"That's close to a spy."
He then referenced what we used to do to spies, but didn't say. He didn't talk about the penalty for being "close to a spy."
U.S. Politics
Re: U.S. Politics
He then referenced what we used to do to spies, but didn't say. He didn't talk about the penalty for being "close to a spy."
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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Another backfire, and this is a huge one.
Politico
January 11, 2017 (just days before Trump was to be inaugurated)
By Kenneth P. Vogel and David Stern
Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump backfire
Go read it before Politico takes it down. Extremely long.
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/ ... ire-233446
Democrats are the undisputed Champions of Unintended Consequences.
Another backfire, and this is a huge one.
Politico
January 11, 2017 (just days before Trump was to be inaugurated)
By Kenneth P. Vogel and David Stern
Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump backfire
Yes, Politico. In their zeal to implicate Trump in the now false and debunked Russia Collusion narrative with the rest of the fake media, they expose the Hillary campaign working with Ukraine to dig up dirt on Trump.Kiev officials are scrambling to make amends with the president-elect after quietly working to boost Clinton.
Donald Trump wasn’t the only presidential candidate whose campaign was boosted by officials of a former Soviet bloc country. Ukrainian government officials tried to help Hillary Clinton and undermine Trump by publicly questioning his fitness for office. They also disseminated documents implicating a top Trump aide in corruption and suggested they were investigating the matter, only to back away after the election. And they helped Clinton’s allies research damaging information on Trump and his advisers, a Politico investigation found.
A Ukrainian-American operative who was consulting for the Democratic National Committee met with top officials in the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington in an effort to expose ties between Trump, top campaign aide Paul Manafort and Russia, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation.
The Ukrainian efforts had an impact in the race, helping to force Manafort’s resignation and advancing the narrative that Trump’s campaign was deeply connected to Ukraine’s foe to the east, Russia. But they were far less concerted or centrally directed than Russia’s alleged hacking and dissemination of Democratic emails.
Go read it before Politico takes it down. Extremely long.
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/ ... ire-233446
Democrats are the undisputed Champions of Unintended Consequences.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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And more ...
The GET TRUMP "Quid pro quo" accusation is already falling apart -- along with justification for Trump's discussion regarding alleged criminal activities of the Bidens in the Ukraine.
1. Ukraine has said that they were never aware that funds had been withheld by Trump. It was never communicated. The decision to withhold the funds had been made a month BEFORE the phone call to the Ukraine president and not communicated.
There was no discussion of the funds in the phone call.
2. The new president of Ukraine says that he didn't know the funds had been withheld by the US until a month AFTER the phone call with Trump.
Again, there was no discussion of the funds in the phone call.
3. Did you know that there is a treaty between the US and the Ukraine that involves cooperation in prosecuting crimes? Trump was following the law and the treaty signed in 1999 and promoted by President Bill Clinton.
The treaty specifically states that the two countries will participate together "on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters . . . in order to counter criminal activities more effectively."
In summary, Trump's inquiries were lawful.
That said, the goal of Democrats has always been to impeach Trump no matter what. Dems are trying desperately to get out ahead of the Inspector General's report on the FISA warrants and the investigation being conducted by Bill Barr and John Durham. That's also why Democrats are constantly trying to discredit Barr -- to taint his report.
And more ...
The GET TRUMP "Quid pro quo" accusation is already falling apart -- along with justification for Trump's discussion regarding alleged criminal activities of the Bidens in the Ukraine.
1. Ukraine has said that they were never aware that funds had been withheld by Trump. It was never communicated. The decision to withhold the funds had been made a month BEFORE the phone call to the Ukraine president and not communicated.
There was no discussion of the funds in the phone call.
2. The new president of Ukraine says that he didn't know the funds had been withheld by the US until a month AFTER the phone call with Trump.
Again, there was no discussion of the funds in the phone call.
3. Did you know that there is a treaty between the US and the Ukraine that involves cooperation in prosecuting crimes? Trump was following the law and the treaty signed in 1999 and promoted by President Bill Clinton.
The treaty specifically states that the two countries will participate together "on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters . . . in order to counter criminal activities more effectively."
In summary, Trump's inquiries were lawful.
That said, the goal of Democrats has always been to impeach Trump no matter what. Dems are trying desperately to get out ahead of the Inspector General's report on the FISA warrants and the investigation being conducted by Bill Barr and John Durham. That's also why Democrats are constantly trying to discredit Barr -- to taint his report.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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Another NY Times story gets blown up.
NY Times claimed that Trump was putting pressure on Australia to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia hoax through Australia -- specifically through Alexander Downer.
Well now there's something that threw a big old box of hammers into that story.
A letter has emerged from Australia's Ambassador Joe Hockey to William Barr:
The DOJ has said since the story appeared in the NY Times that all "the countries have been helpful. There was no pressing required.”
Fox News release from DOJ spox:
WaPo:
WaPo:
Democrats don't have much time left. They've got to get their impeachment vote done in the House (even though it goes nowhere), so they can start trying to discredit Barr and his investigation.
Another NY Times story gets blown up.
NY Times claimed that Trump was putting pressure on Australia to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia hoax through Australia -- specifically through Alexander Downer.
Well now there's something that threw a big old box of hammers into that story.
A letter has emerged from Australia's Ambassador Joe Hockey to William Barr:
They NY Times tried to suggest that Trump's contact was another scandal -- to ask for cooperation with an ongoing DOJ investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation from 2016.Dear Attorney General,
I refer to President Trump’s announcement on 24 May that you will investigate the origins of the Federal Bureau of Investigations probe into Russian links to the 2016 US election.
I note that the President referred to Australia, the United Kingdom and the Ukraine as potential stakeholders. Moreover, I note that he has declassified intelligence material to support your investigation.
The Australian Government will use its best endeavors to support your efforts in this matter. While Australia’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, The Hon. Alexander Downer, is no longer employed by the government, we stand ready to provide you with all the relevant information to support your inquiries.
The Acting White House Chief of Staff, The Honorable Michael Mulvaney, has been copied on this letter.
Yours sincerely,
The Hon Joe Hockey
The DOJ has said since the story appeared in the NY Times that all "the countries have been helpful. There was no pressing required.”
Fox News release from DOJ spox:
The Washington Post also tried to show Trump and Barr in a negative light with a similar report. WaPo claimed that Barr was trying to help Trump discredit the Mueller Report. The Mueller Report has already been discredited.“The president was letting the heads of other countries know that the attorney general would be contacting the appropriate law enforcement entities in each country, according to the DOJ official. When Barr was in Italy last week, he did talk to law enforcement officials there about Durham’s review, Fox News was told,” the network added. “The DOJ official also stressed that this has been a routine procedure in diplomacy and that Barr would not usually reach out to his direct counterpart in another country unilaterally. Instead, usually there would be an introduction of sorts made at the head-of-state level."
WaPo:
And of course, the letter released from Australia blows up the WaPo story too.“Barr’s personal involvement is likely to stoke further criticism from Democrats pursuing impeachment that he is helping the Trump administration use executive branch powers to augment investigations aimed primarily at the president’s adversaries. But the high level Justice Department focus on intelligence operatives’ conduct will likely cheer Trump and other conservatives for whom ‘investigate the investigators’ has become a rallying cry. Barr has voiced his own concerns, telling lawmakers in April that he believed ‘spying did occur’ when it came to the U.S. investigation of the Trump campaign.”
WaPo:
It has been alleged that the UK, Australia and Italy helped the US CIA and FBI entrap Americans in conversations overseas to create some evidence to spy on the Trump campaign. That's why Barr is overseas meeting with his counterparts. It is also why US allies begged Trump NOT to declassify all of the documentation on these entrapment efforts. The allies have probably agreed to cooperate.“Barr has already made overtures to British intelligence officials, and last week the attorney general traveled to Italy, where he and Durham met senior Italian government officials and Barr asked the Italians to assist Durham, according to one person familiar with the matter. It was not Barr’s first trip to Italy to meet intelligence officials, the person said. The Trump administration has made similar requests of Australia, these people said.”
Democrats don't have much time left. They've got to get their impeachment vote done in the House (even though it goes nowhere), so they can start trying to discredit Barr and his investigation.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
Everyone who was watching knew what he was talking about. Again, you're playing at semantics. Enjoy.
Re: U.S. Politics
Not just the NYT, lots of press, both liberal and conservative. I agree with you, -- AFAICT, there was nothing illegal or even inappropriate about this contact. Asking for assistance investigating a possible crime that took place in 2015/2016.
Re: U.S. Politics
The Troops are starting to attack!!!
"CBS Chicago
Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger Blasts Trump For ‘Repugnant’ Warning Of Civil War Over Impeachment"
"CBS Chicago
Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger Blasts Trump For ‘Repugnant’ Warning Of Civil War Over Impeachment"
Re: U.S. Politics
"Trump targets 'pathetic' Federal Reserve after worst manufacturing reading in a decade" CNBC
"As I predicted, Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve have allowed the Dollar to get so strong, especially relative to ALL other currencies, that our manufacturers are being negatively affected. Fed Rate too high. They are their own worst enemies, they don’t have a clue. Pathetic!"
Add this to the list of things Donny has to worry about, collapsing from within He is neither a business man and especially a Leader. He doesnt inspire the people around him.
"As I predicted, Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve have allowed the Dollar to get so strong, especially relative to ALL other currencies, that our manufacturers are being negatively affected. Fed Rate too high. They are their own worst enemies, they don’t have a clue. Pathetic!"
Add this to the list of things Donny has to worry about, collapsing from within He is neither a business man and especially a Leader. He doesnt inspire the people around him.
Re: U.S. Politics
All jokes aside, you're getting bent out of shape over what all the Trump Haters wail about: Retail Trump.
Wholesale Trump is what matters -- the Trump that continues to get results that allow "America First" to march onward.
There will always be be people getting the vapors and clutching their pearls over what Trump says or tweets. He says what millions of Americans believe and say every day.
Trump has always had to fight back against the Establishment Elites and political class and the media. There's always a chance that he will finally be defeated one way or the other by all of the hyperbolic accusations. I've always been prepared for that outcome. I can't imagine any one person surviving all of the attacks he's had to endure and still be re-elected. If his re-election happens, I'd have to classify it as miraculous. Truth always wins, but sometimes it's too late.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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Another win in the courts for Trump!
The states of NY, NJ, MD and CT had filed a lawsuit against the IRS over the new tax code that eliminated the deduction of state and local taxes against federal income taxes. High tax states enjoyed a benefit that low-tax or no-tax states did not have. Under the new tax code, state and local taxes are no longer deductible against federal income taxes if they exceed the $10,000 cap.
The ability to deduct the cost of local taxes made it easier for state and municipal governments to raise those taxes because much of their costs could be deducted from federal taxes. The states had claimed that the cap was an “unconstitutional assault” on their sovereignty.
US District Judge J. Paul Oetken:
It's about time that this practice of deducting state and local taxes from federal income taxes be stopped. This allowed local politicians to escape the full costs of their own taxes and pass those on to lower-cost states. Capping that deduction forces states to be more accountable to their citizens when it comes to taxation.
Judge Oetken pointed out in his ruling that even with the cap, residents of high-tax states also received a tax cut and that the new tax code was NOT an unconstitutional burden.
STEADY WINNING.
Another win in the courts for Trump!
The states of NY, NJ, MD and CT had filed a lawsuit against the IRS over the new tax code that eliminated the deduction of state and local taxes against federal income taxes. High tax states enjoyed a benefit that low-tax or no-tax states did not have. Under the new tax code, state and local taxes are no longer deductible against federal income taxes if they exceed the $10,000 cap.
The ability to deduct the cost of local taxes made it easier for state and municipal governments to raise those taxes because much of their costs could be deducted from federal taxes. The states had claimed that the cap was an “unconstitutional assault” on their sovereignty.
US District Judge J. Paul Oetken:
It's a shocking ruling since Judge Oetken is a Schumer guy.“The Court recognizes that the SALT cap is in many ways a novelty. But the States have failed to persuade the Court that this novelty alone establishes that the SALT cap exceeds Congress’s broad tax power."
It's about time that this practice of deducting state and local taxes from federal income taxes be stopped. This allowed local politicians to escape the full costs of their own taxes and pass those on to lower-cost states. Capping that deduction forces states to be more accountable to their citizens when it comes to taxation.
Judge Oetken pointed out in his ruling that even with the cap, residents of high-tax states also received a tax cut and that the new tax code was NOT an unconstitutional burden.
STEADY WINNING.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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As each day passes, the gossipblower complaint doesn't pass the smell test. It is beginning to have all of the fingerprints and earmarks of another orchestrated setup.
The "whistleblower" status was always bestowed upon individuals who ONLY had firsthand knowledge.
That status changed in August 2019 -- this year -- just before this gossipblower filed his second-hand and third-hand accusations. The timing is interesting.
There are TWO things that further call into question this specific gossipblower:
1. While the new form does not require those those who file whistleblower claims to offer first-hand information of an urgent concern, federal regulations laid out in the “Background Information on ICWPA Process” state the ICIG must possess reliable, first-hand information in order to find the whistleblower credible. This means that there must be corroboration from evidence that is firsthand -- witness or event. There is NONE to date.
2. The initial form was completed by this gossipblower with the old form, and the gossipblower stated that they had firsthand knowledge of the event. The subsequent report contained NO FIRSTHAND knowledge of any of what was outlined in the claim. That is a purposeful mischaracterizaton of the claim. Lying. Fraud. Call it whatever you want to call it.
The gossipblower checked the box: ‘I have personal and/or direct knowledge of events or records involved’.
Interesting, and since it's being reported, this creates yet another problem with this Trump-Ukraine narrative by Democrats.
Remember one thing. At this point, Democrats know that the Senate will not convict Trump. The odds are heavily weighed against it based on this flimsy foolishness. However, the Dems are trying to affect the 2020 election by throwing so many hyperbolic accusations at Trump that he will lose the election. That's the secondary goal -- remove Trump one way or the other BECAUSE TRUMP.
As each day passes, the gossipblower complaint doesn't pass the smell test. It is beginning to have all of the fingerprints and earmarks of another orchestrated setup.
The "whistleblower" status was always bestowed upon individuals who ONLY had firsthand knowledge.
That status changed in August 2019 -- this year -- just before this gossipblower filed his second-hand and third-hand accusations. The timing is interesting.
There are TWO things that further call into question this specific gossipblower:
1. While the new form does not require those those who file whistleblower claims to offer first-hand information of an urgent concern, federal regulations laid out in the “Background Information on ICWPA Process” state the ICIG must possess reliable, first-hand information in order to find the whistleblower credible. This means that there must be corroboration from evidence that is firsthand -- witness or event. There is NONE to date.
2. The initial form was completed by this gossipblower with the old form, and the gossipblower stated that they had firsthand knowledge of the event. The subsequent report contained NO FIRSTHAND knowledge of any of what was outlined in the claim. That is a purposeful mischaracterizaton of the claim. Lying. Fraud. Call it whatever you want to call it.
The gossipblower checked the box: ‘I have personal and/or direct knowledge of events or records involved’.
Interesting, and since it's being reported, this creates yet another problem with this Trump-Ukraine narrative by Democrats.
Remember one thing. At this point, Democrats know that the Senate will not convict Trump. The odds are heavily weighed against it based on this flimsy foolishness. However, the Dems are trying to affect the 2020 election by throwing so many hyperbolic accusations at Trump that he will lose the election. That's the secondary goal -- remove Trump one way or the other BECAUSE TRUMP.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
I'm not bent out of shape at all. Just pointing out that there's a reason why the whistleblower might want some anonymity for now.
That's true. But is he the leader or follower? If he thought that execution was not appropriate in this case, he needn't have brought it up.
Re: U.S. Politics
You're entitled to that opinion. It's Retail Trump.
I didn't think it was particularly good to have said it, but he was in a room of people who he thought were supporters. I wouldn't have said it, but Trump has had a way of turning these statements, that some think are inflamatory, into an advantage down the road. There's a history of it.
It all reminds me of of when Bayrack ridiculed Middle America for clinging to their Guns and God in a conversation with supporters ... or McRomney talking about the bottom 50% of wage earners who only pay 2.0%+ of federal income taxes in a conversation with supporters. Spies everywhere, and you know what we used to do to spies.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
Or Hillary talking about the deplorables. Any politician or would-be politician who doesn't assume that there's always a camera/video recorder/audio recorder getting every sound that s/he utters and gesture that s/he makes, is committing political suicide.Lone Star wrote: ↑October 2, 2019, 9:02 amYou're entitled to that opinion. It's Retail Trump.
...
It all reminds me of of when Bayrack ridiculed Middle America for clinging to their Guns and God in a conversation with supporters ... or McRomney talking about the bottom 50% of wage earners who only pay 2.0%+ of federal income taxes in a conversation with supporters. Spies everywhere, and you know what we used to do to spies.
Re: U.S. Politics
"Donald Trump sets Twitter record"
Trump tweeted or retweeted nearly 800 times during an eventful September, about 100 posts beyond what he published in any previous month of his presidency, according to a USA TODAY analysis. His monthly tweet frequency has steadily risen for months.
"The Guilty shall speak" or Twitter in this case.
Is he on the Run?
Trump tweeted or retweeted nearly 800 times during an eventful September, about 100 posts beyond what he published in any previous month of his presidency, according to a USA TODAY analysis. His monthly tweet frequency has steadily risen for months.
"The Guilty shall speak" or Twitter in this case.
Is he on the Run?
Re: U.S. Politics
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Associated Press reports that the Trump Campaign has raised over $125 million in the 3Q alone!
Over $308 million has been raised just in 2019 to go with the $156 million already in the bank.
Bayrack and the DNC only raised $70 million in 3Q in the third year of his first term. That is an unbelievable gap that I did not know about.
Trump's campaign manager and the RNC chairwoman have both credited the Democrat attacks on Trump that have increased the campaign coffers of Trump.
Ronna McDaniel, RNC Chairwoman:
Associated Press reports that the Trump Campaign has raised over $125 million in the 3Q alone!
Over $308 million has been raised just in 2019 to go with the $156 million already in the bank.
Bayrack and the DNC only raised $70 million in 3Q in the third year of his first term. That is an unbelievable gap that I did not know about.
Trump's campaign manager and the RNC chairwoman have both credited the Democrat attacks on Trump that have increased the campaign coffers of Trump.
Ronna McDaniel, RNC Chairwoman:
The goal of the Trump campaign is to raise $1 billion. They may reach it.“We are investing millions on the airwaves and on the ground to hold House Democrats accountable, highlight their obstruction, and take back the House and reelect President Trump in 2020."
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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Interesting Monmouth Poll that shows majority do not favor impeachment of Trump, but show a plurality (43%) who believe that Biden "pressured Ukrainian officials to keep them from investigating his son’s business ties.”
The media has done a great job of gaslighting the public into trying to get the public to believe that Trump broke the law and should be impeached and that Biden's issues are just politics.
The huge difference between the two issues is that the Trump impeachment attack is based on heresay. The issues surrounding the Bidens include Sleepy Joe's own recorded words and evidence secured by Rudy Giuliani. Acting as Trump's attorney, Giuliani has the affidavits, the video interviews and other documents that were obtained during Giuliani's efforts to defend Trump during the Mueller Investigation. Giuliani is legally entitled to defend his client and/or discover exculpatory evidence -- wherever that evidence may exist.
As time passes, and as more comes out on the Bidens in China and Ukraine, I think Sleepy Joe can pack it up and retire. Depending on how bad it gets, the retirement location is unknown at this time.
Where Trump is concerned, the public is not behind impeachment, but the most telling numbers are with Independents -- those who decide elections. Independents have so far opposed impeachment.
Interesting Monmouth Poll that shows majority do not favor impeachment of Trump, but show a plurality (43%) who believe that Biden "pressured Ukrainian officials to keep them from investigating his son’s business ties.”
The media has done a great job of gaslighting the public into trying to get the public to believe that Trump broke the law and should be impeached and that Biden's issues are just politics.
The huge difference between the two issues is that the Trump impeachment attack is based on heresay. The issues surrounding the Bidens include Sleepy Joe's own recorded words and evidence secured by Rudy Giuliani. Acting as Trump's attorney, Giuliani has the affidavits, the video interviews and other documents that were obtained during Giuliani's efforts to defend Trump during the Mueller Investigation. Giuliani is legally entitled to defend his client and/or discover exculpatory evidence -- wherever that evidence may exist.
As time passes, and as more comes out on the Bidens in China and Ukraine, I think Sleepy Joe can pack it up and retire. Depending on how bad it gets, the retirement location is unknown at this time.
Where Trump is concerned, the public is not behind impeachment, but the most telling numbers are with Independents -- those who decide elections. Independents have so far opposed impeachment.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Re: U.S. Politics
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Democrats now calling for Twitter to silence Trump.
Democrats now calling for all television networks to ban Giuliani as a guest on their programs.
Democrats call for Trump to be imprisoned and placed in solitary confinement.
It's what Marxists and Fascists do -- silence what they don't like to hear.
Democrats now calling for Twitter to silence Trump.
Democrats now calling for all television networks to ban Giuliani as a guest on their programs.
Democrats call for Trump to be imprisoned and placed in solitary confinement.
It's what Marxists and Fascists do -- silence what they don't like to hear.
AMERICA: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told.