Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime

[HudsonHawk]

The ONE thing the Senate has been doing with ruthless efficiency, is confirming young, conservative Federal judges.  They are at a record-breaking pace; to the point that they will have confirmed about 50% of all sitting appellant court judges just in the first two years of Trump's term.

Another seat on SCOTUS is the cherry on the icing on that cake.  Even if there's a blue wave this year and again in 2020, sweeping Democrats into control of two of the three branches of government, conservatives will have a stranglehold on the third branch for a generation at least, with the ability to undo much of what Democrats can get done, and roll back things like a woman's right to choose.  #Gilead

It’s gonna be more than that. Kennedy is right-leaning, mostly conservative. Trumps first two SCOTUS picks will be replacing other conservatives. But there’s a pretty good bet he’ll get to replace at least two more, both of whom are liberals. Trump will have appointed 4 out of the 9 judges, who will be in place for the next 40 years.

[Jacksonian]

It’s gonna be more than that. Kennedy is right-leaning, mostly conservative. Trumps first two SCOTUS picks will be replacing other conservatives. But there’s a pretty good bet he’ll get to replace at least two more, both of whom are liberals. Trump will have appointed 4 out of the 9 judges, who will be in place for the next 40 years.

I can't imagine Ginsburg leaving voluntarily while a Republican is President.

[HudsonHawk]

I can't imagine Ginsburg leaving voluntarily while a Republican is President.

I can’t neither. But she’s 85 years old. I don’t see her lasting another 6+ years.

[Bench]

It’s gonna be more than that. Kennedy is right-leaning, mostly conservative. Trumps first two SCOTUS picks will be replacing other conservatives. But there’s a pretty good bet he’ll get to replace at least two more, both of whom are liberals. Trump will have appointed 4 out of the 9 judges, who will be in place for the next 40 years.

The real travesty lies, like so many things, with Mitch McConnell. 

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I feel about the country more and more how Crash Davis felt about Annie Savoy before shit got real: I’m not interested in a woman who’s interested in that boy. We seem to be ungovernably large (at least democratically ungovernable [lookin’ at you, Xi!]), and there doesn’t seem to be much likelihood of breaking up into smaller countries.

Folks in my age range have watched while 40-percent of the presidential administrations have been occupied by guys who got fewer votes than the other guy, and now we’re just idly watching as one political party reaps the rewards of a larceny effected in full view of everyone. Way to help the rich help themselves to the rest of the money, team!

A vote for that man was an act of cruelty, ignorance, idiocy, or cynicism—only idiocy being forgivable. Now his crew will set the agenda while Greenland melts. We went very very very very very wrong somewhere.

[Limey]

It’s gonna be more than that. Kennedy is right-leaning, mostly conservative. Trumps first two SCOTUS picks will be replacing other conservatives. But there’s a pretty good bet he’ll get to replace at least two more, both of whom are liberals. Trump will have appointed 4 out of the 9 judges, who will be in place for the next 40 years.

Kennedy was the vote keeping abortion rights and allowing gay marriage.  Trump's next nominee is going to vote against both of those things and 30+ states have "trigger laws" that mean that as soon as SCOTUS overturns Roe, abortion becomes illegal immediately.  That very moment.  Gone.

I agree that Trump defining the court for a generation or two is horrific, but the immediate impact will be literally deadly.

[Limey]

The real travesty lies, like so many things, with Mitch McConnell.

McConnell will go down in history as a Buchanan-like figure; he didn't perpetrate the horrors that are to come, but he laid the groundwork for them to happen. 

[The Spleen]

I can’t neither. But she’s 85 years old. I don’t see her lasting another 6+ years.

And people who have no problems with locking babies in cages will have no problem with pushing an old lady down the stairs.

[Mr. Happy]

And people who have no problems with locking babies in cages will have no problem with pushing an old lady down the stairs.

This is such horseshit on many different levels. First, prior presidents engaged in this practice. The pictures while President Obama was in office are undeniable. President Trump actually acted unilaterally to end the practice, and several of your helpful comrades complained that he lacked the authority to do the very thing about which they were complaining! Will anything he does ever make you happy?  And to baldly accuse the other side of murderous intent and capability is laughable, hypocritical and sad, particularly since the string of deaths around the Clintons is so long.

[Limey]

This is such horseshit on many different levels. First, prior presidents engaged in this practice. The pictures while President Obama was in office are undeniable. President Trump actually acted unilaterally to end the practice, and several of your helpful comrades complained that he lacked the authority to do the very thing about which they were complaining! Will anything he does ever make you happy?  And to baldly accuse the other side of murderous intent and capability is laughable, hypocritical and sad, particularly since the string of deaths around the Clintons is so long.

As to the situation with kids at the border, Obama was confronted by an epidemic of UNACCOMPANIED children showing up, and came up with a far from ideal method of handling them.  Trump, CREATED the unaccompanied children by taking them away from their parents.  That was entirely new and entirely the choice of Trump and his administration. 

The two scenarios are completely different - one forced and one by choice - so you can take your false equivalence and shove it.

As to murderous intent, if that was a reference to my comment that people will die, then you're misrepresenting what I said.  My reference was to the fact that women die when access to safe, legal abortions is taken away.  There is no doubt about this.  I never said murderous and I never said intent.  That was all you.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

We went very very very very very wrong somewhere.

Yes, and her name was Hilary. I don't understand why or how Donald Trump could be elected if not for the incompetency of the Democratic Party. I know y'all don't like it when I say this kind of stuff but it's true and until liberals and or progressives recognize what it takes (hint: Obama-like Bill Clinton-like and not their goddamn wives) the Democrats will continue to lose. Hilary, as bad as she was, she still almost won. That should be encouraging to the democratic party because almost anyone would be better than Hilary. I hate to think that people have already conceded the next election to Trump. That makes me sick. Surely there is some self accomplished charismatic person that can inspire the way Bill Clinton and Barack Obama did and unite the party and defeat Trump.

[jbm]

This is such horseshit on many different levels. First, prior presidents engaged in this practice. The pictures while President Obama was in office are undeniable. President Trump actually acted unilaterally to end the practice, and several of your helpful comrades complained that he lacked the authority to do the very thing about which they were complaining! Will anything he does ever make you happy?  And to baldly accuse the other side of murderous intent and capability is laughable, hypocritical and sad, particularly since the string of deaths around the Clintons is so long.

String of deaths around Clinton. Wtf. There was no string of fucking deaths and it doesn’t even follow your misleading crap beforehand.

Obama did not, as a matter of course, or as a expressed deterrent, separate children from their mothers. He also didnt criminalize the legal act of seeking asylum.

We will soon also learn that the incompetent monster you defend probably can’t actually reunite kids with their parents.  If he doesn’t consider them people, I guess it follows that potentially tearing kids from their parents, potentially for life, wouldn’t be a problem.

[chuck]

This is such horseshit on many different levels. First, prior presidents engaged in this practice. The pictures while President Obama was in office are undeniable. President Trump actually acted unilaterally to end the practice, and several of your helpful comrades complained that he lacked the authority to do the very thing about which they were complaining! Will anything he does ever make you happy?  And to baldly accuse the other side of murderous intent and capability is laughable, hypocritical and sad, particularly since the string of deaths around the Clintons is so long.

Don't you have a pizzeria to be staking out somewhere? Does the Red Hen have a basement?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

And another thing, the more people vilify Trump, the more it galvanizes his supporters. The more you condemn them for supporting a maniac, the more you galvanize his supporters. It's salesmanship 101. If you want to change behavior you must appeal to the promise of a greater reward, you can't sell anything to someone if they think you think their stupid. their natural defense mechanism kicks in and they resist. Better to fool their damn asses with false promises of a brighter future than confront them with reality. Which is kind of what Trump did.

[jbm]

I’m so sick of this sentiment: don’t offend the crazy as they’ll just bow up. We all have a responsibility for our actions and our honesty. Those are the rules. Everyone has to play by them, none get breaks.

[Nate Colbert]

... particularly since the string of deaths around the Clintons is so long.

C'mon Hap, you're too smart for that tinfoil hat shit.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I’m so sick of this sentiment: don’t offend the crazy as they’ll just bow up. We all have a responsibility for our actions and our honesty. Those are the rules. Everyone has to play by them, none get breaks.

I don't know what you mean by "don't offend the crazy." Are you suggesting that it is wise not to got to mental hospitals and such and attempt to offend the patients?  If so, I agree.

I'm curious, do you think all people who disagree with you politically are crazy and want to fight if you intellectually challenge them? Or is that just a generalization? I mean I tend to agree with what you are saying regarding responsibility, I think.

I'm just trying to understand better.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

C'mon Hap, you're too smart for that tinfoil hat shit.

Exactly, just because they've had a whole lot of close associates die (far more than anyone else I know of outside of the mafia) under abnormal circumstances, doesn't mean they had anything to do with it. That is just such a reach and I'm not suggesting anything but that there are numbers there. Some on the dark side would say that's just doing business...

[jbm]

I don't know what you mean by "don't offend the crazy." Are you suggesting that it is wise not to got to mental hospitals and such and attempt to offend the patients?  If so, I agree.

I'm curious, do you think all people who disagree with you politically are crazy and want to fight if you intellectually challenge them? Or is that just a generalization? I mean I tend to agree with what you are saying regarding responsibility, I think.

I'm just trying to understand better.

Huh?  You said something about the supporting a maniac. Your words. Supporting a maniac fits “crazy” in my mind. So, coddling those who support a maniac is the sentiment I’m referring to.

Also, coddling those that spout inane falsehoods also fits mt definition of crazy. 

Supporting Trump with facts isn’t crazy, I just don’t see much of that.

[Limey]

Exactly, just because they've had a whole lot of close associates die (far more than anyone else I know of outside of the mafia) under abnormal circumstances, doesn't mean they had anything to do with it. That is just such a reach and I'm not suggesting anything but that there are numbers there. Some on the dark side would say that's just doing business...

OR...if everyone around you - from cabinet members to campaign members to family members - has had meetings with Russians that were only disclosed under duress...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Huh?  You said something about the supporting a maniac. Your words. Supporting a maniac fits “crazy” in my mind. So, coddling those who support a maniac is the sentiment I’m referring to.

Also, coddling those that spout inane falsehoods also fits mt definition of crazy. 

Supporting Trump with facts isn’t crazy, I just don’t see much of that.

Okay, gotcha. Thanks. I think he is a maniac, or a madman, if you will, I don't think he is clinically insane. I'm crazy about a lot of things. I'm crazy about a girl, I'm crazy for sushi... I don't think that males me either a maniac, a madman, or insane.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

OR...if everyone around you - from cabinet members to campaign members to family members - has had meetings with Russians that were only disclosed under duress...

Exactly like that. One can't help but wonder.

[chuck]

C'mon Hap, you're too smart for that tinfoil hat shit.

[not sure if serious gif]

And let me just say that sure, maybe Hillary wasn't the best possible candidate. Sphinx certainly doesn't like her and we all admire his unerring political instincts. But she did win the popular vote by a healthy margin. And her opponent clearly spent illegal, foreign money and clearly conspired in an illegal manner with foreign enemies of the United States in order to gain various, concrete advantages, possibly including outright election fraud. I suspect that sooner than later evidence will surface that calls into serious question the very legitimacy of this presidency.

So, given all of that, if Hillary is literally the worst that the Democrats can do, I'd like to think that there is reason for optimism among sane and decent people going forward.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

[not sure if serious gif]
And let me just say that sure, maybe Hillary wasn't the best possible candidate. Sphinx certainly doesn't like her and we all admire his unerring political instincts. But she did win the popular vote by a healthy margin.

If only it were a popularity contest. And let me tell you, I had correctly predicted every presidential election going back to President Johnson over Goldwater. Every damn one. She fucked me. Damn right I don't like her, it's personal.

So, given all of that, if Hillary is literally the worst that the Democrats can do, I'd like to think that there is reason for optimism among sane and decent people going forward.

That's what I'm talking about!

[chuck]

And another thing, the idea that anyone can make a persuasive counter-argument to Trump loyalists is idiotic. There is X% of the voting public, blessedly small but very vocal (and powerful in an outsized way thanks to the insane campaign finance 'regulations'), that has chosen its side as if this were sports and no matter what happens they will not diverge, they will not change teams. These people do not live on planet Earth. They live on a planet where science has no currency, especially if its findings conflict with adopted mythologies, they live on a planet where their sources of information are not designed to inform and enlighten but rather to mislead, misinform and outrage, they live on a planet whose moral gravity is weak enough to facilitate the total abandonment of previously held principle.

To anyone who worries about galvanizing these people, well, I suggest you busy yourself with other concerns. Like maybe trying to figure out who really killed Vince Foster.

Non-participants need to be urged into participation and in so doing we can collectively marginalize these despicable vermin to the diseased colon of history. And they know this, obviously. Why do you think they continuously try to make it so goddamn hard to vote?

[BizidyDizidy]

Sure she won the popular vote if you count the 6mm fake voters

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

And another thing, the idea that anyone can make a persuasive counter-argument to Trump loyalists is idiotic.

That is true to for about 75 to 80 percent of Trump voters. They are impenetrable sycophants. The other 20 to 25 percent can be persuaded. I realize it is hard for some to see the difference between someone who chooses out of desire and one who chooses out of frustration. But anyway carry on and we'll see how it plays out.

[BudGirl]

C'mon Hap, you're too smart for that tinfoil hat shit.

No, he believes that.

[austro]

I am consoling myself with the thought that the timing of this resignation is precisely because Kennedy (or those who persuaded him) are pretty certain of the coming blue wave.

[HudsonHawk]

I am consoling myself with the thought that the timing of this resignation is precisely because Kennedy (or those who persuaded him) are pretty certain of the coming blue wave.

His replacement will be in seat before the upcoming election.  The timing could not have been worse for Democrats, pending blue wave or not.

[Limey]

I am consoling myself with the thought that the timing of this resignation is precisely because Kennedy (or those who persuaded him) are pretty certain of the coming blue wave.

James Comey's decisions to talk - early and often - about the Clinton email investigation (and not about the far more serious one into Trump running simultaneously therewith), was driven by his certitude that she was a shoo-in.

Trump said of Kennedy that he (Trump) appreciates the confidence that the Justice put in him to nominate his successor - thus ensuring the Trump stank all over him like he was a porn star / playboy model / random woman in grabbing distance.

[Limey]

His replacement will be in seat before the upcoming election.  The timing could not have been worse for Democrats, pending blue wave or not.

The plan seems to be crystallising to use the new "McConnell Rule" to deny consideration of a SCOTUS nominee in an election year.  That might work if McConnell had any shame, which he doesn't.  It's also an intellectual argument which - no offense - is not going to resonate with the public.

The other option is to get Collins or Murkowski - who people may not remember as being pivotal to the failure of healthcare reform because John McCain's theatrics sucked up all the coverage (as it was intended to do) - to vote against anyone not demonstrably pro-choice or at least properly agnostic on the matter.  Their votes against healthcare reform were due to justifiable concerns about the effect on women's health, and this is very much inside that Venn.

Trump vowed to nominate only anti-choice Justices, so even though they will duck and dodge questions about their position on Roe, we must hope that Trump remains Trump and torpedoes his own nominee by touting their stance on this.

Also, control of the Senate after 2018 is not certain, even if there's a blue wave.  The fight is here and now.

[HudsonHawk]

The plan seems to be crystallising to use the new "McConnell Rule" to deny consideration of a SCOTUS nominee in an election year.  That might work if McConnell had any shame, which he doesn't.  It's also an intellectual argument which - no offense - is not going to resonate with the public.

The other option is to get Collins or Murkowski - who people may not remember as being pivotal to the failure of healthcare reform because John McCain's theatrics sucked up all the coverage (as it was intended to do) - to vote against anyone not demonstrably pro-choice or at least properly agnostic on the matter.  Their votes against healthcare reform were due to justifiable concerns about the effect on women's health, and this is very much inside that Venn.

Trump vowed to nominate only anti-choice Justices, so even though they will duck and dodge questions about their position on Roe, we must hope that Trump remains Trump and torpedoes his own nominee by touting their stance on this.

Also, control of the Senate is not certain, even if there's a blue wave.  The fight is here and now.

There is no fucking chance in hell that McConnell will stall a vote, even if it was January 19th of a lame duck Republican, let alone a non-Presidential election year. The man has no integrity whatsoever. Likewise, there is no chance in hell that a Republican Senator would not vote to confirm a Republican Supreme Court nominee. I appreciate your optimism, but it’s fantasy.

[BudGirl]

There is no fucking chance in hell that McConnell will stall a vote, even if it was January 19th of a lame duck Republican, let alone a non-Presidential election year. The man has no integrity whatsoever. Likewise, there is no chance in hell that a Republican Senator would not vote to confirm a Republican Supreme Court nominee. I appreciate your optimism, but it’s fantasy.

Unfortunately, I agree with your assessment.

[Bench]

This is such horseshit on many different levels. First, prior presidents engaged in this practice. The pictures while President Obama was in office are undeniable. President Trump actually acted unilaterally to end the practice, and several of your helpful comrades complained that he lacked the authority to do the very thing about which they were complaining! Will anything he does ever make you happy?  And to baldly accuse the other side of murderous intent and capability is laughable, hypocritical and sad, particularly since the string of deaths around the Clintons is so long.

It is amazing how divorced from the facts your truth is.  It's also illuminating. 

[Limey]

There is no fucking chance in hell that McConnell will stall a vote, even if it was January 19th of a lame duck Republican, let alone a non-Presidential election year. The man has no integrity whatsoever. Likewise, there is no chance in hell that a Republican Senator would not vote to confirm a Republican Supreme Court nominee. I appreciate your optimism, but it’s fantasy.

I am basing my...not optimism...hope(?) on the fact that the female Republican senators helped block healthcare reform because of the horrendous effect it would have on women's health.  I see a SCOTUS vote as being part of the same issue.  I would not be surprised to be proved wrong, but that doesn't mean that I am going to be resigned to that fate.

[homer]

It is amazing how divorced from the facts your truth is.  It's also illuminating. 

This thread is overflowing with condescension, fantasy, and purely hyperbolic nonsense that muddies the debate. Truth in any form is at a premium- Mr. Happy is hardly the only, or even the largest, offender.

[jbm]

This excerpt from Jennifer Rubin's Wapo column is relevant here.  She basically concludes, like those here, that confirmation is likely, but these are weird times, it is an election year, and Trump can certainly step on his very small hands.

There are certain delaying tactics senators could take, and while those tactics only slow down the process but do not stop it, there are myriad things that can happen between now and the time a new Congress is sworn in. Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III may release a report that suggests grounds for impeachment and/or indictment, thereby calling into grave question the legitimacy of a Trump nominee. Senators may vacate their seats for health or other reasons. In short, senators could take as much time as humanly possible both to fully vet nominees and to head off election-eve votes.

[Limey]

This excerpt from Jennifer Rubin's Wapo column is relevant here.  She basically concludes, like those here, that confirmation is likely, but these are weird times, it is an election year, and Trump can certainly step on his very small hands.

You spelled "dick" wrong.

[jbm]

In other news:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-28/north-korea-nuclear-facilities-improvements-made-at-rapid-pace/9920374

So much shit happens on a daily basis, it's hard to keep abreast of Trump's successes?  I was told he and Kim were trusting friends, brokering an historic, Nobel prize winning deal. 

I wonder what Putin will agree to when they meet in July.  No doubt, it will be another "deal" Trump will boast about, but with later scrutiny, will look like incompetent shamery.

[Limey]

Let's not also forget John McCain and Jeff Flake.  The latter may yet grow a spine to go along with his mouth, and the former may vote against an unfit nominee.

That's 4, at least, flippable Republicans.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This thread is overflowing with condescension, fantasy, and purely hyperbolic nonsense that muddies the debate. Truth in any form is at a premium- Mr. Happy is hardly the only, or even the largest, offender.

There is never an honest debate when each opposition party believes their side is absolutely correct and the other side is absolutely wrong. Even when the same result is desired, they argue over methodology. And if you don't totally buy in to one side or the other, you get accused of lacking passion and being apathetic or even cynical.

[Limey]

There is never an honest debate when each opposition party believes their side is absolutely correct and the other side is absolutely wrong. Even when the same result is desired, they argue over methodology. And if you don't totally buy in to one side or the other, you get accused of lacking passion and being apathetic or even cynical.

It's also impossible to take seriously, from the party that has embraced Trump, any complaints about honest debate and civility.

[Limey]

Binary choices.  From Politico:

Barring a major upset, next year there won’t be a single House Republican who supports abortion rights

This is the 21st century, correct?

[HudsonHawk]

Binary choices.  From Politico:

Barring a major upset, next year there won’t be a single House Republican who supports abortion rights

This is the 21st century, correct?

Roe v Wade will be overturned in the next 18 months. Abortion will be criminalized in the the next 24. It’s just going to happen. Gay marriage will take a little longer to outlaw, but it’s coming. Followed by sodomy and masturbation.

[Jacksonian]

Roe v Wade will be overturned in the next 18 months. Abortion will be criminalized in the the next 24. It’s just going to happen. Gay marriage will take a little longer to outlaw, but it’s coming. Followed by sodomy and masturbation.

So you're expecting a Republican House and Senate next year?

[HudsonHawk]

So you're expecting a Republican House and Senate next year?

Yes. More to the point, I don’t see a blue Senate. I don’t see how they get there at all.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

There is never an honest debate when each opposition party believes their side is absolutely correct and the other side is absolutely wrong. Even when the same result is desired, they argue over methodology. And if you don't totally buy in to one side or the other, you get accused of lacking passion and being apathetic or even cynical.

Find me one registered Democrat who believes their side is absolutely correct about everything and I’ll eat my shorts. Find me two Democrats who agree about everything and i’ll eat their shorts too.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Yes, and her name was Hilary. I don't understand why or how Donald Trump could be elected if not for the incompetency of the Democratic Party.

Republicans can’t be expected to act reasonably so any electoral failure is the fault of the democratic nominee?

And she wasn’t just someone’s fucking wife. What a thing to say.

Why insist on raging against the person and the party who garnered more votes? Why not funnel some of that juice into trying to fix the electoral system or dezombifying the GOP? I mean I get that you don’t didn’t and probably never liked her, but you’re taking victim-blaming to an astonishing level.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

This thread is overflowing with condescension, fantasy, and purely hyperbolic nonsense that muddies the debate. Truth in any form is at a premium- Mr. Happy is hardly the only, or even the largest, offender.

I concede the condescension, but where’s the fantasy, exactly? Just curious.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Find me one registered Democrat who believes their side is absolutely correct about everything and I’ll eat my shorts. Find me two Democrats who agree about everything and i’ll eat their shorts too.

Well, I'm not eating any shorts.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

And she wasn’t just someone’s fucking wife. What a thing to say.

You are right, in the Clinton's case, I don't think there was much fucking with each other going on anymore. What I meant was, the best thing she ever did was marry Bill. It was mutually beneficial for both, she drove and supported him. It put her on the map. And that she's been riding that gravy train ever since.

[Lefty]

Team Politics will be our downfall, at least in the short term.

[BudGirl]

You are right, in the Clinton's case, I don't think there was much fucking with each other going on anymore. What I meant was, the best thing she ever did was marry Bill. It was mutually beneficial for both, she drove and supported him. It put her on the map. And that she's been riding that gravy train ever since.

so, she drove him then rode the gravy train?  Maybe she is smart enough to have done it all herself.  Nah, she rode his gravy train.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

so, she drove him then rode the gravy train?  Maybe she is smart enough to have done it all herself.  Nah, she rode his gravy train.

She obviously is quite intelligent. Bill has said he had wanted to be in public life as an elected official since his high school days.  Not sure how much credit she gets for driving him, more like helping him steer when he swayed off course--as he was wont to do from time to time. She was very shrewd to hitch her wagon to him because it made everything that was to follow possible. I really don't think anyone would know who she was if not for her marriage to Bill. She certainly doesn't get elected to the Senate without having been the First Lady. And doesn't get Secretary of State if not for being a Senator. To paraphrase Jimmie Dale Gilmore, She was the wave, Bill was the water. In my fevered mind, women like Lupe Valdez and Wendy Davis have done far more on their own merit than has Hillary.

[Limey]

Roe v Wade will be overturned in the next 18 months. Abortion will be criminalized in the the next 24. It’s just going to happen. Gay marriage will take a little longer to outlaw, but it’s coming. Followed by sodomy and masturbation.

Sooner than that.  There are dozens of states with laws on the books that are written to kick in the moment Roe is overturned.  They won't need to pass new legislation, it's already locked and loaded.

[HudsonHawk]

Sooner than that.  There are dozens of states with laws on the books that are written to kick in the moment Roe is overturned.  They won't need to pass new legislation, it's already locked and loaded.

I was thinking it usually takes at least 6 months for new legislation to go into effect, even after it's been promulgated.  But yeah, it will be swift. 

[Limey]

I was thinking it usually takes at least 6 months for new legislation to go into effect, even after it's been promulgated.  But yeah, it will be swift.

Apparently the number of states that will see an immediate ban on abortion is 21.  4 have trigger laws that take effect the moment Roe is overturned, 10 have pre-Roe laws still on the books that will become enforceable again and 7 have laws that restrict access to abortion to the bare minimum allowed by SCOTUS.

Oddly, Texas is not one of these states.  So, ironically, Kennedy's retirement has just made all the local and state elections much, much more important.  Because, if things like abortion are going to be up to the individual states, the firewall against losing the right to choose (assuming a Democratic-controlled House that will kibosh and Federal legislation) becomes the state legislatures and governorships.  Lupe Valdez just got a signature issue to run on.

[Navin R Johnson]

We are a ways off. But I can’t wait for Muellers investigation to end.   If you have followed Trump at all, you know he is a crook.   It is gonna be awesome to watch shitbags like Mr Happy twist like a pretzel trying to dismiss Trumps transgressions...

People like him believe in Jade Helm and birther bullshit. SAD!

[Navin R Johnson]

Can one of you republican/Trumpkins explain why this investigation needs to WRAP THE HELL UP, like Trey Gowdy is demanding? 

[Mr. Happy]

Can one of you republican/Trumpkins explain why this investigation needs to WRAP THE HELL UP, like Trey Gowdy is demanding?

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags like Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe and James Comey to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States. This isn't a coup d'etat, but it's getting damn close. When Strzok said that he'd personally prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president and then acted on it, in my opinion, he crossed the line of criminality.

[Navin R Johnson]

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags like Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe and James Comey to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States. This isn't a coup d'etat, but it's getting damn close. When Strzok said that he'd personally prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president and then acted on it, in my opinion, he crossed the line of criminality.

So what’s your opinion of the the Benghazi investigation?

[Navin R Johnson]

I have so many more questions, but the Benghazi thing needs to be addressed first..

[jbm]

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags like Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe and James Comey to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States. This isn't a coup d'etat, but it's getting damn close. When Strzok said that he'd personally prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president and then acted on it, in my opinion, he crossed the line of criminality.

So, you have your built-in excuse solidified.  If the investigation yields crimes, conspiracies, treason, you don’t even have to consider those things because of alleged biases.

You are an attorney, but live in a world where facts don’t exist.  Must take incredible will and energy to prop up that facade.

[Limey]

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags like Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe and James Comey to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States. This isn't a coup d'etat, but it's getting damn close. When Strzok said that he'd personally prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president and then acted on it, in my opinion, he crossed the line of criminality.

There are 5...FIVE...convictions to date.  F.I.V.E.

With another dozen individuals and entities under an avalanche of indictments.

That you choose to ignore all of this says so much.  And none if it is good. 

[The Spleen]

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags like Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe and James Comey to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States. This isn't a coup d'etat, but it's getting damn close. When Strzok said that he'd personally prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president and then acted on it, in my opinion, he crossed the line of criminality.

WFW.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

  It is gonna be awesome to watch shitbags like Mr Happy twist like a pretzel trying to dismiss Trumps transgressions...

There now.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I found this article interesting. The Coming Collapse

"The Democratic Party, which helped build our system of inverted totalitarianism, is once again held up by many on the left as the savior. Yet the party steadfastly refuses to address the social inequality that led to the election of Trump and the insurgency by Bernie Sanders. It is deaf, dumb and blind to the very real economic suffering that plagues over half the country. It will not fight to pay workers a living wage. It will not defy the pharmaceutical and insurance industries to provide Medicare for all. It will not curb the voracious appetite of the military that is disemboweling the country and promoting the prosecution of futile and costly foreign wars. It will not restore our lost civil liberties, including the right to privacy, freedom from government surveillance, and due process. It will not get corporate and dark money out of politics. It will not demilitarize our police and reform a prison system that has 25 percent of the world’s prisoners although the United States has only 5 percent of the world’s population. It plays to the margins, especially in election seasons, refusing to address substantive political and social problems and instead focusing on narrow cultural issues like gay rights, abortion and gun control in our peculiar species of anti-politics."

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This article in the left leaning Atlantic quite enlightening on Democratic Party hipocracy.

[chuck]

Don't conflate the party with the DCCC.

There are many, many women of color running this year, many are excellent candidates, and they will receive a tremendous amount of support whether they receive the attention of the DCCC or not.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Don't conflate the party with the DCCC.

There are many, many women of color running this year, many are excellent candidates, and they will receive a tremendous amount of support whether they receive the attention of the DCCC or not.

Fair enough. But still, it is a symptom of a greater ill. Here is a bit of follow up and further speculation from Rolling Stone Magazine ("It's gotta be true").

[homer]

Can one of you republican/Trumpkins explain why this investigation needs to WRAP THE HELL UP, like Trey Gowdy is demanding? 

I don't think it takes any particular political persuasion to understand that Trey Gowdy doesn't want to see any further damage to the reputation of the FBI.

[austro]

I don't think it takes any particular political persuasion to understand that Trey Gowdy doesn't want to see any further damage to the reputation of the FBI.

Close, but that's not the entity whose reputation he's trying to protect.

[Limey]

I don't think it takes any particular political persuasion to understand that Trey Gowdy doesn't want to see any further damage to the reputation of the FBI.

This is Trey Bengowdy, who kept an investigation into Clinton open for over two years, at the cost of millions, yielding no charges (and thus no convictions), only to shutter it the moment she lost the election.  And he wants Mueller to wrap up his multiple indictment, multiple conviction investigation before pending prosecutions have even started?

Can you not smell even that bullshit?

[austro]

Can you not smell even that bullshit?

You are confusing what's being said with what's actually believed and feared.

[Bench]

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags like Rod Rosenstein, Andrew McCabe and James Comey to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States. This isn't a coup d'etat, but it's getting damn close. When Strzok said that he'd personally prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president and then acted on it, in my opinion, he crossed the line of criminality.

This is so far through the looking glass. The FBI actually did interfere to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States... Hillary Clinton.  They never said shit about Trump, despite the fact that his campaign was being investigated for far more serious transgressions at the time.  It's amazing that anyone is pretending that the FBI negatively affected Trump's campaign in any way.  What actually happened is the exact opposite. 

[chuck]

This is so far through the looking glass. The FBI actually did interfere to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States... Hillary Clinton.  They never said shit about Trump, despite the fact that his campaign was being investigated for far more serious transgressions at the time.  It's amazing that anyone is pretending that the FBI negatively affected Trump's campaign in any way.  What actually happened is the exact opposite.

In litrachoor this hyere's called aforeshadowin.

[Jacksonian]

This is so far through the looking glass. The FBI actually did interfere to adversely affect a candidate for president of the United States... Hillary Clinton.  They never said shit about Trump, despite the fact that his campaign was being investigated for far more serious transgressions at the time.  It's amazing that anyone is pretending that the FBI negatively affected Trump's campaign in any way.  What actually happened is the exact opposite.

This is not right.  The FBI acted to protect the presumed Clinton presidency.  Comey was going to cut any Senate investigation into President Clinton at the knees.  He was 100% certain she was going to win.  The IG ripped him for acting from a political perspective.

[jbm]

This is not right.  The FBI acted to protect the presumed Clinton presidency.  Comey was going to cut any Senate investigation into President Clinton at the knees.  He was 100% certain she was going to win.  The IG ripped him for acting from a political perspective.

Y'all certainly can spin tales.  Comey may have presumed her presidency, but how exactly did he act to "protect" it?  He publicly announced that the investigation yielded nothing (it wasn't cut off), while simultaneously scolding her for carelessness.  All of violation of DOJ policy.  Then, he announces the "restarting" the "investigation" all because he is afraid of the Trump-supporting agents who have leaked the idea that pervert's computer actually has damning evidence to Guiliani (it didn't).  This arguably costs her the election.

So, the FBI, via Comey, goes against it's policy to announce things that hurt Clinton and help Trump, yet Trump and his supporters cry foul.  I suspect they did it out of fear of Trump-supporting FBI insiders, not to actually harm her (they thought she was inevitable), but that is cold comfort.

Besides, the investigation of her was totally fucking bogus.  Her fucking e-mails register about a 1 on the notional security scale, where Trump and his kin routinely register 8s, 9s and 10s, but no fucking national-security-loving Republican will even look in that direction.

[Limey]

This is not right.  The FBI acted to protect the presumed Clinton presidency.  Comey was going to cut any Senate investigation into President Clinton at the knees.  He was 100% certain she was going to win.  The IG ripped him for acting from a political perspective.

Correct.  The FBI's own rule was for them to STFU about all of it; Comey broke that rule on the Clinton investigation...and then some.  Opinion polls moved towards Trump by about 4 points after the announcement of the re-opening of the investigation (Anthony Weiner - the gift that keeps on giving) and Trump won the pivotal states of MI, PA and WI by 0.2%, 0.7% and 0.8% respectively.

So, for all of his efforts at whitewashing his actions, and all of the efforts of Russia (whether assisted or not by the Trump campaign), Comey delivered the win to Trump.  Of this I am convinced.

[Limey]

Y'all certainly can spin tales.  Comey may have presumed her presidency, but how exactly did he act to "protect" it?  He publicly announced that the investigation yielded nothing (it wasn't cut off), while simultaneously scolding her for carelessness.  All of violation of DOJ policy.  Then, he announces the "restarting" the "investigation" all because he is afraid of the Trump-supporting agents who have leaked the idea that pervert's computer actually has damning evidence to Guiliani (it didn't).  This arguably costs her the election.

The point was that Comey was so convinced of the unassailability of Clinton's position, that it was ok for him to go public with the investigation as it would end up being moot.  He admitted that this was out of fear of the agency looking bad once Hillary won and then, later, the public finding about the investigation.  So, basically, it was all about pre-covering his own arse.

The problem was that Comey fooled himself once and then fooled himself again.  After the first announcement (and unnecessary, headmasterly admonition of Clinton), Trump went full Giuliani such that every sentence he sputtered included a noun, a verb and "emails" (the first two being optional; in Trump syntax).  That should have been enough to warn Comey of the acute sensitivity of announcing the re-opening of the case, but he still did it, likely because he'd boxed himself in with the original proclamation.

[BudGirl]

My problem with Comey commenting was that it was an open investigation. Investigations are rarely to never discussed before they are complete. 

[Limey]

My problem with Comey commenting was that it was an open investigation. Investigations are rarely to never discussed before they are complete.

And, if there are no charges, they are never discussed beyond saying the investigation is closed.  Comey broke protocol eight ways from Sunday.

[Limey]

It's a Cohen flip.

The Special Master just released 1.3 million items of Cohen's correspondence to prosecutors.  Purely coincidentally, Cohen is changing his legal representation and ceasing to coordinate with Trump's lawyers; known as the Full Flynn.  At the same time, he's giving interviews where he announced that his decisions will be driven by what's best for his family.

Sounds like a flip to me.

[BudGirl]

It's a Cohen flip.

The Special Master just released 1.3 million items of Cohen's correspondence to prosecutors.  Purely coincidentally, Cohen is changing his legal representation and ceasing to coordinate with Trump's lawyers; known as the Full Flynn.  At the same time, he's giving interviews where he announced that his decisions will be driven by what's best for his family.

Sounds like a flip to me.

No one is loyal anymore.

[Limey]

No one is loyal anymore.

When criminals can't even trust each other...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

When criminals can't even trust each other...

What happened to honor among thieves?

[Limey]

What happened to honor among thieves?

What did Trump say after hearing that North Korea has been accelerating its nuclear program all along?

[HudsonHawk]

What did Trump say after hearing that North Korea has been accelerating its nuclear program all along?

It's beautiful, man:

"Many good conversations with North Korea — it is going well!.  In the meantime, no Rocket Launches or Nuclear Testing in 8 months. All of Asia is thrilled. Only the Opposition Party, which includes the Fake News, is complaining.  If not for me, we would now be at War with North Korea!”

That last part is what gives me warm fuzzies. 

[Navin R Johnson]

I’m curious, of the remaining Trump supporters, how many take Alex Jones serious, like the President does.   I’m guessing 85% fall in the, Alex is crazy, but he does bring up some interesting points, camp.  Idiots.

[MusicMan]

I’m curious, of the remaining Trump supporters, how many take Alex Jones serious, like the President does.   I’m guessing 85% fall in the, Alex is crazy, but he does bring up some interesting points, camp.  Idiots.

Did I miss the start of the second civil war? Is it potluck? What should I bring?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[HudsonHawk]

I’m curious, of the remaining Trump supporters, how many take Alex Jones serious, like the President does.   I’m guessing 85% fall in the, Alex is crazy, but he does bring up some interesting points, camp.  Idiots.

Even after Jones has admitted under oath that he’s not crazy, he plays a character on a television program.

[chuck]

I’m curious, of the remaining Trump supporters, how many take Alex Jones serious, like the President does.   I’m guessing 85% fall in the, Alex is crazy, but he does bring up some interesting points, camp.  Idiots.

Trump supporters have no interest in reality so why would it ever cross their minds that Jones is crazy or just makes shit up out of the blue if what he says resonates with what they already believe or what they wish to be true?

Why in the world would you think that they would have and employ any sort of a truth filter for Alex Jones but not for Donald Trump?

[Limey]

Yesterday, with a little fuss as possible, the Senate Intelligence Committee dropped a report that confirmed that they agree with the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia interfered in the election, to damage Clinton and boost Trump, and that Putin ordered it.

[Navin R Johnson]

WITCH HUNT!

What about Seth Rich and Vince Foster! Not to mention secret pizza parlors!  Where is the report on that!

Sad!

[Limey]

Speaking of the witch hunt - more precisely, one of the witch hunters - Michael Avenatti, shocking ones of people, has said he might run for President in 2020.  No word on whether (weather?) Stormy Daniels would be his running mate.

[Limey]

Speaking of the witch being hunted, it's widely expected that Trump will be met with protests at every step during his visit to the UK.  This includes flying a giant angry, cell phone wielding Trump baby blimp over Westminster.

Trump will meet with the Queen and Theresa May (guard your pussies, ladies) but does not have any official engagements anywhere there is any kind of population density.  He does have a golf trip planned to one of his courses in Scotland, where the locals are promising "carnival of resistance".

The visit is sandwiched between Trump pissing off everyone at the NATO meeting in Brussels and meeting Putin (one-on-one, behind closed doors) for his annual review.

[Limey]

Yesterday, with a little fuss as possible, the Senate Intelligence Committee dropped a report that confirmed that they agree with the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia interfered in the election, to damage Clinton and boost Trump, and that Putin ordered it.

At the same time as this was happening, a 7-Republican delegation was meeting in Moscow with various Russian counterparts - including every Republican's favorite Russian Sergei Kislyac - where they completely cratered on anything important.  Sen. Shelby actually said out loud that he wasn't there to accusing them of "this or that and so forth".  The Russians described it as the easiest such meeting they've ever had.  I don't think it was a compliment.

Republicans went batshit over Obama bowing to a foreign leader out of respect.  Here, Republicans sucked metres of Russian cock because they had to.  I know which one I think is worse.

As an aside, there were no Democrats in the delegation, an unusual move to say the least, because Russia didn't want them there.  This same trip was postponed previously because it included Democrats, who Russia refused to receive, so Republicans refused to go either in a rare moment of conscience or patriotism.  Now, it seems, they don't give a shit about whatever they gave a shit about a few months ago.

[chuck]

Brian Benczkowski.

[Limey]

Pruitt resigns.  Apparently 15 separate investigations into ethical violations is one too many.

[Limey]

Brian Benczkowski.

I know I'm not going to like his position on many things - that's a given - but it will be interesting to see where he sits on the power of the executive and, of course, Roe.  He will not answer questions on anything of substance, and my fear is that confirming judges is the one thing at which this administration and this congress has demonstrated any competence.  If they've picked a low profile dude (it was always going to be a white dude), we won't know this stuff until it's too late.

Of course, there's fuck-all that can be done about it at this point.  That option was given up in 2014 and 2016.  Thank you no-show voters!

[Limey]

From Wikipedia:

Benczkowski's clients [at Kirkland & Ellis] included Alfa-Bank, the largest private commercial bank in Russia.

Natch.

[Dark Star]

Don't forget the rally he held today to proclaim "Make America Great Again" is "the greatest phrase in the history of American politics" and bragged that he had a better apartment and more money than his "enemies".  Oh, and he called out some hippies and had them thrown out of the buiilding.  A banner day on the campaign trail.

It really pisses me off that he is fucking with hippies. That's just going too far, man.

The investigation has backfired and revealed willful intent on the part of scumbags, etc., etc., etc.

You are an attorney, but live in a world where facts don’t exist.

Former attorney.

[austro]

Pruitt resigns.  Apparently 15 separate investigations into ethical violations is one too many.

Or there is some even more hideous thing that we don't know about (yet).

[chuck]

Natch.

Of course, that's the point. Like his (soon to be) boss, he's owned by the Russian mob. This is a completely different level of evil than the overt political operatives he has and will nominate to the SC. Not worse, just different.

[Mr. Happy]

Former attorney.

Wrong. Technically, my suspension ended on January 11, 2009, over nine years ago. It's on the internet. I've been eligible for reinstatement since then. I've chosen, at least for now, not to seek reinstatement for several reasons. First, I've got no intention to ever practice again. Second, I've not lived in Louisiana since 2007, and I have no intention to ever return. Third, if I'm not going to practice, why pay dues to the bar association (over $1,000 a year for regular dues and specialization fees)  or maintain CPE (not that doing so was ever a problem for me given the amount of speaking and writing that I do)? In short, it's just not necessary. Maybe one day I will. But I wouldn't bet on it.

[Waldo]

Wrong. Technically, my suspension ended on January 11, 2009, over nine years ago. It's on the internet. I've been eligible for reinstatement since then. I've chosen, at least for now, not to seek reinstatement for several reasons. First, I've got no intention to ever practice again. Second, I've not lived in Louisiana since 2007, and I have no intention to ever return. Third, if I'm not going to practice, why pay dues to the bar association (over $1,000 a year for regular dues and specialization fees)  or maintain CPE (not that doing so was ever a problem for me given the amount of speaking and writing that I do)? In short, it's just not necessary. Maybe one day I will. But I wouldn't bet on it.

Is attorney-ing like the mafia, where once you get in you can't get out?  My wife is a licensed teacher but hasn't taught since 2013.  She doesn't get to go around telling people she's a teacher.  Splitting hairs, I know.

[Limey]

Is attorney-ing like the mafia, where once you get in you can't get out?  My wife is a licensed teacher but hasn't taught since 2013.  She doesn't get to go around telling people she's a teacher.  Splitting hairs, I know.

A man walks into his local pub looking glum and sits down for a few drinks.  The bartender pours him a shot and he slams it and continues with his gloomy demeanor.  The bartender pours another shot – same thing.  After a while the bartender asks the man what’s got him so depressed.

“You see that barn over there?" the man says.  "I built that barn with my own two hands, but do they call me 'William the Barn Builder'? No.”

The bartender is confused but the man continues, “You see that bridge over there? I built that bridge stone by stone with my own two hands, but do they call me 'William the Bridge Builder'? No!"

"You fuck one sheep…”

[BudGirl]

Wrong. Technically, my suspension ended on January 11, 2009, over nine years ago. It's on the internet. I've been eligible for reinstatement since then. I've chosen, at least for now, not to seek reinstatement for several reasons. First, I've got no intention to ever practice again. Second, I've not lived in Louisiana since 2007, and I have no intention to ever return. Third, if I'm not going to practice, why pay dues to the bar association (over $1,000 a year for regular dues and specialization fees)  or maintain CPE (not that doing so was ever a problem for me given the amount of speaking and writing that I do)? In short, it's just not necessary. Maybe one day I will. But I wouldn't bet on it.

Still sounds like a former attorney.  Right now, you cannot practice law - as I understand it - since you are not currently licensed in any state.  I know a lot of people with law degrees that do not practice law.  But a lot of people can be former whatever.

[Waldo]

A man walks into his local pub looking glum and sits down for a few drinks.  The bartender pours him a shot and he slams it and continues with his gloomy demeanor.  The bartender pours another shot – same thing.  After a while the bartender asks the man what’s got him so depressed.

“You see that barn over there?" the man says.  "I built that barn with my own two hands, but do they call me 'William the Barn Builder'? No.”

The bartender is confused but the man continues, “You see that bridge over there? I built that bridge stone by stone with my own two hands, but do they call me 'William the Bridge Builder'? No!"

"You fuck one sheep…”

We're talking about attorneys, not Aggies.

[Limey]

We're talking about attorneys, not Aggies.

Either way, forever tarnished.

[Mr. Happy]

Still sounds like a former attorney.  Right now, you cannot practice law - as I understand it - since you are not currently licensed in any state.  I know a lot of people with law degrees that do not practice law.  But a lot of people can be former whatever.

This may be splitting hairs to you, but it's very much my reality. I view those who have voluntarily retired and surrendered their licenses and those disbarred to be former lawyers. As I said, I've been able to go back for over nine years, and I explained why I haven't thus far.  I'm still required to report my address changes and other contact information to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court still considers me a lawyer. I'm still required to be a non dues paying member of the Louisiana State Bar Association. In fact, should I decide to permanently retire, I have to ask permission from the Supreme Court. Therefore, I am still a lawyer,  just without an active, good standing license.

[Limey]

This may be splitting hairs to you, but it's very much my reality. I view those who have voluntarily retired and surrendered their licenses and those disbarred to be former lawyers. As I said, I've been able to go back for over nine years, and I explained why I haven't thus far.  I'm still required to report my address changes and other contact information to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court still considers me a lawyer. I'm still required to be a non dues paying member of the Louisiana State Bar Association. In fact, should I decide to permanently retire, I have to ask permission from the Supreme Court. Therefore, I am still a lawyer,  just without an active, good standing license.

There's a lot of parsing here.  I have a license to practice insurance, so I can call myself an insurance agent.  If I don't keep up my license, I can't represent anyone until I get it back.  I can spin not having a license however the fuck I want but, if I try to represent an insured in a transaction as an agent, I'm breaking the law.

You say, amid a blizzard of technobabble, that you do not have an active license to practice law.  If you tried to represent someone as a lawyer, you would be breaking the law too.

I used to have a pilot's license; want to jump in a plane with me tomorrow?  I can call myself a pilot if it makes you feel safer.

[geezerdonk]

Is the phrase former attorney pejorative or honorific?

[Mr. Happy]

There's a lot of parsing here.  I have a license to practice insurance, so I can call myself an insurance agent.  If I don't keep up my license, I can't represent anyone until I get it back.  I can spin not having a license however the fuck I want but, if I try to represent an insured in a transaction as an agent, I'm breaking the law.

You say, amid a blizzard of technobabble, that you do not have an active license to practice law.  If you tried to represent someone as a lawyer, you would be breaking the law too.

I used to have a pilot's license; want to jump in a plane with me tomorrow?  I can call myself a pilot if it makes you feel safer.

If I attempted to represent a client now, I could be disciplined by the same court that suspended me. It also will be an act of barratry, which is against the law in most jurisdictions. I merely pointed out that I still have duties and obligations to the bar, which is inconsistent with being a former lawyer. I'm still obligated to follow the Rules of Professional Conduct. What you see as technobabble actually is a factually accurate depiction of my situation.

[HudsonHawk]

What if I formerly held a hairdresser’s license,but haven’t done a perm or a dye job in 9 years...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

What if I went and let my driver's license expire, got in a motor vehicle and then operated said vehicle on reservation land on a Sunday before noon?

[Ty in Tampa]

I let my Blockbuster Video card lapse. Is that OK?

[Craig]

I let my participle dangle and they took away my poetic license. I can't even describe how that makes me feel.

[Limey]

If I attempted to represent a client now, I could be disciplined by the same court that suspended me. It also will be an act of barratry, which is against the law in most jurisdictions. I merely pointed out that I still have duties and obligations to the bar, which is inconsistent with being a former lawyer. I'm still obligated to follow the Rules of Professional Conduct. What you see as technobabble actually is a factually accurate depiction of my situation.

As I said, you can call yourself whatever you want.  I strikes me, though, that if you'd be disciplined by the courts for acting as a lawyer, you really aren't a lawyer.

I'd be disciplined for flying a plane these days (even though I've still got a pretty good idea of how it's done - it's pretty easy until the landing bit), so I don't call myself a pilot.  If it comes up, I say something like "I used to fly, but my license lapsed some time ago."  To say I was a pilot would be seriously misleading.

[Navin R Johnson]

I’m honestly less interested in whether Happy can practice law than I am if he is a birther.   Mr Happy do you think Seth Rich was murdered by the DNC?  Is Obama not a US citizen? Did the President order JADE HELM.  Is Alex Jones really Bill Hicks?

These are the real issues.

[chuck]

I don't know anything about his law license but I do know that a couple of years back the controlling authorities went ahead and granted him a lifetime exemption from having to file the annual papers on his dumbass license. I think they waived the fees, too.

[Navin R Johnson]

Dammit Chuck, let him answer the, are you insane questionnaire.

[Mr. Happy]

I’m honestly less interested in whether Happy can practice law than I am if he is a birther.   Mr Happy do you think Seth Rich was murdered by the DNC?  Is Obama not a US citizen? Did the President order JADE HELM.  Is Alex Jones really Bill Hicks?

These are the real issues.

Birther?/U.S. citizen Thus far, I've not been convinced that President Obama was born in Kenya or anywhere other than Hawaii. However, there are some peculiarities around Hawaii's handling of his birth certificate that concern me. However, this is no longer a big issue.

Seth Jones murder: He was clearly professionally hit, and one must ask why and who did it? He was leaking information, which could have been the raison d'etre for his murder. Do I think that the DNC ordered the hit? I really don't know and haven't seen any evidence to support such an allegation. However, what seems clear from Donna Brazile's actions and tell-all book that the Clintons were in control of the DNC up until fairly recently. People have a strange way of dying around the Clintons, so if it turns out to be true, it won't surprise me.

Alex Jones: Controversial figure. He likes to be controversial, so I really don't listen much to what he has to say.

Jade Helm: It appears to have been simply a joint military operation. I don't see any truth in all of the rumors, some of which are downright nutty.

[Mr. Happy]

I don't know anything about his law license but I do know that a couple of years back the controlling authorities went ahead and granted him a lifetime exemption from having to file the annual papers on his dumbass license. I think they waived the fees, too.

Touche', you little dickhead.

[Limey]

Pompeo went to North Korea to try to get codified the things that Trump claimed already to have achieved, and got the complete runaround.  He was denied an audience with Kim Jong Un, had his schedule constantly fucked with, was sidelined by overly long meals and left with DPRK's foreign ministry decrying the U.S' "unilateral and gangster-like demand for denuclearization."

Remember, this is against the backdrop of Trump claiming that the threat from North Korea is over, while the press is reporting that their nuclear program has been accelerated.  So Trump gave Kim the meeting he so desperately craved for nothing in return.  Trump heaped praise on Kim for nothing in return.  Trump cancelled the joint exercises with South Korea for nothing in return, using North Korea's language when describing them as provocative.  And now that Kim has all these things he wanted, he's accelerating his nuclear program.

Just like moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Trump has given up his bargaining chips without securing anything in return.  #TheBestDeals

This week, he will mostly be destroying the North Atlantic alliance and playing golf.

[jbm]

I don't even think this dumbass knows he was played by Kim.  He'll keep repeating his stupid shit at rallies and the South Park character attendees will keep smiling and cheering. 

Oh, and for those Trumpsters, it appears that he requested 61 foreign workers to help at his resort, and apparently made sure that the tariffs on China didn't include shit his daughter's business makes in China.  How fucking brain-dead does one have to be to continue to support this corrupt and hypocritical imbecile?

[Limey]

I don't even think this dumbass knows he was played by Kim.  He'll keep repeating his stupid shit at rallies and the South Park character attendees will keep smiling and cheering. 

Oh, and for those Trumpsters, it appears that he requested 61 foreign workers to help at his resort, and apparently made sure that the tariffs on China didn't include shit his daughter's business makes in China.  How fucking brain-dead does one have to be to continue to support this corrupt and hypocritical imbecile?

The Republican Party used to be for free trade.  Like, 18 months ago.

[chuck]

The Republican Party used to be for free trade.  Like, 18 months ago.

They were also in favor of law and order and pro-family.

Imagine being such a fucking idiot or bigot or both - loser, at any rate - that this imbecile shows up and embodies your ignorant outrage so perfectly that you are compelled to abandon significant numbers of deeply held principles.

[Limey]

They were also in favor of law and order and pro-family.

Imagine being such a fucking idiot or bigot or both - loser, at any rate - that this imbecile shows up and embodies your ignorant outrage so perfectly that you are compelled to abandon significant numbers of deeply held principles.

Presumably, those deeply held principles weren't held as deeply as the principles espoused by Trump.  Given the option of law and order, sanctity of marriage, family unity etc. etc., or keeping out brown people, they chose the latter ahead of all of the former.

[Limey]

Meanwhile, non World Cup (it's coming home) related news out of the UK is that two of May's cabinet have resigned over her latest Brexit proposal (which will surely be rejected by the EU in any case).  Notably, this includes professional buffoon Boris Johnson, who was previously working hard on being the worst Foreign Secretary in history.  More resignations are expected.

They are less than a year from leaping off the Brexit cliff, and there is no soft landing in sight.  Any proposal that would be acceptable to the EU is going to be rejected by many of May's party as being too weak, so she'd need opposition support which she won't get without major concessions that she can't give because her party would vote them down.

To give you an idea of one of the buhzillion things they didn't think about before, but have to now, a friend of mine is taking his family to London and then to Africa on an epic family trip this summer.  Even though Brexit isn't until 2019, airlines are already warning of potential flight cancellations as UK airlines may not have the necessary permissions to overfly EU airspace.

Here's another: Lloyd's of London has set up an underwriting center in Brussels to service business from the EU.  They are currently having to endorse policies with clause that allows them to - basically - abandon the contract if it becomes illegal for Lloyd's to write that policy because of Brexit.  Would you want to buy that policy, knowing that the insurer can bail and leave you scrambling for an alternative?  Or do you find an alternative now because you don't want any part of that shit?

[BudGirl]

Presumably, those deeply held principles weren't held as deeply as the principles espoused by Trump.  Given the option of law and order, sanctity of marriage, family unity etc. etc., or keeping out brown people, they chose the latter ahead of all of the former.

I have friends, that have college degrees, that support the policies of this administration.  I wish they would look beyond their party and see the bigger picture.  But, until they are hit in the pocketbooks and realize that Democrats are not to be blamed, they will stick to their self-righteous beliefs. 

I wish I was wrong about that.

[Limey]

I have friends, that have college degrees, that support the policies of this administration.  I wish they would look beyond their party and see the bigger picture.  But, until they are hit in the pocketbooks and realize that Democrats are not to be blamed, they will stick to their self-righteous beliefs. 

I wish I was wrong about that.

Politics has become tribal.  Thank you Fox News.

Also, among the strongly held principles being abandoned, I forgot to include breast-feeding.

[Limey]

Reports are that May's party has enough members signed on to force a vote of no confidence in her leadership.  She may be about to get the boot, which is nothing but thoroughly deserved as her tenure has been an exercise in sparing no expense to save her own job, but it means resetting the Brexit negotiations under the command of, say, Boris Johnson.

[BudGirl]

Politics has become tribal.  Thank you Fox News.

Also, among the strongly held principles being abandoned, I forgot to include breast-feeding.

Honestly, that is one that may make an impact for some. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I have friends, that have college degrees, that support the policies of this administration.  I wish they would look beyond their party and see the bigger picture.  But, until they are hit in the pocketbooks and realize that Democrats are not to be blamed, they will stick to their self-righteous beliefs. 

I'd venture to say we all have some friends and family that support the policies of this administration. I don't know, maybe some have actually cut off contact and unfriended them. All my closest friends are liberal/progressive democrats, but I've got more than a few old co-workers and family members that sure seem to support his policies.

[BudGirl]

Reports are that May's party has enough members signed on to force a vote of no confidence in her leadership.  She may be about to get the boot, which is nothing but thoroughly deserved as her tenure has been an exercise in sparing no expense to save her own job, but it means resetting the Brexit negotiations under the command of, say, Boris Johnson.

Surely, you've already seen this:  https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/09/boris-johnson-resigns-as-foreign-secretary-brexit?CMP=fb_gu

[chuck]

Also, among the strongly held principles being abandoned, I forgot to include breast-feeding.

The old saying, invariably issued with much irony, They'd come out against motherhood.

Welp.

[Limey]

Surely, you've already seen this:  https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/09/boris-johnson-resigns-as-foreign-secretary-brexit?CMP=fb_gu

Yep.  But he's still an MP and thus can challenge for leadership of the party, which would make him Prime Minister - if he could keep May's coalition together.  To be honest, I wouldn't trust Boris to keep two pieces of Lego together, so all this is likely to devolve into further chaos and result in the calling of a general election.

[Dark Star]

Birther?/U.S. citizen Thus far, I've not been convinced that President Obama was born in Kenya or anywhere other than Hawaii. However, there are some peculiarities around Hawaii's handling of his birth certificate that concern me. However, this is no longer a big issue.

Why would it concern you?

Seth Jones murder: He was clearly professionally hit, and one must ask why and who did it? He was leaking information, which could have been the raison d'etre for his murder. Do I think that the DNC ordered the hit? I really don't know and haven't seen any evidence to support such an allegation. However, what seems clear from Donna Brazile's actions and tell-all book that the Clintons were in control of the DNC up until fairly recently. People have a strange way of dying around the Clintons, so if it turns out to be true, it won't surprise me.

So, not "No", then.

[Limey]

Yep.  But he's still an MP and thus can challenge for leadership of the party, which would make him Prime Minister - if he could keep May's coalition together.  To be honest, I wouldn't trust Boris to keep two pieces of Lego together, so all this is likely to devolve into further chaos and result in the calling of a general election.

Oof!  The (failing) NT Times lets Boris have it with both barrels.

All of Mr. Johnson’s weaknesses have been exposed: his lazy reluctance to do detail, his preference for bluster over thinking, his contempt for business. The campaign was meant to secure his future; instead, in damaging the country, he fears he has wrecked his own future, too. As one of his allies told me last month: “He knows that the verdict of history is about to come down on him — and bury him.”

Does that description sound like anyone else?

[Mr. Happy]

Why would it concern you?

They played cat and mouse with it. But I'm not really concerned about it.

So, not "No", then.

Wrong. My answer is no.

[Limey]

They played cat and mouse with it. But I'm not really concerned about it.

They didn't play cat and mouse; they confirmed very quickly that Obama had a legit birth certificate.  Conservative media and conservative demagogues - Trump being at the forefront* - ignored this and continued to claim that this wasn't settled.  It was settled, and it should never have been asked.

* Remember when Trump claimed to have sent investigators to Hawaii, and they were finding so much stuff?  Funny thing: he was lying, because he never sent anyone.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

It would be so inconvenient of you to keep on pointing out all these bald lies if any of the people who support him, tacitly or otherwise, gave a single damn.

[BudGirl]

They didn't play cat and mouse; they confirmed very quickly that Obama had a legit birth certificate.  Conservative media and conservative demagogues - Trump being at the forefront* - ignored this and continued to claim that this wasn't settled.  It was settled, and it should never have been asked.

* Remember when Trump claimed to have sent investigators to Hawaii, and they were finding so much stuff?  Funny thing: he was lying, because he never sent anyone.

Even if he did send someone, he probably didn't pay them.

[Limey]

Even if he did send someone, he probably didn't pay them.

Haha!  Exactly.

[Limey]

Pompeo went to North Korea to try to get codified the things that Trump claimed already to have achieved, and got the complete runaround.  He was denied an audience with Kim Jong Un, had his schedule constantly fucked with, was sidelined by overly long meals and left with DPRK's foreign ministry decrying the U.S' "unilateral and gangster-like demand for denuclearization."

Remember, this is against the backdrop of Trump claiming that the threat from North Korea is over, while the press is reporting that their nuclear program has been accelerated.  So Trump gave Kim the meeting he so desperately craved for nothing in return.  Trump heaped praise on Kim for nothing in return.  Trump cancelled the joint exercises with South Korea for nothing in return, using North Korea's language when describing them as provocative.  And now that Kim has all these things he wanted, he's accelerating his nuclear program.

Just like moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Trump has given up his bargaining chips without securing anything in return.  #TheBestDeals

This week, he will mostly be destroying the North Atlantic alliance and playing golf.

An update on the North Korea situation: one of the "concessions" that Trump got was that North Korea would return the remains of US service personnel killed in the Korean War.  I put "concessions" in quotes, because it's something they have been offering for a long time, like nuclear talks, but on which they have never followed through, like nuclear talks.  But, this time, there was a meeting set to arrange for the transfer.  Great!  Except, North Koreans simply didn't show.

Maybe Kim Jong Un will die laughing, because that's the only way this administration is going to get anything out of their efforts.  It's why no one else has given them the honor of meeting the President, because they're lying fuckers who will take it and run.  Which they did.  We now have nothing left to offer, so they are taking the piss and standing us up at scheduled, high-level meetings.

#MAGA

[Limey]

It would be so inconvenient of you to keep on pointing out all these bald lies if any of the people who support him, tacitly or otherwise, gave a single damn.

I like speaking truth to willfully ignorant.  See also brick wall, head.

[Limey]

Beto O'Rourke raised over $10mm in the last quarter - as usual, none of it from special interest groups or PACs.  By comparison, Cruz raised less than half that amount over the same time.

Cruz is still the presumptive winner, but O'Rourke got handed a signature issue over the child separation debacle on the Texas border.  He's been all over national TV as a result and, IMHO, comes across very well - he seems especially adept at getting a strong message out in a small window.  At the very least, his public profile in Texas must have been raised a good few points because of this scandal.

I'm not suggesting it's a silver lining to a horrific situation, but the stark contrast between Beto's championing of the cause of these children and families, compared to Cruz'...what?  Seriously, what has he done or even said about this?  It's a pretty stark difference.

[Limey]

The Strzok hearing today was insane.  Strzok's contempt at being questioned by Trumpanzees like Gowdy and Gohmert was not only not hidden, it was worn like a badge of honor.

I think my favorite part was when the committee chairman tried to beat down Strzok because he was testifying under a subpoena, only for Strzok to point out (correctly) that he wasn't.  That was their first, best shot out of the gate and it landed like a marshmallow.  These are not smart people.

Fucking Issa (didn't he quit already) made Strzok read some of the more lurid and/or profane texts, and when Strzok edited out the profanity Issa made him read them again.  Completely unnecessary and done purely to make Strzok embarrassed or uncomfortable.  Issa was beating off under the desk...probably.

[jbm]

I've only caught a little (it's still going, btw as House Republicans can't get enough) and while I doubt it changes much public opinion, this type of public exposure surely doesn't help the Republicans in their attempt to thwart the investigation. 

[Limey]

I've only caught a little (it's still going, btw as House Republicans can't get enough) and while I doubt it changes much public opinion, this type of public exposure surely doesn't help the Republicans in their attempt to thwart the investigation.

It’s both hilarious and maddening.  Some twat is, right now, trying to retry the Clinton email issue.  Strzok is far smarter, ffar better informed and far better prepared than his interrogators.  A few have accused him of being smug, which is rich, but they stomp on their own dicks with almost every utterance. 

[Limey]

Rep. Raskin has his own Veep moment, when he ran down a long list of Trump insults by fellow Republicans, to point out the hypocrisy of this kangaroo court.  It was a thing of beauty. 

[austro]

It’s both hilarious and maddening.  Some twat is, right now, trying to retry the Clinton email issue.  Strzok is far smarter, ffar better informed and far better prepared than his interrogators.  A few have accused him of being smug, which is rich, but they stomp on their own dicks with almost every utterance. 

Gowdy is one of the most insufferable little pricks around.

[Navin R Johnson]

These GOP goons will sink to levels before never known to defend their orange lord.  Gohmert had the gall to try to diminish and FBI agents character over an  affair, while simultaneously supporting a guy who fucked a pornstar while his wife was pregnant and has had who knows, 100s of adulterous affairs.  Amazing.

[jbm]

The complete lack of self awareness award goes to the lady from a Georgia who was indignant about Strzok’s affair, stating that it made him susceptible to blackmail.

[chuck]

In other news, NOAA sensors are detecting increasingly dangerous atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide after enormous sighs of relief from 400 pound geniuses everywhere.

[Limey]

Trump in the UK has been a disaster from start to finish, but with one more shoe to drop.  AF1 sat on the pan for about an hour before finally taking off, the press pool didn't know why, until they saw Piers Morgan deplaning.

He gave an "exit interview" to Piers Fucking Morgan.

[Limey]

Oh, and Mueller indicted 12 Russians - military intelligence all - for the underlying crime today: stealing Democratic campaign emails.  Trump has known this was coming for a couple of days, but is still claiming a witch hunt.  One juicy nugget is that the hacking of Clinton's personal and staff emails began the evening of the day that Trump asked if Russia was listening and if they could...you know...hack into Clinton's emails.  #NoCollusion

Interestingly, the indictment makes reference to an unnamed Republican candidate - not Trump - who was trying to get Clinton's emails from the Russians.  Given that Robert Mercer was bankrolling both Cambridge Analytica and Ted Cruz - it has to be Ted Cruz, right?  Please let it be Cruz!!

[Lefty]

Oh, and Mueller indicted 12 Russians - military intelligence all - for the underlying crime today: stealing Democratic campaign emails.  Trump has known this was coming for a couple of days, but is still claiming a witch hunt.  One juicy nugget is that the hacking of Clinton's personal and staff emails began the evening of the day that Trump asked if Russia was listening and if they could...you know...hack into Clinton's emails.  #NoCollusion

Interestingly, the indictment makes reference to an unnamed Republican candidate - not Trump - who was trying to get Clinton's emails from the Russians.  Given that Robert Mercer was bankrolling both Cambridge Analytica and Ted Cruz - it has to be Ted Cruz, right?  Please let it be Cruz!!

Tweet from Dave Weigel:  I keep thinking of the family of Seth Rich, who have spent two years watching kooks and useful idiots accuse their murdered son of leaking these emails. Imagine how that feels.

[Navin R Johnson]

Wait, the President told us he asked Putin if Russia was involved in the hacking and Putin told him no.  And Donald said he believed him.....

[homer]

One juicy nugget is that the hacking of Clinton's personal and staff emails began the evening of the day that Trump asked if Russia was listening and if they could...you know...hack into Clinton's emails.  #NoCollusion

Fake news.

[Limey]

Tweet from Dave Weigel:  I keep thinking of the family of Seth Rich, who have spent two years watching kooks and useful idiots accuse their murdered son of leaking these emails. Imagine how that feels.

But if he didn’t leak the emails, then that means Clinton just murdered him for fun. 

Lock her up!  Lock her up!

[Limey]

Fake news.

Seriously, no.  The Trump request and the start of the targeting specifically Clinton and her staff, happened on the same day.  That’s a fact, and one helluva coincidence. 

[chuck]

But if he didn’t leak the emails, then that means Clinton just murdered him for fun.

Hap thinks he was murdered for leaking the emails and Sphinx thinks he was murdered just for fun. I tell you what, when my magnetic poles of political truth are out of alignment I just don't know what to do with myself.

[HudsonHawk]

Hap thinks he was murdered for leaking the emails and Sphinx thinks he was murdered just for fun. I tell you what, when my magnetic poles of political truth are out of alignment I just don't know what to do with myself.

When you're seeing double, just aim right down the middle.

[Lefty]

But if he didn’t leak the emails, then that means Clinton just murdered him for fun. 

I'm sure Hannity will issue an apology tonight, or whenever the hell he's on the air.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Sphinx thinks he was murdered just for fun

Did I say that? I don't recall ever saying what I thought happened because I have no idea what happened. I did say that Hillary has had an inordinate number of associates die under unnatural circumstances.

[Navin R Johnson]

Did I say that? I don't recall ever saying what I thought happened because I have no idea what happened. I did say that Hillary has had an inordinate number of associates die under unnatural circumstances.

So Seth Rich is an associate of Hillary?  JFC you fucking Alex Jones believing rubes need to wise up.  What in the world makes you so gullible?  Hate, idiocy, too much Sean Hannity, a combo of all 3?

At what point do you 9/11 truther, Jade Helm believing, Obama birther, Sandy Hook and other shootings are false flags, Russia didn’t interfere with the election, loons realize you are getting duped. For the love of god, how can you be this ridiculous?  At some point don’t you feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football only to have every conspiracy you are told about, yanked right from you?

It doesn’t cross your minds that the only people promoting this shit are legitimately the dumbest people in the nation?  Nunes, Jim Jordan. Hannity, fox and friends, Gohmert, etc...  these people are not bright. Why do you keep believing them?

[Limey]

Timely

Two of the most monstrous regimes in human history came to power in the 20th century, and both were predicated on the violation and despoiling of truth, on the knowledge that cynicism and weariness and fear can make people susceptible to the lies and false promises of leaders bent on unconditional power. As Hannah Arendt wrote in her 1951 book The Origins of Totalitarianism, “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (ie the reality of experience) and the distinction between true and false (ie the standards of thought) no longer exist.”

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Find me one registered Democrat who believes their side is absolutely correct about everything and I’ll eat my shorts. Find me two Democrats who agree about everything and i’ll eat their shorts too.

Navin and chuck. Happy dining.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So Seth Rich is an associate of Hillary?

Never said that. You are making shit up.

JFC you fucking Alex Jones believing rubes need to wise up.

I've never mentioned the kook Alex Jones. He's a dangerous kook.

 What in the world makes you so gullible? 

If I'm gullible and I don't believe I am, it would be because I love everyone and am too trusting.

At what point do you 9/11 truther, Jade Helm believing, Obama birther, Sandy Hook and other shootings are false flags, Russia didn’t interfere with the election, loons realize you are getting duped. For the love of god, how can you be this ridiculous?  At some point don’t you feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football only to have every conspiracy you are told about, yanked right from you?

I'm not a conspiracy dupe. You are hysterical.

It doesn’t cross your minds that the only people promoting this shit are legitimately the dumbest people in the nation?  Nunes, Jim Jordan. Hannity, fox and iends, Gohmert, etc...  these people are not bright. Why do you keep believing them?

What crosses my mind, besides the fact that Navin can be a dumbshit jerk at times, is if I must deal with authority, I want a balance of power. I understand the little issues and the big picture. I believe everyone deserves a certain amount of privacy and the right to be left alone, regardless of sex, race, religion. I want to help out those who can't help themselves. And I also want my investment portfolio to grow. I'll pay my taxes and be a good civilian, son, brother, and neighbor, but as long as it causes no harm, leave me the fuck alone when it comes to my pursuit of happiness. I vote but locally it's on issues, nationally now it's usually green or libertarian. I love everyone. I don't get pissed off much anymore. Not because things don't piss me off, but I don't dwell much on things that piss me off. I avoid ugly, seek beauty. Yeah, that's who I am.  So don't mistake my lack of enthusiasm for the Democratic Party as being some kind of Republican apologist, I prefer to be thought of as an ass than an elephant. I don't live your dogma.

[chuck]

Kids held hostage are living in cages in disused Walmarts but you know I don't get pissed off much anymore because I don't dwell on the ugly, maaaaan, and I love everyone, except Hillary Clinton and of course Tom Brady, and maybe I have to love those kids, too, but my pursuit of happiness, maaaan, and I can't pursue happiness if I'm reminded of kids in cages so leave me the fuck alone to seek beauty, maaaan.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Thank you for that silly... whatever it was. Were you pretending to channel me or something? Making believe you were me? Anyway, it was unreal funny.

I do love everyone, but I still hate behaviors that hurt others. I used to be pissed off all the time and it wasn't a healthy way for me to live. All angry and bitter is no way for me to go about. I  want to help those kids, chuck, I love them, I feel their pain. I want to help their families, I want them to be able to escape their ugly hell and embrace the beauty and opportunities that a safe and healthy life can offer. I hate the wall, it's ugly.  I would love to see the wall go away.

You and Navin seem to think that most everyone who disagrees with you politically, even in the slightest, are either, dumbshits, fuckwits, racists, facists, sexist, avaricious, or cowardly, or some amalgamation there of. Some are, not all.

   

[Limey]

You and Navin seem to think that most everyone who disagrees with you politically, even in the slightest, are either, dumbshits, fuckwits, racists, facists, sexist, avaricious, or cowardly, or some amalgamation there of. Some are, not all.

The thing is, there really isn't any nuance left any more.  One party is supporting/enabling the caging of children, the destruction of the western alliance, the destruction of trade agreements (which will have the knock-on effect of destroying the economy), the destruction of civil rights, the destruction of equal rights, the destruction of law and order, the destruction of the middle class and the destruction of the United States' position as leader of the free world.

If you support that party in any way, you are part of that problem.

[jbm]

It’s hard to step outside the turmoil created by Trump and this turmoil allows him to get away with so much. The Democrats, the press and even much of the public are either too tired or out of outrage, but it is absolutely astounding that he is meeting privately with Putin.  Seriously, when has this been done before?  Why is it necessary to meet privately?  Even if you don’t think Trump is a Putin puppet, wouldn’t you just tell him “There’s no need to meet in private” or “what can’t you discuss with others in the room?” 

There is absolutely no understandable reason for a private meeting, except for the obvious reason, but not one Republican will dare utter the obvious.

[jbm]

Not surprisingly, the meeting went poorly, if you give a shit about America.  In the press conference. Trump again blamed America for the "poor" relationship and defended Russia against the indictments.  God only knows what he gave away in private. 

It's going to take a decade of quality leadership to lead us out of the hole Trump has dropped us in.  I bet his supporters still consider this "winning."

[Limey]

How can anyone watch that and not think that Trump is completely in Putin's pocket.

#NoPuppet

[Limey]

Today’s press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. The damage inflicted by President Trump’s naivety, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate. But it is clear that the summit in Helsinki was a tragic mistake.

"...but I'll still vote to confirm his SCOTUS nominee," he didn't need to add.

[BudGirl]

Interestingly, the indictment makes reference to an unnamed Republican candidate - not Trump - who was trying to get Clinton's emails from the Russians.  Given that Robert Mercer was bankrolling both Cambridge Analytica and Ted Cruz - it has to be Ted Cruz, right?  Please let it be Cruz!!

I don't think it would matter in Texas.

Go Beto!

[jbm]

The last day has been rather fascinating.  In one sense, Trump acted like many expected he would and like he has repeatedly acted toward Putin and the Russian investigation.  But this time, he was widely condemned by all in the left, center and moderate right, and even by some members of his fan club. 

What changed?  He was basically saying what he always does and what he has always gotten away with it.  He thought he hit another home run and is apparently surprised/perplexed by the reaction.  I am too, but in a very different way.

Basically, I think he sealed his fate, at least in the sense that the Mueller probe will have to be allowed to finish because too many people are now asking and concerned about the obvious: what does Vlad have on Donnie? 

[Limey]

Basically, I think he sealed his fate, at least in the sense that the Mueller probe will have to be allowed to finish because too many people are now asking and concerned about the obvious: what does Vlad have on Donnie?

This is what was laid bare in Helsinki (a name forever ruined for me by this), Trump jumped on a question to Putin and defended/protected him.  It was so disgusting and obvious that even disinterested viewers cannot help but speculate that Trump is Putin's puppet.  It's also hilarious to think that the two people accused of colluding can deflect the accusation by agreeing between themselves that it never happened.

In fact, while we don't know whether there is a pee tape, or if it's Trump's finances that have him on the end of Putin's short leash, there's also a third, obvious driver; the collusion itself.  We know that collusion happened - the Trump Tower meeting is text book collusion - but we have nothing directly involving Trump.  But if Trump did collude, even if he didn't realise that he was at the time, Putin will have proof of it and that may be enough to allow him to lead Trump around by the nose.  And because Trump likes to involve his whole family, he could well be under threat that he and his favored offspring will all go to jail.  That's a helluva lever.

[BudGirl]

his favored offspring will all go to jail.  That's a helluva lever.

I'm sure Tiffany will be fine.

[MusicMan]

I'm sure Tiffany will be fine.

I think she’s alone now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Limey]

I'm sure Tiffany will be fine.

And Melania; who will end up owning it all.

[Limey]

I think she’s alone now.

Well, there doesn't seem to be any one around.

[Limey]

This is amazing.

[Limey]

Manafort's case was delayed a week; no one (outside the court) knows why the "Rocket-Docket" judge did this.  The judge denied Manafort's motion to change venue.  Mueller filed paperwork with the court that he will be calling 5 witnesses against Manafort who are currently unknown to the public as being part of the case, but who have been given immunity.  Wait...WTF?

Pass.  The.  Popcorn.

Case starts next Wednesday, and is scheduled to run for two weeks.  Go directly to jail, do not pass go and do not collect a pardon.

[Limey]

So...Maria Butina.  Allegedly a Russian plant who was fucking at least one guy - American conservative political operative Paul Erickson (56-years old and likely grateful for anything he could get) - and at least one other guy, in return for political favors.  She was part of the dubious Russian gun rights lobby (as if Putin would allow his subjects to be armed) and moved in the upper levels of conservative politics.

Her mission was to get the NRA and other conservative pressure groups to put their weight behind policies that Russia wanted enacted, and it appears that she was successful in achieving this goal.  Oh, and spying, too.

What's not discussed in her indictment is whether the NRA was receiving, knowingly or unknowingly, Russian money to support its activities.  It's notable that the near-half billion dollars the NRA spent on the 2016 election is double what it spent in 2012.  That's $100 for each of it's 5 million members, while membership costs $40/year.  Apropos nothing, the day after this news broke, the Treasure Dept. issued new guidelines that do away with the need for the likes of the NRA to report sources of funds.

Butina has been detained without bail, so her trial is going to go ahead.  Manafort's trial is going to go ahead.  Flynn's plea deal continues to have sentencing left open, a sign that he has more to give to, or do for, prosecutors.  Trump's Russian flag underwear has been on full display for all to see.  This is an amazing time, not in a good way. 

[BudGirl]

So...Maria Butina.  Allegedly a Russian plant who was fucking at least one guy - American conservative political operative Paul Erickson (56-years old and likely grateful for anything he could get) - and at least one other guy, in return for political favors.  She was part of the dubious Russian gun rights lobby (as if Putin would allow his subjects to be armed) and moved in the upper levels of conservative politics.

Her mission was to get the NRA and other conservative pressure groups to put their weight behind policies that Russia wanted enacted, and it appears that she was successful in achieving this goal.  Oh, and spying, too.

What's not discussed in her indictment is whether the NRA was receiving, knowingly or unknowingly, Russian money to support its activities.  It's notable that the near-half billion dollars the NRA spent on the 2016 election is double what it spent in 2012.  That's $100 for each of it's 5 million members, while membership costs $40/year.  Apropos nothing, the day after this news broke, the Treasure Dept. issued new guidelines that do away with the need for the likes of the NRA to report sources of funds.

Butina has been detained without bail, so her trial is going to go ahead.  Manafort's trial is going to go ahead.  Flynn's plea deal continues to have sentencing left open, a sign that he has more to give to, or do for, prosecutors.  Trump's Russian flag underwear has been on full display for all to see.  This is an amazing time, not in a good way. 

And yet, people still support the President because it is fake news.  This country is seriously broken.  They don't believe what he himself has said.

[Limey]

And yet, people still support the President because it is fake news.  This country is seriously broken.  They don't believe what he himself has said.

To be fair, he reverses direction more often and faster than Austin Powers, so they are hearing what they want to hear, not what he says.  And, of course, he always puts far more energy and passion behind the shitty stuff, while he reads the corrections / damage control stuff from a script like a kidnapping victim.

[Limey]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a truly awful person.

[BudGirl]

To be fair, he reverses direction more often and faster than Austin Powers, so they are hearing what they want to hear, not what he says.  And, of course, he always puts far more energy and passion behind the shitty stuff, while he reads the corrections / damage control stuff from a script like a kidnapping victim.

If only someone would kidnap him.

[BudGirl]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a truly awful person.

are you just now realizing this?

[Limey]

are you just now realizing this?

No.  I gave her the benefit of the doubt for a while, but she burned up any doubt a long time ago.  I am watching her performance today, and I just couldn't help but let that comment out.

[Lefty]

Yo, Limey:  this

It's notable that the near-half billion dollars the NRA spent on the 2016 election is double what it spent in 2012.  That's $100 for each of it's 5 million members, while membership costs $40/year.  Apropos nothing, the day after this news broke, the Treasure Dept. issued new guidelines that do away with the need for the likes of the NRA to report sources of funds.

This is legit?  I don't doubt it but I am seriously curious.

[Limey]

The numbers are, sure.

[MRaup]

Yo, Limey:  this

It's notable that the near-half billion dollars the NRA spent on the 2016 election is double what it spent in 2012.  That's $100 for each of it's 5 million members, while membership costs $40/year.  Apropos nothing, the day after this news broke, the Treasure Dept. issued new guidelines that do away with the need for the likes of the NRA to report sources of funds.

This is legit?  I don't doubt it but I am seriously curious.

Anyone know how I can apply for a job with the Treasure Department?

[chuck]

Anyone know how I can apply for a job with the Treasure Department?

I don't know, but I bet you could make a mint.

In all seriousness, I would do it quickly because you never know when Hillary is going to sell 20% of the nation's gold to Russia.

[Limey]

Anyone know how I can apply for a job with the Treasure Department?

Do you speak Russian?

[chuck]

Anyone know how I can apply for a job with the Treasure Department?

Would you fuck this guy?

[Limey]

Quick update:  Trump has been all over the map about what he did(n't) talk about with Putin.  It's truly breathtaking how many contradictory positions he can maintain at one time.  He's also thinking about handing over US diplomats for questioning by Russian investigators - because Daddy V. asked him to.

Coincidentally, the intelligence community leaked today details of the briefing that Trump got in January 2017 that laid out in detail (hopefully with pictures and a large font) that is was Putin who'd ordered the election interference and Russian military intelligence who'd done it.  It's almost as if they're trying to tell us something...

[BudGirl]

Would you fuck this guy?

No.

[jbm]

Would you fuck this guy?

Is that the "Republican Operative" the Russian spy was stuck "cohabitating" with?

On a side note, continued exposure to all the characters in this movie reminds me how much history is created by truly idiotic people.

[Limey]

Is that the "Republican Operative" the Russian spy was stuck "cohabitating" with?

On a side note, continued exposure to all the characters in this movie reminds me how much history is created by truly idiotic people.

John Oliver pegged this as "Stupid Watergate" a long time ago.  So named because it's like Watergate but everyone is stupid and rubbish at everything.

Yes, that's the Republican operative she was bedding (and complaining about having to bed to her handler) while offering sex to other Republican operatives to enhance her ability to spy.  I'm sure there's a whole bunch of such operatives, appointed officials and elected officials who are shitting themselves today, because they had dealings (sexual or otherwise) with this Russian spy.

Oh, and she's comfortably qualified to be called a spy.  The prosecution team has been joined with the DOJ's most senior counterintelligence prosecutor, because, you know, she's a fucking spy.

Another aside:  they have communications with her handler (at least her end of such)  from just after Trump's "win" in which she discusses potential picks for Secretary of State.  If you recall, there was a whole series of reality TV-style dates between Trump and candidates for the position, notably that awful dinner when Trump trolled Romney in person.  Well Butina wanted to keep up with what "our people" thought of potential picks.  Later, out of the blue, Trump announced friend of Putin and Russian Friendship medal winner Rex Tillerson as his nominee for State.  Someone needs to get under the hood of that decision and see where the name Tillerson originated, because it might lead back to an NRA-linked operative who was banging a 20-something Russian chick...

[Limey]

Trump's own hubris has got him into trouble again following a closed door meeting with a foreign dictator.  After getting pwned by North Korea's Kim, he's in the process of suffering the same ignominious fate following Monday's "summit" with Putin. 

Russia’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, told reporters in Moscow the two leaders had reached “important verbal agreements”, including preservation of the New Start and INF arms control agreements.

Antonov, who called the meeting “important, comprehensive, productive and constructive”, said the Russian president had made “specific and interesting proposals to Washington” on how the two countries could cooperate on Syria.

So, in addition to having the State department and various intelligence agencies scrambling to react to what the Russians say we've already agreed to, there's a growing call for Trump to account for what was discussed.  There's talk of bringing the US' translator in front of Congress to testify as to what was discussed and agreed.

[Nate Colbert]

There's talk of bringing the US' translator in front of Congress to testify as to what was discussed and agreed.

Nunes and his fellow quislings have already blocked that move on the House side.

[jbm]

It's not going to surprise me if that motherfucker has some Russian ties as well.

[chuck]

It's not going to surprise me if that motherfucker has some Russian ties as well.

Nunes? Ya think?

[Bench]

Nunes? Ya think?

The most recent indictment indicates that the Russian entanglement with the GOP goes well beyond the Trump folks.  I imagine that's a significant motivation with their ongoing attempts to interfere with Mueller's investigation and general willingness to cover up Trump's crimes, even if they don't know exactly what crimes they are covering up.

[Bench]

Nunes? Ya think?

At first I thought he was talking about the translator, which, well, you have to learn the language somehow. 

[chuck]

At first I thought he was talking about the translator, which, well, you have to learn the language somehow.

"The translator, who gave his name as 'John Barron,' was last seen at Helsinki-Vantaa boarding a Crimeair flight for Sevastopol."

[Limey]

Nunes and his fellow quislings have already blocked that move on the House side.

You using the word "quislings" may be the first good thing to come out of all this shit!

[Limey]

The most recent indictment indicates that the Russian entanglement with the GOP goes well beyond the Trump folks.  I imagine that's a significant motivation with their ongoing attempts to interfere with Mueller's investigation and general willingness to cover up Trump's crimes, even if they don't know exactly what crimes they are covering up.

Correct.  The Butina case says that the Russians at large were getting conservative lobby groups at large to influence Republicans at large to support agenda(s) that Russia preferred.  As these efforts get identified and unraveled, we will see what they knew and when they knew it.  I'm sure there was near zero scrutiny used to vet offers of money or help, and zero fucks given about the quo to go with the quid, so most of these clowns will be shown to be stupid and craven but innocent of actual crimes.

[jbm]

At first I thought he was talking about the translator, which, well, you have to learn the language somehow.

Me?  No, I was talking Nunes, but I'd be worried about my safety if I was the translator

[chuck]

but innocent of actual crimes.

There are very, very clear statutes that prohibit foreign campaign contributions - cash or in-kind assistance.

That's just a little amuse-bouche for our Republican friends enjoying a meal at the Golden Balalaika Buffet.

[Limey]

There are very, very clear statutes that prohibit foreign campaign contributions - cash or in-kind assistance.

That's just a little amuse-bouche for our Republican friends enjoying a meal at the Golden Balalaika Buffet.

Of course.  But there's a vast amount of wiggle room in which to claim plausible deniability.  Unless they're like Facebook and took the money in rubles, if it was routed through a shell LLC, say something like "Essential Consultants", then they can claim they didn't know who they were with and I think that is all it would take.

[jbm]

Of course.  But there's a vast amount of wiggle room in which to claim plausible deniability.  Unless they're like Facebook and took the money in rubles, if it was routed through a shell LLC, say something like "Essential Consultants", then they can claim they didn't know who they were with and I think that is all it would take.

Except that with some of these guys, their actions imply that they knew the quo and there might well be a communication trail of the quo, or flippers verifying it. 

Also, if there is complicity of others, it doesn't just have to be from dirty campaign money.  These characters are typical politicians: unsavory and stupid.  Lots of traditional blackmail could also exist.

[chuck]

Of course.  But there's a vast amount of wiggle room in which to claim plausible deniability.  Unless they're like Facebook and took the money in rubles, if it was routed through a shell LLC, say something like "Essential Consultants", then they can claim they didn't know who they were with and I think that is all it would take.

Outstanding point. These crack operatives are far too wily to have left a trail of crumbs behind that a bumbling, deep state embedded special counsel could follow to any ostensible conclusion.

Welp, boys, release the memo and wrap 'er up.

[Limey]

Oh Lordy, there’s a tape!

Cohen secretly recorded a conversation between himself and Trump during which they discuss paying off his mistress. No, not that one, the other one. 

[chuck]

So, once again, Trump was right. His phone conversations WERE being taped.

Wait a minute, this the woman Hope Hicks swore no one knew anything about? Or the other one she swore no one knew? Or the other other one?

[austro]

So, once again, Trump was right. His phone conversations WERE being taped.

Wait a minute, this the woman Hope Hicks swore no one knew anything about? Or the other one she swore no one knew? Or the other other one?

It's almost like these folks might be lying to us.

[austro]

Geez, now the most pathetic man in the universe is once again on the warpath about players kneeling for the national anthem. Maybe he ought to concern himself with why our pharma companies are outsourcing production to offshore companies that don't seem to give a shit about production standards.

[Limey]

Geez, now the most pathetic man in the universe is once again on the warpath about players kneeling for the national anthem. Maybe he ought to concern himself with why our pharma companies are outsourcing production to offshore companies that don't seem to give a shit about production standards.

I am less concerned about NFL players on their knees during the anthem than I am Presidents of the United States being on their knees during a joint press conference with our most powerful enemy. 

[austro]

I am less concerned about NFL players on their knees during the anthem than I am Presidents of the United States being on their knees during a joint press conference with our most powerful enemy. 

If you liked Helsinki this summer, you'll love DC this fall.

[Limey]

If you liked Helsinki this summer, you'll love DC this fall.

So dumb to remind voters, right before the midterms, that they need to elect candidates who oppose Trump.  But, whatever Vladdy wants, Vladdy gets. 

[BudGirl]

Or to remind them of how he wins.

[jbm]

Two notable stories today:

First, the Trump administration will provide 12 billion in aid to farmers caught in his trade war.  I doubt Trump supporters see the absurdity of this, but this is pretty much the definition of losing, both for the farmers whose business is hurt and the taxpayers who will pay for their hurt.

The second is just more hypocrisy from the Republican immigration frauds.  Apparently, the house leadership promised some Republican members that if they didn't force a vote on dreamers, they would get a vote on a guest-worker bill.  But, since the guest-worker bill included E-verify, McCarthy (from California), was beset by opposition from California farmers and reneged on the promise to bring the bill to the floor. 

You see, California farmers know that in order to survive, they can't hire enough through the E-verify system and instead need traditional undocumented help.   So, Republican leadership cries about illegal immigration screwing up the labor force, but refuses to vote on a bill that addresses it, because of course, they know they are living out a big fucking lie.  Hypocrites who lack the courage to tell their rabid base the truth about immigration and the economy, and instead prefer to gin up the issue rather than lend their support to a sensible immigration policy.

[chuck]

First, the Trump administration will provide 12 billion in aid to farmers caught in his trade war.

I like this story especially. A government does something profoundly stupid that harms millions of people (something that any economist who was awake warned would be the inevitable outcome), then, to retain the favor of those harmed, they rain down money on those affected. When the idiot in charge is someone like Maduro Republicans cry SOCIALISM! and wonder aloud if the US should invade. When the idiot in charge is Trump, well, I guess this is winning. So much winning.

[Limey]

I like this story especially. A government does something profoundly stupid that harms millions of people (something that any economist who was awake warned would be the inevitable outcome), then, to retain the favor of those harmed, they rain down money on those affected. When the idiot in charge is someone like Maduro Republicans cry SOCIALISM! and wonder aloud if the US should invade. When the idiot in charge is Trump, well, I guess this is winning. So much winning.

It's even more stupid than you think.  Trump has defended the impact of his ego trade  war by claiming that we're playing with banks' money.  Of course, this is stupid on so many levels but, ultimately, it assumes that there will eventually be a winner in the war and it will be the U.S.  This would mark the first example in recorded history of one country "winning" a trade war against another.

As an aside, the really, really stupid part is that Trump doesn't understand trade.  He thinks that a trade deficit with another country  is "losing" while a trade surplus is "winning".  Trade is trade and he is a fucking idiot.

[BudGirl]

I like this story especially. A government does something profoundly stupid that harms millions of people (something that any economist who was awake warned would be the inevitable outcome), then, to retain the favor of those harmed, they rain down money on those affected. When the idiot in charge is someone like Maduro Republicans cry SOCIALISM! and wonder aloud if the US should invade. When the idiot in charge is Trump, well, I guess this is winning. So much winning.

try explaining it to his supporters.  republicans know if they don't give farmers money, their base is gone.  democrats can't vote against it because then they'd be against supporting farmers.  people are stupid and don't have a clue how economics work. 

[Limey]

Oh, and in the tax cut bill is having the desired effect: real wages - across 80% of industries and 2/3rds of the country - dropped 1.4% in the first 6 months under the new tax regime.  So where did all that money go if not into the pay packets of American workers?  Businesses spent $700 billion on stock buybacks.  The rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

One of the things we saw is firms are leaning more toward giving bonuses rather than straight pay increases.  It's flashy, it makes you feel good, but it then doesn't stick around and compound year over year.

We are being played.  This isn't news - the alarm that the tax cuts would cause exactly this were being sounded as it was being passed - the only question now is will the voting public at large realise it before the mid-terms and vote accordingly.

On an anecdotal basis, the Houston real estate market (Mrs Limey being a realtor) is mirroring this exaggeration of the wealth gap.  Properties up to, say, $500k are moving roughly as usual.  But between that and $1mm, the market is dead as a door nail; maybe a tenth of the volume of sales now over last summer, and not due to the inventory which is stacked with quality properties and desperate owners.  Over $1mm, things are a little slower, but not much.

So here's the thing.  Tax changes mean that only $10,000 of your property tax is deductible from federal taxes (equivalent to a home value of about $400 - 500k depending on your tax district), and mortgage interest is only deductible up to a loan value of $750k.  So, if you're buying north of $500k, and you're financing, things just got a whole lot more expensive on top of interest rate increases.  But, if you're doing well enough to be able to afford a home over $1mm, such things become incremental, rather than fundamental.

This is destroying home values in Houston.

[Limey]

try explaining it to his supporters.  republicans know if they don't give farmers money, their base is gone.  democrats can't vote against it because then they'd be against supporting farmers.  people are stupid and don't have a clue how economics work.

We are spending money on propping up dairy farmers, independent of the trade war issue, because people are switching to non-dairy milks.  I agree with something like this in the short term, but there doesn't seem to be a plan beyond throwing money at the farmers and advertising that we all need to drink more cow's milk.  That's not a strategy, that's cowshit.

[chuck]

Slap a tariff on almonds and WHABAM problem solved. Wait a minute. The vast majority of almonds are produced in the US? Well! The American almond trade surplus is TREMENDOUS. Never been better. Everyone's talking about it.

[Navin R Johnson]

Remember how Republicans for decades relentlessly shouted/preached/campaigned that they were the party of family values and fiscal responsibility?  They have now admitted they were lying the entire fucking time, which of course anyone with an ounce of sense knew all along.   It’s just shocking to see them so gleefully promote their hypocrisy.  Sad!

[chuck]

I think that the among the supposed principles that these ignorant fucks have talked themselves into adopting or at least pretend to have, the only one they wouldn't sell at the drop of a MAGA hat is their opposition to abortion. I cannot wait to see the freakshow style contortions these cretins perform once it comes to light that Der Trump had paid off who knows how many whores to have abortions and human excrement like Franklin Graham run around stammering that it's no one's business and even so it really doesn't matter.

[Limey]

Another front in the War on Trump just moved forward.  A federal court just cleared the last hurdle (barring appeal) of a case brought against Trump by the AsG of DC and MD under the emoluments clause.  The courts have now decided that the two state AsG have standing and, in this latest ruling, WTF “emoluments” means.

The court upheld that it includes things like “profit” and “gain” of anything more than de minimis value.  Ie exactly what Trump gets out of his DC hotel.  It also includes “advantage”, which is something other DC venues have complained about - because if you need somewhere, it can’t hurt to use Trump’s place, because he may TwitterFuck you (at least) if you don’t. 

Now, Trump World may appeal, and this ultimately may die if Trump gets to play his Kavanout of Jail Free card, but discovery is the next step which means that the AsG get to see Trump DC’s books. 

[Limey]

Trump’s CEO - Allen Wesselberg, who’s name came up more than once in the Cohen tape - has been subpoenaed to testify in front of a grand jury.  He’s now been linked to both payoffs, and will be compelled to tell what he knows (or plead the 5th).

Slowly slowly catchee Trumpee...

[Limey]

Well, they got there, which I'm hoping means that we're getting near the end.  TrumpWorld (including, but not limited to Giuliani), are now arguing that collusion with Moscow isn't a crime even if they did do it.

Umm, yes it is.  It's a felony.

[chuck]

The “it’s not a crime” bit was visible from light years away, the most predictable thing possible. What I’m looking forward to is their turning their crimes somehow into a virtue, which I’m sure we’ll see shortly.

[Limey]

The “it’s not a crime” bit was visible from light years away, the most predictable thing possible. What I’m looking forward to is their turning their crimes somehow into a virtue, which I’m sure we’ll see shortly.

Yeah.  The only place left to go is to say that these "non" crimes are actually smart politics, and it's why Trump won his historic victory etc. etc.

I just thought it notable that we've finally got here, which means they are expecting proof of collusion to come out pretty soon; maybe during Manafort's trial that starts this week.

[Bench]

The “it’s not a crime” bit was visible from light years away, the most predictable thing possible. What I’m looking forward to is their turning their crimes somehow into a virtue, which I’m sure we’ll see shortly.

They've come a long way from "There was no communication between the campaign and any foreign entity during the campaign." in November 2016.

[Limey]

They've come a long way from "There was no communication between the campaign and any foreign entity during the campaign." in November 2016.

While TrumpWorld has devolved to the "it's not a crime" defense, Trump himself will still blast out the original blanket denial at will.  Any suggestion that he needed help to get his win is an anathema to Trump, even if he doesn't know what anathema means*.

* It's an antonym of "covfefe".

[Limey]

Meanwhile, Russia has already started hacking attacks on individual democrats ahead of the mid-terms; the first confirmed victim (of any political stripe) being Claire McCaskill.  Presumably, the Russians want her to win so badly they're prepared to try and break into her campaign's emails, I assume in order to leave helpful advice.

Jeanne Shaheen has also been hacked, but they have not yet said by whom.

[HudsonHawk]

They've come a long way from "There was no communication between the campaign and any foreign entity during the campaign." in November 2016.

Isn't this what you lawyerin' types would call an "argument in the alternative"?

You weren't bitten by a dog
My dog was tied up
My dog doesn't bite
I don't even have a dog

[Bench]

Isn't this what you lawyerin' types would call an "argument in the alternative"?

You weren't bitten by a dog
My dog was tied up
My dog doesn't bite
I don't even have a dog

The difference between alternative arguments and alternative facts. 

[Limey]

The difference between alternative arguments and alternative facts.

I love how Giuliani blurted out that there was a pre-meeting strategy session that included the entire campaign intelligentsia, sans Trump Sr., prior to this completely "nothing" meeting that no one cared about and from which nothing came.  One of the people he name-checked as being there (while theatrically slapping his head as if he was struggling to remember because this was an event of no consequence - even though he wasn't there so he learned about it only recently) was Rick Gates, who's cooperating with Mueller.

So now we know that Mueller knows all about it.  And Trump World knows he knows.

[jbm]

Since most everything denied is now being revealed, I need to know if they have denied illegal financial dealings with Russian crooks, or simple quid pro quo arrangements with foreign entities?

Even without looking at all the probable money laundering in his business, we will likely learn of more "Give me money, and the USA policy will do this" type deals.  Basically, selling out American policy for cash.  Guiliani will one day say that is no big deal either and 30% of the country will agree.  They'll say: "God Damn Patriots, every last one."

[Limey]

Since most everything denied is now being revealed, I need to know if they have denied illegal financial dealings with Russian crooks, or simple quid pro quo arrangements with foreign entities?

Even without looking at all the probable money laundering in his business, we will likely learn of more "Give me money, and the USA policy will do this" type deals.  Basically, selling out American policy for cash.  Guiliani will one day say that is no big deal either and 30% of the country will agree.  They'll say: "God Damn Patriots, every last one."

You know this is the case.  In 2014, with interest rates at historic lows, the self-proclaimed "King of Debt" started buying properties cash, instead of with OPM.  Eric Trump reportedly bragged that "We don’t rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia."  So Trump stopped borrowing from banks, from whom one can obtain bankruptcy protection if you can't pay it back, to borrowing from Russian oligarchs, from whom you can obtain any number of physical, emotional and financial injuries if you can't pay them back.

Trump has properties the world over that are hemorrhaging money, notably his Scottish golf courses that are complete black holes.  So maybe, Godfather-like, Trump's Russian benefactors asked him to do a simple thing for them: run for President and generally run interference on western democracies.  I'm sure there was no intention or expectation to win, which is why the tracks were so poorly covered, but win he did.

The evidence will be in his tax returns.  If Democrats gain subpoena power in November, those returns have to be the very first thing they demand to see.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

So maybe, Godfather-like, Trump's Russian benefactors asked him to do a simple thing for them: run for President and generally run interference on western democracies.  I'm sure there was no intention or expectation to win, which is why the tracks were so poorly covered, but win he did.

The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew.
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!

[Bench]

The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew.
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!

Gang aft a-gley. 

[chuck]

Since most everything denied is now being revealed, I need to know if they have denied illegal financial dealings with Russian crooks, or simple quid pro quo arrangements with foreign entities?

Even without looking at all the probable money laundering in his business, we will likely learn of more "Give me money, and the USA policy will do this" type deals.  Basically, selling out American policy for cash.  Guiliani will one day say that is no big deal either and 30% of the country will agree.  They'll say: "God Damn Patriots, every last one."

Manafort did this with Deripaska, just for a start.

[Limey]

Manafort did this with Deripaska, just for a start.

He also got a bank - one primarily serving veterans - to lend him a ridiculous chunk of their capital in return for making the bank's owner Secretary of the Army.

[Limey]

Manafort’s trial in Virginia is underway.  His defense - remember this is the tax fraud trial - is to blame his underling, namely Rick Gates.  The Rick Gates who has been cooperating with prosecutors for months.  Good luck with that.

[MusicMan]

Manafort’s trial in Virginia is underway.  His defense - remember this is the tax fraud trial - is to blame his underling, namely Rick Gates.  The Rick Gates who has been cooperating with prosecutors for months.  Good luck with that.

His defense is to just wait for the pardon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MRaup]

His defense is to just wait for the pardon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The best defense is a good offense(ive piece of shit as a president).

[Limey]

Trump is screaming at Sessions (over Twitter, of course) to end the Mueller investigation, just as the investigation's first trial is underway (with 4 convictions already in the bag).  It's almost as if he's worried about something.

Also, he seems to be heeding the advice of counsel - Rudy Giuliani - who's opined that you can't obstruct justice in public.

[chuck]

Also, he seems to be heeding the advice of counsel - Rudy Giuliani - who's opined that you can't obstruct justice in public.

He's also opined that breaking the law is not a crime. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to wonder if the mayor is receiving the best possible input from his paralegals.

[Limey]

He's also opined that breaking the law is not a crime. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to wonder if the mayor is receiving the best possible input from his paralegals.

Seems that his paralegals are Jack Daniels and Angel Dust.

[Limey]

Manafort's defense team seems to have put all its eggs in the basket that Rick Gates did everything and Manafort is innocent, therefore.  So Mueller's team played Lucy to Manafort's Charlie Brown, and pulled the ball away.  Gates may not testify, removing the defense's free hit at him.

Maybe the lawyers out there can shed some light on this, but it seems to me that the defense calling Gates with the prosecution able to clean-up thereafter is a much weaker position than the defense mounting a vigorous cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness.

Chess meeting checkers.  Again.

[Limey]

Trump is screaming at Sessions (over Twitter, of course) to end the Mueller investigation, just as the investigation's first trial is underway (with 4 convictions already in the bag).  It's almost as if he's worried about something.

Also, he seems to be heeding the advice of counsel - Rudy Giuliani - who's opined that you can't obstruct justice in public.

Apparently this TweetStorm was set off because Mueller's team responded to the Trump/Giuliani interview offer in which no questions about obstruction could be asked, which is like searching Buffalo Bill's house but agreeing not to look in the basement.  Mueller, apparently, really wants to ask about obstruction, and he made that clear in his counteroffer, which is what sent Trump off the deep end.

#StableGenius

[Limey]

Interesting Texas Lyceum poll.

They have Cruz' lead over Beto at just 2 points:  41 to 39 of likely voters, but Abbot at +16 over Valdez, which suggests the poll isn't weighted against Republicans.

Interestingly, the question about the national economy has respondents thinking that it's better off by +19 (43 - 24), but when asked about Trump's performance as President, bad/very bad beats good/very good by +8 (52 to 44), with very bad getting the biggest share at 34%.  So people think the economy is fine, despite Trump (which is a fair assessment, IMHO).

Both sides of the aisle in Congress get rightly hammered; Republicans at -41 and Democrats at -39 (so maybe vote the bums out this mid-term?).

Healthcare polls very highly as a priority.  Single payer beat private insurance by +6.  Medicare polls very well.  If only there was a way all of us could get some of that Medicare...

One last, shocking, element of this poll: apparently they needed to help poll takers by spelling phonetically the word "denomination".

[Waldo]

They have Cruz' lead over Beto at just 2 points:  41 to 39 of likely voters, but Abbot at +16 over Valdez, which suggests the poll isn't weighted against Republicans.

It also suggests that people have no idea who the Dem gubernatorial candidate is.  I didn't until I clicked on the link.

[Limey]

It also suggests that people have no idea who the Dem gubernatorial candidate is.  I didn't until I clicked on the link.

Yep.

[chuck]

It also suggests that people have no idea who the Dem gubernatorial candidate is.  I didn't until I clicked on the link.

Just your basic military veteran, lesbian, Hispanic law enforcement official. Kind of hard to keep all of them straight, to be honest.

[Limey]

Just your basic military veteran, lesbian, Hispanic law enforcement official. Kind of hard to keep all of them straight, to be honest.

She's an awesome candidate, but she has zero presence in the media in Texas. 

[austro]

She's an awesome candidate, but she has zero presence in the media in Texas. 

That's because of all the fake news.

[Limey]

Question of the day:  Why would a man who is spending lavishly, flat broke, and struggling to make those ends meet, campaign for and take a job for no pay?  Asking for a Special Prosecutor friend.

[Navin R Johnson]

Just for reference, is anyone on this site one of those QAnon weirdos?

[MusicMan]

Just for reference, is anyone on this site one of those QAnon weirdos?

I am Q.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chuck]

I am Q.

Sweet. Maybe you can help me score some Styx tickets.

[MRaup]

Sweet. Maybe you can help me score some Styx tickets.

Or acquire a pen that shoots knockout gas.

[hostros7]

Just for reference, is anyone on this site one of those QAnon weirdos?

Googled, read, brain bled. Can you imagine reporting on this ridiculous topic and then suffering the slings and arrows of internet trolls reviling “fake news” for hiding the truth?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Navin R Johnson]

QAnon people are legit the biggest rubes in US history.   Breathtaking stupidity. They are Trump’s base. Sad!

[Limey]

They have to identify themselves with a single letter otherwise they’d spell it wrong. 

[austro]

They have to identify themselves with a single letter otherwise they’d spell it wrong. 

Why'd they pick such a difficult letter?

[Limey]

Why'd they pick such a difficult letter?

Top-left on the keyboard.  No need to have the read any other letters to find it. 

[Limey]

Aaaaaand here we are: Trump toilet-tweeting this morning that the 2016 Trump Tower meeting was about dirt on Hillary, but it wasn’t illegal.   Maybe he meant to say “was”, not “wasn’t”.

[Navin R Johnson]

But the Trumps said it was about adoptions? Trump was lying, no way.

[chuck]

By this time next week these people will, as I predicted, have turned this into a virtue somehow. Better Putin than Hillary sort of vibe. Hell, they may do that by this time tomorrow.

What I like is that none of this is driven by Mueller, just the inexorable drip drip drip of the truth coming to light. Of course the truth itself is irrelevant at best to these people; mostly it's inimical to their preferred narrative. And Trump, stupid as he is, correctly judges that if he says something enough his bovine supporters will believe it. 'What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening.' And he knows that it doesn't really matter what Mueller eventually reports if he can turn this into a PR campaign rather than a criminal defense.

Which leads me to what I'm pondering in the wake of this morning's lunacy - will Fredo be indicted this week? Is that what this is all about?

[Limey]

Which leads me to what I'm pondering in the wake of this morning's lunacy - will Fredo be indicted this week? Is that what this is all about?

Reportedly, he has not yet been interviewed by Mueller or anyone in law enforcement.  That suggests strongly that he’s a target.  Trump getting ahead of a forthcoming revelation - which is what all of the Giuliani nonsense has been - suggests strongly that he’s going to be indicted.  The WaPo reported today that Trump was in a hissy fit over Jr’s legal jeopardy, which is rich considering he was using his own son as a cut out. 

It was a nice touch at the end of the tweet that confirmed his own son’s felonious act, to reaffirm his own innocence.  Father of the Year. 

[Tom Servo]

They have to identify themselves with a single letter otherwise they’d spell it wrong.

Could you imagine them trying to spell queue?

[Tom Servo]

By this time next week these people will, as I predicted, have turned this into a virtue somehow. Better Putin than Hillary sort of vibe. Hell, they may do that by this time tomorrow.

What I like is that none of this is driven by Mueller, just the inexorable drip drip drip of the truth coming to light. Of course the truth itself is irrelevant at best to these people; mostly it's inimical to their preferred narrative. And Trump, stupid as he is, correctly judges that if he says something enough his bovine supporters will believe it. 'What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening.' And he knows that it doesn't really matter what Mueller eventually reports if he can turn this into a PR campaign rather than a criminal defense.

Which leads me to what I'm pondering in the wake of this morning's lunacy - will Fredo be indicted this week? Is that what this is all about?

https://twitter.com/Popehat/status/1026174402130456576/photo/1

Notice the shirts?

[BudGirl]

I want to ask a non-prejudice friend of mine if he would tell them to go to russia?  That's what he thinks anyone supporting another country should do.

Idiots. This country is full of them and they good and vote.

[Navin R Johnson]

The Presidents buddy Alex Jones got banned from Facebook and YouTube today. So there is that.

[MusicMan]

The Presidents buddy Alex Jones got banned from Facebook and YouTube today. So there is that.

He then tweeted he had been banned from the internet.

Yes, you read that correctly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[austro]

He then tweeted he had been banned from the internet.

Yes, you read that correctly.

It's almost like his critical thinking skills might not be up to par.

[chuck]

How much of what he says does he actually believe, and how much of what he says does his audience actually believe? This is not a rhetorical question; I truly have no idea. I mean, there are some people that think WWE is real so who knows.

[Navin R Johnson]

I know I shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many people that fall for Alex Jones shtick, but it is still amazing to me.

[HudsonHawk]

He then tweeted he had been banned from the internet.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Al Gore runs a tight ship.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Alex Jones's schtick was amusing for about two weeks in 97. His staying power is a sad commentary on the delusional paranoia of so many. He is at best a snake oil salesman who has seized upon the gullibility and the resentful nature of the directionless dregs for his own capitalistic gain.

[Limey]

Because Trump is guilty of doing everything of which he accuses others; yesterday - after admitting to the actual nature of the Trump Tower meeting, which he had previously tried to obfuscate by concocting a cover story with Hope Hicks - Trump met with Hope Hicks on an plane on the tarmac. 

She actually travelled with him to his Nuremberg Ohio rally, but it just reeks of the same stink he raised when Bill Clinton met with then Attorney General Rice on a plane on the tarmac during the campaign.

[Limey]

How much of what he says does he actually believe, and how much of what he says does his audience actually believe? This is not a rhetorical question; I truly have no idea. I mean, there are some people that think WWE is real so who knows.

Alex Jones has asserted under oath that it's all an act; which would mean he's just a despicable douchebag rather than dangerously unhinged.

[Limey]

The Presidents buddy Alex Jones got banned from Facebook and YouTube today. So there is that.

Banned for 30 days only.  I'm sure he'll spend those 30 days preparing a series of posts of a positive and uplifting nature.

[Limey]

UKIP:  "Keep Britain White"
Cheddar Man:  "Surprise bitches!"

[Nate Colbert]

You go, Dale Murphy. https://dalemurphy.com/the-perils-of-baseballs-social-media-moment/

Touches on a number of recent issues, including l'affaire Osuna.

(I could have posted this in a number of different threads but decided to do so here because it's gonna be a trigger for some folks.)

[jbm]

Regarding the tweets, nice to hear someone from baseball, even if they are one generation removed, to at least say something.

Didn't know Gray got wrapped up in this, and certainly didn't know of the standing ovation for Hader.  Fucking inbreds.  Reminds me of an old song title: Proud to be stupid.  Didn't expect that phenomena to take such a hold in America.

[Limey]

Didn't know Gray got wrapped up in this, and certainly didn't know of the standing ovation for Hader.  Fucking inbreds.

David "Family Values" Vitter got a standing ovation from his fellow Senate Republicans when returning to "work" after taking time off for being busted for using hooker services, including at least one time he ordered up a hooker from his phone while voting on a bill in the Senate.

[Limey]

The Ohio 12th may not be decided yet, but it has told us what we need to know about November:

1)  Democrats can win big; and

B)  Trump can rally his base to negate anything other than a tsunami. 

[HudsonHawk]

David "Family Values" Vitter got a standing ovation from his fellow Senate Republicans when returning to "work" after taking time off for being busted for using hooker services, including at least one time he ordered up a hooker from his phone while voting on a bill in the Senate.

To paraphrase Sterling Archer..."they're 'call girls' until they end up dead in your apartment...in which case, they're just 'HOOKERS'!"

[Limey]

Apropos nothing, in his non-victory speech last night, Republican candidate Balderson vowed to "keep America great again."  Think about that for a moment...

[Limey]

US Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) has been arrested for insider trading.  An early and devout Trumpist, he has already cleared his uncontested primary, so it will be interesting to see what the Republicans do about this one.  Collins is in a district that voted for Trump +24.

Meanwhile, the campaign of US Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA) is under investigation for a scheme to forge signatures on a petition to get an independent liberal on the ballot in November.  Shaun Brown ran as a Democrat in 2016 and was trounced by Taylor by 23 points.  Brown later was indicted on charges of fraud, but still tried to win the democratic nomination to run in 2018 (she lost).  Brown was added to the 2018 ballot as an independent, partly due to help from the Taylor campaign in collecting the necessary signatures for her to qualify - dirty pool but not a crime.  It is a crime to forge such signatures, though, which is what Taylor's campaign is being investigated for.  +23 and still trying to gain an advantage illegally...?

[Limey]

US Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) has been arrested for insider trading.  An early and devout Trumpist, he has already cleared his uncontested primary, so it will be interesting to see what the Republicans do about this one.  Collins is in a district that voted for Trump +24.

Allegedly, he's embraced Trumpism even more than originally thought; he's involved his son, his son's fiancee and her father in the scheme.  He also appears to have been giving insider information to multiple friends and donors.

[chuck]

If raping children doesn't disqualify a Republican from the support of the president and the party I don't see how a little insider trading will bother anyone.

[Nate Colbert]

ProPublica @ProPublica 22 minutes ago
Kris Kobach's gubernatorial race in Kansas is too close to call. His current office is now responsible for a recount and there's no law stopping him from overseeing it. (via @KCStar)

[jbm]

After he subtracts all the "illegals" who voted against him, he'll declare himself the victor.

[chuck]

Good for him! I hope he wins the thing. Well earned.

[Limey]

If raping children doesn't disqualify a Republican from the support of the president and the party I don't see how a little insider trading will bother anyone.

Probably not.  He may still end up in jail though, which might impact his day job.

[Limey]

ProPublica @ProPublica 22 minutes ago
Kris Kobach's gubernatorial race in Kansas is too close to call. His current office is now responsible for a recount and there's no law stopping him from overseeing it. (via @KCStar)

It's because irony has been on steroids for a few years now.  The head of the fake voter fraud unit is going to be able to decide which votes count.

Remember Bush vs. Gore?  When the Chairman of Bush's Florida campaign was also Florida's Secretary of State in charge of overseeing the election...which was supremely fucked up and decided when the Supreme Court just said "Fuck it!  Give it to Bush"?  Yeah; since then.

[Limey]

Oh Lordy, there’s tapes...of Devin Nunes. 

[austro]

Oh Lordy, there’s tapes...of Devin Nunes. 

Do tell.

[Tom Servo]

Do tell.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/nunes-on-secret-tape-kavanaugh-vote-then-rosenstein-impeachment-1295170115625

If you just want to read about it:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/secret-recording-shows-gop-s-nunes-saying-rosenstein-impeachment-would-n899031

[Limey]

Do tell.

Explained away to his donors not impeaching Rosenstein by lying about the Senate’s duty to take it up immediately if they did (it doesn’t); described a very narrow example of what would be criminal collusion with a foreign power, which matched almost perfectly what happened around the Trump Tower meeting; and told them that they’re all fucked if they don’t hold the House majority. 

Not as blockbuster as Romney’s secret tape, but still very enlightening.  They aren’t just gaslighting the general public, they do it to their own donors too. 

[Limey]

Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is actually as big a piece of shit as you thought.  And Michael Cohen is also in bigger trouble, including pardon-resistant State trouble, to do with his dealings in the always honest N.Y. taxi medallion business. 

At this point, is there anyone in the President’s orbit who isn’t in legal jeopardy themselves?

[chuck]

Don't forget about the boys down at the club that helpfully offered to run the VA for us.

[Limey]

Don't forget about the boys down at the club that helpfully offered to run the VA for us.

Remember when Trump claimed that bringing in rich businessmen to his administration would firewall it against corruption, because they're already rich and so impervious to bribes?  Yeah, how's that working out.

Rich men (and I am being gender-specific here on purpose) to a man want to be more rich.  Rich men with the opposite drive include Bill Gates and crickets.  Many of them, especially those in Trump's administration, got rich through means that would barely pass the smell test if not be outright illegal (either by them or by their fathers).  Putting them in charge of trillions of dollars of federal money is just asking for trouble which, it seems, they have been happy to supply.

[Limey]

Oh Lordy, there's tapes...part eleventy-million.

Omarosa claims to have tapes of Trump using the N-word.  This news is shocking...to no one.  Apparently, outtakes from The Apprentice are a cess pool of Trump's racism, misogyny and harassment, so I assume that Omarosa's tapes are a sub-set of those.  NBC have put those outtakes in the same box that Indy put the Arc, so we may never see or hear them but, at this point, there's such a full back catalog of Trump being a piece of shit that it would merely be piling on.

Maybe if Trump was being Trump behind the Resolute Desk, that might move the needle a little with some conservatives, but he maintains 88% approval among Republicans and 90% among those who voted for him, so his bigotry with these folks may be a feature, not a bug.

Probably the only person who could extract any real value from such recordings would be Melanie Melania, who could use them in the divorce proceedings that she's long been reported of desiring, and which now may happen as her parents have just completed their chain migration citizenship.

[Limey]

I don't give a shit about Omarosa, or the fact that she was fired, or the fact that Trump is in a spat with her on Twitter.  All of that is just baseline craptitude with this administration.  What is interesting is this:

1)  Omarosa claims that Kelly took her to the Situation Room to fire her;
2)  Not the CNN show, the actual Situation Room - the most secure SCIF of all the SCIFs; and
3)  Omarosa has a recording of the event on her phone.

Why are they using the Situation Room for routine personnel issues and how the fuck was she allowed inside the Situation Room with a phone?  If true, this was General John Kelly - the man in charge of running the White House - pulling some seriously amateurish bullshit.  What's next?  Will we find out that Kislyak got a private tour and took some "selfies" in there?  (I actually think this may well have happened and, if not, Uncle Vlad definitely gets a tour).

The people running the country are dangerously incompetent.  I keep hearing that we've been lucky so far, in that they haven't been tested with a major disaster, but they have:  Puerto Rico.  And they failed miserably and continue to fail miserably.  Without fanfare or much reportage, the official death toll in PR from "Maria" was upped from the initial ~60 to just under 1,500.  One and a half THOUSAND people died as a direct result of the storm.  The island remains without reliable power, which means they don't have reliable water, or schools, or hospitals, or stores, or offices, or street lighting, or emergency services or pretty much anything you can fucking think of.  I'm sure Trump (and his base) thinks of them as Sea Mexicans, but they're American citizens, and they're being left to rot, out of sight and mind, on a devastated island.

EOR

[Limey]

Omarosa keeps drip feeding the existence of a tape, dropping said tape and then drip feeding existence of the next tape.  She previewed and dropped tapes of Kelly and Trump; now she’s previewing tapes of Jarvanka in private conversation.  You’ll be able to tell who’s who because Ivanka has the more manly voice. 

[HudsonHawk]

I don't give a shit about Omarosa, or the fact that she was fired, or the fact that Trump is in a spat with her on Twitter.  All of that is just baseline craptitude with this administration.  What is interesting is this:

1)  Omarosa claims that Kelly took her to the Situation Room to fire her;
2)  Not the CNN show, the actual Situation Room - the most secure SCIF of all the SCIFs; and
3)  Omarosa has a recording of the event on her phone.

Why are they using the Situation Room for routine personnel issues and how the fuck was she allowed inside the Situation Room with a phone?  If true, this was General John Kelly - the man in charge of running the White House - pulling some seriously amateurish bullshit.  What's next?  Will we find out that Kislyak got a private tour and took some "selfies" in there?  (I actually think this may well have happened and, if not, Uncle Vlad definitely gets a tour).

Did she see the big board?

[Limey]

Did she see the big board?

You can’t fire in here!   This is the war room!

[chuck]

If people think that a tape where Trump uses the n word is somehow going to dim his support they must have missed the part where people voted for this motherfucker SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE HE IS A RACIST.

Similarly, if people think that stone cold proof that Trump conspired with Russia to subvert the elections, that he is currently conspiring with Russia to subvert future elections, that he launders money for and is generally involved in Russian organized crime is somehow going to dim his support, they must have missed the part where Russia is, in the fevered imaginations of the 1488 crowd, the last great bastion of whiteness and therefore any association with Russia is inherently laudable.

Maybe the psycho Nazi bikers that Trump hangs around with will eventually learn to respect the emoluments clause, you know, who knows.

[Limey]

Is "El Tiempo" Spanish for "Red Hen"?  The fallout from the restaurant publicizing a visit by Jeff Sessions has hit the British press.  Their conclusion?

It was once the case that visits from a high-ranking politician would boost a restaurant’s fortunes. When then president Obama visited La Hacienda, a Mexican restaurant in Nashville, in 2014, it immediately led to a boost in customers and a new dish was added to the menu honouring the occasion. Now it seems a restaurant’s best hope if a White House official wants to eat there is to hope no one notices, at least if they want to avoid protesters.

[Limey]

El Real has chimed in.  Last night's Montrose Monday there was the busiest we've seen since they dropped the Montrose discount from 50% to 30%. 

[chuck]

Anyone that goes to El Tiempo deserves what they get. Goddamn it that place is horrible. I've been telling you idiots that for years. El Tiempo bites more dick than Daniel Roberts.

[Limey]

Anyone that goes to El Tiempo deserves what they get. Goddamn it that place is horrible. I've been telling you idiots that for years. El Tiempo bites more dick than Daniel Roberts.

What's a little crazy is that it was the Montrose location of El Tiempo that was visited by Sessions.  Or maybe it wasn't crazy...

[chuck]

What's a little crazy is that it was the Montrose location of El Tiempo that was visited by Sessions.  Or maybe it wasn't crazy...

Maybe JR's was having another one of their Keebler theme nights.

It's sad to see the further desecration of a once proud eatery, La Jalisciense. Truly, you can't go home again.

[The Spleen]

On a related note, if you ever come to Lafayette, stay the fuck away from Prejean's. You can't listen to the radio here for half an hour without hearing one of their ads with Rush Limbaugh telling everybody it's where conservatives go to eat...

[chuck]

...it's where conservatives go to eat...

Huh. I always thought that was Luby's.

[Limey]

Trump appears to have brought his ageing Android phone to a knife fight.  He, ever so presidentially, tweeted at Omarosa this morning, calling her - amongst other insults - a dog.  In response, Omarosa released another recording from the White House in which she and other staff members discuss Trump's use of the N-word as a real thing that they will probably have to deal with at some point as it will get out eventually.

Hillary, Comey, Mueller, Strozk, the Deep State, Merkel, Erdogan etc. etc., none of them will lay a glove on this guy.  He's going to be brought down by Stormy Daniels and Omarosa.

[chuck]

Wait a minute - what if Stormy Daniels and Omarosa ARE the deep state???

[Limey]

Wait a minute - what if Stormy Daniels and Omarosa ARE the deep state???

Well, that's the movie title sorted.

[Ty in Tampa]

On a related note, if you ever come to Lafayette, stay the fuck away from Prejean's. You can't listen to the radio here for half an hour without hearing one of their ads with Rush Limbaugh telling everybody it's where conservatives go to eat...

Wow, that's a bummer to hear. Their pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo and crawfish enchiladas are a few of my must-haves at JazzFest.

[Limey]

Wow, that's a bummer to hear. Their pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo and crawfish enchiladas are a few of my must-haves at JazzFest.

I got a tightness in my chest just reading that.

[Limey]

In other news, Manafort's defense team rested without presenting a defense.  Makes sense, given that mounting a defense meant putting Manafort on the stand, so they're going with the "prosecutors failed to make their case" defense (while peering out from behind a giant wall of documents).

[Ty in Tampa]

I got a tightness in my chest just reading that.

Stay far, far away from the food booths if you're ever at JazzFest.

[Limey]

Stay far, far away from the food booths if you're ever at JazzFest.

I went once, over 10 years ago.  Still trying to shed the pounds added.

[Limey]

So now we're (long) past the point of debating if the President is a racist, or even if he's used the N-word out loud, and it's now just a question of whether he dropped that bomb within earshot of an active mic.  Even SHS chose not to lie in the press briefing about it - her default ploy for every other scandal - only saying that she's never heard him use it but she's "not in every room".

Paraphrasing John Oliver, discussing a poll in which had 49% of respondents affirmed they believe the President is a racist, it's amazing that 49% of people think the President is a racist while simultaneously amazing that it's only 49%.  As with all things Trump, the degradation of norms and standards is absolute.

[Limey]

In other unpresidented news, SHS actually apologized for understating the number of jobs for African-Americans created during Obama's term in office.  She claimed the total number - for 8 years, don't forget - was 195,000.  The actual number is 1640% higher than that, so just a little off then.

However, here's the statement SHS had to walk back:

Just look at the economy alone. This president, since he took office, in the year and a half that he’s been here, has created 700,000 new jobs for African Americans. That’s 700,000 African Americans that are working now that weren’t working when this President took place.

When President Obama left, after eight years in office – eight years in office, he had only created 800 – or 195,000 jobs for African Americans. President Trump in his first year and a half has already tripled what President Obama did in eight years.

What's shocking/not shocking is that she was given these clearly ludicrous numbers and just ran with them, instead of thinking that they're obviously complete bollocks and maybe someone needed to check them.  That's the level of incompetence that runs rife in this administration and, while relatively harmless here, it's the sort of seat-of-the-pants, conspiracy-theory-accepting, fact-free (and racist to the core) governing that's going on every single day.

[Limey]

A Twitter account gets suspended for abuse, and it's Alex Jones not Donald Trump; a security clearance gets revoked, and its John Brennan not Donald Trump (or even Mike Flynn).

[chuck]

All it would take is two Republican senators to put an end to this disgrace.

[BudGirl]

All it would take is two Republican senators to put an end to this disgrace.

Cornyn and Cruz????

[Limey]

Cornyn and Cruz?

I used to think that Steve Schmidt's very earnest commentary on the Trump administration was somewhat alarmist and over the top.  Well, he turned out to be correct, and prescient, because the descending standards have caught up to his foresight.  What he's saying now about the Republican Party is alarming, but I now listen to his comments with a different ear.

He expects a blue wave in November that will sweep Republicans out of power, at least in the House.  He also thinks that, like what has happened to the Republican Party in California, as any Republican in a race that's closer than a +24 in their favor is in jeopardy, we'll be left only with Republicans from uber-safe +25 or better constituencies.  Those candidates only get through their primary by out-crazying their Republican opponents, and then they cruise the general because the seat is so gerrymandered..

There will be less of them, but the party is about to unleash on the nation a clone army of Issas, Rohrabachers, McCarthys and Nuneses.  They're going to get a lot worse before they get any better (if they ever do) just, hopefully, barking ineffectually in the minority.

[Limey]

A Twitter account gets suspended for abuse, and it's Alex Jones not Donald Trump; a security clearance gets revoked, and its John Brennan not Donald Trump (or even Mike Flynn).

Trump issued a written statement - in writing - explaning the justifications for removing Brennan's security clearance.  Trump says that Brennan:

* is guilty of "erratic conduct and behavior";

* is lacking in "objectivity and credibility";

* has made "unfounded and outrageous allegations";

* has made "wild outbursts on the internet and television"'

* has been caught "lying"; and

* has engaged in "frenzied commentary."

Wow.

It's also worth noting that the press release was dated back in July.  So this was prepared then and has been on hold waiting for the moment to deploy it.

[jbm]

No way Donnie wrote that, even if it fits his projection style to a tee.

[chuck]

I'm relieved to know that frenzied commentary is a line in the sand the current White House will simply not abide. Gentle commentary is the order of the day. Make America Gentle Again.

By the time these slapdicks get done with things we'll be hoping to Make America Germane Again.

[Limey]

By the time these slapdicks get done with things we'll be hoping to Make America Germane Again.

I think Stephen Miller wants to Make America German* Again.

* You know.  Those kind of Germans...

[Limey]

So Trump revoked the security clearance of John Brennan and threatened to do the same for an enemies laundry list of former national security personnel because he and they have said bad things about Trump.  That's it.  That's the reason.  Until, of course, he gave an interview a few hours (or weeks, depending on your understanding of the space-time continuum) after issuing said statement, in which he claimed it was because Brennan et al were all part of the conspiracy to fit him up in the Russia thing.

There's a reason why the Mueller probe is not wrapping up any time soon (apart from the fact they they will need an interview with Trump in order to get to the end), and it's because they keep creating new evidence to add to the pile.

But the thing about security clearances is, they're either the President's bailiwick or they're not.  In this case, it's entirely up to the President - they claim - as to who gets and keeps clearances.  The White House didn't even tell any of their own national security folks about what they were doing; they found out, like everyone else, when SHS stepped up to the podium and read the President's statement.  Contrast this with the case of Dan Porter, who was unable to get security clearance - partly due to his habit of hitting women relationship issues - yet was allowed still to see classified information because handling such paperwork was basically his job description.  When Porter was escorted off the premises left the White House, SHS et al claimed that they had no control of security clearances and such things were handled by the national security folks.

I know this is a single needle of an issue - in a giant pile of needles - but I think it's really important that people take a step back from each dumpster fire so that they can see that every dumpster is on fire, and for exactly the same reason.

[Limey]

Omarosa drops another tape; this time catching Eric's wife Lara offering her a fake job on the campaign, the day after she had been fired from the White House, for $180k/year.  Lara specifically references that Omarosa may have some dirt and such a job would mean her not saying any negative things about Trump.

Not sure if there's anything illegal here, but it's another example of the pattern of Trump paying off women.

[Limey]

Judge Kavanaugh's potentially got a lot to hide in his work as Staff Secretary in the Bush administration.  Precedent (and good practice) - including as recently as Justice Sotamayor's confirmation hearing - means that the Senate really needs to have access to all of Kavanaugh's work product from his White House days, but Republicans are trying to steamroller through his confirmation before even a single piece of paper from back then is produced.  What does he have to hide?

Well, there's at least one felony lie to the Senate that we know of from his confirmation hearing for elevation to the DC appeals court.  That would seem relevant, no?  In that hearing in 2006, Kavanaugh was asked specifically by Dick Durbin if he had ever had any input into the administration's policy towards detainees in Guantanamo.  It was relevant, because the DC circuit had jurisdiction over lawsuits working their way through the courts on that very subject.  Kavanaugh gave an unequivocal "no" as his answer.

Later, Durbin came into possession of Bush administration documents relating to Guantanamo detainees, with Kavanaugh's name all over them.  So he lied...or "misremembered".  So Durbin asked him - officially, in writing - if he wanted to revise his answer to that question.  In the 11 intervening years, Durbin hasn't even received an acknowledgement of the question.

Still, what are the chances that a lawsuit about Guantanamo detainees would end up in front of him as a DC appellant judge?  How about the fact that one was the very first case he heard in his new position.  Did he recuse himself?  Nope.

Democrats remain powerless to stop Kavanaugh if Republicans remain in lock step.  They need to keep hammering this point, though, because it could have an effect on the moderate Republicans if  Kavanaugh's numbers fall any lower.  He already polls behind Harriet Myers in polls regarding whether people think he should be a Justice.  By 7 points.  Seven!  He is Bork levels of popular.

[Navin R Johnson]

 Cruz v BETO is officially interesting.  I gave Beto a 1in 20 chance 6 months ago.  Now, 1 in3. Best part is the gop diverting money from other races to spend on a statewide TEXAS election.  Win or lose, this is a win for Ds.

Then their is Canadian Ted.  The person who, rightfully referred to Trump as a pathological liar, only to have Trump call his wife ugly and claim his dad killed JFK.  Ted is now on his knees begging TRUMP to campaign for him.  You can’t make this shit up.

Sad!

[Limey]

One poll has Beto and Cruz tied, another gives Beto a 1 point lead.  Either way, it’s tighter than a duck’s arse.  The Texas Tribune poll also has Trump approval underwater at 54 to 44.  I can only see that getting worse as he continues to chase every rabbit down a hole and get covered in shit in the process.

[Limey]

I didn’t want to sully the dedicated thread with this but...behind their obit. of Aretha Franklin, Fox News had a photo of Patti LaBelle. 

[Limey]

"Truth isn't truth." claimed Rudy Giuliani yesterday on Meet the Press, presumably under the fearsome pummeling he was receiving from legendary firebrand...Chuck Todd.  That's the meme-able moment form the interview, but the most notable moment was when Giuliani volunteered the the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting was initially all about getting dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile, the NY Times is reporting that White House "councel" (sic) Don McGahn has given hours of testimony to Mueller's team.  Trump tried to tweet it off as "I meant to do that" (spawning the above misspelling), but the Times also reported that McGahn was concerned that he was being set up as a fall guy, so he was sharing more with Mueller's team than was intended.  The plan to have McGahn talk to investigators was dreamed up by John Dowd and Ty Cobb, so he probably wasn't wrong.

It's also Day #3 of deliberation in the Manafort trial.  Trump weighed in over the weekend with negative comments about those prosecuting Manafort and positive comments about the defendant himself.  Remember when Charles Manson nearly got a mistrial because Nixon commented publicly on his trial?

A lot going on in the news; your move Omarosa...

[Limey]

Potentially big day today.  Manafort jury asked the judge how to fill out the verdict form if they are hung on a single count.  Clearly this suggests that they're not hung on the balance of the counts, so either he's guilty on the vast majority of the charges or acquitted on the vast majority of the charges.  The judge sent them back to see if they can't break the impasse on the hung charge, but we may still see the verdict(s) being read today.

Meanwhile, reports claim that Cohen is working on a plea deal for all his alleged tax/bank fraud, and it could be completed as early as today.

[Limey]

Meannwhile, reports claim that Cohen is working on a plea deal for all his alleged tax/bank fraud, and it could be completed as early as today.

"John D'oh!" due in court later today to enter a plea deal.  No reportage yet as to what he's pleaded guilty and the extent of the quo for this quid.

[jbm]

So, it's likely the meltdown will get louder (if that is possible) and the pardons will soon follow

[Limey]

So, it's likely the meltdown will get louder (if that is possible) and the pardons will soon follow

Depends what Cohen pleads to; Trump can't pardon state crimes.  However, there is also the problem that a pardon (1) affirms guilt and thus confirms crimes were committed; and (b) dissolves 5th amendment protections against self-incrimination like there's been a snap of Thanos' fingers, so Cohen can be compelled to testify or face new obstruction / perjury charges.

[Ty in Tampa]

WaPo: "Cohen has surrendered to the FBI."

[Limey]

WaPo: "Cohen has surrendered to the FBI."

In court now, allocuting to whatever crimes to which he's pleading guilty.  Proceedings expected to finish between 3 and 3:30 CDT.

[Limey]

Verdict on 8 counts in Manafort trial; deadlocked on other 10.  No idea yet which way on the 8 decided counts. 

[Bench]

I would assume the judge is going to tell them to keep deliberating, but who knows. 

[Ty in Tampa]

https://twitter.com/PPVSRB/status/1032001688876527616

Cohen's guilty pleas:

Counts 1-5.  Tax evasion 2012-2016
Count 6 false statement to financial institution Feb 2015-April 2016
Count 7 willful cause of unlawful corporate contribution June 2016-Oct. 2016
Count 8 excessive campaign contribution on Oct. 27, 2016

The payment to Stormy Daniels was apparently finalized on Oct. 27, 2016.

[Ty in Tampa]

WaPo: "Paul Manafort has been found guilty of 8 counts. The judge said he would declare a mistrial on the remaining 10 charges after the jury said it could not reach unanimous verdicts."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/manafort-jury-suggests-it-cannot-come-to-a-consensus-on-a-single-count/2018/08/21/a2478ac0-a559-11e8-a656-943eefab5daf_story.html?utm_term=.9ae324577219

[Bench]

Or not. Guilty on 8 counts. Mistrials on the other 10. I’m curious as to the vote breakdown for the mistrials.

[jbm]

Why mistrials on the other 10, instead of not-guilty?  Is that normal? 

[Ty in Tampa]

Why mistrials on the other 10, instead of not-guilty?  Is that normal? 

Just because the jury could not come to a consensus does not mean the defendant is not guilty. They just couldn't agree. That's a hung jury. The judge will typically declare a mistrial.

[Bench]

Why mistrials on the other 10, instead of not-guilty?  Is that normal?

An acquittal has to be unanimous too. 

So technically the feds get a second bite at the banana on the other 10 counts if they so choose. 

[Bench]

https://twitter.com/PPVSRB/status/1032001688876527616

Cohen's guilty pleas:

Counts 1-5.  Tax evasion 2012-2016
Count 6 false statement to financial institution Feb 2015-April 2016
Count 7 willful cause of unlawful corporate contribution June 2016-Oct. 2016
Count 8 excessive campaign contribution on Oct. 27, 2016

The payment to Stormy Daniels was apparently finalized on Oct. 27, 2016.

He confessed that the campaign finance crime occurred "at the direction of a candidate."

[Ty in Tampa]

"Cohen just described, in court, how he violated campaign finance laws by arranging payment for Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. He said he violated federal law "in coordination with and at the direction of a federal candidate for office" Meaning Trump."

https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1032007263882424320

[jbm]

Just because the jury could not come to a consensus does not mean the defendant is not guilty. They just couldn't agree. That's a hung jury. The judge will typically declare a mistrial.

I really did not know this.  I just assumed that consensus was only needed for "guilty."  So, for example, all the jurors in OJ's trial found him not-guilty, or was that just a hung jury where they decided not to prosecute again?

So, there are three outcomes: consensus on guilt = guilty, consensus on not-guilty = not guilty, and non-consensus = hung jury/mistrial?

[Ty in Tampa]

I really did not know this.  I just assumed that consensus was only needed for "guilty."  So, for example, all the jurors in OJ's trial found him not-guilty, or was that just a hung jury where they decided not to prosecute again?

So, there are three outcomes, consensus on guilt = guilty, consensus on not-guilty = not guilty, and non-consensus = hung jury/mistrial?

OJ was found unanimously not guilty. You are correct.

[Ty in Tampa]

So technically the feds get a second bite at the banana on the other 10 counts if they so choose. 

And with Cohen in the fold, they're likely to have more fire power.

[Bench]

This witch hunt sure is getting a lot of convictions. 

[Limey]

With the Cohen pleadings, Trump is achieving the Full Nixon by now being an unindicted co-conspirator.

[HudsonHawk]

This witch hunt sure is getting a lot of convictions.

It’s a not a “witch hunt” if they really are witches.

[Bench]

Reminder that Manafort has another trial in September on charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States, failing to register as a foreign agent, money laundering, witness tampering and making false statements.

[Bench]

With the Cohen pleadings, Trump is achieving the Full Nixon by now being an unindicted co-conspirator.

He directed his lawyer to commit federal crimes in order to conceal information from damaging his campaign just days before barely winning the election.  That is really fucked up.  The Watergate break in probably didn't influence the '72 election at all.  This crime, which Trump was directly involved in, arguably swung the election.

[Limey]

He directed his lawyer to commit federal crimes in order to conceal information from damaging his campaign just days before barely winning the election.  That is really fucked up.  The Watergate break in probably didn't influence the '72 election at all.  This crime, which Trump was directly involved in, arguably swung the election.

Exactly.  Pundits seem to think that any ol’ maverick candidate can win under the new Trump paradigm, but the truth is that Trump was a candidate who came in with a relatively long history in politics (including a prior run as an independent) yet still needed the benefit of multiple illegal campaign efforts AND an opponent with record high negatives AND an ethical meltdown by the head of the FBI.

[Limey]

So, are there enough at-risk Republicans in the House to consider impeachment?  It only needs about 10% of them...

[Jacksonian]

So, are there enough at-risk Republicans in the House to consider impeachment?  It only needs about 10% of them...

If any are in Iowa they might not be now.

[jbm]

If any are in Iowa they might not be now.

What does this mean?

[Jacksonian]

What does this mean?

That college student who had been missing that the media has been obsessed about was found dead today.  Her killer, the guy who led the police to the body, is an illegal immigrant.

[HudsonHawk]

That college student who had been missing that the media has been obsessed about was found dead today.  Her killer, the guy who led the police to the body, is an illegal immigrant.

Something doesn’t add up about that whole story. I think we’ll find out there is more to it. But yeah, Iowa needs that wall.

[Navin R Johnson]

The QAnon Trump supporting fruitcakes are having a real existential crisis.  It is hysterical, fucking morons.

Oh and President dumbass is now a co-conspirator to a felony.  Which should surprise nobody, this is who he has been his entire life, yet people are still stupid enough to fall for his BS. 

I do give him credit for draining the swamp, of course all he has drained is the shit he threw in it. In the end, he’s a crook and a conman and always has been. Sad!

[chuck]

The problem is the one and only thing that is keeping him out of jail is the job that he currently possesses. So I would expect things to get very, very ugly and that GOP tribalism will continue to outweigh national concerns and that defecting Republicans will be very thin on the ground.

[austro]

The problem is the one and only thing that is keeping him out of jail is the job that he currently possesses. So I would expect things to get very, very ugly and that GOP tribalism will continue to outweigh national concerns and that defecting Republicans will be very thin on the ground.

I almost don't want him out unless Pence goes with him. Better to keep reminding folks how awful this crew is.

But I sure hope that Donnie Jr. and Jared get perp-walked.

[Bench]

The problem is the one and only thing that is keeping him out of jail is the job that he currently possesses. So I would expect things to get very, very ugly and that GOP tribalism will continue to outweigh national concerns and that defecting Republicans will be very thin on the ground.

It’s clear that his candidacy was successful solely due to multiple crimes. In any rational world he would be resigning by the end of the week. Unfortunately we don’t live in that world.  We live in a world where the gop has been rewarded beyond measure by the same bad faith that resulted in this mess.

[Limey]

Interestingly, the evidence in Count #8 against Cohen - the Stormy Daniels payment - implicated the Trump organization in the crime.  While the law is not settled on whether you can indict (or even compel testimony from) a sitting President, you sure as fuck can subpoena and/or indict a company. 

[Limey]

Cohen is definitely cooperating, at least with the Southern District of NY.  However, prosecutors laid out the evidence they have against him in the counts to which he pleaded guilty, which include hard documents, electronic devices and audio recordings.  They clearly had Cohen by the short and curlies because of this evidence.  Cohen testified under oath that Trump told him to commit the crimes related to election influence, which he would not have been allowed to do if there was evidence to the contrary in the trove of goodies prosecutors swept up in their raid on Cohen - about 3 million individual pieces.

So Trump is proper fucked as to the election influence felonies.

And then there's Manafort.  He faces up to 40 years in prison - but more likely 8-10 years in real time - just from the 8 counts of which he was convicted.  Prosecutors still have the option of re-trying the other 10, and they still have the DC trial in front of a judge almost certain to be less antagonistic to prosecutors and a jury typically more inclined to convict.  Manafort is also broke and unlikely to get any more loans (even from the Federal Savings Bank of Chicago).

So what options does he have?  Appeal the convictions, which takes time and cost money and will likely fail in no small part to the judge's thumb firmly on his side of the scale AND mount a defense in the re-trial of the other 10 counts in Virginia (which takes time and costs money) AND mount a defense in DC...which takes time and costs money.  Or...

Now, I have long suspected that the reason Manafort hasn't flipped prior to now is that prosecutors haven't needed him (Gates was at his side throughout and also survived Manafort on the campaign, going on to serve in the transition) but, maybe, he just wouldn't accept the deal they were offering.  The winds have shifted now, though, and he will almost certainly be going to Mueller, cap in hand, offering whatever they need to keep his sorry ass out of jail for the rest of his life.  Gates knows a lot, but much of what he knows about the campaign may be hearsay.  Manafort was in the room in Trump Tower in June 2016...

I remember a quote about Trump from an unnamed CIA officer, from back at the beginning of this when the intelligence community came out about the Russian efforts to throw the election Trump's way and Trump started going after the IC:  "He will die in jail."  Yesterday made me think that might actually come true.

[Limey]

A couple more tidbits:

* Cohen claims to have proof that Trump knew of the Russian hacking efforts before even the Trump Tower meeting.  Which means that, if true, Mueller has proof that Trump knew of the Russian hacking efforts before even the Trump Tower meeting.  The quote from the email invitation to Don Jr read in part "This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump" which still works and is even more damning when read in the context of there being prior knowledge of Russia's efforts by Trump.

* The extensive - sealed - sidebar that happened during Gates' cross-examination, when defense attorneys for Manafort strayed too close to the Russia investigation, gets unsealed if Manafort declines to appeal and prosecutors decline to re-try the 10 hung counts.  (All the sealed sidebars do).

* The judge in the Stormy Daniels civil case ruled to allow discovery - including, potentially, a deposition of Trump - but stayed proceedings until the criminal case in New York was complete.  As of yesterday, the criminal case in New York is complete and Michael Avenatti is on a mission to be "America's Lawyer" (and next President) by dethroning Trump.

[Limey]

At Trump's rally last night in West Virginia, the audience chanted "Lock Her Up!" in reference to Hillary Clinton.

So the base is unmoved, which means Congressional Republicans will be unmoved, which is painfully apparent from their reactions this morning.  Noted eunuch Paul Ryan put out a statement that was crushingly underwhelming even by his low standards.  “We are aware of Mr Cohen’s guilty plea to these serious charges. We will need more information than is currently available at this point.”  Are you fucking kidding me?

[Bench]

At Trump's rally last night in West Virginia, the audience chanted "Lock Her Up!" in reference to Hillary Clinton.

So the base is unmoved, which means Congressional Republicans will be unmoved, which is painfully apparent from their reactions this morning.  Noted eunuch Paul Ryan put out a statement that was crushingly underwhelming even by his low standards.  “We are aware of Mr Cohen’s guilty plea to these serious charges. We will need more information than is currently available at this point.”  Are you fucking kidding me?

Lindsay Graham is taking the position that conspiring to commit a felony in order to win an election is not an impeachable offense. 

[jbm]

Lindsay Graham is taking the position that conspiring to commit a felony in order to win an election is not an impeachable offense.

Didn't the same hypocrite vote for impeachment for lying about sex?

total piece of shit

[Limey]

Didn't the same hypocrite vote for impeachment for lying about sex?

total piece of shit

Him and 15 other current members of Congress.  In his impassioned speech in favor of impeaching Clinton, Graham argued:

You don’t have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this Constitutional Republic ... Impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office.

[chuck]

Lindsay Graham is taking the position that conspiring to commit a felony in order to win an election is not an impeachable offense. 

I wish Ivan would just release the tape of that fucking pederast already and put us all out of our collective misery.

[Limey]

I wish Ivan would just release the tape of that fucking pederast already and put us all out of our collective misery.

I doubt that would make any difference.  Fox News is teasing a new interview with Trump in which he admits to paying the money that went to Daniels and McDougal, but he claims that it was all ok because it came from him and not the campaign.

So we're right past the point where the affairs didn't happen, and even though they did the payments didn't happen, and even though they did he didn't know about them...and arrived at "If the President does it, then it's not illegal."  #StupidWatergate

[MusicMan]

I wish Ivan would just release the tape of that fucking pederast already and put us all out of our collective misery.

A shooting in Fifth Avenue. The one thing the man got right.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[chuck]

I was referring to the senator from the Palmetto State when I mentioned the tape. For some reason he exercises me and I am ready for him to go the fuck away.

I am well aware that literally nothing Trump does will impact his supporters or their ardor. When Mueller finally spills what he has, whichever of Trump's lawyers that isn't in jail at that time will go on all the talk shows sputtering about how conspiring with the Russians to pervert a national election was actually a good thing and his supporters will happily go along. I have always said that to them reality is irrelevant. And it is. But this sort of justification of bald criminality doesn't even require reality suspension, only the conclusion that having Trump as president outweighs any other consideration. And, obviously, for a significant percentage of US Americans, it does.

[Navin R Johnson]

It is like we are living in an Onion article.   How the fuck can these QAnon rejects be real?  Staggering stupidity... which is how we ended up with Trump.

https://youtu.be/VGrfN3v5JL8

[Limey]

I am not being mean, but Sarah Huckabee Sanders looks like she hasn't slept in at least 24 hours.  She also deferred even more than normal (and it's usually a lot) to "the President's prior statements".  Almost makes me feel sorry for her.  Almost.

[Limey]

Cohen subpoenaed in the investigation into the Trump Foundation.  It being a foundation with Don Jr. and Invanka on its board of directors.  Prosecutors seem happy to just keep letting fly with the dick punches.

[Limey]

David Pecker - head of AMI which publishes the National Enquirer who was implicated by Cohen along with Trump - is cooperating with prosecutors.  In addition to corroborating Cohen, Pecker apparently has clued in prosecutors to the fact that the scheme to "catch and kill" stories from former Trump concubines was hatched in 2015 as Trump was moving towards announcing his candidacy.  In addition to exploding any efforts by Trump to stretch the timeline in his favor, this also would show premeditation.

[jbm]

If I ever got impeached, I think the market would crash,” Trump told Fox News. “I think everybody would be very poor.

The Messiah speaks.  I suppose the North Korea "deal" would also collapse and the world would lose the Middle East peace Jared is negotiating.

However, I suppose it is progress that he is tacitly admitting that he committed impeachable offenses.  Now, it is time to focus on jury persuasion.

[Limey]

A new Fox News poll shows support for Robert Mueller at 59%, up by 11% from just July, and now 40% of respondents think he will prove criminal or impeachable acts by the President, up by 5% from July.

Also, Trump's approval is still underwater (45-53), Obamacare is more popular than the tax cut (51-40) and Democrats are favored for Congress (49-38).  In fact, Clinton voters are more engaged and likely to vote in the midterms (58-48) and when the focus in narrowed to those "extremely interested" the Democrats' advantage widens (56-38).

The more shit that sticks to Trump, the more these numbers will widen and the more likely that (a) a rout is coming in November; and (ii) Congressional Republicans will turn on Trump in order to save their own skins.

As a historic note, it was the prospect of dragging Nixon's dead carcass through the midterms in 1974 that had Congressional Republicans turning on the President from their own party.  He was ousted in August but a blue wave still delivered 49 House seats and 4 Senate seats to the Democrats.  In 1976, Congress remained largely unchanged but the Presidency flipped to the Democrats.

Current Congressional Republicans benefit from gerrymandering and Fox News, which acts as an umbilical cord delivering nurturing spin direct from the party to its base.  However, that base is a tiny - and shrinking - minority of the overall voting pool and, if the base isn't 100% energized and present, they cannot survive for long solely by dint of the institutional advantages they've built into the system for themselves*.

* Unless they sit Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, at which point they will fast track every piece of legislation they need to disenfranchise non-Republican voters for a generation.  No pressure.

[Limey]

However, I suppose it is progress that he is tacitly admitting that he committed impeachable offenses.  Now, it is time to focus on jury persuasion.

This is how they've operated all along.  They deny, deny, deny, well maybe, deny, deny, it's true, deny, deny, deny...

So the admission is out there, but you can never get them to come back to it.  Just like the Press Briefing yesterday, when SHS claimed ad nauseam that Trump "had done nothing wrong" which is plainly untrue, especially as, at the same time, Trump was giving an interview to Fox News during which he fessed up to committing campaign finance violations.  They fill the air with chaff and hope to escape in the confusion.

[Limey]

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) was arrested for campaign finance violations - basically, he's accused of using campaign funds as his personal slush fund to buy him and his family stuff and to take vacations, to the tune of $250,000.  He was arrested whilst on a golf outing that was paid for out of campaign funds.  Hunter was the second sitting Congressional Republican to endorse Trump's run for President.  The first was Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), who was arrested and indicted last week on charges of insider trading.

Who was the third Congressional Republican to endorse Trump?  Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III.

#TheBestPeople

[Limey]

One more update for the morning...on Manafort.  How hung was the jury on the 10 unresolved counts?  11-1 to convict.  Manafort was a single hold out away from being swept off the board on all 18 counts.  The hold out was over whether prosecutors had achieved the standard of beyond reasonable doubt on those 10 counts.

This will not be encouraging news to Manafort and his defense team, who will surely face a re-trial on those counts.

[Tom Servo]

David Pecker of the National Enquirer has been granted immunity for providing information about Michael Cohen and Donald Trump.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pecker-granted-immunity-in-cohen-case-1535041976

[jbm]

David Pecker of the National Enquirer has been granted immunity for providing information about Michael Cohen and Donald Trump.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pecker-granted-immunity-in-cohen-case-1535041976

What, Trump's Pecker isn't loyal.

This means that Trump's morning lies will soon morph into completely different afternoon lies.

[Tom Servo]

Also, the mob boss claims that 'flipping' "almost ought to be illegal."

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/trump-blasts-cohen-flipping-to-get-a-plea-deal-almost-ought-to-be-illegal/

[Limey]

One more update for the morning...on Manafort.  How hung was the jury on the 10 unresolved counts?  11-1 to convict.  Manafort was a single hold out away from being swept off the board on all 18 counts.  The hold out was over whether prosecutors had achieved the standard of beyond reasonable doubt on those 10 counts.

This will not be encouraging news to Manafort and his defense team, who will surely face a re-trial on those counts.

MSNBC spoke with a juror today, who is a Trump-supporting, MAGA-hat owning (she admitted to leaving it in her car and being a little vague on her politics for jury selection), witch hunt-believer.  She voted to convict Manafort on all counts.  She explained that, while she believes that Manafort is being used as a pawn by Mueller to squeeze Trump, it was clear from the evidence that he was guilty AF of the crimes for which he was charged.  She said she does not know the politics of the lone hold-out.

[MRaup]

MSNBC spoke with a juror today, who is a Trump-supporting, MAGA-hat owning (she admitted to leaving it in her car and being a little vague on her politics for jury selection), witch hunt-believer.  She voted to convict Manafort on all counts.  She explained that, while she believes that Manafort is being used as a pawn by Mueller to squeeze Trump, it was clear from the evidence that he was guilty AF of the crimes for which he was charged.  She said she does not know the politics of the lone hold-out.

Holy shit. I read that interview but managed to miss the fact she WASN'T the holdout. Jesus.

[chuck]

She said she does not know the politics of the lone hold-out.

I guess that will forever just be one of those puzzling mysteries.

[Limey]

I guess that will forever just be one of those puzzling mysteries.

To be fair, she did convict on 8 of the 10.  Notable among the charges that went undecided - i.e. the ones she alone could not come to a guilty vote - were the conspiracy charges, which relied heavily on the testimony of Gates.  The MAGA-juror interviewed said that they universally considered Gates to be a giant, steaming pile of shit (paraphrasing).

It's important to remember that, among the cooperating witnesses, there are no heroes; just spineless villains.

[Limey]

David Pecker of the National Enquirer has been granted immunity for providing information about Michael Cohen and Donald Trump.

The dominoes are falling and it seems to be accelerating.

[chuck]

The MAGA juror said that they basically tossed out all of Gates' testimony entirely. It's hard to fault a jury for that approach, to be honest.

[MRaup]

The MAGA juror said that they basically tossed out all of Gates' testimony entirely. It's hard to fault a jury for that approach, to be honest.

I mean, which lying piece of shit do you trust?

Oh, right... None of them.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

David Pecker of the National Enquirer has been granted immunity for providing information about Michael Cohen and Donald Trump.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pecker-granted-immunity-in-cohen-case-1535041976

This is all just so goddamn skeezy. I suppose soon enough Vince McMahon will be involved somehow.

[moriartp]

This is all just so goddamn skeezy. I suppose soon enough Vince McMahon will be involved somehow.

Oh please oh please oh please please please

[MusicMan]

This is all just so goddamn skeezy. I suppose soon enough Vince McMahon will be involved somehow.

Worth it to see Jeff Sessions suddenly turn on Trump and hit him with a folding chair.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Navin R Johnson]

I just don’t understand how supporting a piece of shit like Trump is worth it for the GOP.   How do you decide to sink to THAT level.  Did they think Mike Pence was gonna nominate Michael Moore for the SCOTUS?   For some reason they decided to throw  every last ounce of dignity down the shitter....for Donald Trump.  They now have 40 years of having that shit thrown back in their face, for what? 

[chuck]

I just don’t understand how supporting a piece of shit like Trump is worth it for the GOP.   How do you decide to sink to THAT level.  Did they think Mike Pence was gonna nominate Michael Moore for the SCOTUS?   For some reason they decided to throw  every last ounce of dignity down the shitter....for Donald Trump.  They now have 40 years of having that shit thrown back in their face, for what?

I could go on about this at some length but I won't, except to say that this is the inevitable result of allowing unlimited amounts of money to influence elections and allowing a significant amount of that money to be anonymously contributed.

What you end up with is the corrupt and corruptible party, always bereft of any actual policy ideas or any imagination whatsoever, beholden exclusively to its donors at the expense of its constituents and, crucially, the country. Also, you have to remember that when these idiots are eventually primaried out by some fuckwit even crazier and more stupid than they are thanks to the Buy GPS Tracking on My Rascal to Thwart Theft crowd and the wear camouflage to church crowd, they fully expect to get spit right out onto K Street and make five times more than they did when they were merely congressmen surviving on poverty rations so meagre they had to dip illegally into campaign funds to finance their Hawaiian vacations.

[Waldo]

I just don’t understand how supporting a piece of shit like Trump is worth it for the GOP.   How do you decide to sink to THAT level.  Did they think Mike Pence was gonna nominate Michael Moore for the SCOTUS?   For some reason they decided to throw  every last ounce of dignity down the shitter....for Donald Trump.  They now have 40 years of having that shit thrown back in their face, for what?

Power.  They know that, beyond all reason, Trump secures them 35-40% of the electorate and is (currently) made of political Teflon.  Combine that with the "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" types on the right and you're pretty close to winning an election.  And for all of the polling that shows gains made by Dem candidates in the midterms, I'm expecting a lot of GOP voters to "come home" to their R candidates once it's time to cast a ballot, just like what happened in 2016.  I'm hoping for a different outcome, but I'm preparing for another GOP-controlled Congress.

Also, on a much more impish level, the folks on the right know that Trump, perhaps more than any R candidate in recent history, drives the left batty and so they'll put up with any amount of shit to get under the skin of liberals.

[BudGirl]

Power.  They know that, beyond all reason, Trump secures them 35-40% of the electorate and is (currently) made of political Teflon.  Combine that with the "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" types on the right and you're pretty close to winning an election.  And for all of the polling that shows gains made by Dem candidates in the midterms, I'm expecting a lot of GOP voters to "come home" to their R candidates once it's time to cast a ballot, just like what happened in 2016.  I'm hoping for a different outcome, but I'm preparing for another GOP-controlled Congress.

Also, on a much more impish level, the folks on the right know that Trump, perhaps more than any R candidate in recent history, drives the left batty and so they'll put up with any amount of shit to get under the skin of liberals.

I hate your post because I believe your post.  It amazes me how people are not willing to vote against their party.  I just don't get it.  Vote for a good candidate.  If somehow Trump was a Democrat, there is no way I'd vote blue.  NONE.

[jbm]

I'm not as cynical, but I entertain the notion that I'm just naive.  I'm expecting the electorate to give the Republicans a big kick in the balls in November, assuming the Russians don't rig the tallies. 

I still see a distinction between hatred of elites/liberals/people OK with diversity and love of Trump.  I agree with most of Waldo's insight:

Also, on a much more impish level, the folks on the right know that Trump, perhaps more than any R candidate in recent history, drives the left batty and so they'll put up with any amount of shit to get under the skin of liberals.

but I don't think they will put up with "any amount of shit."  Most Trump supporters I know fit this description, but deep down, they don't really love, or even like Trump.  They see that he's a piece of shit, and at the end of the day, it's always easier to rationalize dumping a piece of shit than rationalizing dumping someone you admire. 

I'm not sure what how many more straws are needed, but we'll hit the final one one day

[jbm]

Seems as if the CFO of the Trump organization has been granted immunity.  Shit is going downhill fast.

Does he even have one truly loyal friend?  Of course not.  I bet his children would flip on him if given the opportunity.  May have already, who knows, it's not even noon.

Being a piece of shit comes with a price.

[BudGirl]

Seems as if the CFO of the Trump organization has been granted immunity.  Shit is going downhill fast.

Does he even have one truly loyal friend?  Of course not.  I bet his children would flip on him if given the opportunity.  May have already, who knows, it's not even noon.

Being a piece of shit comes with a price.

Birds of a feather flock together.

[Limey]

This is all just so goddamn skeezy. I suppose soon enough Vince McMahon will be involved somehow.

Mr and Mrs McMahon were the single largest contributors to the Trump Foundation, which is under investigation by state and federal prosecutors for any number of crimes.

You're welcome.

[Waldo]

I'm not as cynical, but I entertain the notion that I'm just naive.  I'm expecting the electorate to give the Republicans a big kick in the balls in November, assuming the Russians don't rig the tallies. 

I still see a distinction between hatred of elites/liberals/people OK with diversity and love of Trump.  I agree with most of Waldo's insight:

but I don't think they will put up with "any amount of shit."  Most Trump supporters I know fit this description, but deep down, they don't really love, or even like Trump.  They see that he's a piece of shit, and at the end of the day, it's always easier to rationalize dumping a piece of shit than rationalizing dumping someone you admire. 

I'm not sure what how many more straws are needed, but we'll hit the final one one day

I attend an evangelical church, so I know plenty of people scattered throughout the spectrum of Trump support:

- The people who are only allying with Trump because, to them, voting for liberal values is worse (e.g. the "Supreme Court" Trump voters).  My parents fell into this category in 2016 - they both hate the man and hated voting for him but did it anyway.
- The people who buy Trump's bullshit and don't care that he is immoral.
- The people who buy Trump's bullshit and actually believe that he is a moral man.  I had a church deacon say this to me in 2016, ironically just a few hours before the Access Hollywood tape dropped.  He stood by his comments afterward.

I can't claim to know what people think "deep down", but we'll have a pretty good idea by mid-November.  The fact that Trump isn't already out on his ass when pretty much any other current or former politician would be green-glowing radioactive by now is pretty telling.  The GOP in Congress may not buy all of his bullshit, but they do recognize that he's an instrument they can use to further their agenda.  Unless this November is a massive referendum against Republicans, they won't force Trump out; they'll continue to be "concerned" or even "very concerned" about new developments in whatever Trump is up to, but in the end they'll look the other way.  And in the end, "we" get the government we deserve.

[Limey]

I'm not as cynical, but I entertain the notion that I'm just naive.  I'm expecting the electorate to give the Republicans a big kick in the balls in November, assuming the Russians don't rig the tallies.

Special and local elections consistently point to an energized electorate on the left, and - outside of the Trump base (which is about 25% of the overall electorate) - an unmotivated electorate on the right.  Trump can and does turn out his base, but his base is getting overrun by the broader coalition of liberals, progressives, moderates and people just tired of his shit.  Also, the Republican party has a habit of devolving to the shittiest candidate they can find.

The media will continue to talk up the possibility that the blue wave is not real, and I am certainly not preaching complacency.  But the media also talked up the narrowness of the race between Obama and McCain right up until one nanosecond after the polls closed in California.

Trump voters were always going to vote whether Trump was there or not; they're triggered to do so by Fox News et al regardless.  What Trump also does, though, is motivate a significant portion of the electorate - normally indifferent or agnostic in elections - to come out and vote against Trump and his enablers.  As Trump's legal woes deepen, and his enablers become more and more obvious and nonsensical in their defense of him - the anti-Trump vote will become ever larger.

[Limey]

Seems as if the CFO of the Trump organization has been granted immunity.  Shit is going downhill fast.

Does he even have one truly loyal friend?  Of course not.  I bet his children would flip on him if given the opportunity.  May have already, who knows, it's not even noon.

Being a piece of shit comes with a price.

This is quietly enormous.  The Trump organization has been a criminal enterprise for decades now, and this guy has, literally, all the receipts.

As to Trump's children flipping on him, that's nothing.  What's really going to bake your noodle is when Trump flips on his children.  And don't tell me that this could never happen; search your feelings, you know it to be true!

[chuck]

The Q Anon guys that Navin likes so much are apparently experiencing a sort of existential crisis. Cohen's flipping (which ought to be illegal, really) casts into doubt their central thesis which is that Mueller is actually working WITH Trump in order to bring down a global child sex trafficking ring. It's starting to dawn on some of these folks that maybe Mueller isn't really working hand in hand with Sessions and Trump after all.

Of course after experiencing a crisis of faith many believers discover their faith rejuvenated and deepened. We can all hope for such a happy outcome in this worrisome case.

[Navin R Johnson]

The Q Anon guys that Navin likes so much are apparently experiencing a sort of existential crisis. Cohen's flipping (which ought to be illegal, really) casts into doubt their central thesis which is that Mueller is actually working WITH Trump in order to bring down a global child sex trafficking ring. It's starting to dawn on some of these folks that maybe Mueller isn't really working hand in hand with Sessions and Trump after all.

Of course after experiencing a crisis of faith many believers discover their faith rejuvenated and deepened. We can all hope for such a happy outcome in this worrisome case.

LOL, the QAnon folks are my favorites!  I never imagined the fucking morons who fell for the Jade Helm bullshit could sink 392 times lower, but they proved me wrong.  These people make flat earthers look rational.  There is one theory out there that Sacha Barron Cohen is behind the QAnon stuff as a troll job.  While Im sure that isn't true, but if it were it would be the greatest troll in History.

To Chuck's point about the Q conspiracy breaking down with the Cohen news.  Some of the still believing dolts have hypothesized that the (unnamed) "candidate for Federal office," that Cohen paid off Stormy Daniels for was.....wait for it.....wait for it......you probably have it figured out by now.......that candidate was....HILLARY CLINTON!

ROTFLMAO.  Honestly, I feel like they are actually trolling us, because there is no chance anyone could actually believe this shit. 

And speaking of QAnon, guess who stopped by the White House today and met the President.   Yep, a guy pushing the QAnon horseshit.  Unreal.

https://twitter.com/willsommer/status/1033095001222328320

[Limey]

Trump saying that flipping should be illegal.  I know he’s a galactic dumbass, but that is breathtakingly stupid.  He wants to make illegal the act of telling the truth.  It’s both shocking and not shocking that this wasn’t a bigger story because he says crushingly dumb shit all the time and it was part of a shitnado of dumbassery. 

[Navin R Johnson]

Now that the National Enquirer deals are gone, shit is hitting the fan.  Doorman, who is no longer under an NDA reports trump has an illegitimate child with a trump tower housekeeper....

[Nate Colbert]

Now that the National Enquirer deals are gone, shit is hitting the fan.  Doorman, who is no longer under an NDA reports trump has an illegitimate child with a trump tower housekeeper....

Shades of Schwarzenegger.

[Navin R Johnson]

If this kid turns out to be an anchor baby....

[Limey]

Now that the National Enquirer deals are gone, shit is hitting the fan.  Doorman, who is no longer under an NDA reports trump has an illegitimate child with a trump tower housekeeper....

Well, amongst the boilerplate language of the Stormy Daniels NDA were clauses  specifically about paternity, which was not an issue in the Stormy Daniels affair.  Setting aside the fact that TrumpWorld had an NDA with boilerplate language about paternity, it had to have been relevant to at least one prior hush money payment. 

As Cohen and Weisselberg were involved in the Daniels contract, it stands to reason that they were involved in at least one other hush money payment where paternity was a problem.  And if those two knew, then now Mueller knows. 

[chuck]

As long as Trump isn't knocking up Hillary I doubt any of his supporters are going to give a shit.

I can't wait for the Grahams and the Swaggarts to decide that if you conceive with a fallen woman that doesn't count.

[austro]

As long as Trump isn't knocking up Hillary I doubt any of his supporters are going to give a shit.

It'll just prove that he's a manly man. It will improve his standing.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I hate your post because I believe your post.  It amazes me how people are not willing to vote against their party.  I just don't get it.  Vote for a good candidate.  If somehow Trump was a Democrat, there is no way I'd vote blue.  NONE.

Me neither. But dems are notoriously heterogeneous—it’s one of the things that makes us cool/greatest weakness/greatest strength.

[Limey]

As long as Trump isn't knocking up Hillary I doubt any of his supporters are going to give a shit.

I can't wait for the Grahams and the Swaggarts to decide that if you conceive with a fallen woman that doesn't count.

I presume that fucking the housekeeper is the modern equivalent of fucking your African slaves: it’s all totally ok as long as the wife doesn’t catch you. 

[HudsonHawk]

I can't wait for the Grahams and the Swaggarts to decide that if you conceive with a fallen woman that doesn't count.

They'll point to the story of Onan..."well, you've seen what happens when you fail to impregnate your sister-in-law, imagine how angry God would be if you pulled out of the housekeeper..."

[MusicMan]

First Cohen, then this. Trump repeatedly gets fucked by people in charge of cleaning up after him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tom Servo]

First Cohen, then this. Trump repeatedly gets fucked by people in charge of cleaning up after him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That just made me think that Melania may have to eventually change his diapers.

[austro]

I'm waiting for Trump's heart-felt tribute to McCain.

[Tom Servo]

These people are just pure evil. Trump supporting Arizona senate candidate says timing of McCain’s death was to push a negative narrative against their campaign.

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/08/arizona-gop-senate-candidate-kelli-ward-accuses-john-mccain-dying-push-negative-narrative/


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[jbm]

So vain and so utterly pathetic, but who knows, it might help her win the nomination.

[Limey]

I'm waiting for Trump's heart-felt tribute to McCain.

It was a cursory tweet.  The background photo was of Trump.   

[Navin R Johnson]

The QAnon loons are now claiming that McCain committed suicide to avoid facing a military tribunal.....

[BudGirl]

The QAnon loons are now claiming that McCain committed suicide to avoid facing a military tribunal.....

Shut up.  Are you serious?

[austro]

The QAnon loons are now claiming that McCain committed suicide to avoid facing a military tribunal.....

Surely somebody is trolling us.

[Tom Servo]

The QAnon loons are now claiming that McCain committed suicide to avoid facing a military tribunal.....

Don’t follow these people too closely. You might go all Donnie Brasco and get sucked in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Navin R Johnson]

I mostly get it from reporters who are following the nonsense.

https://twitter.com/willsommer/status/1033849430523502592?s=21

[moriartp]

The QAnon loons are now claiming that McCain committed suicide to avoid facing a military tribunal.....

I mean, obviously

[Navin R Johnson]

Honestly it was surprising they went there, I just assumed they’d blame it on Hillary

[WVastro]

The QAnon loons are now claiming that McCain committed suicide to avoid facing a military tribunal.....

This has to be Sasha Baron Cohen.... right?

[jbm]

I'm waiting for Trump's heart-felt tribute to McCain.

It appears that Mr. Petty has put the White House flags back at full staff, not allowing the tribute to last one second longer than required.

U.S. code calls for flags to be lowered in the event of the death of a member of Congress “on the day of death and the following day.” But presidents have the power to issue proclamations extending that period and have done so routinely.

It must burn him up to witness all the respect for McCain, knowing that nothing like that will happen for him when his time comes.

[chuck]

It must burn him up to witness all the respect for McCain, knowing that nothing like that will happen for him when his time comes.

I feel quite certain he doesn't think that far ahead.

[jbm]

I feel quite certain he doesn't think that far ahead.

True.

Apparently, he’s relented, not because he realized he’s a piece of crap, but because even his crowd didn’t approve.

[HudsonHawk]

True.

Apparently, he’s relented, not because he realized he’s a piece of crap, but because even his crowd didn’t approve.

Read some feedback from Arizonans on this.  As one would imagine, Trump supporters are praising him for being cold as he and McCain were enemies.  Respect for the deceased would have been out of character and a sign of weakness.  Just another example of how he's making America great again in their eyes.

[Limey]

McGahn was tweet-fired, apparently, as Trump was fed up with McGahn threatening to resign in order to stop Trump doing things that were, in theory, political (and perhaps legal) suicide.  McGahn had 5 deputies, 3 of whom have already left the White House and one more due to leave very soon.  There are no replacements for any of them, prompting the Washington Post to speculate that the Trump administration would be woefully unprepared for a Democratically controlled House.

By comparison, the Clinton White House had double the number of lawyers Trump has when it faced impeachment; and I suspect the individuals would have been of a higher calibre.  For example, Trump repeatedly asked Rob Porter - yes, serial wife-beater Rob Porter - if he would take the job of WH Councel (sic).  Porter had to rebuff the offer repeatedly by pointing out that he was completely unqualified for the job.  Note the word "repeatedly".  Recruitment is also an issue, due in no small part to the fact that White House lawyers tend to need lawyers.  No one wants to take a job that comes with a $500,000 personal legal bill.

The WaPo story had 26 sources "familiar with the issue".  Twenty-six!  That's more people than the total head count of the WH legal staff.  The leaks keep on coming and the more people Trump throws under the bus, the more the leaks will accelerate.  If Democrats take the House and start "monkeying things up", expect to see a parade of staffers leaving the WH with cardboard boxes. 

[Limey]

It's worth noting that Democrats have a few former intelligence service personnel running as candidates in the mid-terms.  One has already been doxxed by the White House, who released her full, unreacted, security clearance file to a PAC supporting her Republican opponent.  The security clearance process is designed to be insanely intrusive so as to record any issues a candidate for clearance may have that could be used as leverage.  Because of the intimate, personal details contained in any such files, they are guarded with incredible secrecy.  Usually.

It is unclear whether this was simple - gross - incompetence on behalf of the White House, or if there was some intent behind the doxxing.  Such a file would obviously be insanely useful to a political opponent, as it is in this case because the PAC immediately started using the information it now had in attack ads against the Democrat.  The Democratic Party has taken the step of advising all such similarly credentialed candidates to prepare themselves to respond to intimate details from their security clearance files being used against them.

So, which government building is going to be firebombed in the first week of November?

[Limey]

In new, truth isn't truth news, Trump is claiming that the tape of him confessing obstruction of justice to Lester Holt is "fudged".

[jbm]

Did Trump say: "I said to myself. You know, this Lester Holt is a made-up story.  I don't believes he even exists, and if he does, I sure haven't ever talked to him."

If Trump did actually say this, would it even move the needle?

[The Spleen]

Would it even move the needle?

The needle was put in the mixer and poured with the concrete for the bunker that they buried the bar under, so no, it won't be moving anytime soon...

[Limey]

It's worth noting that Democrats have a few former intelligence service personnel running as candidates in the mid-terms.  One has already been doxxed by the White House, who released her full, unreacted, security clearance file to a PAC supporting her Republican opponent.  The security clearance process is designed to be insanely intrusive so as to record any issues a candidate for clearance may have that could be used as leverage.  Because of the intimate, personal details contained in any such files, they are guarded with incredible secrecy.  Usually.

It is unclear whether this was simple - gross - incompetence on behalf of the White House, or if there was some intent behind the doxxing.  Such a file would obviously be insanely useful to a political opponent, as it is in this case because the PAC immediately started using the information it now had in attack ads against the Democrat.  The Democratic Party has taken the step of advising all such similarly credentialed candidates to prepare themselves to respond to intimate details from their security clearance files being used against them.

So, which government building is going to be firebombed in the first week of November?

Update:  It's more than "a few" Democratic candidates with security clearances running for office this November, it's a couple of dozen.  I'll leave it up to you to decide what might have motivated so many former national security personnel to run for office this year.

Abigail Spanberger was the doxxed Democrat.  She used to work on national security for the USPS (and later for the CIA), and it is USPS who have raised their hand as being the entity that released her full, unredacted SF86 security clearance application to Paul Ryan's PAC.  They also said there are a few more improperly released SF86s out there, and they're trying to clear it all up.  In Spanberger's case, that horse has bolted as Ryan's PAC immediately used information in her SF86 in attack ads and even shared the entire document with media outlets.

A couple of things here.  (1)  Spanberger's campaign, sensibly, ran "opposition research" on herself, and made the same FOIA request to USPS for information on her as did Ryan's PAC; Ryan's PAC got the complete SF86 within 3 weeks but, 9 months later, Spanberger's campaign has yet to receive a response to their own request.  (2)  Just because Ryan's PAC received the full document from USPS didn't mean they had to use it; famously Gore's presidential campaign got given Bush's debate prep file prior to a debate whereupon they called the FBI and gave the file back.

Trump sucks up so much of the political oxygen, but let's not forget this very important point:  Fuck Paul Ryan.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Update:  It's more than "a few" Democratic candidates with security clearances running for office this November, it's a couple of dozen.  I'll leave it up to you to decide what might have motivated so many former national security personnel to run for office this year.

Abigail Spanberger was the doxxed Democrat.  She used to work on national security for the USPS (and later for the CIA), and it is USPS who have raised their hand as being the entity that released her full, unredacted SF86 security clearance application to Paul Ryan's PAC.  They also said there are a few more improperly released SF86s out there, and they're trying to clear it all up.  In Spanberger's case, that horse has bolted as Ryan's PAC immediately used information in her SF86 in attack ads and even shared the entire document with media outlets.

A couple of things here.  (1)  Spanberger's campaign, sensibly, ran "opposition research" on herself, and made the same FOIA request to USPS for information on her as did Ryan's PAC; Ryan's PAC got the complete SF86 within 3 weeks but, 9 months later, Spanberger's campaign has yet to receive a response to their own request.  (2)  Just because Ryan's PAC received the full document from USPS didn't mean they had to use it; famously Gore's presidential campaign got given Bush's debate prep file prior to a debate whereupon they called the FBI and gave the file back.

Trump sucks up so much of the political oxygen, but let's not forget this very important point:  Fuck Paul Ryan.

This is such a freaking outrage. I read about this yesterday and, still a little foggy at the end of the NYT article as to why the Postal Service was taking the blame, I decided against all my better instincts to peak at the comments--even though never read the comments because the comments add nothing to your life etc etc etc. Well what do I find rated pretty highly in this section but a seemingly sober and well organized rant from someone concerned that we're clearly missing the point and asking the wrong questions because the relevant information here is that this woman (a polyglot) was--while awaiting word as to whether or not she'd be getting a gov't gig--teaching in a private academy for Saudi Arabians, and therefore must have been running a CIA operation domestically, and therefore they're all fucking criminals.

I just don't see how it's possible to make a functioning country with these yahoos.   

[Limey]

I just don't see how it's possible to make a functioning country with these yahoos.

It's entirely possible if one of the two parties in a two party system doesn't need them to cling on to power, and rig the system to do so in such a way that their voices are amplified over the those of the sane majority.

Right now our country is hostage to 25% of the country that believes everything that Fox News et al pumps directly into their lizard brains.  As Steve Schmidt has said, a forest fire is a cleansing event because it burns down the old and allows new to grow; he sees Trump and Trumpism as a forest fire that will burn down the Republican Party and allow it to grow anew.

I certainly hope so.  Not because I'm a liberal and I want to see the Republican Party burn*, but because we need the tension between the two parties to have any chance of rational, effective government.  Unfortunately, we're going to have to lurch from one-party rule one side to one-party rule on the other in order for the cleanse to take effect.  Hopefully we'll swing back to the middle because, if drunk-on-power Democrats start pandering to liberal extremes, we're just going to hurtle back and forth across the political spectrum until we eventually spin off the rails altogether.

* Just a (too long) list of its elected representatives.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

It's entirely possible if one of the two parties in a two party system doesn't need them to cling on to power, and rig the system to do so in such a way that their voices are amplified over the those of the sane majority.

Right now our country is hostage to 25% of the country that believes everything that Fox News et al pumps directly into their lizard brains.  As Steve Schmidt has said, a forest fire is a cleansing event because it burns down the old and allows new to grow; he sees Trump and Trumpism as a forest fire that will burn down the Republican Party and allow it to grow anew.

I certainly hope so.  Not because I'm a liberal and I want to see the Republican Party burn*, but because we need the tension between the two parties to have any chance of rational, effective government.  Unfortunately, we're going to have to lurch from one-party rule one side to one-party rule on the other in order for the cleanse to take effect.  Hopefully we'll swing back to the middle because, if drunk-on-power Democrats start pandering to liberal extremes, we're just going to hurtle back and forth across the political spectrum until we eventually spin off the rails altogether.

* Just a (too long) list of its elected representatives.

I don't know. We've made some pretty big strides during one-party-rule in the past.

Also I think we're already off the rails. A country on the rails doesn't elect the carrot demon to the most powerful office in the world. A country on the rails I think doesn't look anything like what we've got.

[Limey]

Trump's disapproval rating is 60%.  49% want Congress to start impeachment proceedings.

[Bench]

Trump's disapproval rating is 60%.  49% want Congress to start impeachment proceedings.

And yet Congress is beholden to that other 25%.

[Limey]

And yet Congress is beholden to that other 25%.

It's devolving into two distinct groups with almost no one undecided.  That's not good, but at least the Trump side of the ledger is concentrating down and will end up as just that 25%.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

It's devolving into two distinct groups with almost no one undecided.  That's not good, but at least the Trump side of the ledger is concentrating down and will end up as just that 25%.

But what would his share of ordinary Republican voters be in a re-election bid right now? I'm guessing he'd get about 95% of them. 

[Limey]

But what would his share of ordinary Republican voters be in a re-election bid right now? I'm guessing he'd get about 95% of them.

Trump's approval rating among likely Republican voters is in the high 80s.  The thing is, those who identify as likely Republican voters is a shrinking number and thus more easily overruled by turnout from other constituencies.  Basically, he's boiling down Republican voters to concentrated crazy.

[Navin R Johnson]

I wish there were people on this site who weren’t too chickenshit to defend QAnon and trump. Seems as if they have all slithered  to their corner and refuse to talk about it.

[Mr. Happy]

I wish there were people on this site who weren’t too chickenshit to defend QAnon and trump. Seems as if they have all slithered  to their corner and refuse to talk about it.

I'll bite. I personally love what President Trump has done and continues to do. I love the make America great and the resurgence of American excellence.We're the greatest country on the globe, and we should pay hardball with our enemies and not let friends take advantage of us. The economy is doing great. We got a tax cut, and another one is promised soon. I love Justice Gorsuch and can't wait until Judge Cavenaugh is confirmed.

I don't quibble with most of what you all write in your little pathetic liberal echo chamber, but I read it all. You guys are delusional. The Republicans are going to hold onto control of the Congress. Resume your attacks. You're tilting at windmills. The bottom line is that the current iteration of the Democrat Party has become a marginalized, obtuse party of no without any real good ideas to advance the country. The Democrat Party is the party of Planned Parenthood, Antifa, gun control and the socialist resistance movement. One thing is clear, and that is the rumblings of civil disobedience and rioting are nothing to be taken seriously. Very few libs are armed with anything more than a megaphone, while ther opposition is armed to the teeth. I like our chances.

[moriartp]

The Democrat Party is the party of Planned Parenthood, Antifa, gun control and the socialist resistance movement.

Man, if only they were that cool.

[Limey]

Meanwhile, Mueller has another henchman pleading guilty and flipping on Trump.  This guy - Sam Patten - has, amongst other things,  the road map as to how Russian money was laundered and dropped into the inauguration fund.  He’s also connected to Cambridge Analytica, so he has the potential to fill in a lot of gaps. 

[Limey]

One thing is clear, and that is the rumblings of civil disobedience and rioting are nothing to be taken seriously. Very few libs are armed with anything more than a megaphone, while ther opposition is armed to the teeth. I like our chances.

I hope you’re joking because, otherwise, you’re talking about a civil war. 

Trump raised the spectre of violence if Republicans lose in November but, if you think about it, who would be mad enough to resort to violence at that point?   The Democrats who just took back at least one branch of government, or the Trumpanzees who now have to face the fact that “the libs” have subpoena power?  Also, I don’t recall people getting attacked at Hillary’s campaign events. 

The latest polls show Trump at 60% disapproval and only 36% approval.  Obama had far better numbers when he got his ass kicked in 2010, so I wouldn’t sit too comfortably on your advantage in gerrymandering and voter suppression. 

[Navin R Johnson]

I'll bite. I personally love what President Trump has done and continues to do. I love the make America great and the resurgence of American excellence.We're the greatest country on the globe, and we should pay hardball with our enemies and not let friends take advantage of us. The economy is doing great. We got a tax cut, and another one is promised soon. I love Justice Gorsuch and can't wait until Judge Cavenaugh is confirmed.

I don't quibble with most of what you all write in your little pathetic liberal echo chamber, but I read it all. You guys are delusional. The Republicans are going to hold onto control of the Congress. Resume your attacks. You're tilting at windmills. The bottom line is that the current iteration of the Democrat Party has become a marginalized, obtuse party of no without any real good ideas to advance the country. The Democrat Party is the party of Planned Parenthood, Antifa, gun control and the socialist resistance movement. One thing is clear, and that is the rumblings of civil disobedience and rioting are nothing to be taken seriously. Very few libs are armed with anything more than a megaphone, while ther opposition is armed to the teeth. I like our chances.

I figured you were reading.  All your nonsense aside, what are your thoughts on the QAnon stuff.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I hope you’re joking because, otherwise, you’re talking about a civil war. 

I read a blog post he linked to from his Facebook account where he basically said the same thing. I don't think he is kidding.

[Navin R Johnson]

So is Happy a Qnon weirdo? 

[Mr. Happy]

I read a blog post he linked to from his Facebook account where he basically said the same thing. I don't think he is kidding.

The threats have come from the left. I wrote that the left hasn't played the violence game to its ultimate conclusion. Those on the right have a much higher incidence of gun ownership, which is why the left is so hellbent on gun control. Of course, if things deteriorate, the miltary is strongly pro-right and is unlikely to back the left. Simply put, the left can't win the game that it says it wants to play. I don't want a civil war, but, sadly, it's a distinct possibility.

[austro]

The threats have come from the left. I wrote that the left hasn't played the violence game to its ultimate conclusion. Those on the right have a much higher incidence of gun ownership, which is why the left is so hellbent on gun control. Of course, if things deteriorate, the miltary is strongly pro-right and is unlikely to back the left. Simply put, the left can't win the game that it says it wants to play. I don't want a civil war, but, sadly, it's a distinct possibility.

That's a pretty paranoid view.

[chuck]

Welp, boys, shut 'er down. Hap's figured us out. Normal people don't want gun control because lunatics regularly wander in to schools and kill kids and so on. Nope. We want to neutralize the crazies' inherent advantage in firepower in advance of the upcoming civil war.

[MRaup]

The threats have come from the left. I wrote that the left hasn't played the violence game to its ultimate conclusion. Those on the right have a much higher incidence of gun ownership, which is why the left is so hellbent on gun control. Of course, if things deteriorate, the miltary is strongly pro-right and is unlikely to back the left. Simply put, the left can't win the game that it says it wants to play. I don't want a civil war, but, sadly, it's a distinct possibility.

You sound like a fucking crazy person.

I don't give a single fuck about Republican or Democrat, but the man you're supporting is a serial liar, and the continued support of his fucking insane rhetoric makes you look like a serial liar (at very best) as well.

[Tom Servo]

You sound like a fucking crazy person.

I don't give a single fuck about Republican or Democrat, but the man you're supporting is a serial liar, and the continued support of his fucking insane rhetoric makes you look like a serial liar (at very best) as well.

Don’t forget the racism and fascism.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[austro]

Don’t forget the racism and fascism.

And support for an obvious crook as long as it means they can get the lap-dog Supreme Court justices they want.

[chuck]

And support for an obvious crook as long as it means they can get the lap-dog Supreme Court justices they want.

Hap's going to drop one day and his two boys will know that among other things their father was a partisan rather than an American.

[The Spleen]

So is Happy a Qnon weirdo?

No need to be cute.
He's a fucking Nazi.

[Limey]

Welp, boys, shut 'er down. Hap's figured us out. Normal people don't want gun control because lunatics regularly wander in to schools and kill kids and so on. Nope. We want to neutralize the crazies' inherent advantage in firepower in advance of the upcoming civil war.

The idiocy of this theory is that, if the left wanted to fight a war, why not just go and buy as many guns as they want?  Surely that’s so much easier than trying to disarm your enemy through legislation.

Also, funny how those who rail against Jade Helm and the deep state run to the bosom of the authorities when they perceive a threat.  The amount of cognitive dissonance required to be a Republican these days could create a black hole of paranoia. 

[WVastro]

That college student who had been missing that the media has been obsessed about was found dead today.  Her killer, the guy who led the police to the body, is an illegal immigrant.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2018/09/01/mollie-tibbetts-father-common-decency-immigration-heartless-despicable-donald-trump-jr-column/1163131002/

[HudsonHawk]

The threats have come from the left. I wrote that the left hasn't played the violence game to its ultimate conclusion. Those on the right have a much higher incidence of gun ownership, which is why the left is so hellbent on gun control. Of course, if things deteriorate, the miltary is strongly pro-right and is unlikely to back the left. Simply put, the left can't win the game that it says it wants to play. I don't want a civil war, but, sadly, it's a distinct possibility.

Most of the gun owning right are nothing more than uneducated Barney Fifes. They like to wear their camo and get flags tattooed on their necks, dreaming about the day they get to put their bullet in their gun. But they’d piss their pants and shoot  themselves in the foot at the prospect of actually having to use it.

[Limey]

Most of the gun owning right are nothing more than uneducated Barney Fifes. They like to wear their camo and get flags tattooed on their necks, dreaming about the day they get to put their bullet in their gun. But they’d piss their pants and shoot  themselves in the foot at the prospect of actually having to use it.

If they’re such these-colors-don’t-run, might=right, willing to die for their country patriots, they’d be in the military or retired military.  They’d also have my undying respect. 

Wrapping yourself in the flag, co-opting the valor of others and waving your guns at (or driving cars into) unarmed “libs” makes you a piece of shit. 

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I feel like it wasn’t that long ago that some reasonable conservative would interrupt at this point to say, Well, Mr Happy doesn’t speak for all of us... And then go on to make an argument about the merits of limited government and judicial restraint and so on. I guess it speaks to Limey’s point about the GOP being boiled down to distilled batshittery that you don’t hear from that dude anymore (or if you do it’s under the banner of Never Trump). What a sad state of affairs.

He calls the dems the party of no after his team publicly and without shame engineered that position as a ploy to curtail as decent and generous a person as Barack Obama—as if Republicans have any ideas dems can oppose besides tax cuts (for which he is predictably and without evident reflection on its costs grateful). Then they go and elect the manifestly shittiest person to run for office, and suddenly the Obama recovery from the last immense Republican beshat diaper is the property of the expert in casino bankruptcy insulting his way through an ill-gotten term. He doesn’t “want” a civil war like he doesn’t “want” them to trade Correa. He parrots the Fox News line almost uncannily. Does he even notice that?

By the way, what did gun control have to do with anything? Because you cannot imagine that people are not all as small mean and cruel as you you contrive that their positions are held out of smallness meanness and cruelty, instead of actual human feeling regarding mass slaughter. There’s no living with these fools.

[Limey]

By the way, what did gun control have to do with anything? Because you cannot imagine that people are not all as small mean and cruel as you you contrive that their positions are held out of smallness meanness and cruelty, instead of actual human feeling regarding mass slaughter. There’s no living with these fools.

The Republican mindset now is 100% projection.  They accuse "the libs" of every petty, mean, disruptive, unhelpful and unhinged act that they can conjure while remaining ignorant - accidentally or on purpose - of their own behavior which is exactly the behavior of which they accuse others.

[HudsonHawk]

If they’re such these-colors-don’t-run, might=right, willing to die for their country patriots, they’d be in the military or retired military.  They’d also have my undying respect. 

Wrapping yourself in the flag, co-opting the valor of others and waving your guns at (or driving cars into) unarmed “libs” makes you a piece of shit.

Like Ted Nugent.  He loves to wrap himself in the flag and pound his chest, but when asked to actually serve his country, he shit himself trying to avoid it.  He's not a patriot, he's a coward. 

[Limey]

Like Ted Nugent.  He loves to wrap himself in the flag and pound his chest, but when asked to actually serve his country, he shit himself trying to avoid it.  He's not a patriot, he's a coward.

See also Trump, Cheney, Bush (W)...