The Muscovite Candidate

[Econoline]

[Burning Petard]

"National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden quipped in a tweet Monday that he won government security clearance “faster than half of this White House.”

Snowden, an NSA contractor who leaked thousands of documents exposing the agency’s global electronic eavesdropping, made the comment in a reply to a tweet by journalist Barton Gellman. Gellman, who has written extensively on the government, privacy and security, noted that it’s “highly unusual” for so many in the Trump administration to be still lacking permanent clearance after this much time. Yet they still have access to sensitive information."

So comforting to know that Ed Snowden passed screening that many White House staff have not. By the way, just what was Gen'l Kelly's record on opposing sexual misconduct when he was a marine corp commander?

snailgate

[Lord Jim]

Unfriggin' believable...

Donald Ivanovich out does himself, even by his standards as a Putin asset:

Trump declines to side with US intelligence over Putin

Helsinki, Finland (CNN)US President Donald Trump, in a stunning rebuke of the US intelligence community, declined on Monday to endorse the US government's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying he doesn't "see any reason why" Russia would be responsible.

Instead, Trump -- standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin -- touted Putin's vigorous denial and pivoted to complaining about the Democratic National Committee's server and missing emails from Hillary Clinton's personal account.

"I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today," Trump said during a joint news conference after he spent about two hours in a room alone with Putin, save for a pair of interpreters.

Trump's statements amounted to an unprecedented refusal by a US president to believe his own intelligence agencies over the word of a foreign adversary and drew swift condemnation from across the partisan divide.

His words signaled that he continues to equate the assessment of Russian election meddling with efforts to deligitimize his election, even though the US intelligence community made no such assessment.

The US President also hailed Putin's offer for Russian law enforcement officials to interrogate the Russian agents indicted by the special counsel Robert Mueller as "incredible," an offer that would effectively give Russia oversight and influence of part of a US investigation into Russian state activities. Putin had also said the offer would be reciprocal.

Trump repeatedly equated US and Russian actions, saying he holds both the US and Russia responsible for the breakdown in the bilateral relationship and honed in on the effect of the special counsel's probe, saying it -- not Russian meddling -- has "kept us (the US and Russia) apart."

The US intelligence community -- in a report compiled by the CIA, NSA, FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence -- concluded with "high confidence" that Russia interfered during the 2016 presidential campaign, aiming to help elect Trump and hurt Clinton.

Every current US intelligence chief who has testified on the matter has also backed the intelligence community's assessment and the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee also affirmed the assessment in a report earlier this month.

Trump had previously said he sided with his intelligence community's assessment over Putin's denials, but he has more frequently cast doubt on the assessments and repeatedly assailed Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt."
Putin, for his part, reiterated his denial for the public, though he did admit for the first time that he wanted Trump to win the election.

"Russia has never interfered in and is not going to interfere in US internal affairs, including the elections," Putin said during the news conference. "If there are any specific materials, if they are presented, we are ready to review them together."

Democrats and Republicans alike pushed back on Trump's comments.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who rarely rebukes Trump's controversial statements, said "there is no question that Russia interfered in our elections" and called on Trump to recognize that Russia "is not our ally."

"The President must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals," Ryan said in a statement.
Other Republicans were even more critical, with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker saying Trump's comments "made us look like a pushover."

John Brennan, the former CIA director and a career intelligence officer, called Trump's comments "nothing short of treasonous."

"Donald Trump's press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of 'high crimes & misdemeanors,' " Brennan tweeted. "It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump's comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???"

Speaking to reporters, Trump again lambasted the special counsel's investigation stemming from Russian interference in the 2016 election as "a disaster for our country."

"I think that the probe is a disaster for our country. I think it's kept us (the US and Russia) apart. I think it's kept us separated," Trump said.

The US President proclaimed in front of Putin that "there was no collusion" during the 2016 campaign and said he "beat Hillary Clinton easily."

He added the Mueller probe has "had a negative impact on the relationship between the two nuclear powers."

While Trump dove into specifics on US missteps, he did not list any malignant Russian activities responsible for the low point in the US-Russia relationship.

Instead he said he holds both the United States and Russia responsible for the breakdown in the relationship between the two countries and railed against the special counsel's Russia investigation.

"I hold both countries responsible. I think that the United States has been foolish. We've all been foolish," Trump said at the news conference in Helsinki, Finland.

"We should have, frankly, had this dialogue a long time ago. I think that we're all to blame. I think that the United States has now stepped forward along with Russia," Trump said, adding that he feels that the US and Russia have "both made some mistakes."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/16/politics ... index.html

[Lord Jim]

Nice words, now let's see some additional sanctions passed (by veto proof margins) and some hearings :

'Bizarre' and 'shameful': Republicans lead responses to Trump news conference with Putin

The response from lawmakers to President Trump’s press conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin was swift and almost universally negative, with especially critical statements coming from members of Trump’s own party.

Sen, Bob Corker, the Tennessee Republican who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said: "Putin only understands strength and I did not think this was a good moment for our country."

"I felt like, that everyone who’s dealt with Putin understands fully that the best way to deal with him is through strength and I just felt like the president’s comments made us look as a nation more like a pushover. And I’m disappointed in that," Corker told reporters on Capitol Hill.

"When he had the opportunity to defend our intelligence agencies, who work for him, I was very disappointed and saddened with the equivalency that he gave between them and what Putin was saying," he added.

"They definitely interfered in our election," Corker continued. "That’s not debatable. And again, I just don’t know what it is about the president that he continues to deny that it occurred. I get the feeling, firsthand actually, that sometimes the president cares more about how a leader treats him personally."

Asked how much he thought Putin gained from the encounter, Corker responded: "I think he gained a tremendous amount. Here he has been ostracized on the world stage."

“Today’s press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory, " Sen. John McCain said in a statement.

“No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant," McCain said from Arizona, where he's battling brain cancer.

House Speaker Paul Ryan issued a statement saying "the president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally."

"There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence," Ryan said.

"The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy."

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., was one of the first members of Congress to issue a written response to the press conference, taking particular issue with Trump’s assertion that both countries are responsible for the deteriorating U.S.-Russia relationship.

“This is bizarre and flat-out wrong. The United States is not to blame. America wants a good relationship with the Russian people but Vladimir Putin and his thugs are responsible for Soviet-style aggression. When the President plays these moral equivalence games, he gives Putin a propaganda win he desperately needs,” Sasse said.

During the 45-minute press conference, Trump said he didn’t “see any reason” why Russia would have interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections, despite the unanimous conclusions of the U.S. intelligence community, asserted that there was “zero collusion” between the two governments and called Putin a “good competitor,” which he described as a compliment.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., another consistent Trump critic, called the press conference “shameful.”

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bizarre ... d=56622621

I'm really glad that I was too busy to watch this press conference while it was happening, or I'd probably have a busted TV screen now...

[Econoline]

From Charlie Pierce's blog, today:

• The fact is that there is only one constitutional method by which this renegade presidency* can be stifled before the November midterm elections—and it needs to be reined in as quickly as possible. The only available option is to have two or three Republican senators announce that, hereafter, they will caucus and vote with the Democratic minority between now and November.
  
  It is clear that nobody can control the president*. Impeachment has to begin in the House of Representatives, and, at the moment, the House is a barn full of maniacs and its speaker is an invertebrate life-form who can’t keep woodchucks from eating his car. The Democratic caucuses on Capitol Hill are very limited, institutionally, in what they can do. The people in general have to wait until this fall to make their feelings known, and that through a compromised system of national elections.
  
  Three Republican senators moving across the aisle shuts everything down. It defangs Mitch McConnell. It would take considerable political courage for Sasse to do this, since he still has political ambitions, but Bob Corker and Jeff Flake both have announced their retirements, and they both have been quite critical about the administration’s antics. Those two literally have nothing to lose. Again, if there’s another constitutional method by which immediately to throw the brakes on the crazy train, I’m wide open to hearing it.

[wesw]

the Russians have been screwing with us since 1917..., DUH!!!!!

useful idiots, you have become....

[Sue U]

the Russians have been screwing with us since 1917..., DUH!!!!!

useful idiots, you have become....

Says the biggest idiot in the neighborhood.

Honestly, wesw, with this you prove you are willing to swallow anything, no matter how revolting, as long as you are licking Trump's boots.

[wesw]

yeah, your an honest source.....

you come from "a long line of socialists" , don t you?

[wesw]

and I proudly accept the title of village idiot.

liberty has fallen, as he was not worthy....

the king is dead.

long live the king!

[Big RR]

How long is your "line of socialists" Sue? You were born to this? I had to develop a conscience on my own.

[Sue U]

How long is your "line of socialists" Sue? You were born to this? I had to develop a conscience on my own.

Well, my grandparents were Bundists back in Poland and joined up with the Debs socialists in the Arbeter Ring when they came to America. My dad was a Henry Wallace Progressive. My mom and her folks were staunch unionists and New Deal Democrats. I grew up in the Habonim (Labor Zionist Youth) movement. So a third-generation Socialist, at least.

[Lord Jim]

Wes, you, can't see the "big picture" when you're wearing Trump's butt cheeks for ear muffs...

The only view you're getting is a big, dark, stinky hole...

You might as well go back to the rabbit hole diversion threads you started smearing John McCain and Rod Rosenstein, since you've obviously guzzled way too much Orange Kool-Aid to be able to focus on genuinely important things...(like having a US President serving as a willing and eager disinformation agent for a hostile foreign power.)

ETA:

I will not however call you a "useful idiot"....

In fact I will vigorously defend you against any accusation of being useful...

[MGMcAnick]

I'm really glad that I was too busy to watch this press conference while it was happening, or I'd probably have a busted TV screen now...

president Drumpf is the only IDIOT I've ever lived under who routinely makes me want to throw things at the TV and yell obscenities. Today was certainly no exception. I truly hope they impeach him AND try him for treason. Stable genius my left foot. There is no reason for him to have gained or to remain in office.

[wesw]

....there is that pesky election thing......

[Lord Jim]

What Trump succeeded in doing today was to move speculation about whether or not he is a Russian agent from the political fringe to the mainstream...

[wesw]

ELECTION!!!!!!!!

ARE YOU FREAKIN DENSE?

HE WAS ELECTED!!!!!!!

if you don t support the American system of government just say it.

other wise vote and live with it.

[Econoline]

I will not however call you a "useful idiot"....

In fact I will vigorously defend you against any accusation of being useful...

[Lord Jim]

Article 2, Section 4

The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Article 1, Section 3, Clauses 6 and 7

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried the Chief Justice shall preside; And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgement in Cases of Impreachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgement and Punishment, according to Law.

Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.

Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

If you don t support the American system of government just say it.

Just "vote and live with it" no matter how criminal a President's behavior may be, is not the American system.

[wesw]

none of those things have happened , jim.

until and unless they do, my point stands.

[wesw]

there is a reason for him to have attained and for him to remain in office. HE WAS ELECTED!!!!

jim, from now on you ll know when I m talking to you.

I will preface it with some derogatory term.....