Althouse: At the Redbud Café...

May 21, 2018

At the Redbud Café...

P1170314

... you can talk about whatever you want.

And please consider using the Althouse Portal to Amazon.

91 comments:

wild chicken said...: Lovely!; 5/21/18, 5:50 PM
Fritz said...: Alas, our redbud is gone, but on the bright side, the mountain laurel is blooming.; 5/21/18, 6:21 PM
YoungHegelian said...: I wuz thinking today, that while we in our "Right-wing cubbie holes" are waxing righteously indignant about the fact that the Obama administration unleashed the state security apparatus on the Trump campaign bigger than a motherfucker, let us pause for a moment to give thought to our fellow citizens of the left-wing persuasion.

Now that it's becoming clear what the Obama admin did to the Trumpies on behalf of the Clintonistas, don't you think that the Bernie-ites are starting to wonder: was their Boy spied on too? I mean, we know that the DNC put their thumb on the scales for HRC. Did the rest of the Deep State join in to crush the leftie malcontents in the Democratic Party?

It'll take a while for this to percolate through the lefty blogosphere, but give it a few weeks to a month. Lefties love a good conspiracy theory as much as their far right counterparts. Especially, if it's probably true....; 5/21/18, 6:43 PM
Bob Boyd said...: Cynthia Nixon just got a big break in her bid to be Governor of NY.
Hillary endorsed Cuomo.; 5/21/18, 6:48 PM
Quaestor said...: Praiseworthy post, Hegelian.

When Andrew Sullivan complained about Obama's room temperature legacy he had no fucking idea...; 5/21/18, 6:51 PM
Tommy Duncan said...: From ABC: After meeting with Wray and Rosenstein, White House says DOJ has asked inspector general to "expand its current investigation to include any irregularities with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s or the Department of Justice’s tactics concerning the Trump Campaign."

"White House Chief of Staff Kelly will immediately set up a meeting with the FBI, DOJ, and DNI together with Congressional Leaders to review highly classified and other information they have requested," White House says.; 5/21/18, 6:52 PM
Tommy Duncan said...: Eric Holder tweet: "Trump demand for DOJ investigation is dangerous/democracy threatening. DOJ response is disappointing.There is no basis/no predicate for an inquiry. It’s time to stand for time honored DOJ independence.That separation from White House is a critical part of our system."; 5/21/18, 6:57 PM
Michael K said...: That separation from White House is a critical part of our system."

Maybe he is thinking of the separation that John Mitchell had from the White House for a few years.

Coming to a former AG near you. Not just one, too.; 5/21/18, 7:12 PM
Sprezzatura said...: LLR

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-russia-mueller-fox-news_us_5aff072de4b0a046186b4794; 5/21/18, 7:34 PM
Hagar said...: The Federal courts are supposed to be independent - which is why they are appointed for life -but that does not carry over to the Attorney General, "the President's lawyer," and the investigative agencies under his office.; 5/21/18, 7:38 PM
Hagar said...: There is no perfect system that will 'go of itself." In the end, we are dependent on electing and appointing persons of good will to office.; 5/21/18, 7:42 PM
Rob said...: After watching this Nicki Minaj performance on SNL a couple of days ago, I felt an overwhelming need to find a voting booth, so I could cast a few more votes for Trump.; 5/21/18, 8:03 PM
Kevin said...: Poor Dems. At first Trump didn’t want any justice done. Now he wants too much for their liking.; 5/21/18, 8:14 PM
Kevin said...: “I’m trying to remember a failed presidential candidate before now who made a second career out of whining about losing an election.”

Gore, Albert Jr.; 5/21/18, 8:16 PM
Michael K said...: Blogger anti-de Sitter space said...
LLR

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-russia-mueller-fox-news_us_5aff072de4b0a046186b4794

The left, when it really hates someone, calls them a Republican, whether or not they ever voted that way.

Mueller had all you fans on the left. What happened ?; 5/21/18, 8:17 PM
Kevin said...: When the IG gets done investigating FISA abuses he can move on to the IRS and Lois Lerner.; 5/21/18, 8:18 PM
Sprezzatura said...: "Mueller had all you fans on the left. What happened ?"

Err... isn't that dude the witch hunt guy? I thought that it was all honorable cons (and Penn (i.e. the new Dick Morris)) who were thinkin' Mueller was part of the liberal deeps state industrial complex?

Doc Mike, do ya remember when you were a fan of Comey? Back when con media was counting the minutes until he dropped the hammer on HRC. Kate Smith really sung the song.; 5/21/18, 8:30 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “Now that it's becoming clear what the Obama admin did to the Trumpies on behalf of the Clintonistas, don't you think that the Bernie-ites are starting to wonder: was their Boy spied on too? I mean, we know that the DNC put their thumb on the scales for HRC. Did the rest of the Deep State join in to crush the leftie malcontents in the Democratic Party?”

I really don’t know how your minds work and why/ how you can possibly be so very wrong about what the “Bernie-ites” were/are wondering. Not for a second does the left (that I know of) thinks that Trump was spied on for political or improper reasons. If he was spied on it was for DAMN good reason and for good cause, thereby entirely legal. If you think that political campaigns can engage in illegal practices to get themselves elected, you are very wrong. Just because you people are willing to turn a blind eye, don’t think we are. Conspiring with foreign governments to get a candidate elected with a possible quid pro quo is ILLEGAL.

This idea of the “Deep State” is becoming comical, funny in its hysterical prancing and spinning around with conspiracy theories. It’s truly amazing to what lengths you people are willing to go and what complete nonsense you create and then grab onto like sailors in a shipwreck. It’s pathetic, sad, frightening to see formerly right wing Americans with normal intelligence, how they have been so deceived by one man and his minions and how good he continues to be at deceiving the dupes who follow him like the rats followed the Pied Piper.

I really have to ask, what is wrong with you people? What are you going to do when Mueller’s investigation is complete and it clearly spells out step by step what transpired? Will you be able to handle it? Or will you hysterical ninnies just melt down in rage and despair? I worry that you people have so thoroughly been deceived by yourselves and others that America will be threatened by the nuttier in your midst. Dangerous times ahead, I suspect. God save the nation.; 5/21/18, 8:32 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Golly G Wiz N Darn,

Now that I'm reading Inga, I see that I shoulda used some caps.

OK, please know that I meant to write "Librul Deep State Industrial Complex."; 5/21/18, 8:36 PM
Sprezzatura said...: BTW,

I'm just spit ballin' here but why don't we go full-in w/ the caps.

"LIBRUL DEEP STATE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX"

Seems really scary that way.

Right?; 5/21/18, 8:38 PM
Sprezzatura said...: OK,

I see that there's still room for improvement.

"LIBRUL DEEP STATE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!!@!!!11!!@!! WHO ARE SINNERS, AND THEY TAKE BACKDOOR COCK"; 5/21/18, 8:39 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Toss in some jabber about black and brown folks coming fer yer white ass, and I've managed to fully define the con mind w/ a sentence (or, at most, two).

Cool!; 5/21/18, 8:41 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: Yes, ALL CAPS are a must when describing the DEEEEEEP STATE!!! Don’t forget to add at least three exclamation points. The deep state must be made real and there must be fear, lots of fear.; 5/21/18, 8:42 PM
Fabi said...: "Not for a second does the left (that I know of) thinks that Trump was spied on for political or improper reasons. If he was spied on it was for DAMN good reason and for good cause, thereby entirely legal."

That's quite the speedy arc from "delusional" to "DAMN good reason". Lulz; 5/21/18, 8:46 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: Google Ads has been convinced for months that in my heart of hearts I want to buy a $1000 Rotimatic.; 5/21/18, 8:46 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: Don’t forget to add in some outrage over the Pope and his love for the gays or a mixed couple getting married over there in Great Britain and their audacity in adding in a secular black song in the high mass of the Anglican wedding ceremony. How that outraged certain Trumpists here,lol. If it wasn’t so comical it would be pathetic. The deep state is gonna make the US into Great Britain or worse!; 5/21/18, 8:49 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Where do they teach you to talk like this? In some Panama City sailor wana hump hump bar or is this getaway day, and your last shot at his whiskey. Sell Rot someplace else, we're all stocked up on this blog.; 5/21/18, 8:55 PM
Big Mike said...: Conspiring with foreign governments to get a candidate elected with a possible quid pro quo is ILLEGAL.

Does that apply to Hillary, too?

But inga’s right. Dangerous times ahead.; 5/21/18, 8:56 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “That's quite the speedy arc from "delusional" to "DAMN good reason". ”

It was never delusional to think the Trump campaign was spied on. I’ve always hoped it was. It sure as hell needed to be spied on. Engaging in crimes to get oneself is elected will get oneself investigated for damn good reasons. It will allow our intelligence agencies to legally appoint spies, plants, etc. as part of their investigation. Good work FBI. Good work CIA. Good work, whoever ordered it. If you want Republicans to use Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia to get their candidate elected, then you need to go to some third world country. This is the USA and it’s agianst our laws.; 5/21/18, 8:57 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: What is delusional is your endless conspiracy theories and thinking anyone but those in Trumps circle are in any real legal jeopardy.; 5/21/18, 9:00 PM
YoungHegelian said...: This idea of the “Deep State” is becoming comical, funny in its hysterical prancing and spinning around with conspiracy theories. It’s truly amazing to what lengths you people are willing to go and what complete nonsense you create and then grab onto like sailors in a shipwreck.

No, Inga. You simply cannot believe that "your side" can commit such a moral outrage because your side is by definition the moral side.

Think! Why is the behavior of the Obama administration vis-a-vis the Trump administration out of line here with other of its sins? How many times did the Obama Justice Dept have its causes tossed before multiple courts essentially because of DoJ malfeasance/incompetence? Did any of the business around the failed roll-out of the ObamaCare web site make any sense? Fast & Furious? The IRS admitted it violated the law in targeting conservative groups. Was there nothing in the investigation of of the Clinton email server that didn't have you going "Huh? That doesn't make sense!". When the DNC was sued by the Bernie-ites, what was their defense in court? "Well, we're not legally required to not be duplicitous, lying bastards & work for a fair election.".

The Obama admin was morally & legally sloppy every chance they got. The problem now is that they stepped over a line & now there will be hell to pay. Remember, the facts just came out on Friday.

No, Inga, your side's really stepped in it this time. This is gonna get real ugly.; 5/21/18, 9:03 PM
narciso said...: I was disaPpointed that reverend Skinner with the extraordinary opportunity that the total wedding provides softpedaled the Christian message.

I dispair how the head of my for church seems to have no understanding of Christian doctrine

Of course the times who burned the intervention on behalf of general hafter back in 2015, does it again on behalf of qatar and iran; 5/21/18, 9:05 PM
Fabi said...: "It was never delusional to think the Trump campaign was spied on. I’ve always hoped it was. It sure as hell needed to be spied on."

Once a Stasi, always a Stasi.; 5/21/18, 9:10 PM
narciso said...: Which is how you understand this last gornusch, Israel and the gulf states along with Egypt Jordan and western Libya have common interests, against Yemen Syria and iran.; 5/21/18, 9:10 PM
Original Mike said...: ”If he was spied on it was for DAMN good reason and for good cause, thereby entirely legal.”

How do you know this?; 5/21/18, 9:12 PM
YoungHegelian said...: "It was never delusional to think the Trump campaign was spied on. I’ve always hoped it was. It sure as hell needed to be spied on."

And this was exactly the thinking of the Obama administration, and may the law be goddamned!; 5/21/18, 9:14 PM
narciso said...: I think more of a hydra type may be she's Swiss rather than German.

Anyways is there anything Obama did affirmatively against , they were the middlemen in the Iran deal the enablers re operation cassandra from the Vienna headquarters. They shot a passenger plane out of the sky and that had less impact than their position in gay marriage; 5/21/18, 9:15 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: I look forward to the IG reports. I’m wondering what you people will do when it doesn’t produce any evidence of any wrongdoing regarding the FISA applications and the FBI investigation. Thus far so much hope has been placed in these IG investigations and reports. I predict that when the IG doesn’t give Trump what he wants, soon the IG will be demonized and threatened, as Rosenstein, Mueller, Comey and others have been. How long will IG Horowitz be trusted by you folks, once Trump comes out against him? And he will.; 5/21/18, 9:18 PM
narciso said...: She doesn't, but that's what gets picked up on her fillings.; 5/21/18, 9:19 PM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: Freeman Hunt said...
Google Ads has been convinced for months that in my heart of hearts I want to buy a $1000 Rotimatic.

You know you do. Namaste.; 5/21/18, 9:21 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “And this was exactly the thinking of the Obama administration, and may the law be goddamned!”

And you have not a shred of credible evidence that the Obama administration acted outside the law.; 5/21/18, 9:21 PM
narciso said...: I think there,have been enough little indians dislodged reassigned at the company the bureau and justice to validate
his report; 5/21/18, 9:21 PM
YoungHegelian said...: @Inga,

And you have not a shred of credible evidence that the Obama administration acted outside the law.

Yes, I do. The Obama FBI lied to the FISA court. The FBI is required by law to present a full & honest case in opposition to their request for a warrant in order to satisfy some semblance of 4th A protections. At no time did the FBI tell the FISA court that the Steele Dossier was a bought & paid for piece of opposition research by the DNC & the Clinton Campaign. The FBI lied by omission to the FISA court. The FBI has had many months now to produce any other evidence to Congress or the public that was used in the procurement of the warrant. They have produced nothing else, nor have they claimed any other evidence was used.

And that is straight up illegal.; 5/21/18, 9:31 PM
Michael K said...: They have produced nothing else, nor have they claimed any other evidence was used.

Hegelian, it is a waste of time to debate with Inga.

There was a Democrat Congress na form California named Swalwell who was debating Tucker Carlson tonight.

He was trying to argue that the Trump Russia thing was on track and revelations of tTrump connections with Russia would come out one day.

This guy has been on TV with the DNC line for months. I think they are putting him out there because he looks better than Maxine.

He is just as crazy.

I'm content to see them keep it up with this theme. Clueless true believers like Inga will lap it up but they are a smaller share of the voters than they think.

A few Democrats are speaking up and warning them that this is a dead end.

I say, go for it !; 5/21/18, 9:38 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “Yes, I do. The Obama FBI lied to the FISA court.”

How nice that you are part of the Mueller investigation and the IG Horowitz investigation and are privy to this information. Or are you making assumptions?; 5/21/18, 9:38 PM
narciso said...: Yes it's the,argument clinic but Tucker swings a mean halibut.

Thanos outsiders are More selfaware.; 5/21/18, 9:42 PM
Original Mike said...: ”How nice that you are part of the Mueller investigation and the IG Horowitz investigation and are privy to this information. Or are you making assumptions?”

The same woman who said this also said:

”If he was spied on it was for DAMN good reason and for good cause, thereby entirely legal.”; 5/21/18, 9:43 PM
Humperdink said...: Recall the days when the Obama administration sent a team of campaign operatives to Israel to defeat Benjamin Netanyahu. Straight up collusion with the opposition party. Need some indictments here.; 5/21/18, 9:43 PM
narciso said...: Caputo, remember they sought to bankrupt him think there's more than one,mole the bureau sent in.; 5/21/18, 9:44 PM
YoungHegelian said...: @Michael K.

Hegelian, it is a waste of time to debate with Inga.

Hope springs eternal in the human breast, MK.

I also, at all times, bear in mind that our community of readers is much larger than our community of commenters, & I respond sometimes to comments for them as much as the direct recipient. They, too, may wonder, along with Inga, "well, what law has been clearly broken so far?". Now, they know.

I mean, it helps no one if we just trade insults with each other & in those exchanges I try to not feed the trolls. But, Inga didn't post something like that, & I didn't come back with an "Inga, you ignorant slut!" response.

Try to aim high. Doesn't always work, but we can try.; 5/21/18, 9:46 PM
narciso said...: Yes and they were spying on opponents of the Iran deal, which Lee Smith suggests was the template

This potemkin is,the mirror image of angletons mole hunt, which is still being demonized in work like fespermans,the double game; 5/21/18, 9:47 PM
narciso said...: Makes me want to go back to Stephenson time travel and magic epic the history of dodo.; 5/21/18, 9:49 PM
YoungHegelian said...: @Inga,

How nice that you are part of the Mueller investigation and the IG Horowitz investigation and are privy to this information

This is public knowledge. This is 2+2=4 kinda stuff.

If you wish to say "I'll believe that a crime may have been committed when I see an indictment", well, okay. As for the rest of us, we are under no compulsion not to believe our own lying eyes.

If there is an assumption as opposed to a series of facts in what I stated, point out the assumption(s). Right now, as things stand, they are reported facts, undisputed by the FBI.; 5/21/18, 9:51 PM
Michael K said...: I also, at all times, bear in mind that our community of readers is much larger than our community of commenters, & I respond sometimes to comments for them as much as the direct recipient.

Good point. I just see much back and forth here between people who don't agree and will never agree.

The facts are seeping out. I am inclined to think Sessions has been on board all along and is seeing that this stuff goes to the Utah USA and will not be before a DC jury that would never convict Hillary or any of these other felons.; 5/21/18, 10:03 PM
Ann Althouse said...: My girl won!; 5/21/18, 10:03 PM
Big Mike said...: @Althouse, mazel tov!

@Michael K., I hope you're right about Jeff Sessions. Right now I'm awfully sorry he didn't stay in the Senate.

@Inga, you could right about the FBI not -- strictly speaking -- lying. Apparently they just didn't tell the whole truth, e.g., that they had no confidence in the truthfulness of the contents of the dossier and that it had been funded by the Clinton campaign.; 5/21/18, 10:22 PM
iowan2 said...: Yes. She won!

Our hostess lured me to watch the final show. She does Iowa proud. (and she found a boyfriend); 5/21/18, 10:23 PM
sort of runic rhyme said...: Redbuds have heart-shaped leaves.

After the spring flowering, the leaves predominate but mean nothing these days, since chem-trailed trees no longer are connected to the earth, to us, and to God. All heart-like leaves have stopped beating in sync with creation. More and more other tree leaves have withdrawn their blessings.; 5/21/18, 10:28 PM
Sprezzatura said...: My girl won!

Rosebud.; 5/21/18, 11:06 PM
Sprezzatura said...: If yur insane:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/who-is-stefan-a-halper-the-fbi-source-who-assisted-the-russia-investigation/2018/05/21/22c46caa-5d42-11e8-9ee3-49d6d4814c4c_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.1afaf10c8154
=
spy impeded in DJT campaign.

Not that there's anything wrong w/ that.; 5/21/18, 11:32 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Being tricked by DJT = SAD!; 5/21/18, 11:35 PM
rcocean said...: "...it is a waste of time to debate with Inga."

I've been reading that sentence for 10 years.

Give me a call when you stop debating her.

Or just admit you love LOVE debating the troll.; 5/21/18, 11:45 PM
FIDO said...: Well, there at two responses: Either Inga is correct and Mueller has proof that Trump is the Anti-Christ

OR

They got nothing but a few silly conversations. In which case this 'good reason' is 'Inga, Obama and Hillary didn't like the idea of losing'.

So Inga, if you are proven wrong and this winds up like a Whitewater Investigation, or an Email Server investigation: with nothing proven and no evidence...are you going to apologize?

Are you going to admit to being wrong? Are you going to turn your ire on Obama and Hillary for trying to subvert the rule of law?

Are you going to send a $50 check to the Trump campaign?; 5/21/18, 11:45 PM
Ralph L said...: Your spring is only about 7 weeks behind ours.

Bought me a garden cart through The Portal today. HD, Lowes, and Walmart no longer carried the model I wanted. I wish someone made a wheelbarrow (and other tools) for tall people. The free market has failed, bring on BezoSocialism!

We've had so many days of heavy rain and humidity this May that the local wheat crop is bound to be ruined. It's tiny compared to the Midwest's, but it's spread out among hundreds of small farmers, many of whom aren't insured because they're part-time farmers. I'm glad I no longer work for a grain dealer, because I hated doing nothing at work.; 5/21/18, 11:46 PM
FIDO said...: My ad bots keep showing me that stupid 50 year old 'goth girl' from NCIS. I am getting tired of whatever so called drama her leaving the show involves.

The funny thing is I never saw that show once. Those ad bots don't work very well.; 5/21/18, 11:47 PM
eddie willers said...: Those ad bots don't work very well.

I keep getting this drop-dead gorgeous brunette in a skin-tight red dress from Ashley Madison.

But I gots no money. Sad.; 5/21/18, 11:54 PM
FIDO said...: No one 'debates' Inga any more than one tries to knock down a wall with one's head.

She is a foil. The various readers who do not comment can see which side has the more persuasive argument (you can determine that by seeing Trumps increasing polling results)

She is a barometer. She is a canary in a coal mine, sighing out the toxic gases and opinions that one would normally be forced to read in the NYT or WaPo (Althouse also helps out)

She is our resident anti-Cassandra: someone who consistently foretells the future incorrectly.

She is the crazy tedious Thanksgiving relative because, hey, everyone needs a tedious crazy Thanksgiving relative. We aren't there for the food. It must be the drama and stupidity.

She is a lancet. In this age of political frustration, the humors get misaligned and bile forms in great quantities. Inga comes along and with her sharp tongue (no wit is involved) stabs a political boil with some strange serrated comment and a tidal wave of pus, outrage and invective spews from the soul in response.

And afterward, one feels better.

So thank you for your spiritual services, Inga.; 5/21/18, 11:55 PM
sort of runic rhyme said...: Many years since being here, can't help but notice there's some strange stuff being written about an Inga who apparently so owns her remarks that column inches in response are devoted to her alleged "pus, outrage and invective."

Might the Red Bud Cafe online site be geared toward masonic and pagan anti-Inga creeps?; 5/22/18, 12:55 AM
Yancey Ward said...: The increasing derangement of John Brennan is pretty big tell that Nunes is getting close to something important in how this "investigation" got started.

Do you really believe Stefan Halper was the only spy the FBI/CIA recruited for the Trump effort? Given that Halper was already outed by Chuck Ross and George Papadopoulos in March, why do you suppose the DoJ went to the mat trying keep Nunes from seeing the EC? Really, they could have just confirmed the name to Nunes a week ago. I strongly suspect that Halper is the least troublesome part of the EC. And what did they get for the effort? Nothing but today's meeting where Trump finally seems to have taken the necessary step to order compliance with Congressional subpoenas.; 5/22/18, 1:28 AM
Kevin said...: Inga will change her mind when Baghdad Rachel Maddow tells her to.

Last night Baghdad Rachel was unveiling quid 976,233 pro 42,399 and quo 67,355,476.

When they’re putting the handcuffs on Brennan, Baghdad Rachel will be talking about a possible playground meeting between Baron Trump and a child whose parents emigrated from Russia during the 1800’s.

And so will Inga.; 5/22/18, 4:23 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: "When the IG gets done investigating FISA abuses he can move on to the IRS and Lois Lerner."

Nice thought, but each department has there own. The problem at the DoJ is that DAG Sally Yates, under Obama/Lynch put the National Security Division, and it's FBI counterpart, off limits to their IG. Illegal, of course, but who enforces the law? The DoJ, of course, under their AG (Lynch) and her deputy (Yates). So, if the people empowered to enforce the IG law state that it doesn't apply to them, when they don't want it too nothing anyone can do, except impeach and remove them from office.

The Obama Administration worked hard at neutering the IG laws. They obviously didn't like there being a legal watchdog over their pushing of the legal envelope. And the classic there was Crooked Hillary when she was Sec of State. Obama just never bothered appointing an IG for the State Dept during those 4 years. Always wondered if that was part of the deal he made with the Clintons - in trade for their support, he gave her full reign to exploit the State Dept to her heart's desire. Thus no IG, until she left to get ready for her 2016 run, and Kerry replaced her.; 5/22/18, 4:24 AM
Kevin said...: Remember when lefties liked to question authority?

Apparently that’s no longer in vogue when the president is black.

Now they defend the government’s actions on faith while calling Republicans “authoritarian”.

You’ve come a long way from reality, baby.; 5/22/18, 4:31 AM
Kevin said...: The Obama Administration worked hard at neutering the IG laws.

Trump’s in charge now. It can all be part of the findings.

To the extent Obama enabled the Clintons, his legacy can be tied with theirs.

I suspect Barack will be the biggest loser when all is said and done.; 5/22/18, 4:37 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: I don't think that the really big development yesterday was the additional OIG referral, but rather that Trump ordered DAG Rosenstein, Dir Wray, DNI Coats, etc to the White House, to meet with Congressional committee leaders, and to bring the information that Congress has requested. The DoJ and FBI have been slow rolling Congressional oversight requests on the basis of it being classified for National Security reasons. Of course, we have instances where large redactions were made to prevent embarrassment to them, and had little to do with national security. The slow rolling of responses and massive redactions are strong evidence of the Deep State at work protecting itself from their Constitutionally elected bosses. And critically missing from what Congress has demanded from Justice is much of the factual justification for the entire surveillance of Trump and his team, as well as WTF is Mueller doing, and how was he legally justified and empowered to do. They have been using national security as their excuse. Well guess what? They don't get to make those decisions. The President does. If Congressional committees want to see something, and the DoJ doesn't want them to, the White House will make the determination. The President has ultimate authority under our Constitution to determining our national security priorities, and maybe most importantly, he has ultimate classification and declassification authority. Someone in the WH will be making these decisions, with the implication that Trump himself will step in, personally, if there are problems, and they really don't want Trump to take time out of his busy schedule for this. If they want to see something, and DoJ doesn't want them to, the WH will make the call, and declassify as necessary.

This was, I think, the ultimate power play by Trump against the Deep State using their control of the classification system to protect themselves from oversight and criticism. Against them doing CYA trough claims of national security. I think that Trump just blew this up. When Congress has a legitimate oversight request that is being stonewalled or slow rolled, they can just schedule a meeting at the WH to hash it out, and expect the DoJ/FBI officials to bring it along with them. And, of corse, the reason that this is important to Trump is that these committees have been really driving the investigations into the Deep State plots against Trump's campaign, transition, and Administration.; 5/22/18, 5:08 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: Bruce Hayden,
Agreed. Trump gave the system the chance and time to work the way it is supposed to work, but it isn't willing to cooperate, so he is stepping in. Same basic strategy with trade negotiations and foreign policy.; 5/22/18, 5:29 AM
Tank said...: NYT Editorial Headline: "President Trump and his enablers in Congress and the right-wing media are engaged in a dangerous campaign to undermine the foundations of American justice."

Both:

1. Delusional; and

2. Projection. Leftists always project (not to mention lie).; 5/22/18, 6:18 AM
rehajm said...: The increasing derangement of John Brennan is pretty big tell that Nunes is getting close to something important in how this "investigation" got started.

Yes, one part this to three parts accuse your adversaries of what you're guilty of. It's still shocking how much of the top of the leftie organizational chart is neck deep.; 5/22/18, 6:18 AM
Jaq said...: Remember last week when leaking the spy in the Trump campaign was going to harm national security? Kind of reminds me of when they screamed, pissed, and moaned that we could never hear who had paid Fusion GPS and it turned out to be the DNC and Hillary.

It’s always that way with the Clintons. First it’s hidden, then it’s not true, then it’s no big deal, get over it, put some ice on it.; 5/22/18, 6:28 AM
Jaq said...: More Trump bashing MSNBC commercials on the Golf Channel. It’s like they don’t want their core audience to watch.; 5/22/18, 6:32 AM
Darrell said...: More Trump bashing MSNBC commercials on the Golf Channel. It’s like they don’t want their core audience to watch.

They're appealing to the Chuck audience. Golf "journalism" has become infested with a bunch of Leftist Brit expats because American media thinks that golf is a British invention and British announcers and "experts" sound better. That explains why those stories about Trump saying the White House was a dump came out of this world. Stories where they couldn't find witnesses to back it up.; 5/22/18, 6:54 AM
Ralph L said...: in trade for their support, he gave her full reign to exploit the State Dept

"I want Domestic" (actual Hillary quote from 1992/3). I mean Foreign...er, Domestic.; 5/22/18, 7:06 AM
Curious George said...: "So Inga, if you are proven wrong and this winds up like a Whitewater Investigation, or an Email Server investigation: with nothing proven and no evidence...are you going to apologize?

Are you going to admit to being wrong? Are you going to turn your ire on Obama and Hillary for trying to subvert the rule of law?"

Add John Doe I and II, which is closer. And of course not. She'll likely change her name again, until she is quickly outed because, let's face it, she's a special kind of stupid. And/or just bypass every thread on the topic until it blows over, which in this case could be a long time.; 5/22/18, 7:21 AM
Mike (MJB Wolf) said...: I suspect Barack will be the biggest loser when all is said and done.

Over at HollywoodinToto.com I was reading about the new documentary The Final Year, in which Obama-loving film crew follows the State Dept. during 2016, and builds up Obama's legacies of the Paris Accord, The Iran Deal and relations with Cuba. Two of those are already room temperature and the "opening" of Cuba led to a lot of airlines trying, then cancelling service there. Helluva legacy Barry! Anyway, the article mentions that "nobody expected the audience to laugh" at the scenes of the Obama people defending their "work" in foreign relations, but screenings have resulted in people giggling at their tears on election night.; 5/22/18, 8:04 AM
Jersey Fled said...: Interesting article by Byron York in the Washington Examiner this morning (with some additional speculation on my part)

Timeline:

March 21, 2016:

Trump meets with WAPO editorial board and is questioned on who will make up his team of foreign policy advisors. This list is not finalized yet but Trump blurts out a few names including Page and Popadopolous.

Shortly thereafter (exact date unknown - early spring):

Comey and McCabe meet with Lynch and review names. They discuss providing a "defensive briefing" to Trump team about concerns re:the above names BUT DECIDE NOT TO. This per Lynch testimony before Senate committee.

Late Spring (again exact date unknown):

Comey meets with NSC and subject of defense briefing again comes up. AGAIN THEY DECIDE NOT TO BRIEF TRUMP.

June 2016:

First FISA request to surveille Carter Page denied.

JULY 2016:

Steele shops dossier to press and FBI.

September 2016:

Halper meets with Papadopolous in London.

October 2016:

FISA warrant on Page approved on second try.

So ... IS IT POSSIBLE (as they say on the Ancient Alien shows) that Lynch, Comey, McCabe and the NSC decide not to give Trump a "defensive briefing", which sounds like the right thing to do, but instead they ramped up their own surveillance program for reasons that I leave to the gentle reader?; 5/22/18, 8:40 AM
MathMom said...: Redbud trees in Houston bloomed way back in March!; 5/22/18, 8:44 AM
Michael K said...: Ron Johnson (Wisconsin's own) is on the details of the CNN caper with the "dossier."

The letter from Senator Johnson then goes on to outline how CNN reported breaking news of the dossier on January 10th, using the ‘hook’ created by a leak of the briefing Comey gave to president-elect Trump. CNN headlined their report: “Intel chiefs presented Trump with claims of Russian efforts to compromise him.” A few hours later, BuzzFeed News published the contents of the “Steele dossier.”

Within the letter Senator Johnson asks Director Chris Wray to provide a list of all members of the “sensitive matters team” referenced by James Rybicki. Additionally, Johnson requests Wray to provide all details about how FBI officials “first learned that media outlets, including CNN, may have possessed the Steele dossier.”

From the footnotes we can see the emails were first obtained by the Justice Department Office of Inspector General (Michael Horowitz) and turned over to the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

It was all planned at DoJ with Yates and Lynch at the center.

The first trickle of the dam breaking.; 5/22/18, 8:52 AM
Drago said...: Michael K: "It was all planned at DoJ with Yates and Lynch at the center."

What did Obama and Hillary know and when did they know it?; 5/22/18, 9:53 AM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: Bryan Dean Wright is an ex-CIA employee turned columnist who describes himself as "left-center. Here is what he tweeted out about Brennan:

Bryan Dean Wright
✔
@BryanDeanWright

Yes, I worked w/ @JohnBrennan. We viewed him as a political hack w/ the operational mind of an earthworm. (He once said the CIA “doesn’t steal secrets.” Sums up his intellect nicely)

His day of judgment is coming. And he knows it. His high-road tweets are an act. Justice awaits. https://twitter.com/missourisenior/status/998321442755313664 …
10:11 PM - May 20, 2018

Read the Twitter thread on that tweet and you will find quite a few CIA alumni who agree with Wright's assessment:

The Tropical Cow
‏ @Tropicow
Replying to @BryanDeanWright @JohnBrennan

“I worked for Brennan down-range. One of the worst 6 months of my life. Total 100% political hack. Never underestimate a bureaucrat scorned. His word was not taken seriously at a pre-campaign meeting and he was not consulted further. End of story, they thought.”
3:30 AM - 21 May 2018; 5/22/18, 10:01 AM
Michael K said...: What did Obama and Hillary know and when did they know it?

We know the answers but I think it will come out in the next several months.

I hope Sessions is slow rolling this to time it for the election.; 5/22/18, 10:02 AM
Deb said...: I'm headed to Savannah for the weekend, and to the beach at Tybee. I can't wait to get away from this mess for awhile, taking in the ocean air, eating wonderful food, and ice cream from Leo's.; 5/22/18, 11:18 AM
Jim at said...: If he was spied on it was for DAMN good reason and for good cause, thereby entirely legal.

The totalitarian speaks.

You really are fucked in the head, lady.; 5/22/18, 3:34 PM

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