crooksandliars--2020-01-06--Pompeo Lies, Says Iranians Aren't Shouting 'Death To America'

Boy howdy , did Chuck Todd recover his näivèté about Republicans in a big way , or what ?
First he let former Governor and poor loser Pat McCrory lie , and then he let Mike Pompeo lie and in a big way .
Right at the end of Pompeo 's Republican Talking Points Spew , aka interview , Chuck Todd asked one last question : `` If targeting Soleimani is not regime change , then what are we advocating , if not regime change ? ''
Legit question , especially since John Bolton tweeted his joy at the prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's answer in full : As I said before , Chuck , we clearly stated our strategy for three years .
We want the regime to change its behavior .
And ultimately , the leadership in Iran will be determined by the Iranian people .
We saw the protest .
I am confident we will continue to see protests .
They were n't protesting against America .
They were n't protesting , saying , `` Death to America . ''
They were demanding that the Iranian leadership behave in a way that takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am confident that the American support that we provide to that and support that 's provided from countries in the region and around the world will continue to support the Iranian people in their quest for freedom .
Oho !
Look at the video from yesterday showing Iranians marching in the streets shouting `` Death to America ! ''
And here is video of the Iranian PARLIAMENT ( aka representatives of the people ) shouting `` Death to America ! ''
Now if I could find those videos without too much trouble ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , you 'd think Chuck Todd or his producers could too !
They could be armed with facts , because that particular pernicious lie of Pompeo 's was intended to reassure Americans that Iranians really , really like us and they really , really wanted us to assassinate their number two guy when in fact they are wishing death to each and every one of us .
But Chuck did what a Chuck Todd does : `` Secretary Pompeo , I 'm going to have to leave it there . ''
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if a Chuck Todd does n't check truth ?
UPDATE : They 're still at it , too .

Boy howdy, did Chuck Todd recover his näivèté about Republicans in a big way, or what? First he let former Governor and poor loser Pat McCrory lie, and then he let Mike Pompeo lie and in a big way.
Right at the end of Pompeo's Republican Talking Points Spew, aka interview, Chuck Todd asked one last question: "If targeting Soleimani is not regime change, then what are we advocating, if not regime change?"
Legit question, especially since John Bolton tweeted his joy at the prospect of regime change.
Here is Pompeo's answer in full:
As I said before, Chuck, we clearly stated our strategy for three years. We want the regime to change its behavior. And ultimately, the leadership in Iran will be determined by the Iranian people. We saw the protest. I am confident we will continue to see protests. They weren't protesting against America. They weren't protesting, saying, "Death to America." They were demanding that the Iranian leadership behave in a way that takes care of the Iranian people. I am confident that the American support that we provide to that and support that's provided from countries in the region and around the world will continue to support the Iranian people in their quest for freedom.
Oho! Look at the video from yesterday showing Iranians marching in the streets shouting "Death to America!"
And here is video of the Iranian PARLIAMENT (aka representatives of the people) shouting "Death to America!"
Now if I could find those videos without too much trouble (Google "Iran AND Death to America), you'd think Chuck Todd or his producers could too! They could be armed with facts, because that particular pernicious lie of Pompeo's was intended to reassure Americans that Iranians really, really like us and they really, really wanted us to assassinate their number two guy when in fact they are wishing death to each and every one of us.
But Chuck did what a Chuck Todd does: "Secretary Pompeo, I'm going to have to leave it there."
How many lies does a Chuck Todd hear if a Chuck Todd doesn't check truth?
UPDATE: They're still at it, too.


crooksandliars--2020-01-07--McConnell Knows What's The Matter With Kansas (A Senate Seat)

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he will not run for an open Senate seat from Kansas this fall .
“ I ’ ll be busy urging Cadet Bone Spurs to bring-on the End of Days , ” evangelical end-timer Pompeo didn ’ t say to amply be-chinned # MoscowMitch , “ which I think is more important .
Hail Satan !
, ” he did not conclude .
OK , that part aside this gives the side of angels ( Democrats ) a possible pick-up in the Senate as the likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KKKobach , who is popular with enough Republicans to win the nomination and is loathed by enough Kansans to lose .
As you may recall KKKobach lost a statewide election ( 48 % to 43 % ) to Dem .
Gov .
Laura Kelly .
Kansas is R+13 CPVI , by the way , so losing by 5 % is actually YUGE .
But before you get your hopes up , note that Pompeo has until June to throw his hat into the , er , ring .
And given how everything in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone except Comrade Stupid , he could change his mind .

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he will not run for an open Senate seat from Kansas this fall.
“I’ll be busy urging Cadet Bone Spurs to bring-on the End of Days,” evangelical end-timer Pompeo didn’t say to amply be-chinned #MoscowMitch, “which I think is more important. Hail Satan!,” he did not conclude.
OK, that part aside this gives the side of angels (Democrats) a possible pick-up in the Senate as the likely Republican to win the primary is… KKKris KKKobach, who is popular with enough Republicans to win the nomination and is loathed by enough Kansans to lose. As you may recall KKKobach lost a statewide election (48% to 43%) to Dem. Gov. Laura Kelly. Kansas is R+13 CPVI, by the way, so losing by 5% is actually YUGE.
But before you get your hopes up, note that Pompeo has until June to throw his hat into the inferno , er, ring. And given how everything in the 4th Reich always ends poorly for everyone except Comrade Stupid, he could change his mind.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-01-07--Schlafly's Ghost Rises To Sue Over Equal Rights Amendment

The misogynists at Phyllis Schlafly Eagle Forum ( praised be her name ) stirred up trouble : “ St .
Louis , MO : Just before the Christmas holiday , the Attorneys General of Alabama , Louisiana , and South Dakota filed a federal lawsuit against Archivist of the United States David Ferriero in objection to his leaving open the ratification process for the long-dead Equal Rights Amendment .
Phyllis Schlafly Eagles welcomes this well-grounded lawsuit , which comes on the heels of a year-long investigation by our Eagle staff to root out pro-ERA bias in the National Archives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia turned blue in 2019 , the VA gubmint is discussing to ratify the ERA and it will became the 38th state , and that means it becomes ratified .
And the he-man woman-haters have their panties in a knot .
( Allegedly , they like to wear panties .
HAWT !
!
! )
As The Eagle Forum can not force Virginia to dis-ratify ( is too a wurd ) it , so they decided that the thing to do is go after the Archivist because : why the hell not ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Possum Hollar to do the deed and sue the archivist !
“ Archivist David Ferriero may claim impartiality on ERA ratification , but that ’ s not even remotely true .
This unelected bureaucrat is drenched in the Swamp , and that shouldn ’ t come as a surprise , ” said Phyllis Schlafly Eagles president Ed Martin .
“ When we got word that Ferriero was bragging on Nevada ’ s alleged ‘ ratification ’ of ERA , we immediately filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get to the bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our straightforward request for documents related to the validity of the Illinois and Nevada ratifications , the National Archives sent Phyllis Schlafly Eagles a string of irrelevant responses , denials , and rejections over the course of many months .
Our diligent staff chased down every possible angle , but it appears only a lawsuit from these attorneys general will bring the whole truth to light .
Shorter : “ BRING ME THE HEAD OF THE MAILROOM CLERK !
!
1 !
” Do the hate goblins at Schlafly Eagle Forum have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The lawsuit notes that Congress set a 1982 deadline to get the required 38 states to agree and seeks to prevent David Ferriero , the archivist of the United States , from accepting a new ratification from a state .
There is an effort in Congress to try to remove the 1982 deadline .
It seems preposterous that in 2020 this could even be happening , but you know : Republicans .
They are never gon na forgive The Skirts for giving Adam the apple .

And lo! Phyllis Schlafly has risen!
The misogynists at Phyllis Schlafly Eagle Forum (praised be her name) stirred up trouble:
“St. Louis, MO: Just before the Christmas holiday, the Attorneys General of Alabama, Louisiana, and South Dakota filed a federal lawsuit against Archivist of the United States David Ferriero in objection to his leaving open the ratification process for the long-dead Equal Rights Amendment. Phyllis Schlafly Eagles welcomes this well-grounded lawsuit, which comes on the heels of a year-long investigation by our Eagle staff to root out pro-ERA bias in the National Archives and Records Administration.”
You see, when Virginia turned blue in 2019, the VA gubmint is discussing to ratify the ERA and it will became the 38th state, and that means it becomes ratified. And the he-man woman-haters have their panties in a knot. (Allegedly, they like to wear panties. HAWT!!!)
As The Eagle Forum cannot force Virginia to dis-ratify (is too a wurd) it, so they decided that the thing to do is go after the Archivist because: why the hell not? They rounded up some Attorneys General from Possum Hollar to do the deed and sue the archivist!
“Archivist David Ferriero may claim impartiality on ERA ratification, but that’s not even remotely true. This unelected bureaucrat is drenched in the Swamp, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise,” said Phyllis Schlafly Eagles president Ed Martin. “When we got word that Ferriero was bragging on Nevada’s alleged ‘ratification’ of ERA, we immediately filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get to the bottom of things. “Instead of satisfying our straightforward request for documents related to the validity of the Illinois and Nevada ratifications, the National Archives sent Phyllis Schlafly Eagles a string of irrelevant responses, denials, and rejections over the course of many months. Our diligent staff chased down every possible angle, but it appears only a lawsuit from these attorneys general will bring the whole truth to light.
Shorter: “BRING ME THE HEAD OF THE MAILROOM CLERK!!1!”
Do the hate goblins at Schlafly Eagle Forum have a legal grounds to do this? Maybe?
The lawsuit notes that Congress set a 1982 deadline to get the required 38 states to agree and seeks to prevent David Ferriero, the archivist of the United States, from accepting a new ratification from a state.
There is an effort in Congress to try to remove the 1982 deadline.
It seems preposterous that in 2020 this could even be happening, but you know: Republicans. They are never gonna forgive The Skirts for giving Adam the apple.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-01-07--Michael Flynn Deserves 6 Months In Prison, Per Prosecutors

He 'd get more time if he sold marijuana in some states ...
But Flynn 's just a Republican operative who sold out the United States .
WaPo : Federal prosecutors on Tuesday recommended that former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn serve up to six months in prison , reversing their earlier recommendation of probation because of his drawn out attacks against the FBI and Justice Department .
The dramatic revocation of the Justice Department ’ s request for leniency came weeks after Flynn ’ s sentencing judge on Dec. 16 categorically rejected Flynn ’ s claims of prosecutorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into pleading guilty to lying to FBI agents about his Russian contacts after the 2016 U.S. election .
“ It is within the government ’ s sole discretion to determine whether the defendant has ‘ substantially assisted ’ the government , ” prosecutor Brandon Van Grack wrote in a 33-page court filing .
“ In light of the complete record , including actions subsequent to December 18 , 2018 , that negate the benefits of much of the defendant ’ s earlier cooperation , the government no longer deems the defendant ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @

He'd get more time if he sold marijuana in some states... But Flynn's just a Republican operative who sold out the United States. WaPo:
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday recommended that former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn serve up to six months in prison, reversing their earlier recommendation of probation because of his drawn out attacks against the FBI and Justice Department.
The dramatic revocation of the Justice Department’s request for leniency came weeks after Flynn’s sentencing judge on Dec. 16 categorically rejected Flynn’s claims of prosecutorial misconduct and that he had been duped into pleading guilty to lying to FBI agents about his Russian contacts after the 2016 U.S. election.
“It is within the government’s sole discretion to determine whether the defendant has ‘substantially assisted’ the government,” prosecutor Brandon Van Grack wrote in a 33-page court filing. “In light of the complete record, including actions subsequent to December 18, 2018, that negate the benefits of much of the defendant’s earlier cooperation, the government no longer deems the defendant’s assistance ‘substantial.’”


crooksandliars--2020-01-07--Kevin McCarthy Blames Adam Schiff For...Iran

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarty ( R-CA ) on Tuesday suggested that President Donald Trump would not have ordered a @ @ @ @ @ Iranian general if House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) had not pursued @ @ @ @ @ on Fox & Friends , host Pete Hegseth noted that Democrats have accused the president @ @ @ @ @ use military force after the killing of Qassem Soleimani .
“ You know what , @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He ’ s the chairman of the Intel Committee , maybe had he @ @ @ @ @ on that , trying to protect us from what was happening in Iran , from @ @ @ @ @ , Saudi Arabia , taking down our drone.
” “ Instead of taking that committee @ @ @ @ @ he would never make that comment , ” he continued .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ a place for them to play politics .
”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarty (R-CA) on Tuesday suggested that President Donald Trump would not have ordered a drone strike on a top Iranian general if House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) had not pursued impeachment.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends, host Pete Hegseth noted that Democrats have accused the president of overstepping his authorization to use military force after the killing of Qassem Soleimani.
“You know what,” McCarthy said of Schiff. “He’s the chairman of the Intel Committee, maybe had he spent the last year working on that, trying to protect us from what was happening in Iran, from the bombing of the tankers, Saudi Arabia, taking down our drone.”
“Instead of taking that committee and making it impeachment, he would never make that comment,” he continued. “I don’t think it’s a place for them to play politics.”


crooksandliars--2020-01-07--Nikki Haley: 'Democrat' Leadership, 2020 Dems Are The Only Ones Mourning Soleimani Death

Apparently , Nikki Haley is a bigger asshole than any of us thought .
When Trump tapped her to be the United States ' Ambassador to the UN , most people wondered why she 'd align herself with people like Trump .
Now we know why .
She 's just as politically craven and morally bankrupt as the rest of them .
Former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blasted Democrats Monday for their continued criticism of Trump 's directive to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani via drone strike last week , a decision Haley said showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the president .
`` You do n't see anyone standing up for Iran , '' Haley said on `` Hannity '' Monday .
`` You 're not hearing any of the Gulf members [ states ] , you 're not hearing China , you 're not hearing Russia .
The only ones that are mourning the loss of Soleimani are Democrat leadership and our Democrat presidential candidates . ''
`` No one else in the world [ mourns ] , because they knew that this man had evil [ in his ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew what he was capable of .
And they saw the destruction and the lives lost from his hands . ''

Apparently, Nikki Haley is a bigger asshole than any of us thought. When Trump tapped her to be the United States' Ambassador to the UN, most people wondered why she'd align herself with people like Trump. Now we know why. She's just as politically craven and morally bankrupt as the rest of them.
Source: Fox News
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blasted Democrats Monday for their continued criticism of Trump's directive to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani via drone strike last week, a decision Haley said showed "great resolve" on the part of the president.
"You don't see anyone standing up for Iran," Haley said on "Hannity" Monday. "You're not hearing any of the Gulf members [states], you're not hearing China, you're not hearing Russia. The only ones that are mourning the loss of Soleimani are Democrat leadership and our Democrat presidential candidates."
"No one else in the world [mourns], because they knew that this man had evil [in his] veins," Haley added. They knew what he was capable of. And they saw the destruction and the lives lost from his hands."


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Brian Williams And Donna Edwards Reduce Sen. Collins To Trash

Raise your hand if you love when wicked shade is so deeply buried in a long string of extraneous verbiage that it takes you halfway into the next sentence to realize even happened — but once you do , you howl because it was such poison .
Enter Brian Williams , who delivered said poison with his trademark straight face , hitting his mark , Senator Susan Collins , in the center of the bullseye .
Talking to former Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards Monday night on The 11th Hour , Williams asked her about John Bolton 's statement that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subpoenaed , and the effect it might have on GOP Senators like Collins .
WILLIAMS : I note Senator Collins today used a collection of words that seemed to have in common their membership in the English language , and took no position on Mr. Bolton , but this may have a way of focusing the mind of Collins and similarly vulnerable Republicans in the Senate , an up or down vote on , `` What do you say , should we hear from John Bolton ? ''
EDWARDS : Well , actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins ' words anymore in terms of trying to convey some kind of meaning .
I think she proved that in the Kavanaugh hearings .
I think Mitt Romney 's statements , to me , are the most interesting .
He has no reason to be allied with this administration and with this president .
He has every reason to want to seek the truth , and I think that his statement suggests that he could be one to actually lead the charge for a process that 's fair , which would then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles of impeachment that they worked so hard on are gon na be treated seriously in a fair process in the United States Senate .
DAMN .
They both kicked Susan Collins to the curb like last week 's trash , and I got ta say it was worth staying up late to hear it .
Edwards was like , `` Her words have NO MEANING . ''
AND THEY DO N'T .
There 's a reason people are looking to Romney for his reaction and not Collins for hers .
She will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would more palatable if she did n't smarm herself up with fake concern and theatrical inner conflict about it before she surrendered us to the bad guys .
Just hand over your spine and be done with it , Collins .

Raise your hand if you love when wicked shade is so deeply buried in a long string of extraneous verbiage that it takes you halfway into the next sentence to realize even happened — but once you do, you howl because it was such poison.
*raises hand*
Enter Brian Williams, who delivered said poison with his trademark straight face, hitting his mark, Senator Susan Collins, in the center of the bullseye. Talking to former Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards Monday night on The 11th Hour, Williams asked her about John Bolton's statement that he'd testify in a Senate trial if subpoenaed, and the effect it might have on GOP Senators like Collins.
WILLIAMS: I note Senator Collins today used a collection of words that seemed to have in common their membership in the English language, and took no position on Mr. Bolton, but this may have a way of focusing the mind of Collins and similarly vulnerable Republicans in the Senate, an up or down vote on, "What do you say, should we hear from John Bolton?" EDWARDS: Well, actually, I refuse to look at Senator Collins' words anymore in terms of trying to convey some kind of meaning. I think she proved that in the Kavanaugh hearings. I think Mitt Romney's statements, to me, are the most interesting. He has no reason to be allied with this administration and with this president. He has every reason to want to seek the truth, and I think that his statement suggests that he could be one to actually lead the charge for a process that's fair, which would then give Speaker Pelosi some confidence that the articles of impeachment that they worked so hard on are gonna be treated seriously in a fair process in the United States Senate.
DAMN. They both kicked Susan Collins to the curb like last week's trash, and I gotta say it was worth staying up late to hear it. Edwards was like, "Her words have NO MEANING." AND THEY DON'T. There's a reason people are looking to Romney for his reaction and not Collins for hers. She will sell us out every time. It would more palatable if she didn't smarm herself up with fake concern and theatrical inner conflict about it before she surrendered us to the bad guys. Just hand over your spine and be done with it, Collins.


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Experts Attempt To Inform Trump He Can't Declare War Via Tweet

Democratic lawmakers , anti-war advocates , and legal experts rebuked President Donald Trump after he announced on Twitter that he would be using the social media platform as the medium by which he would inform Congress of hypothetical , future military strikes against Iran .
`` The Constitution does n't allow presidents to declare war over social media , '' tweeted Rep. Ro Khanna ( D-Caif. )
.
Khanna , along with Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) in the Senate , introduced a bill Friday to block funding for the president 's effort to continue the conflict with Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered a drone strike in Baghdad which killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani .
`` Congress must reassert its constitutional responsibility over war , '' said Sanders .
`` The Senate and House must vote to immediately defund unauthorized military action against Iran .
`` Trump announced Sunday that he would be making wartime declarations to Capitol Hill through Twitter .
`` These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target , the United States will quickly & fully strike back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the president tweeted .
`` Such legal notice is not required , but is given nevertheless ! ''
Rep. Justin Amash ( I-Mich. ) , who left the Republican Party last year over the president 's conduct , referred Trump to the constitutional limits of the presidency 's powers .
`` Such legal notice was provided in 1789 but is given here again nevertheless , '' tweeted Amash .
The House Foreign Affairs Committee also hit back against the president Sunday afternoon .
`` This Media Post will serve as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress under the United States Constitution , '' the committee 's official account tweeted .
`` And that you should read the War Powers Act .
And that you 're not a dictator . ''
Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway pointed out that Trump 's declaration `` threatens to break several laws '' by not notifying Congress in a correct way , refusing to consult with lawmakers before taking military action , and claiming there is no requirement for notification .
`` That any of this has to be said suggests just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Hathaway .

Democratic lawmakers, anti-war advocates, and legal experts rebuked President Donald Trump after he announced on Twitter that he would be using the social media platform as the medium by which he would inform Congress of hypothetical, future military strikes against Iran.
"The Constitution doesn't allow presidents to declare war over social media," tweeted Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Caif.).
No. The Constitution doesn't allow presidents to declare war over social media.
This is why it's so important to pass @BernieSanders' and my bill to block all federal funding for war with Iran until Congress votes. https://t.co/vXk46Q2ZhB — Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) January 6, 2020
Khanna, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the Senate, introduced a bill Friday to block funding for the president's effort to continue the conflict with Iran which exploded on January 2 when Trump ordered a drone strike in Baghdad which killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
"Congress must reassert its constitutional responsibility over war," said Sanders. "The Senate and House must vote to immediately defund unauthorized military action against Iran.
"Trump announced Sunday that he would be making wartime declarations to Capitol Hill through Twitter.
"These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner," the president tweeted. "Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!"
Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), who left the Republican Party last year over the president's conduct, referred Trump to the constitutional limits of the presidency's powers.
"Such legal notice was provided in 1789 but is given here again nevertheless," tweeted Amash.
This Constitution of the United States of America will serve as notification to the president that should he order nondefensive strikes without congressional approval, he will be in violation of the law. Such legal notice was provided in 1789 but is given here again nevertheless. pic.twitter.com/ZzTDRbuDqf — Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 6, 2020
The House Foreign Affairs Committee also hit back against the president Sunday afternoon.
"This Media Post will serve as a reminder that war powers reside in the Congress under the United States Constitution," the committee's official account tweeted. "And that you should read the War Powers Act. And that you're not a dictator."
Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway pointed out that Trump's declaration "threatens to break several laws" by not notifying Congress in a correct way, refusing to consult with lawmakers before taking military action, and claiming there is no requirement for notification.
"That any of this has to be said suggests just how insane this situation has become," said Hathaway.
Republished from Common Dreams via a Creative Commons license


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--U.S. Airbase Attacked In Iraq; Iran Says 'Fierce Revenge' Has Begun (Update 5)

Iran has launched ten missiles in retaliation for the assassination of Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani .
In a statement on Telegram , Iran 's Revolutionary Guards made it clear who was responsible : “ The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards has begun.
” Hossein Soleimani , the editor in chief of Mashregh , the main Revolutionary Guards news website , said that short-range ballistic missiles had been fired at the American base at Asad , in Anbar Province , in western Iraq , but that has n't been verified by Western sources .
Apparently more are on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart-alecky thing to say here , but with the man-baby in the White House it 's hard to feel like this is anything other than a disaster .
This post will be updated with more information as we have it .
This seems like a problem .
Video of the missiles below .
Reports that there are Iraqi casualties which should definitely make our presence in Iraq welcome ( sarcastically written in case it was n't obvious ) .
And some clarification about whose airbase it is : Trump is not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight , as was originally expected .
And this statement from Chris Hayes sums it up : Not directly related but I think we can not let it go by as something that `` just happened , '' given Russia 's affiliation with Iran and their hot war with Ukraine :

Iran has launched ten missiles in retaliation for the assassination of Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani.
In a statement on Telegram, Iran's Revolutionary Guards made it clear who was responsible: “The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards has begun.”
Hossein Soleimani, the editor in chief of Mashregh, the main Revolutionary Guards news website, said that short-range ballistic missiles had been fired at the American base at Asad, in Anbar Province, in western Iraq, but that hasn't been verified by Western sources.
Apparently more are on the way:
Breaking / Tasnim news agency: the second wave of Iran's missile attacks against the US base in Iraq was just started — Rohollah Faghihi (@FaghihiRohollah) January 8, 2020
I wish I had some smart-alecky thing to say here, but with the man-baby in the White House it's hard to feel like this is anything other than a disaster.
This post will be updated with more information as we have it.
Update:
This seems like a problem.
CNN’s Barbara Starr reports that Pentagon officials have been hard to reach “because they were sent home early for what was supposed to be a major snowstorm.” — Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) January 7, 2020
And this:
#URGENT: US confirms Ballistic missiles then they are likely Iranian FAJR missiles with high explosive warheads. They are short ranged ballistic missiles. IS forces would have had good 5-10 mins warning. https://t.co/DfSfG7FlRv — Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) January 7, 2020
UPDATE 2:
Video of the missiles below. Reports that there are Iraqi casualties which should definitely make our presence in Iraq welcome (sarcastically written in case it wasn't obvious).
IRAN RESPONDS:
- Dozens of Missiles Hit U.S. Air Bases In Iraq
- Iran Claims Responsibility
- Number of Casualties Unknown
- Iran Warns of More "Crushing Responses"
- Pres. Trump Being Briefed & Weighing Optionshttps://t.co/oqZ3fv00kC pic.twitter.com/jkB6eMSke1 — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 8, 2020
And some clarification about whose airbase it is:
This is a key point. There are NO US bases in Iraq. There are Iraqi bases that house US military personnel. Iran just attacked IRAQI military facilities with aim of killing Americans. https://t.co/809PqAc3Xl — Bilal Wahab (@BilalWahab) January 8, 2020
UPDATE 3:
Trump is not going to deliver a statement from the Oval Office tonight, as was originally expected. And this statement from Chris Hayes sums it up:
WATCH: @chrislhayes ends @allinwithchris with this message:
"A war with Iran is madness, and it is strategically and morally a disaster in the making. And don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise." #inners pic.twitter.com/l6LIkekzv2 — All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) January 8, 2020
UPDATE 4:
WTF time. I mean seriously?
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
UPDATE 5:
Not directly related but I think we cannot let it go by as something that "just happened," given Russia's affiliation with Iran and their hot war with Ukraine:


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Fox News Cuts Away From Mike Lee: White House Iran Briefing 'Worst I've Ever Seen'

Fox News cut away from Mike Lee and Rand Paul 's press conference where both of them had steam coming out of their ears after they were briefed on the events in Iran over the past week or so .
At one point , Lee was practically huffing and puffing as he told reporters : I had hoped and expected to see more information outlining the moral and legal justification .
The briefing lasted only 75 minutes whereupon our briefers left .
This is not the biggest problem I had with the briefing , which I might add is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least on a military issue , in the nine years I 've served on the United States Senate .
What I found so distressing about the briefing is one of the messages we received from the briefers was `` do not discuss , do not debate the issue of appropriateness of further military intervention against Iran and if so , you 'll be emboldening Iran . ''
The idea we would be less safe by having a debate or discussion about the appropriateness of further military involvement .
Fox News cut away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as not to alienate Dear Leader .
Here 's what Fox News viewers got to see : At one point , Mike Lee basically says that he was undecided about the AUMF but after the briefing he 's all in .
This admonition not to question , not to debate , not to dare even peep about what a Republican president is doing with our military because the terrorists win if we do is not a new thing .
Just ask The Dixie Chicks .
It is , however , remarkable to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daring to question Dear Leader .

Fox News cut away from Mike Lee and Rand Paul's press conference where both of them had steam coming out of their ears after they were briefed on the events in Iran over the past week or so.
At one point, Lee was practically huffing and puffing as he told reporters:
I had hoped and expected to see more information outlining the moral and legal justification. The briefing lasted only 75 minutes whereupon our briefers left. This is not the biggest problem I had with the briefing, which I might add is the worst briefing I've seen, at least on a military issue, in the nine years I've served on the United States Senate. What I found so distressing about the briefing is one of the messages we received from the briefers was "do not discuss, do not debate the issue of appropriateness of further military intervention against Iran and if so, you'll be emboldening Iran." The idea we would be less safe by having a debate or discussion about the appropriateness of further military involvement.
Fox News cut away from it as soon as they could so as not to alienate Dear Leader. Here's what Fox News viewers got to see:
....fox decided to cut away from the press conference pic.twitter.com/etOlcFJ3iP — Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) January 8, 2020
At one point, Mike Lee basically says that he was undecided about the AUMF but after the briefing he's all in.
This admonition not to question, not to debate, not to dare even peep about what a Republican president is doing with our military because the terrorists win if we do is not a new thing. Just ask The Dixie Chicks. It is, however, remarkable to see State TV protecting their viewers from Republicans daring to question Dear Leader.


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Chris Matthews Slams Trump's Knee-Jerk Obama-Blame: 'An Outrageous Stretch'

As Donald Trump sniffed and tongue-thrusted his way through the mercifully short speech ( probably written by Stephen Miller , ) he attempted to reassure us he has it all under control .
Yes , kids , for now , both countries have thrown their punches , shot their wad , emptied their clips , however you wan na say it .
Both sides will stand down in the great Iran-America stand-off of January 2020 .
The icing on the cake ?
In addition to his pathetic attempt to make an extra-judicial , overt assassination of a foreign state official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diversion from impeachment , Trump blamed President Barack Obama for Iran 's nuclear capability , AND the missiles they used in the attack last night .
This was too much for MSNBC 's Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews to allow to go unchecked .
Mitchell explained just exactly where Iran 's money came from , and Matthews rightly categorized Trump 's compulsive need to blame Obama for every damn thing as something straight out of the DSM-5 .
MITCHELL : First to you , Chris .
The attack on the Obama-Iran deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this nature , this was the president 's opportunity to explain what was the justification for taking out Soleimani , what was the imminent threat as much as he could say in a declassified setting .
Why was that necessary ?
What about our allies in Iraq ?
And to go after Obama and claim incorrectly that the Obama administration had paid for the missile strike .
The facts are that $ 150 billion that went back to Iran after the nuclear deal was unfreezing Iranian assets that had been frozen since 1979 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostages .
Plus there was an extra amount of money that we OWED them for military equipment that they had paid for and we had never given them , plus interest .
So , THAT was the money that they got .
It was not any kind of a bonus .
MATTHEWS : Right .
In the midst of this very critical moment where they 're playing this poker game , if you will , of who 's going to out-raise the other guy and , are they gon na eliminate the table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is enough . ''
And I thought he did , in terms of saying , `` No more actions against the Iranians , '' that this is going to be a slowdown , a response with restraint .
In the midst of this international conversation , he throws in this almost clinical need to attack Obama .
It 's almost like Tourette 's .
Can he not get through a conversation without -- but in this case , it was so scurrilous .
He 's basically saying , as you pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting our American base in Iraq last night ?
Oh , they were paid for by Barack Obama . ''
Like he 's back there , he 's the bursar , he 's the financial guy behind these bombs .
It 's an outrageous stretch .
An outrageous connection .
They had the missile capability .
They had the ballistic missiles .
They were n't connected .
They were n't dedicated funding from the proceeds of the Iranian nuclear deal .
It 's an absurd connection , but it 's feeding his red-hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both do a solid job , here .
My constant quibble with journalists , though , is their apparent allergy to calling things what they are .
Mitchell does that here , twice , and it makes me want to smack anyone who says media has a liberal bias .
I appreciate her fact-checks , but Trump did n't `` misstate facts '' about the Obama-Iran deal .
He did n't `` claim incorrectly '' that Obama `` paid '' for the missiles .
Trump .
Fuck*ng .
LIED .
Say it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He knew it was not true , and he said it anyway , with the intention of misleading anyone who heard him .
This is LYING .
Another advantage of calling what he said `` lies '' instead of `` misstated facts '' or `` incorrect claims '' is that it is only one syllable .
And if there is anything I appreciate in journalism as much as accuracy , it 's brevity .

As Donald Trump sniffed and tongue-thrusted his way through the mercifully short speech (probably written by Baby Goebbels Stephen Miller,) he attempted to reassure us he has it all under control. Yes, kids, for now, both countries have thrown their punches, shot their wad, emptied their clips, however you wanna say it. Both sides will stand down in the great Iran-America stand-off of January 2020.
The icing on the cake? In addition to his pathetic attempt to make an extra-judicial, overt assassination of a foreign state official appear legal, necessary, and NOT-AT-ALL a diversion from impeachment, Trump blamed President Barack Obama for Iran's nuclear capability, AND the missiles they used in the attack last night. This was too much for MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews to allow to go unchecked.
Mitchell explained just exactly where Iran's money came from, and Matthews rightly categorized Trump's compulsive need to blame Obama for every damn thing as something straight out of the DSM-5.
MITCHELL: First to you, Chris. The attack on the Obama-Iran deal with misstated facts in a speech of this nature, this was the president's opportunity to explain what was the justification for taking out Soleimani, what was the imminent threat as much as he could say in a declassified setting. Why was that necessary? What about our allies in Iraq? And to go after Obama and claim incorrectly that the Obama administration had paid for the missile strike. The facts are that $150 billion that went back to Iran after the nuclear deal was unfreezing Iranian assets that had been frozen since 1979 when they took our embassy and our hostages. Plus there was an extra amount of money that we OWED them for military equipment that they had paid for and we had never given them, plus interest. So, THAT was the money that they got. It was not any kind of a bonus. MATTHEWS: Right. In the midst of this very critical moment where they're playing this poker game, if you will, of who's going to out-raise the other guy and, are they gonna eliminate the table stakes, and say, "Okay, this is enough." And I thought he did, in terms of saying, "No more actions against the Iranians," that this is going to be a slowdown, a response with restraint. In the midst of this international conversation, he throws in this almost clinical need to attack Obama. It's almost like Tourette's. Can he not get through a conversation without -- but in this case, it was so scurrilous. He's basically saying, as you pointed out, "You see those bombs hitting our American base in Iraq last night? Oh, they were paid for by Barack Obama." Like he's back there, he's the bursar, he's the financial guy behind these bombs. It's an outrageous stretch. An outrageous connection. They had the missile capability. They had the ballistic missiles. They weren't connected. They weren't dedicated funding from the proceeds of the Iranian nuclear deal. It's an absurd connection, but it's feeding his red-hot base, the president's.
They both do a solid job, here. My constant quibble with journalists, though, is their apparent allergy to calling things what they are. Mitchell does that here, twice, and it makes me want to smack anyone who says media has a liberal bias. I appreciate her fact-checks, but Trump didn't "misstate facts" about the Obama-Iran deal. He didn't "claim incorrectly" that Obama "paid" for the missiles. Trump. Fuck*ng. LIED.
Say it with me, Mitchell. He L-I-E-D. He knew it was not true, and he said it anyway, with the intention of misleading anyone who heard him. This is LYING.
Another advantage of calling what he said "lies" instead of "misstated facts" or "incorrect claims" is that it is only one syllable. And if there is anything I appreciate in journalism as much as accuracy, it's brevity.


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Chris Hayes Slams Trump's Reckless War Acts

Even as President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday night that `` all is well '' with regard to Iranian strikes at a U.S. military base in Iraq , angry and frustrated progressives hit back at the U.S. leader 's reckless drive to war .
`` The American people do not want a war with Iran , '' Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
told a presidential campaign rally crowd in Brooklyn shortly after the strikes .
Around a dozen Iranian missiles—launched in retaliation for Trump 's order last week to assassinate Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani—hit the al-Asad U.S. airbase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have now put the two nations squarely on the brink of outright war , have infuriated progressives opposed to escalated conflict with Iran .
`` I just want to say this very clearly , that a war with Iran is madness , and it is strategically and morally a disaster in the making , and do n't believe anyone who tells you otherwise , '' said MSNBC host Chris Hayes as he closed out the network 's 8pm hour .
Hayes was n't alone in criticizing the march to war from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Al Jazeera journalist Sana Saeed pointed out on Twitter that the power differentials between the two countries are n't being discussed in context by the U.S. media .
That 's a problem , Saeed said .
`` In case it 's being lost in the jingoism : Iran and the US are not equal partners , '' said Saeed .
`` Not in the world , not in violence ; their relationship is asymmetrical because one actually has the power to crumble the other and has used that power for decades to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians at risk in the latest eruption of tensions between the two countries are , of course , Iraqis .
The country 's decades-long oppression under the American boot was noted by peace advocacy group CodePink .
`` The only casualties reported at the Al Asad base so far are Iraqis , '' CodePink tweeted .
`` After decades of U.S.-imposed sanctions , occupation , and attacks on Iraq , the nightmare continues for the Iraqi people as their country is used as a battleground . ''
Progressives geared up for a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday—social media was abuzz with users sharing `` No War With Iran '' and associated hashtags and images .
But the left was n't losing sight of the real enemy in the march to war .
`` Trump did this , '' tweeted author Stephen King .
`` It 's all on Donald Trump . ''
Medea Benjamin , co-founder of CodePink , also took to Twitter to fault the president for his aggressive actions toward Iran .
`` This is Trump 's war against Iran , '' said Benjamin .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a Trump-manufactured war . ''
`` This is Trump 's war , '' she added .
`` Do n't forget it . ''

Even as President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday night that "all is well" with regard to Iranian strikes at a U.S. military base in Iraq, angry and frustrated progressives hit back at the U.S. leader's reckless drive to war.
"The American people do not want a war with Iran," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told a presidential campaign rally crowd in Brooklyn shortly after the strikes.
Around a dozen Iranian missiles—launched in retaliation for Trump's order last week to assassinate Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani—hit the al-Asad U.S. airbase Tuesday night.
Trump's decisions, that have now put the two nations squarely on the brink of outright war, have infuriated progressives opposed to escalated conflict with Iran.
"I just want to say this very clearly, that a war with Iran is madness, and it is strategically and morally a disaster in the making, and don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise," said MSNBC host Chris Hayes as he closed out the network's 8pm hour.
WATCH: @chrislhayes ends @allinwithchris with this message: "A war with Iran is madness, and it is strategically and morally a disaster in the making. And don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise." #inners pic.twitter.com/l6LIkekzv2 — All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) January 8, 2020
Hayes wasn't alone in criticizing the march to war from the U.S. military establishment and its media allies. Al Jazeera journalist Sana Saeed pointed out on Twitter that the power differentials between the two countries aren't being discussed in context by the U.S. media. That's a problem, Saeed said.
"In case it's being lost in the jingoism: Iran and the US are not equal partners," said Saeed. "Not in the world, not in violence; their relationship is asymmetrical because one actually has the power to crumble the other and has used that power for decades to hurt innocent civilians."
The innocent civilians at risk in the latest eruption of tensions between the two countries are, of course, Iraqis. The country's decades-long oppression under the American boot was noted by peace advocacy group CodePink.
"The only casualties reported at the Al Asad base so far are Iraqis," CodePink tweeted. "After decades of U.S.-imposed sanctions, occupation, and attacks on Iraq, the nightmare continues for the Iraqi people as their country is used as a battleground."
Progressives geared up for a day of protest on Thursday—as Common Dreams reported on Tuesday—social media was abuzz with users sharing "No War With Iran" and associated hashtags and images.
No war with Iran. Pass it the hell on. — Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) January 8, 2020
But the left wasn't losing sight of the real enemy in the march to war.
"Trump did this," tweeted author Stephen King. "It's all on Donald Trump."
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink, also took to Twitter to fault the president for his aggressive actions toward Iran.
"This is Trump's war against Iran," said Benjamin. "This is a Trump-provoked war. This is a Trump-manufactured war."
"This is Trump's war," she added. "Don't forget it."
Republished from Common Dreams (Eoin Higgins, staff writer) under a Creative Commons License.


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Senator Tammy Duckworth: Trump Is A Draft-Dodging Playground Bully

Tammy Duckworth is a wounded warrior and mother to a toddler .
She does n't stand down .
Today on the Senate floor , she went after Donald Trump and his incompetence .
SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH ( D-IL ) : I would like to speak on the attack on Iran .
Quote , `` All is well . ''
That 's what Donald Trump said just hours after a dozen missiles were fired at two US military bases last night .
That 's what he said as thousands of troops are readying to deploy to the Middle East , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American flag on your shoulder gets more dangerous by the day .
That 's what he said as our nation careens toward a wreckless unauthorized war of his own making .
Borne out of his illiteracy in matters ranging from foreign policy , to common sense .
Donald Trump never deigned to put on the uniform of this great nation , using his father 's money to buy his way out of military service , when his country needed him in Vietnam .
Let me make something clear to Donald Trump : all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the horizon just because you wanted to look like the toughest kid on the playground .
I 'm incredibly grateful that no Americans were killed last night in Iran 's rebuttal attack .
But some missed missiles should be no cause for celebration for the president .
Just because there were n't fatalities yesterday , does n't mean there wo n't be any tragedies tomorrow .
Tuesday on Rachel Maddow 's show , Duckworth compared Trump ( unfavorably ) to her 20-month-old baby .

Tammy Duckworth is a wounded warrior and mother to a toddler. She doesn't stand down. Today on the Senate floor, she went after Donald Trump and his incompetence.
SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D-IL): I would like to speak on the attack on Iran. Quote, "All is well." That's what Donald Trump said just hours after a dozen missiles were fired at two US military bases last night. That's what he said as thousands of troops are readying to deploy to the Middle East, to a hotbed of anger where wearing an American flag on your shoulder gets more dangerous by the day. That's what he said as our nation careens toward a wreckless unauthorized war of his own making. Borne out of his illiteracy in matters ranging from foreign policy, to common sense. Donald Trump never deigned to put on the uniform of this great nation, using his father's money to buy his way out of military service, when his country needed him in Vietnam. Let me make something clear to Donald Trump: all is certainly not well when war is on the horizon just because you wanted to look like the toughest kid on the playground. I'm incredibly grateful that no Americans were killed last night in Iran's rebuttal attack. But some missed missiles should be no cause for celebration for the president. Just because there weren't fatalities yesterday, doesn't mean there won't be any tragedies tomorrow.
Tuesday on Rachel Maddow's show, Duckworth compared Trump (unfavorably) to her 20-month-old baby.


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Why 'Adderall' Is Trending On Twitter

Why 'Adderall' Is Trending On Twitter

You can tell it 's an election year , the Donald J. Trump empty podium on television in half-hour segments @ @ @ @ @ And after his `` speech '' Adderall started trending on Twitter .
You may recall @ @ @ @ @ staffer Noel Casler in which he spoke out about Trump 's Adderall snorting on the @ @ @ @ @ Apprentice .
Trump is on drugs , whether we want to face it or not @ @ @ @ @ addict and has been addicted to speed for decades .
Benzo ’ s figure in @ @ @ @ @ Sudafed he takes to control those sniffles and for the buzz .
This was NO @ @ @ @ @ @ realDonaldTrump https : //t.co/2du3zp6i0t Trump sure did sniff a lot during his appearance this @ @

You can tell it's an election year, the Donald J. Trump empty podium on television in half-hour segments is a thing again.
This is *25* mins after this address was due to begin. Trump is still tricking networks into showing his empty podium endlessly - let’s do better everybody. pic.twitter.com/EdJZHVoTi2 — Doug Landry (@dougblandry) January 8, 2020
And after his "speech" Adderall started trending on Twitter.
You may recall the bombshell interview by ex-Apprentice staffer Noel Casler in which he spoke out about Trump's Adderall snorting on the set of NBC's The Apprentice.
Trump is on drugs, whether we want to face it or not, he is an Adderall addict and has been addicted to speed for decades. Benzo’s figure in as well as the UK Sudafed he takes to control those sniffles and for the buzz. This was NO secret in TV Production. @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/2du3zp6i0t — NoelCaslerComedy (@CaslerNoel) January 8, 2020
Trump sure did sniff a lot during his appearance this morning.
As a person with ADHD who takes Adderall, I'd just like to say that I don't slur my words and would never have toilerayted any drug that made me do so. https://t.co/YNe0qPeM1H — Kendally Brown (@kendallybrown) January 8, 2020
Trump's appearance was shocking: barely cognizant, slurring words, tongue protruding, leaning on podium for support, clearly drugged-out with massively dilated pupils from his years of Adderall and ephedrine addiction https://t.co/hz5gP5Wd0n — Risky Liberal (@RiskyLiberal) January 8, 2020
Are his dentures loose? What’s with the sniffing? Is he still an adderall junkie? Why can’t he pronounce words properly? What’s with his tongue thing? Is he fiending? 🤮 pic.twitter.com/j3BU3cDd4A — Angela Melini (@angelamelini) January 8, 2020
UPDATE: A mashup of the sniffs:


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--A Refresher Course On The AUMF: John Avlon Explains

John Avlon does a Reality Check segment on our old war buddy , the AUMF .
`` So wars are easy to get into , but difficult to get out of .
To see if you can follow how we got to this moment , the White House says that President Trump killed an Iranian general in Iraq five days ago under authority granted to him by a 17-year-old congressional resolution authorizing war in Iraq based on an attack on our soil carried out by terrorists who were mostly from Saudi Arabia .
Clear as mud , right ?
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the 2002 AUMF -- or authorization use of military force -- to pursue their own agendas .
Now they are pushing to limit Trump 's power to wage war in Iran before he uses the AUMF .
It 's trying to put a horse back in the barn after they 've left the door open for years .
Less than a decade ago , Republicans loved to call themselves constitutional conservatives and President Trump promised he loved it more than anything .
It 's all about the constitution .
and so important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was meant to be .
`` The way it was meant to be .
Given that the constitution gives Congress , not the president , sole authority to declare war , it might shock you to know that the last time Congress actually declared war was in 1942 against Romania in the middle of the second World War .
but with Vietnam came the 1973 War Powers Act , which was designed to rein in President Nixon 's actions in Cambodia .
Since then , all of America 's wars have started with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 , Congress did just that against those who planned , authorized , committed or aided the attacks .
That 's Al Qaeda .
Here 's where it gets sticky .
The sentence continues 'or harbored such organizations or persons in order to prevent any future attacks . '
Get this .
Only one member of Congress , Barbara Lee , voted against the 2001 AUMF .
And she may have had a point because the 2018 congressional report says it 's been used by three presidents to justify 41 actions in at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Y -- Afghanistan to Yemen .
`` Skip ahead to today and you can see why Vice President Pence tweeted some of the 9/11 hijackers traveled through Iran .
Remember that harboring part .
Or the administration saying that General Soleimani was planning imminent attacks .
That future part .
Or Secretary of State Pompeo , back in April , claiming that Iran and Al Qaeda were connected .
`` No doubt there 's a connection between the Islamic republic of Iran and Al Qaeda .
Period .
Full stop .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be so tempted to rely on these AUMFs .
Remember the last time a president tried to wage war the right way and go through Congress ?
It was Obama 's infamous Syria red line .
And when Assad leapfrogged that , Obama went to congress asking for AUMF but neither the House nor Senate voted on it .
There were n't enough votes and Obama still gets hit over the head for allowing Assad to cross his red line .
`` So damned if you , do damned if you do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country and its key allies when needed but if we truly love the Constitution as much as politicians say they do , Congress should stop advocating its war powers when it 's politically convenient .
And that 's your reality check . ''

John Avlon does a Reality Check segment on our old war buddy, the AUMF.
"So wars are easy to get into, but difficult to get out of. To see if you can follow how we got to this moment, the White House says that President Trump killed an Iranian general in Iraq five days ago under authority granted to him by a 17-year-old congressional resolution authorizing war in Iraq based on an attack on our soil carried out by terrorists who were mostly from Saudi Arabia. Clear as mud, right?
"Well, presidents from both parties have used the 2002 AUMF -- or authorization use of military force -- to pursue their own agendas. Now they are pushing to limit Trump's power to wage war in Iran before he uses the AUMF. It's trying to put a horse back in the barn after they've left the door open for years. Less than a decade ago, Republicans loved to call themselves constitutional conservatives and President Trump promised he loved it more than anything.
It's all about the constitution. and so important. The constitution, the way it was meant to be.
"The way it was meant to be. Given that the constitution gives Congress, not the president, sole authority to declare war, it might shock you to know that the last time Congress actually declared war was in 1942 against Romania in the middle of the second World War. but with Vietnam came the 1973 War Powers Act, which was designed to rein in President Nixon's actions in Cambodia. Since then, all of America's wars have started with these authorizations are force.
"After 9/11, Congress did just that against those who planned, authorized, committed or aided the attacks. That's Al Qaeda. Here's where it gets sticky. The sentence continues 'or harbored such organizations or persons in order to prevent any future attacks.' Get this. Only one member of Congress, Barbara Lee, voted against the 2001 AUMF. And she may have had a point because the 2018 congressional report says it's been used by three presidents to justify 41 actions in at least 19 countries, literally from A to Y -- Afghanistan to Yemen.
"Skip ahead to today and you can see why Vice President Pence tweeted some of the 9/11 hijackers traveled through Iran. Remember that harboring part. Or the administration saying that General Soleimani was planning imminent attacks. That future part. Or Secretary of State Pompeo, back in April, claiming that Iran and Al Qaeda were connected.
"No doubt there's a connection between the Islamic republic of Iran and Al Qaeda. Period. Full stop. But there's a reason why presidents may be so tempted to rely on these AUMFs. Remember the last time a president tried to wage war the right way and go through Congress? It was Obama's infamous Syria red line. And when Assad leapfrogged that, Obama went to congress asking for AUMF but neither the House nor Senate voted on it. There weren't enough votes and Obama still gets hit over the head for allowing Assad to cross his red line.
"So damned if you, do damned if you don't. Presidents need the flexibility to defend our country and its key allies when needed but if we truly love the Constitution as much as politicians say they do, Congress should stop advocating its war powers when it's politically convenient. And that's your reality check."


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Wisconsin Republicans Block Any Trump Challengers From Appearing On Ballot

Wisconsin will hold their April primary , unlike some other states that wo n't even bother .
There 's just one catch : only one name will appear on the ballot .
And if that sounds wacked to you , welcome to the bizarro world of Republican politics where democracy is just a dirty word .
Former congressman Joe Walsh , and longshot challenger , called the move `` bullshit '' , and it 's hard to disagree with his assessment about that .
MADISON , Wis. —Wisconsin Republicans and Democrats solidified Tuesday who will appear on the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican candidates are fuming .
Republicans decided to only list President Donald Trump 's name on the April 7 primary ballot , leaving out two other Republicans running against Trump : former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh and former Massachusetts Gov .
Bill Weld .
`` I 'm pissed off , '' Walsh told WISN 12 News while campaigning in New Hampshire .
`` I ’ m on the ballot in California and Texas but not Wisconsin .
Florida , but not Wisconsin .
How much sense does that make ?
That 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a bunch of B.S .
The Wisconsin party chairman is on his knees right now kissing Donald Trump 's feet . ''
Per state law , the Wisconsin Presidential Preference Selection Committee has the sole discretion to determine who appears on the ballot based upon candidates who are `` generally advocated or recognized in the national news media throughout the United States . ''

Wisconsin will hold their April primary, unlike some other states that won't even bother. There's just one catch: only one name will appear on the ballot. And if that sounds wacked to you, welcome to the bizarro world of Republican politics where democracy is just a dirty word.
Former congressman Joe Walsh, and longshot challenger, called the move "bullshit", and it's hard to disagree with his assessment about that.
Source: WISN


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Scarborough: 'Hard To Believe' Trump Didn't Talk To Putin Before Iran Attack

Joe Scarborough pointed out the obvious : It 's highly unlikely Trump launched attacks without talking first to his pal Vlad .
`` It is interesting you brought up Vladimir Putin because when I said I suspected that the president spoke to a third party , Richard Haas , it would be hard to believe that Donald Trump would launch attacks into Iran without speaking first to Vladimir Putin , considering that he has deferred to the Russian president on Syria , he has deferred to the Russian president on removing troops from that area , he has deferred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has deferred to the Russian president on most geopolitical questions that impacted the Russians .
This would obviously lie at the heart of Vladimir Putin 's interests since Iran has long been seen by Putin as a client state of Russia , '' he said .
`` So Jon Meachum , bringing us the Cuban missile crisis I do n't think is melodramatic .
The stakes may not have been quite as high last night but if things had gone badly last night -- and , again , they still can today as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have led to catastrophic consequences . ''
Meachum pointed out that Russia is now the primary power in the Middle East .
`` They are now the only country that talks to Saudi Arabia , Iran , Israel , Syria .
Putin has basically positioned himself in a unique space diplomatically .
Whether we spoke to him or not , it 's quite possible we did , I think it 's just important to remember no one else has the access to all the parties to tamp down a crisis if indeed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other point is that in all these crises and the other thing that came to mind to me was also the Gulf War , when something happens -- then it was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait -- what you want to do is slow down the pace of decision-making , you want to build some time into the loop between one side 's action and the other side 's reaction , '' he said .
`` And to me the most promising takeaway from the last 24 hours is just that , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been built into the loop to slow down the action/reaction cycle so you clarify what exactly happened , what was the fog of war as opposed to what actually did .
To give the other side a little bit of chance to reassess , to think through .
everybody has multiple constituencies here , their own public , other publics .
So to me the one promising sign was we slightly turned down the speed of this crisis and that to me has got to be one of the goals to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Joe Scarborough pointed out the obvious: It's highly unlikely Trump launched attacks without talking first to his pal Vlad.
"It is interesting you brought up Vladimir Putin because when I said I suspected that the president spoke to a third party, Richard Haas, it would be hard to believe that Donald Trump would launch attacks into Iran without speaking first to Vladimir Putin, considering that he has deferred to the Russian president on Syria, he has deferred to the Russian president on removing troops from that area, he has deferred to the Russian president on Ukraine, he has deferred to the Russian president on most geopolitical questions that impacted the Russians. This would obviously lie at the heart of Vladimir Putin's interests since Iran has long been seen by Putin as a client state of Russia," he said.
"So Jon Meachum, bringing us the Cuban missile crisis I don't think is melodramatic. The stakes may not have been quite as high last night but if things had gone badly last night -- and, again, they still can today as we're all saying -- it could have led to catastrophic consequences."
Meachum pointed out that Russia is now the primary power in the Middle East.
"They are now the only country that talks to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Syria. Putin has basically positioned himself in a unique space diplomatically. Whether we spoke to him or not, it's quite possible we did, I think it's just important to remember no one else has the access to all the parties to tamp down a crisis if indeed that's what he did, and the other point is that in all these crises and the other thing that came to mind to me was also the Gulf War, when something happens -- then it was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait -- what you want to do is slow down the pace of decision-making, you want to build some time into the loop between one side's action and the other side's reaction," he said.
"And to me the most promising takeaway from the last 24 hours is just that, that a little bit of time seems to have been built into the loop to slow down the action/reaction cycle so you clarify what exactly happened, what was the fog of war as opposed to what actually did. To give the other side a little bit of chance to reassess, to think through. everybody has multiple constituencies here, their own public, other publics. So to me the one promising sign was we slightly turned down the speed of this crisis and that to me has got to be one of the goals to not to allow it to speed up."


crooksandliars--2020-01-08--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

No More Mister Nice Blog : Sorry , Frank Rich , but the arc of Republican justice actually goes full @ @ @ @ @ , Gwyneth Paltrow , but Americans shouldn ’ t buy what you ’ re pushing @ @ @ @ @ re pushing it .
Mahablog : Sorry , Donald Trump , but America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ are unraveling faster than you can lie about them .
Jezebel : Sorry , Donald @ @ @ @ @ of armed Crusaders against the Clintons is dangerously stupid .
Speaking of which , your @ @ @ @ @ `` You lie . ''
( Palmetto State Armory , words imprinted on its special @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson ’ s slanderous outburst towards President Obama , 2009 .
@ @ @ @ @ Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips , @ @ @ @ @ to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com .

No More Mister Nice Blog: Sorry, Frank Rich, but the arc of Republican justice actually goes full circle.
Pharyngula: Sorry, Gwyneth Paltrow, but Americans shouldn’t buy what you’re pushing, especially where you’re pushing it.
Mahablog: Sorry, Donald Trump, but America’s policies towards Iran and Iraq are unraveling faster than you can lie about them.
Jezebel: Sorry, Donald Junior, but the idea of armed Crusaders against the Clintons is dangerously stupid.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"You lie." (Palmetto State Armory, words imprinted on its special AR-15 lower receiver to honor South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson’s slanderous outburst towards President Obama, 2009.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-01-09--When College Republicans Unite With The Alt-Right, What Could Go Wrong?

Campus conservatives have been splitting into pro-Trump and establishment factions for a while now , but the emergence of the alt-right faction as a campus phenomenon has intensified over the past year .
In the case of UW ’ s College Republicans , moreover , the rising influence of the alt-right has created problems since the Trump election .
On the day of Trump ’ s inauguration—January 20 , 2017—the chapter hosted a speaking event by alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos at UW ’ s Kane Hall that attracted a large crowd of protesters who clashed violently with attendees .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan had shot and nearly killed an antifascist trying to prevent her husband from using pepper spray on the crowd .
The invitation to Yiannopoulos was extended by the faction of ardently pro-Trump students who had taken over the chapter during the fall of 2016 , particularly Swanson .
The following spring , Swanson and a student from Yakima named Jack Pickett competed for the chapter presidency ; Swanson won .
Pickett told Daily Kos that he had been dismayed by the invitation to Yiannopoulos and the fallout from the violence that resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was being run in a way that promoted the mission of recruiting young folks on our campus to the Republican Party , ” he said .
“ I was really concerned about some of the rhetoric and behavior that was being used by the leadership.
” The earlier violence created problems for the UW College Republicans ’ next planned event—an invitation to the far-right group Patriot Prayer and its leader , Joey Gibson , who had been organizing violent far-right rallies throughout the Pacific Northwest over the previous year .
UW officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs for the Feb. 10 , 2018 , event .
The Young Republicans chapter filed a lawsuit against the university , claiming the bond was an onerous imposition on their free-speech rights ; the day before the rally , a federal judge blocked UW from imposing the fee .
At the rally , Swanson spoke to the crowd and complained about the attempted fee .
“ They ’ re forcing us to pay for their violence , ” he said , pointing at the crowd of counterprotesters .
Gibson also spoke to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tusitala “ Tiny ” Toese and a number of others who wanted to have a word on behalf of “ free speech.
” Gibson urged the crowd to “ take back Washington from Seattle .
Ninety percent of the state is conservative , but they have lost their faith .
They have lost their faith , they have lost their hope , they have stopped voting , they have stopped running for office , they have stopped being activists .
I have seen it .
I know several Patriots who are leaving Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith .
… We got ta take back this state , otherwise , you won ’ t even be allowed to own a gun !
” he warned .
Among the participants in that rally were members of the Cascade Legion , a self-described “ self-defense ” group organized by a noted white nationalist , Christopher Buck Robertson .
Members of the neo-Nazi “ Stormer Book Club ” drove up from Oregon , donned American flag masks , and menaced the crowd of protesters .
James Allsup also was a visible presence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximize their publicity , with Swanson appearing regularly on the radio talk show of right-wing pundit Jason Rantz of KTTH-AM , including a “ Beers for Brett ” gathering to celebrate the ascension of Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court that produced a disinvitation from the tavern ’ s owner .
Interviews with Swanson are also featured in a current right-wing Prager University-produced “ documentary ” about campus “ political correctness ” titled No Safe Spaces , in which he describes his court victory over UW for the security fee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News to promote the film .
Swanson also later boasted online that he had purchased guns for himself with the proceeds from the lawsuit against UW .
The “ Affirmative Action Bake Sale ” that Swanson and his cohorts organized in May 2019 was the group ’ s final grab for publicity .
Goods at the bake sale were priced according to race and gender ; Asian goodies were priced the highest , at $ 1.50 , while African American confections were 50 cents , and Native American items were free .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going badly for UWCR .
In April 2018 , the Washington College Republican Federation—where Jack Pickett had managed to win election the previous year—revoked the UW chapter ’ s chapter for “ conduct unbecoming a chapter.
” The national version , the College Republican National Committee ( CRNC ) , followed suit and revoked the UW group ’ s charter later that year .
In spite of the loss of official recognition , however , the University of Washington continued to confer Registered Student Organization ( RSO ) status on Swanson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of national officials .
In October , Chandler Thornton , the national chairman of the CRNC , wrote to university officials asking them to decertify UWCR and to recognize the new group , the Pickett-led Husky College Republicans , as an RSO .
“ The fact remains that the [ UWCR ] continues to engage in hurtful and inappropriate conduct , ” Thornton wrote .
UW officials responded in short order , agreeing to the change immediately .
That ’ s about when the threats began , though Swanson had already taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hammer fell : “ Members of the Republican Party are explicitly after my politics and my career , ” he wrote on Instagram in September .
“ These people are ridiculous and completely evil.
” A little later , he added : “ The people who want to deplatform you via lies are evil .
Treat them how you treat truly evil people.
” Finally : “ I can ’ t wait till we Round Up and shoot all of the people who have been using the ‘ Trump supporters are racists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a raft of similarly violent chatter from Swanson—particularly posting a photo , just before Halloween , of himself dressed up as The Joker , with Jack Pickett ’ s name overlaid on the photo 24 times—Pickett decided the threats had gone too far , and went to court in mid-November to obtain a restraining order against Swanson .
Pickett said he considered the meme a threat , and chose to spend that weekend with his family in Yakima .
Swanson had not re-enrolled at UW ( or any other school ) last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media he was looking for work .
On Nov. 18 , King County District Court Judge Susan Mahoney agreed to issue a temporary restraining order against Swanson .
As a result , he was ordered to surrender the firearms he had boasted of purchasing .
The legal problems appear to have created other issues for Swanson .
On Facebook , he complained to friends that he had been fired from his last job in information security “ because they found out I was a republican/right winger ” and that “ the constant smearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google results for me to become a very poor representation of myself or my views .
I never really expected this to be an issue because my activism has never really been the crazy extremist stuff that some people on the far left have tried to claim , ” he wrote .
However , Swanson remained defiant after the temporary restraining order , even as hearings continued on whether or not to make the order permanent .
On his Instagram account , he posted pages from the court document , telling his readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” buried in the judge ’ s order .
So when he went before the same judge Dec. 16 for a hearing on Swanson ’ s request for an extension in order to obtain legal counsel , he found himself in very hot legal water .
Judge Mahoney made clear that she was not pleased with Swanson ’ s approach to the case .
“ You ’ re a young man , and I don ’ t know that you—I ’ m not saying that ultimately this order will be issued , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think you understand the peril you are in at this moment in time , and how significant this is .
In the meantime , I would probably suggest using better judgment on ‘ here ’ s some funny things from the court.
’ Because I can tell you , sir , that I sit here every day and I take very seriously what I do , and if I write a court order it ’ s usually not to be funny .
And so that ’ s not really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed .
Swanson ’ s next court date is scheduled for later this month .

Campus conservatives have been splitting into pro-Trump and establishment factions for a while now, but the emergence of the alt-right faction as a campus phenomenon has intensified over the past year. In the case of UW’s College Republicans, moreover, the rising influence of the alt-right has created problems since the Trump election.
On the day of Trump’s inauguration—January 20, 2017—the chapter hosted a speaking event by alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos at UW’s Kane Hall that attracted a large crowd of protesters who clashed violently with attendees. Before the night was over, a Milo fan had shot and nearly killed an antifascist trying to prevent her husband from using pepper spray on the crowd.
The invitation to Yiannopoulos was extended by the faction of ardently pro-Trump students who had taken over the chapter during the fall of 2016, particularly Swanson. The following spring, Swanson and a student from Yakima named Jack Pickett competed for the chapter presidency; Swanson won.
Pickett told Daily Kos that he had been dismayed by the invitation to Yiannopoulos and the fallout from the violence that resulted. “I didn’t think it was being run in a way that promoted the mission of recruiting young folks on our campus to the Republican Party,” he said. “I was really concerned about some of the rhetoric and behavior that was being used by the leadership.”
The earlier violence created problems for the UW College Republicans’ next planned event—an invitation to the far-right group Patriot Prayer and its leader, Joey Gibson, who had been organizing violent far-right rallies throughout the Pacific Northwest over the previous year. UW officials demanded a $17,000 bond for security costs for the Feb. 10, 2018, event. The Young Republicans chapter filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming the bond was an onerous imposition on their free-speech rights; the day before the rally, a federal judge blocked UW from imposing the fee.
At the rally, Swanson spoke to the crowd and complained about the attempted fee. “They’re forcing us to pay for their violence,” he said, pointing at the crowd of counterprotesters.
Gibson also spoke to the small crowd of supporters, along with Tusitala “Tiny” Toese and a number of others who wanted to have a word on behalf of “free speech.” Gibson urged the crowd to “take back Washington from Seattle. Ninety percent of the state is conservative, but they have lost their faith. They have lost their faith, they have lost their hope, they have stopped voting, they have stopped running for office, they have stopped being activists. I have seen it. I know several Patriots who are leaving Washington state, because they have lost their faith. … We gotta take back this state, otherwise, you won’t even be allowed to own a gun!” he warned.
Members of the “Stormer Book Club” participating in the UW College Republicans event in February 2018.
Among the participants in that rally were members of the Cascade Legion, a self-described “self-defense” group organized by a noted white nationalist, Christopher Buck Robertson. Members of the neo-Nazi “Stormer Book Club” drove up from Oregon, donned American flag masks, and menaced the crowd of protesters. James Allsup also was a visible presence.
The group continued pulling stunts intended to maximize their publicity, with Swanson appearing regularly on the radio talk show of right-wing pundit Jason Rantz of KTTH-AM, including a “Beers for Brett” gathering to celebrate the ascension of Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court that produced a disinvitation from the tavern’s owner.
Interviews with Swanson are also featured in a current right-wing Prager University-produced “documentary” about campus “political correctness” titled No Safe Spaces, in which he describes his court victory over UW for the security fee. He made an appearance on Fox News to promote the film.
Swanson also later boasted online that he had purchased guns for himself with the proceeds from the lawsuit against UW.
The “Affirmative Action Bake Sale” that Swanson and his cohorts organized in May 2019 was the group’s final grab for publicity. Goods at the bake sale were priced according to race and gender; Asian goodies were priced the highest, at $1.50, while African American confections were 50 cents, and Native American items were free.
However, behind the scenes, things were going badly for UWCR. In April 2018, the Washington College Republican Federation—where Jack Pickett had managed to win election the previous year—revoked the UW chapter’s chapter for “conduct unbecoming a chapter.” The national version, the College Republican National Committee (CRNC), followed suit and revoked the UW group’s charter later that year.
In spite of the loss of official recognition, however, the University of Washington continued to confer Registered Student Organization (RSO) status on Swanson’s group. This eventually reached the attention of national officials. In October, Chandler Thornton, the national chairman of the CRNC, wrote to university officials asking them to decertify UWCR and to recognize the new group, the Pickett-led Husky College Republicans, as an RSO.
“The fact remains that the [UWCR] continues to engage in hurtful and inappropriate conduct,” Thornton wrote. UW officials responded in short order, agreeing to the change immediately.
That’s about when the threats began, though Swanson had already taken to lashing out on social media even before the hammer fell: “Members of the Republican Party are explicitly after my politics and my career,” he wrote on Instagram in September. “These people are ridiculous and completely evil.”
A little later, he added: “The people who want to deplatform you via lies are evil. Treat them how you treat truly evil people.”
Finally: “I can’t wait till we Round Up and shoot all of the people who have been using the ‘Trump supporters are racists’ line to ruin lives.”
Combined with a raft of similarly violent chatter from Swanson—particularly posting a photo, just before Halloween, of himself dressed up as The Joker, with Jack Pickett’s name overlaid on the photo 24 times—Pickett decided the threats had gone too far, and went to court in mid-November to obtain a restraining order against Swanson. Pickett said he considered the meme a threat, and chose to spend that weekend with his family in Yakima.
Swanson had not re-enrolled at UW (or any other school) last fall and told his friends on social media he was looking for work.
On Nov. 18, King County District Court Judge Susan Mahoney agreed to issue a temporary restraining order against Swanson. As a result, he was ordered to surrender the firearms he had boasted of purchasing.
The legal problems appear to have created other issues for Swanson. On Facebook, he complained to friends that he had been fired from his last job in information security “because they found out I was a republican/right winger” and that “the constant smearing by local papers … has caused the Google results for me to become a very poor representation of myself or my views. I never really expected this to be an issue because my activism has never really been the crazy extremist stuff that some people on the far left have tried to claim,” he wrote.
However, Swanson remained defiant after the temporary restraining order, even as hearings continued on whether or not to make the order permanent. On his Instagram account, he posted pages from the court document, telling his readers they could find “some funny content” buried in the judge’s order.
So when he went before the same judge Dec. 16 for a hearing on Swanson’s request for an extension in order to obtain legal counsel, he found himself in very hot legal water. Judge Mahoney made clear that she was not pleased with Swanson’s approach to the case.
“You’re a young man, and I don’t know that you—I’m not saying that ultimately this order will be issued,” she told Swanson sternly, “but I don’t think you understand the peril you are in at this moment in time, and how significant this is. In the meantime, I would probably suggest using better judgment on ‘here’s some funny things from the court.’ Because I can tell you, sir, that I sit here every day and I take very seriously what I do, and if I write a court order it’s usually not to be funny. And so that’s not really showing very good judgment.” Swanson meekly agreed.
Swanson’s next court date is scheduled for later this month.
Republished with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-01-09--Trump: 'I Give Up My Salary...I Give It Mostly To Drugs'

During a wild lie-fest otherwise referred to as a Trump press conference , the so-called president riffed on many subjects , all of them full of lies , all of them centered on himself , and at least one of them funny enough to remember .
There was really very little to laugh at .
Trump claimed the JCPOA is expiring .
It is n't .
Without offering a shred of evidence , he said that Iran was looking to blow up the embassy in Tehran .
Lies about NATO , the usual deflections on global warming , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment that got a guffaw from me .
When asked whether he would self-fund his 2020 campaign so as to not take outside money , Trump quickly changed the subject to his salary , and how he gives it away .
`` I spent a lot of my own money , '' Trump said before wondering aloud if it was necessary since no one actually knew he was spending it .
He then changed the subject to his presidential salary .
`` For instance , I gave up my salary - It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` I give it up . ''
`` It goes to -- usually I give it to drugs , '' he added .
Go ahead .
Laugh .
I did .
After all , these are the Adderall days and sundowner nights , are they not ?
I 'm sure he was n't confessing to his amphetamine addiction , but was instead referring to anti-opioid programs .
But it 's still funny as hell .

During a wild lie-fest otherwise referred to as a Trump press conference, the so-called president riffed on many subjects, all of them full of lies, all of them centered on himself, and at least one of them funny enough to remember.
There was really very little to laugh at. Trump claimed the JCPOA is expiring. It isn't. Without offering a shred of evidence, he said that Iran was looking to blow up embassies1 the embassy in Tehran . Lies about NATO, the usual deflections on global warming, and more.
That said, there was one moment that got a guffaw from me. When asked whether he would self-fund his 2020 campaign so as to not take outside money, Trump quickly changed the subject to his salary, and how he gives it away.
"I spent a lot of my own money," Trump said before wondering aloud if it was necessary since no one actually knew he was spending it.
He then changed the subject to his presidential salary. "For instance, I gave up my salary - It's 450,000 approximately 450,000 presidential salary," he said. "I give it up."
"It goes to -- usually I give it to drugs," he added.
Go ahead. Laugh. I did. After all, these are the Adderall days and sundowner nights, are they not?
I'm sure he wasn't confessing to his amphetamine addiction, but was instead referring to anti-opioid programs. But it's still funny as hell.
1Edited to clarify Trump's vague comments about embassies


crooksandliars--2020-01-09--Tammy Duckworth Tears Into Doug Collins: 'I Left Parts Of My Body In Iraq'

Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-IL ) fired back at Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) on Thursday after he suggested @ @ @ @ @ During an interview with Duckworth on CNN , host Brianna Keilar noted that Collins had @ @ @ @ @ in love with terrorists ” because of their criticism over President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ general without consulting Congress .
“ I ’ m not going to justify that with @ @ @ @ @ replied .
“ I left parts of my body in Iraq fighting terrorists .
I @ @ @ @ @ justify myself to anyone.
” The Illinois senator went on to says she was also @ @ @ @ @ for using Gold Star families as a political “ pawn .
”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) fired back at Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) on Thursday after he suggested that Democrats support terrorists.
During an interview with Duckworth on CNN, host Brianna Keilar noted that Collins had accused Democrats of being “in love with terrorists” because of their criticism over President Donald Trump’s decision to kill an Iraqi general without consulting Congress.
“I’m not going to justify that with a response,” Duckworth replied. “I left parts of my body in Iraq fighting terrorists. I don’t need to justify myself to anyone.”
The Illinois senator went on to says she was also “disgusted” with Collins for using Gold Star families as a political “pawn.”


crooksandliars--2020-01-09--Trouble On State TV: Hannity Cancels Anti-War Pundit Geraldo Rivera

Geraldo Rivera has been a rather strong voice of resistance against war with Iran but he was persona non grata @ @ @ @ @ show , presumably because of the Iran missile strikes against U.S. bases .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ heated argument with Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade after he said he was `` @ @ @ @ @ of war with Iran .
( Rivera later apologized to Kilmeade , calling himself Kilmeade @ @ @ @ @ '' ) But while Rivera assiduously continues to praise Trump , he also continues to @ @ @ @ @ Iran .
But , apparently , that was too much dissent for Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
If you ask me , restraint was needed more than ever Tuesday .
But @ @ @ @ @ it was an opportunity to dream of a bigger , more destructive conflict .

Geraldo Rivera has been a rather strong voice of resistance against war with Iran but he was persona non grata last night on the Hannity show, presumably because of the Iran missile strikes against U.S. bases.
Last week, Rivera got into a heated argument with Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade after he said he was "elated" at the prospect of war with Iran. (Rivera later apologized to Kilmeade, calling himself Kilmeade's "biggest fan.") But while Rivera assiduously continues to praise Trump, he also continues to promote restraint and diplomacy with Iran. But, apparently, that was too much dissent for Trump’s Bedtime BFF, Sean Hannity.
Tuesday, Rivera tweeted this:
Never mind Hannity just cancelled me https://t.co/ZMduJr85fe — Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) January 8, 2020
If you ask me, restraint was needed more than ever Tuesday. But to host Sean Hannity, it was an opportunity to dream of a bigger, more destructive conflict.
Published with permission of Newshounds.us


crooksandliars--2020-01-09--U.S. Intel Sources Conclude Passenger Plane Shot Down By Iranian Missile

U.S. intelligence sources are saying the Ukrainian jetliner that crashed Tuesday night , killing all 176 passengers onboard , was shot down by Iranian missiles .
According to Major Garrett , of CBS News : GARRETT : U.S. officials are confident that Iran shot down a Ukrainian jetliner in the hours after the Iranian missile attack on U.S. targets .
176 people were killed , including at least 63 Canadians .
This information is based on U.S. intelligence , which sources say picked up signals of a radar being turned on .
U.S. satellites also detected , we are told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly before the plane exploded .
U.S. investigators have not yet seen the information in the Black Box , nor have they been to the site to investigate , but Jeremy Bash told Andrea Mitchell that their radar and aviation systems may have `` picked up Iranian anti-aircraft activity on that same night . ''
The tragic irony , of course , is that these passengers — many of them students , many of them Iranians , families , non-combatants — would be alive had Trump not recklessly decided to assassinate Qasem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond with a face-saving attack on our military bases , triggering the high-alert of ALL the militaries in the region .
Furthermore , according to Ali Arouzi , an MSNBC reporter on the ground in Iran , Iranians will go out of their way to deny any responsibility for this plane crash .
AROUZI : Iranians are going to be very , very upset about this .
They 're going to say that they 're being framed again for something they have n't done from the very beginning they were saying this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rockets fired from Iran .
They 've been refuting all the claims that have been swirling around in this sort of rumor mill that a rocket or bomb went off on the plane .
They said they had some of their most highly prized students on board that plane and why would they shoot it down ?
Jeremy Bash emphasized that these are the dangers that come from escalating military actions , and warned that this is not over by any stretch of the imagination .
BASH : I think what this all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that during the fog of war , when there 's an exchange of fire , terrible things can unfold .
And what happened here is that we came to the brink of a military conflict , and I do n't believe we 're out of the woods yet , because Iran will turn to its surrogates and proxies , it 's terrorist cells , it 's cyberattacks , and we remain at a very dangerous moment here .
All is , most definitely , not well .
UPDATE : The missile was Iranian-owned @ @ @ @

U.S. intelligence sources are saying the Ukrainian jetliner that crashed Tuesday night, killing all 176 passengers onboard, was shot down by Iranian missiles. According to Major Garrett, of CBS News:
GARRETT: U.S. officials are confident that Iran shot down a Ukrainian jetliner in the hours after the Iranian missile attack on U.S. targets. 176 people were killed, including at least 63 Canadians. This information is based on U.S. intelligence, which sources say picked up signals of a radar being turned on. U.S. satellites also detected, we are told, two missile launches, which happened shortly before the plane exploded.
U.S. investigators have not yet seen the information in the Black Box, nor have they been to the site to investigate, but Jeremy Bash told Andrea Mitchell that their radar and aviation systems may have "picked up Iranian anti-aircraft activity on that same night." The tragic irony, of course, is that these passengers — many of them students, many of them Iranians, families, non-combatants — would be alive had Trump not recklessly decided to assassinate Qasem Soleimani. Iran wouldn't have felt compelled to respond with a face-saving attack on our military bases, triggering the high-alert of ALL the militaries in the region.
Furthermore, according to Ali Arouzi, an MSNBC reporter on the ground in Iran, Iranians will go out of their way to deny any responsibility for this plane crash.
AROUZI: Iranians are going to be very, very upset about this. They're going to say that they're being framed again for something they haven't done from the very beginning they were saying this was an accident. There were no rockets fired from Iran. They've been refuting all the claims that have been swirling around in this sort of rumor mill that a rocket or bomb went off on the plane. They said they had some of their most highly prized students on board that plane and why would they shoot it down?
Jeremy Bash emphasized that these are the dangers that come from escalating military actions, and warned that this is not over by any stretch of the imagination.
BASH: I think what this all points up to, Andrea, is that during the fog of war, when there's an exchange of fire, terrible things can unfold. And what happened here is that we came to the brink of a military conflict, and I don't believe we're out of the woods yet, because Iran will turn to its surrogates and proxies, it's terrorist cells, it's cyberattacks, and we remain at a very dangerous moment here.
All is, most definitely, not well.
UPDATE: The missile was Iranian-owned, but Russian-made: