https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-louisiana-police-death-threat-fake-news-862260/?fbclid=IwAR2kwjcUAY7zwRFMgmSgjKM0hO5nPfuonBrKFyPYaPdhM3aKCBjzGFljXwA
"Though the president’s definition of fake news is anything that paints him in an unflattering light, actual fake news reports — intentional falsehoods and other inventions disguised as reporting — are resulting in threats to the American people. In the wake of his attacks last week against Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), a police officer from Grenta, Louisiana, wrote on Facebook that Ocasio-Cortez needs to be shot. He was responding to a web item claiming Ocasio-Cortez said “we pay soldiers too much,” in reference to the budget. (Ocasio-Cortez said no such thing. The site responsible repeatedly publishes unsupported or outright false stories, sometimes as news reports and sometimes under the guise of “satire.”) But Charlie Rispoli, who had served on the Grenta police force for 14 years, cited the cite when he suggested shooting Ocasio-Cortez: “This vile idiot needs a round……..and I don’t mean the kind she used to serve,” he wrote. (Nola.com obtained a screenshot of Rispoli’s post.) On Monday, Rispoli was fired, along Angelo Varisco, another officer who liked the post. “This incident, we feel, has been an embarrassment to our department,” Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson said at a news conference. “These officers have certainly acted in a manner which was unprofessional, alluding to a violent act to be conducted against a sitting U.S. congressman, a member of our government. We’re not going to tolerate that.” Earlier on Monday, Ocasio-Cortez referenced the threat in calling out the president for inciting violence. “This is Trump’s goal when he uses targeted language & threatens elected officials who don’t agree w/ his political agenda,” she tweeted. “It’s authoritarian behavior. The President is sowing violence. He’s creating an environment where people can get hurt & he claims plausible deniability"."
News And Opinion About The Republican War On Women And Issues Important To Women
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Cesar Sayoc was radicalized by Trump and Fox News, his lawyers claim
https://thinkprogress.org/lawyers-attempted-bomber-cesar-sayoc-radicalized-by-trump-fox-news-b649f86f6ee2/?fbclid=IwAR3Qc2nFKbMMS0MM3NuhHVKKFl6yhTXzhpSS6y9OlQLtDEicILx6dZNorTY
"This is not the first time that the president’s name has come up in a far-right terror investigation. In November 2018, lawyers for a trio of militia members accused of planning to bomb an apartment complex popular with Muslims in Kansas asked the judge to take into account Trump’s rhetoric at the time, which they said was encouraging violence."
"This is not the first time that the president’s name has come up in a far-right terror investigation. In November 2018, lawyers for a trio of militia members accused of planning to bomb an apartment complex popular with Muslims in Kansas asked the judge to take into account Trump’s rhetoric at the time, which they said was encouraging violence."
Wray says FBI has recorded about 100 domestic terrorism arrests in fiscal 2019 and many investigations involve white supremacy
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/wray-says-fbi-has-recorded-about-100-domestic-terrorism-arrests-in-fiscal-2019-and-most-investigations-involve-white-supremacy/2019/07/23/600d49a6-aca1-11e9-bc5c-e73b603e7f38_story.html?fbclid=IwAR3S1Wi_RAwa80wbgWvUgi-zXr7GShPZv7MDxqKzuv1i6ZP32Ihyy-AlWvA&utm_term=.d0874305c146
"FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told lawmakers Tuesday that the bureau has recorded about 100 arrests of domestic terrorism suspects in the past nine months and that most investigations of that kind involve some form of white supremacy."
"FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told lawmakers Tuesday that the bureau has recorded about 100 arrests of domestic terrorism suspects in the past nine months and that most investigations of that kind involve some form of white supremacy."
YouTube’s Plan To Rein In Conspiracy Theories Is Failing
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/youtube-conspiracy-theories_n_5d320f69e4b004b6adafbb99?fbclid=IwAR1K2deSW6_MjsNEaiAO_dnW_L0kNXIHtC7a51o7bjZwFKEx5qC6SG773Nw
"Six months ago, under tremendous public pressure, YouTube announced that it would tweak its algorithm to recommend fewer videos “that could misinform users in harmful ways.” It was a major step for a company that has spent years driving people toward increasingly sensationalist content — including dangerous disinformation — that would keep viewers glued to their screens for as long as possible to maximize advertising revenue. The announcement in late January triggered panic within YouTube’s sprawling network of conspiracy theorists. The host of JustInformed Talk, a channel with nearly a quarter-million subscribers that spreads QAnon theories and baseless claims about Democratic politicians, warned in a February video that the new measure was sure to “instantly destroy” the ability of pages like his to get traffic."
"Six months ago, under tremendous public pressure, YouTube announced that it would tweak its algorithm to recommend fewer videos “that could misinform users in harmful ways.” It was a major step for a company that has spent years driving people toward increasingly sensationalist content — including dangerous disinformation — that would keep viewers glued to their screens for as long as possible to maximize advertising revenue. The announcement in late January triggered panic within YouTube’s sprawling network of conspiracy theorists. The host of JustInformed Talk, a channel with nearly a quarter-million subscribers that spreads QAnon theories and baseless claims about Democratic politicians, warned in a February video that the new measure was sure to “instantly destroy” the ability of pages like his to get traffic."
Sentencing memo provides a revealing glimpse inside a neo-Nazi street-brawling gang
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/7/23/1873810/-Sentencing-memo-provides-a-revealing-glimpse-inside-a-neo-Nazi-street-brawling-gang?fbclid=IwAR2YEAYvnZazqlKwQaKmKy6inu8MRc4q68RsbK-8W9MoS9hPZ6lSnqE-H-s
"Late last week, the Justice Department released the sentencing memorandum for the three young fascists from the neo-Nazi Rise Above Movement who traveled from California to Charlottesville, Virginia, on the weekend of the Unite the Right rally of Aug. 12, 2017, as the culmination of which a young white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing a young woman named Heather Heyer and maiming 19 other people. The document offers some searing insights into the nature of these groups, and the kind of violence these new young radicals intend to inflict."
"Late last week, the Justice Department released the sentencing memorandum for the three young fascists from the neo-Nazi Rise Above Movement who traveled from California to Charlottesville, Virginia, on the weekend of the Unite the Right rally of Aug. 12, 2017, as the culmination of which a young white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing a young woman named Heather Heyer and maiming 19 other people. The document offers some searing insights into the nature of these groups, and the kind of violence these new young radicals intend to inflict."
Monday, July 22, 2019
Trump talked about Mueller’s testimony for around 90 seconds. He packed in 6 lies.
https://www.vox.com/2019/7/22/20704273/trump-mueller-testimony-watch-a-little-bit-lies?fbclid=IwAR1NVnmraXPGBrhkyhGv95N6gDFyTR9yjuMH9bWTKVhU0rUFLWlCm2u7vPE
"in the span of just over one minute of talking, Trump told at least six demonstrable lies about Mueller and his investigation. The blizzard of falsehoods suggests that Trump anticipates Mueller’s testimony and its aftermath won’t be good for him, so he’s doing his best to do some preemptive gaslighting."
"in the span of just over one minute of talking, Trump told at least six demonstrable lies about Mueller and his investigation. The blizzard of falsehoods suggests that Trump anticipates Mueller’s testimony and its aftermath won’t be good for him, so he’s doing his best to do some preemptive gaslighting."
It’s Time for a Special Counsel to Investigate William Barr for Perjury
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/07/special-counsel-investiate-attorney-general-william-barr-perjury.html?fbclid=IwAR3UTapxupimXtaVV_8JEDbbk1VJnpQLgPbNoumFwcGf5nARcyuciZMDQx8
"Based on the available public record about the Russia investigation, it’s clear that the attorney general has repeatedly deceived Congress in a manner that appears to have crossed the line established by federal criminal law."
"Based on the available public record about the Russia investigation, it’s clear that the attorney general has repeatedly deceived Congress in a manner that appears to have crossed the line established by federal criminal law."
Trump’s EPA clears pesticide tied to children’s health problems
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trumps-epa-clears-pesticide-tied-childrens-health-problems?fbclid=IwAR1mRjHMwlv74_B-xEnhLzEk9Lsbi6oKSc82W50CeyE03iJHlLPwyq1dHgI
"This week, as the New York Times reported, we learned about Team Trump doing another potentially dangerous favor for the chemical industry. The Trump administration took a major step to weaken the regulation of toxic chemicals on Thursday when the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would not ban a widely used pesticide that its own experts have linked to serious health problems in children. The decision by Andrew R. Wheeler, the E.P.A. administrator, represents a victory for the chemical industry and for farmers who have lobbied to continue using the substance, chlorpyrifos, arguing it is necessary to protect crops. Let’s circle back to our earlier coverage because it’s worth appreciating how we arrived at this point. The Obama administration originally proposed banning the pesticide’s use on food in October 2015. A risk assessment memo issued by nine EPA scientists concluded. “There is a breadth of information available on the potential adverse neuro-developmental effects in infants and children as a result of prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos.” By all appearances, this wasn’t an especially tough call. There was, after all, “extensive scientific evidence” that even tiny levels of exposure to this pesticide “can harm babies’ brains.” And then Donald Trump took office. Just two months into the new Republican administration, officials reversed course, putting the federal ban on hold. This, not surprisingly, sparked a series of legal challenges, and as the Times’ article noted, “Those lawsuits culminated in April when a federal appeals court ordered the E.P.A. to issue a final ruling on whether to ban chlorpyrifos by this month.” That final ruling from the EPA came yesterday. The administration sided with the chemical industry."
"This week, as the New York Times reported, we learned about Team Trump doing another potentially dangerous favor for the chemical industry. The Trump administration took a major step to weaken the regulation of toxic chemicals on Thursday when the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would not ban a widely used pesticide that its own experts have linked to serious health problems in children. The decision by Andrew R. Wheeler, the E.P.A. administrator, represents a victory for the chemical industry and for farmers who have lobbied to continue using the substance, chlorpyrifos, arguing it is necessary to protect crops. Let’s circle back to our earlier coverage because it’s worth appreciating how we arrived at this point. The Obama administration originally proposed banning the pesticide’s use on food in October 2015. A risk assessment memo issued by nine EPA scientists concluded. “There is a breadth of information available on the potential adverse neuro-developmental effects in infants and children as a result of prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos.” By all appearances, this wasn’t an especially tough call. There was, after all, “extensive scientific evidence” that even tiny levels of exposure to this pesticide “can harm babies’ brains.” And then Donald Trump took office. Just two months into the new Republican administration, officials reversed course, putting the federal ban on hold. This, not surprisingly, sparked a series of legal challenges, and as the Times’ article noted, “Those lawsuits culminated in April when a federal appeals court ordered the E.P.A. to issue a final ruling on whether to ban chlorpyrifos by this month.” That final ruling from the EPA came yesterday. The administration sided with the chemical industry."
83 Environmental Rules Being Rolled Back Under Trump
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html?fbclid=IwAR2yhjy1wOaNgnomfXymQpUY29UZGrzLzkl97jjLtwrjbfq_KONh17hMaLM
"All told, the Trump administration’s environmental rollbacks could significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions and lead to thousands of extra deaths from poor air quality every year, according to a recent report prepared by New York University Law School's State Energy and Environmental Impact Center. Here are the details for each of the policies targeted by the administration so far."
"All told, the Trump administration’s environmental rollbacks could significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions and lead to thousands of extra deaths from poor air quality every year, according to a recent report prepared by New York University Law School's State Energy and Environmental Impact Center. Here are the details for each of the policies targeted by the administration so far."
USDA Under Trump Hides Studies Proving Effects of Climate Change: Report
https://www.thedailybeast.com/usda-under-trump-hides-studies-proving-effects-of-climate-change-politico?ref=home&fbclid=IwAR1ZdL0z4iH3nQzmVUZsFDKmjJ3Zg6IqbKoWra3ggu3lwaHXEDXHit3sglw
"The Trump administration has refused to publicize dozens of studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that conclude climate change is having negative effects on everything from rice production to allergies, a Politico investigation revealed."
"The Trump administration has refused to publicize dozens of studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that conclude climate change is having negative effects on everything from rice production to allergies, a Politico investigation revealed."
'Corruption in Plain Sight': Jared Kushner Firm Took in $90 Million From Unnamed Foreign Entities Since 2017
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/10/corruption-plain-sight-jared-kushner-firm-took-90-million-unnamed-foreign-entities?fbclid=IwAR0Axdn43KwM4PJak7MV8pyG11YqkWSk9UPkoFxQAgERzQs59xsg0qBEwag
"The latest scandal from the President Donald Trump administration involves secretive foreign investments in a company in which the president's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner has a stake."
"The latest scandal from the President Donald Trump administration involves secretive foreign investments in a company in which the president's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner has a stake."
Prosecutors say Republican congressman embezzled campaign funds to pay for extramarital affairs
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/6/25/1867208/-Prosecutors-say-Republican-congressman-embezzled-campaign-funds-to-pay-for-extramarital-affairs?fbclid=IwAR3JV_iVcsww4rRr2tWeXj-wLISfyMDHWpvpf9ffPZIYs2R5_LmLT5mwMR0
"In the case they made in Hunter’s trial today, Hunter has been a serial adulterer, carrying on affairs with at least three lobbyists, a staff member from his office, and an official from the Republican National Committee. Prosecutors laid out evidence Hunter used campaign funds to finance all the affairs—dinners, ski trips, alcohol, Uber service to and from his meet-ups with other women."
"In the case they made in Hunter’s trial today, Hunter has been a serial adulterer, carrying on affairs with at least three lobbyists, a staff member from his office, and an official from the Republican National Committee. Prosecutors laid out evidence Hunter used campaign funds to finance all the affairs—dinners, ski trips, alcohol, Uber service to and from his meet-ups with other women."
Duncan Hunter Junior - The Apple Doesn't Fall Far
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/6/25/1867181/-Duncan-Hunter-Junior-The-Apple-Doesn-t-Fall-Far?utm_campaign=recent&fbclid=IwAR2DoWeK10JKcCqXDgpN5bEm-FRxK3Fly54SZK5zFGZBtKMTTqUaL2-HgEA
"The Justice Department has released some additional details regarding its criminal complaint against Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. (CA-50). These new details help flesh out Hunters use of campaign funds in support of at least five extra-marital affairs that he was conducting while doing the people’s business in Washington. In the filing, prosecutors detail numerous instances in which Hunter allegedly used campaign cash to fund his affairs. In one episode in 2010, Hunter allegedly took a lobbyist on a "double date” road trip to Virginia Beach with a fellow congressman and then charged his campaign for the hotel room and bar tab. In another incident in 2015, Hunter allegedly took a House leadership aide out for cocktails and then took an Uber back to his office after they spent the night together. Both expenses were charged to his campaign account, prosecutors say. And Hunter also allegedly became intimately involved with a woman who worked in his congressional office in 2015, regularly paying for their dates with campaign funds. Hunter initially blamed his wife for his family’s use of over $250,000 in campaign funds for a variety of personal expenses, but she has changed her plea to guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors. Aside from Hunter’s original statement blaming her for all the misappropriations, I suspect that the fact that he was using some of the stolen funds to pay for his affairs possible influence her decision. Young Duncan may have developed his interest in stealing from others from his father, Duncan Hunter Senior, who in 2007 was named by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) as one of the most corrupt members of congress."
"The Justice Department has released some additional details regarding its criminal complaint against Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. (CA-50). These new details help flesh out Hunters use of campaign funds in support of at least five extra-marital affairs that he was conducting while doing the people’s business in Washington. In the filing, prosecutors detail numerous instances in which Hunter allegedly used campaign cash to fund his affairs. In one episode in 2010, Hunter allegedly took a lobbyist on a "double date” road trip to Virginia Beach with a fellow congressman and then charged his campaign for the hotel room and bar tab. In another incident in 2015, Hunter allegedly took a House leadership aide out for cocktails and then took an Uber back to his office after they spent the night together. Both expenses were charged to his campaign account, prosecutors say. And Hunter also allegedly became intimately involved with a woman who worked in his congressional office in 2015, regularly paying for their dates with campaign funds. Hunter initially blamed his wife for his family’s use of over $250,000 in campaign funds for a variety of personal expenses, but she has changed her plea to guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors. Aside from Hunter’s original statement blaming her for all the misappropriations, I suspect that the fact that he was using some of the stolen funds to pay for his affairs possible influence her decision. Young Duncan may have developed his interest in stealing from others from his father, Duncan Hunter Senior, who in 2007 was named by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) as one of the most corrupt members of congress."
Embattled GOP rep receives cease-and-desist letter from the Marines
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/embattled-gop-rep-receives-cease-and-desist-letter-the-marines?fbclid=IwAR2EPWx__mp9ryq2DfsWyxTqVMfpiS57XQk-EM1xz0Gvy7XHRlNRVFyIVks
"The Marine Corps has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., for using the official Corps emblem and phrase on campaign mailers that link his likely 2020 opponent and two Democratic congresswomen to terror. In a letter to Hunter obtained by NBC News, the Marine Corps Trademark Licensing Office tells the congressman, “It has come to our attention that your campaign is using the official USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor (Emblem) and the phrase ‘No Better Friend, NO Worse Enemy’ (Phrase) as an integral part of your political campaign, namely, on at least one fundraising mailer to your constituents.” The letter, dated Tuesday, demands that Hunter’s campaign “immediately remove the Emblem and the Phrase from its mailers, and, without limitation, from all other campaign materials including websites and other instances where the Emblem or the Phrase are being used. We also request that you provide us with a timetable as to your compliance with our requests"."
"The Marine Corps has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., for using the official Corps emblem and phrase on campaign mailers that link his likely 2020 opponent and two Democratic congresswomen to terror. In a letter to Hunter obtained by NBC News, the Marine Corps Trademark Licensing Office tells the congressman, “It has come to our attention that your campaign is using the official USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor (Emblem) and the phrase ‘No Better Friend, NO Worse Enemy’ (Phrase) as an integral part of your political campaign, namely, on at least one fundraising mailer to your constituents.” The letter, dated Tuesday, demands that Hunter’s campaign “immediately remove the Emblem and the Phrase from its mailers, and, without limitation, from all other campaign materials including websites and other instances where the Emblem or the Phrase are being used. We also request that you provide us with a timetable as to your compliance with our requests"."
California Rep. Duncan Hunter used campaign funds for extramarital affairs, prosecutors say
https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-duncan-hunter-affairs-campaign-finance-misuse-20190625-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1cLtyxYMSusMTJN9X-dB-o7dWwncfxG35b_U2gLaQkWaf4LWn3hRSm-1U
"Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) used campaign money to fund a series of extramarital affairs with congressional staffers and lobbyists, federal prosecutors allege in a new court filing in his corruption case. Prosecutors say Hunter “improperly” diverted funds “to pursue these romances wholly unrelated to either his congressional campaigns or his official duties as a member of Congress.” The filing comes less than two weeks after Hunter’s wife and former campaign manager, Margaret Hunter, pleaded guilty of conspiring to misuse campaign funds. Last August, a federal grand jury indicted the couple, alleging they illegally financed a lavish lifestyle of travel, gifts, fine dining and other expenses with campaign money, then submitted false reports to the Federal Election Commission to cover it up. In total, prosecutors said the Hunters spent more than $250,000 on personal expenses — from dental care to their children’s tuition — that they listed as campaign-related gifts, donations and travel."
"Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) used campaign money to fund a series of extramarital affairs with congressional staffers and lobbyists, federal prosecutors allege in a new court filing in his corruption case. Prosecutors say Hunter “improperly” diverted funds “to pursue these romances wholly unrelated to either his congressional campaigns or his official duties as a member of Congress.” The filing comes less than two weeks after Hunter’s wife and former campaign manager, Margaret Hunter, pleaded guilty of conspiring to misuse campaign funds. Last August, a federal grand jury indicted the couple, alleging they illegally financed a lavish lifestyle of travel, gifts, fine dining and other expenses with campaign money, then submitted false reports to the Federal Election Commission to cover it up. In total, prosecutors said the Hunters spent more than $250,000 on personal expenses — from dental care to their children’s tuition — that they listed as campaign-related gifts, donations and travel."
Allegations against indicted House Republican get even worse
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/allegations-against-indicted-house-republican-get-even-worse?fbclid=IwAR0On46I9klWMyhmZHBG0ludEQFfJQdVAaAAM4Du0kJRWn1r910yJ_cLFsM
"As a rule, when people talk about politicians being in bed with lobbyists, the rhetoric isn’t intended to be taken literally. There are exceptions. Justice Department prosecutors alleged on Monday that Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) used campaign contributions to have multiple extramarital affairs, including a $1,000 ski vacation with a female lobbyist. According to the court filing, Hunter started using the campaign funds to “carry out a series of intimate relationships” with five women soon after he first entered office in 2009. The first woman (“Individual 14”) was a lobbyist. For about three years, Hunter dipped into his campaign contributions to pay for a couple’s ski getaway (which cost more than $1,000), a road trip to Virginia Beach, and hotel stays, according to prosecutors. TPM’s report added that the Republican congressman’s alleged relationship with the lobbyist ended in 2012 – he’d been married for roughly 14 years at the time – though prosecutors have accused Hunter of having four other affairs over the course of the four years that followed. Donors allegedly picked up the tab for expenses related to each of the relationships. While these claims against the indicted GOP lawmaker will still need to be proven in court, the allegations do help contextualize matters a bit. In case anyone needs a refresher, the GOP congressman and his wife were charged last summer, and the criminal indictment was quite brutal: federal prosecutors alleged that the Hunters stole more than $250,000 in campaign funds and used the money to pay for personal purchases, ranging from trips to school tuition to dental work to veterinary care. As if that weren’t enough, the Hunters allegedly went to great lengths to cover up the scheme: according to prosecutors, they made fraudulent claims that their purchases were for charities, including veterans’ charities. A Washington Post report added that the prosecutors’ allegations “read like a caricature of a corrupt, greedy politician"."
"As a rule, when people talk about politicians being in bed with lobbyists, the rhetoric isn’t intended to be taken literally. There are exceptions. Justice Department prosecutors alleged on Monday that Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) used campaign contributions to have multiple extramarital affairs, including a $1,000 ski vacation with a female lobbyist. According to the court filing, Hunter started using the campaign funds to “carry out a series of intimate relationships” with five women soon after he first entered office in 2009. The first woman (“Individual 14”) was a lobbyist. For about three years, Hunter dipped into his campaign contributions to pay for a couple’s ski getaway (which cost more than $1,000), a road trip to Virginia Beach, and hotel stays, according to prosecutors. TPM’s report added that the Republican congressman’s alleged relationship with the lobbyist ended in 2012 – he’d been married for roughly 14 years at the time – though prosecutors have accused Hunter of having four other affairs over the course of the four years that followed. Donors allegedly picked up the tab for expenses related to each of the relationships. While these claims against the indicted GOP lawmaker will still need to be proven in court, the allegations do help contextualize matters a bit. In case anyone needs a refresher, the GOP congressman and his wife were charged last summer, and the criminal indictment was quite brutal: federal prosecutors alleged that the Hunters stole more than $250,000 in campaign funds and used the money to pay for personal purchases, ranging from trips to school tuition to dental work to veterinary care. As if that weren’t enough, the Hunters allegedly went to great lengths to cover up the scheme: according to prosecutors, they made fraudulent claims that their purchases were for charities, including veterans’ charities. A Washington Post report added that the prosecutors’ allegations “read like a caricature of a corrupt, greedy politician"."
GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter Used Campaign Funds to Pursue ‘Intimate’ Extramarital Affairs: Feds
https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-rep-duncan-hunter-used-campaign-funds-to-pursue-intimate-extramarital-affairs-feds?ref=home&fbclid=IwAR1mkr412ZrUAygsBecL3TsmxH2dplrfJU-WoOEX1x1i0wW67mkfPwpiC_4
"Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) used campaign funds to pay for “intimate” encounters with several women, including one skiing rendezvous with a lobbyist in Lake Tahoe, the Justice Department alleged in new court filings. Hunter, 42, and his wife were indicted last August with conspiracy, wire fraud, and falsification of records after allegedly spending $250,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses and falsifying Federal Election Commission reports to cover their tracks. After previously denying any wrongdoing with her husband, Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty federal court last week, admitting the pair stole a quarter-of-a-million dollars in campaign funds to pay for vacations and credit-card payments."
"Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) used campaign funds to pay for “intimate” encounters with several women, including one skiing rendezvous with a lobbyist in Lake Tahoe, the Justice Department alleged in new court filings. Hunter, 42, and his wife were indicted last August with conspiracy, wire fraud, and falsification of records after allegedly spending $250,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses and falsifying Federal Election Commission reports to cover their tracks. After previously denying any wrongdoing with her husband, Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty federal court last week, admitting the pair stole a quarter-of-a-million dollars in campaign funds to pay for vacations and credit-card payments."
Livin’ Large: The Duncan Hunter Story
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/livin-large-the-duncan-hunter-story?fbclid=IwAR3jvcx9nOsOxrDbbQqybn8IwcAEj_JyBBp6ptyiWae7G7n2xAuUQRWRiN8
"Prosecutors list five extra-marital affairs Hunter carried on with various GOP lobbyists, operatives and congressional staffers (one of whom worked in his own office) and funded out of his campaign funds. The funding included everything from paying for weekend getaways, to ubering back and forth to different girlfriends’ homes for overnight and basically all the miscellaneous stuff one might do while carrying on an affair. Highlights include double dates with another member of Congress, the time Hunter kept an extra night of his wife’s hotel reservation in DC and used it to spend the night with his girlfriend. Prosecutors argue persuasively if rather archly that they must introduce evidence of Hunter’s affairs because otherwise Hunter might argue that the expenses were tied to his work in Congress. As they note, each girlfriend was tied either to Congress or political work in general. So tying the meetings to his campaign is not inherently implausible unless you know they were having sex."
"Prosecutors list five extra-marital affairs Hunter carried on with various GOP lobbyists, operatives and congressional staffers (one of whom worked in his own office) and funded out of his campaign funds. The funding included everything from paying for weekend getaways, to ubering back and forth to different girlfriends’ homes for overnight and basically all the miscellaneous stuff one might do while carrying on an affair. Highlights include double dates with another member of Congress, the time Hunter kept an extra night of his wife’s hotel reservation in DC and used it to spend the night with his girlfriend. Prosecutors argue persuasively if rather archly that they must introduce evidence of Hunter’s affairs because otherwise Hunter might argue that the expenses were tied to his work in Congress. As they note, each girlfriend was tied either to Congress or political work in general. So tying the meetings to his campaign is not inherently implausible unless you know they were having sex."
Trump Puts More GOP Money In His Own Pocket During Another Million-Dollar Golf Trip
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-bedminster-rnc_n_5d30b303e4b004b6adacd92b?fbclid=IwAR2FZ5oaS9YFxa30RYDhBtHBu92e1zLuOlZaRAFHWiiX1_EDpblBCveygmU
"President Donald Trump is leaving Friday for another million-dollar golf weekend at his New Jersey course, where he will also host a fundraiser that will convert Republican Party money into his own personal money. The trip will be Trump’s 17th visit to his resort 45 miles west of New York City since taking office, with each costing taxpayers at least $1.1 million in travel and security costs. The trip will bring his taxpayer-paid golf tab to $109.2 million. With a planned return on Sunday, Trump will add another three days to the time he has spent at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, bringing his tally there to 64 days and his total time at golf courses that he owns to 194 days. (Trump has golfed twice at courses in Japan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visits there.) Heading into Friday, Trump had spent 62 days at his course in Northern Virginia, 61 days at Bedminster and 57 days at his resort in West Palm Beach. He has also visited his courses in Los Angeles; Doral, Florida; Jupiter, Florida; Scotland and Ireland ― all on the taxpayer dime."
"President Donald Trump is leaving Friday for another million-dollar golf weekend at his New Jersey course, where he will also host a fundraiser that will convert Republican Party money into his own personal money. The trip will be Trump’s 17th visit to his resort 45 miles west of New York City since taking office, with each costing taxpayers at least $1.1 million in travel and security costs. The trip will bring his taxpayer-paid golf tab to $109.2 million. With a planned return on Sunday, Trump will add another three days to the time he has spent at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, bringing his tally there to 64 days and his total time at golf courses that he owns to 194 days. (Trump has golfed twice at courses in Japan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visits there.) Heading into Friday, Trump had spent 62 days at his course in Northern Virginia, 61 days at Bedminster and 57 days at his resort in West Palm Beach. He has also visited his courses in Los Angeles; Doral, Florida; Jupiter, Florida; Scotland and Ireland ― all on the taxpayer dime."
Trump wants to profit off meeting with world leaders
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-plots-to-profit-off-meeting-with-world-leaders-f4ae1812ccb9/?fbclid=IwAR1JB6E2fRN2Il96XinxVdezfULprULbjTuY42LUfjOjp6iWfW-SH-L0cxU
"Trump repeatedly has used the presidency to profit from his businesses. Since taking office, taxpayers have paid $109.2 million in travel and security costs for Trump to spend time at his own resorts. In fact, he’s spent about a fifth of his entire presidency at golf courses."
"Trump repeatedly has used the presidency to profit from his businesses. Since taking office, taxpayers have paid $109.2 million in travel and security costs for Trump to spend time at his own resorts. In fact, he’s spent about a fifth of his entire presidency at golf courses."
Trump’s EPA Just Made Its Final Decision Not to Ban a Pesticide That Hurts Kids’ Brains
https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2019/07/trumps-epa-just-made-its-final-decision-not-to-ban-a-pesticide-that-hurts-kids-brains/
"The pesticide in question, chlorpyrifos, is a nasty piece of work. It’s an organophosphate, a class of bug killers that work by “interrupting the electrochemical processes that nerves use to communicate with muscles and other nerves,” as the Pesticide Encyclopedia puts it. Chlorpyrifos is also an endocrine disrupter, meaning it can cause “adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects,” according to the National Institutes of Health. Major studies from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the University of California-Davis, and Columbia University have found strong evidence that low doses of chlorpyrifos inhibits kids’ brain development, including when exposure occurs in the womb, with effects ranging from lower IQ to higher rates of autism. Several studies—examples here, here, and here—have found it in the urine of kids who live near treated fields. In 2000, the EPA banned most home uses of the chemical, citing risks to children. And here’s the dirt on the relationship between President Donald Trump and the company that markets the chemical: Dow AgroSciences’ parent company, Dow Chemical, has also been buttering up Trump. The company contributed $1 million to the president’s inaugural committee, the Center for Public Integrity notes. In December, Dow Chemical Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris attended a post-election Trump rally in the company’s home state of Michigan, and used the occasion to announce plans to create 100 new jobs and bring back another 100 more from foreign subsidiaries. Around the same time, Trump named Liveris chair of the American Manufacturing Council, declaring the chemical exec would “find ways to bring industry back to America.” (Dow has another reason beside chlorpyrifos’ fate to get chummy with Trump: its pending mega-merger with erstwhile rival DuPont, which still has to clear Trump’s Department of Justice.)"
"The pesticide in question, chlorpyrifos, is a nasty piece of work. It’s an organophosphate, a class of bug killers that work by “interrupting the electrochemical processes that nerves use to communicate with muscles and other nerves,” as the Pesticide Encyclopedia puts it. Chlorpyrifos is also an endocrine disrupter, meaning it can cause “adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects,” according to the National Institutes of Health. Major studies from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the University of California-Davis, and Columbia University have found strong evidence that low doses of chlorpyrifos inhibits kids’ brain development, including when exposure occurs in the womb, with effects ranging from lower IQ to higher rates of autism. Several studies—examples here, here, and here—have found it in the urine of kids who live near treated fields. In 2000, the EPA banned most home uses of the chemical, citing risks to children. And here’s the dirt on the relationship between President Donald Trump and the company that markets the chemical: Dow AgroSciences’ parent company, Dow Chemical, has also been buttering up Trump. The company contributed $1 million to the president’s inaugural committee, the Center for Public Integrity notes. In December, Dow Chemical Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris attended a post-election Trump rally in the company’s home state of Michigan, and used the occasion to announce plans to create 100 new jobs and bring back another 100 more from foreign subsidiaries. Around the same time, Trump named Liveris chair of the American Manufacturing Council, declaring the chemical exec would “find ways to bring industry back to America.” (Dow has another reason beside chlorpyrifos’ fate to get chummy with Trump: its pending mega-merger with erstwhile rival DuPont, which still has to clear Trump’s Department of Justice.)"
Giving 'Upper Hand to Corporate Polluters,' EPA Drops Surprise Inspections
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/19/giving-upper-hand-corporate-polluters-epa-drops-surprise-inspections?fbclid=IwAR2EHNw8m_CXrxQQ17v0cWatTFtSiuHpOLyUwlooASIzVbzoJ9jKkeTqgsA
"President Donald Trump's EPA is provoking criticism once again, this time over a new "no surprises" policy stopping unannounced visits to power, chemical, and waste facilities. "The Trump @EPA is just chucking aside any flimsy pretense that they care about upholding environmental laws, enforcing against big polluters, or protecting Americans," tweeted John Walke, Clean Air Director and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Giving a courtesy heads up to suspected *ongoing* lawbreakers is beyond the pale even for the Trump @EPA"."
"President Donald Trump's EPA is provoking criticism once again, this time over a new "no surprises" policy stopping unannounced visits to power, chemical, and waste facilities. "The Trump @EPA is just chucking aside any flimsy pretense that they care about upholding environmental laws, enforcing against big polluters, or protecting Americans," tweeted John Walke, Clean Air Director and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Giving a courtesy heads up to suspected *ongoing* lawbreakers is beyond the pale even for the Trump @EPA"."
Bill Barr Is Earning Every Dime They're Paying Him
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a28439575/trump-stormy-daniels-payoff-investigation-bill-barr/?fbclid=IwAR079q9f4V7eNBej7Sh5Z3RajnbkiijQbZQUmq42DOG5c_VPAdjCUNwhJfs
"It must be hard being William Barr, the White House's pet Attorney General. He must look like the hero comic of some silent film. He's running around from pillar to post, turning off investigations at every turn. Most recently, it appears that the whole Stormy Daniels affair is going to come down to only Michael Cohen in the sneezer. In ordinary times, however, it would be remarkable to find out that the President of the United States was intimately involved in paying off the porn star with whom he was messing around shortly after the birth of his fourth child by his third wife. But these are not ordinary times, and this is not an ordinary president*, and I'm not entirely sure anything ever will be normal again. On Thursday, in New York, the FBI unsealed a treasure trove of documents related to its investigation of how the president* and Cohen bought off Stormy Daniels in the middle of a presidential campaign. The reason the FBI could do this is because the actual investigation has been brought to an abrupt end. However, there is no question now that the FBI believed that the President* of the United States was involved in paying off a former mistress and, very likely, a lot of people in his inner circle have been lying about it in a variety of law-enforcement forums ever since."
"It must be hard being William Barr, the White House's pet Attorney General. He must look like the hero comic of some silent film. He's running around from pillar to post, turning off investigations at every turn. Most recently, it appears that the whole Stormy Daniels affair is going to come down to only Michael Cohen in the sneezer. In ordinary times, however, it would be remarkable to find out that the President of the United States was intimately involved in paying off the porn star with whom he was messing around shortly after the birth of his fourth child by his third wife. But these are not ordinary times, and this is not an ordinary president*, and I'm not entirely sure anything ever will be normal again. On Thursday, in New York, the FBI unsealed a treasure trove of documents related to its investigation of how the president* and Cohen bought off Stormy Daniels in the middle of a presidential campaign. The reason the FBI could do this is because the actual investigation has been brought to an abrupt end. However, there is no question now that the FBI believed that the President* of the United States was involved in paying off a former mistress and, very likely, a lot of people in his inner circle have been lying about it in a variety of law-enforcement forums ever since."
EPA Wants Minimal Limits On Poison In Drinking Water
https://www.dcreport.org/2019/06/25/epa-wants-minimal-limits-on-poison-in-drinking-water/?fbclid=IwAR1g9el-Oikn3D7WGv5sOKXeV4UxOwUvKttSKHaPNeqswmqa2LhPa5xXhzo
"The Trump EPA calculated recommended limits of a dangerous chemical sometimes found in drinking water that can harm babies’ brain development that were more than 9 times higher than those imposed by a few states by fudging a key number in the calculation. The Trump EPA recommended a limit for perchlorate, which can harm infant brain development, of 56 micrograms per liter, far above the limit of 6 that California imposed and 2 that Massachusetts set, more than a decade ago. “I guess they think it’s just fine to have children have IQ loss,” said Betsy Southerland, a retired EPA official who oversaw science and technology issues in the EPA Office of Water. Perchlorate, which a GAO study found in the water, soil or sediment of 45 states, is particularly dangerous to babies because it can harm infant brain development if their mothers are exposed to it in food or water while pregnant. Babies can also ingest perchlorate in their mothers’ breast milk or in formula."
"The Trump EPA calculated recommended limits of a dangerous chemical sometimes found in drinking water that can harm babies’ brain development that were more than 9 times higher than those imposed by a few states by fudging a key number in the calculation. The Trump EPA recommended a limit for perchlorate, which can harm infant brain development, of 56 micrograms per liter, far above the limit of 6 that California imposed and 2 that Massachusetts set, more than a decade ago. “I guess they think it’s just fine to have children have IQ loss,” said Betsy Southerland, a retired EPA official who oversaw science and technology issues in the EPA Office of Water. Perchlorate, which a GAO study found in the water, soil or sediment of 45 states, is particularly dangerous to babies because it can harm infant brain development if their mothers are exposed to it in food or water while pregnant. Babies can also ingest perchlorate in their mothers’ breast milk or in formula."
USDA Indefinitely Suspends Honey Bee Tracking Survey as States Get Approval to Use Bee-Killing Pesticide
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/08/usda-indefinitely-suspends-honey-bee-tracking-survey-states-get-approval-use-bee?fbclid=IwAR34952k6sSQKMzPoDHVrLVZMUDj8RGgaAmg2gPzCtPzofuVQS9tY7qs66Y
"On the heels of the EPA's June approval of a bee-killing pesticide, the White House said it would stop collecting data on declining honey bee populations—potentially making it impossible to analyze the effects of the chemical and the administration's other anti-science policies on the pollinators."
"On the heels of the EPA's June approval of a bee-killing pesticide, the White House said it would stop collecting data on declining honey bee populations—potentially making it impossible to analyze the effects of the chemical and the administration's other anti-science policies on the pollinators."
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Hope Hicks Implicates Jared Kushner in Lying About Trump-Russia Contacts
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/06/hope-hicks-implicates-jared-kushner-in-lying-about-trump-russia-contacts-1/
"Don’t forget the lying. Despite the debates over the extent of the contacts between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, over the allegations that the president obstructed justice, and over the issue of whether Congress ought to impeach him, special counsel Robert Mueller’s report reached an indisputable conclusion that Trump, his aides, and his family lied often and profoundly about their interactions with Russia during the 2016 election. This dishonesty has been routinely overlooked in the post-Mueller media storm. And last week, during her closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee, Hope Hicks, while refusing to answer scores of questions, made a little-noticed remark that suggested Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had lied to Hicks to hide one of the most suspicious and problematic contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. With her testimony, Hicks implicated Kushner in an attempted cover-up."
"Don’t forget the lying. Despite the debates over the extent of the contacts between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, over the allegations that the president obstructed justice, and over the issue of whether Congress ought to impeach him, special counsel Robert Mueller’s report reached an indisputable conclusion that Trump, his aides, and his family lied often and profoundly about their interactions with Russia during the 2016 election. This dishonesty has been routinely overlooked in the post-Mueller media storm. And last week, during her closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee, Hope Hicks, while refusing to answer scores of questions, made a little-noticed remark that suggested Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had lied to Hicks to hide one of the most suspicious and problematic contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. With her testimony, Hicks implicated Kushner in an attempted cover-up."
Republican and Democratic former EPA heads sound alarm on Trump administration
https://thinkprogress.org/bipartisan-epa-trump-former-administrators-science-rollbacks-5d6508460e6c/?fbclid=IwAR0M58KkQ5-Z8BEkwv0Fr-iXM0hW_d_jrGhlR4qyOvo-_YR4_hae5zF1uUE
"Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials — including three Republicans and one Democrat — sounded the alarm on Tuesday about the direction of the agency under President Donald Trump. They warned that decades of environmental progress are on the line."
"Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials — including three Republicans and one Democrat — sounded the alarm on Tuesday about the direction of the agency under President Donald Trump. They warned that decades of environmental progress are on the line."
Seth Rich conspiracy theory was planted by Russian intel before being championed by Fox News' Sean Hannity: report
https://www.newsweek.com/seth-rich-conspiracy-russian-intel-fox-news-sean-hannity-1448331?fbclid=IwAR2YgASUPQlb4nxZtJE26zWdaBU68vr7ezrPYy5HIwT2LWBcmyL5_x40Mgk
"The Seth Rich conspiracy theory, promoted by a since retracted article by Fox News and the network's popular right-wing host Sean Hannity, originally stemmed from a phony "bulletin" circulated by Russian intelligence, an investigative report by Yahoo News has found."
"The Seth Rich conspiracy theory, promoted by a since retracted article by Fox News and the network's popular right-wing host Sean Hannity, originally stemmed from a phony "bulletin" circulated by Russian intelligence, an investigative report by Yahoo News has found."
The True Origins Of The Seth Rich Conspiracy Theory
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/seth-rich-conspiracyland_n_5d249169e4b0cfb595fc2b7a?fbclid=IwAR28LjIVgnE019dBeGsqk6xG6ESh0WOwiIeLpgAU6W24TUNc9WGHTxZI6N0
"In the summer of 2016, Russian intelligence agents secretly planted a fake report claiming that Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich was gunned down by a squad of assassins working for Hillary Clinton, giving rise to a notorious conspiracy theory that captivated conservative activists and was later promoted from inside President Trump’s White House, a Yahoo News investigation has found. Russia’s foreign intelligence service, known as the SVR, first circulated a phony “bulletin” — disguised to read as a real intelligence report —about the alleged murder of the former DNC staffer on July 13, 2016, according to the U.S. federal prosecutor who was in charge of the Rich case. That was just three days after Rich, 27, was killed in what police believed was a botched robbery while walking home to his group house in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of Washington, D.C., about 30 blocks north of the Capitol. The purported details in the SVR account seemed improbable on their face: that Rich, a data director in the DNC’s voter protection division, was on his way to alert the FBI to corrupt dealings by Clinton when he was slain in the early hours of a Sunday morning by the former secretary of state’s hit squad. Yet in a graphic example of how fake news infects the internet, those precise details popped up the same day on an obscure website, whatdoesitmean.com, that is a frequent vehicle for Russian propaganda. The website’s article, which attributed its claims to “Russian intelligence,” was the first known instance of Rich’s murder being publicly linked to a political conspiracy."
"In the summer of 2016, Russian intelligence agents secretly planted a fake report claiming that Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich was gunned down by a squad of assassins working for Hillary Clinton, giving rise to a notorious conspiracy theory that captivated conservative activists and was later promoted from inside President Trump’s White House, a Yahoo News investigation has found. Russia’s foreign intelligence service, known as the SVR, first circulated a phony “bulletin” — disguised to read as a real intelligence report —about the alleged murder of the former DNC staffer on July 13, 2016, according to the U.S. federal prosecutor who was in charge of the Rich case. That was just three days after Rich, 27, was killed in what police believed was a botched robbery while walking home to his group house in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of Washington, D.C., about 30 blocks north of the Capitol. The purported details in the SVR account seemed improbable on their face: that Rich, a data director in the DNC’s voter protection division, was on his way to alert the FBI to corrupt dealings by Clinton when he was slain in the early hours of a Sunday morning by the former secretary of state’s hit squad. Yet in a graphic example of how fake news infects the internet, those precise details popped up the same day on an obscure website, whatdoesitmean.com, that is a frequent vehicle for Russian propaganda. The website’s article, which attributed its claims to “Russian intelligence,” was the first known instance of Rich’s murder being publicly linked to a political conspiracy."
Russian disinformation campaign helped push conspiracy about murdered DNC staffer
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-disinformation-campaign-helped-push-conspiracy-about-murdered-dnc-staffer-seth-rich/?fbclid=IwAR04jf-zkJW-LgLcKZEF3I-_1fNrd2K9nEopk7TdKpQXBoB8EYIs2zT9drs
"The story resonated with conservative commentators and Russian media outlets. It also found its way to the White House."
"The story resonated with conservative commentators and Russian media outlets. It also found its way to the White House."
Fox News Was Duped by a Seth Rich Conspiracy Pushed by Russian Intelligence
https://www.gq.com/story/fox-news-seth-rich-conspiracy?fbclid=IwAR3xTkenE8sKR5UkLxdFRybbQKl44He26KQT9ft4jeLRa3cXtGLi-wZLT2w
"The conspiracy theory around Seth Rich's death, one of Sean Hannity's favorites, wasn't just organic internet rumor."
"The conspiracy theory around Seth Rich's death, one of Sean Hannity's favorites, wasn't just organic internet rumor."
Dangerous liaisons: Fox News teams up with Russian agents to undermine democracy
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/7/10/1870655/-Dangerous-liaisons-Fox-News-teams-up-with-Russian-agents-to-undermine-democracy?utm_campaign=trending&fbclid=IwAR0jbfIPpIv3bbgbEfXc94kHB-ZBZc7Sbx4LIFZzlUSjd_dAGu8255vQBV0
"With the revelation this week that Fox News helped Russian intelligence agents spread the vulgar conspiracy theory about Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich’s murder in 2016, we have entered a dark and dangerous place. We're at the point where a major American cable news channel teamed up with forces from a foreign adversary in order to damage a major political party in this country. What do we even call this? Treason? The fifth column inside the United States? We are so far beyond Fox News being a useful platform for Republicans to spread bits of partisan misinformation. We're talking about a huge, powerful media entity that essentially aligns itself with foreign agents to undermine American democracy from within. And no, that's not hyperbole."
"With the revelation this week that Fox News helped Russian intelligence agents spread the vulgar conspiracy theory about Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich’s murder in 2016, we have entered a dark and dangerous place. We're at the point where a major American cable news channel teamed up with forces from a foreign adversary in order to damage a major political party in this country. What do we even call this? Treason? The fifth column inside the United States? We are so far beyond Fox News being a useful platform for Republicans to spread bits of partisan misinformation. We're talking about a huge, powerful media entity that essentially aligns itself with foreign agents to undermine American democracy from within. And no, that's not hyperbole."
Pentagon Warns That America Is Enabling Putin’s Plan for Global Dominance
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/pentagon-warns-america-enabling-putin-plan-global-dominance-854009/?fbclid=IwAR3zv5s_66Sgiz85cRNKyGi7htBl79IA3a0i_ls569gHNm_eH8uVWZYj_GE
"Donald Trump is a fan of Vladimir Putin. The president praised him effusively during the 2016 campaign, when a deal was in the works to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, and has continued to praise him while in office. Though the U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia interfered in America’s electoral process (and is continuing to do so), Trump has refused to acknowledge these efforts, instead deferring to Putin’s denials. At the recent G-20 summit in Japan, he even joked with the Russian leader about election meddling. “Yes, of course I will,” Trump said when asked on Friday whether he would bring up the attacks on democracy. He then turned to Putin. “Don’t meddle in the election, president,” he said, wagging a finger. Don’t meddle in the election.” The two shared a laugh. But Russia’s continued push to undermine America’s institutions is no laughing matter, as the Pentagon detailed in a 150-page assessment provided to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in May. The paper, which was obtained by Politico, describes the ways in which the United States is failing to combat — and thus enabling — Russia’s far-reaching “grand strategy” to establish itself as a dominant global superpower."
"Donald Trump is a fan of Vladimir Putin. The president praised him effusively during the 2016 campaign, when a deal was in the works to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, and has continued to praise him while in office. Though the U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia interfered in America’s electoral process (and is continuing to do so), Trump has refused to acknowledge these efforts, instead deferring to Putin’s denials. At the recent G-20 summit in Japan, he even joked with the Russian leader about election meddling. “Yes, of course I will,” Trump said when asked on Friday whether he would bring up the attacks on democracy. He then turned to Putin. “Don’t meddle in the election, president,” he said, wagging a finger. Don’t meddle in the election.” The two shared a laugh. But Russia’s continued push to undermine America’s institutions is no laughing matter, as the Pentagon detailed in a 150-page assessment provided to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in May. The paper, which was obtained by Politico, describes the ways in which the United States is failing to combat — and thus enabling — Russia’s far-reaching “grand strategy” to establish itself as a dominant global superpower."
Alongside Putin, Trump makes light of foreign election interference
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/alongside-putin-trump-makes-light-foreign-election-interference?fbclid=IwAR26GmL0DxaGDuKHTlm_T67nguCpo0o61mriBoT9WhwOL49qIisP3z8lAbk
"Three years removed from a sophisticated military-intelligence operation that targeted American elections, the beneficiary of the most serious election attack in our nation’s history finds this a subject worth joking about. Last month, Robert Mueller delivered public remarks in which he said, “[T]here were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election – and that allegation deserves the attention of every American.” Four weeks later, Trump seems to find this funny, while sitting alongside the Russian president responsible for the attack. FBI Director Chris Wray recently spoke to the Council on Foreign Relations and reiterated ongoing concerns about Russian efforts to interfere in American elections. Indeed, the bureau’s director described the issue as a “significant counterintelligence threat,” adding that the 2018 election cycle was “just kind of a dress rehearsal for the big show in 2020.” So why is Trump making light of the threat? Does it have anything to do with his recent assertions that he would welcome foreign election interference as part of his re-election campaign? Incidentally, this wasn’t the only subject about which the two presidents shared a laugh. Referring to journalists, Trump added, “Get rid of them. ‘Fake news’ is a great term, isn’t it. You don’t have this problem in Russia but we do.” Putin, of course, has faced multiple accusations of ordering the murder of journalists – a subject Trump has dismissed the importance of in recent years."
"Three years removed from a sophisticated military-intelligence operation that targeted American elections, the beneficiary of the most serious election attack in our nation’s history finds this a subject worth joking about. Last month, Robert Mueller delivered public remarks in which he said, “[T]here were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election – and that allegation deserves the attention of every American.” Four weeks later, Trump seems to find this funny, while sitting alongside the Russian president responsible for the attack. FBI Director Chris Wray recently spoke to the Council on Foreign Relations and reiterated ongoing concerns about Russian efforts to interfere in American elections. Indeed, the bureau’s director described the issue as a “significant counterintelligence threat,” adding that the 2018 election cycle was “just kind of a dress rehearsal for the big show in 2020.” So why is Trump making light of the threat? Does it have anything to do with his recent assertions that he would welcome foreign election interference as part of his re-election campaign? Incidentally, this wasn’t the only subject about which the two presidents shared a laugh. Referring to journalists, Trump added, “Get rid of them. ‘Fake news’ is a great term, isn’t it. You don’t have this problem in Russia but we do.” Putin, of course, has faced multiple accusations of ordering the murder of journalists – a subject Trump has dismissed the importance of in recent years."
‘Don’t Meddle In The Election’: Trump And Putin Are Openly Joking About It Now
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-putin-dont-meddle_n_5d15abd0e4b082e55366f801?fbclid=IwAR1CKueszXGgbN1opC78zw8oQwPdDrOERq1FxY83MiC6SH7vrhYOyYAg-kQ
"Special counsel Robert Mueller’s report confirmed the assessment of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election with the intention of helping Trump to win."
"Special counsel Robert Mueller’s report confirmed the assessment of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election with the intention of helping Trump to win."
Putin And His Protegé Giggle Over Fake News And The Press
https://crooksandliars.com/2019/06/putin-and-his-proteg-giggle-over-fake-news?fbclid=IwAR0YHV_hxNYBeP8FqT-yjcn3DKE-9jbGblHlVZEOauIE_TqKXccr_8dw89o
"Putin. Kills. Journalists. Then laughs at the G-20 about how he has a problem with journalists in his country."
"Putin. Kills. Journalists. Then laughs at the G-20 about how he has a problem with journalists in his country."
Russian State TV Admits That Donald Trump Is Theirs
https://www.politicususa.com/2019/07/02/russian-state-tv-admits-that-donald-trump-is-theirs.html?fbclid=IwAR3saZvMybw9sp1XmXf6SqHBZd0DcRotKF3EQVdfqNL8U-bSaRPGB3xwgEo
"Russia's state TV host Evgeny Popov says that at the #G20, "Putin completely captivated Trump, we can now say with complete certainty that Trump is ours." Co-host Olga Skabeeva adds: "He wants the U.S. to be just like Russia... and himself to be just like Putin." Trump and some Republicans continue to make the laughable claim that the president is tough on Russia, but the viewpoint coming out of Putin’s media is that Donald Trump is precisely what Hillary Clinton called him in 2016, a puppet of Putin."
"Russia's state TV host Evgeny Popov says that at the #G20, "Putin completely captivated Trump, we can now say with complete certainty that Trump is ours." Co-host Olga Skabeeva adds: "He wants the U.S. to be just like Russia... and himself to be just like Putin." Trump and some Republicans continue to make the laughable claim that the president is tough on Russia, but the viewpoint coming out of Putin’s media is that Donald Trump is precisely what Hillary Clinton called him in 2016, a puppet of Putin."
Trump laughs off Russian election interference, and Putin is very much in on the joke
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/6/28/1867934/-Trump-laughs-off-Russian-election-interference-and-Putin-is-very-much-in-on-the-joke?fbclid=IwAR2ogeue0GCQkkwkxrO_rDvNjVXtmmgPvtvwpsE00hyUODRQGRoiANVaJnA
"Trump opened by telling everyone what an honor it was to meet with Putin, making no mention of the election interference. In fact, he didn’t bring up the issue at all. It was a reporter speaking from the audience who asked, “Will you tell Russia not to meddle in the 2020 election?” At that point, Trump smirked, rolled his eyes, and made his mocking request of Putin. The Russian autocrat, for his part, played along. He laughed during Trump’s finger-wagging statement, then returned his own broad smile as he answered, “Of course I won’t"."
"Trump opened by telling everyone what an honor it was to meet with Putin, making no mention of the election interference. In fact, he didn’t bring up the issue at all. It was a reporter speaking from the audience who asked, “Will you tell Russia not to meddle in the 2020 election?” At that point, Trump smirked, rolled his eyes, and made his mocking request of Putin. The Russian autocrat, for his part, played along. He laughed during Trump’s finger-wagging statement, then returned his own broad smile as he answered, “Of course I won’t"."
Trump jokes with Putin about election meddling
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-putin-dont-meddle-in-the-election-collusion-2020-f478fd2f9f60/?fbclid=IwAR1yz5_Jz2m3prbYDJsDIJow31F9lB1AOsmEW3BoKTNugY1oowLT1e8Q-tY
"Putin and Trump also bonded over their mutual hatred of the media on Friday. “Get rid of them,” Trump said, referring to the press. “Fake news is a great term, isn’t it? You don’t have this problem in Russia, but we do.” “We also have,” Putin replied. “It’s the same.” The two men laughed. Trump’s suggestion to “get rid of” the press appears particularly threatening in the presence of Putin, given how frequently journalists are murdered in Russia."
"Putin and Trump also bonded over their mutual hatred of the media on Friday. “Get rid of them,” Trump said, referring to the press. “Fake news is a great term, isn’t it? You don’t have this problem in Russia, but we do.” “We also have,” Putin replied. “It’s the same.” The two men laughed. Trump’s suggestion to “get rid of” the press appears particularly threatening in the presence of Putin, given how frequently journalists are murdered in Russia."
Foreign Officials Can Keep Funneling Money to Trump by Staying at his Hotel, Judges Rule
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-hotel-legal-challenge-emoluments-856388/?fbclid=IwAR35nI4ih8r7K-eqK8MPKPHnmsCqblJCWVMJko_2T2coEhCeP4IMF5yN4ts
"A federal court rejected an effort Wednesday to stop President Trump from profiting off the hotel blocks away from the White House that he owns, maintaining an open channel for foreign officials, lobbyists and anyone else who can afford it to funnel money to a sitting U.S. president."
"A federal court rejected an effort Wednesday to stop President Trump from profiting off the hotel blocks away from the White House that he owns, maintaining an open channel for foreign officials, lobbyists and anyone else who can afford it to funnel money to a sitting U.S. president."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)