Dan Coates is 76 and has plenty of money. Time for him to be a patriot and stand up.
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Toomey is not picking up, so I emailed him.
I called Casey & my rep and thanked them. I said I can tell who the patriots are, they answer their phones.
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i think Josh missed the significance of this
the whistleblower knew exactly what s/he was doing. citing specifically the “responsibilities of the Directorate for Intelligence Programs” That is part of the DNI’s responsibilities.
and here, once again, is the relevant part of the whistleblower law definition of “urgent concern”
A serious or flagrant problem, abuse, violation of law or Executive order, or deficiency relating to the funding, administration, or operation of an intelligence activity within the responsibility and authority of the Director of National Intelligence involving classified information…
The whistleblower laid out why this complaint was an “urgent concern”. The IG said it was a “urgent concern”.
And Maguire – a non-lawyer who was in the job for 10 days – decided he had questions about the legal standard? And goes right to the DoJ? And we’re supposed to believe this crap?
ETA: and other members of the Intelligence Community were involved as well.
And Maguire doesn’t think this falls within his area of responsibility? Members of the intelligence community are being told about criminal acts – and become complicit in them in they don’t report them?
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I believe Crayola is considering a new crayon for that shade called “oh-so-white.” It’s sort of like Skin-So-Soft, but more criminally racist.
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“He’s not smart, so dumb”
Cowtown Funk:
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It was the presence of all the ‘acting’ principles that they thought would protect them. How sweet that it’s what will finally do them in.
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Thank you, Josh, for this excellent just-the-facts summary. This was by far the least painless way to catch up on a story that is coming out piecemeal elsewhere.
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Latin, my friend
So, Barr says the WH didn’t ask him to contact Zelensky or Ukraine government officials. But what if the request to Barr was made by Giuliani, or some other lackey? And what if the mob boss “didn’t have to spell it out.”:
“Bill, It would be great if someone in DOJ could contact Zelensky and get the bottom of this corruption.”
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I completely agree with “rockitttla.” Allowing a witness to answer the question he/she wishes had been asked rather than the one that was actually asked is not acceptable - and it suggests to the viewer that it was the appropriate or “right” answer. That’s what Rep. Jayapal meant when she told Lewandowski “you’re a witness…act like it.” But you don’t get that respect just by asking for it - especially in this political environment.
Similarly, when a question elicits a response that, perhaps unintentionally, opens a new door, a Member needs the dexterity to pursue explore it. Understanding time is limited and that there should be some cohesion between Members’ questions (certainly those of the same party), sticking to a script or sermonizing isn’t the most productive way to get to the truth.
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The problem is not “messaging.” The problem is Democratic politicians putting their own egos and their own political careers ahead of the country. They need to step back and have a competent counsel provide the forensic questioning, that draws out the narrative on live television. This is what happened with the Watergate hearings, when Sam Dash did the forensic questioning.
I’ve had the suspicion that Nancy has been resistant to an impeachment inquiry, because she’s not sure these committee members are up to the job.
I totally agree with you. There something seriously wrong with Jordan. Every time I hear him speak find myself fascinated by what he will lets come out of his mouth. How did he get elected to Congress?
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It’s quite possible he has already.
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5 stars ***** Best photo-comment I have seen today.
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While this affair plays out it’s going to be real hard keeping track of who is throwing whom under the bus.
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If you don’t think Vogel transcribed the story as dictated by Giuliani, you haven’t been paying attention.
The NYT angle on this, where they had the story in May but chose to be a conduit for Trump’s ratfucking instead, is one I hope we will hear more about. Maybe the Washington Post could become our new Paper Of Record.
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I very much remember being in an airport in Latin America, late at night, waiting for an early morning flight.
The terminal closed (something not usually done here).
I sidled outside, knowing that I would eventually have to find cab to get me out of there. For one time, my complexion and appearance did not say “I got $$$$$…rob me…” But that did not get me a cab any faster…and as time went by, 200 people dwindled to 150…to 100 and below.
Still no cab
By the time about 50 people were still in the rough quadrangle in front of the airport, I was able to grab a cab (with some others and mutter when I wanted to be let off).
Trump/.Barr/other assholes are in the 200-in-the-quadrangle stage of this Impeachment process. There is enough space and other people to posture and bullshit (and–TRUST ME–while I was waiting for that cab I was posturing and deflecting like NO OTHER). But as we close in (whether Pelosi and Co. do exactly what we want or not) that circle will become inescapable to avoid blame, censure and accountability. IT’S A FUCKING COVER-UP WE GOT HERE
Each stage of this will get better.
And better
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It is hard to empathize much with him. He gets empathy when he completely comes clean, stops covering for the Trumphole and admits he was wrong to block the release.
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or what if Ukranians contacted Barr…
and BTAIM…
Team Trump is making a big deal about Zelensky saying he wasn’t ‘pushed’ – presenting it as “no pressure”.
All that means is that Zelensky didn’t have a hard time with doing what Trump asked. If I need something major from you, and you say “first, though, I’d like a joint”, if I had a joint, i’d give it to you. Doesn’t matter that its “wrong” to do so, I’m happy to do it if I get what I want.
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