crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Twitter Blasts Barr After Stone Prosecutors Resign

Late on Monday the DOJ filed their sentencing memo for Roger Stone , pushing for a prison sentence of between @ @ @ @ @ Trump really did n't like that , tweeting this out : Early Tuesday morning , @ @ @ @ @ DOJ was backtracking , probably in response to Trump 's tweet ( and maybe a @ @ @ @ @ : THEN there was an exodus of not 1 , not 2 , but 4 @ @ @ @ @ case :

Late on Monday the DOJ filed their sentencing memo for Roger Stone, pushing for a prison sentence of between 7 to 9 years. Trump really didn't like that, tweeting this out:
This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020
Early Tuesday morning, this news broke that the DOJ was backtracking, probably in response to Trump's tweet (and maybe a call to Bill Barr):
The DOJ is changing its sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone, according to a Senior DOJ official.
“The Department finds seven to nine years extreme, excessive and grossly disproportionate," the source said, adding the DOJ will clarify its position on sentencing later today — Jake Gibson (@JakeBGibson) February 11, 2020
THEN there was an exodus of not 1, not 2, but 4 prosecutors who worked on the case:
Fourth and final Roger Stone prosecutor -- Michael Marando -- has withdrawn. DOJ's new sentencing memo was signed only by John Crabb Jr., acting head of the criminal division at the US attorney's office in DC. Crabb is a longtime career prosecutor. pic.twitter.com/Ff8aust91x — Mike Scarcella (@MikeScarcella) February 11, 2020
Twitter reacted:
A tinpot dictator-style chain of events:
1) The president lashes out on Twitter over the sentencing recommendation of a confidante who was convicted of crimes
2) The DOJ abruptly decides to recommend a lighter sentence for said confidant
3) A prosecutor resigns from the case https://t.co/OMmN1M312k — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 11, 2020
Justice is just a state of mind. It's not an actual thing. Some prosecutors are so temperamental. https://t.co/6otbGdHiaG — Nicholas Mitchell (@puxxled) February 11, 2020
So for those of you who with a day job, here’s what happened: Roger Stone gets recommended for 7-9 years for his crimes. Trump tweets that it’s unfair. DOJ then intervenes to reduce the prison term, something that is literally never done. 3 prosecutors just resigned in protest. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 11, 2020
Does @realDonaldTrump have the power to make the @TheJusticeDept go light on his friends, like felon Roger Stone? Yes.
There’s also a word for that. It’s called CORRUPTION.
DOJ has now stained its reputation. If you are at DOJ & have the resources to resign, I hope you do so. https://t.co/jiugsZcBjV — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 11, 2020
BREAKING: The DoJ will lower the recommended prison time for Roger Stone—via AP. This is insane. Trump is taking abuse of power to a whole new level. Republican Senators are also to blame for this. They betrayed our country, and now this happens? Vote them ALL out in November. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 11, 2020
By recommending a reduction in Roger Stone’s sentence, President Trump is corrupting the Department of Justice to benefit himself and his friends. Prosecutorial independence is a pillar of a rule of law society. Congress must now do all it can to ensure that pillar still stands. — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 11, 2020
Schumer calls for IG probe into DOJ overruling prosecutors to give Roger Stone lighter sentence. Nadler says his panel will “get to the bottom” of it. Schiff says Trump administration represents “the gravest threat” to rule of law “in a generation.” McConnell declines to comment — Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 11, 2020
The Justice Department's new filing in the Roger Stone case was made directly by the Acting Chief of the Criminal Division, who just filed his appearance today.
That alone is highly unusual.
Asking for "far less" prison time than DOJ asked for yesterday is even more unusual. — Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) February 11, 2020
My hope:
Barr tried to flex the Roger Stone sentencing. This has backfired bigly, as three federal prosecutors have resigned in disgust & Nadler has promised to investigate Barr...and, one hopes, Judge AB Jackson ignores DOJ recs & throws the book at Stone anyway. — Greg Olear (@gregolear) February 11, 2020
More reactions:


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Republican Group Releases New Ad Supporting Lt. Col. Vindman

Republicans for the Rule of Law is part of Defending Democracy Together , a group founded by Never Trumper William @ @ @ @ @ they introduced this new ad : This is Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman .
He received @ @ @ @ @ was wounded in Iraq , and later served on the National Security Council for the @ @ @ @ @ was subpoenaed by Congress to testify about the Ukraine scandal , and he followed the @ @ @ @ @ for telling the truth , President Trump fired him and his twin brother and had @ @ @ @ @ House .
No president should retaliate against anyone for following the law .
This isn @ @ @ @ @ is supposed to treat military heroes who obey the law .
Our military deserves better @ @ @ @ @ .
Lt. Col. Vindman deserves better .
Maybe someone should send it to Lou Dobbs @

Republicans for the Rule of Law is part of Defending Democracy Together, a group founded by Never Trumper William Kristol. Here's how they introduced this new ad:
This is Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. He received a Purple Heart when he was wounded in Iraq, and later served on the National Security Council for the Trump White House. He was subpoenaed by Congress to testify about the Ukraine scandal, and he followed the law. As a penalty for telling the truth, President Trump fired him and his twin brother and had them escorted from the White House. No president should retaliate against anyone for following the law. This isn’t how the president is supposed to treat military heroes who obey the law. Our military deserves better. Our country deserves better. Lt. Col. Vindman deserves better.
Maybe someone should send it to Lou Dobbs!


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--UPDATE 5: All 4 Roger Stone Prosecutors Resign Or Withdraw After Bill Barr Bows To King Trump

So much for that whole equal justice under the law thing .
Now that impeached-forever Trump is unfettered and running free , he 's determined to protect those ratfckers who carried out his orders .
First , there was news that Mike Flynn 's sentencing has been delayed indefinitely , and now this : The Washington Post reports that the statement came hours after President Trump tweeted of the sentence prosecutors recommended , “ This is a horrible and very unfair situation .
The real crimes were on the other side , as nothing happens to them .
Can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though senior Justice Department officials said the decision was made ahead of the tweet .
As if Trump did n't pick up the phone and rant at them first or something .
Yes , that 's right .
Roger Stone , ratfcker extraordinaire , liar to Congress , coverup guy who was convicted on 7 counts by a jury of his peers -- that Roger Stone , who was facing FIFTY years in prison and whom prosecutors recommended should get 7-9 years -- will probably walk away with probation or something .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're a ratfcking jerk who helped get Trump elected .
It is time to impeach Bill Barr .
The lead prosecutor , Andrew Zelinsky , has resigned from the case and from the DOJ : A second prosecutor , Jonathan Kravis , also announces his resignation .
And a third prosecutor , Adam Jed , withdraws from the case but appears to still be at DOJ .
The fourth prosecutor withdraws from the case Here is King Trump , proclaiming himself the Boss of Everything : The spelling of Mr. Zelinsky 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the error .

So much for that whole equal justice under the law thing. Now that impeached-forever Trump is unfettered and running free, he's determined to protect those ratfckers who carried out his orders. First, there was news that Mike Flynn's sentencing has been delayed indefinitely, and now this:
The DOJ is changing its sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone, according to a Senior DOJ official.
“The Department finds seven to nine years extreme, excessive and grossly disproportionate," the source said, adding the DOJ will clarify its position on sentencing later today — Jake Gibson (@JakeBGibson) February 11, 2020
The Washington Post reports that the statement came hours after President Trump tweeted of the sentence prosecutors recommended, “This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!” even though senior Justice Department officials said the decision was made ahead of the tweet. As if Trump didn't pick up the phone and rant at them first or something.
Yes, that's right. Roger Stone, ratfcker extraordinaire, liar to Congress, coverup guy who was convicted on 7 counts by a jury of his peers -- that Roger Stone, who was facing FIFTY years in prison and whom prosecutors recommended should get 7-9 years -- will probably walk away with probation or something. What a time to be alive if you're a ratfcking jerk who helped get Trump elected.
I agree that Judge Jackson is unlikely to go along. But the DOJ shift in position would still give Trump cover to pardon Stone outright which presumably is the long game here. Impossible to overstate how alarmed people should be right now. https://t.co/zfulqK70dm — Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) February 11, 2020
Loyalty, baby. Loyalty is everything.
It is time to impeach Bill Barr.
UPDATE:
The lead prosecutor, Andrew Zelinsky, has resigned from the case and from the DOJ :
BREAKING: Top STONE prosecutor moves to withdraw from the case. Zelinsky was a top Mueller deputy. pic.twitter.com/HQhH8wE5LW — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 11, 2020
Deleted this tweet because it appears Zelinsky's resignation was from his position as special assistant U.S. attorney in DC but he still retains his post in the U.S. attorney's office in Maryland. pic.twitter.com/b1w0rieHew — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 11, 2020
UPDATE 2:
A second prosecutor, Jonathan Kravis, also announces his resignation.
BREAKING Second prosecutor in Stone cases, Jonathan Kravis, announces in court filing he has resigned as assistant U.S. attorney. https://t.co/9QS9xMQDV9 pic.twitter.com/bW3Kk5DFjU — Spencer Hsu (@hsu_spencer) February 11, 2020
UPDATE 3:
And a third prosecutor, Adam Jed, withdraws from the case but appears to still be at DOJ.
Adam Jed becomes the third Stone prosecutor to withdraw, days before sentencing. pic.twitter.com/P1gT1LUlqL — Andrew Prokop (@awprokop) February 11, 2020
UPDATE 4:
The King weighs in:
Asked about Roger Stone, Trump says he has an “absolute right” to tell the Justice Department what to do pic.twitter.com/AZRv9Aff7P — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 11, 2020
UPDATE 5:
The fourth prosecutor withdraws from the case
Fourth and final Roger Stone prosecutor -- Michael Marando -- has withdrawn. DOJ's new sentencing memo was signed only by John Crabb Jr., acting head of the criminal division at the US attorney's office in DC. Crabb is a longtime career prosecutor. pic.twitter.com/Ff8aust91x — Mike Scarcella (@MikeScarcella) February 11, 2020
UPDATE 6:
Here is King Trump, proclaiming himself the Boss of Everything:
Trump says he didn’t intervene in Roger Stone’s sentencing but “I had the absolute right to do it,” he said, adding “the recommendation was ridiculous.”
Asked if he’ll commute Stone’s sentence, he said: “I don’t want to talk about it” pic.twitter.com/W4m8T66z3y — QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) February 11, 2020
The spelling of Mr. Zelinsky's name has been corrected. We regret the error.
UPDATE 7
Jessie Liu was pulled off the Stone case with the promise of a better position at Treasury. Today Trump pulled that nomination. Was it to keep her from testifying at her confirmation hearing?


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Trump Tweets Clip With Larry David Wearing A MAGA Hat

The first episode of this season 's Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO had a hilarious gag of Larry David using Trump 's MAGA hat as a people repellent when he did n't want someone around .
And because Donald Trump is such a dope , he tweeted this clip last night with a surly biker about to fly into David , until he sees the dreaded red MAGA hat .
The grainy 28-second video that appeared on President Trump ’ s Twitter account Monday was immediately recognizable to fans of Larry David and HBO ’ s “ Curb Your Enthusiasm.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene from the Season 10 premiere in which David ’ s character de-escalates a confrontation with an angry biker by putting on a “ Make America Great Again ” hat .
Thinking he ’ s in the presence of a fellow Trump supporter , the biker ’ s attitude completely changes , and he goes from screaming obscenities at David to giving him a gentle warning .
“ TOUGH GUYS FOR TRUMP !
” the president tweeted alongside the uncensored video , which he pinned to the top of his Twitter profile for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were quick to suggest that Trump may have picked the wrong pop culture reference to tout his base .
Many noted that the road rage scene is part of a running gag within the episode intended to mock the distinctive pro-Trump accessory , which David ’ s character calls “ a great people repellent .
”

The first episode of this season's Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO had a hilarious gag of Larry David using Trump's MAGA hat as a people repellent when he didn't want someone around. And because Donald Trump is such a dope, he tweeted this clip last night with a surly biker about to fly into David, until he sees the dreaded red MAGA hat.
Source: Washington Post
The grainy 28-second video that appeared on President Trump’s Twitter account Monday was immediately recognizable to fans of Larry David and HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
It was a recording of a scene from the Season 10 premiere in which David’s character de-escalates a confrontation with an angry biker by putting on a “Make America Great Again” hat. Thinking he’s in the presence of a fellow Trump supporter, the biker’s attitude completely changes, and he goes from screaming obscenities at David to giving him a gentle warning.
“TOUGH GUYS FOR TRUMP!” the president tweeted alongside the uncensored video, which he pinned to the top of his Twitter profile for increased visibility.
People, however, were quick to suggest that Trump may have picked the wrong pop culture reference to tout his base. Many noted that the road rage scene is part of a running gag within the episode intended to mock the distinctive pro-Trump accessory, which David’s character calls “a great people repellent.”


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Trump LOSES Dixville Notch Primary To Write-In Bloomberg

A grand total of ONE registered Republican came out to the midnight vote ( first in the nation publicity stunt @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire .
That registered Republican did not vote for his party 's incumbent president @ @ @ @ @ wrote in Mike Bloomberg .
Mike Bloomberg also `` won '' the Democratic side with @ @ @ @ @ , it pays to advertise in the multi millions of dollars .
But we may @ @ @ @ @ what happens on the Republican side tonight as the entire state 's votes are tallied @ @ @ @ @ % of the PRIMARY vote tonight , that 's a sign of disaster ahead for @ @ @ @ @ they did n't remove him from office when they had the chance .

Donald Trump lost.
A grand total of ONE registered Republican came out to the midnight vote (first in the nation publicity stunt) at Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.
That registered Republican did not vote for his party's incumbent president. Instead, that voter wrote in Mike Bloomberg.
Mike Bloomberg also "won" the Democratic side with two write-in votes. Yes, it pays to advertise in the multi millions of dollars.
But we may be looking more closely at what happens on the Republican side tonight as the entire state's votes are tallied. If Trump loses 20% of the PRIMARY vote tonight, that's a sign of disaster ahead for Republicans nationwide.
Too bad they didn't remove him from office when they had the chance.


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Joe Biden: 'We Could Run Mickey Mouse Against This President And Have A Shot'

During this morning 's live show from New Hampshire , Joe Biden responded to Joe Scarborough asking him about Bernie Sanders saying Biden has baggage .
Biden responded that Bernie 's described himself as a democratic socialist and points out that has its own baggage .
`` And so , look , it 's a -- we 're going to see , though .
This is a marathon , man .
I do n't think anybody 's predicted much of anything about who 's going to win nominations in recent past , '' Biden said .
`` James Carville and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying we can not nominate Bernie Sanders or we 'll lose .
People wo n't vote for socialism , he says .
Do you agree if Bernie Sanders is the nominee , Cemocrats will lose ? ''
Scarborough said .
`` I refuse to suggest any Democrat can lose , '' Biden said , vehement .
`` I think we could run Mickey Mouse against this president and have a shot . ''
He 's right .
There 's no perfect candidate , and there 's no candidate without baggage .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going , our nominee will look like a baggage factory !
We ca n't pick someone on the basis of what Republicans will do .
We can only pick who we think is the best person to carry the banner .

During this morning's live show from New Hampshire, Joe Biden responded to Joe Scarborough asking him about Bernie Sanders saying Biden has baggage.
Biden responded that Bernie's described himself as a democratic socialist and points out that has its own baggage.
"And so, look, it's a -- we're going to see, though. This is a marathon, man. I don't think anybody's predicted much of anything about who's going to win nominations in recent past," Biden said.
"James Carville and other Democrats recently put a finer point, saying we cannot nominate Bernie Sanders or we'll lose. People won't vote for socialism, he says. Do you agree if Bernie Sanders is the nominee, Cemocrats will lose?" Scarborough said.
"I refuse to suggest any Democrat can lose," Biden said, vehement.
"I think we could run Mickey Mouse against this president and have a shot."
He's right. There's no perfect candidate, and there's no candidate without baggage. By the time the Republican attack machine gets going, our nominee will look like a baggage factory!
We can't pick someone on the basis of what Republicans will do. We can only pick who we think is the best person to carry the banner.


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Lou Dobbs Tells Defense Sec. Mark Esper He'd Better Stop Contradicting Trump

Lou Dobbs , who never served in the military , has a lot of opinions about Defense Sec .
Mark Esper .
Esper 's original sin ?
Not aligning 100 % with Lou 's hero Trump .
I bring up Dobbs ' lack of military service because he has little understanding of or respect for the military 's nonpartisan traditions .
He 's gone after Esper before for not licking Trump 's boots and actually declaring himself in alignment with ... Jim Mattis .
Remember when Trump was running , and voters were reassured by him saying `` I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crock that was .
Since the minute he got in , this inexperienced blowhard has made disastrous moves -- despite opposition from `` his generals . ''
Because hey , that 's what dictators do , amirite ?
Here , Dobbs is going off on Esper because he dared to give Lt. Col Alexander Vindman and his brother jobs after they were purged by Trump in his post-impeachment retribution , `` giving Vindman a soft place to land . ''
`` Just where the hell did Esper come up with a suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Dobbs huffed .
Dobbs is a piece of work .
Always was , and will remain so in perpetuity .

Lou Dobbs, who never served in the military, has a lot of opinions about Defense Sec. Mark Esper. Esper's original sin? Not aligning 100% with Lou's hero Trump.
I bring up Dobbs' lack of military service because he has little understanding of or respect for the military's nonpartisan traditions. He's gone after Esper before for not licking Trump's boots and actually declaring himself in alignment with... Jim Mattis.
Remember when Trump was running, and voters were reassured by him saying "I would listen to the generals"? What a crock that was. Since the minute he got in, this inexperienced blowhard has made disastrous moves -- despite opposition from "his generals." Because hey, that's what dictators do, amirite?
Here, Dobbs is going off on Esper because he dared to give Lt. Col Alexander Vindman and his brother jobs after they were purged by Trump in his post-impeachment retribution, "giving Vindman a soft place to land."
"Just where the hell did Esper come up with a suggested threat of any kind of retaliation?" Dobbs huffed.
Gee, I don't know, Lou. Lemme think.
Impeachment is forever& that has clearly gotten under Trump's skin as he discusses expunging it in the House (not going to happen). He's also making vague threats about retaliation: "when asked how he'll pay back those responsible, saying, "You'll see." https://t.co/FKc8a1vyOw — Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) February 7, 2020
Donald Trump Jr “thanked” @RepAdamSchiff for “unearthing who all needed to be fired. Thanks, Adam!” Thanks, Junior, for confessing to an apparent violation of 18 U.S. Code § 1513, the law protecting witnesses from retaliation in an “official proceeding.” https://t.co/56RHUcCq7M — Max Boot (@MaxBoot) February 8, 2020
Former Trump NSC official: “The broader message to career officials is that you can’t speak up. Even if you see something illegal, something unethical, you can’t speak up. That’s the message the president wants to send.” https://t.co/gRdCaol91O — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 9, 2020
Before they were fired, Gordon Sondland & Lt. Col. Vindman were quietly planning their own exits. Officials told Trump this was likely, & advised him to just let them leave on their own to spare himself the criticism of firing witnesses, but Trump disregarded that advice. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 10, 2020
Dobbs is a piece of work. Always was, and will remain so in perpetuity.


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--While Democrats Fret, Some Republicans Obviously Think Trump Is Overreaching

Most Democrats now seem to believe that the party is doomed and that President Trump is on a glide path to reelection -- which is why this Kyle Smith column in the New York Post is ridiculous : Election Night 2020 is going to be like Groundhog Day for Democrats ... Get ready to see a lot of stuff you ’ ve seen before .
First there will be denial : “ Uh-uh .
No way .
Can you check the numbers again ?
That can ’ t be right.
” Desperate for evidence , the Dems will move on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Diabolical machine errors !
Russian hacking !
All of this will be given a thorough scourging .
Any wisp of a rumor of a hint of a shred of evidence that any of these things happened , regardless of whether any of them happened on a scale sufficient to determine the outcome , will be the subject of screaming headlines and glaring chyrons .
Nahhh .
Unless every late October poll shows the Democratic nominee up by double digits nationwide -- and up by similar margins in states with 270 electoral votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a likely outcome .
There has n't been a double-digit presidential blowout since 1984 , and it 's extremely unlikely that there could be one this year given the rabid loyalty of the Trump cult , so Democratic voters will assume calamity is inevitable even if Nate Silver is giving their nominee an 85 % chance of victory .
( Perhaps especially if that 's the case . )
Most Democrats right now believe that Bernie would alienate centrists , Buttigieg would alienate blacks , Bloomberg would alienate Bernie voters , a brokered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will hack the voting machines anyway , while Democrats will be the Iowa caucus stumblebums all the way to November .
I do n't see anyone who 's optimistic .
The only people I see right now who think the Democrats could have a good election are Republicans , like this group of senators : A handful of Republican senators tried to stop President Trump from firing Gordon D. Sondland , the ambassador to the European Union who testified in the House impeachment hearings ... .
The senators were concerned that it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Sondland and argued that it was unnecessary , since the ambassador was already talking with senior officials about leaving after the Senate trial , the people said .
The senators told White House officials that Mr. Sondland should be allowed to depart on his own terms , which would have reduced any political backlash ... .
Among the Republicans who warned the White House was Senator Susan Collins of Maine , who after voting to acquit Mr. Trump said she thought he had learned a lesson .
Others included Senators Thom Tillis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin .
Why did these senators feel the need to go racing off to A-list New York Times reporters ( Peter Baker , Michael Schmidt , and Maggie Haberman ) to tell them about this exercise in futility if Trump is triumphant and Democrats are doomed ?
Apparently Collins , Tillis , and McSally , all up for reelection this year in purple states , do n't quite believe that Trump 's currently improved poll numbers will necessary hold up over the next nine months .
Apparently Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain to win a second time in the crucial state of Wisconsin , where the most recent Morning Consult poll shows Trump at 43 % approval and 53 % disapproval ( Civiqs has Trump at 46 % /52 % ) .
Maureen Dowd tells us today that , especially after Iowa , `` a master class in Democratic dysfunction ... Democrats should be scared to death watching the president play to thuggish type , re-enacting the chilling final payback scenes of 'The Godfather , ' when Michael Corleone took out all his enemies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree .
Oddly , though , Senators Collins , Tillis , McSally , and Johnson are n't nearly as certain about what happens next .
Published with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

Most Democrats now seem to believe that the party is doomed and that President Trump is on a glide path to reelection -- which is why this Kyle Smith column in the New York Post is ridiculous:
Election Night 2020 is going to be like Groundhog Day for Democrats ... Get ready to see a lot of stuff you’ve seen before. First there will be denial: “Uh-uh. No way. Can you check the numbers again? That can’t be right.” Desperate for evidence, the Dems will move on to the next phase: Voter fraud! Diabolical machine errors! Russian hacking! All of this will be given a thorough scourging. Any wisp of a rumor of a hint of a shred of evidence that any of these things happened, regardless of whether any of them happened on a scale sufficient to determine the outcome, will be the subject of screaming headlines and glaring chyrons.
Nahhh. Unless every late October poll shows the Democratic nominee up by double digits nationwide -- and up by similar margins in states with 270 electoral votes -- Democrats will assume that doom is a likely outcome. There hasn't been a double-digit presidential blowout since 1984, and it's extremely unlikely that there could be one this year given the rabid loyalty of the Trump cult, so Democratic voters will assume calamity is inevitable even if Nate Silver is giving their nominee an 85% chance of victory. (Perhaps especially if that's the case.) Most Democrats right now believe that Bernie would alienate centrists, Buttigieg would alienate blacks, Bloomberg would alienate Bernie voters, a brokered convention would alienate everyone, and Trump will hack the voting machines anyway, while Democrats will be the Iowa caucus stumblebums all the way to November. I don't see anyone who's optimistic.
The only people I see right now who think the Democrats could have a good election are Republicans, like this group of senators:
A handful of Republican senators tried to stop President Trump from firing Gordon D. Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union who testified in the House impeachment hearings.... The senators were concerned that it would look bad for Mr. Trump to dismiss Mr. Sondland and argued that it was unnecessary, since the ambassador was already talking with senior officials about leaving after the Senate trial, the people said. The senators told White House officials that Mr. Sondland should be allowed to depart on his own terms, which would have reduced any political backlash.... Among the Republicans who warned the White House was Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who after voting to acquit Mr. Trump said she thought he had learned a lesson. Others included Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Martha McSally of Arizona and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
Why did these senators feel the need to go racing off to A-list New York Times reporters (Peter Baker, Michael Schmidt, and Maggie Haberman) to tell them about this exercise in futility if Trump is triumphant and Democrats are doomed? Apparently Collins, Tillis, and McSally, all up for reelection this year in purple states, don't quite believe that Trump's currently improved poll numbers will necessary hold up over the next nine months. Apparently Ron Johnson isn't persuaded that Trump is certain to win a second time in the crucial state of Wisconsin, where the most recent Morning Consult poll shows Trump at 43% approval and 53% disapproval (Civiqs has Trump at 46%/52%).
Maureen Dowd tells us today that, especially after Iowa, "a master class in Democratic dysfunction ... Democrats should be scared to death watching the president play to thuggish type, re-enacting the chilling final payback scenes of 'The Godfather,' when Michael Corleone took out all his enemies." Many rank-and-file Democrats seem to agree. Oddly, though, Senators Collins, Tillis, McSally, and Johnson aren't nearly as certain about what happens next.
Published with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-02-11--Prosecutors Recommend A Sentence Of 7 To 9 Years For Dirty Trickster Roger Stone

Looks like Donald Trump sycophant and Nixon era Dirty Trickster , Roger Stone , may be spending many many years in prison , if federal prosecutors get close to the sentence they are recommending for the convicted felon .
Stone actually faced up to 50 years in prison , but prosecutors are only recommended 7 to 9 years , a pretty substantial departure for a younger felon .
But Stone is already 67 - so a sentence of 9 years could be a death sentence .
Or close to it .
Stone was convicted of 7 counts , including charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other charges .
For those keeping track , this is the sixth Trump associate convicted of a crime and the last person indicted following the Mueller investigation .
The Washington Post is reporting that prosecutors who worked with Mueller were pushing for this longer sentence , but supervisors ( who probably now report to Bill Barr ) wanted a shorter sentence .
In the end , the prosecutors got their wish and based on sentencing guidelines , the sentence of 7 to 9 years was the final recommendation .
In the 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , the prosecutors wrote that a sentence of 87 to 108 months is “ consistent with the applicable advisory Guidelines would accurately reflect the seriousness of his crimes and promote respect for the law . ''
Stone 's defense attorneys will be filing their separate recommendation later on Monday and they will probably request ( beg ) for a very short sentence and house arrest .
Stone will be formally sentenced next week , on February 20th .
Reminder : This is federal court .
Donald Trump could pardon Stone at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after the election , regardless of whether he wins or loses .
Republicans would shrug their shoulders .
So even if Stone gets the max , I doubt he would serve it .

Looks like Donald Trump sycophant and Nixon era Dirty Trickster, Roger Stone, may be spending many many years in prison, if federal prosecutors get close to the sentence they are recommending for the convicted felon. Stone actually faced up to 50 years in prison, but prosecutors are only recommended 7 to 9 years, a pretty substantial departure for a younger felon. But Stone is already 67 - so a sentence of 9 years could be a death sentence. Or close to it.
Stone was convicted of 7 counts, including charges of lying to Congress, witness tampering and other charges. For those keeping track, this is the sixth Trump associate convicted of a crime and the last person indicted following the Mueller investigation. The Washington Post is reporting that prosecutors who worked with Mueller were pushing for this longer sentence, but supervisors (who probably now report to Bill Barr) wanted a shorter sentence. In the end, the prosecutors got their wish and based on sentencing guidelines, the sentence of 7 to 9 years was the final recommendation.
In the 22 page filing, made public late on Monday, the prosecutors wrote that a sentence of 87 to 108 months is “consistent with the applicable advisory Guidelines would accurately reflect the seriousness of his crimes and promote respect for the law." Stone's defense attorneys will be filing their separate recommendation later on Monday and they will probably request (beg) for a very short sentence and house arrest.
Stone will be formally sentenced next week, on February 20th.
Reminder: This is federal court. Donald Trump could pardon Stone at any time. He could do it the day after the election, regardless of whether he wins or loses. Republicans would shrug their shoulders. So even if Stone gets the max, I doubt he would serve it.


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Moscow Mitch's Republicans Issue Another Invite To Putin To Interfere In 2020's Election

Senate Democrats tried again Tuesday morning three times to bring election security legislation to the floor .
Democratic Sens .
Mark Warner of Virginia , Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut , and Oregon 's Ron Wyden all tried to bring bills to the floor for unanimous consent .
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn was Moscow Mitch 's henchwoman for this round .
`` America is 266 days away from the 2020 election , and Majority Leader McConnell has yet to take any concrete steps to protect our foreign elections from hacking or foreign interference , '' Wyden said .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of the bills of banning states from connecting their voting machines to the internet is like `` stashing our ballots in the Kremlin . ''
Blumenthal warned that after the Senate Republicans ' acquittal of Trump , `` There is no doubt that he will only be emboldened in his efforts to illegally enlist foreign governments in his reelection campaign . ''
Warner and Blumenthal have legislation that would require campaigns to notify law enforcement when foreign nationals offer assistance .
`` The appropriate response is not to say thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI . ''
Blackburn , who apparently wants to make sure Putin knows that Republican doors are still open to him , did n't just object to the unanimous consent requests , she got nasty .
`` You would think that after spending weeks in this chamber litigating the finer points of their disagreements with the president 's foreign policy that our friends in the minority would be weary of picking another partisan fight , but here we go again . ''
Because keep foreign government out of our elections is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virulently partisan she is in calling out partisanship , Blackburn then introduced her own bill to have the Government Accountability Office `` look into the debacle in Iowa . ''
It 's hard to come to any conclusion other than Republicans inviting interference from Russia or any other country they think will help them win .
It 's okay if their impeached president does it , so they must figure why the hell not .

Senate Democrats tried again Tuesday morning three times to bring election security legislation to the floor. Democratic Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Oregon's Ron Wyden all tried to bring bills to the floor for unanimous consent. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn was Moscow Mitch's henchwoman for this round.
"America is 266 days away from the 2020 election, and Majority Leader McConnell has yet to take any concrete steps to protect our foreign elections from hacking or foreign interference," Wyden said. He added that refusing to take the simple step included in one of the bills of banning states from connecting their voting machines to the internet is like "stashing our ballots in the Kremlin." Blumenthal warned that after the Senate Republicans' acquittal of Trump, "There is no doubt that he will only be emboldened in his efforts to illegally enlist foreign governments in his reelection campaign." Warner and Blumenthal have legislation that would require campaigns to notify law enforcement when foreign nationals offer assistance. "The appropriate response is not to say thank you, the appropriate response is to call the FBI."
Blackburn, who apparently wants to make sure Putin knows that Republican doors are still open to him, didn't just object to the unanimous consent requests, she got nasty. "You would think that after spending weeks in this chamber litigating the finer points of their disagreements with the president's foreign policy that our friends in the minority would be weary of picking another partisan fight, but here we go again." Because keep foreign government out of our elections is now a partisan thing. To prove how virulently partisan she is in calling out partisanship, Blackburn then introduced her own bill to have the Government Accountability Office "look into the debacle in Iowa."
It's hard to come to any conclusion other than Republicans inviting interference from Russia or any other country they think will help them win. It's okay if their impeached president does it, so they must figure why the hell not.
Published with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Bill Barr Takes 'Control Of Legal Matters Of Personal Interest' To Trump

Tuesday 's DOJ drama was just the latest legal atrocity committed by the highest law enforcement officer in the nation , Attorney General Bill Barr .
His own prosecutors recommended a 7-9-year sentence ( out of a possible 50 ! )
for his crimes , but noooooo ... that was too harsh for Trump 's buddy .
Barr stepped in and changed the sentencing recommendation .
In response ?
4 US Attorneys resigned from the case in protest .
( Side Note : Judge Jackson is under no obligation whatsoever to follow that reduced sentencing recommendation , but it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ethics for Barr to have done this . )
Unsurprisingly , this is part of a larger strategy that NBC reports as , `` moves by Attorney General William Barr to take control of legal matters of personal interest to President Donald Trump . ''
These include not only the pressure to reduce Stone 's sentence recommendation , but also Michael Flynn 's .
Trump rescinded the nomination of Jessie Liu as Undersecretary at the Treasury Department , as she also happened to have supervised the attorneys who resigned in the Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her job as U.S. Attorney because Barr had replaced her already with his pal , Timothy O'Shea .
That 's not all .
Not even one week after Trump 's acquittal on impeachment charges , Bill Barr has helped him with a whole BUNCH of fun pet projects/revenge erections !
Here are just a few ... • Retaliation against sanctuary cities : The Hill reports that Attorney General William Barr announced Monday that there will be a “ significant escalation ” from the government against “ sanctuary ” cities , counties and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Trump administration 's hard-line immigration policies .
• Private Pipeline for Rudy Giuliani : Apparently , now DOJ is the intake mechanism for information on Ukraine from Rudy Colludy .
I mean , who needs all those 17 intelligence agencies anyhow ?
Just write sh*t down on a napkin and pass it to Bill Barr under the table , Rudy , we 'll take care of Hunter Biden for ya .
• Hookers For Jesus gets grant !
No , sillies , that 's not the name of a porn flick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HAPPENED !
According to The Washington Post , In a new grant award , senior Justice officials rejected the recommendations of career officials and decided to deny grants to highly rated Catholic Charities in Palm Beach , Fla. , and Chicanos Por La Causa in Phoenix .
Instead , Reuters reported , they gave more than $ 1 million combined to lower-rated groups called the Lincoln Tubman Foundation and Hookers for Jesus .
But , why , you ask ?
Because Catholic Charities and Chicanos Por La Causa had both aligned themselves and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping immigrants .
Better to help the evangelical prostitutes .
And I 'm not talking about Joel Osteen or Franklin Graham , although , I 'm sure they 're happy about this , too .
Let 's see , is there anything we missed ?
In parenting , descriptions have evolved for some of the different types of parent .
A helicopter parent hovers over their child needlessly , often creating a sense of helplessness and dependence in the child .
That 's annoying .
A snowplow parent walks in front of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their child 's path , so that they never have to encounter any difficulties .
This often creates a sense of entitlement in the child , and an inability to handle even the slightest adversity or pushback .
That 's a menace .
Bill Barr is more than Trump 's Roy Cohn .
He 's worse than Trump 's Roy Cohn .
Bill Barr is Trump 's Snowplow Attorney General , and woe to whatever or whomever gets in his way .

Tuesday's DOJ drama was just the latest legal atrocity committed by the highest law enforcement officer in the nation, Attorney General Bill Barr. His own prosecutors recommended a 7-9-year sentence (out of a possible 50!) for his crimes, but noooooo...that was too harsh for Trump's buddy. Barr stepped in and changed the sentencing recommendation. In response? 4 US Attorneys resigned from the case in protest. (Side Note: Judge Jackson is under no obligation whatsoever to follow that reduced sentencing recommendation, but it is an astonishing — and impeachable — breach of ethics for Barr to have done this.)
Unsurprisingly, this is part of a larger strategy that NBC reports as, "moves by Attorney General William Barr to take control of legal matters of personal interest to President Donald Trump." These include not only the pressure to reduce Stone's sentence recommendation, but also Michael Flynn's. Trump rescinded the nomination of Jessie Liu as Undersecretary at the Treasury Department, as she also happened to have supervised the attorneys who resigned in the Stone case. She couldn't go back to her job as U.S. Attorney because Barr had replaced her already with his pal, Timothy O'Shea.
That's not all. Not even one week after Trump's acquittal on impeachment charges, Bill Barr has helped him with a whole BUNCH of fun pet projects/revenge erections! Here are just a few...
Retaliation against sanctuary cities: The Hill reports that
Attorney General William Barr announced Monday that there will be a “significant escalation” from the government against “sanctuary” cities, counties and states, including lawsuits against localities opposed to the Trump administration's hard-line immigration policies.
Private Pipeline for Rudy Giuliani: Apparently, now DOJ is the intake mechanism for information on Ukraine from Rudy Colludy. I mean, who needs all those 17 intelligence agencies anyhow? Just write sh*t down on a napkin and pass it to Bill Barr under the table, Rudy, we'll take care of Hunter Biden for ya.
Hookers For Jesus gets grant! No, sillies, that's not the name of a porn flick, that's a THING that actually HAPPENED! According to The Washington Post,
In a new grant award, senior Justice officials rejected the recommendations of career officials and decided to deny grants to highly rated Catholic Charities in Palm Beach, Fla., and Chicanos Por La Causa in Phoenix. Instead, Reuters reported, they gave more than $1 million combined to lower-rated groups called the Lincoln Tubman Foundation and Hookers for Jesus. But, why, you ask? Because Catholic Charities and Chicanos Por La Causa had both aligned themselves and worked with some Democratic causes, like helping immigrants. Better to help the evangelical prostitutes. And I'm not talking about Joel Osteen or Franklin Graham, although, I'm sure they're happy about this, too.
Let's see, is there anything we missed?
In parenting, descriptions have evolved for some of the different types of parent. A helicopter parent hovers over their child needlessly, often creating a sense of helplessness and dependence in the child. That's annoying. A snowplow parent walks in front of their child and plows away any possible obstacle in their child's path, so that they never have to encounter any difficulties. This often creates a sense of entitlement in the child, and an inability to handle even the slightest adversity or pushback. That's a menace.
Bill Barr is more than Trump's Roy Cohn. He's worse than Trump's Roy Cohn. Bill Barr is Trump's Snowplow Attorney General, and woe to whatever or whomever gets in his way.


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary

Declaring the New Hampshire primary the `` beginning of the end for Donald Trump , '' Senator Bernie Sanders declared @ @ @ @ @ vowed to keep the momentum going through South Carolina and Nevada .
The race was @ @ @ @ @ coming in second and Amy Klobuchar coming in third .
`` We are going to @ @ @ @ @ most dangerous President in the history of this country , '' Sanders promised in his @ @ @ @ @ `` multi-generational and multi-racial political movement , '' Sanders vowed to take on `` billionaires @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Health care is a human right , not a privilege , '' @ @ @ @ @ the crowd .
He went on to address student debt , college costs , climate @ @ @

Declaring the New Hampshire primary the "beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Senator Bernie Sanders declared victory in New Hampshire and vowed to keep the momentum going through South Carolina and Nevada.
The race was close, with Pete Buttigieg coming in second and Amy Klobuchar coming in third.
"We are going to unite together and defeat the most dangerous President in the history of this country," Sanders promised in his victory speech.
Hailing his "multi-generational and multi-racial political movement," Sanders vowed to take on "billionaires and candidates funded by billionaires."
"Health care is a human right, not a privilege," he roared to cheers from the crowd. He went on to address student debt, college costs, climate change, and


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Trump Suggests Military Needs To 'Take A Look' At Disciplinary Action Against Key Witness Vindman

The rule of law is collapsing in real time .
Near the end of another Oval Office grievance session , Donald Trump said it perhaps is n't enough that he had Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman escorted from from his White House national security position , along with his twin brother , in direct retaliation for Vindman 's testimony accurately describing what he knew of Trump 's efforts to extort the Ukrainian government into providing or manufacturing anti-Biden `` dirt . ''
`` It turned out what he reported [ of the Trump-Zelensky call ] was very different .
[ ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way to a much different location and the military can handle him any way they want .
General Milley has him now , [ ... ] he can have him , and his brother also .
So we 'll find out what happened , we 'll find out .
But he reported very inaccurate things . ''
Trump was then asked directly by a reporter whether he was signaling , in his claims of Vindman 's alleged wrongdoing , that Vindman should face `` disciplinary action . ''
`` That 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 'll have to see .
But if you look at what happened , they ’ re going to certainly , I would imagine , take a look at that .
[ ... ] What he did was reported a false call .
You look at what he said . ''
Trump also claimed that he did not speak to the Justice Department about reducing political ally Roger Stone 's sentencing recommendation , as Trump publicly demanded in a late-night tweet .
But he claimed an `` absolute right '' to do so @ @ @ @

The rule of law is collapsing in real time. Near the end of another Oval Office grievance session, Donald Trump said it perhaps isn't enough that he had Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman escorted from from his White House national security position, along with his twin brother, in direct retaliation for Vindman's testimony accurately describing what he knew of Trump's efforts to extort the Ukrainian government into providing or manufacturing anti-Biden "dirt."
"It turned out what he reported [of the Trump-Zelensky call] was very different. [...] And so we sent him on his way to a much different location and the military can handle him any way they want. General Milley has him now, [...] he can have him, and his brother also. So we'll find out what happened, we'll find out. But he reported very inaccurate things."
Trump was then asked directly by a reporter whether he was signaling, in his claims of Vindman's alleged wrongdoing, that Vindman should face "disciplinary action."
"That's going to be up to the military. We'll have to see. But if you look at what happened, they’re going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that. [...] What he did was reported a false call. You look at what he said."
Trump also claimed that he did not speak to the Justice Department about reducing political ally Roger Stone's sentencing recommendation, as Trump publicly demanded in a late-night tweet. But he claimed an "absolute right" to do so when he wishes.
Asked about Roger Stone, Trump says he has an “absolute right” to tell the Justice Department what to do pic.twitter.com/AZRv9Aff7P — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 11, 2020
Published with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--New Hampshire Primary Open Thread

New Hampshire Primary Open Thread

Ted Cruz wants everyone to know he has a podcast and if Bernie Sanders is elected that Ted Cruz Podcast @ @ @ @ @ .

Can you help us out?
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crooksandliars--2020-02-11--UPDATE 6: All 4 Roger Stone Prosecutors Resign Or Withdraw After Bill Barr Bows To King Trump

So much for that whole equal justice under the law thing .
Now that impeached-forever Trump is unfettered and running free , he 's determined to protect those ratfckers who carried out his orders .
First , there was news that Mike Flynn 's sentencing has been delayed indefinitely , and now this : The Washington Post reports that the statement came hours after President Trump tweeted of the sentence prosecutors recommended , “ This is a horrible and very unfair situation .
The real crimes were on the other side , as nothing happens to them .
Can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though senior Justice Department officials said the decision was made ahead of the tweet .
As if Trump did n't pick up the phone and rant at them first or something .
Yes , that 's right .
Roger Stone , ratfcker extraordinaire , liar to Congress , coverup guy who was convicted on 7 counts by a jury of his peers -- that Roger Stone , who was facing FIFTY years in prison and whom prosecutors recommended should get 7-9 years -- will probably walk away with probation or something .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're a ratfcking jerk who helped get Trump elected .
It is time to impeach Bill Barr .
The lead prosecutor , Andrew Zelinsky , has resigned from the case and from the DOJ : A second prosecutor , Jonathan Kravis , also announces his resignation .
And a third prosecutor , Adam Jed , withdraws from the case but appears to still be at DOJ .
The fourth prosecutor withdraws from the case Here is King Trump , proclaiming himself the Boss of Everything : The spelling of Mr. Zelinsky 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the error .
Jessie Liu was pulled off the Stone case with the promise of a better position at Treasury .
Today Trump pulled that nomination .
Was it to keep her from testifying at her confirmation hearing ?


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Trump Spokesman Flails On Fox Over Barr Fiasco

White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley insisted on Wednesday that President Donald Trump did not press for a reduced sentence for longtime friend Roger Stone although he tweeted the sentiment publicly .
During an interview on Fox News , Gidley was asked if “ anyone at the White House ” pressured Attorney General William Barr or the Justice Department to reduce Stone ’ s sentence .
“ Unequivocally , no , ” Gidley said .
“ The president addressed this yesterday in the Oval Office .
He did not talk to Attorney General Barr about this before the sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the DOJ made very clear that they made this decision before any tweet [ from the president ] went out .
They made this decision on their own.
” But in a tweet just hours before Gidley 's remarks , Trump praised Barr for `` taking charge '' of the Stone case , which prompted four career prosecutors to quit the case .
Gidley went on to argue that the president “ has the right ” to interfere in the justice system .
“ He just didn ’ t , ” Gidley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make any comment , didn ’ t have a conversation with the Attorney General .
And that ’ s just ludicrous .
It ’ s just another scandal that the Democrats are trying to push forward .
The media loves to try and trash this president.
” “ Now that impeachment is over , now that Russia is over… they are looking for something else to grab onto , ” he added .
“ Because they don ’ t want to talk about the successful policies of this president .
”

White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley insisted on Wednesday that President Donald Trump did not press for a reduced sentence for longtime friend Roger Stone although he tweeted the sentiment publicly.
During an interview on Fox News, Gidley was asked if “anyone at the White House” pressured Attorney General William Barr or the Justice Department to reduce Stone’s sentence.
“Unequivocally, no,” Gidley said. “The president addressed this yesterday in the Oval Office. He did not talk to Attorney General Barr about this before the sentence. In fact, the Attorney General and the DOJ made very clear that they made this decision before any tweet [from the president] went out. They made this decision on their own.”
But in a tweet just hours before Gidley's remarks, Trump praised Barr for "taking charge" of the Stone case, which prompted four career prosecutors to quit the case.
Gidley went on to argue that the president “has the right” to interfere in the justice system.
“He just didn’t,” Gidley said. “He didn’t make any comment, didn’t have a conversation with the Attorney General. And that’s just ludicrous. It’s just another scandal that the Democrats are trying to push forward. The media loves to try and trash this president.”
“Now that impeachment is over, now that Russia is over… they are looking for something else to grab onto,” he added. “Because they don’t want to talk about the successful policies of this president.”


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Elizabeth Warren Is Coming For Corrupt Republicans: 'Roger Stone, I'm Looking At You'

It does n't appear that Democratic presidential candidate and Senator Elizabeth Warren is dejected in the slightest by her showing @ @ @ @ @ .
She has lost none of her fire and focus in coming for Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ through our government .
At her rally last night once the New Hampshire results were @ @ @ @ @ , pointed fingers and named names .
SEN. WARREN : On a day when career @ @ @ @ @ almost every Republican Senator , standing up to this president , Americans of all political @ @ @ @ @ the corruption of a Trump Justice Department that abandons the rule of law , to @ @ @ @ @ who commit their crimes on behalf of Donald Trump , and yes , Roger Stone @ @ @ @ @ you .
It matters not in which office Senator Warren ends up .
Roger Stone @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump should ALL be terrified of her .

WELP.
It doesn't appear that Democratic presidential candidate and Senator Elizabeth Warren is dejected in the slightest by her showing in the New Hampshire primary. She has lost none of her fire and focus in coming for Donald Trump and his crime syndicate metastasizing through our government. At her rally last night once the New Hampshire results were in, she stood tall, pointed fingers and named names.
SEN. WARREN: On a day when career prosecutors showed more backbone than almost every Republican Senator, standing up to this president, Americans of all political stripes are gravely concerned about the corruption of a Trump Justice Department that abandons the rule of law, to give sweetheart deals to criminals who commit their crimes on behalf of Donald Trump, and yes, Roger Stone, I'm looking at you.
It matters not in which office Senator Warren ends up. Roger Stone, Bill Barr, and Donald Trump should ALL be terrified of her.
Donald Trump is shredding the rule of law in this country. His AG overruled career prosecutors to reduce the sentence for his buddy Roger Stone after Stone committed crimes to protect him. Every Republican who voted to acquit Trump for his corrupt actions enabled and owns this. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 12, 2020
Donald Trump can continue his corrupt rampages and vendettas because elected Republicans do nothing. They lack the courage and backbone shown by four career prosecutors who stepped down rather than facilitate the Attorney General’s corrupt scheme. But we are not powerless. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 12, 2020
Congress must act immediately to rein in our lawless Attorney General. Barr should resign or face impeachment. And Congress should use spending power to defund the AG’s authority to interfere with anything that affects Trump, his friends, or his elections. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 12, 2020
I am the only candidate to propose an independent DOJ task force to investigate crimes by Trump administration officials. Every Democratic candidate must commit to it—so Trump officials know they will be held accountable by career prosecutors once he is out of office. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 12, 2020


Department Of JusTrump

What do these complicit senators have to say for themselves ?
John Avlon , John Harwood , and Kate Bolduan @ @ @ @ @ about Trump and Barr unleashed .


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--CNN Clobbers GOP Senators:  Afraid Of Their 'Unhinged President'

The two Johns ( Avlon and Harwood ) joined Kate Bolduan on CNN this morning to create a trio of blistering critiques of Donald Trump , Bill Barr , and the GOP Senators who are amoral and cynical enough to say Trump has learned his lesson from impeachment .
What 's for dinner ?
Heads on pikes sound good ... BOLDUAN : President Trump unrestrained , unleashed and unrepentant , on a tear settling scores after his acquittal one week ago in the senate .
Since then here 's a bit of a reminder of what the president has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Vindman , fired Vindman 's twin brother who had nothing to do with Ukraine policy or impeachment .
He removed Ambassador Gordon Sondland .
He vowed revenge , and then in quick succession he has attacked the judge and prosecutors ' handling the criminal case of his long-time friend and ally , Roger Stone .
All of this in the week since the Senate vote and Senate Republicans saying that they think that Trump had learned his lesson .
Oh , hey , Senators Collins , Thune , and Portman !
Howzitgoin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP senators do n't seem to be in the mood to talk to reporters about the revenge removals going on right now all over the place , and the protest resignations of those with spines and consciences .
Bolduan asked CNN Correspondent John Avlon what this week 's takeaways are so far .
( Christ , it 's only Wednesday . )
AVLON : The president is not remotely restrained .
The senators who said that were wishing and hoping , naïve in the extreme , willfully blinded by partisan self-interest .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president now for something that they would condemn a Democratic president on a dime for doing , even one-quarter of this .
This is a president who is angry .
He is unhinged and he is unaccountable because his attorney general seems to believe his job is to act as the president 's personal attorney .
That is a very dangerous circumstance that frankly , the founders and the framers did n't anticipate .
BOLDUAN : Or he 's hinged and this is exactly what his hinge is .
He knows exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was trying to do here .
AVLON : I would n't say control -- self-control is a real hallmark of this president .
When Bolduan asks about outrage fatigue , Avlon responds that of course that has always been part of Trump 's strategy , and we need to be discerning and careful not to fall prey to it .
This abuse of power is different — yet another new level .
Trump/Barr mind meld is `` the stuff that really stands out if you use anything resembling historic standards , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impartial justice is core to the credibility of the Justice Department .
And right , now what Republicans and White House staff are backing themselves into , whether they want to admit it or not , is advancing the Nixon standard , of `` If the president does it , it means it is n't illegal . ''
THAT is contrary to all of our best intentions , especially for anyone who had the pretense of calling themself a Constitutional conservative , once .
Bolduan then asked John Harwood to assess if Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment- and Mueller-related has been satisfied , or if we can expect more to come .
His answer was chilling .
HARWOOD : I do n't think so but you can certainly imagine it doing that .
The president certainly not going to be constrained by his moral sense on that because by his words and actions , he has indicated he does n't have a very active moral sense .
He 's going to do what he thinks is in his short-term best interests .
If that in the future goes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on legislation , nobody would be surprised to see it .
Trump `` does n't have a very active moral sense . ''
( You can say that again . )
And everyone needs to open their eyes and ears .
Our media is telling us that NO ONE WOULD BE SURPRISED if Trump began to punish people who voted against him on legislation !
We are watching appeasement in real-time , people .
Did it work for other authoritarians ?
Does it work for the bullies in your life ?
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've gotten away with what they want ?

The two Johns (Avlon and Harwood) joined Kate Bolduan on CNN this morning to create a trio of blistering critiques of Donald Trump, Bill Barr, and the GOP Senators who are amoral and cynical enough to say Trump has learned his lesson from impeachment. What's for dinner? Heads on pikes sound good...
Bolduan's intro went thusly:
BOLDUAN: President Trump unrestrained, unleashed and unrepentant, on a tear settling scores after his acquittal one week ago in the senate. Since then here's a bit of a reminder of what the president has done. He fired impeachment witness Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, fired Vindman's twin brother who had nothing to do with Ukraine policy or impeachment. He removed Ambassador Gordon Sondland. He vowed revenge, and then in quick succession he has attacked the judge and prosecutors' handling the criminal case of his long-time friend and ally, Roger Stone. All of this in the week since the Senate vote and Senate Republicans saying that they think that Trump had learned his lesson.
Oh, hey, Senators Collins, Thune, and Portman! Howzitgoin? Funny, today, apparently, GOP senators don't seem to be in the mood to talk to reporters about the revenge removals going on right now all over the place, and the protest resignations of those with spines and consciences. Bolduan asked CNN Correspondent John Avlon what this week's takeaways are so far. (Christ, it's only Wednesday.)
AVLON: The president is not remotely restrained. The senators who said that were wishing and hoping, naïve in the extreme, willfully blinded by partisan self-interest. And they'll be too afraid to condemn the president now for something that they would condemn a Democratic president on a dime for doing, even one-quarter of this. This is a president who is angry. He is unhinged and he is unaccountable because his attorney general seems to believe his job is to act as the president's personal attorney. That is a very dangerous circumstance that frankly, the founders and the framers didn't anticipate. BOLDUAN: Or he's hinged and this is exactly what his hinge is. He knows exactly what he is doing with what he was trying to do here. AVLON: I wouldn't say control -- self-control is a real hallmark of this president.
When Bolduan asks about outrage fatigue, Avlon responds that of course that has always been part of Trump's strategy, and we need to be discerning and careful not to fall prey to it. This abuse of power is different — yet another new level. Trump/Barr mind meld is "the stuff that really stands out if you use anything resembling historic standards," he insisted.
AVLON: The idea of impartial justice is core to the credibility of the Justice Department. And right, now what Republicans and White House staff are backing themselves into, whether they want to admit it or not, is advancing the Nixon standard, of "If the president does it, it means it isn't illegal." THAT is contrary to all of our best intentions, especially for anyone who had the pretense of calling themself a Constitutional conservative, once.
Bolduan then asked John Harwood to assess if Trump's thirst for revenge over all things impeachment- and Mueller-related has been satisfied, or if we can expect more to come. His answer was chilling.
HARWOOD: I don't think so but you can certainly imagine it doing that. The president certainly not going to be constrained by his moral sense on that because by his words and actions, he has indicated he doesn't have a very active moral sense. He's going to do what he thinks is in his short-term best interests. If that in the future goes to things like punishing people who vote against him on legislation, nobody would be surprised to see it.
Trump "doesn't have a very active moral sense." (You can say that again.) And everyone needs to open their eyes and ears. Our media is telling us that NO ONE WOULD BE SURPRISED if Trump began to punish people who voted against him on legislation! We are watching appeasement in real-time, people. Did it work for other authoritarians? Does it work for the bullies in your life? Do they ever STOP when they feel they've gotten away with what they want?


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Sean Hannity Explains His Disappointment Over...Obamacare Repeal

`` analyzing '' why Obamacare was n't repealed , and recommending `` they '' ( Republicans in the Senate ?
@ @ @ @ @ be ready '' to pass bills on prescription drug prices and pre-existing conditions .
Have @ @ @ @ @ about that , Sean ?
And I 've got some ideas for what you can @ @ @ @ @ `` healthcare savings accounts . ''
Hannity mentions `` health care savings accounts '' as @ @ @ @ @ The most you can put into an HSA annually is $ 3,550 for individuals and @ @ @ @ @ The cap on a similar FSA is $ 2,650 annually .
Giving birth in a @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //t.co/UCWz2uTOzZ Co-ops , which Hannity also mentions here , are another ghost @ @ @ @ @ .
As far as I know , questions remain about whether a nationwide co-op would @ @ @ @ @ with massive insurers , or drive down costs .
Once again private insurance is the @ @

Really, Sean?
Sean Hannity, Donald Trump's pillow talk advisor...
"analyzing" why Obamacare wasn't repealed, and recommending "they" (Republicans in the Senate? Really?) better "be ready" to pass bills on prescription drug prices and pre-existing conditions.
Have you spoken to Mitch McConnell about that, Sean?
And I've got some ideas for what you can do with your praise for "healthcare savings accounts."
Hannity mentions "health care savings accounts" as an alternative to Obamacare. The most you can put into an HSA annually is $3,550 for individuals and $7,100 for families. The cap on a similar FSA is $2,650 annually. Giving birth in a hospital costs about $32,000. https://t.co/UCWz2uTOzZ — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) February 12, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Bureau Of Land Management Director's Deference To 'Constitutionalists' Creates Chaos In The West

Far-right “ constitutionalist ” theories—the kind claiming that the U.S. Constitution ’ s text places severe limits on the power of the federal government , handing supreme power to local authorities—have been around for decades , but their multifarious claims and arguments have never been acknowledged by any American court , nor has their legitimacy ever been recognized by any federal or state authority .
Until now .
The Trump administration has been quietly empowering far-right extremist ideology on public lands in the West , two recent investigative reports inform us .
Under a policy declared last November by Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pendley , the BLM now defers enforcing the law to local “ constitutionalist ” sheriffs , creating widespread chaos and environmental destruction .
Christopher Ketcham ’ s recent profile of Pendley in The New Republic laid bare the open hostility the man in charge of America ’ s largest portfolio of public lands has toward their very existence .
The resulting policy , as another report from Type Investigations and Politico lays bare , has led the BLM to repeatedly ignore its own regulations , leading to “ a culture of lawlessness ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear signal fairly early on in his presidential tenure that he was sympathetic to “ constitutionalist ” claims when he issued a pardon for two Oregon ranchers , Dwight and Steven Hammond .
The two men ’ s ongoing battle with the BLM had long been a focus of antigovernment groups ’ recruitment efforts , culminating with the early 2016 standoff between federal authorities and a group of “ constitutionalists ” who led an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge .
A number of observers , including Rep. Raul Grijalva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardon would signal an open season on federal lands managers by far-right extremists , “ writing a blank check to a dangerous ideology.
” As these more recent reports make clear , Pendley ’ s appointment as BLM chief has ensured that those fears are becoming manifest .
Pendley , who for years has overseen former Reagan Interior Secretary James Watt ’ s old organization , the Coors-funded Mountain States Legal Foundation , ascended to the directorship of the BLM in July and August 2019 .
In the ensuing years , the MSLF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions .
At various times , Pendley has argued that the federal government has no right to own public lands , mirroring “ constitutionalist ” beliefs .
He also has attacked the Endangered Species Act , claiming it seeks “ to kill or prevent anybody from making a living on federal land.
” As Ketcham ’ s profile explores , Pendley ’ s appointment has not been approved by Congress ( he is still officially the BLM ’ s acting director ) and faces legal challenges from environmental groups , who see his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notorious arsonist as chief of the local fire department.
” Conceding the claims of “ constitutionalist ” sheriffs , as Ketcham explores , is extraordinarily worrisome in a very real sense : The nexus of the law enforcement problem is the Constitutionalist Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association , a far-right group that has been steadily recruiting sheriffs , deputies , and other police officers into their “ constitutionalist ” belief system .
The CSPOA contends , like all such “ radical localism ” ideologues , that the county sheriff , and not any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority in the land .
These beliefs , as the Southern Poverty Law Center ’ s disturbing investigation of the CSPOA ’ s reach explained , originated with the Posse Comitatus , a profoundly racist and anti-Semitic organization of the 1970s and ‘ 80s whose ideas had a kind of underground currency in rural America for awhile .
The Posse ’ s leaders preached that the Constitution limited the federal government ’ s powers to raising a military and conducting foreign policy .
The intent , as always , was to restrict if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enforce civil rights laws , as well as gun control laws , land use , and a host of other policies .
In the end , the Posse was urging its followers to ready themselves for acts of terrorism and guerrilla warfare .
Richard Mack , speaking at a gun-rights rally in Olympia , Wash. , in 2016 .
Image from : David Neiwert Later “ Patriot ” movement ideologues—notably far-right LDS Church figure W. Cleon Skousen , as well as such 1990s militia figures as the Militia of Montana and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideology that largely whitewashed away the underlying racism and anti-Semitism .
It was this version of “ constitutionalism ” that CSPOA leader and founder Richard Mack , who led efforts to form “ citizen militias ” in the 1990s as a gun-control-resistance measure , adopted and sells to his followers and supporters including Cliven Bundy and former Fox News figure David Clarke .
Ketcham quotes Dennis McLane , a retired deputy chief of law enforcement at BLM , who explained that county sheriffs allied with the CSPOA would “ serve as the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gut federal lands law enforcement .
“ In many western counties , ” McLane said , “ the sheriffs would use their newfound authority to just ignore the enforcement of federal resource laws.
” As Kethcam notes , this means “ it would be a free-for-all of extractive interests engaging in lawless behavior for maximum profits—the vision of James Watt and the MSLF.
” The Politico/Type Investigations story explores how this reality is creating chaos on the ground in places like rural Nevada , where lithium and other mining projects are proceeding apace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of federal regulations .
It focused on a whistleblower in a Nevada BLM office who filed a complaint charging that “ the laws of the United States are being disregarded for the professional expediency of his superiors and the benefit of private parties , and that a culture of lawlessness has been engendered.
” The centerpiece of the investigation is a lithium mine project that has become embroiled in multiple lawsuits by environmentalists frustrated by the BLM ’ s deliberate refusal to enforce federal laws .
“ This is the Wild West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter Adam Federman .
“ You can kind of do what you want .
And these guys are doing it.
” “ In this administration , we have seen the doors to our public lands be thrown wide open to industry by the BLM avoiding and subverting any environmental protections we have on the books , ” an attorney for one of the environmental groups said .
“ Sometimes that is through sweeping secretarial orders upending management of public lands but sometimes it ’ s just guys at their job trying to make @ @ @ @ @

Far-right “constitutionalist” theories—the kind claiming that the U.S. Constitution’s text places severe limits on the power of the federal government, handing supreme power to local authorities—have been around for decades, but their multifarious claims and arguments have never been acknowledged by any American court, nor has their legitimacy ever been recognized by any federal or state authority. Until now.
The Trump administration has been quietly empowering far-right extremist ideology on public lands in the West, two recent investigative reports inform us. Under a policy declared last November by Bureau of Land Management acting chief William Perry Pendley, the BLM now defers enforcing the law to local “constitutionalist” sheriffs, creating widespread chaos and environmental destruction.
Christopher Ketcham’s recent profile of Pendley in The New Republic laid bare the open hostility the man in charge of America’s largest portfolio of public lands has toward their very existence. The resulting policy, as another report from Type Investigations and Politico lays bare, has led the BLM to repeatedly ignore its own regulations, leading to “a culture of lawlessness” in the West.
Trump himself sent a clear signal fairly early on in his presidential tenure that he was sympathetic to “constitutionalist” claims when he issued a pardon for two Oregon ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond. The two men’s ongoing battle with the BLM had long been a focus of antigovernment groups’ recruitment efforts, culminating with the early 2016 standoff between federal authorities and a group of “constitutionalists” who led an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
A number of observers, including Rep. Raul Grijalva, worried at the time that the pardon would signal an open season on federal lands managers by far-right extremists, “writing a blank check to a dangerous ideology.” As these more recent reports make clear, Pendley’s appointment as BLM chief has ensured that those fears are becoming manifest.
Pendley, who for years has overseen former Reagan Interior Secretary James Watt’s old organization, the Coors-funded Mountain States Legal Foundation, ascended to the directorship of the BLM in July and August 2019. In the ensuing years, the MSLF has become even more extreme in its positions. At various times, Pendley has argued that the federal government has no right to own public lands, mirroring “constitutionalist” beliefs. He also has attacked the Endangered Species Act, claiming it seeks “to kill or prevent anybody from making a living on federal land.”
As Ketcham’s profile explores, Pendley’s appointment has not been approved by Congress (he is still officially the BLM’s acting director) and faces legal challenges from environmental groups, who see his tenure as “akin to naming a notorious arsonist as chief of the local fire department.”
Conceding the claims of “constitutionalist” sheriffs, as Ketcham explores, is extraordinarily worrisome in a very real sense:
“That stuff Pendley said about being subservient to sheriffs is downright dangerous,” John Freemuth, the Cecil Andrus endowed chair of Environment and Public Lands at Boise State University, told me. “When you’re a BLM ranger out there in the middle of nowhere, and you run into these crazy public lands people, like the followers of the Bundys, I wonder what’s going to happen when they say, ‘Your boss says you’re subservient, and I’m going to do whatever I want, and you’re not going to stop me.’ It’s one of the most irresponsible things I’ve seen in public lands management.”
The nexus of the law enforcement problem is the Constitutionalist Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, a far-right group that has been steadily recruiting sheriffs, deputies, and other police officers into their “constitutionalist” belief system. The CSPOA contends, like all such “radical localism” ideologues, that the county sheriff, and not any federal agency, is the highest law-enforcement authority in the land.
These beliefs, as the Southern Poverty Law Center’s disturbing investigation of the CSPOA’s reach explained, originated with the Posse Comitatus, a profoundly racist and anti-Semitic organization of the 1970s and ‘80s whose ideas had a kind of underground currency in rural America for awhile. The Posse’s leaders preached that the Constitution limited the federal government’s powers to raising a military and conducting foreign policy. The intent, as always, was to restrict if not nullify the government’s ability to enforce civil rights laws, as well as gun control laws, land use, and a host of other policies. In the end, the Posse was urging its followers to ready themselves for acts of terrorism and guerrilla warfare.
Richard Mack, speaking at a gun-rights rally in Olympia, Wash., in 2016. Credit: David Neiwert
Later “Patriot” movement ideologues—notably far-right LDS Church figure W. Cleon Skousen, as well as such 1990s militia figures as the Militia of Montana and the Montana Freemen—sold a regurgitated form of Posse ideology that largely whitewashed away the underlying racism and anti-Semitism. It was this version of “constitutionalism” that CSPOA leader and founder Richard Mack, who led efforts to form “citizen militias” in the 1990s as a gun-control-resistance measure, adopted and sells to his followers and supporters including Cliven Bundy and former Fox News figure David Clarke.
Ketcham quotes Dennis McLane, a retired deputy chief of law enforcement at BLM, who explained that county sheriffs allied with the CSPOA would “serve as the local vanguard” for this national campaign to gut federal lands law enforcement. “In many western counties,” McLane said, “the sheriffs would use their newfound authority to just ignore the enforcement of federal resource laws.”
As Kethcam notes, this means “it would be a free-for-all of extractive interests engaging in lawless behavior for maximum profits—the vision of James Watt and the MSLF.”
The Politico/Type Investigations story explores how this reality is creating chaos on the ground in places like rural Nevada, where lithium and other mining projects are proceeding apace with full BLM approval despite multiple clear violation of federal regulations. It focused on a whistleblower in a Nevada BLM office who filed a complaint charging that “the laws of the United States are being disregarded for the professional expediency of his superiors and the benefit of private parties, and that a culture of lawlessness has been engendered.”
The centerpiece of the investigation is a lithium mine project that has become embroiled in multiple lawsuits by environmentalists frustrated by the BLM’s deliberate refusal to enforce federal laws. “This is the Wild West out here,” the whistleblower told reporter Adam Federman. “You can kind of do what you want. And these guys are doing it.”
“In this administration, we have seen the doors to our public lands be thrown wide open to industry by the BLM avoiding and subverting any environmental protections we have on the books,” an attorney for one of the environmental groups said. “Sometimes that is through sweeping secretarial orders upending management of public lands but sometimes it’s just guys at their job trying to make the boss happy.”
Published with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Susan Collins Comes Up Empty On 'Hope For Trump'

Well , Susan Collins , I hope all the money Mitch McConnell has promised in order to save your Senate @ @ @ @ @ Because videos like this are FREE advertising for the Democrat who will take your place @ @ @ @ @ I do n't know which actions you 're referring to .
I 've made very @ @ @ @ @ think anyone should be retaliated against .
RAJU : In light of the president 's @ @ @ @ @ there 's any lessons that he learned from being impeached ?
COLLINS : I do @ @ @ @ @ 're referring to .
I 've made very clear that I do n't think anyone @ @ @ @ @ RAJU : Has he learned any lessons ?
COLLINS : There 's a reason why @ @ @ @ @ since George Washington was inaugurated as our first president , that we have never removed @ @ @ @ @ RAJU : You said the president learned his lesson .
Do you think he learned @ @ @ @ @ ( crickets )

Well, Susan Collins, I hope all the money Mitch McConnell has promised in order to save your Senate Seat was worth it.
Because videos like this are FREE advertising for the Democrat who will take your place next January.
COLLINS: I don't know which actions you're referring to. I've made very clear that I don't think anyone should be retaliated against. RAJU: In light of the president's actions, do you think there's any lessons that he learned from being impeached?COLLINS: I don't know which actions you're referring to. I've made very clear that I don't think anyone should be retaliated against. RAJU: Has he learned any lessons?
COLLINS: There's a reason why in all the years that since George Washington was inaugurated as our first president, that we have never removed a duly elected president. RAJU: You said the president learned his lesson. Do you think he learned any lessons?
COLLINS: (crickets)
I give this one two Susan Collins frowns, one Lisa Murkowski "unfortunate," and five totally unrelated bible quotes from Marco Rubio. https://t.co/MBljGJKKby — Seth Cotlar (@SethCotlar) February 12, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--'It's Not The Crime, It's The Cover Up' Part Infinity

The Mueller investigation was , we thought , successfully undermined by William Barr , who is now helping Trump fix the sentencing for Roger Stone .
During Tuesday 's live coverage on MSNBC , Nicolle Wallace noted that Trump `` is n't smart enough '' to do things in a clandestine way .
He is trying openly to erase the work of Robert Mueller because what Mueller did is investigate and prosecute CRIMES by Donald Trump 's people .
NICOLLE WALLACE : There is something worth sort of reminding ourselves .
With Trump , there are always patterns .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They 're never hidden .
He 's not smart enough to be sneaky about these .
If you look at all of the effort , it is too not just to smear the Mueller campaign , it 's to erase it .
It 's to forget it ever existed .
What did the Mueller prosecutors do ?
They investigated crimes .
And I think Lisa Page actually broke some news in that interview with you when you asked about the counterintelligence investigation .
She said that really was n't pursued so much by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at crimes .
Where there were crimes , he investigated them .
They are seeking , Donald Trump and Barr , to erase all of the crimes that were prosecuted by Mueller 's team .
And there is no other way ...
They 're seeking to erase .
It happened to reveal the people around him as felons .

The Mueller investigation was, we thought, successfully undermined by William Barr, who is now helping Trump fix the sentencing for Roger Stone.
During Tuesday's live coverage on MSNBC, Nicolle Wallace noted that Trump "isn't smart enough" to do things in a clandestine way. He is trying openly to erase the work of Robert Mueller because what Mueller did is investigate and prosecute CRIMES by Donald Trump's people.
NICOLLE WALLACE: There is something worth sort of reminding ourselves. With Trump, there are always patterns. The ends are always said out loud. They're never hidden. He's not smart enough to be sneaky about these. If you look at all of the effort, it is too not just to smear the Mueller campaign, it's to erase it. It's to forget it ever existed. What did the Mueller prosecutors do? They investigated crimes. And I think Lisa Page actually broke some news in that interview with you when you asked about the counterintelligence investigation. She said that really wasn't pursued so much by Mueller. What Mueller did was look at crimes. Where there were crimes, he investigated them. They are seeking, Donald Trump and Barr, to erase all of the crimes that were prosecuted by Mueller's team. And there is no other way... They're seeking to erase. It happened to reveal the people around him as felons.


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Witness Testifies A Crying Jim Jordan Begged Him To Lie In Sex Abuse Case

The Ohio statehouse held a hearing yesterday on a bill that would allow sexual abuse victims of the Ohio State @ @ @ @ @ sue for damages .
And guess what one witness said ?
Via Cleveland.com : Adam @ @ @ @ @ of the OSU wrestling team during the late 80s and early 90s , told members @ @ @ @ @ Committee that Jordan and other team officials knew about open-shower team facilities that facilitated sexual @ @ @ @ @ wrestlers , an allegation Jordan has denied .
He also said Jordan called him repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ media outlets quoted his brother , Michael DiSabato , saying Strauss ’ abuse was common @ @ @ @ @ wrestling program , including Jordan .
“ Jim Jordan called me crying , groveling… begging @ @ @ @ @ brother…That ’ s the kind of cover-up that ’ s going on there , ” @ @ @ @ @ you guys going to do what you ’ re voted to do ?
” he @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s the only reason I ’ m here .
”

The Ohio statehouse held a hearing yesterday on a bill that would allow sexual abuse victims of the Ohio State wrestling team's doctor to sue for damages. And guess what one witness said? Via Cleveland.com:
Adam DiSabato, a former captain of the OSU wrestling team during the late 80s and early 90s, told members of the House Civil Justice Committee that Jordan and other team officials knew about open-shower team facilities that facilitated sexual harassment and abuse of team wrestlers, an allegation Jordan has denied.
He also said Jordan called him repeatedly in July 2018, after media outlets quoted his brother, Michael DiSabato, saying Strauss’ abuse was common knowledge to those surrounding the wrestling program, including Jordan.
“Jim Jordan called me crying, groveling… begging me to go against my brother…That’s the kind of cover-up that’s going on there,” he said.
“Are you guys going to do what you’re voted to do?” he told lawmakers later. “That’s the only reason I’m here.”


crooksandliars--2020-02-12--Brave New World: Trump Decides He Should Rule On Guilt Or Innocence

This is n't just breaking long-held norms and handing Trump the keys to the DOJ .
This is also most likely Bill Barr actively interfering with a case to protect Trump and keep Roger Stone from talking about collusion , as Marcy Wheeler asserts .
CNN 's New Day dug in to the news that Bill Barr was going to take over Stone 's case .
`` This is about so much more than just how long will Roger Stone spend behind bars .
The message it sends is that Bill Barr is tampering with the integrity of the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's different from all the other departments .
It needs to stand apart .
It needs to be free to prosecute cases independently without politics , '' former prosecutor Elie Honig said .
`` And there are different rules for President Trump and his pals who can lie to investigators , who can tamper with witnesses than the rest of us , '' Alysin Camerota pointed out .
Honig said you could n't ignore the pattern .
`` Roger Stone 's not just any defendant picked at random .
President 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying to Congress to protect the Trump campaign .
And let 's not forget , DOJ softened its stance on Michael Flynn .
They had come out asking for six months , then took it back and said probation is fine .
You ca n't ignore that pattern . ''
John Berman pointed out this was a jury verdict .
`` So the president who is critical of it in this tweet and somehow denying that his influence or his tweet had any role in this , but the president has tweeted about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the verdict , period .
So he 's actually being critical of the Americans , the citizens who are sitting on this jury . ''
`` Memo to President Trump , this is what happens when real juries -- not the Senate , but real juries get to hear a case and weigh the evidence .
And to undermine the jury system , I mean , the jury system is the bulwark of justice in our system .
And to say , I do n't like the jury verdict , you have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to right now because there will be political blowback and I think he knows that , '' Honig said .
`` Maybe .
I mean , if the judge gives Roger Stone a sentence , it 's coming up , that the president does n't like , he 'll pardon Roger Stone , '' Camerota said .
`` I think he will pardon Roger Stone eventually .
After the election win or lose , it 's very likely .
But go ahead and take the political blowback , that 's the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine the prosecutors , undermine DOJ .
Do it the constitutional way , '' Honig said .

This isn't just breaking long-held norms and handing Trump the keys to the DOJ. This is also most likely Bill Barr actively interfering with a case to protect Trump and keep Roger Stone from talking about collusion, as Marcy Wheeler asserts.
CNN's New Day dug in to the news that Bill Barr was going to take over Stone's case.
"This is about so much more than just how long will Roger Stone spend behind bars. The message it sends is that Bill Barr is tampering with the integrity of the Justice Department. The Justice Department is different. It's different from all the other departments. It needs to stand apart. It needs to be free to prosecute cases independently without politics," former prosecutor Elie Honig said.
"And there are different rules for President Trump and his pals who can lie to investigators, who can tamper with witnesses than the rest of us," Alysin Camerota pointed out.
Honig said you couldn't ignore the pattern. "Roger Stone's not just any defendant picked at random. President's long-time friend, political ally convicted of lying to Congress to protect the Trump campaign. And let's not forget, DOJ softened its stance on Michael Flynn. They had come out asking for six months, then took it back and said probation is fine. You can't ignore that pattern."
John Berman pointed out this was a jury verdict. "So the president who is critical of it in this tweet and somehow denying that his influence or his tweet had any role in this, but the president has tweeted about the verdict. He doesn't like the verdict, period. So he's actually being critical of the Americans, the citizens who are sitting on this jury."
"Memo to President Trump, this is what happens when real juries -- not the Senate, but real juries get to hear a case and weigh the evidence. And to undermine the jury system, I mean, the jury system is the bulwark of justice in our system. And to say, I don't like the jury verdict, you have the pardon power. But he's not willing to right now because there will be political blowback and I think he knows that," Honig said.
"Maybe. I mean, if the judge gives Roger Stone a sentence, it's coming up, that the president doesn't like, he'll pardon Roger Stone," Camerota said.
"I think he will pardon Roger Stone eventually. After the election win or lose, it's very likely. But go ahead and take the political blowback, that's the way the system works. But don't undermine the prosecutors, undermine DOJ. Do it the constitutional way," Honig said.


crooksandliars--2020-02-13--Trump: 'Get Bad People Out Of Government'; Twitter: 'You First'

President Donald Trump had his words come back to haunt him on Thursday after he called on “ bad people @ @ @ @ @ government jobs .
“ DRAIN THE SWAMP !
” the president exclaimed on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ out of our government !
” The tweet was quickly met with responses from people @ @ @ @ @ be the first to go .
Read some of the tweets below .
That means @ @ @ @ @ she is the SWAMP QUEEN who is profiting off her job in the White House @ @ @ @ @ China and Japan while her father was in talks with both nations on trade .
@ @ @ @ @ !
https : //t.co/B3XXLG19CL

President Donald Trump had his words come back to haunt him on Thursday after he called on “bad people” to be removed from government jobs.
“DRAIN THE SWAMP!” the president exclaimed on Twitter. “We want bad people out of our government!”
DRAIN THE SWAMP! We want bad people out of our government! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
The tweet was quickly met with responses from people who said that Trump should be the first to go.
Read some of the tweets below.
so that means you're resigning then. cool — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) February 13, 2020
We sure as fuck do. Lets start with the impeached asshole and work our way down. — Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) February 13, 2020
That means get Rid of Ivanka Trump- she is the SWAMP QUEEN who is profiting off her job in the White House by getting trademarks from BOTH China and Japan while her father was in talks with both nations on trade. Time Democrats subpoena her!! https://t.co/B3XXLG19CL — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) February 13, 2020
then resign — Michael Goode 🦆 (@goodetrades) February 13, 2020
Remember when most of your campaign, from the manager to the deputy were thrown in jail while your closest advisor Roger Stone was convicted of 7 felonies?
Yep, drain the swamp, all right. — Trump & GOP Crime Spree (@BenedictDonald_) February 13, 2020
So leave then — Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) February 13, 2020
When a floater yells at you to get a plunger. — Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) February 13, 2020
We finally agree on something. — Jean L.P. Jaurès 🌎🔬📚⚖ (@larsp2740) February 13, 2020
Let’s start with you. — Mike (@ChaiMike26) February 13, 2020
When you leaving? — Butters (@Butta_Fyngaz) February 13, 2020
Yes we do, so resign. — David Weissman (@davidmweissman) February 13, 2020