PLurker
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Posts: 9,739
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Jun 9, 2017 0:09:38 GMT
'I hope you drop the thing with Flynn' is the obstruction of justice claim, I think. I think Comey (being questioned by Senator Risch) said President Trump did not order me to let the investigation of Flynn go. He also agreed that "I hope" has never gotten anyone charged for anything. there is a LOT of firsts in this administration. With his background, I wouldn't be surprised if there is tape/example of him using that term to demand something in the past. and/or brag about it. He may have been watching his words, but do you (general you) really think he was "wishing upon a star"? Not his M.O. He has shown in past how he expects and demands.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,034
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
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Post by used2scrap on Jun 9, 2017 0:10:29 GMT
Reuters Menu Thu Jun 8, 2017 | 7:59 PM EDT Comey says Trump fired him to undermine FBI Russia investigation
9h ago | 01:54 VERBATIM: Sen. Warner: 'There's a lot to investigate' By Patricia Zengerle and Susan Cornwell | WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former FBI director James Comey accused President Donald Trump on Thursday of firing him to try to undermine its investigation into possible collusion by his campaign team with Russia's alleged efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
In the most eagerly anticipated U.S. congressional hearing in years, Comey told lawmakers the Trump administration had lied and defamed him and the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the president dismissed him on May 9.
During more than two hours of testimony, Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee he believed Trump had directed him in February to drop an FBI probe into the Republican president's former national security adviser Michael Flynn as part of the broader Russia investigation.
Comey would not say whether he thought the president sought to obstruct justice, but added it would be up to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is now investigating the Russia allegations, "to sort that out."
"I don't think it's for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct. I took it as a very disturbing thing, very concerning," Comey testified.
Sitting alone at a small table facing a bank of senators who fired question after question, Comey gave short, deliberative answers. He painted a picture of an overbearing president who he did not trust and who pressured him to stop the FBI Flynn probe.
Trump critics say any efforts by the president to hinder an FBI probe could amount to obstruction of justice. Such an offense potentially could lead to Trump being impeached by Congress, although his fellow Republicans who control the Senate and House of Representatives have shown little appetite for such a move.
Comey did not make major new revelations about any links between Trump or his associates and Russia, an issue that has dogged the president's first months in office and distracted from his policy goals such as overhauling the U.S. healthcare system and making tax cuts.
Nevertheless, the Russia matter likely will continue to overshadow Trump's presidency, especially as the FBI probe has already ensnared not only Flynn but also Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has had to recuse himself from the investigation.
After Trump fired Comey, the administration gave differing reasons for his dismissal. Trump later contradicted his own staff and acknowledged on May 11 he fired Comey because of the Russia matter.
Asked why he thought Trump fired him, Comey said he did not know for sure. He added, "Again, I take the president's words. I know I was fired because of something about the way I was conducting the Russia investigation was in some way putting pressure on him, in some way irritating him, and he decided to fire me because of that."
Comey repeatedly said there were details he could not discuss in a public session, making clear he had sensitive information he could disclose only in a closed session with the senators.
'LIES, PLAIN AND SIMPLE'
Comey said Trump's administration had defamed him in comments made after his firing by saying that the FBI was in disarray and that the workforce had lost confidence in its leader. "Those were lies, plain and simple," Comey said.
His accusations could further mire Trump's administration in legal difficulties. Mueller and several congressional committees are investigating what U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded was an effort by Russia to help Trump win the election by discrediting Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton through the hacking and disclosure of damaging emails and other steps.
Russia has denied such interference. The White House as denied any collusion with Moscow.
In a speech to supporters across town, Trump vowed to fight on. "We're under siege ... but we will come out bigger and better and stronger than ever," he said.
"We know how to fight and we will never give up," Trump added.
Trump's personal lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, said Comey's testimony proved the president was not under any investigation and there is no evidence a single vote was changed as a result of Russian interference in last year's election. Kasowitz denied Trump ever told Comey he needed and expected his loyalty, as Comey said.
Comey said he felt he needed to get his account of his conversations with Trump in the public sphere in the hope it might prompt the appointment of a special counsel, which later occurred. Comey said he gave copies of his memo memorializing his talks with Trump to people outside the Justice Department and "asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter."
Comey said he shared the memo with a professor at Columbia Law School, a reference to Daniel Richman, who confirmed to Reuters he was the one Comey referred to in his testimony.
Kasowitz said that "we will leave it the appropriate authorities" to determine whether Comey's leak "should be investigated along with all those others being investigated."
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'LORDY, I HOPE THERE ARE TAPES'
Comey said he did not know if there are tapes of his conversations with Trump but said if so they should be made public.
"Lordy, I hope there are tapes," Comey said.
Republicans on the committee questioned Comey intently but did not attack his integrity or try to treat him roughly, as a witness making accusations against a sitting Republican president might expect.
Comey testified he kept notes after meeting with Trump because "I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document."
From Capitol Hill to San Francisco's Castro district, Comey's appearance attracted television "watch parties" beckoning politics buffs to taverns, restaurants and living rooms to view an event some likened to the "Super Bowl of Washington."
U.S. stocks closed slightly higher as the market reacted little to Comey's testimony, viewing his testimony alone as unlikely to mark the end of Trump's presidency.
Comey said Trump did not attempt to get him to drop the overall Russia investigation, just the part of if that related to Flynn, who the president fired in February for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the extent of his conversations last year with Sergei Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the United States.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio asked Comey whether he perceived the president's request to let the Flynn matter go as an order given Trump's position as president, the setting and the circumstances surrounding the conversation.
"Yes," Comey replied.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jun 9, 2017 0:10:57 GMT
?? What did you quote me for? I was pointing out the absolute irony in the White House insisting Trump is the honest one, when GOP Sen Burr and the chair of the committee questioning Comey today has already stated his belief in Comey's integrity. I don't understand what is wrong with me quoting your quote of the WH statement? I didn't say anything was wrong with you quoting it---I wasn't understanding WHY you were quoting it!!!
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Post by gramasue on Jun 9, 2017 0:20:16 GMT
I just want to say I was very impressed with Comey. He strikes me as an honest fellow who is loyal to his country. Having to deal with the joke that is Trump could not have been easy for him, and yet he maintained his integrity at every level.
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 9, 2017 0:38:33 GMT
I think Comey (being questioned by Senator Risch) said President Trump did not order me to let the investigation of Flynn go. He also agreed that "I hope" has never gotten anyone charged for anything. there is a LOT of firsts in this administration. With his background, I wouldn't be surprised if there is tape/example of him using that term to demand something in the past. and/or brag about it. He may have been watching his words, but do you (general you) really think he was "wishing upon a star"? Not his M.O. He has shown in past how he expects and demands. Just quoting what Comey said.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 9, 2017 1:09:32 GMT
Here is the meme that just showed up on my wall.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,034
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
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Post by used2scrap on Jun 9, 2017 1:55:07 GMT
I was pointing out the absolute irony in the White House insisting Trump is the honest one, when GOP Sen Burr and the chair of the committee questioning Comey today has already stated his belief in Comey's integrity. I don't understand what is wrong with me quoting your quote of the WH statement? I didn't say anything was wrong with you quoting it---I wasn't understanding WHY you were quoting it!!! Sorry I guess I misinterpreted the multiple question marks. Did I clear up the WHY?
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Post by vspindler on Jun 9, 2017 2:03:56 GMT
Here is the meme that just showed up on my wall. The person who created that must have been watching different testimony than I was.
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Post by beachbum on Jun 9, 2017 2:08:20 GMT
Here is the meme that just showed up on my wall. Apparently someone was watching a totally different channel than I was. Somehow I didn't learn any of those. SaveSave
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 9, 2017 2:25:51 GMT
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Post by beachbum on Jun 9, 2017 2:30:53 GMT
OK, that one I agree with, the rest, not so much. SaveSave
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,739
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Jun 9, 2017 2:32:40 GMT
yes, I read/heard he admitted it. Does it matter that he was already a "private citizen" after firing? Just asking if anyone "knows" as I haven't gotten around to google/investigate and I wanted to know if he did anything technically "wrong"- for lack of a better word. I was thinking (only in my head) that it would be more of a problem if he hadn't been fired. ETA after quick read- I'm obviously over tired as it sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher reading to me. Try again in am.
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Post by Merge on Jun 9, 2017 2:36:52 GMT
Irrefutable but not illegal, Trump's lawyer's claims notwithstanding. Nothing he leaked was sensitive or classified. The rest of it is either horseshit or irrelevant to the current situation.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 9, 2017 2:38:04 GMT
yes, I read/heard he admitted it. Does it matter that he was already a "private citizen" after firing? Just asking if anyone "knows" as I haven't gotten around to google/investigate and I wanted to know if he did anything technically "wrong"- for lack of a better word. I was thinking (only in my head) that it would be more of a problem if he hadn't been fired. ETA after quick read- I'm obviously over tired as it sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher reader to me. Try again in am. I think it would be a huge issue if he was still head of the FBI - as a private citizen? I'm not so sure. There's a few cases when I do think it was bad form - the tell all books from secret service agents comes to mind - if it can impact the safety of people - I'm not going to sing your praises. In this case, it was neither obviously impacting safety, nor obviously great whistle blowing.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 9, 2017 2:39:39 GMT
I have a hard time with the use of "leaked" here. A leak, IMHO, is anonymously providing information to the press that you don't have clearance to provide. Based on Comey's testimony, he gave his personal memos to a lawyer friend and asked him to pass them onto a NYT reporter. SaveSave
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 9, 2017 2:44:06 GMT
I have a hard time with the use of "leaked" here. A leak, IMHO, is anonymously providing information to the press that you don't have clearance to provide. Based on Comey's testimony, he gave his personal memos to a lawyer friend and asked him to pass them onto a NYT reporter. SaveSaveThat's an interesting definition. I don't know that I've ever heard a caveat about "clearance to provide." I define leak as someone releasing information previously unknown and not through an official channel - it's not necessarily illegal or even unethical. We often hear for instance of someone leaking the top names being considered for xyz. Or leaking the latest specs for the iPhone. I think it's actually now almost standard for campaigns to leak their VP list for instance to get a read on how they will be perceived. No one is breaking any laws or has any clearance for anything.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,034
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
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Post by used2scrap on Jun 9, 2017 2:59:48 GMT
How does one believe Comey that Lynch pressured him over Clinton, but dismiss Comey that Trump pressured him over Flynn?
It's like the blue dress/white dress, people saw/heard two totally different hearings.
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Post by artgirl1 on Jun 9, 2017 3:03:10 GMT
I believe the memo Comey leaked was his own personal notes (memo) regarding the exchange, not any official FBI documents.
He was a no longer employed by FBI. Why is that different than any ex-agent writing a memoir, or ex president?
Under the circumstances, with tRumps continual efforts to malign Comey after he was fired, why should Comey be expected to keep his views, and perceptions quiet?
I feel that Comey actually showed more dignity since the firing than most would in his situation. I don't think his actions were impulsive, but were clearly thought out, with the view what is best for the nation.
Now I wonder who is paying for tRumps expensive gaggle of private lawyers? The taxpayers or himself? If tRump is paying, that I don't expect he will donate his salary this quarter.
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,739
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Jun 9, 2017 3:14:00 GMT
Upon further review,
I think I heard via radio on way home, that since 45 had already talked (tweeted, ranted-whatever) about it, it was no longer confidential or whatever, too. 45 opened up the "discussion" by doing so. If true, I'm sure Comey is smart enough to be aware of that.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 9, 2017 3:19:41 GMT
4. Russia did not alter the election outcome. whoever wrote this meme, I beg to differ on this one-- the statement was something to the effect of 'did Russia alter any votes' which I took to mean tamper with any of our voting machinery. This is NOT the same as 'their interference did NOT alter the election outcome' at all. 9. The Democratic Party no longer has the ability to scream "RUSSIA" every time Trump tries to do something. 10. The Russia story is dead - any democrat who continue to push it will look foolish and insane to the American people. ^^^^^ HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! ahhh... <whew.> What HAVE they been smoking, to think that Comey's testimony means that?!? and the whole 'he's a leaker of confidential info' is ludicrous... it was his own personal account of a meeting that he attended, so it wasn't confidential to begin with.
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,739
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Jun 9, 2017 3:21:41 GMT
4. Russia did not alter the election outcome. whoever wrote this meme, I beg to differ on this one-- the statement was something to the effect of 'did Russia alter any votes' which I took to mean tamper with any of our voting machinery. This is NOT the same as 'their interference did NOT alter the election outcome' at all. exactly. The false info could have changed the votes before the buttons were pushed.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 9, 2017 3:22:30 GMT
I have a hard time with the use of "leaked" here. A leak, IMHO, is anonymously providing information to the press that you don't have clearance to provide. Based on Comey's testimony, he gave his personal memos to a lawyer friend and asked him to pass them onto a NYT reporter. SaveSaveThat's an interesting definition. I don't know that I've ever heard a caveat about "clearance to provide." I define leak as someone releasing information previously unknown and not through an official channel - it's not necessarily illegal or even unethical. We often hear for instance of someone leaking the top names being considered for xyz. Or leaking the latest specs for the iPhone. I think it's actually now almost standard for campaigns to leak their VP list for instance to get a read on how they will be perceived. No one is breaking any laws or has any clearance for anything. How is "not through an official channel" different from "don't have clearance to provide"? I do agree "leaked" information can be part of a deliberate campaign, but then is it really leaked or just perceived to be leaked? SaveSave
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 9:19:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 3:22:30 GMT
Upon further review, I think I heard via radio on way home, that since 45 had already talked (tweeted, ranted-whatever) about it, it was no longer confidential or whatever, too. 45 opened up the "discussion" by doing so. If true, I'm sure Comey is smart enough to be aware of that. He's leading the administration up the garden path. And they, fools that they are, will likely follow. Right into a trap. He's playing 3-dimensional chess and the admin is playing tic-tac oh....look....Fox and Friends is on.....
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 9, 2017 3:30:52 GMT
oooohhhh... shiny sparkly gold things! (gold, a la the Saudis-- who said they knew they could show him a lot of tacky gold-plated stuff and make him feel all warm and fuzzy towards them...)
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Post by papersilly on Jun 9, 2017 5:29:36 GMT
Wow, I just found a video online of McCain questioning Comey. Holy heck. I honestly believe his age has caught up with him. What a shame! as I was getting ready for work, I walk back into to my bedroom in time to see this line of questioning. I thought DH changed the channel to another hearing because I was like, "WTF is Mc Cain going on about?"
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Post by uksue on Jun 9, 2017 11:45:12 GMT
Wow, I just found a video online of McCain questioning Comey. Holy heck. I honestly believe his age has caught up with him. What a shame! as I was getting ready for work, I walk back into to my bedroom in time to see this line of questioning. I thought DH changed the channel to another hearing because I was like, "WTF is Mc Cain going on about?" The widening eyes of the woman visible behind him-particularly towards the end- summed it up for me!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 9:19:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 12:34:56 GMT
I still haven't watched the entire hearing (honestly, haven't even searched for it...busy this morning) but in reading what I see here, reading what I see elsewhere, and watching a few clips, I'm not really surprised that it seems I saw a different hearing.
It just goes to show how partisan not only Washington is, but the rest of America as well. We see and hear what we want to see and hear. Focusing on any smidgen of text that backs our opinion while ignoring the rest that doesn't fit our narrative.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 9:19:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 12:36:11 GMT
I still haven't watched the entire hearing (honestly, haven't even searched for it...busy this morning) but in reading what I see here, reading what I see elsewhere, and watching a few clips, I'm not really surprised that it seems I saw a different hearing. It just goes to show how partisan not only Washington is, but the rest of America as well. We see and hear what we want to see and hear. Focusing on any smidgen of text that backs our opinion while ignoring the rest that doesn't fit our narrative. And the praise for Comey now. As I read all of the praise for him I thought to myself "yes, these are the same people that demanded he be fired and were ready to string him up 7 months ago" SMH.
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Post by peasapie on Jun 9, 2017 12:38:21 GMT
Here is the meme that just showed up on my wall. The person who created that must have been watching different testimony than I was. It is interesting how both sides see a win in yesterday's testimony. It certainly wasn't as damning as it had been billed; on the other hand, I think it strategically opened doors for further steps. Time will tell.
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Post by peasapie on Jun 9, 2017 12:41:08 GMT
I believe the memo Comey leaked was his own personal notes (memo) regarding the exchange, not any official FBI documents. He was a no longer employed by FBI. Why is that different than any ex-agent writing a memoir, or ex president? Under the circumstances, with tRumps continual efforts to malign Comey after he was fired, why should Comey be expected to keep his views, and perceptions quiet? I feel that Comey actually showed more dignity since the firing than most would in his situation. I don't think his actions were impulsive, but were clearly thought out, with the view what is best for the nation. Now I wonder who is paying for tRumps expensive gaggle of private lawyers? The taxpayers or himself? If tRump is paying, that I don't expect he will donate his salary this quarter. I love that it is being called a "leak," as if one cannot publish their own notes. Anyway, didn't 45 say he likes leaks, when it concerned HRC? Why is he crying now?
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