US Politics

[MOBomberFan]

6 hours ago, wanna-b-fanboy said:

The source of this criticism is surprising

This criticism would be non-existent if 45 was still in power, I imagine. I'm sure they want to frame this as the Biden admin being complicit, not the ones that came before (going all the way back to 1948)

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

Where is the severe mishandling of a Global Pandemic in that 1 year timeline? 

She is the perfect GQP replacement for Liz Cheney.

 

[Tracker]

53 minutes ago, wanna-b-fanboy said:

Where is the severe mishandling of a Global Pandemic in that 1 year timeline? 

She is the perfect GQP replacement for Liz Cheney.

 

Sounds like a perfect Stepford wife GOP'er.

[iHeart]

10 minutes ago, Tracker said:

Sounds like a perfect Stepford wife GOP'er.

aren't most Women GOP'ers Stepford wives?

[Tracker]

3 hours ago, iHeart said:

aren't most Women GOP'ers Stepford wives?

This one is a shining example of stupidity and fawning obedience.. Gonna set back women's rights for decades.

[Tracker]

QAnon believers see Trump's mounting legal troubles as part of 'the plan'

As Donald Trump's legal problems continue to mount, some would think that his dire straits would be a refutation to the predictions and conspiracy theories disseminated by the QAnon movement, but true to QAnon form, adherents to the movement are saying it's all part of "the plan."

As VICE News points out, this claim is popping up on pro-Trump message boards where QAnon adherents are claiming the news is meant to distract from Arizona's audit of votes from the 2020 election and derail Trump's chances at winning in 2024.

"Do you think they realize how much MOAR powerful Trump will be after being falsely arrested?" a Telegram user called TruthHammer wrote.

"You don't think Trump left office without enough classified dirt on every one of his enemies, do you?" a Patriots.win user called queenicarius wrote.

According to VICE, the perceived continuous persecution of Trump is causing some within the QAnon movement to increasingly call for violence.

"Honestly if [New York Attorney General Letitia James] ever even seriously tried to put Trump in prison on any bullsh*t I am pretty sure there would be at least a million Patriots marching on that prison and tearing it apart," wrote Patriots.win user EvilGuy.

QAnon believers see Trump's mounting legal troubles as part of 'the plan' | Salon.com

[Tracker]

Pence and Pompeo headline launch of think tank founded by Korean 'cultist' whose church Says 'Christian era has ended."   

Mike Pence, the former Trump vice president, and Mike Pompeo, the former Trump secretary of state, headlined an event called the "Rally of Hope" to celebrate the launch of a Korean cultist's alleged "think tank" earlier this month. That event was encapsulated in a just-released propaganda-like video.

Hak Ja Han Moon is the head of what was once called the Unification Church, a Christian offshoot "cult" (according to some who say they "escaped" it,) best known for mass weddings and for its founding and ownership of the right wing newspaper The Washington Times. The church, now called the Unification Movement, was founded by her late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Their acolytes believe the Moons are the Messiahs and the "True Parents" of humanity.

"Though American conservatives have long made common cause with the Unification Church," Mother Jones' David Corn reports, "the head of the outfit that pulled together this event declared not too long ago that the 'Christian era has ended' —which means Pence and Pompeo, whose self-professed religious devotion is a prominent part of their respective political profiles, were (knowingly or not) collaborating with and bolstering a group that says it is supplanting the Christianity they embrace."

Also speaking were former Trump Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, and Trump ally Newt Gingrich.

"During his videotaped speech," Corn reports, "Pence claimed that Think Tank 2022 is 'bringing the wisdom of leaders in government, business, religion, civil society' and that thanks to this new endeavor, 'the dream of peaceful cooperation and unity will be closer to reality than ever before.' (Pence spoke at a previous and similar Rally of Hope in March.) Pompeo, who was introduced as a 'devout Christian,' hailed former President Donald Trump's assorted engagements with Kim Jong Un, the tyrannical and murderous leader of North Korea."

Pence and Pompeo headline launch of think tank founded by Korean 'cultist' whose church Says 'Christian era has ended’ - Alternet.org

[Tracker]

These newly released text messages could spell big trouble for Matt Gaetz
   
The investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) alleged involvement with a minor may be taking a different turn due to the discovery of potentially incriminating text messages sent between the Florida lawmaker and his associate, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg.

According to The Daily Beast, the text messages "reveal how people with key information about an alleged underage sex ring were scrambling as the feds closed in—and they bolster the evidence in a growing scandal that could take down the congressman."

The conversations are said to have taken place between Greenberg and radio host "Big Joe" Ellicott over the encrypted messaging network, Signal. In their discussion, the two men Ellicott admitted that he was concerned about others in their group facing the possibility of "legal jeopardy for having sex with a 17-year-old girl."

Although messages in the app are set to disappear after 30 seconds due to the app's encrypted design, Greenberg screenshotted the conversation which preserved the conversations.

The publication notes that Ellicott "wrote that a mutual friend, a woman who figures prominently in Greenberg's Venmo transactions, 'knew [the minor] was underage the whole time, had sex with her, and they both went [to] see other guys.'"

The latest report on the incriminating text messages shared between Greenberg and Ellicott comes just one day after Politico reported on a grand jury subpoena that included the radio host's name.

These newly released text messages could spell big trouble for Matt Gaetz - Alternet.org

Filed on Dec. 28, 2020, the subpoena stated that "the grand jury is investigating alleged crimes 'involving commercial sex acts with adult and minor women, as well as obstruction of justice' and seeks any communications, documents, recordings, and payments the individual had with Ellicott, Gaetz, and Greenberg from January 2016 until now."

Since Gaetz is under investigation for his alleged involvement with a minor, there is speculation about the damning text message conversations could impact his case and link him to the underaged girl.

Politico reports:

"The grand jury subpoena provides new information on who federal investigators are looking into, as well as additional details on the kinds of information authorities, are seeking — documents, video recordings, and communications — as they looked into the Republican lawmaker earlier this year. The subpoena, as well as Greenberg's cooperation with prosecutors, appears to increase the legal peril the congressman is facing."

[Tracker]

Trump’s Justice Department Secretly Got CNN Reporter’s Phone, Email Records, Network Says

The Trump administration secretly obtained the phone and email records of CNN’s Pentagon correspondent, the news network reported Thursday, the latest evidence of the former president’s efforts to target journalists who reported government leaks during his tenure.

CNN said Thursday that the Justice Department sought and obtained the records of Barbara Starr for a two-month period between June 1, 2017, and July 31, 2017. The DOJ informed Starr earlier this month that it had targeted her Pentagon extension, the CNN phone booth in the building and her home and cellphones, as well as her personal and professional email accounts. 

Starr is a veteran journalist who has worked at CNN since 2001. During the time covered as part of the records seizure, Starr had been working on stories about the U.S. military’s options in North Korea and stories about Syria and Afghanistan. She was never the target of an investigation, CNN added.

She confirmed the news on Twitter later Thursday. It’s unclear why her phone and email activity were targeted, but The Washington Post later reported that the effort to obtain the records was approved in 2020, citing a Justice Department spokesperson.

Trump's Justice Department Secretly Got CNN Reporter’s Phone, Email Records, Network Says | HuffPost

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

With news that Allen Weisselberg trump org former CFO, is going to flip on trump, this might hold true:

 

 

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

 

[Tracker]

Manhattan DA convenes grand jury for possible criminal charges in Trump case: report
   
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. has convened a special grand jury to weigh possible criminal charges against Donald Trump, the Trump Organization, and its officers or employees, possibly including Trump family members employed by the former president's business, and decide whether or not to indict.

"The move indicates that District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.'s investigation of the former president and his business has reached an advanced stage after more than two years," The Washington Post reports, which describes Vance's investigation as "expansive."

"It suggests, too, that Vance believes he has found evidence of a crime — if not by Trump then by someone potentially close to him or by his company."

Manhattan DA convenes grand jury for possible criminal charges in Trump case: report - Alternet.org

 

 

Kansas Republican Accused Of Kicking Teen In Testicles Says It Was God’s Plan

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A high school student reported that a Kansas House member working as a substitute teacher manhandled him and kicked him in the testicles during class, and the lawmaker told authorities that God told him to do it, according to a sheriff’s deputy’s written statement.

The deputy’s affidavit, released to reporters Tuesday, said the boy showed him a golf ball-sized “road rash” and a 3-to-4 inch scratch on his back that he said appeared after Republican state Rep. Mark Samsel, of Wellsville, pushed him up against a classroom wall on April 28.

Samsel, 36, was charged last week with three misdemeanor counts of battery following his “rude, insulting or angry” interactions with two students, ages 15 or 16, during an art class at Wellsville High School. He has pleaded not guilty. Each of the charges is punishable by up to six months in jail.

The affidavit said Samsel acknowledged during an interview that he had “demonstrated a kick” after one boy disrupted class. He told the deputy he did not kick the boy and that the student had “embellished the heck out of it.”

The boy told the deputy that after Samsel pushed him against the wall and kicked him, “his back and testicles were in pain” for approximately 15 minutes, the affidavit said.

“I would just say that all an affidavit is, is a very brief recitation of allegations, and that they’re all allegations at this point,” said Samsel’s attorney, Christopher Scott. “He is innocent unless proven guilty.”

Samsel did not answer a phone call, and it was not possible to leave him a message Tuesday. The Wellsville school district has banned Samsel from its property and events for a year.

There’s no indication that Samsel might face disciplinary action from the House, which can censure or expel a member, and its top Republican leaders have said the courts “must be allowed to work.”

On Monday, Scott asked the magistrate not to release the affidavit, but the judge released a redacted version.

The sheriff’s deputy said in the document that he asked the lawmaker why he had put his hands on the boy, and Samsel pointed to the ceiling. When the deputy asked Samsel whether God told him to do so, Samsel answered, “Twice.”

“He stated he knew it was wrong and he shouldn’t do it, he stated he did not want to do it,” the affidavit said. “He stated, ‘The whole world is telling me not to do it, God said, Yes.’ Mark believes this was God’s plan.”

Kansas Republican Accused Of Kicking Teen In Testicles Says It Was God's Plan | HuffPost

[iHeart]

That Grand Jury thing might be for real this time if both TMZ and CNN have it on their pages

[Tracker]

Just now, iHeart said:

That Grand Jury thing might be for real this time if both TMZ and CNN have it on their pages

It sure as spit looks that way. As even-handed as the law is supposed to be, the American prosecutors have to tread carefully around Trump. He is a public figure with the means to hire the best of lawyers to defend him and a slew of rabid followers. Thus, they will proceed with caution (hence the use of a grand jury) and will file charges when they as certain they have the SOB dead to rights.

[17to85]

3 hours ago, Tracker said:

He is a public figure with the means to hire the best of lawyers to defend him

Then why did he have Rudy making an ass of himself left right and centre? Trump has the means to hire the best people, but he refuses to pay them so he doesn't actually hire the best people. 

[bustamente]

Trump has always had a tough time hiring the best lawyers they simply don't want to work for him and don't want the headache, he always has someone around to throw a wrench into prosecutors plans but this time it could be different

[Tracker]

Exclusive: Trump-endorsed radio show has promoted ex-CIA agent's call for right-wing rebellion

Suppose there were a best-selling author, historian, essayist, public speaker, TV commentator, adviser to Ron Paul, secessionist advocate, Christian nationalist, Vladimir Putin apologist and expert on terrorism who was married to a senior intelligence official. Suppose he were a frequent commentator on an influential radio show with close ties to President Donald Trump, his family and his administration.

Suppose this Trump-connected radio show routinely directed its listeners to this person’s blog, on which he wrote that it was “quite near time” for “well-armed citizens who voted for Trump” to “kill those seeking to impose tyranny,” of whom there was a “long and very precise list” that included journalists, activists, pundits, abortion providers, Republican and Democratic elected officials, federal judges, law professors, FBI agents, intelligence officials and Justice Department officials, along with “all who support them.”

There is such a man, and such a show, on which he has declared that former President Barack Obama “deserves to be hung.” The broadcast promotes his blog (archived here), where for years, he has advocated the right of, and the approaching “necessity” for, “armed rebellion” by citizens seeking to “end the tyranny of their elected representatives,” and listed people cast as “tyrants” and “expendables” whom Trump voters should prepare to “eliminate” by stockpiling arms and ammunition.

Michael Frank Scheuer, 66, of McLean, Virginia, a former CIA intelligence official and the author of four books, is the man. And John Fredericks Radio is the influential, nationally syndicated talk radio show that provides Scheuer a platform as a regular commentator and occasional host. In many ways, the show is a favored voice of Team Trump, as evidenced by its preferential access to Trump family members and White House officials, its payments from the Trump campaign, and “testimonials” from the president and people close to him. So it would appear significant that Scheuer has appeared on the show with increasing frequency for the last four years, including more than 25 times since January 2017. Each time, the show promotes his blog, where his violent rhetoric has been escalating.

Exclusive: Trump-endorsed radio show has promoted ex-CIA agent's call for right-wing rebellion | Salon.com

[Wideleft]

15 minutes ago, Tracker said:

Exclusive: Trump-endorsed radio show has promoted ex-CIA agent's call for right-wing rebellion

Suppose there were a best-selling author, historian, essayist, public speaker, TV commentator, adviser to Ron Paul, secessionist advocate, Christian nationalist, Vladimir Putin apologist and expert on terrorism who was married to a senior intelligence official. Suppose he were a frequent commentator on an influential radio show with close ties to President Donald Trump, his family and his administration.

Suppose this Trump-connected radio show routinely directed its listeners to this person’s blog, on which he wrote that it was “quite near time” for “well-armed citizens who voted for Trump” to “kill those seeking to impose tyranny,” of whom there was a “long and very precise list” that included journalists, activists, pundits, abortion providers, Republican and Democratic elected officials, federal judges, law professors, FBI agents, intelligence officials and Justice Department officials, along with “all who support them.”

There is such a man, and such a show, on which he has declared that former President Barack Obama “deserves to be hung.” The broadcast promotes his blog (archived here), where for years, he has advocated the right of, and the approaching “necessity” for, “armed rebellion” by citizens seeking to “end the tyranny of their elected representatives,” and listed people cast as “tyrants” and “expendables” whom Trump voters should prepare to “eliminate” by stockpiling arms and ammunition.

Michael Frank Scheuer, 66, of McLean, Virginia, a former CIA intelligence official and the author of four books, is the man. And John Fredericks Radio is the influential, nationally syndicated talk radio show that provides Scheuer a platform as a regular commentator and occasional host. In many ways, the show is a favored voice of Team Trump, as evidenced by its preferential access to Trump family members and White House officials, its payments from the Trump campaign, and “testimonials” from the president and people close to him. So it would appear significant that Scheuer has appeared on the show with increasing frequency for the last four years, including more than 25 times since January 2017. Each time, the show promotes his blog, where his violent rhetoric has been escalating.

Exclusive: Trump-endorsed radio show has promoted ex-CIA agent's call for right-wing rebellion | Salon.com

You know Trump really favours it if they actually get paid.

[bustamente]

Looks like the Governor of Texas wants the wild west to return handguns for everyone 

[Tracker]

4 hours ago, bustamente said:

Looks like the Governor of Texas wants the wild west to return handguns for everyone 

Why not? After all, the mass shootings are down lately.

[Goldkobra]

2 hours ago, Tracker said:

Why not? After all, the mass shootings are down lately.

It's not a mass shooting if everyone is shooting.  That's just a regular gunfight,  you pantywaist.

[Tracker]

36 minutes ago, Goldkobra said:

It's not a mass shooting if everyone is shooting.  That's just a regular gunfight,  you pantywaist.

One shooter, seven victims.  Just another day in paradise.

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

The 2022 GQP platform.

 

 

[HardCoreBlue]

9 hours ago, wanna-b-fanboy said:

The 2022 GQP platform.

 

 

'Yea but Biden is just as bad'.

That's the only argument supporters of this crazy town have.

[Tracker]

46 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

'Yea but Biden is just as bad'.

That's the only argument supporters of this crazy town have.

"Acceptable losses" in the name of preserving their concept of freedom.