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Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#239401: Apr 19th 2018 at 3:00:40 PM

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani is joining Trump's legal team.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/19/politics/giuliani-trump-legal-team/index.html

edited 19th Apr '18 3:13:30 PM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#239402: Apr 19th 2018 at 3:04:05 PM

Giuliani's nose is browner than the people his police used to arrest without cause.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#239403: Apr 19th 2018 at 3:36:04 PM

Out of, possibly morbid, curiousity, what are Gulianai's credentials as a lawyer? Is it as out of his depth as had been the case for so many thus far?

Hodor2 Since: Jan, 2015
#239404: Apr 19th 2018 at 3:47:43 PM

I think he was formerly a prosecutor at some point. Maybe even a good one.

Actually seems like an inspired choice, especially because he has a lot of buddies in the FBI who would be inclined to leak information to him.

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#239405: Apr 19th 2018 at 4:01:48 PM

He was Associate Attorney General (no. 3 in the DOJ) and the US Attorney for Southern NY.

He certainly has the credentials on paper. No idea how he actually... Was at the job. Way before my era.

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239406: Apr 19th 2018 at 4:11:41 PM

can't imagine it will change much. The only thing Trump listens to is his ego and Fox and Friends.

And it doesn't change the fact that he's still horribly outmatched, and frankly, outclassed, in every way.

One semi-competent lawyer versus these guys?

Still don't like his chances.

edited 19th Apr '18 5:17:00 PM by megaeliz

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#239407: Apr 19th 2018 at 5:23:25 PM

Giuliani, what a surprise. The man’s almost as shady as Trump, hence him being passed over for AG.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239408: Apr 19th 2018 at 5:29:06 PM

From a reporter from CNN's twitter feed:

just talked to Giuliani who said his role on Trump team is limited. He worked with Mueller at DOJ & as NYC Mayor (Mueller at FBI) He hopes knowing Mueller can help bring the investigation to conclusion, saying it "needs a little push." How soon? "maybe a couple of weeks"

Preet Bharara's response:

Except that's not how it works. Rolodex diplomacy is not the play here.

edited 19th Apr '18 5:36:21 PM by megaeliz

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239409: Apr 19th 2018 at 5:51:52 PM

Interesting Op-Ed from the NY Times. Not sure what to think, but it's worth a read.

Is Russia Sponsoring Terrorism?

Despite the imposition of unprecedented sanctions against Russia by the Trump administration and Congress over the past year, President Vladimir Putin only seems more intent on causing grievous harm to international peace and stability.

Alongside increased financial sanctions against Mr. Putin and his cronies, there is another arrow in the American quiver that would add diplomatic pressure against Russia: The State Department should consider adding the country to its list of state sponsors of terrorism, alongside its close allies Iran and Syria.

The moral case for such a designation is sound. Russia has invaded its neighbors Georgia and Ukraine, it supports the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad and our enemies in Afghanistan, and it is engaged in active information warfare against Western democracies, including meddling in the 2016 United States elections.

This week, the Organization for Prevention of Chemical Weapons announced that the Kremlin had crossed yet another previously unimaginable line, when it confirmed findings by the British government that a Russian military-grade nerve agent, which British authorities identified as Novichok, was used to poison a former Russian intelligence agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. The attack also resulted in the hospitalization of British law enforcement officials who responded to the scene, as well as bystanders.

Russia has denied the charges, but the evidence is overwhelming. So is the attack’s significance: Russia is now officially responsible for a chemical weapons attack against a NATO member state on its own soil — a brazen violation of sovereignty of our closest ally. It requires a serious American response.

This startling confirmation comes on the heels of horrendous chemical weapons attacks by Mr. Assad against his own people in Syria. He is in power only because the Kremlin provides him with extensive diplomatic, military and economic support. The use of chemical weapons against civilians is illegal under international law, particularly the Chemical Weapons Convention. In fact, Syria’s illicit chemical program is part of the reason the United States continues to designate Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism.

There is also evidence that Russia is playing both sides of the conflict in Syria — defending the murderous Assad regime, but also fueling the radical insurgency against it. Reporting by Ukrainian news outlets has shown that Russia has provided material support to the Islamic State, including assistance in recruitment. According to these reports, the Islamic State now counts thousands of Russian-speaking jihadis among its forces.

We also know that Russia is ramping up its support for anti-American insurgents in Afghanistan. On Feb. 9, 2017, Gen. John Nicholson, the American commander in Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia has “begun to publicly legitimize the Taliban” as a means “to undermine the United States and NATO.”

Moreover, Russia’s illegal and immoral war against Ukraine shows no signs of ending. Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent support for Russian-controlled proxies in the Donbas region, the international community has failed to adequately respond to continued Russian aggression — and there has been a devastating price to pay. More than 10,000 Ukrainians have died in the war and more than 1.7 million have been displaced. On July 17, 2014, Russian proxies shot down a civilian airliner, killing all 298 onboard — including an American.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#239410: Apr 19th 2018 at 5:56:05 PM

The problem is those are all state actors. So maybe not terrorism per se, but sponsoring crimes against humanity, definately.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239411: Apr 19th 2018 at 6:00:24 PM

Kushner Companies hit with subpoena in federal rent-control probe [1]

A Brooklyn federal grand jury has reportedly subpoenaed the real estate company run by Jared Kushner's family for information on housing documents the company filed with New York City.

The Wall Street Journal said the subpoena was sent to Kushner Companies in the middle of last month.

It came after an Associated Press report that revealed the company had stated in more than 80 permit applications it had no rent-regulated tenants in its buildings when it actually had hundreds of them.

The company has said the applications were outsourced to third parties and the incorrect information were "mistakes or typographical errors," which were corrected as soon as possible.

A Kushner Companies rep told the Journal on Thursday that the company "has nothing to hide and is cooperating fully with all legitimate requests for information, including this subpoena."

According to the spokeswoman, "we believe that this subpoena, which has already been complied with, was issued based solely on an article that appeared in the press the day before it was issued."

A Brooklyn U.S. Attorney spokesman said he couldn't confirm or deny any subpoena or probe.

Others are looking into the tenant paperwork, including the city Department of Buildings and the New York State Attorney General's office.

The subpoena adds to the Kushner Companies' issues that are reportedly under federal scrutiny.

The Journal previously reported that regulators and Brooklyn federal prosecutors are eying the company's use of a certain visa program.

Prosecutors are also allegedly looking into a $285 million loan from Deutsche Bank just before the 2016 election.

Their story, doesn't really square up with me. Why would a Federal Grand Jury want stuff in violation of New York State Law?

edited 19th Apr '18 6:03:40 PM by megaeliz

TheWildWestPyro from Seattle, WA Since: Sep, 2012 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239413: Apr 19th 2018 at 7:23:19 PM

AP just got ahold of the the Comey Memos!

The Latest: In Comey memo, Trump says Putin hailed hookers [1]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on former FBI Director James Comey's memos (all times local):

8:30 p.m.

The Associated Press has obtained 15 pages of memos that former FBI Director James Comey drafted about his interactions with President Donald Trump.

The Justice Department provided the documents to Congress on Thursday.

The memos include details about several interactions in the first few months of the Trump administration. They include a January 2017 dinner at which Comey says Trump asked him for his loyalty, and a conversation the following month about former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Some of the episodes have been recounted in Comey's congressional testimony last year and in his new book, "A Higher Loyalty."

9:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump told former FBI Director James Comey that he had serious concerns about the judgment of his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, according to memos maintained by Comey and obtained by The Associated Press.

Days later, Trump's chief of staff asked if Flynn's communications were being monitored under a secret surveillance warrant.

The 15 pages of Comey memos contain new details about interactions he had with Trump in the weeks before his May 2017 firing.

Those encounters include a Trump Tower discussion involving allegations of prostitutes and Russia; a White House dinner at which Comey says Trump asked him for his loyalty; and a private Oval Office discussion where the ex-FBI head says the president asked him to end an investigation into Flynn.

9:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin told him, "We have some of the most beautiful hookers in the world."

That's according to a memo written by former FBI Director James Comey. The Associated Press obtained copies of Comey's memos Thursday.

Comey says the comment came during a brief meeting with Trump at the White House in February 2017. Comey says Trump told him that the "hookers thing" was nonsense. The president was referring to allegations in a dossier about a possible encounter between Trump and Russian prostitutes in a Moscow hotel.

Comey writes that Trump did not say when Putin had made the comment.

They can be read here

edited 19th Apr '18 7:27:02 PM by megaeliz

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#239414: Apr 19th 2018 at 7:32:57 PM

[up] Well, given some of the "jokes" Putin has made in the past about women I wouldn't be surprised if he actually did say that.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#239415: Apr 19th 2018 at 8:14:36 PM

If anything, that's exonerating since it carries the implication that Trump wouldn't know first-hand.

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TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#239416: Apr 19th 2018 at 8:28:07 PM

That depends on when Putin said that. As the memo points out, Trump didn't say when Putin had said the thing about having the most beautiful hookers, "and I don't recall [REDACTED]"

So I wouldn't say that exonerates Trump at all.

Like. It'd be a bit random for that to just come up in a conversation about literally anything other than Trump being curious about hooker availability.

edited 19th Apr '18 8:30:55 PM by TobiasDrake

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LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#239417: Apr 19th 2018 at 8:31:57 PM

I don't know; I can say macho wannabe types (which both Putin and Trump appear to be) bringing up hookers just because.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239418: Apr 19th 2018 at 8:41:39 PM

Justice Department Gives Congress Comey’s Memos on Trump

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday redacted copies of a set of closely kept memos written by James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, about his interactions with President Trump.

The memos, running 15 pages in total, detail a series of phone calls and encounters between the two men in the months leading up to Mr. Comey’s firing and offer an intimate look at interactions among the highest levels of government.

On one such occasion, memorialized in copies of the memos obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Trump told Mr. Comey that he had serious reservations about Michael T. Flynn, his national security adviser. Mr. Trump shared an anecdote about how, shortly after his election victory, Mr. Flynn did not promptly tell him that a foreign leader had called to congratulate him.

Mr. Comey said that Mr. Trump, in retelling the story, had pointed his fingers at his head, saying, “The guy has serious judgment issues.” note 

The name of the foreign leader was redacted by the Justice Department.

“I did not comment at any point during this topic and there was no mention or acknowledgment of any F.B.I. interest in or contact with General Flynn,” Mr. Comey wrote.

Mr. Flynn was fired days later for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and others about the details of his conversation with a Russian ambassador.

The broad outlines of the memos have already been reported by The Times, and were relayed by Mr. Comey in testimony before the Senate and in his recent memoir, “A Higher Loyalty.” But they are believed to be key evidence in a possible obstruction of justice case against Mr. Trump being pursued by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. Mr. Mueller was appointed after Mr. Comey was dismissed in May.

Select lawmakers have been allowed to view redacted versions of the memos at the Justice Department. But three House Republican committee chairmen requested Friday that they be sent to Congress, and made clear this week that they were willing to issue a subpoena to compel Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein to do so.

The Justice Department is expected to deliver on Friday unredacted versions of the memos to lawmakers via a secure transfer.

edited 19th Apr '18 8:46:07 PM by megaeliz

Raptorslash Since: Oct, 2010
#239419: Apr 19th 2018 at 9:06:13 PM

It looks like we have a new NASA chief. He's hideously underqualified and a climate change denier, of course.

RAlexa21th Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer from California (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I <3 love!
Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer
#239420: Apr 19th 2018 at 9:08:00 PM

Climate change deniers have no place in science

Continue writing our story of peace.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239421: Apr 19th 2018 at 9:10:47 PM

[up] luckily the NASA Climate website is literally backed up every day on the internet archive.

NesClassic Meh-meh!? from Flyover Country Since: Dec, 2012 Relationship Status: In another castle
Meh-meh!?
#239422: Apr 19th 2018 at 9:22:37 PM

How long do NASA chiefs stay in their position anyways?

Would the next President be allowed to replace him?

🏳️‍⚧️she/her | Vio Rhyse Alberia
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#239423: Apr 19th 2018 at 9:30:36 PM

I believe the Admins of NASA serve at the pleasure of the President, so a Democrat could turf this shithead right away.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239424: Apr 19th 2018 at 10:35:00 PM

I forgot to do an update on Trump's tweets. There's a lot of them, and they are particularly nonsensical, and frustrated.

Thank you San Diego County for defending the rule of law and supporting our lawsuit against California's illegal and unconstitutional 'Sanctuary' policies. California's dangerous policies release violent criminals back into our communities, putting all Americans at risk.

Governor Jerry Brown announced he will deploy “up to 400 National Guard Troops” to do nothing. The crime rate in California is high enough, and the Federal Government will not be paying for Governor Brown’s charade. We need border security and action, not words!

Democrats are obstructing good (hopefully great) people wanting to give up a big portion of their life to work for our Government, hence, the American People. They are “slow walking” all of my nominations - hundreds of people. At this rate it would take 9 years for all approvals!...Hopefully the Senate will not leave Washington until our Ambassadors, Judges and the people who make Washington work are approved. The Democrats are Obstructing the process and we need these people approved for the good of our Country!

Mike Pompeo is outstanding. First in his class at West Point. A top student at Harvard Law School. A success at whatever he has done. We need the Senate to approve Mike ASAP. He will be a great Secretary of State!

Sanctuary Cities released at least 142 Gang Members across the United States, making it easy for them to commit all forms of violent crimes where none would have existed. We are doing a great job of law enforcement, but things such as this make safety in America difficult!

James Comey just threw Andrew Mc Cabe “under the bus.” Inspector General’s Report on Mc Cabe is a disaster for both of them! Getting a little (lot) of their own medicine?

James Comey Memos just out and show clearly that there was NO COLLUSION and NO OBSTRUCTION. Also, he leaked classified information. WOW! Will the Witch Hunt continue?

Renato Mariotti's response to that last one:

Are we reading the same memos? What about when you asked Comey to let Flynn go?
The problem of course with that statement, is that I doubt Trump can read beyond 280 character twitter limit.

And I'm out

edited 19th Apr '18 10:48:45 PM by megaeliz

AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#239425: Apr 19th 2018 at 11:11:43 PM

Gotta love how much Trump is hyping Cali to be a violent hellhole thanks to sanctuary cities allowing criminal immigrants, when neither the US as a whole, California and immigrants are nowhere near being highly criminal.

This dipshit lives on spreading fear.

Inter arma enim silent leges

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