patrick.net

is the preoccupation and imbalanced manner of the mainstreams media's coverage, and that's a legitimate observation. It's on the verge of being "creepy".

What has come to light in two days really is the biggest story in politics for the past 5 months, or far longer.

It is this kind of biased journalism

The cure being proposed is equal time to opposing views. Simply put, giving equal time/voice to things which are flatly wrong and false has no value anywhere. Truth matters a great deal, and WaPo and NYTs have risen to the challenge ... not shirked from it.

I will not accept Trump as an answer to corruption or divisiveness. He is the embodiment of those diseases himself.

Policy is what affects the individual

Agreed. Policy is also what is made by the State. If the State has a policy of accepting help outside the interest of the American people, what then?

There really isn't a bigger story, though we do need to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Paul Ryan, "Russian meddling in U.S. election is 'absolutely unacceptable'." ... now back to trying to cram this tax break, I mean 'Healthcare bill' through the process.

144

Y 2017 Jul 12, 10:49am

Trump is safe.
His family will not turn on him for one single reason:
Anything the libbies turn up on the trumplings will be PRESIDENTIALLY PARDONED.

Everybody caught in this net will be pardoned. Everybody.
In other words, the libbies are like a dog chasing it's tail, when caught, there is no bite coming...

Was it Collusion?

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/us/politics/collusion-trump-russia-campaign.html

Simple, rational, well done. Go NYT! Go Deep State!

145

Rew 2017 Jul 12, 10:52am

Trump is safe.

If the authoritarian loses all his loyal support and family around him, how long does he stay?

https://politicalwire.com/2017/07/11/kushner-lawyers-discovered-trump-jr-emails/

Everybody caught in this net will be pardoned. Everybody.

Certainty you cannot and should not have. There is plenty of reason to believe this could be moving on a path to convictions.

146

Rew 2017 Jul 12, 11:12am

Good god if this is true ...

Jr. Message right now: "I willingly and transparently disclose these emails, and of course I will testify under oath."
Behind the Scenes: "Jared, as legal council, you are in deep shit. We need to get out in front of this. These emails you received from Jr, we need them disclosed."

147

Rew 2017 Jul 12, 11:13am

Tim Aurora says

A Russian spy is the president of USA.

A little hyperbolic. Minimally, the story is: America seeks to fight corruption ... with corruption.

148

Rew 2017 Jul 12, 1:03pm

Rancor at White House as Russia Story Refuses to Let the Page Turn

149 sagacious1 2017 Jul 12, 7:24pm

Tim Aurora says

sagacious1 says

ook, no one credible is suggesting that these things not be fairly investigated. What is displayed by many conservative posts on this topic is the preoccupation and imbalanced manner of the mainstreams media's coverage, and that's a legitimate observation.

Maybe the MSM is liberal leaning. But this crime, if proven , would possibly the crime of millennium, A Russian spy is the president of USA.

Yes yes...yet even playing it to an extreme and unlikely end, you still get Pence for president and Gorsuch is still a justice. The point being, nothing changes for all the hullaballoo. Let the investigations take their course, ultimately we must still deal with policy. Long gone are the days of stoic-faced commentators, delivering news with neutral, factual content in monotone voices. Journalism had integrity, where ideas, policy and content mattered. Today it's nothing more than entertainment with an almost Jerry Springer like flare to it. Personally, I feel the media has lost its relevance, squeezed out of its necessity like so many things in our instant age of communication. It's become the photo mat of communications. People don't respect the news, don't believe it. It's lost it's credibility, but gained a venue for grand entertainment.... deep deep down, everyone likes a good Jerry Springer episode....never fails to get an audience howling, it's a sure sell.

150

Rew 2017 Jul 12, 7:31pm

Yes yes...yet even playing it to an extreme and unlikely end, you still get Pence for president and Gorsuch is still a justice.

There would never be a call for re-elections. No one would cry out to remove all Trump appointees as "dirty".

The threat of President Pence is also ... not scary! Trump very much is. He is an authoritarian nightmare for the country. I hope we wake up soon.

151

Y 2017 Jul 12, 7:34pm

Well, with pence you will now have someone in the oval office that can work with republican congress to get conservative issues implemented.
This is much more damning to liberals than the trump circus.
Trump was just the trojan horse to get Pence into the whitehouse.

you still get Pence for president and Gorsuch is still a justice. The point being, nothing changes for all the hullaballoo.

152

Rew 2017 Jul 12, 8:21pm

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/house-democrats-want-know-why-195746298.html

This is much more damning to liberals than the trump circus.

To social agenda, yes. To a Democratic Western world, no. The fight is for liberal democracies themselves. Even if I get one I don't like, I want one!

153 joeyjojojunior 2017 Jul 13, 8:02am

The plot thickens...

"Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday asking why the Department of Justice settled a major money-laundering case involving a real-estate company owned by the son of a powerful Russian government official whose lawyer met with Donald Trump Jr. last year. "

154 sagacious1 2017 Jul 13, 8:15am

sagacious1 says

Yes yes...yet even playing it to an extreme and unlikely end, you still get Pence for president and Gorsuch is still a justice.

There would never be a call for re-elections. No one would cry out to remove all Trump appointees as "dirty".

The threat of President Pence is also ... not scary! Trump very much is. He is an authoritarian nightmare for the country. I hope we wake up soon.

I've noticed that's a frequent mantra of yours "Trumps an authoritarian nightmare"...actually I hear that and other similar adjectives when describing Trump from many. However optics aside, how are Pences policy foundations any different...in fact probably more rigid? Is it Trumps optics that bother you? Optics are meaningless, policy matters. I guess the question is, what concerns you about Trump as opposed to Pence, if their policies are for all practical purposes identical?

155 sagacious1 2017 Jul 13, 9:02am

PCGyver says

sagacious1 says

if their policies are for all practical purposes identical?

Are they?

Would Pence craft policy as to enrich his family? Maybe so, but would he at the same time be selling out to Russia? Probably not.

joeyjojojunior says

The plot thickens...

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/house-democrats-want-know-why-195746298.html

"Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions

Is that why he recused himself?

Fair enough...if I hear you correctly: That Trump was never a "serious" candidate, rather, an opportunistic businessman who would subjugate the office for personal gain. Actually, many do feel that way. I'm not certain that isn't the case for many of our present politicians however, including those who have held and run for this high office. In any case, even given that how could a President carry out such policy when it is Congress that enacts policy? As for "selling out to Russia", I don't know what that means exactly. Sell out how?

156

Rew 2017 Jul 13, 9:40am

Optics are meaningless, policy matters.

This is beyond optics now:
- President installs administration rife with nepotism
- Intelligence community fears deep involvement with Russia
- Presidents son found to be receptive to foreign aid by Russia to help install his dad as President

... and, if policy matters we have an aimless foreign policy coasting on the fumes of the Obama administration, and a domestic agenda that is rife with constitutional concerns as well as being completely damaging to actual people.

Open eyes wide. Trump is a clear threat to the democracy.

Quigley says

"Could Donald Trump Jr. Be Charged With Treason? Short Answer: No

Treason is a very specific criminal charge.

157

Y 2017 Jul 13, 9:43am

Politicians are trained at birth to hide and mask their lies.
Trump's lies are just over the top blatant, and could set precedent for future lying.
This scares the libbie left, who wants to keep what's hidden, hidden.

https://patrick.net/1307898/2017-07-09-trumps-son-met-with-russian-lawyer-after-being-promised-damaging-information-on-clinton?c=1426371#comment-1426371

I guess the question is, what concerns you about Trump as opposed to Pence, if their policies are for all practical purposes identical?

158

Y 2017 Jul 13, 9:45am

.if I hear you correctly: That Trump was never a "serious" candidate, rather, an opportunistic businessman who would subjugate the office for personal gain. Actually, many do feel that way. I'm not certain that isn't the case for many of our present politicians however, including those who have held and run for this high office.

159 sagacious1 2017 Jul 13, 2:29pm

PCGyver says

sagacious1 says

As for "selling out to Russia", I don't know what that means exactly. Sell out how?

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-prevezon-idUSKBN18904I

If the US justice department settled a case for much less than they could have gotten by taking it to trial with a foreign entity in exchange for dirt on Hillary, that's would be selling out.

"Selling out" is a common idiomatic pejorative expression for the compromising of a person's integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles in exchange for personal gain, such as money.

Would the Christopher Steele dossier qualify under that definition?

160

Rew 2017 Jul 13, 3:03pm

https://patrick.net/1307898/2017-07-09-trumps-son-met-with-russian-lawyer-after-being-promised-damaging-information-on-clinton?c=1426371#comment-1426371

"Trump is corrupt, and we can fully see it. Isn't it great! See we solved things!"

BZzzzzzzt. WRONG

161

Y 2017 Jul 13, 3:08pm

You are still thinking in 3d...very old school.
d1: Trump is corrupt
d2: we can fully see it
d3: Isn't it great!
d4: Nothing solved. You don't build the new house until the old one is demolished. Trump is the demolisher. Pence is the builder.

"Trump is corrupt, and we can fully see it. Isn't it great! See we solved things!"

BZzzzzzzt. WRONG

162

curious2 2017 Jul 13, 3:11pm

Pence is

a big reason why President Trump must be allowed to complete his term. Pence is worse than W in every way, but his empowerment of religion would endear him to KSA and the MIC, which might explain MSM support for him. Basically, Pence would 'build' on W's record of miserable failure and serving KSA. No one would benefit other than KSA.

Most of the people rooting for replacement are suffering TDS, and refuse to think through strategically.

163

Rew 2017 Jul 13, 3:18pm

(popcorn)

164

Rew 2017 Jul 13, 3:22pm

BlueSardine and Curios2 are illustrating a rift in the Trumpocracy.

Curious2 : Islam an existential and immediate threat! Need to kill all ISLAM.
BS : I defended Trump even on Covfefe ... but it's time to pivot. He is going down. Pence was the plan all along.

165

curious2 2017 Jul 13, 5:43pm

Trumpocracy.

The travel ban polls around +30 including broad majority support. It is much more popular than President Trump. He tapped into that issue, presenting possibly the first clear-eyed view of Islam expressed publicly by any President since Democratic-Republican John Quincy Adams. President Trump rode that issue and other protectionist policies to victory, but his administration's partial implementation might not work. If Democrats nominate somebody who isn't on the KSA payroll, someone who would stop hijrah, then Democrats could take back that issue.

Even if you insist on seeing Russia as an enemy, Islam is worse.

166

Rew 2017 Jul 13, 10:06pm

CBOEtrader says

You are sometimes a smart, then your brain breaks like it did here.

You haven't even begun to see what you will consider 'break' yet. I think the nation is about to go bat shit crazy. Wait until you see the commie crazy left's answer to Trump. (It could very well happen!)

The center and cooperation is giving way. Faith in the institutions are now being lost badly on the left.

I think a healthcare vote may trigger right now.

167

Rew 2017 Jul 13, 10:07pm

curious2 says

It is much more popular than President Trump.

Most things are, except the Healthcare bill.

168

Rew 2017 Jul 17, 2:10pm

From the Mouth of Chris Christie: Russian oppo research probably illegal
https://apnews.com/6720759d5a8a42918d71dd0826d633c9/Christie:-Getting-Russian-oppo-research-'probably'-illegal

169 Blurtman 2017 Jul 17, 4:47pm

Trumps Son Met With Russian Lawyer After Being Promised Damaging Information on Clinton

So what. What is the crime?

170

FortWayne 2017 Jul 17, 5:23pm

That's not illegal

171

RealEstateIsBetterThanStocks 2017 Jul 17, 6:12pm

the desperation

172

Rew 2017 Jul 17, 8:28pm

RealEstateIsBetterThanStocks says

That's not illegal

Backed by what great legal opinion is that?

the desperation

I wiff it off the GOP and Trump as well. The lies and cover ups have compounded, and I don't think we have seen them stop.

Come on Trump, fire Mueller, and pardon all this. Do it! Do it!!

173

FortWayne 2017 Jul 17, 8:30pm

FortWayne says

That's not illegal

Backed by what great legal opinion is that?

You tell me what law did a private citizen (Trump Jr) broke here?

174

Rew 2017 Jul 17, 8:38pm

You tell me what law did a private citizen (Trump Jr) broke here?

Jr was acting for the Trump campaign. He likely broke "11 CFR 110.20" ... elected or not.

Even if no criminal charges are brought, Manafort and Jared are in the crosshairs. Jr is a gateway to the prize.

175

Rew 2017 Jul 17, 8:45pm

Meanwhile tonight, Hannity is on air going off on his usual anti-anti-Trump tirades. Keep that up. See ya in 2018, and 2020. :)

176

FortWayne 2017 Jul 17, 8:47pm

FortWayne says

You tell me what law did a private citizen (Trump Jr) broke here?

Jr was acting for the Trump campaign. He likely broke "11 CFR 110.20" ... elected or not.

That prohibits money donations, not communication. We live in a free country and this is still a nothing burger.

177

Rew 2017 Jul 17, 8:48pm

WH pool reporter on twitter right now (paraphrased):
"Asked source if there was a secrete Senate plan ...'Nope we are flying the plane into the ground at full speed.' "

Haha.

178 bob2356 2017 Jul 18, 7:33am

That prohibits money donations, not communication.

Bzzt wrong. It prohibits a thing of value in connection with elections. Hard to argue jr wasn't connected with the election or that the information didn't have value to the campaign.

(b)Contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections. A foreign national shall not, directly or indirectly, make a contribution or a donation of money or other thing of value, or expressly or impliedly promise to make a contribution or a donation, in connection with any Federal, State, or local election.

179

FortWayne 2017 Jul 18, 7:35am

bob2356 says

FortWayne says

That prohibits money donations, not communication.

Bzzt wrong. It prohibits a thing of value in connection with elections. Hard to argue jr wasn't connected with the election or that the information didn't have value to the campaign.

(b)Contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections. A foreign national shall not, directly or indirectly, make a contribution or a donation of money or other thing of value, or expressly or impliedly promise to make a contribution or a donation, in connection with any Federal, State, or local election.

Yep, still doesn't prohibit talking. Don't quit your day job to give out legal advice bob.

180

FNWGMOBDVZXDNW 2017 Jul 18, 8:16am

If they gave Russia the green light to hack the DNC and HRC and release the information publicly, that would be a big problem. If they coordinated with the Russians in their attempts to use the hacked information, that would be a problem. If they agreed to lift sanctions in return for such help, that would be a huge problem.

Jr's meeting isn't definitive proof of any of these things. If it were, he'd be in jail. It's just definitive proof that Trump Jr wanted to accept Russia's help, and circumstantial evidence that he did conspire with the Russians to commit cyber crimes. Politically, it's a problem, b/c most people can fill in the dots. If team Trump 'probably' conspired, you can't put them in jail, but it will have political implications.

181 anonymous 2017 Jul 18, 8:24am