Coming February 6, 2024 . . .
MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE
by Michael Wolraich
Pre-order at Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Books-A-Million / Bookshop
Coming February 6, 2024 . . . MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE by Michael Wolraich Pre-order at Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Books-A-Million / Bookshop |
Deputy AG conveniently ignores that Chaffetz, not Comey, loudly released the (heavily spun & twisted) news in October.
Sign of desperation - Pence is gonna get tagged soon, along with all the other pieces falling together.
Anway, Grand Juries already in motion.
Comments
Perhaps the disgraced Reichsführer can get back into the good graces of Hair Furor by selling $500,000 dollar Kushner Company green card visas in China.
by NCD on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 7:24pm
Trump prepares to flee with son-in-law Jared, asks China for asylum, says he'll share Ivanka's royalties with them. Mar-a-Lago sinks into the (still not drained) Florida swamp. Versailles is over before it began.
by PeraclesPlease on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 9:41pm
YUGE!
Scott Stanis @ Chicago Tribune. Illustrating their editorial.
by artappraiser on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 11:16pm
An aside, just saw this now from May 2, CBS News:
Email: Trump "directly involved" in post-inauguration hunt for rogue tweeter
Definitely Nixonian thought patterns, but Nixon understood the U.S. government. Now we have someone who doesn't even understand the civil service or our government in general, thinks it's just like being the boss of a privately-held corporation and that from lowly Park Service functionary to F.B.I. director, they are all his employees and not the employees of the citizens of this country. Hence, he can reprimand them or tell them to do things that are not in their job description, or maybe against the law, or even just fire them.
by artappraiser on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 11:39pm
Jon Chait:
by NCD on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 12:21am
Politico just published with the back story from their leakers inside the White House, so use your skepticism on some pretty juicy stuff, including that Trump did not expect such a reaction because he felt their would be bipartisan support of the firing:
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 12:57am
Roger Stone and a cigar, eh? Hopefully the grand jury's already discussing him, (twitter's shining as a breaking news platform)- but falling under Sessions' DoJ rather than local NY jurisdiction I'm concerned what can be shut down.
I still think the biggest issue is that Trump doesn't like sharing the limelight, and Comey was soaking up Trump's twitter time, crooked media no longer asking *his* opinion. Little boy with a tyrant complex - how long can this last? Must go read @RogueFirstLady now for some laughs.
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 1:16am
Putin gave Trump deadline? Trump to meet Lavrov today. Will send Vlad kisses, box of bon bons.
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 1:44am
by Obey on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 4:17am
good one, I did laugh.
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:37am
This bit is worth keeping in mind:
https://www.ft.com/content/40498d94-155b-11e7-80f4-13e067d5072c
In short, no matter how good Boente is, the new director will have total visibility over what their leads are. Which will hobble the investigation seriously. Trump will know exactly what they know. The Senate should block the appointment of anyone other than McCabe.
by Obey on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 6:12am
Fox & Trump hinted about this firing a month ago.
Apparently Giuliani thinks he can come out of the witness/suspect protection program now - showed up at Trump International Hotel last night - perhaps to discuss a vacancy at the FBI?
Plus a reminder that Comey is still a doofus, such as contending in his testimony that Huma was forwarding "thousands of emails" to her husband, when if anything they were there from backups (if not the "planted on disk by Russians" theory). In short, it seemed obviously absurd that anyone would forward 600,000 emails to anyone to "print out", nor to keep them around 4 years after the fact - especially since Weiner probably needed all his
dick spacedisk space for sexting pics.by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:23am
Yeah, the Guiiana "witness protection thing" is interesting.
I see two White House leakers (same as the Politico article?) are mentioned in this NYTimes article Trump and Comey: An Abrupt Ending That Was a Year in the Making saying similar as the Politico article
I also heard the same on CNN last night about the week of preparation. Commentary I heard suggests the Rosenstein letter and covers by Sessions and Trump is sloppy legal work,almost ridiculously so for something so serious. Meaning it was thrown together quickly.
And then there is this over at WaPo that the P.R. people were blind-sided: After Trump fired Comey, White House staff scrambled to explain why. And to go back to the Politico article, it talks of Trump calling Senators and asking their opinion.
So in general so far, evidence suggests that this was something that was decided over the last week. The Politico article describes his long-term anger building recently. So I have a sense so far your comment above is the correct interpretation Trump doesn't like sharing the limelight, and Comey was soaking up Trump's twitter time, crooked media no longer asking *his* opinion where it's not a case of the investigation getting too close to some dangerous disclosure but Trump seeing the investigation taking the wind from beneath his wings.
The whole supposed Lavrov meeting thing is disturbing and interesting. But it also seems clueless! Is his hubris really so great that he doesn't care about the optics of that?
In the end, optics doesn't matter as far as whether actions are legal? I guess a lot of commentary I heard might be right that it all depends on what name he comes up as a replacement for Comey.
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 8:12am
You guys really believe that? I understand the temptation to infantilize Trump, but firing the FBI director because the media paid him too much attention is a reach, even for Trump. Occam's Razor is shouting at you to accept the most plausible and straightforward explanation: Trump fired Comey to stop the Russia investigation.
It's not petulance; it's a cover up.
by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:08am
It can be both. There is no way to "infantilize Trump" - he is an infant. "You never open your mouth until you know what the shot is. You fucking child." Yes, he's covering up like crazy, but the way he's doing it is likely driven as much from his feral limited instincts as any thought out plan. He was born in a spoiled bubble, he grew up in a spoiled bubble, this is the first time he's been out of his cash-rich element, where he could buy and threaten his way out of anything. He's going down. Even his scumbag Republican protectors have their limits.
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:40am
Like PP said, it can be both. If you haven't read
After Trump fired Comey, White House staff scrambled to explain why
you should. It's currently # 1 on the most popular list @ WaPo. even though it's a story that's pretty old by today's standards. This is not a well thought out plot, this is an angry child version of Nixon. Uncontrolled building anger is the key. It was a real stupid move for someone trying to cover things up, no? There's plenty more articles now that confirm the general narrative: the firing was done without much thought at all and with few involved.
The main thing to understand about Trump, mho: whatever he's done, he doesn't think he's done a single thing wrong. It's all to make America great again, and adoration of Trump now and for the history books. Kushner, Ivanka, Trump Enterprises, Melania etc. making money off the name and now as president: what he's done his entire life, feels it's natural and accepted and understood.
Like I said above, the way he understands it, once he was elected by a "yuge majority", the U.S. is his privately-owned corporation for him to lead wherever he thinks it should go. He doesn't understand the basics of our government or Constitution, all he knows is that he knows how to straighten out the huge mess for his minions, the citizens.
I just heard a snippet on CNN from today out of the horse's mouth in response to a reporter's question "I have confidence, whatever happens".
I am willing to bet if he is impeached or indicted for something, to his dying day it will be "I did nothing wrong."
I just heard another quote on CNN, from Sen. Booker "the President is not taking this seriously." Indeed. That's the main point, the presidency is just another extended bunch of episodes of "The Apprentice" for him.
(Edited for typos.)
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:53pm
P.S. I am reminded once again of Bush Derangement Syndrome, where I would ask sufferers of that malady" "Which is it? Bush cannot be both a Machiavellian genius creator of intricate plots and a stupid idiot chimp."
Trump is only hiding things he thinks shouldn't be considered wrong, but wouldn't be "popular", including his own tax filings. He gets upset when things he does are not popular. He's slightly peeved right now that his firing of Comey isn't immediately popular. He's confident that it will eventually be popular. Not ashamed of anything, if he's breaking the rules, he thinks the rules are wrong.
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:19pm
I don't agree with the latter part. It isn't at ALL to "Make America Great Again." That is simply an advertising line like any other in the real estate business. It was a way to get the crowds on his side. Trump doesn't think he is doing anything wrong because he believes that anything he does that gets him what he wants is right (the narcissist part), and the fact that he is willing to use the MAGA to get poor simpletons to vote for him is the complete lack of morality (sociopath pat) since he has no intention of actually helping the rubes he lied to.
Saying "I did nothing wrong" is the same as a teenager swearing that they are late coming home because they "ran out of gas." And just as believable. But who is going to stop this mentally challenged traitor when the power, the votes, and even the Supreme Court is now on his side?
by CVille Dem on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 9:42pm
Josh Marshall:
by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:10am
"As I write this, I have a difficult time believing that last sentence myself." - uh, Josh - this was obvious as of at least a year ago that this would happen if Trump got anywhere close to the office.
The only thing I'm surprised about is that it hasn't gone worse or been covered up more effectively considering the number of people willing to call blue pink and up down or just suspend any sort of ethics for craven partisanship (not just money-thieving).
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:26am
I'm confused. In that case, why did you suggest that "the biggest issue is that Trump doesn't like sharing the limelight, and Comey was soaking up Trump's twitter time?"
It seems to me that the biggest issue is that Trump doesn't want to be indicted and/or impeached.
by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:33am
Perhaps a bit hyperbole - I have no way of being sure what drives him, but I do think that being in the spotlight is a huge motivator for him and drove sidelining Bannon more than anything else as well as his infatuation with pimping inaugural numbers, etc, etc. Yes, he's able to throw anyone under the bus to save his skin, but he's also shown he doesn't think he needs to show any care - people and money always covered for him and he acts absolutely careless. Comey's been both less than subservient and continues to absorb that media attention. If it was just to stay out of trouble, it could have been handled a number of better ways - he's out to humiliate Comey, and somehow doesn't expect it to backfire.
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:47am
Well he seems to have at least talked to the Senate leadership before the decision, presumably to make sure they will confirm whoever he chooses. So he hasn't been completely careless. They only need 50 votes + Pence, and can reasonably count on voters having forgotten the fuss by the time 2020 elections come around. How much are we willing to bet that there are 2 republican senators who care more about judicial independence than they do about tax cuts...?
Trump is taking a risk here, but he might actually get away with it.
by Obey on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 11:38am
2 female republicans are tilting towards special prosecutor. Maybe he's following his successful Obamacare repeal and build-the-wall strategies.
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 11:57am
Hm. Turns out the Senate no longer does the appointing. Only Rosenstein can. So I guess that option just disappeared. The only other option is a special committee, but I don't see McConnell agreeing to any format with teeth.
How does this even end with a proper investigation again...?
by Obey on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 12:18pm
Congressional investigation after Democrats recapture the House. If we're lucky.
by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 12:34pm
John McCain aide agrees with you
https://mobile.twitter.com/MarkSalter55/status/862370152553349123
by Obey on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 4:05pm
Trump meets with Kislyak - scared, is he? And that goddam handshake - he's nuts.
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 5:00pm
And with Henry directly after, who appears to be amused (dejas vus allover again, Henry?)
from the New York Daily News
Trump’s visits with Russians, Kissinger send curious message following Comey firing
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:36pm
"While the White House turned American news agencies away from the meeting, it did allow a Russian news agency to sit in." - awfully funny behavior for a guy who's scared
by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:43pm
Note Putin's reaction, excerpt below from the above Daily News link and at more length in CBS video at the bottom of the page, which I recommend not the least of whidch because he truly is about to play hockey and doesn't seem to have a care in the world, but doesn't mind talking to the CBS reporter:
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 7:47pm
I agree completely. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the Democrats have any real recourse and as we know Trump's diehards wouldn't care if he shot somebody on Fifth Avenue so they surely won't care if he successfully conspired with a foreign adversary to engage in election fraud. Frightening times we live in.
by HSG on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 3:41pm
Deputy director Andrew McCabe to testify tomorrow in place of Comey
by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 1:16pm
Comey has been invited to testify next Tuesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a closed door session - at the behest of both Warner and Burr. Acting Director Andrew McCabe will testify tomorrow in Comey's stead. If Trump had hoped to derail (or considerably delay) further statements from the FBI and/or Comey, it appears he has been disappointed thus far.
by barefooted on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 3:49pm
Comey's doing the fall on his sword thing, regrets he has only this to give to his country, or wants to go to heaven, or (cynical me) maybe his future book publisher has already advised that he should maintain his current non-partisan partriot Dick Tracey brand:
Comey farewell: ‘A president can fire an FBI director for any reason’
@ The Hill, May 10
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 9:32pm
What another NY billionaire pol thinks:
After Comey, Justice Must Be Served
by Michael R. Bloomberg @ Bloomberg View, May 10, 2017, 2:30 PM EDT
(Talk about slowly building anger: I can only imagine...the anal retentive watching the sloppy narcissist of poorly gotten gains)
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 9:49pm
Tired of hearing usual suspects Toobin vs. Dershowitz on the Constitutional Law side of things? Here's another expert I think of highly from back in the early blogopsphere days:
Comey's Firing Is a Crisis of American Rule of Law
by Noah Feldman @ Bloomberg View, May 9
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:53pm
TRUMP COMES UNGLUED: President spends hours after bombshell Comey firing blasting away at Democrats
By Allan Smith @ Business Insider, 13 hrs. ago
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 10:57pm
WaPo.com has a red "BREAKING" banner at the top:: Deputy attorney general threatened to quit after being cast as impetus of Comey's firing, which was already decided, source says
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 11:31pm
Anti-Trump leakers coming out of the woodwork. Hell hath no fury like law enforcement dissed?
Comey called Trump ‘crazy’ after Obama wiretapping claims: report
by artappraiser on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 11:36pm