https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/3/15910508/america-the-diminished
"We are diminished when our president lies, and even more so when we begin taking his habitual lying for granted. The New York Times published a comprehensive list of falsehoods Trump told since taking office and found it wasn’t until March that Trump went a full day without saying something flatly untrue. The absence of public dishonesty, for Trump, is usually driven by an absence of opportunity to be publicly dishonest. “On days without an untrue statement, he is often absent from Twitter, vacationing at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, or busy golfing,” the Times found. We are diminished when our president uses cyberbullying as a communications strategy, spending his mornings picking childish fights on Twitter and coming up with insulting nicknames for his enemies. It is impossible to imagine the firestorm that would have followed Barack Obama or Bill Clinton mocking a television anchor’s plastic surgery. But in this White House, press officers justify the president’s insults by saying he “fights fire with fire.” The president is teaching our children that bullies win so long as they never, ever back down. We are diminished when our president spends his time and energy — and thus the nation’s time and energy — on the wrong issues. At Axios, Mike Allen notes Trump has tweeted the words “opioid” or “opioids” just once — but “loser” 234 times, and “dumb” or “dummy” 222 times. Political capital is finite, and our future is harmed when it is squandered. We are diminished when the president knows nothing about the issues he faces, and does not try to learn more. It is embarrassing that the president’s staffers have taken to writing his name as often as possible in briefing documents for fear that he will lose interest otherwise, that they fill his press clips with sycophantic praise in an effort to distract him from Twitter, that they fight to appear on Fox & Friends because they know he takes advice from the television better than from his own advisers."
Saturday, July 8, 2017
True Patriotism | Crooks and Liars
True Patriotism | Crooks and Liars
"We keep coming back to our history, to the words of our founders. We keep trying to form a more perfect union. And we’ve made it a lot better over the years. The slaves were freed. Poor people, women, African-Americans, and others won the right to vote long denied them. More of us have won civil rights for ourselves and our children. Most senior citizens no longer live out their years in dire poverty due to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. More of us have been able to go to college, and due to labor unions, the minimum wage, and those college educations, more of us have been able to have decent incomes. More of us have access to quality health care. But in these troubled times, everything we hold dear is under attack. Demagogues and extremists are trying to roll back the gains won for us by those on whose shoulders we are proud to stand. We need to fight to keep the vote. We need to fight for our civil rights and liberties. We need to fight for health care and decent incomes for all our citizens. And we need to keep fighting as well for that more perfect union."
"We keep coming back to our history, to the words of our founders. We keep trying to form a more perfect union. And we’ve made it a lot better over the years. The slaves were freed. Poor people, women, African-Americans, and others won the right to vote long denied them. More of us have won civil rights for ourselves and our children. Most senior citizens no longer live out their years in dire poverty due to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. More of us have been able to go to college, and due to labor unions, the minimum wage, and those college educations, more of us have been able to have decent incomes. More of us have access to quality health care. But in these troubled times, everything we hold dear is under attack. Demagogues and extremists are trying to roll back the gains won for us by those on whose shoulders we are proud to stand. We need to fight to keep the vote. We need to fight for our civil rights and liberties. We need to fight for health care and decent incomes for all our citizens. And we need to keep fighting as well for that more perfect union."
Trump's Phony Patriotism Clashes With the Radical Roots of America the Beautiful and the Pledge of Allegiance @alternet
Trump's Phony Patriotism Clashes With the Radical Roots of America the Beautiful and the Pledge of Allegiance @alternet:
"Throughout the United States' history, they have viewed their movements—abolition of slavery, farmers' populism, women's suffrage, workers' rights, civil rights, environmentalism, gay rights, and others—as profoundly patriotic. They believed that America's core claims—fairness, equality, freedom, justice—were their own. America now confronts a new version of the Gilded Age, brought upon by Wall Street greed and corporate malfeasance. The gap between rich and poor is still widening. Although the economy has improved in recent years, Americans are feeling more economically insecure than at any time since the Depression. They are upset by the unbridled selfishness and political influence-peddling demonstrated by banks, oil companies, drug companies, insurance companies, and other large corporations. They are angry at the growing power of American-based global firms who show no loyalty to their country, outsource jobs to low-wage countries, avoid paying taxes, and pollute the environment. With Trump in the White House, we are once again battling over immigration and who belongs in America. With Trump’s approval, right-wing groups and talk-show pundits calling themselves patriots have unleashed a new wave of hate and bigotry. Trump claims he wants to "make America great again" and "bring jobs home." But those sentiments conflict with Trump's own business practices. The entire Donald J. Trump Collection of clothing, including men's dress shirts, suits, ties and accessories, was made in factories overseas, mostly in China, Bangladesh and Central America, to take advantage of cheap labor. Trump followed in the tradition of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, America's largest corporation, who promoted the motto "Buy American." But today the retail giant, now owned by his heirs, imports most of its merchandise from Asia, much of it made under inhumane sweatshop conditions Trump’s nativism, xenophobia, racism, selfishness, materialism, and faux patriotism would have appalled Francis Bellamy."
"Throughout the United States' history, they have viewed their movements—abolition of slavery, farmers' populism, women's suffrage, workers' rights, civil rights, environmentalism, gay rights, and others—as profoundly patriotic. They believed that America's core claims—fairness, equality, freedom, justice—were their own. America now confronts a new version of the Gilded Age, brought upon by Wall Street greed and corporate malfeasance. The gap between rich and poor is still widening. Although the economy has improved in recent years, Americans are feeling more economically insecure than at any time since the Depression. They are upset by the unbridled selfishness and political influence-peddling demonstrated by banks, oil companies, drug companies, insurance companies, and other large corporations. They are angry at the growing power of American-based global firms who show no loyalty to their country, outsource jobs to low-wage countries, avoid paying taxes, and pollute the environment. With Trump in the White House, we are once again battling over immigration and who belongs in America. With Trump’s approval, right-wing groups and talk-show pundits calling themselves patriots have unleashed a new wave of hate and bigotry. Trump claims he wants to "make America great again" and "bring jobs home." But those sentiments conflict with Trump's own business practices. The entire Donald J. Trump Collection of clothing, including men's dress shirts, suits, ties and accessories, was made in factories overseas, mostly in China, Bangladesh and Central America, to take advantage of cheap labor. Trump followed in the tradition of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, America's largest corporation, who promoted the motto "Buy American." But today the retail giant, now owned by his heirs, imports most of its merchandise from Asia, much of it made under inhumane sweatshop conditions Trump’s nativism, xenophobia, racism, selfishness, materialism, and faux patriotism would have appalled Francis Bellamy."
On This Fourth of July, Let’s Take a Look at What an Embarrassment the GOP Has Become
https://forwardprogressives.com/fourth-july-lets-take-look-embarrassment-gop-become/
"We’ve gone from the party of the president who built the Interstate Highway system, and warned against the military industrial complex having too much influence over the country, to a party that, for the most part, scoffs at any mention of spending to improve our crumbling infrastructure and makes increasing our already bloated defense budget a key talking point for essentially every member of the party. They’ve become such an absolute joke we’ve seen some Republicans leave the party altogether because of Trump’s success. Last year, one Republican spent many of his last days alive speaking out as much as he could against Trump. Meanwhile, cowards like Speaker of the House Paul Ryan — despite repeatedly condemning Trump’s horrific rhetoric during his campaign — has treated most Americans like we’re all brainwashed Trump supporters who believe the absurd lies he’s been forced to come up with trying to defend the “president’s” childish, reprehensible, and disgusting behavior. And Ryan’s far from the only Republican who I’m certain knows Trump’s a national embarrassment and unfit for office, but has chosen to put party over country to defend someone who’s turned the United States into a global laughingstock. As I’ve pointed out on several occasions, this downward spiral all began during the 50’s and 60’s during the implementation of the “Southern strategy” when the GOP decided it was going to pander to racism, bigotry, and ignorance. That’s when the party officially severed ties with what it once was and embraced the right-wing extremism and racism that have now completely taken it over."
"We’ve gone from the party of the president who built the Interstate Highway system, and warned against the military industrial complex having too much influence over the country, to a party that, for the most part, scoffs at any mention of spending to improve our crumbling infrastructure and makes increasing our already bloated defense budget a key talking point for essentially every member of the party. They’ve become such an absolute joke we’ve seen some Republicans leave the party altogether because of Trump’s success. Last year, one Republican spent many of his last days alive speaking out as much as he could against Trump. Meanwhile, cowards like Speaker of the House Paul Ryan — despite repeatedly condemning Trump’s horrific rhetoric during his campaign — has treated most Americans like we’re all brainwashed Trump supporters who believe the absurd lies he’s been forced to come up with trying to defend the “president’s” childish, reprehensible, and disgusting behavior. And Ryan’s far from the only Republican who I’m certain knows Trump’s a national embarrassment and unfit for office, but has chosen to put party over country to defend someone who’s turned the United States into a global laughingstock. As I’ve pointed out on several occasions, this downward spiral all began during the 50’s and 60’s during the implementation of the “Southern strategy” when the GOP decided it was going to pander to racism, bigotry, and ignorance. That’s when the party officially severed ties with what it once was and embraced the right-wing extremism and racism that have now completely taken it over."
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Trump is preparing to meet Putin this week by reading tweet-length memos
https://www.vox.com/world/2017/7/5/15924522/trump-twitter-putin-russia-hacking-meeting-comey-g20-briefings
"US intelligence officials are trying to prepare President Trump for his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday by feeding him information the only way they know how: in bite-size 140-character pieces. It’s a well-reported fact that Trump doesn’t read his daily briefings and prefers “killer graphics” like pictures, videos, and charts, or in-person briefings. Trump aides have come up with some creative ways to keep the president focused — such as mentioning his name as frequently as possible in memos — but this latest strategy might be their most desperate one yet. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, Trump aides have prepared “a list of tweet-length sentences that summarize the main points Trump could bring up with Putin” in the hopes that the president absorbs even a little of what he needs to know before sitting down with the canny, and sure to be well-prepared, Russian leader. Think about that for a second: Trump is preparing for his biggest foreign meeting with the leader of a country that actively tried to undermine America’s democratic process, a leader who sees the US as his personal enemy, by reading tweet-length talking points. All this further underscores the sense that Trump — and by extension the US — is about to be outplayed. Badly."
"US intelligence officials are trying to prepare President Trump for his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday by feeding him information the only way they know how: in bite-size 140-character pieces. It’s a well-reported fact that Trump doesn’t read his daily briefings and prefers “killer graphics” like pictures, videos, and charts, or in-person briefings. Trump aides have come up with some creative ways to keep the president focused — such as mentioning his name as frequently as possible in memos — but this latest strategy might be their most desperate one yet. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, Trump aides have prepared “a list of tweet-length sentences that summarize the main points Trump could bring up with Putin” in the hopes that the president absorbs even a little of what he needs to know before sitting down with the canny, and sure to be well-prepared, Russian leader. Think about that for a second: Trump is preparing for his biggest foreign meeting with the leader of a country that actively tried to undermine America’s democratic process, a leader who sees the US as his personal enemy, by reading tweet-length talking points. All this further underscores the sense that Trump — and by extension the US — is about to be outplayed. Badly."
Is Trump's Attraction to Russia About Shaping the U.S. Version of Putin's 21st-Century, Postmodern, Authoritarian, Kleptocratic Regime? @alternet
Is Trump's Attraction to Russia About Shaping the U.S. Version of Putin's 21st-Century, Postmodern, Authoritarian, Kleptocratic Regime? @alternet:
"Yale historian Timothy Snyder asserts that Trump's ties to Russia are far deeper and more dangerous than campaign collusion."
"Yale historian Timothy Snyder asserts that Trump's ties to Russia are far deeper and more dangerous than campaign collusion."
It turns out the liberal caricature of conservatism is correct
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/29/15892504/liberal-caricature-conservatism-correct
"Marc Thiessen, the George W. Bush speechwriter who now writes a column for the Washington Post op-ed page, is aghast at the Senate GOP’s health care bill. “Paying for a massive tax cut for the wealthy with cuts to health care for the most vulnerable Americans is morally reprehensible,” he says. “If Republicans want to confirm every liberal caricature of conservatism in a single piece of legislation, they could do no better than vote on the GOP bill in its current form.” But at what point do we admit that this isn’t the liberal caricature of conservatism? It’s just ... conservatism. Though Republicans had long promised the country a repeal-and-replace plan that offered better coverage at lower cost, the House GOP’s health care bill cut hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes for the rich and paid for it by gutting health care spending on the poor. It was widely criticized and polled terribly. Senate Republicans responded by releasing a revised health care bill that also cut hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes for the rich and paid for it by gutting health care spending on the poor. It has also been widely criticized, and it also is polling terribly. Donald Trump, who ran on a platform of covering everyone with better health insurance than they get now, has endorsed both bills. Republicans, in other words, have repeatedly broken their promises and defied public opinion in order to release health care bills that cut spending on the poorest Americans to fund massive tax cuts for the richest Americans."
"Marc Thiessen, the George W. Bush speechwriter who now writes a column for the Washington Post op-ed page, is aghast at the Senate GOP’s health care bill. “Paying for a massive tax cut for the wealthy with cuts to health care for the most vulnerable Americans is morally reprehensible,” he says. “If Republicans want to confirm every liberal caricature of conservatism in a single piece of legislation, they could do no better than vote on the GOP bill in its current form.” But at what point do we admit that this isn’t the liberal caricature of conservatism? It’s just ... conservatism. Though Republicans had long promised the country a repeal-and-replace plan that offered better coverage at lower cost, the House GOP’s health care bill cut hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes for the rich and paid for it by gutting health care spending on the poor. It was widely criticized and polled terribly. Senate Republicans responded by releasing a revised health care bill that also cut hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes for the rich and paid for it by gutting health care spending on the poor. It has also been widely criticized, and it also is polling terribly. Donald Trump, who ran on a platform of covering everyone with better health insurance than they get now, has endorsed both bills. Republicans, in other words, have repeatedly broken their promises and defied public opinion in order to release health care bills that cut spending on the poorest Americans to fund massive tax cuts for the richest Americans."
Trump’s latest FCC nomination could seal net neutrality’s fate
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-to-stack-fcc-with-republican-commissioners-64dec8b77713
"President Donald Trump has nominated the FCC’s general counsel Brendan Carr to be the agency’s third Republican commissioner — a move that could ensure the end of net neutrality regulations."
"President Donald Trump has nominated the FCC’s general counsel Brendan Carr to be the agency’s third Republican commissioner — a move that could ensure the end of net neutrality regulations."
Legal Marijuana Is a Big-Time Job Creation Engine @alternet
Legal Marijuana Is a Big-Time Job Creation Engine @alternet:
"It's been less than four years since the first legal recreational sales in the United States took place in Colorado, but since then, the U.S. marijuana industry has been creating jobs at rapid pace, and there are now more people employed in the pot industry than in a number of common professions."
"It's been less than four years since the first legal recreational sales in the United States took place in Colorado, but since then, the U.S. marijuana industry has been creating jobs at rapid pace, and there are now more people employed in the pot industry than in a number of common professions."
Trump Administration Makes Key Decision That Threatens Water Supply of Millions
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41091-trump-administration-makes-key-decision-that-threatens-water-supply-of-millions
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reportedly issuing a proposed rule to undo the Clean Water Rule that was enacted in May 2015, under President Obama's last term. The rule protects the water supply for more than 117 million Americans. Also known as the Waters of the United States (WOTUS), the Clean Water Rule puts limits on pollution in the wetlands, rivers and streams that feed the nation's larger waterways. Those limits are essential for protecting the safety of the drinking water on which millions of American rely. The rule also safeguards those waters for swimming, fishing and other activities. In addition, the rule helps to maintain the biological integrity of those smaller waterways, in turn protecting wildlife by keeping aquatic ecosystems healthy. When the rule was issued, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers resolved decades of legal debate among politicians, environmentalists and public health advocates, saying that smaller waterways across the nations -- tens of millions of acres of wetlands and thousands of streams -- actually qualify for legal protection under the Clean Water Act, the primary federal law that protects communities and ecosystems from water pollution. Since then, Senate Republicans have made several failed attempts to overturn the rule, arguing that the rule gives undue authority to the federal agencies."
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reportedly issuing a proposed rule to undo the Clean Water Rule that was enacted in May 2015, under President Obama's last term. The rule protects the water supply for more than 117 million Americans. Also known as the Waters of the United States (WOTUS), the Clean Water Rule puts limits on pollution in the wetlands, rivers and streams that feed the nation's larger waterways. Those limits are essential for protecting the safety of the drinking water on which millions of American rely. The rule also safeguards those waters for swimming, fishing and other activities. In addition, the rule helps to maintain the biological integrity of those smaller waterways, in turn protecting wildlife by keeping aquatic ecosystems healthy. When the rule was issued, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers resolved decades of legal debate among politicians, environmentalists and public health advocates, saying that smaller waterways across the nations -- tens of millions of acres of wetlands and thousands of streams -- actually qualify for legal protection under the Clean Water Act, the primary federal law that protects communities and ecosystems from water pollution. Since then, Senate Republicans have made several failed attempts to overturn the rule, arguing that the rule gives undue authority to the federal agencies."
The CBO Just Released Even More Scary News About the Republican Health Care Bill
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/06/trumpcare-senate-cbo-medicaid/
"When the Congressional Budget Office revealed on Monday that a Republican health care bill would leave 22 million more people without insurance, the public backlash forced GOP leaders to cancel a Senate vote. On Thursday, things got worse. The CBO released another report, this time making clear that the bill would lead to billions of dollars in additional cuts—and, presumably, millions more people without insurance—that hadn’t been included in its additional study."
"When the Congressional Budget Office revealed on Monday that a Republican health care bill would leave 22 million more people without insurance, the public backlash forced GOP leaders to cancel a Senate vote. On Thursday, things got worse. The CBO released another report, this time making clear that the bill would lead to billions of dollars in additional cuts—and, presumably, millions more people without insurance—that hadn’t been included in its additional study."
CBO: Republican health care bill will get worse with age
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/cbo-republican-health-care-bill-will-get-worse-with-age-979997251998
"the CBO says that bill will be even worse than previously thought."
"the CBO says that bill will be even worse than previously thought."
Trump’s new lawyer is facing his own investigation: Authorities in two states examining Jay Sekulow’s Christian nonprofit
http://www.salon.com/2017/06/29/trumps-new-lawyer-is-facing-his-own-investigation-authorities-in-two-states-examining-jay-sekulows-christian-nonprofit/
"Jay Sekulow, the lawyer who repeatedly insisted that President Donald Trump was not personally under investigation, may soon find himself under investigation after it was reported that his Christian nonprofit allegedly steered tens of millions of dollars to himself, family members and their businesses."
"Jay Sekulow, the lawyer who repeatedly insisted that President Donald Trump was not personally under investigation, may soon find himself under investigation after it was reported that his Christian nonprofit allegedly steered tens of millions of dollars to himself, family members and their businesses."
Alarm Raised as Trump Election Panel Requests Detailed Data on All US Voters
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/06/29/alarm-raised-trump-election-panel-requests-detailed-data-all-us-voters
"Voting and civil rights advocates are ringing alarm bells on Thursday after it was learned that an election commission established by Donald Trump—one which critics feared from its inception would be used to suppress, not protect, voter access—had sent requests to all fifty states demanding personal and detailed information about voters. According to The Hill, a letter was sent from Kris Kobach, the Secretary of State in Kansas and vice chairman of Trump's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, asking the states for "several pieces of information about voters, including their names, birthdays, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers and their voting history dating back to 2006." The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a civil rights and voting protection watchdog, described the move as dangerous and called on states receiving the request not to comply."
"Voting and civil rights advocates are ringing alarm bells on Thursday after it was learned that an election commission established by Donald Trump—one which critics feared from its inception would be used to suppress, not protect, voter access—had sent requests to all fifty states demanding personal and detailed information about voters. According to The Hill, a letter was sent from Kris Kobach, the Secretary of State in Kansas and vice chairman of Trump's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, asking the states for "several pieces of information about voters, including their names, birthdays, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers and their voting history dating back to 2006." The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a civil rights and voting protection watchdog, described the move as dangerous and called on states receiving the request not to comply."
How Much Longer Before Nobody Buys Into Trump's PR Scam? @alternet
How Much Longer Before Nobody Buys Into Trump's PR Scam? @alternet:
"It’s clear that he’s in way over his head."
"It’s clear that he’s in way over his head."
What Will It Take for Americans to Understand the Basics of Election Integrity?
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41097-what-will-it-take-for-americans-to-understand-the-basics-of-election-integrity
"There are several basic election integrity truths that have escaped the attention of most Americans, even as they confront the scope of alleged Russian cyber intrusions into America's disparately run, local elections systems."
"There are several basic election integrity truths that have escaped the attention of most Americans, even as they confront the scope of alleged Russian cyber intrusions into America's disparately run, local elections systems."
Robert Reich: There's a More Frightening Possibility Than Trump Is Just Nuts @alternet
Robert Reich: There's a More Frightening Possibility Than Trump Is Just Nuts @alternet:
"Trump’s increasingly incendiary tweets and messages constitute an overt assault on freedom of the press, the cornerstone of our democracy."
"Trump’s increasingly incendiary tweets and messages constitute an overt assault on freedom of the press, the cornerstone of our democracy."
The Senate's 'healthcare' bill is designed to strip Americans from insurance for a stupid tax cut
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/1/1675872/-The-Senate-s-healthcare-bill-is-designed-to-strip-Americans-from-insurance-for-a-stupid-tax-cut
"There's really no possible reason for Republicans to even want this bill except as a tax cut. That's all it provides. Their constituents will suffer, their states will suffer, Americans booted off their health insurance will die preventable deaths, and the whole sodding thing is simply an exercise in drowning the federal government in the bathtub as anti-government groups have demanded for so very long now. That fifty or so senators are negotiating over what perks they might be able to squeeze out of McConnell for selling their own voters out ought to be remarkable. It's not, but it ought to be."
"There's really no possible reason for Republicans to even want this bill except as a tax cut. That's all it provides. Their constituents will suffer, their states will suffer, Americans booted off their health insurance will die preventable deaths, and the whole sodding thing is simply an exercise in drowning the federal government in the bathtub as anti-government groups have demanded for so very long now. That fifty or so senators are negotiating over what perks they might be able to squeeze out of McConnell for selling their own voters out ought to be remarkable. It's not, but it ought to be."
Pathetic Republican Stunt to Promote Obamacare ‘Horror Stories’ Fails Miserably
https://forwardprogressives.com/pathetic-republican-stunt-promote-obamacare-horror-stories-fails-miserably/
"When people have to lie about something, that means the facts concerning whatever it is they’re lying about don’t support what they want to be true. For example, the “war” Republicans have waged against Obamacare that’s been mostly based on lies and propaganda. Before Barack Obama even signed the Affordable Care Act into law, Republicans were pushing asinine conspiracies against it, claiming it formed “death panels” or would force people to allow doctors to implant microchips somewhere in their bodies. Is Obamacare a flawless law? Of course not. It was never meant to be the “final product.” The Affordable Care Act was setup to be a stepping stone toward improving our health care system and moving the United States toward true universal health care like most every other major nation on Earth has. The problem is that Republicans were never going to help make the law better. For years they wasted vote after vote to repeal the law in symbolic gestures they knew were pointless because Obama was never going to sign them. That’s what makes what we’re currently witnessing so telling. Now that Republicans have the power to “repeal Obamacare,” like they’ve spent the last few years promising they would do “on Day 1,” they can’t — because the benefits of the law they’ve lied about this entire time are too popular. They know if they did a full repeal, like they said they would, it would be “political suicide” for the party as millions of conservatives would instantly realize how much they’ve benefited from Obamacare. Well, in a stunt that was clearly meant to slander Obamacare, the Indiana Republican Party asked people on Facebook to post their “horror stories” about the health care law. Let’s just say — it failed miserably. The post was flooded by people thanking Obamacare for helping provide them with insurance or, even in some instances, saving their life or the life of someone they knew."
"When people have to lie about something, that means the facts concerning whatever it is they’re lying about don’t support what they want to be true. For example, the “war” Republicans have waged against Obamacare that’s been mostly based on lies and propaganda. Before Barack Obama even signed the Affordable Care Act into law, Republicans were pushing asinine conspiracies against it, claiming it formed “death panels” or would force people to allow doctors to implant microchips somewhere in their bodies. Is Obamacare a flawless law? Of course not. It was never meant to be the “final product.” The Affordable Care Act was setup to be a stepping stone toward improving our health care system and moving the United States toward true universal health care like most every other major nation on Earth has. The problem is that Republicans were never going to help make the law better. For years they wasted vote after vote to repeal the law in symbolic gestures they knew were pointless because Obama was never going to sign them. That’s what makes what we’re currently witnessing so telling. Now that Republicans have the power to “repeal Obamacare,” like they’ve spent the last few years promising they would do “on Day 1,” they can’t — because the benefits of the law they’ve lied about this entire time are too popular. They know if they did a full repeal, like they said they would, it would be “political suicide” for the party as millions of conservatives would instantly realize how much they’ve benefited from Obamacare. Well, in a stunt that was clearly meant to slander Obamacare, the Indiana Republican Party asked people on Facebook to post their “horror stories” about the health care law. Let’s just say — it failed miserably. The post was flooded by people thanking Obamacare for helping provide them with insurance or, even in some instances, saving their life or the life of someone they knew."
Hobby Lobby billionaire ordered to hand over Iraqi treasure trove of priceless artifacts
Hobby Lobby billionaire ordered to hand over Iraqi treasure trove of priceless artifacts
"The United States Department of Justice filed a civil complaint in federal court demanding that Hobby Lobby “forfeit” thousands of Iraqi artifacts illegally smuggled into the country. “The protection of cultural heritage is a mission that [Homeland Security Investigations] and its partner U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) take very seriously as we recognize that while some may put a price on these artifacts, the people of Iraq consider them priceless,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez. The Department of Justice also filed a “stipulation of settlement” with Hobby Lobby in which the arts-and-crafts retailer will pay a $3 million fine and consent to the forfeiture of the artifacts in question. Today’s action will end the civil case. There is no word yet on potential criminal prosecution."
"The United States Department of Justice filed a civil complaint in federal court demanding that Hobby Lobby “forfeit” thousands of Iraqi artifacts illegally smuggled into the country. “The protection of cultural heritage is a mission that [Homeland Security Investigations] and its partner U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) take very seriously as we recognize that while some may put a price on these artifacts, the people of Iraq consider them priceless,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez. The Department of Justice also filed a “stipulation of settlement” with Hobby Lobby in which the arts-and-crafts retailer will pay a $3 million fine and consent to the forfeiture of the artifacts in question. Today’s action will end the civil case. There is no word yet on potential criminal prosecution."
Atomic Bellyflop: The US's First '21st Century Nuclear Reactor' Fails, Shuts Down After Five Months
Atomic Bellyflop: The US's First '21st Century Nuclear Reactor' Fails, Shuts Down After Five Months:
"On March 23, 2017, after less than six months of operation, the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Watts Bar 2 nuclear power unit (Watts Bar 2) was shut down. Failing components in the condenser caused America's first 21st Century nuclear reactor to cease functioning, and as of July 3, it remains shut down."
"On March 23, 2017, after less than six months of operation, the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Watts Bar 2 nuclear power unit (Watts Bar 2) was shut down. Failing components in the condenser caused America's first 21st Century nuclear reactor to cease functioning, and as of July 3, it remains shut down."
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Rachel Maddow Reveals Why the Senate Is So Eager to Halt the Russia Probe 'in Its Tracks' @alternet
Rachel Maddow Reveals Why the Senate Is So Eager to Halt the Russia Probe 'in Its Tracks' @alternet:
"Senate Republican are desperately trying to stop the investigations into President Donald Trump and his campaign’s possible collusion with Russia"
"Senate Republican are desperately trying to stop the investigations into President Donald Trump and his campaign’s possible collusion with Russia"
Rep. Jim Jordan: Forget About Russia, Investigate The Investigators | Crooks and Liars
Rep. Jim Jordan: Forget About Russia, Investigate The Investigators | Crooks and Liars
"House Republicans are determined to destroy all investigations into the Trump administration and Russia's meddling in our elections. Now they are calling for an "investigation" into those investigating the Russians. Sure, that will clarify things! And it's absolutely more important than stopping a foreign power from influencing our election process."
"House Republicans are determined to destroy all investigations into the Trump administration and Russia's meddling in our elections. Now they are calling for an "investigation" into those investigating the Russians. Sure, that will clarify things! And it's absolutely more important than stopping a foreign power from influencing our election process."
A Timeline: Pence’s Role in the White House’s Russia-Related Mess
http://billmoyers.com/story/timeline-pences-role-white-houses-russia-related-mess/
"The Trump White House has produced what appear to be at least three cover-ups. They relate to: 1) former-national security adviser Mike Flynn’s questionable activities relating to Turkey; 2) Flynn’s role in the Trump/Russia controversy; and 3) the firing of former FBI Director James Comey."
"The Trump White House has produced what appear to be at least three cover-ups. They relate to: 1) former-national security adviser Mike Flynn’s questionable activities relating to Turkey; 2) Flynn’s role in the Trump/Russia controversy; and 3) the firing of former FBI Director James Comey."
Forget the stupid tweets: There’s big news on Trump’s Russia connections — and he doesn’t want you to read it
http://www.salon.com/2017/06/30/forget-the-stupid-tweets-theres-big-news-on-trumps-russia-connections-and-he-doesnt-want-you-to-read-it/
"That’s the tip of the iceberg. The Trump Organization was involved in dozens of deals throughout the region with money traced back to Russian sources, in some cases including the big oil company Rosneft. Once again, Trump’s close relationship with Bayrock CEO Felix Sater, a known mob associate with ties to the CIA, the FBI and the Russian government, was implicated along with another controversial company called the Silk Road Group. Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen, who has strong personal and business ties to Ukraine, was also involved with many of these negotiations. (Cohen was recently served with a subpoena by the House Intelligence Committee.) What’s most interesting about all of these deals is their recent vintage. Indeed, the big tower project in Georgia mentioned in the McClatchy report wasn’t canceled until Jan. 6, 2017, two weeks before Trump took office. Trump said it was solely for business concerns (since he believes that it’s impossible for a president to have conflicts of interest) but the company he was involved with, Silk Road, said it was because of the massive publicity that was sure to follow, which hardly seems like convincing. More likely the project was ditched because of the company’s relationship with Russia and Iran, two countries under U.S. sanctions. That would have been a bit of a problem for a sitting U.S. president, even one who believes that nothing is illegal if the president does it. McClatchy reports that “none of this is revealed in Trump’s financial disclosure statements. And since he hasn’t released his tax returns, these sorts of relationships are not apparent.” We don’t know how many more situations like this exist that are still quietly percolating with Trump’s full knowledge while the country is kept in the dark. There is a reason why Trump has been so desperate to end the Russia probe, and Occam’s razor says this is probably the reason."
"That’s the tip of the iceberg. The Trump Organization was involved in dozens of deals throughout the region with money traced back to Russian sources, in some cases including the big oil company Rosneft. Once again, Trump’s close relationship with Bayrock CEO Felix Sater, a known mob associate with ties to the CIA, the FBI and the Russian government, was implicated along with another controversial company called the Silk Road Group. Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen, who has strong personal and business ties to Ukraine, was also involved with many of these negotiations. (Cohen was recently served with a subpoena by the House Intelligence Committee.) What’s most interesting about all of these deals is their recent vintage. Indeed, the big tower project in Georgia mentioned in the McClatchy report wasn’t canceled until Jan. 6, 2017, two weeks before Trump took office. Trump said it was solely for business concerns (since he believes that it’s impossible for a president to have conflicts of interest) but the company he was involved with, Silk Road, said it was because of the massive publicity that was sure to follow, which hardly seems like convincing. More likely the project was ditched because of the company’s relationship with Russia and Iran, two countries under U.S. sanctions. That would have been a bit of a problem for a sitting U.S. president, even one who believes that nothing is illegal if the president does it. McClatchy reports that “none of this is revealed in Trump’s financial disclosure statements. And since he hasn’t released his tax returns, these sorts of relationships are not apparent.” We don’t know how many more situations like this exist that are still quietly percolating with Trump’s full knowledge while the country is kept in the dark. There is a reason why Trump has been so desperate to end the Russia probe, and Occam’s razor says this is probably the reason."
White House Spox: We're Not Focused On Preventing Russia From Meddling In Our Elections Again | Crooks and Liars
White House Spox: We're Not Focused On Preventing Russia From Meddling In Our Elections Again | Crooks and Liars
"Sarah Huckabee Sanders made it clear on Fox News yesterday that Vladimir Putin’s attempts to meddle in our elections are not much of a concern to her or the Trump administration."
"Sarah Huckabee Sanders made it clear on Fox News yesterday that Vladimir Putin’s attempts to meddle in our elections are not much of a concern to her or the Trump administration."
WaPo: CIA Intel Showed Putin Directly Ordered Operation To Get Trump Elected
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/cia-intelligence-putin-ordered-campaign-help-trump-get-elected
"Intelligence obtained by the CIA last summer found that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered a cyber campaign intended to help elect Donald Trump and damage the electoral chances of Hillary Clinton, according to an exhaustive Washington Post report out Friday into the Obama administration’s response to Russia’s meddling in the 2016 campaign."
"Intelligence obtained by the CIA last summer found that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered a cyber campaign intended to help elect Donald Trump and damage the electoral chances of Hillary Clinton, according to an exhaustive Washington Post report out Friday into the Obama administration’s response to Russia’s meddling in the 2016 campaign."
Voter data manipulated in 2016 cyberattacks: report
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/voter-data-manipulated-in-2016-hacks-report-974201923942
"new details in what is being learned about the cyberattacks on the 2016 U.S. election and new reports that investigators are looking into whether stolen voter data made its way to the Donald Trump campaign."
"new details in what is being learned about the cyberattacks on the 2016 U.S. election and new reports that investigators are looking into whether stolen voter data made its way to the Donald Trump campaign."
REVEALED: FBI investigating Manafort son-in-law for shady deals even his family called ‘a ponzi scheme’
REVEALED: FBI investigating Manafort son-in-law for shady deals even his family called ‘a ponzi scheme’
"The FBI is investigating shady real estate deals that were spearheaded by Jeffrey Yohai, the son-in-law of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The New York Times reports that investigators are looking into whether Yohai, with financial help from Manafort, ran what amounted to a Ponzi scheme involving tens of millions of dollars worth of real estate investments."
"The FBI is investigating shady real estate deals that were spearheaded by Jeffrey Yohai, the son-in-law of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The New York Times reports that investigators are looking into whether Yohai, with financial help from Manafort, ran what amounted to a Ponzi scheme involving tens of millions of dollars worth of real estate investments."
Trump insists his boneheaded move with Comey ‘wasn’t very stupid’
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-insists-his-boneheaded-move-comey-wasnt-very-stupid
"It’s important to recognize that Trump is actually regressing. Note the sequence of his arguments: 1. Trump used to argue that Russia didn’t interfere in the election. 2. Trump then argued that Russia may have interfered, but it didn’t matter. 3. Trump then argued that it may have mattered, but the Trump campaign didn’t cooperate with the Russian crimes. As of yesterday, the president seems to have started over."
"It’s important to recognize that Trump is actually regressing. Note the sequence of his arguments: 1. Trump used to argue that Russia didn’t interfere in the election. 2. Trump then argued that Russia may have interfered, but it didn’t matter. 3. Trump then argued that it may have mattered, but the Trump campaign didn’t cooperate with the Russian crimes. As of yesterday, the president seems to have started over."
Officials: No policy from Trump on Russian vote attacks
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/officials-no-policy-from-trump-on-russian-vote-attacks-973299779968
"Government cybersecurity and intelligence officials say they haven't received directions from Trump about stopping Russian meddling in future elections, and that Russia targeted 21 election systems in 2016."
"Government cybersecurity and intelligence officials say they haven't received directions from Trump about stopping Russian meddling in future elections, and that Russia targeted 21 election systems in 2016."
White House efforts to distract Trump from Russia are literally laugh-out-loud ineffective: report
White House efforts to distract Trump from Russia are literally laugh-out-loud ineffective: report
"President Donald Trump’s staffers have been trying to temper his obsession with the Russia probe, and the reporting on it, by starting his days with phone calls to outside legal advisers."
"President Donald Trump’s staffers have been trying to temper his obsession with the Russia probe, and the reporting on it, by starting his days with phone calls to outside legal advisers."
Who Is Getting Rich Off the Secret Health-Care Overhaul?
https://www.thenation.com/article/who-is-getting-rich-off-the-secret-health-care-overhaul/
"Political-intelligence firms are a fast-growing sector in Washington: They spread out across the capital and gather information from various regulatory bodies, Pentagon offices, and congressional committees. They then sell this information to clients, who are often Wall Street banks and individual investors who use it to get ahead of markets. If this sounds like insider trading, that’s because it basically is—though the legal lines around what constitutes a quid-pro-quo benefit are vague and sometimes difficult to enforce. There are many instances where a political-intelligence firm is clearly just providing basic, legal research for investors, but at times employees have been charged with insider trading. Earlier this year, the Justice Department indicted a political-intelligence professional for passing advance knowledge about Medicare-reimbursement rates, which he learned from an official at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to two hedge-fund managers. The hedge-fund managers shorted the stocks of health-care companies that would be adversely affected by the rate change. They were also indicted, as was the CMS official. But it’s generally hard to tell when a legal line is crossed, in part because there is no transparency around political intelligence firms. Provisions that would force these companies to disclose their clients were originally included in a 2012 government reform bill, but then–House majority leader Eric Cantor had it stripped."
"Political-intelligence firms are a fast-growing sector in Washington: They spread out across the capital and gather information from various regulatory bodies, Pentagon offices, and congressional committees. They then sell this information to clients, who are often Wall Street banks and individual investors who use it to get ahead of markets. If this sounds like insider trading, that’s because it basically is—though the legal lines around what constitutes a quid-pro-quo benefit are vague and sometimes difficult to enforce. There are many instances where a political-intelligence firm is clearly just providing basic, legal research for investors, but at times employees have been charged with insider trading. Earlier this year, the Justice Department indicted a political-intelligence professional for passing advance knowledge about Medicare-reimbursement rates, which he learned from an official at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to two hedge-fund managers. The hedge-fund managers shorted the stocks of health-care companies that would be adversely affected by the rate change. They were also indicted, as was the CMS official. But it’s generally hard to tell when a legal line is crossed, in part because there is no transparency around political intelligence firms. Provisions that would force these companies to disclose their clients were originally included in a 2012 government reform bill, but then–House majority leader Eric Cantor had it stripped."
Trump’s lie about Comey tapes is evidence of ‘witness intimidation’: Ex-White House ethics counsel
Trump’s lie about Comey tapes is evidence of ‘witness intimidation’: Ex-White House ethics counsel
"Responding to reports that President Donald Trump claims to not have any recordings of his conversations with fired FBI Director James Comey as he claimed last month on Twitter, a former White House ethics lawyer said being caught in this lie opens the president up to obstruction of justice."
"Responding to reports that President Donald Trump claims to not have any recordings of his conversations with fired FBI Director James Comey as he claimed last month on Twitter, a former White House ethics lawyer said being caught in this lie opens the president up to obstruction of justice."
Trump bashes wind energy in a state that gets a third of its electricity from wind
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-criticizes-wind-in-iowa-wind-capital-usa-76ee787e50c5
"Iowa is the leading producer of wind energy in the country and generated 36.6 percent of its electricity from wind in 2016. Statewide, the wind industry employs between 8,000 and 9,000 people and has added $11.8 billion to the state’s economy through capital investments. Wind farms that are built on private land, which is leased to wind developers, collectively earn farmers and landowners an estimated $20 million annually. The mining industry in Iowa, by contrast, employs around 2,200 people — and is primarily made up of stone mining and quarrying jobs. Because of the way Iowa breaks down its employment data, that number also includes natural gas and petroleum extraction. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the wind industry currently employs more than 100,000 people in the United States, and wind turbine technician is the fastest growing occupation in the country. In 2016, wind capacity — the total amount of output a particular electricity generator can produce at a given time — passed hydropower to become the largest source of renewable energy capacity in the United States."
"Iowa is the leading producer of wind energy in the country and generated 36.6 percent of its electricity from wind in 2016. Statewide, the wind industry employs between 8,000 and 9,000 people and has added $11.8 billion to the state’s economy through capital investments. Wind farms that are built on private land, which is leased to wind developers, collectively earn farmers and landowners an estimated $20 million annually. The mining industry in Iowa, by contrast, employs around 2,200 people — and is primarily made up of stone mining and quarrying jobs. Because of the way Iowa breaks down its employment data, that number also includes natural gas and petroleum extraction. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the wind industry currently employs more than 100,000 people in the United States, and wind turbine technician is the fastest growing occupation in the country. In 2016, wind capacity — the total amount of output a particular electricity generator can produce at a given time — passed hydropower to become the largest source of renewable energy capacity in the United States."
Donald Trump is Now a Failed President
https://thedailybanter.com/2017/06/donald-trump-is-now-a-failed-president/
"Think of what Trump has done to the office of the presidency over the past few months. He has lied on a daily basis about everything conceivable. He lied about the size of his inauguration crowd. He lied about how many jobs he has created. He lied about his accomplishments within the first 90 days of his presidency. He has lied about the intelligence reports outlining Russian interference into the election. He lied about NATO and how much Europe contributes to it, and he lied about James Comey losing the confidence of the F.B.I. This is not normal. The lies are bad enough, but the chronic mismanagement and gleeful destructiveness of Trump and his people makes his presidency all the more absurd, and all the more tragic. Reducing the Oval Office to a cheap reality show filled with cartoon like villains might make for great television, but it makes for tragic politics and extreme pain and suffering. The publicity stunts surrounding the decimation of Obamacare might give Trump a boost with Fox News viewers, but the consequences will be felt by millions of people who don't have inherited fortunes to fall back on. The private press briefings might save Sean Spicer and Trump immediate ridicule, but they serve to further erode a sense of normalcy. Kellyanne Conway's dishonest performances on national television may give the Alt Right more ammunition to spread their lies on Breitbart and beat liberals over the head with, but it demeans the office of the presidency and makes a mockery of accountability. Trump's belittling of the investigations into his ties with Russia and his obstruction of justice are symptomatic of dictatorships, not democracies. This is not how healthy societies work. This is not normal. Then, there are the tweets. The constant belittling of political opponents, the lies, and insults and the self aggrandizements. Trump tweets lazy gibberish at all hours of the day, not bothering to fact check or even run them by his staff. This is the president of the United States we are talking about here."
"Think of what Trump has done to the office of the presidency over the past few months. He has lied on a daily basis about everything conceivable. He lied about the size of his inauguration crowd. He lied about how many jobs he has created. He lied about his accomplishments within the first 90 days of his presidency. He has lied about the intelligence reports outlining Russian interference into the election. He lied about NATO and how much Europe contributes to it, and he lied about James Comey losing the confidence of the F.B.I. This is not normal. The lies are bad enough, but the chronic mismanagement and gleeful destructiveness of Trump and his people makes his presidency all the more absurd, and all the more tragic. Reducing the Oval Office to a cheap reality show filled with cartoon like villains might make for great television, but it makes for tragic politics and extreme pain and suffering. The publicity stunts surrounding the decimation of Obamacare might give Trump a boost with Fox News viewers, but the consequences will be felt by millions of people who don't have inherited fortunes to fall back on. The private press briefings might save Sean Spicer and Trump immediate ridicule, but they serve to further erode a sense of normalcy. Kellyanne Conway's dishonest performances on national television may give the Alt Right more ammunition to spread their lies on Breitbart and beat liberals over the head with, but it demeans the office of the presidency and makes a mockery of accountability. Trump's belittling of the investigations into his ties with Russia and his obstruction of justice are symptomatic of dictatorships, not democracies. This is not how healthy societies work. This is not normal. Then, there are the tweets. The constant belittling of political opponents, the lies, and insults and the self aggrandizements. Trump tweets lazy gibberish at all hours of the day, not bothering to fact check or even run them by his staff. This is the president of the United States we are talking about here."
U.S. House Dems reject Deutsche Bank privacy claim in Trump query
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/22/u-s-house-dems-reject-deutsche-bank-privacy-claim-trump-query.html
"Public records show that Deutsche Bank loaned Trump millions of dollars for real-estate ventures. As well as details about those transactions, the lawmakers are seeking information about a Russian “mirror trading” scheme that allowed $10 billion to flow out of Russia. In January, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $630 million in fines over the scheme, which could have been used to launder money out of Russia."
"Public records show that Deutsche Bank loaned Trump millions of dollars for real-estate ventures. As well as details about those transactions, the lawmakers are seeking information about a Russian “mirror trading” scheme that allowed $10 billion to flow out of Russia. In January, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $630 million in fines over the scheme, which could have been used to launder money out of Russia."
Election hackers were able to alter voter registration data in 2016: officials
Election hackers were able to alter voter registration data in 2016: officials
"The news comes, as the Hill noted, amidst multiple federal investigations of President Donald Trump’s administration and its relationship with Russia as well as new revelations about Trump’s longstanding ties to the Russian criminal underworld."
"The news comes, as the Hill noted, amidst multiple federal investigations of President Donald Trump’s administration and its relationship with Russia as well as new revelations about Trump’s longstanding ties to the Russian criminal underworld."
How Putin Is Singing Along With the Trump White House
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/06/how-putin-is-singing-along-with-the-trump-white-house/
"the Trump White House and the Kremlin do at times seem to share an approach to spreading misinformation and undermining confidence in news reports."
"the Trump White House and the Kremlin do at times seem to share an approach to spreading misinformation and undermining confidence in news reports."
Donald Trump admitted in 2007 that he had invested in Russia
http://www.salon.com/2017/06/21/donald-trump-admitted-in-2007-that-he-had-invested-in-russia/
"While the president likes to downplay his business ties to Russia, his son Donald Trump Jr. once admitted to a real estate conference in 2008 that Trump built a tower in Panama for wealthy Russian clients, according to a report by Time. “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia,” Trump told the crowd."
"While the president likes to downplay his business ties to Russia, his son Donald Trump Jr. once admitted to a real estate conference in 2008 that Trump built a tower in Panama for wealthy Russian clients, according to a report by Time. “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia,” Trump told the crowd."
RICO lawsuit exposes Trump Russia ties on another front
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/rico-lawsuit-exposes-trump-russia-ties-on-another-front-972462659701
"the checkered past of a Donald Trump business associate who may become a legal liability to Trump, and reports on the new access by the Senate Trump Russia investigation to FinCEN documents that will help them follow Trump's money."
"the checkered past of a Donald Trump business associate who may become a legal liability to Trump, and reports on the new access by the Senate Trump Russia investigation to FinCEN documents that will help them follow Trump's money."
Career criminal, mob ties, Trump associate
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/career-criminal-mob-ties-trump-associate-972468291964
"how Donald Trump's past business dealings could integrate with the Trump Russia investigation."
"how Donald Trump's past business dealings could integrate with the Trump Russia investigation."
New bombshell report reveals Trump’s lengthy ties to Russian mobsters and money laundering
New bombshell report reveals Trump’s lengthy ties to Russian mobsters and money laundering
"A bombshell Bloomberg View report dropped Wednesday morning detailing President Donald Trump’s shadowy business partnerships with Russian investors on New York City real estate deals."
"A bombshell Bloomberg View report dropped Wednesday morning detailing President Donald Trump’s shadowy business partnerships with Russian investors on New York City real estate deals."
The Russia Scandal Was Desperately Missing a Biker Gang Subplot. Well, Here It Is.
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a55879/russian-bikers-trump/
"So, on a salary of $75,000, Zorin somehow sunk $8 million into high-end Florida real-estate. He must have invested very wisely. Or he eats Ramen noodles all day and has a hell of a big mattress. Naturally, because he is a Russian official of the Putin era, Zorin has connections with former Russian intelligence officials who have hit it big in the new globalized capitalist economy, and Zorin picked a real doozy, too. Zorin has other Miami connections, too: His local business associate, Svyatoslav Mangushev, a Russian intelligence officer turned Miami real-estate investor... Let us pause right there and catch our breath. This cannot end well. Anyway: [Mangushev] helped found a biker club called Spetsnaz M.C. Spetsnaz is a group of motorcycle-loving South Florida expatriates who named themselves after the Russian equivalent of Delta Force or Seal Team Six. Spetsnaz members once asked for official recognition from Russia's biggest biker gang, the Night Wolves, an infamous group that has strong ties to Russia's security services. The Night Wolves played a role in the Ukrainian uprising, once had their flag flown in outer space by Russian cosmonauts and are under U.S. sanctions. So this Mangushev character starts a motorcycle gang among his fellow Russian expats that he names after the Russian equivalent of the special forces. This gang, named after the Russian special forces, seeks the imprimatur of an actual Russian biker gang that, unlike their American brethren, doesn't settle for tearing up small towns along the California coast. This bunch helps overthrow governments. This is not a guy I'd do business with but, then again, I'm not Igor Zorin, with his millions buried in coffee cans in his backyard."
"So, on a salary of $75,000, Zorin somehow sunk $8 million into high-end Florida real-estate. He must have invested very wisely. Or he eats Ramen noodles all day and has a hell of a big mattress. Naturally, because he is a Russian official of the Putin era, Zorin has connections with former Russian intelligence officials who have hit it big in the new globalized capitalist economy, and Zorin picked a real doozy, too. Zorin has other Miami connections, too: His local business associate, Svyatoslav Mangushev, a Russian intelligence officer turned Miami real-estate investor... Let us pause right there and catch our breath. This cannot end well. Anyway: [Mangushev] helped found a biker club called Spetsnaz M.C. Spetsnaz is a group of motorcycle-loving South Florida expatriates who named themselves after the Russian equivalent of Delta Force or Seal Team Six. Spetsnaz members once asked for official recognition from Russia's biggest biker gang, the Night Wolves, an infamous group that has strong ties to Russia's security services. The Night Wolves played a role in the Ukrainian uprising, once had their flag flown in outer space by Russian cosmonauts and are under U.S. sanctions. So this Mangushev character starts a motorcycle gang among his fellow Russian expats that he names after the Russian equivalent of the special forces. This gang, named after the Russian special forces, seeks the imprimatur of an actual Russian biker gang that, unlike their American brethren, doesn't settle for tearing up small towns along the California coast. This bunch helps overthrow governments. This is not a guy I'd do business with but, then again, I'm not Igor Zorin, with his millions buried in coffee cans in his backyard."
Russian media official who makes $75K per year spent millions on Trump condos
Russian media official who makes $75K per year spent millions on Trump condos
"An official with a Russian state-owned media company has paid millions of dollars for Trump-branded properties in South Florida, despite his five-figure salary. Igor Zorin has bought three condos worth $5.4 million at Trump Palace, a high-end tower built in Sunny Isles Beach by a local developer and branded by Trump Organization, although he has apparently broken Russian law by failing to disclose those purchases, reported the Miami Herald. Zorin, who earns $75,000 a year running a media company that provides sound systems for military parades and broadcasts emergency alerts, still owns two of those Trump condominiums, as well as a $3.3 million home in Bal Harbour, Florida. None of those properties appear in public disclosure forms, the newspaper reported, which would trouble Zorin’s bosses back in Russia, where officials disdain owning property in the U.S. — especially given the current state of relations between the two countries. “It’s like he owned a place in Hell,” said Ilya Shumanov, deputy director of the Russian chapter of the anti-graft watchdog Transparency International. Zorin has business ties in both the U.S. and Russia to Svyatoslav Mangushev, a Russian intelligence officer and Miami real estate investor who helped found a South Florida motorcycle club called Spetsnaz M.C. The club, which includes members of local law enforcement and Russian expatriates, is named for Russia’s elite counterterrorism unit and sought ties to Russia’s infamous “Night Wolves” motorcycle group, which is under U.S. sanctions for taking part in the 2014 Ukraine uprising."
"An official with a Russian state-owned media company has paid millions of dollars for Trump-branded properties in South Florida, despite his five-figure salary. Igor Zorin has bought three condos worth $5.4 million at Trump Palace, a high-end tower built in Sunny Isles Beach by a local developer and branded by Trump Organization, although he has apparently broken Russian law by failing to disclose those purchases, reported the Miami Herald. Zorin, who earns $75,000 a year running a media company that provides sound systems for military parades and broadcasts emergency alerts, still owns two of those Trump condominiums, as well as a $3.3 million home in Bal Harbour, Florida. None of those properties appear in public disclosure forms, the newspaper reported, which would trouble Zorin’s bosses back in Russia, where officials disdain owning property in the U.S. — especially given the current state of relations between the two countries. “It’s like he owned a place in Hell,” said Ilya Shumanov, deputy director of the Russian chapter of the anti-graft watchdog Transparency International. Zorin has business ties in both the U.S. and Russia to Svyatoslav Mangushev, a Russian intelligence officer and Miami real estate investor who helped found a South Florida motorcycle club called Spetsnaz M.C. The club, which includes members of local law enforcement and Russian expatriates, is named for Russia’s elite counterterrorism unit and sought ties to Russia’s infamous “Night Wolves” motorcycle group, which is under U.S. sanctions for taking part in the 2014 Ukraine uprising."
‘Heads up’: Maddow explains exactly why the Senate GOP wants to halt the Russia probe ‘in its tracks’
‘Heads up’: Maddow explains exactly why the Senate GOP wants to halt the Russia probe ‘in its tracks’
"Senate Republicans are desperately trying to stop the investigations into President Donald Trump and his campaign’s possible collusion with Russia"
"Senate Republicans are desperately trying to stop the investigations into President Donald Trump and his campaign’s possible collusion with Russia"
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