Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2018 2:29:31 GMT
linkThe two founders of Fushion wrote an OP Ed about the dossier and the fact Grassley & Company will not release the transcript of their 21 hour testimony before A couple of committees. Since the first one these guys have asked that the transcripts released. My question is why won’t the GOP released any of the transcript. What is the GOP hiding? “The Republicans’ Fake Investigations” “A generation ago, Republicans sought to protect President Richard Nixon by urging the Senate Watergate committee to look at supposed wrongdoing by Democrats in previous elections. The committee chairman, SamErvin, a Democrat, said that would be “as foolish as the man who went bear hunting and stopped to chase rabbits.” Today, amid a growing criminal inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, congressional Republicans are again chasing rabbits. We know because we’re their favorite quarry. In the year since the publication of the so-called Steele dossier — the collection of intelligence reports we commissioned about Donald Trump’s ties to Russia — the president has repeatedly attacked us on Twitter. His allies in Congress have dug through our bank records and sought to tarnish our firm to punish us for highlighting his links to Russia. Conservative news outlets and even our former employer, The Wall Street Journal, have spun a succession of mendacious conspiracy theories about our motives and backers. We are happy to correct the record. In fact, we already have. Three congressional committees have heard over 21 hours of testimony from our firm, Fusion GPS. In those sessions, we toppled the far right’s conspiracy theories and explained how The Washington Free Beacon and the Clinton campaign — the Republican and Democratic funders of our Trump research — separately came to hire us in the first place. We walked investigators through our yearlong effort to decipher Mr. Trump’s complex business past, of which the Steele dossier is but one chapter. And we handed over our relevant bank records — while drawing the line at a fishing expedition for the records of companies we work for that have nothing to do with the Trump case. Republicans have refused to release full transcripts of our firm’s testimony, even as they selectively leak details to media outlets on the far right. It’s time to share what our company told investigators. We don’t believe the Steele dossier was the trigger for the F.B.I.’s investigation into Russian meddling. As we told the Senate Judiciary Committee in August, our sources said the dossier was taken so seriously because it corroborated reports the bureau had received from other sources, including one inside the Trump camp. The intelligence committees have known for months that credible allegations of collusion between the Trump camp and Russia were pouring in from independent sources during the campaign. Yet lawmakers in the thrall of the president continue to wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation We suggested investigators look into the bank records of Deutsche Bank and others that were funding Mr. Trump’s businesses. Congress appears uninterested in that tip: Reportedly, ours are the only bank records the House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed. We told Congress that from Manhattan to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and from Toronto to Panama, we found widespread evidence that Mr. Trump and his organization had worked with a wide array of dubious Russians in arrangements that often raised questions about money laundering. Likewise, those deals don’t seem to interest Congress. We explained how, from our past journalistic work in Europe, we were deeply familiar with the political operative Paul Manafort’s coziness with Moscow and his financial ties to Russian oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin. Finally, we debunked the biggest canard being pushed by the president’s men — the notion that we somehow knew of the June 9, 2016, meeting in Trump Tower between some Russians and the Trump brain trust. We first learned of that meeting from news reports last year — and the committees know it. They also know that these Russians were unaware of the former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele’s work for us and were not sources for his reports. Yes, we hired Mr. Steele, a highly respected Russia expert. But we did so without informing him whom we were working for and gave him no specific marching orders beyond this basic question: Why did Mr. Trump repeatedly seek to do deals in a notoriously corrupt police state that most serious investors shun? What came back shocked us. Mr. Steele’s sources in Russia (who were not paid) reported on an extensive — and now confirmed — effort by the Kremlin to help elect Mr. Trump president. Mr. Steele saw this as a crime in progress and decided he needed to report it to the F.B.I. We did not discuss that decision with our clients, or anyone else. Instead, we deferred to Mr. Steele, a trusted friend and intelligence professional with a long history of working with law enforcement. We did not speak to the F.B.I. and haven’t since. After the election, Mr. Steele decided to share his intelligence with Senator John McCain via an emissary. We helped him do that. The goal was to alert the United States national security community to an attack on our country by a hostile foreign power. We did not, however, share the dossier with BuzzFeed, which to our dismay published it last January. We’re extremely proud of our work to highlight Mr. Trump’s Russia ties. To have done so is our right under the First Amendment. It is time to stop chasing rabbits. The public still has much to learn about a man with the most troubling business past of any United States president. Congress should release transcripts of our firm’s testimony, so that the American people can learn the truth about our work and most important, what happened to our democracy. “
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Post by Merge on Jan 3, 2018 2:58:34 GMT
Wow.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 27, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
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Post by pyccku on Jan 3, 2018 2:58:35 GMT
I was watching Rachel as the story broke. Sounds like they’re fed up with the GOP putting party over country. Bunch of traitors, rather than being willing to consider that Trump just might be a little closer to Russia than he should be, they want to sweep it aside for political reasons. Shameful.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 3, 2018 3:09:59 GMT
The intelligence committees have known for months that credible allegations of collusion between the Trump camp and Russia were pouring in from independent sources during the campaign. Yet lawmakers in the thrall of the president continue to wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation We suggested investigators look into the bank records of Deutsche Bank and others that were funding Mr. Trump’s businesses. Congress appears uninterested in that tip: Reportedly, ours are the only bank records the House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed. We told Congress that from Manhattan to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and from Toronto to Panama, we found widespread evidence that Mr. Trump and his organization had worked with a wide array of dubious Russians in arrangements that often raised questions about money laundering. Likewise, those deals don’t seem to interest Congress. This information we have discussed here. Mueller called for the Deutsche Bank Trump records. The money laundering and Manafort involvement.
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Post by cade387 on Jan 3, 2018 3:28:19 GMT
The intelligence committees have known for months that credible allegations of collusion between the Trump camp and Russia were pouring in from independent sources during the campaign. Yet lawmakers in the thrall of the president continue to wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation We suggested investigators look into the bank records of Deutsche Bank and others that were funding Mr. Trump’s businesses. Congress appears uninterested in that tip: Reportedly, ours are the only bank records the House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed. We told Congress that from Manhattan to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and from Toronto to Panama, we found widespread evidence that Mr. Trump and his organization had worked with a wide array of dubious Russians in arrangements that often raised questions about money laundering. Likewise, those deals don’t seem to interest Congress. This information we have discussed here. Mueller called for the Deutsche Bank Trump records. The money laundering and Manafort involvement. Mueller has but the intelligence committees haven't
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 3, 2018 3:29:46 GMT
Hope Nunes goes in the first round! After the election, Mr. Steele decided to share his intelligence with Senator John McCain via an emissary. We helped him do that. The goal was to alert the United States national security community to an attack on our country by a hostile foreign power. We did not, however, share the dossier with BuzzFeed, which to our dismay published it last January. Oh, wonder who gave it to Buzzfeed?
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jan 3, 2018 3:32:40 GMT
I know we have some peas who are VERY interested in the dossier. Perhaps they can start making phone calls to their representatives to put pressure on the committee to release the full transcripts.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 3, 2018 3:33:28 GMT
Mueller has but the intelligence committees haven't Well, we don't know now do we? May be that is why Nunes seems to be in a panic to close everything?
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2018 3:41:03 GMT
"3/ Other key facts—Steele did his research without knowing who he was working for; his sources weren't paid; Fusion told the Senate that it believes Trump laundered Russian money (as Mueller seems to); Steele went to the FBI of his own accord and without telling Fusion's clients."
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 3, 2018 3:52:15 GMT
![](http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r481/2peasrefugees/Smilies/holysheep.gif) And
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jan 3, 2018 5:01:51 GMT
Just wait...someone will show up here and refer to it as “fake”
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jan 3, 2018 5:07:30 GMT
I will save the trouble.
HILLARY! EMAILS! BENGHAZI!
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Post by lucyg on Jan 3, 2018 5:41:05 GMT
This is amazing stuff. How soon can we be free of this con man/sociopath/would-be dictator?
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,249
Jun 26, 2014 5:46:37 GMT
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Post by lindas on Jan 3, 2018 5:42:29 GMT
Mr Simpson conveniently left out the details of his closed door testimony. link. "The House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday struck a deal to obtain voluntary testimony next week from the founder of the firm that assembled an opposition-research dossier alleging ties between President Donald Trump and Russia. The agreement allows Glenn Simpson, of Fusion GPS, to return with his lawyer and answer questions "he chooses to answer," said his lawyer, Josh Levy. Simpson had been forced on Wednesday to appear before the panel under a subpoena issued by the committee’s chairman, Republican Devin Nunes of California. After three hours of closed-door discussions, Representatives Michael Conaway, the Republican leading the committee’s Russia investigation, and Adam Schiff, the panel’s top Democrat, announced the agreement had been reached. Neither would elaborate on what concessions, if any, had been made to secure the deal. Conaway said the subpoena would be withdrawn when Simpson returns on Tuesday." I think they should release it too but only after all parties involved or with knowledge have testified and not before. As far as I know they haven't questioned Bruce Ohr yet and Steele is refusing to cooperate.
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2018 6:18:54 GMT
First the November interview is probably part of the 21 hours of testimony they talk about in the op-ed.
There is a real question if anyone in Congress will be able to interview Christopher Steele.
In the op-ed The guys are saying that the Republicans are leaking bits and pieces of the testimony.
And we know the Republicans are trying to discredit the dossier and connecting it to the entire Mueller to try and discredit that as well.
Bottom line I think the various committees should release all the transcripts now and not wait for any additional testimonies that might never happen.
And the reason is simple. I don’t trust the Republicans.
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 2:59:46 GMT
linkLost in all the craziness that surfaced today with the book and tweets was Grassley’s response to the Fusion op ed. From the Hill... “ That drew a swift rebuke from Grassley. A spokesman for the senator said it was Simpson that had insisted “that the transcript be kept confidential,” adding that an invitation for Simpson to testify in public “remains on the table.”
"Senator Grassley provided Fusion GPS an opportunity for transparency six months ago when he invited the firm to publicly testify at an open committee hearing. Mr. Simpson declined," said Grassley spokesman Taylor Foy in a statement.”Right after Simpson met with the committee, Simpson’s lawyer said, in a written request, that Simpson wanted the transcript to be released because Fusion is proud of the work they have done. Shortly after that statement about releasing the transcript Grassley was asked by the press at a town hall meeting if the committee would release the transcript. He said it would have to be checked but he saw no reason why it couldn’t be released. Orrin Hatch didn’t think there would be a problem either when asked about it. Now when asked why not release it you get this statement above. Someone is not telling the truth here and since there is a written statement from Fusion’s lawyer saying his client wants the transcript that was released weeks ago I think we know who’s fibbing. I saw the written request and the video of Grassley’s answer at the town hall meeting on Rachel’s show. This is just another example of the obstructionist GOP protecting trump. These men have no shame.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 6, 2018 2:44:58 GMT
Bank hands over Fusion GPS records to House panelBY JULIA MANCHESTER - 01/05/18 08:26 PM ESTA bank has reportedly handed over a series of financial records from intelligence firm Fusion GPS after the firm pushed to prevent the documents from being given to Congress. The release of the documents was in response to a subpoena from the House Intelligence Committee as part of its probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and ties to the Trump campaign. A congressional lawyer said Friday that TD Bank "produced all remaining responsive documents" to the House Intelligence Committee under the terms of a confidential settlement, CNN reported. The handover of the 70 documents comes after a federal judge on Thursday dismissed the firm's protests to the documents being turned over to Congress. Fusion GPS has argued that records turned over to Congress are likely to leak, potentially exposing their clients' identities, violating the firm's First Amendment rights and damaging their business. The firm said on Thursday it would appeal the judge's ruling. Fusion GPS had contracted former British intelligence agent Christopher Steel for research that later became part of a dossier of unverified claims about President Trump's ties to Russia. Trump and other Republicans have since slammed the dossier as politically motivated, claims that the intelligence firm has dismissed. Fusion GPS officials have hit back at House Republicans, saying they do not believe the dossier led to the federal probe into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian election meddling. thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/367712-banks-hand-over-fusion-gps-records-to-house-panelWe shall see what evolves..........
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Jan 6, 2018 3:02:55 GMT
Ok... So again, please help the Canadian who doesn't quite understand the intricacies of the US system: lucyg @fred - So, while at face value it seems dodgy that Fusion won't hand over the financial records, their reason for saying they don't want to seems plausible. The risk of leaks is legit, as is the potential for it to unnecessarily hurt their business and/or put people in danger, much like the thing that happened years ago with that Scooter Libby case. But they have the transcript of their testimony. Grassley is saying it's their fault it hasn't been released. So why not call their bluff & release it themselves, if their supposed request to have it remain confidential is the only thing that's supposedly holding back its release? For that matter, what's the worst thing that could happen to a Democratic member of the committee if THEY released the transcript? The GOP can't force the person to resign from office/get the court to kick the person out & force another election. Worse censure they'd face is removal from the committee. Even then, are their no rules in place re: the number of people from each party on the committee? As in, worst case scenario Feinstein gets turfed from the committee, she's replaced by another Democrat. Take one for the team! Somebody go rogue & publish the damn transcript already!
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Post by gardengoddess on Jan 6, 2018 3:07:45 GMT
People need to be screaming their collective heads off to Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) to release the Fusion GPS transcripts IMMEDIATELY. Those transcripts belong to the American taxpayer and back in August of this year, Senator Grassley when asked if the transcripts will be released said that it would need to come to a vote, but didn't see why not, you know, transparency and all. Washington Examiner proves Senator Grassley to be a partisan hack
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Post by lucyg on Jan 6, 2018 8:27:26 GMT
cycworker I'm sorry, I don't know the answers to your questions. ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/mYSUyHtG9Jrcmm_ydVcK.jpg)
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 15:14:29 GMT
Nick Jack Pappas....
“Christopher Steele, who was hired by both Democrats and Republicans, saw an extensive effort by Russia to elect Trump and, of his own free will, reported it to the FBI.
Republicans are more willing to go after those who report a crime than the actual criminals.”
Jts this very attitude by the GOP leadership that should send “shivers down our spine”.
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 15:19:24 GMT
Lindsey Graham....
“Really enjoyed a round of golf with President @realdonaldtrump today.
President Trump shot a 73 in windy and wet conditions!”
From Virginia Heffernan...
“THIS is when Lindsey Graham broke bad. Mark my words.
Something happened in those windy and wet conditions and it wasn’t a “73.”
She may have a point as it’s Grahm along with Grassley that is calling for possible criminal charges to be brought against Christopher Steele.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Jan 6, 2018 15:27:24 GMT
cycworker I'm sorry, I don't know the answers to your questions. ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/mYSUyHtG9Jrcmm_ydVcK.jpg) No worries... do you have an opinion though, lucyg? Ignoring the - as far as I'm concerned - small number of people who voted for Trump because they actually love him (as opposed to people who pay no attention to who the candidate is and always just vote party, or independents who were just willing to give him a chance because he was different) - what do you think the reaction might be from the public if someone just said, 'Screw it, the people deserve to know' ?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 15:51:11 GMT
cycworker I'm sorry, I don't know the answers to your questions. ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/mYSUyHtG9Jrcmm_ydVcK.jpg) No worries... do you have an opinion though, lucyg ? Ignoring the - as far as I'm concerned - small number of people who voted for Trump because they actually love him (as opposed to people who pay no attention to who the candidate is and always just vote party, or independents who were just willing to give him a chance because he was different) - what do you think the reaction might be from the public if someone just said, 'Screw it, the people deserve to know' ? I have thinking about your questions since I read them last night. Like lucyg I don’t know the answer but I do have opinions. 😀 I don’t think minority members on the committee can do much without the chairperson’s blessing. I get that impression when I’ve read how Democratic members on both House and Senate Intelligence committee’s vent their frustrations on how they can’t get the chairperson to call in certain folks to question they feel are important to the investigation. And I’m fairly sure the minority does not have subpoena power. Of course they coukd follow the time honored trick the Republicans have done and that is leak portions of the transcripts themselves. As to why Fusion doesn’t release the transcripts themselves? I’m pretty sure they don’t have copies and if they did and released them on their own I suspect they could get in trouble with Congress that coukd result in criminal charges being filed. Now if the American voters wise up and the Democrats get the majority in the Senate and House then there would be nothing stopping the release of the transcripts.
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Post by peano on Jan 6, 2018 16:08:55 GMT
Lindsey Graham.... “Really enjoyed a round of golf with President @realdonaldtrump today. President Trump shot a 73 in windy and wet conditions!” From Virginia Heffernan... “THIS is when Lindsey Graham broke bad. Mark my words. Something happened in those windy and wet conditions and it wasn’t a “73.” She may have a point as it’s Grahm along with Grassley that is calling for possible criminal charges to be brought against Christopher Steele. This new direction in shifting the blame onto Christopher Steele, who was TRYING TO HELP OUR COUNTRY makes my head want to fucking explode! I guess I’m just naive but I DO NOT understand what drives Grassley and Graham. I think, in conflict to what Virginia Heffernan tweeted above, Graham “broke bad” before that golf game; I just don’t understand why. His politics are definitely not mine, but from comments he made while running and early in this administration, he seemed to have a semblance of honor and integrity. I don’t understand WTF happened. We can continue to distract ourselves and find humor in Trump's ridiculous tweets, but my blood is running cold at the level to which the powers that be in the GOP are trying to shut down the truth.
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,670
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Jan 6, 2018 16:25:47 GMT
Lindsey Graham.... “Really enjoyed a round of golf with President @realdonaldtrump today. President Trump shot a 73 in windy and wet conditions!” From Virginia Heffernan... “THIS is when Lindsey Graham broke bad. Mark my words. Something happened in those windy and wet conditions and it wasn’t a “73.” She may have a point as it’s Grahm along with Grassley that is calling for possible criminal charges to be brought against Christopher Steele. This new direction in shifting the blame onto Christopher Steele, who was TRYING TO HELP OUR COUNTRY makes my head want to fucking explode! I guess I’m just naive but I DO NOT understand what drives Grassley and Graham. I think, in conflict to what Virginia Heffernan tweeted above, Graham “broke bad” before that golf game; I just don’t understand why. His politics are definitely not mine, but from comments he made while running and early in this administration, he seemed to have a semblance of honor and integrity. I don’t understand WTF happened. We can continue to distract ourselves and find humor in Trump's ridiculous tweets, but my blood is running cold at the level to which the powers that be in the GOP are trying to shut down the truth. ![>:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/superangry.png)
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Jan 6, 2018 18:34:02 GMT
Lindsey Graham.... “Really enjoyed a round of golf with President @realdonaldtrump today. President Trump shot a 73 in windy and wet conditions!” From Virginia Heffernan... “THIS is when Lindsey Graham broke bad. Mark my words. Something happened in those windy and wet conditions and it wasn’t a “73.” She may have a point as it’s Grahm along with Grassley that is calling for possible criminal charges to be brought against Christopher Steele. This new direction in shifting the blame onto Christopher Steele, who was TRYING TO HELP OUR COUNTRY makes my head want to fucking explode! I guess I’m just naive but I DO NOT understand what drives Grassley and Graham. I think, in conflict to what Virginia Heffernan tweeted above, Graham “broke bad” before that golf game; I just don’t understand why. His politics are definitely not mine, but from comments he made while running and early in this administration, he seemed to have a semblance of honor and integrity. I don’t understand WTF happened. We can continue to distract ourselves and find humor in Trump's ridiculous tweets, but my blood is running cold at the level to which the powers that be in the GOP are trying to shut down the truth. One of the things my pastor has talked about a lot in the past year is that we need to pray for our enemies. I've not been able to do that with Trump and the GOP until recently. I truly believe they've all been threatened and they're trapped. They were arrogant & foolish - Trump in particular is guilty of this - and figured they could handle the situation. Take the help to regain power, then cut ties with Putin. They forgot that not only is Putin mob connected - and likely a mobster himself - as well as former KGB. You can't outsmart or outmuscle that kind of power. And now they have to follow orders or Putin will have them and people they love killed. That's the only threat I could see Graham caving to.
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Post by lucyg on Jan 6, 2018 18:43:40 GMT
cycworker, I was so sleepy when I read your post last night (and responded) that I didn't even remember what it said. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) Had to go back and reread. I think @fred has answered your questions. It's really out of the Democrats' hands at this point. Pray for a good (i.e., Democratic) outcome in November, and further, pray that these crooks don't bring down the entire damn country in the meantime.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 6, 2018 20:12:55 GMT
Unfortunately the good outcomes must start now with the soon to come primaries.
ETA: not too long ago Graham was calling dt a KOOK and there are videos of him saying it! He now say we should not call dt a kook!
In the past it was common for the parties to work across the aisle. McConnell and crew stated up front at the being of Obama's first term that they would block him all the way. And they mostly did. And the same crew will not include the democrats in anything. Just like the GOP is spending the weekend together at Camp David without a doubt making more secret plans as they did with the Tax Plan with ZERO input from the other side. These people are NOT NORMAL!
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Deleted
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Sept 6, 2024 18:55:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2018 16:45:05 GMT
linkThe question was asked if the Republicans keep blocking the release of the Fusion testimony about the dossier isn’t there something the Democrats can do. Greg Sargent of the Washington Post has some suggestions what the Democrats can do. If they have the guts. “ It's time for Democrats to take this drastic step on Trump and Russia”The escalating campaign by President Trump’s allies to discredit the ongoing Russia investigation is based partly on the idea that the probe itself is an illegitimate abuse of power. Some Republicans in Congress are all in on this alt-narrative and are going to great lengths to employ Congress’s investigative machinery to bolster it, plainly in hopes of keeping the real truth about Trump and Russia from coming out. But Democrats can make it harder for Republicans to get away with this. Democrats need to ensure that the transcripts of testimony delivered to Congress by the co-founders of the firm that commissioned the so-called Steele Dossier are made public. Hardball procedural tactics toward this end do exist: A Democratic senator can try to make the transcripts public by reading them into the congressional record on the floor. This morning, two Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee — Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) — sent a letter to GOP committee chair Charles Grassley demanding the release of the transcripts. A Democratic leadership aide tells me that if the GOP majority refuses, Democrats will escalate calls for the transcripts’ release in coming days. The narrative that Trump’s allies are spinning holds that the genesis of the original FBI probe into Russian sabotage of our election and the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with it (which became special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s probe) originated with the Steele Dossier, which details links between Trump and Russia but has lots of uncorroborated information. This is supposed to show that the probe itself is compromised or illegitimate, because at one point Fusion GPS, the firm behind the dossier, was retained by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Thus, the probe is rooted in partisan dirty tricks, and because the dossier is based on info from Russian sources, this means (presto!) Hillary Clinton is the one who actually colluded with Russia. This narrative took a major blow last week when the two co-founders of Fusion GPS published a New York Times op-ed detailing their own testimony to Congress on these matters. They said they told Congress — mainly the Judiciary Committee — that the original funding for their research was a conservative publication; that they don’t believe the dossier triggered the probe; and that their sources told them that the FBI took the dossier seriously because it corroborated reports of collusion coming in from many other sources, something that has been confirmed by deep investigative reporting. Crucially, the two Fusion GPS co-founders called on the committee to release the transcripts of their testimony, arguing that it would show that Republicans know full well that those reports of collusion were “pouring in from independent sources” (i.e., that the alt-narrative is nonsense). In their letter to Grassley, Blumenthal and Whitehouse reiterate that the Judiciary Committee’s probe has gathered info confirming the Fusion GPS co-founders’ claims, and call for the release of the transcripts. But Grassley is directing his investigative zeal in another direction. On Friday, he called on the Justice Department to investigate whether Christopher Steele lied to the FBI himself when interviewed about what he learned. Experts pointed out that this is bogus: The FBI would itself know if it had been lied to, without Grassley’s “help.” Regardless, as Blumenthal and Whitehouse point out in their letter, if Republicans want to keep focusing on Steele, they should release the transcripts, because “the American people should be allowed to decide for themselves.” In other words, if Republicans want to spin this theory about the real genesis of the FBI probe, why should the American people be denied the facts that Republicans themselves have gathered (via Fusion GPS’s testimony) about the real genesis of the FBI probe? Procedural hardball Sarah Binder, a congressional scholar at George Washington University, tells me that if Republicans don’t release the transcripts, Judiciary Committee Democrats can try to force the issue, by getting recognized to speak on the floor, and then reading the transcripts into the record. “A Democratic senator — once recognized, which depends on the parliamentary context in which the Senate is operating — could hold the floor and launch into a discussion of the Fusion transcripts,” Binder says. At that point, the GOP majority would probably block the move. But congressional expert Norm Ornstein tells me that Democrats could respond to that with more hardball, by having other Democratic senators try to get recognized and pick up reading where the last one left off. This might fail, too, but as Ornstein notes, “if something like that happens, it’s going to get an enormous amount of attention. That’s how you make Republicans look like they’re going to great lengths to cover up the truth.” To be clear, we don’t know whether Mueller will end up uncovering serious misconduct. But the point is that Republicans don’t know what the truth is either, yet they are nonetheless working to prevent an accounting. This includes not just the criminal referral on Steele but also (among other things) the (bogus) use of investigators’ texts to “prove” the FBI is riddled with pro-Clinton bias, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes’s use of his committee’s probe to deflect accountability for Trump and further the claim that the FBI and the whole Russia story’s genesis are compromised. “If Republicans are going to take it to that level, then Democrats have every reason to make a big public deal out of the transcripts,” Ornstein says. It would be better, of course, if Republicans agreed to release them. But if not, given that Republicans know Mueller might actually end up finding something deeply improper, or even criminal or impeachable, yet are actively employing Congress’s oversight machinery to delegitimize any such findings in advance, hardball tactics are more than justified. “
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