(10-10-2019, 09:05 PM)GMDino Wrote:

BREAKING: The FBI and federal prosecutors in NYC are scrutinizing Rudy Giuliani’s financial dealings with the two men charged today. The men, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, are charged with pumping Russian money into US political campaigns. (reporting from @evanperez @ShimonPro)

— Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) October 10, 2019

(10-10-2019, 09:39 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: Helped Rudy investigate Biden. Arrested today as they were making their way to leave the country with one way tickets to Vienna.


Rudy planned on going to Vienna tomorrow with them...

Quote:Trump brushed aside several photographs of the men with Trump or members of his family. On May 21, 2018, Parnas posted a picture on Facebook of himself with Fruman and Donald Trump Jr. at a breakfast at the Beverly Hills Polo Lounge in California. "Power Breakfast!!!" the caption said. Parnas had previously posted a picture of himself with Trump at the White House on May 1, describing an “incredible dinner and even better conversation.”


This Facebook screen shot provided by The Campaign Legal Center, shows President Donald Trump standing with Lev Parnas, top left photo, at the White House in Washington, posted on May 1, 2018. (Photo: AP)

More: Impeachment: Lawmakers subpoena Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, hours after their arrests


“Now it's possible I have a picture with them because I have a picture with everybody,” Trump said. "Somebody said there may be a picture or something at a fundraiser, or somewhere, but I have pictures with everybody. 



"I don't know them," Trump continued. "I don't know about them, I don't know what they do...Maybe they were clients of Rudy. You'd have to ask Rudy. I just don't know." 

(10-10-2019, 10:58 PM)GMDino Wrote: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/10/donald-trump-denies-knowing-giuliani-associates-lev-parnas-igor-fruman/3858385002/

(10-10-2019, 09:39 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: Helped Rudy investigate Biden. Arrested today as they were making their way to leave the country with one way tickets to Vienna.


Rudy planned on going to Vienna tomorrow with them...

(10-11-2019, 12:39 AM)BmorePat87 Wrote: cue the Nickleback music video he tweeted 

(10-11-2019, 09:35 AM)GMDino Wrote:

What we're now supposed to believe:

1 - The DNC hacks itself just in case Trump wins the election
2 - The DNC leaves emails about how it was about to hack itself in the hack docs
3 - The DNC releases the hack through Wikileaks
4 - The DNC frames Russia
5 - (???)
6 - Impeachment

— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) October 10, 2019

 

(10-11-2019, 09:45 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: It is interesting to me how much this strategy of misinformation has worked, though. I was chatting with a retired politician, yesterday. He's a moderate Republican, has served at the state level of government, and is a friend to such individuals as President G.W. Bush and other very high profile types (including high profile Democrats). This is not someone that I would consider to be out of touch with the news of the day or how things operate. But even he made comments that were based on the propaganda efforts of the Trump administration about Biden and the Ukrainian prosecutor.

It just goes to show how effective this tactic has been that even people who know much more than the average citizen are still unaware of the whole situation. How can we expect the majority of Americans to not fall prey to this?

Quote:A career diplomat who served as senior advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has decided to step down, two State Department officials told NBC News on Thursday, just as foreign service officers find themselves caught in the middle of a confrontation between the White House and Democratic lawmakers leading an impeachment inquiry.



P. Michael McKinley, a seasoned foreign service officer who served as ambassador to Afghanistan, Colombia, Brazil and Peru, has told his colleagues he is resigning, the two officials said.

McKinley's resignation was first reported by The Washington Post.


The State Department did not respond to requests for comment.


The move comes amid growing concern among career diplomats over how the administration has handled the impeachment inquiry on Ukraine and how it has treated career civil servants who have been asked to testify before Congress. Earlier this week, Pompeo at the last minute barred the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, from appearing before House lawmakers.


Foreign service officers have come away disheartened by revelations in the Ukraine case, including the recall of Marie Yovanovitch as ambassador to Ukraine months ahead of schedule, after she came under attack from right-wing media. Yovanovitch has been asked to appear before House committees as well but it remains unclear if the State Department will allow her to testify.


In text messages released last week, the top diplomat in Kyiv, who succeeded Yovanovitch, William Taylor, expressed alarm that the Trump administration appeared ready to withhold military aid to Ukraine if the government did not agree to conduct investigations to benefit the president’s personal political agenda.
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Former diplomats have blasted the Trump administration over plummeting morale at the State Department and accused the White House of sidelining career civil servants while pushing them to take sides in its political clashes.


The American Foreign Service Association, which represents the State Department workforce, recently issued an unusual statement warning against attempts to inject politics into the non-partisan diplomatic corps.


“Our members have taken an oath to the U.S., and do their utmost to support the foreign policy of the United States under the leadership of the elected leaders of our democracy,” it said.



“We urge that their service, which at times is under the most serious hardship conditions and security risks, not be politicized and that they not be dragged into partisan political battles.”

 

(10-11-2019, 09:45 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: It is interesting to me how much this strategy of misinformation has worked, though. I was chatting with a retired politician, yesterday. He's a moderate Republican, has served at the state level of government, and is a friend to such individuals as President G.W. Bush and other very high profile types (including high profile Democrats). This is not someone that I would consider to be out of touch with the news of the day or how things operate. But even he made comments that were based on the propaganda efforts of the Trump administration about Biden and the Ukrainian prosecutor.

It just goes to show how effective this tactic has been that even people who know much more than the average citizen are still unaware of the whole situation. How can we expect the majority of Americans to not fall prey to this?

(10-11-2019, 10:37 AM)GMDino Wrote:

Dear @realDonaldTrump: You said today you didn't know Parnas & Fruman.

-But they were part of your legal team trying to get dirt on your opponent.

-They funneled foreign money to a super group led by @DonaldJTrumpJr.

-AND THEN YOU HAD DINNER WITH THEM AT THE WHITE HOUSE. https://t.co/LMN2UpUeZz

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) October 10, 2019

 


"Donald Trump Jr? Never heard of the guy.  Lot's of people have my name.  It's a very popular name.  Great name, many people tell me." 

(10-10-2019, 01:59 PM)hollodero Wrote: I'd rather say I disagree with the premise here. Or say with the applicability of the example you gave.
"The Dems" did not cry for impeachment constantly.

(10-10-2019, 01:59 PM)hollodero Wrote: Survive, sure. But I do think Trump does irreparable damage to the US. Globally by tearing up deals and betraying allies that effectively defeated ISIS for him (which he bragged about), making it all that more difficult to forge alliances in the future. Who would possibly ever trust something the US says ever again - especially when the electorate deems what Trump does just fine and reelects him? I sure would not, and I was a big fan, even after Bush. But heck, it is not unthinkable anymore that Trump's deeds will indeed lead to the destruction of NATO and to strengthened authoritarian nations all over the world. Which comes with a toll, a political one, a humanitarian one, an economic one, pick your poison.

(10-10-2019, 01:59 PM)hollodero Wrote: I really do wonder how you as a Californian resident can be fine with you getting two senators and the Dakotas getting four, but that's another point. But that is so blatantly unfair to me, as is the whole EC; but granted, although my tiny country is federalistic as well I am used to having my vote counted for the party or person I voted for, no matter where I lived. And I cannot shake the feeling that the century-old US approach is undemocratic, as it weighs votes differently. That is discrimination based on residence. But ok, I get it :) that's just me.

(10-11-2019, 02:35 PM)Dill Wrote: Two senators per state = EQUALITY OF STATES in a federal system with a bicameral legislature.  This makes sense in a REAL federal system where states have their own courts and control over their schools and especially over corporate law.

(10-11-2019, 02:35 PM)Dill Wrote: Are you referring to the European Council?

(10-11-2019, 02:35 PM)Dill Wrote: That's unfair if every EU member has one representative? More fair if representation there is proportional--nine Germans to one Austrian? I know some Germans who might agree. But color me puzzled. (unless I have misunderstood you.)