"It's fake news until it's old news"
May 8, 2017 10:11 PM Subscribe

Day 109 of the Trump Administration was one of the strangest yet, with former acting Attorney General Sally Yates testifying that she twice met with White House Counsel Donald McGahn to warn that Michael Flynn had lied about his contacts with Russian officials, leaving him vulnerable to blackmail [video]. Yates urged the White House to take action, because, "to state the obvious: You don’t want your national security adviser compromised with the Russians." President Obama also personally warned President Trump about Fynn two days after the election. However, 18 days would elapse after Yates' warning before Flynn's false statements were publicly exposed and he was subsequently fired. Yates also explained her refusal to defend the travel ban executive order, while taking Sen. Ted Cruz down a few pegs, stating that she "believed that any argument that we would have to make in its defense would not be grounded in the truth."

Following the hearing, the President took to Twitter, emblazoning his view that Director Clapper's testimony exonerated him onto the header of his Twitter account, to much mockery (the header text would be removed a few hours later). However, Clapper said no such thing, as he testified to his lack of knowledge of the FBI's investigation. Furthermore, Clapper testified that European intelligence agencies passed along information about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians.

Even members of the Trump Transition raised concerns about Flynn's contacts with Ambassador Kislyak, as the Obama Administration held back information for fear it would be passed on to the Russians and/or handled improperly "after learning that highly sensitive documents from a secure room at the transition’s Washington headquarters were being copied and removed from the facility." But her emails, amirite?

Yates would not answer questions about Flynn's "underlying conduct" due to ongoing investigations, but said that it was "problematic in and of itself." While the coverup has garnered more attention, this focus on Flynn's conduct contradicts the White House's claims that Flynn did nothing wrong other than mislead Vice President Pence.

What else is going on?

ProPublica revealed that FBI Director James Comey gave inaccurate testimony about how Hillary Clinton's emails wound up on Anthony Weiner's laptop (Abedin did not manually forward "hundreds and thousands" of Clinton emails; she forwarded a handful and most were simply part of a backup). Despite Director Comey's past practice of immediately rushing to inform Congress of the mere potential that his testimony might need to be updated, regardless of whether he knew anything or any elections that might have been about to take place, the FBI has stayed silent, "with the bureau undecided about what to do."

With US policy in Afghanistan still vague and muddled, new details emerged about plans to expand US military efforts there, "effectively put[ting] the United States back on a war footing with the Taliban." The plans would involve several thousand additional troops to try to pressure the Taliban to enter into negotiations with the government.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit heard arguments in International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump, weighing how much heed to give to the President's statements during the campaign. Lawfare liveblogged the hearing, and you can read an opinionated set of tweets about the proceedings from Sarah Jeong. On a related note, the Muslim Ban page disappeared, along with other campaign statements, from the campaign website just a short time after Sean Spicer was asked by ABC News why the statement was still posted.

While the Senate (slowly) tries to decide what it wants to do to the healthcare system, the Trump administration is making Obamacare more expensive, with insurers raising prices significantly to accommodate uncertainty over whether the Administration will enforce the law or make premium payments.

In other news:
- Anonymous Canadian officials say that White House staff called Prime Minister Trudeau's office to encourage Trudeau to convince President Trump to preserve NAFTA, "approaching the head of a foreign government to influence your own boss."
- The #2 official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement is leaving to take a job at GEO Group, the nation's largest private prison company. GEO Group has contracts with ICE to operate immigration detention centers.
- With Net Neutrality under threat once again by Trump's FCC Chair Ajit Pai, John Oliver spoke out to defend an open internet. He's established the website http://gofccyourself.com, which will take you directly to the FCC's docket page to submit comments (click +Express).
- Rep. Rod Blum of Iowa sat down for an interview ahead of his angry town hall, but he quickly walked off [video], surrounded by a crowd of children.
- EPA Director Scott Pruitt dismissed half of the advisors on the agency's Board of Scientific Counselors, while the Interior Department suspended more than 200 advisory panels. Pruitt's spokesman said he will consider replacing the scientific advisors with representatives from polluting industries.
- Jared Kushner's family continues to seek investors in China for its (troubled!) real estate project using the EB-5 visa program just renewed by the appropriations measure President Trump signed last Friday.
- Bloomberg reports that President Trump is feuding with replacement National Security Advisor General McMaster. Guess who Trump is meeting with tomorrow morning?
- Martha Stewart sums up America, 2017.

Post title courtesy @nycsouthpaw

posted by zachlipton (2879 comments total) 161 users marked this as a favorite

(Truly, much appreciated!)
posted by notyou at 10:20 PM on May 8, 2017 [17 favorites]

Once again, thank you for rounding this stuff up. These posts really help me stay on top of what's going on. You do good work.
posted by greermahoney at 10:21 PM on May 8, 2017 [19 favorites]

These threads and What the fuck just happened today? are so helpful. Though I am trying to keep something from the most recent Lovett or Leave It in mind: "It's OK not to pay attention to every story."
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:26 PM on May 8, 2017 [16 favorites]

Wow, zachlipton, an amazing post. My phone, especially, salutes you.
posted by corb at 10:29 PM on May 8, 2017 [3 favorites]

Jimmy Kimmel responds to Newt Gingrich's criticism of late night hosts: "I wonder why we're so angry. Maybe it has something to do with, I don't know, you"
posted by zachlipton at 10:37 PM on May 8, 2017 [67 favorites]

The plans would involve several thousand additional troops to try to pressure the Taliban to enter into negotiations with the government.

The international force assisting the Afghans has about 13,000 troops, of whom about 8,400 are American.

American officials said that 3,000 to 5,000 additional troops, including hundreds of Special Operations forces, could be sent.

So that would raise US troop levels to a max of 13,400 and international troop levels to 18,000.

That's fewer troops than have been stationed in Afghanistan since 2004. The US had 100,000 troops in Afghanistan in 2010-2011. What could 13,400 troops possibly accomplish that 100,000 couldn't?
Even Trump's surges are smaller than Obama's.

The Taliban reports that it controls big chunks of Afghanistan, the highest since the US invasion in 2001; it's assessment is pretty accurate. They have been expanding areas they control.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:39 PM on May 8, 2017 [7 favorites]

I'm honestly tearing up a little bit right now, both at the lovely summary of this post, and also at how I am just way too exhausted to even comprehend what is happening here. Like, what the fuck is going on
posted by yueliang at 10:43 PM on May 8, 2017 [40 favorites]

The Taliban reports that it controls big chunks of Afghanistan, the highest since the US invasion in 2001

16 years. Afghanistan has been going on for 16 goddamn years. This is now pretty-much a multigenerational conflict. And it's still unwinnable and pointless. Sorry, but when I'm reminded of the dates Iraq and Afghanistan started, I'm always fucking gobsmacked. And still we don't learn.
posted by Jimbob at 10:56 PM on May 8, 2017 [81 favorites]

This is hilarious: ANY url you go to under /press-releases/ that wasn't a previously existing page (that has been wiped but not deleted) will take you to his health care plan...what does this mean? It means that you can create absolutely hilarious URLs that actually work:
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/my-plan-to-fuck-the-poor
posted by unliteral at 11:01 PM on May 8, 2017 [207 favorites]

I have to keep repeating it to myself because it's so hard to believe: the acting AG had to go tell the White House Counsel that the National Security Advisor could be compromised because he opened himself up to Russian blackmail, and the White House's response was to do nothing.

The more I say it, the harder it is to believe, but that's 2017 for you.
posted by zachlipton at 11:03 PM on May 8, 2017 [120 favorites]

I'm just hoping that the rumored RICO grand jury isn't just an Olbermann fever dream.
posted by xyzzy at 11:05 PM on May 8, 2017 [3 favorites]

It'd be bizarre if Russia hasn't been attempting to interfere with foreign elections for generations, but I doubt they could have ever dreamt of such a profound success. And being so emboldened that they'll intensify their activities elsewhere. So when I heard about the leak from the centrist Macron campaign without a corresponding leak from the far-right, it all felt sickly familiar.

Gratefully it didn't seem to have the same result, and I'm beginning to think it's the kind of dirty trick you can only pull once before people get wise to your game. The German elections are next and they've been taking measures to tighten security and drafting anti-fake news laws.

As for Flynn and Comey? Whatever it was I hope it was worth it. *spit* Fucking traitors.
posted by adept256 at 11:06 PM on May 8, 2017 [17 favorites]

Some ancient Comey history from Michael Daly at The Daily Beast: “Young Jim Comey and the Wrong Ramsey Rapist”

Three nights before Halloween and nine days before Election Day in 1977, a gunman kicked in the door to 16-year-old James Comey’s home in suburban New Jersey.
The future director of the FBI was home alone with his younger brother, Peter, and police would later say that the gunman held his .38 caliber revolver to their heads. The gunman locked them in the bathroom and proceeded to ransack the house.

posted by Going To Maine at 11:07 PM on May 8, 2017 [10 favorites]

Another voice of appreciation to zachlipton for putting together a terrific roundup of what's taking place. Your editorial selection and summary rundowns are eminently understandable.
posted by Graygorey at 11:18 PM on May 8, 2017 [14 favorites]

I'm just hoping that the rumored RICO grand jury isn't just an Olbermann fever dream.

Until and unless you read about it somewhere credible I think its safe to say its probably an Olbermann fever dream. He's become the Louise Mensch of former MSNBC hosts.
posted by Justinian at 11:22 PM on May 8, 2017 [5 favorites]

Take care. You may be labelled a trrrst hckr if you try to access those "unauthorized" URLs.
posted by runcifex at 11:33 PM on May 8, 2017 [2 favorites]

Who do you suppose was huddled around the speakerphone in that disused White House conference room, pleading with Trudeau to call Trump and talk him down on NAFTA? Not Bannon, surely. Preibus? Pence? Jared?
posted by Well I Was In The Neighbourhood at 11:45 PM on May 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

I ask because on the one hand surely no one in the Trump inner circle gives a hoot about NAFTA, so there must have been someone from Congress involved, but on the other hand the plan of calling Trudeau just has this unmistakable whiff of sitcom dingbat to it that says "Trump family initiative".
posted by Well I Was In The Neighbourhood at 11:55 PM on May 8, 2017 [34 favorites]

It looks to me like Trump's main ideology is to be & do the exact opposite of Obama. If Obama was for giving healthcare to poor folks, then Trump is for taking it away. Obama was against nuclear prolifaration, so Drumps is for WW3. Obama tried to clean the air & water, so Trump just want to dirty it. Obama's wife was growing vegetables in the garden, then Trump is against vegetables. Obama was classy, Trump tries to be as vulgar as he can. Obama was a writer, Trump will close libraries. And of course, Obama was kind of black, so Trump supports white power. He doesn't know much 'bout history, so he probably asks 'What would Barack do', then he does the opposite.
posted by growabrain at 12:14 AM on May 9, 2017 [37 favorites]

Obama went for two terms.
posted by contraption at 12:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [127 favorites]

Who do you suppose was huddled around the speakerphone in that disused White House conference room, pleading with Trudeau to call Trump

He's so dreamy.
posted by adept256 at 12:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

I haven't read the last few threads and I'm very much debating starting this one, but I'm starting to feel out of touch and I don't know of anywhere else to follow along that isn't much more aggravating. Wish me luck, folks.
posted by flatluigi at 12:25 AM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

> he probably asks 'What would Barack do', then he does the opposite.

Maybe we can play up the notion of how opposed Obama was to ingesting polonium? I mean.. it doesn't seem like anything that stupid could possibly work but yet how many things have we said that about in the past 12 months?
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:26 AM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

@joshgondelman: Ted Cruz looks like a comedia dell'arte character who's always dropping his penis in the street and begging strangers to pick it up for him.,?

I started googling commedia dell'arte masks and it's distressing how much they all look like him.
posted by kafziel at 12:29 AM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

16 years. Afghanistan has been going on for 16 goddamn years. This is now pretty-much a multigenerational conflict.

Ahem.

First Afghan War (1839-42)
Second Afghan War(1878-1880)
Third Afghan War (1919)

'Fourth Afghan War' used to be a sarcastic joke among British Army officers with a penchant for Imperial history. Senior military historians are now wondering if it's how 2001-2014 will end up being referred to over here.

[Yes, I know that strictly they're the Anglo-Afghan Wars, but it's a dubious perk of being one of the belligerents to refer to a war only in terms of the other side.]
posted by Major Clanger at 12:55 AM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

Afghanistan has been going on for 16 goddamn years. This is now pretty-much a multigenerational conflict.

We would do well to learn more history than is directly US-related. I don't have much time here, so just a round-up Wiki link:
War in Afghanistan, 1978-present

The War in Afghanistan began on 27 April 1978, when the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) took power in a military coup, known as the Saur Revolution. Most of Afghanistan subsequently experienced uprisings against the PDPA government. The Soviet war in Afghanistan began in December 1979 to replace the existing communist government. Afghanistan's resistance forces, known as the mujahideen, fought against the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. Some factions received support by the United States, with the Pakistani ISI serving as the U.S. middleman, and Saudi Arabia. The Soviet Union had to withdraw its troops in February 1989. The Soviet-backed Afghan communist government survived for three more years until the fall of Kabul in 1992. [...]

Given Russia's meddling in the elections, I was sure from the get-go there would be something up the Trump administration's sleeve re: Afghanistan.
posted by fraula at 12:58 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

My solace is the aphorism if something can't go on forever, it won't. My sorrow is the corollary though it can't go on forever, it'll be longer than you expect.

But my worry is that though anomalies are extraordinary, they alter what we know to be possible. Reality shifts, the unthinkable becomes thinkable. Trump's is a mind-breaking, Lovecraftian nightmare of a Presidency that even were it to end well, portends ill.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 1:02 AM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

Afghanistan has been going on for 16 goddamn years. This is now pretty-much a multigenerational conflict.

It's a lot more than that.

Recent history:

Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979–1989)
Civil war in Afghanistan (1989–1992)
Civil war in Afghanistan (1992–1996)
Civil war in Afghanistan (1996–2001)
Western War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

To put it another way, there's been a pretty constant war since 1979. That broader war is now 38 years in, and various beligerents have come and gone.

Afghanistan's median age is 18.5 years for males, 18.6 for females.

Breaking it down, it's even more striking:

0-14 years: 41.03% (male 6,947,939/female 6,728,983)
15-24 years: 22.49% (male 3,816,369/female 3,678,657)
25-54 years: 30.01% (male 5,095,905/female 4,907,019)
55-64 years: 3.9% (male 640,813/female 660,121)
65 years and over: 2.57% (male 396,124/female 460,095) (2016 est.)

Given infant amnesia, the vast majority of the population (let's call it at least 80%) have known nothing but a long, long war that has stretched for their entire lives. If we are looking at adults who were old enough to understand peace when they somewhat had it, you can add maybe 17 years to that 36. That neatly puts us at around 6% of the population who have ever had a sophisticated understanding of a period of peace. The median age for childbirth is around 20, so for many it's also all their parents and grandparents have known as well. The very knowledge of what that peace in Afghanistan is like is dying off, and a cultural experience of all-but-constant civil-war levels of violence is now three generations in. If it doesn't stop within 10 years, peace really will be gone from almost all living memory.

With my peacekeeper/development hat on, I'm not exactly shocked that 16 years of low-level involvement hasn't really fixed things.
posted by jaduncan at 3:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [192 favorites]

Thanks Jaduncan, that was a really insightful comment.
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:19 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

In the Sherlock Holmes books (Set in 1881) Doctor John Watson had just come home from the war in Afghanistan.
In the recent Sherlock TV show (Set in 2010) Doctor John Watson had just come home from the war in Afghanistan.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:42 AM on May 9, 2017 [128 favorites]

Fox News Report:
'Who Appointed You to the Supreme Court?': Senator Grills Yates For Defying #Trump Travel Ban

That's right, their main story on the hearings suggests Yates was taken to task by a Senator. They do have another story on the hearings that actually talks about Russian interference, although you'd have to read down ten paragraphs to get to this part: "Yates' account raises more questions about how Flynn stayed on for more than two more weeks following that notification." Rather than dealing with that point, Fox immediately posts Trump's rebuttal before veering off into the unmasking angle. They never raise the question of what Flynn had access to between the time of the Yates warning and his eventual dismissal.

Yates' account may raise questions, but Fox doesn't ask them.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 3:51 AM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

'...16 years of low-level involvement hasn't really fixed things.'

The infant mortality rate in Afghanistan is estimated at 66/1,000 live births - compared to a world estimate of 32.

Female literacy in Afghanistan is estimated at 24.2% - against a world estimate of 82.7%

What we need to resolve these problems is of course more huge bombs and gangs of crazed young men running around armed to the teeth.
posted by Myeral at 4:05 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Perhaps if Fox continues with it's problems another network could merge, perhaps RT?
posted by sammyo at 4:07 AM on May 9, 2017

I'm kind of curious what happened with that Martha Stewart photo on Instagram. The more expressive version is easy to find but links to it from all over take one to a bowdlerized take that's kind of confusing. Was the first shot redirected? I didn't realize that was possible with Instagram.
posted by Songdog at 4:15 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

It looks to me like Trump's main ideology is to be & do the exact opposite of Obama.

I don't think he has an ideology. He's a profoundly ignorant extreme narcissist who tends to accept whatever notion his subordinates suggest to him. He's surrounded himself with a particularly nasty set of far-right idiots, so those are the notions he takes up. To call this an ideology gives it too much credit, and it's really only coincidentally related to Obama.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:26 AM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

He's surrounded himself with a particularly nasty set of far-right idiots, so those are the notions he takes up. To call this an ideology gives it too much credit, and it's really only coincidentally related to Obama.

I think the positions of some of those far-right idiots are motivated at least in part by the idea that it's impossible a black man could be right about anything.
posted by hoyland at 4:35 AM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

It's more like a tropism -- like an unconscious response to a stimuli?
posted by wenestvedt at 4:40 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Saw a "Call Paul Ryan to thank him" ad today during the local news.
posted by drezdn at 4:49 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

"This is going to boil your blood. Just hours ago, the Democrats won their lawsuit to extend voter registration in Georgia before our election."

my blood remains non-gaseous
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 5:13 AM on May 9, 2017 [49 favorites]

Perhaps there will come a time when Donald hates this unexpectedly challenging job to a sufficient degree that his ego would allow him to pull a Palin and retire to prime-time Fox News and a newly invigorated line of Trump Steaks, if not for his need to be in charge of the FBI and to maintain his executive immunity...
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 5:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

- Rep. Rod Blum of Iowa sat down for an interview ahead of his angry town hall, but he quickly walked off [video], surrounded by a crowd of children.

I love that they pre-screened the attendees of the town hall but people still screamed at him.
posted by octothorpe at 5:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [43 favorites]

From NeverTrumper and professor at the US Naval War College Tom Nichols. Summary: never tweet.

@RadioFreeTom
I am often astonished at the President's tweets, and how he calls media in his own country as "fake news." But there's something else /1
I was a Sovietologist back in the day. I was constantly trying to unpack what I thought was happening behind the Kremlin's walls. /2
I would have given anything for Andropov or Gorbachev to give me a running narrative of their mood and inner thoughts in real time. /3
As an analyst, including my time years ago as a CIA consultant doing research in the 80s, I'd have considered that a gold mine. /4
And I wonder if, and or how, anyone is considering the fact that this is basically a raw feed of POTUS thoughts to foreign analysts. /5
Because while none of the matters are classified - at least AFAIK - tweets are pieces of the president's moods and thoughts that day. /6
This only occurred to me today as I realized how easily POTUS tweets were giving me a minute by minute image of his reactions to Yates. /7
This is the kind of instant leadership portrait that I wouldn't want a foreign nation to have when gaming out a crisis with us. /8
Americans might well appreciate the candor. But I thought Obama did too much thinking out loud in front of cameras. This is far more. /9
It is, from a foreign intel analyst's viewpoint, in some ways probably more valuable than classified memos. It's real and instant. /10
It shows how the President reacts under stress. It's something you never want the enemy to know. And yet it's all out there, every day. /11
It's also a window into how the President processes information - or how he doesn't process info he doesn't like. Solid gold info. /12
These are all things I would have given anything to know, even just a fraction of this, in an analysis of any Soviet or Russia leader. /13
It's not for me to tell the President how to communicate. But I find something hugely dangerous in revealing real-time POTUS reactions. /14x
posted by chris24 at 5:20 AM on May 9, 2017 [219 favorites]

Thanks for this; it's nice to have a post that doesn't crash every time on iPhone Safari.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 5:28 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Finally finished that Yates hearing. How exhausting. The poise and professionalism of that woman is just incredible.

Good grief Texans, can any of you explain how Ted Cruz possibly was elected to anything, let alone the actual Senate? WTF is this guy's possible appeal to anyone?
posted by aspersioncast at 5:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

"if we don't elect him and send him to Washington D.C., he might stay here."
posted by delfin at 5:37 AM on May 9, 2017 [62 favorites]

Maybe we can play up the notion of how opposed Obama was to ingesting polonium?

9/10 climate scientists say arsenic is bad for your health.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:45 AM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

WTF is this guy's possible appeal to anyone?

Cruz is a freshman senator from the Tea Party inebriation of the early '10s. He positioned himself as an unflinching strongman of tea party values, a political outsider (Cruz had not held elected office prior), and he was willing to burn it all down to push a hardline theocratic conservative agenda. He would probably be a really hard primary opponent because he has buckets of oil and Koch money backing him.
posted by Talez at 5:45 AM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

While hardly the most shocking thing about the hearing, I'm still marvelling at the fact that Senator Chuck Grassley didn't seem to understand the concept of not discussing classified information in open court.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:46 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

"I am not a crook." — Richard Nixon, 1973. Was a crook.

"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky." — Bill Clinton, 1998. Had sexual relations with Miss Lewinsky.

"[T]here is 'no evidence' of collusion w/ Russia and Trump." — Donald Trump, 2017
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:03 AM on May 9, 2017 [61 favorites]

ProPublica: FBI officials have privately acknowledged that Comey misstated what Abedin did and what the FBI investigators found. On Monday, the FBI was said to be preparing to correct the record by sending a letter to Congress later this week. But that plan now appears on hold, with the bureau undecided about what to do.

this guy keeps knocking it out the park doesn't he
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:09 AM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

He would probably be a really hard primary opponent because he has buckets of oil and Koch money backing him.

He also has name recognition from his Presidential bid. While you only have to pay attention for 5 minutes to realize he's a close relative of Vincent D'onofrio's character in Men in Black, most people only pay attention for 2-4 minutes, tops.
posted by dis_integration at 6:10 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

comey seems like the kind of guy who overthinks everything and always goes against his gut instinct, to hilarious result
posted by murphy slaw at 6:14 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Another day, another study showing it wasn't economic anxiety, but racism/misogyny. WWC with true economic anxiety overwhelmingly chose Clinton.

@YAppelbaum
1. What motivated white, working-class voters to back Trump—economic anxiety or cultural anxiety? We have numbers: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/white-working-class-trump-cultural-anxiety/525771/
2. With our partners at @PRRIpoll, we surveyed white, non-salaried voters without college degrees before and after the election.
3. That data lets us look for independently significant variables—what separated the 64% who voted Trump from the 32% backing Clinton.
4. Almost everything correlates; only four variables proved independently significant. One was Republican Party registration. Not shocking.
5. The 2nd was deportation. 87% of white working-class voters who want to deport undocumented immigrants voted Trump
6. Third? Higher education. WWC voters who think of college as a risky gamble, not an investment, went 2x for Trump
7. WWC voters who wanted to protect American way of life, or feel like strangers in their own country? 79% for Trump
8. Only one economic variable was independently predictive, and that only to 90% confidence level: Fair or poor financial condition.
9. We found economically distressed white, working class voters were 75% more likely to vote for Clinton—not Trump. [my bold]
10. Bottom line? White, working class Trump voters felt culturally displaced and resentful, not financially stressed
11. More data, and full analysis, here from the redoubtable @robertpjones and his crew at @PRRIpoll: https://www.prri.org/research/white-working-class-attitudes-economy-trade-immigration-election-donald-trump/
posted by chris24 at 6:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [114 favorites]

I've been saying that the Republicans sure aren't acting like economic anxiety is what motivates their base.
posted by Gelatin at 6:22 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

They've been acting as if their base is motivated like economic anxiety for the rich.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

The thing about Cruz is that he emits an aura at all times broadcasting I am doing everything I am doing for personal gain and power because God wants me to be King of the World. If it would benefit me in any way five seconds from now, I would gut you like a fish and sell your entrails to passing gypsies even while his mouth spews false platitudes. And he has no idea that it's that obvious.

Teabots love any guy who's screaming the loudest at what they hate.
posted by delfin at 6:25 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

comey seems like the kind of guy who overthinks everything and always goes against his gut instinct, to hilarious result

He seems like a Republican partisan operative.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:28 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Handel, who previously ran Georgia’s elections, is herself a pioneering vote suppressor. Shortly before the 2008 election, she spearheaded an illegal purge of Georgia’s rolls and flagged thousands of voter registrations as potential non-citizens. Many of the voters affected were actually eligible American citizens.

Yeah but wouldn't that make her either a hypocrite, a moron, or a racist?

walk into a bar . . .
posted by petebest at 6:31 AM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

FBI officials have privately acknowledged that Comey ~~misstated~~ perjured himself regarding what Abedin did and what the FBI investigators found.
posted by dirigibleman at 6:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Deportation.

This matches the narrative of the This American Life episode that documents how Bannon et alia found the issue that galvanized right-wing voters. They used it to win in VA in 2014 with Brat, then made it a keystone of the Trump campaign.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Why the Macron Hacking Attack Landed With a Thud in France

In which the New York Times critically examines media coverage of leaked emails, unironically, apparently. In France.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [33 favorites]

Why do people take such an instant dislike to Ted Cruz?
It just saves time.

That one still makes me chuckle.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:35 AM on May 9, 2017 [59 favorites]

Deportation.

This matches the narrative of the This American Life episode that documents how Bannon et alia found the issue that galvanized right-wing voters. They used it to win in VA in 2014 with Brat, then made it a keystone of the Trump campaign.

Yeah, it's a great dogwhistle/klaxon horn for racists and fascists/authoritarians. "We're gonna use the power of the state to punish and purge brown people!"
posted by chris24 at 6:38 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

The New York Times also has this David Leonhardt op-ed critical of their Clinton email coverage.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:38 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

NYT shit the bed publishing an antichoice op-ed today too. Pretty much done with them right now.

Chris24's post upthread is really good, I hadn't thought about any of that. Trump is a danger to our national security in many terrible ways.
posted by emjaybee at 6:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

In response to Trump's tweet "Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to W.H. Counsel." Ted Lieu (D-CA) asks‏: "Did @POTUS violate 18 USC 1512{*}, which prevents "intimidation" of a witness to 'influence' testimony in 'official proceeding'? #SallyYates"

And yesterday, the GOP senators of course did precisely as Trump requsted and irrelevantly brought up leaks, which produced no revelations but did muddy the waters.

* 18 U.S. Code § 1512 - Tampering with a Witness, Victim, or an Informant? e.g. "(c) Whoever corruptly (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so".
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:51 AM on May 9, 2017 [26 favorites]

Can someone explain to me the purpose of newspaper op-eds in this day and age? I get that once upon a time Leading Thinkers of the Age needed a platform to inform the public of a variety of opinions, but we're drowning in opinions now because of the internet. Let's just stick to the news, mkay?
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Marie Claire: The Healthcare Bill Exposes Trump's Chilling Authoritarian Agenda

Since taking office, Trump has displayed the signature traits of an aspiring autocrat: disregard for the constitution, the installation of unqualified family members in high-level positions, the abuse of executive power to enhance personal wealth, the scapegoating of ethnic minorities, and ongoing threats to free speech, free media, and public protest. His rule has been a continual test of checks and balances, and his biggest check, arguably, has been women.

The healthcare law is not only a sadistic assault on the sick and vulnerable, but a gendered attack meant to render his most forceful opponents, American women, helpless. Autocracy and patriarchy often go hand in hand; the countries with the highest levels of political freedom in general tend to prioritize women's healthcare, education, and other basic rights.

Raw Story: Oklahoma Republicans pass bill requiring state officials to call abortion ‘murder’ in public statements

The bill’s author, Republican state Rep. Chuck Strohm, spoke after the bill’s passage claiming the high court violated “every act of decency and law” when it decided Roe v. Wade. He declared the founding documents of the United States were abused by “forcing the murder of unborn children on our society.”

He went on to tell his fellow officials that they took an oath to uphold the Constitution and “to exercise their authority as appropriate in their respective jurisdictions to stop the murder of innocent unborn children by abortion.”[...]

Oklahoma is suffering from a nearly $900 million budget shortfall for which the legislature has yet to pass a budget to fix.

posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:56 AM on May 9, 2017 [44 favorites]

i think editor's letters are useful when the paper wants to make explicit what is implicit in their regular coverage.

"columnist" as a profession can go the way of the buggy whip, tho.
posted by murphy slaw at 6:56 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Can someone explain to me the purpose of newspaper op-eds in this day and age?

Paying salaries to failed and aspiring Republican politicians and party professionals under the cover of actually working.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:59 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I dunno, I find "expertise" columnists to be helpful in situations where I have a knowledge gap. Paul Krugman on the economy, for instance.
posted by xyzzy at 7:01 AM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

flatluigi: I haven't read the last few threads and I'm very much debating starting this one, but I'm starting to feel out of touch and I don't know of anywhere else to follow along that isn't much more aggravating.

For your time and/or sanity, you can skim these mega-posts with yourcelf's GraphFi bookmarklet. Not only does it add a nice bar to the left of your screen that highlights popular (highly favorited) comments, but it also adds connections between comments. (Unfortunately, I don't know if or how it could work on a mobile device.)
posted by filthy light thief at 7:09 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Vox America has a water crisis no one is talking about

According to a paper from researchers at Michigan State University, water prices will have to increase by 41 percent in the next five years to cover the costs of replacing aging water infrastructure and adapting to climate change. That will mean that nearly 41 million households — or a staggering third of all US households — may not be able to afford water for drinking, bathing, and cooking by 2020.

There is no law that guarantees water access for poor Americans. And most financial assistance is left to the discretion of individual water utilities. So customers who have fallen behind in payments can have their water services abruptly shut off.

TL;DR: The post-WWII infrastructure boom was great for the people who were alive at the time but it is 70 years on and a lot of that infrastructure is decaying and needs to be replaced.

These post-Reagenite years of massive tax cuts for the wealthy has meant an austerity regime that provides little money for infrastructure maintenance and now the poor and middle class will be paying that bill at a time when wages have stagnated for 20 years. It is pretty shocking that in a first world country the citizens don't have a guarantee to potable water. Think the UN will lend a hand by coming out and digging wells and passing out filtration units?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:12 AM on May 9, 2017 [77 favorites]

Very Special Tweet from Julian Assange
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

the trump campaign spoke directly to the latter, and the former heard the dogwhistles.

They were speaking directly to the former and the latter tagged along. See for example the final ad from the trump campaign, which may as well have been taken directly from the dang protocols of the elders of zion.
posted by winna at 7:21 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Fred Kaplan in Slate: On Jan. 28, President Trump ordered Secretary of Defense James Mattis to devise a plan, within 30 days, on how to defeat ISIS. Mattis turned in his report on Feb. 27, and, according to senior officials, it is still sitting in the White House. In the 70 days since it landed on his desk, Trump has not responded to it, modified it, or approved it as policy.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:22 AM on May 9, 2017 [37 favorites]

i think the thing to note is that the "cultural anxiety" euphemism encompasses both the "hard" racists who want to string up all the {slur}s and send them back to {continent} and the "soft" racists who just feel uncomfortable because they feel their cultural hegemony slipping away.

Cultural anxiety has a past as an actually useful academic concept; it applies as much to situations such as the slow removal of language rights for Russians in Eastern Europe (and vice versa in Russia, of course) as it does in racism. Crucially, minorities can have *justified* cultural anxiety, because it isn't based in dominant power in the same way as racism is.

It will of course now irritatingly become a euphemism for white racism that is somewhat weaponised by making a false equivalence between the racism of the dominant and the fears of the less powerful.
posted by jaduncan at 7:22 AM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

According to a paper from researchers at Michigan State University, water prices will have to increase by 41 percent in the next five years to cover the costs of replacing aging water infrastructure and adapting to climate change. That will mean that nearly 41 million households — or a staggering third of all US households — may not be able to afford water for drinking, bathing, and cooking by 2020.

Make America Dystopia Soon.
posted by dis_integration at 7:31 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

WaPo has the Comey story in a special "breaking news" banner at the top of the page now.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:34 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

What other explanation could there be?

I suspect the plan (and it isn't a bad one at this point) is for relevant staffers to distract and/or persuade Trump to let the Pentagon get on with the job in an example of truly benign neglect. ISIS is steadily going away and a Kurdish state is becoming somewhat more viable (see the US being willing to put troops on the ground near the Turkish border). I'm sure I'm not the only person with no desire at all for Trump to be messing that up.
posted by jaduncan at 7:35 AM on May 9, 2017

I wouldn't have thought there were any pegs left to take Ted Cruz down.

Also, something chilling about that video of Blum basically going, "Screw you guys, I'm taking my little pack of black kids and going home."
posted by Naberius at 7:36 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Make America Dystopia Soon.

Soon?

American civilization has already collapsed for tens of millions of people in this country and for tens of millions more it never existed at all. 1/3 of us without access to clean water is just a matter of dystopian degree.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:39 AM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

Cruz can always go lower. It's the one way in which he can be said to have depth.
posted by delfin at 7:40 AM on May 9, 2017 [36 favorites]

Pretty much done with them right now.

If there were a Broadway / Disneyesque song about post-11/9 corporate news, this is what it should be titled.
posted by petebest at 7:41 AM on May 9, 2017

TL;DR: The post-WWII infrastructure boom was great for the people who were alive at the time but it is 70 years on and a lot of that infrastructure is decaying and needs to be replaced.

its certainly a good thing that we continue to subsidize expensive infrastructure to serve incredibly low densities because it appears it totally pays for itself and is for reals sustainable
posted by entropicamericana at 7:42 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

The bonus question answer to "What corporate news network does Disney own?" is ABC News. ABC News. "ESPN" is not sufficient.
posted by petebest at 7:46 AM on May 9, 2017

Trump's secret plan to defeat ISIS is very real, and he has dispatched a team of investigators to Hawaii to retrieve it
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:46 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Secret Life of Gravy: America has a water crisis no one is talking about

Pay attention to local news and it'll come up: $80 million was set aside for water projects in New Mexico in 2014, and Samantha Bee recently highlighted that local news papers are the ones to break stories like Flint's water, and New Brunswick Water Utility that covered up water contamination in the town.

Water, like roads, are topics that are "unsexy" because they're just there. They're great and taken for granted because they generally work, until they don't, then people get upset and ask "why hasn't anything been done?" Because it's hard to get a lot of support to raise taxes or fees to overhaul dated infrastructure, especially when the infrastructure is a local issue, like water, wastewater, and local roads.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:47 AM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Mattis turned in his report on Feb. 27, and, according to senior officials, it is still sitting in the White House. In the 70 days since it landed on his desk, Trump has not responded to it, modified it, or approved it as policy.

People are still expecting him to act presidential, after all this time?
posted by Melismata at 7:47 AM on May 9, 2017

Justice Department and FBI officials are considering whether and how to clarify the misstatements

Calling them 'lies' would be a good start
posted by thelonius at 7:47 AM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Every time I start to think Comey might not be a weasel, he goes and does something weasily. He's now earned a permanent spot in my weasel category.

(I know I'm naive for being tempted to remove him from that category. I have to get rid of this habit of assuming it's possible for a Republican to try and do the right thing.)
posted by diogenes at 7:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Our current mayor is running for reelection (primary is next week and, like most cities, the Democratic primary is the real election) with mailers that state that safe, clean water is a human right because apparently this is up for debate now. 2017, folks.

(Pittsburgh is having its own Flint-light water crisis right now. Filters are being distributed starting this week.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:49 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

For some aspirational politics from a few days back: Elizabeth Warren: 'I wonder if America will ever be ready for a male president again' (The Hill, May 4, 2017)

During her keynote address at a gala for EMILY’s List, a PAC that aims to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, Warren said there is nothing but “bad news” coming out of the White House.

"The news out of the White House just keeps on coming: Bad news, bad news, bad news,” she said. "The way that things are going, if the next three years and 261 days are like Donald Trump’s first 100 days, I wonder if America will ever be ready for male president again.”

"We're going to shatter the glass ceiling into so many pieces that the Donald Trumps and Mitch McConnells of the world will never be able to put it back together again," she added.

posted by filthy light thief at 7:50 AM on May 9, 2017 [65 favorites]

According to a paper from researchers at Michigan State University, water prices will have to increase by 41 percent in the next five years

It's disappointing to see them fall into line with "market costs!". Water (and if I need to specify: fresh, clean, unpolluted) is a basic human need, and should fall under infrastructure spending.

Unfortunately, their interpretation is that costs must be immediately and directly passed onto the consumer, because FREE MARKET. Ugh.
posted by Dashy at 7:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Guys, his secret plan to defeat ISIS was "nuke them."
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

"Water, like roads, are topics that are "unsexy" because they're just there."

They are also non-partisan hot-button issues that spur incredible, united voter reaction. The Daley machine was brought down in a week by roads left impassible after a snowstorm.
posted by klarck at 7:55 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Yes indeed, cjelli. But it seems like all the media can do is wring its hands and say "hmm, gee, why isn't he looking at the papers on his desk?" I so wish they'd go a step or two further and say "Y'know, he is actually SUPPOSED to look at the papers on his desk, what a dufus" or what have you.
posted by Melismata at 7:55 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

The Soviet war in Afghanistan began in December 1979 to replace the existing communist government.

Jimmy Carter and Zbigniew Brzezinski started aiding opponents of the pro-Soviet government in July 1979 to try to lure the Soviet Union into Afghanistan, partially as revenge for the Soviet Union supporting the Viet Cong and North Vietnam in the Vietnam War.
posted by kirkaracha at 7:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I didn't know this site existed but it's very important
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:58 AM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

WaPo has the Comey story in a special "breaking news" banner at the top of the page now.

It's really unfortunate that the story does not actually specify the most important detail: that emails got onto the computer via backup. Without that detail, the entire story is fuzzy at best, and it's unclear what the problem with Comey's statement was. Still talks about 1000s of emails, where now "only a few" were actually forwarded.

But then, as the NYT editorial pointed out, it's just the 9999th detail that, overall, we needed to be covered a bit less breathlessly.

But her emails.
posted by Dashy at 7:59 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

If Net Neutrality is brought down, is there a way that its demise could lead to Twitter becoming unusable for the Donald?
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:04 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

No. It just means that Twitter would become much faster than Mastodon.
posted by jaduncan at 8:06 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Still talks about 1000s of emails, where now "only a few" were actually forwarded.

And none of them were marked classified at the time.
posted by diogenes at 8:12 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

House Speaker Paul Ryan to visit charter school in Harlem: sources: The Wisconsin Republican will visit a Harlem Success Academy Charter School on W. 118th St., staffers who work in the building said.

Other sources who knew of the plans confirmed the pending visit.

The high-performing charter school operated by Eva Moskowitz is the same Success Academy that Ivanka Trump visited on Feb. 18. Reps for Ryan and Moskowitz didn't respond to requests for comment
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:14 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I still think Comey is ambiguously-maybe-bad, and hope this email snafu doesn't end up forcing him to resign so that Trump gets to appoint his successor, who will be surely-no-mistaking-it-bad.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

I think Comey made a mistake, enthusiastically, by latching onto a narrative that made it sound more urgent to send the letter to Congress which resulted in President Trump.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:18 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Politico: Who has Trump’s ear? Often rich, white, Republican men.

The people who have met with Donald Trump since he became president tend to have a lot in common, according to a database POLITICO compiled from public documents, media accounts and its own reporting: They’re mostly male, largely Republican and often rich.

posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:18 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

It did seem implausible unless the Abedin-Weiner household spends half their income on ink cartridges
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:19 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Outgoing Democratic administrations are just put on the Pay No Mind List no matter how serious or non-partisan the matter is.

Jan 2001-
Clinton: And listen, this Osama Bin Laden guy, he's...
Bush: Yeah, yeah.
Clinton: No, look, we've got real problems with this Al Q....
Bush: Blah blah blah don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out

Jan 2017 -
Obama: By the way, this Flynn guy, he's poison, so...
Trump: He's beautiful. Have some chocolate cake.
Obama: I just fired the SOB, he's in bed with the Russians...
Trump: It's going to be 'uge. Buh-bye now.
posted by Smedleyman at 8:19 AM on May 9, 2017 [63 favorites]

In my more charitable moments, I imagine Comey returning to his office every morning only to find a couple thousand more brooms carrying even more buckets of water to an already overflowing cauldron.
posted by klarck at 8:21 AM on May 9, 2017 [70 favorites]

It's disappointing to see them fall into line with "market costs!". Water (and if I need to specify: fresh, clean, unpolluted) is a basic human need, and should fall under infrastructure spending.

Martin Luther King Jr., "Where Do We Go From Here?"

I want to say to you as I move to my conclusion, as we talk about "Where do we go from here?" that we must honestly face the fact that the movement must address itself to the question of restructuring the whole of American society. There are forty million poor people here, and one day we must ask the question, "Why are there forty million poor people in America?" And when you begin to ask that question, you are raising a question about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy.
...
And you see, my friends, when you deal with this you begin to ask the question, "Who owns the oil?" You begin to ask the question, "Who owns the iron ore?" You begin to ask the question, "Why is it that people have to pay water bills in a world that's two-thirds water?" These are words that must be said.

posted by indubitable at 8:23 AM on May 9, 2017 [49 favorites]

It shows how the President reacts under stress.

Hopefully the other nations of the world can see how badly he reacts, and temper their schemes accordingly

All responsible and non-Trumpian like
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:26 AM on May 9, 2017

House Speaker Paul Ryan to visit charter school in Harlem: sources: The Wisconsin Republican will visit a Harlem Success Academy Charter School on W. 118th St., staffers who work in the building said.

Looks like he's supposed to arrive soon. There's a small group of protestors assembled (chanting "die quick if you get sick" and "healthcare for all, not just for Paul"). Here's a livestream (currently chanting "greedy, cruel, and selfish too, Paul Ryan shame on you").
posted by melissasaurus at 8:31 AM on May 9, 2017 [33 favorites]

Hopefully the other nations of the world can see how badly he reacts, and temper their schemes accordingly

Oh, the world is watching, you can be sure of that.
posted by Too-Ticky at 8:32 AM on May 9, 2017

John Atcheson, BillMoyers.com: Why Progressives Need a Long-term Strategy, Built on Values

Ever since Trump got elected, there’s been a lot of talk about resistance. As the country marked Trump’s first 100 days, it reached a crescendo. Then Republicans in the House passed Trump care — one of the cruelest Bills in recent memory. The reason they can screw so many people with relative impunity, is that they’ve invested decades in creating a mega-narrative that insulates them from consequences.

Certainly, we must resist Trump’s destructive agenda in every way we can. But if progressives are to recapture the hearts and minds of America it will take far more than just resisting. It will require that progressives develop a long-term strategy that addresses the needs of people, not plutocrats, that is based on values, not tactics.

And that has to start with reclaiming the Democratic Party from the neoliberals. The alternative is to continue to lose elections at all levels, as Democrats have been doing with increasing frequency since they abandoned the New Deal and adopted the raw deal.

...

While conservatives are playing political chess and thinking several moves ahead, Democrats are playing political checkers and focusing on short-term excuses for losing the election — like the Russian email hacks — which as Norman Soloman pointed out, gives them a pretext to continue to blame their defeat on the Russians, rather than the fact that they ran candidates who put Wall Street over Main Street.

It is precisely this embrace of neoliberalism that has caused the Democratic Party’s long, slow slide into irrelevance. Back in the 1960s, half the registered voters claimed to be Democrats; today, 29 percent do. Republicans have been hovering somewhere near 25 percent during the same period, while winning elections.

posted by ZeusHumms at 8:35 AM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Wired: Anti-Vaxxers Brought Their War To Minnesota — And Then Came Measles

And they totally expected it. Over the last decade, anti-vaxxers have fortified this corner of Minneapolis into a bastion for pseudo-science. It all began with higher-than-normal rates of severe autism in the Somali community. And when state and university researchers failed to understand why the disorder hit so hard here, families went looking for answers elsewhere: friends, and the all-knowing internet. In came the anti-vax partisans, whose success with these frightened parents has turned the neighborhood into a beachhead for what should be a preventable disease.

I have the political equivalent of road rage.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:39 AM on May 9, 2017 [39 favorites]

Wired: Anti-Vaxxers Brought Their War To Minnesota — And Then Came Measles

Seems cynically strategic yet opportunistic.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:46 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Filthy Light Thief: Pay attention to local news and it'll come up

I was thinking about this Daily show segment: Brown in Town

What struck me was that the town of 3500 can not even bathe in their tap water, it is so toxic. The city manager laughed at the idea of having millions to replace the pipes, the county has not offered any help, the state of Texas won't help, and the Federal Government can't help. So these people pay their monthly water/sewage/trash bill of $120.00 and then spend another $120 a month to drink, give to pets, bathe, and wash dishes in. I suppose a hundred years ago a town would just not exist without a source of water like a river or wells or a lake but with ground water drying up and shared bodies of water being polluted it's easy for rural areas to find themselves without access to affordable, potable water.

Personal anecdote: all the old homes in my area had wells but at some point the town laid pipes and all those wells were filled in/sodded over/disappeared. The serious gardeners among us get together sometimes and fantasize about spending the thousands it would take to find those wells and make them operational so that when we have those three or four weeks during the summer when we have a drought we can save our trees/vegetables/ornamentals without racking up $300.00 water bills. I can't tell you how many hours I have spent on the weather page and scanning the doppler trying to figure out if I can hold off on watering.

Sure, recovering our wells may pay off in the future if our water bills sky rocket but so would putting in solar panels. And the truth is-- none of us really have a few thousand dollars to spare because we all have medical bills and houses that need a lot of TLC so they don't collapse around our ears.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:50 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Back in the 1960s, half the registered voters claimed to be Democrats; today, 29 percent do.

when the democrats can't capitalize on the real economic squeeze play that the middle and lower classes find themselves in, you know something has gone terribly wrong.
posted by murphy slaw at 8:52 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

If Donnie is still around in a year, every not-totally-right-wing politician is going to see the 2020 Democratic nomination as their route to the Presidency. There will be a hundred candidates. Debates will look like the Galactic Senate. But for now I am limited in my options and will have to support THE ROCK / ROQUE "ROCKY" DE LA FUENTE 2020
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

when the democrats can't capitalize on the real economic squeeze play that the middle and lower classes find themselves in, you know something has gone terribly wrong.

Taxes were turned into a racial thing instead of a class thing with the Southern Strategy. All of a sudden the racist elements of the WWC align themselves with management rather than giving all these newly enfranchised black people some sort of benefit from taxes.
posted by Talez at 8:56 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

It's like how when public schools were integrated white people went off and made their own private school system.
posted by Talez at 8:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Hi! I’m Congressman Steve Knight (R), and I Voted to Make People Die

Just one of SFWeekly's series of profiles of the seven California Republicans in blue-leaning districts who voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Also, Steve Knight is a guy with kind of a punchable face.
posted by zakur at 8:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

The diseased political media's latest adventure in BothSidesDoIt-ism, courtesy of CNN's Senior Trolling Corresponent Chris Cillizza, in which liberals believing the false (and subsequently corrected) reports about the destination of a few cases of Bud Light is totally the same as believing in PizzaGate.

If the media couldn't make false equivalences between liberals and conservatives, they couldn't make any equivalences at all, and then where would they be?

(Spoiler: In a position of actually having to do their job.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Back in the 1960s, half the registered voters claimed to be Democrats; today, 29 percent do

It doesn't help that there has been 30plus years of union busting and demonizing the word "liberal."
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:58 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

to hell with "liberal", let's just reclaim "socialist"
posted by murphy slaw at 9:01 AM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

Buzzfeed: These Federal Agencies Agreed To Conceal Some Of Their Communications From The Public

At least three federal government agencies have agreed to seemingly conceal official communications with a congressional committee from public information requests, following letters sent last month by the chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services.

Congressman Jeb Hensarling, a Republican from Texas, sent letters in April to the heads of several federal agencies his committee oversees, declaring that communications and documents produced between the two offices will remain in the committee's control and will not be considered "agency records" — therefore exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests.

"The Committee expects that the [government agency] will decline to produce any such congressional records in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act or any other provision of law or agreement," the letter reads in part.

Wondering if this is spontaneous, or had been planned for a while.
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:05 AM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

let's just reclaim "socialist"

For the first time, I've been thinking recently about joining the DSA. It's time for us to start yanking the Overton Window really hard back to the left.
posted by jammer at 9:06 AM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

Dashy It's disappointing to see them fall into line with "market costs!". Water (and if I need to specify: fresh, clean, unpolluted) is a basic human need, and should fall under infrastructure spending.

If we're going to start introducing "market costs" for water, how about we start with the mega farms? They're buying water from the Bureau of Reclamation (and sometimes the Army Corps of Engineers) that costs upwards of $100 per acre foot to get to them, but they're typically paying less than $10 per acre foot. The rest of the bill is paid by you and me.

Depending on how your municipality gets its water it could be paying easily upwards of $150 to $300 per acre foot (note: that's pre-treatment cost, after it's treated for human consumption it'll cost more). So we're already paying a lot for municipal water.

Keep your eye on the ball: agricultural use. If they're talking about increasing your cost for municipal water but they aren't talking about agriculture use they're trying to fuck you.
posted by sotonohito at 9:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

While the Senate (slowly) tries to decide what it wants to do to the healthcare system, the Trump administration is making Obamacare more expensive, with insurers raising prices significantly to accommodate uncertainty over whether the Administration will enforce the law or make premium payments.

Obamacare has some safeguards in place to help, but it may be too late to prevent a death spiral.

Obamacare has a rule that requires health insurance companies to refund premiums if, at the end of the year, it turns out that their actual medical payouts are less than 80% of premiums charged. This means that if the insurers are overly pessimistic about their projected expenses and overcharge, they have to refund the difference to customers. This is an explicit rule to limit insurance company profits. This actually works. I received a premium refund check back in 2013 because of this rule.

Unfortunately this may not help in this case. Insurers are now setting premiums for the 2018 year. If they overcharge, customers will not see their refunds until six months after the end of that year, around June 2019. In the mean time, many customers will be discouraged from buying over-priced policies because they can't wait around for 18 months to get refunds. And meanwhile Republicans will have a talking point about the soaring cost of Obamacare premiums.
posted by JackFlash at 9:18 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Secret Life of Gravy: Sure, recovering our wells may pay off in the future if our water bills sky rocket but so would putting in solar panels.

Unless wells are metered and managed regionally (by aquifer, ideally -- but that's often hard, as aquifers span local jurisdictions) excessive pumping can overdraw the groundwater "bank account" (USGS water education page; Archive.org copy, in case the current administration deems this information "false" or "counter-productive). In California, I dealt with moratoriums on new wells and expanded uses, even expanding of a restaurant, because seawater intrusion was already an issue in one community, while another agricultural region that had shifted from open-range cattle to vineyards had experienced land subsiding as underground aquifers were overdrawn.

In other words, water is something that requires a broad, regional if not national approach to address. That's not going to happen under the current administration, unless they fuck something up so badly that they're forced to address it.

Aquifers, as they are unseen resources, are the ultimate example of the tragedy of the commons.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:20 AM on May 9, 2017 [36 favorites]

The most clueless man in Washington.

The takeaway from Trump's first 100 days in office isn't a list of accomplishments or failures but rather a nugget of hard-won knowledge about the president himself: He is so comprehensively ignorant of policy and history, so thoroughly lacking in a core of settled beliefs or convictions, that the Oval Office might as well be unoccupied.

posted by scalefree at 9:22 AM on May 9, 2017 [46 favorites]

Teen's election to Pearland school board turns heads

While school boards have had student representatives for decades, Floyd is the youngest person in recent memory elected to a school board in Texas.

His candidacy also reflects the increasing competitiveness of school board races in Houston's suburbs as the districts become more diverse, as well as the rising political engagement of millennials since Donald Trump's election in November.[...]

Much of Floyd's platform focused on making Pearland ISD's school board more transparent by live-streaming meetings and scheduling public-comment periods after traditional work hours. He also staked out a strong position on transgender issues, insisting that such students be able to use the restroom of their gender identify. That put him at odds with Superintendent John Kelly, who has been outspoken in arguing that students use the restroom that corresponds to their birth certificates.

posted by melissasaurus at 9:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [51 favorites]

It doesn't help that there has been 30plus years of union busting and demonizing the word "liberal."

Side note: I'm in a bunch of Facebook groups with left-wing people 18-25, and these days I more commonly see the word liberal as a pejorative from the left. I don't think it's an easily reclaimable word. Progressive is better.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

I'm still utterly baffled by this belief that Comey is somehow an innocent who made a mistake.

He's a lifelong Republican. He had a personal grudge against the Clintons. Why start with the assumption that he was really a good guy who just somehow just made a horrible mistake? How about we apply Occam's Razor and start from the assumption that he was acting to achieve the result he got?

I can, very reluctantly, see the argument that Comey in charge for the FBI is better than whatever crazy far right person Trump would put in, but I'm not all that convinced. An open Trump partisan vs. the guy who threw the election to Trump? I can't say I see a whole lot of difference.

Either way, I'm still totally confused by why so many people seem to be going through such intense mental contortions to imagine that Comey is a good guy who just innocently made a horrible mistake. Is it just because Obama appointed him, or is there some evidence I'm missing?
posted by sotonohito at 9:25 AM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

Either way, I'm still totally confused by why so many people seem to be going through such intense mental contortions to imagine that Comey is a good guy who just innocently made a horrible mistake. Is it just because Obama appointed him, or is there some evidence I'm missing?

60 years of movies and television centered on heroic G-Men?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:27 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I just don't think Comey is enjoying this outcome. When he said he was mildly nauseous about handing the Presidency to Cheeto Benito, I think that was an understatement. He isn't on a personal crusade, he is trying to appease a Republican Congress, as well as a powerful right-wing faction in the FBI. That doesn't mean he's innocent, it just means his motivations are pro-Comey rather than anti-Clinton.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:29 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

I just don't think Comey is enjoying this outcome. When he said he was mildly nauseous about handing the Presidency to Cheeto Benito, I think that was an understatement. He isn't on a personal crusade, he is trying to appease a Republican Congress. That doesn't mean he's innocent, it just means his motivations are pro-Comey rather than anti-Clinton.

This. If Clinton was elected I'm entirely sure that we'd be having never ending congressional investigations and if it came out (which it most certainly would have) that Comey held off on new information he would have been crucified.
posted by Talez at 9:32 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Considering his tremendous personal responsibility in handing the election to Trump, I hope his food is as ashes in his mouth for the rest of his natural life.
posted by Autumnheart at 9:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [35 favorites]

Aquifers, as they are unseen resources, are the ultimate example of the tragedy of the commons.

Man. That is deep.
posted by valkane at 9:34 AM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

If Clinton was elected I'm entirely sure that we'd be having never ending congressional investigations and if it came out (which it most certainly would have) that Comey held off on new information he would have been crucified.

Comey's going to keep thinking he made the right call until the moment between the flash of light and the shockwave.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:35 AM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to investigate President Donald Trump’s business dealings with Russia

(Warning, weak sauce ahead.)
posted by Room 641-A at 9:37 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

This. If Clinton was elected I'm entirely sure that we'd be having never ending congressional investigations and if it came out (which it most certainly would have) that Comey held off on new information he would have been crucified.

As opposed to now, where we have zero congressional investigations, a couple half-hearted senate investigations, and where it *has* come out that Comey DID hold off on new information (about Trump's campaign being investigated for contact with Russia), and so far nobody seems real fired up about assembling a crucifix.

I agree that if Clinton had won, the Republican engine for manufacturing dirt on her would have redoubled to an unbelievable degree, but that would still be preferable to actual Nazis, incompetents and cronies in the White House.
posted by Autumnheart at 9:38 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Comey's going to keep thinking he made the right call until the moment between the flash of light and the shockwave.

Truth be told, I was so sure of a Clinton victory at that point I probably would have done the same as him in his shoes. Seven years of being pulled in front of Congress every time you so much as sneeze is not a fun prospect for anyone.
posted by Talez at 9:39 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

He isn't on a personal crusade, he is trying to appease a Republican Congress. That doesn't mean he's innocent, it just means his motivations are pro-Comey rather than anti-Clinton.

It can be both. James Comey: Naive Idiot or Just Republican isn't really a productive distinction at this point. The results matter, and his stated motivations have been proven falsified. His specific intent is irrelevant.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:40 AM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

I can't think where else to put this little "I told you so," so I'll shoehorn it here.

Followup to this comment on Indonesia.

March: Governor Ahok: "Some people are out to get me"

April: Governor Ahok on trial for "blasphemy." Extremist elements chummy with Trump gain in strength.

But, April 20, Pence went there and things are just fine.

"That Pence should be saying this after the most divisive and sectarian election in Indonesian history is flabbergasting," says Australian National University associate professor Greg Fealy.

May 9: Ahok jailed.
Islamic hardliners (like Islamic Defenders’ Front (FPI) supporter and Santa hat hater, Fadli Zon and Hary Tanoe) gain in strength.

So yeah. In 1965 there was a (CIA assisted) coup in Indonesia. That's back when the CIA was in its heyday and things spun out of control into mass murder, torture and chaos.

Now?

One of their main foreign policy strategies is proxy war. General Gatot Nurmantyo spoke at a private Christian university last year and said if there was, say, a food shortage in China and they tried to enter Indonesia by sea "we would simply kill 10 cows and dump their carcasses into the waters to attract sharks. Then we would fire at their boats to sink them and all of them would be eaten by the sharks.”
Got a big round of applause.

We have to stop treating Trump (et. al) as a cause. He's a symptom. There's a lot of crazy floating around looking for something to latch on to and it kills indiscriminately.
And some people are trying to make a buck off of it by making it worse.

I don't think there's a political spectrum right now. Left, right, whatever. A thousand men can be swayed by their prejudices faster and easier than one man can be persuaded by reason. Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed (preamble to UNESCO constitution)

I think right now, any act or communication that is first dedicated to truth is an act of rebellion.

"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives." - Abba Eban
posted by Smedleyman at 9:42 AM on May 9, 2017 [25 favorites]

it just means his motivations are pro-Comey rather than anti-Clinton.

As mentioned, it can be both. I think the best way to view Comey is (in order):

1) Pro-Comey
2) Anti-Clinton
3) Pro-Republicans
4) Agnostic/Mildly negative-Trump

So while he may not have been trying to elect Trump, he was definitely trying to cover his ass while hurting Clinton and helping Rs. And he was so blinded by #1-3/confident in polls, he didn't think through/care about the ramifications on #4.
posted by chris24 at 9:46 AM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

It's hard to square the Comey of today with the Comey who stopped Alberto Gonzalez from taking advantage of a hospitalized John Ashcroft to reauthorize Bush's domestic surveillance program, I think that's part of the tendency for people to keep hoping for better from him. But that episode was a long time ago, and while admirable, it's not like the Ashcroft DOJ was a good thing, it's just that Gonzalez was a worse actor in this incident. It was more a "the enemy of my enemy" situation.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:46 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

Raul Labrador Announces Bid For Governor: Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho) announced Tuesday that, instead of running for re-election in his safe Republican seat, he will run for governor of Idaho in 2018.

Labrador also made headlines last week when he said during a town hall that “Nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.” The comment was obviously wrong, and CNN rated Labrador as having the “worst week in Washington.”
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Raul Labrador Announces Bid For Governor.

First press conference.
REPORTER: If elected governor, will you shut down all the hospitals in Idaho?
LABRADOR: What are you talking about?
REPORTER: You said that no one dies from lack of access to health care. So hospitals are unnecessary, right?

Second verse, same as the first.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 9:55 AM on May 9, 2017 [55 favorites]

That doesn't mean he's innocent, it just means his motivations are pro-Comey rather than anti-Clinton.

Comey's entire career has been in investigating the Clintons though. I don't know whether he was personally against Hillary Clinton being president, but it's pretty much impossible that he doesn't have anti-Clinton animus, he's spent almost my entire lifetime earning money for investigating the Clintons.

One of his first jobs was in the SDNY under Giuliani, he was a deputy special counsel on the Whitewater investigation in the 90s, he was a lead in the investigation into Clinton's pardons in 2002, there was a whole thing about Sandy Berger mishandling classified documents (while acting as B. Clinton's agent) in the mid-2000s that he was involved in, and of course the emails.

The guy is as anti-Clinton as the rest of them, he just talks less.
posted by melissasaurus at 9:56 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

It's hard to square the Comey of today with the Comey who stopped Alberto Gonzalez from taking advantage of a hospitalized John Ashcroft to reauthorize Bush's domestic surveillance program, I think that's part of the tendency for people to keep hoping for better from him. But that episode was a long time ago...

Comey : Civil Servant : : McCain : Legislator
posted by tivalasvegas at 9:58 AM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Sean McElwee, Demos: Voter Suppression Works

Finally, Civis and Priorities compared turnout changes in counties in Wisconsin (which passed a strict ID law) and Minnesota (which did not, and has demographics similar to Wisconsin), by the percentage of African Americans in the county. As the chart shows, turnout in highly black counties declined dramatically more in Wisconsin than in Minnesota. Civis estimates that the turnout decline attributable to voter ID in Wisconsin was enough to swing the state from Clinton to Trump.

posted by tonycpsu at 10:04 AM on May 9, 2017 [50 favorites]

Senate Republicans just left their healthcare meeting -- they're ok with the Medicaid cuts. Hit the phones folks.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:08 AM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

Sean McElwee, Demos: Voter Suppression Works

Remember, Republicans' vote suppression shenanigans are an overt admission that they can't win a popular vote.
posted by Gelatin at 10:10 AM on May 9, 2017 [35 favorites]

Was just quoting that myself, cjelli, to point out that it's fun what you can do when you just define the baseline where you want. On the other hand, the Bush tax cuts expiring was a tax increase because the taxes had been low!

I guess there's a hint of consistency there - the base is always the lowest level! Lowest ever spending on the needy? Proper baseline! Lowest contribution from the wealthiest? Proper baseline!

Let's apply that to "Toomey being in Congress." For most of history you weren't a Senator, clearly that's the proper baseline.
posted by phearlez at 10:23 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

The guy is as anti-Clinton as the rest of them, he just talks less.

and smiles more
posted by entropicamericana at 10:23 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Coming out of Republican health meeting Sen. Toomey (PA) says the AHCA's $840 billion Medicaid cut is not really a cut because Medicaid spending is higher than pre-Obamacare rates. And since Republicans promised to repeal Obamacare, it's just going back to normal.

And a tax increase to 91% on income above $200,000 isn't a tax hike. Since Ds have been saying they're going to raises taxes on the rich, it's just going back to normal when the US had the best growth post-WWII.
posted by chris24 at 10:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

That's some spectacularly spurious logic.

Read it as "The periods from 1954-1968 and 2008-2016 were unfortunate aberrations from the Real American policy of white supremacy" and it makes more sense.

Making America Great (and sick, and controlled by the right people) Again.
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:25 AM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Comey's entire career has been in investigating the Clintons though.

I keep thinking back to a comment I wrote months ago about Comey and Clinton. Comey knows where all the figurative bodies are buried when it comes to the Clinton's. He is either a partisan hack who helped influence the election for Trump (definitely possible) or there is something he knows about the Clinton's that caused him to act in the manner he did to thwart a Clinton 2.0 presidency. I'm trying to rationalize his behavior and in doing so I'm also treading deep into tinfoil-hat-conspiracy-theory territory. Problem is, every time I think the 2016 election and aftermath can't get any more fucked up something is revealed that breaks my brain yet again. I accept that we may never have a full accounting of what took place before the election and what is happening right now. I'm all but convinced that Trump is going to be with us for the duration and that if the elections of 2018 don't produce a bumper crop of freshman democratic congress critters committed to blocking the Republican agenda the U.S. will continue to stumble it's way towards marginalization and failed-state status.

JFC, I hope I'm wrong. I'll even bake a cake if I am.
posted by photoslob at 10:28 AM on May 9, 2017

Pat Fucking Toomey is and will always be terrible. I have zero hope of anything I say ever swaying him, at this point I'm only calling/writing/faxing his offices for the sheer vindictive pleasure of knowing I am taking up his staffers' time that they cannot therefore be using to do his evil bidding.
posted by Stacey at 10:28 AM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

there was a whole thing about Sandy Berger mishandling classified documents

Every once and a while, I remember that Sandy Berger stuffed five copies of a classified report down his pants in an attempt to smuggle them out of the National Archives, and I truly hope I live long enough for that thing to be declassified so we can find out why the heck he found that necessary.

Anyhoo, Spicey Time.
posted by zachlipton at 10:28 AM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

The White House is reportedly looking to get some women on the Senate working group for healthcare. Or, in the words of an SAO who could not be describe tokenism any better if he was literally holding a token: "you'll see those optics addressed."
posted by zachlipton at 10:31 AM on May 9, 2017 [36 favorites]

Comey doesn't have to be a crazy evil mastermind or a bumbling idiot to explain anything here. By far the simplest explanation is: he is a coward (much like most people, especially the current and recent residents of Washington DC) who believed that he could have his cake and eat it too. He thought that Clinton was a lock, so any "minor" malfeasance he did to please fascist friends was fine.
posted by TypographicalError at 10:32 AM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

The White House should ask Mitt Romney if they can borrow his binders full of women.
posted by agregoli at 10:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

he is a coward (much like most people, especially the current and recent residents of Washington DC)

There are well over a half a million residents of DC, which is also the only member of the Electoral College that has never once voted for a GOP candidate for President. There's no reason to lump them in with Congresspeople that are an almost entirely transient population, and certainly not with the ones who are and continue to be evil cowards.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:40 AM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

he is a coward (much like most people, especially the current and recent residents of Washington DC)

Excuse me. Please do not equate the heavily minority residents of the District of Columbia, a district without representation in the halls of power, with the people the rest of the country elected to send here.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:41 AM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

“Finally finished that Yates hearing. How exhausting. The poise and professionalism of that woman is just incredible.”

Had this in my head all day.

The White House should ask Mitt Romney if they can borrow his binders full of women.

Wouldn't want to leak unclassified information though.
posted by Smedleyman at 10:43 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Officials: Trump Approves Plan to Arm Syrian Kurds

Why does this matter? Obviously, it matters in terms of the war and the people caught in the middle and Trump's statement last month that we aren't getting involved in Syria, but it also links back to Flynn. As I've discussed here previously, the Obama Administration prepared a detailed plan to retake Raqqa, centered around arming Kurdish fighters. It's a rather touchy subject, because those fighters are more-or-less the same people Turkey considers a terrorist group and their greatest threat, and Turkey is still a member of NATO.

A few days before the inauguration, Obama's national security advisor handled over the plans to Trump's national security advisor, yep, Michael Flynn, who immediately slammed on the brakes. Obama viewed the issue as so important that he would discuss it with Trump on the way to the inauguration. Yet the plan was dead on arrival when Trump took office. Which—ok—there are a number of not at all unreasonable arguments against the plan, but it's a problem when the guy most responsible for killing it just wrapped up a career as a foreign agent for the Turkish government, one he failed to disclose.

So now Flynn is gone and the plan, or some variation of it, appears to be back on.
posted by zachlipton at 10:44 AM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

Spicy is running late.

He's not late, he's just running on Spicey time.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:44 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Josh Marshall offers a starter pack for Lindsay Graham on his quest to investigate Trump's business ties to Russia
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

much like most people, especially the current and recent residents of Washington DC

Yeah for fuck's sake can we not do this again?

The District of Columbia is not the government, there are more people who live here than in the entire state of Wyoming, most of us are not connected in any specific way to the current administration, we are pretty-well represented on MeFi, we pay taxes and get told by these fuckers in Congress what we can and can't spend them on, and every time you (not specifically you) do this a whole bunch of us are mad and sad.
posted by aspersioncast at 10:51 AM on May 9, 2017 [27 favorites]

From the article on the most clueless man in Washington:

"When the man holding the office of the presidency gives a speech or an interview, or when he tweets, it's news. But the rest of us — even those of us paid to analyze these presidential statements and actions — can respond to them in the right way, as what they really are. And what they are is a thoroughgoing distraction, a sick joke, a novel, outlandish, and corrosive form of mass entertainment."

The phrase 'a novel, outlandish, and corrosive form of mass entertainment' is beautiful in its comprehensive summary of our current political situation.

I wish I could cross stitch so I could put it on a sampler with dead weeping trees all around it.
posted by winna at 10:55 AM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

The Continuing Death of The New York Times, Part MCMXCVIII:

The New York Times allowed an anti-choice group to write a press release on the op-ed page

We can probably blame the paper’s both-sidesism for today’s piece. In April, it ran a column by Bryce Covert arguing that abortion access is indeed an economic issue. Perhaps that’s how Times management justified its decision to publish Szala. Covert’s piece, however, contained facts. Szala’s contains disturbing factual omissions: She neglects to note that, according to the best research available, 95 percent of women who get abortions don’t regret their decisions. Or that a full three-fourths of women who get abortions cite a lack of money to care for a child as one of their motivations.

Like her coworker’s previous effort, Szala simply rehashes old arguments against abortion access. And she frames these old arguments in the most hyperbolic language possible. “Parenting presents undeniable challenges, but no one argues that those challenges give parents the right to kill their children,” she asserts. This is not a sincere attempt to engage in an intellectual discussion about abortion access and economic justice. It doesn’t actually tell us anything new about pro-life beliefs. The Times could have reprinted the comment section of LifeSiteNews to largely the same effect.

posted by tonycpsu at 10:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [35 favorites]

Officials: Trump Approves Plan to Arm Syrian Kurds

So that must presumably involve the until-recently communist-led YPG? OMG I am going to love relating this to my conservative friends and acquaintances.
posted by XMLicious at 10:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

BRO. Really. I listened to it.

Journalists Are Nosy’: Trump Advisor Says It’s Totally Reasonable Not to Want Them Around

Cuomo: They wouldn’t let journalists into that meeting that they had in China. Why, Anthony?
Scaramucci: Because journalists are nosy and journalists throw the eggs.
Cuomo: Good thing. Good thing they are.
Scaramucci: Okay. I’m glad you’re throwing eggs, bro.
Cuomo: I’m not throwing eggs. I’m throwing facts. There’s a difference.
posted by Room 641-A at 10:59 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

melissasaurus: Teen's election to Pearland school board turns heads

Mike Floyd wasn't surprised when the Dawson High School principal called him into the front office Monday. The 18-year-old senior had just been elected to Pearland ISD's Board of Trustees Saturday night, upsetting 6-year incumbent Rusty DeBorde. Floyd figured school leaders would want to go over details for the three days before graduation during which he would be both a high school student and a sworn-in trustee.

What he didn't expect was for the principal and a room full of assistant principals to break into applause as he walked in.

"That was pretty unusual," Floyd said, laughing before talking about the task at hand. "I think I'm up for the job, I can do it. I ran because I think I am qualified, and now's my chance to prove it."
...
He does have a big decision to make - should he sit with other trustees or with his fellow students at Dawson High's graduation?

"I have to think about it," Floyd said. "I've been with some of these same people for the past 13 years and want to graduate with them, but I want to show them this is what you can do: You can win public office."

Fook yah, Mike Floyd!

The article also mentions Run For Something, "a candidate-recruitment group created to encourage liberal-leaning candidates younger than 35 to run for public office, has seen a surge of interest since it was launched on Inauguration Day 2017."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:00 AM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

Trump appoints Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne as regional HUD administrator: "As Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne's second mayoral term ends, the Republican known for speaking out against illegal immigration and Sharia begins overseeing housing and urban development for five states."

This would be the Islamophobe mayor who led a panic over Sharia law and ran around calling Ahmed Mohamed's clock "a hoax bomb" and sat by while he was called a terrorist.
posted by zachlipton at 11:00 AM on May 9, 2017 [25 favorites]

Spicey is on.
posted by prefpara at 11:08 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

It's just all so very very depressing. WTF is going to happen when there's
A) a major attack on/in the US
B) a major acute natural catastrophe (earthquake, fires, hurricanes, asteroid...)
C) unknown disruption on a nation/worldwide scale (M=Giant solar flare that takes out the grid)
D)????

These days I can barely find reasons to keep working, much less some game changer like any of the above coming into play.

Fuck.
posted by yoga at 11:08 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

This is just gross: Trump team marks 6-month election anniversary by vowing to air video of Clinton campaign’s concession call

Sometimes it’s fun to go back to your high-school and impress the current generation of students with how accomplished you are because now you can legally buy beer.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:09 AM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

B) a major acute natural catastrophe (earthquake, fires, hurricanes, asteroid...)

Or, say, a massive structural collapse at the Hanford site.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 11:10 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Spicer's first question is about the 18 days on Flynn. Well done, reporters. Spicer is blaming Yates.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:12 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

"I'll never fire Spicer. He has great ratings! Everyone tunes in!"
posted by valkane at 11:14 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Spicer is saying that Yates isn't credible because she "wasn't exactly" a supporter of the POTUS agenda. Cites her refusal to defend the Muslim ban.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:15 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Spicer called Yates a "political opponent of the president"
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:15 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Spicer dismissed Yates' warning as "a heads up from a political opponent of the President".
posted by Justinian at 11:15 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Spicey is basically saying that Yates was such a partisan hack that the White House couldn't act on her information quickly. I hope all of his burps taste like cough syrup forever.
posted by prefpara at 11:15 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Spicer just described Trump's goal as "reducing the threat" from ISIS in Afghanistan. After some drama, he quickly realized that "eliminate" is the Trump-approved word he was looking for.
posted by zachlipton at 11:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Officials: Trump Approves Plan to Arm Syrian Kurds

if the Trump admin is so inept that they end up tripping over their own dick and arming the only openly socialist faction in the Syrian civil war, one so radically equal that it has its own divisions of women soldiers, then I'm not about to complain.

i do hope it doesn't scuttle whatever deal the Obama admin struck with Turkey that kept them from invading Syria to kill Kurds.
posted by indubitable at 11:17 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Spicey doesn't know if Trump has talked to Erdogan about arming the Kurds. I guess that's a no.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:18 AM on May 9, 2017

roomthreeseventeen: Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho) announced Tuesday that, instead of running for re-election in his safe Republican seat, he will run for governor of Idaho in 2018.

Interesting - the Wikipedia page on the Idaho gubernatorial election, 2018 currently states that
1) Clement Leroy "Butch" Otter [I'm biting my tongue so hard right now] isn't pursuing re-election, but
2) Brad Little, Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, is, alongside
3) Tommy Ahlquist, businessman and former emergency physician, and
4) Raúl “Nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care” Labrador is the fourth Republican to declare their intent to run for governor of Idaho.

The only Democrat who has yet declared is Troy Minton, who I am informed is homeless, per a Wikipedia citation of an article on laws targeting homeless people -- though that article doesn't mention that this Troy Minton is running for Governor, so it could be a different Troy Minton.

The 2014 Idaho gubernatorial race wasn't close, and Idaho hasn't had a Democratic governor since Cecil D. Andrus was handily voted in back in 1990.

Good luck, Idaho!
posted by filthy light thief at 11:19 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Note that they didn't just announce the plan to arm syrian kurds, spicey says he doesn't know if Trump has spoken about this plan with Turkey.
posted by Justinian at 11:19 AM on May 9, 2017

“I’ll never fire Spicer. He has great ratings! Everyone tunes in!”

The truest thing the President has ever said.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:20 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

When politicians complain about politics, you know you've found a vein.
posted by rhizome at 11:20 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

let's not pretend that trump knows what a Kurd is, let alone that he talked to erdogan about them
posted by murphy slaw at 11:21 AM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

Spicer's new line on the 18 days before Flynn was fired: "we're not going to re-litigate the past."

Smooth. Real smooth.
posted by zachlipton at 11:22 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

he probably thinks there's some Rambo-like supersoldier named Kurt who's gonna take care of ISIS 80s-action-movie-style once they send him some cool guns
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:22 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

let’s not pretend that trump knows what a Kurd is, let alone that he talked to erdogan about them

“Why are all these curds in your whey? Terrible!”
posted by Going To Maine at 11:23 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

"we're not going to re-litigate the past."

What, does Spicey read metafilter?
posted by valkane at 11:23 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

Damn, Sara Murray! "Can you tell us what the President is doing with his time lately?"
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:23 AM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

Spicer's new line on the 18 days before Flynn was fired: "we're not going to re-litigate the past."

No, but if 2018 goes well, we'll hopefully prosecute the crimes.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

he probably thinks there's some Rambo-like supersoldier named Kurt who's gonna take care of ISIS 80s-action-movie-style once they send him some cool guns

to be fair your average Kurd matches this description pretty closely
posted by murphy slaw at 11:24 AM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Spicer just rolled out the Clapper "no evidence" lie.
posted by diogenes at 11:25 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

The BIG LIE small hands administration.
posted by valkane at 11:26 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Spicer says it was "widely rumored" that Yates supported Clinton.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:27 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Wait, is Certified Mail really the gold standard of truth in Trump's world?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 11:27 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

C'mon White House Press Corp, you've gotta point out that Clapper didn't say that!
posted by diogenes at 11:27 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Jack Posobiec is in the briefing. This is the guy who just spread #Macronleaks and was a prominent pizzagate figure, to the extent he went to the restaurant and Periscoped live, wandering uninvited into a child's birthday party in a private party room and being thrown out with the assistance of the police. This is the guy they credentialed.
posted by zachlipton at 11:28 AM on May 9, 2017 [60 favorites]

Spicer: Yates' decision not to enforce the original travel ban retroactively justifies the White House not sharing it with her before executing it. Or something.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:28 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Has Sally Yates ever talked about running for president?
posted by dilaudid at 11:29 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Also present in the pool is Lee Stranahan, who used to work for Breitbart until last month, when he left to work for Russian state outlet Sputnik.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:30 AM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

More and more I'm surprised they actually fired Flynn. Leaving a blatant Russian spy in place then acting outraged when it is questioned is way more their style.

(Note that they're probably still riddled with Russian spies anyway and Trump remains a useful idiot.)
posted by Artw at 11:30 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I'd vote for her.
posted by valkane at 11:30 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yates' decision not to enforce the original travel ban retroactively justifies the White House not sharing it with her before executing it. Or something.

And it also somehow retroactively justifies ignoring her when she warned them about Flynn...
posted by diogenes at 11:32 AM on May 9, 2017

Re the Afghanistan article about Zbiggy's lure,

In 1983 we returned to Kabul with Harvard Negotiation Project Director Roger Fisher for ABC’s Nightline. Our aim was to establish the credibility of the American claims. We discovered from high level Soviet officials that the Kremlin wanted desperately to abandon the war but the Reagan administration was dragging its feet.

From the moment they entered office, the Reagan administration demanded that the Soviets withdraw their forces, while at the same time keeping them pinned down through covert action so they couldn’t leave. Though lacking in facts and dripping in right wing ideology, this hypocritical campaign was embraced by the entire American political spectrum and continues to be willfully-unexamined by America’s mainstream media.

All roads of shit lead to Reagan.
posted by petebest at 11:32 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

I don't understand Spicer's argument that Yates could not be trusted because she overruled other DOJ attorneys (duh, she was the Attorney General of the United States) and concluded that the travel ban was illegal. After all, the judiciary agreed with her and the White House drafted a new one rather than defend it.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:33 AM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

I'd vote for her in a hot minute. We need good people doing good things, not bad people doing bad things. Why is this so hard? Grrrrrrr! Why are there more stupid people than smart people? It's like a conspiracy or something!
posted by valkane at 11:34 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

I don't understand Spicer's argument that Yates could not be trusted because she overruled other DOJ attorneys

His argument doesn't make sense based on how the law works, and it doesn't make sense based on how time works.
posted by diogenes at 11:35 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Spicer is now basically saying that Yates was incompetent and unclear, because you "don't ask someone to come back" and explain themselves if you understood them the first time.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:35 AM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I don't understand Spicer's argument

It's not an intellectual position, Spicer is a dancing puppet to entertain the press. Jangling keys would work just as well or better as jangling keys don't lie as much.
posted by petebest at 11:36 AM on May 9, 2017 [35 favorites]

unfortunately, the best thing for sally yates to do is remain steadfastly non-partisan until the entire administration gets frog-marched out of the white house. and even after that, if she enters politics there will be folks that say it proves that the impeachment was a set-up.
posted by murphy slaw at 11:37 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

More and more I'm surprised they actually fired Flynn. Leaving a blatant Russian spy in place then acting outraged when it is questioned is way more their style.

Look at the timeline. They didn't fire Flynn when they were told he was compromised. They didn't fire Flynn after the WH Counsel saw the evidence. They didn't fire Flynn after the "Flynn lied" story came out. The point when they finally fired Flynn was when the story came out that the White House knew Flynn lied for weeks and did nothing. And Trump was still defending him after he was fired.

He wasn't fired because of what he did; he was fired because they got caught covering it up. Cutting Flynn loose was their effort to end the drama without it spreading to everyone else involved in the coverup.

Remember that Trump was personally involved in that coverup. They've acknowledged that Trump was told about the situation after Yates met with McGahn.
posted by zachlipton at 11:38 AM on May 9, 2017 [76 favorites]

It sounds like Spicer is going with the Marion Barry defense here.
posted by peeedro at 11:39 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Still even then I'm surprised they fired him. These fuckers wander around with two cookie jars for hands forever and everybody lets them.
posted by Artw at 11:39 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

They've called him on the Clapper "no evidence" lie and Spicer's response is to blame the media. For... something. Damn that guy is difficult to follow.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:40 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

They've called him on the Clapper "no evidence" lie

Finally! Who was that?
posted by diogenes at 11:41 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

the idea that Yates couldn't be trusted on January 26th or 27th because of events that wouldn't happen for another three or four days is to reject the notion of linear time.

Who are you going to believe? Me or that lying space-time contiuum?
posted by joyceanmachine at 11:41 AM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

Damn that guy is difficult to follow

That does seem to be his only actual qualification.
posted by aspersioncast at 11:42 AM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Who are you going to believe? Me or that lying space-time contiuum?

Can you prove Spicy doesn't have a wormhole?
posted by chris24 at 11:42 AM on May 9, 2017

Finally! Who was that?

I didn't catch his name -- the guy sitting next to John Roberts from Fox.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:44 AM on May 9, 2017

Finally! Who was that?

Major Garrett
posted by zachlipton at 11:44 AM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Me or that lying space-time continuum?

The space-time continuum is definitely taking a beating today. Spicer is still claiming that Flynn was fired only because he lied to Pence, and that also runs into issues with linear time.
posted by diogenes at 11:44 AM on May 9, 2017

Thanks zachlipton - that's him.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:46 AM on May 9, 2017

Can you prove Spicy doesn't have a wormhole?

"The worm is the Spicer. The Spicer is the worm."
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:47 AM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

Finally! Who was that?

Major Garrett

He had a lot of good questions. I wish he's driven home the ramifications of getting Spicer to accept what Clapper actually said during the hearing (i.e. that Trump's "no evidence" claim is now factually indefensible).
posted by diogenes at 11:47 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

History will show that Sean Spicer took a job defending one of the worst presidents in US history. At least none of us have to face that. I mean, I've been depressed for a long while now, but at least I'm not Sean Spicer. That guys liver will most likely eat him.
posted by valkane at 11:47 AM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

He doesn't have to face it. Nobody's stopping him from resigning.
posted by dilaudid at 11:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

sean spicer looks like a picture of sean spicer where they shrunk his face in photoshop
posted by murphy slaw at 11:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

Last week I sent a quick note to my new Congressperson about his TERRIBLE vote in favor of AHCA (it's Dana Rohrabacher of CA 48!) (a month ago my Congressperson was Mark DeSaulnier of CA 11, whom I miss terribly). Anyway, Representative Rohrabacher wrote back!

Dear Mr. You:

Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

As you may know, H.R. 1628 was introduced by Representative Diane Black of Tennessee on March 20, 2017, and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Budget. If enacted, this bill would, among other things, significantly modify laws and regulations relating to health insurance in the United States by amending the budgetary portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, also known as “Obamacare”. These changes include, but are not limited to: (1) repeal of the individual mandate to purchase health insurance, (2) repeal of the employer requirement to offer health insurance to employees if the company retains 50 employees or more, (3) repeal of the Medicaid expansion, which allowed states to consider individuals with income at 133% of the poverty line eligible for Medicaid, (4) repeal of cost-sharing subsidies, and (5) the establishment of a refundable tax credit to assist those affected by these changes with the purchase of health insurance.

Contrary to false claims by opponents of this legislation, this bill maintains protections for those with pre-existing conditions. It does allow state governments more flexibility to meet the needs of their residents by allowing them to apply for waivers from some of the ACA’s costliest mandates that will remain in place, including essential health benefits, age ratings, and community ratings. Nevertheless, states would only be eligible for these waivers if they have a program to assist those with pre-existing conditions, who will retain protection from the denial or ending of coverage based on their medical status. These waivers would only allow a state to modify the amount that insurers charge them for coverage, and only if the individual does not maintain consistent coverage by going 63 days without insurance. Even then, surcharges would be limited to one year of premiums and no more than a 30% increase.

Some have claimed that Congressional Republicans exempted themselves from the effects of the legislation they wish to enact. This is also a false narrative intended to enlist opposition to the bill. Senate rules prohibited the inclusion of a provision to undo the existing exemption, which was codified in the Public Health Service Act. This is important, because its inclusion would mean that 60 votes would be required to pass the AHCA in the Senate, rather than a simple majority. To address this problem, the House voted on a stand-alone piece of legislation to correct it. H.R. 2192, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to eliminate the non-application of certain state waiver provisions to Members of Congress and congressional staff passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 429-0 just before the vote on the AHCA. It is now awaiting action in the Senate.

The ACA is a flawed law that has inflicted economic harm throughout the nation since its enactment in 2010. The 111th Congress, in an attempt to address the lack of health insurance coverage for a significant number of Americans, prescribed heavy-handed federal regulation, massive taxes, and onerous compliance mandates for businesses of all sizes. These and other provisions of the ACA have not worked for healthcare consumers and resulted in skyrocketing premiums, lost coverage, and the loss of the ability to choose plans that best fit their needs. Moreover, all across the nation, health insurance companies have pulled out of the ACA’s exchanges, leaving many states and counties with fewer, and in some cases zero options. This is unacceptable, and many of the promises that President Obama and congressional Democrats made have been broken. Knowing that this would ensue, I have voted to repeal the ACA each time the House of Representatives has considered legislation to do so. Accordingly, I voted in favor of H.R. 1628, which passed the House of Representatives on May 4, 2017, by a vote of 217-213, and it is now awaiting action in the Senate.

While I acknowledge the bill is not perfect, this is the first step among many to repeal and replace a failing law. We must act before the ACA completes the process of collapse it is currently undergoing. I believe the AHCA will better serve the American people by fostering a more patient-friendly, market-oriented health insurance market, and I look forward to working with the Senate on a bill that can be sent to the President’s desk for signature.

Again, thank you for giving me the benefit of your views. Please continue to keep me informed on any federal issue of importance to you.

Sincerely,

Dana Rohrabacher
Member of Congress

Later today maybe I'll take the time to rebut. Sharing here as the talking points regarding the nature of the state waiver are likely all from the same source (Crazy Dana sure couldn't have concocted them), and may be appearing in letters from your own MOCs.
posted by notyou at 11:48 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

I didn't catch his name -- the guy sitting next to John Roberts from Fox.

As zachlipton said, it's Major Garrett, but he is formerly of Fox. He's now Chief WH Correspondent for CBS News.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:49 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

And.... Spicey out.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 11:49 AM on May 9, 2017

Major Garrett? The Star Trek babe?
posted by valkane at 11:51 AM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Chelsea Manning on Impending Release: ‘Freedom Used to Be Something I Dreamed Of’: The ACLU, which represents Manning in an ongoing 2014 lawsuit against the Department of Defense over access to gender-related medical care, told NBC News they were unable to determine the exact day next week that Manning will go free. Earlier reports suggested May 17 as a likely release date.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:51 AM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

While conservatives are playing political chess and thinking several moves ahead

I believe you are referring to the alternate timeline here.
posted by corb at 11:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

MetaFilter: lacking in facts and dripping in right wing ideology
posted by kirkaracha at 11:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

My favorite was Spicey explaining that Trump has hired DC lawyers to send a certified lawyer to Lindsey Graham stating he has no financial ties to Russia.

To rip off A Few Good Men:
"A certified letter?" Is that how it's done? Hm? "Letter, your Congressman!" "Not good enough" "No, no. a certified letter." "Oh! A certified letter. Then I'll take some time and reconsider."

A certified letter means you paid the Post Office an extra $3.35. It's as certified as Paul Ryan's AHCA pitch was VERIFIED.
posted by zachlipton at 11:56 AM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

My favorite was Spicey explaining that Trump has hired DC lawyers to send a certified lawyer to Lindsey Graham stating he has no financial ties to Russia.

Maybe they'll put the certified letter in a manila folder on a table next to a podium. That would make it really official.
posted by diogenes at 12:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [27 favorites]

We could all send certified letters to the White House stating we don't like him and hope he would resign. Certified!
posted by notyou at 12:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Major Garrett? The Star Trek babe?

no, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent
posted by entropicamericana at 12:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Early splits appear as Senate Republicans confront Medicaid choice

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) told reporters Tuesday that he supports eventually effectively rolling back the Medicaid expansion by ending the extra federal money for it, as long as there is a "soft landing."

But Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) told The Hill that she wants the expansion of coverage to remain, though she said it did not have to be in the same form.

Portman is backsliding, he previously was believed to want to preserve the Medicaid expansion.

If you are represented by any Republican Senators, now is a really really good time to call up their office and let them know that preserving the Medicaid expansion is important to you.
posted by zachlipton at 12:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Man, I don't know how many more times I can call Rob Portman and tell him that we believe in totally opposite things. It doesn't seem to be making a difference.
posted by ChuraChura at 12:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

A certified letter means you paid the Post Office an extra $3.35.

$3.35 for the letter and $30-60 for 6-12 minutes of some associate's time taking this down to the mailroom.
posted by Copronymus at 12:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Man, I don't know how many more times I can call Rob Portman and tell him that we believe in totally opposite things. It doesn't seem to be making a difference.

At the least your Portman calls keep you engaged with the issues and armed with arguments and counter-arguments for use elsewhere.
posted by notyou at 12:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

CNN delivers a handy visual aid. Maybe someone at the FBI could take a look at it.
posted by murphy slaw at 12:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Man, I don't know how many more times I can call Rob Portman and tell him that we believe in totally opposite things.

If they know your vote has been lost and cannot be regained, you are much less significant.
posted by Going To Maine at 12:16 PM on May 9, 2017

I mean, I suppose? Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I call, say my piece, ask the intern to repeat it back to me, and they promise to pass it on. And then he votes Republican. I don't feel engaged in the political process, I just feel like I'm banging my head against the wall and being ignored by my representatives. I guess it's better to be actively ignored by my representatives than passively ignored, but it's very frustrating.
posted by ChuraChura at 12:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

NYT F.B.I. to Clarify Comey’s Testimony on Clinton Emails

The F.B.I. plans to send a letter to Congress on Tuesday clarifying testimony last week by its director, James B. Comey, about how classified information ended up on the laptop of the disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner, according to law enforcement officials.
...
The F.B.I. found that two emails that Ms. Abedin forwarded to Mr. Weiner contained classified information. Ten other emails that were backed up on Mr. Weiner’s laptop contained classified information.

Why do I suspect that this will just be used to start another round of screaming about emails containing classified information (they didn't bear markings indicating classification), while completely ignoring the Trump Transition's mishandling of classified documents?
posted by zachlipton at 12:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Listening to Spicer prompted me to look up an old Doonesbury:

Ron Ziegler: Okay, who'd like a press briefing?
Ziegler: ...in sum, then, the information available to me at this time does correspond to my knowledge at the time of my previous statement.
Reporter: That was beautiful, Ron.
Ziegler: Any other questions?
Hugh Sidey: Yes, I have one, Ron.
Ziegler: Yes, Mr. Sidey?
Sidey: Ron, sometimes I imagine you must get up in the morning, look in the mirror before you've shaven, and think to yourself, "Ron, you're about to begin another day of evasion and deceit." Here's my question Ron: What do you do after you've come to such a realization?
Ziegler: I shave.
posted by Killick at 12:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [58 favorites]

I guess it's better to be actively ignored by my representatives than passively ignored, but it's very frustrating.

I don't know if it's any worse or better to have a single lowly "shadow" representative who is totally on your side but whose vote doesn't actually count, but . . . I feel you.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

$3.35 for the letter and $30-60 for 6-12 minutes of some associate's time taking this down to the mailroom.

That means the billing rate is about $300 an hour. Pretty sure that you can't even get a first year associate at a DC firm of any repute to get out of bed for $300 an hour. And the partner who handles the matter and signs the letter is almost certainly in the $800-$1000 an hour range.

(Out of professional nosiness, I'm wildly curious which DC firm. Trump seems to use mostly niche boutiques, but apparently uses Morgan for his tax work.)
posted by joyceanmachine at 12:20 PM on May 9, 2017

Heh, Killick. Did you know that Doonesbury has been covering Trump for 30 years?
posted by Melismata at 12:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Pretty sure that you can't even get a first year associate at a DC firm of any repute to get out of bed for $300 an hour. And the partner who handles the matter and signs the letter is almost certainly in the $800-$1000 an hour range.

Never forget that these are bad people who in a just world would be eaten.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 12:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

ACLU issues travel warning for Texas over draconian immigration law
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:24 PM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

Never forget that these are bad people who in a just world would be eaten.

do you want prions? because that's how you get prions.
posted by murphy slaw at 12:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [49 favorites]

Out of professional nosiness, I'm wildly curious which DC firm.

I'm going to be disappointed if it's anyone other than Darth Vader's personal law firm, Covington & Burling.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Spicer says Trump has engaged a DC law firm to send a certified letter to Lindsey Graham stating that he has no Russian financial ties.

Media stunt idea: Coordinate Indivisible groups to show up en masse at local post offices across the country on the same day. Stand in line to send certified letters to the White House, each asserting that the sender is an individual concerned constituent and demanding that Trump release his tax returns as evidence that he does not have financial ties to Russian interests. Invite the press, talk to them about 1) what bullshit Trump's "certified mail" stunt was and 2) how important the tax return issue is in light of Trump's myriad conflicts of interest and apparent shady Russian dealings.
posted by contraption at 12:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Just on the heels of the Afghanistan war talk above: never forget that Barbara Lee was the SOLE vote in both houses of congress who wanted the US to slow down and think about other options before authorizing war.

Barbara Lee speaks for me.
posted by greermahoney at 12:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

If you really want it to count, just say it under oath.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 12:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

ACLU issues travel warning for Texas over draconian immigration for t law

A small bright spot in this shitty new world: I have a pretty cool apartment management company, and every year around this time they send the tenants a general survey to fill out. Last year they included a gallon of water and earthquake safety/planning tips. They have a lot of tenants who are immigrants and non-white, and this year they included a wallet card with a notice for police/ICE that, if stopped, they will not answer any questions without a lawyer, and a few other things specific to the immigration ban bullshit.

I was talking someone there about an unrelated matter and mentioned how great the cards were, and she said they just didn't want their tenants to be afraid to leave their homes.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [61 favorites]

Oh man. This "certified letter" thing reminds me of nothing more than when Michael Scott declared bankruptcy. This is what happens when you have people who don't know what things are or how stuff works or what words mean in charge.
posted by mhum at 12:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Out of professional nosiness, I'm wildly curious which DC firm.

Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis is his tax ~~attorney~~ person who should be disbarred (she's the one who gestured at some manila folders and called it a valid legal argument).
posted by melissasaurus at 12:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Here's How Easy It Is to Get Trump Officials to Click on a Fake Link in Email: Some of the Trump Administration people completely ignored our email, the right move. But it appears that more than half the recipients clicked the link: Eight different unique devices visited the site, one of them multiple times. There’s no way to tell for sure if the recipients themselves did all the clicking (as opposed to, say, an IT specialist they’d forwarded it to), but seven of the connections occurred within 10 minutes of the emails being sent.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Jimmy Carter and Zbigniew Brzezinski started aiding opponents of the pro-Soviet government in July 1979 to try to lure the Soviet Union into Afghanistan, partially as revenge for the Soviet Union supporting the Viet Cong and North Vietnam in the Vietnam War.

We made a petard. It hoisted them!

How does this petard thing work? Oww! Maybe we did it wrong, let's try again. Oww! Okay maybe don't do that so much.

[regime change]

Hold my beer!
posted by srboisvert at 12:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yeah I'm not entirely thrilled about Gizmodo trying to phish various government officials, but I am pleasantly quite surprised none of them actually put their password in. That's a lot better than I would have expected.
posted by zachlipton at 12:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Media stunt idea: Coordinate Indivisible groups to show up en masse at local post offices across the country on the same day.

OH lord the poor post office people get enough grief from the right without this.
posted by winna at 12:48 PM on May 9, 2017

Spicer says Trump has engaged a DC law firm to send a certified letter to Lindsey Graham stating that he has no Russian financial ties.

Under admiralty law that has to be sent by courier pigeon to have any legal bearing.
posted by srboisvert at 12:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

Here's How Easy It Is to Get Trump Officials to Click on a Fake Link in Email

Damning evidence Russia/Wikileaks didn't release Trump emails because they're on the same side, not because these morons have good opsec practices.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Here are the 13 Republicans working on the Senate version of the AHCA.

Arkansas - Tom Cotton
Colorado - Cory Gardner
Kentucky - Mitch McConnell
Ohio - Rob Portman
Pennsylvania - Pat Toomey
South Dakota - John Thune
Tennessee - Lamar Alexander
Texas - John Cornyn
Texas - Ted Cruz
Utah - Orrin Hatch
Utah - Mike Lee
Wyoming - John Barrasso
Wyoming - Mike Enzi

If you live in any of the states listed above, you know what to do: Pick up the phone and call the offices of your AHCA-working-group-member senator(s). If you do not live in any of those states ... call the offices of your senators anyway.
posted by compartment at 12:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis is his tax attorney person who should be disbarred (she's the one who gestured at some manila folders and called it a valid legal argument).

Just a data point: the only time I've ever had a law firm partner on the opposing side address me as "dear" during litigation was when opposing counsel was from, you guessed it, Morgan Lewis. A pox on them.
posted by holborne at 12:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Sessions weighs return to harsher punishments for low-level drug crimes

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reviewing policy changes set in place by the Obama administration that eliminated harsh punishments for low-level drug crimes and could direct federal prosecutors to again charge drug offenders with crimes carrying the most severe penalties, according to U.S. officials.

The change, if adopted, would overturn a memo by then-Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. that instructed prosecutors to avoid charging low-level defendants with drug offenses that would trigger severe mandatory minimum sentences. Only defendants who met certain criteria, such as not belonging to a large-scale drug trafficking organization, a gang or a cartel, qualified for the lesser charges under Holder’s instructions.

If new charging instructions are implemented, it would mark the first significant move by the Trump administration to bring back the drug war’s toughest practices — methods that had fallen out of favor in recent years as critics pointed to damaging effects of mass incarceration.

Asshole.
posted by zachlipton at 12:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [41 favorites]

In addition to announcing a run for governor yesterday U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho and of Nobody dies because they don't have access to health care fame evidently released a statement yesterday:

"During ten hours of town halls, one of my answers about health care wasn't very elegant," Labrador said in the statement. "I was responding to a false notion that the Republican health care plan will cause people to die in the streets, which I completely reject."

I didn't come across a link to the statement itself.

What a scumbag, blatantly showing that he knows exactly what the criticism of his position is by clumsily bait-and-switching "nobody dies" to nobody is going to "die in the streets".

People will die in the streets as they finally decide, too late, to risk the expense of the emergency room, and die before they get there. Or on the ride between two emergency rooms, as Johnny Wallflower and JackFlash pointed out in the last political thread there is now a proliferation of non-EMTALA^{_^} freestanding ERs which don't accept Medicare or Medicaid and can consequently throw you out if they don't find your ability to pay acceptable.
posted by XMLicious at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

Here are the 13 Republicans working on the Senate version of the AHCA

I mean, seriously, look at the senators who we are trusting with health care. That doesn't look like the panel that protects women. That looks like the panel that says, "Well, she drowned, guess she wasn't a witch. Throw in another one!" Thirteen white guys and no women. Thirteen white guys and no women! In that group they were able to get two Mormons, but no women!

Michelle Wolf on the The Daily Show
posted by kirkaracha at 1:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

Someone on MSNBC earlier pointed out that they could even have had Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina who is a man, a Republican, and has experience in the insurance industry, but is black.
posted by XMLicious at 1:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

I went to Senator Gardner's office in Colorado Springs this morning, as part of a local Indivisible group's regular Tuesday protests. I told the staffer that the AHCA as passed by the house is an terrible, immoral piece of legislation and ok, yes, the Senate is working to draft their own legislation, good, but it looks and IS awful that the working group is all men. Asked for the inclusion of women to the group, that they seek input from women and doctors. Senator Gardner signed on to the letter back in March about supporting the Medicaid expansion and his staffer said he still feels that way, but probably he'll find some other ways to be terrible. It feels sort of useless, for all that the staffer stands there and nods and makes notes and says that she'll pass our words along, but I still hope maybe it's not.
posted by danielleh at 1:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

People will die in the streets as they finally decide, too late, to risk the expense of the emergency room, and die before they get there.

Been seeing a lot of repostings of that picture of the guy with the "If I die of AIDS, leave my body in front of the White House" jacket, and I think we're all feeling that. Or have them send my ashes to my congressperson.
posted by emjaybee at 1:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho and of “Nobody dies because they don't have access to health care fame”

put this man on a death panel
posted by Going To Maine at 1:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

They're calling them "high risk pools" now.
posted by contraption at 1:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Major Garrett? The Star Trek babe?

No, you're thinking of Loretta Swit.
posted by petebest at 1:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Their latest strategy is to say the working group doesn't really exist and the entire Republican Caucus is working on it, therefore women are involved.

However, per Bloomberg, the group met today, and well: Senate GOP Plans Secret Health-Care Debate That May Take Months

Senate Republican leaders are starting what’s shaping up to be a secretive process to write their version of an Obamacare overhaul -- even after some GOP senators complained that the House devised sweeping health-care legislation behind closed doors.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky held a private meeting Tuesday of an all-male group of GOP senators who will help shape the chamber’s own version of an Affordable Care Act replacement. Among other changes, they’ll probably curb the House bill’s deep cuts to Medicaid and bolster protections for insurance customers who are older, poor or have pre-existing health conditions.

There’s already talk of sending the new measure directly to a vote in the full Senate without committee hearings -- if leaders can gather the 51 Republican votes needed to muscle it through.

And who counts in McConnell's eyes?

Asked by reporters Tuesday why no women were included in the working group, McConnell said, "The working group that counts is all 52 of us," referring to all Republican members of the Senate. "Nobody’s being excluded. Everybody’s at the table."

Democratic members do not count, apparently.
posted by zachlipton at 1:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

Been seeing a lot of repostings of that picture of the guy with the "If I die of AIDS, leave my body in front of the White House" jacket

That is David Wojnarowicz, whom I learned about in a MetaFilter thread. I wouldn’t say his Close To The Knives is the best book -and he has a certain narrowness of vision and obsessions with sex that is contextually understandable but vexing- but it was a good read.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Party over Country. It's the McConnell Mullet.
posted by petebest at 1:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho and of “Nobody dies because they don't have access to health care fame”

put this man on a death panel

They're calling them “high risk pools” now.

No, no, no. I fundamentally disagree here. (Or maybe I’m wrong?) “Death panels” are government boards where an apathetic bureaucrat says you aren’t worthy of care, so you die.

A “high risk pool” is the exclusive club that, if you get into it, you survive because your expensive care gets subsidized. The membership is comically tiny because the pool will in practice be underfunded.

As such, death panels aren’t high risk pools - rather, death panels prevent you from being admitted into the pool because there isn’t enough money. They are the exclusive club of judges, and I think Rep. Labrador would like to be one of them.

Besides, it’s a good Republican term and I don’t intend to give it up.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:21 PM on May 9, 2017

Split the difference, we all go in the death pool.
posted by Artw at 1:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'm a 40 year old cancer survivor and I've been having such a hard time even making my brain think about the horror of what is happening. It's like my thoughts just slide right around it. But I know why - because right now, I'm trying to make myself go there and can feel slight hyperventilation kicking in.

It's unfathomably evil. What do they expect people to do? I am very financially comfortable and without insurance would have been ruined for the rest of my life, no matter how long or short that life would be. Almost no one can afford $700,000 worth of medical care a year. And it could happen to anyone, at any time. I don't like being in a position where I wish it would happen to other people, but that's where I am right now. Get cancer, Mitch McConnell.
posted by something something at 1:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [69 favorites]

It just hit me that the healthcare bills are like a version of a couple of use car sales tactics we called "cutting their ankles out and then putting them on the elevator".

First you promise to beat your competitor's price on an identical car to get the customer to leave that dealer and come to you. Because you're a shitty used car dealer (some ARE honest) you obviously have no intention of selling them the car for that price. So, when they show up, you need to put them on the elevator and start feeding them bullshit excuses about why they misunderstood the price you promised them (hint: they didn't misunderstand shit). What you CAN do is get pretty close to the price they could have gotten at the dealer they just left and now they have now desire to drive BACK to the 1st dealership to get the original deal. It's the same car and they're here now and they just want to be DONE. The first step keeps them from shopping around, the 2nd readjusts their expectations.

Here, they passed a the shittiest healthcare bill they could come up with to make us think that's what they're going for. Then, the senate writes it's own bill that will address some of the shortcomings of the house bill in an attempt to get close enough to what we* actually want that we'll agree to it just so we can be done talking about it.

*in this case "we" refers to whatever GOP reps consider their constituents these days.
posted by VTX at 1:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Did you know that Doonesbury has been covering Trump for 30 years?
And the book collecting Doonesbury's Trump comics, "Yuge! 30 Years of Doonesbury on Trump" is nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Humor Publication. It's competing with "The Further Fattening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp", "Hot Dog Taste Test", "Man, I Hate Cursive", and "Jughead" (by Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, and Derek Charm, an all-star team if I've ever seen one).

Of course, Garry (NO RELATION) Trudeau isn't the only cartoonist to have been ridiculing the Trumper for three decades...

But the best comics deconstruction of the Donald is still the 1989 one by R. Crumb.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Get cancer, Mitch McConnell.

I wouldn't wish Mitch McConnell on cancer. Cancer deserves better.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [25 favorites]

Almost no one can afford $700,000 worth of medical care a year.

Not even getting into the fact that it doesn't actually cost $700,000 a year.
posted by Melismata at 1:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

It does if that's what they bill you. I know what you mean, but $700,000 is the reality on the piece of paper.
posted by something something at 1:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Here are the 13 Republicans working on the Senate version of the AHCA

What's that again about all the city folk who want to control the interests of rural people whose interests they can't possibly understand?
posted by aspersioncast at 1:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Get cancer, Mitch McConnell.

I don’t want to have to pay for that.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Then, the senate writes it's own bill that will address some of the shortcomings of the house bill in an attempt to get close enough to what we* actually want that we'll agree to it just so we can be done talking about it.

I would not be at all surprised if they end up with something that's a lot like the AHCA but without the pre-existing conditions business, because that impacts more wealthy people, and the GOP will be satisfied enough if they can take $880 billion in healthcare away from poor people.
posted by zachlipton at 1:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Here, they passed a the shittiest healthcare bill they could come up with to make us think that's what they're going for. Then, the senate writes it's own bill that will address some of the shortcomings of the house bill in an attempt to get close enough to what we* actually want that we'll agree to it just so we can be done talking about it.

No doubt it will play out like that, but I doubt it will be by planning - they just had to placate some folk who sincerely want to hurt people.
posted by Artw at 1:39 PM on May 9, 2017

Man, I'd like to certify a letter. That'd be sweet. Especially in a manila envelope. Or arm a kurd. Or reject the notion of linear time. Or get a prion. Maybe with some lemonade, sportin' a bow tie and suspenders. Some brylcreem. Really shiny taupe shoes. Pretty sweet. Yeah.

Anyway, more snickerables: Carl Icahn.

They asked him "Dude, are your proposals to the White House to change the biofuels program self-serving insider trading?"
And he said: "No."
You know, like a liar.

Man, if the cognitive dissonance just affected the people who's perceptions it distorts that'd be one thing, but it's like it's not enough to just loot the treasury, they gotta hold a gun to people's heads by screwing with health care too.

I don't know what world anyone lives in where they think making people desperate somehow works out well for anybody.
posted by Smedleyman at 1:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Josh Barro: This week's lesson is Sally Yates was right about everything.
posted by Justinian at 1:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

Wisconsin’s Voter-ID Law Suppressed 200,000 Votes in 2016 (Trump Won by 22,748)
Prior to the 2016 election, Eddie Lee Holloway Jr., a 58-year-old African-American man, moved from Illinois to Wisconsin, which implemented a strict voter-ID law for the first time in 2016. He brought his expired Illinois photo ID, birth certificate, and Social Security card to get a photo ID for voting in Wisconsin, but the DMV in Milwaukee rejected his application because the name on his birth certificate read “Eddie Junior Holloway,” the result of a clerical error when it was issued. Holloway ended up making seven trips to different public agencies in two states and spent over $200 in an attempt to correct his birth certificate, but he was never able to obtain a voter ID in Wisconsin. Before the election, his lawyer for the ACLU told me Holloway was so disgusted he left Wisconsin for Illinois.
posted by PenDevil at 1:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [39 favorites]

First on CNN: Senate Russia investigators ask Treasury for Trump team financial information
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

Maybe we should all take a lesson from J.G. Ballard and cut a deal where everyone gets covered but mean wealthy people can beat on poor folks with sticks every so often. That seems like an improvement.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

"During ten hours of town halls, one of my answers about health care wasn't very elegant," Labrador said in the statement. "I was responding to a false notion that the Republican health care plan will cause people to die in the streets, which I completely reject."

He doesn't dispute that they will still die though. Just the location.
posted by srboisvert at 1:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Lexicon entries we really shouldn't need: "Rape tables".

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating allegations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency officers at Newark Airport have been subjected to sexually abusive hazing by veteran officers, including the duct-taping of victims to a "rape table."

"I’m afraid for my life, my safety," CBP officer Diana Cifuentes told the NBC 4 New York I-Team in an exclusive interview about the abuse she says she suffered at the hands of fellow officers. "This is terrorizing. How is it that officers believe they’re free to do whatever they want to do?"

posted by tonycpsu at 1:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

Room 641-A: I was talking someone there about an unrelated matter and mentioned how great the cards were, and she said they just didn't want their tenants to be afraid to leave their homes.

I've become cynical, because my first thought was "of course, because if they don't leave their apartments, how are they going to get to work and pay their rent?"

Damn you, 2017! DAMN YOU TRUMP!
posted by filthy light thief at 1:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

tonycpsu: How is it that officers believe they’re free to do whatever they want to do?

Two words: President Trump.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Maybe we should all take a lesson from J.G. Ballard

Was it you who mentioned the film version of High Rise last thread? Because

a. thanks - not sure how I missed that

and

b. yeah I'm not sure we aren't already living that reality.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Two things:

First, The New Yorker has this long form piece:

HOW TRUMP COULD GET FIRED
The Constitution offers two main paths for removing a President from office. How feasible are they?

And then Vox runs with this part of the story:

Donald Trump thinks exercise will kill you
In a remarkable New Yorker story this week about how Donald Trump could realistically be removed from the presidency, Evan Osnos writes: “Other than golf, he considers exercise misguided, arguing that a person, like a battery, is born with a finite amount of energy.”

On preview, I've become cynical, because my first thought was "of course, because if they don't leave their apartments, how are they going to get to work and pay their rent?"

No, they're cool.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

From the CNN article:

They are requesting Trump team financial information from "the federal agency that has been investigating allegations of foreign money-laundering through purchases of US real estate."

I like the sound of that!
posted by diogenes at 1:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

That New Yorker article is great, but I was sad to learn that invoking the 25th starts with the VP and requires the majority of the cabinet.
posted by diogenes at 1:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Somebody pay Trump's quack doc to tell him the Presidency is draining his batteries and if he doesn't quit he'll die in a week.
posted by emjaybee at 1:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

That New Yorker article is great, but I was sad to learn that invoking the 25th starts with the VP and requires the majority of the cabinet.

i never though i would miss alexander haig but here we are
posted by entropicamericana at 2:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Trump Will Decide If U.S. Should Withdraw From Climate Accord (NPR, May 9, 2017) -- President Trump may decide soon if he wants to withdraw the United States from an agreement on climate change. The Paris accord, as it's called, commits many nations to do what they can to reduce carbon emissions.

Spoiler: no one knows what he really wants to do, but if he harps on coal jobs again, everyone in this piece agrees that coal jobs are not coming back because of the price of natural gas, not regulations (but they don't touch on the Arbys Number, or in other words, the fact that the entire coal industry employs fewer people than Arby’s)

Related, also from NPR this morning: There Must Be More Productive Ways To Talk About Climate Change -- calling someone a "climate [change] denier" shuts down conversations, so instead say that they are dismissive, the most extreme of the Global Warming’s Six Americas, a project from Yale's Climate Change Communication program. And to engage someone who is dismissive of climate change, discuss strategies to address specific issues, as identified in the Yale Climate Opinion Maps (U.S. 2016)

So you keep on going through these maps and they say, do you support funding research for renewable energy? Everybody does. Do you support requiring utilities to produce a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources? Yep, everybody does. Do you support limiting CO2 emissions from power plants? You know what? Most people actually do.

Get people to agree to solutions, and use that as your entry point to discuss climate change.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Was it you who mentioned the film version of High Rise last thread?

It was not me and I was thinking of Super-Cannes, but I suspect that all J.G. Ballard books are the same book.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

So you keep on going through these maps and they say, do you support funding research for renewable energy? Everybody does. Do you support requiring utilities to produce a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources? Yep, everybody does. Do you support limiting CO2 emissions from power plants? You know what? Most people actually do.

Yale researchers don't read a lot of Brietbart or listen to much hate radio, do they?
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Trump Will Decide If U.S. Should Withdraw From Climate Accord
China's President says, in a phone call with French president-elect Macron, that China will defend Paris climate agreement
posted by PenDevil at 2:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

The FBI sent a letter to the Senate "to clarify" Comey's testimony on Clinton emails, and try to clean up a Republican talking point that willfully misinterpreted Comey's testimony to make false claims about refugees as terrorists.

It's pretty weaksauce and comes from the Assistant Director of the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs. Comey signed the October letter to Chaffetz himself.
posted by zachlipton at 2:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Germany, China and France - the defenders of the health of the world, or the best we can hope for at present.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

At Town Hall Meeting, Republican Lawmakers Get An Earful Over Health Care (NPR, May 9, 2017)

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are back in their home districts for a recess this week. After seeing the reception some of their colleagues got in previous town hall-style meetings following the election of Donald Trump, most House Republicans are skipping them.

But a handful are diving in headfirst.

And skilfully not answering the questions, but instead spouting talking points and half-truths. Rep. Elise Stefanik, 32, from Northern New York, held a town hall at a public television station, with a limited audience of 100. As reported by NPR, No one other than Stefanik had anything good to say about [AHCA]. Stefanik's summary of the night?

"I know there are certain areas where we're going to disagree, but it's my job to listen," she said. "And I think I did that tonight."

Your job is to listen? Not support and improve the lives of your constituents and those of this nation? Huh, color me surprised.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

They are requesting Trump team financial information from "the federal agency that has been investigating allegations of foreign money-laundering through purchases of US real estate."

On recommendation of a MeFite in another thread, I've been reading "The Laundrymen: Inside the World's Third Largest Business", which covers the Marcos, Norieaga, Saddam Hussein, and then goes on to Iran/Contra - Oliver North, etc...

And yeah, money laundering is pretty much the Republican M.O.
posted by mikelieman at 2:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

And in case you wanted to see a bar chart for which party asked which questions of Sally Yates, NPR has it:

Russia/Flynn/WH conduct
D: 142
R: 40

Leaks/unmasking
D: 0
R: 65

Travel ban
D: 6
R: 26
posted by filthy light thief at 2:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Vox needs your help. They're trying to come up with a name for the Senate AHCA working group, since "Senate health care working group" is an annoying title. Submit your nominations here.

AHCAteam McAHCAteamface has already been done.
posted by zachlipton at 2:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Your job is to listen? Not support and improve the lives of your constituents and those of this nation? Huh, color me surprised.

Also in NY, Faso was defending his decision to decline an invitation to a town-hall meeting "because it was partisan"

I'm sick and tired of this lame excuse. ALL Politics is Partisan, and if you're so timid that you can't deal with the fact that you REPRESENT those constituents who have not supported you, and treat their concerns honestly and in good-faith...

Go fuck yourself.
posted by mikelieman at 2:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

“Other than golf, he considers exercise misguided, arguing that a person, like a battery, is born with a finite amount of energy.”

Wh- what? How would that even - okay With his Trumphasia as a given pre-existing condition, this is "the toaster is laughing at me"-level bugfuck nuts.

It's going to get worse isn't it.
posted by petebest at 2:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

The FBI sent a letter to the Senate 'to clarify' Comey's testimony on Clinton emails

"I said Ms. Abedin forwarded hundreds of thousands of emails. I meant two."
fake but accurate paraphrase
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 2:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Calling someone a "climate [change] denier" shuts down conversations, so instead say that they are dismissive, the most extreme of the Global Warming’s Six Americas, a project from Yale's Climate Change Communication program. And to engage someone who is dismissive of climate change, discuss strategies to address specific issues, as identified in the Yale Climate Opinion Maps (U.S. 2016)

So you keep on going through these maps and they say, do you support funding research for renewable energy? Everybody does. Do you support requiring utilities to produce a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources? Yep, everybody does. Do you support limiting CO2 emissions from power plants? You know what? Most people actually do.

Yale researchers don't read a lot of Brietbart or listen to much hate radio, do they?

The state of climate discourse in America: a play in two comments.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

(Alternate title: The state of science, three weeks after the march for science)
posted by Going To Maine at 2:35 PM on May 9, 2017

...also from NPR this morning: There Must Be More Productive Ways To Talk About Climate Change -- calling someone a "climate [change] denier" shuts down conversations, so instead say that they are dismissive, the most extreme of the Global Warming’s Six Americas, a project from Yale's Climate Change Communication program.

Whatever the optimal strategy is, we shouldn't let climate change "dismissives" derail or try to take over the conversation by acting aggrieved that they've been referred to as a "denier".

It definitely applies even in a direct parallel to Holocaust denial, and is perhaps even worse because they're engaging in denial even as the world-wide death of humans on a staggering scale is beginning, mostly in the developing world. It's more like claiming the trains are just taking people to wonderful rural places in Poland where they'll be leading fulfilling lives of hard work, while anyone who is paying attention knows that is not at all what's happening.

So like I said, say whatever is best for spreading awareness of the urgent need for action on climate to minimalize the casualties, and use whatever the best wording is in public statements, but apologizing to people whose fee-fees have been hurt because they've been called a climate change denier or even just because they theoretically could be called that needs to not become a thing.
posted by XMLicious at 2:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

> Been seeing a lot of repostings of that picture of the guy with the "If I die of AIDS, leave my body in front of the White House" jacket, and I think we're all feeling that. Or have them send my ashes to my congressperson.

The Ashes Action, Washington DC, October 1992. People dumped the ashes of their friends and lovers over the White House fence (about 24:20 in the video).
posted by rtha at 2:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

I mean, seriously, look at the senators who we are trusting with health care. That doesn't look like the panel that protects women. That looks like the panel that says, "Well, she drowned, guess she wasn't a witch. Throw in another one!" Thirteen white guys and no women. Thirteen white guys and no women! In that group they were able to get two Mormons, but no women!

Michelle Wolf on the The Daily Show

The real problem with the AHCA is there aren't enough women plotting to take away our health insurance. If Susan Collins told us all we had to die in the streets, it'd be totally chill.
posted by indubitable at 2:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Notably useless congressman Leonard Lance (R, NJ-7) is holding a telephone "town hall" right now. It's not unusual for him. I don't know how to connect, I just picked up the phone and had notably uselessCongressman Lance in my ear ...
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 2:42 PM on May 9, 2017

The Vice President held an event with military families, and it seems to have gone rather poorly once they took the bunny away, with one child trying to rip the Vice Presidential seal from the lectern and "a scuffle" breaking out between two boys as he spoke.
posted by zachlipton at 2:43 PM on May 9, 2017

Holy fuck. BREAKING: Trump has fired FBI Director Comey, Spicer says

Statement here.
posted by zachlipton at 2:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [81 favorites]

Comey Axed
posted by PenDevil at 2:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Welp.
posted by Artw at 2:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Well. If we don't get an independent commission now he's getting away with everything.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [25 favorites]

Holy shit, it's starting.
posted by Justinian at 2:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

jeezum lord a-mercy
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Fine-tuned machine!
posted by tonycpsu at 2:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

What's starting, though? I am totally disoriented.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 2:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Yeah, these are some tea leaves I do NOT know how to read.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 2:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

somewhere, the ghost of archibald cox is making a big bowl of ghost corn and snickering "aww yeah, now shit is onnnnnn"
posted by murphy slaw at 2:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Dismantling any parts of government not under the direct control of the Trump regime, I would assume.
posted by Artw at 2:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

SURELY THIS WILL STOP DONALD TRUMP!!!!!
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Am I right in thinking that he's using the fig leaf of Comey's misleading/lying statements to Congress about Abedin to get himself an FBI director who won't investigate him at all?

So...from bad to worse?
posted by schadenfrau at 2:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

If we don't get an independent commission now he's getting away with everything.

He will get away with everything until there is a new government. That may be more of an if rather than a when and might not happen by conventional means.
posted by Artw at 2:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Impeachment starts in the House of Representatives. If you have a Representative, CALL THEIR LOCAL OFFICES AND DEMAND THAT THEY INITIATE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [25 favorites]

The letter firing him.

Note that second paragraph: "While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgement of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau."
posted by zachlipton at 2:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [45 favorites]

I think there's no way to know if this is a good or bad thing yet in the long run, but...I think this is the pivot.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

To me it says the Trump camp started panicking over the investigation into collusion and they've axed Comey to try to get a Trumper in to lead the FBI and squelch the investigation.

Whether or not you think Comey was a Republican partisan it's clear he was not a Trumper.
posted by Justinian at 2:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [40 favorites]

NYT banner: A White House statement said he did so on Jeff Session's recommendation.

All righty then.
posted by Melismata at 2:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Are there any prominent nazis in the FBI or is he going to have to promote someone from outside of the organisation? Maybe he'll install Steve Bannon as head of secret police.
posted by Artw at 2:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I still think Comey is ambiguously-maybe-bad, and hope this email snafu doesn't end up forcing him to resign so that Trump gets to appoint his successor, who will be surely-no-mistaking-it-bad.

Shit! Sorry guys
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 2:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Yeah this is the most terrifying development yet IMO.

What happens now matters.
posted by schadenfrau at 2:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

is this good news or bad news?

Bad news. Comey was the only person actually running any investigation in to Russian contacts, if you believe any of his justifications. Firing him ends that investigation in all likelihood, unless Republicans in Congress agree to appoint a real independent commission with congressional subpoena power, actual investigative staff, and a budget.

They won't.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

Are there any prominent nazis in the FBI or is he going to have to promote someone from outside of the organisation?

Is Giuliani eligible?
posted by PenDevil at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Turning and turning in the narrowing gyre.
The falcon can now hear the falconer
posted by srboisvert at 2:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

So Trump, who was being investigated by the FBI for Russian ties fired Comey, who was doing the investigation, on the recommendation of Sessions, who has recused himself from the Russian investigation?
posted by IanMorr at 2:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [108 favorites]

So I suspect I speak for many when I say, "I'm away from media for a few hours, walk into the house, turn on MSNBC, and go HOLY FUCKING FUCK."

If you're too young to remember what it felt like in the nation when Nixon fired Archibald Cox and things suddenly looked very, very different, this does not feel entirely dissimilar to that.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [36 favorites]

Bad news.

But doesn't Comey have a lot of juicy secrets he could reveal?
posted by Melismata at 2:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Surely this.
posted by flatluigi at 2:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

OK, betting pool on him naming Giuliani to the spot?

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck

So does he get to just apoint someone or do the Republicans representatives have to rubberstamp it?
posted by Artw at 2:54 PM on May 9, 2017

But doesn't Comey have a lot of juicy secrets he could reveal?

The man is utterly blind and stupid, so probably not.
posted by Artw at 2:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

But doesn't Comey have a lot of juicy secrets he could reveal?

All classified, and this administration is quite enamored with leakers.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

But doesn't Comey have a lot of juicy secrets he could reveal?

He surely has some of the juiciest. But he may or may not be willing to reveal anything classified, fired or no.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 2:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

The only thing worse than James Comey as FBI Director is having a Trump appointee as FBI Director. And it's so incredibly inappropriate to bring up investigations of Trump in the letter. And WTF is "I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors?"

Here's the letter from the Deputy AG recommending Comey be fired. They had to go to the Deputy AG to find someone who hasn't recused themselves from Russia stuff.
posted by zachlipton at 2:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

Man, that mild nausea might start turning severe soon…
posted by Going To Maine at 2:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

The official reason for firing him is his press conference about the Hillary email investigation last summer. The hubris is amazing.
posted by stopgap at 2:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

Holy cow. Leave the thread for half-an-hour to do some work and the President fires the Director of the FBI.

"Never get out of the thread."
posted by notyou at 2:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

You guys, I've been away from MeFi for a while because of life and things, and took a quick dive into the last catch-all not too long ago and thought, huh...they're not creating a new thread every couple of days, maybe things have finally slowed down a little bit.

But after today? Ahhh, hahahahaaha, nope.
posted by otenba at 2:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

So he's being punished for getting Trump elected.

You know, when people said "Irony is dead!" after 9/11 I was all "Nah."

But this might do it.
posted by emjaybee at 2:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

'But I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs FBI director who tipped election for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party.
posted by Flitcraft at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [172 favorites]

This is a shocking development but I'm excited about new FBI Director Michael Flynn.

The above statement is satirical in nature, I feel this disclaimer is warranted
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

i picked the wrong fuckin day to decide to take a break from political media
posted by murphy slaw at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

So we're going to see that pee tape after all now?

Comey was trying to save his reputation. Now? Who knows.
posted by mrzarquon at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Some of the talking heads on MSNBC are saying that they would put money on this getting us an independent counsel.
posted by Justinian at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

So does he get to just apoint someone or do the Republicans representatives have to rubberstamp it?

The latter, except senators not representatives.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 2:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

The Deputy AG's letter says Comey was wrong to "usurp the Attorney General's authority" in July by giving the press conference about Hillary's emails. And it attacks him for criticizing Clinton when no charges were filed. Those are the attacks Trump repeated every damn day during the campaign. He's firing Comey for the same thing he praised Comey for during the campaign.
posted by zachlipton at 2:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [84 favorites]

What's the over/under on him putting Jared Kushner in the position? Surely he can handle that on top of all his other duties...
posted by palomar at 2:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Tuesday Night Massacre!
posted by asteria at 3:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Man, and after Comey did Trump that solid back in October. That's gratitude for ya.

Are they gonna spin this as "Comey misinformed Congress the other day about the Huma forwarding, and we just can't stand for that!!!" or some other lame-ass shit?
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

If it doesnt get us an independent counsel it's getting us a police state, so

One hopes
posted by schadenfrau at 3:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

i would put money on this getting us lindsey graham mouthing some pieties about getting an independent counsel but ultimately voting it down in a party-line vote
posted by murphy slaw at 3:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

The official reason for firing him is his press conference about the Hillary email investigation last summer. The hubris is amazing.

Comey has also apparently lied / misspoke to the Congress a few times? I mean, I’m not sure “digging your own grave” is the appropriate metaphor, but he certainly has certainly done some things that have left himself open. But then, that is missing the forest for the trees.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

The Deputy AG's letter says Comey was wrong to "usurp the Attorney General's authority" in July by giving the press conference about Hillary's emails. And it attacks him for criticizing Clinton when no charges were filed. Those are the attacks Trump repeated every damn day during the campaign. He's firing Comey for the same thing he praised Comey for during the campaign.

And on non-preview, it's even more fucking jaw-dropping chutzpah than I expected! These fucking guys!
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

The official reason for firing him is his press conference about the Hillary email investigation last summer.

"Chutzpah" is traditionally defined as a boy who murdered his parents pleading for mercy because he's an orphan. This is close.
posted by theodolite at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [56 favorites]

What's the over/under on him putting Jared Kushner in the position? Surely he can handle that on top of all his other duties...

Maybe that's the real reason that Tiffany is moving to D.C.?

Rod Blum is having another town-hall tonight. Anyone want to take bets on whether he manages not to storm out?
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

I have been telling myself all day "eating entire pints of Ben n' Jerry's makes you feel better about politics but is not a healthy coping mechanism for the next four years," and now all I can think about is ice cream for dinner. Maybe with wine.

What pairs well with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor?
posted by emjaybee at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

I wish there was a way to invest in hot takes, because tonight is is going to be one hell of a bull market.
posted by diogenes at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

'But I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs FBI director who tipped election for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party

“Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

Man, and after Comey did Trump that solid back in October. That's gratitude for ya.

I hope we haven't forgotten how mentally ill the man seems to be...
posted by Melismata at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Some of the talking heads on MSNBC are saying that they would put money on this getting us an independent counsel.

I would not.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Jeffrey Toobin on CNN saying that this is essentially what happens in a non-democracy and it's completely outside American legal norms
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [63 favorites]

no fan of comey but this is bad
posted by localhuman at 3:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

If they'd fired Comey on day one they'd have got away with it, right? This is not a very competent conspiracy.

posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:00 PM on May 9 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]

18 days? hell, lets wait almost 4 months on the next one.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 3:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I have been telling myself all day "eating entire pints of Ben n' Jerry's makes you feel better about politics but is not a healthy coping mechanism for the next four years,"

Have you tried Halo Top? It costs the fucking earth but is really unreasonably good for ice-cream-like substances that mostly run 250-350 calories per entire pint.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

I did once think Richard M. Daley was impressive for bulldozing Meigs Field. No longer.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

*nostalgicizing* Remember the time last night when the person in the previous thread was all, "So was today like an extra weird day even for this timeline, or what?" Haahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [49 favorites]

What the actual fuck is even happening
posted by corb at 3:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [91 favorites]

What are the chances that the executive branch, drunk off the apparent success of the health care bill in the house, has wildly misjudged their hand?
posted by schadenfrau at 3:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

What's the over/under on him putting Jared Kushner in the position?

I'm going for (what in a sane world would be) the long shot: Alex Jones (or possibly O'Reilly if Jones is busy with the custody thing).
posted by Buntix at 3:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

A “high risk pool” is the exclusive club that, if you get into it, you survive because your expensive care gets subsidized.

But with some caveats.

First, it is usual with High Risk Pools to make the insured person wait 3 to 6 months before the insurance kicks in to cover the pre-existing condition. Second, before ACA some states had lifetime caps. In Kentucky it was $2 million. If you are lucky enough to win the lottery and get into the high risk pool you undoubtedly have an expensive condition requiring a lot of medical care. Take transplants, for example. The transplant of a major organ might come close to a million and then you require the anti-rejection medication for the rest of your life. That runs around $200,000 a year just by itself-- so you can see how easily you could reach the end of your life time cap in a few years. And then? I guess you depend on charity to survive, hoping your doctors and your hospitals and your community feel sorry for you and a worthy cause.

But look at me talking about Healthcare when I should be screaming about cover-ups.

Take the House back in 18, fire up that investigation, and subpoena Comey's ass.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

So basically, this fucking guy has just put himself forward as Donald J. Trump, chivalrous and ethical defender of truth, justice, and Hillary Clinton.

I, too, need some wine.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

From @TheDailyShow: White House statement on the firing of FBI Director James Comey
posted by Going To Maine at 3:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

It's going to get worse isn't it.
posted by petebest at 2:27 PM on May 9
[3 favorites +] [!]

WINNER!
posted by Sophie1 at 3:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

I mean, the Deputy AG isn't wrong. Comey did vastly overstep the bounds of his job and was wrong to hold a press conference to criticize Clinton while saying she broke no laws.

But the thing is, it's May. None of this is new. The conduct they criticize Comey for is the same conduct the same individuals involved praised last year.

Trump was wigging out on Twitter about Russia yesterday. Now we have this. It's really hard to see that they just randomly decided to do this today.
posted by zachlipton at 3:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [52 favorites]

Oh fuck, this dragged me right back into a political thread.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [45 favorites]

Have you tried Halo Top? It costs the fucking earth but is really unreasonably good for ice-cream-like substances that mostly run 250-350 calories per entire pint.

And it tastes like frozen mulched cardboard. I got a free pint and threw most of it away.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

So we start calling our congress people about getting an independent counsel? A special prosecutor? I mean, we have to try at least.
posted by Mister Cheese at 3:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Oh fuck, this dragged me right back into a political thread.

> EXITS ARE NOPE, AAAAAAH!, AND FRANCE
posted by Going To Maine at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

TL;DR: Donald Trump fired Comey because the Deputy AG says Comey got Donald Trump elected.
posted by zachlipton at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

i would put money on this getting us lindsey graham mouthing some pieties about getting an independent counsel but ultimately voting it down in a party-line vote

Sounds like he might just skip the pieties: "I know this was a difficult decision for all concerned. I appreciate Director Comey’s service to our nation in a variety of roles,” Graham said. “Given the recent controversies surrounding the director, I believe a fresh start will serve the FBI and the nation well. I encourage the President to select the most qualified professional available who will serve our nation’s interests.
posted by contraption at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

they're doing it all out in the open and they will get away with it all as long as the rest of the gop is complicit
posted by localhuman at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Trump was wigging out on Twitter about Russia yesterday. Now we have this. It's really hard to see that they just randomly decided to do this today.

No way in hell, basically. Anyone who professes to be fooled on that front is a liar.
posted by Artw at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I encourage the President to select the most qualified professional available who will serve our nation’s interests.

Sally Yates needs a job.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [62 favorites]

Justinian: Holy shit, it's starting.

Didn't we say that with the ousting of Flynn? And when Bannon was elbowed out? And they got rid of Carter? And wasn't there someone else, too?

"Look, we're cleaning house! Everything's better!"
(Until the next shoe drops)
"Oops, missed one! Now we're clean!"
(And another shoe)
....

It's a fooking centipede of incompetence. No, a millipede -- no end to the shoes that are yet to drop.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

so lindsey graham has underperformed my already rock-bottom expectations
posted by murphy slaw at 3:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

This is horrifying news out of Washington. We may never get to the bottom of her emails now
posted by JDHarper at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

zachlipton: TL;DR: Donald Trump fired Comey because the Deputy AG says Comey got Donald Trump elected.

Not a puppet! Not a puppet! You're a puppet!
*Cuts two strings, lets the other 20 remain*
posted by filthy light thief at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

So Trump, who was being investigated by the FBI for Russian ties fired Comey, who was doing the investigation, on the recommendation of Sessions, who has recused himself from the Russian investigation?

This is pretty much how Nixon poured accelerant on a smoldering fire.
posted by srboisvert at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

If there are ever history books after this then Nixon is going to be a footnote on mild corruption.
posted by Artw at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [77 favorites]

I don't think justinian meant the end of the trump administration is starting. I think they meant the end of America as a nominally free country is starting
posted by schadenfrau at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

uh did lindsay graham get taken into a small room and shouted at or something
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:12 PM on May 9, 2017

Those of you with bets on "Trump fires Comey for handling the email investigation in exactly the way Trump wanted him to" please collect your 35:1 payout at the window.
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

So this is going to Giuliani, right?
posted by asteria at 3:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Or, I mean, what do I know (sorry Justinian, didn't mean to speak for you)

I'm just simultaneously gobsmacked and terrified

It's a weird combination
posted by schadenfrau at 3:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

....and the GOP is all fine with this? In private, do you think some of them are at least concerned? Dude - wheres my country?
posted by H. Roark at 3:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

In October, Trump insinuated that Comey was corrupt because Clinton wasn't prosecuted. Today, he fires Comey because Comey went too far in criticizing Clinton. It doesn't add up.
posted by zachlipton at 3:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Dems need to use procedural tools to shut down the Senate until an independent counsel is named.
posted by chris24 at 3:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [46 favorites]

uh did lindsay graham get taken into a small room and shouted at or something

No, he's always been a feckless toadie.
posted by Candleman at 3:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is on CNN doing his (D-WV) thing to make sure everyone calms down and doesn't get partisan about things like treason and obstruction of justice
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [37 favorites]

Hey Joe Manchin was on CNN making mildly surprised noises. It's like he's on sedatives. Hell, Wolf fed him a softball "was this a Saturday Night Massacre?" and Manchin was like... oh I wouldn't put it like that.

I actually think he doesn't know what the Saturday Night Massacre was.
posted by Justinian at 3:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

BRB shaking uncontrollably between fits of vomiting
posted by murphy slaw at 3:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I sure hope this doesn't mean Comey goes down in history as some sort of hero. You can be a complete asshole AND get fired by Trump.

No one is talking about Yates testimony anymore. Timing is "odd".

I assume the Senate has to confirm whoever is put forward to replace him?
posted by Rumple at 3:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I actually think he doesn't know what the Saturday Night Massacre was.

"I wouldn't say that Wolf, there wasn't any nightclub dancing involved"
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Holy shit, it's starting.

So, in seriousness: this is also an opportunity. If you live in a place with an R, this is an opportunity to scream at your legislator that whoever gets sent up as a replacement needs to be competent. If you live anywhere, this is your opportunity to scream at your rep. about how the Russia investigation must not stop. Comey is one person, and his absence should not end a process. We already have President Marimow. We don’t need FBI Director Marimow.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

lifted from nyt comment - my thoughts exactly:

Apparently we must "restore public trust and confidence" in a "cherished and respected institution" by re-organizing it on the recommendations of a racist perjurer.
posted by H. Roark at 3:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [38 favorites]

surely this will cause Republicans to put country before party
posted by entropicamericana at 3:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Hooooooly shit. Turns out Trump can still surprise me!
posted by triggerfinger at 3:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

surely this will cause Republicans to put country before party

Maybe if Trump gets a blow job by an intern in the Oval Office they'll care.
posted by Talez at 3:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

I believe we have seen that Republicans absolutely do not and will not give a shit. They've seen an opportunity to end democracy with themselves as permanent winners and they are taking it.
posted by Artw at 3:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [65 favorites]

~~Dems~~ Citizens need to use ~~procedural~~ economic tools to shut down the ~~Senate~~ country until an independent counsel is named.
posted by contraption at 3:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

If this doesn't cause a no confidence vote in Parliament, nothing will.

what?
posted by GuyZero at 3:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

> The official reason for firing him is his press conference about the Hillary email investigation last summer.

Does not compute.

Does not compute.

Literal definition of chutzpah encountered in real life.

Your democracy has encountered an exception and cannot proceed.
[A]bort, [R]etry, [F]ail?
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

If there was ever a time to start marching

It's now
posted by schadenfrau at 3:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Talez: a blow job by an intern in the Oval Office

... is OKIYAR, I'm sure.
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

This is bad. And yeah. It will be Rudy, won't it. And if we still have history in 50 years people will look at his weasel face and wonder how nobody noticed he was such a criminal.
posted by uncleozzy at 3:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Paraphrasing Jeffrey Toobin: "Can we point out the Emperor has no clothes? The letter says that Comey was fired for being mean to Hillary Clinton. Last year. Does anyone believe that? ... They will put in a stooge who will shut down the investigation."
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [53 favorites]

but her emails!
posted by entropicamericana at 3:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Somewhere in New Jersey, Chris Christie is so excited about the job that he's definitely going to get. Definitely. 100%. They've got to give this one to him! He's been so loyal, after all! It would be cruel for them to not give poor Chris Christie this job.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [38 favorites]

Jeffrey Toobin is practically speechless on CNN with how appalled and disgusted he is here. He's the only one pointing out the truth; Trump will put a political stooge in to kill the Russia investigation.
posted by Justinian at 3:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

What pairs well with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor?

Southern Comfort. I buy it in the dysfunctional family size.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [40 favorites]

So we were talking earlier about how Comey's actions are consistent if you assume that he's first and foremost pro-Comey. He's also very interested in his legacy and the legacy of the FBI. I'm thinking that this dramatically changes his calculations about which actions are most effectively pro-Comey and pro-FBI legacy.

I don't know what that portends exactly, but it could be significant.
posted by diogenes at 3:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I would bet now that the leaks are going to start coming fast and furious on Trump-Russia.
posted by azpenguin at 3:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Pete Williams on MSNBC points out that this firing has bipartisan support in the Senate.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:24 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Feinstein just put out the most bland, pathetic statement I can imagine. What is wrong with these people?
posted by Justinian at 3:24 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

If there was ever a time to start marching

It's now

March For Truth, June 3rd
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:24 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

New Hampshire news: state Rep. Robert Fisher who was exposed as the founder of the Reddit redpill forum was excoriated by fellow legislators and witness testimony today in a House hearing over whether to expel him. The recently-elected Republican governor and others have called for him to resign.

“Several years ago I made some injudicious statements regarding women and my frustrations with dating,” said Fisher, now in his second two-year term. “Some of the views that have been alleged here are certainly not reflective of what I stand for and what I have done in my time here in [state capital] Concord.”

...

He left after roughly an hour of testimony because he said he was already late for work.

Since the news came out last month, Fisher has made statements saying some comments were taken out of context, while defending others. He wrote in the Laconia Daily Sun he has “never taped a sexual encounter, though I have often considered that it may be the best, or only, form of protection for men to prevent false rape accusations.” Fisher said he and his girlfriend have faced harassment in wake of the Daily Beast article.

...

The issue of timing is important because the committee is only allowed to consider comments Fisher made in 2017, during the current legislative session.

Majority Leader Dick Hinch, who leads the committee, said he has to take Fisher “at his word” that he is not currently moderating and posting on the forum.

“He said under oath that he wasn’t this individual,” said Hinch, a Merrimack Republican. “I have no other proof to demonstrate otherwise.”

Any action the committee recommends needs a majority vote from the full House to pass.

...

The Republican-led House voted last week to add Democratic Rep. Sherry Frost to the inquiry over Tweets she sent that included profanity and characterized terrorists as “mostly white, Christian men.”

The state government is dominated by Republicans due to gerrymandering, but our entire delegation to the U.S. Congress is both Democratic and women.
posted by XMLicious at 3:24 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

To me it says the Trump camp started panicking over the investigation into collusion and they've axed Comey to try to get a Trumper in to lead the FBI and squelch the investigation.

And given Spicer's spin about Sally Yates, the probably plan to dismiss any damaging information Comey reveals as coming from a disgruntled fired employee.

Nice going, there, Comey.
posted by Gelatin at 3:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Kamala Harris 2020

"Like this guy, this congressman, you might as well say, 'People don’t starve because they don't have food.' What the fuck is that? What are you saying? How can you say that?" Harris stated.

posted by kirkaracha at 3:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [76 favorites]

release the pee tape, comey

also abolish the fbi
posted by Existential Dread at 3:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Comey has, undoubtedly, done great damage to the FBI's credibility. What's the only thing that could damage the agency's credibility worse? Firing the FBI Director in the middle of an investigation involving the Trump campaign.
posted by zachlipton at 3:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

I guess now we find out if America is stronger than the craven party of traitors trying to kill it.
posted by schadenfrau at 3:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

what's oliver north up to these days? he seems like someone they might appoint...
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

"but he talked about her emails"
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

you guys, it's gonna be Gorka
posted by indubitable at 3:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

My money's on Chris Christie by the way. Actually my sincere hope is that a stooge is not going to be confirmed by the Senate with only a 2-seat GOP majority. But who the fuck knows?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Pete Williams on MSNBC points out that this firing has bipartisan support in the Senate.

Feinstein just put out the most bland, pathetic statement I can imagine. What is wrong with these people?

Yes, that’s pretty dang bland.
It’s a good time to make your opinions felt, if she represents you.
Coming out swinging to defend the man who put the current President in office is also not a great look.

posted by Going To Maine at 3:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Rep Ron Wyden - Comey should be immediately called to testify in an open hearing about the status of the Russia/Trump investigation at the time he was fired.

Speaking of which . . . he was supposed to testify in front of the Senate Intel Committee Thursday. Does that still happen? if yes what effect would his former-head status have on what he might/could/will say?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 3:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

I believe we have seen that Republicans absolutely do not and will not give a shit.

If you are talking about registered Republicans, I think many of us are attempting to drink ourselves to death. If you are talking about Republican legislators, I am beginning to believe many of them are skinsuits filled with bees.
posted by corb at 3:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [80 favorites]

The rest of the statements out of Senate Democrats have been much more appropriate. Feinstein has clearly been in Washington too long. She has no idea.
posted by Justinian at 3:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I'd guess this is bullshit but I want to believe. The @jamescomey account has been suspended sooooooo
posted by Existential Dread at 3:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Here's your acting Director of the FBI
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

So Trump, who was being investigated by the FBI for Russian ties fired Comey, who was doing the investigation, on the recommendation of Sessions, who has recused himself from the Russian investigation?

Context has a liberal bias.
posted by Gelatin at 3:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

> My money's on Chris Christie by the way. Actually my sincere hope is that a stooge is not going to be confirmed by the Senate with only a 2-seat GOP majority. But who the fuck knows?

I am seriously going to wager that it will not be Chris Christie, but Chris Christie will be in the running, and I am seriously going to propose that the reason this will happen is because humiliating Chris Christie is the only game that Donald Trump enjoys more than golf.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [63 favorites]

if I'm wrong and Christie gets appointed, I will figure out how to make a vegetarian version of Nixon's submission meatloaf. And then I will eat it.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

"Like this guy, this congressman, you might as well say, 'People don’t starve because they don't have food.' What the fuck is that? What are you saying? How can you say that?" Harris stated.

I like this trend where “good at politics” and “has passion” is now equated with “swears”. That’s fun. (Harris is by no means the only democrat on this train - see also Perez, Ellison, and Gillibrand.)
posted by Going To Maine at 3:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Actually my sincere hope is that a stooge is not going to be confirmed by the Senate with only a 2-seat GOP majority

Welcome our timeline! Here on Earth-519 there is no hope and the GOP is a spineless bucket of wet filth that would gladly confirm Ivanka Trump to be FBI director.
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

From Michael Schmidt, NYT: "WH and DOJ had been working on firing Comey since at least last week. Sessions had been working to come up with reasons."
posted by zachlipton at 3:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

In October, Trump insinuated that Comey was corrupt because Clinton wasn't prosecuted. Today, he fires Comey because Comey went too far in criticizing Clinton. It doesn't add up.

In Trump-logic, it kind of makes sense to me. The bottom line is, Trump wants absolute power, absolute control. Like the Trumper congressmen yesterday, his clique literally can't understand putting law or tradition or the constitution ahead of obedience to the president and AG.

In his testimony, Comey presented his twisted, self-aggrandizing self-portrait as a principled man of independence to any president. As inaccurate as that may be, it indicates he won't necessarily bend the knee to Trump or Jeff Sessions.

Therefore, he's unacceptable and they will try to get someone who will.
posted by msalt at 3:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

If Trump had fired Comey on January 20th, he would have got away with it. Why didn't he fire him? He thought Comey was his guy. Plain and simple. He has probably wanted to fire him for months while the investigation has continued, and has been held back from doing so because it would cause political Armageddon. Now we have political Armageddon!
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Jeffrey Toobin is on fire. "That makes no sense. It's irrational". "It's just not possible."
posted by Justinian at 3:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

The rest of the statements out of Senate Democrats have been much more appropriate. Feinstein has clearly been in Washington too long. She has no idea.

I’d be interested to see some of the others, if there are links. How many folks have yet made statements? (Tim Kaine, for instance, hasn’t made one yet.)
posted by Going To Maine at 3:35 PM on May 9, 2017

How nauseas [sic] should the fact that the new acting director started his career in the NY Field Office make me?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 3:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Here's your acting director of the FBI.

LATimes: Assigned to the New York City office as a young agent, he [McCabe] helped build complex cases against Russian mobsters and helped take out a dangerous gang of Russian-speaking gangsters in one of his first big assignments.

Me: Buys popcorn
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 3:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [47 favorites]

I can't wait to hear Hillary's take, Donald Trump belatedly defending her honor.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Frankly, I thought Comey himself had wanted out since the election.
posted by rhizome at 3:37 PM on May 9, 2017

Southern Comfort. I buy it in the dysfunctional family size.

My favourite liquor store just dropped the price of a handle of Wild Turkey 101 to 39.95, tax included.
posted by mikelieman at 3:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Sessions had been working to come up with reasons

since at least last week

And this is what he came up with?

How fucking stupid is he?
posted by schadenfrau at 3:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

Why do people keep saying if he had done this sooner he would have gotten away with it? Are the Avengers coming?
posted by avalonian at 3:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

And this is what he came up with?

How fucking stupid is he?

They probably think it's really clever.
posted by Artw at 3:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Robert Hanssen has some good high-level experience at the FBI; maybe he's eligible for a work-release program?
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

To be clear since there was some question: My "holy shit, it's starting." was indeed not meant to imply I think this is the end of the Trump regime starting. It is, not the first, but the most blatant, public, and unjustifiable move by the Trump regime to consolidate their position and corrupt the only (imperfect as they may be) institutions left that can check their power.

This can't be allowed to stand. There must be an independent prosecutor. That can no longer be in question.

Democrats must refuse to participate in the functioning of the government until and unless that is the case.
posted by Justinian at 3:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [54 favorites]

From Michael Schmidt, NYT: “WH and DOJ had been working on firing Comey since at least last week. Sessions had been working to come up with reasons.”

Why am I trusting this reporter who judging by his profile pic is an actual baby? O, aging.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Jeffrey Toobin on CNN saying that this is essentially what happens in a non-democracy and it's completely outside American legal norms

After all this time, the media is only now noticing that the entire Trump crowd -- the entire Republican Party -- doesn't care about norms?

They were in violation of the Constitution's emoluments clause from day one. No one in the Republican Party cared. And that's on top of the campaign.

Feh.
posted by Gelatin at 3:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

At this point I assume a history investigating Russian mobsters just means he actually is a Russian mobster.
posted by winna at 3:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [42 favorites]

How fucking stupid is he?

They probably think it's really clever.

Yeah, it's a "fuck you, try and stop us."
posted by diogenes at 3:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

CNN is showing a clip of Trump praising Comey for the exact specific actions Trump just fired Comey for. Toobin: "We can come up with tortured justifications, but sometimes the truth is staring you in the face, and Director Comey was not fired for how he talked about Hillary Clinton eight months ago."
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [89 favorites]

LATimes: Assigned to the New York City office as a young agent, he [McCabe] helped build complex cases against Russian mobsters and helped take out a dangerous gang of Russian-speaking gangsters in one of his first big assignments.

Well I guess there'll be a pressing reason why a less qualified replacement must be appointed in doubletime.
posted by Artw at 3:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Video of Toobin at TPM: Toobin: Trump’s Firing Of Comey Is ‘A Grotesque Abuse Of Power’

“I have not seen anything like this since October 20, 1973, when President Nixon fired Archibald Cox, the Watergate special prosecutor.”

Yup. I just hope this ends the same way for Trump as it did for Nixon.
posted by homunculus at 3:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [33 favorites]

Senator Wyden (D-OR): “I have long been a critic [of Comey]… But Donald Trump’s decision to fire him now… is outrageous…a fully independent special counsel must be appointed.”

Now that’s a statement!
posted by Going To Maine at 3:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

God, I wish we'd built-in a provision for a snap-election.
posted by schmod at 3:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

CNN is not being very both-sidesey right now. I think the administration made a good call switching the FDA office TVs to Fox News.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

My money's on Chris Christie by the way. Actually my sincere hope is that a stooge is not going to be confirmed by the Senate with only a 2-seat GOP majority. But who the fuck knows?

Stooge? You've summoned The Nuge!
posted by srboisvert at 3:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Comey was set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. So that's interesting.
posted by zachlipton at 3:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [40 favorites]

I dunno, I'm watching CNN. Toobin is not having any of that both-sides bullshit and has been shutting down anyone who tries it.
posted by Justinian at 3:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I just logged on to this thread about 10 minutes before the story about Comey broke. Everyone up top is like "I just don't know what the fuck is going on anymore."

And I'm like, "Oh, just wait, Yueliang, just wait."
posted by staggering termagant at 3:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

In the end, grudges will sink The Donald.
posted by davebush at 3:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Comey was set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. So that's interesting.

To quote Tom Nichols, "this administration could make celebrating Christmas on December 25 look like suspicious timing".
posted by Talez at 3:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Man, Toobin's supply of incredulity seems inexhaustible, and so entertaining. They just showed Trump at a rally in October/November saying what a fantastic brave American hero Comey was for going after Hillary, and he was simultaneously goggling and giggling. All the news shows must currently be doing the same now pretty much weekly dance of cueing up every scrap of damning Oopsie, Trump, You Sure Look Even More Like a Crazy Dick Now footage in the vault.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Comey was set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. So that's interesting.

Is he now un-set to testify?
posted by Going To Maine at 3:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Admittedly if he does its going to be much more interesting.
posted by Artw at 3:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

A week ago, "Trump said Comey was the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton in that he gave her a free pass for many bad deeds!" Today, he's firing him for being too critical of Clinton. Anybody who buys this is an idiot.
posted by zachlipton at 3:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

Which works out because he markets primarily to idiots.
posted by contraption at 3:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

I can't wait to hear Hillary's take, Donald Trump belatedly defending her honor.

If she can work in the words "extremely careless," I will be happy.
posted by peeedro at 3:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Talking points on Comey for your senators:

* Completely inappropriate abuse of power by the executive
* Must be an independent, special prosecutor to investigate entire administration
* Expect the Senator to deny unanimous consent on all motions in the Senate
* Expect the Senator to use every possible tool to prevent business from being conducted in the Senate until independent special counsel is appointed
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 3:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [67 favorites]

Uhh. Small question. When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?
posted by zachlipton at 3:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

It's Donald fucking Trump. He's lying.
posted by Justinian at 3:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [46 favorites]

But I mean political developments which are totally unexpected and substantially shocking. This is shocking.

Makes you wonder how much more shocking what Coomey was fired to cover up would be. Assuming that the Trump admin actually realised that firing him would be shocking, and not just something he gets to do, because Governance is pretty much just a reality TV show where countrywide participation is mandatory.
posted by Buntix at 3:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

January 20th, 21st, 22nd
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:50 PM on May 9, 2017

> Kamala Harris 2020

Kamala Harris Calls For Special Prosecutor Following Comey Firing

Senator Uses Logan to Perfectly Explain the Future of America's Job Market

She's got my vote!
posted by homunculus at 3:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

Uhh. Small question. When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

Yeah, this thread is moving so fast we haven't even talked about that bonkers line yet.
posted by diogenes at 3:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Blumenthal is on CNN calling for a special prosecutor and saying there is a Constitutional crisis looming. He says he will be introducing legislation calling for a special prosecutor.
posted by Justinian at 3:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

uh did lindsay graham get taken into a small room and shouted at or something

No, he's always been a feckless toadie.

Who, let's not forget, lied under oath about his own Russian connections before the Senate committee confirming him for this very job.
posted by Gelatin at 3:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) will promote a bill to bring in an independent special prosecutor.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [25 favorites]

And the big thing to remember is that Yates's testimony yesterday made it 100% crystal clear that she was mostly or entirely NOT fired over the Muslim ban; it was largely just a convenient pretext. So now Trump has fired both an acting attorney general and the FBI director within hours or days of notably adverse events related to the Russian collusion investigation.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [68 favorites]

Someone on Twitter made an excellent point. The reason for the blatant lie about this being due to his statement on Hillary, is because that is the only conceivable reason that would justify Jeff Sessions' involvement, since he recused himself on anything to do with Russia.
posted by msalt at 3:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [61 favorites]

They're likely in Comeys office burning files as we speak.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Josh Marshall: I can only remember a few times in twenty years in this business that I heard genuinely stunning news. Obviously 9/11 was stunning; natural disasters are stunning. But I mean political developments which are totally unexpected and substantially shocking. This is shocking.

Holy sweet fancy moses! That latter the president sent! Holy sweet good goddamn!

While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau.

What kind of amateur hour cartoon villainy is this bullshit! What a fucking tell!
posted by Going To Maine at 3:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [40 favorites]

When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

It's a bit of a non-sequitur in a letter firing him for his actions in relation to Clinton.
posted by diogenes at 3:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

So now Trump has fired both an acting attorney general and the FBI director within hours or days of notably adverse events related to the Russian collusion investigation.

Don't forget the District Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The DA for SDNY is the big kahuna of DAs.
posted by Justinian at 3:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

I just read Comey was on the road and wasn't even there to get the letter. That scares me for the files.
posted by Brainy at 3:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Just wondering exactly how Linda Litzke fits into this.
posted by davebush at 3:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Leahy: "This is nothing less than Nixonian." Calls for a Special Counsel
Cummings: Hold emergency hearings with Sessions, Deputy AG, and Comey. Create an independent commission.
Gillibrand: Calls for "independent special prosecutor."
Harris: Calls for special prosecutor

Feinstein: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
posted by zachlipton at 3:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [65 favorites]

Don't forget the District Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The DA for SDNY is the big kahuna of DAs.

Trump fired oodles of DAs because that’s literally what all incoming administrations do so the only weird bit of that one is that he first told the DA he could stay on. Don’t bring a bird poop to a major shitshow
posted by Going To Maine at 3:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I've been busy at work, and I haven't been following as closely as I should. We're assuming that the justification for firing Comey was that he was too hard on Hillary, but is it possible that Trump means that he was too soft? Is he going to appoint someone who will go after her, and we'll get show trials and whatnot?

I don't think it's going to be Giuliani, for what it's worth. My sense is that he isn't mentally all there and probably couldn't hide it.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 3:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Uhh. Small question. When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

Yeah, this thread is moving so fast we haven't even talked about that bonkers line yet.

I know, right? That sentence is so contextless, so weird, so nonsensical, so "they were planning this for a week and they still couldn't produce anything better than that?" My guess is, the president is under investigation; and Lord Dampnut is getting this on the record now so when the investigation comes to light he can say: see, Comey lied to me; why would anyone trust him if he'd lie to the President of the United States? I was deceived, I say!
posted by Tsuga at 3:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

It's a bit of a non-sequitur in a letter firing him for his actions in relation to Clinton.

It's just like Trump putting the (meaningless) Clapper comment he didn't really say in his Twitter header, only in a termination letter. He can't pass up any possible opportunity to proclaim, "Look! see! another person says I'm totally not a fucking traitor" in a highly non-suspicious and smooth manner.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

Trey Gowdy. I bet he wants Trey Gowdy.
posted by maudlin at 3:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm done with any Democrat who comes out with ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ right now.
posted by diogenes at 4:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

I confidently predict that the Republicans in the Senate will rubber stamp absolutely anyone Trump nominates. He could nominate Ivanka and they'd approve it. If you're hoping for the Senate Republicans to suddenly start acting like Senators instead of toadies it's an empty hope.

I really hated Comey, I thought (and still think) he was a Republican stooge who threw the election to Trump because he hated Clinton. And anyone Trump nominates to replace him is flat out guaranteed to be vastly worse.

That's the end of any Russia investigation too. There's no possible way the R's will approve a truly independent Congressional investigation.

The only real question has always been "is this bad enough that the Congressional Republicans will actually stop Trump", and the answer has always been no. Even if he wasn't doing everything they've always hoped to do, they'd be scared of his cult. Maybe a few, like Graham or McCain, will make a few speeches, but in the end they'll find the 51 votes to give Trump anything he asks for.
posted by sotonohito at 4:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

The firing of James Comey is another chapter in the long book of the Douche Canoe fucking over everyone who does business with him. If Comey thought he was making his life easier by going on a trumped-up Clinton hunt, well...I hope he regrets it. Comey screwed us all--so I guess he gets to reap what he hath sown.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 4:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Various Washington Post reporters are tweeting out this page with info for anyone who might want to get info or documents to their reporters anonymously.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Manchin promised the committee would bring Comey in for testimony and said he doesn't believe the firing would play any role in hindering the Senate committee's investigation.
posted by Artw at 4:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

Manchin promised the committee would bring Comey in for testimony and said he doesn't believe the firing would play any role in hindering the Senate committee's investigation.

Well sure, the Republicans already control the Senate's investigation. It's a sham.
posted by Justinian at 4:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Have you tried Halo Top? It costs the fucking earth but is really unreasonably good for ice-cream-like substances that mostly run 250-350 calories per entire pint.

My brain is so stunned right now that suggesting Halo Top, too, is the only contribution I can make. I really like the Red Velvet, it's not too sweet at all.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

This is also, I argue, why saying "I'm a Republican but I oppose Trump" is, at absolute best self deception.

Because what empowers Trump are all the other Republicans in office. Any vote for any Republican at any level of government is, when the dust settles, a vote to make Trump President for Life.
posted by sotonohito at 4:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

I think it's the White House trying to say "see, we didn't do anything improper here like firing the guy in charge of investigating us because Trump isn't under investigation."

But this is what Comey said in March:

“I’ve been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election,” Comey said in testimony before the House Intelligence Committee. “That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.”

posted by zachlipton at 4:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

Aaaand first use of the word 'Nixonian' comes around 1:20 into the BBC radio midnight news.
posted by Devonian at 4:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Leahy:

There simply is no avoiding the compelling fact that this cascading situation demands the prompt appointment of an independent Special Counsel to pick up the pieces of these investigations.
posted by diogenes at 4:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

My sense is that he isn't mentally all there and probably couldn't hide it.

No, we certainly can't have that!
posted by Meatbomb at 4:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I've seen enough mafia movies to know Comey was a goner back when this happened.
posted by peeedro at 4:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Here's your acting Director of the FBI

Shit. A Dukie.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Comey set to speak at FBI event in L.A. — hours after his firing by Trump

James Comey, who was fired today as FBI director by President Trump, was scheduled to attend an FBI recruiting event Tuesday in Hollywood.

Officials have not formally said whether Comey would still go forward with the program. But one law enforcement source said he likely would be there.

What? He's going to go to a recruiting event?

Maybe he thinks he can start again in the mailroom and work his way back up?
posted by zachlipton at 4:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

WARNER wants to hear from Comey in Senate Intel investigation, calls Trump's action "shocking"
posted by diogenes at 4:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Subpoena the President.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

I'm not reading the memorandum from Rosenstein as having anything to do with being too hard on Clinton. He states the disagrees with the conclusion on July 2016 and that it was announced to the press. Also in October it was that it was style, not substance. I wouldn't doubt that they believe Comey went too easy on her.
posted by readery at 4:07 PM on May 9, 2017

This is also, I argue, why saying "I'm a Republican but I oppose Trump" is, at absolute best self deception.

Never trust anyone throwing themselves a pity party over that, for sure. They have plenty of opportunities NOT to support a party entirely composed of nazis and Russian stooges, and yet they choose to do so.
posted by Artw at 4:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Grassley and McCain already came out supporting Trump. There will be no independent investigation. They control congress and have a pet acting AG after Sessions "recused". From today's letter it looks to me like Sessions is still directing and Rosenberg is a public face.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

The letter to Comey was hand delivered by Trump's long-time bodyguard Keith Schiller.

Remember the guy wearing an Adidas track suit when sitting next to Jared Kushner when he was in Iraq meeting with Generals and Iraqi officials? Same guy.

And he's the one that forcibly threw Jorge Ramos out for asking a question at press conference that angered Trump.

And he's the one that smacked a protestor outside Trump Tower.

This speaks to a larger issue of him surrounding himself with guys loyal to him and no one else, which is worrisome.
posted by bluecore at 4:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [51 favorites]

This seems like a dumb move by Trump and Sessions:

- Firing Comey makes Trump look bad and continues focus on Russia (maybe it's time to move on from that?)

- FBI loyalists are going to leak and leak, and leak some more, until the cow comes home.

Sad and truly disgusting that the GOP will choose Trump over America, though.
posted by My Dad at 4:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Schumer is speaking live now. He sounds pissed. "Why now?" is his thesis.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

The White House says President Donald Trump is sending a certified letter to Sen. Lindsey Graham attesting that the president has no connections to Russia.

It's like when a student writes a letter purporting to be from their parents excusing them from school.
posted by dhens at 4:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

Apparently this is why I follow Chuck Grassley on Facebook. His (deeply fucked up) statement, which he just posted:

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley made the following statement following the termination of FBI Director James Comey:

“Over the course of the last several months, Director Comey's decisions on controversial matters have prompted concern from across the political spectrum and from career law enforcement experts.

“The handling of the Clinton email investigation is a clear example of how Comey's decisions have called into question the trust and political independence of the FBI. In my efforts to get answers, the FBI, under Comey's leadership, has been slow or failed to provide information that Comey himself pledged to provide.

“The effectiveness of the FBI depends upon the public trust and confidence. Unfortunately, this has clearly been lost.

“The FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the president. Under these circumstances, President Trump accepted the recommendation of the Justice Department that the Director lacked the confidence needed to carry out his important duties.”

I am going to call and leave a message just as soon as I can do so with out sputtering incoherently.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Fox News: James Comey Resigns

They don't give a fuck anymore. Reality is just what their followers are told.
posted by Talez at 4:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [80 favorites]

holy poop
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Senator Markey's statement:

President Trump’s firing of Director Comey sets a deeply alarming precedent as multiple investigations into possible Trump campaign or administration collusion with Russia remain ongoing, including an FBI investigation. This episode is disturbingly reminiscent of the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate scandal and the national turmoil that it caused. We are careening ever closer to a Constitutional crisis, and this development only underscores why we must appoint a special prosecutor to fully investigate any dealings the Trump campaign or administration had with Russia.
posted by diogenes at 4:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

>>When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

>January 20th, 21st, 22nd

And on each of those occasions, Comey actually said that Trump is under investigation, but Trump--working in his usual businesslike manner--managed to understand the exact opposite of what was actually said . . .
posted by flug at 4:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Seriously holy shit
posted by schadenfrau at 4:12 PM on May 9, 2017

A political cartoon from May 1 that elicits a different kind of laughter but eight days later
posted by Going To Maine at 4:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Schumer is not happy.

Is Feinstein the only Senate Democrat on the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ train? What is wrong with her?

I'm on board for donating to her opponent in 2018.
posted by Justinian at 4:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Maybe he thinks he can start again in the mailroom and work his way back up?

He's gonna pull a Secret of my Success
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

bluecore: The letter to Comey was hand delivered by Trump's long-time bodyguard Keith Schiller.

In the interest of fact checking myself, I'm not reading the letter was read to him over the phone because he's in Los Angeles. I don't know if it was read to him by the bodyguard or hand delivered to his office and read to him by his staff.
posted by bluecore at 4:14 PM on May 9, 2017

Senator Warren:

We need a real, independent prosecutor who @realDonaldTrump can't fire, Sessions can't intimidate, & Congress can't muzzle. We need it now.
posted by diogenes at 4:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [86 favorites]

So in less exciting news, McMaster got the kiss of death today:

Spicer: Trump Has ‘Utmost Confidence’ In Nat’l Security Adviser H.R. McMaster

So don't be surprised if he's gone pretty soon.
posted by sporkwort at 4:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [26 favorites]

Stop posting so fast! I wanna vote for Chaffetz to replace Comey.
posted by SpaceBass at 4:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

What happens if the Dems pull out all the stops to gum up then Senate until we get an independent prosecutor?

How many nuclear options are there?
posted by schadenfrau at 4:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

In light of the events of the last few hours I'd like to amend my suggestion; let's all flood the post offices to mail certified letters to Graham instead, demanding a Special Prosecutor.
posted by contraption at 4:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

A political cartoon from May 1 that elicits a different kind of laughter but eight days later

Ha ha.

But seriously, fuck that guy. This is one last disservice he's done us.
posted by Artw at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

@davidehrlich: America has reached the part of ALIEN where John Hurt is starting to have a stomach ache.
posted by Atom Eyes at 4:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [73 favorites]

As for possible Comey replacements, Devin Nunes isn't too busy at present, and he's a GREAT investigator.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Too bad C. won't be able to spill the beans to the Senate about Russia, since this investigation is about to be no longer ongoing (and thus, golly, shutting up about it no longer qualifies as the worse choice in a horrible moral dilemma).

If the FBI wasn't solid Trump country, I'd say get ready for the mother of all leaks.
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 4:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

If we don't get an independent prosecutor -- and even if we do -- my feeling is violence of some kind ('68 style maybe, or something to do with vote suppression and protests) in the run up to 2018.
posted by schadenfrau at 4:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

How many nuclear options are there?

As far as I know, they can filibuster legislation and that's it.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 4:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I suppose it's a good sign that I can't get through to Sen. Feinstein's office at least.
posted by zachlipton at 4:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Or, Congress isn't going to save us. Because nobody is going to save us.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 4:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

In other words, the deeper they dig themselves in, the higher the stakes for 2018. At this point, a Democratic House probably means criminal charges for many of them.
posted by schadenfrau at 4:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

> "The firing of James Comey is another chapter in the long book of the Douche Canoe fucking over everyone who does business with him."

I am reminded, for some reason, of a poem about a snake.
posted by kyrademon at 4:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [33 favorites]

> he found out by seeing it on TV

Classy
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 4:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Sen. Corker (R-Tenn) “[Comey's] removal at this particular time will raise questions...it is essential that ongoing investigations are free of political interference.”

You mean political interference like firing the person in charge of the investigation? That kind of political interference?
posted by diogenes at 4:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

The Nixon library subtweets Trump: "FUN FACT: President Nixon never fired the Director of the FBI #FBIDirector #notNixonian "

Sen. Schatz (D-HI): We are in a full-fledged constitutional crisis.
posted by zachlipton at 4:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [82 favorites]

"Heck of a job, Comey!"
posted by drezdn at 4:24 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Oh, ha, watching the re-broadcast of PBS Newshour from tonight, while the story being read was about Trump launching a new campaign web site, the graphic they kept up the whole time was "COMEY TESTIMONY" with the photo of him before Congress. Ha, ha, ha. *cries*
posted by XMLicious at 4:25 PM on May 9, 2017

We are in a full-fledged constitutional crisis.

Maybe this is just my white knuckled Handmaid's Tale viewing, but is there any way to remove him without suspending the Constitution?
posted by corb at 4:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

2018/2020 Basically they must just be assuming that the normal tendency to ignore the crimes of the previous administration will be swept under the rug.

Either that or they are just looking for the short term payoff and giving up on retaining power.
posted by vuron at 4:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Maybe he thinks he can start again in the mailroom and work his way back up?

Oh my god, this would be a great movie.

INT. FBI HEADQUARTERS. SEVERAL SENIOR FIGURES ARE GATHERED. COMEY BURSTS INTO THE ROOM.

COMEY:
"Sir! Sir! Mr. Acting Director!"

ACTING DIRECTOR:
"What is it, Mailbox?"

[MAILBOX is Comey's cool new nickname. All the department heads called him that as a dis, but Comey stepped to the mic and owned it. Now he wears sunglasses, knee pads, and a green visor to work, like a skateboarding accountant. He is the first and only mailroom employee ever sponsored by Red Bull.]

COMEY:
"I've been doing some research on certified letters — you might want to sit down — the certification process is just a post office thing ... It has nothing to do with the factual accuracy of the letter itself!"

SOUND EFFECT: Record scratch. The ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR LETTER-RELATED CRIMES spits out his drink.

posted by compartment at 4:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [51 favorites]

Gosh, if Trump is now firing guys who gave him the election, I hope Putin has his resumé in order.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

It won't take any congressional time, Republicans won't do anything about it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I just hope this ends the same way for Trump as it did for Nixon.

Rehabilitated as an "elder statesman"?
posted by thelonius at 4:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

You know, if they had been more on the ball, they could have fired Comey a week and a half ago and been able to add 'Brought about Constitutional crisis' to the things they accomplished in the first 100 days.
posted by sporkwort at 4:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

GMA producer tweeted that Comey is planning to keep his scheduled speaking engagement this evening in LA, an FBI official tells ABC News. Is anyone in LA who might go? Is it your birthday?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Maybe this is just my white knuckled Handmaid's Tale viewing, but is there any way to remove him without suspending the Constitution?

It's impeachment or the 25th. Those are the only two options.
posted by diogenes at 4:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Maybe this is just my white knuckled Handmaid's Tale viewing, but is there any way to remove him without suspending the Constitution?

I wonder how many people are googling the 25th amendment right now
posted by schadenfrau at 4:28 PM on May 9, 2017

It's impeachment or the 25th. Those are the only two options.

The only legal ways, yes.
posted by Justinian at 4:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

I just looked up Comey's event for tonight, it's being held at the Director's Guild of America building on Sunset... but it's only open to applicants who have made it past a certain stage in their applications.
posted by Aubergine at 4:30 PM on May 9, 2017

So when Christie gets to be FBI Director, does anyone else think he will go full Reek and turn on his master for all the embarrassing meatloaf that was forced down his throat?

I mean... eventually someone has to right?
posted by Glibpaxman at 4:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Damn, Trump getting dragged by the Richard Nixon Library.
posted by drezdn at 4:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

The most frustrating thing about Trump firing Comey is that the media haven't automatically given the story a "Gate" suffix. Seriously. Nixon tried to fire Archibald Cox for investigating people associated with Watergate. Trump fired Comey who was investigating his ties to Russia. We get gate suffixes for Utes, dongles and iPhones but we can't get a fucking gate suffix for this, which would actually be totally appropriate for the first time since actual Watergate? C'mon!?!
posted by Effigy2000 at 4:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Maybe this is just my white knuckled Handmaid's Tale viewing, but is there any way to remove him without suspending the Constitution?

* Impeachment by a majority of the House and Conviction by 2/3rds of the Senate
* Removal by the 25th amendment
* Massive, daily protests nationally to get the whole lot of the executive branch to resign
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 4:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

something something tumbrel something something knitting
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

James and the Giant Impeachment
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [136 favorites]

is there any way to remove him without suspending the Constitution?

Republicans could start putting country over party.
posted by contraption at 4:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [45 favorites]

James and the Giant Impeachment

damn you
posted by Going To Maine at 4:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Comey-gate? Comeyghazi? Comeyargo?
posted by drezdn at 4:32 PM on May 9, 2017

Comey found out he was fired by seeing it on TV.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Fox News: James Comey Resigns

And he found out he'd resigned on TV.
posted by scalefree at 4:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [59 favorites]

Republicans could start putting country over party.

But seriously.
posted by drezdn at 4:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

The problem with “Lock him up!” as a campaign slogan is that I’m afraid it’s going to be hard to tell which him we’re talking about.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

So when Christie gets to be FBI Director, does anyone else think he will go full Reek and turn on his master for all the embarrassing meatloaf that was forced down his throat?

Trump is not hiring Christie to do nothin'. Which reminds me -- Dear Mitt Romney: If the President invites you to dinner sometime soon, DON'T GO, dude.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017

Republicans could start putting country over party.

At this point you can be a Republican or you can be in favour of the continuance of America but you sure as fuck can't be both.
posted by Artw at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [50 favorites]

When exactly were the "three separate occasions" when Comey informed Trump that he is not under investigation?

The WH press release has John Barron's tiny little hands all over it. It sounds exactly like the pumped-up nonsense that Trump would add to a press release about The Apprentice or Trump Steaks. Trump understood that this WH press release would have a huge impact and be widely discussed and disseminated so why not add in a line of bullshit? Many people will see this Official White Press Release and swallow the whole thing like it was 100% verified truth.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

*frantically googles how to move to another country*

Ideally, I'd like to move to Ireland, but Canada would be fine. Australia will do in a pinch.
posted by SansPoint at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Go back to the classics: The Trump Affair?
posted by drezdn at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

The problem with “Lock him up!” as a campaign slogan is that I’m afraid it’s going to be hard to tell which him we’re talking about.

Really I don't think it will be.
posted by Artw at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Trump doesn't enjoy this job. He should pardon himself and his family and his campaign and go back to the penthouse. Easy.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

dumbassshennanigansgate.
posted by vrakatar at 4:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Comey-a-Lago.
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

I propose a new constitutional amendment. it's a guillotine with "28^TH AMENDMENT" painted on it.

I know it may seem a little radical amending the Constitution with an object rather than with a piece of text, but I think we're ready to take this step.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

You mean political interference like firing the person in charge of the investigation? That kind of political interference?

Didn't we put some laws into place to deal with this shit, after Nixon fired Cox?
posted by Melismata at 4:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

dumbassshennanigansgate.

The Constitution needs a shenanigans clause.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Just got through to Sen. Feinstein's office after a long time on hold. Said I wanted to express my surprise that the Senator did not use the occasion to express any concern about Comey's firing or to call for an independent investigation into ties with Russia unlike many of her colleagues. There was a decent pause and the staffer finally said "yeah. I don't really know what's going on there either." He said he'd pass on the message.

So that was a little odd. I'd encourage you to call if you live in CA. If you get the voicemail thing, you can hang up and call back to keep trying.
posted by zachlipton at 4:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [104 favorites]

It's like Trump has figured out a cheat code for corruption. If you just do enough of it, so brazenly, while tossing a bone to your party, they'll let you run with it.
posted by drezdn at 4:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Being found guilty of a crime would presumably also result in a resignation if not dismissal.

Considering that several State AGs seem interested in investigating Trump I am not sure that Congress doing something is an absolute requirement. Definitely should happen and ethically needs to happen.

But you know party over country
posted by vuron at 4:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Employees fired by Trump:
Sally Yates
Preet Bharara
James Comey

Employees investigating Trump:
Sally Yates
Preet Bharara
James Comey— Maggie Jordan: (@MaggieJordanACN) May 9, 2017

posted by Fizz at 4:37 PM on May 9, 2017 [98 favorites]

Being found guilty of a crime would presumably also result in a resignation if not dismissal.

Traditionally. For Trump? No way in hell.
posted by Artw at 4:37 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Has anyone posted "But her emails" today?
posted by drezdn at 4:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

> Trump doesn't enjoy this job. He should pardon himself and his family and his campaign and go back to the penthouse. Easy.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:33 PM on May 9 [+] [!]

I just had a positive fantasy about Paul Ryan and it made me feel gross inside and so I've got to share it with you.

The fantasy is of Ryan, Priebus, Sessions, etc. getting together to convince Trump to resign, with all of them promising that he can pardon himself and get to live out a happy, prosperous retirement. I'm picturing them promising that foreign dignitaries will still be required to stay at Trump's DC hotel, that he'll still get to rent out a floor of trump tower to the secret service, that, in general, he'll keep getting to channel money to himself through the federal government, without being expected to do any of the tiresome work involved with actually heading the executive branch.

And the fantasy involves Trump gleefully taking this deal, and, while actually walking onto the helicopter to fly off into exile, having Paul Ryan casually tell him that his self-pardon doesn't make him immune to prosecution for all the state-level crimes he's committed. Trump, outraged, turns to Ryan and Trumps out some word salad along the lines of "we had a deal!"

At which point Ryan smiles a creepy-ass Paul Ryan smile and says "you knew I was a snake when you picked me up."
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [53 favorites]

How many nuclear options are there?

As far as I know, they can filibuster legislation and that's it.

If memory serves me correctly, the Senate operates on the concept of unanimous consent -- the various parliamentary motions required to keep business going are more or less waived if no one objects (and why would they?).

Democrats in the Senate must end any cooperation with the Republicans whatsoever. Require a vote on every measure, and take advantage of every possible dilatory motion -- don't waive the reading of the bill, or the roll call vote of all 100 -- and they do have a quorum present, don't they? -- simply to adjourn.

Individual Senators have power. I suggest the Democrats start using it.
posted by Gelatin at 4:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [38 favorites]

Another real problem is that, beyond the how of removing a President, depending on the scope of the corruption, there’s no way to have a special election. The Constitution has no provision for it. (I believe Norm Ornstein was opining about this a little while back, though surely it has been a poli-sci issue for an age.) If the President is out, do you trust Pence? If Pence is out, do you trust Ryan? What about Orrin Hatch? These are all options for which I might settle, but it would seem that most of their integrity has been compromised at this point and will continue to be compromised further as the gyre widens.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Justin Amash (R-MI): "My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre."
posted by zachlipton at 4:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [100 favorites]

Has anyone posted "But her emails" today?

Just retweeted...
posted by Artw at 4:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I wish this were the timeline where firing the guy who swung the election towards fascism with perfectly-timed misinformation and perjured himself to Congress was a good thing.
posted by ckape at 4:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [37 favorites]

With Graham and McCain already out of the running for a non-feckless response, which Republican senator is next in line to at least make some grandstanding noises in the right direction. Collins?
posted by diogenes at 4:40 PM on May 9, 2017

Has anyone posted "But her emails" today?

I included it in the FPP since I figured those words should be looking down at us from above every day.
posted by zachlipton at 4:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

I won't link to it but Claude Taylor — who I can't vouch for and frequently talks to Mensch — is saying hopeful things on Twitter if you need to read that. It...helps. It might be a fairy tale but if it is, it's a nice fairy tale.
posted by Brainy at 4:41 PM on May 9, 2017

The most frustrating thing about Trump firing Comey is that the media haven't automatically given the story a "Gate" suffix. Seriously

WTFgate.
posted by nubs at 4:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

posted by entropicamericana at 4:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

The most frustrating thing about Trump firing Comey is that the media haven't automatically given the story a "Gate" suffix. Seriously

Trumpgate. The man likes to have his name on things.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

entropicamericana - what is that, French?
posted by Artw at 4:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

Is Amish the real deal? I've seen him talk a big game about Trump, but that's true of McCain and he always falls in line and licks Trump's boots when it counts.
posted by Justinian at 4:44 PM on May 9, 2017

Amash is the guy who just last week said he'd have to read the Trumpcare bill, and two hours later voted yes. He's a total fraud.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [28 favorites]

Ah yeah, that's the good stuff... There is no pain, you are receding...
That's exactly what I was fumbling around with. It could well be morphine.
posted by Brainy at 4:45 PM on May 9, 2017

My only real hope at this point is that some FBI loyalists drop a ton of documents into the NYT or WaPo dropboxes with a note attached reading simply "James Comey sends his regards."
posted by Justinian at 4:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [45 favorites]

it's funny; the first time I read that document I thought it was inspiring, but now I'm like "that Enlightenment twaddle is so naïve."

okay really what's going on though is that I can't read:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"

without expecting the next part to be:

"And when I meet Thomas Jefferson I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel! WORK!"

posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

entropicamericana - what is that, French?

we fought for these ideals; we shouldnt settle for less
these are wise words, enterprising men quote them
posted by entropicamericana at 4:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

If memory serves me correctly, the Senate operates on the concept of unanimous consent -- the various parliamentary motions required to keep business going are more or less waived if no one objects (and why would they?).

I believe our friends at the IWW call the idea you are obliquely suggesting a "slowdown", and other than sympathy strikes it's one of the more effective nonviolent tactics.
posted by corb at 4:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

If Trump nominates Sheriff Clarke for the FBI, I will lose my shit.
posted by drezdn at 4:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

I took an afternoon nap. Every time I do take an afternoon nap I wake up to a Trump shitshow. But I like naps.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

No more naps.
posted by notyou at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

If Trump nominates Sheriff Clarke for the FBI, I will lose my shit.

Try and hang on to your pee though, in case you get locked up without a source of water.
posted by Artw at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

the President himself has been considering this, been thinking about this for at least a week.

Bullshit.
posted by dilaudid at 4:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

If memory serves me correctly, the Senate operates on the concept of unanimous consent -- the various parliamentary motions required to keep business going are more or less waived if no one objects (and why would they?).

I believe our friends at the IWW call the idea you are obliquely suggesting a "slowdown", and other than sympathy strikes it's one of the more effective nonviolent tactics.

Right, but this is why I asked about nuclear options. Can they just change the rules about how the Senate functions to remove the ability to fuck shit up?
posted by schadenfrau at 4:51 PM on May 9, 2017

So, what's the odds on Spicer having a full meltdown tomorrow?
posted by nubs at 4:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

AP: In possible sign of closer ties between US and Russia, Trump plans to meet Russia's foreign minister at White House.
posted by Brainy at 4:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

I doubt the President has ever thought about literally anything for at least a week.
posted by Justinian at 4:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

You can't make this shit up.

BREAKING: President Trump set to meet Russian Foreign Minister at White House tomorrow— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) May 9, 2017

posted by Fizz at 4:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

If Trump nominates Sheriff Clarke for the FBI, I will lose my shit.

Former AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio is currently unemployed and also available...
posted by mosk at 4:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

the President himself has been considering this, been thinking about this for at least a week.

Bullshit.

Why? Bureaucracies grind slowly. It takes time for deputy AGs to write up explanations. Simply because someone flips out, that doesn’t mean the paperwork gets filed right away.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:53 PM on May 9, 2017

I don't think the folks at Lawfare are particularly prone to shrillness, and they just posted an article titled "The Nightmare Scenario: Trump Fires Comey, the One Man Who Would Stand Up to Him."

It starts with "Make no mistake: The firing of James Comey as FBI director is a stunning event. It is a profoundly dangerous thing—a move that puts the Trump-Russia investigation in immediate jeopardy and removes from the investigative hierarchy the one senior official whom President Trump did not appoint..."
posted by diogenes at 4:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

So, um, guys: the Census Director resigned this afternoon.

Any bets on who will replace him? Oh, and ask Canada what happens when you fuck with the census.
posted by maudlin at 4:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [49 favorites]

I doubt the President has ever thought about literally anything for at least a week.

Fumed about, probably.
posted by Artw at 4:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

A congressional Democrat with access to any of the classified material on the Russia investigation should really seriously think about taking one for the team and reading any information that won't compromise an investigation into the record with their protections under the Speech or Debate Clause. Existence of criminal indictments without names attached, verification of that grand jury rumor, something. Somebody in a safe blue seat who will be replaced by another Dem if removed from Congress - that's the only penalty they can face, they're immune from prosecution by the Executive for releasing classified info that way. Go tit for tat on this, Trump crossed a red line and it needs a response.
posted by jason_steakums at 4:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [86 favorites]

BREAKING: President Trump set to meet Russian Foreign Minister at White House tomorrow

Will they spirit him into a waiting submarine? Dose him with Polonium? Make his Praetorship official?
posted by contraption at 4:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Sen. Burr is the Chairman of United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, so his reaction matters more than some.

I would argue that Senator Burr's reaction matters more than literally anybody else at this point. The Senate investigation is the only thing left standing.
posted by diogenes at 4:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I doubt the President has ever thought about literally anything for at least a week.

The shitshow where a bunch of R's failed to ask Yates about Russia? Not expecting much.
posted by Artw at 4:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

It seems really unhelpful for Democrats to be screaming how "Nixonian" this is considering how many Republicans openly admire Tricky Dick. As long as the GOP gets what they want out of Trump -- the decimation of regulations and their big tax cuts, I think they will go along with Comey's firing. The entire GOP, including McCain, regardless of what he's saying now, will shut up and roll over because Trump will continue to "Make America Great Again" ... For Corporations.
posted by pjsky at 4:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

@DanaBashCNN: Source w knowledge of wh discussions tells me senior officials did not think firing james comey would be a big political explosion.

What? How? Are they stupid?

I don't think the folks at Lawfare are particularly prone to shrillness, and they just posted an article titled "The Nightmare Scenario: Trump Fires Comey, the One Man Who Would Stand Up to Him."

Benjamin Wittes, who co-authored that, is a good friend of Comey.
posted by zachlipton at 4:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [27 favorites]

If they bring in a "short census," hang em high.
posted by Yowser at 4:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

"What pairs well with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor?"

White russians.
posted by coust at 4:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

I hate that I have to think like this, but truthfully the most effective messaging for getting an independent prosecutor might be literally be the chicken dance

Like if everyone on tv just started calling Trump a coward, maybe we'll get one

You know, like how you would manipulate a five year old
posted by schadenfrau at 4:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

> Oh, and ask Canada what happens when you fuck with the census.

You lose the next election?
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

> While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau.

I have many thoughts about this sentence. But one of them is that it has a good chance of becoming almost as infamous as "I am not a crook".

I mean, I thought the Rs were supposed to be masters of framing. The very absolute last thing you do in politics is run around very loudly proclaiming that you are NOT something.

What this letter screams to even the most politically naive person is that the President of the United States is very, very, very worried about being investigated.

Why?

The fact that he himself has raised the question is more powerful than a thousand CNNs doing it . . .
posted by flug at 4:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

I would argue that Senator Burr's reaction matters more than literally anybody else at this point.

However, it's not just a Hamilton reference to point out that Burr is the worst.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Se. Burr (who heads up the Senate committee on the Russian connections) has not gone on twitter but :

@Ali Watkins: Just in from Burr: “I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Jim Comey’s termination."

It goes on to say "I have found Director Comey to be a public servant of the highest order and his dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by our Committee. In my interactions with the director and the Bureau under his leadership, he and the FBI have always been straightforward with our Committee. Director Comey has been more forthcoming with information than any FBI Director I can recall in my tenure on the congressional intelligence committee. His dismissal, I believe, is a loss for the Bureau and the nation."

I'm not sure what the origin of this is because the whole thing is in quotes as though he spoke to the press.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Oh, and ask Canada what happens when you fuck with the census.

You get Justin Trudeau.
posted by My Dad at 4:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

You lose the next election?

Assuming you have the equivalent of an Elections Canada drawing riding boundaries and running elections, yeah, sure ...
posted by maudlin at 4:59 PM on May 9, 2017

What? How? Are they stupid?

Stupid, Crazy, and Evil are individually weak forces but all three together can support the strongest stool. In all senses.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Oh, and ask Canada what happens when you fuck with the census.

You lose the next election?

Or you never lose another election again.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

A congressional Democrat with access to any of the classified material on the Russia investigation

How about a Senator? I can think of one Dianne Feinstein who is on the verge of retirement (or primary,) has a lot of sins to atone for, and who emerged ashen-faced from a meeting with Comey in March.
posted by contraption at 5:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

What? How? Are they stupid?

Have you remembered nothing about Trump's Razor.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they thought this would be a two-day story that would be a great way to overshadow the Yates testimony from yesterday.

I also wouldn't be surprised if they ended up being right, honestly.
posted by tivalasvegas at 5:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

I don't know about the chicken dance, but if we can march for women and march for science, surely we can get a gazillion people in the streets to march for an independent investigation?
posted by zachlipton at 5:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

BREAKING: President Trump set to meet Russian Foreign Minister at White House tomorrow— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex)

Hand delivering the pee tape for services rendered?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

ack! I see that whole quote is from a series of tweets from Burr.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:01 PM on May 9, 2017

you mean the dianne feinstein that hasn't issued a statement about the comey firing? that dianne feinstein?
posted by entropicamericana at 5:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Because its going to be a rough evening/night for many of us. For all your social media and commenting needs, I provide you the following:

- picardfacepalm.gif
- infinitepicardfacepalm.gif
- louiefacepalm.gif
- brittafacepalm.gif
- kobebryantfacepalmheadscratch.gif
- wolverinefacepalm.gif
- batmanfacepalm.gif
- colbertfacepalms.gif
posted by Fizz at 5:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [35 favorites]

"I'm troubled by" is Republican for "but I'm not going to do anything about that thing you think I should do something about, so fuck off".
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [55 favorites]

So, the one silver lining is that this is pretty much confirmation that James Comey wasn't quite a straightforward Trump lackey but A Land of Contrasts. He wouldn't be out if he wasn't going after Trump.

Next steps: raise hell until we get a special prosecutor and they subpoena Comey. His testimony should be a hell of a thing.
posted by jason_steakums at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

How about a Senator? I can think of one Dianne Feinstein who is on the verge of retirement (or primary,) has a lot of sins to atone for, and who emerged ashen-faced from a meeting with Comey in March.

I like it! She's been pretending to be useless to lure Trump into a false sense of complacency!
posted by diogenes at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I also wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up being right, honestly.

I don’t believe that even the most partisan Senate could accept the nomination of -and vote to approve- a new FBI director in two days, or that this administration is competent enough to identify a new director in that amount of time. But I’ve been surprised by many things.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

I have possibly cheering news -

I just tried to call both of my Representative's offices to leave a message demanding the House bring impeachment charges for obstruction of justice. Both offices had full mailboxes.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

who emerged ashen-faced from a meeting with Comey in March.

Any reporter who judges what a politician is going to do based on that kind of subject facial expression reading needs a stern talking to.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:04 PM on May 9, 2017

Lauren Dobson-Hughes: "Turmoil erupts in the fractured state of America, as authoritarian new President dismisses the head of the investigative bureau. After an election marred by allegations of corruption, the new President quickly moved to fill key positions with his family members. It's not known whether this new firing will lead to sectarian violence in a fractured country where gun crime is rife. International observers have urged calm as the situation in the strife-ridden state of America escalates. The UN says it is watching closely. Neighbouring countries prepare interventions to de-escalate the constitutional crisis in this young state, before it engulfs the region."
posted by maudlin at 5:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [138 favorites]

Shit, we're living in the V for Vendetta timeline, aren't we...
posted by daq at 5:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

you mean the dianne feinstein that hasn't issued a statement about the comey firing? that dianne feinstein?

No, the one I'm talking about issued a mealy-mouthed "well, we on the Judiciary Committee will ensure that the new Director is independent and well-vetted" and needs to be hounded to issue a "clarification." I don't expect her to have a change of heart, I just like imagining the increasingly-fanciful scenarios under which she might be able to redeem herself as a representative of my state.
posted by contraption at 5:08 PM on May 9, 2017

As a North Carolinian I'm actually flabbergasted at Burr's response. That's the most semi-human thing I can remember him doing in ages.
posted by something something at 5:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Shit, we're living in the V for Vendetta timeline, aren't we...

Quick! Somebody check doesnatalieportmanstillhavehair.com!
posted by Talez at 5:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Just in: From a highly placed source. Comey (as former Director) is testifying tomorrow/Thursday before Senate Committee in closed session.

Claude Taylor tweet. Link.
posted by yoga at 5:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

you mean the dianne feinstein that hasn't issued a statement about the comey firing? that dianne feinstein?

Feinstein's statement

"President Trump called me at 5:30 p.m. and indicated he would be removing Director Comey, saying the FBI needed a change," Feinstein said in a statement. "The next FBI director must be strong and independent and will receive a fair hearing in the Judiciary Committee."

What a joke.
posted by Justinian at 5:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [36 favorites]

The utter lack of any consequences on the part of Congress is going to make me pine for the days of Watergate, when lawmakers actually cared about the Constitution.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Whatever the dictionary word for accepting fascism out of an unreciprocated notion of "fairness" is, the actual entry is just a picture of her.
posted by Artw at 5:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Bad idea for Team Trump. Whenever the Chief throws his hardnose detective off the case, the detective doubles down and solves it.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Trumpist commenters on other sites are suggesting that the new FBI replacement will be brought on to finally Lock Her Up, which would be one hell of a way to draw attention away from Russia et al.
posted by tau_ceti at 5:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

I need to update my comment.

This is just gross: Trump team marks 6-month election anniversary by vowing to air video of Clinton campaign’s concession call

Sometimes it’s fun to go back to your high-school and impress the current generation of students with how accomplished you are ~~because now you can legally buy beer.~~ by setting the building ablaze and cackling madly.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

@DanaBashCNN: Source w knowledge of wh discussions tells me senior officials did not think firing james comey would be a big political explosion.

More on this. Their strategy was that Democrats wouldn't be able to protest because they've criticized Comey before.

This is really bad strategy. Both parties have big criticisms of Comey. They really thought people just wouldn't say anything?
posted by zachlipton at 5:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

You have to wonder if Sessions, et al, kept any records as they debated how to best fire Comey; whether they sent any emails; and whether those records still exist.

Emails, you say?
posted by Gelatin at 5:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

The Chris Hayes Show just pointed out he's in LA and took the FBI plane there so it's not clear how he'll get back to DC as he no longer has permission to use the plane.
posted by bluecore at 5:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Senator Warren is going on MSNBC in a few minutes.
posted by diogenes at 5:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

They finally found out that Comey was responsible for killing the young KGB agent back in season 1.
posted by drezdn at 5:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

You know, I was 9 years old when 9/11 happened. The most that I understood in the two years afterwards was, "Why did we invade Iraq? What about Afghanistan? And didn't the news keep saying they were from Saudi Arabia? How come wars don't happen on our soil? We keep attacking other countries." and I would keep seeing my Muslim and Sikh friends keep getting terrified.

It's occurred to me that I haven't really talked to any children and I'm not really in any contact with them, and I wonder what they think about all of this going on. It's utterly flabbergasting, scary, and confusing.
posted by yueliang at 5:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Trumpist commenters on other sites are suggesting that the new FBI replacement will be brought on to finally Lock Her Up, which would be one hell of a way to draw attention away from Russia et al.

Oh sweet jesus. THAT is the most terrifying thing I've read regarding this whole mess. It's so vile I have no doubt it's true.
posted by pjsky at 5:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [27 favorites]

The Chris Hayes Show just pointed out he's in LA and took the FBI plane there so it's not clear how he'll get back to DC as he no longer has permission to use the plane.

And so James Comey begins an epic adventure, hitch-hiking his way across the country on a journey to discover the real America and, perhaps, himself.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [182 favorites]

They are really far stupider than we can imagine.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

*finishes bag of chips, licks fingers*
Okay, because I like you, I'll give you hints as to who the next FBI director will be.

A white man. An old, white man. A crazy, old, white man who loudly proclaims loyalty to Il Toupeé.

He was also in a band with Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw called "Damn Yankees".
Whoops, you know what the music means.
posted by petebest at 5:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

There are so many great movies to be made about this administration, so many wondrous, fabtrabulous, fantastical romps. And I just know that the only one that will get made will be by Oliver Stone and it will miss the entire point.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

And so James Comey begins an epic adventure, hitch-hiking his way across the country on a journey to discover the real America and, perhaps, himself.

I was going to go with GoFundMe for a MegaBus ticket. Yours is much better.
posted by Talez at 5:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Let's play fantasy special prosecutor, who the hell could lead this? Every Senate Republican is totally compromised, and they'd never agree to a Democrat. It has to be someone out of politics, but respected enough to be independent and with an actual background in complex investigation.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Going after Hillary is my red line in the sand. That was the thing that I wrote down on November 9th.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

So they can now say: "But we fired him because he hurt you, what are you complaining about?"

Do they think nobody remembers that last week Comey testified about the FBI investigation of Trump's Russian connections?

I know this 100 days feels like 100 years, but seriously.

They are really horrifyingly, incorrigibly, stupid.
posted by suelac at 5:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

More on this. Their strategy was that Democrats wouldn't be able to protest because they've criticized Comey before.

Edward Snowden: "This FBI Director has sought for years to jail me on account of my political activities. If I can oppose his firing, so can you."
posted by Buntix at 5:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [142 favorites]

There are so many great movies to be made about this administration, so many wondrous, fabtrabulous, fantastical romps. And I just know that the only one that will get made will be by Oliver Stone and it will miss the entire point.

I expect the reality to be some Trumpian variant of Sideshow Bob.
posted by Talez at 5:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

What am I supposed to do with all these puns that just Comey to me now?!?
posted by drezdn at 5:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

And so James Comey begins an epic adventure, hitch-hiking his way across the country on a journey to discover the real America and, perhaps, himself.

At some point he meets an alien

like from another planet, not mexico
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Charles Pierce, before Comey's firing: Why Isn't Anything a Big Deal Anymore? A few thoughts on Comey and Flynn.

And after: The Great American Ass-Covering: With James Comey's firing, the entire Justice Department is now hopelessly compromised.
posted by homunculus at 5:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

The Chris Hayes Show just pointed out he's in LA and took the FBI plane there so it's not clear how he'll get back to DC as he no longer has permission to use the plane.

Kayak has a flight leaving L.A. at 11:30 tonight and getting into BWI at 7 AM tomorrow. It's $284. Even as an unemployed person, I suspect that Comey can swing it.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

NBC nat sec reporter Ken Dilanian: "Former senior FBI official tells me: 'I believe the intent here is to replace him with someone who will close' the Russia probe."

Or, more hyperbolically put,

Observer nat sec columnist John Schindler: "Trump has either BIGLY Saturday Night Massacred himself here...or he's consolidated power & is beyond any law.

"We'll know soon which it is."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:20 PM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

And so James Comey begins an epic adventure, hitch-hiking his way across the country on a journey to discover the real America and, perhaps, himself.

And he discovers the real impeachment scandal was the friendships he made along the way.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [65 favorites]

And so James Comey begins an epic adventure, hitch-hiking his way across the country on a journey to discover the real America and, perhaps, himself.

Is this an American Gods crossover? Does he get a job as chauffeur for Tyr?
posted by homunculus at 5:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Season 4 of Black Mirror is the most terrifying yet...
posted by Fizz at 5:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

More on this. Their strategy was that Democrats wouldn't be able to protest because they've criticized Comey before.

Yeah they clearly chose their rationale with the idea that it would knock the wind out of any Democratic response. I mean, they allegedly fired him for reasons that I would've thought totally not-insane for Obama to use to fire Comey in November. So they can now say: "But we fired him because he hurt you, what are you complaining about?".

I think there’s an argument to be made that had Yates not testified yesterday, the story would indeed have less weight. The Yates and Clapper testimony -to say nothing of that short-lived insane Twitter banner that is less than a footnote in all of this- got everyone super het up. If that testimony hadn’t happened there’d be anger, but it would feel very different. There’d be no sense -justified or not- of an immediate cause and effect. (We have people this thread who seem sure that this was due to the Yates testimony, nothing else.) We’re getting the benefit of Trump’s razor here. The President is helping people connect the dots in the ongoing damage to the republic.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Josh Marshall:

There is only one reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from the decision to fire Comey: that there is grave wrongdoing at the center of the Russia scandal and that it implicates the President. As I write this, I have a difficult time believing that last sentence myself. But sometimes you have to step back from your assumptions and simply look at what the available evidence is telling you. It’s speaking clearly: the only reasonable explanation is that the President has something immense to hide and needs someone in charge of the FBI who he believes is loyal. Like Jeff Sessions. Like Rod Rosenstein.

This is a very dark and perilous moment.
posted by diogenes at 5:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [85 favorites]

gotta be honest, i am teetering on the brink of outright despair. if they get away with this they can get away with anything, and they're capable of anything.

if this goes unpunished i expect a bomb to go off in a federal office building in DC in september 2018 and for the election to be delayed indefinitely. this could be the end.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Sorry, I 1/2 expected: Here's your acting Director of the FBI

Trying this step back and think about what this means in broad terms, Comey's firing feels like the general situation has crossed the line from a need to find specific malfeasance to one in which the actions taken by Trump, Sessions, Pence, etc etc, are themselves sufficiently problematic -- to put it mildly -- to warrant investigation in and of themselves

"Dollars! All their cares, hopes, joys, affections, virtues, and associations seemed to be melted down into dollars. Whatever the chance contributions that fell into the slow cauldron of their talk, they made the gruel thick and slab with dollars. Men were weighed by their dollars, measures were gauged by their dollars; life was auctioneered, appraised, put up, and knocked down for its dollars. The next respectable thing to dollars was any venture having their attainment for its end. The more of that worthless ballast, honour and fair-dealing, which any man cast overboard from the ship of his Good Nature and Good Intent, the more ample stowage-room he had for dollars. Make commerce one huge lie and mighty theft. Deface the banner of the nation for an idle rag; pollute it star by star; and cut out stripe by stripe as from the arm of a degraded soldier. Do anything for dollars! What is a flag to them!" - Charles Dickens
posted by Smedleyman at 5:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Because car chases are what LA does best, local news has a helicopter following his car on the 405 toward LAX. Points to him not speaking tonight.
posted by zachlipton at 5:25 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Congressional statements on the firing of James Comey, complied and updated by Propublica.
posted by misskaz at 5:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Points to him not speaking tonight.

It does seem wise to not have a guy you just summarily fired give a talk to a bunch of people who want to join your organization.
posted by thefoxgod at 5:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Serious question: as an American citizen (and someone represented by Dems in both the House and Senate), what is the most effective form of action I can engage in right now to prevent the GOP and Trump White House from getting away with tanking a legitimate investigation?
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

Okay, I think I figured out how we really got here. This is a doozy and maybe not fully baked, but here goes.

Donnie goes to Russia to party back in the day and digs the neo-fascist scene- when you own the cops, judges, and press you can do all sorts of sick shit. Vlad's operatives see this, and say "hey donnie we can help you run for prez, just let us launder our money thru all your shell companies (hence no tax returns), we'll unleash our hackers, you'll get a cut of the money, a ton of free press, and when you get beat we'll help launch Trump TV."

Donnie's like cool I get to call Hillary a bitch, be mr toughguy, whip people up, awesome I'm in. Trump TV will be just like wwe network, 9.99 a month and everyone gets a show- Alex Jones, KellyAnne, my kids, cool.

But he wins.

Vlad is like OH SHIT and has his team that worked on it whacked.

Donnie gets sworn in, things get terrible but the people protest and fight back and we are just about here, now. Along the way Donnie bombs Syria to let Vlad know he's nobody's bitch.
posted by vrakatar at 5:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

From The Daily Beast:

The number two at the FBI, and Comey’s likely interim successor, is Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who came under fire after a Clinton ally gave nearly half a million dollars to his wife’s election campaign. McCabe would then later go on to help oversee the investigation into Clinton’s email use.

McCabe may have also violated Justice Department rules, which bar contacts between the FBI and WH officials, when he spoke to the president’s chief of staff about the ongoing investigation into Russia’s efforts to subvert the U.S. elections.

But even that leadership change could be short-lived. A well-wired federal law enforcement source told The Daily Beast rumors are also flying about McCabe’s potential resignation or firing. The source added that given current national security threats, it’s unlikely that would happen for the next few weeks.

❓
posted by zachlipton at 5:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Points to him not speaking tonight.

Leak of Comey's prepared remarks: "Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you...you're cool, fuck you, I'm out!"

fake
posted by peeedro at 5:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [27 favorites]

Serious question: as an American citizen (and someone represented by Dems in both the House and Senate), what is the most effective form of action I can engage in right now to prevent the GOP and Trump White House from getting away with tanking a legitimate investigation?

I just dropped letters -- real, physical letters -- in the mail asking Senators Klobuchar and Franken to withhold unanimous consent for al senate business until an independent special prosecutor is appointed. Essentially I asked them to stage a work to rule strike.
posted by nathan_teske at 5:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [38 favorites]

schadenfrau: At this point, a Democratic House probably means criminal charges for many of them.

Democrats need to give up this fantasy. We will never see a Democratic House in our lifetimes. Short of taking actions we are forbidden to speak of on Metafilter, there is 0% chance of defeating the gerrymandering that currently exists which completely prevents a Dem majority in the House. It is the most lost of lost causes.
posted by tzikeh at 5:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

It strikes me that Trump's excuse about Comey being unfair to Hillary is not even a lie. It's an act of aggression and bullying aimed at Republicans.

The meaning is simple. "I know this is untrue. You know it's untrue. If you accept this, then you have surrendered totally to me." He's pounding them in the face and demanding that they say "Uncle."

Any Republican who acquiesces to this is all in with Trump. Unless Trump is in full power, they are very likely to lose the election in 2 years. He's demanding that they declare all in, or out now, and counting on their cowardice to bind them closer. And I'm not confident that it won't work.
posted by msalt at 5:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [55 favorites]

They didn't know what a big deal this was. They don't have a plan. This wasn't strategy. They don't have a next step. This was panicked flailing.

Which will make it all the more dire if they get away with it.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Democrats need to give up this fantasy. We will never see a Democratic House in our lifetimes. Short of taking actions we are forbidden to speak of on Metafilter

Running moderate candidates who will support class-based economic progressivism in red states?
posted by wildblueyonder at 5:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Do what it takes to keep your fear from paralyzing you.

Let's assume (for the sake of this exercise) that my physician has suggested that I refrain from hard drugs and/or excessive drink.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

(We have people this thread who seem sure that this was due to the Yates testimony, nothing else.) We’re getting the benefit of Trump’s razor here. The President is helping people connect the dots in the ongoing damage to the republic.

Let's say for the sake of argument that Trump was honestly planning to fire Comey for a bit and this was in the works since last week or whenever. So then Yates and Clapper testify, and I, as the President about to fire the FBI director, spend a solid fucking day and night tweeting totally batshit stuff that makes me look about as guilty as Raskolnikov on steroids. And then I get up the next day and go ahead and fire Comey.

Seriously, crisis PR classes are going to be using this shit as case studies for millennia. They'll just anthologize it all in one big-ass textbook titled How to Step on Your Own Dick.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

The Chris Hayes Show just pointed out he's in LA and took the FBI plane there so it's not clear how he'll get back to DC as he no longer has permission to use the plane.

Please bear in mind that with Trump, it's always about dominating and humiliating his opponents.

Here's a CNN article from last week that is all too timely: Trump at His Most Dangerous

Sometimes political change happens suddenly. You wake up, and a military junta has taken over your country, or some other kind of revolution has happened. But other times, the climate shifts little by little. A few big gestures of aggression, and then things settle down. Then the cycle repeats, until one day the tipping point is reached and you find your democracy has been transformed into an autocracy.

We're at serious risk of this happening in America.{...}

Authoritarians, however, are most dangerous at such moments, when they feel vulnerable. With the #TrumpRussia scandal widening, we can expect the White House to become much more aggressive in imposing its agendas.{...}

Political change announced itself formally with the blitz of executive orders that followed President Donald Trump's January 2017 inauguration. Kellyanne Conway's tweet from that period remains all too relevant. "Get used to it. @POTUS is a man of action and impact. Promises made, promises kept. Shock to the system. And he's just getting started."

We should get ready for another round of such "shocks": Trump's been sending signals that he's preparing to accelerate his consolidation of personal power. In an interview Friday with Fox News, Trump criticized the "archaic" rules of the House and Senate, saying "maybe at some point we are going to have to take these rules on, because for the good of the nation things are going to have to be different."

It's also a reminder of Masha Gessen's rules for surviving in an autocracy

Rule #1: Believe the autocrat. He means what he says.
Rule #2: Do not be taken in by small signs of normality.
Rule #3: Institutions will not save you.
Rule #4: Be outraged.
Rule #5: Don’t make compromises.
Rule #6: Remember the future.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [71 favorites]

TangoFoxGate
the whisk[e]y is implied
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 5:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

We will never see a Democratic House in our lifetimes. Short of taking actions we are forbidden to speak of on Metafilter.

How is re-litigating the primaries going to help?
posted by diogenes at 5:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

> Wired: Anti-Vaxxers Brought Their War To Minnesota — And Then Came Measles

The Right Should Blame Trump’s Anti-Vaxxer Pals, Not Islam, for a Measles Outbreak in Minnesota
posted by homunculus at 5:37 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

betting window closes 8/31/17 at midnight...

i'm calling it now: emergency powers on or before 9/30/17. no midterm election in '18.

any takers?
posted by j_curiouser at 9:46 PM on December 9, 2016

posted by j_curiouser at 5:37 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

apologies to the mods for my last comment. this situation is making me genuinely psychologically unwell. i will refrain from commenting again until i find my poise or the situation resolves itself.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

The thing about despair is that we are all fine buying it in bulk because it’s so satisfying to consume. And yet it is never as fatally bad as despair entitles you to believe it. This isn’t Russia (yet?). This certainly isn’t Nazi Germany. This is a moment where the administration made a completely dumb-assed move that is very scary but at the same time the public sentiment on my side of the aisle that there is some shit none of us will eat.

And yet, here is despair, right here, that nothing will ever be better. It isn’t as bad for a white person in this country as it has been for a POC at any time during our history, and look at what those folks have successfully beaten out of us. So I don’t think despair that nothing can change is the sort of selfish attitude that we are allowed to have in the long-term.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [51 favorites]

It's like Trump is trying to pass some corruption Turing test.
posted by drezdn at 5:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Uh, so much for Collins maybe saying or doing the right thing:

Any suggestion that today’s announcement is somehow an effort to stop the FBI's investigation...is misplaced.
posted by diogenes at 5:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Seriously, crisis PR classes are going to be using this shit as case studies for millennia. They'll just anthologize it all in one big-ass textbook titled How to Step on Your Own Dick.

How to Step on Your Own Donald, I think.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Uh, so much for Collins maybe saying or doing the right thing:

Any suggestion that today’s announcement is somehow an effort to stop the FBI's investigation…is misplaced.

That, ma’am, is an invitation to be held to account.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

to the person above that asked about what to do, laugh and go hug a loved one. Immerse yourself in the power of positive emotions to give yourself hope, composure, and spine. Then use resistbot to pummel your congresscritters with demands that they shut down the legislative process using every procedural tool they can until a special prosecutor is appointed to investigate this BS.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 5:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Is it your birthday?

Yes, in fact it is, and this will do nicely, thank you!
posted by Dashy at 5:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Rule #1: Believe the autocrat. He means what he says.
Rule #2: Do not be taken in by small signs of normality.
Rule #3: Institutions will not save you.
Rule #4: Be outraged.
Rule #5: Don’t make compromises.
Rule #6: Remember the future.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:35 PM on May 9 [3 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]

These are the shittiest rules

Nothing on what you should do besides be outraged and think about the future? It's like an recipe for powerlessness, despair, and trauma
posted by schadenfrau at 5:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

Bets on Chaffetz for FBI, since he is already getting ready, to do something different. Well and since the President chided Comey about not prosecuting Hillary. Chaffetz has been persecuting Hillary for years. So.
posted by Oyéah at 5:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Comey thought he was being pranked. Jesus.

Comey heard the news while giving a speech

Mr. Comey was addressing a group of F.B.I. employees in Los Angeles when a television in the background flashed the news that he had been fired. In response, Mr. Comey laughed, saying he thought it was a fairly funny prank.

Then his staff started scurrying around in the background and told Mr. Comey that he should step into a nearby office. Mr. Comey stopped addressing the group. He proceeded to shake hands with the employees he had been speaking to. Then he stepped into a side office, where he confirmed that he had been fired. At that point, he had not heard from the White House.

Shortly thereafter, a letter from Mr. Trump was delivered to the F.B.I.’s headquarters, just seven blocks from the White House.

Mr. Comey’s day had begun in Florida, where he spoke to a group of police officers. He then flew to Los Angeles, where he was also scheduled to speak at a diversity meeting.

posted by maudlin at 5:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [67 favorites]

Going To Maine: "Uh, so much for Collins maybe saying or doing the right thing:"

Jeez. Even Susan Collins? Matt Yglesias observes that one of the key differences between the recent French and US elections was that the French conservative political establishment lined up pretty uniformly against LePen while their American equivalents lined up with Trump.
posted by mhum at 5:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

> Let's assume (for the sake of this exercise) that my physician has suggested that I refrain from hard drugs and/or excessive drink.

There is an implicit answer to your question given within this statement itself.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Ted Lieu @tedlieu
As a former prosecutor, I find Trump's firing of Comey SCREAMS consciousness of guilt and a cover up. We need a special prosecutor NOW.

And speaking of Ted Lieu, a few threads ago, on the topic of Ted Lieu's political future, I said to keep an eye on the meet-and-greets and follow the Hollywood money and supporters. I just saw this:

Congressman Ted Lieu, Actress Annette Bening, Self Help Graphics & Art, and E. Randol Schoenberg will be honored during the 10th Artistic License Awards. I am not familiar with this particular organization but Annette Bening is a good get.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

posted by Doktor Zed at 5:35 PM on May 9 [3 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]

These are the shittiest rules

ಠ_ಠ
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

And now we have the OJ Simpson-style helicopter shot of Comey's SUV rolling down the highway.

In LA, of course.
posted by tonycpsu at 5:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

and speaking up about those personally disempowering rules, I am reminded of Mario Savio's quote addressing the Berkley management in 1964:

we're the raw material! But we're a bunch of raw materials that don't mean to be—have any process upon us. Don't mean to be made into any product. Don't mean… Don't mean to end up being bought by some clients of the University, be they the government, be they industry, be they organized labor, be they anyone! We're human beings!

There's a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part! You can't even passively take part! And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels…upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop! And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 5:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Rule #1: Believe the autocrat. He means what he says.
Rule #2: Do not be taken in by small signs of normality.
Rule #3: Institutions will not save you.
Rule #4: Be outraged.
Rule #5: Don’t make compromises.
Rule #6: Remember the future.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:35 PM on May 9 [3 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]

These are the shittiest rules

Nothing on what you should do besides be outraged and think about the future? It's like an recipe for powerlessness, despair, and trauma

Those rules are quite decontextualized when removed from the source article.

You can also turn to Timothy Snyder’s rules
posted by Going To Maine at 5:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

I think it is a huge and important question whether Comey will still testify Thursday in OPEN session. Has anyone heard anything?
posted by Justinian at 5:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

GOP lawmaker: Trump 'small potatoes compared to Nazi Germany'

Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.), a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said Tuesday that Americans afraid of Donald Trump’s presidency should remember that the United States once defeated the Nazis in World War II.

“America has overcome amazing challenges that Donald Trump, as frightening as he is to some people, small potatoes compared to Nazi Germany,” Garrett told constituents at a church here in southwest Virginia, after he was asked by a constituent what it would take for him to lose confidence in Trump.

The comparison drew immediate jeers from a crowd packed with critics of the administration, prompting Garrett to respond, “So he’s worse?”

What is it with these people and bad Nazi comparisons?
posted by zachlipton at 5:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

They'll just anthologize it all in one big-ass textbook titled How to Step on Your Own Dick.
Volume 1, ca. 1974.

How to Step on Your Own Donald, I think.
Volume 2, ca. 2017.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 5:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

“America has overcome amazing challenges that Donald Trump, as frightening as he is to some people, small potatoes compared to Nazi Germany,” Garrett told constituents at a church here in southwest Virginia, after he was asked by a constituent what it would take for him to lose confidence in Trump.

The comparison drew immediate jeers from a crowd packed with critics of the administration, prompting Garrett to respond, “So he’s worse?”

Trump 2020: Not Yet As Bad As Actual Hitler
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [60 favorites]

Don't worry people. He is still on the FBI plane.
posted by johnpowell at 5:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

The comparison drew immediate jeers from a crowd packed with critics of the administration, prompting Garrett to respond, “So he’s worse?”

He's a couple of thousand miles closer and actually holding the office of President, jackass.
posted by Gelatin at 5:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

He is still on the FBI plane.

Am I missing the passenger manifest on that site?
posted by destructive cactus at 5:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

MSNBC showed him boarding the plane. There is actually a camera on the plane right now.
posted by johnpowell at 5:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Next director of the FBI? John Pistole.

Why?
1) Republican mouthpeice on FOX News mentioned the name.
2) The name. Ol' Chickenshit Donnie will hire him because his name is a gun.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 5:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

I'm taking a tiny shred of solace from the fact that the least feckless response from a Republican Senator came from the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. (I'm talking really, really tiny.)
posted by diogenes at 5:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

johnpowell: Don't worry people. He is still on the FBI plane.

Aww I was enjoying imagining him in the middle seat of a Jet Blue flight like Mr. Rooney riding the bus at the end of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Little kid: "I bet you've never smelled a real plane before."
posted by bluecore at 5:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Why do we care where Comey is physically located?
posted by diogenes at 5:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Nothing on what you should do besides be outraged and think about the future? It's like an recipe for powerlessness, despair, and trauma

Welcome to life in an autocracy. The time to stop this was in November. It's too late, now.
posted by empath at 5:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Is Rep. Tom Garrett implying we ought to use the same techniques we used to defeat Nazi Germany to defeat Trump? That's a pretty bold stance, but I can get behind it.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 5:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Josh Marshall is in a dark place:

Big picture: firing shows us country is resting on a time bomb. The truth is that bad.
posted by diogenes at 6:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Welcome to life in an autocracy. The time to stop this was in November. It's too late, now.

I'm not so sure that this kind of defeatism is warranted. Yet.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Bill Kristol: The Rosenstein memo is dated...today. So there was no real recommendation from DOJ. Trump wanted to do it, and they created a paper trail.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:02 PM on May 9, 2017 [56 favorites]

Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.), a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said Tuesday that Americans afraid of Donald Trump’s presidency should remember that the United States once defeated the Nazis in World War II.

It might be instructive to Garrett to realize that the German people couldn't stop Hitler. They needed help.

Also, defunding science and blocking the immigration of highly educated people is a backwards strategy for winning a war if you have to engage in one. Let's take a minute to honor Einstein and Meitner and Turing. (And under my breath I'm whispering "stronger together".)
posted by puddledork at 6:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

Josh Marshall has been trying to put the most optimistic spin on this for months, and now reality has him right with the rest of us
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

@thomaswright08: On Fox, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, deputy WH press secretary says time to let Russia investigation go.

In case there was any doubt what this is really about.
posted by zachlipton at 6:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [73 favorites]

In not-at-all-suspicious timing, Trump may meet top Russian diplomat in White House: "President Donald Trump could meet with Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat at the White House on Wednesday, a U.S. official and a person with knowledge of the plans said, describing what would be the highest level, face-to-face contact with Russia of the American leader’s young presidency."
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

schadenfrau: At this point, a Democratic House probably means criminal charges for many of them.

tzikeh: Democrats need to give up this fantasy. We will never see a Democratic House in our lifetimes. Short of taking actions we are forbidden to speak of on Metafilter, there is 0% chance of defeating the gerrymandering that currently exists which completely prevents a Dem majority in the House. It is the most lost of lost causes.

It depends on the time frame. Undoing gerrymandering overnight is unlikely, but having a long term plan to address gerrymandering through reestablishing control of state legislatures is very doable.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

@ShimonPro: BREAKING ON CNN: Grand jury subpoenas were recently issued relating to the FBI Russia probe seeking records from associates of Michael Flynn

So, uh, a lot of the FBI rank-and-file were fond of Comey. Firing him seems like a bad strategy if you don't want leaks. And here the leaks come.
posted by zachlipton at 6:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [89 favorites]

For me the most shocking thing about the Comney firing is that people are shocked that Donald fired him. I'm not being sarcastic. I've been watching some of the news coverage and reading a bit of the reaction and all I'm thinking is why are people so surprised by this.
This is Donald and minions modus operandi, they get rid of people that cause them problems and Comney is a problem because they're still investigating. The only thing I couldn't figure out is why he wasn't gone sooner. I suppose the answer to this is that they felt they needed a cover story for their base and for the Repubs that want to hand with him to blather about and they saw an opening. Regardless this firing was pretty much a foregone deal if the Russia thing is true and won't go away.

I'm fairly certain that Comney knew damn well that his time was limited and if he truly does give a crap about what Donald is up too (and it's all true) he has some sort of contingency plan for when this happened. I'm betting the 'files' have already been sent and that he isn't the only one party to whatever evidence the FBI has collected.
posted by Jalliah at 6:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Let's name our puppies, kittens, and babies after things good and great and noble and true. If only to show that we value these things, even if our current leaders do not.

Our cat's name is Gary. It was originally Virgil even though the 4 year old wanted to name him Odio. But then we spent time with him and decided he was more Gary than Virgil. His full name is now Gary Virgil Odio "The Cat" Rubenfield

Not that political.
posted by Lord_Pall at 6:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

25th Amendment, Section 4:

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

Oh boy.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:09 PM on May 9, 2017

Josh Marshall has been trying to put the most optimistic spin on this for months, and now reality has him right with the rest of us.

I don't think he was being a pollyanna or anything. He was making a good-faith effort to consider scenarios that didn't involve Trump being a straight-up traitor. That's what makes his newfound certainty in the other direction so stark.
posted by diogenes at 6:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

Grand jury subpoenas were recently issued

Heyo! Maybe I'll get to live in the Claude Taylor universe after all!
posted by diogenes at 6:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Your country will not exist long term.

While I wouldn't go quite that far I do agree that talking about long term plans to address gerrymandering through a focus on state legislatures right now is like talking about your plans for the family business once your cross-Atlantic voyage on the Titanic is completed. Like... that's an important discussion but its probably time to make sure you don't drown in the next few days.
posted by Justinian at 6:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Trump has either BIGLY Saturday Night Massacred himself here...or he's consolidated power & is beyond any law.

With this Congress? Above and beyond, I'm afraid.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:11 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Prediction: Trump will fire FBI director after FBI director until someone agrees to charge Clinton with crimes.
posted by dis_integration at 6:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

The Hill on Republican Representative Amash and his bill to appoint a special prosecutor.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Is leaking grand jury information -- of any kind -- as big a deal as I think it is?

On Fox, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, deputy WH press secretary says time to let Russia investigation go. (Emphasis mine)

Yes, let us not forget she is the spawn of Mike Huckabee.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Your country will not exist long term.

That wasn't very nice.
posted by diogenes at 6:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

David Gregory is fucking pissed and going after Ken Cuccinelli on CNN for repeating White House talking points and such.
posted by Justinian at 6:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is Joe Scarborough calling for an independent prosecutor interesting or a nothingburger?
posted by diogenes at 6:15 PM on May 9, 2017

Your country will not exist long term.

I mean, you're right. In the long run, we've got the inevitable heat death of the universe to worry about, but I'm trying to compartmentalize, ya know?
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [27 favorites]

Your country will not exist long term.

After climate change really kicks in, neither will yours. Unless you're already a crocodile living in Nunavut.

See, it doesn't feel nice does it?
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

Kellyanne Conway vs. Anderson Cooper (video)
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Here's that CNN story. CNN exclusive: Grand jury subpoenas issued in FBI's Russia investigation

Federal prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas to associates of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn seeking business records, as part of the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in last year's election, according to people familiar with the matter. CNN learned of the subpoenas hours before President Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey.

The subpoenas represent the first sign of a significant escalation of activity in the FBI's broader investigation begun last July into possible ties between Trump campaign associates and Russia.
The subpoenas issued in recent weeks by the US Attorney's Office in Alexandria, Virginia, were received by associates who worked with Flynn on contracts after he was forced out as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014, according to the people familiar with the investigation.
...
Investigators have been looking into possible wrongdoing in how Flynn handled disclosures about payments from clients tied to foreign governments including Russia and Turkey, US officials briefed on the matter have told CNN.

posted by zachlipton at 6:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

I wonder if Comey is going over his two-door story in his head again and again, and what his current level nausea is.
posted by zakur at 6:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is Joe Scarborough calling for an independent prosecutor interesting or a nothingburger?

Nothingburger. He's been yelling about it for weeks.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm betting Collins walks back her milquetoast statement sometime soon. She's on the wrong side of her own committee.
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:22 PM on May 9, 2017

Heyo! Maybe I'll get to live in the Claude Taylor universe after all!

Subpoenas not indictments. So we're not in Claude World yet.
posted by scalefree at 6:23 PM on May 9, 2017

Kellyanne Conway vs. Anderson Cooper (video)

I don't think I've ever seen Anderson Cooper do that many confused-dog-head-tilts in one single interview.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 6:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

There are coincidences, and then there is the President of the United States firing the Director of the FBI, for actions he had previously praised, on the same day that the public learns that federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued for associates of his recently-fired National Security Adviser.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [91 favorites]

I'm betting Collins walks back her milquetoast statement sometime soon. She's on the wrong side of her own committee.

Compare/contrast with Sen. King's statement.

Many of us here in Maine are planning to call Sen. Collins tomorrow to remind her that Sen. Margaret Chase Smith stood with her country, not her party, at a dire time in US History. We will urge her to emulate Sen. Chase Smith's example, and stand up to her party and stand for America.

Collins idolizes Smith. We feel like its the best shot at flipping her for her staff to hear Margaret Chase Smith named again and again.
posted by anastasiav at 6:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [43 favorites]

Your country will not exist long term.

While I wouldn't go quite that far I do agree that talking about long term plans to address gerrymandering through a focus on state legislatures right now is like talking about your plans for the family business once your cross-Atlantic voyage on the Titanic is completed. Like... that's an important discussion but its probably time to make sure you don't drown in the next few days.

Agreed.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

upthread: the President himself has been considering this, been thinking about this for at least a week.

Bloomberg News: (via Spicer) Trump decided today.

I really, really hope that Spicer is ready to take questions tomorrow.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I decided to go get a haircut and go to the grocery store. At least I have pizza and donuts for the rest of this evening's shitshow?

Srsly. Every single day is moar wtfbbq.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 6:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Gary Shteyngart: FOX should learn from Soviet TV. When a coup is in progress start playing Swan Lake on a continuous loop. Amateurs.
posted by Behemoth at 6:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

Democrats need to give up this fantasy. We will never see a Democratic House in our lifetimes. Short of taking actions we are forbidden to speak of on Metafilter, there is 0% chance of defeating the gerrymandering that currently exists which completely prevents a Dem majority in the House. It is the most lost of lost causes.
posted by tzikeh at 8:32 PM on May 9

I don't know if you really believe this or you are just indulging in some dark, dystopian fantasizing. You need to calm down. This is not the end of America, it is not the end of Democracy as we know it. There were some dire moments during Bush the younger's time in office when people thought that he would declare Martial Law and we would never have free elections again, and look what happened-- there was a Democratic sweep led by a black guy with a funny sounding name.

There are too many tough smart people out there to let this country be taken over by the pumpkin-headed monster and his evil, racist elf. I am not giving up on the truth coming out and I am for sure not giving up on fighting for control of the House in 2018.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [110 favorites]

on the same day that the public learns that federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued for his recently-fired National Security Adviser.

Sorry to be naive -- is the idea here that Trump didn't fire Comey before because Trump didn't think the FBI would actually do anything to investigate him?
posted by mrmurbles at 6:32 PM on May 9, 2017

Trump can just leave Comey's position vacant. It will paralyze the FBI. :)
posted by My Dad at 6:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

It was okay to think that this was going to be the end of America until we discovered that they sucked at everything.
posted by Going To Maine at 6:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

Was firing Comey on Bannon's whiteboard list?
posted by yoga at 6:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

ckape said: "I wish this were the timeline where firing the guy who swung the election towards fascism with perfectly-timed misinformation and perjured himself to Congress was a good thing."

Right? I was pulling out of the physical therapists parking lot with my son when I heard the news that Comey had been fired, and pulled back into a space, and parked so I could hear the whole story, or at least what was being reported at 5ish. After the report, I turned the radio off, and just sat there there for a sec before I said "Well. Fuck. This isn't good."

And Boy said "Why? Isn't Comey the "but her emails" guy? The one who has perjured himself a couple of times and then says 'oops?', I mean, getting rid of him is what you wanted, isn't it?

And I said "Well, yes...in an ideal world, where politicians were grownups who went into governance because they cared about truth, justice and the American way, but the last one of those got on a helicopter out of DC in January. Now, dude? I don't know what this means. I kinda want to get home and see what the hive mind thinks."

And he said, "Yeah, I get that metafilter is comforting to you, but ya know what would make me feel better? Passports and visas to somewhere in the first world."

You guys, Trump has made my 14 year old a cynic. Or a realist. Perhaps they are the same thing in 21st Century America.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [96 favorites]

Sorry to be naive -- is the idea here that Trump didn't fire Comey before because Trump didn't think the FBI would actually do anything to investigate him?

I can't speak for East Manitoba, but I think the idea is that he didn't fire Comey before today because he hadn't yet reached the sufficient level of desperation to interfere with the investigation.
posted by diogenes at 6:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

FOX should learn from Soviet TV. When a coup is in progress start playing Swan Lake on a continuous loop. Amateurs.

I was living in China when Oklahoma City happened. Since at first it wasn't clear what the actual fuck was going on there and whether America had just been attacked by a foreign power, Chinese TV played... a lot of Peking Opera. It's how you knew some shit was going down somewhere in the world. (I didn't actually learn about OKC until I got my hands on the Time International Edition a couple days later. Ah, life pre-internet.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

I swear I'm not trying to be "is this something I'd have to have a TV to understand" guy, but I really weep for my country, which in the midst of all this evidently gives a shit what Joe Scarborough thinks about anything

I asked because I don't really know where he fits on the political landscape. It would be a big deal if Tucker Carlson or Rush Limbaugh started calling for an independent prosecutor, right?
posted by diogenes at 6:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Picturing Hillary pretending to write a note on Jimmy Fallon's show: "Dear James Comey...how do you like me now?"
posted by Autumnheart at 6:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yeah, I want to apologize because that was in no way pointed at you and I did a shitty job of delivery there. I totally get why you asked, that was more of a general dispairing handwave at the culture.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I am not giving up on the truth coming out and I am for sure not giving up on fighting for control of the House in 2018.

Same.

I think there's actually reason to be optimistic on this front. First, very aggressive gerrymandering makes for fragile margins of victory. If you're biasing your district to the right with fewer and fewer voters, it doesn't take much for changing circumstances to swing it the other direction. If that happens a LOT of republican districts could go democratic. Now, as we look forward to 2018, what circumstance might cause that? Well, large numbers of people enraged at 1) Trump 2) losing their health insurance 3) "It's been two years, why the hell hasn't the local factory reopened?"

So yeah, I wouldn't lose all hope yet, and certainly not for the long term.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 6:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

Bill Kristol: The Rosenstein memo is dated...today. So there was no real recommendation from DOJ. Trump wanted to do it, and they created a paper trail.

Good Ford, Bill Kristol has a point. Today truly is a strange day.
posted by Gelatin at 6:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Hold your hat, Bill Kristol just made another good point:

One can be at once a critic of Comey and alarmed by what Trump has done and how he has done it.
posted by diogenes at 6:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [37 favorites]

Okay, this made me laugh out loud and scare the cat.

New: White House did not expect political explosion from #Comey firing, source with knowledge tells @DanaBashCNN
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Kristol has been the One NeverTrumper to Rule Them All. Granted, I think his second choice is still Ted Cruz, and he's never really disagreed with any of the actual policies, but at least on national security and, you know, continued rule of law and not being a Russian client state, he's been shockingly sharp and consistent.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I voted in a special town election today- actually rushed home from wormtown to do so. There were no contested seats, all incumbents running unopposed for library trustee, land bank commish, registrar of deeds, etc, but 3 ballot questions- one expanding liquor sales in town, and two non-binding on creating a housing bank and banning moped rentals (there is a lack of year-round affordable housing here, and gruesome moped accidents every summer).

On our way out, a mom and a small boy, maybe 9 or 10, passed by. She said "we just voted,, that means we have a say in things!"

Little boy said, "then why are we losing?"
posted by vrakatar at 6:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [48 favorites]

CNN says this about the grand jury scoop:

We have spent days working on this. As we were going to air with it we learned Comey had been fired.
posted by diogenes at 6:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

Bill Kristol: The Rosenstein memo is dated… today. So there was no real recommendation from DOJ. Trump wanted to do it, and they created a paper trail.

Well, so much for my belief that creating a paper trail would take time. My bad.
posted by Going To Maine at 6:47 PM on May 9, 2017

So Trump fired Comey because he was unfair to Crooked Hillary? Is that right? Because that's just crazy enough for this entire stupid, country to believe.
posted by klarck at 6:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

You don't beat Nazis by voting.
posted by Yowser at 6:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

*breathes slowly*

NYT editorial board is not soft-pedaling this:

This is a tense and uncertain time in the nation’s history. The president of the United States, who is no more above the law than any other citizen, has now decisively crippled the F.B.I.’s ability to carry out an investigation of him and his associates. There is no guarantee that Mr. Comey’s replacement, who will be chosen by Mr. Trump, will continue that investigation; in fact, there are already hints to the contrary.

The obvious historical parallel to Mr. Trump’s action was the so-called Saturday Night Massacre in October 1973, when President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of the special prosecutor investigating Watergate, prompting the principled resignations of the attorney general and his deputy. But now, there is no special prosecutor in place to determine whether the public trust has been violated, and whether the presidency was effectively stolen by a hostile foreign power. For that reason, the country has reached an even more perilous moment.

posted by murphy slaw at 6:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [79 favorites]

Roger Stone, unseating Julian Assange as the king of the trolls.
posted by Going To Maine at 6:50 PM on May 9, 2017

NYT editorial board is not soft-pedaling this:

If the President has lost the NYT, he’s lost mainstream-left Democrats.
posted by Going To Maine at 6:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Stephen Colbert apparently learned about Comey's firing minutes before taping started, which was just enough time to work it into his monologue, make a video clip and tweet the clip.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

there is 0% chance of defeating the gerrymandering that currently exists which completely prevents a Dem majority in the House. It is the most lost of lost causes.

On top of the very good points that have been raised to this statement, I'll note that gerrymandering can be a double-edged sword. Republicans created their phony majority by drawing a lot of districts where they have a slim but reliable lead. The problem with that formula is that in the event of a Democratic wave election, with Republican voters staying home and a fired-up Dem contingent turning out, more districts than usual could flip.

Republicans have to be eyeing the recent high Democratic turnout in traditionally low-turnout special elections in red states and wondering how much they're willing to tie themselves to the Trump anchor.
posted by Gelatin at 6:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

How long until Trump nominates Admiral Piett to lead the FBI?
posted by Groundhog Week at 6:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Meanwhile, at the WSJ op-ed page we have “Comey’s Deserved Dismissal”
posted by Going To Maine at 6:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Van Jones on CNN says that Democrats in Congress have decided to block any appointment to head the FBI until and unless there is a special prosecutor. Feinstein must have been asleep for that meeting. Maybe she was watching Matlock or something.
posted by Justinian at 6:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [50 favorites]

. But now, there is no special prosecutor in place to determine whether the public trust has been violated, and whether the presidency was effectively stolen by a hostile foreign power. For that reason, the country has reached an even more perilous moment.

Even if there was, anyone speaking out will be deemed fake news.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

You guys, Trump has made my 14 year old a cynic. Or a realist. Perhaps they are the same thing in 21st Century America.

That actually made me tear up a little bit. I harden myself on these chaotic outcomes, but then I think about my daughter and...I'm just glad she's not yet old enough to understand it. Because there's a lot of explaining these days that I'm frankly not sure how to approach.
posted by Brak at 6:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

Van Jones on CNN says that Democrats in Congress have decided to block any appointment to head the FBI until and unless there is a special prosecutor.

How, after the filibuster for nominees was busted because of the Gorsuch hearing? Or am I misunderstanding something?
posted by dhens at 6:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Van Jones on CNN says that Democrats in Congress have decided to block any appointment to head the FBI until and unless there is a special prosecutor. Feinstein must have been asleep for that meeting.

They can't actually do that any more than they could block Gorsuch or Jeff Sessions in the first instance. Unless there's a change of heart by three Republican co-conspirators, whoever Trump appoints will be confirmed.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:57 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

How, after the filibuster for nominees was busted because of the Gorsuch hearing? Or am I misunderstanding something?

can they deny quorum by refusing to enter the senate chamber? (i don't know i'm asking)
posted by murphy slaw at 6:59 PM on May 9, 2017

No, they can't.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:59 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I think the idea is that at least 2 Republicans senators would vote NO on the nominee. That may be a dumb idea, but hey its the Democrats.
posted by Justinian at 7:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

GRAR The New York Times, in its otherwise excellent editorial, repeated a falsehood that has seemed to become conventional wisdom: ...and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself in March from the Russia inquiry after failing to disclose during his confirmation hearings that he had met twice during the campaign with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Sessions did not simply "fail to disclose" his meeting with the Russian Ambassador; he affirmatively denied any such meeting had taken place. On his own initiative. While under oath.

"Fail to disclose" doesn't cover it, NYT Editorial Board; he lied about it.

I'm sure y'all will notice a pattern.
posted by Gelatin at 7:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [53 favorites]

A quorum in the Senate is a majority. So no.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

So Trump fired Comey because he was unfair to Crooked Hillary? Is that right? Because that's just crazy enough for this entire stupid, country to believe.

Yeah, turns out we all just misheard the chant. It was actually "Hey, Jim Comey, stop trying to LOCK HER UP, LOCK HER UP, LOCK HER UP!"
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Allegra Kirkland at Talking Points Memo: “Meet The Longtime Federal Prosecutor At The Center Of Comey’s Firing”

First nominated in January, Rosenstein was confirmed by the Senate only two weeks ago in a 94-6 vote.

Because Sessions’ close ties to the Trump campaign forced him to recuse himself from the investigation into Russia’s election meddling, Rosenstein will handle all Russia-related (or Trump campaign-related) matters in his role.

He was criticized by Democrats during his confirmation hearings for refusing to commit to appointing a special prosecutor to lead an independent investigation on Russia, saying he first needed to learn “the information that they know.”

posted by Going To Maine at 7:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I think the idea is that at least 2 Republicans senators would vote NO on the nominee. That may be a dumb idea, but hey its the Democrats.

3 actually. But if they can get those three to stop the nominee then they should already have what they need to open the investigation... right?
posted by Glibpaxman at 7:02 PM on May 9, 2017

New: White House did not expect political explosion from #Comey firing, source with knowledge tells @DanaBashCNN

I can believe this. They probably thought that Dems' predictable liberalness would cause them to just smile and nod, or at least inhibit them from criticizing. Hell, it worked with Clarence Thomas.
posted by msalt at 7:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Maggie Haberman and Rich Lowry are spreading the Trump talking points.

Just keeping on sucking, everyone at the NY times.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

I think the idea is that at least 2 Republicans senators would vote NO on the nominee. That may be a dumb idea, but hey its the Democrats.

3 actually. But if they can get those three to stop the nominee then they should already have what they need to open the investigation... right?

Charles P. Piece makes a small point that six Rs stood up during the Nixon days. It does’t take a lot of politicians to make a big noise, as long as you can get them on the right side of the aisle. That is the challenge.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

The handoff between The Rachel Maddow Show and The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC is still going. Maddow and O'Donnell just kept talking to each other from their separate studios, discussing the Comey firing.
posted by XMLicious at 7:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

> he [Comey] found out by seeing it on TV

Classy

Well, that is how Trump prefers to find things out, so...

You must admit, it will make a great scene in a couple of award-winning films in the next decade.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

the republicans have a dilemma. they have a blank check in trump if they can only agree how big of a number to write on it. but they haven't managed to do that yet.

if trump goes down, he's going to take big names in the GOP with him (i don't think obvious anagram reince priebus is going to be able to claim ignorance, f'rexample).

i guess it's only a dilemma if they actually care about the rule of law more than dismantling the welfare state and slashing the top rate. welp.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Maggie Haberman and Rich Lowry are spreading the Trump talking points.

I mean, this tweet by Lowry is trollish, but also, I think quite true. Way back in the “backfire effect” thread people were looking for an example of the backfire left striking on the left. This, I would argue is it. It’s also a good demonstration of why taking facts out of context is dumb, and why a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:13 PM on May 9, 2017

i guess it's only a dilemma if they actually care about the rule of law more than dismantling the welfare state and slashing the top rate. welp.

Spoiler...
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

The story is now that White House officials weren't expecting such controversy over this. Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but don't buy it. This absurd claim comes in a package with the falsely claimed rationale for firing Comey: his cruel mistreatment of Hillary Clinton last year. Somebody has decided that the story the administration will stick to is that the President was simply compelled to fire Comey by his actions last year, and doing so is uncontroversial and common sense. The person making that decision is almost certainly Donald Trump.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I would like to know more about Jeff Sessions's role in all of this.

Up to this point, I was of the opinion that, once the dust of history settled, the Sessions appointment to DOJ could possibly be the most damaging-to-America piece of the Trump administration. He, Sessions, has the power, ideology, and meanness to undo many of the social gains in justice and equality that we as a country have been reaching toward. His policies have an outsized ability to hurt people, especially those in vulnerable populations.

We already know he perjured himself at his appointment hearings. We already know he recused himself from the Russia inquiry. How much is he a stooge and/or how much is he a collaborator?

I WANNA KNOW HOW CORRUPT THIS MOTHAFUCKA IS
posted by chaoticgood at 7:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

i think that the administration literally thinks that they are playing 11-dimensional chess with "but you said comey overstepped his bounds with Her Emails earlier! why u love him so much. u want marry him now? kissy kissy"
posted by murphy slaw at 7:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [36 favorites]

The reason why Trump didn't fire Comey on day one is that he genuinely believed Comey was his man. Remember when Trump visited the CIA on his second day in office? He brought along aides to applaud him and was convinced he received a standing ovation. He believes he is the salvation all law enforcement is waiting for. And he feels betrayed the moment he is faced with reality.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

It’s entirely feasible that Trump wanted to fire Comey for some combination of reasons, not least of which was the investigation.
It’s entirely feasible that Comey’s shenanigans were a good argument for firing him (though not at this moment, or any moment when he’s investigating your administration.)
It’s entirely feasible that the President was dumb enough to think this would go unnoticed, just as they were dumb enough to think the Muslim ban would be fine, or the Yates firing would go okay, or that Health Care would be easy, or anything else.

posted by Going To Maine at 7:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

I mean, this tweet by Lowry is trollish, but also, I think quite true.

The Trump cover story is he was fired for Hilary emails. Lowry is trolling to further the agenda, and Maggie Habermann, fresh off gleefully defending the Times' Clinton emails coverage and trolling liberals over the Clinton interview last week, is carrying the same water.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

I WANNA KNOW HOW CORRUPT THIS MOTHAFUCKA IS

I'm from Alabama and all I can say is "now it's everyone's turn". I'm so sorry.
posted by RolandOfEld at 7:22 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

vuron 2018/2020 Basically they must just be assuming that the normal tendency to ignore the crimes of the previous administration will be swept under the rug.

Either that or they are just looking for the short term payoff and giving up on retaining power.

You left out option 3: They're planning on cheating at the elections and getting away with it. And I don't just mean little cheating like purging voters and voter ID, I mean big cheating. Cheating on the scale of simply faking results, or having Trump declare that due to illegal votes, or whatever other BS he can come up with, the election results from districts A, B, C, D, etc are null and the Republican gets the seat.

Sure, it'd be blatantly illegal and unconstitutional. What could possibly happen though? You think the Republicans would impeach him for breaking election law?

I don't think its especially likely, the obvious consiquence there is civil war (whether in the not so violent Egypt model, or whether we go War Between the States 2.0), and the nation is too closely divided for them to think they could pull off a successful civil war.

But I'm starting to worry, because so much of what they're doing seems like such obvious electoral suicide and yet they seem sublimely unconcerned. Are they really going for a final smash and grab before being booted out? Or are they planning on not leaving even if they lose?
posted by sotonohito at 7:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

Karen Finney, former Senior Advisor for the Hillary Clinton campaign, says Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein's letter on why FBI Director Comey was fired lifted quotes from a Clinton campaign document.

They can't even crime without stealing someone's work.
posted by vrakatar at 7:23 PM on May 9, 2017 [69 favorites]

Phillip Bump is tracking Republican reactions to Comey's firing and ranking them on a scale from livid to enthusiastic.
posted by zachlipton at 7:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Phillip Bump is tracking Republican reactions to Comey's firing and ranking them on a scale from livid to enthusiastic.

I can't believe I am typing this, but I think Bump's rating is unfair to Justin Amash, who specifically called out the weird reference to Comey assuring Trump was not under investigation, and is calling for an independent investigation into the Russia connection.
posted by dhens at 7:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Yeah, there will be an election in 2018 or there will be all kinds of shit burning. No if ands or buts.
posted by Justinian at 7:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Justin Amash (R-MI): "My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre."

Fucking 2017, here I am crossing my fingers that the Freedom Caucus comes through. They have enough votes in their caucus in combination with the Dems to get this done in the House. I'm not holding my breath, but damn... if ever there's a time for them to surprise me, I'd appreciate this being it.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Well, they'll just post military units at the polls to "protect voters", which will conveniently be in Democratic districts and hassle everyone who looks like they might vote D. Followed by conveniently busted voting machines, lost paper ballots, and declarations by "sources" that Democrats can't be trusted to vote honestly.
posted by Autumnheart at 7:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Richard Hine @richardhine
Trump just literally blew a kiss to James Comey at a WH reception for law enforcement
1:04 PM - 22 Jan 2017

I know it was you, Comey, you broke my heart.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Yeah, there will be an election in 2018 or there will be all kinds of shit burning. No if ands or buts.

Yup, tomorrow I'm going gun shopping.
posted by photoslob at 7:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

The Times is going bold on the front page. Puts the letter right there instead of a photo, gets "amid Russia inquiry" right into the main headline, and "echos of Watergate" into the second story.

This is the thing the White House thought wouldn't be a big deal politically?
posted by zachlipton at 7:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [45 favorites]

One detail that Rachel Maddow kept emphasizing is that there was an ongoing Inspector General's investigation into Comey's decision to send the letter to Congressional Republicans immediately before the election last fall.

So that fact completely impeaches any notion that Comey's firing today is related to that event, because if that were the case they'd have waited for the results of the Inspector General's investigation.
posted by XMLicious at 7:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Trump's schedule for tomorrow is out

Only event on it is a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister!

And Brave Sir Spicer is running away and making Sarah Huckabee Sanders do the press briefing.
posted by zachlipton at 7:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Has anyone mentioned that Trump has now hired a law firm to defend against allegations about his business ties to Russia?

This is fucking nuts.
posted by Anonymous at 7:37 PM on May 9, 2017

The Hill on Republican Representative Amash and his bill to appoint a special prosecutor.

I'm pleased Amash is the token human in the House. Only a million more to go.

She says bitterly.
posted by corb at 7:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

All this talk of things burning and stocking up on guns is not making me re-think my decision to cut off all travel to the United States.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

I don't think Trump will actually cancel the elections or whatever. No need for that when you can just disenfranchise and gerrymander your way to victory.
posted by Justinian at 7:41 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yeah, gunning up is not the answer. Organize. Protest. Apply pressure. We are still a good country, we can stop this asshole! Love is the law, love under will.
posted by vrakatar at 7:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [20 favorites]

Dean Heller with a fantastic Rubio impression: "I'm committed to protecting our democratic process from outside influence"
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:42 PM on May 9, 2017

Though it couldn't happen to a nicer guy, this firing of the man who did more than anyone outside Russia to make Donald Trump President, brings to mind the old quote about Austria's neutrality in the Crimean War (after Russia had saved the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in the Revolutions of 1848): "We shall stun the world with the depths of our ingratitude..."
posted by Captain l'escalier at 7:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I keep typing and then erasing worst-case scenarios. I hate this shit.

Worst worst case: dead
Best worst case: pleading for refuge in Canada and hoping I won't get sent back
Worst best case: three more years of this shit
Best best case: We pry him and his buddies out and spend decades repairing the destruction
What I secretly wish for: Compassionate aliens arrive and immediately force us to stop being assholes
posted by emjaybee at 7:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [53 favorites]

Karen Finney, former Senior Advisor for the Hillary Clinton campaign, says Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein's letter on why FBI Director Comey was fired lifted quotes from a Clinton campaign document.

The Washington Post has the letter annotated to highlight the lifted passages and their sources.
posted by peeedro at 7:44 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

Schumer has called for all Senate Democrats to be in their seats on the Senate floor at 9:30am EST.

This is a big deal. I'm not sure what he's going to say but this is a rare event.
posted by Justinian at 7:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [78 favorites]

Yeah, gunning up is not the answer

Actually gunning up makes an immense amount of sense right now under nearly all models. Because people are stupid and think Trump is a "friend to guns", guns and ammunition are cheaper now than they have ever been in my lifetime.

If you think there's a real risk of political violence in the US, you'll be glad for them. And if you think this is a temporary situation and a Democratic president will soon re-take the White House, then it will have been a shrewd financial investment as all the panic buying starts and the prices spike astronomically.
posted by corb at 7:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [24 favorites]

sorry if this has been comprehensively discussed above (I did read every single comment!) and I know it is minor, but is it not very strange and weird that he fired him outright instead of doing the formality thing of asking for his resignation, like everybody always does all the time in cases like this? like even without the surprise aspect of making him find out from TV while in LA, even if the firing letter were delivered in person, it would be calculated to make news and be a very serious grave etc. etc. when done like this. no? like, you wouldn't do this unless the person had done something so bad and awful that you didn't want any doubt about whether he left voluntarily instead of being made an example of.

is the notion that Trump did that on purpose for inscrutable reasons, or because he wanted it to be as big a story as possible no matter what the White House says? or that he just doesn't know how these things are done? or was he scared that Comey might just say no, when asked to resign? or is the "resignation" not as 100 percent expected and conventional as I thought it was?
posted by queenofbithynia at 7:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Karen Finney, former Senior Advisor for the Hillary Clinton campaign, says Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein's letter on why FBI Director Comey was fired lifted quotes from a Clinton campaign document.

The Washington Post has the letter annotated to highlight the lifted passages and their sources.

This annotation seems to mostly be for the attributed sources. I’m not seeing any notes about plagiarized passages.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Reporter arrested at W.Va. Capitol during visit from Conway and Price

Nobody quite knows what happened and everyone is sort of panicking, but this is a big deal.

"Willful disruption of governmental processes" for a reporter shouting questions at public officials certainly sounds exactly like a bullshit charge.
posted by zachlipton at 7:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [43 favorites]

We will never see a Democratic House in our lifetimes.

Conservative voters were taught before they can remember to halt the spread of sin in the world through politics. The problem is that they now rely on half-committed voters who like to cuss and drink and get welfare, and who don't feel comfortable electing a clean-cut Bible salesman anymore. As a reflection of these changing times, they compromised on someone who still believes in the political mission of Christianity, but not the spiritual one; the guy with least character and lots of charisma. They knew it was a gamble, because they even kept their choice a secret from pollsters. The problem now is that their leader is burning down the tent with suspicious ties and influences and the shame is on them. They probably know by now they voted for a poser who doesn't share their loyalties. Some will stay in denial, but many will never trust a populist again. The point is that things will keep changing for greater rights, and those who resist change can't hope to revive a medieval religion using just politics. They will also realize that to try to secede from the union to re-live a fantasy serfdom will be a public relations disaster, because the swing states were never Confederate.
posted by Brian B. at 7:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Yeah, gunning up is not the answer

Actually gunning up makes an immense amount of sense right now under nearly all models. Because people are stupid and think Trump is a "friend to guns", guns and ammunition are cheaper now than they have ever been in my lifetime.

There is a truth to this, but it ignores the bigger picture problem that you will not be able to gun up enough to defeat the military or, likely, the police. So it’s more correct to say that gunning up is insufficient if you wish to go down the prepper route.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

@frankthorp Schumer has asked Senate Dems to be on the Senate floor at 9:30am to hear what McConnell says when opening the floor about Comey's firing.
posted by emjaybee at 7:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Even the "this is fine" dog is starting to get suspicious.
posted by drezdn at 7:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [32 favorites]

Remember when 'the official statement from the President on the subject' conjured up images of a measured response to whatever it was?

Cryin' Chuck Schumer stated recently, "I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer." Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp

-- @realDonaldTrump

posted by flatluigi at 7:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

I assume they'll walk out if, as expected, McConnell says nothing of substance.
posted by Justinian at 7:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

guns and ammunition are cheaper now than they have ever been in my lifetime ... panic buying starts and the prices spike astronomically.

We can save Gander Mountain yet!
posted by LionIndex at 7:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Writing in The Atlantic:

The question has to be asked of all the rest of us: Perhaps the worst fears for the integrity of the U.S. government and U.S. institutions are being fulfilled. If this firing stands—and if Trump dares to announce a pliable replacement—the rule of law begins to shake and break. The law will answer to the president, not the president to the law.

Will you accept that?

Oh god, it's happening. I'm agreeing with David Frum.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [39 favorites]

Trump seemed to have a child-like view of the presidency from the get-go. Appropriately, it's looking like he will eventually be removed from the White House, kicking and screaming.
posted by davebush at 7:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

So I don’t think despair that nothing can change is the sort of selfish attitude that we are allowed to have in the long-term.

Despair is a psychological coping mechanism. It's a way to get yourself out of feeling like you are responsible for doing something. Despair allows you to wash your hands of everything and go back to whatever you find most soothing in order to assuage your despair.

Follow the advice of that fantastic article posted here a few days ago and practice Radical Acceptance instead of despair. Accept things are bad, really bad, and accept that the only thing you can control is your own response to it.

From the article:

Pessimism is not helpful either. Both optimism and pessimism require future-oriented thinking. They exist in the hypothetical, the imaginary. Mindfulness involves shifting our attention — repeatedly, resolutely — back to the present moment. We do not know the future. We cannot fully know the impact of any particular action. We must focus on what we can do, right here and right now. Bring the mind back from its runaway worries and future predictions. Focus that energy on concrete action, and the rewards will feed your soul.

posted by threeturtles at 7:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [58 favorites]

reading from a prepared statement, president trump stated "i know you are, but what am i?"
[fake]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Trump doesn't understand that people don't think like him. He thought Democrats hated Comey so much because of the Hillary stuff that they'd welcome this news, because that's what he'd have done.
posted by theodolite at 8:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

A thought just popped into my head: who does Trump bomb to get the positive news coverage back?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

guns and ammunition are cheaper now than they have ever been in my lifetime

This does actually make me want to experiment with inventing a gun that shoots smaller guns.
posted by XMLicious at 8:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

The French?
posted by Captain l'escalier at 8:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Oh god, it's happening. I'm agreeing with David Frum.

Perhaps one should take heart that there truly are some points of commonality, some points of cross-party rhetoric left in the country. (One should also take this with a grain of salt, since the conservative established turned on Frum ages ago, and the official WSJ line about this is that there’s nothing to see.)
posted by Going To Maine at 8:05 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Trump doesn't understand that people don't think like him.

He doesn't understand because he doesn't have to understand. He never has. What's the upside?
posted by rhizome at 8:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

who does Trump bomb to get the positive news coverage back?

Depends where the spinner lands, but I'm guessing North Korea.
posted by drezdn at 8:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

This speaks to a larger issue of him surrounding himself with guys loyal to him and no one else, which is worrisome.

Don't worry, that could never lead to trouble.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:10 PM on May 9, 2017

Cryin' Chuck Schumer stated recently, "I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer." Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp

-- @realDonaldTrump

Android or iPhone? I think that one might be iPhone. It doesn't feel crazy enough. And Trump doesn't know the word "indignant." He confuses it with "indigenous."
posted by Mister Fabulous at 8:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

is the notion that Trump did that on purpose for inscrutable reasons, or because he wanted it to be as big a story as possible no matter what the White House says? or that he just doesn't know how these things are done? or was he scared that Comey might just say no, when asked to resign? or is the "resignation" not as 100 percent expected and conventional as I thought it was?

I think you're giving Trump too much credit. He's famously thin-skinned and vindictive. I doubt he was thinking about anything save the best way to tell Comey "fuck you".

The firing came only hours after the announcement that the FBI was issuing subpoenas. This is almost certainly why he mentioned the bit about Comey saying he wasn't being investigated--he's a baby having a screaming little tantrum and wants Comey to know exactly why he's angry.
posted by Anonymous at 8:12 PM on May 9, 2017

Yeah, gunning up is not the answer. Organize. Protest. Apply pressure. We are still a good country, we can stop this asshole! Love is the law, love under will.

I've been doing that as well but seeing as I counted at least 5 Trump stickers on my bike ride tonight here in sunny Florida I believe it's prudent to plan for every outcome.

Also, I kinda, sorta called this Comey thing this morning with my comment that at the time seemed a little hysterical but now is just the obvious outcome of where we find ourselves. We are literally staring into the abyss at this very moment. I'm so far beyond despair that I've come around to just accepting that things are going to go sideways for the forseeable future. I'll keep fighting but there's only so much that can be done if elections are suspended and martial law declared. And why wouldn't that happen? Everything else that I believed couldn't happen has already come to pass.
posted by photoslob at 8:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

who does Trump bomb to get the positive news coverage back?

Why not domestics?
Step one appoint a Sessions buddy who will vigorously enforce the war on drugs in states violating the federal ban on marijuana use. Lots of jobs for fascists to bust hippy ass!
Step two, bulk prosecute all people on the rolls of dispenseries.
Step three, all those liberal or colored folks can no longer vote, hold office, etc as felons.

You know...just like Nixon did by making pot illegal 40 years ago.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

I don't think it's going to be Giuliani, for what it's worth. My sense is that he isn't mentally all there and probably couldn't hide it.

yeah but we've been saying that about trump for a looong time.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 8:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

>So here's a gif of Anderson Cooper eyerolling at Kellyanne Conway

It's just his eyes, though--doesn't show up anywhere else on him. The man's got an impressive game face.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 8:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

It doesn't feel crazy enough.

That tweet? That tweet from the FUCKING PRESIDENT? Isn't... crazy enough?

Heeeheeeheeheeeeee eee elp
posted by Behemoth at 8:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [40 favorites]

I’ll keep fighting but there's only so much that can be done if elections are suspended and martial law declared. And why wouldn’t that happen?

Because voter ID laws and gerrymandering have done the job of securing power just fine, and quite a few police departments already possess significant armaments and firepower, and are generally sympathetic towards law-and-order arguments?

Look, if you will, at Putin’s Russia. There’s no martial law, and many people like the government, but it’s still an autocracy. That is the fate you’ll be resisting, and it’s a much softer and squirmier thing.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

WaPo with the zinger: Comey’s firing should make all of us ‘mildly nauseous’
posted by Mister Fabulous at 8:27 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

As I was just reminded, I remind you all: Circus Peanut calls Schumer "Cryin' Chuck" because he thinks he was faking it when tearing up about the Holocaust.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:28 PM on May 9, 2017 [64 favorites]

dang, i wish i could find a transcript because this is crazy-go-nuts:

On CNN, @KellyannePolls says she can name many people around Trump who are not currently under investigation for colluding with Russia
-- Jim Sciutto, CNN

"i would direct you to the many lovely buildings in this neighborhood which are NOT on fire"
posted by murphy slaw at 8:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [132 favorites]

@frankthorp Schumer has asked Senate Dems to be on the Senate floor at 9:30am to hear what McConnell says when opening the floor about Comey's firing.

Oh boy! Could tomorrow be the day something leaves McConnell's mouth that indicates fidelity to any truth or principle beyond partisan victory and sacred service to mighty mammon and the holy oligarchs that are their blessed avatar above all other things?

Why yes, I will be surprised, but then again, a certain degree naked self-interest is a factor in the risk-reward manifold Republicans are wildly straddling right now.
posted by wildblueyonder at 8:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

I actually do think that firing Comey was an overreach. They got greedy and it's going to explode in their hands.

We've got an opening, a small one, in the administration's flank. We need to finish it and we need to finish it now.
posted by lydhre at 8:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Spicer says he has Navy duty again tomorrow so he can't do the briefing. He also says he's disappointed in Olivia Nuzzi for tweeting about it.

Here's a letter from someone else in Navy public affairs:

What do many career U.S. Navy PAOs think of Commander Spicer?

In a word, they’re embarrassed.

Like me, many of them watch in horror as he fumbles and stumbles through press briefings, seemingly unable to respond coherently to even the most straightforward questions. Just about every day now I see an email or two from my wide network of retired PAOs, more often than not criticizing Spicer’s troubled White House tenure – and expressing deep concern about its impact on the efficacy of the Navy’s public affairs program. Spicer’s lack of professionalism threatens the credibility of an entire community of PAOs who work hard to build trust with the media, the public, elected officials and others.

posted by zachlipton at 8:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [18 favorites]

Wait, that's supposed to be a real job?
posted by Artw at 8:36 PM on May 9, 2017

I actually do think that firing Comey was an overreach. They got greedy and it’s going to explode in their hands.

It is perhaps useful to remember that the “they” here is a very small group of people, very small, and one that doesn’t likely include many of the actual elected representatives. This is not a vast, powerful conspiracy. It is a small number of very bad people who have likely done very bad things and who are being abetted by a number of bad people who are happy to go along and a number of spineless cowards.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:37 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

So, here's the thing, there's no longer an independent prosecutor statute, that authority was folded into DOJ after the Clinton impeachment. So there's two avenues other than Congress passing a new statute, either Rothstein can appoint a DOJ prosecutor (lol, no, he's a fucking pawn) or the Senate could form a select committee, which I believe would take a Senate majority, BUT would also require McConnell to bring a motion to the floor.

So. Unless I'm wrong here, McConnell can block the formation of an independent commission, alone. And in the Senate, there's no equivalent of a discharge petition to force a floor vote like there is in the House.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:39 PM on May 9, 2017 [22 favorites]

Fuck. McConnell will never do it. He's riding the Trump train all the way off the end of the rails into the canyon.
posted by suelac at 8:43 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

The shark has been Trumped.
posted by bz at 8:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Meanwhile, from the furnaces of democracy, my suit and pin look smart while repping
posted by The Whelk at 8:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

Not if the tide turns. Not if the Republicans smell blood in the water; they will tear the Trump administration apart like piranhas. If there's anything these ratfuckers aren't it's loyal. Once the Trump ship starts sinking they will be off it faster than you can say "It's time to put country over party".

So it's up to us to make that happen. Resist, protest, keep leaking.
posted by lydhre at 8:51 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]

is the idea here that Trump didn't fire Comey before because Trump didn't think the FBI would actually do anything to investigate him?

With Trump, everything is transactional. Trump believed that because Comey played along with the Republican Congress and helped Trump win the election, he would be a reliable ally. And, certainly not worth the effort and drama of firing him and confirming a replacement.

Things have turned out differently. His confidence was misplaced. His optimism was too yuge. The investigation keeps failing to go away; instead it is growing. Trump has run out of patience and demanded a rationale for firing Comey. The rationale he selected, that Comey was mean to Hillary Clinton last year, shows how little Trump cares not just about being truthful, but about being plausible. It's a power move, not-so-truthful hyperbole, the art of the deal. While attempting to protect himself and his family from investigation, Trump is showing what happens when your loyalty wavers. He may be ignorant and he may be a clown, but he remains very good at remembering when he is personally slighted.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [30 favorites]

We are still a good country

...to which I reply, in a favorite blast from the past:
Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?

The answer, of course, being no. The answer has always been no.
posted by aramaic at 8:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Yeah, there will be an election in 2018 or there will be all kinds of shit burning. No if ands or buts.

The states each organize their own elections, do they not?
posted by Rumple at 8:54 PM on May 9, 2017

They're not going to "tear the Trump administration apart like piranhas". They'll just continue to ignore all his ethical breaches, and use their majority to proceed with dismantling our democracy and infrastructure, just like they've been doing for the last 4 months. This is what they've been working toward since Bill was elected, and now they have it--a president who isn't afraid to ignore the Constitution, a media network to spin it, and a reason to normalize an autocracy.
posted by Autumnheart at 8:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [31 favorites]

President Trump set to meet Russian Foreign Minister at White House tomorrow

Per Seth Abramson, this is not just any envoy, it's "the Russian (Lavrov) who, per ex-MI6 Steele, *ran* Putin's election-hacking operation." (Twitter thread)
posted by zennie at 8:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

The problem with 'Lock him up!' as a campaign slogan is that I’m afraid it’s going to be hard to tell which him we’re talking about.

Lock them up!
posted by kirkaracha at 9:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Trump loyalists are going to say that Trump opponents are hypocrites because they have previously called for Comey to be fired.

The problem is not that Comey was fired. He could have been fired day one. The problem is that Trump kept Comey on board, praised his actions, and ONLY when Comey's investigation didn't go the way Trump liked, used those very same actions as a false basis on which to fire him. The problem is abuse of power.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [43 favorites]

MetaFilter: It's like a recipe for powerlessness, despair, and trauma.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

i think that the administration literally thinks that they are playing 11-dimensional chess with "but you said comey overstepped his bounds with Her Emails earlier! why u love him so much. u want marry him now? kissy kissy"

That's definitely the tone the deplorables and Russian bots are taking in the comments threads I'm seeing, yeah.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:01 PM on May 9, 2017

"The rationale he selected, that Comey was mean to Hillary Clinton..."

People keep saying this. This is not true. What they are saying (without actually stating it, because they know that leaving it ambiguous is useful) is "he didn't recommend charges to put Hillary in jail."

That has been the operating narrative. Watch, instead of an independent investigation into Russian connections, there will be an independent investigation.... of Hillary Clinton. And they'll just push more and more and more bullshit and all kinds of "leaks" will keep flowing out of everywhere and they will use it to gish-gallop the media.

That's their plan.
posted by daq at 9:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [21 favorites]

That and repeated insistence that there's "no evidence" of Russian ties.

Some people will believe anything.
posted by Autumnheart at 9:03 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

If Donald Trump fired a fashion model for doing a bad job, that would be fair. If Donald Trump fired a fashion model for rejecting his sexual advances, for failing to bend to his every whim, that would be unlawful retribution, worthy of judicial punishment.

Of course, that's an absurd analogy!
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

These are not pretty pictures.

WaPo: President Trump fires FBI Director Comey

Several current and former officials said the relationship between the White House and the FBI had been strained for months, in part because administration officials were pressuring Comey to more aggressively pursue leak investigations over disclosures that embarrassed the White House and raised questions about ties with Russia.

That pressure was described as conversational challenges to FBI leadership to pursue the source of leaks seen as damaging to the administration, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Although the FBI is investigating disclosures of classified information, the bureau has resisted calls to prioritize leak investigations over the Russia matter, or probe matters that did not involve leaks of classified or otherwise sensitive information, the officials said.

“The administration has been putting pressure on the FBI to focus more on the leaks and weren’t satisfied with the results,’’ said a former senior U.S. official familiar with the matter. A current official said administration figures have been “very aggressive’’ in pressuring the FBI.

WSJ: Before James Comey’s Dismissal, a Growing Frustration at White House:

The more James Comey showed up on television discussing the FBI’s investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, the more the White House bristled, according to aides to President Donald Trump.

Frustration was growing among top associates of the president that Mr. Comey, in a series of appearances before a Senate panel, wouldn’t publicly tamp down questions about possible collusion with Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race. A person with knowledge of recent conversations said they wanted Mr. Comey to “say those three little words: ‘There’s no ties.’”

In the months before his decision to dismiss Mr. Comey as head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Trump grew unhappy that the media spotlight kept shining on the director. He viewed Mr. Comey as eager to step in front of TV cameras and questioned whether his expanding media profile was warping his view of the Russia investigation, the officials said.

One White House aide, speaking after Mr. Comey’s dismissal, described him as a show horse.

posted by zachlipton at 9:10 PM on May 9, 2017 [26 favorites]

I posted to FB that Comey had been fired (just a one-sentence statement of the fact). One of my brothers, a Tom-Clancy-loving Soviet-hating NeverTrumper who became an EventuallyTrumper, replied way too fast with both of these lines ("no evidence of collusion" and crowing about Democratic inconsistency). It's disconcerting to me because he clearly has a self-image of being an intellectually honest, independent thinker, but for all that, he reacted in the prescribed way with precision.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

So how did the night of long knives go?
posted by runcifex at 9:13 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

Er, one more. Politico: Behind Comey’s firing: An enraged Trump, fuming about Russia (emphasis added)

President Donald Trump weighed firing his FBI director for more than a week. When he finally pulled the trigger Tuesday afternoon, he didn't call James Comey. He sent his longtime private security guard to deliver the termination letter in a manila folder to FBI headquarters.

He had grown enraged by the Russia investigation, two advisers said, frustrated by his inability to control the mushrooming narrative around Russia. He repeatedly asked aides why the Russia investigation wouldn’t disappear and demanded they speak out for him. He would sometimes scream at television clips about the probe, one adviser said.

Why would someone who works for him possibly tell this to a reporter?
posted by zachlipton at 9:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [76 favorites]

the knives were big league, just really tremendous knives
posted by murphy slaw at 9:14 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

He would sometimes scream at television clips about the probe

Turns out we have something in common after all.
posted by acidic at 9:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [53 favorites]

It would be cool if someone had the resources to create a fake (low quality) pee tape and "leak" it. I bet DJT would immediately get to Twitter and say something like, "Fake news. The hotel room had 2 queens, not a king."
posted by perhapses at 9:21 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

I was sitting at a packed bar at J. Alexander's having a drink when the news of Comey’s firing broke on the Fox News Box. Everyone cheered and celebrated. This terrible woman sitting next to me said, “Trump needs fire everyone Obama hired. When this is over he [Obama] will either be in prison or executed.” I then proceeded to have a panic attack.

My worst fear is that there's enough people who think in that way that they can just not impeach Trump and still win elections. At that point, all bets are off. In addition to that, having Congress control the ability to impeach looks utterly obselete.
posted by jaduncan at 9:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]

crowing about Democratic inconsistency

I'm seeing this everywhere and it's enraging. Democrats protesting when someone they dislike is fired for sinister and likely unethical reasons isn't inconsistent, it's principled.

But it's a principle other than "fuck you, got mine" so I can see why Republicans might be confused.
posted by galaxy rise at 9:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [57 favorites]

redditors in /r/politics:

> Trump speedrunning the Nixon Presidency

If you tweet enough times you clip through the oval office floor and fall under the map, spawning you right at the impeachment hearing.

posted by sebastienbailard at 9:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [122 favorites]

We've seen it play out plenty of times in other developing nations. They decide that there's too much "unrest" around election time, declare martial law, say that the results were "faked" and that Trump/whoever stays in office until the issue is sorted, which somehow never happens. Any unrest that actually happens gets a tall glass of National Guard whoopass. Or US Army.

We're not a developing nation, though. We're nearly 400 million people organized into interconnected states, many of which have the economy and population to make up its own developed nation. The National Guard is drawn from the states, under dual control from the feds and the states. Do you think Trump could order the California national guard to oppress its own citizens en masse? Or Colorado? Or New York?

I wonder if there isn't some way for an enterprising state AG to initiate investigations into the Russian mess. The entire Federal Govt appears compromised at the moment, with Congress complicit. Let's get some states sniffing around.
posted by Existential Dread at 9:37 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

Yep. This is the last few moments of the rule of law and not dictators. Exactly why Washington and Madison feared political parties.

Republicans are proving the worst fears of Federalist 10 entirely accurate, and even understated:

The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. On the other hand, the effect may be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people.

Republicans have both reduced the entirety of our democracy to their own narrow faction, and proven to be infinitely poorer representatives than even Madison's dimmest imagination could've envisioned.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:38 PM on May 9, 2017 [29 favorites]

ELECTIONS NEWS

** GA-06

-- McClatchy: GOP nervous. "Republicans in Washington and Georgia acknowledge that a GOP loss in the special election runoff between Karen Handel (R) and Jon Ossoff (D) is a distinct possibility."
-- New pro-Handel ad from Congressional Leadership Fund really lays the hippy bashing on thick.

** Midterms

-- Charlie Cook: Looks like a wave is shaping up. NB: Cook has been doing this since the 80s, and is temperamentally cautious.
-- DCCC says fundraising in 2017 to date has already exceeded the full year take in 2015.
-- AP: GOP got a good candidate in WV, but still struggling to recruit Senate candidates elsewhere.

** Other elections

-- OK State House-28 had a special election today. District went GOP 67/33 in 2016 (and 73-23 Trump). GOP won...50-48. A 56 vote margin! May go to recount.
-- As mentioned above, Rep. Raúl Labrador [ID-1] will be retiring to run for governor. Labrador is a pond scum AND is considered unlikely to win the nomination (he's burned a lot of bridges locally), so this could turn out nicely.

posted by Chrysostom at 9:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [34 favorites]

> crowing about Democratic inconsistency

I'm seeing this everywhere and it's enraging.

The thing to say is “If there's a nuclear war—and, y'know, there may be one, because you installed into office a guy who said ‘I love war’ and talked about nuclear weapons all the time going back to the 1980s—lots and lots of people I don't like may die, in fact all of them may die. But that doesn't make it ‘inconsistent’ of me to not want Trump to start a nuclear war.”
posted by XMLicious at 9:45 PM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]

We've seen it play out plenty of times in other developing nations. They decide that there's too much "unrest" around election time, declare martial law, say that the results were "faked" and that Trump/whoever stays in office until the issue is sorted, which somehow never happens. Any unrest that actually happens gets a tall glass of National Guard whoopass. Or US Army.

We’re not a developing nation, though. We're nearly 400 million people organized into interconnected states, many of which have the economy and population to make up its own developed nation. The National Guard is drawn from the states, under dual control from the feds and the states. Do you think Trump could order the California national guard to oppress its own citizens en masse? Or Colorado? Or New York?

I linked to this in an ancient political thread, but it seems worth returning to. A blog post recommended by a Brown Poli-Sci prof as a short guide to how democracy ended in Nicaragua: “Daniel Ortega Shows Us How to Dismantle a Democracy, 21st-Century Style”, by Jay Ulfelder:

So, folks, that’s how it’s done in 2011. Don’t cancel elections or fake the vote count unless you absolutely must, and for God’s sake, don’t send in the tanks. Relax, take your time. Stack the watchdogs with your friends; pepper your rivals with lawsuits; sic the cops on their campaign rallies; buy up or shut down unfriendly media outlets; and tap the administrative and judicial resources at your fingertips to reward the people who play along and punish the ones who don’t. The outcome is the same, but it’s harder for your critics to slap a “dictator” tag on you because they can’t quite put their fingers on that moment when democracy finally died.

posted by Going To Maine at 9:50 PM on May 9, 2017 [55 favorites]

> Charlie Cook: Looks like a wave is shaping up.

IT'S HAPPENING* [image of Sen. Warren waving her hands in front of a laser light show] *BUT ONLY IF PEOPLE VOLUNTEER, DONATE, AND VOTE

posted by tonycpsu at 9:53 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]

Many of us here in Maine are planning to call Sen. Collins tomorrow to remind her that Sen. Margaret Chase Smith stood with her country, not her party, at a dire time in US History. We will urge her to emulate Sen. Chase Smith's example...

I tried that back in January, when writing her about what a bad idea if would be if Sessions became attorney general. After noting “my concerns," she wrote back, "I have known him for 20 years, and I have never witnessed anything to suggest that Senator Sessions is other than a fair-minded, dedicated public servant and a decent man... I know him to be honest and principled. He is an individual who works hard, believes in public service, and acts with integrity."

Which soon brought us to, as Gelatin notes above: Sessions did not simply "fail to disclose" his meeting with the Russian Ambassador; he affirmatively denied any such meeting had taken place. On his own initiative. While under oath. "Fail to disclose" doesn't cover it, NYT Editorial Board; he lied about it.
posted by LeLiLo at 9:56 PM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]

We're not a developing nation, though. We're nearly 400 million people organized into interconnected states, many of which have the economy and population to make up its own developed nation. The National Guard is drawn from the states, under dual control from the feds and the states. Do you think Trump could order the California national guard to oppress its own citizens en masse? Or Colorado? Or New York?

Yes. Next question?
posted by tzikeh at 10:00 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Another wave is shaping up. Pinochet memes are now a thing among the alt-reich since Macron won. Literal anti-democratic sentiment with that sweet scent of eliminationist totalitarianism. "Helicopter Rides, free for liberals and globalists! Yay!" means they want to drop you and yours into the ocean, bound hand and foot, from a helicopter, Pinochet style. They demand, right now, a French Pinochet. Memes are magic, and now they are coming for you and yours.
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:04 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

I have no doubt that there is a faction of people in this county just waiting for the signal that it's OK to start killing liberals.
posted by guiseroom at 10:07 PM on May 9, 2017 [35 favorites]

Yes. Next question?

As a resident of CA let me say I don't think the CA national guard would follow such an order.
posted by Justinian at 10:15 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

Do you think Trump could order the California national guard to oppress its own citizens en masse? Or Colorado? Or New York?

No, of course not.
They'd federalize 'em and send, e.g. the Texas ANG to "restore order" in NY, the FL to CA, etc. Etc.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:17 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Yes. Next question?

As a resident of CA let me say I don't think the CA national guard would follow such an order.

I think the fear is that we could see a reverse Orval Faubus situation: The governor and the state National Guard on the side of decency and the federal government playing the role of the rights-crusher.
posted by dhens at 10:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

Re National Guard, I refer you to Kent State.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 10:36 PM on May 9, 2017 [15 favorites]

Sure, but 2017 California is not 1970 Ohio.
posted by Justinian at 10:40 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Is there any thinner gruel than "maybe if we're lucky some of us in deep blue states won't have the jackboots on our necks right away?"
posted by tonycpsu at 10:42 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

Guys there's enough shitty weird stuff going on, can we not with the "what if ALSO we get dropped out of helicopters or shot by the national guard" stuff?
posted by supercrayon at 10:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [55 favorites]

what if we get bitten by wolves, but also the wolves are on fire
posted by DoctorFedora at 10:47 PM on May 9, 2017 [134 favorites]

what if we get bitten by wolves, but also the wolves are on fire
ummmm 🤔
posted by supercrayon at 10:52 PM on May 9, 2017

Let's not go down the worst-case-scenario path. Thanks.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 10:58 PM on May 9, 2017 [19 favorites]

As usual, I think Birdsrightsactivist sums up the zeitgeist best.
posted by fshgrl at 11:01 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

Hmm. Any ideas about calling Flake and McCain? They both put out statements mildly against this, but I expect they won't take action (as per usual). "Thank you for your statement, now *DO SOMETHING*?"
posted by nat at 11:14 PM on May 9, 2017

où sont les ellsbergs d'antan?
posted by j_curiouser at 11:19 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]

I was just sure we'd still be talking about Yates' excellent testimony today.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:26 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]

Trump can't let a woman have the spotlight.
posted by Rumple at 11:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [58 favorites]

I have no doubt that there is a faction of people in this county just waiting for the signal that it's OK to start killing liberals.

This is a country with a history of widespread terrorism caused by the KKK, a country that had a civil war over slavery, a country that has had periodic terrorist attacks by anti-abortionist, right-wing militia types, and other things. While that observation sounds terrifying, it is, I think, a note that is actually pretty darn ordinary. There is always a block of people looking for the chance to kill the people they think they hate, and being aware of that is perhaps a good way to understand the long distance we have to walk to be human.

Just to clarify my previous comment, since I think it was ambiguous: I’m leery of the notion that the make-up of the world has magically reworked itself since the election. The President is still massively unpopular. Roughly a quarter of the population voted for him, and he still lost the popular vote. It’s a scary moment, but nothing has really happened to indicate that the country’s people have changed. The upending was the election, and everything that has come from that. As much as it’s useful and good to read the President as an exception to the norm and to learn from autocracies past, it’s also useful to look at some of the cynical attitudes of POC who seem to have known we had this in us all along. This is the people of the country as usual, if not the government of the country as usual, so now is a good time to remind others of that.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [23 favorites]

McConnell and Ryan do not even care if they are reelected. They will get loads of money from their oligarch backers regardless, as long as they deliver tax cuts. They will both have to have their necks in the guillotine before they consider turning on Trump. These comforting dreams of impeachment are magical thinking. We need to work at building the metaphorical guillotine for these clowns and put their necks in it.
posted by benzenedream at 11:35 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]

Barbara Comstock’s statement was stronger than Feinstein’s. Man.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:39 PM on May 9, 2017

The long knives may still be at work....

Behind the scenes of James Comey's epic firing

The decision came at an uneasy moment for the Justice Department, which has been at the center of controversy since Trump assumed office in January. Officials described tensions that have festered over the past several months between Justice Department leadership and senior staff at the FBI over the handling of the Clinton investigation and how Comey was running the agency, according to multiple officials.

Meanwhile, the White House and Sessions have pushed the FBI to pursue leaks of classified information to the media, according to one Justice Department official, urging the agency to prioritize the probe over other matters, including the investigation into Russian election meddling.

One Justice official suggested there could be more changes coming at the FBI beyond Comey's removal.

"There is a lot of cleaning house that needs to be done," one official said.

posted by Buntix at 11:48 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

McConnell and Ryan do not even care if they are reelected.

Mitch McConnell is in his sixth term, and is the longest serving senator in Kentucky’s history (per Wikipedia). He is the most powerful man in the senate, a chief wheeler-dealer, and a man who has built his career on always doing the most politically expedient thing. This is his life. He absolutely cares about re-election and maintaining his grip on power. That is all he has ever done. The idea that he doesn’t want to be re-elected is just, like, no. Paul Ryan, I think, wants to be President. That doesn’t mean he has to keep his job, but it certainly won’t look great on his resume if he loses it.

The idea that they won’t turn on the President unless they really have to is true because they’re catering to a clientele that quite likes him. If the attitudes of that population changes, they will change. That, however remains unlikely.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:49 PM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]

Josh Meyer and Darren Samuelsohn at Politico: “FBI agents in tears as news of Comey's firing spread”

Rank-and-file agents were immediately suspicious of the timing of Tuesday’s decision, questioning whether the ongoing investigations into Trump associates’ contacts with Russian government officials was the precipitating factor, even as the White House and Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited Comey’s misstatements this week in congressional testimony about Hillary Clinton’s emails.

posted by Going To Maine at 11:52 PM on May 9, 2017 [16 favorites]

“FBI agents in tears as news of Comey's firing spread”

2017 is going to be an interesting year for OPM's Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
posted by peeedro at 12:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

National Guard reports to the Governor, not the federal military. Jerry's not sending in the NG. Also..the entire US military couldn't hold Iraq. The West Coast is considerably larger and the generals at least aren't stupid.

This is flatly untrue. The President has always been able to federalize the National Guard for a state of emergency, and as of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2007, can take complete and indefinite control of the National Guard, disregarding the governor entirely, to "take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress" pretty much any group activity they care to declare is hindering the execution of any federal or state laws.
posted by kafziel at 12:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Mitch McConnell is in his sixth term, and is the longest serving senator in Kentucky’s history (per Wikipedia). He is the most powerful man in the senate, a chief wheeler-dealer, and a man who has built his career on always doing the most politically expedient thing. This is his life. He absolutely cares about re-election and maintaining his grip on power. That is all he has ever done. The idea that he doesn’t want to be re-elected is just, like, no. Paul Ryan, I think, wants to be President. That doesn’t mean he has to keep his job, but it certainly won’t look great on his resume if he loses it.

The idea that they won’t turn on the President unless they really have to is true because they’re catering to a clientele that quite likes him. If the attitudes of that population changes, they will change. That, however remains unlikely.

I agree that Paul Ryan wants to be President, but consider how he might go about it. Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House. He's next in line for the Presidency after Mike Pence. If both Trump and Pence go down at the same time, in the same impeachment, we get President Ryan. I think he's perfectly willing, even eager, to turn on Trump, and to shovel out as much unpalatable garbage that people will pin heavily on Trump (like the AHCA) as possible in the meantime.
posted by kafziel at 12:43 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

i guess that even in a constitutional crisis there's still time for levity so, WaPo:

"Another Tuesday at the White House," Sarah Huckabee Sanders quipped as she finished speaking on Fox News from its outdoor set, as the voice of Kellyanne Conway continued to banter with CNN's Anderson Cooper from the next booth over.

After Spicer spent several minutes hidden in the bushes behind these sets, Janet Montesi, an executive assistant in the press office, emerged and told reporters that Spicer would answer some questions, as long as he was not filmed doing so. Spicer then emerged.

"Just turn the lights off. Turn the lights off," he ordered. "We'll take care of this... Can you just turn that light off?"

Spicer got his wish and was soon standing in near darkness between two tall scrubs, with more than a dozen reporters closely gathered around him. For 10 minutes, he responded to a flurry of questions, vacillating between light-hearted asides and clear frustration with getting the same questions over and over again.

emphasis on plant life mine.

navy duty. uh huh.
posted by murphy slaw at 12:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [35 favorites]

And now he's stealing from Zach Galifianakis' "Between Two Ferns" podcast???
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:58 AM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

Roger Stone encouraged Trump to fire FBI Director Comey.

...but it wasn't just in "recent weeks"

[twitter thread with evidence that Stone has been pushing to have Comey removed and be his replacement since 2015].
posted by Buntix at 1:01 AM on May 10, 2017

Der Spiegel interview published last Friday:

'It Is Soul-Crushing!' Clinton Campaign Chair John Podesta on President Trump

posted by XMLicious at 1:42 AM on May 10, 2017

Spicer got his wish and was soon standing in near darkness between two tall scrubs

Someone should tell him that he doesn't get to be Deep Throat this time around.
posted by jaduncan at 2:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Good Ford, Bill Kristol has a point. Today truly is a strange day.
Oh god, it's happening. I'm agreeing with David Frum.

I've been reading both of their Twitter feeds on and off over the past couple of months. They've both been very sensible about Trump the whole time. And then every now and again they comment on a non-Trump matter and I'm reminded that they are conservatives.
posted by nnethercote at 2:37 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

I literally met my spouse at the door singing "Trump fired Comey! Trump fired Comey!" The toddler thought it was even more amusing than we did, so we ended up having a dance party in the kitchen.

Lord, I don't ask for much. Mostly because I don't believe in you. But if you could see fit to letting this be the kid's first memory, I'll try to ramp up the feeding-the-poor stuff that your kid was always on about.
posted by Etrigan at 2:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

Democrats need to start training poll observers stat.
posted by PenDevil at 3:02 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Josh Meyer and Darren Samuelsohn at Politico: “FBI agents in tears as news of Comey's firing spread”
Rank-and-file agents were immediately suspicious of the timing of Tuesday’s decision, questioning whether the ongoing investigations into Trump associates’ contacts with Russian government officials was the precipitating factor, even as the White House and Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited Comey’s misstatements this week in congressional testimony about Hillary Clinton’s emails.

Zero quotes from Giuliani's anti-Clinton squad at the NY FBI office....
posted by srboisvert at 3:47 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

On a side note, because the Texas Legislature is not done with leading the way in horrid proposed laws, the protesting Handmaids are back (links direct to Facebook live video) in the Austin capital. I love these women so much. Their numbers are growing.

Be LOUD everyone. In whatever way works for you.
posted by dog food sugar at 4:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Just woke up, and so from way upthread:

It's occurred to me that I haven't really talked to any children and I'm not really in any contact with them, and I wonder what they think about all of this going on.

My hunch is that most kids are ignoring it because they don't get it. Think of the visual that they would see on the news - all that's really happening is that stern or angry-looking people are talking. Men in suits, or crowds of people holding signs - all that's happening is people are talking or yelling. The only reason it scares us is because we understand what those people are yelling about; for kids, especially younger kids, they don't understand what the angry grownups are talking about, so they're probably getting bored and not paying attention. (I envy them a little.)

Serious question: as an American citizen (and someone represented by Dems in both the House and Senate), what is the most effective form of action I can engage in right now to prevent the GOP and Trump White House from getting away with tanking a legitimate investigation?

Ask for impeachment on the grounds of obstruction of justice. And keep asking until it happens.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:20 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

I love that Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Embassy is meeting Trump today.

Per Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy I expect his first words to be: 'What is our cover story in case we are disturbed? Where shall we regroup? What is our fallback? Have you anything on you that you would prefer me to be carrying during our talk, bearing in mind that I have diplomatic immunity?'
posted by Mocata at 4:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

The Times is going bold on the front page. Puts the letter right there instead of a photo, gets "amid Russia inquiry" right into the main headline, and "echos of Watergate" into the second story.

Meanwhile, in their 7 am headlines and the intro to their lead story on the firing, NPR asserted that Democrats are criticizing Trump's action.

Way to turn Trump's crossing yet another line into another partisan he-said, she-said, you pack of feckless cowards. It isn't even true -- not a few Republicans have gone on record at least criticizing the firing. They interviewed Republican (of course) former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and while he was cautious in his criticism, even he couldn't deny it looks like Trump is trying to interfere with the election.
posted by Gelatin at 4:30 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

I don't think that's at all true. I think immigrant children, black children, Muslim children, are afraid for their safety. I have friends with kids who are asking when they will be deported. I know there are kids experiencing more racism than they did before, and hearing rhetoric from family members. I don't think we should underestimate how potentially scary this is for kids, especially from marginalized communities, who are seeing their parents stressed and scared in a way they haven't before. And how potentially damaging it is for the children of Trump supporters to live surrounded by normalized hate and xenophobia. Kids are good at picking up on things and soaking in their environment. "I wonder what will seem normal to the children of America by the end of the next four years."
posted by ChuraChura at 4:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [69 favorites]

A protest is brewing for today in front of the White House.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

Churachura - you're right; however, I think that the children of families on the downside of advantage would have already been afraid, sadly; they would be picking up on their fear from their parents, not the news, is what I mean.

But you're right, and I should have qualified my comment.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Guliani was at Trump Hotel last night. It's going to be him, it almost has to be.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited Comey’s misstatements this week in congressional testimony [as part of the grounds for Comey's ouster].

OK, let's just think about that particular statement for a minute.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

Care Page won't shut up.
posted by PenDevil at 5:06 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is there a (free) means of watching, live, whatever Schumer is doing today at 9:30 E.T.? I just tried the C-SPAN website but apparently I have to be a cable subscriber. (I'm perfectly content to follow a live summary firehose in this thread if that's the only/best option.) Kiiiiiinda feel like this is the Democrats' last chance to save American democracy.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 5:07 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Wait.... Carter Page, an ex-adviser of Trump... Claims he never met Trump ?
posted by Pendragon at 5:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Democrats need to start training poll observers stat.

My election inspector training is May 28th.
posted by mikelieman at 5:12 AM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders on MSNBC this morning (video), misquotes Joe Scarborough…. to Joe Scarborough. This does not go well, but is pretty entertaining.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:13 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Is there a (free) means of watching, live, whatever Schumer is doing today at 9:30 E.T.? I just tried the C-SPAN website but apparently I have to be a cable subscriber.

You only need a login for C-SPAN's original programming. All of it's non-original programming (eg, press conferences, daily briefings, Congressional coverage) you can watch without one. You should see a link when 9:30 gets closer to an actual video stream from the Senate which you can start.

At least, that's how these usually work.
posted by jammer at 5:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Giuliani won't be can't be head of the FBI due to the health issue/ dementia.
At least that's what I'm telling myself. As often as I have to.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

galaxy rise: Democrats protesting when someone they dislike is fired for sinister and likely unethical reasons isn't inconsistent, it's principled.

Every Democrat responding to the firing should be saying this, not only to point out the principled nature of their objection but to reinforce the point that Comey was fired for sinister and unethical reasons.
posted by Gelatin at 5:19 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

To avoid edit-window abuse, I'll share this in a follow-on post.

This is probably the link you'll want to follow at 9:30.
posted by jammer at 5:19 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

the link you'll want to follow at 9:30.

14:30 BST, 15:30 CEST, muh fellow old worlders.
posted by Devonian at 5:27 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

If he gets away with appointing Giuliani we might as well call it and get ready for the inevitable Reich. There is brazenly corrupt and then there is brazenly corrupt.
posted by lydhre at 5:28 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

14:30 BST, 15:30 CEST, muh fellow old worlders.

1330 UTC, for that matter!
posted by jammer at 5:30 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

This is the people of the country as usual, if not the government of the country as usual, so now is a good time to remind others of that.

It's worth noting that there's a significant difference in people's behavior when they think law rules, and when they think it's effectively Purge Night For Racists.
posted by corb at 5:42 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

I did not know how much I love my country until the Trump Administration began undermining it from within the White House.
posted by carmicha at 5:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [66 favorites]

I just want you to know, good luck, we're all counting on you.
posted by delfin at 5:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Giuliani won't be can't be head of the FBI due to the health issue/ dementia.

Um, have you seen the President?
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:48 AM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

After Giuliani helped dismantle the Muslim ban, it might be sort of magical to see how much damage he can do to Trump as FBI director. I can see him now at a press conference: "So, when the President was telling me how to slant this investigation his way, he said, 'Fuck due process and lawful search and seizure, Rudy.'"
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

If he got rid of Comey in part because too much press spotlight was taken away from him, there's no way in hell he'll appoint Rudy Giuliani.

Also it's so medieval-king that it probably is one of the reasons.
posted by corb at 5:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders on MSNBC this morning (video), misquotes Joe Scarborough…. to Joe Scarborough. This does not go well, but is pretty entertaining.

Mika's sad head shake while Joe is going nuts is the best.
posted by photoslob at 5:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Maybe this is just my white knuckled Handmaid's Tale viewing, but is there any way to remove him without suspending the Constitution?

I hope that we can all agree that if something as drastic as the constitution being suspended happens, no matter the context, it's time for some seriously drastic action, of the 1776 variety.

That still remains a very remote possibility but Comey's firing makes a little more likely.
posted by VTX at 6:00 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

This whole thing -- not just this news, but the entire media climate right now -- is just so through-the-looking-glass weird.

About 15 minutes ago, CNN was reporting that they'd learned that Roger Stone was a "key voice" in the firing. That he'd made the recommendation to do it and the president acted in part on that.

10 minutes after that, the male anchor said that the President was watching them this morning, and had in fact just tweeted that "The Roger Stone report on @CNN is false - Fake news.". He then directly addressed the president to say that it is now incumbent upon him to appoint a special prosecutor who will carry on the investigation.

Just... news network makes report, President responds on twitter, news network responds to that and addresses the President directly...

What the fuck is even happening any more?
posted by jammer at 6:05 AM on May 10, 2017 [138 favorites]

Jesus, even the Russians think this was a bit much...

[Andrea Mitchell]: Does Comey's firing cast a shadow over talks?

Russian FM jokes: “Was he fired? You are kidding! You are kidding!”

(with video)
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:08 AM on May 10, 2017 [29 favorites]

What the fuck is even happening any more?

The 24-hour news cycle has collapsed into a 140-character news cycle.
posted by Etrigan at 6:08 AM on May 10, 2017 [50 favorites]

Jesus, even the Russians think this was a bit much...

Maybe that's the reason for the visit today.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:10 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

It's worth noting that there's a significant difference in people's behavior when they think law rules, and when they think it's effectively Purge Night For Racists.

And then there's when the racists are both the law and the state.

"The rest of America don't mean a damn thing, you are in ~~Mississippi~~ [also the rest of America] now.

... Burning
posted by Buntix at 6:11 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Here are this mornings tweets:

Watching Senator Richard Blumenthal speak of Comey is a joke. "Richie" devised one of the greatest military frauds in U.S. history. For....

years, as a pol in Connecticut, Blumenthal would talk of his great bravery and conquests in Vietnam - except he was never there. When....

caught, he cried like a baby and begged for forgiveness...and now he is judge & jury. He should be the one who is investigated for his acts.

The Roger Stone report on @CNN is false - Fake News. Have not spoken to Roger in a long time - had nothing to do with my decision.

"He was never there" ... Neither was DJT.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:11 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

The real story is (((Schumer))) and (((Blumenthal)))
posted by theodolite at 6:13 AM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

Knowing our luck, Trump will appoint Robert Hanssen as head of the FBI.
posted by drezdn at 6:13 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

But one thing Rosenstein's letter doesn't do -- and it took me a second read to note this -- is expressly recommend Comey be fired. Part of an interesting tweetstorm on Rosenstein.
posted by Etrigan at 6:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

The sole comfort when it comes to considering potential Trumpennachts is that armchair revolutionists yell loudly but are almost always "let's you and him fight" at heart. Even the diehards grasp that actually shooting people is a line that cannot be uncrossed. The Venn diagram for (crazy enough to do it) U (stable enough to plan and execute it) is super small.

This is, of course, no comfort when a lone nut decides THE REVOLUTION BEGINS AT MY LOCAL WALGREEN'S and you pick a bad day to pick up a prescription. Or, you know, have a cup of coffee and a guy with a machete shows up. So do keep your eyes open.
posted by delfin at 6:15 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Since we live on the brink of dystopia anyway, I really hope the Handmaid's garb and iconography is embraced as shorthand for "fuck your fucking patriarchal bullshit, we see you" for the rest of time.
posted by lydhre at 6:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Let us begin the careful microexpression analysis of the top Russian diplomat apparently finding out Comey got fired just now?
posted by Andrhia at 6:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

While we're awaiting the morning Showdown at the Senate Corral, this from David Leonhardt at the NYTimes.

Donald Trump is Lying Again

This is the one-stop shop for everything about the firing and Trump's record of mendacity. It would be a hell of a Metafilter FPP all by itself.

(minor disclosure - I know Leonhardt a bit and think he's the smartest guy at the NYT, non-Krugman division. Would post regardless.)
posted by martin q blank at 6:20 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Is there a point at which he stopped lying?
posted by INFJ at 6:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Is there a point at which he stopped lying?

Ha. (Maybe just to eat or breathe?) According to this column, apparently not.
posted by martin q blank at 6:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

He has to draw breath every now and then. He doesn't have Kenny G's circular breathing trick down yet.
posted by Etrigan at 6:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

wow, that live cnn snip Andrhia linked...2 seconds of visible gears in russian dude's facial & physical expression
posted by yoga at 6:28 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

it was obviously sarcasm
posted by entropicamericana at 6:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

tillerson's gloss it over smile is pricelessly disgusting as well
posted by yoga at 6:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm confused. That can't be a live clip, can it? It's timestamped 8:36 AM ET, but surely Lavrov would have heard about it before this morning, right?
posted by biogeo at 6:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I genuinely don't think it's sarcasm. When he first hears the question, his eyes go wide, his head goes back, he looks bewildered. That's a lousy poker face for a career diplomat. It looks to me like he really didn't know, though I admit I don't have a plausible idea for how he could have not found out almost immediately.
posted by Andrhia at 6:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm confused. That can't be a live clip, can it? It's timestamped 8:36 AM ET, but surely Lavrov would have heard about it before this morning, right?

I dunno, maybe he was busy, disconnected from devices, took an early nap. Or maybe he was on an overseas flight from Mother Russia?
posted by dis_integration at 6:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

My reading of it is that it was pure sarcasm. Of course he knew. The dogs in the street know.
posted by stonepharisee at 6:37 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

But the firing hit the news around 5:30 PM yesterday, you'd think an aide or something would have clued him in sometime within the last 12 hours.
posted by biogeo at 6:37 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

turtle spewing out the usual talking points about obamacare.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 6:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

McConnell has the floor, so far only reading headlines and repeating the standard talking points about what a failure the ACA is.
posted by jammer at 6:39 AM on May 10, 2017

He shakes his head and snorts. He's obviously joking.
posted by gerryblog at 6:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Just a reminder that Lavrov is accused of running Putin's election hacking operation in the Steele Dossier.
posted by PenDevil at 6:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

+1 I think Lavrov was trying to be goofy
posted by EatTheWeek at 6:39 AM on May 10, 2017

I am watching McConnell blow smoke about healthcare instead of getting to work on time. Therapy has failed me.
posted by prefpara at 6:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

what is the more logical explanation: a poorly executed attempt at sarcasm filtered through a different culture and a second language or a russian diplomat is not even remotely informed about what is likely the most important aspect of his job?

I mean, obviously the former (though those facial expressions don't say sarcasm in any language to me), which given that this is 2017 makes me think the latter.
posted by biogeo at 6:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

It is the middle of the night in russia now, I'd assume if I were Russia handling a diplomat from Russia when accusations are flying widely that the US will make sure he knows before being put in front of the press.

But this is trump.
posted by AlexiaSky at 6:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I was livid at hearing Congressman Blake Farenthold (R-TX) say that he was sick of hearing about the Russian Ties Investigation on NPR this morning. It's seems to be a talking point. "Oh, aren't you just sick of this? Can't we focus on more important things?" I really want no one in America to buy that lame deflection.

To put things into perspective, Benghazi happened in September 2012, an FBI investigation started a few days later. Hillary Clinton testified for a second time before a congressional committee a full three years after that.

It's been just six months and we are no where near the bottom of this.
posted by Alison at 6:41 AM on May 10, 2017 [44 favorites]

In case you didn't see the Russian diplomatic video, you missed out on the moment when Russia took over the United States officially.
posted by Yowser at 6:41 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

I don't think it's surprise from Lavrov, nor exactly sarcasm. It's contempt. Lavrov thinks (probably accurately) that the american free press is at worst a minor irritant that will soon be silenced, controlled or further sidelined, and isn't afraid to roll his eyes at it. It's minor annoyance at the gurgling of a soon-to-be-excised vestigial organ.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:41 AM on May 10, 2017 [56 favorites]

Now going to the "but the democrats said Comey's bad why are they complaining now" line.
posted by jammer at 6:41 AM on May 10, 2017

mcconnell is speaking on the senate floor and i swear to god he had to pause and take a drink to wash out his mouth after saying the word "integrity"
posted by murphy slaw at 6:42 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

@JohnBerman:

JUST NOW: McConnell says new investigation will only impede current work on Russia investigations.

(so no special prosecutor or committee)

posted by zombieflanders at 6:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

"If there was ever a time when circumstances required a special prosecutor it is now", says Schumer. Calls upon Rosenstein repeatedly to do so.
posted by jammer at 6:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

(so no special prosecutor or committee)

This is my shocked face.
posted by biogeo at 6:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Schumer calls for the majority leader to convene a closed and if need be classified all-senators briefing with the AG and deputy AG separately to determine the status of the investigation and find out the truth about how the firing went down.
posted by jammer at 6:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [24 favorites]

Schumer's staff had obviously burned the midnight oil putting this together.

A++++ Would vote for him again.
posted by mikelieman at 6:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

Schumer: "I yield the floor"

(like a boss!)
posted by mikelieman at 6:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

"Oh, aren't you just sick of this? Can't we focus on more important things?"

Just how long did you all blather on about a fucking email server?
posted by dinty_moore at 6:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

I am profoundly disappointed in Schumer. All he did was ask for there to be a special prosecutor and a special session. What I wanted him to do was say that no Dem senator will be agreeing to unanimous consent until that happens. Set fire to the building, Chuck! If not now, when? For what are you keeping your powder dry?
posted by prefpara at 6:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [40 favorites]

JUST NOW: McConnell says new investigation will only impede current work on Russia investigations.

An independent prosecutor will really get in the way of our obstruction of justice!
posted by dis_integration at 6:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

(so no special prosecutor or committee)

I'm really pissed that my next couple of weekends are booked because we need to take to the fucking streets right now.
posted by dinty_moore at 6:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Schumer should also ask for a flying car and a team of Swedish masseuses, as he is more likely to get those.
posted by delfin at 6:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

I am profoundly disappointed in Schumer. All he did was ask for there to be a special prosecutor and a special session. What I wanted him to do was say that no Dem senator will be agreeing to unanimous consent until that happens. Set fire to the building, Chuck! If not now, when? For what are you keeping your powder dry?

I don't think you SAY THAT on CSPAN-2. I think you say that on the treadmill in the Senate gym at 7:30 in the morning.
posted by mikelieman at 6:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

Once again, the Weimar Republic delivers a super-stern verbal admonishment with extra frownies. The GOP must be quaking in its booties.

Honestly, one of the reasons I hope America comes through this reasonably intact is for Mitch McConnell's name to be shat on for generations as one of the vilest traitors to American ideals in history. I hope to see that pus-filled turtle in the dictionary next to quisling.
posted by Behemoth at 7:00 AM on May 10, 2017 [39 favorites]

I don't think it's surprise from Lavrov, nor exactly sarcasm. It's contempt.

1000% this. Contemptuous disgust. The disgust is probably mostly due to the knowledge that not even one of the journalists challenging is going to be shot in the back of the head on the way back home.
posted by Buntix at 7:02 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

The only thing worse than the surprise firing of the FBI Director would be an "I was only kidding" unfiring when it turns out to be a big deal.
posted by fragmede at 7:08 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

So Chuck rolled all the Democrats out of bed early to ask nicely if the Republicans would please reconsider supporting treason.

That's the kind of leadership we need! Maybe they'll stop murdering democracy if we bake them cookies and make them feel loved!
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:10 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

itym "its just a prank bro"
posted by entropicamericana at 7:10 AM on May 10, 2017

It's increasingly clear that the checks and balances for which our system of government has been praised largely functioned because of custom, praxis, and/or unspoken mores. In the absence of good faith from a majority in any deliberative body, the whole thing does seem to be a house of cards. Good grief.

The Senate plaza is apparently shut down.
I'm not getting a lot of context yet. Was planning to head down there at lunch; maybe that's a bad idea.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:16 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

my (admittedly pessimistic) gut tells me that nothing is going to happen without round-the-clock protests that bring DC to a halt.

and even then, "something" might be militarized mass arrests.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:16 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

NEW: @SenFeinstein says Dems will invoke two-hour rule to shut down Judiciary hearing this morning in response to Comey fallout

Here's the CSPAN link to the hearing.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:16 AM on May 10, 2017 [36 favorites]

The Senate plaza is apparently shut down.

There was some twitter buzz about the Secret Service shutting down Pennsylvania Avenue to prevent protests, I'll see if I can find confirmation.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:18 AM on May 10, 2017

I guess the alternative to protesting around federal property would be to protest around Trump property, but that would just be more unearned advertising.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:22 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

NEW: @SenFeinstein says Dems will invoke two-hour rule to shut down Judiciary hearing this morning in response to Comey fallout

This isn't new, though, they did it with Sessions at least before.
posted by corb at 7:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

US Secret Service is now "randomly" closing Pennsylvania Avenue to protestors. "Routine," one agent says. #Comey -- @Rubin_Josh

Tweet is from last night. Tweeter is "Former @JohnKerry staffer @StateDept. Obama 2012 & Yale alum."
posted by murphy slaw at 7:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

*EC is confuzzled*

Uh, so could anyone explain again what the "two-hour rule" is that would shut down a Judiciary hearing?
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 7:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

> It's increasingly clear that the checks and balances for which our system of government has been praised largely functioned because of custom, praxis, and/or unspoken mores. In the absence of good faith from a majority in any deliberative body, the whole thing does seem to be a house of cards. Good grief.

Yet another similarity to the Rob Ford saga up here in Toronto; the Brothers Ford just ignored political (and sometimes legal) conventions they found inconvenient and it quickly became apparent that there was very little anyone could do to stop them. The damage they inflicted upon the city was only limited by their stupidity (as dumb as Trump is, he's still a genius compared to Rob Ford), Toronto's "weak mayor" system that required compromise and consensus-building far beyond their abilities and their lack of command over armed forces and/or a nuclear arsenal.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Me: [backs slowly into bushes and disappears]
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:04 AM on April 30

Me: god damn it why is sean spicer here
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:27 AM on May 10, 2017 [66 favorites]

Uh, so could anyone explain again what the "two-hour rule" is that would shut down a Judiciary hearing?

Basically, there's a rule saying they can't hold committee meetings past the first two hours of the session without unanimous consent (i.e., all 100 senators agree). It's a way to slow down the business of the Senate. It's not enough on its own (I think a majority of the Senate can override the rule), but it's a start.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:28 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Me: god damn it why is sean spicer here

AV Club beat ya to it
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 7:30 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Durbin just objected to unanimous consent. Maybe theyre going to finally do this thing
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [37 favorites]

It's a small comfort to know that whenever Ted Cruz describes someone as a friend, it's actually someone who can't stand him, because no one can stand him.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

jammer: Schumer calls for the majority leader to convene a closed and if need be classified all-senators briefing with the AG and deputy AG separately to determine the status of the investigation and find out the truth about how the firing went down.

But wait, if it comes to light that this was in any way related to coordination between Trump's team and Russia, does AG Sessions have to recuse himself from that discussion? I know, I know, that would mean people are actually acting with any consistency and care for decorum and the appearance of professional conduct.

Fuck, this is a mess.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Was curious about Mitch McConnell's teeth. A search turned up this Vox article from the beginning of 2017: Mitch McConnell’s entire career has been about gaining power. What happens now that he has it?

A few things are curiously missing from the Mitch McConnell–Elaine Chao Archives at the University of Louisville. At an exhibit designed to celebrate the Senate majority leader and his wife, there’s almost no mention of any bills McConnell has authored in his 32 years in the Senate. There’s virtually nothing about the people he’s helped, nothing to highlight courageous speeches made on the Senate floor.

Instead, McConnell's exhibit almost entirely pays homage to the elections he’s won — for high school student government; for Louisville county executive; for his first election to the Kentucky Senate; for his reelection bids to the US Senate.

Interesting insights into his character and convictions, strong and weak.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

So Chuck rolled all the Democrats out of bed early to ask nicely if the Republicans would please reconsider supporting treason.

I mean, 9:30am is well within the standard start-of-workday time. I know it didn't have a meaningful impact on the situation on capitol hill, but It's always nice to see our democratic leadership unified. Symbolic, if nothing else. We don't know where this wild ride is going yet.

I don't think we should stop demanding that our congresspeople do everything in their power to ensure the security of our democracy and government; but throwing shade isn't going to do that.

I don't know, I listened to Senator Schumer's statement right after the news about Comey's firing took place.. and felt heartened. He said everything that we're all thinking and said it plainly as to leave no doubt as to his meaning. If he wants his fellow senators to bare witness to the inanity of the republicans (I could only stand to listen to 5 minutes of this morning's statements by McConnell) and reiterate his comments before, I'm behind that.

He might not have lived up to some expectations with his request that all democrat senators be in attendance this morning - but who set those expectations? (hint: it was the media)
posted by INFJ at 7:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Mitch McConnell’s entire career has been about gaining power. What happens now that he has it?

We make him watch as we take it away.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [34 favorites]

Here's something that might not mean much but that I found interesting:

This is the last week that Congress can use the Congressional Review Act to pass filibuster-exempt resolutions that strike down Obama-era regulations. Today, the Senate was set to consider one on methane emission from natural gas drilling. It waited this long because it's a dicey one, but they finally got to 50 expected votes, and Pence was en route to the Senate floor to cast the tiebreaker.

Except it only got 49 votes. John McCain -- who called for a special commission on Russia last night and just sat through McConnell saying "lol fuck that, blatant corruption 4EVA," was a surprise "no." Interesting timing for giving your party's leader a middle finger....
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [122 favorites]

Do we know anything about the mechanics of the Comey firing? Like, does he get a box of the stuff that was in his office? Given how inept and slapdash this process seems to have been, it wouldn't surprise me if he still has, like, email access or something.

cjelli: He's still listed as the Director on the FBI website, so signs do point to 'haphazard.'

Reminder: Just after ABC News’s Cecilia Vega asked White House press secretary Sean Spicer Monday about Donald Trump’s campaign proposal of a ban on Muslim people traveling to the United States, many went looking for the statement on Trump’s website—and they came up empty-handed. (Talking Points Memo, March 8,
2017) -- Those statements were up on Trump's campaign website after two versions of the "temporary travel ban" were published, and may have been online 100 days into his presidency.

"Haphazard" is being polite. "Fooking shit-show" is more appropriate.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

if john mccain's spine grows three sizes today, then i've really seen everything and will eat a cake in the shape of a hat
posted by murphy slaw at 7:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [80 favorites]

Wait, McCain actually did something maverick-y? We truly live in the strangest timeline.
posted by lydhre at 7:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

In more easily missed horrifying abuse of power, journalist Dan Heyman was arrested and charged with "willful destruction of state government processes" for approaching Price and Conway in the West Virginia state capitol.
posted by jackbishop at 7:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

RIGHT?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Recently joined metafilter and this is the first thread i've found and i'm seriously impressed! Great read and summary of everything that's going on.

Trump's reign has only just begun and a hell of a lot has happened already. This won't be the end of his situation with the FBI. Everything is a mess!
posted by EdwardLynch1966 at 7:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

I don't think it's surprise from Lavrov, nor exactly sarcasm. It's contempt.

Yep. And no small part of that contempt was because the journalist asking the question was a woman. And specifically, because it was Andrea Mitchell.
posted by Killick at 7:41 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

"willful destruction of state government processes"

That feeling when you first see the name of the crime for which you will eventually be disappeared.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:43 AM on May 10, 2017 [56 favorites]

Jennifer Rubin has an excellent column in the Washington Post today:
If Trump fired Comey over Russia, he must go

If this is true — that Sessions was charged by President Trump (no one else would have the authority) to figure out reasons to fire Comey — then the question hanging over the presidency is: What was the real reason? If the reason was not that Trump, after all that talk about “locking up” Hillary Clinton and praise last October for Comey’s letter reintroducing the Clinton email investigation into the campaign, suddenly realized Comey had behaved improperly under Justice Department rules, then the rationale is a lie. The letters from Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein are therefore part of a pretext for firing the FBI director engaged in an investigation of the president and his campaign’s conduct. [...]

However, in the constitutional sense, a scheme to mislead the American people and prevent discovery of his possible misconduct violates his oath of office. If he is engaged in such conduct, he is no longer acting to enforce and execute the laws of the United States.

What is critical here is why the president fired Comey and whether he cooked up a cover story to conceal his motivation. The inquiry into what the president, Sessions and Rosenstein were up to cannot be conducted by the executive branch. Either Congress interrogates them, or a prosecutor who cannot be fired by the president or the Justice Department is needed.

As I've noted before, I've been very impressed with Rubin's columns that put country above party, and this one is no different (so I wrote to thank her this morning). She calls for all Republicans to support a fully independent prosecutor and notes that a critical issue for 2018 may be whether elected representatives will vote for impeachment and conviction. Seriously worth a read.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 7:44 AM on May 10, 2017 [54 favorites]

Mitch McConnell’s entire career has been about gaining power. What happens now that he has it?

We make him watch as we take it away.

And then make him watch as we slowly run the process to give him the fate justice dictates for traitors. quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?
posted by ocschwar at 7:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

1000% this. Contemptuous disgust. The disgust is probably mostly due to the knowledge that not even one of the journalists challenging is going to be shot in the back of the head on the way back home.

And Rex "Russian Order of Friendship" Tillerson smiles weakly like the empty suit he is. The man is so out of his depth he doesn't even know how out of his depth he is.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:48 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

The man is so out of his depth he doesn't even know how out of his depth he is.

Is there anybody in the admin about whom this can't be said?
posted by uncleozzy at 7:50 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

WaPo front page: "Sean Spicer had wanted to announce the news in an emailed statement but it was not transmitting quickly enough."

Wait, what? Are they using a 1200 baud modem?
posted by Melismata at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

John McCain -- who called for a special commission on Russia last night and just sat through McConnell saying "lol fuck that, blatant corruption 4EVA," was a surprise "no." Interesting timing for giving your party's leader a middle finger....

It would only take 3 to get an independent prosecutor, right?
posted by corb at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

No reception in the bush.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

WaPo front page: "Sean Spicer had wanted to announce the news in an emailed statement but it was not transmitting quickly enough."

Translation: nobody told him until he saw it on TV.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

It takes extra time to email it to Russia and get it approved.
posted by emjaybee at 7:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

EdwardLynch1966: Trump's reign has only just begun and a hell of a lot has happened already. This won't be the end of his situation with the FBI. Everything is a mess!

Welcome to to the MeFi quagmires, EdwardLynch1966 -- in this current hyper-active US political reality, someone makes a new thread once the "new" thread has around 3,000 comments, which can take a few days to more than a week. Just when it felt like we were reaching a new normal for Trump and these threads were slowing down, here we are with Comey being fired, 3 years into his 10 year term.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

David Corn: Senator Burr says he is "troubled" by Comey firing but had a "pleasant call" with Trump today.

I'm running out of places to pin my hope...
posted by diogenes at 7:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

I think my hope is now pinned to John McCain, god help me.
posted by diogenes at 7:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Don't do it, diogenes.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [83 favorites]

It would only take 3 to get an independent prosecutor, right?

Technically, but the majority leader can just refuse to bring the motion to the floor for a vote. As long as McConnell is dedicated to the cause, as far as I can see the only way for a Gang of Three to make the difference would be if they cast the deciding votes to replace him.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

> Senator Burr says he is "troubled" by Comey firing but had a "pleasant call" with Trump today.

"Well, you're rich and white, I don't see a problem with it."
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:58 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

David Corn: Senator Burr says he is "troubled" by Comey firing but had a "pleasant call" with Trump today.

you are zee worst, burr
posted by entropicamericana at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [37 favorites]

"I'm troubled by" Russian ties now is the same as Republicans and Republican voters "sending thoughts and prayers" after a school shooting, knowing they'll do nothing about it whatsoever.

Troubles have the same value as prayer. Zero.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [45 favorites]

And Rex "Russian Order of Friendship" Tillerson smiles weakly like the empty suit he is. The man is so out of his depth he doesn't even know how out of his depth he is.

"...he was so far out of his depth that the fish had lights on their noses " -- Terry Pratchett, Fifth Elephant
posted by mikelieman at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [31 favorites]

Haven't seen this elsewhere. From former Politico chief Mike Allen's daily email to Axios subscribers, quoting the very astute Matt Miller (emphasis mine):

Matt Miller, a former Justice Department spokesman under President Obama, said everyone he talked to at Main Justice last night was in shock. Miller said it was clear internally that the White House didn't trust Comey, and couldn't control him.

"This makes no sense in the short term," Miller said. "But if the long-term threat is the survival of the administration itself, then you take the short-term risk."
posted by martin q blank at 8:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

I'm running out of places to pin my hope...
posted by diogenes at 10:55 AM on May 10

Pinning your hopes on Richard Burr is one step away from hoping you get rounded up into a camp with decent shade.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Glad to see we're pinning the hopes of the US on the Cold War era anti-Commie resentment in McCain's subconscious.
posted by PenDevil at 8:02 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

corb Yes, just three. And that's why it'll never, ever, happen until the Republicans lose the Senate.

There are not three Republican Senators who are willing to vote for an independent prosecutor.

In the House its worse, it'd take 120. Thanks to the ~~Pedophille~~ Hastert Rule, named after infamous Republican pedophile Denny Hastert, when the Republicans control the House only bills that are supported by a majority of the majority party can be voted on. In other words, a coalition of 119 Republicans and every single Democrat trying to get an independent investigation would fail because it wouldn't quality for a vote while the Republicans hold the majority.

Again we're back to the unpalatable truth: any vote for any Republican at any level of government is a vote to make Donald J. Trump President for Life. Unless and until the Republicans lose their majorities in the House and Senate Trump is protected from everything.

Likewise until and unless the Republicans lose their majorities in the various state governments those state governments will be employed to cheat on federal elections to keep the Republican majority in the House and Senate.

There are only two paths forward, either accept that Trump is President for Life and nothing can or will ever hurt him, or vote Democrat in every single election.
posted by sotonohito at 8:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [49 favorites]

It would only take 3 to get an independent prosecutor, right?

Technically, but the majority leader can just refuse to bring the motion to the floor for a vote. As long as McConnell is dedicated to the cause, as far as I can see the only way for a Gang of Three to make the difference would be if they cast the deciding votes to replace him.

Theoretically 51 (48D + 3R) Senators could just stop the Senate from conducting any business whatsoever until McConnell allowed the bill.
posted by Glibpaxman at 8:04 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Republicans are only interested in making money and killing as many Americans as possible, I would not pin hopes on any one of them whatsoever.
posted by Artw at 8:05 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

It's a small comfort to know that whenever Ted Cruz describes someone as a friend, it's actually someone who can't stand him, because no one can stand him.

This makes us all friends of Ted Cruz and now I hate you for pointing that out.

Also, I leave the internet for two goddamned days.....
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 8:07 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

I would not pin hopes on any one of them whatsoever.

It's definitely irrational and against all prior evidence to hope some Republicans do something, but my brain seems to want to avoid hopelessness.
posted by diogenes at 8:08 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

So does this mean that the entire republican party is in collusion with Russia? Directly or indirectly? WTF?
posted by snsranch at 8:11 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

So does this mean that the entire republican party is in collusion with Russia?

Well, those hacked Republican emails aren't going to stay buried on a hard drive in Putin's desk drawer all by themselves.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:17 AM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

According to various comments on various articles, Trump supporters don't see what the big deal is. They've been calling liberals "communists" since the 1960s, but actual collusion with actual Russia is nbd.

Yeahbut, Russia isn't communist any more, it's an ethnonationalist authoritarian dictatorship, which they voted to create the weirdly packaged off brand that tastes similar but kind of has a funny aftertaste of already.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

That feeling when you first see the name of the crime for which you will eventually be disappeared.

Yes. It's like being there when they passed the law delineating the distinction between "counterrevolutionary agitation" and "counterrevolutionary Trotskyist agitation."
posted by adamgreenfield at 8:19 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

The man is so out of his depth he doesn't even know how out of his depth he is.

Is there anybody in the admin about whom this can't be said?

McMaster seems competent and not cartoonishly evil. I don't like him, but I dislike him in the way I dislike typical Republican appointees, in the "this dude is not really my favorite but there is nothing obviously wrong with him" way.

Actually, Elaine Chao fits that profile too. Not that Chao is particularly visible or relevant inside the administration.
posted by jackbishop at 8:19 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

I think it means that as long as they get to keep power the entire Republican Party is OK with collusion with Russia.

And yes, many of the Republican voters are totally, 100%, no holds barred, OK with collusion with Russia. Now that they're no longer Communist, a great many Republican voters see Russia as the hope for Christian theocracy, white supremacy, and oppressing LGBT people and women. There are a large number of Republicans who are openly, cheerfully, embracing Putin and say that every indication that Trump is close to Putin makes them happy.

A lot of the Republican rank and file likes "strong" leaders, meaning bullying white guys who flaunt democratic norms and rule in a dictatorial fashion.

The elected Republicans either are OK with Trump's Russian ties, or dislike those ties but not enough to risk losing the power Trump brings.

Remember, they're getting their wish list enacted. Literally the only thing holding them back is their own infighting. On issues where the Tea Party isn't blocking them, they're getting everything they ever wanted and more. The government is being demolished, starting with their most hated agencies, they've got another Scalia type in the Court and the good chance of getting one or two more before Trump's term expires.

Even the Republicans who aren't fans of Trump don't want to rock the boat too much, they might not really be happy with the Russian collusion, but at worst they view it as a minor annoyance not as a major issue. As evidenced by how they votted.
posted by sotonohito at 8:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [42 favorites]

Someone should tell him that he doesn't get to be Deep Throat this time around.

Follow the money.

Oh, wait, it just goes right from Russia to Trump.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

So does this mean that the entire republican party is in collusion with Russia? Directly or indirectly? WTF?

I have a suspicion that the Russian money laundering is going to be the key here. I would not be surprised to learn that the GOP has been (wittingly or unwittingly) taking Russian money for a while (to the extent that it constitutes kompromat for the whole party apparatus).
posted by melissasaurus at 8:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [28 favorites]

Another piece of the puzzle, from the aforementioned Matthew Miller, who seems pretty wired in to DOJ:

This is also the last week at DOJ for Mary McCord, the career prosecutor supervising the Russia probe. Good time for Trump to clean house.
posted by martin q blank at 8:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

I mean this very sincerely: if sanity does not prevail and Trump manages to steamroll this country for the next four years, The Rock may be our only hope. Either we get a Reublican president in 2020 who will surely be an upgrade or he splits the vote and the Dems get one last chance to save the union.

GQ: Dwayne Johnson for President!

So, after all that consideration, Johnson doesn't hesitate when I ask him whether he honestly might one day give up his life as the highest-paid movie star on earth—which is unquestionably easier, more fun, and more lucrative than being president of the United States—in order to run for office. “I think that it's a real possibility,” he says solemnly.

posted by Room 641-A at 8:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

(as dumb as Trump is, he's still a genius compared to Rob Ford)

Ford was dumber than Trump is, yes (although not by much), but he was also multitudes nicer (and bear in mind I say this of a man who was almost certainly a domestic abuser, because that's how bad Trump is) and genuinely had a passion for the concept of public service, albeit filtered through his personal lens of being a spoiled rich boy.

Ford was terrible, but he was vastly superior to Trump in virtually every aspect of governance worth discussing.
posted by mightygodking at 8:26 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

I know that this has been mentioned several times in this thread already, but I still feel like we should be talking about it more.

The Justice Department has issued subpoenas.

Sally Yates JUST testified. And she said that she warned Trump that Michael Flynn was compromised by Russia, and that Trump did NOTHING about it for 18 days, until the news leaked to the public. Then he fired Sally Yates.

The Justice Department issued subpoenas. Then he fired Jim Comey.

Trump has fired both an acting attorney general and an FBI director.

The Justice Department has issued subpoenas.

I find it impossible to to entertain "innocent" explanations anymore.
posted by OnceUponATime at 8:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [92 favorites]

While on drugs.

Let that sink in.
posted by delfin at 8:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Okay so I know the 'Nixonian' comparisons are already flying fast and furious, but Trump is literally meeting with Kissinger in the Oval Office right now.

I just sputtered. I didn't know I could actually do that.
posted by MrVisible at 8:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

While on drugs.

Let that sink in.

I've been letting it sink in while on drugs for the last year already.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

hey everyone, no matter what you do don't think of the nixon administration

damnit
posted by murphy slaw at 8:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

Well, fuck.
posted by Artw at 8:41 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's probably a coincidence but the Law & Order episode on UK TV right now (S9E24) is all about Russian money laundering.
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 8:42 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Photos are emerging of Trump and his BFF, Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak.

If the Russians are unhappy that Trump fired Comey, this guy sure doesn't seem like it.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:43 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I am reminded of an old Marvel comic in which Fred Hembeck was interviewing Captain America. Hembeck brought up how Cap was rescued from being frozen in an ice floe for many years, then showed off his _own_ ice floe offstage, stating that when the world got to be too much, he was comforted knowing that he could put himself on ice the same way.

Cap pretty much went "Um..."

At the end of the talk show, things went awry and Hembeck stormed out, yelling GET MY ICEBERG READY!

I am iceberg-ready. Except that climate change will melt it before the world has a chance to make sense again.
posted by delfin at 8:43 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Days Before He Was Fired, Comey Asked for Money for Russia Investigation [nytimes]
posted by melissasaurus at 8:44 AM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

It's probably a coincidence but the Law & Order episode on UK TV right now (S9E24) is all about Russian money laundering.

There are no more coincidences. We live in a kooky political thriller you'd buy at an airport.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 8:44 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

David Frum - This is Not a Drill

Now comes the hour of testing. Will the American system resist? Or will it be suborned?

The question has to be asked searchingly of the Republican members of Congress: Will you allow a president of your party to attack the integrity of the FBI? You impeached Bill Clinton for lying about sex. Will you now condone and protect a Republican administration lying about espionage?

Where are you? Who are you?

I know we don't like Frum for a lot of good reasons, but it's nice to see someone from the other side raising questions about integrity at a time when too many in power seem feckless at best.
posted by nubs at 8:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [55 favorites]

The chair will be filled by the acting director of the FBI [Andrew G. McCabe].”

Can Comey be recalled as a witness, just as the former director of the FBI? I guess that's a technical, as well as practical, question.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

GQ: Dwayne Johnson for President!
So, after all that consideration, Johnson doesn't hesitate when I ask him whether he honestly might one day give up his life as the highest-paid movie star on earth—which is unquestionably easier, more fun, and more lucrative than being president of the United States—in order to run for office. “I think that it's a real possibility,” he says solemnly.

The world's cod fisheries will completely collapse before that could ever happen.
posted by srboisvert at 8:47 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

So does this mean that the entire republican party is in collusion with Russia? Directly or indirectly? WTF?

At this point, I'd say that the highest elected members of the Republican Party are either in collusion or actively refusing to connect the dots...which, in terms of their results, are nearly the same.

In this particular case, I think why they don't want to know is two-fold. First, unified control of the branches of government is rare, and they want someone who will do the horrible things they want, while preserving the fig-leaf of legitimacy as long as possible. Second, and more importantly, looking into the rabbit hole of the Kremlin Klan would mean that some high-ranking, career Republicans might be implicated. As Josh Marshall has noted before, sometimes cover-ups happen because the folks on the periphery don't know how deep the rabbit hole goes, and crucially, do not want to know.

From The Gravity is Strong:

Why are there so many unforced errors? Why conceal this meeting? Frankly, why lie about it? As I said, big, big scandals work like this. People who don’t even appear to be that close to the action keep getting pulled under for what seem like needless deceptions. The answer is usually that the stuff at the center of the scandal is so big that it requires concealment, even about things distant from the main action, things that it would seem much better and less damaging simply to admit.

From The Gravity is Strong #3:

Michael Ellis previously worked for [House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin]Nunes as a lawyer on the House Intelligence Committee. His role in this caper was apparently to brief Nunes on the information Cohen-Watnick et al. had found when Nunes visited the White House. That makes sense since Ellis and Nunes clearly had a pre-existing relationship. Let’s stop right there and note that what these three men did was at least highly improper and quite likely illegal, as Bart Gellman explains here.

At this point, I think this disgraceful scandal goes all the way to the top of the executive, and to look too closely would implicate some career Republicans in criminal activity, obstruction of justice, and willful blindness to the corruption of their own party which could hurt their electoral chances.

In short, whether or not collusion is or has been witting, the Republican party is carrying water for the Kremlin. Admitting that would be extremely damaging to their careers and agendas. They want to consolidate their power--not do right by the American People.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

I've always been partial to The Scissors.
posted by guiseroom at 8:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

More photos of Trump, Kislyak, and Lavrov being chummy in the WH this morning. Apparently the meeting was closed to US press but not Russian press; the pics are all from Russian state media.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [54 favorites]

All great points, plus there's also the possibility that the Russians have assorted Kompromat that has been filed away for just such an occasion.

The Rock is fun and all, but.....fuck him.

No, not if he can stop Trump's second term.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

The Rock is fun and all, but.....fuck him.

I've always been partial to The Scissors.

*rolls eyes* Papers, please...
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [52 favorites]

I've always been partial to The Scissors.

The ideals are there but listen, in polls vs. The Rock and The Paper, Paper always wins.
posted by Andrhia at 8:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Barring the adoption of policy points that are completely unhinged (like spending $8 billion to build a colony in the earth's core—though, if anyone could do that, it would be Dwayne Johnson), there's much to suggest Johnson could chart a fast and furious ride to the White House.

See, this is why I don't work for GQ. My editor would have received a 20,000-word essay titled "Drilling Down to Details with Dwayne Johnson: The Rock Makes His Case for Core Colony One."
posted by compartment at 8:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Looking exactly like a fascist coup is probably a poor PR move, on the other hand it's probably a pretty good fascist coup.

Are we calling time on Democracy yet?
posted by Artw at 8:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

This is the key thing, to me, after Comey's firing yesterday: we're past the point where there needs to have been actual wrongdoing on Trump's part re: Russia -- even if it turns out that all of the myriad allegations against Trump & his campaign cohorts were entirely baseless, Trump has now taken steps, it appears, as President, to obstruct investigation of the possibility of wrongdoing. That is, in and of itself, worth investigating; and it's worth, it true, impeaching him over, because he fundamentally cannot be trusted to carry out his oath of office in other circumstances if he would violate it here.

I agree, and I'd add that, as Josh Marshall keeps pointing out, the very pattern of obstructing the possibility of wrongdoing suggests that there may be quite a major wrongdoing at the heart of Trump's candidacy and presidency. So much so that they're constantly compelled to cover up rather than reveal what they did.
posted by Gelatin at 8:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [34 favorites]

And I hope it's obvious I'm not suggesting Dems vote for Dawyne Johnson.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

The Paper is pretty awesome, actually.
posted by kyrademon at 8:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I know this is gonna be a big ask, but can we at least keep a semblance of focus?

Yes, this is a big, fast thread. Adding to the mire by posting derail after derail isn't helping anyone.
posted by Sphinx at 8:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

That's actually not terrible, cjelli, we don't necessarily want the Comey story and the AHCA CBO score competing for airspace.
posted by Justinian at 8:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Barring the adoption of policy points that are completely unhinged (like spending $8 billion to build a colony in the earth's core—

Well, why the frac not?
posted by nubs at 8:58 AM on May 10, 2017

i, for one, can smell what the rock is cookin'
posted by entropicamericana at 8:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Looking exactly like a fascist coup is probably a poor PR move, on the other hand it's probably a pretty good fascist coup.

Are we calling time on Democracy yet?

All this chumminess with the Russians the day after the Comey firing seems like an intentional move on someone's part (earlier in the thread, someone suggested Bannon) to test the waters. Like, if this gets a pass, then then there is not really anything that they have to be worried about anymore.
posted by dhens at 9:00 AM on May 10, 2017 [23 favorites]

The ideals are there but listen, in polls vs. The Rock and The Paper, Paper always wins.

That paper? The US Constitution.
posted by asteria at 9:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Like, if this gets a pass, then then there is not really anything that they have to be worried about anymore.

That's what they said about the last few things he did. Like firing Yates. And appointing Sessions. And releasing classified information at Mar-a-Lago. And ... and...
posted by Melismata at 9:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Everyone relax. I'm still lying on the floor on the night of November 8 hallucinating all of this
posted by theodolite at 9:05 AM on May 10, 2017 [152 favorites]

Can Comey be recalled as a witness, just as the former director of the FBI? I guess that's a technical, as well as practical, question.

Yeah, is this just a technicality because they called the position and not the person, or are they actually just not going to have him testify?

More photos of Trump, Kislyak, and Lavrov being chummy in the WH this morning. Apparently the meeting was closed to US press but not Russian press; the pics are all from Russian state media.

Surely this?
posted by aspersioncast at 9:06 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

They're going to push the boundaries every day that they don't get called on it. If nothing happens now, next week Laprov and Kislyak will be staying in the Lincoln bed room, and eventually Spicer will be replaced with a Kremlin mouthpiece.

Trump and the Republcians have ceded our sovereignty to Putin. This is them slowly getting us used to the new normal.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

I presume Comey lost his security clearance the moment he was fired, and his authority to communicate classified information if he deems it important, so I guess when/if he testifies it's going to be under very different rules than if he was still director.
posted by Devonian at 9:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

I just spent a pleasant few minutes fantasizing that this was the worst salvia trip ever, so, thanks for that, fellow commenters
posted by schadenfrau at 9:13 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

This is why the obstruction of justice is a crime: we cannot incentivize cover-ups. And it's hard to parse Comey's firing -- no matter whether or not it was deserved, and no matter whether or not there's any substance to the various allegations against Trump -- as anything other than an attempted cover-up.

Well, if nothing else, it certainly puts the Banana into Republican.
posted by y2karl at 9:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

This seems more like a horrifying report of a datura trip.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Trump lost his first legislative vote today (to repeal methane emission regulations), partially thanks to John McCain.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:16 AM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

Man, I don't know what these people are waiting for. The person (in either party) who can bring down Trump is going to be a strong, strong contender for POTUS in 2020. There's nothing to lose, chaps.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [46 favorites]

I presume Comey lost his security clearance the moment he was fired

This isn't actually true! I mean it could have been true under a competent President, but your security clearance attaches to you, not the position, and must be revoked separately.
posted by corb at 9:18 AM on May 10, 2017 [50 favorites]

I presume Comey lost his security clearance the moment he was fired

This isn't actually true! I mean it could have been true under a competent President, but your security clearance attaches to you, not the position, and must be revoked separately.

Also, clearance is not access. Regardless of how high a person's security clearance is, if they don't have a legitimate need to know classified information, it is not only possible to deny access, but you will get into almost as much trouble if you show it to them.
posted by Etrigan at 9:22 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

I've said this before but it's more clear now. Some Republicans need to break away with a new conservative party. Call it the Independent Republicans, say. If you get 5 Senators, you control the balance of power in Washington AND stand up to Trump's budding dictatorship. (And head off a primary challenge from the right in your next election).

At this point, it's clear that Trump has only two choices for members of his party - complete subservience, or Chris Christie-type humiliation, sooner or later.
posted by msalt at 9:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

"You know, the U.S. turned into a Soviet vassal state so gradually, I didn't even notice."
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:25 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

This is the pit where all the pigs turn into people and the people into pigs or whatever, right?
posted by Artw at 9:25 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

In honor of Egg, I would have suggested calling it the Muffin Party. Unfortunately that sounds like it should be an early 2000s-era gross-out internet video of depravity I can barely imagine.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:26 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

i am so anger now
posted by localhuman at 9:28 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

I've said this before but it's more clear now. Some Republicans need to break away with a new conservative party. Call it the Independent Republicans, say. If you get 5 Senators, you control the balance of power in Washington AND stand up to Trump's budding dictatorship. (And head off a primary challenge from the right in your next election).

There are structural reasons why we have a two party system. Those Independent Republicans are likely just going to lose their seats in the next election due to party line voters. Also, they'd see their campaigns at a significant funding disadvantage. They're better to form a caucus inside the Republicans, like the Freedom Caucus.

But can you find 5 Senators willing to do it?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:28 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Trump and the Republcians have ceded our sovereignty to Putin. This is them slowly getting us used to the new normal.

I have to push back on this type of hyperbole. This is completely untrue, our sovereignty remains. What is true is that Trump and the Republicans are corrupt, benefiting from Russian kleptocrat dollars, and they are taking actions to enable them to continue that graft. They aren't selling out our democracy to Russia, other than tossing Putin some side benefits to keep the money flowing. They're selling our democracy out to themselves to retain power and get more of that money. They're trying to build a kleptocracy analogous to what Putin has done.

Putin cuts off those dollars, and see how quickly our bellicosity against Russia ratchets up.
posted by Existential Dread at 9:30 AM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

an early 2000s-era gross-out internet video of depravity I can barely imagine.

Hmm, there might be a parallel between Trump/Lavrov/Kisylak and another party, one of the Lemon variety.
posted by dhens at 9:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

cjelli: “Comey was terminated last night,” the panel’s chair Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) told reporters on Wednesday. “The chair will be filled by the acting director of the FBI [Andrew G. McCabe].”

CheeseDigestsAll: LATimes: Assigned to the New York City office as a young agent, he [McCabe] helped build complex cases against Russian mobsters and helped take out a dangerous gang of Russian-speaking gangsters in one of his first big assignments.

That LA Times article, from May 5, 2016, is titled "FBI's new second-in-command makes decisions, not headlines," and it's a pretty glowing review of the guy:

Comey is "totally focused" on high-profile issues like the recent legal fight with Apple over an encrypted iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino killers and questions from members of Congress, McCabe said.

"My focus is on the stuff we have done for 100 years and do every day that people never hear about,” he added.

The deputy director's job always has been both influential and grueling. It has become more so under Comey, who took over the FBI in 2013 and is considered less detail-oriented than his predecessor, Robert F. Mueller.

On any given day, McCabe gets briefings on terrorist threats, major criminal investigations, personnel matters and even plans to build a new FBI headquarters. His choices often come down to a simple calculus: making the least worst decision.
...
Comey didn’t have to look far for a replacement when Giuliano retired. McCabe was working down the hall as the FBI's third-ranking official, running the bureau's administrative functions.

Before that, McCabe had held several top counter-terrorism and national security posts and had run the Washington field office, the second biggest in the country.

In 2009, he was tapped to launch a new Obama administration program called the High-Value Interrogation Group. The newly elected president had banned waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics that the CIA had used against interrogation suspects overseas, and was trying to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Known as the HIG, the program McCabe started supports research into effective interrogation practices and has an elite group of FBI agents and intelligence officers who are dispatched to question key suspects.

A career FBI guy, not a partisan hack, though Republicans wanted him to recuse himself from the Hillary's Email non-scandal investigation (WSJ, paywalled) because his wife, Jill McCabe, received funds in support of her 2015 campaign for a Virginia State Senate seat from Terry McAuliffe's political organization and the Democratic Party of Virginia (Wikipedia link to Andrew G. McCabe's controversies).
posted by filthy light thief at 9:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Impeachment is not a legal process, it is a political process. We need to make Congress believe that politics compels them to have an independent inquiry and to initiate impeachment. We need to make them believe that anything less will destroy their careers.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

We can't go against Russia because of what they would release on Trump. He will do any treasonous thing Putin asks because of blackmail.
posted by rikschell at 9:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Also, clearance is not access. Regardless of how high a person's security clearance is, if they don't have a legitimate need to know classified information, it is not only possible to deny access, but you will get into almost as much trouble if you show it to them.

Carmen A. Medina, 32-year veteran of the CIA tweeted, "Strikes me as no accident Comey was fired while out of town. He had no access to office, papers."
posted by gladly at 9:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [59 favorites]

Any bellicosity is completely planned and for show.
posted by rikschell at 9:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

If Comey didn't have a back up plan for this kind of fuckery then he is profoundly, profoundly stupid.

Also, we're so polarized that "IMPEACHMENT!" -- which I literally dream about -- is as likely to energize Evil America as Good America. I don't know what to do about any of this.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:37 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

A career FBI guy, not a partisan hack

His head is going to spin they're going to rush him out of there so fucking fast.
posted by Artw at 9:37 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

"You know, the U.S. turned into a Soviet vassal state so gradually, I didn't even notice."

I know her name comes up a lot, but Sara Kendzior, who has a PhD in anthropology based on her analysis of the machinations of the Uzbeki authoritarian state, has been right on the mark about Trump since the very beginning; even her seemingly alarmist statements usually come to fruit. As an Anthropologist she is well prepped to understand the power dynamics independent of policy, which is where a lot of people get lost.

From last month: Why Trump's Russian Ties would be worse than Watergate.

Or her current piece in Marie Claire (the new Teen Vogue, WTF) on the Health Care issue:

The healthcare law is not only a sadistic assault on the sick and vulnerable, but a gendered attack meant to render his most forceful opponents, American women, helpless. Autocracy and patriarchy often go hand in hand; the countries with the highest levels of political freedom in general tend to prioritize women's healthcare, education, and other basic rights.

The U.S. has always been an exception to this rule. We rank last among developed countries for maternity leave, and women's participation in government plunged between 1997, when it was ranked 52nd in the world, and 2016, when it fell to 97th. Trump and his administration, in both denying women affordable healthcare and reducing the number of women in power, are taking advantage of those trends and exploiting them for political gain.
posted by Rumple at 9:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [100 favorites]

Or her current piece in Marie Claire (the new Teen Vogue, WTF)

Fwiw, Marie Claire has had great reporting, especially on women's issues, for at least 10-15 years.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [27 favorites]

okay, from the "are you fucking kidding me" dept.

12:05 PM: DOJ says story about Comey asking for money and personnel "100% false"
12:28 PM: DOJ says Comey merely asked for "resources"
-- Daniel Dale (@ddale8)

we are waiting on word from the justice department to determine whether comey requested grain, ore, lumber, or bricks. [fake]
posted by murphy slaw at 9:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [117 favorites]

It was sheep. He wanted sheep.

I mean what the fuck? What could "resources" possibly mean besides money and personnel?
posted by Justinian at 9:50 AM on May 10, 2017 [45 favorites]

If Comey didn't have a back up plan for this kind of fuckery then he is profoundly, profoundly stupid.

FBI directors aren't fired, they're asked to resign. Like, it's happened only once, and he was asked to resign and refused, then fired. It defies conventional wisdom so much that I'm sure Comey never imagined it would happen like this.
posted by dis_integration at 9:50 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

It was sheep, then, he asked for?
posted by notyou at 9:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Staples.
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

if you spend 500 power crystals you can complete the investigation immediately instead of having to wait it out
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

Guys, he had bricks and sheep in spades but needed wheat so he could separate the kernels from the chaff.

(Back on touched from bad settlers of catan jokes?)
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 9:54 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

ENTIRELY UNRELATED to the current goings on, Andrew Restuccia, Aidan Quigley, Jon McClure, and Lily Mihalik have assembled a useful resource over at Politico Data: "All The President's Guests: The Unauthorized White House Visitor Logs" (An ongoing project)
posted by Going To Maine at 9:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Facebook live protest at WH.
posted by armacy at 9:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I confused. Aren't "money and personnel" and "resources" the same thing?
posted by Melismata at 9:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Rod Rosenstein should be fired
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

ENTIRELY UNRELATED to the current goings on, Andrew Restuccia, Aidan Quigley, Jon McClure, and Lily Mihalik have assembled a useful resource over at Politico Data:

I bet no one told Comey.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:58 AM on May 10, 2017

We need help turning up the heat on Richard Burr. There's only so many times I can call, so please feel free.

(202) 224-3154 Burr, DC office
(202) 228-2981 Burr, DC fax
(800) 685-8916 Burr, Winston Salem NC office

There are more local NC offices listed here (scroll down): https://www.burr.senate.gov/
posted by yoga at 9:58 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

If Comey didn't have a back up plan for this kind of fuckery then he is profoundly, profoundly stupid.

Security clearances continue until the next renewal cycle which could be several years, which can be handy for getting another gov job, there are clearance only tech job fairs. Not that it matters for Comey. Now if he has security documents other than locked in his office, that would be the serious issue and potentially prison.

What will matter is knowledge, connections, favors, buddies, leverage. He does not seem like someone that had burned many backroom bridges.
posted by sammyo at 9:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

"Mr. Comey, we simply don't have the funding to construct additional pylons right now."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:00 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Damn it, we need a massive infrastructure project so that resource problems like this won't occur in the future! Gentlemen, WE MUST CONSTRUCT ADDITIONAL PYLONS.
posted by Going To Maine at 10:00 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

(Contra here, on the Internet, where we must construct fewer pile-ons)
posted by Going To Maine at 10:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Holy Shit pylon buddies.
posted by Going To Maine at 10:02 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

No, this is one of those mobile gacha games like Puzzle & Dragons. Insert your money, pull the lever and good luck!

...crap. I got a Toomey, three state legislators, an Olbermann that doesn't really fit any of my teams, a Mikachu and a bunch of garbage. Better luck next time!
posted by delfin at 10:02 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

The DOJ seems, frankly, incredibly confused right now, with different spokespeople saying contradictory things to different people.
posted by zachlipton at 10:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

It's 2 and 3. The ones who know are lying about it; the ones who don't know are making up what they think their bosses want to hear.
posted by Etrigan at 10:06 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

What to do?

So the guy who just finished speaking at the protest at the WH (see armacy's link) just said folks across the country are going to protest at 5pm local time at their senators' offices to demand obstruction of the business of Congress until an independent investigation is put in place.
posted by Lyme Drop at 10:06 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

What do they have on Rosenstein that he's willing to tank his reputation over this? You'd think he'd resign if he didn't want to be the patsy for Trump/Sessions antics. What is his motivation to go along with this?
posted by melissasaurus at 10:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Some guys will do anything for power, melissasaurus. I think that's probably the long and short of it.
posted by Justinian at 10:12 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

He's probably betting on their being no consequences ever. It's been a solid bet for those making it so far.
posted by Artw at 10:13 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Tweetstorm from David Rees:

RE: #ComeyFiring, I think the GOP will now go along with anything Trump does. I mean literally anything. It’s TIME FOR SOME SHAME THEORY!

I believed GOP was going along with DJT because they thought he could get them their precious policy outcomes: tax cuts, etc. -- and, that if DJT’s malfeasance ever decreased their chances of enacting those policies, they would jettison him.

I now think this political calculus has been replaced by a deeper, darker, calculus: a psychological survival strategy. GOP will agree to anything - I mean anything - because they can no longer afford a moral reckoning with what who and what they’ve enabled. Once you've gone so far that checking in with yourself would shatter your belief in your own humanity/decency, there are no limits. At this point, there are probably GOPers who wish Trump would suspend the constitution outright. Really just GO FOR IT, so that we leave this liminal, sorta-not-quite-authoritarian space with its semi-sorta-functional institutions behind, and enter a new American era, where their collusion/treason(?) can't be judged by old norms.

If you've ever had an affair, or drug issues, etc, you probably know the feeling. The bender/lost weekend/flirtation with hitting bottom. At some point, your shame at your behavior, at the norms you’ve violated, leads you to double down, go ALL IN, obliterate your old self. I used to be a bully in middle school, so I know this amazing, complex feeling of exhilaration and revulsion, the poison rush of living your worst self, resenting *the part of you that knows better.* Not enough to ignore it; you must destroy it.

Congress had to enter DJT’s orbit in order to pass their sacred tax cuts/repeal the hated ACA. They thought they could contain him. But DJT poisons everyone he touches. The price for working with him is pretty hefty: your humanity and dignity (h/t @joshtpm). Healthy people (and banks!) learned to avoid DJT decades ago. He surrounds himself with damaged goods: Stone, Flynn, other freaks/losers. We are watching that community of damaged psyches expand to include an entire political party. GOP pols must avoid a moral reckoning at all costs. But not just a public reckoning -- a private one. Can’t admit to moral suicide. If #TrumpTrain stopped, GOP would have to answer for putting up with PussyGate, deranged tweets, lies, damaged institutions, all the Russia stuff, etc. etc. The list is overwhelming, unprecedented, debilitating. That reckoning absolutely cannot happen.

Trump, an experienced abuser, knows this on some lizard-brain level. He has captured the GOP. His transgressions will increase. “Comey was irresponsible about HRC” is deliberately absurd; a power move by Trump to see if GOP will agree to any reality he proposes. Answer: YES. #winning

Back to the bender analogy. We’re in the middle of a crazy bender. What would bottoming out look like, when GOP says: ENOUGH? My theory: As of yesterday’s preposterous justification for Comey firing, there is no bottom. The GOP will never call Trump out. In fact, GOP pols must now encourage further transgressions, to destroy the current context in which feeling shame re: DJT is appropriate. Maybe I’m wrong! But my prediction is GOP would agree with DJT if/when he says he’s canceling the 2018 midterms. THE END

posted by theodolite at 10:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [173 favorites]

No, this is one of those mobile gacha games like Puzzle & Dragons. Insert your money, pull the lever and good luck!

This is so unfair to Puzzle & Dragon that I just can't even
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:16 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

If we could in-app purchase this fuckin' thing to conclusion I'd be all over that $49 bonus star pack.

You've got it. 2017 just texted and said crowdfund a Citizen's Investigation. Fully open-sourced, live-streamed, with version control and hourly redundant backups to each state and nation.

Fuck that sounds good.

Kissinger in the Oval office today? Secret bombing, Nixon-colluding, war criminal, 9/11-commission-chairing-whoops-he's-busy, totally-not-central-to-all-conspiracy-theories-everywhere Kissinger?!? Today. Right now. This is when they - . . . Jebus H. Upjumpin' Christ on a crutch man. Y'all let me know when Peter-Sellers-in-a-wheelchair and Slim Pickens show up.
posted by petebest at 10:17 AM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

At some point, your shame at your behavior, at the norms you’ve violated, leads you to double down, go ALL IN, obliterate your old self.

Yes, I've made this point myself about Trump supporters in general in previous threads. At some point you cross a line where there's no going back because doing so means you have to face what you've done and that becomes impossible.

The Rs in power are no different than random Trump supporters on the streets. Except, yeah, they have power. But the psychology is the same; it takes more willpower and strength to go back than most people possess.

This is one of the ways they make child soldiers, iirc. Make them do something terrible such that the only way through is forward.
posted by Justinian at 10:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [47 favorites]

Yeah, David Rees said what I said about the stakes being too high, now, only he said it better. Most of them have passed the point of no return, and it would take extraordinary moral courage to fight that. So, we're fucked.

What gets us through is civil disobedience and luck. And then there will be violence. I don't think we'll start it. I think they will lash out in desperation.

I've said it before, but...civil war. Whatever that looks like now.

What the fuck does that look like now?
posted by schadenfrau at 10:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Who's going to be outside Feinstein's SF office at 5:00?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

The distressing thing about Rosenstein is not that they have something in him, but rather that someone endorsed by broad, bipartisan majorities would have so few professional ethics. It's another support beam removed from the status quo.
posted by Going To Maine at 10:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm late to this party, but Resistbot is pretty awesome. Just used for the first time. My senators are Duckworth and Durbin, so I have generally not bothered because they've always been on the good side anyway, but this Comey thing seems huge enough that only equally huge action in response will suffice, so I wanted to goad them on.
posted by dnash at 10:24 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Moral courage is the phrase I was looking for, thanks schadenfrau. The amount of moral courage it takes to walk back from the precipice is much greater than to jump off.
posted by Justinian at 10:25 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Robert Costa: "A Republican close to President tells me Trump has been increasingly isolated in recent days. Frustrated, avoiding major public appearances"

This matches up with other reporting, and it raises the question of what Trump is doing. He is obsessed with people liking him. Nothing seems to make him happier than people saying nice things about him on cable news. That hour long speech where he managed not to call anybody names, the missile strike, the AHCA Rose Garden celebration, these are times when things were going well for him. And then he did this and now everyone is saying mean things and talking about independent investigations and it's obvious from his tweets that it's killing him. He wants to dominate, but he also needs to be liked, and it seems that, as it has through his life, the former has precluded the latter.

Can't wait to see how grumpy he is about having to sleep in a bed he doesn't own for days in a row on his foreign trip.

On the bright side, people are booing the heck out of DeVos's commencement speech.
posted by zachlipton at 10:26 AM on May 10, 2017 [51 favorites]

Yep. At Rosenstiens level, working in this administration is a choice. He's the guy that said yes after they fired Yates for saying no. There's not much more to it than that. He could've said no too, but instead decided saying yes would further his career. He knew what he was signing on for, and this is it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:27 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

God bless anyone taking one for the team on this press briefing. Huckabee Sanders just LOOKS like she's lying every minute. She's a poor man's Kellyanne.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:27 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Who's going to be outside Feinstein's SF office at 5:00?

I would be, but I snagged tickets to a Politico event with Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Eric Swalwell that's at the same time (the two are, sadly, appearing separately). I'll report here if anything interesting happens.
posted by zachlipton at 10:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Looks like Comey will not be testifying tomorrow.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:29 AM on May 10, 2017

...so if Comey did actually request more resources -- and it seems likely that he did -- it looks like Rosenstein is acting to cover that up, by proxy.

Well it sure would be helpful if Comey was free to tell everyone what he asked for and when. Oh, wait!
posted by schoolgirl report at 10:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

My problem with the David Rees tweetsorm is that he supposes facts not in evidence: that the current crop of Republican politicians are even capable of feeling shame. I have not seen one action out of Republican leadership since at least 2008 that indicates that there is an ounce of human ability to feel shame in them.

I think his thesis is probably mostly correct: they have sown the wind, and now they are reaping the whirlwind. And it's a scary fucking whirlwind. But they've collaborated so far in their quest to cut taxes and destroy the administrative state that they're now in too far to find a way back out. Their very lives are tainted, and there is no normal exit from this situation that doesn't end with the lot of them in some combination of disgrace, financial ruin, and/or prison.

They feel no shame. They're coldly cynical, rational actors in a plot that has spun far out of their control. And as inexorable reality pushes tighter and tighter around their little bubble, they're going to become more desperate to get out of it any way they can.

And I find that a lot scarier than wondering about when Republicans hit rock bottom. They are a caged animal. They know no bottom, only rage.
posted by jammer at 10:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Also, I think we're probably at the point where people start turning up dead.

We're like 10 Russian dissidents past that point, unfortunately.
posted by asteria at 10:30 AM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

Comey has been invited to testify next Tuesday though. Unclear, of course, if that will actually happen.
posted by zachlipton at 10:31 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Also, I think we're probably at the point where people start turning up dead.

When the White House cafeteria menu lists humiliation meatloaf with polonium gravy, order out for pizza.
posted by delfin at 10:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

do you theorize that trump is meeting with the russians today after announcing it last night
a) by coincidence
b) because trump wants to fuck with people's heads
c) because putin wants to fuck with people's heads and ordered trump to do it
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Spicer hiding in the bushes is amateur hour. Minnesotan's been hiding in the bushes for years.
posted by misterpatrick at 10:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

10:37 am and I hit my favorite limit for the day. I am glad all of you are here to help me process this fuckery.
posted by Space Kitty at 10:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

David Mack: "found this photo of sean spicer hiding between the bushes"
posted by zachlipton at 10:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [99 favorites]

David Mack: "found this photo of sean spicer hiding between the bushes"

Mods please close this thread now.
posted by Etrigan at 10:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, MetaFilter.
posted by murphy slaw at 10:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [62 favorites]

There's something extra terrifying about Ben Garrison's cartoon today. More overt violent fantasy than I've seen from him, for one. But Trump is also clearly portrayed as a cruel and sociopathic tyrant, a stereotypical evil villain, and the artist loves him for it. Anecdotally seeing a lot of enthusiasm from supporters about how he'll finally Lock 'Em Up now. If they don't get the "justice" they're expecting, there will be some portion of them angry enough to do something about it on their own. The regime's boldness is trickling down.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:42 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Sarah Sanders press conference is live.
posted by theodolite at 10:47 AM on May 10, 2017

Wouldn't it be nice if they would bring the band back together, and old Woodward & Bernstein will commit to a new investigative project at the Washington Post?....
posted by growabrain at 10:48 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is this Li'l Huck's first daily press briefing or has she done one before?
posted by sporkwort at 10:50 AM on May 10, 2017

She's wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress like this press conference is some kind of Easter party.
posted by all about eevee at 10:50 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Democrats are starting to withhold consent on unrelated matters now, making Susan Collins sad. This is good. At least for the moment, they're finally stopping business as usual.

Spicer is on reserve duty and will be out for the rest of the week!
posted by zachlipton at 10:50 AM on May 10, 2017 [43 favorites]

She's wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress like this press conference is some kind of Easter party.

Can we not make this about a woman's clothes?
posted by Etrigan at 10:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [61 favorites]

She's wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress like this press conference is some kind of Easter party.

She's wearing a navy blue dress and a peach cardigan. Let's abuse her for her positions, not for her appearance, please?
posted by anastasiav at 10:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [40 favorites]

I wonder if we'll ever see Sean Spicer again.
posted by dilaudid at 10:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Tweet: Former Dep CIA Director on whether it was a good idea to let Russian gov cameras/equipment into the Oval Office
posted by localhuman at 10:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [40 favorites]

Wouldn't it be nice if they would bring the band back together, and old Woodward & Bernstein will commit to a new investigative project at the Washington Post?....

First Woodward would need to pull his nose out of whatever corrupt insider's butt crack it's cozily nestled in this week.

But more importantly, the next Woodward and Bernstein can't be somebody who's on the radar as investigating the President. It has to be somebody who Trump and the GOP can't directly intimidate or silence.
posted by Strange Interlude at 10:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Macron video inviting US climate change scientists to come research in France (Facebook link, sorry, it's on his FB page): "Please, come to France. You are welcome. It's your nation. We like innovation. We want innovative people. We want people working on climate change, energy, renewables, and new technologies. France is your nation."

My siblings in Canada say the brain drain to Waterloo ON, "Canada's Silicon Valley," started after the election and why the hell can't I get my American spouse out of his denial to at least look at Waterloo jobs, just to see. As for me, I miss Canada's comparative sanity (yeah, I know, right wingers are trying to pull the same thing there) but I don't want to leave the US yet either. I'm not throwing in the towel. Not yet. I know I'd feel worse if I hadn't been here, witnessing all you guys who keep fighting like hell.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 10:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

I presume Comey lost his security clearance the moment he was fired

Corb: This isn't actually true! I mean it could have been true under a competent President, but your security clearance attaches to you, not the position, and must be revoked separately.

This is absolute bullshit. Security clearances are attached to jobs, not persons. You can maintain your eligibility for clearance after you lose your job, but you don't have your clearance activated until you have a new position requiring clearance.
posted by JackFlash at 10:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Dear fierce reporter lady pushing Sanders hard on obvious lies: you are the light of my life right now.
posted by prefpara at 10:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

apparently the president lost confidence in comey? like ten times so far.
posted by murphy slaw at 10:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I wonder if we'll ever see Sean Spicer again.

Have we ever seen Huckabee Sanders and Sean Spicer at the same time?
posted by Going To Maine at 10:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Wouldn't it be nice if they would bring the band back together, and old Woodward & Bernstein will commit to a new investigative project at the Washington Post?....

But I thought we were tired of movie reboots.
posted by Servo5678 at 10:57 AM on May 10, 2017

I’m just saying, Melissa McCarthy could play both.
posted by Going To Maine at 10:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

Another "erosion of confidence". An erosion of confidence that he will be a lapdog.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Dear fierce reporter lady pushing Sanders hard on obvious lies: you are the light of my life right now.

That's Ali Vitali, NBC News
posted by zachlipton at 10:58 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

oh my god she just called comey's actions "atrocities". do words mean anything anymore?
posted by murphy slaw at 10:58 AM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

I’m just saying, Melissa McCarthy could play both.

New SNL Saturday with McCarthy as host.
posted by chris24 at 10:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Huckabee Sanders complaining about reporters "being nice because it's her daughter's birthday" [real] and "I thought there was a two question limit" [real] is a terrible look. It's enraging, actually. This isn't a joke.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [50 favorites]

That's Ali Vitali, NBC News

Do you mean Hallie Jackson? Or did I miss something.
posted by Justinian at 11:00 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

So, according to Ms. Sanders, Rod Rosenstein is an upstanding (& a whole litany of superlatives) guy. How long until confidence is lost in him?
posted by ASCII Costanza head at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

She's very reasonably keeping Comey and Trump's conversations and the context of those conversations private. It's not like Trump chose to draw public attention to them.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

"Hey thanks for saying I'm the best dude, you're fired."
"When did Comey say the President was the best dude?"
"I'm not going to get into the specifics of private conversations"
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:02 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

How long until confidence is lost in him?

By the time you ask this question, it's been 5 days since it happened.
posted by nubs at 11:02 AM on May 10, 2017

Yes, I do mean Hallie Jackson, also NBC News. We regret the error.
posted by zachlipton at 11:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Angus King wants to hire Comey to lead the investigation for the Senate Russia probe.

"I had a fun idea in the middle of the night," King said. "I think our intelligence committee ought to hire James Comey to direct our investigation. Already has his clearances, knows the subject, man of integrity. I'm going to float that idea today and see what kind of reaction I get."

"Would that be allowed?" CNN's Chris Cuomo asked.

"I don't know why not," King replied. "He's a free man as of today. He doesn't have a job."

posted by chris24 at 11:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [101 favorites]

Comeys security clearance is not relevant, he can't keep up the investigation alone, and can't reveal anything about it except maybe to the Senate Intelligence Committee. I can't think of anything less important than whether he still has an active top secret clearance for his next job.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:03 AM on May 10, 2017

This is absolute bullshit. Security clearances are attached to jobs, not persons.

But the individual people are then cleared:

First, the government can grant someone "interim clearance." Think of it as an "innocent until proven guilty" approach. Every candidate has to submit a standard form, called an SF-86, which lists every job they’ve ever had, every place they've lived, every country they've visited, and a host of other minutiae, including contact information for neighbors and close friends.

While the government investigates everything on the SF-86 (see one here), Burgess says an "interim clearance" gets them in the door, "so when they show up [they] can operate."

I think it's both, not either/or: the position needs to have clearance (does this position require access to sensitive information), and then the person in that position gets approved (or has prior approval, which is updated [for new positions/ periodically/ unclear]).
posted by filthy light thief at 11:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

troll 'em, angus
posted by murphy slaw at 11:04 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

So, according to Ms. Sanders, Rod Rosenstein is an upstanding (& a whole litany of superlatives) guy.

Two weeks ago, Rod Rosenstein was, to all appearances, an upstanding guy. But then he was tested. I have failed many tests myself, but -Thank God- they have all been less consequential.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:04 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

the reporter who read out that letter from the FBI agent is my short-duration personal savior
posted by murphy slaw at 11:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I just voted for my city's upcoming election for school board positions as practice for the 2018 miderms! Everyone I voted for is a woman or trans! I was also able to vote for multiple people with different ethnic backgrounds, which I think is super important. I want more diverse ethnic and gender representation in our governments.

I am so proud of and grateful for anyone who is voting and/or becoming more engaged with our civic institutions, even in these very dark times.

We are the cavalry we've been waiting for. Go forth, defenders of the Republic, and vote in each election.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 11:11 AM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

This is absolute bullshit. Security clearances are attached to jobs, not persons.

I realize that's a more-or-less official government story, being from Voice of America, but it's exactly wrong.

Positions may require clearances -- e.g., to be a military commander, you need to be able to see classified information relevant to that command -- and may have associated clearances -- e.g., "Top Secret required" -- but they are not in any meaningful way "attached" to those jobs, and they are most definitely "attached" to persons, because people have clearances. Tomey most likely still has a clearance (regardless of his access level), because revoking one is kind of a pain in the ass and these fuckers are lazy if nothing else.

And interim clearances are essentially the result of the government admitting that most classification is bullshit and most people who need clearances for their jobs will get them. They're like the temporary license plate you get at the dealer until your metal one arrives in the mail.
posted by Etrigan at 11:11 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

This story makes no sense, and contradicts Spicer's statements last night. Now it's that Trump has been thinking about firing Comey since Election Day, but asked Sessions and Rosenstein to put their concerns in writing on Monday, and that Comey committed "atrocities." Spicer said Trump had confidence in Comey a week ago. And she won't say anything at all about the 3 times Trump and Comey supposedly discussed the Russia investigation.

She also thinks Trump is two people: "The president was wearing a different hat back then. He was a candidate."
posted by zachlipton at 11:12 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

CBS Evening News interviews (briefly) Putin before he goes off to participate in an exhibition hockey match.

Q: "How will the firing of James Comey affect US-Russia relations?"

Putin: "There will be no affect. Your question looks very funny to me. (Don't be angry with me.) We had nothing to do with that."

No troll like a Russian troll.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Paraphrasing ..."if Hillary Clinton had won, and thank god she did not, she would have fired Comey...". WTF Sarah Huckabee Sanders, you monster.
posted by erisfree at 11:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Sanders: "Anything in particular you want me to do out there?"
Spicer: "They've been killing me lately. Can you make me look good?"
Sanders: "Say no more."
posted by Etrigan at 11:14 AM on May 10, 2017 [27 favorites]

Kevin Drum gives me the first shred of positive feelings I've had about the state of the world in the last 24 hours:

Yeah, the Comey Firing Was All About Russia
"... Trump's astronomical ignorance has finally caught up with him. He seems to have had no idea that firing Comey wouldn't stop the investigation—nor that a new FBI director wouldn't dare quash it. In fact, all the firing does is make the investigation untouchable. And Trump's astronomical narcissism has caught up with him too. He has so little insight into other humans that he simply couldn't conceive of anyone hating Comey but still defending his right to serve out his term. In Trump's world, you reward your friends and punish your enemies and that's that.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:15 AM on May 10, 2017 [66 favorites]

I think it's both, not either/or: the position needs to have clearance (does this position require access to sensitive information), and then the person in that position gets approved (or has prior approval, which is updated

Yeah, I don't want to get too deep into the weeds of the intricacies of security clearances here, for many reasons, but essentially the key point I was trying to make is that removal of clearance for leaving a position is not automatic, and I'm not sure that Trump would've thought to inform the granting authority.

However, TD Strange is correct that unless another three letter agency wants to scoop him up and go to war with the President, the status of Comey's clearance is largely irrelevant, as the mere holding of a clearance does not give you the unilateral right to declassify.
posted by corb at 11:16 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

So, as someone who had a Secret Clearance at one point, and yes filling out that heap of paperwork was no fun for me and less fun for my parents who had to dig up references of folks that lived near us nearly 20 years ago, I was very much under the impression that it was tied to me and not the position I was in at that time. I don't know how much that gets in to the nuance of this discussion, and I'll not say more lest I muddy the waters, but that's the impression I was given when I was awarded said clearance, namely that it was mine and I could use it in other positions until it was revoked or expired. Of course I couldn't just walk into the Pentagon uninvited because SECRET clearance, I am not saying that I could, but I could sell myself to employers as having a Secret clearance which, for some roles, is a huge barrier to entry.
posted by RolandOfEld at 11:17 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Sanders said the White House has talked to "countless" FBI agents that lost faith in Comey. Who the hell are these people, and more importantly, why is the White House talking to "countless" FBI agents? Maybe they just can't count.
posted by zachlipton at 11:19 AM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

I think it's both, not either/or: the position needs to have clearance (does this position require access to sensitive information), and then the person in that position gets approved (or has prior approval, which is updated [for new positions/ periodically/ unclear]).

There is no both sides-ism. It is an indisputable fact that clearances are are attached to jobs. They are not attached to people. The moment you lose your job, you lose your clearance. If you get a new job requiring clearance, then you clearance may be reactivated, but you do not have a clearance until you have the job.

There is a good reason for this. The scope of your clearance is defined by your job. There is no such thing a universal clearance. Just because you have a clearance in the State Department it doesn't mean you automatically have clearance to everything in government, for example the military. Without a job description, there is no way to define the scope of you clearance.
posted by JackFlash at 11:19 AM on May 10, 2017

President's Spokesperson on why the claims that Comey thrice exonerated The President were included in the firing letter: "It was something that was... far above my paygrade, decided to be included."

Translation: "It's Donald Trump, how the fuck should I know what he's thinking?"
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:19 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

New SNL Saturday with McCarthy as host.

My greatest fear at the moment is that something even more iconic & terrible than Sean Spicer hiding from reporters in bushes will happen before Saturday afternoon.
posted by scalefree at 11:20 AM on May 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

And she bolts for the door, just shy of 20 minutes. I would say that didn't go well, but I honestly don't know how much it matters.
posted by murphy slaw at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

a new FBI director wouldn't dare quash it.

Where are the bets being made?

(New FBI is going to be some horrific ghoul and the FBI is going to be refashioned as a terror weapon for use against the American people but at least I'll make five bucks or whatever.)
posted by Artw at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

That seems an extraordinarily naive take from Mother Jones, the idea that they won't shut down the investigation because it will now be "intouchable".
posted by tavella at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

It's refreshing to hear a WH press secretary lie in clear, coherent sentences
posted by theodolite at 11:22 AM on May 10, 2017 [35 favorites]

It is an indisputable fact that clearances are are attached to jobs. They are not attached to people. The moment you lose your job, you lose your clearance.

Then how did Flynn get fired and not only retain but later renew his clearance? He had no job other than ex-general, ex-director of DIA?
posted by chris24 at 11:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

I agree, Huckabee Sanders' shamelessness was much more polished.
posted by Justinian at 11:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

The moment you lose your job, you lose your clearance.

I have held five Top Secret clearances from three different departments. I have held a Secret clearance since 1993 continuously, including time spent in the active Army, the Army Reserve, and out of the Army entirely. I have been, on several separate occasions, one of the people in the chain of granting clearances.

I say that to establish my resume so I can say this: You are wrong. You do not lose your clearance when you lose a job. If you are "fired" (in any of its many forms), your clearance may be revoked or suspended, particularly if said firing was the result of (provable, on-the-record) misconduct. You lose your access when you lose a job. There is a difference.
posted by Etrigan at 11:23 AM on May 10, 2017 [81 favorites]

Yay, new poll numbers from Quinnipiac.

American voters, who gave President Donald Trump a slight approval bump after the missile strike in Syria, today give him a near-record negative 36 - 58 percent job approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Critical are big losses among white voters with no college degree, white men and independent voters.

posted by murphy slaw at 11:25 AM on May 10, 2017 [24 favorites]

I agree, Huckabee Sanders' shamelessness was much more polished.

She's like a sixth grader with zero chill.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:25 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

It's my understanding that the clearance is attached to the person, but the pool of documents that you can access is tied to the job you're doing. So you can be cleared for secret, but if you don't have a reason to be looking at secret documents it doesn't mean that you can request them.
posted by Carillon at 11:26 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

There is no such thing a universal clearance. Just because you have a clearance in the State Department it doesn't mean you automatically have clearance to everything in government, for example the military.

Universal? No, but here's what the military has to say about that:
http://www.dss.mil/psmo-i/ps_faqs.html#15

15. WILL MY CLEARANCE TRANSFER TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES?
In most cases it will transfer. All federal agencies adjudicate using the 13 Adjudication Guidelines and reciprocal recognition of existing personnel security clearance adjudications throughout the national security community is strongly emphasized by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB has issued guidance regarding reciprocity of access eligibility determinations to ensure that investigations are only conducted to grant new security clearances when they are actually required.
posted by OntologicalPuppy at 11:26 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

She's like a sixth grader with zero chill.

which is to say she looks like cicero when compared to spicer
posted by murphy slaw at 11:26 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Then how did Flynn get fired and not only retain but later renew his clearance? He had no job other than ex-general, ex-director of DIA?

Former Director of the DIAs maintain their clearance so that they can have discussions with current ones.
posted by Candleman at 11:27 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Did anyone else catch Huckabee Sanders' comment about Comey's atrocities? I was holding my breath waiting for a Holocaust reference but she pulled it back!
posted by Justinian at 11:28 AM on May 10, 2017

which is to say she looks like cicero when compared to spicer

I actually prefer Spicer, who doesn't look like he ate a cat.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:28 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

I know that we have an obsession with worst case scenarios around here, but:

But my prediction is GOP would agree with DJT if/when he says he’s canceling the 2018 midterms.

Is this even possible? Don't the states organize elections for this very reason?
posted by Existential Dread at 11:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Then how did Flynn get fired and not only retain but later renew his clearance? He had no job other than ex-general, ex-director of DIA?

Former DIA's maintain their clearance so that they can have discussions with current ones.

Generals (and admirals) have a weird sort of "retired/not-retired" status for kinda this reason (and partially because it's more or less a given that they'll take civilian jobs that require clearances anyway).
posted by Etrigan at 11:30 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Did anyone else catch Huckabee Sanders' comment about Comey's atrocities? I was holding my breath waiting for a Holocaust reference but she pulled it back!

Here's a clip, along with Andrea Mitchell, who has seen actual atrocities, making some comparisons.

Also notable: talking about atrocities while Kissinger is in the building.
posted by zachlipton at 11:31 AM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

Also notable: talking about atrocities while Kissinger is in the building.

Also notable: WH still hasn't said a bad word about Putin.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is this even possible?

Everything is possible. It'd be a little unsubtle, but I doubt that would stop them.
posted by Artw at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Meanwhile, just to take our minds off things, Trump's decision to arm the Kudish fighters in the ISIS theatre is the sort of thing that requires a military/civilian team to go to Ankara beforehand to iron out the many problems it raises, but Trump (of course) has no such team: he thought a phone call would do it. This is unlikely to end well, tweetstorms Colin Kahl.
posted by Devonian at 11:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

Also notable: WH still hasn't said a bad word about Putin.

Is spending millions of dollars blowing up the Syrian air force break room still supposed to count for something?
posted by Artw at 11:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Kissinger is in the White House? Today?

Oh yeah, they are definitely just fucking with us now.
posted by FelliniBlank at 11:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

American voters, who gave President Donald Trump a slight approval bump after the missile strike in Syria, today give him a near-record negative 36 - 58 percent job approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

So... who will we be bombing next?
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Generals (and admirals) have a weird sort of "retired/not-retired" status for kinda this reason

If he's retired, isn't he still subject to the UCMJ? I'm pretty sure there's an article or ten he's violated, even if the FBI no longer prosecutes him.
posted by corb at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

this stuff about the security clearances is fascinating, but uh
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

Couple comments deleted. Let's leave it there, in terms of the security clearance thing.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

requires a military/civilian team to go to Ankara beforehand to iron out the many problems it raises, but Trump (of course) has no such team: he thought a phone call would do it

are you fucking kidding me. arming the kurds without delicate diplomacy with turkey is like giving the baltics and finland each a small fleet of nuclear-armed subs and figuring that you can text putin later.
posted by murphy slaw at 11:37 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

There are structural reasons why we have a two party system. Those Independent Republicans are likely just going to lose their seats in the next election due to party line voters. Also, they'd see their campaigns at a significant funding disadvantage

Experience disagrees with you -- Joe Lieberman is a perfect example. I think you're underestimating the value of incumbency, for one thing. For another, the Republican Party candidate will draw off the extremists (and perhaps more importantly, the money that follows right-wing extremism) while the Independent Republican as the incumbent naturally occupies the center (and gets all the voters who don't pay much attention, and recognizes his or her name).

As for party line voters, I think you are wildly overestimating the popularity of the Republican Party. It has baked in some advantages and can deliver a huge monetary boost, but their entire model is based on narrow right-wing victories in highly partisan primaries leading to a one on one battle in the general.
posted by msalt at 11:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

If [Flynn is] retired, isn't he still subject to the UCMJ?

lanasayingYUUUUUUUP.gif
posted by Etrigan at 11:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Kissinger is in the White House? Today?

Oh yeah, they are definitely just fucking with us now.

Later today Trump is going to introduce his new dog to the world. His name is Checkers.
posted by diogenes at 11:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

Betsy DeVos Was Booed Heavily As She Gave A Commencement Address

Her speech at Bethune-Cookman is being loudly protested. Good.
posted by zachlipton at 11:39 AM on May 10, 2017 [55 favorites]

I wonder if we'll ever see Sean Spicer again.

He may be heading to Pyongyang to join the armada.
posted by FelliniBlank at 11:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

I loved the bit where they went after Huckabee Sanders for Spicer saying Trump had full confidence in Comey and then firing him two weeks later... and then the very next question was whether Trump had confidence in Andrew McCabe, the acting Director.

It's almost as though they know how to do their jobs if they decide to put in an effort.
posted by Justinian at 11:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Betsy DeVos Was Booed Heavily As She Gave A Commencement Address

Her speech at Bethune-Cookman is being loudly protested. Good.

The stalwart hordes at Wikipedia have already added it to the BCU page.
posted by Etrigan at 11:42 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

So, by creating a constitutional crisis by firing Comey, the White House has made it much more difficult to pass AHCA in Congress, or tackle "tax reform."

And the clock is ticking down toward the start of campaigning this fall for mid-terms.
posted by My Dad at 11:42 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Also notable: WH still hasn't said a bad word about Putin.

Is spending millions of dollars blowing up the Syrian air force break room still supposed to count for something?

You mean the Syrian air force that is now hiding behind Putin's skirt (i.e. on a Russian air strip) to prevent being attacked? The one that replaces bombed planes by paying Putin hard currency for more planes?

No, that paper tiger attack (which didn't even shut down the targeted air strip) does not count as a slap at Putin.
posted by msalt at 11:43 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

It's almost as though they know how to do their jobs if they decide to put in an effort.

On the other hand, did anyone think to ask her a follow-up question about the alleged "atrocities" committed by Comey?
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:44 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Experience disagrees with you -- Joe Lieberman is a perfect example.

Lieberman won on the strength of Republicans voting for him to keep Lamont out, and he then preceeded to piss off everyone so badly that he decided to retire after seeing the first polling figures.

Not the example you're looking for.
posted by NoxAeternum at 11:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

lol i give it like 60% odds this kurd/turkey fuckup is gonna destroy NATO

You say that like it's an unintended consequence :/
posted by Barack Spinoza at 11:45 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

We haven't heard a word from Comey himself, have we?
posted by INFJ at 11:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Her speech at Bethune-Cookman is being loudly protested. Good.

Dang. Who thought this was a good idea?

from the link:

But Jackson [that's Edison Jackson, the school's president] has staunchly defended his decision, telling reporters Wednesday that “God is on our side, and when he’s for you, what does it matter who’s against you?”

He called DeVos’s visit an opportunity to “engage and educate” the secretary, and said she had met earlier with 12 Bethune-Cookman students who had offered her concrete policy suggestions.

But he also presented the decision as pragmatic. “We are always about the business of making new friends,” Jackson said. “Her department controls 80% of the revenue that comes into our school. Why wouldn’t we want to do that?”

Oh.
posted by notyou at 11:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

On the other hand, did anyone think to ask her a follow-up question about the alleged "atrocities" committed by Comey?

Hey man at least James Comey never used chemical weapons on his own people or whatever.
posted by Justinian at 11:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Some talking points if you're of an inclination to complain to your Senators* for confirming Rod Rosenstein:

- Rosenstein stabbed the American People in the back by authoring this transparent and clumsy pretext for firing James Comey

- Rosenstein is exactly why Democrats must never again vote to confirm any nominations from an illegitimate in the Oval Office.

- By voting to confirm Rod Rosenstein, Democrats have given a cover of "bipartisanship" to the confirmation of a illegitimate executive's appointee, a man who has now attempted to compromise an an on-going federal counterintelligence into an executive obviously under the control of a hostile foreign power.

While I generally love the work my Senators do, when I called, I was very firm about how angry I was that they voted to confirm Rosenstein, without the usual tempering of saying how much I like their work. I am so pissed off.

*Does not apply to Cory Booker (N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Kamala D. Harris (Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.).
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 11:47 AM on May 10, 2017 [25 favorites]

But my prediction is GOP would agree with DJT if/when he says he’s canceling the 2018 midterms.

Is this even possible?

Depends on what you're asking.

Is there some sort of legal mechanism by which they could do that, without directly and flagrantly violating the Constitution? Nope. None at all.

Are we at some sort of political point where they could just do that anyway? Ehhhh, almost certainly not (yet). The closest thing I can think of is Lincoln suspending habeas corpus as the Civil War started, which he simply did not have any authority whatsoever to do but just did it anyway. But that was with an actual no-shit civil war going, and even that was waaaaaaaaay less serious than just not having elections.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

lol i give it like 60% odds this kurd/turkey fuckup is gonna destroy NATO

"Real" NATO has been talking vaguely about kicking Turkey out for a little while now, so that would be more likely.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:51 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

A very through wiki of the Trump-Russia connection
posted by INFJ at 11:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

@DSenFloor 2 mins ago: that responsibility [appointing the special prosecutor] should go to the highest service career civil servant at the DOJ

that tweet is quoting schumer on the floor of the senate just now - anyone know who this person would be?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Schumer is on the Senate floor right now, talking about Rosenstein's memo - saying it wasn't written using the language, style, or annotations that would normally be found in a memo written by a legal professional. Not sure if he's just saying the guy isn't competent or if they're implying he didn't actually draft the memo. Seemed like a weird detail to point out without some suspicion/knowledge of something more. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

Experience playing Diplomacy tells me that getting Turkey out of NATO would be a big win for Russia. Austria's screwed if it happens. Italy too, probably.
posted by notyou at 11:55 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

We haven't heard a word from Comey himself, have we?

No, but I'm not surprised. There might be legal mumbojumbo around his ability to speak at the moment that needs to be sorted through, but past that - he gains nothing from speaking publicly. Yet.

Far better to watch the administration spin itself into the ground, while perhaps quietly working with a lawyer in the background to figure out what to say, where to say it, when to say it, and who to say it to. The question that remains is what mix of self-interest, desire for retribution, and integrity guide that decision.
posted by nubs at 11:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

He's right about that though, serious legal writing does not cite WSJ op-eds as authority.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

This is just a gut feel. But I have the sense that the White House is losing control of this story.

The explanations are transparently ridiculous. Everyone sees that. But that’s far from a sufficient condition for Republicans to break ranks. To be clear, I don’t think Republicans are breaking ranks. But over the course of the afternoon, the support feels to me like it’s softening. - Josh Marshall at TPM
posted by Barack Spinoza at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

Quinnipiac asked people what word first came to mind when they thought about Trump.. Idiot, incompetent, and liar are the top 3.

Also in the Quinnipiac poll: approval rating of 36 - 58. But here's the kicker, that's 51% disapprove strongly. More than half the country doesn't just disapprove of Trump, they disapprove strongly.
posted by zachlipton at 12:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [74 favorites]

Too much of a boy for crazy town, too much of a promoter of pedophilia for boy's town, Milo Yiannopolous sues Simon & Schuster for $10 million.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 12:03 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Here's the full Schumer quote I referenced above (via C-SPAN transcript):

Mr. Rosenstein signed his name to a highly political memo arguing for Director Comey's dismissal and made no complaint about the involvement of the attorney general who had recused himself from all matters relating to the Russia investigation in recommending the firing of the man who was leading it. It's hard to believe a seasoned prosecutor without bias would have allowed sessions to be part of this. It's also hard to believe that a seasoned prosecutor would write such a memo which seemed highly political, not in the kind of language, not with the kind of annotations that they write in.

posted by melissasaurus at 12:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

More than half the country doesn't just disapprove of Trump, they disapprove strongly.

They strenuously object?
posted by Autumnheart at 12:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Sanders said the White House has talked to "countless" FBI agents that lost faith in Comey. Who the hell are these people...

Top. Men.
posted by j_curiouser at 12:09 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Quinnipiac asked people what word first came to mind when they thought about Trump.. Idiot, incompetent, and liar are the top 3.

Click through to the survey to view the full list, because it is not to be missed (it's question 9).

Some further highlights:

asshole 13
trying 12
narcissist 11
disgusting 10
clown 9
dictator 6
aggressive 5
blowhard 5
embarrassment 5
evil 5
mental 5
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [42 favorites]

@Acosta
WH sources: Highest levels incl. POTUS evaluating Sanders subbing for Spicer in briefing room. Last night an "embarrassment.. disaster."

In related news: SNL promo for Saturday's show w/ Melissa McCarthy.
posted by melissasaurus at 12:13 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

To be clear, I don’t think Republicans are breaking ranks. But over the course of the afternoon, the support feels to me like it’s softening.

If they don't break ranks, "softening" means nothing. Nothing at all.

I agree with David Rees on this: firing Comey and then immediately wheeling both the Russians and Kissinger into the Oval Office are open displays of authoritarian power. They're not "oops, bad optics" bumbling; they're deliberate "we own this place now, we can do anything we want, and you don't dare do a thing about it" challenges. And every time they go unmet the line moves further.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:15 PM on May 10, 2017 [67 favorites]

You know, if Trump does get impeached, even if the whole Republican Party goes down with him, James Comey is going to be the least deserving American hero ever, when he was the cause of the whole thing to begin with.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:15 PM on May 10, 2017 [31 favorites]

You know, whether Trump is primarily an idiot, incompetent, or a liar makes for a worthwhile debate.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 12:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I don't believe he's an idiot. I don't like to think he has a mental illness either. Both implies he's just bumbling through this, and I do not want to give him that leeway.

He's a narcissistic liar.
posted by INFJ at 12:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I think "thug" would have been my first response to that survey
posted by dagosto at 12:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Pence says decision to fire Comey not connected to Russia probe

LOL
posted by dhens at 12:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

@Acosta
WH sources: Highest levels incl. POTUS evaluating Sanders subbing for Spicer in briefing room. Last night an "embarrassment.. disaster."

I bet they check her TV ratings first. Really.

Too much of a boy for crazy town

I actually don't know much about Milo, but Evil Bart sounds about right.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:20 PM on May 10, 2017

whether Trump is primarily an idiot, incompetent, or a liar makes for a worthwhile debate

It's kind of a nonsense debate, though, like asking "which color is the most true?"

they're all true. He's a(n):

lying incompetent idiot
lying idiotic incompetent
incompetent idiotic liar
incompetent lying idiot
idiotic incompetent liar
idiotic lying incompetent.
posted by tivalasvegas at 12:20 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Fact: James Comey is 6'8", which means he might be the only person in Washington physically capable of throwing Trump down the White House energy shaft
posted by theodolite at 12:21 PM on May 10, 2017 [69 favorites]

If they replace Spicer with Huckabee Sanders, Trump's White House will become a rotation of press secretaries very quickly. Which means by July, we could get to Melissa McCarthy.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

Fact: James Comey is 6'8", which means he might be the only person in Washington physically capable of throwing Trump down the White House energy shaft

Dave Bautista would like to have words with you.
posted by Etrigan at 12:23 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Trump just called us phony hypocrites for PRETENDING to be mad on twitter. That will help.
posted by Brainy at 12:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the replacement spokesperson's actual name?

/me scratches "Huckabee Sanders" off the list of slightly cracked protagonist names.
posted by notyou at 12:26 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Existential Dread Is this even possible? Don't the states organize elections for this very reason?

Well.... maybe?

Officially the President has absolutely no power to cancel elections. No one does. Elections on the 2nd Tuesday in November are so firmly baked into the US Constitution that back in WWII even if the Nazis or Japanese had run a bombing campaign on major US cities on election day it would technically have been unconstitutional to shift the election over a few days so you could vote after they'd had a chance to clear some of the rubble.

In practice Trump can do whatever he can get away with.

I think, if Trump was going to overtly cheat on the elections he'd do it not by canceling but by simply declaring that results he didn't approve of were the result of "illegal voting". I don't think we're even to the point where he can get away with that yet, much less the more blatant and overt step of outright canceling elections.

There are only three things truly restraining Trump. Institutional inertia, the faint possibility that if he goes completely overboard the Republicans would 25th Amendment him (I doubt they'd go for impeachment no matter how egregious his wrongdoing was, easier to blame it on mental health issues).

The third is the fact that if he did cancel elections, or even just declare the results invalid, there'd be a civil war. Maybe a soft civil war that was more just mass protests, but one way or the other canceling elections, or even just really overtly cheating, is crossing the Rubicon.

What worries me is the fact that there is a faction in the Republican Party more than willing to do it. I don't think they're powerful enough yet that it'll happen. I think, I hope, that even if Trump tried Pence would invoke the 25th Amendment and the Senate would sustain him.

But that's basically where we're at. Trump can try, if he's confident (or crazy) enough to do it, and if he does we have two futures: he is removed from office by the Republicans in the Constitutionally prescribed manner, or there's a Second American Civil War.
posted by sotonohito at 12:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

This is just a gut feel. But I have the sense that the White House is losing control of this story.

Losing control, in the sense that the furious chimpanzee locked in on the flight deck has finally thrashed into the control column and disconnected the autopilot.
posted by Devonian at 12:29 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Idiot, incompetent, or liar is also my question about their media strategy around firing Comey. Because it's clear they had no clue last night. I don't think anyone in the Communications Office knew this was happening until shortly before it happened. It's really hard to believe that they really didn't think this would be a big story, but they acted in a way that's consistent with that explanation, not lining up talking points or TV appearances until hours later, supposedly after Trump got mad that nobody was defending them on cable. Then Sanders told a story this morning that conflicts materially with what Spicer said last night and with what Feinstein said about her call from Trump. It's really hard for me to understand how they bungled this so badly.
posted by zachlipton at 12:29 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Does anybody know what Josh Marshall is trying to get at with his interest (on Twitter) in Trump's delay getting off Air Force One the other day? I mean, I get that the picture of Trump looking disheveled and terrified at the top of the stairs is interesting, but I feel like Marshall is trying to imply something beyond "Trump is scared of stairs."
posted by diogenes at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Wouldn't it be nice if they would bring the band back together, and old Woodward & Bernstein will commit to a new investigative project at the Washington Post?....

Ironically perhaps, Woodward and Bernstein's essential anonymous source, Deep Throat, turned out to be the Associate Director of the FBI. That makes me queasy and hopeful to the same measure.
posted by Rumple at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the replacement spokesperson's actual name?

She's the spawn of Mike Huckabee.

And Colonel Sanders. But I repeat myself.
posted by Etrigan at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

There are only three things truly restraining Trump. Institutional inertia, the faint possibility that if he goes completely overboard the Republicans would 25th Amendment him (I doubt they'd go for impeachment no matter how egregious his wrongdoing was, easier to blame it on mental health issues).

You're giving him too much credit. This is all way over his head cognitively.
posted by Melismata at 12:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

The son of Colonel Sanders, Gordon Sanders, used to be a news commentator in Albuquerque. He was very Ted Baxter in personality.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 12:36 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

FBI Acting Director Mccabe is also under federal review

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, wrote a letter to Comey on March 28 expressing concerns about McCabe’s involvement in the Clinton emails matter, given the donations that his wife received.

“These circumstances undermine public confidence in the FBI’s impartiality,” Grassley wrote. “FBI’s senior leadership should never have allowed that appearance of a conflict to undermine the bureau’s important work.... If Mr. McCabe failed to avoid the appearance of a partisan conflict of interest in favor of Mrs. Clinton during the presidential election, then any participation in this inquiry creates the exact same appearance of a partisan conflict of interest against Mr. Trump.”

A statement by Grassley on Tuesday regarding Comey’s termination did not mention his concerns about McCabe. A spokesperson for the senator was not available to comment on Wednesday morning. (Emphasis mine.)

posted by Room 641-A at 12:36 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Guys, short of this thread, which I seriously can't even keep up with, what's my best bet for following the events happening now? A specific twitter account or is What The Fuck Happened Today my go to? I'm in an all week class, and having to get my info in 15-min breaks every couple hours.
posted by greermahoney at 12:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

greermahoney: I use What The Fuck Happened Today and peek at the top trending threads on r/politics.
posted by INFJ at 12:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Jake Tapper's twitter feed is good for this, too.
posted by something something at 12:44 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

In your situation, I'd scan Vox. They do a decent mix of relating the latest wrinkles and following up with details.
posted by notyou at 12:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

U.S. to Ban Laptops in All Cabins of Flights From Europe: The Department of Homeland Security will ban laptops in the cabins of all flights from Europe to the United States, European security officials told The Daily Beast. The announcement is expected Thursday.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

So has the White House given an official response about the Washington State radiation incident(ish)? I'd like to get a feel for what they'd do if, say, radiation actually had leaked. FEMA Death Camps for all?
posted by Yowser at 12:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Thanks, all. Y'all rock.
posted by greermahoney at 12:46 PM on May 10, 2017

Guys, short of this thread, which I seriously can't even keep up with, what's my best bet for following the events happening now? A specific twitter account or is What The Fuck Happened Today my go to?

These 3 (no specific Twitter account) and I check the Washington Post and the Guardian now and then. I subscribed to them earlier this year.
posted by kingless at 12:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

> Fact: James Comey is 6'8", which means he might be the only person in Washington physically capable of throwing Trump down the White House energy shaft

Interesting thought. Does anyone know if Comey has long-lost twin adult children...?
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 12:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Stat News: Tom Price commends West Virginia police after intervening with reporter [intervening is not the word they wanted to use there]

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price on Wednesday commended police in West Virginia for “doing what they thought was appropriate” in arresting a journalist who shouted questions at him, but added that it wasn’t his call to say whether they took the proper measures.

Price said the reporter confronted him while he was walking down a hallway. “That gentleman was not in a press conference,” he said.

posted by zachlipton at 12:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

(or just add zachlipton to your RSS feed reader)
posted by notyou at 12:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Omgwtfbbq. U.S. to Ban Laptops in All Cabins of Flights From Europe: "Acting on fears that terrorists can build bombs into laptops, Homeland Security has decided to expand the ban it imposed on Middle Eastern flights. Computers will now be checked as baggage."

An official announcement is expected tomorrow and the DHS statement says it's "under consideration."

This is nuts.
posted by zachlipton at 12:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

“That gentleman was not in a press conference,” he said.

Well, now I have something new to spray-paint on the wreckage of our republic.
posted by Etrigan at 12:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

U.S. to Ban Laptops in All Cabins of Flights From Europe:

They sure are working hard at driving economic activity away from the US.
posted by Existential Dread at 12:51 PM on May 10, 2017 [66 favorites]

Computers will now be checked as baggage."

Unless this doesn't apply to 1st Class, this is going to piss off a LOT of bankers.
posted by suelac at 12:51 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Democrats grind Senate to a halt. Keep calling, it's working.
posted by contraption at 12:51 PM on May 10, 2017 [103 favorites]

Laptops in checked baggage are much easier to "inspect for explosives" without their owners looking over your shoulder.
posted by contraption at 12:53 PM on May 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

I don't think the TSA gives one shit about anyone looking over their shoulders.
posted by cooker girl at 12:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

The link notes that a laptop bomb exploded in a Airbus just after takeoff in Somalia, so there's a threat. Presumably laptops sent to the aircraft hold could (do?) undergo additional scrutiny.
posted by notyou at 12:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I think this is new:

The Sparrow Project: BREAKING: Court Filing Indicates FBI Has Active Investigation Pertaining to Donald Trump’s Call for Russian Hacking and Espionage
posted by Room 641-A at 12:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

I don't think it's surprise from Lavrov, nor exactly sarcasm. It's contempt.

1000% this. Contemptuous disgust.

And well deserved, as the Russians had front row seats to the way our media handled the fake news pumped out at Russian's behest, as well as the hours and hours of free coverage the media gave to Donald's mugging and ranting.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

“That gentleman was not in a press conference,” he said.

Nevertheless, he persisted.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

Computers will now be checked as baggage."

Unless this doesn't apply to 1st Class, this is going to piss off a LOT of bankers.

Yet another sign that Things Are Not Normal. In Normal Times this would be cause for the Bankers Can Go Fuck Themselves Dance.
posted by Lyme Drop at 12:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

...an early 2000s-era gross-out internet video of depravity I can barely imagine.

Trumpbgirl ?
posted by y2karl at 12:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Unless this doesn't apply to 1st Class, this is going to piss off a LOT of bankers.

It's also going to result in a lot more stolen laptops.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 12:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [35 favorites]

Ok, but what kind of extra scrutiny? We run our carry-ons through a scanner and take stuff out of the computer bags already. They can certainly pull you aside and make you turn on your computer. What else could they do before putting them in a cargo hold?
posted by emjaybee at 12:58 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

The link notes that a laptop bomb exploded in a Airbus just after takeoff in Somalia, so there's a threat. Presumably laptops sent to the aircraft hold could (do?) undergo additional scrutiny.

My point is that if it's truly a concern, just ban them altogether. Makes no difference if the bomb is in the cabin or the hold.
posted by cooker girl at 12:59 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

Unless this doesn't apply to 1st Class, this is going to piss off a LOT of bankers.

I understood that the first laptop ban was to drive those bankers from Middle Eastern carriers onto American carriers, burying a trade war under the cover of 'security'.

What this expansion does, I have no idea. Escalating that trade war, probably, but how?
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:00 PM on May 10, 2017

Idiot, incompetent, or liar is also my question about their media strategy around firing Comey. Because it's clear they had no clue last night.

This NBC report backs that up a bit. A lot of White House staff didn't know it was happening until they saw it on TV or just before, they had no strategy meetings, nothing. It's just Trump creating chaos on his own and everyone around him reacting.

This is a point Jay Rosen has made a few times: "there is no 'White House.' There is just Trump." There's no organization there, just people struggling to deal with the tantrums of one man.

Also, this is a hell of a quote from a "former senior intelligence official": "The way this was done, I think was done to send a message to the FBI agents left behind. It's not just that they removed him—it's that they did it in the most thuggish and humiliating way possible. No notice, no nothing—instant execution. The body guard delivers the letter to headquarters. I think that was designed to send a message: Cut this shit out, or this will happen to you. This is like horse head in the bed."
posted by zachlipton at 1:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [79 favorites]

What else could they do before putting them in a cargo hold?

Possibly copy the hard drive.
posted by anastasiav at 1:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

Makes no difference if the bomb is in the cabin or the hold.

My understanding is that cargo holds do have additional insulation against blasts, and also, an explosion in the hold is less likely to actually kill people for location and pressurization etc reasons.

Still a stupid rule. Corporations are going to flip.
posted by R a c h e l at 1:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Putin: "There will be no affect. Your question looks very funny to me. (Don't be angry with me.) We had nothing to do with that."

It was actually occurring to me yesterday that a good response to people attempting to scoff at the Comey firing might be to say, “Well it's the Trump—Russia investigation... even if you don't mind Trump interfering with the investigation, wouldn't you have objections if Russia had the head of the FBI fired?”
posted by XMLicious at 1:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Payback for Macron?
posted by Yowser at 1:02 PM on May 10, 2017

Laptops in the hold are probably in baggage containers, surrounded by other bags, which may offer a degree of protection vs. going off in a window seat.

This is still Bullshit Scaremongering Though.
posted by Rumple at 1:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Found the info - here is one old press release on FAA approval for blast-absorbing tech and this article about newer technology mentions "the heavier, more expensive containers currently used to absorb exploding luggage bombs". So yes, bombs under a certain size would be much less dangerous in the cargo hold than the cabin.
posted by R a c h e l at 1:04 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

>>What else could they do before putting them in a cargo hold?
>Possibly copy the hard drive.

possibly install a rootkit
posted by entropicamericana at 1:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

The laptop ban doesn't only affect bankers. I'm going to a big meeting in my field next week, that attracts a large cohort of international researchers. The last (and only) time I was forced to check a laptop they managed to break it en route. Scientists are already finding reasons not to come to the US for conferences, this ban is just going to accelerate that trend, and there will be knock-on negative economic consequences as a result.
posted by aiglet at 1:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [53 favorites]

Still a stupid rule. Corporations are going to flip.

I know I'm through the looking glass, because my first hope was that corporate outrage (over property/IP theft, corporate espionage, general logistical headaches of securing and replacing traveling equipment and/or duplicates at destination, plus not having employees working 24/7) would save us from this.
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 1:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

It's also going to result in a lot more stolen laptops.

Yeah when I had to travel for business a lot more often I started leaving notes in my luggage for the TSA people because my bag was clearly rifled through on every flight without the little note they're supposed to leave. You can't tell me that if I had anything more interesting/valuable than some fancy soap in my bag it wouldn't vanish like snow in the sun.
posted by winna at 1:09 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Well, the people they'd be singling out would likely be American citizens as often as not.
posted by Autumnheart at 1:09 PM on May 10, 2017

My point is that if it's truly a concern, just ban them altogether. Makes no difference if the bomb is in the cabin or the hold.

If the threat is small, the extra scrutiny available via the checked bag process is maybe enough to identify and grab any laptop bombs before they get too far. The process also means the potential bombs are redirected at the front of the airport rather than in the security lineup. Imagine you're carrying a laptop bomb and are right there in the TSA line as security performs an enhanced inspection -- would you allow that continue, or would try to set it off and at least salvage part of your mission? The public announcement means anyone trying this now knows their laptop bombs are a lot more likely to be confiscated or misplaced or whatever.

Anyway, while the policy is disruptive, it's not as disruptive as a complete ban.
posted by notyou at 1:09 PM on May 10, 2017

I would rather buy a new laptop at my destination for every international trip than trust mine to the mercies of American or United baggage handlers. It might as well be a complete ban.
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

What else could they do before putting them in a cargo hold?

They would then have physical access to your computer. They could add compromising software or hardware to spy on you, clone your drive for inspection later, and defeat most of your security measures doing it. The end-points of encrypted systems are the weakest part and with physical control of your drive, an attack can gain entry quite easily in most cases.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 1:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [23 favorites]

Virtual machines for everyone!
posted by Autumnheart at 1:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Guess we need to add burner laptops, along with burner phones, to our travel kits.
posted by notyou at 1:13 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

I work for a multinational corporation and we already started upgrading encryption on our executives' laptops as a result of the limited ban from the middle east. This is going to cost corporations a lot of money and result in an immense amount of lost worktime.
posted by something something at 1:15 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Anyway, while the policy is disruptive, it's not as disruptive as a complete ban.

But it essentially IS a complete ban, because they can't guarantee the safety of your laptop while it's checked. You have to either not bring a laptop or be ok with the fact that your laptop might be stolen or broken or compromised. Checking a laptop (even if it's encrypted) is against my company's information security policies for example.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:15 PM on May 10, 2017 [58 favorites]

Gonna be a lot of pissed off three year olds who can't watch 6 hours of stored Peppa Pig cartoons on dads Macbook on that Atlantic crossing, and they're going to let everyone around them hear about it.
posted by PenDevil at 1:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [56 favorites]

I work for a multinational corporation and we already started upgrading encryption on our executives' laptops as a result of the limited ban from the middle east. This is going to cost corporations a lot of money and result in an immense amount of lost worktime.

That was probably a waste of time - border agents have rubber hoses for days.
posted by GuyZero at 1:20 PM on May 10, 2017

Gonna be a lot of pissed off three year olds who can't watch 6 hours of stored Peppa Pig cartoons on dads Macbook....

Not funny, I'm traveling with a five year old to India via Dubai this summery. Try 15 hours.
posted by beowulf573 at 1:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

The really hilarious part is all of the US-based carriers have been getting rid of their entertainment systems ... but I suppose they'll just offer you a $50 laptop rental instead.
posted by aramaic at 1:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Um...wouldn't the theoretical bomb in the laptop explode if it was in the cargo hold, too? Like, there's nothing special about the cargo hold that magically makes bombs not explode. If explosives are the actual concern, just ban laptops outright. This makes zero sense.

I imagine their strained logic is that someone could theoretically reassemble what appear to be laptop components into a bomb in the cabin but if the luggage has to be checked it already has to be configured as a bomb. As if TSA could identify all possible bomb configurations but not component parts of a bomb.

But all the TSA has really done with this is let terrorists know that they have to fly through Asia, South America, Central America, Canada, or Mexico on non-connecting flights. So the total achievement has been to make air travel slightly more expensive for wannabe air travel terrorists.
posted by srboisvert at 1:23 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

This is a functional ban for many. It's completely ridiculous - we already do quite a bit of scanning of laptops as it is... What will they be doing that would go beyond the x-ray scan and possible swabbing of laptops?

But beyond that, let's look at this from a technical perspective - I use a 12" macbook, which is technically a laptop, but the innards of it are not that different from a phone or a tablet - It's just a full keyboard and some battery on top of it from a hardware standpoint. So this would likely be banned from the cabin, but tablets that are just as large would not be? The only technical reason to ban laptops but not tablets is because there are many more vectors to compromise a laptop or clone data in a non-noticable way. I work in infosec- and even with full disk encryption and not having data worth it for them to access, I would never trust the TSA with access to my laptop outside of my supervision.

I suspect that this is more about inconveniencing people who come from Europe for business travel in the name of trade disruption or some nonsense like that.... I could see something like that coming from Bannon.

But let's be very clear - the one thing this isn't about is improved security for airline travelers.

(also to be clear, I am not recommending a ban on tablets or other electronic devices as the remedy here. it's a non-problem.)
posted by MysticMCJ at 1:23 PM on May 10, 2017 [28 favorites]

Gonna be a lot of pissed off three year olds who can't watch 6 hours of stored Peppa Pig cartoons on dads Macbook....

Dad's phone should work, right?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:23 PM on May 10, 2017

Checking a laptop (even if it's encrypted) is against my company's information security policies for example.

Yep, this was my first thought too. Not checking the laptop is one of the very first security guidelines that everyone in my company is given, no matter what they do. My company is big and (unfortunately) has WAY more political power than I do and they probably care way more about the sensitivity of the information on my laptop than I do. I have no idea what the expectations are now for middle east travelers, let alone all of Europe - travel without? Pop out your hard drive and take it with you in the cabin? Cloud-based wipe (at home) and restore (on location) tool?
posted by R a c h e l at 1:24 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Welp, I've run out of favorites again. Consider yourselves all favorited, forever.
posted by schadenfrau at 1:24 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

Laptop Travel Ban: spend a day on each end vacationing in an unaffected country; Canada or Mexico.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 1:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Gonna be a lot of pissed off three year olds who can't watch 6 hours of stored Peppa Pig cartoons on dads Macbook....

Dad's phone should work, right?

Holding a phone up to watch for six hours is a whole different form of torture than putting a laptop on the tray.
posted by Etrigan at 1:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Jake Tapper has "a source close to Comey" that cites two reasons why he was fired:

1. Comey never provided the President with any assurance of personal loyalty.
2. The fact that the FBI's investigation into possible Trump collusion with Russia in the 2016 election was not only not going anywhere—the investigation was accelerating

An assurance of personal loyalty? This is, or perhaps I should say was, the FBI, not the President's personal secret police.
posted by zachlipton at 1:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [99 favorites]

One comment deleted. If you need a way to follow a thread, you can click "add to activity" in the byline at the top of the thread and that will add it to your Recent Activity page. On a phone you can click "jump to menu" to jump to the bottom of a thread.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:27 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Bring-your-own-device enterprise cloud data solutions are about to become much more sophisticated? Get on it, Amazon, Apple and Google. Between the three of them, that shouldn't be much of a stretch. They already make devices with flash memory; they already have massive cloud operations with redundancy in Europe; they have market saturation.
posted by Autumnheart at 1:28 PM on May 10, 2017

This is, or perhaps I should say was, the FBI, not the President's personal secret police.

You think he knows that? I don't.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

the innards of it are not that different from a phone or a tablet

They banned tablets on flights from the Middle East too. Nothing bigger than a phone.

It's unclear whether that will apply to the Europe ban, if that happens, as well.
posted by zachlipton at 1:28 PM on May 10, 2017

I'd rather be talking about Comey and the Senate work stoppage by the Democrats (better than the weak sauce I expected, which just goes to show how low my expectations are these days), but I have to say - I really like the idea of adding a vacation day in Toronto on each leg of international travel from here on out.
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Probably the best thing to do would be to move to Toronto entirely.
posted by something something at 1:35 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

Gonna be a lot of pissed off three year olds who can't watch 6 hours of stored Peppa Pig cartoons on dads Macbook....

Just buy a $39 HooToo Trip Mate travel router, load a thumb drive full of movies & MP3 files, and stream via the HooToo's private WiFi directly to your phones & tablets. On car trips I can have four kids watching different movies at once. I use a cheap Amazon Basics 10,000 mAH battery pack to run the thing for longer than the kids care to stare at a screen.

Sorry to derail, but this is not a Problem. :7)
posted by wenestvedt at 1:35 PM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

I need to head back to the UK for a couple of weeks in June; I was thinking Montreal for my travel intermediary instead.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 1:35 PM on May 10, 2017

WaPo: With Comey’s dismissal, the Russia investigation will soon be run by Trump allies
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

I feel like there's something big we're missing about banning laptops in cabins, but I can't put my finger on it.
posted by ZeusHumms at 1:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Is it that this is the wrong thread?
posted by Justinian at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

> With Comey’s dismissal, the Russia investigation will soon be run by Trump allies

Depending on the executive branch to prosecute the chief executive was always more of a hope than an actual plan. The only way this gets resolved is through the impeachment process, and the only way *that* is going to happen is with a clean sweep in the midterms.
posted by empath at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Metafilter: was always more of a hope than an actual plan.
posted by tivalasvegas at 1:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Sen. Markey is now citing Louise Mensch and Palmer Report on the Senate floor. This is preposterous.

Also new from NYT: ‘Enough Was Enough’: How Festering Anger at Comey Ended in His Firing

Mr. Trump, according to people close to the president, had been openly talking about firing Mr. Comey for at least a week. Despite the objections from some of his aides about the optics and the lack of an obvious successor, the grumbling evolved into a tentative plan as he angrily watched the Sunday news shows at his Bedminster, N.J., golf resort.

By Monday, capping off months of festering grievances, Mr. Trump told people around him that he wanted Mr. Comey gone, repeatedly questioning Mr. Comey’s fitness for the job and telling aides there was “something wrong” with him, several people familiar with the discussions said.

The story also pushes back on Trump's tweet, reiterating that Roger Stone was involved, though "It is not clear if Mr. Stone, who has told friends that he believes Mr. Comey was on a “witch hunt,” spoke with Mr. Trump directly on the matter and, if so, how recent the interactions were."
posted by zachlipton at 1:51 PM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

Roger Stone was involved, though "It is not clear if Mr. Stone, who has told friends that he believes Mr. Comey was on a “witch hunt,”

No wonder! Stone can't stand anyone else horning in on his steampunk anime witch-hunter cosplay action.
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I believe you mean "Self Funded Phantasm Reboot Made Flesh."
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:58 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Mark Salter (former Chief of Staff for McCain) says "Words I thought I'd never say: the security of the United States might now depend on electing a Democratic Congress in 2018."
posted by diogenes at 1:58 PM on May 10, 2017 [94 favorites]

Esquire has an interview with Dan Heyman, the reporter who was arrested for trying to ask a question of Tom Price.

"I stood there and Secretary Price came in, and I started an audio recording on my phone, and held out my phone to him to try to get close enough to get his comments. I asked him the question of whether domestic violence would be a pre-existing condition that could result in the denial of insurance under Trumpcare. And he didn't say anything, kept walking," Heyman said. "So I asked him again and walked along with him on this corridor. At one point I sort of was moving through the entourage behind him, and somebody said, 'Stay back, get away.'" Heyman kept going.

"I moved to the other side of the hallway, keeping up with this group as it moved to get another shot at asking this question. I think I asked him a total of three or four times. At some point, I was pulled aside by the capitol police," he said. "I want to make clear—if you're a daily reporter, I'm sure you've been involved in scrum situations where you're trying to ask somebody a question. It was pretty much exactly like that. I was reaching over or between people, sort of leaning into the group, to try to get my cell phone close to him. But I wasn't trying to get past people."

Sec. Price commended this.
posted by zachlipton at 2:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [25 favorites]

No wonder! Stone can't stand anyone else horning in on his steampunk anime witch-hunter cosplay action.

recent photo of Roger Stone

I'll be covering this thread's f2p mobile game joke needs, thank you
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

> Sen. Markey is now citing Louise Mensch and Palmer Report on the Senate floor.

Just to be clear what happened here. Louise Mensch basically made up that there was a grand jury in New York. Palmer Report just repeats what she posts on twitter. Markey cited those two in his remarks on the senate floor, and now Louise Mensch is claming that Markey is confirming their 'reporting'.

Textbook case of citogenesis.
posted by empath at 2:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

The hostility toward Mr. Comey in the West Wing in recent weeks was palpable, aides said, with advisers describing an almost ritualistic need to criticize the F.B.I.’s Russia investigation to assuage an anxious and angry president.

lol u triggered bro?
posted by theodolite at 2:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Mr. Trump, according to people close to the president, had been openly talking about firing Mr. Comey for at least a week. Despite the objections from some of his aides about the optics and the lack of an obvious successor, the grumbling evolved into a tentative plan as he angrily watched the Sunday news shows at his Bedminster, N.J., golf resort.

This could, word for word, be a narrator VO from a political spinoff of Arrested Development.

I know, I know, we've made this joke a million times.

it's true though
posted by tivalasvegas at 2:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

A little ray of sunshine from my neck of the woods: Two City Council seats were up for election, with three candidates running - two Democrats, one very progressive, one moderate, and one very Trump-style Republican .

I figured Democratic vote would cluster on the moderate, a charismatic male attorney, enough for the Trumper to get in. Nope. Both Democrats were elected with huge margins over the Trumper -- who, btw, had raised a record amount of money for a city council race.

Best part, from the story: "Unofficial results show Brody and Ahearn-Koch [the Democrats] likely received the most votes ever in a race for the City Commission."

This is how we take it back, starting at the local level. The engagement and turnout are there, and it translates to good people getting elected. Proof of concept, and (I hope) momentum.
posted by martin q blank at 2:03 PM on May 10, 2017 [87 favorites]

The laptop thing. I was recently in LAX, and someone left a laptop in top of a pile of send through security tubs. I pointed out to one TSA employee the abandoned laptop, they said, "leave it there, they will come back for it." I thought hell no, someone else will just take it on board with them, thinking score. I had to make the guys on the line take it. I told them I thought it unwise to just leave it lying around, it had not been checked, not secured, and it might end up on a flight. So they did take it, finally. They saw no reason to do this. ???
posted by Oyéah at 2:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

But all the TSA has really done with this is let terrorists know that they have to fly through Asia, South America, Central America, Canada, or Mexico on non-connecting flights. So the total achievement has been to make air travel slightly more expensive for wannabe air travel terrorists.

I mean, really they told any organized operation "go bomb something else" years ago. If terror groups are hell bent on sticking with airports and they have operatives who are willing to die by being on the plane with a bomb then they have operatives who are willing to stand in the middle of the TSA checkpoint scrum and detonate a bomb before they even pass the detectors/scanners. Which from a 'causing terror' standpoint would be just as effective and similarly scare people away from air travel.

The only valid justification for this ban is that the powers that be are actually acknowledging that the TSA is a bunch of fuckups who miss things in test runs 90% of the time, so banning laptops entirely is the only way to be sure the TSA doesn't miss a laptop bomb. But of course then they'd have to ban pretty much everything for this to be a sensible move. So, business as stupid usual.

On preview, I see that Oyéah has shown the operatives don't even need to find someone willing to die with the bomb at security. They can just rely on the lazyness of TSA and walk through to the other side before the chaos erupts.
posted by phearlez at 2:13 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

basically made up that there was a grand jury in New York

So how does the existence of grand jury relate to the existence of grand jury subpoenas?

US Attorney Dana Boente, whose office [nb: in Virginia, not New York] issued the subpoenas, is also leading the investigation into WikiLeaks and the effort to bring possible charges against the group's founder, Julian Assange. Boente is also acting as head of the Justice Department's national security section.

Is the idea that a US attorney can issue subpoenas for evidence they might want to show to some potential grand jury which might be assembled in the future?
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

So how does the existence of grand jury relate to the existence of grand jury subpoenas?

She claimed there was a grand jury in New York and Virginia. AFAIK, there's only been any real reporting in a Grand Jury in VA.
posted by empath at 2:32 PM on May 10, 2017

By Monday, capping off months of festering grievances, Mr. Trump told people around him that he wanted Mr. Comey gone, repeatedly questioning Mr. Comey’s fitness for the job and telling aides there was “something wrong” with him, several people familiar with the discussions said.

'He won't ignore my probable guilt and proclaim me innocent!'
posted by chris24 at 2:37 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Deleted a few comments. If people want to get more into the nitty gritty of airplanes and laptops, maybe the laptop ban could spin off into its own thread. Let's keep this one for politics stuff, and not fill it up with riffing etc, even though it's well-intentioned.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 2:37 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Wisconsin and Maine have applied for Medicaid waivers including work requirements, drug testing, and caps on length of eligibility.

None of these have been granted before.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:38 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Louise Mensch got the grand juries info from Claude Taylor, who posted on them, subpoenas, and the specific Virginia grand jury on Twitter some time before any mainstream news outlet was reporting a breath of any of it. He's also talking about ~24 sealed indictments already existing, which I'm afraid to believe... except that he's getting corroboration for the things he was reporting earlier.

I'm trying really hard not to believe without a critical eye because I know it's what I want to hear, but at the same time, nobody with a job title at WaPo or the NYT has a monopoly on juicy gossip.
posted by Andrhia at 2:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Well, the EU's been trying to mimic the American land-grant college model for years, and now the French president is openly talking about poaching American scientists and engineers.

I'm brushing up my French. If the GOP wants to go Khmer-Rouge, I'm not sticking around.
posted by ocschwar at 2:44 PM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

Mark Salter (former Chief of Staff for McCain) says "Words I thought I'd never say: the security of the United States might now depend on electing a Democratic Congress in 2018."

Awesome. I'm sure Tim Kaine will appreciate your donated time and money.
posted by Room 641-A at 2:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Wisconsin and Maine have applied for Medicaid waivers including work requirements, drug testing, and caps on length of eligibility.

Jesus fucking CHRIST. That is monstrous. Note that the cost of actually enforcing those restrictions is so high that both states predict they will have to spend more on Medicaid if the waivers are granted, even though fewer people will be covered. They are literally asking for extra money to prevent their citizens from getting healthcare.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [145 favorites]

Note that the cost of actually enforcing those restrictions is so high that both states predict they will have to spend more on Medicaid if the waivers are granted, even though fewer people will be covered. They are literally asking for extra money to prevent their citizens from getting healthcare.

Hey, if you want to break an omelet you have to make a few eggs.
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:53 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

The Maine waiver proposal also includes eliminating hospital presumptive eligibility, which is a mechanism where hospitals can decide to immediately enroll patients in Medicaid if they think the patient is likely eligible for it.

Maybe presumptive eligibility works differently in other states, but here in Illinois its main function is to get uninsured pregnant women who are Medicaid-eligible on the rolls quickly, so they can access, y'know, pre-natal care

The pro-life party strikes again!
posted by tivalasvegas at 2:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [60 favorites]

That's my senator!
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Sen. Wyden has put a hold on the nomination for the Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism & Financial Intelligence until the Trump Administration produces the documents on Trump's Russian financial ties.

Ok, this has my Forensic Auditor Sense tingling! I've suspected that the root cause of all this is Trump being compromised not for any conspiracy during the campaign, sure that happened, but he's really compromised due to some financial deals he did which -- oh my! -- turn out to have been structured to avoid a reporting requirement. In other words, classic money laundering.

And if there's anything the FBI is good at, it's them money laundering investigations.
posted by mikelieman at 3:15 PM on May 10, 2017 [55 favorites]

I mean, can you imagine Trump dealing with the BP oil spill? Fucking Sandy Hook? A massive earthquake out west?

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this very topic and I think the best case scenario is Trump tweeting out something that a committee wrote for him like "our thoughts and prayers are with the victims" followed, within 60 minutes, with some sort of angry tweet about fake news or some other bullshit.

The worst case scenario is that Trump - news addict that he is - listens to all of the early bullshit theories and speculations about causes and whose responsible. When those are proven to be false (often within minutes of them being reported), he doubles and triples down on them (because of course he's never wrong), thus enshrining knee-jerk pundit speculation into conspiracy theory history forever.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:17 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Reuters: Comey infuriated Trump with refusal to preview Senate testimony: aides

The anger behind Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday had been building for months, but a turning point came when Comey refused to preview for top Trump aides his planned testimony to a Senate panel, White House officials said.

Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had wanted a heads-up from Comey about what he would say at a May 3 hearing about his handling of an investigation into former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

When Comey refused, Trump and his aides considered that an act of insubordination and it was one of the catalysts to Trump’s decision this week to fire the FBI director, the officials said.

posted by Mister Fabulous at 3:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [56 favorites]

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Senate panel subpoenas former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn for Russia-related documents.
posted by Brainy at 3:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [35 favorites]

Newsweek Opinion

How Russians Launder Stolen Money Through Real Estate
By Amanda Abrams - 12/21/15
posted by mikelieman at 3:34 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

Probably the best thing to do would be to move to Toronto entirely.

If you move to Toronto you probably won't be able to afford a laptop once you buy a house and pay for internet.
posted by srboisvert at 3:36 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

The Feds won't have to look too far to find Trump money laundering. All happened well before the election - and it still beats me hollow why this sort of shit wasn't front and centre.
posted by Devonian at 3:36 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

with apologies to elvis:

well, I heard the news, there's good tweetin' tonight
well, I heard the news, there's good tweetin' tonight
trump's gonna hold his droid as tight as he can
tonight even though he's got tiny, tiny hands
i heard the news, there's good tweetin' tonight
posted by entropicamericana at 3:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Kissinger is in the White House? Today?

What? Were the crumbling remains of Bebe Rebozo not available?
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 3:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Frank Thorp: Per a Senate historian, this is the 1st subpoena Senate Intel has issued since their 9/11 joint inquiry
posted by PenDevil at 3:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

and it still beats me hollow why this sort of shit wasn't front and centre.

Because emails.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 3:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

yayyyy subpeonas
you get a subpeona, you get a subpeona
EVERYBODY GETS A SUBPEONA

(subpeonas may be substituted by bees upon request)
posted by murphy slaw at 3:44 PM on May 10, 2017 [39 favorites]

and "emails" is code for misogyny.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

>Probably the best thing to do would be to move to Toronto entirely.

If you move to Toronto you probably won't be able to afford a laptop once you buy a house and pay for internet.

You will once you realize that you're only paying, at the very, very most, $75/mo for health insurance. With no copays or deductible. And no networks. And that $900/year is only at the very highest bracket (income over $200,600/year).

sob
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

Anyway: "Backstory: Yesterday was the deadline for Michael Flynn to submit documents requested by the committee and he declined to cooperate."

I wonder if the committee will have the collective gonads to subpoena Trump when the time comes.

I think an even more crucial question is if Trump would feel obliged to turn up. The CEO does not rush down to accounting because some assistant department head has a question about a payroll adjustment.

Recall that his self-proclaimed mission statement is to MAGA. That does not leave much time for dealing with bureaucratic nonsense. That's why there is a VP.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I mean, can you imagine Trump dealing with the BP oil spill? Fucking Sandy Hook? A massive earthquake out west?

Disaster In The Time of Trump

Imagine if, as happens every thousand years or so, an asteroid the size of a football stadium were cruising toward Earth at 35,000 miles per hour, headed straight for the southern coast of the US.

According to a protocol outlined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2014, here’s what would happen: President Trump would sign an executive order requiring evacuations. His face would probably appear on every TV network, warning those in the asteroid’s sights to get out or perish.

Would anyone believe him?

posted by the man of twists and turns at 3:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

subpeonas may be substituted by bees upon request

Bees are automatic replacements. If you don't want bees, you need the anti-bee waiver, in triplicate, before the bees have begun their journey.
posted by corb at 3:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

In addition to the very bad numbers for Trump approval, Quinnipiac found good overall Dem approval:

By a 54 - 38 percent margin, American voters want the Democratic Party to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives. This is the widest margin ever measured for this question in a Quinnipiac University poll, exceeding a 5 percentage point margin for Republicans in 2013.

posted by Chrysostom at 3:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [49 favorites]

It would be really, really nice if a pee-pee tape surfaces

Does anyone think it would make any difference, at this point? The grab-em-by-the-pussy tape didn't.

My guess is that the White House would simply steamroller over it with a combination of FAKE NEWS NOT ME / okay it was me but hey, it was just a bunch of dudes letting off some steam on a business trip, no biggie right boys / and finally a grudging it was inappropriate and I regret it almost-apology and hey, let's get back to MAGA.

The financial interests are the real question anyway: what's he been paid, by who, for what.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 3:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

Ok, this has my Forensic Auditor Sense tingling! I've suspected that the root cause of all this is Trump being compromised not for any conspiracy during the campaign, sure that happened, but he's really compromised due to some financial deals he did which -- oh my! -- turn out to have been structured to avoid a reporting requirement. In other words, classic money laundering.

As much as I want the details of Russian election meddling collusion, I would almost be happier to see him go down for money laundering - much easier to show black and white evidence, much simpler for the layman to understand, much cleaner to prosecute. Because you know if Trump campaign personnel were colluding with Russia and Trump is left with "either complicit or dangerously oblivious" as an explanation for his own role, he'll claim the latter without hesitation and far too many people will buy the excuse and give him a pass.
posted by jason_steakums at 3:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

Ok let's be honest, in case of asteroid, ain't much you can do, and Trump would not be the only person saying "holy shit you guys an asteroid" so you wouldn't have to rely on his word.

I personally intend to verify everything with the French, since they will have all our scientists.
posted by emjaybee at 3:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [29 favorites]

Don't hang your hopes on the pee tape. I doubt it exists. The kompromat is money laundering.
posted by vibrotronica at 3:52 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

something something capone tax evasion mumble
posted by murphy slaw at 3:54 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Riane Konc, NatLampoon: James Comey’s Medications for the Recently Unemployed or Politically Compromised

Are you stressed? Worn out? Beaten down? Have recent events — creeping totalitarianism, the crumbling of democracy, the loss of your job — upgraded your nausea from mild to moderate? If you previously supported Trump, but recent events are starting to give you a lil’ tummyache, try one of James Comey’s Patented Medications for the Recently Unemployed or Politically Compromised.

Russiantylenol

Ugh. Everyone knows that Russian ties are such a headache — but they’re nothing compared to the headache of complex opinions. How in the world can Democrats have criticized or called for the removal of James Comey based on his decisions in October, but still find the timing and cause of his recent firing morally objectionable? Things are one thing or another: black or white, sad or fantastic, tremendous or Eric. If the nuance of grownup conversations is giving you a headache, try Russiantylenol.

posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

tremendous or Eric

ouchie.
posted by murphy slaw at 3:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Rep. MacArthur's town hall is going rather poorly due to dissatisfaction with the AHCA. Also some video here.
posted by zachlipton at 3:58 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

Transgender cadets at military academies can graduate but not serve: Two transgender cadets — one each at the Air Force and Army military academies — will be allowed to graduate this month in their new, preferred genders but will not be allowed to join the ranks of the military’s newest officers, USA TODAY has learned.

The Air Force and Army will not commission the cadets after graduation because the Pentagon has not yet established procedures for accepting new transgender troops in its ranks. The names of the cadets and their new genders were not released by the military. They must still pass exams in order to graduate.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Senate panel subpoenas former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn for Russia-related documents.

RON_PAUL_IT_S_HAPPENING.GIF ?!?
posted by dhens at 4:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

W/R/T the asteroid, just remember it would be scientists telling him about the danger, so the question would be: would he believe them?
posted by OHenryPacey at 4:04 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

WRAL: NC asks for $900M in flood relief, feds give $6.1M, Cooper says

Skim the comments and about 15th down is someone who was a Trump voter with regrets.

I cannot believe Trump would do this to the people of NC. I just saw where the fed budget spent $60M just for security since he's keeping houses in FL, NY and NJ instead of the White House. So Trump is spending TEN TIMES as much money for himself to keep 3 extra houses, than he is helping the desperate people in rural NC.

I am shocked and VERY VERY VERY disappointed that he looked us in the eye and said he was a man of the people, then uses taxpayer money to live that way while the people WHOSE MONEY IT IS cannot get a roof over their heads.

He has a point.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [107 favorites]

They've published part 2 of that Dutch TV report (with subtitles) on The Dubious Friends of Donald Trump, linked last week - the focus this time is Russian billionare Lev Leviev, King of Diamonds.
posted by progosk at 4:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

He has a point.

'I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs woman who voted for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party.
posted by Justinian at 4:07 PM on May 10, 2017 [55 favorites]

I am shocked and VERY VERY VERY disappointed that he looked us in the eye and said he was a man of the people

where do these extremely credulous people come from

do they not have cable or the internet

do they live in a radio-free zone or under some sort of rock
posted by Existential Dread at 4:07 PM on May 10, 2017 [35 favorites]

> He has a point.

Leopards and faces: who could have known?
posted by tonycpsu at 4:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

I guess no one told Carolinians that living in the path of hurricanes is a pre-existing condition
posted by OHenryPacey at 4:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [24 favorites]

Bring-your-own-device enterprise cloud data solutions are about to become much more sophisticated? the context is a little surprising, but there it is: the pendulum is back to mainframes and dumb terminals. 30 yr period.
posted by j_curiouser at 4:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

2017 america is a misheard Beck lyric, inverted: the leopards are stealing kisses from our faces.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

The WH put out a new timeline on Comey. It's astonishingly bad. It conflicts with some of their previous statements, and worse, admits in writing that Trump wanted to fire him after seeing him testify. That sounds an awful lot like obstruction.
posted by zachlipton at 4:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [36 favorites]

Does anyone think it would make any difference, at this point? The grab-em-by-the-pussy tape didn't

Yes and no. If the tape exists and it surfaces, it won't be the sexual act(s) on it that matter the most - some people will be offended, but that isn't what would make the difference.

The confirmation that the pee tape exists, however, would act to bolster all the other things alleged in the Steele dossier, which are the things that matter.
posted by nubs at 4:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

@Brian Stelter: Huge news night, unusual #'s: Fox, usually #1, ranked #3 in 25-54 demo last night. All the cablers gained, but CNN & MSNBC gained a lot more

In the comments it is pointed out that Tucker Carlson was not talking about Comey at all, he was talking about fat shaming. Amazing that FOX News would rather kiss up to DJT then to actually carry the real news. If and when we ever do have Impeachment hearings I expect there to be a total blackout from FOX.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:13 PM on May 10, 2017 [35 favorites]

If and when we ever do have Impeachment hearings I expect there to be a total blackout from FOX.

I expect Swan Lake, on repeat.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 4:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [44 favorites]

I finally got around to using Resistbot. Resistbot is cool, you guys! Text "resist" to 50409 and it sends a fax with your message, signed by you, to your congressional reps. You should still call if you can, but it's great for people who can't call for whatever reason.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

I guess the "blillionaire man of the people" myth will never die. Next time it'll be an AI housed in a server in an ice cave in Antarctica that amassed a fortune by manipulating every stock market on Earth, and these people will still decide they'd rather have a beer with it than the Democratic nominee.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [41 favorites]

the whole shit show will go on until corporate america realizes how much it's going to cost them - for the first time, i actually wonder if we could see a coup in this country, and no, not led by trump and company
posted by pyramid termite at 4:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Wisconsin and Maine have applied for Medicaid waivers including work requirements, drug testing, and caps on length of eligibility.

Jesus fucking CHRIST. That is monstrous. Note that the cost of actually enforcing those restrictions is so high that both states predict they will have to spend more on Medicaid if the waivers are granted, even though fewer people will be covered. They are literally asking for extra money to prevent their citizens from getting healthcare.

The thought of this makes me tear up. I was employed almost the entire time I was on Medicaid (legit thanks, Obama), like maybe 18 months out of 24 or 28? It was GREAT and the greatest thing about it for me because I have mental health problems was that I never had to fill out any paperwork. At my first job I had to turn in a form to my company's HR that said I only worked 20 hours a week so I didn't get benefits, and they sent it on to the state. At my second job, DOH sent me a four or five page form at open enrollment that I panic-avoided for a couple weeks until I read it closely enough to realize that I didn't have to send it back unless my information had changed, which it hadn't. I would have lost my benefits if I had to report the way people on unemployment do.

I got most of my care through a public clinic, and at one point I told my NP how great it was to go there because I didn't have to do ANYTHING bureaucratic. I just had to show up. I had tried to get a particular treatment a few years earlier on private insurance and I never got it because I had to go back and forth from the doctor to the pharmacy a few times and I just couldn't execute it. She laughed and said, "Oh, yeah, if our patients had to do that, no one would ever get any treatment." Like, we KNOW what makes it harder or easier to access care. When we want people to access care, we reduce the amount of administrative bullshit they have to do.

It's such a false economy. Access to Medicaid helped me go back to school and get healthy enough to get in the full-time job I have now. I'm still a "lucky ducky" but I hope I was a, you know, okay investment. I certainly wouldn't be able to work without my meds. I just feel like lawmakers who want to do this stuff hate me, personally, and think I'm a bad, lazy person. It really upsets me.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 4:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [108 favorites]

Matthew Miller, WaPo: Trump has crossed a once-unthinkable red line

Since President Richard Nixon forced the resignations of the attorney general and deputy attorney general in 1973 in protest to his order to dismiss a special prosecutor investigating the White House, all senior Justice Department officials have known that there could come a time when they would stand before history and face a defining test: Would they have the courage to say no to a president determined to subvert the bedrock independence of federal law enforcement?

On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein failed this test. By providing President Trump with the cover to fire FBI Director James B. Comey, they betrayed the Justice Department’s long-standing tradition of independence. In doing so, they sent a message to every career prosecutor and investigator working beneath them that they put the president’s personal and political interests ahead of the department’s integrity.

posted by Johnny Wallflower at 4:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [78 favorites]

Back in 1973 the House Judiciary Committee held an impeachment inquiry into the then-alleged wrongdoings of Richard Nixon. I presume most of the lawyers who worked for the inquiry are long since dead or retired, but there was one up-and-coming attorney who is still around and I understand has extensive experience with this sort of thing. So if they're looking for a Special Prosecutor, may I suggest the obvious choice: Hillary Rodham.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:20 PM on May 10, 2017 [152 favorites]

I am shocked and VERY VERY VERY disappointed that he looked us in the eye and said he was a man of the people, then uses taxpayer money to live that way while the people WHOSE MONEY IT IS cannot get a roof over their heads.

What the fuck did that clown think promises to "cut taxes and shrink wasteful government programs" looked like? It means the government doesn't spend tax dollars saving your ass from the aftermath of a hurricane.
posted by Autumnheart at 4:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

If and when we ever do have Impeachment hearings I expect there to be a total blackout from FOX.

I think it's traditional to play Swan Lake on loop for a few days on state run television when something bad happens.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 4:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

For a little historical perspective, here's a collection of cartoons from the week after Richard Nixon fired Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor looking into Watergate, as well as a look at the relative timelines, showing that Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre" was almost 3 months after the 'smoking gun' of the White House tapes was revealed and over 9 months before Nixon resigned. Of course, corrupt Republicans learned much from Watergate, and the 40+ years since.
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein failed this test.

I think that Sessions would openly admit that he thinks DoJ should be working under the President's explicit direction. I expect no better from him; he isn't failing a test so much as continuing to reject it.
posted by jaduncan at 4:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Ok let's be honest, in case of asteroid, ain't much you can do, and Trump would not be the only person saying "holy shit you guys an asteroid" so you wouldn't have to rely on his word.

Here's how I imagine Trumps words in the time of the asteroid apocalypse:

"So maybe you've all heard, we've all heard by now, we've got an asteroid. And folks, it's not just any asteroid. It's big. I mean it's huge, really big league. And I've asked the folks down at NASA - really smart folks, they love me down at NASA - what we can do about it. And they say "nothing"; can you believe that? Can you believe that? That's what happens folks, Obama and Crooked Hillary didn't give NASA what they needed, and, well, here we are.

So I told them that isn't a good answer, we need to go all super-duper here, because - can you believe it? - we're talking about the end of life on Earth, except maybe some people down in Australia or something because they have good health care.

So NASA is doing everything they can to get a wall up - it might not be a real wall folks, but something like nuclear weapons that act like a wall, and I'm going to make the aliens pay. Because, folks, they aren't sending their best. They send us killer asteroids and cosmic rays and that. So they will
pay for this. Thank you. And it's time that physics - which has been getting a free ride, really taking advantage of us - did it's fair share too. Let's make Physics work again. Thank you."
posted by nubs at 4:26 PM on May 10, 2017 [31 favorites]

White House Lawyers Warned Trump: Stay Away From Michael Flynn:

White House lawyers have had to warn President Donald Trump repeatedly against reaching out to his fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, two people familiar with the matter tell The Daily Beast.

Trump, angered by press coverage of the Russia investigation and Gen. Flynn, has asked senior staff and the White House counsel’s office multiple times if it was appropriate to reach out to the fired National Security Adviser, according to a source close to Flynn and a Trump administration official with direct knowledge of the exchanges.

Oh, I bet he wants to talk to Flynn.

That "multiple times" tickles me. Like he kept coming back after being told "hell no that would be hugely inappropriate and could be viewed as witness tampering" to ask "okay, but how about now, then?"
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:27 PM on May 10, 2017 [63 favorites]

In the comments it is pointed out that Tucker Carlson was not talking about Comey at all, he was talking about fat shaming. Amazing that FOX News would rather kiss up to DJT then to actually carry the real news. If and when we ever do have Impeachment hearings I expect there to be a total blackout from FOX.

I was watching Carlson last night (please don't come near me, I'm probably still contagious), and he absolutely covered Comey's firing. The fatshaming segment was later in the show.

(It was all awful, obviously.)
posted by mixedmetaphors at 4:31 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Thanks for setting me straight, mixedmetaphors, I was going by comments on twitter.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:35 PM on May 10, 2017

@ddiamond: MacArthur asked about pre-existing protection changes. Audience: "If you have a pre-existing condition, stand up." Most audience on feet.

@daveweigel: MACARTHUR: I'm looking an insurance market that is collapsing. CONSTITUENT: Because you drilled holes in it! audience chants SINGLE PAYER

Also @daveweigel: MacArthur, with twinge of sarcasm: "Some of you want single-payer across the board? Medicare for all?" Huge cheers
posted by Existential Dread at 4:41 PM on May 10, 2017 [82 favorites]

That story about Price complaining and happy to have a journalist arrested for asking questions really irks me. Price is a former Congressman who served 5 terms so I am sure he is very familiar with being chased down hallways by reporters. Now he is too high and mighty to deal with questions outside of press briefings? Fuck that noise. If I was a professional journalist I would get a group of friends and hound him for days.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

do they not have cable or the internet

do they live in a radio-free zone

The problem is not what media access they have but what they consume using them (with an asterisk to note that broadband penetration in rural markets is still poor). People that read dubious forwards on Facebook and in email, read Breitbart, watch Fox News, and listen to talk radio literally perceive the world as vastly different than it is. There's not an easy solution to that - those media sources prey on people's prejudices and tribalism, lack of education, lack of experience in the world, and declining mental capabilities with age.

From our lofty perspective, we can see the problems with all of those but we can't wave a wand and solve them.
posted by Candleman at 4:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

I think that Sessions would openly admit that he thinks DoJ should be working under the President's explicit direction.

* -- For those values of "President" that include only "Republican".
posted by Etrigan at 4:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Someone on twitter yesterday suggested forgoing your Friday coffee and putting the money in a jar to donate to a Democrat running against a seated Republican who voted for the health bill. I think that is an excellent idea. I don't get coffee but I do buy kombucha from the store and if I forgo a bottle a week from my customary 3 that is $3.00 I can put in a jar labeled NC-2.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

CNN: Senate intelligence committee subpoenas Michael Flynn

The Senate intelligence committee Wednesday issued a subpoena to former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn for documents regarding his interactions with Russian officials.

The subpoena comes after Flynn's lawyer, Robert Kelner, alerted the panel that he would not provide documents in response to their April 28 request.

posted by Room 641-A at 4:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

It would be really, really nice if a pee-pee tape surfaces

Does anyone think it would make any difference, at this point? The grab-em-by-the-pussy tape didn't.

IMO, it depends on whether it enforces or undercuts Trump's image as a grand and majestic lion of toxic masculinity.

The pussy tape enforced that image, so ultimately it didn't hurt him much. A lot of supporters like that he "takes what he wants," and "puts women in their place." To them, that's what a real man does, and it's exactly what they want in a leader.

The putative pee tape, on the other hand, might do the opposite, depending on what's on it. I mean, sure, if it makes him look like a great, virile old stag (à la Robert Baratheon), or if it shows him blithely humiliating beautiful women as they struggle to please him, then yeah, It'll just be another pussy-grab tape. It will change zero minds, and the red-pill types will just love him all the more for it.

But if it shows him looking needy, disgusting, weak, or sexually inadequate? Then yes, I believe it could cost him dearly with his base. Quite frankly, I think that something like that may be the only thing that could shift certain of his supporters away from him.

I am praying, praying, praying for the pee tape to come out.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 4:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

My rep, the odious Greg Walden, also asked about single payer and got a loud response. (Link to a tweet with a recording). Did the GOP send them out with this as a talking point?
posted by hilaryjade at 4:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

Michael Flynn, subpoenaed? You don't say! I hear that guy has quite a story to tell.
posted by contraption at 4:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Erdogan headed to meet with Trump next week. Just a steady parade of dictators.
posted by zachlipton at 5:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

Erdogan headed to meet with Trump next week. Just a steady parade of dictators.

One wonders how that will square with Trump's desire to arm the Kurds willy-nilly. Or, if, like the attacks on Syria, that too is all for show.
posted by dhens at 5:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

where do these extremely credulous people come from

do they not have cable or the internet

do they live in a radio-free zone or under some sort of rock

Even worse: they live in a free-radio zone.
posted by Rykey at 5:04 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I was watching Carlson last night (please don't come near me, I'm probably still contagious), and he absolutely covered Comey's firing.

It was on Carlson's show where Sarah Huckabee Sanders made her ridiculous statement that "It's time to move on" about the Russia probe.
posted by chris24 at 5:10 PM on May 10, 2017

>> Erdogan headed to meet with Trump next week. Just a steady parade of dictators.

> One wonders how that will square with Trump's desire to arm the Kurds willy-nilly.

No one in the Trumps' administration can be assumed to understand politics at that level, least of all Donald Sr. So asking the question in those terms doesn't really provide much insight into how the Trumps see the world.

IMO what is likely to happen is that Erdoğan will spend about ten minutes explaining to Donald Sr. that the Kurdish forces are led by anarchist feminists. After the meeting, Donald Sr. will demand that no support be given to the Kurds whatsoever, and the next time Donald Sr. talks to the press, he'll blather something about how no one knew how complicated Middle-Eastern politics are and explain to everyone that instead of arming the Kurds, the United States will now be bombing them instead.

This will all come as a great relief to the denizens of r/the_donald, the spokesheads on FOX News, and my Republican relatives, all of whom will feel much more comfortable supporting ISIS against the YPG instead of the YPG against ISIS.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Erdogan headed to meet with Trump next week. Just a steady parade of dictators.

Yeah, but I mean... it's not like Trump invented sucking up to dictators as part of US foreign policy.

Maybe he'll give it the special Trump touch by babbling about how justice and development are good ideas, they're beautiful, they're very important to him, also Greece is part of Greater Turkey.
posted by indubitable at 5:13 PM on May 10, 2017

Damn, also got drawn back into the politics...did anything happen while I was gone?

Hmm. Any ideas about calling Flake and McCain?

I wrote again and told them they were collaborating with traitors and that history is not subtle.
Only I wasn't so nice about it this time.

Just to clarify my previous comment, since I think it was ambiguous: I’m leery of the notion that the make-up of the world has magically reworked itself since the election. The President is still massively unpopular.

Yeah, I'm amazed this story is still working, the one where half the country is for Trump and half is against. I'd say Trump's hard core base is maybe 20%, for now, on a good day. 10% when the shit hits the fan. Of course those 10% are going to go off the rails when he goes to jail...

I know this is gonna be a big ask, but can we at least keep a semblance of focus?
Yes, this is a big, fast thread. Adding to the mire by posting derail after derail isn't helping anyone.

Ha. Welcome. Have a look around.
posted by bongo_x at 5:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

anyone want to guess whether Trump will deny the Armenian genocide in his press conference with Erdogan?
posted by indubitable at 5:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

One thing that's been missing in the story about Tom Price visiting West Virginia is his proposed solution for the opioid crisis:

Asked about drug treatment options, Price touted faith-based programs while showing less support for medication-assisted programs in which addicts are weaned off heroin with other opioids like Suboxone and methadone.

“If we’re just substituting one opioid for another, we’re not moving the dial much,” he said. “Folks need to be cured so they can be productive members of society and realize their dreams.”

Tom Price, a physician and Secretary of Health and Human Services, is advocating for a faith-based solution to a public health crisis. The article also quotes Kellyanne Conway saying, "This will not be solved in Washington, D.C." Not with an attitude like that, Kellyanne.
posted by peeedro at 5:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [68 favorites]

My rep, the odious Greg Walden, also asked about single payer and got a loud response. (Link to a tweet with a recording). Did the GOP send them out with this as a talking point?

It would be hilariously inept if the GOP is going out arguing about single payer and moving the grounds of the debate even closer to fully socialized healthcare. Like, guys, you're negotiating yourself down.
posted by jason_steakums at 5:20 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

anyone want to guess whether Trump will deny the Armenian genocide in his press conference with Erdogan?

Deny?? I doubt he's ever even heard of any such thing, let alone given it so much as a minute's thought.
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:20 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

He posted a "the democrats hated comey" propaganda video on twitter.

Spoiler: it's disgusting
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:20 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Leader McCarthy is now describing how Trump can't focus on a topic in a conversation and brought his family into government as if they're virtues and not bad things. Says it's good Trump isn't philosophical.
posted by zachlipton at 5:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Comey's farewell letter to FBI staff via CNN

To all:
I have long believed that a President can fire an FBI Director for any reason, or for no reason at all. I'm not going to spend time on the decision or the way it was executed. I hope you won't either. It is done, and I will be fine, although I will miss you and the mission deeply.

I have said to you before that, in times of turbulence, the American people should see the FBI as a rock of competence, honesty, and independence. What makes leaving the FBI hard is the nature and quality of its people, who together make it that rock for America.

It is very hard to leave a group of people who are committed only to doing the right thing. My hope is that you will continue to live our values and the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.If you do that, you too will be sad when you leave, and the American people will be safer.

Working with you has been one of the great joys of my life. Thank you for that gift.

Jim Comey
posted by yellowbinder at 5:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [37 favorites]

Deny?? I doubt he's ever even heard of any such thing, let alone given it so much as a minute's thought.

yeah, but he's just a dipshit who repeats whatever he was told by the last person who spoke with him
posted by indubitable at 5:23 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

It is very hard to leave a group of people who are committed only to doing the right thing. My hope is that you will continue to live our values and the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.If you do that, you too will be sad when you leave, and the American people will be safer.

Well, that's a pretty strong hint to the folks left at FBI, isn't it?
posted by leotrotsky at 5:27 PM on May 10, 2017 [32 favorites]

Folks need to be cured

addicts do not get cured, they are in recovery

how do people so grossly ignorant of things get elected?

(please don't answer that)
posted by pyramid termite at 5:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

On a slightly humorous note, I just got a letter from Pat Toomey, thanking me for my comments about the Muslim ban that I PROVIDED THE TUESDAY AFTER THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS ISSUED. Not only is it three months late and a complete and utter fucking waste of paper because Pat Toomey claims that it'll help keep up safe and that he'll be watching and keeping an eye on Trump, but it assumed that I go by Mrs. and that I've taken my husband's name.

FUCK YOU AND THE SMUG WHITE BANKER PATRIARCHAL I-WON'T-BE-A-RUBBER-STAMP-FOR-TRUMP BULLSHIT MOUNTAIN YOU RODE IN ON, MR. PAT FUCKING DUNCAN.
posted by joyceanmachine at 5:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [48 favorites]

> I have said to you before that, in times of turbulence, the American people should see the FBI as a rock of competence, honesty, and independence. What makes leaving the FBI hard is the nature and quality of its people, who together make it that rock for America.

okay let's all agree that although the firing of Comey is a clear sign of the impending death of American democracy, this statement is nevertheless completely detached from anything recognizable as reality.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:30 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

"Jim Comey then stepped into a time machine, vowing to travel back to the 1960s to prevent the FBI from murdering Fred Hampton." (fake)
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Leader McCarthy is now explaining that high speed rail is bad because we'll have the Hyperloop.
posted by zachlipton at 5:38 PM on May 10, 2017

First Rat to Officially Jump Ship?

Chaffetz asks Justice Dept to expand investigation of Comey firing

The chairman of the House Oversight Committee is calling for the Justice Department's inspector general to look into the circumstances surrounding President Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey.

"Previously I asked Inspector General Horowitz to review the FBI’s actions in advance of the 2016 election," Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said in a statement Wednesday.

"Today I sent a letter urging IG Horowitz to expand the scope of his review to include the decision to fire Director Comey. I look forward to receiving the IG’s findings."
posted by pjsky at 5:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

Asked about drug treatment options, Price touted faith-based programs while showing less support for medication-assisted programs in which addicts are weaned off heroin with other opioids like Suboxone and methadone.

JFC. My in-laws are fundamental Baptists. When my nephew became addicted to heroine they prayed a lot but then they also sent him to an expensive rehab that just about broke the bank. He seems to be doing OK. Which is more than you can say for some of his other friends who are dead.

And by the way, he had to go to Mississippi for treatment because all of the rehab places here in NC had huge waiting lists.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

christ, mccarthy just claimed that congress "serves at the pleasure of the president"

no you don't asshole, if anything it's the opposite. jesus.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [88 favorites]

Murphy, I'd have to check the tape, and I'm in the room right now so I can't, but my interpretation of that was that the FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the President so it's ok Trump fired him. It's a super softball interview from Politico though.
posted by zachlipton at 5:46 PM on May 10, 2017

christ, mccarthy just claimed that congress "serves at the pleasure of the president"

That should be grounds for dismissal right there. Gross incompetence. And frighteningly dangerous.
posted by pjsky at 5:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

You Can't Tip a Buick: "okay let's all agree that although the firing of Comey is a clear sign of the impending death of American democracy, this statement is nevertheless completely detached from anything recognizable as reality."

The only saving grace is that it says how Americans "should see" the FBI, not how they actually do see the FBI.
posted by mhum at 5:47 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Stupidity at the WH: my eyeballs are tired from all of the rolling

@Chris Hayes: The WH *and* the President's tax lawyer are refusing to say whether the president *filed* his taxes this year. We have reached out to ask them this Q: WH referred us to tax lawyer. The lawyer gave us a "no comment." WHICH IS VERY ODD

What is wrong with saying, "Yes of course the President has filed his taxes along with every other taxpayer in America. The President is proud to support his country." Are they just insane over there?

christ, mccarthy just claimed that congress "serves at the pleasure of the president"

Oh that's hilarious. Too bad Obama didn't know, he could have asked Ryan to resign and installed Pelosi in his place.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [48 favorites]

prayer cures addiction about as much as it can strike donald trump and all the fuckfaces around him dead, and believe me — i've tried both
posted by localhuman at 5:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Wapo has a new story based on, lol, "the private accounts of more than 30 officials at the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI and on Capitol Hill, as well as Trump confidants and other senior Republicans"

They must have a leaks-only call center at this point
posted by theodolite at 5:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [57 favorites]

even then, if the FBI director serves at the pleasure of the president, why does he have a term that's 2.5 times as long as a presidential term?

it's almost as if they didn't want federal law enforcement to be a bludgeon for the executive.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

IMO what is likely to happen is that Erdoğan will spend about ten minutes explaining to Donald Sr. that the Kurdish forces are led by anarchist feminists. After the meeting, Donald Sr. will demand that no support be given to the Kurds whatsoever

He might find all-women military units hot, tho. Remember Gaddafi's Amazonian Guard.
posted by XMLicious at 5:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

What is wrong with saying, "Yes of course the President has filed his taxes along with every other taxpayer in America. The President is proud to support his country." Are they just insane over there?

It's PROBABLY something as simple as an automatic extension being filed, but you know, rather than just be open and transparent, they have to just go and fuck it up...

Also, Trump/CPA know, you can't release what you haven't filed.

And then there's the "Crazy Old Man Trump" version, "I can't file because they're all after me!"
posted by mikelieman at 5:52 PM on May 10, 2017

alternate crazy old man trump: "why would i pay taxes? i'm the government! i'd be paying myself, it makes no sense"
posted by murphy slaw at 5:54 PM on May 10, 2017 [38 favorites]

I just think they suck at communications. They don't have a single person over there who can answer questions coherently and without lying. Trump runs the place like a joke filled with dummies and incompetents.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

alternate crazy old man trump: "why would i pay taxes? i'm the government! i'd be paying myself, it makes no sense"

Do you think this one twitches when he sees the gold fringe on the flags?
posted by mikelieman at 5:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

He can't file his tax return because he’s being audited. Duh.
posted by mbrubeck at 5:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

First Rat to Officially Jump Ship?

Chaffetz has bigger and better plans for himself than drowning on the SS Trump. Most of the other rats don't think that far ahead.
posted by Glibpaxman at 6:03 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

We're having great fun getting the California AG to admit he used pot in his younger days. He said he'd love to see Sessions come to California and try to take it away, that it's well supported even in conservative areas.
posted by zachlipton at 6:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

You know, maybe if Trump wants to act like a medieval king, Pope Francis can get back to his medieval roots and place the United States under Interdict until the problem gets fixed one way or another.

Not that Paul Ryan would probably care, but I bet you a shit ton of his constituents would.
posted by corb at 6:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

"the American people should see the FBI as a rock of competence, honesty, and independence."
okay let's all agree that although the firing of Comey is a clear sign of the impending death of American democracy, this statement is nevertheless completely detached from anything recognizable as reality.
The only saving grace is that it says how Americans "should see" the FBI, not how they actually do see the FBI.

Americans should see the FBI as a bunch of thuggish scumbags which should immediately be dissolved into a collection of much smaller agencies with 10x more oversight and 10x less power.

These lesser-of-two-evils marriages-of-convenience shouldn't obscure the fact that as soon as the alien invasion is over, they'll go right back to targeting us and we should go right back to fighting them any way we can.
posted by chortly at 6:17 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

A lot of good stuff in that WaPo piece Theodolite linked to. One of my faves:

One intelligence official who works on Russian espionage matters said they were more determined than ever to pursue such cases. Another said Comey’s firing and the subsequent comments from the White House are attacks that won’t soon be forgotten. Trump had “essentially declared war on a lot of people at the FBI,” one official said. “I think there will be a concerted effort to respond over time in kind.”
posted by Devonian at 6:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

Trump had “essentially declared war on a lot of people at the FBI,” one official said. “I think there will be a concerted effort to respond over time in kind.”

love that we're now counting on rogue elements in the security state to start making policy on their own

not because Trump is a piece of shit

but because Trump personally offended the FBI

I guess on the up side, that's where Deep Throat came from
posted by indubitable at 6:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Holy FUCK: "After President Trump accused his predecessor in March of wiretapping him, James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, was flabbergasted. The president, Mr. Comey told associates, was “outside the realm of normal,” even “crazy.”"
posted by maudlin at 6:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [58 favorites]

damn that article reminds me how every picture taken of steve bannon is like a desperate bid by his liver to call for help
posted by murphy slaw at 6:30 PM on May 10, 2017 [31 favorites]

When asked Tuesday night for an update on the unfolding situation, one top White House aide simply texted a reporter two fireworks emoji.

How Trump’s anger and impatience prompted him to fire the FBI director (WaPo)
posted by the turtle's teeth at 6:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

this statement is nevertheless completely detached from anything recognizable as reality.

It depends on whether the American people just watched Silence of the Lambs or Die Hard.
posted by condour75 at 6:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

oh man, the WaPo might be enjoying this a little too much

This story has been updated to more precisely describe Spicer's location near White House bushes on Tuesday night
-- @washingtonpost
posted by murphy slaw at 6:36 PM on May 10, 2017 [69 favorites]

addicts do not get cured, they are in recovery

how do people so grossly ignorant of things get elected?

They're only addicts because they got the devil in 'em

Get 'em in church, get the devil out, problem solved

Just like mental health, homosexuality and women's suffrage
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:38 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Ok. Rachel is reporting about the former deputy FBI director telling obvious anagram reince priebus that the NYT story about Russian ties to the Trump campaign was "BS". Do we have anyone other than reince confirming that story?
posted by Sophie1 at 6:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Shitting on the security state is missing the point that no amount of "oversight" can possibly fix any problems when one party is utterly dedicated to frustrating and perverting every part of the government towards advancing their partisan interests and consolidating their own power.

Propose all the reorganizations and reforms you want, none of it matters while Republicans are still an organized political party.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:40 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Regarding Comey's farewell letter: while I kind of hoped that he would taken more of a "fuck this charade, everyone knows what this is really about" tone rather than "what's done is done, let's move on", I understand that if he did so, he'd lose some amount of standing and/or face that he might need to draw on in the not-so-distant future. However, I like to fantasize about what if he signed off with something designed to further provoke Trump's paranoia, like "And, I'd like close with a special message to my closest compatriots: The crow flies at midnight. Initiate Plan Delta-XJ9. No override."
posted by mhum at 6:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [50 favorites]

It's the height of Greenwaldism to look at the Republican coverups going on today and say, the real problem here is the American deep state.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [40 favorites]

A hair less of an asshole than Assange, but not more than a hair.
posted by Artw at 6:44 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

mccarthy is a fucking idiot who doesn't know English and thinks "at the pleasure of the president" is a Fancy phrase that sounds clever, nothing more.
posted by j_curiouser at 6:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

I would like everyone in the press pool to start each question to the Press Secretary with "Seeing as how President Trump is fucking nuts, what is your excuse for blah blah blah" over and over and over and over and over and over. Every headline across the country should be "Trump is Fucking Nuts: Press Secretary Sidesteps Questions" and "We have a Fucking Nuts President: Spicer Hides in Bushes Again" and "We All Know the President Is Fucking Nuts: When Will Huckabee Sanders Come Out of the Ladies' Room?" until they all resign.
posted by tzikeh at 6:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Merrit Kennedy at NPR: “Senators Reject Effort To Roll Back Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule”

The vote over the greenhouse gas was close — 49-51 — with Republican Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins coming down against the resolution, which would have repealed the Bureau of Land Management's Methane Waste and Prevention Rule.

posted by Going To Maine at 6:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

I really think the die was cast when Comey stated he was 'mildly nauseous'. I've always been amazed at the deferential treatment that Trump expects from his underlings, even his adult children. It seems really creepy but those that are successful with him praise him and use language that is the very definition of obsequiousness.

Trump is not one to listen with any sort of nuance so when Comey used the words 'mildly nauseous' and it could be taken that he felt that way as the result of the election...I immediately thought that he may get fired. But then of course who would fire him at this juncture when it would appear there was a conflict with an ongoing investigation? Only an idiot with ego problem.

If I was a betting woman I would go with this being mostly a cover up for money laundering and borrowing from Russians in a desperate attempt to stay afloat in the recession. His 'riches' have always been based on over leveraged real estate, how could he come thru unscathed? That dirty laundry being aired would be too much to bear, the 'billionaire' has a negative net worth and the only this that keeps his adoring teevee audience from finding out is the foreigners that bail him out, but also demand money laundering services, the endless flipping of high end properties.
posted by readery at 6:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [41 favorites]

Tara Palmeri and Hadas Gold at Politico: “Trump holds auditions while Spicer’s away”

Trump was pleased with deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ performance on Friday when she first filled in for Spicer on camera during the midday briefing, three White House aides said, adding that he has talked about grooming her for Spicer’s more visible role.

posted by Going To Maine at 6:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

obvious anagram, reince priebus
loser of the popular vote, donald *rump
handbag designer, ivanka trump
surely i'm missing a few more of these gems. hope me, mefi.
posted by j_curiouser at 6:52 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

bagman, paul manafort?
posted by vrakatar at 6:54 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

tzikeh: "I would like everyone in the press pool to start each question to the Press Secretary with "Seeing as how President Trump is fucking nuts, what is your excuse for blah blah blah""

My personal press pool fantasy is that after every answer, the follow-up question is "And why should we believe you? You've been extremely wrong and/or mendacious in the past, almost without exception. So, why should any of us listen to a word you're saying?"
posted by mhum at 6:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

doesn't know English and thinks "at the pleasure of the president"

i swear to god i am going to form the Socialist Linguistic Prescriptivist Party and run these motherfuckers out of D.C. on a rail
posted by murphy slaw at 6:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

I've always been amazed at the deferential treatment that Trump expects from his underlings, even his adult children. It seems really creepy but those that are successful with him praise him and use language that is the very definition of obsequiousness.

It's his narcissism. Narcissists learn early on how to enforce a regimen of the praise they constantly need from everyone around them. You learn how to do it or you get expelled.
posted by scalefree at 7:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Is that a shoe? "Senate intelligence committee has requested documents on Trump from Treasury's money laundering unit, NBC News confirms"
posted by maudlin at 7:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [32 favorites]

racist keebler elf jeff sessions
posted by Behemoth at 7:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [42 favorites]

> surely i'm missing a few more of these gems. hope me, mefi.

Bible Humper Mike Pence
Secretary of Looting Steve Mnuchin
Neoconfederate Keebler Elf Jeff Sessions
Emergency Room Death Czar Tom Price
Most Clueless Man on the Fucking Planet Ben Carson
posted by tonycpsu at 7:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

I agree with readery that the scandal Trump is trying to hide is not Putin's influence on the election but Trump having laundered money for the Russian mob. And I can't wait til it's all out in the open. I just hope and pray the FBI, CIA, and DOJ can prove McConnell and Ryan knew of Trump's illegal business dealings, covered for him and are complicit in his crimes, and I hope they all three one day share a tiny, tiny jail cell in Louisiana for the rest of eternity.
posted by pjsky at 7:03 PM on May 10, 2017 [28 favorites]

I kinda liked Tim "Tim Kaine" Kaine 'cause he was so boring. Imagine if we had a boring administration right now. So beautiful.
posted by Justinian at 7:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [85 favorites]

My theory on the kompromat is that Trump has been laundering money since the 90s for the Russians (all of them). It's also why he can't release taxes and why he has to stop any serious investigation against him. Republicans and Democrats are also fucked but Republicans more. At some point after Citizen's United the Russians realized they could crawl right up inside America's political asshole. They funneled money (possibly through Trump) to any Congressman or Senator with a SuperPAC. As long as no one really looked into it, it wouldn't matter. I'd bet that most of them didn't even know their commercials were paid for with Russian Mob Money, since they can't technically coordinate with the SuperPACs the Congressmen couldn't check information they wouldn't want to know.
posted by Glibpaxman at 7:07 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

surely i'm missing a few more of these gems. hope me, mefi.

You can find lots of these from Charles Pierce. Note in advance that some are problematic (ie he calls Lindsey Graham "Huckleberry Closetcase").
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:07 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Leopards and faces: who could have known?

Well, the relationship between leopards and faces is complex, you wouldn't believe how complex. Nobody knew when leopards were likely to eat faces, but we've got a plan, a great plan, you'll see, you're going to love how the faces and leopards come together.
posted by wildblueyonder at 7:09 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

surely i'm missing a few more of these gems. hope me, mefi.

Good Friend of Many Pedophiles, Mike Huckabee
Draft Dodging Poacher and Statutory Rapist, Ted Nugent
Convicted Felon, Dinesh D'Souza
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 7:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is that a shoe? "Senate intelligence committee has requested documents on Trump from Treasury's money laundering unit, NBC News confirms"

FinCEN, the "money laundering unit" in question, is one of the intelligence agencies taking part in the counter intel task force that's been quietly working the Trump/Russia nexus for months now. I imagine they have some juicy stuff by now.
posted by scalefree at 7:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

former White House Easter bunny Sean Spicer
pyramid scheme queen Betsy DeVos
Seinfeld character inspiration Steve Bannon

I can do worse, but I'd like to have some NON-deleted comments this week.
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

Zombie-Eyed Grannie-Starver, Paul Ryan.

I do love Charlie Pierce, he's a national treasure.
posted by suelac at 7:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [12 favorites]

One thing I'm convinced of is that Trump is convinced he didn't do anything wrong. Everything about his behavior indicates a man deep in denial about what went on around him over the past year. Complete ignorance is unlikely, but I do think he genuinely sees nothing wrong with the conduct his associates were taking, and it's quite likely he is more on the useful idiot part of the spectrum than a mastermind.

This of course could be rather harmful when the shit hits the fan, as I can see a scenario in which Flynn, Manafort, and maybe some other associates get nailed for improper communications with Russia, but that nothing reaches further than that. Trump stays in power, the Republicans continue to support him, and his base remains.
posted by Room 101 at 7:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Jaded as I am, Trump still surprises me with the vile pettiness his shriveled soul is capable of.

reminder that 45 is modifying schumer's name w/ "cryin'" b/c he became emotional when discussing family who perished....in the holocaust.
posted by scalefree at 7:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [46 favorites]

(P.P.S. Good news! The Economic Collapse blog thinks the pure hell years are going to be from 2015 -
2020. So we’re partway through.)
posted by Going To Maine at 7:20 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

This feels like a really weird time to link to the WSJ, but hey, details for the details gods:

In the weeks before President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, a federal investigation into potential collusion between Trump associates and the Russian government was heating up, as Mr. Comey became increasingly occupied with the probe.

Mr. Comey started receiving daily instead of weekly updates on the investigation, beginning at least three weeks ago, according to people with knowledge of the matter and the progress of the Federal Bureau of Investigation probe. Mr. Comey was concerned by information showing possible evidence of collusion, according to these people.

posted by maudlin at 7:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [33 favorites]

Gaslighting is an important part of Trump's fossil-fuel based strategies...
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

The WSJ has the most dramatic bifurcation of article quality and op-ed quality. It’s shocking. I mean, I fundamentally understand that editorial is separate from news, but it’s just -wow.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:27 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Maybe the rapture actually happened but nobody noticed because god thinks of the evangelicals exactly what we do?

Basically only Bowie and Prince were saved and this is hell. Thanks, evangelical jackasses.
posted by Artw at 7:27 PM on May 10, 2017 [50 favorites]

"If economic cycle theorists are correct"?

Economic cycle theorists are like a stopped clock, and for similar reasons.
posted by ocschwar at 7:27 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

One thing I'm convinced of is that Trump is convinced he didn't do anything wrong.

Or, at least, that there's no one fit to judge him. He may realise that technically he did wrong, but it was Business, and doing wrong just means that he's a better (the best!) Businessman.

So factor that in when you read his stuff.

Mousing over the link was enough for me to skip clicking it: "if economic cycle theorists are correct"... [SPOILER: my astrologer assures me they are total woo]
posted by Buntix at 7:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

mccarthy is a fucking idiot who doesn't know English and thinks "at the pleasure of the president" is a Fancy phrase that sounds clever, nothing more.

I believe it's a figure of speech in the Masonic litany, which involves a lot of repetition of set phrases. Those phrases can find their way into normal speech when you're used to saying them. (But it should have been "at the will and pleasure")

What is wrong with saying, "Yes of course the President has filed his taxes along with every other taxpayer in America. The President is proud to support his country." Are they just insane over there?

Ha, I know. Even if it's a lie and he actually didn't file his taxes, what, they have a sudden problem with lying now? They just enjoy the outrage and carefully word things to create the maximum.
posted by ctmf at 7:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

The next step on this path is the replacement of Andy McCabe as interim head of the FBI. He is not a Trumper and is a respected career agent. The final step is the appointment of a Trump lackey as permanent head of the FBI; that's the Rubicon. If that happens this thing is basically done.
posted by Justinian at 7:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Economic cycle theorists are like a stopped clock, and for similar reasons.

No springs?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:30 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Basically only Bowie and Prince were saved and this is hell.
And Abe Vigoda and Carrie Fisher.
That show "The Leftovers"... it's a documentary.
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:30 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

If Giuliani is confirmed I'm going full Jerri Blank.
posted by rhizome at 7:31 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

I'm seeing links to Heat Street and Zero Hedge again... god give me strength.
posted by Yowser at 7:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

Maybe the rapture actually happened but nobody noticed

Some time in the early 1990's, the "Weekly World News" ran a cover that said the rapture had already happened in the 1980's and that we were all left in hell. I sincerely wish I had purchased this issue, because it has stuck with me all these years, and I have not been able to find it cited online. (Did I hallucinate that? Did that issue only appear in the Bearenstein Bears timeline? I don't know.)
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 7:34 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

The final step is the appointment of a Trump lackey as permanent head of the FBI; that's the Rubicon. If that happens this thing is basically done.

Apart from Guiliani, the other name on FOX today was Trey Gowdy. Because of course it was. Five years of pimping Benghazi hysteria is all the qualification you need for a Republican administration.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:41 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Patrick Fitzgerald, anybody?
posted by Going To Maine at 7:44 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

I'm trying to advocate for a peaceful, sustainable path. That's all.

I'll join you in both advocating for sustainability & not debating your economic theory. With or without some grand theory positing the timing of it, it's clear we're ill prepared for disruption to our systems which are showing signs of stress & fragility.
posted by scalefree at 7:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Trey Gowdy has also starred in many episodes of Forensic Files
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Please reload; cut a lot of derailly prepper debate. Thanks.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 7:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

In AHCA news: CBO score, contrary to reports that it might be out this week, is now expected on May 22nd.

From a while back, but that's my birthday. You hear that, universe? I'm a MeFite and it'll be my birthday.
posted by Ruki at 7:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [37 favorites]

Apart from Guiliani, the other name on FOX today was Trey Gowdy.

Trump is a star-fucker. He keeps selecting "names" for major positions instead of people who are qualified. No doubt he thinks this makes him look cool. "Look at all the important people you've heard of that work for me. " So yeah, star-fucker.
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:54 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Hmm.
posted by ocschwar at 7:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

The WSJ has the most dramatic bifurcation of article quality and op-ed quality.

I vaguely remember some quip about how the WSJ editorial board are the only people who don't read the WSJ. Well, something like that. But yeah, it's a weird combination of a pretty good paper with a Fox & Friends op-ed page.
posted by uosuaq at 7:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

"Patrick Fitzgerald, anybody?"

Oooh, I love it when Fitzmas comes early! (Fitzmas, for those not from Illinois, is a moveable feast during which Patrick Fitzgerald indicts your governor or other high official who considers himself untouchable for criminal wrongdoing.)

From way up thread, regarding children, my five-year-old has asked us a few times why the president wants him (my 5yo) to leave America when he didn't do anything wrong. That's not a risk for our family, but he goes to a school with a high immigrant population and pretty clearly he's hearing these concerns from classmates whose families are worried about deportation. It's hard, and heartbreaking, to explain in terms he can understand.

We don't watch TV news, so most of my kids' exposure is what we talk about in front of them, which we try to do fairly carefully. They know we didn't vote for Trump and that we think he's bad at being president and that we disagree with his ideas, but we don't really go into specifics when they're around. I said to my husband, "Oh man, I got a news alert, Trump just fired Comey." My five-year-old, who was playing Lego on the floor, immediately piped up, "But why would the president fire the guy who voted for him and made him president?" HOW DOES MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD KNOW WHO JAMES COMEY IS AND THAT HE FUCKED UP THE ELECTION? That must just be how ambient it is in the air, he's hearing it at school and kiddie sports, I don't even know.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:59 PM on May 10, 2017 [106 favorites]

I just don’t understand why @roguepotusstaff didn’t warn us this was happening.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:09 PM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

Dustin Volz, Rueters cyber security reporter: Former senior FBI official tells me Trump's reported short list of Comey replacements is "catastrophic"
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

> HOW DOES MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD KNOW WHO JAMES COMEY IS AND THAT HE FUCKED UP THE ELECTION? That must just be how ambient it is in the air, he's hearing it at school and kiddie sports

Ambient, yes. It's how I knew about Watergate when I was about that age - because it was what my mom and her friends talked about (and so what we kids heard a lot about), and it was on the 6 o'clock news (all three of the 6 o'clock news-es!) and therefore, in my limited universe, everywhere. Little jugs have big ears!
posted by rtha at 8:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

So Comey (and/or his surrogates/allies in the Bureau) are definitely baiting Trump with the "Trump's crazy" line anonymously reported to WaPo, right?

That's exactly the kind of line (emblazoned on a big ol' chyron on CNN as we speak) that will drive Trump to pick up his phone and tweet regrettable -- maybe unintentionally incriminating -- things, right?

(This timeline, I swear.)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:12 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

> Hmm.

Context?
posted by christopherious at 8:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

surely i'm missing a few more of these gems. hope me, mefi.

I'm partial to

That fucker Donald Trump
That fucker Steve Bannon
That fucker Reince Priebus

&c

Saves time!
posted by salix at 8:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

I just don’t understand why @roguepotusstaff didn’t warn us this was happening.

Because it's a fraud. Just enough to get credibility, and then they misdirect and bail.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:15 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Context?

"Obama as prosecutor" meme.
posted by scalefree at 8:15 PM on May 10, 2017

Dustin Volz, Rueters cyber security reporter: Former senior FBI official tells me Trump's reported short list of Comey replacements is “catastrophic”

This is, I think, unsurprising. The challenge here is going to be avoid a DeVos situation. Seems possible, but hard, and the Ds better grind everything to a halt beforehand. Which committee would handle the nom. before it hits the floor?
posted by Going To Maine at 8:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

pandering hellhound Kellyanne Conway
posted by Lyme Drop at 8:17 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Y'all missed the best one!

"Scott Walker, the goggle-eyed homunculus hired by Koch Industries to manage their midwest subsidiary formerly known as the state of Wisconsin"
posted by gerstle at 8:17 PM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

> "Obama as prosecutor" meme.

Sorry assumecd it was something more current that I missed. Time is speeding up this week. Again.
posted by christopherious at 8:19 PM on May 10, 2017

BoingBoing: Who replaces fired James Comey? Here are 4 candidates for Trump's new interim FBI Director.

The four candidates: FBI Executive Assistant Director Paul Abbate, who leads the agency’s cyber and criminal branch; National Counterintelligence Executive William Evanina; Special Agent Adam Lee, who runs the Richmond field office; and Special Agent Michael Anderson, who runs the Chicago field office.

Also, Rudy.
posted by scalefree at 8:19 PM on May 10, 2017

Dang, no mealy-mouthed prevarication out of Krugman:

At this point we arguably do not have a legitimate president or administration. We don't know the whole truth here. But the point is that Trump is trying to prevent us from finding out. This is a clear violation of the spirit of his oath of office, and probably the letter; he is setting himself above the law. He deserves no presumption of innocence, and no deference to claims that he has the right to govern.

Sure, he's a bit late hopping on the "legitimacy" bandwagon that John Lewis built four months ago, but at least he's on it.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 8:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [43 favorites]

I think this is an update to that 30-source WashPost article:

The president already had decided to fire Comey, according to this person. But in the meeting, several White House officials said Trump gave Sessions and Rosenstein a directive: to explain in writing the case against Comey. ... Rosenstein threatened to resign after the narrative emerging from the White House on Tuesday evening cast him as a prime mover of the decision to fire Comey and that the president acted only on his recommendation, said the person close to the White House, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

posted by maudlin at 8:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [43 favorites]

Foreign Policy: Is America a Failing State? Our country is at a crossroads, and the right path forward must not include Donald Trump as president.
posted by scalefree at 8:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [30 favorites]

Dammit. Missed the edit window. The "dude is crazy" business is in the NYT story here, not the WaPo. My bad. Hard to keep track of all the lunacy streams at this point.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

My father referred to many politicians he didn't like as "that old reprobate" and it's pretty satisfying to say.

Left messages with Cruz and Cornyn (sigh) to demand investigation. For all the good it will do. I had to make calls anyway to my state rep to ask that he vote against the SIX antichoice bills my state is pushing right now.

I don't think I truly appreciated the evil backwardness of my state.
posted by emjaybee at 8:26 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

Short-Fingered Vulgarian Donald Trump, the one that started it all.
The Dead-Eyed Kellyanne Conway

Speaking of Conway, SNL does a "Where In The World Is Kellyanne Conway" sketch and now we've seen her more in the last few days than we have in a couple of months.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Blake Hounshell: "The baller move for Rosenstein now would be to appoint a special counsel, which he has the authority to do"

But would that do much good? What's the difference between the special investigator the Senate won't appoint and a special counsel Rosenstein could appoint?
posted by maudlin at 8:32 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Ambient stuff is heartbreaking. I wish I could give my kid a world with the stability of my childhood, where sure there was a lot of violence, but at least I knew the country wouldn't burn.

The 90s, when I did a lot of my growing up, were like one long lazy summer compared to what kids have today.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [26 favorites]

Rosenstein threatened to resign

Even a trained poodle bites if you kick it hard enough.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:33 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

But would that do much good? What's the difference between the special investigator the Senate won't appoint and a special counsel Rosenstein could appoint?

The investigator would need to be someone with enough credibility that they would be assumed to be acting independently from the administration. But then, Rosenstein has already compromised a great deal -if not all- of his own credibility, so it would have to be one hell of an investigator.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:40 PM on May 10, 2017

The only thing Rosenstein can do to restore what's left of his reputation is appoint a special prosecutor. Until then, he's a co-conspirator in his own right.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:41 PM on May 10, 2017 [20 favorites]

So Trump is traveling overseas soon, right? Is he going to be in or adjacent to any non extradition countries?

Trump's upcoming international tour will be (gulp) interesting. This post on DU had some pertinent observations: Consider the chaos of Trump's upcoming foreign travel

In just over a week, on Friday May 19, Trump leaves for a 10-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Vatican, Brussels, and Sicily. Who knows what will be going on with the investigations by then, but later no doubt it will still be hopping. Quite the distraction.

Add that Obama will be in Berlin with Merkel on May 25, prior to her joining Trump in Sicily. I expect there will be a lot of things getting under Trump's skin the next few weeks.

posted by valetta at 8:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Motion to replace "-gate" with "a-lago" as the suffix for all future scandals.
posted by scalefree at 8:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [85 favorites]

I expect there will be a lot of things getting under Trump's skin the next few weeks.

So, normal.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

These lesser-of-two-evils marriages-of-convenience shouldn't obscure the fact that as soon as the alien invasion is over, they'll (FBI) go right back to targeting us

If the charges are correct and we have a presidential administration with serious Russian ties, I think the issue may be that the FBI is too weak, not that it's too strong.

When people are healthy, it's easy to want to reduce the number of hospitals. But there are worse things than overzealous feds and a deep state. If we learned anything from Wikileaks, it's that the people who want to dismantle the deep state aren't necessarily on our side.
posted by steady-state strawberry at 8:51 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

Calling My Representative Wasn’t Enough, So I Fucked His Wife
(note: the picture and text imply that the protagonist is another woman, and said fucking is consensual)

also don't forget "sober policy knower Paul Ryan"

also can i just say. I really really hate political fancasting. I hate it when people say Jon Stewart should run for office. It bugs me when people imagine Michelle Obama or Elizabeth Warren in all sorts of roles they do not want. And it bugs me when it's Obama imagined in a role he is utterly unqualified for. I know it's not serious, but it's weird and dumb and it makes me crotchety.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 8:58 PM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

Chris Hayes just shared this vintage footage of the only other time an FBI director was fired.

I miss complete sentences.
posted by maudlin at 8:59 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

This post on DU had some pertinent observations:

That post ends with this sentence: "Can Trump hold it together while traveling for this long?" It's going to be really telling who he has traveling with him. Who are the handlers and babysitters, who gets left behind?

Also, due to timezones, our first ever Nielsen President might have to miss his shows.
posted by peeedro at 9:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I can independently confirm reporting that President Trump has been sounding people out about removing Sean Spicer as Press Secretary. 1/2 The President feels his press team poorly served him yesterday. He believes it was incompetence on their part, not lack of time. 2/2
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [16 favorites]

HOW DOES MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD KNOW WHO JAMES COMEY IS AND THAT HE FUCKED UP THE ELECTION?

Somewhat similarly: I was reading Hop On Pop with my 2nd grade daughter last week for English practice (her 1st language is Japanese), and I didn't think she knew the first thing about American politics, but I guess Trump is all over Japanese news to the point there is no escaping:

Me: "ALL BALL We all play ball. BALL WALL Up on a wall."
Her: Why are they on a wall?
Me: Because it rhymes with ball.
Her: No, I think it's the wall between the US and Mexico.
Me: .................
posted by p3t3 at 9:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [50 favorites]

Calling My Representative Wasn’t Enough, So I Fucked His Wife
(note: the picture and text imply that the protagonist is another woman, and said fucking is consensual)

(also context suggests it's satire).
posted by Buntix at 9:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

i realize that the Reductress article linked above is a work of satire, but hey, it worked in reverse in Lysistrata. who's with me for a DC-wide fuck-in, where we commit adultery in public with congressional spouses until a special prosecutor is appointed?

i mean, as soon as i clear this plan with my wife
posted by murphy slaw at 9:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]

obvious anagram, reince priebus

Pence bruiser, I.
Incubi, per Seer.
Scribe: "Rune pie!"
Superb nice ire...
Brine, spice, rue.

Yeah, it goes on forever. There's my substantive contribution to yet another historic cataclysm.
posted by moonbird at 9:13 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Ok. Politico's Playbook Exchange event with Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Leader McCarthy was up first. You have to understand that this was a crowd primarily of the kind of people who subscribe to Politico's California newsletter and would attend an event at Lyft headquarters, so a lot of lobbyists, governmental relations types, many in their 20s and 30s, many from the tech industry. This was not a town hall, nobody was booing or interrupting, though McCarthy certainly deserved it. It was also a pretty damn softball interview by Politico's Anna Palmer (Jake Sherman was sick and didn't come out), with very few attempts to push back or anything or challenge assumptions. He basically did his weasely thing, and it was largely "ok next topic."

On Comey [here's video of part of this], his view is that "you serve at the pleasure [of the President], and if you lose the confidence—[you get fired, presumably]...four months ago every Democrat will tell me they've lost trust in Comey...I think the FBI had lost, had a morale problem as well." He did say it "probably would have been better" if Trump fired Comey right after the inauguration, but "there was no perfect time" and "if you lose trust, you've got to change." He also tried to claim this was similar to when Bill Clinton fired William Sessions. That's pretty damn untrue, since the Justice Department investigated Sessions in a process that started under the Bush Administration, and he wasn't fired until after a lengthy report came out detailing his failings. McCarthy also put this in terms of publicity: "I don't think the Director of the FBI should be a household name to everybody." You can raise an issue, but the investigation of Russia goes on. The committees are in the Senate and the House, this doesn't affect anything about it, people get to whatever bottom...For the good of the FBI and the country, this is a good decision and let's move on."

He talked a bunch about his efforts to make the government more efficient, using technology, etc... Unfortunately, one of his main examples was to bash the VA's VistA medical records system, calling it horribly outdated. VistA has a long history and is widely praised by physicians over expensive commercial systems, but there's a big push right now to spend billions of dollars to replace it with an expensive commercial product.

Then we talked about Trump for a bit [some video]. Trump wasn't his "1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice," but no other Republican would have won WI or OH or PA, so that means something. A quick show of hands at this point revealed basically nobody in the room voted for Trump, resulting in a great deal of laughter, but he tried to make a case that we should embrace Trump anyway. McCarthy's argument was that Trump is "not philosophically bent to the far right." Then he explained: "you can be in talking about one certain topic and he'll ask you about another. He's always looking for input. He's been in a family business, he's going to keep it in the family; family matters to him a lot. He is a disrupter." The problem here is that McCarthy seemed to view these things as virtues, when they're really indicative of lunacy. It's actually not a good thing if the President has no principles, can't manage to talk about a single topic, and drags his entire family into the government.

Asked for the one way in which Trump is most misunderstood, he defended, yes, that's right, defended, Trump's tweets. He said having that many Twitter followers is "equivalent to owning a newspaper back in the day" and it lets him get attention for his positions. Then: "I think it's misknown that he's so rigid in his positions. He's open-minded." This is mistaking not caring about policy in the slightest with open-mindedness.

On healthcare, we got the usual song and dance about how the ACA is failing, Medicaid costs too much, high-risk pools will lower costs (even Palmer pushed back here, mentioning the failure of high-risk pools before); he went so far as to say that Medicaid was originally for the "blind, disabled, and pregnant," as if it's a bad thing that it ever expanded beyond that. He cited the failure of the ACA's insurance co-ops, though he (and the interviewer) failed to mention that was in part because Congress yanked funding from the risk corridor program. He declared that the exchanges aren't working, but admitted they "work better in California." Why? Nobody asked (actually, the guy sitting behind me said "why?" pretty loudly, and someone else said "because California didn't sabotage them,"). He even made the misstep of saying that the ACA probably didn't impact most of the people in the room (it's a room full of fairly young people; I daresay most of us benefited in some way). He made it clear that the end goal here is tax cuts ("growth", it's all about economic growth to him), and healthcare has to come before tax cuts, so we'll get both healthcare reform before the end of the summer and tax reform before the end of the year.

A brief discussion on immigration. He said we'll get "an element of a border wall," whatever the heck that means, and quickly pivoted to immigration more broadly, saying he thinks there could be a path to citizenship because "only Nixon could go to China" so only Trump could do an immigration deal. Finally, he was asked about how he blocked funding for the Caltrain commuter rail system. He claimed that he's not against Caltrain, but he's against high-speed rail because it costs too much and isn't fast enough (the funding is to electrify Caltrain, which is needed on its own, but would contribute to getting HSR into San Francisco). He thinks we can all ride a Hyperloop instead and everything will be better if people are zipping around at 700mph.

Next up [and I promise I'll go a lot quicker here, thanks for reading!]: Rep. Eric Swalwell. He, of course, wants an independent investigation modeled on the 9/11 Commission and has sponsored legislation to that effect back in January. He just wants to get to the bottom of this: "if these are just a thousand coincidences and the President is the unluckiest man in the world, he deserves and we deserve to know that. But if this was a convergence of his personal, political, and financial ties with Russia's interference campaign, then we want to ensure that people are held accountable." He talked about meeting Trump [he gave him a letter from the Muslim father of an 8-year old who asked after the election if this was still a country where they can live], and he said "I know who you are; I've seen you on TV...So now I go on Tucker Carlson just to brief the President." Asked if the party needs new (and younger) leadership, he acknowledged that they need to keep developing younger members, but rushed to praise Nancy Pelosi, citing the budget deal as a great victory for her because Trump got almost nothing he wanted despite Republicans controlling both chambers and the White House. He quickly and impressively ticked off some names of younger blood in the caucus he thinks could move into more leadership positions: Hakeem Jeffries, Grace Meng, Ruben Gallego, Stephanie Murphy, Ruben Kihuen, Joe Kenndy, and Tulsi Gabbard. On taxes, he's open to cutting corporate rates, but conditioning that on companies sharing profits with workers and branching out to create jobs in the areas they are needed most, not just having companies with ever-increasing profits get a handout. Notably, on healthcare, Swalwell discussed people and patients, while McCarthy just discussed dollars and budgets and policies, as if this is an entirely abstract issue with no lives involved. The difference was conspicuous.

Lastly, we had Attorney General Xavier Becerra. I hadn't really heard Becerra speak, and I'll say he's a damn fine politician. He started by saying "I'm starting to smell Watergate." His big pitch was that California will act to oppose Trump. He's opened up a Washington office and the state is suing the federal government on a host of issues, including reproductive healthcare, coal pollution, and the Clean Power Plan. On pot, he'd "love to see Jeff Sessions try to come to California and tell us we're not going to move forward on cannabis." If he does, "I'll probably be about the one millionth person in line to go after Jeff Sessions on that" because this isn't just supported by progressive politicians, but also in the most conservative areas where nobody wants to see the feds. "Cannabis is last century's argument. We're beyond that." And then we had the great fun [video] of pressing the state's top law enforcement official to admit that he tried pot when he was younger, "much younger." On sanctuary cities, he was clear he wants to focus on "public safety, not deportation," though I wasn't really satisfied as his answer didn't really involve much of a plan to protect undocumented Californians.

To those who say California is "out of control," Becerra says that we created more jobs than any other state, more jobs than #2 Florida and #3 Texas combined: "if that's out of control, man, we should all be out of control." What's next for Becerra? He tells his daughters that the sky is the limit, and he's not stopping.
posted by zachlipton at 9:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [69 favorites]

And here's a good report on Rep. Tom MacArthur's five hour (!) town hall (the guy may be trying to kill his constituents, but he gets some minimal credit for not hiding and sticking with it). Don't miss the "na na na hey hey hey goodbye" chant that started up in the middle of it.

About that Russian photographer, the White House is saying that they didn't know the Russian official photographer would release the photos he took to the state news agency. Just what did they think the photographer was there for? They were going to take pictures and not use them?
posted by zachlipton at 9:19 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

Just what did they think the photographer was there for?

Taking pics of the real estate to pass on to the new owner when they get back to Russia. It lets the interior decorators get started on planning.
posted by Buntix at 9:23 PM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

From Wapo: Inside Trump’s anger and impatience — and his sudden decision to fire Comey.

But the private accounts of more than 30 officials at the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI and on Capitol Hill, as well as Trump confidants and other senior Republicans, paint a conflicting narrative centered on the president’s brewing personal animus toward Comey.

30 officials? 30?!? Sounds like they're really getting a handle on the whole leaking thing.
posted by Justinian at 9:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

From Wapo: Inside Trump’s anger and impatience — and his sudden decision to fire Comey.

Between what the article says about Spicer and the upcoming SNL with Melissa McCarthy I suspect he's going to get back from his navy duty and find his key doesn't fit the lock anymore.
posted by Buntix at 9:30 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Here's a twofer. First Bloomberg: President Trump is preparing a certified letter attesting he has no connections to Russia & then Josh Marshall riffs off the image to explain the "Trump on the tarmac" mystery: This pic was taken after what appears to have been the rage bender on the tarmac on Air Force 1 Sunday night.
posted by scalefree at 9:36 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

Yeah, it goes on forever. There's my substantive contribution to yet another historic cataclysm.

See, your problem is that you're only anagramming Reince Priebus. You need to anagram Obvious Anagram Reince Priebus. That's how you learn he's Our Unimpressive Anaerobic Bag.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [24 favorites]

Who told him that a certified letter means shit? He had to have got that in his mind from somewhere, and actual White House staffers are now pushing the story?

I can get a "certified letter" tomorrow that I have satisfied more women than Wilt Chamberlain. Hell, I'll go whole hog and get it notarized! Don't tempt me or I'll file an affidavit!

Seriously, this is "the flag has gold fringe so we're under admiralty law" from the goddamn President of the United States.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [74 favorites]

His thumb is so tiny. Like a Vienna sausage.
posted by guiseroom at 9:46 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

Rosenstein threatened to resign

But WTF difference does that make? What does it say that Rosenstein threatened, but didn't follow through? It doesn't sound like his "threat" changed anything.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:48 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

The last time the President decided his PR staff had fucked everything up we got that spontaneous press conference that he thought he aced but made everyone feel super awkward. But then, we all know by now that feeling awkward means jack shit in politics these days and the President is the same maelstrom of horrors he's ever been, so I'm not sure how excited I am for the inevitable repeat performance. If you know in advance that the stakes are meaningles, it disincentivizes watching.
posted by Going To Maine at 9:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I hope Trump is as miserable as he appears in that photograph on the tarmac. I hope he wakes up every day in a pit of depression wondering how it came to this.
posted by Justinian at 9:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [23 favorites]

Child management 101: don't make threats you're not prepared to follow through on.
posted by Rumple at 9:49 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

What does it say that Rosenstein threatened, but didn't follow through? It doesn't sound like his "threat" changed anything.

It's called pulling a McCain.
posted by dumbland at 9:50 PM on May 10, 2017 [18 favorites]

Between what the article says about Spicer and the upcoming SNL with Melissa McCarthy I suspect he's going to get back from his navy duty and find his key doesn't fit the lock anymore.

Wonder if the new set of jangling keys will distract the press corps longer than the old one.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:53 PM on May 10, 2017

Vanity Fair is reporting that Trump has bypassed the Senate to install Keith Noreika in an oversight role that should have required confirmation. He was made “first deputy” at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a designation that ensured he would ascend to the top job once it opened. Then the administration ousted Thomas Curry, The Obama appointee who was running the office. Voila, no confirmation required.

Additionally, Noreika is being called a temporary appointment, which absolves him of signing an ethics pledge.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 9:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [63 favorites]

Why do they keep sending Mike Pence out to lie? They did it with Flynn, and now they had Pence spinning a story about how Rosenstein started all this by reviewing Comey, and they obviously had to walk it back and admit it all started with Trump after Rosenstein threatened to quit.

I will claw my eyeballs out if I have to go through everything to try to write one, but I'd love to see a chart comparing all the different versions of the story from Spicer last night, Sanders today (she told multiple stories in the same briefing in fact), Pence, the White House timeline they put out tonight, and the most recent collection of anonymous sources.
posted by zachlipton at 9:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]

Who told him that a certified letter means shit?

I'm sure it was some childhood lesson from when his father was getting sued. Something along the lines of "people have to pay attention to certified letters, they are very bigly important." In Trumplogic, this has been equated to mean that sending a certified letter means he declares the truth and therefore the matter is settled. Because he's president. Did you see how we did in Wisconsin?

Personally, I'm insulted by how stupid he thinks we all are. I know his base is that gullible, but did he think this would... I literally stopped typing mid-sentence as I realized I implied that Trump gave a thought about something. Whoops.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:56 PM on May 10, 2017 [19 favorites]

I mean, lol at the certified letter thing. Seriously, where does he get this stupid bullshit?

"Oh, a CERTIFIED letter, you say? Attesting to his innocence? Well, this changes everything!"

GTFO dude
posted by triggerfinger at 9:57 PM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]

What does it say that Rosenstein threatened, but didn't follow through?

Maybe it's a signal to his cohorts.
posted by rhizome at 9:58 PM on May 10, 2017

Laura Ingraham is either an amazing troll or a fool
posted by Going To Maine at 10:05 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

The Editorial Board of the NYT: “An Open Letter to the Deputy Attorney General”
posted by Going To Maine at 10:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [15 favorites]

With the certified letter, why would a lawyer possibly agree to do this? (I'm personally betting on Marc Kasowitz if we're running a pool for who it will be.) What good possibly comes from being the lawyer who signs his name to a thing that says Trump has no Russian ties? It just can't possibly be worth the legal fees.

I suspect the end game here is that they put out then letter, but whenever someone has questions about it like "what basis did you have to come to this conclusion?" or "what evidence did you review before you wrote this?," they'll assert attorney-client privilege and refuse to talk about it.
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

Who told him that a certified letter means shit?

Roy Cohn?
posted by Going To Maine at 10:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

She's a Nazi. The answer is that Laura Ingrahamamamam is a Nazi.
posted by Yowser at 10:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]

Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary (really!) Sarah Huckabee Sanders joins #TimeTravelTeamTrump with a quick visit to 2016: When you're attacking FBI agents because you're under criminal investigation, you're losing.
posted by scalefree at 10:10 PM on May 10, 2017 [14 favorites]

The WSJ has a good front page photo tomorrow.
posted by Going To Maine at 10:13 PM on May 10, 2017 [24 favorites]

The Rosenstein memo really does a great job of laying out the case against Comey's behavior before the election. It would be an excellent memo if it had been prepared for some future administration, with a normal President, seeking to appoint a better FBI Director. Instead it was prepared to-order for a man whose campaign is being criminally investigated by the FBI, and who for months has effusively and publicly acclaimed the very same unfortunate acts that the memo condemns.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

(Make sure you read the caption.)

Actually, that entire WSJ front page is amazing. You've got Comey concerned about "potential evidence of collusion" with Russia, Flynn now being investigated for his time as National Security Advisor too, that photo. The whole thing deserves to be framed.
posted by zachlipton at 10:18 PM on May 10, 2017 [32 favorites]

The fact that Rosenstein signed off on the memo, regardless of who wrote it, shows that the idea that he was considering resigning over it is nonsense.
posted by Yowser at 10:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Laura Ingraham is either an amazing troll or a fool

re her tweet of:
When will they storm Washington's Monticello? in regard to the removal of a jefferson davis monument.

I assume she has never been to Monticello. I have about 10 times. It's lovely, the surrounding grounds are open to the public with the house tour costing a fee. There is a section explaining Thomas Jefferson's slave holding so they own up to who he was in full. Unlike the historical revisionism of the neo-Confederates.
posted by srboisvert at 10:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]

Here's the WaPo writeup of the MacArthur town hall.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:29 PM on May 10, 2017

I assume she has never been to Monticello.

She graduated from UVA.
posted by scalefree at 10:29 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Blake Hounshell: "The baller move for Rosenstein now would be to appoint a special counsel, which he has the authority to do"

But would that do much good? What's the difference between the special investigator the Senate won't appoint and a special counsel Rosenstein could appoint?

That they actually get appointed? Maybe I'm missing a nuance, but I think you answer your own question. Mitch McConnell won't allow a special prosecutor to be appointed. If Rosenstein appoints one, one has been appointed. I really don't know how to break this down any further.
posted by msalt at 10:29 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

I'm really against name othering. I want to hold people accountable for what they do, not funny-to-us-sounding names. But I do have to make an exception for Obvious Anagram Reince Priebus. I just can't stop smiling when I see it.
posted by greermahoney at 10:31 PM on May 10, 2017 [9 favorites]

I don't want to rehash the security clearance issue, so let's not, but isn't it missing the point anyway?

The only things that might be classified are certain intercepts of communication. There is a LOT of evidence and information about the investigation that is confidential work product, I suppose, but not classified. You would appropriately get fired for discussing internal investigations of the FBI, but they're not state secrets. And Comey has already been fired, so who cares?

I'm talking about questions like: is President Trump under investigation? Do you have any evidence of collusion between Trump campaign officials and Russian operatives? He can say "Yes we have evidence." What is the evidence? I can't say, it's classified. Etc.

Sure, the administration could bring an overreaching prosecution for revealing secrets against Comey. But it would be a great way to make him a martyr (his deepest desire anyway) and would make their coverup incredibly stark.
posted by msalt at 10:35 PM on May 10, 2017

The WSJ has a good front page photo tomorrow.

Honest to god, I thought that was Richard Nixon on the left at first glance
posted by DoctorFedora at 10:37 PM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]

Useful Vox explainer on independent investigation options.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:02 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

Bloomberg: President Trump is preparing a certified letter attesting he has no connections to Russia

"A signed document? I guess if you have a signed document in your possession, you can't go wrong!"
posted by wildblueyonder at 11:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [6 favorites]

You would appropriately get fired for discussing internal investigations of the FBI, but they're not state secrets.

Unfortunately, in part due to over classification, this is not the case. Comey can't share anything useful without risking jail time.
posted by corb at 11:10 PM on May 10, 2017

Why do they keep sending Mike Pence out to lie?

Cynical answer: So that his hands are dirty too.

Yeah. They don't want him to think that an impeachment / 25th Amendment / resignation scenario would turn out well for him, in which case he might get off the Trump train.
posted by dhens at 11:14 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

From the Turkish media: Turkish, US delegations hold surprise Gulen talks

The Turkish Justice Minister met with Session on Monday, now they're having days worth of talks.

I'd say Gulen is damn likely to be dead pretty soon.
posted by zachlipton at 11:16 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]

I'd say Gulen is damn likely to be dead pretty soon.

I hear Canada is nice this time of year.
posted by jaduncan at 11:23 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Oh, random but obvious theory: "we get to arm the Kurds, you get Gulen."
posted by jaduncan at 11:35 PM on May 10, 2017 [7 favorites]

I would assume it has to do with the deal to arm the Kurds, but remember: James Woolsey said that Michael Flynn met with Turkish officials last year to discuss essentially kidnapping Gulen and bringing him to Turkey, as part of his paid consulting gig. And he got paid to write an anti-Gulen op-ed that came out on Election Day.

Every damn thing with these folks traces directly back to some bit of corruption.
posted by zachlipton at 11:45 PM on May 10, 2017 [17 favorites]

I would assume it has to do with the deal to arm the Kurds, but remember: James Woolsey said that Michael Flynn met with Turkish officials last year to discuss essentially kidnapping Gulen and bringing him to Turkey, as part of his paid consulting gig. And he got paid to write an anti-Gulen op-ed that came out on Election Day.

And this is the guy Trump has to be told not to call, repeatedly. It's too ridiculous & obvious to be true which means it just has to be. Trump wants to talk about Turkey with Flynn. Still. He can't see the problem, he's blind to it.
posted by scalefree at 11:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Just as a person who can't distinguish colors apart is color blind, Trump is morally blind.
He can't recognize right from wrong in a given situation. They look the same to him.
posted by scalefree at 12:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

This is a damn fine article by Bob Bauer, who served as White House Counsel to Obama. How It Was Done: The Problem is Not Only That Trump Fired Comey, but How He Did It
posted by zachlipton at 12:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

President Trump is preparing a certified letter attesting he has no connections to Russia

I am certain that his tax returns from the last ten years will be stapled to that letter.
posted by Rykey at 12:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

I can only imagine that there are IRS agents out there fervently torn over risking federal prosecution and the danger of the public losing faith in the agency and its ability to preserve privacy and just sending the darn returns to a reporter. I do not know what I would do in their shoes.
posted by Going To Maine at 12:31 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Here is your gif of Sean Spicer's head on Homer Simpson's body, stepping back into the bushes.

That post ends with this sentence: "Can Trump hold it together while traveling for this long?" It's going to be really telling who he has traveling with him. Who are the handlers and babysitters, who gets left behind?

I'd completely forgotten about new always flew bank to new York every night during the primaries and how people wondered how that would play out if he won.

Speaking of flying home, did he see his wife or son during his first trip back to new York? It's so fucking weird.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

i realize that the Reductress article linked above is a work of satire, but hey, it worked in reverse in Lysistrata. who's with me for a DC-wide fuck-in, where we commit adultery in public with congressional spouses until a special prosecutor is appointed?

i mean, as soon as i clear this plan with my wife

You know, my husband and I are usually monogamous, but I think for this, we could make an exception.
posted by threeturtles at 1:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

If Melissa McCarthy does another Spicer routine on SNL there should be a constant red laser dot on her forehead at all times.
posted by PenDevil at 1:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

The twitter sphere is on fire right now with FBI and intelligence people calling reporters. The Deputy Attorney General threatened to resign over the White House narrative of the firing.

People are talking arrests in the next few days.

I think trump is over.
posted by empath at 1:37 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I think trump is over.

Sorry, Lucy, I'm not going to run up and try to kick the football this time.
posted by mmoncur at 1:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [121 favorites]

You have been banned from participating in r/The_Donald. You can still view and subscribe to r/The_Donald, but you won't be able to post or comment.

It's hard to take it as anything but a compliment, TBH.
posted by jaduncan at 1:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [28 favorites]

The cozy meeting between President Trump and Russia’s foreign minister came at Vladimir Putin’s insistence. Susan B. Glasser article in Politico.
posted by stonepharisee at 2:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

White House Says No Security Issues w Russian Photographers, also They Tricked Us About the Photographers. Link to Josh Marshall tweet, citing WaPo article

Edit: added WaPo link
posted by stonepharisee at 2:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

I think trump is over.

I believe it when I see the Pepe frogmarch.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:23 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister was in town to meet Pence and also met Trump. Not much on it in the press though.
posted by PenDevil at 3:06 AM on May 11, 2017

Me, I'm not religious, but I am praying it will be over soon

It does seem to be a bad idea to get into a fight with the FBI, though.

About the extent of Trump's cluelessness: I think he is well aware that he is doing things that are wrong, but I also think he has a limited understanding of government and he thought that when he was president he could just command everyone to do as he wants, like in his "business". Thus the rages.
posted by mumimor at 3:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Teaser promo for this week's SNL with Melissa McCarthy.
posted by Room 641-A at 3:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

OMFMelissa, I feel oh so so gleefully sorry for Mr Spicer. Deeply evil grin sorry
posted by sammyo at 3:43 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Transcript of the Economist interviewing Trump (I can't see this posted anywhere previous, apologies if I missed it)

It's pretty amazing just for the scattered lack of coherence in the responses.
posted by xiw at 3:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

Just as a person who can't distinguish colors apart is color blind, Trump is morally blind. He can't recognize right from wrong in a given situation. They look the same to him.

If that were the case, he'd have an equally likely chance of doing the right thing in any given situation. Right now he's batting 0.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 3:55 AM on May 11, 2017 [23 favorites]

wow the gop is being slaughtered on morning joe today
posted by xcasex at 3:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's pretty amazing just for the scattered lack of coherence in the responses.

[reporter in bold]

But beyond that it’s OK if the tax plan increases the deficit?
It is OK, because it won’t increase it for long. You may have two years where you’ll… you understand the expression “prime the pump”?

Yes.
We have to prime the pump.

It’s very Keynesian.
We’re the highest-taxed nation in the world. Have you heard that expression before, for this particular type of an event?

Priming the pump?
Yeah, have you heard it?

Yes.
Have you heard that expression used before? Because I haven’t heard it. I mean, I just… I came up with it a couple of days ago and I thought it was good. It’s what you have to do.

So that's where the phrase originated... it's catchy, it almost seems like I've known it for decades...
posted by Buntix at 4:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [88 favorites]

I just can't cope with the world we live in now. Today I read this:

Even by the often bewildering standards of the Trump administration, the 24 hours following the firing of FBI Director James Comey were baffling, surreal and at times impossible to process.

Nope, this wasn't from an opinion piece by Josh Marshall, or from some indy journalist's snarky Twitter feed. It's from the lead story on CNN's webpage.

Maybe TODAY's the day I won't run into ten people that think "everything's been completely normal since Trump was elected, why are you so freaked out?"

Maybe not.
posted by mmoncur at 4:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

How do you reduce the trade deficit with Mexico without massively increasing the standard of living and earning power of Mexicans? Or does he intend to reduce that of Americans?
posted by PenDevil at 4:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Transcript of the Economist interviewing Trump (I can't see this posted anywhere previous, apologies if I missed it)

...as is now usual in interviews with the President of the United States of America, one can sense the interviewer dying silently inside partway through.
posted by ubersturm at 4:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [42 favorites]

@nickgourevitch
1: My problem with this article (and most Trump voter analysis) is it focuses on staunch Trump voters, not weak ones. Doubt the President? No Way Say Voters in Georgia & Iowa
2: The weak ones are the story. If Trump drops to 80% with his own party then that leads to an anti-Trump wave election
3: Obama was around 80% approval in Gallup with Dems in both the lead-up to 2010 and 2014 for example
4: Trump is at 82% approve with Republicans in today's Quinnipiac. 84% in Gallup with Rs right now. Those are dangerous numbers for him.
5: In other words, Trump only has to lose 2 in 10 Republicans to make for a really really bad electoral outcome for him.
6: So if you are a reporter and you talk to 10 Republicans, focus on the 1 or 2 of them who are wavering not the 8 or 9 who are die-hards
7: In fairness, later in the story they get to the weak Trump voter. But you'd never know that from the proclamation in the headline
8: Anyway, appreciate finding a weak Trump Republican is much harder than finding a die-hard. But the weak ones will be the decisive ones.
posted by chris24 at 4:33 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

If that were the case, he'd have an equally likely chance of doing the right thing in any given situation.

Nah, being amoral doesn't mean one's actions are random; it means they are unrestrained by morality.
posted by jon1270 at 4:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

It's now official: We're going back to the days of poll taxes and armed white men chasing marginalized voters away.:

President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order today establishing a commission to review alleged voter fraud and voter suppression in the American election system, multiple senior administration officials tell ABC News.

The officials say Vice President Mike Pence and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach will be announced as Chair and Vice Chair of the ‘Presidential Commission on Election Integrity’ in a press release today. It's not clear whether the White House will allow coverage of the order signing.

The commission, which will include Republicans and Democrats, will be tasked with studying "vulnerabilities" in U.S. voting systems and potential effects on "improper voting, fraudulent voter registrations and fraudulent voting," according to one official with knowledge of the announcement.

In the aftermath of the 2016 election, Trump claimed widespread voter fraud explained why former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emerged with nearly 3 million more popular votes. To date, neither Trump nor his team has provided evidence to substantiate the claims, but they have promised an investigation.

I'd like to extend a special thank-you to all the "moderate" and "pragmatic" conservatives who argued in favor of voter suppression and were happy to laud Shelby v Holder, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that these laws are racist and unconstitutional. You did a bang-up job of giving these monsters the political cover they needed to make it happen. May this weigh heavily on your conscience and your soul.
posted by zombieflanders at 4:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [81 favorites]

You mean "obsequiously rolling over inside?"

No. It is clear, at least from the Economist transcript, that the interviewer is leading the President as one would a child. If he weren't so profoundly stupid and narcissistic, with such deeply defective theory-of-mind, he would surely pick up on the patronizing tone. It jumps right off the page.
posted by adamgreenfield at 4:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [39 favorites]

stonepharisee: "White House Says No Security Issues w Russian Photographers, also They Tricked Us About the Photographers. Link to Josh Marshall tweet, citing WaPo article

Edit: added WaPo link"

I love the annotations that Marshall's been doing lately.
posted by octothorpe at 4:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

So that's where the phrase originated... it's catchy, it almost seems like I've known it for decades...

I'm trying to decide if he thinks he came up with the phrase or the idea, both of which have been around forever. What other common sayings will Trump claim were his next?

"Fake news won't tell you this, but I'm the first to 'Thank God It's Friday.'"
posted by drezdn at 5:01 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

While IANAL, Laurence Tribe is and I found this interesting.

"By saying Comey had told him 3x that FBI wasn't investigating his campaign's links to Russia, T waived executive privilege wrt T/C xchanges"

He's also pretty clear what he thinks of the whole shitshow.

- "It's now totally clear that Trump's firing of Comey was an obstruction of justice. That was the first Article of Impeachment against Nixon."

- "The best-sourced reporting shows that Jeff Sessions and Mike Pence were up to their eyeballs in this impeachable obstruction of justice."
posted by chris24 at 5:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [71 favorites]

It's fun to imagine the Russian photographer having Trump stand near stuff the Russians want pictures of.
posted by drezdn at 5:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [58 favorites]

- "The best-sourced reporting shows that Jeff Sessions and Mike Pence were up to their eyeballs in this impeachable obstruction of justice."

Makes you wonder why the Republicans don't try going for an impeachment to elevate Paul Ryan.
posted by drezdn at 5:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Makes you wonder why the Republicans don't try going for an impeachment to elevate Paul Ryan.

From 1968 - 1988 Republicans won the presidency 5 out of 6 times by landslide margins. The one time they didn't was after Nixon resigned. I think they think owning up to the Trump mistake is currently worse for them electorally than rectifying that mistake.
posted by chris24 at 5:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

From Duffelblog (a fairly popular military humor site), we have Trump Appoints French Immigrant Vladimiere Poutin new FBI Director.

Poutin, a French-born American who was naturalized in mid-2015, had a broad and diverse career in law enforcement. Though there don’t appear to be any official records of his employment by the French government, some glued-together magazine clippings indicate that Mr. Poutine worked for the “Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti,” which is translated from French in his resume as “League of Democratic Justice.”

posted by corb at 5:16 AM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

I would just like to remind the congregation that the leader taking a trip abroad is the traditional time for a coup.
posted by Devonian at 5:18 AM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

oi, that Economist interview. There are more ellipses than full stops.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Makes you wonder why the Republicans don't try going for an

If I were Ryan I would be seriously thinking about starting impeachment soon because if the Dems take the House in 18 he loses his window to become President.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

I'm still not sure which is worse, Trump as president or Paul Ryan, granny-starver though. As terrible as this is, is it better that they can't pass as much of their dumbass legislative agenda because of Trump, or worse because Trump's clearly batshit and primes the pump, to coin a phrase, for even worse shit later.
posted by Carillon at 5:26 AM on May 11, 2017

If I were Ryan I would seriously thinking about starting impeachment soon because if the Dems take the House in 18 he loses his window to become President.

As much as Ryan wants to be president, he wants to gut SS/Medicare, repeal ACA and cut taxes more. And he knows after impeachment he'll have no political capital to do those and probably lose the House in 2018.
posted by chris24 at 5:27 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

How many pumps do you think Trump has primed in his life?
posted by drezdn at 5:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

i dunno, if they wanted to make trump look good, they would have spiked that interview. just letting the dude speak freely is damning.
posted by murphy slaw at 5:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Just picturing Trump going through a quote book, crossing out names and writing in his.
posted by drezdn at 5:39 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

But Chris, you have to ask yourself why he wants to gut SS and MediCare? Maybe this has all been posturing to present himself as the next Reagan. Maybe he isn't interested in whether or not the poor are starved into hauling themselves up and out of poverty as he is in setting himself up as the Greatest Republican Of Our Times.

Yeah I know about the college kegger conversations, it's possible that those Randian musings set him apart and elevated him among his peers-- so it became his "schtick" his calling card. I've always wondered why he has such a burning need to kick the poor in the teeth, maybe it's because he got positive reinforcement when he expressed those views.

So I guess I'm wondering would he rather be President or kick the poor?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:45 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

I moved to Washington D.C. in the summer of 1997. My dad suggested I have lunch with one of his oldest friends, the current Hearst DC bureau cheif and the former AP Washington bureau chief. My dad's friend earnestly told me the news business was dead because nothing was going to happen anymore that was seriously newsworthy.
posted by Ironmouth at 5:46 AM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

As much as Ryan wants to be president, he wants to gut SS/Medicare, repeal ACA and cut taxes more. And he knows after impeachment he'll have no political capital to do those and probably lose the House in 2018.

It sounds like Paul Ryan is between
*removes sunglasses*
The Rock and a hard place.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:48 AM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

BroadwayWorld Review: HER OPPONENT Recreates Clinton/Trump Debates With Genders Switched
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:51 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

TIME: Donald Trump After Hours: The next clip starts to play, this time showing Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley asking Clapper and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates if they ever requested that the names of Trump, his associates or members of Congress be identified by name, or unmasked, in a legal intelligence intercept. “Watch them start to choke like dogs,” Trump says, having fun. “Watch what happens. They are desperate for breath.”

posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

Q. What is Trumponomics and how does it differ from standard Republican economics?

A. Well it’s an interesting question. I don’t think it’s ever been asked quite that way. But it really has to do with self-respect as a nation. It has to do with trade deals that have to be fair, and somewhat reciprocal, if not fully reciprocal. And I think that’s a word that you’re going to see a lot of, because we need reciprocality in terms of our trade deals.

This is the first sentence of that economist interview and I couldn't go any further. Something about the way he speaks cripples my brain.
posted by winna at 5:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

you have to ask yourself why he wants to gut SS and MediCare? Maybe this has all been posturing to present himself as the next Reagan. Maybe he isn't interested in whether or not the poor are starved into hauling themselves up and out of poverty as he is in setting himself up as the Greatest Republican Of Our Times.

No, he really, really wants to starve the poor. It's all he's ever wanted. He literally starts to get wet when he talks about Ayn Rand and her monsterous individualism. He knows his policies are unpopular, which is why every thing out of his mouth is a lie. But it's always been a very consistent lie underlying the same goal from the moment he entered Congress.

Paul Ryan lives to end Social Security and Medicare. That's his ultimate goal in politics, not being President.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

I moved to Washington D.C. in the summer of 1997. … My dad's friend earnestly told me the news business was dead because nothing was going to happen anymore that was seriously newsworthy.

god, sometimes i miss that hubristic optimism from the turn of the millenium
posted by murphy slaw at 5:58 AM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

“Watch them start to choke like dogs,” Trump says, having fun. “Watch what happens. They are desperate for breath.”

It's not "four score and seven years ago" but it'll do.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

WHO
CHOKES
DOGS?
posted by murphy slaw at 6:01 AM on May 11, 2017 [59 favorites]

WHO
CHOKES
DOGS?

Mike Huckabee's son.
posted by PenDevil at 6:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

I will pay CASH MONEY to the first reporter who responds to one of Trump's dog similes with "Mr. President, what do you think dogs are?"
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 6:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me in 50 words or less how people can be both Randians and professed-Christians at the same time, I'd be appreciative.

Ideological consistency is not a thing human people are very good at. Our species is a land of contrasts.
posted by winna at 6:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

It 100% fundamentally does not compute for me how Ryan can be so up on Rand and Jesus simultaneously.

His religion is white supremacy; Jesus is the cover story.
posted by melissasaurus at 6:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [44 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me in 50 words or less how people can be both Randians and professed-Christians at the same time, I'd be appreciative

cognitive dissonance is a helluva drug
posted by entropicamericana at 6:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Shakespeare was better in the original Trumpian...

To be or not to be? That's a great question. Nobody asks it. It has to do with being strong and the others being... well, you have to let them be, perhaps like you, but... I made an outrageous fortune, y'know? Truly outrageous. That's a word you'll be hearing a lot of. I don't think anyone else has used it. Is it nap time yet?
posted by Devonian at 6:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

Prosperity doctrine. If God likes you, he'll make you rich. Poor people are the recipients of God's displeasure. Except for agreeing to disagree about the existence of a diety, the philosophies are very similar.
posted by Autumnheart at 6:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

also both Objectivism and a certain breed of American Christianity are all about how much fun it is going to be when you have moved to the top floor and get to watch all the other bastards dying below you
posted by murphy slaw at 6:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

It 100% fundamentally does not compute for me how Ryan can be so up on Rand and Jesus simultaneously.

Ryan's "Jesus" isn't the anti-exploitation ally of the poor and oppressed you can read about in the gospels. His "Jesus" is a Republican party mascot who was originally based on the canonical Jesus but now shares nothing in common with him except the name.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

Ryan doesn't want to be President. Not right now anyway. Just imagine the circular firing squad Congress would become if Trump and Pence get kicked out.
posted by Glibpaxman at 6:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

A thing I've gathered from listening to conservatives is that they believe that individuals should help the poor through acts of Christian charity. The idea that the government should take over that role is seen as monstrous. Further, they seem to believe that liberals who want the government to care for the poor wish to neglect their own responsibility to do so.

These are not my beliefs at all. Just some ideas I've gathered that help me understand where some conservatives are coming from.
posted by chrchr at 6:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me in 50 words or less how people can be both Randians and professed-Christians at the same time, I'd be appreciative.

Autumnheart nails it, or you can read Joel Olsteen's twitter feed.
posted by drezdn at 6:13 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Holy bananas, that Economist interview! To see how stories of how White House Trump enablers rang Trudeau's office to get him to call Trump about NAFTA translates into this:

And I was going to terminate NAFTA last week, I was all set, meaning the six-month termination. I was going to send them a letter, then after six months, it’s gone. But the word got out, they called and they said, we would really love to...they called separately but it was an amazing thing. They called separately ten minutes apart. I just put down the phone with the president of Mexico when the prime minister of Canada called. And they both asked almost identical questions.

posted by moody cow at 6:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [64 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me in 50 words or less how people can be both Randians and professed-Christians at the same time, I'd be appreciative.

I think they're not deeply interested in ideas or theology. Their Christianity is more about membership on a team than about what the team professes to believe, and what they take from Rand is pretty superficial. They basically think that winners deserve to win, and as white Christians in America they are on Team Winner Who Deserves to Win. They haven't thought very deeply about any of it.

(I actually think that you often have trouble understanding conservatives, because you were raised by conservative intellectuals, and you assume that everyone thinks like them. But most people aren't intellectuals, and they're mostly not very ideologically or intellectually consistent.)
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 6:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

Anyone else reminded of the new season of Fargo? Trump is the Parking Lot King of Minnesota. And Lavrov/Kislyak just started wheeling some boxes into the Oval Office...
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:18 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

A thing I've gathered from listening to conservatives os that they believe that individuals should help the poor through acts of Christian charity. The idea that the government should take over that role is seen as monstrous. Further, they seem to believe that liberals who want the government to care for the poor wish to neglect their own responsibility to do so.

Yeah this is what I encounter in Christian spaces where the two sides argue about this. The response is that Christ never said that we should use coercion (they're invariably the type who are deeply concerned about taxation being coercive) to force people to help the poor, and that private charity is what the scriptures mean. It winds up being a fairly facile version of both Rand and Christ, since it doesn't in actuality help the poor very much, and Rand hates private charity as well.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:18 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Apparently using government to do things that fall in the same category as Christian charity doesn't qualify, because then they're forced to be charitable. Republicans are pro-choice when it comes to being charitable. They want extra tax cuts, institutional preference for their religion, and as many laws as possible that prevent them from doing anything but actively choosing to be charitable, like being forced to provide health insurance for employees, or free school lunches. Those should all be eliminated so Republicans can choose freely to give out of pure agape for their fellow brethren. Then they'll apologize for their own human failings as imperfect Christians striving for grace, for having all this money and yet somehow never managing to be charitable.

Liberals, who actually set up programs that give kids free school lunches and health care for low-income residents, are tax-and-spend communists who hate freedom, and want to indoctrinate your children with their Godless nanny-state propaganda.
posted by Autumnheart at 6:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [31 favorites]

TAXATION IS THEFT!!! Except for the taxes that pay to fix the bridge I drive over every day. And the fire department that comes to my house. And the military who are a super special class of person who I totally admire except that I would never do that job in a zillion years for love or money because omg have you seen Afghanistan?! Oh, and also except for my kid's school, which is great, not like that other school over there which I hear is terrible even though I've never been there. And the city planning department which stopped my neighbor from building a monstrosity in his yard. And the ag subsidies that keep my milk cheap. But it's totally theft if someone somewhere who hasn't lived a life exactly like mine gets a quarter of one of my pennies so they don't die in a ditch. TOTALLY THEFT!
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [94 favorites]

I strongly suggest a study of the medieval mind and society if you want to understand right wing politics today. Your social status is ordained by God and is an absolute indication of your moral worth. To question it is blasphemy. To try and change it - or to change it for others - is literally Satanic, unless you are trying to reduce people low on the scale to a still lower position, because this is how God demonstrates that we are all sinful. It is God's work, as demonstrated by how you gain in the process. Contradictions just don't exist.

Science, inasmuch as it steps outside this framework and offers alternative explanations and tools for changing the status quo, is also de facto satanic. Except when it can be used to diminish others, when it is Godly. (See that interesting period where Enlightenment thinking melded with late medieval/early modern, and all manner of monsters emerged. Nor are they dead yet.)

Seriously. I know enough to know I don't really know this stuff, but hie you hither and find you an historian of the period. They know exactly what's going down right now.
posted by Devonian at 6:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me in 50 words or less how people can be both Randians and professed-Christians at the same time, I'd be appreciative

This may be subject to the ArbitraryAndCapricious critique: I am mostly familiar with thoughtful conservatism and it is now abundantly clear many are not in that wheelhouse, but:

Ayn Rand has a really weird and non-common definition of sacrifice - it doesn't count as sacrifice if it's something you genuinely want or believe. The key piece on this is

If a mother buys food for her hungry child rather than a hat for herself, it is not a sacrifice: she values the child higher than the hat; but it is a sacrifice to the kind of mother whose higher value is the hat, who would prefer her child to starve and feeds him only from a sense of duty.

So a Christian can easily coexist with these portions of Randian ideology if their values are protecting the family and bringing charity to the poor: because they truly wish to aid the poor, it's not a duty imposed from outside, and they aren't beggaring themselves to do it.posted by corb at 6:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

It 100% fundamentally does not compute for me how Ryan can be so up on Rand and Jesus simultaneously.

Three institutions claim to govern humanity: The legal state, the religious culture, and the open market. They each have stronghold representation in the class system, with the state reflecting the middle class. As such it is often at the mercy of both ends.
posted by Brian B. at 6:34 AM on May 11, 2017

Yeah this is what I encounter in Christian spaces where the two sides argue about this. The response is that Christ never said that we should use coercion (they're invariably the type who are deeply concerned about taxation being coercive) to force people to help the poor, and that private charity is what the scriptures mean. It winds up being a fairly facile version of both Rand and Christ, since it doesn't in actuality help the poor very much, and Rand hates private charity as well.

So a Christian can easily coexist with these portions of Randian ideology if their values are protecting the family and bringing charity to the poor: because they truly wish to aid the poor, it's not a duty imposed from outside, and they aren't beggaring themselves to do it.

But if they're really against coercion wouldn't that be intellectually inconsistent with their desire to ban abortion (which Jesus didn't say anything about BTW)? Is there a distinction made between coercion to compel an act vs coercion to prevent an act?

I mean, I know Rand doesn't give a damn about abortion, but religious conservatives certainly do.
posted by leotrotsky at 6:38 AM on May 11, 2017

It's much easier to understand if you start from the end. Tax cuts for the rich. What's the biggest piece of taxes around? Income, and they want to end that. What's the second? FICA and everything it pays for, Social Security and Medicare.

Everything Republicans do is reverse engineered from the basic proposition: the rich deserve everything. The not rich deserve nothing. That's how you get Trumpcare literally taking from the poor to give to the rich, it's how you get corporate welfare but not human welfare, and it's how you get prosperity Jesus to smooth it all over and tell the rank and not rich that this is the way God wants it

Paul Ryan is a high priest of the religion of tax cuts for the rich. Every action by every Republican comes from the same goal.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:39 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

Yeah, I find it pretty odd that this is like the one (1) area in life that Christians are like, oh no, we mustn't compel other people to behave a certain way!
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:40 AM on May 11, 2017 [57 favorites]

When considering these Republicans' relationship to religion, you have to also think in terms of control and submission. They interpret every interaction as one in which there is a "winner" and a "loser" - someone in control and someone who must submit - and of course, in a patriarchy, submission is not a masculine trait. Think of their religion like a patriarchy pyramid scheme. In their relationship to God, they are the one submitting. So they have to find other people who are submissive to them (because they feel emasculated by their submission to God). Making people be subordinate to oneself is God-like -- God does it, it must be a good thing to do; the more people you get to submit to your authority (by, for example, making them reliant on your personal charity), the more God-like you are. The more you have to submit, the less God-like you are. They believe that everyone knows this and believes this, so they assume Democrats are using governmental charity to make people submissive to the government (i.e. to Democrats) -- they believe this is conduct by Dems is duplicitous, and that they, the GOP, are being "honest" and "telling it like it is" by admitting that some people have to be under the control of others.

They cannot envision a world in which there is no authoritarianism because God, to them, is an authoritarian. They resent that they have to submit to God (an emasculating act, in their view), and they act out that resentment by requiring submission from others.
posted by melissasaurus at 6:41 AM on May 11, 2017 [42 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me

Derail confirmed.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 6:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

This may be a derail but if someone could explain to me in 50 words or less how people can be both Randians and professed-Christians at the same time, I'd be appreciative

Caesar said that all the world should be taxed. also, the census. these were both a big pain in the ass for Joseph and Mary. QED

never even mind what Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's is supposed to mean. not a good story is what it isn't.
posted by queenofbithynia at 6:43 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

eponysterical
posted by thelonius at 6:44 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

They resent that they have to submit to God (an emasculating act, in their view)

I don't think I've ever met a religious person, of any stripe, who believes this. Submission, and the forgiveness that it brings, is usually seen as pretty liberating.
posted by leotrotsky at 6:44 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

They resent that they have to submit to God (an emasculating act, in their view)

I don't think I've ever met a religious person, of any stripe, who believes this. Submission, and the forgiveness that it brings, is usually seen as pretty liberating.

please don't make me whip out the C.S. Lewis quote about how in relation to God, the ultimate in dominant masculinity, we are all, as it were, female. it will get deleted for sure, which is only fair because it is pretty sexy. but he was not resentful about it one bit so maybe this doesn't count.
posted by queenofbithynia at 6:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

MetaFilter: It's pretty amazing just for the scattered lack of coherence in the responses.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Yeah, I find it pretty odd that this is like the one (1) area in life that Christians are like, oh no, we mustn't compel other people to behave a certain way!

The hostility to compulsion in general is pretty weird as Abrahamic religions are fundamentally grounded on covenants, binding agreements made by your ancestors that you are bound to follow. You don't get to opt out of them because you don't personally agree with them.
posted by leotrotsky at 6:49 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

They came through? So do you still have to keep them in line.
I’ll be honest with you…Did anybody ever hear of a guy named Mike Pence? Vice-president of the United States?
Mike Pence, the vice-president, enters the room: Morning all.
President Trump: Central casting.
Mr Pence: Please sit, sit, sit.

Was Pence listening at the door waiting for his cue? His entire contribution to the interview is 'Yes, sir'. And WTF is 'central casting' in this context?
posted by PenDevil at 6:50 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

please don't make me whip out the C.S. Lewis quote about how in relation to God, the ultimate in dominant masculinity, we are all, as it were, female. it will get deleted for sure, which is only fair because it is pretty sexy. but he was not resentful about it one bit so maybe this doesn't count.

Proves my point, actually. I've seen submission to God (it's kinda the point), I've just never seen resentment to submission to God.
posted by leotrotsky at 6:51 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

We don't waste time trying to figure out the internals of Al Queda or ISIS's death cults, be just no that they have left reason behind and wish us harm and so we fight them. Maybe we can deflect people on the cusp of joining the cult by addressing some of the root inequalities that draw people to it, but that's about it.

Likewise and likewise as far a source white nationalist Christian fundamentalists go.
posted by Artw at 6:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

And WTF is 'central casting' in this context?

It's "Well, speak of the devil!" filtered through the diseased mind of a man who still thinks he's living in a reality TV show.
posted by Freon at 6:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Was Pence listening at the door waiting for his cue? His entire contribution to the interview is 'Yes, sir'. And WTF is 'central casting' in this context?

I assume he means "man doesn't that white guy with a kind of ugly haircut look like a vice president or what?"
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

And WTF is 'central casting' in this context?

Allow me to translate from the original Trump: "I had never heard of this Pence guy before I met him, which means he was a person of zero consequence. But he sure looks like a straight, white, Christian politician, right? That must mean that he is one! So I hired him!"
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

We're the highest-taxed nation in the world.

Why is this allowed to go unchallenged, and by the motherfucking Economist, no less? The United States is not even close to being the highest-taxed country.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [60 favorites]

I don't think I've ever met a religious person, of any stripe, who believes this. Submission, and the forgiveness that it brings, is usually seen as pretty liberating.

"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

Submission is something wives do to husbands to mimic the submission of everyone to Jesus. Now look at the way these men treat women, including their wives. That is how they think Jesus treats them.
posted by melissasaurus at 6:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

okay so

i mean

wat

Time Magazine interview

On the future USS Ford-class carriers

You know the catapult is quite important. So I said what is this? Sir, this is our digital catapult system. He said well, we’re going to this because we wanted to keep up with modern [technology]. I said you don’t use steam anymore for catapult? No sir. I said, "Ah, how is it working?" "Sir, not good. Not good. Doesn’t have the power. You know the steam is just brutal. You see that sucker going and steam’s going all over the place, there’s planes thrown in the air."

It sounded bad to me. Digital. They have digital. What is digital? And it’s very complicated, you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out. And I said–and now they want to buy more aircraft carriers. I said what system are you going to be–"Sir, we’re staying with digital." I said no you’re not. You going to goddamned steam, the digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it’s no good.

posted by murphy slaw at 6:55 AM on May 11, 2017 [94 favorites]

Vox: Jeff Sessions and the Justice Department are helping Trump lie

Subtitle: "Only the bureaucrats can save us now."

Section Title: "The political levels of the executive branch cannot be trusted, and it’s up to the civil service"

That is, it's up to the civil service to disregard untrustworthy directives, and do what needs doing.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:55 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Jeff Stein on Twitter: "5 Senate Ds have said they're unwilling to shut down Senate until special prosecutor is appointed, instead holding out for support from GOP"
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:58 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

That said, while I find this fascinating, I will note that I don't actually see much evidence that Paul Ryan actually engages in Christian charity. That fake photo op in the soup kitchen shows me he is unconnected with actual charitable engagement.
posted by corb at 6:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

WHICH ONES
posted by schadenfrau at 6:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [39 favorites]

It sounded bad to me. Digital. They have digital. What is digital? And it’s very complicated, you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out. And I said–and now they want to buy more aircraft carriers. I said what system are you going to be–"Sir, we’re staying with digital." I said no you’re not. You going to goddamned steam, the digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it’s no good.

awesome

awesome to the max
posted by indubitable at 6:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

WaPo: Inside Trump’s anger and impatience — and his sudden decision to fire Comey
Noteworthy in passing:

Rosenstein threatened to resign after the narrative emerging from the White House on Tuesday evening cast him as a prime mover of the decision to fire Comey and that the president acted only on his recommendation, said the person close to the White House, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

posted by ZeusHumms at 7:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Fucking digital: how does it work?

They should have followed up to ask him about the steam pipes that carry his tweets.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

White House Job For Schwab Heiress Raises New Ethics Questions For Trump: Samantha Schwab, the 21-year-old granddaughter of brokerage billionaire Charles Schwab, has been working in the Trump White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

The White House won’t say why Schwab was hired, or give details on her work for the Trump administration. HuffPost learned of Schwab’s job from a source, who shared correspondence between Schwab’s official White House email account and congressional offices. It’s generally illegal for federal agencies to use unpaid labor, with a few notable exceptions. These include the prestigious (but unpaid) White House internship program, as well as a volunteer program to decorate the White House for holiday tours.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

TPM: After Initial Focus On Deputy AG, White House Shifts Comey Firing Timeline

Later on Wednesday, the White House sent a timeline of the run-up to Comey’s firing to White House reporters that took some of the heat off of Rosenstein. Trump “lost confidence” in Comey “over the last several months” and “was strongly inclined to remove him” after his hearing on Capitol Hill last week, according to the White House timeline. Trump then met with Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday where “they discussed reasons for removing the Director,” per the White House. The administration did not say who initiated the meeting about Comey, however. Rosenstein then sent his written recommendation to Sessions on Tuesday, per the White House.

Finally, on Thursday morning, Sanders told NBC’s “Today” that the decision to fire Comey rested solely with Trump.

posted by ZeusHumms at 7:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

apparently trump was trying to talk about this, the navy's next generation railgun-style catapult for aircraft carriers.

where he got "digital" from that, i have no idea.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

It sounded bad to me. Digital. They have digital. What is digital? And it’s very complicated, you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out. And I said–and now they want to buy more aircraft carriers. I said what system are you going to be–"Sir, we’re staying with digital." I said no you’re not. You going to goddamned steam, the digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it’s no good.

This is a direct quote from the president of the united states to the magazine Time.

Alack for the state of the republic, this is absolutely not [fake].
posted by winna at 7:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

I’ll be honest with you…Did anybody ever hear of a guy named Mike Pence?

Shades of Tom Lehrer! "I wonder how many people here tonight remember Hubert Humphrey. He used to be a senator."
posted by jackbishop at 7:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Unless Trump is ready to throw a billion dollars down the tube, the Navy is pretty far along with magnetic catapults: Navy Commits To High-Tech Catapults, Arresting Gear For All 3 Ford Carriers
posted by PenDevil at 7:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Lots of ALL CAPS in my post card to my senator this morning. I've basically stopped writing in complete sentences and now just use a sharpie to scrawl demands like some perp on Criminal Minds.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [50 favorites]

Rarely are the questions asked: is the pump primed? What is digital? Why not steam? Steam to prime the pump?
posted by nubs at 7:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

steampunk Trump
posted by indubitable at 7:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Lots of ALL CAPS in my post card to my senator this morning. I've basically stopped writing in complete sentences and now just use a sharpie to scrawl demands like some perp on Criminal Minds.

I assume that if you're writing to the executive branch, they'll be more receptive to messages penned in their native medium, angry red crayon.
posted by Mayor West at 7:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Unless Trump is ready to throw a billion dollars down the tubes

Of course he is. It's not his money.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

You going to goddamned steam, the digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it’s no good.

(silently screaming)
posted by Sophie1 at 7:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

The Economist, Time, they're all throwing up their hands and just transcribing, wondering what is even happening anymore.
posted by moody cow at 7:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

this is not how i wanted us to be ushered into our futuristic steampunk dystopia but i'm glad i bought these flight goggles
posted by Tevin at 7:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

Transcribing interviews word for word seems to be the best way so far that journalists have come up with to deal with this. I get why they want to be professionals and all that but it's been so frustrating that everybody keeps trying to write articles like he's a normal person. Letting him speak for himself gets across the absolute fucking insanity without anyone having to say "this guy is absolutely fucking insane."
posted by something something at 7:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [60 favorites]

another gem from that economist interview

Mr President, can I just try you on a deal-making question? If you do need Democratic support for your tax plan, your ideal tax plan, and the price of that the Democrats say is for you to release your tax returns, would you do that?

I don’t know. That’s a very interesting question. I doubt it. I doubt it. Because they’re not going to…nobody cares about my tax return except for the reporters. Oh, at some point I’ll release them. Maybe I’ll release them after I’m finished because I’m very proud of them actually. I did a good job.

Hope Hicks [White House director of strategic communication]: Once the audit is over.

President Trump: I might release them after I’m out of office.

(emphasis mine)

he might release them after he's out of office, because he's proud of them. his tax returns.

my brain can't take much more of this.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [74 favorites]

Time Magazine interview

The President of the United States said these things. We elected a white Camacho.
posted by Talez at 7:16 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

“Watch them start to choke like dogs,” Trump says, having fun.

I know there are many worse things to detest about this heinous individual, but the thing that really proves he has no redeeming qualities whatsoever is his bizarre contempt for dogs.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 7:16 AM on May 11, 2017 [38 favorites]

You need to watch Idiocracy again if you think Camacho was as incoherent as Trump.
posted by ryanrs at 7:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

I also like how Hope Hicks has to remind him about his "can't release the tax returns because audit" bullshit.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:18 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Unless Trump is ready to throw a billion dollars down the tubes

Well, I have it on good authority that the internet is in fact comprised of same.
posted by Mayor West at 7:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

PenDevil: Gonna be a lot of pissed off three year olds who can't watch 6 hours of stored Peppa Pig cartoons on dads Macbook on that Atlantic crossing, and they're going to let everyone around them hear about it.

Not funny, I'm traveling with a five year old to India via Dubai this summery. Try 15 hours.

Tablets are your friend. This is why we have two tablets in our house.

Until tablets also get banned, because someone realizes it's the size of the device, not the specific device.

Then, all books must be opened and leafed through; all devices must have an "easy open" feature to allow a quick visual assessment, in addition to the usual "turn on and operate as intended" request that has been in place since Palm Pilots were semi-common (late 1990s, from my experience at a US airport); all liquids tested for explosive contents; all shoes must be flat or transparent, with no potential for secret compartment.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:20 AM on May 11, 2017

his bizarre contempt for dogs

When he says dog, he means "bitch". Makes a lot more horrible sense that way.
posted by R a c h e l at 7:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

I really do think he's degraded cognitively since January.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

It sounded bad to me. Digital. They have digital. What is digital? And it’s very complicated, you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out. And I said–and now they want to buy more aircraft carriers. I said what system are you going to be–"Sir, we’re staying with digital." I said no you’re not. You going to goddamned steam, the digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it’s no good.

Confirmation that Trump sees himself as the dude at the end of this clip
posted by theodolite at 7:21 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Isn't there a condition where the person's memory stops working so they compulsively make shit up to fill in the blanks? That's how I read the 'pump prime' remark.
posted by glasseyes at 7:23 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

I really do think he's degraded cognitively since January.

Yeah a man who has to have four minders in a room to do an interview AND STILL FAILS is not well.
posted by winna at 7:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

I really do think he's degraded cognitively since January.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:20 AM on May 11 [+] [!]

This is your rational brain's desperate attempt to rationalize the irrational.

He's a morally deficient liar. That's all.
posted by INFJ at 7:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

compulsively make shit up to fill in the blanks

yes, it's called confabulation and it's … wait for it … a symptom of many types of dementia.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [42 favorites]

Vox: Experts on authoritarianism are absolutely terrified by the Comey firing

But there's hope:

Now is a good time to take a deep breath and note that this crisis, however it shakes out, is not likely to collapse American democracy all by itself.

“I don't think we've crossed any bright lines distinguishing authoritarian systems from democratic ones,” Jay Ulfelder, a political scientist who studies the rise and fall of democracies, tells me.

The issue, instead, is the precedent that this sets for the Trump administration. If Trump’s firing of the man who’s investigating him successfully neuters the FBI and slows down its investigation of the Trump-Russia ties, that’s one less check on his power going forward. If he gets a clear message that the checks on him when he grabs for power are pliable, how far will he end up pushing the envelope?

That makes the reaction to this moment absolutely vital. What will the other people in the government with power to check the president do in response?

In this respect, the United States is in much better shape than the other countries that have fallen from democracy to authoritarianism. America has one of the longest-running democracies on earth, which means its institutions have had a lot of time to build up strength and popular legitimacy. It also has a vibrant civil society — meaning press and social movements — that can mobilize opposition outside of the state.

All of these actors really are checking the president. Multiple courts have blocked Trump’s most egregious overreach, the Muslim ban. Journalists are doing a lot of deeply critical reporting on the Russia scandal and other parts of the Trump administration; it’s very likely that, were it not for the Washington Post publicly exposing his lies, Michael Flynn would still be national security adviser. And since the election, there’s been a wave of activism and protest unlike anything since the 1960s.

We're not out of danger, but we're not helpless either.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

He's a morally deficient liar and in clear cognitive decline. Porque no los dos?
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [38 favorites]

Is there such a criminal offence as Accessory to Treason, or is it just more Treason? Trying to work out what seemingly the whole Republican top echelon are guilty of here.
posted by Grangousier at 7:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Because clear cognitive decline allows for some forgiveness for his actions and words.

I'm not forgiving anything.
posted by INFJ at 7:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

Just a map of the electoral college to be hung in the White House

This is normal right? Also notice it's the distorted county level map that Republicans love to post on Facebook.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

A lot of serial killers have very specific brain damage that affects their behavior. You don't have to forgive them.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Light Treason.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

Just a map of the electoral college to be hung in the White House

[real, disgusting]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Actual question: is there a corollary population weight-adjusted electoral map anywhere? I'd like to see that one. (eg, the higher population in a region, the larger its representation on the map).
posted by Tevin at 7:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Just a map of the electoral college to be hung in the White House

Just a modern take on the enemies list.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

It sounded bad to me. Digital. They have digital. What is digital? And it’s very complicated, you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out.

Trump is my dad. This does not give me hope.
posted by drezdn at 7:31 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Isn't there a condition where the person's memory stops working so they compulsively make shit up to fill in the blanks? That's how I read the 'pump prime' remark.

This is a significant symptom of dementia. My FIL, when he was still speaking, would substitute words and phrases. My FIL also had some narcissistic tendencies, so we think that his urge to not be seen as declining or not knowing what he was talking about was incredibly strong. He was really good at fooling us into believing he had a lot more cognitive faculties than he actually did until he just couldn't fake it at all anymore. That urge to not cop to faults or failing makes a demented narcissist really hard to manage, let me tell you.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [54 favorites]

Is there such a criminal offence as Accessory to Treason

Obstruction of justice and money laundering can trigger RICO.
posted by ryanrs at 7:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Here are some election maps including maps of that type.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Mister Fabulous: When Comey refused, Trump and his aides considered that an act of insubordination and it was one of the catalysts to Trump’s decision this week to fire the FBI director, the officials said.

There's been some effort to distance Comey's firing from the Saturday Night Massacre, for example, comments from Alberto Gonzales, former attorney general under George W. Bush:

GREENE: You are comparing this - I don't mean to interrupt you. Forgive me. But you're comparing this to the so-called Saturday Night Massacre when Nixon...

GONZALES: I - no, I'm not. I'm not - interestingly, I saw John Dean, who was the White House counsel and actually served prison time in connection with the cover-up. And he said this is not even close to Watergate. So I'm not going to - he would know. And I'm not going to suggest that it is close. But obviously, it shakes confidence. And there are a lot of unanswered questions here. Again, I think the timing is something. If in fact there's a reason for why now, I think the White House needs to come out very, very quickly and give an explanation as to why now.

Let's reflect on the Saturday Night Massacre: U.S. President Richard Nixon's orders to fire independent special prosecutor Archibald Cox led to the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus, because they weren't "loyal" enough to follow his orders.

No, Gonzales, it's not close to that event, because there are enough loyalists to back the President. Otherwise, it's exactly like that, because Trump wanted to get rid of a high-ranking individual who wouldn't comply with his requests, just like Nixon:

When Cox issued a subpoena to Nixon, asking for copies of taped conversations recorded in the Oval Office, the president refused to comply. On Friday, October 19, 1973, Nixon offered what was later known as the Stennis Compromise—asking the infamously hard-of-hearing Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi to review and summarize the tapes for the special prosecutor's office. Cox refused the compromise that same evening and it was believed that there would be a short rest in the legal maneuvering while government offices were closed for the weekend.

However, the following day (Saturday) Nixon ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire Cox. Richardson refused and resigned in protest. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox. Ruckelshaus also refused and resigned – and the Saturday Night Massacre was complete.

In summary: the difference between the Saturday Night Massacre and Comey's firing is that Trump has enough support that people didn't resign. And that support comes from people who are already involved in Trump's dealings (Jeff Sessions Recused Himself From Russia Inquiry But Was Working On Firing James Comey Anyway, as summarized by HuffPo).

So, this makes the situation worse than Nixon's actions, because the corruption reaches farther.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:35 AM on May 11, 2017 [56 favorites]

And it’s very complicated, you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out.

I honestly don't mind dumb. But incurious, to the level of "I don't understand it, so no one can understand it"... that's a fucking crime.
posted by Etrigan at 7:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [46 favorites]

Nixon Library Tweet That Trolled Trump Was Inappropriate, Officials Say: “As a federal government agency, the National Archives does not condone or engage in partisan or political conversations,” the statement said. “The Nixon Library and Museum posted a tweet Tuesday, May 9, that was not representative of the policies of the Library or the National Archives.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:37 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

But we're talking Alzheimer's and dementia, not sociopathy/psychopathy.

The illnesses people keep whispering he is inflicted by are the "bumbling old man can't help himself" mental illnesses. You would never, for example, prosecute and imprison an Alzheimer's patient for punching another person in confused rage. (or really in any case where 'not guilty by reason of insanity' is a valid defense)

No, this is not bumbling. This is a man who is full tilt a selfish vile conman. Trying to explain it away is only giving him excuses to continue to be so.
posted by INFJ at 7:38 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Brainy: WASHINGTON (AP) _ Senate panel subpoenas former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn for Russia-related documents.

Reminder: Michael Flynn sought a grant of immunity in exchange for his testimony, but that request was rejected by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:38 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

Krugman:

At this point we arguably do not have a legitimate president or administration. [...]

Sure, he's a bit late hopping on the "legitimacy" bandwagon that John Lewis built four months ago, but at least he's on it.

R. Feingold, 16-year member of the US Senate judiciary committee, in the Grauniad: Donald Trump acts like an illegitimate president for a reason.
posted by progosk at 7:38 AM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

I really do think he's degraded cognitively since January.

The White House aged Obama physically and Trump mentally.
posted by drezdn at 7:39 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Guys, when we focus on Trump's maybe-he's-mentally-deficient-maybe-he's-not behavior, we look just like the birthers did eight years ago. It doesn't matter. He's doing horrible, evil, criminal shit. It absolutely does not matter one little bit if it's because he's senile, or because he's an evil megalomaniacal fuck. You can't impeach him for dementia, and the current cabinet will never 25th-Amendment him, so it's moot and it alienates potential allies.
posted by Mayor West at 7:41 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

No, this is not bumbling. This is a man who is full tilt a selfish vile conman.

In all seriousness, it's both.

Which makes it all the more frightening.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:41 AM on May 11, 2017 [28 favorites]

No, this is not bumbling. This is a man who is full tilt a selfish vile conman. Trying to explain it away is only giving him excuses to continue to be so.

I think holding him accountable is totally separate from the fact that he's obviously declining. Ignoring the fact that he IS bumbling and he IS confabulating and he IS lost and confused and irrational as well as an evil conman is hiding our head in the sand. He is culpable as well as suffering from what is likely some form of dementia, which is even more dangerous than pure malice.
posted by lydhre at 7:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [44 favorites]

I honestly don't mind dumb. But incurious, to the level of "I don't understand it, so no one can understand it"... that's a fucking crime.

It's literally magnets.
posted by Artw at 7:46 AM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

It's literally magnets.

And I don't wanna talk to a scientist. CNN is lying and FAKE NEWS!
posted by Talez at 7:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

WaPo: The White House explanations for Comey’s firing are crumbling before our eyes

Either Trump lost confidence in Comey months ago, or he still had it last week. The White House can't have it both ways. And that's about as good a microcosm of this whole mess as there is.
posted by zakur at 7:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

Inspired by the "prime the pump" thing, I like to imagine Trump staffers trying to get Trump to take credit for other classic sayings and idioms, with the winners being the ones that make it into print.

Look for the following in the future:
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"- Donald Trump
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take" - Donald Trump
"I am become Death, destroyer of worlds." -Donald Trump
posted by drezdn at 7:48 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

No, this is not bumbling. This is a man who is full tilt a selfish vile conman. Trying to explain it away is only giving him excuses to continue to be so.

Por que no lo dos?
posted by dinty_moore at 7:48 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

It's literally magnets.

How do they work?
posted by drezdn at 7:49 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

i don't know if he's got dementia or he's just an idiot, but his words are not the words of someone who has a functional rational facility. plenty of idiots have committed or facilitated great evil (c.f. Ronald Reagan) and their idiocy doesn't exonerate them.

i just find it terrifying that the president of the united states can't think coherently, and he's not afraid to prove this by opening his fool mouth.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:49 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Because clear cognitive decline allows for some forgiveness for his actions and words.

I don't forgive venal, bigoted, vicious monsters because they've gotten ill. For me his obvious illness makes it scarier for the rest of us.

I doubt anything at all could ever make me sorry for him or his associates. He could get Fournier’s gangrene (the speculative cause of King Herod's death) and I'd calmly eat cupcakes in celebration.

do not google Fournier’s gangrene if you have a sensitive stomach.
posted by winna at 7:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Por que no lo dos?

También, Trump es loco.
posted by Talez at 7:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

It's a little bit dementia and a little bit the ramblings of a guy who's never actually had to answer for or take responsibility for what he says. His entire work/family bubble is built around him being the boss and what he says is law.
posted by cmfletcher at 7:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Rust Moranis: I really do think he's degraded cognitively since January.

I keep a link to the 07/29 Denver rally handy aat, mostly for people surprised they're getting their face eaten. Long story short: fucker was always just that fucked up.
posted by klarck at 7:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

In the words of conservative icon (as well as another cranky, irrational old coot who should follow his own advice) Clint Eastwood: "A man's got to know his limitations." But that requires a speck of self-awareness, and Trump has none.
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

The Economist trolled Trump on his word choice and he didn't notice.

E: It sounds like you’re imagining a pretty big renegotiation of NAFTA. What would a fair NAFTA look like?
T: Big isn’t a good enough word. Massive.

E: Huge?
T: It’s got to be. It’s got to be.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [53 favorites]

Trump would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy – the sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament.
posted by guiseroom at 7:55 AM on May 11, 2017 [39 favorites]

How do they work?

Accordingly a set of very well know highly tested practical principles, though as with all things if you dig down far enough you get a set of near philosophical questions.
posted by Artw at 7:55 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

That's my point, though. People (maybe not us here at MetaFilter, but I'm talking Republicans and the that 38% of so of Americans who currently approve of him) won't hold him accountable if you try to explain away his actions via a decrease in cognitive ability.

Even if he is. Even if it's scary. Nothing is going to come of it in any meaningful way. It's certainly not going to get him impeached. If people were going to judge him for the words he says (and/or how he says them), he never would have been elected.

It's going to be, at best, a foot note in history: 'medical tests show that the 45th president had [symptoms consistent with dementia] which might explain some of his odd speaking patterns during his time in office'
posted by INFJ at 7:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yes. My description of my FIL is not to excuse Trump's actions. He can still be a malignant narcissist with dementia. That doesn't make him exempt from having to answer for those actions, however, I will say, as he declines further, there will be less of a moral and ethical route to hold him accountable, so those who can should really get on that ASAP.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Accordingly a set of very well know highly tested practical principles, though as with all things if you dig down far enough you get a set of near philosophical questions.

According to Wikipedia, everything comes back to philosophy eventually.
posted by Talez at 7:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

For those who are saying this is dementia or some other progressive degenerative condition -- there is no evidence that he was ever not like this. He's always been a guy who just keeps talking until something lands. Listen to his old Howard Stern appearances -- the entire conversations, not just the lines that get plucked out because they made headlines. He talks as much as anyone will let him, circling a point that he sees someone reacting to, hammering on the point once he's found it, and visibly spending every nonspeaking moment thinking of what he's going to say next rather than listening. The man is an idiot who thinks he has a natural facility for 90 percent of things and dismisses the other 10 percent. You can see it in his schooling, in his business career, in his entertainment career, and in his political career. There's no pill for idiot.
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

Man, when Clint Eastwood shuffles off the mortal coil it's going to be rough, because on the one hand a bunch of films I love, on the other he's a fucking Nazi now and his corspse should be thrown in a ditch.
posted by Artw at 7:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

Trolling aside, that NAFTA question is infuriating. "What does a fair NAFTA look like" is asked repeatedly and he's got no clue beyond "huge":

It sounds like you’re imagining a pretty big renegotiation of NAFTA. What would a fair NAFTA look like?
Big isn’t a good enough word. Massive.

Huge?
It’s got to be. It’s got to be.

What would it look like? What would a fair NAFTA look like?
No, it’s gotta be. Otherwise we're terminating NAFTA.

What would a fair NAFTA look like?
I was all set to terminate, you know? And this wasn’t like…this wasn’t a game I was playing. I’m not playing…you know, I wasn’t playing chess or poker or anything else. This was, I was, I’d never even thought about…it’s always the best when you really feel this way. But I was…I had no thought of anything else, and these two guys will tell you, I had no thought of anything else but termination. But because of my relationship with both of them, I said, I would like to give that a try too, that’s fine. I mean, out of respect for them. It would’ve been very disrespectful to Mexico and Canada had I said, “I will not.”
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [18 favorites]

But anyway, Trump could get everything he needs to know about magnets from a guy who repairs vaccuum cleaners, Albert Einstein is not required. And the rest is Newtonian physics, which, well...
posted by Artw at 8:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

there is no evidence that he was ever not like this.

The man was never bright, or a deep thinker, and he was never not a vile narcissist blowhard, but he could speak in complete sentences rather than incomprehensible wordsalad.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [40 favorites]

Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick" Some time in the early 1990's, the "Weekly World News" ran a cover that said the rapture had already happened in the 1980's and that we were all left in hell. I sincerely wish I had purchased this issue, because it has stuck with me all these years, and I have not been able to find it cited online. (Did I hallucinate that? Did that issue only appear in the Bearenstein Bears timeline? I don't know.)

Biblical Rapture already taken place ... on May 11, 1945 (WWN, Jan 5, 1999) - via Google Books scan.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:01 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

Etrigan: there is no evidence that he was ever not like this. He's always been a guy who just keeps talking until something lands. Listen to his old Howard Stern appearances -- the entire conversations, not just the lines that get plucked out because they made headlines.

I did, and the differences are striking. He used to finish his sentences. He used to use a lot more different words, and more precise words as well. Hearing a 40-something Trump speak convinced me that present day Trump is not well.
posted by Too-Ticky at 8:01 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

What would a fair NAFTA look like?

One where the US needs to pony up $100 worth of goods to get $100 instead of a few cents to the BEP. But you don't want to know how badly that would fuck up the US economy.
posted by Talez at 8:02 AM on May 11, 2017

No, this is not bumbling. This is a man who is full tilt a selfish vile conman.

In all seriousness, it's both.

idk, what with the mainstream press merely transcribing whatever comes out of his mouth, it really should no longer be about Trump and whether or not he is a demented clown (spoiler: yes). It should be about those around him, his posse in the White House, and those in the Republican-controlled Congress and Senate who are enabling him and propping up his legitimacy.
posted by moody cow at 8:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

That would mean admiting they are all evil cowards.
posted by Artw at 8:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'm actually less troubled by Trump's clear cognitive and personality disorders and more by the many, many people who looked directly at him, heard his weird gobbledygook verbal diarrhea for interminable months every time they turned the TV on, and were like, sure, sounds legit, this is a perfectly capable human being who is just like me!

AND most of all the people around him right this very second who have a very clear, p-close view of how unfit this man is for this position and are like suuuuuure let's ride this tiger all the way to the top wheeeee!!!
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [117 favorites]

Mirriam-Webster trolling Trump again this morning on priming the pump.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

Interesting thing I noticed earlier this week. As we all know, the National Enquirer is run by a good friend of Trump, and their stories often reflect this friendship. They recently had a cover about what a terrible person Bill O'Reilly was.
posted by drezdn at 8:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Guy's, it's time for some theory of mind
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

In non-Trump dementia related news, I was dubious about it for a while, but assuming they aren't selling my info to the DNC, ResistBot seems pretty easy and painless to use.
posted by corb at 8:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

What the fuck. Why are Democrats like Amy Kloboschar signing on to Mike Lee's suggestion of Merrick Garland for the FBI? It's a trap you goddamn morons. Obama and Harry Reid blew up the filibuster to regain Democratic control of the critical D.C. Circuit, and you want to throw that away again?
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

Anyone else reminded of the new season of Fargo?

I'm not fully caught up, but those Trump Boys remind me of the young brothers from season one.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

What the fuck. Why are Democrats like Amy Kloboschar signing on to Mike Lee's suggestion of Merrick Garland for the FBI?

I think she's trolling Lee here.
posted by diogenes at 8:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Merrick Garland would be better for the FBI than literally anyone Trump could name.

Of course, the same also applies to a host of people, including nearly everyone in this thread.
posted by corb at 8:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [28 favorites]

This was, I was, I’d never even thought about…it’s always the best when you really feel this way

Well said Donald, well said.
posted by diogenes at 8:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

How Trumpcare Turns Back the Clock on Disability Rights: Cuts would also affect therapeutic options for children in special education. “I don’t know that most people understand that school districts get about $4 billion a year in Medicaid reimbursement for a variety of services to kids with disabilities,” says Curt Decker, the executive director of the National Disability Rights Network. “And what’s amazing is that it has nothing to do with health care or with premiums or anything that they say they’re trying to fix.”
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

Also, he clearly doesn't understand the VAT and why he gets a refund.

Would you consider a VAT for the United States?
Well the concept of VAT I really like. But let me give you the bad news. I don’t think it can be sold in this country because we’re used to an income tax, we’re used to a…people are used to this tax, whether they like it or don't like, they’re used to this tax. I fully understand because I have a lot of property in the UK. And it’s, sort of, not a bad tax. And every time I pay it, they end up sending it back to me. In fact, my accountant is always saying…

posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 8:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

“Watch them start to choke like dogs,” Trump says, having fun.

I know there are many worse things to detest about this heinous individual, but the thing that really proves he has no redeeming qualities whatsoever is his bizarre contempt for dogs.

One of the things that seems to have gone unnoticed from the Access Hollywood tape is that he means "like a bitch" but probably just started substituting when he was on tv more and more. Back when he could make those cognitive choices.
posted by Brainy at 8:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

corb: From Duffelblog (a fairly popular military humor site), we have Trump Appoints French Immigrant Vladimiere Poutin new FBI Director.

Surely they're confused: he picked Chet Americanman
posted by filthy light thief at 8:18 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

A lifetime seat for another federalist society grim reaper like Gorsuch so Trump could fire Garland after a week.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:18 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Guy's, it's time for some theory of mind

Reading the replies to that tweetstorm is weird for me. I don't understand how people think this is mind-blowing? Have you observed this person for more than like 5 minutes? It's blindingly clear. It's been clear for years, and as his dementia ramps up he's stopped even trying to hide it. (I think at one point in his life he understood that the rest of us like plausible justifications for actions lest we think we're dealing with a crazy person, and we kind of frown on people who can't deal with any adversity, but that's all out the window now.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Guy's, it's time for some theory of mind

This is also a consistent explanation for JMM/Scalzi's Trump's Razor.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Guy's, it's time for some theory of mind

Reading the replies to that tweetstorm is weird for me. I don't understand how people think this is mind-blowing?

I agree that it's obvious he's this way, but I think it tells you the strength of the human impetus to assign rationality that so many people have had trouble figuring it out by themselves.
posted by chris24 at 8:28 AM on May 11, 2017

Ultimate irony: was raised by people who value rationality above all other things, grew into an adult that assumes absolute irrationality in everyone until proven otherwise.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Guy's, it's time for some theory of mind

I was mildly annoyed by his comparison of Trump to a goldfish. Goldfish are rather social fish, capable of learning, and have memories much longer than the mythical "three seconds". Quite frankly, the comparison is insulting to goldfish.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 8:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

Interesting thing I noticed earlier this week. As we all know, the National Enquirer is run by a good friend of Trump, and their stories often reflect this friendship. They recently had a cover about what a terrible person Bill O'Reilly was.

Duuuude. I was just at the market, thinking the exact same thing.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:33 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

From cjelli's comment on the Time piece:

But they say sir, we’re ready to go. I said where? They had some people in a certain country, Yemen, where they had them [surveilled] and they needed the go ahead to kill, to kill them.

But in other words they wanted the right to go. So they’re telling me this. And this happened for two or three weeks, four weeks. And they keep coming to me, at weird times too. I don’t care about that.

And they’re in parts of the world that most people have never even heard about. They were in cities that nobody every heard about or towns. And in some cases they’re ISIS or al-Qaeda. And so they say sir, we have a situation we’d like to be able to go and they tell me what.

From the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio scripts, when our heroes track down the true ruler of the universe hidden in an isolated shack:

ZARNIWOOP: No. Listen. People come to you, yes?

MAN: I think so.

ZARNIWOOP: And they ask you to make decisions—about wars, about economies, about people, about everything going on out there in the Universe?

MAN: I only decide about my Universe. My Universe is what happens to my eyes and ears. Anything else is surmise and hearsay. For all I know, these people may not exist. You may not exist. I say what it occurs to me to say.

ZARNIWOOP: But don't you see? What you decide affects the fate of millions of people.

MAN: I don't know them, I've never met them. They only exist in words I think I hear. The men who come say to me, say, so and so wants to declare what we call a war. These are the facts, what do you think? And I say.

posted by mikepop at 8:33 AM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

Well the concept of VAT I really like. But let me give you the bad news. I don’t think it can be sold in this country because we’re used to an income tax, we’re used to a…people are used to this tax, whether they like it or don't like, they’re used to this tax.

I... don't think that's actually true? Most of the US has state and/or local sales taxes; taxation at point of sale might not be a popular concept but it's certainly not an unfamiliar one.

(This feels like another "rich man doesn't know how much milk costs" thing; Trump's not terribly aware of sales taxes because he has staff to do his shopping for him.)
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 8:34 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Guys this senate hearing is getting into it. McCabe is suggesting the request for additional resources for the Russia investigation probably wasn't made.
posted by prefpara at 8:37 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

"Sir, we’re staying with digital." I said no you’re not. You going to goddamned steam

my guy looks like he advocating the use of steam power on battleships
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:40 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

Sen King (I) asks how many agents are assigned to the Russia investigation. McCabe (acting director) ducks. It seems to me that the senators are trying to confirm the investigation has not been kneecapped, but they can't get comfort.
posted by prefpara at 8:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Russia Misled White House About Oval Office Photographer

Here's a fun game -- look at the photo, and see if you can spot the mark.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:44 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

Sen Lankford (R) is feeding him softballs. McCabe is happy to confirm that they have all the resources they need and will continue to investigate. It's all pretty vague. I am unsettled.
posted by prefpara at 8:46 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

If Comey was requesting more prosecutors, rather than budget or agents, suggests they're far enough along to take it to the courts, grand jurys, subpoenas, indictments. And further suggests the stonewalling was from the DOJ side, not FBI. That's Sessions and Rosenstein.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Duuuude. I was just at the market, thinking the exact same thing.

Me too. My initial guess is O'Reilly must have dirt on Trump that they're trying to preemptively discredit.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 8:49 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Trump’s commission should investigate alien abductions, not voter fraud. There’s as much survey evidence for both
posted by zombieflanders at 8:49 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

Man that hearing was all over the place. I gave up.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:00 AM on May 11, 2017

The concluding paragraph of a Josh Marshall piece titled "The Wraithing of Rod Rosenstein":

I cannot figure why Rosenstein took part in this. I don’t know enough about him to attempt any analysis of his personality. All I know is that he did. And that, whatever his motivations and however it matches or mismatches with his career to this point, his public reputation is deservedly obliterated. There’s something dark and sick at the center of the Trump World because I don’t think anyone can really deny the pattern I’m taking note of here, even though I describe it in fulsome and lavish language: everybody who gets close gets damaged, usually badly. And the heart of that darkness is Trump himself, a lumbering vortex of need and rage, a black hole. The only question is why people keep going, mainly of their own free volition into his reach.

It is a good question. My suspicion is that with the FBI nomination, for example, we may see examples of people knowing enough to stay the hell away. Or maybe not. Ambition is a good explanation for why all these people think they can jump into the sty with Trump and not emerge smelling like pigshit.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 9:01 AM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

Talking of vacuum cleaners I'm now wondering if "digital" means someone tried to explain to him that the electromagnets turn on and off in sequence and compared it to the "digital motor" in a Dyson vacuum cleaner.
posted by Artw at 9:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Kamala Harris is up. Consider tuning back in.
posted by prefpara at 9:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

I feel very dirty saying something that could be viewed as defending any of the President's folks, but when you work the for an Executive Branch agency (which I do) you're told from Day 1 that the answer to any questions from Congress about whether or not you have the resources to do your job is, "Yes." The President requests in his budget the resources they've determined you need to carry out your mission, and it's not your job to contradict the President. I don't know if that's what's on McCabe's mind or not, but it would certainly be on mine.
posted by wintermind at 9:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

"Talking of vacuum cleaners I'm now wondering if 'digital' means someone tried to explain to him that the electromagnets turn on and off in sequence and compared it to the 'digital motor' in a Dyson vacuum cleaner."

Nah, I think that Trump heard "electromagnetic" as "electronic" and then further transmogrified that to "digital", because he's unbelievably ignorant.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 9:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

The only question is why people keep going, mainly of their own free volition into his reach.

I was just asking myself this on my walk to the loo. These are all people who could quit their jobs tomorrow and be fine. I mean, not like instantly a-okay-as-if-nothing-happened but they are well-educated, well-connected people with impressive resumes. They would all land on their feet just fine. Even invertebrates like Spicy--these aren't dead-enders.

What are they getting out of this? All I can figure is just naked power. Working in the US government is lucrative but it's not like British Royal Family lucrative. It's not any more lucrative than working at a white shoe law firm or a "boutique PR firm". And, like, again, how much power and in what ways are they experiencing this power that is so intoxicating?

I really wish we could just fastforward a decade and get to the tell-alls and biographies.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

It's fun to imagine the Russian photographer having Trump stand near stuff the Russians want pictures of.

Amidst all the cameras and recording gear, what are the odds of them leaving behind some captured American surveillance gear for Trump to "find" a week later and declare as proof that Obama tappped him?
posted by CyberSlug Labs at 9:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has requested to meet with the Senate Intelligence Committee, including committee chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and vice-chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.), sources told POLITICO.

Note: Burr and Warner just left the McCabe hearing a few mins ago saying they had an unexpected meeting - must be this!
posted by melissasaurus at 9:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

tappped

I see what you did there.
posted by stopgap at 9:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

look at the photo, and see if you can spot the mark

That feeling in the junior high cafeteria when everyone is laughing and you're not...
posted by yhbc at 9:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Amidst all the cameras and recording gear, what are the odds of them leaving behind some captured American surveillance gear for Trump to "find" a week later and declare as proof that Obama tappped him?

Or maybe one that's never meant to be found.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has requested to meet with the Senate Intelligence Committee, including committee chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and vice-chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.), sources told POLITICO.

Notifying them of his intent to name an independent special counsel, I hope.

I mean, honestly, it's his best play, if only for purely selfish reasons. Trump already threw him under the bus and damaged his credibility without a moment's hesitation.

The only folks who came out of the Nixon debacle looking good were Eliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus
posted by leotrotsky at 9:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Telling them to chill out and let Trump off the hook more like.
posted by Artw at 9:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Amidst all the cameras and recording gear, what are the odds of them leaving behind some captured American surveillance gear for Trump to "find" a week later and declare as proof that Obama tappped him?

They could get Geraldo Riviera to do the reveal.
posted by Talez at 9:16 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Mother Jones: Republicans Who Backed Trumpcare Aren't Holding Town Halls. So Democrats Are Going in Their Place.

"The Resistance is using a new form of trolling."

Heh.

Maloney's stunt may indeed mark the beginning of a trend. On Tuesday evening, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) followed suit, appearing at a Tucson high school for a "Rally to Stop Trumpcare" in a district represented by one of its supporters, Republican Martha McSally. Unlike Maloney's event, which he attended as part of his official duties, Gallego's town hall was sponsored by the Arizona Democratic Party and more closely resembled a campaign function. McSally, who was not seriously opposed in 2016, is one of 14 Republican "yes" votes in districts won by Hillary Clinton.

Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan has planned a town hall in House Speaker Paul Ryan's district. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and a rising star in the party who was (briefly) floated as a 2020 presidential candidate, has also expressed interest in adopting a district, although he would have to travel a bit further to find one; there are no Republican congressional districts in southern New England. A group in Yolo County, California, has launched a campaign to get local Democratic Rep. John Garamendi to hold a town hall in a neighboring district represented by Republican Tom McClintock, a supporter of the bill. Organizers even included a sample call script to help constituents lobby Garamendi.

posted by ZeusHumms at 9:16 AM on May 11, 2017 [46 favorites]

Come on, Rosenstein. It's blaze of glory time! You can do it! Be a hero and then take your position at a nice estates law firm somewhere warm.

(Honestly every insider I've heard interviewed has been shocked at his behavior over the Comey firing, saying that this is all quite out of character for him and they knew him to be a straight-shooting career civil servant.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

The only way this would be better is if the sitting Democratic congressperson co-hosted the event with the MIA Republican congressperson's expected general election challenger.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

It's a problem with all Trump apointees: Anyone actually qualified and competent who doesn't want to spend their time enacting the whims of a petulant child emperor is going to stay the hell away, leaving only evil opportunists and dreck.

We just need more veterans. Tell them it's their duty to the nation and they will do it forever. Eventually the cabinet will look like a junta, but our governance will be astonishingly better.
posted by corb at 9:19 AM on May 11, 2017

Honestly every insider I've heard interviewed has been shocked at his behavior over the Comey firing, saying that this is all quite out of character for him and they knew him to be a straight-shooting career civil servant.

I mean, would it be out of character for Trump and Sessions to have lied and misled him?

For example: "We just want DOJ's legal opinion on file for (future reference/ encourage better behavior going forward/ some other bullshit). AG Sessions would write it, but he's recused himself. Believe me."
posted by leotrotsky at 9:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

It sounds like they definitely did lie and mislead him, or at least lied to everyone else about his role in the affair.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

McCain and Flynn are both veterans?
posted by Artw at 9:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Trump is going to hang this electoral result map in the West Wing

I prefer this map that shows the popular vote

Or this one that shows share of the popular vote

But to each his own I guess
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

"The Resistance is using a new form of trolling."

This is great, but I think the one thing that could make it better is having possible Democratic candidates for the absent Republican's seat show up in their stead.
posted by dinty_moore at 9:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

McCabe is happy to confirm that they have all the resources they need and will continue to investigate. It's all pretty vague. I am unsettled.

Note that at the very moment that Trump's bodyguard was delivering the letter of Comey's firing because he was not compliant enough, his deputy McCabe was meeting with Trump in the White House. The fact that McCabe emerged from that meeting with his job intact indicates that a deal was made.
posted by JackFlash at 9:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

"Notifying them of his intent to name an independent special counsel, I hope."

I think this is more likely than we might otherwise expect. It's about the only thing he could do that might slightly salvage his reputation, Trump would look terrible firing him over it, and also he could imply to Trump that somehow Rosenstein's appointment of an SP would be better for Trump than otherwise. Trump might think that Rosenstein could control the SP and so feel secure even as the wolves gather. If I were Rosenstein, that's what I'd do, all the while insinuating to Trump that I'm his guy.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 9:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Note that at the very moment that Trump's bodyguard was delivering the letter of Comey's firing because he was not compliant enough, his deputy McCabe was meeting with Trump in the White House. The fact that McCable emerged from that meeting with his job intact indicates that a deal was made.

Not necessarily. Trump's dumb and easily spun. If I'm McCabe I make vague reassuring and compliant noises without committing to anything and then I get back to work. Particularly if I know how far the investigation's already progressed. McCabe knows a lot more than Trump does at this point.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

"Notifying them of his intent to name an independent special counsel, I hope."

Notifying them that the FBI is shutting down the Russia investigation and suggesting the Senate does the same, I expect.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:27 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

hail-hydra.com.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:27 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Dana Boente is apparently also there with Rosenstien meeting with Warner and Burr.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Metafilter : "we’re staying with digital. No you’re not. You going to goddamned steam."
posted by The_Auditor at 9:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

This is great, but I think the one thing that could make it better is having possible Democratic candidates for the absent Republican's seat show up in their stead.

This would be great next year, Dems should remember his tactic. It's too early now, very few races, if any really, have declared challengers. Primary campaigns won't really get off the ground until March 2018 for the earliest ones.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

If I were Rosenstein, that's what I'd do, all the while insinuating to Trump that I'm his guy.

There is no insinuation. Rosenstein is Trump's guy. He was complicit in Comey's firing.
posted by JackFlash at 9:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Eventually the cabinet will look like a junta, but our governance will be astonishingly better.

Catchphrase.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

if Rosenstein is indeed naming an independent counsel, it'd be a nice win for the failing NY Times, given that's just what its "open letter" to him called for this morning. (Previously posted, worth a reminder, I think)

But I imagine that (caving to the NYT) would make Trump go absolutely ballistic, so maybe not.
posted by martin q blank at 9:31 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

McCain and Flynn are both veterans?

As are Zinke and Perry, while the current head of the VA isn't a veteran yet received a unanimous 100-0 confirmation vote. Veterans are citizens just like the rest of us, with no extra special guarantees in terms of moral or ethical quality or consistency.
posted by zombieflanders at 9:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [30 favorites]

Veterans are citizens just like the rest of us, with no extra special guarantees in terms of moral or ethical quality or consistency.

I was speaking specifically about their ability to stay in shitty, thankless, often abusive situations, as I assume Trump's administration to be. I'm not suggesting every veteran is a moral exemplar.
posted by corb at 9:40 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

corb: "We just need more veterans. Tell them it's their duty to the nation and they will do it forever. Eventually the cabinet will look like a junta, but our governance will be astonishingly better."

I hear a certain general with national security experience is unemployed! Seriously, how can you still believe the military is the best and brightest when you have at least 50 years of massive evidence to the contrary?
posted by TypographicalError at 9:44 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

We just need more veterans. Tell them it's their duty to the nation and they will do it forever. Eventually the cabinet will look like a junta, but our governance will be astonishingly better.

I hear Gen. Mike Flynn is looking for a job
posted by beerperson at 9:44 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Veterans are already vastly over represented in all aspects of federal service. An automatic 10pt hiring preference does that over time.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:48 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

SERVICE GUARANTEES CITIZENSHIP! WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
posted by entropicamericana at 9:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

TPM's Alice Ollstein reporting: Acting FBI Head Refutes WH Claim That Comey Lost Support Within The Bureau

“That is not accurate,” the two-decade FBI veteran said in response to a question from Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) about whether rank-and-file agents no longer supported Comey.

“Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day,” he elaborated. “We are a large organization, we are 36,500 people across this country, across this globe. We have a diversity of opinions about many things. But I can confidently tell you that the majority, the vast majority of FBI employees, enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey.”

The White House's story is crumbling further. Some sinister is at the center of this enormous mess, and we must keep hammering away at the shell. Keep calling; keep writing; keep on keeping on. We owe it ourselves and the generations that follow.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

The Lester Holt interview with Trump is starting to drop. Trump announced that he was going to fire Comey even before he met with the AG and Deputy AG: "I was going to fire regardless of recommendation"

He also said he asked Comey if he was under investigation and Comey said "no."

This is so unbelievably inappropriate. He also has no clue how unbelievably inappropriate this all is.
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

Previews of the Lester Holt/Trump interview are starting to appear on Twitter and about to air on NBC. Apparently, Trump calls James Comey a "showboat" and a "grandstander." Says he was going to fire him regardless of DAG recommendation.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:57 AM on May 11, 2017

he's really compromised due to some financial deals he did which -- oh my! -- turn out to have been structured to avoid a reporting requirement. In other words, classic money laundering.

I've been thinking the same thing. There's already a good reason for Russian to mess with the election -- they didn't want Hillary messing with Syria and with their oil deals. There's no need for a quid pro quo with Trump (though it doesn't rule it out, either.)

OTOH, now that Trump is elected, why continue to hide his tax returns? Even if they show he didn't pay much, that's not an impeachable offense and he can just say, "That we me being smart. Now, we need to fix the tax code." But the tax returns could really be the key to show he's been using his real estate empire to launder money, just as he did in India.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 9:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Daniel Dale:Lester Holt breaking: Trump says he'd decided to fire Comey before he met with Rosenstein and Comey, contradicting the official explanation.

Trump on Comey: "He's a showboat, he's a grandstander." (The principled policy explanation is totally out the window.)

Trump: "Regardless of (the) recommendation, I was going to fire Comey."

This is regular for Trump but astonishing. Trump formally attributed the firing to the DOJ recommendation. Now says it didn't matter.

Trump says he directly asked Comey to tell him whether he is under investigation, says Comey told him "you are not."
posted by sporkwort at 9:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

Just a map of the electoral college to be hung in the White House

If that map makes him feel better he can hang it somewhere private and jerk off to it all he wants. But it has no place in the public or working areas of the White House that all Americans except him pay for.

Of course he lost the popular vote by 3 million and his electoral margin was 46th out of 58. But dirt loves him!
posted by kirkaracha at 9:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

Trump says he directly asked Comey to tell him whether he is under investigation, says Comey told him "you are not."

This needs some formatting mark-up. Let me try:

You are not. Every single person around you and that you employ is.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

You guys following this AP story as it updates?

12:15 p.m.

The chairman and senior Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee have abruptly left a hearing on world threats to meet with Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein.
...
11:51 a.m.

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe disagrees with the White House suggestion that it’s a low priority of the FBI to investigate Russian interference in the election and potential Trump campaign collusion.
...
11:50 a.m.

President Donald Trump says ousted FBI Director James Comey told him three times that he was not under investigation, but the acting FBI director is telling Congress that’s not standard practice.
...
11:35 a.m.

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe is contradicting the White House claim that fired director James Comey had lost the support of rank-and-file members of the bureau.
...
11:30 a.m.

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe has agreed to refrain from updating the White House about an investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election.

posted by OnceUponATime at 10:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [45 favorites]

“Watch them start to choke like dogs,” Trump says, having fun.

I know there are many worse things to detest about this heinous individual, but the thing that really proves he has no redeeming qualities whatsoever is his bizarre contempt for dogs.

"Bad Things That Happen to Dogs, According to Donald Trump" (New York Magazine, March 18, 2016)
posted by dhens at 10:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

The Holt interview is going to make doing the right thing just that much easier for Rosenstein, isn't it?
posted by klarck at 10:02 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Thank god, now Steve Inskeep et al don't have to treat the Hillary Emails cover story like it's something adults believe
posted by theodolite at 10:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

So the acting director of the FBI has just said the WH lied. Trump has just backed him up.

Where do you go from there?
posted by Devonian at 10:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

I think Sessions and Stone knew they needed to hamper the investigation as much as they could and pushed for Comey to be fired. I do honestly believe that Trump fired him because he got mad at what he said about feeling nauseous for influencing the election in Trump's favor, and Sessions jumped on it. I think Trump honestly doesn't know what he's done and how deeply involved his campaign was with the Russians. I also think he's up to his neck in illicit financial dealings, but in a strange way he's proud of them - shows he's smart (from the interview with Hope Hicks). He's being told he can't release his tax returns, but he wants to.
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Where do you go from there?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but in font size nine billion
posted by theodolite at 10:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [51 favorites]

I think Trump honestly doesn't know what he's done and how deeply involved his campaign was with the Russians.

I don't for a second believe this.
posted by archimago at 10:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [44 favorites]

Trump says he directly asked Comey to tell him whether he is under investigation, says Comey told him "you are not."

Or, given 45's predilection for hearing what he wants to hear, it could have been something like Comey saying "you are not supposed to be asking that."

Yeah, I'm not sure what to make of this. Like, fuck Comey and all, but I can't quite believe that he'd actually say this. I trust Comey's professionalism orders of magnitude more than I trust Trump's recounting of literally any conversation, which is probably damning with faint praise, but still.
posted by yasaman at 10:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

99 percent of Hurricane Matthew aid requested by NC denied by Trump administration

I've been saying since the election that people in blue states need to get their emergency shit together--and for longer than the usually-suggested three days--because Twitler will gladly screw over any blue state in a disaster.

I was wrong. Turns out he's happy to screw states that voted for him, too.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [65 favorites]

White House: Trump fired Comey because of the recommendation of the AG and Deputy AG after careful review
8 billion anonymous sources: Nope. He was going to do it anyway
White House: No. He totally did it because of the Deputy AG's review
Deputy AG: I'll quit if you keep saying that
White House: Well, maybe we'll admit Trump was considering it beforehand
Trump himself: aw hell, I was totally going to fire him anyway
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 AM on May 11, 2017 [68 favorites]

"He's a showboat, he's a grandstander."

Trump's Mirror?
posted by chaoticgood at 10:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

> "Watch them start to choke like dogs"

Frank Underwood literally chokes a dog on House of Cards.
posted by guiseroom at 10:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Developing: FBI confirms agents are executing a search warrant at the office of GOP Fundraiser/Consulting firm in Annapolis [tweet from Baltimore reporter Jayne Miller]
posted by melissasaurus at 10:13 AM on May 11, 2017 [82 favorites]

Or, given 45's predilection for hearing what he wants to hear, it could have been something like Comey saying "you are not supposed to be asking that."

Yes, it's pretty easy to imagine Comey equivocating an answer to cover his ass. Like, 'if you were under investigation I wouldn't be able to tell you about it" - and the dingbat focused on taking the "if" as a "no."
posted by dnash at 10:13 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

I was wrong. Turns out he's happy to screw states that voted for him, too.

Trump has no loyalty to the people who voted for him. He's only loyal to those who fills his coffers, no matter where they hail from.
posted by INFJ at 10:13 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

I also think he's up to his neck in illicit financial dealings, but in a strange way he's proud of them - shows he's smart (from the interview with Hope Hicks). He's being told he can't release his tax returns, but he wants to.

My god, it's like Sideshow Bob proudly admitting to electoral fraud in that one Simpsons episode.
posted by Servo5678 at 10:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

I feel like undermining your underlings explanations for your bad acts might be a misstep.
posted by diogenes at 10:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

The fact that Trump has lost the plot and has no idea what is happening or how anything works might be working to our advantage here.
posted by diogenes at 10:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Here's the video of the Lester Holt clip

I like how he says he knew he wasn't under investigation, not just because Comey told him, but because "when you're under investigation, you're giving all sorts of documents and everything." This guy has been under investigation so many times, he's an expert on it!
posted by zachlipton at 10:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

So the acting director of the FBI has just said the WH lied. Trump has just backed him up.

Where do you go from there?

If you're a Republican, you go as nowhere as possible.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

As soon as Trump blew him a kiss and said, "He's become more famous than me," Comey was toast; it was just a matter of time. That is a capital sin in Trump's world.
posted by Superplin at 10:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [23 favorites]

If anyone ever again says 'run the government like a business' they should be immediately buried under a mountain of filth.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO THAT.
posted by winna at 10:16 AM on May 11, 2017 [104 favorites]

So NIxon was brought down (in part) because he taped EVERYTHING and kept the tapes (apart from a few whoopsie! missing minutes here or there).

Trump just needs a reporter standing there with a recording device so that he can turn toward them, like a shitflower opening itself to sunshine, so that he can confabulate, lie, preen, indulge in ghastly metaphors, and compromise himself to an extent that may actually get him canned if the GOP ever deigns to pay attention.

Guys, I don't think we need to worry about how sharp the interviewers are. They're just there to hold the recording device and offer us all video, audio or a transcript.
posted by maudlin at 10:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [18 favorites]

This guy has been under investigation so many times, he's an expert on it!

Unfortunately for him, he failed to appreciate that a counterintelligence investigation works differently.
posted by diogenes at 10:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

(not all businesses are morally corrupt pieces of shit, are they?)
posted by INFJ at 10:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

(not all businesses are morally corrupt pieces of shit, are they?)

ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
posted by Talez at 10:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

He also [transcript] makes a distinction between him being under investigation and the campaign or anything else being under investigation.

We all laughed when Sanders and Conway tried to claim that Trump-the-candidate and Trump-the-President are different people. I mean, most politicians don't intentionally defend themselves by claiming to be two-faced and that their campaigns were a bunch of lies. But it makes a ton of sense in this context. It's still laughable, but if they think the investigation could turn up something dirty about the campaign, they're desperately trying to separate the present from the past and pretend they're completely separate things.
posted by zachlipton at 10:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Why do they keep sending Mike Pence out to lie?

This is from way upthread, but my theory on this is that back in July, Mike Pence made some speech to Trump along the lines of "I will be your vice president, but I must tell you that I am a man of utmost integrity and honor, and I believe to bear false witness is the gravest of all sins blah blah" and Trump just thinks it's funny to torture him
posted by theodolite at 10:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

Isn't there a WH press conference that's supposed to happen in 10 minutes? If so, it oughta be...interesting.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

In the Holt interview he says that he knew he wasn't under investigation because "I heard it was stated at some committee..."
posted by diogenes at 10:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is part of the reason Trump is never in the White House the taping system?
posted by charred husk at 10:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

(not all businesses are morally corrupt pieces of shit, are they?)

Businesses aren't responsible for the wellbeing of all of their employees in the same way that the government should be responsible for their citizens. Businesses don't normally have offensive and defensive military apparatus. If a business fails there is still an underlying rule of law in the area.

But otherwise yes Talez's answer is also correct.
posted by winna at 10:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

(not all businesses are morally corrupt pieces of shit, are they?)

It's their legal duty to shareholders!
posted by Artw at 10:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

So Rosenstein told Warner/Burr he would consider naming a special counsel. IOW, nothing's changed.

WORDS MEAN NOTHING WITHOUT ACTION
posted by Gaz Errant at 10:22 AM on May 11, 2017 [18 favorites]

Isn't there a WH press conference that's supposed to happen in 10 minutes? If so, it oughta be...interesting.

If they cancel it, I hope one of the cable networks fills the time by having their field reporter stalk from shrub to shrub on the White House lawn, trying in vain to track down where Spicey has hidden.
posted by Mayor West at 10:23 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

We all laughed when Sanders and Conway tried to claim that Trump-the-candidate and Trump-the-President are different people.

It's especially ridiculous because they've already filed the paperwork for his 2020 campaign and have been raising and spending money and holding campaign events.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:23 AM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

Yes, it's pretty easy to imagine Comey equivocating an answer to cover his ass. Like, 'if you were under investigation I wouldn't be able to tell you about it" - and the dingbat focused on taking the "if" as a "no."

There is precedent for exactly that. Back in April:

TRUMP: Elijah Cummings was in my office and he said, “You will go down as one of the great presidents in the history of our country.”

What Representative Elijah Cummings actually said: "he could be a great president if … if … he takes steps to truly represent all Americans rather than continuing on the divisive and harmful path he is currently on.”
posted by JackFlash at 10:23 AM on May 11, 2017 [28 favorites]

I think Trump honestly doesn't know what he's done and how deeply involved his campaign was with the Russians.

I don't for a second believe this.

Which second though?

The best explanation I have seen is that Trump has the mind of goldfish. All working memory and no long term memory. If something new comes up in that 30 second window everything before is out the window.

He has the perfect twitterbrain.
posted by srboisvert at 10:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is part of the reason Trump is never in the White House the taping system?

The TiVo at Mar-a-Lago is probably much nicer.
posted by AndrewInDC at 10:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Pence said Trump fired Comey because of the Deputy AG's recommendation seven times in one press conference yesterday. Trump just threw him well under the bus.

Also, some color from the Time interview:

The waiters know well Trump’s personal preferences. As he settles down, they bring him a Diet Coke, while the rest of us are served water, with the Vice President sitting at one end of the table. With the salad course, Trump is served what appears to be Thousand Island dressing instead of the creamy vinaigrette for his guests. When the chicken arrives, he is the only one given an extra dish of sauce. At the dessert course, he gets two scoops of vanilla ice cream with his chocolate cream pie, instead of the single scoop for everyone else. The tastes of Pence are also tended to. Instead of the pie, he gets a fruit plate.

He also brags about the phones yet again. His telephone obsession is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen:

The current President has taken a different tack, inviting staff up regularly for meetings; hosting dinners for old friends, staff and supporters; giving tours; calling foreign leaders from Lincoln’s old desk in the Treaty Room, where he will also stay late into the night doing work with his longtime personal aide and bodyguard Keith Schiller. “The phone system is so amazing here,” Trump confides as he enters the space. “This one phone, it splits the words”—a reference to scrambling technology meant to disrupt eavesdropping.

posted by zachlipton at 10:27 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

If anyone ever again says 'run the government like a business' they should be immediately buried under a mountain of filth.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO THAT.

I disagree. This is what happens when anything is run like a Trump property.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

but if they think the investigation could turn up something dirty about the campaign, they're desperately trying to separate the present from the past and pretend they're completely separate things.

Yeah, the thing that leaped out from the unofficial Republican apologists yesterday is they were trying to describe the corruption that probably happened as "history" and the Fox anchors made some noises about it being time to get over it. Desperate attempts to roll carpet over the dirt. I thought about suggesting a drinking game, but those of us who didn't harden our livers in Soviet spy camp would be dead if we took shots that often.
posted by puddledork at 10:29 AM on May 11, 2017

Yeah, I've worked for a lot of businesses and I have never seen any place run with this level of incompetence. Even the worst ones, with high turnover and pissed off employees. The mood inside that White House has got to be utterly depressing. Surely people will start quitting soon.
posted by something something at 10:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

@cmarinucci: [House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy]: In Washington, "we serve at the pleasure" of the president.."if we lose the confidence,'' then we can lose our jobs
posted by zombieflanders at 10:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

> Trump is going to hang this electoral result map in the West Wing

I bet he puts it on the ceiling above his bed.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:30 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

His telephone obsession is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen.

Maybe he inherited that from Roy Cohn.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 10:31 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Remember, these are the same people who think that PBS is indoctrinating our children to commit atrocities like "working together" and "sharing."
posted by zombieflanders at 10:33 AM on May 11, 2017 [61 favorites]

> Surely people will start quitting soon.

If and when they do we'll be able to add that to the "JUST LIKE ROB FORD" pile, too.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:34 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yeah, I've worked for a lot of businesses and I have never seen any place run with this level of incompetence. Even the worst ones, with high turnover and pissed off employees.

I agree this is sort of a perfect storm but I still stand by the statement. Government is not a business. The stakes are so much higher and what we're suffering through right now shows why.

If we worked at a company for the Donald we could probably go work somewhere else and he most certainly couldn't inadvertently get us immolated in a nuclear exchange.
posted by winna at 10:34 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

> Remember, these are the same people who think that PBS is indoctrinating our children to commit atrocities like "working together" and "sharing."

Also cookie monstrosity.
posted by guiseroom at 10:34 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

@cmarinucci: [House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy]: In Washington, "we serve at the pleasure" of the president.."if we lose the confidence,'' then we can lose our jobs

No you don't, jackass. You serve at the pleasure of your constituents. For fuck sake, elected Republicans, Presidents--even yours--aren't goddamned kings, shocking as that may be to you irritating, authoritarian, shit-witted little twerps.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 10:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [71 favorites]

Yeah, I've worked for a lot of businesses and I have never seen any place run with this level of incompetence.

I worked for a cokehead once who used to breeze through every couple of months and introduce himself to everyone, no matter how long we had worked there.

And that place was WAY better-run than this White House.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [23 favorites]

@cmarinucci: [House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy]: In Washington, "we serve at the pleasure" of the president.."if we lose the confidence,'' then we can lose our jobs

This tweet is kind of misleading, in my opinion. I was in the room. The context was clearly that he was talking about Comey. He was trying to say, in halting broken sentence fragments, that the FBI Director serves at the pleasure and can be fired if he loses the President's confidence. I don't think in any way did he mean that he thought Congress serves at the President's pleasure.

He is, however, still quite swarmy, has no problem with Comey being fired, and wants to take away millions of people's healthcare.
posted by zachlipton at 10:37 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

Playing the what if game here. What if the reports from Annapolis point to a larger RICO investigation involving Russia, 45, and the GOP? I have been mulling it over in my mind and cannot think of any reason other than party before country that so many would be willing to tarnish their legacies backing the administration. Is there any provisions if an entire ruling party is implicated other than revolution? Who impeaches the impeachers?
posted by extraheavymarcellus at 10:38 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

White House Daily Briefing

They'll be sending out Huckabee Sanders again.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:39 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

AND most of all the people around him right this very second who have a very clear, p-close view of how unfit this man is for this position and are like suuuuuure let's ride this tiger all the way to the top wheeeee!!!

These people swore to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, not the president. It was wrong for Woodrow Wilson's incapacity to be concealed, it was wrong for Reagan's, and if Trump is actually mentally unfit, it is wrong to protect him.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:40 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

White House Daily Briefing

I don't want to watch. I can't not watch.
posted by diogenes at 10:40 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

> Is there any provisions if an entire ruling party is implicated other than revolution? Who impeaches the impeachers?

please cease this kind of fantasizing immediately what it does to my body is unbecoming for the place of business where i am currently located
posted by Tevin at 10:41 AM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Still waiting on that "why should we believe a goddamn word you say?" opening question
posted by theodolite at 10:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

> you irritating, authoritarian, shit-witted little twerps.

I said this before about a million threads ago during the run-up to the election, but one of the darkly comic things about Trump's rise has been watching all the Tough Guys in the Tough Guy Party happily sit, roll over and fetch for him.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Jason Wilson, Guardian: Burst Your Bubble: What conservative writers are saying about James Comey's firing

The scandals have come so thick and fast that they have almost begun to cancel each other out – each new one obliterates the memory of the last. Like everyone else, most of the right is now debating the James Comey firing. Some agree with progressives that it stinks to high heaven, others will say and do anything to defend Trump, and others still see it as an opportunity to direct even more domestic surveillance and harassment at Muslims.

Few are seeing it as many liberals do: the last straw for this administration.

posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

What if the reports from Annapolis point to a larger RICO investigation involving Russia, 45, and the GOP?

Yeah - not sure if anything will come from this specific search, but I think the money laundering issue runs deep within the GOP. They've all been to the fundraisers and shook hands with people and took their money and not all of them know the source of that money - a lot of them are probably scared that their campaign finances are also Russian-source.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:42 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

Russia Misled White House About Oval Office Photographer

Here's a fun game -- look at the photo, and see if you can spot the mark

yhbc: That feeling in the junior high cafeteria when everyone is laughing and you're not...

Or you're meeting with foreign dignitaries and you don't speak their language, but you're not wearing your earpiece to get a translation, so you smile and nod along. (Yeah, that was Trump, back in Feb. 2017 when meeting with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister.)
posted by filthy light thief at 10:43 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

if they think the investigation could turn up something dirty about the campaign, they're desperately trying to separate the present from the past and pretend they're completely separate things.

That's how Derek Parfit skips on his bar tabs.

(Hmm, I've brought up Parfit twice in politics threads of late. Well, this administration doesn't much seem to believe in a transcendental self, which is why they seem willing to say or do whatever works best in the moment.)
posted by jackbishop at 10:43 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

SHS opens with the exact same joke as yesterday. We're off to the races
posted by theodolite at 10:46 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Playing the what if game here. What if the reports from Annapolis point to a larger RICO investigation involving Russia, 45, and the GOP? I have been mulling it over in my mind and cannot think of any reason other than party before country that so many would be willing to tarnish their legacies backing the administration. Is there any provisions if an entire ruling party is implicated other than revolution? Who impeaches the impeachers?

The reporter just tweeted that the investigation in question is being run out of FBI HQ.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:48 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

They rolled out an extremely tall shirt model to mumble about cyber. Sanders promises she'll be back in a jiff
posted by theodolite at 10:48 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Trump has signed an EO about cyber security, tall shirt model mentioned by Theodolite is suggesting that this is to update the entire government system to the cloud and to consolidate all the IT for the government. (condolidate is my word. I'm trying to, badly, summarize what he's saying)
posted by INFJ at 10:50 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

He's also very fond of saying three things. (it's a phrase he's used about four times now)
posted by INFJ at 10:51 AM on May 11, 2017

I want someone to ask Donald Trump about "The Cloud."
posted by drezdn at 10:51 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

What could possibly go wrong by storing all government documents on a techbro's servers?
posted by Yowser at 10:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [28 favorites]

I'm sure Russia has some lovely server farms.
posted by Artw at 10:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

the cloud (as mentioned by TSM (Tall shirt model)) is "shared secure service" but still has risk.

This isn't because of Russian hacking but For the USA!
posted by INFJ at 10:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Trump has signed an EO about cyber security, tall shirt model mentioned by Theodolite is suggesting that this is to update the entire government system to the cloud and to consolidate all the IT for the government.

As someone who has been doing exactly this for roughly five years for a single office in a small operating division of a single Cabinet-level Department...

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*takes deep breath*AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
posted by zombieflanders at 10:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [96 favorites]

I don't want to watch. I can't not watch.

What I think every day since the election.
posted by emjaybee at 10:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

I want someone to ask Donald Trump about "The Cloud."

You can go digital, but I think he'll prefer steam.
posted by nubs at 10:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

It's OK, though, you can still spin up a private email server in an AWS instance.
posted by Devonian at 10:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

You can go digital, but I think he'll prefer steam.

I read this as stream and thought it was a pee tape joke.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:58 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

I also think he just said that that the government is massively underpaying their IT people, lol.
posted by INFJ at 10:58 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Pence said Trump fired Comey because of the Deputy AG's recommendation seven times in one press conference yesterday. Trump just threw him well under the bus.

How often do you think Pence tries to get together with Ryan and McConnell to tell them, "Okay, seriously guys: How much longer do I have to put up with this?"

Then again, the problem with that premise was evident from his first joint interview he did with Twitler. I couldn't believe any self-respecting adult of Pence's stature could sit there and take that bullshit without giving Twitler the finger and walking out. But here we are.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:58 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

The tall man is now thanking Rudy Giuliani for all his advice on cybersecurity. WTF?
posted by zachlipton at 10:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

He's also very fond of saying three things. (it's a phrase he's used about four times now)

A tall guy who will tell us three things?

Things are starting to make a bit more sense now.
posted by sporkwort at 10:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

"We're massively underpaying our IT people, so we're firing them all and outsourcing to a company" (fake)
posted by Yowser at 10:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

We're moving all the government's digital files to "the cloud" two days after the FBI chief investigating Russian influence is fired and one day after the President meets with two top Russian diplomats in the Oval Office?
posted by yhbc at 11:00 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

Considering Trump's need for little power plays, I won't be shocked if him making Pence look like a chump isn't another power move.
posted by drezdn at 11:01 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Playing the what if game here. What if the reports from Annapolis point to a larger RICO investigation involving Russia, 45, and the GOP?

I'm kinda wondering the opposite. Do we know anything about this particular office/firm yet? What if this is something entirely localized like state races or whatever and we're all getting excited over nothing?

please don't tell me it's really nothing please don't tell me it's really nothing please don't tell me it's really nothing
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Not entirely sure that pence isn't some form of shop store mannequin given eldritch life.
posted by Artw at 11:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

> He also brags about the phones yet again. His telephone obsession is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen

One of the things that Slacktivist observes in his close read of LaHaye and Jenkins's Left Behind series is that they are obsessed with telephones, just totally willing to stop the action at any time to give a long description of how the super-sekrit spy phones the characters use — descriptions that, like trumps description of his encrypted line, are both unnecessarily detailed and also totally inaccurate. Is an obsession with telephone technology a thing among idiot men of trumps age? Like, maybe pre-digital spy phones are the last piece of communications high technology that they feel like they can genuinely understand, and so they get hung up on how cool they are?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [23 favorites]

And now she just tweeted that the firm being raided is known for its innovative internet communications.

I do believe it is on.
posted by Ironmouth at 11:03 AM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

TSM has left. Huckabee Sanders is back. (she keeps making snarky comments about all the questions the press surely has)
posted by INFJ at 11:04 AM on May 11, 2017

"your PRESSING questions". Seriously? what the heck. Are we not even allowed to think this is a big deal?
posted by H. Roark at 11:04 AM on May 11, 2017

That's the second time that Huckabee has referred to their "pressing" questions with a heavy sneer.
posted by diogenes at 11:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Mother Jones: Republicans Who Backed Trumpcare Aren't Holding Town Halls. So Democrats Are Going in Their Place. "The Resistance is using a new form of trolling."

dinty_moore: This is great, but I think the one thing that could make it better is having possible Democratic candidates for the absent Republican's seat show up in their stead.

T.D. Strange: This would be great next year, Dems should remember his tactic. It's too early now, very few races, if any really, have declared challengers. Primary campaigns won't really get off the ground until March 2018 for the earliest ones.

Yeah, everyone ... except the current president.

melissasaurus: they've already filed the paperwork for [Trump's] 2020 campaign and have been raising and spending money and holding campaign events.

And a number of people have declared their intent to run for various Governorships (Wikipedia page on United States gubernatorial elections, 2018; there are similar pages for US Senate elections and House of Reps).

~~Winter~~ November 6, 2018 is coming.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:04 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

The tall man is now thanking Rudy Giuliani for all his advice on cybersecurity. WTF?

Guiliani owns a cybersecurity company that appears to be nothing more than a slick, yet insecure as hell website.
posted by Strange Interlude at 11:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

I try to keep an open mind but I seriously doubt Sarah Huckabee Sanders' claim that today is ALSO her daughter's birthday
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

I like how he says he knew he wasn't under investigation, not just because Comey told him, but because "when you're under investigation, you're giving all sorts of documents and everything."

It's like that job interview question where 'Has anyone approached you to do something illegal and you refused?' Saying yes, meaning that you refused, is the wrong answer. The right answer is no, meaning that no-one has ever approached you to do something illegal, that no-one took you for being that kind of person.

Donald thinks it's a great sign that he's not under investigation. It's not.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:05 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Pence said Trump fired Comey because of the Deputy AG's recommendation seven times in one press conference yesterday. Trump just threw him well under the bus.

Alternately, The President showed that he's been keeping Pence out of the loop and thus helped to increase his credibility if the impeachment charges come. That might not have been his intent, but it's certainly another consequence.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Do we know anything about this particular office/firm yet?

No name yet but she just tweeted "Annapolis firm targeted by FBI touted for pioneering the use of technology in political campaigns. Represents GOP candidates nationwide."
posted by martin q blank at 11:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

> How often do you think Pence tries to get together with Ryan and McConnell to tell them, "Okay, seriously guys: How much longer do I have to put up with this?"

Right now Pence and Ryan are absolutely positively maneuvering to be president, and if this were fictional rather than real I would love to read a novel written from the perspective of the staffers in the respective camps. There's some House of Cards times the West Wing raised to the power of Veep shit going on between those guys right now.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

@ddale8:

News: Trump has signed an order launching his voter fraud commission, turning his big lie into an official government initiative.

Trump has named Kris Kobach, hard-line Republican crusader against the minuscule problem of voter fraud, as vice-chair of the commission.Kris

Kobach, vice-chair of the voter fraud commission, claimed Trump's lie about 3 million illegal immigant voters was "absolutely correct."

posted by zombieflanders at 11:06 AM on May 11, 2017 [36 favorites]

How often do you think Pence tries to get together with Ryan and McConnell to tell them, "Okay, seriously guys: How much longer do I have to put up with this?"

From all reports, they (and virtually every other Republican, even of the creepy womb-inspecting mother-fetishizing variety) like Pence only slightly more than they like Ted Cruz.
posted by Etrigan at 11:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Playing the what if game here. What if the reports from Annapolis point to a larger RICO investigation involving Russia, 45, and the GOP?

I'm kinda wondering the opposite. Do we know anything about this particular office/firm yet? What if this is something entirely localized like state races or whatever and we're all getting excited over nothing?

please don't tell me it's really nothing please don't tell me it's really nothing please don't tell me it's really nothing

It is a national firm. It might be Strategic Campaigns Group.
posted by Ironmouth at 11:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Huckabee Sanders is re-reading the timeline of the Comey firing now, same as she did yesterday, as if the reporters were stupid.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:07 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

I'm pinning my hopes on a government agency that maintains a public trust because of the work of J. Fucking Edgar Hoover and I somehow have a new least-favorite Huckabee (dog murder notwithstanding). This dark fucking timeline still continues to surprise me.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Did Huckabee not hear Trump's interview with Holt?
posted by diogenes at 11:08 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Right-wing media right now (riff on the "This is fine" meme)
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 11:10 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

I like how he says he knew he wasn't under investigation, not just because Comey told him

It's against the law for you to lie to the FBI. It's not against the law for them to lie to you.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

zachlipton: "At the dessert course, he gets two scoops of vanilla ice cream with his chocolate cream pie, instead of the single scoop for everyone else."

I'm not sure I'd be able to pull it off but I wish I would have the stone-cold pettiness to say to the server as they set down my dessert to say: "Sorry to be a bother but I believe there's been a mistake. I was supposed to get three scoops of ice cream. Could you send this back please? Thanks."
posted by mhum at 11:11 AM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

Is there any provisions if an entire ruling party is implicated other than revolution? Who impeaches the impeachers?

If it's proven that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the election, then impeachment is an inadequate remedy. The courts need to overturn the election and install Clinton and Kaine, reverse all appointments including Gorsuch's, and roll back all EOs. It is the only fair outcome and will preserve our democracy.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Huckabee Sanders just listed a bunch of comments from Democrats about Comey's announcement to reopen the investigation on Hillary's Emails. Basically calling them Hypocrites.

I want to ask these people if Democrats are not allow to change our minds.
posted by INFJ at 11:12 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

"Okay, seriously guys: How much longer do I have to put up with this?"

I've been wondering for a while if Pence will be gone before midsummer. He's a dangerous jackass, but I don't think he's actually their particular flavor of dangerous jackass, and I have to wonder (if we accept that he's truly as devout as he says he is) how much the constant lying weighs on him. (And maybe the answer to that is "not at all"). Still, Trump needed a VP in order to run. He doesn't technically need to keep the VP spot filled once he's in office, does he? Or, if he thought he was going to be impeached, could he force Pence to resign and then fill the slot with someone more amiable?
posted by anastasiav at 11:13 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I guess this is a good a time as any to remind people that PACs affiliated with Republicans, including Paul Ryan, extensively used hacks of House Democrats in the 2016 campaign.
posted by zombieflanders at 11:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [27 favorites]

I should say that I'm not getting my hopes up that Trump will be brought down by the law, but I wouldn't be shocked if it turns out that much of the party was tapped into something completely illegal.

In Wisconsin politics a few years ago, James O'Keefe filmed a leading Wisconsin politician talking about collaborating with a PAC on some issue, something that was illegal. The Republican politician didn't run for office again. The thing that brought him down on the tape though, was something it turns out Scott Walker has been doing since at least 2010. Seemingly the only reason the right would try to bring down fellow Republican Mike Ellis was because Ellis wasn't in favor of expanding the school voucher program.

Walker got off on his illegal activities because the State Supreme Court is extremely Republican. We wouldn't even know about the crimes he committed if it weren't for a leak to the Guardian (which is actively being investigated, just like Trump wants them to find the FBI leakers).
posted by drezdn at 11:14 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Single tweet, total speculation: hmmm this is a firm based in annapolis that has done work for NRSC and other GOP candidates: http://www.onmessageinc.com

Interesting. Client list includes:

25 Republican congressmen
5 Republican Senators
6 Republican governors
4 Republican Lt. Governors
1 Republican Attorney General.
posted by chris24 at 11:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

At least Spicer's every word isn't dripping with condescension and disdain.
posted by diogenes at 11:15 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

>>> Still, Trump needed a VP in order to run. He doesn't technically need to keep the VP spot filled once he's in office, does he?

The Vice President is named as part of the Executive in Article Two of the Constitution, so the existence of the office is, technically, a requirement by my understanding.
posted by AndrewInDC at 11:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Or, if he thought he was going to be impeached, could he force Pence to resign and then fill the slot with someone more amiable?

The Vice President is elected by the electoral college, and Trump has no ability to fire him. There's no possibility of Pence leaving the position unless he's implicated in some kind of personal scandal. There's no question he's eager to become President, and this is his route to achieving that.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:17 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

At least Spicer's every word isn't dripping with condescension and disdain.

True, but on the other hand at least Sanders' words aren't literally dripping with sweat and spittle!
posted by OverlappingElvis at 11:17 AM on May 11, 2017

April Ryan destroying Huckbaee Sanders makes me so happy.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

Basic SHS response: who you gonna believe, me or the evidence of your lyin' eyes?
posted by Devonian at 11:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Okay. While we're all putting in requests: my birthday came and went (it was Earth Day, so at least I got a nice protest out of it) but it's Mother's Day on Sunday. So how about they drop the Mother Of All Reveals (MOAR plz) on us and start frogmarching some of these assholes?

Go FBI, go!
posted by lydhre at 11:19 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Single tweet, total speculation: hmmm this is a firm based in annapolis that has done work for NRSC and other GOP candidates: http://www.onmessageinc.com

Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) hears that it's http://www.strategiccampaigngroup.com
posted by Kabanos at 11:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Single tweet, total speculation: hmmm this is a firm based in annapolis that has done work for NRSC and other GOP candidates: http://www.onmessageinc.com

People also suggesting Strategic Campaign Group (SCG). Apparently On Message answered their phones this afternoon, SCG did not.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:20 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

Or, if he thought he was going to be impeached, could he force Pence to resign and then fill the slot with someone more amiable?

It'd be tricky, I think, because Pence (and the Supreme Court seat) helped Christian voters look over 45's obvious incompatibilities with their religion. Granted there's more to it, like overall fear of people who are different, but if Pence goes away I think more people start questioning why they're supporting the president.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 11:21 AM on May 11, 2017

It's too early now, very few races, if any really, have declared challengers.

Mikie Sherrill (former Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four) just announced today that she's running against Rodney Frelinghuysen (chair of the Appropriations Committee, AHCA fanboy, and accomplished Town Hall Dodger).
posted by galaxy rise at 11:21 AM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

This entire "press conference" can be summed up in one sentence: Because he said so.
posted by Sphinx at 11:21 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

She does know there's no laugh-track right
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 11:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Huckabee Sanders just listed a bunch of comments from Democrats about Comey's announcement to reopen the investigation on Hillary's Emails. Basically calling them Hypocrites.

Or perhaps, Comey was unfit to be FBI director

AND

DJT and Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III are also not fit to be making that decision.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

Pence is about as Christian as Anton LaVey. He used to be on conservative talk radio, which ought to prove that he has no principles whatsoever, and he'd probably sell his mother's organs.
posted by Kitty Stardust at 11:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

It'd be tricky, I think, because Pence (and the Supreme Court seat) helped Christian voters look over 45's obvious incompatibilities with their religion.

These people clearly don't give a shit, so not a problem.
posted by Artw at 11:24 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

From the guy we love to hate, Claude Taylor, on the raid in Annapolis:

" Claude Taylor‏ @TrueFactsStated 21m21 minutes ago

MORE: I'm told the name of the GOP firm that was served with Warrant in Annapolis is Strategic Campaign Group. http://www.strategiccampaigngroup.com"
posted by yoga at 11:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I want to ask these people if Democrats are not allow to change our minds.

Well, Trump changed his mind on Comey. IOKIYAR, etc.
posted by notsnot at 11:25 AM on May 11, 2017

As I said on twitter the other day WRT this stupid "but dems hated Comey!" thing, it is possible for me to think both Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby were in the wrong.
posted by phearlez at 11:25 AM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

"The president stands by it, as do the rest of us."

OK. Who is the rest of us? I don't stand by it.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Is Sanders saying that Trump taking to Comey about the investigation, in violation of DOJ guidelines, is ok because that's what the legal commentators on TV said? That's how I just interpreted that.
posted by zachlipton at 11:26 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

From the Strategic Campaign Group website:

Strategic Campaign Group has helped Republican candidates run for office at every level and we would be pleased to be of service to your political campaign or organization.
posted by yoga at 11:27 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

White House Daily Briefing

They'll be sending out Huckabee Sanders again.

She's harder to watch than Spicey...
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

The WH press corps is getting better at continuing to ask the same question when the first reporter doesn't get a straight answer.
posted by joedan at 11:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

Gizmodo is following up with the Navy about the steam vs. digital thing. I pity the poor officer than had to decide between "The president is misinformed" or a weaselly "We're looking into it," which will just prolong the agony.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 11:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Re raid in Annapolis: "Just drive around and find it!"

I love the internet.
posted by Kabanos at 11:28 AM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

They’re Trapped in His Lies

Trump is like a wild fire hose whipping about violently, driven not by coils and water pressure but his own demons and rage. He will say whatever he wants at any given moment based on emotion, impulse, and his impression of tactical advantage as of that moment. This is not strategy. It’s an out of control person. But there are now large numbers of people and institutions implicated in Trump’s actions. They are on the line and along for the ride with every twist and turn.

posted by kirkaracha at 11:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Interesting. Client list includes:

And the Walton Family and the NRA and lots of other groups I probably hate too. It is very hard for me to not start foaming at the mouth.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Dave Reichert is being floated as the FBI nom. Reichert is the rep from WA-8, which is considered to be a very attractive district for a Dem pickup.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:29 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

See also, John Arterbury's tweetstream
posted by yoga at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Strategic Campaign Group's website is really quite bad and doesn't look professional at all. ("We Provide Political Campaing [sic] Consulting.") Almost like it could maybe be, I dunno, spitballing here, just a front for funneling dirty money into GOP campaigns?
posted by the turtle's teeth at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

She's harder to watch than Spicey...

Yeah, part of it's the sneering, but she's also just smoother than Spicer, which is infuriating. I don't think Spicer is coming back.
posted by diogenes at 11:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Paul Waldman: Trump’s new ‘voter fraud’ commission: A tool to help GOP win elections

Kris Kobach is perhaps America’s foremost purveyor of the myth of voter fraud, the false idea that huge numbers of people are voting illegally (especially undocumented immigrants; Kobach is also a fervent anti-immigrant crusader). He has gone on a years-long crusade to convince people that vote fraud is a gigantic problem that can only be addressed through measures that make it drastically harder for certain people to vote. Unlike other secretaries of state, Kobach has the power to prosecute people for voter fraud, and with that authority at his disposal and an absolute obsession with proving that this is a gargantuan problem, he has managed to obtain a total of 8 convictions for vote fraud. Exactly one (1) involved an undocumented immigrant.

This isn’t out of line with the evidence about voter fraud on a national basis. One comprehensive study found 31 cases of potential voter fraud in the entire country over a 14-year period during which over a billion votes were cast. Another study found 10 cases of voter impersonation in the entire country over 12 years. Republicans sweep that evidence away with a wave of the hand, and make this argument in response:
Without voter ID laws and other restrictions, it’s theoretically possible for one person to impersonate another person at the polls, even if it’s the most laughably inefficient way to steal an election.
We found this guy this one time who perpetrated that kind of impersonation.
Therefore, we need sweeping laws that make it harder for people to vote, particularly people who are poor, African-Americans, students, or others likely to vote for Democrats.
We can’t discuss this issue without acknowledging that the central pillar of the Republican vote suppression effort is making it harder for African-Americans to vote. The best you can say about it is that it’s likely motivated more by pure partisanship than by racism, but that doesn’t do much to make it less repellent. As a federal court wrote last year when striking down a law passed by Republicans in the North Carolina legislature, the provisions in the law “target African Americans with almost surgical precision.”

posted by zombieflanders at 11:32 AM on May 11, 2017 [48 favorites]

Dave Reichert caught the Green River Killer and has been riding it for ever. He's generally considered pretty awful in my circles but looking at his positions he may not actually be awful enough.
posted by Artw at 11:35 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Considering what she had to work with, I'd go so far as to call that masterful dissembling by Huckabee.
posted by diogenes at 11:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Oh, and he voted no on Trumpcare.

It's going to be Rudy.
posted by Artw at 11:36 AM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Considering what she had to work with, I'd go so far as to call that masterful dissembling by Huckabee.

I'm not sure what you are seeing that I'm not. She's a much worse liar than Sean. She just enjoys it more.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:38 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Damn, "I don't want to get into a back and forth" is pretty much the perfect headshot instakill on a question you don't want to answer
posted by theodolite at 11:38 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

ugh, Reichert. he's totally the smart choice for them to make. He looks inoffensive-ish on paper, but/and is totally inept/pliable. plus he's got experience in unnecessarily dragging out investigations through simple badness at investigating (see: the Green River Killer case that won him his congressional seat).
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:40 AM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Well, by definition, whomever gets nominated will be terrible. So, we should look at a) their *relative* terrible-ness, and b) what possible job opening it creates.

Frex, Giuliani would be incredibly bad, and he doesn't have a job right now, so that's a really bad one. Reichert is merely quite bad, and would open up a very winnable House seat.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:46 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

I pity the poor officer than had to decide between "The president is misinformed" or a weaselly "We're looking into it," which will just prolong the agony.

Well, isn't it just the Navy's luck that Commander Sean Spicer is on duty this week!
posted by bonje at 11:47 AM on May 11, 2017 [18 favorites]

I guess he comes with a NWesty Twin Peaks/X-Files serial killers-amongst-pine-trees vibe.
posted by Artw at 11:48 AM on May 11, 2017

I hate to get my hopes up but I really really hope this search warrant is the beginning of the end and that everything we see from here on out will just be further acceleration of the collapse of the house of Trump.
posted by triggerfinger at 11:49 AM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

It's going to be Rudy.

I have been very careful about being super tactical but I swear if it's Rudy they're going to find me taking a flight to DC and just drunkenly throwing shit at the White House.
posted by corb at 11:50 AM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

I don't think Giuliani would get confirmed.
posted by Justinian at 11:50 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

zombieflanders: News: Trump has signed an order launching his voter fraud commission, turning his big lie into an official government initiative.

Hey everyone, don't worry about Russia and Comey, that's old news! Look over there! *Trump throws a ball of wadded up paper with his signature*

zombieflanders: Paul Waldman: Trump’s new ‘voter fraud’ commission: A tool to help GOP win elections

Oh shit, this new distraction is totally worth attention and resistance on its own.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:51 AM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

I'm not sure what you are seeing that I'm not. She's a much worse liar than Sean. She just enjoys it more.

I was really struck by how much more self-assured she is compared to Spicy. She is a true believer and i think this shows not that she's really good, but just how bad Spicy is.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:51 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Sanders: "It was a fast-moving situation".

Uh-huh.

Why?
posted by Devonian at 11:52 AM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

I want to ask these people if Democrats are not allow to change our minds.

Well, but it's nothing to do with changing our minds, because fundamentally, this has nothing to do with our opinions of Comey himself. The issue is 45, not Comey -- specifically, the reasons that 45 fired Comey. You don't need to give a flying fuck about Comey one way or the other to be concerned about 45's authoritarian actions.
posted by holborne at 11:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

A Ton Of High Schoolers Took The Opportunity To Roast Trump In Their AP Exam Essays

Nice work, youngsters.

And since these things are mostly scored by a) computers and b) adjunct professors and high school teachers on summer break, you will all do well.
posted by soren_lorensen at 11:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [38 favorites]

> Frex, Giuliani would be incredibly bad, and he doesn't have a job right now, so that's a really bad one. Reichert is merely quite bad, and would open up a very winnable House seat.

Yeah, there's like a thousand worse people than Reichert. it's just, I grew up in Seattle, and I still feel a deep connection to / identification with the place, and because Reichert is maybe the most mediocre politician that the Seattle metropolitan area has produced (and maybe even the most mediocre person, full stop), I feel intense shame about the guy having any sort of federal executive branch job.

Like, he needs to get out Darcy Burner's congressional seat, but he does not deserve to get promoted out of that seat.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

FBI covering window at offices of Strategic Campaign Group in Annapolis..per @dcollinsWBAL
Agents executed search warrant at firm
posted by Brainy at 11:53 AM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

My money's still on Joe Arpaio.
posted by biogeo at 11:54 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

holborne, I agree with you. I'm just trying to argue the point on their level to show them how stupid their argument is.
posted by INFJ at 11:56 AM on May 11, 2017

I don't think Giuliani would get confirmed.

you kidding? Have you seen the awful shit these people will pass wothout batting an eye? They'll ram it through.
posted by Artw at 11:56 AM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Reich is in the name. Trump ought to appreciate that.
posted by Glibpaxman at 11:57 AM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Heart of the Reich.
posted by Artw at 11:59 AM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I wonder if it's possible that the FBI's net would scoop up a Trumpenkinder.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:00 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

CNN's website now has a sidebar devoted to "Non-Comey news"
posted by AndrewInDC at 12:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [26 favorites]

Telling Trump Fans He’s Betraying Them Won’t Work
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Maybe Trump would resign to save one of his children...

I just gave myself the biggest laugh of my day.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Telling Trump Fans He’s Betraying Them Won’t Work

Thank you, Captain Obvious.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Just to control expectations, I want to remind everyone that there is A LOT wrong with PACs aside from the potential for Russian money laundering and that have nothing to do with any currently elected officials. Tons and tons (and tons) of PACs are straight up apolitical scams. They collect money, pay themselves 95% of it for administrative costs, donate the other 5% to a random candidate, when they get around to it.
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

I'm not sure what you are seeing that I'm not. She's a much worse liar than Sean.

She did a nice job of making it sound like "acting on someone's recommendation" and "deciding for yourself" are basically the same thing.
posted by diogenes at 12:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Reichert is maybe the most mediocre politician that the Seattle metropolitan area has produced

You are aware they've put Don Benton in charge of the Selective Service, right?
posted by corb at 12:05 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

How the hell can Giuliani pass a background check to be FBI director? He's corrupt as hell.
posted by zachlipton at 12:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

How certain are we that this search warrant is related to Trump/Russia? Is it maybe, probably, or unlikely?
posted by diogenes at 12:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Benton is terrible. Reichert is just empty.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

But wait! Regarding the National Enquirer cover painting Bill O'Reilly as a bad guy, two weeks before, I was standing in line at the grocery store and the cover was "What Trump Doesn't Know."

The article was all about how these terrible, terrible monsters (Manafort, Page, Flynn, and Stone(?)) in the Trump campaign/presidency were all going behind the poor, pure, president's back and colluding with Russia while he was just trying to MAGA, which has always sounded to me like the noise someone makes right before their attempt at auto-erotic asphyxiation goes horribly wrong.

I saw this issue at the Kroger, with my three children and tons of other nice people in line, and grabbed it off the rack and yelled, "Oh my God, the shit's about to hit the fan, people!"

Then I felt deep, deep shame, and hated Trump all the more.
posted by staggering termagant at 12:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

soren_lorensen: "Tons and tons (and tons) of PACs are straight up apolitical scams."

In particular, Strategic Campaign Group appears to be linked to the Conservative Strikeforce PAC which is/was being investigated by the FEC for basically being one of those scams. I would lay even odds that this raid is related to that investigation.
posted by mhum at 12:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

> How the hell can Giuliani pass a background check to be FBI director? He's corrupt as hell.

9/11
posted by guiseroom at 12:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

It's his Green River Killer.
posted by Artw at 12:09 PM on May 11, 2017

Dennis Whitfield, senior advisor at @scgpolitical, has ties to BKSH & Assoc. That's a Paul Manafort company. http://strategiccampaigngroup.com/about-scg/dennis-whitfield-senior-

via
posted by yoga at 12:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

How certain are we that this search warrant is related to Trump/Russia? Is it maybe, probably, or unlikely?

I think this is mostly 'this is odd timing considering Comey's firing'

We don't know enough details one way or another if it's related or not. Only that it all seems suspicious that it's happening right now, two days after the President fired the FBI director for some pretty flimsy reasons.

I bet you we'll know more in the coming week, though.
posted by INFJ at 12:11 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I am fascinated by my temporal perception of the events of this administration. They seem to be unfolding in a strange sort of double time experience - Really fast - one thing after another leaving me feeling punch drunk and simultaneously in a sort of bullet time where you can see the events gradually rippling out from the initial event.

It feels like a really good suspense film.
posted by srboisvert at 12:11 PM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

soren_lorensen: "Tons and tons (and tons) of PACs are straight up apolitical scams."

In particular, Strategic Campaign Group appears to be linked to the Conservative Strikeforce PAC which is/was being investigated by the FEC for basically being one of those scams. I would lay even odds that this raid is related to that investigation.

Looks like it:

Conservative Majority Fund has also made hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to Strategic Campaign Group and Active Engagement — $197,072 and $105,280, respectively, in the most recent midterm cycle. Since 2010, five of Mackenzie’s six PACs have each contributed less than 5 percent of the funds they raised to candidates.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:13 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Scammers would be the perfect vehicle for any money laundering relating to Trump payments from Russia or to hackers. Its what they do.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Something something Al Capone something something taxes something
posted by Twain Device at 12:15 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

It feels like a really good suspense film.

I know what you mean. It's like those heist films where everyone's really competent and the planning is thorough, but some minor detail gets overlooked and the perps have to improvise quickly using their wits and just barely escape (or not).

When all the facts come to light, I fear it's going to be more like the Three Stooges try to steal an election, because Trump/GOP.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:15 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

It feels like a really good suspense film.

You know, I had this thought earlier today while reading this thread. I'm not sure what exactly caused me to think that, (it was right before the spicyless spicy-time) but it came with a mild sense of dread. Like, "this is a really good suspense film but OMG it's real life and it's about our government and this isn't how it's suppose to be AHHHHHHHHH"

It made me vaguely sick to my stomach so I filed the thought away as non-constructive.
posted by INFJ at 12:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Who cares as long as we know republicans are soiling their drawers that they could be implicated in something.

As long as someone makes a deal and then starts squealing like a loud, squealing thing that squeals, I'm happy. Someone needs to light the match which gets things moving. The dirt is all there, they all know it's there, it just needs to come out in the right way, and that right way is (likely) someone telling all he knows in order to save himself.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'm betting on Ivanka or Rudy as Trump's pick for FBI director. He doubtless wants Ivanka more (as FBI director I mean, but also yeah the other way too), but he'll probably settle for Rudy.

The other candidates that come to mind are former Sheriff Arpaio, or if he'd like to include the third black person he knows current Sheriff David Clarke.
posted by sotonohito at 12:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

This Baltimore Sun reporter is in Annapolis, just standing outside the firm, if you're looking for someone to follow. Looks like they've put up black plastic everywhere to prevent people from seeing inside.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

No, the thing that pisses me off about all of this is that it's a really BAD suspense film. If this were a novel or a movie, I would have thrown it away a long time ago, saying, "Oh, come on, you expect me to believe this?"

Except for the last chapter, where David Bowie and Lemmy Kilmister descend in white raiments to save us all. That part was awesome.
posted by staggering termagant at 12:22 PM on May 11, 2017 [42 favorites]

“This one phone, it splits the words...”

With steam power, I reckon. Not digitally.
posted by zakur at 12:25 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Re raid in Annapolis: "Just drive around and find it!"

I love the internet.

Delly? WALA!
posted by srboisvert at 12:25 PM on May 11, 2017

This is quite the exchange where Sanders is challenged on her bullshit about talking to "countless" FBI agents who are happy with Comey being fired.

Either she's full of it, or she's doing something highly inappropriate by talking to people from the FBI. She's so determined to defend Comey firing that she'll incriminate herself.
posted by zachlipton at 12:28 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Sean Spicer know nothing of trolling.
posted by Going To Maine at 12:31 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

The illnesses people keep whispering he is inflicted by are the "bumbling old man can't help himself" mental illnesses. You would never, for example, prosecute and imprison an Alzheimer's patient for punching another person in confused rage. (or really in any case where 'not guilty by reason of insanity' is a valid defense)

No, this is not bumbling. This is a man who is full tilt a selfish vile conman. Trying to explain it away is only giving him excuses to continue to be so.

I will paraphrase a psychiatrist I worked with: "For every mentally ill person who commits a crime, there are 10 mentally ill people who didn't. Being mentally ill doesn't excuse criminal behavior, because most mentally ill people have never committed a crime."

Sociopathy and narcissism are very closely related. Trump is a narcissist. I also firmly believe he is experiencing dementia-related cognitive decline. That doesn't mean he's not a vile, evil person. It means the people around him who realize all his faults and help cover them up and enable him are even more vile. And the people who voted for him are even more deluded and ignorant.

Just because it would be more convenient for Trump to be a comic book level of evil, doesn't mean that's the case. He obviously has a nearly delusional resistance to facts and a narcissist's level of dismissal of anyone who doesn't bend the knee to him.

He's not competent to fulfill the role of President. It will be decades most likely before we really know the exact proportions of how much that is due to personality disorders, cognitive illness, or just pure greed. The important part is GETTING RID OF HIM. And frankly the argument that he is not mentally capable is one of the best in terms of trying to accomplish that.
posted by threeturtles at 12:31 PM on May 11, 2017 [40 favorites]

It's like watching Dr. Strangelove, except Peter Sellers isn't in it. Peter Bull's role is exactly the same, and Sterling Hayes plays all the other parts, having prepared by huffing paint for several years.
posted by Don Pepino at 12:32 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

well, and i mean, your boss just fired the DIRECTOR OF YOUR BUREAU. If his lackey called/texted you up and said, "hey how do you feel about this? You're happy about it, right?" how likely are you to tell her the truth?

(also 'bureau' is a weird ass spelled word)
posted by INFJ at 12:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Well, isn't it just the Navy's luck that Commander Sean Spicer is on duty this week!

I can't really express the horror I first experienced when I realized actual Navy personnel have to salute him and call him sir and presumably some have even had him as a boss. Every time that comes up it still puts a knot in my spine.

Sean Spicer is a walking example of why rank doesn't really imply jack shit about someone's competence or integrity.

(Also, there was a note upthread about how we need more veterans in government, and from one veteran to another I'd like to offer up a counterpoint by way of two names: Sean Spicer and Tom Cotton.)
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

"WH readout of Lavrov meeting does not mention Kislyak. W/o Russian MFA photos, would not know he was there. Convos w/him got Flynn fired."

The White House does not mention that Kislyak was there yesterday. Kislyak is the guy people keep denying they spoke to until, oh yeah, there's proof but ok I talked to him but I don't remember what about except I'm sure it wasn't that thing that would get me in serious trouble if I'd talked about.
posted by dnash at 12:34 PM on May 11, 2017 [84 favorites]

Thank god for state-run Russian media, I guess.
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:36 PM on May 11, 2017 [25 favorites]

He must just be a really boring dude.
posted by Think_Long at 12:37 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

From above (Going To Maine): Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Sean Spicer know nothing of trolling. is this tweet:

Lavrov spox blasts WaPo story on Russian photog being allowed into WH. Says Post "is making our correspondents feel like Jews in 1933."
posted by stonepharisee at 12:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

This is quite the exchange where Sanders is challenged on her bullshit about talking to "countless" FBI agents who are happy with Comey being fired.

For anyone who doesn't have audio, the exchange was pretty entertaining for the sheer incredulity in the reporter's voice. But here's the transcript:

NYT's Michael Shear: - and I'm not trying to be overly combative here. But you said now today, and I think you said again yesterday, that you personally have talked to countless FBI officials - employees - since this happened.
Sanders: Correct.
Shear: I mean, uh -- really?! (talking over each other) Like, really?
Sanders: Between like e-mail, text messages, absolutely --
Sheer: -- 50?
Sanders: Yeah -
Sheer: 60, 70?
Sheer: I mean look we're not gonna get into a numbers game. I mean I have heard from a large number of individuals that work at the FBI that said that they're very happy with the President's decision. I mean I don't know what else I can say.

So, yeah. Clear she is just straight-up lying.
posted by Emily's Fist at 12:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

"Should Trump release his taxes?" is now down to a crazification-factor 26% no.
posted by zachlipton at 12:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

New Quinnipiac poll:

* 21% approval of House text of AHCA
* 30% approval of Trump tax plan
posted by Chrysostom at 12:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

"WH readout of Lavrov meeting does not mention Kislyak. W/o Russian MFA photos, would not know he was there. Convos w/him got Flynn fired."

It's not just the readout -- the WH photographer's pics were just released -- no trace of Kislyak.
posted by melissasaurus at 12:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [56 favorites]

All we know (or think we know) about Kislyak is that he lives in a basement near Harlem where he steals electricity and has wired the whole ceiling with incandescent light bulbs.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 12:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

> I mean I don't know what else I can say.

"Look...either buy this bullshit I'm selling or get out."
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Apparently a false alarm. Has to do with Ken Cuchinelli's run for VA Gov.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:42 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

It's not just the readout -- the WH photographer's pics were just released -- no trace of Kislyak.

Two of those photos are oddly-cropped. Suspiciously so.

Did... did someone digitally remove Kislyak from the photos?
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:42 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Guys, I'm pretty sure that Kislyak is actually Zandar in deep cover.
posted by Etrigan at 12:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Like a lot of people, I'm 100% fully staying away from the news except for a once-weekly check in because I feel powerless and anxious and frankly, terrified and teary.

I don't know why he's still running the country. I don't get why he hasn't been impeached.

I imagine that I feel like a lot of Germans felt as Hitler began his horrifying reign. I can SEE what terrible things our leader is doing and apparently there is LITERALLY NO WAY TO STOP THIS.

What the HOLY FUCK, America?

WHY CAN'T WE GET RID OF HIM?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 12:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

I mean look we're not gonna get into a numbers game.

Back in the quaint, calmer days of Rob Ford, someone added up all the calls RoFo claimed to have made to his constituents, assigned some token value of like thirty seconds for each call, and calculated that RoFo must be working 26 hr days in the office each and every day. It's an easy lie to challenge, White House.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Did... did someone digitally remove Kislyak from the photos?

I hope for their sake, they used steam.
posted by greermahoney at 12:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

New Quinnipiac poll:

* 21% approval of House text of AHCA

N.B.: < 27% "Crazification Factor"
posted by mikelieman at 12:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

(Presumably regarding the Annapolis raid) Apparently a false alarm. Has to do with Ken Cuchinelli's run for VA Gov.

Me.
posted by phearlez at 12:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

the reports that the raid has to do with Cuchinelli is coming from the person who owns the company being raided.

Not saying it's not true, but I don't know hoe much faith I'd put in that just yet. For me, It's still all up in the air at the moment.
posted by INFJ at 12:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Toronto also went through several rounds of "OMG THIS IS IT THE COPS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO ARREST ROB FORD RIGHT THE FUCK NOW." Spoiler; these speculations never panned out, and while the end result (his removal from the Mayor's office) was superficially positive, the way it played out was depressing and anti-climactic. Better luck to you, my American friends.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

It's not just the readout -- the WH photographer's pics were just released -- no trace of Kislyak.

Wow, just wow.
posted by diogenes at 12:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

the reports that the raid has to do with Cuchinelli is coming from the person who owns the company being raided.

Not saying it's not true, but I don't know hoe much faith I'd put in that just yet. For me, It's still all up in the air at the moment.

I later read the story. Who self-admits in this situation? Fishy.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

> Better luck to you, my American friends.

i think president trump is as likely to be removed from office by drowning on a can of coke as losing an election or undergoing impeachment
posted by Tevin at 12:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

WRT the Kisylak photos via Russian State Media, it feels like Russia got their initial objectives set but now want to prevent an autocracy from forming around Trump (which, one is doing so) by very publicly undermining him.

These photos, readouts of conversations, the Syrian airfield fiasco, and so on.
posted by Slackermagee at 12:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

"It's not just the readout -- the WH photographer's pics were just released -- no trace of Kislyak"

Get out NOW! The kompromat is coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE!
posted by klarck at 12:56 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

W choked on a pretzel.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:57 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Ambient stuff is heartbreaking. I wish I could give my kid a world with the stability of my childhood, where sure there was a lot of violence, but at least I knew the country wouldn't burn.

posted by corb

I get the sentiment here (and I'm really late to respond, but even working part-time on it I can't stay current on these threads), but I think I come down on the other side.

I'd much rather my kids grew up knowing that you, in general, cannot and should not trust your elected officials farther than you can throw them, rather than, as I did, in a miasma of pro-US-ism until world events finally tear the wool off.
posted by TheProfessor at 12:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

I can't believe they released readouts and photos with Kisylak removed AFTER we'd all seen the Russian pictures with Kisylak in them.
posted by diogenes at 12:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

I dunno. Say what you like about Russia Donny, but at least they are competent. Putin and Lavrov are a formidable team, and they're matched with a clown car on the American side, spewing forth stooges like Spicer and Nunes honking horns and squirting water.
posted by stonepharisee at 12:59 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Weird flashbacks for me. I used to live and work in Annapolis and I've been in that building the FBI raided a bunch of times. It's home to one of the biggest corporate lobbyists in Maryland, Gerard Evans, and a company called Synergics, whose founder Wayne Rogers is a big Democratic donor. I don't think this outfit Strategic Campaign Group was there in my day, however.

Real estate is weird sometimes.
posted by martin q blank at 1:00 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Depressing fact of the day: Fred Trump lived to the ripe old age of 93.
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:00 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Trump just tweeted an image of an old Rosie O'Donnell tweet about firing Comey.
posted by diogenes at 1:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Two of those photos are oddly-cropped. Suspiciously so.

I thought that at first, but it's just Twitter. If you click on the individual pictures in the montage you get a link to the full, not-awkwardly-cropped image (though apparently you can't link directly to that view).
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 1:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Valuable lessons aside, was a belief that the country wouldn't burn ever reasonable? None of this is coming out of nowhere. There might have been some pleasure in being ignorant of the rot that was hiding - for some of us - under a layer of deniability, but the disease and attendant danger was still there.
posted by phearlez at 1:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

It's not just the readout -- the WH photographer's pics were just released -- no trace of Kislyak.

I've seen that trick before.
This one is pretty hilarious.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

That Rosie tweet. My god. Can't breathe. This is the President???
posted by zachlipton at 1:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Great Moments in Cherry-Picked Polls: "The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Takes 'Rust Belt <3s Trump' Clickbait to The Next Level" Edition.

The headline: Trump's approval rating soars among voters polled in Western Pennsylvania

"Soars"! Wow, let's look at the story to see how much it's soaring:

Support for Donald Trump has soared in Western Pennsylvania during the Republican's presidency, and the region is the only area of the state where a majority of voters think he's doing a good job, a new poll shows.

A Franklin & Marshall College poll out Thursday shows that 60 percent of registered voters in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern Pennsylvania, excluding Allegheny County, approve of Trump's job performance.

60 percent! Holy crap! Given what we're hearing about his record low approval numbers nationwide, that seems really high! But wait, what was that caveat there?

60 percent of registered voters in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern Pennsylvania, excluding Allegheny County,

For those that don't know, Allegheny County is where Pittsburgh is located. It's by far the most populous county in the region, and if you google for the poll results (which the author didn't feel was worth linking to, despite feeling it was very important to link to a link to a PolitiFact story about a nothingburger Hillary Clinton campaign gaffe) you can see that the regional approval numbers break down as follows:

Philadelphia: 10%
Northeast: 46%
Allegheny: 31%
Southwest: 60%
Northwest: 60%
Central: 39%
Southeast: 24%

"Western PA" regions in bold. I don't know how they map counties to regions -- is Indiana County "Southwest" or "Central"? -- but suffice it to say that Allegheny makes up so much of the region's population that a 31% approval rating there would take a significant chunk out of the author's claims of "a majority of voters" in the region thinking he's doing a good job.

The article just gets worse from there, extrapolating from the comments of one single voter, who's naturally concerned about the loss of coal jobs, and doesn't like Hillary.

Never change, Trib. Never change.
posted by tonycpsu at 1:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [26 favorites]

Trump just tweeted an image of an old Rosie O'Donnell tweet about firing Comey.

I'm glad he has enough free time to go do that.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:05 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

so the kislyak photos thing - this is like final proof that they think that we're powerless and/or idiots and they're unstoppable at this point? or is it putin trolling trump because the white house didn't think they would release those photos?

either way i feel like someone is laughing at me, not with me.
posted by murphy slaw at 1:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Never change, Trib. Never change.

Oh, don't worry. They won't.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I was trying to figure out a way to describe SHS and this nails it.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is every customer service manager at the Comcast billing office
posted by Tevin at 1:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [38 favorites]

> Oh, don't worry. They won't.

Yeah. I eagerly await their article touting poll results showing that 60% of people approve of peanut butter, arsenic, and jelly sandwiches, excluding the arsenic.
posted by tonycpsu at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

best tweet
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [38 favorites]

That Rosie tweet. My god. Can't breathe. This is the President???

And as he tweeted that he muttered "Checkmate Democrats."
posted by diogenes at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Trump just tweeted an image of an old Rosie O'Donnell tweet about firing Comey.

I wonder what his pulse rate and blood pressure were while he was doing that. Seems like the panicked action of someone in the middle of an anxiety attack. Totally not speaking from experience. ( I've never been in a twitter war with anyone... )
posted by mikelieman at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2017

It's not just the readout -- the WH photographer's pics were just released -- no trace of Kislyak.

It took me a while before I saw the actual photos of Spicy ~~in the bushes~~ among the bushes (lights out wtf) and before that I thought...not that people were exaggerating so much as it sounded like three people into a game of telephone.

Same for The Economist article. Even the current Time interview -- steam? What?

Anyway, my point is I'm clicking on everything now and good lord it's all really that stupid.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

re: Rosie retweet

*head desk, repeatedly. Attempting self-induced brain damage so I don't have to process this shit anymore*
posted by INFJ at 1:12 PM on May 11, 2017

how long until trump does a callout tweet to the guy who gave him a wedgie in sixth grade
posted by murphy slaw at 1:13 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

*head desk, repeatedly. Attempting self-induced brain damage so I don't have to process this shit anymore*

I believe I have mentioned prior that my favourite liquor store lowered the price of Wild Turkey 101 recently.
posted by mikelieman at 1:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Someone on Twitter pointed out that the Rosie tweet was highlighted on the_donald about 20 minutes before it was tweeted by Trump's account.
posted by zempf at 1:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [47 favorites]

> how long until trump does a callout tweet to the guy who gave him a wedgie in sixth grade

Trump had that guy killed years ago.
posted by guiseroom at 1:15 PM on May 11, 2017

I'd much rather my kids grew up knowing that you, in general, cannot and should not trust your elected officials farther than you can throw them, rather than, as I did, in a miasma of pro-US-ism until world events finally tear the wool off.

Speaking as a rank amateur, the unifying belief system that powers modern Russia is nihilism. All positions are shams, all parties are play acting, and in the end Putin gets what he wants.

When I look at the Republican party of the last few years, I see a party that has increasingly accepted a certain creeping nihilism into its veins. People have been hypocritical and obstructinist at different points, but nihilism has grown, to the extent that all they could do (until the current administration) was oppose.

Fox has preached nihilism, and Alex Jones expands his warnings about the illuminati ever further. (Putin, of course, would see the company and the man as means to further his own ends.)

It seems fine to teach people that politicians can't be trusted. That seemed like a good lesson to teach kids you were raising in the nineties as well. But it seems like the crux is teaching them that politicians must be looked at with clear eyes while also believing that there are indeed things worth standing for, and it is possible to do so. It is still possible for flawed human vessels to do good things, and to strive for the right.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [47 favorites]

Someone on Twitter pointed out that the Rosie tweet was highlighted on the_donald about 20 minutes before it was tweeted by Trump's account.

like a fool, i thought this couldn't get any stupider.

okay so what's the next level, hit me.
posted by murphy slaw at 1:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

I knew Trump was dumb, but I didn't know he was the_donald dumb.
posted by diogenes at 1:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

like a fool, i thought this couldn't get any stupider.

okay so what's the next level, hit me.

I don't know what it's going to be, but I don't think we're going to get through the day without finding out.
posted by diogenes at 1:19 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

> Trump had that guy killed years ago.

...on 5th Avenue in broad daylight
posted by vbfg at 1:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

The relevant Tweet, sorry should've included it above - https://twitter.com/Walldo/status/862761102769246208
posted by zempf at 1:21 PM on May 11, 2017

How the hell can Giuliani pass a background check to be FBI director? He's corrupt as hell.

9/11

While this is a sound argument (for why Republicans would support him, not for his actual competence), I'll point to the fact that he has become clearly unhinged since then. He's the one who shot his mouth off ahead of the November Comey letter basically showing that the campaign had sources in the FBI's NY office. Also, he went on Fox News and gleefully pulled the fake beard off of the Muslim Ban. He straight up connected the dots between "ban Muslims" and "it's actually banning refugees from these specific countries so we can say it's not a Muslim ban."

I gotta think that the Twitler regime will remember that. As will other Republicans. Because if they don't, that's a whole new low of incompetence beyond everything that has already come to pass, and...

...oh god it's gonna be Giuliani, isn't it?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Vox: Why the FBI Might Wage War on Trump - and how they would actually do it
posted by Glibpaxman at 1:22 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

What, really, is the point of being President if not to deliver the blistering Twitter own you imagine is the coupe de grace to a feud stemming from your conduct in a beauty pageant 11 years ago?
posted by Copronymus at 1:23 PM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

What's hilarious is that his lawyers are claiming in court that he's too busy presidenting to be sued/deposed. But not too busy to tweet at Rosie, it seems.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:27 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Chyron about Trump getting two scoops while everyone else got one.

This is our world now.
posted by emjaybee at 1:27 PM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

Chyron about Trump getting two scoops while everyone else got one.

Is that, like, from free scoop day at Häagen-Dazs?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:28 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

It was one or two scoops of ice cream with their chocolate cream pie dessert and, with every intention of keeping on this side of the "psychoanalyzing the manchild based on his food orders" line....ice cream with a cream pie? Really?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:31 PM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

Also he always gets the first slice of chocolate cake, even if it's not his birthday.
posted by contraption at 1:32 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Is that, like, from free scoop day at Häagen-Dazs?

It's from here^
posted by murphy slaw at 1:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

From the Time article mentioned upthread, roomthreeseventeen.
posted by emjaybee at 1:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

> W choked on a pretzel.

That was one of the few things I was willing to give that guy a pass on. I mean, shit, I almost choked to death on a peanut butter sandwich when I was in university.
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Former CIA official: It's a bad idea to let a Russian news agency and their equipment inside Oval Office.

I confess this is the first thing I thought of when I heard a Russian news photographer was allowed in the White House. What Russian intelligence agency(ies?) does he work for? How many bugs did he manage to plant in the Oval Office?
posted by flug at 1:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [26 favorites]

The FBI has confirmed to the media that it is currently raiding Strategic Campaign Group, a GOP fundraising operation, in an operation being run out of the FBI's D.C. offices. Dennis Whitfield, the named senior adviser of the group, previously worked in a firm that merged with Roger Stone and Paul Manafort's firm to form BKSH & Associates.

So, that's fun.
posted by xyzzy at 1:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

What Russian intelligence agency(ies?) does he work for?

It's state-run media so you don't even have to wonder about that. Not even a fig leaf of independence from the government.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Russia must be laughing up their sleeves watching as the U.S. tears itself apart over a Democrat EXCUSE for losing the election. -- @RealDonaldTrump

we are approaching DEFCON 1 of Not Mad, folks
posted by murphy slaw at 1:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

You know, there aren't a whole lot of days that I wish I worked (a) for the federal government and (b) for law enforcement, but today, I wish I was a forensic auditor with the FBI.
posted by mikelieman at 1:41 PM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

CNN: White House: Removing Comey will help bring Russia investigation to end

How is this not admitting obstruction of justice?
posted by chris24 at 1:42 PM on May 11, 2017 [59 favorites]

we are approaching DEFCON 1 of Not Mad, folks

img-michelle-obama-lol-whyy-u-mad-tho.jpg
posted by entropicamericana at 1:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Richardson refused and resigned in protest. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox. Ruckelshaus also refused and resigned – and the Saturday Night Massacre was complete.

Well not quite complete. Nixon brought in Robert Bork, appointed him acting Attorney General, and Bork fired Cox. Yes, that Bork, who's rejection still gets Republican noses out of joint:

In his posthumously published memoirs, Bork claimed Nixon promised him the next seat on the Supreme Court following Bork's role in firing Cox. Nixon was unable to carry out that promise. But President Ronald Reagan nominated Bork for the Supreme Court in 1987, though he was rejected by the Senate.
posted by Rumple at 1:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Fun fact -- if you open the replies to that tweet one of them is the official Twitter account of the 2011 Footloose remake, which has been rebranded "the resistance" with a verified check-mark. I guess the studio forgot to change the password when they shut down marketing?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

"Laughing up their sleeves" is a substantially less sensical turn of phrase than "primed the pump."

I guess sean spicer must have come up with the former.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

If you believe W. Bush actually choked on a pretzel....omg I have no words.
posted by agregoli at 1:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

>> CNN: White House: Removing Comey will help bring Russia investigation to end
> How is this not admitting obstruction of justice?

I think Trump is maybe too ignorant to know that obstruction of justice is actually illegal?

I mean, if you have the power to stop an investigation into your own finances, why wouldn't you do it (except for the fact that it's against the law)?
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

The FBI vs Trump story by Vox brings up a key thing about Trump that every experienced politician was trying to explain:

Trump has a lot of skeletons. He has a lot of complicated and entangled businesses. He is a very weak and vulnerable President because of his past - easy to blackmail, extortion, influence, and discredit.

For this to work however, his supporters have to realize they have no future with Trump. He won't protect them. A public arrest of someone in his inner circle and his response would be needed to bottom out the shame circle that the GOP is in, convincing themselves that supporting him is what they must do.
posted by mrzarquon at 1:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

> If you believe W. Bush actually choked on a pretzel....omg I have no words.

So... Laura Bush, in the living room, with the high heel?
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:46 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Merriam-Webster says "laughing up one's sleeve" checks out. Who knew?

(Besides M-W, obvs. I'm pretty sure Twitler just lucked out here.)
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

more like cheney, in the oval office, with the back of his hand
posted by entropicamericana at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Brad Jaffy: .@Rosie texts @NicolleDWallace about Trump’s tweet: “It’s a clear indication of his seriously declining mental health. This is no joke.”

Going to be a few more expletives coming out the West Wing I'll bet.
posted by PenDevil at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

What, people can't "drown while drinking a soda?"
posted by Room 641-A at 1:48 PM on May 11, 2017

Josh Barro: Cambridge Dictionary says "laugh up your sleeve" is a Britishism meaning "to secretly find something funny."

Follows up with: Who would have access to Trump's account and tend to tweet obscure British expressions? Is this Milo Yiannopoulos' new gig?
posted by dnash at 1:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

So I was at the gym and one of the tvs was on cnn when they showed that chyron about presidential ice cream demands. Shortly after someone got the remote from the gym staff and changed all of the tvs showing news over to show The Bold and the Beautiful instead.

And that's the story of how I got a new hero.

The term I've landed on to describe my mood for the last couple of days is "the terrorsads." And having the terrorsads is making me a bad person — I'm blowing off obligations left and right, even social stuff that I really should be looking forward to instead of avoiding, I'm neglecting my work, I'm picking stupid fights with my partner (and, for that matter, picking stupid fights on the internet) and just generally being a hollow-eyed catastrophe of a person.

I think I'm going to unplug from news for a week or so. maybe if I'm lucky the motherfucker will have gotten impeached by then, or died of a rage stroke, though I'm not a lucky person and we aren't in lucky times. I think what I'm going to do stop pretending I'm capable of working right now, take the afternoon to read a bit of China Mieville's new book about the Russian Revolution, spend Friday doing some tedious busywork I've been putting off and not thinking at all, go see Guardians of the Galaxy and maybe hit up a couple of farmers' markets this weekend, and then next week maybe join DSA or something, provided I'm fit for human interaction by then. Bothering people about california single payer is a way better use of my time than reading about the antics of america's worst people. I'm done staring into that particular void for a little while.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [62 favorites]

The new New Yorker cover is Sessions dragging Comey off a plane with Trump as the flight attendant watching.
posted by chris24 at 1:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

Laughing up one's sleeve is a very dated idiom. I don't think anyone's used it since 1948,
posted by Devonian at 1:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Except for the last chapter, where David Bowie and Lemmy Kilmister and Frederick Douglass descend in white raiments to save us all. That part was awesome.
FTFY
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

This ice cream thing has been bugging the heck out of me. The White House has, by all accounts, an extraordinary professional staff, with many people who have been there decades and new staff coming from some of the top hotels of the world. And surely, they know what incredibly poor etiquette it is to serve yourself two scoops of ice cream and your guests only one. I cannot fathom how this would have happened unless the President of the United States personally said "so we're inviting reporters to dinner, and when you bring out the dessert, make sure I get the big bowl and they all get less," to the sure horror of the staff.

This isn't some kind of accident. The President planned out an ice cream dominance move. This is, as Rosie O'Donnell just said, "no joke."
posted by zachlipton at 1:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [75 favorites]

I think I'm going to unplug from news for a week or so.

i keep trying but i have this version of FOMO that is about missing epic-scale political catastrophes rather than not going to all the parties?
posted by murphy slaw at 1:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

> If you believe W. Bush actually choked on a pretzel....omg I have no words.

Uh... er... I'm pretty sure he did? What's your theory, then?
posted by tonycpsu at 1:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

beer and pretzels?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:53 PM on May 11, 2017

i keep trying but i have this version of FOMO that is about missing epic-scale political catastrophes rather than not going to all the parties?

See that's my instinct too, but I don't like the person I am when I'm thinking about Trump at all. Thinking about Trump makes me stupid, selfish, and fighty. I miss pre-Trump me and I'm going to try to get reacquainted with him a little. If you can survive exposure to the asshole without turning into an asshole yourself, more power to you. but I have empirical evidence that I can't.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:55 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Honestly, has Mike Pence ever accurately described Donald Trump, or his positions, or his actions?
posted by ckape at 1:56 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Every time I try to unplug from news I have that fantasy about finally clicking on MetaFilter and seeing the TRUMP ABRUPTLY RESIGNS headline and I plug right back in again
posted by yhbc at 1:56 PM on May 11, 2017 [39 favorites]

If you can survive exposure to the asshole without turning into an asshole yourself, more power to you. but I have empirical evidence that I can't.

oh, i can't. i've had to apologize to the mods more in these threads than my entire previous history on mefi. i am making myself Bad Crazy and i need to stop.

but something bad might happen and i might miss it. :(
posted by murphy slaw at 1:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

WRT the Kisylak photos via Russian State Media, it feels like Russia got their initial objectives set but now want to prevent an autocracy from forming around Trump (which, one is doing so) by very publicly undermining him.

Uh, yeah, people (including Trump himself?) seem to naively think that Russia was supporting Trump during the election so there was going to be some kind of Putin-Trump love-fest going on for the next four years.

And when the Trump admin started feuding with Russia a month or two later over Syria--well then that "proves" that Putin never was supporting Trump in the first place, because lookey! Now they're not getting along at all.

Putin isn't some kind of Trump fanboy who is going to stick with him through thick and thin.

No, he is playing a much longer and more dangerous game. Putin is working systematically to weaken and destabilize every country that may pose a threat to him.

During the election that looked like one thing--supporting the candidate who clearly was more chaotic while working systematically to undermine faith in democratic processes.

Now that Trump is in power, it looks like something different--play to the narcissist while systematically undermining U.S. leadership on the world stage.

In the future it will look like something different yet. But never forget the ultimate goal is the same: weaken and destabilize.

And never fall for the BS that says that "Putin couldn't have supported Trump during the election--because look, now they're feuding like 3-year-olds!" Yes indeed--those are both part of the same long-term plan on Putin's part, and Trump for his part is being played like a marionette.
posted by flug at 1:59 PM on May 11, 2017 [90 favorites]

Every time I try to unplug from the news to do rewarding things like watch the entire second season of Sense8, I come back to Twitter and Metafilter like Troy bringing pizza back in the Darkest Timeline. "Hey guys, I had a nice weekend, how--oh god."
posted by yasaman at 1:59 PM on May 11, 2017 [26 favorites]

Speaking of stuff that nobody's said since 1948, Sarah Kliff: Donald Trump has no idea what health insurance costs

This is what Trump told The Economist about healthcare:

The state governments are in much better position to, you know, help people. In terms of, you know, just the size, the mere size of it. But we’re putting in $8bn and you’re going to have absolute coverage. You’re going to have absolute guaranteed coverage. You’re going to have it if you’re a person going in…don’t forget, this was not supposed to be the way insurance works. Insurance is, you’re 20 years old, you just graduated from college, and you start paying $15 a month for the rest of your life and by the time you’re 70, and you really need it, you’re still paying the same amount and that’s really insurance.

This obviously betrays a stunning ignorance of anything about the AHCA, where a big part of the plan is that people pay much more when they're older than when they're younger. And this is the guy who just told Time "In a short period of time, I understood everything there was to know about health care."

But where the hell did he get the number $15/month? As Kliff tweeted, that's approximately what renter's insurance costs. Nobody with the most limited exposure to the concept of health insurance in the United States would come up with a price point of $15/month.

Some quick back-of-the-envelope math: $15 * 12 months/year * (US population) ~= $58 billion. The US spends about $3 trillion/year on healthcare, or around $9,500/person. His estimate underfunds the healthcare system by around 53 times!

He goes on to threaten to pull the ACA's cost sharing reduction subsidies basically anytime he wants.
posted by zachlipton at 2:01 PM on May 11, 2017 [70 favorites]

Follows up with: Who would have access to Trump's account and tend to tweet obscure British expressions? Is this Milo Yiannopoulos' new gig?

Laughing up one's sleeve is a very dated idiom. I don't think anyone's used it since 1948

So it's gotta be Gorka, then, right?

OMGwhythefuckdoIcareIshouldn'tcarebutforsomereasonIreallyreallydoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 2:01 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

So I was at the gym and one of the tvs was on cnn when they showed that chyron about presidential ice cream demands. Shortly after someone got the remote from the gym staff and changed all of the tvs showing news over to show The Bold and the Beautiful instead.

I have barely gone in to the gym at all since the election, which has really impacted my level of fitness. I'm not all that athletic to begin with but 30-45 minutes on the elliptical is better than nothing. But I'm finding I just don't want to be stuck in front of a bunch of news channels for that long these days.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

we are approaching DEFCON 1 of Not Mad, folks
posted by murphy slaw at 5:40 PM on May 11 [has favorites −] Favorite added! [!]

murphy slaw I'm not sure if this is your intended side effect or not but I just spent the last minute laughing with tears in my eyes.

Thank you.
posted by INFJ at 2:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

There's no evidence Bush choked on a pretzel and its such a story designed for folks to laugh it off. I assumed at the time it was a more serious medical event that caused him to pass out. That so many accept it at face value really points to it being a good cover, if it is. That's my take. Sorry for the derail, memail me if you want to discuss further.
posted by agregoli at 2:05 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I think I'm going to unplug from news for a week or so.

Say, the second Eurovision Song Contest semi-final is today, and the final is Saturday. Makes a great diversion!
posted by dnash at 2:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Trump: How much could one banana cost? Ten dollars? (Fake)
posted by tau_ceti at 2:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

You Can't Tip a Buick: See that's my instinct too, but I don't like the person I am when I'm thinking about Trump at all.

Adieu Buick. Your comment struck me same way this one on Kottke did today. On the struggle with self.
posted by klarck at 2:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

And having the terrorsads is making me a bad person — I'm blowing off obligations left and right, even social stuff that I really should be looking forward to instead of avoiding, I'm neglecting my work, I'm picking stupid fights with my partner

You're not alone. It's breaking us all. Do what you have to in order to keep yourself sane.
posted by corb at 2:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

I was trying to figure out a way to describe SHS and this nails it.

For the last two days I've been trying to analyze why she irks me so much. I did my normal internal gut check: Is it subconscious misogyny? Does she remind me of someone I don't like? Is it jealousy? I kept thinking she reminds me of a snotty teenager with her bored-stiff body language and her voice dripping with condescension as though she couldn't believe she had to talk to a big dummy like you. Not to mention the ever present smirk as though she was particularly pleased with herself.

Finally this morning, hashing it out with my husband, I realized she is a Fundamentalist Baptist child. There is a special attitude taken on by children raised to believe they are morally superior to everyone else. It also explains the 50's housewife get up: pearls, cardigan, modest dress, long hair. It is the fashion adopted by the Duggar girls and other so- called "Fundie Royalty."

I made a bet with myself that she went to a Fundamentalist school because a secular institute might have polished some of those edges down. Sure enough. Ouachita Baptist University

The only thing surprising about her is that she was allowed by the Patriarchs in her life to work after marriage and children.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 2:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [36 favorites]

I think I'm going to unplug from news for a week or so. maybe if I'm lucky the motherfucker will have gotten impeached by then, or died of a rage stroke, though I'm not a lucky person and we aren't in lucky times. I think what I'm going to do stop pretending I'm capable of working right now, take the afternoon to read a bit of China Mieville's new book about the Russian Revolution, spend Friday doing some tedious busywork I've been putting off and not thinking at all, go see Guardians of the Galaxy and maybe hit up a couple of farmers' markets this weekend, and then next week maybe join DSA or something, provided I'm fit for human interaction by then. Bothering people about california single payer is a way better use of my time than reading about the antics of america's worst people. I'm done staring into that particular void for a little while.

You're going to get away from the terrorsads by reading Chine Mieville's writing on the Russian Revolution?
posted by srboisvert at 2:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

“I’ve heard from countless members of the FBI that are grateful and thankful for the president’s decision,” Sanders said

this is technically true because she cannot count even one of them
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:13 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

I am genuinely delighted to be able to share with you, from The Mary Sue, the best piece of writing on the James Comey letter, which is goddamned glorious.
posted by corb at 2:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [107 favorites]

That was delightful, corb.
posted by emjaybee at 2:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yeah I would totally be on board with 15/month Donnie let's do it.
posted by emjaybee at 2:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

The President planned out an ice cream dominance move.

Me reading this.
posted by dhens at 2:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

If you read the way he describes the $15.00/month coverage

Insurance is, you’re 20 years old, you just graduated from college, and you start paying $15 a month for the rest of your life and by the time you’re 70, and you really need it, you’re still paying the same amount and that’s really insurance.

I think he is getting confused with Life Insurance.

Between what The Post Office pays and what we contribute, health insurance coverage for my husband and me is $17,000/year. I have no clue what he thinks you are going to get for $180.00/year. Probably some magic beans and a prayer card.

And by the way, he acts like you don't ever "really" need insurance until you are 70. 15 year olds need to go to the doctor too.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 2:22 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

You know, raiding a two bit GOP consultancy over a matter of generic corruption might be one hell of a way of firing a shot across the bows of republican senators and congressmen about the FBI's displeasure with Comey's firing.

One intelligence official who works on Russian espionage matters said they were more determined than ever to pursue such cases. Another said Comey’s firing and the subsequent comments from the White House are attacks that won’t soon be forgotten. Trump had “essentially declared war on a lot of people at the FBI,” one official said. “I think there will be a concerted effort to respond over time in kind.”
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:22 PM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

I am genuinely delighted to be able to share with you, from The Mary Sue, the best piece of writing on the James Comey letter, which is goddamned glorious.

As an inveterate abuser of capslock, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY MCFRICKEN APPROVE
posted by joyceanmachine at 2:22 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

I think he is getting confused with Life Insurance.

I agree. I think he sees all the ads for life insurance on TV, which usually do the "pay a few dollars a month and it's there when your family needs it" thing, and he assumes that's the same thing.
posted by zachlipton at 2:24 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

These are incredibly trying times, but I'm thrilled that somehow, amidst all this, a MeFite managed to sneak in a Larry Hama / G.I. Joe reference! Incredible!

I see you Etrigan!

Now I am wondering what Larry Hama thinks of all this madness. I'll just let the Larry Hama of my imagination fill in, just in case Hama's pulled some weird Frank Miller turn... Very, very unlikely given his stance in interviews regarding race and working in comics, but still...
posted by Slothrop at 2:24 PM on May 11, 2017

$15 is how much I give to my public radio station every month (and I don't even listen to NPR anymore -- only Wait Wait!), so I totally wouldn't feel it if I had to buy Trumpcare at $15/month. I'd just use my public radio money because Wait Wait bites too most times.
posted by notyou at 2:25 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'd rather the folks at the FBI continue to investigate Trump because it's the right thing for our country, not out of some vengeance mission, but I'll take what I can get, I guess.
posted by misskaz at 2:25 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

It also explains the 50's housewife get up: pearls, cardigan, modest dress, long hair.

...I was not aware that completely conventional working clothes for a good two-thirds of the women in DC needed any explanation. it is also the costume of self-styled hipster librarians and etsy craftspersons everywhere, few of whom are in any way similar to Huckabee Sanders apart from their irritating dress sense, which is incidentally a good deal less ostentatiously "modest" than any getup of Sean Spicer's that covered him from neck to ankles. this all makes as much justified sense as getting a particular vibe off Spicer for dressing like a Mormon missionary (because he's a man and wears a suit) or for looking like he's on his way to a bar mitzvah (because he's a man and wears a suit.) Huckabee Sanders would be every bit the smug religiously-inflected tool she is even if she cut her hair off and wore trousers now and then.

in short I don't think you're wrong about the kind of person she is but the blandness of her outfits has fuck all to do with it and is exactly as retro-gendered as what her male counterparts wear, except a little less so.
posted by queenofbithynia at 2:27 PM on May 11, 2017 [34 favorites]

I'd rather the folks at the FBI continue to investigate Trump because it's the right thing for our country, not out of some vengeance mission, but I'll take what I can get, I guess.

The beauty of our system* is that it channels our fundamental baseness (desires and motives like greed, self-interest, vengeance, etc) into the common good.

------------------
*When it works according to plan.
**Great to see you, misskaz!
posted by notyou at 2:30 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

When all the facts come to light, I fear it's going to be more like the Three Stooges try to steal an election, because Trump/GOP.

I kinda see it more like what would happen if you got Pier Paolo Pasolini in to do a U.S. remake of The Thick of It. With a script written by a significantly less than infinite number of caged nihilist monkeys, all dosed up on a cocktail of bad acid and crack cocaine and forced to listen to the punk version of Adorno's Minima Moralia on repeat at face blistering decibels while they type.

That might just be me, though...
posted by Buntix at 2:31 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Trump Told He Would Not Be Greeted Warmly at FBI: Officials : The White House has abandoned the idea of President Trump visiting FBI headquarters after being told he would not be greeted warmly, administration officials told NBC News.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:32 PM on May 11, 2017 [91 favorites]

Not greeted as a liberator, then?
posted by Artw at 2:35 PM on May 11, 2017 [43 favorites]

So trying trying to read the chapter titled 'Business Ethics - A Theoretical Basis' is quite the chore and I'm experiencing this weird state of laughing at statements that really are funny but in the light of what is going on feel like they're a mix of quaint thinking and dark humor.

'Self Interest'

Self-Interest ethics means that individuals and corps set their own standards...tendency to do what's right for them...self-interest is always present...moralists have a low opinion of it...
There are problems associated with the self-interest ethic (no shit). Carried to the extreme its not desirable as an ethic....its consider the easy way or and lazy because precludes complicated analysis...viewed as selfish.
Individuals may become absolutist and not consider others.

Few in society practice extreme self-interest or egoism

Just the president of the United States!! Ha ha ha... oh wait, this really isn't that funny....
I feel like this chapter is making fun of me.
posted by Jalliah at 2:36 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

Between what The Post Office pays and what we contribute, health insurance coverage for my husband and me is $17,000/year. I have no clue what he thinks you are going to get for $180.00/year. Probably some magic beans and a prayer card.

Actually, I'm pretty sure the GOP's health care roadmap is to make the magic beans plan cost $17,000 a year.
posted by Autumnheart at 2:37 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

From the time interview: he also ordered that his dining room be gutted, which lead to an unexpected surprise. “We found gold behind the walls, which I always knew,” Trump explains

He's still searching for the Declaration of Independence.
posted by Room 641-A at 2:37 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Just the president of the United States!!

dude, republican members of congress are standing like right there
posted by entropicamericana at 2:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Telling Trump Fans He’s Betraying Them Won’t Work

[T]he bulk of Trump’s supporters have nowhere else to go, nor do they want to go anywhere.

The problem with this line of argument is that it buys into the widely discredited mythos propagated by our media throughout the campaign, which purports that Trump supporters are down-on-their-luck, unemployed workers in hardscrabble rust belt towns. A sheaf of news reports and online articles, studded with pictures of hard-bitten men and women (nary a non-white face in sight), made it seem that a promise of restored working class jobs was the chief attraction of Trump to his followers.

It's time to out this myth, with finality, as the grand fallacy that it is. According to this recent analysis of data by the Public Religion Research Institute and The Atlantic, Trump voters, many of them young, describe themselves as economically secure, to the point that worries about the economy don't appear on their radar. For them, the anti-immigrant (ie, racist) message of Trump hit an important nerve, giving them hope of a restoration of an older, nostalgic America not stained by cultural difference.

These Trump voters and supporters are almost entirely white and lacking in a college degree, but they're economically well-off, and largely active in running self-built or self-managed small businesses. Working class entrepreneurs, in other words. Trump's policies--which, according to the rust-belt mythos, are against their interests--actually resonate with them. In the defeat of Obamacare, they see the return to a system in which they are freed from government regulation of their employees. In Trump's tax plan, they are pleased by the promised cutting of corporate taxes to 15%--yes, this puts more money in the pockets of rich people, but yes, it also lowers their tax burden when they file their small-business tax returns.

Trump supporters are working class. They're non-college. But they're also relatively affluent. They're the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker, who, in our land of opportunity, have successfully built businesses which they run as entrepreneurs.

They're also racist, and highly sensitive to the potent toxin of white nationalism. The success of the Trump campaign and administration is an outcome of its shrewd perception of this fact.
posted by Gordion Knott at 2:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [57 favorites]

dude, republican members of congress are standing like right there

Yes that's true too.
And then this chapter goes on an feels like an absolute troll. The next section is sub-titled 'The Ethics of Caring'
'Managers should consider what's good for society. Honesty, truthfullness and temperance are not enough and there has to be some degree of caring, compassion and kindness towards others....'
posted by Jalliah at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Who Will Rescue Us from That Scary, Menacing Obamacare
posted by Artw at 2:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Working class entrepreneurs, in other words.

a.k.a. the petite bourgeoisie. Fortunately they've never been instrumental in bringing about a fascist state based on their petty entitled intolerances.

Well, OK, just the one...
posted by Buntix at 2:48 PM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

Gordion Knott: "Trump supporters are working class. They're non-college. But they're also relatively affluent. They're the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker, who, in our land of opportunity, have successfully built businesses which they run as entrepreneurs.

They're also racist, and highly sensitive to the potent toxin of white nationalism. The success of the Trump campaign and administration is an outcome of its shrewd perception of this fact."

As a for example, my father works as a self-employed subcontractor in the Midwest. He runs into tons of people like him--plumbers, electricians, hvac guys, dudes that work drywall all day, frame houses, etc. All of them are certainly pulling down incomes above median US income, and all of them are incredibly racist. (My father, by the way, is a fucking rock who maintains his Sanders-level liberal beliefs in the face of all this.)
posted by TypographicalError at 2:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

Working class entrepreneurs, in other words.

a.k.a. the petite bourgeoisie. Fortunately they've never been instrumental in bringing about a fascist state based on their petty entitled intolerances.

Well, OK, just the one...

See also poujadisme in France. A populist, antiparliamentary, anti-intellectual movement that was all the rage among shop-keepers in the 1950s.
posted by dhens at 2:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

That Trumpian demographic has a lot of overlap with people who listen to talk radio all day.

Is anyone aware of any data on how influential talk radio has been?
posted by schadenfrau at 2:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

There is a real possibility of the Democrats controlling the House in 2019. Before that time comes, I want the idea of impeachment to be made to seem normal and sensible; more normal and sensible than this aberration of a president.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump
Yesterday, on the same day- I had meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the FM of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin.
#LetsMakePeace!

(aaaaa)
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:55 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Before you ask, it's already been confirmed that they used the White House photo in that tweet and not the one from the Russians.
posted by zachlipton at 2:58 PM on May 11, 2017

Trump supporters are working class. They're non-college.

White voters with a bachelor's or graduate degree went for Trump by four points. Whiteness seems to be more of a predictor than education levels in measuring 2016 Trump support.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 2:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

There is a real possibility of the Democrats controlling the House in 2019
I am going to have to wait to see how much voter disenfranchisement (various levels of voter id laws, purging of registered voters, closing/reduced hours of polling locations, closing of places where people can register, straight up intimidation) happens between now and then before I get my hopes up about anything.
posted by Green With You at 2:59 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

schadenfrau: "Is anyone aware of any data on how influential talk radio has been?"

Anecdotally, I had a very good friend as a child who was radicalized by becoming an HVAC guy. He was sweet and lovely until he got there and started talking to these people and listening to talk radio all day. My best friend and I and he used to be inseparable until all that polluted his mind. My bestie and I still mourn it.
posted by TypographicalError at 3:00 PM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

Goebbels didn't take over the airwaves for nothing. That shit works.

What do we do about that?
posted by schadenfrau at 3:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

So about Giuliani...

@chrisgeidner: Very interesting travel ban news today: A judge ordered the defense to turn over Giuliani's memo regarding how to make the Muslim ban legal.
posted by zachlipton at 3:05 PM on May 11, 2017 [48 favorites]

>I made a bet with myself that she went to a Fundamentalist school because a secular institute might have polished some of those edges down. Sure enough. Ouachita Baptist University

The funny thing about Ouachita is that it's a religious Southern Baptist school that isn't actually fundamentalist, and has a core commitment to solid liberal arts education. My science education there was top-notch. It provided me a solid springboard into graduate school. The liberal arts focus made me a well-rounded scientist and person in ways I still appreciate. Even the religion classes can be surprisingly sharp. The ones I took on the Bible went deep into textual and literary criticism, formation of the canon (and not just the Protestant one), and more in ways that made fans of Biblical inerrancy deeply unhappy.

The school offers opportunities aplenty to have your worldview challenged. A number of my classmates came in with that same glazed shell of moral superiority you describe, only to have it shattered by their Ouachita education. There's a reason that a lot of local churches view Ouachita with suspicion.

But you have to take those opportunities. You've got plenty of people who attend Ouachita and never grapple with their faith, prejudices, and received wisdom. They are intellectually incurious, cocooned by the company of others like them.

It's certainly easier to be that way at Ouachita, where there are fundamentalists aplenty in the student body to link arms with and march unthinking into the world. But I doubt that someone like Sanders would have turned out very differently at any other university. One of the lessons I've taken from the election and the aftermath is that a lot of people aren't going to pay attention to anything that challenges their worldview.
posted by sgranade at 3:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

(My father, by the way, is a fucking rock who maintains his Sanders-level liberal beliefs in the face of all this.)

Your dad's my hero.
posted by Mental Wimp at 3:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

White voters with a bachelor's or graduate degree went for Trump by four points.

According to places like 538 there is reason to believe that those exit polls overestimate Trump's support among white college graduates. That said, even at the level you cite it should be noted that this is an improvement for Clinton over Obama's numbers.

Education not income predicted who would vote for Trump.
posted by Justinian at 3:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Noting once again that Mr. "You're Fired" is too much of a coward to actually fire someone in person.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:13 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

LA may require city contractors to disclose Trump border wall bids

Construction contractors seeking to do business in Los Angeles may soon have to worry about a particular item on their resume.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cedillo announced today that he would introduce a motion at Friday’s council meeting to require contractors seeking to do business with the city to disclose whether they have submitted a bid to work on the U.S.-Mexico border wall proposed by President Donald J. Trump.

[...]

The City of Los Angeles has taken a strong position against Trump's immigration policies, and Angelenos deserve to know if public dollars are going to contractors involved in building the wall," the councilmember said.

posted by Room 641-A at 3:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [51 favorites]

I hope Pence keeps blatantly getting thrown under the bus. It increases the chances he can't take it anymore and either steps down or tries to 25th amendment Trump's ass.

Pence must be so humiliated. I hate the guy but... ok no but. I hate him.
posted by Justinian at 3:23 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

>> If you believe W. Bush actually choked on a pretzel....omg I have no words.
> Uh... er... I'm pretty sure he did? What's your theory, then?
domestic violence.
Though he was still claiming it was self-inflicted the next day.
posted by ASCII Costanza head at 3:31 PM on May 11, 2017

Pence must be so humiliated.

He knew what he was signing up for.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

The full NBC/Lester Holt interview is up.

In it, he defends waiting to fire Flynn because Flynn is "a general" and "a very good person" and it would be unfair to "immediately run out and fire a general" after they "heard from somebody we don't even know."

That somebody was the acting Attorney General. And they didn't wait until they got the facts; they waited until they got caught covering it up.
posted by zachlipton at 3:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [49 favorites]

That somebody was the acting Attorney General.

Also, you know, Obama.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Trump in the Holt interview sounds like a 10 year old trying to explain why he doesn't have his homework.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Serious question, why does Trump keep agreeing to be interviewed by non-sycophantic press outlets?

Between the Economist, Time, and Holt interviews today, he's digging himself deeper and deeper and deeper, for no apparent gain.

He knows from the election that he can go for as long as he wants without real media availability without suffering any consequences - the media will only complain about this when a Democrat does it. Why not just full turtle mode until something shitty or great happens and he can crow about it?
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:48 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Also from the NBC interview:

"As far as I'm concerned, I want that thing to be absolutely done properly," Trump said. "Maybe I'll expand that, you know, lengthen the time (of the Russia probe) because it should be over with, in my opinion, should have been over with a long time ago. 'Cause all it is, is an excuse but I said to myself, I might even lengthen out the investigation, but I have to do the right thing for the American people."

Trump added of the investigation, "I want that to be so strong and so good. And I want it to happen."

Asked by Holt if by firing Comey he was trying to send a "lay off" message to his successor, Trump said, "I'm not."

"If Russia did anything, I want to know that," he said.

But Trump also insisted there was no "collusion between me and my campaign and the Russians."

"Also, the Russians did not affect the vote," he said.

Why the hell does he think he has any ability to "lengthen out the investigation" or control its length in any way?

And, spoiler alert, he talks about the electoral college.
posted by zachlipton at 3:48 PM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

But you have to take those opportunities. You've got plenty of people who attend Ouachita and never grapple with their faith, prejudices, and received wisdom. They are intellectually incurious, cocooned by the company of others like them.

Yeah, this. My evangelical school (of a different flavor -- Dutch Calvinist) was similar. Fortunately I fell into a liberal-leaning group of friends.

Departments made a difference, too. The history, English, and science students tended to come out with a very different theological perspective than, say, the business majors. (I guess that's true in secular schools too.) Interestingly, the religion students were somewhat split.
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Just to be clear: the President admitted to firing the director of the FBI while his campaign and administration were under investigation and then ordering the deputy AG to come up with a justification for that firing after the decision had already been made.

This is obstruction of justice, right?

Right? Can anyone here point to a legal source that sheds light on this? Is this truly THAT hard to figure out? Who would make an obstruction of justice charge? How would this unfold?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

@PhilipRucker: Trump to NBC: "When I decided to [fire Comey], I said to myself, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story."

Surely this, right here, is obstruction of justice, right? Straight up.
posted by zachlipton at 3:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [56 favorites]

Just to be clear: the President admitted to firing the director of the FBI while his campaign and administration were under investigation and then ordering the deputy AG to come up with a justification for that firing after the decision had already been made.

This is obstruction of justice, right?

I mean, per Trump’s razor it seems quite possible that his motivation for the firing was general dislike of Comey for the investigation and then anger that he felt nauseated. It wasn’t motivated by obstruction, that’s just a side benefit.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

I wonder when Trump's bragging about the electoral college will go from "petty" to "sad". Is he still going to be boasting about how many votes he got in 2019? He'll sound like the washed-up guy at the dive bar who always talks about the time he rushed for 30 yards in divisional playoffs back in '87 and finally made it with Stacy McAllister.
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:54 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

In Which Trump's Razor is Further Vindicated.
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:54 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

> White House photo

I know in the grand scheme of things -- and even in the small scheme -- this is totally irrelevant, but man, I cannot get over just how unremittingly bad all the White House photos are under this administration. Lousy framing, unflattering light, questionable focus -- they're just awful. It's a little surprising, given how obsessed with appearances Trump & Co seem to be.

Anyway, it makes me really miss Pete Souza. (Oh, who am I kidding. It's Pete Souza's subject matter that I miss.)
posted by Westringia F. at 3:57 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

This is obstruction of justice, right?

If congress decides that that's what they want to impeach him for, then yes.
posted by VTX at 4:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

There's like a million things you can say that about though. The problem isn't finding the reason to impeach, it's the congress.
posted by Artw at 4:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Anyway, it makes me really miss Pete Souza. (Oh, who am I kidding. It's Pete Souza's subject matter that I miss.)

There’s a strange and blatant double-standard in the way we appreciate images. I, too, think these photos look terrible. Obama’s photos were impossibly slickly managed. And yet! Those slick photos were just another way of looking at him and seeing a phony, someone impossibly well made-up. This election, in some sense, was the triumph of everyone who doesn’t believe you when you say Comic Sans looks bad, and who will cling to post-facto evidence that it’s actually helpful for some folks with dyslexia as proof that you’re a jerk.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

I cannot get over just how unremittingly bad all the White House photos are under this administration. Lousy framing, unflattering light, questionable focus -- they're just awful

They're true then.
posted by srboisvert at 4:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Chuck Schumer has a few questions for Rod Rosenstein.

It's final exam season.
posted by Dashy at 4:12 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I wonder when Trump's bragging about the electoral college will go from "petty" to "sad".

111 days ago.
posted by chris24 at 4:12 PM on May 11, 2017 [36 favorites]

As a for example, my father works as a self-employed subcontractor in the Midwest. He runs into tons of people like him--plumbers, electricians, hvac guys, dudes that work drywall all day, frame houses, etc. All of them are certainly pulling down incomes above median US income, and all of them are incredibly racist. (My father, by the way, is a fucking rock who maintains his Sanders-level liberal beliefs in the face of all this.)

The trades are still so segregated in Chicago that last year when they proposed building an extension to a south side high school so it could do trades apprenticeships the local community was initially opposed because they said they wouldn't get those jobs anyway.
posted by srboisvert at 4:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Something I did not learn until this year, was that Souza was also a Reagan photographer. And as much as I do miss 44, Souza's talents as a photographer were evident way back in the 80s as well. Souza knows how to frame a shot so that you feel like you're in the room with POTUS. Obama was so lucky to have him as his official photographer.
posted by longdaysjourney at 4:23 PM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

More from the NBC interview:

"If Russia or anybody else is trying to interfere with our elections, I think it's a horrible thing and I want to get to the bottom of it and I want to make sure it will never ever happen." He doesn't acknowledge that the government has already assessed, quite clearly, that Russia interfered in the election.

On wiretapping: "there's a big thing going on right now which is spying and it's, you can call this anything you want, the unmasking and the spying, and to me, that's the big story right now. That's a very very big story."

On Flynn, he keeps ranting the Flynn "had clearance from the Obama Administration, the highest clearance you can have." And he complains that the media doesn't report that. I'm really disappointed Holt didn't ask him about Obama's warning here.

"I have nothing to do with Russia. I have no investments in Russia, none whatsoever...I have a certified letter. I'm not just saying that...No loans, no nothing" He talks about "investments," but nothing about investors. He says he's sold a house to "a very wealthy Russian" and the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, "but other than that, I have nothing to do with Russia." Sadly, Holt doesn't ask him why paying the Post Office for certified mail service is meaningful.

He says he spoke to Putin and Putin asked him if he'd see Lavrov and he said he would. Says they had a great discussion and "maybe it will lead to peace" and "a lot less people getting killed" in Syria and Ukraine.
posted by zachlipton at 4:23 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

what the fuck is it with "generals"? it's one of his magic words. if he had a band they'd be the Tremendous Generals
posted by murphy slaw at 4:26 PM on May 11, 2017 [22 favorites]

"I have a certified letter. I'm not just saying that. It says I'm not involved in Russia."

He really thinks, or thinks we think, that the certified part refers to what it says as opposed to that it was sent and delivered. What I wouldn't give for an 'even' right now.
posted by chris24 at 4:27 PM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

Serious question, why does Trump keep agreeing to be interviewed by non-sycophantic press outlets?

Because he thinks he comes across very well and I'm sure everyone around him has nothing but flattering things to say about his interviews. Never forget that Ivanka, Jared and probably Bannon's number one job is to stroke his ego every waking moment. While he demands perfect loyalty from everyone else, the only way to keep Trump's loyalty is to praise him incessantly. Which is why he acts like he is so popular and why he constantly says things like "People tell me that was the greatest speech they ever heard." Probably why he misheard Elijah Cummings.

After listening to a couple of podcasts: Trump may drag his heels appointing a new FBI director. An agency without a head is weaker. Without more resources (as Comey requested) the investigation may be much more prolonged and difficult if not downright impossible.

Also, if Deputy AG Rosenstein were to appoint an independent counsel, that person would not be completely independent but could be fired at will by the AG's office.

Finally, I was not aware that the dress/cardigan/pearls look had been adopted by the DC crowd. It makes sense. The look conveys feminine but not sex kitten, which is a good look for the young professional. That plus the long hair, subdued make-up, and non-flashy jewelry have long been the uniform of the Brigham Young crowd. 10 years or so when the Quiverfulls and the Vision Forum groups got rid of the shapeless jumpers and prairie muffin look, that's what they adopted. It is all in service to a look that emphasizes separation of the sexes and makes the most of one's appearance, without inflaming the desires of the opposite sex. No cleavage, no bare arms, but toes on display are perfectly fine.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:27 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Timothy O'Brian (who wrote a biography of Trump and is, I believe, one of the nation's foremost Trumptologists)—Why Trump Really Fired Comey

One of the dangers in trying to analyze Trump's motives and actions is that rational, long-term thinking hasn't been a hallmark of how he rolls. He wants approval, adoration, great ratings. And he really doesn't care about policy or process. So searching for "strategy" or "deal-making prowess" in the president is usually a fool's errand.

What drives Trump today, and what has always driven him, are twin forces: self-aggrandizement and self-preservation. Most of his public actions can be understood as a reflection of one or both of those needs.

And Donald Trump firing James Comey was all about self-preservation.

posted by zachlipton at 4:29 PM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

No cleavage, no bare arms, but toes on display are perfectly fine.

Unless you're dining with Mike Pence, then toes will require a chaperone.
posted by valkane at 4:36 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

Sadly, Holt doesn't ask him why paying the Post Office for certified mail service is meaningful

My husband works in registered mail. I can't tell you how hilarious he finds all this; all day long I have had to listen to jokes about certified mail.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:36 PM on May 11, 2017 [60 favorites]

Please share the jokes about certified mail!
posted by zachlipton at 4:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

I only send certified tweets.
posted by guiseroom at 4:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

Also, if Deputy AG Rosenstein were to appoint an independent counsel, that person would not be completely independent but could be fired at will by the AG's office.

Firing an independent counsel is what got Nixon out of office. Sure these Rs are far more lickspittle but if they appointed an IC and then tried to fire him or her later it would make the current firestorm looking like nothing. I believe it would not be survivable.

Perhaps. But I think we can also assume it would happen (or at least give it 50-50 or better odds). The President does what he wants so long as it’s within his legal power. The firing of an attorney underneath the executive would certainly qualify. That said, the firing might occur because he looked at the President in a particular way, or coughed at the wrong time - which would, in fact, probably give credibility to the Rs who don’t want to impeach. They seem fine with a President who is whimsical, and if he only appears whimsical and not criminal he can perhaps be endured.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:42 PM on May 11, 2017

Nah! We'll leave the sex talk in the bedroom.

Firing an independent counsel is what got Nixon out of office. Sure these Rs are far more lickspittle but if they appointed an IC and then tried to fire him or her later it would make the current firestorm looking like nothing. I believe it would not be survivable.

Well the point is, they can legally do it-- just as the President can legally fire the Director of the FBI. Would there be a firestorm? Yes. Worse than the firestorm we are living in? Probably. Would it bring down Trump? Fuck if I know.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:42 PM on May 11, 2017

Firing an independent counsel is what got Nixon out of office

No, it was a Special Counsel. The Independent Counsel statute did not exist then. It has now lasped.
posted by Ironmouth at 4:42 PM on May 11, 2017

CBS—Source: There is "whole lot of interfering" in Russia investigation

It would be out of character for Comey to have made that statement even once, much less three times, to the president, one law enforcement source told CBS News. Along with his firing, the source noted a high level of "interfering" in the Russia probe.

As for the White House assertions that "countless" FBI rank-and-file employees wanted Comey out, the source said that was a "load of cr*p" to think that agents wanted to see him ousted. That sentiment is shared by acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe in less colorful language.
...
The images, especially the photo of Kislyak and Mr. Trump shaking hands, "were laughed at" by law enforcement, the source said.
Even without Comey, the Russian investigation continues at a heightened pace. "FBI Agents are good at keeping their heads down and taking the evidence where it leads," the source said. I asked, "Even now" are they working at this? The response came back: "Yes, they are now."

I've also seen a couple tweets pointing out that whenever things are going really bad, like right now, Ivanka and Jared are absolutely nowhere to be found anywhere. Total silence from them. Yet they're usually always so eager to tell us about all the great things they're doing by keeping the President from destroying stuff, or maybe just slowing him down by a week or two.
posted by zachlipton at 4:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

what if we all send certified letters to congress and the white house that say that trump is a russian asset?

we could get them notarized to make them even more powerful
posted by murphy slaw at 4:46 PM on May 11, 2017 [59 favorites]

I assume the explanation for the certified mail thing is simply that trump saw the ending of Miracle on 34th Street on TV once and it stuck with him.

It's also possible that he believes he is literally Santa Claus.
posted by Atom Eyes at 4:46 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

we could get them notarized to make them even more powerful
Whoa!!
posted by Floydd at 4:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

what if we all send certified letters to congress and the white house that say that trump is a russian asset?

we could get them notarized to make them even more powerful

You might as well just cut out the middle man and send the President a certified, notarized letter saying that he’s been impeached and can go home.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [61 favorites]

It is all in service to a look that emphasizes separation of the sexes and makes the most of one's appearance, without inflaming the desires of the opposite sex.

I swear I'm not trying to fight about what she looks like, and to be consistent I actually can't fight about it while claiming I don't care about it and neither should anyone else. but all she looks to me is what happens when you cover yourself in a tacky adhesive and go fling yourself around in an Ann Taylor outlet store until enough articles stick to you to be decent. It is a look absolutely devoid of specific subcultural signifiers except possibly for the pearl necklace, which demonstrates purity of mind and immunity to double entendres. so that part of it I can grant.

but like if you didn't know who she was and what she stood for, you would say -- or I would say -- Oh, look, a woman on her way to work in an office somewhere. must be an intern, nobody past the intern stage puts so much effort into their grooming unless they're a newscaster. It is the least symbolic bunch of crap a woman can wear apart from a suit, and people can read in any amount of meaning into a woman wearing a suit, too, that they never do with men.

like if I were going to dress up as SHS for Halloween the only place I would have to go after the wig shop is Ann Taylor. maybe TJ Maxxx if I were feeling super mean. I mentioned DC because I work here and so does she, but this isn't DC-specific. she looks like a regular boring woman in unmarked clothes. all her monstrosity is on the inside. would that we lived in a world where dresses and cardigans were only brought out for fetish parties and historico-religious re-enactments, but we do not.
posted by queenofbithynia at 4:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [31 favorites]

Remember when Bill Clinton fired some staff at the White House travel office and it was investigated by the FBI, the Department of Justice, the White House itself, the General Accounting Office, the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, and the Whitewater Independent Counsel? Good times.
posted by WordCannon at 4:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [94 favorites]

I cannot get over just how unremittingly bad all the White House photos are under this administration.

I don't know the current WH photographer but I know a few former photographer's from the Clinton/ Gore years and I'm a photographer myself who has worked with a fair share of narcissistic celebrity types. It doesn't matter how talented a photographer you are when you're constantly being rushed in and given 15 seconds to make images. If I had to guess the Trump administration's photo staff are probably getting the bums rush everywhere they go. It's probably terrible.

Pete Souza was given an unprecedented degree of access to President Obama and has the experience of being Reagan's photographer. He's a seasoned professional. The ironic thing about Pete is he is held up as some sort of hero. He is not and I'll just leave it at that.
posted by photoslob at 4:54 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

what happens when you cover yourself in a tacky adhesive and go fling yourself around in an Ann Taylor outlet store until enough articles stick to you to be decent

flagged as fantastic, because i am dying here
posted by murphy slaw at 4:54 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

It is all in service to a look that emphasizes separation of the sexes and makes the most of one's appearance, without inflaming the desires of the opposite sex.

I swear I'm not trying to fight about what she looks like, and to be consistent I actually can't fight about it while claiming I don't care about it and neither should anyone else.

If you want to interrogate Huckabee Sanders’s outfit, a better thing to remember might be that the first time Spicer gave a press conference he worse a slightly rumpled suit. The President, it was reported, thought it looked bad. The next time he appeared, Spicer was wearing a better suit. What does the man in charge think about her choices, and what will she be wearing at her next appearance?
posted by Going To Maine at 4:57 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

The ironic thing about Pete is he is held up as some sort of hero. He is not and I'll just leave it at that.

Pete might need to bump up the ISO in all this shade
posted by jason_steakums at 4:57 PM on May 11, 2017 [44 favorites]

Huh, I just like his photos. Is there something I'm missing re: Souza?
posted by Justinian at 4:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

The trades are still so segregated in Chicago that last year when they proposed building an extension to a south side high school so it could do trades apprenticeships the local community was initially opposed because they said they wouldn't get those jobs anyway.

Always wondered why Lane Tech had the hard core shop classes while Whitney Young was strictly college prep.
posted by ocschwar at 4:59 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

what if we all send certified letters to congress and the white house that say that trump is a russian asset?

I really like the idea of a certified letter media stunt. Get a bunch of people overflowing the local post office with their Very Official Looking letters that have been dressed up with gold seals, watermarks, holograms etc. demanding Trump's tax returns/an independent commission. Show them off to the local press, then send them all to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave/Lindsey Graham's office via certified mail.
posted by contraption at 5:01 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

I like Pete Souza's photos but especially his sass, currently.
posted by lydhre at 5:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

What does the man in charge think about her choices, and what will she be wearing at her next appearance?
posted by Going To Maine at 7:57 PM on May 11

If I had to guess I would say he would tell her to consult with Kellyanne Conway or Ivanka.

Independent: FBI agents change their Facebook profile photos to James Comey – a gesture normally reserved for slain colleagues

I hope that Trump does address the FBI and his reception is broadcast in its entirety.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [36 favorites]

This needed to be updated.

White House: Trump fired Comey because of the recommendation of the AG and Deputy AG after careful review of his handling of Clinton's emails, that, er, we just happened to perform in May
8 billion anonymous sources: Nope. He was going to do it anyway
Mike Pence: He did it because of the AG and the Deputy AG's recommendation
Deputy AG (per anonymous sources): I'll quit if you keep saying that
White House: Well, maybe we admit Trump was considering it beforehand
Deputy AG: I never said I was going to quit
Trump himself: aw hell, I was totally going to fire him anyway. He's a "showboat" and a "grandstander"
Sarah Sanders: Well, whatever it was, it absolutely had nothing to do with the Russia investigation
Also Trump himself: By the way, it totally had everything to do with the Russia investigation
posted by zachlipton at 5:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [64 favorites]

Also Trump himself: By the way, it totally had everything to do with the Russia investigation

so i'm not participating in some leftist delusion when i think that the Lester Holt interview contains explicit statements that incriminate the white house in obstruction of justice, right?

i know it doesn't mean anything unless congress is willing to prosecute, but it's there if they want it now, right?
posted by murphy slaw at 5:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

Maybe Hillary should produce a certified letter saying that she is the President and Trump needs to vacate the premises immediately.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [78 favorites]

so i'm not participating in some leftist delusion when i think that the Lester Holt interview contains explicit statements that incriminate the white house in obstruction of justice, right?

i know it doesn't mean anything unless congress is willing to prosecute, but it's there if they want it now, right?

Absolutely.

@ggreeneva
So: the president just framed up everyone who took part in Comey's firing for possible obstruction of justice charges.
Okay.

@nycsouthpaw
Acting to end an investigation into his own campaign is a corrupt purpose. This is obstruction.
posted by chris24 at 5:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [31 favorites]

Has anyone in the press asked anyone in the administration what the heck Trump is talking about with this "certified letter" nonsense? Bloomberg had the story two days ago. That's surely enough time for someone to ask something like "what does the USPS have to do with any of this?" I can't seem to open the NBC video right now but I'm under the impression that Trump himself talks about the certified letter in that interview. Does Lester Holt follow up at all? Or does he just let it go as if it were a totally normal and reasonable thing to say?
posted by mhum at 5:12 PM on May 11, 2017

He clearly says that the reasons stated in the letter were a pretext, that he was going to fire Comey even before he got the recommendation from the AG and the Deputy AG, and that, at the time he decided to Comey, he was thinking about how the investigation into his campaign Comey testified exists was "a made up story."

He didn't literally say "I am firing James Comey to obstruct this investigation," but I don't think the idea that these statements are incriminating is a leftist delusion.
posted by zachlipton at 5:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

I mean, he's basically doing everything but saying "You're goddamn right I ordered the Code Red."
posted by chris24 at 5:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

This weekend, the President will go hunting on Fifth Avenue.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

This comment from 1:17 is...uh...uncanny.
posted by Brainy at 5:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

The Smoking Gun tape is arguably less incriminating than the Lester Holt interview.
posted by theodolite at 5:18 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

now the question is, are any of the folks in the administration with a law degree shitting themselves right now, or are they too overconfident or stupid to do so?
posted by murphy slaw at 5:19 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

So maybe a couple of years ago Trump was casting about for a bigger and better reality show to sink his fangs into and came up with the idea to become president and make it all his candidacy and his presidency so bizarre that we would feel compelled to keep watching to see what would happen next.

So, how is he making money off of all this?
posted by mareli at 5:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Sarah Sanders: Well, whatever it was, it absolutely had nothing to do with the Russia investigation

Oh sorry, there's more. After this, please insert:

Sarah Sanders: It does have to do with the Russia investigation, because we think firing Comey will help the investigation
posted by zachlipton at 5:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

If you want to interrogate Huckabee Sanders’s outfit, a better thing to remember might be that the first time Spicer gave a press conference he worse a slightly rumpled suit.

The problem with Spicey's "biggest inauguration crowd ever, dammit" suit wasn't rumpledness but that it was hilariously, absurdly too large, to the point where even I, a clueless dolt about details of appearance that are blindingly obvious to others, noticed it.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:23 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Also: is the Hill a reputable site? Because they have an article from a few hours ago that seems Meschian but I'm not sure what their sources are.
posted by Brainy at 5:23 PM on May 11, 2017

The funny thing about Ouachita is that it's a religious Southern Baptist school that isn't actually fundamentalist, and has a core commitment to solid liberal arts education.

Cosigned. I live in Little Rock, and I encounter OBU grads regularly in both professional and social settings (including some who knew SHS, though I don't have any juicy gossip). Many of them are wonderful people, and more than a few are big liberals. SHS is a preacher's kid turned governor's kid--Mike became lieutenant governor when she was 11, governor when she was 13, stayed there til she was in her 20s. Whatever SHS is, she was that before she ever attended OBU.

#arkansasderail
posted by box at 5:23 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

@ddale8
So Trump not only conceded his entire rationale for firing Comey was a lie, he conceded the gravest motive allegation from his opponents.

@speechboy71
That time the president of the United States publicly admitted that he committed a crime

@poniewozik
This isn't even connect-the-dots. It's connect-the-dot.

@joshtpm
The moment Trump essentially incriminated himself in the Lester Holt interview.

@nxthompson
In other words: "I am admitting I lied to everyone and that I fired The FBI director to obstruct justice."

@HeerJeet
This would be like Watergate if in 1973 Nixon went on TV & said, "Then I told the boys to find out what was in the DNC safe."
posted by chris24 at 5:26 PM on May 11, 2017 [95 favorites]

Rand Paul: Another Senator Told Me He Was Surveilled by Obama Admin

Seemingly obvious information not included: (1) it was Jeff Sessions (2) admitting he was/is under investigation (3) cuz he's guilty and stupid as fuck.

(4) Rand Paul is also a very stupid person.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:26 PM on May 11, 2017 [53 favorites]

Man, if I were the USPS, I'd already be storyboarding a series of delightfully ironic snarky commercials in which people come into the P.O. and use certified mail to magically make false things true.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:29 PM on May 11, 2017 [31 favorites]

It keeps getting worse. NYT: In a Private Dinner, Trump Demanded Loyalty. Comey Demurred.

Only seven days after Donald J. Trump was sworn in as president, James B. Comey has told associates, the F.B.I. director was summoned to the White House for a one-on-one dinner with the new commander in chief.

The conversation that night in January, Mr. Comey now believes, was a harbinger of his downfall this week as head of the F.B.I., according to two people who have heard his account of the dinner.

As they ate, the president and Mr. Comey made small talk about the election and the crowd sizes at Mr. Trump’s rallies. The president then turned the conversation to whether Mr. Comey would pledge his loyalty to him.

Mr. Comey declined to make that pledge. Instead, Mr. Comey has recounted to others, he told Mr. Trump that he would always be honest with him, but that he was not “reliable” in the conventional political sense.

The White House on Wednesday said this account is not correct. And Mr. Trump, in an interview on Thursday with NBC, described a far different dinner conversation with Mr. Comey in which the director asked to have the meeting and the question of loyalty never came up. It was not clear whether he was talking about the same meal, but they are believed to have had only one dinner together.

By Mr. Comey’s account, his answer to Mr. Trump’s initial question apparently did not satisfy the president, the associates said. Later in the dinner, Mr. Trump again said to Mr. Comey that he needed his loyalty.

Mr. Comey again replied that he would give him “honesty” and did not pledge his loyalty, according to the account of the conversation. But Mr. Trump pressed him on whether it would be “honest loyalty.” “You will have that,” Mr. Comey told his associates that he responded.

Is this a goddamn episode of House of Cards with this loyalty business?
posted by zachlipton at 5:32 PM on May 11, 2017 [62 favorites]

Comey, He Who Would Not Eat The Meatloaf
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [64 favorites]

As they ate, the president and Mr. Comey made small talk about the election and the crowd sizes at Mr. Trump’s rallies.

Haha I wonder which one brought that topic up
posted by theodolite at 5:34 PM on May 11, 2017 [52 favorites]

god, my brain is in such a knot right now. it's looking for an unambiguous signal that indicates whether america is still a country with the rule of law, and all it's getting is this series of schroedinger's cats, facts that would establish where we are if only congress or some other agent would act or not act on them in some final way.

every cat increases my uncertainty and anxiety and no one will open the boxes
posted by murphy slaw at 5:36 PM on May 11, 2017 [30 favorites]

Huh, I just like his photos. Is there something I'm missing re: Souza?

I don't want to derail. Memail is probably the right place to discuss.
posted by photoslob at 5:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Later in the dinner, Mr. Trump again said to Mr. Comey that he needed his loyalty.

Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them
And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.
Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.

tl;dr: Jefferson has beliefs; Burr has none
posted by corb at 5:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [21 favorites]

I'd say Comey is more like Boromir than Jesus. He succumbed to the Ring but, too late, realized what he'd done and was killed attempting to atone.
posted by Justinian at 5:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [64 favorites]

The lead story on Breitbart: “Bangladesh PM: Hillary ‘Personally Pressured’ Her to Aid Foundation Donor Despite Ethics Laws”

But, no fear - way down the page you have “Pat Buchanan on ‘Nixon’s White House Wars’ and Trump’s Critics: Democrats Seek to ‘Overthrow a President They Could Not Defeat in a Democratic Contest’”, “How the New York Times Proved Trump’s Case for Firing James Comey”, “Media’s New Mission: Catch White House in a Comey Contradiction”, and “Brokaw: ‘This Is Not the Saturday Night Massacre’”
posted by Going To Maine at 5:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is this a goddamn episode of House of Cards with this loyalty business?

I think a lot about those NDAs he made people in his businesses and on his campaign sign. The campaign ones had people promising to never talk bad about Trump, his family or any of their businesses. He must be frustrated as President that he can't make everyone who works in Government sign a loyalty oath. I would also love to know if Conway, Bannon, and Priebus signed NDAs at any point or if they just did a pinky swear.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

And never fall for the BS that says that "Putin couldn't have supported Trump during the election--because look, now they're feuding like 3-year-olds!" Yes indeed--those are both part of the same long-term plan on Putin's part, and Trump for his part is being played like a marionette.

There is actually a very easy way to square this circle, for anyone you think is actually willing to reason through it in good faith*: During the election, Putin was working to undermine the odds-on favorite candidate, expected to be the next US president; since the inauguration, Putin has been working to undermine the actual, current US president. Both are completely consistent with trying to undermine US political processes and world standing.

* yes I understand that professed confusion on this point is usually pro-Trump BS. Sometimes otherwise reasonable people get caught up in it, is all I'm saying.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 5:46 PM on May 11, 2017 [20 favorites]

At what point does an NDA become legally unenforceable and just a certified letter?
posted by Going To Maine at 5:46 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

I think Trump saw how ferociously Comey went after Clinton's emails, and then realized he was the next target. You wonder about the Russia investigation, then the answer is private meetings in The Oval Office, with the Russians and their photographer, and no US press at all, and the smiles were seriously more than cordial. Therein lies the answer.
posted by Oyéah at 5:48 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

As they ate, the president and Mr. Comey made small talk about the election and the crowd sizes at Mr. Trump’s rallies.

Much as I dislike Comey's conduct re: But Her Emails, I'm feeling like this one dinner not only paid his debt to society but may have gone over the line into cruel and unusual punishment.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

One thing I've considered, given all of this has been Putin undermining the United States, is that once Trump is out of office there is no reason for Russia to keep anything secret. In fact it would be far more damaging to our democracy for them to go all, "AHA! IT WAS US ALL ALONG! YOUR SYSTEM IS A SHAM" after the entire Republican party rides the Trump Train all the way to the last stop.

It'd be just like the end of The Life of David Gale.

Man I view life through pop culture, don't I?
posted by Justinian at 5:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

One thing I've considered, given all of this has been Putin undermining the United States, is that once Trump is out of office there is no reason for Russia to keep anything secret. In fact it would be far more damaging to our democracy for them to go all, "AHA! IT WAS US ALL ALONG! YOUR SYSTEM IS A SHAM" after the entire Republican party rides the Trump Train all the way to the last stop.

The doubt and refusal to accept guilt will destroy us far more effectively.
posted by Glibpaxman at 5:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

I don't know who Carter Page's lawyer is, but I'm pretty sure they're googling "seppuku" right now.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

> The doubt and refusal to accept guilt will destroy us far more effectively.

JFK's assassination, MLK's assassination, Nixon and the Paris Peace Talks, Reagan and the Ayatolla, Bush II and the SCOTUS, the run up to Iraq. Refusal to accept guilt is America's superpower.
posted by klarck at 5:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

I think Trump saw how ferociously Comey went after Clinton's emails, and then realized he was the next target.

That sounds plausible. Comey really doesn't seem like a particularly partisan stooge to me (except in the sense that criminal justice types tend to skew right like academics tend to skew left), just a law enforcement guy with that too-common and often dangerous cop mentality where once he has decided someone is The Perp, nothing's going to change his mind and he's going to be a heat-seeking self-righteous justice missile. Like the Inspector Javert of the FBI.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:00 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

I don't know who Carter Page's lawyer is, but I'm pretty sure they're googling "seppuku" right now.

To be fair, most people probably do that after having (or watching) any random 10-minute conversation with Carter Page.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

god, my brain is in such a knot right now. it's looking for an unambiguous signal that indicates whether america is still a country with the rule of law

Me too. The "surely this" part of my brain is at war with all the stored memories of the past year.
posted by diogenes at 6:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

In fact it would be far more damaging to our democracy for them to go all, "AHA! IT WAS US ALL ALONG! YOUR SYSTEM IS A SHAM" after the entire Republican party rides the Trump Train all the way to the last stop.

By admitting to it they would ensure that safeguards are enacted by congress to prevent further intrusion. Also Russia would never get the sanctions lifted and would probably have more piled on.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Ehhh... the email thing was entirely stupid and everyone knew it, including him. He was working an angle to some degree, whatever his regrets over it.
posted by Artw at 6:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

The electoral college, republican vote suppression and gerrymandering ARE a sham, allowing for a disaster like Trump despite the Will of the people proves it. The sooner that mess starts getting cleaned up the better.
posted by Artw at 6:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

god, my brain is in such a knot right now. it's looking for an unambiguous signal that indicates whether america is still a country with the rule of law

The answer is no. Not while Republicans are in power. There is no law Trump can break that they will lift a finger to do a thing about. He just confessed to obstructing the investigation into whether he committed treason to rig a presidential election, and every Republcian said, yep, we're 100% fine with that.

We don't have a nation ruled by laws, we have a nation occupied by Republicans.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

and every Republcian said, yep, we're 100% fine with that.

Did they? When?
posted by greermahoney at 6:12 PM on May 11, 2017

the endgame is the 2nd american republic (real)(fake)(i dunno) - don't ask me how we get there, but the rule of law probably won't have anything to do with it

we are very close to having no real way back - and again, it may not be trump, but the reaction to him that will determine what happens

our system of government is losing its legitimacy
posted by pyramid termite at 6:15 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

While it wasn't 100%, the vast majority of Republican congresspersons came out in support of Comey's firing. Which amounts to being 100% fine with it.

For example, Paul Ryan is totally on board.

McConnell is similarly on board. Those are two of the three most powerful Republicans in the nation.
posted by Justinian at 6:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

Someday, decades from now when all of this is over, if anyone is still alive, I want the laws changed to (a) require that people hold at least one public office before running for president, and (b) we do something about this whole situation where nobody can impeach him because the ruling party won't allow it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

if only we had a vote of no confidence ...
posted by pyramid termite at 6:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

I don't see how you do anything about the second part. If the majority party in your country is fucked your country is fucked no matter what rules you put in place.
posted by Justinian at 6:18 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Some genius conlaw wonk needs to find some loophole so a citizen has standing to sue the president for malfeasance.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Did they? When?

July 2016 - present.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

While it wasn't 100%, the vast majority of Republican congresspersons came out in support of Comey's firing. Which amounts to being 100% fine with it.

Yeah, but that's not what T.D.Strange just said. What was said, was that they all gave him a pass on confessing to the crime. My understanding is the confession happened late in the day, and I don't think there has been much chance for them to react, en masse, but I wanted to see if I had missed something.
posted by greermahoney at 6:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

ProPublica has an interesting story by Peter Elkind (he co-wrote The Smartest Guys in the Room about Enron): The Problems With the FBI’s Email Investigation Went Well Beyond Comey

It's long and super detailed and digs into what happened at the FBI, including the lengthy time delay before going public with the Weiner laptop emails, a lot of dysfunction (including fear the NY Field Office would start leaking), and a lot of bad blood between the FBI and DOJ over everything. It's worth reading in full, but I'll pull a few bits for you here. In particular, the FBI knew about the emails on the laptop for weeks and didn't even tell the DOJ prosecutors who worked on the Clinton email investigation:

Without the involvement of their Justice Department colleagues, the FBI eschewed options that might have expedited matters. Former Justice Department officials familiar with the case told me that the FBI’s failure to move more quickly in this phase of the investigation represented a serious blunder. “It probably would have helped to have the prosecutors on the investigation involved at the earliest moment,” the former high-ranking official told me.

A crucial question was whether the discovery of the first few emails and a State Department document was sufficient to obtain a new search warrant to locate and examine all the Clinton messages right away. The former federal magistrate judge John Facciola, now an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University, told me that he would have granted such a warrant request, even after the discovery of just a “handful” of Clinton emails. The FBI’s earlier investigation had revealed that some messages from the Clinton server contained improperly stored classified information, Facciola noted. “If the headers show transmittal from Clinton to Abedin, it follows as night to day that others bearing that header may also be classified, and we have a right to search. What more you need than that, I don’t know.”

They worked slowly and their software kept crashing. More than three weeks passed after Comey knew about the emails before he sent that letter to Chaffetz, and even his testimony, he tried to claim it "landed on [him] on October 27" when he knew for weeks. But, he did tell the DOJ before he sent the letter, and they tried to stop him:

This time, Comey decided to alert the Justice Department of his plans. Officials there tried vigorously to dissuade him from sending the letter. Heated discussions took place between a Comey deputy and an official in the deputy attorney general’s office, acting as surrogates for their bosses. The Justice official retrieved a transcript of Comey’s congressional testimony to point out that the director had never explicitly promised an update of every development in the case. Comey’s deputy acknowledged that this was the case but said the director’s view was that it didn’t matter; he had a “duty” to correct the “impression” he’d left that the FBI’s work was done. According to the former Justice official, Comey’s deputy also made clear that the FBI director was “very concerned” about a leak — that the news “was coming out anyway.”

The Justice official reminded Comey’s deputy about department policy regarding overt investigative steps before an election. Criticism was inevitable, he argued; the best defense was to consistently follow the normal process. The FBI’s response: “This one’s different.”

“This wasn’t a policy-position disagreement,’’ the former Justice Department official told me. “Comey felt this was his credibility on the line. He was the one who had testified before Congress. Their view is, ‘We get the policy and procedures. But he’s the one who had to personally suffer the fallout if he doesn’t update the Hill. It’s his ass in the sling.’”

Lynch and Yates had the power to order Comey not to send the letter. But Comey’s high-minded characterization of his “obligation” made that option seem perilous to senior Justice Department officials. If they gave Comey such an order, it wasn’t clear that he would comply. And if he did, there was a chance that it could be portrayed as the attorney general ordering the FBI director to hide information from Congress. None of that would play well, especially in the aftermath of the tarmac incident. So the Justice Department officials stuck to pleading through staff.

Asked by unanswered is an important question: surely the FBI should have known, from their initial investigation, that Abedin forwarded emails to Weiner. Why didn't they examine his laptop back during their investigation in the first place?

Also this bit:

Comey himself declined my requests for an interview. Back in early January, however, he replied politely to a written interview request, acknowledging that he was aware of my “ongoing work.” He wrote from an email address whose whimsical name, he said, “the Russians may have a harder time guessing.”

Comey added a note of intrigue, suggesting that there were unappreciated complexities to the story that hadn’t yet become known: “You are right there is a clear story to tell — one that folks willing to actually listen will readily grasp — but I’m not ready to tell it just yet for a variety of reasons.”

posted by zachlipton at 6:29 PM on May 11, 2017 [30 favorites]

So this is my favorite answer in Trump's interview in the Economist. Asked how he'll get Democrats onboard with tax cuts, he answers:

It depends on which plan, you know, which concept we’ve got to…but it could be. But I think the Democrats are going to like it. We may align it with infrastructure, which they like. They like it as much as the Republicans like it. We need infrastructure in our country. This country has wasted $6trn in the Middle East. Wasted. Like taking it and throwing it right out that window. Right in to the Rose Garden. See that beautiful Rose Garden? Look at those very nicely dressed people.

Here's the president hiding his inability to discuss policy by using the off-brand version of the Jedi mind trick: oh look, bright shiny objects!
posted by peeedro at 6:36 PM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

There is a real possibility of the Democrats controlling the House in 2019
I am going to have to wait to see how much voter disenfranchisement (various levels of voter id laws, purging of registered voters, closing/reduced hours of polling locations, closing of places where people can register, straight up intimidation) happens between now and then before I get my hopes up about anything.

I'm assuming that these abuses will be as egregious as they can legally be made, and then expect some egregiously illegal stuff on top of that. I expect that the already limited FEC will be further compromised, and I expect false-flag plays at registration fraud, I expect James O'Keefe will be working hard towards quasi-entrapment that *almost* looks like wrongdoing if you're squinting, I half-expect earnest attempts at electronic vote tampering.

But I'm also assuming that there are efforts underway to get a valid ID in the hands of every registered Democrat that has a legal right to one, to help people keep an eye on their registration status, to make reasonable polling locations and registration affordances a thing, and to provide other support.

And I would love to hear more about how I can support those efforts if anyone here knows.
posted by wildblueyonder at 6:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Ouch. If Donnie hadn't already claimed to no longer pay attention to CNN, this would definitely leave a mark: The little boy president.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Samantha Bee on former felons being forbidden to vote in Florida.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:41 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

For example, Paul Ryan is totally on board.

McConnell is similarly on board. Those are two of the three most powerful Republicans in the nation.

Wait, does anyone think they aren't part of this? I'm not at the level of thinking every Republican politician is involved in the Russian thing, but I'm pretty certain those two are.
posted by bongo_x at 6:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Really? I mean, they think they probably suspect and have chosen not to care, but I don't think they were making backroom deals with Kislyak like Sessions and Chaffetz (who abso-tootly-lootly is shady as fuck). I just think they a) profoundly give zero fucks as long as they get to starve grannies and b) know what is on that hard drive full of hacked RNC emails that's sitting in Putin's desk drawer.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

So this is my favorite answer in Trump's interview in the Economist.

I keep cracking up about the reporter basically mocking Trump to his face with "It's very Keynesian" when he's blathering about priming the pump.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

Right, they're both enabling it by not caring but neither Ryan or McConnell were backchanneling Russian spies or anything. They must still be held responsible. But that doesn't mean they were the ones running the show.

Agreed. There's no evidence to put those guys in the same category as Sessions or Flynn.

I'm also not clear on why we would put Chaffetz in that category.

I'm not saying they are good guys. I'm just saying they weren't caught meeting with Russian spies to talk about sanctions and then lying about it.
posted by diogenes at 7:00 PM on May 11, 2017

Spicey is back tomorrow, 1:30PM Eastern
posted by zachlipton at 7:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

This country has wasted $6trn in the Middle East. Wasted. Like taking it and throwing it right out that window. Right in to the Rose Garden.

I mean, we sent a man to the moon, we can't send a few interns out to the rose garden to pick it up?

I can't believe there's another work day left in the week. I'm exhausted just from WTF-ing.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

Someone needs to create a tumblr of old Trump tweets that don't seem like ironic commentary on the Trump administration yet, so we can be prepared for what is to come.
posted by drezdn at 7:11 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

One tumbler won't be enough. You'd need a set of six. Probably eight!
posted by notyou at 7:13 PM on May 11, 2017

We can pore over it like the gnostic scrawlings of Nostradamus, looking for meaning in every weird syllable.
posted by Justinian at 7:15 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

The Bitter History Of Law and Order In America - It has stifled suffrage, blamed immigrants for chaos, and suppressed civil rights. It’s also how Donald Trump views the entire world., Andrea Potter

With the recent revelations, funny how it's law for some and orders for others.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:18 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Who would make an obstruction of justice charge?

The House of Representatives. The Senate would be the jury. Obstruction of justice was one of the impeachment charges against both Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon.

How would this unfold?

We elect a Democratic Congress in 17 months.
posted by kirkaracha at 7:18 PM on May 11, 2017 [19 favorites]

I'm really disappointed Holt didn't ask him about Obama's warning here.

He also didn't mention that Obama fired Flynn. "So...Obama fired this guy and told you not to hire him, but you hired him because...?"
posted by kirkaracha at 7:25 PM on May 11, 2017

Just the story of him going to dinner one-on-one with Trump is such a horror story, I had to come here to post about it before finishing it. That's why they get paid the big bucks.

Can you imagine how uncomfortable that would be? "Jim, seriously, will you pledge your loyalty to me? I mean it. It's really important to me that I know you're loyal." And having to be diplomatic in the face of that? Shivers. I call that a 10 on the social interaction intensity meter.
posted by rhizome at 7:37 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

McSweeney's: Winners and Losers of the Recent Nuclear Holocaust.

Straight for the jugular.
posted by snortasprocket at 7:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [47 favorites]

I'm not saying they are good guys. I'm just saying they weren't caught meeting with Russian spies to talk about sanctions and then lying about it.

Covering up for treason is still treason, just sayin'.
posted by Artw at 7:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

P.S.: I'm only 90% sure on this, but I believe Comey's friends' testimony about what he told them Trump said would be admissible in court.

Not sure it matters, Comey's testimony would be allowed, and I'm pretty sure that by itself would be sufficient.
posted by Justinian at 7:43 PM on May 11, 2017

Like seriously, if I were on a jury and Comey testified that Trump had asked him about his loyalty and then Trump testified that he had not I'd be hard pressed to contain my laughter.
posted by Justinian at 7:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

I think the best part is that literally everyone who will read it knows that it's a rip on Chris Cilizza, except for Chris Cilizza, who will be forwarded it by many people and not understand why.
posted by zachlipton at 7:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

If you need me, I'll be hunched over in the corner, rocking back and forth, muttering "surely this..." over and over.
posted by snortasprocket at 7:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [18 favorites]

Comey (voiceover): JUST LET ME FINISH THIS SHOE SOLE OF A WELL DONE STEAK AND LET ME OUT OF HERE
Comey: I pledged an oath to the Constitution, Mr. President.
posted by rhizome at 7:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Fox News, later: "At Least It's Not as Bad as The Plague" [fake]
posted by snortasprocket at 7:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I claim the 3rd corner! Really I just need somewhere to sit, though. This standing up for democracy thing is exhausting.
posted by greermahoney at 7:52 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

This Politico article is just wow: Trump’s attempt to fix the Comey crisis made it worse

Asked what the strategy was to get through the crisis, one senior administration official laughed and asked whether the reporter was “joking.” This official said aides weren’t as bothered as some might imagine because they had been through so many challenges — from Trump during the campaign saying he grabbed women by the genitals to the now infamous accusations about President Barack Obama ordered a “wire tap” on Trump Tower.
...
Trump did the lengthy interview with Holt even though some on his staff believed it was a bad idea and gave his answers off-the-cuff. One person who spoke to him said he’d been “fixated” on his news coverage and believed his press team was failing him and that he needed “to take the situation into his own hands.”
...
Sanders gave staff members a stern lecture on leaking to the media during a staff meeting Thursday morning, according to several people familiar with the incident, saying it was damaging the White House. The lecture seemed to take staffers by surprise, said one person present.
...
This person [a White House official!] noted that Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, had crafted a better message and held a news conference within an hour — while it took White House officials three hours to put surrogates on TV.
...
One White House official said Spicer, who is set to return to the podium Friday, seemed more upset about [being described as in the bushes] than much of the terrible coverage Trump received.

And the best sentence:

“Nobody was in the dark,” Sanders said Thursday, seconds after saying she gave an incorrect answer the day before because she had been in the dark.

The sad thing is that, while these people are all clearly incompetent idiots, they're all just suckers. Spicer only even knew Comey was being fired within an hour of when it happened. They were all completely unprepared, and then were further blindsided when the President contradicted them in the Lester Holt interview. There is no White House. It's just Trump creating chaos and destroying everything he touches.

And leaks about anti-leak meetings will get me every single time.
posted by zachlipton at 7:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [80 favorites]

If we ever get to a point where the tables have turned and it's time to line everyone up for their trials for everything from obstruction of justice to treason, Republicans are going to say "Bbbbbut when we said 'lock her up' you guys all said it was wrong to prosecute your political opponents!"

And they're gonna say it with a straight face. And many of them will genuinely believe they were in the right all along. Because tax cuts and scary Muslims and the gays.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

Fox News, later: "At Least It's Not as Bad as The Plague" [fake]

say what you will about y. pestis, at least it's an ethos
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:55 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

Politico would like us to know:

A person familiar with the press secretary’s location late Tuesday night said Spicer was standing between or behind bushes, but not physically in a bush.

posted by zachlipton at 7:56 PM on May 11, 2017 [26 favorites]

Kellyanne Conway Is Accusing Anderson Cooper Of ‘Sexism’ For Rolling His Eyes At Her
[real]

You think that's eye-rolling? I'm working on a post about BFFs Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen; I'm surprised he had one left for you.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

4th of july, bastillle day, or the last day of july, staggered odds impeached or resigned.
posted by vrakatar at 7:58 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Trump: Boy that Kim Novak sure has some big breasts.
Comey: ...
posted by rhizome at 7:59 PM on May 11, 2017

vraktar, funny I was just looking at odds, too. Looks like it's bouncing around 3-1 he doesn't make it through the year.
posted by rhizome at 8:00 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

MetaFilter: Goodbye Armageddon. Hello, Arma-mentum.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:00 PM on May 11, 2017

And leaks about anti-leak meetings will get me every single time.

Imagine what it must be like to be Spicer or Sanders or any of the middle manager types in that White House. Trump is uncontrollable and insane, none of the lower level staffers give a fuck about hurting the White House, they're there for future careers or whatever, so 5 mins after the "no serious this time, no more leaks" meeting 30 people are on the phone to Poltico. But the senior staff is trying to hold the place together and put out some semblance of a professional product.

If nothing else it makes me irrationally happy to picture just how much that work environment must suck for everyone involved. It couldn't happen to more deserving fuckers.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:02 PM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

Trump's sudden desire to dine with Comey and extract a loyalty pledge came the day after Yates told the White House Counsel that Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI.
posted by chris24 at 8:03 PM on May 11, 2017 [56 favorites]

zachlipton: "Sanders gave staff members a stern lecture on leaking to the media during a staff meeting Thursday morning, according to several people familiar with the incident, saying it was damaging the White House. The lecture seemed to take staffers by surprise, said one person present."

I may never tire of the leaks of admonishments from senior officials to not leak. It's my favorite. Especially when it's pretty clear that the leaks came almost immediately (or at most hours after) the stern lecture.
posted by mhum at 8:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Wait, where are you all looking at odds? I want to see odds.
posted by greermahoney at 8:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I had previously thought to myself that I was pretty sure Trump would still be President on Memorial Day, but I wasn't willing to bet on him still being President by Labor Day. Now I'm not too sure about my first assumption.
posted by yhbc at 8:04 PM on May 11, 2017

I mean, at this point, I assume people are leaking about the anti-leaking meetings during the anti-leaking meetings themselves, just sort of scrolling through their contacts and picking a news organization at random. Hmmm, perhaps I will leak to WaPo about this no leaks meeting. Or no, I told them about the Spicer's exact bush location, nevermind, Politico it is.
posted by yasaman at 8:08 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

I love that they're really obsessed with the correcting the record on the bushes.
posted by Miko at 8:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [28 favorites]

I love that they're really obsessed with the correcting the record on the bushes.
posted by Miko

they learned at the feet of ari fleischer
posted by the phlegmatic king at 8:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

Kellyanne Conway Is Accusing Anderson Cooper Of ‘Sexism’ For Rolling His Eyes At Her

Attention, MRAs and general misogynists of America: Okay. Congratulations. You caught one. Finally, you can point to a genuinely bullshit claim of sexism made purely in bad faith for the sake of opportunism.

Please note that you had to scrape all the way down the barrel until you got to Kellyanne Conway to find one. Because it really is that rare.

(Now please crawl back into your holes and never vote or go on the internet again.)
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:10 PM on May 11, 2017 [56 favorites]

Well horticultural things are important to get right.

(…yeah I've got nothin'.)
posted by seyirci at 8:11 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Re: Comey dinner: Do you think Comey got one scoop of ice cream while Trump got two?
posted by dhens at 8:15 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

ELECTIONS NEWS

** GA-06

-- Ossoff dumps another $1.4M on ad buy.
-- Handel backs Comey firing.

** MT-AL

-- Gianforte up with new ad defending himself about a land access controversy.
-- NRCC out with new ad attacking Quist for not paying people.

** 2020 mid-terms

-- Interesting polling out on some GOP reps in Trump-won districts. Standard comment here about 18 months out and generic candidates in general, but still, I would not be thrilled with these numbers if I were the incumbent.
* IA-01: Rod Blum (R): 32, generic Dem: 47 [Trump 49-45]
* ME-02: Bruce Poliquin (R): 43, generic Dem: 44 [Trump 51-41]
* MI-06: Fred Upton (R): 37, generic Dem: 41 [Trump 51-43]
* NV-02: Mark Amodei (R): 46, generic Dem: 45 [Trump 52-40]
Also, a PPP poll in WI-1. You might have heard of the guy who holds it right now:
Paul Ryan 46, "someone else" 48

Also of interest, NYT: Special Election Fights Expose House Republicans’ Squabbles With White House
posted by Chrysostom at 8:15 PM on May 11, 2017 [32 favorites]

scaryblackdeath: If we ever get to a point where the tables have turned and it's time to line everyone up for their trials for everything from obstruction of justice to treason, Republicans are going to say "Bbbbbut when we said 'lock her up' you guys all said it was wrong to prosecute your political opponents!"

I'm bookmarking this because that is exactly how it's gonna go down.
posted by snortasprocket at 8:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

@KevinMKruse:
I can't get over this. It's like Nixon sat down with Woodward & Bernstein and just gave them the smoking gun tape.

@grudging1 replied to @KevinMKruse
Trump himself is Derp Throat
posted by chris24 at 8:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [75 favorites]

His estimate underfunds the healthcare system by around 53 times!

Here is some historic context: This is roughly the same factor by which Spanish conquistadors underestimated the size of Grand Canyon when they first saw it in 1540. They had no frame of reference or any previous experience with what they were trying to comprehend.

They had a terrible time and Spaniards did not return to the area for another 236 years.
posted by compartment at 8:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [25 favorites]

Re: Comey dinner: Do you think Comey got one scoop of ice cream while Trump got two?

You really think Comey got any dessert at all after he passed on the loyalty pledge?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [7 favorites]

Re: Comey dinner: Do you think Comey got one scoop of ice cream while Trump got two?

Comey just had to be satisfied with his two brass balls.
posted by jaduncan at 8:17 PM on May 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Some said the criticism was unfair. Press Secretary Sean Spicer, for example, learned about the firing within an hour of it occurring — in a meeting with Trump, communications director Michael Dubke, White House Counsel Don McGahn and chief of staff Reince Priebus, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“Trump goes out there and creates a total mess, and then blames others for not being able to fix it,” one adviser said. ”I don’t pity them.”

oh wow, they mean to say "don't envy them" but had the best freudian slip ever.
posted by queenofbithynia at 8:19 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

Comey just had to be satisfied with his two brass balls.

So Trump forced him to perform sexualized autocannibalism?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:19 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Unusually amongst Trump dining guests, he appears to have left with them still attached.
posted by jaduncan at 8:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

People keep referencing House of Cards but Trump doesn't act like a politician, even an idiotic one. And he doesn't act like a businessman, even though I wouldn't be impressed if he did. Many have said he acts like an abuser, but I can't speak to that; I have no experience with it.

He acts like a gangster.
posted by penduluum at 8:22 PM on May 11, 2017 [37 favorites]

Many have said he acts like an abuser

This is all I can see in him. I wasn't abused growing up, but in my teaching career and other extended-family experiences I interacted with a few abusers, and it's all I can see when I watch him talk, bloviate, attempt to confuse, and manipulate. He's a classic petty tyrant. I feel like it's really obvious, but between the learned helplessness of those who've grown up to admire and defend this behavior, and those who haven't seen it directly, it seems to fly by a lot of people's radar and it's rarely called out. But I mean: silent treatment, divide and conquer, mind games, gaslighting, intimidation, coercion, threats, name-calling, humiliating - he demonstrates very single abuser tactic, pretty much daily.
posted by Miko at 8:29 PM on May 11, 2017 [80 favorites]

Meanwhile apparently Fox News' personalities tonight focused on Clinton's email server and her "pay-to-play" uranium "scandal". Words fail.

I was googling for the story about Trump hanging the electoral college county-level map in the White House, and I got a result from Breitbart saying he wanted to display his "electoral college landslide." lol
posted by dhens at 8:30 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Trump's sudden desire to dine with Comey and extract a loyalty pledge came the day after Yates told the White House Counsel that Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI.

Y'know, just in case anyone thought firing Comey was Trump's first overt act of obstructing justice.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:35 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

Oh wait. I just realized that the reason (probably) that Sean Spicer was so adamant that the WaPo issue that whole "in the bushes" vs. "among the bushes" correction was so that Trump wouldn't get the visual in his head of ol' Spicey huddled like a weak, mewling coward underneath some shrubbery. No. He was standing tall and proud and like a man amidst the greenery. Don't get it twisted. please don't fire me
posted by mhum at 8:39 PM on May 11, 2017 [17 favorites]

I thought the Shootout Amendment, that such a massive segment (primarily Republicans) of Americans keep hooping and hollering about, was designed to put a stop to tyranny or the like? So it's funny that the ones who want guns are also the ones who want tyrants. Really makes you think.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

so that Trump wouldn't get the visual in his head of ol' Spicey huddled like a weak, mewling coward underneath some shrubbery

That's absolutely why - I never doubt it. And "Spicer hidden in the bushes" was the immediate press narrative - which communicated both cowardice and shadiness. So, once again, the adminstration had to try to push its own version - "AMONG" the bushes. A perfectly NORMAL place for GROWN PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE to stand during a press event, in the dark, AMONG the bushes.
posted by Miko at 8:42 PM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

Y'know, just in case anyone thought firing Comey was Trump's first overt act of obstructing justice

Yep, he made it all of 7 days into his presidency before committing an impeachable crime.
posted by chris24 at 8:43 PM on May 11, 2017 [11 favorites]

I love that they're really obsessed with the correcting the record on the bushes.

I'm not surprised they decided to hedge their bets.

/sorry
posted by azpenguin at 8:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [41 favorites]

More leaks from Comey & Co.

NBC: Current/ex-FBI officials: Comey didn't request Trump dinner, would never have told him he wasn't under investigation
posted by chris24 at 8:46 PM on May 11, 2017 [31 favorites]

An interesting twist:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee and a top member of the Intelligence Committee, said she has read Rosenstein’s memo three times. She remains incredulous, she said, that he wrote it — and that it may have served as the basis for Comey’s firing. She pointed to the second page, which is filled with quotes from opinion pieces and news clippings about former Justice Department officials critiquing Comey’s handling of the Clinton investigation.

“That surprised me, that a guy as highly prized as Rosenstein, on the basis of legal talent, professionalism in the department, would pull things out of a newspaper and quote them, in terms of somebody else’s opinion of Comey,” Feinstein said. “It means to me we really have to have him in and talk to him, because, wow, I mean, I could have written it.”

Just speculation, I guess, but at this point, having Rosenstein testify about the letter and Comey testify about this dinner are absolute imperatives.
posted by zachlipton at 8:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [70 favorites]

Meanwhile apparently Fox News' personalities tonight focused on Clinton's email server and her "pay-to-play" uranium "scandal". Words fail.

My far right pals spent today discussing how Obama illegally influenced the French elections. I'm not going to Google that so I'm just hoping its localized insanity instead of national insanity.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Lester Holt asks Trump about his statement of disbelief that he is president:

LH: Do you still have moments when you think, How did I get here?

DJT: I think everybody does.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [86 favorites]

I mean, here's the timeline:

Jan 24 -- Flynn interviewed by FBI
Jan 25 -- Yates briefed by FBI about interview
Jan 26 -- Yates meets with McGahn
Jan 27 -- Yates meets with McGahn again to discuss his topics of concern; Trump has dinner with Comey, tries to get loyalty pledge, inquires about TrumpRussia investigation
Jan 30 -- Yates fired

I dearly hope that Democratic members of the committee (hello, any staffer that might be reading this) arrange a question about precisely when the invitation to dinner was recieved. It should be in Comey's office files, after all, and might fit rather neatly in here.
posted by jaduncan at 8:53 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Oh, Fox and the right are delusional and desperate to change the topic. From an hour ago.

@seanhannity:
Question of the Day: Should the FBI reopen its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private server ? #Hannity
posted by chris24 at 8:54 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Yeah I'm pretty sure they've burned all his physical files, deleted every single computer file and backup, and thrown the computer in an industrial shredder by now.
posted by Yowser at 8:55 PM on May 11, 2017

Yeah I'm pretty sure they've burned all his physical files, deleted every single computer file and backup, and thrown the computer in an industrial shredder by now.

Assumes competency not in evidence.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:57 PM on May 11, 2017 [13 favorites]

> Yeah I'm pretty sure they've burned all his physical files, deleted every single computer file and backup, and thrown the computer in an industrial shredder by now.

No way, Comey's office is in the FBI headquarters. The agents in charge won't let just anyone in there to cart off the former director's files.
posted by kuatto at 8:57 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

My Dinner With Comey: Current and Former FBI Officials Dispute Trump Account of Meeting With FBI Director

Despite what President Donald Trump said earlier in the day, James Comey did not seek a dinner with the president to retain his job, one current and one former FBI official close to Comey told NBC News Thursday evening.

The January dinner meeting between the two men, the sources said, was requested by the White House. And the former senior FBI official said Comey would never have told the president he was not under investigation — also contradicting what Trump said.

"He tried to stay away from it [the Russian-ties investigation]," said the former official, who worked closely with Comey and keeps in touch with him. "He would say, 'look sir, I really can't get into it, and you don't want me to.'"

posted by XMLicious at 9:01 PM on May 11, 2017 [6 favorites]

Yeah I'm pretty sure they've burned all his physical files, deleted every single computer file and backup, and thrown the computer in an industrial shredder by now.

Even if (IF), they've done all that, they can't be sure they got it all. When this comes out in film in a few years, it should be a Coen Bros film.
posted by notyou at 9:04 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

LH: Do you still have moments when you think, How did I get here?

DJT: I think everybody does.

DJT also agreed that he still has moments when he thinks, "How do I work this?" but denied saying to himself "Am I right? Am I wrong?" on any occasion.

"Time isn't holding us. Time isn't after us," he explained.
posted by queenofbithynia at 9:06 PM on May 11, 2017 [72 favorites]

Comey would be a fool if he didn't have important files hidden in many different places with deadman's switches.
posted by dilaudid at 9:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

...and David Byrne's big suit would be a much better fit on him than most of his wardrobe.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:07 PM on May 11, 2017 [8 favorites]

Should we care about Comey?

The Comey firing puts the left in a bind. On the one hand, he was the head of the most powerfully repressive institution within the US. The chief enemy of all struggles for liberation, the damage it has done to people, organizations, and movements over the last century is incalculable.

Under Comey, the FBI has been no different. It has harassed and intimidated antiwar activists, manipulated fragile individuals to ensnare organizations with terrorism charges, surveilled Muslim students, menaced ecology movements, coordinated the national crackdown on Occupy, and did the same with Black Lives Matter. And this is only what we DO know.

On the other hand, firing Comey during an investigation of Trump’s Russia connection is an obviously authoritarian move to keep himself and his administration above scrutiny, one which seems to expand autocratic power in the executive office.

posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:09 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Can you imagine how uncomfortable that would be? "Jim, seriously, will you pledge your loyalty to me? I mean it. It's really important to me that I know you're loyal." And having to be diplomatic in the face of that? Shivers. I call that a 10 on the social interaction intensity meter.

And then he changes the subject to the election (as reported) & your brain tries for an escape via your auditory canal.
posted by scalefree at 9:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Comey would be a fool if he didn't have important files hidden in many different places with deadman's switches.

I would assume the story about the the loyalty dinner (which, credit where it's due, Jake Tapper had in much less vivid detail last night) was the first demonstration of that.

Also this Matthew Miller tweet: "One thing I learned at DOJ about Comey: he leaves a protective paper trail whenever he deems something inappropriate happened. Stay tuned."
posted by zachlipton at 9:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [39 favorites]

Should we care about Comey?

Greenwaldism!
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:16 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

There's always somebody worse.
posted by gucci mane at 9:18 PM on May 11, 2017

"Time isn't holding us. Time isn't after us," he explained.

Meanwhile, the rest of us

posted by Miko at 9:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [9 favorites]

It'd be fun if reporters started asking everyone who works with Trump how they answered him at their own loyalty oath dinners.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [48 favorites]

BREAKING: Trump signs EO ordering removal of water from bottom of ocean [fake]
posted by contraption at 9:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [24 favorites]

I have no investments in Russia, none whatsoever.

The question is, what investments does Russia have in you?
posted by kirkaracha at 9:44 PM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

Like taking it and throwing it right out that window. Right in to the Rose Garden. See that beautiful Rose Garden? Look at those very nicely dressed people.

Squirrel!
posted by kirkaracha at 9:45 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's like Trump thinks alternative pleading works in real life.
posted by Talez at 9:49 PM on May 11, 2017 [5 favorites]

No way, Comey's office is in the FBI headquarters. The agents in charge won't let just anyone in there to cart off the former director's files.

Especially when the FBI - as an institution - is in a knife fight. The legitimacy and independence of the agency are at issue.
posted by jaduncan at 9:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Oh, and there are also the memories of his PA and staff. I suspect people may just recall the day the CiC asked the Director to dinner whilst the CiC and/or associates were the subjects of an ongoing CI investigation. You know, just a hunch.
posted by jaduncan at 9:54 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

queenofbithynia: "DJT also agreed that he still has moments when he thinks, "How do I work this?" but denied saying to himself "Am I right? Am I wrong?" on any occasion.

"Time isn't holding us. Time isn't after us," he explained."

Sadly, Don't Worry About the Government is no longer a viable strategy.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:05 PM on May 11, 2017 [4 favorites]

Conway links Anderson Cooper's eye roll to sexism
posted by Joseph Gurl at 10:17 PM on May 11, 2017

Obama photographer posts Comey pic: 'Every person in this photograph is a patriot'

I’M NOT SURE IT’S AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY
posted by Joseph Gurl at 10:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

The Comey firing puts the left in a bind.

Omg no it freaking doesn't. Has the left gone like quite stupid since I left the States a decade ago? Because I keep seeing this sort of weird logic thrown around by supposed leftists and it's like...simple as shit is the kindest way I can put it.

As a leftist, Comey and the FBI both suck. Duh. However that doesn't mean Comey being fired is automatically a good thing. It's not like the whole FBI is fired, or is suddenly going to get an overhaul to bring it in line with my beliefs.

This is like that weird point of view I keep seeing where because the USA does horrendous shit both domestically and internationally, it's totes fine for Putin to interfere with out elections because it's no better than we deserve for being awful hypocrites. Like, no. It's possible to think both that the USA is grossly unethical at times (or even often), and yet also be against the dude trying to spur the global rise of white nationalist fascism.

Likewise it's entirely morally consistent to despise much of how the FBI operates and yet think that Comey getting sacked while investigating Trump-Russia is a pretty scary authoritarian thing to do. That doesn't make you rah rah FBI.
posted by supercrayon at 10:27 PM on May 11, 2017 [155 favorites]

Likewise it's entirely morally consistent to despise much of how the FBI operates and yet think that Comey getting sacked while investigating Trump-Russia is a pretty scary authoritarian thing to do.

I keep seeing repubs throw it around that we're inconsistent for holding these two thoughts simultaneously. No, we're just capable of seeing a little nuance.
posted by greermahoney at 10:33 PM on May 11, 2017 [16 favorites]

I’M NOT SURE IT’S AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY

TL;DR: Here are the definitions of three terms. Trump is a doofus. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:37 PM on May 11, 2017

"How can you say that you don't like lentils in your supper and then be annoyed when we replaced them with feces? Eat up!"
posted by jaduncan at 10:38 PM on May 11, 2017 [12 favorites]

So Comey made the thread super heavy, super fast. What say we take JW's comment, slap in some new links, and call it the new thread?
posted by notyou at 10:40 PM on May 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

The Comey firing puts the left in a bind.

Yeah, as another leftist here who despises the FBI and Comey, I see no bind whatsoever. It's easy to defend rule of law even against one's enemies, and all the easier when the law-breaking actually is working to destroy the greater enemy (Trump). I hope no one actually ends up respecting Comey, who has done more damage to our country than he could ever undo even if he brought down Trump single-handedly. But if undeserved respect were the cost of hamstringing Trump, even this FBI- and Comey-hater would take it.
posted by chortly at 10:42 PM on May 11, 2017 [33 favorites]

Comey should have been fired for his initial verbal prosecution/not actually prosecuting statement. Obama should've fired him last summer, or right after the election since he was so worried about appearing to meddle in the election. If Trump was going to fire him he should've done it when he took office.
If he had, I might've actually had a tiny speck of grudging admiration for him actually acting presidential.
Hey, I said grudging. And tiny. And speck.

However, praising Comey's actions throughout the election since and keeping him on for four months after taking office, and then claiming you're firing him for the very things you praised him for is ridiculous.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

I have this pleasant daydream that this FBI raid is actually part of a RICO suit that would indict the entire Republican party.

If only...
posted by idiopath at 10:50 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

> A perfectly NORMAL place for GROWN PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE to stand during a press event, in the dark, AMONG the bushes.

Hey, the bushes are his friends.

His only friends . . .
posted by flug at 11:05 PM on May 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's like Trump thinks alternative pleading works in real life.

Couple of hours ago, the thread was discussing DJT: Abuser, Businessman, Mobster, Both? And I had the thought that... "Certified Letter..." that wouldn't go away.

That Certified Letter bit comes straight from the real-estate management business he learned from his father Fred. I'm certain most of his tenants perceived a certified letter akin being served by the court, so "NOTICE, you are hereby blah, blah, blah..." was an effective tool in that market.

This alternative pleading stuff is more of the same.

At his core, he's just a shitty bottom-feeding businessman with no empathy. I've seen a lot of them in non-standard insurance and financing.

Abuser, probably, Mobster, wannabe.
posted by mikelieman at 11:14 PM on May 11, 2017 [35 favorites]

(Not to derail but....I volunteer on a crisis line on Thursday nights. I really can't tell if this thread helped me deal with talking 11-yo's out of suicide, or if talking 11-yo's out of suicide helped me get over politics for the last 4 hours. But either way, I'm better than I was. Thanks for being my rock, mefites.)
posted by greermahoney at 11:18 PM on May 11, 2017 [76 favorites]

I hope no one actually ends up respecting Comey, who has done more damage to our country than he could ever undo even if he brought down Trump single-handedly.

Sorta like cheering for the T-Rex vs. the Velociraptors at the end of Jurassic Park... It's not so much that you're on Team T-Rex but rather that you want to see the Velociraptors go down more.
posted by mikelieman at 11:20 PM on May 11, 2017 [14 favorites]

> Should we care about Comey?

I don't give a shit about Comey-as-Comey. I care about the person tasked with investigating [some portion of the] fuckedupedness of this adminstration being fired by this administration. That fb post is beyond stupid. It's not like Comey getting fired means the FBI is going to get some progressive non-asshole as its chief. Christ.
posted by rtha at 11:21 PM on May 11, 2017 [29 favorites]

greermahoney:
I read these threads to "decompress" from a very stressful (though not as life or death as your work, which I must applaud and you will be among the list of those I will praise to eternity for the job you do) work situation. This is not normal. That the balance of my sanity rests upon finding a place (this place, this strange filter of meta) so many years ago.

We will get through this. We will have scars. They will define us, but not control us.
posted by daq at 11:47 PM on May 11, 2017 [15 favorites]

Welp, Steven Colbert went on a tear and told Trump to resign in his monologue. In an extended fashion.
posted by rhizome at 11:51 PM on May 11, 2017 [18 favorites]

>I hope no one actually ends up respecting Comey, who has done more damage to our country than he could ever undo even if he brought down Trump single-handedly.

Well...
Obama photographer posts Comey pic: 'Every person in this photograph is a patriot'
posted by Joseph Gurl at 11:54 PM on May 11, 2017

I mean, day what you want about Cancer Man from the X- Files, but Cancer Man believed he was a patriot too.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:01 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

My far right pals spent today discussing how Obama illegally influenced the French elections.

I assume it's because he appeared in an ad endorsing Macron.
posted by PenDevil at 12:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Insidious! And on French TV no doubt where the French were likely to see it!
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Apropos of nothing, Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply has been the #2 Google "narcissistic supply" search result and was down for nearly 24 hours just after Comey's abrupt firing this week. (And it's back.)
posted by christopherious at 12:22 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

I don't see how Obama could have fired Comey. Had he done it after the July "carelessness" conference it would have just been a whole new level of accusatory shit than it already was. Had he done it late in the election then not only would the optics be terrible but the Senate would not have let him appoint a successor. Same if he had fired him after the election and of course by then he had a very good idea Comey was working on the Russian thing and of course you don't want Trump to replace Comey, or, at least, you want him to take the heat for it. Anyway Obama was in a tight spot but I think he read the situation correctly.
posted by Rumple at 12:25 AM on May 12, 2017 [31 favorites]

Wait--are you suggesting that the FBI wasn't already political, or am I misunderstanding sth?
posted by Joseph Gurl at 12:32 AM on May 12, 2017

Beautifully put, daq. Thank you.
posted by greermahoney at 12:34 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

I just realized something. It's difficult for me to really get it through my head how little Trump understands. But every once in a while (like maybe, once a day) I read a quote of his and go, "oh, he has no idea what that MEANS."

It really takes some paying attention to really realize he doesn't know what he's talking about AT ALL. And I know the meanings of the words he's trying to use, I know the topic he's discussing. Most Americans? Especially poorly educated people who voted for him? They have no clue about the topics being discussed at all most of the time.

So they are just assuming he knows what he's talking about because, well, he's rich and he's the President now and he must know if he's using those words. Those words like "unmasking" or "digital" or whatever. Those are technical words, right? They have meanings, so obviously he is making a good point there.

It takes a certain level of both effort and education/intelligence to understand, NO. NO HE HAS NO FUCKING CLUE, but he's so stupid he doesn't know he doesn't know things.

It's so, so hard to remember that there are a lot of stupid people out there who can't evaluate this stuff for themselves.
posted by threeturtles at 12:54 AM on May 12, 2017 [45 favorites]

Feinstein and Schumer both idly speculating that Rosenstein didn't write that memo within 24 hours of each other? Someone's been telling tales after school.

Also, democrats on message?
That's the craziest thing I've seen this week.
posted by fullerine at 12:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [20 favorites]

he's so stupid he doesn't know he doesn't know things

There is an aspect of this in the teacher training I do with teachers. Competence is placed on a grid along with the other axis "conscious / unconscious", and you end up with a 4 square grid.

So there is this progression in learning a skill:

1. Unconscious incompetence: I do not even realise that I do not know what this is / how to do it. These people often have a very inflated self-assessment, becuase they do not even understand what the skill involves.

2. conscious incompetence: you see some examples of skilled practice, or you give something a try, and you start to notice that you do not know how to do something. You start to identify proper techniques and procedures, recognize it in others, and your self-assessment will actually drop (often radically) becausse you now notice how shit you are.

3. Conscious competence: speaks for itself... you know how to do it, and you can apply the skills you learned to do it. With attention and intention you can apply your skills.

4. Unconscious competence: doing something long enough or developing to mastery level, it becomes "second nature" and you can do it with your eyes closed. The pitfall is that you can slide back into incompetence if you do not regularly self-assess and consider your actions on a conscious level.

Trump is generally stuck in stage one. Because of his narcisism / flawed theory of mind he cannot advance to strage two... instead it is "This is so easy, the morons have been failing at this for years but I have the easy fix, just watch!" ---> "Who knew it could be so complex??? Nobody knew! I found out that this is actually not possible." etc., etc.

Acknowledging that HE is not competent, and OTHERS are, and can teach him... nope, he won't go there.
posted by Meatbomb at 2:04 AM on May 12, 2017 [66 favorites]

and can teach him

let's not get ahead of ourselves
posted by ryanrs at 2:54 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Re: certified mail, serendipitous timing caused me to get to this Seinfeld episode last night in my rewatch.

“You see, my dear, all certified mail is registered… but registered mail is not necessarily certified.”
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 3:05 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

That Lester Holt interview… Every time you think it can't get worse, it gets exponentially worse. The universe is not prepared for stuff like this. I admire Holt for keeping a straight face in front of such obvious lies, and for remaining dignified in the presence of such a revolting insult to democracy.

The big question now is who else was invited to this type of one-on-one dinners with demands of loyalty, and what did they say/do? I imagine many are leaving paper trails across the administration, to save them from later culpability.
posted by mumimor at 3:21 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Oh, and the dinner thing. One thing is the meatloaf powerplay, and demonstrating superiority with ice cream (!?!?!), but has anyone else noticed how Trump is always talking about nice dinners as if they are some sort of special trick? And then the dinners turning out to be less than nice?
Trump dinners seem to be consistently bad, but he consistently elevates them to something he performs as part of his deal-making "skills" — the ignorant man's version of a diplomat.
posted by mumimor at 3:28 AM on May 12, 2017 [27 favorites]

That Certified Letter bit comes straight from the real-estate management business he learned from his father Fred. I'm certain most of his tenants perceived a certified letter akin being served by the court, so "NOTICE, you are hereby blah, blah, blah..." was an effective tool in that market.

See also, putting 'without prejudice' in correspondence even when it's entirely inappropriate. It's cargo-cult business administration used to bully others into submission.

One thought that occured to me reading your comment is that in many ways he is the platonic ideal/archetype of the petite bourgeois (or the shitty version, thereof). He's like the pope of white van men and cowboy builders. All the chauvinism, bigotry, and tacky gold plated status symbols combined with the sense of entitlement derived from the success achieved by having managed to make up for the lack of any real talent, skill, or competence with belligerent self-importance and being an utter dick.

And on that note I think I shall work off some GRARRS with a walk/scramble up the hill (there are roped sections!).

[ed: please pretend I fixed that 'All the chauvanism...' sentence to make it parseable.]
posted by Buntix at 3:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [13 favorites]

It's so, so hard to remember that there are a lot of stupid people out there who can't evaluate this stuff for themselves.

Heh, I work with the public every day, and it's hard for me to forget.

Excellent point though, threeturtles, and it ties into what ArbitraryAndCapricious says upthread (and my "word salad" observation a while back). The power elite in this country should be pleased with themselves, because their thirty-plus-year assault on education and democracy has paid off beautifully.
posted by Rykey at 4:36 AM on May 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

Ex-feds confident Comey’s devices and files are safe, even if FBI won’t confirm
"E-mail accounts and individual hard drives should be archived."
posted by XMLicious at 4:44 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Good morning, everybody. This is still the world we live in. Unwittingly accurate scare quotes for the win.

@realDonaldTrump
As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!.......Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future "press briefings" and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:10 AM on May 12, 2017 [24 favorites]

And another obnoxiously irksome side effect of this entire shitshow will now be press conferences. 45 went on the record to contradict what his press people said. What's the fallout? Is the press really expected to sit there, ask questions, get ridiculous answers, and be like, "Okay, thanks. Now we'll wait for your boss to say something completely different?"

So MANY things are broken right now. 45 himself has made it clear that his press people are not representing his actions accurately, and we all know that 45 does not self-report accurately. How does THAT get fixed?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:14 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

I keep getting excited about the possibility of presidential impeachment and then horrified by presidential succession. The first decent person on the list is Mattis, and Tillerson and Mnuchin are both ahead of him.
posted by corb at 5:17 AM on May 12, 2017

So MANY things are broken right now. 45 himself has made it clear that his press people are not representing his actions accurately, and we all know that 45 does not self-report accurately. How does THAT get fixed?

The press begins the practice of replacing every reference to Donald J. Trump with "Possibly Senile Donald J. Trump", so that everyone can stop pretending the elephant in the room doesn't exist.
posted by mikelieman at 5:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

It takes a certain level of both effort and education/intelligence to understand, NO. NO HE HAS NO FUCKING CLUE, but he's so stupid he doesn't know he doesn't know things.

I dunno. As a woman I have spent the twenty years I've been in the workforce surrounded by white dudes who are basically less-toxic versions of Donald Trump. I have learned to assume that anyone who appears to know what they're talking about is full of shit until they prove otherwise. Even before he got as bad with the markov chain speeches as he is now it was clear that Donald Trump had the overall comprehension of a badly-concussed irish setter.
posted by winna at 5:21 AM on May 12, 2017 [44 favorites]

This is an actual threat and therefore tampering with a second witness, correct?

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

posted by Brainy at 5:30 AM on May 12, 2017 [96 favorites]

Attn NC Resistance! 4pm TODAY 421 S Salisbury St Raleigh to "welcome" Burr & Tillis back to their constituency.

Bet they avoid us. We'll be there motherfuckers.
posted by yoga at 5:33 AM on May 12, 2017 [19 favorites]

Mobster. Replace Press with cops, hell you don't even have to.
posted by RolandOfEld at 5:34 AM on May 12, 2017

It seems Fearless Leader is having a meltdown...

As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!....

...Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future "press briefings" and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???
posted by guiseroom at 5:37 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

I am still over here bashing my head into my desk.

Brain damage not successfully achieved.
posted by INFJ at 5:38 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

This is an actual threat and therefore tampering with a second witness, correct?

That, and more/worse/better: he's admitting to recording his own crimes and stupidity, Nixon-style. See also: Omarosa Manigault Produces Secret Recording of White House Dispute With Journalist
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:39 AM on May 12, 2017 [26 favorites]

SOMEBODY PLEASE IMPEACH HIM ALREADY.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:42 AM on May 12, 2017 [38 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

The only tapes of the conversation are those in the FSB headquarters in Moscow captured through his compromised Android phone. Or the bugs left in the throw pillows by those Russian 'journalists' yesterday.
posted by PenDevil at 5:47 AM on May 12, 2017 [17 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

Oh my.
posted by diogenes at 5:50 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

Please accept these lovely and decent, THROW PILLOWS.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 5:50 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

SOMEBODY PLEASE IMPEACH HIM ALREADY.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 1:42 PM on May 12 [2 favorites +] [!]

Eponys . . not quite, but YES!
posted by stonepharisee at 5:53 AM on May 12, 2017 [16 favorites]

Way back someone wrote that Trump regularly bugged his hotel rooms. Which I guess makes it likely that he records stuff in the White House too.

However, if he recorded that dinner with Comey, it is most likely that the file will confirm Comey's version of the story. The good thing about the Trump administration is that they are literally all so stupid that they think they look good when they are doing bad. It's not like Ivanka is going to come in and say "oh Dad, I think you should delete that file, it makes you look like a crook". Nope. They believe their own BS.
posted by mumimor at 5:54 AM on May 12, 2017 [27 favorites]

There are delusional god complexes and there is using twitter to do what essentially amounts to intimidating /blackmailing the entire United States justice system...
posted by Buntix at 5:55 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

(uh oh, I think the thread is reaching maximum threshold, anyone working on it?)
posted by INFJ at 5:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Meanwhile apparently Fox News' personalities tonight focused on Clinton's email server and her "pay-to-play" uranium "scandal".

There are going to be a lot of completely blindsided Fox viewers one of these days.
posted by diogenes at 5:59 AM on May 12, 2017 [15 favorites]

You'd think if he had useful blackmail on Comey, he'd have used that to get what he wanted instead of firing him.
posted by Archelaus at 6:03 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

You'd think if he had useful blackmail on Comey, he'd have used that to get what he wanted instead of firing him.

It seems like he lacks the finesse for that. Firing people seems to be his only actual ability.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 6:04 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump

When James Clapper himself, and virtually everyone else with knowledge of the witch hunt, says there is no collusion, when does it end?

It ends (1) when you decide you don't want to be president anymore, (2) badly for you, after doing a lot more damage to the country and planet, (3) never and Ivanka becomes Trump, Second Of Her Name in 2024, if you actually figure out how to be a competent fascist dictator.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:04 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

It's difficult to assign a value to a normal Trump Twitter Tantrum (T3) but this one is off the charts. Sometimes I think there's a Gollum situation going on inside his head where a Smeagol's inside there like "Hey now just wake up and get through the day - you don't have to top yourself" and then Gollum comes along and is like "Hold my speed-laced Diet Coke I got some tweets coming."
posted by Tevin at 6:06 AM on May 12, 2017 [34 favorites]

why on earth with all their money can they not build a twitter sandbox app for the poor fool so that he thinks he's tweeting out to the world but it's not going anywhere.
posted by winna at 6:06 AM on May 12, 2017 [16 favorites]

Trump tweets "very active president" then sets his phone down and watches another hour of Fox and Friends.
posted by drezdn at 6:07 AM on May 12, 2017 [39 favorites]

why on earth with all their money can they not build a twitter sandbox app for the poor fool so that he thinks he's tweeting out to the world but it's not going anywhere.

The greatest use of Star Trek:TNG's holodeck would be to shuffle off assholes to their own little worlds.
posted by drezdn at 6:08 AM on May 12, 2017 [33 favorites]

why on earth with all their money can they not build a twitter sandbox app for the poor fool so that he thinks he's tweeting out to the world but it's not going anywhere.

Because he wouldn't see them on the news and wonder why he's not getting the ratings he's accustomed to.
posted by INFJ at 6:11 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Trump is the political equivalent of the black knight from Monty Python and The Holy Grail.
posted by Talez at 6:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [22 favorites]

I like this one from McMullin (in response to the "tapes" tweet):

For those still clinging to the Trump Train, it's not too late to get off. Tracks missing ahead.
posted by diogenes at 6:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [44 favorites]

Maybe they have sandboxed his account and we aren't seeing the really crazy stuff.
posted by ryanrs at 6:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

This is an actual threat and therefore tampering with a second witness, correct?

but her emails
posted by entropicamericana at 6:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

It's a very odd thought to be living in a time and with a president that is going to eclipse Nixon as 'most corrupt leader of the USA.'

1974 is 9 years before I was born. I've only learned about Nixon in the sense that he was, indeed, a crook.

Trump seems to be magnitudes above him in corruption. In mind blowing unfathomably ways.
posted by INFJ at 6:16 AM on May 12, 2017 [32 favorites]

If we assume that Congressional Republicans aren't being blackmailed in some form, the other explanation for their behavior towards Trump could be that they realize a big percentage of their voters are bigger fans of Trump than of the Congressional Republicans.
posted by drezdn at 6:16 AM on May 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

It's a very odd thought to be living in a time and with a president that is going to eclipse Nixon as 'most corrupt leader of the USA.'

I've been wondering about something along those lines recently. I'd really love some thoughtful commentary from people who were politically aware during the Nixon administration on how this compares.

I know that that was a slow-motion train wreck compared to this one, which appears to be an attempted speed run. But was there the same sense of "the entire fucking world has gone mad" and continual ability to be gobsmacked by something new even when you thought you had gotten used to the baseline of stark raving insanity?

Was there the same dreadful knot in the stomach thinking about the possible outcomes, and the same fear that political biases would get in the way of seeing justice done? Did folks have a near dread certainty that Republicans at the time would line up behind their corrupt Paranoiac in Chief and he'd get away with everything?

Or is this a stronger and unique in the history of the nation sort of massive, seemingly unending clusterfuck?
posted by jammer at 6:21 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

Because he wouldn't see them on the news and wonder why he's not getting the ratings he's accustomed to.

This is a feature, not a bug.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:21 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

I thought it was, for Trump, a well-crafted, subtle veiled threat to Comey and the remaining G-Men. Except for the part where he Tweeted it to 30M followers.
posted by klarck at 6:21 AM on May 12, 2017 [8 favorites]

Guys, why aren't we talking about the real news: we can sell beef in china now.

@realDonaldTrump
China just agreed that the U.S. will be allowed to sell beef, and other major products, into China once again. This is REAL news!
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:23 AM on May 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

Now Elijah Cummings supports Garland for FBI. This is not a troll, actual Democratic leaders are supporting giving up control of the DC Circuit to Trump. WHY ARE THEY SO FUCKING STUPID
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:25 AM on May 12, 2017 [42 favorites]

The behavior Republicans are willing to accept from the President in exchange for lower taxes on the rich is amazing.
posted by drezdn at 6:25 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Guys, why aren't we talking about the real news: we can sell beef in china now.

Our long national nightmare is finally over!
posted by diogenes at 6:27 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

That tweet could very well be another example of Trump's Mirror:

The Feds have 'Trump tapes' akin to Nixon's 'Watergate tapes' "To understand the potential political and legal time bombs that might be out there, consider the following: Every time we read a public name of a Russian individual who had some contact with anyone associated with Trump, from Russian government officials or shady characters with ties to Russian intelligence, there is an above-average probability that their conversations were recorded and emails were monitored."
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:28 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Now Elijah Cummings supports Garland for FBI. This is not a troll, actual Democratic leaders are supporting giving up control of the DC Circuit to Trump. WHY ARE THEY SO FUCKING STUPID

Why would Garland give up a lifetime judgeship so Trump can fire him in 5 months? Also, Garland's a federal judge, what does he know about suppressing leftist activists and entrapping confused Muslims into terrorism charges?
posted by dis_integration at 6:28 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

but his chinabeef
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:29 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Trump, China reach preliminary trade agreements on beef, poultry:

“We have some very big news,” [Wilbur] Ross told reporters Thursday. “U.S.-China relationships are now hitting a new high, especially in trade. We're announcing, jointly with the Chinese, the initial results of the 100-day action plan of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.”

But experts were less impressed.

“China has made a few modest concessions that cost it very little, in areas strategically picked to maximize the political benefit to Trump,” said Arthur Kroeber, managing director of Gavekal Dragonomics, an economic research firm in Beijing. “But the substantive impact on US-China trade and investment flows is pretty minimal.”

posted by peeedro at 6:29 AM on May 12, 2017 [20 favorites]

I do so have tapes of our conversations!
But they're from Canada you wouldn't know them
posted by fullerine at 6:30 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Wow. Well, this might be interesting as we stare agape at Trump's madness.

The FBI's psychiatric personality study of Fidel Castro. Remind you of anyone?
posted by chris24 at 6:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

The greatest use of Star Trek:TNG's holodeck would be to shuffle off assholes to their own little worlds.

I kind of hoped the internet and gaming would do this. Instead they ruined most of the internet and gaming.
posted by srboisvert at 6:32 AM on May 12, 2017 [21 favorites]

Now Elijah Cummings supports Garland for FBI. This is not a troll, actual Democratic leaders are supporting giving up control of the DC Circuit to Trump. WHY ARE THEY SO FUCKING STUPID

I'm one of Cummings' constituents. I just called his office to express what a terrible idea this is, and I don't think I was the first to do so.

(Out of favorites, dammit!)
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:33 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

FBI agents change Facebook profile pictures to Comey, a gesture usually reserved for agents slain in the line of duty
posted by corb at 6:36 AM on May 12, 2017 [31 favorites]

Just to throw a more charitable hypothesis out there, maybe Cummings supports Garland for director of the FBI for the same reason Obama supported him for SCOTUS. He is a excellently qualified, conservative candidate that the GOP should, at least on paper, totally support or at least take under careful consideration. He knows they won't go for it revealing the lie that the GOP is acting in good faith on anything.

Offer an olive branch you know they'll slap away so that everyone knows you REALLY tried to work with them. Then, when it's time to lay the smack down on them, everyone knows they have it coming.
posted by VTX at 6:40 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Any chance these "tapes" were recorded in a two party consent state?

Hard to think of anything of a dodgy enough nature to be significantly compromising to Comey that wouldn't damn Trump twice as hard...
posted by Buntix at 6:41 AM on May 12, 2017

@JillFilipovic
Sometimes I read Trump's twitter & recall that for most of American history people were like, "women are too emotional to be president."
posted by chris24 at 6:43 AM on May 12, 2017 [171 favorites]

He knows they won't go for it revealing the lie that the GOP is acting in good faith on anything.

If there is anyone who still believes that the GOP is acting in good faith on anything, they certainly aren't going to be swayed by this.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 6:45 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Offer an olive branch you know they'll slap away so that everyone knows you REALLY tried to work with them. Then, when it's time to lay the smack down on them, everyone knows they have it coming.

Using this as a basis for nominating Garland for FBI director seems supremely misguided, given that the counterexample for why this won't work is MERRICK GARLAND FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

Unless I missed the awesome smackdown we laid on the GOP-led Congress for not hearing his nomination the first time.
posted by chrominance at 6:45 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

The qualifications are going to be:

* White supremicist - the FBI is going to get its old focus of bolstering racists in the name of anti-communism back
* Authoritarian - see above. Also gotta crush the spirit of any decent agents that object
* Corrupt as fuck - must be willing to swear alliegence to Trump, abandon all pretended of rule of law

Also Sessions is not available, so it's tough. Still gonna say it's Rudy.
posted by Artw at 6:45 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

He knows they won't go for it revealing the lie that the GOP is acting in good faith on anything.

But the Garland SCOTUS nomination tried to do the same thing in the exact same way.
posted by drezdn at 6:46 AM on May 12, 2017

So, I'm going no contact with my narcissist parent at the same time this is all happening with our narcissist president and OH MY GOD the similarities are out of control! I'm seriously getting whiplash.
posted by Sophie1 at 6:48 AM on May 12, 2017 [27 favorites]

But the Garland SCOTUS nomination tried to do the same thing in the exact same way.

IIRC, the person nominating the replacement in DC would have been President Obama.
posted by mikelieman at 6:50 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Merrick Garland: He's a law-talking guy you've heard of before!
posted by AndrewInDC at 6:52 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Echoes are supposed to be lesser in intensity aren't they?
posted by Artw at 6:54 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

SNL is out filming McCarthy as Spicer in the streets of New York this morning and New Yorkers are on it.

Clip 1

Clip 2
posted by chris24 at 7:00 AM on May 12, 2017 [21 favorites]

A massive, clattering steam powered tape recorder
posted by theodolite at 7:01 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

i am freaking out guise. there is no way this can continue until miderms. he'll either be a dictator or gone and i can't even guess which.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:04 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

The name Tom MacArthur might ring a bell. He's the piece of primordial ooze that brought Trumpcare back from the dead.

His constituents are not happy.
posted by Talez at 7:05 AM on May 12, 2017 [23 favorites]

Why would Comey even care that Trump is trying to blackmail him? He's already been fired, what does he have to lose?
posted by lazugod at 7:07 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

You're assuming that the next step isn't show trials.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 7:09 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

The AP just tweeted this:

BREAKING: Trump lawyer: Tax returns from past 10 years show no "income of any type from Russian sources," with few exceptions

Hopefully trump will send out a certified letter explaining the 'few exceptions' and clear it all up.
posted by sporkwort at 7:09 AM on May 12, 2017 [31 favorites]

If only there was a simple procedure that has been used by Presidents and candidates for the office for almost half a century that would confirm this.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:11 AM on May 12, 2017 [41 favorites]

well if a trump lawyer says he's innocent i guess that's settled
posted by entropicamericana at 7:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [28 favorites]

I mean, c'mon, Eric Trump literally said "Well, we don’t rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia." Which one is a lie? Or are loans not income?
posted by R a c h e l at 7:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [31 favorites]

BREAKING: Trump lawyer: Tax returns from past 10 years show no "income of any type from Russian sources," with few exceptions

So... he has income from Russian sources?
posted by PenDevil at 7:13 AM on May 12, 2017 [22 favorites]

I think they may be trying to change the subject to the tax returns so we don't discuss Comey.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 7:13 AM on May 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

Vox: Impeachment of the president, explained - The history and logistics of trying and removing the president from office.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:14 AM on May 12, 2017

"Fox News" keeps telling its viewers that there is nothing to see here, move along. The GOP knows that its staunch base believes what "Fox News" says, even to the exclusion of demonstrable facts. This leads to another strong disincentive for any GOP congress-critter to DO anything.

If whatever investigation should ever lead to the real possibility of articles of impeachment, most "Fox News" viewers will be confused and angry as to why their party, which has all the power, is holding a show trial to appease the Democrats. And it ain't as if perfectly awful Republicans haven't been primaried for not being awful enough.

I will keep agitating, as I have the resources to do so. I just cannot see any world where this doesn't have to get much, much worse before it can get better. Please, can y'all convince me I am just catastrophizing?
posted by Vigilant at 7:16 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

I simultaneously think there's some reason why Trump won't release his returns and that there's no massive omg impeach nao smoking gun in there. I think the returns just show he's not as rich as he says he is and that's why he won't release them.

Like, there's no line item in tax filings that says "Insert income from money laundering here." They try to make it look legit. They frequently succeed. It's going to take more than a tax filing to find where the funny money is.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:17 AM on May 12, 2017 [22 favorites]

Those are Trump's personal tax returns, right? Not the corporate tax returns of his various holdings.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:17 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Or are loans not income?

Loans are not income. They are debt. And we all know Trump probably is in debt up to 1o figures.

What might be interesting is wether one of the few exceptions is that Rosneft deal. Others are the sale of that mansion in Florida, and some apartments and stuff in Manhattan
posted by mumimor at 7:18 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

Loans are (almost) never income. Businesses have to file a balance sheet with their corporate return (if they file as a corporation) so you'd see the total amount in the liabilities column. Businesses are able to deduct loan interest so you'd also see them there. The K-1s attached to his tax return would show those things in summary, but I'm not sure if those are generally included in political candidate tax return releases.
posted by zrail at 7:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

> Well...
Obama photographer posts Comey pic: 'Every person in this photograph is a patriot'

How many divisions does Pete Souza have?

It's so disheartening to see a non-trivial number of leftists trying to manufacture a story based on the fact that Democrats criticized Comey and then criticized the way he was fired, as if there's irreconcilable tension between these two positions. An Instagram comment from Obama's photographer tells us... what, exactly?
posted by tonycpsu at 7:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

WordCannon: Remember when Bill Clinton fired some staff at the White House travel office

Maybe it's before my time, but I don't remember "travelgate" at all, but who-lee-shit. Legacy:

The length, expense, and results of the Travelgate and the other investigations grouped under the Whitewater umbrella turned much of the public against the Independent Counsel mechanism. As such, the Independent Counsel law expired in 1999, with critics saying it cost too much with too few results; even Kenneth Starr favored the law's demise.

posted by filthy light thief at 7:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Also what does Russian sources cover. E. G. What about all the money funneled through Deutsch Bank, do Russian owned offshore shell companies count...?
posted by Buntix at 7:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

If loans were income you'd need to pay tax on your credit card bills.
posted by ryanrs at 7:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

My suspicion is that Trumps returns are too numerous and convoluted for anyone to easily understand, both by design and by accident.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:20 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Loan proceeds are not a source of taxable income so they wouldn't directly show on his personal tax return. You do for example report interest paid on investment properties, but his loans are most likely to companies rather than him personally so that interest would be reported on the company's tax return.
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:21 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Aetna CEO in private meeting: “Single-payer, I think we should have that debate”

The government doesn’t administer anything. the first thing they’ve ever tried to administer in social programs was the ACA, and that didn’t go so well. So the industry has always been the back room for government. If the government wants to pay all the bills, and employers want to stop offering coverage, and we can be there in a public private partnership to do the work we do today with Medicare, and with Medicaid at every state level, we run the Medicaid programs for them, then let’s have that conversation.

The statement that the ACA is the first social program the government ever administered is ridiculous. And while everyone acknowledges that the initial rollout of the ACA was a mess, it could have been a much more successful program without Republican refusal to cooperate.

I'm happy to have a single-payer health payment system discussed by people other than progressive social activists, but one of the main aspects of its appeal is the removal of a third-party middleman with a profit motive. Having private industry administer single-payer doesn't really get there.
posted by chaoticgood at 7:23 AM on May 12, 2017 [43 favorites]

I simultaneously think there's some reason why Trump won't release his returns and that there's no massive omg impeach nao smoking gun in there.

TRUMP believes they're incriminating. And once again he's wrong.

The FBI and Treasury's FinCEN are way beyond auditing his tax returns at this point.
posted by mikelieman at 7:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

Capital gains aren't technically income, either, I don't think.
posted by Mchelly at 7:24 AM on May 12, 2017

#withfewexceptions is already trending on Twitter 20 minutes after the AP released the letter.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [15 favorites]

As someone who works with Medicaid in Il I'm not comfortable with any of the MCOs deciding for profit single payer is a good idea.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:26 AM on May 12, 2017 [8 favorites]

Capital gains aren't technically income, either, I don't think.

They sure are. They even have their own tax brackets. Certain types of capital gain, for example from the sale of a primary residence, are tax exempt up to a certain level. You still have to report it, though.
posted by zrail at 7:26 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

My suspicion is that Trumps returns are too numerous and convoluted for anyone to easily understand, both by design and by accident.

You have to be Albert Einstein to understand them.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:27 AM on May 12, 2017 [8 favorites]

Capital gains aren't technically income, either, I don't think.

Where do real estate transactions stand? Like, we *know* Trump sold a house to Rybolovlev, a Russian billionaire for an absurd and suspiciously inflated price. We don't need his tax returns, it's a matter of public record.
posted by dis_integration at 7:27 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

> #withfewexceptions is already trending on Twitter 20 minutes after the AP released the letter.

Prior art from the lefty blog meme-o-sophere:

“With Notably Rare Exceptions”

I wonder if Alan Greenspan is secretly involved in Trump's finances.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:29 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

okay, so the NYT confirms I am not overreacting: Who Will Save The Republic?
posted by murphy slaw at 7:29 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

BREAKING: Trump lawyer: Tax returns from past 10 years show no "income of any type from Russian sources,"
Pretty poor laundering to actually shows sources...
posted by sammyo at 7:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

"any income of any type"

with some exceptions

i don't think that's what "any" means
posted by murphy slaw at 7:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

The Titanic had a smooth voyage, #withfewexceptions
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [35 favorites]

Trump's Lawyer: Trump's Mom said he was a catch.
posted by drezdn at 7:32 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

The letter says there is no equity investment by Russians in entities controlled by Trump or debt owed by Trump to Russian lenders.

Was it a certified letter?
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:34 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Imagine being so rich that you toss a $95 million property sale in the "few exceptions" pile.
posted by Etrigan at 7:34 AM on May 12, 2017 [13 favorites]

Witless Intimidation

... should be the title of this particular chapter in the forthcoming tell-all(s)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:34 AM on May 12, 2017 [15 favorites]

NASA's Space Shuttle program was a complete success (with some exceptions).
posted by wabbittwax at 7:35 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

The Star Wars prequel trilogy was cinematic excellence (with few exceptions)
posted by Twain Device at 7:37 AM on May 12, 2017 [18 favorites]

So, any candidates for "who will save the republic?"
posted by schadenfrau at 7:44 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

"A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi knights. He betrayed and murdered your father... with few exceptions."
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:45 AM on May 12, 2017 [15 favorites]

Trump's big beef accomplishment? Really Obama's.

@HeathaT Retweeted Donald J. Trump
This was agreed under the Obama administration. Here's the USDA announcement from 2016
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2016/09/22/china-moves-reopen-market-us-beef

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement:

"I welcome the announcement from China's Ministry of Agriculture that it has lifted its ban on U.S. beef following a recently concluded review of the U.S. supply system. This announcement is a critical first step to restore market access for U.S. beef and beef products. We look forward to prompt engagement by the relevant authorities for further technical discussions on the specific conditions that will allow trade to resume. True access to China's beef market—consistent with science-based, international standards for trade—remains a top priority for the United States. The United States produces the highest-quality beef in the world, and China's 1.3 billion consumers are an important market for U.S. producers. The Obama Administration and USDA will continue to press trading partners to eliminate unfair barriers to trade that hamper American farmers and ranchers."

posted by chris24 at 7:48 AM on May 12, 2017 [48 favorites]

I've been thinking for a couple of months now - once the smoke has cleared from all of this, we're going to need something along the lines of the 9/11 Commission to go through and figure out just what the hell has gone wrong here. Between the Russian involvement in the election and the madness of King Trump, the nation is in a sort of disarray that we haven't seen... possibly ever. The federal government is barely functioning. Even dedicated civil servants don't know what's doing on, with many of them fearful of what might happen to them or their departments.

When people were asking me how the hell I could vote for Clinton (welcome to Arizona, y'all), my main argument was that, if nothing else, I trusted her to competently run the government. I didn't get into policy or anything else because you're never going to sway anyone who's dug in on that. Right now, what we wouldn't give for the GOP to be constantly scowling at Hillary and inventing scandals while living free of the fear of nuclear annihilation...
posted by azpenguin at 7:50 AM on May 12, 2017 [33 favorites]

Mrs. Lincoln really enjoyed the play, #withfewexceptions.
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:52 AM on May 12, 2017 [63 favorites]

If Steve Bannon was half the mastermind he was reported to be, he'd be setting up his secret dacha in Primorsk right now and sending for his Valkyries.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

A Politico reporter says they are having trouble getting the White House press people to answer the phone to book for the Sunday shows. I guess they aren't going to be sending anyone out this weekend.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:57 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

You're gonna need a bigger phone.

But not TOO big or you won't be able to take it on the plane.
posted by yoga at 7:57 AM on May 12, 2017

A Politico reporter says they are having trouble getting the White House press people to answer the phone to book for the Sunday shows. I guess they aren't going to be sending anyone out this weekend.

Probably just send a sheet of paper.
posted by drezdn at 8:02 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

The cultural civil war isn't going to disappear even if Trump is impeached tomorrow. And all signs point to this being a global conflict (a three-way conflict as far as I can tell: right-wing authoritarians vs. liberals vs. the left).

Eventually it's going to take truth and reconciliation, but not any time soon.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:03 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Paul Krugman, NYT OpEd: Judas, Tax Cuts and the Great Betrayal

But the more proximate issue is the transformation of the Republican Party, which bears little if any resemblance to the institution it used to be, say during the Watergate hearings of the 1970s. Back then, Republican members of Congress were citizens first, partisans second. But today’s G.O.P. is more like a radical, anti-democratic insurgency than a conventional political party.

The political analysts Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein have been trying to explain this transformation for years, fighting an uphill battle against the false equivalence that still dominates punditry. As they note, the G.O.P. hasn’t just become “ideologically extreme”; it is “dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.”

So it’s naïve to expect Republicans to join forces with Democrats to get to the bottom of the Russia scandal — even if that scandal may strike at the very roots of our national security. Today’s Republicans just don’t cooperate with Democrats, period. They’d rather work with Vladimir Putin.

In fact, some of them probably did.

posted by ZeusHumms at 8:04 AM on May 12, 2017 [79 favorites]

I've been thinking for a couple of months now - once the smoke has cleared from all of this, we're going to need something along the lines of the 9/11 Commission to go through and figure out just what the hell has gone wrong here.

The entire Republican party decided treason was no obstacle to winning an election. It's not hard. It can't be fixed from outside. The only thing that can fix this is either Republicans changing course and deciding Democrats aren't Literally Worse Than Hitler; or defeating enough Republicans to drive them from power.

There's not going to be any Truth and Reconciliation Committee that just puts everything back to "normal". This is the new normal as long as Republicans are hellbent on destroying every institution of democratic government in the name of tax cuts for the rich. Which will be forever.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:06 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Twitter COO surprises everyone by volunteering to be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
posted by murphy slaw at 8:07 AM on May 12, 2017 [24 favorites]

Trump lawyer: Tax returns from past 10 years show no "income of any type from Russian sources

Well, I didn't exactly expect him to issue Putin a 1099 ffs. Assuming this is coming from Sheri Dillon, she's already shown she has no professional integrity or ethics at the "divestment" manila folder press conference.

Let's parse this: The letter says there is no equity investment by Russians in entities controlled by Trump or debt owed by Trump to Russian lenders.

No "equity" investment in entities controlled by Trump -- has Trump made an equity investment with the Russians in an entity not controlled by Trump?

No debt owed by Trump to Russian lenders -- what about debt owed by a Trump entity? what about debt owed by a Trump kid? what about debts owed to an entity partially owned by Russian lenders?

What about lenders that are owned or controlled by Russian interests (Putin, his lackies, etc.) but are located in other countries?

Has any of his debt been guaranteed by Russians or Putin-affiliated organizations?

Does he have any debt or equity ties (controlling or otherwise) to Putin-affiliated organizations or people that were not disclosed on his tax return (either properly or improperly)?

I'd like to see the actual letter to see the specific wording used. Because terms like "equity" and "debt" and "owned" and "controlled" have specific meanings in the tax world.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:07 AM on May 12, 2017 [60 favorites]

I'd like to see a reporter ask Trump why a savvy-business man would ignore such a huuuge market as Russia.
posted by drezdn at 8:10 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

This is fine (with few exceptions)
posted by mikepop at 8:13 AM on May 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

I'd like to see the actual letter to see the specific wording used. Because terms like "equity" and "debt" and "owned" and "controlled" have specific meanings in the tax world.

Also, I don't know the correct tax terms but weren't there stories about a Russian businessman overpaying for a Florida property despite the market being down at the time, which is an easy way to funnel money to someone with the appearance of it being legit?
posted by bluecore at 8:13 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

Is DC a one- or two-party consent jurisdiction?

why on earth with all their money can they not build a twitter sandbox app for the poor fool so that he thinks he's tweeting out to the world but it's not going anywhere.

Someone should just open a Word document

Even if (IF), they've done all that, they can't be sure they got it all. When this comes out in film in a few years, it should be a Coen Bros film.

Yes, pkease. I was thinking earlier that Frances McDormand should play Sally Yates in the moviw
posted by Room 641-A at 8:13 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Talking of things that may or may not have happened, the EU laptop ban expected yesterday hasn't materialised and 'no decision' has been made yet.
posted by Devonian at 8:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

I am not a crook #withfewexceptions
posted by Mister Fabulous at 8:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [26 favorites]

Room 641-A, lawyers on Reddit say that federal law is one-party consent.
posted by INFJ at 8:16 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is DC a one- or two-party consent jurisdiction?

DC is one party. If Trump called Comey from Mar-A-Lago it'd be across state lines and subject to federal law which is one-party.
posted by nathan_teske at 8:18 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

At some point, Trump is going to slip up and just hire Conan writer Andres Du Bouchet's russian spokesperson character to work for him.
posted by drezdn at 8:19 AM on May 12, 2017

if he's been taping people at Mar-a-Lago, he's in trouble. Florida is a two-party consent state. *crosses fingers*
posted by martin q blank at 8:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

Here's the full letter - it is from Sheri Dillon, so is worthless.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:19 AM on May 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

Twitter COO surprises everyone by volunteering to be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.

I barely even use Twitter, and that still makes me want to delete my fucking account right now. It's like if Dr. Frankenstein, instead of being terrified and appalled at what he hath wrought, offered his full support and aid in furthering his creation's monstering.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:23 AM on May 12, 2017 [13 favorites]

We just had a tor nado I could see from my house and instead of cowering in a bathtub of mayonnaise with grandma over my head I went outside to watch because honestly it couldn't be the worst thing to happen today. Also, I'm fine.
posted by guiseroom at 8:23 AM on May 12, 2017 [55 favorites]

Here's the full letter - it is from Sheri Dillon, so is worthless.

also, strangely, it's dated March 8?
posted by murphy slaw at 8:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

It would be nice to have an independent investigation into whether the Trump campaign collaborated with Russia, but I'll settle for an independent investigation into whether President Trump committed felony obstruction of justice in his treatment of James Comey.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

if he's been taping people at Mar-a-Lago, he's in trouble. Florida is a two-party consent state. *crosses fingers*

Yeah, well. He's already violated about half a dozen federal statutes and regulations with impunity, never mind state ones. So you can cross your fingers but I sure wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
posted by holborne at 8:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is DC a one- or two-party consent jurisdiction?

if he's been taping people at Mar-a-Lago, he's in trouble. Florida is a two-party consent state. *crosses fingers*

Totally irrelevant. President can do what he wants until Congress stops him w/ Impeachment. He could've disemboweled Comey on facebook live and he'd still be able to pardon himself and be scot free.
posted by dis_integration at 8:26 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

President who baselessly accused FBI of wiretapping his home alludes to personally wiretapping Director of FBI. Year of our Lord Twenty-Seventeen.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:26 AM on May 12, 2017 [59 favorites]

He could've disemboweled Comey on facebook live and he'd still be able to pardon himself and be scot free.

Not if he did it in Florida!
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:27 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

> the EU laptop ban expected yesterday hasn't materialised and 'no decision' has been made yet.

I have a trip coming up at the end of July. I'm so concerned that they'll reach a "decision" whilst I'm abroad that I'm already trying to figure out a plan B that will allow me to work without my usual machine. Even if they decide not to implement it now, I have absolutely zero faith that they won't reverse themselves later, so far as the ban's inconvenience goes, just floating the idea is functionally equivalent.
posted by Westringia F. at 8:27 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

My popcorn keeps going stale. Which is fine because I think I ate too much and I feel like I need to throw up.
posted by loquacious at 8:28 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

The idea that Trump has no business dealings with Russians is laughable, not because of the various Russia-shaped clouds over his whole administration, but because he's a New York real estate magnate. Russians (specifically gangsters and thinly-veiled government sorts, as I understand it) have been investing in New York real estate for years, and in fairly enormous quantitites! A lot of that money has even gone through fairly legitimate properties (which is part of the point, I think --- run the money through a completely innocent investment to launder it). "Being invested in by Russians" is basically what happens to any significantly large real estate owner, and it's not, in and of itself, evidence of nefariousness.

So if they said, "Trump has no improper financial relationship with Russians", then I would disbelieve but more from suspicion than actual evidence, whereas "Trump has no financial relationship with Russians" is cause to roll your eyes and say, "C'mon, tell me a plausible lie."
posted by jackbishop at 8:29 AM on May 12, 2017 [27 favorites]

If the government wants to pay all the bills, and employers want to stop offering coverage, and we can be there in a public private partnership to do the work we do today with Medicare, and with Medicaid at every state level, we run the Medicaid programs for them, then let’s have that conversation.

I'm loving this thing I'm seeing around the edges of the conservative opposition to Obamacare right now where they know everyone hates the AHCA, and they know more and more people are on board with the ACA, and they're so terrified of the humiliation of their bill losing out to Obamacare that they're holding up single payer as the alternative to argue against... but because everyone hates the AHCA so much, this will only cause more people to like the idea of single payer. They're so afraid to face the champ that they brought in what they thought was an easier opponent, but they're still outclassed.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:30 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

Twitter COO surprises everyone by volunteering to be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.

Instead of sucking up to Trump, Twitter should be banning his account for TOS violations. This morning's tweet threatening Comey is against their TOS. But this is Twitter so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
posted by nathan_teske at 8:30 AM on May 12, 2017 [29 favorites]

Having your lawyer make an evidence-based claim without providing the evidence is not really evidence of the thing. It's almost evidence of not-the-thing.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:30 AM on May 12, 2017 [17 favorites]

A letter from a Congressman to the White House Counsel following this morning's tweets, requesting information about the "tapes", how long a taping system has been in place, and any recordings of conversations with Comey, conversations about Flynn, and the recording of the meeting with the Russian Ambassador and FM earlier this week.
posted by nubs at 8:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [73 favorites]

it's almost as if referring to "tapes" when embroiled in a political scandal is ill-advised or something idk
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2017 [51 favorites]

I am reading the Twitter COO has snark.

"You like us, keep using us! Where it's publicly documented and remembered by all."
posted by INFJ at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

Reminder that Trump's law firm that released the letter won the Russia Law Firm of the Year award in 2016. [real]
posted by chris24 at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2017 [36 favorites]

Hey y'all, I'm working on a new FPP--this one is becoming quite large.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:35 AM on May 12, 2017 [32 favorites]

Having your lawyer make an evidence-based claim without providing the evidence is not really evidence of the thing. It's almost evidence of not-the-thing.

"People don't seem to be buying 'Trust me, I'm the President.'"
"How about if I write a letter saying 'Trust me, I'm a lawyer.'?"
"Perfect!"
posted by Etrigan at 8:35 AM on May 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

Also - the letter is like "no income from Russia, other than a billion dollars in income from Russia."
posted by melissasaurus at 8:35 AM on May 12, 2017 [15 favorites]

Question for business-y people, why does Trump use sole properitorships and s-corps instead of LLCs. Doesn't that increase his exposure to liability?
posted by drezdn at 8:40 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Oh please have recordings that can be subject to subpoena or hastily destroyed in violation of the federal records act.
posted by cmfletcher at 8:42 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

Jeezum crow, I am fully back in the political thread. It's like last summer all over again, except WAY WORSE.

INFJ, I also got snark from the Twitter COO, but I guess we're in the minority?

It's so strange (and several people have commented on this) how it really feels like everything is happening at both the speed of light and the speed of turtle simultaneously. I just don't see how this can continue. But I've been feeling that way for months - the feeling just keeps becoming more intense. I'm not sure which happens first: an end to this insanity or my brain burning out from incredulity.
posted by Gaz Errant at 8:43 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Hey, anybody remember that letter from Trump's doctor, the one asserting his health was "astonishingly excellent" and his labs showed "only positive results"?

Dunno why, but something just reminded me of that.
posted by Westringia F. at 8:43 AM on May 12, 2017 [31 favorites]

Question for business-y people, why does Trump use sole properitorships and s-corps instead of LLCs. Doesn't that increase his exposure to liability?

Sorry I can't answer this question but I have to share the image that immediately came to mind of Trump's hand suddenly withering and turning black the moment he touched B-Corp paperwork.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 8:43 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Question for business-y people, why does Trump use sole properitorships and s-corps instead of LLCs. Doesn't that increase his exposure to liability?

There is no tax classification for LLCs - for a multimember LLC, you can choose to have it taxed as a partnership or a corporation (if corporation, then a C or S corporation). Most of his projects are probably done through single member LLCs that are disregarded for tax purposes (i.e., treated as a branch/division of the single owner). An S corp can limit your self employment tax in ways that a partnership cannot. Also, LLCs have only existed since 1993-ish and only became super popular after tax rules changed in 1997.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:44 AM on May 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

Buzzfeed News (with video): Melissa McCarthy was seen taping for Saturday Night Live in Midtown Manhattan on Monday, cruising down the street on a motorized White House podium dressed as Sean Spicer.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:45 AM on May 12, 2017 [23 favorites]

For many of those Trump wronged before he became President, I wonder if they would get some measure of peace if he was convicted of recent crimes related to the election.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:45 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

It's so strange (and several people have commented on this) how it really feels like everything is happening at both the speed of light and the speed of turtle simultaneously.

Shoutout to Mitch McConnell?
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:47 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Pretty much every sentence of that letter sets off my spidey senses to the point that looking at the whole thing gives me the lawyer equivalent of an ocular migraine. Take the second paragraph, which has three sentences.

First sentence: If you've been Trump's tax counsel since 2005, why are the reps in the second paragraph and the second paragraph only based on a specific federal disclosure for a particular year? Note the shift at the start of the third paragraph to "your tax returns."
Second sentence: So the term TTO only includes entities on the 2016 disclosure. What about entities not disclosed on the 2016 disclosure because they didn't operate within the window, because you found a technical loophole meaning that they didn't need to be reported, or they were """"accidentally omitted""""?
Third sentence: There's so much to unpack here. I'll let the tax lawyers yell about the use of undefined terms like "income" and "earned", but -- "you operate" these businesses. Wasn't there an entire charade where your client turned over control to his sons? Also, "almost exclusively" through sole proprietorships, S-corporations, and/or partnerships? Does your personal tax income reflect all income earned by those entities, or just some?

Also, is Morgan's opinion committee vetting this shit?????????????? Because I don't see any real disclaimers or qualification statements on this thing.
posted by joyceanmachine at 8:47 AM on May 12, 2017 [31 favorites]

At this stage I would consider Trump pardoning himself and his family and his campaign and leaving office to a life of luxury to be a glorious outcome. Whether he goes to jail is vastly less important than depriving him of control of the military, and the Justice Department, and the intelligence apparatus, and the State Department, and the veto power on must-pass legislation, and so on.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:50 AM on May 12, 2017 [18 favorites]

Trump's hand suddenly withering and turning black the moment he touched B-Corp paperwork

That's a great image, thank you. Combined with this reminder from Earth that we're just a blip in history, it's giving me some small solace this morning.

Shoutout to Mitch McConnell?

Well, Yertle's fully withdrawn into his shell, giving him a speed of 0, so why not.
posted by Gaz Errant at 8:51 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Also, is Morgan's opinion committee vetting this shit?????????????? Because I don't see any of real disclaimers or qualification statements on this thing.

This is exactly what I was thinking! They had two partners sign off, which is usually a requirement for opinion letters. But the letter does not meet any standards that I'm familiar with for issuing opinion letters -- no representations, no limitations, no disclaimers. If I were a partner at Morgan Lewis, I'd be really concerned about the firm's liability here. How are the partners there not raising hell???
posted by melissasaurus at 8:52 AM on May 12, 2017 [24 favorites]

we're going to need something along the lines of the 9/11 Commission to go through and figure out just what the hell has gone wrong here

Hey now, we only spent 21 months and $15 million on the 9/11 Commission. We should match an investigation into something really important, like Benghazi or Whitewater, which both had multiple investigations in both houses of Congress.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:54 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

I'm guessing Trump just assumed Obama was taping all his convos with Comey.
posted by ian1977 at 8:55 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Well the Morgan Lewis letter is potentially back-dated to two months ago, so it wouldn't cover his 2016 tax return. And that's assuming he even filed them, which I believe the WH never confirmed.
posted by stopgap at 8:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Of course, if you're money laundering, you don't keep records at all, so of course no Russian sources would show up.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 9:04 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

Ain't no forms for a briefcase full of cash.
posted by emjaybee at 9:06 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

I work in Arlington with a view of a lot of roads and I've seen the same (non-presidential, but big) motocade go by 5 or 6 times over the past two days, both to the pentagon and to DCA (I think). It's super unusual - I don't think I've ever noticed non-presidential motocades that big except for foreign heads of state. Any idea who that might be or why?
posted by R a c h e l at 9:07 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Justin Coates, Duffel Blog: ‘You Going To Goddamned Black Powder’ — Trump Rails Against The Army’s Search For A New Rifle

Here’s what Trump told Duffel Blog:
You know the gun is quite important. So I said what is this? Sir, this is our cartridge system. He said well, we’re going to this because we wanted to have better range on our weapons. I said you don’t use black powder anymore for gun? No sir. I said, “Ah, how is it working?” “Sir, not good. Not good. Doesn’t have the power. You know the blackpowder with grapeshot is just brutal. You see that sucker going and shrapnel going all over the place, there’s burning gases thrown up in the air, big, big explosion, very strong.”

And it’s very complicated, you have to be Samuel Colt to figure it out. And I said–and now they want to buy more cartridge. New ones. That use cartridge. I said what system are you going to be–”Sir, we’re staying with cartridge.” I said no you’re not. You going to goddamned black powder, the cartridge costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it’s no good. Cartridge.
At press time, it was unclear who exactly Trump spoke with, whether that person had any authority to actually implement the policy, or if the conversation even happened in real life.

posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:08 AM on May 12, 2017 [34 favorites]

A Politico reporter says they are having trouble getting the White House press people to answer the phone to book for the Sunday shows. I guess they aren't going to be sending anyone out this weekend.

Probably just send a sheet of paper.

Let's see: thin, white, flexible... this checks out.
posted by CyberSlug Labs at 9:09 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

Winter for Twitler not Germany.
posted by Talez at 9:10 AM on May 12, 2017

Hey, anybody remember that letter from Trump's doctor, the one asserting his health was "astonishingly excellent" and his labs showed "only positive results"?

I didn't even know that personal doctors suffered from publication bias.
posted by jaduncan at 9:10 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

TSU, a Texas historically black college, cancels commencement speech by Senator Cornyn due to student opposition. Ha.
posted by emjaybee at 9:11 AM on May 12, 2017 [53 favorites]

I really wouldn't be surprised if Trump taped his little loyalty oath dinners and other interactions with his associates, holding evidence of corruption over your lackeys to have power over them is such a generic mobster move it screams Trump. If he really did press Comey for a loyalty oath, Comey would have seen that shit for what it was from miles away - if you give in, Trump owns you after that.

The thing about this kind of coerced omerta bullshit is that it doesn't hold up well in the face of the prosecution offering deals to your lackeys, and after this Comey situation there are gonna be a lot of lackeys keeping one eye on the exit.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:11 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Justin Coates, Duffel Blog: ‘You Going To Goddamned Black Powder’ — Trump Rails Against The Army’s Search For A New Rifle

Boy, when you've lost DuffelBlog to the point that they're openly contemptuous...
posted by Etrigan at 9:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

Here’s what Trump told Duffel Blog:

Just making sure. You get that's a parody site, right? Making fun of his moronic comments on the catapults?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

TSU, a Texas historically black college, cancels commencement speech by Senator Cornyn due to student opposition. Ha.

SO MUCH FOR THE TOLERANT LEFT ETC
posted by Existential Dread at 9:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

The thing about this kind of coerced omerta bullshit is that it doesn't hold up well in the face of the prosecution offering deals to your lackeys, and after this Comey situation there are gonna be a lot of lackeys keeping one eye on the exit.

It would almost be ironic if Trump was brought down by the same "disloyalty" that tore up La Cosa Nostra in the 80s.
posted by drezdn at 9:14 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Dan Knopf, Quartz: The three biggest economic errors in Donald Trump’s interview with The Economist

US president Donald Trump sat down for a discussion about economics with editors from The Economist. It revealed that “Trumponomics” is not entirely grounded in reality.

In the course of a wide-ranging interview which touched on trade, immigration, and tax reform, and health care, Trump made three particularly strange statements—not counting curious asides about the quality of roses in the White House garden vis-a-vis infrastructure spending, and migratory bird patterns by way of tax deductions—that belies his claims to understand economics.

posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:14 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

Justin Coates, Duffel Blog: ‘You Going To Goddamned Black Powder’ — Trump Rails Against The Army’s Search For A New Rifle

Seriously though the [/real] or [/fake] tagging is necessary at this point, Trump having taken Poe's law to the biglies.
posted by dis_integration at 9:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [12 favorites]

Boy, when you've lost DuffelBlog to the point that they're openly contemptuous...

They've never liked him, though.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:15 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Despite the linkbait-sounding title, a new piece Five Reasons Why the Comey Affair Is Worse Than Watergate by Fallows is a good long read. Or medium length anyway...
posted by exogenous at 9:18 AM on May 12, 2017 [16 favorites]

Question for business-y people, why does Trump use sole properitorships and s-corps instead of LLCs. Doesn't that increase his exposure to liability?

I'm guessing it's because he doesn't think LLCs look prestigious enough.
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Lots of buzz on journalist Twitter about coming changes in the the WH press operation. Today might be Spicey's last stand.
posted by neroli at 9:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

@realDonaldTrump: James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

This is bizarre. A threat like that only works if Trump is telling the truth and Comey is telling a lie. Given Trump's history of the truth we can only assume that either Trump is so demented that he doesn't know how blackmail works or else Trump is so demented he really believes his own lies. Either way, its dementia.
posted by JackFlash at 9:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [17 favorites]

Boy, when you've lost DuffelBlog to the point that they're openly contemptuous...

They've never liked him, though

There's a couple of things going on there.

First, DB loves Mattis. Like, to a positively weird degree.

Second, they've always been kinda "Meh" on Trump, with sort of basic parody and frankly gross jokes that are really shots at other targets.

But lately, they've stepped it up to "He's a Russian plant" and "He's a lying moron" (as in the black-powder one). They may not have liked him, but now they hate him.
posted by Etrigan at 9:24 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

The best (worst) part seems to be that Trump is such a reflexive liar and he seems to believe his own lies and he's not the deepest thinker or clearest listener. So it's entirely possible that there's a tape (or several) he made of Comey saying something that Trump believes to be vindicating his "you're not being investigated" declaration -- so if those tapes are leaked or released, they'll actually show no such thing. (And I hope be even more implicating)
posted by Mchelly at 9:26 AM on May 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

So it's entirely possible that there's a tape (or several) he made of Comey saying something that Trump believes to be vindicating his "you're not being investigated" declaration -- so if those tapes are leaked or released, they'll actually show no such thing.

What Trump heard: "I̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶t̶e̶l̶l̶ you w̶h̶e̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶o̶r̶ not y̶o̶u̶ ̶a̶r̶e̶ under investigation."
posted by Gaz Errant at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

Given Trump's history of the truth we can only assume that either Trump is so demented that he doesn't know how blackmail works or else Trump is so demented he really believes his own lies. Either way, its dementia.

Outside of dementia, people often have a tendency to remember things happening in a way that makes them look good. So, even if his mind isn't unwinding, it's possible he legitimately thinks if the public heard what was said between the two them, he would look good.
posted by drezdn at 9:31 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

At least one client is not happy that Morgan Lewis is representing Trump.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 9:34 AM on May 12, 2017 [8 favorites]

I have a relative who is slightly older than Trump but has this tendency to tell stories about things that happened to them where someone gets in an argument with them and they always come out the victor. It reminds me of Trump so much.

The thing is, there are a few times where I've been witness to the event that they're telling the story about, and it was nothing like they described. It's so frustrating and worrisome.
posted by drezdn at 9:34 AM on May 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

(Bloomberg) -- Several White House officials decline to comment on whether President Trump is recording his conversations. (Twitter)
posted by scalefree at 9:36 AM on May 12, 2017 [30 favorites]

Aetna CEO in private meeting: “Single-payer, I think we should have that debate”

Simply disregard anything Aetna CEO Bertolini says. He is a proven liar -- in court. Recently he was sanctioned by a Federal judge for flat out lying about their Obamacare coverage. He claimed, in court, that Aetna was pulling out of Obamacare in several states because they were losing money. Turns out there were documents showing this was a lie. They were actually making a profit.

The reason they pulled out of several states is because they have a pending merger with Humana that is being considered as an anti-trust violation. By pulling out of states in which they currently compete with Humana, they can claim that a merger doesn't reduce competition because they don't compete in those states.

So anything that Bertolini says should be assumed to be a lie. A federal judge has ruled he is a liar.
posted by JackFlash at 9:36 AM on May 12, 2017 [36 favorites]

Raja Krishnamoorthi's press release and letter calling for WH Counsel McGahn to turn the "tapes" over to the House Oversight Committee is a thing of beauty.

“Earlier this morning, President Trump wrote a tweet referencing his taping of high-level conversations in the White House. In light of this revelation, I would respectfully request that the White House Counsel provide the House Oversight Committee with all tapes of the President’s communications with former FBI Director James Comey, of President Trump’s meeting with Russian officials which was closed to American press but not their Russian counterparts, and of any conversations regarding the hiring or firing of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. These White House tapes could accelerate current investigations as previous tapes have aided past inquiries."

posted by valetta at 9:36 AM on May 12, 2017 [71 favorites]

So, even if his mind isn't unwinding, it's possible he legitimately thinks if the public heard what was said between the two them, he would look good.

This would track with his apparent shock that people have a problem with a president firing an FBI director in the middle of investigating that president. Trump and his very good brain can't conceive of him ever being wrong.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:37 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

> (Bloomberg) -- Several White House officials decline to comment on whether President Trump is recording his conversations. (Twitter)

Oh, COME ON! What, are they going to be creating suspicious 18 minute gaps in the tapes next?
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:38 AM on May 12, 2017 [19 favorites]

If I were a partner at Morgan Lewis, I'd be really concerned about the firm's liability here. How are the partners there not raising hell???

I mean, maybe you comfort yourself that it's addressed to Trump, and therefore maybe there's an argument that nobody else is entitled to rely or sue on it?

But that's a thin, dry, shriveled fig leaf, especially because there isn't even the "you are the only person entitled to rely on this" language, especially especially because you know it's going to be provided to third parties as something they can trust, and especially especially especially they're dealing with a famously litigous client with a reputation for aggressively screwing his vendors. And like, what possible steps can a firm take to manage this risk? Did they bundle off all the qualifications and disclaimers into a separate side letter? Would that even work, particularly on the non-reliance language?

tl;dr: jesus, the calls with their malpractice carrier.
posted by joyceanmachine at 9:39 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

tapes? tapes? hasn't donnie ever heard of digital recording?

oh ... wait
posted by pyramid termite at 9:39 AM on May 12, 2017 [13 favorites]

steam-powered mechanostenography is the future of wiretapping!
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:40 AM on May 12, 2017 [42 favorites]

Trump and his very good brain can't conceive of him ever being wrong.

I wouldn't be shocked if he's not used to people actively working against him/telling him no/hating him. Sure, he's had to work business deals, and some of them went south, but he wasn't stuck with those people like he is the American public now.
posted by drezdn at 9:40 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

"...as previous tapes have aided past inquiries."

is a thing of beauty.
posted by Mchelly at 9:41 AM on May 12, 2017 [38 favorites]

steam-powered mechanostenography is the future of wiretapping!

Literal tapping, because it's via telegraph.
posted by Strange Interlude at 9:42 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

But he could walk away! Just resign, Donny. You can still have two scoops of ice cream at dinner.
posted by emjaybee at 9:42 AM on May 12, 2017 [24 favorites]

One angle I haven't seen yet with Trump's certified letter is that it sounds like he legitemately doesn't know what might be going on with his businesses. There's nothing wrong with that per se, in a large enough business, there are certain to be things the head doesn't know about completely... Trump, of course, manages to make a muck of it though.
posted by drezdn at 9:43 AM on May 12, 2017

@frankthorp: "Clapper says Comey told him on the day of the WH dinner that he was "uneasy" with going to dinner with Trump [...] Clapper tells @mitchellreports RE: Comey's dinner at the WH with Pres Trump: "I do know he was uneasy with it...""

Countdown until this shows up in Trump's Twitter header as "Clapper says Comey found it easy to tell Trump he wasn't being investigated."
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:46 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

So I was out of the office this morning and I came back to:

Trump threatening to stop holding press briefings entirely.
Trump presenting an unprofessional letter from his lawyer saying he has no income from Russian sources, with a few exceptions.
Trump threatening Comey with tapes of their conversations. ON TWITTER. FOR ALL TO SEE.

How. How is this not over yet.
posted by lydhre at 9:49 AM on May 12, 2017 [50 favorites]

In which a small boy has more chutzpah than most of the adults in DC:

Hero Kid Demands Apology From Mike Pence After Getting Elbowed In The Face

The idea that Trump has no business dealings with Russians is laughable, not because of the various Russia-shaped clouds over his whole administration, but because he's a New York real estate magnate.

Plus the Trump Boys freaking bragged about it. And where in the world is Ivanka these days?
posted by Room 641-A at 9:50 AM on May 12, 2017 [24 favorites]

Nostradonald strikes again. 2014.

@realDonaldTrump
It's almost like the United States has no President - we are a rudderless ship heading for a major disaster. Good luck everyone!

---

Honestly, the shitty spy thriller we're living in right now becomes a lot better if you imagine it's sci-fi and Trump is the anti-hero time traveler trying to warn us from 2014.
posted by chris24 at 9:52 AM on May 12, 2017 [15 favorites]

And where in the world is Ivanka these days?

filing papers to change her last name to Kushner and re-launch her line, i imagine.
posted by murphy slaw at 9:53 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

Maybe it's before my time, but I don't remember "travelgate" at all, but who-lee-shit.

Then you probably also don't remember Christmas card gate. Republicans subpoenaed 34 witnesses and spent 140 hours of public Congressional hearings to investigate the Clinton's Christmas card list.

And as part of it - I kid you not - they dragged Socks the cat into it. They demanded to know if government postage was used to respond to children writing to Socks the cat at the White House.

Republicans have always been awful, long before Benghazi and emails.

Since it's Metafilter, obligatory picture of Socks. "WTF"
posted by JackFlash at 9:53 AM on May 12, 2017 [115 favorites]

I have a relative who is slightly older than Trump but has this tendency to tell stories about things that happened to them where someone gets in an argument with them and they always come out the victor. It reminds me of Trump so much.

I also know somebody like that. She describes her idea of Heaven as a divine Tivo device that can be used to playback any part of the past, so you could return to any prior conversation to prove who was wrong (hint, never her). I was dumbstruck at how similar that was to Trump obsessing over senate testimony in the Time article to the point where he was seeing things on the screen that weren't actually happening.
posted by peeedro at 9:54 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Since it's Metafilter, obligatory picture of Socks.

The fact that image comes from a Russian blog just makes it so damn perfect right now.
posted by zachlipton at 9:55 AM on May 12, 2017 [11 favorites]

Plus the Trump Boys freaking bragged about it.

I don't get it. Why are they confessing?

They're not confessing. They're bragging.
posted by chris24 at 9:55 AM on May 12, 2017 [18 favorites]

Honestly, the shitty spy thriller we're living in right now becomes a lot better if you imagine it's sci-fi and Trump is the anti-hero time traveler trying to warn us from 2014.

Don't miss this Sean Spicer gem from 2013:
@seanspicer
if the goal was to 1 up Nixon, they win
posted by melissasaurus at 9:55 AM on May 12, 2017 [16 favorites]

Sidebar from this:

Why Is USA Today Asking the FBI for Help With Its Facebook Page?

When Facebook went on a bot-purging spree last month, most publishers saw a small dip in fans—less than 3 percent, Facebook said at the time. But USA Today was, for some reason, absolutely walloped by the purge. Some 6 million accounts that had previously liked the USA Today Facebook Page vanished overnight, suggesting that the newspaper was, perhaps, the main target of some larger bot-laden scam.

[...]

Stranger still: The accounts appeared to be manually made by humans—rather than generated by software—one of the telltale signs of a larger and more sophisticated operation. The suggestion, USA Today says, is that “somewhere in the world humans are busy setting up these profiles.”

posted by CyberSlug Labs at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [30 favorites]

Without further ado, I give you the latest in this nearly 2 year string of posts on politics.

It is ridiculously hard to remember all of the shit that has happened this week. Thanks to everyone in this thread who posted stories--I borrowed some to make the new post!
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [18 favorites]

Filing papers to change her last name to Kushner and re-launch her line, i imagine.

"You abandoned the family name and then threw me under the bus just to protect your brand?"

"Yes daddy."

"That's my girl!"
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Meanwhile on FOX, it's all But Her Emails, 24/7.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:58 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

NEW THREAD!
posted by Sophie1 at 9:59 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

The bloated carcass of God, creator of Heaven and Earth, is decomposing off the coast of an Indonesian island, just in case you were holding out hope that he'd deliver us from evil and save the world from Trump.
posted by guiseroom at 10:00 AM on May 12, 2017 [17 favorites]

Even the Old Ones are dying off.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:02 AM on May 12, 2017 [13 favorites]

I also know somebody like that. She describes her idea of Heaven as a divine Tivo device that can be used to playback any part of the past, so you could return to any prior conversation to prove who was wrong (hint, never her). I was dumbstruck at how similar that was to Trump obsessing over senate testimony in the Time article to the point where he was seeing things on the screen that weren't actually happening.

Be careful what you wish for. That was actually part of an episode of Black Mirror and I don't think I need to tell you that it isn't all wine and roses.
posted by mmascolino at 10:04 AM on May 12, 2017

a list of presidential pets reveals that donald trump is the first president since polk not to have a pet

unless andrew johnson feeding white mice in his bedroom doesn't count

i doubt very much donnie would do that - for one thing, he'd have to have two slices of d-con for every one he fed the critters
posted by pyramid termite at 10:09 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Are you sure Spicer doesn't count, termite?
posted by flatluigi at 10:17 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

i've seen donkeys that were better housetrained
posted by pyramid termite at 10:20 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

He's going back in the pet carrier next to Christie's one.
posted by Artw at 10:20 AM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

cjelli: a property sold to a Russian billionaire in 2008 for $95 million.

Burhanistan: And that sale is probably the point where trump got in way too far over his fat head with the Russians and their shady bankers.

After doing some renovation on the house, Trump put it back on the market in 2006 at price that made even jaded Palm Beach eyeballs pop: $125 million. Gossip Extra publisher and columnist Jose Lambiet, one of a few reporters Trump invited to tour the house in an attempt to drum up buyers, was even more astonished by the price after he looked around.

“I’d been in the house before, at one of Gosman’s charity parties, and Trump had hardly changed anything, just put on a couple of coats of paint,” Lambiet said. “Even that — well, he told us the fixtures in one of the bathrooms were gold, but as he walked away, I scratched a faucet with my fingernails and it was just gold-covered paint.”
...
In the rough-and-tumble Russian financial world, anybody with wealth like Rybolovlev is viewed with a certain degree of suspicion, and his business career — which includes a charge of murder, of which he was acquitted — has certainly had its share of adventures. Much of it is shrouded in mystery; he almost never talks to reporters.

But South Florida never got a chance to see him up close. Rybolovlev never lived in his new mansion and is believed to have visited only once. That may have been due in part to a terrible mold problem discovered after he bought it.

How truly Trumpian.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:22 AM on May 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

Did they bundle off all the qualifications and disclaimers into a separate side letter? Would that even work, particularly on the non-reliance language?

One of my gigs is related to investment bank something something, and not a single fucking email comes through without a page of disclaimers.
posted by mikelieman at 10:22 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

Gaz Errant: Combined with this reminder from Earth that we're just a blip in history, it's giving me some small solace this morning.

Welcome to MetaFilter, Gary Johnson! {/hamburger on thinking Gaz Errant is really Gary Johnson}
posted by filthy light thief at 10:31 AM on May 12, 2017

Existential Dread: TSU, a Texas historically black college, cancels commencement speech by Senator Cornyn due to student opposition. Ha.

The article loaded with this ad image: "Governor, time for a road trip. Here's Why"

I read that as the Texas Trib getting sassy with their political coverage, because the article didn't load and I can't make the ad re-load.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:38 AM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

I've spent the morning in a vendor presentation for a company based in Toronto. A company that has several open positions for which I am well, well qualified. I am a Canadian dual citizen. Someone please tell me to not blow up my American life and abandon 4 aging parents.

1. forget about buying a house here, seriously, just forget it, your best case scenario for home ownership is "I will buy a home in, oh, Guelph, and drive 90 minutes on a toll highway each way to get to work"

2. renting in town is only marginally better and the flip-oriented nature of the exploding housing market makes long-term renting an unstable proposition at best

3. also don't plan on anything resembling sane delivery of transit expansion or city services because the city council is honestly mostly a bunch of honest-to-god dimwits combined with a bunch of people who are only there because they know rich real estate developers who were willing to fund their campaigns in exchange for support on the condo developments that make them the most money, and because most of the people in Toronto who vote in municipal elections are assholes in Rosedale who only care about property taxes remaining unsustainably low

4. also the rest of Ontario and Canada will hate you for no goddamn good reason whatsoever even after you subsidize them with the tax money your home generates, and I am talking visceral, wildly unreasonable hatred here
posted by mightygodking at 10:58 AM on May 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

mightgodking is 800% correct about all of those points (Toronto city council in particular is awful) and I would still say that not only should you move here, you should take your aging parents with you.
posted by chrominance at 11:05 AM on May 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

Something I realized just this morning… Part of the reason all the Republicans in the House and the Senate are sticking by Trump is because of the Russian hacking.

For them to stick their neck out to protect American democracy would be to subject themselves to a barrage of Russian troll activity in social media and other ratfuckery that threatens their political lives.
posted by chrchr at 11:12 AM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that there is a new thread.
posted by kingless at 11:22 AM on May 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Toronto voted for Rob Ford. Multiple Times.

Hatred justified.
posted by Yowser at 12:22 PM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Waaaay upthread there was talk about stopping Trump from tweeting, or sandboxing his tweets. This must never happen. His Twitter feed is the unfiltered rantings of his demented brain, and he must - MUST - be allowed to continue. Give him enough rope, etc.
posted by essexjan at 2:45 PM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Yo dawg I heard you like new threads
posted by Room 641-A at 3:00 PM on May 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

Wow, that filled up fast.
posted by Coventry at 6:00 PM on May 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

Just when I thought I was out.
posted by box at 6:16 PM on May 12, 2017

Something I realized just this morning… Part of the reason all the Republicans in the House and the Senate are sticking by Trump is because of the Russian hacking.

Plus, many of them benefited from it (NYT pay wall depending).
posted by Mental Wimp at 6:21 PM on May 12, 2017

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