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By Tom Cushing

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About this blog: The Raucous Caucus shares the southpaw perspectives of this Boomer on the state of the nation, the world, and, sometimes, other stuff. I enjoy crafting it to keep current, and occasionally to rant on some issue I care about deeply...  (More)

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Salami, Salami … Baloney

Uploaded: Jan 19, 2018

Those GOP butchers at the Congressional deli are playing a losing game.

‘Salami’ is a set of competitive bargaining tactics. In it, the negotiator ‘thin-slices’ a series of demands, making each one appear small, and therefore easier to accept than if presented together. A variation on the theme slices-down a single large demand so that it may, in total, extract more concessions than if it were used all-at-once. Trouble is, it doesn’t work if you don’t own the meat.

Way last week, before their master negotiator threw the process into chaos with racist vulgarities and contradictory twittings about where, if anywhere, he stands, Congress was prepared to resolve urgent immigration/DACA, children’s health care and the government funding issues together. It was going to be good governance, and hallelujah.

With those hopes dashed on the White House rocks (or wall, or not-really-a-wall-but-sort-of-a-barrier), however, the GOP has resorted to a game of salami. Why deal with all three issues at-once, if we can just resolve the budget temporarily and add children’s health care (CHIPs) – leaving the 800,000 DACA dreamers hanging in a cruel limbo? Since the Dems want that, too, we can extract other concessions from them in return for that resolution down the road. If the Dems don’t agree, they’ll be blamed for a consequent government shutdown.

But there’s a problem – well, two really. The first is unnecessary human suffering, but that hasn’t mattered to the GOPers for many years. The more current dilemma is that they don’t own the meat – turning their salami into baloney.

You see, overwhelming majorities favor both immediate resolution of the CHIPs funding And the release of the Dreamers from their purgatory. Not only that, but it’s overwhelming majorities of Both Parties.

According to independent polling, fully 83% of all Americans want the Dreamers to be able to stay here, in the only country most of them know. And crucially, that landslide includes Both Democrats (94%) AND Republicans (67%). Add to that the seasoning that Everybody wants Congress to start solving problems, and the GOP’s dilemma becomes clear – they don’t own the meat. They are peddling baloney.

This morning’s Post-ABC poll confirms that Americans will blame the Trump/GOP axis for any shutdown – they’ve apparently had a belly-full of baloney:

“Americans by a 20-point margin are saying they’re more likely to blame Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress than the congressional Democrats if one occurs. 48 percent in the national survey say they’d blame Trump and the GOP, vs. 28 percent who’d blame the Democrats in Congress. An additional 18 percent would blame both equally.”

So, the GOP gets blamed for a shutdown, almost two-to-one, AND 2/3 of the country wants Congress to get on with it. So GOPers, free the Dreamers - pass the better bill – call it good governance, even – you can do it! If you don’t, it’s just another link in the heavy chain you’ll carry in the fall Midterms. And that's no baloney.

Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 1:05 pm

Here we go again. D= Good R= Bad.
And of course there will be no honest discussion on the total cost and impact of illegal immigration because it would not be PC to do so.
Remember the good people also voted for high speed rail and we all know how that is going to turn out. The media/DNC/late night talk shows/Music industry/public employee unions are all on the same page and they are wrong.
What about the number of crime that comes with all of this?
What about the added cost of schools and teachers?
What do we tell the people that are legally waiting in line to get in?
What laws are ok to disobey and who gets to decide that?


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 1:35 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Here you go, Tom T - this from non-partisan factcheck.org: (A)ccording to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, those who committed “a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, or three or more other misdemeanor offenses" are not eligible for DACA. Neither are those who pose a public safety threat, which 'include, but are not limited to, gang membership, participation in criminal activities, or participation in activities that threaten the United States.'"

"Also, there is no evidence that DACA holders are more likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens."

"As we wrote in February, numerous studies have found that immigrants do not commit crimes at a higher rate than non-immigrants. A recap of the literature on this topic can be found here. A 2013 study published in American Sociological Review confirmed that immigration is strongly associated with less violence in a neighborhood." Web Link

We're only talking DACA in this blog, so you may find those stats helpful. NObody would be happier than I if the GOP ever does something positive for the country, but when they do not, I have no hesitation calling it as I see it.

How do you see the DACA issue? Are you with the 83% of Americans who want this issue resolved with them staying here? If not, why not?


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 2:04 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Mr. Cushing resorts to his typical hyperbole when writing about almost any topic. This article is no exception. Every Cushing article boils down to Republicans bad, Democrats good.

Here is the other side of his story. Democrats are willing to go to the mat for 800,000 ‘dreamers' or maybe two million if immigration advocates have their way. That, along with added possibly that millions of dreamer family members will also be part of any DACA deal the Democrats agree to. Nothing else matters to them right now. Democrats are always in need of a permanent underclass of voters, people dependent on government assistance. This is why, for Democrats, DACA the only issue that really matters to them.

But there are another couple of reasons. First, the tax bill is now creating good news everyday. In two or three months no Democrat propaganda will be able to hide this. So DACA is a distraction. And the Russia, Russia, Russia story is dying a slow and painful death soon to be replaced by the Democrat conspiracy to overturn the 2016 election results. Again, DACA can be a distraction.

In 2016 the Supreme Court blocked further expansion of Obama's DACA program suggesting that Obama had overstepped his authority in setting up this program. Last September, in order to rectify this disparity, the Trump administration gave congress until March to propose a solution. Trump wants full funding for the border wall, an end to chain migration and an end to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program as part of any DACA solution; the Democrats really want open borders, period.

Bottom line: there is no DACA crisis right now. That might be a more appropriate call in March. This is the real baloney and it is being peddled by the Democrats.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 2:39 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Can one of the GOP faithful explain to me why they can't do anything when they control: House, Senate (well not 60) and the White House.

Congress has but a single reason for being: keep Government going. How come so many CRs. Why can't they get a full year funding?

And please, don't blame Democrats. This clearly is a leadership failure of both parties and a low low political IQ President. Deals my arse. Winning my arse. Stable Genius my arse

Term limits for the lot of them.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 2:49 pm

The Democrats NEED illegal immigration if they have any hope of future electoral success: Web Link

Newsweek (hardly right-wing): “The fight to protect Dreamers is not only a moral imperative, it is also a critical component of the Democratic Party's future electoral success,"

Jennifer Palmieri, Democrat strategist and Clinton right-hand lady.

Politics is the ONLY reason democrats are pushing for DACA. If they say it's out of compassion, all you have to do is throw the linked article with their own words back in their faces.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 3:03 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

And therein lie major differences between the Parties, kids. Mr Miller sees no urgency in the DACA debacle because, as some hyperbolist wrote: "unnecessary human suffering hasn't mattered to the GOPers for many years." He's not personally affected, so it's all "what, me worry?" with all the maddening cynicism implied therein. No wonder the GOP has become the party of the angry, old, white men.

And our Resident mind reader once again wants to tell us all that We think. The demographic tide that will propel the future is very clear, DACA or no DACA, and the only person I've seen advocate for open borders was that new guy on the prior blog. I hope he comes back, but it's not because I, or anyone else I know, believe in open borders. When Resident gets his own opinions straight, he will have been quite busy for a very Long time. At least until then, he has no business attempting to put his very odd generalizations into the heads of anyone else.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 3:46 pm

I strongly support the presence of DACA residents!

All of the DACA students that I know are honest, sincere, loving of their families/friends, good students, and aware of the importance of their social/cultural/economic contributions.

Over the years, I've helped DACA students find employment and to access various community medical/dental/legal services. Of the students with whom I've had contact, NONE have been arrested for illegal activity. Several have engaged as community volunteers/leaders and have continued to give back to others. All of the DACA students that I know are grateful for all of the assistance they have received! I'm also grateful for the support that so many generous Americans have provided. THANK YOU. VIVA AMERICA!





Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 3:57 pm

I've posted this image on my frig...LOVE IT! It's magic.

Web Link

GRACIAS USA! VIVA! GORA!


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 4:45 pm

That's odd, the Blogger doesn't seem to recognize a piece of his own parties platform even when it is shown to him outright.

Instead, he attempts to belittle me.

Color me surprised.

And so much for that civility bs you were just carping on a few thread back.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 5:10 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Scott Hale is simply uninformed. There were Continuing Resolutions during the Obama administration including the first two years when Democrats controlled the White House, House of Representatives and the Senate (with 60 votes), and during the following four years when Democrats controlled the White House and Senate. There were eight CR's during FY2011.

And after Mr. Cushing decreed that “We're only talking DACA in this blog", Scott Hale immediately went off topic and the comment is still posted. A real hit to Mr. Cushing's credibility.

Then Mr. Cushing lectures Resident because he “once again wants to tell us all that We think". But he has no problem telling Republicans what we think! Isn't that hypocrisy?

Finally, I looked up the word “raucous". The first entry says “harsh, strident, grating". I would say that Mr. Cushing exceeds expectations in this regard.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 7:38 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

I am uninformed? Really? I didn't mention Obama or previous CRs or shutdowns for a reason. Unlike those who defend the GOP, no matter what, I live in the here and now. GOP defenders enjoy going backwards in time to explain current issue.

the simple fact (as you don't seem to get) this would be, what, the 4th CR if it were to happen (vote just failed). I'm all for they get one CR a YEAR and that is it. Pass the budget, or shutdown. I'm fine with that. The kicking the can for a few weeks has got to stop.

Term limits would fix this and pass a budget by deadline or nobody gets paid. Fixed california's never ending never-get-a-budget on time issues. FACT.

AND, I'm sorry, but the buck stops at the White House. And our President has failed (so far) again. His deal making abilities have gone soft? Poor guy missing his $100k fund raiser. His head must be exploding......


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 7:40 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

btw, this isn't the DACA only thread. Pay attn. It was more inline with current events ie the shutdown.

Do keep up.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 8:10 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Words have meaning, except for liberals. "Depends on the what the meaning of 'is' is." - Bill Clinton


Posted by Jake Waters, a resident of Birdland,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 8:11 pm

@Tom

Your little CNN world is falling apart as we speak. The FISA memo is coming out and will condem your Obama administration. I have to be honest Tom, you do capture the essence of CNN, MSNBC, and the rest of the liberal mainstream media. I had to check in on your silly rants, and read what nonsense you are spreading to your minions. I love this time, and I love the fact that Trump will go down in this country as the next Abraham Lincoln. Please don't forget to swallow and breath.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 19, 2018 at 10:29 pm

@Jake Waters :" I love this time, and I love the fact that Trump will go down in this country as the next Abraham Lincoln."

:-)


Posted by Martin, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Jan 20, 2018 at 8:21 am

I'll say one thing, after EIGHT years of starry eyed slumber, the media has been very energized in their coverage of the current administration.


Posted by Martin, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Jan 20, 2018 at 8:32 am

Love listening to the Democrats talk down positive signs we're seeing in the economy.

The pearl clutching is really being taken to new levels


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 20, 2018 at 9:45 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Here's the Graham/Durbin bill, intro'd Wednesday. Pretty good compromise. I'm guessing we may end-up back in this neighborhood. "We'll see." Web Link

"Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, introduced their bill Wednesday afternoon with Sens. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, putting the bill close to having enough votes to pass the Senate, assuming unanimous Democratic support, but not quite to the 60-vote threshold needed to advance legislation."

"The bill appeared to be the same that was presented to President Donald Trump last week, when the President, using vulgar terms, rejected the pitch, according to sources familiar with that meeting."

"If passed, the bill would appropriate $2.705 billion in border security improvements, eliminate the visa lottery, make permanent the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program -- offering a pathway to citizenship to those who qualify -- and limit "chain migration," or family-based migration, of the individuals eligible for the program."

"We'd be crazy to want them to leave. If you met any of these Dream Act kids, the last thing you'd want is for them to leave," Graham said on the Senate floor Wednesday evening. "At the end of the day there's a deal to be had; it just needs to be done. The reason this bipartisan group that I'm part of came about is because no one was doing much of anything."


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 20, 2018 at 10:03 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

hmmm. Economy is doing great. Stocks doing great (bonds, not so much).

BUT. Trump's approval rate......40% Lowest ever at one year annv. Why is that? Generally the President gets the credit for economy (or blame depending).

Could it be majority of American's aren't happy with Trump?

His base is shrinking and more people aren't happy, Midterms are coming. Mueller is coming.

Losing and not making deals seems to be opposite of what he campaigned on, no?

And, yeah Dems are responsible for the shutdown. Just them, let's forget the Rep who also voted no. That would be 'fake news'.

All 535 and Trump are to blame.


Posted by Martin, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Jan 20, 2018 at 10:44 am


Scott Hale - tightly wound much?

lol


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 20, 2018 at 12:15 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Martin: Nope, chilled, in fact. This is entertainment. You have something to add? Knock yourself out.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 22, 2018 at 12:50 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Web Link Good grief. SFW.

Have I mentioned that the Dems are bad at politics?


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 22, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Bad at politics? I'm sure their internal polling is telling them that their position on DACA and gov shutdown, while being good for their base, will be bad for their electoral chances in 2018.

It's all about protecting their cushy positions, Blogger.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 22, 2018 at 2:26 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

To the limited extent that's true, if you're good at politics, you decide that issue Before you take the step of challenging the majority party - when you're deciding how you'll play your hand. They appear to have lost their nerve and folded the hand instead of playing it out - and at a time when they had 83% of the country behind their preferred outcomes.

Instead, they now have three (count-em) Lucys between them and their goal. Bad at politics.


Posted by Kurt, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 23, 2018 at 10:34 am

Let's play whiffle ball!

Democrat... Whiff! Trump became President

Democrat... Whiff! On the tax bill

Democrat... Whiff! Schumer caves in.

Yes Mr. Cushing, your party is bad at playing politics. However, I would be mistaken to say that it only happens to the Dems.

More concerning though is the talk of secret societies within the FBI. If true, that "noose" that you so proudly blabber on about will begin to rot away. In my opinion,it's already starting to happen.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 23, 2018 at 4:37 pm

Has anyone noticed that the interest from the libs that normally comment in the bloggers topics have gone mostly quiet on THIS particular subject?

I don't believe the 83% number any more than I believed Clinton had a 90+% chance of winning the election.


Posted by Kurt, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 23, 2018 at 6:19 pm

Comey, special council leaks, Strzok's admission, oh my!

A clean house is a tidy house, uh except for the FBI. Tisk, Tisk. FBI loses text messages? That is akin to losing evidence. What a mess.

Yes Resident, all is quiet on the Cushing front. The burden of proof is a heavy cross to bare; which makes me wonder how all of this is affecting Bob Mueller. Can you imagine if Mueller ended his investigation now? All fingers, including the middle one, would point to the FBI. Let's face it, that dossier is making people in the DOJ very nervous.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 23, 2018 at 7:27 pm

@Resident :"Has anyone noticed that the interest from the libs that normally comment in the bloggers topics have gone mostly quiet on THIS particular subject?"

Haven't looked into this DACA issue so can't claim to have strong feelings on the subject. I personally have never liked this “sanctuary city" business. In my view, this country has to have a consistent, uniform set of immigration laws and local communities shouldn't have a veto over immigration policies set at the national level.

As for polls, here's an interesting one in which it is revealed that about half of those people polled do not believe that Donald Trump is mentally stable (!!!). The numbers are 48% who do believe that he is mentally stable and 47% who do not believe that he is mentally stable. Yes, it's a sad day in America when almost half of all Americans think that the President is a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
ABC News poll: Web Link
- - - -


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 23, 2018 at 8:07 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

SSN#1: Hmmm, how you know who is a liberal or not. Just by their comments here?
I'm no conservative or liberal. Right down the middle of the road. Is the PC term for that moderate? I dislike both parties equally and blame both equally.

Now to DACA so my note is suddenly wiped as a few have been.....

DACA should be a separate bill/debate and not included with anything else. In fact, I think all bills should be 'clean'.

About only feelings are the daca group can't go back, so give them a path to a green card. Once on green card they get the standard 5 years before they can become a citizen. Fair? Moderate? Middle of the road?

Hopefully blog god won't nuke this one....


Posted by ThankYou, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 5:15 am

Tom, I'd like to personally thank you. Any time I start to question why I voted for Trump, I read your blog and realize I made the correct decision. Think about that, for all the trashing you do of Trump, at least half of Americans felt he was a better choice than the corrupt democratic party. Unfortunately, in the end the corrupt media and colleges will brainwash our youth, and the democrats will prevail. But at least Trump is giving the US 8 more years where following the law is a good thing, before the democrats philosophy of favoring the criminals over law-abiding citizens (see Kate Steinle, & fast tracking illegal immigrants over legal immigrants who followed the 'legal' prcoess) kills this country.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 5:32 am

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Resident, Scott, Sam, Kurt, Thank You:

Wow! Without Mr. Cushing banging heads every five minutes this site looks like a reasonable discussion forum.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 7:03 am

@Thank You :"Think about that, for all the trashing you do of Trump, at least half of Americans felt he was a better choice than the corrupt democratic party."

You mean at least half of the Electoral College. And, yes, Hillary was a very weak candidate but despite that even she got 3 million more votes than Trump. Thanks for reminding all of us of that.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 9:13 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Perhaps Tom should be more like blogger Tim. Tim rarely gets into the comments. He posts his warm and fuzzies and doesn't get in the muck. Well, his blogs rarely generate muck....

Just saying.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 10:11 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

I am thrilled that you lonely hearts have found each other through my blog, and some shared shelter from the reality storm all around you. You're welcome.

It IS interesting how different your news feeds are from what I and many (many) others find significant. Any port in that storm, I guess. Say, there may be a related blog topic in there somewhere - perhaps about political tribalism?

We'll see.


Posted by Dave, a resident of Danville,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 12:25 pm

Jake - Trump will go down in this nation's history as this era's Benedict Arnold.


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 1:05 pm

Starbucks, that left leaning corporate giant, is spending $250 million to boost pay and benefits for it's workers!

Hey, Cushing, reality check, brothuh.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 3:31 pm

@Malcolm Hex

Hmmmm. Well if Starbucks is spending $250 million to boost pay and benefits to its workers then doesn't it stand to reason that they received more than $250 million in corporate tax cuts from the government which means a further more than $250 million in deficit spending? Yay! (I think...)

Also, if the focus here is on benefiting Starbucks workers, wouldn't it have been more efficient and cost-effective to just target those workers through focused tax cuts for, say, lower income workers such as many of those who work at Starbucks rather than hoping that all these companies “trickle down" some of the tax break gift that they received down to their workers? Not all companies are “trickling down" any pay or benefits bonuses to their workers, you know. Instead, a lot of the companies are simply pocketing their gains. Pretty shocking and unbelievable that they would do that, huh?


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 4:18 pm

Maybe you should direct your reasoning to the Starbucks corporate office. Better yet, maybe you should tell your local Starbucks employee how you feel.

You and Jerry would make a fine pair. He, like you, would rejoice in taking away 10% from companies benefiting from the tax cut in order to fund so-called "social programs."

You are a true socialist, brothuh.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 4:47 pm

@Malcolm Hex

I've gotta say, Malcolm, that you're really not making a lot of sense to me. OK, so you don't like “socialism", at least you claim not to, but look what is going on here. The government is giving a big tax gift to Starbucks and Starbucks is then immediately turning around and giving a portion of that gift to its workers - not because they've suddenly become 5% or 10% more productive, mind you, but simply as a gift bonus. Bottom line is that gift money goes (indirectly) from the government to a certain group of people at the expense of the Federal deficit and other taxpayers (taxpayers like you, for instance).

I think that it's rather ironic for you to be applauding this while at the same time accusing me of being the “socialist". I'm not the one in favor of the government giving away gift money to people for no additional work or effort. You are.


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 5:41 pm

Hey look, I know you are a little heated since the tax bill went through. You basically had a tantrum over the whole thing at the onset.

Moving on...

You said: "I'm not the one in favor of the government giving away gift money to people for no additional work or effort. You are."

You called it "gift money," not me. You are making up words to defend you argument. So tell me, what is wrong with minimum wage employees getting a few extra dollars from a tax break?

And what about Apple investing on this side of the pond? You against that too? Man, brother, you seem to be a tad out of touch when good things happen in this country.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 5:55 pm

You know You're a lib when you can say something so one-sided such as: “means a further more than $250 million in deficit spending? Yay! (I think...)"

And not even contemplate that you could cut SPENDING by the same amount and be deficit neutral?

Nope, it's always “but we HAVE to spend money on illegal immigrant services!!!!"

Not a thinker.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 6:04 pm

“The government is giving a big tax gift to Starbucks and Starbucks is then ..."

This is literally the most ignorant thing written in a long time.

The money Sam proclaims the government is “giving" is money EARNED by Starbucks that the government spends frivolously on stupid programs like studying transgenered children IN AFRICA!!

Look it up.

0-2 Sam. Great posts today.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 6:52 pm

@Malcolm Hex and Resident

LOL! Well, by all means give away all that money from the government to selected groups of people who did nothing to warrant receiving that money over any other group! After all, we're all socialists here, right? LOL!


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Jan 24, 2018 at 7:09 pm

The only problem was that you did not identify the other "groups." I was unaware that employees are considered a "group," as you put it. Your socialist thinking is abstract.

Facts appear non-essential to your logic.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Jan 25, 2018 at 8:45 am

Sam,

“Well, by all means give away all that money from the government to selected groups of people who did nothing to warrant receiving that money"

You mean like welfare recipients?

You're on fire.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 25, 2018 at 10:04 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

I wonder how many people know that their 'reduced' taxes will have a rather nasty impact on the deficit? And, please, don't tell me increased economy
will correct that to a net-net of zero impact.

GOP was so big on deficit reduction not very long ago. What happened? they forget the debt?

sheesh. Just remember individual tax reductions are temporary.....Fact often skipped right over.

It's the deficit ding dong


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 25, 2018 at 7:11 pm

On the lighter side.....

Where will it end? Even the Guggenheim Museum is trolling Trump.:

“The White House asked to borrow a van Gogh. The Guggenheim offered a gold toilet instead."
Washington Post: Web Link
- - - -


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jan 26, 2018 at 9:39 am

Tom....A few of these students are DACA students: Web Link

The Teacher is the Music Teacher of the Year 2018 and tonight will receive her GRAMMY award. She is what helps make America Great. VIVA TEACHERS!


Posted by Ben, a resident of Birdland,
on Jan 26, 2018 at 2:53 pm

Deficit is based on spending more than you bring in. Simple math progressives have never grasped. Increased taxes only inspire progressives and RINO'S to spend more and tax more. I know I'm quite capable of managing how I can or can't spend my money should I be able to keep more. And damned that my liberties as a CITIZEN be burdened by progressives spending 20+ billion in California per year on welfare, schooling, medical services, incarceration, etc, for illegal citizens. I'm tired of progressives making illegal aliens more noble than me and my fellow legal citizens.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 27, 2018 at 9:21 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Bent: Was your opinion rant on the DACA group only? Or is your paint brush wider than that? I have to say by all reports Dems and GOP the DACA group costs taxpayers zero dollars and they actually PAY taxes and contribute to the economy. Might want to do a bit more research before launching your opinion.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Jan 29, 2018 at 7:30 am

Wow, the people over at Fox and Breitbart are melting down. They sure didn't expect that Trump would turn on them:

“Trump's Draft Amnesty: Citizenship for Illegal Alien Population Six Times the Size of Obama's DACA"
Breitbart : Web Link

- - - -


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jan 29, 2018 at 9:47 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

I'm sorry what exactly is wrong with giving those who have already been here, don't break the laws, have a job, etc etc a path to being legal? Isn't that a compromise over just kicking their wazu's out to a country they may or may not even remember?

Yes, the adults BROKE the law. Yes, they should get their hand slapped in some way to appease the zealots.

They already here.....


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jan 31, 2018 at 3:44 pm

Now's the time to write to your elected reps re: the next Shut Down!

DACA is nothing to mess with...the young folks from abroad are responsible individuals/couples/families...Trump will lose this one!

For POTUS to mention a notorious criminal gang in the same breath is repulsive.

I believe that most American do not support his stance on DACA.

VIVA AMERICA!


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jan 31, 2018 at 4:12 pm

Several thousand folks may be deported but not the millions and millions of DACA folks that have no intention of leaving the USA!

This is their home..LIKE IT OR NOT potus.

After all, FAIR IS FAIR.


Posted by Trumper, a resident of Kottinger Ranch,
on Jan 31, 2018 at 5:50 pm

Me thinks someone is sore over Trumps brilliant speech last night....

Overstay your VISA or commit a crime while being here illegally or on a VISA and you SHOULD get a one-way ticket home.

What's unfair about that?


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 9:45 am

Mr. Mueller and his team will tease out the PREZ dirty deeds.....it's just a matter of time...how lonb? NOT LONG!


Posted by Trumper, a resident of Kottinger Ranch,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 10:05 am

Mueller?

Perhaps you missed the memo that Mueller just pushed out sentencing on Flynn. Why, you might ask?

Because the congressional intelligence memo showing that the FBI/DoJ unlawfully used a political document (with Obama administration knowledge) to illegally open up an investigation on the president. And because of this, the entire premise of the special council investigation will be tainted by the “taste of the poisoned fruit", and Mueller will be forced to end his investigation.

You see, there was no Russia contacts, there was no obstruction. It's all just politics, and now the blowback begins.

Or did you think the #2 at FBI just stepping down a few days ago was a coincidence?


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 10:31 am

@Trumper

Thanks for keeping us apprised of what the storyline is within the Breitbart/Fox/Newsmax bubble.


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 11:52 am

Wow, there is ONE network that leans hard right and the left continues to want that voice silenced. What I want is for laws to be obeyed in this country and for no reward to be offered for breaking our laws.
I know that makes me mean spirited and racist in looney land.
You cant just say it is there home just like my parents cant illegally enter your home and then say it is my home now. It really is that simple. What do you say to the people that go through the legal process to be here? Too bad suckers?


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 11:54 am

I fully agree that we have some very positive DACA people in this country but that is only part of the story. We also have some VERY bad DACA people here but for some reason Cholo does not wish to mention this part of the story:

Web Link


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm

All of Mr. Mueller's info has not been made public. I can hardly wait for all of the trumpers to be escorted out of the WH in cuffs! It's coming...VIVA MUELLER! GORA!

YUP...CUFFS AND TIME BEHIND BARS ARE ON THE WAY!!!

VIVA MUELLER!


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 2:14 pm

Cholo,

You must be confused. This is the USA. We have this thing call "due process" and innocent until proven guilty.
I know this is tough for some people and even "triggers" others but in time you will see this is the best way to run a free country.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 2:21 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Trumper: A new Silly Screen Name being used by somebody who switched SSN. Hmmm.

Anyway, you mention the 'memo' you do know it is an opinion piece and not fact. Yes?

And you do know the reason for the memo, yes?

If no; then please try and keep up.


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 2:29 pm

@Scott Hale
Yes, it is just a memo. So why all of the "resistance" to making it public? Should we the people not be made aware of this memo for some reason?


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 2:57 pm

I honestly hope the left continues to:

Assert that MS-13 is made up by Foxnews
Take the side of BLM over the cops
Take the side of illegals
Call Black conservatives Uncle Tom or sell outs
Woman shame Sarah Huckabee
Make fun of Republicans in train crash or other tragedies
Use celebrities to get the message out
Continue to think people are fooled by the stooge media

I mean it keep doing what you are doing, you are so tone deaf you still dont know this reflects on you.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 3:05 pm

It's time to lighten up!

Check it out: Web Link

Nothing like magic to ease the nerves...enjoy

carbonaro


Posted by Trumper, a resident of Kottinger Ranch,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 3:44 pm

Scott - The “memo" you referred is from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). I think you should probably be aware that they provide oversight on ALL intelligence agencies at the federal level. The memo contains informational facts from those agencies that congress has been requesting for over a year. The memo ONLY contains info that those agencies were required to turn over.

In other words, you have no idea what you're talking about.


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 4:01 pm

@Cholo

Now that is pretty damn funny!
Well played.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 6:57 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Tom T: Not resistance from the American voters for sure. PLUS not even sure we need to see it. If there were actual crimes, then we don't need to see it for there to be action, yeah? There is little need for the public to see an opinion piece from what amounts to a single person's opinion. One who has zero credibility at this point.

If a few in congress believe laws were broken, they have options. Ask yourself why are they not doing anything beyond trying to get the public riled up? Tick, tock.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 7:47 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

SSN3#: Are you aware who wrote the memo? Are you aware he did NOT read the underlying documents? Are you aware it is HIS opinion and not facts?

And do please detail your understanding of the WHY of this memo and what the intended results that were aimed for.

Silence means you are unable to keep up.


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Feb 1, 2018 at 8:51 pm

@Scott

If Trump colluded with the Russians I will demand he does a perp walk. I give no mercy to a traitor but there is no proof as of this post.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 6:43 am

@Tom T

No, there is no proof as of this time, but there is a lot of mighty suspicious behavior which warrants an investigation into exactly what's gong on here with contacts between Trump associates and Russians. If all the contacts and meetings with Russians were perfectly innocent, why did Flynn take the 5th in order to avoid testifying to Congress about them? Why did he lie to the VP about the nature of his meetings with Russians? Why did he lie to the FBI about the nature of his meetings with Russians? Why was Trump coaching his son what to tell investigators about the nature of his meeting with a Russian? Why did multiple Trump associates (Flynn, Kushner, Sessions) omit listing all of their Russian contacts and meetings on their top secret security clearance questionnaire forms?

No, there is no actual proof of collaboration at this time, but that's missing the point. The point is that there is a lot of suspicious behavior here which deserves investigation in order to find out what the heck was going on with all these Russian meetings and contacts during a Presidential election, meetings and contacts that many Trump associates seem to be very reluctant to talk about for some reason.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 6:50 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Tom: Have I have ever mentioned collusion here? Never. Unlike the talking heads I prefer to wait for Mueller's report. And thank goodness he doesn't leak at all, which is causing Trump quite a bit of twitter tantrums.

Our President.....


Posted by Max, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 8:18 am

Our president's approval rating is +45% now

And that number doesn't take into account supporters who are afraid to admit it given they'll be called racists by elitists like yourself, Shale.

You remember, Shale - the whole punch a Nazi thing?


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 8:30 am

@Max :"Our president's approval rating is +45% now."

More like 40% approval rating (with a 55% disapproval rating).

Five-Thirty-Eight: Web Link

- - - -


Posted by Max, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 8:51 am

Nah, there are other polling companies that have it higher. But not to worry either way, we know there is a certain percentage of Trump voters who are afraid to express their true feelings to a pollster. Ask Hillary Clinton about that.

Search the archives on this board regarding the whole "punch a Nazi" issue..good times. To summarize, Trump supporters = racists. Anyway, you are seriously naive if you think 40% is the true number

The mainstream media may need to ratchet up their 95% negative coverage in light of these positive developments..


Posted by Max, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 9:07 am

Looks like FBI relied on media reports in making application to FISA court to spy on Trump campaign..wow

Has Trump said a naughty word on twitter that needs coverage today by our esteemed media?


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 9:52 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Max:Huh? I'm an elitist? Because? Pretty sure you are very confused 'Max'. At best I'm a moderate, at worse a middle-of-the-roader. do keep up or maybe switch back to your 'other' silly screen name.

Pretty sure the only person I've labeled a racist is our dear president. Who seems to really share values with white nationalists and wanna be Nazi sympathizers. You know, the whole 'very fine people....on both sides' crack? The whole 'whites only' need to apply to come to the USofA?

Max, please try to keep up you seem very confused who is who and who said what. Very troll like.

Next you will tell us Putin is a 'very fine person'.....


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 9:55 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Tom T: No proof? You actually don't know that. Has Mueller released anything? no. So you are going by news talking heads? Maybe the Fox Clown News? Expand your media consumption.....please. Mueller hasn't leaked a dang thing and I know that causes Trump and his declining base to freak out.

Mueller is coming and he will certainly have something. Look how many birds are singing to him now?

The silly opinion memo is available now. Go read it. A lot of nothing. No way that memo causes Mueller to run away crying. sheesh.

Poor Trump, Our President....


Posted by Max, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 9:59 am

Shale says:

"The whole 'whites only' need to apply to come to the USofA?"

----

A statement from someone obviously suffering from a bad case Trump derangement...a sickness, really. No data, no facts, just emotional outbursts

Anyway, thanks for helping confirm my point


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:02 am

NUNES MEMO: Web Link


Posted by Max, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:06 am

Poor dems, crying earlier in the week the memo would damage national security, divulge methods etc.

And alas, there is none of that to be found..just corruption at the highest levels. Stands to reason a Clinton is at the core of it..

Looks like the wee wee dossier was the linchpin of it all..omfg


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:21 am

Media reports that the investigation into the Trump collusion was indeed based on a....wait for it...UN-CORROBORATED POLITICAL DOSSIER!

Bye bye Mueller!

Dem politicians career FBI/DoJ beureucrats hardest hit.

Now let's see what happens when the underlying intelligence and inspector generals report in March is released.

Lol!


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:34 am

I just read through the memo. I was really expecting it to have more meat in it. Basically, the memo focusses on the credibility of Christopher Steele of the Steele dossier. I think that the point of the memo is basically summarized by this one sentence from it: "While the FISA application relied on Steele's past record of credible reporting on other unrelated matters, it ignored or concealed his anti-Trump financial and ideological motivations." Now maybe the memo has a valid point - or maybe not because without a rebuttal statement from the other side we really don't know what other information that there might be which supports Steele's information and the justification for the FISA request. In any case, this memo, which just focusses on the handling of a specific case, doesn't support any claim that there is a vast conspiracy in the FBI or DOJ against Trump.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:41 am

I tried to understand the memo but I don't...too bad.


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 10:44 am

@Sam,

The memo was signed under false pretenses. All bad.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 2:20 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Max: I see you can't answer simple questions. Very troll like.

You must be very proud of the President and ignore everything he does. You belong to his base; which means you have no choice but to applaud and defend everything he does. Some of us actually have IQ and don't drink THAT cool-aide.

Mueller is coming and he isn't going to be fired. I hope your head doesn't explode?


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 2:24 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Ha! Trump defenders have the memo all wrong. Won't effect Mueller at all. And even if the first FISA application was based on something y'all point at, none of you, not one, could explain why the FISA warrant was extended 3 times by different judges. Why you ask? Because the warrant was producing evidence.

Oh, cat has you tongues now?

No way Mueller is effected here. Even Trump's IQ isn't that low.....

do try and remember the memo is one person's opinion. The same person who runs to the WH like a puppy needing to be stroked. Boom goes the silence.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 3:05 pm

I just realized that there's NADA TO UNDERSTAND IN THE nunez memo!!!

I would greatly appreciate anybody splaining what they think that the nunez memo means...duh

hahahahahahahahahahahaha all night


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 3:11 pm

Hey Scott, you would be wise to learn a little on how investigations can be poisoned with the kind of information that has recently been released.

Granted, there may not be a whole lot in terms of pages and pages of documents; however, any bias, which includes actual evidence of bias, can be particularly devastating to those who shoulder the burden of proof. Ask ANY judge.

Trump's lawyers were just handed a gift.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 4:44 pm

After all of the divisiveness under Obama, it sure is great to have a unifier as President again, isn't it guys? It's like we're all one big, happy family again!

:-)


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 5:59 pm

Scott,

The whole FISA process was started by the opposition research funded by the Clinton campaiign.

Did you get that: OPPOSITION RESEARCH.

This was a political document used for campaign purposes that was repurposed into a counter-intelligence operation to spy on American citizens. The FISA EXTENSIONS were granted due to evidence gathered from subsequent applications.

Now stay with me here: if the first FISA application was illegally granted, then all subsequent evidence is TAINTED.

Get it?

Even a complete moron can see this was an illegal act, that is why the DoJ will investigate.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 6:01 pm

Edit: previous, not subsequent applications.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 2, 2018 at 6:06 pm

“I would greatly appreciate anybody splaining what they think that the nunez memo means...duh“

Gladly: a campaign opposition research document was used illegally to open up a counter-intelligence operation to spy on an American citizen and everyone he came into contact with.

That is against the law and all the top officials in he DoJ and FBI in the prior administration and in this one were in on it.

It's all right there in the memo if you actually READ IT.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 6:54 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

SSN#1: Sorry, like the memo, you are wrong the oppo research was first started and paid by the GOP; they did NOT want your president elected. That is a fact you and the memo left out. Seems to be a trend.

The FISA application had several/many peices of which the Steele drivel was just one. Another fact.

The FBI had an investigation into Page long before Steele was part of the picture. Another fact.

Even if your wrong opinion was totally correct for the initial application, that would not explain the FISA warrant being extended 3 times by different judges each time. Also means they were getting actionable evidence, otherwise judge would have said NO, yes?

Congress has refused to request a hearing with the FISA court/judges. FACT. Why? Let's see the FISA application, ok? It is not an opinion piece by a low IQ Trump defender (at all costs and facts).

So many facts and even more loony opinions. And still, Mueller is coming. No effect on his investigation. Dud.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 7:19 am

@Resident :"Gladly: a campaign opposition research document was used illegally to open up a counter-intelligence operation to spy on an American citizen and everyone he came into contact with. That is against the law..."

Is it? Are you a lawyer? Precisely what is illegal about it? I don't think that the fact that it was a campaign opposition research document makes it illegal if the information was believed to be credible, does it?

When news reports stated that Trump was claiming to release a memo that showed extreme misbehavior and bias by the FBI and DOJ - a deep state conspiracy - I prepared myself for a shocker. But this memo? What a letdown. This is Trump's and the GOP's best shot to show a deep state conspiracy against Trump concerning the Russia investigation? The fact that the source of information for justifying an FISA warrant against a Trump associate - a source who the memo itself admits has been an accurate and credible source of information in the past - has anti-Trump political leanings? That's it? Heck, about half the country has anti-Trump political leanings. Gee, what's the proper term to describe what I'm feeling about this hyped-up memo which has proved to be such a letdown? Oh, yeah. A “nothing burger".


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 7:44 am

@Resident

OK, here's what one lawyer, NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos (graduate of Notre Dame Law School) has to say about the Nunes memo.:

“There is no requirement that the government include "all material and relevant facts" in a FISA warrant application. Nor is a warrant automatically invalidated if exculpatory or favorable information is omitted from an application."

“To obtain a FISA warrant in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts (FISC), the government must establish (among a list of other things in the statute) "probable cause" that (A) the target of the surveillance or search is an agent of a foreign power, and (B) the places to be surveilled or searched are used by an agent of a foreign power."

“This "probable cause" standard is different �" and lower �" than the same standard in typical criminal cases. A criminal warrant application requires a probability that a person has committed a crime. FISA only asks if it's likely that a target such as Page is an "agent" of a foreign power."

NBC News: Nunes memo fails to make legal case against the FBI
Web Link
- - - - -


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 7:49 am

Scott,

It's very clear that 1.) you didn't read the memo carefully and 2.) even if you read it, you don't understand what you read.

Point by point explanation I'll do for you one more time. 

"paid by the GOP; they did NOT want your president elected."

This is true, but what you failed to point out was that the initial research was so unreliable that they did nothing with it. It was then shopped to the DNC/Clinton and the FBI. The DNC/Clinton bought off on a more comprehensive copy and the FBI, after receiving a copy, didn't make a final payment because Steele had leaked it to Michael Ishikoff at Yahoo news which was against their terms.

"The FISA application had several/many peices of which the Steele drivel was just one. Another fact."

There were 2 pieces of info as detailed in the House memo - the discredited dossier and (get this) the news report from Michale Ishikoff from yahoo news. So the FBI used a phony dossier and a investigative report on the phony dossier as evidence to open up the investigation. See how that works?

"The FBI had an investigation into Page long before Steele was part of the picture. Another fact."

So what?

"...that would not explain the FISA warrant being extended 3 times by different judges each time. Also means they were getting actionable evidence, otherwise judge would have said NO, yes?"

As I said earlier, if the FISA application was granted under false testimony as the Intelligence memo clearly indicates - if you had READ IT - then even if they had found anything it would be "fruit from the poisonous tree" and be thrown out. Why? Because the dossier is not an "intelligence" document, it is a "political" document that was packaged as an intelligence document. They LIED to the FISA judge by using a discredited, un-coborrated dossier and a false investigative report based on leaking of the same dossier.

"Congress has refused to request a hearing with the FISA court/judges. FACT."

I couldn't find a source for your claim. Where did you see this?

"Let's see the FISA application, ok?"

This is still classified and is part of the vast documentation used to write the memo. Be careful what you wish for. 

THOSE are the real facts and their all right there in the memo. I guess you just forgot to include/consider them in your "facts".


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 8:11 am

"Precisely what is illegal about it? I don't think that the fact that it was a campaign opposition research document makes it illegal if the information was believed to be credible, does it?"

Opposition research is not considered a "standard" for opening up a counterintelligence operation because it is a "POLITICAL" and not an "INTELLIGENCE" document. Further, there is no secondary sourcing and the document has not been verified and corroborated by ANY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY in the US, which is THEIR standard for opening up an investigation. The dossier is more akin to the NATIONAL ENQUIRER than to an intelligence document. 

To put this into perspective, I can point to a number of stupid things written here in PW by you and Scott, but I can't conclusively proof that you should be locked up in a mental hospital. Get it?

"When news reports stated that Trump was claiming to release a memo that showed extreme misbehavior and bias by the FBI and DOJ - a deep state conspiracy - I prepared myself for a shocker. But this memo? What a letdown. This is Trump's and the GOP's best shot to show a deep state conspiracy against Trump concerning the Russia investigation?"

The memo shows EXACTLY extreme misbehavior: illegal spying on US citizens. You may think this is ok, but it is against the law. Trump doesn't have to show a thing. He didn't perform the investigation, the House did. Trumps FBI had been spying on Trump through FISA warrant on Carter Page. This is not only against the law, but treasonous. And here is the thing, Trumps FBI and DoJ texts and emails show it all and either you know this and are playing dumb, or you have not been reading the investigative reports coming out of Congress and are ignorant. 

You can call it a nothingburger, but the reality is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The intelligence background will come out, along with interviews and the IG report in March. We'll see how nothing is this burger.  


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 8:23 am

@Resident

Resident, it's obvious that you have a lot of opinions on this legal matter, but you didn't my question: Are you a lawyer? Do you actually have any legal training or qualifications? If not, then what gives your opinions on this matter any more weight than those of people who are lawyers like NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos? Or Tom Cushing for that matter?


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 8:52 am

Funnier and funnier. So who here is really playing poltics? I'm declaring this all to be a “nothing burger". Moving on..... :

“Devin Nunes admits he didn't view the underlying intelligence his memo was based on"

“The House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes admitted on Friday that he did not view the underlying intelligence on which he based a memo that accuses the FBI and the Justice Department of improperly surveilling Trump associates during the 2016 election."

“Hours after the memo came out on Friday, Nunes gave an interview on Fox News during which anchor Bret Baier asked him if he wrote the memo. "Yes," Nunes replied, saying other Republican lawmakers, like House Oversight Committee chair Trey Gowdy, also contributed. "Did you read the actual FISA applications," Baier asked, referring to the documents that the memo cites in part as evidence of improper conduct by US law-enforcement officials."

“"No, I didn't," Nunes said, before adding that Gowdy was part of a designated group that reviewed the intelligence, took notes, and reported it back to committee members."

Sfgate: Web Link
- - - -


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 8:54 am

Sam,

“Then what gives your opinions on this matter any more weight than those of people who are lawyers..."

The 1st amendment, clown.

Lol.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:15 am

Sam,

Devin Nunes did not see the underlying “applications" because he explained “the committee set up an agreement with the Justice Department that would allow just one person to review the documents."

Trey Gowdy was responsible for that task.

You're so disingenuous and dishonest that it is insulting even responding to you.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:16 am

@Resident :"The 1st amendment, clown. Lol."

No. The 1st Amendment gives you the RIGHT to express your opinions on this, and I never questioned that. I asked what gives your opinions any more WEIGHT than those of people who are lawyers.

LOL right back at ya.


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:23 am

Interesting how Sam and ex-Hale fail to understand that lying to a federal judge brings consequences. Let me help them out:

The statute spells out this purpose in subsection 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a), which states:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully�"

(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device[ , ] a material fact;

(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or

(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331),[10] imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both....

Sam and ex-Hale, do try and keep up.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:25 am

@Resident :"Trey Gowdy was responsible for that task."

Then Trey Gowdy, the person who was most informed about the matter, should have written the memo. The story gets weirder and weirder. I certainly would never have agreed to author such a memo if I didn't personally read the FISA applications and have first-hand knowledge about all the relevant facts. Doing that would be risky and be setting myself up for a possible personal embarrasssment if it were later revealed that there was information in those FISA applications which undermined my memo. I would tell the person who actually did read the FISA applications that he is the appropriate author of any such memo.

Sorry, but this Nunes memo is all smelling like a politically motivated memo to me.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:30 am

@Malcolm Hex

Before I read any long legal analysis or argument that you write, I need to ask you one simple question: Are you a lawyer or do you have any legal training?

If not, then why does your opinion on this legal matter carry any more weight than that of real lawyers such as NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos or Tom Cushing?


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:35 am

Sam,

If you are attempting a discussion of facts by claiming you will only talk to credentialed lawyers then just say so and stop making yourself look ignorant.

Don't answer the responses and be done with it.

I, for one, really don't care whether you respond to me.

Never have, never will.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:48 am

@Resident :"If you are attempting a discussion of facts by claiming you will only talk to credentialed lawyers then just say so and stop making yourself look ignorant."

No, you misunderstand my point. It doesn't take a lawyer to recognize an obvious wrongdoing such as submitting a legal request based on nothing more than outright lies. IF that were the case then you would be on solid ground on pointing out the fact. But neither you nor Malcolm Hex are doing that. No, you're both trying to make an argument based on detailed legal arguments - which is something that as far as I can tell (I'm assuming now that neither you nor Malcolm have any legal training or credentials) neither of you are qualified to do. You're both practicing medicine without a license.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 10:15 am

Sam,

Then by all means, don't respond with your counter-factuals.

Like I said, I don't care.

And isn't it interesting that Tom posts the same point as you?!

“Don't debate me because you're not a lawyer!!!!"

Lol.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a DanvilleSanRamon.com blogger,
on Feb 3, 2018 at 10:21 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Shiny new battlefield up on the web. Go there to continue.


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