Trial Of The Millenium

I'm not seriously expected to watch this, am I?

However, I am curious whether Chief Justice Roberts would endorse this view about Senate trials and super-subpoenas:

“With the backing of a subpoena authorized by the chief justice of the United States, you can end President Trump’s obstruction,” said Representative Zoe Lofgren of California, the first woman in history to speak on the Senate floor as an impeachment manager.

Awkward, since the role of the chief justice has been presented as ceremonial. If Roberts rules the motion for a subpoena to be in order does that mean that, if an executive privilege claim reaches the Supreme Court he has already taken a position?

Or... does it mean that the subpoena applies to a person but does not automatically over-ride all privilege claims? For example, suppose Rudy Giuliani is a subpoenaed Senate witness. I presume he could answer some questions, cite attorney-client on some, and perhaps his Fifth Amendment non-incrimination right on others. That would represent compliance with the subpoena, unless the Senate wanted to take his privilege claims to court and get a ruing that he is in contempt of the Senate for failing to answer some questions. I think.

I am highly confident that CJ Roberts does not intend to get sucked into this foodfight.

BONUS FANTASY: If there is a merciful G*d in Heaven, or if the showrunners and scriptwriters have some character, we will have a moment where Rudy is asked by one of the House managers if he is trying to show contempt for Congress. PLEASE, let Rudy channel his inner Mae West and reply, "Sir, I'm trying to hide it."

I should live so long.

 

Comments

[Melinda]

OK, I'll bite.

[henry]

It is of a piece with reading NYT.

[Melinda]

Looks a bit like a laser pointer.....

[MissMarple2]

What to Watch for in the Impeachment Trial

1. That exact time when Adam Schiff's eyeballs finally stop bugging out
2. Lindsey Graham signalling his confederates in the gallery by exclaiming "Well, I swan!"
3. A large package of documents delivered from the White House, collected by President Trump over the last 2 1/2 years.
4. The Iranian business partner of Senator Elizabeth Warren's son-in-law, offered asylum.

That is for this morning. :)

[Melinda]

Don't forget last night's email trove from a late filing FOIA.

[henry]

Miss M, 1 won't happen before the heat death of the universe.

[Extraneus]

I don't know if you guys discussed it, but this is an excellent piece by Paul Sperry:

Whistleblower Was Overheard in '17 Discussing With Ally How to Remove Trump

Two former co-workers said they overheard Ciaramella and Misko, close friends and Democrats held over from the Obama administration, discussing how to “take out,” or remove, the new president from office within days of Trump’s inauguration. These co-workers said the president’s controversial Ukraine phone call in July 2019 provided the pretext they and their Democratic allies had been looking for.

[MissMarple2]

Meanwhile, the President retweeted this interview posted by Warren Davidson of Ohio of Davidson with Stuart Varney. Video at the link, of course.

Honored to join @Varneyco this morning to talk about @realDonaldTrump's visit to #Davos and the thriving #US #economy. pic.twitter.com/FsikbU7DaB

— Warren Davidson (@WarrenDavidson) January 21, 2020

[Melinda]

Heheheheheheh.

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/cbs-early-exit-shows-decisions-networks-face-impeachment-68436498

CBS taps out....

[James D.]

I guess there are no editors for basic grammar at abcnews.go.com:

While Tuesday's session was historic, opening the third impeachment trial ever in the United States, it will still a while before the meat of the case was examined.

[MissMarple2]

Melinda,

It strikes me as odd that the network at which SUSAN RICE's husband has a high executive position is scolding CBS for their waning civic responsibility.

[Rocco]

Prayers for RSE and her family.

[James D.]

MM, it's a laugh that anyone anywhere in the MSM dares to mention civic responsibility, considering their behavior over the last 3+ years.

[GUS]

Has Feinstein brought forward a new rape victim yet?

[Rocco]

PLEASE, let Rudy channel his inner Mae West and reply, "Sir, I'm trying to hide it."

What are you trying to say TM?

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18108978/ns/politics-decision_08/t/rudy-giuliani-dress-will-voters-care/

[Melinda]

GUS-

NO SPOILERS!!!!!!

[Captain Hate]

CBS plans to be the last monkey standing. I like their chances.

[MissMarple2]

Mark R. Levin
@marklevinshow
·
1h
Aren’t senators offended by POS Nadler trashing them and their institution?

[GUS]

JamesD. The entire MFM is evil. There is no way around it. This entire episode is absurd, yet NOT a single MFM outlet has noticed.
It's not ignorance, it's evil.

[Captain Hate]

Then there's this

Just listening to the dipshits on FOX going on and on about witnesses is bizarre."

Their fundamental flaw is that they're accepting Adam Schiff's framing of the issue and then going on from there without questioning it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

You just put your finger on why I can't watch these shows because of my BP.
They do this EVERY TIME.
Posted by: JoeF. at January 22, 2020 10:43 AM (CqE5x)

[MissMarple2]

A candid moment with ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ as he departs the @WEF Conference in Davos. pic.twitter.com/Oxyl351QW9

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 22, 2020

Video at the link.

[henry]

re Levin on Nadler insulting the Senate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dy2fo6E_pI

[MissMarple2]

Captain Hate,

Steve Bannon said that Fox News (via Megyn Kelly) tried to kneecap Trump in the first debate. Since Ailes worked for Bush, Bannon figured it was a Bush deal.

[Jim Eagle]

henry,

LOL. Famous Animal House ROTC scene:)

[Captain Hate]

I hate to trash Ailes after the hit job Fox did on him but that might be true, keeping in mind I don't 100% defer to Bannon. Or anyone, to point out the obvious...

[MissMarple2]

Captain Hate,

I know. I was simply reporting what Bannon said.

[Rocco]

According to Conrad Black, the TDS started in 2000 when Trump called McCain and Bush, "stiffs." Seems petty to me but in retrospect, so doesn't McCain and Bush.

That doesn't contradict Bannon.

[MissMarple2]

Hillary Clinton
@HillaryClinton
· Jan 14
Russians appear to be re-running their 2016 hacking playbook, once again to benefit Donald Trump.

Will the media play along again?

Will the GOP open the door again?

Will the Russians help pick our POTUS again? https://nytimes.com/2020/01/13/us/
=========================================
Dan Bongino
@dbongino
·
2h
She really thinks you’re all morons. She is the ONLY candidate in the 2016 election who we KNOW colluded with foreigners, & Russian “sources,” to interfere in the election. She’s the most embarrassing political figure in American history. She’s a permanent stain on this country.

[MissMarple2]

Rocco,

Black might not have talked to Bannon about that, so both could be true.

[Captain Hate]

Maybe the UN needs a quick reminder that we don't answer to them. An eviction notice might work.

The U.N. called for an investigation by the U.S. into the alleged hacking of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' phone by an account linked to the Saudi crown prince.

[henry]

spin if anyone cares.

CNBC @CNBC
7m

LIVE: Senate Democrats speak on Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate

https://twitter.com/CNBC/status/1220013644143943680

[MissMarple2]

Schumer is on my radio and I cannot stand to listen to him.

Therefore, I will go do some laundry and come back after while.

[Captain Hate]

A judge in Michigan just refused to dismiss a Christian group's lawsuit against the SPLC for calling them a "hate group". So start your popcorn. (h/t Insty)
Posted by: Ian S. at January 22, 2020 11:06 AM (ZGrMX)

[MissMarple2]

THANK YOU @WEF! pic.twitter.com/rQWBqJy7za

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2020

Video at the link.

[anonamom]

I'm thinking a few more days of this, and John Robert will be in a fib too!

After presiding over the Senate trial until nearly 2 a.m., the chief justice will have to head to his day job later Wednesday, presiding over oral arguments at the Supreme Court at 10 a.m. before returning to the Senate chamber for another session starting at 1 p.m.

Or maybe he'll be the one who needs replacing??!

[Captain Hate]

The suit filed against HRC by Tulsi is quite the entertaining read. (pdf) https://bit.ly/2sRFKJu

"Tulsi Gabbard is running for President of the United States, a position Clinton has long coveted, but has not been able to attain."

LOL
Posted by: one of the quiet ones at January 22, 2020 11:12 AM (2GPSc)

[Rocco]

MissM,

I've always wondered why there was so much hatred for Trump. I was surprised to read that it was due to something so trivial compared to some of the dirty tricks politicians play on each other.

McCain and Bush, half of the Brobdingnagian, that Black described.

[anonamom]

That is for this morning. :)

Action starts at one.
They are supposed to attend to the business of their real jobs each morning.

[Melinda]

Things are moving quickly. Heshmat thread on all things Iranian in the US. And I do mean ALL:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1219979825969950720.html

Opening teaser?

Heshmat Alavi
@HeshmatAlavi
THREAD

1)
Shahab Dehghani, an Iranian student studying in Boston, was deported from the U.S. on Tuesday night.

A long list of Iran apologists/lobbyists, especially those with ties to Tehran’s DC-based lobby group @NIACouncil, began protesting.

Let’s take a closer look.

https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1219979825969950720

[Captain Hate]

HaHaHaHaHaHa HA! In the body of Tulsi's $50 mill lawsuit against GamGam: "Tulsi has not experienced, does not currently experience and does not expect to experience thoughts of suicide."
That's awesome!!
Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at January 22, 2020 11:27 AM (bWBdM)

[Melinda]

This probably should have been reviewed, earlier:

Mary Ellen Podmolik
@mepodmolik
Breaking: Emotional support animals would lose flying privileges under new proposed rules on service animals chicagotribune.com/business/ct-bi…

https://twitter.com/mepodmolik/status/1220017541927636997

[henry]

the butthurt continues.

Rep. Val Demings
@RepValDemings

The second article of impeachment was for obstruction of Congress: covering up witnesses and documents from the American people.

This morning the President not only confessed to it, he bragged about it:

"Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material."

https://twitter.com/RepValDemings/status/1220017702011535364

[John S]

It was reported on the radio as I was driving to work today that there is talk of a possible deal between Rs and Ds in the Senate to allow Bolton to testify in exchange for Hunter Biden. Has anyone else heard this?

[John S]

OK, I should have done a search first. The possible deal is all over the internets.

[hrtshpdbox]

Per that Paul Sperry article Ext cites above, there should be a military report somewhere noting Ciaramella's plans to target Trump dating back to Feb '17:

After Flynn briefed [the staff] about what ‘America first’ foreign policy means, Ciaramella turned to Misko and commented, ‘We need to take him out,’ ” the staffer recalled. “And Misko replied, ‘Yeah, we need to do everything we can to take out the president.’ “

Added the military detailee, who spoke on condition of anonymity: “By ‘taking him out,’ they meant removing him from office by any means necessary. They were triggered by Trump’s and Flynn’s vision for the world. This was the first ‘all hands’ [staff meeting] where they got to see Trump’s national security team, and they were huffing and puffing throughout the briefing any time Flynn said something they didn’t like about ‘America First.’ ”

He said he also overheard Ciaramella telling Misko, referring to Trump, ‘We can’t let him enact this foreign policy.’ “

Alarmed by their conversation, the military staffer immediately reported what he heard to his superiors.

[John S]

What would Bolton be able to say? That it was his understanding that the aid was held up until Ukraine agreed to investigate Biden? I doubt that he actually heard those words spoken by Trump, so he would be another one interpreting what went on.

[henry]

Is the tattler out of the brig yet?

[Neo]

(Kalamazoo, Michigan – January 15, 2020)—Today, the Honorable Paul L. Maloney, a federal judge sitting in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, denied motions to dismiss the federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) against Dana Nessel, the Attorney General of Michigan, and Agustin V. Arbulu, the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The lawsuit challenges the defendants’ policy directive to unlawfully target groups in Michigan designated by the radical, leftist Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as “hate” groups.

[anonamom]

John S, that witness scenario has been speculated about for a while.
Nothing documented that I've seen.
(nobody here knows Cocaine Mitch AFAIK or has hacked his cell phone)

[Rocco]

This isn't "Breaking," it's old but proof that David Kramer, McCains stooge, conspired with Ciaramella back in 2016.

https://compromisedfbibook.com/vault/

[Jane]

KK,

I've got another problem. My outdoor TV goes on, but won't go to where I click on cable. It sits on Roku, occasionally but nothing happens when I click it. Any ideas - or is it just cold?

[Neo]

A current executive order, requiring computers to have an operating system that is supported by the vendor, is causing nightmares for defense contractors.

[Melinda]

Replace the batteries in the remote, or warm them up.

[Buckeye]

Just listening to the dipshits on FOX going on and on about witnesses is bizarre.

What pissed me off is how FOX had Shifty's PowerPoints all cued up ready to play, and the timing was clearly coordinated.

Fuck them in particular.

[lyle]

I consider myself to possess a fairly large vocabulary but I had to look up ‘brobdingnagian.’ I’m sure I’m not alone in that should someone actually say the word out loud in the course of a normal conversation, I’d find a way to politely excuse myself from his/her presence.

Knowing that Trump called Bush, Gore et al “stiffs” brightens my day even more than the sun that’s shining in SV. Off to take Jazzy to the dog run area.

Good luck, rse.

[anonamom]

Can we watch on CSPAN? Don't give Fox the rating points.
If they are going to do that, watch MSNBC!

[Jane]

I'll try that Melinda, but why would they work at all?

[Melinda]

FOOL NELSON
@FOOL_NELSON
@DavidLaufmanLaw appears in every @realDonaldTrump hoax.

1. Exonerated @HillaryClinton of gross negligence

2. Interviewed the Primary Sub-source during the #RussiaHoax

3. Represented Monica McLean during the #KavanaughHoax

4. Advised Ciaramella to initiate the #UkraineHoax

https://twitter.com/FOOL_NELSON/status/1220026552404074498

And there's a new filing by Jessie Liu in the Flynn case, addressing documentary "omissions" from a Dec. 2019 filing.
https://twitter.com/big_cases/status/1220024629521195008

[Jane]

I've always wondered why there was so much hatred for Trump. I was surprised to read that it was due to something so trivial compared to some of the dirty tricks politicians play on each other.

Rocco,

I didn't see the explanation but I am convinced the issue is that Trump can see all the corruption in DC and is not a part of it. They are scared of being revealed and everything stems from that.

[Melinda]

Sometimes the power button gets veto power over all other buttons. I'm not an IR/digital converter injuneer.

[anonamom]

Sometimes my universal remote does not turn on the cable box, even though it should. So I get up and do it by hand!

[rich]

clinton really tweeted that out?

quick everyone let's make her president.

[Jane]

Didn't work Mel

[Melinda]

Hmmmmm. Sorry, Jane. I'll think about it....

[henry]

CNBC @CNBC
3m

Hunter Biden ordered to Arkansas court for paternity case, faces possible contempt action cnb.cx/30QcSOf

[MissMarple2]

Since The Fiasco, Day 2, starts at 1:00, I had better go out and get some EMERGENCY DOG TREATS.

Back in a bit.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
55m
“Not the Senate’s job to mop up the mess made in the House by the Democrats. Biden admitted that he went to Ukraine and did the Quid Pro Quo.” @SteveScalise
@FoxNews

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
52m
Heading back to Washington from @Davos, Switzerland. Very successful (for USA) trip!

[MissMarple2]

NOW off for the treats!

[lyle]

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/60f6d0522d2ee5d9dc650abe95f73bdfa392faa7a151ddf03339ef6de0e8090f.jpg

Test

[Old Lurker]

A-mom "Sometimes my universal remote does not turn on the cable box, even though it should. So I get up and do it by hand!"

But now all we have to do iuus call Man Tran.

[Another Bob]

“Emotional support animals would lose flying privileges”

Good.

If you’re too unstable to travel without an animal, you should stay home and get therapy.

[Melinda]

Here we go again......

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
@MishGEA
Just in Time! Lenders Seek Congressional Approval for No Income Mortgages

At the peak of every boom comes one final act of repetitive stupidity. This could be it.

moneymaven.io/mishtalk/econo…

https://twitter.com/MishGEA/status/1219909384060489728

[Melinda]

Want proof that some money managers are political and not fiduciary?

Peter Boockvar
@pboockvar
Who in their right mind is buying negative yielding bonds you ask? Americans, many I'm sure in their 401k, via the Vanguard Total International Bond ETF, ticker symbol BNDX. It's biggest holding is a German bund maturing on August 15th 2029 and currently yielding -.29%.

https://twitter.com/pboockvar/status/1219978519985500160

[Old Lurker]

The trick with those universal remotes is keeping all of the devices in sync on or off. Mine turns on say five boxes each time I hit POWER and that signals each box to flip its power switch the other way. The problem happens if, when turning off the system, I move the remote too soon so it does not send the IR signal to all the boxes. Then the next day, expecting to power them all on actually turns off the box or two that was still on from the night before. Then there is pure hell because each box has a different way of signalling that it is on or off. (Some have a red light that means "off" while others have a red light meaning "on".)

This is where my kids say "1% problems, Dad"...

[James D.]

Just in Time! Lenders Seek Congressional Approval for No Income Mortgages

I guess I'm dumb, because, were I a congressmen, my take on this would be: go ahead and make as many risk loans as you like, but we're not bailing you out again. You're not too big to fail.

Without the likelihood (guarantee, I suppose) of taxpayers covering their losses, banks wouldn't make loans that had a high probability of default.

[Tom R]

If Hunter Biden is forced to testify what's the over/under for the number of times he will invoke the 5th amendment to avoid self-incrimination? I don't expect him to answer any question that implicates him or any other Democrat of financially benefitting from quid pro quo deals with the previous Ukrainian government.

[Old Lurker]

James "Without the likelihood (guarantee, I suppose) of taxpayers covering their losses, banks wouldn't make loans that had a high probability of default."

Actually way before the taxpayers have to bail out the banks that made those loans, the real losers were the folks who bought the bonds secured by bundles of those bad loans. Do not let Mel or me start explaining derivatives, slices, tranches or credit insurance and reinsurance.

[henry]

Does the 5th Amendment apply to a civil suit?

[James D.]

OL, I'm guessing that buyers of those bonds don't have an easy way (or possibly any way?) of knowing exactly what the risk level of the mortgages backing them might be?

And that even if such information is available, it's probably not nearly as reliable as one might wish?

[John S]

Does anyone know of a good article dealing with Bolton, his likely knowledge of the Ukraine situation, and his attitude toward the whole thing?

[Narciso]

As best as one can ascertain

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/house/470803-official-testifies-that-bolton-had-one-on-one-meeting-with-trump-over-ukraine%3famp

[Old Lurker]

James, see Mel's above about who buys below zero bonds... Fact of the matter is that Mel could (if he did not have a life) drill into most such instruments and measure their risk, but normal humans could not possibly figure it out. And most normal humans don't even know that some kid behind the curtain at his fund is deciding for you anyway.

[henry]

So this is day one of "evidence" or the hearsay hour on infinite repeat? (kicks of at 1)

CNBC @CNBC
17m

The ground rules for Trump's impeachment trial were set in the middle of the night last night:
- 24 hours over 3 days for each side to make opening statements.
- 16 hours for senators' questions.
- 0 witnesses or additional evidence for now.

[Melinda]

I have a life? Why was I not told....

[henry]

Cspan feed

https://www.c-span.org/video/?468322-1/senate-impeachment-trial-day-3

[henry]

snakes?

Sixth Tone @SixthTone
32m

The #Wuhan #coronavirus most likely came from snakes, according to a paper published Wednesday in the Journal of Medical Virology.

A team of five Chinese researchers concluded that snakes are the "most probable wildlife animal reservoir" for the #2019nCoV

[John S]

Thanks Narciso

[Old Lurker]

Just as A-mom bemoans new docs for being taught to think in "populations" where she was trained to think in "this one patient", and when my first bank loan was granted by some old man who knew my family and had been to our house and knew what my grades were in college, these days, just as every person is but a blip in an EMR database, (old fashioned) measures of credit are but credit scores in some huge politically motivated database.

It all (always) comes down to personal responsibility for each decision and rejecting "because the machine said so" dodge.

[Narciso]

The times has a more over wrought story the same day.

[James D.]

It all (always) comes down to personal responsibility for each decision and rejecting "because the machine said so" dodge.

That train sailed a long time ago, OL, in pretty much every area, not just banking.

Unfortunately.

[Melinda]

How shocking....NOT:

Raheem Kassam
@RaheemKassam
Reporter asks if Dems are open to a witness exchange.

Schiff says no.

"Trials aren't trades for witnesses," he said when asked about Hunter Biden.

An admission that he only wants HIS witnesses, not ALL pertinent witnesses.

More: warroom.org/war-room-impea…

https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/1220041716440367104

[John S]

James D., "that train sailed" is the most succinct mixed metaphor I have ever seen. LOL. Well done.

[Narciso]

The boat sailed, sunk a d was tefloated

[Jane]

I don't why the r4epubs don't ask that Schiff be banned from the hearings as a fact witness.

[henry]

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
1m

One of the many great things about our just signed giant Trade Deal with China is that it will bring both the USA & China closer together in so many other ways. Terrific working with President Xi, a man who truly loves his country. Much more to come!

[henry]

Roberts is in the Senate...

[henry]

Thus prosperity.

MarketWatch @MarketWatch
20s

Share of union workers in the U.S. falls to a record low in 2019

[Melinda]

MiniMike moves his cash around:

https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/joseph-vazquez/2020/01/22/michael-bloomberg-shifts-massive-ad-campaign-support

[henry]

Melinda, MiniMike has Steyer envy?