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

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#342751: Dec 9th 2020 at 11:15:22 PM

I thought that was the implication, but sure.

This could also cause problems for Biden as it could be a potential conflict of interest, so he will have to deal with it carefully.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#342752: Dec 9th 2020 at 11:30:55 PM

Yeah, kinda doubt that wasn't intentional. Barr is enough of a poisonous toad to plan just that

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#342753: Dec 9th 2020 at 11:37:09 PM

Re: Kushner investigation, the link is to a Tweet. For a source, from the Financial Times: Democrats probe Kushners' billion-dollar rescue deal for family-owned skyscraper

Democrats in the US Congress have launched an investigation into whether Jared Kushner's desire to secure a billion-dollar rescue for a skyscraper owned by his family played a role in President Donald Trump's decision to support a Saudi-led blockade of Qatar.

Lawmakers from the Senate Finance and House Foreign Affairs committees on Wednesday sent a wide-ranging document request to Brookfield Asset Management, which counts the Qatar Investment Authority among its major financial backers and signed a long-term lease on the office tower in 2018.

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#342754: Dec 9th 2020 at 11:41:34 PM

[up][up] What do you mean, exactly? If you mean the investigation itself, that actually predates Barr.

All these stories about Hunter Biden give me the impression that the guy is rather out of his depth when it comes to avoiding conflicts of interest, especially when it comes to things his dad is involved in. Accepting that diamond as a gift was rather naive, at the very least. So was joining Burisma.

Edited by Redmess on Dec 9th 2020 at 8:51:49 PM

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#342755: Dec 10th 2020 at 12:01:23 AM

The laptop situation really is unclear, we know that the FBI have the laptop, but it could be due to an investigation into Hunter, it could also be due to an investigation into Rudi, as if Rudi created the laptop it would be evidence of his crimes.

As for Joe Biden’s justice department remaining impartial, it depends on what the investigation finds, but it could theoretically help Joe Biden. If Joe Biden’s justice department charges/fines his own son it doesn’t look good, but it gives them a lot of political cover for charges against Trump, as they would be able to state accurately that they’re investigating and charging people on both sides.

There is also the basic fact that if Hunter Biden did commit any financial crimes, then even ignoring everything else he should be prosecuted, because people who commit financial crimes like that should face justice.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#342756: Dec 10th 2020 at 12:12:32 AM

Well obviously he should be prosecuted if he committed any crimes. But he also strikes me as a bit of a bungler who doesn't know how to say no to potentially compromising gifts and deals.

You'd think his dyed-in-the-wool politician of a dad would have taught him some lessons in political discretion, like not accepting expensive gifts from foreigners who might be aiming to influence your dad politically. Or taking a position at a company who is aiming to do the same thing.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#342757: Dec 10th 2020 at 1:00:15 AM

In fairness, sometimes a kid deliberately does stuff like that to distance themselves from their parents.

But we'd really have to know Hunter and Joe's personal relationship to read into that any.

I wouldn't be surprised if Joe does nail Hunter's ass to the wall if he's found guilty, though. while it'll definitely put pressure on his family life, as was mentioned previously, it's a good move politically, specially as it removes ammo the GOP guys use to try to claim "Witch Hunt."

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#342758: Dec 10th 2020 at 1:05:44 AM

Joe's reaction if Hunter is found to be guilty of wrongdoing will probably be "I'm not mad just disappointed".

Which anyone can tell you is much worse than outright anger.

Edited by M84 on Dec 10th 2020 at 5:05:59 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#342759: Dec 10th 2020 at 1:14:35 AM

That poor guy really has no luck regarding his children.

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Shaoken (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Dating Catwoman
#342760: Dec 10th 2020 at 1:29:31 AM

If he's guilty then he should be punished, but I continue to remain disgusted at the Republican's hypocrisy over Hunter given what all of Trump's adult children have done and continue to do.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#342761: Dec 10th 2020 at 1:38:39 AM

[up][up] I suspect that the issues compound each other. The entire family have had tough lives and that can easily cause a person to do stupid things that then make life tougher.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#342762: Dec 10th 2020 at 1:42:57 AM

A reminder that Hunter was also in the car in the accident that killed his mother and baby sister.

So yeah, he's definitely had it rough.

Joe Biden and his family's lives may make one start to believe in curses.

Joe Biden in particular seems to have this weird thing where every time something really good happens in his life, something really bad happens not long after.

Edited by M84 on Dec 10th 2020 at 5:44:30 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Medinoc from France (Before Recorded History)
#342763: Dec 10th 2020 at 2:22:14 AM

A lot of people will probably move to Dailymotion too, because as I mentioned, they are based in France and thus don't fall under US jurisdiction.
Are you kidding? French copyright hawks are just as rabid as American ones. The infamous Article 13 that practically mandates automated censorship on any major platform in Europe? Guess which government pushed it...

Edited by Medinoc on Dec 10th 2020 at 11:24:42 AM

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."
Lazlo74 from A tropical hell-hole Since: May, 2018
#342764: Dec 10th 2020 at 3:00:08 AM

Regarding You Tube's censorship on election fraud claims: while I'm actually pleased to see them take a stronger stance on people deliberately spreading misinformation, I'm also worried that it'll probably just embolden the nutters to believe that the media is silencing them in fear of "the truth" and drive an even deeper partisan wedge. Furthermore, some people argue that this decision is borderline illegal due to being a form of political censorship from a media platform.

Scaled seeker
nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#342765: Dec 10th 2020 at 3:03:10 AM

It only violates the First Amendment if it's the government doing the censoring. Private media companies such as Youtube are allowed to set their own terms of service.

3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#342766: Dec 10th 2020 at 3:41:27 AM

yeah its just that Conservatives seem to think that the First Amendment reads

"My right to be an asshole and everyone having to listen to me shall not be infringed by anything."

"You can reply to this Message!"
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#342767: Dec 10th 2020 at 5:06:29 AM

That's how they read the whole constitution.

Wake me up at your own risk.
Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#342768: Dec 10th 2020 at 5:47:35 AM

This reminds me of how the FBI announced they were investigating Hillary Clinton's leaked emails in October 2016. Even though they ultimately didn't find anything, it arguably had an impact on the election. They probably wanted to avoid a situation like a second time in a row, which was why they waited until now to announce it. I'm really skeptical about this. An FBI invetsigation doesn't mean there's any substance to all of this, the same way it didnt with He R eMaIlS.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#342769: Dec 10th 2020 at 5:51:22 AM

The problem here is that it's about a month and a half too late to affect the election. Of course, you can't tell that to a good chunk of the GOP.

Edited by Fighteer on Dec 10th 2020 at 8:51:47 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#342770: Dec 10th 2020 at 5:52:52 AM

Trumpists are the embodiment of Sore Loser it seems.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#342771: Dec 10th 2020 at 5:53:43 AM

Well I don't know the inner workings of the FBI, but maybe that was intentional? To wait until now, I mean

Edited by Xopher001 on Dec 10th 2020 at 3:54:04 PM

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#342772: Dec 10th 2020 at 5:59:22 AM

[up][up][up][up] That was my thought too.

[up][up][up] It's a bit of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Do an investigation during an election, and you are accused of influencing the election. Do it after, and people feel like information has been deliberately withheld from them until it is too late to change their minds.

That's what I mean when I say this could foster some resentment among voters who were reluctant about voting for Biden but did so anyway. This sort of investigation into corruption is exactly the sort of thing many people would have liked to know about beforehand.

Of course the investigation was already two years old, so it was hardly news. Though it does make me wonder why the Trump team didn't jump on that before the election. They risked impeachment over an investigation into Burisma when this investigation was right there?

[up] The FBI got burned pretty hard with their mishandling of the Clinton investigation, so of course now they are very cautious.

Edited by Redmess on Dec 10th 2020 at 3:00:19 PM

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#342773: Dec 10th 2020 at 6:00:35 AM

Or it's a nothingburger that the FBI is poking at for political reasons.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#342774: Dec 10th 2020 at 6:03:26 AM

So what would these political reasons be? Why would the FBI want to attack Biden now, if that's what you think they're doing with this?

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life

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