Joseph Mifsud, Maltese Man of Mystery

Right wing conspiracists are hanging their hat on Joseph Mifsud and I welcome the company! Eric Felten, writing for Real Clear Investigations, leads with the Cong. Jim Jordan questioning about Prof. Mifsud at the Mueller hearing, so let's include that video. From Mr. Felten, excerpting Jordan/Mueller:

“Did you interview Mifsud?”

“Can't get into that.”

“Is Mifsud Western intelligence or Russian intelligence?”

 “Can't get into that.”

That’s an awfully consequential question to be outside the special counsel’s purview, one consequential enough to be worth asking until an answer can be found.

Lee Smith, also writing for Real Clear Investigations, provided lots of background on Mifsud last May 2018. My fave from that article: Mifsud denies being an MI6 "agent", which fans of the genre (but not all legacy journalists) understand is quite different from being an MI6 "asset".

And the latest hook is the failure of Mueller to charge Mifsud with false statements, even though Mueller had no problem indicting unreachable Russians in Lenningrad and other Americans closer to home. Why so shy about the guy whose interactions with Papadopoluos ostensibly triggered Crossfire Hurricane? Who knows? One day Mifsud may be singing a song under the bright Congressional lights and we'll be reading about the Maltese Canary.

But do let me highlight a problem faced by Mueller and noted by Mr. Felten: charging both Papadopoulos and Mifsud with false statements may have been challenging:

Not so, said Mifsud in February 2017 when FBI agents interviewed him in the lobby of a Washington hotel. As Mueller recounted it in his report, Mifsud “denied that he had advance knowledge that Russia was in possession of emails damaging to candidate Clinton, stating that he and Papadopoulos had discussed cybersecurity and hacking as a larger issue and that Papadopoulos must have misunderstood their conversation.” The special counsel blamed Papadopoulos’ dissembling for disabling the FBI agents’ ability to get the goods on Mifsud: “The false information and omissions in Papadopoulos's January 2017 interview undermined investigators' ability to challenge Mifsud when he made these inaccurate statements.”

Maybe Mifsud was telling the truth. After all, the evidence to the contrary is supplied by someone who has done (a very little) time in jail for telling federal officials falsehoods. Which would at least explain why the special counsel did so little to pursue the professor. Having wrung a confession out of Papadopoulos for false statements about Mifsud, the special counsel’s team may have anticipated the difficulty they would face basing accusations against Mifsud on Papadopoulos’ say-so.

 

Comments

[anonamom]

Wow--I am actually watching CNN. Will wonders never cease?

So, did I miss the big release Joe D promised for today?

[Pinandpuller]

Those talking heads on Fox etc get scale at a minimum to appear, don’t they.

[Jane]

Gus,STOP EGGING Tom on.

[henry]

Why is there an EU style circle of stars over the stage?

[anonamom]

Bennett is out.
Inslee thinks climate change/clean energy is essential. "Vital question of our time."
Kirstin Gillibrand is about doing the impossible.

[Tom R]

Gus,STOP EGGING Tom on.

Since she has me on killfile, would someone who has a sense of decency point out to Jane that once again the problem maker here is Gus, not me?

[Narciso]

Jay Inslee was voted out in 94,,but like a chigger or barnacle he came back in 06, the they ran him for governor because they'll buy anything over there.

[JohnH]

Ex, a 100 calories of grapes or 100 calories of Oreos? A 100 calories of sugar free yogurt or 100 calories of added sugar yogurt? 100 calories of popcorn or 100 calories of bread?

I’m with ManTran, calories are a very poor method of deciding the value of what to eat. I’m a fan of Dr. David Ludwig and his book, Always Hungry.

[MissMarple3]

Critique on the debate from Twitter:

We’re only on the second opening statement and a piece of my soul and millions of brain cells have already died.

[Narciso]

The hippie star trek episode is on, I dont know wht the cult leaders got ears like union rings

[MissMarple3]

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump · 11m11 minutes ago

Experts stated that the Fed should not have tightened, and then waited too long to undo their mistake. James Bullard of St. Louis Fed said they waited too long to correct the mistake that they made last December. “Mistake, Powell cut rate and then he started talking.” @LouDobbs

[Narciso]

Ah no wonder its future Murdock from Rambo part 2

[Narciso]

Our hosts commentary:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Tom_Maguire/status/1156724050066063362

[Narciso]

Oh cruella deville endorsed Harris's plan.

[Narciso]

I think Tom Perez is charkes Napier without the cauliflower ears.

[Captain Hate]

DiGenova was just on Dobbs looking pretty forlorn.

He should be. His "friends" are playing him worse than Andy McCarthy. Maybe Ol' Yeller will take pity on him and start a credibility reclamation project but he's on a reverse Joe Dimaggio streak.

[Narciso]

And the weird get up but hes still that weird

[Narciso]

This time these no bachelorette to escape 2, on lu a swat rerun.

[jimmyk]

Let the states go after her for foundation fraud.

New York never will. Does any other state have jurisdiction?

[Buckeye]

Why is there an EU style circle of stars over the stage?

Because the hammer and sickle would be a dead giveaway.

[D]

I hope Hillary is prosecuted in New York or in Haiti for fraud.

[Narciso]

Interesting a James Rollins offering in paperback, crucible which is about a homicidal AI, eve, exposed to all those negative feeds like in that x files episode

[D]

Buckeye:
That comment is hilarious!
Harris is getting pummeled by all the other candidates.
Now immigration and the bleeding hearts are in full breast beating mode.

[Narciso]

Apparently Kamala was lying who knew.

[Narciso]

Well one of them is lying:

https://mobile.twitter.com/VaughnHillyard/status/1156726192143294466

[clarice]

jimmyk, A number of states and foreign governments.Charles Ortel's been writing about this for years.

[Another Bob]

So now it’s Comey who won’t be prosecuted?

Not good.

[Skoot]

Ex, The calorie per gram stuff comes from Atwater Storrs Ct 1900. Paper from Cambridge 50's describing the work
Here Also of interest is MN Starvation Experiment on caloric intake.

Biden muttering. Looks and sounds like a skeleton. Ugly.

[Narciso]

The result is a combination between poi samaritan and the strains second to last seasons sans vampires

[GUS]

Skoot, I've been saying it for a long time, Mel and I discussed it in person.

Biden has health issues related to his aneurysm,

[Pinandpuller]

Booker’s solution to detention: meet me in the handicapped stall.

[MissMarple3]

https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2019/07/31/cory-booker-the-person-who-is-enjoying-this-debate-most-right-now-is-donald-trump/

Link goes to Breitbart article.

[D]

Scoot:
He stumbles over his words but he is fighting back.
Biden schools Booker on Newark.
Booker mocks him about their records.

[D]

Kamala silent for over 10minutes

[MissMarple3]

https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-16-billion-to-baltimore-was-stolen-or-wasted-ask-elijah-cummings-where-it-went_3022553.html

[GUS]

Miss M.....$26,000 for each baby mama or baby daddy or baby in Baltimore

[D]

Harris on bussing now.
Playing the race card.
Out of arguments.
Eric Garner brought up and relitigated.
Avoided bussing question.

[Another Bob]

Funny from FBN’s Charles Payne:

“This is getting hot and heavy think anyone might slip and say: "Biden Crime Bill" Put a lot of brothers in jail while Trump Criminal Justice Bill getting a lot of brothers out?”

[D]

Says the truth is not true about her record as Attorney General.

[Another Bob]

Why is bussing coming up so much lately? Did the ‘70s call?

[D]

Another Bob:
Just told my husband the same thing you referenced from Charles Payne.

[D]

Harris on the run.
Facts are persistent things.
Tulsi Gabbard takes her out.
I think Harris might cry.

[GUS]

This FULL COMMIE CLOWN PARADE is scary.

These are adults.

[MissMarple3]

Host Don Lemon to Cory Booker: “You’ve been on my mind all week because I’ve been reading your book.”

Cory Booker: “You texted me about that!”... https://t.co/T5XyAPYOX4

— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) August 1, 2019

Well, isn't THAT interesting.

[GUS]

Hmmmmmm. We know that Dawn Le Moan is a gay man.
Hmmmmmm. And Cory Booker is ...........

[D]

Former HUD guy, the Hispanic finally calls President Trump a racist.
Everyone drink.

[MissMarple3]

GUS,

Yes, indeed!

Not only that, but according to Twitter, Lemon has referred to President Trump as "racist" twice.

[D]

Everyone thought Biden was going to be the target.
Guess again it was Harris.

[D]

Horowitz Preparing a damning report on Comey,
For lack of candor and leaking.

[Buckeye]

I'm not watching.

Anyone think Lemon has the mental prowess to host this debate? Any debate?

I didn't think so:)

[D]

Lemon is a goof, Buckeye.

[MissMarple3]

From ABC News Politics on Twitter:

Pressed on deportations under Obama, Joe Biden says, "I was vice president. I am not the president."

"You invoke Pres. Obama more than anybody in this campaign," Cory Booker responds. "You can't do it when it's convenient and then dodge it when it's not." http://abcn.ws/2K6jHEH

[MissMarple3]

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump · 2m2 minutes ago

The cages for kids were built by the Obama Administration in 2014. He had the policy of child separation. I ended it even as I realized that more families would then come to the Border! @CNN

[D]

Castro in charge during Flint fiasco.

[GUS]

Kameltoe crying??? Doesn't happen.

Do you think Willie Brown's wife cried, when she found out the Kameltoe was banging her husband??

[Melinda]

Trump donated to Kamala’s Senatorial re-election campaign in 2011 at the behest of Schneidermann? Proof that leaving the plantation will get you nowhere:

https://twitter.com/brookefoxnews/status/1156649358789632001?s=21

[Narciso]

These people are certifiable, this is beyond point 4 labour this is point 11.

[GUS]

I can't bare to look. Is Biden drooling?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

No, it's paste.

[Dave (in MA)]

https://pjmedia.com/trending/did-joe-biden-lose-the-debate-during-the-introductions-liberals-are-already-triggered/

[Another Bob]

I take it Tulsi dropped the Kamala oppo research file in real time?

[Captain Hate]

Kamala silent for over 10minutes

This is what happens when there are two new moons in one month.

[Captain Hate]

Sláinte

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1432/430291/

[Melinda]

Hahahahah!

https://twitter.com/jameshohmann/status/1156747054678499333?s=21

[Another Bob]

I gotta believe some dem powerbrokers are saying WTFF and will toss this crowd over the side and draft somebody.

Only question is who.

[Melinda]

ABob-

She’s rested and ready. (Almost said tan, there)

[GUS]

Missssscccchhhhhelle Obama ish jussshhht waiting.

[clarice]

Nytol.

[Another Bob]

Yep. Only problem is I don’t know what country I’d want to move to.

[Porchlight]

Yes, Tulsi swung at Kamala and didn't miss.

[Narciso]

It's too bad those Taiwanese animators arent still in business, it would be like kill bill volume 2

[D]

Porch:
Tulsi very effective
The fact that she did the reveal of Kamala’s Record left Harris stupefied.

[Melinda]

Porch-

Policy or “position”?

[GUS]

Her record??? Criminal???

[MissMarple3]

I think I will head to bed, too.

Good night, all!

[jim nj]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/germany-reminds-the-world-its-an-awful-ally

[Another Bob]

“No, it's paste.”

True Ig, but it’s too easy to focus on that and forget that he’s the most corrupt democrat in the field.

[peter]

I only caught about thirty seconds of the debate but what I did catch was apparently the moment of the night when Tulsi clocked Kamala with a haymaker. Tulsi has nicer hair too. Kamala's facial expression, that of a cornered cat, was not flattering. Been following on twitter. Our distinguished blog host has made some wry remarks.

[Narciso]

Indeed Peter, that's why I put up the link.

[Captain Hate]

Kabbalah isn't ready for prime time and probably never will be. Take a bow, Californicate; this is you!

[Narciso]

I also put the link to hans monke the fellow who's skeptical about papadop claims

[lurkersusie]

New

[President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA]

new?

[Texas Liberty Gal]

HEY - NEW THREAD Y'ALL!!!!

[GUS]

A-Bob, once again, it is very scary. Biden has enriched himself, and his kid so out in the open and so obviously. He's dirty and dumb as a bag of shit, yet NO ONE says or does anything. But if you look at the entire crew from the ISLAND of MISFIT COMMIES, they are ALL FREAKS. For the love of sweet Jesus, look at Buttplug and Beatoff. They are fruit boats. I mean they are goofy. Some of these clowns are just power hungry flops. Who the fuck is Cory Booker??? He's a fraud, and a dumb one. Anyone one of them who gets within 100 miles of being a normal human being, is shunned.

[jim nj]

https://amgreatness.com/2019/07/30/whos-using-baltimore/

Candase Owens

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Kamala silent for over 10minutes--

Perhaps she had something in her mouth.