David Brooks Is Right - Trump's Talent Search Will Be Difficult

Employing a metaphor that might have been taken from Tom Friedman, David Brooks erupts on TrumpWorld:

The Trump Administration Talent Vacuum

After an eruption, volcanoes sometimes collapse at the center. The magma chamber empties out and the volcano falls in on itself, leaving a caldera and a fractured ring of stone around the void, covered by deadening ash.

That’s about the shape of Washington after the last stunning fortnight. The White House at the center just collapsed in on itself and the nation’s policy apparatus is covered in ash.

I don’t say that because I think the Comey-Russia scandal will necessarily lead to impeachment. I have no idea where the investigations will go.

I say it because White Houses, like all organizations, run on talent, and the Trump White House has just become a Human Resources disaster area.

We have seen White Houses engulfed by scandal before. But we have never seen a White House implode before it had the time to staff up. The Nixon, Reagan and Clinton White Houses had hired quality teams by the time their scandals came. They could continue to function, sort of, even when engulfed.

The Trump administration, on the other hand, has hundreds of senior and midlevel positions to fill, and few people of quality or experience are going to want to take them.

As a bonus wrinkle, previous Presidents had some political background and a team of loyalists trailing in their wake. Reagan had his California cronies, Bush had the Rove/Hughes/Allbaugh Texas Triumvirate, and even Obama had a Chicago machine to lean on. Trump did not arrive with a seasoned team and is going to have a brutal time continuing to try and pull one together. One suggestion! Have the White House employment contract include some sort of legal insurance.

Comments

[Dave (in MA)]

Last page,

http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2017/05/david-brooks-is-right-trumps-talent-search-will-be-difficult/comments/page/9999/#comments

[Captain Hate]

Advice from pants crease; good one, TM.

[Captain Hate]

When it comes to banging the youthful hired help at work while married and keeping your job, Brooks is your go to guy.

[Dave (in MA)]

Oh, no--smaller government!

[Porchlight]

I'm just going to take a guess that Trump hiring the Swamp A Team would not be seen as a positive development for his voters.

The David Brookses of the world are desperate that swamp dwellers be hired/retained so that Trump can more easily be taken down.

Thanks but no thanks.

[David, Internet Deplorable]

Oh, FFS, why would anyone listen to anything that blithering idiot David Brooks said? I have often fantasized about a game show where press prognosticators and cable television "pundits" would be brought on as contestants. They would be shown their prior predictions from one, five, and ten years previously. Then, based on the correctness of their opinions, they would receive either cash prizes for their perspicacity or electric shocks for their asininity. I am pretty sure such a game show would need a huge energy budget, and not much in the way of prize money.

David

[henry]

Has Brooksie complained about the lack of a pant crease on horse riding appointees like Zinke or Clarke? We know that is the true standard for judging these things.

[Truthbetold5]

Clarice

Is this an acceptable source for you as it pertains to the meeting?

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/armitage-on-cia-leak-i-screwed-up/

[Truthbetold5]

You have been given a source.

Nothing to say?

[narciso]

I've suggested shock collars of various voltages from that long ago trek episode.
Now I realize that could be fatal for brooksie or pinnette, but those are the perils of science.

[James D.]

The only proper response to David Brooks is:

"go fuck yourself."

There is no point analyzing anything he says; no point reasoning with him; no point trying to understand, because there IS nothing to understand.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Brooks is an asshole.
The left, including him, the NYT house conservative-leftist, gin up phony scandals then try to scare off anyone who might incline to serve by pointing at all the phony scandals they ginned up.

It's kinda like the kid who killed his parents and then pleaded for mercy from the judge on the grounds he was an orphan couldn't find a babysitter.

[Frau Notiz]

Maybe President Trump is the hornet's nest that has been disturbed as he set about his task of cleaning the toxic prog infestation of the US government.

[Dave (in MA)]

The smugmobile drivers here are complaining that they have to get to work by 9 or so to get to park at one of the company-provided smugmobile charging stations, and when they run out at lunchtime the other smugmobiles haven't gone out and moved their smugmobiles to regular parking spots.

heh

[narciso]

Anyways from the last thread, Adam entous seems the ae in that listservs, because he is reasonable well wired into all the puzzlepalaces over there, and increasingly over here.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

There are plenty of people who are willing to work for the Trump administration. Mr. Brooks, unfortunately, is unacquainted with them,

Also, his definition of talent is not the same as mine. I do believe he thought Tillerson a mystifying choice.

Look at Trump's cabinet. With the exception of Ryan Zinke, Elaine Chou and Jeff Sessions, most are from outside the Beltway. FAR outside. Zinke doesn't really count, as he was a Congressman from Montana and a Navy SEAL. Sessions was always an outsider. Chou is there to no doubt keep a line of connection with McConnell.

All the rest are from business, military, or in Rick Perry's case, a Texas governor. By the way, Perry gave a pretty spirited defense of the President on Fox and Friends this morning. He also said that if leakers couldn't get with the program, they should find another place to work.

[Account Deleted]

I can just see the Pant Crease Humper at the cocktail parties this weekend as guests and hosts alike fawn over "his latest piece".

"Oh I just loved it. Loved it."

Pant Crease Humper is all about "character" these days. Giving lectures arranged by the Humpee.

Has Humper *built* anything? Ever negotiated anything besides stiffing his ex-wife in the divorce settlement?

He's a tidy little scumbag. He at that shriveled gerbil Mark Shields will be puking all over PBS this evening on the "flooze hour" with Judy's Dandruff.

And with straight faces, in the wake of Rat-era governance with all of its treasonous and larcenous pecadilloes, they will roundly condemn everything Trump.

That's okay. DJT is operating like a wily farmer who is stuck with not-so-new-equipment and a whole lot of critics across the county. Those critics have plenty to say down at the diner each morning about what a fool he is. But he's never in the diner. He's out making his money, one foot in front of the other. His hay never gets rained on. His cattle always fetch a profitable price. And he can take Sundays off.

Doing a lot for a little. And always doing the right things at the right time. While the prattle and snide remarks fall on deaf ears.

David Brooks won't even get a footnote in the big book when it is all said and done.

FEMALL but Brooks in particular.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

In response to Frau's comment on Krauthammer on the prior thread:

It is against the ethical code of the American Psychiatric Association to make diagnosis without interviewing the patient.

Someone should file charges with the Medical Board. That's what I think.

[Truthbetold5]

He says he was reading Novak's newspaper column again, on Oct. 1, 2003, and "he said he was told by a non-partisan gun slinger."

"I almost immediately called Secretary Powell and said, 'I'm sure that was me,'" Armitage says.

Armitage immediately met with FBI agents investigating the leak.

"I told them that I was the inadvertent leak," Armitage says. He didn't get a lawyer, however.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

KevlarKid,

My sister called it the "Little Red Hen Campaign" and I think it applies to the administration as well.

Who will help me plant the wheat? Not I, said the goose, cow, horse, duck.
Who will help me harvest the wheat? Not I, they all said.

Who will help me grind the wheat into flour? Not I, they all said.

Who will help me bake the bread? Not I, they all said.

Who will help me eat the bread? I will! they all said.

But the Little Red Hen told them they hadn't helped, so she would eat it all herself. And she did.

NO ONE helped Trump win. In fact, they actively opposed him.

The guy has tried to be a team player, attending fund-raisers and lending his name to fundraising letters. Many of these people in Congress would not have been elected if not for him.

And look at them! They are just like the animals in that story. Not a one will step forward and defend him.

So the credit for anything good is going to go to President Trump, as far as I am concerned. He can eat all the bread all by himself.

[narciso]

Yes rolling moss seems to have taken that ball and run with it.

Among the crazy among mostly sane Seth Milton who represents Salem, took issue with trump's reference to witchhunts.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Rats. We are having another thunderstorm and I have to go pick up my granddaughter.

Back later.

[jimmyk]

narc, I saw that, and thought, wow, a Dem with a sense of humor:

https://twitter.com/sethmoulton/status/865238855800279040

But then I also saw this in his feed:

Seth Moulton‏Verified account @sethmoulton 3h3 hours ago

I do have trust in Mueller's integrity from everything I know, but we're going to have to keep a close eye on the scope of his authority.

Translation: Do everything we can to make sure he only investigates Trump and associates, no Democrats.

[Brooce]

Heh

MAGMA!!

[narciso]

As we found out in the untouchables everyone knew where the moonshine was, but only Malone thought to go through the post office door.

[Dave (in MA)]

jimmyk | May 19, 2017 at 02:12 PM make that reply to Moulton on Twitter right now!

[Captain Hate]

Per Tammy, big arms deal with Saudis to be announced tomorrow.

[Dave (in MA)]

Michael MacInnes‏ @MikemacMacInnes 3h3 hours ago
More
Replying to @sethmoulton
Hey @sethmoulton what's the over under on you Democrats turning on Mueller once he starts exposing Democrats crimes?

[Captain Hate]

Dear sweet Huma filed for divorce immediately after hubby's guilty plea.

[Barbara]

From last night's link, it seems reasonably clear that entous is the ae in the third state link, he was reasonably tied into all the local security agencies in the region
Narciso @ 8:56 am

Thanks narciso. I hope people in the blogosphere are not the only ones following up on this.

If that story is the real deal, there are a lot of leads. My only worry about Mueller is that this is awfully close to home. Will he even want to pursue it?

It may all depend on the Secret Service to do the work because it looks like the Republicans in Congress don't want to touch this. Interesting that at a time like this Jason Chaeffetz all of a sudden wants to retire along with Trey Gowdy.
Posted by: Barbara on the last thread at 01:44 PM

[narciso]

There in lies the real problem, when erdman wrote the last days of America in 1975, the dangers of arming the kingdom seemed mostly theoretical now its downright insane

[Appalled]

I see there is to be no discussion of Trump's hiring woes here. Because, David Brooks' well creased pants. Because, that might reflect badly on a man cherished in these precincts.

So, just dismiss the point and move on.

Or, if curious, take a look at this:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-administration-appointee-tracker/database/

Maybe Jared Kushner can do all the unfilled jobs, eh?

[Heh]

PIERS MORGAN:

Dear Donald, when did the ballsy winner who was going to Make America Great Again turn into President Paranoid Snowflake?

Stop whining. Your friend, Piers

[Hehry]

The United States has consistently created mischief in countries bordering the Russian Federation and within Russia itself in order to put pressure on a state which unlike the one headed by Boris Yeltsin has not been inclined to bow to the foreign policy dictates of the United States which finds it intolerable for other nations to pursue an independent course in foreign relations.

The United States has sought to intimidate Russia by expanding the Nato military alliance close to its borders as well as by fomenting a so-called ‘Color Revolution’ in Ukraine between 2004 and 2005, a war with Georgia in 2008 and a coup d’etat in Ukraine in 2014. These were covert operations involving the use of proxies which included NGO fronts and neo-Nazi militias.

While Russia has been reactive rather than proactive in the various crisis around its borders, it is nonetheless clear that it has a national policy objective geared towards weakening American influence in Europe. It has provided varying degrees of support and encouragement for nationalist political parties in countries such as France and Hungary. This is widely believed to include financial support.

Related image

Parties such as the Front National and Jobbik are strongly anti-European Union. Russian animus towards the EU is hardly surprising given its view that the EU has been used as a tool by Washington as cover for United States aggression including the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the EU over the Crimean Crisis; a crisis caused by the American-backed overthrow of the Yanukovych government which threatened Russia’s vital national security interests in regard to its Baltic Fleet based in Crimea.

Only a few could fail to understand if the Russian response to this catalogue of aggression was to back an American presidential candidate who was promising to improve relations between both countries. The question which has consistently exercised many in the United States is whether such support went to the extent of the provision of finance, cyber-hacking and even blackmail.

[narciso]

Have you seen how much barbed wires they have put around each chess piece appalled, even obvious malfeasance can't assure that one candidate be clearly removed and held accountable.

[Barbara]

big arms deal with Saudis to be announced tomorrow.

Captain,

I kind of figured that's why they're so magnanimous and ecstatic in their reception of an American President.

The USA has arrived, and we're going to save your behinds. Isn't that how the story usually goes?! At least at the start.

[Smoke em if you got em]

Oh are they gonna get crashed.

"Internet provocateurs and journalists Chuck Johnson and Mike Cernovich are each launching websites to go after reporters, The Daily Caller has learned.

Johnson, who currently runs GotNews.com, told TheDC Thursday, “The American press no longer behaves properly, and they need to be held to account.”

“They have decided to make themselves the story, and so if anyone has information on top journalists we will make them the story,” added Johnson, an infamous internet troll with reported ties to the Trump administration."

[Frau Notiz]

CH - "till death your conviction for icky sleaze do us part."

No thick or thin for her. That means the Dangerous Wiener can now rat out, er, testify against his former bride, doesn't it?

[jimmyk]

Dave@2:20 Done!

Dear sweet Huma filed for divorce immediately after hubby's guilty plea.

Trying to find it in my heart to feel sorry for her.... Nope, can't do it.

[Smoke that troll]

Beattitudes, dudes...beatitudes.

[Captain Hate]

Barbara,

At least some cash will be sent this way, unlike the Iran Manhattan Project.

[narciso]

The dossier seems right out of the cheka' s playbook the trust or even earlier the mock underground that berzin organized for Sidney Reilly and savinkov' s benefit.

[Buckeye]

Only position I want filled is the Mitch Rapp position.

[James D.]

No sympathy from me, either, jimmyk.

In all seriousness, her child ought to be removed by CPS and put into foster care.

By definition, she's an unfit parent - she allowed a pedophile and serial sex offender to be alone with the child, and that's grounds to lose custody.

Or at least it would be for any ordinary citizen who's not protected by the corrupt Democrat machine.

[VOICES IN MY HEAD!!]

DrJFebruary 27, 2016 at 7:17 PM
First!

Reply

Jeff DobbsFebruary 27, 2016 at 7:23 PM
So TM put up a new post, but comments are still locked. Email didn't work, Twitter didn't work...maybe I need to do this.

Reply

Michael (fpa P4F)February 27, 2016 at 7:25 PM
What, no comments yet?

Surprising to see that our esteemed host at JOM has put up a new thread without noticing that comments have been locked out since 12:57 P.M.(EDT). Even the new thread has the comments function shut down.

What's a perennially 'behind in catching up' follower to do but finally catch up?

Oh well, thanks for putting this up anyways, Jeff.

Reply

rich@gmuFebruary 27, 2016 at 7:28 PM
lol ... Was getting the JOM shakes. This is a good enough fix. Thanks Jeff.

TM is going to look at his top post tomorrow morning and wonder where his peanut gallery has gone.

Reply

Rick BallardFebruary 27, 2016 at 7:29 PM
TM seems a might slow in reflecting upon the potential wisdom found in the comments section. There's a new post up but comments are still closed.

Reply

henryFebruary 27, 2016 at 7:30 PM
This comment system doesn't like me.

Reply

Jeff DobbsFebruary 27, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Heh....

Stan Veuger ‏@stanveuger 30m30 minutes ago
I'm hearing that if Hillary wins by less than 25, Rubio is giving a victory speech tonight.

Reply

Mark OFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:02 PM
Testing. Testing. Testing the patience of everyone.

Reply

Mark OFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:03 PM
If Jeff promises never to feature a NYT column, this could be the place.

Reply

Jeff DobbsFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:15 PM
TM put up a note at the top of the latest post acknowledging that the Comments are down. Typepad issue - he's trying to get it fixed.

Reply

Jeff DobbsFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:15 PM
The race for FIRST! when comments come back up is going to be epic.

Reply

Mark OFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:20 PM
TM is so last election.

Reply
Replies

DaveFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:54 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.

Reply

Rick BallardFebruary 27, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Has Typhuspad made a ransom demand yet?

Reply
Replies

AnonymousFebruary 27, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Yes. They want you and me to get along like we did in the Voltive Candle days.

I'm up for it.

Threadkiller.

Reply

Dave (in MA)February 27, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Pantsuit steamrolled the CCCP Honeymooner in SC.

Reply

Dave (in MA)February 27, 2016 at 9:18 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.

Reply

Dave (in MA)February 27, 2016 at 9:29 PM
Pamela Geller's typepad site's suffering from the same non-commentability.

Reply

James KahnFebruary 27, 2016 at 10:16 PM
TM is aware the comments aren't working, I guess there's nothing he can do about it. Think of all the wisdom that will never reach the masses.

Reply

UnknownFebruary 27, 2016 at 10:17 PM
I had to close my tabs with JOM posts that were open. I kept clicking them to refresh out of habit. :(

Steph

Reply

jimmykFebruary 27, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Not sure who that idiot at 10:16 was.

SC Democrat primary turnout down some 30% from 2008. By my reckoning, from 535,000 to 368,000, or thereabouts. Even though Hillary got 73.5% of the vote, she got nearly 10% fewer votes than Obama got in 2008. Stick a fork in her.

Reply

FrauFebruary 27, 2016 at 11:48 PM
I'd pay to see Hillary! get forked.
Even the folks in 'Cleoville are reluctant to speak her name. Three Bernie yard signs and zilch for Cankles.

Reply

AnonymousFebruary 28, 2016 at 12:40 AM
Twitter has been on a rampage for/against all things Trump so that's kept me busy today.
glasater

Reply

FrauMarch 21, 2016 at 4:44 PM
My heart pines for you...

[Account Deleted]

Re the Huma-Peenie Weenie divorce:

Looks like Saturday's gonna be bald taco night in Chapaqua.

"Come to me sweet, dear Huma. Yer like a daughter to me." (Cantcha just hear them banjos pluckin?)

Ewww.

[Momto2]

Barbara - I'm not sure what the arms deal is all about but I would be surprised if it is a "bad" deal for our side. President Trump campaigned on American first and no more of this letting ourselves be walked over by other countries.

We shall see...

[Account Deleted]

Saudis be needin' spare parts for their jets. Cannot imagine trying to even keep their shit in the air amidst all of that infernal sand.

I'm sure the Rat was stingy when it came to the routine aspects of "arms deals", the unsexy spare parts etc.

Screw him.

MAGA

[Account Deleted]

Addendum: not sayin the big arms deal is just about spare parts. Pretty sure there is an arms buildup goin on in selected countries.

Wonder what Bibi's gonna be getting.

Hope there are a lot of roach motels in that deal.

Time to rack up a Hezbollah and Hamas body count.

[Changing the diaper]

After four months of interactions between Mr. Trump and his counterparts, foreign officials and their Washington consultants say certain rules have emerged: Keep it short — no 30-minute monologue for a 30-second attention span. Do not assume he knows the history of the country or its major points of contention. Compliment him on his Electoral College victory. Contrast him favorably with President Barack Obama. Do not get hung up on whatever was said during the campaign. Stay in regular touch. Do not go in with a shopping list but bring some sort of deal he can call a victory..

[Account Deleted]

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/05/18/evan-mcmullin-kevin-mccarthy-washington-posts-trump-putin-entous-washington-post/

Egg Shen. Please pick up the white courtesy phone.

[Barbara]

Oh, yes, Captain. I expect President Trump will make sure the Saudis pay well for our assistance. He may also get the Saudis to use those armaments to do their part in the effort to destroy ISIS. It's a long shot, I know, but it would be nice to see the pampered princes put their lives on the line to destroy the monster they helped create.

It's so good to have an American President who loves this country and has business acumen leading our nation.

[Captain Hate]

The Saudis are probably glad to deal with someone who won't sell them out. Maybe they'll strike a rendition deal for Brennan and Clapper.

[Account Deleted]

DOW 30 up over 180 points today. Aint no one in DC sayin shit about it neither.

Go fig.

[Account Deleted]

MM---> Stay dry! That Lil Red Hen fable is spot on btw.

[Captain Hate]

The biggest clown to crawl out of Scranton says he never thought Curb Dive was a good candidate. Also paste tastes good.

[Pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter.]

An oversight!

http://www.eutimes.net/2017/03/bombshell-podesta-received-35-million-from-russia-while-advising-clinton-obama/

[Account Deleted]

Touch Hole Vandy Cooper doesn't know dick. Oh wait. Well, at any rate Dershowitz handed him his head on a platter. Oh wait. Can't say that either.

Read for yourself:
"Cooper said the question wasn’t whether or not it was illegal collusion or just collusion but if it occurred, to which Dershowitz said that wasn’t something over which Mueller would have jurisdiction.

“[T]hat is a political issue, but that doesn’t give Mueller jurisdiction,” he [Dershowitz] added. “Mueller has no jurisdiction to explore whether he made political mistakes, did terrible things, engaged in wrongdoing. Only criminal acts.”

Dumb bunnies one and all.

http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/05/18/dershowitz-questions-purpose-of-special-counsel-what-is-the-crime/

Vandy Hump will be lined up with Judy's Dandruff and Gumby Brooks sniveling: "Why didn't we see this coming?" when the Long Knives come out in DC and the Deep State body drop is in full swing.

[Account Deleted]

Oh look! The Lyin Swine American Media is covering for The Bath House Rat.

The Rat covers his eyes and pretends no one can see him.

What a jackhole.

http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2017/05/reuters-buries-story-on-obama-spying.html

[Account Deleted]

Those Comey "notes" are going to get him a book deal. I'd give him $2.

Scintillating stuff. DJT is toying with these pussies.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/334173-comey-once-tried-to-hide-among-wh-curtains-to-avoid-trump-report

[Truthbetold5]

Now that it has been established that Armitage told the FBI in October 2003 that he was Bob Novak's source.

Why did the FBI keep this secret?

[Account Deleted]

From the 308p Hill link:

"“Comey said that as he was walking across the room he was determined that there wasn’t going to be a hug,” Wittes said.

“It was bad enough there was going to be a handshake. And Comey has long arms so Comey said he pre-emptively reached out for a handshake and grabbed the president’s hand.

But Trump pulled him into an embrace and Comey didn’t reciprocate. If you look at the video, it’s one person shaking hands and another hugging.”

So who has the power, Jimbo? You putz.

[Tom R]

I'm not sure what the arms deal is all about but I would be surprised if it is a "bad" deal for our side.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/18/trumps-300b-saudi-arms-plan-has-bipartisan-support-despite-loud-critics.html

The THAAD missile defense system is the centerpiece of the deal.

[Clocker]

"What business was it of theirs if Flynn -- a private citizen -- was doing business with people in a foreign country?"

-surberberber

[Truthbetold5]

Why did FBI Director Robert Mueller allow his pal James Comey to appoint his pal Patrick Fitzgerald Special Counsel and give him the power to answer to no one?

[Clocker]

Heh. The Dow is all over the septic tank.

Traders don't know whether to shit or drink the filtered water.

Bears and Bulls having chocolate cake together.

[Clocker]

Why ask why truthbtolled?

Is it TRULY troubling you?

[Truthbetold5]

I like when the usual suspects come back front and center.

[Barbara]

Those Comey "notes" are going to get him a book deal. I'd give him $2.
KevlarKid

When I read that article, Kevlar, I booted with laughter. He wore a "blue suit" so he would blend in with the rubes, and hid his 6' 8" frame among the curtains so he wouldn't break his self-imposed protocol by being forced to shake the hand of the President of the United States.

He also kept his distance by employing his longer-than-normal arms to prevent the President from hugging him.

This bloated ego needs a better Boswell and a padded room.

[Wanker]

Holy shite.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/trump-russia-comey.html?referer=http://www.memeorandum.com/river">http://www.memeorandum.com/river">https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/trump-russia-comey.html?referer=http://www.memeorandum.com/river

[maryrose]

KK:
In the case of the Dems it becomes be careful what you wish for...

[Wanker]

Comey just needed hand sanitizer and a Huggies diaper shield.

[Wanker]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russia-probe-reaches-current-white-house-official-people-familiar-with-the-case-say/2017/05/19/7685adba-3c99-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?utm_term=.33ed3573f77e

.

[Wanker]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russia-probe-reaches-current-white-house-official-people-familiar-with-the-case-say/2017/05/19/7685adba-3c99-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?utm_term=.33ed3573f77e

.

[Ben Franklin]

Tbt doesn't like questions.

Do y'all?

[Truthbetold5]

All these "Plamegate" experts at JOM and not one knows why John Ashcroft recused himself.

[Momto2]

Stolen from Facebook:

There once was a Congressman named Weiner,
Who had a perverted demeanor,
He was forced from the Hill for acting like Bill,
Now Congress is One Weiner Leaner...

[Stephanie despicable me]

Beckel fired for spouting racial comments at a Fox News employee... what is it with the identity politics whores all being closet racists?

[Dave (in MA)]

Wapo: somebody at the White House said somebody else at the White House is being investigated, but we won't disclose either party.

[Buckeye]

Beckel fired for spouting racial comments at a Fox News employee... what is it with the identity politics whores all being closet racists?

Good riddance. Only bad thing is it means we will see more of Juan or Geraldo.

[Barbara]

LOL, Momto2 -

That's very good!!!

[Dave (in MA)]

Weiner
Clock Boy
Beckel

TGIF

[Guacamole]

Wasn't Donovan a Reagan appointee?

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/19/jim-donovan-trump-deputy-treasury-secretary-238611

[Guacamole]

Ketchup! Dave from beantown.

[Barbara]

I think that was Ray Donovan.

[Bitchy Trumpism]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/breaking-tumultuous-weeks-washington/story?id=47460974

Sponge-worthy timeline.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/breaking-tumultuous-weeks-washington/story?id=47460974

[Dave (in MA)]

Pathetic sock troll.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Very good, Dave (in MA)!! HA!

[Bitchy Trumpism]

You can do graphics.

Can you do Democracy?

Funny, idn't it?

[narciso]

The grapevine keeps sprouting seeds, the list serve I mentioned earlier.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

You know, when you read that stuff about Comey hiding in the drapes and strategizing how to avoid an anticipated hug from the President, it's pretty hard not to think of him as a "nut job", whether or not President Trump said that.

(Personally, that sounds like a purposeful leak to catch someone.)

[Bitchy Trumpism]

http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/05/19/israeli-intelligence-furious-over-trumps-loose-lips-russia-iran-syria/

Really? I thought Israel was the ultimate in autocracy.

Have you chosen the anti-christ over the Chosen?

I fear for your mortal souls..

[Bitchy Trumpism]

I would have said Theocracy if the Jews had any creds.

[Clarice Feldman]

Glad I don't have friends like Witte--he's exposing Comey as a creepy phony

[Bitchy Trumpism]

Maybe you remember the Great NBA Wars of the 80's.

Chief amongst them the bitter rivalry between Boston and LA.

Maybe you also remember the phrase used for Bird(which I know take back Sir)

BIRDMAN FROM BEANTOWN.

My point?

Just trying to match the matchless egotism of Trumps, the likes of which has not been seen since Jim Jones made Kool-Aid a buzz word again.

[Frau Steingehirn]

Witte has been on my "don't bother" list for some time.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Clarice,

AKA "nut job."

I am sorry, but this "scandal" is simply not to be taken seriously.

After seeing the tweet from the reporter this morning snobbishly comparing Trump's steak to Obama's menu of fancy food, I am done with taking any of these people seriously.

Heh. Sundance stole my comment about hiding in the drapes which I also posted on Treehouse. I am fine with that, as I think it is exactly right. Either the reporter made that story up, or Comey is a nut job.

It's a two-scoop type scandal.

[Bitchy Trumpism]

Joan of Arc?

Is that how you see Comey, clarice?

Like a transgendered gelding?

I read between the lines. Sorry to fuck with you again.

[Hide, hide, damn drapes.]

An excellent example of body language revealing the inner being, in this case a coward, seeking concealment.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-ordered-tactics-have-left-isis-no-escape-jim-mattis-says/article/2623628