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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#252676: Aug 21st 2018 at 11:43:52 AM

CNN just broke that Cohen has surrendered to the FBI pending a court hearing today. Looks like he's pleading guilty to the fraud cases unrelated to his dealings with Trump, but its a start.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
TheWanderer Student of Story from Somewhere in New England (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Student of Story
#252677: Aug 21st 2018 at 11:58:06 AM

And of course, no matter which of them gets elected, Americans lose.

Good news is that last time I checked the Democrat one of them will be facing had something like a 10 point polling advantage. (Edit: just rechecked the numbers, average of polls puts the Democrat up 7 points, some respectable pollsters have her up as much as 11 points.)

If Arizona finally starts embracing its inner purple state, it could be very useful as a step in changing the political balance of power. Especially if states like Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia keep trending blue.

Which is not to say Democrats don’t have problems of their own on that front; Wisconsin used to be a progressive state that has gone purple and now almost red, and a couple of states in the Northeast are going to require some work and fixing up before they start deciding they want a change.

Edited by TheWanderer on Aug 21st 2018 at 3:03:08 PM

| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#252678: Aug 21st 2018 at 12:10:15 PM

So, according to a New Yorker article talking about John Brennan, it seems Trump wanted to revoke Obama's security clearance last year, but was talked out of it by McMaster.

Relevant paragraph:

At the time, some of Trump’s most fervent supporters in the White House saw former Obama Administration officials as powerful enemies who threatened the new President’s rule, and they agitated for punishing them by revoking their security clearances. The idea was rebuffed by the national-security adviser at the time, H. R. Mc Master, who signed a memo extending the clearances of his predecessors at the N.S.C., Republicans and Democrats alike. As Trump stepped up his public and private attacks on Obama, some of the new President’s advisers thought that he should take the extraordinary step of denying Obama himself access to intelligence briefings that were made available to all of his living predecessors. Trump was told about the importance of keeping former Presidents, who frequently met with foreign leaders, informed. In the end, Trump decided not to exclude Obama, at the urging of Mc Master.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#252679: Aug 21st 2018 at 12:12:46 PM

Was just about to post that.

Could you even imagine the shitstorm?

New Survey coming this weekend!
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#252680: Aug 21st 2018 at 12:12:50 PM

Actually, looks like I was wrong, the charges against Cohen include campaign finance violations. He could spend 3-4 years in prison, and his bigger issue is avoiding asset seizure that could leave his family with nothing.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/michael-cohen-trump-lawyer-plea-deal-fbi/index.html

Pretty light sentence, if its true....he must have offered them something more than a mere guilty plea.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#252681: Aug 21st 2018 at 12:38:22 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/08/21/day-579/

Day 579: "Totally unglued and weird."

Obviously the first one's been mentioned already but for completions' sake:

1/ Michael Cohen entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York in connection with the investigation into bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations. While Cohen is not expected to cooperate with the government, any cooperation agreement would likely extend to Robert Mueller's investigation. This story is developing… (NBC News / ABC News / CNN / CNBC / Washington Post / New York Times / Wall Street Journal)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/21/politics/michael-cohen-plea-deal-talks/index.html

2/ The jury in Paul Manafort's trial is having trouble reaching consensus on at least one count and asked the judge for instructions about how to proceed. Manafort faces 18 charges total, including five counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of failing to disclose his offshore bank accounts and nine counts of bank fraud. If convicted on all counts, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. (Reuters / Politico / Washington Post / New York Times)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-russia-manafort/judge-encourages-manafort-jury-to-reach-unanimous-consensus-idUSKCN1L60WU

3/ The Trump administration revealed the details of its new pollution rules for coal-burning power plants, which would replace the Obama-era Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy rule. The plan would give states authority to determine how to restrict carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, as well as relaxing pollution rules for power plants that need upgrades. The technical analysis that accompanies the proposal says that "implementing the proposed rule is expected to increase emissions of carbon dioxide and the level of emissions of certain pollutants in the atmosphere that adversely affect human health," leading to between 470 and 1,400 premature deaths annually by 2030. (New York Times / NBC News / NPR / Politico)

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/21/639396683/trump-moves-to-let-states-regulate-coal-plant-emissions

4/ Russian hackers have been targeting conservative American think tanks critical of Trump's interactions with Putin. Microsoft also identified attempts by the Kremlin-linked hacking group Fancy Bear used to infiltrate U.S. candidates, campaigns and political groups using malicious websites that mimicked the login pages of the United States Senate to try to trick people into handing over their passwords. Microsoft says it has no evidence that the group was successful, but it remains "concerned that these latest attempts pose security threats to a broadening array of groups connected with both American political parties in the run-up to the 2018 elections." (New York Times / Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/21/russia-cyberattacks-microsoft-fancy-bear-790211

Notables.

Mick Mulvaney is trying to use his influence to protect a South Carolina company from the negative effects of Trump's trade policies. Mulvaney is a former South Carolina congressman and has been making personal pleas to administration officials to protect Element Electionics, a TV assembly plant in his old district. The company has said that it will have to cease operations because of Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. (Mc Clatchy DC)

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article217018380.html

Christopher Steel won his libel case in the U.S. against three Russian oligarchs who sued him over allegations made in his dossier about the Trump campaign and its links with Moscow. The judge concluded that the dossier was covered by the first amendment, ruling that the oligarchs had failed to prove that Steele knew that some information in the dossier was inaccurate and acted "with reckless disregard as to its falsity." (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/21/author-of-trump-russia-dossier-wins-libel-case-in-us-court-christopher-steele

Trump denied reports that he is considering restricting President Obama's access to intelligence briefings, saying the move is something he "never discussed or thought of." Reports claimed that then-national security adviser H.R. Mc Master had previously talked Trump out of the idea, which some in the White House were pushing last year following Trump's false claim that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-denies-report-that-he-considered-restricting-obamas-intelligence-briefings/2018/08/21/1b0fe466-a532-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d_story.html?utm_term=.8ffa5ece14b9

Trump threatened to revoke the security clearance of another former U.S. intelligence official. Trump accused former CIA and FBI official Philip Mudd of becoming "totally unglued and weird" during a recent CNN appearance, asserting that "Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance. Should be REVOKED?" (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-threatens-clearance-of-former-official-after-seeing-him-in-heated-tv-debate/2018/08/21/3917e034-a529-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d_story.html

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#252682: Aug 21st 2018 at 12:41:59 PM

[up][up][up]

For anyone not living in full on Trump-land, where other leaders are "weak" for not cracking down on criticism.

And the ads in my district are in full-swing, with Katko releasing this lovely little Quote Mining ad (link has the ad embedded, but is an article talking about the quote mining).

The ad refers to Balter as a "Visiting professor from Connecticut" - she'd moved to and has stayed in NY since 2003. And the emphasis on "visiting professor" reeks of anti-intellectualism to me. But as for the quote mine, here we go - "Um, well, you would have an increase in taxes." It then claimed that she would double taxes for Central New Yorkers - handily without ever elaborating on what tax(es) would be "doubled".

In reality, she said "While you would have an increase in taxes, you would no longer have out-of-pocket medical expenses." as she was referring to implementing Medicare-for-All and how it would be paid for. Unfortunately, she's only got $113K to Katko's ~$1 million, so it'll be something of an uphill battle for her despite Katko voting for legislation that did raise taxes on New Yorkers by capping property tax deductions at $10,000 - if you're paying more than that on NY Property tax, you can't deduct it from Federal tax forms.

Edited by ironballs16 on Aug 21st 2018 at 12:42:15 PM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#252683: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:36:03 PM

"BREAKING: Jury reaches verdict in trial of u Trump aide Manafort, no consensus on 10 counts" - Get updates at Reuters.com

"Jury says reaches verdict in trial of ex-Trump campaign chairman Manafort" - http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-manafort-verdict/jury-says-reaches-verdict-in-trial-of-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-idUSKCN1L6238

Edited by sgamer82 on Aug 21st 2018 at 2:36:25 AM

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#252684: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:37:09 PM

[up]And do we know what the verdict is exactly?

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#252685: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:38:12 PM

Still developing by the sound of it. The Reuters link should update as the story does. There's not much at the moment though.

Edited by sgamer82 on Aug 21st 2018 at 2:38:03 AM

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#252686: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:41:07 PM

The thing on reducing restrictions on pollution really pisses me off, it's already bad enough and thanks to trump it's going to get worse. When he's no longer president I suggest we banish anyone who voted for him out of the country.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#252687: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:43:37 PM

While I share your anger at the damage they're causing I don't think that's a very productive sentiment to express, even if it's supremely understandable.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#252688: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:44:04 PM

Manafort is guilty on 8 courts, with a mistrial declared for 10.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/manafort-trial/index.html

Convictions are: "Paul Manafort was found guilty of five tax fraud charges, one charge of hiding foreign bank accounts, and two counts of bank fraud."

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Aug 21st 2018 at 5:44:29 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Blueeyedrat Since: Oct, 2010
#252689: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:44:41 PM

Guilty on all felony charges (5 tax fraud, 1 failing to file a foreign bank account, 2 bank fraud), no consensus on the other charges.

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#252690: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:45:12 PM

[up][up]At least he's guilty?

Edited by kkhohoho on Aug 21st 2018 at 3:47:13 AM

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#252691: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:48:24 PM

On serious charges no less, and he wasn't acquitted on anything.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#252692: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:48:49 PM

[up]

Now the question becomes how quickly Trump will pardon him before sentencing is performed.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#252694: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:52:08 PM

Wait, which was the other charges? And is this good or bad?

And a mistrial? How can they declare a mistrial? I thought if the Jury doesn't reach a consensus, the prosecutors can try again? Or do I misunderstand the language there?

Mario1995 The Dishonorable from Atlanta Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
The Dishonorable
#252695: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:54:24 PM

Might want to get those bunkers ready because we may be headed for war.....

BTW, guess who that "candidate" is?

Edited by Mario1995 on Aug 21st 2018 at 4:54:07 AM

"The devil's got all the good gear. What's God got? The Inspiral Carpets and nuns. Fuck that." - Liam Gallagher
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#252696: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:55:25 PM

[up][up]

The mistrial applies to just those charges, and I believe it means the prosecution can get them retried.

[up]

Okay, not all of us can (or want) to access Twitter, so can we please just copy/paste the text of the tweet when linking to it?

Edited by ironballs16 on Aug 21st 2018 at 2:01:19 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#252698: Aug 21st 2018 at 1:59:50 PM

Good day for court it seems. Cohen had pled guilty to, coincidently enough, 8 charges as part of a plea deal.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#252699: Aug 21st 2018 at 2:03:14 PM

The tweet is from someone named Justin Sink (after searching his name he is apparently a journalist working for Bloomberg):

hooboy

  • COHEN SAYS HE VIOLATED CAMPAIGN LAW AT DIRECTION OF CANDIDATE

  • COHEN SAYS HE ACTED FOR PURPOSE OF INFLUENCING ELECTION

  • COHEN: VIOLATED CAMPAIGN LAW AT DIRECTION OF UNNAMED CANDIDATE

Yeah if this is accurate then that looks really serious, how serious I have no idea.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Aug 21st 2018 at 5:04:15 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#252700: Aug 21st 2018 at 2:05:45 PM

So we might have something here?


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