Saturday, January 4, 2020

The Trump Administration Is Thirsty for War, Intelligence Be Damned


Iran's leader clarifies that they're only interested in "death to Trump, John Bolton, and John Pompeo… we have no problem with the American people"


This is our US STATE DEPT ON THE KILLING OF SUILEMANI. “Jesus... do we have to explain why we do these things?”


Armed QAnon believers plotted a kidnapping in Colorado, according to police. The pro-Trump conspiracy theory has already been linked to two murders.


This is SHEER MADNESS! Are there ANY Republicans in Congress who are willing to set aside their own political self-interest and do what is right? Our nation is counting on you!! HISTORY WILL RECORD YOUR COURAGE... OR YOUR COWARDICE.


An open letter to Trump’s old national security team


ISIS targets cultural sites. The Taliban destroys cultural sites. The United States of America should not join this list. Please @DeptofDefense @StateDept, roll back this horrific statement by @realDonaldTrump & make clear that we will not target Iranian cultural sites.


Targeting civilians and cultural sites is what terrorists do. It's a war crime. Trump is stumbling into a war of choice. A war entirely of his making. A war that will get thousands of Americans killed. Congress must stop him.


White House Adviser Launches Project To Protect Trump From Witches And Demons


The more the walls close in on this guy, the more irrational he becomes.


Anti-war protesters rallied across the United States and the world Saturday against potential conflict with Iran and the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Here's what unfolded, in photos


very interesting that Lockheed's stock went up 2.0 percent on Thursday, the day before the attack. Looks like a lot of people should go to jail.


Q: “Do you have an exit strategy for Iran if war does break out?” Trump: “I don’t need exit strategies.”


President Trump opted to kill Iran’s top general despite aides’ disputes about intelligence warning of new threats. Pentagon officials were stunned


Unfit for command. It’s a serious issue now and real leaders need to step in for the good of the country And the safety of its citizens. And the world. Remove


"[I]ncessant Fox griping over 'deep state' suddenly went quiet, replaced by sober pleas that—when it comes to the info allegedly justifying Trump's ordered airstrike ... the U.S. intelligence community's findings should be heeded and taken seriously."


Scathing Pelosi statement: “This classified War Powers Act notification delivered to Congress raises more questions .. (and) prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran”


“As Speaker of the House, I reiterate my call on the Administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration,"


I present you the most colossal dipshit in history


Bush drug us into war with false intelligence. Trump drug us into war with no intelligence.


What? Secretary Esper, are you providing President Trump with cultural sites as targets inside Iran? If true, so wrong. I thought the Trump administration was on the side of the Iranian people? This is not that


DHS ISSUES NEW TERROR THREAT BULLETIN, citing US air strike that killed/assassinated Qaseem Soleimani


There is a large anti-war protest happening now in Times Square


As additional documents are revealed, and new information about Trump’s abuse of power comes to light, we learn more and more about the extent of his cover-up. Senators must ensure they see these and other documents related to the President’s scheme. A fair trial requires it. — Adam Schiff


Bill Barr, warrior for theocracy: Why didn't we know this until now? The attorney general has gradually revealed his terrifying agenda: Who knew, and why was this concealed so long?


Confirmed out of Moscow. Weird how this always happens when Trump is at Mar-a-Lago


Oil prices surge to highest level since April after US assassinates Iran’s top commander in airstrike


In the five days prior to launching a strike on Soleimani, Trump roamed the halls of Mar-a-Lago and started dropping hints to close associates and club-goers that something huge was coming. "He kept saying, 'You'll see,'" one of the sources recalled.


US allies' response to Trump Iran attack shows him alone on world stage


BREAKING: A Whistleblower told the FBI that Trump’s Deutsche Bank loans were backed by Russian state-owned bank, VTB Bank. VTB was proposed lender for Trump Tower Moscow and allegedly funded the Rosneft Deal. New docs show deep ties between Deutsche + VTB.


Some of Tucker Carlson's Qs: "Is Iran really the greatest threat we face? Who's actually benefiting from this? Why are we continuing to ignore the decline of our own country in favor of jumping into another quagmire from which there is no obvious exit?"


Protests planned across US to condemn Trump administration actions in Iraq, Iran


For days we've been warned it was coming, and tonight, communities across New South Wales are fighting to save their towns, as the bushfire emergency roared back to life.


Kushner slurpin’ on the Kochs tonight. “It is slated to be held at the home of Bill Koch, the billionaire brother of industrialists Charles and David Koch.”


“Why Trump chose this moment to explore an operation against the leader of Iran’s Quds Force, after tolerating Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf for months, was a matter of debate within his own administration.”


Once we remove Saddam, a wave of democracy and liberty will sweep across the Middle East


The risk to shipping in the Middle East is poised to rise following a U.S. attack that killed an Iranian general


US Men’s National Soccer Team: Due to the developments in the region we have cancelled a recent training camp in Qatar...


“The NRA said it will work with gun owners to swamp the first hearing of the Virginia Senate committee considering new gun bans in an effort to beat back the gun-control proposals from Gov Ralph Northam”


Secret Russian VIP charter jet from Moscow is heading right towards Palm Beach Intl Airport, decreasing altitude (it would be right below the P in Palm Beach on the map). I got some fucking questions now


‘If you are wondering who benefits’: Weapons makers see stocks surge as Trump moves closer to war with Iran


BREAKING: A Deutsche Bank whistleblower has told the FBI that the Russian state-owned bank VTB underwrote Trump's loans:


This is going to be a major problem here. The same admin who demanded PROOF of us intel opinion on russian interference now wants us to believe something this grave on faith? After they pounded out intel folks for years? Were they lying then or now? Where is the proof this time?


Your questions on cyberwar answered


Why do conservatives want voters kicked off the roll? It’s a mystery!


THREAD: I’ve had a chance to check in with sources, including two US officials who had intelligence briefings after the strike on Suleimani. Here is what I’ve learned. According to them, the evidence suggesting there was to be an imminent attack on American targets is “razor thin”


“so where else would Devin Nunes be but meeting with Emin’s Father-in-Law, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev?”


Pop singer Pink will donate $500,000 toward the firefighting efforts in Australia


Residents in three Australian areas have been told to "evacuate now" as new fired continue to ignite


One of the great mysteries of the Trump era is why the illiberal governments in Saudi Arabia, Russia and North Korea are good, and the one in Iran is bad.


‘We are in one of those moments’: Local security experts react to Soleimani killing


SCOOP -- Owner Jimmy Finkelstein is shopping @TheHill, whose op-eds alleged conspiracy theories about Ukraine and Biden, to various media owners, either as investors or potential buyers, according to six people familiar with the matter.


Is this why we assassinated the 2nd most powerful person in Iran yesterday? To get our attention from this? Explosive report indicates that Donald Trump's loans from Deutsche Bank were backed by Russia


Dem Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who served 3 tours in Iraq: "What always kept both Democratic and Republican presidents from targeting Soleimani himself was the simple question: Was the strike worth the likely retaliation, and the potential to pull us into protracted conflict?"


Hong Kong’s turbulence shows no sign of abating in 2020


#UPDATE: @OIRSpox confirms to me that neither the US-led Coalition OR the US military conducted any airstrikes near Camp Taji, north of Baghdad.


This is the bombshell Trump's team didn't want revealed


FUN FACT: According to the latest poll, fully 75% of Americans are opposed to a possible war with Iran, compared to only 21% in support.


President Trump’s national security team gave him several options on Iran in a meeting at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. One was targeting General Suleimani. He surprised them by choosing that option


Trump denouncing New York residency to become a “Florida man” was a transparent effort to escape this lawsuit in NY courts. Our media was blind and dumb to not call it out.


EXCLUSIVE: In the five days prior to launching a strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Donald Trump roamed the halls of Mar-a-Lago, and started dropping hints to close associates and club-goers that something huge was coming


I don’t care where you are politically: the president of the United States needs to pack up his golf clubs and return to the White House. I can’t take him seriously if he’s golfing while we lurch toward war.


Selective Service System website crashes amid questions and fears of another US military draft


One small observation on today—so now @realDonaldTrump believes our intelligence community after 3 years?


One of Trump's super-powers is the madness of his enemies. If everything he does is Literally The Worst Thing Ever, the normals who are not very politically engaged eventually tune out. Then they don't notice when Donnie does something illegal or unconstitutional. Conserve ammo.


@RichardEngel says that one of Saturday's protests against Gen. Qassem Soleimani's killing is in a Baghdad neighborhood right across from the U.S. Embassy. That could lead to conflict with the US forces defending the compound.


Perspective: Don’t blame Trump for the rise of right-wing conspiracy theories. The GOP helped cultivate them — until they took over


Or maybe it was Russian intelligence.


Dem lawmaker who fought Suleimani’s militias explains why Trump just stepped on a hornet’s nest. Listen to Rep. Elissa Slotkin, she knows what she is talking about.


Sydney today feels like Madrid in summer. 48 C/119 F in the west of the city.


Why did 6 top Pentagon officials resign in December?


It's almost like by calling Lavrov, Pompeo allows Russia to humiliate the United States yet again. It's like Pompeo is incompetent or...


What is the name of the American contractor who was killed? Why has Trump not offered condolences? Why is the name a secret?


Australia fires intensify as prime minister calls up army reservists to help contain crisis


The Justice Department has released a 35-page list of witnesses who spoke to the Mueller investigative team and the dates they gave interviews. The new disclosure is an encapsulation of the breadth of former special counsel Robert Mueller's work.


Are you from the media?


Sowing seeds of hate all over the world.


.@SecPompeo tells Fox: “the Europeans haven’t been as helpful as I wish that they could be. The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well.”


Bush sold war in Iraq to a shocked and frightened America. He presented a war of choice as if we had no choice. Iran would be Iraq all over again, but much worse. Trump is stoking fear, telling us we have no choice. We don’t have to repeat our mistakes. We have a choice.


Speaker Pelosi: “Today, Leader McConnell made clear that he will feebly comply with President Trump's cover-up ... Every Senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the President or the Constitution. The GOP Senate must immediately proceed in a manner worthy of the Constitution."


Breaking via NYT: The Trump admin has disclosed there were 20 emails between a top Mulanvey aide and a colleague at the Office of Management and Budget discussing the Ukraine aid freeze, but OMB says it won't turn over the emails —not even with redactions


Trump Told Mar-a-Lago Pals to Expect ‘Big’ Iran Action Days Before Soleimani’s Death Trump doesn’t inform Congress. about a military strike of enormous consequence, but does tell the skells, mooks, grifters, madams, and NOKD vulgarians at Mar a Lago.


President Trump "now faces what is likely the most significant foreign policy crisis of his presidency -- part of which he has created for himself,"


Mar-a-lago is a massive threat to US nat'l security b/c POTUS treats highly classified intel as swag bag goodies for people paying him hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees for access. Think about that. Paying for info that makes us less safe


Wow. Richard Goldberg, an extreme Iran hawk, has remained on the payroll of the Foundation for Defense of Democracy while serving on the National Security Counsel FDD, if you aren't familiar, is the most prominent organization promoting war with Iran


Note to self: Eric Trump knowing ahead of the Congress doesn't seem like a conspiracy theory anymore.


What @realDonaldTrump thought about the importance of getting congressional approval before military action during the @BarackObama years...there is literally a tweet for EVERYTHING


What kind of animal occupies the West Wing when he compares Senator Schumer to an Iranian terrorist - we have a rogue bully who knows no bounds circumscribing his lawless and brutal behavior. We must remove him before he takes down the nation.


JUST POSTED: The WHITE HOUSE escalates campaign to keep critical emails related to President Trump's freeze on Ukraine military aid a secret. Not just redacting documents. Entirely blocking release of key emails.


1. There were 19 hijackers, not 12 2. There is no evidence tying Soleimani to 9/11 3. Soleimani is a Shiite & the hijackers were Sunnis 4. After 9/11, Soleimani cooperated w/US, providing intelligence against the Taliban 5. Soleimani was a bad guy; Pence's tweet is garbage


“Trump Says Alleged Rape Victim Can’t Sue Him in New York”


BREAKING: Iraqi official says five people have been killed in airstrike targeting two vehicles carrying Iranian-backed militia north of Baghdad.


Head of the American Conservative Union (and husband of Trump staffer) suggests that Trump refused to inform Congress as a response to impeachment.


A member of the Russian State Duma’s International Affairs Committee speculated that President Trump was “set up” by U.S. intelligence agencies and had no idea of Soleimani’s status “as a national hero” in Iran.

FFS

Planning is bad, but I thought they said there was an imminent threat. Confusing.


Former Fox News reporter claims that she rejected Trump’s invitation to "kiss": “We’re both married”


Chuck Todd's 'Meet the Press Daily' facing axe to make room for Nicolle Wallace


The prospect of direct conflict with Iran is greater than ever. Does Donald Trump have a strategy for what comes next? Nothing we have seen from this Administration suggests that they are prepared to deal with the risks we now confront.


Pence falsely links Iranian general to 9/11 attacks


US intelligence agencies tell Trump that Russia/Putin interfered with 2016 election. Trump refuses to be believe them, condemns them, and says he doesn't trust them A single agency tells Trump that Soleimani is plotting US attack & he kills the #2 leader in Iran


Just in: Trump's National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien says US would be "very disappointed" if Iraq expels 5,000 US troops after DoD strike killed Quds Force leader Soleimani. "US has invested enormous amounts of blood & treasure in helping the Iraqi[s] build up a democracy"


Hey, instead of just tweeting, maybe you should invite reporters to the White House and talk to them in person? You could call it a "White House press briefing" or something like that. Put it on TV too! And if it goes well, you could do it again. Maybe even hold them regularly!


I hope journalists will refuse to repeat these lies. You don't stop a war by assassinating a top official. NO ONE believes that this was authorized under the AUMF. The WH refuses to disclose the so-called imminent threat. Trump is a pathological liar. These claims are absurd.


Senator McConnell has been unable to make one argument—one single argument—as to why these witnesses and these documents should not be part of a trial


This is money laundering on a global scale. Russian bank pours money into Deutsche bank in Moscow, Trump withdraws the same amount from Deutsche bank NY. Who owns the collateral? To whom is the debt owed?


At the direction of #Iran’s Supreme Leader,Soleimani was plotting a coup in #Iraq. He was corrupting/threatening politicians, exploiting Iraq’s resources & bringing a large military force loyal to him,in an effort to make Iraq a platform to attack the U.S. & our allies


Here's how much of their wealth the 10 richest Americans gave to charity in 2018:


Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he was briefed about the US strike that killed Iran Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, while senior Democratic congressional members were kept in the dark ahead of the attack.


Asymmetry of Iranian attacks makes defense difficult to plan for


Rice: Risks likely outweigh benefits of killing Qassem Soleimani


Shiite protests in Baghdad hold potential for conflict with U.S


US servicemembers abroad at increased risk after Trump Iran attack


Iran's past suggests range of potential threats to US interests