The Robert Mueller Investigation

[American Swindle 102]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

Andrew Napolitano, one of Trump's favorite FOX commentators, and an attorney, law school professor, and former NJ Superior court justice deduces that there is evidence of collusion in Mueller's report:

 

I think that's pretty sound reasoning.  Do you?

Totally respect Judge Nap so I'm interested to see what pans out.  

[Nivek 16,859]

2 minutes ago, RomaVicta said:

Trump and his boys:

The rest of us:

 

Our country:

imgur>

bullshit on the parachute

[triplehorn 2,664]

Madame Speaker calling the bluff of certain GOP traitors: "I'll see your bet, and raise you truth and facts"

with a special shout out to dodgy Devin

 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2019 by triplehorn

[JimmyJames 12,271]

4 minutes ago, Chad Fuck said:

I think this is a very optimistic take.

I am an optimistic sort. 

The longer and  harder the Republicans fight against its release the more and more the interest as to what it actually says will go up.

Everyone, including sycophantic Republicans, will start to wonder what’s in it and how bad could it be? They really should just get it over with and release it. 

[retread 2,951]

imo, the Ds are going to have to be loud and persistent in their demands to see the full report.

[RomaVicta 29,793]

2 minutes ago, triplehorn said:

Madame Speaker to certain GOP traitors: "I'll see your bet, and raise you truth and facts"

with a special shout out to dodgy Devin

 

 

 

She is hitting every note perfectly. I was never much of an admirer before. She has found the right voice.

As a side note, there is something universally tragic about watching someone racing time. She hits her stride as the sun just barely hangs above the horizon. 

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,810]

9 minutes ago, Nivek said:

I want a full release.... oh wait.

Check with Bob Kraft. His mutual friend of Trumps might help you out.

[Chad Fuck 17,566]

5 minutes ago, retread said:

imo, the Ds are going to have to be loud and persistent in their demands to see the full report.

I agree with this.  

[triplehorn 2,664]

1 minute ago, RomaVicta said:

She is hitting every note perfectly. I was never much of an admirer before. She has found the right voice.

As a side note, there is something universally tragic about watching someone racing time. She hits her stride as the sun just barely hangs above the horizon. 

 

GOP traitors are going all in like drowning fools, forcing the hand with insane bluffs and wild distortion, and Schiff and Pelosi not only aren't budging, they're bringing it.  They know what's coming.

 

[Chad Fuck 17,566]

7 minutes ago, JimmyJames said:

I am an optimistic sort. 

The longer and  harder the Republicans fight against its release the more and more the interest as to what it actually says will go up.

Everyone, including sycophantic Republicans, will start to wonder what’s in it and how bad could it be? They really should just get it over with and release it. 

The difference here is that the "sycophantic Republicans" will not demand its' release, no matter how curious they are.  They'd rather just do the wrong thing.

[JimmyJames 12,271]

Just now, Chad Fuck said:

The difference here is that the "sycophantic Republicans" will not demand its' release, no matter how curious they are.  They'd rather just do the wrong thing.

Maybe so. But at this point in time 60 percent of Republicans want it released in full. 

Never underestimate the power of human curiosity. It’s why rubbernecking slows down traffic when rationally says it shouldn’t. 

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,356]

8 minutes ago, triplehorn said:

Madame Speaker calling the bluff of certain GOP traitors: "I'll see your bet, and raise you truth and facts"

with a special shout out to dodgy Devin

 

 

 I was going to rip on Pelosi a little here for not being more serious about the situation but after watching the video she looks like someone that knows she’s holding a full house.  

[Enchubben 5,509]

Just now, Hugo Stiglitz said:

 I was going to rip on Pelosi a little here for not being more serious about the situation but after watching the video she looks like someone that knows she’s holding a full house.  

Ahh yes I remember that attitude. I think I saw it right before the Kavanaugh hearing where we found out he liked beer in high school and possibly college.

[David Dennison 18,658]

Just now, Enchubben said:

Ahh yes I remember that attitude. I think I saw it right before the Kavanaugh hearing where we found out he liked beer in high school and possibly college.

The difference being, Nancy Pelosi has power now.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,356]

9 minutes ago, Enchubben said:

Ahh yes I remember that attitude. I think I saw it right before the Kavanaugh hearing where we found out he liked beer in high school and possibly college.

Apples to hand grenades comparison, but whatever.  

I don’t think anyone here is convinced the Mueller Report is going to be some silver bullet taking out Trump. 

I’m at best optimistically skeptical Pelosi can get the substance of the Mueller report out to the public in a timely fashion.

Edited March 28, 2019 by Hugo Stiglitz

[retread 2,951]

You look at Nunes' face in the video posted above, and you just wonder what's going through his head.

He's all in w DOTUS and probably has some compromise issues of his own. We have a lot of R Congressmen who are beholden, for whatever reason, to Cheeto, and have taken the oath of allegiance. Now we have an AG who quickly submitted his book report to Congress. I wonder if he's having any misgivings about what he didn't include. That's a whole bunch of desperate, cornered assholes who are trying to see their way clear to getting out of this mess, and they'll do just about anything to save Cheeto and themselves.

[wildcat09 29,256]

1 hour ago, Anastasis said:

Indeed. Strictly Russia related:

Mueller has evidence that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress - Buzzfeed

Flynn will testify that Trump ordered him to coordinate with Russia during campaign- ABC

Jr had advance access to wikileaks email prior to release - CNN

Scaramooch under investigation for involvement with Russian investment fund - CNN

Manafort coordinated with Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian Embassy - Guardian

Mueller can place Cohen in Prague - McClatchy

Cohen prepared to testify that Trump knew in advance about Trump Tower meeting - CNN

 

Out of thousands (tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands?) of stories published on the Russia investigation you produce a list of 7 stories, one of which was actually basically correct (the first). Cohen later testified to Congress that he believed Trump had directed him to lie to Congress, which he had almost certainly already told Mueller. That would be evidence that Trump had directed Cohen to lie to Congress.

That's a pretty goddamn good hit rate for the media, particularly given how many stories Trump and his allies tried to plant with the media to discredit them.

[SimonBolivar 10,931]

5 minutes ago, retread said:

We have a lot of R Congressmen who are beholden, for whatever reason, to Cheeto, and have taken the oath of allegiance. 

90% approval from Republicans would be the reason.

Edited March 28, 2019 by SimonBolivar

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

2 hours ago, Anastasis said:

Thank you.  My initial reaction as well.

[EuroHorn 3,204]

Yea, Cohen said  in his testimony that Trump didn't directly tell him to lie but it was through the "code" he uses.  Just like son of sam was being told what to do by the dog because it barked.

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

29 minutes ago, Chad Fuck said:

The difference here is that the "sycophantic Republicans" will not demand its' release, no matter how curious they are.  They'd rather just do the wrong thing.

No, no they don't want to "just do the wrong thing". That's a pretty much let me just throw shit at the wall comment. Transparency is sorely lacking in our gov't now, and it needs to be reversed.

[wildcat09 29,256]

3 hours ago, Johnny Sack said:

The traitors are the ones pushing this Russia collusion nonsense.  

You are truly a worthless human being.

[David Dennison 18,658]

13 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Apples to hand grenades comparison, but whatever.  

I don’t think anyone here is convinced the Mueller Report is going to be some silver bullet taking out Trump. 

I’m at best optimistically skeptical Pelosi can get the substance of the Mueller report out to the public in a timely fashion.

Politically, it's better for her and Democrats if they don't.

Terrible for the country, though. But Republicans stopped caring about what's best for America a long time ago.

[retread 2,951]

7 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

90% approval from Republicans would be the reason.

That's certainly a big consideration. I just don't recall ever seeing the silence that we've witnessed in the R caucus. Insane, outlandish lies and behavior from the WH and not a peep.

I still think quite a few of them are compromised. I could be wrong.

[Anastasis 23,394]

17 minutes ago, wildcat09 said:

Out of thousands (tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands?) of stories published on the Russia investigation you produce a list of 7 stories, one of which was actually basically correct (the first). Cohen later testified to Congress that he believed Trump had directed him to lie to Congress, which he had almost certainly already told Mueller. That would be evidence that Trump had directed Cohen to lie to Congress.

 That's a pretty goddamn good hit rate for the media, particularly given how many stories Trump and his allies tried to plant with the media to discredit them.

I only posted the origination pieces. I left off all derivative reporting. I could blow that out to a couple hundred reports pretty easily, but then you would just dismiss the results and ask for more. Interesting that you mention the first one though.  That's the one that was egregious enough that it forced the otherwise restrained OSC to release a press release to indicate that the reporting was not accurate. WAPO story on it. The Brian Ross piece triggered a stock market sell off. The Cohen in Prague one is my favorite though.  It was recycled on this board more than a few times, and served as a pretty good illustration of how a good number of otherwise thoughtful posters here had shut down the critical thinking portions of their brains when digesting information in this space. 

 

Why is it so hard to acknowledge that the media peddled this nonsense? 

 

Edited March 28, 2019 by Anastasis

[Chad Fuck 17,566]

No, no they don't want to "just do the wrong thing". That's a pretty much let me just throw shit at the wall comment. Transparency is sorely lacking in our gov't now, and it needs to be reversed.

Barr coming in from the stands, intercepting the ball and shouting “touchdown!” is the wrong thing.

Releasing the report is the right thing. McConnell shot it down after the full house voted to see it. Once again, the wrong thing.

When a Republican with power lets the Report out, you can talk to me about the right thing.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,356]

Just now, David Dennison said:

Politically, it's better for her and Democrats if they don't.

If she wants to win some skeptical independents over near my camp, now is the time to put country over party. 

People on the fence are desperate to see some real leadership and an honest telling of the facts and evidence.

We’ve been well conditioned over the past few years to respect and trust Mueller as an honest broker.  The only person trying to tarnish that perception is Trump and his propaganda machine (also bad teammate).

Barr’s press release wasn’t helpful but it could boomerang to giving the Mueller report more credibility in the eyes of Trump Republican skeptics.  However, that’s likely wishful thinking, most are going to believe what they want to believe.

[shnsajax 3,589]

4 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

If she wants to win some skeptical independents over near my camp, now is the time to put country over party. 

People on the fence are desperate to see some real leadership and an honest telling of the facts and evidence.

We’ve been well conditioned over the past few years to respect and trust Mueller as an honest broker.  The only person trying to tarnish that perception is Trump and his propaganda machine (also bad teammate).

Barr’s press release wasn’t helpful but it could boomerang to giving the Mueller report more credibility in the eyes of Trump Republican skeptics.  However, that’s likely wishful thinking, most are going to believe what they want to believe.

They would just believe that it was god's will to release the report and that he would never do anything to hurt Trump.

[Nivek 16,859]

1 hour ago, retread said:

imo, the Ds are going to have to be loud and persistent in their demands to see the full report.

My D made your Mom's report loud and persistent.  (am I doing this right?)

[Theo Huxtable 48]

On 3/27/2019 at 2:21 PM, shnsajax said:

Since state charges have already been given to not sure there is a point to it. If he pardons without the report being released I think that could backfire on him. 

They are not all facing state charges. How about Flynn? Gates? 

[shnsajax 3,589]

Just now, Theo Huxtable said:

They are not all facing state charges. How about Flynn? Gates? 

Sorry, was referring to Manafort. 

[notre dame joe 172]

2 hours ago, RomaVicta said:

She is hitting every note perfectly. I was never much of an admirer before. She has found the right voice.

As a side note, there is something universally tragic about watching someone racing time. She hits her stride as the sun just barely hangs above the horizon. 

Pelosi's a life long politician, even in childhood.  But she also attended Catholic schools which produces polite people, making her better behaved than all of her party.

[elguapo 4,583]

2 minutes ago, notre dame joe said:

Pelosi's a life long politician, even in childhood.  But she also attended Catholic schools which produces polite people, making her better behaved than all of her party.

Bless your heart

[Bash Riprock 1,695]

[Horn Under a Bad Sign 20,344]

3 hours ago, triplehorn said:

Madame Speaker calling the bluff of certain GOP traitors: "I'll see your bet, and raise you truth and facts"

with a special shout out to dodgy Devin

 

 

 

 

 

 I know she's 78 years old, but I'd hit it. 

[triplehorn 2,664]

1 hour ago, Theo Huxtable said:

They are not all facing state charges. How about Flynn? Gates? 

A lot of these perps have been involved in multiple separate categories of criminal activities, and so far have been only charged very narrowly in one area of criminality.  So there is a lot of room for superseding indictments related to other areas of criminality.

A major point to keep in mind is that, with Barr's letter, Trump has a very thin veil of deniability from involvement in these central Mueller matters from which he can lob pardons.  Once the Mueller report comes out, it very significantly stands to blow ALL cover for Trump's pardons and expose them as acts of silencing - acts of obstruction - to hide his own criminal association.  no bueno.  It would be an urgent criminal matter and grounds for immediate impeachment.  

It very well could be why Caputo just went on Fox telling Trump to pardon everyone NOW.  If prosecutors have sniffed this out (they have), it won't matter once the Mueller report comes out, i.e. Trump pardoning as acts of obstruction is laid bare, or superseding indictments follow his pre-mature pardons.

[DDD Dad 14,251]

That seems a little far fetched.  Not impossible, mind you, but approaching tin foil hat territory.

[triplehorn 2,664]

3 minutes ago, DDD Dad said:

That seems a little far fetched.  Not impossible, mind you, but approaching tin foil hat territory.

These are extraordinary circumstances - having an individual with plenary pardon powers using pardons to buy silence from associates under federal investigation for joint criminality (see Michael Cohen).  Cohen was involved in campaign finance felony, but also likely a slew of other crimes involving Trump that are unrelated to silencing porn stars.  Cohen isn't cooperating on anything Russia related or RNC finance related, to my knowledge.  We know there's been conversation between the two about a pardon.  The implication: "Don't fess up to anything the feds don't have you nailed on from your search warrant in order to get a lighter sentence, and you'll get a jail pass from me after we shut Mueller down."

Other than that, why would it be far fetched ?  

 

[JimmyJames 12,271]

Uh oh. Looks like someone may have actualy read the Mueller report. Or had it explained to him with color coordinated hand puppets.

Fox News is now once again attacking the Mueller investigation which supposedly “exonerated” dear leader. 

Why all the attacks then? Hmm. 

 

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/victoria-toensing-muellers-investigation-was-deeply-flawed

[RomaVicta 29,793]

1 hour ago, notre dame joe said:

Pelosi's a life long politician, even in childhood.  But she also attended Catholic schools which produces polite people, making her better behaved than all of her party.

How does she stack up to the gentle souls of the other party? Do you believe on political party is more polite than the other?

Your post is strange to me.

[jimmyjazz 45,560]

10 minutes ago, triplehorn said:

These are extraordinary circumstances - having an individual with plenary pardon powers using pardons to buy silence from associates under federal investigation for joint criminality (see Michael Cohen). 

A pardon takes away the right of that individual to plead the 5th Amendment, doesn't it?  How much silence can a pardon actually buy?

[SquishMitten 10,401]

5 hours ago, Lat22 said:

You don’t think that if Barr was covering stuff up, Mueller or one of his 19 Trump hating investigators would be all over TV? More delusion from your side. 

Actually, yes. Mueller and his team have seemingly been exceptional at staying tight lipped, as their positions require. Unless/until he is called before Congress, I would expect them to remain silent and adhere to their legal obligations.

[triplehorn 2,664]

10 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

A pardon takes away the right of that individual to plead the 5th Amendment, doesn't it?  How much silence can a pardon actually buy?

IANAL, but it buys less cover since R's got swept out of House control last Fall.  A lot the pardon talk was pre-midterms when they never imagined the looming wipeout. 

But the caveat to that is that Trump can commute a prison sentence without a full pardon -i.e. get out of jail pass, but still a felon by record.  I believe that preserves their ability to plead the Fifth. 

That's what GWB did with NSA Scooter Libby's conviction - commuted his sentence.  In Libby's case he still faced a steep consequence due to being disbarred from law practice (his source of livelihood), had a big fine, and had felonies stuck on his record for a variety of future applications.  He got out of jail but also couldn't be called to the Hill and forced to testify against Cheney, Rove, et al. about their involvement.

[SquishMitten 10,401]

4 hours ago, JimmyJames said:

I am an optimistic sort. 

The longer and  harder the Republicans fight against its release the more and more the interest as to what it actually says will go up.

Everyone, including sycophantic Republicans, will start to wonder what’s in it and how bad could it be? They really should just get it over with and release it. 

While that would make sense in a normal world, I’m not so sure. Up until the day the report was filed, Fox News and Trump were demanding the full report to be released ASAP. Trump’s base was - and for the moment still is - conditioned to say “release the full report.” Every day this drags out, more of his base will be re-conditioned to say “we already know everything that mattered, he was exonerated, and anything Barr omitted was irrelevant, too sensitive/national security, etc.” I may be wrong, but anybody who doesn’t see that as a very real possibility hasn’t been paying attention.

Edit to add: And, unless they somehow get access to the report, it would be shocking if FN/Trump don’t go this route. They currently talk about this as a complete and total win. They’d be crazy to demand the full report now when there is little upside and a lot of potential downside.

Edited March 28, 2019 by SquishMitten

[JimmyJames 12,271]

15 minutes ago, SquishMitten said:

While that would make sense in a normal world, I’m not so sure. Up until the day the report was filed, Fox News and Trump were demanding the full report to be released ASAP. Trump’s base was - and for the moment still is - conditioned to say “release the full report.” Every day this drags out, more of his base will be re-conditioned to say “we already know everything that mattered, he was exonerated, and anything Barr omitted was irrelevant, too sensitive/national security, etc.” I may be wrong, but anybody who doesn’t see that as a very real possibility hasn’t been paying attention.

I respectfully disagree. Even the republicans will be curious enough to see what it says.

I think the republicans tactic to claim the Barr drink napkin sketch exonerated Trump was a mistake. Because if Barr’s right, why not just release the report and get to owning the libs even more? 

The Republican reaction in proclaiming victory while obstructing the release of the report just screams that the report is in fact quite damning, but Mueller didn’t think he could make a criminal conspiracy case beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest burden of proof by far. He also punted on the obstruction case, likely because Trump obviously obstructed justice but as the president, it muddies the waters. 

Its gonna be fun watching the republicans try to prevent the release of the Mueller report. Soviet lap poodle Rand already gave us a future repub talking point, I wont support its release until the release of the non existent Obama report is released! And Hillary emails!

Fuckin’ criminal frauds as always. 

Edited March 28, 2019 by JimmyJames

[JimmyJames 12,271]

Barr’s bullshit 4 page “memo” might go down in history as the greatest example of “don’t over promise and under deliver, instead, under promise and over deliver.” 

I guess we shall see when the republican fight to keep the report secret loses. 

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

1 minute ago, JimmyJames said:

Barr’s bullshit 4 page “memo” might go down in history as the greatest example of “don’t over promise and under deliver, instead, under promise and over deliver.” 

I guess we shall see when the republican fight to keep the report secret loses. 

The walls are definitely closing in now.  Just like they did on Kavanaugh.  You fuckers are batting a thousand with bullshit slander.  Keep doing it.  It’s a winning play. 

[retread 2,951]

Barr knew what he was getting into. I believe the law gives him discretion as to what he releases. I could see Barr releasing only a final summary or releasing the exculpatory parts and keeping the bad parts to himself or some other asshattery.

I'm not sure Barr cares if he and Rosenstein take all the heat for Cheeto. That's probably what he expected when taking the job.

 

[JimmyJames 12,271]

4 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

The walls are definitely closing in now.  Just like they did on Kavanaugh.  You fuckers are batting a thousand with bullshit slander.  Keep doing it.  It’s a winning play. 

Trump aint getting impeached. I’ve believed that for quite awhile and the Barr drink napkin sketch of the Mueller report sealed that. I also always believed Donkey dong Doug, handsy Mike, and squi and such would make it on to the Supreme Court. That’s because people like you exist in this world. Apparently a lot of them. Can’t be helped.

But despite that fact you and your ilk wont be able to hide the truth. The Mueller report will come out, guys like you will dismiss it, but the fair minded independents who decide elections in this country will ultimately have their say. And the reckoning will come. 

Edited March 28, 2019 by JimmyJames

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

1 minute ago, JimmyJames said:

Trump aint getting impeached. I’ve believed that for quite awhile and the Barr drink napkin sketch of the Mueller report sealed that. I also always believed Donkey dong Doug, handsy Mike, and squi and such would make it on to the Supreme Court. That’s because people like you exist in this world. Apparently a lot of them. Can’t be helped.

But despite that fact you and your ilk wont be able to hide the truth. The Mueller report will come out, guys like you will dismiss it, but the fair minded independents who decide elections in this country will ultimately have their say. And the reckoning will come. 

Do you classify yourself as fair minded on this issue?