The House Intelligence Committee led by Devin Nunes released the report on their Russia "investigation" yesterday, and guess what? No collusion!

Courtesy of CNN: 

The House Intelligence Committee on Friday released a redacted version of the Republican report on the committee's year-long Russia investigation, in which GOP members say they found no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia and disputed the intelligence community's assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to help elect Donald Trump. 

The committee released the report with redactions from the intelligence community, along with a redacted Democratic dissent. saying collusion exists and that there were key aspects of the probe Republicans failed to investigate. 

The report's release marks the conclusion of a yearlong committee investigation that devolved into a partisan brawl between Democrats and Republicans, fighting over the decision by House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes to step aside from the probe, the subpoenas that were and were not issued and dueling memos over a surveillance warrant for a former Trump campaign adviser.

The committee ended its investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling last month, concluding they found no evidence that Trump's team had colluded with Russians. 

"We found no evidence of collusion, and so we found perhaps some bad judgment, inappropriate meetings," (Rep. Mike) Conaway said when they submitted their report for declassification.

Of course Trump was also quick to jump on this. 

Just Out: House Intelligence Committee Report released. “No evidence” that the Trump Campaign “colluded, coordinated or conspired with Russia.” Clinton Campaign paid for Opposition Research obtained from Russia- Wow! A total Witch Hunt! MUST END NOW!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018

However anybody who actually thought this Devin Nunes led investigation was interested in getting to the truth must have their head shoved so far up their ass that they can watch their food digest.

And as the Democrats on that committee point out, the investigation was nowhere near complete.

Courtesy of WaPo:  

The GOP report does address that Trump Tower meeting, allowing that it showed “poor judgment” on the part of the Trump campaign. As we learned from Trump Jr.’s emails, those top Trump campaign officials went to the meeting in the full expectation of receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton, supplied by the Russian government. But the GOP report brushes this off, concluding there was “no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded, coordinated, or conspired with the Russian government.”

But the Democratic response fills in some extremely important context — and it may involve the president himself, though we cannot know one way or the other right now. 

According to the Democratic response, right after Trump Jr. set up the specifics of the meeting, he had two calls with a number in Russia belonging to Emin Agalarov. Between those two calls, the Democratic response recounts, Trump Jr. received a third call from a blocked number. Who might it have been? 

Democrats wanted to find out, but Republicans blocked it from happening, according to the Democrats’ response. 

“We sought to determine whether that number belonged to the president, because we also ascertained that then-candidate Trump used a blocked number,” Schiff said during our interview. “That would tell us whether Don Jr. sought his father’s permission to take the meeting, and [whether] that was the purpose of that call.” 

Schiff added that Democrats asked Republicans to subpoena phone records to determine whose number it was, but Republicans “refused,” Schiff said. “They didn’t want to know whether he had informed his father and sought his permission to take that meeting with the Russians.”

Okay exactly WHY would the Republicans stop the Democrats from accessing those phone records unless they already knew to whom the blocked number belonged?

But do you know who probably already has that information?

Robert Mueller that's who.

This whole House Intelligence Committee "investigation" was nothing but a distraction to keep the public from focusing on the real investigation which is ACTUALLY looking for the truth.

And that truth is coming, whether Donald Trump and Devin Nunes want it to or not.

The doctor is out! Ronny Jackson decides against running for VA Secretary.

Courtesy of CNN: 

Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson has withdrawn as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, he said in a statement Thursday morning. 

His nomination was hampered by a flurry of allegations about Jackson's professional conduct. 

In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Jackson slammed allegations of improper behavior leveled against him as "completely false and fabricated." 

"If they had any merit, I would not have been selected, promoted and entrusted to serve in such a sensitive and important role as physician to three presidents over the past 12 years," Jackson said. "Going into this process, I expected tough questions about how to best care for our veterans, but I did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity." 

Jackson said he was motivated to withdraw from consideration because the allegations against him "have become a distraction" for Trump and his agenda. 

"Unfortunately, because of how Washington works, these false allegations have become a distraction for this President and the important issue we must be addressing -- how we give the best care to our nation's heroes," Jackson said. "While I will forever be grateful for the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me by giving me this opportunity, I am regretfully withdrawing my nomination to be Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs."

I'm sorry but if these allegations were "completely false and fabricated" Jackson would not pull his name out of consideration for this job.

And the excuse that all of this has become a distraction for the Trump Administration is completely ridiculous because there is a new distraction EVERY SINGLE DAY.

In fact there are so many distractions happening at the same time that they are all fighting for space on cable TV shows.

No, this is just one more example that Donald Trump simply does NOT choose the very best people.

In fact it seems as if he is drawn like a magnet to the most deeply flawed people in the country, and then tries to elevate them to positions of power and prominence.

Confirmation for Donald Trump's pick to head the VA has been suspended amid accusations of misconduct on the job.

Courtesy of CNN:

Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee are raising concerns about allegations involving Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, and are reviewing them to determine if they are substantial enough to upend his nomination. 

Committee members have been told about allegations related to improper conduct in various stages of his career, two sources said. 

The sources say the committee is in talks to delay Wednesday's confirmation hearing as they try to figure out the allegations. 

None of the senators would publicly detail the specifics of the allegations. A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Senators may have not wanted to publicly detail the specifics, but they leaked out anyway.

Just In: 2 sources confirm to @nancycordes and @edokeefe Sen Vet Affairs Comm is reviewing allegations against Ronny Jackson which include a hostile work environment, excessive drinking on the job and improperly dispensing meds.

— Steve Dorsey (@steve_dorsey) April 24, 2018

You know the reason why all of this is so amazing is that Trump has bragged repeatedly that he "only picks the best people."

But as we know the ONLY reason that Trump thought that Jackson was in any way qualified for this very difficult position was because he lied for him about his most recent physical. 

It seems like EVERY SINGLE person that Trump nominates for the cabinet, or hires to staff the White House, is deeply flawed in some way.

Almost like he just does not want to be the only one.

Four killed as semi-nude man shoots up Tennessee Waffle House with AR-15.

BREAKING: Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, IL, is person of interest in Waffle House shooting. Vehicle the gunman arrived in is registered to him. Gunman last seen walking south on Murfreesboro Pike. He shed is coat and is nude. See Reinking? Pls call 615-862-8600 immediately. pic.twitter.com/duoWCo5fC0

— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018

Courtesy of CNN: 

Police are asking for the public's help in finding suspect 29-year-old Travis Reinking of Morton, Illinois. 

Authorities said the gunman arrived in a vehicle registered to Reinking, though he walked away from the restaurant naked.

The melee started around 3:23 a.m. (4:23 a.m. ET) in Antioch, southeast of Nashville. After sitting in the truck for a few minutes, the gunman came out wielding an "assault-type rifle" and fatally shot two people outside the Waffle House, police said.

"He then went inside the restaurant (and) continued firing," Aaron said.

The carnage stopped only because of the heroics of a customer who heard the gunshots and hid near the restaurant's bathrooms.

 Police said the customer monitored the gunman's moves from afar and jumped into action when he saw an opportunity. 

"He saw the gunman looking at his rifle. At that point, the shots had stopped. So he decided to rush the gunman, actually wrestled that assault rifle away, tossed it over the counter. At that point, the gunman then fled," Aaron said.

Wait, so this bad guy with a gun was stopped by a good guy WITHOUT a gun?

And this happened in the NRA's America?

Well that's going to confuse some people.

On a more serious note, this is yet ANOTHER mass shooting carried out with this country's favorite go to weapon for mass shootings.

And STILL nobody is doing anything definitive to stop all of this.

How many more Americans must die before it is finally enough?

If this were a disease we would be inundated with fundraising emails to stop it.

There would be telethons for fuck's sake!

But for this epidemic all we typically get are excuses from the Ammosexuals and politicians telling us it is still too early to talk about new gun laws.

Bump stock maker ain't making bump stocks no more.

Courtesy of CNN: 

Slide Fire Solutions, the inventor and manufacturer of bump stocks, will no longer be selling the firearm accessories. 

On its website Tuesday, Slide Fire Solutions said it "will cease taking orders for its products and shut down its website." 

The company said it will process and ship all orders taken prior to May 20. The company did not say on its website what will happen to its factory in Texas.

It is not everything, but it is something.

And all journeys toward progress are made up of tiny steps forward.

Looking forward to the day when the last company says that they will no longer manufacture AR-15's.

I know, I know, don't hold your breath. 

Nikki Haley is all out of f*cks to give. Update!

Fuck this job.

Courtesy of CNN:

A consensus emerged Tuesday at the White House and Mar-a-Lago about how to clean up the administration's suddenly muddled plans to crack down on Russia: Blame Nikki Haley. 

Several administration officials said the US ambassador to the United Nations got ahead of President Donald Trump's decision-making when she hit the Sunday talk show circuit and said the US would level new sanctions the next day targeting Russian companies that facilitated the Syrian regime's chemical weapons program. The sanctions have yet to come. 

"She got ahead of the curve," National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told reporters on Tuesday near the President's Florida estate, a day after a report claiming Trump "put the brakes" on plans for new Russia sanctions. "She's done a great job, she's a very effective ambassador. There might have been some momentary confusion about that." 

Haley struck back with a stunning statement later in the day that opened a new rift in the administration and raised questions about the White House's explanation of her comments. 

"With all due respect, I don't get confused," she said in a statement obtained by CNN's Jake Tapper. 

A White House official said Kudlow apologized to Haley for saying that she might have been confused.

Damn! You go girl!

I am not traditionally a Nikki Haley fan, but girlfriend can clap back with he best of them.

Keep in mind that all Nikki Haley was doing was to announce the implementation of the sanctions that were agreed on by the Congress and which Trump signed off on. And the minute she did it Trump pulled the rug right out from under her.

I mean shit, no wonder she's pissed.

Speaking of pissed, apparently Trump is almost constantly irritated at Haley for essentially doing her job.

Courtesy of the New York Times:  

Ms. Haley has been perhaps the most hawkish voice on Russia on a team headed by a president who has emphasized his fervent desire for friendship with President Vladimir V. Putin. 

At times, that serves the president’s interests because she can say what he will not. But at other times, he has grown exasperated by her outspokenness. 

At one point recently, he saw Ms. Haley on television sharply criticizing Russia over its intervention in Ukraine. “Who wrote that for her?” Mr. Trump yelled angrily at the screen, according to people briefed on the moment. “Who wrote that for her?”

Trump has also grown suspicious of Haley's ambition, and thinks she might be angling for his job.

There is also talk that she has a secret liaison with Mike Pence, which is certain to feed into Donald Trump's insecurities.

In other words we can probably predict that Nikki Haley will either quit her job as Ambassador to the UN, accompanied by broken furniture and screamed obscenities, or that she is going to be fired in some early morning tweet which will probably occur while she is on a plane flying out to meet with a foreign dignitary.

You know, as usual.

Update: Apparently Nikki Haley was left out of the loop on this.

Senior admin official confirms to CNN that the Trump Admin informed the Russian embassy on Sunday that there would not be another round of sanctions for now.

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) April 18, 2018

I would love for some conservative to try and make the case, with a straight face, that Donald Trump is NOT Vladimir Putin's bitch.

A ton of the money that Trump is raising for his reelection bid is going to legal fees.

I'm like a reverse Robin Hood. I take from the stupid and give to me.

Courtesy of CNN: 

More than one-fifth of the $3.9 million that President Donald Trump's 2020 re-election campaign has spent this year has gone to legal fees, the campaign's latest quarterly Federal Election Commission filing shows. 

About $835,000 in payments for "legal consulting" were made to eight firms and the Trump Corporation, with the most -- $347,000 -- going to Jones Day. Another $185,000 went to the firm Larocca Hornik Rosen Greenberg & Blaha. About $24,000 went to the Trump Corporation. 

The steep legal bills come amid a probe into whether the Trump campaign was involved in Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election as well as a legal battle with adult film star Stormy Daniels. 

In the first two months of 2018, the campaign paid $93,181.25 to the firm of Charles Harder, the attorney representing Trump in the Stormy Daniels case.

Well to be honest, this is probably a good idea since it is really hard to run for office while sitting in a federal prison. 

But don't worry deplorables, Trump isn't just wasting your hard earned money on lawyer's fees, he is also using it to support his various businesses.

Trump's campaign has also spent about $150,000 at Trump businesses, including the legal fees, per the FEC report. That includes about $68,000 at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, to cover costs including event rental space, hotel stays and parking. 

The campaign spent another $58,000 on costs listed as "rent" divided between three recipients: Trump Plaza, Trump Restaurants and Trump Tower.

I am not certain that it is true, but I heard that if you look up the word "suckers" in the dictionary that this is the photo that you see. 

That may not be factually correct, but I BELIEVE it to be true.

Stormy Daniels fully cooperating with federal investigators, while the Summer Zervos defamation case pushes forward. Update!

Stormy Daniels is cooperating with federal investigators probing 2016 non-disclosure agreement and $130,000 payment she received from Pres. Trump’s longtime personal attorney. https://t.co/gJagoFny4S - @NBCInvestigates

— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 10, 2018

Courtesy of NBC News: 

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels is cooperating with federal investigators looking into a $130,000 payment she received from President Donald Trump's personal attorney, multiple sources familiar with the proceedings told NBC News. 

The cooperation is in connection with a broader federal probe of the attorney, Michael Cohen, which triggered a raid on his office and hotel room on Monday.

Oh I bet Daniels is cooperating, and probably with a giant smile on her face.

It should also be noted that the investigation is focused on just on the $130,000 dollar payment to Daniels, but also the payoff that Playmate Karen McDougal received.

Courtesy of the Daily Beast:  

The FBI agents who raided Michael Cohen’s office were reportedly looking for “records about payments to two women who claim they had affairs with Mr. Trump,” and materials related to the "National Enquirer’s role in silencing" former Playboy model Karen McDougal, according to The New York Times. The raid—which sought materials related to Cohen’s $130,000 payout to Stormy Daniels and the $150,000 payment made to McDougal from the parent company of the Enquirer—was carried out by the public corruption unit of the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan. 

Ans while all of this is going on Summer Zervos is attempting to move forward with HER defamation lawsuit.

Courtesy of CNN: 

The lawyer representing former "Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos in her defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump filed a memorandum opposing Trump's attempt to have the case temporarily suspended until his appeal, which is pending, has been decided. 

In one of the exhibits attached to Tuesday's filing, Zervos details the harassment and threats she received after Trump denied her claims that he sexually assaulted her. 

"Immediately after he made each derogatory statement, I would get calls and people coming to my restaurant threatening me or my business," said Zervos, who runs a restaurant in California. 

"They would shout 'lying c--t' or 'lying b--tch' into the phone and say I should die, or say that they would drive us out of business," she said. "Several customers told me specifically that they would no longer come to my restaurant because I had lied. Other people called and placed fake take-out orders to hurt my business. I worried constantly for my safety, the safety of my family and the people I work with." 

"Because I'm a Republican and small-business owner and live among many supporters of Defendant [Trump], it was especially bad," Zervos said.

You know Donald Trump can fire Mueller, and bomb Syria until the cows come home, but clearly that is not going to make any of this go away.

Update: We are now learning that during that FBI raids of Cohen's office and residence, that they were also searching for evidence linking back to the Access Hollywood tape.

Courtesy of the NYT: 

The F.B.I. agents who raided the office and hotel of President Trump’s lawyer on Monday were seeking all records related to the “Access Hollywood” tape in which Mr. Trump was heard making vulgar comments about women, according to three people who have been briefed on the contents of a federal search warrant. 

The search warrant also sought evidence of whether the lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, tried to suppress damaging information about Mr. Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. 

It is not clear what role, if any, Mr. Cohen played regarding the tape, which was made public a month before the election. But the fact that the agents were seeking documents related to the tape reveals a new front in the investigation into Mr. Cohen that is being led by the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan.

Well isn't THAT interesting?

Paul Ryan is reportedly tapping out.

Courtesy of CNN: 

House Speaker Paul Ryan is not seeking re-election and will retire from Congress after this year, his office announced Wednesday. 

"This morning Speaker Ryan shared with his colleagues that this will be his last year as a member of the House," Ryan aide Brendan Buck said in a statement. "He will serve out his full term, run through the tape, and then retire in January. After nearly twenty years in the House, the speaker is proud of all that has been accomplished and is ready to devote more of his time to being a husband and a father." 

According to two sources with direct knowledge, in calls this morning with his leadership team, Ryan made clear much of this decision was about spending time with his family, but also noted that he planned to leave after this Congress and didn't think it was fair to his district or the GOP conference to run for re-election only to leave right after. 

A source familiar told CNN that Ryan called House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy about his retirement before the news broke. 

Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, has been in Congress since 1999 and became House speaker in 2015.

This...is...huge...news.

Ryan did not want to be Speaker in the first place, but he clearly enjoyed being in politics and using his position to screw over poor people at every opportunity.

If he is throwing in the towel it is likely because he realizes that the Democrats will almost certainly be the majority in Congress after the midterms, and that his days as Speaker are over anyhow.

He might also fear the "Iron Stache," and realize that he is going to be humiliated in this next election cycle and wants to get out while the getting is good.

Can you say "Blue Wave?"

Search warrants reveal that Robert Mueller's interest in Paul Manafort is related to his time as the Trump campaign chairman, despite attempts by White House to say otherwise.

Courtesy of CNN:

The documents, used to obtain a search warrant in building the case against Manafort, were revealed in a court filing late Monday night. Manafort has pleaded not guilty in two federal cases, and the charges he faces do not include allegations about his time on the campaign. 

The search warrant makes clear that Mueller is also focused on Manafort's actions connected to the campaign. The White House and others have repeatedly said that the investigation into Manafort concerns his activities before he joined Trump's team in 2016.

Investigators in a search warrant application last July told a judge in Virginia that they sought evidence related to Manafort's interactions with a Russian real estate magnate and were suspicious of possible campaign finance violations. 

Specifically, the investigators sought from Manafort's apartment records "involving any of the attendees of the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower" and anything involving Aras and Emin Agalarov, an Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire and his son tied to the meeting, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow and to a possible earlier unsuccessful attempt to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.

So much for the argument that this investigation of Paul Manafort is only focused on activities that took place BEFORE he became the head of Trump's campaign.

And in other bad news for Paul Manafort it appears that yet another employee has sold him down the river.

Courtesy of the Daily Beast:  

Former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort has trouble in his own house. According to court documents, one of Manafort’s former employees led an FBI agent to a storage locker filled with paperwork on Manafort’s businesses and finances. The person’s name is redacted from the filings. But he’s now at the center of a fight over evidence that could play a significant role in the government’s case against Manafort. 

“People do strange things when confronted with authoritative FBI agents,” said Sol Wisenberg, a criminal defense attorney with Nelson Mullins. 

This makes the second Manafort associate known to have aided the government in the sprawling investigation into foreign influence in U.S. politics. Rick Gates, Manafort’s long-time right hand, began cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office in February.

Currently Manafort's attorneys are fighting tooth and nail to get this evidence thrown out of court, which means that it is definitely something that Mueller does not want thrown out. 

Donald Trump throws a Twitter tantrum over the FBI raid of his attorney's home and office.

Attorney–client privilege is dead!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 10, 2018

A TOTAL WITCH HUNT!!!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 10, 2018

This of course follows Trump's total meltdown yesterday after learning of this raid.

Courtesy of CNN:

"I just heard that they broke into the office of one of my personal attorneys. Good man. And it's a disgraceful situation. It's a total witch hunt," Trump said Monday, referring to a lawful FBI raid. 

"It's an attack on our country," Trump said. "It's an attack on what we all stand for." 

Trump lamented what he called a "witch hunt" that has dogged his term in office, slammed Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia probe and argued that investigators on Mueller's team are "just about" all Democrats -- which is false. 

"This is ridiculous. This is now getting ridiculous," Trump said, pointing to a "whole new level of unfairness." 

Asked why he hasn't moved to fire Mueller, Trump again said the situation is a "disgrace." 

"Why don't I just fire Mueller? Well, I think it's a disgrace what's going on. We'll see what happens," Trump said. "Many people have said you should fire him. Again, they found nothing. And in finding nothing, that's a big statement." 

Oh yeah, somebody's about to snap.

For the record the attorney-client privilege is NOT dead.

It just does not apply if your lawyer is breaking the law on your behalf. 

Tammy Duckworth becomes first sitting Senator to give birth. Will stay in DC during maternity leave to be available for upcoming votes.

Bryan, Abigail and I couldn’t be happier to welcome little Maile Pearl as the newest addition to our family and we’re deeply honored that our good friend Senator Akaka was able to bless her name for us—his help in naming both of our daughters means he will always be with us. https://t.co/KXyNf65KxA

— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 9, 2018

Courtesy of CNN:

Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth gave birth to a baby girl Monday, her office announced, the first US senator to do so while in office. 

"Bryan, Abigail and I couldn't be happier to welcome little Maile Pearl as the newest addition to our family and we're deeply honored that our good friend Senator (Daniel) Akaka was able to bless her name for us -- his help in naming both of our daughters means he will always be with us," Duckworth said in her office's statement. 

In her statement, Duckworth used the event to advocate that rules should be changed so she can bring her baby to Senate votes. 

Duckworth had her first child in 2014, when she was serving in the House of Representatives. 

An aide close to Duckworth told CNN she's doing well and taking 12 weeks to bond with her new daughter and take care of her family. She's staying in Washington, DC, for her maternity leave and is available to vote as needed.

Congratulations to Senator Tammy Duckworth on becoming a mother again to second daughter Maile Pearl! Senator Duckworth becomes the FIRST SENATOR to give birth while in office! The Senator is also known for giving Trump the name Cadet bone spurs! She's tough! pic.twitter.com/juTUuxPtwz

— Muckmaker (@RealMuckmaker) April 9, 2018

Keep in mind that this woman also had her two legs blown off while serving in Iraq.

And now she is not only Senator, but she has just given birth, and intends to remain close enough to her place of work to vote on important bills that might come up while she is supposed to be recovering and spending time with her baby.

I am a huge fan of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, but she just might have to hand her golden lasso and tiara over to Tammy Duckworth, because this woman is a whole new level of superhero. 

CNN's Brian Stetler points out the damage done by Donald Trump's "Addiction to Fox News."

Courtesy of Mediaite:  

CNN’s Brian Stelter today opened by talking about how President Trump‘s “addiction to Fox” is having a lot of real-world consequences. 

He brought up the past week of big news on immigration and troops being sent to the border, following the President’s tweet after watching a segment on Fox News. 

“The line where Fox News ends and where Trump begins,” Stelter said, “is getting blurrier by the day.” 

He brought up the initial Fox News coverage, followed by the primetime coverage, of the migrant “caravan” as indicative of how Trump’s “addiction to Fox and to other pro-Trump commentators leads to impulsive actions.” 

Stelter said deploying the National Guard to the border is a “PR stunt” for a President who “wants to give his Fox friends something to celebrate.”

Very well said.

Donald Trump is addicted to fake news and conspiracy theories, and what better place to find them than Fox News?  (Well, besides Info Wars of course.)

If Trump were just an every day citizen this might be a pain in the ass to his family, but probably nothing more.

But as America's Commander-in-Chief Donald Trump can take the bullshit from Fox News and weaponize it to cause real harm to our country, and our country's allies.

Donald Trump preparing for possible interview with Robert Mueller. More popcorn?

Courtesy of CNN:

President Donald Trump has begun the initial steps of preparing for a possible interview with the special counsel, a White House official and a person familiar with the situation said Friday, a sign the President's legal team is intensifying its deliberations over whether to allow him to come under Robert Mueller's questioning. 

One source familiar with the proceedings stressed the preparation efforts is "in its infancy." 

The preparations have been short and informal and included going over potential topics with the President that Mueller would likely raise in an interview, the people said. 

The President has not formally agreed to sit for an interview with Mueller. 

But word of early preparations is the clearest sign yet that Trump and his team remain open to an interview with Mueller, despite concerns from some people close to the President that such an interview could expose him to possible charges of perjury.

Okay I am going to admit to being a little conflicted about this.

Part of me is convinced that Trump will NEVER voluntarily agree to be interviewed by Mueller and his team. After all it would be political suicide.

However then I remember how completely fucking arrogant this POS is and I think there is no way he will NOT volunteer to be interviewed, just to demonstrate his courage and intellectual prowess.

Ultimately I think that Mueller WILL interview him one way or another.

Just not sure exactly how that will come about.

South Carolina Congressman whips out gun during meeting with constituents, claims "I'm not going to be a Gabby Giffords."

Ralph Norman on the left, one of his constituents on the right.

Courtesy of CNN: 

Republican Rep. Ralph Norman pulled out his loaded, personal .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun Friday and laid it on the table at a diner where he was meeting with his constituents in Rock Hill, South Carolina. 

Norman told CNN he wanted to make a point in the debate over gun violence. 

"I merely proved a point that guns themselves are not the issue," he said. 

Norman said that having a loaded gun in the room should, if anything, have made people feel more safe. 

"Given the scenario that if someone had walked into that diner and began to fire a weapon, I told them I would be able to defend myself and them as well," he explained.

Jesus what is it with these little boys and their little toys?

And as if this were not pathetic enough this idiot went and said this: 

"I'm not going to be a Gabby Giffords," Norman told the newspaper, referring to the Democratic former congresswoman from Arizona who was shot at a constituent gathering in her district in 2011. "I don't mind dying, but whoever shoots me better shoot well or I'm shooting back."

Sounds like somebody has been watching too many John Wayne movies.

For the record being armed would not have protected Gabby Giffords, she was shot almost immediately in a place where she felt perfectly safe.

In fact Mark Kelly, Gabby's husband responded to this news on Twitter:

When I think of @GabbyGiffords, I think of courage and public service, not intimidating constituents. You’re no Gabby, @RepRalphNorman. You pull out a gun when you are prepared and need to use it – not for a stunt. https://t.co/kkAHo2eSuE

— Mark Kelly (@ShuttleCDRKelly) April 6, 2018

What this man did was to endanger everybody at that meeting, since ANYBODY could have grabbed that gun and started shooting.

This man has now demonstrated that he is unfit for office, and hopefully the voters in his district will do the right thing.

Info Wars host seems unusually angry about Robert Mueller targeting Russian oligarchs.

Infowars is furious that Mueller is stopping Russian oligarchs at the airport:

"I wish that Russian would've beat his ass right there...that's what I would have done." https://t.co/Fct1F8eFCN pic.twitter.com/9upA2sNItw

— Media Matters (@mmfa) April 5, 2018

Courtesy of Media Matters:  

OWEN SHROYER (HOST): What an un-American scumbag. This story -- I can't say what I'd like to say to Robert Mueller right now on air because it's a family show. I'm sorry for already losing it and being inappropriate here. But, man, F that guy. 

Story breaks on CNN, "Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs." Ladies and gentlemen, Robert Mueller is now sitting at the airport in New York and questioning Russian oligarchs right there at the airport. Stopping them and searching their electronic devices and reading their private messages. 

Here's a question: Where's the [American Civil Liberties Union] ACLU? Oh, let me tell you, if Robert Mueller -- if Robert Mueller would've stood at the southern border and he would've questioned people crossing over the southern border illegally and reading their text messages, the ACLU would be up his butt immediately saying he's a racist and he has to be jailed. But he goes to the airport and questions Russian oligarchs and reads their electronic devices at the airport like a total insane madman, the ACLU's silent. 

Do you remember -- It was just -- I've been saying this every day now. Robert Mueller is off the chain. He has no boundaries, he is limitless, he is above the law, he is lawless, he is super Mueller. This guy needs to be brought down. Trump needs to stop this. This is out of control, man. How is it that Robert Mueller is above the entire world? He can just stop a Russian and say, "I'm reading your text messages." I wish that Russian would have beat his ass right there -- excuse me. That's what I would've done. 

[...] 

If we can't stop this, if we can't prosecute Obama, if we can't indict Hillary, then we can't do anything. We have no backbone, we have no spine, we have no testicles, we have nothing, no legs, no arms, no brain.

First off I would pay big money to see this little shit piss all over himself if he actually were to be stopped and questioned by one or more of the Mueller investigators.

The idea that this little cockroach would strike a federal officer, is laugh out loud funny.

Secondly, WTF?

Why would a supposedly American Right Wing new outlet get that worked up over American investigators questioning Russians with possible ties to the Kremlin?

I mean they do realize that we are under attack, right?

Here is the story that this douchenozzle was referring to.

Courtesy of CNN: 

Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has taken the unusual step of questioning Russian oligarchs who traveled into the US, stopping at least one and searching his electronic devices when his private jet landed at a New York area airport, according to multiple sources familiar with the inquiry. 

A second Russian oligarch was stopped during a recent trip to the US, although it is not clear if he was searched, according to a person briefed on the matter. 

Mueller's team has also made an informal voluntary document and interview request to a third Russian oligarch who has not traveled to the US recently.

The situations have one thing in common: Investigators are asking whether wealthy Russians illegally funneled cash donations directly or indirectly into Donald Trump's presidential campaign and inauguration. 

Investigators' interest in Russian oligarchs has not been previously reported. It reveals that Mueller's team has intensified its focus into the potential flow of money from Russia into the US election as part of its wide-ranging investigation into whether the Trump team colluded with Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Okay then I guess in order to defend Donald Trump from the Mueller investigators, certain Right Wing outlets feel it necessary to defend the rights of Russians coming to this country who may have incriminating information that can be used by the Special Counsel.

Hey, do you remember when the conservatives absolutely HATED the Russians?

Whatever happened to all of that?

Judge presiding of defamation case against Bill O'Reilly refuses to keep his secret settlements secret.

Courtesy of CNN Money:  

A federal judge in New York has denied Bill O'Reilly's motion to seal settlement agreements he struck with multiple women who accused him of harassment, dealing a huge blow to the former Fox News host in a defamation suit brought last year. 

Deborah Batts, the judge presiding over the defamation suit, ruled Tuesday that O'Reilly "has failed to present compelling countervailing factors that could overcome the presumption of public access" to the agreements. 

Batts also said O'Reilly "has not even come close to rebutting this First Amendment presumption" that favors public access to documents. 

"Defendant O'Reilly asks the Court to resolve a dispute by relying on the very Agreements he seeks to shield from public view," Batts wrote. 

The judge's ruling means that certain terms of the settlements are coming to light for the first time. On Wednesday, Neil Mullin and Nancy Erika Smith, the attorneys representing the three plaintiffs, introduced to the court settlement agreements between O'Reilly and women who had sued and settled with him. The agreement struck with Andrea Mackris, a former Fox News producer who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against O'Reilly in 2004, required all parties in the case to disclaim any of the evidence "as counterfeit or forgeries" should it be made public. 

As Smith and Mullin put it in a separate filing on Wednesday, the provision required Mackris to "lie -- even in legal proceedings or under oath -- if any evidence becomes public, by calling evidence 'counterfeit' or 'forgeries.'"

A former Fox New host had a legal settlement written up that forces a former co-worker to lie about factual information if it becomes public?

Let's chalk that up to the least surprising news of the day.  

Man I used to love to hate on Bill O'Reilly back when he actually mattered. (Might have something to do with the fact that he attacked me on national television.)

But now that he is a fucking nobody, I just enjoy watching him sink slowly into oblivion.

Donald Trump claims that he has no idea where his attorney got the $130,000 he paid Stormy Daniels for her silence.

Courtesy of CNN: 

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he did not know about a $130,000 payment made to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence, his first public acknowledgment of the scandal surrounding an alleged sexual affair that has plagued him for months. 

"No," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when questioned about his knowledge of the payment, which was made by his private attorney Michael Cohen in the month before the 2016 election. 

Asked why Cohen made the payment, Trump said: "You'll have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael is my attorney. You'll have to ask Michael." 

He said he didn't know where the money came from and ignored a question about whether he set up a fund for Cohen to draw from in making the payment.

I believe this is the first time that Trump has addressed the Stormy Daniels situation directly.

She of course shares the same rarefied space as Vladimir Putin as one of those who must never be criticized by Donald Trump.

I don't know about all of you but I seriously doubt that Michael Cohen made his payment on his own without his client knowing anything about it.

That seems preposterous and would make Michael Cohen one of the biggest schmucks in recent history.

What's more the lawyer for Stormy Daniels is not buying it either.

We very much look forward to testing the truthfulness of Mr. Trump's feigned lack of knowledge concerning the $130k payment as stated on Air Force One. As history teaches us, it is one thing to deceive the press and quite another to do so under oath. #searchforthetruth #basta

— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 5, 2018

Good (actually GREAT) things come to those who wait!!! The strength of our case just went up exponentially. You can't have an agreement when one party claims to know nothing about it. #nodiscipline #thanksforplaying #basta

— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 5, 2018

We know that Avenatti is really looking forward to getting the opportunity to cross examine Donald Trump, and you can bet your ass that if he does he is going to ask him about this money.

In fact only an hour or so after Trump made those remarks to reporters, I saw this:

Michael Avenatti tells @AriMelber that, following Trump's new remarks about Stormy Daniels, he'll be making a petition on Monday to depose Trump.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 5, 2018

If Trump lies while under oath, he's fucked.

But if Trump tells the truth, well he's still fucked.

Actually the minute he sits down with this pit bull of a lawyer, he's fucked. 

Former Sinclair news director speaks out.

Courtesy of CNN: 

A morning TV producer at a Sinclair-owned station in Nebraska has resigned in protest of what he calls the company's "obvious bias." 

Justin Simmons gave notice at KHGI TV on March 26. This was after Sinclair's corporate headquarters mandated that local anchors read the controversial promos warning of "fake" and biased news, but before the promos went viral and became a national topic of discussion. 

Simmons told CNNMoney that he had been concerned about Sinclair's corporate mandates for the past year and a half, and that the promos were just the final straw. 

"This is almost forcing local news anchors to lie to their viewers," he said. He said his feelings are shared by others at his station, but didn't want to say anything that would imperil his colleagues.

Huffington Post actually got their hands on the Sinclair Broadcasting Group employee handbook.

Here is just a portion:   

The handbook states that the company “may monitor, intercept, and review, without further notice, every employee’s activities using Company’s electronic resources and communications systems.”

Well that's chilling.

But if you think that all of this attention has changed Sinclair's practices, you would be sorely mistaken.

Courtesy of Think Progress:  

Sinclair-owned news stations promoted a pre-taped segment praising President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on foreign nations this week, amid controversy over a leaked “must-run” script. 

The canned clip, a recurring “commentary” segment called “Bottom Line with Boris,” features former Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn delivering administration-friendly talking points on the president’s proposed tariffs, which target countries like China. 

“The newly negotiated trade deal between the United States and South Korea shows the new tariffs on steel and aluminum, which went into effect last week, are already paying dividends,” Epshteyn said, citing a March 25 pact between the two countries that forces South Korea to slash its steel exports to the United States by 30 percent, while exempting it from a regular 25 percent tariff. 

“Here’s the bottom line,” he said. “This new deal with South Korea is a win for American businesses and our economy. Instead of causing trade wars, as critics have feared, the new tariffs…are pushing our trading partners to engage in fair trade with the United States.”

You would think that Boris Epshteyn might shed a few of those ugly pounds of fat by carrying all of this water for Donald Trump.

Or in this case instead of water I think he is more accurately carrying buckets filled with bullshit.

Florida teacher who hosted a white supremacist podcast has resigned.

Courtesy of CNN: 

Florida middle school teacher Dayanna Volitich submitted her resignation after it was found she was also the host of a white supremacist podcast called "Unapologetic" and the voice behind a Twitter account riddled with racist and anti-Semitic posts.

Charles E. Moore, Volitich's attorney, had no comment on his client's resignation letter. 

Volitich, 25, taught social studies at Crystal River Middle School in Crystal River, Florida. Online, she went by the pseudonym "Tiana Dalichov." Last month, she confirmed through her attorney that she was the one speaking as Dalichov on the podcast, but said her comments were "political satire and exaggeration" and the persona was a "hobby."

 "None of the statements released about my being a white nationalist or white supremacist have any truth to them, nor are my political beliefs injected into my teaching of social studies curriculum," she said in the statement.

That's funny, that "political satire" and "exaggeration" claim is the same one made by Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones when their hateful rhetoric was in danger of costing them a job, or custody of their kids. 

The local school district has not yet accepted Volitich's resignation but it is hard to see how they won't, after all even for Florida this is bad publicity. 

For those who did not catch our March post on this terrible person, yow can find it here.