“We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism. We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it, that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire. We know that in secrecy error undetected will flourish and subvert.” –J. Robert Oppenheimer
Heads up, we have another Horowitz Committee Hearing in the Senate to Ron Johnson’s Committee. This hearing might be far more interesting than ShamPeachment in the House.
Note: This testimony comes after Rosemary Collyer’s strong rebuke of FISA Process AND after Devin Nunes has called for a complete shutdown of FISC Court in the interim.
Join us on CSPAN 3 for the hearing. We’re sure to get a few tasty morsels to drop today.
Did someone say Christmas Rally? You mean we can hang garland and lights on my Red MAGA Hat? Never been to a MAGA Merry Christmas Rally, have you? Who wants to go to Michigan tomorrow? I’m ready! Where exactly is Battle Creek?
Merry Christmas Rally starts at 7:00PM Eastern Time and it’s definitely a MERRY Christmas Rally at the Kellogg Arena.
You know WHY the rally is at the Kellogg Arena???? Because Battle Creek, Michigan is known all over the WORLD as CEREAL CITY, USA. Home to Kellogg’s and Tony the Tiger.
Since we’re traveling the country, virtually, with the President, we need to know a little bit more about Michigan before we get there. It’s okay, I’ll read to you while you drive….
The state of Michigan is composed of two peninsulas. One looks like a mitten, and the other, like a seagull (people who live on the upper peninsula(U.P.) are called “Yoopers”). The two are divided by the Straits of Mackinac, about 5 miles across. The state, with both land masses, is surrounded by 4/5 fresh water Great Lakes and 64,980 inland lakes and ponds. Natural freshwater is found in abundance in MI. In fact, every one of the 10 million people (10th largest by population) who live in MI are no more than 6 miles from a fresh water natural resource.
Michigan is home to The Detroit Lions, Octopus on the Ice for the RedWings, America’s Auto Industry, and Motown music. Michigan changed the world and exported American Culture. From Cairo to Bangladesh, there was once a time when we all sang the same songs…… and many were written by Smokey Robinson. And the pinnacle of American freedom and capitalism was an American muscle car…… still is.
State of Michigan is 456 miles x 386 miles, median income is $54,909 (ranked 34th)- but that stat is from Dec of ’16, before President Trump’s economy. Michigan was settled/controlled by Indians, the French, Brits, and finally became a state in 1837 (26th one). The Indians were a mix of Algonquian peoples, which include the Anishinaabe groups of Ojibwe (referred to as “Chippewa” in the United States), Ottawa, and the Bodéwadmi. The three nations co-existed peacefully as part of a loose confederation called the Council of Three Fires………. which is WHY we find, close to Battle Creek, a FireKeepers Casino on Indian Land.
I cannot tell you how beautiful the town of Battle Creek Michigan is at Christmas. It’s perfect and could have been the live set from the Movie “A Christmas Story”. Stay a few days and do some last minute shopping.
“Battle Creek” is kind of an unusual name, right? The city got its name from a skirmish that occurred between a government survey party and two Native Americans during the winter of 1823/24. The altercation led settlers to name a nearby waterway the “Battle Creek River,” which itself inspired the naming of Battle Creek. With all the lakes and ponds in Michigan, the local settlers needed bridges.
Ohhhh, and did I forget to mention….. Ford Motor Company just announced a 1.5 BILLION dollar investment in Detroit plants. We’re building trucks and SUVs in Detroit again! Another 3,000 Auto Workers. Michigan is getting their groove back and the proof is in the numbers. In 2016, the GDP of Michigan was 460 billion, but by the end of 2018, they hit 527 BILLION (according to St Louis Fed). The very definition of an economic boom – thanks to this guy! Passage of USMCA will only make it better for those in Michigan! MOAR car parts Made in the USA.
The entire political leadership of Michigan is Dem, their Gov, the Lt. Gov, their Senators, 7 Congressmen (6 are Repubs and 1 Indie). MI was always a stronghold for Dems because of Union voting. BUT, times are changing, union rank and file don’t trust leadership and Donald Trump is the one delivering for them. Be on the lookout for this guy….. John James. He’s a Repub, West Point grad, Army Ranger, Businessman, and Conservative. No doubt, he will be at the rally tomorrow.
And the very BEST part about Michigan??? You know, Michigan has a few nicknames, “The Great Lakes State” is one, but the official nickname is THE WOLVERINE STATE.
Suddenly, I’m in love with Michigan! So, let’s all hop into the Caddie and take a road trip….. we’re going to Battle Creek for a MAGA Merry Christmas Rally! Plug in some Motown and we’ll be there in no time. Thank you, President Trump. Godspeed.
This rally will be one for the ages.
PS. I’ll post the live links in the morning as soon as the outlets release them.
It’s been said, “Everything I ever needed to know, I learned in high school.” Well, maybe not everything, but it is surprising how much we learn about social interaction as teenagers, and it is disturbing how much the rest of our lives are based on lessons learned in high school. Let’s see what you all think.
Yesterday morning, GrandmaInTexas posted an article about the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid. Officially, it’s the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP25. The problems of group dynamics in Madrid are no different than when we were all in high school. It’s probably why they like Greta so much.
The commies have run out of OPM. 😄 The article is just hilarious. The lies about being able to affect temperatures are epic. Time magazine. Ahhahahahaha!!
GrandmaInTexas, December 16, 2019
https://time.com/5750532/u-n-climate-talks-compromise-madrid/?
For the past two weeks, representatives from almost 200 countries have been meeting in Madrid to solve the problem of Climate Change. Contrary to US policy, Nancy Pelosi and an entire US Delegation made the trip to Madrid, addressed the member nations, and Pelosi pronounced, “We are with you.”, even though we’re not. Here’s a list of those who went: https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/113019
Greta Thuneberg also made an appearance to much fanfare.
We’ve been watching the news coming out of the Madrid Conference.
It’s not about climate at all.
It’s a money grab, pure and simple, with no decisive leaders. They reached no conclusion, except to spend another two weeks of vacation, in Glasgow next year, for another conference. After two weeks……. nothing. It’s been almost five years since the Paris Accords, yet still…….. nothing.
And then it hit me. My high school classmates were more effective when it comes to decision making. Committees….. yikes!
We learned all about committees in high school, remember? Our school had almost 5,000 students, the size of most small colleges. Strangely, our high school problem was/is remarkably similar to the Madrid Conference.
Watch ……
As a sophomore, somehow I ended up on a committee to decide whether or not we needed a school uniform. Our group was to meet once a week, for a school year, develop a report with recommendations to be adopted the subsequent school year. Similarities to Madrid = Handpicked people, fairly well respected within their own sphere of influence, either ignorant and well intentioned or malicious and aware of the real motives of superior power …… sounds like Madrid Climate Conference. The players are the same since high school.
We were a bunch of young kids who didn’t know any better, right? Chances are, as teenagers, we were well intentioned. Let’s assume COP25 attendees were mostly well intentioned.
At our first meeting, we vigorously discussed the topic in great detail = high energy in the beginning, a lot like Madrid.
Discussions were pretty hot, and our meeting went far longer than we anticipated = Madrid went two days beyond schedule.
Yet, we took several votes, compromised, and resolved the problem = no uniform but a guideline of what was/was not acceptable altering past handbook = UNLIKE like Madrid, we reached conclusions.
I was tasked to write up the results and send to school admins.
Sure, no problem.
Within a few days, I was done and recommendations submitted.
Few days later, I was notified to appear to School Administration office to “report” for a panel discussion later that month.
In the days leading up to the meeting, several other students approached me and warned me to “to a good job”. I got the impression it was more important than I originally thought.
But I was a dumb young kid, right? I wore a suit, reviewed mine and others notes, wrote down our main points in short outline and thought I was ready. How bad could it be?
Five Administrators on the panel and I was questioned like Joan of Arc with Administrators who were giddy, building a fire for my imminent demise. Similarities to Madrid = I was the USA who refused to pay billions/trillions to other countries for an ill-defined definition and promotion of climate change, let alone a financial marketplace like a stock exchange trading carbon credits.
First revelation: It became apparent the panel didn’t like the idea that students came to conclusions so quickly. Well, that was a surprise. We were supposed to take A WHOLE YEAR to decide. They expected us to meet once a week for an hour…. all year long. Does this sound like Brexit to you? Or Climate Change? We don’t like your answer, so we think you need to study it more until you agree with our desired outcome. We don’t like efficiency, we need another vacation at another European capital? Scary similarities.
In reality, our classmates first meeting went almost five hours long at a local pizza joint. We stayed, ate, and drank beer (we could back then) until we figured it out. We were far more effective than those in Madrid. Consensus reached, no pretense. When is the last time it was so easy for the United Nations? When people are left to their own devices, even self-absorbed teenagers don’t like to waste time.
I attempted to counter the panel’s invalid objection as to “proper gestation length” for examination of the problem, discussion, and how fast we could expect a baby – a set of solutions. A “time” objection was false on merit but it’s almost impossible for a teen to tell an adult they’re incorrect. I assured the panel our conclusions would be no different in the spring as they were at the time, and that we were saving time. Be proud of us, please, the problem was solved! Similarities to Madrid = there are valid objections to spending billions/trillions of dollars on models which have previously been proven false, “estimates” of success to any human attempt to change results, undermining our economies, especially with dubious commitment from China/India.
In high school, a problem arose which was clearly defined to us at the time. We were tasked to solve the problem, and we stayed until we reached agreement — like business people do in a contract negotiation. Paraphrasing, “What would be the benefit of a delay once an agreement has been reached? We have resolved the issue.”
Second revelation: The panel was concerned we had not spoken to our classmates, to see “how they feel”.
Well, that wasn’t true. The whole school, particularly the girls, knew the dress code was up for grabs and we were all talking about it. I had, in fact, taken an unofficial poll of my class before I went into the first meeting. I produced my notes to the panel. Standard objections and answers, part of any panel discussion, right? I countered all objections but the panel remained unsatisfied. Why? “Feel”?
“How they feel”……. something about this objection did not ring true, as if the panel had knowledge I did not have. They were condescending towards me, even dismissive and mean. Yet, their assumptions were imaginary, not valid….. and I knew it…. and they were trying to tell me I was wrong….. and I wasn’t wrong. Scary similarities, but the first time I recall this tactic being used. Then, working off false assumptions, the panel made it worse….. They presumed to know how students would feel in the future…… by some arbitrary decision the panel made today, “Everyone will FEEL so much better when they don’t have to compete.” What????? I took a job so I could afford to go to proms. Similarities to Madrid = Working from a series of questionable projections, COP25 presumes an economic solution for a desired outcome. If this doesn’t sound familiar to today’s political battles, we’re not paying attention.
As a 15yr old, I was fairly confused. What was happening? We were the elected student reps and made decisions based on what we thought other classmates would want. We had no malintent and ignorant of the fact that anyone would presume malintent. One panel member rolled her eyes and implied she did not believe me. Similarities = It’s the exact same thing which happens on Twitter today.
At the time, I was shocked. Why would I lie? Why would I want an overly restrictive dress code if I must follow the same rules? Was the panel implying SOME people didn’t have to follow the rules? How could that happen? Gee whiz, everyone not following the same rules would not be fair, right? How could THAT happen?
Third revelation: The panel wanted uniforms. I learned our decision would likely be replicated across district and state – our’s was the biggest high school in the state and being used as an example. Suddenly, it wasn’t only “my people”, it was potentially the whole state full of teenagers just like me. I was on my feet by that point but precise, cold, and calm. If I lashed out, at adults with an ulterior motive, I would be thrown out….. a defacto loss. The idea that students had any choice was an illusion. Similarities to Madrid = Sound familiar?
We were being railroaded, but if I was mad, we would lose our independence to dress as we wanted. “Saddle Oxfords in 1978? You’ve got to be kidding me!”, I thought.
Why ask for our input if they did not want it? (Voting) And not only that, you wanted us to meet for a year, wasting MORE time, on the false premise that we had input into the decision? (We made up our mind) When you’ve already reached a decision? (The elites had decided) Therefore, asking for our input was false, fake, a lie? (Yes) Similarities to Madrid = Why does this discussion sound so much like a preordained outcome for the USA and EU before Brexit and the election of President Trump?
Again, I was the stupid kid, right? Yet, something strange happened along the way, everything turned on a single moment. I began to question the panel, standing, walking, addressing members individually. Please tell me, Why do YOU think we need uniforms? What would be the benefits? What is the potential for downside? What would be the cost? What about cost for large families? What about school spirit Fridays where students wear team/club t-shirts and jackets and what would be the financial loss to all teams/clubs? Doesn’t a “one size fits all” dress code inhibit personal expression? And if we’re really concerned with how students FEEL, then how can we possibly be so disrespectful to presume all students FEEL the same way? I was low, monotone, open palmed without realizing it.
The panel stuttered and stammered, unprepared for questions. Momentum shifted. I pressed and closed in. As seconds and minutes ticked by, I spoke with greater conviction. My voice became deeper, coming from my gut, more powerful, like 5,000 voices. I could feel that power, and trust me…. It wasn’t coming from me…….It came from someplace else…… Similarities to those in Madrid/Brexit/USA Congress = Ruling class is NOT prepared for challenges to authority when they make bad decisions.
And finally, innocently, I lobbed a bomb, “Who among you would benefit financially from a uniform shop?” It was an innocuous question, an afterthought. I threw it out like a fisherman would cast a net, and it hung in the air………… no answer. Silence. Yet,…. I caught something, unknown to me. At the time, I was naive. I had no belief anyone on the panel had bad motives. I was far too young and dumb. Looking back, it was precisely when our panel abruptly ended the meeting. Decision was tabled. There was no more discussion/announcements from the administration. Similarities to Madrid = The media stopped covering it.
The Administration adopted our small changes for the next year, no big deal, practically a rubber stamp. No uniforms for at least another 15yrs. Similarities = At all times, hide the money trail to who benefits. I didn’t expect to get everything we wanted. Cuz, from the Rolling Stones and President Trump, we know, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. Right? I thought, maybe, “Two Outta Three Ain’t Bad”……….
But in the late 70’s, we were “doubly blessed”.
Lessons learned = Sometimes, it’s not the calculus and chemistry we remember from high school. Sometimes, it’s more.
Welcome to the OPEN THREAD! Ouch, it is Friday the 13th, but that’s okay. As we continue through Justice is Coming December, with the Decorations UP, Presents Wrapped, This weekend is Party TIME. Gents, it time to polish up your shoes and find the festive tie. Ladies, drag out the sequins and your Cinderella slippers. (Special tribute for ARMY at the bottom)
Last night was the Congressional Christmas Ball at the White House. Guess Nadler’s invitation was lost in the mail. Melania stole the show and looked like a Snow Queen. President was full of vim and vigor.
This Justice Is Coming December open thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA / KAG! / KMAG world.
Please feel free to comment. We have a new policy, starting 20191110. Keep it SOMEWHAT civil. Our rules began with the civility of the Old Treehouse, later to become the Wolverinian Empire, except of course that Q discussion is not only allowed but encouraged, and speech is considerably freer in other ways. Please feel free to argue and disagree with the board owner, as nicely as possible.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here in the January 1st open thread. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven.
We have a new board – actually a new SITE – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation. NOT HERE. This board will remain a REFUGE for those who need civility, either some or all of the time.
Please keep the President, his family and team in your thoughts and prayers. If you run into the President, SPEAK THE FIVE WORDS BOLDLY. “I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!“
Time to —– DRAIN THE SWAMP
Our movement
Is about replacing
A failed
And CORRUPT
Political establishment
With a new government controlled
By you, the American People.
Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
Get your jingle going. It’s time to play. Be happy. It’s Christmas! You can’t sit still to this song. Let’s dance around the tree!
Have to share this story: Twitter Girlfriend’s daughter enlisted in the ARMY. Overprotective Mom has been a nervous wreck throughout basic training. Finally, graduation day arrived. She and husband went to “Family Day”, hoping her “baby” survived. Mom even packed a little first aid kit to doctor bumps and scrapes, and brought with her the daughter’s favorite snacks…… the ones she used to pack in her lunch for school. Everyone was situated in the grandstands when the ceremony began………
Well…….You HAVE to see the video ——– make grown men puff up their chest and cry at the same time. ARMY laid down smoke on the whole Parade Ground. From out of the smoke…….. came FIVE BATTALIONS………
Dear Lord, I’m crying like a baby while writing, heart bursting with pride!!!!!! They’re not babies anymore. Go ARMY!!!!!!! Pride of the USA!
Merry Christmas to all those who serve, and cannot come home for Christmas. We love you.
Congratulations to PM Boris Johnson and all our cousins in the UK!
By 2:00am in New York, The UK will be waking up to the first national election during December since 1923. Voting starts at 7:00am in UK or 2:00am Eastern time in the USA. Polls don’t close until 10:00pm, which is 5:00pm Eastern time. It’s a big day and the world will be watching. This election is a full two years ahead of schedule, but this election is for all the chips. All 600+ seats are up for grabs and even the liberal icon “The Guardian” claims the Conservatives lead Labour by 3-14 points.
Today is the day to vote!
Our cousins in England and north Ireland are tired of messing around with Brussels.
As Americans, even though we are veterans of our great political wars, we don’t pay too much attention to what happens in The UK. Well, maybe we should start listening. The Brexit vote was the great crack in the control of Globalists. That vote bolstered President Trump’s election in 2016, and the populists, or real resistance to globalist control, has spread from Iran to Chile, from Myanmar to Romania. Ask Hong Kongers, they know.
Yet the citizens of the UK were ignored by their leaders and still have not left the EU. The controversy led to the resignation of PM Theresa May and the rise of Boris Johnson.
The tension in the UK is at a fever pitch. Networks in England will go live with coverage all day long. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10415932/general-election-2019-live-polls-latest/
The LAST POLLING allowed, taken only a few minutes before midnight in London showed the following:
The final poll of the day gives the Tories an 11 point lead over Labour.
Released in the final seconds before midnight, the Survation study has the Conservatives on 44.5 per cent, Labour on 33.7 per cent and the Lib Dems on 9.3 per cent.
The Tories figure remains the same from the last Survation poll with Labour gaining 3 points. But that seems to be at the expense of the Lib Dems, who slip down two. That’s it for polls and the real thing gets underway at 7am tomorrow.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10415932/general-election-2019-live-polls-latest/
The polls will close at 10:00pm in The UK, which is 5:00pm Eastern Time in the USA. The pubs from London to small towns in Scotland are stocked and ready. It’s going to be one heck of a day………
Still think one man can’t make a difference? Talk to this man.
Confession — UK politics is NOT my wheelhouse. Asking for help from the group from anyone who has tidbits to share. Our UK and EU friends are most welcome and should be writing this post. Please contribute and help to make us all a little bit smarter.
Are you ready? No rest for the weary! MOAR coffee after a knockout MAGA Rally in PA last night (thank you to all who contributed). Make sure to take your Winnimins this morning. We still have more testimony in the House today and BREXIT votes tomorrow!!!!!!!! How does Flep keep up?
Today is the day Horowitz testifies in the Senate Judiciary Committee with Lindsey Graham presiding. This will be a great chance for us at QTree, and the public in general, to compare and contrast Nadler in the House, with how Senator Graham runs a Judiciary Committee.
We might need to reference the OIG Report during the testimony today, here is the link: https://www.justice.gov/storage/120919-examination.pdf
Let’s take a look at who is on the Judiciary Committee to get an idea of what to expect.
It would be foolish for us to ignore the Bill Barr interviews from yesterday, in the context of Horowitz Testimony today. Seems as though Bill Barr put his thumb on the scale and gave the Republicans a magical blueprint for testimony today. Let’s see if they take heed.
Here are the interviews, one more time:
Note how Barr talks specifically about the timeline, and how the investigations continued into the Presidency of Trump under a false premise. Barr explicitly states these investigations should have never gone forward, and probably should have never started (flimsy, a suggestion of a suggestion from a 28yr old campaign volunteer in a bar – when everyone in the WORLD was talking about who had Hillary’s emails). Barr eviscerates Brennan and Comey. He defends the President and leaves his interviewers ……………. shocked and blubbering.
While Barr and Durham, plot and plan the rollout, grooming their proverbial “staches”……
The Dems are once again………..
They can’t beat this guy……… OUR GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, folks. You guys are terrific. We’ve been hunting for a “whole interview” video all afternoon. Thank you for pitching in to help! Here’s the whole thing.
And here is the interview with WSJ (YUGE hat tip to FLEP for finding it!)
You’re going to hear a LOT about these BILL BARR interviews with MSNBC and WSJ. I got a heads up on the MSNBC one, and it only finished about 5 minutes ago. Watched the portion of WSJ interview run by FOX. All I have NOW are my notes, posted below. We will post the full clip and transcript when it becomes available. MSNBC will not release the full video and they’re playing games on the interview – yeah, it was that bad —- for them. We’re piecing the interview together as best as we can. Please pardon typos on my pseudo transcript, I was going as quickly as I could.
The second piece can only be seen here: https://therightscoop.com/watch-ag-bill-barr-drops-some-cold-hard-truth-on-origins-of-russia-investigation-in-msnbc-interview/
Thank you, Dep! Here is a TEN MINUTE fuzzy version from Breitbart, still not the whole thing but much better. https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/12/10/ag-barr-fbi-ignored-exculpatory-evidence-hid-information-to-continue-trump-investigation/ NOTE: In the Breitbart piece, Barr is quoted as saying, “we’re going to put people in there and rile them up”, but that’s not what Barr said. Barr said, “… we’re going to put people in there and WIRE THEM UP…”
Rest assured, Barr just slapped the media, the FBI, the Dems, the Russians, everyone, and completely defended the President. It was epic.
Whole thing started…. how?
Flimsy
A suggestion of a suggestion from a 28yr old campaign worker, that Russians MAY have Hillary’s emails. Well, look what was going on in May of 2016, many reports that Russian hacked her server in 2014. Press accounts were all over the place…….. and they jumped right into a full scale investigation, very intrusive technics, because of a suggestion of a suggestion IN A BAR.
Inexplicable that they talked to the RUSSIANS and not to the campaign.
Excoriates Brennan who confronted the head of Russian secret service, and OBama talked to Putin, said cut it out.BUT they never talked to the campaign. Why not?
Talking about the “non-bias” and how it’s really not investigated by the OIG.
You have to wait for the full investigation by Durham.
He can compel people to testify.
Horowitz just asked them if they were biased and if he did not find contradictory testimony, then he was done.
Premature to make any judgement now.
Question — they opened an investigation but no one was really harmed.From Barr: We’re going to put people in there and wire them up and then we’ll get the truth.
Not ONE piece of incriminatory evidence that came in, in fact it was exculpatory.
FBI ignored it
withholds it from the court
all while it gets more warrants.
clear cut evidence that the Dossier was a complete sham from more evidence collectedAfter January the whole case collapsed.
All speculation
Zero information to support it
What did they do?
They kept on investigating the President
Not only did they NOT tell the Court, they added OTHER stuff , made up stuff, to bolster their dossier proof.Opens the possibility to infer BAD FAITH
To early to tell (wink), but Durham is working on it.Question – all kinds of bias, political, institutional,
Barr – I don’t want to say. Horowitz focuses on the FBI, but there was a lot going on around the FBIQuestion: Do you still maintain….. Was the campaign spied upon
From barr: Oh, clearly they were spied upon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FISA allow to go BACK, emails, months and even years, that’s why they went for a FISA for retroactive accumulating of material
Actually preceded July.
Some things done during the investigating, which Horwitz did not cover.
Durham is also exploring what Happened AFTER january, withholding info from court.
He’s the President of the USA, what was their motivation? (why did they continue)Why did you go to three countries with Durham.
Answer from Barr: Press reporting on this has been silly. a US Atty does not just show up on the doorstep of a government, have to introduce, ambassadors involved, establish ground rules, perfectly appropriate.Question: was it appropriate for Durham to issue a statement yesterday
Barr: Absolutely, didn’t want the public to think the predication of the FBI investigation was cleared. Durham needed to make it clear. (slams media again)Are you confident Wray can fix the FBI? In light of Trump’s tweet.
practically speaking, i think Wray has worked hard to correct the problems of the past, new team, old tean is not there.
Cannot ignore the abuses of the past.
Have to focus on getting it right
So you have confidence in Wray?
YesPeople will think and say you’re just defending Trump
I think our nation was turned on it’s head for three years, in large part by an irresponsible press
FISA abuses.
Protect against the abuse of the FBI
That’s my responsibilityWere you ever asked to talk to anyone in Ukraine about a Server?
No
I haven’t gotten into the Ukraine yet
I don’t know
I haven’t even looked into it franklyDOJ Criminal Division career employees said Whistle Blower complaint about campaign finance was looked t and determined to not hold merit
Was it a terrorist act in Pensacola?
Not discussing details of investigation…..
We are satisfied with cooperation we are gettingComment on police address – if people don’t support their police, they might find themselves without the protection needed. We’re in a full employment economy.. Every police dept is understaffed. high suicide rate, unless we change we’re not going to have enough police.
But you’re not saying people shouldn’t criticize the police when they do something wrong?
No.Talking about patience and the need for answers NOW……
Daughn’s notes, not perfect transcription but as close as possible
I know, I know, but we cannot cut corners on collection of evidence.
You know that.
I see us reaching a
Reaching a watershed, in lte spring or early summer……..
DURHAMMMMMMMMMM
Barr is NOW doing another interview with the WSJ. We will post both interview when available.
From the WSJ interview, tone was much more friendly and Barr was not as cutting and sarcastic. They went over the same topics and similar answers.
One exception: In the WSJ interview, Barr said Brennan (himself) called the head of the FSB in Russia on August 4th, and again later in August (2016). Obama called (himself) in September of 2016 and told Putin, “we know what you’re doing, stop it”
But they never talked to the campaign.
Daughn’s notes
Pack an overnight bag and let’s make a run to Hershey, PA!
We’ve been to Hershey before. Remember? Well, since 2016, PA has changed a little bit!
“Pennsylvania is booming thanks to President Trump and jobs are coming back to the state,” said Michael Glassner, Chief Operating Officer of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.. “Since President Trump’s election, Pennsylvania has added 157,800 new jobs, including 2,900 manufacturing jobs. President Trump is delivering on his promises, and he looks forward to celebrating those successes with the great men and women of Pennsylvania.”
https://fox43.com/2019/11/21/president-trump-will-host-keep-america-great-rally-in-hershey-on-dec-10-campaign-says/
This will be the president’s 35th visit to Pennsylvania since announcing his candidacy during the 2016 election. He visited the state 19 times as a Republican candidate, once as a president-elect and 14 times as a sitting president.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/12/10/trump-rally-hershey-pa-vp-pence-giant-center-what-know-tickets-schedule/2633377001/
Trump’s visit with Pence on Tuesday is the first time the president and vice president have appeared together in Hershey since they came for the “Thank You” tour on Dec. 15, 2016. On that trip, he said, “In four years, we’re going to win Pennsylvania by even more.”
He won Pennsylvania by 44,292 votes in 2016, thanks in part to thousands of first-time voters in southcentral Pennsylvania. Analysts say he will need those voters again if he wants to hold on to swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida.
Trump has drawn some of his largest crowds at Giant Center, which seats more than 10,000 people and has standing room for supporters on the floor. His campaign has previously estimated 13,000 attendees at his Hershey rallies.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/12/10/trump-rally-hershey-pa-vp-pence-giant-center-what-know-tickets-schedule/2633377001/
You can register for tickets here.
While we’re in Hershey, PA, take another evening to explore Hershey Park. It’s a resort and Amusement Park which has been open since 1907. The Christmas light spectacular on Candy Lane is perfect for the kids, with real reindeer, tons of Christmas lights, several worthy roller coasters and vast rides, and of course, your favorite Christmas treats!
Hershey Park has two hotels, the Lodge and Hershey Hotel. There’s a water park and the place is YUGE!!!! Looks like fun to me, and with MORE people working, more families can afford to go and take the kids!
We’ll see you tonight in Pennsylvania!!!!!!!!!
Is Michael bringing the snacks?
It’s going to be a wild day…… Gird your loins and sharpen your nails.
Or……grab a cup of coffee and some Christmas cookies, keep your blood pressure stable, and hang out with QTree tomorrow.
Although you could print it out and burn it to keep warm, the PDF from the Dems Report “Constitutional Grounds for Impeachment” is found here: https://media.giphy.com/media/t4wfJ082RWlig/giphy.gif
Yes, the Dems did dump thousands of pages of “evidence” Saturday afternoon, for a Monday morning hearing. Yes, The Repubs asked for the “evidence” for over 25days and the Dems ignored them. Every possible dirty trick is being employed. Minority Leader Collins asked for a delay to review the material and Nadler refused. We’re careening towards impeachment and the brakes have failed…..
So, make sure to bring your Narwhal to work in the morning…..
Again, let’s see what happens.
One thing is sure, that “storm” thingy the Anons were talking about????
Yeah, the STORM is here.
Here is the link to the OIG Report. https://www.justice.gov/storage/120919-examination.pdf
It’s 476 pages. Dig through it at will.
Here’s Nadler’s latest letter.
Here is Barr’s Response:
“The Inspector General’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken.”
Barr again in statement defending Trump: “It is also clear that, from its inception, the evidence produced by the investigation was consistently exculpatory.”
https://www.mediaite.com/trump/ag-bill-barr-lambasts-fbi-inquiry-of-trump-following-release-of-report-that-found-fbi-was-not-biased-against-trump/
More from Barr in total:
“Nothing is more important than the credibility and integrity of the FBI and the Department of Justice. That is why we must hold our investigators and prosecutors to the highest ethical and professional standards. The Inspector General’s investigation has provided critical transparency and accountability, and his work is a credit to the Department of Justice. I would like to thank the Inspector General and his team.
The Inspector General’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken. It is also clear that, from its inception, the evidence produced by the investigation was consistently exculpatory. Nevertheless, the investigation and surveillance was pushed forward for the duration of the campaign and deep into President Trump’s administration. In the rush to obtain and maintain FISA surveillance of Trump campaign associates, FBI officials misled the FISA court, omitted critical exculpatory facts from their filings, and suppressed or ignored information negating the reliability of their principal source. The Inspector General found the explanations given for these actions unsatisfactory. While most of the misconduct identified by the Inspector General was committed in 2016 and 2017 by a small group of now-former FBI officials, the malfeasance and misfeasance detailed in the Inspector General’s report reflects a clear abuse of the FISA process.
FISA is an essential tool for the protection of the safety of the American people. The Department of Justice and the FBI are committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to rectify the abuses that occurred and to ensure the integrity of the FISA process going forward.
No one is more dismayed about the handling of these FISA applications than Director Wray. I have full confidence in Director Wray and his team at the FBI, as well as the thousands of dedicated line agents who work tirelessly to protect our country. I thank the Director for the comprehensive set of proposed reforms he is announcing today, and I look forward to working with him to implement these and any other appropriate measures.
With respect to DOJ personnel discussed in the report, the Department will follow all appropriate processes and procedures, including as to any potential disciplinary action.”
Here is Durham’s Response:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 9, 2019
Statement of U.S. Attorney John H. Durham
“I have the utmost respect for the mission of the Office of Inspector General and the comprehensive work that went into the report prepared by Mr. Horowitz and his staff. However, our investigation is not limited to developing information from within component parts of the Justice Department. Our investigation has included developing information from other persons and entities, both in the U.S. and outside of the U.S. Based on the evidence collected to date, and while our investigation is ongoing, last month we advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the report’s conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened.”
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/statement-us-attorney-john-h-durham
Nunes Response:
Here is Wray’s Reponse:
December 6, 2019
The Honorable Michael Horowitz
Inspector General
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. 20530Dear Inspector General Horowitz:
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report titled, “Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation” (Report).
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) appreciates the OIG’s crucial independent oversight role and the thoroughness and professionalism your office brought to this work. The Report’s findings and recommendations represent constructive criticism that will make us stronger as an organization. We also appreciate the Report’s recognition that the FBI cooperated fully with this review and provided broad and timely access to all information requested by the OIG, including highly classified and sensitive material involving national security.
The Report concludes that the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation and related investigations of certain individuals were opened in 2016 for an authorized purpose and with adequate factual predication. The Report also details instances in which certain FBI personnel, at times during the 2016-2017 period reviewed by the OIG, did not comply with existing policies, neglected to exercise appropriate diligence, or otherwise failed to meet the standard of conduct that the FBI expects of its employees — and that our country expects of the FBI. We are vested with significant authorities, and it is our obligation as public servants to ensure that these authorities are exercised with objectivity and integrity. Anything less falls short of the FBI’s duty to the American people.
Accordingly, the FBI accepts the Report’s findings and embraces the need for thoughtful, meaningful remedial action. I have ordered more than 40 corrective steps to address the Report’s recommendations. Because our credibility and brand are central to fulfilling our mission, we are also making improvements beyond those recommended by the OIG. And where certain individuals have been referred by the OIG for review of their conduct, the FBI will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary action if warranted at the completion of the required procedures for disciplinary review.
Below is a summary of the actions we are taking, which we describe in more detail in the attachment to this letter.
First, we are modifying our processes under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), both for initial applications and renewals, to enhance accuracy and completeness. The FBI relies on FISA every day in national security investigations to prevent terrorists and foreign intelligence services from harming the United States. We are making concrete changes to ensure that our FISA protocols, verifications, layers of review, record-keeping requirements, and audits are more stringent and less susceptible to mistake or inaccuracy. These new processes will also ensure that the FISA Court and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are apprised of all information in the FBI’s holdings relevant to a determination of probable cause
Second, we undertook an extensive review of investigative activity based out of FBI Headquarters. The FBI is a field-based law enforcement organization, and the vast majority of our investigations should continue to be worked by our field offices. Moving forward, in the very rare instance when FBI Headquarters runs a sensitive investigation, we are requiring prior approval by the FBI Deputy Director and consultation with the Assistant Director in Charge or Special Agent in Charge of the affected field offices.
Third, we are making significant changes to how the FBI manages its Confidential Human Source (CHS) Program. Many FBI investigations rely on human sources, but the investigative value derived from CHS-provided information rests in part on the CHS’s credibility, which demands rigorous assessment of the source. The modifications we are making to how the FBI collects, documents, and shares information about CHSs will strengthen our assessment of the information these sources are providing.
Fourth, I am establishing new protocols for the FBI’s participation in Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)-led counterintelligence transition briefings (i.e., strategic intelligence briefings) provided to presidential nominees. The FBI’s role in these briefings should be for national security purposes and not for investigative purposes. Continued participation by the FBI in these transition briefings is critical to ensuring continuity in the event of a change in administrations. The new FBI protocols about transition briefings will complement procedures already implemented by the FBI earlier this year to govern the separate category of defensive briefings. The FBI gives defensive briefings, which are based on specific threat information, in a wide variety of contexts and for myriad federal, state, and other public and private individuals and entities. The procedures we recently established for defensive briefings regarding malign foreign influence efforts have brought a new rigor and discipline to whether and how such briefings should proceed.
Fifth, I am mandating a specialized, semiannual training requirement for FBI personnel at all levels who handle FISA and CHS matters. This training will be experience-based, and it will cover specific lessons learned from this Report, along with other new and revised material. Earlier in my tenure as Director, I reinstated an annual ethics training program for all FBI employees, because I learned the training had been discontinued in prior years. While that training was not introduced in response to this Report, all current FBI employees involved in the 2016-2017 events reviewed by the OIG have since completed this additional training in ethics and professional responsibility.
Finally, we will review the performance and conduct of certain FBI employees who were referenced in the Report’s recommendations — including managers, supervisors, and senior officials at the time. The FBI will take appropriate disciplinary action where warranted. Notably, many of the employees described in the report are no longer employed at the FBI.
I want to emphasize that the FBI’s participation in this process was undertaken with my express direction to be as transparent as possible, while honoring our duty to protect sources and methods that, if disclosed, might make Americans less safe. Where protection of certain sensitive information is well-founded, I remain committed to upholding the laws and longstanding policies governing classification and public release. I am just as committed to the principle that possible embarrassment and chagrin to the FBI or its employees is not, and should never be, the basis of a decision not to divulge FBI information. The FBI has worked closely with the OIG and DOJ on the classification issues implicated by the Report. Our joint process with the OIG and DOJ has ensured all material facts could be presented in this Report, with redactions carefully limited and narrowly tailored to specific national security and operational concerns. I am grateful for the mutual assistance of the OIG and DOJ in responsible presentation of this extremely sensitive information.
Since becoming FBI Director in August 2017, I have emphasized to FBI agents, analysts, and staff the importance of doing things the right way, by the book. I am humbled to serve alongside these dedicated men and women, and I am confident that the actions we are taking will strengthen our historic institution, ensure that we continue to discharge our responsibilities objectively and free from political bias, and better position us to protect the American people against threats while upholding the Constitution.
Sincerely,
Christopher A. Wray
Director
https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-director-christopher-wray-response-to-inspector-general-report
Let’s see how The Boss responds.
