A.M. Links: Jeff Sessions Questioned Over Russia Contacts, 7 Baltimore Cops Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges, Sweden Reinstates Military Conscription

• 

  Gage Skidmore

  "Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) spoke twice last year with Russia's ambassador to the United States, Justice Department officials said, encounters he did not disclose when asked about possible contacts between members of President Trump's campaign and representatives of Moscow during Sessions's confirmation hearing to become attorney general."

• House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is calling on Jeff Sessions to resign over his Russia contacts: "Jeff Sessions lied under oath during his confirmation hearing before the Senate. Under penalty of perjury, he told the Senate Judiciary Committee, 'I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.' We now know that statement is false."
• Seven Baltimore police officers have been indicted on federal racketeering charges.
• The Trump administration is reportedly exploring the use of military force against North Korea.
• Sweden is reinstating military conscription.

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) spoke twice last year with Russia's ambassador to the United States, Justice Department officials said, encounters he did not disclose...

He can now join his partner Snowden on the hot seat.

[Konima]

I would be so relieved if Sessions got the boot over this. He was such an atrocious AG pick.

[wef]

This recent thing is click-bait, tendentious spin. What I want to see is Sessions quitting over lack of WH support for drug war intensification. But I'm just dreaming.

[Konima]

I haven't seen the White House say anything indicating that they are cool with Marijuana being legalized, so I doubt that occurs.

[wef]

Only optimistic sign is that WH is not vocal about heating up the drug war. Sessions is making the most noises.

[junyo]

Lol, wut?
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/.....trump-pot/

[gaoxiaen]

This is the first good news that I've heard about Sessions. Fry that scumbag's ass.

[VG Zaytsev]

The left's Neo-Mcarthyism is textbook xenophobia.

[Domestic Dissident]

But mostly a Maguffin to distract people from the fact that they have absolutely nothing new or constructive to offer.

[Memory Hole]

Jesus dude, we just busted another one of these motherfuckers lying and your response is "it's racism". No one cares enough about Russians to dislike them as a people. None of this shit is about people not liking the Russian people. Youe head is in your ass.

[John]

He didn't lie. They asked him if he ever met with the Russian government as an agent of the Trump campaign and he said no. They didn't ask him if he had ever met with the Russian government.

He was on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. He met with ambassadors all of the time. Let me get a crow bar so we can maybe pry your head out of your ass or at least get it some daylight.

[Memory Hole]

Let's go to the video. You're full of shit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KpkLuWMk9A

[Sevo]

Maybe he did, but that piece of propaganda wouldn't tell you anything. It is very *cleverly* edited to the point where it could mean anything to anyone.
Now, you got evidence or just more propaganda?

[Konima]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_-BEMIgdxQ

The most amazing part is that Sessions could have answered the question without needing to lie, but the way he phrased his answer made it a lie. That's true dumb.

[Sevo]

Thank you.
Our new lefty troll could have provided that instead of that propaganda vid. True dumb.

[Adam330]

He was not on the foreign relations committee.

[Konima]

Classic John.

[Konima]

Yeah, I just watched the unedited clip. Sessions lied, and I'm not sure how you manage to construe it otherwise.

[SKR]

willful blindness is how

[Zeb]

I don't think that the motivation is xenophobia, but they sure seem to be trying to play off of xenophobia (fear or mistrust of outsiders, race has nothing to do with it).

[spqr2008]

It could be racism. Don't forget that Progressive New Englanders are a constituency within the Democrat part, and that many of them are either old school Protestant families or Irish Catholic Kennedy supporters. It's entirely possible that they still harbor some ill sentiment towards Slavic people. I mean, if every time any conservative or libertarian says something they disagree with makes that person a racist, why not tar them with the same illogical, poorly thought out brush?

[Zeb]

why not tar them with the same illogical, poorly thought out brush?

I'm not a fan of that approach. Someone has to take the higher ground or things just keep getting stupider and stupider.

[Libertarian]

We certainly don't want to see American go down that road!

[Zeb]

Perhaps it's futile. But you get pretty used to that when you have politics way out of the mainstream.

[chemjeff]

Someone has to take the higher ground or things just keep getting stupider and stupider.

But the feelz! It FEELS so good to hate on the Left! What about muh feeeeeeeeeeeeelings??????

[Chipper Morning Wood]

Hating the left is all some people around here care about. They don't care about what those in power do, as long as they are sticking it to the left. It is really sad.

[Zeb]

Yeah, for some people it's all about the culture wars. It's most important that the left be defeated, whatever the cost.

[CatoTheChipper]

You know who else harbored ill sentiment towards Slavic people?

[Citizen X - #6]

The Teutonic Knights?

[chemjeff]

I think the xenophobia aspect of Trumpism is rather undeniable. Everywhere he goes, he is quick to blame "foreigners" in one form or another for America's problems - unfair trade with China, illegals from Mexico, etc. It seems as though Left and Right have morphed into Oikophobes and Xenophobes.

[$park? don't care bout yo mom]

What do they have against yogurt? Or is it just John Stamos?

[Zeb]

The literal meaning of "oikophobe" would be fear of houses or households, I think. But I think he's trying to say they are averse to economics.

[chemjeff]

Well, I mean "oikophobia" in this sense of an irrational fear of the familiar.

The Left doesn't seem to like America the way it is, and blames natives for its problems (irredeemible American racism, for instance)
The Right doesn't seem to like America the way it is, and blames foreigners for its problems (the illegal immigrant 'invasion')

[$park? don't care bout yo mom]

You guys ruin everything.

[Zeb]

Ah, that makes more sense.

[Chipper Morning Wood]

Yes! But the reason the left blames it on America is because the word "America" has a different meaning for them. When a lefties says "America," or "Americans," what they really mean is members of the Red tribe. And the Red tribe is their Other.

[chemjeff]

When a lefties says "America," or "Americans," what they really mean is members of the Red tribe. And the Red tribe is their Other.

Eh, not entirely. Sure that is part of it. But they are also ones who tend to believe that everyone is a racist to some degree or another, even other liberals.

[Bra Ket]

I hope Sessions resigns and gets replaced by someone better. But this Russia obsession is clearly manufactured and pathetic.

And why is Reason getting its take on the story from Nancy Fucking Pelosi? I have to go google myself it and find a better site just to see what the hubbub is actually about.

[WakaWaka]

Dude, it's Reason. They're pro-war with Russia now, because the Left is pro-war with Russia now.

[Zeb]

This is a joke, right?

[JeremyR]

Yes, Reason has become one

[Konima]

Suck that Trump dick.

[WakaWaka]

No, you're right. Clearly Russia controls our government and the only answer is to hype war with them. This is smart and totally non-interventionist

[WakaWaka]

twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/837318431963766784

The Russians got to Glenn Greenwald and the a Washington Post writer. Dear God!

Watch out- there's a Russian behind you and he's not using your preferred pronoun!

[Hail Rataxes]

What is your preferred pronoun, btw? It? He? They? Puppetmaster?

[Not a True MJG]

If it's manufactured and pathetic, a big nothing, it was pretty stupid of Sessions to lie about it under oath.

[WakaWaka]

Agreed.

[John]

Sure, but he didn't lie.

[Fatty Bolger]

He didn't lie. He said he denied having communications with the Russians on behalf of the campaign.

"But he met with a Russian ambassador!!!!"

Yeah, and so what? He apparently met with 25 other ambassadors as well. Did he discuss campaign matters with the Russian ambassador? If so, and you can prove it, take his ass down. If not, what he said is not a lie.

[Not a True MJG]

You quoted it just below this. I don't see "on behalf of the campaign" in that answer.

Franken didn't even ask him about that. He asked what Sessions would do if the allegations pan out. Sessions volunteered this answer, and that answer is poorly phrased; at best his response is either sloppy or too cute. I don't think they'd be able to get him for perjury, and it's possible he simply forgot about a meeting in the course of his other job, but a straight reading of his words makes it look like a lie. Politically, it's as dumb as Lynch "running into" Billy C at the airport.

[Fatty Bolger]

Context, how does it work? Franken was asking about the exchange of information between Russian officials and the campaign, and Sessions said he wasn't communicating with the Russians. I mean, sure, it would have been super awesome if Franken had asked "Are you now, or have you ever been, in any sort of contact with a Russian official?" But he didn't.

[Zeb]

He should have just said "I talked to some Russian diplomats during that time, but it had nothing to do with the Trump campaign." He's a politician and he should know that what he said is, strictly speaking, untrue and that other politicians will make something of that if it is useful to them.

Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians, and I'm unable to comment on it.

Nothing specifying that he was only talking about communications with the Russians regarding the election.

[Fatty Bolger]

What did you think he meant by "those activities?" He meant "those activities" that Franken asked about.

[Zeb]

Yes, "those activities" refers to campaign related communication with Russians. He then goes on to say that he didn't have communications with Russians, full stop.

I'm not saying it matters. Only that he shouldn't be surprised that other senators are making it out to be a big deal. He said something that is at least ambiguous in it's veracity.

[wareagle]

Sessions gave a lawyer's answer. Because he's a lawyer. Maybe Al Franken was the wrong guy to do the questioning.

[Memory Hole]

Sessions is even more fucked because he's a lawyer. Lawyers have a greater obligation to be forthright and truthful than non lawyers.

[Memory Hole]

Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct

Rule 8.4 Misconduct

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:

(a) violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another;

(b) commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;

(c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;

Arguably he committed perjury which is covered by (b) but he definitely without question violated (c).

[Bra Ket]

"If it's manufactured and pathetic, a big nothing, it was pretty stupid of Sessions to lie about it under oath."

I didn't say it was a big nothing. It already took one appointment down.

[Fatty Bolger]

Oh, bullshit. He was asked about campaign surrogates exchanging information with the Russians, and said he did not engage in such communications with the Russians. Just because he had some contact with a Russian ambassador (along with 25 other country's ambassadors - were they in on the plot, too?) does not make that a lie.

Session is a piece of crap, and the Dems would probably be doing Trump a favor if they pushed him out. But this new McCarthyism is garbage.

Franken: CNN just published a story alleging that the intelligence community provided documents to the president-elect last week, that included information that "Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump." These documents also allegedly say "there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government." Again, I'm telling you this as it's coming out, so you know. But if it's true, it's obviously extremely serious, and if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?

Sessions: Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians, and I'm unable to comment on it.

[John]

Don't confuse these people with facts Fatty.

[Zeb]

Maybe it doesn't make it a lie. I doubt that was his intention. But he did make an untrue statement.

Yes, it's making a big deal out of something that probably doesn't matter, but one should expect that sort of thing in politics.

[Fatty Bolger]

He made an untrue statement if you take it literally and entirely out of context. How many people testifying before Congress have made an untrue statement by that standard? Probably edges pretty close to 100%.

[Bra Ket]

An unintentionally untrue statement is not perjury. There must be specific intent. That's a big reason perjury convictions are quite rare.

Also "the Russians" could means whichever specific Russians he wants it to mean.

Legally he seems pretty safe to me (and I'm a huge internet legal expert) regardless whether he really meant to lie or not.

[Zeb]

I don't think he committed perjury. I just think that he didn't choose his words very well.

[mamasan]

Sessions was questioned about meeting with the Russians as part of the Trump campaign not in connection with his Senatorial duties. Take your own advice and get your head out of your ass. And I think we should all be concerned about the efforts of the Democrats to bring down a duly elected President...pot is nothing in comparison.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Jeff Sessions lied under oath during his confirmation hearing before the Senate.

He can join his partner Clapper on the hot seat.

[Rich]

'I did not have communications with the Russians'

', Miss Lewinsky.'

[Memory Hole]

Except this time it was under oath. We need to shove "law and order" down his fascist throat.

[Rich]

"I forgot!"

[chemjeff]

I know, right?

The same people who scream THE LAW'S THE LAW when it comes to illegals will now suddenly find ways in which Sessions' apparently illegal activity is totally okay.

[gaoxiaen]

+1 wood chipper

[Sheriff Bart]

Read the transcript. I'm not fan of Sessions, but he did not commit perjury. His answer was truthful in the context of the question.

[Memory Hole]

Read the transcript? Dude I'm masturbating to the transcript.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Seven Baltimore police officers have been indicted on federal racketeering charges.

They look forward to their eventual back pay.

[double ham fisted]

A White House internal review of strategy on North Korea features the possibility of both military force as well as regime change in order to thwart Pyongyang's nuclear-weapons threat, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday citing sources familiar with the process.

[double ham fisted]

This does not belong here. Or does it? It doesn't.

[Kauzig Kristen]

The union's response statement is typical hypocrisy: "innocent until proven guilty", etc. As if the cops never do anything to bias potential jurors with press releases and media statements about suspects.

[Rich]

Trump administration explores possible military force to combat North Korea threat

Meh. The Pentagon has scenarios for practically everything.

[DJF]

Do they have one for when during a really cold and snowy winter the Canadians make their move, ski and snowmobile attacks from the north, with amphibious landing from Cuba resorts onto the US Gulf Coast and thousands of Canadian snowbirds in their motor homes ravaging our interstates.

[Rich]

Probably.

[Libertarian]

Boy, are you in trouble now. It's obvious you've been talking to the Canadian ambassador. I hope you can stand the heat when Pelosi asks for your resignation.

[Griffin3]

It's called Operation Normal Winter.

[WakaWaka]

BUT IT'S TRUMP! I have it on good authority that he's a Nazi and he's going to upset the peaceful world where Americans were engaged in zero wars under the previous administration.

[VG Zaytsev]

Was the Russian donation of $20mn to the Clinto Global Slush Fund an effort to influence the presidential race?

[Libertymike]

As Woodrow Parfrey's character, "Carpetbagger", in The Outlaw Josey Wales said to the riverboat operator who sang either the Battle Hymn of the Republic or Dixie depending upon his patronage, "[c]an't say as I blame you for that. Only good business to play it safe."

[Rich]

They will be selected from about 13,000 young people born in 1999, who will be asked to take psychological and physical tests

"I'm only eighteen,
Got a ruptured spleen,
And I always carry a purse ...."

[Mickey Rat]

"Klinger...!"

[Jerryskids]

Seven Baltimore police officers have been indicted on federal racketeering charges.

I thought Trump and Sessions were putting a stop to this War on Cops. I guess it's time for Trump to fire all the federal attorneys and get some people in there that understand we're going after the bad hombres, not the brave heroes who put their lives on the line every single day protecting us from the bad hombres.

[gaoxiaen]

Omar Little has a... sad? Er... woodie?

[Number 2]

When I first saw the headline I thought it said that seven Baltimore Colts had been indicted.

[Rich]

IT BEGINS: 'Hillary for Mayor' signs appearing around NYC

It's not clear who's posting the signs to create a pro-Hillary buzz.

*** scratches head ***

Banksy?

[Citizen X - #6]

'Hillary for Mayor' signs appearing around NYC

As a joke?

It's not clear who's posting the signs to create a pro-Hillary buzz.

As a joke??

[John]

She would be an improvement over what they have.

[gaoxiaen]

No, just no.

[Citizen X - #6]

Sweden is reinstating military conscription.

SOMEONE'S gotta fight the looming moose menace.

[Atlas Slugged]

When my grandfather was a small boy, he grew up in a small Colorado mining town. There were distinct Swedish & Finnish neighborhoods from the influx of immigrants. He was warned by his 100% Finnish mother to stay away from the Swedes, "they were not to be trusted".

True Story.

[Zeb]

Finland was occupied and colonized a lot by Sweden, so that makes some sense.

[gaoxiaen]

s smart as the vegetable, which was named after them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutabaga

[gaoxiaen]

*They're as smart as...

[$park? don't care bout yo mom]

Looming Moose Menace was my nickname in college.

[DJF]

Did you start a band with that name or did you waste the opportunity.

[gaoxiaen]

He just joined the Archies.

[Pompey:? Class Mothersmucker]

Sometimes paradise on earth has a price.

[Kauzig Kristen]

Mynd you, m??se bites Kan be pretty nasti...

[Not a True MJG]

Can you believe it? Sweden!

[DJF]

"""Sweden is reinstating military conscription."""

For the Swedish Royal Jihadist Division?

[Jerryskids]

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is calling on Jeff Sessions to resign over his Russia contacts.

Sessions had to pass the messages to know what was in them.

[Rich]

Sweden is reinstating military conscription.

Cheer up, guys.

[gaoxiaen]

Would, wood.

[Rebel Scum]

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring the use of military force against North Korea.

We have the best missiles, way better than theirs. Believe me. Ask ISIS. They will tell you.

[Rich]

Not bad.

TERRIBLE!

[Rebel Scum]

Sweden is reinstating military conscription.

Planning on a war?

[Rich]

No. Just to Sweden the pot.

[Pompey:? Class Mothersmucker]

YOU

[$park? don't care bout yo mom]

Are you Finnished?

[Libertarian]

SOMEBODY has to protect those bikini teams.

[The Grinch]

It looks like WaPo left out some of the context regarding Sessions' questioning about Russian contacts. He may be an ass but they're not going to get him with this.

[John]

It is a made up story they held to run after the State of the Union. It will be gone and they will be onto something else by Monday.

[Zeb]

I think you are right. Which is too bad. Anyone other than Sessions would likely be better as AG.

[John]

What is too bad is that the Democrats and the media are too retarded to talk about Sessions actual faults and instead spend their time talking about this bullshit. Apparently supporting asset forfeiture and thinking law enforcement has the power to do virtually anything is just fine. Speaking to the Russian ambassador when you are on the Senate foreign relations committee, in contrast, is treason.

Trump's continued luck in his enemies is starting to show that perhaps a deal with the devil really is an option.

[Memory Hole]

You wish the question was "Did you meet with the Russians and discuss the Trump campaign?"

The question was whether he or other affiliates of the Trump campaign met with Russian officials during the presidential campaign.

[WakaWaka]

This. I'm with you. Why would a Senator ever meet with a foreign ambassador. That's like suggesting that their job somehow relates to foreign affairs or something. What nonsense.

[John]

Which is asking him if he met with Russians officials as an affiliate of the Trump campaign. And the answer was no.

[Konima]

How can you deny that Sessions lied? How deluded you must be.

[John]

Because I can read and understand the meaning of sentences. You should try learning how sometime.

[Konima]

I used to be like you John. I used to be a hardcore Republican that toed the party line and construed everything to fit my preconceived narrative. I snapped out of it and found the light. You can too.

You're right about the question that Sessions asked. However, in the way that Sessions answered the question, he absolutely lied. This is a beautiful litmus test for you. If you can't see that Sessions lied in that exchange, it's clear you can't assess something without being controlled by your ideology.

[Konima]

You're right about the question that Sessions was asked*

[John]

I don't even know who you are. And you have never been on here. So spare me the "I used to like you". What are you going to tell me next, that you are a lifetime gun owner but this time the NRA has gone too far?

I don't like Sessions. I think he was a terrible Senator and a lousy pick for AG. I said as much at the top. There are a million reasons to dislike Sessions and want him out as the AG. I wouldn't have voted to confirm him if I had been in the Senate. That fact, however, doesn't change the meaning of the words and the truthfulness of this answer.

So go fuck yourself and call someone else a mindless partisan.

[Konima]

Considering you can't even read my comment without your ideology spilling over into your interpretation to the extent that you aren't even replying to what I said, I now understand completely how you could think Sessions didn't lie. I didn't used to like you. You're a partisan hack, so of course I've never liked you. I simply have an understanding of how you process these stories because I used to respond to the news in almost exactly the same way.

The exact words of Sessions: "Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and I did not have communication with the Russians, and uh I'm unable to comment on it."

Please come back to reality.

[MikeP2]

oh ffs. He didn't lie. It's obvious from the transcript and video that he was very specifically asked about interactions of the campaign and the Russians. And he said as a surrogate of the campaign he had no interactions with the Russians. That's not even a half answer. It is 100% truthful to the question he was asked.
There are also now reports being leaked about the transcripts of those actual conversations and the DOJ and they confirm there was no conversation about the campaign.

This is all a hit job to disrupt the efficient function of our government. Pelosi is lying, Cummins is lying, and the media is peddling fake controversy. In most of history this would have been considered treasonous behavior.

[Konima]

You can go through the mental gymnastics of trying to interpret his answer in a way that makes it not a lie. Either he lied, or he has dementia. Either way, he isn't fit to be AG. Keep trying to spin it though.

[chemjeff]

Anyone other than Sessions would likely be better as AG.

Oh I don't know about that. I hear Rudy Giuliani is still looking for work....

[Citizen X - #6]

The first rule of politics is it could ALWAYS be worse.

[Conchfritters]

Governor New Jersey Fats comes to mine.

[Memory Hole]

I would love to put Giuliani under oath to ask about those friends of his at the FBI.

[gaoxiaen]

Even Charles Manson.

[chemjeff]

What are the chances that Russia would actually invade the Baltic states? Even with Putin's aggressive tendencies, it nevertheless seems like a remote possibility. They are all NATO members after all.

[John]

What are the chances NATO would go to war over them? I don't know. And neither really does NATO or Putin. And that is what makes the situation dangerous. Miscalculation is generally what causes wars.

[gaoxiaen]

+1 Dr. Strangelove

[neoteny]

What are the chances that Russia would actually invade the Baltic states?

Invade? How about liberate the oppressed Russian minorities?

[Rebel Scum]

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is calling on Jeff Sessions to resign over his Russia contacts

I prefer Acuvue, but that's just me. Also, I want both to resign, Sessions bc he's a drug-warrior, and Nancy Pelosi bc she's the cackling, lying wicked witch of the mid-west.

[chemjeff]

Correction: Nancy Pelosi has nothing to do with the Midwest, i.e., where the Real Muricans live.

[DJF]

I was hoping that with all the rain falling in California the Wicked Witch of the West would melt . But it looks like she avoided it by hanging out in Washington

[Zeb]

And she's from Baltimore.

[John]

I thought she was a native of San Fransisco.

[Zeb]

Nope. Her father was mayor of Baltimore and she was on the east coast until after she got married.

[John]

She grew up in the political culture of Baltimore and the Bay area. Talk about a witch's brew.

[John DeWitt]

Man, I hate Sessions, but the fucking ass clowns in the media are only going to make him stronger with a failed witch hunt. He talked to 25+ ambassadors as part of his role in the Senate.

It's like the entire birther/bHo movement made it mainstream.

[gaoxiaen]

For once I agree with Pelosi. Crucify Sessions or banish him to a Colorado pot store.

[Jerryskids]

Seems the GOP have finally figured out an angle on cy pres abuse.

For example, in the FY16 Enacted Congressional Appropriation, Congress allotted $47 million for the HUD Housing Counseling, but the Citi and Bank of America settlements shipped in an additional $30 million in funding. The Legal Services Corporation was allocated $385 million from Congress but is getting an additional $412 million in taxpayer dollars from the third-party settlement practice.

The recent Volkswagen settlement, which requires a $1.2 billion investment into zero emission technology, was not only twice denied by Congress but is now expected to receive four times the amount originally requested by the Obama administration.

This bullshit's been on the radar a long time.

[gaoxiaen]

Hitler's car deserves no mercy.

[Mickey Rat]

How can you hate the Love Bug?

[John]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....-home.html

Valarie Jerrett has moved in with the Obamas in Washington. That is just odd. Imagine what the media would have said if Dana Perino had moved in with the Bushes in 2009.

[Rich]

Obama is turning his new home in the posh Kalorama section of the nation's capital - just two miles away from the White House - into the nerve center of the mounting insurgency against his successor

He needs Valerie for this. Plus, she keeps him, um, saying the right things.

[John]

I see why she still works for him. That doesn't explain why she is living with them. Is Obama Michelle's beard? Is there some kind of couple submissive/Domme thing going on?

[$park? don't care bout yo mom]

Dana Perino can feel free to move into my bush any time.

[Libertymike]

You have good taste and I wouldn't object. If, however, you had a mother like W's, it wouldn't happen.

[John]

She is hot. I never have liked her. But I am sure I could fake it if the opportunity ever arose.

[gaoxiaen]

Fake it= get it up.

[Citizen X - #6]

I would not watch that sitcom.

[Not a True MJG]

It'd be a good setup for the new season of Veep.

[Citizen X - #6]

Veep is by far my favorite documentary series.

[Citizen X - #6]

Jarrett is Gary, yes?

[Red Rocks Baiting n Inciting]

I guess it's now confirmed that Obama can't even wipe his own ass without Jarrett being there to give him advice on how much toilet paper to use.

[Citizen X - #6]

"Two squares, and if that doesn't do the job, you can use my hair."

[GLEEMORE?]

^Look at John up above defend Dear Leader and, I would say from the tone, his sex partner. That's love for you, folks.

I have to agree. Jeff Sessions met with the Russian ambassador, then told Congress under oath that he didn't. Big whoop. Now if he emailed the ambassador... that would be a problem.

[Citizen X - #6]

OG amsoc, is that you?

[CatoTheChipper]

It's retarded like amsoc, but there are lots of retard leftists.

[Citizen X - #6]

Its particularly bitchy tone and unwillingness to let a lack of humor keep it from attempting to joke made me wonder.

[John]

I love how leftists always break out with the homophobic jokes. It is their go-to move. It is almost like they are leftists as a way to cover up for and project all of their bigotry onto the other side.

[GLEEMORE?]

Oh, go fuck yourself John. It's just a joke meant to point out how you slobber rhetorically all over Trump's dick. Get a life.

[John]

Yeah I know, there are few worse things in your view that you can accuse a man than being a queer. We get it dude. Maybe you should work on being more comfortable with yourself. Just saying.

[GLEEMORE?]

John, When is the first time you when to a Gay Pride festival? I went to one in 1985 when it was being pocketed by the Christian Coalition. You?

Hey, John, Sessions says that he doesn't remember what was discussed in his meeting in his locked office with the top Russian spy in the U.S. If that's the case, isn't it possible that he discussed that it would be perfectly fine with him if the Russians just went ahead and hacked the DNC email server. That's what Sessions' boss publicly declared that he wanted them to do.

[John]

Yeah, you love gays. That is why you casually toss out the accusation of being gay as an insult.

[Kauzig Kristen]

Donchya know, John, when lefties use racist/anti-queer/ableist slurs, it's OK! They're doing it ironically! His liberal credentials are impeccable, so he's excused!

[Sevo]

GLEEMORE?|3.2.17 @ 10:15AM|#
"John, When is the first time you when to a Gay Pride festival? I went to one in 1985 when it was being pocketed by the Christian Coalition"

Oh, gee, shitbag! You just virtue-signal like no one else!
If only you weren't such a fucking slimy excuse for a human being.

[Red Rocks Baiting n Inciting]

I went to one in 1985 when it was being pocketed by the Christian Coalition.

the CC is certainly known for its deep pockets.

the top Russian spy in the U.S.

Well, considering spying is illegal also, I guess we should be grateful that foreign nations haven't locked our own ambassadors in prison.

That has to be one of the stupidest things you've typed, amongst an embarrassment of riches.

if the Russians just went ahead and hacked the DNC email server

If people are stupid enough to click on phishing links, they have to deal with the fallout. Doesn't matter if "the Russians" did it or not.

[John]

Red Rocks,

I think it was Jon Podesta's email that was hacked. The contents of the DNC server was leaked to wikileaks by an insider. I wonder if the DNC has acted to deal with the Russians spies in their ranks?

[Red Rocks Baiting n Inciting]

I think it was Jon Podesta's email that was hacked. The contents of the DNC server was leaked to wikileaks by an insider.

Wikileaks claimed that the DNC emails were leaked by an insider, but the left's claim is that the servers were "hacked," and I believe the reporting on that is that someone was casting out a wide net to try and catch whomever would bite. Podesta was the big fish, but supposedly the DNC leaks were accomplished the same way, if one goes by the "Russians hacked the DNC" narrative.

Honestly, I'm more inclined to believe that it was an internal leak by a disgruntled staffer--if the Russians did "hack" the DNC servers, there would have been evidence of a massive download of information via a brute force attack of some kind unless the hacker acquired the admin logins from phishing. However, that doesn't take away the counterpoint to the claim of Russian hacking that people shouldn't click on phishing links. That's pretty basic cybersecurity practice.

[John]

The DNC emails were mostly about how they fucked Bernie and stole the nomination from him and gave it to Hillary. I am inclined to think those were leaked by an angry Bernie supporter at the DNC.

The Podesta emails were hacked, although I am not sure a situation where someone uses "password" as their password and did not change it after being told their account had been compromised can fairly be called hacking.

[VG Zaytsev]

It's not like an upset Bernie supporter or two at the dnc turned up dead shortly after the leaks became publicly c either, oh wait a minute.

[Bra Ket]

Oh like Russians need to be told to hack anything.

[creech]

"leftists always break out with the homophobic jokes"

LOL. The local lefty loud-mouth was always in the letters section of the paper calling TEA Party people "teabaggers" (and she was a prim Quaker lady, too) for disrupting town meetings when Obama was shoving Obamacare through. Cat must have got her tongue, because she's been silent about the left's disruptions of town halls since the inauguration.

[WakaWaka]

This. Why would a Senator ever meet with foreign dignitaries? That's like saying that their job somehow relates with foreign affairs. What nonsense. I have it on good authority that the only job of Senators is to approve cabinet members and judges.

#Resist

[Libertymike]

Last night, my wife and I attended a thrilling National Basketball Association contest between the Cavaliers of Cleveland and the Celtics of Boston at the TD Bank garden.

As some of you may know, the Celtics prevailed 103-99 notwithstanding the fact that there were a myriad of horrible calls against the Celtics in the 4th quarter.

[John]

That was a hell of a game. There was an Al Horford sighting. He pulled down 10 rebounds and nearly had a triple double.

[Libertymike]

It was such a good game. Yes, it may not portend much as far as the post-season is concerned, but, as I have told you before, I get as much pleasure and satisfaction out of a good, exciting regular season game as I do out of a playoff game.

What do you think of Isiah Thomas?

BTW, Coach Belichick was there - he had floor seats behind the basket.

[John]

I don't know if you saw it in person but LaBron James nearly took out Belichick and practically landed in his lap after one play. It was great.

I love Thomas. You have to love a five nine guy who can even play in the NBA much less play well. The Celtics just need to find a consistent scorer to go with him. Their offense often dies when he isn't playing well or not on the floor.

I really like Jaylen Brown. For being one year out of high school, he looks very good and seems to get better every game. I think the Celtics may have got the best player in the draft last year. Brown is definitely better than Ingram and Simmons has been hurt all year.

[Libertymike]

Last week, nearly everybody was pissed off that Danny Ainge did not make a move.

You are right, the Celtics need another reliable scorer and Al Horford just does not do it enough.

Jaylen Brown is good, no doubt about it. Did you see his alley-oop dunk? That pissed off Lebron big time.

[John]

I am hoping they can sign Gorden Hayward this summer. He played for Stevens in College and is exactly what the Celtics need. He could come to Boston and let Smart and Crowder do all of the dirty work and just sit back and shoot open three point shots as the defense collapses on Thomas.

And don't forget, they have a 45% chance at getting a top two pick in the draft, which will be Fultz or Ball. Fultz is a man-child with endless ability. Imagine Chris Paul if he were built like Tony Allen and you have Fultz. And Ball is Jason Kidd with a functioning jump shot.

[Libertymike]

That is some of the thinking up here. Get Hayward and let the dice roll with the pick. Then, you'll have Isiah, Hayward, the pick, Bradley, Crowder, Smart and Horford.

[Sheriff Bart]

Celtics fan here. It was a great game. My favorite worst call- Irving taking about five steps before Bradley makes contact with him, and Bradley gets called for the foul.

[Libertymike]

That was horrible. Bradley played some incredible defense against Irving - particularly on one of the Cavaliers' last possessions.

[John]

That was horrible. But the one reverse layup that Irvin hit in the 4th was just sick. I really like Irvin's game. I am tired of dunkers. I like guys like Irvin who can finish with ridiculous layups.

[Libertymike]

Seth Curry also has a repertoire of ridiculous layups.

[creech]

Yeah, it's as if they outlawed the dribble over the last few decades. That, and exaggerated hanging on the rim after a dunk, has turned me off to basketball.

[gaoxiaen]

You paid money for that when niggers would run around and throw things for free?

[WakaWaka]

Basketball is so 90's

#ChicagoBulls

[OldMexican Blankety Blank]

I do not believe theres much of a there-there regarding this Sessions kerfuffle. He was asked if he would act upon information that Russian officials had spoken or influenced members of the campaign and he said he knew of no campaign member having direct involvement with Russian officials. So he was telling the truth, from a certain point of view. A 'certain point of view' you may ask? You will soon learn that most of the truths we hold depend on our point of view.

[John]

If you don't like a specific answer, don't ask a specific question. If him meeting with Russians at any time for any reason was so important to know, then they should have asked him the general question "have you spoken to representatives of the Russian government for any reason during the last year?" They didn't ask that. So they have no grounds to bitch that Sessions gave a specific answer to their specific question.

[Red Rocks Baiting n Inciting]

This isn't going to be like the Flynn resignation where the post is easily replaceable with another military mind. Now that Sessions is confirmed, the Trump administration will stick by him and use the same arguments posted above--that its not out of bounds for a Senator to have contact with foreign officials, and that there's no evidence the meeting had anything to do with influencing the Trump campaign. Unless they have evidence of the ambassador passing some sort of point paper to Sessions or money changing hands, the left's going to get the big middle finger on this one.

It's like the media have forgotten that these people are lawyers and, short of direct video evidence, can craft arguments that make it sound like it wasn't anything other than an afternoon tea session.

[John]

They are just throwing shit onto the wall hoping something will stick. The Post could have run this story before yesterday. They ran it yesterday as a way to take attention off of what even they had to admit was a successful State of the Union speech. My guess is that it will, like all of these things, blow over in a few days when the media finds something else to be outraged over.

[VG Zaytsev]

Tonight Trump will put out an "outrageous" tweet to kill this story.

[Memory Hole]

The specific question, "...if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?"

His answer, "...have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians".

[Memory Hole]

The truth is that Sessions communicated with the Russian ambassador at the Republican National Convention.

Supposedly, there was a "superficial" discussion of Trump's campaign during this meeting and then I suppose they talked about ways to improve Russian/American relations.

We've gone from "No communications and no discussion of the campaign" to "Two communications and a superficial discussion of the Trump campaign".

[Sevo]

Memory Hole|3.2.17 @ 10:58AM|#
"The truth is that Sessions communicated with the Russian ambassador at the Republican National Convention."

I'll accept this and that he lied.
Now, please tell me what this is supposed to lead to.

[Memory Hole]

It should lead to his resignation and the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle the investigation. Maybe Sessions is suspended from the practice of law. He's lawyer and they have a greater obligation to be truthful than non lawyers.

[GLEEMORE?]

Jail time?

[MikeP2]

That is mis-information.

Per authorative summations of Sessions's contacts with the Ruskie. The ambassador approached him, along with 2 other ambassadors after a speech Sessions gave. This was all open floor stuff and the Ruskie asked to meet with Sessions at another point, which never happened. The DOJ has eluded to complete transcripts of these meetings and stated that there is nothing there.

[John]

Again, I'm telling you this as it's coming out, so you know. But if it's true, it's obviously extremely serious, and if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?

Sessions: Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians, and I'm unable to comment on it.

That is what he said. He didn't lie. This is going nowhere. But hey, please tell your handlers to continue to push this. Meanwhile, Trump will continue to hand you your ass as he follows through on his campaign promises and his opponents scream about manufactured bull shit like this.

You are only hurting yourselves.

[Red Rocks Baiting n Inciting]

It's telling that you left out the preface for that question. I'll post it for you:

CNN just published a story alleging that the intelligence community provided documents to the president-elect last week, that included information that "Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump." These documents also allegedly say "there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government."

What Franken's trying to glean is if there was any collusion going on. The second that Sessions lists off conversations with other ambassadors or foreign officials that he had during the campaign, that line of attack is going to be reduced to another "RUSSIANS!!" talking point.

[Zeb]

And if he doesn't list them off, he will be accused of lying. I don't think that's better strategically.

[Bra Ket]

"You will soon learn that most of the truths we hold depend on our point of view."

I vividly remember how this triggered my bullshit detector, even as a young lad.

[Kauzig Kristen]

And we're still not talking about the Obamas' gross cashing-in on a book deal for $65 million? Nobody needs that much deodorant!!

[John]

And no book in 2016 makes $65 million unless the author is JK Rowling. I don't have a problem with a President getting paid for their autobiography. Those things sell. But they don't sell $65 million dollars well. That is just a payoff.

[Kauzig Kristen]

I'm just focused on the hypocrisy of people like the Obamas and Bernie Sanders. It's nice to say "nobody needs ___" when you have the luxury of not worrying about your next mortgage payment or where your next meal is coming from. I'm all for making bucketloads of money. But I would never say "nobody needs that much". You earn it, good for you.

[John]

They are always the most disgusting greedy people on earth. They already have more money than they could ever spend. But there is never enough it seems. And that is okay. It is a free country. As you say, though, the fact that they begrudge everyone else so much as having decent health insurance while being that greedy is a bit galling to say the least.

[Fatty Bolger]

Whenever they rhetorically ask, "how much is too much?", their answer is always just slightly more than what they make. Funny, that.

[Zeb]

It does seem like a lot for a book (or two books, I guess, I'm pretty sure that's for Michelle's memoirs as well). But I'm having a hard time figuring out what they would be paying him off for.

I just checked and Bill Clinton's autobiography apparently sold well over 2 million copies and he got a $15 million advance on it. So maybe it's not so unrealistic. A lot of people are going to buy those books.

[John]

By that math Obama would have to sell about 8 million copies. Maybe that is not high, but that is still a lot of books.

[Zeb]

We talked about that yesterday.

[Enough About Palin]

Female High School wrestler to wrestle men.

And she doesn't even pretend to be a boy.

[Citizen X - #6]

Sooo many confused boners at that tournament.

[Kauzig Kristen]

All the nurses I know are the type to run into a burning building. Tough as nails. WTF is wrong with these weak-ass pussies in Liberia?

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[Kauzig Kristen]

Not a huge fan of Hawking, but sick burn, dude.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Not a huge fan of Oliver, very sick burn.

[Citizen X - #6]

[robot voice] "Allow me to read an excerpt from my new book, A Brief History of Your Mom."

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Non-aligned Sweden is worried about Russia's Baltic military drills.

Funny how a threat tends to align your ass right up.