I had another night with very little sleep. The humidity is extreme, and it will take time to get used to the noisy AC again. Tomorrow it will reach 85°, and on Monday, the day of my Oncologist appointment, 90°. The last time I was out of my building, I was bundled up with a heavy shirt, a sweater and my hoodie. I also have a Prosthetist appointment on Thursday, so I’ll be a bit scarce next week.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:02 (average 4:39). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: Robert Mueller, the former F.B.I. director named to investigate the Trump campaign’s connections to Russia, will have broad discretion to prosecute any crimes he uncovers. But an equally important part of his mandate is lesser known: his duty to write a report on his findings.
In this respect, Mueller, as a special counsel designated by the Justice Department, differs from other federal prosecutors. Most U.S. Attorneys operate by a rule of put up or shut up—that is, they either bring criminal prosecutions or say nothing at all.
Click through for much more. That’s one report I can’t wait to read! RESIST!!
From NY Times: President Trump told Russian officials in the Oval Office this month that firing the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, had relieved “great pressure” on him, according to a document summarizing the meeting.
“I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut job,” Mr. Trump said, according to the document, which was read to The New York Times by an American official. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off.”
Mr. Trump added, “I’m not under investigation.”
He bragged about it to his owners. How little the fool knew. He’s under far more investigation now than before. RESIST!!
From The Rachel Maddow Show: How might Donald Trump try to end the special investigation?
Rachel Maddow looks at some ways by which Donald Trump could try to get in the way of the Trump-Russia special investigation or eliminate it entirely.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all. Stay tuned. RESIST!!
Cartoon:
Can science survive in the US?
15 Responses to “Open Thread – 5/20/2017”
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3:58 After about a week of warmth, my area is now back in winter, so I can only dream of this. (Sneezes, grabs jacket)
TNY – Should be very interesting indeed.
A few Open Threads ago, Pat B posted a list of "things" under " don't see any ties to Russia, except for…." Well, a Disqus contributor nameds "Nemeshisu" has prepared a mammoth list of more detailed information in the form of multiple links. Instead of including all 22 links here, I just going to link to his/her comment which will show the entire comment (if you expand it) along with all responses and subresponses to it. If you cut and paste it to a Word document, the links will stay live, although different versions of Word may require different clicking.
NYT – Another confession of obstruction of justice (and another example of projection).
Rachel – I suppose there are people on the Trump team who could get to this point eventually, but are we really wise to be giving them ideas?
Cartoon – Nice to be able to remember something pleasant.
Great link; thanks, Joanne.
If Rachel said it, they know, but even before she did, PlutoCon, TheoCon and Nazi sites were already promoting this.
Well, that makes sense, certainly. Except that there's not an ounce of sense on the entire Right Wing, that is.
And to do it, would be nonsensucal. It's electoral suicide.
NYer: I am sure that the preliminary investigation will be handled in a proper manner, unlike how dt does things. I can't wait!!
NYT: He's so far gone, he's done a 'Thelma & Louise'. What an ID.
RM: Anyone who stands up to dt, gets fired. Not good at all. ugh! I agree with Joanne's comment.
Cartoon: I remember this! Nice.
Anybody see this? Cummings: 'This is about the fight for the soul of our democracy'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4hn7bnxMWQ&feature=player_embedded
Hope that you have a better evening for sleeping! Take good care, and Thanks, Tom.
*Joanne, thank you for the link in your comment, will look at them when I can, thanks!!
Here's another one, I gotta stop! LOL
Slate: 'My First Big Boy Trip' By Donald J. Trump.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/low_concept/2017/05/my_first_big_boy_trip_by_donald_j_trump.html
LOL Thanks for that link, Pat.
Do they let him sit on the big boy pottie for his golden shower?
New Yorker: Interesting, but it leaves amny questions still unanswered.
NYT: Idiot!
Maddow: He will do whatever panic leads him to do.
At the early onset of Twitler's debacle, I wanted to rip his smartphone out of his hands and shove it down his throat.
But NOW I want to hand it to him – fully charged – and tell him to "Fire Away!"
There's just no doubt his documented lunacy he continually Tweets is going to help put him away.
Reminds me of someone familiar to us of a certain age: ANCIENT. And that would be Martha Mitchell, wife of Nixon's disgraced and convicted felon Attorney General John Mitchell. (Are you getting the feeling we've seen this movie before?)
Martha had a mouth on her that just would NOT stop running – much like Twitler. In fact her yearbook presciently included this as her Senior year title – which would fit comfortably under Twitler's portrait:
"I love its gentle warble.
I love its gentle flow.
I love to wind my tongue up.
And I love to let it go."
http://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/01/archives/martha-mitchell-capitals-most-talkedabout-talkative-womar.html
Puzzle — 3:30 Too sunny for me, even with the umbrella. Even with all my hair, I'd be a miserable, sunburned Sasquatch!
The New Yorker — I am surprised that the Orange Ogre has not called this The Inquisition. Having said that, he better hope that it isn't like the historic Inquisition because many were killed for lesser offenses. I expect that Drumpfenfarten will try to distract, dissuade or whatever he thinks it will take to remain in the seat of power. I was reading an article earlier today where the man who wrote Drumpf's book with him, stated that he thinks Drumpf will resign when he thinks that things are about to go south, so to speak. As he noted, Drumpf does not lose. He'll step out just in time and then spin his decision into a victory. He likes deals — here's one — 20 to life in a federal prison (not club fed!)!
NY Times — More nails for his coffin!
TRMS — Is it a good idea to be putting ideas into Drumpf and co's heads? They'd likely get there anyway, but let Drumpf pay the freight rather than purloin the ideas from "the lying press". Isn't that a kick in head — Drumpf gets ideas from his arch nemisis, the press!
Cartoon — Wasn't the one with the Canadarm?
Resist and Persist!!!
You had little sleep, and I had a lot because I was so tired, I don't even remember going upstairs to bed. But the dreams . . . they were wild and vivid. Fortunately, no Drumpfenfarten! It would have been a nightmare in that case. This is our Victoria Day long weekend (celebration of the birth of Queen Victoria born 24/05/1819) and the unofficial start to summer. Old tradition north of the 49th — don't plant gardens until 24/05 as generally the weather is too cool. This is a little different on the west coast, although not the interior of BC. And another tradition, the start of weekend camping. The weather is supposed to be sunny and temps in the low 20s. Today was 22 C (72 F) with a breeze, humidity about 53%. Good for sleeping if you don't have 3 cats vying for the choice spots of the bed. Take care next week. I too have a busy schedule next week.
It seems the Portland climate is changing to a tropical Amazon climate so fast you have no time to adapt to it, TomCat. Your apartment isn't built for that either, so there's little else you can do than suffer through it, you poor feline.
I do hope Gene's predictions of even more Drumpf-related unrest next week won't come true; you need to focus on getting through your medical appointment in that heat in one peace and not get tired out even more by the pressure you'd feel on reporting.
TNY: You say you can't wait to read the report Mueller is obliged to write, but this report is handed over to the appointing officer Rosenstein, who through a separate provision can decide on of whether to publicly release the report. As I noted yesterday, Rosenstein's position now, and especially in the future, is unclear in all this. Much will depend on how he rates his own chances on survival if he allows the White House to crash, many, many, too many months from now according to the article.
NYT: Of course Drumpf bragged to the Russians, all to give the impression that all is well. Giving them the classified intelligence gathered by Israel's intelligence agents was part of that "reassurance Drumpf style". But soon the Russians will learn that such bold assurances like “I’m not under investigation.” come from a habitual liar. Drumpf will be investigated, if he isn't under investigation yet.
Rachel Maddow: Maddow didn't dwell on it long, but apparently the White House is already looking into a way to keep Mueler from starting an investigation by questioning the ethics of Mueler's bureau having represented Kushner in the past. Really?! This WH is doing that? That is cynical beyond the pale.
As for her other suggestions how Drumpf might end the special investigation, I get the feeling she is both warning the general public for possible actions and taunting Drumpf at the same time. If Drumpf were stupid and impetuous enough to take the bait he would now hang himself with the noose he had provided by firing Comey and admitting to the reasons for it. Any further interference would surely do that. Come to think of it, Rosenstein may also have Watergate in mind and set his hopes on being fired (or quiting) for refusing to interfere with the investigation and come away from it as a strong man of integrity.
Cartoon: Don't worry, there are lots of countries which will be more than glad to take over 😀
Thanks all. Hugs! Please see my reply to Pat.