Patterico's Pontifications

5/9/2017

James Comey Fired

Filed under: General — JVW @ 3:03 pm



[guest post by JVW]

The New York Times is reporting that FBI Director James Comey has been fired by the President acting upon the advice of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Wait for all of the lefties who insist that Comey threw the election at the expense of Hillary Clinton to now accuse the administration of some sort of nasty ulterior motive.

Makes you wonder, though, why the President is taking so long getting rid of John Koskinen at the IRS.

Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.

– JVW

593 Responses to “James Comey Fired”

  1. The President’s letter to Comey is quoted in the NYT article.

    JVW (dadb0c)

  2. Adios, muchacho.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  3. the rest of the fbi is just as corrupt and sleazy as he is though

    that’s the real challenge here

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  4. I was thinking he might have cause now.

    Much more than President Clinton did.

    But oh – to try to get someone else confirmed.

    It might not even be pssible to get someone beyond repfoach confirmed. Democrfats would want someone aprtial to Democrats and protective of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

    Sammy Finkelman (6f9f42)

  5. But oh – to try to get someone else confirmed.

    Great point, Sammy.

    JVW (dadb0c)

  6. TRUMP PRAISES FBI DIRECTOR COMEY. 1/22/17

    TRUMP FIRES FBI DIRECTOR COMEY. 5/9/17

    Looks like smoke.
    Smells like borscht.
    Tastes like… strawberries.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  7. “not able to effectively lead the bureau” is the same sort of sorry excuse that President Clinton used. In Sessions’ case it was trumped up ethics charges.

    Sammy Finkelman (6f9f42)

  8. Just checking the search engines, it would appear that CNN was the first to report it, at about 2:48 pm Pacific Time. I’ll try to figure out who had it first on Twitter (I would be open to any help the commentariat is willing to provide here).

    JVW (dadb0c)

  9. “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Mr. Trump said in a letter dated Tuesday to Mr. Comey.

    oh my goodness i love president trump he’s absolutely magnificent and also he takes the cake

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  10. It loooks to me like The Trump Adminstration looked at some of the statements of President Clinton when he fired the FBI Director.

    Sammy Finkelman (6f9f42)

  11. Who replaces him? Mueller would probably be the safest pick, and he’s been doing cyber stuff after he left the FBI. I don’t think it will be Rudy. Either a Bush guy or a bipartisan figure. Alberto Gonzalez maybe.

    jcurtis (16b093)

  12. The Times also has a link to Sessions’ letter and to the Deputy AG’s explanation for why he thought Comey should be fired. It boils down to: the July 5 exoneration press conference was an usurpation of the Attorney General’s authority, and has badly damaged the reputation and credibility of the FBI such that, in the view of some former senior officials, it may never recover.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  13. Trump: FBI director James Comey ‘more famous than me’ – SkyNews, January 23, 2017

    Donald Trump has praised the work of FBI chief James Comey – the man who Hillary Clinton blames for her election defeat.

    Mr Trump singled out Mr Comey at a reception for law enforcement and security officials in the White House Blue Room during his second full day as President.

    He gave Mr Comey a hug and a handshake and patted him on the back, joking: He has become more famous than me.”

    Red flag, Jimbo

    May 9, 2017: Trump fires FBI Director Comey.

    Redder flag, Jimbo: spotting borscht stains on those Trump ties.

    “You may tell the crew for me that there are four ways of doing things aboard my ship: The right way, the wrong way, the Navy way, and my way. They do things my way, and we’ll get along.” – Captain Queeg [Humphrey Bogart] ‘The Caine Mutiny’ 1954

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  14. Comey has the early jump on next years Profiles in Courage award…

    mg (31009b)

  15. Sheriff Clark would be a stellar pick for FBI Director.

    mg (31009b)

  16. Dep. A.G. Rod J. Rosenstein lays it out in his memo to Sessions. It says what I had been saying here over and over. And that is that the police do not make the decision to file or not file a case. It is the prosecutor’s responsibility. Read the memo which follows the Trump letter and Sessions letter.

    AZ Bob (f7a491)

  17. Comey always wore a red shirt under his suits.

    Pinandpuller (d91b2c)

  18. Correct decision, but woefully awful timing. Should have been done within first 30 days of the new administration.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  19. Dep. A.G. Rod J. Rosenstein was confirmed April 25 so he has only been on the job for 2 weeks.

    AZ Bob (f7a491)

  20. 13… shorter borscht-belter DCSCA: due to the Democrats’ debasement of the Rule of Law over the last 8 years, Trump made the inevitable decision to fire James Comey.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  21. Well Black Tuesday hasn’t been used yet.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  22. i love how fired comey is

    taking out the trash good on you President Trump

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  23. He’s got almost a whole week to look for a new job or go file for unemployment.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  24. “and has badly damaged the reputation and credibility of the FBI such that, in the view of some former senior officials, it may never recover.”

    Jeff Sessions has his work cut out for him vis-a-vis the DOJ, as well. 8 years of the Obama administration and his political hack appointees will do that.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  25. Actually it was a memo to Sessions.

    AZ Bob (f7a491)

  26. @15. FBI Director Bill O’Reilly.

    Comrades! What a show!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  27. Tried to hedge his bets and pissed off everybody. I almost feel sorry for him. He was like a babe in the woods up against the Clintons under an Obama DOJ.

    Now, Sally, she knows the alley.

    nk (dbc370)

  28. Now he lawyers up and becomes a former senior law enforcement official familiar with…

    crazy (d3b449)

  29. 15, a sheriff as FBI director? Trump is not that out-of-the-box. In fact, he’s way more bipartisan-establishment than he portrayed himself early on. Even Rudy isn’t bipartisan enough to be picked, I doubt.

    But we’ll see. I’d take an even money bet that it’s Mueller or someone even more beloved by the Democrats.

    jcurtis (16b093)

  30. Comey should try out for Arsenic and Old Lace. He’s perfect for the Raymond Massey part.

    Pinandpuller (d91b2c)

  31. Not that Sheriff. I’ll go on record as saying Arpaio or the younger gayer AZ sheriff would be preferable to that caricature.

    urbanleftbehind (847a06)

  32. wow this is a damning summary of how corrupt, fascist and incompetent the failmerican fbi has become

    many many more of these losers need to be fired to restore faith and trust in this sad joke of an organization

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  33. Comey cut the black wire and the countdown timer sped up.

    @30 jcurtis

    I’m not sure Rudy could handle12 years of whittling out front of a Cracker Barrel.

    Pinandpuller (d91b2c)

  34. I feel that the July 5 exoneration press conference had to have been done with the knowledge and consent of Hillary Clinton’s lawyers, and they approved the essential elements of what he would say. Comey, I think, was never asked about that, like the idea never hit anybody.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  35. Makes you wonder, though, why the President is taking so long getting rid of John Koskinen at the IRS.

    1. Koskinen is also a very rich guy;
    2. He is still auditing Trump;
    3. He knows all of Trump’s tax history;
    4. He knows all of the Trumps’ tax histories; AND
    5. A guy like that is useful to have around should you want to sic the IRS on your enemies.

    nk (dbc370)

  36. The CBS Evening News said the letter that fired him had a great deal about the Clinton investigation.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  37. Clink the “memo” link at AZBob’s comment 16, Sammy.

    nk (dbc370)

  38. From the Rosen memo to Sessions (thanks for that link in #24, AZBob):

    [T]he FBI Director is never empowered to supplant federal prosecutors and assume command of the Justice Department. There is a well-established process for other [DoJ] officials to step in when a conflict requires the recusal of the Attorney General.

    This is the nub of it, actually, and it’s worse than what Rosen wrote because Attorney General Loretta Lynch never in fact actually recused herself. Nothing she said or did would have prevented her from snatching back, and reversing the decisions made, under the ad hoc, legally indefensible verbal delegation of authority — a fictional delegation of authority, in other words — to James Comey. What she did was the ultimate in denial of political and legal accountability, cloaked in a fiction of righteous ethics.

    And James Comey played along with it.

    That, in my opinion, was when he betrayed his oath to the Constitution and when he opened himself to the distortion of his judgment that was then reflected in all his subsequent events, right up through this past week, on the entire Clinton email investigation & non-prosecution.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  39. @37 Sammy

    What, did Comey send screen caps of his letter out or did The Deep State leak that too?

    Limbaugh got over 2 million for his Harry Reid letter. I bet Comey could do pretty good on ebay unless his wife is a scrapbooker.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  40. Sammy – the letter from the Deputy AG recommending that he be fired was *entirely* about the Clinton investigation.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  41. The Rosenstein memo (I mangled his name in #39 above, apologies for that) also contains an impressive set of quotes from past AGs, Democrat & Republican, disapproving of Comey’s decision.

    Those quotes could have come, however, from any time after Lynch’s press conference announcing her fake recusal.

    Lest this turn into another Saturday Night Massacre scenario, the Trump Administration needs to get someone out on point to explain and justify the timing. Otherwise, they’re pouring kerosene on the Dems’ whole “Trump colluded with the Russians to steal the election” meme of the Dems.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  42. It’s hard not to agree with Rod Rosenstein’s memo:

    https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3711113/Comey-White-House-DOJ-DAG.pdf

    No doubt Comey’s press conference about Hillary Clinton helped the GOP (although she should have been arrested which would have helped the GOP more), but if they weren’t going to prosecute, he shouldn’t have launched into a litany of everything he felt she did wrong.

    Plus it wasn’t his position to decide if Clinton should be prosecuted. That was improper of him, and it was improper of Attorney-General Lynch—as was that email where she said she’d do everything she could to prevent Clinton from being prosecuted.

    In short, the Obama DOJ and FBI were an unholy mess, and while it’s unusual for a President to fire an FBI Director, who is appointed to a 10-year term to prevent political interference, in this case it makes sense.

    It’s funny that the Democrats, furious at Comey’s improper press conference, are now defending him. They’re not doing so out of principle.

    Someone Who Thinks Comey Can't Be Trusted (11af50)

  43. 41. The New York Times had emphasized that Trump wrote that he did not believe Comey was investigating him.

    The abrupt firing raised questions over whether Mr. Trump was trying to influence the Russia investigation. But he said he was following recommendations from the Justice Department, which criticized how Mr. Comey concluded the investigation into Mrs. Clinton.

    “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Mr. Trump said in a letter to Mr. Comey dated Tuesday.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  44. has meghan’s brainwashed coward daddy done his hot take yet

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  45. Comey’s press conference about Hillary Clinton helped her because if he would have said nothing, the idea would be about that she might be indicted. Hillary Clinton wanted the news out that the investigation was over.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  46. Lindsey Graham said it was good.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  47. ohnoes

    the voices in cowardly disgraced senator john mccain’s head tell him he is “disappointed”

    Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday he is “disappointed” with President Trump’s decision to fire FBI Directory James Comey, arguing such a much reinforces his calls for a special congressional panel to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

    🙁

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  48. Rosenstein gets confirmed late last month and takes a couple weeks to review all this culminating in today’s recommendation for Comey’s dismissal which seems timely and deliberative. Rosenstein’s concluding sentence says it all:
    Having refused to admit his errors, the Director can not be expected to implement the necessary corrective actions.

    crazy (d3b449)

  49. such a much disappointed

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  50. Lest this turn into another Saturday Night Massacre scenario, the Trump Administration needs to get someone out on point to explain and justify the timing. Otherwise, they’re pouring kerosene on the Dems’ whole “Trump colluded with the Russians to steal the election” meme of the Dems.

    Too late. And borscht leaves a stain.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  51. “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley”

    Sneakin’ Sally through the alley
    Sneakin’ Sally through the alley
    Sneakin’ Sally through the alley
    Trying to make ‘er tell the truth
    Sneakin’ Sally through the alley
    Her lies float like a Baby Ruth

    Sneakin’ Sally through the alley
    Sneakin’ Sally through the alley
    Tryina get ‘er come clean
    Sneakin’ sally through the alley

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  52. the rest of the fbi is just as corrupt and sleazy as he is though

    No, I think Comey was facing an agent revolt both last July and again in October.

    I agree it’s odd that the IRS Director hasn’t been fired. Maybe nk is right.

    Now, Trump needs somebody who has been an agent (Comey never had been) as a new Director. I would suggest Louis Freeh but Muller might be good also.

    Mike K (f469ea)

  53. Chuckles Schumer with his usual histrionics. Only surprise is he didn’t weep.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  54. It’looks be Pistole

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  55. It will be Pistole.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  56. now that his corrupt pig comey’s been fired there’s a lot about meghan’s cowardly wanna-be-international-spy daddy’s involvement in the pee pee dossier that could come out any minute

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  57. Here’s a link that contains, in easier-to-read format, the Rosenstein memo, Sessions’ memo to Trump transmitting it, and Trump’s termination letter to Comey.

    The Rosenstein memo is well-written, and I heard some talking head suggest that the timing of this decision is related to the fact that he’s just this week been confirmed by the Senate to be Deputy AG. I think it was appropriate for Sessions to base his own recommendation to Trump on analysis done by someone downstream from Sessions — whose genuine self-recusal on the DoJ’s consideration of Trump and Russia doesn’t strip him of his supervisory responsibility for the FBI more generally, but which does indeed complicate things optically and politically. But that analysis didn’t need to be done specifically by a Senate-confirmed vice principal; it could have been done by someone in an “acting” (waiting to be confirmed) capacity or by someone in a position that’s not even subject to Senate confirmation. All that mattered, optically and politically, is that the memo not have originated from Sessions himself.

    So they need a better explanation/excuse for the timing than that.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  58. Mr. Dr. I think a revolt would’ve been healthy and

    it would’ve gone some way towards rebuilding trust and esteem

    but sans revolt?

    i don’t think anyone involved with the fbi has earned the benefit of any doubts

    the record is not good

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  59. Before Tamerlan Tsarnaev bombed the Boston Marathon, James Comey let him go.

    Russia sent the Obama Administration a second warning, but Comey opted against investigating Tsarnaev again.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  60. Likewise, Sessions, because of the Russia recusal, is going to be hampered as the Administration’s point man with the public on this issue. If Rosenstein is the designated surrogate, they need to get him on camera ASAP.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  61. “Lest this turn into another Saturday Night Massacre scenario, the Trump Administration needs to get someone out on point to explain and justify the timing. Otherwise, they’re pouring kerosene on the Dems’ whole “Trump colluded with the Russians to steal the election” meme of the Dems.”

    If anyone thinks had Trump done this months ago, there would be less happy horse-stuff and fewer hysterical complaints coming from Democrats and the Democrat Operatives with bylines, you really haven’t been paying attention, have you?

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  62. Hidden in the mushroom cloud of the NSA scandal in 2013, Bloomberg exposed Comey conducting his own data mining mass surveillance on innocent Americans.

    https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2013-06-30/fbi-s-data-mining-needs-scrutiny-too

    papertiger (c8116c)

  63. These same Democrats who were calling for Comey’s head on a pike now submitting him for sainthood is amusing, to say the least.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  64. How did we find out?

    The FBI had possession of emails sent by Nidal Hasan saying he wanted to kill his fellow soldiers to protect the Taliban — but didn’t intervene.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  65. 15
    30
    32
    Racist

    mg (31009b)

  66. Eggamuffin strikes and #NeverTrump girds its nether regions for a slapfight.

    Evan McMullin @Evan_McMullin

    ‘This is a desperate act by a vulnerable, comprised president to avoid accountability. The people’s Congress must step up its investigations! “

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  67. …Not to mention he’s another Cheese Mafioso.

    urbanleftbehind (847a06)

  68. Last year was the 3M election, maybe this is the 3 Mc coup. http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/05/09/the-knives-are-out-for-hr-mcmaster-trump-bannon-nsc/

    urbanleftbehind (847a06)

  69. McStain and Amash are very, very upset.

    I applaud Trump’s decision. It had become crystal clear that Comey is unfit to head the FBI.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  70. mcmullin lol

    this is a desperate act by a sleazy cia sacky who can’t pay his bills to find something to fundraise off of

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  71. MSNBC doing an “O.J.”-styled chopper follow of Comey’s motorcade in freeway rush hour traffic in Los Angeles.

    Yes sir– what a show!!!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  72. meghan’s corrupt coward daddy’s just gonna take it up notch by notch by notch

    comey was his connection – he’s the number one guy he fed the pee pee dossier to!

    they were best friends

    comey helped arizona cowardboy feel connected and influential

    now all poor damaged p.o.s. mccain has left is that all-too-familiar feeling of impotent rage

    🙁

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  73. The Comey caulk holsters are starting to present themselves now. That Evan McMullin character is going real deep on the holstering.

    jcurtis (16b093)

  74. meanwhile rick perry’s all frowny-faced saying

    ok back up

    you’re saying the tunnel has some kind of like hole in it?

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  75. My hope is that top Democrats and the Tappers, Steltlers, Madcows, Pelleys, and Mitchells continue their massive sh1t hemorrhage and bleed out, never to be heard from again.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  76. This fake James Comey Twitter account is kind of funny.

    nk (dbc370)

  77. The only thing that could top this is Trump shoving Kellyanne Conway out on the teevee to perform verbal contortions with alternative facts.

    Oh wait, that’s exactly what she’s doing on CNN– splitscreen w/Comey boarding his ‘retirement’ flight at LAX.

    What a show, Donald! Ratings bonanza!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  78. The Paper Of Making Up The Record already has an “Echoes of Watergate” editorial up. I didn’t read it, so I won’t link it.

    nk (dbc370)

  79. @75.Tunnel collapse? Nuclear waste? Is Hanford near Texas?

    “Oops.!” – Rick Perry

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  80. What did James Comey know about the terrorists in Garland Tx?Everything, including that they were members of ISIS on their way to shoot up Texas.

    This picture of the security guard just prior to his being shot in the incident was taken by the Agency.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  81. @79. Dean has already implied it’s less of an echo and more of a rhyme.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  82. This should be the first in a deluge of terminations, as Trump has approximately 3,000 political appointments to be made and it helps no one – other than Democrats – to replace directors without replacing the rest in the top spots of their respective departments… if he wants to complete his agenda.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  83. Caulk holster

    With the no clog pin, to lock in freshness.

    For you Comey fans.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  84. Flipping channels, I’m coming to the firmer conclusion that the roll-out of this decision has been spectacularly inept and self-destructive to the Trump administration.

    It’s the correct decision. The implementation is awful — based on what he did last year, they couldn’t wait to announce this until Comey had actually received the news?!?

    Correct decision. But the timing & means of making & communicating it? Wrong war, wrong place, wrong time. This is so amateurish, I’m astonished.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  85. Comey has no fans. What he has is people who want to use him as a club to beat Trump with.

    nk (dbc370)

  86. And it seems to be a gratuitously unforced error, to boot.

    He’d just knocked the Dems to the canvas with the turn-around on the House healthcare vote. Now he feeds them oxygen.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  87. Probably a good idea to let the dust settle and wait to hear how the play by play actually transpired… may be as some have reported, but then again, it may not.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  88. @ Col. H: There is a ton of contradictory reporting right now: Fox and CNN are in alternative universes tonight, neither of which correspond to the one I am in. But this is spinning poorly for the Administration on both IMHO.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  89. “Oxygen”? The Democrats are almost – to a man – unanimous in being on the record trashing Comey and raising grave concerns about his continued employment.

    I’m not a fan of that thinking… in fact, THAT is being overly generous to the Democrats.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  90. Just sayin’…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  91. Probably an act of mercy to not telegraph the fact that Comey was about to be decapitated. Comey was already in retirement heaven when he heard the news. He just didn’t know it.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  92. It’s oxygen for their Russia meme, Col. H. It keeps them wee-wee’d up, it helps them raise money, it helps them avoid doing other things like considering whether to root out the corruption and rot within their own party that their last primary season exposed so comprehensively.

    You’re right of course that it’s hypocritical on their part, given, as you say, their record of condemning him continuously, through & including Hillary’s whining in the last few days.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  93. Correct decision. But the timing & means of making & communicating it? Wrong war, wrong place, wrong time.

    Trump knew everything he needed to know to make this decision on Jan 20, 2017 at 12:01 PM, because we know everything we need to know then. Comey by everyone’s account completely screwed up the Clinton investigation. Trump needed no lawyer’s letter four months later to back him up.

    On top of this, the Dems had started a meme that he lied to Congress yesterday by overstating the number of emails Abedin let Weiner see–or at least misled Congress–which if it grew would give further cover to firing Comey. But he squashed that meme like a bug on cement.

    kishnevi (8ce7fb)

  94. But the timing & means of making & communicating it? Wrong war, wrong place, wrong time. This is so amateurish, I’m astonished.

    It’s already been pointed out that the assistant AG was just conformed after the usual Democrat slow walk. He wrote the report. In addition, the FBI put out a series of corrections of Comey’s testimony last week before Congress.

    I think there has been a lot of agent anger about all this for a year. All the immunity deals with no cooperation, etc.

    My daughter is an agent and has been a lefty since law school.

    Last September she told me she was NOT voting for Hillary no matter what.

    I think most of the FBI knew she was dirty but Comey was just inept in how he dealt with all this. He should have resigned after that statement last July.

    Mike K (f469ea)

  95. Most likely they needed Eisenstein in place before the move. That lackluster hearing, was the final sandbag.

    narciso (2c3427)

  96. You mean the meme that dare not show any supporting evidence?!?!

    Just imagine 6.5 more years of F-Ups by James Comey. We dodged a rocket.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  97. …But that analysis didn’t need to be done specifically by a Senate-confirmed vice principal; it could have been done by someone in an “acting” (waiting to be confirmed) capacity or by someone in a position that’s not even subject to Senate confirmation. All that mattered, optically and politically, is that the memo not have originated from Sessions himself.

    So they need a better explanation/excuse for the timing than that.

    Beldar (fa637a) — 5/9/2017 @ 4:54 pm

    With all due respect, I believe you’ve gotten at least one fact wrong. Someone in an “acting” position is not “waiting to be confirmed.” Not only can’t a nominee awaiting Senate confirmation start work at their future job, they can’t even be identified publicly until they’ve successfully been vetted by the DoJ’s Office of Government Ethics (and one of the reasons this process has token so long is because the ironically named O.G.E. was deliberately dragging their feet).

    Anyone who was filling any position in an “acting” capacity was an Obama leftover who remained in that position until their replacement had been confirmed. Such as Acting AG Yates.

    After Acting AG Yates overruled her own Office of Legal Counsel, which had studied Trump’s E.O. on immigration and deemed it both lawful and constitutional, so she could grandstand and claim it was neither lawful nor constitutional I’d say both Trump and Sessions learned a valuable lesson. There was no one at DoJ in either in either an acting capacity or a careerist they could trust. They had to get someone in there that they could trust to do this analysis and make a recommendation about whether or not to retain Comey.

    I believe that more than adequately explains the timing.

    And I have to agree with the Coronello @62. The timing is irrelevant. The Democrats and their DNC propagandists would have been squealing like stuck pigs and calling for a special prosecutor no matter when Trump fired Comey.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  98. “Official” Press Release on FBI Director Comey firing:

    http://www.stain-removal-101.com/beet-juice-stains.html

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  99. That immunity thing, Mike K. Yes.

    Why, one would almost think they didn’t want to prosecute a living soul.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  100. Great points, Steve!

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  101. I forgot about the misnamed office of govt ethics which let red queen ‘get away with murder’,

    narciso (2c3427)

  102. @ Steve57 (#98): Thanks, yes, I was sloppy in my use of “acting” and “nominated,” and I ought to have just said that for purposes of distancing the analysis & recommendation from Sessions, basically anybody below him in DoJ could have written the memo.

    It could have been written by any of Sessions’ staffers that have been at his elbow since his confirmation, regardless of their title.

    The level of “analysis” is extremely simple here. It’s not like this takes a great legal mind to understand or articulate.

    Now, if they had Rosenstein do a new, fresh investigation — if, for example, there are recent interviews that he has conducted since his confirmation with each of the former AGs and assistant AGs whom he directly quotes — that would be really useful context for the Trump Administration to have included in their role-out.

    If instead those are quotes snatched from the Internet and some of them date back to 2016, then it’s really hard to argue it took an officially-confirmed new Assistant Attorney General to put his name on the memo.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  103. Beldar, Are you on the Alameda town council?

    mg (31009b)

  104. …But this is spinning poorly for the Administration on both IMHO.

    Beldar (fa637a) — 5/9/2017 @ 6:19 pm

    Of course it is, Beldar. But the timing is irrelevant, as the DNC propagandists would have behaved the same whether Trump fired Comey on one minute after taking the oath of office or one year from now.

    I could lint to a NYT article written in February calling for a special prosecutor. Here’s one from March.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-special-prosecutor-trump-russia-jeff-sessions-congress-2017-2

    Here’s how a special prosecutor investigating Trump and Russia would get appointed

    Madeleine Sheehan Perkins and Harrison Jacobs

    Mar. 3, 2017, 1:22 AM 10,687

    I really don’t get it, why you’re all wrapped around the axle about the timing of Trump firing Comey. I don’t think there’s been a month since Trump took office that the DNC propagandists and their masters in Congress haven’t shrieked for a special prosecutor.

    The spin you’re seeing tonight is using a script that was written in January before Trump took office. And they’re going to update it every so often and continue using it for the next four years.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  105. And yeah — isn’t Google magic?

    Rosenstein’s memo contains this in the list of justifications for firing Comey, to stress that this is a bipartisan criticism:

    Jamie Gorelick, Deputy Attorney General under President Clinton, joined with Larry Thompson, Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush, to opine that the Director had “chosen personally to restrike the balance between transparency and fairness, departing from the department’s traditions.” They concluded that the Director violated his obligation to “preserve, protect and defend” the traditions of the Department and the FBI.

    It took me about five seconds to confirm that Rosenstein got these quotes from an op-ed published in the WaPo on October 29, 2016 — before the election. So why does the Administration need a newly-officially-confirmed Assistant Attorney General to write that memo for the Attorney General to send on to President Trump?

    Beldar (fa637a)

  106. 99.“Official” Press Release on FBI Director Comey firing:

    Gee, DCSCA, I figured you needed to wait for tonights Colbert show so he, Samantha Bee and John Stewart could tell you what is or isn’t “official”.

    Rev.Hoagie® (630eca)

  107. I love the NeverTrumpers getting all their panties in a wad over “style.”

    Never cease to miss the point, no one cares about style and class.

    That went out long ago with the Clintons.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  108. Trump firing Comey is a big damn deal. There haven’t been that many FBI Directors, mostly because it’s a 20th Century institution that J. Edgar Hoover ran for its entire history. Only one has been fired before, William Sessions by Clinton.

    So yeah, the baying from the Dems sounds like baying they’ve been doing for a long time. But this is at a volume and pitch, from more throats, than before.

    There are going to be more GOP congresscritters joining Lindsey Graham in making noises about a special counsel being appointed as a direct result of this. I can’t think of any possible justification for the way this has been released.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  109. 1) Reporting has it Comey demanded Agents find “intent” in spite of the fact the Law says no such thing is needed to successfully prosecute Clinton. And therein lies the fix by Comey on that issue.

    2) Comey was slow walking unmasking info. He is guilty of something there.

    3) Comey was slow walking investigation into leaks. He is guilty of something there.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  110. The Grandmama’s clutching their pearls is so funny.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  111. 4) Comey was slow walking the Corruption investigation on Clinton Foundation

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  112. Here’s the WaPo op-ed I referended above (#107).

    Loving the random hostility from low-wattage sources tonight.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  113. Noise — Trump fired Comey

    Trend — No Evidence of Collusion Found in 9 months unless you count FAKE DOSSIER as “evidence.”

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  114. Beldar calling me low wattage …. LOL.

    A Law Degree is more likely to make you a navel gazing idiot than smart.

    Explains DC.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  115. It will take all the attention away from Trump’s in-laws promoting their White House connection, and selling visas, to Chinese investors. So that’s something.

    nk (dbc370)

  116. BTW there’s been no such thing as a “special prosecutor” since 1999. Since then, it’s been “special counsel,” who still is part of the DoJ and ultimately answers to the POTUS via the AG despite the title and discretion the regulations provide.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  117. Ah that reminds me, because Ashcroft had a tangential connection with rovr, that was comey’s vehicle for unleashing the fitzapolooza.

    narciso (2c3427)

  118. Rosenstein hopefully will not be subject to such blandishments but I could be proven wrong.

    narciso (2c3427)

  119. For “A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR” let us pick that political grandstanding hack from Chicago who went after Scooter Libby instead of the actual Plame leaker Richard Armitage. (to my point a law degree is more likely to make you a navel gazing idiot moreso than smart or interest in justice and stuff)

    Boy was that FUN!!!!!!! What was that douche bags name? Irish I think.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  120. “…Only one has been fired before, William Sessions by Clinton.”

    I remember reading – forget just where, may’ve been Robert Novac’s autobio – of all the things Sessions had done, Beldar. Quite a sense of entitlement with that guy!

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  121. Rosenstein was loved by Chuck the Fuck when voted in. That will change by 8:00 am tomorrow when he gets in front of a camera.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  122. Since this has been the atf’s kerfluffle what did session have to do with it.

    narciso (2c3427)

  123. Btw where is Ron kessler

    narciso (2c3427)

  124. I can’t think of any possible justification for the way this has been released.

    Most of the world can– and will.

    “In fact it’s one of the few Soviet operations in America that actually showed a profit at the end of the last fiscal year.” – Comrade Zilkov [Albert Paulsen] ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ 1962

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  125. Louis Freeh was forced out by Bill Clinton but was “allowed” to resign.

    I think he would be a good choice to be an interim Director.

    Mike K (f469ea)

  126. @115. =yawn=

    1973: jowel prints.
    2016: borscht stains.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  127. There wasn’t much blowback from the Sessions firing.

    I engaged him as a mediator in 2000 or so — he and his son have a thriving mediation practice in San Antonio, where he was a federal judge once. I enjoyed his company and he was very gracious. To my surprise, though (and I think that of my opponent), he was not a very effective mediator. We’d both agreed to hire him because we wanted the former FBI director, someone with all that implied gravitas, to have the credibility to arm-twist our respective clients (who were both quite stubborn and intractable, a perfect circumstance to involve a mediator). The case did, ultimately, get settled, but only after a long day, at the end of which my opposite number and I had dismissed with the fiction of even having him do any more shuttle diplomacy.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  128. (I hasten to note, for posterity, that this was an unusual case; he may have been, and may still be for all I know, a very effective as a mediator in other cases. He was certainly well respected locally and state-wide when he was a judge.)

    Beldar (fa637a)

  129. Trump firing Comey is a big damn deal. There haven’t been that many FBI Directors, mostly because it’s a 20th Century institution that J. Edgar Hoover ran for its entire history. Only one has been fired before, William Sessions by Clinton.

    So yeah, the baying from the Dems sounds like baying they’ve been doing for a long time. But this is at a volume and pitch, from more throats, than before.

    There are going to be more GOP congresscritters joining Lindsey Graham in making noises about a special counsel being appointed as a direct result of this. I can’t think of any possible justification for the way this has been released.
    Beldar (fa637a) — 5/9/2017 @ 7:09 pm

    I think you missed my point. I could link to a NYt article from February, shortly after Sessions was confirmed, calling for a special counsel. But I don’t link to that rag. I’ve linked to another article from March calling for a special counsel. And there are others.

    I agree with you that firing an FBI director is a big deal. Wouldn’t firing Comey in January, February, March, or April have been just as big a deal as firing him in May? You would have heard the same baying, and the same Rinos would have gone just as wobbly. Only a few months earlier, is all.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  130. He got a raw deal, Clinton just wanted to clear the decks, he wanted Richard Stearns who had worked with him in McGovern campaign

    narciso (2c3427)

  131. Nixon would have been much better off had Ruckelshaus and Richardson told Nixon to fire Cox.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  132. As for a replacement, the first choice will be defeated no matter what, so I suggest “Ann Coulter” as the opening move. After that, someone from Judicial Watch. By the time we get to the real choice, the Dems will be exhausted.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  133. As for special prosecutors, I think Trump should use the Obama standard. No.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  134. That’s fair I’ll say Andrew McCarthy who was a critic in the primary.

    narciso (2c3427)

  135. “I engaged him as a mediator in 2000 or so — he and his son have a thriving mediation practice in San Antonio, where he was a federal judge once. I enjoyed his company and he was very gracious. To my surprise, though (and I think that of my opponent), he was not a very effective mediator. We’d both agreed to hire him because we wanted the former FBI director, someone with all that implied gravitas, to have the credibility to arm-twist our respective clients (who were both quite stubborn and intractable, a perfect circumstance to involve a mediator”

    I guess as long as he didn’t force you into remodeling his kitchen, pouring a patio, painting your entire house or putting a new roof on it, you fared better than his underlings.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  136. As for special prosecutors, I think Trump should use the Obama standard. No
    act
    Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/9/2017 @ 8:16 pm

    Concur. Ever since the Stalinists took Flynn’s scalp they’ve been out for blood. That’s all this is about. The only power the Democrats have is to throw hissy fits for a special counsel. It is a form of power, though as it makes RINOs like Graham and McCain get weak in the knees.

    But it’s ridiculous to think that firing Comey could have any effect on the FBI’s investigation. Comey wasn’t actually conducting the investigation, you know. He was a career prosecutor, never a law enforcement officer and certainly never an investigator.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  137. Here’s the scene from Before The Flood, where Leonardo De Caprio flies the whole production of “The Revenant” to South America so that they can film in snow.

    But the story of Hugh Glass being malled by a grizzly, then left for dead, surviving, and then marching 300 miles through Alpine mountains to reach Fort Kiowa, as this monument attests happened in August on the Great Plains. [jpg]
    That monument is roughly in the same spot as the attack. Look at the horizon behind it.

    This is the kind of [edit] you have to argue against with every single warmer/Democrat. Whether it’s imaginary Russians or imaginary snow, they aren’t arguing in good faith. They know up front they’re running a con.

    What they deserve is a good swift kick in the gonads. Then a [edit] down their back while they’re rolling around cupping themselves for comfort.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  138. @ Steve57 (#130), thanks for the clarification, for you’re right, I had, I think now, missed your point. To your well-put question:

    Wouldn’t firing Comey in January, February, March, or April have been just as big a deal as firing him in May? You would have heard the same baying, and the same Rinos would have gone just as wobbly. Only a few months earlier, is all.

    I agree with you as to the result — there would be baying.

    My focus here is on the reason — the sole reason — listed in the Rosenstein memo, which in turn is the sole reason so far given by the Administration for why they fired Comey. That’s okay on its face, but it’s been abundantly obvious since before the election. So therefore, the Administration now has to answer: Why not sooner? And so far, they haven’t come up with any kind of credible answer to that.

    If I were stage-managing this for Trump, I would have said: “Dir. Comey made two material errors in the sworn, televised testimony he gave last week. This follows upon an unfortunate history of other incidents both during this administration and the last one, including incidents that upside one or both political campaigns and that remain controversial today. Pres. Trump has given him every benefit of the doubt in view of his long & exemplary service to the country in many different roles. But as the attached dossier with findings and examples demonstrates, public trust in the FBI and in particular in his judgment and ability to speak for it before Congress, has dipped below the point at which he can continue to be effective. I’ve therefore asked for his resignation, which he has tendered.”

    Beldar (fa637a)

  139. If he can’t give a credible answer to the question “Why now, instead of sooner?”, in other words, he’s feeding the frenzy that there’s a secret answer to that question, which is, “Because he’s worried about the Russia investigation!!!1!”

    Dana Perino made one of the few sage remarks I heard from any talking head tonight, which was that she thinks this was a deliberately aggressive “in your face” (my paraphrase, not her words) announcement, intentionally planned to grab media coverage nationally just as every network was beginning its nightly coverage. What I perceive as an inept, botched roll-out, in other words, she perceived as being deliberate (without comment as to whether it was wise).

    Beldar (fa637a)

  140. Typo: In #139 above, I meant to write “incidents that upset one or both political campaigns ….”

    Beldar (fa637a)

  141. Trump should appoint Vince McMahon Director FBI.

    Or James Woods.

    Or Ted Nugent, but tell him he can’t kill any suspects until after a conviction.

    Someone Who Thinks Comey Can't Be Trusted (c3f16e)

  142. A Law Degree is more likely to make you a navel gazing idiot than smart.

    The less formal education, the smarter!

    Someone Who Thinks Comey Can't Be Trusted (c3f16e)

  143. @53 Mike K

    Lois Ruby Ridge Branch Davidian Freeh?

    Dude, are you high?

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  144. Politics is a Bloodsport.

    Comey-tay! Comey-tay! Comey-tay!

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  145. My focus here is on the reason — the sole reason — listed in the Rosenstein memo, which in turn is the sole reason so far given by the Administration for why they fired Comey. That’s okay on its face, but it’s been abundantly obvious since before the election. So therefore, the Administration now has to answer: Why not sooner? And so far, they haven’t come up with any kind of credible answer to that.

    Rosenstein addresses that on page 3 as he concludes:

    The way the Director handled the conclusion of the email investigation was wrong. As a result, the FBI is unlikely to regain public and congressional trust until it has a Director who understands the gravity of the mistakes and pledges never to repeat them. Having refused to admit his errors, the Director can not be expected to implement the corrective actions.

    What’s new is Rosenstein’s assessment that Comey doesn’t accept his errors or any willingness to never do it again.

    crazy (d3b449)

  146. Beldar, thanks for the insightful comments.

    Trump’s headfake trolling stunts were stale by the time Mitt Romney sulked out of the White House. It’s fascinating to watch and I am sure there’s some angle here.

    I just love that the same crew of Trump’s suckers that bought every conspiracy theory in the world, examining Yoplait lids to determine if Lee Harvey Oswald was really Ted Cruz’s dad, don’t see anything sketchy about firing the guy running the Russia investigation.

    As for special prosecutors, I think Trump should use the Obama standard. No.

    Kevin M

    Did you think the same when Obama was president, or are your standards pure partisan tit for tat? Is it just bullshit that the GOP strives to be more ethical? Obviously we need a legitimate investigation that Trump can’t just fire.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  147. Wait, is Comey stuck at the airport like that Tom Hanks movie?

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  148. No Evidence of Collusion Found in 9 months unless you count FAKE DOSSIER as “evidence.”

    Blah Blah

    If Comey’s investigation was going that way, Trump would never have fired him. The headfake is just that they want to sling some mud on Comey first, before the coming reveal. It’s not complicated.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  149. Right the dossier that was commissioned by a known svr agent that hired the vumshies that hired the mi6 agent who collected all the rumors from the previous sources that the bureau paid for.

    narciso (2c3427)

  150. @ crazy, who wrote (#146):

    What’s new is Rosenstein’s assessment that Comey doesn’t accept his errors or any willingness to never do it again.

    And the reason that Rosenstein, Sessions, Trump, or anyone else in the world couldn’t have made that same assessment back in the third quarter of 2016 is ….?

    Beldar (fa637a)

  151. Because they knew boente wouldn’t pull the trigger. Is dana Perino really this naive, or it a part she is required to play?

    narciso (2c3427)

  152. @128 Beldar

    Col Bo Gritz was a better mediator than anyone the FBI ever fielded.

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  153. Sessions was recused. Rosenstein had the job for 2 weeks. During that time Comey told Congress again he did nothing wrong and wouldn’t do anything differently.

    crazy (d3b449)

  154. @ crazy: Sessions is recused only from the Russia matters, not from his entire supervisory responsibility over the Department of Justice (which includes the FBI). The Russia investigation is separate and unrelated to the Clinton email matters.

    Again, every single fact cited in the Rosenstein memo has been true and obvious since at least October 2016. The date of Rosenstein’s confirmation has zero to do with that, and in no way could have impeded even Pres-elect Trump from saying, “This Comey guy needs to go.”

    Beldar (fa637a)

  155. Once the new DAG Rosenstein sends you a memo like that what would any of us do differently? I’m impressed with how quiet they kept it leading to all tonight’s confusion because all the usual leakers don’t know anything.

    crazy (d3b449)

  156. Rosenstein’s memo makes no mention whatsoever of Comey’s latest congressional testimony. As I pointed out above, that would have been appropriate to mention, as part of a long pattern, if the justification was “last straw that broke the camel’s back.”

    Instead they trot out this pre-election stuff, this “dog ate my homework” nonsense.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  157. @139 Beldar

    From what I was hearing casually on talk radio today the Deputy AG is the FBI Director’s immediate supervisor. If I have that right then it does make sense to keep things in the chain of command.

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  158. Can I be any more clear?

    If you’re going to claim that it’s Rosenstein’s confirmation that explains the timing, you at least have to articulate — through him! in his memo! — what it is that he learned since his confirmation to justify this recommendation.

    That could have been put together, if you had anything remotely approaching professional staff work or a principal willing to wait for it.

    But this smacks of a decision Trump made today, and a memo put together on about an hour’s notice. It’s not a competent fig leaf. So people want to know: What’s really behind it?

    Beldar (fa637a)

  159. @ pin: If you were right, then the letter firing Comey would have come from Rosenstein.

    It didn’t. It’s on Trump’s letterhead and under his signature because the FBI Director, as a member of the executive branch (but with special and unusual statutory attention regarding his appointment and continuing term of office if not dismissed), serves at the pleasure of the POTUS.

    There’s no “chain of command” excuse here.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  160. Beldar

    The main point you are missing is that Trump supporters and Trump detractors don’t care when or why he fired Comey.

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  161. Beldar@154, As I recall Sessions recused himself from the Clinton stuff because of his campaign activities and statements. As far as Comey is concerned I’m not convinced Trump wanted to dump him. As you say he could have done this anytime but once the guy you appoint to oversee this stuff tells you Comey’s gotta go what would any POTUS do? How do you not terminate him?

    Unless and until Rosenstein details exactly what he meant when he said Comey doesn’t understand the gravity of his mistakes and is unwilling to pledge never to repeat them and he can’t be counted on to correct them don’t we owe Rosenstein the benefit of the doubt due to his respected record? Two weeks ago everybody thought Rosenstein was a well-respected straight shooter. I can only assume that hasn’t changed.

    crazy (d3b449)

  162. Good riddance. Now to read the comments.

    NJRob (68f3b2)

  163. Beldar

    I have watched a few episodes of The Apprentice.

    Before firing people Trump would talk to the (usually) two people whose heads were on the block as well as Ivanka and Eric. He would ask his kid’s opinions. He would go back and forth.

    I can see this playing out over Comey.

    I don’t care when or why he did what he did-in this instance. Neither does Olberman or Maddow.

    Pinandpuller (8c5612)

  164. @ crazy, re this phrase, “once the guy you appoint to oversee this stuff tells you”:

    Not when he’s telling you something everyone’s known since last year.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  165. Comey heard the news while giving a speech

    Mr. Comey was addressing a group of F.B.I. employees in Los Angeles when a television in the background flashed the news that he had been fired.

    In response, Mr. Comey laughed, saying he thought it was a fairly funny prank.

    Then his staff started scurrying around in the background and told Mr. Comey that he should step into a nearby office.

    Mr. Comey stopped addressing the group. He proceeded to shake hands with the employees he had been speaking to. Then he stepped into a side office, where he confirmed that he had been fired. At that point, he had not heard from the White House.

    Shortly thereafter, a letter from Mr. Trump was delivered to the F.B.I.’s headquarters, just seven blocks from the White House.

    Mr. Comey’s day had begun in Florida, where he spoke to a group of police officers. He then flew to Los Angeles, where he was also scheduled to speak at a diversity meeting.

    Calls mount for a special counsel

    Mr. Comey’s firing immediately fueled calls for an independent investigator or commission to look into Russia’s efforts to disrupt the election and any connections between Mr. Trump’s associates and the Russian government.

    Calls to appoint an independent prosecutor have simmered for months, but until now, they had been voiced almost entirely by Democrats.

    Mr. Comey’s firing upended the politics of the investigation, and even Republicans were joining the call for independent inquiries.

    I know Trump has no problem telling a guy to his face that he’s fired, so why would the FBI director learn he’s been fired second hand? It sounds like a very quick, panicked decision by the White House. The FBI director works for Trump and it’s normal to replace folks after elections, but why do it now, months in? Nothing really changed that we know of, but there’s something more going on here.

    In a sign of the F.B.I.’s intense interest in Mr. Trump’s advisers, a grand jury in Virginia recently issued subpoenas for records related to the former White House national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, according to an official familiar with the case.

    Mr. Flynn is being investigated for his financial ties to Russia and Turkey.

    Ya don’t say.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  166. Beldar, per usual, has nailed it. Comey needed killing, so to speak, but he earned that many moons ago. Something triggered DJT in the last week or so to direct/order Sessions to create the documents he received today.

    Is it simply the matter of the absurd testimony Comey gave to Congress?

    One impressive thing about this action, Beldar’s excellent analysis to the contrary notwithstanding, is that it got done in utter and total secrecy. Not a single person has claimed/demonstrated they got a heads up. Given all the supposition about the failing discipline and factionalism in the West Wing, this got done with the utmost loyalty and discretion by those involved who are serving DJT.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  167. Beldar’s excellent analysis to the contrary notwithstanding, is that it got done in utter and total secrecy.

    You have a great point. Some kind of credit is due Trump’s people for that, except if they did the firing very quickly, without enough time for leaks.

    Whether Comey deserved firing months ago or not, this looks real bad. This looks like Nixon firing the Watergate task force. Investigating this Russia thing is a great way to lose your job in this administration, which appears to be pulling out all the stops to obstruct.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  168. If Dana Perino is right, and Trump is deliberately putting his thumb into the Dems’ (collective, metaphoric) eye, then we should expect to see him name Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) as both interim Director and his new nominee for permanent Director. Post-nuclear option, his confirmation would go through, he’s already got the security clearances, he’s a former U.S. Attorney with all the other appropriate qualifications, and he’s from a safe seat.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  169. Everything you ever wanted to know about the FBI Director: Appointment and Tenure, from the Congressional Research Center, including the history of the 10-year term limitation.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  170. I was mistaken in assuming, above, that Trump can appoint an interim director. Instead, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe will automatically serve as Acting Director until Comey’s successor is confirmed. Mea culpa for any confusion.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  171. (He’s certainly not someone whom you’d think the Trump Administration would like to see holding the reins very long.)

    Beldar (fa637a)

  172. Did you think the same when Obama was president, or are your standards pure partisan tit for tat? Is it just bullshit that the GOP strives to be more ethical? Obviously we need a legitimate investigation that Trump can’t just fire.

    Dustin, this is pure Democrat FUD. There is no there there. This is just part of the Democrat plan to encumber Trump in baseless charge after baseless charge so that fools, airheads and people who despise Trump can have something to chatter about.

    The Russians did not hack the election. The US press printed every word, not the Russians, and not one word that was printed was denied. The Democrat’s basic claim is: The Russians gave our dirty secrets to the press. It was sooooo funny when it was the GOP these things happened to.

    And yes, I do believe in reciprocity. Until you reciprocate they won’t stop.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  173. And the reason that Rosenstein, Sessions, Trump, or anyone else in the world couldn’t have made that same assessment back in the third quarter of 2016 is ….?

    They probably did, and decided that it was better politics to try to work with the guy. Until it wasn’t. Of course, if they don’t have a replacement lined up, they’ll look pretty stupid.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  174. Heads: Trump fires Comey on Jan 21st: “Why the rush to judgement, when you don’t even have any DoJ appointees confirmed?”

    Tails: Trump does what he does now: “Why did you have to take so long!?”

    Meh.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  175. Whether Comey deserved firing months ago or not, this looks real bad. This looks like Nixon firing the Watergate task force.

    Historically illiterate.

    In Nixon’s case it was a “massacre” because Nixon’s own AG and his deputy both resigned instead of carrying out the firing, which Nixon apparently demanded quite suddenly.

    In this case the AG and his deputy were both arguing for the firing, after due diligence. It took extra long because the chattering classes made Sessions step back and the deputy had to look at it de novo.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  176. I pray to the Almighty that Gowdy is not on the list, this hack let Hillary walk for letting our warriors get murdered.
    What a pos he is.

    mg (31009b)

  177. Clapper sealed the deal with his testimony that nothing exist between Russia and Trump.
    Nevertrumpers refuse to hear the testimony.

    mg (31009b)

  178. Clapper? The “least untruthful answer” Clapper? He has no compunction about lying to Congress to conceal NSA activities. (Which is not necessarily a bad trait in a government spy.)

    nk (dbc370)

  179. David Clarke and his cowboy hat will be the best FBI director of all time, snowflakes.

    mg (31009b)

  180. Comey should be glad he wasn’t stuck at Fort Lauderdale Airport given last January and this past week.

    urbanleftbehind (847a06)

  181. Let me be more clear. If the NSA found a Russian connection but found it in a way that violated the law, Clapper would lie about it in order to protect the NSA.

    nk (dbc370)

  182. McCabe (and his skeevy wife) – they’re more corrupt than Comey even!

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  183. This thread was posted at 3:03 pm.

    At 3:02 pm I tweeted this.

    Synchronicity?

    L.N. Smithee (0b95c4)

  184. When does Assistant Director McCabe get fired? That’s long overdue after he leveraged his position to try and get his wife elected.

    NJRob (68f3b2)

  185. …That could have been put together, if you had anything remotely approaching professional staff work or a principal willing to wait for it.

    Beldar (fa637a) — 5/9/2017 @ 9:51 pm

    The Yates incident demonstrated that Trump and Jeff Sessions didn’t have anything remotely approaching professional staff work at DoJ. Can you imagine the uproar if some partisan hack, whether the task of doing the analysis was given to an acting something or other or career bureaucrat, refused to recommend firing Comey and they did it anyway?

    The precedent Clinton established when he fired William Sessions that he did so on the basis of his AG’s recommendation. William Sessions’ ethical problems were well known before Billy Jeff took over. Janet Reno simply could have taken the recommendation of the outgoing acting AG and fired Sessions as soon as she took over. But she didn’t.

    http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-20/news/mn-15006_1_law-enforcement-agencies

    Defiant FBI Chief Is Fired by President : Law enforcement: Alleged ethical abuses by Sessions are cited as reason for dismissal. He refused to resign.
    July 20, 1993|RONALD J. OSTROW and ROBERT L. JACKSON | TIMES STAFF WRITERS

    …Clinton and Atty. Gen. Janet Reno, steeling the Administration against claims that the decision was politically motivated, used unmistakably blunt language to describe Sessions’ failings. Reno “has reported to me in no uncertain terms that he can no longer effectively lead the bureau and law enforcement community,” Clinton said, adding that he fully agreed with her recommendation to replace Sessions immediately.

    …At his press conference, Clinton rejected the suggestion that Sessions fell victim to an internal vendetta and responded “absolutely not” when asked if the removal of Sessions would create the impression that the FBI is being subjected to political pressures.

    Clinton cited the six-month-old highly critical report on Sessions’ conduct by the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility, which investigated the director in the final year of the George Bush Administration.

    Clinton noted that the attorney general had studied the findings and thoroughly reviewed Sessions’ leadership.

    Reno said that, when she took office last March, then acting Atty. Gen. Stuart Gerson, a Republican holdover, advised her that Sessions “had exhibited flawed judgment which had an adverse effect within the FBI.”

    But Reno said she wanted to make her own independent assessment of Sessions’ ability to lead the FBI, noting that she felt very strongly that the FBI director “should be above politics and not automatically subject to replacement with a change of administrations.”…

    I believe, like Kevin M. @172, that the incoming Trump administration probably did decide back in the third quarter of last year to fire Comey. And had it not been for Sessions to almost immediately fall under a cloud for giving an honest answer to Al Franken’s garbled, rambling, barely comprehensible question, he would have done so in February. That’s when the calls for a special counsel began in earnest. Given the circumstances I’m convinced no one on his personal staff could have credibly made the recommendation to fire Comey. The Dems would have then, as they are now, howled that the recommendation came from someone so close to Sessions that it really came from Sessions himself. And the already “tainted” Sessions was trying to interfere with the “Trump-Russia” investigation because he also had something to hide.

    Given that Reno took office in March 1993 and didn’t get around to making her recommendation to fire William Sessions until July, a period of five months, I’d say that Jeff Sessions and the Trump team making the decision to fire Comey in four months, within two weeks of his newly confirmed Deputy’s confirmation is fast work.

    I really don’t know what more you could ask, Beldar. I don’t think anyone other than the newly confirmed Rosenstein could have credibly made this recommendation.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  186. Beldar, I could be wrong, but the Russia meme is a dead loser for the Ds – they can never carry it off. Trump made the decision knowing the Ds will take the “Putin did it” up to 11 on the dial, and he will beat them senseless (is senselesser even a word?).

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  187. the politico propaganda sluts are saying the cowardly corrupt weaksauce fbi agents are crying big sloppy tears while staring blankly towards an uncertain future cause of their corrupt sleazy leader james comey got thrown to the curb like stinky trash

    where dem pups

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  188. I see Inspector Clouseau arrived on the scene a little after 9pm Pacific. He’ll have it solved in no time.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  189. If the internal polling in NJ is bad for R, perhaps Kim Guadagno. Also is a semi-FU to Kushner.

    urbanleftbehind (5ba60b)

  190. BTW, if you want to have a hot dog while watching this circus, I tried the Hebrew National and they’re ok. I had them only with catsup and Dijon mustard, but you might like them better with yellow mustard, relish, tomato, onion, sport peppers and a pickle spear. On a Marry Ann bun — those are still the best.

    nk (dbc370)

  191. nypost.com/2017/05/09/why-james-comey-had-to-go

    narciso (d1f714)

  192. Way to stick it to those self-appointed Chi-caw-goans and their No-Catsup rule, nk!

    urbanleftbehind (5ba60b)

  193. Kevin, what is the distinction you’re attempting to make? There subpoenas came out a few days ago, then quickly the termination, apparently by the guy who had to recuse himself in the matter Come was investigating.

    It looks bad. Actually looks worse when you guys carry water.

    Dustin (251ef8)

  194. The Democrats cannot believe they are not universally loved. That they got beat by THIS GUY is “inconceivable!”

    So they latch onto the Russia meme that says Putin hacked their servers (read: personally sent them phishing emails) and then dumped all this (true) information into the campaign. And all they have to prove it is innuendo, supposition and naive cynicism.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  195. There is no there there, Dustin. Subpoenas about whether Flynn talked to Russians? We know he talked to Russians. So effing what. This is so far from rising to anything of interest that it’s suspicious only because you want it to be suspicious. You start with the assumption that Trump must be guilty and work your way back to a conspiracy of silence.

    Name one thing Trump has done that Putin would want him to do. If he was behind Trump winning, boy was he played.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  196. — Rex Tillerson.
    — The buy-a-green-card-for-$500,000 program extension, so all the foreign kleptocrats will have a place to run off to with their loot.
    — Rex Tillerson.
    — Did Putin know that Flynn would be caught out?
    — Rex Tillerson.

    And there’s still 1,350 days to go.

    nk (dbc370)

  197. Kevin, I like that you assert that’s what the subpoena was about when Flynn asked for immunity. Keep up the hard work, Republican.

    Dustin (251ef8)

  198. Beldar (fa637a) — 5/9/2017 @ 4:54 pm

    The Rosenstein memo is well-written, and I heard some talking head suggest that the timing of this decision is related to the fact that he’s just this week been confirmed by the Senate to be Deputy AG.

    Two weeks ago they’ve been saying, but I didn’t check.

    All that mattered, optically and politically, is that the memo not have originated from Sessions himself.

    So they need a better explanation/excuse for the timing than that.

    It would be more immune from criticism if it didn’t come from someone Sessions himself appointed.

    There’s also a claim this was so-to-speak reverse engineered – that Trump decided to fire him after watching some or all of Comey’s testimony last Wednesday. While they’ve been writing that the president doesn’t need a reason to fire the FBI Director for any reason, and maybe this is the new received wisdom, that’s not what I thought, and it’s not what Comey thought.

    http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/05/09/flashback-comey-youre-stuck-me

    James Comey said Wednesday at a Boston College conference on cybersecurity that he plans to serve his entire 10-year term as FBI director.

    “You’re stuck with me for another 6 ½ years,” Comey told attendees from the law enforcement and private sectors. Comey’s tenure as director began in 2013 when he was appointed by then-President Barack Obama.

    I think a president does need cause, although the law is silent as to what the cause can be, and maybe, in practical terms, it can be just anything, including spilling his coffee in the Oval Office in front of the president.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  199. Actually he didn’t ask for immunity, his atty made it clear. But the media keep listening to the voices in their head.

    narciso (0e6115)

  200. The Democrats are pretending that the idea that Comey treated Hillary Clinton favorably – just isn’t present in the world. They claim that Comey wasas too tough on her.

    They never complained about the July 5 press conference till after the October 28 letter to members of Congress. Comey said he had to make the re-opening of the investigation public because he had told members of Congress that he would tell them if it got re-opened, so then they found some fault with the July 5 2016 announcement.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  201. 159. Beldar (fa637a) — 5/9/2017 @ 9:51 pm

    If you’re going to claim that it’s Rosenstein’s confirmation that explains the timing, you at least have to articulate — through him! in his memo! — what it is that he learned since his confirmation to justify this recommendation.

    There is something of that nature in the memo:

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/james-comey-fired-memo-letter-in-full-rod-rosenstein-read-trump-sacks-fbi-director-a7727246.html (an Htmp link)

    ..As you and I have discussed, however, I cannot defend the Director’s handling of the conclusion of the investigation of Secretary Clinton’s emails, and I do not understand his refusal to accept the nearly universal judgment that he was mistaken. … In response to sceptical questions at a congressional hearing, the Director defended his remarks by saying that his goal was to say what is true…

    The testimony he is referring to may have taken place after Rosenstein’s confirmation, and in any case past January 20 – in fact he’s carrying this forth up to the present day. The grounds become Comey refused to say he made a mistake, and therefore this serves as a precedent, and it shouldn’t.

    Notes:

    1. The “you” there is Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

    2. The “Independent” evidently changed the spelling of thw word skeptical to the British version.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  202. sleazy corrupt comey got to sleep in today and then make pancakes and eat them in the living room where he started learning about the 13 Reasons with his puppy dog sitting next to him on the couch

    today is a good day

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  203. if the useless trash in the senate want to expand their senate probes and probe all up in it i say knock yourself out, losers

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  204. Beldar:

    But this smacks of a decision Trump made today, and a memo put together on about an hour’s notice. It’s not a competent fig leaf. So people want to know: What’s really behind it?

    A lot of people thought maybe it was the correction of his testimony about Huma Abedin forwarding emails to the Anthony Weiner laptop, but on the other hand, nobody on Capitol Hill had called for Comey to be fired because of that.

    By the way, the following article did not make into the New York Times printed paper:

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/us/politics/comey-clinton-emails-testimony.html

    It could be crowding out, but this was certainly news that was fit to print and I suspect there was some kind of bias and tghey didn’t print it so that people shouldn’t get the idea this caused his firing.

    The New York Times did print an article earlier that said Comey’s testimony about how the emails got onto Anthony Weiner’s laptop was wrong:

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/us/politics/sally-yates-james-clapper-russia-hearing.html

    Published as Talk of Flynn, Leaks, Secrets and, Yes, Emails at Senate Hearing on Russia” on page A17 on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

    But it was only attributed to:

    “Several current and former government officials familiar with the investigation into Mrs. Clinton’s handling of delicate information”

    And it wasn’t officially confirmed that it was wrong till the FBI sent that letter yesterday (maybe because of this New York Times article, buried in paragraphs 22 and 23 of 36 as it may have been.)

    The news of that FBI letter saying Comey’s testimony was wrong preceded the announcement of the firing by an hour or so.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  205. A short time ago, when the Prez was still green,
    There were more kinds of horsesh*t than you’ve ever seen;
    They’d run their mouths and preen, just as sure as you’re born
    The hunt was on for teh Unicorn.
    There was grey litigators and sheep to fleece
    Some humpty-backed cronies and some chimpanzees,
    Old bats and ‘rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born,
    The rarest of all was the Unicorn

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  206. They think maybe Comey won’t show up for his scheduled testimony tomorrow before a Congressional committee, although the committee still wants to hear from him. (Most wtnesses aren’t subpoenaed, so he doesn’t have to)
    .

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  207. 90. Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 5/9/2017 @ 6:20 pm

    The Democrats are almost – to a man – unanimous in being on the record trashing Comey and raising grave concerns about his continued employment.

    I think Jeff Sessions selected the “reason.”

    He made the reason reasons that Democrats would have given for firing Comey, reasons that probably would have been cited by Hillary Clinton had she been elected president.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  208. To respond to several of Beldar’s comments from last night — I think the calculation in the Rubenstein memo, seconded by Sessions, is that on a going-forward basis the Administration and Comey were never going to escape continued question of Comey by Democrats about his actions in relationship to the election, and continuing to press him to make further public comments on the Russia investigation in the same manner he made comments on the Clinton investigation. You have the tin-foil had crowd led by Franken that will never accept him in the future when he testifies on any subject, and press attention will always be focused on this role in the 2016 election cycle.

    And in his testimony last week he pretty much made an implicit promise to answer questions before Congress if and when the FBI closes out the Russian investigation. That was the benchmark he laid down with regard to answering questions about Clinton, so when the time comes that the Russia investigation is closed, he would be held to that by Democrats.

    I don’t believe any of the reporting coming out this morning — especially not from Politico — that this is all about getting the Russia investigation shut down. That has a life of its own, and its not going to be stopped. IMO this was all about Sessions and Comey, and that Sessions see’s Comey’s job differently than Comey saw Comey’s job.

    Comey has been a DOJ lifer. He’s a very well known figure, and he has both his supporters and his detractors in GOP circles. With the GOP now in charge of Justice, his tenure IMO was not so much in the control of Trump as it was in the control of Sessions. And IMO what Sessions saw is a guy whose willing to bend the long established rules and traditions when he — Comey — thinks its “right” to do so. There’s no way to predict where that is going to go.

    Sessions knows that Comey disregarded DOJ “advice” to not send the Oct 28 letter to Congress. I don’t think Sessions can have any faith that Comey will change his ways just because the GOP runs Justice now. At least I don’t think Sessions is willing to take that chance.

    And, there are problems inside the Bureau with Comey’s leadership. Its not a happy place, and going forward under Comey the problems weren’t going to get fixed. Sessions was on the Judiciary Committee for 3 decades — he’s got all the inside info about the Bureau he needs.

    IMO this was a “forward looking” decision — by a guy who knows politics well enough to understand that Comey was a festering wound that was not going to heal.

    Now a new FBI Director can go up to Capitol Hill to testify and simply say “DOJ Policy is that we don’t comment on open investigations, and we don’t comment on investigations that have been closed without charges being filed.”

    Firing Comey was a necessary step in putting the Comey affairs behind the Administration.

    shipwreckedcrew (56b591)

  209. The Rosenstein memo came from Rosenstein to Sessions because its part of Rosenstein’s job as the guy responsibile for the day-to-day operations of DOJ, including the FBI.

    The FBI Director comes under the direct supervision of the AG, but the AG generally relies on the Dep. AG to report to him on operational matters, and Comey’s continuing issues in having to publicly address in Cong. Test. his decision making from July and Oct. 2016, as well as being continually questioned about the Russia investigation, are certainly operational concerns.

    Rosenstein knows Comey well. All these guys have worked off and on at DOJ for 3 decades whenever the GOP controlled the WH. Comey is universally respected, but he’s not universally liked. It is not a shock to him that there were forces at work in the new Admin that would prefer to have someone else running FBI.

    I don’t know which former DOJ official it was attributed to back in Oct., but I think an apt characterization of Comey’s problem is that he doesn’t realize that being “independent” isn’t the same as “flying solo.”

    shipwreckedcrew (56b591)

  210. Sammy at 208 — I don’t agree. As Rosenstein’s memo pointed out, Comey’s actions in July especially came under a lot of criticism by former DOJ officials in the GOP. I suspect Rosenstein was one of those guys who didn’t like what he witnessed.

    They may have not liked it for 2 reasons — 1) Clinton should have been indicted under the standard established by law, and Comey rationalized away the facts that supported such an indictment; and 2) Comey held a press conference in which he usurped the prosecutorial power of DOJ in his position as Director of the FBI.

    They aren’t going to publicly announce is firing for (1), but there was bipartisan criticism of Comey for (2). Politically his actions may have assisted Trump’s campaign, but as a matter of professionalism, his actions made it more difficult for the Trump Justice Department going forward.

    Trump didn’t name him FBI Director, so Trump doesn’t need to defend him, and Trump doesn’t need to catch arrows that follow every time Comey would testify.

    shipwreckedcrew (56b591)

  211. Here’s a taste of Comey’s PC horseshit from two days ago, in which he falsely alleges that law enforcement fails to understand the problems of the ghetto:

    “But we have to do a better job of not just explaining that to the communities we serve and protect. We need to do a better job of understanding those communities. Especially those with the greatest need for police. We need to know the people who live there, the challenges they confront, the fears that they have, the hopes they have.”

    Of all the people I’ve met, big city cops seem to have the best and most nuanced understanding of the Black and Hispanic neighborhoods they police. Politicians sure don’t. Neither do journalists. Comey’s comment is nothing more than the hackneyed slander we’ve heard time and again from dishonest leftists. Perhaps in retirement, Comey can find a job leading REI trainings at Duke.

    I’m looking forward to a replacement Director who doesn’t reflexively blame the cops.

    For more reasons than I can count, this man needed to go. Thank you President Trump!

    [Fished out of moderation because of the naughty word. – JVW]

    ThOR (c9324e)

  212. You’re not addressing the primary criticism of this move – the timing – or the secondary criticism of this move, which is the failure to explain the timing in a remotely plausible way.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  213. Its very plausible that the timing was because of Comey’s gross misstatements regarding Huma Abedin practice of forwarding email to home laptop for printing.

    SPQR (a3a747)

  214. The Goldilocks Effect. Action taken too soon. Action not taken soon enough.

    For chrissakes…

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  215. we just found out that comey used john mccain’s pee pee dossier to convince a corrupt FISA court to authorize illegal wiretapping of americans

    this is no good

    comey had to go

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  216. Open-ended investigations… grist for the 24 hour cable news cycle and the vultures at the NYT/WaPo…

    Make sure your wallet is still where it belongs.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  217. This explains so much… not only for liberal behavior, but #NeverTrump as well: http://theothermccain.com/2017/05/09/liberal-paranoia-in-the-trump-age/

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  218. look at sleazy cowardly John McCain doing Putin’s bidding today

    Three Republicans joined Senate Democrats on Wednesday to reject an effort to overturn an Obama administration rule limiting methane emissions from oil and natural gas drilling.

    Only 49 senators voted to move forward with debate on legislation to undo the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule, short of the 51 votes needed.

    Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Susan Collins (Maine) and John McCain (Ariz.) joined all 48 members of the Democratic caucus in rejecting the resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

    we need a select committee to investigate his brainwashed sleazy ex-military p.o.s. ass i think

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  219. The last paragraph of the Wall Street Journal article today about the firing says:

    To buttress the case for Mr. Comey’s termination, the white House released Mr. Rosenstein’s three -page critique of his handling of the email probe. Relying on part on public statements by former Justice Department officials of both parties who were critical of Mr. Comey, Mr. Rosenstein said he couldn’t defend the director’s decision to hold a news conference on July 5 to announce he wouldn’t charge Mrs. Clinton or release “derogatory” information about the subject of an investigation.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  220. Haiku @ 215

    Hear! Hear!

    With Trump critics, if it’s not one thing it’s another. For them, there is never just right. Never.

    It seems quite apparent that Trump waited for Rod Rosenstein to come on board and make the call. Rosenstein speaks with apolitical and professional authority Trump and Sessions lack. A wise move, I’d say, and worth the wait.

    That the dismissal has sent the Left into wild-eyed conspiracy mode is just more good luck for President Trump, especially coming just a week after Hillary, once again, tried to pin her loss on the unprofessional behavior of Director Comey.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  221. 211. shipwreckedcrew (56b591) — 5/10/2017 @ 9:06 am

    (1), but there was bipartisan criticism of Comey for (2).

    I think you got (2) from Democrats only after Comey’s letter October 28 announcing the investigation was going to be re-opened.

    Comey’s defense for that was that he had said that if the closed investigation was re-opened, he would tell members of Congress, and he couldn’t not do that (somehow Rosenstein is, or makes himself, not aware of this, which is a mystery in itself.)

    http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/266602/fbi-director-comey-defends-handling-clinton-joseph-klein

    Much of the back-and-forth with committee members dealt with the FBI director’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Comey explained that he felt compelled to notify Congress, less than two weeks before Election Day, about newly discovered emails related to the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server for government business. In July 2016, Comey had declared the Clinton email investigation closed, but promised to notify Congress if there were any new developments….

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/us/politics/james-comey-election.html

    But Mr. Comey had declared the case closed, and he believed he was obligated to tell Congress that had changed.

    This was undeniable.

    So then, and only then, Democrats began criticizing the earlier July 5 press conference.

    At 29 in the Ted Cruz and Sally Yates thread harkin 5/10/2017 @ 8:29 am notes that Trump tweeted a Schumer criticism (which he says is from November)

    Where are there any Democratic criticisms of Comey’s press conference from July 5 through October 27, 2016? I don’t think you will find any.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  222. How much more powerful would Rosenstein’s memo have been if, for example, he’d made a phone call to each of the former AGs and Deputy AGs in his memo, just to say: “Hello. This is Rod Rosenstein. The Senate has just confirmed me as Deputy Attorney General. I’m calling in my official capacity, and this call is directed to you in your capacity as a former DoJ top official. I’ve got one question for you, and it’s a yes/no question: Given everything that you know today, do you stand by or disavow your statement about Director Comey in [fill in the blank — for Jamie Gorelick, it would be her WaPo op-ed published with Larry Thompson that Rosenstein’s memo quotes].”

    As a practical matter, they have to say “Yes.” He doesn’t have to tell him why he’s asking. At most this would have added a day, perhaps just a couple of hours, to the entire process. (And during that time, they could have phoned the FBI to see if Comey was in town to receive the notice, huh?)

    But then he writes the memo in a much more powerful fashion, emphasizing the length of the problem, the currency and timeliness of the input he’s solicited, and in particular, its latest manifestation in the form of Comey’s materially (and bizarrely inexplicable!) factual errors during his most recent testimony.

    Then Trump would have had his cover. Getting the right guy to write the cover-Trump’s-ass memo is a start, but you have to give him time and tools to do it properly, lest you hand your political enemies a windfall like Donald Trump just did.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  223. They barely mention rosenstein’s name, he was left off the rizzotto tray carriers flashcard.

    narciso (a60a5b)

  224. Mr. Finkelman, I hesitate to engage you on this subject, since engaging with you usually produces a longer and more far-afield conversation than I intended, but you’re wrong about the law: The POTUS does not need good cause, or any cause, to fire the FBI Director. If Congress tried to do that, it would almost certainly be impermissible under separation of powers precedents; prosecutions may only validly be pursued by an agent of the Executive Branch, answerable to the POTUS and serving at his pleasure. The statute creating the Director of FBI position is 28 U.S.C. § 532, which provides simply that:

    The Attorney General may appoint a Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    But there is additional statutory baggage which, somewhat unusually, appears only in the official Notes to that section of the U.S. Code, reflecting the historical evolution of the position in American law through several amendments of varying relevance to our current discussion. Most notable is the establishment of the 10-year term in 1976, under the heading “Confirmation and Compensation of Director; Term of Service.” And there you’ll find, for example, this language:

    Effective as of the day following the date on which the present incumbent in the office of Director ceases to serve as such, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate ….

    The statute doesn’t say “The POTUS can fire him with or without cause,” but it doesn’t need to.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  225. Comey didn’t usurp prosecutoorial power from DOJ. He was specifically given that power – if not he would have had to pay for that. Obviously the decision whether to prosecute or not should not have been left to the FBI, there should have been someone in DOJ who should have been authorized to make the call, but Loretta Lynch and others wanted to make it appear that a decision not to indict was based on lack of evidence, not prosecutorial discretion.

    Comey delivered exactly what was expected, but he felt a need to make the FBI not look political, so he went on about how to distinguish this case from the Petraeus case and others, and what the track record of prosecutions for not handling classified information properly was.

    The record, he said, was that no prosecutor indicted if it wasn’t intentional or it wasn’t massive (which I guess proved intention all by itself) or if someone tried to mislead investigators (which he claimed Hillary and company didn’t do) or there was disloyalty to the United States (which they hadn’t looked into at all!)

    He wanted to make clear that he wasn’t saying Hillary Clinton did nothing wrong. Now Democrats are conveniently forgetting that and want to make out that Comey gratutiously said derogatory things about Hillary Clinton.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  226. Like so much of the criticism that has been directed at Trump, I’m not convinced this will provide the windfall you anticipate. Histrionics don’t play well with the electorate, not during the election season and not now. The alleged Trump-Russia conspiracy is an especially thin reed, which the Left will now redouble its McCarthy-like efforts peddle. That’s precisely how I like to seem them investing their time.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  227. So for those who say, “They had to wait for Rosenstein’s confirmation,” I ask:

    You’re okay with the POTUS keeping an unfit person in the position of the nation’s top criminal investigator — someone who’s unfitness is based on his public conduct in July 2016 — all the way until May 2017?

    Trump getting input from Sessions, Sessions getting input from his career Deputy AG who doesn’t have the recusal complications that Sessions has — that’s all entirely appropriate, time permitting. But it’s not constitutionally or statutorily required, and their input wasn’t very special or deep. Rather, their input turned out to be only a regurgitation and recapitulation (nicely done, I’ll concede) of public comments stretching back to before the election.

    I repeat, there’s no reason yet articulated by the Administration or its defenders, here or elsewhere, to explain why Trump couldn’t and shouldn’t have decided to replace Comey during the transition — and indeed, announced that decision. He was POTUS from the inauguration forward, and both his constitutional and practical authority to fire Comey were as great from that moment forward as they were yesterday.

    And yes, Dems would have yelped then, but it would have been just one more blowing leaf in the swarm of controversy immediately after the election, when the Dems hyperventilating hysterics about Comey stealing the election were still freshly reverberating.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  228. A wise man chooses his battles carefully.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  229. @ ThOR (#228): However thin the Russia reed, Trump’s unforced errors are making it look thicker today than it did yesterday morning to a whole lot of Dems and independents, and even some Republicans, who were just beginning to think that Trump might not be the loose cannon they had feared.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  230. Beldar, at 226: you’d think this would be covered by the case involving the Tenure of Office Act, which was found to be unconstitutional roughly half a century after it was used as the basis for the (failed) impeachment of the President.

    aphrael (3f0569)

  231. Democrats are forgetting, or hoping people forget or never understood, that Comey went easy on Hillary Clinton (some decisions, like not to enpanel a grand jury, – which also means no subpoenas and no search warrants – or the grant of immunity to certain people involved with the email, were made by higher ups) and that by going public about there not being any indictment he helped Hillary Clinton very much.

    They would have people believe that if Comey had acted properly, he just would have announced, or let DOJ announce, no further investigation, or that if he had said nothing at all, there would have been no public speculation about an indictment coming.

    If Comey had acted properly, he would have made no recommendation at all, except maybe to tell DOJ there was a possible case, and he would have made no public announcement.

    And then DOJ would either have announced nothing, leaving the impression among many in the public that Hillary could be indicted at any time, (even though little known DOJ guidelines preclude that close to an election) or DOJ would have announced there would be no indictment, which would have raised suspicions of there being a political motive. Comey was supposed to be a non-political figure so Loretta Lynch wanted him to officially make the call, and I think she and others were fairly certain he would not say indict, maybe because if that were the case there would have been harbingers of that. They may also have known his feelings about trying not to affect who got elected president.

    By the way, Democrats let people think that mishandling of classified information was the only possible cause for an indictment of Hillary Clinton.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  232. I repeat, there’s no reason yet articulated by the Administration or its defenders, here or elsewhere, to explain why Trump couldn’t and shouldn’t have decided to replace Comey during the transition — and indeed, announced that decision. He was POTUS from the inauguration forward, and both his constitutional and practical authority to fire Comey were as great from that moment forward as they were yesterday.

    I agree with Beldar. But let me suggest a bit of jujitsu…

    The grounds for Trump firing Comey were already apparent to everyone by Inauguration Day. They were in fact apparent to everyone well before election day. So the question to ask Dems is, why did Obama not fire Comey before he left office. There’s no answer to that I can think of that does not involve self serving Democratic rhetoric.

    kishnevi (bb03e6)

  233. maybe we should give comey his job back and fire him next week with more better articulate

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  234. Beldar,

    Although I quibble with your comments, I’d like to thank you for everything you have posted here in this thread. I value your insights, which have helped me think through this turn of events. Thank you.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  235. 234, “rhetoric”..that’s a bit lofty of a rationale, I would think that Comey had evidence from other investigations involving Obama as the main quarry.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  236. Re intra-GOP alarm being expressed: GOP senators on Comey firing: Where they stand quotes seven GOP senators who are “critical/concerned” regarding the timing.

    Why would you undercut yourself in your own party just as the Senate is taking up healthcare? I know people insist that Trump is playing four-dimensional chess and this is a good fight for him to have. This article quotes McConnell and a handful of other GOP senators (including both from Texas) as having spoken out in favor of the decision, but that’s not the same as speaking out in favor of the timing and manner.

    At a minimum, the Administration needs to get Rosenstein on the network news shows tonight, articulating their very best explanation for the timing. This, by Byron York, is probably the best face that can be put on it, and it’s similar to arguments shipwreckedcrew & others have made here re “chain of command,” even though I don’t buy those arguments (and as York notes, neither did Mike Mukasey earlier this year). But they also need to stress Comey’s most recent testimony and its mistakes — which the FBI was obliged to formally correct by letter to Congress afterwards — as the “last straw” in a long pattern of events that, cumulatively, have drained public confidence in Comey’s judgment.

    I’d make one more suggestion, if I had the ear of anyone in the administration:

    “When matters are brought to the attention of the Attorney General that might warrant consideration of appointment of a Special Counsel,” according to the special counsel regulations, contained in 28 C.F.R. part 600. Section 600.1 provides for the decision whether to appoint special counsel to be made by the “Attorney General, or in cases in which the Attorney General is recused, the Acting Attorney General.” As newly-confirmed Deputy AG, Rosenstein is the “Acting Attorney General” with respect to the Russia investigation due to Sessions’ recusal.

    He has several options, however. Subsection 600.2(a) gives Rosenstein the express authority to appoint a special counsel, and subsection 600.2(c) gives Rosenstein the express authority to decline to appoint one (while perhaps taking other steps to “mitigate any conflicts of interest, such as recusal of particular officials.” But subsection 600.2(b) provides for a third, intermediate choice, authorizing Rosenstein to “[d]irect that an initial investigation, consisting of such factual inquiry or legal research as [Rosenstein] deems appropriate, be conducted in order to better inform the decision” on whether to appoint a special counsel.”

    I would have Rosenstein publicly acknowledge, today, that such matters have come to his attention, independently of anything directly relating to the decision to discharge James Comey. I would have him say that he is beginning an initial investigation under subsection 600.2(b) in order that he may make a well-informed decision on whether to appoint a special counsel. I would have him announce a target date — within a matter of weeks at most — by which he expects to conclude that initial investigation, and to make a further decision between either following subsection 600.2(a), meaning he’d appoint a special counsel, or instead following subsection 600.2(c), meaning he’d not appoint a special counsel (but would probably re-affirm Sessions’ recusal and a Chinese wall within DoJ to keep Sessions and his top personal staff out of the day-to-day).

    The Administration needs every bit of credibility it can muster from the bipartisan vote the Senate just confirmed Rosenstein with. They’ve got to get him out front on this, ASAP.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  237. Trump’s unforced errors are making it look thicker today than it did yesterday morning to a whole lot of Dems and independents, and even some Republicans

    see i don’t get that

    this seems to me like a robust expression of confidence in one’s innocence

    you don’t fire a corrupt fbi lickspittle like Comey without having complete confidence that the spiteful little douche is bereft of any evidence against you

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  238. “critical/concerned”

    i thought we were going with “troubled”

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  239. 226 232.

    This is what something written early in 2014 says:

    https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41850.pdf

    The position of FBI Director has a fixed
    10-year term, and the officeholder cannot be reappointed, unless Congress acts to allow a second
    appointment of the incumbent. There are no statutory conditions on the President’s authority to
    remove the FBI Director. Since 1972, one Director has been removed by the President.

    It says elsewhere the second term is only for 2 years, apparently the result of a special law passed for the benefit of Robert S. Mueller III in 2011 (but not limited to him apparently. It doesn’t sound from here like a new law is needed for somebody else.)

    This is Public Law 112-24, enacted on July 26, 2011.

    Earlier versions of the bill simply extended Mueller’s term for two years without requiring his renomination or reconfirmation, but there were some constitutional objections to doing that by Senator Tom Coburn. There was an informal agreement to expedite the reconfirmation, so everyone went along with the Coburn alternative.

    The general discussion sees to indicate that a term could only be extended by statute if the president had the power to remove the officeholder.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  240. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Haven’t seen a presser loaded with so many bold-faced lies since … yesterday—- or the days of Ron Ziegler.
    ________

    U.S. press barred from today’s WH Oval meeting btween American president and Russian foreign minister– and Nixon’s former SoS & NSA, Kissinger. Only official WH photographer– and photographer from Russian news service TASS.

    Jaysus.

    “…thin Russian reed.”

    Wake up and smell the borscht, Beldar.

    _____

    The time for “Republicans” to put country before party has arrived. Let’s see who’s a GOP patriot– and who’s still a putz. A chance to prove just how truly ‘American’ Canadian Cruz and Little Marco are.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  241. Except that I read long ago, and I think Comey also thought, that the president needed to give cause, and we see also that Trump did that, as did Clinton in 1993. So something is being left out here.

    I would not be so quick to assume there’s no basis for the idea that “cause” is required.

    In any case, it may not be clear if, in theory Director of the FBI is a type of office for which a president always has the power to remove an officeholder for any reason. Does an FBI Director have more power than an independent counsel, who can not only investigate, but prosecute and yet the Supreme Court ruled in 1988 he can be protected from removal?

    Here’s is what the Congressional Research Service analysis seems to indicate are the leading cases and what it says about them:

    In Myers v. United States, 272 U.S. 52, 106-107 (1926), the Supreme Court ruled that the President possesses plenary authority to remove presidentially appointed executive officers who have been confirmed by the Senate, as well as other presidentially appointed executive officers, so long as Congress does not expressly provide otherwise.

    And everyone is now saying that it didn’t in the case of the Director of the FBI. The above analysis cites legislative history by Senators Robert C. Byrd (D-W. Va.) and Roman L.
    Hruska (R-Neb) from 1976 saying that the 10-year term doesn’t place any restriction on the president’s power to remove.

    There is also Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935) where the Supreme Court upheld a law that said a president could only remove an FTC commissioner on the basis of
    inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, on the grounds that the FTC was not an executive body, but rather a “quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial” agency.

    More recently, in Morrison v. Olson, 487 U.S. 654 (1988) the Supreme Court changed the test to whether or not a removal restriction interferes with the ability of the President to exercise executive power and to perform his constitutional duty, and at that time the Supreme Court said having removal power over the independent counsel was not essential to the President’s successful completion of his constitutional duties.

    So the question would be 1) What’s an FBI Director really? and 2) Was any restriction on removal imposed by law? and 3) If there is no restruction on the power of a president to remove an FBI Director, where did the idea that there was such a restriction come from?

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  242. Rush Limbaugh today pointed out how confused the left is over the Comey firing after all the attacks by the Dems.

    Stephen Colbert announced the firing last night and his audience cheered. This confused Colbert who said the audience must be Trump fans.

    Rush said: “No, there weren’t any Donald Trump fans in that audience last night knowing full well it was a Comedy Central reunion. There weren’t any Trump fans in there. Those were liberal Democrats — robots, mind-numbed. They just can’t keep up with whether they’re supposed to hate Comey or not at this particular point in time. They don’t know who they’re supposed to hate. Can you imagine how confused they are? Their initial gut reaction was to stand up and cheer it, and Colbert was embarrassed.”

    Living in a Blue State, I have gotten into many political arguments with people who get their news on the late night TV. These people are easily confused.

    AZ Bob (f7a491)

  243. These people are easily confused.

    Which reminds me.
    Yesterday I saw an SUV.
    It had three bumper stickers.
    One was a small Confederate flag.
    The other two were larger, but equally sized, one below the other.
    The top one Obama 2012
    The bottom one Trump Make America Great Again.

    kishnevi (bb03e6)

  244. C’mon, Sammy.

    Why the hell do you think wealthy Fred sent the unruly Donald to military school back in the day– because he is unmanageable. You know The Donald’s antics from his heyday in the 80s. This is classic peeved Trump at work to NYers familiar w/h act. The man has a mental disorder dismissed as eccentricity in the money-hungry universe of NY and international real estate. But it isn’t so easily excused in the WH. He doesn’t give a damn about the country– only Trump– and his brand, which apparently has a lot of its financing from Russian sources keeping it afloat. And anybody who gets too close to endangering the family brand, its value an financing, gets fired and replaced with fresh yes men.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  245. 246, God help that man if he ever pulled ahead of Frank Luntz in traffic.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  246. Trump’s letter is just classic: First, let me talk about me and oh yes, I’m firing you.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  247. All the usual suspects, in the headlines and here in the comments, freak out when President Trump acts – talk about mental disorders. It is a remarkable reflex and one that explains Trump’s ongoing success. These people can’t win for losing. Keep it up! Please!

    Yes, AZ Bob, hilarious. It’s that old Eurasia/Eastasia problem. Tough one to keep straight.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  248. “Donald Trump has a mental disorder because he makes me crazy.” I see the logic. Really.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  249. “–talk about mental disorders.”

    We’d love to– and narrow it down to just one, but The Donald won’t release his medical records, obvious reasons.

    Looks like salted cashews.
    Smells like roasting chestnuts.
    Tastes like… strawberries.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  250. let me preface this by saying that President Trump’s leading the way to a better America and i’m so grateful

    but we still have a corrupt p.o.s. leading the FBI, and this is a problem

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  251. Please please please…..Rudy!

    Richbert88 (ddc02c)

  252. @255.
    1. He’d never get confirmed while his character would be repeatedly raped in public hearings.
    2. His nomination alone would him only confirm Trump’s true motive: to plug in a yes man.
    3. He’s making more $ out of gov’t than in it.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  253. No, didnt he have some about-to-explode hemotoma during a Fox News interview in January. He might be in dementia at this point as well.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  254. “Ahh, but the strawberries that’s… that’s where I’ve got them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with… geometric logic… that Trump is mentally ill.”

    – DISCO

    ThOR (c9324e)

  255. 247. DCSCA (797bc0) — 5/10/2017 @ 11:55 am

    Why the hell do you think wealthy Fred sent the unruly Donald to military school back in the day– because he is unmanageable.

    There were some problems. I am not sure anything said exactly what. The problems were presumably cured, or at least disguised or hidden.

    You know The Donald’s antics from his heyday in the 80s.

    I don’t really, but the biggest thing is his wife got too old for him. This probably happened because of his extramarital affairs. He seems to have stopped, so even though Melania has now passed the age that Ivana was when he lost interest in her, he won’t leave Melania. It’s also a factor that he’s now 70 years old.

    This is classic peeved Trump at work to NYers familiar w/h act.

    Very possible, but that would mean he is not protecting himself, but, rather, angry at Comey’s protection of Hillary Clinton (Democrats pretend just the opposite happened – that Comey hurt Hillary Clinton) or that Trump perceived that James Comey might have a political bias against him.

    Teere’s a claim now that maybe the firing took place because Comey asked for more money for the Russian investigation. Trump may not like that investigation, but not because he’s personally caught up in it. But it is a reflection on his judgment. What probably happened is that Putin bought some people who were close to Trump, or could get close, and they lied to Trump about the political value of endorsing certain positions Putin wanted to promote, and about background facts. We don’t really know what got Trump to endorse joining with Russia to fight ISIS in Syria, but that was probably motivating all of his comments about Putin. Maybe Trump thought he could get ISIS defeated that way without involving any American soldiers, and that would be good for re-election.

    Trump did not work with the Russians on hacking.

    The best proof that Trump did not collaborate with Russia to hack anybody is that he seems to have once publicly asked Russia to do some hacking. Had he had any secret private communications with the Russians, he would not have asked them in public to find Hillary’s deleted emails. So he didn’t have a secret back channel to Moscow.

    And that was not itself collaboration because the Russians did not, afterwards, release Hillary’s deleted emails. And besides, the way everybody understood it, or Hillary Clinton claimed, those emails were no longer accessible via the Internet. In fact they didn’t exist any more, except on a “lost” laptop, and a lost USB drive, and maybe on Anthony Weiner’s computer.

    He doesn’t give a damn about the country– only Trump– and his brand, which apparently has a lot of its financing from Russian sources keeping it afloat.

    I don’t think that’s true at all. Trump wanted Russian investment in some projects in Russia, but he never got it. I don’t think he owes any money to Russian banks, and if he did, if anything, it gives him a hold on them. Can they just call in loans? Are they due? Can they force him into bankruptcy?

    And it’s not like something like that woudn’t show up on financial disclosure statements.

    Trump also sold apartments to Russians, but several years ago Putin told people close to him not to put any money outside the country. Trump never got anything out of all his Russian involvement, except for the sale of apartments, and he was trying for 30 years, Well, one year Moscow hosted his beauty contest.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  256. Rysh Limbaugh

    They just can’t keep up with whether they’re supposed to hate Comey or not at this particular point in time. They don’t know who they’re supposed to hate.

    They are supposed to hate Comey because he supposedly ruined Hillary Clinton’s chances to be president, but they are not supposed to cheer his firing because they are not supposed to believe that Trump fired Comey over the Clinton investigation because Comey is supposed to have only helped Hillary. They are supposed to believe that therefore Trump fired Comey in order to stall an investigation into the Trump campaign.

    Never mind that Nixon fired a special prosecutor in order to void a subpoena, and there’s nothing like that here, and Nixon had to fire three people, and then had to reverse himself, and that nothing has changed about any investigation.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  257. @259. The patterns in life since show your presumption of ‘cure’ is a tad optimistic, Sammy.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  258. why are people so quick to assume the worst about Mr. Trump he’s a very good man and he never does crimes

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  259. Re the timing.

    I think there’s a bit of political naivete involved there — not understanding that in a political environment no move by Trump is going to be applauded by his political enemies regardless of what they might have said in the past on the subject. If the press reports are to be believed — which Trump’s tweets today seem to support — then the WH did not anticipate that the reaction from the Dems would be from the “He’s covering up on the Russian investigation” angle rather than “He’s rightfully canning the guy who cost Hillary the election.” Anyone in the WH who really thought the latter was likely needs to go because that’s just political stupidity.

    But I don’t see any big issue in the timing. Yes, Rosenstein was only confirmed 13 days ago. But Rosenstein was not sitting in an office in a law firm waiting to be confirmed. I don’t know if he was serving as Acting Dep. AG until confirmed, or if he remained as US Attorney in Maryland while awaiting confirmation. But that doesn’t really matter because that’s just the “seating chart.” He was going to be confirmed, and I’m sure since the date of his nomination he has been at least the “shadow” Dep. AG.

    Independent of everything else, if I were Jeff Sessions, upon having my Deputy nominated, I would have immediately set him to work on figuring out who in upper management of DOJ should be carried over and who should be cut loose. Rosenstein, as a career DOJ prosecutor who had been a presidential appointee of both GOP and Dem Presidents, was uniquely situated to offer up judgments on everyone who was an upper management holdover from the Obama Admin — including the heads of the law enforcement agency components of DOJ.

    I do think that Comey’s testimony last week was the basis for pulling the trigger yesterday. But no so much because of his mistaken description, but the sheer fact that as long as he was FBI Director, his actions from the election season were always going to overshadow anything else he was did. As long as he was a Trump Administration official, the Trump Administration would be lumped in with his actions in 2016 even though he was an Obama Administration official at the time.

    He wasn’t fired for what he did, he was fired because there was not going to be any political respite from what he did as long as he remained in place.

    AND, not mentioned but I think a big deal in Justice and the WH, Comey was not seen as being “in control” of his agency. While its not really possible for the lone guy at the top to put a stop to leakers throughout the agency, he’s the guy who is ultimately going to pay the price.

    So now Comey is gone, and all the people elevated to senior positions in the FBI by him should feel like they are on ice skates. The leaks are coming from pretty high up in the bureaucracy given the content, and sooner or later firings take out the leakers.

    shipwreckedcrew (56b591)

  260. And its not necessarily “Firings” that get rid of folks in the FBI.

    Because FBI officials are eligible to retire at 50 if they have 25 years of service, they are vulnerable to being forced into retirement when they reach age 50. Mandatory retirement comes at age 57.

    In most cases, for someone to reach upper management levels at FBI HQ, they are usually either older than 50, or very close.

    The way they get “fired” is to be given the option of retiring, or being transferred to a management position they really don’t want to take.

    shipwreckedcrew (56b591)

  261. Comey went to Rosenstein and asked for more resources to step up the Russian/Trump investigation. That’s when the countdown began.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  262. “It’s DC RACE 2017, folks, and Frankentrump has an early lead with 60 points! To recap, it’s 10 points for an Assistant Attorney General, 20 points for a National Security Adviser, and 30 points for an FBI director. But it’s anybody’s race, my good friends, because it’s 1,000 points — Yesss, 1,000 points! — for Mr. President!”

    nk (dbc370)

  263. I had forgotten about Stephen hatfill

    https://www.cato.org/blog/trump-fires-comey

    narciso (bf714e)

  264. Happyfeet, at 262: because he’s gone out of his way to make it impossible to verify his claims about conflicts of interest, which is suspicious behavior in the first place, and because he keeps doing things like this in which the putative motivation is obviously a lie.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  265. DCSCA peddles more conspiracy theory. What craziness.

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  266. but still you should have for reals evidence before accusing people of doing crimes

    I think Mr. Trump just tries to walk the straight and narrow the best he can. People are so mean to him it’s hard to blame him for keeping things close to his vest.

    Some of his critics Mr. aphrael, they’re very very mean-spirited.

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  267. Well, before with the Obama Justice dept, there were certain protected classes of people who could get away with crimes that would ruin you or I.

    Now that Comey is out the blindfold is back on Lady Justice, and Hillary’s sphincter spasms have returned.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  268. Some of his critics are mean spirited, I agree. So were some of Obama’s critics. So were some of the people who criticized John Adams. That’s part of what it means, to be in public life.

    My natural inclination is to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I’ve tried to do that despite disliking Trump enough that I voted for Cruz in the primary. But he seems to be going out of his way to make it hard to do, and my willingness to try decreased markedly after the report that Macron’s campaign was hacked — there’s clearly a concerted effort from *somewhere* to interfere with liberal candidates throughout the west, and the combination of the fact that such interference worked to Trump’s benefit *and* the fact that he and his supporters seem utterly disinterested in the problem … in the best case it looks corrupt, and I’m having a very difficult time finding alternative explanations.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  269. Subtract the word interference and insert reported accurately then you’ll be on to something.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  270. it seems to me more like people are targeting establishment candidates moreso than liberal candidates

    which, that’s kinda of exciting in a v for ven detter kind of way

    happyfeet (a037ad)

  271. why is my #172 in moderation?

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  272. Keep up the hard work, Republican.

    There are only two parties. I see you’ve picked the other one, considering how you parrot their talking points.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  273. I’m all in favor of investigating Russian interference as long as it doesn’t start and end right there.

    Some questions should be asked about Bahrainian money paid to CNN and what CNN did in return.
    Would those payments include favors for the Bahrainian’s preferred Presidential candidate?

    papertiger (c8116c)

  274. He wasn’t fired for what he did, he was fired because there was not going to be any political respite from what he did as long as he remained in place.

    This. He had been given some time to stop the bleeding, and was unable to do so. So they stopped it for him.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  275. I’m all in favor of investigating Russian interference as long as it doesn’t start and end right there.

    Or, say, the Clinton Foundation’s foreign donors. Maybe Saudi Arabia was all agog over the prospect of a female US President, but I’d like to explore other possibilities.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  276. Now that James Comey is gone would an investigation into the disabled international checksum feature on anonymous credit card contributions to the elect Obama campaign be possible?

    Could that ballot box have been stuffed with billions of petrodollars I wonder?

    papertiger (c8116c)

  277. “There are only two parties. I see you’ve picked the other one, considering how you parrot their talking points.”

    – Kevin M

    There are actually more – I’m registered in one of them. Our system is just deliberately designed to handicap them so that their apologists can browbeat third-party supporters with Wasted Vote Theory. It’s a great system for maintaining an unresponsive, cartel-based status quo.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  278. kishnevi (bb03e6) — 5/10/2017 @ 10:52 am

    So the question to ask Dems is, why did Obama not fire Comey before he left office. There’s no answer to that I can think of that does not involve self serving Democratic rhetoric.

    There are answers that are close to the truth:

    A) Obama didn’t see anythnng wrong with what Comey did, or

    B) Obama didn’t want to say it was wrong, because that would be a knock against his own Administration.

    and/or

    C) It was one thing for Hillary Clinton to name Comey’s replacement – it would be another thing for Donald Trump to do that.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  279. happyfeet @ 220. I thought you liked methane. Why would you want the sleazy oil companies to just release it in the atmosphere instead of trapping it in a pipeline to your stove? Cause that what pervy Mitch McConnell wanted to do. Send our methane to the stratosphere.

    nk (dbc370)

  280. And you why, right? So we’d have to buy his grimy Kentucky coal, that’s why.

    nk (dbc370)

  281. And you *know* why

    nk (dbc370)

  282. There are only two parties. I see you’ve picked the other one, considering how you parrot their talking points.

    Kevin M

    That’s pretty intellectually dishonest. I find partisanship above country, from those who actually argue against Trump releasing his tax returns, or against him behaving ethically in other ways, to be immoral. I have supported more Republicans than Democrats by a wide margin, but I find being a partisan hack to be wrong. I’d say the same of a democrat hack, and of course you’ve seen me do so at this blog for over a decade. But right now, Trump is the president, and accountability lies on him, just as a year ago Obama was president, and he deserved criticism for things like his IRS scandal.

    I don’t parrot anyone’s talking points, but that’s exactly how a partisan would see anything that pierces the bubble you guys live in. I think you’re a smart guy who simply made a decision, like so many others, to just be a team player. You will come back around when defending Trump is obviously toxic for the GOP. All along your trip wherever party takes you, you’ll see that I haven’t changed my views at all. Right is right. I think you partisans call this “virtue signaling”.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  283. Comey is corrupt.

    Sand bagging unmasking request from Congress

    Using Fake Dossier to launch phoney investigation

    Allowing Clinton Crony McCabe to do investigation

    Pressuring Agents to only look for “intent” in HRC evidence trail, intent not mandatory for prosecution

    Lying to Congress … errr misleading

    Playing AG for Loretta Lynch for no earthly reason

    …. I could go on. Comey is a CROOK.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  284. Also, it’s now clear that Comey was fired for asking for funds for his Russia investigation. This explain’s Trump’s letter saying that he and Comey discussed that Trump was not under investigation repeatedly. That phrasing raises yet another disturbing point. Trump was apparently repeatedly interrogating Comey about whether Trump was under investigation, which is totally inappropriate and arguably unlawful.

    If Hillary had done this (and I believe she easily would have done things equally unethical), clearly the very people defending it would be outraged.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  285. Best way to stop the madness is for AG to start jailing Clinton Crime Syndicate.

    Re-open Tony Rezcko case with Obama bribe.

    Target Obola Parasites like IRS Commish and Lois Lerner. David Plouffe for taking $100K from Iran.

    Ben Rhodes for leaking.

    ….. once the Scumbag Left knows the Right is playing for keeps, they will STFU for a few years.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  286. Pressuring Agents to only look for “intent” in HRC evidence trail, intent not mandatory for prosecution

    blah blah, yes that was pretty difficult to justify. I think his AG was the crook in that affair.

    Is this why Trump fired him? Obviously not.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  287. Best way to stop the madness is for AG to start jailing Clinton Crime Syndicate.

    Re-open Tony Rezcko case with Obama bribe.

    Target Obola Parasites like IRS Commish and Lois Lerner. David Plouffe for taking $100K from Iran.

    Ben Rhodes for leaking.

    Seems like you really just want our criminal justice system to be used as a partisan hammer, kinda like Stalin.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  288. #292. LOL. The BS folks peddle due to TDS is breathless and constant.

    Maybe Comey asked for the money because he wanted to fired because he needs to cover his tracks????

    Seriously FBI needs moaaaar money? LOL. GTFOH you scum bureaucrat!!!!!

    …. We can do this conspiracy theory thing all day with you deranged NeverTrumpers.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  289. @247 AZBob

    Colbert’s audience didn’t see the paradigm shift.

    I’ve been seeing car listings on Craigslist that say “push start”. I was real confused for a minute because growing up it meant a car had a standard transmission.

    Pinandpuller (6df19b)

  290. @271. =yawn= NBC News. CBS News. Fox News. CNBC. Fox News. The Hill. LAT reporting.

    Straighten your skirt and don’t get your knickers in a twist, Trumpette.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  291. Perhaps DJT was concerned that if he did the right thing on Day One, the Senate Dems may not have given enough votes to overcome a filibuster on Gorsuch? 🙂

    Perhaps the ACA repeal would have been in peril? Tax reform?

    When the hell are GOP pols going to figure out that Maggie Thatcher had it right – you do the right thing because it is right. The loyal opposition will do what it does in any event. DJT had a pretty great coalition of voters who were thoroughly sick and tired of being sick and tired. With the exception of Gorsuch, of whom DJT had the rock solid promise of a “nuclear” level of support, DJT has refused to be the man those voters hoped he was.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  292. #295

    Dustin, it already is being used as a partisan hammer.

    Ironic that you see prosecuting the crimes of misusing Govt by Obama as partisan.

    Circular reasoning abounds!

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  293. #294 No, AG was not the one who said that to FBI. It was Comey who INSISTED that intent be part of the investigation.

    He is CORRUPT. Period. That is why he was fired.

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  294. Obama turned our Govt into a tool to target, jail, and intimidated Conservatives and now because many conservatives have Trump Derangement Syndrome they don’t want Trump to prosecute them b/c partisan or something.

    Ask Rick Perry how Democrats use the Criminal Justice system to settle scores.

    Ask the Planned Parenthood film-makers to explain to us how the Criminal Justice system is being used to settle scores.

    Ask the scores of victims beaten and robbed by Anti-Trump mobs who get away with no police action about how the Criminal Justice system is being used to settle scores.

    EVERYONE, spare me the BULLSHIT on your principles about not turning the tables.

    Let us start with fairness — and going after they Democrats is fair b/c they are breaking the law!!!!!!

    Blah Blah (44eaa0)

  295. This is a good case to remember when reading about the difficulty Trump is having in finding people dumb enough to sign his ball-gag NDA in order to be nominated or appointed to a position allowing him to play game show host when the mood strikes. The lack of an NDA covering Comey is going to prove a bit problematic, IMO. Locking him out of his office did not leave Comey without resources.

    Rick Ballard (6f7e69)

  296. 291. Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/10/2017 @ 3:23 pm

    Also, it’s now clear that Comey was fired for asking for funds for his Russia investigation.

    That story has been denied to the Huffington Post. It is one of 3 stories only one of which can be true.

    A second story is that Roger Stone persuaded Trump to do that over the course of many phone conversations. Stone may be the one spreading tis story. Trump denied it in a tweet in which said he hadn’t spoken to Riger Stone in a long time.

    The third story is from the New York Times which said that something in Comey’s testimony last week set it off, Trump wanted to fire Comey right away but Reince Priebus persuaded him to at least delay, and Sessions and Rosenstein set out to come up with reasons. Sessions and Rosenstein met with Trump on Monday.

    Evidently once Trump made a decision he acted immediately. The only thing he did was call up Senators starting at 5 pm yesterday.

    If Hillary had discussed the possibility of herself being under investigation, she wouldn’t put that in a letter intended for the public.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  297. @284. Endlessly amusing, isn’t it, Leviticus, to discover when pouring over the operator’s manual that is the Constitution, that it doesn’t limit propellants to leaded, unleaded and oats. It’s not ‘the system’ but the two prevailing political parties of this era which pee on fresh fires.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  298. @302. Stone is a media hog; running interference.

    This was a Trump Tantrum.

    “…And then, in a fit of pique, he napalmed Cheltenham.” – Monty Python’s Flying Circus, 1969

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  299. Question the timing as you please, but the firing was needed. Whether Trump did it in a tantrum, or with a smile on his face and a song in his heart, it was the right thing to do. If Comey had been worthy of his height (that’s a Greek expression) which is 6’8″, he would have resigned back in July.

    nk (dbc370)

  300. The real sad thing here is that I bet they have a pretty good case right now about Russia, and the people in control of this case decided to wait as long as they could to maximize political damage, instead of just getting the information public. If this is correct, of course the truth has become a political tool instead of just serving justice. Also if this is correct, Trump has made a massive error, because the coverup usually gets you worse than the crime did.

    Everyone knows Trump had some deep connections to russia and was bitterly defensive about transparency over his business affairs or separating his administration from them. But now he’s obstructing an investigation about those things, right when the subpoenas started flying, the request for funding started, and it was about to become a thing. I think that’s why we didn’t get leaks and this was such a surprise. They made the decision very quickly as an effort to muddy the waters and tarnish Comey’s credibility. Had he leveled the charges while serving as director, that would have been a lot harder to handle. Now, Trump’s guys have changed their minds and all think Comey “is corrupt” and anything he says is “fake news”.

    He is CORRUPT. Period. That is why he was fired.

    Blah Blah

    How do you know that’s why? Everyone else knows it’s not why, because Comey didn’t change over the past many months. What changed was the Russia investigation.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  301. Well fitz flipped Rezko for small fry and didn’t target either Daley or Obama, just as he offered blandishments for radler and didn’t touch other officials on the Hollinger board

    narciso (bbcf9b)

  302. Dustin, it already is being used as a partisan hammer.

    Ironic that you see prosecuting the crimes of misusing Govt by Obama as partisan.

    Circular reasoning abounds!

    Blah Blah

    Perhaps you didn’t understand me. I criticized Obama’s administration for its corruption because corruption is wrong. I criticize Trump for his corruption because corruption is wrong. Kevin claims it’s because I’m a democrat. Democrats claimed I opposed Obama because I’m a Republican.

    I do not think you understand what circular reasoning is, but I will say that I find both sets of hacks to be extremely similar to each other. The nuts here and the nuts at Kos see the world for its use in the acquisition of political power.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  303. I guess one criticism of the Trump Administration is they don’t know how to serve papers too good. Maybe check Comey’s itinerary.

    Pinandpuller (6df19b)

  304. I’m gonna enjoy all the crow eating when the “moar munny” meme tanks.

    Dustin and DCSCA will be intellectually honest enough to admit being wrong, right?

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  305. tarnish Comey’s credibility.

    Comey tarnished his own credibility starting in July of last year. And he’s been tarnishing it ever since, until it has all the sheen of a tin spoon lost in the grass for several years.

    My only question is, why did Donald wait almost four months to do something that obviously needed doing even before he was sworn in.

    kishnevi (2dabdc)

  306. I’m gonna enjoy all the crow eating when the “moar munny” meme tanks.

    Dustin and DCSCA will be intellectually honest enough to admit being wrong, right?

    Steven Malynn

    Well sure, if it turns out Comey was not investigating Russia, and the subpoena thing or the money thing turn out to be untrue, then… I was wrong about that. Not nearly as wrong as I was about Trump being remotely electable… a true error.

    Not sure how much crow eating you think that would justify. I suppose Trump fans are experts on that crow eating subject at this point, given how right Trump has proven his critics who said he was going to flip flop on all his conservative promises.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  307. We have a Presidents whose defining feature is his extraordinary vanity, yet some want us to believe his primary motive is renting a few more hotel rooms. Clueless.

    ThOR (c9324e)

  308. I was watching MTV Rock Block the other day and in the middle of a Van Halen video the screen flashed “Right Now James Comey Is Getting Fired.”.

    Pinandpuller (6df19b)

  309. Albeit, Steven, Trump’s fans sure do shriek “fake news” a lot.

    Comey reportedly already talked congress about his request for money, and therefore he requested the money even if whoever Trump has as spokeperson denies it. Something tells me the denial is going to be a slimy defense attorney style affair of “oh, well he didn’t make that request to me

    If the timing with the subpoena’s doesn’t make it clear what the firing is really about, the way Trump’s letter discusses the lack of a Russia investigation kinda makes the point in bold.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  310. Last week, then-FBI Director James B. Comey requested more resources from the Justice Department for his bureau’s investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussion.

    Comey, who was fired by President Trump on Tuesday, made the request in a meeting last week with Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, and later briefed the chair and Democratic ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Monday, the officials said.

    I guess this could be fake news. Odd though.

    The Trump guys recognize that there’s no real reason to fire him now that wasn’t here for quite some time… they keep citing stuff from months ago. If Trump was cool with those things until the Russia investigation heated up, it’s clear that the timing is not appropriate. Furthermore, Trump asking Comey about the Russia investigation (an implied conclusion from the letter) is obstruction.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  311. Well sure, if it turns out Comey was not investigating Russia…

    Oh, I can guarantee you that Comey was not investigating Russia. How do I know this?

    Because he was the freakin’ FBI director, not an investigator! Professional FBI agents trained as investigators are looking into the silly idea that the Trump campaign and the Russians “colluded” to beat Hillary!

    It is entirely irrelevant to any particular investigation who the FBI director happens to be.

    Oh, and why is it a silly idea that the Trump campaign and the Russians “colluded” to win the election? Because if Putin actually wanted Trump to be President because Putin thought he could manipulate him, and if the Russians actually had the power accomplish this, he wouldn’t have compromised his “puppet” by getting Trump’s fingerprints on the operation. The Russians would have just installed him.

    Dustin, you are seriously being played. Why are you falling for this complete bulls**t?

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  312. We have a Presidents whose defining feature is his extraordinary vanity, yet some want us to believe his primary motive is renting a few more hotel rooms. Clueless.

    If you don’t think the Trumps and Kushners love money, then you’re the one who’s clueless.

    nk (dbc370)

  313. In #239 above, I suggested that Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein confirm that he has decided to conduct a short investigation, pursuant to 28 C.F.R. § 600.2(b), to help him decide whether to appoint a special counsel. After more thought and in particular, more careful reading of the regulation, I’ve completely changed my mind.

    Because of Attorney General Sessions’ recusal with respect to the on-going investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, Deputy AG is the “Acting Attorney General” within the meaning of the regulations in 28 C.F.R. part 600. With respect to that investigation, it falls now to him to make all decisions regarding the appointment of any special counsel pursuant to those regulations. No other statute or regulation would permit such an appointment.

    But by its very clear and unequivocal terms, 28 C.F.R. § 600.1 only applies when the Attorney General (or, here, Rosenstein as his proxy) first “determines that a criminal investigation of a person or matter is warranted.” (Emphasis mine.) Before appointing a special counsel, the AG must further conclude that a conflict of interests or other extraordinary circumstances justify the appointment, and that it will be in the public interest under the circumstances for a special counsel to assume responsibility for the matter. But those things only matter if you’re talking about a criminal investigation.

    Historically the DoJ always refuses to confirm or deny whether there is an on-going investigation, whether criminal or foreign intelligence. Comey has already departed from that in his Congressional testimony and in other public statements related thereto, and that’s a core reason he was fired. But I believe what’s been publicly confirmed (contrary to regular practice) with respect to the Russian interference in the 2016 election is only a foreign intelligence investigation.

    So I doubt Rosenstein can, or should, say any more than that yes, he’s aware of the suggestions that a special counsel be appointed, and no, he hasn’t appointed one, and no, he can’t and won’t say another word on that subject at this time.

    But unless I’m missing something, this would seem to be a conversation-stopper, for now, on the whole special counsel subject if the working assumption is that this is a foreign intelligence investigation into Russia, rather than a criminal investigation into Trump.

    Now there may indeed be spin-off criminal investigations of others, as indeed the grand jury subpoenas of business associates of Gen. Flynn very, very strongly suggests. But that would be a different “person or matter,” with its own analysis of conflicts of interest. I’m unaware of a single reason for anyone to raise any doubt that the DoJ under (for this matter) Acting AG Rosenstein, has a conflict of interest in prosecuting Flynn.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  314. We have a Presidents whose defining feature is his extraordinary vanity, yet some want us to believe his primary motive is renting a few more hotel rooms. Clueless.

    ThOR

    This is a peculiar defense. How many dollars is “few” btw? If Barack Obama required his books to be purchased by the government and Obama would profit by say $100,000,000, would that be something you also would defend?

    And no, Trump’s defining feature is not his vanity. It’s his cruelty. He’s an evil man who hurts cheats, gropes, peeks, sues the weak and defenseless if he can. He dumped the mother of his kids for a “hot piece of ass” and his lawyers said he couldn’t have forcibly raped her because you technically can’t rape your wife. When we focus on these more professional concerns, you are mistaken to take advantage of it and say “well apparently Trump’s critics have conceded that everything else is OK”. No, we haven’t. We just don’t want to be tedious about it and we could go on forever and ever explaining these other issues. You’re basically forcing that response. It’s a poor strategy for the Trump partisan.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  315. Oh, I can guarantee you that Comey was not investigating Russia. How do I know this?

    Because he was the freakin’ FBI director, not an investigator!

    Steve57

    hahahahahahaha

    holy @^#$ thanks for the laugh

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  316. @ 306

    That’s some industry grade Moon Landing on a movie lot conspiracy theory stuff you got percolating there.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  317. Don’t overthink it. JR doesn’t.

    His brand is being threatened by the Russia investigation and he wants it stopped. Financing, public image, value, family ties are under threat. It’s all about protecting the brand, not America. JR cares about Ewing Oil, not the USA.

    “Never tell the truth when a good lie’ll do!” – JR Ewing [Larry Hagman] ‘Dallas’ CBS TV

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  318. @316, seriously “fake news.” That story has already being debunked.

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/justice-department-report-that-comey-asked-for-more-money-for-russia-probe-is-totally-false/article/2622678

    The Department of Justice rejected reports that former FBI Director James Comey last week asked officials for more money for the FBI’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, just days before he was fired by Trump.

    “Totally false,” DOJ Spokesman Ian Prior told the Washington Examiner just minutes after the New York Times reported that Comey made that request…

    Also:

    …Furthermore, Trump asking Comey about the Russia investigation (an implied conclusion from the letter) is obstruction.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/10/2017 @ 4:49 pm

    Seriously Dustin, see a doctor. You can’t conclude anything of the sort from that letter. You don’t know if Comey volunteered the information. You also shouldn’t use words like “obstruction” when you obviously don’t know the legal definition.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  319. (an implied conclusion from the letter)

    Also known as “jumping to conclusions without knowing any facts.”

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  320. Adjust your diapers. I’m gonna hit you with some facts.

    In its 109-year history, only one F.B.I. director had been fired — until Tuesday, when President Trump fired James B. Comey.

    In July 1993, President Bill Clinton fired William S. Sessions, his FBI Director, the day before he had Vince Foster murdered Vince Foster was found dead.

    That firing directly affected the investigation into Foster’s murder and coverup untimely demise.

    Reliable replacement Louis Freeh, coincidentally hired James Comey for his first job, which was to take over the investigation into President Clinton’s controversial pardon of Marc Rich.

    While former President Jimmy Carter found the pardon “reprehensible”, U.S. Attorney James Comey could find no fault in the man.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  321. There’s no cure for that, Steve.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  322. Beldar — nice pick up. I agree with your point. The fact that the work that has been publicized through leaks involved a FISA warrant means at this point there is not a criminal investigation with regard to Russia.

    There is, as has been reported, a criminal investigation now opened on FLynn having to do with him not reporting income he received when that information was required on various applications he submitted for his security clearance. That’s a fairly routine investigation, but it is a criminal statute. Sessions has recused himself from anything connected to the campaign, but while the campaign was going on Rosenstein was the US Attorney for the District of Maryland so he has no conflict as you noted.

    shipwreckedcrew (56b591)

  323. 284… soon Leviticus will be able to work in California!

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  324. Thank you, shipwreckedcrew, I was holding my breath for your reaction, fearful I’d made a wrong assumption somewhere.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  325. I’ve also come around to the view that it shouldn’t be Rosenstein as a public point man discussing any of this stuff, actually.

    He should be Gary Cooper, strong and silent.

    But there’s no reason why administration surrogates can’t argue, by inference, that, hey, the obvious reason why Deputy AG Rosenstein hasn’t appointed a special counsel must be because there’s no on-going criminal investigation relating to the current Trump administration. And then they can nod with sage approval at Deputy AG Rosenstein doing his best Gary Cooper impression.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  326. The kind of queerbait #NeverTrump will fall for every day of the week…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  327. Everyone knows Trump had some deep connections to russia and was bitterly defensive about transparency over his business affairs or separating his administration from them.

    I take it you didn’t see Comey’s testimony last week. Because you’re channeling Al Franken, and FYI if I were channeling Al Franken I’d know I have serious issues.

    https://newrightnews.org/2017/05/comey-russia-favored-trump-because-putin-hated-hillary-clinton/

    Comey confirmed that the basis for the intelligence community’s assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly wanted Trump in office was not because the billionaire was, as Sen. Al Franken claimed without citing any evidence, “ensnared in” Russia’s “web of patronage.”

    Instead, the FBI chief provided two primary reasons for Russia allegedly favoring Trump over Clinton during the 2016 presidential race.

    One reason, according to Comey, was that Putin “hated” Clinton and would have favored any Republican opponent. The second reason, Comey explained, was that Putin made an assessment that it would be easier to make a deal with a businessman than someone from the political class.

    …Not satisfied with Comey’s response, Franken further probed whether the intelligence community believed Russia wanted Trump in office because of Trump’s business interests, claiming that Trump “had already been ensnared in their web of patronage.”

    Franken asked:

    OK, well, I’m curious about just how closely Russia followed the Kremlin playbook when it meld (ph) in our democracy, specifically whether the Russians had a preference for President Trump because he had already been ensnared in their web of patronage — web of patronage is a quote from the report. Is it possible that in the Russian’s views — view Trump’s business interests would make him more amenable to cooperating with them, quote, more disposed to deal with Russia as the I.C. report says?

    Comey replied, “That was not the basis for the I.C.’s assessment.”

    I find the idea that this was the USIC’s assessment ridiculous because, first of all, the FBI, CIA, and NSA (and I believe ODNI also contributed) do not comprise the sum total of the USIC. Second, it’s a political assessment not an intelligence assessment. Which, not doubt, is why they limited input to three agencies headed by Obama loyalists. While Putin probably does dislike Hillary! (pretty much everyone does; when SecState Hillary! fell and broke her elbow her SS protection detail laughed, and when she visited the sandbox everyone man or woman who had the misfortune of dealing with her called whatever aircraft she was traveling around in “broomstick one”) the old KGB officer would never act out of personal animus. Rather, he’d operate out of cold calculation. And he had taken stock of Hillary! and knew he could get what he wanted out of her. He had ever since the disastrous “Russian reset.” And Hillary!’s foreign policy engagement with Russia only went downhill from there.

    But now he’s obstructing an investigation about those things, right when the subpoenas started flying, the request for funding started, and it was about to become a thing. I think that’s why we didn’t get leaks and this was such a surprise. They made the decision very quickly as an effort to muddy the waters and tarnish Comey’s credibility.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  328. Broomstick One. Hadn’t heard that one!

    Beldar (fa637a)

  329. Yes what a bizarre analysis, great promotional brochure for rt though. In what way was volodya’s,policy objectives hampered by red queen, Ukraine syria cuba iran

    narciso (ba108c)

  330. Accidentally hit submit. Do you know what it means, Dustin, when the subpoenas start flying around? It means that a grand jury has been empaneled and no one is obstructing an investigation. And as I said earlier, the DoJ is on the record that Comey did not request more funding. The story is totally false. The rest of your comment is garbled and I really have no idea what you’re trying to say.

    Speaking of “trying to say” somehow what I was trying to say about Hillary! got deleted. Putin found Hillary! weak. He may have disliked her, but so what? It wasn’t like he wanted to date her, he would have liked to have a weak Hillary! in the Oval Office who he could intimidate and push around just as much as a business man he could make a deal with.

    Harsh words?

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/from-reset-to-pause-the-real-story-behind-hillary-clintons-feud-with-vladimir-putin/2016/11/03/f575f9fa-a116-11e6-8832-23a007c77bb4_story.html

    In one of her last acts as secretary of state in early 2013, Hillary Clinton wrote a confidential memo to the White House on how to handle Vladimir Putin, the aggressive and newly reinstalled Russian president. Her bluntly worded advice: Snub him.

    “Don’t appear too eager to work together,” Clinton urged President Obama, according to her recollection of the note in her 2014 memoir. “Don’t flatter Putin with high-level attention. Decline his invitation for a presidential summit.”

    It was harsh advice coming from the administration’s top diplomat, and Obama would ignore key parts of it. But the memo succinctly captured a personal view about Putin on the part of the future Democratic presidential nominee: a deep skepticism, informed by bitter experience, that will be likely to define U.S.-Russian relations if Clinton is elected. Her lasting conclusion, as she would acknowledge, was that “strength and resolve were the only language Putin would understand.”…

    She might be capable of mouthing the words “strength and resolve” or putting them in a memo. But the fact that her advice about how to deal with Putin was to “snub him” is a reflection of just how weak and ineffectual she was. Snubbing might work with some Hamptons socialite, but Putin is no Hamptons socialite (this does not mean I like or respect the old judoka, it means I know what kind of thug he is and Hillary! never figured it out). She was incapable of engaging Putin, so she hid from him. All Putin ever saw when dealing with Clinton/Kerry/Obama was weakness so he went ahead and intimidated these weaklings into betraying our Polish and Czech allies by reneging on our commitment to install an ABM system in those countries, took the Crimea and half the Ukraine, became the dominant power in Syria and restored Russia as a major player in the M.E. for the first time in decades, and threatened the Baltics.

    Again, he would have been just as happy to have Clinton and a third Obama term as Trump. It was this weakness that invited him to meddle in the election, not his preference for Trump. He did it because he enjoys sowing chaos and by doing so undermining the US. And the only reason we know he meddled is because he left his fingerprints all over it, cyber wise. He wanted us to know it.

    Truth be told he probably regrets it now because like almost everyone else he expected Clinton, not Trump, to win.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  331. 335. Beldar (fa637a) — 5/10/2017 @ 7:05 pm

    Broomstick One. Hadn’t heard that one! </blockquote. Neither did I, and I think I'm somewhat well read. Where's that one from?

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  332. Everybody knows… because he’s good enough and smart enough and, gosh darnit, people think he’s gone off the deep end.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  333. …Where’s that one from?

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59) — 5/10/2017 @ 7:20 pm

    From some people I know who had the miserable experience of flying her around or otherwise dealing with her when she visited Iraq as SecState.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  334. Shush the voices from the dogs were very clear on the point.

    narciso (ba108c)

  335. 326. papertiger (c8116c) — 5/10/2017 @ 5:24 pm

    President Bill Clinton fired William S. Sessions, his FBI Director, the day before strike> he had Vince Foster murdered Vince Foster was found dead.

    Bill Clinton didn’t murder Vincent Foster.

    Do you think that if Clinton had had Vincent Foster murdered he’d have so many people close to him take part in the coverup? He wasn’t Stalin, terrifying his closest associates. They’d have sabotaged the coverup at least. The people who knew what really had happened, knew Bill Clinton hadn’t done it.

    And if he’d planned it, do you think the cover-up would have gotten off to such a rocky start as it did??

    The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, or someone in his entourage, killed him. (Prince Bandar also probably planned the murder of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens in Benghazi 19 years later, when he was head of Saudi intelligence.)

    This is the smoking gun:

    http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=ih8nx3&s=8#!

    At first glance this may not look very much like a smoking gun, but it is.

    It is an article by Fred Barnes starting on page 10 of the March 14, 1994 New Republic, whose purpose is to explain away a secret unscheduled meeting between Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan, President Clinton and Sandy Burglar (Berger)

    The meeting with the president is stated as having taken place “in July”, meaning July 1993, and it was published right at the same time that several well known Foster case leaks took place.

    The sole purpose of the article is to explain away a meeting. The story told in the article is a false story, because the purchase of Boeing airplanes had already been arranged, and no more planes were bought later, and then the article even claims no general concusions should be drawn from it.

    I think what this meeting really was, was Prince Bandar rushing to President Clinton and explaining that he, or an employee, had just killed Vincent Foster, explaining it to President Clinton’s satisfaction, and asking for assistance in a cover-up. (He had diplomatic immunity, but he could get in trouble in his own country) President Clinton told him, first thing, take the body into Fort Marcy Park to give him federal jurisdiction.

    The residence of the Ambassador, which was also used for meetings (and probably payoffs *) was right across the street from Fort Marcy Park.


    * Those briefcases scattered about almost certainly didn’t contain secret files. That would be a craxy way to keep records. They probably contained cash.

    Of course it is impossible to verify that this meeting took place at all, but there must have been some record of it, or there wouldn’t have been this leak. Maybe it’s easier to verify it now.

    Freedom of Information Act requests were of no avail, because the Secret Service said it did not keep records of White House visitors, and I should ask the White House counsel’s office, which claimed it was exempt.

    A roundabout way of trying too confirm this meeting through a FOIA to the State Department was answered early in the Bush Adminsitration and did not onfirm it. (I figured that if this was really about airplanes, there’d be some note at least pf the meeting by the State Department.

    I figured I would not get the fact of this meeting confirmed, and that only makes that article into more of a smoking gun.

    The connection with the firing of the Director is that Vincent Foster had been worried what would happen if the director did not agree to resign, but had finally gone along, and then he read an email I sent to president@whitehouse.gov, routed through Rochester so that it arrived the next day, on July 20. that among other things, warned that if the FBI Director was fired, reporters would be released from their pledges of cinfidentaility, and he would be free to say what he knew about Waco, particularly how he was kept from the scene and how his water cannon plan had been rejected in favor of tear gas. (Carol Moore told me that Foster was involved in getting the tear gas plan approved) Foster was not aware that much of this had been published.

    I also figured out the hain of events that could have led to this being printed out and forwarded to Vincent Foster. It started out about Crown Heights and Governor Cuomo was keeping the contents of the Girgente Report a secret.

    I think Foster thought the jig was up and thought who would be interested who could help him get money to pay for lawyers, who would not get caught up in this and he settled on the Saudi Arabian Ambassador and tried to blackmail him for money. Except he forgot about diplomatic immunity.

    Clinton had other reasons for wanting to have his own pliant FBI Director.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  336. Mr. Comey started receiving daily instead of weekly updates on the investigation, beginning at least three weeks ago, according to people with knowledge of the matter and the progress of the Federal Bureau of Investigation probe. Mr. Comey was concerned by information showing possible evidence of collusion, according to these people.

    The lawmakers, who have been running their own probe of alleged meddling in the U.S. election by Russia, and possible Trump campaign links with it, asked Mr. Comey if he could accelerate the FBI investigation, said a person with knowledge of the conversations.

    To date, the inquiry has produced no “smoking gun,” these people said, but some investigators are persuaded that the evidence will show more than just casual contacts.

    “These people” and “a person” are truly reliable sources. Right up there with “Florida man.”

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  337. Yes I chased that scenario in the 90s, it’s more than likely that foster was the only relatively honest member of the Arkansas circle and be took the insinuations against his character, and some verbal abuse by hillary, disclosed in kesslers last book too hard.

    narciso (ba108c)

  338. Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/10/2017 @ 4:49 pm

    …Furthermore, Trump asking Comey about the Russia investigation (an implied conclusion from the letter) is obstruction

    It’s not obstruction of justice, to find out you are NOT under investigation. There’s no investigation, so what’s being obstructed?

    Comey probably did volunteer this in the context of Trump’s complaints about possibly having been eavesdropped on.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  339. Beldar, it seems my instincts were broadly correct.

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/byron-york-to-fire-comey-trump-team-waited-for-rosenstein/article/2622655

    Byron York: To fire Comey, Trump team waited for Rosenstein

    …The structure was this: The FBI director reported to the deputy attorney general, who reported to the attorney general, who reported to the president. When Trump fired Comey Tuesday afternoon, that chain of command had been in place for all of 14 days.

    First, it took a long time to get an attorney general in office. Facing Democratic opposition, Jeff Sessions, one of the president’s first nominees, was not confirmed by the Senate until Feb. 8. Then, it took a long time to get a deputy attorney general in place. Rod Rosenstein, the deputy — and the man who wrote the rationale for axing Comey — faced similar Democratic delays and was not sworn in until April 26.

    Only after Rosenstein was in place did the Trump team move ahead. That was true not only for chain-of-command reasons but also — probably more importantly — because Rosenstein had the bipartisan street cred to be able to be the point man in firing Comey. Even though his confirmation was delayed, Rosenstein was eventually confirmed by the Senate by a 94 to 6 vote, meaning that the vast majority of Democratic senators voted for him along with all of the Republicans…

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  340. @341. =yawn= Except it’s not.

    But then, can’t imagine why the Trump DOJ would claim ‘totally false’ what could be construed as obstruction of justice, an impeachable offense.

    Oops.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  341. The WaPo is now reporting Rosenstein THREATENED TO RESIGN TUESDAY NIGHT. He allegedly was not pleased that he was cited by the White House as a “prime mover” leading to DJT’s decision to fire Comey.

    This certainly would answer Beldar’s questions as to why Rosenstein was not placed front and center.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-trumps-anger-and-impatience-prompted-him-to-fire-the-fbi-director/2017/05/10/d9642334-359c-11e7-b373-418f6849a004_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_no-name%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&tid=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.acab210aaa85#pq=rrnl7U

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  342. 341 349, The CBS Evening News reported this claim (that Comey asked for more resources) as true, without mentioning any denial.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  343. You know they should change the paper to the Janet Cooke post and be done with it.

    narciso (ba108c)

  344. DCSCA @349, I guess you just told me. An elementary school retort of “Is not!” is right up there with anonymously sourced articles based up on “these people,” “a person,” and “Florida man” as the ultimate in moral authority.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  345. Conspicuously missing from this brouhaha: Calls, from anyone, for Comey’s immediate reinstatement. Heh.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  346. Well, it could be that Jeff Sessions asked Rosenstein a question that he knew the answer to.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  347. 341 349, The CBS Evening News reported this claim (that Comey asked for more resources) as true, without mentioning any denial.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59) — 5/10/2017 @ 9:24 pm

    I’m not surprised that See BS didn’t mention the flat out denial that this ever happened.

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/10/doj-denies-report-james-comey-asked-more-resources/

    A Justice Department spokeswoman said it is “totally false” that FBI Director James B. Comey had asked the deputy attorney general for additional resources for the Russia investigation in the days before he was fired.

    The New York Times, citing three anonymous sources, reported Wednesday that Mr. Comey had met with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and asked for an increase in personnel and funding for the bureau’s ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the November presidential election.

    After speaking with Mr. Rosenstein on Wednesday, DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores flatly denied The New York Times report.

    She said the last time Mr. Comey and Mr. Rosenstein met was May 1 — two days before Mr. Comey publicly testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    Don’t worry, DCSCA, it’s just that the NYT, WaPo et al haven’t figured out how many anonymous sources they have to fabricate to beat the credibility of a single person who’s willing to go on the record.

    I’m sure by July they’ll be beefing up their reporting so it will read more like “1,499 senior administration officials…” Then you’ll totes have me beat, because there’s just no way I can compete with nearly 1500 anonymous sources all of whom were actually in the Oval Office with Trump when it happened. Whatever “it” turns out to be.

    That will make your version of events much more believable than mine.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  348. @353/@356. =yawn= Can’t imagine why the Trump DOJ would deny what could be seen as OOJ, an impeachable offense. How’s that wall coming along?

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  349. @357, just for a change of pace, I can understand why the LHMFM would make up such obvious BS along with making up the anonymous sources to go with it.

    What I can’t understand is the silly @$$ who’d fall for it.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  350. Seriously Dustin, see a doctor. You can’t conclude anything of the sort from that letter. You don’t know if Comey volunteered the information. You also shouldn’t use words like “obstruction” when you obviously don’t know the legal definition.

    Steve57

    Ah yes, see a doctor because if I have concerns about Donald Trump’s ethics in this matter, I must have a mental illness. You sound like one of Stalin’s sycophants. And I think that’s pretty typical of the die hard partisans who strive for an echo chamber.

    Yes, of course it is obstruction for the president to repeatedly ask the FBI director if he’s being investigated, and as soon as that investigator drops subpoenas and asks for funding for more investigation, to terminate him, specifically citing the investigation. Common sense.

    That whole paragraph in the letter is some kind of crude attempt to insist there is no investigation at all, and a message to the rest of the government that no investigation will be tolerated.

    In fact, Trump’s actions violate DOJ policy

    1-7.530 – Disclosure of Information Concerning Ongoing Investigations

    Except as provided inn subparagraph B. of this section, components and personnel of the Department of Justice shall not respond to questions about the existence of an ongoing investigation or comment on its nature or progress, including such things as the issuance or seving of a subpoena, prior to the public filing of the document.

    In matters that have already received substantial publicity, or about which the community needs to be reassured that the appropriate law enforcement agency is investigating the incident, or where release of information is necessary to protect the public interest, safety, or welfare, comments about or confirmation of an ongoing investigation may need to be made. In these unusual circumstances, the involved investigative agency will consult and obtain approval from the United States Attorney or Department Division handling the matter prior to disseminating any information to the media.

    There is no way Trump could know about this investigation without that policy being violated. Trump including that information in the letter is of course an effort to disclose this information to the public, to serve Trump’s interests.

    Let’s look at your reasoning:

    She said the last time Mr. Comey and Mr. Rosenstein met was May 1

    So she doesn’t even know when they are talking, by phone, email, informally in person, and she wasn’t there when the request was made, or like many Trump loyalists, is simply lying. Billions of people did not see me buy a hamburger and don’t know the last time I went to a restaurant… them denying any awareness of it doesn’t mean the people who were with me are wrong. This kind of odd and desperate effort to defend Trump is embarrassing and will cause lasting damage to the GOP.

    You claim you have a version of events, but your denial amounts to someone saying they don’t know what happened. It’s carefully crafted because these people will be accountable for their actions when Trump is no longer in office to protect them.

    Rosenstein gets it. He’s been cited as the reason Comey was fired. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rosenstein isn’t employed for very long.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  351. It’s not obstruction of justice, to find out you are NOT under investigation.

    OK, first of all, he is under investigation. That part is not in debate. That Trump needed to drop in that letter that he isn’t, times three, is just Trump being Trump.

    And the president demanding to know about his investigation from his subordinate is of course obstruction. Common sense.

    There is only one solution: special prosecutor, line them all up including Trump, and catch them in their web of lies. Expect Trump to say “I cannot recall” over and over, and maybe to plea the fifth, and then after he’s humiliated, call the whole think “fake news” on twitter at 3 am. And of course, some guys will eat it up because they think that makes them better Republicans.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  352. on the other thread, markey issued a retraction about grand juries, besides we are talking about the same holdover that went after D’Souza and left corzione alone, that went after McDonnell but don’t touch McAuliffe, delay, perry Paxton, if one goes even farther back into the archives kay bailey Hutchinson,

    narciso (d1f714)

  353. Any person has the right to ask any law enforcement agency or agent (and that includes civilian employees, agents and informants) if he is being investigated on suspicion of having committed a crime, and the agency or agent must answer truthfully and when applicable advise the person of his Miranda rights. If they lie or refuse to answer, any conversations with that person and any other evidence discovered as the fruits of those conversations is inadmissible and he may have other remedies as well.

    nk (dbc370)

  354. i don’t think Mr. Trump is under investigation at all i think that’s just cnn anderson cooper fake news

    and also it’s a complete misnomer

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  355. here’s a lil update on brainwashed petulant coward John McCain’s immature hissy-fit yesterday

    McCain’s conduct during the Senate vote also raises red flags. In the C-SPAN video of the vote, McCain can be seen in heated discussion with John Cornyn, R-Texas, the number two man in the Senate leadership, along with John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and an unidentified senator with his back to the camera. After yelling at them for close to a minute, McCain goes over to the Senate clerks and gives a thumbs down to record his vote. He then storms out of the chamber, as Cornyn raises his arms in mild protest.

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  356. Any person has the right to ask any law enforcement agency or agent (and that includes civilian employees, agents and informants) if he is being investigated on suspicion of having committed a crime

    The president isn’t any person. It’s DOJ regulation that the department cannot disclose that information, but the president outranks his agency. It was inappropriate for him to be inquiring, and I think it was a lot more than inappropriate for him to be citing the matter in his letter firing the guy in charge of the investigation.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  357. This has not been mentioned as leading up to the firing of Comey. Initially it looked like it might have provoked it, or been the last straw maybe.

    Of course it wouldn’t have happened so fast in that case, even though the knowledge (on the part of some people at least) of the discrepancy between the truth and Comey’s testimony, and between what everybody had said before and Comey’s testimony, went back a few days.

    https://www.propublica.org/article/comeys-testimony-on-huma-abedin-forwarding-emails-was-inaccurate

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  358. “OK, first of all, he is under investigation. That part is not in debate.”

    That is patently false. There are some others involved in the campaign who may be under investigation, but Trump is not one of them.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  359. The lawyers running this DICK swinging contest should be hung.

    mg (31009b)

  360. That is patently false. There are some others involved in the campaign who may be under investigation, but Trump is not one of them.

    Colonel Haiku

    hahahahahaha

    You’re funny!

    Monday, Comey briefs Congress that the Trump administration/Russia investigation is being accelerated.

    Tuesday, Trump fires Comey.

    Next you’ll tell me I have a mental illness to consider this obstruction.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  361. The lawyers running this DICK swinging contest should be hung.

    mg

    Yeah! Execute people who defy the party!

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  362. Any person has the right to ask any law enforcement agency or agent (and that includes civilian employees, agents and informants) if he is being investigated on suspicion of having committed a crime

    365. Dustin:

    It’s DOJ regulation that the department cannot disclose that information,

    About what exactly is the potential crime that’s being investigated. But that someone is a target of an investigation is a different matter.

    Also, that DOJ rule maybe applies more to a third party. And in any case the Department of Justice is not a law enforcement agency. But the FBI is. Although the director isn’t exactly the same thing as “the FBI”

    However, according to a leak I read in anewspaper, Comey has said that is not true – that he never told Donald Trump he is not under investigation and he’s mystified by the claim..

    The most likely possibility is that Donald Trump is exaggerating slightly, or leaping to a conclusion. Comey had probably told Donald Trump that he, and his campaign as well, had never been the target of a FISA or a criminal eavesdropping warrant.

    Comey had probably not explicitly said that there’s no investigation of Trump going on at all, but he didn’t brief him on any such investigation of himself, either, and he did brief him about what was supposed to be all aspects of the Russia investigation.

    Sammy Finkelman (7b1b59)

  363. Stalinist?

    This is what Steve is talking about with regard to hingement of your faculties.

    Even Russians aren’t Stalinists anymore.

    You big dumb Trumanist.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  364. If there are others who were involved in the campaign who may be under investigation, but not Trump himself, then interference by him is obstruction of justice. Nixon.

    nk (dbc370)

  365. I wouldn’t know if it’s a mental thing…

    “I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts . As with any counterintelligence investigation, this will also include an assessment of whether any crimes were committed.

    Because it is an open ongoing investigation and is classified, I cannot say more about what we are doing and whose conduct we are examining. At the request of congressional leaders, we have taken the extraordinary step in coordination with the Department of Justice of briefing this Congress’ leaders, including the leaders of this committee, in a classified setting in detail about the investigation but I can’t go into those details here.”

    — James Comey

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  366. @341. =yawn= Except it’s not.

    But then, can’t imagine why the Trump DOJ would claim ‘totally false’ what could be construed as obstruction of justice, an impeachable offense.

    Oops.

    DCSCA (797bc0) — 5/10/2017 @ 8:54 pm

    Oops, again, fool.

    Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe is testifying under oath that you are full of shiite. He says he already has adequate resources.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  367. Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe is testifying under oath that you are full of shiite. He says he already has adequate resources.

    That’s not a direct contradiction. It actually bolsters DCSCA’s point. If Trump’s firing Comey means the new guy will pursue this investigation into Trump with fewer agents and fewer resources, then obviously the termination practically served to limit the investigation.

    Guy A: I need more resources to really get this crook

    Crook [publically gets rid of Guy A

    Guy B: (shuffles feet nervously) I think I’ll be fine… no need for more resources. hell, why even investigate? I think we can call this case closed!

    Do you agree we need a special investigator? If not, why not? Would you say the same if Hillary were president?

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  368. haiku, thanks for admitting I was right. Which no matter how fine you try to split hairs, you absolutely did. Trump’s campaign = Trump.

    One only needs to look at your comments about the Clinton Foundation to see this is your own point of view when it doesn’t make the GOP look bad.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  369. @375. Oops, Dumbo. Watched it live. You’re quoting what HE said. Not Comey.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  370. Watch Trump’s interview w/NBC’s Lester Holt today.

    The Donald is a sick man.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  371. Nice try there, Dustin. YOU can’t find anything that credibly confirms that Trump himself… Donald Trump… is under investigation.

    Meanwhile, good point there, Spicer… https://static.pjmedia.com/instapundit/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SPICIER-600×353.png

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  372. Monday, Comey briefs Congress that the Trump administration/Russia investigation is being accelerated.

    Tuesday, Trump fires Comey.

    Next you’ll tell me I have a mental illness to consider this obstruction.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 10:00 am

    You must have a mental illness because removing the director of the FBI has zero impact on any particular investigation. In fact, acting director Andrew McCabe testified to that fact earlier today before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

    1. He testified that the work of the FBI goes on regardless of circumstances.
    2. That he met with the President and the Russia investigation never came up.
    3. That there has been no attempt by the administration to interfere with the investigation.

    So, where’s the obstruction, Dustin? Are you seriously suggesting that when the President fires the FBI director who serves at the pleasure of President that on its own constitutes obstruction? If you you think that, if you think that then you think that the President really isn’t in charge of the executive branch. And that is delusional.

    When is reality going to seep into head, Dustin? There legal definitions of obstruction, and the definition you’ve imagineered isn’t one of them. I think we should call this nothingburger of a “scandal” Vivid Imaginationgate.

    McCabe’s testimony wasn’t entirely a home run for the administration. Apparently the WH press secretary said that Comey had lost the confidence of the rank-and-file at the FBI. McCabe testified that was not accurate. He did admit that the FBI is a large organization consisting of over 36.000 employees world wide with a wide range of opinions. But in his own opinion Comey enjoyed and enjoys to this day the support of the majority of the FBI employees.

    There’s no way to measure that, so I won’t dispute it. Others with more insight into that situation have in the past. In particular, at the time Comey made the bizarre decision to hold a press conference about the results of the FBI investigation into Hilary!’s email server.

    http://freebeacon.com/national-security/former-fbi-official-fellow-agents-worried-about-agencys-reputation-after-handling-clinton-case/

    Former FBI Official: Fellow Agents Worried About Agency’s Reputation After Handling of Clinton Case

    James Kallstrom, a former assistant director of the FBI, expressed his concern that the agency’s reputation has been sullied by FBI Director James Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server, adding that other agents feel the same way.

    Kallstrom appeared Tuesday evening on Fox News’ The Kelly File to discuss Comey’s recommendation to not bring charges against Clinton after calling her “extremely careless” with handling classified information. Kallstrom told host Megyn Kelly that he will no longer defend Comey and that the FBI chief has reached a “nonsensical conclusion” in the Clinton investigation.

    “I have defended him in the past, but those days are over Megyn,” Kallstrom said. “I thought the events of the last week there was something fishy going on, and here he does, he goes through the whole charging memo. You know, he reads every paragraph of it and then he comes to that nonsensical conclusion that really wasn’t his to make.”…

    But then that wasn’t the main reason Trump fired Comey anyway. It’s simply a minor distraction this particular Democratic Senator chose to focus on, for obvious political reasons.

    But the main point of this comment is, how can you not be delusional, Dustin? You keep crying, “Obstruction, obstruction, obstruction!” But the current acting head of the FBI, Comey’s former assistant director, is testifying that there was not and is not any obstruction.

    Of course not. I’ve served in commands where the skipper had been relieved for cause. And the only thing that disrupts is the skipper’s life. In this case the skipper would be Comey. But for the rest of the command life goes on without a hitch. And that is what McCabe is saying about the FBI.

    So, you can live in your own private universe where Trump fired Comey to obstruct the FBI’s investigation into Vivi Imaginationgate. I’ll listen to the current acting director of he FBI who says that’s not the case.

    The only obstruction is in your head, Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  373. Dustin @376 imagineers scenarios out of thin air.

    I asked in my last comment when reality is going to seep into your head, Dustin. Your answer is, “Never! Vivid Imaginationgate must not die.”

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  374. @380. Haiku! Gesundheit.

    The Trump campaign is.

    So in your view the campaign didn’t truly represent the man, eh. The only reason Queeg keeps insisting and twistin over and over HE personally is not under investigation is to protect the brand, the value of family assets and Russian financing sources. The Holt interview w/Queeg perched on his little chair is meltdown 101–all that was missing was rolling little steel balls.

    It’s sad. And alarming. But he’s a sick man, Haiku.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  375. @376. Dustin, Steve’s tilting at windmills; the question, carefully directed to McCabe in the hearing was for McCabe’s assessment- not an assessment of Comey’s assessment.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  376. I stand by what I’ve written about this and hope you will admit how off base you were about this matter when the time comes, DCSCA.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  377. @385- Back at you, Haiku. But remember, I voted for this show, too.

    He’s sick. And the pressure– much of it self-induced– is going to get the show cancelled. His Page Six tactics aren’t working.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  378. What bizarre twisted minds you and Dustin have, DCSCA. It’s amusing. I’m going to laugh when the men in white coats come to put you guys in straitjackets and take you away while you insist Vivid Imaginationgate is a real scandal and Trump is getting away with it.

    Dustin, more heartache for you. Senator Burr asked McCabe to comment on Trump’s letter which said that Comey had told him on three separate occasions that he was not the subject of the investigation. McCabe could have said anything he wanted, since by disclosing the content of the conversations he could not now claim executive privilege. McCabe could have backed your delusional fantasy that YOU KNOW Trump asked for that information (as opposed to Comey volunteered it, but then you were inside the room, Dustin, so YOU KNOW what happened) and that constitutes obstruction. Again, McCabe was free to say anything he wanted.

    And all he said was he couldn’t comment on any conversations the President might have had with Comey.

    After today’s hearing, and with even Maxine Waters admitting she’s seen no evidence of Trump or anyone associated with Trump’s campaign had colluded with Russia, it’s pretty much game over. Sane people will move on from this non-issue. There’s nothing left of Vivid Imaginationgate except for the hysterics of he delusional.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  379. 172, Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/10/2017 @ 12:19 am

    Of course, if they don’t have a replacement lined up, they’ll look pretty stupid.

    They most definitely didn’t, but they did come up with 5 names for a temporary replacement within a day or two.

    Congressman Peter King is suggesting former New York City Police Commissiner Ray Kelly (I thought of him too, and he’s quite political, but he’s not bad and maybe you need that to get someone confirmed) Kelly once had a job under President Clinton. I don’t know if Peter King checked with Kelly. He doesn’t seem to have interested the Trump White House yet.

    Kelly is now well over 70 and couldn’t be expected to serve a full 10 years but then I don’t think anyone, at this point, would.

    Sammy Finkelman (83cfe1)

  380. @387. Thursdays means strawberries w/Cool Whip on your lunch tray, Steve.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  381. Comey: I asked for more ice cream and strawberries for the Captain.

    McCabe: I think we have enough already for him.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  382. Steve, not sure if you didn’t see my question:

    Do you think we need a special investigator? Yes or no, man. Easy question.

    If your answer is no, and something turns up, I will call you a chump!

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  383. Sane people will move on from this non-issue. There’s nothing left of Vivid Imaginationgate except for the hysterics of he delusional.

    Steve57

    Something tells me you’re a little bit defensive or something.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  384. corrupt mccabe and his skeevy wife is what the post-comey fbi is reduced to

    can this organization get any more skanky?

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  385. http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/333008-white-houses-fbi-story-unravels

    Key portions of the White House’s explanation of how President Trump decided to fire FBI Director James Comey came into question on Thursday, underlining a growing credibility crisis for the administration.

    Remarkably, it was Trump himself who undercut statements from White House officials about the firing.

    In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, the president said he had made up his mind about getting rid of Comey even before receiving a recommendation from Deputy Attorney General Ron Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions

    So now Trump tells the truth, and it’s a problem?

    It’s a problem because he has people speaking for him who don’t know what the truth is, and also don’t care – they’re just trying to make Trump look better and more deliberate in judgment than he is – and because maybe some people, before the decision was announced, wanted to hide the real reason, which wasn’t that Comey was about to uncover something really bad about Trump! and so came up with this whole idea of having the deputy attorney general write up something – after he had first verbally made a recommendation to fire Comey – and then put into it only reasons Democrats would agree with!

    And you know something – we knew all of this this morning.

    Sammy Finkelman (83cfe1)

  386. Steve, not sure if you didn’t see my question:

    Do you think we need a special investigator? Yes or no, man. Easy question.

    If your answer is no, and something turns up, I will call you a chump!

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 1:32 pm

    No, we don’t need a special prosecutor. McCabe testified that the administration has mode no attempt to “impede the investigation to date.” That means from the beginning of time until now.

    He also said that if the administration does try to interfere he’d go to the intel committee and inform them. Then I’d say we need a special counsel. I would have told you that without you calling me a chump. That’s a reasonable position to take. It’s not a reasonable position, in fact it’s kind of paranoid, to say we need a special counsel now because things might change later.

    Which is what you seem to be saying.

    Do you have any idea who the current acting director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, is? He’s a partisan Democrat who’s about 3 steps away from Hillary! herself. Seriously. His wife was running for the VA state Senate, and the Clinton’s old bag man and the current governor Terry McAuliffe contributed $467,500 to her campaign.

    That’s a lot of money considering state Senators only make about $30k a year. I still don’t know how she lost as most people won’t spend that much to buy such a low paying job. Although I’m sure there’s lots of opportunities to make a lot of money on the side, if you know what I mean.

    And McCabe has his own ethics problems.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/15/fbi-official-did-not-disclose-wifes-ties-to-clinton-ally-records-show.html

    Perhaps you can explain your thinking to me, if you are thinking. I would think the leftists would be ecstatic. Trump fired Comey and left a partisan Democrat with family ties to the Clinton money machine in charge of the Russia investigation. I don’t know about you Dustin, but if I were a Republican President and I knew I had something to hide, I wouldn’t have done that. I’d have fired McCabe at the same time.

    It suggests to me that Trump isn’t worried about the Russia investigation. That his reasons for firing Comey had nothing to do with the Russia investigation.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  387. …Something tells me you’re a little bit defensive or something.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 1:33 pm

    No, I’m actually going to miss this spectacle when it’s over. It’s been laugh out loud funny watching the libs go completely off their nut.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  388. there’s no such thing as merrick garland

    hey Mr. DCSCA here’s a poky lil pup for you

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  389. The early reports are always wrong. Especially when the source is “this person,” “that person,” “these people,” “senior administration officials,” and “Florida man.”

    http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/deputy-ag-rosenstein-im-not-quitting-didnt-threaten-to-quit-over-comey-firing

    WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) – Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said he’s not quitting, nor did he threaten to quit over his role in the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

    When asked by Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Michelle Macaluso about reports that claim otherwise, he stated “no, I’m not quitting.”

    Macaluso: Did you threaten to quit?

    Rosenstein: No…

    What novel idea! Why not just ask Rosenstein himself instead of anonymous sources passing on rumors.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  390. amazon turdlord Jeffy Bezos’s wapo is taking fake news to the next level

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  391. @398- Awwwww. And it’s got burnt orange fur, too!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  392. @395 Lee’s been making people laugh since his Lorre-to-Greenstreet routine during the Green Eggs & Ham soliloquy by Tedtoo.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  393. No, we don’t need a special prosecutor.

    OK, steve, you’re on record. Thanks for finally answering… took a while to pull it out of you.

    He also said that if the administration does try to interfere he’d go to the intel committee and inform them. Then I’d say we need a special counsel. I would have told you that without you calling me a chump. That’s a reasonable position to take. It’s not a reasonable position, in fact it’s kind of paranoid, to say we need a special counsel now because things might change later.

    The president fires the guy in charge of an investigation, and the letter cites this investigation. In fact, the letter lies to the American people about the investigation, claiming it’s not occurring at all. It’s obvious to all but the most hardened partisans that the investigation is the reason for the firing. Read the letter again, and tell me I’m wrong.

    Dear Director Comey:

    I have received the attached letters from the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States recommending your dismissal as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 1 have accepted their recommendation and you are hereby terminated and removed from office. effective immediately.

    While I greatly appreciate you informing me. on three separate occasions. that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau.

    It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.

    I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

    Donald J. Trump

    The letter mentioned nothing else to explain the termination but the investigation. Why mention it at all?

    The AG is recused in this investigation. How do you terminate the guy running an investigation if you’re recused yourself from that investigation?

    Trump confessed he’s been attempting to be informed on the existence of the investigation, in violation of DOJ regulations as I cited earlier. Granted, the president can overrule his regulations.

    The president’s former staffer, Flynn, has asked for immunity in this matter, and has lied about this matter. He’s been subpoenaed just before Comey was terminated, in this matter.

    Without a special prosecutor, we simply cannot know what impact Sessions and Trump and other partisan loyalists are having on the investigation.

    Furthermore, it is simply a lie according to common sense that Comey was fired over his handling of the Clinton emails, because that situation remained unchanged for many months, but the developments in the Russian investigation are so recent.

    Interesting, McCabe, the guy you’re citing above, has refuted many of the administration’s claims, namely when he said: “Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day,” Mr McCabe said at the hearing. “The vast majority of FBI employees enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey.

    The Trump defense force could never be convinced by any fact. This conduct is obviously unethical and a special prosecutor, who cannot be fired by Trump, is the only way the American people will be satisfied in this matter. If you really think Trump is clean, why would you oppose it? Because you trust these guys in place right now? Well I guess you better hope the other shoe doesn’t drop, because if it does, it means you were a chump.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  394. Watch Trump’s interview w/NBC’s Lester Holt today.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  395. whaddyaknow,

    Trump campaign manager Paul Mannafort’s firm in Maryland just got raided by the FBI. FBI agents are searching the offices as I type this comment.

    Mannafort is under suspicion of coordination with Russia in the recent presidential race.

    Gee, I wonder if someone leaked this to the White House, and the reason for Comey’s oddball super quick firing, with no hint to him at all, was panic. Gee.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  396. Trump campaign manager Paul Mannafort’s firm in Maryland just got raided by the FBI. FBI agents are searching the offices as I type this comment.

    Mannafort is under suspicion of coordination with Russia in the recent presidential race.

    Earth to Dustin. He’s under suspicion for shady business dealings with pro-Russian elements in Ukraine.

    Gee, I wonder if someone leaked this to the White House, and the reason for Comey’s oddball super quick firing, with no hint to him at all, was panic. Gee.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 3:14 pm

    You are foaming at the mouth crazy Dustin.

    Gee, if Trump fired Comey to stop the FBI from pursuing its investigation it doesn’t seem to be working, does it?

    Why, we need a special counsel! If we don’t have a special counsel the FBI will never go after people associated with the Trump campaign if that’s where the evidence leads! Associates like Manafort.

    Clearly this raid didn’t happen, Dustin.

    In your alternate universe.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  397. The FBI just can’t do its job unless a special counsel is appointed RIGHT NOW!

    Trump is clearly protecting his associates, like Paul Manafort. The FBI would like to search the man’s offices for evidence but it can’t. Because, Trump.

    The FBI is stymied. Its hands are tied. Manafort is immune from FBI scrutiny.

    In the universe in which Dustin lives.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  398. Acting FBI Director passes on Trump hit, yipping Pomeranians, #NeverTrumpstiltskin hardest hit

    http://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2017/05/11/new-acting-fbi-director-mccabe-just-passed-on-nuking-donald-trump-at-senate-oversight-hearing/?utm_campaign=twitchywidget

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  399. Anyone who has ever been within hearing distance of President Trump is an advisor.

    mg (31009b)

  400. The raid was probably for fake PAC fundraising. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/05/fbi-raids-gop-consulting-firm-setting-off-alarms-online.html

    nk (dbc370) — 5/11/2017 @ 3:26 pm

    No, no, no, nk. It’s all Russia all the time, nothing but Russia.

    And the raid didn’t happen because the FBI is handcuffed by Trump.

    Just ask Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  401. How come nobody’s talking about Trump’s dollar-signs-for-eyes in-laws selling visas to Chinese “investors”?

    nk (dbc370)

  402. All Russia all day and night, comrade.

    mg (31009b)

  403. You know that Trump coined “comrade”, don’t you, mg?

    nk (dbc370)

  404. @404. ROFLMAO First, watch this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLUZ0Nv7UH4

    Then watch Holt’s interview.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  405. Mind Control to Major Pom
    Mind Control to Major Pom
    Take your hormone pills and put your tin foil on
    Mind Control to Major Pom (ten, nine, eight, seven, six)
    Commencing takedown, diaper on (five, four, three)
    Check cognition and may God’s love be with you (two, one, eff-off)
    This is Mind Control to Major Pom
    You’ve really made us laugh
    And the readers want to know what you’ve upstairs
    Now it’s time to take the capsule if you dare
    “This is Major Pom to Mind Control
    I’m stepping through the door
    And I’m mincing in a most peculiar way
    And my words sound very different today
    For here
    Am I drinking up the Kool-aid
    Deaf to the world
    Way I vote is blue
    And there’s nothing left to do

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  406. Lester Holt does Jose Ferrer proud.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  407. DCSCA is easily bumfuzzled.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  408. Haiku has a strawberry allergy.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  409. Watch Trump’s interview w/NBC’s Lester Holt today:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLUZ0Nv7UH4

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  410. DCSCA eats the peanuts out of Trump’s borscht.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  411. Nutcase @403, I answered told you the first time you asked. It isn’t like you had to drag the damn answer out of me. Although maybe in that hamster wheel that your mind has become you thought you had asked me the question about a special prosecutor over and over and over and over…

    And then there’s this inanity:

    If you really think Trump is clean, why would you oppose it? Because you trust these guys in place right now? Well I guess you better hope the other shoe doesn’t drop, because if it does, it means you were a chump.

    Oh, ok. Got it Dustin. When there’s a Republican in the WH and Upchuck Schumer demands special counsls for purely partisan reasons (in this case, so he can claim a President who is under suspicion as evidenced by the fact we have to appoint special counsels can’t be allowed to appoint judges) and I refuse to entertain that as the standard to appoint a special counsel then I’m a chump.

    Again, got it. Apparently you’re smoking crack and you’ve destroyed most of your brain cells and no longer have two to rub together so this now makes all kinds of sense to you.

    Upchuck Schumer is the minority leader in the Senate but he’s really in charge of the government.

    That’s what the little remaining portion of your mind tells you.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  412. Haiku! Gesundheit. Salted peanuts.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  413. You sure it wasn’t Al Gore, nk?

    mg (31009b)

  414. No, no, no, nk. It’s all Russia all the time, nothing but Russia.

    And the raid didn’t happen because the FBI is handcuffed by Trump.

    Just ask Dustin.

    Steve57

    Oh, I get it. The Trump Defense Force’s new line: if the investigation bears fruit, well damn the nevertrumpers for claiming Trump ‘handcuffed’ it. If the investigation accomplishes nothing, damn the nevertrumpers for asking for an investigation at all!

    You do know the Attorney General recused himself in this investigation, right? It is absurd that the investigation still is under his control. And since Sessions helped fire Comey, he absolutely does control it.

    Anyone remember this compound?

    Russian center for gathering intel on the USA. Check out google maps to the Mannafort office the FBI is raiding today.

    Steve57, you only see this in partisan eyes. You say you can’t support a special prosecutor because a democrat wants one, but I provided reasons that did not cite the democrats at all.

    Upchuck Schumer is the minority leader in the Senate but he’s really in charge of the government.

    Well, he’s apparently in charge of your mind. You would rather Trump get away with crimes if that deprives the democrats of a talking point.

    Call me a crackhead all day if you want. You love being disrespectful to those who disagree with you. Like I’ve said above, if you’re wrong, and you’ve been defending this criminal activity from my single request: a special prosecutor who can investigate this matter without being controlled or fired by the president, then you’ve made yourself a chump.

    but I’m sure you’ll be able to tell me, no matter what happens, that it’s fake news.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  415. @416….And if you’ve left anything out, we’ll ask you specific questions and you can answer them, one by one.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  416. Dustin, Disney is hiring.

    mg (31009b)

  417. Dustin @425, you haven’t cited a single “reason.” You’ve just vomited up unfounded DNC talking points.

    And again you’re putting words in my mouth. I never said I opposed appointing a special counsel because a Democrat asked (actually demanded) one.

    I oppose it because the Democrat demanded one for no other reason than for partisan political purposes. There is no evidence of actual wrongdoing. I keep asking you for evidence of the evidence of any obstruction. You can’t give me any evidence. McCabe testified there has been no administration interference in the FBI investigation.

    You call me a chump because I want to see actual evidence. Fine. That’s why I think you’re crackhead. Your paranoid fantasies are not evidence.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  418. “And again you’re putting words in my mouth. I never said I opposed appointing a special counsel because a Democrat asked (actually demanded) one.”

    Mischaracterization of the positions taken and contentions made are his stock in trade… for several years running.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  419. When Obama tossed the Russian diplomats out of their Maryland East Shore vacation bed and breakfast, you think he closed the 6,800 acre State Department office building compound set up exclusive to keep an eye on them?

    papertiger (c8116c)

  420. there’s no such thing as Russia

    go ahead

    find it on a map

    i’ll wait

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  421. Someone put a tranquilizer dart in Dustin. Just until the next Clinton operative is fired.

    What are the legalities involved? If we painted a goatee and “doofus” on his forehead in magic marker would it add to the penalty in a substantial way?

    papertiger (c8116c)

  422. Right here, happyfeet.

    nk (dbc370)

  423. Yes russia has about 20,000 nuclear weapons , ballpark, we didn’t want to challenge them short of a breech across the fuldz gap. We want to that now?

    narciso (c07027)

  424. oh my goodness

    that’s one of those places National Review’s Kevin Williamson says is invalid and everyone there should just die already

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  425. Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/11/2017 @ 4:00 pm

    When there’s a Republican in the WH and Upchuck Schumer demands special counsls for purely partisan reasons (in this case, so he can claim a President who is under suspicion as evidenced by the fact we have to appoint special counsels can’t be allowed to appoint judges)

    I think it’s actually in hopes of winning Senate elections in 2018. Not in hopes that he somehow could stop judge from being appointed that way, or even use it to justify voting against all or most nominees.

    I don’t think that idea is in his mind at all (using the lack of special counsel to justify partisan treatment of judicial nominees.) I think it’s all for votes and fundraiding, and because he’s still going along with Clinton Inc.

    Sammy Finkelman (3bf6ea)

  426. I was kind of expecting to see flailing in the video Dustin sold as Trump flailing.
    Also I wanted to see Holt exchange knowingly low key nose touches.

    So it was disappointing on all counts.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  427. Nose touches with the production crew while Trump fiddles with the clip on mic.

    Hummingbird wing, arms moving too fast to see with the naked eye, flailing.

    Is it so much to ask?

    papertiger (c8116c)

  428. Captain, did you ever turn your building upside down in a vain search for a wiretap that did not exist?

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  429. I thought we had agreed fisa warrants were issued, just the legitimacy of the evidence was in question

    narciso (c07027)

  430. Never been a fan of any Huckabee, but I like this lady’s grit… https://subjectpolitics.com/omg-abc-reporter-called-liar-watch-huckabees-daughter-ruin/

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  431. The White House accuses Comey of committing quote “atrocities”. Extreme cruel physical violence is what that word means.

    And Trump’s fans are complaining about hyperventilating and mental illness and paranoia in anyone who calls them out on their BS. It’s projection and guilt. No one, in their heart of hearts, genuinely admires Donald Trump. That’s why they still resort to comparisons to Hillary, someone else no one should genuinely admire.

    The level of anger directed at Trump’s critics is proportional to the consciousness of guilt his defenders feel. The inability to have a calm and civil conversation about yesterday’s mistake is indeed just that… no one is able to do that.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  432. You should never be able to fire the person who is investigating you. Period. Such an action automatically calls for an independent investigation that you cannot fire. Those who sneer at this, call it ‘crack smoking’ call for hangings, or insist it’s mental illness, are all folks who have no moral compass. That’s all too common in today’s hyperpartisan world.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  433. I would say criminal malfeasance but that’s just me, the evidence of red Quebec’s deed are in black and white.

    narciso (c07027)

  434. Dustin and Maxine Waters, Jim Comey’s fan club.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  435. Oh, the man in the saddle
    is a man who rides alone
    He’s a traveler and his journey never ends

    Get along Old Pie,
    there’s a buzzard in the sky
    And the waterhole’s far, far ahead
    For this desert sand surely
    ain’t the promised land
    And I wouldn’t be found here dead

    Oh, the man in the saddle
    is a man who rides alone
    Far away from the bunkhouse
    and his friends
    And the horse he’s a -straddled
    is all he’ll ever own
    He’s a traveler and his journey never ends

    Get along Old Pie,
    there’s a buzzard in the sky
    Shake your tail, shake your tail, shake your tale
    For this desert sand surel
    y ain’t the promised land
    And I wouldn’t be found here dead

    Oh, the man in the saddle
    is a man who rides alone
    Far away from the gal he left behind
    Gotta ride, ride, ride
    till we cross the great divide
    And we come to the end of the trail

    papertiger (c8116c)

  436. Oh this is too perfect. Too perfect.

    I can see why Trump likes her.

    Meanwhile in the news: FBI claims unravel.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  437. Hyperdouchebaggery

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  438. So sore, the little boot lickers get, whenever they have to take a good hard look at their own people. Gosh, I just linked Huckabee’s tweet. Why would someone get so mad about that?

    Oh, I guess a “hey, squirrels!” too? An honor!

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  439. But wait there’s the mulvaney seat, right in…have learned nothing from the last year and a half?

    narciso (c07027)

  440. You should never be able to fire the person who is investigating you. Period. Such an action automatically calls for an independent investigation that you cannot fire. Those who sneer at this, call it ‘crack smoking’ call for hangings, or insist it’s mental illness, are all folks who have no moral compass. That’s all too common in today’s hyperpartisan world.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 7:18 pm

    The only sentence you didn’t manage to fill up with all kinds of fail was the one word sentence, “Period.”

    That’s a record for you, Dustin. Normally ever single sentence is chock-full-O-fail.

    Your deliberate, willful obtuseness means you have forfeited the benefit of the doubt. No sentient being can possibly take you seriously.

    You bring to mind a saying they have in Missouri. “You can’t fix stupid. But you can stun it with a 2×4.”

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  441. if Sessions and Rosenstein cooked up a false reason to get rid of Comey because the president was displeased with Comey’s investigation, this is nothing less than a baldfaced attempt to interfere with a legitimate investigation of the executive branch. The president has the right to fire the FBI director, so this likely would not rise to the level of a criminal offense, according to several legal experts, including former Justice Department officials, with whom I spoke. However, in the constitutional sense, a scheme to mislead the American people and prevent discovery of his possible misconduct violates his oath of office. If he is engaged in such conduct, he is no longer acting to enforce and execute the laws of the United States.

    I guess that’s a big if?

    Federal prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas to associates of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn seeking business records, as part of the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in last year’s election, according to people familiar with the matter. CNN learned of the subpoenas hours before President Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey.

    “The subpoenas represent the first sign of a significant escalation of activity in the FBI’s broader investigation begun last July into possible ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia.

    Fake news! Fake news! The timing means nothing… this was all about Hillary’s emails! Anyone saying this is mentally ill and should be hung and smokes crack and is deranged! Squawk!!!

    Using one law enforcement body (or set of individuals) to stop another from investigating presidential wrongdoing was the nub of Watergate and the ensuing impeachment proceedings. We do not know whether that is what is at issue here, but Congress has no alternative but to determine why the president acted and why he acted now. That should entail questioning under oath of any persons aware of or involved in the firing process and ultimately an accounting by the president of his own actions.

    Every single Republican must make a decision: Insist on full-throated, independent investigation of the firing, or be party to a possible cover-up. Every candidate for office in 2018 must be asked a question: If it is determined that Trump fired Comey to interfere with the Russia probe, would that representative vote for impeachment/senator vote to convict?

    And they will be asked, and some people will vote accordingly. This could be the central issue of the gubernatorial election. History in the making.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  442. Remember, Huckabee Sanders admitted that Comey was fired to bring the Russia investigation to a close. That was the real reason.

    We want this to come to its conclusion, we want it to come to its conclusion with integrity,” said deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders, referring to the FBI’s probe into Moscow’s interference in last year’s election. “And we think that we’ve actually, by removing Director Comey, taken steps to make that happen.”

    And anyone who believes the Trump administration on this is simply crazy, I guess!

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  443. Under the regulations in 28 C.F.R. part 600, the AG (or if he’s recused, the Acting AG with respect to the pending criminal investigation of a particular person or matter) has the sole authority to appoint a special counsel. It can’t be done by Congress; it can’t be done by the FBI; it can’t even be done directly by the POTUS (although the POTUS could fire an AG who refused his instruction to make, or refrain from making, such an appointment).

    Even after his appointment, the special counsel is still answerable to the AG and, through the AG, to the POTUS. According to the commentary that accompanied these rules when adopted and published in 1999, a Special Counsel is “free to structure the investigation as he or she wishes and to exercise independent prosecutorial discretion to decide whether charges should be brought,” but he may only do so “within the context of the established procedures of the Department.” And even then the regulations envision that

    ultimate responsibility for the matter and how it is handled will continue to rest with the Attorney General (or the Acting Attorney General if the Attorney General is personally recused in the matter); thus, the regulations explicitly acknowledge the possibility of review of specific decisions reached by the Special Counsel.

    The AG’s discretion also includes selecting the Special Counsel (section 600.3), defining the scope of his mandate and approving any changes to it (section 600.4), presenting the Special Counsel with a list of DoJ staff to choose among (section 600.5), controlling the Special Counsel’s budget (section 6.008), and even disciplining or firing the Special Counsel (section 600.7(c ) & (d)).

    I don’t think that most people urging the immediate appointment of a special counsel realize any of these details. The bottom line is that Trump could still fire a special counsel. As with Nixon, the remedy for abuse of this prerogative isn’t legal, but political — not prosecution (at least at first), but rather impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate.

    And thus it must be. The prior independent counsel law barely survived constitutional attack in Morrison v. Olson, and only did so in large part because the POTUS still retained the power to fire independent counsel. You see, if the POTUS doesn’t have that right, then you’re entrusting prosecution to someone entirely outside the Executive Branch — and as a result of that, any conviction he might obtain would be constitutionally void, a waste of time for any purpose but persecution.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  444. “Realize details”? We’ve got a 5150 going on here…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  445. Trump hired Flail & Mince– one of the ‘yugest’ and most prestigious law firms in Washington.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  446. President Donald F Trump: Regardless of recommendation I was going to fire Comey, knowing there was no good time to do it. And in fact, when I decided to just do it I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story.

    Of course this confession that he fired Comey when thinking about the Russia investigation contradicts a lot of people, including the AG and the VP, who claimed Trump was merely following their recommendation and he had not made any such decision in advance.

    These guys have absolutely no compunction about lying. Remember Trump baselessly whining about “Lyin Ted” and sluring his wife, or comparing Carson to a child molester, or hell, his promises about small government, Obamacare, and amnesty? Even his fans boast of Trump’s ruthless treatment of the truth.

    Americans have to ask themselves: do you trust Trump on this matter? Do you trust his subordinates? Trump has famously demanded Comey pledge loyalty to Trump, and Trump has famously demanded loyalty from many other subordinates. Can you trust his administration to be disloyal enough to Trump to conduct an impartial investigation? Or should be have a special prosecutor?

    Trump is not just testing the checks and balances right now. He is testing Americans to see if they care enough. He is testing the GOP to see if there’s any Reagan left in that soul anywhere.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  447. I don’t know… perhaps it’s a regional thing. no one can be this obtuse, this slow on the uptake. It has to be willful.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  448. Beldar, thank you for the informative comment about special counsels, which I prefer to call prosecutors based on my view of what would happen.

    I do not think this leaves the GOP off the hook. I think every congressman needs to be asked about their willingness to vote on impeachment, and I think every congressman needs to clear the air with a demand for a special prosecutor.

    only did so in large part because the POTUS still retained the power to fire independent counsel. You see, if the POTUS doesn’t have that right, then you’re entrusting prosecution to someone entirely outside the Executive Branch — and as a result of that, any conviction he might obtain would be constitutionally void

    That does kinda take the wind out of the sails of my argument. And Trump probably would fire a prosecutor who did not agree with him that the “russia thing is made up”, to use his words about why he fired Comey.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  449. I don’t know… perhaps it’s a regional thing. no one can be this obtuse, this slow on the uptake. It has to be willful.

    Colonel Haiku

    Oh, it surely is a regional thing. Honestly it’s very very rare I run into anyone who has anything but contempt for Trump. Some simply have more contempt for Hillary, but none find his conduct acceptable.

    I do not see how I’m ‘slow’ at all. Please share, if you can, an actual argument, rather than some dumb insult again, or some dumb ‘look squirrels’ deflection. Of course, in many years, the number of times you have actually bothered to answer someone in earnest is extremely low and I’m not holding my breath! I guess us dumbasses aren’t worth … well clearly I’m worth your time as you’re obsessed with everything I say. Just not your brilliant arguments.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  450. That’s a record for you, Dustin. Normally ever single sentence is chock-full-O-fail.

    So personal! so mad! I wonder why you’re so mad at me? But at least you express your disagreement intelligently, without childish insults. At least you have something to add other than trying to join the crowd of Trump’s boot lickers like an insecure bully! Good for you man.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  451. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/my-dinner-comey-current-former-fbi-officials-dispute-trump-account-n758221

    Oops.

    “Captain, you seem to be surrounded by constantly disloyal officers.” – Barney Greenwald [Jose Ferrer] “The Caine Mutiny’ 1954

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  452. Beldar @459, I actually understood all that. Congress doesn’t have the power to appoint a special counsel. Not since 1999 when the law lapsed. For Congress to regain a role they’d have to pass a bill. And that bill would have to be signed into law by…

    Donald Trump.

    Figure the odds.

    The Democrats are throwing around words like, “Constitutional crisis.” “Nixonian.” They can afford to be so unserious because they know their base. And their base consists of barely literate idiots. Who don’t know there are laws governing this. They no doubt believe the concept of a special counsel is “genderfluid” enough that Schumer’s demands carry weight.

    It’s a stupid time to be alive, Beldar.

    c

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  453. Its a term of art, but personnel is policy, has Mike luttig has been the gatekeeping official, there would likely hAve been no special counsel.

    narciso (c07027)

  454. Dustin @467, what makes you think I’m mad? Maybe you just don’t know enough Italians. Try to get out more.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  455. Dustin @467, what makes you think I’m mad? Maybe you just don’t know enough Italians. Try to get out more.

    Steve57

    Well, Steve, you’re freaking out over my comments which criticize the president, a politician whose conduct you defend and have associated yourself with. You can scoff and deny it, but your comments are quite ugly to someone who hasn’t been ugly to you, except to point out that if the guy you’re defending so much turns out to be what I’m claiming, he’s made you and his other defenders into chumps. Which was really just friendly advice. Don’t be a chump, but if you insist on that, don’t be mad at me for it… all I’m doing is criticizing a damn politician. They aren’t worth so much anger on your part, man!

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  456. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQoTlVgmPK8

    The Real Housewives of South Boston

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  457. Get a grip, Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  458. For Congress to regain a role they’d have to pass a bill. And that bill would have to be signed into law by…

    Donald Trump.

    Indeed, if Trump is corrupt enough, there is absolutely nothing short of impeachment that can stop him. He could shut down all law enforcement. He could say no to anyone who attempts to investigate him (and we now have multiple quotes, including Trump, citing this Russia investigation as why Comey was fired).

    Somehow you think this makes the democrats “stupid” and “unserious” and “barely literate idiots”. In truth, they now have something to demand that appeals to Americans. The Senate could grind to a halt until they get this investigation. and if Trump did fire the special prosecutor… well that would be even worse.

    Did Ken Starr ruin Clinton’s poll numbers? Not really in the long run. Did shutting down the Watergate Task Force ruin Nixon’s polls? Yup. “I can do it” doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea politically, and the democrats get it. In fact, I’d say the intelligence gap is on the side of those who don’t forsee the huge political problem Trump has created for the GOP in 2018.

    Trump’s poorly considered words, his staff’s tweets, they are going to resonate. Call me some more names if you want, but you know I’m right. that’s why you’re so mad.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  459. The dossier reminds me of the infamous zinoviev telegram, this was a document that a much more industrious figure Sidney Reilly helped conjur up of a planned uprising by steelworkers that helped swing the 1owt election that drive out macdonald

    narciso (c07027)

  460. The Senate grinding to a halt if they ran any slower they would run backwards, five monthes later as Aetna is disappearing from the exchanges they decide to take up the health care bill.

    narciso (c07027)

  461. … Call me some more names if you want, but you know I’m right. that’s why you’re so mad.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 9:21 pm

    Yeah. I’m mad. That’s why I never have any fun.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  462. Especially at your expense, Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  463. The Senate grinding to a halt if they ran any slower they would run backwards, five monthes later as Aetna is disappearing from the exchanges they decide to take up the health care bill.

    narciso

    This time I can tell you’re replying to me, but it’s hard for me to understand you sometimes.

    You’re mistaken… the Senate can indeed be a much more cumbersome mess than it is today… something conservatives have praised since George Washington. The difference is the politics of saying “we refuse until special prosecutor”.

    Trump has calculated that these costs are lesser than whatever Comey was about to do. That is pretty amazing.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  464. Recall that the DoJ has an official corruption unit. (Among its recent scalps is former N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who first came to their attention because his large cash transactions were suggestive of him being blackmailed regarding something relating to his official duties.)

    Recall, too, that the DoJ can, and sometimes does, prosecute very senior administration officials. Vice President Spiro Agnew’s investigation, indictment, plea bargain, and resignation from office were all supervised by the then-U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland — the office that Rod Rosenstein vacated to become Deputy AG, as it happens.

    Finally: Dems who are calling for a special counsel, in particular, seem to have forgotten that their new hero — recently fired Obama hold-over and short-time Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates — has expressed her general confidence in Rosenstein in her testimony just last week, and has otherwise declined to comment on whether a special counsel could be appointed. Nevertheless, when the legal opportunity/responsibility for appointing a special counsel was on her shoulders before she was fired, we know that she didn’t exercise it.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  465. It will all become known in the coming weeks and months. You, Dustn, habitually make wild assertions. I’ll stand by my statements that this is not much more than the ongoing meltdown of the Democrat party which in in a perpetual state of anger and deflection, as they try to keep their base motivated for the coming elections. Some fall for it. Most Americans don’t.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  466. https://t.co/Vua3FBJjIl

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  467. Yeah. I’m mad. That’s why I never have any fun.

    Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/11/2017 @ 9:26 pm

    Especially at your expense, Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/11/2017 @ 9:27 pm

    Yawn, Steve. You’re not even a clever troll. You’re just mad that you have absolutely no answer to my criticism of Trump. You went on and on calling me crazy for saying this was over the Russian investigation, only for Trump to open his damn mouth and admit it, because Steve57’s hero Donald Trump is a complete jackass.

    All you’re left with is this… boring stuff. If it makes you feel a little better, at my expense, I am more than happy. I’d happily buy you a beer over it if you were near Austin. I understand what it’s like to see someone you respect, as much as you clearly revere Trump, fail like Trump has over the past few days.

    I sincerely do hope this smack talk stuff helps you. I obviously have never really groked that stuff, but you’re not talking about my family or anything. It’s no big deal.

    But more seriously, this political stuff is huge for Trump’s critics like myself. You have to understand, I’m not unhappy to see the world admit I was right all along (the world except for the boot lickers).

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  468. Well one day a North Korean or Iranian Mike will blow up either in orbit crying the West coast electrical grid or taking out a major port and we’ll wonder we were so dang blasted shortside as we realized in September 11tb

    narciso (c07027)

  469. The Senate grinding to a halt if they ran any slower they would run backwards, five monthes later as Aetna is disappearing from the exchanges they decide to take up the health care bill.

    narciso (c07027) — 5/11/2017 @ 9:24 pm

    I’m going to have to dig up the audio of a talk Antonin Scalia gave on the virtues of divided government.

    Very few countries have real bicameral legislatures. Since Tony Blair put the final knife into it, the House of Lords consists of a bunch of doddering old men with walkers. France and Italy have Senates, but they’re mostly if not entirely ceremonial. And very few other countries separate the executive from the legislature. In a parliamentary system, the executive, the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet, is a creature of the legislature. And can be dissolved at just about any time by a no confidence vote.

    The whole point is to bring legislation to a grinding halt. As one of the founders put it, the danger is too much legislation, not too little.

    Embrace the gridlock!

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  470. You, Dustn, habitually make wild assertions.

    Here’s one: I assert Trump said this:

    Regardless of recommendation I was going to fire Comey, knowing there was no good time to do it. And in fact, when I decided to just do it I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story.

    Yeah, rambling it may be, Trump fired the guy investigating him over the investigation. Damn what a quote! I guess there’s no real defense for it except to say “fake news!”

    It’s amazing that for all these wild assertions, not once have you actually shown I was wrong. Not once. You just resort to getting ugly, and when called out, laugh that you got a rise out of me because hey, trolling beats taking things

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  471. “You have to understand, I’m not unhappy to see the world admit I was right all along (the world except for the boot lickers).”

    It’s all part of his fantasy. Yikes.

    Colonel Haiku (cdb06f)

  472. Yes there’s always the twain view of the leg.
    Comey was picked because he was a backstabbing weasel in large measure his record confirmed this view.

    narciso (c07027)

  473. Embrace the gridlock!

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

    We agree on that.

    Well one day a North Korean or Iranian Mike will blow up either in orbit crying the West coast electrical grid or taking out a major port and we’ll wonder we were so dang blasted shortside as we realized in September 11tb

    narciso

    One thing I’ve been praising Trump on, here and elsewhere, is having enough spine as a president that he’s made our nation’s enemies pause more before striking us. Some of his attacks were crude or even confusing, such as telling Russia in advance about them, but North Korea surely knows Trump would respond much more harshly than Obama, who would have been as likely to apologize.

    This is one reason why a president needs to be above the fray, at least to some extent. He needs to embrace a culture of accountability and permit these investigations with respect. It’s why I admire George W Bush long after many on the right have turned their back on him. Trump’s chaos affects his foreign policy capital. I wish Trump great success in handling Iran, a situation Obama made nearly impossible, and North Korea, but he needs to get his s@#$ together.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  474. It’s all part of his fantasy. Yikes.

    Colonel Haiku

    Well, I was really just needling you, but it must kinda burn you a bit that the world is so universally criticizing Trump on the ethical issues I pointed out. I guess I have to give Steve some credit. This is fun.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  475. Dustin @484, I’ve humiliated you on every level. As I said @456, no sentient being can take you seriously.

    I’ve had deeper, more cerebral relationships with a baboon than is possible with you. No kidding. 2009, when I was hunting elephant along the Omay river in Zimbabwe. I originally wanted a baboon trophy when I arranged the trip, but in the end I just couldn’t.

    I’ll settle for having taken your skull as a trophy. Figuratively speaking of course. But the deed is done. If you had any sense you’d crawl away and hide. But if you had any sense, you wouldn’t be Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  476. Your world of Democrats and their surrogates, yeah, I’ll give you that.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  477. Something must’ve happened to the guy. Something unfortunate.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  478. @405, it’s the opioid epidemic, Coronello. Has to be.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  479. Either that or syphilis.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  480. Steve57, you made this assertion upthread:

    But it’s ridiculous to think that firing Comey could have any effect on the FBI’s investigation. Comey wasn’t actually conducting the investigation, you know. He was a career prosecutor, never a law enforcement officer and certainly never an investigator.

    Steve57

    And I quoted the Trump administration saying this:

    We want this to come to its conclusion, we want it to come to its conclusion with integrity,” said deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders, referring to the FBI’s probe into Moscow’s interference in last year’s election. “And we think that we’ve actually, by removing Director Comey, taken steps to make that happen.”

    This happened multiple times. You attempted to make a case, and I proved you were 100% wrong. I did this several times.

    Dustin @484, I’ve humiliated you on every level.

    Steve, I’m sorry you’ve taken our discussion this personally, but no, you haven’t even made a point refuting me. You’ve just called me a lot of names and announced your victory a few times.

    I’ll settle for having taken your skull as a trophy. Figuratively speaking of course. But the deed is done. If you had any sense you’d crawl away and hide. But if you had any sense, you wouldn’t be Dustin.

    Steve57

    That’s right, I’m not going away, and you’re not getting the echo chamber you want.

    Now, I don’t do the embarrassing “I just kicked your ass at internet debate” thing you seem to want to do. But I brought the truth and proved your claims to be absolutely false. If you remember you days in the navy, remember your honor and admit when you’re mistaken about something. No, I won’t claim your skull and I won’t say I humiliated you. I don’t take any kind of joy in trying to demean people I disagree with, on the internet or off, and I think people who think that way are stunted emotionally.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  481. Dustin, you’re a joke. What did acting director McCabe testify to, agian?

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  482. That’s right, I’m not going away

    Exactly lie herpes.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  483. @492- The same Fox News that bannered “COMEY RESIGNS.”

    What ailes you, Haiku.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  484. Hey Steve57, remember saying this?

    McCabe testified that the administration has mode no attempt to “impede the investigation to date.” That means from the beginning of time until now.

    You explained that’s why we don’t need a special counsel. I can see why you’re mad that I quoted the administration saying they fired Comey to bring the Russian investigation to an end. I can see why it’s not good for your point that I quoted Trump citing the Russian investigation when he decided to fire Comey.

    when I decided to just do it (fire Comey) I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story.

    No wonder you are begging me to “hide” or face “humiliation”. Not a very mature way to admit you’re wrong though.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  485. @492- The same Fox News that bannered “COMEY RESIGNS.”

    Did they really? Good lord that is embarrassing.

    Dustin, you’re a joke. What did acting director McCabe testify to, agian?

    Steve57

    He made a claim that the White House proved false when the White House said they terminated Comey to bring the Russian investigation to a conclusion faster. In other words, your assertion that McCabe’s claim that the White House has never ever ever never done nothing wrong, was either not well informed, or was not honest. Get this: sometimes those guys in DC are lying. Even when your party is in power.

    I mean, you could just admit you learned something. See how I replied to Beldar and thanked him for correcting me? I guess to you that’s humiliation… these internet discussions sure are serious for you, aren’t they?

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  486. Exactly lie herpes.

    Steve57

    You need to slow down a little in your efforts to liken me to syphilis and herpes, mr “I’ve humiliated you with my ultimate badass smack talk”. It’s amazing how the nicer I am to you, the madder you appear to be getting.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  487. Dustin, I’ve debated Muslims. You’re a rank amateur when it comes to logical fallacies. In particular your favorite, the straw man fallacy.

    I can see why you’re mad that I quoted the administration saying they fired Comey to bring the Russian investigation to an end.

    Yeah. Right.

    No wonder you are begging me to “hide” or face “humiliation”. Not a very mature way to admit you’re wrong though.

    I’m hardly begging you to hide. I said if you had any sense you would hide. But if you had any sense you wouldn’t be Dustin. So I don’t mind beating you like a rented mule.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  488. You are incapable of honesty, Dustin. I said:

    …If you had any sense you’d crawl away and hide. But if you had any sense, you wouldn’t be Dustin.

    Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/11/2017 @ 10:01 pm

    And you act as if I was begging for you to go away, instead of issuing an invitation to stay.

    Oh, and by the way, I’m like this in real life.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  489. Bless your heart.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  490. @503- Yes, they did. Google it: Fox News error- Comey Resigns. And five Fox news pups kept barking, oblivious to the error.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  491. Dustin – Are you related to Sen.Blumenthal of Connecticut?
    You know- the man with stolen valor.

    mg (31009b)

  492. Only shills watch fox news

    mg (31009b)

  493. Dustin – Are you related to Sen.Blumenthal of Connecticut?
    You know- the man with stolen valor.

    mg

    No, for what it’s worth, I served honorably without any interest in exaggerating or lying about it, and have always had a huge problem with that jackass. Do you think that everyone who criticizes how Trump has handled Comey’s termination is similar to Blumenthal? Blumenthal is just using this scandal for partisan points, just as the most panicked of today’s Trump’s fans in this thread only really had a problem with Hillary because she was a democrat and would be defending her till they were blue if she were Team R. I am not wired that way.

    I really wish Trump were the kind of man I could praise more often. His success is important, but his actions are a challenge to the American people to see how much they will let slide. I’m a conservative who has voted almost exclusively republican, but I am very harsh on those Republicans I find to be phony or dishonest, which I think makes me about as opposite of Blumenthal as I can be. I’ve backed up my views with quotes and sources.

    If you think stating a contrary opinion is equal to stealing valor, you’re wrong, to put it kindly.

    @503- Yes, they did. Google it: Fox News error- Comey Resigns. And five Fox news pups kept barking, oblivious to the error.

    DCSCA

    Hilarious. What a joke.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  494. Dustspin

    mg (31009b)

  495. Maxine Waters said she has not seen any direct evidence of election collusion between Trump and the Russians and there are some Democrats who think she’d make America a great President.
    So it must be true.

    During the interview, Maxine says Russia did the hacking on the DNC and other Democrats. Then Waters was asked about evidence of Trump-Russia collusion? She answered, “No we have not.“
    “And that’s why the investigation is so important. To drill down and connect those dots. To get the facts. What we have is a lot of smoke, that causes us to want to know more about what has happened.”

    There is no evidence of collusion, thus we can only conclude that it evidence that is so cleverly hidden we MUST keep looking. Because where there is smoke there is fire. No. The only smoke is coming from the minds of the fevered. The only evidence “uncovered” has been wildly distorted by the Democrats… often by the same Democrats (Sen. Mark Warner, Clintons) who have made millions of dollars collaborating with their Russian contacts.

    steveg (b66960)

  496. From Fox News: “Russian fighter jet comes with 20 feet of US Navy aircraft, official says”

    For now, I’ll only ask where the Russians got 20 feet of U.S. Navy aircraft.

    Here’s the link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/12/russian-fighter-jet-comes-with-20-feet-us-navy-aircraft-official-says.html

    nk (dbc370)

  497. over the black sea

    In a statement issued Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said a Su-30 jet had “executed a ‘greeting’ maneuver” toward the American pilots.

    It added that the fighter had been scrambled after “an air target approaching the Russian state border had been located … above Black Sea neutral waters.”

    The statement said that the U.S. reconnaissance plane subsequently “changed its course to move away from the Russian border.”

    Kunze highlighted that U.S. Navy aircraft and ships routinely interact with Russian vessels and aircraft in international territory.

    The Su-27 approached the P-8A Poseidon while it was “conducting routine operations in international airspace” on Tuesday, according to Capt. Pamela Kunze, a spokeswoman for U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

    She added that the interaction “was considered safe and professional” by the P-8A’s mission commander.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  498. ‘Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Thursday vouched for President Trump’s assertion in a letter to former FBI Director James Comey that he was not under investigation by the FBI.
    Grassley told committee members at an executive meeting that he and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) had met with Comey last week, and that he had briefed them on who the targets of the various investigations are.

    “Senator Feinstein and I heard nothing that contradicted the President’s statement,” he said.’

    Feinstein then said after Grassley’s statement, “I very much appreciate what you’ve said and it’s very accurate, and we were briefed.”

    http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/05/11/senate-judiciary-chairman-confirms-trump-is-not-under-fbi-investigation/

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  499. Maxine Waters, DCSCA, and Dustin hardest hit…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  500. That’s interesting, papertiger, but the question remains: Who is supplying the Russians with 20 feet of US Navy aircraft for their jet fighters to come with?

    nk (dbc370)

  501. Words how do they work?

    narciso (7d6e72)

  502. Waiting for the crow eating.

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  503. Layers and layers of editors.

    nk (dbc370)

  504. More like the chimps working on hamlet.

    narciso (7d6e72)

  505. Yeah, Steven, “crow eating”, because Trump gets so tangled up in his demented rants and lies that a Democrat is needed to provide some clarity.

    nk (dbc370)

  506. nk – at least you were not pushing the impeachment fantasy.

    Did Grassly (R) and Feinstein (D) not just come out and admit that Comey (lying hack of an attorney) confirmed that Trump was not the subject of an investigation regarding ties to Russia?

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  507. Has Comey said word one since he was fired? I’ll answer that: No, he hasn’t.

    So why is Trump kicking him when he’s down? I’ll answer that one, too. Because he wants the distraction from his failures, and from his family’s, in-laws’ and cronies’ dirty dealings.

    nk (dbc370)

  508. the new hyper-politicized comey fbi is sloppy vindictive and unprofessional

    it’s a criminal cartel now led by mccabe and his skeevy wife

    (he’s like medvedev to comey’s putin)

    it’s not like comey has to leak stuff on his own behalf

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  509. NYT, WaPo, CNN, CBS, MSLSD, NBC, ABC, DCSCA, Dustin, etc., purveyors and traffickers of teh Fake News.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  510. 265. SCA (797bc0) — 5/10/2017 @ 1:31 pm

    Comey went to Rosenstein and asked for more resources to step up the Russian/Trump investigation. That’s when the countdown began

    Judging and comparing leaks and arguments, it seems like maybe what happened was that Comey asked for more local prosecutors to be involved in the Russia investigations. (this is the more resources)

    This was turned down by Rosenstein, and why exactly would firing Comey be needed to stop that if Donald Trump wanted to stop that?

    Donald Trump probably did not even know anything about that.

    Sammy Finkelman (3bf6ea)

  511. 259.

    In matters that have already received substantial publicity, or about which the community needs to be reassured that the appropriate law enforcement agency is investigating the incident, or where release of information is necessary to protect the public interest, safety, or welfare, comments about or confirmation of an ongoing investigation may need to be made. In these unusual circumstances, the involved investigative agency will consult and obtain approval from the United States Attorney or Department Division handling the matter prior to disseminating any information to the media.

    Dustin:

    There is no way Trump could know about this investigation without that policy being violated.

    Is Trump a member of the media? This is all about telling the media. The general public.

    When it says a subpoena should not be disclosed, does that non-disclosure include the recipient of the subpoena? Except when third parties are subpoenaed, that’s hardly possible, and there is great opposition to lkeeping subpoeanas secret.

    Trump was told he was not a target of an investigation, and if someone asks that question, DOJ policy is to tell them yes or no.

    Now things have to be pretty far gone for someone to be a target. If they are a target and they don’t tell them, then anything they say may be inadmissible in court.

    Sammy Finkelman (3bf6ea)

  512. He made a claim that the White House proved false when the White House said they terminated Comey to bring the Russian investigation to a conclusion faster. In other words, your assertion that McCabe’s claim that the White House has never ever ever never done nothing wrong, was either not well informed, or was not honest. Get this: sometimes those guys in DC are lying. Even when your party is in power.

    I mean, you could just admit you learned something. See how I replied to Beldar and thanked him for correcting me? I guess to you that’s humiliation… these internet discussions sure are serious for you, aren’t they?

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/11/2017 @ 10:23 pm

    an
    This is just hilarious. You’re sad and pathetic and irrational, Dustin, but you are point and laugh out loud funny. A normal person would conclude that if Trump were trying to impede the Russia investigation the very public firing of Comey and having the assistant WH press secretary announce that was the intention all along is a piss poor way of going about it. Because if that was the intention, it’s not working. As you yourself noted, yesterday the FBI raided offices of a firm in Maryland associated with Paul Manafort.

    You are not a normal person, Dustin. You are a demented idiot.

    Simply because your damaged brain can hear the words of the assistant WH press secretary in a twisted way, that negates reality.

    I mean, you could just admit you learned something.

    Oh, I admit it. I’ve learned a lot, Dustin.

    I’ve never had this much insight into the mind of a mental incompetent.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  513. re: @525:

    Trumps first 100 days:

    * Enacted more legislation and signed more executive orders in the First 100 days than any president in a half century
    * Enacted 28 pieces of legislation, more than any other president since Truman
    * Signed 25 executive orders, the most of any 100 days in over 50 years (will be over 30 by day 100)
    * Achieved first Supreme Court Confirmation in 100 days since 1881
    * Instituted tough immigration policies that have driven illegal border crossings to a 17-year low
    * Removed more job-killing regulations through legislation than any president in U.S. history
    * Estimated savings: $18 billion annually
    * Economic optimism has been renewed, with consumer confidence reaching its highest level in 16 years
    * Ordered the toughest new rules to stop the revolving door between Washington lobbyists and government officials in history

    100 Days of Accomplishments
    Job Creation:
    * Stronger Enforcement of Trade Guidelines
    * Approving Permits for the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines
    * Study Into Using American Material in Future Pipeline Construction
    * Withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
    * Historic Partnership with the Private Sector
    Immigration:
    * Ordering a Freeze and Study of Immigration from Areas Compromised by Terrorism
    * Halting Funding to Sanctuary Cities
    * Increasing Numbers of Immigration Enforcement Personnel
    Public Safety:
    * Establishing Commission on Opioid Crisis
    * Standing with Law Enforcement Officers
    * Creating Task Force on Violent Crime
    * Tackling International Cartels
    National Security:
    * Targeted Strike on Syrian Airfield
    * Travel Restrictions on Select Countries Compromised by Terrorism
    * New Iran Sanctions
    * Calling for Increased Defense Spending in Budget Blueprint
    * Cost Savings on F-35’s
    Cutting Regulations:
    * Energy Independence Executive Order
    * Revocation of Federal Contracting Executive Orders
    * Reexamination of CAFÉ Standards
    * Review of Waters of the United States Rule
    * Creation of Regulatory Task Forces
    * Eliminating Stream Protection Rule
    * Eliminating Regulations on Extraction Companies
    * One-in-Two-Out Regulatory Reform
    * Minimizing Affordable Care Act
    Helping Women/Minorities:
    * HBCU Initiative
    * Canada-United States Council for the Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs
    * Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act
    * Promoting Programs to Engage Women in STEM Fields

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  514. We want this to come to its conclusion, we want it to come to its conclusion with integrity,” said deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders, referring to the FBI’s probe into Moscow’s interference in last year’s election. “And we think that we’ve actually, by removing Director Comey, taken steps to make that happen.”

    Make what happen? The investigation come to a coclusion, or the investigation conclude with integrity? Or both?

    I think she mostly meant the latter.

    That is, firing Comey would make the investigation more honest. Maybe also, if more honest, then over sooner.

    (This would make sense if, for instance, Donald Trump felt that Comey was biased against him. He is supposed to have been disturbed, according to a leak or two, because Comey defended his July 5 statement but apologized for what he did on Oct 27. Did he?)

    Sammy Finkelman (3bf6ea)

  515. Coined the phrase “prime the pump”.

    Is that off his re-election campaign’s website or Alex Jones’?

    nk (dbc370)

  516. In other words, your assertion that McCabe’s claim that the White House has never ever ever never done nothing wrong, was either not well informed, or was not honest.

    In addition to being a demented idiot (I am using these terms correctly) you are a lying sack of excrement. I never asserted any such thing. I accurately relayed McCabe’s testimony. That administration has made no attempt to “impede the investigation to date.”

    That’s a far cry from saying “the White House has never ever ever never done nothing wrong.”

    Please, continue to lie in your demented idiot fashion. Make sure to include in your comments that you imagine you are making me mad or are getting under my skin somehow.

    And I will continue to point and laugh at your looney tune hallucinations.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  517. In addition to being a demented idiot (I am using these terms correctly) you are a lying sack of excrement. I never asserted any such thing.

    Except I quoted you.

    Keep it up, Steve. Maybe throw in some more smack talk now?

    I know you’ve really lost it when a disagreement morphs into your crying over and over and over ‘liar liar!’. You always get there eventually. First bragging, then rambling, finally crying liar.

    I thought you navy guys were tougher than that. If you can’t admit I clearly have my own, honest point of view here, that’s your mental problem and has nothing to do with me. If you wish to explain your views more clearly than the nonsense smack talk, I’m more than happy to let you, but right now you’re just a man-child, crying that your politician is getting criticized.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  518. You know what will help convince me that Trump isn’t doing what Putin wants? When he lifts the ban on the exportation of natural gas to Europe, instead of looking to burn it up on the oilfields or release it into the atmosphere.

    nk (dbc370)

  519. Steven, most of that list is nonsense. There are a couple of good things in that list, but a lot of it represents actual failures.

    Like the Syrian airstrike at the base where Trump’s guys told their Russian masters first, and the airbase was fully operational last the same day. His Muslim ban also made your list, and represents a massive failure.

    A lot of is bad, like the ‘mostest bigliest EOs evar!’

    And a lot of it is wishy washy. ‘Trump calls for this’ ‘Trump creates a group of bureaucrats for that’

    But the funniest part is the ‘ended revolving door’ drain the swamp BS in an administration that directly enriches itself and its family.

    Oddly, you don’t mention nominating a a Supreme Court justice, though like most of your list, that’s not really something Trump accomplished so much as an opportunity he didn’t screw up. But I’d list it as conservatives generally are happy with him and it’s so important.

    When you go through the list you copypasta’d don’t you see how packed with BS and failure it is? I mean, he’s citing economic improvements that mostly occurred in his first month. Is that really Trump’s accomplishment, or does it indicate the baseline for what he inherited is higher? For example, now that consumer confidence has been slipping for a few weeks, is that Trump’s fault? Or do you plan to be like a partisan democrat praising Obama, and every time something blows in a good direction, that’s obviously on the list, but when it’s bad… it’s not his fault. Yeah, of course you’re going to be like that.

    The thing that’s amazed me with Trump’s fans here is just how unnecessarily over the top they are. Not only in their praise of how awesome Trump is, but their nastiness to the guys who just point out the emperor has no clothes on. You guys really think the people who don’t see the clothes are unworthy. It’s totally unconvincing to those who have concerns and criticisms.

    Why bother spending so much time on a style of argument that doesn’t do Trump any good?

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  520. Now things have to be pretty far gone for someone to be a target. If they are a target and they don’t tell them, then anything they say may be inadmissible in court.

    Sammy Finkelman

    If that’s the case, and I recall nk saying it, that’s news to me, and it’s apparently the opposite of the DOJ’s policy on revealing investigations in progress, which I quoted a couple of days ago. I suspect it’s not quite that simple, but the real problem is that no one is above the law.

    At a fundamental level, now that the Trump administration has made clear this termination was about the Russian investigation, I’m frustrated that it does create an above-the-law benefit to Trump and his campaign that the rest of us do not get.

    Trump’s fans have no ground on this. Firing your own investigator is obstructing the investigation. Weaseling around about how this guy isn’t the real investigator conflicts directly with the comments that this firing should get rid of the investigation faster. I could easily throw Trump’s fans a bone and not that we do not yet see any evidence there’s any wrongdoing. We don’t know that this Russian investigation is going anywhere. But of course, that’s another problem, because if Trump really thought he was innocent, and this investigation would never pin him down, why is he so afraid of it continuing? And if it’s because of Comey, why not explain specifically how Comey is mishandling this investigation? Why the BS about how Trump was just following a recommendation, or about the email thing? Why not just say “Comey is handling this Russian investigation really badly in these specific ways”?

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  521. Make what happen? The investigation come to a coclusion, or the investigation conclude with integrity? Or both?

    I think she mostly meant the latter.

    That is, firing Comey would make the investigation more honest. Maybe also, if more honest, then over sooner.

    (This would make sense if, for instance, Donald Trump felt that Comey was biased against him. He is supposed to have been disturbed, according to a leak or two, because Comey defended his July 5 statement but apologized for what he did on Oct 27. Did he?)

    Sammy Finkelman (3bf6ea) — 5/12/2017 @ 7:41 am

    I’m amazed I’m saying this, but you’re making some excellent points these days. There is a way to reconcile Trump’s comments about Comey being a showboat and a grandstander and Rosenstin’s memo about how Comey’s 5 July 2016 press conference (among other issues) violated DoJ/FBI policy. Along with Trump’s comments that Comey wasn’t doing a good job.

    Basically, Trump thought Comey was a drama queen. That he liked being the center of press attention too much. Hence the bizarre press conference. And this was actually interfering with the conduct of an investigation.

    So rather than trying to impede the investigation, Trump fired Comey to remove an impediment. And the fewer impediments, the quicker an investigation can be concluded.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  522. 1. He testified that the work of the FBI goes on regardless of circumstances.
    2. That he met with the President and the Russia investigation never came up.
    3. That there has been no attempt by the administration to interfere with the investigation.

    Steve57’s own words in this thread, which I summarized as Steve claiming no wrongdoing occurred obstructing the investigation, and then proved untrue with the administration admitting they fired Comey to end the investigation faster.

    Steve57 was 100% wrong and instead of just admitting his error started squealing liar liar. Because I quoted Steve57. And that is why he’s resorting to frothing at the mouth amid repeated Trump style goofball denials that he’s not at all mad.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  523. I invited you to continue to continue to lie in your demented idiot fashion, and as if my wish were your command, Dustin, you do!

    Except I quoted you.

    As if nobody can do the hard work of scrolling up to my comment @7:47 where I copied your statement into my comment and exposed you as a liar. You did not quote me.

    This is what I mean about you being a liar and a demented idiot. And point and laugh hilarious.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  524. So rather than trying to impede the investigation, Trump fired Comey to remove an impediment. And the fewer impediments, the quicker an investigation can be concluded.

    Steve57

    Steve57 admits Trump fired Comey over the Russia investigation, with some of the weakest spin imaginable, that they just thought the guy investigating them wasn’t good enough at it.

    But it’s ridiculous to think that firing Comey could have any effect on the FBI’s investigation.

    That’s your comment above in this thread. You said the exact opposite thing above, that it’s “ridiculous” to think what you’re now claiming, that this firing has a positive effect on the investigation.

    I think if you spent more time concentrating on making points clearly, and less time screaming at me like cat I stepped on, you wouldn’t make these basic mistakes, Steve57.

    But please keep going on, explaining how I’m a super-liar to quote your own words, and how I’m super humiliated and an idiot and a Muslim arguer or whatever the hell you were rambling about.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  525. As if nobody can do the hard work of scrolling up to my comment @7:47 where I copied your statement into my comment and exposed you as a liar. You did not quote me.

    Yeah I’ve quoted you repeatedly. You used McCabe’s testimony to claim that the administration made no attempt to affect the investigation. But the administration contradicted this claim. And actually so did you. You could clarify your comment or admit that you’re changing your mind due to Trump’s poor message discipline changing their narrative, but no, instead you resort to screaming more insults and calling me a liar.

    It’s not my fault you changed your story, and my arguments were brought in good faith. You may not agree with me, but I’m only explaining my honest point of view. There’s really no need or benefit to being so angry, so personally insulting, and pretending I was lying when I just quoted you. If you would like to explain how you meant something else, just do that instead of acting like a manchild.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  526. Just so everyone knows, when I call Dustin a demented idiot it’s not a gratuitous insult. I am using the terms accurately to describe him.

    de·ment·ed
    [dəˈmen(t)əd]
    ADJECTIVE

    suffering from dementia.
    informal
    driven to behave irrationally due to anger, distress, or excitement:
    “a demented, dangerous, and sadistic Mafioso”

    id·i·ot
    [ˈidēət]
    NOUN

    informal
    a stupid person.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  527. I’m amazed I’m saying this, but you’re making some excellent points these days.

    It’s not amazing at all. Before, when you were nasty to him, he was disagreeing with you. Now that he’s offering something useful to you, he’s great. Instead of caring about the ideas, you take everything personally. Much like the president you are fawning over, your attitude changes at the drop of a hat from enemy to friend to enemy based on someone’s opinions either supporting you or opposing you.

    You’ve been nastier to Sammy than most, not that you would ever admit a mistake. Admitting you’re wrong takes character. Squawking ugliness for hours and hours like you’ve been doing does not take character.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  528. Earth to Dustin @542, try to follow simple logic. FBI is an acronym that means Federal Bureau of Investigation. They do investigations. Plural. I never said Trump fired Comey over a single investigation. I said Comey was an impediment to the core mission of the FBI.

    Now, return to your crack pipe.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  529. He and his motivation are above reproach. Just ask him.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  530. Just so everyone knows, when I call Dustin a demented idiot it’s not a gratuitous insult. I am using the terms accurately to describe him.

    de·ment·ed
    [dəˈmen(t)əd]
    ADJECTIVE

    suffering from dementia.
    informal
    driven to behave irrationally due to anger, distress, or excitement:
    “a demented, dangerous, and sadistic Mafioso”

    id·i·ot
    [ˈidēət]
    NOUN

    informal
    a stupid person.

    Steve57

    Yeah, that’s the best Steve57 has. I quote Steve57 twice, saying two exactly opposite things. The most classic form of proving his point of view is absurd, a logical form used since Socrates.

    Steve quotes a dictionary definition of an insult, like a 13 year old on facebook, claiming I have dementia.

    It’s OK Steve57, I’m not mad or anything, and in fact I forgive you. You’re still welcome to that beer anytime you’re around, because I know you wouldn’t behave like this anywhere but the internet, and you’re so upset because on some level you’re panicked about Trump’s behavior. I’ve had politicians I like let me down before too, and the lesson to take is not to be angry at citizens criticizing your politician harshly. That’s just America being America and it’s healthy. Learn to not fawn over politicians. They aren’t worth it, steve, and for all your smack talk, I realize you’re not having a lot of fun being nasty… only a psychopath would delight in demeaning other people.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  531. Maybe you should think about taking an ESL course, Dustin.

    Basically, Trump thought Comey was a drama queen. That he liked being the center of press attention too much. Hence the bizarre press conference. And this was actually interfering with the conduct of an investigation.

    So rather than trying to impede the investigation, Trump fired Comey to remove an impediment. And the fewer impediments, the quicker an investigation can be concluded.

    An investigation, Dustin. As in any investigation. It’s a different word than “the.”

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  532. An investigation, Dustin. As in any investigation. It’s a different word than “the.”

    Steve57

    Hahaha, oh man this is great Steve57. You’re really trying hard.

    You were talking about one specific investigation. You used singular nouns and verbs.

    Your original position was

    But it’s ridiculous to think that firing Comey could have any effect on the FBI’s investigation.

    Call me liar all you want, but you said that. I’m just quoting you.

    Earth to Dustin @542, try to follow simple logic. FBI is an acronym that means Federal Bureau of Investigation. They do investigations. Plural.

    Yeah, but you, Steve57, claimed that firing Comey would not have any effect on this investigation. In fact you said it was “ridiculous” to believe it could. In that same comment you complain about the demand for a special counsel. This special counsel is a direct reference to the investigation of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. You were talking about the Russia investigation. You were not talking about ‘all FBI investigations’.

    You then said

    So rather than trying to impede the investigation, Trump fired Comey to remove an impediment. And the fewer impediments, the quicker an investigation can be concluded.

    Steve57

    In other words, your new point of view is not that it’s ridiculous that removing Comey has any impact on the investigation, but rather removing Comey has an impact on the Russian investigation that you are pleased by. You do not specify anything to explain this. You don’t know how Comey has slowed down the Russian investigation. It’s not like he’s having press conferences about it. That’s Trump doing that.

    But now a third flip flop on this one damn sentence. Now you weren’t even talking about any particular investigation, just all of them. But in English we put the letter “S” on the end of words and use plural indefinite articles to indicate we are talking about broad categories, and you used the singular “an” and singular “investigation”.

    In other words, you clearly were talking about “the investigation.”

    If I wanted to change my argument, I wouldn’t contradict myself and then cover it up with flooding a thread with insults. I would just say “I’ve changed my mind.” Steve57, you’ll be a better man if you develop the character to admit a) when you don’t know and b) when you realize you were mistaken. You seem to think you’re a better man for never doing so.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  533. He and his motivation are above reproach. Just ask him.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

    See, this is an invitation to admit my faults and biases, in good faith, to a dishonest troll who would never reciprocate that good faith, never answer a direct question or challenge to his point of view, and like Steve57, responds to flaws in his argument with page after page of dumb insults.

    But yeah, of course I’m very biased against Trump. From the way he spoke of ditching his wife, to groping those women, to peering in on the underage models… the way he went after Cruz’s family… the nastiness he’s shown so many working class Americans in lawfare, kicking veterans out of businesses, tearing down someone’s family home for a limo parking lot, bashing POWs and dodging the draft, committing fraud after fraud, and going from being such a devoted fan and friend to the Clintons, showing them with cash for favors, then flipping to demanding prison for Hillary, and then flipping back to praising her before flip flopping on many other promises… And now using his position to personally enrich himself to the tune of millions of taxdollars.

    You could say that all built up to bias against Trump. I have praised Trump where I can, but for the most part, I do not trust him, and when there’s a situation like this, I am informed by Trump’s history of dishonesty. While Comey has screwed up plenty, I’ve never seen him act without integrity the way Trump has lived his life.

    I honestly would prefer Trump be impeached, but I do not think promoting this story does anything to bring that far-fetched hope about.

    so now that I’ve been honest, Haiku, what about your motivations? Care to have some character today? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  534. You really have no idea who and what I am, Dustin.

    First, I can politely disagree with someone. As long as their position is coherent. I was a naval intelligence officer for twenty years and I knew my interpretation of the intel wasn’t always correct, and other people could look at the same data and validly arrive at at different conclusion.

    Your positions are incoherent. I’ve pointed that out. Yet you persist. You are married to your incoherence. So if that’s how you want to be all I can do is point, laugh and mock.

    You’re still welcome to that beer anytime you’re around, because I know you wouldn’t behave like this anywhere but the internet

    Again, you don’t know me. I can be provoked to be just as obnoxious in real life.

    I was raised by a USCG Senior Chief. An Italian Senior Chief. I don’t know if you’ve ever spent much time around Chief Petty Officers but they can be, uhh, blunt.

    I remember going through Shipboard Security Engagement Tactics with a Senior Chief. Somehow we got on the subject of what we liked best about the Navy. “It’s the only job in the world where you trade a bag of dirty laundry for some p**sy” he roars happily.

    Then I honed my social skills on the Rugby field, hunting Alaska with BLM surveyors, and being the designated weak sister in naval aviation. A role I refused to play.

    All I’m going to say about my rugby career is that it’s proof positive I’m ready to give blood, get my teeth knocked out, have my ear ripped off if that’s what it’s going to take to win. I was 15, and we were playing a black team in a lousy part of town. We were all white. And every time we got near the sidelines or endzones the parents would say, “White boy, we gonna cut you up.”

    It just motivated me to hit harder. That was my way of giving them the finger.

    By the time I got to AOCS I could take whatever the DI’s threw at me in stride. In fact, my DI told me he thought I’d make a good naval intel officer weeks before it was at all clear I’d even graduate. Not that the issue was much in doubt. Have you met my DI, Dustin?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=415HQ1t2ZNI

    Pressure Point (1990)

    He was not really quite that nice in real life. Any names I’ve called you, Dustin, I’ve been called worse. Also AOCS provided me the opportunity to show the Marines that a couple of butt strokes with an M1 Garand to my ribs ain’t gonna stop me. Gunny Holt, the man in the video, would never do that. Nor would he tolerate it if he knew about it. But he wasn’t the only DI I had interaction with.

    When I got to fleet my first tour was with a fighter squadron. The aviators could be just brutal if you make a mistake. Some of my memorable lowlights. I don’t remember exactly the subject of the briefing, but one of my seniors asked a question in front of a pretty large audience. I didn’t know the answer. I told him, “I don’t know, sir.” He sneers at me, “Why don’t you go back to the people who tell you what to think and ask them.” It was something I should have known. I didn’t do my homework. I learned from that.

    Later, as the carrier approached the then USSR I was was briefing my squadron on “the threat.” So I’m briefing them on the Tu-16 Badger bomber and I mention the forward firing 23mm cannons. One of the aviators stops me and asks me if I know what those cannon are for. I make a guess, “Strafing?”

    They laugh and point. It took months for me to live that down. Now it can be told since the Badger has been retired (although a derivative remains in service with the Chinese). It’s for forward firing chaff.

    But I didn’t fold up in the fetal position and suck my thumb. I gave as good as I got. I used to make fun of the S-3 squadron during the cyclic ops briefs (we had a shipboard TV station, and the cyclic ops briefs went to all the ready rooms) I’d deliberately mispronounce their squadron’s name, and how how the Tomcat fighters had found more submarines, and they were only good for fetching mail and refueling more useful aircraft. I’d remind them that even though they were jet aircraft they were too slow to intercept a Tu-95/142 Bear bomber.

    Finally the XO of the S-3 squadron comes charging into mission planning while I’m finishing the briefing and starts raging at the airwing intel officer. So they take it to the Airwing Commander, who tells the S-3 squadron XO to go douche and get over it. It turned out, as I learned later, the CAG (the revered WWII acronym for what later turned into the airwing commander) was of similar opinion. If the S-3s couldn’t carry mail or refuel actually useful aircraft he wouldn’t have them on his deck. And I never had a problem with the S-3 guys, all of whom wanted to by flying a different type, because they’d launch and the shock would cause their systems to crash. And by they time they had got all their systems back on line it was time to recover.

    So while I drove the CO, XO, and a few department heads crazy, most of the squadron agreed with me. The Navy retired the S-3 in 2009, and I sincerely hope the former S-3 guys have gone onto more satisfying careers.

    Moving on, to give you an idea what BLM surveyors, Alaska type, are like, I refer you to my friend Jon. He was also a naval intelligence officer, and it was really through him that I was immersed in the culture and fine-tuned my social skills.

    I was throwing a party at my Yokohama apartment. An acquaintance of ours was their with his girlfriend. She was a lovely girl. And it was his idea that they were going to climb Denali on their own. We tried to talk him out of it. He had climbed a few mountains before. Anyone familiar with the industry will know what I’m about to say is true. There are services that you can contract with which will haul your @$$ to the top of Everest, if that’s what you want.

    But that doesn’t make you a mountaineer.

    He just didn’t have the experience to take on Denali. To make a long story short they tried. They were roped together and he passed out, dragging her down with him. I don’t remember how far they fell but it was a long way. She was killed. Another climbing party, a better prepared party, had a doctor with them and saved his life but couldn’t save his fingers and toes. He lost them all.

    So Jon is visiting him in an Anchorage hospital. After the pleasantries an awkward silence ensues. Jon didn’t want to say, “I told you so.” The guy is already feeling like s*** for killing his girlfriend, and the local press is excoriating him.

    So he says, “Hey, can I have your climbing gear. You don’t need it anymore.”

    He told me later, “Steve, I didn’t know what else to say.”

    Back to naval aviation. One of my personal heroes is Aaron Katz. A Jew who as a kid who suffered from astigmatism and given his eyesight and the attitudes of the times nobody believed could become a naval aviator. He proved them wrong. Attention to citation:

    KATZ, AARON
    Citation:
    The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Aaron Katz, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign on 24 August 1942. In an unsupported aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese task force, Ensign Katz pressed home his attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries. He contributed to the relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage which enabled his squadron to score one certain hit and two estimated hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. His superb airmanship and unyielding devotion to duty aided greatly in the defeat of a persistent foe and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)
    Born: January 13, 1917 at Cleveland, Ohio
    Home Town: Shaker Heights, Ohio

    His CO, Swede Larson was a died in the wool anti-Semite. He later mellowed in old age (Swede Larson had his good qualities which can’t be denied) which tells me all sins can be forgiven. But at the time he kept referring to Katz as his “Brooklyn Indian” and other derogatory terms. And this didn’t bother Katz at all. As he said later, he preferred his anti-semitism straight up. Not hidden.

    What I owe you, Dustin, is my opinion. Good and hard. Deal with it.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  535. Steve57, can you explain this then? Bound to hit the news in the next hour or so.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  536. Raise yo9r hand if you find Dustin’s fesces flinging persuasive.

    Until I encountered Dustin I had never encountered anyone over the age of 3 who could be given a connet-the-dots childrens’ book and get every page wrong.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  537. Dustin… at the end of this matter, I’ll stand by what I wrote, all of my opinions. When you are proven to have made baseless allegations, rumor-mongered and beclowned yourself, I’ll expect you to own up to it.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  538. … at the end of this matter

    Amusing, coronello. What is this matter, and do you expect it end?

    I don’t. Whatever “it” is it will last the rest of my life.

    Fine.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  539. Dustin… at the end of this matter, I’ll stand by what I wrote, all of my opinions. When you are proven to have made baseless allegations, rumor-mongered and beclowned yourself, I’ll expect you to own up to it.

    Colonel Haiku

    I do not expect anything resembling integrity from you. Also, you have supported and championed a dishonest and corrupt presidency, doing all you could to smear those who told the truth. It doesn’t matter if you own up… and I’ve asked you to own up to racial remarks you’ve made in the past and you simply lied… who the hell do you think you are to talk about owning up to one’s remarks?

    What specifically have I alleged that you would like me to “own up to” when it’s proven false? Please quote what I said and assert it is untrue.

    Raise yo9r hand if you find Dustin’s fesces flinging persuasive.

    Until I encountered Dustin I had never encountered anyone over the age of 3 who could be given a connet-the-dots childrens’ book and get every page wrong.

    Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/12/2017 @ 11:28 am

    You’re just screaming hate at me. Why? What have I ever done to you? I’m not even disrespectful to you. I just warned you that Trump will make a chump out of his conservative supporters.

    I quoted your remarks and explained how they contradicted each other despite your angry hyperventilating outrage on both ends of the contradiction. You proceeded to make some of the most absurd defenses possible. A man of character would not respond with such poor impulse control, but instead would admit his mistaken views and thank me for teaching you.

    Anyway, you are welcome, son.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  540. Still waiting for the house ethics committee to make sure the timing is right when they charge adam p o schiff and jackie speirer of disclosing classified info when going after President Trump.

    mg (31009b)

  541. Anyway, you are welcome, son.

    Dustin (ba94b2) — 5/12/2017 @ 1:43 pm

    Aww, this is cute. Someone, take a picture.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  542. only a catastrophe if your a critter of the swamp

    mg (31009b)

  543. Aww, this is cute. Someone, take a picture.

    Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/12/2017 @ 1:49 pm

    No, I was serious, son. You’re welcome. I’ve been really patient to a childish brat, and most people would not bother.

    Cheers!

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  544. Ok, Dustin. You go girl!

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  545. Dustin… you are a twa+waffle of the First Order. Despite that – and you’re ongoing playing of the race card – you will still be expected to man up and own your asshattery when this blows over.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  546. You must own all of your asshattery vis-a-vis the Comey firing, Dustin. There is waaaayyyy too much to quote.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  547. Dustin… you are a twa+waffle of the First Order. Despite that – and you’re ongoing playing of the race card – you will still be expected to man up and own your asshattery when this blows over.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6) — 5/12/2017 @ 1:59 pm

    You seem pretty worked up.

    My criticisms of Trump aren’t going anywhere and I’m very proud to have been offering them for a long time… they have aged well. It’s not like I’m walking away from them. You know I never lie about my views, and I am quick to admit I am mistaken and even apologize.

    If you are a fan of owning up, did you lie about leaving racially charged sockpuppet remarks? You’re a fan of owning up now. Own up, Haiku! Let’s hear how serious you are. I seem to recall that even after the mods proved you were lying, you had some kind of “not the meaning of is” BS, instead of just owning up. If you recall, as soon as you lied, I apologized for my error. I owned up… even though it turned out I was right and you were simply being dishonest. Who the hell is Haiku to challenge anyone on accepting responsibility for what they write here? What a bizarre thing for you, of all people, to change the subject to. But I’m always DELIGHTED to talk about this, for hours. Thank you for opening the door.

    Ok, Dustin. You go girl!

    Steve57 (0b1dac) — 5/12/2017 @ 1:58 pm

    There’s nothing feminine or masculine about having character, admitting mistakes, and showing respect to others. It’s a matter of maturity, not gender. You’re welcome to this respect even if you do not return it. I treat you the way I would want to be treated, and I do not answer your ugliness in kind, but you are behaving like a child when you respond to my points showing the flaw in your argument by screeching insults at me. It’s not just disrespectful of me, it’s disrespectful of yourself.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  548. You must own all of your asshattery vis-a-vis the Comey firing, Dustin. There is waaaayyyy too much to quote.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:02 pm

    Can you quote… any? What specifically am I supposed to own up to.

    And stop dodging. Own up to your own conduct. Didn’t you lie to everyone? About whether you wrote those offensive comments? I know the alt-right hates us middle eastern guys but why not own up.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  549. You must own all of your asshattery vis-a-vis the Comey firing, Dustin. There is waaaayyyy too much to quote.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:02 pm

    He won’t own up to it. But look at the upside. Years of fun dredging it back up.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  550. Dustin… all I expect to hear from you are apologies for your asshattery re: this issue when you are proven wrong. You owe it to readers of this site and I also think it will help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  551. These threads speak for themselves, Haiku – as they always do. Don’t take the relative lack of repudiation on these pages as an endorsement of your tactics. The fact is that you and your scumbag, water-carrying, ankle-grabbing cohort have driven most of the decent people away from this blog, or at least from this section of it. You are utterly toxic – the perfect spokesman for Trump.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  552. He’s ill, Steve. One must bear that in mind.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6)

  553. Lol. Leftists complaining that the decent people have been driven from the boards.

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3)

  554. These threads speak for themselves, Haiku – as they always do. Don’t take the relative lack of repudiation on these pages as an endorsement of your tactics. The fact is that you and your scumbag, water-carrying, ankle-grabbing cohort have driven most of the decent people away from this blog, or at least from this section of it. You are utterly toxic – the perfect spokesman for Trump.

    Leviticus (efada1) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:14 pm

    Hell, they demanded I leave, or as they said “hide”.

    It is depressing. This group of trolls have run off so many great commenters just by being nasty nasty nasty nasty. Read Steve’s long winded nonsense, comment after comment, because he’s so mad someone actually showed up to have the other point of view.w

    Dustin… all I expect to hear from you are apologies for your asshattery re: this issue when you are proven wrong. You owe it to readers of this site and I also think it will help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:13 pm

    Thanks for making your demands that I own up to my comments, but you have refused to quote what exactly I’m to own up to. So far, Trump has completely vindicated my point of view and it’s you who needs to own up, but you’ll NEVER own up to ANYTHING.

    For example, I just asked you to own up to lying about your sockpuppeted racism. And you ignored me. You talk about what I owe to the “readers of this site”, like you give a crap about this blog, and demand I own up to something, but you are a moral coward, and cannot live up to your own standards. You push this Alinksy thing where you have one set of rules for yourself, your honestly, and for those who disagree with you, they owe the readers all this stuff you won’t live up to.

    So Haiku, OWN UP. Live up to your OWN DEMANDS.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  555. @569. Waste of electrons, L.

    Queeg’s sick. And sooner or later, the ship of state will steam into that typhoon.

    But whadda show!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  556. Lol. Leftists complaining that the decent people have been driven from the boards.

    Steven Malynn (d29fc3) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:16 pm

    So you’re complaining that this is conservative blog with someone who has a different point of view, and somehow this undermines his completely accurate point that those with different points of view are shoved off this blog by ugliness?

    It is very tedious to try to have a conversation here. It’s not that my feelings are hurt by yet another childish troll on the internet, but just sifting through the sheer volume of crap the Trump fans put out these days makes conversations much more difficult.

    Haiku and the like have ruined this blog. We’ve all seen it. We’ve watched so many great folks just stop coming here.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  557. I think capt. frosty aka Sen. ed markey will be heading up a two fold investigation into whether Trump had thousand island dressing or {{{{RUSSIAN}}}} dressing. And why did he get two scoops of ice cream?
    note-markey was once a ice cream truck perv.

    mg (31009b)

  558. The reason I asked Haiku to point out what, specifically I would need to own up to is that I don’t think I’ve actually said anything that can’t stand the test of time. Even if the investigation turns up nothing and this “blows over”, it was wrong for the president to fire Comey because of the Russian investigation. And no matter what lies they come up with, Trump has made it clear this was the reason.

    Haiku, of course, waved his hands at my first request, refusing to quote anything.

    My other request for Haiku was out of a sense of fairness. He is the most toxic troll I’ve ever interacted with, just enough of a suck-up that if you don’t know what he’s talking about, you miss a lot of his references, but he’s a real creep. For him to demand people own up to their mistakes in commenting, after he lied about even authoring something that crossed the line, really is worth noting. Of course I am not surprised Haiku has ignored me simply asking him to live up to his standards. He is a troll and has run off a lot of good commenters.

    Dustin (ba94b2)

  559. I miss Duh Biden

    mg (31009b)

  560. 538. He wasn’t investigating Trump personally, but peole Trump had hired or accepted advice or other help from.

    Sammy Finkelman (3bf6ea)

  561. These threads speak for themselves, Haiku – as they always do. Don’t take the relative lack of repudiation on these pages as an endorsement of your tactics. The fact is that you and your scumbag, water-carrying, ankle-grabbing cohort have driven most of the decent people away from this blog, or at least from this section of it. You are utterly toxic – the perfect spokesman for Trump.
    Leviticus (efada1) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:14 pm

    Do you mind if I have somebody embroider this so I can hang this on my wall?

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  562. Yep, he’s a peach 🍑

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  563. You should embroider it yourself, Steve. A new hobby.

    Leviticus (cc120d)

  564. I am trying to learn to weld and also also to read Arabic. So, Leviticus, an additional hobby might be a burden.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  565. Just another leftwing ninnie.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  566. I just figured you were retired.

    Leviticus (cc120d)

  567. Both of you, actually, but Steve specifically.

    Leviticus (cc120d)

  568. Wrong, as usual.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  569. He’s ill, Steve. One must bear that in mind.
    Colonel Haiku (34bcc6) — 5/12/2017 @ 2:14 pm

    I try to keep this in mind. But still there are times to be blunt. “You need fookin help!”

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  570. I am never retired, if that’s an issue.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  571. Rome suffered through Nero and Caligula.
    America has it’s Trump.

    After nearly 241 years, it was inevitable one of the sick rats would get all the way through the maze.

    DCSCA (797bc0)


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