Tuesday, January 31, 2017
THE HOUSE BILL TO SELL OFF LAND
Is Sponsored by Chaffetz and includes three national monuments. One of which is Bear's Ears which Senator Hatch and Chaffetz opposed President Obama making it a national monument. Primarily because President Obama left six Indian nations become the first to manage it.
TRUMP CHOOSES NEIL GORSUCH FOR SCOTUS.
Neil Gorsuch is 49 and is a Colorado Appeals Court Judge . An Episcopalian--the only protestant on the court--has clerked with Kennedy is known as an originalist without the bombastics of Scalia. Elena Kagan actually praises the lucidity of his writing style.
MAXINE WATERS INTRODUCES BILL
to investigate collusion between Trump and associates with Russian hacking.
Remember Maxine Waters came out of the Comey briefing disgusted and later murmured about Trump and Russia. You remember John Lewis' statement about Trump not being legitimate because of both Comey's intervention and the Russians.
Odds are high GOP House will kill the bill.
Remember Maxine Waters came out of the Comey briefing disgusted and later murmured about Trump and Russia. You remember John Lewis' statement about Trump not being legitimate because of both Comey's intervention and the Russians.
Odds are high GOP House will kill the bill.
Monday, January 30, 2017
CHARLES BLOW
"Trump's America is brutal,perverse,regressive,insular and afraid. There is no hope in it,there is no light in it. It is a vast expense of darkness and desolation."
NYT: REPORTS
General Kelly , the head of Homeland Security, found out about the immigration executive order when he was flying from Miami to Washington while watching television.
You would think a General should have had some input because it affects areas where the military are serving. The reaction by Iraq and its parliament affects defense contractors and our forces fighting ISIS. The refusal to allow the translators who serve US troops into the country after serving the US has had negative repercussions already in Iraq.
You would think a General should have had some input because it affects areas where the military are serving. The reaction by Iraq and its parliament affects defense contractors and our forces fighting ISIS. The refusal to allow the translators who serve US troops into the country after serving the US has had negative repercussions already in Iraq.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
AMERICA MAGAZINE.
Catholic Cardinal Cupich called Trump's refugee ban a "dark moment in U.S. history."
TRUMP LASHES OUT
"Christians in large numbers have been killed in the Middle East. It is a mess. This was one way I tried to protect Americans."
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER PICKED THIS UP.
In the executive order on immigration, Trump used an obscure law that allows to deputize local police to become immigration officers to deport people.
SEAN SPICER BLAMES OBAMA FOR MUSLIM BAN
On Face The Nation, he said the Obama administration said the countries chosen by the Trump Administration needed added travel scrutiny. Ah,that's a little different from deporting people who are already here with Green Cards and already vetted as refugees. Sorry,Charlie.
AMB.SUSAN RICE TWEETS,"THIS IS STONE COLD CRAZY."
She remarked after a crazy week cutting out the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff,the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA from the National Security Council. Rice, Obama's National Security Adviser,noted that the new UN ambassador was cut out of the loop and that adding Gannon and Kushner, without any military input was a recipe for disaster. She also noted that Pence would chair the meetings not Trump, which is unprecedented.
Remember Rice's podcast with the Washington Post in late November waiting to be contacted by the Trump transition team. The Obama team had prepared over 200 position papers, which no one ever found whether anyone ever read them.
THE PROTESTS CONTINUE
My wife will be protesting at the White House because after reading the Sunday Times the situation is even worse than you think.
Colleges are scrambling to protect faculty and students from the executive orders. A Clemson professor posted on Facebook after he was deported in Dubai. He wonders what will happen to his classes,his dog, his clothes and books and the car left in airport parking. The Boston-area colleges were hit the hardest and first with faculty from abroad prevented from entering the country.
The DHS said green cards people should not be affected but they were overruled by Steve Bannon.
You have to admire your Democratic elected officials. They didn't put up their fingers and wait to see how their approval ratings would be affected.
The ACLU were heroes but also the platoons of young lawyers that showed up and set up shop in the airports.
The good news is no one is acting intimidated by the goon squads. And the speed with which demonstrations occur is remarkable.
The moves were perceived as callous,clumsy and not in the national interest. None of those banned came from any country where any of those who perpetrated terrorist attacks on the country come from. None who were banned come from countries where Trump has business interests.
The tech companies are in full revolt over these executive orders.
It is clear Gannon and Meyers,the Sessions staff guy, were responsible. Jefferson Bureaugard Sessions III should not be confirmed by the Senate because he will target the "Dreamers" and African-American voters.
Colleges are scrambling to protect faculty and students from the executive orders. A Clemson professor posted on Facebook after he was deported in Dubai. He wonders what will happen to his classes,his dog, his clothes and books and the car left in airport parking. The Boston-area colleges were hit the hardest and first with faculty from abroad prevented from entering the country.
The DHS said green cards people should not be affected but they were overruled by Steve Bannon.
You have to admire your Democratic elected officials. They didn't put up their fingers and wait to see how their approval ratings would be affected.
The ACLU were heroes but also the platoons of young lawyers that showed up and set up shop in the airports.
The good news is no one is acting intimidated by the goon squads. And the speed with which demonstrations occur is remarkable.
The moves were perceived as callous,clumsy and not in the national interest. None of those banned came from any country where any of those who perpetrated terrorist attacks on the country come from. None who were banned come from countries where Trump has business interests.
The tech companies are in full revolt over these executive orders.
It is clear Gannon and Meyers,the Sessions staff guy, were responsible. Jefferson Bureaugard Sessions III should not be confirmed by the Senate because he will target the "Dreamers" and African-American voters.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
3 DIFFERENT REPORTS OF REFUSAL TO OBEY COURT ORDER.
In Washington,here at Dulles and in New York,attorneys are reporting customs agents refuse to allow them to speak to the detainees. Senator Booker went out to Dulles and told with Customs agents who are willingly disobeying the court order. Attorneys are waiting to get a federal marshall to serve them with contempt. Senator Booker says this is a constitutional crisis.
APPLE BLASTS IMMIGRATION BAN.
Peter Cook,the Apple CEO, said that Apple would not exist without immigrants. Remember Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian immigrant.
JOSH MARSHALL SAYS GANNON RESPONSIBLE FOR HOLOCAUST STATEMENT
Hope Hicks confirmed it was deliberate to omit Jews from the Holocaust. Her response was that there were so many other types of people killed. True but as Josh Marshall points out that in an administration riddled with anti-semites,the excuse is that Jews that were killed were incidental to the Holocaust. He points his finger at Gannon.
THE DREAMERS
It is reported that there is a struggle over whether to deport "The Dreamers". Reince Preibus arguing that Congress should have a role. Jeffrey Miller, a former staffer for Jess Sessions, and Steve Bannon want them deported.
These are 700,000 people protected by President Obama under the "Dreamers" Act. Most of these young people have never seen their country of origin.
Want to bet who wins the internal fight?
These are 700,000 people protected by President Obama under the "Dreamers" Act. Most of these young people have never seen their country of origin.
Want to bet who wins the internal fight?
Governor Wolf and Senator Bob Casey Greet immigrants at Philadelphia
Governor Wolf and Senator Bob Casey,the latter in a tux, showed up at the Philadelphia airport to welcome the refugees,predominantly Syrian.
STEVE BANNON AND JARED KUSHNER TO HAVE SEATS ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL.
Jared Kushner has been tasked to sort out the problems with Mexico over the Wall.
ELIZABETH WARREN AT LOGAN AIRPORT
Elizabeth Warren said she wanted to be with people standing up for American principles.
Also at Dulles Terry McAuliffe appeared to be in solidarity with the refugees.
Also at Dulles Terry McAuliffe appeared to be in solidarity with the refugees.
TRUMP ISSUES 3 MORE EOs
The first is an order to the Defense Department to create a strategy for fighting ISIS.
The second calls for the reorganization of the National Security Council.
Lastly, one limiting lobbying until five years out of office.
The second calls for the reorganization of the National Security Council.
Lastly, one limiting lobbying until five years out of office.
JOSH MARSHALL SAYS GOP CONGRESS IN RESPONSIBLE
So far Charlie Dent from Pennsylvania, whose district has the most Syrian refugees in the country, and Senator Ben Sasse are then only ones who have spoken out against then ban on Muslims.
Josh Marshall wants you to know that Congress can pass laws modifying executive orders and so far this congress has been compliant. Marshall points to Trump as unpopular,his policies unpopular, and his personality unpopular. The Democrats have the high ground and must press now and in the election within two years to correct these disasters.
Josh Marshall wants you to know that Congress can pass laws modifying executive orders and so far this congress has been compliant. Marshall points to Trump as unpopular,his policies unpopular, and his personality unpopular. The Democrats have the high ground and must press now and in the election within two years to correct these disasters.
TRUMP HALTS PROGRAM TO BRING JEWISH, CHRISTIANS AND B'HAI REFUGEES FROM IRAN.
Well, it didn't take long for Trump to do in one of the programs I advocated for years.
AP POLL
56% of Americans "extremely worried" people will lose their healthcare.
53% are against Repealing Obamacare.
46% are for repealing. But only 21% want it immediately. Other want a replacement first.
Most Americans want to maintain the ACA's "pre-existing conditions" clause and children's ability to stay on the parents' plan.
Again, make it painful for the congress critters to take away healthcare. Calls their offices both in D.C. and their districts. Call their home phones.
53% are against Repealing Obamacare.
46% are for repealing. But only 21% want it immediately. Other want a replacement first.
Most Americans want to maintain the ACA's "pre-existing conditions" clause and children's ability to stay on the parents' plan.
Again, make it painful for the congress critters to take away healthcare. Calls their offices both in D.C. and their districts. Call their home phones.
THEN DON'T LET IT HAPPEN:
Quinnipiac Poll: 62% oppose cutting Planned Parenthood,31% favor: 70% support Roe V.Wade,26% disagree.
Number of abortions today are less than before Roe vs. Wade. Maybe Planned Parenthood should take some of the credit.
So, you have an administration and Republican congress devoted to cutting off Planned Parenthood and reversing Roe V. Wade. I was so tired during the Obama years of reading polls which showed Americans agreeing by big numbers with so-call "progressive" causes but nothing being done about it.
Maybe we need another Women's March to counter the one for Forced Birthers.
Number of abortions today are less than before Roe vs. Wade. Maybe Planned Parenthood should take some of the credit.
So, you have an administration and Republican congress devoted to cutting off Planned Parenthood and reversing Roe V. Wade. I was so tired during the Obama years of reading polls which showed Americans agreeing by big numbers with so-call "progressive" causes but nothing being done about it.
Maybe we need another Women's March to counter the one for Forced Birthers.
PROTESTS AT JFK,DULLES,SAN FRAN BUILDING
The New York congressional delegation freed the detainees at JFK.
Demonstrations at the international airports in the U.S. are building.
Military personnel are furious about the translators from Iraq and Afghanistan being held. They tweeted "Trump never sacrificed for America while the translators risked their lives everyday."
Demonstrations at the international airports in the U.S. are building.
Military personnel are furious about the translators from Iraq and Afghanistan being held. They tweeted "Trump never sacrificed for America while the translators risked their lives everyday."
INTERESTING
30% of those who participated in the Woman's March had never been politically active before.
Keith Ellison has urged mass marches against the immigration executive orders.
Yes, the executive orders affected those with green cards which involve millions of people.
The news from the Hill is that calling your Senator and congress critter does affect things. It drives the office nuts. Paul Ryan disconnected his phones yesterday but got jammed by faxes coming in.
I still say protest at their homes and local offices.
Keith Ellison has urged mass marches against the immigration executive orders.
Yes, the executive orders affected those with green cards which involve millions of people.
The news from the Hill is that calling your Senator and congress critter does affect things. It drives the office nuts. Paul Ryan disconnected his phones yesterday but got jammed by faxes coming in.
I still say protest at their homes and local offices.
TRUMP COULD HOLD UP 500,000 WITH GREEN CARDS TRAVELING ABROAD.
GOOGLE recalls 30,000 who are traveling abroad. Microsoft warns the Muslim ban hurts their business.
AMERICA FIRST?
What would Charles Lindbergh do? Probably issue a Holocaust Remembrance Declaration without mentioning Jews---and halt all entrance of refugees to the United States.
Trump's executive orders on immigration have stranded refugees and holders of green cards at our airports. The ACLU and private law firms are on the case but the trick is that the detainees can't make phone calls even to their families waiting for them in Houston.
When I was in Iraq ,the American military told me their concerns about their Iraqi translators and their struggle to get visas to the United States. These Iraqis ,which had served alongside the Americans,were considered collaborators with the occupying forces and subject to kidnappings and death threats. Well, now some of them are stranded by Trump's executive orders.
To make matters worse Trump repeated insistence we are going to get another chance to take Iraqi oil has put American forces at risk. The compilation of his statements are circulating around the Middle East and even came up at a press conference with the Prime Minister in Iraq.
Trump's preference for Christian refugees tends to go against our own anti-discrimination laws. Just a fact, the number of Muslim refugees versus Christian under Obama was approximately even.
If we are going to be America First, then why do we need a huge Navy? Why not fold it into the Coast Guard?
The Dutch,the Belgians and Canadians are filling the void on reproductive rights since Trump re-imposed gag orders against NGOs which provide birth control and abortion services abroad. This started with Reagan, was reversed,then reimposed by W , reversed by Obama, and now reimposed by Trump.
But women in this country may finally meet the dreaded reversal of Roe vs.Wade. The Forced Birther march on Washington was joined by VP Pence and was in a triumphalist mode. Pence promised the marchers a anti-choice Supreme Court justice. Trump promised his choice won't disappoint evangelical Christians.
You don't think any of this nonsense affects you? Take readers, for instance. We had a champion reader in Obama, now Trump only watches television. I buy Library of America books like "the Unknown Kerouac" and am looking forward to Janes Bowles. Well, Trump and the Republicans will be cutting --maybe completely the National Endowment for The Arts, which partially subsidizes the Library of America. Or what about privatizing Public Broadcasting.
Right now I can't figure out who is more dangerous--Osama ben Ryan or Donald J. Trump. I lose alot if Ryan triumphs with Medicare and social security cuts and the dismantling of the ACA. With Trump I lost a nation.
Yes, Rep. Chaffetz and Orrin Hatch want to reverse President Obama Bear's Ears Decision. They have brought this up with Trump and Zinke. Environmentalists and the Indian nations are protesting. Patagonia is going to wage a law suit to protect it. The Navaho nation said it took 10 years to get the attention of the national government on preserving this site complete with Indian ruins.
The executive order on the Keystone Pipeline absolutely makes no sense when Justin Trudeau is against it and over 10 companies have pulled out of the TarSands in Alberta. China is on record as not wanting Tar Sands Oil. The pipeline will threaten the Ogalala aquifer, which provides the Midwest with most of its fresh water.
The Washington Post seems keen on the Daytona Access but here the Sioux of Standing Rock point out they don't want it under their sacred territory, meaning cemetaries, and only wanted the location changed. It was nice Malia Obama voiced support for the people of Standing Rock.
During Obama, I never lost sleep over feeling tomorrow would be worse. With Trump everyday promises to be worse.
The Wall is proving to be a problem for Republicans. The fence Obama put up is ghastly enough. The border towns hate the idea of the Wall. But Mexico is really not going to pay for it so Paul Ryan has to come up with $30 billion to pay for it.
The Democrats should make the GOP own this completely.
So Trump doesn't get Mexico to pay for it--so he just declares a trade war with our 3rd largest trade partner.
President Obama warned in his Farewell Address that America should not become a bully. That's changed.
States and so-called sanctuary cities are facing serious issues with Trump's immigration orders. Just an example, states have raised the problem that their police can't keep order and be immigration cops. States like California and New York are taking preventative measures and legal organizations are readying to fight back.
NOTE: YES,THE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS IS STILL BUBBLING BENEATH THE RADAR AND WILL SURFACE AND HIT TRUMP.
Today, Trump talks to Putin and has suggested he wants to raise the sanctions against Russia. That flies in the face of what our NATO partners-for-now want.
The White House scrambled to add more calls to Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande to the day's call list because they feared Making Putin the front page story.
Trump's executive orders on immigration have stranded refugees and holders of green cards at our airports. The ACLU and private law firms are on the case but the trick is that the detainees can't make phone calls even to their families waiting for them in Houston.
When I was in Iraq ,the American military told me their concerns about their Iraqi translators and their struggle to get visas to the United States. These Iraqis ,which had served alongside the Americans,were considered collaborators with the occupying forces and subject to kidnappings and death threats. Well, now some of them are stranded by Trump's executive orders.
To make matters worse Trump repeated insistence we are going to get another chance to take Iraqi oil has put American forces at risk. The compilation of his statements are circulating around the Middle East and even came up at a press conference with the Prime Minister in Iraq.
Trump's preference for Christian refugees tends to go against our own anti-discrimination laws. Just a fact, the number of Muslim refugees versus Christian under Obama was approximately even.
If we are going to be America First, then why do we need a huge Navy? Why not fold it into the Coast Guard?
The Dutch,the Belgians and Canadians are filling the void on reproductive rights since Trump re-imposed gag orders against NGOs which provide birth control and abortion services abroad. This started with Reagan, was reversed,then reimposed by W , reversed by Obama, and now reimposed by Trump.
But women in this country may finally meet the dreaded reversal of Roe vs.Wade. The Forced Birther march on Washington was joined by VP Pence and was in a triumphalist mode. Pence promised the marchers a anti-choice Supreme Court justice. Trump promised his choice won't disappoint evangelical Christians.
You don't think any of this nonsense affects you? Take readers, for instance. We had a champion reader in Obama, now Trump only watches television. I buy Library of America books like "the Unknown Kerouac" and am looking forward to Janes Bowles. Well, Trump and the Republicans will be cutting --maybe completely the National Endowment for The Arts, which partially subsidizes the Library of America. Or what about privatizing Public Broadcasting.
Right now I can't figure out who is more dangerous--Osama ben Ryan or Donald J. Trump. I lose alot if Ryan triumphs with Medicare and social security cuts and the dismantling of the ACA. With Trump I lost a nation.
Yes, Rep. Chaffetz and Orrin Hatch want to reverse President Obama Bear's Ears Decision. They have brought this up with Trump and Zinke. Environmentalists and the Indian nations are protesting. Patagonia is going to wage a law suit to protect it. The Navaho nation said it took 10 years to get the attention of the national government on preserving this site complete with Indian ruins.
The executive order on the Keystone Pipeline absolutely makes no sense when Justin Trudeau is against it and over 10 companies have pulled out of the TarSands in Alberta. China is on record as not wanting Tar Sands Oil. The pipeline will threaten the Ogalala aquifer, which provides the Midwest with most of its fresh water.
The Washington Post seems keen on the Daytona Access but here the Sioux of Standing Rock point out they don't want it under their sacred territory, meaning cemetaries, and only wanted the location changed. It was nice Malia Obama voiced support for the people of Standing Rock.
During Obama, I never lost sleep over feeling tomorrow would be worse. With Trump everyday promises to be worse.
The Wall is proving to be a problem for Republicans. The fence Obama put up is ghastly enough. The border towns hate the idea of the Wall. But Mexico is really not going to pay for it so Paul Ryan has to come up with $30 billion to pay for it.
The Democrats should make the GOP own this completely.
So Trump doesn't get Mexico to pay for it--so he just declares a trade war with our 3rd largest trade partner.
President Obama warned in his Farewell Address that America should not become a bully. That's changed.
States and so-called sanctuary cities are facing serious issues with Trump's immigration orders. Just an example, states have raised the problem that their police can't keep order and be immigration cops. States like California and New York are taking preventative measures and legal organizations are readying to fight back.
NOTE: YES,THE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS IS STILL BUBBLING BENEATH THE RADAR AND WILL SURFACE AND HIT TRUMP.
Today, Trump talks to Putin and has suggested he wants to raise the sanctions against Russia. That flies in the face of what our NATO partners-for-now want.
The White House scrambled to add more calls to Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande to the day's call list because they feared Making Putin the front page story.
Friday, January 27, 2017
TRUMP SUSPENDS INTERVIEWS WITH REFUGEES.
The United States by treaty is required by treaty to take a certain percent of the world's refugees.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Monday, January 23, 2017
JOSH MARSHALL ON WHITE HOUSE LEAKS.
Marshall points out that the Washington Post and New York Times pieced together articles on the first day that reveal this White House leaks like no other. Trump raging when he finds out that it is reported Obama drew more people than him and aides keeping bad news away from him. Trump then becoming sullen and bored and ends up watching television. Marshall's point is no White House leaked demeaning images of their boss --on literally the first day or if ever. He comes across as petulant.
TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER WITHDRAWING FROM TPP.
But TPP still exists despite the hurrahs from the Sanders crowd.
Trump also said he was going to renegotiate NAFTA. So let's declare a trade war on Mexico and Canada,our two biggest trade partners.
Great Britain's Teresa May is coming to town to start negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the UK. Remember my post about our trade officials not having enough personnel or time to just do Britain? Wait for this.
Trump also said he was going to renegotiate NAFTA. So let's declare a trade war on Mexico and Canada,our two biggest trade partners.
Great Britain's Teresa May is coming to town to start negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the UK. Remember my post about our trade officials not having enough personnel or time to just do Britain? Wait for this.
SEAN SPICER SAYS HIRING FREEZE BECAUSE OF INCREASES LAST FEW YEARS
WRONG. There were fewer federal employees at the end of Obama's term than at its beginning. The # of federal workers is perilously to the point of dysfunction. A chart printed today by the public workers shows that federal employees have been steadily declining over the last decades. We are actually fewer than existed in the 1950s.
TRUMP TELLS CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS 3-5 MILLION ILLEGALS VOTED AGAINST HIM.
Something is terrible wrong with this man.
Meanwhile Rush Limbaugh claimed the march of "mindless twits" was paid for by billions from George Soros.
Meanwhile Rush Limbaugh claimed the march of "mindless twits" was paid for by billions from George Soros.
Congratulations Andrew Sullivan.
Andrew Sullivan became an American citizen. You can read his article about it on Huffington Post or in New York magazine.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS MIKE FLYNN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR TIES WITH RUSSIA
Flynn is apparently the first named of those under investigation by our counter-intelligence people for his communications with Russia.
THE NYT PUBLIC EDITOR LIZ SPAYD
Read it. Liz Spayd explains why the Times killed the story of the FBI investigations into the Trump campaign's relationship with Russia. The FBI basically told them to kill it. She explains they even had a story ready to go. If you are interested in the internal debates on whether to go with the story,read it. Interesting editorial decision--not to go with Watergate.
An FBI agent told a friend of his,"This will make Watergate look like stealing a candy bar from 7-11."
Maxine Waters wouldn't let up this past weekend saying the investigation will sicken your heart.
An FBI agent told a friend of his,"This will make Watergate look like stealing a candy bar from 7-11."
Maxine Waters wouldn't let up this past weekend saying the investigation will sicken your heart.
REINCE PREIBUS ACCUSES MEDIA OF "DE-LEGITIMIZUING "TRUMP
And he says Trump will fight them.
Meanwhile Keyanne Conway tried to explain Ron Zeigler's press tantrum by saying he presented "alternative facts" , which CNN ran a banner of saying "alternative facts" were lies.
Meanwhile Keyanne Conway tried to explain Ron Zeigler's press tantrum by saying he presented "alternative facts" , which CNN ran a banner of saying "alternative facts" were lies.
NYT REPORTS WOMAN'S MARCH IN D.C. DREW 3X TRUMP
The DCMETRO stats--Obama 2009 #1,Woman's March #2, Obama 2012 #3.
# 1 vote getter of all time Obama. #2 Obama. #3 Hillary Clinton .
# 1 vote getter of all time Obama. #2 Obama. #3 Hillary Clinton .
WOMAN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON--ZERO ARRESTS
DC Metro reports Saturday was second largest day in Metro ridership. Over 1 million.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
NOW IT'S THE GREATEST NIELSEN RATINGS OF ALL TIME--
This is getting ridiculous. Obama drew an audience of 7 million more than Trump.
HOW INSECURE IS THIS GUY?
The DC Baker admitted the Trump people wanted his cake to be the same as Obama's from the last election.
Trump went to the CIA and in front of the wall of the slain agents He bragged that he had been on the cover of Time more times than anyone in history (false) and claimed that 1.5 million attended the inauguration. (False)
This afternoon Josh Marshall captured Spicer, his spokesperson insisting it was the biggest inauguration in history.Period. Both the Secret service and CNN refuted this. Spicer said it was measured by magnetometers. Secret Service claimed no such devices were used. Rather pathetic.
Number 1 was Obama's 2009, which I attended and it could have gone over the bridge to the Pentagon if they let it.
And finally DC metro keeps records on all large events from the original March of Washington through the inaugurations.
We haven't seen any tweets from Trump on the Woman's March, which is estimated now to have been 700-750,000 people and nationwide over 2.2 million. That would make it the largest single-day demonstration one U.S. history. Go Girls! Keep it up.
Trump went to the CIA and in front of the wall of the slain agents He bragged that he had been on the cover of Time more times than anyone in history (false) and claimed that 1.5 million attended the inauguration. (False)
This afternoon Josh Marshall captured Spicer, his spokesperson insisting it was the biggest inauguration in history.Period. Both the Secret service and CNN refuted this. Spicer said it was measured by magnetometers. Secret Service claimed no such devices were used. Rather pathetic.
Number 1 was Obama's 2009, which I attended and it could have gone over the bridge to the Pentagon if they let it.
And finally DC metro keeps records on all large events from the original March of Washington through the inaugurations.
We haven't seen any tweets from Trump on the Woman's March, which is estimated now to have been 700-750,000 people and nationwide over 2.2 million. That would make it the largest single-day demonstration one U.S. history. Go Girls! Keep it up.
STUNNING!
Woman's March exceeds Trump's inauguration. In Chicago, 250,000 showed up to march so instead city opened Riverfront Park. Massive crowds rivaling the anti-Vietnam demonstrations in Sanfrancisco and Oakland. Some 12 million worldwide. Even FOX NEWS reports the D.C. March dwarfed Trump's swearing in.
Friday, January 20, 2017
OBAMA'S LAST SHOT AT TRUMP
Apparently,the Obama administration had prepaid ads until the end of January for people to sign up with Obamacare.
SMALL CROWD SIZE FOR SMALL DIGITS
The inauguration crowd size is estimated at 250,000. Metro says ridership lowest of the last three inaugurations. Obama drew 2 million, and the second ceremony drew a 1 million.
THOUSANDS MOB OBAMA AND MICHELLE AS THEY LEAVE ANDREWS AIRFORCE BASE.
President Obama was mobbed by well-wishers at Andrews Air Force base as he left on Air Force One the last time and went to Palms Springs for vacation. What's interesting is that he hugged or embraced everyone waiting there.
OBAMA CHANGES E-MAIL TO OBAMA.org
In his farewell with Michelle,President Obama says to send him your priorities for the Obama Center and what issues he thinks it should tackle. Obama.org is his new address. The couple says they will take a vacation and get back to work.
OBAMA WHITE HOUSE LAST TWEET
An instagram of John Lewis and Barack Obama marching together at Pettis Bridge and the words,Yes, We Can. Yes,We Did. Thank you for eight years."
Thursday, January 19, 2017
NYT RELEASES NEW TORTURE MATERIAL.
More declassified CIA torture materials were released in the ACLU case before federal court. The court also ordered the executive to submit the whole Torture Report so it can be preserved by the court by February 10. Interestingly enough it was Judge Lambeth, first appointed by Reagan, who said he would hold the executive in comp tempt if they didn't comply. Judge Lambeth played an heroic role in the Cobell Indian Law Case where he held the entire Department of the Interior under George W. Bush in contempt and actually held hearing in the department. In that case, the US hid or destroyed all records of what the American Indians were owed. Eric Holder settled the case paying indian tribes billions owed them on royalties.
JOSH MARSHALL ON LATEST STORIES OF RUSSIA INVESTIGATIONS.
Josh Marshall notes tonight's New York Times' story that the FBI and other agencies are investigating the money transfers to Trump associates and his campaign by Russia. The reasons for the stories that have appeared is that sources say they fear this will be cut off. Marshall notes that may be illegal and unethical but with the incoming President likely.
NEW YORK PROTESTS AGAINST TRUMP.
The Hill here in Washington is reporting on the anti-Trump rally in New York. Tens of thousands have hit the streets in New York to protest Trump. Alec Baldwin,Michael Moore,and others are the headline speakers. But that it is covered by a congressional paper tells you something.
It's feeling like Nixon days again. Unfortunately that took a couple of years to work itself out.
It's feeling like Nixon days again. Unfortunately that took a couple of years to work itself out.
CROWDS GATHERING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Hundreds are gathering at the White House tonight. The town is in security lockdown for fears of demonstrations against the incoming regime. Protestors gathered at the Deplorables Ball and several people were arrested.
But outside the White House crowds wave signs "Thank you Obama". "Thank You Barack Obama and Joe Biden."
But outside the White House crowds wave signs "Thank you Obama". "Thank You Barack Obama and Joe Biden."
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
OBAMA CARE REPEAL WILL LEAVE 18 MILLION AND PREMIUMS TO HIKE 20%
The CBO goes further saying over 30 million will not have health insurance by 2020 and that premiums would then rise 100%.
This affects everybody.
This affects everybody.
WITH TODAY'S 237 COMMUTATIONS
President Obama has committed or pardoned more people than any other President in history.
NBC/WSJ POLL
55% opt Americans believe Obama will go down as one of the best presidents or at least better than most.
PUTIN SAYS PEOPLE WHO SPREAD RUMORS ABOUT TRUMP WORSE THAN PROSTITUTES
He added Russian prostitutes are the best in the world.
Monday, January 16, 2017
DANA MILLBANK ON TRUMP AS A SORE WINNER
Millbank says Trump wins the prize for the sheer gracelessness in winning an election. He answers Kellyanne Conway's complaint that Trump doesn't get any respect by saying he hasn't earned any. Millbank catalogues Trump's tasteless attacks on anyone who doesn't support him and blasts Trump for making no attempt to heal the wounds of a divided country. Because he just can't.
JENNIFER RUBIN WRITES TODAY THE TRUMP IS PUTIN'S MOUTHPIECE
Rubin was responding to all the pro-Russia people among Trump's team and the controversy on Trump using the Wikileaks documents. Then she says Trump's interview with The Sunday (London )Times wasn't unusual. Rubin defends Angela Merkel who has known Putin for years and speaks Russian. She asks ,"Who do you trust Merkel or Putin." She says Trump trusts Putin and spent the whole campaign season sucking up to Him,
ANGELA MERKEL SAYS "EUROPE'S FATE IS IN OUR HANDS."
She said "he" made his opinions clear again. She was referring to the London Times article where Trump said Brexit was great and Angela Merkel handled the refugee matter wrong. She was joined by Francois Hollande.
MONICA CROWLEY BOWS OUT OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
I guess you could call this the second scandal of the Trump years. The first was when his chief spokesman had to quit over having an affair. Monica has been plagued by accusations of plagiarism on her book and doctoral thesis.
FOLLOW UP ON ETHICS COMPLAINT
Reince Preibus warned the federal ethics officer not to go after Trump. My government source says the man is doing his job and that the ethics people's suggestions were for Trump's own good. They raised the emolument's clause in the constitution. "the founders out it there for a specific reason and now Trump is that reason."
NOTES FROM THE FIELD
The intelligence community is pissed. Trump's attack against John Brennen while he sucks up to Putin has triggered serious discussions about leaving the various services. Their point is that we sacrifice to get this stuff, even some of us getting killed,our families are distressed by our jobs, and we don't do it for pay. So why stay?
The DOJ career employees are looking elsewhere. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III isn't going to look out for anyone's interest. They are looking for the exits.
USAID reports that it is likely that their good governance and democracy programs will be shut down. And Rex Tillerson doesn't seem to know what he is talking about.
Another Federal government employee says that Trump's chaos theory of management may work in his business but it will be a disaster in government because everyone will be caught up with the noise and gossip and nothing will get done.
And we haven't begun to talk about policy.
The DOJ career employees are looking elsewhere. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III isn't going to look out for anyone's interest. They are looking for the exits.
USAID reports that it is likely that their good governance and democracy programs will be shut down. And Rex Tillerson doesn't seem to know what he is talking about.
Another Federal government employee says that Trump's chaos theory of management may work in his business but it will be a disaster in government because everyone will be caught up with the noise and gossip and nothing will get done.
And we haven't begun to talk about policy.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
GOOD IDEA
A Dailykos blogger suggests they should invite President Obama to write a weekly column.That's terrific because we can't even see his weekly address anymore.
REPEALING OBAMACARE SHOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES
Weirdly that was the title of a rightwing article who argues that it is right that people on health insurance provided by Obamacare should suffer.
I welcome today's rallies around the country by the Democrats on healthcare but I would go further.
I agree repealing should have consequences. The Ryan plan to repeal Obamacare,cut social security,privatize Medicare and turn Medicaid into block grants affects millions upon millions of people.50 million people alone are on Medicare.
Now Paul Ryan has turned off his phones and many more Republicans will do the same.
The strategy should be to make congress' life so miserable that they get to feel the pain and suffering they are causing. Remember this is being done for ideological reasons, not for economic reasons. In fact repeal will balloon the national debt.
Instead of concentrating on the congressional office here in DC, protest at the homes of the Congressmen and women both in the D.C. area and at their districts. Call them on their home phones. Make them answer their children's questions about why do they want to kill people.
The destruction of the social welfare net and the entire health care system will results in thousands of death every year. Absolutely unnecessary.
And besides President Obama will always have health insurance.
I welcome today's rallies around the country by the Democrats on healthcare but I would go further.
I agree repealing should have consequences. The Ryan plan to repeal Obamacare,cut social security,privatize Medicare and turn Medicaid into block grants affects millions upon millions of people.50 million people alone are on Medicare.
Now Paul Ryan has turned off his phones and many more Republicans will do the same.
The strategy should be to make congress' life so miserable that they get to feel the pain and suffering they are causing. Remember this is being done for ideological reasons, not for economic reasons. In fact repeal will balloon the national debt.
Instead of concentrating on the congressional office here in DC, protest at the homes of the Congressmen and women both in the D.C. area and at their districts. Call them on their home phones. Make them answer their children's questions about why do they want to kill people.
The destruction of the social welfare net and the entire health care system will results in thousands of death every year. Absolutely unnecessary.
And besides President Obama will always have health insurance.
POLITICAL WIRE: DIANE FEINSTEIN SAYS RUSSIA ALTERED THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION
Diane Feinstein said she has received all the intelligence briefings on the scale of the Russian intrusion into the presidential elections and is convinced it altered the results
REINCE PREIBUS ON MEET THE PRESS
The GOP has gone hysterical over John Lewis saying Trump is not legitimate. Trump went into a twitter spasm saying the civil rights hero is "all talk, no action" and should be concerned with his crime-ridden district. His crime-ridden district has to be the university area around Atlanta. Trump's attacks on Lewis stimulated dozens of Democrats to boycott the inauguration.
Pence said that Trump was only defending himself. Now think about this Trump decides to attack John Lewis on Martin Luther King's weekend.
Preibus said that this is all a matter for President Obama-- whom the GOP never questioned the legitimacy of--to sort out. Rather rich with irony.
Pence said that Trump was only defending himself. Now think about this Trump decides to attack John Lewis on Martin Luther King's weekend.
Preibus said that this is all a matter for President Obama-- whom the GOP never questioned the legitimacy of--to sort out. Rather rich with irony.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
GUARDIAN REPORT
The Guardian reports that the British Foreign Office is concerned that leading British officials are being blackmailed by Russia over personal lives.
In reporting Trump's desire for a Rekjavik summit to mirror Reagan's ,the Sunday Times (UK) cites British fears that Britiosh secrets were leaked.
In reporting Trump's desire for a Rekjavik summit to mirror Reagan's ,the Sunday Times (UK) cites British fears that Britiosh secrets were leaked.
NEWS REPORTS ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY EAVESDROPPED ON TRUMP ASSOCATES
The Newsweek report indicates this was during the campaign that Estonians eavesdropped on Trump's people and Russian officials.
Friday, January 13, 2017
DAVID CORN ON FOLLOW-UP WITH BRIT SPY
David Corn, who broke the dossier story in the summer,recontacted with source, who had been hired by a GOP presidential candidate ,then an American company to evaluate Trump's business ties with Russia and Europe. The man said it found out "hair-rising stuff". He said the sex stuff happened around Miss Universe and --yes, the Donald was blackmailed to give info to the Russians. In other words the blackmail was already executed.
GOOD NEWS
Dan Rather wrote an op-ed piece hailing President Obama as one of a kind that we might not see again. He asks us to remember how dire the economic situation was when he enters office.
Dan noticed what many of us did in the Farewell Address, Obama sounded like he was readying a new campaign and that he will be heard of soon.
The good news is that as a former President he can ask to speak on the floor of the Senate for the rest of his life.
The other good news is that both john Kerry and Joe Biden have said they will continue to speak out.
Dan noticed what many of us did in the Farewell Address, Obama sounded like he was readying a new campaign and that he will be heard of soon.
The good news is that as a former President he can ask to speak on the floor of the Senate for the rest of his life.
The other good news is that both john Kerry and Joe Biden have said they will continue to speak out.
REUTERS REPORTS ON WHAT FLYNT TOLD RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR
In the several phone calls with the Russian ambassador when the spies were expelled from the United States,Reuters reports that Flynt told him that Trump would soon reverse the decision. That's why Putin didn't retaliate.
FORMER UK AMBASSADOR TO UK DEFENDS TRUMP DOSSIER
Sir Andrew Wood, UK ambassador to Russia (1995-2000), defended Christopher Steele's dossier on Donald Trump. Wood admits he talked to John McCain about the allegations in November.
RUSSIAN SPIES
Penthouse has received three offers of Trump's golden shower videos,one of which was made at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow. No one knows whether they are real.
Josh Marshall in "Hall of Mirrors" has his analysis of the Russia scandal. Josh points to our intelligence telling the Israelis not to share their deep secrets with the Trump administration for fear they will got to Russia and then to Iran. Josh points out that the Israelis leaked it to one of Israeli's leading investigative reporters.
General Flynt ,it was reported, was on the phone several times to the Russian ambassador when Obama invoked additional sanctions on Russia. Flynt who has been linked to Russia broke protocol with the call and no one knows what he said.
Trump this morning is still going bananas on the Russia report and news organizations that still report on it.
The Right tried to discredit the dossier on Trump. Turns out it was written by the former Russia Desk man at MI-6, who also assisted on the Russian doping investigation in the Olympics.
This morning the White House released a photo of Obama and Biden examining the dossier on Trump.
Josh Marshall in "Hall of Mirrors" has his analysis of the Russia scandal. Josh points to our intelligence telling the Israelis not to share their deep secrets with the Trump administration for fear they will got to Russia and then to Iran. Josh points out that the Israelis leaked it to one of Israeli's leading investigative reporters.
General Flynt ,it was reported, was on the phone several times to the Russian ambassador when Obama invoked additional sanctions on Russia. Flynt who has been linked to Russia broke protocol with the call and no one knows what he said.
Trump this morning is still going bananas on the Russia report and news organizations that still report on it.
The Right tried to discredit the dossier on Trump. Turns out it was written by the former Russia Desk man at MI-6, who also assisted on the Russian doping investigation in the Olympics.
This morning the White House released a photo of Obama and Biden examining the dossier on Trump.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
QUICK TAKES
General Mattis said that the US must stick with the Iran nuclear deal.
Rex Tillerson said the US has to stick with the Paris Accord. Does not comment on human rights and democracy in hearing.
Ben Carson can't promise the Trump family will not profit from HUD.
Chuck Schumer says he will vote against Jefferson Session III.
Trump says he wants to open the national parks up to drilling.
Utah, the Republicans want to sue to prevent Bears' Claws from becoming a national monument.
On the key issues of Trump's platform,all nominees for cabinet posts said they didn't talk about that with Trump. General Kelly of Homeland Security said he didn't talk about the Wall with Mexico and ,besides,it will not work anyway.
Rex Tillerson said the US has to stick with the Paris Accord. Does not comment on human rights and democracy in hearing.
Ben Carson can't promise the Trump family will not profit from HUD.
Chuck Schumer says he will vote against Jefferson Session III.
Trump says he wants to open the national parks up to drilling.
Utah, the Republicans want to sue to prevent Bears' Claws from becoming a national monument.
On the key issues of Trump's platform,all nominees for cabinet posts said they didn't talk about that with Trump. General Kelly of Homeland Security said he didn't talk about the Wall with Mexico and ,besides,it will not work anyway.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
SENATE PASSES BUDGET RESOLUTION
By 51-48 or partisan lines,the Senate voted to pass the budget by reconciliation and path the way for the repeal of Obamacare. The House is supposed to vote on Friday.
The Democrats mounted a Vote-a-Rama with numerous amendments saving key components of Obamacare like pre-existing conditions but no Republicans broke.
A humble idea: Instead of calling members at their offices, pick their homes. Their addresses are available.
If Obamacare is repealed,send all medical bills to Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. Certainly their corporate donors can pay for them.
The Democrats mounted a Vote-a-Rama with numerous amendments saving key components of Obamacare like pre-existing conditions but no Republicans broke.
A humble idea: Instead of calling members at their offices, pick their homes. Their addresses are available.
If Obamacare is repealed,send all medical bills to Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. Certainly their corporate donors can pay for them.
FINANCIAL TIMES RETURNS
by Michael Stott and Catherine Belton examines in a multi-part story Trump's interest and ties to Russia beginning with Gorbachev.
BBC CONFIRMS EAST EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE SOURCES SAY RUSSIA DOES HAVE COMPROMISING MATERIALS
BBC reports that the homer MI6 agent is not the only source for the information about Russians. They confirmed with a CIA source in the summer that there were more than just one video and they were not only from Moscow but also St.Petersburg. The BBC reported that an East European intelligence agency claims the Russians have alot of compromising materials on Trump.
ARE WE LIVING IN NAZI GERMANY?
TRUMP RESPONDS:
"Russia just said the unverified report paid for by my political opponents a "complete and total fabrication,utter nonsense. Unfair."
Dmitri Peskov, Vladimir Putin's spokesman (mentioned in the document) said allegations are "pulp fiction" and a clear attempt to damage relations".
Trump:
"I have nothing to do with Russia--no deals,no loans, no nothing."
"Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into public. One last shot at me "Are we living in Nazi Germany."
"Russia just said the unverified report paid for by my political opponents a "complete and total fabrication,utter nonsense. Unfair."
Dmitri Peskov, Vladimir Putin's spokesman (mentioned in the document) said allegations are "pulp fiction" and a clear attempt to damage relations".
Trump:
"I have nothing to do with Russia--no deals,no loans, no nothing."
"Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into public. One last shot at me "Are we living in Nazi Germany."
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
NEWSWEEK
Jeff Stein on "Trump,Russian Spies and the Infamous " Golden Shower" memos.
Stein reproduces the history of this memo floating around Washington and how it got elaborated on by supplemental information obtained by the intelligence agencies. The question was whether it was just another "kinky" aspect of Trump like the Grab them by the Pussy tapes or a case of blackmail. If it is blackmail, it is in national security.
Stein says the information hit like a bomb today and the Trump people are trying to draft a statement.
The important line near the end of the Stein piece is that intelligence have evidence the Russian and Trump people traded information.
Also relevant was the Financial Times series on how the Russian mafia bailed Trump out of his bankruptcy.
Stein reproduces the history of this memo floating around Washington and how it got elaborated on by supplemental information obtained by the intelligence agencies. The question was whether it was just another "kinky" aspect of Trump like the Grab them by the Pussy tapes or a case of blackmail. If it is blackmail, it is in national security.
Stein says the information hit like a bomb today and the Trump people are trying to draft a statement.
The important line near the end of the Stein piece is that intelligence have evidence the Russian and Trump people traded information.
Also relevant was the Financial Times series on how the Russian mafia bailed Trump out of his bankruptcy.
ABC REPORT
Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer, allegedly flew to Prague in August to meet a Russian intelligence officer about a videotape the Russians were blackmailing Trump with.
Michael Cohen denies he ever was in Prague.
Michael Cohen denies he ever was in Prague.
RUSSIAN HACK TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM TRUMP'S PROBLEM
I don't know whether you read the NYTimes article on Jared Kushner and his deep relations with then Chinese. Apparently the Russians feared that Donald Trump's extensive bribes and kickbacks to Chinese officials would damage his campaign if they ever got out so they focused more dirt of Hillary.
FROM CLASS TO CRASS
If you follow twitter #goldenshowers or # make Americaurinate again. To capture the popular appreciation of Trump having Russian hookers pee on him.
Barack Obama
"I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring change, but in yours"
"Yes, We Can!
"Yes, we did!
"Yes, We Can!.
# times Democracy used in farewell Speeches:
Obama 20.
W 4
The rest going back to Truman 0 or 1.
"Yes, We Can!
"Yes, we did!
"Yes, We Can!.
# times Democracy used in farewell Speeches:
Obama 20.
W 4
The rest going back to Truman 0 or 1.
YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!
The man just makes me smile. I have five pages of notes on his speech but I won't bore you. Remember John McCain called Joe Biden to concede in 2008. He didn't have the courtesy to call Barack.The Republicans even before he was inaugurated adopted a strategy of obstruction. John Boehner flew to New York to ensure Wall Street wouldn't invest in the economy. There was over $2 trillion they could have unleashed. The economy was in a very scary free fall. If the auto industry were to go bankrupt ,our complete manufacturing base would have evaporated. The global economy was in a Depression--forget Recession--. We had over 150,000 troops overseas. Iran ignored the Bush administration and was adding thousands of centrifuges all the time.
And this very young man became President. He was disrespected his whole two terms.Even this year, the Senate refused to hear his budget,his request for a declaration of war against ISIS had linger for two and half years and his Supreme Court justice was ignored.
Tonight he looked very refreshed, not as haggard and grey as he looked at his farewell to the armed services.
Tonight he came home to Chicago to a thunderous crowd who chanted Four More Years! Four More Years!. He literally closed the speech with an authentic my last words to you are "Yes We Can ! Yes We Can!" It wasn't nostalgia. It was a new call to arms. He said that to those who were young or young at heart. "Believe in your ability to bring change. The story is not written."
In the last segments of the speech,he alluded to what we have been hearing. That he will be working as a citizen on issues such as voting rights, gerrymandering, and how citizens can participate in our democracy. I thought his phrase 'the anxious jealous guardians of democracy" seemed to be appropriate and perhaps the next set of speeches when he leaves the White House. He repeated his saying the most important office in a democracy is citizen.
Tired of politics,run for office yourself.
Show up,Dive In, Stay at it.
He seems to be rehearsing his lines for training and grooming the next generation of leaders.
The speech was a warning about the threats to our democracy. Here he seems to have fused his speeches about the American identity into a coherent whole. And he warned that betraying our values will destroy our democracy.
But he was very upbeat and optimistic. And acted as a cheerleader for everyone gathered.
I think he finally found the formula to talk about his achievements. He managed to list them but with a phrase if I told you in 2008, we would have the longest period of job creation in our history,better relations with Cuba, an Iran Nuclear deal without firings shot,20 million having health insured and the lowest uninsured rate in our history, marriage equality and the death of a terrorist leader, you would tell me our sights were too high.
Which is true. Those things people thought were impossible. I knew he would get Bin Laden when he said it in a debate. That didn't surprise me. But frankly I didn't believe any of the other things would happen. The opening to Cuba was the most covert diplomacy I have seen in my life. No a word leaked.
The gains in LGBT rights the most dramatic human rights a changes in my lifetime. The Iranian Nuclear Deal with such hostility from the Republicans and Israel amazing. He was the first President who kept every promise he made to the American Indians, which they acknowledge.
I was disappointed he didn't mention adding a trillion acres to our national parks and monuments. One of his greatest legacies.
The Paris Climate Change Accord signed by nearly 200 countries is one of the greatest achievements in American diplomacy. Think about it: FDR could create the UN and its structure simply by getting Great Britain and Russia to agree. And that was amazing.
Be Vigilant but not Afraid as he urged Americans to continue the fight for human rights and democracy despite how flawed we are. We don't want to become a big country that just bullies our neighbors.
He presented a country that is prosperous, all-inclusive and secure. And he made it so.
He got most enthused when talking about the young, who said wanted a fair,just and inclusive world. And he reminded them they will outnumber us and our future is secure.
I have been critical of his optimism and others also say he minimizes our dark sides.
But tonight he showed one aspect of his brilliance as a leader. He made you as the participant in what he achieved and what you achieved was good.
Know go read the speech and do a little thought experiment. Could you imagine Donald Trump referring to all those events in our history and drawing a lesson from it?
Weirdly President Obama created a new definition tonight for American exceptionalism--our values and ability to embrace change makes us exceptional. Nice.
I will miss him. And he ended as Bruce Springsteen played Land Of Hopes and Dreams.
You saw a man who grew in office and will grow even more. He is only 55. Terrific man, so eloquent,elegant,sharp and at the sometime humble. He said we kept him honest,inspired and a better man.
One of his legacies is that the White House was the People's House with everybody seen there. His was a most diverse and tolerant America. He appealed to our better angels.
God help us now. Elvis will leave the building in ten days.
An what will we do for music? The music and the arts were all effortlessly part of America.
And this very young man became President. He was disrespected his whole two terms.Even this year, the Senate refused to hear his budget,his request for a declaration of war against ISIS had linger for two and half years and his Supreme Court justice was ignored.
Tonight he looked very refreshed, not as haggard and grey as he looked at his farewell to the armed services.
Tonight he came home to Chicago to a thunderous crowd who chanted Four More Years! Four More Years!. He literally closed the speech with an authentic my last words to you are "Yes We Can ! Yes We Can!" It wasn't nostalgia. It was a new call to arms. He said that to those who were young or young at heart. "Believe in your ability to bring change. The story is not written."
In the last segments of the speech,he alluded to what we have been hearing. That he will be working as a citizen on issues such as voting rights, gerrymandering, and how citizens can participate in our democracy. I thought his phrase 'the anxious jealous guardians of democracy" seemed to be appropriate and perhaps the next set of speeches when he leaves the White House. He repeated his saying the most important office in a democracy is citizen.
Tired of politics,run for office yourself.
Show up,Dive In, Stay at it.
He seems to be rehearsing his lines for training and grooming the next generation of leaders.
The speech was a warning about the threats to our democracy. Here he seems to have fused his speeches about the American identity into a coherent whole. And he warned that betraying our values will destroy our democracy.
But he was very upbeat and optimistic. And acted as a cheerleader for everyone gathered.
I think he finally found the formula to talk about his achievements. He managed to list them but with a phrase if I told you in 2008, we would have the longest period of job creation in our history,better relations with Cuba, an Iran Nuclear deal without firings shot,20 million having health insured and the lowest uninsured rate in our history, marriage equality and the death of a terrorist leader, you would tell me our sights were too high.
Which is true. Those things people thought were impossible. I knew he would get Bin Laden when he said it in a debate. That didn't surprise me. But frankly I didn't believe any of the other things would happen. The opening to Cuba was the most covert diplomacy I have seen in my life. No a word leaked.
The gains in LGBT rights the most dramatic human rights a changes in my lifetime. The Iranian Nuclear Deal with such hostility from the Republicans and Israel amazing. He was the first President who kept every promise he made to the American Indians, which they acknowledge.
I was disappointed he didn't mention adding a trillion acres to our national parks and monuments. One of his greatest legacies.
The Paris Climate Change Accord signed by nearly 200 countries is one of the greatest achievements in American diplomacy. Think about it: FDR could create the UN and its structure simply by getting Great Britain and Russia to agree. And that was amazing.
Be Vigilant but not Afraid as he urged Americans to continue the fight for human rights and democracy despite how flawed we are. We don't want to become a big country that just bullies our neighbors.
He presented a country that is prosperous, all-inclusive and secure. And he made it so.
He got most enthused when talking about the young, who said wanted a fair,just and inclusive world. And he reminded them they will outnumber us and our future is secure.
I have been critical of his optimism and others also say he minimizes our dark sides.
But tonight he showed one aspect of his brilliance as a leader. He made you as the participant in what he achieved and what you achieved was good.
Know go read the speech and do a little thought experiment. Could you imagine Donald Trump referring to all those events in our history and drawing a lesson from it?
Weirdly President Obama created a new definition tonight for American exceptionalism--our values and ability to embrace change makes us exceptional. Nice.
I will miss him. And he ended as Bruce Springsteen played Land Of Hopes and Dreams.
You saw a man who grew in office and will grow even more. He is only 55. Terrific man, so eloquent,elegant,sharp and at the sometime humble. He said we kept him honest,inspired and a better man.
One of his legacies is that the White House was the People's House with everybody seen there. His was a most diverse and tolerant America. He appealed to our better angels.
God help us now. Elvis will leave the building in ten days.
An what will we do for music? The music and the arts were all effortlessly part of America.
THE GUARDIAN REPORTS JOHN MCCAIN GAVE THE FBI DOSSIER
Apparently John McCain gave the FBI a dossier of information about Trump's coordination with the Russians and reports the Russians had compromising information on Trump. The Guardian reports he did this last month.
GUARDIAN: TRUMP DELIVERED ON PROMISES
Trump and his team agreed to sideline the Ukraine as a campaign issue. As we saw the Republican platform was changed on the Ukraine from giving military support to aid. He would raise the US/NATO defense commitments of Eastern europe and the Baltics because Putin wanted these issues cauterized.
The Guardian also reports that the FBI early on went to the FISA Court to get warrants on four Trump campaign staffers but were denied until October. The FISA Court grants the government almost 99% of their requests. We don't know how extensive the investigation is.
The Guardian also reports that the FBI early on went to the FISA Court to get warrants on four Trump campaign staffers but were denied until October. The FISA Court grants the government almost 99% of their requests. We don't know how extensive the investigation is.
DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW.
Various legal websites caution don't jump to conclusions on "golden"gate. But they suggest that now the documents are in the public eye,the public will take the Russian hacking story more seriously. They also state that we know the allegations of Trump and Trump's campaign in the hacking scandal is under legal review.
THE ORANGEMAN GOES APE ON TWITTER.
Fake News! It's a witch hunt. Donald is just warming up. It is now Pissgate and golden showers is trending now on twitter.
HUFFINGTONPOST HAS ARTICLE HOW TO READ THE RUSSIAN STORIES
Huffington Post says the allegations are serious because intel community presented summary to both President Obama and Trump. However,some of the allegations have not been verified by even the British agent who reported them.
David Corn of Mother Jones had the essential pop research memo by the British agent but onle summarized its existence and generally the allegations . But Corn didn't print the full content because "even Donald Trump deserves fairness fairness."
Maybe Trump can tell us at tomorrow's news conference.
David Corn of Mother Jones had the essential pop research memo by the British agent but onle summarized its existence and generally the allegations . But Corn didn't print the full content because "even Donald Trump deserves fairness fairness."
Maybe Trump can tell us at tomorrow's news conference.
BINGO! NEW YORK TIMES ALSO.
The New York Times has the story front-page about Trump receiving briefing on his personal behavior.
BOOM: RUSSIAN STORY BREAKING AT WASHINGTON POST
The story about Russia having compromising info on Trump was the banner across the Post.
The Daily Beast covered the "golden showers" bit of the Buzzfeed report.
And mighty Steve Benen enters the fray at Rachelmaddowblog on the real nearing of the intel community's briefing of Trump not his version.
The Daily Beast covered the "golden showers" bit of the Buzzfeed report.
And mighty Steve Benen enters the fray at Rachelmaddowblog on the real nearing of the intel community's briefing of Trump not his version.
BUZZFEED MEMO SPELLS OUT TRUMP CAMPAIGN COLLUSION WITH RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT
Buzz feed's 35 page document details how the Trump campaign had moles inside the DNC and the method they got the information to Russia. The memo claims Russians from the New York consulate were paid "pensions" from the campaign and sent the info on to Moscow where it was recycled through Wikileaks.
The memo goes on to explain Paul Manafort's role in all this as well as Carter Paige.
The memo goes on to explain Paul Manafort's role in all this as well as Carter Paige.
BUZZFEED PUBLISHES INTEL DOCUMENT ABOUT TRUMP
The document written by a British intelligence agent documents what the Russian intelligence has been compiling on Trump for years including sexual perversions.
One example was occupying the room Obama and Michelle Obama stayed in while in Moscow and hiring prostitutes to defile the bed and engage in golden showers with each other.
The document details when Russian intelligence began "recruiting" him and the types of info they had on him.
One example was occupying the room Obama and Michelle Obama stayed in while in Moscow and hiring prostitutes to defile the bed and engage in golden showers with each other.
The document details when Russian intelligence began "recruiting" him and the types of info they had on him.
JOS MARSHALL SAYS BE CAUTIOUS WITH CNN REPORT.
Josh is saying it seems like the memos David Corn found in the summer--explosive enough--and that the intelligence agency didn't rank it as totally confident as they did the hacking, which they said was totally certain.
SENATOR WYDEN PRESSES COMEY TO RELEASE INFO ON TRUMP-RUSSKIE TIES
Senator Wyden from Oregon who sits on the intelligence committee had FBI Director James Comey before him today and asked whether Comey would release the information of the Trump campaign's relationship with Russia to the American people before January 20th. Comey said he didn't comment on an ongoing information. Wyden pressed him further on noting that Paul Manafort had been mentioned. Stay tuned.
CNN REPORT: CARL BERNSTEIN AND JAKE TAPPER
CNN reports that the intelligence community in their briefing with Trump presented evidence that his campaign had been on constant contact with the Russians and that the Russians had personal and financial information to compromise him. They attacked to the report memos providing this. The evidence had first surfaced in Mother Jones. An MI6 agent in Moscow had reported this to the CIA and MI6 had presented copies to the FBI man stationed in Rome.
Apparently Harry Reid asked James Comey about this issue.
The information had been given to Obama in his briefing of the Russian hacking incident. Copies are also in the hands of John McCain.
Apparently Harry Reid asked James Comey about this issue.
The information had been given to Obama in his briefing of the Russian hacking incident. Copies are also in the hands of John McCain.
JONATHAN CHAIT SAYS OBAMA'S LEGACY MORE SECURE THAN YOU OR THE GOP THINK.
Chait's point, which he has written a new book on,is that Dodd-Frank won't be repealed, just not enforced by Trump, and other regulations the same but once a Democrat is back in power they will be. He quotes Obama as saying history is not reversed ,it sometimes goes sideways. Nothing can erase his role in bringing the economy back from the brink of destruction or saving the auto industry. Even Obamacare may get twisted somehow into Trumpcare, but the basic rethinking of healthcare in this country has changed. He also points to education where the Obama Administration spent more than the GI Bill on upper education and snuck money in the stimulus that produced more high school graduates than ever before.
Chait says that the GOPdownplays his legacy but he changed things so much that it is like we are having a new Reconstruction in reaction.
Chait says that the GOPdownplays his legacy but he changed things so much that it is like we are having a new Reconstruction in reaction.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Nancy LeTourneau writes in the Washington Monthly that after his A-list party President Obama met with several of his outgoing staff, Eric Holder and the mayor of Minneapolis and those who were with him in 2008. President Obama told them the best is yet to come.
Yesterday, his spokesman said that President Obama will take a vacation and get back to work on building a movement which will focus on voter rights and other issues he is concerned about. OFA,Organizing for America, has been hiring multiple people in Chicago.
President Obama said he will speak out if Trump gets rid of executive orders he is concerned about --such as on Dreamers.
It will be interesting whether he will allude to this in his farewell speech tonight.
Yesterday, his spokesman said that President Obama will take a vacation and get back to work on building a movement which will focus on voter rights and other issues he is concerned about. OFA,Organizing for America, has been hiring multiple people in Chicago.
President Obama said he will speak out if Trump gets rid of executive orders he is concerned about --such as on Dreamers.
It will be interesting whether he will allude to this in his farewell speech tonight.
Monday, January 9, 2017
JOSH MARSHALL:THE WHEELS MAY HAVE COME OFF OBAMACARE REPEAL.
Josh Marshall says don't count on it but those Republicans saying they need a replacement are growing in number. Marshall thinks McConnell will browbeat alot of them to keep to the program but then the GOP is stuck with the promise that no one who has insurance will lose it. That can't be real unless they replace with something compatible.
JONATHAN CHAIT IN NEW YORK MAGAZINE
Chait says that Obamacare Repeal may have died tonight. He explains the arcane Senate rules that may make that a reality. He explains that Corker and other Republicans have attached an amendment to the Repeal vote that postpones it until March when the GOP would be given enough time to come up with an alternative.
Chait emphasizes that the Repeal would not affect the rules like the patients' bill of rights. That would be a regular bill which would to avoid filibuster. Chait said the Republican strategy was to crater the insurance markets and intimidate Democrats to support their plan but their own colleagues are getting nervous.
Chait emphasizes that the Repeal would not affect the rules like the patients' bill of rights. That would be a regular bill which would to avoid filibuster. Chait said the Republican strategy was to crater the insurance markets and intimidate Democrats to support their plan but their own colleagues are getting nervous.
SEN.CORY BOOKER TO TESTIFY AGAINST SESSIONS.
This is the first time a sitting Senator has ever testified against a fellow Semnator nominated for a cabinet post.
ALEXANDER AND CORKER FOR DELAY
Lamar Alexander says Repeal must have a replacement ready to the consumer. Corker rightfully says that Repal without a Replacement wipes of the tax revenues for a replacement.
Josh Marshall is up and running on the reapl story.
Josh Marshall is up and running on the reapl story.
GENE ROBINSON" TRUMP IS WEAK".
Gene Robinson at the Post knows Trump's tweets against Meryl Streep are over the top and not the most important issues considering Trump throwing millions off healthcare and picking fights with the Chinese.
But Gene thinks they are important because they show a man so thin-skinned he has to spend time responding to it. Remember in 2015 he said she was fabulous.
There is something wrong with this man.
But Gene thinks they are important because they show a man so thin-skinned he has to spend time responding to it. Remember in 2015 he said she was fabulous.
There is something wrong with this man.
"REPEAL AND RUN IF FOR COWARDS".
Elizabeth Warren gave a blistering speech on the Senate's Repeal Obamacare bill. Joan McCarter at Dailykos posted it. You should look at it.
Warren's main point was that Romneycare in Massachusetts was fined-tuned over the years by bipartisan lawmakers committed to improving the healthcare system in that state. Now over 97.3% are insured.
However, she says even there Reapealing obamacare would crash the insurance market and destroyed all the state and federal partnerships such as a new Medicaid agreement.
Good for you girl. She's right the Republicans don't know what they are doing. They just want to make a political point and blame everything on Obama. But she says they can't any longer. They have to govern.
Warren's main point was that Romneycare in Massachusetts was fined-tuned over the years by bipartisan lawmakers committed to improving the healthcare system in that state. Now over 97.3% are insured.
However, she says even there Reapealing obamacare would crash the insurance market and destroyed all the state and federal partnerships such as a new Medicaid agreement.
Good for you girl. She's right the Republicans don't know what they are doing. They just want to make a political point and blame everything on Obama. But she says they can't any longer. They have to govern.
TRUMP TEAM GUTS NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
Today the Trump team notified the head and deputy of the nuclear security administration to leave on January 20. They are without replacement. The $12 billion agency maintains and enhances the softy,security and effectiveness of the US nuclear weapons stockpile. To be without leadership,the whole security of the stockpile is at risk.
TRUMP TEAM CLAIMS KUSHNER TO WHITE HOUSE,NOT AN AGENCY.
The law doesn't apply. It does but the Trump team thinks they can argue differently. The Trump team argues the nepotism laws only apply to government agencies.
PRESIDENT OBAMA IN SCIENCE MAGAZINE
As reported in Huffington Post, President Obama wrote that the move to green energy is irreversible despite Trump's platform. He urged the United States to remain part oif the Paris Climate Accord because this allows us to keep pressure on those who might fall short of missing their commitments.
While Obama said that green energy is also good for the bottom line and can provide a healthy economy in the future, it seems China's commitment to renewable energy might make them the green energy powerhouse in the future.
While Obama said that green energy is also good for the bottom line and can provide a healthy economy in the future, it seems China's commitment to renewable energy might make them the green energy powerhouse in the future.
JARED KUSHNER NAMED WHITE HOUSE ADVISER
So now we have conflicts of interest with Kushner's Chinese investors and the little thing called Nepotism laws.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
POST URGES OBAMA TO CREATE MONUMENT TO RECONSTRUCTION
The Post suggests Beaufort,South Carolina as the pace because many of its buildings are still in place.
WHAT IS IT WITH TRUMP'S DOUBLE CHIN?
He looks like a blimp and the tailored suits remind me of Orson Welles' wardrobe. He must be aware that his father Fred started the long journey into darkness at his age.
What's wrong with this guy? Keith Olbermann is right but it goes beyond dementia.
What's wrong with this guy? Keith Olbermann is right but it goes beyond dementia.
REINCEPREIBUS SAYS TRUMP DOESN'T WANT TO MEDDLE WITH SOCIAL SECURITY OR MEDICARE.
But wants to shore them up for future generations. The last is the operative phrase. In essence Preibus and Ryan are going to snow Trump with their plans.
ANDREW CUOMO WAS FIRE.
First he announced free tuition for children of parents earning below $150,000.
Now he has announced early voting, automatic registration and election-day registration.
He's becoming the Jerry Brown of the east.
Now he has announced early voting, automatic registration and election-day registration.
He's becoming the Jerry Brown of the east.
TED CRUZ MET Taiwanese Tsai Ing-wen Today
Cruz then sent a letter to Beijing questioning the two-China policy.
Malcolm Nance in his radio interview said Trump's stunt with China over Taiwan sent the intelligence community nuts because two things they fear: a Chinese invasion of Taiwan; and the collapse of the world markets caused by a U.S.-China trade war.
Malcolm Nance in his radio interview said Trump's stunt with China over Taiwan sent the intelligence community nuts because two things they fear: a Chinese invasion of Taiwan; and the collapse of the world markets caused by a U.S.-China trade war.
ELECTIONS CONNECTIONS: RUSSIA
At Dailykos, this post by JUSducky is a letter to Chuck Schumer of all the Russian connections linked to Donald Trump, Too extensive for me to summarize. But one name sticks out--Wilbur Ross for Commerce Secretary who is partners with Viktor Vekselberg,one of the richest men in Moscow. They own a bank in Cyprus together. Vekselberg is a close friend of Putin and Ross plans to make a Russian intelligence operative the deputy in his partnership with Vekselberg.
The letter goes on to Bayshore Properties in New York which laundered millions from Russia and Kazahstan to Trump properties.
By this afternoon, Mitch McConnell is griping about the Democrats not allowing cabinet members to be confirmed because of onerous conflict of interest checks. Democratic websites have posted his criteria for Obama's picks in 2009--which made them run through the hoops.
The letter goes on to Bayshore Properties in New York which laundered millions from Russia and Kazahstan to Trump properties.
By this afternoon, Mitch McConnell is griping about the Democrats not allowing cabinet members to be confirmed because of onerous conflict of interest checks. Democratic websites have posted his criteria for Obama's picks in 2009--which made them run through the hoops.
RADIO INTERVIEW WITH MALCOLM NANCE
This interview with Malcolm Nance was an hour-long on WAMU and is posted today on democraticunderground. While Nance appeared on television he is basically an intelligence analyst, not a journalist.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
President Obama called Putin on the Red Phone and told Putin not to tamper with the vote or vote counting in the US. If you recall Obama asserted the actual vote was not tampered with. He was sending a message to Moscow.
Carter Paige,Trump's aide was sent in July to Moscow with a message that if Trump were elected sanctions would be lifted against Russia and the US would recognize their seizure of the Crimea.
Paul Manafort had been paid by Moscow to organize posttests in the Crimea against NATO exercises. Russia seized the Crimea the next month.
General Flynn is recognized by Russia as a Putin ally. He was seated on Putin's right hand at an RT banquet which was broadcast nationally. Both Flynn and the TV audience would know what this conveyed.
Our intelligence believes Rex Tillerson is a Russian asset. He was given the order of Friendship by Putin and had worked his way up in ExxonMobil by working the Russia file at that company.
Our own intelligence believes Trump was coopted by Russia at the Miss Universe pageant in 2013. Trump used unsecured communications in Moscow at the time and thought Moscow was the new source of money for him.
The intelligence community says that Russia recruits by playing MICE--Money,Ideology, Coopting, Ego.
The intelligence community saw July 27 when Trump made his statement about welcoming Russia to hack Clinton's e-mails as an indication Trump was no longer an unwilling player in this game.
Nance called Trump a "Walking Security Risk". He said he bought totally into Russia's perception of foreign policy after the Miss Universe event.
He said that Mattis and General Kelly are viewed by the deep government as possible brakes on Trump. But he personally doesn't think they will last long under Flint as national security adviser.
He was discussing his book on Putin and Wikileaks Trying To Effect the 2016 Election. The book was written shortly after the Democratic Convention and he says last weeks findings just confirmed it.
He was cautious about whether the election was stolen. But he did say that Putin took the risks--which are big--becayse true rewards were so great--an American president who agreed with Russian foreign policy.
He claimed some of the intelligence community would stay behind and try to prevent as much damage as possible. He said this was true with other agencies where the top didn't believe in their mission.
He said his best advice was for average citizens to call up their congress critter over the issue that annoys them the most. Keith Ellison said the same thing on NBC this morning.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
President Obama called Putin on the Red Phone and told Putin not to tamper with the vote or vote counting in the US. If you recall Obama asserted the actual vote was not tampered with. He was sending a message to Moscow.
Carter Paige,Trump's aide was sent in July to Moscow with a message that if Trump were elected sanctions would be lifted against Russia and the US would recognize their seizure of the Crimea.
Paul Manafort had been paid by Moscow to organize posttests in the Crimea against NATO exercises. Russia seized the Crimea the next month.
General Flynn is recognized by Russia as a Putin ally. He was seated on Putin's right hand at an RT banquet which was broadcast nationally. Both Flynn and the TV audience would know what this conveyed.
Our intelligence believes Rex Tillerson is a Russian asset. He was given the order of Friendship by Putin and had worked his way up in ExxonMobil by working the Russia file at that company.
Our own intelligence believes Trump was coopted by Russia at the Miss Universe pageant in 2013. Trump used unsecured communications in Moscow at the time and thought Moscow was the new source of money for him.
The intelligence community says that Russia recruits by playing MICE--Money,Ideology, Coopting, Ego.
The intelligence community saw July 27 when Trump made his statement about welcoming Russia to hack Clinton's e-mails as an indication Trump was no longer an unwilling player in this game.
Nance called Trump a "Walking Security Risk". He said he bought totally into Russia's perception of foreign policy after the Miss Universe event.
He said that Mattis and General Kelly are viewed by the deep government as possible brakes on Trump. But he personally doesn't think they will last long under Flint as national security adviser.
He was discussing his book on Putin and Wikileaks Trying To Effect the 2016 Election. The book was written shortly after the Democratic Convention and he says last weeks findings just confirmed it.
He was cautious about whether the election was stolen. But he did say that Putin took the risks--which are big--becayse true rewards were so great--an American president who agreed with Russian foreign policy.
He claimed some of the intelligence community would stay behind and try to prevent as much damage as possible. He said this was true with other agencies where the top didn't believe in their mission.
He said his best advice was for average citizens to call up their congress critter over the issue that annoys them the most. Keith Ellison said the same thing on NBC this morning.
ERASING OBAMA
Republicans are hell-bent on erasing Obama from history. On the First day, Trump says he will repeal all of Obama's executive orders, which somehow the Republicans claimed was a "lack of constitutional etiquette".
Obama issued 260 executive orders, which put him down there or up there with Calvin Coolidge.
Tim Egan in his column "Erasing Obama" points out that his solid legacy is having the longest period of job creation in American history. But he points out that Trump will wreck that within a few months because of trade wars, and strange tax policies.
Egan goes on to write how eliminating Obamacare will hurt the Trump supporters the most. (I maintain it will hurt all of his.)
But Egan is right--Trump can't erase the image of a classy, eloquent , family values guy who operated with measured rationality. That guy is forever.
Obama issued 260 executive orders, which put him down there or up there with Calvin Coolidge.
Tim Egan in his column "Erasing Obama" points out that his solid legacy is having the longest period of job creation in American history. But he points out that Trump will wreck that within a few months because of trade wars, and strange tax policies.
Egan goes on to write how eliminating Obamacare will hurt the Trump supporters the most. (I maintain it will hurt all of his.)
But Egan is right--Trump can't erase the image of a classy, eloquent , family values guy who operated with measured rationality. That guy is forever.
EVER THE OPTOMIST OBAMA TELLS GEORGE S. OBAMACARE WILL SURVIVE HIS PRESIDENCY.
The GOP is trying to make the case that the Democrats passed Obamacare secretly and they should repeal it that way. Anyone reading this block then will remember how extensive the dates were and the fact I personally read three drafts of then ACA when the GOP claimed they didn't know what was in it. And no, it was not 2,000pages but 900 pages.
This week will be the crucial votes. While some Republican members think it is foolhardy to repeal it without a replacement, Paul Ryan wants to give a tax break to high earners and doesn't care whether anyone loses their insurance.
This week will be the crucial votes. While some Republican members think it is foolhardy to repeal it without a replacement, Paul Ryan wants to give a tax break to high earners and doesn't care whether anyone loses their insurance.
LINDSEY GRAHAM BLASTS REPUBLICANS WHO ARE GLEEFUL OVER HACKS
Interviewed by Chuck Todd, Lindsey Graham said Republicans who are gleeful about the Russian interference with our elections are just political hacks and will pay a price for their position. Graham says that at least the Senate will have a different point of view about Putin than the President-elect.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
BLOOMBERG REPORTS RUSSIA IN TOUCH WITH TRUMP CAMP THROUGHOUT CAMPAIGN.
There were 26 major stories today on the Russian involvement in the 2016 campaign. Most interesting of them were in technical journals where intelligence agents reported it was the most aggressive involvement they have seen by the Russians.
"WE SEEM TO HAVE LOST CONTACT WITH THE TRUMP TEAM."
Raw Story reports this was the comment of the government ethics unit that monitors conflicts of interest.
KURT EICHENWALD STRIKES AGAIN
In his latest article, "Why Putin Backs Trump" in Newsweek, Eichenwald outlines the decisions within Moscow to engage in cyberwarfare in the American elections. He said that Medevev became e concerned after Obama signaled Moscow was interfering in the election. Disputes between the intelligence agencies broke out because Trump started acting erratically. In the meantime, European intelligence agencies were concerned when Trump campaign personnel started showing up in Moscow. They also noted a Trump campaign official met with a member of the DUMA in an eastern European country.
The kicker is that European intelligence has made a decision to gather information on the incoming President.
Lengthy and very informative read.
The kicker is that European intelligence has made a decision to gather information on the incoming President.
Lengthy and very informative read.
HILL: MIKE MORRELL WARNS OF A WAVE OF CIA RESIGNATIONS
Former acting-CIA Director warned that Trump's dismissal of the CIA's work on the Russian interference in out election will lead to massive resignations. He also warns that Trump's attitude will cause foreign intelligence not to cooperate with The US.
RUSSIA SNORTS IC REPORT ON HACKS A "GIANT FAKE".
And why does Trump persist in his nonsense tweeting. Yes, there is something wrong with him.
He literally can be impeached the moment he takes office because of his vast conflicts of interest and his massive debt to the Russian oligarchs.
He literally can be impeached the moment he takes office because of his vast conflicts of interest and his massive debt to the Russian oligarchs.
WALL STREET JOURNAL WARN OF TRUMP'S CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS
The Wall Street Journal is examining Trump's conflicts of interests. The paper claims he owes over 110 Wall Street Institutions. And a whooping $350 million to Deusche Bank, which just made a settlement deal with the US Government. The Journal doesn't get into the Russian connection--yet.
SEE VIDEO OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
Norman Eisen and Richard Painter did a video for Brooking Institute on Trump's conflicts of interest and problems with legal exposure once he becomes President. Both men claim he is at civil and maybe criminal risk. They fear his administration will be mired in scandal and illegality the minute they take office.
The Video is on democratic underground under the title what Russia gains with Trump's convicts of interest. The two men speak about the Russian connection only momentarily. The other web address is Brookling. Fix gov.com
The Video is on democratic underground under the title what Russia gains with Trump's convicts of interest. The two men speak about the Russian connection only momentarily. The other web address is Brookling. Fix gov.com
MALCOM NANCE WARNS TRUMP WILL GUT THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.
Former counter-terrorism expert Malcolm Nance warns that Trump will gut the intelligence community because the full details of the Russian hacks and cybercampaign would reveal Trump's presidency is not legitimate.
The journal American Prospect writes that Trump's contacts in the former Soviet republics resemble the Star Wars bar scene. The article says he is financially involved with the "mafias" in these republics, who are some awful dudes.
The journal American Prospect writes that Trump's contacts in the former Soviet republics resemble the Star Wars bar scene. The article says he is financially involved with the "mafias" in these republics, who are some awful dudes.
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