Patterico's Pontifications

7/22/2017

Is It Just Me, or Is That Sessions Story Much Ado About Nothing?

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 10:30 am



Let’s review the central allegation of the Washington Post‘s latest “bombshell” on Jeff Sessions:

Russia’s ambassador to Washington told his superiors in Moscow that he discussed campaign-related matters, including policy issues important to Moscow, with Jeff Sessions during the 2016 presidential race, contrary to public assertions by the embattled attorney general, according to current and former U.S. officials.

Ambassador Sergey Kislyak’s accounts of two conversations with Sessions — then a top foreign policy adviser to Republican candidate Donald Trump — were intercepted by U.S. spy agencies, which monitor the communications of senior Russian officials both in the United States and in Russia. Sessions initially failed to disclose his contacts with Kislyak and then said that the meetings were not about the Trump campaign.

In other words, the allegation is that Sessions’s account differs from that of Kislyak’s. Gee, why might a Russian mischaracterize his conversations with a top campaign official like Sessions? Can you think of any reasons?

If Kislyak didn’t know he was being monitored, he might want to make his conversations sound more important than they actually were.

But what if Kislyak did know he was being monitored? Indeed, there’s no reason to assume he didn’t know. Someone in his position would have to assume his conversations are constantly monitored. And in that case, imagine the chaos that he could cause if Americans were to believe him over Sessions. Why, he’d be laughing behind his hand!

And indeed, if you read far enough into the article, it admits that the anonymous “officials” leaking all this stuff said as much, and “acknowledged that the Russian ambassador could have mischaracterized or exaggerated the nature of his interactions.” What’s more:

Russian and other foreign diplomats in Washington and elsewhere have been known, at times, to report false or misleading information to bolster their standing with their superiors or to confuse U.S. intelligence agencies.

You don’t say!

So we have 1) a story based on anonymous sources that 2) even if true, does not mean Sessions lied.

Garbage.

All this is very interesting, I suppose . . . to Beltway insiders. But the American people don’t care about it very much — and nowhere near as much as the media does. Jon Gabriel did a very interesting analysis a few days ago, looking at the issues that Americans say they care about, and comparing that to the issues that are given time on Big Media. The results have to be seen to be believed:

jon-gabriel-graphic

If we spent half the time talking about the treachery of Shelly Capito and Lisa Murkowski that we spent lambasting our Attorney General because his statements have been contradicted by a lying Russian, we might actually get something accomplished on health care.

Priorities.

[Cross-posted at RedState and The Jury Talks Back.]

184 Responses to “Is It Just Me, or Is That Sessions Story Much Ado About Nothing?”

  1. Ding.

    Patterico (115b1f)

  2. Or the ‘treachery’ of John McCain? Can’t see the leakers through the precipitation. Marcy Wheeler has been uber cautious but weighs in..

    “But Adam Entous, one of the three journalists on the story (and all the stories based on leaks of intercepts) reportedly said on the telly they’ve had the story since June.

    Which instead suggests the WaPo published a story they’ve been sitting on since Sessions’ testimony.

    The WaPo story cites the NYT interview in which Trump attacked Sessions for his poor answers about his interactions with Kislyak.

    Trump, in an interview this week, expressed frustration with Sessions’s recusing himself from the Russia probe and indicated that he regretted his decision to make the lawmaker from Alabama the nation’s top law enforcement officer. Trump also faulted Sessions as giving “bad answers” during his confirmation hearing about his Russian contacts during the campaign.

    Officials emphasized that the information contradicting Sessions comes from U.S. intelligence on Kislyak’s communications with the Kremlin, and acknowledged that the Russian ambassador could have mischaracterized or exaggerated the nature of his interactions.”

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  3. I’m surprised gas prices don’t appear. High up, normally. Terrorism? Out of sight, out of mind.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  4. That graph is the most telling aspect of the whole thing.

    Might remind you about your poll from a few days ago though.

    NJRob (7f4bec)

  5. it makes you wonder though just how little integrity our cowardly, sleazy putative Attorney General has

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  6. What is NEVER talked about is the Wiener/Huma hacks and domestic assistance..

    CUI BONO?

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  7. No he’s a very honorable fellow like Ashcroft, that is a problem that alinskyite pray on. The playbook hasn’t changed.

    narciso (d1f714)

  8. No wiener is a degenerate, who Corey still captured the essence in house of cards, he was spaceys first murder.

    narciso (d1f714)

  9. We have no such info, about the provenance of said document

    narciso (d1f714)

  10. My guess is both Sessions and Kislyak were sticking to facts, but define “campaign related” differently.

    It’s possible that Kislyak doctored his report, but I can’t think of a reason why he would do that off the top of my head. He wouldn’t look better in the eyes of Putin.

    But if I was to bet on integrity I am pretty sure I would pick Sessions over any Russian official.

    kishnevi (d22255)

  11. by cowardly recusing himself for no cause, sleazy fascist asset-forfeit kingpin Jeffy Sessions has done more damage to Americans’ perceptions of their corrupt Department of Justice than trashy, corrupt Eric Holder managed to do in his whole sordid decades-long career

    it’s quite remarkable Mr. narciso

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  12. No I disagree, but can we stop chasing stories about the army of blood sucking golden trump is amassing, I think I said too much.

    narciso (d1f714)

  13. The plot on quantico was more interesting so was homeland. Designated survivor was ridiculous.

    narciso (d1f714)

  14. The more Happy feet rants against Sessions, the more I like Sessions.

    kishnevi (d22255)

  15. if corrupt FBI turdboy Robert Mueller succeeded in railroading our sleazy cowardly attorney general, who himself is a bra-less pom-pom waving cheerleader for the unconstitutional practice of legalized theft called asset forfeiture, and President Trump pardoned him, would you support that decision Mr. kishnevi?

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  16. Now kisyaks stroganoff got him a promotion to national security advisor, somewhat similar to Prince Bandar. Quite a leap for a bit from Odessa I’m guess.

    narciso (0913d5)

  17. His successor antonov is a real hardliner even aftervthe ukraine sanctions

    narciso (d1f714)

  18. Note, if he did NOT know we were monitoring his communications, he certainly knows now, and we can be guaranteed that we will NEVER AGAIN get any useful intelligence out of that kind of monitoring.

    But we can make Trump look bad, so I guess that’s something. I assume that is what all the leakers think when they destroy our intelligence-gathering capabilities for the next 5 years.

    Charles (50537e)

  19. but what good is intelligence gathering done by a bunch of corrupt lawless anti-american CIA pansies

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  20. Is It Just Me, or Is That Sessions Story Much Ado About Nothing?

    It’s you.

    “You know the results of the latest Gallup Poll? Half the country never even heard of the word Watergate. Nobody gives a $hit.” – Ben Bradlee [Jason Robards] ‘All The President’s Men’ 1976

    _______

    Today’s Beldar the Bitter ‘Watergate, Watergate, Watergate’ Words of Wonder:

    “It isn’t the press that bothers me, it’s the people within the bureaucracy that bother me. Those are the ones that there’s no excuse for leaks, right?” – President Nixon discussing ways of going after Watergate leakers in his administration with FBI Director L. Patrick Gray, secret White House Oval Office tapes, February 16, 1973

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  21. The bar chart is an indictment of Trump’s lack of message discipline, not the media.

    How is “Trump-related coverage” supposed to include taxes, immigration, jobs, etc if all Trump talks about in interviews, tweets, etc during the period in question is Russia and Mika Brzezinski’s face?

    It’s not like the administration is communicating some kind of coherent message on those substantive topics but being ignored by the media.

    When there has been something to report about on health-care, there has been no shortage of coverage.

    Dave (711345)

  22. Like cbo report which was off by a factor of 160%, lol.

    narciso (d1f714)

  23. Like the press took up charlie gards case, that was the control question.

    narciso (d1f714)

  24. Welcome to the party pal.

    harkin (455bcf)

  25. would you support that decision Mr. kishnevi?

    Well I know of nothing Sessions has done which is remotely criminal, so yes.

    Advocating for asset forfeiture just makes him another standard issue authoritarian, but it’s not corrupt or sleazy.

    kishnevi (d22255)

  26. @6 Ben Burn

    “Cui gives a sh*t?”

    Mark Walberg-The Departed

    Pinandpuller (3c8b4b)

  27. BTW I just found a leftie complaining that this story is stale news.

    kishnevi (d22255)

  28. 27
    Cesar certainly did.

    kishnevi (d22255)

  29. how is stealing money and laundering it back to the sleazy police departments who confiscated it to begin with not prima facie corruption Mr. kishnevi

    it is what it is

    it is exactly what it is

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  30. The Justice Department isn’t moving on Big Pot like ICE has been on illegals. I suppose that’s a good sign. That would be a whole lot of asset seizing. A sanctuary state of a different odor.

    Pinandpuller (3c8b4b)

  31. Actually that was Matt Damon, the most dissapointing thing about that film is the entire bay state was so corrupt they never attempted such an operation

    narciso (d1f714)

  32. Big Pot can lawyer up. And donate to PACs.

    kishnevi (d22255)

  33. how is stealing money and laundering it back to the sleazy police departments who confiscated it to begin with not prima facie corruption Mr. kishnevi

    Do you really not understand that there is a law – passed by congress and signed by the president – that allows it?

    Dave (711345)

  34. No it’s not just you Patterico. It’s just more stale gossip and innuendo. The story is full of unsupported explosive recycled assertions. It even acknowledges it but the WaPo saw an opportunity to dump a bucket of chum, sell a few more papers and set the weekend news talk agenda.

    If even a fraction of this is true, why is the esteemed special counsel allowing this supposed sleeper cell of Russian operatives for even a single day? The evil queen and her minions need to accept she lost to the court jester.

    crazy (11d38b)

  35. In an attempt to out-do the American mainstream media’s war with logic, the French are having to explain to their own citizens why they are upset over a perceived lack of portrayal of French participation in the Dunkirk evacuation in a new film about same.

    Why is an explanation necessary? The Times explains:

    The Dunkirk retreat is not taught in schools in France and is largely unknown there”.

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/french-furious-at-being-written-out-of-dunkirk-film-epic-33rg8m57l

    harkin (455bcf)

  36. @29 kishnevi

    He wasn’t exactly The Senate Whisperer either.

    Tsst!

    Pinandpuller (3c8b4b)

  37. Matt Damon asked, Marky Mark answered.

    Pinandpuller (3c8b4b)

  38. No that was Alec Baldwin, I know he wasnt acting

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Doranimated/status/888758020473315329

    narciso (d1f714)

  39. Alec Baldwin’s a known child abuser

    this makes me uncomfortable

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  40. The rizzotto tray press were altogether too reluctant to investigate Obama this stroganoff thing is a,further excuse not to hold them accountable.

    narciso (d1f714)

  41. Meanwhile the syrians are out one airfield the Castro bros is looking over his shoulder even the Venezuelan strap is feeling wary.

    narciso (d1f714)

  42. “If Senator Capito is unwilling to protect the most vulnerable among us and fails to defund Planned Parenthood when the outcome for the whole nation is in her hands, then all options must be on the table when her senate primary race comes around,” Whitt said.

    Capito was asked about that opposition on “Talkline.”

    “People are allowed to express their disappointment with me,” she said.

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  43. In “Growing Up Evancho,” TLC will go behind the scenes with Jackie and the Evancho family — including transgender sister Juliet — in a one-hour special set to air Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 10 p.m. ET. The Evancho family includes parents Lisa and Mike, and their four kids — Rachel, 13, Zach, 15, Jackie, 17, and Juliet, 19.

    Older sister Juliet is pursuing her dreams of becoming a model, and continuing as an LGBTQ activist. Together, the girls learn to navigate the challenges of career and family, while also utilizing their platform to speak out against Trump’s rollback of transgender rights.

    her “Lil Drummer Boy” is on my christmas playlist – very nice

    but I kinda put everyone’s version in there

    it’s my favorite christmas singing

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  44. Saturday night massacre?

    It could be on Sunday.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  45. the first saturday night massacre wasn’t preceded by a gruesome massacre of the CNN Jake Tapper fake news propaganda sluts’ credibility

    so this will be a new twist

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  46. this one will feature lots of deliciously “shocked” and “appalled” republican trash though

    wanna bet even perverted freak Mitt Romney gets in on the action?

    i bet you a $25 Luby’s gift certificate

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  47. Do you really not understand that there is a law – passed by congress and signed by the president – that allows it?

    Just because the law allows it does not mean it’s right, nor does it mean it isn’t corrupt. Asset forfeiture is and has been an abominable practice, completely antithetical to a free nation.

    Chuck Bartowski (bc1c71)

  48. amoral sleaze-perv Jeffy Sessions lurvs to do asset forfeiture all up in it

    it’s kinda gross

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  49. A report by the EIA indicated that coal exports — for both steam coal, used for power generation, and metallurgical coal, used for refining steel — have increased by 58 percent from Q1 of 2016 to Q1 of 2017. The majority of the increase was in steam coal, which grew by 6 million short tons (MMst).

    The majority of the coal was shipped from ports on the Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast. The U.S. exported a total of 10.135 million short tons of steam coal during Q1. Steam coal exports were bound largely for European markets—which consumed approximately 50 percent of the U.S.’ total steam coal exports in Q1, 2017.

    i love you Mr. Trump

    you’re the best thing to happen to working families since cord-cutting

    thank you for all you do

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  50. Just because the law allows it does not mean it’s right, nor does it mean it isn’t corrupt. Asset forfeiture is and has been an abominable practice, completely antithetical to a free nation.

    I never said it was good (or bad) policy.

    I said it was lawful, and hence not “stealing” or “prima facie corruption” as the unhinged post I was replying to claimed.

    From the very limited research I’ve done, it looks like much ado about nothing in the cosmic scheme of things, and hence I take no position on the merits.

    If it is bad policy, then opposition to it should be based on that argument, not specious nonsense.

    Dave (711345)

  51. yeah whatever i don’t do asset forfeiture cause unlike this Jeff Sessions p.o.s. i try to walk with the Lord

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  52. Not asked: “What the F is the Washington Post doing with NSA intercepts?” Where did they get them? Why isn’t their editor in jail going on about protecting sources?

    Kevin M (752a26)

  53. You just have to stand back in amazement as the Post uses feloniously-obtained information to go after someone for, at BEST, an ethics violation. Am I the last person who actually cares about classified information and protecting means and capabilities?

    Kevin M (752a26)

  54. That’s why my long query on the other thread.

    narciso (d1f714)

  55. I said it was lawful, and hence not “stealing” or “prima facie corruption” as the unhinged post I was replying to claimed.

    Asset forfeiture, or the taking of assets before someone is convicted of a crime, is simply legal robbery. There’s this clause in the Constitution about people not being deprived of life or property without due process. The lack of a conviction is a lack of due process; the government shouldn’t be allowed to seize assets just based on an accusation. All asset forfeiture laws should be repealed immediately.

    You can hide behind the fact that it’s the law if you want to, but it’s a bad law, and it’s just plain wrong.

    Chuck Bartowski (bc1c71)

  56. Yes, Jeff Session and asset forfeiture and the death of the 5th Amendment.

    Still, you don’t frack with national security and TS information. You just don’t!

    Kevin M (752a26)

  57. This might explain Pika’s got of pique against archetypal white southern villain:
    http://abc7chicago.com/technology/pokemon-go-fest-attendees-in-chicago-refunded-after-app-crash/2242365/

    urbanleftbehind (8d42ac)

  58. that game is demeaning besides being effing barbaric

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  59. Misleading.

    Cable television news is produced for viewers to dip into programming for an hour or so at best then go on living their lives. Repetition is SOP – particularly on opinion programming as opposed to straight news. If you’re consuming more than an hour or so each day– see a doctor. Cable news producers know viewing habits and profiles of their audiences well– virtually down to the minute- and program accordingly. Product lives and dies by ratings. [Ask Greta Van Sustren — or the President of the United States.]

    If you spend more than an hour watching cable TV news in an airport bar– you’ll miss your plane.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  60. Mr. urban that story’s actually kind of a terrifying/sobering reminder about how on your own you are if the sh!t ever gets real in downtown chicago

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  61. If we spent half the time talking about the treachery of Shelly Capito and Lisa Murkowski…

    ??? “we”??? Though you left the GOP–must be a “conservative” bugaboo.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  62. oops Mr. DCSCA you did a misunderstand

    that chart is based on broadcast evening news not cable

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  63. Yes, they have their customers number these media bizness people.

    Like our elected Leaders, programming is by public demand. You get the Gubmint and Media you deserve.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  64. @64. Shouldn’t be a concern to you then, Mr. Feet; audiences for the 22 minute evening newscasts are so low now you can likely make book in Vegas one will eventually disappear within a decade or so. (They’re dying off, too.) They know their audience well– over 60. The advertising base is chiefly Big Pharma. It’s not cost-effective programming in this media landscape.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  65. what you mean to say is oops my bad I shoulda checked the methodology

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  66. Always believe what Russian spies say.

    nk (dbc370)

  67. @64. Postscript. BTW news packages for the broadcast nets are cross-fed between the cablers and broadcast outlets. Another cost-cutting element. Might as well be graphing newspaper coverage of the same topics. But if you’re consuming more than hour of this crap via any medium, again, see a doctor.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  68. That’s not a subject anyone remotely interested in making a career of politics will want to touch with nitrite gloves, is it? But until Joe Lunchbucket gets some veg time to meditate on these matters, nothing will change. Why do you think we are kept busy?

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  69. @67. The bad is even citing broadcast news. It is a red herring; more or less irrelevant in today’s media landscape.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  70. P&P
    I was too esoteric.
    Google the phrase Mighty Handful.

    kishnevi (4aeca3)

  71. I remember when Chet Huntley would editorialize by raising a bushy eyebrow while quoting LBJ. That would puss my Dad off more than if he went HannityInsanity.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  72. Is puss even a word?

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  73. yes yes stay calm and puss on

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  74. There is no subtlety any longer. It’s all clashing brass and no signal- to-noise ratios measurable. We need Brawndos electrolytes.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  75. Not asked: “What the F is the Washington Post doing with NSA intercepts?” Where did they get them? Why isn’t their editor in jail going on about protecting sources?

    Where does it say they have NSA intercepts? All the passage quoted says is that “current and former US officials” claimed intercepts appearing to contradict Sessions’ testimony exist.

    Dave (711345)

  76. @73. My fondest memories of Chet Huntley was having him pointed out to us eating lunch at his desk in the NBC News room while on a tour back in the early 60s, the end of week Vietnam body counts and his bemusement at a set of HO trains set up in concentric circles on the studio floor with toy Gemini capsules perched on them to demonstrate to viewers the Gemini 6-7 rendezvous. It was so silly it remains memorable. We were NBC early on but as the space race heated up it was Cronkite from then on.

    Look up the audiences for the Big Three (well, 2 and a half- ABC News was a joke then) back in the day- “Yugggggely’ bigger by millions compared to the waste of airtime today.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  77. “Yugggggely’ bigger by millions compared to the waste of airtime today.

    Monopolies work wonders for those fortunate enough to have them…

    Dave (711345)

  78. Well, DCSCA,attention spans are also silly short for demos. Again, that relates to the Freeeeee market of commercial spots.
    We learned to shut down the turbine @breaks and the interval is our new attention span.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  79. 66 – “”Shut up.” He explained.” – Ring Lardner

    harkin (455bcf)

  80. @81. Comrade harkin carries the party line! Ring Lardner was a member of the Communist Party.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  81. Ben Shapiro

    All of which suggests that Trump isn’t the engine, he’s the hood ornament for a certain movement that now feels liberated from traditional rules of decent behavior. Trump allows us to indulge our id and feel righteous while doing it. We grew up believing that decent behavior made you a decent person — but then we realized that breaking the rules not only makes victory easier, it’s more fun than having to struggle with the moral qualms of using moral means to achieve moral ends. So we’ve constructed a backwards logic to absolve ourselves of moral responsibility. The first premise: The other side, which wants bad things, cheats and lies and acts in egregious ways.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  82. Sad piece.

    Maybe it’s time to stop tugging on the The Donald’s cape and focus on the bonafides of sidekick Pence.

    “Holy hot seat, Batman!” – Robin, Boy Wonder [Burt Ward] ‘Batman’ ABC TV, 1966-68

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  83. That opening to hacksaw ridge was strong, was it demostheneses who recommended it.

    Everyone of these squirrels were designed to waylay a change to obama,polict

    narciso (d1f714)

  84. I keep hearing Trump loves a good fight..rhetoric and bombastic weapons of stale gas? I doubt he’s ever been in a fist fight unless he imagines he vicariously paid a proxy.

    Ben burn (5645b7)

  85. @87. He yells and screams; fights like a girl–well, Roy Cohn anyway.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  86. God, what a jackass, ambassador to there might have been the only job is have given Sheriff Clarke. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/07/22/philippines-duterte-vows-to-not-come-to-the-u-s-ive-seen-america-and-its-lousy/

    urbanleftbehind (8d42ac)

  87. mike fernandez is a creepy somewhat-deranged douchebag what spent millions trying to make Jeb Bush the president of the united states

    before that he was all up Mitt Romney’s butt to the tune of god knows how many more millions

    now he’s twisting off

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  88. During the Republican primaries, Fernandez funded newspaper ads comparing Trump to Hitler, Mussolini, and Perón.

    pretty much has all the class you’d expect of a romney/bush supporter

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  89. I pointed out how in the 80s some of Jebs associates were not fit for polite company, according to local reporters like freedberg in the journal, and jackalope likes jefferson morley

    narciso (d1f714)

  90. In the 10s, kranish insinuated mitt find some of the paramilitary factions in so salvador.

    narciso (d1f714)

  91. Niw,thiz,was a Leak of significance:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/LegInsurrection/status/888805724507316226

    narciso (d1f714)

  92. Well, they’re all not as level headed as Narciso, except I thought that malady was limited to the cable journalist contingent.

    urbanleftbehind (8d42ac)

  93. speaking of deranged nutjobs

    “WikiLeaks will take down America any way they can and find any willing partner to achieve that end,” Mr. Pompeo said Thursday at a security summit in Aspen, Colorado, where questions concerning the website’s publications and the Trump administration’s intended reaction peppered an hourlong discussion on subjects ranging from WikiLeaks and its publisher Julian Assange to Russia’s role in last year’s election and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  94. Fernandez was on the express authority down there, then he resigned in a fit of pique.

    narciso (d1f714)

  95. he doesn’t seem like a very stable person

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  96. On Spanish cable, there is one or two straight shooting hosts but then they allow bottom feeder like the mayor of Hialeah a Michael curled figure except he was never convicted

    narciso (d1f714)

  97. I would say it was an enjoyable film, but is very affecting and it puts things in perspective

    narciso (d1f714)

  98. a Michael curled figure except he was never convicted
    I thought he was. Or was that another alcalde I’m thinking of.

    kishnevi (bfcc0b)

  99. He never served time, that was the distinction

    narciso (d1f714)

  100. I am so glad I live in Broward.
    Although of course we had Rosenstein and a few others.

    kishnevi (bfcc0b)

  101. Ahem alcee Hastings

    narciso (d1f714)

  102. We’ve learned a lot about priorities these last couple of years.

    ThOR (4e5f4c)

  103. number one: get corrupt pig wife cushy cabinet job with sweet pension attached

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  104. You’re right. Somehow I always thought he was based in Dade.

    kishnevi (bfcc0b)

  105. Hialeah, the Cicero/Huntington Park of Greater Miami.

    urbanleftbehind (8d42ac)

  106. I lived there for a time, more significantly I learned to drive there.

    narciso (d1f714)

  107. Now here’s one brave son of a b*tch:

    Starbucks customer takes on armed robber

    Dave (711345)

  108. @113. In other, other news: Why John McCain called this $13 billion aircraft carrier a “spectacular” debacle

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/10/01/why-john-mccain-called-this-13-billion-aircraft-carrier-a-spectacular-debacle/?utm_term=.d602f6f1d6c6

    “My brain hurts.” – T.F. Gumby [Michael Palin] ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ 1970

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  109. It’s true. WaPo and the Democrats are exposing our top spy tool, the most important intelligence boon since our ability to eavesdrop after breaking the ENIGMA code, of monitoring Russian top level Russian conversations because this conversation between an ambassador and a Senator is so utterly important it means we have to destroy that tool now.

    jcurtis (7499d7)

  110. 114, irony is that on that same network’s home page, there’s a story of an MMA fighter killed in a home invasion.

    urbanleftbehind (8d42ac)

  111. It’s true. WaPo and the Democrats are exposing our top spy tool, the most important intelligence boon since our ability to eavesdrop after breaking the ENIGMA code, of monitoring Russian top level Russian conversations because this conversation between an ambassador and a Senator is so utterly important it means we have to destroy that tool now.

    Thanks to Mike Flynn, the Russians already knew this six months ago.

    Dave (711345)

  112. OT. This manual in the works might become as important a milestone as the Green Book.

    urbanleftbehind (8d42ac)

  113. 118

    Flynn exposed to the Russians our Russian eavesdropping capabilities? I don’t think you’ll back that one up with evidence. Whereas the evidence is right there in the details that WaPo and their Democrat sources have destroyed our eavesdropping capabilities against the top level Russians by informing them that we have intercepted something about a conversation with some Senator from Alabama. Was it Putin himself whose conversations we were intercepting until today?

    Through ENIGMA and other code breaking abilities during WW2, would we have ever exposed our code breaking discoveries to bust an ally working with the axis? Just the knowledge of the collusion would let you find a way to bust the guy without giving up your Holy Grail spying tools.

    So even if the recordings show Sessions conspiring against America with his Russian comrades, it doesn’t keep WaPo reporters and their sources from having ropes placed around their necks for exposing our most crucial spy tool.

    jcurtis (7499d7)

  114. Flynn exposed to the Russians our Russian eavesdropping capabilities? I don’t think you’ll back that one up with evidence.

    LOL.

    Why did Flynn lose his job?

    Dave (711345)

  115. Because he lied to Pence about his phone conversations with Kislyak.

    And how did they know he lied to Pence about his phone conversations with Kislyak?

    Hmmm…

    Dave (711345)

  116. Where does it say they have NSA intercepts? All the passage quoted says is that “current and former US officials” claimed intercepts appearing to contradict Sessions’ testimony exist.

    OK, fine, but this is a distinction like:

    “They don’t have the nuclear launch codes, they only have officials’ recitations of the nuclear launch codes”

    Second-hand classified information is still classified information and the officials who talked to them about it should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  117. kishnevi

    I know of Rimsky-Kirsakov but I never discussed the election with him.

    For some reason that remind me of Rackmoninoff and these performances he recorded through a player piano in reverse. They were then played back and recorded. Kind of like James Comey notes.

    If you think about it the player piano was the first real computer.

    Pinandpuller (00e49d)

  118. Does McCain get to christen it with a Molotov cocktail for old times sake?

    Pinandpuller (00e49d)

  119. Maybe Trump didn’t know which carrier was which.

    Pinandpuller (00e49d)

  120. Starbucks customer never watched The People’s Court.

    Pinandpuller (00e49d)

  121. 125-P&p
    lmao

    mg (31009b)

  122. OK, fine, but this is a distinction like:

    “They don’t have the nuclear launch codes, they only have officials’ recitations of the nuclear launch codes”

    No, it’s a distinction like:

    “They don’t have the nuclear launch codes, they only said that nuclear launch codes exist.”

    Second-hand classified information is still classified information and the officials who talked to them about it should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

    What if it was Trump?

    Just a coincidence that somebody knifes Sessions a day or two after Trump expressed his regret at appointing him?

    Then, in a familiar pattern, the DoJ denied the reports, only to have President Snowflake apparently confirm them:

    “A new INTELLIGENCE LEAK from the Amazon Washington Post,this time against A.G. Jeff Sessions.These illegal leaks, like Comey’s, must stop!”

    Trump then bizarrely also tweeted this bizarre jab at Sessions Saturday:

    “So many people are asking why isn’t the A.G. or Special Council [sic] looking at the many Hillary Clinton or Comey crimes. 33,000 e-mails deleted?”

    Trump has apparently forgotten that HE is the reason the A.G. isn’t looking at Hillary Clinton’s crimes, having reneged on his campaign promise within days of the election because he didn’t want to hurt his dear old friends.

    Dave (711345)

  123. Is face so stupid you have to water him, trump could not move against Clinton till he got comey and replaced Lynchs mutineers.

    narciso (d1f714)

  124. Just like they praised Ashcroft on his recusal, after they called him cotton mathee

    http://nypost.com/2017/07/22/exposing-the-
    new-york-times-hypocrisy-on-jeff-sessions/

    narciso (d1f714)

  125. Consider how the times handled it:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/AvivaKlompas/status/888755214613979136

    narciso (d1f714)

  126. Awan bro has never been fired by Wasserman Schlitz

    mg (31009b)

  127. I’m glad Ken Starrs career wasn’t a complete waste..

    ““It is proper, constitutional, and legal for a federal grand jury to indict a sitting president for serious criminal acts that are not part of, and are contrary to, the president’s official duties,” the Starr office memo concludes. “In this country, no one, even President Clinton, is above the law.”

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  128. “Trump has apparently forgotten that HE is the reason the A.G. isn’t looking at Hillary Clinton’s crimes, having reneged on his campaign promise within days of the election because he didn’t want to hurt his dear old friends.”

    Trumpty DUMPTY hit his head.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  129. When they skip town and apparently under the isi protection, it’s hard to get at them.

    There is at least 500 million dollars in sunk costs in that earlier link.

    narciso (394326)

  130. Good for reminding me, mg:

    http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/19/wasserman-schultz-may-start-cooperating-with-house-hacking-probe/

    Ryan you busy with other stuff?

    narciso (394326)

  131. “Meeks said he was hesitant to believe the accusations against Alvi, Imran Awan and the three other staffers, saying their background as Muslim Americans, some with ties to Pakistan, could make them easy targets for false charges.

    “I wanted to be sure individuals are not being singled out because of their nationalities or their religion. We want to make sure everybody is entitled to due process,” Meeks said. “They had provided great service for me. And there were certain times in which they had permission by me, if it was Hina or someone else, to access some of my data.”

    Fudge told Politico on Tuesday she would employ Imran Awan until he received “due process.”

    “He needs to have a hearing. Due process is very simple. You don’t fire someone until you talk to them,” Fudge said.”

    Lol..unless you’re a TRumpiblican.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  132. There you have it, an actual breach in the house network, squirrel, an apocryphal paper work omission on flynn’s part, Spanish inquisition

    narciso (394326)

  133. Sekulow..”blah, blah, conflict, blah blah blah President is concerned…blah he has a right to tweet whatever he wants…blah, blah I don’t think it’s inconsistent..”

    Sounds like Trump will take the 5th.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  134. HUCKABEAST IN THE HOUSE!

    “I’M MELTING!!!”

    ” Again uh, we’re gonna..err go to WH every day and have the highest level of integrity”

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  135. “60 LEAKS IN 6 MONTHS IS A PROBLEM”

    HEH.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  136. “But I won’t comment on the veracity of leaks, we umm don’t want to go there. “

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  137. Truly Sekulow was spinning golden air balls of zero content. No wonder Trump likes his gab gift and grifter face. Would you buy a used car from this man? If I were an auto dealer..HIRED!

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  138. IMPEACH AND REPLACE!!

    Maybe simultaneously, maybe not.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  139. Dems, not Russia, are to blame for loss to Trump. We must be experiencing the last throes of the Russia-palooza meme if Gang-of-8 member Schumer’s beginning to message like this.

    crazy (11d38b)

  140. The amount of info the Awan bro stole he should be #1 on the list at the Foolish Bureau of Instigation

    mg (31009b)

  141. and when a sore loser’s calling out republicans and urging them on.

    crazy (11d38b)

  142. Ripping yarns; Tammy Faye Clownway “weathers” ‘alternative facts’ on CNN; the Scar spars; Gobbels it up w/a real toe-Tapper.

    “Everything is jake.” – Johnny Hooker [Robert Redford] ‘The Sting’ 1973

    _______

    Today’s Beldar the Bitter ‘Watergate, Watergate, Watergate’ Words of Wonder:

    “You know, suppose Felt comes out and unwraps the whole thing. What does it do to him?… my point is: Who’s going to hire him?… Either way, either way, the, the, the informer is not wanted in our society.” – President Nixon discussing possibility of FBI’s Mark Felt talking to the press about Watergate w/John Dean and HR Haldeman, secret White House Oval Office tapes, February 28, 1973

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  143. I wanted to start by putting up this Tweet that President Trump sent out yesterday, yesterday morning. He said, “While all agree that the U.S. president has the complete power to pardon, why think of it when all — the only crime so far is leaks against us? Fake news.”

    I wonder if you can explain what the president means by that, “complete power to pardon?”

    Does he believe he has the right to pardon himself?

    JAY SEKULOW, MEMBER, TRUMP LEGAL TEAM: Well, the president, in that Tweet, stated something that’s rather unremarkable, and that is that under “The Constitution,” under Article Two, Section Two, the president has the authority to pardon.

    But I want to be clear on this, George. We have not — and that — and continue to not have conversations with the president of the United States regarding pardons. Pardons have not been discussed and pardons are not on the table.

    LIAR!!!!!!

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  144. It’s all good now that he’s getting his cut…

    “Unbridled demagoguery has driven the GOP to an inflection point from which there is no turning back,” Scaramucci wrote in a January 2016 op-ed for FoxBusiness.com titled “The Bankruptcy and Restructuring of the Republican Party.” The column ran just weeks before the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.
    “If a populist prevails in the primary, as appears increasingly likely, the party faces either devastating defeat in the general election or a new, unrecognizable identity. In either scenario, a large swath of the GOP electorate will be forced to eat crow and reevaluate its affiliation.”

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  145. Red State

    “This kind of answer is actually insulting. Of course, pardons are being researched and I’d be shocked if there are not tripwires already in place that will trigger one or more pardons. What Sekulow imagines he gains by telling a truthful answer in a way that seems like a baldfaced lie is simply beyond my understanding. Playing cute word games, and playing them not all that well, is not a great strategy of an administration that is assumed to be lying about just about everything.”

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  146. Like the Chattanooga executions that happened two years ago.

    narciso (ade828)

  147. “People were talking about impeaching Trump before the election results were official. That fact tells us less about Trump than about the people who hate him.”

    “Trump . . . is a symptom of how rottenly dysfunctional our sorry political class is. Take away Trump and they’re just as awful and destructive. He just brings their awfulness to the fore, where it’s no longer ignorable.”

    – Glenn Reynolds
    ( https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/270797/ )

    I’ve been wondering about just how different things would have been if Cruz had been elected. Would he be going through the same media show trial? Would the Comey have framed him too? Would we still have Mueller?

    Probably, yes.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  148. Heh. The ‘Awfuls’ vs Deplorables.

    Turnabout is fair play. You are very tolerant of ‘Golden Shower Donald’ and Melanoma just as we were ou ‘Moochelle and ‘Jug Ears. But at least Obama was smart.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  149. ThOR –
    of course they would, the left and the never Cruz herd.

    mg (31009b)

  150. Who could have known international relations were so hard?

    He basically said to me, ‘Hey you know, this is, maybe they did it, maybe they didn’t do it,'” Scaramucci said of a recent conversation he’d had with the President about alleged Russian interference.

    Ben burn (9eb2f2)

  151. Probably what gop president hasn’t been subject to a special counsel, only Ford directly, poppy bush for Iran contra and they tried to gin up Iraq gate.

    narciso (d1f714)

  152. So I ask again, has the bureau or the company operated ethically, in this enterprise has mueller shown him self to be above board.

    narciso (d1f714)

  153. Vonsidering the mcdonnell, delay and stevens cases. Is,there a,possibility of prosecutorial malfeasance?

    narciso (d1f714)

  154. Now Trump is threatening sanctions on Venezuela. What became of free marketers?

    Oh yeah. Don’t you dare boycott Israel

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  155. A hundred students have been slain on the streets of caracas? I know the times sees it as a,spirited debate

    narciso (d1f714)

  156. Asset forfeiture, nativist border policy. Broad powers to Corporations,undermining judiciary and 1st Amendment. What does that sound like?

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  157. mueller is like slick playing a 3-card monty scam in the common

    mg (31009b)

  158. Trump can only worsen Venezuelan troubles..but that’s his thang..

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  159. Wrong administration, in lieu of asset forfeiture consider vig to lynch ministry of love

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Doranimated/status/889159855629578240

    narciso (d1f714)

  160. Yup…St Ronaldus of VOODOO doodoo fame.

    According to journalist Sarah Stillman, a major turning point in forfeiture activity was the passage of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984.[12] This law permitted local and federal law enforcement agencies to divvy up the seized assets and cash.[8] Civil forfeiture allowed federal and local governments to “extract swift penalties from white-collar criminals and offer restitution to victims of fraud”, according to Stillman.[8] From 1985 to 1993, authorities confiscated $3 billion of cash and other property based on the federal Asset Forfeiture Program which included both civil and criminal forfeitures.[12] The methods were supported by the Reagan administration as a crime fighting strategy.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  161. We always knew you were a totalitarian at Hart Ben, no self respecting anarchist would have nothing to do with you

    narciso (d1f714)

  162. Unfathomable text AND double negatives don’t auger your ‘argument ‘

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  163. @Ben Burn,

    What evidence do you have that Obumbles was smart? I’m not saying he was an idiot, but the way the Liberal Establishment was running cover for him, I’m not cnvinced we’d know if he had died in office.

    Sort of the opposit of what we have with Trump. I’d not a huge Donald fan, but if he raised someone from the deal by layng on of hands, would we ever hear about it?

    C. S. P. Schofield (99bd37)

  164. For one thing, Obama actually reads books. How do you measure intellect?

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  165. Scientific American

    There are three basic views on the relationship between IQ and success in the Oval Office. The first view says the smarter the president, the better. In line with this view, Gary Hart, the retired U.S. Senator and one-time presidential hopeful, argued that although a big part of success as president is picking smart people for key positions, “it takes a pretty keen mind, honed by study, travel, experience, and exposure to competing ideas, to form good judgment and to know whom to trust on complex substantive issues.” The second view holds that you only have to be smart enough to be president. The idea behind this view is that IQ is a “threshold” variable, which loses its predictive power beyond a certain level. Malcolm Gladwell explained this idea in his book Outliers:“The relationship between success and IQ works only up to a point. Once someone has reached an IQ of somewhere around 120, having additional IQ points doesn’t seem to translate into any measureable real-world advantage.” (The average IQ for the general population is 100; an IQ of 120 is at about the 91st percentile.) The final view is that the president can actually be too smart—because, for example, he or she may be unable to communicate on a level that less-intelligent colleagues and constituents can understand. According to one analysis, this is President Obama’s problem: “President Obama is too intelligent for Republicans to understand.” This view puts greater emphasis on interpersonal skills than intelligence. The president is someone you should want to have a beer with, or maybe go bowling with.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  166. If Trump wasn’t a dry drunk, I’d have beer with him as I kicked his bubblegum butt at billiards.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  167. This first step toward recovery marks a turning point in the person’s struggle – a willingness to break away from a pattern of destructive and dangerous behavior, and it is certainly grounds for respect and acknowledgement.

    Those who haven’t dealt with addiction firsthand may not understand the long road that lies ahead. The person may think that once they stop using or drinking, their life will miraculously be better. However, recovery is often not that simple. The road to sustained recovery is often bumpy, and one issue that may arise is known dry drunk syndrome.
    A History of the ‘Dry Drunk’

    The term dry drunk syndrome was originally coined by the creators of the 12-Step program, Alcoholics Anonymous. Author R.J. Solberg defined the term in his 1970 book, The Dry Drunk Syndrome, as “the presence of actions and attitudes that characterized the alcoholic prior to recovery.”

    Someone struggling with dry drunk syndrome may still maintain strained relationships with their loved ones. They may still suffer from unhealthy habits, both internally and externally. In short, while they may have quit drinking, the individual has yet to deal with the emotional baggage that led them to alcohol in the first place. Dry drunk syndrome is more common among individuals who quit their addiction on their own, as they do not have a professional support team to guide them through this difficult change in their life. Those who undergo professional treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction are less likely to develop the issue.
    While the phrase dry drunk has been used with derision by some members of the 12-Step community, it is important to recognize that dry drunk syndrome is a legitimate psychological phenomenon that can happen to anyone who is struggling with an addiction. It is not a result of “not working the program,” nor is it a sign of some innate failing within the individual.

    There are a few telltale signs that indicate a person is struggling with dry drunk syndrome. Psychology Today outlines these signs as:
    Resentment toward friends or family
    Anger and negativity surrounding recovery
    Depression, anxiety, and fear of relapse
    Jealousy of friends who are not struggling with addiction
    Romanticizing their drinking days
    Being self-obsessed
    Replacing the addiction with a new vice (e.g., sex, food, and internet use)
    Dry drunk syndrome operates almost exclusively within a person’s mind. In fact, psychologists since 1955 have maintained that working on one’s “inner life” is the key to overcoming the dry drunk mentality. Through comprehensive treatment that includes therapy as well as recovery programs like 12-Step groups, a person can discover what lead them to drugs or alcohol at the start.

    With this knowledge in hand, they can begin to repair the damage the addiction has caused.
    The Psychology of Dry Drunk Syndrome

    Many addictions spring from a need for a coping mechanism. When a person enters treatment, their loved ones often hope that without the devastating substance in the person’s life, everything will be okay; however, the reality is that someone struggling with an addiction did not feel “okay” in the first place. When their security blanket (the substance of choice) is taken away, things may get worse before they get better.

    People dealing with dry drunk syndrome can feel overwhelmed, as though they are white-knuckling through life without their substance of choice. Recovery is always a deeply personal, and sometimes painful, process, as individuals work to battle their inner demons and ultimately attain a level of self-awareness they did not have before. While detoxing from alcohol is part of the process, the work of addressing the issues that led to addiction requires far deeper work.
    As stated in a 2016 article in the Australian journal Addiction Research and Theory, “Recovery is best understood as a personal journey of socially negotiated identity transition that occurs through changes in social networks and related meaningful activities.” A person in recovery is not merely saying “no” to a substance. They are changing their very identity – a scary prospect for anyone to cope with – and they are doing it without the crutch of substance use that they have come to know so intimately. This alone can explain why a person may develop dry drunk syndrome.

    If you notice a loved one exhibiting signs of dry drunk syndrome, your first responsibility is to encourage them to continue treatment. The Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery reported in 2008 that sometimes, someone struggling with dry drunk syndrome can become discouraged with what they perceive as a failed effort at sobriety. As a result, they are more likely to decrease their treatment efforts or even quit altogether. This course of action can make an individual’s sobriety more tenuous, ultimately undoing all the hard work done up until that point.

    One way to combat dry drunk syndrome is to direct your loved one toward a healthier, more stimulating behavior. Most people fighting dry drunk syndrome also suffer from depressive tendencies, and they have a difficult time finding activities they enjoy. You can help them rediscover old hobbies they once loved or introduce them to new experiences. A few examples include:

    Stimulate intellect by taking a class.You
    Explore spiritual teachings and practices.
    Learn a new hobby.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  168. The point is to chip away at any effectiveness of the Trump administration and Republicans in general. It doesn’t have to influence or convince everyone, just enough. It doesn’t even have to be true.

    Darren M. (a4eb00)

  169. Remember he started the hatfill persecution

    https://mobile.twitter.com/NickKristof/status/887824196444794880

    narciso (d1f714)

  170. Democrats lost over 1,000 seats under Obama

    In terms of the percentage of legislative/governor seats controlled nationwide, the GOP today is almost exactly where Obama was when he took office in 2009. The Dems had nowhere to go but down.

    Cultists would be wise to reflect on that.

    Dave (711345)

  171. You notice, I don’t think an unknown meeting is alleged. It is well known that in the meeting in Sessions’ Senate office political issues were discussed.

    It was put to Adam Schiff on Face the Nation that there is no contradiction. Sessions has said the campaiugn not discussed – the report is that issues were discusssed.

    Schiff said it was hard to believe tht campaign matters wouldn’t be discussed rather tahn Arfmed services Committee issues. Why? Sessions was a origgibnal supporter of Trump but he did not play arole in the campaign. He might get appointed to something but even so Russian interest would be in his views not what he said about trump.

    Sammy Finkelman (02a146)

  172. I now read the Washington Post article. This is not about the Sept. 2016 meeting in Sessions’s Senate office, about which the leakers are not saying anything, but about the April 2016 possible conversation in the Mayflower Hotel when Trump deliver3d a foreign policy speech (Sessions has said he doesn’t recall any conversation there, although they might have exchanged a few words) and the July 2016 meeting with the foreign ambassadors in conjunction with the Republican convention. I think they might have discussed the Republican platform there.

    Sammy Finkelman (980460)


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