Friday, March 31, 2017
FBI CONFIRMS EXTENDING RUSSIA PROBE TO EARLIER IN 2016
CBS said that the FBI has agents active in London ,New York and Washington researching when Trump associates linked up with Russian agents. Also the CIA and NSA have agents inside Russia working on this.
REMEMBER APRIL 15 IS TAX MARCH DAY
The organizers claim this is in response to Trump saying no one is interested in him releasing his taxes.
OBAMA OFFICIALS GAVE SENATE INTEL LIST OF DOCUMENTS ON RUSSIA PROBE
They gave the committee a list of numbers for the documents so they wouldn't get lost in the Trump administration. The numbers weren't classified.
MICHAEL STEELE SAYS TRUMP WILL NOT FINISH OUT HIS TERM.
The former RNC chair has told his clients to establish ties with Mike Pence.
SENATE INTEL CMTE TURNS DOWN FLYNN IMMUNITY OFFER
Today Josh Marshall publishes his third installment on Gravity is Strong. Josh does a sober take on what went on in the Nunes incident and how a Flynn protege probably broke the law.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
PALMER REPORT AND LOUISE MENSCH CLAIM TRUMP CONSIDERING RESIGNING.
Both sources claim there are two independent reporters who have been told by at least two White House Sources that Trump is weighing options. One of them is to resign if Flynn gets immunity and testifies.
The whole Nunes charade appears to be Bannon trying to reverse engineer reports to show Trump was sort of right about Obama surveilling him. According to national security types, WH staff requested intelligence from the intelligence community and then requested the Trump transition materials and requested names by unmasked. These then were given to Nunes as evidence Trump was right--his team and Trump were being watched.
But the cat is out of the bag because the New York Times and the Washington Post nailed at least 3 WH aides having met with Nunes and given him material. Of course this is all illegal.
The Senate intelligence committee has requested the White House bring them these materials, rather than accepting the invitation to go to the White House.
This was started off immediately after Trump had tweeted that Obama surveilled him and to expect some interesting things in two weeks--which is today. A little foreshadowing like Roger Stone giving a heads up about the Wikileaks leaks about Podesta two weeks before it happened.
Unfortunately,Trump is in a different position now and is fairly ignorant that process has legal ramifications. Today's events clearly show a White House in disarray and Bannon lashing out so the Russia inquiries don't get anymore traction.
The whole Nunes charade appears to be Bannon trying to reverse engineer reports to show Trump was sort of right about Obama surveilling him. According to national security types, WH staff requested intelligence from the intelligence community and then requested the Trump transition materials and requested names by unmasked. These then were given to Nunes as evidence Trump was right--his team and Trump were being watched.
But the cat is out of the bag because the New York Times and the Washington Post nailed at least 3 WH aides having met with Nunes and given him material. Of course this is all illegal.
The Senate intelligence committee has requested the White House bring them these materials, rather than accepting the invitation to go to the White House.
This was started off immediately after Trump had tweeted that Obama surveilled him and to expect some interesting things in two weeks--which is today. A little foreshadowing like Roger Stone giving a heads up about the Wikileaks leaks about Podesta two weeks before it happened.
Unfortunately,Trump is in a different position now and is fairly ignorant that process has legal ramifications. Today's events clearly show a White House in disarray and Bannon lashing out so the Russia inquiries don't get anymore traction.
NOW WASHINGTON POST SAYS THREE WH PEOPLE GAVES NUNES INFO.
Rick Tyler said that Steve Bannon is behind this effort at political pushback against the Russia story.
TRUMP'S EPA RELEASES PRESS INFO BLASTING HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER
It leads with "Trump recklessly disregards the science of climate change and endangers the environment." Of course, these were statements issued by Senate Democrats. The EPA walked it back after a couple of hours and apologized.Who is running the zoo?
RUBIO ADMITS RUSSIAN HACKERS TRIED TO HACK HIS STAFF TWICE
Rubio made this comment during Clint Watts testimony that Russia tried to interfere in the primaries. Rubio admitted his president campaign staff had been cyberattacked twice and that even yesterday there was another attempt.
REMEMBER MARCH FOR SCIENCE APRIL 22
Bill Nye,the science guy will be our co-chair here in Washington,D.C. Look up marches for science in your states. If you can't find one, then look up Empiricists March.I already have my march t-shirt.
CNN: NUNES SAYS FLYNN DIDN'T ASK FOR IMMUNITY.
And then there is this. Flynn's lawyer sent a letter to the committees and FBI saying "After a distinguished career,there has been alot of nonsense said about Flynn,etc. "So it is natural that he would need immunity from improper prosecution. What about proper prosecution?
CARTER PAIGE CLAIMS ALL THE ACCUSATIONS ABOUT HIM ARE FALSE
AND THEN HE SAYS THE RUSSIANS DIDN'T PAY ME LAST YEAR. Then when did they pay you and for what?
NYT: NUNES GIVEN INFO BY MARC ELLIS,WH COUNSEL AND HIS FORMER AIDE
Also by GENERAL FLYNN's former aide who McMaster's just removed.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
SENATE WANTS TO INTERVIEW CHRISTOPHER STEELE.
He is concerned about his safety and how he would be treated by the Trump crowd.
Financial Times: EXXON MOBIL URGES US TO BACK THE PARIS CLIMATE CHANGE BILL
Agreement. Sorry.
EPA has banned using "climate change" in any papers or memo.
EPA has banned using "climate change" in any papers or memo.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF KING CANUTE
Trump appears to want to erase Obama's name from the history books. The Executive Order "The North American Energy Independence Order" is one such instance. But give President Obama credit, he understood how reactionary elements in this society are, even though I always criticized him for his Dudley Do-Right attitude.
His sophisticated policy-making genius was not appreciated. Trump thinks by Executive Order he can banish Obama's policy on climate change.It ain't so.
On the Bradpodcast, environmentalists said it will take two-three years to roll back Obama's regulations and the Green groups are ready to litigate this.They point to the Supreme Court up holding the need for the EPA under the Clean Air Act to account for carbon emissions and to take in account the best science to explain its positions. This is called the "endangerment clause." The EPA would have to willfully break the law to avoid this.
The roll-back of the Clean Power Plan calls for a formal process and will be challenged by states. Let's make it clear, Gina McCarthy consulted with all 50 states so that they could develop their individual plans to reduce carbon emissions and all energy sources were admissible.This is actually a business friendly plan and would actually create jobs. And Pruitt was actually have to prove his assertions about the Plan.
The Executive Order was roiled out with the language the GOP used in the 1990s. A lot has changed since then. Then the GOP said solar was too expensive and inefficient. After the Obama administration,that is absolutely not true. The Renewable Revolution has been proceeding domestically and globally at a quantum rate.
35 countries have joined the Paris Climate Accord since Trump took office and the big players like India and China have re-asserted their commitment to meeting their countries' goals. In other words, the World will tell the United States to go hang.
The U.S. could try to sabotage the Paris Agreement by not providing foreign assistance to the affected country. But that's about it.
The major change Obama made was realigning all federal policy to consider climate change in a comprehensive strategy. This Executive Order rescinds Federal Government to consider climate change as a factor in policy. But the Pentagon and Mattis claim it is a threat to national security. So how do you square this?
I've already explained that we are energy independent. Undoubtedly Trump will claim this later. But his Executive Order concentrates only on oil, gas and coal. The Coal industry has already said there will be no additional coal jobs.
In their SEC filings the top 10 American Oil companies said that regulations played no part in their financial wellbeing or how many people they employ.
Yes, Trump ended Obama's moratorium on leasing for coal on public lands.The leasing program had not been reformed for years and basically was tax-payer handouts to the coal industry. The coal owners have said they will not reopen any coal mines.
The Executive Order also mandated that the EPA revisit the social cost of carbon.This was developed during the Bush Administration. Trump wants to ignore Obama but in 2007 the co
urts decided that carbon emission must have a cost.
In short,the EPA has a legal duty to regulate carbon dioxide. This was decided in the case Massachusetts vs. EPA.
People are saying this executive action may slow our responses to climate change but the states,and cities are actually lining up to fight climate change.
Trump can't make the waves recede.
His sophisticated policy-making genius was not appreciated. Trump thinks by Executive Order he can banish Obama's policy on climate change.It ain't so.
On the Bradpodcast, environmentalists said it will take two-three years to roll back Obama's regulations and the Green groups are ready to litigate this.They point to the Supreme Court up holding the need for the EPA under the Clean Air Act to account for carbon emissions and to take in account the best science to explain its positions. This is called the "endangerment clause." The EPA would have to willfully break the law to avoid this.
The roll-back of the Clean Power Plan calls for a formal process and will be challenged by states. Let's make it clear, Gina McCarthy consulted with all 50 states so that they could develop their individual plans to reduce carbon emissions and all energy sources were admissible.This is actually a business friendly plan and would actually create jobs. And Pruitt was actually have to prove his assertions about the Plan.
The Executive Order was roiled out with the language the GOP used in the 1990s. A lot has changed since then. Then the GOP said solar was too expensive and inefficient. After the Obama administration,that is absolutely not true. The Renewable Revolution has been proceeding domestically and globally at a quantum rate.
35 countries have joined the Paris Climate Accord since Trump took office and the big players like India and China have re-asserted their commitment to meeting their countries' goals. In other words, the World will tell the United States to go hang.
The U.S. could try to sabotage the Paris Agreement by not providing foreign assistance to the affected country. But that's about it.
The major change Obama made was realigning all federal policy to consider climate change in a comprehensive strategy. This Executive Order rescinds Federal Government to consider climate change as a factor in policy. But the Pentagon and Mattis claim it is a threat to national security. So how do you square this?
I've already explained that we are energy independent. Undoubtedly Trump will claim this later. But his Executive Order concentrates only on oil, gas and coal. The Coal industry has already said there will be no additional coal jobs.
In their SEC filings the top 10 American Oil companies said that regulations played no part in their financial wellbeing or how many people they employ.
Yes, Trump ended Obama's moratorium on leasing for coal on public lands.The leasing program had not been reformed for years and basically was tax-payer handouts to the coal industry. The coal owners have said they will not reopen any coal mines.
The Executive Order also mandated that the EPA revisit the social cost of carbon.This was developed during the Bush Administration. Trump wants to ignore Obama but in 2007 the co
urts decided that carbon emission must have a cost.
In short,the EPA has a legal duty to regulate carbon dioxide. This was decided in the case Massachusetts vs. EPA.
People are saying this executive action may slow our responses to climate change but the states,and cities are actually lining up to fight climate change.
Trump can't make the waves recede.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
OH,WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN MY BLUE-EYED SON?
Lawrence O'Donnell finally nailed Paul Ryan's role in the Nunes fiasco. Nunes went to Ryan who told him to go to Trump. O'Donnell said it was actually Paul Ryan who shut down the House Intelligence Committee's investigation. The White House simply could not have Sally Yates testify. So Nunes did his charade and fell on his sword for Paul Ryan.
Earlier in the day Rep.Chaffetz praised Nunes for his conduct in the investigation.
It should be remembered that Paul Ryan's PAC used materials procured by the Russians in House races this past year.
The net effect is that Ryan is an accomplice at least in the cover-up.
Earlier in the day Rep.Chaffetz praised Nunes for his conduct in the investigation.
It should be remembered that Paul Ryan's PAC used materials procured by the Russians in House races this past year.
The net effect is that Ryan is an accomplice at least in the cover-up.
LINDSEY GRAHAM SAYS NUNES HAS LOST ALL CREDIBILITY TO LEAD INVESTIGATION.
A Democratic member of the Intel Cmte says that "This is what a cover-up looks like."
Michael Ishikoff says Nunes' source is WHY counsel Ellis who worked for Nunes.
Michael Steele says that Trump is going to build a wall around Nunes because the White House can't control the story.
Michael Ishikoff says Nunes' source is WHY counsel Ellis who worked for Nunes.
Michael Steele says that Trump is going to build a wall around Nunes because the White House can't control the story.
WASHPO: TRUMP ADMIN BLOCKS TESTIMONY OF SALLY YATES
The cancellation of today's House Intel. Cmte meeting has to do with preventing Sally Yates, the former acting AG from testifying. Why? She had to inform the Trump team about General Flynn's lying to them about the phone conversation with the Russian ambassador. She would have been able to clarify that she told them about Flynn several weeks before he was fired. And secondly she could tell the committee why it was perfectly legal to reveal Flynn's name in the call.
TRUMP TO ROLLBACK OBAMA'S CLIMATE REGS FOR ENERGY INDEPEDENCE
In case you missed the Obama administration,the United States is now energy independent and we don't import coal. Since Trump is trying to do this by executive order,he will run into the problems that some environmental regulations are laws that have to be enforced. Others will be litigated.
I am concerned about his motivations and intent but I remember that Gina McCarthy had consulted all the states in the Power Plan that Obama adopted. Two coal burning plants were closed this past week. States were phasing out coal and oil-burning plants anyway except new EPA director's Oklahoma.
So in the future If Trump pretends he made the U.S. energy independent he didn't.
The Sierra Club points out that solar employs 5 people for every 1 employed by coal and natural gas.
I am concerned about his motivations and intent but I remember that Gina McCarthy had consulted all the states in the Power Plan that Obama adopted. Two coal burning plants were closed this past week. States were phasing out coal and oil-burning plants anyway except new EPA director's Oklahoma.
So in the future If Trump pretends he made the U.S. energy independent he didn't.
The Sierra Club points out that solar employs 5 people for every 1 employed by coal and natural gas.
RUSSIAN BACKED NIGEL FARAGE AIMS TO SPLIT CALIFORNIA.
Even when he worked for Brexit, Farage has business ties to Russia. Now he has been hired by Calexit to divide California. Farage is backed by the Russian-based Anti-Globalization Movement and a Russian based California techie.
KUDOS TO RACHEL MADDOW
Except for her long leads, Rachel Maddow has been superb on the Russian investigation. Last night she got into the ties of Jared Kushner and the Putin bank and why that is important and subject to the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today.
Monday, March 27, 2017
TRUMP PRESSURES HOUSE INTEL TO INVESTIGATE HILLARY AND BILL'S RUSSIA CONNECTIONS.
This was after a burst of tweeting about Hillary Clinton. For the record,Putin hates Bill Clinton for moving NATO to the border of Russia. He accused Hillary of interfering in the last election and having created the insurrection in the Ukraine. James Comey testified Putin despised Hillary and wanted Trump to win.
TRUMP NOW THE THIRD MOST UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT EVER.
The other two are George W. Bush and Richard Nixon.
NUNES" MYSTERIOUS TRIP WAS TO THE WHITE HOUSE
He and a White House Staffer were trying to identify people from classified documents using Google.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
PILE ON!
A blogger came up with this nugget. Devin Nunes has a net worth of $51,000. $50,000 of which is invested in Napa Valley's Alpha Omega Winery, which has as its only European contract--with a distributor in Russia with very close ties with Putin. Now that's getting down and dirty.
NOW THEY TELL US.
Mike Allen reports that the White House is saying "Forget the big stuff" now that the presidency is weakened. They say they underestimated the vitriol of the Freedom Caucus and now fear a showdown of the government when the continuing resolution expires. That's in early April ,while Congress is out of session.
DIRE PERIOD OF SCANDAL
From Last Friday's Rachel Maddow Show, it is worth summarizing some items about where the Russia scandal is moving.
The Attorney General of Cyprus has handed over to the U.S. documentation on Manafort's financial transactions there. That would be the cash payments for his creating a pro-Putin television network in the Ukraine.
Senator Booker has requested from Commerce Secretary Ross information on his role in the Bank of Cyprus and also his relationship with Russia's Fertilizer King.
The U.S. is investigating Deutsche Bank, to which Trump owes $300 million, for Russian money laundering. Since Preet was fired as U.S. Attorney on this investigation,Senator Van Hollen has written to Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from this investigation. With Preet gone, it Sessions' direct responsibility for this.
The open hearing this Tuesday with Mike Rogers,Clapper and former Acting AG Yates was unilaterally cancelled by Nunes. Yates has never said what transpired to bring accusations against General Flynn to the White House and why it took a month for the WH to act.
Angela Mitchell found out that the WH staff was purging their phones of of any information from the transition in spite of court orders because they expected subpoenas.
Richard Engels is in Cyprus for NBC News to report on Cyprus as the laundering center for Putin's cronies.
The last point Rachel made was about the strange WSJ piece on General Flynn plotting with the Turkish ambassador in a Manhattan Hotel the kidnapping of a Turkish dissident. Rachel's point was that James Woolsey who informed the WSJ was a member of the Trump transition team and took a while to report this. Woolsey during the campaign withdrew his support suddenly and without explanation. Why?
The week ahead should provide more of this hydra-headed investigation.
The Attorney General of Cyprus has handed over to the U.S. documentation on Manafort's financial transactions there. That would be the cash payments for his creating a pro-Putin television network in the Ukraine.
Senator Booker has requested from Commerce Secretary Ross information on his role in the Bank of Cyprus and also his relationship with Russia's Fertilizer King.
The U.S. is investigating Deutsche Bank, to which Trump owes $300 million, for Russian money laundering. Since Preet was fired as U.S. Attorney on this investigation,Senator Van Hollen has written to Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from this investigation. With Preet gone, it Sessions' direct responsibility for this.
The open hearing this Tuesday with Mike Rogers,Clapper and former Acting AG Yates was unilaterally cancelled by Nunes. Yates has never said what transpired to bring accusations against General Flynn to the White House and why it took a month for the WH to act.
Angela Mitchell found out that the WH staff was purging their phones of of any information from the transition in spite of court orders because they expected subpoenas.
Richard Engels is in Cyprus for NBC News to report on Cyprus as the laundering center for Putin's cronies.
The last point Rachel made was about the strange WSJ piece on General Flynn plotting with the Turkish ambassador in a Manhattan Hotel the kidnapping of a Turkish dissident. Rachel's point was that James Woolsey who informed the WSJ was a member of the Trump transition team and took a while to report this. Woolsey during the campaign withdrew his support suddenly and without explanation. Why?
The week ahead should provide more of this hydra-headed investigation.
CONSERVATIVE CHARLIE SYKES
"The only President who has a worse 100 days was the one who died." William Henry Harrison didn't make it 30 days.
CLUELESS
OMB DIRECTOR MICK MULVANEY HAS "NO IDEA"WHY "WE COULDN't GET THE VOTES" FOR A BILL ONLY 6% OF AMERICANS STRONGLY APPROVED.
Just remember Mulvaney is from the House and has no concept of the American mobilization against Ryancare.
Just remember Mulvaney is from the House and has no concept of the American mobilization against Ryancare.
THE MAD TWEETER TWEETS
Last night Trump urged people to watch a Fox commentary blaming Paul Ryan for the collapse of Ryancare and calling for Ryan's resignation.
This morning Trump blamed Heritage Foundation, the Freedom Caucus and the Club of Growth for preserving Obamacare AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
Meanwhile Steve Bannon posted on the White House "War Room" a list of all those who planned to vote no on the Ryancare bill. Before pulling the bill, Bannon urged Trump to "burn all boats."
This morning Trump blamed Heritage Foundation, the Freedom Caucus and the Club of Growth for preserving Obamacare AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
Meanwhile Steve Bannon posted on the White House "War Room" a list of all those who planned to vote no on the Ryancare bill. Before pulling the bill, Bannon urged Trump to "burn all boats."
BELIEVE OR NOT
So what was the reason the meeting between Angela Merkel and Donald Trump was so frosty. I can think of alot of reasons like Merkel is now the leader of the Free World. But the Germans say that Trump presented a bill to Merkel for $300 billion dollars as Germany's share of what the U.S. is owed for NATO. That is truly stunning and gauche.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
CBS: MANAFORT ENGINEERED CHOICE OF PENCE
Trump had decided on Chris Christie but Manafort in July re-arranged the schedule so that Trump would meet Pence. NYT at the time said Pence had good luck but the CBS story suggests more was happening.
FISA-RELATED FIRE--BORIS EPSHTEYN,FRIEND OF ERIC TRUMP
Known as the Trump surrogate and then placed in the press office of the White House, he was mysteriously fired today and Sean Spicer couldn't comment. Politico and Louise Mensch speculated it was based on findings in a FISA Warrant.
INSPECTOR GENERAL OPENS PROBE ON TRUMP HOLDING FUND FOR OBAMACARE SIGN UP
These funds were allocated for this past year's assistance to people signing up for Obamacare. Expect more sabotage to come.
MALCOLM NANCE AGREES WITH ME.
Nance says the Russian stuff looks more appropriate to be prosecuted under the RICO ACT.
He also says he is certain General Flynn has made a deal to go State's evidence since he was openly attacked by Trump's friend in the National Enquirer as a Russian spy.
While we were whopping up on Ryancare's Big Fail, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Flynn plotted to smuggle Erdogan's opponent from the Pocanos to Turkey to avoid our extradition treaty. The source for this was James Woolsey, former CIA director and Trump supporter.
He also says he is certain General Flynn has made a deal to go State's evidence since he was openly attacked by Trump's friend in the National Enquirer as a Russian spy.
While we were whopping up on Ryancare's Big Fail, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Flynn plotted to smuggle Erdogan's opponent from the Pocanos to Turkey to avoid our extradition treaty. The source for this was James Woolsey, former CIA director and Trump supporter.
Friday, March 24, 2017
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO MARCHED AND ATTENDED TOWNHALL MEETINGS
And the phone calls. We escaped the bullet this time and thousands are alive because of the work of the Resistance. The big failure today of Trump and Ryan stops them to move openly against the rest of the welfare state.
We can worry another time of how the GOP will continue to sabotage Obamacare in the future.
We can worry another time of how the GOP will continue to sabotage Obamacare in the future.
CHARLIE KRAUTHAMMER SAID AMERICANS LIKE THE BENEFITS FROM OBAMACARE.
The Republicans tried to take it away and they couldn't. He says we will have Single Payer in 10 years.
RUSSIA PROBES GOT FESTY.
Adam Schiff and David Nunes held competing press conferences about who's protecting whom. A Quinnipiac poll shows a majority of Americans want an independent commission to examine the issue.
After Nunes announced Paul Manafort would testify in a closed session, Roger Stone said he would testify publically because he was tired of being portrayed as a "traitor". Craig Carter also said he would testify because he was being smeared.
After Nunes announced Paul Manafort would testify in a closed session, Roger Stone said he would testify publically because he was tired of being portrayed as a "traitor". Craig Carter also said he would testify because he was being smeared.
PUNDITS AGREE EPIC LOSS FOR TRUMP AND RYAN
David Gergen said on CNN this was the worst first 100 days a President has had. He said not only has Trump's credibility been called into question, but his capacity.
Local DC radio had republicans blowing off healthcare for at least two years and that tax reform was next. But commentators noted that tax reform is plagued by some of the same complexity as healthcare reform. All seemed to think Trump as the big dealmaker has gone down the tubes.
Others think a mono-Republican focus will not yield for Trump what he wants.
No One mentioned whether Ryan was showing up in Chicago to bath in the adulation of those who would have benefited from the tax cuts in the Obamacare withdrawal. Paul Krugman shares my opinion of Ryan and gave him a good shot this afternoon.
Ed Kilgore warns "Watch Out". The GOP will "defund planned Parenthood as they did in their healthcare reform" and ride it to a government shutdown.
Local DC radio had republicans blowing off healthcare for at least two years and that tax reform was next. But commentators noted that tax reform is plagued by some of the same complexity as healthcare reform. All seemed to think Trump as the big dealmaker has gone down the tubes.
Others think a mono-Republican focus will not yield for Trump what he wants.
No One mentioned whether Ryan was showing up in Chicago to bath in the adulation of those who would have benefited from the tax cuts in the Obamacare withdrawal. Paul Krugman shares my opinion of Ryan and gave him a good shot this afternoon.
Ed Kilgore warns "Watch Out". The GOP will "defund planned Parenthood as they did in their healthcare reform" and ride it to a government shutdown.
CNN: RYAN DELIVERS BAD NEWS TO TRUMP.
Louie Gohmert told Charlton Varney that at least 9 Freedom Caucus definitely won't vote for Ryancare.
With the Approriations Chair of the so-called Centrists, we may be looking at a defeat for Ryan.
With the Approriations Chair of the so-called Centrists, we may be looking at a defeat for Ryan.
YES,HE SAID THIS
"WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP ON DESTROYING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE."
PAUL RYAN
PAUL RYAN
Thursday, March 23, 2017
WASHINGTONPOST CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF DAVID NUNES
The reason is that 1.Paul Ryan suggested he go to the White House before briefing Adam Schiff,and 2. it has been suggested and he has refuted that he was given information by the White House that Trump was being surveilled.
HERITAGE ACTION URGES GOP MEMBERS TO VOTE "NO" ON RYANCARE.
A strange development is whether Heritage,the Club of Growth and the Koch Brothers can pull this off--defeating a TRUMP-Ryan initiative. Will the much vaunted discipline of the GOP collapse? Will members realize before it is too late how horrible this bill is and turn it down?
GOP PASSES RULES CHANGE TO RAM THROUGH RYANCARE.
What I can pick up from reading Talkingpointsmemo is that Mike Mulvaney dropped by the House to strong-arm the Republican caucus. Apparently healthcare has been tossed out and instead the reason to vote for this is so they can advance their legislative agenda and not have Trump impeached. Can you imagine? That's the discussion so Democrats don't win and impeach Trump.
Yes,the essential benefits will be stripped from the bill so insurers can sell junk insurance and insurance companies can go back to ruling against necessary medical procedures. It's not just bad for the poor who get royally screwed but for all of us.
Also the CBO will not get another chance to score the bill. So the House will not have any idea about the impact.
As of the earlier revised bill,Josh Marshall showed that it would cost more but not insure any more. Great deal.
Yes,the essential benefits will be stripped from the bill so insurers can sell junk insurance and insurance companies can go back to ruling against necessary medical procedures. It's not just bad for the poor who get royally screwed but for all of us.
Also the CBO will not get another chance to score the bill. So the House will not have any idea about the impact.
As of the earlier revised bill,Josh Marshall showed that it would cost more but not insure any more. Great deal.
DAILYKOS:KEITH PICKERING ON RUSSIA GATE BLOWS WIDE OPEN
Keith Pckering runs a series of tweets from Seth Abrahamson on how the Russian takeover of the Trump campaign was orchestrated at the Mayflower Hotel here in D.C. and that Paul Manafort had moved a foreign policy speech to a smaller venue for smaller meeting rooms. Trump met the Soviet ambassador and the Rosneft nations--Italy, Singapore and Russia with Bud McFarlane Of Iran Contra fame, Richard Burt, a lobbyist for a Russia pipeline, and others.
Yes,the big game was the sale of 19.5% of Rosneft and Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was in the meetings.
Yes,the big game was the sale of 19.5% of Rosneft and Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was in the meetings.
ON TYRANNY
by Timothy Snyder, Tim Duggan Books,2017.
Lessons from the Twentieth Century
1. Do Not Obey In Advance.
2. Defend Institutions.
3. Beware The One-party state.
4. Take Responsibility For The Face of The World.
5. Remember Professional Ethics.
6. Be Wary Of Paramilitaries.
7. Be Reflective If You Must Be Armed.
8. Stand Out.
9. Be Kind To Our Language.
10. Believe In Truth.
11.Investigate.
12. Make eye contact and small talk.
13. Practice Corporeal Politics.
14. Establish A Private Life.
15. Contribute To Good Causes.
16.Learn From Peers In Other Countries.
17. Listen For Dangerous Words.
18. Be Calm When The Unthinkable Arrives.
19. Be A Patriot.
20. Be As Courageous As You Can.
Lessons from the Twentieth Century
1. Do Not Obey In Advance.
2. Defend Institutions.
3. Beware The One-party state.
4. Take Responsibility For The Face of The World.
5. Remember Professional Ethics.
6. Be Wary Of Paramilitaries.
7. Be Reflective If You Must Be Armed.
8. Stand Out.
9. Be Kind To Our Language.
10. Believe In Truth.
11.Investigate.
12. Make eye contact and small talk.
13. Practice Corporeal Politics.
14. Establish A Private Life.
15. Contribute To Good Causes.
16.Learn From Peers In Other Countries.
17. Listen For Dangerous Words.
18. Be Calm When The Unthinkable Arrives.
19. Be A Patriot.
20. Be As Courageous As You Can.
WASHINGTONPOST: 35 GOP NOS and 18 LEANING NOS
The bill will move with a gift to the Freddom Caucus of eliminating OBAMACARE'S ESSENTIAL BENEFITS. They will reinsert limits on lifetime payouts, eliminate the equality between men and women,but keep the clauses on pre-existing conditions and children on their parents policies can remain covered until 26.
TRUMP WANTS TO MOVE ON--ORDERS VOTE TOMORROW.
He says he wants to do tax reform. If Bill fails, then he'll keep Obamacare.
CBO RE-SCORES RYANCARE
Now it only saves $150 billion over ten years and increases the number of uninsured in the country--but it will save about $900 billion in taxes for the rich. Premiums will go up.
REP. KEVIN MCARTHY BLAMES SENATE FOR HOUSE'S INABILITY TO PASS RYANCARE.
Historical note: McCarthy has never gotten a vote count right as Whip.
STATE TO APPROVE KEYSTONE PIPELINE.
Russian firms are pouring into New Jersey to manufacture the pipes.
RYAN CANCELS PRESS CONFERENCE AND GOP SAID NO VOTE TODAY
The mania for a vote today was because this is the 7th anniversary of Obamacare. Paul Ryan had scheduled a fund-raiser tonight in Chicago of the biggest winners from Ryancare,the wealthy and planned this has a victory lap. He has cancelled the dinner.
MANAFORT USED BANK OF CYPRUS FOR BLACK SEA CABLE
Manafort received his funding for the cable network, some $20 million, through the Bank of Cyprus which was presided over by Wilbur Ross, the new Commerce Secretary.
GOP SAYS RYANCARE VOTE MAY BE POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY OR NEXT WEEK.
Note:GOP in the House have for two years not gotten the vote right before they brought bills to the floor. It seems they are plagued by the same problem.
TYT: MOSCOW MULE
TYT broadcast about the AP story about Paul Manafort and his work for Putin. BUT there raised an important question. Paul Manafort received $20 million for the creation of a news outlet Black Seas News. He pocketed it and was later sued by Russian oligarchs in the Cayman Islands.
However then he became the camaign manager for Trump,the oligarchs said they would not pursue the claim.
It should be emphasized that Manafort was campaign manager from March through August when the bulk of the primaries were and was the manager at the Convention. In effect,an agent for Putin was the campaign manager of a Republican nominee.
The Washington Post published today a long story on how Manafort's number 2 on the Putin contract, Rick Gates was still in the Trump administration.
However then he became the camaign manager for Trump,the oligarchs said they would not pursue the claim.
It should be emphasized that Manafort was campaign manager from March through August when the bulk of the primaries were and was the manager at the Convention. In effect,an agent for Putin was the campaign manager of a Republican nominee.
The Washington Post published today a long story on how Manafort's number 2 on the Putin contract, Rick Gates was still in the Trump administration.
2ND DEM SAYS MORE THAN CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Mike Quigley, the second Democrat on the intelligence committee says that there is more than circumstantial evidence that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia on the election.
GOP TRYING TO GET AROUND SAME DAY LAW VOTE.
Paul Ryan is changing the bill as I write and the Republican Caucus is trying to figure out how to avoid the prohibition against voting on a bill the same day it is marked up.
The so-called centrist block still says the bill is inadequate.
The so-called centrist block still says the bill is inadequate.
CUMMINGS ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO NUNES
For his part,Nunes said it was a judgment call on briefing Trump and then the press before the committee.
He apologized.
He apologized.
BUSINESS INSIDER: TRUMP APPROVAL CRATERS
Quinnipiac pols have Trump at 37%. White Males--his base only approve 44% and White Women only 40%.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
THE NEW REPUBLIC BELIEVES CNN REPORT CAN DESTROY THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY.
The CNN Report was how incandescent Adam Schiff was in rage at Nunes' statements and how he went further to say it went beyond circumstantial evidence the collusion with Russia. CNN followed with leaks about the coordination of the Trump campaign and the leaks by Russia of information damaging to Hillary Clinton. Several intel bloggers suggest the intelligence community was so upset with Nunes they leaked the more dangerous stuff.
LATE NIGHT NEWS
The House is scrambling to accommodate the Freedom Caucus for tomorrow's vote. The Washington Post predicts it will be close.
The New York Times writes that Trump campaign operatives and associates had constant communication with Russian intelligence as well as members of the government.
John McCain feels Congress has lost all credibility to investigate the Russian connections especially in light of Trump and Nunes orchestrating the press conference this afternoon.
Slate wants to tell you that it was Roy Cohn who introduced Stone and Manafort to Trump.
Newsweek writes about a Democratic staffer who early on felt Manafort was up to no good and tried to investigate. Her home was burglarized and car ransacked.
The night ends with your President utterly illegitimate. I think they should go after the Trump Associates with Rico laws.
The New York Times writes that Trump campaign operatives and associates had constant communication with Russian intelligence as well as members of the government.
John McCain feels Congress has lost all credibility to investigate the Russian connections especially in light of Trump and Nunes orchestrating the press conference this afternoon.
Slate wants to tell you that it was Roy Cohn who introduced Stone and Manafort to Trump.
Newsweek writes about a Democratic staffer who early on felt Manafort was up to no good and tried to investigate. Her home was burglarized and car ransacked.
The night ends with your President utterly illegitimate. I think they should go after the Trump Associates with Rico laws.
30 NO GOP VOTES ON RYANCARE.
The KOCH Brothers,who have $400 million to spend on the 2018 House races say they will not give to those voting for the bill. This sets Trump and Ryan up against the Koch Brothers.
CNN: FBI HAS EVIDENCE TRUMP ASSOCIATES COORDINATED WITH RUSSIANS ON RELEASE OF INFO DAMAGING TO HILLARY CLINTON.
So it's coming to a head. Some suspected Nunes stunt at the White House of spoiling the House Intel investigation so it couldn't go forward.
The House Oversight Committee asked the White House, CIA, FBI and NSA on all materials having to do with General Flynn and payments he received.
There seems a tug and pull between those who want to deflect away from the conclusions coming down the road and the leaks which got us here.
A former NSA staffer said to NBC he expects to see a boatload of Republicans arrested.
The House Oversight Committee asked the White House, CIA, FBI and NSA on all materials having to do with General Flynn and payments he received.
There seems a tug and pull between those who want to deflect away from the conclusions coming down the road and the leaks which got us here.
A former NSA staffer said to NBC he expects to see a boatload of Republicans arrested.
NUNES SAYS HE INFORMED TRUMP AT WH PRESSER
Even Fox News said this was a dog and pony show. Trump says he feels vindicated. Nunes didn't inform the Democrats and it appears he leaked classified info.
MANAFORT ADMITS HE STILL TALKS TO TRUMP ON PHONE
An added point--he helped choose cabinet members during the transition.
McCONNELL COMMITTED TO PASSING RYANCARE NEXT WEEK.
The Senate Republicans have made it clear they want to pass Ryancare next week. Remember the deliberative process for Obamacare?
So far no health practitioner has testified on the merits of a supposed health care bill.
After Trump's visit to support Ryancare at the House yesterday, reports have him losing ten votes. It will be touch and go.
The House has a manager's rider to put $75 million away for people aged 50-85 but no meant to disperse it. Ryan also put in a juicy inducement for upstate New York representatives to vote for it. They could say the House voted that people in their districts wouldn't pay property tax to pay for Medicaid.
The holdouts in the Freedom Caucus say that this will add to the national debt.
So it is still in doubt. But remember this is a tax relief bill for the wealthy and not a healthcare bill.
Others amendments are to eliminate their own patient's bill of rights so "junk insurance" can be sold.
So far no health practitioner has testified on the merits of a supposed health care bill.
After Trump's visit to support Ryancare at the House yesterday, reports have him losing ten votes. It will be touch and go.
The House has a manager's rider to put $75 million away for people aged 50-85 but no meant to disperse it. Ryan also put in a juicy inducement for upstate New York representatives to vote for it. They could say the House voted that people in their districts wouldn't pay property tax to pay for Medicaid.
The holdouts in the Freedom Caucus say that this will add to the national debt.
So it is still in doubt. But remember this is a tax relief bill for the wealthy and not a healthcare bill.
Others amendments are to eliminate their own patient's bill of rights so "junk insurance" can be sold.
AP'S BIG STORY
The AP resorts that Paul Manafort received millions of dollars from a Russian billionaire to develop in 2005 a strategy to assist Vladimir Putin to counter the charges of his repression and corruption. The strategic paper also dealt with the increasing repression in the former Soviet Republics, particularly Central Asia.Coupled with the money laundering charges,Manafort has become a ripe target.
He has hired a so-called "crisis communications" firm to defend him against these stories.
Today Adam Schiff said he had to be called before the House intel committee.
He has hired a so-called "crisis communications" firm to defend him against these stories.
Today Adam Schiff said he had to be called before the House intel committee.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
TRUMP PULLS OUT OF OAS' INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
As a former member of the Commission ,this act by the United States is beyond foolhardy. The IACHR was one of the few institutions in the hemisphere devoted to democracy and human rights.
When I was on it,it did a report on the entire government of Chile under Pinochet,the situation of Castro's Cuba,the disappeared in Guatemala and the political prisoners in El Salvador as well as the situation of the Miskito Indians in Nicaragua.
The staff was one of the most devoted and thorough investigators of human rights I have ever met.
This move followed another insult. The State Department held the annual summit for Africa for the NGOs. Except this year,unlike the Obama summit which I had participated in,there were no Africans allowed to attend. All those preparing to come were told they would not be admitted to the United States.
I can imagine the feeling of those seeing the NEH being closed out. America is in the eclipse.
RESIST!
When I was on it,it did a report on the entire government of Chile under Pinochet,the situation of Castro's Cuba,the disappeared in Guatemala and the political prisoners in El Salvador as well as the situation of the Miskito Indians in Nicaragua.
The staff was one of the most devoted and thorough investigators of human rights I have ever met.
This move followed another insult. The State Department held the annual summit for Africa for the NGOs. Except this year,unlike the Obama summit which I had participated in,there were no Africans allowed to attend. All those preparing to come were told they would not be admitted to the United States.
I can imagine the feeling of those seeing the NEH being closed out. America is in the eclipse.
RESIST!
CANDIDATES FOR FIRST INDICTMENTS.
I have a hunch that if it comes out that Russia torpedoed Republican presidential candidatures,this will move quicker than the press thinks.
As John Dean said today that the Trump White House is in the cover-up phase. Dean said Nixon when asked about him said he had only met John Dean once. When in reality it was 37 times by that point. Sean Spicer today tried to dismiss Trump's relationship with those in his campaign with ties to Russia.
My candidates for the first indictments which will expand the investigations are :
1.Paul Manafort
2.Carter Paige--Paige was mentioned by Schiff as negotiating the quid pro quo for Russian help against Hillary Clinton. Schiff said Paige was promised a commission on selling the Rosneft stock.
3.General Flynn--with his fees from Russian cyberwarfare companies.
4.Roger Stone--for his direct links to Guccifer 2.0. Stone has said our intelligence has tried to kill him with Polonium--Putin's weapon of choice.
5. Felix Sater,a partner of Trump's and an FBI/CIA double agent.
6. Reince Preibus for trying to integer with the FBI investigation.
7. Steve Bannon--as a consequence of the FBI's investigation into Breibart and Infowars role in the campaign. Here we may get into the primaries which Rachel Maddow is demonstrating the Russians used Albanian and Macedonian hackers.
As John Dean said today that the Trump White House is in the cover-up phase. Dean said Nixon when asked about him said he had only met John Dean once. When in reality it was 37 times by that point. Sean Spicer today tried to dismiss Trump's relationship with those in his campaign with ties to Russia.
My candidates for the first indictments which will expand the investigations are :
1.Paul Manafort
2.Carter Paige--Paige was mentioned by Schiff as negotiating the quid pro quo for Russian help against Hillary Clinton. Schiff said Paige was promised a commission on selling the Rosneft stock.
3.General Flynn--with his fees from Russian cyberwarfare companies.
4.Roger Stone--for his direct links to Guccifer 2.0. Stone has said our intelligence has tried to kill him with Polonium--Putin's weapon of choice.
5. Felix Sater,a partner of Trump's and an FBI/CIA double agent.
6. Reince Preibus for trying to integer with the FBI investigation.
7. Steve Bannon--as a consequence of the FBI's investigation into Breibart and Infowars role in the campaign. Here we may get into the primaries which Rachel Maddow is demonstrating the Russians used Albanian and Macedonian hackers.
INSIDER ALT RIGHT/ALL RUSSIA.
Josh Marshall follows up on his summer posts on the weird Trump tweets filled with alt/Right nonsense. He says it makes sense when you factor in now that the FBI is investigating Breibart and Infowars of peddling Russian propaganda.
ONLY 24% OF AMERICANS SAY TRUMP RESPECTED BY WORLD
At this time in his first term,67% Said OBAMA was, and 49% said W was.
MORNING JOE:THERE WAS ONLY ONE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE UNDER FBI INVESTIGATION DURING 2016 CAMPAIGN.
Joe Scarborough blasted the GOP house members for being so tone-deaf they tried to make yesterday's hearings about "leaks". He held up the newspaper headlines that the President of the United States has been under investigation since July. He called on the GOP to disavow Trump.
Weirdly, Mort Halperin didn't think Comey should have mentioned that Trump and associates "links" to Russia should have been mentioned.
Yesterday Keith Olberman specially and accurately pointed out how Comey parsed his words and those words did not "allege" links or "reportedly" links but stated boldly links that Trump and his associates had with Russia.
Michael Gerson has a piece in the Washington Post about how the world sees a dwindling Presidency mired in scandal and an administration cutting aid when famine is sweeping the world and North Korea is perfecting an inter-continental missile.
Weirdly, Mort Halperin didn't think Comey should have mentioned that Trump and associates "links" to Russia should have been mentioned.
Yesterday Keith Olberman specially and accurately pointed out how Comey parsed his words and those words did not "allege" links or "reportedly" links but stated boldly links that Trump and his associates had with Russia.
Michael Gerson has a piece in the Washington Post about how the world sees a dwindling Presidency mired in scandal and an administration cutting aid when famine is sweeping the world and North Korea is perfecting an inter-continental missile.
Monday, March 20, 2017
NY AG TO GO AFTER TRUMP.
Under the radar, New York's Attorney General has hired Howard Masters,Preet Bharara's top anti-corruption prosecutor to go after Trump and emoluments cases.
COMEY NEVER BRIEFED JAMES CLAPPER
Earlier on the newscasts, James Clapper said there was no "conclusive" evidence about the Trump campaign's links to Russia. But it turns out he was never briefed on the FBI investigation which clearly was examining a foreign power's interference in our election. Strange? Think about it.
MAXINE WATERS HAS SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT COMEY.
Maxine Waters issued a long statement after the House Intelligence Committee's hearing with James Comey. She said Comey can't be trusted and the Republicans try to deflect the issue to leaks. She proposes either an independent prosecutor or some bipartisan commission.
She wants to know if the FBI started investigating the issue of Russian involvement into Trump's campaign in July,why did Comey not say that at the time when he opined about Hillary's emails? Certainly that was of public concern.
Auntie Maxine has come into her own on this Trump-Russia business. I would also say that Adam Schiff gave a brilliant summary of what we know to date about this issue. He's a comer.
She wants to know if the FBI started investigating the issue of Russian involvement into Trump's campaign in July,why did Comey not say that at the time when he opined about Hillary's emails? Certainly that was of public concern.
Auntie Maxine has come into her own on this Trump-Russia business. I would also say that Adam Schiff gave a brilliant summary of what we know to date about this issue. He's a comer.
FBI: RUSSIA HACKED FLORIDA VOTER ROLLS
The 2016 Presidential election was a mess. No wonder the millennials think Trump is illegitimate. Let's look at Paul Ryan Superpac and how it used Russian hacked materials in the House races.
COMEY ADMITS INVESTIGATION IN TRUMP-RUSSIA BEGAN IN JULY,
And that investigation includes Russian involvement in rightwing websites.
WH: ABSOLUTELY NO COLLUSION WITH RUSSIA.
Nunes picked up the new accusation that Hillary Clinton colluded with Russia at the hearings. The GOP tried everything to focus the attention on the leakers and not General Flynn. Then Nunes asked Comey whether he was investigating Hillary Clinton.
Since this morning the White House was in perpetual breakdown lashing out any target they could find.
Since this morning the White House was in perpetual breakdown lashing out any target they could find.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
HOUSE INTEL CHAIR SAYS DOCUMENTS DON'T PROVE TRUMP'S ALLEGATIONS ON OBAMA.
But he does admit one person in the White House is being investigated.
JIMMY BRESLIN DEAD AT 86.
A personal note. Jimmy Breslin taught me how to write lead paragraphs at the Daily News. He said,"Kid,you may have liked your piece in the New York Times but take the subway when it comes out and you'll see people reading it." It turned out to be true.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
GENFORWARD POLL:
57% of younger voters don't believe Trump is a legitimate President.
75% of African-Americans believe he is illegitimate.
60% of Asian-Americans believe he is illegitimate.
71% of Hispanics believe he is illegitimate.
47% of White Americans believe he is illegitimate
22% approve of job he's doing
62% disapprove.
Of whites:
55% disapprove.
THE DIPLOMATIC DESTRUCTION CONTINUES
It's Saturday so it was time for Trump to tweet. He went on a rant about how much money Germany owes NATO.Fact-checkers points out untrue. This seemed to be a response to his awful meetings and press conference with the new leader of the Free World Angela Merkel.
Yesterday Sean Spicer insisted the British spied on Trump,something our own NSA denied.
Today the United States at the G-20 conference actually came out against free trade. We were represented by Treasury Secretary Munchin . We stayed on that position despite our allies pleading with us to change our tune.
Rex Tillerson said we would go to North Korea if they didn't get rid of their nuclear weapons. Rex was too tired for his meetings with the South Koreans and cancelled the rest of his Asian trip. REX said he wasn't much of a media guy. Except he is the Secretary of State and the world wants to know what American positions are.
It seems the Trump gang are taking his campaign rhetoric internationally. From Mexico to Western Europe. The German journalist's question was quite right--we have become isolationists.
Meanwhile we bombed a mosque in Syria and killed countless civilians.
Yesterday Sean Spicer insisted the British spied on Trump,something our own NSA denied.
Today the United States at the G-20 conference actually came out against free trade. We were represented by Treasury Secretary Munchin . We stayed on that position despite our allies pleading with us to change our tune.
Rex Tillerson said we would go to North Korea if they didn't get rid of their nuclear weapons. Rex was too tired for his meetings with the South Koreans and cancelled the rest of his Asian trip. REX said he wasn't much of a media guy. Except he is the Secretary of State and the world wants to know what American positions are.
It seems the Trump gang are taking his campaign rhetoric internationally. From Mexico to Western Europe. The German journalist's question was quite right--we have become isolationists.
Meanwhile we bombed a mosque in Syria and killed countless civilians.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Thursday, March 16, 2017
NEWSWEEK: ALLIES SP{ED ON TRUMP AND COLLEAGUES.
NATO allies concerned that Putin was playing Trump in order to weaken NATO decided to spy on Trump and his colleagues. Newsweek reports that allies were alarmed buy the prospects of a Trump presidency. As are all sentient human beings.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: THE DONALD TRUMP EDITION.
Josh Marshall summarizes the Bloomberg story today about the Russian and other former Soviet Republics' investment in Trump properties. Good Read.
SENATE INTEL CMTE. NO EVIDENCE OF OBAMA TAPING
BUT SEAN SPICER JUST SAID EVIDENCE OBAMA USED THE BRITISH. EGADS!
IN THE SPIRIT OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP
The Obama Foundation released President Obama's 2017 NCAA brackets. This was due to popular demand and was signed by former President Obama.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
CONSIDER THIS ABOUT GOP HEALTHCARE REFORM
Jake Tapper interviewed a smooth-talking Paul Ryan today about the House Ryancare bill.
POINT NUMBER 1; Tapper said that both Ryan and he buy their health insurance but some people don't. Neither men have bought health insurance on their own dime for decades.
POINT NUMBER 2: Paul Ryan said his plan keeps premiums down while Obamacare's premiums kept going up. His plan in year 10 keeps the INCREASES lower than Obamacare. At no time does Ryancare's premiums decrease. In fact the increase in Obamacare premiums are cancelled out to the individuals by subsidies.
POINT 3: Ryan stressed choices and claimed Obamacare was government mandated plans. Well we went through this in years past--I had a choice of over 27 premium plans under Obamacare in Virginia alone. What Ryan is talking about is plans that don't cover what was mandated in the Patients"Bill of Rights. You can actually buy a Ryan plan insurance which does not cover surgery. When Ryan said Tapper was wrong about the expensive cost for a 64 year old, he said that person could buy a less expensive plan that covers less at an age when his health expenses would increase.
POINT 4: The debate now is about things whether Medicaid expansion terminates in 2018 or 2021. Whether it is structured as is or is a block grant. Whether Medicaid should have a work component. Also about health savings plan, which none but the wealth have enough to save to cover a medium to complex medical procedure.
POINT 5: So while they debate this stuff, a constant remains and isn't debated, the tax cuts for those earning over $208,500. No debate on how to increase medical coverage. Ryan is joyous about how few his plan covers because there is not an individual mandate,even though today he admitted this was Heritage's idea, not President Obama's. Because this is FREEDOM. No medical insurance is the definition of freedom.Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.
POINT 6: The Democrats held over 79 hearings during the 18 months they debated Obamacare. These hearings included professional organizations and civic organizations. Literally no medical organizations or even insurance organizations have testified openly about this bill. The GOP wants it to be a fiat accompli.
CONCLUSION: RYANCARE IS SIMPLY ABOUT TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AND PAY RAISES FROM THE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HEALTH.
IT IS ALSO TO TAKE HEALTH CARE AWAY FROM THE POOR,SICK DISABLED AND __YES__THE WOMEN.
POINT NUMBER 1; Tapper said that both Ryan and he buy their health insurance but some people don't. Neither men have bought health insurance on their own dime for decades.
POINT NUMBER 2: Paul Ryan said his plan keeps premiums down while Obamacare's premiums kept going up. His plan in year 10 keeps the INCREASES lower than Obamacare. At no time does Ryancare's premiums decrease. In fact the increase in Obamacare premiums are cancelled out to the individuals by subsidies.
POINT 3: Ryan stressed choices and claimed Obamacare was government mandated plans. Well we went through this in years past--I had a choice of over 27 premium plans under Obamacare in Virginia alone. What Ryan is talking about is plans that don't cover what was mandated in the Patients"Bill of Rights. You can actually buy a Ryan plan insurance which does not cover surgery. When Ryan said Tapper was wrong about the expensive cost for a 64 year old, he said that person could buy a less expensive plan that covers less at an age when his health expenses would increase.
POINT 4: The debate now is about things whether Medicaid expansion terminates in 2018 or 2021. Whether it is structured as is or is a block grant. Whether Medicaid should have a work component. Also about health savings plan, which none but the wealth have enough to save to cover a medium to complex medical procedure.
POINT 5: So while they debate this stuff, a constant remains and isn't debated, the tax cuts for those earning over $208,500. No debate on how to increase medical coverage. Ryan is joyous about how few his plan covers because there is not an individual mandate,even though today he admitted this was Heritage's idea, not President Obama's. Because this is FREEDOM. No medical insurance is the definition of freedom.Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.
POINT 6: The Democrats held over 79 hearings during the 18 months they debated Obamacare. These hearings included professional organizations and civic organizations. Literally no medical organizations or even insurance organizations have testified openly about this bill. The GOP wants it to be a fiat accompli.
CONCLUSION: RYANCARE IS SIMPLY ABOUT TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AND PAY RAISES FROM THE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HEALTH.
IT IS ALSO TO TAKE HEALTH CARE AWAY FROM THE POOR,SICK DISABLED AND __YES__THE WOMEN.
McCain ACCUSES RAND PAUL OF WORING FOR PUTIN.
John got a little pissy because Paul opposed the bill to make Montenegro a member of NATO.
COURT RULED THURSDAY THAT CONGRESS MUST RESTORE RISK CORRIDORS TO ACA.
This was the brainchild of Marco Rubio and Jeff Sessions to cripple Obamacare by removing the risk corridors that protected insurance companies from losses. The court said once the government by law gave its word then you can't renege.
HOUSE GOP MAY TRY TO PASS THE HOUSE AND LET IT DIE.
Paul Ryan is trying to blame the Senate Republicans for their intransigence but he also has both "moderate " and the freedom caucus, which may make it difficult for Ryancare even to pass the House.
THE GOP HEALTHCARE BILL WAS WRITTEN WITH TRUMP,PAUL RYAN
This morning Breibart news published a piece trashing Paul Ryan and blaming him for the awful bill. Cenk at Young Turks noted the language seemed to mirror Trump speaking anonymous like phrases "Ryan does wheel and deal like Trump" Ryan is a lousy negotiator. Now Ryan himself claims that Trump helped write the bill.
Josh Marshall has two fun pieces today on the Trumpatanic hitting the iceberg.
Josh Marshall has two fun pieces today on the Trumpatanic hitting the iceberg.
LINDSEY GRAHAM SAYS HEALTHCARE BILL MORTALLY WOUNDED.
Senator Manchin warns Trump that his supporters will know who took healthcare away.
PPP POLL ON RYANCARE.
24% support Ryancare
49% oppose.
Among Republicans:
37% support Ryancare
22% against
41% don't know.
Oobamacare or ACA
47% in favor
39% oppose
Obamacare vs. Ryancare
49% 29%
Repeal Obamacare
32%
63% keep what works and fix it.
63% voters support an independence investigation into Russian interference.
28% against it.
60% say Russia wanted Trump to win.
16% says Russia wanted Clinton to win.
Who would you prefer to be President:
Obama 52%
Trump 43%
49% oppose.
Among Republicans:
37% support Ryancare
22% against
41% don't know.
Oobamacare or ACA
47% in favor
39% oppose
Obamacare vs. Ryancare
49% 29%
Repeal Obamacare
32%
63% keep what works and fix it.
63% voters support an independence investigation into Russian interference.
28% against it.
60% say Russia wanted Trump to win.
16% says Russia wanted Clinton to win.
Who would you prefer to be President:
Obama 52%
Trump 43%
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
BLOGGER NOTES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TAX RELEASE.
Is that the later ones will be released. The immediate point was to put attention to the Mininum Estimated Tax and how it is used since this is a big policy move by Trump next month. The others will come.
DAILY BEAST ON 2005 TRUMP TAXES.
Daily beast says the 2005 taxes are the last year Trump hit it blog in Manhattan. They noted that Trump and Melania paid 5% plus the Alternative Minimum Tax. They note Trump wants to eliminate the alternative tax. They also note he still used the depreciation from his losses noted in the Times article of his 1995 taxes.
This won't get interesting until the Russian years appear.
This won't get interesting until the Russian years appear.
WHITE HOUSE ACTUALLY RESPONDS TO RACHEL.
They said that Donald ,one of the most successful businessmen in the world, paid $38 million in federal taxes. And that to show them is illegal. We will see. Only 2005 taxes.
INTERESTING NOTE:
CBO reports that Ryancare will save $3billion on Social Security. Is this how the CBO can signal it will kill alot of people?
Monday, March 13, 2017
TRUMP ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY TO REORGANIZE THE ENTIRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The order called for the Head of Budget and Management to conduct the re-organization, which includes liquidating some agencies.
This may explain why hundreds of deputy posts are unfulfilled and thousands have been hired as a "beachhead" to run departments without Senate approved heads or assistants.
This may explain why hundreds of deputy posts are unfulfilled and thousands have been hired as a "beachhead" to run departments without Senate approved heads or assistants.
TRIBE HOPES PREET PRESERVED EVIDENCE
Laurence Tribe says that Preet Bhara was investigating the money laundering of Deustche Bank from Russia and therefore to Donald Trump. He says that that day to two before Preet forced his firing may have given Preet time to preserve the evidence.
POLITICO: WHITE HOUSE RYANCARE ESTIMATES
26 million will lose health insurance over 10 years.
54 million will be uninsured in 2026.Double the # projected under the current law.
That's the White House. That's Trump's own estimate.
54 million will be uninsured in 2026.Double the # projected under the current law.
That's the White House. That's Trump's own estimate.
CBO RYANCARE ESTIMATES
With the removal of the individual mandate, 14 million will lose insurance this year.
2020-21 million
2026--24 million.
In 2026, 52 million Americans will be without health insurance compared to 28 million under Obamacare.
2020-21 million
2026--24 million.
In 2026, 52 million Americans will be without health insurance compared to 28 million under Obamacare.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
KELLYANNE CONWAY SAYS OBAMA SURVEILLED TRUMP THROUGH MICROWAVES
She actually said this in USATODAY about President Obama spying on the Trump campaign.
Just a personal observation, If the Trump campaign was meeting with Russians and our intel knew they were interfering with our elections,won't you spy on them? But seriously ,folks,there is a process.
Just a personal observation, If the Trump campaign was meeting with Russians and our intel knew they were interfering with our elections,won't you spy on them? But seriously ,folks,there is a process.
PREET BHARARA IMPLIES HE WAS INVESTIGATING TRUMP WHEN FIRED
David Corn teased this out by noticing Preet referred to the fact he knew how the Moreland Commission felt. The Moreland Commission was created by Gov. Cuomo to investigate corruption in New York Politics. Then he disbanded it.
Preet himself met with Trump at Trump tower and Trump said he could keep his job. Then Sessions demanded all the US.Attorneys to resign. Preet insisted Trump fire him. Of course Trump did.
Preet himself met with Trump at Trump tower and Trump said he could keep his job. Then Sessions demanded all the US.Attorneys to resign. Preet insisted Trump fire him. Of course Trump did.
CHARLES PIERCE "THE PATIENT MAY FLATLINE."
What Pierce is referring to is our whole democratic system. He says that the intellectual and real corruption is at its highest level in our history. The nation has been invaded by a virus, not only in the form of the present President but in all its institutions. He believes the body has to fight infection at every level, it may not make it.
RYANCARE
Paul Ryan appeared on Face The Nation and was slick as snot. Ryan claims the Obamacare system is collapsing so even though millions will lose health insurance they would have done this anyone when Obamacare collapses in the future. Medicaid and Medicare are also collapsing so why not experiment now?
Under Ryancare, Medicare will be broke in 2020--paving the way for his voucher system. Paul Ryan says creating high-risk pools rather than having the protections for the Affordable Care Act is a better way to go. The high-risk pool in California went bankrupt under W. leaving the chronically ill defenseless.
Ryan says he is getting away with the individual mandate. Instead of individuals paying to the government,they pay now to health insurance companies. The tax breaks that substitute for Obamacare subsidies go to the health insurance companies. The elimination of the Obamacare taxes on the wealthy net $157 billion, according to the New York Times. If you warn under 208,500 per year, you get no tax breaks. If you earn $3.75 million per year , you get $165,090 in refunds.
In the 11 highest cost states, subsidies for individuals will be cut in half. Apparently, rural hospitals will be wiped out. The Trump voter will take it in the head. All the charts indicate the vast majority of people who will lose health care will be Trump voters. The state of Kentucky ,which expanded coverage through Obamacare, will instantly lose 500,000 insured.
So Paul Ryan says this has been widely debated. Yet only two hearings at night have been held. Obamacare took one year and a half with Republicans participating in the committee discussions and actually getting amendments passed.
Senate Republicans are saying it is dead on arrival. Remember Republicans won't allow Obamacare to be passed by reconciliation, even though they could have done so. Puzzling to me is that the first bill passed by Mitch McConnell is to move to pass by reconciliation even though no bill existed.
We will see how damaging the GOP will be on this. Trump has deferred to Paul Ryan, who I must stress is not an intellectual and is more an ideologue. The defense of what appears will be yeah sure millions would lose health care but you should have seen what would have happened if Obamacare collapsed. By the way,the actuarial society has said Obamacare is not in a death spiral.
What the health industry says is that the individual insurance market will collapse one the country with Ryancare, which surmises that the economy is based on corporate employment.
The Ryan Bill also mandates that employers can take DNA test of employees to ascertain tendency to illness. If employees refuse they face fines.
Under Ryancare, Medicare will be broke in 2020--paving the way for his voucher system. Paul Ryan says creating high-risk pools rather than having the protections for the Affordable Care Act is a better way to go. The high-risk pool in California went bankrupt under W. leaving the chronically ill defenseless.
Ryan says he is getting away with the individual mandate. Instead of individuals paying to the government,they pay now to health insurance companies. The tax breaks that substitute for Obamacare subsidies go to the health insurance companies. The elimination of the Obamacare taxes on the wealthy net $157 billion, according to the New York Times. If you warn under 208,500 per year, you get no tax breaks. If you earn $3.75 million per year , you get $165,090 in refunds.
In the 11 highest cost states, subsidies for individuals will be cut in half. Apparently, rural hospitals will be wiped out. The Trump voter will take it in the head. All the charts indicate the vast majority of people who will lose health care will be Trump voters. The state of Kentucky ,which expanded coverage through Obamacare, will instantly lose 500,000 insured.
So Paul Ryan says this has been widely debated. Yet only two hearings at night have been held. Obamacare took one year and a half with Republicans participating in the committee discussions and actually getting amendments passed.
Senate Republicans are saying it is dead on arrival. Remember Republicans won't allow Obamacare to be passed by reconciliation, even though they could have done so. Puzzling to me is that the first bill passed by Mitch McConnell is to move to pass by reconciliation even though no bill existed.
We will see how damaging the GOP will be on this. Trump has deferred to Paul Ryan, who I must stress is not an intellectual and is more an ideologue. The defense of what appears will be yeah sure millions would lose health care but you should have seen what would have happened if Obamacare collapsed. By the way,the actuarial society has said Obamacare is not in a death spiral.
What the health industry says is that the individual insurance market will collapse one the country with Ryancare, which surmises that the economy is based on corporate employment.
The Ryan Bill also mandates that employers can take DNA test of employees to ascertain tendency to illness. If employees refuse they face fines.
WaPO: BANNON UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FOR RESIDENCE FRAUD.
The Wasington Post has an article about Bannon's peripatetic life before the White House. Apparently he and his third wife rented a place in Florida so he could avoid federal taxes and he claimed this was his voting residence. He apparently wracked up $14,000 in damage to the residence,including a bathtub ruined by acid.
Rep.Nunes Says US owes Flynn gratitude for speaking to the Russians
This from the chairman of the intelligence committee who is supposed to investigate the issue.
TRUMP GOES AFTER CBO.
Trump today tried a preemptive strike against what he and the GOP anticipate will be a bad score from the CBO on healthcare.
Please remember the Republicans purged the CBO of Democrats and re-tooled it for "dynamic scoring" so Ryan's budget wouldn't look like such a large debt accumulator. However the current head of the CBO put out a marker that he won't score a Republican plan that counted "junk insurance" as real.
The Ryancare is a disaster. Tomorrow we will know how many millions will lose their insurance. HHS Secretary Price said today" No one will be worse off under the Republican plan." Paul Ryan said that the CBO score doesn't reflect "free market" values and that everyone should expect a worse score than for "government mandated" insurance.
A Note free market economists believe healthcare shouldn't be left to market forces because it is a "common good" that is not susceptible to market forces to produce a positive effect.
Please remember the Republicans purged the CBO of Democrats and re-tooled it for "dynamic scoring" so Ryan's budget wouldn't look like such a large debt accumulator. However the current head of the CBO put out a marker that he won't score a Republican plan that counted "junk insurance" as real.
The Ryancare is a disaster. Tomorrow we will know how many millions will lose their insurance. HHS Secretary Price said today" No one will be worse off under the Republican plan." Paul Ryan said that the CBO score doesn't reflect "free market" values and that everyone should expect a worse score than for "government mandated" insurance.
A Note free market economists believe healthcare shouldn't be left to market forces because it is a "common good" that is not susceptible to market forces to produce a positive effect.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
STEVE BANNON TWEET
Steve Bannon tweeted this today. My paraphrase: "Russo-phobia must end. Russia is our natural ally in the coming Christian war against Islam. MAGA ( the acronym for Make America Great Again) means sacrifice." I'm sure Bannon will be the first to sacrifice for his nutty scheme. Also note it is not the Judeo-Christian war, This is the guy who commemorated the Holocaust and left the Jews out.
THE HILL: W's Former Ethics Lawyer says," IT's The KGB Agents running around the West Wing or The National Security Council"
His remarks were to Don Lemon in response to the Trump claims that Obama has a a Deep State operation going on. Richard Painter stunned Don Lemon who said "Haven't you gone too far." Painter pointed to Flynn's being a foreign agent for Turkey and that we don't know who else in the Trump White House represent foreign governments.
BILL PASCRELL (D.N.J.) FILES "RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY"
The resolution of inquiry would direct Treasury Secretary Steven Manchin to provide House copies of 10 years of Trump's tax returns and information on debt held by foreign governments and companies ,investment in foreign businesses and tax shelters. Resolutions can be brought to the floor if not considered by committee in 14 days.
Friday, March 10, 2017
UN SAYS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS WORST SINCE 1945.
Draught and famine in 22 countries threaten 20 million people.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
NICOLAS KRISTOF: CONNECTING THE DOTS.
The noted NYTimes columnist tries his guess at the Trump -Russia connection, he urges Democrats not to get so conspiracy focused like the Right did on Hillary Clinton like having child sex slaves at Comet Pizza in D.C.
Kristof thinks too much is made of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III and not enough about Paul Manafort and his minions. Fair enough but Beauregard is fun to say and he is a racist albino and committed perjury.
Kristof has a few points. Trump's response to anything relating to Russia is bizarre such as Obama bugging him. We should have an open 9/11 style commission on the issue of Russian interference in the elections and such a commission should look at Trump's tax returns to persuade us he doesn't owe the Russians millions as has been suggested.
The real trick is to get this stuff in the open. If this were a normal administration, they would deserve this but Trump wants to exploit the ambivalent situation.
Kristof thinks too much is made of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III and not enough about Paul Manafort and his minions. Fair enough but Beauregard is fun to say and he is a racist albino and committed perjury.
Kristof has a few points. Trump's response to anything relating to Russia is bizarre such as Obama bugging him. We should have an open 9/11 style commission on the issue of Russian interference in the elections and such a commission should look at Trump's tax returns to persuade us he doesn't owe the Russians millions as has been suggested.
The real trick is to get this stuff in the open. If this were a normal administration, they would deserve this but Trump wants to exploit the ambivalent situation.
SEAN HANNITY GOES THERE.
Hannity tweeted a question to Julian Assange about whether he knew of any cases where the CIA blamed their own eavesdropping and hacking on a foreign country. This has been the theme emerging on the Right through Milo the provocateur and two Moscow front websites. The CIA hacked the DNC.
Why the right has gone all-in on Putin and the Russians is puzzling to outsiders. But Nance in his book quotes the KGB recruiter that they never ever recruit the Left anymore but instead pundits who can look people in the camera and lie through their teeth. Nance also said they exploit egotists and narcissists.
A funny story is how Russia exploits Judge Napolitano on FOX NEWS through front websites and plant stories they know he will use.
Why the right has gone all-in on Putin and the Russians is puzzling to outsiders. But Nance in his book quotes the KGB recruiter that they never ever recruit the Left anymore but instead pundits who can look people in the camera and lie through their teeth. Nance also said they exploit egotists and narcissists.
A funny story is how Russia exploits Judge Napolitano on FOX NEWS through front websites and plant stories they know he will use.
MUST READ:
Malcolm Nance has been quoted often by this blog and has appeared on all the networks on the whole question about Russian cyberwarfare in the 2016 elections.
His book written shortly before the election The Plot To Hack America: how Putin's Cyberspies and Wikilkeaks tried to steal the 2016 Election (sky horse publishing , 2017) is now out in paperback.
Nance is a career national security agent who writes about this issue from the point of view of an intelligence officer. As he says, he doesn't think linearly. The book contains all the characters who have appeared in the new lately.
It is worth reading Nance's take on this cast of characters as well as how Putin would coax Trump along as at least an agent of influence. Reading this book, you understand Nance's sense of urgency in America dealing with the Trump problem.
As a side note,did you notice how Trump refused to criticize Wikileaks deluge of CIA materials. Even Chris Matthews woke up to that and Sean Spicer answering the question that the CIA is obsolete. Maybe it is, but what does that have to do with Wikileaks? Pay attention because Trump has threatened to assign a billionaire Hedge Fund manager to evaluate all the intelligence community. He also happens to be the person in whose hands the Rosneft stock ended up. Chaa-Ching.
His book written shortly before the election The Plot To Hack America: how Putin's Cyberspies and Wikilkeaks tried to steal the 2016 Election (sky horse publishing , 2017) is now out in paperback.
Nance is a career national security agent who writes about this issue from the point of view of an intelligence officer. As he says, he doesn't think linearly. The book contains all the characters who have appeared in the new lately.
It is worth reading Nance's take on this cast of characters as well as how Putin would coax Trump along as at least an agent of influence. Reading this book, you understand Nance's sense of urgency in America dealing with the Trump problem.
As a side note,did you notice how Trump refused to criticize Wikileaks deluge of CIA materials. Even Chris Matthews woke up to that and Sean Spicer answering the question that the CIA is obsolete. Maybe it is, but what does that have to do with Wikileaks? Pay attention because Trump has threatened to assign a billionaire Hedge Fund manager to evaluate all the intelligence community. He also happens to be the person in whose hands the Rosneft stock ended up. Chaa-Ching.
THE FUSE IS BURNING
Josh Marshall writes today about Nigel Farage's strange relationship with Trump and then his meeting at noon with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy. (FYI--Farage has heavy business interest in Russia and his Brexit campaign received funding from Putin.) These items Marshall hasn't found out yet.
BROOKINGS ESTIMATES
With the two committees of the House passing parts of Ryancare and the CBO not being able to post their numbers until the House votes the law, Brookings using the CBO's past model tried to estimate how many people would lose their insurance.
15,000,000 Americans would lose their insurance.
Based on prior estimates of how many would lose,the total number of dead Americans from lack of health insurance is 38,000 per year for over a decade. Or Roughly EIGHT Vietnam wars.
15,000,000 Americans would lose their insurance.
Based on prior estimates of how many would lose,the total number of dead Americans from lack of health insurance is 38,000 per year for over a decade. Or Roughly EIGHT Vietnam wars.
CNN: FBI CONTINUES PROBE BETWEEN TRUMP AND RUSSIAN BANK.
This is the continuation of the early links where the FBI sought a FISA warrant on Trump's private email server and the Russian Alfa Bank.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
SMOKING GUN: ROGER STONE COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY WITH GUCCIFER 2.0
The document shows Roger Stone communicated with the Russian hacker prior to the DNC breakin.
ALL 100 SENATORS SAY ATTACKS ON JEWISH CENTERS NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS.
All US Senators asked the FBI and Homeland Security to investigate attacks on Jewish Centers as an organized plot.
On International Womens' Day, Ryan brags about gutting Planned Parenthood
A reminder that abortions are at a lower rate than before Roe Vs. Wade. Thanks Obama,our most feminist President. Part of that credit goes to Planned Parenthood which once was supported by both parties and still has overwhelming popular support. Even Trump offered them more money if they would stop performing abortions, which is 3% of their work and not paid for by tax payer money.
This Women's Day, Paul Ryan ended Obamacare's elimination of the disparity of healthcare rates between men and women and got rid of support for birth control. In effect,the Ryancare plan will cost women several thousand more dollars to be insured.
This Women's Day, Paul Ryan ended Obamacare's elimination of the disparity of healthcare rates between men and women and got rid of support for birth control. In effect,the Ryancare plan will cost women several thousand more dollars to be insured.
RECOMMENDED READING.
www.TheTrumpwatchdog.com
You can access this at Dailykos. The article is 57 Paths to Putin. What I found important about it is that it provides the details of the Rosneft deal and definitely links it to Trump. That is the smoking gun in all this.
The 57 Paths provides a chart of all known Trump-linked Russian contacts and associates. Another key element is Cambridge Analytic, funded by Robert Mercer who provided Big DATA in rthe US election and Breixt. One of its shareholders is one of the Russian oligarchs.
The chart is useful because it runs through the complicated financial transactions and shell companies.
QUINNIPIAC POLL
52-40% Sessions lied
51-42% Sessions should resign.
66-30% Congress to should probe Russia.
51-45% No full repeal of Obamacare
63% want a path to citizenship for undocumented.
51-42% Sessions should resign.
66-30% Congress to should probe Russia.
51-45% No full repeal of Obamacare
63% want a path to citizenship for undocumented.
RUSSIA INVESTIGATION MOVES TO NEXT STAGE
Senators now have started committing to the CIA headquarters at Langley to review the classified materials on Russia's involvement in our election. The materials also contain the Trump campaign's meetings with Russian officials.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
JOHN PODHORETZ SAID IT.
"I am glad Chaffetz converted (to Mormonism),otherwise the Jewish IQ would have dropped 10 points nationally."
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
Trump proposes to pay for his wall by cutting billions from the Coast Guard,the Transportation Security Administration and FEMA.
Remember Trump came to office in a rather placid time. Full employment, a DOW at 20,000, uninsured at 8%, and historic number of months with job creation. He didn't have to do anything. We did not face any external threat. He could have declared he solved all the nation's problems but No he has gone with his Republican enabler on a bender.
What happens when a crisis actually occurs?
Remember Trump came to office in a rather placid time. Full employment, a DOW at 20,000, uninsured at 8%, and historic number of months with job creation. He didn't have to do anything. We did not face any external threat. He could have declared he solved all the nation's problems but No he has gone with his Republican enabler on a bender.
What happens when a crisis actually occurs?
6 PAGES OF RYANCARE DEALS WITH LOTTO WINNERS
They were so proud that they got their bill down to 122 pages. But then you look at it, six pages deal with Lotto winners who may receive Medicaid. Now what are your odds of winning lotto?
Next will be a federal bill mandating drug-testing for food stamps and Medicaid. That takes out the Trump voters in Appalachia who have the highest opiod consumptions in the United States.
The new Ryancare also eliminates the protection for black lung disease which kill and cripple miners in West Virginia.
An forget the made in the U.S.A. nonsense for the Keystone pipeline,40% of the pipe is already bought and it is Russian made.
I don't have the final figures on Ryancare but it looks like millions upon millions will not have health insurance. However, there is a few pages to increase the executives' salaries for health care companies and huge tax breaks for the extremely wealthy.
Ryancare will bring healthcare in America back before the time of George W. Bush. There will be caps on expenditures to increase profit for health insurance companies.
Next will be a federal bill mandating drug-testing for food stamps and Medicaid. That takes out the Trump voters in Appalachia who have the highest opiod consumptions in the United States.
The new Ryancare also eliminates the protection for black lung disease which kill and cripple miners in West Virginia.
An forget the made in the U.S.A. nonsense for the Keystone pipeline,40% of the pipe is already bought and it is Russian made.
I don't have the final figures on Ryancare but it looks like millions upon millions will not have health insurance. However, there is a few pages to increase the executives' salaries for health care companies and huge tax breaks for the extremely wealthy.
Ryancare will bring healthcare in America back before the time of George W. Bush. There will be caps on expenditures to increase profit for health insurance companies.
TRUMP CAMPAIGN GAVE CARTER PAIGE PERMISSION TO TRAVEL TO MOSCOW.
This was during the campaign and during the time the Trump Tower e-mail server to the Alfa Bank was supposed to be implemented. Efforts to put the e-mail server under surveillance ended when Carter Paige returned from Moscow.
Monday, March 6, 2017
KHAZIR KHAN 'S TRAVEL PRIVILEGE REVIEWED BY STATE
Gold Star father Khazir Khan is an American citizen of many years and an immigration lawyer. You may remember him from the Democratic convention. Today he had to cancel a speech in Toronto because the State Department said his travel privileges had to be reviewed. He is an anti-Trump activist.
KURT EICHENWALD: TRUMP IN BED WITH AZER MOB.
Newsweek exposed Trump's ownership in a Baku resort in partnership with the Azerbaijan mafia. Apparently Ivanka arranged the deal. It also entails an Iranian group.
It should be on Rachel Maddow tonight.
It should be on Rachel Maddow tonight.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
CORRECTION: COMEY ASKS DOJ TO PUBLICLY REJECT TRUMP'S CLAIM.
Comey is basically saying Trump is a liar.
Ex-DNI CLAPPER DENIES SURVEILLANCE ON TRUMP TOWER-SAD!
But NSA confirms it installed Baby monitor.
The New Yorker says Trump ordered White House phones covered with tinfoil. (OK, it was Borowitz)
The New Yorker says Trump ordered White House phones covered with tinfoil. (OK, it was Borowitz)
DAVID NUNES (D-CA) ACTUALLY SAYS WILL INVESTIGATE TRUMP'S WIRETAPPING CLAIMS.
I think they should also continue to investigate Hillary's private e-mail server, also. But then they would have to include Pence's private server which was hacked. While governor of Indiana he used a private server to collect reports from Homeland Security on terrorist threats. Hillary's wasn't hacked.
If this nonsense gets traction, I propose President Obama exercise his right as former President to address the Senate. He can exercise this right whoever he wants.
If this nonsense gets traction, I propose President Obama exercise his right as former President to address the Senate. He can exercise this right whoever he wants.
SEAN SPICER URGES CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE PRESIDENT OBAMA.
You don't know whether this is lunacy or Trump's authoritarian urge. Barack Obama, a more popular person than Trump,might talk about John Kerry's request to create a 9/11 style committee or how President Obama tried to get a bipartisan statement out of the Senate condemning Russian interference in the election. But it was Mitch McConnell who objected. The possibilities are endless.
We could have a YUUUGE Demonstration in support!
Bloggers yesterday commented this was the lowest they had ever seen a Presidency go.
We could have a YUUUGE Demonstration in support!
Bloggers yesterday commented this was the lowest they had ever seen a Presidency go.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
TELEGRAPH: TONY BLAIR HAD SECRET MEETING AT TRUMP WHITE HOUSE.
Blair claims he is trying to become an adviser to Donald Trump.
BBC JOHN WOOD CLAIMS GOLDEN SHOWERS DOSSIER TRUE
Wood said that his East European intelligence sources and an American one says that Sinclair's Dossier has proven true,the Russians have compromising material on Trump. They claim that there are at least two videos and one audio from a stay in Moscow and in St.Petersburg. He did qualify this by saying this information was confirmed by intelligence sources.
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