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Monday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 09:36:10 AM EST
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My final two briefs are due today. Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

< Oprah for President: You Don't Have to Like Her | Trump Brings the Apprentice to Congress >

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    Monday Open Thread | 108 comments (108 topical)

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    Diane Feinstein (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 03:23:27 PM EST
    releases the entire Fusion GPS testimony.

    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by FlJoe on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 03:34:32 PM EST
    "My understanding was that they believed Chris at this point - that they believed Chris's (Steele's) information might be credible because they had other intelligence that indicated the same thing and one of those pieces of intelligence was a human source from inside the Trump organization," Simpson said.
    my bold
    link

    Parent
    Seriously (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 07:30:18 AM EST
    We should all just take a moment to consider what a YOUGLY big deal this was.
    DiFi at once entirely changed the discussion, thoroughly destroyed and debunked the false narrative the republicans had so carefully crafted and made Grassley look like an idiot and totally exposed him for the craven hack he has always been.

    It simply can't be overstated.  There was no precedent for what she did.  Lawrence did most of his show on this last night, historian of the Senate he likes to think he is.

    It a big f'ing deal.

    And to follow on the recent conversation about the odd behaviour of Lindsey, he praised DiFis action.
    Shrug.

    Parent

    I love that she shortcut (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 11:41:57 AM EST
    all the weeks of speculation and game playing about reading it into the register, etc. Just release it and be done with it. I like that attitude.

    Parent
    All that plus (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 10:24:02 AM EST
    showing the GOP is not interested in the least in investigating Russian interference in the election. No suprise to me or you I'm sure but there it is for anybody that had any doubts. The entire party looks like a bunch of craven treason weasels.

    Conryn also praised it. People like Lindsay are all over the place I have decided because he's trying to serve two masters one is the tea party that is perfectly fine with Trump and Putin and the other master called not getting too far in the weeds with Trump. However I think he's gone too far down the second road with his stupid referral on Steele to move out of the treason weasel category.

    Parent

    I have decided (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 10:32:47 AM EST
    There are republicans who took Russian money and republicans who did not.

    :)

    Parent

    McMaster is upset that Russia is interfering (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 06:23:50 PM EST
    In Mexico's election now. How can he care about that and not be alarmed about Russia interfering in our elections?

    The hipocracy of Generals, not being able to catch their own reflection, still stuns me sometimes. And it isn't all, but when one is blind they are hopelessly so.

    Parent

    Democrats (none / 0) (#32)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 04:09:15 PM EST
    counterpunching, what a novel idea. Repugs have already trashed all comity so why not follow suit.

    I agree about Lindsey, he seems to be all over the place these days. Maybe it's the Russian money, maybe it's him just sucking up to tRump to get his war or maybe it's his hacked emails which have never surfaced.

    Aside from his warmongering, I had a modicum of repect for Lindsey, he had his head on right about the investigation until the past week, when he has gone full out toady, giving Nunes run for his money, using the dosier as his "unmasking".

    Parent

    Trump has a nickname (none / 0) (#31)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 03:52:57 PM EST
    for Senator Feinstein: sneaky Diane Feinstein...one that borders, if not crosses the border, on antisemitism. And, the media (I am looking at you NYTimes) continues to refer to the dossier released by the Senator as "salacious and largely unsubstantiated."  

    As I have commented before, the use of the word "salacious" inappropriately and inaccurately characterizes the reporting.

     Firstly, the dossier is not salacious; there is a section alleging prostitutes in the Moscow Ritz Carlton, but its reporting is not with undue interest or enjoyment of the subject.  That section is of direct relevance in the overarching theme of the Republican candidate being potentially blackmailed by Russians.

    Secondly, as for "largely unsubstantiated" description, an updated evaluation is needed. Much of the document has been corroborated, and, as Senator Feinstein stated, nothing has been unproven, and, clearly, aligns with much of the Intel Community assessment.  

    Parent

    Going back to my prediction (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by CST on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 08:35:07 AM EST
    That the US attorneys would only come after blue states for pot, and not purple or red states - we have this fun article on another similarly blatant double standard:

    "President Donald Trump's administration will not allow drilling for oil and gas off the coast of Florida after urging from the state's governor, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said on Tuesday."

    Something tells me he won't be giving California or New York the same considerations, despite very similar remarks from the Governors there.

    Link

    More double standards (none / 0) (#27)
    by vicndabx on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 09:54:04 AM EST
    Trump Administration Waives Punishment For Convicted Banks, Including Deutsche -- Which Trump Owes Millions

    ibtimes
    White House in Washington, D.C., December 7, 2017. Photo: Reuters
    The Trump administration has waived part of the punishment for five megabanks whose affiliates were convicted and fined for manipulating global interest rates. One of the Trump administration waivers was granted to Deutsche Bank -- which is owed at least $130 million by President Donald Trump and his business empire, and has also been fined for its role in a Russian money laundering scheme.

    I'm reminded of Clinton Cash.


    Parent

    Pitchers and catchers report (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 08:29:10 PM EST
    one month from now. I offer this information because it is important in this Time of Trump to take a break from the insanity and focus on something simple and fun.

    For me, right now, that is baseball.

    I like music (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by MKS on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 11:21:40 PM EST
    videos.....

    Put in the ear buds and do work on the computer....

    Parent

    If I don't do other healthy things (none / 0) (#63)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 05:35:52 AM EST
    I get to the point that I'm numb staring at the wall:) The severe cold last week was a challenge, stuck indoors with cabin fever. Ended up walking around the mall for five hours on two separate days.

    Parent
    Now Trump says he probably needs to record (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:48:28 AM EST
    Future meetings because he didn't say these things and there is no trust.

    Yes please Mr. President, please record all future meetings.

    Worth noting (none / 0) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:44:03 AM EST
    This happened moments after Brian Kilmeade of the famous FOX AND FRIENDS called on him to apologize or explain

    Parent
    So Fox News speaks directly to him? (none / 0) (#68)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:00:33 AM EST
    For him that is a conversation.

    We're doomed

    Parent

    Also amazing (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:07:56 AM EST
    In that segment he was interviewing a congressman from Ohio who is running for the Senate.  His reaction was (paraphrase) well Trump just says what people are thinking.

    Right, if those people are evil racist aholes

    Parent

    Well, the person (none / 0) (#72)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 11:00:19 AM EST
    running for the senate is partially right. Trump says what REPUBLICANS are thinking. The rest of us  should not be included in that statement.

    Parent
    Again worth noting (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:03:07 AM EST
    He neither apologized or explained

    Parent
    Someone in the White House (none / 0) (#86)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:58:21 PM EST
    Claiming Trump loves this controversy. Mofo is an enormous racist if this is feeding his ego.

    I bet "the source" is Trump. No effing way it is member of his staff.

    McMaster and Kelly, resign now or you both wear this to your graves!!!!

    Parent

    My (none / 0) (#89)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:13:05 PM EST
    money is on Miller who, IMO, is an enormmous racist.

    Parent
    The outrage (5.00 / 5) (#66)
    by CST on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:43:08 AM EST
    Over Trump's latest comments leave me scratching my head.  This is who he's been the whole time.  This is what people elected - intentionally.  He never hid it, he didn't sugarcoat it, now I'm supposed to be outraged that he's continued to be exactly who he showed himself to be during the campaign?

    I am outraged that Americans voted for this despicable piece of human garbage.  But that's been true since he won the Republican nomination.  Nothing has changed.

    Yeah, (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 11:01:21 AM EST
    I know. This is who Trump is and who he always has been. It seems the people that are most upset by this are the media that has basically given him break after break looking for that elusive "pivot".

    Parent
    I knew he was (none / 0) (#97)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:16:36 PM EST
    this person 10 - 15 years ago. Long before he ever had a television show. To me he has always been repugnant. (Yeah, I know, it's unbecoming to keep patting myself on the back.)

    Parent
    He was always gross (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:09:25 PM EST
    Even in the 80s.

    Parent
    He was always gross (none / 0) (#104)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:09:22 PM EST
    Even in the 80s.

    Parent
    11 is the new 10 (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 04:58:24 PM EST
    President Trump's Personal Lawyer Paid a Porn Star $130,000 to Hush Up Sexual Encounter: Report

    Saw The Last Jedi a few weeks ago.... ouch (3.50 / 2) (#5)
    by McBain on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 03:02:29 PM EST
    Worst Star Wars film since Attack of the Clones.  

    I wasn't expecting a masterpiece but after the enjoyable Force Awakens, I anticipated something much better than the mess I got.  It was as if the director, Rion Johnson, decided to take us back to the look and feel of the horrible prequels..... especially the unnecessary casino scene.

    I didn't like what they did with the Luke Skywalker character or the continuing trend of politically correct characters but I could have handled that if the rest of the film was decent.  Unfortunately, it wasn't.  I guess I wasn't quite as disappointed as when I endured The Phantom Menace, years ago, but it was close.

    If you want to see some interesting science fiction, I highly recommend the first episisode of season 4 of Black Mirror... an epic Star Trek flavored story.    

    I enjoyed it (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by CST on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 04:34:22 PM EST
    Especially what they did with Luke.  There were certainly some problematic aspects (like an undead Leia), and other parts that definitely felt a bit forced - but to me this was much better than the prequels and IMO better than The Force Awakens.   Although I still think Rogue One is the best modern Star Wars.  I really liked the overall struggle/direction of the fight and tone of the movie.  I will say it could have used a snarky Droid or three to break up the heavy handedness.

    Parent
    I liked it too. (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 01:26:44 PM EST
    My favorite scene was when Holdo turned her little ship around and rammed the monstrous first order destroyer ship at lightspeed and in dead silence cut the sucker in half.

    Parent
    I thought it was (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 07:22:35 AM EST
    The best one ever.

    Parent
    Film Reviews (2.00 / 1) (#37)
    by linea on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 08:07:40 PM EST
    I suppose I liked the cute birds nesting in the Millennium Falcon and the reveal of Rey's parents (I hate the monarchist-esque lineage theme). I suppose Hannah's boyfriend makes a reasonably good villian even though he isn't very bright. But really, TLJ is a film that only nostalgic Star Wars fans would enjoy.

    These were my thoughts while sipping diet Coke, eating chocolate-covered raisins, amd watching TLJ in the theater: "Who is Snoke? Running out of gas? Space bombers in space? Why is Rose policing the escape pods? Poe is a moron; obviously the woman from Hunger Games has a plan she isn't sharing with a recently demoted pilot. This casino side story is dumb. Duh, of course Kylo halts the mechanized ground assault to have a boring lightsaber duel. How are they sabers? I don't like Finn. Rose kisses Finn and then Finn hugs Rey? That's crap. When he asks, only mention the parts I liked."

    • Rogue One is the only Star Wars film I enjoyed.

    • THE END OF THE F***ING WORLD on Netflix is wonderful and the ending made me cry. I highly recommend watching.

    • Ozark was recommended by someone here and I loved it.

    I watched the first episode of Black Mirror S4 (Netflix S2) and while it is visually attractive, I wasn't impressed by the storyline or dialog. I wonder whether, "Taking away my pvssy is crossing a line!" was the male writer's attempt at humor. The astounding DNA extraction of mind-memory makes no sense in this story. It would have made more sense to have the victims kidnapped and attached to virtual reality tech. Nanette, in real life, suddenly becoming a stealthy cat burglar was too far-fetched and felt like lazy writing. For the most part, the BM series explores male fetish and fantasy which doesn't appeal to me. I mistakenly thought each episode was written by a different SciFi short story writer but all episodes are written by the same person.

    While I'm not the biggest SciFi fan, on Netflix I did very much like What Happened to Monday and to a lesser extent Kill Command. I'm also open to discussing the new female Dr Who and bidding good riddance to the despicable Doctor Mysterio.

    Parent

    You probably have to be some level of (3.50 / 2) (#42)
    by McBain on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 10:43:47 AM EST
    Star Trek/Sci fi nerd to get most the references in that Black Mirror episode.  Nanette was a Mary Sue.  
    A Mary Sue is an idealized and seemingly perfect fictional character. Often, this character is recognized as an author insert or wish fulfillment.[1] They can usually perform better at tasks than should be possible given the amount of training or experience

    I believe the original Mary Sue was in the world of Star Trek but that moniker has been used to describe Daisey Ridley's character in the new Star Wars films. I believe Black Mirror was making fun of the other Mary Sues. It also borrowed plenty from the best ST film, Wrath of Kahn.  

    I agree with you Last Jedi critique. I don't have a problem with Ridley's performance just think it's "lazy writing" to have her so skilled with the force with minimal training.

    Parent

    More Film Reviews (2.00 / 1) (#59)
    by linea on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 11:37:59 PM EST
    I was taken to see The Post tonight. It's a good film and I think something that many people on this forum would appreciate. Maybe I would have enjoyed the film more if my date hadn't tried to school me after the film, "Did you learn something?" he asked. I smiled and nodded. "Yeah? It's about the freedom of the press. That's the First Amendment." He was a really bad driver too.

    Molly's Game is an enjoyable film and I recommend it.

    Darkest Hour is a good film I suppose.

    Parent

    I wish there were Yelp reviews (4.50 / 4) (#71)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:26:39 AM EST
    of dates. That was priceless.

    Parent
    If I were using a Yelp Date Review, (none / 0) (#82)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:42:50 PM EST
    I would have scrolled by pretty fast. Just as I do when an advertised $$$$ restaurant is panned for being expensive  The "I was taken..." sounds a little off-putting as if dating is a one-way street. Or, a hostage situation. And, I am unsure how a post-movie discussion judged to be condescending would color an evaluation of a movie  initially found to be good.

    It may be that the energy to challenge the apparently offensive schooling was unexpended because the signs were that this date was shaping up as a harbinger of a marriage not made in heaven.  

    An interaction about likes and dislikes of the movie just seen is  a useful getting to know you exercise, particularly on a first date. Taking a nice walk, or an exciting Uber trip, to the movies may have helped.

     Since Yelp does not have a marking for zero stars, I would, generously, give this dating review a one.

    Parent

    But you understood (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:51:49 PM EST
    "Did you learn something"

    Right?

    Parent

    You're right, it was badly written (none / 0) (#98)
    by linea on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:01:21 PM EST
    I should have written, "I was invited to see The Post, a film I knew nothing about." Also, I don't actually know if it was a date.

    Parent
    And (none / 0) (#99)
    by linea on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:00:56 PM EST
    "I would have enjoyed the [evening] more if my date hadn't tried to school me... "

    Parent
    Or (none / 0) (#100)
    by linea on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:18:33 PM EST
    "I would have enjoyed [going to] the film more if my date hadn't tried to school me... "


    Parent
    Linea, I was (5.00 / 2) (#103)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:39:06 PM EST
    just playing with Peter G and his funny idea of a yelp date review.   From your perspective, I understood your comment and appreciated your movie review.  The unhappy ending of your "date's" challenged driving skills was funny, too.

    Parent
    Oh (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by linea on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 05:30:03 PM EST
    Thank you.

    Parent
    Do you follow Date Lab in the (none / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:09:39 PM EST
    Washington Post?

    Parent
    I read it every Sunday, ever hopeful (none / 0) (#90)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:14:47 PM EST
    that the featured couple will connect, but rarely does that happen.

    And yet, the Post keeps at it.

    Parent

    I'm convinced some of the couples (none / 0) (#102)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:49:08 PM EST
    should have given the blind date a second chance.

    Parent
    Last night (none / 0) (#91)
    by CST on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:29:25 PM EST
    I had to call AAA for what feels like the 100th time this month, but was really only the 4th time, because the car I'm borrowing while I sort out my car situation had a dead battery that needed replacing.

    After coming home late for the third straight day in a row, second day in a row dealing with AAA, I found dinner ready and waiting for me, dishwasher cleared and dishes already done, Rick Steves on TV, and a nice "medical" treat next to the glass of white wine, and tall glass of cold water.  

    10/10, would call AAA again just so I don't have to think about dinner.

    Parent

    Ms Lindsey (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 12:09:55 PM EST
    Who saw the Sunday shows?

    I have alwAys been confused by the arch of character in the Trump/Lindsey story.

    Allow me a rose glasses/12th dimensional chess scenario

    The most interesting parts were the one where he sang the praises of Mr Mueller.

    Great guy.  Perfect for the job.  Must be allowed to finish his work.  Blah blah etc.

    Lindsey is many things.  He is not stupid.

    Consider the possibility he, with others, are simply giving Trump a few distractions while Mueller does his work?

    I wrote about this a few days ago. (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 06:39:58 PM EST
    CaptHowdy: "Lindsey is many things. He is not stupid. Consider the possibility he, with others, are simply giving Trump a few distractions while Mueller does his work?"

    The Dallas Morning News published a great story on Dec. 15, 2017 which showed that various PACs associated with Republican elected officials were in receipt of campaign funds donated by U.S. nationals of Russian ancestry.

    One such naturalized U.S. citizen, Len Blavatnik, is a former Soviet emigré who contributed $800,000 in 2016 via his company Access Industries to the Security is Strength PAC, which is associated with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

    Why should Blavatnik's contribution to Graham's PAC concern us? Two things stand out here. First of all, Blavatnik's political contributions spiked 2,320% in only one election cycle, from $273,600 in 2013-14 to $6.35 million in 2015-16. What accounted for that astronomical spike in political contributions, all of which were directed to GOP-affiliated PACs?

    Secondly, Blavatnik keeps very close company with fellow billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who is currently one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's favorite oligarchs, and is also the founder and majority shareholder of Russia's Rusal, the second-largest aluminum company in the world. You may have heard of Deripaska's name before, in relation with his own ties to Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort. As I speculated the other day:

    "This may well be the reason why Republicans are so eager to shut down the investigation into the Trump campaign's ties with the Kremlin. It appears that GOP lawmakers and the party itself may be guilty of having accepted laundered Russian money."

    So, count me as skeptical of Sen. Graham's altruism here. This is, after all, the same Sen. Graham who co-signed a criminal referral with Sen. Chuck Grassley to DOJ asking the department to investigate Trump-Russia whistleblower Christopher Steele for allegedly lying to the FBI. He and his fellow Republicans see the Mueller probe as an existential threat.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    so (none / 0) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 08:16:56 AM EST
    its perhaps interesting

    that various PACs associated with Republican elected officials were in receipt of campaign funds donated by U.S. nationals of Russian ancestry.

    and perhaps not.  i would say that if Graham actually has things to worry about as far as the "russia investigation" it would not seem like a good idea to vigorously defend and champion it.  which he did on sunday.

    my point was simple.  grahams actions make no sense.  he was the first and harshest critic.  now he is his best friend.   now, that could well be craven self interest.  except it makes no sense as craven self interest.  it just looks stupid.  and as i said, i do not think he is stupid.

    i have no illusions at all about Grassley.  he is a craven hack.  period.  

    Parent

    But if Russian money laundering is ... (none / 0) (#45)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 03:53:27 PM EST
    ... indeed a key issue in Robert Mueller's investigation, as it increasingly appears to be, wouldn't you agree that the Graham PAC's possible receipt of such funding could prove very problematic for him?

    And if potentially being in receipt of Russian money is problematic for Sen. Graham, doesn't that incentivize his recent efforts to deflect and / or derail the various Russia probes? And further, wouldn't that constitute -- as you so noted -- a "craven self-interest" on his part?

    As far as Graham's so-called "defense" of those investigations on the Sunday morning gasbag shows is concerned, the criminal referral to DOJ that he co-signed with Sen. Grassley last week, which clearly targets whistleblower Christopher Steele, neatly undercuts any such bleating pretentiousness on his part.

    Graham obviously wants this investigation to be either neutered or stopped altogether, same as most of his Republican colleagues. But Closeted Little Miss Muffy that he is, he's just too friggin' cowardly to admit so in public. As such, playing to both sides of this issue is par for the course -- especially for a publicity-craving wannabe like Graham, who clearly wants to have his cake and eat it, too.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    You are right (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:29:42 PM EST
    Of course.   It's going to be a drinking day when the doors are opened on this mess and we can get past peering through cobweb clogged key holes.

    So much of it makes absolutely no sense.

    It gets more like badly written Tom Clancy fan fiction every day.

    Parent

    As I'm typing that (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:45:48 PM EST
    There is a tv discussion about this.  It's agreed that of all the crazy things happening Lindsey behaviour is the most difficult to understand.  That he is now doing and saying things, unlike Mitch, Paul, Trump, etc who are doing exactly what we might expect, that are 180 from things he was saying and doing just a few months ago.

    It's said "something has happened".  Maybe it's just as you say.  But I agree.

    Parent

    Poor (none / 0) (#107)
    by FlJoe on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 04:12:46 PM EST
    liddle Lindsey, all that sucking up for naught.
    "I think somebody on his staff gave him really bad advice between 10 o'clock and  12 o'clock on Thursday. I think the president I saw on Tuesday is the guy I play golf with. I actually like the guy. He's actually funny. I thought he commanded the room. And the conversation at 10 o'clock was pretty consistent. Something happened between 10 o'clock and 12 o'clock," Graham told reporters.
    Silly, you fool, everyone knows you have to be the last one to fluff him to get your way.

    You think he's funny, well know you're funny(and not in a good way). Something happened all right, Kelley, Miller, Cotton, Perdue and other formed a conga line of puckered lips.

    Parent

    That was quite a show today (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 04:25:36 PM EST
    He was visibly shaking.  

    Who can blame him.

    I played golf with you.

    Parent

    But (none / 0) (#52)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:56:07 PM EST
    why then is he so late to hop on the obstructionist band wagon? He was pretty much a tRump critic and showed a definite willingness to let the investigations move on unhindered. If he is nervous about the money now, he was smart enough to be worried a year ago.

    Something changed about a month ago when suddenly he showed upon the shows defending tRump and pulling off this foolish stunt against Steele.

    Parent

    Senator Durbin reports (none / 0) (#79)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 12:50:10 PM EST
    that Lindsey "spoke up and made a direct comment when he used the slur (shithole)".  "It took courage for what he did."  

    I await Lindsey's confirming Durbin's statement, in the face of the I don't recall by other Republicans present.

    Parent

    Not sure you should hold your breath. (none / 0) (#80)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:28:48 PM EST
    Lindsey has had a penchant lately for trying to have it every which way there is, so he's probably still gaming it out.  Probably ticked off at Durbin for putting him in this position.

    Getting the sense that Graham is fishing for relevance, and not getting much in the way of results - things never settle down long enough before the next bit of ugliness, so if you snooze, you lose - you get stuck waiting for the crazy train to make its way back to the station.

    His other problem is that I think he has an underlying mean streak he doesn't disguise very well.  

    And frankly, I don't understand this "it took courage" thing.  Every single person in that room should have reflexively and immediately called Trump out on his attitude without even having to think about it.  

    Parent

    Graham's statement (none / 0) (#81)
    by MKS on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:39:08 PM EST
    "implies" and does not deny that Trump said just what Durbin reported.

    But, Graham has not said it on t.v., and won't denounce the Trump comments publicly.

    Enablers.   Apologists.  Cowards.  Who is worse, Trump or his enablers?

    Parent

    The Best Sunday Show is Back (none / 0) (#2)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 01:48:41 PM EST
    The McLaughlin Group, first program since August.  Is the host, the same as the Tom Rogan who sometimes posts here?

    Parent
    Wikileaks steals Michael Wolff's book: (none / 0) (#3)
    by Anne on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 02:35:22 PM EST
    Link

    As a writer and editor, I am appalled that WikiLeaks decided to publish Michael Wolff's new book Fire and Fury. If you want to do the right thing, you'll go buy it rather than stealing it from the WikiLeaks link. It isn't a suppressed piece of government information of vital interest to the public. It's a book that is for sale, and offering it to everyone for free is not Julian Assange's decision to make. He's a crook, and he should be prosecuted for doing this.

    This is a way for Assange and his patrons to strike back at Wolff and send a message to any publisher who thinks they'll make a lot of money selling tell-all books from inside TrumpWorld. But it's also petty and basically pointless. Wolff's book sales will be robust and adequate even with this sabotage, and now many more people will get a firsthand account of its contents than would have been the case otherwise. On the whole, I think this decision will do Trump more harm than good.

    What a sleaze.

    My own book (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 04:12:42 PM EST
    ...is available for download as a .pdf from multiple websites, many of them in Russia.  No way a computer file honors my book, which is printed on expensive paper, has 175 images, and weighs four pounds, but there is also no way the Russian was going to buy it anyway.

    Wikileaks is certainly violating Wolff's copyright. It remains to be seen whether he will bother challenging it.  He is already set for life and will never again have to pay for a beer.  OTOH, Wikileaks has tripled the distribution.

    Parent

    I am reminded of this 1970 classic (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Peter G on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 11:45:56 AM EST
    and (ironically) best-seller by Abbie Hoffman, late founder of the Yippies and co-defendant with the Chicago Eight.

    Parent
    A Little Googling Will Show You (none / 0) (#7)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 04:07:57 PM EST
    that from day 1, both PDF and audiobook versions of the entire book have been available free online from several different sources.  Of course, I would never think of taking advantage of them.  

    Parent
    25th anniversary of the Waco standoff/siege (none / 0) (#4)
    by McBain on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 02:49:07 PM EST
    is coming up.  I've been watching a few new documentaries.  The Paramount Network will have Waco miniseries at the end of the month staring Taylor Kitsch and David Koresh.

    Most of the coverage I've seen on TV focuses on how crazy or what level of a criminal or con man Koresh was.  Rarely is there an in depth investigation/discussion of the final raid.  Important questions aren't given much time or completely ignored.  Here's what I want to know...

    • Why did the FBI bulldoze what was left of the Brand Davidian compound after it burned to the ground... basically destroying the crime scene?

    • Did the FBI or anyone shoot at Davidians as they were fleeing their burning home?

    • Did anyone shoot at the Davidians from helicopters as David Koresh and others claimed?

    • What role did The Delta Force have in the final siege?  

    • Why didn't the ATF or anyone arrest Koresh when he was off the Mount Carmel compound before the first siege, at a Waco restaurant or wherever?


    Ahh. The ATF at Mt Carmel. (none / 0) (#14)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 08:05:30 PM EST
    Some of my favorite television viewing. I giggle with delight watching ATF stormtroopers getting shot off the roof from within the house and then the rest of them scrambling down the ladders and running for their lives. I lived just north in Fort Worth at the time. Every one of my biker brothers had a recording of the news reports. For every ATF body that dropped, we cheered. Bikers and ATF are not friends. ATF tends to attract scumbuckts  where bikers like to ride,motorcycles

    Parent
    Charges dismissed against Cliven Bundy (none / 0) (#6)
    by McBain on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 03:31:03 PM EST
    and others.
    Judge Gloria M. Navarro of Federal District Court, in a ruling from the bench, said that the government's missteps in withholding evidence against the three Bundy family members and a supporter, Ryan W. Payne, were so grave that the indictment against them would be dismissed.

    I didn't follow this case closely, but if reports of evidence being withheld from the defense are true, I'm glad the judge made the correct decision.

    It's hard to believe (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 04:25:06 PM EST
    ...that a prosecutor could blow a case in which there are hours of video recordings of the crime.

    Since you seem to be pleased by the outcome, can you explain why you believe hours of video of a crime in progress are not sufficient evidence for a conviction?  I'm having a hard time digesting that.

    The inference is strong here that the prosecutor did not prosecute to the level The People should expect. I would like to see whom he was emailing and what they discussed. Looks like prima facie evidence of corruption in the prosecutor's office.


    Parent

    The judge won't permit retrial (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by oculus on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 04:41:16 PM EST
    b/c the prosecution failed to provide all the evidence to the defense.

    Parent
    The primary problem in this instance was ... (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 08, 2018 at 07:49:02 PM EST
    ... clear prosecutorial misconduct. According to Judge Gloria Navarro, the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI had deliberately violated the tenets of Brady v. Maryland by withholding from the Bundy defense team six key pieces of evidence, any one of which may have been exculpatory in content:

    • Records regarding active federal surveillance of the Bundy ranch prior to the armed confrontation;
    • Maps showing the full extent of federal surveillance;
    • Records about the active presence of federal snipers;
    • FBI logs about activity at the ranch in the days leading up to the standoff;
    • Law-enforcement assessments dating to 2012 which had concluded that the Bundys posed no physical threat to the general public; and
    • Internal affairs reports about misconduct by Bureau of Land Management agents.

    Most certainly, and like you, I'm no fan of the Cliven Bundy and his clan, either. But I'm even less of a fan of those government prosecutors who'd nonchalantly violate a defendant's due process rights in the name of extra-judicial expediency.

    How ironic that the racist Cliven Bundy and his oh so white family are all free today, thanks to the due diligence of a "wise Latina judge" (h/t to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor), which underscores the fact that the federal legal system -- you know, all though pesky checks, balances and loopholes which white wingbats never miss an opportunity to despise and disparage -- actually worked in this instance as it's supposed to do.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    IT (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 10:10:09 AM EST
    hits PPV today.   I have really been looking forward to pause and slow-mo.

    If you have not seen IT, you really really should.

    Yikes (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:53:22 PM EST
    I just read something about how terrible it is that they changed the ending.  THEY DIDNT GROW UP!!

    For the record they did not change the end.  They did not show the end.  This movie was the first half of the book.  Which was brilliant.  Its to much story for a 2 hour movie.  

    And it even said it was part one.

    Oy.

    Parent

    Want FIRE AND FURY? (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 05:31:29 PM EST
    I just got it free with a trial of AUDIBLE

    LINK

    I listened to the first couple chapters. (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 11:32:21 PM EST
    Kind of outrageous the author omitted the info that the dinner attended by Siles and Bannon was at the author's home.

    Parent
    Ailes (none / 0) (#22)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 09, 2018 at 11:32:57 PM EST


    Parent
    That fact was discussed a lot (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 07:19:01 AM EST
    By Wolff in many of these interviews he has been doing.

    Yeah, I guess.

    I find it very difficult to have any sympathy for Trumpworld.  They have earned Wolf.  With interest.

    Parent

    The Guardian: Bannonfreude. (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 08:22:51 PM EST


    Parent
    I read that the dinner was at his home (none / 0) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 06:25:37 PM EST
    But not in his book, just everywhere else.

    Parent
    Therein lies the problem. It's the prologue. (none / 0) (#35)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 06:27:37 PM EST


    Parent
    How is the rest of the book? (none / 0) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 07:34:53 PM EST
    Does it have a slippery feel all the way through? I'm starting it tomorrow.

    Spouse has given me a challenge. Get Donald Trump to sign our copy.

    Hmmmm...maybe I can get an Art of the Deal jacket to put on Fire and Fury, then seek a signing opportunity.

    Parent

    It's outrageous and amusing (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 10, 2018 at 08:21:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Good review (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:53:59 PM EST


    Parent
    Maybe I'll download (none / 0) (#96)
    by fishcamp on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:05:35 PM EST
    the rest of the book to my iPad.  Costs $14.99 I think.  Usually I wait until they hit the $.99 category.

    Parent
    I suspect the audible version is the (none / 0) (#101)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:47:59 PM EST
    most entertaining. The narrator is a kick.

    Parent
    If I could get close enough (none / 0) (#40)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 07:57:20 AM EST
    to have him sign a book, I woudn't be getting any books signed.

    Parent
    Hahaha now now (none / 0) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 10:02:03 AM EST
    We must survive him

    He probably shouldn't attend anymore football games though. If the boos at the National Championship game are overriding the cheers, and both teams are from the SEC, and the game is taking place in the deep South, a Republican bigot President has deep troubles. So deep, he should probably stop making the lives of the Secret Service impossible.

    All you can do with this guy is suggest though. It's gonna be what it's gonna be.

    In the meantime I have a signature to obtain.

    It's kinda tough. I do have a guy who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for 2 different Presidents and all he wants is this one book signed by the current President. I have one job ;) Hahahaha

    Parent

    I understand your mission. (none / 0) (#43)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 10:45:21 AM EST
    However, all liberal hand wringing and caterwauling aside (that I'm sure to receive here), I sincerely believe in my heart of hearts that removing the dotard from the count would the ultimate act of patriotism by any American.

    He is a danger to us all.

    Parent

    Regardless of whether it's slippery or not, ... (none / 0) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:14:14 PM EST
    ... as Howdy said, Trumpworld has richly earned Wolff's book. It's their well-deserved karma.

    Parent
    After his sh!th@le countries comment (none / 0) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 05:46:19 PM EST
    Of course Fire and Fury is 100% accurate :)

    WAPO probably wouldn't have reported him using those exact words if Wolff's books hadn't hit the streets.

    Toning Trump down for easier consumption and access is worthless now. The boat has been rocked, no need to stay politely in your seat anymore.

    Parent

    "Basket of Deplorables" (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by MKS on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 11:52:08 PM EST
    Is there any significant controversy that Hillary was right?

    Parent
    Oddly this exact topic just came up (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 05:29:20 AM EST
    On CNN while Charles Blow is on. Charles is with you and I. Alisyn Camerota said we still can't call Trump supporters Deplorables, they haven't said the things Trump has and that was Hillary's mistake.

    Charles Blow told her you don't have to articulate your biases to have them. Trump supporters know what he has said and continues to say, they are just unspoken racists.

    Parent

    Deplorables is too nice a word for them. (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:05:27 AM EST
    I have better words for them. I have the best words.

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 05:20:24 AM EST


    Parent
    WaPo put the full word - spelled out - (none / 0) (#54)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 06:42:48 PM EST
    in its headline. That's new, I think.

    Parent
    Ana Navarro unleashed on CNN (none / 0) (#56)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 07:29:25 PM EST
    Burnt it down.

    Parent
    NY Times reporting (none / 0) (#75)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 12:05:41 PM EST
    on media use of the word in print, such as chyrons. And, many in spoken word.

    Parent
    Does not take much (none / 0) (#76)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 12:08:01 PM EST
    peeling of the onion to state that we have a white supremacist and racist in the Oval Office.

    Parent
    Trump is no longer the issue (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by MKS on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:43:10 PM EST
    It is now about the enablers.

    What about the people in the room with Trump when he made those comments?   Why are they ducking and hiding?   Why will they not simply condemn the comments?

    The GOP continues to cover up for Trump.  They are to blame.

    Parent

    Their agenda is more important, I guess. (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:55:49 PM EST
    Their mean, regressive, punitive, harsh, personally intrusive, racist, misogynistic agenda.

    This is what they think is worth closing their eyes and ears to: the hourly ravings and incoherencies of this infantile, incurious, treasonous, criminally greedy, psychologically damaged id-in-a-suit.

    That's what they're willing to sell out their country for.  

    How long before other countries - Norway? - refuse to admit Americans because they don't want people from a sh!thole country?

    Parent

    They agree (none / 0) (#84)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 01:49:48 PM EST
    with Trump, but the preferred language of the Republicans is such as "immigration reform," "border security."   If offended, it is that Trump does not use Frank Luntz's dictionary.  But, it seems they are getting used to the new and improved Trumpian version...just how people talk (cf. Tucker Carlson). Or, locker room talk (cf. all Republican voters).

    Parent
    "A white supremacist and a racist" (none / 0) (#87)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:02:21 PM EST
    Which person in the Oval Office is which, in your view?

    Parent
    All of them, (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 02:39:12 PM EST
    Katie.  (per former Governor of Alaska)

    Parent
    This is good (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 04:39:41 PM EST
    Republican leaders are considering skipping passage of a GOP budget this year -- a blow to the party's weakened fiscal hawks that would squash all 2018 efforts to revamp entitlements or repeal Obamacare.

    POLITICO

    Paul Ryan (none / 0) (#55)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 11, 2018 at 07:24:01 PM EST
    should just announce his retirement and admit that his life's dream is going to go down the drain.

    Parent
    President Genius's trip to London... (none / 0) (#74)
    by desertswine on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 12:02:03 PM EST
    has been cancelled, much to the relief of the British. Naturally, the Genius blames Obama because of a bum real estate deal. I can't take 3 more years of this a--hole.

    Senators Tom Cotton (R. AK) (none / 0) (#77)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 12:15:29 PM EST
    and David Perdue (R.GA) are defending Trump on his shithole comment, saying that they "do not recall" it being made.  And, they have attacked Senator Dick Durbin (R.IL) for not negotiating in good faith and for making an "accusation."  

    I think we need to (none / 0) (#78)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 12:25:52 PM EST
    be worried not only about Trump's mental acuity, but also, most all Republicans.  From Jared Kushner's forgetting to include just about everything on security forms to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin's forgetting to include $100 million of assets on his Financial Disclosure forms.  And, of course there is the failing memory of Attorney General Sessions, who "does not recall" as a Senate hearing mantra.

    Which reminds of the SNL skit where Kate McKinnon's character, Jeff Sessions, is being interviewed by the Weekend UPdate anchor, Colin Jost. "Sessions" explains his memory problem as being a result of a childhood trauma, When Jost asks what that was, "Sessions" replies "the passage of the Civil Rights Act."

    Parent

    Stuff you can't make up (none / 0) (#94)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 03:02:01 PM EST
    'Mr. President, are you a racist?': Trump is asked about 'shithole' remarks at MLK address

    Monday Open Thread | 108 comments (108 topical)

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