Thoughts on Comey’s Testimony, and One of the Most Telling Moments

Opinion • Views: 60,810

There was a lot to parse in today’s Senate testimony by former FBI director James Comey; he reiterated that Donald Trump asked him to pledge loyalty not to the country or the Constitution, but to Donald Trump.

Comey stated quite explicitly that Trump had simply “lied” about the nature of their conversations, and that he began making detailed notes about his meetings with Trump because he was concerned Trump would lie about them. This was eye-opening stuff; he directly accused the president of lying on numerous occasions.

And he repeated his statements that Trump had “suggested” to him that he make the investigation into Michael Flynn’s Russian connections go away.

Right wing media are all crowing that Trump never explicitly ordered Comey to drop the Flynn investigation, but let’s face it — when the president of the United States calls you into the Oval Office, tells everyone else to leave, and then makes a “suggestion,” that’s a little bit more than just a casual remark, wouldn’t you say?

But I think one of the most telling and damaging points Comey made was that even after being informed there was absolutely no doubt Russia had mounted a huge effort to interfere with and undermine the credibility of the US election process, Donald Trump never even asked what was being done to prevent further interference by Russia. He was completely incurious about how to stop this from happening again.

Was this because Trump’s enormous ego simply doesn’t let him care about much else but constantly feeding it? Or is there a deeper, more sinister reason why Trump had no interest in this vitally important subject?

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429 comments
1
SteelPH  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:38:14am
Was this because Trump’s enormous ego simply doesn’t let him care about much else but constantly feeding it? Or is there a deeper, more sinister reason why Trump had no interest in this vitally important subject?

Yes.

2
Franklin  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:39:36am

I will have to read the transcript but I was certain I heard Comey say, in response to a question about why he didn’t go to WH counsel with his claim on inappropriate contact, that the knowledge of the inappropriate contact was part of the investigation itself.

Sort of like, we are investigating the Trump campaign and surrogates, we don’t know how wide it goes and if it goes to the top of the administration. But the President just asked me to squash it so maybe it does?

Updated/Edited some typos

3
bratwurst  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:41:56am
4
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:43:39am

re: #3 bratwurst

[Embedded content]

As was the style of the time.

5
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:43:42am
6
Jack Burton  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:44:30am

re: #3 bratwurst

Pepperidge Farm remembers.

7
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:44:36am

re: #5 Backwoods_Sleuth

8
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:47:22am
9
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:47:25am

re: #7 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

Follow up question, “really? seriously? I mean, c’mon, really?”

10
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:47:43am
11
Mike Lamb  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:49:12am

The other things that is happening is that the administration and others are conflating the investigation into the attempts by Russia to influence the election and the investigation into Flynn re: his connections/contacts to Russia.

And while both of these things can fall under the general umbrella of “Russia Investigation”, they are distinct subsets.

Just another level of obfuscation on their part.

12
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:50:12am

re: #8 Kragar

[Embedded content]

They’ll bring up the emails to whoever runs in 2020 I’m certain.

13
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:50:48am

re: #10 The Vicious Babushka

[Embedded content]

The talking points got out I see.

14
Franklin  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:50:48am

I think it was Jon Lovett that said it best on Pod Save America. The gist is, if you are setting up a back channel using Russian communication equipment/protocols, it isn’t a “back channel”. It’s just direct communication with the Russian’s, hidden from the US Intelligence Community.

15
Franklin  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:53:16am

Like a scene from an Austin Powers movie:

16
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:56:11am

re: #15 Franklin

Like a scene from an Austin Powers movie:

[Embedded content]

oh dear…LOLOLOLOLOLOL

17
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:56:30am

re: #1 SteelPH

Yes.

My reaction at the time of that Comey response:

Huh—Trump didn;t give a rat’s ass about Russian interference with the election (unless his name was specifically mentioned—that’s me—not Comey, speaking)

18
Dr. Matt  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:57:01am
19
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:58:18am

Biggest moment for me was at the start when Comey was asked why he wrote contemporaneous notes:
“I thought he would lie about our meeting later based on the character of the person.”
Mark Warner was all, “Whoa, man…that’s some heavy shit you just dropped on us.”

20
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:58:48am
21
Egregious Philbin  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:59:34am

Grandpa Munster (McCain) didn’t get his weekly visit from his bloodboy. (Silicon Valley)

22
JordanRules  Jun 8, 2017 • 11:59:52am

re: #20 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Come on son!!!
What in the entire incompetent fuck!?!?

23
SteelPH  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:00:37pm

re: #22 JordanRules

Come on son!!!
What in the entire incompetent fuck!?!?

The only lawyer sleezy enough to take the job.

24
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:00:38pm

re: #15 Franklin

Like a scene from an Austin Powers movie:

I wouldn’t even expect this in the lesser of Mel Brooks’ film oeuvre.

25
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:00:45pm

As others have observed on Twitter, the folks who try to claim that “I hope you can see your way clear to letting it go” wasn’t really a request to drop the investigation would claim that “Nice business you got here. Be a shame if sumpin’ was to happen to it” isn’t really a threat.

26
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:00:52pm

re: #19 darthstar

Biggest moment for me was at the start when Comey was asked why he wrote contemporaneous notes:
“I thought he would lie about our meeting later based on the character of the person.”
Mark Warner was all, “Whoa, man…that’s some heavy shit you just dropped on us.”

Apparently, it left a mark with the White House too (image scraped from WaPo website).

27
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:01:54pm
28
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:01:54pm

re: #20 klys (maker of Silmarils)

[Embedded content]

I guess if you’re not sure the client will even pay you, you don’t put out your best effort.

29
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:02:46pm

re: #23 SteelPH

The only lawyer sleezy enough to take the job.

Exactly. No one in their right mind wants to defend Trump, as Charles pointed out a few days ago.

This is one step or two (or three) below Lionel Hutz’ “I Can’t Believe It’s a Law Firm!”

30
garzooma  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:03:27pm
Comey stated quite explicitly that Trump had simply “lied” about the nature of their conversations, and that he began making detailed notes about his meetings with Trump because he was concerned Trump would lie about them. This was eye-opening stuff; he directly accused the president of lying on numerous occasions.

Trump’s own lawyers called him a liar. In a deposition. Under oath. Don’t see how this moves the needle.

Right wing media are all crowing that Trump never explicitly ordered Comey to drop the Flynn investigation, but let’s face it — when the president of the United States calls you into the Oval Office, tells everyone else to leave, and then makes a “suggestion,” that’s a little bit more than just a casual remark, wouldn’t you say?

Also, the fact that Trump actually carried out the implied threat pretty much removes any ambiguity.

But I think one of the most telling and damaging points Comey made was that even after being informed there was absolutely no doubt Russia had mounted a huge effort to interfere with and undermine the credibility of the US election process, Donald Trump never even asked what was being done to prevent further interference by Russia. He was completely incurious about how to stop this from happening again.

I think there’s a general problem with getting people to understand that hacking into computer systems is exactly the same as breaking into peoples’ houses and rifling through their papers. It reminds me of the book “The Cuckoo’s Egg” that has this Berkeley grad student desperately trying to get the FBI/CIA to understand that a crime was being committed.

31
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:03:32pm

re: #27 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Cindy is being considered too? Not just Candice?

32
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:03:34pm
33
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:04:07pm

re: #29 Myron Falwell

Exactly. No one in their right mind wants to defend Trump, as Charles pointed out a few days ago.

This is one step or two (or three) below Lionel Hutz’ “I Can’t Believe It’s a Law Firm!”

Lionel Hutz would be more competent.

34
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:05:07pm

re: #28 Blind Frog Belly White

I guess if you’re not sure the client will even pay you, you don’t put out your best effort.

All publicity is good publicity!

35
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:06:11pm

re: #34 klys (maker of Silmarils)

All publicity is good publicity!

So long as they don’t misspell Chump. Oh, wait…

36
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:06:42pm
37
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:06:46pm

oh good grief, John

38
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:07:24pm

re: #33 HappyWarrior

Lionel Hutz would be more competent.

“Mr. Hutz, are you aware you’re not wearing any pants?”

39
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:08:52pm

re: #10 The Vicious Babushka

[Embedded content]

Chris Wallace, apparently, didn’t get the talking points in time.

Chris Wallace didn’t mince any words for his audience on Thursday: Former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony was very bad news for President Donald Trump.

rawstory.com

40
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:09:35pm
41
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:09:44pm

McCain is really getting pathetic. Oh maybe I shouldn’t have stayed up watching baseball? Uh yeah. You have a job.

42
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:10:39pm

re: #37 Backwoods_Sleuth

There is no way McCant wrote that. He would have fallen asleep on the keyboard.

43
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:10:43pm

re: #36 klys (maker of Silmarils)

[Embedded content]

Yeah, John—that’s it. Your argle bargle was so fucking erudite and brilliant that it went over people’s heads. Uh huh.

44
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:10:47pm

Can’t wait to see Lumpy’s hot take on this.

45
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:11:24pm

re: #39 BeachDem

Chris Wallace, apparently, didn’t get the talking points in time.

Chris Wallace didn’t mince any words for his audience on Thursday: Former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony was very bad news for President Donald Trump.

rawstory.com

Damn…Wallace was moved.

46
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:11:57pm

re: #36 klys (maker of Silmarils)

re: #37 Backwoods_Sleuth

4 seconds. Impressive.

47
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:12:25pm

re: #46 wrenchwench

4 seconds. Impressive.

My guess is the part where she added commentary let me win. ;)

48
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:13:22pm
49
Le Coquí Résistance  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:15:51pm

re: #40 Kragar

[Embedded content]

We’re on the same boat… I need to use 10+ days before June 30.

50
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:16:56pm

I’m starting to think with McCain that not only was Obama obviously the right choice but perhaps Bush too

51
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:17:18pm

re: #40 Kragar

[Embedded content]

I have about 4 hours of accrued vacation. Never risk dying with significant amounts of vacation time banked.

52
No Depression  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:17:39pm

re: #41 HappyWarrior

McCain is really getting pathetic. Oh maybe I shouldn’t have stayed up watching baseball? Uh yeah. You have a job.

I mean I can relate to that I guess. There’s been times I stayed up late to watch the Cowboys on MNF when I had work the next day. Then again, I’m not a U.S. senator, so not a big deal when I do it lol.

53
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:17:50pm

re: #49 Le Coquí Résistance

We’re on the same boat… I need to use 10+ days before June 30.

Got my kid’s graduation coming up, then was going to take the last week of June off. With the 4th of July, I’ll get 11 days in a row if I take off 5.

54
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:18:34pm

re: #51 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

I have about 4 hours of accrued vacation. Never risk dying with significant amounts of vacation time banked.

We get paid off the excess in the event of getting laid off or death.

55
Le Coquí Résistance  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:18:49pm

re: #53 Kragar

Got my kid’s graduation coming up, then was going to take the last week of June off. With the 4th of July, I’ll get 11 days in a row if I take off 5.

Nice!

Congratulations to you and your kid on your kid’s graduation!

56
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:18:58pm

re: #54 Kragar

We get paid off the excess in the event of getting laid off or death.

Thanks CA!

57
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:19:09pm

re: #52 No Depression

I mean I can relate to that I guess. There’s been times I stayed up late to watch the Cowboys on MNF when I had work the next day. Then again, I’m not a U.S. senator, so not a big deal when I do it lol.

Well it was also a big hearing today too. But yeah we aren’t senators.

58
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:19:28pm

re: #54 Kragar

We get paid off the excess in the event of getting laid off or death.

You won’t be able to spend that money if you’re dead.

59
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:19:31pm

re: #54 Kragar

We get paid off the excess in the event of getting laid off or death.

You’re a bad employee making your company carry that as a liability on their balance sheet.

60
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:19:59pm

re: #58 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

You won’t be able to spend that money if you’re dead.

My wife and kids might find it useful.

61
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:20:47pm

re: #51 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

I have about 4 hours of accrued vacation. Never risk dying with significant amounts of vacation time banked.

I’m self-employed. It took a significant risk of death to get me to take time off.

62
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:21:43pm

re: #40 Kragar

[Embedded content]

We have maximum accrual of 200 hours. But they don’t tell you when you hit it. You have to pay attention, and remember to check periodically. I think I lost at least 2 full days this year through inattention.

63
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:22:15pm

re: #60 Kragar

My wife and kids might find it useful.

Maybe, but assuming you have decent life-insurance, they’ll be fine. You need to take a serious vacation for about a month. It’s what’s best for everyone involved.

64
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:22:59pm
65
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:23:20pm

re: #61 wrenchwench

I’m self-employed. It took a significant risk of death to get me to take time off.

That’s a downside of being self-employed. The other is that your asshole boss who gives you no time off is you.

66
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:23:46pm
67
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:23:54pm

When I was getting out of the USMC, I had about 2 months left when they told me you could only cash out 60 days of accrued leave. I walked down to my 1st Sgt and was on 10 days leave that afternoon. 2 months later, I had an extra 6k sitting in my pocket.

68
covfefe  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:24:07pm

If only trump said “radical Islamic terrorism” when he was being pampered by the Saudis.

Mosul battle: IS kills 230 fleeing civilians, says UN

69
Dave In Austin  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:24:12pm
70
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:25:05pm

re: #69 Dave In Austin

[Embedded content]

He really is a pathetic hack.

71
No Depression  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:25:11pm

re: #64 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

YOU CAN’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!1!1!!!

72
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:26:16pm

At mr. klys’s last job, your vacation time for the year didn’t roll over between years. You were granted your full allotment on January 1st.

It ended up working out to be a full month of extra pay when he left.

His new job just doesn’t have “vacation time” allowances. It’s a take what you want as long as you can clear it with the boss sort of thing. Avoids the “once it’s granted, you have to pay for it no matter what” CA law.

73
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:26:43pm

re: #65 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

That’s a downside of being self-employed. The other is that your asshole boss who gives you no time off is you.

It’s always a good day when you fire your boss.

74
scottslemmons  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:27:12pm

re: #69 Dave In Austin

[Embedded content]

Is that what Cillizza looks like? ‘Cause I kinda want to dunk his head in the toilet bowl at school and flush it.

75
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:27:19pm
76
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:32:03pm
77
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:32:08pm

First Biotech i worked at hadn’t established any maximum accrual, and of course as a startup encouraged people to work, not to vacation. This was all well and good, till a couple long-time employees left the company, and the full force of several factors hit:

First, of course, these people had been accruing at 3 week/year for 5 or more years.

Second, they had all been promoted one or more times, with comensurate salary increases.

Third, and probably most impactful, this was the 1980s, and 10% annual raises were common.

String all that together, and the ended up with people who had accrued weeks of vacation at as little as $10/hour being cashed out at as much as $25/hr, and getting MONTHS of pay at their terminal rate.

It wasn’t long before THAT changed! Everyone with >250 hrs was given a year in which to take sufficient time off to drop to 250, or lose all the hours over that. My crazy boss ended up leaving something like 3 months of pay on the table, and he’d hired on as a Post-Doc, and left as a Staff Scientist!

78
dangerman  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:32:37pm

re: #8 Kragar

[Embedded content]

the biggest takeaway was the gop actively and voluntarily demonstrating that they *all* are in fact participating in covering this up

79
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:33:12pm
80
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:34:00pm

re: #75 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

I LOVE IT that Bharara references ‘Fargo’ here!!!!

81
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:34:00pm

re: #76 Backwoods_Sleuth

82
makeitstop  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:34:47pm

re: #36 klys (maker of Silmarils)

McCain: “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.”

Or maybe you should just retire to Arizona and count your filthy lucre.

83
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:35:23pm
84
Quoth the raven, Covfefe.  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:36:14pm

Afternoon Lizardim.

85
dangerman  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:36:36pm

re: #65 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

That’s a downside of being self-employed. The other is that your asshole boss who gives you no time off is you.

when people are thinking of going into business for themselves, i always say they should understand that “instead of working for a moron you’re going to be working for an idiot”

…then we draw up the article of incorporation and the ss-4

86
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:36:36pm

re: #76 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

The only thing I know for sure is that Kevin Klein will be playing Kasowitz in any movie made.

87
makeitstop  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:38:33pm

re: #74 scottslemmons

Is that what Cillizza looks like? ‘Cause I kinda want to dunk his head in the toilet bowl at school and flush it.

Get in line, pal.

88
stpaulbear  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:38:44pm

re: #22 JordanRules

Come on son!!!
What in the entire incompetent fuck!?!?

Trump probably sees the typos and smiles that he’s not overpaying his lawyers. Typos = fewer billable hours.

89
Quoth the raven, Covfefe.  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:38:50pm

re: #72 klys (maker of Silmarils)

At mr. klys’s last job, your vacation time for the year didn’t roll over between years. You were granted your full allotment on January 1st.

It ended up working out to be a full month of extra pay when he left.

His new job just doesn’t have “vacation time” allowances. It’s a take what you want as long as you can clear it with the boss sort of thing. Avoids the “once it’s granted, you have to pay for it no matter what” CA law.

It’s really kind of a win-win situation (aside from the case of getting terminated). Employees get to take the mental breaks they need. Employers don’t have to pay for vacation time they don’t need. Generally works out.

90
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:40:02pm

re: #89 Quoth the raven, Covfefe.

It’s really kind of a win-win situation (aside from the case of getting terminated). Employees get to take the mental breaks they need. Employers don’t have to pay for vacation time they don’t need. Generally works out.

Well, it’s only a win-win as long as the employee actually feels like they can *take* the vacation time without it being a detriment to their career advancement possibilities. But yes.

91
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:41:05pm

re: #83 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Ask BillO’s victims whether “I hope you can see your way clear to…”, from your boss, doesn’t feel like a request.

92
Quoth the raven, Covfefe.  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:42:08pm

re: #90 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Well, it’s only a win-win as long as the employee actually feels like they can *take* the vacation time without it being a detriment to their career advancement possibilities. But yes.

Ah, yes. Which is the situation I find myself in most frequently.

93
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:43:19pm

re: #89 Quoth the raven, Covfefe.

It’s really kind of a win-win situation (aside from the case of getting terminated). Employees get to take the mental breaks they need. Employers don’t have to pay for vacation time they don’t need. Generally works out.

A lot of people find themselves hesitant to take vacation, lest the company discover in their absensce that they really weren’t needed. This feeling gets reinforced at any company that has done a Reduction In Force within recent memory.

94
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:43:52pm
95
Dave In Austin  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:44:08pm

re: #74 scottslemmons

Is that what Cillizza looks like? ‘Cause I kinda want to dunk his head in the toilet bowl at school and flush it.

My money is that it’s probably happened more than once already.

96
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:44:31pm

re: #77 Blind Frog Belly White

First Biotech i worked at hadn’t established any maximum accrual, and of course as a startup encouraged people to work, not to vacation. This was all well and good, till a couple long-time employees left the company, and the full force of several factors hit:

First, of course, these people had been accruing at 3 week/year for 5 or more years.

Second, they had all been promoted one or more times, with comensurate salary increases.

Third, and probably most impactful, this was the 1980s, and 10% annual raises were common.

String all that together, and the ended up with people who had accrued weeks of vacation at as little as $10/hour being cashed out at as much as $25/hr, and getting MONTHS of pay at their terminal rate.

It wasn’t long before THAT changed! Everyone with >250 hrs was given a year in which to take sufficient time off to drop to 250, or lose all the hours over that. My crazy boss ended up leaving something like 3 months of pay on the table, and he’d hired on as a Post-Doc, and left as a Staff Scientist!

The Commonwealth of Virginia used to have a sick pay policy that allowed employees to accrue absurd numbers of sick pay hours (in addition to “annual leave” (accrued vacation time)). They ended up offering additional service years on their retirement plan if you switched to the newer sick leave system where you get a fixed amount of sick/personal leave every year and they don’t pay that out on termination/retirement, which they continue to do so for annual leave.

97
goddamnedfrank  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:45:53pm
98
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:46:08pm

re: #92 Quoth the raven, Covfefe.

Ah, yes. Which is the situation I find myself in most frequently.

I mean, under the system where you’re granted the days, you at least get some benefit from them even if you don’t take them (in terms of it being paid out).

I’m not 100% sold that this is really to the employee’s benefit nearly as much as it is to the employer’s. We’ll see, I guess. At some point we’re going to do the honeymoon to Antarctica and I’d rather that not be the only time he gets off during that year.

99
(Bert the Turtle)  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:46:41pm

re: #80 Blind Frog Belly White

I LOVE IT that Bharara references ‘Fargo’ here!!!!

I think the line was originally in Miller’s Crossing.

100
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:49:42pm

re: #15 Franklin

Like a scene from an Austin Powers movie:

Jennifer Jacobs ✔ @JenniferJJacobs
Awkward scene as Kasowitz tried to escape with no press questions: He and aides stood in elevator staring at us. Forgot to push down button.
2:50 PM - 8 Jun 2017
713 713 Retweets 1,592 1,592 likes

I can smell the pressure on the lawyer from Ohio. Typos, running from press. Screwing up getting on the elevator.

Did his nose grow longer during his conference?

101
Le Coquí Résistance  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:51:43pm

I finally caught up with the infamous tweet by Eichenwald. And … that’s it? Geez, the page title is barely legible, and you need to zoom in to actually see it.

And talk about seeing the trees while ignoring the forest…

102
MsJ  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:51:58pm
103
Jack Burton  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:53:42pm

re: #93 Blind Frog Belly White

A lot of people find themselves hesitant to take vacation, lest the company discover in their absensce that they really weren’t needed. This feeling gets reinforced at any company that has done a Reduction In Force within recent memory.

It sucks, but it’s true. Most people’s jobs (or at least most office/desk jobs) are basically invented bullshit to keep them busy and the economy working according to 18th century mindsets, including but not limited to America’s psychotic obsession with the protestant work ethic. It’s one of the biggest lies of the great big lies we all seem to be told or tell ourselves.*

There’s a reason most people with desk jobs can “play” on the internet most of the day and still get their jobs done. That said it’s possible if they leave for a few days, they will barely be missed if at all, leading someone above them who doesn’t realize ‘the big lie’ to say “why are paying this guy/gal?”

*According to Keynes we should have either a 15 hour work week by now, or everyone should be making 2 or 3 times as much as they do, but all the advancements in productivity that would cause that to be a reality have been swallowed up by the 1% since the 70s.

104
MsJ  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:54:12pm
105
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:55:08pm

re: #99 (Bert the Turtle)

I think the line was originally in Miller’s Crossing.

I don’t remember it from Miller’s Crossing. But…

YouTube

106
MsJ  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:55:56pm

More Republican Profiles in Courage.

107
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:56:19pm

MoveOn is calling for impeachment. Footnote 1 is what Louise Mensch misunderstood as Trump already being impeached.

Dear MoveOn member,

Today, we’re doing something we’ve never done before in the history of MoveOn: We’re calling for the impeachment of the president of the United States.

We’ve held off on taking this step even as Donald Trump’s scandals have continued to unfold. We didn’t want to jump to conclusions. But former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony today confirmed that Trump used his power as president to pressure the FBI to drop the investigation into his team’s ties to Russia—and that’s exactly the kind of abuse that our nation’s founders meant by “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

And that’s why it’s finally time to say it: Donald Trump must be impeached.

Impeachment is not a word to throw around lightly. For example, although George W. Bush lied to get us into war, MoveOn never called for him to be impeached.

But we’re not the only ones who are now calling for Trump’s impeachment. In fact, formal articles of impeachment were just introduced in the House.1 Even Republicans in Congress have openly raised it as a possibility.2 Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said yesterday that Richard Nixon’s Watergate “pales” in comparison to the Trump-Russia scandal (and remember, Nixon resigned and faced impeachment because of it).3

Even before Comey’s testimony today, 43% of Americans said that Trump should be impeached. In fact, more people support impeaching Trump than approve of his job performance.4

Our work ahead is clear: We will amplify the righteous call for truth and accountability, build pressure on congressional Republicans to put their country before their party, and prepare to hold Republicans accountable if they stonewall and cover for Trump for the next 18 months. And we’ll also need to continue fighting to block Trump’s toxic agenda, which may become even more reckless as Trump lashes out in reaction to each new damning revelation about him.

1. “Trump Impeachment Process Set to Begin as Democrat Al Green Files Articles,” Newsweek, June 7, 2017
act.moveon.org

2. “Republican Carlos Curbelo Wants You to Know He Mentioned Impeachment First,” NBC News, March 31, 2017
act.moveon.org

3. “Watergate ‘pales’ compared with Trump-Russia: former U.S. intelligence head,” Reuters, June 7, 2017
act.moveon.org

4. “Support for Donald Trump’s Impeachment Is Now Higher than His Approval Rating,” Newsweek, June 5, 2017
act.moveon.org

108
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:58:12pm

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

109
Quoth the raven, Covfefe.  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:58:54pm

re: #108 Blind Frog Belly White

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

[Embedded content]

Religious wingnuts.

110
The Ghost of Senator Incitatus  Jun 8, 2017 • 12:59:28pm

re: #108 Blind Frog Belly White

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

[Embedded content]

My generation is the one that hit adolescence right around when Rush Limbaugh became the voice of the GOP, and Fox News the information source.

Note: edited because I wasn’t actually specifying.

111
Interesting Times  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:00:21pm

re: #108 Blind Frog Belly White

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

[Embedded content]

Old enough to hate the modern world and all its progress, but young enough to not need social security and medicare yet?

112
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:00:41pm

re: #106 MsJ

More Republican Profiles in Courage.

“Hey bud, why the long face?”

113
BlueSpotinAL  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:01:20pm

re: #108 Blind Frog Belly White

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

[Embedded content]

Drank the Reagan koolaid. Just another drug after protesting, LSD, pot and cocaine.
{fried egg video} Any questions?

Baby Boomer here - yes we are the worst as a group, tired of this bullshit about millenials etc.

114
Jack Burton  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:01:26pm

re: #108 Blind Frog Belly White

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

[Embedded content]

Assuming you are in the 50-64. There are a lot of wingnuts in that group still working so the realities of how badly the GOP and Trump are and will be treating retirees doesn’t directly affect them yet.

115
(Bert the Turtle)  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:02:10pm

re: #105 Blind Frog Belly White

Ahhh, he borrowed from both. I was talking about this line:

“And stop speculating about a hypothesis. ” From Millers’ Crossing:

O’Doole: Jesus, Tom, I was just speculatin’ about a hypothesis. I know I don’t know nothin’.

116
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:03:03pm
117
Sir John Barron  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:04:32pm

re: #97 goddamnedfrank

Yeah, you’re way over all our heads, gramps.

118
Teukka  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:05:07pm

re: #116 Kragar

[Embedded content]

The sick thing is, statements like that by the president of the Russian Federation only erodes resistance to NATO membership in Sweden (as well as Finland).

119
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:05:24pm

re: #115 (Bert the Turtle)

Ahhh, he borrowed from both. I was talking about this line:

“And stop speculating about a hypothesis. ” From Millers’ Crossing:

O’Doole: Jesus, Tom, I was just speculatin’ about a hypothesis. I know I don’t know nothin’.

Even better! Any man who likes ‘Millers Crossing’ well enough to throw references in a tweet is alright in my book!

120
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:06:36pm
121
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:08:19pm

re: #120 Kragar

[Embedded content]

“Goddammit! He remembered his password! Who’s got the laser pointer?”

122
Belafon  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:09:36pm

re: #121 Blind Frog Belly White

“Goddammit! He remembered his password! Who’s got the laser pointer voting map?”

123
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:11:41pm

re: #107 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

VoteVets post-Comey email was pretty clear about what they thought as well. The subject line of their email:

[Comey Hearing] President. Trump. Obstructed. Justice.

124
Ace-o-aces  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:14:31pm

re: #108 Blind Frog Belly White

What the everloving fuck is wrong with my age group?

[Embedded content]

125
Ace-o-aces  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:15:16pm
126
Stanley Sea  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:18:06pm
127
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:20:24pm

re: #64 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

I hope El Blimpo Trumpo does fire Sessions. It just adds another layer of covering everything up. Do it Donny, we all know you want to fire him. It’s your best line from your #1 (+42) rated TV show.

“Jeff…I like you, you’re a good man, but YOU’RE FIRED!”

128
Ace-o-aces  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:22:43pm
129
Ace Rothstein  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:23:24pm

re: #128 Ace-o-aces

[Embedded content]

Well that’s reassuring.

130
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:23:40pm
131
Ace-o-aces  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:24:32pm
132
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:27:31pm
133
Citizen K  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:28:57pm

re: #128 Ace-o-aces

134
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:30:06pm
135
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:30:13pm
136
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:30:26pm

re: #133 Citizen K

Conservatives wanted an “outsider”, not someone who could handle the job.

137
Franklin  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:32:05pm

Did I do the meme right?

138
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:32:35pm

re: #137 Franklin

Did I do the meme right?

[Embedded content]

I still don’t quite understand the meme but I think it requires more random capital letters?

139
Sir John Barron  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:32:43pm

re: #136 Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis

Conservatives wanted an “outsider”, not someone who could handle the job.

Yeah, so?

140
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:34:18pm

re: #69 Dave In Austin

[Embedded content]

There is a new mental disease spreading through this country.

Cillizzasysm. Self induced brain shrinkage due to self delusion from refusal to face reality.

Researchers are thinking the brain in these cases realizes it is no longer really needed and shrinks from lack of use. First case is named after Chris Cillizza a political journalist known for stretching way too hard to blame all the world’s ills on Hillary Clinton.

First noticed symptoms began somewhere in and around the year 2015. By 2017 Cillizza was no longer able to use his normal vocabulary and was down to the use of three words uttered over and over: Hillary Clinton’s Emails.

141
Franklin  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:34:21pm

re: #138 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I still don’t quite understand the meme but I think it requires more random capital letters?

I figured the “Predisent” stood on it’s own and didn’t require it :)

142
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:34:24pm
143
makeitstop  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:35:03pm

re: #138 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I still don’t quite understand the meme but I think it requires more random capital letters?

Yes, like

I aM maRc kAsOwItZ, pReDiStEnT tRuMp’S pErSoNaL lAwYeR.

144
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:35:48pm

re: #143 makeitstop

Yes, like

I aM maRc kAsOwItZ, pReDiStEnT tRuMp’S pErSoNaL lAwYeR.

I have really come to terms with the fact that there are some memes I just don’t get.

This is definitely in that category.

145
makeitstop  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:36:46pm

re: #144 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I have really come to terms with the fact that there are some memes I just don’t get.

This is definitely in that category.

Yeah, I don’t really get it, either. I was just going by what I’ve seen in that meme.

146
Skip Intro  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:37:09pm

147
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:38:14pm
148
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:38:20pm
149
Nyet  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:38:38pm

re: #143 makeitstop

Too much. Golden middle?

150
Nyet  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:39:31pm

Comey was quite clear that Trump wanted to make him his protege and understood that his job depended on it.

151
covfefe  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:40:04pm

Rubio (and the other two that met trump for dinner last night): Why didn’t you speak up when he brought up going easy on Flynn? Shouldn’t you have told him that was inappropriate?

Comey: You’re asking me to point out impropriety? Didn’t you guys have dinner with Trump last night?

152
Belafon  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:41:00pm

re: #143 makeitstop

Yes, like

I aM maRc kAsOwItZ, pReDiStEnT tRuMp’S pErSoNaL lAwYeR.

IIRC, Neil Gaiman used that writing style for Delirium, who used to be Delight until she went crazy.

153
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:41:48pm
154
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:42:40pm

re: #146 Skip Intro

Despite what some of the tweets said, Trump clearly is familiar with maps. Does he carry the election map with him to prove his great victory?

155
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:42:54pm

“But I think one of the most telling and damaging points Comey made was that even after being informed there was absolutely no doubt Russia had mounted a huge effort to interfere with and undermine the credibility of the US election process, Donald Trump never even asked what was being done to prevent further interference by Russia.”

I hope Democrats picked this up from the hearing and bring it up over and over again. What exactly has Trump ordered to be done to ensure that our elections aren’t interfered with by foreign countries? If the answer is nothing, why this lack of action?

We know why.

156
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:43:22pm
157
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:43:47pm
158
nines09  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:44:08pm

So did Senator McCain ever figure out he was at the wrong restaurant?

159
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:44:37pm

re: #158 nines09

So did Senator McCain ever figure out he was at the wrong restaurant?

sounds like he was actually still at the Diamondbacks ball game…

160
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:45:00pm
161
Jay C  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:45:33pm

re: #154 Hecuba’s daughter

Despite what some of the tweets said, Trump clearly is familiar with maps. Does he carry the election map with him to prove his great victory?

He may be familiar with them: no evidence that he understands them, though

162
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:47:02pm

re: #155 Patricia Kayden

“But I think one of the most telling and damaging points Comey made was that even after being informed there was absolutely no doubt Russia had mounted a huge effort to interfere with and undermine the credibility of the US election process, Donald Trump never even asked what was being done to prevent further interference by Russia.”

I hope Democrats picked this up from the hearing and bring it up over and over again. What exactly has Trump ordered to be done to ensure that our elections aren’t interfered with by foreign countries? If the answer is nothing, why this lack of action?

We know why.

Not a single Republican seems to care. They don’t seem particularly concerned about Russia and Putin. And most (all?) of Trump voters seem to share the same indifference.

My RW brother even claimed that Trump had influence over Putin and could get him to accommodate our wishes. I guess it’s Trump’s master negotiating skills. ///

163
nines09  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:47:34pm

re: #159 Backwoods_Sleuth

sounds like he was actually still at the Diamondbacks ball game…

He was somewhere and it wasn’t there.

164
jaunte  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:48:25pm
165
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:48:36pm

re: #162 Hecuba’s daughter

So would your brother and other Republicans be okay if say Canada influenced our 2020 election to ensure that the Democratic Presidential candidate won? For example, if there was creditable evidence that Canadian officials tried to hack into our voting networks, would that be okay with Republicans?

This is truly bizarre.

166
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:48:54pm

re: #161 Jay C

He may be familiar with them: no evidence that he understands them, though

Unfortunately most people seem to misinterpret the meaning of those election maps.

167
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:50:42pm

[…]

When he first appeared before the crowd to the tune of ‘Hail to the Chief,’ it seemed almost designed to serve as a reminder that, even amid questions about obstruction of justice or a coverup of potential collusion with Russia during the campaign, he’s the goddamn president.

[…]

168
allegro  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:52:08pm

re: #166 Hecuba’s daughter

Unfortunately most people seem to misinterpret the meaning of those election maps.

Trump just sees a lot of red. Red is YOU, Donnie! See all the red? And Donny claps his little hands and squeals.

169
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:53:46pm

re: #165 Patricia Kayden

So would your brother and other Republicans be okay if say Canada influenced our 2020 election to ensure that the Democratic Presidential candidate won? For example, if there was creditable evidence that Canadian officials tried to hack into our voting networks, would that be okay with Republicans?

This is truly bizarre.

No — it’s only if the hacking were on behalf of Republicans. It would be a serious offense if any ally did it to help a Democrat. Party over country. Also, Republicans apparently want a “strong” man (white of course) as leader; an autocrat who doesn’t listen to lesser people. Putin is the role model and Trump aspires to reach that level of control — and the Republicans appear to support this.

Has Mittens said anything critical of Putin since Trump took office?

170
jaunte  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:53:46pm
171
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:54:44pm

re: #4 HappyWarrior

As was the style of the time.

It was onions on the belt, not apples…

3¢ OMG

172
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:54:46pm

re: #170 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Pathetic Paul.

173
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:55:20pm

re: #171 Colère Tueur de Lapin

It was onions on the belt, not apples…

3¢ OMG

Give me five bees for a quarter!

174
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:57:31pm

Every first term president is “new” at this. And maybe you shouldn’t elect people without experience but nah.

175
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 1:57:36pm
176
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:00:29pm
177
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:00:38pm
178
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:02:04pm

re: #177 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Props Scots EC.

179
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:03:23pm
180
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:03:26pm
181
caseyjr  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:03:26pm

re: #144 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I have really come to terms with the fact that there are some memes I just don’t get.

This is definitely in that category.

I’m not familiar w/that Spongebob episode. Because I’m not, like, 10 years old.

182
piratedan  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:05:57pm

re: #159 Backwoods_Sleuth

in his defense, last night’s game was nearly 4 hours long…. I watched it too but afraid I’m not rendered incoherent after the experience…

183
Kragar  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:06:15pm
184
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:06:16pm
185
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:07:01pm

re: #181 caseyjr

I’m not familiar w/that Spongebob episode. Because I’m not, like, 10 years old.

Well, to be fair, Spongebob first aired in 1999, so you could be 30 years old and familiar with Spongebob episodes.

186
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:08:42pm

re: #180 Backwoods_Sleuth

[BREAKING: The church bus involved in the dramatic crash was filled with high school students.]

Not good to have that tweeted from ‘11 Alive’.

187
Jebediah, RBG  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:09:13pm

re: #170 jaunte

[cue Southern guitars]
Lord, I was born a bumblin’ man,
Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can.
And when it’s time for leavin’,
I hope you’ll understand,
That I was born a bumblin’ man.

188
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:10:02pm
189
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:11:13pm

How many investigations did Hillary go through and how long and detailed were they? And they (GOP) still threaten for more.

Yet, a little over three hours of Comey testimony today and a dance of refusing to answer by three knuckleheads yesterday and Ryan knows this is all blown up by the media and Democrats and Trump is just inexperienced so let’s all move on as we have some Americans to fuck over.

Easy answer to you Paul. NO!

190
MsJ  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:13:10pm

re: #189 ObserverArt

Not just No. Fuck no!

191
Alephnaught  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:13:31pm

The polls for the UK General Election closes, and here comes the exit poll:

192
Big Beautiful Door  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:13:31pm

re: #188 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

That is way less than a majority for the Tories; May should resign after this debacle.

193
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:16:11pm

re: #192 Big Beautiful Door

That is way less than a majority for the Tories; May should resign after this debacle.

Who would be next in line? Someone better or worse?

194
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:16:50pm
195
Big Beautiful Door  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:17:11pm

re: #193 HappyWarrior

Who would be next in line? Someone better or worse?

Who knows? It was quite a scrum after Cameron resigned.

196
Big Beautiful Door  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:18:09pm

re: #194 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

British politics is going to be quite a mess if the Tories have to negotiate with third parties to form a government.

197
scottslemmons  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:18:27pm

re: #193 HappyWarrior

Who would be next in line? Someone better or worse?

All I know is the Tories seem to be getting more like the American Republicans all the time. On the other hand, the media there treats May as the top politician in the country, followed by UKIPpers like Farage and Boris Johnson, then Corbyn way down at the bottom…

198
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:19:01pm

re: #195 Big Beautiful Door

Who knows? It was quite a scrum after Cameron resigned.

True, true.

199
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:19:41pm
200
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:20:33pm

re: #194 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

cnbc.com

201
CleverToad  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:21:44pm

re: #157 klys (maker of Silmarils)

[Embedded content]

Damn.
Kept calling my congresscritter on this one, not that I expected Coffman to break the party line.

202
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:22:32pm

I think it might be drizzling outside but I don’t want to say anything and scare it off.

203
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:23:30pm

Ouch.

204
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:25:35pm

re: #203 darthstar

I hope it wasn’t a drunken Sean Spicer…

205
garzooma  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:26:27pm

re: #97 goddamnedfrank

[Embedded content]
Frankly My Dear 🐁 @goddamnedfrank
@SenJohnMcCain @Dbacks What you STILL don’t seem to grasp is that in Trump’s case the question is premature because the fucking investigation ISN’T OVER YET!

Actually, I’m going to take issue with this. Even though in the hearings, McCain is clearly talking about the Russia Investigation, for the “clarification”:

What I was trying to get at was whether Mr. Comey believes that any of his interactions with the President rise to the level of obstruction of justice.

These are actually separate issues. There might be no collusion on the part of Trump&Team for the Russia Investigation to find. But there would still be the obstruction.

And as far as the obstruction is concerned, unless I’m missing something, the facts are all pretty much in. Trump issued veiled threats unless Comey complied, Trump carried through on his threats after Comey didn’t comply, Trump announced that he acted because Comey didn’t comply. What’s to investigate?

Josh Marshall writes that Comey would “not accuse President Trump of obstruction of justice but rather approach the hearing purely as a fact witness” and “It really would not be any witness’s place to draw such conclusions, even if they were in the business of drawing those conclusions in their normal line of work.” But as McCain points out, Comey kind of stepped over the lines in publicly reporting on the HRC email investigation.

Anyway, McCain continues “I still believe this question is important, and I intend to submit it in writing to Mr. Comey for the record.” I hope Comey does answer that question in no uncertain terms.

206
Alephnaught  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:26:30pm

Hmmm… From The Guardian’s Live Blog:

Exit poll suggests Tories neck and neck with ‘coalition of chaos’

The exit poll puts the Tories on 314 seats.

If it is right, then Labour (266), the SNP (34) and the Lib Dems (14) would have exactly the same number of votes.

A minority Tory government could probably rely on the votes of the 10-odd unionists from Northern Ireland.

But a minority Labour-led government (or the “coalition of chaos”, as Theresa May used to call it), could rely on Plaid Cymru (3), the one Green MP and the SDLP (3 in the last parliament).

At a recent press conference Francis Elliott, the Times’ political editor, asked Jeremy Corbyn if he would take Sinn Fein’s MPs (there were four in the last parliament) to reconsider their opposition to sitting in the House of Commons in the event of Labour being a minority government.

Labour activists booed Elliott, and Emily Thornberry told him it was a “stupid” question.

It does not look so stupid now.

207
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:26:40pm

re: #203 darthstar

Ouch.

[Embedded content]

Rather than road-rash, it’s foul line-rash. In that rashy place.

208
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:27:43pm

re: #207 wrenchwench

Rather than road-rash, it’s foul line-rash. In that rashy place.

Definitely taking ground balls too literally.

209
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:30:14pm

re: #208 darthstar

Definitely taking ground balls too literally.

Lol. Nice.

Guessing that guy is probably single.

210
jaunte  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:31:26pm

re: #203 darthstar

Man without pants streaks onto field

A headline with belt and suspenders.

211
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:31:30pm

re: #209 Eclectic Cyborg

Lol. Nice.

Guessing that guy is probably single.

He hit a single?

212
makeitstop  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:31:37pm

re: #203 darthstar

Man without pants

Wasn’t that an 80s New Wave band?

213
(Bert the Turtle)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:32:50pm

re: #212 makeitstop

Wasn’t that an 80s New Wave band?

It is now. Darth is on Synthesizer and backup vocals. He’s always had the best hair for it.

214
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:33:17pm
215
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:33:48pm

LOL. Trump’s aides might have to move him here (ugh) to keep him off Twitter:

216
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:34:15pm

re: #214 klys (maker of Silmarils)

[Embedded content]

Good news, now I have to ask if that could be in part because some parts of the Tories moved further right but still good news.

217
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:36:58pm

re: #216 HappyWarrior

Honestly me. >.>

218
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:38:48pm

re: #211 wrenchwench

He hit a single?

Looks like a ground rule double.

219
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:40:13pm

re: #215 Anymouse

LOL. Trump’s aides might have to move him here (ugh) to keep him off Twitter:

[Embedded content]

Chillicothe still has pay phones throughout town, at least when I last was there.

220
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:40:19pm

re: #215 Anymouse

LOL. Trump’s aides might have to move him here (ugh) to keep him off Twitter:

[Embedded content]

Stonekettle needs to get out more. Ohio is pretty hooked-up online like all over the state.

He needs to remember one of the very first companies that put people together on the ‘net was CompuServe…right here from Columbus. Only since 1969.

Boooo.

221
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:40:21pm

re: #192 Big Beautiful Door

That is way less than a majority for the Tories; May should resign after this debacle.

Everything Trump touches dies.

222
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:41:09pm
223
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:41:58pm

re: #219 Myron Falwell

Chillicothe still has pay phones throughout town, at least when I last was there.

That may be…but you can still get cell service and internet connections.

224
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:43:01pm

re: #220 ObserverArt

Stonekettle needs to get out more. Ohio is pretty hooked-up online like all over the state.

He needs to remember one of the very first companies that put people together on the ‘net was CompuServe…right here from Columbus. Only since 1969.

Boooo.

Sarcasm can be hard to read on the Internet, but I’m pretty sure that tweet was tongue-in-cheek suggesting the aide was lying to Trump and Trump is stupid enough to believe it.

225
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:45:40pm
226
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:46:27pm

re: #224 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Sarcasm can be hard to read on the Internet, but I’m pretty sure that tweet was tongue-in-cheek suggesting the aide was lying to Trump and Trump is stupid enough to believe it.

And I still think it was very weak. It’s another “fly-over” type comment.

Yeah, I get defensive because I see dumb shit like this too much. Sorry.

227
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:47:50pm
228
Nyet  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:48:07pm

No good guys in the Brit politics right now. The Brexit May or the vomit-inducing Corbyn? Gah. At least UKIP got nothing.

229
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:49:24pm

re: #228 Nyet

No good guys in the Brit politics right now. The Brexit May or the vomit-inducing Corbyn? Gah. At least UKIP got nothing.

Yeah I hear ya.

230
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:49:45pm

re: #222 Myron Falwell

[Embedded content]

This would be the Tories’ second ‘Own Goal’ in two years, right?

First Cameron’s “Okay, you whiners, let’s vote on it!”, and now this snap election.

231
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:50:32pm

re: #5 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Because you’re a bunch of punks who can’t stand to be challenged.

232
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:52:30pm

re: #226 ObserverArt

And I still think it was very weak. It’s another “fly-over” type comment.

Yeah, I get defensive because I see dumb shit like this too much. Sorry.

Oh, lighten up Francis. The joke is not that Ohio is a backwater. It’s that Trump is dumb enough to believe it is.

“Don’t take life so serious. It ain’t nohow permanent.”

233
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:54:22pm

re: #225 gocart mozart

Tom Tomorrow’s comment is too much. LOL.

The things we do for $$$.

234
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:54:31pm

re: #226 ObserverArt

And I still think it was very weak. It’s another “fly-over” type comment.

Yeah, I get defensive because I see dumb shit like this too much. Sorry.

Last time I crossed Ohio, it was on a bicycle, before anybody had internet.

235
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:54:34pm

re: #224 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Sarcasm can be hard to read on the Internet, but I’m pretty sure that tweet was tongue-in-cheek suggesting the aide was lying to Trump and Trump is stupid enough to believe it.

and trump isn’t even in Ohio today…that was yesterday

236
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:55:16pm

Uncommon economy of speech for the British….

237
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:55:42pm

re: #226 ObserverArt

And I still think it was very weak. It’s another “fly-over” type comment.

Yeah, I get defensive because I see dumb shit like this too much. Sorry.

making a lame joke about Ohio is apparently funnier than making one about DC, where trump has actually been all day today.

238
(Bert the Turtle)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:55:56pm

re: #226 ObserverArt

Sheeeit, Man, I live in Wisconsin. People and things are flying over me all the time. I embrace the vapor trails.

239
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:56:38pm

re: #238 (Bert the Turtle)

Sheeeit, Man, I live in Wisconsin. People and things are flying over me all the time. I embrace the vapor trails.

You know that shit will make your frogs gay, right?

240
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:57:38pm

re: #206 Alephnaught

Corbyn did much better than expected. Wow. Was expecting a Conservative blowout win.

241
(Bert the Turtle)  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:57:49pm

re: #239 Blind Frog Belly White

Too late. They do throw one hell of a party, and the pond is always well kept.

242
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:57:52pm

re: #236 Blind Frog Belly White

Uncommon economy of speech for the British….

[Embedded content]

So the Brexiters got to run the country for what…five months? And now the process of rebuilding begins…as the country is cut off from the rest of Europe (of their own volition).

243
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 8, 2017 • 2:59:55pm

Still no tweets from Cheeto Benito today? We must be nearing some kind of record.

244
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:00:21pm

re: #184 gocart mozart

[Embedded content]

Needs a million retweets. While I have my misgivings about Comey’s handling of Secretary Clinton email investigations, Trump is a stone cold liar who wouldn’t know the truth if it came up behind him and bit him in the butt.

245
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:02:42pm

re: #243 Eclectic Cyborg

Still no tweets from Cheeto Benito today? We must be nearing some kind of record.

Good preparation for serving a term, other than ‘in office’.

246
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:03:54pm

re: #242 darthstar

So the Brexiters got to run the country for what…five months? And now the process of rebuilding begins…as the country is cut off from the rest of Europe (of their own volition).

“Okay, NOW what?”

247
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:04:54pm

re: #242 darthstar

So the Brexiters got to run the country for what…five months? And now the process of rebuilding begins…as the country is cut off from the rest of Europe (of their own volition).

But, but, I just wanted to send a message!!1!

///

248
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:05:22pm

Comey ahead ~2:1 for the moment

249
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:07:09pm

heh

250
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:08:11pm

re: #237 Backwoods_Sleuth

making a lame joke about Ohio is apparently funnier than making one about DC, where trump has actually been all day today.

I always get a kick at fly-over jokes made about Ohio.

Think about it.

To me this is the same.

It is like going to Philadelphia and saying you can’t find anything about American politics. /

And my name is not Francis! Damn coastal elites.

251
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:08:38pm

re: #243 Eclectic Cyborg

Still no tweets from Cheeto Benito today? We must be nearing some kind of record.

Or someone threw the phone in the toilet.

BBC has seat by seat coverage of the UK elections. I’m an election junkie so will be up all night watching.

252
sagehen  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:08:45pm
253
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:08:53pm
254
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:09:42pm

re: #243 Eclectic Cyborg

Still no tweets from Cheeto Benito today? We must be nearing some kind of record.

Constipation can be dangerous. I don’t think anyone is going to want to be around when he lets it all out.

255
Stanley Sea  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:10:05pm
256
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:10:23pm

re: #250 ObserverArt

I always get a kick at fly-over jokes made about Ohio.

Think about it.

To me this is the same.

It is like going to Philadelphia and saying you can’t find anything about American politics. /

And my name is not Francis! Damn coastal elites.

As an eastern Kentuckian, I have always been grateful for the existence of West Virginia to always be available to be the butt of the very worst of the hillbilly “jokes”.

257
Jebediah, RBG  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:12:03pm

re: #227 gocart mozart

dog is genius

258
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:12:41pm

re: #256 Backwoods_Sleuth

As an eastern Kentuckian, I have always been grateful for the existence of West Virginia to always be available to be the butt of the very worst of the hillbilly “jokes”.

There’s only one New Mexico joke: It’s not new, and it’s not Mexico.

/I don’t want to hear the others

259
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:12:55pm

re: #252 sagehen

And why wouldn’t Comey be angry at Trump after being unfairly fired by him for not playing footsy with an investigation and not promising personal loyalty?

Dershowitz is a douche. Comey didn’t come off as unhinged or enraged during the hearing today which is not what can be said about Trump during any of the primary or presidential debates.

260
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:13:01pm

re: #250 ObserverArt

I always get a kick at fly-over jokes made about Ohio.

Think about it.

To me this is the same.

It is like going to Philadelphia and saying you can’t find anything about American politics. /

And my name is not Francis! Damn coastal elites.

Hey, I grew up a Forgotten American in Appalachia!

Well, ALMOST in Appalachia. Just two counties over.

261
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:14:34pm

re: #258 wrenchwench

There’s only one New Mexico joke: It’s not new, and it’s not Mexico.

/I don’t want to hear the others

There’s a New Mexico?

262
Dave In Austin  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:15:39pm

MSNBC over the edge. Greta is having Cory Lewindowski on as a guest..

Somewhere, pigs are flying

263
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:16:04pm

re: #255 Stanley Sea

Jesus H. Christ.

That looks like somebody stuck a Huskie’s head on a chicken!

264
Teukka  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:16:18pm

re: #262 Dave In Austin

MSNBC over the edge. Greta is having Cory Lewindowski on as a guest..

Somewhere, pigs are flying

… over a frozen hell …

265
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:16:26pm

re: #261 KGxvi

[Embedded content]

Simpsons clips are always acceptable.

266
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:16:40pm

re: #262 Dave In Austin

Soon the RWNJs will have complete control of cable news everywhere.

267
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:18:33pm
268
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:20:08pm

Heh.

269
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:22:23pm

re: #255 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

That’s…terrifying.

270
jaunte  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:22:44pm
271
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:23:00pm

I’m curious to see if Comey’s testimony actually moves the needle. My sense of it is that the testimony is going to confirm preexisting opinions, and not much more. I think it’ll be useful to keep an eye on conservative outlets in the next couple of days, to see if the dam really is breaking.

272
CleverToad  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:23:08pm

re: #258 wrenchwench

There’s only one New Mexico joke: It’s not new, and it’s not Mexico.

/I don’t want to hear the others

“So far from Heaven, so close to Texas…”

273
(Bert the Turtle)  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:26:00pm

re: #255 Stanley Sea

274
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:26:41pm

re: #271 KGxvi

My sense of it is that the testimony is going to confirm preexisting opinions,

People with preexisting opinions can’t afford the insurance they’ll need.

275
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:27:45pm

re: #271 KGxvi

I’m curious to see if Comey’s testimony actually moves the needle. My sense of it is that the testimony is going to confirm preexisting opinions, and not much more. I think it’ll be useful to keep an eye on conservative outlets in the next couple of days, to see if the dam really is breaking.

I sense that it won’t change minds. Trump wasn’t wrong when he said he could shoot someone and not lose votes. Those people are LOCKED IN.

What it may do is move leaners, people who weren’t willing to believe Comey’s account second- or third-hand.

276
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:27:54pm

All this makes me wonder what it would have been like in the Watergate era had there been instant massive communication like now. Who would have been all the players using the media to support Nixon, the stars and public personalities that would have been the Sarandons and Woods’ of the day.

But the biggie…would it have changed the outcome?

277
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:28:52pm

One hundred more words and I get to take myself out to dinner. They’re doing some hackathon thing at the office which means mr. klys won’t be home until late …which is no different from every other day this week (except Tuesday, because I asked him to come home at a reasonable time so I could cook dinner at a reasonable time) except this time they’ll serve dinner at the office.

I’m planning on a chorizo bowl and a nice margarita.

278
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:30:02pm

Assenge couldn’t be more obvious what he’s all about. Hey Jules, see what happens if you leak shit in Russia.

279
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:30:10pm

re: #157 klys (maker of Silmarils)

[Embedded content]

And the yam can fire the head of the agency at will. That’s such an excellent idea. Spit.

280
SteelPH  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:31:06pm

re: #278 HappyWarrior

Assenge couldn’t be more obvious what he’s all about. Hey Jules, see what happens if you leak shit in Russia.

The first three letters of his surname could not be a more appropriate descriptor.

281
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:31:37pm

re: #271 KGxvi

I’m curious to see if Comey’s testimony actually moves the needle. My sense of it is that the testimony is going to confirm preexisting opinions, and not much more. I think it’ll be useful to keep an eye on conservative outlets in the next couple of days, to see if the dam really is breaking.

The conservative media damn will only break when the water pressure behind it swells and either comes over the top or bursts through.

It’s raining. Hard.

282
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:31:48pm

re: #276 ObserverArt

All this makes me wonder what it would have been like in the Watergate era had their been instant massive communication like now. Who would have been all the players using the media to support Nixon, the stars and public personalities that would have been the Sarandons and Woods’ of the day.

But the biggie…would it have changed the outcome?

In your hypothetical world, would the Vietnamese have had hackers? Same outcome, but maybe much sooner.

283
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:32:57pm

re: #276 ObserverArt

All this makes me wonder what it would have been like in the Watergate era had their been instant massive communication like now. Who would have been all the players using the media to support Nixon, the stars and public personalities that would have been the Sarandons and Woods’ of the day.

But the biggie…would it have changed the outcome?

It seems to me that the big difference is not the speed of communications, but rather the nature of political corruption. Back in those days, politicians were more likely to be corrupt in the usual sort of way - pork barrel projects, mistresses on the payroll, horsetrading for votes, etc. - while still putting country over party.

Now? I think we’ve gotten rid of the corrupt percs of office, only to enable a deeper, more sinister form of corruption - party and power over country.

284
Dr. Matt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:33:17pm

Awesome thread

285
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:34:01pm
286
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:35:26pm

re: #220 ObserverArt

Stonekettle needs to get out more. Ohio is pretty hooked-up online like all over the state.

He needs to remember one of the very first companies that put people together on the ‘net was CompuServe…right here from Columbus. Only since 1969.

Boooo.

I think Mr. Wright was snarking on Donald Trump’s incuriosity about the world. Thing is, an aide saying that to him might get it to work.

287
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:36:19pm

re: #285 Anymouse

[Embedded content]

Trump voters, I’ll take the second guy. He tells it as is even when he’s completely full of shit!

288
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:36:39pm

This thread has a lot of practical, useful information on how to fight on the Trumpcare issue:

289
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:36:50pm

re: #282 wrenchwench

In your hypothetical world, would the Vietnamese have had hackers? Same outcome, but maybe much sooner.

Yeah, all that would have to be a part. All the tools of computer hacking, bug making, Photoshop, the whole shebang.

It’s a fascinating thought, just like your example. A brain teaser for the people around and aware at the time and anyone into pure politics and American history.

290
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:36:56pm

This way cool

291
451_Montag  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:38:24pm

re: #275 Blind Frog Belly White

I sense that it won’t change minds. Trump wasn’t wrong when he said he could shoot someone and not lose votes. Those people are LOCKED IN.

What it may do is move leaners, people who weren’t willing to believe Comey’s account second- or third-hand.

I think a significant proportion, not yuuuuuge, but significant voted for him, not expecting a win, but just “stickin’ it to the establishment”, just like the BREXIT regret idiots. I even think Comey wrote his letter thinking the same, no expecting the win, but trying to paint the FBI as impartial and trying to innoculate them in the future.

Those sort of people will absolutely believe Comey, not all but perhaps enough.

As I’ve said before all this in less than 6 months? It will take time for many to be ready to face the truth, but they will.

292
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:38:53pm

re: #290 gocart mozart

This way cool

[Embedded content]

Hahahhaha that’s great.

293
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:39:48pm

re: #283 Blind Frog Belly White

It seems to me that the big difference is not the speed of communications, but rather the nature of political corruption. Back in those days, politicians were more likely to be corrupt in the usual sort of way - pork barrel projects, mistresses on the payroll, horsetrading for votes, etc. - while still putting country over party.

Now? I think we’ve gotten rid of the corrupt percs of office, only to enable a deeper, more sinister form of corruption - party and power over country.

Could very well be a chicken egg kind of thing. Has the communications and computing of today helped create the political messiness of today as you describe?

And if it does, then it would have been more messy back in ‘72-‘74 than it was.

294
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:40:27pm

re: #267 gocart mozart

An anti-Trump friend sent a group of us (all anti-Trump) the Dershowitz column from this morning’s Washington Examiner. He actually felt that column showed the legal reasons why Trump did not obstruct justice. I replied that Dershowitz is a weasel whose only skill is in helping guilty parties evade justice. Nothing he says in politics is worth considering. He obstructs and misrepresents issues. Only Fox can take him seriously

295
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:41:51pm
296
darthstar  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:43:32pm

re: #248 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Comey ahead ~2:1 for the moment

Voting is over.

297
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:44:20pm
298
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:44:30pm

re: #296 darthstar

Voting is over.

[Embedded content]

…Nice y-axis party.

299
Pawn of the Oppressor  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:44:54pm

Attention Withdrawal Syndrome: Trump is probably running around naked, screaming, and peeing on things at random right now. Kushner is asking the Secret Service if anyone has tranquilizer darts…

300
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:45:12pm

re: #296 darthstar

Voting is over.

Thought you meant in the UK…

Stunning blow for May as UK exit poll suggests no clear winner

301
Ace Rothstein  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:45:20pm

re: #296 darthstar

Voting is over.

[Embedded content]

Hilarious that that 35% for Trump is exactly what his base is.

302
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:45:56pm

re: #288 klys (maker of Silmarils)

This thread has a lot of practical, useful information on how to fight on the Trumpcare issue:

[Embedded content]

The pedant in me wants to point out that DefCon 5 is the lowest state of alert.

303
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:46:42pm

re: #301 Ace Rothstein

Hilarious that that 35% for Trump is exactly what his base is.

The crazification factor at work: The people who would pull the lever for Beelzebub (R).

304
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:47:02pm

re: #287 HappyWarrior

Trump voters, I’ll take the second guy. He tells it as is even when he’s completely full of shit!

They still believe in him and, so far, there is nothing Trump can do to dissuade them. They get their information from an echo chamber and are incapable of honest evaluation. Even if Fox turned against him, they would find some other news source to feed them the lies they want to hear.

305
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:48:06pm

re: #304 Hecuba’s daughter

They still believe in him and, so far, there is nothing Trump can do to dissuade them. They get their information from an echo chamber and are incapable of honest evaluation. Even if Fox turned against him, they would find some other news source to feed them the lies they want to hear.

Yeah, Infowars. I actually passed by a house with an Infowars sticker on their car.

306
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:48:16pm
307
ObserverArt  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:48:17pm

re: #294 Hecuba’s daughter

An anti-Trump friend sent a group of us (all anti-Trump) the Dershowitz column from this morning’s Washington Examiner. He actually felt that column showed the legal reasons why Trump did not obstruct justice. I replied that Dershowitz is a weasel whose only skill is in helping guilty parties evade justice. Nothing he says in politics is worth considering. He obstructs and misrepresents issues. Only Fox can take him seriously

I caught a bit of him on MSNBC Grater, err…Greta show. Ari Melber was having a nice dice with him. Dershowitz was trying to say the U.S. Constitution grants almost pure power to allow Trump to do everything he did. He can fire the FBI director at will. He can call off any examination and pardon anyone being investigated.

Melber was trying to say that may be in interpretation but Trump can still be a criminal as well those around him and that is why the investigation will go on.

308
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:50:26pm

re: #302 Blind Frog Belly White

The pedant in me wants to point out that DefCon 5 is the lowest state of alert.

309
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:50:29pm

re: #307 ObserverArt

I caught a bit of him on MSNBC Grater, err…Greta show. Ari Melber was having a nice dice with him. Dershowitz was trying to say the U.S. Constitution grants almost pure power to allow Trump to do everything he did. He can fire the FBI director at will. He can call off any examination and pardon anyone being investigated.

Melber was trying to say that may be in interpretation but Trump can still be a criminal as well those around him and that is why the investigation will go on.

Ah, the unitary executive theory returns. Of course, there’s a Republican in office.

310
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:51:28pm

re: #308 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

I LOL’d.

311
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:52:11pm

re: #307 ObserverArt

I caught a bit of him on MSNBC Grater, err…Greta show. Ari Melber was having a nice dice with him. Dershowitz was trying to say the U.S. Constitution grants almost pure power to allow Trump to do everything he did. He can fire the FBI director at will. He can call off any examination and pardon anyone being investigated.

Melber was trying to say that may be in interpretation but Trump can still be a criminal as well those around him and that is why the investigation will go on.

I suspect that Dershowitz would not espouse that viewpoint if Obama had done it. So Dershowitz was saying in effect that a President (R) is above the law. Nice

312
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:52:15pm

re: #309 Timothy Watson

Ah, the unitary executive theory returns. Of course, there’s a Republican in office.

Didn’t work out so great for RMN, though.

313
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:53:05pm

re: #310 Blind Frog Belly White

I LOL’d.

L’dOL.

/pedanter than u

314
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:53:12pm

France offers four-year grants to US climate scientists.
uk.businessinsider.com

315
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:53:27pm

I keep getting phone calls from “restricted” numbers on my cell, which likely means that it’s D phone banking (and I’m guessing for Ossoff, because I’ve answered one once). Twice a day. Like clockwork.

I wish I could give the Democratic party a little bit of feedback. Two things.

1) I do not make phone donations. Ever. Not for any cause. Not for any reason. Speaking to me doesn’t change my mind on that, and I hate feeling like an asshole because I know the other person is donating their time. Let’s save both of us the hassle and let me mark myself as “will not donate over the phone.” You can send me more mail or e-mail or whatever in return. We’ll both be happier.

2) I really don’t care that my phone number has an east coast area code. The address you have on file for me is west coast. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, you should consider THAT when deciding what time of day it is appropriate to call. (Somewhat related rant: if you do wrist notifications, you should also HONOR THE DO NOT DISTURB MODE AS SET ON THE PHONE DAMMIT.)

Sigh.

316
451_Montag  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:53:43pm

Anyone else think the GOP is watching the UK elections with a distinct pucker going on?

If May fails to get a majority, hell even if she just scrapes one, it’ll be another country visibly rejecting a right wing agenda. After the RW cheers for BREXIT and buying into the nationalism argument, it seems to be getting blunted. On the early results turnout is up into the 60s, maybe the masses are waking up.

317
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:55:26pm

This is a nice feel good story. we are making progress if uneven and disjointed. But we get it right from time to time. All you Muslim ladies and your young daughters might take some satisfaction from this.

Maine high school is apparently first in U.S. to get sports hijabs

PORTLAND, Maine — Muslim student athletes at one U.S. high school no longer have to be slowed down by worries that their headscarves might fall off.

Deering High School in Portland, Maine, is providing sport hijabs with the goal of making Muslim girls comfortable - and boosting their participation in sports. The lightweight scarves stay put and are less bulky than other hijabs, garments that cover the hair and are worn by many Muslim women to express their faith.

“We’re more confident on the field,” said junior lacrosse player Fadumo Adan. “This one doesn’t fall off. No matter what I do, it won’t fall off.”

You know who would have smiled all day about this… *Sigh*

318
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:55:30pm

re: #315 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I keep getting phone calls from “restricted” numbers on my cell, which likely means that it’s D phone banking (and I’m guessing for Ossoff, because I’ve answered one once). Twice a day. Like clockwork.

I wish I could give the Democratic party a little bit of feedback. Two things.

1) I do not make phone donations. Ever. Not for any cause. Not for any reason. Speaking to me doesn’t change my mind on that, and I hate feeling like an asshole because I know the other person is donating their time. Let’s save both of us the hassle and let me mark myself as “will not donate over the phone.” You can send me more mail or e-mail or whatever in return. We’ll both be happier.

2) I really don’t care that my phone number has an east coast area code. The address you have on file for me is west coast. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, you should consider THAT when deciding what time of day it is appropriate to call. (Somewhat related rant: if you do wrist notifications, you should also HONOR THE DO NOT DISTURB MODE AS SET ON THE PHONE DAMMIT.)

Sigh.

Where’s the ‘send to DNC’ button? Don’t we have one of those here?

319
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:56:07pm

re: #316 451_Montag

Anyone else think the GOP is watching the UK elections with a distinct pucker going on?

If May fails to get a majority, hell even if she just scrapes one, it’ll be another country visibly rejecting a right wing agenda. After the RW cheers for BREXIT and buying into the nationalism argument, it seems to be getting blunted. On the early results turnout is up into the 60s, maybe the masses are waking up.

Are these exit polls so far and not final results? If so, given the appalling state of polling this past year, final results may be somewhat different.

320
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:56:40pm

re: #315 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I immediately hang up on “private” numbers (pick up and set down receiver immediately), spoofed Caller ID numbers (easy to figure in a town of 124), or anyone who makes a pitch for a donation.

I do not feel guilty about hanging up on people making pitches for donations. They are interrupting my day to ask me for money. I do not pay for telephone service to be someone’s piggy bank.

321
Stanley Sea  Jun 8, 2017 • 3:58:09pm

Sorry if posted, I’ve been behind alllll daaaaaaaay

322
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:00:03pm

re: #313 wrenchwench

L’dOL.

/pedanter than uyou

323
451_Montag  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:01:11pm

re: #319 Hecuba’s daughter

Are these exit polls so far and not final results? If so, given the appalling state of polling this past year, final results may be somewhat different.

True dat, but with one caveat. These are exit polls, not normal polling and they are generally pretty accurate. They fall down with super tight races, but normally hold up overall.

Also the UKIP vote appears to have collapsed. They were the Berniesque suppliers for Labour last time

324
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:01:54pm
325
Dr. Matt  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:01:58pm
326
klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:02:30pm

Anyway. I have finished my word count and am off to dinner/margarita/to do list editing. And probably some reading, I still have to write a review for the blog tomorrow. Not that I am convinced anyone reads those, but. The things we do for visibility.

327
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:02:42pm

re: #314 Anymouse

France offers four-year grants to US climate scientists.
uk.businessinsider.com

328
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:02:48pm
329
Quoth the raven, Covfefe.  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:04:26pm

re: #319 Hecuba’s daughter

Are these exit polls so far and not final results? If so, given the appalling state of polling this past year, final results may be somewhat different.

No, polling has actually been just fine (see Nate Silver’s multiple articles on the polling situation that led to Trump’s election; long story short, we were all ignoring the margin of error). That doesn’t preclude a different result, but we need to take it as a balance of probability. Now, one thing I’m unclear of is the sample size and track record of UK exit polling for parliamentary elections.

330
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:04:44pm

re: #325 Dr. Matt

[Embedded content]

I feel good about this. Go Jon!

331
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:05:31pm

re: #324 gocart mozart

[Embedded content]

He needs to get off Twitter like his demented father.

332
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:05:54pm

re: #325 Dr. Matt

Ossoff better win. Am hoping that at least one of my political investments this year has a positive return. I hate to look at my Visa bills during campaign season. After 2016, I thought there would be a reprieve for at least a year — but Noooo.

333
Ace Rothstein  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:07:22pm

So what happens now? Will Trump have to testify?

334
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:07:30pm

re: #320 Anymouse

I immediately hang up on “private” numbers (pick up and set down receiver immediately), spoofed Caller ID numbers (easy to figure in a town of 124), or anyone who makes a pitch for a donation.

I do not feel guilty about hanging up on people making pitches for donations. They are interrupting my day to ask me for money. I do not pay for telephone service to be someone’s piggy bank.

If Caller ID says “Unavailable”, I say, “If you’re unavailable to me, I’m unavailable to you.”

If Caller ID says, “Private Number”, I sing, “Hold me closer, Private Number! Count the head lice on the fly way!”

335
JordanRules  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:08:12pm

re: #322 Blind Frog Belly White

Keep going y’all!!!! LOL

336
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:08:22pm

re: #333 Ace Rothstein

So what happens now? Will Trump have to testify?

Next 36 months the special counsel does his work… he’ll be done about when Trump’s term is finished.

However, I expect Trump to step on his own crank well before then.

337
Ace Rothstein  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:09:11pm

re: #336 freetoken

36 months??!!

338
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:10:11pm

Still living in the XIX Century here… .

starherald.com

RED CLOUD, Neb. (AP) — A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing cattle in southern Nebraska.

Court records say Austin Petr, of Blue Hill, is charged with theft in Webster County and, in Clay County, with seven counts of prohibited sale of livestock. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.

(more at the Scottsbluff Star-Herald)

339
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:10:45pm

That woman with 101 2 Dalmations is back, bringing them to crap on the landscaping in the industrial park.

At least this time she appears to have bags.

340
JordanRules  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:10:50pm

re: #330 HappyWarrior

Election is on my Bday and that’s all I want!
Used to live in GA for 5 years too and I love it. Some concrete, inspiring resistance in the form of an electoral win there would be amazing!

341
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:11:16pm

re: #338 Anymouse

Still living in the XIX Century here… .

starherald.com

(more at the Scottsbluff Star-Herald)

Hey, so will they hang him?

342
Eventual Carrion  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:11:17pm

re: #5 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Yeah, who wants to open their mouths when the shit is flying.

343
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:12:20pm

re: #341 Blind Frog Belly White

Hey, so will they hang him?

Cattle rustling is a pretty serious offence here, but I think they got rid of the death penalty some time ago for that.

344
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:12:23pm

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

345
Ace Rothstein  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:12:49pm

Trump’s “attorney” saying Trump never told Comey “I need loyalty; I expect loyalty” is going to doom the Pumpkin Pinochet.

346
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:13:22pm

So, if the Tories fail to get a majority, what happens? It doesn’t look like Labor, the Liberal Democrats, and the SNP would have enough seats to form a government. Do the Tories try to form a government with the Liberals or the SNP? Or are they looking at another snap election?

347
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:13:56pm

re: #345 Ace Rothstein

Trump’s “attorney” saying Trump never told Comey “I need loyalty; I expect loyalty” is going to doom the Pumpkin Pinochet.

Trump’s attorney not being able to spell “President” should doom his attorney.

348
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:14:15pm

BBC live election blog:

bbc.com

349
Ace Rothstein  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:14:42pm

re: #347 Anymouse

Trump’s attorney not being able to spell “President” should doom his attorney.

And about fifteen other words.

350
Myron Falwell  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:14:48pm

re: #347 Anymouse

Trump’s attorney not being able to spell “President” should doom his attorney.

It’s unpredisented!

351
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:15:33pm

re: #340 JordanRules

[Embedded content]

Happy early bday. I’m rooting hard for Ossoff. We’re practically the same age and he seems great.

352
JordanRules  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:16:15pm

re: #351 HappyWarrior

He was sooooo good in the debate!

353
Skip Intro  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:16:21pm

re: #271 KGxvi

I’m curious to see if Comey’s testimony actually moves the needle. My sense of it is that the testimony is going to confirm preexisting opinions, and not much more. I think it’ll be useful to keep an eye on conservative outlets in the next couple of days, to see if the dam really is breaking.

The dam is now 50 feet higher.

354
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:17:37pm
355
Scout  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:18:06pm

re: #332 Hecuba’s daughter

Ossoff better win. Am hoping that at least one of my political investments this year has a positive return. I hate to look at my Visa bills during campaign season. After 2016, I thought there would be a reprieve for at least a year — but Noooo.

I feel your pain.

356
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:18:32pm

re: #353 Skip Intro

The dam is now 50 feet higher.

Doesn’t matter how high the dam is, if there are cracks, it’s coming down.

357
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:19:16pm
358
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:19:23pm

re: #315 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I keep getting phone calls from “restricted” numbers on my cell, which likely means that it’s D phone banking (and I’m guessing for Ossoff, because I’ve answered one once). Twice a day. Like clockwork.

I wish I could give the Democratic party a little bit of feedback. Two things.

1) I do not make phone donations. Ever. Not for any cause. Not for any reason. Speaking to me doesn’t change my mind on that, and I hate feeling like an asshole because I know the other person is donating their time. Let’s save both of us the hassle and let me mark myself as “will not donate over the phone.” You can send me more mail or e-mail or whatever in return. We’ll both be happier.

2) I really don’t care that my phone number has an east coast area code. The address you have on file for me is west coast. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, you should consider THAT when deciding what time of day it is appropriate to call. (Somewhat related rant: if you do wrist notifications, you should also HONOR THE DO NOT DISTURB MODE AS SET ON THE PHONE DAMMIT.)

Sigh.

I got annoyed when the Clinton campaign called wanting more money from me (I had already donated $500). I was actually in the middle of making phone calls trying to recruit volunteers for GOTV, which I explained to them, and told them, “I don’t know how much money I have, if I have any to give, I’ll make an online donation.” “But we have triple match on phone donations!” “Yeah, well, I got to go.”

359
Skip Intro  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:20:41pm

re: #356 KGxvi

Doesn’t matter how high the dam is, if there are cracks, it’s coming down.

Not as long as Fox is around. MSNBC too, if they’re going to keep getting Fox retreads interviewing Trump thugs.

360
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:22:00pm

I’m guessing this sort of voter is not someone the Democrats should be spending a lot of time trying to convince.

nytimes.com
His name might be appropriate though.

To the Editor:

I wanted to provide you with an unsophisticated synopsis of The New York Times and the media’s quest for the implosion of Donald Trump’s presidency from out here in the real world, in “deplorable” country.

As you can imagine (or maybe you can’t quite), as a proud deplorable, I have many associates, colleagues and relatives who agree with me. Every time you and your brethren at other news organizations dream up a new scheme to get Mr. Trump, we out here in deplorable land increase our support for him.

It’s quite humorous that when The Times, The Washington Post and the networks all bash Mr. Trump, our support increases. Regardless of what you dream up every day, we refuse to be sucked into your narrative. And even more humorously, there isn’t anything you can do about it!

And I love it that you are having the exact opposite effect on those of us you are trying to persuade to think otherwise. I mean it is seriously an enjoyable part of my day knowing you are failing. And badly!

I haven’t had this much fun watching the media stumble, bumble and fumble in years. I wonder what will happen on the day you wake up and realize how disconnected you’ve become?

KENTON WOODHEAD
BRUNSWICK, OHIO

361
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:23:51pm
362
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:25:52pm
363
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:26:44pm

Looking at the UK vote tally on BBC, I see that there’s a Pirate Party and a Monster Raving Loony Party. I don’t know what either stand for, but I feel like one of those parties would be getting my vote.

364
BeachDem  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:28:12pm

re: #332 Hecuba’s daughter

Ossoff better win. Am hoping that at least one of my political investments this year has a positive return. I hate to look at my Visa bills during campaign season. After 2016, I thought there would be a reprieve for at least a year — but Noooo.

That is so me. After November, I felt I could up my charitable contributions because I was no longer throwing my money at political campaigns, most of which were (sadly) unsuccessful. So I was quite generous at the end of 2016.

But now, between Ossoff and Archie Parnell’s valiant effort in the SC-5 election, I’m right back in the thick of it. Each time I donate to Ossoff, I feel guilty if I don’t give Archie some cash, so I’m glad I have some projects going on for some income.

Go Jon! And go Archie!

365
nines09  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:28:20pm

re: #360 Anymouse

He is a dead body. Wrapped around the steering column from a head on collision with himself. His syntax suggests a reasonable amount of intelligence, but his synopsis suggests otherwise. He’s dead, Jim…..

366
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:29:38pm

re: #363 KGxvi

Looking at the UK vote tally on BBC, I see that there’s a Pirate Party and a Monster Raving Loony Party. I don’t know what either stand for, but I feel like one of those parties would be getting my vote.

They’re probably no more loonier than our Libertarian and Green parties.

367
b.d.  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:30:09pm

re: #363 KGxvi

Looking at the UK vote tally on BBC, I see that there’s a Pirate Party and a Monster Raving Loony Party. I don’t know what either stand for, but I feel like one of those parties would be getting my vote.

Isn’t the Pirate Party Kim Dot Com’s deal? Screw that criminal.

368
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:31:10pm

re: #366 Patricia Kayden

They’re probably no more loonier than our Libertarian and Green parties.

The Pirate Party, which is apparently a thing in Europe, is described as a “radical center” party. The Monster Raving Loony Party is apparently a satire/protest vote thing that is an actual real party.

369
Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:31:21pm

re: #128 Ace-o-aces

You have to be living under a rock not to know that we have troops in Qatar.

370
piratedan  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:31:48pm

re: #367 b.d.

it used to be mine, until they found out I lived in Arizona, surrounded by hundreds of miles of beach… I do have a map tho… /////////

371
KGxvi  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:32:12pm

re: #367 b.d.

Isn’t the Pirate Party Kim Dot Com’s deal? Screw that criminal.

Here’s the wiki on the Pirate Party.

372
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:32:41pm

My wife just finished the new drapes for the living room. Our new traverse rods should be here tomorrow (so I know what I’m going to be doing).

The drapes are made with pencil pleats, which to me look nicer than French pleats.

She finished a duvet yesterday. That was nice to have on the bed.

Makes me wonder what she keeps me around for.

373
Skip Intro  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:35:21pm

re: #311 Hecuba’s daughter

I suspect that Dershowitz would not espouse that viewpoint if Obama had done it. So Dershowitz was saying in effect that a President (R) is above the law. Nice

We already know that though.

374
Jack Burton  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:35:31pm

re: #367 b.d.

Isn’t the Pirate Party Kim Dot Com’s deal? Screw that criminal.

No it’s just a form a libertarian crap. Basically it’s the “information wants to be free (oh but… um not *my* information)” party.

375
b.d.  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:36:26pm

re: #371 KGxvi

Here’s the wiki on the Pirate Party.

Thanks.

I was wrong.

Kim Dotcom’s deal is the Internet Party and still screw that guy….

en.wikipedia.org

376
Timothy Watson  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:36:36pm

re: #363 KGxvi

Looking at the UK vote tally on BBC, I see that there’s a Pirate Party and a Monster Raving Loony Party. I don’t know what either stand for, but I feel like one of those parties would be getting my vote.

How did Lord Buckethead do?

377
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:36:53pm

If the polls hold up and UKIP gets zero seats, will they disappear and go away? Surely, they can’t afford to expend time and resources on elections where they don’t even win one seat and thus have no say in parliament?

378
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:37:39pm

Real Estate Website Urges Conservatives To Buy Texas Homes

Move to Texas for the great schools, the good jobs and the low crime. But also, a new web company pitches, move because you’re a conservative.

McKinney-based website conservativemove.com is drawing interest from around the country for its focus on moving right-leaning residents from blue states, to the Lone Star state. The website tag line reads “Helping Families Move Right.”

This week, company founder Paul Chabot says the first two homes owned by clients in California will go on the market. Five more clients are actively searching for homes in North Texas. There have been inquiries he said from more than 500 people, in more than 40 states.

As I’ve mentioned before, California Republicans were some of the meanest, most heartless sons of bitches I ever had the misfortune to deal with, and I thought that even when I was a Republican. Back in the 80s, few Texas Republicans realized that the crazed haters and zealots from California were actually the future of the party, leading the charge to the outright fascism we see today. Today, of course, they are a good match for the Texan GOP, but they will be in for a nasty surprise when Texas turns blue too, as it inevitably must.

379
EPR-radar  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:38:13pm

re: #365 nines09

He is a dead body. Wrapped around the steering column from a head on collision with himself. His syntax suggests a reasonable amount of intelligence, but his synopsis suggests otherwise. He’s dead, Jim…..

Nothing so dramatic. That Woodhead shitwit is just another aggressively ignorant deplorable.

380
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:38:38pm

re: #368 KGxvi

How can the center be radical? Things that make you go “hmmmm”.

381
Scout  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:39:22pm
382
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:39:25pm

re: #377 Patricia Kayden

If the polls hold up and UKIP gets zero seats, will they disappear and go away? Surely, they can’t afford to expend time and resources on elections where they don’t even win one seat and thus have no say in parliament?

Unfortunately I think they’ll still run in local races.

383
wrenchwench  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:39:55pm
384
Patricia Kayden  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:40:12pm

re: #378 Shiplord Kirel

That would be perfect, no? I would be more than happy if all conservatives moved to one or two states and left the rest of us alone. I don’t see how that helps them expand their vote but I don’t share their logic on anything much.

385
BlueSpotinAL  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:41:05pm

I don’t swear as a general rule, unless it is called for. But this whole thing with Trump being led through the nose by Saudi Arabia about Qatar, then Trump is probably told that CENTCOM is based in Qatar (which Trump clearly did not know). Now Trump wants to broker a deal on a subject about which he knows nothing. What did Paul Ryan say about Trump? - oh, yeah “”He’s new at government, so therefore I think he’s learning as he goes,”
Jesus Fucking Christ!

386
HappyWarrior  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:42:06pm

re: #383 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

That guy needs to be Texas’s next Senator.

387
EPR-radar  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:43:03pm

re: #378 Shiplord Kirel

Trump’s 2016 margin in TX was 8.99%
Trump’s 2016 margin in OH was 8.13%.

388
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:45:43pm
389
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:46:10pm

re: #384 Patricia Kayden

That would be perfect, no? I would be more than happy if all conservatives moved to one or two states and left the rest of us alone. I don’t see how that helps them expand their vote but I don’t share their logic on anything much.

I have thought about converting Lubbock County into a giant wingnut reservation. According to the state, Lubbock has an area of 1007 square miles. Assuming 40 million wingnuts, this would allow each one about 700 square feet of living space. Even with an allowance for pathways, and community showers and latrines, that is plenty for them and considerably more than they would allow for any Muslims, liberals, or “others” over whom they had power.

390
fern01  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:48:24pm

re: #362 Backwoods_Sleuth

Trump Backtracks From Attacks and Tries to Be Deal-maker in Qatari Feud

Someone told the fool about the Troops needing a supply line.

Definition of the US President - and all who voted for him

It’s better to say nothing and be thought a fool
than to open you mouth and remove all doubt

391
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:49:39pm

Big Daddy not happy?

392
Jay C  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:50:43pm

re: #377 Patricia Kayden

If the polls hold up and UKIP gets zero seats, will they disappear and go away? Surely, they can’t afford to expend time and resources on elections where they don’t even win one seat and thus have no say in parliament?

A nice thought, but it’s unlikely UKIP is going to be fading away anytime soon. Losing whatever meager position they had in Parliament is going to be embarrassing, of course, but like kudzu, cockroaches and rats, UKIP types will probably prove deplorably persistent.

393
The Ghost of Senator Incitatus  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:50:50pm

Does my flinty heart good to see UKIP get zero seats.

All of them can jump up their own asses and fuck off.

394
Skip Intro  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:50:54pm
395
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:53:52pm

Came across this from 2008 Obama election BBC - Grumpy cantankerous eleventy billion

396
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:55:53pm

The insightful though fake comrades at DPRK assess the situation:

397
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:56:03pm
398
BigPapa  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:57:03pm

This is all kinds of strange:

399
Skip Intro  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:57:44pm

re: #397 gocart mozart

I love how the GOP has defined the presidency as an entry level job for Republicans. What’s the starting pay for entry level jobs these days?

400
Joe Bacon  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:57:46pm

re: #378 Shiplord Kirel

Real Estate Website Urges Conservatives To Buy Texas Homes

As I’ve mentioned before, California Republicans were some of the meanest, most heartless sons of bitches I ever had the misfortune to deal with, and I thought that even when I was a Republican. Back in the 80s, few Texas Republicans realized that the crazed haters and zealots from California were actually the future of the party, leading the charge to the outright fascism we see today. Today, of course, they are a good match for the Texan GOP, but they will be in for a nasty surprise when Texas turns blue too, as it inevitably must.

Understatement! Dornan was the sleaziest one! Add Dannemeyer, Sebastiani, Schmitz and dozens of others! Vile doesn’t come close to describe how I had to deal with them!

401
dangerman  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:58:41pm

re: #385 BlueSpotinAL

I don’t swear as a general rule, unless it is called for. But this whole thing with Trump being led through the nose by Saudi Arabia about Qatar, then Trump is probably told that CENTCOM is based in Qatar (which Trump clearly did not know). Now Trump wants to broker a deal on a subject about which he knows nothing. What did Paul Ryan say about Trump? - oh, yeah “”He’s new at government, so therefore I think he’s learning as he goes,”
Jesus Fucking Christ!

this

especially:

Trump does not remotely understand his role, status, and duties as President and Chief Executive, and this failure infects or undermines just about everything he does. It is an amazing state of affairs: A President of the United States who does not at all grasp the Office he occupies, and who thus entirely lacks the proper situation sense, or contextual knowledge, in which a President should exercise judgment or act. Let that sink in, and then imagine all of the decisions a President must make, all that he is responsible for.

402
Bubblehead II  Jun 8, 2017 • 4:59:57pm

Night lizards. The I.F rule is now in effect (look it up).

Yeah, I went there.

Europe - The Final Countdown

403
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:05:00pm

“This Confederate gnome-zombie could not be more ridiculous if DPRK and the Onion had invented him from scratch.”

404
goddamnedfrank  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:07:52pm
405
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:08:28pm
406
bratwurst  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:12:06pm

re: #405 gocart mozart

With all due respect to Louie Gohmert, I contend there is nobody in Washington who gets a dumber look on his face than Kevin McCarthy.

407
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:12:23pm

re: #384 Patricia Kayden

That would be perfect, no? I would be more than happy if all conservatives moved to one or two states and left the rest of us alone. I don’t see how that helps them expand their vote but I don’t share their logic on anything much.

Looks like another Wingnut Welfare scheme. The property developer is not going to lose any money on this (and presumably there’s nothing to prevent a liberal from buying property either).

Texas demographics seem to be such that the state will inevitably turn purple, and the GOP loses its largest reliable state in the Electoral College. (It wasn’t all that long ago that Democrat Ann Richards was governor there.) The only thing that keeps Texas in the red column now is extreme gerrymandering and voter suppression laws.

408
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:12:53pm

re: #400 Joe Bacon

Understatement! Dornan was the sleaziest one! Add Dannemeyer, Sebastiani, Schmitz and dozens of others! Vile doesn’t come close to describe how I had to deal with them!

Ah, Schmitz, the champion of family values…..
I actually met B-1 Bob Dornan at an open house event at Edwards Air Force Base. He was pretty interesting as long as he confined himself to his experiences flying the F-100 Super Sabre and the F-104 Starfighter in the 50s. He was a real life jet pilot and played one in several of his movie appearances. Once he deviated into politics or society, though, watch out for a major guano storm.

409
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:13:14pm

If you’re a gambling type, I mean literally the gambling type, the online betting sites have been shifting odds on the UK result.

Corbyn is no longer a long shot.

410
nines09  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:14:06pm

re: #379 EPR-radar

My intent with that statement is that I’ve attempted to “reach” people with his “take” and I’ve attempted to “talk” to those with more visceral beliefs. I cannot reach that which does not wish to be. If I had a smart phone in my pocket when I was 18…..But it’s all what flavor you like. Reinforcement of what you want or truth. Truth is much more slippery. It takes thought. No one is perfect, me as a fine example. I’m at the point right now where I just say “fuck off.” He’s dead….Jim.

411
Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:14:36pm

re: #372 Anymouse

My wife just finished the new drapes for the living room. Our new traverse rods should be here tomorrow (so I know what I’m going to be doing).

The drapes are made with pencil pleats, which to me look nicer than French pleats.

She finished a duvet yesterday. That was nice to have on the bed.

Makes me wonder what she keeps me around for.

Someone needs to be around to appreciate her skills. ;-)

412
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:16:09pm

The Brits, who in general have better taste than Americans, hate Trump, and Farage is paying the price for he and his UKIP buddies embracing Trump:

413
Anymouse  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:17:39pm

re: #411 Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch

Someone needs to be around to appreciate her skills. ;-)

She says you called it.

414
Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:19:15pm

re: #399 Skip Intro

I love how the GOP has defined the presidency as an entry level job for Republicans. What’s the starting pay for entry level jobs these days?

But Obama didn’t have any experience, according to them.

415
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:20:57pm

Strange things afoot in the UK… the SNP is losing some seats too, a couple have switched to Tories? Odd. But this election may be more about Brits upset with all the fallout from the change of Brexit, and the SNP being all gung ho for even more radical change may have backfired.

416
Barefoot Grin  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:21:36pm

re: #397 gocart mozart

[Embedded content]

“The President is new at this”—well, he knew enough to make Sessions and the Kush vamoose.

417
teleskiguy  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:21:47pm

Mea culpa.

418
gocart mozart  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:21:56pm

Interesting thread.

419
freetoken  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:22:56pm

Corbyn now favorite:

I think that’s a bit premature though. It appears the dynamics of the election are more than expected but not all in Labor’s favor.

420
Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:24:50pm

re: #413 Anymouse

She says you called it.

I make things as well - spin, weave, quilt, etc. - and my husband is a great admirer. It means everything. :-)

421
Barefoot Grin  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:25:40pm

re: #406 bratwurst

With all due respect to Louie Gohmert, I contend there is nobody in Washington who gets a dumber look on his face than Kevin McCarthy.

I’m trying to think how much respect is due to Louie Gohmert and I keep drawing a blank.

422
BigPapa  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:26:01pm

re: #418 gocart mozart

Charles should be a GMan:

But I think one of the most telling and damaging points Comey made was that even after being informed there was absolutely no doubt Russia had mounted a huge effort to interfere with and undermine the credibility of the US election process, Donald Trump never even asked what was being done to prevent further interference by Russia. He was completely incurious about how to stop this from happening again.

423
A Cranky One  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:26:59pm

re: #416 Barefoot Grin

“The President is new at this”—well, he knew enough to make Sessions and the Kush vamoose.

After the fuss he raised during the election about Bill Clinton meeting with Lynch at the airport, he knew it was inappropriate and his shooing away any witnesses to his request of Comey provides evidence of that.

But let’s go with the “Trump is too stupid to know better” defense. It’s such an improvement.

//////

424
fern01  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:27:12pm

re: #415 freetoken

Strange things afoot in the UK… the SNP is losing some seats too, a couple have switched to Tories? Odd. But this election may be more about Brits upset with all the fallout from the change of Brexit, and the SNP being all gung ho for even more radical change may have backfired.

It appears that the smaller parties are losing out - with people voting labour or conservative - seems young ones for labour, old for conservatives - what a surprise - the turnout is up - which seems to be a younger electorate - hence the hope for labour.

425
Jay C  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:27:36pm

re: #409 freetoken

If you’re a gambling type, I mean literally the gambling type, the online betting sites have been shifting odds on the UK result.

Corbyn is no longer a long shot.

Those odds can’t be that long given that the polls are closed: however BBC’s results outline says that the actual voting results are going to be trickling in over the wee hours of Friday morning - the 1:00am results, frex, had just 19 seats reported (out of 650). They say it should be finalized by 6:00am (1:00am ET, 10:00pm PT); seems slow to me, but there it is.

However the general assessment seem to be that the exit-polling prediction is likely to hold up: May and the Tories are going to -at the very best estimate - have at most a few-seats majority, a possible tie, or a few-seats minority. In any event, the Tory dream of a big Parliamentary advantage seems to have gone up in smoke: they’ll be lucky to come out of this election with any advantage at all.

426
A Cranky One  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:33:37pm

re: #420 Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch

I make things as well - spin, weave, quilt, etc. - and my husband is a great admirer. It means everything. :-)

I’ll confess to having bragged about the wife’s quilting, stained glass, gardening, etc. I’m quite impressed with and proud of her.

Not to mention her talent for selecting a great spouse. ;-)

427
fern01  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:34:41pm

re: #425 Jay C

Those odds can’t be that long given that the polls are closed: however BBC’s results outline says that the actual voting results are going to be trickling in over the wee hours of Friday morning - the 1:00am results, frex, had just 19 seats reported (out of 650). They say it should be finalized by 6:00am (1:00am ET, 10:00pm PT); seems slow to me, but there it is.

All paper voting in the UK - counting process involves scrutineers from all involved parties and checking votes for validity. Best methods for voting/counting - no chance of machine error - fraud.

428
Belafon  Jun 8, 2017 • 5:48:09pm

re: #399 Skip Intro

I love how the GOP has defined the presidency as an entry level job for Republicans. What’s the starting pay for entry level jobs these days?

Not only entry level, but, according to them, you can be overqualified.

429
Eventual Carrion  Jun 8, 2017 • 7:11:24pm

re: #256 Backwoods_Sleuth

As an eastern Kentuckian, I have always been grateful for the existence of West Virginia to always be available to be the butt of the very worst of the hillbilly “jokes”.

Yep.
How do you know the toothbrush was invented in West Virginia?
If it would have been invented anywhere else it would be a teethbrush.


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