The Trump administration’s decision to fire FBI Director Comey shows what a perilous condition our country is in.
It took Trump nearly three weeks to fire Michael Flynn after learning that he lied about his contacts with Russian officials.
Comey was fired in a day, without being notified in advance. He learned about it while giving a speech in Los Angeles.
The excuse for firing him was that he was unfair to Hillary Clinton in investigating her emails! The guys at the White House must have had a good laugh when they came up with that whopper. On October 31, Trump praised Comey for his “guts” in reopening the investigation in the closing days of the campaign. He lauded him for doing what is now the rationale for his firing.
Even some Republican Senators were shocked. Senator Richard Burr, chair of the Intelligence Committee, tweeted his concern. Senator Jeff Flake tweeted that he could not make sense of it. Senator Charles Grassley, chair of the Judiciary Committee, commended the decision and the rationale.
Anyone who believes that Trump wanted to avenge Hillary Clinton’s treatment by Comey is hallucinating.
It is widely believed that Trump acted to shut down the FBI investigation of collusion between his campaign and Russia.
It is time for an independent Special Prosecutor.
Here are some good articles on the events.
I suspect the administration is gathering in the White House theater to view documentary films of Budapest in 1956, Prague in 1968, and Tiananmen Square in 1989 as they plan their next steps.
Here is a suggestion that makes sense…hope Schumer heeds this as a tool in defeating Trump….it worked for the Repubs for the 8 years of the Obama presidency…
#AllofUs
Dear Ellen ,
Last night, Trump fired the only person who had the power to investigate him for his dealings with Russia.
Donald Trump’s decision to fire Director Comey is the act of an aspiring dictator who believes he is above the law. Director Comey — highly imperfect though he was — was almost certainly fired to cover up the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign’s coordination with Russia and its election interference. Trump is trying to kill the investigation so evidence of potentially impeachable and treasonous offenses never see the light of day.
If Trump can get away with firing the nation’s leading law enforcement official, he can get away with anything. The fate of our republic depends upon an independent congressional investigation into Trump’s abuse of power.
Sign our petition calling for Democrats to refuse to conduct any further government business until there is an independent congressional investigation of President Trump’s abuse of power. Add your name.
Instead of seeking to get to the bottom of the Trump administration’s corrupt ties to Putin — a fellow misogynistic, authoritarian billionaire — many congressional Republicans have rejected the need for an independent prosecutor.
Democrats are calling Trump’s firing of Comey “a constitutional crisis” that “doesn’t happen in democracies” and saying it has echoes of Nixon. But so far, they have not been willing to take the extraordinary measures needed to respond to these extraordinary times.
The boldest step Democrats could take would be to withhold consent from everything the Senate does until there is an independent investigation. They can bring government business to a halt until the truth is made clear.
Join us in demanding that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and all Senate Democrats shut down the Senate by withdrawing consent and refusing to conduct any further business until there is a full and clear investigation.
These are scary times for the American people. We deserve a government that represents all of us — free of corruption and the influence of a foreign dictator. This administration has failed that test.
This time calls for leaders who are willing to step out and take unprecedented action for these unprecedented times. We need and demand nothing less.
That’s why Americans will be converging on district Senate offices all across the country at 5:00 p.m. local time today to make some noise until we get the truth about Trump and his web of financial and foreign entanglements.
Click here to find an event at your senator’s office today at 5:00 p.m. local time.
In solidarity,
-Max Berger
#AllofUs
(And the news just in is that Trump has hired a power lawyer to defend him personally from the charges of colluding with Russia and Putin. Where there is the much smoke, there certainly is a wildly burning bush of two, which might be in the form of Comey and Yates…sez me )
Here’s the scary part –
from Jack Hassard http://www.artofteachingscience.org/youre-fired-james-b-comey/
Most likely, here’s the real reason why Trump fired Comey: “CNN Exclusive: Grand jury subpoenas issued in FBI’s Russia investigation”
https://t.co/zlWQt9NC4g
Possible…but Flynn is merely the tip of the Russian iceberg.
Yes, of course it’s the tip of the iceberg. Trump has now fired three top people involved in investigating wrong doing in and around Trump’s world, and Comey had recently asked for more staff and funds for his investigation:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-faces-questions-over-111733075.html
We keep hearing from Trump and his minions that folks should let Russiagate go, move on and just investigate the leaks instead. Why would Trump mention in Comey’s termination letter that Comey told him three times he was not under investigation? It’s irrelevant and looks like a desperate attempt to claim he’s been exonerated. In reality, no doubt, the investigations are feeling too close for comfort to Trump, so he resorted to saying what he’s most famous for, “You’re fired” –demonstrating that he’s really just a one trick pony.
“Trump has now fired 3 high-profile federal officials who were investigating him and his associates”
http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-fired-three-people-who-were-investigating-him-2017-5
Yes. What do Comey, Yates, and Prete Bahara have in common:
They were fired by Trump
They were investigating Trump
They were independent
A deadly combination
Every single day I am just amazed at the bold faced lying with impunity by this president and administration. The conflicts of interest, the obfuscations, the lies are nothing short of astounding. This man believes he has been made King of the United States. All we have now is the hope that the Republicans will push back on this and the hope that our imperfect media will hammer this harder. I am coming to believe that Trump was absolutely correct in saying that he could shoot someone on 5th Ave. and not lose voters. I would extend that to he could shoot someone and absolutely NOTHING would happen to him.
Wow.
There’s a problem with an independent special prosecutor, namely Sessions would have to be the one to appoint them. https://www.balloon-juice.com/2017/05/09/special-investigator-or-congressional-investigation/
Yes, Neil…Sessions recused himself twice, first re the Hillary emails, and then re the Trumpster/Putin/Russian connections and potential collusion to influence our presidential election. Yet Sessions, with the backdrop of Rosenstein, sent the letter to fire Comey. And Trump, in his unilateral interest, sent his letter to infer Comey had released him from the taint of the collusion yet firing him.
Now of course, all the documentation as to the FBI info showing all the many potential collusions with Russia is probably being shredded. And Sessions will appoint a new FBI chief to Trump’s own liking…maybe one of his sons will get this job since all nepotism laws have already been broken by Trump.
We have lost all semblance of our Democratic Republic if the the party in control of Congress and the Senate, Republicans, do not put our nation first and NOT their party politics. All those who lied to Congress, including Flynn, Sessions, Kushner, et al, committed high crimes and should, under our laws, be indicted. And Trump has repeatedly broken the Emoluments Clause and should NOW be impeached.
But as this con man said long ago, he can stand on the street and shoot people and no one would bother to stop him. How come he can get away with all this?
How can we still believe we are a nation of laws if Republicans allow, and join with, Trump to break all of them?
Even Some GOP Lawmakers Say The Timing Of Comey’s Firing Is Bizarre…HuffPost
Mere hours after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, several GOP lawmakers expressed concerns over the timing of the dismissal.
Leading Democrats exploded over the news, saying it emphasizes the need for an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Trump team.
While many Republicans backed the president’s decision, several GOP lawmakers also said they were troubled by the announcement. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) called Comey “a public servant of the highest order” and said his dismissal was a loss for the nation.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in a statement he was “disappointed” in the decision and noted the move only heightened the need for a “special congressional committee” to investigate.
Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) said he was reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia, something leading Democrats have long sought. Amash also called the part of Trump’s dismissal letter that referenced the FBI’s investigation of his presidential rival “bizarre.”
Ohio Gov. John Kasich also said he was “extremely troubled by the circumstances surrounding the dismissal.” The former Republican presidential candidate had also called for a bipartisan effort to conduct “full and fair” investigations into Russian interference. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) reiterated that call.
Read the entire article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-james-comey-fired_us_59127b90e4b050bdca609d87
“The anti-Trump movement isn’t really about Trump. He’s a figurehead representing a coalition of powerful interests. The Democrats want us to think that just Trump is the problem, and therefore they are the solution…
The Democrats are incapable of challenging Trump’s billionaire-filled cabinet because Democrats depend on the billionaire owners of the big banks, military-industrial complex and tech firms for support. Trump is a symptom of a larger problem co-created by the Democrats, where the ultra-rich exert a vice grip on politics. A militant mass movement can shatter the status quo, but not until the Democratic Party status quo is amputated from its ranks.” Shamus Cooke
Exactly. Thank you.
Actually, the Democrats are capable of challenging Trump’s billionaire cabinet, and they are capable of challenging Trump. Have the Dems tied themselves to some big donors? Yep. But they are also the ones who produced Dodd-Frank, and who’ve challenged Citizens United, and who support voting rights, and who enacted the Affordable Care Act. To omit all that and simply paint the Democratic party as evil is more than a mere oversight.
Democrats have their own broken system…BUT they are the minority in the House and in the Senate…and until and unless the can get some Republicans like McCain, Collins, Graham, Sasse, etc. to openly join with them, they have NO power.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in a statement he was “disappointed” in the decision and noted the move only heightened the need for a “special congressional committee” to investigate.
I just sent an email from the HuffPost and it wouldn’t post:
carolmalaysia
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
May 10, 2017 at 7:53 am
Even Some GOP Lawmakers Say The Timing Of Comey’s Firing Is Bizarre…HuffPost
Boy, I need that chiropractor on speed dial. I thought Comey was the very embodiment of unethical behavior because of his investigation of Hillary’s email scandal? I thought he was the reason Hillary lost the election? I thought Obama should have fired him?
Now he’s a victim and our republic is in grave danger because Trump fired him?
I’m so confused.
For huffingtonpost: NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden took to Twitter late Tuesday to blast President Donald Trump’s decision to fire FBI Director James Comey — a man who has long wanted to see Snowden behind bars.
“Set aside politics: every American should condemn such political interference in the Bureau’s work,” Snowden wrote.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/edward-snowden-condemns-james-comey-firing-us_us_591240a4e4b050bdca607884?section=us_politics
From huffingtonpost: NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden took to Twitter late Tuesday to blast President Donald Trump’s decision to fire FBI Director James Comey — a man who has long wanted to see Snowden behind bars.
“Set aside politics: every American should condemn such political interference in the Bureau’s work,” Snowden wrote.
I’ve been thinking and feeling much the same, but then I remind myself that logic, consistency and thinking for oneself are so 20th century, and that I need to get with the program.
Malcontents like us just need to keep repeating to ourselves: “First Comey was good, then he was bad, but now he’s good again.”
“First he was good, then he was bad, but now he’s good again. First he was good, then he was bad…”
Think it’s past time to give up on the ACTs and SATs, and Advanced Placement, and STEM, and “global competitiveness,” and “workforce and college readiness” as the purposes of public education?
Thinks it’s past time to emphasize democratic citizenship as the central purpose of public schooling?
First one has to attempt to discern the fundamental/central purpose as outlined in the authorizing documents, i.e., the states’ constitutions. Here is one version that I think is the best summary of those purposes:
“. . . not every state constitution gives a purpose for its authorization of public education. It’s a 50/50 split with 25 states not giving any purpose such as West Virginia’s authorization “The Legislature shall provide, by general law, for a thorough and efficient system of free schools.” (Article XII, Sec. 12-1) and 25 states providing a rationale.
Those 25 rationales can be divided into three types. Those that declare that the purpose of public education is to ensure that the state’s form of government will continue, such as South Dakota’s “The stability of a republican form of government depending on the morality and intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature to establish and maintain a general and uniform system of public schools. . . .” (Article VIII § 1). Those whose fundamental purpose focuses on the individual and his/her rights such as Missouri’s “A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the general assembly shall establish and maintain free public schools . . . .” (Article IX Sec. 1a) And those that are a combination of both.
As it is, fifteen mainly focus on the benefits of public education to the individual citizen and the preservation of his/her rights, five on the benefit to the state and five that state both citizen and government benefits.
All together then, there are 25 states with no stated fundamental purpose, five with a purpose that extol the benefits of public education to the state, fifteen commending the benefits to the individual and five a combination of benefit to both state and individual, resulting in 80% of those with a stated purpose of having the benefits for the individual as the primary rationale. Is it possible, then, to discern a fundamental purpose of public education? Yes, I believe it can be assertained, by starting with the fundamental purpose of government in this country as stated in each state’s constitution (sometimes as troublesome to recognize a stated purpose as that of public education). Since public education is a function of each state and not the federal government we must begin at the state level to determine what the fundamental purpose of the state is. In examining the constitutions one finds that there many and varied exhortations.
For example Alabama’s constitution states: “Objective of government. That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression.” (Section 35) Or this from Nebraska “All persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes, and such rights shall not be denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof. To secure these rights, and the protection of property, governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” (Art. I, sec. 1)
All well and good, eh! Quite compelling is Missouri constitution’s wording on the purpose of government: “That all constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people; that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; that all persons are created equal and are entitled to equal rights and opportunity under the law; that to give security to these things is the principal office of government, and that when government does not confer this security, it fails in its chief design.” (Article. II, Sec. 4. § 3.)
Tying together the aims of our constitutional government with the purpose of public education as stated in some of the state’s constitution allows us to propose a common fundamental statement of purpose. Since 20 of the 25 state constitutions give a reason attending to the rights and liberties of the individual through public education combined with the mandate of state constitutional government as reflected in Missouri’s constitutional language of “That all constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people; that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry. . .” it follows that the rights and liberties of the individual in being educated as each sees fit supersede those of supporting and maintaining the government. And that one can logically conclude that if the educational wants and needs of the citizens obtain then those of the state will follow. But without an educated citizenry who can promote their own interests, and who can understand and tolerate others thoughts, opinions and desires, the state would surely be subject to tyranny by those whose knowledge and wants exceeds most.
I propose, then, the following statement of the purpose of public education with which, hopefully, most in the United States could agree:
“The purpose of public education is to promote the welfare of the individual so that each person may savor the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the fruits of their own industry.”
How can we emphasize “democratic citizenship” without people knowing their rights as outlined in the above purpose and all the rights as guaranteed in the US Constitution?
I am not suggesting that the two are necessarily exclusive from each other.
this is helpful information and you save me looking it all up…. I always wanted to know what was behind the “thorough and efficient” and this is a good starting point for a New Post… get away from the politics and tone that is festering (and that keeps us polarized)
Thoroughly agree with your last point!
Chuck Schumer: ‘President Trump, you’re making a big mistake’
US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reacts to the news that Donald Trump has fired the FBI director James Comey.
10 May From the section US & Canada
Shared from BBC News:
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-39866051/president-youre-making-a-big-mistake
Pressure needs to be increased to see Trump’s tax returns. Watch the bizarre reactions by republicans if the issue is raised. They unleash defenses way out of proportion to what is being asked—-trying to turn it into a crazy, irrelevant partisan attack to try and block the conservative agenda.
Those of you who think there is nothing unreasonable about having a right to look into Trump’s finances, particularly with Russia…..observe how crazy republicans go in heaping scorn and derision and accusations of mental illness for democrats who ask.
Joe,
It was also amazing to see Republican senators more upset about the leaks about Flynn than about Flynn’s lying about his Russian contacts. If there had been no leak, Flynn would still be National Security Advisor and have access to the nation’s secrets. Republicans should have been happy about the leak. Much worse might have happened had there been no leak to the Wash. Post.
Grassley immediately jumped on the “leakers” and then the others Repubs joined in, showing virtually NO interest in the substance of this damning investigation into Trump and Co. collusion with Russia to literally determine the US election.. This Party Line is disgusting. Thank goodness some brave men and women are doing some, not enough, leaking. Our current two party system is so broken and is failing us. And our populace is SO ignorant of how our government works.
Foreign minister of Russia gave andrea mitchell a disdainful “are you kidding” when she asked if Comey’s firing was going to affect their talks. Not sure what Tillerson thought of that….the thought occurred to me….the disdainful treatment of democrats who bring up Trump’s taxes could be because they want to own the issue when they make their move to get him out of office.
The info that Russia also hacked the French election was published for one brief news cycle.
Russia is certainly operating world wide to influence elections to assure leaders they can manipulate to their own end.
The remarkable arrogance shown Andrea Mitchell today by the sneering Russian Ambassador and Tillerson was palpable. They are only concerned about lifting US sanctions and getting the oil well drilling going so the lucre will fill their pockets. And Putin, plus his and our oligarchs, are drooling to add to their overwhelming wealth.
I wonder if and how much Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are being paid for their dancing to Putin/Tillerson/Trump graft-tune with Russia? Yes, ‘Kings’ Putin and Trump are raking in the profits as the Republicans avert their glances from the Emoluments Clause.
Impeach Trump now….
How deep can this go? Comey wanted more money to investigate Trump/Russia.
…………….
BREAKING NEWS…NYT
Days before his firing, James Comey asked the Justice Dept. for more resources for the F.B.I. inquiry into Russia and the Trump campaign
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 11:42 AM EDT
Mr. Comey requested a significant increase in money and personnel during a meeting last week with Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general who wrote the Justice Department’s memo that was used to justify his firing, according to three officials with knowledge of his request.
Flynn should be given immunity.
I would like to hear him testify about what he thinks is so wrong with Gulen, and whether he approves of the tax revenue going to inflate his fortunes as he waits his chance to go back to Turkey and do all sorts of good things.
Flynn should be in the Federal Pen for at least the 7 years his crimes require under US law. He committed treason as well as breaking many laws.
Former Gov. Dan Speigelman has been in prison for 8 years for ostensibly taking a few thousand dollars in bribes…which most believe was a set-up. Flynn has been proven to have truly broken laws that endanger our nation…so why is there not EQUAL justice as is called for by our Constitution?
It is Comey and Yates who can now spill all the beans and tell the world what really goes on at the DoJ and the FBI.
And being redundant….yet again, Duane….why aren’t all those who lied to Congress about their interaction with Russia and Putin (including but not limited to Sessions, Kushner, Flynn, etc.) not now being indicted under our long standing laws?
And why is Sessions not being impeached? He lied both before and as AG…and this is grounds for impeachment.
“And being redundant….yet again, Duane….why aren’t. . . ”
Is there another Duane who has been posting. Or is that a typo in which you meant to spell Diane or Dienne? If so poor Diane, because if I were her I’m not sure I’d want that “connection”-LOL!
Just teasing you Duane…the way you have teased me for years.
SICK! Those DNC SUPER DELEGATES … get rid of them. HUBRIS, HUBRIS, HUBRIS!!!!!
Comment awaiting moderation rears its ugly head again for my comment at 5:34 EST in reply to Ellen at 12:03 EST. Has me thoroughly “confundido”.
As usual I see it slight;y different – so for those of you seeking health care due to the blunt force trauma of Trump being elected I offer my condolences…
Donald Trump is probably enjoying this more than anybody wants to admit! So he fires Comey yesterday. Who’s he meeting with today- the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov!
The Democrat Party and the media – hypocrisy- amazing. Two days ago, they were all talking about how Comey needs to be fired because of how he was mistreating Hillary, and the Hillary people were running around claiming that Comey’s a bad guy.- all of a sudden they do a 180!
Another funny thing : “WikiLeaks Offers Comey a New Job.” mere hours after President Donald Trump fired him…
In Trump’s letter to Comey, Trump mentions that Comey told him three times he was not under investigation. He just can’t help himself. He had to let everybody know that he’s innocent He had to know, and he put Comey on the spot.”
Trump is saying, He is going even though he is not after me!
Comey’s violated every rule there is in conducting investigations, especially investigations that are not going to end up with anybody being charged. That July 5th press conference
it was a total bastardization of the criminal justice procedures
There is a major degree of collective insanity seen here.Trump is taunting you, meeting with the Soviet Russian ambassador, after the Democrats are convinced the Russians stole the election! They have repeated it so many times; they actually believe it now. Nine months and not a shred of evidence, and most recently this was acknowledged by Clapper and Sally Yates. It’s been acknowledged by Comey himself in recent congressional testimony. It’s been acknowledged by Dianne Feinstein. It was acknowledged by Maxine Waters yesterday.
They cannot, will not blame themselves. So they literally believe that the Russians somehow colluded with Trump, even though there’s no evidence for it.
It is an asinine belief that firing Comey’s will stop the investigation? How many investigations are there? The House has one. The Senate has one. The FBI’s got their own. Do you know who’s running the FBI today? McCabe, a Democrat! His wife ran for the Senate or ran for governor of Virginia. He’s very close to The Punk, Terry McAuliffe. The guy is a hardened Democrat. He’s now running the FBI. He’s in charge of the investigation to get Trump – But the hysteria and the panic and the outrage is rooted in raw hate resulting in derangement.
How long is it gonna be, ladies and gentlemen, before we start hearing how many millions of Americans are gonna die because James Comey was fired? How long is it gonna be before we start hearing about Americans suffering Posttraumatic Comey Firing Syndrome and needing insurance coverage for this mental illness brought on by the Trump presidency? Should we cancel final exams at universities?
It’s not even a criminal investigation. They don’t even know this. Whatever the FBI is doing looking into whether the Russians tampered with on hacked the election or colluded with Trump, is not a criminal investigation. It’s a counterintelligence investigation. It’s not even pursuing Trump on the basis of criminality here.
Colbert was at a loss – his audience, which is indicative of liberals and leftists all over the country, thought it was the greatest thing they could have heard because that’s what they’ve been conditioned to do: Hate Comey. They have been told that Comey stole the election from them by dumping all over Hillary. They’ve been told that Comey showed all kinds of favoritism to Trump, so they have been conditioned to literally hate Comey. So they clapped and cheered!
The Hillary camp has played a role in that; the Media, who actually runs the Democratic party actions, has led that charge. They gave it a standing ovation because that’s what they’ve been programmed to do. Colbert was totally taken aback, and he said something like- huge Donald Trump fans here.
Colbert insulted his audience by calling them Trump fans!
I think the left is confusedt because they’ve been told the last eight years that the Russians were good to deal with- remember Obama under a live mike – “Tell Vlad I’ll have more flexibility after the election.”
Tweets and complaints by Democrats. “Nancy Pelosi Says Comey May Not Be ‘in the Right Job.’” All of this is within the past three months. “Harry Reid: ‘Comey should resign.’” “CNN’s Top Legal Analyst Paul Callan: ‘Time for FBI Chief Comey to Resign.’” “Since the FBI Found that Hillary Clinton Broke the Law, Recommend Charges or Resign,” Change.org. Wall Street Journal: “Comey Should Resign.” Business Insider: “‘Comey Acted in an Outrageous Way During the Campaign’: Bernie Sanders Suggests FBI Director Should Resign.” ThinkProgress!. This is the Democrat, Hillary Clinton site. ThinkProgress is their place. That’s where Podesta worked. “The Case for Firing Comey.” Podesta’s out there saying that the American people “are getting nauseous at the sound of Comey’s voice.” They’ve been mad at Comey ever since July 5th. Now all of a sudden Trump fires him?
Comey writing his own law, interpreting his own law. He was hell-bent not to charge her.
It’s not his job to take over the Department of Justice and act like a deputy attorney general!
And then to go out there and list her crimes and then say, “But no reasonable prosecutor would charge.” List her crimes? This is never done.
The left seems to be mad that Comey got fired because they wanted Comey to get the goods on Trump.
Hillary sets up an illegal email server and traffics in classified data. She accepts donations from questionable foreign entities in the family crime foundation. If Hillary Clinton hadn’t sought the presidency, we wouldn’t be here.
If Hillary Clinton hadn’t set up the email server, we wouldn’t be here.
If she hadn’t been running around raising funny money with the foundation, we wouldn’t be here.
If Hillary Clinton had simply faced justice like anybody else, we wouldn’t be here.
But the Washington establishment and the Democrat Party had to do everything it could to keep her from being charged, to keep her from being found guilty. And that is why we are here, not Donald Trump.
No one stopped Comey from charging Hillary with crimes if he found any. He said twice that he didn’t find any.
You are 100 percent correct – no one stopped him from charging her – but I saw in the NYT a different explanation to her doing something illegal.
“This claim is specious on multiple levels. Subsection (f) of the pertinent statute (the Espionage Act, codified at Section 793 of Title 18, U.S. Code) makes it a felony to mishandle classified information “through gross negligence” — i.e., proving Clinton was sloppy or careless (or “extremely careless,” to use Comey’s own description) could have been sufficient. But beyond that, Clinton willfully set up a private network for the systematic handling of her State Department-related communications, in violation of federal record-keeping requirements of which she was well aware, and under circumstances in which she (a former senator who served for years on the intelligence Armed Services committee) was a sophisticated longtime consumer of classified information. She was keenly aware that her responsibilities as secretary of state would heavily involve classified information — whether it was “marked” classified or “born classified” because of the subject matter. It is irrelevant whether Clinton’s purpose was to transmit or store classified information on the private, non-secure server; prosecutors are not required to prove motive. The question is whether she knew classified information would end up on the server, and her set-up made that inevitable. That is, Clinton could have been prosecuted either for willfully mishandling classified information or for doing so through gross negligence.”
One last point, much of this easily found –
Hillary Clinton is a Yale-educated lawyer who worked in government for many years. She was a very active first lady during her husband’s eight-year presidency — mainly in the White House, where the handling of classified information is a major issue, even for low-level staffers. I mistakenly said in the weekend column that she had served on the Intelligence Committee in the Senate; but my memory lapse was due to having previously said, correctly and on many occasions, that her assignment to the Armed Services Committee during years when the nation was at war made her a heavy consumer of highly classified national-defense information. When she became secretary of state, she was briefed on the rules governing the handling of classified information, which she well knew would feature prominently and persistently in her duties. In her memoir, Hard Choices, Mrs. Clinton goes on at length about the exacting security procedures she knew she had to follow in handling classified information (e.g., she needed to read classified documents under an “opaque tent” in her hotel rooms while on travel; and it was foremost in her mind that State Department officials are “frequently the target of cyberattacks”). When she was interviewed by the FBI at the close of its investigation, Clinton made laughably false statements regarding her familiarity with classified-information protocols, including the whopper that she did not know what “(C)” meant — even though it is the designation for information classified at the “confidential” level, ubiquitous in classified documents.
Why did Trump exclude the American press from his meeting with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador but allowed the Russian press to cover it?
I have never in my lifetime heard of a US president who barred American media and welcomed the foreign media to the Oval Office.
We are concerned about Trump’s actions.
……………
Here is a quote from TrumpAccountable.org:
James Comey is the third person to lose their job after their investigations of Donald Trump start to make headway. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, US Attorney Preet Bharara, and now James Comey have been in roles where they have the ability and responsibility to investigate Donald Trump, his campaign, or his associates. All three have been fired by the President. Devin Nunes has also been in a role where he has been obligated to investigate the President. Widely seen as a lackey for the White House in his handling of the House Intelligence Committee investigation into Russia’s election meddling, Nunes kept his job by providing cover for the President.
Democrats are not being hypocritical when they question the President’s grounds and timing for terminating Director Comey. They are raising appropriate concerns about a president who terminates the head of a government division that is investigating him and his associates.
Carol,
Diane Weinstein and Senator Grassly had a conversation with Comey who told both that Trump is not under investigation
The investigation is not a. criminal investigation
Trump can fire Comey whenever and for no reason to be given. And since he is not being investigated he is not interrupting any investigation on him.
It is on the Russian interference on election.
Yes, the Russians wanted Trump to be president. Yes, he is deep in debt to Russian oligarchs. But who cares?
Diane
In your reply to me you commented the following – ”
“Yes, the Russians wanted Trump to be president. Yes, he is deep in debt to Russian oligarchs. But who cares?”
I haven’t seen one iota of any fact supporting your belief the Russians, Putin specifically, wanted him as President. The Russian myth, as it stands today, after 9 months of investigations, 3 separate ones still continuing, even after Comey firing, still has not produced anything representing any collusion of Trump with Russia.
What factual info do you have to support the comments? And if he is in deep to those nasty oligarchs – how did you determine that? The investigations to date don’t support your theory
The Russian ploy is nothing more than a constant drum beating to support a conjured up reasoning for Hillary’s loss by the lame stream media and then by her. And I bet with a little research you might find the timing on the Russian issue started after her loss which seems to infer to me that Russia wasn’t important till she loss.
and in response to – Why did Trump exclude the American press from his meeting with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador but allowed the Russian press to cover it?
I have never in my lifetime heard of a US president who barred American media and welcomed the foreign media to the Oval Office.”
Well in my life times I never had a President like Trump who doesn’t follow the Washington insiders “rules” Sometimes I think he does things like this to set the left’s beehive buzzing and keeps them guessing, buzzing. – Just your question is an example of continuing the game.
I’d like to know why you take so much effort to support Trump. He is a con man and an embarrassment for the rest of the world.
…….
The Sadism of Creeping Dictatorship
By Juan Cole, Informed Comment
11 May 17
One of the classic techniques of dictatorship is humiliation, a manifestation of the sadism of the regime. Most people want to avoid being made the butt of ridicule, and authoritarian personalities calculate that they will even surrender some rights and liberties to avoid it…
Comey was personally humiliated. He was giving a talk in Los Angeles when the news came across the television screen. Here you have the Director of the FBI appearing in public and having his dignity abruptly stripped away. He reportedly thought it must be a hoax to begin with.
What is the message here? If you work for the Federal government, you work for Trump. And if you work for Trump, and you cross him or he just decides he doesn’t like the look of you, he will degrade you and make you abject in front of the whole world. Therefore, be afraid, be very afraid.
This technique of abruptness and lack of transparency was also visible in Trump’s attempts at a Muslim ban. The first Executive Order was deliberately issued on a weekend when it is hard to get hold of a judge. People who had duly applied for and received visas and who had spent money on airplane tickets were informed suddenly and without warning that their visas were no good and they had wasted their money on air fare and would have to go back on the next flight. Mothers were split from children, grandchildren from grandparents. People with jobs were not allowed back in to return to them….
The message here is to be afraid, to be obedient, not to cross the Boss….Rule through sadism and humiliation and fear violates democracy because the most powerful man in the country goes around treating people like shit in order to terrify them into submitting to his will…
The person thus humiliated is not even the real target. You are. Trump is trying to make you afraid to stick your head up, lest it get cut off…
Article taken from Informed Comment – https://www.juancole.com
URL to article: https://www.juancole.com/2017/05/sadism-creeping-dictatorship.html
I think you are getting your “Tone” of writing into attacks on some of us. as if everyone talks like this “it’s gonna”? The only two people I know who talk like that are Sarah Palin and the Cheney daughter that has an affected speech pattern because she wants to convince people from Wyoming that she is home folk to get an election win. To disparage HRS with words like “gonna” does not fit… in the east coast colleges we don’t talk like that. What is the purpose? other than ridicule (of women in particular like the signs in my town that show Elizabeth Warren as Pocahantas). I can’t get beyond this “tone” to get into the discussions that are important that should be occurring — such as the Foundation Budget for education in my state (especially with the Devos /trump agenda that is proposed). If you want to write a novel with some local color scheidel then do that but to constantly use that tone in attack is not helpful and only continues the mean-spirited attacks .
Mike Allen at AXIOS follows up with comments on Thursday ”
The answers to why Trump canned Comey are becoming clear: The president was filled with grievance about the FBI probe and acted on impulse without clearly thinking through the fallout, numerous sources tell me.
The consequences are also becoming clear: This one quick decision put everything at unnecessary risk, from his legislative agenda to his public standing — and potentially his presidency.
“It is a debacle,” said one Republican in constant touch with the West Wing. “They got everything — timing, rationale, reaction — completely wrong.”
The fallout:
A Senate committee put off a health-care markup yesterday because Democrats and Republicans were occupied with their Comey response — a first indicator of the price the Trump agenda may pay in the days ahead, through both distraction and the souring of interpersonal relations along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Dems smell blood, both with investigations and a possible House takeover. They had little incentive to help before. Now they have none.
We told you yesterday that this would only increase the ferocity of the investigations. That’s already true in the Senate, where Mike Flynn was subpoenaed yesterday for documents about his interactions with Russians that he had refused to provide.
Axios’ Jonathan Swan pointed out yesterday that the White House isn’t prepared for the leaks that are coming. Sure enough, CNN’s Jake Tapper soon popped some of the day’s most damaging reporting: A source close to Comey said he believes he was fired because he “never provided the President with any assurance of personal loyalty,” and because “the FBI’s investigation into possible Trump team collusion with Russia in the 2016 election was accelerating.” And this is someone who’s going to be called to testify before Congress, and is likely to write a book and speak widely.”
title of Mike’s article at AXIOS : “The price of impulse and improvisation”
carolmalaysia
you might want to check the validity of the reference that Comey asked for more money for the investigation.
CNN and the Washington Post with fake news. There’s a news story that Comey requested additional money for his investigation just days before he was fired. The Department of Justice has just denied it 100%. There was no request for additional money before he was fired.
Let me clarify – little background before though –
Before the election, when Hillary thought she was gonna win, there wasn’t any talk about the Russians tampering with anything other than Podesta’s emails, but nothing about the election. Nothing! They thought they were gonna win — and, after they won, they didn’t want the election tainted by claiming the Russians had helped out. They started this hoax about 24 hours after Hillary lost
Back to the original reply to your comment – I think it was the Washington Post with a claim based on anonymous sources. It is presented entirely without evidence by the media.
There is no evidence that James Comey had sought an additional dime for this investigation. In fact, the Department of Justice categorically denied yesterday that the FBI or anybody else has asked for more money to investigate the Russia hack of the election. Despite the denial, the mainstream media are reporting it in every article and on every program on cable news as “proof” that Trump fired Comey ’cause Comey was getting too close.
Either your mainstream media or your newspapers are the road to your erroneous statement – Well, Andrew McCabe, who’s now in charge of the FBI on an interim basis, is testifying before the Senate committee today.
McCabe testified that not only is he not aware of Comey requesting any more money for the probe, McCabe said we don’t request resources for an individual case — and, if we do, we have to come to you. You are the people from whom we get the money. We wouldn’t go to the DOJ. We are the DOJ. But we never do this. We do not ask for more money for a single investigation. It’s not how we’re structured.”
The FBI doesn’t run on last-minute, pay-as-you-go funding. Classic fake news malayasia
! Classic fake news.
I include some of the commentary —
Rubio: “Has the dismissal of Mr. Comey in any way impeded, interrupted, stopped, or negatively impacted any of the work, any of the investigations or any ongoing projects at the Federal Bureau of Investigation?”
McCabe: “There has been no effort to impede our investigation to date.”
Meanwhile, going one step further, McCabe also destroyed another New York Times narrative. Just yesterday we posted about a NYT story which implied that Comey was fired as a direct result of his request for a “significant increase” in funding for his ‘Russia probe’. That said, McCabe quickly dismantled that narrative by noting that the FBI doesn’t even make funding requests for individual investigations but that the Russia investigation was nevertheless “adequately resourced.”
Senator: “Can you confirm that that request [funding request for Russia probe] was, in fact, made?”
McCabe: “I can not confirm that request was made.
As you know, when we need resources, we make those requests here. So, I’m not aware of that request and it’s not consistent with my understanding of how we request additional resources.
That said, we don’t typically request resources for an individual case. And, as I mentioned, I strongly believe that the Russia investigation is adequately resourced.”
Diane,
Again you are absolutely correct –
“Yes. What do Comey, Yates, and Prete Bahara have in common:
They were fired by Trump
They were investigating Trump
They were independent
A deadly combination – that is why thy were fired
As you well know, Mr. Bharara, an appointee of President Barack Obama, was among 46 United States attorneys who were asked on March 10 to submit their resignations. The directive was not especially unusual; all presidents choose their own candidates for United States attorney positions, and invariably ask holdover prosecutors to leave. He refused – your fired –
Yates was fired in part for her refusal to support the exec order and she basically acted like a member of SCOTUS. In questioning from Cruz – Trump’s travel ban, which Yates refused to defend and was then fired
Cruz asked Yates if an attorney general has the authority to defy a “policy decision that is lawful” from the president.
“I don’t know whether the attorney general has the authority to do that or not, but I don’t think that would be a good idea. And that’s not what I did in this case,” Yates responded.
Cruz then cited a statute that allows the president to suspend entry from foreign visitors to the U.S. Yates said she agreed with the statute, but then responded by quoting the Immigration and Nationality Act, which says, “no person shall receive any preference or priority or be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person’s race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence.”
Yates said she was not concerned with whether Trump’s order fell under the act, but was more interested in whether or not it was constitutional.
She also cited a directive from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel, saying she “was not convinced” the executive order was “lawful.”
“In this particular instance, particularly where we were talking about a fundamental issue of religious freedom — not the interpretation of some arcane statue, but religious freedom — it was appropriate for us to look at the intent behind the president’s actions,” Yates said. “And the intent is laid out in his statements.”
The law Diane has nothing regarding INTENT – she deserved to be fired.
Comey – Ive said enough on him
So you are right – if the 3 were kept on the job they would be “a deadly combination”
JScheidell,
I see a man who is ignorant and you see a hero.
Answer two questions:
Did Trump invent the term “priming the pump” a few days ago, as he told the Economist?
Are we the highest taxed country in the world, as he said?
Jscheidell,
As you ponder whether the US has the highest taxes in the world (trump’s claim in interview with The Economist), here is a thought provoked from Bloomberg News (not a left wing site):
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-05-11/getting-mad-at-the-wrong-trump-economic-blunder?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=%7Bdate(%27yyMMdd%27)%7D&utm_campaign=sharetheview&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=170512&utm_campaign=sharetheview
Diane,
to answer your questions – no, we are not the highest taxed country and the phrase I believe, from my econ class back in the 60’s was from the 19th century and related to the economist john Maynard Keyes
I know that Trump is not omniscient nor all-knowing, but a heck of a lot better than the guy before him….
Should I consider Obama is ignorant from the comments below?
you can view some of the dumb, stupid comments he made below
Published on Mar 31, 2015 U-TUBE
We’ve searched around the net for some dumb Obama quotes and here are the top 11 dumbest quotes Obama has ever made.
“We’re the country that built the Intercontinental Railroad.” The intercontinental railroad. Like, you mean, between continents? Did they build that yet? – Cincinnati, OH, Sept. 22, 2011
“The Middle East is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries.” – Thanks for letting us know that. Tampa, Fla., Jan. 28, 2010
While attempting to make the case for government run healthcare in New Hampshire on Aug 11, 2009, Obama said this, “UPS and FedEx are doing just fine, right? It’s the Post Office that’s always having problems.” Sure, let’s put the federal government in charge of 1/6th of our entire economy.
“The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings and inefficiencies to our health care system.” Inefficiencies? Is Obama not just speaking the truth on this one? – He said this after a health care roundtable with physicians, nurses and health care providers in Washington, D.C., on July 20, 2009
“No, no. I have been practicing…I bowled a 129. It’s like — it was like Special Olympics, or something.” How does Obama get away with stuff like this? – making an off-hand joke on “The Tonight Show”, March 19, 2009
“I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” Obama said this defending his tax plan to Joe the Plumber, in Toledo, Ohio, on Oct. 12, 2008 And he said this BEFORE America elected him. Smart move Obama voters, Smart move.
“What I was suggesting — you’re absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith…” Muslim faith? Seriously, a slip of the tongue there? – Obama said that in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos,
“On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes — and I see many of them in the audience here today — our sense of patriotism is particularly strong.” Fallen heroes, in the audience? Good one Obama.
“If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.” Obama said this right after he got elected the first time, but despite that the economy was trashed when election number 2 came around, he still won. Go figure.
“It’s here that companies like Solyndra are leading the way toward a brighter and more prosperous future.” This quote alone should have lost Obama the election, but despite Solyndra getting $535 million from Obama, they still went bankrupt.
“My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you’ll join with me as we try to change it.” Have you ever heard the adage, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it?” If America is already the greatest, why did Barack want to fundamentally transform the United States of America?
I bet every president has said something they wish they could take back -…..
Oh BTW – the lame stream media is worried about Trump as a double scooper of ice-cream and drinking soda – what a waste of journalistic endeavors – and I believe there is no alcohol in the WH and he isn’t a smoker – but by G-D he better watch his health…..I think he loves to drive them up a wall and laughs…..
Trump is not omniscient. I would say he is ignorant.
Carolmalaysia,
You are entitled to your opinions of Trump and as I pointed out , some of the info was inaccurate. Support Trump? Just a difference of opinion to add a balance observation to the discourse. One doesn’t progress if either of us on the blog doesn’t at least LISTEN, painful as it might be. Both sides should be open – minded – living in a rubber room full of like minded robots might be a comfortable environment but no understanding of others happens – maybe the reason for the schism we have today. Consider DaVos commencement issue – Boo and interruptions from students presumably educated – when did a Boo when an argument – one doesn’t have to like her politics or her as a person, but as a guest invited – these kids demonstrated a lack of manners they never were taught at home? – she should have turned her back and just continued her speech to those behind her. There might have been some in the audience that wanted to her e her – they ruined the graduation for them. Thoughtless.
The administration showed lack of respect for education by inviting her to speak.
Many in the public do not respect her which is why Pence had to put in the deciding vote to confirm her nomination. I do not respect violence but she is working to destroy public education in this country.
…………….
Video: Graduating seniors boo Betsy DeVos at commencement in Florida
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/10/betsy-devos-booed-bethune-cookman-university-commencement-238219
and she continues with her assault of POWER; the students are relatively powerless in this kind of “game” so I support the students. There are times when you need to act and draw a line; this is one of those times we should not be letting POWER (money/greed) rule everything in every arena. Abuse of Power — by those who invited her into the hall to speak.
The administration showed lack of respect for education by inviting her to speak.
jeanhaverhill@aol.com
Jeanhaverhill,
Those who invited her showed a lack of respect by inviting her? I didn’t know that the student body had a vote in who comes or goes for commencement. I mean they need power? earn it – I hope the boss they work for in the future cower in fear the snowflakes left their sucky toys, aroma therapy blankets and safe spaces to act ignorant and demonstrated a lack of proper upbringing.
Many colleges are having speaker problems, usually with conservatives. one of the lateest is University of California Santa Cruz – administrators agreed to meet to all four demands lodged by a black student group who commandeered a campus building and would not leave until their conditions were met.
They added 3 more demands or “more Reclamations” after the admin gave in! Power to the students! Get that education!
“After three days of occupation by students of Kerr Hall, Chancellor George Blumenthal agreed to give all black and Caribbean-identified students a 4-year housing guarantee to live in the Rosa Parks African American Themed House; bring back the building’s lounge; paint its exterior the “Pan-Afrikan colors” of red, green and black; and force all new incoming students to go through a mandatory diversity competency training.”
I see the flip side – tell thm that you don’t deal in demands, I don’t make demands of other people. I don’t expect to receive demands from people. Make suggestions, recommendations, strong arguments. … When you approach other people with a demand, you get defensive walls erected. Inform them what the repercussions are if they do not remove themselves and at a later date have a dialogue on that basis to see what can be done. Otherwise don’t return next fall and/or your diploma will be mailed.
Look at the Elite Claremont McKenna College which may discipline with suspension or expulsion some unruly students who effectively shut down a Blue Lives Matter presentation Heather Mac Donald, author of “The War on Cops,” was confronted by a crowd of students chanting Black Lives Matter (BLM) slogans, not allowing her to speak. BTW its a good read!
The Manhattan Institute scholar finally live-streamed her speech. The plus to the above story is the number of requests on line to view the speech presentation that is posted on CMC homepage – viewed over 1,400 times. In the end, the effort to silence her voice effectively amplified it to a much larger audience,” he argued.
Speakers are invited but if they do not match the political bias, ideology of the student body they demonstrate their ignorance. A major loss of education – I thought college was to broaden one’s self .
Quote: “Those who invited her showed a lack of respect by inviting her? I didn’t know that the student body had a vote in who comes or goes for commencement.”
I’m saying the administration showed a lack of respect for education. They should have recognized that she is unfit for her job as Secretary of Education and unfit to be a commencement speaker. The student body simply responded in a way to show their displeasure.
Her beliefs are that schools should dispense her version of God and that charters and vouchers for choice will solve all problems. She doesn’t see the adverse affect of poverty on students.
A large part of the population will agree that she is unfit. There have been lots of protests whenever she appears which is why she has such expensive security arrangements.
what I said earlier about your “tone” goes for this. There is no compromise on the facts when you enter in the comments that you do. I will not respond to this nonsense …. and your comments about HRC and her “i’m gonna win” … it was never like that and she didn’t talk that way and neither do I.
Will not respond further beyond this point as it is obvious what you are doing on this blog.
jean e. sanders haverhill MA
work for in the future cower in fear the snowflakes left their sucky toys, aroma therapy blankets and safe spaces to act ignorant and demonstrated a lack of proper upbringing.
jeanhaverhill@aol.com