[guest post by Dana]

Looking to generate some sympathy before his upcoming rape trial, the disgraced movie mogul who has been accused of sexual assault or harassment by more than 80 women, petulantly whined in his first interview in more than a year that he deserves credit for his support of women, because he is a delusional bastard:

“I feel like the forgotten man,’’ the 67-year-old alleged rapist griped last week.

“I made more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker, and I’m talking about 30 years ago. I’m not talking about now when it’s vogue. I did it first! I pioneered it!” he bragged.

“It all got eviscerated because of what happened,’’ Weinstein said bitterly. “My work has been forgotten.’’

[…]

“I want this city to recognize who I was instead of what I’ve become”[.]

In response, 23 of his accusers released a formal statement reassuring Weinstein that he’ll certainly be remembered – just not in the way what he hoped:

“Harvey Weinstein is trying to gaslight society again,” the women say in the statement, provided to the Los Angeles Times. “He says in a new interview he doesn’t want to be forgotten. Well, he won’t be. He will be remembered as a sexual predator and an unrepentant abuser who took everything and deserves nothing. He will be remembered by the collective will of countless women who stood up and said enough. We refuse to let this predator rewrite his legacy of abuse.”

And then there are these choice words from Rose McGowan, one his fiercest and unrelenting accusers:

I didn’t forget you, Harvey. My body didn’t forget you. I wish it could. I refused to sign an NDA after it happened because I knew I would come for you. And I did. This is about stopping a prolific rapist. You.

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) December 16, 2019

There is no doubt that Weinstein is a sick, delusional bastard, as evidenced by his belief that years of sexual harassment, assault, and the denigration of women should be ignored, or at the very least, pale in comparison to what he considers his good works on behalf of women. And yet the ghastly irony is, the very community from whom he demands recognition is the very same community that willingly looked the other way – for decades – as Weinstein preyed upon its members.

(Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.)

–Dana

[guest post by Dana]

James Comey admits that he was “wrong” about the bureau’s use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in the Russia investigation:

“He’s right, I was wrong,” Comey told host Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.” “I was overconfident in the procedures that the FBI and Justice had built over 20 years. I thought they were robust enough. It’s incredibly hard to get a FISA.”

“He’s right: There was real sloppiness,” Comey added.

President Trump’s reaction to Comey’s admission:

So now Comey’s admitting he was wrong. Wow, but he’s only doing so because he got caught red handed. He was actually caught a long time ago. So what are the consequences for his unlawful conduct. Could it be years in jail? Where are the apologies to me and others, Jim?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2019

More from their exchange:

Chris Wallace: Horowitz says it wasn’t part — as you told Bret Baier — it wasn’t part of a broader mosaic. He said it played an essential role in establishing probable cause. In fact, he says, if it hadn’t been for the Steele dossier, the FBI probably would haven’t even submitted a FISA application — that it had been reviewed in April of 2016 — or August, rather, of 2016 — they decided not to do it. They get the Steele dossier. They do it. It wasn’t part of a broader mosaic. That’s what you said, sir.

James Comey: I’m not sure he and I are saying different things. What his report says is that the FBI thought it was a close call until they got the Steele report, put that additional information in, and that tipped it over to be probable cause. It’s a long FISA application. It includes Steele material and lots of other material. I don’t think we’re saying different things.

Chris Wallace: Well, I think you are, sir, because he’s saying — you’re saying it’s part of a broader mosaic; it’s just one element. He’s saying it was the tipping point. It’s what brought it over. That doesn’t make it part of a broader mosaic; it makes it the centerpiece of the whole FISA application and the ability to surveil Carter Page.

James Comey: Yeah. I don’t understand it to be saying that. I could be wrong about that —

Chris Wallace: Well, I’ve just — I’ve got his —

James Comey: — I understand —

Chris Wallace: — quote here. He says, “We concluded the Steele reporting played a central and essential role in the decision to seek a FISA warrant, that it pushed the FISA proposal over the line in terms of establishing probable cause.” I mean, he says —

James Comey: Yeah.

Chris Wallace: — what he says. Words mean something.

James Comey: Yeah. And I agree with his characterization. I’m just confused — I no — I don’t see the disconnect between the two of us. And I’m sorry that I’m missing it.

Here is the full interview with Chris Wallace and James Comey:

(Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.)

–Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Why, yes, I think he did: sexism, ageism, and identity politics in one fell swoop::

…Obama declared at the private event, “Now women, I just want you to know; you are not perfect, but what I can say pretty indisputably is that you’re better than us.”

“I’m absolutely confident that for two years if every nation on earth was run by women, you would see a significant improvement across the board on just about everything… living standards and outcomes,” he expressed, adding, “If you look at the world and look at the problems it’s usually old people, usually old men, not getting out of the way.”

“It is important for political leaders to try and remind themselves that you are there to do a job, but you are not there for life,” he continued. “You are not there in order to prop up your own sense of self importance or your own power.”

Obama giving a speech about how women should rule because men drool is a bit rich given that he sure didn’t step aside in 2008 so that a female candidate he insultingly dismissed as “likable enough,” could become the first female Democratic presidential nominee. But if you consider that his recent comments also included taking a shot across the bow of Joe Biden (77 years old) and Bernie Sanders (78 years old), it all makes sense. Elizabeth Warren, grinning like the Cheshire cat this morning…

(Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.)

–Dana