Holy Crap! Rachel just read part of an Opinion column in the NYT by Fusion GPS

[blogslut]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/opinion/republicans-investigation-fusion-gps.html
It is serious business

...We suggested investigators look into the bank records of Deutsche Bank and others that were funding Mr. Trump’s businesses. Congress appears uninterested in that tip: Reportedly, ours are the only bank records the House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed.

We told Congress that from Manhattan to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and from Toronto to Panama, we found widespread evidence that Mr. Trump and his organization had worked with a wide array of dubious Russians in arrangements that often raised questions about money laundering. Likewise, those deals don’t seem to interest Congress.

We explained how, from our past journalistic work in Europe, we were deeply familiar with the political operative Paul Manafort’s coziness with Moscow and his financial ties to Russian oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin.

Finally, we debunked the biggest canard being pushed by the president’s men — the notion that we somehow knew of the June 9, 2016, meeting in Trump Tower between some Russians and the Trump brain trust. We first learned of that meeting from news reports last year — and the committees know it. They also know that these Russians were unaware of the former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele’s work for us and were not sources for his reports...

[mnmoderatedem]

1. I'm enjoying it

completely knocking down the idiot's "democrat's excuse for losing the election" crap.

[Kirk Lover]

2. Thank you....definitely will catch this on the second run.

All I can say is: THE SCANDAL.

[madaboutharry]

3. The corruption has completely corroded our democracy.

It doesn't stop with The White House. It permeates every corner of Washington. When the books are written, the names within those pages will be shocking.

[Volaris]

5. Not to me they wont,

Cause most of them are gonna be Republicans. Power, then Party, then Country, THEN We The People.

[erronis]

57. I have this chicken-egg question: Is a repuglican born a scoundrel, or

does becoming a repuglican make one scurrilous?

Perhaps they just gravitate to similar sleaze, sort of like slime-mold.

[Volaris]

59. I would surmise that the Republican party attracts the Randians the same way light attracts moths...

The religious possibly but not guaranteed (I think that depends more on how valued education was to you growing up).
The Fearful, for damn sure.

[mobeau69]

4. KaBoom

"..it corroborated reports the bureau had received from other sources, including one inside the Trump camp."

[mobeau69]

7. Inside the Trump camgaign. ??????

Any theories?

[superpatriotman]

11. Stone

He's a scumbag through and through.

[mobeau69]

13. That's why I don't think it could be him. n/t

[mobeau69]

14. Rudy?

Where's he been hiding? He's scum but he knows he doesn't want his sorry ass in prison.

[uponit7771]

17. Witness protection

[dchill]

27. I read that as "wetness protection."

Perhaps that, too, eh?

[Norbert10]

18. Im scouring my head for any half decent character in his lineup

I got nothing

[NewJeffCT]

53. Ivanka? Tiffany?

maybe slightly less deplorable than the others.

[HurricaneWarning]

29. I think the report is referring to George Papadopulous.

He's been caught and is co-operating.

[csziggy]

33. Could have been Papadopoulos - running his mouth off to the Aussie!

Fusion GPS did not say they got the info directly - just that they had reports from other sources.

[superpatriotman]

6. Release the transcript Senator Grassley

[mobeau69]

9. Sounds like maybe Fusion GPS is getting ready to release it. n/t

[RandomAccess]

31. They don't have it.

It's in the Senate committee.

[superpatriotman]

34. Fusion's lawyers have it

[leftynyc]

46. Can they legally release it?

Are they under any type of gag order? If not, they should release it IMMEDIATELY.

[uponit7771]

16. +1

[Duppers]

8. K & R

[VOX]

10. Will catch Rachel on the 9:00PM re-cast for the West Coast.

Sounds good. Been awhile since I've had a Rachel-fix. Thanks for the heads-up!

[mobeau69]

12. You need to read the whole thing! Mind blowing.

Link is at the top.

[VOX]

15. Will do! Thanks!

[VOX]

26. I just read the entire piece. What will it take to MOVE those goddamned R's in Congress?

Last edited Wed Jan 3, 2018, 07:44 AM - Edit history (1)

Because each day the Republicans sit on this powder keg, the more TNT gets packed into it. It's time for a reckoning with that gaggle of assholes. WHAT will get their attention and galvanize them into action? Or are they merely the duplicitous, craven, hyper-partisan, steal-shit-in-the-middle-of-the-night criminal-enablers we've always taken them to be?

The Republicans have allowed Trump and Co. to weave an entire alternate reality that's utterly detached from genuine events that are actually happening in measurable time and space. Nothing factual issues from Trump's mouth. From bragging and boasting, to promising walls and deportation, to what his family really does, to how he spends his days, to his occasional rally -- EVERYTHING ranges from untrue to out-and-out LIES. His base knows it and they don't care; his just saying things like "build the wall" and other racist crap fills them with delight. It's enough for them. They now belong to a cult, with their own "news" sources, delivered to all the usual pundits and talking heads, and with their leader who informs them, "I alone can fix it."

With each passing day, I blame Trump less (he's frankly insane, and exhibits some serious cognitive decline) and the Congressional Repubs more-- they are the ones who are allowing the Mar-A-Lago-Shit-Show to proceed unfettered. They are the ones massaging his orange butt with velvet during (and well after) the recent post-tax-bill-passage love-fest. They all sounded like they had major cases of Stockholm Syndrome.

[dchill]

28. They won't be moved if they've already been paid.

Kompromat. It's the latest in GOP motivation.

[mobeau69]

30. The bastards are clearly part of the coverup.

They refused to investigate any of Fusion's tips. They didn't want to follow the money of the Trump org. They just wanted to look at Fusion's financials!

[VOX]

44. I never knew I could loathe Republicans so profoundly.

I always considered myself level-headed, fair and willing to compromise equitably to avoid conflict. Starting the Reagan years, I began to see where the Republican Party was going.

In John Dean's 2006 book, "Conservatives Without Conscience," Dean quotes Republican Senator Barry Goldwater from November, 1994: "Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them."

Today's Republicans (and their fellow far-right-wing travelers) are not only hyper-religious, they're absolutely crazed from existing within an impenetrable bubble that they're beyond reason. They are a cancer on our country, trying to kill it from within. They wave the flag and praise their god but they are rotten inside, devoid of any empathy, thinking only of themselves and little else. I don't like to hate them, but they are destroying everything-- the rule of law, and worse, our sense of reality.

It's one hell of a mess they've put us all in.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

63. +a zillion.

Frank Zappa knew the score, too.... when fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and waving a bible.

Effing repukes, I hate them. A lot.

[VOX]

64. Utterly and completely.

Nothing good (at all) comes from them. Nothing.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

65. Truth.

I’ve hated them ever since I got old enough to begin to get some understanding of politics.

Authoritarianism SUCKS....that’s who’s attracted to the puke party, to reply to another post in this thread.

Authoritarians:unevolved creatures who either kiss any higher-up ass and do anything/stomp anyone “below” them to get on top.... OR they’ll fawn and worship some Big Daddy they think is more powerful than they are, thinking they can soak up some reflected power. Someone who looks impressive, lies easily, shouts down rational voices, and tells them what they want to hear.

[VOX]

66. I hate that "Strict Daddy" thing they have.

Of course, they're utterly terrified of women having any power. And this need to be brutal, without any real debate, statesmanship or negotiating. They wear blinders when it comes to any kind of human suffering, and believe the poor have chosen to be so.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

67. Yes, they love a Punishment orientation...theologically, legislatively,

Sociologically. Hard On Crime, just like the terrifying god of the Old Testament who protects his chosen with turrrible fury. They love that scaring people into submission.

They don’t get the critical meaning of the new covenant of compassion in the New Testament. For those who claim to be pious.

[world wide wally]

39. I think the way they are attacking Mueller is a pretty good indication of what they are going

to do about it.
Just a bunch of traitors... Nothing more. Nothing less.

[VOX]

45. "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." Samuel Johnson, April 7, 1775 (per Boswell)...

They wave the flag, wear the patriotic lapel pins, thanks troops for their service, and think that saying "Merry Christmas" is making a bold statement.

In the meantime, they're looting the store. Hell, they're looting the store, selling the fixtures and setting it ablaze. They used to do their dirty work somewhat on the sly; but today, they just sell out the country, right in public view.

This one-party rule has to stop, and soon.

[burrowowl]

41. Nothing, they are complicit

and aided and abetted for their own gain.
They do not have Stockholm Syndrome, this has been their mind set since Raygun and finally found a way to implement their agenda.

[VOX]

42. Like the fall of the Roman Empire...

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-reasons-why-rome-fell
"Eight Reasons Why Rome Fell"
<snip>
4. Overexpansion and military overspending
<snip>
5. Government corruption and political instability
If Rome’s sheer size made it difficult to govern, ineffective and inconsistent leadership only served to magnify the problem. Being the Roman emperor had always been a particularly dangerous job, but during the tumultuous second and third centuries it nearly became a death sentence. Civil war thrust the empire into chaos, and more than 20 men took the throne in the span of only 75 years, usually after the murder of their predecessor. The Praetorian Guard—the emperor’s personal bodyguards—assassinated and installed new sovereigns at will, and once even auctioned the spot off to the highest bidder. The political rot also extended to the Roman Senate, which failed to temper the excesses of the emperors due to its own widespread corruption and incompetence. As the situation worsened, civic pride waned and many Roman citizens lost trust in their leadership.
<snip>

[burrowowl]

61. So true!

[erronis]

58. Cute. You packed your answer in your question: WHAT will get their attention...?

They are ---- merely the duplicitous, craven, hyper-partisan, steal-shit-in-the-middle-of-the-night criminal-enablers we've always taken them to be.

What will get their attention?
Personal loss of freedom (jail), loss of wealth (fines and jail), loss of esteem[sic] (jail), loss of russki roubles (jail).

OK, I think the overwhelming evidence is that jail is the only way to get their attention.

[mobeau69]

19. Me thinks the shit has officially hit the fan today.

[ffr]

20. Fusion GPS sounds like they're threatening to release info on this

Republicans have refused to release full transcripts of our firm’s testimony, even as they selectively leak details to media outlets on the far right. It’s time to share what our company told investigators.

[BadgerMom]

21. K and R

[GOPGoindown]

22. Congressional Republicans are complicit

in obstruction of justice. No other way to look at this.

[UTUSN]

23. Gettin' *down*!1

[oasis]

24. Rachel's show was jaw dropping. Repeats @ 9:00 pm pacific.

A must see!

[YOHABLO]

35. So midnight eastern time.

[usaf-vet]

56. Most of the night time MSNBC line-up can be heard on podcasts

Usually an hour delay until they get it posted. For example I can listen to Rachael's show at 21:00 - 21:15. I use CastBox. They have a website http://www.castbox.fm and apps for your phone can be download to your phone. Rachael, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O'Donald all have podcast now. Chris and Lawrence are new Rachael has been on for months. No video on the phone just the audio.

[oasis]

62. Audio works for me, but Rachel's facial expressions and hand

gestures are visual poetry.

[Shrike47]

25. Party over country, personal profit over everything.

The Republican Party should be ashamed. But they never are.

[jimmil]

32. Nothing will be done..

The right owns this country from every TV network to every military contractor, they own it all. Money laundering, spying with and for Russia, fixing elections, it means nothing to them except a way to more money. This country is gone and it is the people that gave it away. The majority of people (at least the way voting districts are laid out) are simply racists and will do anything to keep them darkies down and the right wing machine plays to stupid like a symphony.

[rainin]

36. I feel cynical sometimes, and then

we win Virginia, then Alabama and I realize that Fox News and talk radio only reaches a certain demographic.

There are so many of us who are angry by the hate speech, the Muslim bans, the attacks on Gold star families, women, Colin Kaepernick, BLM, the support of White Nationalist, the erosion of the government, the constant attacks on Hillary and Obama, etc. etc.

There are more of us than there are of them.

And we have Obama and Holder working hard on the ground along with many many others.

There is hope. All is not lost. Perhaps we are lucky and Trump is provoking a pendulum swing.

[YOHABLO]

37. Well, you do make some valid points. But there's still a large majority of people that aren't

participating in our ''democracy''. They do not think that their vote is a remedy for ending a very corrupt system. I honestly don't know what it is going to take for people to realize they do hold the power to change the world we live in.

[Demsrule86]

47. No it doesn't own this country...and I believe Trump will fall.

[oasis]

38. Repeats now 9:00 pacific.

[triron]

40. So I wonder whether Grassley will follow through on what he promised at the town hall?

[Pachamama]

51. +1000

Yes - I wonder too....

[UCmeNdc]

43. Congressional Republicans are part of the cover up!

[FrankTC]

49. Because RNC Hack?

The Russians hacked the RNC as well as the DNC. They disseminated the DNC material to discredit democrats, to considerable effect, but withheld thus far the RNC material. Republicans saw what happened to the Democrats and learned, having at least the intelligence of crows (per the recent NOVA documentary on bird brains). But uncertainty remains: Republicans don't know what nastiness the Russians might release on short notice, at will. Or worse: Maybe some of them have a pretty good idea about what might be in those RNC emails.

[IluvPitties]

48. Republicans are knee deep in this.

[Botany]

50. Yup!

IluvPitties

Here are more dots to connect. Papadopoulos’ guilty plea states that he first learned about Russia’s
willingness to help rig the election on March 14th of 2016. Two days later, key Senate Republican
John Cornyn announced that he intended to block the Merrick Garland nomination.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210040820

[Justice]

54. McConnell announced no SCOTUS replacement on February 13, about an hour after Scalia confirmed dead

[L. Coyote]

52. The Republican Kompromat Congress, either bought and paid for corrupt or compromised somehow.

Somehow including brainwashed political polarization overriding reason and good judgement.

[niyad]

55. k and r and bookmarking. need caffeine and chocolate to read this!

[madville]

60. They are getting out ahead of something

I think their strategy is that they are concerned that a special prosecutor will be appointed by Sessions in the near future and they would love to get all the full transcripts in order to make sure their testimony before Congress matches what they will eventually have to repeat to the FBI/DOJ investigators.