Thursday, February 28, 2019
The Republican Party Completely and Utterly Disgraced Itself at Michael Cohen's Hearing
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a26558985/republicans-michael-cohen-hearing-disgrace-trump/?fbclid=IwAR1L838fMCRXrErtX-7-6fmeP_nR77mQbwC5xHVJ1d5V5SDuy0kRujzIGF0
"These are the complete creatures of the talk-show culture, the perfect products of two and three generations of gerrymandered in-breeding. These are the monsters from inside The Bubble. You could see this moment coming during the Obama years, in which the country returned the two worst Congresses in American history, full to the gunwales with Bible-banging crazy people. Sooner or later, this was going to be all that was left, and it was going to have to confront a serious crisis with unserious people. That's what Wednesday was about."
"These are the complete creatures of the talk-show culture, the perfect products of two and three generations of gerrymandered in-breeding. These are the monsters from inside The Bubble. You could see this moment coming during the Obama years, in which the country returned the two worst Congresses in American history, full to the gunwales with Bible-banging crazy people. Sooner or later, this was going to be all that was left, and it was going to have to confront a serious crisis with unserious people. That's what Wednesday was about."
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Just Expertly Laid a Trap to Get Donald Trump’s Tax Returns
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/02/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-just-expertly-laid-a-trap-to-get-donald-trumps-tax-returns/?fbclid=IwAR3w_w--KdgVRvOVhi-8nuWYVdqSVkKRmMzj8l60mpQLAhN9ssz22xba64w
"Her clear and purposeful line of questioning, which appeared to lay the groundwork for the committee to subpoena the president’s tax returns while capturing the names of those in Trump’s inner circle who may know details of his financials, was widely praised"
"Her clear and purposeful line of questioning, which appeared to lay the groundwork for the committee to subpoena the president’s tax returns while capturing the names of those in Trump’s inner circle who may know details of his financials, was widely praised"
Michael Cohen: “Individual 1 is Donald J. Trump”
https://www.vox.com/2019/2/27/18243038/individual-1-cohen-trump-mueller?fbclid=IwAR0CLWbfsGfk3gi8_uXMJv7p0b7ImNnTyFPAT-MexqF4bDJmmbV-akvZxdY
"There was never any doubt that “Individual 1” was President Donald Trump. But now, in his testimony before the House Oversight Committee Wednesday, Cohen has confirmed it. “I pled guilty in federal court to felonies for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in coordination with ‘Individual 1,’” Cohen said, reading from his prepared statement. “And for the record: ‘Individual 1’ is Donald J. Trump"."
"There was never any doubt that “Individual 1” was President Donald Trump. But now, in his testimony before the House Oversight Committee Wednesday, Cohen has confirmed it. “I pled guilty in federal court to felonies for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in coordination with ‘Individual 1,’” Cohen said, reading from his prepared statement. “And for the record: ‘Individual 1’ is Donald J. Trump"."
Michael Cohen: I threatened Fordham to keep quiet about Trump’s SAT scores and grades
https://www.vox.com/2019/2/27/18243099/michael-cohen-trump-fordham-grades?fbclid=IwAR0XYQsRyQOzS-4C7SS1jBSUwN1yKOv6H_YrPMlv-Pqoi1Rayc5l7xLhul4
"Donald Trump threatened his alma mater with legal action if his college records or SAT scores were released."
"Donald Trump threatened his alma mater with legal action if his college records or SAT scores were released."
Republicans can’t defend Trump against the substance of Cohen’s attacks
https://www.vox.com/2019/2/27/18243233/michael-cohen-testimony-live-republicans?fbclid=IwAR3mq2wdSYUFX_aDefXZSczMdMpqRvOLaCUoR7aD9RR5rukU173zbkZCDMs
"That this is the best Trump’s defenders in the House GOP caucus could up with shows just how brutal Cohen’s testimony is for the White House."
"That this is the best Trump’s defenders in the House GOP caucus could up with shows just how brutal Cohen’s testimony is for the White House."
Michael Cohen’s Scathing Opening Statement Is Littered With Bombshells
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/cohen-trump-testimony-800728/?fbclid=IwAR1dMoDhKCcOqGCXQLdt6PZNZkFS-ZG4GSw05EB7mxPXYowdM-gTMA8TzYA
"In addition to the revelations that could have legal implications for Trump, Cohen also paints the president as an insecure, amoral racist who has no regard for the welfare of the United States. He notes how Trump forced him to write letters to his schools threatening legal action if they were to release any of Trump’s grades. He writes of how Trump ran for president strictly to enhance his brand, and that he never even expected to win the primary. He points out how much worse Trump’s private racism is than what he says in public."
"In addition to the revelations that could have legal implications for Trump, Cohen also paints the president as an insecure, amoral racist who has no regard for the welfare of the United States. He notes how Trump forced him to write letters to his schools threatening legal action if they were to release any of Trump’s grades. He writes of how Trump ran for president strictly to enhance his brand, and that he never even expected to win the primary. He points out how much worse Trump’s private racism is than what he says in public."
Operative At Center Of North Carolina Election Fraud Scandal Is Criminally Charged
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mccrae-dowless-north-carolina_n_5c76c925e4b0031d95649247?fbclid=IwAR0iCSKQSsEmL5ZXqwCuuQXzmWbCPP3-KmcrOTxienDoLX0LSCU6lgW9Ki4
"McCrae Dowless worked on behalf of Republican candidate Mark Harris."
"McCrae Dowless worked on behalf of Republican candidate Mark Harris."
Michael Cohen Accuses Republican Lawmakers Of ‘Blindly’ Following Donald Trump
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-cohen-republicans-trump_n_5c76c624e4b062b30eba5639?fbclid=IwAR1HLSJx2MIc99H2CFKxd_RScdN0s1ZhDV0Rpm6e0GdQqG6QGazTV3s_p6w
"Michael Cohen, during his explosive testimony before the House oversight committee on Wednesday, accused Republican lawmakers of trying to protect President Donald Trump."
"Michael Cohen, during his explosive testimony before the House oversight committee on Wednesday, accused Republican lawmakers of trying to protect President Donald Trump."
Conservative Expert Privately Warned GOP Donors That a Voting Rights Bill Would Help Democrats
https://theintercept.com/2019/02/27/hr1-bill-voting-rights-republicans/?fbclid=IwAR0MDooqnOqNBN6r4iZd3Wbab-NFqfaY6G-zv_RCpP44IMoE-noRtFVqaJQ
"ON THE FIRST day the new Congress was in session in January, Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat from Maryland, introduced the For the People Act, known in the House of Representatives as H.R.1. The sweeping bill seeks to revamp lobbyist registration, campaign financing, and voting rights. The Brennan Center for Justice said it “would create a more responsive and representative government by making it easier for voters to cast a ballot and harder for lawmakers to gerrymander.” By the end of the month, hearings were held on Capitol Hill. One of the witnesses before the House Judiciary Committee hearings was Hans von Spakovsky, a former Federal Election Commission member who is now a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Von Spakovsky used high-minded and principled language to oppose the bill. In his prepared testimony, he wrote that H.R.1 is “clearly unconstitutional,” complaining that its provisions “come at the expense of federalism.” Just two weeks later, however, as von Spakovsky addressed a private gathering of conservatives, he was considerably more candid about his reason for opposing the bill: It would be bad for Republicans. That’s the message this scholar delivered when he traveled to Orlando, Florida, to brief a Council for National Policy-sponsored meeting of Republican donors and Christian right leaders on the bill. Sitting in the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Ballroom, von Spakovsky explained that expanded voting rights and nonpartisan redistricting could imperil GOP political power."
"ON THE FIRST day the new Congress was in session in January, Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat from Maryland, introduced the For the People Act, known in the House of Representatives as H.R.1. The sweeping bill seeks to revamp lobbyist registration, campaign financing, and voting rights. The Brennan Center for Justice said it “would create a more responsive and representative government by making it easier for voters to cast a ballot and harder for lawmakers to gerrymander.” By the end of the month, hearings were held on Capitol Hill. One of the witnesses before the House Judiciary Committee hearings was Hans von Spakovsky, a former Federal Election Commission member who is now a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Von Spakovsky used high-minded and principled language to oppose the bill. In his prepared testimony, he wrote that H.R.1 is “clearly unconstitutional,” complaining that its provisions “come at the expense of federalism.” Just two weeks later, however, as von Spakovsky addressed a private gathering of conservatives, he was considerably more candid about his reason for opposing the bill: It would be bad for Republicans. That’s the message this scholar delivered when he traveled to Orlando, Florida, to brief a Council for National Policy-sponsored meeting of Republican donors and Christian right leaders on the bill. Sitting in the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Ballroom, von Spakovsky explained that expanded voting rights and nonpartisan redistricting could imperil GOP political power."
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Cohen Gives More Detail On Trump Moscow Tower Briefings
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/cohen-gives-more-detail-on-trump-moscow-tower-briefings?fbclid=IwAR3Qdku0aCtd1Jw2tJ4V-ZePpCRNGvxkrkBUGsbkYjtzV7xjrCzZtWJNhfA
"Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen revealed new details on Wednesday about how he discussed the Russia project with President Trump and his family. Cohen said at a House Oversight Committee hearing that he briefed Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump on the project “approximately 10” times."
"Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen revealed new details on Wednesday about how he discussed the Russia project with President Trump and his family. Cohen said at a House Oversight Committee hearing that he briefed Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump on the project “approximately 10” times."
Republicans are mad that Cohen said Trump is racist. The president’s record speaks for itself.
https://thinkprogress.org/republicans-are-mad-that-cohen-said-trump-is-racist-9a67c5f5f455/?fbclid=IwAR0RaP7k94Tn_t3Lf_nlneqibjZ1A2-JW8-4BMQT31rG1Oc4ekCg5v6BT6E
"President Trump has publicly done or said racist things for decades. Republicans are now studiously avoiding his record."
"President Trump has publicly done or said racist things for decades. Republicans are now studiously avoiding his record."
Sick of Republican grandstanding, Democrat slams the GOP: 'Your side ran away from the truth'
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/27/1838118/-Sick-of-Republican-grandstanding-Democrat-slams-the-GOP-Your-side-ran-away-from-the-truth?fbclid=IwAR3w-D72ka2IIBfezlznLEFWqF8tpNyUfsWsmk4w_qa_r9oymQ84BhECqo4
"Republicans continue to lie in their questioning of Michael Cohen during Wednesday’s hearing. It’s a bizarre thing to watch a bunch of men lie while calling someone a liar."
"Republicans continue to lie in their questioning of Michael Cohen during Wednesday’s hearing. It’s a bizarre thing to watch a bunch of men lie while calling someone a liar."
Chairman Cummings: 'The Days Of This Committee Protecting President At All Costs Are Over'
https://crooksandliars.com/2019/02/chairman-cummings-days-committee?fbclid=IwAR2ogrxN0ppoqSh5t4iJaFtuZB8NNLnGcQJP5GJm_HUTuMr8wzrL0HXxcpw
"The Chairman of the House Oversight Committee made clear Trump's congressional protection racket full of toadies are over. Meanwhile, Republicans on the Committee are acting as Trump's criminal defense attorneys."
"The Chairman of the House Oversight Committee made clear Trump's congressional protection racket full of toadies are over. Meanwhile, Republicans on the Committee are acting as Trump's criminal defense attorneys."
Describing border conditions, Trump creates an alternate reality
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/describing-border-conditions-trump-creates-alternate-reality?fbclid=IwAR34T-_e205NPdRDBpXmVUBl3gIvB2VR6MPVPmnMhBgtzsh28sa_08n_00I
"the larger point isn’t just about fact-checking; it’s also about the nature of the policy debate. If he believes his own rhetoric – a distinct possibility – he’s in a fantasy world of his own creation."
"the larger point isn’t just about fact-checking; it’s also about the nature of the policy debate. If he believes his own rhetoric – a distinct possibility – he’s in a fantasy world of his own creation."
Trump’s Former Acting Attorney General Agrees to Fix His Testimony About Trump Pressure
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/02/trumps-former-acting-attorney-general-says-he-will-change-his-testimony-about-trump-pressure/?fbclid=IwAR0KmhBmkGwtO3BsVDQCAp3d88TlsDTKDS1cKjlZDRkWyMIyT8M7SaeHebI
"During a hearing earlier this month, Whitaker repeatedly denied media reports that Trump had called him to complain about the advancing investigation by prosecutors working under the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York."
"During a hearing earlier this month, Whitaker repeatedly denied media reports that Trump had called him to complain about the advancing investigation by prosecutors working under the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York."
Defending Trump, Sanders lies about his record on promoting violence
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/defending-trump-sanders-lies-about-his-record-promoting-violence?fbclid=IwAR1yUKCRO_HFcCR_h-YKFKm6PUB6ff08CHHA6dUZmtwjj2geY3gXWs9cJ90
"Sometimes, it seems as if Sarah Huckabee Sanders hasn’t even met Donald Trump."
"Sometimes, it seems as if Sarah Huckabee Sanders hasn’t even met Donald Trump."
New York Prosecutors Will Charge Manafort In Bid To Prevent Trump Pardon: Reports
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manafort-state-charges-ny-trump_n_5c7038b7e4b06cf6bb256cf7?fbclid=IwAR1l-7kTyN2QfOZ9NpyS5aQA28HIhvN8xAYtl5QpaUF1oVXmNUDN51LDK0Q
"President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort may soon face New York state criminal charges, multiple outlets reported on Friday. Although Manafort has already been convicted of multiple federal crimes, state criminal cases are not subject to presidential pardons and Trump would not be able to use his executive power to free Manafort if he’s found guilty."
"President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort may soon face New York state criminal charges, multiple outlets reported on Friday. Although Manafort has already been convicted of multiple federal crimes, state criminal cases are not subject to presidential pardons and Trump would not be able to use his executive power to free Manafort if he’s found guilty."
The Grave Threats of White Supremacy and Far-Right Extremism
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/opinion/christopher-hasson-extremism.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage&fbclid=IwAR2kv0EbMrYflKVMoK_muwYxYxViZ-ob7_fBI-x7qyGki2j2XrXLcoVtXAE
"Last week, federal agents in Maryland arrested a United States Coast Guard officer and said he was plotting to assassinate Democratic members of Congress, prominent television journalists and others. The officer, Lt. Christopher Hasson, apparently was inspired by a right-wing Norwegian terrorist who slaughtered 77 people in 2011, stockpiled firearms and ammunition and researched locations around Washington to launch his attacks, according to investigators. Fortunately, the F.B.I. arrested him before he could act. This frightening case is just one of several recent reminders that white supremacy and far-right extremism are among the greatest domestic-security threats facing the United States. Regrettably, over the past 25 years, law enforcement, at both the federal and state levels, has been slow to respond. This is in part because of the limited number of enforcement tools available to prosecutors. But there are steps that can be taken to help the police and prosecutors address this growing threat — including, on the federal level, a domestic terrorism law. In 2017, hate crimes, generally defined as criminal acts motivated by the victim’s race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, increased by about 17 percent nationally, to 7,175 from 6,121 (the number of police agencies reporting crimes also rose, by about 6 percent); in my state, Virginia, they were up by nearly 50 percent, to 202 from 137. Killings committed by individuals and groups associated with far-right extremist groups have risen significantly. Seventy-one percent of the 387 “extremist related fatalities in the United States” from 2008 to 2017 were committed by members of far-right and white-supremacist groups, according the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism. Islamic extremists were responsible for 26 percent. The rising scourge of domestic hate has been underscored by particularly heinous acts in the past few years."
"Last week, federal agents in Maryland arrested a United States Coast Guard officer and said he was plotting to assassinate Democratic members of Congress, prominent television journalists and others. The officer, Lt. Christopher Hasson, apparently was inspired by a right-wing Norwegian terrorist who slaughtered 77 people in 2011, stockpiled firearms and ammunition and researched locations around Washington to launch his attacks, according to investigators. Fortunately, the F.B.I. arrested him before he could act. This frightening case is just one of several recent reminders that white supremacy and far-right extremism are among the greatest domestic-security threats facing the United States. Regrettably, over the past 25 years, law enforcement, at both the federal and state levels, has been slow to respond. This is in part because of the limited number of enforcement tools available to prosecutors. But there are steps that can be taken to help the police and prosecutors address this growing threat — including, on the federal level, a domestic terrorism law. In 2017, hate crimes, generally defined as criminal acts motivated by the victim’s race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, increased by about 17 percent nationally, to 7,175 from 6,121 (the number of police agencies reporting crimes also rose, by about 6 percent); in my state, Virginia, they were up by nearly 50 percent, to 202 from 137. Killings committed by individuals and groups associated with far-right extremist groups have risen significantly. Seventy-one percent of the 387 “extremist related fatalities in the United States” from 2008 to 2017 were committed by members of far-right and white-supremacist groups, according the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism. Islamic extremists were responsible for 26 percent. The rising scourge of domestic hate has been underscored by particularly heinous acts in the past few years."
58 Former National Security Officials Debunk Trump’s National Emergency Claim
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/national-security-emergency-trump-799721/?fbclid=IwAR2KeNxJCdSArL3egDztNreVXlNYF-xVmkGZCEnVVpt8Kp4RwyY2oQj2BlA
"The 11-page statement claims there is “no factual basis” to justify Trump’s national emergency declaration."
"The 11-page statement claims there is “no factual basis” to justify Trump’s national emergency declaration."
Former RNC Chair Destroys Trump Ally Matt Gaetz: ‘I Can’t Even Refer To Him As A Congressman’
https://www.politicususa.com/2019/02/26/former-rnc-chair-trump-matt-gaetz-congressman-cohen.html?fbclid=IwAR0J_mPbungyqM362toZDtonsWIHHfxeGcD4kcxQDSvYfillVb33lGuZJ9c
"One of Donald Trump’s favorite members of Congress, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, may have just committed a crime by threatening Michael Cohen a day before his public testimony."
"One of Donald Trump’s favorite members of Congress, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, may have just committed a crime by threatening Michael Cohen a day before his public testimony."
A Republican Congressman Just Threatened Michael Cohen on Twitter. Did He Break the Law?
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/02/matt-gaetz-just-threatened-michael-cohen-on-twitter-witness-tampering/?fbclid=IwAR0u4bWtwAGd9kv0mv7T7Gk5yw18RGFxab2Odqa9hDJjXn8nENgdzruyzM0
"Within minutes, Walter Shaub, the former director of the Office of Government Ethics, tweeted out the part of the federal criminal code that could apply: See 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(b), 1515(a)(1)(B). It notes, “Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct toward another person, with intent to…influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding…shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.” The code’s definition of an “official proceeding” includes congressional proceedings. Gaetz has been one of the most vocal Trump backers in the House, scheming with other Republican legislators to undermine the Trump-Russia investigation by promoting false conspiracy theories about the deep state. But this move goes beyond the deployment of diversionary distraction. It’s a heavy-handed and brazen attempt to intimidate a witness poised to provide explosive testimony about President Donald Trump. And it’s possible it’s a crime—which makes it a very Trumpy way of dealing with the president’s Cohen problem."
"Within minutes, Walter Shaub, the former director of the Office of Government Ethics, tweeted out the part of the federal criminal code that could apply: See 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(b), 1515(a)(1)(B). It notes, “Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct toward another person, with intent to…influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding…shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.” The code’s definition of an “official proceeding” includes congressional proceedings. Gaetz has been one of the most vocal Trump backers in the House, scheming with other Republican legislators to undermine the Trump-Russia investigation by promoting false conspiracy theories about the deep state. But this move goes beyond the deployment of diversionary distraction. It’s a heavy-handed and brazen attempt to intimidate a witness poised to provide explosive testimony about President Donald Trump. And it’s possible it’s a crime—which makes it a very Trumpy way of dealing with the president’s Cohen problem."
Coast Guard officer wanted to kill Democrats, TV hosts, say prosecutors
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/coast-guard-officer-wanted-kill-democrats-msnbc-hosts-say-prosecutors-n973786?fbclid=IwAR3IE4VtBt2sErLs_SFApTucYkEhCoW2he2zumb5mnbWJMFfddhkdllMGrE
"A U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant working in the nation's capital lived a secret life as a "domestic terrorist" who aspired to mass murder and compiled a target list of prominent politicians and journalists, federal prosecutors allege in court papers. Christopher Paul Hasson was arrested Feb. 15 on drug and gun charges, but prosecutors said in a detention memo this week that he intended "to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country." He has espoused extremist views for years, the court papers say, and he read the manifesto of Anders Breivik, the white supremacist Norwegian terrorist who shot and killed 77 people in 2011. From January 2017 to January 2019, "the defendant conducted online searches and made thousands of visits for pro-Russian, neo-fascist, and neo-Nazi literature," the document says."
"A U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant working in the nation's capital lived a secret life as a "domestic terrorist" who aspired to mass murder and compiled a target list of prominent politicians and journalists, federal prosecutors allege in court papers. Christopher Paul Hasson was arrested Feb. 15 on drug and gun charges, but prosecutors said in a detention memo this week that he intended "to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country." He has espoused extremist views for years, the court papers say, and he read the manifesto of Anders Breivik, the white supremacist Norwegian terrorist who shot and killed 77 people in 2011. From January 2017 to January 2019, "the defendant conducted online searches and made thousands of visits for pro-Russian, neo-fascist, and neo-Nazi literature," the document says."
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Koch Network Pushes Deceitful Textbook on Cash-Strapped Schools
https://truthout.org/articles/koch-network-pushes-deceitful-textbook-on-cash-strapped-schools/
"A new Arizona school textbook is an interesting study in dark money advancing libertarian propaganda."
"A new Arizona school textbook is an interesting study in dark money advancing libertarian propaganda."
What Trump doesn’t know about his own trade policy can hurt him
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/what-trump-doesnt-know-about-his-own-trade-policy-can-hurt-him?fbclid=IwAR16-gf-jgoqkscf9hrNuvoAyO2DQ7TMpHBbILTXwhpswWTXK4K12gLLnWc
"Trump is convinced that billions of dollars are flowing into the United States’ coffers from China thanks to his tariffs, but when we include the administration’s farming bailout – aiding farmers hurt by Trump’s tariffs policy – the country is clearly losing money. And while that suggests the White House’s gambit is a counter-productive mistake, that’s only part of the problem. If the president doesn’t accept reality, then he’ll continue to pursue the misguided plan, confident in its success. Indeed, Trump recently boasted, in reference to trade policy, “I understand that issue better than anybody.” He later added, “I know every ingredient. I know every stat. I know it better than anybody knows it.” The president isn’t changing course because he has no idea he’s moving in the wrong direction."
"Trump is convinced that billions of dollars are flowing into the United States’ coffers from China thanks to his tariffs, but when we include the administration’s farming bailout – aiding farmers hurt by Trump’s tariffs policy – the country is clearly losing money. And while that suggests the White House’s gambit is a counter-productive mistake, that’s only part of the problem. If the president doesn’t accept reality, then he’ll continue to pursue the misguided plan, confident in its success. Indeed, Trump recently boasted, in reference to trade policy, “I understand that issue better than anybody.” He later added, “I know every ingredient. I know every stat. I know it better than anybody knows it.” The president isn’t changing course because he has no idea he’s moving in the wrong direction."
Thanks to GOP Tax Scam, Big Banks Made an Extra $28 Billion Last Year
https://truthout.org/articles/thanks-to-gop-tax-scam-big-banks-made-extra-28-billion-last-year/
"The rich and corporations were given an “early Christmas gift” when the Republican tax bill was signed in 2017."
"The rich and corporations were given an “early Christmas gift” when the Republican tax bill was signed in 2017."
A Swamp Story: Trump Encouraged a Foreign Official to Back a Donor’s Business Deal
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/02/a-swamp-story-trump-encouraged-a-foreign-official-to-back-a-donors-business-deal/?fbclid=IwAR1wylb0mxEYuCtn7clBMwMO0REa6Y3QlnYey7qG_GLM-nZs_hhmKXDWiD4
"The president personally encouraged the Qatari government to finance a nuclear power plant project pursued by a top Trump donor. And shortly after Trump’s intervention, this big-money donor, Franklin Haney, a Memphis-based real estate developer who contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee, hired Michael Cohen, the president’s longtime personal lawyer, to help land this Qatari investment. This wheeling and dealing was occurring as the Gulf nation was eagerly seeking to gain influence with Trump. It’s a tale of how the Trump swamp works: Trump’s personal and political connections overlap with private business interests that are linked to foreign policy matters."
"The president personally encouraged the Qatari government to finance a nuclear power plant project pursued by a top Trump donor. And shortly after Trump’s intervention, this big-money donor, Franklin Haney, a Memphis-based real estate developer who contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee, hired Michael Cohen, the president’s longtime personal lawyer, to help land this Qatari investment. This wheeling and dealing was occurring as the Gulf nation was eagerly seeking to gain influence with Trump. It’s a tale of how the Trump swamp works: Trump’s personal and political connections overlap with private business interests that are linked to foreign policy matters."
Italian Investigators Just Uncovered a Major Russian Election Meddling Plot
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/02/matteo-salvini-russia-italy/?fbclid=IwAR1o_tm294HahO1i-G8mhKf0LijIUAjZj8zBGBNPGg6muwnuAXoGLYYhR40
"The tale is yet another example of organizations linked to the Kremlin working to advance right-wing politics in the West."
"The tale is yet another example of organizations linked to the Kremlin working to advance right-wing politics in the West."
Saturday, February 23, 2019
An Emergency for the G.O.P.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/opinion/national-emergency-senate-republicans-trump.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage&fbclid=IwAR0GxScuWcguROcxcPNu3ckQO6Sq3ZCWQr_AvuRB-jPqN5gEsSUW3ysK1BE
"The Constitution or The Donald? Why is this such a hard choice for congressional Republicans?"
"The Constitution or The Donald? Why is this such a hard choice for congressional Republicans?"
The GOP Keeps Changing The Rules After It Loses Elections
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-gop-keeps-changing-the-rules-after-it-loses-elections_n_5c6f0cede4b0f40774cd7232?fbclid=IwAR23QIZZZnH29eWzUCOGcsYxkefz-7gj8w9vh6mwaFeymkllhat9JuJ8N-E
"Republicans in Utah, Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere didn’t like what voters chose last year, so they’re simply undoing it."
"Republicans in Utah, Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere didn’t like what voters chose last year, so they’re simply undoing it."
Sen. Lindsey Graham Continues to Kiss Trump’s Ass, at the Expense of School Kids
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/lindsey-graham-kentucky-middle-school-796053/?fbclid=IwAR3DAgw0oUVp7dr447BFSsHPH3WKJbDpvkS249E4PcWSVK21vqe0_plgY1s
"the new and not improved version of Graham now resides in the Louie Gohmert camp, and Sunday morning news shows should treat him as such."
"the new and not improved version of Graham now resides in the Louie Gohmert camp, and Sunday morning news shows should treat him as such."
Friday, February 22, 2019
Intimidation, Pressure and Humiliation: Inside Trump’s Two-Year War on the Investigations Encircling Him
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/19/us/politics/trump-investigations.html?fbclid=IwAR04hIrCnhkkCvEIZdLuyGdi2w-IPLmNvJ31ll8OfxiGTZ9TxzyArNpiuLg
"As federal prosecutors in Manhattan gathered evidence late last year about President Trump’s role in silencing women with hush payments during the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump called Matthew G. Whitaker, his newly installed attorney general, with a question. He asked whether Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York and a Trump ally, could be put in charge of the widening investigation, according to several American officials with direct knowledge of the call. Mr. Whitaker, who had privately told associates that part of his role at the Justice Department was to “jump on a grenade” for the president, knew he could not put Mr. Berman in charge, since Mr. Berman had already recused himself from the investigation. The president soon soured on Mr. Whitaker, as he often does with his aides, and complained about his inability to pull levers at the Justice Department that could make the president’s many legal problems go away. Trying to install a perceived loyalist atop a widening inquiry is a familiar tactic for Mr. Trump, who has been struggling to beat back the investigations that have consumed his presidency. His efforts have exposed him to accusations of obstruction of justice as Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, finishes his work investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election."
"As federal prosecutors in Manhattan gathered evidence late last year about President Trump’s role in silencing women with hush payments during the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump called Matthew G. Whitaker, his newly installed attorney general, with a question. He asked whether Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York and a Trump ally, could be put in charge of the widening investigation, according to several American officials with direct knowledge of the call. Mr. Whitaker, who had privately told associates that part of his role at the Justice Department was to “jump on a grenade” for the president, knew he could not put Mr. Berman in charge, since Mr. Berman had already recused himself from the investigation. The president soon soured on Mr. Whitaker, as he often does with his aides, and complained about his inability to pull levers at the Justice Department that could make the president’s many legal problems go away. Trying to install a perceived loyalist atop a widening inquiry is a familiar tactic for Mr. Trump, who has been struggling to beat back the investigations that have consumed his presidency. His efforts have exposed him to accusations of obstruction of justice as Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, finishes his work investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election."
Trump Has Publicly Attacked the Russia Investigation More Than 1,100 Times
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/19/us/politics/trump-attacks-obstruction-investigation.html?fbclid=IwAR1KtKx9swT7NAT5ohC1xMVXdqboVwXjhsleA5RBOFqd3i2IZMRy7cd6idg
"The attacks, which number nearly 1,200, are part of a strategy to beat back the investigations. They have also opened him to possible obstruction of justice charges. They include statements made on Twitter, in official speeches, at rallies and during news media interviews and other press events. While it is highly unusual for anyone — let alone the president of the United States — to comment on continuing criminal investigations, Mr. Trump has done so at least once on 330 days, or more than 43 percent of his time in office as of Feb. 14."
"The attacks, which number nearly 1,200, are part of a strategy to beat back the investigations. They have also opened him to possible obstruction of justice charges. They include statements made on Twitter, in official speeches, at rallies and during news media interviews and other press events. While it is highly unusual for anyone — let alone the president of the United States — to comment on continuing criminal investigations, Mr. Trump has done so at least once on 330 days, or more than 43 percent of his time in office as of Feb. 14."
Trump Seems to Have Made a Habit of Obstructing Justice
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-obstruction-justice-whitaker-796417/?fbclid=IwAR0ADTMeYjvFrG9hVFvbWZLtGsZ_UazIynMOtO2I-Aa6uSw14otraKmsLLc
"The Times also reported on Tuesday that White House lawyers wrote a confidential memo “expressing concern about the president’s staff peddling misleading information in public” regarding Michael Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned after it was revealed that he lied about his contact with a Russian official. According to the report, when Trump and his advisers were searching for a way to explain Flynn’s resignation, the president allegedly instructed then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer to tell the public that Trump asked for the resignation. When Spicer asked if that was true, Trump repeated the directive without elaborating. “That sounds better,” Trump said. When Spicer ultimately took the podium to address the press, White House lawyers included all of his misstatements in a memo. It was a day after Spicer’s press conference that Trump met with Comey to tell him to end the investigation into Flynn. “I hope you can let this go,” Trump said, as Comey noted in a memo he took of the meeting. The fallout from Flynn’s resignation — which Trump believes would bring an end to “the Russia thing” — was only the beginning. The Times details the president’s prolonged campaign to humiliate and oust Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from overseeing Mueller’s investigation. Trump even asked former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to pressure Sessions into resigning. Last September, the Times reported that Mueller was considering Trump’s incessant public harassment and intimidation of Sessions as part of a possible obstruction of justice case. Despite the president’s wishes, “the Russia thing” did not end with Flynn’s resignation, and in an effort to cultivate public skepticism of Mueller’s investigation, Trump reportedly had private conversations with Republicans to strategize about how to discredit the probe."
"The Times also reported on Tuesday that White House lawyers wrote a confidential memo “expressing concern about the president’s staff peddling misleading information in public” regarding Michael Flynn, the national security adviser who resigned after it was revealed that he lied about his contact with a Russian official. According to the report, when Trump and his advisers were searching for a way to explain Flynn’s resignation, the president allegedly instructed then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer to tell the public that Trump asked for the resignation. When Spicer asked if that was true, Trump repeated the directive without elaborating. “That sounds better,” Trump said. When Spicer ultimately took the podium to address the press, White House lawyers included all of his misstatements in a memo. It was a day after Spicer’s press conference that Trump met with Comey to tell him to end the investigation into Flynn. “I hope you can let this go,” Trump said, as Comey noted in a memo he took of the meeting. The fallout from Flynn’s resignation — which Trump believes would bring an end to “the Russia thing” — was only the beginning. The Times details the president’s prolonged campaign to humiliate and oust Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from overseeing Mueller’s investigation. Trump even asked former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to pressure Sessions into resigning. Last September, the Times reported that Mueller was considering Trump’s incessant public harassment and intimidation of Sessions as part of a possible obstruction of justice case. Despite the president’s wishes, “the Russia thing” did not end with Flynn’s resignation, and in an effort to cultivate public skepticism of Mueller’s investigation, Trump reportedly had private conversations with Republicans to strategize about how to discredit the probe."
The war with North Korea that Trump thinks he prevented (but didn’t)
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-war-north-korea-trump-thinks-he-prevented-didnt?fbclid=IwAR2nlf4J9BS1WgDKna1sh7yoBYbD9EnFB6PfiDruhGEFlkrpu3kohkTkqB8
"So what’s driving Trump to lie about this? There are a few angles to this to keep in mind. The first is that he’s desperate for some victories after a series of embarrassing defeats, and if that means exaggerating events beyond recognition, so be it. This president hasn’t accomplished anything of significance with North Korea, so he invented a success story: he prevented a war. On a related note, Trump could also use some kind of rationalization that puts his entire North Korea gambit in a favorable light, especially with another summit with Kim Jong-un coming up. The reality – Trump inherited a longstanding challenge, went out of his way to make it much worse, then eased tensions by giving a communist dictator what he wanted in exchange for nothing – isn’t exactly impressive. But if he can convince people he managed to steer the countries away from the brink, then the hapless diplomatic gambit might appear less pointless. Finally, there’s the broader concern over Trump peddling bogus claims about matters of war and peace. George Conway, a prominent lawyer who happens to be married to one of the president’s top aides, wrote via Twitter over the weekend, “We should highly question the mental stability of a president of the United States who would lie about whether the United States had been on the verge of starting ‘World War III’ with another state possessing nuclear weapons"."
"So what’s driving Trump to lie about this? There are a few angles to this to keep in mind. The first is that he’s desperate for some victories after a series of embarrassing defeats, and if that means exaggerating events beyond recognition, so be it. This president hasn’t accomplished anything of significance with North Korea, so he invented a success story: he prevented a war. On a related note, Trump could also use some kind of rationalization that puts his entire North Korea gambit in a favorable light, especially with another summit with Kim Jong-un coming up. The reality – Trump inherited a longstanding challenge, went out of his way to make it much worse, then eased tensions by giving a communist dictator what he wanted in exchange for nothing – isn’t exactly impressive. But if he can convince people he managed to steer the countries away from the brink, then the hapless diplomatic gambit might appear less pointless. Finally, there’s the broader concern over Trump peddling bogus claims about matters of war and peace. George Conway, a prominent lawyer who happens to be married to one of the president’s top aides, wrote via Twitter over the weekend, “We should highly question the mental stability of a president of the United States who would lie about whether the United States had been on the verge of starting ‘World War III’ with another state possessing nuclear weapons"."
This Is Count After Count on a Bill of Impeachment
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a26414814/donald-trump-obstruction-russia-investigation-new-york-times/?fbclid=IwAR0F1SKZMxHNjKAOhsdaNIgl49IuTNJcbMGf7gORDSJvjP1CsxTFRp31WuM
"The running of the rats is becoming a bit frenzied around Camp Runamuck these days. Roger Stone has put in a bid to overtake Paul Manafort in the in-house competition for Dumbest Thing Done While Under Indictment, something I didn't think was humanly possible. (Lying while under a plea agreement or appearing to threaten the federal judge overseeing your case while under indictment? You make the call.) And The New York Times was out on Tuesday with a massive report about the White House efforts to submarine Robert Mueller's investigation, a feat of reporting that is impossible to imagine without sources within the administration* who are desperate to have careers after the plague passes. Whatever the sources for the Times report, it's a series of explosive revelations that illustrate nothing more than a criminal presidency* knowing that all its alibis and cover stories are disintegrating."
"The running of the rats is becoming a bit frenzied around Camp Runamuck these days. Roger Stone has put in a bid to overtake Paul Manafort in the in-house competition for Dumbest Thing Done While Under Indictment, something I didn't think was humanly possible. (Lying while under a plea agreement or appearing to threaten the federal judge overseeing your case while under indictment? You make the call.) And The New York Times was out on Tuesday with a massive report about the White House efforts to submarine Robert Mueller's investigation, a feat of reporting that is impossible to imagine without sources within the administration* who are desperate to have careers after the plague passes. Whatever the sources for the Times report, it's a series of explosive revelations that illustrate nothing more than a criminal presidency* knowing that all its alibis and cover stories are disintegrating."
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