Congress begins Impeachment Proceedings

By moat on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 8:40pm |

URL:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/donald-trump-impeachment-congress-1509360

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Link didn't take, moat. I figure either you or Peracles can fix that and add one? Meantime, I will move this comment I just put on the old thread here instead. (Even if no one fixes it, we can all still use the thread to add articles & discuss):

Despite all kinds of words used today by various parties, here's a real thing that happened:

The Senate has *unanimously* agreed to Schumer's resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint to be turned over the intelligence committees immediately.
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) September 24, 2019

That's every Senate Republican plus every Democrat now via unanimous consent agreeing to call on the Trump administration to cough up the whistleblower complaint, not just the phone call transcript. This is rare, folks.
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) September 24, 2019

more here:

Even Senate Republicans want the White House to share a whistleblower report on Trump with Congress

In a rare bipartisan move, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling on the White House to disclose a whistleblower complaint.

By Li Zhou [email protected] Sep 24, 2019, 6:30pm EDT

Comes to my mind, though, that this could follow what has become the traditional trajectory where the GOP says that they checked everything out and to their mind, nothing really bad or impeachable happened. But what anti-Trump forces should realize about that: the current popular statement is to say Congress has to step up and show that the president can't just do anything he wants, that Congress needs to be a brake on him. Well, by doing this, that's taken care of, even if they absolve him. Get what I am saying? It's a great argument constitutionally, but in practicality, it's easy for the president's party to make it look like they are watching and regulating what he does without actually giving a shit. That there's really no safeguards against party loyalty. I think this is why Washington and Adams et..al. disliked parties so much?

by artappraiser on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 10:27pm

#Ukrainegate update

Senate Intelligence Committee opens BIPARTISAN inquiry.

GOP Chair Senator Burr and Dem Vice Chair Warner write directly to the whistleblower's attorney requesting closed door interview.@Isikoff has the scoop: https://t.co/0RxPoH2rDx pic.twitter.com/Gp6O3Bl1n3
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) September 24, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:46am

The link is fixed.
Because this situation developed inside the Trump Administration and involves so many different personnel from different agencies, perhaps the war between spineless toadies and those who actually have jobs will start to swing the other way.

by moat on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 7:22am

(NOTE) Almost immediately after a massive right-wing mob successfully militated to have Trump prematurely remove the nonpartisan US ambassador to the Ukraine, Giuliani began claiming that the "State Department" was urging him to go to Ukraine to negotiate. https://t.co/JzAnincojv
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) September 25, 2019

by PeraclesPlease on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 11:18pm

Lawfare sez:

Focusing an impeachment inquiry properly means that a great deal of impeachable and even criminal conduct on the president’s part will necessarily take a back seat. But it’s critical to conducting impeachment in a defensible and coherent fashion:https://t.co/a821rBa9gi
— Lawfare (@lawfareblog) September 24, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:33pm

"Several Senate Republicans were stunned Wednesday and questioned the White House’s judgment after it released a rough transcript...One Senate Republican, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, said the transcript’s release was a 'huge mistake'” https://t.co/tWF6mYR52E
— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:35pm

I note the article says Republican Senators including Cornyn as well as McConnell are betting on Nancy not making it happen:

[....] The tensions between Senate Republicans who view the whistleblower complaint strictly as an intelligence matter and those who see it as part of a political “witch hunt” of Trump by Democrats are almost certain to continue, lawmakers and aides said, with McConnell having to navigate those dynamics and hold his members together amid the tumult.

McConnell faces reelection next year and is focused on keeping his Senate majority as the GOP defends 23 seats to the Democrats’ 12.

McConnell’s member-driven approach was evident early Tuesday when several Senate Republicans said they were unsure if McConnell would oppose the call by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to have the whistleblower complaint sent to the intelligence committees.

“I really thought Mitch would knock it down, because Chuck was putting it up. He hates everything Chuck does,” one veteran Republican senator said, requesting anonymity to speak candidly. “But he didn’t. He let Chuck’s resolution get through with unanimous consent.”

When the senator inquired about McConnell’s decision, he was told that McConnell was following the requests from his members to receive more information.

McConnell also saw up close at Tuesday’s lunch how many Senate Republicans, while publicly rallying around the president, are asking the White House to share more information. Even Trump allies asked White House legislative director Eric Ueland, who attended the Tuesday lunch, to give more documents to Congress, according to aides and lawmakers present.

McConnell’s public message has been sharply partisan and far more predictable, calling House Democrats’ impeachment moves an “impeachment parade in search of a rationale” and driven by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s “far-left conference.”

But McConnell is not yet preparing for a Senate trial, with some of his longtime allies holding out hope that impeachment fades in the House. McConnell’s associates said this week he has not begun internal planning for an impeachment trial, logistically or politically.

“Zero. None. No discussions of a trial. You prepare for the probably, not the improbable. I just can’t imagine a universe in which they end up doing that,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) said. “Nancy Pelosi is simply too shrewd to let things get out of control.”

Added Sen. John Neely Kennedy (R-La.), “I don’t know how they’d handle it. I’m labor, not management.” [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:54pm

McConnell won't hold a trial. He'll ignore any impeachment like he ignored the Garland nomination, the Constitution assumed the Senate would fulfill it's duties, and set no timeline for action.

A vote exonerating Trump for requesting foreign election meddling would not look good on their records. So no trial, no nightly coverage of a trial. Just Trump, Trump Trump accusations, lies until he expires or is voted out.

McConnell "Let the voters decide if their President is making America great and strong again."

by NCD on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 8:45pm

Voice recognition software was used on the Trump/Zelensky call.

The rough transcript the White House released was developed via the voice software along with aides from the White House national security team who were listening in, per a senior admin official. pic.twitter.com/OnZIBq9HWj
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 1:02pm

Neal Katyal:

Trump just said "Its a joke." He says that the same day as revelation that (even) AG Barr opened a criminal investigation of Trump. Under no circs is a DOJ criminal investigation of a sitting Pres a joke. And Barr's attempt to clear him of a crime is wholly irrel to impeachment.
— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) September 25, 2019

Also this. Quigley is a Dem:

Rep. Mike Quigley, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, has just read the whistleblower's complaint. He tells CNN that it is "extraordinarily detailed" and "very, very well done." It is "deeply disturbing" & "reinforces the concerns" of what they had previously learned.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 5:28pm

Oy! GOP operative Mike Murphy gonna get the "fake news" label shortly!

BREAKING on MSNBC: GOP Senator Says Abject Terror Is the Only Thing Keeping Republican Senators From Voting to Convict An Impeached Trump pic.twitter.com/Wz8AhFzfyd
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 5:32pm

WaPo published this op-ed by Murphy yesterday: I’m a Republican. Let’s force the question of impeachment with the GOP. Seems clear to me that he's obviously advocating for these "terrorized" Republicans, whoever they may be.

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 5:36pm

George Conway agrees that chicken Senators would vote to convict at the last minute:

I agree with this. There may be Republican senators who won’t say a word until the moment they say “guilty” when the roll is called at the end of an impeachment trial. https://t.co/zQJ8xnEfeW
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 12:15am

Major leakers @ WaPo! Acting director of national intelligence threatened to resign if he couldn’t speak freely before Congress on whistleblower complaint

By Greg Miller, Shane Harris and Karoun Demirjian, September 25, 2019 at 2:44 p.m. EDT

The acting Director of National Intelligence threatened to resign over concerns that the White House might attempt to force him to stonewall Congress when he testifies Thursday about an explosive whistleblower complaint about the president, according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The revelation reflects the extraordinary tensions between the White House and the nation’s highest-ranking intelligence official over a matter that has triggered impeachment proceedings against President Trump.

The officials said that Joseph Maguire, who was thrust into the top intelligence post last month, warned the White House that he was not willing to withhold information from Congress, where he is scheduled to testify in open and closed hearings on Thursday.

Maguire denied that he had done so. In a statement, Maguire said that “at no time have I considered resigning my position since assuming this role on Aug. 16, 2019. I have never quit anything in my life, and I am not going to start now. I am committed to leading the Intelligence Community to address the diverse and complex threats facing our nation.” [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 5:46pm

Elizabeth Holtzman, Noah Bookbinder, and John Dean:

Holtzman:

I Voted to Impeach Nixon. I’d Do the Same for Trump.

The Ukraine scandal has a lot of similarities to Watergate.

By Elizabeth Holtzman; Ms. Holtzman sat on the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate.

@ NYTimes.com, Sept. 25, 2019

Noah Bookbinder:

The Zelensky Memo Is All the Proof Needed to Impeach Trump

It is far worse than we could have imagined.

By Noah Bookbinder; Mr. Bookbinder is the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

@ NYTimes.com, Sept. 25, 2019

John Dean:

Impeachment must include AG Barr for coverups and SecState Pompeo re Ukraine — along with President Trump. Others as their involvement becomes apparent. This is beyond a one man show!
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) September 24, 2019

And he has started to figure out how it all works, and he wants to to make it work for him, although it was designed to work for the American people. https://t.co/kdGoIIxJIK
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) September 24, 2019

Giuliani is not Trump’s private lawyer (Trump pays him nothing) rather Rudy is a lawyer who has become Trump’s coconspirator. They’re using the attorney-client privilege to hide criminal behavior but it can’t be used for that purpose! Sad day that lawyers back at core of scandal!
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) September 25, 2019

Presidents don’t have a filibuster but Trump is filibustering his U.N. news conference— announcing how great he and his presidency are! The man is showing his weakness!
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) September 25, 2019

Someone at the press conference please ask Trump if his White House does as others and records head of state conversations?
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) September 25, 2019

Trump is in standard operating mode: DON’T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ in the material released from my White House!
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:18pm

John Dean makes interesting points about Trump learning the limits of his method on the job but the present situation doesn't look like a 3D chess move.

Cue the messenger reporting the movement of forests.

by moat on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:27pm

Dan Rather:

This story is moving faster than a hummingbird’s wings.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 25, 2019

At least President Nixon tried to be discreet...
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:01pm

Trump just tried throwing Mike Pence under the bus:

‘I think you should ask for VP Pence’s conversations’: Trump throws Mike Pence under the bus

https://t.co/EQm71I7bch
— Raw Story (@RawStory) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:04pm

Now that is bizarre. Bringing up Pence like that makes it sound like he is part of the Enemy.

by moat on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:23pm

here's a completely wimmin's intuition take on anything bizarre that he does in the coming days. I saw a video yesterday with him standing with Melania somewhere some UN function and he was whining to media about the troubles the Dems were causing him, I don't remember what exactly, things along the "witch hunt" narrative. I can't find it. I did find a closeup of Melania's face during that, here, the whole time, several minutes she kept this angry viper expression:

pic.twitter.com/FIXludQbRs
— John Lorenz (@StrangeShadows) September 25, 2019

It was so pronounced and noticeable. I was thinking: all the other times people said he was flipping out, losing it because of his narcissist disorder, he wasn't really. But this time he may really be flipping out, and she is doing the Nancy Reagan protect-my-man thing.

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:49pm

When I have seen that expression, it has always been an act of closure with someone the person promises to hurt;
Specific people receive the message.
This thing is getting stranger by the minute.

by moat on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 7:33pm

Trump must have approved the Republican's agreement on the whistleblower's appearance.

Why? Because he knows it will less damage to him than we anticipate ? Or will do as much damage to Biden?

by Flavius on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 8:01pm

"Must" is a pretty strong word.
That the matter came through Administration officials in the first place suggests the monolith has begun to fracture.

by moat on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 9:04am

Doh. Turns out Ivanka is gonna play the Nancy Reagan role:

So cute! Her father is under siege, for no reason, since his first day in office! https://t.co/8wtB3H4fth
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 10:24pm

On the Pence thing, Bill Kristol sees this:

Trump to Pence: If I go down, you're going down with me.

Nikki:https://t.co/jt4HZUtbDC
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 7:12pm

Trump's own kind of Kompromat. For sure he does more than just dangle pardons to buy silence.

by PeraclesPlease on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 2:06am

Samantha Power this morning:

That @realDonaldTrump thought it a good idea to release this transcript is a staggering testament to the endemic corruption of his administration. He and his close advisers have lost the ability to even see what’s incriminating. https://t.co/eXDJs0uKrZ
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:11pm

Hillary Clinton this morning:

The president of the United States has betrayed our country.

That’s not a political statement—it’s a harsh reality, and we must act.

He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free.

I support impeachment.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:15pm

Fukuyama retweets a point about the transcript:

This is a very important point that those unfamiliar with Ukraine may not know. https://t.co/JIl6gO4zXA
— Francis Fukuyama (@FukuyamaFrancis) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:37pm

I see Jennifer Rubin has just decided to push the Nixon solution:

Why wouldn't Sasse, Romney and others invite Pence in for a chat? Trump has to go. Pence can be president for 18 mos and agree not to run for re-election (he'd lose anyway). All of them can run for POTUS instead.
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) September 25, 2019

Edit to add: 2 hrs. ago, she also said this, which adds to her later comment:

why is Trump throwing Pence under the bus? Trying to keep him quiet?
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 7:22pm

Pelosi can also be Prez for 18 months. Wiuld be groundbreaking in several ways.

by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:21pm

Anybody can that can win a majority of Dem House votes apparently could be president for 18 months! I've seen more than a few tweets mention that the Speaker of the House is whoever the majority party members in the House says it is. That they could make Hillary the Speaker tomorrow. I don't know if this is the rule but it seems correct?

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:24pm

There are clear rules in the constitution for succession. If Trump is removed or resigned Pelosi wouldn't be president no matter how many votes she got. Only if Pence was also removed from office.

The speaker of the house is who ever gets a pluarity of the house votes for. It's only the majority party's choice because they vote as a block that is larger than the minority party's votes.

by ocean-kat on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:41pm

Oh that part I know. The things I saw are talking about if Pres and VP both removed. They are opining that the Speaker taking over could be changed by the House, that it wouldn't have to be Pelosi. That like Pelosi could step down for a minute and then the House puts another one in place as Speaker to become Pres. Get what I am saying? They are saying that if the Speaker is going to become Pres., it can be whoever the House wants because the House says who is the Speaker.

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:48pm

I imagine it's whoever the Speaker is the minute both Pres and VP quit/are impeached, and if she steps down for even a minute it goes to next in line of succession (Secretary of State?), but I'm not a Constitutional scholar.

If Pence were to move up and choose a VP and then resign there are also some possibilities, but not sure how cooperative he'd be.

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 12:50am

I guess she could do that constitutionally. But why would she? I think she'd grab the crown.

by ocean-kat on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 1:23am

And it would be much less controversial and disputable, and she would likely do a better job than anyone under those circumstances, including Hillary.

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 1:36am

I googled one point. Fascinating fact!

Although the Constitution does not require the Speaker to be a Member of the House, all Speakers have been Members.

Member FAQs - Clerk of the House - House.gov

clerk.house.gov › member_info › memberfaq

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 1:38am

So maybe RBG then? & she can pick her successor?

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:05am

Hah, White House gang cannot shoot straight!

The White House sent out talking points for allies to defend Trump against impeachment, but accidentally sent them to Pelosi and other Democrats and then tried to “recall” them. @NirajC https://t.co/1Ez3pZQ9cv
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:14pm

Guiliani and Pompeo try to throw each other under bus:

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is facing scrutiny from lawmakers over his involvement in the unfolding Trump-Ukraine scandal https://t.co/8VpIbIQKok
— POLITICO (@politico) September 25, 2019

Giuliani to Hannity: 'I wasn't acting on my own, I was following instructions of the state Department.'

Honestly, impeachment could include Pompeo, Mulvaney, and Barr as well. https://t.co/5X19fQE42V
— David Jolly (@DavidJollyFL) September 24, 2019

Pompeo is upset with Giuliani’s wild antics as Trump’s Ukraine scandal continues to grow: report - https://t.co/Kxcs5Ftil6
— Raw Story (@RawStory) September 25, 2019

Among those unhappy with Giuliani is POMPEO, per multiple sources. Among other things, he believes Giuliani's public statements have been problematic as as his involvement overall with the Ukraine issue.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:37pm

GOP Rep. from Utah, on House Intel Comm., tweets very simply:

BREAKING NEWS: The whistleblower complaint has been declassified. I encourage you all to read it.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:52pm

Joe Walsh, "Republican Candidate for President":

As a Conservative, I find it ugly and disgusting the way Trump & his sycophants are baselessly smearing @JoeBiden. https://t.co/rYMSka8pDW
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 26, 2019

Wait: Dan, are you a political pundit or are you a Member of Congress? And assuming you are a Member of Congress, are you okay with the President of the United States asking a foreign government to interfere in our 2020 election? https://t.co/1Zr8lkuSzH
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 25, 2019

It’s not said as much as it should be: @realDonaldTrump is the most disloyal President we’ve ever had. I mean, when has he ever put the country’s interests ahead of his own?

This Ukrainian thing is just the latest example of Donald Trump caring only about Donald Trump.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 26, 2019

More Republican courage. https://t.co/qnHZuMzNeJ
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 25, 2019

Jim, I served with you in Congress. If Barack Obama did what Donald Trump did just on this phone call alone, you’d be screaming for Obama’s impeachment. I know you know that my friend. https://t.co/ADASvKRU6M
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 25, 2019

Once again, Donald Trump bad-mouthing America in front of the whole world. https://t.co/x79orwSxfz
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 25, 2019

Dear Lindsey Graham,

You have lost any and all shred of credibility. You’ve been in Washington, DC too damn long. Think about another line of work. https://t.co/Csdznnqv5F
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 11:05pm

Washington Examiner editorial tonight, which basically argues that he still hasn't figured out how to do his job like he's supposed to, but that's not impeachable.

Trump put presidential powers to work for partisan politics

by Washington Examiner | September 25, 2019 07:20 PM

On Wednesday, to his credit, President Trump released a rough transcript of his July phone call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He says it exonerates him of any wrongdoing. Democrats say, rather, that it reveals impeachable offenses, and they are pressing ahead with impeachment.

In truth, the only thing the transcript reveals clearly is that Trump doesn’t understand the necessary proprieties of his job. He is still treating the presidency as if it were his own business, dwelling on minor matters and wielding power to advance his own interests, rather than attending first to the national interest. That is regrettable, which is a long way from saying it should lead to impeachment.

In the phone call, he pressed Zelensky [.....]

A hundred relevant and difficult questions arise [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 11:23pm

NEW: Ukrainian officials understood discussion of Biden probe was a condition for any phone call between Pres. Trump and Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskiy, an adviser to Zelenskiy tells @ABC News. https://t.co/QxCp4ytCTF from @Reevellp and @lcbruggeman
— ABC News Investigates (@ABCInvestigates) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 11:42pm

more whistleblower leakers, just published 10:23 pm @ NYTimes.com:

Whistle-Blower Is Said to Allege Concerns About White House Handling of Ukraine Call

New details have emerged about the intelligence officer who raised alarms about the president’s pressure on Ukraine to open inquiries that could benefit him politically.

By Charlie Savage, Michael S. Schmidt & Julian Barnes @ NYTime.com, Sept. 25

WASHINGTON — The intelligence officer who filed a whistle-blower complaint about President Trump’s interactions with the leader of Ukraine raised alarms not only about what the two men said in a phone call, but also about how the White House handled records of the conversation, according to two people briefed on the complaint.

The whistle-blower, moreover, identified multiple White House officials as witnesses to potential presidential misconduct who could corroborate the complaint, the people said — adding that the inspector general for the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, interviewed witnesses.

Mr. Atkinson eventually concluded that there was reason to believe that the president might have illegally solicited a foreign campaign contribution — and that his potential misconduct created a national security risk, according to a newly disclosed Justice Department memo.

An early portrait of the intelligence officer began to take shape on Wednesday as the White House released a rough log of a July 25 phone call between Mr. Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, the latest extraordinary revelation set off by the whistle-blower’s complaint [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 11:50pm

let's drag in Manafort now (Murray Waas is a great investigative reporter):

.@murraywaas on Giuliani: "The Ukrainian initiative appears to have begun in service of formulating a rationale by which the president could pardon Manafort, as part of an effort to undermine the special counsel’s investigation." Wow. https://t.co/LrBOcAxgo9 @nybooks
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 12:18am

Posted this as a news item.

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 1:58am

Appreciate @JRubinBlogger consulting me about Barr’s astonishing behavior in doing Trump’s political dirty work and compromising whatever little independence the once-great Department of Justice enjoyedhttps://t.co/FV0zIgc18a
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 1:34am

Putin Angrily Resigns from Trump’s Reëlection Campaign https://t.co/iD9WWa3pWx
— John Sipher (@john_sipher) September 26, 2019

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:18am

a reminder about Don McGahn warning him back in April 2018:

For context on the issue of investigating rivals: we have reported that in April 2018 White House counsel Don McGahn wrote a memo to Trump warning him that if he asked law enforcement to investigate his rivals, he could face a range of consequences, including impeachment. https://t.co/g01iytBA2R
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) September 25, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:59am

Joe Biden spoke on it on Jimmy Kimmel Weds. night (better than having a beer with Joe?) I just saw a short clip of it on CNN TV, he was looking good there, real confident and relaxed. Kimmel asked him where he would rate what's going on on a scale of 10. He said "about 18 1/2" and grinned to the subsequent laughter. Then he said he feels confident that Congress will handle this and his job should be to focus on beating him (to applause.) So I googled it for a link of some kind. This has a summary and a video of the full interview, I haven't watched that:

Biden to Kimmel: It's hard to avoid Trump impeachment conclusion

@ Axios.com, 48 minutes ago.

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:11am

Most amazing thing of the day so far: A few minutes ago I just heard Trump finish up a statement to media on an airport tarmac with "Nancy Pelosi has been hijacked by the radical left." Seems to me that it wasn't so long ago in Fox world that she was the personification of the radical left.

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 1:01pm

What makes this perfect is that the audio of Trump’s disgusting threats was leaked. There are too many whistleblowers to silence them all. https://t.co/8rxQchJeCP
— Max Boot (@MaxBoot) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:27pm

DT uses exactly the same language he did to threaten protesters during campaign. One trick pony wanders randomly onto the BQE.

by moat on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:10pm

Still a Queens boy thru and thru.

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:17pm

Breaking! Deep State confirmed! Time for Qanon to man up! To the barricades? On second thought, the NYTimes could be in on creating a false flag...gotta be careful...

Breaking News: The whistle-blower is said to be a CIA officer who was assigned to work at the White House. His complaint suggests he is a trained analyst. https://t.co/wA0GOwwiWX
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 26, 2019

Dean Baquet, our executive editor, explains why we chose to publish the information about the whistle-blower https://t.co/5BtDXYpoiz pic.twitter.com/s0mZaivG3t
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:20pm

I should add that many on Twitter are not happy with what Dean Baquet decided to do above; both "Dean Baquet" and #CancelNYT are trending topics. Many are calling it a "doxing" and pointing out that Trump has already threatened to do a Putin on the doxxed.

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:55pm

Preet Bharara licking chops:

Hiring Corey Lewandowski, would show the exact level of wisdom that hiring Rudi Giuliani did
— Roland Mole (@RFK1966) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:29pm

Rick Wilson retweeted:

Lankford: "Didn't read it."
Hoeven: "Didn't read it."
Braun: "Didn't read it."
Alexander: "Didn't read it."
Portman: "Didn't read it."
Cotton: "No comment."
Blunt: "Ask me later."
Rubio: "(nonanswer)"
Risch: "Nothing there"
Rounds: "(nonanswer)"
Ernst: "Didn't read it." https://t.co/K1AA2LAVTf
— Charles Gaba (@charles_gaba) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:01pm

OLC: Because the intelligence whistleblower reported wrongdoing by the president, the details should go not to the House but to federal prosecutors

Also OLC: Because the president is the president, "only the House [...] has the authority to bring charges of criminal misconduct" pic.twitter.com/CAlkAhSTYW
— Brad Heath (@bradheath) September 26, 2019

by artappraiser on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:03pm

In the News

Russia plays weak hand in Palestine
Russia plays weak hand in Palestine

submitted by PeraclesPlease 1 year ago

The intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow has precedent

Russia's hosted such meetings in the past, most recently Feb 2019

Russia has long lamented the US' "monopolization" of the peace process & tried to carve out a niche for itself: mediating among the disunited Palestinians/2
— Hanna Notte (@HannaNotte) February 29, 2024

Read the article at https://twitter.com/HannaNotte/status/1763116222256701787

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Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters

submitted by HSG 1 year ago

Here's what I told them: https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

Read the article at https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

2 comments

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Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes...
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force https://t.co/pCoDg05irX
— Gareth Harris (@garethharr) December 28, 2023

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/28/brazil-law-indigenous-land-rights-claim-time-marker?CMP=share_btn_tw

1 comment

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Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (...
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (December 25, 2023)

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Location: U.S. Embassy and residential compounds

Events: Heavy gunfire is occuring around the area of the U.S. Embassy and residential compounds adjacent to the Trutier area of Tabarre. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain indoors and shelter-in-place until further notice. All others should avoid the area.

Actions to take:

Avoid the area;

Avoid demonstrations and any large gatherings of people;

Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and

If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.

Read the article at https://ht.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-port-au-prince-haiti-december-25-2023/

3 comments

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Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

By The Editorial Board @ Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2023

A mass expulsion of Afghan migrants could destabilize the region and fuel radicalization. The West should pressure Islamabad to change course.

Read the article at https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-08/pakistan-s-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees-risks-another-crisis

6 comments

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Internet shut down in Chad
Internet shut down in Chad

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

All eyes on #Chad right now
Chad has two internet trunks coming into the country: One from the Red Sea via Sudan; the other from Cameroon. Not possible for the totality of the country's internet network to be shut unless done centrally. A lot of rumors swirling; few facts. https://t.co/N6bDJZ2ixO

Read the article at https://x.com/_hudsonc/status/1732891968709992511?s=20

2 comments

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[Economy] where Joe's success falls short
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short

submitted by PeraclesPlease 1 year ago

Read the article at

3 comments

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[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across...
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

BREAKING: Three loss prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed, one of them has died from stab wounds, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. Police converged on the store as the three workers were rushed to Jefferson Hospital. pic.twitter.com/4U1eKycL4W

Read the article at https://x.com/KeeleyFox29/status/1731713272942940365?s=20

38 comments

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Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As...
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Former US Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba https://t.co/LDwo4ZJI1K
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 4, 2023

Read the article at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manuel-rocha-ambassador-arrested-cuba_n_656d1e2ae4b028b0f3d07478

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[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

[Chapter I news is HERE, Oct. 7 til today]

You don’t get it.
It’s not about an UNRWA teacher who held an Israeli kid hostage in his house.
It’s all about how for 75 years you have destroyed the future of generations of Palestinians, including my family.
My cousins in Arab countries are still not citizens - not even the… https://t.co/nv6anubGhc
— George Deek (@GeorgeDeek) December 2, 2023

Note 'Community Notes' attached to UNWRA's statement.

Read the article at https://x.com/GeorgeDeek/status/1731020551328579863?s=20

58 comments

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Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From...
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From a Neighbor

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Imperialism for me but not for thee?

It's wild that Venezuela is now holding a vote on whether 2/3 of Guyana actually belongs to them! Analysts suggest that Modoru may want military action to pump up his sinking popularity.

Could we have a war in South America?!?

"The people who live in Essequibo are largely… pic.twitter.com/QvMEjkkgwy

Read the article at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/world/americas/maduro-vote-essequibo-guyana.html

6 comments

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[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House...
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House Republicans powerless

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

The lack of a cohesive delegation has allowed attention-seeking lawmakers to act on their own.

McCarthy: “You have [Rep. Matt] Gaetz, who belongs in jail…”

Gaetz: “Tough words from a guy who sucker punches people in the back. The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.”https://t.co/LctPuz6Pcf

Read the article at https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/29/divisions-leave-floridas-house-republicans-powerless-00129200

10 comments

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‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-...
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-Pelosi clashes

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

By Martinn Pengelly in Washington DC for TheGuardian.com, Nov. 30

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ryan Grim life in Congress ‘completely transformed’ after Democratic leader stepped down

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/30/squad-book-aoc-nancy-pelosi?CMP=share_btn_tw

15 comments

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US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

@ Reuters, Nov. 29

Read the article at https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-health-insurers-humana-cigna-talks-merge-wsj-2023-11-29/

3 comments

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Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-...
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-proofing

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

"Both the AU and the intl community place more weight on whether elections are held than whether they are free and fair. Sanctions/expulsions occur when there is a coup but not necessarily when elections are rigged or if an “institutional coup” occurs." https://t.co/m9dNimJP0D
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) November 28, 2023

Read the article at https://africanarguments.org/2023/11/central-africas-dinosaur-regimes-and-the-art-of-coup-proofing/

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