Discussion: Opening Arguments In Manafort D.C. Trial To Begin September 24

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That’s fine. The closer this is to the election, the better. I’ll wager that this trial will really uncover some dark secrets about the Russia-Republican connection that will embarrass more than just the Trumps. I’m fine with waiting an extra week for all of that. It will also give me a chance to buy some more popcorn.

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An extra week to negotiate a deal to flip!?:wink:

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The extra week will allow Trump time to find his new lawyer to help draw his pardon papers. The last thing he wants is for Manafort to flip.

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Posted on social media about the trial or Manafort? Is she serious? If they can find 12 people who haven’t they probably are incapable of understanding the trial.Things have changed, the process needs to change with it.

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How about on TPM or Fox News and the like? I don’t do social media, but I do this.

Also, posting on social media is one thing, but maybe the question should include the frequency of postings on social media about Manafort and his issues that you’ve read on social media. I know my SO gets them all the time. He doesn’t write them, but he does read and react to them.

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Love it - this trial is going to run into the election it sounds like.

Woo hoo!

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I would think it includes things like TPM, but I am no lawyer.

I do wonder if Mueller’s team has figured out what happened with that lone juror.

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I thought the trial was scheduled to last 3 to 4 weeks which should bring the verdict just before the election. That I think would be the better outcome.

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I should have chosen my words more carefully - that runs it right up to the election as you said which has it in process during the last days of campaigning.

Yes that is perfect.

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[The judge] …while noting that the goal of the jury questionnaire is to root out any potential bias.

I had a jury questionnaire once. It asked if I thought that if a person was brought to trial he was probably guilty. My reaction was, “Well I should hope so! ‘Probably’ means a better that 50% chance and if the cops/DAs can’t get it right more than 50% of the time, we’re in serious trouble. Of course, being right at least 50% of the time, or even 95% of the time tells you nothing about this particular defendant. He (it was a he) might be that unfortunate guy wrongly accused.”

I did not write that on the questionnaire, but I did wonder what moron came up with that wording.

P.S. Although I wasn’t on that jury, I did find out what happened. That particular guy had no trouble with being found guilty. He broke into a cop’s house and stole his gun. It was his 3rd strike. Oops. [It was the fact that this trial involved a cop, who hadn’t secured his gun BTW, that caused a 67 member jury pool to be assembled and the questionnaire. They were much concerned with ill feelings towards the police.]

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In TX there is or was a 3 strike rule and I was asked if I could sentence someone to life for a third robbery. My response was you would have to convince me. I made the jury.

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Yes if I reread it I can see that is what you meant. If you are anything like me, using the phone, it is a wonder I can get anything out. As it is I spend the next 15 mins editing what I posted.

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I avoid the phone to the extent that it’s possible to do so.

I can’t believe I spent so much time on the phone at one time in my life because I’ll barely touch it now. hahaha

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Why can I only like this once?

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mille grazi

I don’t like this one bit. If Agent Orange is seriously thinking about a pardon, wouldn’t it be more politically expedient to do it before the trial begins, thus preventing Mueller from presenting his evidence? Depending on what Mueller has up his sleeve, it could be political suicide (I know, I know) to pardon afterwards. This gives Trumplestilskin more time to do just that, and allow him to fall back on the witch hunt trope, plus spin some bullshit about the integrity of the mid-terms? OTH I’m not sure if all this pussyfooting around in the press about a pardon may just be a bunch of flak by the administration to keep Manafort from flipping and then Sayonara to old nice guy Paul after sentencing. But still, I come back to the fact that Trump wants to see Mueller’s evidence laid out before the public as much as he wants to see re-runs of Obama’s taking him to the woodshed at the correspondent’s dinner. Along those lines, if Manafort has an, Er, understanding of a pending pardon, why wouldn’t he just plead guilty, solving the above?

Arrg. Exits to pour another Jameson.

Edited for drinking and phone typing

It’s a simple thing, but call them opening statements.