crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Senate Intelligence Report Is A Stunning Exposé Of Trump Campaign's Collusion With Russia

A new 966-page report released Tuesday by the GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee reads like the bestselling spy thriller that the Special Counsel 's Russia investigation failed to deliver .
The new details are a simply stunning indictment of the Trump campaign 's ties to Russian government officials and intelligence operations suggesting that , at best , Trump campaign officials worked in close coordination with Russian operatives throughout much of the election .
At worst , the document could be viewed as evidence that the Trump campaign ultimately became a front for a Russian influence operation .
Of the many revelatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Intelligence Committee 's Russia report , the new information related to Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort are among the most damning of all .
Manafort 's central role in the campaign and proximity to Trump `` created opportunities for Russian intelligence services to exert influence over , and acquire confidential information on , the Trump Campaign , '' writes the committee .
In fact , the panel went a step further than Special Counsel Robert Mueller did in defining Manafort 's longtime associate and close ally Konstantin Kilimnik as a Russian intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence officer , '' stated the report .
`` Kilimnik became an integral part of Manafort 's operations in Ukraine and Russia ... Kilimnik and Manafort formed a close and lasting relationship that endured to the 2016 U.S. elections and beyond . ''
Overall , the committee admits that much of the communication between Manafort and Kilimnik during the election remains a mystery , as is their involvement in the Russian GRU intelligence agency 's `` hack-and-leak operation '' targeting the 2016 elections .
The report says the Senate panel obtained `` some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved the GRU 's hack attack .
It also states it found `` two pieces of information '' that `` raise the possibility of Manafort 's potential connection to the hack-and-leak operations . ''
But most of the rest of that section is redacted .
But before joining the Trump campaign in March 2016 and throughout his time on the campaign , Manafort `` directly and indirectly communicated '' with Kilimnik , Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska , and pro-Russian oligarchs in Ukraine .
On numerous occasions , the panel writes , `` Manafort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kilimnik , '' including polling data and the campaign 's strategy for defeating Hillary Clinton .
`` Taken as a whole , Manafort 's high level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services , particularly Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska , represented a grave counterintelligence threat , '' writes the Senate Intelligence panel .
Furthermore , the panel notes that Manafort 's repeated lies to the Special Counsel 's office about his interactions with Kilimnik undermined Mueller 's investigation and kept most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Manafort 's obfuscation ... effectively foreclosed direct insight into a series of interactions and communications which represent the single most direct tie between senior Trump Campaign officials and the Russian intelligence services , '' says the report .
For reasons unknown to the committee , Manafort also willingly accepted a longer sentence for refusing to reveal more details to Mueller about his communications with Kilimnik .
`` Manafort 's true motive in deciding to face more severe criminal penalties rather than provide complete answers about his interactions with Kilimnik is unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactions between Manafort and Kilimnik remain hidden . ''
Uh , sounds like someone was a lot more concerned about Putin 's administration of justice than that of the U.S. justice system .
Several other eye-popping sections of the report regarding Ukraine , Roger Stone , Don Jr. , and Michael Cohen are included .
Although WikiLeaks and Julian Assange have maintained that Russia was not the source of their many email dumps regarding Clinton , her campaign , and the Democratic officials , the Senate Intelligence Committee `` found significant evidence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , WikiLeaks was knowingly collaborating with Russian government officials.
” At one point the report states the GRU `` transferred the Podesta emails to WikiLeaks , '' referring to the emails of John Podesta that were leaked within an hour of the release of Trump 's Access Hollywood `` grab her by the pussy '' tape .
The committee report also clearly states that longtime Trump ally and friend Roger Stone knew Podesta would be a target in advance of the email dump and directly relayed that information to Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have played a part in the timing of WikiLeaks ' dump of the Podesta emails on Oct. 7 , shortly after the Access Hollywood tapes surfaced .
According to radio host Jerome Corsi—who served as a liaison between Stone and a WikiLeaks source—Stone and Corsi spoke twice on Oct. 7 at length about the Access Hollywood tape coming out .
`` Stone ' [ w ] anted the Podesta stuff to balance the news cycle ' either 'right then or at least coincident . '
According to Corsi , Stone also told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails immediately , ' '' states the report .
Don Jr. , Jared Kushner , and Paul Manafort appear to have effectively met with a Russian spy in their infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting .
The key leader of that delegation , Natalia Veselnitskaya , had `` significant and concerning connections to Russian government and intelligence officials , and has not been forthcoming about those relationships , '' the report states .
Also , Don Jr. indeed intended to get dirt on Clinton from that Russian operative at the meeting .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the intent of the Campaign participants in the June 9 , 2016 meeting , particularly Donald Trump Jr. , to receive derogatory information that would be of benefit to the Campaign from a source known , at least by Trump Jr. , to have connections to the Russian government , '' says the report .
But the committee found no evidence any material was actually relayed at the meeting .
Ukrainian interference in the 2016 was a total fabrication .
`` The Committee identified no reliable evidence that the Ukrainian government interfered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
The report further reveals that Russian intelligence operative Kilimnik `` almost certainly helped arrange some of the first public messaging that Ukraine had interfered in the U.S .
election .
`` So Trump was impeached for trying to strong arm Ukraine into conducting an investigation into Ukrainian election interference that was the sole creation of a Russian Intelligence operation .
`` Using Trump to promote WikiLeaks was a deliberate strategy employed by the Campaign , not only in his remarks , but also on social media .
In mid-October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials ( including Bannon , Scavino , Stephen Miller and Jason Miller ) with preparing two Trump tweets every day linking to WikiLeaks content , which , she said , would help 'refocus the narrative , ' '' states the report .
Michael Cohen said that after he was indicted by the Southern District of New York , `` he discussed a potential pardon for himself with [ Trump lawyer ] Jay Sekulow ‘ more than half a dozen times.
’ Cohen further stated that he understood the pardon discussions had come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .

A new 966-page report released Tuesday by the GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee reads like the bestselling spy thriller that the Special Counsel's Russia investigation failed to deliver.
The new details are a simply stunning indictment of the Trump campaign's ties to Russian government officials and intelligence operations suggesting that, at best, Trump campaign officials worked in close coordination with Russian operatives throughout much of the election. At worst, the document could be viewed as evidence that the Trump campaign ultimately became a front for a Russian influence operation.
Of the many revelatory details included in Volume 5 of the Senate Intelligence Committee's Russia report, the new information related to Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort are among the most damning of all.
Manafort's central role in the campaign and proximity to Trump "created opportunities for Russian intelligence services to exert influence over, and acquire confidential information on, the Trump Campaign," writes the committee. In fact, the panel went a step further than Special Counsel Robert Mueller did in defining Manafort's longtime associate and close ally Konstantin Kilimnik as a Russian intelligence operative.
"Kilimnik is a Russian intelligence officer," stated the report. "Kilimnik became an integral part of Manafort's operations in Ukraine and Russia ... Kilimnik and Manafort formed a close and lasting relationship that endured to the 2016 U.S. elections and beyond."
Overall, the committee admits that much of the communication between Manafort and Kilimnik during the election remains a mystery, as is their involvement in the Russian GRU intelligence agency's "hack-and-leak operation" targeting the 2016 elections. The report says the Senate panel obtained "some information" suggesting Kilimnik may have been involved the GRU's hack attack. It also states it found "two pieces of information" that "raise the possibility of Manafort's potential connection to the hack-and-leak operations." But most of the rest of that section is redacted.
But before joining the Trump campaign in March 2016 and throughout his time on the campaign, Manafort "directly and indirectly communicated" with Kilimnik, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, and pro-Russian oligarchs in Ukraine. On numerous occasions, the panel writes, "Manafort sought to secretly share internal Campaign information with Kilimnik," including polling data and the campaign's strategy for defeating Hillary Clinton.
"Taken as a whole, Manafort's high level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services, particularly Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska, represented a grave counterintelligence threat," writes the Senate Intelligence panel.
Furthermore, the panel notes that Manafort's repeated lies to the Special Counsel's office about his interactions with Kilimnik undermined Mueller's investigation and kept most of the content of their communications under wraps.
"Manafort's obfuscation ... effectively foreclosed direct insight into a series of interactions and communications which represent the single most direct tie between senior Trump Campaign officials and the Russian intelligence services," says the report.
For reasons unknown to the committee, Manafort also willingly accepted a longer sentence for refusing to reveal more details to Mueller about his communications with Kilimnik.
"Manafort's true motive in deciding to face more severe criminal penalties rather than provide complete answers about his interactions with Kilimnik is unknown, but the result is that many interactions between Manafort and Kilimnik remain hidden."
Uh, sounds like someone was a lot more concerned about Putin's administration of justice than that of the U.S. justice system.
Several other eye-popping sections of the report regarding Ukraine, Roger Stone, Don Jr., and Michael Cohen are included.
Roger Stone/WikiLeaks
Although WikiLeaks and Julian Assange have maintained that Russia was not the source of their many email dumps regarding Clinton, her campaign, and the Democratic officials, the Senate Intelligence Committee "found significant evidence to suggest that, in the summer of 2016, WikiLeaks was knowingly collaborating with Russian government officials.”
At one point the report states the GRU "transferred the Podesta emails to WikiLeaks," referring to the emails of John Podesta that were leaked within an hour of the release of Trump's Access Hollywood "grab her by the pussy" tape.
The committee report also clearly states that longtime Trump ally and friend Roger Stone knew Podesta would be a target in advance of the email dump and directly relayed that information to Trump and his senior campaign officials.
Stone also appears to have played a part in the timing of WikiLeaks' dump of the Podesta emails on Oct. 7, shortly after the Access Hollywood tapes surfaced.
According to radio host Jerome Corsi—who served as a liaison between Stone and a WikiLeaks source—Stone and Corsi spoke twice on Oct. 7 at length about the Access Hollywood tape coming out. "Stone '[w]anted the Podesta stuff to balance the news cycle' either 'right then or at least coincident.' According to Corsi, Stone also told him to have WikiLeaks 'drop the Podesta emails immediately,'" states the report.
Don Jr./Trump Tower
Don Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort appear to have effectively met with a Russian spy in their infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting. The key leader of that delegation, Natalia Veselnitskaya, had "significant and concerning connections to Russian government and intelligence officials, and has not been forthcoming about those relationships," the report states.
Also, Don Jr. indeed intended to get dirt on Clinton from that Russian operative at the meeting. "The Committee found evidence suggesting that it was the intent of the Campaign participants in the June 9, 2016 meeting, particularly Donald Trump Jr., to receive derogatory information that would be of benefit to the Campaign from a source known, at least by Trump Jr., to have connections to the Russian government," says the report. But the committee found no evidence any material was actually relayed at the meeting.
Ukraine
Ukrainian interference in the 2016 was a total fabrication. "The Committee identified no reliable evidence that the Ukrainian government interfered in the 2016 election," states the report. The report further reveals that Russian intelligence operative Kilimnik "almost certainly helped arrange some of the first public messaging that Ukraine had interfered in the U.S. election."So Trump was impeached for trying to strong arm Ukraine into conducting an investigation into Ukrainian election interference that was the sole creation of a Russian Intelligence operation.
Hello Ivanka
"Using Trump to promote WikiLeaks was a deliberate strategy employed by the Campaign, not only in his remarks, but also on social media. In mid-October, Ivanka Trump tasked the Campaign's senior officials (including Bannon, Scavino, Stephen Miller and Jason Miller) with preparing two Trump tweets every day linking to WikiLeaks content, which, she said, would help 'refocus the narrative,'" states the report.
Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen said that after he was indicted by the Southern District of New York, "he discussed a potential pardon for himself with [Trump lawyer] Jay Sekulow ‘more than half a dozen times.’ Cohen further stated that he understood the pardon discussions had come from Trump through Sekulow," according to the report.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Former Obama Official: DeJoy's 'Backtrack' Is Just A 'Meaningless PR Statement'

Former campaign manager for President Barack Obama , David Plouffe , joined Nicolle Wallace to discuss recent backtracking by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy .
According to CNN : Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reversed course Tuesday , saying that all changes being made to the Postal Service would be suspended until after the November 3 election , just as 20 Democratic states announced plans to file federal lawsuits .
DeJoy said that some of the deferred decisions mean that retail hours at post offices will not change , mail processing equipment and blue collection boxes will remain in place and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least 20 Democratic attorneys general across the country are launching a multi-pronged legal effort to push back on the recent changes that disrupted mail delivery across the country and triggered accusations that Trump and his appointees are trying to undermine mail-in voting .
But Plouffe was not assuaged by this recent turn of events .
Far from it .
Wallace ran down the list of items Plouffe had advised Democrats to set in motion ( many of which are indeed happening now ) , and Plouffe wants them ALL to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because we can not trust ANYTHING that comes out of the mealy mouth of a Trump appointee .
It is either a lie , or a work-around .
PLOUFFE : Well , Nicolle , I think that posture has to continue .
I think the DeJoy statement was a defensive PR statement .
I would consider it meaningless until we see a real change .
The standard here has to be whether it 's prescription drugs , social security check , letter to a family member or ballot , it 's delivered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have last year or the year before , the year before that .
And , you see there 's loopholes in what he said today about overtime and other things .
So Democrats have to stay on this .
Anyone can tell a story today with a phone .
You can do compelling video .
I would make the hearings not just Monday , I would continue them , I would file subpoenas .
There 's no way that the Trump campaign and Jared Kushner are talking to Kanye West , and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Oval Office .
Trump could not be clearer .
This is a desperate strategy on his part to try and make it less likely for people to vote , vote by mail , and for those votes to be counted in a timely ( enough ) manner to count .
I would think you 're going to have a paper trail , here , and Democrats ought to be all over this , and what we ca n't do is say , `` Oh , look , we brought DeJoy to kneel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
That is the LAST thing Democrats can do .
WALLACE : Sorry , I 'm so glad you said that , I mean , let me go back to the second thing that came out of your mouth .
I was waiting for the whole thing .
Let me say this , it was a meaningless PR statement .
That is what happened today .
A meaningless PR statement .

Former campaign manager for President Barack Obama, David Plouffe, joined Nicolle Wallace to discuss recent backtracking by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. According to CNN:
Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reversed course Tuesday, saying that all changes being made to the Postal Service would be suspended until after the November 3 election, just as 20 Democratic states announced plans to file federal lawsuits. DeJoy said that some of the deferred decisions mean that retail hours at post offices will not change, mail processing equipment and blue collection boxes will remain in place and no mail processing facilities will be closed. At least 20 Democratic attorneys general across the country are launching a multi-pronged legal effort to push back on the recent changes that disrupted mail delivery across the country and triggered accusations that Trump and his appointees are trying to undermine mail-in voting.
But Plouffe was not assuaged by this recent turn of events. Far from it. Wallace ran down the list of items Plouffe had advised Democrats to set in motion (many of which are indeed happening now), and Plouffe wants them ALL to continue with the same intensity.
1) Prime time hearings, now.
2) Subpoenas to Trump WH and camp officials. This is a RICO case
3) Visit local post offices with cameras - show people what is happening.
4) Events with those getting Rx late
5) Involve governors
5) No rest, no vacation. Go to war for our country. — David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) August 14, 2020
Why? Because we cannot trust ANYTHING that comes out of the mealy mouth of a Trump appointee. It is either a lie, or a work-around.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Cowardly Confederates Scatter As BLM Wins The Day At Stone Mountain

Racial justice advocates on Saturday shouted down white nationalists gathered in the town of Stone Mountain , Georgia , where the groups faced off for a number of hours .
The city of Stone Mountain said Friday that the park—which features the world 's biggest Confederate monument—would be closed Saturday , and urged people to stay out of the downtown area out of `` abundance of caution . ''
According to the Associated Press , `` right-wing groups led by an Arkansas group called Confederate States III % had applied for a permit to hold a rally in Stone Mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied , leading the demonstrators to take to the city 's streets .
The number of protesters swelled at one point to 500 , the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported .
`` Militia groups from Arkansas and Florida have joined those from Georgia , but remain greatly outnumbered by counterprotesters from the left , '' the newspaper noted .
The metro Atlanta chapter of the Democratic Socialsts of America called it an `` overwhelming victory at Stone Mountain today , where the fascist right was scattered and run off . ''
Among those organizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ End Racism .
The group said on its Facebook page Saturday that the time for the Stone Mountain cared monument to be removed is long ovedue .
`` We would like to thank the racists for bringing lots of Confederate flags for people to seize and burn , so many that people on Twitter are making jokes about 'Six Flags Burned Over Georgia , ' '' the group wrote .
`` While this pathetic showing should discourage them from showing up again for a while , as long as the carving still defaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasions are going to keep happening , '' the group added .
`` It needs to come down .
The time is long past to # sandblaststonemountain . ''

Racial justice advocates on Saturday shouted down white nationalists gathered in the town of Stone Mountain, Georgia, where the groups faced off for a number of hours.
The city of Stone Mountain said Friday that the park—which features the world's biggest Confederate monument—would be closed Saturday, and urged people to stay out of the downtown area out of "abundance of caution."
According to the Associated Press, "right-wing groups led by an Arkansas group called Confederate States III% had applied for a permit to hold a rally in Stone Mountain Park," but the permit was denied, leading the demonstrators to take to the city's streets.
Stone Mountain closed as fully armed white extremists gather for a “Defend Stone Mountain” rally. #gapolpic.twitter.com/c87g81pGNI — Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) August 15, 2020 “We’re going to use the Second Amendment to protect the First amendment,” gun extremist in Stone Mountain, Georgia. These insurrectionists threatened in advance that there could be “bloodshed” today. The open carry of loaded handguns and long guns is legal in Georgia. #gapol https://t.co/NObz4BsFdG — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 15, 2020
Atlanta's WXIA reported on the action:
The opposing groups were loosely organized on both sides. The white nationalist demonstrators, who appeared to be far outnumbered, were seemingly composed of neo-Confederates and militia groups like the III% Security Force.
The number of protesters swelled at one point to 500, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. "Militia groups from Arkansas and Florida have joined those from Georgia, but remain greatly outnumbered by counterprotesters from the left," the newspaper noted.
The metro Atlanta chapter of the Democratic Socialsts of America called it an "overwhelming victory at Stone Mountain today, where the fascist right was scattered and run off."
Overwhelming victory at Stone Mountain today, where the fascist right was scattered and run off. Hundreds of workers from across Georgia took a stand against racism and won. DISMANTLE WHITE SUPREMACY!
SANDBLAST STONE MOUNTAIN! pic.twitter.com/QpWO7LOMNS — Metro Atlanta DSA (@MetroATLDSA) August 15, 2020
Among those organizing the counterprotest was FrontLine Organization Working to End Racism. The group said on its Facebook page Saturday that the time for the Stone Mountain cared monument to be removed is long ovedue.
"We would like to thank the racists for bringing lots of Confederate flags for people to seize and burn, so many that people on Twitter are making jokes about 'Six Flags Burned Over Georgia,'" the group wrote.
"While this pathetic showing should discourage them from showing up again for a while, as long as the carving still defaces the side of the mountain, these invasions are going to keep happening," the group added. "It needs to come down. The time is long past to #sandblaststonemountain."
Republished from Common Dreams under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-08-20--Trump Embraces QAnon Cult: 'You Like Me! You Really Like Me!"

Trump is doing his best Sally Field impression while the country burns .
Asked today by a reporter for his `` thoughts '' ( really , now , reporter ? )
about the continuing momentum of the lunatic fringe group QAnon , Trump claimed ignorance about them except that he knows they like HIM .
[ ... ] From what it appears , these are people that when they watch the streets of Portland , when they watch what happened in New York City in just the last six or seven months ... these are people who do n't like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Portland and places like Chicago and New York and other cities and I 've heard these are people that love our country and they just do n't like seeing it .
TRUMP : Well , I do n't know much about the movement , other than that I understand they like me very much , uh , which I appreciate .
But I do n't know much about the movement.
[ ... ] From what it appears , these are people that when they watch the streets of Portland , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just the last six or seven months ... these are people who do n't like seeing what 's going on in places in Portland and places like Chicago and New York and other cities and I 've heard these are people that love our country and they just do n't like seeing it .
I do n't know really anything about it other than they do supposedly like me , and they also would like to see problems inn these areas , like especially the areas that we 're talking about , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... and I mean this sincerely and respectfully ... what in the ever-loving f*cking Pillsburuy Dough Boy Nazi Hell is going on here ?
The president of this nation is practically endorsing the fringiest of looney tunes hate groups because there 's a rumor they like him .
And gee , I wonder what he might be doing by singling out Portland , Chicago , and New York City , hmmmm ?
Any guesses ?
This is beyond irresponsible .
This is gon na get people killed .
Republicans OWN this .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not least : Seriously , could she not anticipate this ?
He is setting the stage for his loss in November .
And this reporter gave him room to do it , with zero pushback , and a sonic boom of amplification for this death cult .
With his racist dog-whistling pointing them to Portland , Chicago , and New York City , we know where QAnon will feel he has given them their marching orders to take things to the next level as his numbers plummet and he eventually loses the election @

Trump is doing his best Sally Field impression while the country burns.
Asked today by a reporter for his "thoughts" (really, now, reporter?) about the continuing momentum of the lunatic fringe group QAnon, Trump claimed ignorance about them except that he knows they like HIM.
[...]
From what it appears, these are people that when they watch the streets of Portland, when they watch what happened in New York City in just the last six or seven months...these are people who don't like seeing what's going on in places in Portland and places like Chicago and New York and other cities and I've heard these are people that love our country and they just don't like seeing it. TRUMP: Well, I don't know much about the movement, other than that I understand they like me very much, uh, which I appreciate. But I don't know much about the movement.[...]From what it appears, these are people that when they watch the streets of Portland, when they watch what happened in New York City in just the last six or seven months...these are people who don't like seeing what's going on in places in Portland and places like Chicago and New York and other cities and I've heard these are people that love our country and they just don't like seeing it. I don't know really anything about it other than they do supposedly like me, and they also would like to see problems inn these areas, like especially the areas that we're talking about, go away.
Allow me to ask... and I mean this sincerely and respectfully... what in the ever-loving f*cking Pillsburuy Dough Boy Nazi Hell is going on here? The president of this nation is practically endorsing the fringiest of looney tunes hate groups because there's a rumor they like him.
And gee, I wonder what he might be doing by singling out Portland, Chicago, and New York City, hmmmm? Any guesses?
This is beyond irresponsible. This is gonna get people killed.
REPORTER: QAnon believes you are secretly saving the world from this cult of pedophiles and cannibals. Are you behind that?
TRUMP: Is that supposed to be a bad thing? We are actually. We are saving the world. pic.twitter.com/rPYFU1B8WB — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 19, 2020
More from Twitter:
Beyond endorsing QAnon-believing candidates for Congress, Trump just embraced the movement — by name — with open arms because he likes that they like him and support his efforts to fight the left — Brian Tashman (@briantashman) August 19, 2020
Republicans OWN this. The entire GOP.
Conservatives who still dont recognizing what @GOP is:
Trump just spoke glowingly of a movement that believes a global satanic cabal of democrats who are caniballs and child molesters who Trump is supposedly fighting.
If you dont leave, this is you. You are the #QpublicanParty. — Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) August 19, 2020
Trump refuses to denounce one of the most toxic and dangerous conspiracies in America. He embraces QAnon's support for him. He was told part of their belief system and he didn't reject it. This is the leader of the Republican Party. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 19, 2020
A reminder that QAnon is cited several times in this FBI intelligence bulletin warning of dangerous fringe groups https://t.co/EMucmpp19y pic.twitter.com/nqZ6zaIJrb — Mike McIntire (@mmcintire) August 19, 2020
Friends, I don't know what to say. This is going to get people killed. This is insane. This is wrong. The fact that there are Republicans who believe this is okay, who allow this to carry on, is so frightening. They must put a stop to it. He cannot be allowed to do this. https://t.co/kXKK76Y8ws — Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) August 19, 2020
Trump just winked, nodded and tacitly endorsed this death cult: https://t.co/jsuUbcfpU3 — Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) August 19, 2020
And last, but not least:
White House reporters asking Trump about QAnon shut the fuck up please. — luke (@lukeoneil47) August 19, 2020
Seriously, could she not anticipate this? He is setting the stage for his loss in November. And this reporter gave him room to do it, with zero pushback, and a sonic boom of amplification for this death cult. With his racist dog-whistling pointing them to Portland, Chicago, and New York City, we know where QAnon will feel he has given them their marching orders to take things to the next level as his numbers plummet and he eventually loses the election.


crooksandliars--2020-08-20--WATCH LIVE: Democratic National Convention Day 3

Here 's the lineup for tonight , subject to last-minute changes : Welcome to Wisconsin The Honorable Tony Evers Governor of Wisconsin “ America Rising : March for our Lives ” Featuring activist and Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez , whose generation has risen up to say enough to gun violence .
Remarks DeAndra Dycus A mother whose son was left paralyzed by a stray bullet at the age of 13 .
Remarks The Honorable Gabrielle Giffords Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives , Arizona Remarks The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham Governor of New Mexico The Biden Plan : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s plan to combat climate change and secure a clean-energy future , narrated by an IBEW union worker from Harrisburg , Pennsylvania .
A Conversation with Young Climate Activists Young organizers talk about how they ’ re taking control of their future , and why they need a president like Joe Biden who will work with them .
“ A Letter to Trump on Immigration ” “ Mr .
President , you tore our world apart.
” Remarks The Sanchez Family Silvia Sanchez , an undocumented immigrant in North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Dreamer , and Lucy .
America Rising : Immigrants Rebuilding America We can never say it often or loudly enough : immigrants and refugees revitalize and renew America .
Immigrants built this country , and immigrants will rebuild this country .
America Rising : From Women ’ s Suffrage to the Women ’ s March It has been 100 years this week since women won the right to vote , and they 've been leading ever since .
Remarks The Honorable Hillary Clinton 2016 Democratic Nominee for President of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Senator , New York Remarks The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Remarks Mariska Hargitay American actress and advocate Ruth Glenn CEO and President of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Carly Dryden At-Large Regional Advisor , “ It ’ s On Us ” “ When You See Something Wrong ” A video highlighting Joe Biden ’ s leadership on the Violence Against Women Act and its legacy .
Remarks The Honorable Hilda Solis Los Angeles County Supervisor Former United States Secretary of Labor “ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union : A Conversation on the Economy with Vice President Biden Joe Biden listens to , and engages with , union workers around how to build back better a new economy for our families and the next generation .
“ America Recovering ” Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , and U.S. Representative from Iowa Cindy Axne talk to small business owners in their communities about how they ’ re struggling in Donald Trump ’ s economy .
Remarks The Honorable Barack Obama 44th President of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nominee for Vice President of the United States United States Senator , California

Here's the lineup for tonight, subject to last-minute changes:
A MORE PERFECT UNION
Welcome to Wisconsin
The Honorable Tony Evers
Governor of Wisconsin
A MORE PERFECT SOCIETY
Introduction
Kerry Washington
American actress
A More Perfect Union Means...Ending Gun Violence
“America Rising: March for our Lives”
Featuring activist and Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez, whose generation has risen up to say enough to gun violence.
Remarks
DeAndra Dycus
A mother whose son was left paralyzed by a stray bullet at the age of 13.
Remarks
The Honorable Gabrielle Giffords
Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Arizona
A More Perfect Union...Means Tackling Climate Change
Remarks
The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor of New Mexico
The Biden Plan: Climate Change
A video focused on Joe Biden’s plan to combat climate change and secure a clean-energy future, narrated by an IBEW union worker from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
A Conversation with Young Climate Activists
Young organizers talk about how they’re taking control of their future, and why they need a president like Joe Biden who will work with them.
Performance
Billie Eilish
American singer-songwriter
A More Perfect Union...Means Keeping Immigrant Families Together
“A Letter to Trump on Immigration”
“Mr. President, you tore our world apart.”
Remarks
The Sanchez Family
Silvia Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant in North Carolina, with her daughters Jessica, who is a Dreamer, and Lucy.
America Rising: Immigrants Rebuilding America
We can never say it often or loudly enough: immigrants and refugees revitalize and renew America. Immigrants built this country, and immigrants will rebuild this country.
Performance
Prince Royce
Dominican-American singer-songwriter
A More Perfect Union...Means Women Lead
America Rising: From Women’s Suffrage to the Women’s March
It has been 100 years this week since women won the right to vote, and they've been leading ever since.
Remarks
The Honorable Hillary Clinton
2016 Democratic Nominee for President of the United States
Former United States Secretary of State
Former United States Senator, New York
Remarks
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Remarks
Mariska Hargitay
American actress and advocate
Ruth Glenn
CEO and President of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Carly Dryden
At-Large Regional Advisor, “It’s On Us”
“When You See Something Wrong”
A video highlighting Joe Biden’s leadership on the Violence Against Women Act and its legacy.
A MORE PERFECT ECONOMY
Remarks
The Honorable Hilda Solis
Los Angeles County Supervisor
Former United States Secretary of Labor
“You Built America” - A More Perfect Union: A Conversation on the Economy with Vice President Biden
Joe Biden listens to, and engages with, union workers around how to build back better a new economy for our families and the next generation.
“America Recovering”
Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and U.S. Representative from Iowa Cindy Axne talk to small business owners in their communities about how they’re struggling in Donald Trump’s economy.
Remarks
The Honorable Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator, Massachusetts
MORE PERFECT LEADERSHIP
Remarks
The Honorable Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Nominating Speech
Maya Harris, Meena Harris, and Ella Emhoff
Remarks
The Honorable Kamala Harris
2020 Democratic Nominee for Vice President of the United States
United States Senator, California
Performance
Jennifer Hudson
American singer and actress


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Fox News Promotes Phony Lie About AOC's Nominating Speech To Divide Dems (UPDATED)

Fox News could n't spend an extra two minutes watching the Democratic National Convention as the supposed credible news source they claim they are , apparently .
If they had , they would have known that Rep. Bennie Thompson thoroughly explained the nominating rules of the Democratic Party right before Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez gave her speech seconding Bernie Sanders ' nomination .
Rep Thompson told the American people ( except for media companies that refused to even watch the proceedings ) exactly why two members of Congress were going to nominate Bernie Sanders including AOC for the presidency .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rile up their base , Fox News went wild and spread a Russia-like conspiracy to undermine the convention and invent division where none exists .
First NBC news screwed up and erroneously reported that AOC endorsed Bernie Sanders over Joe Biden , causing AOC to correct them on Twitter .
But the more egregious attacks came from Fox News and Trump 's favorite propaganda show Fox and Friends .
Brian Kilmeade went nuts promoting a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party by AOC .
It looks like there is an agenda trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Day One and AOC with her hell-to-one-minute speech endorsing Bernard Sanders right after .
The theory is , and it ’ s hard to push it down , that once Joe Biden is elected , this party is going flying left , and when things like that happen and you see someone like AOC with the social media rock star she , is basically saying everything bad about the country , where she wants to take it , and what Bernie Sanders would do for it .
Bad combination .
Later on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump 's Secretary of Kompromat tried to push the same lie , with host Sandra Smith having to correct her lie .
Between NBC News ' erroneous tweet and Fox News ' inattention to the purpose of her speech , AOC was bombarded with hate tweets and many efforts to create division in a party which is largely unified , which caused her to further clarify on her Instagram account .
Never forget that Trump , his campaign , and his cronies tried to scare Americans by claiming during the 2018 midterm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats the United States would become Venezuela , with caravans of immigrants attacking our borders and stealing our babies .
None of that happened , of course .
Instead America delivered a huge rebuke of Trump and flipped the House to the Democratic party in a massive blue wave .
They 're using AOC 's popularity to make the same claims again with Fox News ' help , and they 're going to be just as successful as they were then .
Except this time the blue wave will be the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karoli ) The Daily Beast has documented the narrative Fox News is creating out of BS with six different instances of them pushing the lie .

Fox News couldn't spend an extra two minutes watching the Democratic National Convention as the supposed credible news source they claim they are, apparently. If they had, they would have known that Rep. Bennie Thompson thoroughly explained the nominating rules of the Democratic Party right before Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez gave her speech seconding Bernie Sanders' nomination.
Rep Thompson told the American people (except for media companies that refused to even watch the proceedings) exactly why two members of Congress were going to nominate Bernie Sanders including AOC for the presidency.
It's in the rules.
But to try and rile up their base, Fox News went wild and spread a Russia-like conspiracy to undermine the convention and invent division where none exists.
First NBC news screwed up and erroneously reported that AOC endorsed Bernie Sanders over Joe Biden, causing AOC to correct them on Twitter.
If you were confused, no worries!
Convention rules require roll call & nominations for every candidate that passes the delegate threshold.
I was asked to 2nd the nom for Sen. Sanders for roll call.
I extend my deepest congratulations to @JoeBiden - let’s go win in November. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/uI92P3UfLn — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 19, 2020
But the more egregious attacks came from Fox News and Trump's favorite propaganda show Fox and Friends.
Brian Kilmeade went nuts promoting a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party by AOC.
It looks like there is an agenda trying to get out with Bernie Sanders leading off Day One and AOC with her hell-to-one-minute speech endorsing Bernard Sanders right after. The theory is, and it’s hard to push it down, that once Joe Biden is elected, this party is going flying left, and when things like that happen and you see someone like AOC with the social media rock star she, is basically saying everything bad about the country, where she wants to take it, and what Bernie Sanders would do for it. Bad combination.
Later on the Fox News airwaves, Kellyanne Conway, Trump's Secretary of Kompromat tried to push the same lie, with host Sandra Smith having to correct her lie.
Between NBC News' erroneous tweet and Fox News' inattention to the purpose of her speech, AOC was bombarded with hate tweets and many efforts to create division in a party which is largely unified, which caused her to further clarify on her Instagram account.
Never forget that Trump, his campaign, and his cronies tried to scare Americans by claiming during the 2018 midterm elections that if the House flipped to Democrats the United States would become Venezuela, with caravans of immigrants attacking our borders and stealing our babies.
None of that happened, of course. Instead America delivered a huge rebuke of Trump and flipped the House to the Democratic party in a massive blue wave.
They're using AOC's popularity to make the same claims again with Fox News' help, and they're going to be just as successful as they were then. Except this time the blue wave will be the size of a large tsunami.
UPDATE: (Karoli) The Daily Beast has documented the narrative Fox News is creating out of BS with six different instances of them pushing the lie.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Right Wing Fascist Laura Loomer Celebrates Primary Win With Roger Stone

Right wing nutjob and banned from most social media Laura Loomer , former James O'Keefe protégé and general all-around fascist , whined a year ago that her life was ruined because Facebook banned her alongside other fascists like Milo Yiannopoulos .
Apparently her fortunes have turned , because she raised nearly $ 1M in donations to run for a seat she will not win in Florida 's 21th district , home to Mar-a-Lago and at least 14,500 voters who are crazy enough to think she should be sent to Congress .
At Loomer ’ s victory party Tuesday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was feted by political provocateur Roger Stone , whose prison sentence for lying to Congress was recently commuted by Trump ; right-wing writer and speaker Milo Yiannopoulos , who got fired by the website Breitbart in 2017 after he praised same-sex pedophilia ; and Gavin McInnes , the founder of the Proud Boys , a male-only group that describes itself as “ Western Chauvinist ” but has been deemed a white nationalist organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
Roger Stone also threatened incumbent Representative Lois Frankel with the prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before dubbing her the `` Joan of Arc of the conservative movement . ''
No primary night celebration would be complete without the QAnon Leader-in-Chief sending felicitations .
Trump sent a tweet of congratulations .
`` Great going Laura .
You have a great chance against a Pelosi puppet ! ''
Just as a review , the reasons for Loomer 's ban from just about every social media site on the planet is because she 's a fascist who is utterly antisocial , routinely uses hate speech , and has absolutely no business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well-funded .
She 's outraised incumbent Lois Frankel by about $ 300,000 according to the Palm Beach Post .
However , the 21st District is heavily Democratic to the point where Republicans have not run candidates against Frankel in some previous elections .
This is why everyone needs to understand that candidates like Loomer represent the true Republican Party .
They 're fascists , bigots and haters .
Do n't be fooled by the so-called `` reasonable Republican . ''
Either they denounce this and leave the party or they own it @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Right wing nutjob and banned from most social media Laura Loomer, former James O'Keefe protégé and general all-around fascist, whined a year ago that her life was ruined because Facebook banned her alongside other fascists like Milo Yiannopoulos.
Apparently her fortunes have turned, because she raised nearly $1M in donations to run for a seat she will not win in Florida's 21th district, home to Mar-a-Lago and at least 14,500 voters who are crazy enough to think she should be sent to Congress.
The Associated Press reports:
At Loomer’s victory party Tuesday night, according to the Palm Beach Post, she was feted by political provocateur Roger Stone, whose prison sentence for lying to Congress was recently commuted by Trump; right-wing writer and speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, who got fired by the website Breitbart in 2017 after he praised same-sex pedophilia; and Gavin McInnes, the founder of the Proud Boys, a male-only group that describes itself as “Western Chauvinist” but has been deemed a white nationalist organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Roger Stone also threatened incumbent Representative Lois Frankel with the prospect of being "Laura Loomered" in November before dubbing her the "Joan of Arc of the conservative movement."
No primary night celebration would be complete without the QAnon Leader-in-Chief sending felicitations. Trump sent a tweet of congratulations. "Great going Laura. You have a great chance against a Pelosi puppet!"
Credit: Screenshot
Just as a review, the reasons for Loomer's ban from just about every social media site on the planet is because she's a fascist who is utterly antisocial, routinely uses hate speech, and has absolutely no business leading anything.
She is, however, well-funded. She's outraised incumbent Lois Frankel by about $300,000 according to the Palm Beach Post. However, the 21st District is heavily Democratic to the point where Republicans have not run candidates against Frankel in some previous elections.
This is why everyone needs to understand that candidates like Loomer represent the true Republican Party. They're fascists, bigots and haters. Don't be fooled by the so-called "reasonable Republican." Either they denounce this and leave the party or they own it. There isn't an in-between.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--We Can Already Compare And Contrast The Party Conventions

I continue to be fascinated by what a difference the un-conventional convention makes , and I hope that this becomes the standard .
One of the highlights was the nomination reel with every state and territory casting their votes .
This was a heavy instant favorite of the internet : Joe Biden ’ s iconic aviator glasses !
For Wyoming , the parents of hate crime victim Matthew Shepard presented the roll call vote made me gasp .
It was the breadth and depth of the roll call vote I ’ m going to remember fondly , not the assorted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a hook to pull Bill Clinton off the national stage ) with focus-group tested messages .
And for Dawg ’ s Sake , what was up with all the eff ’ ing Republicans on the DNC , um , broadcast ?
Give us more We The People , and less preening from the past .
The other moment that stood out was Second Lady Jill Biden ’ s introduction and her speech .
1 ) She ’ s always been a force of nature , her story is compelling and what an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and B ) whoever chose to have her give her speech in an empty classroom where she once taught is a genius .
If you didn ’ t know , since 2009 Jill Biden has been a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College ; before that Biden taught English and reading in high schools for thirteen years , and also taught adolescents with emotional disabilities at a psychiatric hospital .
Mother Pence teaches art at a Christian school that kicks out LGBTQ kids .
Compare and contrast .
And an empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it was not overbearing stagecraft .
And meanwhile , we ’ re getting a peek at what next week ’ s RNC will bring : • Trump will accept the nomination from the White House ( setting up everyone around him to violate the Hatch Act , not that the DOJ will do anything about it ; Hell , Bill Barr will probably order his goons to flash-bang any witnesses . )
• Convention speakers will include the St. Louis gun couple and , the Covington Catholic High School kid , Nicholas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elder Nathan Phillips went viral in 2019 .
• The RNC has filed a permit to set off fireworks at the Washington monument .
As I said above , compare and contrast .

I continue to be fascinated by what a difference the un-conventional convention makes, and I hope that this becomes the standard. One of the highlights was the nomination reel with every state and territory casting their votes.
The Democratic roll call looks like America. — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) August 19, 2020
This was a heavy instant favorite of the internet: Joe Biden’s iconic aviator glasses!
This little kid from Louisiana just broke me. Actually tearing up at this roll call and the chance for actual hope. #TeamJoe pic.twitter.com/3NnYN56typ — beautifulpigeon (@beautifulpigeon) August 19, 2020
For Wyoming, the parents of hate crime victim Matthew Shepard presented the roll call vote made me gasp.
It was the breadth and depth of the roll call vote I’m going to remember fondly, not the assorted pontificating poltroons (and someone needs to get a hook to pull Bill Clinton off the national stage) with focus-group tested messages. And for Dawg’s Sake, what was up with all the eff’ing Republicans on the DNC, um, broadcast?
Give us more We The People, and less preening from the past.
The other moment that stood out was Second Lady Jill Biden’s introduction and her speech. 1) She’s always been a force of nature, her story is compelling and what an amazing First Lady she would be, and B) whoever chose to have her give her speech in an empty classroom where she once taught is a genius.
If you didn’t know, since 2009 Jill Biden has been a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College; before that Biden taught English and reading in high schools for thirteen years, and also taught adolescents with emotional disabilities at a psychiatric hospital.
Mother Pence teaches art at a Christian school that kicks out LGBTQ kids. Compare and contrast.
And an empty classroom is a metaphor for our time and it was not overbearing stagecraft.
And meanwhile, we’re getting a peek at what next week’s RNC will bring:
Trump will accept the nomination from the White House (setting up everyone around him to violate the Hatch Act, not that the DOJ will do anything about it; Hell, Bill Barr will probably order his goons to flash-bang any witnesses.)
Convention speakers will include the St. Louis gun couple and, the Covington Catholic High School kid, Nicholas Sandmann , whose encounter with Omaha tribe elder Nathan Phillips went viral in 2019.
and, the Covington Catholic High School kid, , whose encounter with Omaha tribe elder Nathan Phillips went viral in 2019. The RNC has filed a permit to set off fireworks at the Washington monument.
As I said above, compare and contrast.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Trump Has A Meltdown Over Goodyear

Trump Has A Meltdown Over Goodyear

[ Above , from 2018 .
It 's a `` Goodyear '' to get rid of the Angry Blimp in the White House ] Only a very weak fatuous gas bag would try to destroy a major United States company based in a swing state .
Goodyear Tire stock tanked today because they refused to promote Donald Trump 's campaign hats .
Our C & L webmaster reminded me that all major companies do n't allow political apparel during work hours , but nobody at Fox and Friends told Trump , so he reacted like a bloated baby .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and respectful workplace where all of our associates can do their best in a spirit of teamwork , '' the company told Kansas 's WIBW-TV of the policies on Tuesday .
`` As part of this commitment , we do allow our associates to express their support on racial injustice and other equity issues but ask that they refrain from workplace expressions , verbal or otherwise , in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party as well as other similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of equity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company during a general election is not a smart tactic , but that does n't seem to matter to a narcissistic nincompoop masquerading as an authoritative dictator .
UPDATE ( Frances Langum ) Trump was watching Varney & Co on Fox Business .
Here 's the report :

[Above, from 2018. It's a "Goodyear" to get rid of the Angry Blimp in the White House]
Only a very weak fatuous gas bag would try to destroy a major United States company based in a swing state.
Goodyear Tire stock tanked today because they refused to promote Donald Trump's campaign hats.
Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES - They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!). — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2020
Our C&L webmaster reminded me that all major companies don't allow political apparel during work hours, but nobody at Fox and Friends told Trump, so he reacted like a bloated baby.
Goodyear responded to the latest Trump outrage.
"Goodyear is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace where all of our associates can do their best in a spirit of teamwork," the company told Kansas's WIBW-TV of the policies on Tuesday. "As part of this commitment, we do allow our associates to express their support on racial injustice and other equity issues but ask that they refrain from workplace expressions, verbal or otherwise, in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party as well as other similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of equity issues."
Attacking a big Ohio-based company during a general election is not a smart tactic, but that doesn't seem to matter to a narcissistic nincompoop masquerading as an authoritative dictator.
UPDATE (Frances Langum) Trump was watching Varney & Co on Fox Business. Here's the report:
Goodyear has issued a statement:
Yesterday, Goodyear became the focus of a conversation that created some misconceptions about our policies and our company. Goodyear has always wholeheartedly supported both equality and law enforcement and will continue to do so. pic.twitter.com/oO6jUg2rTR — Goodyear (@goodyear) August 19, 2020
These are true:
Is the TV ever turned off in the White House? — amywojsbu (@amywojsbu) August 19, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Dems To DeJoy At Postal Service: Stopping Sabotage Isn't Good Enough. Reverse It

The supposed suspension of policy changes at the U.S .
Postal Service by Trump lackey and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been greeted with skepticism from pretty much all parties .
Skepticism and demands for policy reversals , not just suspensions .
Because , as Hunter pointed out , the statement says nothing about undoing the damage that is already devastating the institution and keeping our mail from us .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , in the middle of an interview when the news covered DeJoy 's announcement , said : `` They felt the heat and that 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it too hot for them to handle . ''
She followed up with a more complete statement to reporters , saying it `` is a necessary but insufficient first step in ending the President ’ s election sabotage campaign . ''
She continued : `` This pause only halts a limited number of the Postmaster ’ s changes , does not reverse damage already done , and alone is not enough to ensure voters will not be disenfranchised by the President this fall . ''
That was the sentiment roundly heard from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted : `` It ’ s good they ’ ve recognized the problems they ’ ve caused but we need a PERMANENT rescission of ALL of DeJoy ’ s harmful policies—and they MUST treat all election materials as first class . ''
Sen. Gary Peters , the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee that will grill DeJoy on Friday , said : `` there are still too many unanswered questions , '' like whether sorting machines will be returned and which changes DeJoy is leaving in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressing the Postmaster General for answers through my investigation and at Friday ’ s Senate hearing . ''
Sen. Elizabeth Warren responded in the same vein : `` Our work is far from over .
We 've got to reverse the damage DeJoy has already done , investigate his conflicts of interest , and fully fund the USPS .
He and Trump have shown us the lengths they 'll go to in order to sabotage the Postal Service—and we ca n't let them off the hook . ''
Former Deputy Postmaster General Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters on a press call : “ I think it raises more questions than it provides answers .
And it will be important int he coming days to see if we can get clarity in regard to those questions.
” For example , he said : `` What does that mean when you say overtime will be granted as needed ?
One could determine at any time that overtime is not needed in a particular instance . ''
No one who is n't a completely partisan Republican is satisfied with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic attorneys general from numerous states who are suing to have the policy changes reversed .
The co-chairs of the Democratic Attorneys General Association , Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum , said : “ We put Trump and his hand-picked Postmaster General on notice , and it worked .
It ’ s no coincidence that DeJoy backed down just as Democratic AGs announced lawsuits .
When Dem AGs team up , the Administration pays attention.
” “ But , “ they continued , “ we won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Without concrete action by DeJoy to undo the damage already done and prevent future problems , we are moving forward to hold the Trump Administration accountable.
” They added : “ And here ’ s our message to the American people : Use your vote .
Vote early ; whether in person or by mail .
However you choose to vote , Democratic state attorneys general are standing up to make sure every single vote is counted .
”

The supposed suspension of policy changes at the U.S. Postal Service by Trump lackey and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been greeted with skepticism from pretty much all parties. Skepticism and demands for policy reversals, not just suspensions. Because, as Hunter pointed out, the statement says nothing about undoing the damage that is already devastating the institution and keeping our mail from us.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in the middle of an interview when the news covered DeJoy's announcement, said: "They felt the heat and that's what we were trying to do, to make it too hot for them to handle." She followed up with a more complete statement to reporters, saying it "is a necessary but insufficient first step in ending the President’s election sabotage campaign." She continued: "This pause only halts a limited number of the Postmaster’s changes, does not reverse damage already done, and alone is not enough to ensure voters will not be disenfranchised by the President this fall." That was the sentiment roundly heard from Democrats on both sides of the Capitol.
Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted: "It’s good they’ve recognized the problems they’ve caused but we need a PERMANENT rescission of ALL of DeJoy’s harmful policies—and they MUST treat all election materials as first class." Sen. Gary Peters, the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee that will grill DeJoy on Friday, said: "there are still too many unanswered questions," like whether sorting machines will be returned and which changes DeJoy is leaving in place. Peters continued: "I will keep pressing the Postmaster General for answers through my investigation and at Friday’s Senate hearing." Sen. Elizabeth Warren responded in the same vein: "Our work is far from over. We've got to reverse the damage DeJoy has already done, investigate his conflicts of interest, and fully fund the USPS. He and Trump have shown us the lengths they'll go to in order to sabotage the Postal Service—and we can't let them off the hook."
Former Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman, who stepped down in May, told reporters on a press call: “I think it raises more questions than it provides answers. And it will be important int he coming days to see if we can get clarity in regard to those questions.” For example, he said: "What does that mean when you say overtime will be granted as needed? One could determine at any time that overtime is not needed in a particular instance." No one who isn't a completely partisan Republican is satisfied with this statement from DeJoy.
That includes the Democratic attorneys general from numerous states who are suing to have the policy changes reversed. The co-chairs of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, said: “We put Trump and his hand-picked Postmaster General on notice, and it worked. It’s no coincidence that DeJoy backed down just as Democratic AGs announced lawsuits. When Dem AGs team up, the Administration pays attention.”
“But,“ they continued, “we won’t believe it until we see it. Without concrete action by DeJoy to undo the damage already done and prevent future problems, we are moving forward to hold the Trump Administration accountable.” They added: “And here’s our message to the American people: Use your vote. Vote early; whether in person or by mail. However you choose to vote, Democratic state attorneys general are standing up to make sure every single vote is counted.”
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Ted Cruz Attempts Threat Of 'Treasury Secretary Elizabeth Warren'; Twitter LOVES That Idea

Fox News is pushing the narrative that if `` you '' elect Joe Biden , there 's nothing to look @ @ @ @ @ hellscape .
During the Democratic Convention , Fox News of course aired a regular episode @ @ @ @ @ a panicked Ted Cruz .
Ted warned `` America '' that `` If these guys @ @ @ @ @ going to wake up in January with Elizabeth Warren as Treasury Secretary . ''
Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ , was appointed to head up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , but Republicans blocked @ @ @ @ @ a US SENATOR instead .
Now they want to pre-empt her appointment to the Biden @ @ @ @ @ wish she does n't become chairman of the Senate Banking Committee .
With a Democratic @ @ @ @ @ get a lot done there , too .
Anyhow , Twitter thought it was hilarious @ @ @ @ @ Warren '' was the boogieman of the night for the White Power Cable News Network @

Fox News is pushing the narrative that if "you" elect Joe Biden, there's nothing to look forward to but a Socialist hellscape.
During the Democratic Convention, Fox News of course aired a regular episode of Hannity, and hosted a panicked Ted Cruz. Ted warned "America" that "If these guys win, we’re going to wake up in January with Elizabeth Warren as Treasury Secretary."
Elizabeth Warren, you may recall, was appointed to head up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but Republicans blocked her appointment so she became a US SENATOR instead. Now they want to pre-empt her appointment to the Biden cabinet. They'd better wish she doesn't become chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. With a Democratic Senate behind her she can get a lot done there, too.
Anyhow, Twitter thought it was hilarious that "Treasury Secretary Elizabeth Warren" was the boogieman of the night for the White Power Cable News Network.
Way to sell it. — UncaCrstfer (@UCrstfer) August 19, 2020
Ted Cruz on Fox just teasing
me with things like 'Elizabeth Warren as Secretary of the Treasury." Yes please! — ANTIFA means Anti-fascist (@ReneeLasswell) August 19, 2020
Lord Hear our Prayers! — Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) August 19, 2020
Sounds fantastic. — FedupinPA (@PaFedupin) August 19, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--AOC's 90-Second DNC Speech Blasts 'Unsustainable Brutality' Of US Economy

Making the most of her 90-second speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday night condemned the `` unsustainable brutality '' of an economy that allows the very few at the top to hoard obscene wealth at the expense of the many and celebrated nationwide grassroots efforts to advance transformative change .
`` Thank you to everyone here today endeavoring toward a better , more just future for our country and our world , '' said the New York Democrat on the second night of the virtual Democratic convention .
`` In fidelity and gratitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish 21st-century social , economic , and human rights , including guaranteed healthcare , higher education , living wages , and labor rights for all people in the United States . ''
`` A movement , '' she continued , `` striving to recognize and repair the wounds of racial injustice , colonization , misogyny , and homophobia .
And to propose and rebuild reimagined systems of immigration and foreign policy that turn away from the violence and xenophobia of our past .
A movement that realizes the unsustainable brutality of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the few , at the expense of long-term stability for the many . ''
In a nod to Sen. Bernie Sanders ' ( I-Vt. ) 2020 presidential bid , which Ocasio-Cortez supported , the New York Democrat applauded those `` who organized a historic , grassroots campaign to reclaim our democracy . ''
`` In a time when millions of people in the United States are looking for deep , systemic solutions to our crisis of mass evictions , unemployment , and lack of healthcare—en el espíritu del pueblo , and out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hereby second the nomination of Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont for president of the United States of America , '' said Ocasio-Cortez .
Several corporate media outlets immediately depicted Ocasio-Cortez 's closing line as a snub of former Vice President Joe Biden , but the New York Democrat 's seconding of the nomination of Sanders was standard convention procedure—as she explained on Twitter .
Democrats formally nominated Biden Tuesday night .
`` Congratulations , Joe Biden , I deeply look forward to fighting for our future together and reclaiming our democracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
Below is a transcript of Ocasio-Cortez 's remarks : Good evening , bienvenidos , and thank you to everyone here today endeavoring toward a better , more just future for our country and our world , in fidelity and gratitude to a mass people 's movement working to establish 21st-century social , economic and human rights , including guaranteed healthcare , higher education , living wages and labor rights for all people in the United States .
A movement striving to recognize and repair the wounds of racial injustice , colonization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propose and build reimagined systems of immigration and foreign policy that turn away from the violence and xenophobia of our past .
A movement that realizes the unsustainable brutality of an economy that rewards explosive inequalities of wealth for the few , at the expense of long-term stability for the many .
And who organized a historic , grassroots campaign to reclaim our democracy .
In a time when millions of people in the United States are looking for deep systemic solutions to our crisis of mass evictions , unemployment , and lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out of a love for all people , I hereby second the nomination of Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont for president of the United States of America .

Making the most of her 90-second speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday night condemned the "unsustainable brutality" of an economy that allows the very few at the top to hoard obscene wealth at the expense of the many and celebrated nationwide grassroots efforts to advance transformative change.
"Thank you to everyone here today endeavoring toward a better, more just future for our country and our world," said the New York Democrat on the second night of the virtual Democratic convention. "In fidelity and gratitude to a mass people's movement working to establish 21st-century social, economic, and human rights, including guaranteed healthcare, higher education, living wages, and labor rights for all people in the United States."
"A movement," she continued, "striving to recognize and repair the wounds of racial injustice, colonization, misogyny, and homophobia. And to propose and rebuild reimagined systems of immigration and foreign policy that turn away from the violence and xenophobia of our past. A movement that realizes the unsustainable brutality of an economy that rewards explosive inequalities of wealth for the few, at the expense of long-term stability for the many."
In a nod to Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential bid, which Ocasio-Cortez supported, the New York Democrat applauded those "who organized a historic, grassroots campaign to reclaim our democracy."
"In a time when millions of people in the United States are looking for deep, systemic solutions to our crisis of mass evictions, unemployment, and lack of healthcare—en el espíritu del pueblo, and out of a love for all people, I hereby second the nomination of Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont for president of the United States of America," said Ocasio-Cortez.
Several corporate media outlets immediately depicted Ocasio-Cortez's closing line as a snub of former Vice President Joe Biden, but the New York Democrat's seconding of the nomination of Sanders was standard convention procedure—as she explained on Twitter. Democrats formally nominated Biden Tuesday night.
"Congratulations, Joe Biden, I deeply look forward to fighting for our future together and reclaiming our democracy in November," the New York congresswoman tweeted.
Congratulations, @JoeBiden - I deeply look forward to fighting for our future together and reclaiming our democracy in November.
Thank you @DemConvention for having me deliver Sen. Sanders’ roll call nomination speech.
It’s been an absolute honor.#NotMeUs & #Biden2020 🇺🇸 https://t.co/dJN1FUQfix — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 19, 2020
Below is a transcript of Ocasio-Cortez's remarks:
Good evening, bienvenidos, and thank you to everyone here today endeavoring toward a better, more just future for our country and our world, in fidelity and gratitude to a mass people's movement working to establish 21st-century social, economic and human rights, including guaranteed healthcare, higher education, living wages and labor rights for all people in the United States. A movement striving to recognize and repair the wounds of racial injustice, colonization, misogyny and homophobia. And to propose and build reimagined systems of immigration and foreign policy that turn away from the violence and xenophobia of our past. A movement that realizes the unsustainable brutality of an economy that rewards explosive inequalities of wealth for the few, at the expense of long-term stability for the many. And who organized a historic, grassroots campaign to reclaim our democracy. In a time when millions of people in the United States are looking for deep systemic solutions to our crisis of mass evictions, unemployment, and lack of healthcare—en el espíritu del pueblo, and out of a love for all people, I hereby second the nomination of Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont for president of the United States of America.
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Republicans Scramble To Control The Narrative About Senate Intelligence Report

Good to see coverage of yesterday 's Senate Intelligence report about Russian collaboration with Donald Trump .
Joe Scarborough called the Republicans trying to cover up the meaning as `` useful idiots '' for Vladimir Putin , using the Steele dossier as a distraction .
`` As if that one part of this investigation would somehow distract from the mountains and mountains of damning evidence , '' he said .
`` I just have to say it again , from the mountains and mountains of devastating evidence that Donald Trump lied to Robert Mueller , committed perjury under oath .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and still committed that .
Then again , that you go through all of these people , foreign policy adviser lied about contacts with Russia , his national security adviser lied about contacts with Russia , his campaign chairman lied about contacts with Russia , his deputy campaign chairman lied under oath , all of them , under oath about contacts with Russia , his personal lawyer lied about contacts with Russia under oath , his political consultant lied about contacts with Russia under oath , and his attorney general lied before Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yesterday Republicans concluded that the president of the United States lied under oath to federal investigators about his campaign 's contacts with Russia .
`` Boy , that 's some hoax , Claire , '' he said .
`` I really wish we would refer to this report in a different way .
I would like to say 'Tom Cotton says that the Trump campaign manager was working with a Russian agent .
Ben Sasse says of course , the government should have been investigating what was going on in the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carter Page was doing suspicious things that warranted him being looked at by the people in the U.S. government because of his activities with Russia , ' `` she said .
`` This is a damning report .
If it was issued in isolation without all the other noise that Trump creates , with all of his scandal , it would blow the lid off Washington , D.C .
But because of when it 's being issued and everything that 's come before it , my fear is people wo n't realize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ben Sasse and John Cornyn saying , yes , the Trump campaign worked with Russia and they should have been investigated . ''

Good to see coverage of yesterday's Senate Intelligence report about Russian collaboration with Donald Trump.
Joe Scarborough called the Republicans trying to cover up the meaning as "useful idiots" for Vladimir Putin, using the Steele dossier as a distraction.
"As if that one part of this investigation would somehow distract from the mountains and mountains of damning evidence," he said.
"I just have to say it again, from the mountains and mountains of devastating evidence that Donald Trump lied to Robert Mueller, committed perjury under oath. He had time to think through it and still committed that. Then again, that you go through all of these people, foreign policy adviser lied about contacts with Russia, his national security adviser lied about contacts with Russia, his campaign chairman lied about contacts with Russia, his deputy campaign chairman lied under oath, all of them, under oath about contacts with Russia, his personal lawyer lied about contacts with Russia under oath, his political consultant lied about contacts with Russia under oath, and his attorney general lied before Congress under oath, and, of course, yesterday Republicans concluded that the president of the United States lied under oath to federal investigators about his campaign's contacts with Russia.
"Boy, that's some hoax, Claire," he said.
"I really wish we would refer to this report in a different way. I would like to say 'Tom Cotton says that the Trump campaign manager was working with a Russian agent. Ben Sasse says of course, the government should have been investigating what was going on in the Trump campaign. John Cornyn says yes, Carter Page was doing suspicious things that warranted him being looked at by the people in the U.S. government because of his activities with Russia,' " she said.
"This is a damning report. If it was issued in isolation without all the other noise that Trump creates, with all of his scandal, it would blow the lid off Washington, D.C. But because of when it's being issued and everything that's come before it, my fear is people won't realize that this was Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton and Ben Sasse and John Cornyn saying, yes, the Trump campaign worked with Russia and they should have been investigated."


crooksandliars--2020-08-20--Mark Meadows Tries To Erase Osama Bin Laden Raid From History

On Fox & Friends this morning , cohost Ainsley Earhardt teed up a softball for Meadows to attack the Democratic convention .
“ You heard John Kerry knocking [ Trump 's ] foreign policy ; Bill Clinton say coronavirus has just been chaotic .
What ’ s the White House ’ s response ?
” Today , the coronavirus death toll approaches 173,000 .
But the best defense of Trump ’ s record Meadows could come up with was some dishonest whataboutism : “ When you look at John Kerry talking about a foreign policy and how he made Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single American believes that , ” Meadows replied .
How many Americans believe Trump has made us safer by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal ?
Only 29 % supported that move when he made it .
Then came the next lie .
“ This is the only president who actually went after a terrorist and took him out , the pre-eminent state sponsor of terror.
” Meadows added .
Presumably , he was talking about the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani .
But I ’ ll bet most Americans couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name ( I had to look it up ) , much less say they feel much safer as a result .
I ’ ll also bet that most Americans would name Osama bin Laden as the most important terrorist ever killed .
And , whether Meadows wants to recognize it or not , that happened during the Obama/Biden administration .

On Fox & Friends this morning, cohost Ainsley Earhardt teed up a softball for Meadows to attack the Democratic convention. “You heard John Kerry knocking [Trump's] foreign policy; Bill Clinton say coronavirus has just been chaotic. What’s the White House’s response?”
Today, the coronavirus death toll approaches 173,000. But the best defense of Trump’s record Meadows could come up with was some dishonest whataboutism: “When you look at John Kerry talking about a foreign policy and how he made Iran supposedly a safe nation, not a single American believes that,” Meadows replied.
How many Americans believe Trump has made us safer by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal? Only 29% supported that move when he made it.
Then came the next lie. “This is the only president who actually went after a terrorist and took him out, the pre-eminent state sponsor of terror.” Meadows added. Presumably, he was talking about the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
But I’ll bet most Americans couldn’t even remember Soleimani’s name (I had to look it up), much less say they feel much safer as a result.
I’ll also bet that most Americans would name Osama bin Laden as the most important terrorist ever killed. And, whether Meadows wants to recognize it or not, that happened during the Obama/Biden administration.