham. I don't like smarmy (another one) Bob Barr. I kinda like Barney Frank. I despise Maxine Waters. J.C. Watts was great.

Only 87 Democrats supported Bush in the Gulf War, so it's not like the Republicans were being treasonous. In fact, former POW Bob Johnson said this is what they want, the country to be going about its business.

I liked Heather whassername, the most junior Representative. She said she hadn't been asked what her vote would be, that no one pressured her.

Someone talked about "reaping the seeds." It could be said that is what the White House is doing. Fingers can be pointed all over, but Clinton has a good track record of smearing his enemies (when they don't conveniently die, that is.)

I wonder if the alleged rape in Arkansas is looked at, if Friedan will say "no big deal" about that. Probably.

Not getting enough on the television and radio, I was also reading Molly Ivins, YOU GOT TO DANCE WITH THEM WHAT BRUNG YOU and she commented on Commissioner Dunn of Pittsburgh (oh, yes, we got an earful while there!) and said, also, (April 1993, p.61)

"far more important obligation of ours to root out official lies than it is to report on the private behavior of public officials."

There was a time yesterday when Iraq was on one channel, the impeachment debate on another, and the 38-car pileup on a third. Too much for even a news junkie to handle!

Someone said we were the "laughing stock of the world." (As if that determines right or wrong: argument ad populum.) I don't think so. I imagine most of the world is totally puzzled, but this is sure different from a banana republic or a Balkan state. The Russians were baffled by jury duty, I can't imagine they understand this.

"Gray Davis makes Al Gore look like Mick Jagger at a Stones Concert."

Shays is just wishy-washy, though I agree with him that there were people on both sides of the aisle who were actually voting their consciences, not party line. (Reeps are ignoring the polls, so they presumably are voting for what they think is right. It's hard to believe that they'd allow dislike of the Creep-in-Chief to overcome a healthy self-interest, at least without some darn good reason to think otherwise.)
You know, I love this country. In the same situation, I would sacrifice my own welfare for the country. I would be sad that people hated me, but I would, I hope, go forward. I think this is what the best Republicans were doing.

I don't know how Mary Matalin can stand to stay married to that man. I said as much to Rich and he said that WE hardly ever agree on anything... but we do agree on things we both think are important. We are pretty close on politics, though I'm a bit right of him. He was a registered Democrat, as all Pittsburgh Polish Catholics are, of course, till I pointed out to him he was a Republican. I, meanwhile, was registered as independent, having gone from being a Kennedy-lover to an anarchist in 10 years or so. Then I discovered the Libertarians ("Congress shall pass no law" being enough, why did they have to add any more words?) and registered as one in order to get them on the ballot. Anyway, Matalin and Carville are both political wonks, and I really don't see how they stay married.

By the way: I was wondering why Clinton's Iraq speeches of Wednesday and Thursday and even this morning sounded so different. I knew he wasn't doing his usual drawl... he was just a little faster than usual. It dawned on me this morning: considering the jetlag and the probable lack of sleep, he's more-than-likely been taking stimulants. He's been on uppers. I'm not suggesting anything illegal, but I noted the "end of the war" speech was back to his normal pattern.

A Senate trial (if it happens) is going to be very different. It won't be O.J. Redux, thank goodness. Senators aren't allowed to speak (what a blessing) and the lawyers won't be of the Johnny Cochran variety. It's going to be interesting. A "historic day in history."