A Big Deal

The NY Times on the FBI raid on Michael Cohen's office.

Ken White on What It Means:

The Very Big News of the day: FBI Agents raided the law office of Michael Cohen, President Trump's lawyer who was involved in payment of $130,000 to adult performer "Stormy Daniels" for a nondisclosure agreement.

Recently I've been listening to the Podcast "Slow Burn," about Watergate. There's a fascinating theme throughout it: when you're living a historical event, how do you know? How can you tell when a development is a Big Deal?

This is a big deal. It's very early on, but here's some things we can already tell.

Read it all! But his gist is that this sort of warrant and search is extraordinary, requires extensive DoJ review, and could never be the result of a whim and a rogue. That leads one to infer there is a convincing and important 'there' there.

That said, as Constitutional coups go, this better be convincing and important. The folks who see this as Trump versus the Washington Establishment (and they (we?) are mutinous and multitudinous) won't be impressed by a criminal referral related to campaign finance violations around a 12 year old dalliance with a stripper (Hold the front page - Trump cheats on his wives and is a general sleaze!).

And the energy with which Trump has been pursued contrasts starkly with the "See No Evil" approach taken to Hillary. With Trump's attorney under fire, let's hand the mic to Andrew McCarthy on the deference Obama's DoJ gave to Hillary's "attorney" Cheryl Mills, who was involved in the email debacle as Hillary's chief of staff, not her counsel. Whatever, right?

Ahh, the stock market is up this morning on easing of trade tensions, the Thunder finally clinched a playoff spot, and the scuffling Yankees take on the Red Sox tonight. Lots of good news imminent!

Comments

[jimmyk]

To repeat, on topic now:

Does Cohen have some kind of immediate redress on this action? Such as appealing to a higher court? I understand the 1st amendment says something about the right to "redress of grievances," not that the Constitution matters.

[henry]

So the big hurdle is getting a magistrate judge to issue a warrant. Is a magistrate judge restricted to parking tickets? Are they appointed by Obama? Do they fold like a cheap sit?*

* sorry TM, suitcase does not scan here. besides, only a cheap suit gets folded, not a good suit.

[rich]

>>>yes it's a frank castle morning of cynicism,

Posted by: narciso | April 10, 2018 at 10:09 AM<<<

ha ... we need to go frank castle on all their asses.

lets start with McTurtle and Ryan-the dumb and dumber of Congress.

[jimmyk]

Ahh, the stock market is up this morning on easing of trade tensions

No, no, the stock market is giddy at the prospect of a Trump impeachment!!! (/MSMspeak)

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Meanwhile....

ChiTown lurker points out that this morning Russia is in a mid-currency melt-down. Their bonds are suffering a run as well, spiking interest rates significantly higher.

He also asks "Say, are there any former bond traders in the Sec of Treasury's office? Asking for a friend...

He also says the ruble move is really quite stark today and says he is not joking.

[rich]

>>>But his gist is that this sort of warrant and search is extraordinary, requires extensive DoJ review, and could never be the result of a whim and a rogue.<<<

Sort of like the FISA process. There could never be any sort of abuse of that.

Trust them.

They know what is best for us and are going to give it to us good and hard.

[narciso]

the Epstein link re Edwin Wilson didn't attach

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/04/what-is-to-be-done-2-3.php

[clarice feldman]

"extensive DOJ review" uner the present set up? What are they smoking?

[clarice feldman]

jimmyk==I think Cohen could seek to have a judge take custody of the records and review them to determine which items are protected by atty-client or other privilege and keep those out of the prosecutor's hands.

[jimmyk]

Sort of like the FISA process. There could never be any sort of abuse of that.

Popehat is a NeverTrumper, is he not? Still, that's why I presumed Wray would have signed off, at least verbally. And if he wasn't informed he should be hopping mad now.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

clarice!!!

Alternative theory which just popped up! Could be an explanation, in which case 4d chess would be back in operation. Read the thread!

https://twitter.com/IWillRedPillU/status/983547265699676160

[RattlerGator]

People were *so* upset that there was no comments at all between 11:18 p.m. and 7:20 a.m. ???

Don't think I've ever seen that.

[clarice feldman]

MM, I think that's B.S.

[clarice feldman]

You blew up the IT, RG

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

RG,

It's because the site was down.

Read that thread I just posted. Down in the comments there is also a picture of Cohen meeting with Clinton in 2014 at one of those resort areas on the Arlantic coast.

What if COHEN was a plant? What if he was being used to frame Trump?

[jimmyk]

System was down, RG.

[Threadkiller]

I made it three tweets in, MM. I cannot stand the twit platform. Should I scroll to the end?

[Threadkiller]

Ahhh. Cohen is the black hat.

[sbw]

My view: I can’t know something until I know it.

[RattlerGator]

He still avoids my questions about how Flynn and Manafort being financially ruined is winning. I've only been asking that for at least two weeks and probably a lot longer.

Posted by: Captain Hate on the iPhone | April 09, 2018 at 10:15 PM

Are you addressing moi with this shot across the bow, kind sir? If so, I do believe I've stated that my working theory is: an effective sting is being pulled off. General Flynn, in service to Donald Trump (and the nation) is on point. In such a scenario, is General Flynn in any financial danger whatsoever?

I don't think so.

But the narrative of financial pain is essential to the sting and temporary strain may have to be endured for a loyal Soldier, Trump being something of a bumbling, stumbling, hound for the pu-tang is necessary for the sting, and Jeff Sessions being underestimated is definitely necessary for the sting.

As I've said, amidst all of this rank speculation . . . time will tell.

[Dave (in MA)]

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-homeland-security-adviser-bossert-resigning-white-house-says-2018-04-10

[rich]

it was all your fault RattlerGator.

Posted by: Threadkiller | April 10, 2018 at 10:36 AM

none hostage letter format-Cohen had the roll in the sack a decade or so ago and billed the Trump Campaign for the hush money.

[henry]

Its black hats all the way down TK. Except for the 4D white hats. And the real bad guys like Hillary and Obama will get squished any day now. Free Florida swampland with every purchase.

[maryrose]

Repeat:
There is no 4D Chess.
Get your heads in the game people.

[Dave (in MA)]

Would you believe 2D checkers?

[rich]

exactly maryrose.

they have chosen the hard way.

[Threadkiller]

I have theorized that Trump met with Muller to dish on Manafort because he wanted him to burn for putting the campaign in jeopardy. I guess a Cohen trophy on the white hat wall isn't a bridge too far.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

clarice,

It would make sense if my theory that they were trying to frame Trump for prosecution AFTER HILLARY WON was in operation.

I keep all options open in my mind, because all of this corruption and bad behavior started long before Trump made his announcement.

However, it IS just a theory.

[RattlerGator]

He could have been 1st because he was blackmailing Trump.

Posted by: Threadkiller | April 09, 2018 at 10:24 PM

Now you're just messing with me again, dammit. Trump is stupid enough to craft a winning plan that captures the Presidency but he turns himself over to this straight arrow Jeff Sessions from Bama who some insist is Elmer Fudd but wait, he is (in reality) the best blackmailer in the land ???

To hell with Barack Obama, was *your* fanciful behind born in Kenya !?!

[narciso]

top men always ready with a bludgeon,

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/republicans-are-worried-about-the-quality-of-their-senate-challengers

[Captain Hate on the iPhone]

Magic fairy dust isn't legal tender. He has very real legal bills.

[clarice feldman]

Best suggestion I've heard to date--Pardon every Mueller target.

[rich]

>>>Magic fairy dust isn't legal tender. He has very real legal bills.

Posted by: Captain Hate on the iPhone | April 10, 2018 at 10:46 AM<<<

exactly.

we're going to have to do this the hard way.

[Thomas Collins]

Re Red Pill's What Ifs: What if this is exactly what is staring us in the face, namely, an investigation into every nook and cranny of Trump and his business associates and family enabled, if not actively facilitated, by influential elements in DOJ, FBI and the intelligence communities, with the intent to eviscerate Trump's political support so that the 2016 election results can be reversed? What if even Trump appointees will ultimately have loyalty to their professional associates in DOJ, FBI and the intelligence communities? What if Trump, because he is an outsider, needs to rely on too many insiders for appointments? What if what seems obvious in regard to Flynn, namely, financial ruin, really is the case? What if the idea is to show those still supporting Trump that financial ruin, if not jail time, is also in the cards for them?

I could go on, but you get the idea.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.businessinsider.com/jack-dorsey-accounts-blocked-free-speech-minefield-2018-4

Dorsey personally involved in blocking accounts.

Given his lean towards Stalinism in articles he has recommended, I am not surprised.

[rich]

Posted by: narciso | April 10, 2018 at 10:46 AM

wonder what did the GOPe think was going to happen? they haven't done shit and the Gas Chamber of Crony Commerce would rather have more malleable cronies in the world's great deliberative body.

[henry]

Right TC, its a manure spreader, not a rose garden.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Thomas Collins,

That is one aspect which needs to be considered. If that IS what is going on, there should be evidence which will come to light.

Some of these people haven't been as cautious as they should have been on social media.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

When even Mirengoff is saying pardon Cohen and fire Rosenstein you've got a pretty free hand to do so.

And I think most of us realize this but can we please read this situation clearly?
This is a [so far] cold revolution, but Mueller, the GOPe and the Dems are not the revolutionaries. They are the Czar and Czarina and toadies like Jor and Ben are their courtesans.

And I'm wondering if the chessmasters will explain to us the 4D move if Mueller recommends impeachment of Trump. William of Occam weeps.

[rich]

>>>I could go on, but you get the idea.

Posted by: Thomas Collins | April 10, 2018 at 10:51 AM<<<

go on.

So the US Government can plot a coup, try to cover up said coup, and target anyone who dares speak out about it.

the hard way is the only thing they will understand. we kill enough of them, they'll stop.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

In this thread, as of May 3 there is a possibility that the SDNY could appoint an acting US attorney, which would include the possibility of Preet Bharara being appointed.

This is what happens when McConnell refuses to use the nuclear option.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Oops! Here is the link:

https://twitter.com/JoshMBlackman/status/983530333311262721

[Jim Eagle]

Remember an overnight thread a few back where the subject was sammiches?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5596307/People-roasting-New-York-Times-publishing-peanut-butter-PICKLE-sandwich-recipe.html

[Marlene]

Good Morning! I noticed in my perusal of the New England media that Gov.Charlie Baker is going to snub VP Pence,who is going to Boston for a fundraiser. I know "Tall Deval" is a huge RINO,but isn't that a bit disrespectful? Dave and TC,thoughts? What really frosts me is that not one Republican is supporting Trump. *crickets* Gov. Baker says he has "stuff" on his calendar that day.

[Old Lurker]

Jimmy "Does Cohen have some kind of immediate redress on this action?"

Or in the alternative, do any of his non-Trump clients have any standing to object to feds pawing through their own attorney-client files looking for dirt on Trump?

[James D.]

What if even Trump appointees will ultimately have loyalty to their professional associates in DOJ, FBI and the intelligence communities? What if Trump, because he is an outsider, needs to rely on too many insiders for appointments?

This is why I can't buy the 4D chess, sting options. I don't think there is anyone, outside of a tiny handful of people, with the slightest loyalty to President Trump (or, for that matter, loyalty to the rule of law or the Constitution or even basic decency) anywhere at DoJ, FBI or anywhere else in the intelligence community.

I think it's likely that Sessions is exactly what he appears to be - asleep at the switch, deferential to law enforcement and prosecutors to a fault, etc - and also that, pathetic as that is, he was still likely the least bad AG that President Trump could have gotten confirmed by the Senate, given McTurtle's glacial pace, willingness to allow Democrat sabotage, and general GOPe leanings.

[Dave (in MA)]

I guess they get Showtime at the loony bin.

[Buckeye]

So Xi is caving and the Roooski bond market is in the toilet.

All because Trump is an idiot.

Kinda stupid I like.

[squaredance]

TC is of course quite right.

We are very close indeed to a functional coup. It is pretty obvious that Trump cannot reply on either the rule of law or the GOP. It is equally clear that the norms that we have relied on for generation now no longer apply. The LEft has really gone off the deep end.

He has an extremely tough rode ahead of him.

The silence of the GOP this Am is deafening.

I imagine that we should prepare ourselves for the very real possibility that the Deep State will manufacture evidence now.

It is really astounding: A sitting president has his Lawyers office raided by holdovers from the last administration, and doing so, evidently, with a winking nod from his own party.

It will be very hard to put the toothpaste in the tube now.

I said once before that we were moving to a Latin America Model, and so we are.

A shameful day for the Republic.

Trump has his work cut out for him. Personally, I think he has to do something decisive--he cannot let this just go through the "process".

He really has to find a way now to pull the plug on this soon.

What is so sad is that he otherwise is doing so well.

Does the electorate really understand what has just happened?
If we could ever pull off a national strike, now would be the time to do it.

[Old Lurker]

MM " there should be evidence which will come to light."

Better be about it.

[RattlerGator]

Levin also said that it's time for his 30 year friend, Sessions, to step down. I'm sure if Ol' Yeller listened to RG's pie in the sky garbage he'd be screaming within 30 seconds.

Posted by: Captain Hate | April 10, 2018 at 07:37 AM

The hubris is breathtaking -- I mean, Donald Trump needs help and encouragement on when to fire someone?

I don't thinks so.

[Old Lurker]

On the grounds that the entire judicial and investigative branch of the federal government has turned against the Constitution, declare Martial Law then let the Military Courts run it all for a year or two.

Ducking.

[Captain Hate]

What is so sad is that he otherwise is doing so well.

That is nothing short of amazing because this coup was put in place to keep that from happening with the complicity of the Vichy Repukes, every fucking one of whom have to go.

[rich]

>>>Does the electorate really understand what has just happened?<<<

No.

All of the 4D chess theorizing make that obvious.

[Appalled]

I tend to agree with Maguire's take here. I don't assume that this is definitely deep state overreach, but Trump lives bigly in the heads of many in the Justice Department, and makes them forget that even Trumpites have Constitutional Rights.

In other words, yes, I could see that this could be just a big Stormy Daniels investigation...And both my serious and my funny side is frightened by that.

[jimmyk]

I’ve actually been enjoying Homeland. Despite the President being a Hillary stand-in, and the bad guys being the Russians, the plot is really about an effort to bring down a duly elected President with fake charges. I suspect many watching will make the connection to what is happening now, even if that’s not the intent of the writers.

[rich]

Captain Hate-

know that you steer clear of the hop bombs, but was working on these

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/260041/

last night when I could spin up KJOM.

henry-

did you take any of the recommendations or go with a local selection?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Trump is not without allies, even if they aren't sitting in the DOJ.

I wonder how much information MbS got out of that weasel Arab prince? What information does Bibi have?

I also find it interesting that the French guy, Macron, is coming for a State Diner while the Brits are nowhere to be seen.

Also, the Q boards have brought up the interesting fact that JFK, Jr. was a personal friend of Trump's and visited at Mar-a-Lago. Strong hints there that his plane was brought down by sabotage of the GPS, with Hillary being implicated.

I don't normally touch that stuff, but I had forgotten about JFK Jr. being a friend, so it caught my eye.

And they wonder why we can never get people to run for public office....

[RattlerGator]

The FBI should be investigating Stormy for extortion. I didn't realize until recently that the payoff was right before the election.

Posted by: Ralph L | April 10, 2018 at 08:16 AM

I'm not buying the Cohen did the nasty with Stormy thing and as a slave to my theory, here's why.

What if Stormy is part of the sting? You have noticed, haven't you, that she hasn't hurt Trump at all with her media plays. I mean, not one little bit. And $130,000 to play a useful role matches up nicely with baiting these idiots who desperately need to believe Trump is an ogre.

Again . . . don't y'all see how this works? Don't y'all see how *any* of this works !?!

[Texas Liberty Gal]

Best suggestion I've heard to date--Pardon every Mueller target.

Mirengoff suggests firing Rosenstein

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/04/a-couple-of-things-that-might-be-done.php

[Buckeye]

On the grounds that the entire judicial and investigative branch of the federal government has turned against the Constitution, declare Martial Law then let the Military Courts run it all for a year or two.

OK by me. Preferable to bloodshed.

[Dave (in MA)]

Marlene, this crap web platform keeps swallowing my reply, but I think Tall Deval Baker doesn't want to risk having photos of him and Trump's VP that can be used against him in his reelection campaign in this moonbat state.

[rich]

Posted by: Appalled | April 10, 2018 at 11:14 AM

>>>I tend to agree with Maguire's take here. I don't assume that this is definitely deep state overreach...<<<

"That leads one to infer there is a convincing and important 'there' there."

good grief?

... please tell my you have more than a stripper and campaign finance violations ...

[Appalled]

Buckeye:

If you want to get people like me on the streets, start imposing that martial law crud...

(In other words, martial law won't spare bloodshed. It will cause it.)

[rich]

>>>Again . . . don't y'all see how this works? Don't y'all see how *any* of this works !?!

Posted by: RattlerGator | April 10, 2018 at 11:19 AM<<<

good grief?

is it too earlier for me to crack open some of my strategic reserves

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/291222/

and really unload here.

[Captain Hate]

Stepping down doesn't mean being fired. Hubris would be more accurately applied to Sessions thinking he's up to the job when he is letting the nation be undermined by his inaction in reining in Mueller and Rosenstein. I took Trump at his word when he expressed frustration at Sessions yesterday which I don't think you've mentioned.

We seem to be talking past each other and I find your unflagging optimism infuriating because I don't think it's based on real world events. If you're right I'll gladly admit it after it happens because it means the country is better off and everyone benefits.

[Dave (in MA)]

* Happy Birthday to Stephanie *

[Old Lurker]

More seriously than my suggest io Martial Law and expanding Gitmo, the Shock and Awe I really would like to see involves:

The immediate release of the DoJ IG's report in it's entirety. Flood the zone with it all.

Based on what has to be in there, declare the sale of Uranium One to be a national security travesty and commence immediate no-holds-barred criminal investigations into EVERYBODY associated with that, including Robert Mueller, Esq.

Based on what has to be in there, declare the Clinton Foundation to be the criminal enterprise we know it to be and launch a no-holds-barred Mob like, even RICO takedown of every principal and every law firm associated with it.

Based on what has to be in there, declare the soft coup organized by Obama and Clinton to be the worst sort of Sedition-Treason imaginable under our constitution and launch, you know the drill from above.

Declare, based on all of the above, the travesty of justice that has been unleashed on all Mueller targets to be completely tainted, pardon all of them, and invite all of them to apply for Federal compensation for the legal fees they incurred.

This is all part of the ongoing Criminal Conspiracy underway since the Clinton WH and I would suspend SoL's on the basis that it is ongoing still, and RICO in nature.

Why not?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Alireza Nader
‏ @AlirezaNader
51m51 minutes ago

Iran’s Parliament thrown into chaos as Central Bank chief addresses Iran’s currency crisis. Regime elite under immense pressure turn against each other.
Mehrzad Kohanrouz

https://twitter.com/AlirezaNader/status/983715354475102208

Video of chaos in Iranian parliament at the link.

[Dave (in MA)]

David Burge@iowahawkblog
Mark Zuckerberg to be grilled by the only people in 
America worse than Mark Zuckerberg

[rich]

Posted by: Miss Marple the Deplorable | April 10, 2018 at 11:17 AM

his list of allies gets thinner by the day.

"I wonder how much information MbS got out of that weasel Arab prince? What information does Bibi have?

I also find it interesting that the French guy, Macron, is coming for a State Diner while the Brits are nowhere to be seen."

How much of it would be true or in our best interest? It is a sad commentary on the US that we would have to hope that an absolute monarchy and parliamentary democracy thousands of miles away would pull us from the brink. Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

[Old Lurker]

"Mark Zuckerberg to be grilled by the only people in America worse than Mark Zuckerberg"

None of whom are under oath for anything they say.

[Thomas Collins]

Marlene, I think it's a combination of what Dave (in MA) said mixed with Baker's disdain toward the conservative side of the GOP. If it were VP Kasich or VP Jeb, Baker would be front and center at the event.

[squaredance]

Remember, the Zuck will be giving data to the Dems under the table this Fall.

This is worse than a dog and pony show.

The corruption is so very deep--really at the deepest spiritual level.

What galls me is that the GOP does not hour push all this nonsense it the electorate's face.

[Sue]

is it too earlier for me to crack open some of my strategic reserves

No.

[Captain Hate]

Also, the Q boards have brought up the interesting fact that JFK, Jr. was a personal friend of Trump's and visited at Mar-a-Lago. Strong hints there that his plane was brought down by sabotage of the GPS, with Hillary being implicated.

Oh for God's sake, he crashed his plane because he was a terrible pilot, not unlike how his idiot father got a PT boat cut in half by a much less maneuverable destroyer; like a Ferrari losing to a Chrysler Imperial. That sounds like something that idiot Mike Barnicle would say.

[clarice feldman]

Think about it--run on the banks in Iran; ruble crashing; US markets up.China relents on car tariffs. War by other means.

[RattlerGator]

Finally caught up. One last series of comments, though.

[Sue]

Oh for God's sake, he crashed his plane because he was a terrible pilot

He was an inexperienced IFR pilot. Had no business flying with instruments.

[boris]

I find your unflagging optimism infuriating

I don't.

If doomers want to gloom that's their business. Sure, take a position and defend it, but the apparent inclination to inflict it on others should be resisted.

The optimists want to cheer people up.

The doomers want to make them cry.

Not the same thing.

[Threadkiller]

Again . . . don't y'all see how this works? Don't y'all see how *any* of this works !?!

I see exactly how this works and your 11:19 is a perfect example. Because Stormy's sabatoge failed to produce a negative against Trump it gets 4D repackaged as a planned positive for Trump.

This is why "wait and see" is the war cry. There is no actual claim staking. When something good finally happens nobody will remember what exactly we were told was going to happen leaving a false platform for the 4Ders make the pronouncement: "TOLD YOU SO!"

[Jane]

Marlene,

I texted you and it didn't go thru. Wondering if you are all booked up this week.

That's disgusting about Baker.So glad I don't live there anymore.

Clarice - pardoning everyone is ok with me and so is Dershowitz, altho I put him in Rosenstien's place.

[Sue]

God, I feel like Alice...I agree with TK. Down the rabbit hole....

[rich]

Posted by: Sue | April 10, 2018 at 11:41 AM

thanks Sue for the vote.

unfortunately I do have to go to work.

[Captain Hate]

rich, they hop American Pale Ales so prodigiously lately that I don't know how they distinguish them from IPAs. Some of the hops, like citra, have a pleasant enough flavor that I enjoy them.

[Sue]

Well, postpone it then, Rich.

[Threadkiller]

Sue.... you and I could make sweet music in a different life. I have always felt that way.

:-)

[Jane]

OL - I'm in! Completely!

[Buckeye]

If you want to get people like me on the streets, start imposing that martial law crud...

So will you be armed Appalled? Any idea who you want to shoot at?

[jimmyk]

The optimists want to cheer people up.

The doomers want to make them cry.

Not the same thing.

I don't need to be cheered up or made to cry, I just want sensible analysis based on known facts and evidence. Not zany speculation based on unicorn farts, which happens on both sides, incidentally.

[Sue]

Why are they not releasing the IG's report?

[Dave (in MA)]

Dennis Miller✔@DennisDMZ
ObviouslyTrump is a Russian Agent. Sent to a Soviet Front 
military school in US and then from age 18 on chasing tail 
while becoming the quintessential capitalist billionaire. 
All for that moment at age 70 when Putin flipped the Red Queen 
and activated the Ghost in the Machine.

[Sue]

Any idea who you want to shoot at?

I have a couple of people in mind. ::grin::

[rich]

Posted by: Sue | April 10, 2018 at 11:53 AM

just spitting mad today Sue.

[JimNorCal]

Ken S 11:24 "Basing persecution of a sitting President on his sexual dalliances?"

Yes, if the "dalliance" occurs while in office it's fair game. If it involved accusation of rape, even if not as President but as an elected official (say, Governor of a state), yes, fair game.

Good point.

[boris]

"I just want sensible analysis based on known facts and evidence"

And I am okay with people expressing opinions that might contain speculation including wishful thinking and doom glooming.

[Captain Hate]

Yes, jimmyk, I want the truth which I can handle no matter how bad it may appear. I can readily admit that we're in a much better place right now than if 11/8/16 had gone a different way, but that doesn't mean that the will of the people hasn't been pushed back against every day since then.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Well, all of you who are so sure about JFK's piloting skills, tell me how you know this? If it is from a newspaper or TV outlet, why would they be accurate?

When I speculate or use dubious sources, at least I SAY so and with the caveat that the source may be iffy or it is my speculation.

All of you gloomy people do the same damn thing only you state your opinions as facts and then say they the optimists are dealing in unicorns.

[henry]

Rich, the closer beer store had Hop Hunter, not Hop Bullet so that is what I went with... then saw the Dogfish in a separate cooler by the door. Next time ;) I also had some Founders Imperial Stout. Selection is variable across local beer stores... I need to plan better.

[Buckeye]

Not zany speculation based on unicorn farts, which happens on both sides, incidentally.

A well honed skill I will have you know!

And I am not talking about speculation:)