Russiagate

[billvon 2,991]

>Trump asking Comey to stop investigating Flynn over the course of one
>conversation does not constitute obstruction.

Agreed. You have to show a pattern.

So far we have him asking Comey to drop it. We have Trump asking other government officials to deny the investigation. We have Trump asking Comey to pledge loyalty to him - twice. We have Trump admitting that he was thinking about ending the investigation when he fired Comey. We have Trump threatening Comey with secret recordings if he dared talk to anyone about it. We have the White House directing top FBI officials to tell the press that there's no investigation.

Plus whatever the investigation uncovers.

Is that enough of a pattern? That will be for a court (or the legislature) to decide.

[DJL 235]

billvon

>Trump asking Comey to stop investigating Flynn over the course of one
>conversation does not constitute obstruction.

Agreed. You have to show a pattern.

So far we have him asking Comey to drop it. We have Trump asking other government officials to deny the investigation. We have Trump asking Comey to pledge loyalty to him - twice. We have Trump admitting that he was thinking about ending the investigation when he fired Comey. We have Trump threatening Comey with secret recordings if he dared talk to anyone about it. We have the White House directing top FBI officials to tell the press that there's no investigation.

Plus whatever the investigation uncovers.

Is that enough of a pattern? That will be for a court (or the legislature) to decide.

We have all the stones, they're laid out, just need the concrete to hold them together.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[wmw999 2,446]

Quote

shark jumper

Seems an appropriate thing to discuss with someone who encourages awesome dangerous behavior

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 2,991]

The investigation into Flynn's Russian connections is now a criminal investigation. From Reuters:
===========================
Fri Jun 2, 2017
Special counsel Mueller to probe ex-Trump aide Flynn's Turkey ties

By Nathan Layne

Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible ties between the Trump election campaign and Russia, is expanding his probe to assume control of a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, three sources told Reuters.

The move means Mueller’s politically charged inquiry will now look into Flynn’s paid work as a lobbyist for a Turkish businessman in 2016, in addition to contacts between Russian officials and Flynn and other Trump associates during and after the Nov. 8 presidential election.

Federal prosecutors in Virginia are investigating a deal between Flynn and Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin as part of a grand jury criminal probe, according to a subpoena seen by Reuters.
========================

[billvon 2,991]

>We have all the stones, they're laid out, just need the concrete to hold them together.


That's a reasonable way to put it. And the concrete might be pretty easy to get:

==========================================
Trump’s tweets ‘a gold mine’ for Mueller probe

By Darren Samuelsoh, Politico

06/02/2017 05:07 AM EDT

President Donald Trump’s Twitter feed – packed with more than 35,000 time-stamped missives dating to 2009 – offers a treasure trove of evidence for Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his growing team of investigators, according to lawyers and veterans of past White House scandals.

Like emails, handwritten notes or transcribed Oval Office conversations, the @realdonaldtrump account gives investigators a detailed timeline of Trump’s thoughts and opinions – including where they might differ from official accounts – and can also be used to establish intent, which can be critical in a criminal investigation.
. . .
“They’re a gold mine,” said Peter Zeidenberg, who served on the Justice Department’s special prosecution team during the George W. Bush-era Valerie Plame Wilson investigation and now works as a partner at Arent Fox. “They help paint a picture.”
==============================================

[kallend 2,027]

Interesting:

www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-intelligence-official-told-associates-trump-asked-him-if-he-could-intervene-with-comey-to-get-fbi-to-back-off-flynn/2017/06/06/cc879f14-4ace-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?utm_term=.2e377287db93&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Phil1111 1,149]

kallend

Interesting:

www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-intelligence-official-told-associates-trump-asked-him-if-he-could-intervene-with-comey-to-get-fbi-to-back-off-flynn/2017/06/06/cc879f14-4ace-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?utm_term=.2e377287db93&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

Can't wait for the trump post Comey tweet summary. Comey is a liar, never said that,etc., etc.

On one side Comey, no mention of any history of lying. On the other hand trump who has a mental aversion to the truth.

The trump budget....history.... in the dustbin of trump's scandals.

[DJL 235]

Phil1111

***
Interesting:

www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-intelligence-official-told-associates-trump-asked-him-if-he-could-intervene-with-comey-to-get-fbi-to-back-off-flynn/2017/06/06/cc879f14-4ace-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?utm_term=.2e377287db93&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

Can't wait for the trump post Comey tweet summary. Comey is a liar, never said that,etc., etc.

On one side Comey, no mention of any history of lying. On the other hand trump who has a mental aversion to the truth.

The trump budget....history.... in the dustbin of trump's scandals.

Tim Kaine would already be the President by this point if Clinton got elected and did this.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[rushmc 23]

DJL

******
Interesting:

www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-intelligence-official-told-associates-trump-asked-him-if-he-could-intervene-with-comey-to-get-fbi-to-back-off-flynn/2017/06/06/cc879f14-4ace-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?utm_term=.2e377287db93&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

Can't wait for the trump post Comey tweet summary. Comey is a liar, never said that,etc., etc.

On one side Comey, no mention of any history of lying. On the other hand trump who has a mental aversion to the truth.

The trump budget....history.... in the dustbin of trump's scandals.

Tim Kaine would already be the President by this point if Clinton got elected and did this.

From the article

Quote

according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters.

THAT, is the only pattern to all of this so far.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[aphid 0]

rushmc

From the article

Quote

according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters.

THAT, is the only pattern to all of this so far.

Enough, already.

Watergate's "Deep Throat" remained anonymous for 31 years. Not all anonymous sources are intrinsically liars. And not patently "fake news" by design.

Personally though, I'll wait until I hear it from Comey's own mouth.

As I hope that Trump fans would actually listen to Trumps words and read his tweeted twaddle instead of first checking with right-wing sites and talking-heads to get the spin.

[rushmc 23]

aphid

***

From the article

Quote

according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters.

THAT, is the only pattern to all of this so far.

Enough, already.

Watergate's "Deep Throat" remained anonymous for 31 years. Not all anonymous sources are intrinsically liars. And not patently "fake news" by design.

Personally though, I'll wait until I hear it from Comey's own mouth.

As I hope that Trump fans would actually listen to Trumps words and read his tweeted twaddle instead of first checking with right-wing sites and talking-heads to get the spin.

I do not think Comey is going to say anything.

On May 3rd, under oath, he testified that he was NOT pressured to drop the investigation.

So, if he says differently today he lied under oath. Remember Scooter Libby?

And,

If he does change his tune and says now he was pressured, he has committed a felony by not reporting that immediately to the DOJ.

Quite a pickle he might put himself in.

BTW

The main stream media is the biggest spin factory we have here.
Your insinuation, while very normal from left leaning people, attempts to insult Trump supporters by insinuating that they can not think for themselves. No insult taken by me. I refuse to give you that power.

All that said, again this week end it was stated over and over that there is no evidence of collusion.
But the media has their nose rings in so tight that the insane Trump haters can not help but follow the lead. (See, I can attempt a slam in the same maner)

So, enough yourself!

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

So, if he says differently today he lied under oath. Remember Scooter Libby?

Remember Jeff Sessions?

Quote

by not reporting that immediately to the DOJ.

He may have done so. Current reporting indicates he told Jeff Sessions not to leave him alone with the President. Unsure at this point if he indicated why.

[aphid 0]

rushmc

All that said, again this week end it was stated over and over that there is no evidence of collusion.

As I understand it, the hearings actually are just about foreign meddling in your election and it's process.

That is why you don't hear me accusing the President of collusion.

Frankly, I believe he lacks the ability/skill to successfully participate in what would be a very complex scheme. That's my opinion, based solely on his sorry vocabulary and his antagonistic & egotistical posturing - not upon any media site, right, left or centre.

[rushmc 23]

aphid

***

All that said, again this week end it was stated over and over that there is no evidence of collusion.

As I understand it, the hearings actually are just about foreign meddling in your election and it's process.

That is why you don't hear me accusing the President of collusion.

Frankly, I believe he lacks the ability/skill to successfully participate in what would be a very complex scheme. That's my opinion, based solely on his sorry vocabulary and his antagonistic & egotistical posturing - not upon any media site, right, left or centre.

Actually, the media and the lefts hope is that they can somehow link Russia screwing with the election to a Trump win.

Their biggest wet dream is they hope they can link Trump to the Russia meddling.

The whole narrative is to try and de-legitimize a Trump presidency.

And this is a big nothing burger to use a Hillary term.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Do you think there should be investigations into foreign entities trying to meddle in US elections?

Do you think there should be any investigation into Michael Flynn?

[rushmc 23]

SkyDekker

Do you think there should be investigations into foreign entities trying to meddle in US elections?
Sure, I have no problem with that

Do you think there should be any investigation into Michael Flynn?

For the unreported money he received? Yes.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Not for being a National Security Advisor while being a foreign agent?

Anyways, those are mostly the investigations taking part.

So would seem you support them. Don't you think it needs further attention as to why the President might have asked the Director of the FBI to stop the investigation into Flynn?

[DJL 235]

Quote

Actually, the media and the lefts hope is that they can somehow link Russia screwing with the election to a Trump win.

Their biggest wet dream is they hope they can link Trump to the Russia meddling.

The whole narrative is to try and de-legitimize a Trump presidency.

And this is a big nothing burger to use a Hillary term.

The election is over, buddy. We know Russia was meddling and that is a HUGE PROBLEM.

Trump is doing enough to de-legitimize his Presidency. If it's such a nothing-burger then he needs to shut up and let the investigation roll and be done with all of these distractions.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[rushmc 23]

DJL

Quote

Actually, the media and the lefts hope is that they can somehow link Russia screwing with the election to a Trump win.

Their biggest wet dream is they hope they can link Trump to the Russia meddling.

The whole narrative is to try and de-legitimize a Trump presidency.

And this is a big nothing burger to use a Hillary term.

The election is over, buddy. We know Russia was meddling and that is a HUGE PROBLEM.

Trump is doing enough to de-legitimize his Presidency. If it's such a nothing-burger then he needs to shut up and let the investigation roll and be done with all of these distractions.

Huge problem? Where the fuck did you get that? Multiple reports already have stated they had no effect on the election outcome!!!

Oh
and have you seen this today??
Deals with your second assertion

From FOX

Quote

NO PRESSURE: Intelligence chiefs
push back on claims Trump illegally pressed them on Russia

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 23]

DJL

Quote

Actually, the media and the lefts hope is that they can somehow link Russia screwing with the election to a Trump win.

Their biggest wet dream is they hope they can link Trump to the Russia meddling.

The whole narrative is to try and de-legitimize a Trump presidency.

And this is a big nothing burger to use a Hillary term.

The election is over, buddy. We know Russia was meddling and that is a HUGE PROBLEM.

Trump is doing enough to de-legitimize his Presidency. If it's such a nothing-burger then he needs to shut up and let the investigation roll and be done with all of these distractions.

Oh
and these distractions, as you call them, are coming from the media and the loony leftists who want to believe there is collusion (the media driven narrative)

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

Multiple reports already have stated they had no effect on the election outcome!!!

Uhm, no. Multiple reports say it is unknown if they had an effect on the election outcome.

Considering that the full scope of the meddling hasn't been established, at least publicly. It is impossible to say if there was any influence on the election outcome.

[yoink 321]

rushmc

Huge problem? Where the fuck did you get that? Multiple reports already have stated they had no effect on the election outcome!!!

You keep ignoring me when I ask this:

Is it only a problem in your mind if it affected the outcome? Would you be OK with foreign powers manipulating your election process if there is no immediate discernible effect on the count?

For example - Should attempted murder not be investigated because the perpetrator failed in their task?

[billvon 2,991]

The spin isn't working, Rush. Even with the best efforts of Breitbart, FOX News the GOP and yourself, that turd isn't polishable.

Recent poll:

Do you think Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey in order to protect himself or for the good of the country?

- To protect himself 61%
- For the good of the country 27%

How much do you trust what Trump says about possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and related issues: a great deal, a good amount, just some or not at all?

- A great deal 12%
- A good amount 9%
- Just some 22%
- Not at all 50%

Do you think Trump is cooperating with investigations of possible Russian influence in the 2016 election, or is trying to interfere with those investigations?

- Cooperating 34%
- Trying to interfere 56%

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

I do not think Comey is going to say anything.

You may not think so, but your party is scared shitless. To the point that an organization chaired by Gingrich and Giuliani is running attack ads against Comey...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgRQRWrhfYs

[billvon 2,991]

Quote

You may not think so, but your party is scared shitless. To the point that an organization chaired by Gingrich and Giuliani is running attack ads against Comey.

Yep, they are in full-on panic mode. Even Trump is so scared that he is going to tweet realtime as the hearings proceed, lest a statement go unchallenged for more than 30 seconds.

My prediction -

Nothing really new will be learned. Comey will confirm that Trump tried to get him to drop the investigation, and that Trump tried to get hm to make a loyalty pledge. RushMC will say "See? NOTHING!" Democrats will say "See? COMEY CONFIRMED IT!"

However, during Trump's live tweets he will spill the beans on yet another scandal. Perhaps a "That's a LIE and I have the tapes to prove it!" or a "I NEVER met with Putin! EVER!" tweet. And the next episode of Trump's latest reality TV show will start.