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Tuesday, March 21. 2017

PARENTS’ MANHATTAN KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION ESSAY (h/t, Am Digest)

A Look at David Rockefeller’s Real Estate Gifts - The philanthropist died on Monday at 101

A Pope's chef wrote the first cookbook

Historic restoration of Jesus’s burial shrine in Jerusalem completed

The Backlash Against Starbucks Is Real, And It Isn't Going Away

FULL METAL RACKET, UNDRESSING THE MARINE CORPS NUDE FACEBOOK SCANDAL

Best part about owning solar panels is the satisfaction of knowing those who could never afford them are helping to subsidize yours.

Monty Python’s Eric Idle Says Global Warming Skeptics Should Be Executed “Gently” For “Crimes Against Humanity”

Humorless. Eric, we want it warmer

Don't treat the presidential family as royals

Man, do I agree with that but there is something in human nature or in tabloid journalism that wants or needs royals

Sesame Street Says Trump Has Laid Elmo Off – Except Sesame Street Is On HBO Now, Not PBS…

Stossel: Our ignorant media

NY Times: There Needs To Be A Crackdown On Illegal Alien Employers

Malibu wants to keep their illegals for their landscaping

HILLARY AND HUMA STILL JOINED AT THE HIP

All important people need a body boy or girl

Alan Dershowitz Exposes the Liberal Bias That Helped Block Trump Travel Ban

Commentary: Be skeptical about coverage numbers in health-care debate

Trump committed Dresden

"Shut up and bake me a cake"? I like that.

Pocahontas: Neil Gorsuch does not belong on the Supreme Court

Climate Scientist: Having a Baby is an “ethical entanglement”

The suicide of expertise: Glenn Reynolds

Hinderaker: MY CONSERVATIVE VISION FOR ALL AMERICANS

Twitter turns Trump into his own worst enemy

It’s hard for a new administration to avoid controversy, but must Trump create it out of thin air?

Salon: Now it's a Russia scandal

The narrative marches on

Chuck Schumer calls for chaos

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 05:00 | Comments (38) | Trackbacks (0)

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"Key Democratic Officials Now Warning Base Not to Expect Evidence of Trump/Russia Collusion"

https://theintercept.com/2017/03/16/key-democratic-officials-now-warning-base-not-to-expect-evidence-of-trumprussia-collusion/

"From MSNBC politics shows to town hall meetings across the country, the overarching issue for the Democratic Party’s base since Trump’s victory has been Russia, often suffocating attention for other issues. This fixation has persisted even though it has no chance to sink the Trump presidency unless it is proven that high levels of the Trump campaign actively colluded with the Kremlin to manipulate the outcome of the U.S. election — a claim for which absolutely no evidence has thus far been presented.

The principal problem for Democrats is that so many media figures and online charlatans are personally benefiting from feeding the base increasingly unhinged, fact-free conspiracies — just as right-wing media polemicists did after both Bill Clinton and Obama were elected — that there are now millions of partisan soldiers absolutely convinced of a Trump/Russia conspiracy for which, at least as of now, there is no evidence. And they are all waiting for the day, which they regard as inevitable and imminent, when this theory will be proven and Trump will be removed...

For so long, Democrats demonized and smeared anyone trying to inject basic reason, rationality, and skepticism into this Trump/Russia discourse by labeling them all Kremlin agents and Putin lovers. Just this week, the Center for American Progress released a report using the language of treason to announce the existence of a “Fifth Column” in the U.S. that serves Russia (similar to Andrew Sullivan’s notorious 2001 decree that anyone opposing the war on terror composed an anti-American “Fifth Column”), while John McCain listened to Rand Paul express doubts about the wisdom of NATO further expanding to include Montenegro and then promptly announced: “Paul is working for Vladimir Putin.”

#1 JM01 on 2017-03-21 09:19 (Reply)

As an aside, there's another aspect of this whole brouhaha that is quite interesting to observe.

The very same kind of people who normally conjure up mistrust, disbelief and evil conspiracy whenever the CIA, NSA or FBI are involved in anything are now the ones crowing about the intelligence "evidence".

The intelligence guys were accused of doctoring the Iraq WMD evidence but, hey, now they have clear evidence of Trumpo-Russian skullduggery!

#1.1 JJM on 2017-03-21 09:31 (Reply)

Yeah, I agree completely - it's ridiculous that the CIA and NSA are now considered 'the good guys'. I totally roll my eyes when my friend who is a lockstep Democrat brings out his new McCarthy-era talking points.

The Democrats are now acting like the Republicans did in 1992 after Bill Clinton won a plurality of the vote to become president. It's embarrassing.

#1.1.1 JM01 on 2017-03-21 12:40 (Reply)

"We're the good guys Marty."

Redford must be rolling in his grave right now w/ this situation. Leftists boxed themselves into siding w/ the trenchcoats they abhor.

#1.1.1.1 DrTorch on 2017-03-21 17:57 (Reply)

It is important to know and understand that this is an entirely fabricated crisis thought up by and perpetrated by the worst element in the Democrat party. It is an attempt to politically assassinate the president to "Bork" him to commit a high tech lynching of him. But make no mistake all or almost all Democrats are willingly on board with this political crime and eagerly seek out the willing collaborators from the press to make their "creds" and commit a drive by shooting of the president. No one on the left has come forward to say that this isn't right and it will in the end hurt America and Americans. Not one of them will put the country first. In fact many of them eagerly seem willing to scuttle the constitution and flip the bird to the voters in their headlong rush to overturn or negate the last election. This is a very dangerous path that we are on.

#1.2 IdahoBob on 2017-03-21 09:54 (Reply)

IdahoBob: It is important to know and understand that this is an entirely fabricated crisis

That the FBI has had an open investigation of the Trump campaign for months concerning connections to Russian interference in the election is hardly "an entirely fabricated crisis". Whether the investigation leads anywhere is still unknown.

#1.2.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 10:36 (Reply)

So in those months of investigation, has anyone found any actual evidence Trump/Russian collusion? No.

So an investigation was initiated without any evidence that it was warranted in the first place? Apparently.

The FBI is a part of the DOJ. All that has to happen is for AG Lynch to initiate a referral to the FBI to start an investigation and voila! An investigation!

Interestingly enough, all the blather about the Russians hacking Podesta's emails was slapped down by Comey when he said categorically that the Russians did not give Wikileaks Podesta's emails confirming what Assange has said all along.

#1.2.1.1 mudbug on 2017-03-21 10:58 (Reply)

mudbug: So in those months of investigation, has anyone found any actual evidence Trump/Russian collusion? No.

That is not known. The FBI has not released the results of their investigation, which presumably includes information to which we are not currently privy.

mudbug: So an investigation was initiated without any evidence that it was warranted in the first place?

There is circumstantial evidence of collusion, and direct evidence of deception.

mudbug: all the blather about the Russians hacking Podesta's emails was slapped down by Comey when he said categorically that the Russians did not give Wikileaks Podesta's emails

That is incorrect. Comey said "We assessed they used some kind of cut-out. They didn't deal directly with Wikileaks, in contrast to DC Leaks and Guccifer 2.0," meaning that the Russians provided the leaks to Wikileaks through an intermediary.

#1.2.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 11:28 (Reply)

Well, I suppose there is a possibility that Comey thinks he has some evidence but his sense of what evidence is is somewhat suspect since he couldn't definitively state that Hillary lied to the public with respect to her email/server fiasco. Then Clapper and the heads of the House committee say they have seen no evidence of collusion either. As lefty Glenn Greenwald says, there are lots of people trying to find evidenced of this collusion and nobody has found any.

As for the circumstantial evidence, the same could be said of Hillary's campaign. Podesta had Russian business relationships. His lobbying group lobbied for Russian interests, Hillary did not block selling control of 20% of US uranium production to Russia, Hillary promised to continue Obama's policies that were deferential to Russia and continue to draw down our military. Are we to believe that if Putin is as bad as Democrats say that he would prefer Trump who pledged to rebuild our military?

So Comey 'assessed' they used an intermediary. That's not very definitive and implies the FBI knows for a fact that the Russians stole Podesta's emails. We know the CIA can hack a computer and leave it to make it look like the hack came from any country they want. We also know that if the Russian govt. actually sent the email to Podesta to get his Gmail password, they would be smart enough not to leave tracks. Even more to the point, it would be counter productive to leave tracks if Putin was favoring Trump because it would drive the media frenzy that we have now hurting Trump. Assange characterizes the information he received as the result of a leak not a hack. Maybe he's wrong and it was actually a hack. For him to think that, the intermediary Comey is talking about might likely be a DNC employee or operative.

#1.2.1.1.1.1 mudbug on 2017-03-21 14:18 (Reply)

mudbug: Well, I suppose there is a possibility that Comey thinks he has some evidence

Look at the list of circumstantial evidence already provided, along with direct evidence of deception. Comey presumably has even more information.

mudbug: As for the circumstantial evidence, the same could be said of Hillary's campaign.

Oh, did the Russian interfere in the election for Clinton's benefit?

mudbug: Podesta had Russian business relationships.

Did he?

mudbug: Hillary did not block selling control of 20% of US uranium production to Russia

Why would she interfere? There's a procedure for that sort of thing.

mudbug: That's not very definitive and implies the FBI knows for a fact that the Russians stole Podesta's emails.

The Intelligence Community, and independent cybersecurity firms, have high confidence the Russians hacked Podesta and the DNC.

mudbug: Assange characterizes the information he received as the result of a leak not a hack.

We know Podesta's hack was due to a spoof.

It really isn't necessary to distort the facts. It's unlikely that Trump will be directly implicated, even if there were collusion. Nor would collusion be required for the threat of Russian interference in U.S. elections to be a significant threat. It does need to be investigated.

-
Interesting fact: There was only one presidential candidate under investigation by the FBI on election day. And it wasn't Clinton.

#1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 18:24 (Reply)

You didn't regard it as unknown a month ago. You regarded it as a serious problem with significant evidence showing up. You made lists.

#1.2.1.2 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2017-03-21 11:03 (Reply)

Assistant Village Idiot: You didn't regard it as unknown a month ago. You regarded it as a serious problem with significant evidence showing up. You made lists.

Let's look at what we wrote:

QUOTE:

Bird Dog: The Russian hysteria is a completely made up narrative by the left

Zachriel: Not made-up:

• We know that Russians hacked a major U.S. political party in order to interfere in the election in order to damage their presidential candidate, and to undermine confidence in the democratic process.

• We know that Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chair, worked with the Russian-allied Ukrainian president before his ouster. Manafort resigned after it was alleged he received large sums of off-the-books money.

• We know that the National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, lied about the nature of his contacts with the Russian government.

• We know that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was ‘less than fully truthful’ when testifying under oath about his contacts with the Russian government, such that he was forced to recuse himself from the investigation.

• We know that Trump called for the Russians to release hacked emails from Hillary Clinton.

• We know that Trump called for the imprisonment of his political opponent.

• We know Russian money flowed into the Trump organization in years past.

• We know from phone records that members of the Trump campaign had repeated contacts with the Russian government in the year before the election.

• We know that Trump has refused to release his tax returns, and that there are a large number of potential and actual conflicts of interest.

• We know that Trump has spoken glowingly of the autocratic head of Russian’s government while disparaging the leaders of democratic allies in Europe.

• We know that Trump had the Republican platform changed with regards to the Ukraine.

• We know that Trump called members of the press “enemies of the people” for accurately reporting on the above.

While not sufficient to constitute proof of wrongdoing, it is certainly sufficient to justify a closer look. {emphasis added}

• We now know that the FBI has been taking a "closer look" at contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign for months.

#1.2.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 11:18 (Reply)

Are you mad at something? You seem kind of desperate.

#1.2.1.2.1.1 Mrs. Boffin's Third Grade Class on 2017-03-21 11:42 (Reply)

We do have evidence of a presidential candidate sending, what they thought was private, a message to Putin regarding their "flexibility" after the election.

We do have evidence of a presidential candidate who dismissed Russia as unimportant.

#1.2.1.2.1.2 JK Brown on 2017-03-21 12:36 (Reply)

Therefore the idea that the Trump campaign was spied on and reports were given to the WH about conversations happening is now proven. Thanks, Zachriel, for admitting the WH was involved in spying on the Trump campaign.

#1.2.1.2.1.3 MissT on 2017-03-21 12:53 (Reply)

MissT: Therefore the idea that the Trump campaign was spied on and reports were given to the WH about conversations happening is now proven.

Huh? How does that follow? If you repeatedly make contact with Russian agents who are being monitored, then, even if you are a citizen, you may have your contacts monitored. How did you think it worked?

#1.2.1.2.1.3.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 18:14 (Reply)

"We know that Trump called members of the press “enemies of the people”"

You think the FBI should investigate Trump for saying that?

Really?

#1.2.1.2.1.4 Thought Kriminal No. 392342-A on 2017-03-21 15:05 (Reply)

Thought Kriminal No. 392342-A: You think the FBI should investigate Trump for saying that?

No, but it adds to the overall picture. Railing against those who tell the truth is an indication of being involved in deception.

#1.2.1.2.1.4.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 18:11 (Reply)

• We know that Trump had the Republican platform changed with regards to the Ukraine.
Uh, no y'all don't... Not true.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/byron-york-how-pundits-got-key-part-of-trump-russia-story-all-wrong/article/2617802#.WNBITUhNWBY.twitter

#1.2.1.2.1.5 drowningpuppies on 2017-03-21 16:34 (Reply)

drowningpuppies: Uh, no y'all don't

Gee whiz. According to York's own story, they took out "providing lethal defensive weapons" and replaced it with "appropriate assistance to the armed forces of Ukraine". That's exactly the issue that was originally raised, and that it was the Trump campaign that pressed for the change. Of all things for the Trump campaign to be concerned about, it was Ukraine.

#1.2.1.2.1.5.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 18:09 (Reply)

Please y'all are parsing words again and are misleading about what happened.

--That is precisely the opposite of what happened. In the end, the platform, already fairly strong on the Russia-Ukraine issue, was strengthened, not weakened, as a result of the subcommittee meeting. The Trump campaign agreed to a platform condemning Kremlin belligerence, calling for continued, and perhaps increased, sanctions against Russia, for the full restoration of Ukrainian territory, for refusing to accept "any territorial change in Eastern Europe imposed by force, in Ukraine or elsewhere," and pledging to aid Ukraine's armed forces.--

Gee Whiz indeed!

#1.2.1.2.1.5.1.1 drowningpuppies on 2017-03-21 18:32 (Reply)

drowningpuppies: In the end, the platform, already fairly strong on the Russia-Ukraine issue, was strengthened, not weakened, as a result of the subcommittee meeting.

They took out "providing lethal defensive weapons" and replaced it with "appropriate assistance to the armed forces of Ukraine". That is clearly a weakening.

#1.2.1.2.1.5.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 18:54 (Reply)

Gee whiz, do y'all ever read the whole article?
That particular passage was offered as an amendment and was not accepted by the subcommittee.
How could one change the language when it was never in the platform in the first place?

#1.2.1.2.1.5.1.1.1.1 drowningpuppies on 2017-03-21 19:43 (Reply)

drowningpuppies: That particular passage was offered as an amendment and was not accepted by the subcommittee.

Not sure it changes the overall point, but in the interest of accuracy:

• We know that the Trump campaign had an amendment to the Republican platform which called for providing Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons squashed .

Of all things in which the Trump campaign took an interest, it's the Ukraine.

#1.2.1.2.1.5.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-22 09:00 (Reply)

• We know that the Trump campaign squashed an amendment to the Republican platform which called for providing Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons, a position broadly supported by Republican foreign policy leaders.

#1.2.1.2.1.5.1.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-22 09:42 (Reply)

That would not even be know if the investigation had not been leaked to the media and that is the only know crime at this time...the leak of Flynns name.

#1.2.1.3 indyjonesouthere on 2017-03-21 19:50 (Reply)

"Monty Python’s Eric Idle Says Global Warming Skeptics Should Be Executed 'Gently' For 'Crimes Against Humanity.'"

So Idle has made a lateral move from the Ministry of Silly Walks to the Ministry of Silly Talks then?

#2 JJM on 2017-03-21 09:35 (Reply)

"Climate Scientist: Having a Baby is an 'ethical entanglement'"

There is no 'ethical entanglement' unless you opt for abortion; having a baby is the supreme act of humanity and hope.

#3 JJM on 2017-03-21 09:46 (Reply)

JJM: having a baby is the supreme act of humanity and hope.

Hear, hear!

#3.1 Zachriel on 2017-03-21 10:37 (Reply)

adult abortion. you need to do this now.

#3.1.1 Kirby's BAR on 2017-03-21 11:19 (Reply)

True.

The word 'hysterical' exists for a reason.

#3.2 DrTorch on 2017-03-21 17:59 (Reply)

Nice to see the NeverTrumpers at NY Post and Natty Review, out and emboldened by the Comey hearings.

And to see they still don't "Get it!"

#4 Old Codger on 2017-03-21 10:03 (Reply)

I love Trump's tweeting and getting past the media. I am also in love with the stodgy writers from conservative sites and think tanks going nuts over his frank talk.

For far too long conservatives have been bullied and pushed around by the left and the media. Too afraid to be ridiculed by the 'elites' to do much of anything that is right or conservative and more interested in keeping the media at bay and the ridiculous accusations from the left at a minimum.

Trump has thrown that out the window, and I'm loving it. Would we be talking about the 'unmaskers' in the federal government if not for Trump's accusations about his campaign personnel being 'wire tapped'? NO.

Would we be talking about the way the media lies about its political enemies and takes sides when claiming to be neutral? NO.

Would we be talking about half of what is going on in the debate space today if it weren't for Trump? NO.

He is not his own worst enemy. He is a truth teller. A chess player who turns the left and press on each other. A much smarter and more brilliant man that the Democrats ever will admit.

Just review what he has accomplished in 2 months. I think many have already forgotten. We are starting to get used to the pace, which is lightning fast.

#5 MissT on 2017-03-21 11:35 (Reply)

I'm with you, MissT. This charade keeps getting more ridiculous. Thankfully, Pres. Trump is no fool. Just watch, wait and listen until these fools destroy themselves. Patience has never been my virtue, but I'm learning. I'm learning.

#5.1 jma on 2017-03-21 16:38 (Reply)

Putative "conservatives" arguing with leftists on their terms is like posters here habitually arguing with the demented Trolling Robot. Both would be funny if not for the codependency.

#5.2 Ten on 2017-03-21 23:19 (Reply)

"Man, do I agree with that but there is something in human nature or in tabloid journalism that wants or needs royals"

Well, a good number of people are sycophants and abhor the republicanism. They see their future assured as servants to their betters. Their history is long and bloody, imperial, feudal, monarchial, socialist.

QUOTE:

Precisely what makes a slave is that he is allowed no use of productive capital to make wealth on his own account. The only difference is that under socialism, I may not be compelled to labor (I don't even know as to that — socialists differ on the point), actually compelled, by the lash, or any other force than hunger. And the only other difference is that the negro slave was under the orders of one man, while the subject of socialism will be under the orders of a committee of ward heelers. You will say, the slave could not choose his master, but we shall elect the ward politician. So we do now. Will that help much? Suppose the man with a grievance didn't vote for him?
--Socialism; a speech delivered in Faneuil hall, February 7th, 1903, by Frederic J. Stimson

#6 JK Brown on 2017-03-21 12:48 (Reply)

"Well, a good number of people are sycophants and abhor the republicanism. They see their future assured as servants to their betters. Their history is long and bloody, imperial, feudal, monarchial, socialist."

Republicanism is no panacea.

Most of the world's nations are republics. I live in a constitutional monarchy that is far more democratic than any of them, with the exception of republics like the US, France and a few others.

#6.1 JJM on 2017-03-21 14:07 (Reply)

"Commentary: Be skeptical about coverage numbers in health-care debate"

Thank you Bird Dog. This article addresses yet another example of "Numbers From The Ministry of Made-Up Magical Numbers". I don't remember whether I've used that phrase in Maggie's Farm comments but I have elsewhere...a lot.

I've worked as a Systems Analyst most of my adult life and am, of necessity, sensitive to "Made-Up Magical Numbers". They are a disease deadly to an informed public and they are becoming ubiquitous. Not only does news media create these numbers at whim, it now appears that our beloved bureaucrats do the same (see article).

Again, thank you BD for bringing this issue to light.

#7 Michael Scott on 2017-03-21 14:26 (Reply)

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Tuesday, March 21. 2017

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