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EvC Forum Side Orders Coffee House The Trump Presidency

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Author Topic:   The Trump Presidency
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 1951 of 4573 (828874)
02-25-2018 9:42 PM
Reply to: Message 1948 by Percy
02-25-2018 12:15 PM


More CPAC "Highlights"
CPAC Official Says Michael Steele Was Chosen to Lead G.O.P. Because He’s ‘a Black Guy’ - The New York Times
Ian Walters, a spokesperson for CPAC said that in a speech at CPAC that Mr. [Michael] Steele was chosen as [RNC] chairman because he is a black guy.
quote:
Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) communication director Ian Walters sparked controversy with what was seen as a racially charged insult on Friday night.
Walters said told hundreds of dinner guests, "We elected Mike Steele as chairman because he was a black guy, that was the wrong thing to do."
Steele was near the back of the room at the time. He said Walters' remarks show "a lack of maturity and a lack of understanding of the work we did and the work we continue to do."
Walter's later attempted some sort of apology but Michael Steel did not accept it.
quote:
Speaking with Joy-Ann Reid of MSNBC on Friday night, Mr. Steele, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland and the first black person elected to statewide office there, said he did not accept an apology from Mr. Walters.
He said at one point, ‘I apologize,’ Mr. Steele said, adding that he told Mr. Walters, That’s not enough.
Before we dismiss Mr. Walter's comment as one man's stupidity, let's look at another reaction from CPAC
CPAC's Schlapp, ex-RNC Chairman Steele have tense exchange over racial comment | Fox News
quote:
Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which organizes CPAC, apologized for the situation and said he loved Steele and considered him a friend. However, Steele took issue with Schlapp saying that he wasn’t going to separate himself from Ian.
Schlapp suggested throughout the exchange that some of the criticism directed at Steele is because of how he ran the RNC, and over his more recent criticism of the Republican Party.
quote:
Mr. Schlapp apologized to Mr. Steele and said Mr. Walters’s comments were unfortunate words that might have been based on Mr. Steele’s criticism of the Trump phenomena.
Apparently, criticism of the Republican party, and of Mr. Trump justify the use of the kind of "unfortunate words" directed towards Mr. Steele. It is also equally apparent that black members of the Republican party are expected to tolerate "unfortunate words" if even the weakest of apologies are offered.
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
We got a thousand points of light for the homeless man. We've got a kinder, gentler, machine gun hand. Neil Young, Rockin' in the Free World.
Worrying about the "browning of America" is not racism. -- Faith
I hate you all, you hate me -- Faith

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1.61803
Member (Idle past 1504 days)
Posts: 2928
From: Lone Star State USA
Joined: 02-19-2004


(1)
Message 1952 of 4573 (828896)
02-26-2018 4:30 PM
Reply to: Message 1947 by Rrhain
02-22-2018 1:51 PM


Re: Mueller Charges Russians
Rrhain writes:
(what is it with Republicans and staring deeply into Putin's eyes?)
Click the Putin head and find out.

"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs

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nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 1953 of 4573 (828906)
02-26-2018 8:57 PM
Reply to: Message 1951 by NoNukes
02-25-2018 9:42 PM


Re: More CPAC "Highlights"
Ian Walters, a spokesperson for CPAC said that in a speech at CPAC that Mr. [Michael] Steele was chosen as [RNC] chairman because he is a black guy.
Of course he was.
I guess they didn't explain to Steele (and probably didn't know how to explain), that he was their token black.

Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity

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Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


(1)
Message 1954 of 4573 (828922)
02-27-2018 8:23 AM
Reply to: Message 1945 by NoNukes
02-21-2018 6:28 PM


Re: Collusion by the Trump Campaign Proven Six Months Ago?
An editorial in today's New York Times (Either a Conspirator or a Sucker) calls attention to the order of events that makes the Donald Jr./Kushner/Mannafort/Russians meeting in Trump Tower more problematic. It could (and will) be argued that the document the Russians passed to Donald Jr. was not "an other thing of value" or at least not sufficiently "an other thing of value", so leave that aside for the moment as an issue to resolve in the future.
But the editorial notes that the Schiff memo, the recently released response to the Nunes memo (Nunes is the majority head of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff is the ranking minority member), tells us that George Papodopoulos had already been briefed by Russian agents about the stolen Clinton campaign emails when he set up that meeting at Trump Tower.
No publicly available information tells us that Papodopoulos told Donald Jr, Jared Kushner or Paul Mannafort about the Clinton campaign emails the Russian had stolen, but we can be sure that a climber like Papodopoulos told at least one of them and probably all of them (directly or indirectly) of what he had learned. Given this, it seems very unlikely that the Trump Tower meeting was a "nothing meeting" (Reince Priebus, Trump's former Chief of Staff in July of 2016), especially since Trump himself wrote the false description of what the meeting was about.
Every time Mueller takes public action we learn that he knows far more than anyone guessed he knew, and I think this pattern is likely to continue. That is, I think Mueller knows what was said at the meeting, and he knows about other meetings that aren't currently public knowledge and what was said at them. And the testimonies he is gathering from both those indicted and those merely interviewed have probably given him a wealth of conflicting information that at some point many people associated with Trump are going to become highly motivated to get straight in order to avoid jail time. There will be a scramble to tell Mueller their story.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1945 by NoNukes, posted 02-21-2018 6:28 PM NoNukes has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1955 by NoNukes, posted 02-27-2018 2:17 PM Percy has replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 1955 of 4573 (828938)
02-27-2018 2:17 PM
Reply to: Message 1954 by Percy
02-27-2018 8:23 AM


Re: Collusion by the Trump Campaign Proven Six Months Ago?
No publicly available information tells us that Papodopoulos told Donald Jr, Jared Kushner or Paul Mannafort about the Clinton campaign emails the Russian had stolen, but we can be sure that a climber like Papodopoulos told at least one of them and probably all of them (directly or indirectly) of what he had learned. Given this, it seems very unlikely that the Trump Tower meeting was a "nothing meeting"
I agree regarding the likelihood that the meeting was not a "nothing meeting", but to date, we have nothing other than speculation about any illegal activity that might have occurred at the meeting. At least with regards to that document, we have some concrete evidence about how it related to the discussion.
Every time Mueller takes public action we learn that he knows far more than anyone guessed he knew, and I think this pattern is likely to continue. That is, I think Mueller knows what was said at the meeting, and he knows about other meetings that aren't currently public knowledge and what was said at them.
I'd like to believe that, but for now, I don't find this argument much more persuasive than simply guessing. I am sure that Mueller knows more than he is telling, but I have no idea what that knowledge might include. I'll celebrate when I see something.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
We got a thousand points of light for the homeless man. We've got a kinder, gentler, machine gun hand. Neil Young, Rockin' in the Free World.
Worrying about the "browning of America" is not racism. -- Faith
I hate you all, you hate me -- Faith

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 Message 1954 by Percy, posted 02-27-2018 8:23 AM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1957 by Percy, posted 02-27-2018 8:27 PM NoNukes has seen this message but not replied

  
caffeine
Member (Idle past 1025 days)
Posts: 1800
From: Prague, Czech Republic
Joined: 10-22-2008


(1)
Message 1956 of 4573 (828942)
02-27-2018 3:51 PM
Reply to: Message 1913 by Percy
02-18-2018 10:16 AM


Re: Trump is off the chain again...
That is, in Russia the propaganda just rolls off like raindrops off a raincoat, but in America if they're already inclined to think that way they drink it up.
An old and tangential comment; but I felt obliged to point out that the ex-troll's claim is, of course, horseshit. Lots of absurd conspiracy theories, included those promoted by state propaganda, are very popular in Russia.
I know a lot of people who seem to believe that people in ex-communist countries are somehow immune, or at least resistant, to propaganda, but this belief is self-justifying nonsense. People here lap up propaganda that reinforces their prejudices; while having a convenient shield to defend themselves from inconvenient facts (it's their worldy-wise experience with Communism, you see. It prevents them from falling for the state-liberalmedia-American sponsored propaganda regime that Soros paid for).
It's not so different from America.

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Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 1957 of 4573 (828964)
02-27-2018 8:27 PM
Reply to: Message 1955 by NoNukes
02-27-2018 2:17 PM


Re: Collusion by the Trump Campaign Proven Six Months Ago?
NoNukes writes:
I agree regarding the likelihood that the meeting was not a "nothing meeting", but to date, we have nothing other than speculation about any illegal activity that might have occurred at the meeting. At least with regards to that document, we have some concrete evidence about how it related to the discussion.
One thing about the meeting that doesn't often get mentioned is that though the Donald Jr./Kushner/Mannafort/Russians meeting took place in June of 2016, it didn't come to light until June of 2017. This means that when Trump drafted the misleading description of the meeting on July 8, 2017, aboard Air Force One, he did so as president. Lying to the press is not a crime, but a conspiracy to cover up a conspiracy to collude *is* a crime.
Donald Jr.'s account of the meeting, from a July 8, 2017, article in the Washington Post: Trump Jr. says he, Kushner and Manafort met with lawyer tied to Kremlin
But the account was actually drafted by President Trump, from a July 31, 2017, article in the Washington Post: Trump dictated son’s misleading statement on meeting with Russian lawyer
I (and you too, I expect) lived through Watergate. Nixon wasn't directly implicated in the break-in (though a host of dirty tricks efforts by the Nixon administration were uncovered) but was guilty of efforts to cover up the break in. Throughout most of the reporting, investigations, and hearings leading up to the resignation few expected Nixon would be found so directly involved, but he was. In his contempt for and arrogance regarding the rule of law as it applies to him, Trump seems Nixon's equal.
--Percy

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 Message 1967 by Percy, posted 03-01-2018 9:31 AM Percy has replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


(2)
Message 1958 of 4573 (828977)
02-28-2018 3:04 AM


Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
After working on an interim clearance Kushner hasn’t made the cut for the top clearance. BBC
You might ask why it took a year to get to this point. One reason:
Last October, the head of the National Background Investigations Bureau told Congress he has "never seen that level of mistakes" on any security clearance application.
Trump hires the best people...

Replies to this message:
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dwise1
Member
Posts: 5930
Joined: 05-02-2006
Member Rating: 5.8


(3)
Message 1959 of 4573 (828980)
02-28-2018 5:47 AM
Reply to: Message 1958 by PaulK
02-28-2018 3:04 AM


Re: Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
A rather large number of people have run the security clearance system with an even larger number having gone through that system and having been trained annually in how that system works. Many, including myself and SCPO Malcolm Nance (he far more so), literally for decades.
Virtually everything that this administration has done from Day One directly contradicts everything in all those decades of experience and training.
"Who could have possibly known how security clearances are supposed to work?"
Truly the GOP is the greatest security threat that this country has ever known.

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Taq
Member
Posts: 9973
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.7


Message 1960 of 4573 (829005)
02-28-2018 12:10 PM
Reply to: Message 1958 by PaulK
02-28-2018 3:04 AM


Re: Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
PaulK writes:
After working on an interim clearance Kushner hasn’t made the cut for the top clearance
The scary part is that the Kush has been sitting in on the most sensitive briefings (e.g. the President's daily briefing) without that top clearance. It has now come forward that at least 4 foreign government sought to manipulate Kushner through his all too obvious greed:
https://www.cnbc.com/...-influence-jared-kushner-report.html
Once this stuff started leaking out to the press it made Kelly's decision pretty easy.
Edited by Taq, : No reason given.

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Replies to this message:
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 Message 1963 by ringo, posted 02-28-2018 2:34 PM Taq has not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 1961 of 4573 (829006)
02-28-2018 12:19 PM
Reply to: Message 1960 by Taq
02-28-2018 12:10 PM


Re: Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
It also creates yet another thing for il Donald to stumble over.
Releasing confidential material to someone without the proper security clearance is subject to legal sanctions. It will be interesting to see if il Donald can resist talking out of turn but so far that does not seem likely.

My Sister's Website: Rose Hill Studios My Website: My Website

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1960 by Taq, posted 02-28-2018 12:10 PM Taq has replied

Replies to this message:
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Taq
Member
Posts: 9973
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.7


(1)
Message 1962 of 4573 (829007)
02-28-2018 12:41 PM
Reply to: Message 1961 by jar
02-28-2018 12:19 PM


Re: Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
jar writes:
Releasing confidential material to someone without the proper security clearance is subject to legal sanctions. It will be interesting to see if il Donald can resist talking out of turn but so far that does not seem likely.
As far as I am aware, POTUS can unilaterally declare something to be unclassified, and can also choose to share whatever information they want with whomever they want. Kicking Kushner out of the White House is more about politics than law . . . again, as far as I am aware.

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ringo
Member (Idle past 412 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 1963 of 4573 (829012)
02-28-2018 2:34 PM
Reply to: Message 1960 by Taq
02-28-2018 12:10 PM


Re: Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
Taq writes:
The scary part is that the Kush has been sitting in on the most sensitive briefings (e.g. the President's daily briefing) without that top clearance.
Security clearance is kind of a moot point when the President himself blabbers everything he knows on Twitter.

An honest discussion is more of a peer review than a pep rally. My toughest critics here are the people who agree with me. -- ringo

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Tanypteryx
Member
Posts: 4344
From: Oregon, USA
Joined: 08-27-2006
Member Rating: 5.9


Message 1964 of 4573 (829027)
02-28-2018 6:17 PM


Hope Hicks resigns from White House
Hope Hicks resigns from White House
quote:
The announcement of Hicks's resignation comes one day after she sat for a marathon interview with the House Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
Hicks frustrated some committee members by refusing to answer questions about events during the presidential transition and after Trump took office.
During her testimony, Hicks reportedly admitted that her job in the Trump administration required her to tell "white lies."

What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy
The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 1965 of 4573 (829028)
02-28-2018 6:32 PM
Reply to: Message 1962 by Taq
02-28-2018 12:41 PM


Re: Kushner’s Security Clearance Downgraded
Taq writes:
As far as I am aware, POTUS can unilaterally declare something to be unclassified,
Not without some very bad ramifications. If something is unclassified then leaking it to the press is not a crime. I don't think this is an out. Beyond that, not all classified information goes through the president. I don't see how the president can either declassify everything that Kushner will handle, or be in a position to tell folks that it is okay to tell Kushner is okay for top secret information that the president himself has not learned or that the president has no need to learn.
Kushner's loss of security clearance will have ramifications. Many of them will be political.
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
We got a thousand points of light for the homeless man. We've got a kinder, gentler, machine gun hand. Neil Young, Rockin' in the Free World.
Worrying about the "browning of America" is not racism. -- Faith
I hate you all, you hate me -- Faith

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 Message 1962 by Taq, posted 02-28-2018 12:41 PM Taq has not replied

Replies to this message:
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