(http://i.imgur.com/OC0XRge.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/JPq5tpx.jpg)
Trump is apparently very nervous. The Comey firing comes after yesterdays testimony by Sally Yates and James R. Clapper, both former U.S. governmental officials who spoke yesterday before a special committee led by Republican Lindsey Graham. The committee is looking into the issue of Russian interference in our last presidential election. They are also concerned with individuals potentially involved that may be connected to U.S. government or it's agencies. The FBI is currently doing their own investigation about the Russian Connections, something Trump has denied. Looks like Trump wants to shut some doors.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/politics/james-comey-fbi-trump-white-out/
http://www.businessinsider.com/james-comey-fired-fbi-trump-2017-5
(http://i.imgur.com/cFTjcPs.jpg)
And the guy supporting Trump in his firing of James Comey is none other then Attorney General Jeff Sessions who himself is working very hard to undermine our laws and practices with a special eye to our investigative agencies. Note: Sessions has been forced to recuse himself from the investigation of Russian interference. He just impacted that investigation in the letter firing Comey.
By Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller March 1
Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) spoke twice last year with Russia's ambassador to the United States, Justice Department officials said, encounters he did not disclose when asked about possible contacts between members of President Trump's campaign and representatives of Moscow during Sessions's confirmation hearing to become attorney general.
One of the meetings was a private conversation between Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that took place in September in the senator's office, at the height of what U.S. intelligence officials say was a Russian cyber campaign to upend the U.S. presidential race.
The previously undisclosed discussions could fuel new congressional calls for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russia's alleged role in the 2016 presidential election. As attorney general, Sessions oversees the Justice Department and the FBI, which have been leading investigations into Russian meddling and any links to Trump's associates. He has so far resisted calls to recuse himself.
When Sessions spoke with Kislyak in July and September, the senator was a senior member of the influential Armed Services Committee as well as one of Trump's top foreign policy advisers. Sessions played a prominent role supporting Trump on the stump after formally joining the campaign in February 2016.
Click link for full story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-spoke-twice-with-russian-ambassador-during-trumps-presidential-campaign-justice-officials-say/2017/03/01/77205eda-feac-11e6-99b4-9e613afeb09f_story.html?utm_term=.a58f7861f13d
Lets be clear that Sessions who had been "forced" to recuse himself from the investigations regarding Russian interference just made it his business to join with Trump to fire the man in charge of the same investigation that he was not to be involved in. So yes indeed he influenced the investigation. This is not how America is supposed to run. There is now a demand out by Dem. Chuck Schumer and others that the Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein now appoint an "independent special prosecutor" to hand the ongoing investigation or else this firing will be seen as an attempted "cover up".
https://www.c-span.org/video/?428270-1/senate-democratic-leader-calls-special-prosecutor-wake-comey-firing
(http://i.imgur.com/4CRE3WX.jpg)
Preet Bharara
James Comey
Sally Yates
While I applaud Comey's effort to stay above it all, he really flubbed it up, especially on the Weiner email stuff. Hilz has to be pretty happy right now. She blames him for losing.
I watched re-runs of much of his testimony up on the hill, and frankly, I didn't get a lot of confidence from what he said or tried not to say.
Only former AG Loretta Lynch set a lower bar on legal relativism.
BTW, this doesn't stop the FBI investigation or the hearings. I say investigate it to the high heavens and out everything, but don't give me that baloney of "there was no criminal intent".
This will get worse before it gets better. But when I get more details in the NYT or WP than I can from a hearing, tends to make me think the roaches are headed for the cupboard.
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement late Tuesday in the aftermath of President Trump's sudden sacking of FBI Director James Come. In the curt but detailed missive, he made his condemnation of the President's machiavellian move clear and unambiguous:
"I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey's termination. I have found Director Comey to be a public servant of the highest order, and his dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by the Committee. In my interactions with the Director and with the Bureau under his leadership, he and the FBI have always been straightforward with our Committee. Director Comey has been more forthcoming with information than any FBI Director I can recall in my tenure on the congressional intelligence committees. His dismissal, I believe, is a loss for the Bureau and the nation."
Sen. Burr's committee is leading the Senate's investigation into the Russian intelligence operation to undermine the 2016 Presidential Election. Director Comey is scheduled to testify in hearings before that committee, and according to Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) Sen. Burr's intel committee co-chair, said
Questions posed by the Washington Post.
If Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, how and why did he make the recommendation to fire Comey?
Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein laid out a convincing case as to why Comey acted improperly and unfairly to Clinton last July. However, Trump thought Comey should have prosecuted her, so why would Trump now object that Comey had been unfair to his nemesis?
How is Trump to select the person who will be investigating whether his campaign colluded with Russia during the campaign without invalidating the entire process?
When was the decision to fire Comey made: before or after this week's testimony?
Will Comey be able to preserve evidence he collected so as to defuse suspicion this is a giant coverup?
Will Comey testify about the status of his investigation as of Tuesday?
Will the demands for a special prosecutor now become too loud to ignore?
Will Comey, once fired, feel free to reveal information about the Russia investigation? If so, why would Trump risk firing him now?
Will Republicans snap out of their partisan stupor to demand answers about Comey and insist on a replacement who is above reproach?
Will the administration — which has now fired a national security adviser and an FBI chief and has been plagued by conflicts of interest and infighting — take on the aura of complete chaos and instability, impairing the GOP's agenda and America's international standing?
The only thing we can say with any confidence is that this will never be a "normal" presidency without controversy, scandal and a fair amount of mayhem.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 07:31:45 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/4CRE3WX.jpg)
Preet Bharara
James Comey
Sally Yates
I might add, Preet Bharara was actually asked by Trump to stay on after the usual notification of desired resignations when there is a change in the White House. But instead of getting a clarification from the WH staff, he responded to the resignation request with a "fire me instead", so they did.
He would still be prosecuting in the Southern District of NY if he had just stayed cool and responded with a clarification request. But his ego couldn't handle clawing back to Trump, so he decided to go out in a flash. Trump gave him a rope, he hung himself with it.
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Prosecutors issued Grand Jury subpeonas today in connection to FBI Russia probe.
What a shitshow.
Dear God let this domino into impeachment proceedings.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 10:50:48 PM
Prosecutors issued Grand Jury subpeonas today in connection to FBI Russia probe.
It looks like Flynn clearly did not graduate from the Clinton School of Sheltering Assets.
Instead of hiding behind a flimsy foundation, he merely got sloppy in his accounting. It will cost him now.
Tried to play both sides to his advantage. He will get lots of bad press before he is found guilty of perjury and failing to properly register as a foreign agent (for Turkey). I am guessing he will be fined for improper filing and get probation for the perjury and lose his credentials.
Either way, his number is up now, time to retire.
The market for influence peddling never ends.
The Trump Presidency has started out in an unbelievably bad way. It will end much as Caesar's reign ended. By then even Republican Senators will be plunging knives into The Donald.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
According to Trump. But as an investigator, I can tell you that the focus of an investigation can change at the drop of a hat, based on the evidence that you uncover. And you should never, ever focus solely on one theory.
Democrats will be greatly disappointed once they expand beyond their bubble. Quote all the UniParty members from the GOP establishment you like, they aren't driving the train.
Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein made this recommendation. The AG and the President merely accepted it.
There obviously *is* no real investigation into any Trump - Russia collusion because there quite obviously IS NONE. They've been desperately looking for some bogus nugget they could plausibly push as collusion and can't find any. Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, and the Obama Administration co-opted James Comey, made him blink and ultimately cover himself in shame by engaging in a sham investigation of Hillary Clinton, signing off on bogus FISA warrants to spy on the Trump campaign, and subsequently faking a Russia investigation to give cover for the leakers and unmaskers (Oh, Senator, I can't comment on that because it's classified; On, Senator, that's part of an ogoing investigation so I can't comment), but that jig is up. Tim to pay the piper. Your too clever by half chick Sally Yates better go lawyer up because she is in deep, deep trouble. Her ass is quite likely going to prison. I hope all that showboating was worth it, Sally.
A real investigation into Russian advanced steps to further their meddling in all things American might cover sumpin sumpin like this:
http://jmichaelwaller.com/2017/05/03/13-reasons-why-the-russia-probes-must-be-expanded/
so keep talking that yang, Diane. You may soon get your wish. But understand this, ain't no real Republican scared of any freaking Russian investigation. Democrats? Mega-skeered. And they damn well should be.
Listen, the investigation into Trump-Russia connections will continue even though Democrats and Republicans alike in the House and Senate have acknowledged no proof to date of any such connection or collusion. Flynn will be facing charges more than likely for perjuring himself if anything else.
The FBI has been politicized by appointments made by the previous administrations and the Bureau has no chance to recover in the eyes of the public while Comey is at the helm.
I am actually more concerned about the nominee and am hoping for a well credentialed individual with integrity to lead the Bureau back to what it should be .... an independent law enforcement agency.
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
Focus? Perhaps not. Involved? Yes.
Quote from: RattlerGator on May 10, 2017, 12:13:59 PM
Democrats will be greatly disappointed once they expand beyond their bubble. Quote all the UniParty members from the GOP establishment you like, they aren't driving the train.
Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein made this recommendation. The AG and the President merely accepted it.
There obviously *is* no real investigation into any Trump - Russia collusion because there quite obviously IS NONE. They've been desperately looking for some bogus nugget they could plausibly push as collusion and can't find any. Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, and the Obama Administration co-opted James Comey, made him blink and ultimately cover himself in shame by engaging in a sham investigation of Hillary Clinton, signing off on bogus FISA warrants to spy on the Trump campaign, and subsequently faking a Russia investigation to give cover for the leakers and unmaskers (Oh, Senator, I can't comment on that because it's classified; On, Senator, that's part of an ogoing investigation so I can't comment), but that jig is up. Tim to pay the piper. Your too clever by half chick Sally Yates better go lawyer up because she is in deep, deep trouble. Her ass is quite likely going to prison. I hope all that showboating was worth it, Sally.
A real investigation into Russian advanced steps to further their meddling in all things American might cover sumpin sumpin like this:
http://jmichaelwaller.com/2017/05/03/13-reasons-why-the-russia-probes-must-be-expanded/
so keep talking that yang, Diane. You may soon get your wish. But understand this, ain't no real Republican scared of any freaking Russian investigation. Democrats? Mega-skeered. And they damn well should be.
Really found a well respected / neutral source there I see: J. Michael Waller is a neoconservative academic and political commentator based at the Center for Security Policy.
Interesting that Clapper testified that there was no evidence supporting any collaboration with Russia.
Yet yesterday Comey asked to increase the funding to broaden his investigation.
Who did Comey submit his request to? The Deputy AG who just happen to be writing his recommendation to terminate him.
So if what Clapper said was true, why did Comey need to broaden his investigation?
Once again RattlerGator combines diarrhea of the mouth with diarrhea of the brain for an utterly ridiculous word salad of BS.
I do like your "consistency" however.
You should offer your services to the Trump Admin. Like most of his inner circle your lack of knowledge or experience will 'prolly' get you hired.
I would suggest that none of us knows what evidence the FBI (and others) have in this case and what the scope of their investigations is. And I would be worried if we did know that sort of stuff.
Quote from: Adam White on May 10, 2017, 03:34:38 PM
I would suggest that none of us knows what evidence the FBI (and others) have in this case and what the scope of their investigations is. And I would be worried if we did know that sort of stuff.
I guess I will read the leaked version in the NYT or WP. Either way its going to get out there.
My supposition is that there have been some paid solicitations by Russian entities to curry favor for a sanctions change. Some targeting some people attempting to align with Trump.
Obama couldnt be bought, Hilz took the dough and ignored them anyway. So now the FBI is following the money. Thinking Flynn, Manafort and a few others.
Quote from: Adam White on May 10, 2017, 11:53:07 AM
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
According to Trump. But as an investigator, I can tell you that the focus of an investigation can change at the drop of a hat, based on the evidence that you uncover. And you should never, ever focus solely on one theory.
Exactly and as an investigator I am sure you like me expect that Trump's name will have been "unmasked" by the ongoing investigations that have foreign operators as their targets.
Meanwhile, a Senate panel looking into Trump's connections to Russia has issued and invitation to Comey to testify before them.
The bipartisan invitation was from Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and top Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia, and it comes as GOP leaders are struggling to keep the Senate's Russia investigation contained within the secretive intelligence panel.
Just an FYI reminder. The current FBI investigation began in July of last year, while Trump was running for office. It is very likely that there is information connecting him to Russia as a private citizen. I would bet money on it. If that is the case and they pull information from that time period it would seem that Trump would not have any protection for those actions under the shelter of the oval office.
There are actually four congressional committees investigating Trump's connections to Russia. Heading one of the House Committees is Republican Lindsey Graham who has now gone on record saying he want's an investigation into Trump's business dealings. Trump's response was to lawyer up with private attorneys to thwart the effort, one sending a letter to Graham that basically tried to persuade him there is nothing to see in those records. Publicly the WH had Spicer make a public statement saying they would cooperate with investigations.
To learn more about the other committees, click this link: http://www.voanews.com/a/congress-committees-investigating-trump-russia-ties/3771636.html
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 10, 2017, 04:09:08 PM
Quote from: Adam White on May 10, 2017, 11:53:07 AM
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
According to Trump. But as an investigator, I can tell you that the focus of an investigation can change at the drop of a hat, based on the evidence that you uncover. And you should never, ever focus solely on one theory.
Exactly and as an investigator I am sure you like me expect that Trump's name will have been "unmasked" by the ongoing investigations that have foreign operators as their targets.
I don't expect anything. I will just wait and see what happens. I think everyone is being ridiculous.
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 02:30:14 PM
Interesting that Clapper testified that there was no evidence supporting any collaboration with Russia.
Yet yesterday Comey asked to increase the funding to broaden his investigation.
Who did Comey submit his request to? The Deputy AG who just happen to be writing his recommendation to terminate him.
So if what Clapper said was true, why did Comey need to broaden his investigation?
I watched the entire hearing before the The House Oversight Committee. What Clapper testified to was that "during" the DOJ investigation after his departure, he had seen no evidence of collusion but repeatedly stated that he no longer has access to any of the ongoing information gathering. He and Yates both made it clear that what they had seen did not include the findings of the separate FBI investigation that has yet to make a determination about collusion. They did say repeatedly that it was clear Flynn was deeply involved with the Russians and lied about that involvement and that the WH had been appraised of this. In spite of that knowledge, the WH not only kept Flynn in office for 18 more days, they had him in on a private phone conversation with Trump and Putin. Keep in mind that the FBI investigation not only looks for the proof but is the only investigative body looking into this that can bring charges and make arrests. Subpoena's for a Grand Jury have already gone out. That doesn't happen unless their is some meaningfull information and proof.
At this point it is imperative that we have an independent special prosecutor assigned to this probe. That is the only way to restore any kind of faith into the probe and the process. There are currently three ways that can happen.
The Justice Department can appoint a special council
Congress can pass legislation approving a special council
Congress can form a special committee
To learn more click the link below.
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/here-are-three-ways-have-independent-russia-inquiry-n757426
Despite Recusal Pledge, Sessions Interviewing Candidates For Interim FBI Director
Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein were interviewing four candidates Wednesday to serve as interim FBI director, following the firing of James Comey.
Through the normal line of succession, Comey's deputy Andrew McCabe became acting director after President Trump fired Comey, but now, according to a Justice Department official, the attorney general is considering other people to do that job until Trump names and the Senate confirms a new FBI director.
According to the official, Sessions spoke with McCabe Tuesday night and he is "also under consideration." But statute allows the president to choose an interim FBI director outside of the standard order of succession, and that process is underway.
]Trump was hotly critical of McCabe during the 2016 presidential campaign. On Oct. 23, Trump tweeted out an article in the Wall Street Journal about McCabe's wife, Jill, who in 2015 ran for state Senate in Virginia. She received a large campaign contribution from the political action committee overseen by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a longtime Clinton supporter. Trump falsely asserted that McCabe was "in charge" of the investigation.
The fact that Sessions is conducting the interviews also raises an ethical question regarding his pledge to recuse himself from investigations dealing with the Trump campaign. The FBI, which the attorney general oversees, is conducting an investigation into Trump associates' ties to Russia.
For full story click link:
http://www.npr.org/2017/05/10/527780171/despite-recusal-pledge-sessions-interviewing-candidates-for-interim-fbi-director?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social
BREAKING: Trump Considering Close Personal Friend And Advisor As New FBI Chief
New York Magazine is confirming that a source close to the president has stated that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, President Trump's advisor to him on cyber security (and close personal friend), is under active consideration for the position of F.B.I. Director.
Two Grand Jury's have now been convened as a direct result of investigations into Russian connections and interference. Both it seems are a result of the FBI's ongoing investigation.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on May 10, 2017, 07:29:15 PM
Moderator, can this please be shifted to the National Politics?
This qualifies as both National News and National politics. It is best placed in News because is reaches more people. I have already requested the threads be consolidated.
(http://i.imgur.com/aNzWgOy.jpg)
The news tonight said it perfectly, if he had something to hide, the last thing he would do is fire the director.
Its not quite the same as Nixon and Cox. Cox was attempting to pierce executive privilege and was about to go public on it.
Trump has never told Comey what he could or couldnt do nor has Comey threatened Trump. Trump has left him to his devices. Congressional hearings were really his downfall.
"Splain this one please?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Why the hell is a Russian photographer in the Oval office? Why? Trump will sell anything he can to make a buck. He always has and always will.
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:05:39 PM
"Splain this one please?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Why the hell is a Russian photographer in the Oval office? Why? Trump will sell anything he can to make a buck. He always has and always will.
Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there. We do the same thing abroad. This is literally alarmist click bait, some would say fake, news.
I must say its pretty comical watching liberals (and every arm including late night talk shows) lose their shit & become the conspiracy theorists now. Esp seeing that there's never been a single shred of evidence of collusion from our highest intelligence agencies https://youtu.be/ycZj5-5KJwA Even though we know basically their entire campaign team was tapped for months.
BTW, you guys are gonna have to tell me how to think more often. It changes so much. We've done this Comey dance about 6 times now.
(https://i.redd.it/j51flvil3nwy.jpg)
T Rump praised Comey's handling of the e-mail investigation 6 months ago. POST THAT HEADLINE.
Now it's THE REASON he was fired.
T Rump blames Obama for Michael Flynn disaster. What a joke.
This administation is a pathetic joke. They literally cannot get anything right. From the first press conference when Spicer lied about the size of the crowd to this. It's a f#cking disaster. Brought upon itself by the man at the top. Keep up the fine work Donald. The mid-terms will be fun. From today until then it will be one incompetent moment after another., A snowball of idiocy rolling down Pennsylvania Ave and wiping out the precious REPUB 'majority." WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, where THE WALL??
PEE, hard to find one actual national security expert who agrees with you. Post that , I can't find it.
PEE:"Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there."
That's probably true when it is a British or Canadian diplomat. Russia is and always has been our adversary, so caution should be used. They are not our partner or our friend, although Putin probably approves of the way T Rump is treating the media and his political opponents.
Quote from: peestandingup on May 10, 2017, 10:25:04 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:05:39 PM
"Splain this one please?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Why the hell is a Russian photographer in the Oval office? Why? Trump will sell anything he can to make a buck. He always has and always will.
Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there. We do the same thing abroad. This is literally alarmist click bait, some would say fake, news.
I must say its pretty comical watching liberals (and every arm including late night talk shows) lose their shit & become the conspiracy theorists now. Esp seeing that there's never been a single shred of evidence of collusion from our highest intelligence agencies https://youtu.be/ycZj5-5KJwA Even though we know basically their entire campaign team was tapped for months.
BTW, you guys are gonna have to tell me how to think more often. It changes so much. We've done this Comey dance about 6 times now.
(https://i.redd.it/j51flvil3nwy.jpg)
Actually it was a former U.S. Intelligence officer who called this a security breach. Yes it is irregular for a known foreign adversary to be allowed to bring their own photographer into the oval office. Generally it is media cleared by officials. This photographer was with the Russian government, not the media. It is a security issue and it is not a concern restricted to liberal thinkers. It is an issue concerning the security of the White House and the office housing top officials. Honest to goodness I am so tired of label after label being thrown out as a way to undermine some overall concerns that have to do with the sanctity and security of our government and our intelligence processes. This is not a partisan issue in spite of attempts to frame it as one. The unfortunate reality of living with a polarized government that is literally hostage to two extremely different political parties makes it inevitable that interactions at that level would be painted by the views of one party or another. But please lets not pretend that every American is married to either party. People in general want to know that their government and it's agencies are secure and above reproach. We as a people are confident of neither these days and that feeling is held on both side of the isles.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?ocid=ob-fb-enus-580
Quote from: Jim on May 10, 2017, 12:58:11 PM
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
Focus? Perhaps not. Involved? Yes.
Agreed.
This is one shitload of smoke for no fire.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on May 10, 2017, 11:18:14 PM
Quote from: Jim on May 10, 2017, 12:58:11 PM
Quote from: spuwho on May 10, 2017, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on May 09, 2017, 09:40:16 PM
Former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, David Frum, says this smells like a "coup" to impend any investigations into Trump. Anyone Trump appoints to the F.B.I will be in his back pocket, and no one at the Justice Department is going to be able to distance themselves from the White House.http://news.groopspeak.com/how-trump-fired-fbi-director-comey-gets-leaked-its-deeply-troubling-and-disgraceful/
Comey already told Trump he is not the focus of the Russia investigation. So everyone making those connections is a false narrative.
Focus? Perhaps not. Involved? Yes.
Agreed.
This is one shitload of smoke for no fire.
Interestingly, the one person who could implicate Trump was just subpoenaed by the Senate Intel Committee. That is Michael Flynn. He had asked for "immunity" before he testified but it was not given him. Also of note is the fact that as a result of the FBI investigation there are now two Grand Jury's seated with subpoena's issued. Grand jury's are set up to examine the validity of an accusation before it goes to trial, most generally in the case where felony charges would apply. Right now the only persons name on the record as having lied to the DOJ and the AG's office is Michael Flynn.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/senate-intel-committee-subpoenas-michael-flynn-russia-probe-n757661
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:44:31 PM
T Rump praised Comey's handling of the e-mail investigation 6 months ago. POST THAT HEADLINE.
Now it's THE REASON he was fired.
T Rump blames Obama for Michael Flynn disaster. What a joke.
This administation is a pathetic joke. They literally cannot get anything right. From the first press conference when Spicer lied about the size of the crowd to this. It's a f#cking disaster. Brought upon itself by the man at the top. Keep up the fine work Donald. The mid-terms will be fun. From today until then it will be one incompetent moment after another., A snowball of idiocy rolling down Pennsylvania Ave and wiping out the precious REPUB 'majority." WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, where THE WALL??
PEE, hard to find one actual national security expert who agrees with you. Post that , I can't find it.
PEE:"Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there."
That's probably true when it is a British or Canadian diplomat. Russia is and always has been our adversary, so caution should be used. They are not our partner or our friend, although Putin probably approves of the way T Rump is treating the media and his political opponents.
Lol, kudos for the all caps ("IM SUPER SERIOUS!") style. Sells crazy right away. And I see you've went off on a Trump hissy instead of showing me any actual evidence despite the months of surveillance, hearings & arf arfing from the left. That shoe's gonna drop, any day now! :/ And its been barely 100 days in office. Sit tight. A wall (which has been talked about forever from both sides of the isle) doesn't go up overnight. BTW, were you shitting your pants as well when Bill Clinton was saying the same things? It's possible you were still in diapers then, so...maybe?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auZRVqrCLY8 Its only been recently Dems started using it as ammo strictly for pandering reasons, because they know a lot of their base laps this shit up & thinks with "mah feelings" instead of logically. So cry more.
As far as Russia goes, you seem like you're playing dumb (or just are). It's true they haven't been a full fledged 100% onboard all the time ally, but they haven't been an "enemy" either. Its been every new administration's goal for many years to have a good relationship with Russia (because they're better friends than enemies) & we've been allies for tons of things too long to name. But now you & your like seem to think they're literally worse than Isis because of a shitty candidate's loss & her inability to blame anyone but herself. Pathetic. Were you squawking when Obama's admin (and Hillary herself) was hitting the "c mon, guys lets be super friends" Russian reset button? Or when Obama told Romney during a debate this regarding Russia/US relations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS2a44F5TgM
Seriously, take a pill, reflect a bit & pull yourself away from CNN & the rest of the garbage dump we call media these days. But if you do decide to go whole hog in, for the love of God don't let it spill out into the real world where people have the ability to think for themselves. It's not doing your party any favors whatsoever.
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:44:31 PM
That's probably true when it is a British or Canadian diplomat. Russia is and always has been our adversary, so caution should be used. They are not our partner or our friend, although Putin probably approves of the way T Rump is treating the media and his political opponents.
I completely disagree with this statement. Although Russia (and the USSR) has had an adversarial relationship with the USA, it does not mean the two countries haven't worked together, too. I believe in diplomacy and there is no reason why Russia should be treated any differently than any other country when it comes to something like this. Barring Russian press from the Oval Office (assuming it's correct that press from other countries are allowed access) would be petty, inflammatory and counter-productive.
Quote from: Adam White on May 11, 2017, 04:07:53 AM
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:44:31 PM
That's probably true when it is a British or Canadian diplomat. Russia is and always has been our adversary, so caution should be used. They are not our partner or our friend, although Putin probably approves of the way T Rump is treating the media and his political opponents.
I completely disagree with this statement. Although Russia (and the USSR) has had an adversarial relationship with the USA, it does not mean the two countries haven't worked together, too. I believe in diplomacy and there is no reason why Russia should be treated any differently than any other country when it comes to something like this. Barring Russian press from the Oval Office (assuming it's correct that press from other countries are allowed access) would be petty, inflammatory and counter-productive.
+1
"A photographer for a Russian state-owned news agency was allowed into the Oval Office on Wednesday during President Trump's meeting with Russian diplomats, a level of access that was criticized by former U.S. intelligence officials as a potential security breach."
"Former U.S. intelligence officials raised questions after photos of Trump's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were posted online by the Tass news agency."
"Among those commenting on the issue was former deputy CIA director David S. Cohen. Responding to a question posed online about whether it was a sound decision to allow the photographer into the Oval Office, Cohen replied on Twitter: "No it was not."
"The administration official also said the White House had been misled about the role of the Russian photographer. Russian officials had described the individual as Lavrov's official photographer without disclosing that he also worked for Tass.
"We were not informed by the Russians that their official photographer was dual-hatted and would be releasing the photographs on the state news agency," the administration official said."
"As a result, White House officials said they were surprised to see photos posted online showing Trump not only with Lavrov but also smiling and shaking hands with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak."
"Kislyak has figured prominently in a series of damaging stories for the administration. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to resign in February over his contacts with Kislyak last year and over misleading statements about the nature of those conversations to Vice President Pence."
"U.S. intelligence agencies said they concluded with "high confidence" that Russia tried to affect the outcome of the 2016 election. Lavrov at turns characterized such allegations as "noise" and a "humiliation" for the American people."
From WaPo yesterday.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz
Glad to know several "citizens" in Jax disagree with the opinion of former Deputy Director of CIA.
From the story : "White House officials were surprised....." and "Administration officials had been misled ...."
Get used to hearing that.
From PEE: "As far as Russia goes, you seem like you're playing dumb (or just are). It's true they haven't been a full fledged 100% onboard all the time ally, but they haven't been an "enemy" either. Its been every new administration's goal for many years to have a good relationship with Russia (because they're better friends than enemies) & we've been allies for tons of things too long to name."
We've got plenty of time, please list the 'tons of things too long to name.'
Russia backs Bashar al Assad, a murderous thug/tyrannt. Very similar to V Putin. Russia annexed the Crimea, killing thousands of innocent people in the process. Russia is closely allied with Iran. Russia routinely threatens our allies in NATO. Russia has only Russia's interests in mind.
T Rump has tried for years to make money off the oligarchs in Russia.
At some point former T Rump campaign manager Paul Manafort will be held accountable for his relationships with Ukraine. By then T Rump will be saying, "Paul who? I never knew the guy."
Not sure why your mentioning Hillary. She has nothing to do with the disaster that is this administration.
Quote from: MusicMan on May 11, 2017, 08:35:45 AM
"A photographer for a Russian state-owned news agency was allowed into the Oval Office on Wednesday during President Trump's meeting with Russian diplomats, a level of access that was criticized by former U.S. intelligence officials as a potential security breach."
"Former U.S. intelligence officials raised questions after photos of Trump's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were posted online by the Tass news agency."
"Among those commenting on the issue was former deputy CIA director David S. Cohen. Responding to a question posed online about whether it was a sound decision to allow the photographer into the Oval Office, Cohen replied on Twitter: "No it was not."
"The administration official also said the White House had been misled about the role of the Russian photographer. Russian officials had described the individual as Lavrov's official photographer without disclosing that he also worked for Tass.
"We were not informed by the Russians that their official photographer was dual-hatted and would be releasing the photographs on the state news agency," the administration official said."
"As a result, White House officials said they were surprised to see photos posted online showing Trump not only with Lavrov but also smiling and shaking hands with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak."
"Kislyak has figured prominently in a series of damaging stories for the administration. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to resign in February over his contacts with Kislyak last year and over misleading statements about the nature of those conversations to Vice President Pence."
"U.S. intelligence agencies said they concluded with "high confidence" that Russia tried to affect the outcome of the 2016 election. Lavrov at turns characterized such allegations as "noise" and a "humiliation" for the American people."
From WaPo yesterday.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz
Glad to know several "citizens" in Jax disagree with the opinion of former Deputy Director of CIA.
From the story : "White House officials were surprised....." and "Administration officials had been misled ...."
Get used to hearing that.
Well, neither Ben nor I are in Jax. However, yes - I do appear to disagree with the former Deputy Director of the CIA. I disagree with a lot of decisions and opinions of the CIA, though.
Also - I was disagreeing with YOUR statement, not the statement of the CIA guy. He just said he thought it was a bad idea and didn't elaborate. I don't know why he didn't think it was a good idea. As was pointed out in your article, the photog had to undergo the same security checks as everyone else.
Finally - why did you type "citizens" like that (with quotation marks)? Are you implying that Ben and I aren't citizens?
T Rump to staff: "Is there something we can do to divert attention away from this House-passed health care fiasco?"
Anonymous staff member whispers:"Fire Comey?"
T Rump: "YES!!!"
Quote from: MusicMan on May 11, 2017, 09:02:05 AM
T Rump to staff: "Is there something we can do to divert attention away from this House-passed health care fiasco?"
Anonymous staff member whispers:"Fire Comey?"
T Rump: "YES!!!"
Sounds like we should have been less worried about TASS bugging the Oval Office and spent more time keeping our eye on MusicMan!
Nope. I don't even have a microwave oven.
"Citizens" meaning non governmental types, like Deputy CIA Directors, whose job is to be security experts. But I could be wrong and if so I apologize. I assume you are a citizen, but value your input either way.
Quote from: peestandingup on May 10, 2017, 10:25:04 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:05:39 PM
"Splain this one please?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Why the hell is a Russian photographer in the Oval office? Why? Trump will sell anything he can to make a buck. He always has and always will.
Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there. We do the same thing abroad. This is literally alarmist click bait, some would say fake, news.
So you are telling us that it's fine that Russia had full media access to the meeting but the United States press did not?
Quote from: MusicMan on May 11, 2017, 09:13:07 AM
Nope. I don't even have a microwave oven.
"Citizens" meaning non governmental types, like Deputy CIA Directors, whose job is to be security experts. But I could be wrong and if so I apologize. I assume you are a citizen, but value your input either way.
I am a citizen. I thought it was funny that you put quotes around the word - seemed to imply that I wasn't.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAcCbNEFUpQ
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 09:14:41 AM
Quote from: peestandingup on May 10, 2017, 10:25:04 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:05:39 PM
"Splain this one please?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Why the hell is a Russian photographer in the Oval office? Why? Trump will sell anything he can to make a buck. He always has and always will.
Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there. We do the same thing abroad. This is literally alarmist click bait, some would say fake, news.
So you are telling us that it's fine that Russia had full media access to the meeting but the United States press did not?
I'm saying that any foreign guests usually brings a photographer with them to display shots in their home country/media & its happened literally hundreds of times. Where do you think all those oval office meeting photos came from over the years? Spy cams implanted in the walls?
This was a foreign diplomat basically coming by to say hello, not some super secret thing. It really does seem like this is some of your all's first time paying attention to politics or baby's first election & you're mad you didn't get your way. Buckle up, kids. Life's full of disappointment.
Anyway, like I said, this is non-news click bait. You'd never have even heard about it if it wasn't Russia. But instead of questioning that part & seeing that other guests have done the exact same thing, you're jumping right on board like trained seals.
I might bookmark this page for posterity - PSU and I agreed on something!
Quote from: peestandingup on May 11, 2017, 11:40:16 AM
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 09:14:41 AM
Quote from: peestandingup on May 10, 2017, 10:25:04 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on May 10, 2017, 10:05:39 PM
"Splain this one please?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/presence-of-russian-photographer-in-oval-office-raises-alarms/ar-BBAYRJi?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Why the hell is a Russian photographer in the Oval office? Why? Trump will sell anything he can to make a buck. He always has and always will.
Because the meeting was with a Russian diplomat?? Pretty common practice when other's countries are there. We do the same thing abroad. This is literally alarmist click bait, some would say fake, news.
So you are telling us that it's fine that Russia had full media access to the meeting but the United States press did not?
I'm saying that any foreign guests usually brings a photographer with them to display shots in their home country/media & its happened literally hundreds of times. Where do you think all those oval office meeting photos came from over the years? Spy cams implanted in the walls?
This was a foreign diplomat basically coming by to say hello, not some super secret thing. It really does seem like this is some of your all's first time paying attention to politics or baby's first election & you're mad you didn't get your way. Buckle up, kids. Life's full of disappointment.
Anyway, like I said, this is non-news click bait. You'd never have even heard about it if it wasn't Russia. But instead of questioning that part & seeing that other guests have done the exact same thing, you're jumping right on board like trained seals.
Did you miss the part where our own media was denied access? Tell me, what part of normal and "happened literally hundreds of times" is this?
And your characterization of it being akin to a neighbor popping in for tea rather than a secret meeting seems odd. If it wasn't secret, why no US media? Doesn't that by definition make it a secret meeting?
And we'd appreciate you tone down the condescension.
You had to know Comey was in trouble when on Jan 22 2017 Trump said at a White House law enforcement reception:
"He's (Comey) become more famous than me."
Acting Director McCabe on Comey's status with rank and file at FBI:
"Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe shot down claims on Thursday that his predecessor, James Comey, had suffered a loss of confidence inside the FBI before his firing.
"We've heard in the news that claims that Director Comey had lost the confidence of rank and file FBI employees," Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich noted to McCabe. "You've been there for 21 years. In your opinion, is it accurate that the rank and file no longer supported Director Comey?"
The acting FBI director bluntly replied, "No, sir. That is not accurate."
McCabe continued by singing the praises of the former director: "I can tell you that I hold Director Comey in the absolute highest regard. I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity; and it has been the greatest privilege and honor of my professional life to work with him."
The acting FBI head then asserted that "Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI, and still does to this day. We are a large organization....We have a diversity of opinions about many things. But I can confidently tell you that the majority — the vast majority of FBI employees — enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey."
The Russia stuff is fabricated news. Ohhhh, the next Watergate, some pundits are saying... It's all partisan hackery, red vs blue stuff (yeah I know that some establishment Republicans hate Trump). The blue side went crazy when conservatives mentioned Benghazi, an actual event that caused actual lives, but when some unfounded hocus pocus Kremlin talk is mentioned, it's supposedly highly credible. Everyone wanted Comey outta there, including Dems (in the archives).
No doubt you are better informed than a 21 year veteran of the FBI.
Quote from: I-10east on May 11, 2017, 01:17:13 PM
The Russia stuff is fabricated news. Ohhhh, the next Watergate, some pundits are saying... It's all partisan hackery, red vs blue stuff (yeah I know that some establishment Republicans hate Trump). The blue side went crazy when conservatives mentioned Benghazi, an actual event that caused actual lives, but when some unfounded hocus pocus Kremin talk is mentioned, it's supposedly highly credible. Everyone wanted Comey outta there, including Dems (in the archives).
Prove it's fake. We do have 3 investigations looking into it. I suppose those are fake investigations too.
And I can't believe you're pulling a "But her emails" gag. Especially given that Benghazi was investigated numerous times and none came back with anything.
I obviously don't know what's going on behind the walls of the FBI concerning the morale of that organization when Comey was top brass, and I'm not gonna even speculate. I do know that many Democratic Senators hated Comey (Schumer, Waters, Pelosi, Reid and more).
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 01:22:27 PM
Prove it's fake. We do have 3 investigations looking into it. I suppose those are fake investigations too.
And I can't believe you're pulling a "But her emails" gag. Especially given that Benghazi was investigated numerous times and none came back with anything.
Yeah, besides her dereliction of duty, and her shouldn't even been allowed to run for Pres. Benghazi, emails, and the Bernie ouster, the Democratic trifecta!
Quote from: I-10east on May 11, 2017, 01:34:30 PM
I obviously don't know what's going on being the walls of the FBI concerning the morale of that organization when Comey was top brass, and I'm not gonna even speculate. I do know that many Democratic Senators hated Comey (Schumer, Waters, Pelosi, Reid and more).
Had Trump fired Comey the first week of office, he would had scored big points with Democrats. But the timing of it now is highly suspicious. Let's take a look at it.
Oct 28, Trump praises Comey for his handling of the Clinton email case.
Jan 22, Trump praises Comey again and asks him to stay on board as FBI director.
March 2, Attorney General Jeff Sessions recuses himself from Russia investigations because he is under that investigation.
April 25, Rod Rosenstein sworn in as Deputy Attorney General to oversee Russia investigation.
May 8, Comey asks Rosenstein for more money for the Russia investigation.
May 9, Sessions (who is supposed to be recused) and Rosenstein advise Trump to fire Comey because of "how he handled the Clinton email case".
May 9, Trump fires Comey. Comey learns of it via news on TV.
May 10, Trump meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. US media not allowed in. Russian media allowed in.
How does this not look bad?
^^^If that's the case then it's suspicious. We'll see. I still lean 60 percent nothing burger, but maybe I'm wrong and it's a mass Russian conspiracy within the admin. We'll see.
In another development. The FBI has just raided a GOP main fundraising office.
Annapolis firm targeted by FBI touted for pioneering the use of technology in political campaigns. Represents GOP candidates nationwide.
Click link for full story.
http://bipartisanreport.com/2017/05/11/breaking-fbi-raids-gop-fundraising-office-trumps-white-house-remains-silent/
Quote from: Adam White on May 11, 2017, 11:49:02 AM
I might bookmark this page for posterity - PSU and I agreed on something!
Praise be! We actually agree on a lot of things though. :) Maybe in different ways.
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 12:35:15 PM
Did you miss the part where our own media was denied access? Tell me, what part of normal and "happened literally hundreds of times" is this?
And your characterization of it being akin to a neighbor popping in for tea rather than a secret meeting seems odd. If it wasn't secret, why no US media? Doesn't that by definition make it a secret meeting?
And we'd appreciate you tone down the condescension.
Because you can't have a media zoo inside a meeting.
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 01:22:27 PM
Quote from: I-10east on May 11, 2017, 01:17:13 PM
The Russia stuff is fabricated news. Ohhhh, the next Watergate, some pundits are saying... It's all partisan hackery, red vs blue stuff (yeah I know that some establishment Republicans hate Trump). The blue side went crazy when conservatives mentioned Benghazi, an actual event that caused actual lives, but when some unfounded hocus pocus Kremin talk is mentioned, it's supposedly highly credible. Everyone wanted Comey outta there, including Dems (in the archives).
Prove it's fake. We do have 3 investigations looking into it. I suppose those are fake investigations too.
Prove its real. That's how allegations work.
The intelligence community believes Russia, at Putin's behest, interfered with the US Elections with the specific goal of hurting Hillary Clinton and helping T Rump. Assuming you can read, here is the report:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3254239-Russia-Hacking-report.html
What is currently under investigation is what contact T Rump's campaign or advisors had with Russia during this period. We know that Jeff Sessions a T Rump advisor had contacts, even though he denied it during testimony to Congress. He's not the only one. Former Campaign Manager Paul Manafort also likely met with Russian advisors during this period. We also know T Rump advisor Michael Flynn received money from Russians during this time. Lying about it cost him his job. There are some questions which need to be answered. T Rump's effusive praise of Putin throughout the campaign is also a source of curiosity (and calls into question T Rump's own judgement), as Putin has actually steered Russian economy into the ditch through his poor leadership and lack of planning or understanding.
T Rump?? rofl... really?? Juvenile... :o ::) ;D
(http://cartoon-characters.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Beavis-Butthead-300x187.png)
Agree. Sort of like bragging about walking into a dressing room of half naked contestants at a beauty pageant you "own." The dude is a disgusting creep, You own him my friend.
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-beauty-pageants-naked-2dc4b6c6d507
T Rump on Ivanka:
"With all the hullabaloo surrounding Donald Trump's attack on Carly Fiorina in the newest edition of Rolling Stone, it's gone largely unnoticed that in the very next paragraph, Trump makes an über-creepy sex joke about his daughter Ivanka Trump.
At 69, he can still carry on like the teen who was yanked out of prep school and delivered to Col. Dobias, the take-no-shit instructor at the military academy. After I met Ivanka and praised her to her father, he said, "Yeah, she's really something, and what a beauty, that one. If I weren't happily married and, ya know, her father . . . "
Yeah, no need to finish that thought.
But as Rolling Stone's Paul Solotaroff points out, this isn't even the first time Donald Trump has made that joke. Here he is in 2006, on The View:
Trump was asked how he would feel if Ivanka posed for Playboy. "It would be really disappointing — not really — but it would depend on what's inside the magazine. I don't think Ivanka would do that, although she does have a very nice figure. I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her."
Congrats my friend. The Republican Party has nominated and elected the biggest creep in the History of Presidential politics.
Perhaps... but juvenile name calling certainly lessens any point you might make... just sayin... 8)
Quote from: peestandingup on May 11, 2017, 09:07:59 PM
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 12:35:15 PM
Did you miss the part where our own media was denied access? Tell me, what part of normal and "happened literally hundreds of times" is this?
And your characterization of it being akin to a neighbor popping in for tea rather than a secret meeting seems odd. If it wasn't secret, why no US media? Doesn't that by definition make it a secret meeting?
And we'd appreciate you tone down the condescension.
Because you can't have a media zoo inside a meeting.
Quote from: Jim on May 11, 2017, 01:22:27 PM
Quote from: I-10east on May 11, 2017, 01:17:13 PM
The Russia stuff is fabricated news. Ohhhh, the next Watergate, some pundits are saying... It's all partisan hackery, red vs blue stuff (yeah I know that some establishment Republicans hate Trump). The blue side went crazy when conservatives mentioned Benghazi, an actual event that caused actual lives, but when some unfounded hocus pocus Kremin talk is mentioned, it's supposedly highly credible. Everyone wanted Comey outta there, including Dems (in the archives).
Prove it's fake. We do have 3 investigations looking into it. I suppose those are fake investigations too.
Prove its real. That's how allegations work.
1. Who said anything about a media zoo? Oh, and did you notice that Russia posted images online of the meeting but not the US?
2. Did I not just say we have 3 investigations looking into it?
If you are not going to actually read what you reply to, don't expect discourse and dialog.
Trump won JAX by 51% to 49% more or less. So this really raises the questions... As JAX grows more intellectually and culturally as well as in population, what can be done to turn JAX Blue once and for all? And what can be done to end the gerrymandering that skew our federal representation 180 degrees ?
Quote from: SettledinJAX on May 12, 2017, 10:27:05 AM
Trump won JAX by 51% to 49% more or less. So this really raises the questions... As JAX grows more intellectually and culturally as well as in population, what can be done to turn JAX Blue once and for all? And what can be done to end the gerrymandering that skew our federal representation 180 degrees ?
Close the military bases and burn the churches down.
Quote from: SettledinJAX on May 12, 2017, 10:27:05 AM
Trump won JAX by 51% to 49% more or less. So this really raises the questions... As JAX grows more intellectually and culturally as well as in population, what can be done to turn JAX Blue once and for all? And what can be done to end the gerrymandering that skew our federal representation 180 degrees ?
Interesting questions probably better fit for a different thread. It does seem that we may be at the end of the era where national Republicans could comfortably win Duval County by double digit margins. Duval is changing and at the same time a lot of core Republican voters are moving out to the bedroom counties.
The Trump/Comey fiasco grows richer with each passing moment. Trump is a pathological liar and now he is threatening Comey with suggestions he illegally taped their conversations! One member of the House Intelligence Committee stated the following"
"For a president who baselessly accused his predecessor of illegally wiretapping him, that Mr. Trump would suggest that he, himself, may have engaged in such conduct is staggering," said Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. "The president should immediately provide any such recordings to Congress or admit, once again, to have made a deliberately misleading — and in this case threatening — statement."
Wow I never thought this BS artist would get caught in his own web of horse manure but 'low and behold' he has done it! Trump's huge ego will be his downfall (that and his complete lack of qualifications for the job).
(http://i.imgur.com/rxD26PI.jpg)
So how does the firing of Comey with regard to the Russian investigation stack up to history? Apparently this situation is much worse.
For full first hand story, click the link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/comey-watergate/526443/?utm_source=fbb
Dayyyyuuuummmm. Forgot about this thread. I'll go back and review tonight but all of these pages on a man who obviously screwed up his job and deserved to be fired ? ? ? For real ? ? ?
Quote from: MusicMan on May 12, 2017, 03:38:53 PM
Wow I never thought this BS artist would get caught in his own web of horse manure but 'low and behold' he has done it! Trump's huge ego will be his downfall (that and his complete lack of qualifications for the job).
He's playing the left for fools and you seem quite content to go along with it. It's almost as if Trump has hypnotized the entire far left and trolling them with manufactured B.S. that they can't resist.
Here's a clue, MusicMan -- he put tapes in quotes to signal you (and us) on what he was doing.
Honestly, I never would have dreamed it possible what this man is doing to his opposition. Republican establishment, far left Democrats. It doesn't seem to matter. He's making them say and do the dumbest things, all while they keep underestimating him bigtime.
I love this piece below because there are (obviously) many logical thinkers still on the left and they know they're being fed a complete nothingburger. But their friends don't, and they can't apparently get their friends to accept the facts:
https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/tyts-cenk-uygur-smears-tyt-journalist-michael-tracey-on-air-for-being-anti-russiagate-1e0c8110349d
BEE.YUU.TEE.FULL.
Trump has turned the far left into nothing more than Pavlov's dogs; he's controlling everything they do and, poor pitiful things, they just can't help themselves.
RG you make me smile.
Yep. This is going EXACTLY THE WAY TRUMP PLANNED. 8)
You are hysterical. I truly enjoy your comments.
We shall see.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D) of California admitted in a TV interview that the Hillary 2017 Transition Team had agreed that James Comey was to be fired on Hilz first day in office.
Guess the guy had no friends up high, period!! Seems Trump simply delayed it.
Quote from: RattlerGator on May 15, 2017, 05:42:50 PM
Dayyyyuuuummmm. Forgot about this thread. I'll go back and review tonight but all of these pages on a man who obviously screwed up his job and deserved to be fired ? ? ? For real ? ? ?
Quote from: MusicMan on May 12, 2017, 03:38:53 PM
Wow I never thought this BS artist would get caught in his own web of horse manure but 'low and behold' he has done it! Trump's huge ego will be his downfall (that and his complete lack of qualifications for the job).
He's playing the left for fools and you seem quite content to go along with it. It's almost as if Trump has hypnotized the entire far left and trolling them with manufactured B.S. that they can't resist.
Here's a clue, MusicMan -- he put tapes in quotes to signal you (and us) on what he was doing.
Honestly, I never would have dreamed it possible what this man is doing to his opposition. Republican establishment, far left Democrats. It doesn't seem to matter. He's making them say and do the dumbest things, all while they keep underestimating him bigtime.
I love this piece below because there are (obviously) many logical thinkers still on the left and they know they're being fed a complete nothingburger. But their friends don't, and they can't apparently get their friends to accept the facts:
https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/tyts-cenk-uygur-smears-tyt-journalist-michael-tracey-on-air-for-being-anti-russiagate-1e0c8110349d
BEE.YUU.TEE.FULL.
Trump has turned the far left into nothing more than Pavlov's dogs; he's controlling everything they do and, poor pitiful things, they just can't help themselves.
What Trump has done to the left is confirm their worst suspicions about him. His lack of decorum, sensibilities, civility and respect for the office he holds leaves the left flabbergasted at the reduction in qualifying qualities that now inhabits the Oval Office.
The left expects intelligence. We have been given a steward bereft of cerebral acumen that supplants 8 years of sagacity, clarity of thought and speech.
The ineptitude, incompetence, lack of self-awareness and overall disregard for his title, rather, his perception that he as president is a king, shoulders the burden on the left that it knows better as the right ignores or denies these truths out of pure ignorance at best or absolute hate at worst.
The left is watching in horror not because the right is in power but because the right is allowing and enabling Trump to defecate in the Oval Office with no admonishment for his actions. We are watching a perversion of a presidency. Half of us recognize this, the other half is cheering it on.
The ignorant are not aware of their ignorance. The egotistical ignore reality. And the right in general just doesn't give a damn anybody that isn't themselves. The left is not going to sit idly by as the right burns the house down just because they can.
(http://i.imgur.com/H3WFLGY.jpg)
WASHINGTON — President Trump asked the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to shut down the federal investigation into Mr. Trump's former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, in an Oval Office meeting in February, according to a memo Mr. Comey wrote shortly after the meeting.
"I hope you can let this go," the president told Mr. Comey, according to the memo.
The documentation of Mr. Trump's request is the clearest evidence that the president has tried to directly influence the Justice Department and F.B.I. investigation into links between Mr. Trump's associates and Russia. Late Tuesday, Representative Jason Chaffetz, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, demanded that the F.B.I. turn over all "memoranda, notes, summaries, and recordings" of discussions between Mr. Trump and Mr. Comey.
Such documents, Mr. Chaffetz wrote, would "raise questions as to whether the president attempted to influence or impede" the F.B.I.
Click link to view entire article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/politics/james-comey-trump-flynn-russia-investigation.html?smid=fb-share
Quote from: MusicMan on May 15, 2017, 06:22:57 PM
RG you make me smile.
Yep. This is going EXACTLY THE WAY TRUMP PLANNED. 8)
You are hysterical. I truly enjoy your comments.
We shall see.
Likewise.
You're being trolled as Trump has you chasing nothing-burgers day after day after day. Nothing-burgers delivered to remarkably lazy and unskeptical journalists who apparently couldn't pass Logic 101. Journalists who will inadvertently help us find the trail of leakers from the Obama Administration and the Republican establishment.
It's a beautiful plan being executed beautifully from an opposition that was entirely anticipated.
When we look back one day, MusicMan, one of us will be incredibly wrong. I'm betting that will be you. If I'm correct, I hope you will review this thread and take a look at this link from Scott Adams -- no flaming conservative, he -- on the big picture that y'all can't see:
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/160699204216/a-quick-look-at-president-trump-and-the-big
And you can't see the big picture because Trump knows precisely who you are, and what you respond to, but you don't have the first clue who this billionaire is. He has played the left and the Republican establishment like a fiddle.
You're absolutely certain you do understand him and all his many faults, and that is your primary mistake. But, please, don't take my word for it. Do continue with the hysterics. I'm enjoying it immensely.
Never underestimate your adversary, MusicMan, including the intelligence of said adversary. It's amazing how many on the left forget this maxim as they continue to condescend with junior high snark toward a man who has
already done the impossible.
Of course, if I'm wrong . . . #&^@!%, mudda fookas !!!
Well RG, at least you and Vladimir Putin are on the same page:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vladimir-putin-says-he-can-prove-trump-did-not-pass-russia-secrets/ar-BBBetUc?li=BBnb7Kz
As for me, I'll stick with Marco Rubio who is quoted in the article:
"U.S. Republican Senator Marco Rubio was unimpressed with Putin's offer and alluded to alleged Russian hacking of Democratic groups during the U.S. presidential election.
"I wouldn't put much credibility into whatever Putin's notes are," Rubio said on Fox News. "And if it comes in an email, I wouldn't click on the attachment."