On display: Patriotism and partisanship
In the highly orchestrated theater of the fourth impeaching proceedings in the history of the United States, it can be easy to lose the human element that underlies witnesses’ testimony. But on Tuesday, it was impossible to sit in room 1100 of the Longworth Congressional Building without feeling the humanity that infused the testimony of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman. I am currently a PhD candidate, studying animal behavior in the Duke biology department, but in my undergraduate studies I also pursued political science and have maintained an interest in political behavior ever since. As an avid institutionalist, I was moved to attend the impeachment hearings in Washington to witness firsthand the profound Constitutional challenge that is currently unfolding. I chose to time my visit to coincide with Lt. Colonel Vindman’s testimony, as I had long perceived him to be an exemplar of American patriotism. I was not disappointed.