Peter Schweitzer, the author of "Clinton Cash", has a new book coming. Since everyone else is aiming for Trump, he is following the lonely trail of the Obama Administration. Believe it or not, Joe Biden and John Kerry seemed to be helping their kids enrich themselves.
Paste eating Joe and Lurch are grifters? Day ending in Y.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 09:45 AM
Allow me to double post:
Thanks A-Bob. I tried unsuccessfully yesterday to talk sense into Tom R to no effect.
Counting on a YUGE public backlash to correct Destroy-Trump & MAGA is as silly as expecting, say, honest hardworking agents of the FBI, DoJ, CIA et al to rise up against their bosses to defend the Constitution, or as silly as, say, expecting the Rip Van AG to do the same, or as silly as expecting Trey Gowdy to fix anything, or frankly until proof to the contrary, the DoJ IG to get it done.
We are alone with Trump as our only hope and like MM, I am stunned at the personal price he is willing to pay to help us, especially if Mueller is now loose inside Trump Central.
Yesterday I promoted fdcol63 to Charter Member status on The Ledge with all the privileges that brings with it.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 09:47 AM
If McCabe isn't fired today, I'll see you at the ledge for happy hour.
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 09:50 AM
About that bridge, Jack. How could they assume a bridge which when complete would have a central tower and suspension support cables stretching to both end, could safely exist in the interim with support only from the ends? If that were the case, why design the suspension aspect in the first place?
I will go silent now and wait for Marco Rubio to splain it to me.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 09:51 AM
Josh Gerstein @joshgerstein
9m
Got into the weeds here on McCabe's pension. Bottom line is law enforcement people with 20+ years of service can retire at age 50. His whole pension isn't on the line but would be put off for about 7 years and be lower, maybe much lower politi.co/2HDcmbs
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/15/andrew-mccabe-fbi-legal-recourse-jeff-sessions-466603
Posted by: henry | March 16, 2018 at 09:51 AM
My question exactly, OL.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 09:52 AM
Thanks Henry. I just knew it could not possibly be an all-or-nothing situation since our Government Masters would never expose themselves to that risk.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 09:53 AM
So much for this FAB not being just as [Redacted for Lent] dumb as her lying traitor father:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/378592-meghan-mccain-rips-liz-cheney-for-cia-interrogation-tweet-my?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=idealmedia&utm_campaign=thehill.com&utm_term=68763&utm_content=2203902
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 09:58 AM
SBW...any medical updates you can share?
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 09:59 AM
If McCabe isn't fired today, I'll see you at the ledge for happy hour.
This is D-Day for Sessions; do it or GTFO. No more excuses.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 10:02 AM
Assuming no action, Cap'n. Cocktails on the Ledge will be moved up to 5PM this evening. Those who prefer the Veranda will enjoy weak tea or something similar.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 10:06 AM
Alexander Hamilton just sighs when he sees megan Hensley and mika benes, good gravy.
Posted by: narcisocenfl | March 16, 2018 at 10:07 AM
RG, did you see the whupping Buffalo laid on Arizona?
I have to admit that the first day went better than I expected. I particularly liked Charles Barkley brutalizing Kellogg for losing a game of horse or whatever to [Redacted for Lent] Curious, stating a man of his ability should destroy some high school bench warmer. I completely agree with that and just shook my head when I heard it the first time. Kellogg's man card should be revoked for that.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 01:00 AM
Ha !!!
I did watch some of that game and was amazed. But no, CH, I did not see that Barkley episode. I suspect Clark "allowed" the victory in order to be gracious to the President. I think it's still hard for some of y'all to quite grasp the position Barack Obama held as POTUS, yes, but another position appointed only by Black Americans. This is not a small point, not small at all.
Obama was somewhat analogous to the King of Wakanda. That is why the deep-down disappointment, one that cannot be stated in mixed company and rarely acknowledged within the fraternity, allows for such visceral hatred of Donald Trump.
The objective compare-and-contrast is just too subjectively painful.
* * *
And I see the nattering nabobs of the Ledge have been busy.
I'll deal with y'all in a minute or three.
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 10:08 AM
Over in the UK between Westminster and this fustercluck in Salisbury, they are clearing a path for red corbyn.
Posted by: narcisocenfl | March 16, 2018 at 10:10 AM
Is this the Gloom+Doom™ thread?
Posted by: Beasts of England | March 16, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Yes.
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 10:12 AM
Honestly rowan pope could clean this up in an afternoon.
Posted by: narcisocenfl | March 16, 2018 at 10:12 AM
RG "I'll deal with y'all in a minute or three."
RG, it's like that old joke about the guy being guided through some deep dark prison where the inmates are chained to the stone walls and had obviously been chained thus for a long time. When the guest and the guide emerged into the daylight, the guest asked "what was with a prisoner shouting out a number and then all the others laughed themselves silly?"
Oh that. They have told the same jokes so often that they finally just numbered them to make it easier...
So fire away at the Ledge, RG. Or just shout a number if you like.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 10:14 AM
Beasts "Is this the Gloom+Doom™ thread?"
Naw. Just same old same old until something changes.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 10:16 AM
OL,
The engineering answer is that it was designed as an ABC method bridge and not to fail. If it was designed to incorporate temporary stability supports, then that is a constrution failure by the contractor. I'll bet it was designed without temporary supports.
Look at large segmented concrete pre-stressed briges over long spans of rivers or roads or rail lines, they are launched one segment at a time without any support other than the terminal foundations. And once completed they then do the post-tensioning.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 16, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Hi, OL. Thanks for asking.
Seven years of remission ended as the NMO overcame the 1st level of defense that had been holding it at bay.
The good news is she is receiving daily IVs of Prednisone until Sunday when she will be able to leave the hospital and move on to a new regimen.
Other medications are available short of the atomic bomb defense of a complete cleansing of her blood.
She is comfortable, pain reduced, and Upstate Hospital in Syracuse as wonderful caregivers.
Today I will deliver a shopping bag of construction paper cards to her from students at her elementary school. Expect a fountain of tears.
Thank you for asking and thank you all for prayers and good wishes.
Posted by: sbwaters | March 16, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Re. the bridge: Was it the university who bought the bridge and hired the contractors?
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 10:18 AM
Life is grand - stop and smell the Azeleas. :)
Posted by: Beasts of England | March 16, 2018 at 10:19 AM
JIB, never asked but have been curious: What engineering discipline did you practice? Mech? Civil?
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 10:19 AM
We are alone with Trump as our only hope and like MM, I am stunned at the personal price he is willing to pay to help us, especially if Mueller is now loose inside Trump Central.
The minute there was a Mueller, it was a foregone conclusion he was going to be "loose in Trump Central." Any plausible payoffs to facilitate any plausible collusion scheme would be washed through Trump's business. See, as an example of this simple, basic, truth, the Clinton Foundation.
I know this will be triggering to the bulk of you, but try this link to leftyland if you dare:
https://www.emptywheel.net/2018/03/15/breaking-robert-mueller-would-be-fucking-stupid-if-he-didnt-subpoena-trump-organization/
Posted by: Appalled | March 16, 2018 at 10:20 AM
Given the Gator victory last night, and reflecting on the fact that from the 2006 tournament up to now, no basketball program in the entire NATION has won as many tournament games as the Mighty Gators, I'm ready to spank some azz this morning:
To start with . . . .
* * *
Please don't forget, ladies and gentlemen -- including those on the doubtful Ledge -- this very real possibility (probability?):
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
I do agree that it's almost TOO DELICIOUS to give credence. But . . . it's very clear to me sufficient people were sick and tired of the nonsense coming out of DC and the incredible consent to be bought off by foreign governments.
Until proven otherwise, I definitely believe in this sting operation. And it wasn't thought up by Trump -- he was recruited to be the Executioner, so to speak, of this brilliant plan.
He and his lieutenants, chiefly Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III, are executing it brilliantly and will deal with The Ye of Little Faith Ledge at the appropriate time.
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Rubio, as quoted by the local news broad, claims the cables were "left loose for some reason" and they were try to tighten them when it failed.
The machine that lifted the bridge in place supported it at roughly the 1/3 and the 2/3 locations before setting it on the permanent supports.
They certainly would have seen if the section had lost any upward camber as they removed the machine. If it was significant enough to have "loose" cables, the machine should have been left in place.
FTR, I don't trust the anchor baby.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 10:26 AM
...
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 10:28 AM
The minute there was a Mueller, it was a foregone conclusion he was going to be "loose in Trump Central."
I ain't no Constitutional scholar like Obama, but I don't see how these fishing expeditions, and the open-ended SC authorization, don't violate the 4th Amendment. Normally prosecutors need probable cause, and the scope of any warrant is limited to the specific crime alleged. There's a good reason for that. In this country we don't accept "If you're innocent you have nothing to worry about" as an excuse for the government invading every nook and cranny of your personal and professional life.
Posted by: jimmyk | March 16, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Thanks Jack.
I have done shorter bridges between office buildings and over streets, but they were all done from the start as non-suspension styles so ours were easy slide ins overnight. Only problem we ever had was when a truck struck one and the engineers had to come test & reset all the tension cables or some such.
I also co-chaired a task force which built a huge underground gym for a school designed with huge spans over the basketball courts but with a real grass playing field on the "roof". The real grass system required about 24" of gravel before the dirt and the Ginormous DC Region builder we used - not your worldwide ginormous guys - spent a lot of time with our engineers about how to safely place all that gravel which once in place would be a static load for which our truss system was designed, but the fear was the dynamic loads and machines needed while placing the stone and soil concerned us all. So to be safe we shored it all up from the inside.
And there ends any similar experience I have had. But as the resident worrier even with my partners, I seem to always be the what-if voice.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 10:30 AM
And speaking of Barry, the more things change...
http://www.diogenesmiddlefinger.com/2018/03/obama-pays-respect-to-stephen-hawking.html
...with picture of himself, natch.
Posted by: jimmyk | March 16, 2018 at 10:31 AM
Shhhh! Sessions is [] following the lead of his Chief Executive.
Posted by: henry | March 16, 2018 at 09:20 AM
Fixed It For You.
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 10:31 AM
RG, my online friend, I’d like nothing better than you being correct on this.
But this currently relies on a bunch of fairy tales coming true. Might it happen? Theoretically it could.
But we have lots and lots of real world experience telling us that this is exactly what it looks like - a political hit being done with the tacit support of lots and lots of people with power. They tend to succeed.
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 10:34 AM
Fight for ISIS, get a lovely Swedish job.
Be a genuine refugee from Iran because you're a Christian and they not only won't let you have a job they'll probably jail and deport you back to the mullahs.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | March 16, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Everybody needs a desingated worrier, OL.
Posted by: clarice feldman | March 16, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Something obviously went wrong in the procedure they were performing, and I'm guessing some parameters were off, and they changed steps on the fly essentially. A gov't engineer should have been there to shut it down. Unbelievable public was under the span.
Posted by: Skoot | March 16, 2018 at 10:35 AM
RG:
So when was this sting put into operation? It doesn't work unless Trump wins.
Posted by: Appalled | March 16, 2018 at 10:36 AM
Any plausible payoffs to facilitate any plausible collusion scheme would be washed through Trump's business.
Payoffs from Trump to Russia, you mean?
I wouldn't click on the link, but are you and your fellow drooling snuff-fantasizers imagining that Trump had to pay Russia to hack the DNC, or that Putin had to both hack the DNC and pay Trump some money in order to get him to... Do what? Lift sanctions?
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 10:37 AM
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/02/23/trump-pushes-allow-troops-carry-personal-weapons-bases.html
Posted by: clarice feldman | March 16, 2018 at 10:39 AM
I did watch some of that game and was amazed. But no, CH, I did not see that Barkley episode. I suspect Clark "allowed" the victory in order to be gracious to the President. I think it's still hard for some of y'all to quite grasp the position Barack Obama held as POTUS, yes, but another position appointed only by Black Americans. This is not a small point, not small at all.
Just as an FYI, I've been playing with the brothers on the playgrounds since the late 60s and specifically one that Kellogg used to play at when he was in high school in the mid to late 70s, although never when he was there. So I'm more aware than most of the high regard he was held in. Even though he wasn't there when I was there were still plenty of Div 1 players home for the summer and those were the highest level games I ever was involved with and I had to bring my A game every time I stepped on the court to hang with those guys and get some level of respect and not be humiliated.
So I'm more aware than most of what you're talking about but I think Barkely, in his own unique way, said something which ultimately needs to be understood if there's to be a level playing field among races.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 10:43 AM
King PD on the throne: Off with their heads.
- Migraine back bad, likely starting secondary protocol today. Damn F'ing tired of this.
- Russia needs to burn, turn the Ice to raging torrents washing the shizzle from the land. Salt the earth for good measure.
- Mealy mouthed Sessions better make an EXAMPLE of McCabe, lest he is next to get das boot where the sun don't shine. Not sure we know which end to kick though.
- Broward County Sheriff Israel needs to be re-assigned to the South Pole. PERMANENTLY.
- Whoever approved the plans for this Bridge to FIU needs to be hung by their toenails then drawn and quartered. People died due to incompetence.
- Term Limits for EVERYONE in government. No "golden parachutes" either, guilded cages are just fine.
Posted by: PDinDetroit | March 16, 2018 at 10:46 AM
Re. that sock site from Chitown?
First time I've seen "tactical socks". (Rolls eyes)
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 10:50 AM
King PD on the throne
Fiber and fluids!
And SM Tea!
Posted by: Ralph L | March 16, 2018 at 10:50 AM
Looks like the IG report due date slipped a month. (It's a trap)
Byron York @ByronYork
1h
Comey 'come out hot' bookselling extravaganza starts mid-April. Justice IG report on handling of Hillary Clinton case due roughly same time.
Posted by: henry | March 16, 2018 at 10:53 AM
NBC News @NBCNews
10m
BREAKING: Rep. Louise Slaughter has died after sustaining an injury in her Washington, DC residence last week, her chief of staff says. -
Posted by: henry | March 16, 2018 at 10:53 AM
Like John laroquette at the end of stripes?
At the end of the last episode of mcmafia, the more urbane cartel head invites the naive Russian born banker to his antibes digs where in a,backroom he has stressed up the thug that killed his uncle.
Posted by: narciso | March 16, 2018 at 10:53 AM
Since a bunch of you apparently didn't pay attention to the video I posted on the last thread, I want to re-emphasize that Devin Nunes said on Fox last night that they are getting lots of people with information. (These would be people at lower levels who know stuff about the surveillance that was going on, but were afraid that the evil people were going to win and so kept their heads down).
I hadn't considered a sting operation, but General Kelly was well-aware of what those slimeballs were capable of, so he might have planned something.
If, as I surmise, the Clinton/Obama crew were going to frame Trump and make an example of him after Hillary won (which they were all so sure about) then Trump and Kelly would have made sure that they had some sort of protection. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an affidavit in some courthouse detailing what they did, signed, dated and notarized.
Trump didn't go into this as same sort of wide-eyed naif. He has seen these democrats in operation his entire professional life. His hotels pick up all sorts of information and gossip. Why you guys think he doesn't know what he's doing with this stuff, I do not know.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 10:54 AM
Funny how that IG report just keeps slipping and slipping.
Almost as if this Obama-appointee IG is stringing us along.
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 10:56 AM
What sort of injury did Slaughter sustain? Anyone know?
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Another Bob,
Part One of the IG report already was released.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
17m17 minutes ago
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the brave troops lost in the helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border yesterday. Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 10:58 AM
Ext:
Answer to your question from the link. Either deal here with a mindset that does not accept Trump as an upstanding member of the community, or be forever curious:
Posted by: Appalled | March 16, 2018 at 10:59 AM
Clarice "Everybody needs a designated worrier, OL."
That is probably why I am also the Tax Matters Partner in our group, Clarice.
One Stop Worrying.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 10:59 AM
Slaughter apparently died of a concussion.
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 11:02 AM
Not even close to "catching-up status" yet, but I'm so sorry to hear of the health issues facing rse's brother and sbw's family member (better half?).
Prayers going out to both of you for a complete and speedy recovery for your families/loved ones.
_ _ _ _ _ _
I wish I didn't believe it deep in my heart, but I'm convinced the Mueller Special Counsel appointment is Version 2.0 of the Democrat's new Soft Coup software, wherein they create a 'scandal' out of thin air, that they then gin up into an (alleged) crime, allowing them to appoint their own Torquemada to destroy a Republican presidency.
Looks like it's working out for them exactly as planned so far.
I will welcome any outcome RG can envision . . . but I have *no faith* the (R)'s will do what needs to be done, or fight back in any substantive way.
Posted by: Michael (fpa P4F) | March 16, 2018 at 11:03 AM
The destruction of Trump has been underway for going on two years now. Trump voters already know its bullshit. Trump voters already know how corrupt Hillary and her swamp servants are. What difference has it made? The effort has already taken a toll of his presidency.
We all know the significant successes so far that Trump's MAGA agenda has accomplished. What exactly are these negative tolls you are referring to? Rasmussen has Trump at 47% approval rate of likely voters. That number has steadily increased over the months as more and more people 1) realize Trump's policies are working and 2) realize the Democrat accusations are bullshit.
Let me ask the question in another way. What aspects of the MAGA agenda has Trump not been able to accomplish or achieve progress on due to the Mueller investigation?
BTW Kellyann Conway confirmed my suspicion I brought up yesterday about the reports Mueller subpoenaed Trump's financial records. That was another case of Fake News. Think about it. Getting access to Trump's financial records to see if there were any transactions to/from Russian entities should have been one of the very first tasks of the Mueller investigation. That can't be construed as more proof Mueller is trying to destroy Trump because it is what any sensible investigator would do. Its already been reported on several times and Conway confirmed it again yesterday. The Trump lawyers are fully cooperating with Mueller and providing him with all the documentation he is asking for. They were doing this willingly without a subpoena in place. That tells me they know there isn't anything in Trump's financial records they need to worry about.
Posted by: Tom R | March 16, 2018 at 11:03 AM
What sort of injury did Slaughter sustain? Anyone know?
If God has a sense of humor it would be related to poorly fitting false teeth.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 11:04 AM
Appalled,
I am uninterested in lefty theories. Trump knew that the dems would be out to get him before he ever ran. He has operated in an envious, duplicitous democrat environment for 30 years. He's probably been under constant audit.
Anyone who thinks that those business records are going to reveal anything important is just dreaming. After the birth certificate controversy, I would bet cash money that Obama's IRS was sicced on him with orders to find something. They did not.
Now, I am done with you, and you are going to join jor and DuDa. Adios!
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 11:04 AM
Here's a more detailed account of what happened to Rep. Slaughter:
http://freebeacon.com/politics/congresswoman-louise-slaughter-passes-away/
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 11:07 AM
Thank you michael. I am waiting for news and my mom is bringing over my dad momentarily for us to watch so she can have her full attention on what the doctors say at the hospital.
Posted by: rse | March 16, 2018 at 11:09 AM
RG:
So when was this sting put into operation? It doesn't work unless Trump wins.
Posted by: Appalled | March 16, 2018 at 10:36 AM
Here is where you are (forgive me, Appalled, but I must take this shot) not surprisingly *very* wrong: it works just as well if Trump had lost but in a different avenue -- the lawfare avenue. One way or the other, this enterprise was going to be brought down. That's the beauty of this sting.
Think about it. Think long and hard about how a billionaire can pull off a lawfare job and patiently wait for the fruit to flower. Think of the national obsession of coverage as they try to frame Trump and bring down his empire, post-election, and he can show their duplicity. Y'all seriously underestimate (it seems to me) just how many people were, and are, sick and tired of these clowns.
He/Flynn baited them into violating his rights. Admiral Rogers was in place (along with others) and served as an absolute block on any attempt to bury their bad deeds. They were going to come to light, no doubt about it.
Bow down to the beauty of it all, Appalled. Because it is happening right now, and there isn't a damn thing they can do to block it -- even if they had won the election. Them winning would only have extended the fight but they essentially lost the war the very second the "true" Resistance decided enough was enough -- probably around the time of Benghazi.
It isn't by happenstance so many military folks have positions in the Trump Administration.
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 11:09 AM
Capn', poorly fitting BORROWED false teeth.
Posted by: GUS | March 16, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Presuming y'all know how to take a step back and think about things from a best-case-scenario and a worst-case-scenario (the Ledge seems to fixate on the worst-case) . . . you don't recruit Trump by showing him a plan that only works if you win the damn election. He has progeny to protect, remember? He has a sense of history and a substantial ego! You successfully recruit Trump when you show him a plan that works, win or lose.
* * *
That tells me they know there isn't anything in Trump's financial records they need to worry about.
Posted by: Tom R | March 16, 2018 at 11:03 AM
Exactly right.
* * *
Tom R, please stop, step back, and think about what you're saying. The above is simply gibberish.
The destruction of Trump has been underway for going on two years now. Trump voters already know its bullshit. Trump voters already know how corrupt Hillary and her swamp servants are. What difference has it made? The effort has already taken a toll of his presidency.
And despite the wishcasting of some on Twitter and here, the destruction continues with no sign of abating.
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 09:24 AM
Ummmmm . . . wut?
OL, "the destruction continues with no sign of abating." What freaking destruction, man? What "toll" has been exacted on this Administration?
This is where you people on the Ledge need to show your work. I know our adversary is fighting like hell to maintain their position, and I know y'all have been trying (for some weird ass reason) to force the Trump Admin to act in haste -- something that would *only* benefit the Deep State denizens who have gamed the system.
But, really, how has this Admin been substantively harmed? Delayed? Yes. Harmed? Hell no. Not even close.
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 11:19 AM
I have OL on the damn brain (wonder why?).
Another Bob, is what I meant.
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 11:21 AM
to force the Trump Admin to act in haste
not at all. Just waiting for the Trump admin to act at all before popping any champaign.
Posted by: henry | March 16, 2018 at 11:21 AM
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2018/03/16/flake-is-considering-challenging-trump-in-2020-n2461547
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 11:26 AM
That's news @ 11:26?
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM
In this country we don't accept "If you're innocent you have nothing to worry about" as an excuse for the government invading every nook and cranny of your personal and professional life.
Tell that to the OIG. They have no qualms about doing this (I was going to use more colorful language!).
Posted by: DrJ | March 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM
And getting back to the topic of this post . . . I hope y'all do see how this Peter Schweitzer book on John Kerry and Joe Biden, et al., fits with the whole theory, correct?
Presume Trump had *not* won, and was now in the middle of a battle to save his empire while the Deep State is trying to ruin him *and* his family.
He has Clinton Cash, a book that can't truly be attacked in court, and now this book outlining "highest bidder" nonsense. I'm sure they had a plan to expose these go-along-to-get-along judges that would be needed to ruin Trump. The national agitation would be enormous.
No, people. Had Trump lost the battle would have been seriously engaged from the outside. And it would have been a sight to behold. The Tea Party on steroids.
* * *
Okay, time to get ready to enjoy some more college basketball. Later, Gators.
Keep the faith, dammit !!!
Posted by: RattlerGator | March 16, 2018 at 11:31 AM
I know y'all have been trying (for some weird ass reason) to force the Trump Admin to act in haste
Manafort and Flynn, particularly the latter, have real current financial obligations in defending themselves for things they did in service to DJT. Every bit of their expenses were caused by Sessions recusing himself, which is constantly ignored by his defenders.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 16, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Next time I will wait until Sassehole announces, Ext.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 11:38 AM
I'd bet on him, too, TK. He's been doing some preening lately, with McCain no less.
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 11:43 AM
Captain Hate,
I don't ignore the recusal, but I don't understand how you think that Sessions could have investigated the campaign that he was a part of. There would have been howling 24/7 from the dems about that, and the charges of duplicity and corruption would have probably forced him out.
Who is that attorney outside of DC looking into the FISA court stuff? We haven't heard any more about that, either.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 11:43 AM
Ohio Student Suspended for Refusing to Leave Classroom During Gun Control Walkout
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 11:49 AM
https://saraacarter.com/explosive-text-messages-reveal-judge-in-flynn-case-was-friends-with-strzok/
Looks to me like the judge only recused himself after his friendship with Strzok was discovered by the IG.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 11:50 AM
Jeff Flake: “Republicans Need to Be More Accepting of Reality, Climate Change Is Real”
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 11:52 AM
Why do shitbirds like Flake try to make Republicans into Dems instead of just ending the charade and becoming Dems themselves?
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | March 16, 2018 at 11:54 AM
GOP senator says his party ‘might not deserve to lead’ considering how it has backed President Trump
Posted by: Extraneus | March 16, 2018 at 11:55 AM
If there is one talking point that I think should be denounced on a bipartisan basis, it is that if one has done nothing wrong, one has nothing to worry about. If Federales are on your case, whether you are Al Capone or Mother Teresa, you have plenty to worry about. The meme is usually used by those trying to intimidate defenders of an individual subject to politically motivated investigations (for example, those trying to deflect the analysis that Team Mueller is out of control and going beyond the reasonable scope of an investigation into whether Team Trump colluded with the Russkies to defeat The Hill).
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 16, 2018 at 11:55 AM
But, really, how has this Admin been substantively harmed? Delayed? Yes. Harmed? Hell no. Not even close.
I asked that same question already. Hopefully one of the Ledge dwellers will answer.
When I was in the Army I developed what I like to call a Bullshit Detector. This got a lot of use when dealing with soldiers on a day to day basis. It comes in handy outside the military as well. I freely admit confirmation bias might come into play but pretty much everything I read/see in the leftwing media about Trump causes my Bullshit Detector to trigger. What is said about Trump is not the normal kind of things that Democrats and Republicans have been saying about each other for decades. That kind of stuff is standard partisan politics and to be expected.
The behavior of the Democrats and leftwing media is well beyond standard partisan politics. The things being said about Trump by the Left rise to an unheard level of visceral contempt. To me it is coming across as the kind of behavior that you would expect from someone who realizes they are in extreme danger. In this case, the Democrat power structure realizes Trump could expose their deep criminal corruption and a significant chunk of their power structure could be destroyed.
Everything I read/see from the Democrats and leftwing media is triggering my Bullshit Detector and giving me the impression they are desperate and in a stage of extreme panic. They are slinging all kinds of bullshit out hoping some of it will stick.
Trump and his team on the other hand are behaving in a manner of complete confidence. Trump never allows the Left to gain the initiative against him. He is always on the offensive. This is easy to do when you know you aren't guilty of the things the unhinged Left are accusing you of.
I also think the fact that Trump has surrounded himself with military generals/admirals has created a situation that his political opponents, both the Democrats and the GOP Establishment don't know how to deal with. Trump's opponents are used to dealing with other politicians and lobbyists who can be bought off with political donations, quid pro quo deals etc. For the first time since Reagan we have a president and staff whose #1 value is patriotism and duty to their country. Trump's opponents are having fits trying to figure out how to defeat him knowing that his policies are having huge success. What does it say about Trump's opponents that they are actively trying to destroy someone who is bringing increased prosperity to millions upon millions of American citizens?
This is why I believe any attacks by Trump's opponents will eventually backfire and make him even stronger. Americans with common sense and integrity each have their own Bullshit Detector and smart enough to see thru the lies and deceit.
Posted by: Tom R | March 16, 2018 at 11:56 AM
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/03/academics_reeling_as_market_discipline_comes_to_the_university_of_wisconsin.html#.WqvmyQEL70m.twitter
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 11:56 AM
High Noon... Elmer sleeps.
Posted by: henry | March 16, 2018 at 11:59 AM
Steph
@steph93065
4m4 minutes ago
Trump told advisors yesterday Gen. Kelly is 100% safe.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 12:01 PM
Another Bob,
Just saw your Q. BS in Architectural Engineering, Msc. in Ops Research.
No design experience but construction in power, civil, transportation systems then into project management and project development. Did a number of segemented pre-stressed concrete spans an bridges but all were launched not ABC.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 16, 2018 at 12:04 PM
This is from a Washington Post reporter:
Josh Dawsey
Verified account @jdawsey1
2h2 hours ago
Senior White House person messages: "Something is going to happen today. I just don't think anyone knows what it is." Helpful but honest.
====================================
I hope people are wetting their pants all over DC.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 12:04 PM
Looks to me like the judge only recused himself after his friendship with Strzok was discovered by the IG.
That Sara Carter article should be clear evidence to everyone here that Trump, Sessions and everyone else involved are firmly in control of the situation. The Strzok text messages have been in the hands of the IG and who knows who else in the Trump administration for a couple of months now. They have had been intentionally sitting on this new information about Strzok being friends with GEN Flynn's judge for who knows how long. What we are seeing here is a controlled release of information favorable to Trump getting released in a strategic manner.
BTW I think it is safe to assume Mueller was aware of this information as well. It explains why he agreed to delay GEN Flynn's sentencing.
Posted by: Tom R | March 16, 2018 at 12:07 PM
ChiTownLurker points out to me that the judge in Sara Carter's article I posted above did not recuse himself; he "was recused."
ChiTown says that indicates someone removed him, and that someone would have been his boss, Chief Justice Roberts.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 12:08 PM
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/San-Diego-Police-Caught-on-Video-Posing-at-Border-Wall-Proto_San-Diego-477020253.html
I am neither glad nor gleefull about this.
But is it my worthy of my "normal railing against LE?"*
I'll give you a hint. I am also neither sad nore woeful about it.
*fake news.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 12:08 PM
...nor...
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 12:08 PM
Forgot to mention, that I am still scratching my head about "stress testing".
On what? It wasn't the cable stays since the pylon had not been erected yet. So, it must mean the pre-stressed cables in the concrete segments. And that is what you would expect after installation of the span and before erecting the pylon and setting the cables.
I still think it is a material failure: Concrete quality = Design psi versus as built psi. Would love to see the cylinder breaks and lab reports. While torquing the internal cables a poor quality concrete can fail.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 16, 2018 at 12:10 PM
"I asked that same question already. Hopefully one of the Ledge dwellers will answer."
Asked and answered a gazillion times. The simple passage of time without any visible evidence of a return to the "Rule of Law" and the resumption of "Equal Justice for All" following a prolonged period of the reverse which led to great personal wealth to the perpetrators thereof and well know damage to the security of the country also by the perpetrators thereof...inevitably leads others to do the same; for observers to believe there really are different rules for our betters; and to undermine the "peoples'" confidence in our entire system of government at the consent of the governed.
Secondly it dilutes the excitement of and for those who elected Trump as a MAGA agent of change when not even the most egregious of culprits suffer anything worse than being assigned to the HR department or some such.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 12:10 PM
More MAGA success.
http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/15/food-stamps-president-trump-drops/
Posted by: Tom R | March 16, 2018 at 12:11 PM
http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/company-behind-florida-bridge-that-collapsed-also-was-fined-by/article_9dcf1a9e-543e-54a4-84aa-bd87d3a18e2b.html
Hampton Roads bridge problem as well.
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 12:11 PM
Having had synonym issues myself, JIB, I think I may be over qualified to weigh in on the media's gobbledygook.
They are saying "stress testing" when there is no testing involved. If they were to say the normal stressing of the tension cables, they would be correct.
Of course this assumes the workers were up there doing anything at all.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 16, 2018 at 12:14 PM
TomR, RG, at this point, I don't know how to communicate with you on this topic. Have you not seen the time and energy that's been soaked up by this nonsense? You think that's all been free of charge? Ledge-dwellers are the ones that need to cite, chapter and verse, which specific parts of the agenda haven't been enacted because of it?
"Delayed not harmed"? This is politics - delayed *is* harmed. Political landscapes change. I'm not sold on blue wave in the midterms yet, but Team R has leaked seats, and at least Moore and Saccone were losers, despite overt Trump support. What proportion of D voters might have supported more of the Trump agenda (and Trump-supported candidates) had they not been swept up in the Trump=traitor crap?
We're supposed to believe that Flynn volunteered to be charged with crimes and bankrupted in order to make this happen? Same with Manafort (though he may be dirty in other ways).
Mr. Occam to the white courtesy phone.
"I will gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today." Well I want to see some of Wimpy's collateral first. Sessions may have a chance here with McCabe.
Tick tock.
Posted by: Another Bob | March 16, 2018 at 12:16 PM
Appalled thinks buried somewhere in Trump's business records is a line item that reads: Putin Bribes.
Ironically, I do believe that if the Deep State is brought down, it will be by following the money. Money from Russia (Uranium One), money from Ukraine, money from Saudi Arabia, money from Iran . . .
Ideology might motivate the Strzoks of the world, but money is what motivates the Clintons and the Flakes.
A thought just occurred to me out of the blue . . . One way to completely neutralize Mueller when the time is right is to have followed the money right into his bank account. It would make a great twist if we were living in a novel--a revelation that Putin has been paying Mueller to destroy Trump!
Posted by: derwill | March 16, 2018 at 12:18 PM
Drinks on me, A-Bob.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 12:18 PM
Thomas Wictor reminds us that the media has NO IDEA what's going on, and therefore, neither do we.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/974509829971615744.html
I look at results. I look at events. I look at my President, who seems to be calm and in control.
So, how many of you knew that the USS Jimmy Carter was out on a mission?
Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | March 16, 2018 at 12:24 PM
derwill, the one suggestion I made back on day one, accepting the inevitability of the SC to go after all things Trump, was for the recused AG to allow Rosenstein to run that one, but for the Loyal to Trump AG to run a second SC who would look into all crimes by Dems from Clinton & Obama on down. Let them run on parallel tracks.
Too late to do any good now, but it sure as hell would have been useful during the reign of Mueller.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 12:24 PM
To any business person for whom taxes are central to business concerns, the scariest thing about letting a SC run free in the records is some of the things they might creatively allege (dream up) can have the effect of reopening tax returns that have been closed to audit by the passage of time.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM