Monday, November 11, 2019

What must the Ukrainians think of us? We've been so condescending and patronizing and even pushy with them about how corrupt *they* are...


Opinion: If officials believe Trump is a danger to the country, they have a duty to say so


“During my service to our country as the secretary of state, at no time did I, nor to my direct knowledge did anyone else serving along with me, take any actions to undermine the president,” Rex Tillerson said


James le Mesurier, backer of Syria’s White Helmets, found dead in Istanbul


White House at war with itself even as it fights impeachment inquiry


Trump impeachment inquiry: Who testified before Congress and what they said


Since Republicans want Hunter Biden to testify, Democrats should call Ivanka Trump


Catherine Croft testified that the role of OMB is typically limited "to the budget side of things. So it was rather unusual to have OMB expressing concerns that were purely policy-based and not budget-oriented."


Provision of Javelin missiles to Ukraine formally held up by White House in 2017 and 2018 because of concerns that "Russia would react negatively to the provision of Javelins to Ukraine"...


We can readily survive a one-term Trump presidency, @MaxBoot writes. Second-Term Trump is more likely to inflict damage — to our democracy, our environment, our world order — that is incalculable and unfixable.


Trump accused Democrats Monday of scheming to alter witnesses’ transcripts from the impeachment inquiry, but a lawyer for a key witness said his client’s transcript looks fine


Under Mick Mulvaney’s leadership, the OMB put a hold on the delivery of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2017 because of concerns their arrival would upset Russia, according to former White House official Catherine Croft


!!!: The two policies Trump officials & defenders have cited as him being “tough on Russia” were -1- the Ukraine military aid and -2- the javelins. Now we know 1 was delayed for Biden investigation and 2 was blocked due to Russia reacting “negatively”.


“All Roads Lead To Putin”


JUST IN: House investigators have released transcripts from two more key witnesses in the impeachment inquiry. Diplomat Christopher Anderson: State Department Ukraine specialist Catherine Croft:


ANDERSON says the WH canceled a "routine" naval freedom-of-passage maneuver in the black sea after a CNN report made it appear to be a repsonse to Russian aggression. The move was rescheduled later for the 5th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Crimea.


"Nine Russian business people who gave money to the Conservative Party are named in a secret intelligence report on the threats posed to UK democracy which was suppressed last week by Downing Street..."


Protesting Trump at the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade. Trump deports vets, fires them (Vindman), and privatizes their health insurance.


Dear media friends: Please take a close look at Robert Bensh, one of the people Rick Perry wanted on the Naftohaz Supervisory Board. Read the article below that Bensh wrote in 2014 blaming the pro-democracy movement for “provoking” Russia’s invasion.


Public Document Clearinghouse: Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry


"In about 40 hours the public phase of the impeachment proceedings into Donald J. Trump will commence. There's no shortage of damaging new testimony from a parade of witnesses who have already delivered closed-door depositions..."


"Trump sent a tweet Monday afternoon appearing to lament signing the Whistleblower Protection Act. But Trump actually did not sign the law, which was passed by Congress in 1989."


After push from Perry, backers got huge gas deal in Ukraine


this ad is absolutely devastating for Senate Republicans


Mitch McConnell thought it was funny to sell "Cocaine Mitch" t-shirts after cocaine was found on a ship in Colombia owned by his wife's family. But it's Colombia, not Kentucky, that's laughing. Because 58,000 tons of Colombian coal were on that ship, too.


New: A judge has ruled that Trump can't sue New York state officials in DC federal court to stop the release of his tax returns.


Analysis: 13 Republicans and Trump appointees who have indicated his Ukraine call was hardly "perfect"


NOW: US judge dismisses Trump suit against House Ways and Means challenging ability to obtain New York state tax returns. Judge Carl Nichols: "Mr. Trump has not met his burden"


McConnell refuses to buy into Matt Bevin’s election ‘irregularities’ complaints: ‘We’ll have a different governor in three weeks’


Watching Nikki Haley is like watching a vulture circling over the dying Trump administration. She wants no part in killing it -- too risky -- but she's ready to feast when it's gone.


Bold move. As a veteran, is it okay to be offended by this effort + the fact the date of Veterans Day is wrong + this occurs just a few days after his charity was penalized $2M for bilking veterans? — Mark Hertling


Unless of course your names are Khizr and Gazala Khan…


Donald Trump’s #VeteransDay message: “...you can shoot me, but you’ll have to kill us all.”


Trash trucks literally surrounding Madison Square park to protect Trump from boo-ing


There are various reasons that cause a Member of Congress such as Peter King to retire. One of them is that he has a kick ass challenger, @VoteJackie4NY. Jackie is a combat veteran, educator and public servant. Help Jackie and we can flip another GOP seat to Blue.


Bipartisan group of members of Congress, led by @RepEliotEngel , to @realDonaldTrump ahead of @RTErdogan 's visit: "Now is a particularly inappropriate time for President Erdogan to visit the United States, and we urge you to rescind this invitation:


Former VP Pence adviser Molly Montgomery says State Dept morale is at a "historic low," adding, “when you don’t have trust in your career people who have experience and professional judgement, you’re bound to get in trouble.”


Weird pro-Trump propaganda is now literally Kremlin propaganda. OANN hires Kremlin stooges, and POTUS points his followers to OANN. Ugh.


Stories like this are a reminder of our duty, as a country and as Americans, to support every veteran—not only in words, but in deed. To every veteran out there, thank you. We’re forever in your debt. — Barack Obama


People need to know Bob's story! Russian mob hunter. Exclusive: Inside the secret missions to rescue ex-FBI agent Robert Levinson from Iran


It sure seems like Nikki Haley wants to be Trump's next Vice President


Rape victim rejects judge’s offer: $150,000 for her, reduced sentence for attacker


The Harriet Tubman House in Boston, which provides resources to the city’s Black residents, is being bought by developers, demolished, and turned into a six-story commercial and residential space. Shameful. Absolutely shameful.


Veteran’s Day is when Don Jr. remembers all his family’s sacrifices. Gramps had to go to KKK rallies in low thread count sheets. Dad had to settle for retired porn stars. Sis visited her sweatshops rather than touring Europe with her BFFs and Eric’s gold retainer hurt his lips.


Biden on hearing Trump wants to go to Moscow for May Day. “Are you serious?”


Longtime GOP Rep. Peter King announced on Monday he won’t seek another term in office, becoming the latest in a growing list of Republicans who aren’t seeking reelection in 2020. King says he’s quitting the House “to spend more time with his family.”


The GOP’s new ‘defense’ of Trump actually makes the case against him, writes former FBI agent


I commend everyone to read this story. A pigeon has made a nest at Australia's tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's being left alone, as a tribute to her forebears in war. Pigeons also served in WW2 & one helped save a US unit in the South Pacific


In 3,000 pages of impeachment testimony Trump often seems like a supporting character in someone else’s drama-- unseen, mercurial impossible to please. The key impeachment question: What exactly did he do?


Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), Republican from Long Island, will not seek re-election in 2020, per a statement. He is one of the more moderate GOP members of the House and a former chairman of the Homeland Security committee.


Breaking: New York Rep. Pete King announces he is not seeking re-election in 2020


Good journalist should ask every Republican in Congress this question on Veterans Day: “If a US President admitted to stealing $2million in pledges made to Veterans’ charities, would you support or oppose impeachment for that crime?”


"Two political supporters of US Energy Secretary Rick Perry secured a potentially lucrative oil and gas exploration deal from the Ukrainian government soon after Perry proposed one of the men as an adviser to the country’s new president."


Jared Kushner and Donald Trump broke the law by not keeping records of meetings with Saudis, Putin, Kim: Watchdogs


Jake Tapper rips into Sen. Lindsey Graham: Impeachment stance is "confusing"


Imagine badgering, detaining, and handcuffing someone for eating a breakfast sandwich on their way to work.


First, Republicans objected to private depositions even though they were in the room. Now, they don't want public hearings. Their only goal is to create a circus environment. Why doesn't the GOP want the American people to learn the truth about @realDonaldTrump's abuse of power?


All Republicans have are distractions, stunts to generate claims of unfairness, & gimmicks to threaten the life & career of the whistleblower. It’s remarkable, really, that they could stipulate to every fact about which the witnesses testified under oath.


Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin questioned the legitimacy of the election. No Kentucky election official has corroborated that claim since Bevin made it. Critics and elections specialists are now calling for Bevin to provide evidence of the claim or retract it.


He told his top diplomats to “talk to Rudy,” who was in charge of the Ukraine extortion scheme. And he let @RudyGiuliani do the dirty work. It’s like what a Mafia don would do.


Republicans Furious That Sarah Huckabee Sanders is Being Blacklisted From Getting a Job


“Most of President Trump’s advisers wanted the military aid released and they were trying to figure out some way, shape or form to try to convince President Trump to approve that release,” Ron Johnson says to @jaketapper when asked if he’s concerned about Mulvaney’s role


Contribute to and vote for Kim Mangone, a US Veteran who is running against Kevin McCarthy:


3 hours ago: Iran A vast oil field containing an estimated 53 billion barrels of crude oil has been discovered in Iran


Just so it’s clear and out in the open, the Hungarian government currently is blocking an EU Magnitsky Act. All EU foreign policy requires unanimity and Putin is using his friendship with Orban as a Trojan horse inside the EU


Was 9/11 a “mistake” too?


"At one modeling event, Trump allegedly went down a line of women feeling their bodies to guess their dress size. Backstage at a lingerie show, he is said to have moved his hands all over a model’s breasts under the guise of inspecting the bra’s fabric."


The Republican Party stands foursquare behind a president soliciting a bribe, endangering U.S. national security and attempting to intimidate witnesses and cover his tracks


Ukrainian war veteran and member of nationalist groups Ihor Mazur arrested in Poland on Russian warrant requested through Interpol, faces extradition to Russia.


The high court has the fate of nearly 700,000 young immigrants in its hands as it considers the Trump administration plan to end an Obama-era program.


JUST IN: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam urges calm and decries violence after protester was shot and man set on fire


GOP Rep Jim Jordan now faces multiple additional allegations of ignoring burgeoning sexual abuse scandal at Ohio State. How does this man get away with being such a high profile member of Congress while facing such serious allegations? In normal times, his career would be over.


Nikki Haley Is the Latest ‘Adult in the Room’ to Exit With Pie on Her Face


Kevin McCarthy 202-225-2915 His decision to add Jim Jordan to House Intelligence Committee ahead of impeachment hearings is wrong! *A new lawsuit filed by 43 former male students says Jim Jordan laughed when told of sexual abuse at Ohio State University!


#BREAKING: House Intel Cmtt Chair @RepAdamSchiff, REJECTED a request by Republicans to have the #Ukraine phone call #whistleblower testify at next week's public #impeachment inquiry hearings, saying: their testimony was "redundant and unnecessary."


How Russia Meddles Abroad for Profit: Cash, Trolls and a Cult Leader


FROM 2017: Report: Russian mob money helped build Trump business empire


I don’t know whether this is for real, but I wouldn’t put it past Barr, master of the Big Lie. Joseph Goebbels, eat your heart out.


In Washington it’s impeachment hearings - up in New York feds looking at Giuliani - @ABC has learned in recent weeks, a former congressman cooperating with federal investigators has been asked about any role he might have played in removing the former ambassador to Ukraine


Hey @Jack! By tweeting a photo and name of the alleged whistleblower and encouraging others to retweet, .@RealCandaceO is using @twitter to commit a federal crime and put a family in danger. Why isn’t her hate-filled account suspended??


A big deal. British citizens—and those elsewhere—should know if Russian oligarchs or anyone connected to Putin and the Kremlin are funding the leaders of the British government.


It must feel weird to post quotes from the Bible while violating its ethics on a daily basis. Maybe try being honest all the time. Tell the world your true feelings and beliefs and not just what keeps you in power.


.@DonaldJTrumpJr: "I write a lot in the book about socialism and communism... I grew up with grandparents that lived through that stuff. I spent summers in what was then communist Czechoslovakia." FYI: Those grandparents were spying on Trump for the KGB


Hell no. Seriously No more GOP.


Happy Birthday, @USMC! Thank you for the last 244 years of service. We look forward to continuing to defend the nation alongside you long into the future


We remember the fallen.


Trump's often conflicting public opinions of NATO hit a crisis point earlier this year after it was reported that he suggested withdrawing the U.S. from NATO altogether. The move was seen by critics as one to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin.


NEW: National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien confirmed before Veteran’s Day that Purple Heart recipient Col. Alexander Vindman has been fired from his post at the White House after testifying against Trump weeks ago in the House impeachment inquiry.


These guys think they’re so clever licking @realDonaldTrump’s boots. “For the most part” means the ONLY witness coordination we saw was Sondland talking to @SecretaryPerry the night before he testified. But, Sondland amended his testimony & now corroborates the extortion scheme.


Tom Coleman: Trump, Pence are illegitimate. Impeach them | The Kansas City Star I absolutely agree with Tom Coleman. And the individuals who continue to defend the indefensible are un-American.

ICYMI

Previous US efforts to help Mexico fight crime have often been developed without serious diagnosis of the situation on the ground. And even when crime-fighting aid has been designed with care and good intentions, success has been limited.


The anatomy of a Republican smear


Wait, so she's bragging now that she put loyalty to Trump ahead of "saving the country"? That is not going to be a good look if she wants to run in 2024....


REMINDER: Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Jared Kushner all had transactions at Deutsche Bank flagged for money laundering concerns. Bank executives ignored them. House investigators are waiting for appeals courts to determine whether they can access Deutsche’s records.


“In farm country, mental health experts are seeing more suicides as families endure worst period for US agriculture in decades. bankruptcies and loan delinquencies rising, weather events ruining crops, profits vanishing in Trump’s global trade disputes”


Bill Moyers says that he fears for the U.S. "for the first time in my long life." "A democracy can die of too many lies. And we're getting close to that terminal moment unless we reverse the obsession with lies that are being fed around the country."


#NEW: NSA Robert O’Brien says Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a top witness in the House impeachment inquiry, will be removed from his post at the White House National Security Council.


Republican Rep. Will Hurd broke with members of his party who have been calling for the release of the Ukraine whistleblower’s identity


One cabinet resignation and two apologies for outrageous comments about an unspeakable tragedy. What the hell is Boris Johnson doing?


While America fights itself, Russia rolls on


Trump and his kids settled a lawsuit admitting to using charitable donations for our Veterans as a personal slush fund. How hard is it to believe he's guilty of extortion and bribery?


New: With the 737 MAX, Boeing put profits first and hundreds died. One grieving family is determined to hold the company accountable.


The Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Begins A New Phase This Week: What You Need To Know


Donald Trump Jr walks out of Triggered book launch after heckling – from supporters The little SNOWFLAKE ... "Event at University of California is cut short amid anger at his refusal to take questions from the audience"


First 3 Trump Impeachment Public Witnesses Are Too Credible for GOP to Attack, Republican Strategist Says. Credible witnesses won’t stop them from attacking, for 3yrs the GOP have perfected cannibalism


“Saudi Arabia is Uber's fifth-largest shareholder and the head of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is on its board of directors.”

Use Lyft!

Hong Kong Police riding motorcycle crushing towards unarmed citizens on street


popo said they see nothing.


(Warning: graphic content) Hong Kong police open fire and hit at least one protester as chaos erupts across the city.


"Don’t game my paycheck": Delivery workers say they’re being squeezed by ever-changing algorithms


Republicans just voted against a Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill because it would deny guns to people convicted of date violence or stalking.


We just exposed the donors of one of the most infamous dark money groups. Recognize any names? Peter Thiel – $500,000 Richard and Helen Devos – $2 million Sheldon and Miriam Adelson – $500,000 Robert McNair – $1,000,000


Never forget that @NikkiHaley was willing to sell out the country in exchange for this tweet.


U.S. Sees Largest Reduction of Protected Lands in History Under Trump – Rolling Stone


Trump used money raised for vets as campaign slush fund. That should end his political career


"When Donald Trump's turn came to serve, he ran away. They have no idea what it takes to be honorable." Khizr Khan, the father of a veteran killed in the Iraq War, on Donald Trump Jr. comparing sacrifices made by fallen troops to those made by the Trumps


White House Ends Bar Association’s Role in Vetting Judges


“Barr is having advance meetings (including one on Wednesday with Senate Judiciary chair Lindsey Graham) so that talking points and presentations can be ready in advance of an official release. “


This is some good sleuthing. Who is Rudy Giuliani's friend "Charles"? An accidental text may have outed his identity


House Intel's Rep. Eric Swalwell: "We have enough evidence from the depositions that we've done to warrant bringing this forward, evidence of an extortion scheme."


When Trump arrived in the White House in 2017, there were 241 Republicans in the House. Today, 100 of those members have gone or have announced they're leaving. That's 41% of that original 241 in the 115th House.


Why in the hell would Trump consider visiting Moscow in the middle of an election!?!?


As expected, retaliation. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who gave a bombshell testimony in the House impeachment investigation last month on President Donald Trump’s Ukraine scheme, will be removed from his post at the White House National Security Council


BREAKING: Bolivian President Evo Morales has announced his resignation amid unrest over a disputed election he had claimed to win.


"History teaches that there are three kinds of corruption in national politics: money, power, and sex. Amazingly, in less than one term, Trump has racked up ample material for impeachment on all three."


Lev Parnas says he told Ukrainian officials in May that unless they investigated Biden, Pence wouldn’t attend Zelensky’s swearing-in AND aid would be frozen. Giuliani’s current defense is, “I never told him to say that.”


Retaliation against Lt. Col. Vindman started shortly after he reported his concerns with Trump's call to Zelenskyy to the senior White House lawyer, John Eisenberg. Vindman was subsequently excluded from trips to all countries in his portfolio (Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus).


The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington Cemetery.


Bill Barr is using the full power of the U.S. Department of Justice to wage information warfare on the American people. The propaganda he is weaponizing originated at the Kremlin. To effect maximum damage, Barr is coordinating his war strategy with Lindsey Graham and FNC.


Ok @EsperDoD. Are you gonna back your people and say something, or be cowardly like @SecPompeo and lose the respect of those you lead?


Bob Levinson was hunting your boss' boss, Semion Mogilevich. No surprise you know about his situation. Bet it ain't from briefings. Have a fun week


Every single interview he does can be summed up “Donald trump Jr complains...”


.⁦@RepAdamSchiff⁩ simple response to Devin Nunes: If it’s so vital Hunter Biden be yanked before Congress, why don’t Senate Republicans do so? They run the place. Lindsey Graham & Chuck Grassley could in a heartbeat. Except they know it’s bullshit.


LEV PARNAS's claim that he was channeling @RudyGiuliani when Parnas in May linked US aid to a Ukrainian BIDEN probe marks the earliest, & most overt, claim of a quid pro quo. It also contradicts GIULIANI's claim that he wasn't involved in aid discussions.


“You made me do it” (says every psychopath when confronted with his own wrongdoings


Whereby Junior gets torched by his own MAGA supporters. Let me repeat Junior was shouted down and boo’d by MAGA supporters. This does NOT make me sadz.


Seriously @Uber a “mistake” isn’t a premeditated & barbaric murder and subsequent dismemberment of a Washington Post Journalist who was a lawful resident of America. A (ducking) B-O-N-E S-A-W is NOT a “mistake”


Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway caused a scene on Sunday morning when she purposely named the alleged whistleblower at the center of the impeachment inquiry against President Trump, seemingly breaking the network’s policy of identifying the person.


Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao is facing public and Congressional scrutiny for multiple conflicts of interest. She's also under our scrutiny.


Fmr. Florida AG Pam Bondi is joining Pres. Trump’s impeachment legal team - just as soon as she deregisters as a foreign agent for Qatar. @Maddow looks at some other members of the Giuliani-Trump legal orbit and their connections to fraud cases.


The Interior Department is proposing to award one of the first contracts for federal water in perpetuity to a powerful rural California water district. That same water supplier employed Secretary David Bernhardt as a lobbyist for years


Alexander Vindman Testimony: Q: "From the perspective of Russia, are there many issues, many neighbors, of as great a significance to Russia as Ukraine? Vindman: "No.... Russia with Ukraine is a power. Russia without Ukraine is a regional player."


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