Thursday, December 14, 2017

This is a non issue. The politics of the truth is the problem and not the truth itself. Special Council Robert Mueller already did the right thing, he had Strzok released from the case. There isn't anything unethical or underhanded about any of it.

The Republicans are going to use any aspect of this investigation if they think it will help their politics. That is true of any aspect of reality with Republicans. They only focus on what they can sell in their political messages.

Former Director Mueller is not weakened by this episode, he is strengthened by it. He has removed any question to the idea something was biased or gone awry. I have no doubt he takes into account any and all problems that might be causing distraction from the purpose and integrity of the investigation.

There is nothing wrong here. Strozok is ONE of the people carrying out this investigation. Mueller's team has more integrity than most of the members of Congress. I am not worried. This is nothing and Former Director Mueller knows it is nothing.

Senator Feinstein is simply letting Former Director Mueller know he has good standing and needs to fulfill his obligation to the country.

Sure, the Republican complaints are propaganda. But, what in the Republican political verbiage isn't? I am sure Robert Mueller appreciated Senator Feinstein's insight.

December 14, 2017
By Dan Friedman

...The text exchanges (click here) between the two included blunt opinions about the ongoing presidential campaign. Strzok questioned Trump’s intelligence and ability, calling him “awful,” an “idiot” and “an enormous douche.”

FBI regulations allow agents to express their personal opinions both privately and publicly on politics, but DOJ’s release of the material gave Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee a weapon to wield during an oversight hearing Wednesday with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Numerous Republicans cited the text exchanges as evidence that Mueller’s team harbors political bias against Trump. “The public trust in this whole thing is gone,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) declared as he questioned Rosenstein. “It seems to me there are two things you can do: You can disband the Mueller special prosecutor, and you can do what we’ve all called for and appoint a second special counsel to look into this.”

But Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sees troubling partisanship at play. The texts “are being used for propaganda purposes,” she told Mother Jones. “I think there’s an ongoing effort to malign both Bob Mueller and the work that that Special Counsel Office is doing. They are grabbing at every single thing to try to demean him.”...

There is no reason for alarm over Fusion GPS. They are grasping at straws. There is no need for a second special council. This is all politics. The Justice Official was demoted for concealing information. There isn't anything else to know. Perhaps the Justice Department has listening devices attached to everyone's bed pillows.

December 12, 2017
By David Jackson and Kevin Johnson

...The demand from attorney Jay Sekulow (click here) came in wake of a Fox News report that the wife of a demoted Justice Department official once worked for Fusion GPS, the political research firm that generated an unverified dossier alleging extensive ties between Trump and the Russian government. 

Both Sekulow and White House attorney Ty Cobb, who also supports the appointment of a second special counsel, said they do not want undercut the ongoing inquiry into Russia's interference in the 2016 election run by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Trump's team continues to cooperate with that probe, Sekulow said, but is concerned about reports that Justice Department official Bruce Ohr was demoted for concealing ties to Fusion GPS, where his wife once worked. 

"The focus is on the Fusion GPS issues with DOJ," Sekulow said. "It has nothing to do with Bob Mueller."...

Two wrongs don't make a right, but, this is the Trump Administration complaining about family involvement? I don't think so.

Defections from North Korea have been noted by those that observe the border. Something is going on.

If the people leaving North Korea are some of the most experienced in their military, it is a concern.

December 14, 2017
By Sofia Lotto Persio

North Korean director of the military's General Political Bureau, the top military post in North Korea, Hwang Pyong So, right, waves during the closing ceremony of the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea on October 4, 2014. Hwang has not been seen in public in more than two months.


The continued absence of one of North Korea’s top officials, (click here) General Hwang Pyong So, from leader Kim Jong Un's side continues to fuel speculation that he has fallen from favor and may have been executed. 

Director of the hugely influential General Political Bureau of the North Korean military—the body that is tasked with ensuring ideological commitment within the ranks of the army—Hwang has reportedly been expelled from the Workers’ Party, where he previously served in a senior position in the politburo.

An unidentified South Korean source told South Korea publication Korea JoongAng Daily that Hwang was purged from the party for taking bribes. The source did not specify when the expulsion took place....

Dennis Rodman seems to have forgotten, Un's brother was murdered. I suppose there is speculation about his uncle at this point, but, his brother is dead. No one took good care of Un's brother. That counts. No one in North Korea prevented his death, either.
    

There is no time convenient for a death. But, this is a really difficult time of year for such hardship.

The firefighters have to be funded separately from forest fire prevention. Both are vital to end these dangers. For years now, the forest fire prevention program has suffered because of the need for fire fighters. The two efforts need to be funded separately to help prevent deaths of the men and women fighting wild fires.

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the firefighter lost today. 

It is the wind. It is unpredictable and strong. 

December 14, 2017
By Joseph Serna and Brittny Mejia

Fire officials confirmed Thursday (click here) that a firefighter died while battling the Thomas fire, which ranks as the fourth-largest in the state's modern history.

"I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident," Chief Ken Pimlott, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said in a statement. "Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers and all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions."

Pimlott said the victim was a Cal Fire engineer from the San Diego unit. Details about the firefighter's death were not immediately available.

"IMT 4, CAL FIRE Local 2881 and Southern Region leadership are working to support the Unit and his family, who have been notified," Pimlott said.

There will be a news conference at 6 p.m....

There is no trusting Republicans at this point. There have been nothing but lies.

The American people have not had a chance to voice their opinion of the tax bill in formal hearings across the USA. Everything Trump has done is based in Plutocartic lies for profit. The exploitation of the USA to create wealth for his family cannot be overlooked. While it may or may not be legal, the ethics on nearly every measure stinks.

December 18 & 25, 2017 issue
By Amy Davidson Sorkin

...Last Monday, (click here) the day that Trump endorsed Moore, Axios reported that one of the President’s lawyers, echoing Richard Nixon, had suggested that what might count as obstruction of justice for others would not in Trump’s case—because if the President does it, it isn’t really a crime. But each day dawns with a possibility that Trump will disgrace the Presidency more than he already has, whether he is insulting Native Americans or mangling relationships with our most trusted allies.

It would be inaccurate, though, to say that the President has acted alone, or without the coöperation of his party. There have been a few eloquent protests from members of Congress who are retiring or seem to think that they have nothing left to lose politically....

Endorsements have to be taken seriously. If Trump endorsed Moore, it sticks. That is the only way women will ever get rid of the predator among them.

Below was the focus of Trump and McConnell when advocating for Moore, as if his sexual predation was not visible through their priorities.

...Trump had framed his own support for Moore in terms that McConnell would appreciate, tweeting, “We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more.” But what does it mean to “need” Roy Moore’s vote?...

"...the more." added at the end of that statement is interesting. Does anyone see the worlds, "...to end sexual assault in the military and against women and girls?"

No. There is no priority by the Republicans to end sexual assault. It won't happen with their leadership. The Republicans have never elevated women and girls in their priorities and never will. They elevate anti-abortion laws to promote them as the moral party. Does anyone actually believe their leadership in the White House is a moral man?

The Republicans have no way forward regarding sexual assault. They opposed it when it was put forward by the previous administration. They will never pass comprehensive laws that protect women and men and children. The deniability has always played out to turn the tables on the victim and until women clear the ranks of the predators, it will never be a priority.

The Republican Party sees an election as a 'night in the sack,' it makes everything equal again. Not anymore.

Women are making a stand throughout this country to end 'the predator.' We need to do that at all levels by elevating victims and standing by them. No backsliding is allowed and the USA will be safe for all former victims that have spoken out. There will be no power backlash against those that stand to draw the line on sexual assault and predation. It is not and will never be acceptable at any level of society.

Republicans are scared this is the only chance they will get to empty the USA Treasury of every dollar.

I want a report from the CBO. Candidate Trump promised someone a tax cut for Christmas, but, it wasn't the people.

Lie number one:

...“As a candidate, I promised we would pass a massive tax cut for the everyday working American families who are the backbone and the heartbeat of our country,” Mr. Trump said. “Now we are just days away from keeping that promise. We want to give you, the American people, a giant tax cut for Christmas.”...

Real reason:

...The agreement would cut the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, which is lower than the current 35 percent rate but higher than the 20 percent that Mr. Trump had, until recently, said was nonnegotiable. The corporate rate would take effect in 2018, rather than 2019, as the Senate bill originally called for, according to a senior Republican congressional aide....

Chart to left (click here)

December 13, 2017
By Jim Tankersley, Thomas Kaplan and Alan Rappeport

Washington — The day after suffering a political blow (click here) in the Alabama special Senate election, congressional Republicans sped forward with the most sweeping tax rewrite in decades, announcing an agreement on a final bill that would cut taxes for businesses and individuals and signal the party’s first major legislative achievement since assuming political control this year.

Party leaders in the House and Senate agreed in principle to bridge the yawning gaps between their competing versions of the $1.5 trillion tax bill, keeping Republicans on track for final votes next week with the aim of delivering a bill to President Trump’s desk by Christmas. The House and Senate versions of the tax bill started from the same core principles — sharply cutting taxes on businesses, while reducing rates and eliminating some breaks for individuals — but diverged on several crucial details.

In the end, more of the Senate bill appeared to be included in the final version, though lawmakers continued to make significant changes from the legislation that passed either the House or the Senate...