No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else. ― P.T. Barnum

Today’s independent commentary deals with these people/issues:

• 25th Amendment/Impeachment
• Montana’s U.S. Senators
• CFB National Championship

25TH AMENDMENT/IMPEACHMENT:

Late Tuesday evening the U.S. House passed a resolution to encourage Vice President Mike Pence to use the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office. The vote was 223 to 205. (NBC)

Earlier in the day, Pence sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi telling her, “I do not believe such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with the Constitution.” You can read the complete letter HERE.

So now we head to impeachment. We know that most if not all Democrats in the House will vote for Trump’s impeachment and that will be enough.

It is unknown when it would be sent to the U.S. Senate.

One of the biggest stories from Tuesday is that U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in the House, announced that she would vote for impeachment. Cheney’s announcement could have a snowball effect in the House and the Senate. It may already have. Read on…

The New York Times reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “has told associates that he believes President Trump committed impeachable offenses and that he is pleased that Democrats are moving to impeach him.”

The New York Times is also reporting that Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader and one of Mr. Trump’s most steadfast allies in Congress, has asked other Republicans whether he should call on Mr. Trump to resign in the aftermath of the riot at the Capitol last week, according to three Republican officials briefed on the conversations.

Trump might think about cutting his losses and make a deal with Pence for a pardon and then resign.

This is going to be an interesting and dangerous time in our country’s history. Please pray for those in power to do the right thing.

MONTANA’S U.S. SENATORS:

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D) and Steve Daines (R) are taking different approaches in response to the riots at the Capitol last week.

Tester penned an opinion that was published in USA Today. In it he said, in the aftermath of that armed insurrection, it is our duty to hold everyone involved accountable to our laws and history — not just President Donald Trump and the violent rioters he incited, but also the members of Congress who enabled him.

I agree with that. You can read the whole column HERE.

Not long after Tester’s opinion was noticed, the Montana Republican Party attacked him for his “efforts to denigrate Republicans.”

As for Daines, he is trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube. After many on his side talked about Antifa being involved, Daines issued a statement saying:

“Last week’s attacks on our Capitol were an assault on our democracy. There is an ongoing investigation, and there is no evidence Antifa instigated the attacks. The FBI believes Antifa was not involved. Those who took part in the violence and destruction are criminals and must be brought to justice.

“We are a nation that believes in the right to peacefully protest—we must rise above the violence. To all who plan to exercise First Amendment rights over the coming days, do know violence will not be tolerated.”

Daines spent the day playing nice and showing support for the Capitol police and law enforcement. It’s always good to show support to those who protect us, but Daines’ support does not seem that genuine when many of his fellow Trump supporters attacked the Capitol police. Five people died during the riot, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was struck by a fire extinguisher. (The Hill)

Daines was just reelected; he’s hoping that most people forget what has happened by the time he runs for reelection. These are troubling times for Daines. Tester is in a great position to be a statesman.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:

It was not that exciting. Alabama whipped Ohio State 52-24 Monday night for the College Football National Championship. That’s a 28 point win by the best team in college football over the second-best team.

In the “final four” those games were not that close, either. Alabama whipped Notre Dame 31-14. That’s a 17 point win. Ohio State beat Clemson 49-28. That’s a 21 point win.

The last three championship games have been yawners.

Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban, won his seventh national title, with six of those at Alabama and one at LSU. Interestingly, Saban was just 15-17 as a head coach in the NFL. He is 256–65–1 in college.

## WEAR YOUR MASK ##