Merged All things Trump + Russia

[dudalb]

And even Trump,once in a great while,does something intelligent:
He hired a criminal attorney today.
If the guy was smart, he insisted on a huge retainer being paid in advance, given Trump's history of trying to get out of paying his legal bills.

 

[Babbylonian]

And even Trump,once in a great while,does something intelligent:
He hired a criminal attorney today.
If the guy was smart, he insisted on a huge retainer being paid in advance, given Trump's history of trying to get out of paying his legalany bills.

I hope my fix helps.

 

[dudalb]

I hope my fix helps.

I stand corrected.

 

[Belz...]

You seemed to be saying someone thinks Pence is guilty of something.

Not specifically; it's just that this sort of behaviour is very common, even here.

 

[CapelDodger]

Yes but that is a rational calculation. I would be willing to believe that is the thinking of the party, but there is every evidence that Trump hates even the appearance of losing.

It directly attacks Trump in the ego.

As a result such a calculation could still backfire on the GOP Reprentatives and Senators as Trump will start wanting revenge.

I think this will be way down a very long list for Trump. I think it's a little like Comey's contemporaneous memos : there to point to should the need to insulate themselves arise. Until then I doubt we'll hear any more about it..

 

[Trebuchet]

And even Trump,once in a great while,does something intelligent:
He hired a criminal attorney today.
If the guy was smart, he insisted on a huge retainer being paid in advance, given Trump's history of trying to get out of paying his legal bills.

I initially read "criminal attorney" the wrong way. I think.

 

[skyeagle409]

Is he talking about DAG Rosenstein?[qimg]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170616/ea8913057db742a5d8c645ef635f2a72.jpg[/qimg]

At least Trump won't have to waste any more of his time trying to convince people to report to the public that he is not under investigation. Taking a look back.

Comey told Trump 3 times that he wasn't under investigation, but his refusal to publicly say so infuriated Trump

http://www.businessinsider.com/comey-told-trump-he-wasnt-under-investigation-2017-6

 

[skyeagle409]

Russia aside, this is poor logic. It allows for no possibility except guilty. Either they admit to guilt or they are lying, and their denial is proof of their guilt.

The Russians have made their mark for the whole world to see. So once again, if the Russians denied they were involved, that's proof enough they were. Their initial denial regarding the downing of Korean 007, which involved me and my aircraft in recovery operations, their explanation of the downing of MH-17, Crimea, Ukraine, etc., are prime examples.

 

[d4m10n]

Headlines from the future: http://www.theonion.com/article/robert-mueller-driving-suv-100-mph-down-runway-air-56237

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Headlines from the future: http://www.theonion.com/article/robert-mueller-driving-suv-100-mph-down-runway-air-56237

I love this one part way down the page:

WASHINGTON—In the wake of this morning’s mass shooting in Alexandria, VA, every single American from across the political spectrum was reportedly able to cite the tragedy as irrefutable proof that they had been right about everything all along.

 

[Aridas]

I am getting bored with this whole "I am not defending Trump but"...routine. Wonder if there is anything I can do about it.

Edited by Agatha: 

Edited to remove reference to ignore list. Please do not discuss your ignore list in-thread; it is a breach of rule 0, rule 11 and rule 12. Thank you.

If that was a response to Emily's Cat... I was tempted to say much the same. I let it off with an eyeroll, though, when I read it.

The Russians have made their mark for the whole world to see. So once again, if the Russians denied they were involved, that's proof enough they were. Their initial denial regarding the downing of Korean 007, which involved me and my aircraft in recovery operations, their explanation of the downing of MH-17, Crimea, Ukraine, etc., are prime examples.

No. The more logical takeaway is that a Russian denial means effectively nothing. It does not indicate that they were involved. It's all the actual evidence, if such exists, that they were involved that would count as proof that they were.

 

[skyeagle409]

No. The more logical takeaway is that a Russian denial means effectively nothing. It does not indicate that they were involved. It's all the actual evidence, if such exists, that they were involved that would count as proof that they were.

It is just a matter of looking back into history to understand where I am coming from, but most of all, it's all in the Russian doctrine; maskirovka
Not knowing your enemy can have serious consequences. Apparently, Trump doesn't realize this and he is putting US national security in jeopardy.

.

 

[Aridas]

It is just a matter of looking back into history to understand where I am coming from, but most of all, it's all in the Russian doctrine; maskirovka
Not knowing your enemy can have serious consequences. Apparently, Trump doesn't realize this and he is putting US national security in jeopardy.

.

I'm not going to dispute where you're coming from. The argument that you had actually presented was simply flawed. *shrug* As for Trump putting the US' national security in jeopardy... really, he's doing that on many fronts and in many ways. Let's move past Russia and how he seems intent on sucking up to them for a moment. He's been choosing to handle things in ways that make terrorist attacks notably more likely from various kinds of groups inside and outside the country. He's practically been asking for certain kinds of terrorist attacks to happen, no less, so he can gloat loudly about how his Muslim ban should have been in place. He's been pointedly provoking unfriendly countries, especially ones like North Korea. He's been pushing away many of those who we have alliances and intelligence sharing agreements with, like the Europeans and Israel. He's been alienating those that have been working with us, like Qatar. He's been just giving away classified military information to foreigners who have no problem leaking it, and seemingly without getting anything at all in return on top of it to make it even less justifiable. Even on a more bureaucratic front, he's done so badly at even nominating people to fill the holes left that that can undermine efforts of various kinds in many, many ways.

In short, yes, Trump is putting our national security at risk. What you're pointing out is something of a drop in the bucket, though.

 

[quadraginta]

I initially read "criminal attorney" the wrong way. I think.

Probably not.

I expect your first reaction would be appropriate for the kind of attorney that would be sleazy enough and desperate enough to take Trump as a client in criminal court.

Definitely gonna be one who gets paid on retainer and stops if it runs out.

 

[Stacko]

Pro-Russian Lobbyist Is Lurking Around the White House

Rick Gates, the longtime lobbying partner of ousted Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, is still making multiple visits to the White House—even though the Trump administration has sought to distance itself from Manafort.

Manafort may be under investigation for alleged Russia ties, and thus persona non grata at the Trump White House. However, his top deputy Gates—who also worked on behalf of Russian interests—has managed to wedge himself back into Trump-world. having landed a sweet new gig with one of President Donald Trump’s best and wealthiest friends.

After leaving the Trump-boosting nonprofit America First Policies in March—as former FBI Director James Comey officially announced an investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign team and Russian officials—Gates is now working directly for Tom Barrack, according to eight sources in and around the Trump White House.

Barrack, a millionaire and former Trump fundraiser who went on to lead the presidential inaugural committee, is a longtime friend of the president who still sends Trump friendly emails to remind him that, “YOU ROCK!” The Trump ally was also instrumental in bringing Manafort into Trump’s political orbit during the campaign.

No wonder the administration is upset with the new sanctions passed by the Senate.

 

[CapelDodger]

I really want there to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for the incident. I wish I could think of one.

The news these days does seem to be one barely-credible tragic fiasco after another.

 

[skyeagle409]

.
The Trump administration is a threat to US national security.

Putin sees chance under Trump to 'crack the NATO alliance': Former US ambassador to NATO

The former U.S. ambassador to NATO said the unpredictability of the Trump administration may open opportunities for opponents.

"This sort of unpredictability over the first five months of this administration possibly opens potential opportunities for opponents," Douglas Lute, former U.S. representative to NATO under President Obama, said in an interview on "This Week" Sunday. "Here, I think, Russia, in particular."

Asked by "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz what Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks when he hears President Trump talk about Russia, Lute said Putin sees the chance to "crack the NATO alliance."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/putin-sees-chance-trump-crack-nato-alliance-us/story?id=48106001

 

[dudalb]

Which is why the Senate sent Trump that little message about sanctions last week.......a shot across the bow.

 

[Stacko]

Flynn got $45,000 to appear at RT dinner.

In December 2015, Mr. Flynn traveled to Moscow for a paid speaking engagement on behalf of RT, the Kremlin-financed news network that American intelligence agencies say is a Russian propaganda outlet. RT paid Mr. Flynn $45,000 for the trip, which also included an invitation to a lavish anniversary party for the network, where he was photographed sitting at the elbow of President Vladimir V. Putin.

The three payments from Russian companies are among the issues being investigated by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel leading the Justice Department inquiry.

Mr. Flynn believed that Moscow could be cultivated as an ally against Islamist militants. As director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, he had even visited the headquarters of the G.R.U., the Russian military intelligence service.

I wonder how much they paid Jill Stein who was seated at the same table along with Putin.

 

[kmortis]

I initially read "criminal attorney" the wrong way. I think.

Probably not.

I expect your first reaction would be appropriate for the kind of attorney that would be sleazy enough and desperate enough to take Trump as a client in criminal court.

Definitely gonna be one who gets paid on retainer and stops if it runs out.

Considering that the criminal lawyer is Jay Seklow, Trebuchet's first reaction is most likely correct.