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Monday Open Thread

Another Monday. Another court afternoon for me. Another open thread for you.

What I'm reading: News from Sinaloa. Was Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar the one who mustered the troops (with help from Mayo Zambada) in Culiacan this weekend to win the release of his half brother Ovidio Guzman Lopez? So far, it seems that way to me. I also don't think the Government cared about the citizenry as much as it did the families of the military who were threatened. How involved was the DEA? The Government said the police and National Guard were going to arrest Ovidio based on an extradition order. Who was doing the surveillance on Ovidio's girlfriend? Mexico or the U.S. I'd bet the latter.

All topics welcome.

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    46 years ago last night, ... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 03:46:48 PM EST
    ... U.S. Solicitor Gen. Robert Bork fired Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox at the order of President Richard Nixon, after Atty. Gen. Elliot Richardson and Dep. AG William Ruckelshaus had both resigned on principle rather than carry out the directive.

    Most Americans certainly didn't realize it at the time, but far from being the master stroke which he had envisioned would shut down the Watergate investigation once and for all, the now-infamous "Saturday Night Massacre" ultimately proved to be the key to Nixon's undoing and political downfall. The public outrage that Prosecutor Cox's removal provoked was both spontaneous and sustaining.

    Aloha.

    It's a different world now. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 04:21:04 PM EST
    There is no one in orange jesus' administration with that much integrity.

    Parent
    Yep. (none / 0) (#9)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 06:33:27 PM EST
    Bill Barr, for starters, is certainly no Elliot Richardson. Rather, he's more in the mold of John Mitchell -- and Mitchell, let's remember, ultimately wound up in prison.

    Parent
    This is what economic imperialism looks like. (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 05:11:43 PM EST
    The 1,450-mile Colorado River is one of the world's most developed and regulated river systems, and an essential water source in an arid region. The battle for its riches -- and the story of its demise -- goes way back:

    The Guardian | October 21, 2019
    The Lost River: Mexicans fight for mighty waterway taken by the US - "The Colorado [River] originates in the Rocky mountains and traverses seven US states, watering cities and farmland, before reaching Mexico, where it is supposed to flow onwards to the Sea of Cortez. Instead, the river is dammed at the US-Mexico border, and on the other side the river channel is empty. Locals are now battling to bring it back to life. There are few more striking examples of what has come to be known as 'environmental injustice' - the inequitable access to clean land, air and water, and disproportionate exposure to hazards and climate disasters. Water in particular has emerged as a flash point as global heating renders vast swaths of the planet ever drier."

    More from The Guardian:

    "In the 19th century, the river flow in Mexico was over 1,200 cubic metres per second. Then the US began taking control of the Colorado and turning a desert into an agricultural heartland.

    "In 1901, the US built the Alamo canal through Mexico, which diverted river water to farmland in California's Imperial Valley. Across the border, ambitious American businessmen, aided by corrupt Mexican officials, took control of most arable land and water.

    "Construction of the Hoover dam in 1936 reduced the river flow in Mexico to 164 cubic metres per second. In 1942, the US constructed the All American canal, bypassing Mexico to directly supply the Imperial Valley and surrounding cities.

    "The Colorado's demise was sealed in 1944, when Mexico and the US signed an agreement to construct the Morelos Dam at the border and guarantee water to Mexico only for agriculture. After the Glen Canyon dam was built in Arizona in 1966, river flow in Mexico plunged to 8.3 cubic metres per second. The river has not flowed to the sea since 1998."

    Worth a read.

    Bernie (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 07:05:07 PM EST
    just basically outed himself as a Russian asset by defending Tulsi and siding with Putin against US intelligence services.

    The lack of a link for that comment (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 07:57:27 PM EST
    makes me suspect it is greatly overstated and the conclusion probably unwarranted.

    Parent
    Here's (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 08:02:39 PM EST
    the link

    Parent
    Ok, I read it. Based on that story (5.00 / 3) (#15)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 08:16:16 PM EST
    your assertion is greatly overstated and your conclusion unwarranted. How progressives suddenly became fawning and credulous fans of U.S. intelligence agencies' public pronouncements is beyond me. I am no acolyte of Gabbard's (nor a Sanders supporter, at least as a presidential candidate), but this line of attack is pretty thinly justified, it seems to me. And I will say, I admire Gabbard's outspoken opposition to military adventurism as a bedrock of U.S. foreign policy. I am not ashamed to say I have long been, and remain, antiwar, for many, many reasons.

    Parent
    As the subject of "Who is Tulsi" (5.00 / 3) (#26)
    by christinep on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 04:58:20 PM EST
    Deepens a bit...I've recalled your perceptive comments of caution about Gabbard some time back, Donald. Clearly, she is in alignment with the far right and further left at the same time. Fascinating how the horsshoe theory (aka the Authoritarian Personality studies) can play out in a potentially very unfortunate way.

    I'm certainly no fan of war nor a state of increasing military action ... my own life history is replete with open anti-war writings, demonstrations, even coordinating opposition as to certain unjustified actions.  Yet, methinks Tulsi plays the left on the significant matter of geopolitics ... and, that only starts with the reconfiguration of the KGB leader Putin's power complex.  Putin, Erdogan, and Assad are more than about a business arrangement.

    What do we see when we look squarely at Gabbard?  Where are the alignments, support, positions? And Why ... perhaps she adopts the role of Useful Idiot, perhaps not? Whatever it is, let's not be mislead by our personal feelings about foreign military adventures in the past; rather, shouldn't the issue be what we want for and from our country and our country's leaders in future?  Somehow, Gabbard seems more & more fixed in the ways of foreign dictators and--well before this latest public contretemps--determined to provoke internal strife in the Democratic Party process.

    I am thankful for HRC's alert ... given what we know from the study of 2016's pre-election tactics by Putin's Russia, Clinton's decision to take responsibility to make her suggestive comment cannot be disregarded.

    Parent

    Sure (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 10:06:11 AM EST
    I'm cooking and monitoring

    Eddie Glaude, with whom I do not always agree just said this.  It was not about The Snake (poke) but I found It relevant

    "Trump and his minions, they rely on institutionalists and process.
    --
    The idea is I can do whatever I want because I know you are beholden to norms and ideas
    And as long as you are beholden to these norms and procedures I can act out.  And if you break those norm I can say, see, you are a hypocrite
    So Trump (and the Snake) play on the fact we are committed to process."

    He said a lot more. I agree with all of it.  It should be up soon.


    Parent

    I appreciate (none / 0) (#20)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 12:24:14 PM EST
    what you are saying but Tulsi has been on TV screaming that Obama didn't say "radical Islam" and she is all about wars as long as they are killing Muslims or somebody else she doesn't care for. She also was fine with Assad slaughtering his people and was praising Putin for his bombing of Aleppo. And she is a supporter of the odious Modi in India.

    Parent
    Tulsi Gabbard is my congresswoman. (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 01:25:59 PM EST
    She's become a major source of local embarrassment who's also completely ignored her rural Oahu / neighbor islands district since she's embarked on her cosmic quest. That's why I'm supporting State Sen. Kai Kahele, a Hilo legislator (and pilot for the Hawaii Air National Guard and Hawaiian Airlines) who's challenging Gabbard for her seat, once she withdraws from the Democratic primary race and returns home to seek re-election to her seat.

    Parent
    I'm glad you (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 05:43:05 PM EST
    posted something about her. She's certainly given the voters plenty of reasons to boot her out of office. It seems that she has been operating under the radar for quite a while there but now has been completely exposed.

    Parent
    Right, but please, just because (none / 0) (#24)
    by Peter G on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 01:42:53 PM EST
    I said I agree with Gabbard on one point, does not mean you have to explain all the other ways that she's wrong (or worse). I only said what I said. I do not subscribe to the view that you cannot say anything favorable about someone whom you do not unreservedly support. I mean, I agree with Tr*mp that we should not be in Afghanistan or have invaded Iraq. I think that's the only thing I do agree with him on, and the fact that he is despicable (and wrong) in so many other ways does not mean he's wrong about that. He can be right about one thing and still be utterly odious.

    Parent
    I've known Tulsi personally since 2003. (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:42:36 PM EST
    She followed the footsteps of her father, who parlayed his professional homophobia into elective office in the Honolulu City Council and Hawaii State Senate. She's a member of a virulently homophobic and anti-Islamic Hindu cult. Her local congressional staff in Honolulu is comprised of cult members. I can personally attest that despite her claims to be a Democratic progressive, she's as genuine as a $3 bill.

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 05:43:59 PM EST
    I understand what you meant in your post. I didn't think that you thought she was great. I was more or less pointing out that while she claims to be a peace candidate she's not really.

    Parent
    Taylor is reportedly bringing the pain (5.00 / 4) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 03:14:20 PM EST
    I just read Ambassador Taylor's lengthy opening statement. Devastating.

    -- Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) October 22, 2019

    read it

    "gasps and sighs" (none / 0) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:22:07 PM EST
    Doesn't sound good for no quid pro quo.

    One thing you are starting to hear is real fear that even if there is not enough republican votes to remove him it's starting to look very possible there could be a majority vote to remove him.

    It would only take a couple.  I wonder if Pence can vote to break a tie since the Chief Justice is supposed to run the thing.

    It could be the worst outcome politically speaking.  Republicans will still get slaughtered because the standard bearer will be the most damaged incumbent in history.

    Parent

    Rumors (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:38:17 PM EST
    are now starting to swirl that the GOP is just going to get him to resign, no deals, nothing. Just get him out of office because they really do not want to have the vote that you are talking about. However, this is another one of those I'll believe it when I see it.

    The day Trump leaves the white house I hope Pantsuit Nation and other political activist groups plan on having ticker tape parades celebrating the end of Trump all over the country. I know I will certainly want to join in the celebration.

    Parent

    Hard to imagine him quitting but (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:54:40 PM EST
    His ego is so fragile if they told him he is going to lose the vote an be removed I can see him doing some version of you can't fire me I quit.

    It feel like we are past any kind of strategy to avoid or deal with possible indictments.  It just looks like flailing and acting out.

    Maybe he will hijack AF1 and go to Russia.  One way.

    Parent

    He sure (none / 0) (#37)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 07:33:15 PM EST
    seems freaked out about an impeachment vote for sure. I would not be surprised to see him pull a Snowden and go to Russia and ask for political asylum.

    Parent
    His big con has also been (none / 0) (#84)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:05:38 AM EST
    worked on the GOP, making them believe they need him. It's all a bluff. Sooner or later they will wake up and drop him.

    Of course I've been saying that for 2 years....so what do I know.

    Parent

    Eventually, (none / 0) (#101)
    by Zorba on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 02:37:08 PM EST
    Trump will leave office.  Impeachment and conviction would be great, but if not that, an electoral defeat.

    I am hoping that he drags a whole bunch of Republicans down to defeat with him.  If this happens, expect the GOPers to shake their heads, wake up from their delusions (not all of them, but maybe a lot) and start saying that, really, Trump was a Democrat all along, and blame the Democratic Party for the mess.  (Of course, Trump was a Democrat in the past.  He was also an Independent.)

    Parent

    My sister raised an interesting/scary prospect (none / 0) (#121)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 07:54:24 PM EST
    If he gets impeached, and removed from office say in February, can he run again in November?  I don't know of any legal reason why not.

    Maybe we have to impeach and remove him AND beat him in November! Oh joy!

    Parent

    Under the Constitution, the only penalty (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by Peter G on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 09:11:59 PM EST
    that the Senate can impose upon convicting someone in an impeachment trial, in addition to removal from office, is a disqualification from holding any future "office of honor, trust or profit under the United States." The latter penalty is optional; the Senate may impose it or not.

    Parent
    Thanks Peter! (none / 0) (#129)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:00:03 PM EST
    Glad to hear there is at least the possibility!

    Parent
    We should be so lucky (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:04:41 PM EST
    I would say.  Run Donald run.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#116)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 07:06:04 PM EST
    the GOP really kind of does need him since he has a cult and Trump goes so does cult 45 and cult 45 is going to turn their rage on Republicans instead of Democrats. It's entirely cowardly but that is where they are.

    Parent
    Yes, and (none / 0) (#41)
    by KeysDan on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:11:31 PM EST
    the Republican Party, by knowingly running this firehose of corruption for re-election, provides its endorsement of Trump to the American people.  The Republican Party never paid the price it should have for endorsing Nixon, but it now needs to pay with its existence.   Join the Whigs and Know Nothings.

    Parent
    It hard to guess what they do now (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:35:33 PM EST
    It would seem their info bubble has come smack up against reality.  Maybe they will be like those sea creatures that can only live drifting unimpeded and die if they come in contact with a solid surface.

    I have not heard no quid pro quo in a couple of hours.  Can they be dumb enough to try to continue that particular talking point?

    Maybe.  Maybe the will switch to ok he did it qpq and all but it's just not impeachable.

    Good luck with that.

    Parent

    A riviting (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by NoSides on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:43:26 PM EST
    Of course he does (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 09:06:27 AM EST
    Hearings delayed (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 09:48:51 AM EST
    Because Mo Brooks and Louie Gomert stormed the hearing room.

    No, really.

    They are freaking out

    Oooooh! (none / 0) (#59)
    by Zorba on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:13:19 AM EST
    Now there's a couple of bad-@ss dudes!  Scary!  /s

    Parent
    I actually think Louie (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 11:01:59 AM EST
    Is a little scary

    Parent
    Louie Gohmert (none / 0) (#69)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 11:39:40 AM EST
    is still smarting that someone might be "casting aspersions on my asparagus." But, it is clear that "quid pro quo-gate" has them all beside themselves.  You know it is bad when Matt Gaetz is the leader.

    Parent
    I would not be surprised (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 11:52:48 AM EST
    Since they have now distilled every single objection down to process climaxing with this clown show in the SCIF if Nancy is not close to giving them what they think they want.

    Official full on public proceedings

    Parent

    Yeah. (none / 0) (#73)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 01:47:25 PM EST
    Given his position as congressman, Louis Gohmert is scary stupid. Many teenagers are far better informed than he is.

    Running a close second to Gohmert has to be Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) who -- along with Louie Louie, Steve Scalise and about two dozen other GOP numbskulls -- decided to recreate the 2000 Brooks Bros. riot by storming the House SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) in the Capitol basement. Today's political stunt has temporarily delayed the closed-door testimony of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper to the House Intelligence Committee, et al.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    A clucking flock.. (none / 0) (#72)
    by desertswine on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 01:13:01 PM EST
    of idiotic nazi wannabes, a crowd of Clarabelles.  

    Parent
    What Trump just said (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:46:47 AM EST
    While sounding like a mental patient was a profound departure from, well, from anything.  Ever.

    I can not believe that republicans will accept this.

    They are looking for the hook.

    In terms of (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:50:07 AM EST
    Foreign policy.  

    Parent
    Tulsi. (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 01:08:55 PM EST
    The NYTimes incorrectly quoted Secretary Clinton.  The quotation that spawned the Tulsi brouhaha was reported as "Russians" were grooming a candidate.... Mrs. Clinton stated that "Republicans" were....
    The NYTimes noted their misquotation. Mrs. Clinton did, in the podcast referenced, suggest fringe candidates may be Russian assets.

    From Nancy LeTourneau at Washington Monthly: (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 04:43:35 PM EST
    "The evidence is clear: Russia established a pattern of attempting to disrupt the Democratic primary in 2016 and is obviously doing the same thing this year. The only remaining question is why they chose Tulsi Gabbard."

    Parent
    The actual quote (none / 0) (#82)
    by NoSides on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 05:24:01 AM EST
    from Sect'y Clinton about Gabbard and also Jill Stein can be heard here in her own voice.

    She calls Gabbard, "a favorite of the Russians" and she calls Jill Stein (!) "also" a "Russian asset". CNN shows a definition of the word "asset". In a political context it means "spy".

    The reason Gabbard seems to be despised here is that she met with Assad. She acknowledges that he is a "torturer and murderer", but says that it is better to meet with these people and try to negotiate rather than engage in military actions which seem to lead nowhere, drain our treasury and kills thousands of our soldiers and their civilians. She is against our penchant for engaging in "regime change" wars.

    I must admit: so am I.
    We have been mired in Iraq and Afghanistan, as we all know, for well over a decade - and the toll on civilians and our troops is devastating - including suicide. And when they come home, if they come home, there is shamefully inadequate treatment for them.

    If Gabbard has been disqualified in the eyes of many Democrats because she met with Assad - so be it. So to whom those of us who consider these military interventions to be a cancer on our lives - a blot on our nation - to whom do we turn?

    Clinton's attack on Jill Stein just seems gratuitous - and in this context - way out of line.

    Parent

    Grilled Rattlesnake (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 06:07:06 AM EST
    Peppercorn and Dried Blueberry Rubbed Rattlesnake

    At most stores you can find a dehydrated blueberry. But what do you do when you forget to close the lid and you have berry BB's? I took some to a spice grinder with some black pepper, orange zest and salt and created an easy and tasty rub.

    Rub Recipe -

    ¼ cup dried blueberry powder

    1 Tablespoon cracked pepper

    1 tablespoon kosher salt

    Zest of one orange

    Mix all together and use as a rub for most any white meat. Like chicken, pork, rabbit or rattlesnake.

    Grilled Berry Rubbed Rattlesnake

    2 Tablespoons blueberry rub (or more)

    1 ea 4ft rattlesnake

    (This recipe will need to be adjusted according to the size of the snake being cooked)

    Skin and gut the snake. Make sure to burry the head of a rattlesnake since it is still poisonous for a while after it is dead. Soak the snake is water overnight. Remove from the water and pat dry.

    Heat the BBQ to medium high. Rub the snake with berry rub and then coil on itself. Skewer the snake so that it will stays together, like a spiral. See photo.

    Grill snake, rib side down first, on medium high. Close the lid of the BBQ and let cook for about 5 minutes. Flip and let grill for about another 5 minutes. Again, this all depends on the size of the snake.

    Remove from heat and let rest for five minutes. The meat will peep off the backbone and ribs in large patches. Pick clean with your fingers and intimidate the kids or your neighbors...

    Parent

    Does it taste like chicken? (none / 0) (#97)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 01:28:47 PM EST
    ;-D

    Parent
    An "asset" does not mean "spy" (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by Yman on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 07:50:26 PM EST
    It CAN be a spy, but it can also be people who can be useful in either knowingly or unknowingly pushing Russian propaganda. More importantly, the reasons for disliking Gabbard go far beyond her meeting with Assad and the "attacks" are far from "gratuitous."  The Russians have been pushing Gabbard for months, as they pushed Stein's candidacy in 2016.

    The Overwhelming Evidence in Support of Clinton's Claims About Gabbard.

    Parent

    NOW PLAYING - "Trumped: Grifter Nation." (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 08:06:23 PM EST
    Republicans obviously never heeded the admonitions of their mothers that you are often judged by the company you choose to keep.

    CNN.com | October 23, 2019
    How two businessmen hustled to profit from access to Rudy Giuliani and the Trump administration - "Long before they burst onto the national scene with their high-profile arrests at Dulles International Airport earlier this month, Soviet-born businessmen Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were already turning heads in Republican fundraising circles. 'They seemed like hustlers -- but not in a bad way. In a good way,' one high-ranking Republican operative familiar with the pair told CNN. But a CNN review of campaign contributions and court filings, as well as interviews with nearly a dozen people with knowledge of Parnas and Fruman's interactions, tell a different story."

    Worth a read. The best part of the article is at the very end, when you finally see the reason why Lev and Igor were going to Vienna when they were arrested at Washington-Dulles airport. "A spokesperson for Fox News did not provide CNN with a comment." LOL! What's there to say, really?

    Aloha.

    I've officially moved! (5.00 / 5) (#85)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:14:35 AM EST
    Hi everyone, good to 'see' you!  I had my routine shaken up this summer by a job change and a move from Orlando back to the Denver area (Littleton to be specific). Some of you might recall I lived in Castle Rock out here when I first joined TL....over 14 years ago? Is that possible?  

    The movers delivered my stuff last week and things are more or less unpacked, if not organized. I downsized a lot, from a 1800 sq ft house into an 1100 ft apartment. Sold, gave away, or threw out TONS of stuff and now fit in here fairly comfortably. I do have a book addiction so have had to find creative ways to store them - my main discovery is that the floor against a wall underneath a table counts as a bookshelf! It's a little like living in a used bookstore.

    I'm excited to get back to 'normal' in my new life and experience impeachment with my buddies. Bring it on!

    You're just in time to help build (5.00 / 3) (#88)
    by desertswine on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 11:21:05 AM EST
    the beautiful brand new Colorado - NM wall.

    Parent
    Comedy or tragedy? I go (none / 0) (#98)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 01:35:35 PM EST
    with both. Trump now tweets that he was just kidding about the Colorado wall, that new Mexico is going to pay for.  You know, its just old laugh-a-minute Donnie... just like the one about him Pardoning Turkey... oh wait.

    Parent
    Just in time for fall tv (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 12:18:40 PM EST
    Are you watching Catherine the Great?

    I have E1 waiting.

    Parent

    Episode l (none / 0) (#93)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 12:39:25 PM EST
    was very good.  A little difficult at first to keep the Count Orlov's straight as well as  some of the other characters.  It has been a while since I read Robert Massie's Catherine the Great, Portrait of a Women, but that background helped until the film ultimately cleared it up for me.  At first, I thought Helen Mirren might be a bit too old for the part (Catherine was about ten years older than Grigory Potemkin) but she is such a good actor, any historical accuracy in this department is unimportant.

    Parent
    It's definitely (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 01:37:17 PM EST
    Gorgeous

    Parent
    I didn't realize it had started yet! (none / 0) (#128)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 09:57:45 PM EST
    I'll watch for sure.  I also have a book about her I started earlier this year before the SH** hit the fan. I'll have to pick it up again. Even her childhood was fascinating.

    Did you watch Succession? OMG I loved that show.

    Parent

    Yeah Succession (none / 0) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:11:51 AM EST
    So good.  What a great season finale.  The idea of setting the finale mostly on that incredible yacht was just inspired.  

    CtG is very good.  It's a visual feast.  I have limited knowledge about Catherine.  Mostly what I know was from reading about Mae Wests broadway project Catherine WAS Great.

    I am very excited about Watchmen.  You should be watching.  It's definitely a political event.

    Parent

    Watchmen music (none / 0) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 05:24:37 PM EST
    Moving is always stressful. (none / 0) (#100)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 01:46:54 PM EST
    It's amazing how much crap you can accumulate over the years. Did you find any surprises when you purged and downsized? When we were moving from Honolulu to Hilo a few years ago, I found a couple favorite shirts of mine that I thought had been lost back in 2010 during our trip to South Africa. They were neatly folded and sealed in a plastic gallon-sized Ziploc bag inside a box that I was going through. That actually made my day.

    Parent
    It really has been stressful (none / 0) (#131)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:18:42 PM EST
    I forgot how hard it is. I had to start my new job pretty much immediately after I accepted it at the end of July, so I came out here with a carful of stuff and the cats, and was staying with a friend for a couple of months while my house closed in FL and the apartment I wanted here became available. Even that got stressful after a while, just not being in control of my whole situation. It is so nice to have the actual moving behind me...a new job is stressful enough, but I'm used to work stress as long as my little household is in order.

    That's funny about your shirts. I can't say I had any surprise finds - I had done enough little mini-purges over the years that I pretty much knew what I had. Unpacking though I have had a few - 'why didn't I throw this away?' moments, like cheap plastic cups and stuff like that. I only had two weeks to get the house cleared out enough to show and deal with all the stuff I knew I did not want to bring with me. I think I was in such a hurry towards the end I just decided to bring the rest and deal with it on this end.

    One funny and marvelous thing - after my first week or so of hard work getting the place cleaned out and nearly empty to show - odds and ends and lots of books in boxes in the garage - the first day the sign went up,  my neighbor came over when I was outside and said her son wanted to buy a house in the neighborhood. He made an offer the next day - the house wasn't even officially listed yet. So that was so easy and great to have it sell immediately, and for nearly the asking price. Then it was just a matter of deciding what to take with me in the SUV for the drive out here with the cats, to get me through the time before I got a place and the rest of my stuff moved out here.

    Crazytown! Nio wonder I'm exhausted!  It's all good though, really glad I got the chance to come back here. I've wanted it for a long time and it finally worked out!

    Parent

    I am currently experiencing it (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:48:38 AM EST
    By proxy.  Mostly.

    I have finally convinced one of my oldest friends to retire and buy a house here.  He lives in the western part of the state.

    So he is selling his house, buying one here and just so he feels more financially secure during the whole transition he is taking a job here.  He is a nurse and he will be supervising in a nursing home about. a mile from here.  

    The thing is he needs to start the job real soon.  So he is going to stay with me (joy).

    But it is a lot to deal with.  This person is a very "large" person who might be the child of Winny the Pooh and Eeyor.  He has been comically overwhelmed

    Trying to do what I can but that mostly amounts to providing a bedroom.

    Parent

    Welcome home! (none / 0) (#134)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 11:15:27 PM EST
    Are you around Old Town or down 470 way?

    Parent
    Grant Ranch - closer to Old Town (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by ruffian on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:21:26 AM EST
    I like the location - easy to get just about anywhere. Driving around is making me feel 15 years younger with the memories coming up!

    Parent
    But per popular demand in Spain, El Caudillo's body was finally exhumed today from the national mausoleum at El Valle de los Caídos ("The Valley of the Fallen") and relocated to a private family crypt at the Mingorrubio-El Pardo municipal cemetery a dozen miles north of Madrid.

    It was the growing consensus among the Spanish people that the presence of Gen. Franco's remains in the Valley of the Fallen posed an affront to the memory of the approximately 160,000 Spaniards who valiantly but vainly defended the Second Republic from its eventual destruction by Franco and the Fascists during Spain's tragic civil war (1936-39).

    It is therefore right and proper for the Spanish government to remove all public veneration of his murderous fascist regime, which ended only with his Camille-like extended illness and demise in November 1975 which, as many of us remember, became the butt of a long-running gag during the inaugural season of NBC's Saturday Night Live.

    But there was nothing at all funny about the vicious and vindictive nature of Franco himself and in particular, the Valley of the Fallen had long been something of a shrine and a place of pilgrimage for the still-numerous adherents of his Falange Española party. Instead, it is hoped that the locale will eventually become a memorial that dignifies and rehabilitates the memory of the hundreds of thousands of victims who died at the hands of El Caudillo and his Falangist thugs during his brutal 36-year rule.

    Ironically, Franco himself had expressed his personal opposition to being buried at the Valley of the Fallen, having preferred instead to be interred where he's now been relocated. That he was subsequently entombed at the Valley of the Fallen anyway was the decision of his designated political heir and successor, King Juan Carlos.

    In any event, and at long last, we bid a final ¡Hasta luego! and good riddance to one of 20th century Europe's cruelest tyrants.

    >:-D

    Unbelievably (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by fishcamp on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 07:10:23 PM EST
    Trump has ordered all Federal agency's to discontinue their subscriptions to the Washington Post and the New York Times.  Just now read this on google news.  

    He is without a doubt the most petty person (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:22:14 PM EST
    in the world. How can anyone support him and keep a shred of dignity?

    Parent
    Elijah Cummings funeral (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:56:24 AM EST
    is being covered on MSNBC. Kweisi Mfume speaking now. President Obama will speak last. A lion being put to rest.

    orange jesus must be apoplectic that he is not the center of attention today. No one will say his name.


    People (none / 0) (#140)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:57:28 AM EST
    were commenting that Trump didn't show up to the funeral but I'm like I'm sure Cummings did not want Trump there.

    Parent
    Heh, Warrenphiles (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by MKS on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:22:44 AM EST
    and those who love Medicare for All.

    Check out this Wisconsin poll by Marquette Law School--considered a good poll.

    Warren  47
    Trump   46

    And this is before Medicare for All becomes THE issue in the Fall election--Impeachment will have become a distant memory by this time.

    I see total disaster.  


    Well, (none / 0) (#143)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:37:51 AM EST
    I think you can allow a few points for misogyny but after MFA cost Gillum support in FL it should not be surprising that the issue is not polling well.

    Parent
    Misogyny (none / 0) (#145)
    by MKS on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:48:13 AM EST
    No doubt.

    But I think Amy could fight that headwind just fine....and win.

    Parent

    There was a person (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:51:21 AM EST
    From the Economist on MJ this morning talking about this cover story - Elizabeth Warren wants to remake American capitalism

    She was basically Chicken Little.  If Warren wins it will be the end of the world as we know it.  That's almost literally what she said the article was about.  

    This is The Economist

    I think this kind of stuff could end up helping Warren.  Maybe if there is enough cry's of horror and fear from the corporate government people will start to believe.   And register and vote.

    Could happen.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#152)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 01:42:08 PM EST
    at least they are saying she is a "capitalist" and not a "socialist" in the Economist.

    Who knows whether that helps or hurts. I can see it helping with some and hurting with perhaps others.

    Parent

    And maybe the question will be (none / 0) (#156)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 03:36:35 PM EST
    Is the world as we know it all it's cracked up to be.

    Is the world we know the one we want.

    Who benefits either way.

    Parent

    The referenced (none / 0) (#151)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 01:19:48 PM EST
    Marquette poll, shows Senator Warren at an improved position: 47 percent Warren, 46 percent Trump. This is to be compared with August, when the poll reported 45 percent Warren, 45 percent Trump.

    Senator Sanders has lost ground, 48 percent Sanders, 46 percent Trump.  In August, the poll reports 48 percent Sanders, 44 percent Trump.

    Former VP Biden has also seen a tightening:  50 percent Biden and Trump 44 percent. In August, Biden was at 51 percent and Trump at 42 percent.

    The Marquette poll also suggests that Wisconsinites are somewhat behind the curve at this point in impeachment/removal results.  But, that is changing, too.

    Impeachment will, in my view, continue to be among top issues in the campaign.  Trump will make it so. There is no reason to believe that he will not continue to abuse power, lie, cheat and steal. After all, all of the Ukraine/China extortion scheme was about the 2020 election. If not removed, as is likely, he will just be emboldened. All out in the open. For us to see.

    Medicare for All may yield to--- among ways to achieve the goal of universal, affordable health coverage.  After all, no candidate's plans will be the final one.

     But Medicare for All, although scary for some at first blush, can be explained and be persuasive on the basis of economies as well as quality.  I agree, that the problem is the political one--contrasting a corporate take-over of health care decisions with government funded universal health care.

     Just ask any Medicare recipient/retiree if they would rather pay $125/month plus payroll taxes during their working life, for Medicare coverage, or $900/month for private insurance.

     Diminishing health care markets for private insurers along with the high rollers worries that Senator Warren will take away their money, will bring legitimate questions along with trickery and deceit.

    And, too, the other Democratic primary candidates have to explain their ideas: e.g. Medicare for All who Want It.  What happens if everybody wants it?   The point of single payer is that it is cheaper when every is on it.  If it is wanted when all else fails, there is a sicker/more expensive pool. In any event, all of the plans toward universal health care need a look at the details.

    As for the Trump plan, that should be easier to contrast.  Trump pledged to repeal ACA and replace it with "something terrific."  Terrific, in fact, is to take away health care from millions.

    Parent

    From (5.00 / 1) (#160)
    by FlJoe on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 05:05:47 PM EST
    it's "all about the optics file"
    President Donald Trump traveled to South Carolina for an even at Benedict College, but only seven students at the historically black college were admitted to his event.


    Literally (none / 0) (#172)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:51:12 PM EST
    everybody is laughing at Trump about this.

    Parent
    Laughing, sure. But it's no laughing matter (none / 0) (#179)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:23:58 PM EST
    that the Racist-in-Chief thinks that he can do all his talking to African American audiences on the subject of criminal law and punishment reform.

    Parent
    Well (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 08:14:14 PM EST
    I think that is the crux of why nobody showed up. Trump speaking about that issue is patently ridiculous for sure.

    Parent
    Before the thread fills up (5.00 / 1) (#201)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 10:51:06 AM EST
    A PSA
    Since medical pot has been legalized here I have been on a THC adventure.  It really is a whole new world.  Having made friends in my local dispensary they, last visit, directed me to THC wax.  Perhaps you have heard of this.  I had not.  
    But remember hash?  This is like hashZILLA.

    I would love t know if there are any other medical users reading

    Cannabis Wax; Everything You Need to Know in One Resource

    A little dab'll do ya (5.00 / 1) (#202)
    by jondee on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 01:11:06 PM EST
    remember that jingle?

    All I have to say (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 03:27:46 PM EST
    is when you think we've hit bottom we have not. Every day with Trump is worse and there is no bottom and the GOP is just fine with all that. After all this, the GOP needs to be completely destroyed as a political party.

    While it will likely get worse ... (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 04:06:41 PM EST
    ... before it gets better, there are signs that the GOP's wall of solidarity surrounding Trump is starting to crumble.

    The decision by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff to conduct the impeachment inquiry as a de facto grand jury through closed door hearings and testimony certainly appears to have been a wise one, because it's deprived House Republicans -- in particular, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) -- of a public venue to grandstand and obfuscate before the TV cameras.

    Further, it now compels the GOP caucus to rely on the dubious intellectual and legislative faculties of that dim-witted "Sage of Bakersfield," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), to defend their position, and he's clearly punching well above his weight class.

    I'm speculating, obviously, but I think McCarthy will be unable to hold his caucus together once Schiff goes public with his findings and articles of impeachment are formally introduced in the Judiciary Committee, and that as many as 50 vulnerable or retiring GOP members may ultimately vote with the Democrats when those articles reach the House floor.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I hope (none / 0) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 12:25:21 PM EST
    you are right. So far the GOP has been more quiet than usual but I never rely on them to do the right thing.

    Parent
    Or, to put it bluntly: (none / 0) (#40)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:08:54 PM EST
    "I say get 'em by the balls, and their hearts and minds will follow."
    - Attributed to Rep. Mendel Rivers (D-SC), speaking to President Lyndon Johnson about Vietnam (July 1964)

    ;-D

    Parent

    I lived (none / 0) (#117)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 07:07:51 PM EST
    in Charleston and Mendel was a legend there.

    Parent
    I gotta say (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 05:38:11 PM EST
    I am loving Pierre Delecto.

    Ha! It really is perfect. (none / 0) (#130)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:02:18 PM EST
    Like Jon Stewart made it up.

    Parent
    Some good news (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 05:51:15 PM EST

    After nearly a month of fraught negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has abandoned his attempt to form a new government. On Monday, the longtime leader, who heads the conservative Likud party, acknowledged his failure to cobble together a coalition from last month's muddled election results, and he returned the mandate to President Reuven Rivlin.

    Now Gantz, too, will have 28 days to make good on his mandate. If he cannot, a gridlocked Israel faces the prospect of having to hold a third election in the span of a year -- with little sign of an end to its political impasse.

    As the leadership drama plays out, another huge story is shaking the highest rungs of power in Israel: Netanyahu faces a likely indictment on corruption charges that could include bribery and fraud -- a state of affairs that Blue and White has listed as one of its primary reasons for rejecting the possibility of a unity government with Likud.



    Just to be clear, Blue and White is not ... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 06:30:09 PM EST
    ... necessarily averse to forming a coalition government with Likud per se. But B&W leader Benny Ganz is apparently refusing to do so while the corrupt Bibi Netanyahu remains in good standing as Likud's leader.

    Whether the prospect of a coalition with B&W is enough of an incentive for Likud members to finally dump the prime minister and turn elsewhere for party leadership, well, that remains to be seen. Personally, I don't think it is.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    It's still good news (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 07:14:21 AM EST
    And there's more

    "The quick declaration of Trudeau's victory came as a surprise after he was deadlocked in the polls with Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer during the six-week campaign.



    Parent
    And yeah (none / 0) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 10:35:33 AM EST
    They lost the majority

    It's still good news.  

    Parent

    ... of the nationwide popular vote, but it looks like they basically ran up the score in districts where they already held those seats while getting their a$$es handed to them everywhere else, and so they only gained 21 seats and finished well behind the Liberals in the House of Commons. Trudeau will likely partner with British Columbia's New Democratic Party to form his coalition government.

    Parent
    I'm not a fan of Marvel Comics-themed movies. (none / 0) (#11)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 07:13:44 PM EST
    But to denigrate the entire genre as somehow being unworthy of consideration as true cinema, as legendary directors Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola have both recently done, is misguided, petulant and dare I say, elitist.

    Regarding the arts, people have the right to like what they like, and we should all accord to one another that courtesy. I have no problem expressing my dislike for certain movies, but I'm also not afraid to admit it when mine is sometimes the minority opinion, as it clearly is when it comes to Marvel Studios productions.

    Aloha.

    I think they want it to sound elitist (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 21, 2019 at 07:18:14 PM EST
    And it's just makes them sound old and cranky.  And jealous

    Parent
    They didn't come accross well (none / 0) (#17)
    by McBain on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 09:44:18 AM EST
    I don't completely disagree with their comments but many people obviously want to see those movies.

    I just hope there's room for the next generation of filmmakers like Scorsese and Coppola.  
     

    Parent

    Speaking of filmmakers (none / 0) (#30)
    by McBain on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:13:00 PM EST
    Link
    Director Quentin Tarantino has no plans to recut "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" after Chinese regulators pulled the movie a week before it was scheduled to be released in the country on Friday, a source told the Hollywood Reporter.

    While regulators have not offered an explanation for the decision, sources told the outlet that the movie's portrayal of martial arts legend Bruce Lee as an overly cocky, pompous loser could be to blame.



    Parent
    I've already made my feelings known about ... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:18:08 PM EST
    ... "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Quentin Tarantino could re-score it with a laugh-track and the theme music from "Bozo's Big Top," for all I care. That was 2 hours and 40 minutes of my life which I'll never get back.

    But again, mine is obviously the minority opinion, and I'm totally cool with that. Tarantino soured me on his work product with "Inglourious Basterds." I had a instant and visceral dislike of that film.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I was watching (none / 0) (#29)
    by NoSides on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:11:03 PM EST
    reruns of a show called, "Boston Legal".

    The episodes were filmed in 2006.

    The issues they were discussing:

    * The crisis of global warming.

    * Sexual harassment in the workplace.

    * The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    I never got into Boston Legal (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by McBain on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:18:22 PM EST
    but I did enjoy the show it spun off from.... The Practice.  

    Parent
    I was (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by NoSides on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 06:40:31 PM EST
    just stunned that the issues they were discussing - with some degree of passion - over 13 years ago are exactly the same ones we are dealing with - or not dealing with - today. Global warming and the need for renewable energy - sexual harassment in the workplace - (the "me too" movement today) - and the never-ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Three election cycles later... and we have gotten just about nowhere.

     

    Parent

    It is, indeed, (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Zorba on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:16:05 AM EST
    Discouraging, to say the least.  :-(
    Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

    Parent
    Quid, meet Pro and Quo. (none / 0) (#36)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 07:22:21 PM EST
    Ambassador Bill Taylor, a professional diplomat who's been serving as acting chief US envoy to Ukraine in the wake of former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch's summary removal from her post by the Trump administration last May, testified in House Democrats' impeachment inquiry that he was told Trump was holding up military aid to Ukraine until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly announced investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election -- which, of course, directly contradicts Trump's repeated public denials of a quid pro quo.

    "He was told"? Who told him? (none / 0) (#38)
    by Peter G on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 07:43:46 PM EST
    That matters a lot. (I missed the news today, working late.)

    Parent
    From Time magazine:

    "In the follow-up to the call, Taylor exchanged texts with two of Trump's point men on Ukraine as they were trying to get Zelensky to commit to the investigations before setting a date for a coveted White House visit.

    "In a text message to Gordon Sondland on Sept. 1, Taylor bluntly questioned Trump's motives: 'Are we now saying that security assistance and WH meeting are conditioned on investigations?' Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, told him to call him.

    "In texts a week later to Sondland and special envoy Kurt Volker, Taylor expressed increased alarm, calling it 'crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.'"

    "I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign." That speaks volumes. Bill Taylor was using text messaging to document the wrongdoing going on. Here's the full text of his public statement, released in advance of his deposition to the House Intelligence Committee. Needless to say, Taylor's statement is explosive and damning.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Here's a PDF file copy of Taylor's statement. (none / 0) (#43)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 08:29:08 PM EST
    LINK. If you're like me, you might find it easier to print it out and read it, rather than read it online.

    Parent
    Update: Here's the new link to the (none / 0) (#80)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 04:56:14 PM EST
    ... to the PDF file of Ambassador Taylor's opening statement to the House Intelligence Committee. The other link I provided is inoperative.

    Parent
    Oh, ok. Nothing new, then. Same as (none / 0) (#47)
    by Peter G on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 09:30:38 PM EST
    was published last week. I thought it was something new. Not that the texts are in any way insufficient.

    Parent
    So, now I've read the letter. I was wrong. (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Peter G on Tue Oct 22, 2019 at 10:28:50 PM EST
    There is much more than those now-familiar texts. It is first-hand, and damning.

    Parent
    At this point, ... (none / 0) (#49)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 03:24:15 AM EST
    ... I'm firmly convinced that Trump is consciously acting as an agent of the Kremlin. He's betrayed our country. We ought to prepare to march on Washington.

    Parent
    It would be great if it was just Trump. (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 08:13:16 AM EST
    It's definitely not.  I worry about the absence of Barr and Pompeo.  Both are ruthless and smart.  We have them and Perry and Pence and Mulvaney plus the various groupies and hangers on.

    They all have to go and I don't even know what the mechanism is for that.

    But these people will not go quietly.


    Parent

    UPDATE: When it rains, it pours. (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 03:41:34 PM EST
    In response to an emergency motion from the watchdog group American Oversight, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has now ordered the State Department to release in 30 days records related to Ukraine, including communications between the president's personal lawyer and senior officials.

    Parent
    Specifically citing the White House's refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry as a reason, Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ordered the Justice Department to grant the House Judiciary Committee full and unfettered access to grand jury material that was redacted from special counsel Robert Mueller's report, which marks a key legal victory for Committee Chair Jerry Nadler and his House Democratic colleagues. No doubt, the Trump administration will appeal but still, this a a significant ruling.

    Parent
    The other oh shi+ news for them today (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 04:34:01 PM EST
    Is Bolton agreeing to testify.  I think that's absolutely huge.

    Parent
    I wonder (none / 0) (#159)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 05:04:59 PM EST
    if Bolton testifying will finally do in people like Leningrad Lindsay.

    Parent
    Also (none / 0) (#174)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:55:31 PM EST
    In that same ruling the idea the Impeachment is not legal without a vote is shot down.

    Boom


    Parent

    Mulvaney is WH chief of staff. (none / 0) (#74)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 01:54:50 PM EST
    Since people in that post serve directly under and at the pleasure of the president, he'll be gone when Trump is removed. Energy Sec. Rick Perry has announced his resignation this past week. But VP Mike Pence, AG Bill Barr and Sec. of State Mike Pompeo are subject to formal impeachment and removal by Congress. I think House JUD chair Jerry Nadler would do well to announce an inquiry into Barr's conduct as AG.

    Parent
    Another important nuance (none / 0) (#87)
    by Peter G on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:54:01 AM EST
    I had overlooked. Ambassador Taylor relays that what Tr*mp wanted was not for the Ukrainian President to initiate an "investigation" but to announce on US television that he was doing so. All the more clear that it was for a US political purpose.

    Parent
    And, underscores (none / 0) (#89)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 11:30:10 AM EST
    that the quo pro quo extorts a thing of value.

    Parent
    Live stream Trumps tax appeal (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 07:46:26 AM EST
    I love that courtroom. (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Peter G on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 08:39:09 AM EST
    You argue with a bust of Henry Friendly to your left, and Learned Hand to your right. The overall quality of the judges is exceptional.

    Parent
    Cspan (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 07:55:15 AM EST
    Anonymous is coming (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 09:43:46 AM EST
    Anonymous Trump official who wrote New York Times op-ed has a book coming out

    Putting aside the whole pro/con remaining anonymous thing, I could make either argument, what I thought was,  hmmm, coming out at the peak of the election preseason, lots of people who plan to run for president write books.

    Be something if they allow the book to come out and be news, it almost certainly will, and then pops out of a cake or the media equivalent and says ANONYMOUS 2020!!!

    Worst case IMO (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 09:45:17 AM EST
    Nikki Haley

    Parent
    Probably (none / 0) (#60)
    by FlJoe on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:13:23 AM EST
    not Haley, indications are Anon was someone who was(is?)at the WH on a daily basis. I don't think that applies to Haley.

    Even though it makes little sense, I keep thinking Kellyanne Conway. It would kind of explain the whole "good cop bad cop" dance with her and her husband.

    Parent

    I was just riffin (none / 0) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:19:00 AM EST
    I had not paid any attention to the Haley thing.  It just seemed logical to me.  But after the comment I searched "is Nikki Haley Anonymous". Try it.

      But read that Examiner link.  People definitely thought she was.

    Parent

    Kristjen (none / 0) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 11:28:13 AM EST
    Nielsen?

    Parent
    Definitely (none / 0) (#68)
    by FlJoe on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 11:33:02 AM EST
    a possibility.

    Parent
    A quick google found this (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:15:40 AM EST
    From almost exactly one year ago.  Which Ancient Alien Theorists say itself is interesting

    Cloud of suspicion over Haley resignation as identity of 'Anonymous' mystery intensifies



    Parent

    The anonymous source ... (none / 0) (#75)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 02:07:39 PM EST
    ... doesn't necessarily have to be a Trump appointee. He or she may well be career State Dept. or Intelligence Community personnel, who are often assigned or recommended to the White House by their respective agencies.

    One example of that would be Fiona Hill, an intelligence officer and specialist in Russian and eastern European affairs, who served as an NSC adviser to Trump until her resignation in August of this year. She also served in a similar capacity under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    TRUMP IS RUSSIAN UNDERCOVER ASSET (none / 0) (#58)
    by ChiCity on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 10:09:17 AM EST
    I posted this on October 8 before Trump gave Russia the dominant spot in the Middle East. Appears clear he is Russia's or maybe Putin's pawn. What do you think?

    Thank you

    DOESN'T IT SEEM LIKE TRUMP HAS PERFORMED AS A (none / 0) (#6)
    by ChiCity on Tue Oct 08, 2019 at 10:16:54 AM EST

    RUSSIAN ASSET
    Think back to January 2017. What was on Russia's (Putin's) wish list? How many have been realized since Trump was sworn in?


    Optics (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 03:44:01 PM EST
    Scene (none / 0) (#86)
    by FlJoe on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:17:55 AM EST
    Time: Approximately one year in the future.

    Place: Small college auditorium some where in the mid west.
    Event: Presidential debate.

    Jake Tapper: "Senator Warren[or insert your fave here] what is your plan to fight corruption in Washington?

    Senator Warren: Begins to trash tRump and the Republicans, in mid sentence tRump pulls out a 45 and shoots her dead.

    Jake Tapper: "Senator your time is up", Mr. President you may respond.

    Parent

    They will report to any nonsense argument (none / 0) (#122)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:00:29 PM EST
    to prevent his tax returns being released. Can't wait to see them!

    Parent
    William Consovoy, (none / 0) (#78)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Oct 23, 2019 at 04:01:11 PM EST
    orange jesus' attorney told a federal appeals court that the president could shoot someone and not be indicted. That, is one cockamamie legal conclusion. Did these guys get law degrees from Cracker Jack boxes.

    Mueller stated in that a president "cannot be charged with a federal crime while he is in office." There is a memorandum that "federal" prosecutors cannot indict a sitting president.

    Shooting someone on Fifth Avenue, the scenario presented by Consovoy, would a New York state crime. Or shooting someone on a street anywhere but Washington DC, would be a state crime. I would wager there is NO state statute that prevents a state or county prosecutor from charging or indicting a POTUS for the  murder. Or assault.

    Lawyers, your take?


    Another of the "Tim Ryans" (none / 0) (#90)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 11:42:51 AM EST
    dropped out of the Democratic primary--the actual Tim Ryan.  He seems nice, but better suited for a 2004 presidential race than 2020.  Maybe a running mate for Senator Klobuchar, should she get the big nod.

    If a candidate (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 12:17:07 PM EST
    Falls in the forest...

    Parent
    Middle Classes Biggest Asset (none / 0) (#94)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 12:51:16 PM EST
    hit by Trump tax cuts.  According to the chief economist at Moody's and a former president of MD Sass, a Wall Street firm, the 2017 tax bill inflicted a $ Trillion damage on homeowners at all levels. The tax bill lowered home prices about 4 percent more than they would otherwise be.  The Trump tax bill capped federal deductions for state and local real estate and income taxes at $10,000/year and eliminated some mortgage interest deductions.

    The bill's affect was felt throughout the country, but impacted states with higher taxes more so.

    For those interested (none / 0) (#95)
    by NoSides on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 01:15:14 PM EST
    in hearing the actual voice of Hillary Clinton speaking about Tulsi Gabbard and Jill Stein, it was broadcast by CNN and is available here:



    The link mentioned (none / 0) (#96)
    by NoSides on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 01:16:46 PM EST
    Incredible. (none / 0) (#102)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 02:44:10 PM EST
    Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) advertised a news conference Thursday to announce a resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry.

    Somebody ought to inform Graham and the rest of the Senate Republicans that Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution provides that "[t]he House of Representatives ... shall have the sole Power of Impeachment."

    The Constitution is not a flag of convenience.

    It's hard to believe (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 02:52:48 PM EST
    This stuff is not looking desperate and panicky to even their most rabidly idiotic supporters.

    I mean most of them are more familiar with Benghazi than we are.  

    Parent

    What's the legal term Peter and Jeralyn use? (none / 0) (#105)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 03:07:58 PM EST
    Oh, yeah - "consciousness of guilt."

    Parent
    It's getting bad out there (none / 0) (#107)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 04:31:25 PM EST

    Trump's RNC is now feuding with the right-wing newspaper that exposed Kellyanne Conway

    On Thursday, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway came under scrutiny following a Washington Examiner article that she lost her temper at a journalist who asked about her Trump-skeptic husband and threatened to investigate the reporter's family.

    RNC rapid response director Steve Guest immediately came out attacking the conservative newspaper, claiming that they had had an "agreement" the tirade was off the record



    Parent
    While it's certainly not the full-throated and robust condemnation that Graham promised earlier, he nevertheless publicly and purposefully misrepresents the House impeachment process.

    And in my honest opinion, this resolution is an unconstitutional infringement by the Senate upon a sole and constitutionally guaranteed prerogative of the House. Should the House now similarly prescribe to the Senate how any ensuing trial should be conducted, once any prospective articles of impeachment are approved by the former?

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I was thinking it's looking like (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 05:23:13 PM EST
    Republicans are begging Nancy, please please please make this stuff public so we can stop defending this guy.  Help us please we look like idiots.  You know we can't put this stuff out it has to be you.

    Yeah, yeah, in a couple of weeks.  We will definitely do that.

    Parent

    Angst-riddled rock vocialist Morrissey, ... (none / 0) (#106)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 04:28:27 PM EST
    ... former frontman of the '80s manic depressive rock group The Smiths, has apparently decided that his lifelong psychological torment would be better  alleviated by his open adoption of a white nationalist persona:

    "A vocal supporter of the controversial Brexit plan to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Union, Morrissey has been increasingly speaking out against England's liberal-leaning immigration policies, and has expressed his allegiance to For Britain, a far-right political party. For Hidalgo, that stance reveals what few of his stateside fans seem willing to acknowledge: 'The bad rhetoric that Morrissey espouses, and that the party espouses, on these shores would be Trumpism. On these shores that would be MAGA.'"

    For the record, the far-right For Britain party was formed two years ago by the odious anti-Muslim / anti-immigrant politician Anne Marie Waters.

    Maybe Morrissey and Ted Nugent can tour together as the opening act for Trump's campaign rallies.

    Oy.

    That is some how not surprising (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 04:32:44 PM EST
    I always hated him.

    Parent
    LOL! My wife's friend, ... (none / 0) (#110)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 04:38:07 PM EST
    ... who's a gay Latino male, is a total Morrissey devotee. No accounting for one's artistic tastes, I guess. Personally, I find Morrissey's plaintive wailing to be terribly annoying.

    Parent
    Los Angeles Times | October 23, 2019
    Morrissey is anti-immigrant and backs a white nationalist political party. Why don't fans care? - "For years, when professor Melissa Mora Hidalgo wasn't teaching classes at Cal State Fullerton or UC San Diego, the Los Angeles-based culture writer could often be found on stages throughout the region, singing songs made famous by her musical hero, British rock star Morrissey. [...] But when Morrissey closes out his tour at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 26, in support of his recent album, 'California Son,' Hidalgo won't be there. 'I don't have it in me,' she says with a sigh. In recent years, Morrissey has pushed a political and social agenda that she can no longer ignore."

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Baseball makes my azz look big (none / 0) (#111)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 05:01:03 PM EST
    unlike golf

    According to White House pool reports Thursday, Trump said he would be attending the game.

    But when asked if he'll throw out the first pitch, Trump said: "I don't know, they got to dress me up in a lot of heavy armor -- I'll look too heavy."

    Former President Barack Obama threw out the first pitch at the Nationals game in 2010 lad in khaki slacks and a fluffy Nats jacket.



    You know what makes baseball's azz look big? (none / 0) (#115)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 06:30:46 PM EST
    MLB umpires like the dimwitted Rob Drake:

    "Major League Baseball is investigating an umpire's tweet saying he was going to buy an assault rifle and warning of civil war if President Trump is impeached. ESPN obtained a copy of Rob Drake's tweets before he deleted them from his Twitter account."

    Oy.

    Parent

    The Houston Astros finally fired Asst. General Manager Brandon Taubman for an outrageously misogynistic incident involving three female sports reporters who were in the Astros' clubhouse following their American League Championship Series-clinching Game 6 victory over the New York Yankees this past weekend.

    Unfortunately, the termination came only after the Astros organization had first publicly downplayed Sports Illustrated journalist Stephanie Apstein's story about the locker-room incident with Taubman, a story which turned out to be all too true. The magazine stood squarely behind their reporter and her work and other media outlets quickly confirmed her account, which compelled Astros management to retract their initial statement and fire Taubman. What year are we living in again -- 1919?

    Oh, and while we're on the subject of 1919, while Major League Baseball has been celebrating its 150th anniversary, it has pretty much failed to acknowledge that this October also marks the 100th anniversary of the sport's darkest chapter, the infamous Black Sox scandal in which eight members of the heavily favored Chicago White Sox conspired with gambling interests to throw the 1919 World Series to the underdog Cincinnati Reds. The appalling tale of avarice was later immortalized in Eliot Asinof's outstanding book on the matter, Eight Men Out, which was subsequently made into a film in 1988 by acclaimed director John Sayles.

    What's really interesting is that a lot more evidence has since come to light in the 50 years since Asinof's book was first published, including the federal grand jury transcripts of 1920, which belie the conventional wisdom that the players were victims of miserly team owner Charlie Comiskey and were duped by gambling interests into throwing the World Series.

    Rather, according to sports historian Jacob Pomrenke, it was the White Sox players themselves who first initiated the scheme and approached the gambling interests. Turns out that they were motivated by sheer greed as the prohibitive odds-on favorites to win the World Series, and literally bet against themselves for a big payday. Ain't it funny? It was all about money.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Nothing (none / 0) (#112)
    by FlJoe on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 05:14:02 PM EST
    says ending endless wars like this
    And in a sign that the US military may be concerned about potential clashes with heavily armed adversaries such as Russia and the Syrian regime, the US is weighing deploying tanks or other armored vehicles to the country for the first time to help US troops defend the oil fields Trump is prioritizing.
     

    This is obviously a distraction tactic (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 07:47:12 PM EST
    But who knows how far Barr will take it.  Is it just so they can, Ukraine style, SAY there is an investigation or ..... what?

    Bill Barr's prosecutor is now looking to criminally charge DOJ employees for investigating Russia



    Retaliatory also (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by ruffian on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 10:24:46 PM EST
    Thinking of all the people who will want to have lawyers if they have to testify before a grand jury or are legitimately afraid of Trump-ed up charges. That is going to get expensive really fast. Comey is going to have to write another book. Hope he saved some sanctimony!

    Parent
    Listening to Rachel (none / 0) (#124)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:08:33 PM EST
    I thinking the former

    The last time this guy Durham did an investigation it took three years.

    Three years from now there will be a squib on page 16 of the Times

    NEVER MIND

    Parent

    And (none / 0) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:13:05 PM EST
    Chuck Rosenberg just said he closed the last three year investigation without bringing charges.

    Sounds like the man for the job.

    Parent

    When it was first announced that DOJ was opening a criminal probe in its investigation of the Russia investigators, the media's immediate reaction has been to question the Trump White House's motives, rather than merely assume that AG Bill Barr is on the up-and-up. That to me is a good thing.

    That said, MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance also pointed out to Lawrence O'Donnell last night that U.S. Attorney John Durham, who's heading up the DOJ probe, has also been known to use federal grand juries to conclusively put to rest public insinuations and shut down a line of chatter. So, one can hope that Durham has perhaps launched the criminal inquiry in order to show Trump and Barr once and for all that there's really no there there. But I'll believe that when I see it.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    The thing is (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 05:10:43 PM EST
    Some of the same people, including Joyce who I love, that are saying what a reliable straight shooter Durham is I remember saying the same thing about Barr not long ago.

    Parent
    This investigation (none / 0) (#181)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:59:41 PM EST
    of the "oranges " takes a page out of Dictatorship 101's handbook.  Durham is suspect on the basis of being tapped by Barr, and accepting the appointment.  Moreover, Barr seems to be spearheading this fascist step assuming the curious role of line investigator flying around the globe, with Dunham, to do so.

    We all saw what Barr did to the diffident Mueller.  We should expect, until proved otherwise, a similar outcome with Dunham. Have not been able to determine what, if any, connections exist between Dunham and Barr.  Being about the same age, and being a Republican appointee, it would not be surprising If there is more here than meets the naked eye.

    Parent

    I was thinking (none / 0) (#182)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 08:05:17 PM EST
    What does Barr have on him

    Parent
    Some clues. (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:18:51 PM EST
    Barr and Durham were compatriots at DOJ during the 1980's. And during Daddy Bush's term when Barr was AG 1.0  and bailing out Iran-Contra.  A tie may be their zealous Catholicism.  Barr is Opus Dei. Don't know about Durham but his lecture at Yale Law campus Thomistic Institute entitled: "Perspectives of a Catholic Prosecutor: Working to be the King's Good Servant, but God's First". November 2018, indicates his religious commitment.

    Parent
    Made some comment about (none / 0) (#176)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:09:56 PM EST
    How Barr and his posse will not go quietly.

    Just listening to James Clapper discussing how he is apparently being investigated.

    People like Clapper will not go quietly either.  

    Parent

    No distraction (none / 0) (#164)
    by TrevorBolder on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 05:24:35 PM EST
    This is the real deal.

    Boom!

    It appears that James Baker has already been cooperating...the leverage on him, he was the leaker to the WP regarding Flynn, classified information. General Counsel for the FBI as a cooperating witness, just read his congressional testimony, he was "very uncomfortable" with what the FBI was doing in its CounterIntelligence probe of the Donald. Hopefully, severe charges and penalties will be forthcoming, to prevent another attempted coup upon the Presidency by the Deep State. Chuckie Schumer was fully serious when he laughed at the Donald, saying the Depp State has 6 ways from Sunday to get back at you. But, the head of the NSA , Mike Rogers, gave The Donald a heads up about the spying , he showed up at Trump Tower during the transition period, the next day The Donald moved transition HQ from Trump Tower to a Trump golf course in NJ. Rogers also stopped the FBI from checking the NSA database after finding over 70 %  of the inquiries, by FBI and contractors were illegal. A report was filed with the head of the FISA Court , Rosemary Collier. After Rogers visit to the Donald, without notifying anyone, Clapper and Brennan pressed The Obama to fire Rogers. That is basically how The Donald found out what was going on.

    And as a further treat yesterday, Sidney Powell filed a 37 page brief with the court which should get the judge to dismiss all charges against General Flynn. She lists numerous actions by the FBI , Brady violations, etc.  At a minimum the next court appearance should provide fireworks with Sullivan presiding. Defense attorneys should be outraged at the conduct by the FBI in this case

    Parent

    I guess (5.00 / 2) (#166)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:05:18 PM EST
    Vladimir must be getting nervous about his asset judging by your conspiracy theory post. Thank you for letting us know what kind of garbage the Russian Intelligence agencies are going to be pushing.

    Parent
    His (none / 0) (#167)
    by FlJoe on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:27:21 PM EST
    repeated use of "the Donald" is nice touch though, probably worth a couple of extra Rubles.

    Parent
    Always (none / 0) (#170)
    by TrevorBolder on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:41:36 PM EST
    Called him The Donald, just not really presidential, The Donald suits him better

    Parent
    Boom (none / 0) (#168)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:31:20 PM EST
    Wonderful

    boom

    Parent

    Facts (none / 0) (#169)
    by TrevorBolder on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:40:29 PM EST
    Lol, all fact. Which statement is false?

    I always dealt with facts, as inconvenient as they would be here

    Parent

    Your unicorn (5.00 / 2) (#171)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:48:54 PM EST
    post denies the reality of how the counter intelligence investigation of Trump got started. It got started because Flynn was talking to the Russians and we always listen to the Russians. If Trump and Flynn hadn't been talking to the Russians and promising them things there never would have been an intelligence investigation.

    However Barr doesn't see a problem with Trump having a virtual treason summit with Putin and declaring that he believed Putin over the US.

    Maybe you can tell us when Putin is going to unleash the Kompromat so we can start counting down the days? Take this message back to your boss Vladimir: WE WILL DEFEAT HIM.

    Parent

    Funny (5.00 / 3) (#173)
    by FlJoe on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:52:29 PM EST
    how have no links for your "facts".

    Parent
    I have known (none / 0) (#177)
    by TrevorBolder on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:13:01 PM EST
    This for over 2 years now. I read maybe 10 to 15 citizen journalists on Twitter, they actually link to the actual documents, everything I stated is already in the public domain, the Page Strozk text messages, all Congressional testimony, court filings, those citizen journalists actually did yeoman work. But it all started with Mike Rogers alerting the Trump transition team that they were being spied on. You can google collier and FISA report from Rogers listing all the illegal searches of the NSA database by the FBI and contractors. It was the cutoff to the NSA database by Rogers that forced the coup plotters to resort to FISA warrants, which proved to be their downfall. The IG report will state that all FISA warrants on Carter Page were illegal, and probably others.
    Matt Taibbi recently posted on Clappers interview on CNN today, Clapper just dropped all this at the feet of Obama. Paraphrase, I didn't do anything wrong, I was just following the Presidents orders. Ouch. Setting up his defense. Mifsud and Halper are Western Intel assets, they tried to entrap Page, PapDapa, by hinting to them they had access to Hillarys e mails. They had no right , authority or justification to violate the civil rights of American citizens by using a counter intelligence warrant , this is egregious and criminal. Durham has been investigating for over 1 year, Horowitz will be dropping the IG report within a month. The "impeach" buzz is just a distraction from what they know is coming , a brutal IG report listing all sorts of abuses by the intelligence and justice departments, and then criminal prosecutions by Durham.

    Parent
    Believing (5.00 / 1) (#196)
    by FlJoe on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 06:03:01 AM EST
    in "citizen journalists on twitter" is no way to go through life.

    FYI: Mike Rodgers and Jim Baker are both regulars on CNN and they are generally supportive of the FBI, the Intelligence agencies while being generally dismissive of assertions such as yours.

    Parent

    If you (5.00 / 2) (#197)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 06:20:57 AM EST
    check out what he is saying it's pretty much garbage put out by the Kremlin sites. Flynn's attorney already presented these complaints to the court and the judge pretty much laughed at her. Flynn's attorney is basically shopping conspiracy theories to try to get Flynn off but apparently it's not working and he is going to be sentenced to jail December 18th.

    Parent
    And your source for all this ... (5.00 / 2) (#175)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:09:19 PM EST
    ... is -- who, exactly? Because it sounds like you've been consulting with that eminent self-styled expert of just about everything, Otto Yerbüttie.

    Parent
    Tons of sources (2.00 / 2) (#180)
    by TrevorBolder on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:47:10 PM EST
    I typed all that off the top of my head, I have been following all this for over 2 years, almost everything can be found in open sourced documentation.

    Try reading the Sidney Powell brief she filed, YIKES. It is publicly  available.
    The abuses by the FBI, Page and Strozk altering the 302's, re writing. IN all likelihood , Flynn will have his case dismissed by Sullivan on the Nov 7th. And the abuses on this case are just the beginning.

    Everything I wrote is true, and will be fully verified in the near future. The scary part is that it happened, our press  ignored it (actually the press was complicit, Fusion paid 3 journalists, that will come out as well) If the Obama Administration could pull this off, just imagine what The Donald could do with a willing Intelligence and Justice Department.

    Parent

    You're citing Sidney Powell's brief? LOL! (5.00 / 2) (#184)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:19:38 PM EST
    That Fox News squawker is a crackpot conspiracy theorist whose baseless and unsubstantiated assertions to Judge Emmet Sullivan will probably go a long way toward getting her client Gen. Mike Flynn sentenced up to five years, when he otherwise could've gotten off with probation per his agreement with the Special Counsel's office -- had, of course, she not talked him into reneging on his end of the deal.

    Similarly, White House Counsel Pat Cippolone's defiant letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just came around to bite Trump in the a$$, courtesy of Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, who ruled today that AG Barr and the Dept. of Justice must turn over to the House Judiciary Committee by no later than October 30 all requested grand jury material that had been redacted by DOJ from the Mueller Report:

    "The White House's stated policy of non-cooperation with the impeachment inquiry weighs heavily in favor of disclosure. Congress's need to access grand jury material relevant to potential impeachable conduct by a President is heightened when the Executive Branch willfully obstructs channels for accessing other relevant evidence."

    I'll offer better than even odds that your entirely speculative contentions will eventually amount to squat. U.S. Attorney John Durham's criminal inquiry likely stems from a referral by the DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz regarding a witness who may have lied to his investigators. If so, the inquiry will be limited in scope.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    It is not likely that Judge Sullivan (none / 0) (#185)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:26:14 PM EST
    will dismiss the Flynn case. Although it is possible; he did agree to overturn Senator Stevens' conviction (as recommended by then-newly installed US Attorney General Eric Holder) because the government withheld significant favorable information. Texas attorney Sidney Powell, a former federal appellate prosecutor, has staked out a unique niche as a strident right-wing critic of prosecutorial misconduct. She's perfect for Flynn's attack-the-prosecutors defense strategy.  

    Parent
    On another subject (none / 0) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:35:49 PM EST
    Bolton and another potential witness has asked a federal judge to rule if they can respond to subpoenas when the executive is telling them not to.

    Seems like it might have some pretty far reaching implications

    Just reported in the NYT in the last hour.  Firewall.

    Parent

    Here (none / 0) (#187)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:40:14 PM EST
    Yes (none / 0) (#192)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 03:38:59 AM EST
    a judge telling them that they have to testify would be I think far reaching as too many of them have used the I can't testify because of Trump excuse.

    Parent
    To be clear for those not following (none / 0) (#198)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 08:35:56 AM EST
    The lawyer is doing this representing Kupperman.  Probably because he was already scheduled to appear.  Next week.

    Bolton has the same lawyer.

    Parent

    The brief (none / 0) (#188)
    by TrevorBolder on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:40:38 PM EST
    Was 37 pages, and chock full of documentation of FBI and Justice Brady violations. FBI 302's were altered when compared to original agents notes. And much more. She is asking for the charges to be dismissed.
    They finally got access to the FBI Agent notes , plus the Page Strozk text messages prove her point. November 7th, Sullivan will have the opportunity to once again slap the prosecutors down when they cross they line.

    Parent
    Well, if it's 37 pages, I guess (5.00 / 1) (#190)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:02:03 PM EST
    she must be right. I always win my cases when the brief clocks in at 37 pages. Of course, if you had a link for the brief and for the government's response brief, I could offer an opinion on a basis other than page count.

    Parent
    This (none / 0) (#193)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 03:54:28 AM EST
    might be it: link

    It would be interesting to hear what you have to say but to a lay person like me it looked like a lot of crazy rantings from the exhibits that were included.

    Parent

    I'm sorry (none / 0) (#194)
    by TrevorBolder on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 05:40:10 AM EST
    Did I leave out the part where :chock full of documentation of FBI and Justice Brady violations. FBI 302's were altered when compared to original agents notes. .
    They finally got access to the FBI Agent notes , plus the Page Strozk text messages prove her point.

    That is why Sullivan will have a lot to review on November 7th, not because of the 37 pages.

    Parent

    The Brief (none / 0) (#195)
    by TrevorBolder on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 05:48:22 AM EST
    https://tinyurl.com/yxqb3as7

    Parent
    If (none / 0) (#178)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 07:20:06 PM EST
    you look for it you will find it on places like Russia Today and other Russian propaganda sites on the internet.

    He's Vlad's boy sent from the Russian troll farm. I guess we should be impressed with the fact that Vlad thinks this blog is worth assigning one of his trolls to.

    Parent

    Police shoot another unarmed teen (none / 0) (#126)
    by Yman on Thu Oct 24, 2019 at 08:17:43 PM EST
    They conclude it was a justified shooting.

    Then the video came out.

    Just really sad. (5.00 / 1) (#163)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 05:21:06 PM EST
    Not that this is any defense of the Fresno Police Dept., but its personnel were already on public notice after an earlier fatal shooting of unarmed 19-year-old Dylan Noble by FPD officers at a Fresno gas station in July 2016, which occurred only nine months before this particular incident. So the department was likely hypersensitive to public reaction, which prompted them to deny, deny, deny in the wake of Isaiah Murrietta-Golding's death.

    The California legislature passed a major reform two months ago, which is meant to significantly limit the use of lethal force by police. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law, and it's effective on January 1, 2020. It's considered the strictest law of its kind in the country.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Donald in Hawaii (none / 0) (#135)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 06:32:05 AM EST
    I see where Tulsi has announced she is not running for reelection in the house. I suppose this also makes it more likely she'll try some sort of futile 3rd party run.

    That's fine by me. (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 11:13:19 AM EST
    Tulsi basically checked out of her congressional gig a long time ago. She might as well make it official, or else the rest of us would have had to (gladly) do it for her in our August 2020 Democratic primary.

    Parent
    Judging (none / 0) (#150)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 11:26:33 AM EST
    by the responses on twitter it would seem that most of her district is well glad to be rid of her.

    Parent
    We'll see (none / 0) (#142)
    by MKS on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:24:41 AM EST
    if Hillary's knee-capping of Tulsi works...

    And, I agree with someone here who said they love this Hillary who does not give a *uck.

    Parent

    The knee-capping might just (none / 0) (#144)
    by jondee on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:47:57 AM EST
    just as easily have the opposite effect.

    "Killary" the succubus who haunts American's dreams might function as a negative barometer.

    Personally, I think anyone named Clinton should shut the hell up and go write a book or something. Especially with the revival of fresh anti-Clinton paranoia and conspiracy theories after the Epstein debacle.

    Parent

    Well (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 10:54:26 AM EST
    so far it seems to be having the opposite effect with basically killing of whatever little support Tulsi had already. It also has had the effect of hurting a lot of D campaigns who stupidly came to the defense of Tulsi.

    Parent
    It's only a negative barometer ... (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 11:19:39 AM EST
    ... if Democrats and progressives keep doing the Republicans' work for them by saying it's a negative barometer. Let's please stop playing not to lose, and instead play for keeps this time.

    If there's anyone in the Democratic Party who ought to know what suspected Russian interference in our elections looks like, it's Hillary Clinton.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    The Trump family (none / 0) (#154)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 02:56:59 PM EST
    is exploring the sale of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC.  The sale would, apparently, be for the lease rights and improvements. The US Government owns the building.  Trump obtained a long-term lease (60 years) for the former Old Washington Post Office through the General Services Administration (GSA). Eric says they want half a $billion. The hotel opened in 2016.

    Wonder what significance, if any, this bears?  Maybe time to sell the rights while Trump has leverage over the GSA and its determination regarding use and buyers. Or, maybe, someone called in the loan given the shaky future of Trump.  Or, Trump needs the cash.

    If you listen (none / 0) (#155)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 03:14:33 PM EST
    to Giuliani's butt call it sounds like cash might be needed.

    Parent
    New rules (none / 0) (#189)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Oct 25, 2019 at 09:41:50 PM EST
    tonight on Real Time was awesome. Right on the money. Hope some Dem presidential candidates were watching.

    It was (none / 0) (#199)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 10:02:27 AM EST
    He has been on a tear.  Zack Galifianakis was great.

    "It's fun to be the azzhole

    I think rudeness is incredibly funny not that I agree with it.  I'm laughing at it not with it."

    Always something
    I absolutely can not listen to Chris Cuomo.  I cant watch him.  Some kind of primal archetype thing.

    Parent

    Our (none / 0) (#200)
    by NoSides on Sat Oct 26, 2019 at 10:48:22 AM EST
    troops have been redeployed in Eastern Syria so as to protect the oilfields.

    Your tax dollars at work.