April 19, 2018

At the Whispering Wind Café...

P1160460

... can you hear the wind blow?

Whatever you're buying, try to use the Althouse Portal to Amazon.

74 comments:

Freeman Hunt said...

Swimming with Moses.

Anonymous said...

For Inga: A criminal referral for Comey, Hillary and the Bobsy twins - Strzock and Page.

Churchy LaFemme: said...

Wind Chimes

Anonymous said...

Arresting photo.

Nice.

zipity said...

Bezos announced to shareholders that Amazon has 100 million Prime subscribers.

That is $10 billion per year. Before they buy anything.

Wow.

Anonymous said...

Her's another one for Inga : "Comey says McCabe lied, etc."

FIDO said...

That is a very nice photo. I like the light effects.

Nonapod said...

Another successful launch for SpaceX last night: A NASA exoplanet hunting satellite called TESS. Apparently it's the first time SpaceX has launched such a high priority space instrument.

Kevin said...

@Khesanh 0802

Didn't you get the JournoList talking points?

When Republicans point out possible crimes, it's political theater and grandstanding.

When Democrats do it, it's standing up for the notion that "no one is above the law".

And if you ever get confused, turn on Rachel Maddow and she'll tell you exactly what to think.

Anonymous said...

Another one for Inga, filed under "The FBI eats its own": "McCabe swipes at Comey... he's not telling the truth"

Fernandinande said...

Unarmed black woman arrested for eating Cheetos in the bathtub after not buying coffee.

Anonymous said...

@Kevin Sorry I missed the orders for the day! I am afraid that if I find more Democratic/FBI self-destruction I will have to post it regardless of the consequences. It is quite delicious isn't it?

Christopher said...

... can you hear the wind blow?

We're having 40 mph gusts where I live, so I can report that hearing the wind blow is not the top problem now.

Anonymous said...

I was remiss in not including Loretta Lynch, and Andrew McCabe in the group included in the criminal referral. Kevin, please forgive me.

Fernandinande said...

Nonapod said...
SpaceX

Reusable boosters landing.

Howard said...

Nice Cubistic photo. You really have a talented eye for framing a meaningful gestalt.

rhhardin said...

Scott Adams asks how many federal judges are former Playboy bunnies. Not counting Kimba Wood.

Lucien said...

How is it that Congress thinks it will be constitutional to enact legislation to keep the President from firing a special counsel? Haven't legislative branch attempts to tell the executive branch how and when it can fire folks been employees been invalidated at both higher levels (Secretary of State) and lower levels (Postmaster)?

I can see how regulations promulgated by the executive branch might limit circumstances when executive branch employees may be terminated (in which case the focus turns to how the executive may waive, suspend or eliminate those regulations).

Would like to know Ann's take on this.

Titus said...

I like the story about the NYC poop train in Alabama.

tits.

Meade said...

"[...]former Playboy bunnies. Not counting Kimba Wood."

Bunny-in-training to be precise. She reportedly quit before becoming a bunny.

Unknown said...

Don't know that I believe this, but hope springs eternal

https://saraacarter.com/breaking-lawmakers-make-criminal-referral-on-clinton-comey-lynch-to-doj-on-steele-dossier/

Yancey Ward said...

It was interesting and unsurprising to see the NYTimes rewarded for its attempt at damage control for Harvey Weinstein by receiving the Pulitzer along with Ronan Farrow and The New Yorker.

Only Farrow deserved it- the NYTimes story was clearly sourced back to the Weinstein company itself, and they only talked to the NYTimes because they were attempting make the at the time forthcoming Farrow piece old news. Simply disgusting behavior by both the NYTimes and the Pulitzer committee for diluting Farrow's award this way.

Yancey Ward said...

Relanding the boosters that way is impressive, but I do wonder if it really is cost effective to it this way- it could easily go catastrophically wrong and take down the landing ship, too.

tcrosse said...

DOJ IG Criminal Referral for McCabe

Ralph L said...

You don't know me and I'm not a girl, but I'd like to buy this staircase.

Free shipping through the Althouse portal, and is it legal in my state?
Is it stone or tile on the walls?

Gahrie said...

Relanding the boosters that way is impressive, but I do wonder if it really is cost effective to it this way- it could easily go catastrophically wrong and take down the landing ship, too.

There are videos available on YouTube of SpaceX's early failures in trying to land boosters, most of them on droneships. The droneships survive just fine. Musk has three of them now.

Both of the boosters used in the Falcon Heavy launch and shown landing in the video had already been used once before, that was their second landing.

Space X has successfully landed 24 first stages at this point, and reused a number of them. Blue Origin is also working on reusability and has reused a sub orbital first stage numerous times. Reusability is the key to making spaceflight affordable.

stever said...

So this criminal referral seems like paper exercise, something like this has no real weight does it?

Anonymous said...

@ Stever There are a couple of criminal referrals at issue today. The DOJIG has made a criminal referral on McCabe. Given the status of the DOJIG I would think that would be followed up on posthaste. The other came from the Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. I think they would be hard for the DOJ to ignore as well. I will have to leave it to the lawyers here to explain the likelihood that any of these will lead to prosecution, but I would certainly think that, at the very least, the DOJ would follow the recommendation of its own IG.

FullMoon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
FullMoon said...



The Department of Justice inspector general has made a criminal referral for former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
For lacking candor,
LOL

Drago said...

Howard: "You really have a talented eye for framing a meaningful gestalt."

You watch your mouth. There are ladies present....

stever said...

Thanks for the clarifications.

Drago said...

This did not age well.....


James Comey

@Comey
Special Agent Andrew McCabe stood tall over the last 8 months, when small people were trying to tear down an institution we all depend on. He served with distinction for two decades. I wish Andy well. I also wish continued strength for the rest of the FBI. America needs you.

7:09 PM - Jan 29, 2018

Drago said...

Of course, we have noted liar and leaker Andy McCabe saying that it is Jim Comey (also a noted liar and leaker) that is wrong and/or not being fully candid.

My my. I wonder who else will have more to say on this matter?

Can't wait to hear more about Rybicki, Ohr, Priestap, Strzok, Page, Carlin, Baker, Kortan etc and what it all means for Yates, Lynch, Comey, Commie Brennan (also an under oath liar), Clapper (also an under oath liar), etc.

Drago said...

Of course, we haven't even begun to plumb the depths of obama's "Operation Latitude" with Little Miss Liaison Lisa Monaco.....

Robt C said...

Here's some info on the stairway / walls in Althouse's very nice picture:

https://blantonmuseum.org/collection/teresita-fernandez-stacked-waters/

BUMBLE BEE said...

GET OUT YOUR DRUMS AND WHISTLES MADISON! Dangerous "controversial conservative" Dennis Prager to speak @UW Madison Wednesday next. Good Times.

FullMoon said...

Of course, we have noted liar and leaker Andy McCabe saying that it is Jim Comey (also a noted liar and leaker) that is wrong and/or not being fully candid.

Looking like Comey's attempt to score points riding the anti-Trump train is working out only slightly better than Weinstiens "gonna attack NRA" ploy.

Difference is Comey getting richer, Weinstein not so much.

Matt Sablan said...

Man. I didn't expect McCabe to get referred for anything criminal. Maybe I was too cynical.

Clyde said...

How many times must a drama queen cry, before they can call him a man?
How many times must a G-man lie, before he is called to the stand?
And how many times must his cronies be sly, before they are forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.

FullMoon said...

Partial from WSJ Best of the WEB. Maybe subscriber Chuck will post the entire column for us.

If the disclosure to the court of Mr. Hannity’s identity was essential to the cause of justice, it could have been shared under seal, rather than with the general public. Mr. McCarthy writes:

Apparently, Judge Wood was initially disposed to let that happen. Then, however, the judge allowed Robert Balin, an attorney for the New York Times and CNN, to intervene. Balin, the Times reports, argued that potential embarrassment was not a sufficient reason to withhold the purported client’s name from the public. . . . Without providing Hannity any notice and opportunity to be heard on the matter, she directed that his name be disclosed in open court.

FullMoon said...

Matthew Sablan said...

Man. I didn't expect McCabe to get referred for anything criminal.

Neither did Royal Ass Inga, who is apparently busy elsewhere at the moment

Kevin said...

The DOJIG has made a criminal referral on McCabe.

Inga and I discussed this at length and she promised it wouldn't happen.

Kevin said...

Balin, the Times reports, argued that potential embarrassment was not a sufficient reason to withhold the purported client’s name from the public.

So much for the ballyhooed "right to privacy".

gbarto said...

Then, however, the judge allowed Robert Balin, an attorney for the New York Times and CNN, to intervene. Balin, the Times reports, argued that potential embarrassment was not a sufficient reason to withhold the purported client’s name from the public. . . .

Do they ever think through the precedents they're setting?

traditionalguy said...

Norwich in East Anglia next to the North Sea is called the home of the wind. Or in Saxon that is called Windham.

The ham ending in Saxon English designates a city/home/ville/town. The People from that city took its name designator for a last name ID such as Ann of Althouse. Hence the many of the last names we know such as Nottingham, Cunningham, Birmingham, Parham, Windham, etc. are place names rather than trade/profession names.

Bay Area Guy said...

@Drago sez:

"Can't wait to hear more about Rybicki, Ohr, Priestap, Strzok, Page, Carlin, Baker, Kortan etc and what it all means for Yates, Lynch, Comey, Commie Brennan (also an under oath liar), Clapper (also an under oath liar), etc."

It's a shot across their bow. Several of these nefarious schemers remain within the ranks of the FBI/DOJ, and hence subject to the IG jurisdiction. Start singing or get fired AND get indicted tends to focus one's thoughts, particular those able-minded folks living on government salaries without rich wives, banking on a future pension.

The ones outside the DOJ chain of command are also outside government, exposed, without patrons to protect them, and without a hint of influence over Horowitz.

This makes me happy!

Memo to Brennan: there weren't any contacts between you (CIA) and low-level Strzok (FBI) on any of these investigations pre-election, riiiiiiiight?

That would be bad (for you).

After he cleans house, Trump should make Horowitz our next Attorney General!




Kevin said...

Do they ever think through the precedents they're setting?

Embarrassment alone is not sufficient. Embarrassment of a DEMOCRAT would be. Plus, there will be no CNN lawyer there arguing for the release of the information.

Alice Aforethought said...

Dear Lady can you hear the wind blow?
and did you know?
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

Ann Althouse said...

Finally, somebody got my reference! Thanks, Alice.

Darrell said...

Dear Lady can you hear the wind blow?
and did you know?
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

AA said...Finally, somebody got my reference! Thanks, Alice.


So this post is about purchasing a vibrator, like the song?

Drago said...

BAG: "Start singing or get fired AND get indicted tends to focus one's thoughts..."

It's clear that McCabe was fingered (so to speak) by Lisa Page, hence the investigation and criminal referral.

It appears that some of these characters (the ones still in their departments though demoted and/or moved) are cooperating with the IG and Prosecutor Huber.

As my whimsy leads me.. said...

Today is the 25th anniversary of the final attack on the Branch Dravidian compound at Waco, Texas. I have not heard anyone mention it. Congressman Bob Barr said that the Congressional hearing “was a farce: a virtual lovefest, during which members of the Clinton Administration responded to softball questions from their colleagues in the House with superficial answers, and Republican queries were ignored or glossed over with disdain, if not outright contempt."
He also said that “the tragedy at Waco is, I think, probably without doubt the single most tragic incident in American law enforcement history.” Why is no one talking about it? There isn’t even a mention in the “Highlights in History” in the Columbus Dispatch, although they mention the Oklahoma City bombing two years later. Doesn’t it seem strange that the 25th anniversary of that tragedy, which had taken up so much of the first months of Clinton’s first term, has been practically forgotten?

Toy

FullMoon said...

As my whimsy leads me.. said...

Today is the 25th anniversary of the final attack on the Branch Dravidian compound at Waco, Texas.


Damn, I was having a good day 'til you mentioned that. Cocksuckers could have arrested Koresh at local coffee shop he visited almost every day. Wanted to make a big splash, murdered the children in order to save them.

Anonymous said...

I had not thought much about the impact of these referrals beyond their specifics. But as Drago and BAG say, the fact that there are criminal proceedings recommended must wonderfully concentrate the minds of the various co-conspirators that we have heard about and who are currently unmentioned. There must be quite a number of potential "rats" who would like to find the safest way off this sinking ship. There is going to be a run on GoFundMe sites for legal expenses.

Sydney said...

Have you ever considered selling your photos? They are very good.

Anonymous said...

If you make a list of the failures or outrages committed by Federal law enforcement since Waco I think you'll find it quite depressing. There don't seem to be many significant successes to offset those outrages and failures.

Anonymous said...

Someone here made a short list of the outrages and failures and it was quite stark. Waco, Marathon Bomber, Bundy and several more.

Original Mike said...

Blogger Christopher said...”We're having 40 mph gusts where I live, so I can report that hearing the wind blow is not the top problem now.”

Gale force winds on the MacKenzie Plateau the last three days. The wind is so loud it’s hard to get to sleep.

Anonymous said...

and while we are on the subject of outrages and failures Molly Hemingway has a pretty good summary of Mueller's.

Clyde said...

Branch DAVIDIAN. Dravidians live in India.

As my whimsy leads me.. said...

Thanks for the spelling catch, Clyde. My finger must have slipped.
Toy

Michael K said...

"Wanted to make a big splash, murdered the children in order to save them."

The ATF budget was being considered in Congress.

No kidding.

Ralph L said...

Ann Althouse said...
Finally, somebody got my reference! Thanks, Alice.

Ralph L said...
You don't know me and I'm not a girl, but I'd like to buy this staircase.
4/19/18, 1:29 PM

I was too subtle for you.

Ann Althouse said...

Ralph, you deserve first credit. I hadn’t read every comment and would have understood it if I had seen it. Sorry!

FullMoon said...


Daily Caller says:
FAISALABAD, Pakistan — The father of Imran Awan — an IT aide to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz who investigators concluded made “unauthorized access” to House servers — transferred a USB drive to a Pakistani senator and former head of a Pakistani intelligence agency, the father’s ex-business partner, Rashid Minhas, alleged.

Minhas told The Daily Caller News Foundation that Imran Awan’s father, Haji Ashraf Awan, was giving data to Pakistani official Rehman Malik, and that Imran bragged he had the power to “change the U.S. president.”

Asked for how he knew this, he said that on one occasion in 2008 when a “USB [was] given to Rehman Malik by Imran’s father, my brother Abdul Razzaq was with his father.”

“After Imran’s father deliver (sic) USB to Rehman Malik, four Pakistani [government intelligence] agents were with his father 24-hour on duty to protect him,” he said. Minhas did not say what was on the USB.

TheDCNF traveled to Pakistan for this story and interviewed numerous residents who interacted with Imran, and they confirmed that he does travel that country with a contingent of armed Pakistani government officials and routinely brags about mysterious political power

walter said...

Per Titus,
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/18/603718526/the-poop-trains-reign-of-terror-in-small-town-alabama-has-ended

walter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...

Looks like Trey Gowdy was right when he said publicly some time back that the Comey memo's would be Trump Defense Exhibit A if Mueller ever went "Full LLR Chuck/Stasi" and charged Trump with obstruction of justice.

Comey's March 2017 memo specifically recount how Trump instead of attempting to shut down the investigation Trump actually asked Comey to get to the bottom of it all and to find out if any member of the Trump campaign had done anything inappropriate at all.

So there you go.

Comey himself in his memo's slam dunks the obstruction of justice lie.

On top of the now obvious collusion lie put forth by the dems/lefties/LLR's.

So now you know why Mueller handed off to the state prosecutors in NY to continue the coup. Mueller has nothing.

There is only 1 pathway left: force some Trump associate to lie about Trump the same way Fitzpatrick threatened Scooter Libby with a fake charge about a non-crime and twice, twice, demanded Libby give them something on Dick Cheney.

And that will have to be done thru the NY state legal apparatus which is completely under far left control.

walter said...

James Comey
‏Verified account @Comey
Apr 18

Ben Wittes is the kind of person who actually reads a book before deciding what it says. Not to mention a good friend and cheap lunch date.

Verified account @lawfareblog
"Behind James Comey’s ‘A Higher Loyalty’," the latest from Benjamin Wittes

walter said...

Further evidence of Comey's tone-deaf stupidity.
"My lunch buddy will really appreciate having his review compromised!"

walter said...

Jim: Hey Ben! Good to see you!? Hard boiled eggs again? Ha ha!
Ben: Jim..we need to talk.

Bay Area Guy said...

Hillary-Comey in 2020!

Because dumped ex-lovers will never leave you!

FIDO said...
This comment has been removed by the author.