theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-02--President Trump Meets With President Duque of Colombia – Video and Transcript…

Prior to bilateral discussions at the White House , President Trump and President Duque of Colombia held a press availability in the oval office .
[ Video and Transcript Below ] [ Transcript ] – PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , thank you very much .
It ’ s my honor to have the President of Colombia with us .
We have many things to discuss , including borders and trade and , unfortunately , drugs and drug trafficking .
And we ’ re going to have a good , long session .
This was scheduled very quickly , over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting .
We ’ re going to have representatives on both sides .
Many things to talk about .
And thank you very much , Mr. President .
PRESIDENT DUQUE : Thank you so much , Mr. President .
It ’ s always an honor to be here .
As you know , we have been strong allies , not only defending democracy in the region , but also fighting corruption and drug trafficking .
You know the commitment we have jointly against those terrible threats .
So it ’ s a pleasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , Mr. President .
PRESIDENT TRUMP : We ’ ve been working very well together on drugs and on trafficking — beyond drugs , trafficking and drugs , and trafficking and lots of other things .
Unfortunately , human trafficking , which has become a very big problem .
Tonight , I ’ ll be going — as you know , we ’ ll be going to North Carolina .
We have a big rally scheduled , and that should be , I think , terrific .
It ’ s — thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So we ’ re going to have , hopefully , a good time .
We ’ re going to make a lot of different predictions tonight also .
Working very hard with CDC , with everybody in the — on a subject that has become a very big subject .
The — our country is doing very well .
Our professionals are doing , really , an incredible job .
We ’ re also working with other countries to help them because they really have a fear of the unknown .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of other countries on — including Colombia — but we ’ re working with a lot of other countries on helping them with respect to this problem .
And , again , we ’ re doing very well .
Some additional people were reported .
They ’ re in good shape , but we have some additional people that were reported .
Not very many in the United States .
So we will be having a news conference later .
I ’ m also meeting with the pharmaceutical companies later on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the biggest companies .
Really , the most powerful companies — hopefully the smartest companies — anywhere in the world when it comes to drugs and vaccines , because we ’ re talking about a vaccine .
Maybe a cure ; it ’ s possible .
So we ’ ll see about that .
But we ’ re talking about a vaccine .
And they ’ re moving along very quickly .
All of the pharmaceutical companies are moving along very quickly .
But you ’ ll be invited to a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll see you a little bit later on in the afternoon .
And thank you all very much .
Thank you .
Q President Trump , what do you think about the efforts of Colombian government to fight against drugs ?
Do you agree with the aerial spraying with glyphosate ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , you ’ re going to have to spray .
If you don ’ t spray , you ’ re not going to get rid of them .
So you have to spray , with regard to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are you going to talk about Venezuela ?
PRESIDENT DUQUE : And let me — PRESIDENT TRUMP : Yes , we will .
PRESIDENT DUQUE : — add something that is very important .
We have to combine all the elements that we have : obviously , precision spraying , but also the record highs that we reached in 2019 on manual eradication and also dismantling the drug cartels .
So we have to work on all the elements , and we have to be very strong against crime .
That crime is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurting people everywhere .
And we need to work jointly in that effort , as we have been doing so far .
Q Regarding Venezuela , what ’ s next steps from the United States , helping the region ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : We ’ re talking about Venezuela .
One of the things we ’ re talking about is Venezuela .
A big subject for us .
And they ’ re treating the people of Venezuela unbelievably badly .
They don ’ t have water , they don ’ t have food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we are talking about that .
That ’ s a big — that ’ s a big topic of discussion .
Q What do you want to hear from — PRESIDENT DUQUE : Mr. President , if I may add something to that .
PRESIDENT DUQUE : It ’ s very important that we are stronger on sanctions against a dictatorship in Venezuela .
Venezuela is running out of things .
They have destroyed all the healthcare system .
So we have to , in this year , work together jointly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic transition that is effective in Venezuela .
Q What do you want to hear from pharmaceutical executives about the vaccine ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , we ’ re talking .
You know , this meeting was set up before , and that was about drug pricing .
This meeting was set up a long time ago with the pharmaceutical companies .
And that meeting was about drug pricing , because we brought the numbers down last year — first time in 51 years that the drug prices , prescription , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting scheduled on drug prices , but now we ’ re going to make another subject and that will be — probably the first subject of that has to do with the vaccine , how are they doing .
Q Is it possible to accelerate the development of the vaccine ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , that ’ s what we ’ re going to find out .
We ’ ll know that .
Q Dr. Fauci has said it could take a year .
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re doing , in terms of a vaccine .
Absolutely .
Q Mr. President , is it safe or appropriate to be holding rallies during a public health crisis like this ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , these were set up a long time ago .
And others are .
I mean , you could ask that to the Democrats because they ’ re having a lot of rallies .
They ’ re all having rallies .
That ’ s what they ’ re doing .
They ’ re campaigning .
Q But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Are you worried at all ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : I think it ’ s very safe .
Yeah .
I think it ’ s very safe .
Q Mr. President , do you think that the inter-Afghan talks are going to actually start on the — Q Do you think that the inter-Afghan talks are really going to start as planned on ( inaudible ) ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , we ’ re going to find out .
But we ’ re getting out .
We want to get out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we are going to be leaving , and we ’ re going to be bringing our soldiers back home .
We ’ ve been there for almost 20 years .
It ’ s a long time .
We ’ ve done a great job in terms of getting rid of terrorists .
Now it ’ s up to other countries to get rid of those terrorists .
Q What if the violence picks back up again ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , we ’ re going to meet .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve made a lot of progress .
Okay ?
Thank you .
Thank you all very much .
See you later .

Prior to bilateral discussions at the White House, President Trump and President Duque of Colombia held a press availability in the oval office. [Video and Transcript Below]
The YouTube ID of VfVKnOycUWY?start=307 is invalid.
.
[Transcript] – PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. It’s my honor to have the President of Colombia with us. We have many things to discuss, including borders and trade and, unfortunately, drugs and drug trafficking. And we’re going to have a good, long session.
This was scheduled very quickly, over the weekend, and we look forward to meeting. We’re going to have representatives on both sides. Many things to talk about.
And thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT DUQUE: Thank you so much, Mr. President. It’s always an honor to be here. As you know, we have been strong allies, not only defending democracy in the region, but also fighting corruption and drug trafficking. You know the commitment we have jointly against those terrible threats.
So it’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you so much, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’ve been working very well together on drugs and on trafficking — beyond drugs, trafficking and drugs, and trafficking and lots of other things. Unfortunately, human trafficking, which has become a very big problem.
Tonight, I’ll be going — as you know, we’ll be going to North Carolina. We have a big rally scheduled, and that should be, I think, terrific. It’s — thousands of people are already out there waiting. So we’re going to have, hopefully, a good time. We’re going to make a lot of different predictions tonight also.
Working very hard with CDC, with everybody in the — on a subject that has become a very big subject. The — our country is doing very well. Our professionals are doing, really, an incredible job.
We’re also working with other countries to help them because they really have a fear of the unknown. We’re working very much with a lot of other countries on — including Colombia — but we’re working with a lot of other countries on helping them with respect to this problem. And, again, we’re doing very well.
Some additional people were reported. They’re in good shape, but we have some additional people that were reported. Not very many in the United States. So we will be having a news conference later.
I’m also meeting with the pharmaceutical companies later on this afternoon. We have a big meeting with the biggest companies. Really, the most powerful companies — hopefully the smartest companies — anywhere in the world when it comes to drugs and vaccines, because we’re talking about a vaccine. Maybe a cure; it’s possible. So we’ll see about that. But we’re talking about a vaccine. And they’re moving along very quickly. All of the pharmaceutical companies are moving along very quickly.
But you’ll be invited to a part of that meeting, so we’ll see you a little bit later on in the afternoon. And thank you all very much. Thank you.
Q President Trump, what do you think about the efforts of Colombian government to fight against drugs? Do you agree with the aerial spraying with glyphosate?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, you’re going to have to spray. If you don’t spray, you’re not going to get rid of them. So you have to spray, with regard to the drugs in Colombia. Yeah.
Q Are you going to talk about Venezuela?
PRESIDENT DUQUE: And let me —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes, we will.
PRESIDENT DUQUE: — add something that is very important. We have to combine all the elements that we have: obviously, precision spraying, but also the record highs that we reached in 2019 on manual eradication and also dismantling the drug cartels.
So we have to work on all the elements, and we have to be very strong against crime. That crime is hurting our people and it’s hurting people everywhere. And we need to work jointly in that effort, as we have been doing so far.
Q Regarding Venezuela, what’s next steps from the United States, helping the region?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’re talking about Venezuela. One of the things we’re talking about is Venezuela. A big subject for us. And they’re treating the people of Venezuela unbelievably badly. They don’t have water, they don’t have food. They don’t have anything. And we are talking about that. That’s a big — that’s a big topic of discussion.
Yes, Steve?
Q What do you want to hear from —
PRESIDENT DUQUE: Mr. President, if I may add something to that.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes, please.
PRESIDENT DUQUE: It’s very important that we are stronger on sanctions against a dictatorship in Venezuela. Venezuela is running out of things. They have destroyed all the healthcare system. So we have to, in this year, work together jointly so there’s a political and democratic transition that is effective in Venezuela.
Q What do you want to hear from pharmaceutical executives about the vaccine?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’re talking. You know, this meeting was set up before, and that was about drug pricing. This meeting was set up a long time ago with the pharmaceutical companies. And that meeting was about drug pricing, because we brought the numbers down last year — first time in 51 years that the drug prices, prescription, have come down.
And I have a meeting scheduled on drug prices, but now we’re going to make another subject and that will be — probably the first subject of that has to do with the vaccine, how are they doing.
Q Is it possible to accelerate the development of the vaccine?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, that’s what we’re going to find out. We’ll know that.
Q Dr. Fauci has said it could take a year.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’ve asked them to accelerate whatever they’re doing, in terms of a vaccine. Absolutely.
Q Mr. President, is it safe or appropriate to be holding rallies during a public health crisis like this?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, these were set up a long time ago. And others are. I mean, you could ask that to the Democrats because they’re having a lot of rallies. They’re all having rallies. That’s what they’re doing. They’re campaigning.
Q But do you think it’s safe? Are you worried at all?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think it’s very safe. Yeah. I think it’s very safe.
Q Mr. President, do you think that the inter-Afghan talks are going to actually start on the —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Say it?
Q Do you think that the inter-Afghan talks are really going to start as planned on (inaudible)?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’re going to find out. But we’re getting out. We want to get out. We had good meetings with the Taliban. And we are going to be leaving, and we’re going to be bringing our soldiers back home. We’ve been there for almost 20 years. It’s a long time. We’ve done a great job in terms of getting rid of terrorists. Now it’s up to other countries to get rid of those terrorists.
Q What if the violence picks back up again?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’re going to meet. We have discussions to go. But we’ve made a lot of progress. Okay? Thank you.
Thank you all very much. See you later.
END 10:47 A.M. EST


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-02--Amy Klobuchar Bails Out….

Amy Klobuchar Bails Out….

Senator Amy Klobuchar has suspended her campaign for President ahead of tomorrows big super-tuesday vote .
The timing tells a @ @ @ @ @ race today means Klobuchar ’ s internal polling showed she was going to lose her @ @ @ @ @ to Bernie Sanders .
It ’ s likely Bernie Sanders is going to crush Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ field in Minnesota .
Quitting today allows Klobuchar to avoid the embarrassment of a big @ @ @ @ @ strategy , Klobuchar is expected to endorse Joe Biden .

Senator Amy Klobuchar has suspended her campaign for President ahead of tomorrows big super-tuesday vote. The timing tells a story here…. Quitting the race today means Klobuchar’s internal polling showed she was going to lose her home state of Minnesota tomorrow to Bernie Sanders.
It’s likely Bernie Sanders is going to crush Klobuchar and the rest of the field in Minnesota. Quitting today allows Klobuchar to avoid the embarrassment of a big defeat.
Following the Club strategy, Klobuchar is expected to endorse Joe Biden.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Super Tuesday – Ground Reports and Open Discussion – 1,344 Delegates Available

Today is Super Tuesday where 14 states and two territories vote in the presidential primary ( listed below ) .
There are a total of 1,320 delegates up for grabs representing 34 percent of all available delegates .
Approximately 40 percent of all American voters will be voting today .
At the end of today we will likely have an even better idea of whether the DNC will end up with a brokered convention .
Bernie Sanders is hoping for at least 50 percent of the total available delegates with a heavy focus on Texas , California , Massachusetts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping for a strong showing in southern states , and second-place proportional delegates in Texas and California .
Biden and Bloomberg are hoping to block Bernie .
Mini-mike has staked his reputation and spent $ 500 million to win delegates today from anywhere .
However , Elizabeth Warren is hoping to become a very important king-maker by gathering just enough of the delegates Bernie needs & then entering talks with both sides .
Below you will find a list of states voting today along with the number of delegates for each state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel free to share your ground report .
What ’ s the turnout like in your local precinct ?
♦Alabama : Open primary , with 52 pledged delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
♦American Samoa : Open caucus , with the territory awarding six delegates on the basis of the results of the caucuses .
♦Arkansas : Open primary , with 31 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
♦California : Semi-closed primary -only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- with the 415 delegates being awarded on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- with 67 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
♦Democrats Abroad : Open primary in which any U.S. citizen living abroad who is a member of Democrats Abroad can participate , with the 13 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
♦Maine : Closed primary –only Democrats can cast a ballot- 24 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
♦Massachusetts : Semi-closed primary –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- 91 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- 110 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .
♦Oklahoma : Semi-closed primary –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- 37 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis .

Today is Super Tuesday where 14 states and two territories vote in the presidential primary (listed below). There are a total of 1,320 delegates up for grabs representing 34 percent of all available delegates. Approximately 40 percent of all American voters will be voting today. At the end of today we will likely have an even better idea of whether the DNC will end up with a brokered convention.
Bernie Sanders is hoping for at least 50 percent of the total available delegates with a heavy focus on Texas, California, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Club Favorite Joe Biden is hoping for a strong showing in southern states, and second-place proportional delegates in Texas and California. Biden and Bloomberg are hoping to block Bernie. Mini-mike has staked his reputation and spent $500 million to win delegates today from anywhere.
However, Elizabeth Warren is hoping to become a very important king-maker by gathering just enough of the delegates Bernie needs & then entering talks with both sides.
Below you will find a list of states voting today along with the number of delegates for each state and territory. If you are voting today feel free to share your ground report. What’s the turnout like in your local precinct?
♦Alabama: Open primary, with 52 pledged delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦American Samoa: Open caucus, with the territory awarding six delegates on the basis of the results of the caucuses.
♦Arkansas: Open primary, with 31 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦California: Semi-closed primary -only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- with the 415 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Colorado: Semi-closed primary –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- with 67 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Democrats Abroad: Open primary in which any U.S. citizen living abroad who is a member of Democrats Abroad can participate, with the 13 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Maine: Closed primary –only Democrats can cast a ballot- 24 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Massachusetts: Semi-closed primary –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- 91 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Minnesota: Open primary, 75 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦North Carolina: Semi-closed primary –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- 110 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Oklahoma: Semi-closed primary –only Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot- 37 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Tennessee: Open primary, 64 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Texas: Open primary, 228 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Utah: Open primary, 29 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Vermont: Open primary, 16 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
♦Virginia: Open primary, 99 delegates being awarded on a proportional basis.
~ Current Outlook ~


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--March 3rd – 2020 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1139

Post was not sent - check your email addresses !
Email check failed , please try again Sorry , your @ @ @ @ @ by email .

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.
This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.
President Trump Twitter @POTUS / Vice President Pence Twitter @VP
Stephanie Grisham Twitter @StephGrisham45


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Tuesday March 3rd – Open Thread

Tuesday March 3rd – Open Thread

Our Father , who art in heaven , hallowed be thy Name .
Thy kingdom come .
THY WILL BE @ @ @ @ @ it is in heaven .
Give us this day our daily bread .
And forgive @ @ @ @ @ we forgive those who trespass against us .
And lead us not into temptation , @ @ @ @ @ .
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory , forever and @ @ @ @

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Ten Day Countdown Begins – FISA Authorization Expiring…

The Senate is scheduled to go back into recess March 13 , 2020 .
Additionally , the DOJ/FBI response to the FISA court order ( due February 5th ) has still not been made public .
If congress is going to reauthorize the controversial FISA provisions , they have ten days .
In November of 2019 buried deep in the congressional budget Continuing Resolution ( CR ) was a short-term extension to reauthorize the FISA “ business records provision ” , the “ roving wiretap ” provision , the “ lone wolf ” provision , and the more controversial bulk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDR ) ] , all parts of the Patriot Act .
As a result of the FISA CR inclusion the terminal deadline was pushed to March 15 , 2020 .
AG Bill Barr is requesting a clean FISA renewal with no reforms or revisions .
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham support the AG request .
Representatives requesting FISA reform prior to renewal include : Mark Meadows , Jim Jordan , Doug Collins , Jody Rice , Devin Nunes and Steve Scalise .
Additionally , Senators Mike Lee , Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to force reform or let the current version expire .
The American people want it scrapped , or , at a minimum strongly revised .
Congress is trying to hide the FISA renewal within the Coronavirus appropriations bill .
Prior to the December 9 , 2019 , inspector general report on FISA abuse , FISA Court judges Rosemary Collyer ( declassified 2017 ) and James Boasberg ( declassified 2019 ) both identified issues with the NSA bulk database collection program being exploited for unauthorized reasons .
For the past several years no corrective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved the abuses outlined by the FISA court .
Keep in mind the deadline for the DOJ to respond to the FISA court about the abusive intelligence practices identified in the Horowitz report was February 5th , more than four weeks ago .
The responses from the DOJ and FBI have not been made public .
It appears the DOJ is trying to get the FISA reauthorization passed before the FISC declassifies the corrective action outlined from the prior court order .
This response would also include information about the “ sequestering ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the now admitted fraudulent and misrepresented information within the FISA applications .
The FISA “ business records provision ” , the “ roving wiretap ” provision , the “ lone wolf ” provision , and the more controversial bulk metadata provisions [ Call Detail Records ( CDR ) ] , again all parts of the Patriot Act , must not be reauthorized without a full public vetting of the abuses that have taken place for the past several years .
At a minimum the pending DOJ/FBI response to the FISA court needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by congress .
And to better understand the scale of the issue , the consequences when the system is abused , the upstream sequester material needs to be made public .
Let the American public see what investigative evidence was unlawfully gathered , and let us see who and what was exposed by the fraudulently obtained FISA warrants .
At a minimum congress and the American people need to understand the scale of what can happen when the system is wrong – BEFORE that exact same system is reauthorized .
Declassification of existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2016 FISA-702 search query abuse as outlined in the April 2017 court opinion written by FISC Presiding Judge Rosemary Collyer .
Who exactly are these private sector FBI contractors behind the 85 % fraudulent search queries ?
This was a weaponized surveillance and domestic political spying operation .
[ The trail was laid down in specific detail by Judge Collyer – SEE HERE ] The U.S. constitution ’ s fourth amendment is being violated by the continued abuse of bulk metadata collection , particularly when private contractors and government officials illegally access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( party declassified in 2017 ) and the 2018 FISA review ( party declassified in 2019 ) both show ongoing and systematic wrongdoing despite all prior corrective action and promises .
This needs to be stopped .

The Senate is scheduled to go back into recess March 13, 2020. Additionally, the DOJ/FBI response to the FISA court order (due February 5th) has still not been made public. If congress is going to reauthorize the controversial FISA provisions, they have ten days.
In November of 2019 buried deep in the congressional budget Continuing Resolution (CR) was a short-term extension to reauthorize the FISA “business records provision”, the “roving wiretap” provision, the “lone wolf” provision, and the more controversial bulk metadata provisions [Call Detail Records (CDR)], all parts of the Patriot Act. As a result of the FISA CR inclusion the terminal deadline was pushed to March 15, 2020.
AG Bill Barr is requesting a clean FISA renewal with no reforms or revisions. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham support the AG request.
Representatives requesting FISA reform prior to renewal include: Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, Doug Collins, Jody Rice, Devin Nunes and Steve Scalise. Additionally, Senators Mike Lee, Ted Cruz and Senator Rand Paul are trying to force reform or let the current version expire. The American people want it scrapped, or, at a minimum strongly revised.
Congress is trying to hide the FISA renewal within the Coronavirus appropriations bill.
Prior to the December 9, 2019, inspector general report on FISA abuse, FISA Court judges Rosemary Collyer (declassified 2017) and James Boasberg (declassified 2019) both identified issues with the NSA bulk database collection program being exploited for unauthorized reasons. For the past several years no corrective action taken by the intelligence community has improved the abuses outlined by the FISA court.
Keep in mind the deadline for the DOJ to respond to the FISA court about the abusive intelligence practices identified in the Horowitz report was February 5th, more than four weeks ago. The responses from the DOJ and FBI have not been made public.
It appears the DOJ is trying to get the FISA reauthorization passed before the FISC declassifies the corrective action outlined from the prior court order. This response would also include information about the “sequestering” of evidence gathered as a result of the now admitted fraudulent and misrepresented information within the FISA applications.
The FISA “business records provision”, the “roving wiretap” provision, the “lone wolf” provision, and the more controversial bulk metadata provisions [Call Detail Records (CDR)], again all parts of the Patriot Act, must not be reauthorized without a full public vetting of the abuses that have taken place for the past several years.
At a minimum the pending DOJ/FBI response to the FISA court needs to be made public prior to any reauthorization by congress. And to better understand the scale of the issue, the consequences when the system is abused, the upstream sequester material needs to be made public.
Let the American public see what investigative evidence was unlawfully gathered, and let us see who and what was exposed by the fraudulently obtained FISA warrants. At a minimum congress and the American people need to understand the scale of what can happen when the system is wrong – BEFORE that exact same system is reauthorized.
Declassification of existing records would reveal the November 2015 through April 2016 FISA-702 search query abuse as outlined in the April 2017 court opinion written by FISC Presiding Judge Rosemary Collyer. Who exactly are these private sector FBI contractors behind the 85% fraudulent search queries? This was a weaponized surveillance and domestic political spying operation. [The trail was laid down in specific detail by Judge Collyer – SEE HERE]
The U.S. constitution’s fourth amendment is being violated by the continued abuse of bulk metadata collection, particularly when private contractors and government officials illegally access the system. The 2016 FISA review (party declassified in 2017) and the 2018 FISA review (party declassified in 2019) both show ongoing and systematic wrongdoing despite all prior corrective action and promises.
This needs to be stopped.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Chris Matthews Quits MSNBC Effective Immediately – Video…

At the beginning of his broadcast show tonight Chris Matthews announced he is retiring from NBC effective immediately .
Tonight @ @ @ @ @ Hardball With Chris Matthews… ( AP ) Veteran MSNBC host Chris Matthews said he ’ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hardball , ” citing his inappropriate comments about women .
Matthews opened his program @ @ @ @ @ ending his run on the political hour that he started in 1997 .
He said @ @ @ @ @ s appearance that some men , himself included , thought were OK “ were never @ @ @ @ @ of the work he ’ s done on the show , he said .
In @ @ @ @ @ published Feb. 28 , freelance journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews behaved inappropriately toward her when @ @ @ @ @ show .

At the beginning of his broadcast show tonight Chris Matthews announced he is retiring from NBC effective immediately. Tonight was the final broadcast of Hardball With Chris Matthews…
(AP) Veteran MSNBC host Chris Matthews said he’s retiring from his show “Hardball,” citing his inappropriate comments about women.
Matthews opened his program with the announcement he was ending his run on the political hour that he started in 1997.
He said compliments on a woman’s appearance that some men, himself included, thought were OK “were never OK.”
He remained proud of the work he ’s done on the show, he said.
In a first-person story for GQ published Feb. 28, freelance journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews behaved inappropriately toward her when she was guest on his show.
“In 2016, right before I had to go on his show and talk about sexual-assault allegations against Donald Trump, Matthews looked over at me in the makeup chair next to him and said, ‘Why haven’t I fallen in love with you yet?’ When I laughed nervously and said nothing, he followed up to the makeup artist. ‘Keep putting makeup on her, I’ll fall in love with her,’” Bassett wrote. “Another time, he stood between me and the mirror and complimented the red dress I was wearing for the segment. ‘You going out tonight?’ he asked.”
Bassett said she written about the encounter in a 2017 essay but didn’t name Matthews because she was afraid of network retaliation, adding, “I’m not anymore.” (link)
Video below:


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-02--VP Mike Pence and The Coronavirus Task Force Hold a Press Conference…

Following briefings with local and state officials , and after a roundtable debriefing with President Trump ; Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ Force hold a press briefing to update the public on the coronavirus prevention and containment @ @

Following briefings with local and state officials, and after a roundtable debriefing with President Trump; Vice President Mike Pence and the COVID-19 Task Force hold a press briefing to update the public on the coronavirus prevention and containment efforts.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Super Tuesday Vote Results – Open Discussion Thread – Polls Begin Closing 7:00pm EST

Today is Super Tuesday where 14 states and two territories vote in the presidential primary .
Polls begin closing at 7 p.m. Eastern , in Vermont , Virginia and parts of Alabama .
The first state call of the night for Democrats will probably be Vermont ; the home-state for Senator Bernie Sanders .
Massachusetts closes at 8pm , will Warren hold her home-state ?
The media will follow the Club rules on election day reporting .
Results favorable to Joe Biden or ‘ Never Bernie ’ will be released first and emphasized .
Results favorable to Bernie Sanders will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the first set of ballots that will include Mini-mike Bloomberg .
The narrative coming out of this evening is critical .
♦ Vermont ( 16 delegates ) , polls close 7pm ET – ♦ Virginia ( 99 delegates ) polls close at 7pm ET – ♦ North Carolina ( 110 delegates ) polls close 7:30pm ET – ♦ Alabama ( 52 delegates ) , most polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Maine ( 24 delegates ) , polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Massachusetts ( 91 delegates ) , polls close 8pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Tennessee ( 64 delegates ) , polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Texas ( 228 delegates ) , polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Arkansas ( 31 delegates ) , polls close 8:30pm ET – ♦ Colorado ( 67 delegates ) , polls close 9pm ET – ♦ Minnesota ( 75 delegates ) , polls close 9pm ET – ♦ Utah ( 29 delegates ) , polls close at 10pm ET – and ♦ California ( 415 delegates ) , polls close 11pm ET .

Today is Super Tuesday where 14 states and two territories vote in the presidential primary. Polls begin closing at 7 p.m. Eastern, in Vermont, Virginia and parts of Alabama. The first state call of the night for Democrats will probably be Vermont; the home-state for Senator Bernie Sanders. Massachusetts closes at 8pm, will Warren hold her home-state?
The media will follow the Club rules on election day reporting. Results favorable to Joe Biden or ‘Never Bernie’ will be released first and emphasized. Results favorable to Bernie Sanders will be delayed and downplayed. This is also the first set of ballots that will include Mini-mike Bloomberg. The narrative coming out of this evening is critical.
♦ Vermont (16 delegates), polls close 7pm ET – ♦ Virginia (99 delegates) polls close at 7pm ET – ♦ North Carolina (110 delegates) polls close 7:30pm ET – ♦ Alabama (52 delegates), most polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Maine (24 delegates), polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Massachusetts (91 delegates), polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Oklahoma (37 delegates), polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Tennessee (64 delegates), polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Texas (228 delegates), polls close 8pm ET – ♦ Arkansas (31 delegates), polls close 8:30pm ET – ♦ Colorado (67 delegates), polls close 9pm ET – ♦ Minnesota (75 delegates), polls close 9pm ET – ♦ Utah (29 delegates), polls close at 10pm ET – and ♦ California (415 delegates), polls close 11pm ET.
New York Times Election Results Here
CNN Election Results Here
Politico Election Rssults Here


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--President Trump Delivers Impromptu Remarks After NIH Visit – Video and Transcript…

Chopper Pressers are the best Pressers .
President Trump and members of the Coronavirus taskforce deliver remarks to the press pool after arriving back at the White House from a visit to the National Institute of Health in Maryland .
[ Video and Transcript Below ] [ Transcript ] – THE PRESIDENT : So , we just got back .
We had a great tour of NIH .
And Dr. Fauci is here , along with our Secretary .
And a lot of progress .
Maybe , Alex , you ’ d like to start and then we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AZAR : Well , we just had an incredible visit up at NIH at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease that Dr. Fauci leads .
And the President got to hear from the actual bench scientists who , within three days — within three days — developed a potential vaccine for the novel coronavirus .
And they reported some really important news to the President that , yesterday , the Food and Drug Administration authorized the entry of that vaccine into phase one safety clinical trials .
THE PRESIDENT : Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DR. FAUCI : So , what we did is we just had the opportunity to take the President and show him the actual individual researchers who are doing the things that we ’ ve been talking about .
And what they were referring to is that the actual scientists — middle level , senior , junior — were there and explained to the President what I have actually been explaining to the press , but showed it on graphics : how after the virus was identified , the sequence was taken and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And what happened is that , literally , within a period of a couple of days , we were able to stick it in .
And now , as I said , we ’ re going to go into a phase one trial in about three months from that day — well , we ’ re probably , you know , a month or so — I mean , I don ’ t want to over promise .
I said a month and a half the other day ; it may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then very soon , we ’ ll be sticking the first person with the vaccine .
But I want to caution everybody : That ’ s only the first stage of the development of the vaccine because we emphasized to the President that since we ’ ll be giving the vaccine to normal , healthy people , that safety is very important and you really need to know that it actually works .
That next phase is a phase two trial .
We ’ re not going to be able to start that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months after we go in .
So the whole process is going to take a year , a year and a half at least .
THE PRESIDENT : Do you want to talk about therapeutics ?
DR. FAUCI : Yeah .
The other thing that ’ s interesting that we explained to the President , and the Secretary already knew is that the difference between testing the vaccine and testing therapy are almost qualitatively different .
Because with the therapy , you ’ re going to give it to someone who is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of care .
So , within a reasonable period of time , you ’ re going to know if it works or not .
So , right now , as of like today , there are two large trials going on in China that are comparing one of the drugs — and there are several — one called remdesivir with the standard of care alone .
And when we get those results — which likely will be several months because you ’ re going to have to accumulate hundreds of patients to decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in the United States with some people at the University of Nebraska who are infected and put there .
So once you get the result with the therapy — unlike a vaccine , which takes quite a while — once you get a result , you can start distributing the medication .
Q So , Dr. Fauci , just to be clear : You ’ re saying three months away from treating people who already have coronavirus ?
DR. FAUCI : No , I didn ’ t say that .
I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove it works , you will treat them .
I am not saying that three months from now we ’ re going to have a drug to treat people .
Okay ?
THE PRESIDENT : If it works .
Q So if it works , three months from now , it is possible — DR. FAUCI : No , I — no .
I didn ’ t say .
I said you have to accumulate enough patients , when they get to 400 patients in each trial .
That may take three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know .
When the trial is over and they evaluate the data , if the drug works , then you ’ ll be able to apply it .
Q Mr. President , can you react to the market drop ?
Are you concerned about a recession ?
THE PRESIDENT : I haven ’ t seen it .
I ’ m focused on this .
The country is in great shape .
The market is in great shape .
I ’ m focused on this .
This is very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in addition to the Fed acting ?
The Fed acted and you ’ ve suggested that you also want tax cuts .
THE PRESIDENT : I like middle-income tax cuts .
I think it would be a good time .
THE PRESIDENT : Middle-income tax cuts .
If the Democrats would approve it , I ’ d go along with it .
Q And that ’ s a payroll tax cut , or did you — Q And you want that to happen this year ?
THE PRESIDENT : I would do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would do it .
Q And then , in terms of travel , obviously spring break is coming around the corner .
Should Americans be concerned — are you concerned ?
For example , would you let your son go to Disney ?
THE PRESIDENT : Yeah , I think there ’ s — I think we have a lot of great places we could travel to , right in the United States .
We have a lot of great places we can travel to .
Okay ?
Q Mr. President , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but what are the estimates for how many people and how many cases we actually have ?
What are the estimates ?
SECRETARY AZAR : You said how many cases we actually have right now ?
Q We have confirmed cases , but what are the estimates that you guys have ?
SECRETARY AZAR : Oh , estimates .
Estimates .
Well , we can only have confirmed cases .
So we don ’ t estimate other than the 60 cases we have from here in the United States that are confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have that came from our repatriation activities .
We ’ re very careful to not try to extrapolate or predict with an unknown virus here in the United States .
Q Mr. President , Google just — Google just canceled its big annual conference , sir .
Are companies that are canceling conferences and travel doing the right thing or is that an overreaction , do you think ?
THE PRESIDENT : That ’ s up to them .
Hey , let them stay in the United States .
If they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay here , that ’ s not a bad thing for us .
I — I ’ ve been saying for a long time people should do that .
Q Do you think the Fed wasted its ammunition today ?
They cut rates and the Dow went down .
THE PRESIDENT : No , I think they could have done — I think they should do more .
I think they hinted that they ’ re not going to do much more and that ’ s unfortunate .
He gave a very bad @ @ @ @ @ @

Chopper Pressers are the best Pressers. President Trump and members of the Coronavirus taskforce deliver remarks to the press pool after arriving back at the White House from a visit to the National Institute of Health in Maryland. [Video and Transcript Below]
Transcript ] – THE PRESIDENT: So, we just got back. We had a great tour of NIH. And Dr. Fauci is here, along with our Secretary. And a lot of progress. Maybe, Alex, you’d like to start and then we’ll have the Doctor say something.SECRETARY AZAR: Well, we just had an incredible visit up at NIH at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease that Dr. Fauci leads. And the President got to hear from the actual bench scientists who, within three days — within three days — developed a potential vaccine for the novel coronavirus.And they reported some really important news to the President that, yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the entry of that vaccine into phase one safety clinical trials.Dr. Fauci?THE PRESIDENT: Which is a record. Yeah, please.DR. FAUCI: So, what we did is we just had the opportunity to take the President and show him the actual individual researchers who are doing the things that we’ve been talking about. And what they were referring to is that the actual scientists — middle level, senior, junior — were there and explained to the President what I have actually been explaining to the press, but showed it on graphics: how after the virus was identified, the sequence was taken and put into this platform called messenger RNA. And what happened is that, literally, within a period of a couple of days, we were able to stick it in.And now, as I said, we’re going to go into a phase one trial in about three months from that day — well, we’re probably, you know, a month or so — I mean, I don’t want to over promise. I said a month and a half the other day; it may be about a month or so. And then very soon, we’ll be sticking the first person with the vaccine.But I want to caution everybody: That’s only the first stage of the development of the vaccine because we emphasized to the President that since we’ll be giving the vaccine to normal, healthy people, that safety is very important and you really need to know that it actually works.That next phase is a phase two trial. We’re not going to be able to start that for at least another three or four months after we go in. So the whole process is going to take a year, a year and a half at least.THE PRESIDENT: Do you want to talk about therapeutics?DR. FAUCI: Yeah. The other thing that’s interesting that we explained to the President, and the Secretary already knew is that the difference between testing the vaccine and testing therapy are almost qualitatively different. Because with the therapy, you’re going to give it to someone who is already ill and you compare it to standard of care. So, within a reasonable period of time, you’re going to know if it works or not.So, right now, as of like today, there are two large trials going on in China that are comparing one of the drugs — and there are several — one called remdesivir with the standard of care alone.And when we get those results — which likely will be several months because you’re going to have to accumulate hundreds of patients to decide. We have our own trial right now in the United States with some people at the University of Nebraska who are infected and put there. So once you get the result with the therapy — unlike a vaccine, which takes quite a while — once you get a result, you can start distributing the medication.Q So, Dr. Fauci, just to be clear: You’re saying three months away from treating people who already have coronavirus?DR. FAUCI: No, I didn’t say that. I said, if the drug works and you prove it works, you will treat them. I am not saying that three months from now we’re going to have a drug to treat people. Okay?THE PRESIDENT: If it works.DR. FAUCI: Yeah.Q So if it works, three months from now, it is possible —DR. FAUCI: No, I — no. I didn’t say. I said you have to accumulate enough patients, when they get to 400 patients in each trial. That may take three months. That may take five months. I don’t know.When the trial is over and they evaluate the data, if the drug works, then you’ll be able to apply it.Q Mr. President, can you react to the market drop? Are you concerned about a recession?THE PRESIDENT: I haven’t seen it. I’m focused on this. The country is in great shape. The market is in great shape. I’m focused on this. This is very important.Q Do you want tax cuts, in addition to the Fed acting? The Fed acted and you’ve suggested that you also want tax cuts.THE PRESIDENT: I like middle-income tax cuts. I think it would be a good time.Q This year?THE PRESIDENT: Middle-income tax cuts. If the Democrats would approve it, I’d go along with it.Q And that’s a payroll tax cut, or did you —THE PRESIDENT: It’s a payroll tax, yeah. Payroll tax cut.Q And you want that to happen this year?THE PRESIDENT: I would do it if they can approve it. I would do it.Q And then, in terms of travel, obviously spring break is coming around the corner. Should Americans be concerned — are you concerned? For example, would you let your son go to Disney?THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I think there’s — I think we have a lot of great places we could travel to, right in the United States. We have a lot of great places we can travel to. Okay?Q Mr. President, we’ve heard about confirmed cases, but what are the estimates for how many people and how many cases we actually have? What are the estimates?THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.SECRETARY AZAR: You said how many cases we actually have right now?Q We have confirmed cases, but what are the estimates that you guys have?SECRETARY AZAR: Oh, estimates. Estimates. Well, we can only have confirmed cases. So we don’t estimate other than the 60 cases we have from here in the United States that are confirmed, as well as the 48 cases that we have that came from our repatriation activities.We’re very careful to not try to extrapolate or predict with an unknown virus here in the United States.THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.Q Mr. President, Google just — Google just canceled its big annual conference, sir. Are companies that are canceling conferences and travel doing the right thing or is that an overreaction, do you think?THE PRESIDENT: That’s up to them. Hey, let them stay in the United States. If they don’t travel, if they stay here, that’s not a bad thing for us. I — I’ve been saying for a long time people should do that.Q Do you think the Fed wasted its ammunition today? They cut rates and the Dow went down.THE PRESIDENT: No, I think they could have done — I think they should do more. I think they hinted that they’re not going to do much more and that’s unfortunate.He gave a very bad signal, in my opinion.


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Club Superdelegate Donna Brazile Shouts: “Stay The Hell Out of Our Race”….

Methinks Ms. Brazile doth protest too much .
The Mamet Principle on steroids… Fox News contributor , former DNC chairwoman and current superdelegate Donna Brazile loses her cool when confronted about the DNC Club manipulating the race to stop Bernie Sanders .
Considering that Donna Brazile personally worked in 2016 to eliminate Bernie Sanders by giving advanced copies of townhall questions to the preferred club candidate Hillary Clinton , the protestations from Brazile today are particularly rich .
WATCH : In November 2017 DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile penned an article in Politico laying out brutal sunlight upon the Clinton control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparatus was used by the Clinton campaign in the 2016 election .
Essentially , every complaint held by Bernie Sanders and his supporters was confirmed .
–SEE HERE- The bottom line in the expose ’ was that everything previously claimed by Team Bernie , and denied by the DNC , was actually happening .
The 2016 Democrat primary election was a complete con , a fraud ; and so too is the 2020 process .
About a decade ago , David Mamet wrote a rather controversial op-ed for the Village Voice titled : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brain-Dead Liberal “ .
A few years later Mamet followed up with an excellent book titled : “ The Secret Knowledge “ .
After a life amid a tribe of toxic liberalism , Mamet began to choke on the inherent hypocrisy of it all .
He began to point out that hypocrisy , causing his tribe to go bananas and dispatch him as if he were spreading Ebola .
Later in his evolution he connected the hypocritical dots to the natural outcomes and said :

Methinks Ms. Brazile doth protest too much. The Mamet Principle on steroids… Fox News contributor, former DNC chairwoman and current superdelegate Donna Brazile loses her cool when confronted about the DNC Club manipulating the race to stop Bernie Sanders.
Considering that Donna Brazile personally worked in 2016 to eliminate Bernie Sanders by giving advanced copies of townhall questions to the preferred club candidate Hillary Clinton, the protestations from Brazile today are particularly rich. WATCH:
…”in order for modern Liberals [leftists] to retain their tenuous grip on their ideology, they have to pretend not to know things”…
In November 2017 DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile penned an article in Politico laying out brutal sunlight upon the Clinton control over the DNC and how the party apparatus was used by the Clinton campaign in the 2016 election. Essentially, every complaint held by Bernie Sanders and his supporters was confirmed. – SEE HER E-The bottom line in the expose’ was that everything previously claimed by Team Bernie, and denied by the DNC, was actually happening. The 2016 Democrat primary election was a complete con, a fraud; and so too is the 2020 process.About a decade ago, David Mamet wrote a rather controversial op-ed for the Village Voice titled: “ Why I am No Longer a Brain-Dead Liberal “. A few years later Mamet followed up with an excellent book titled: “ The Secret Knowledge “.After a life amid a tribe of toxic liberalism, Mamet began to choke on the inherent hypocrisy of it all. He began to point out that hypocrisy, causing his tribe to go bananas and dispatch him as if he were spreading Ebola. Later in his evolution he connected the hypocritical dots to the natural outcomes and said:


theconservativetreehouse--2020-03-03--Joe Biden Gains Endorsements from Corrupt James Comey and Corrupt John Brennan…

Earlier today the notoriously political and corrupt former FBI Director , James Comey , provided his endorsement for Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday the notoriously political and corrupt former CIA Director , John Brennan , also gave @ @ @ @ @ Biden… .

Earlier today the notoriously political and corrupt former FBI Director, James Comey, provided his endorsement for Joe Biden in the Democrat primary.
.
Yesterday the notoriously political and corrupt former CIA Director, John Brennan, also gave his full-throated endorsement for Joe Biden….
.
…Which begs the question.
If Joe Biden were ever to win the office of the presidency, who exactly would be running it?