Sunday, January 5, 2020

NEW: NATO suspended its training mission in Iraq after a U.S. strike in Baghdad killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani


Opinion: Why lying about an "imminent" attack matters


Tapper calls out Pompeo for defending Trump's war crime tweet while also saying the admin will act consistently with international law. Tapper: 'You're saying two different things there sir, with all due respect, because Trump's threat is not in accordance with int'l law'


Chuck Schumer: "McConnell will not go for a fair trial. You can't have a fair trial without witnesses and documents ... I hope, pray and believe there's a decent chance that four Republicans will join us. If they do, we will have a fair trial." Via ABC


These are four witnesses to the main charge—that President Trump withheld the aid to benefit himself Mulvaney. Bolton. Duffey. Blair. We need these witnesses & the documents we requested We need the truth. Not a cover-up. Not a nationally televised mock trial with no evidence.


TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian state TV reports Iran will no longer abide by any limits of its 2015 nuclear deal.


"CNN Business inquired about Limbaugh's status after Trump blurted out the information at a rally in Miami on Friday."


Warren on the Soleimani strike: "I think that the question that we ought to focus on is why now? Why not a month ago and why not a month from now? And the answer from the administration seems to be that they can't keep their story straight on this."


Pompeo pounded by ex-ambassador for trying to blame Obama for Trump’s Iran assassination mess


Midnight chest-pounding and threats do not, @realDonaldTrump, constitute a rational foreign policy that will keep America safe.


"POMPEO: THERE IS NO OTHER CONCLUSION THAN THE ONE TRUMP REACHED"


The only way Iran will negotiate with the US is if Trump is tried in Iran, the adviser tells @fpleitgenCNN. “There is only one way: first Trump must be tried in our own court, he should punished for the crime he committed. Then we could negotiate.”


"What changed in six months? Why is he so keen on attacking Iran now? Domestic politics. There's an impeachment trial coming up. This is a president... on record saying 'Barack Obama will attack Iran in order to get re-elected.' With Trump everything is projection." - me on MSNBC


The American Hydra of Nativism, Racism and Isolationism


On his Sunday show circuit Pompeo backed off the claims of an imminent threat, and instead pointed to an American murdered in December. It looks like the administration blatantly lied to the American people to justify the strike. That should be the focus of every journalist rn


Pompeo: "We're confident the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there"

nope

A 1954 Hague treaty makes targeting cultural sites a war crime. And in 2017, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the destruction of heritage sites in response to attacks by ISIS.


The Iraqi prime minister seems to be suggesting that the US essentially lured Soleimani into a peace mediation and then used that shuttle diplomacy to assassinate him on Iraqi soil.


Schiff: "It was a reckless decision that increased the risk to Americans all around the world ... When Sec'y Pompeo says that this decision ...saved American lives, saved European lives, he is expressing a personal opinion, not an intelligence conclusion."


This is stunning - #Iraq prime minister tells parliament US troops should leave. Says @realDonaldTrump called him to ask him to mediate with #Iran and then ordered drone strike on Soleimani. Says Soleimani carrying response to Saudi initiative to defuse tension when he was hit.


NEW: The Pentagon has deployed a task force of special operations troops that includes Army Rangers to the Middle East, a Defense official said, adding to the buildup in the region following the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani


As we rightly criticize The Boy Who Cries Wolf let us also salute our Cassandras who warned everyone in 2015-2016 but were marginalized. He proved us right, got himself #Impeached, and is now risking US blood and treasure on a war we should not wage and cannot win.


Most voting systems in the United States are provided by private vendors that receive little or no federal review, leaving American elections vulnerable to attack. Our report proposes a new framework for oversight to ensure free, fair, and secure elections


Anti-Isis coalition suspends operations as Iraqi MPs vote to expel US troops


New: In the hours leading up to the U.S. drone strike that killed Suleimani, SecDef Esper kept Trump’s decision closely held, cutting out some senior Pentagon leaders who are typically consulted on decisions of such magnitude.


Weird how no one asks women if they're afraid to hire men after centuries of sexual assault


The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group said the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general puts the entire region at the beginning of a “completely new phase"


Breaking: Members of #Iraqi Parliament shout at the session "Yes, yes to Soleimani" "No, No to America"


Trump lost Iraq


It’s only Sunday.


The #ClimateCrisis is destroying our planet and our future. We MUST take #ClimateActionNow


#BREAKING: Iraqi Parliament votes to terminates Security agreement with #US, and for the withdrawal of US and foreign troops from the country


I interrupt the deluge of Iran chatter with a reminder: The President was impeached two weeks ago for abusing his power & obstructing Congress. His choice to attack Iran w/o Congressional approval serves as supporting evidence: HE IS UNFIT. Let’s keep our eye on the ball.


Twitter slammed for letting Trump threaten to commit war crimes: ‘He’s using your network to start a war’


An accelerated Iranian nuclear program and Iraq trying to kick the US out are just the beginning of the consequences of what Trump has done. This will unfold over years and it all began with withdrawal from JCPOA. How could anyone think Trump was up to this job?


I’m 75 years old. In 1964 when I was 20, Dr Strangelove was the darkest satire. Now an insane maniac is tweeting us into WWIII because we found out Russian oligarchs backed his Deutsche Bank loans. “When no bank would touch him” Nobody could script this.


At Fort Bragg, which is regarded as America's rapid-response force, some 3,500 soldiers are bound for the Middle East. "We weren't prepared for this," one young military wife said. "It's just been a whirlwind."


On the final day of his trip to Florida, ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ has just arrived at his golf course.


You have been in power for 3 years ! If you are genuinely trying to "restore deterrence", that's because YOU failed to deter Iran. Stop blaming Obama for your policy shortcomings. Stop politicizing national security. Be straight with the American people.


Saudi Deputy Defense Minister and MBS younger brother, Khalid Bin Salman, who had to leave DC when Congress raised questions on whether or not he knew about plans to kill Khashoggi, will now return to the WH with the perfect excuse-stability in the region.


Iraq PM says Gen. Soleimani was his guest & US strike was illegal. Moqtada Sadr calls for closing of US embassy in Baghdad.


Sen. Schumer on Pres. Trump: "This executive seems to have no check and again, he's been erratic and unsuccessful in almost every previous foreign policy endeavor. This one is the most dangerous of all. We need Congress to be a check on this president."


Trump is now realizing he chose a very bad option that will result in terrible retaliation. He is freaking out, and we are in the most dangerous time since this reckless maniac has become president.


As this #ImpeachedPresident puts American lives at risk, it appears the idea of imminent threat was not true. At the same time, they are refusing to release court ordered documents related to impeachment. Why? Because they have something to hide


Elizabeth Warren suggests to @jaketapper on @CNNSotu that Trump may have launched Iran attack to distract from impeachment. “I think that’s a reasonable question to ask..Look at the timing of this..There is a reason he chose this moment,” saying admin has sent conflicting signals


Trump is STILL on vacation at his fucking Palm Beach resort.


Leave it to @realDonaldTrump to cede the moral higher ground to Iran.


Get ready for "What's wrong with war crimes, cuck?" trollbots


Is this not a *Duh? “the President has a growing number of supporters who understand opposition to abortion and immigration as intertwined—as means of preserving a white, Christian America. And the Trump Administration is taking concrete steps to encou...”


Al-Shabab attacks military base used by US forces in Kenya This has been confirmed by our military


In an exclusive interview with CNN in Tehran, Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei, said: "The response for sure will be military and against military sites."


U.S. Africa Command acknowledges there was an attack at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya and is monitoring the situation. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the incident. As facts and details emerge, we will provide an update.


I went through the recent history of presidents who went to war during reelection campaigns. The "rally around the flag" effect -- which Trump seemed to believe in 8 years ago -- usually doesn't last long


“Iran will retaliate and we can’t predict where,” says one former high-ranking State official. “I do worry that this administration has not shown an ability to manage issues in that thoughtful fashion”


It is extraordinary that the NYT allows a President and Secretary of State who lie with reckless abandon to write their headlines for them with absolutely zero evidence.


The Evidence on Ukraine Is Only Getting Worse for Donald Trump


The Associated Press reports that two aircraft, two U.S. helicopters, and multiple vehicles were destroyed at the Kenyan airstrip.


OK. DAMN. “There are emails between these major Trump donors discussing ways of obscuring the source of their donations through a series of different financial vehicles. These documents expose the entire dark money machinery behind US politics.”


"It will be asymmetric and messy, playing out on shipping lanes and computer servers."


Erdogan Expresses ‘Regret’ for Killing of Qassem Soleimani


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"


Hundreds of thousands descend upon Ahvaz, Iran, forming massive funeral procession for Gen. Qassem Soleimani Streets swelling w/ vengeful mourners: “Death to America,” they wail. Trump’s strike killed Iran’s hero, but it created thousands more Soleimanis


Pope calls for dialogue and restraint amid growing US-Iran tensions


#Russia & #Soleimani - wide reports that that Soleimani was personally involved in meeting & convincing Putin to launch the intervention in Syria in 2015 AND helped Russia recover a pilot downed by Turkey


The moment we all feared is likely upon us. An unstable President in way over his head, panicking, with all his experienced advisers having quit, and only the sycophantic amateurs remaining. Assassinating foreign leaders, announcing plans to bomb civilians. A nightmare.


What will Republican Congressmen who have protected Trump’s lawlessness and recklessness say when more Americans die as a result of his unnecessary escalation of hostilities with Iran?


WAR CRIME "Making the clearly-recognized historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples ... the object of attack" Geneva Convention Protocol I (also: U.S. Department of Defense, Law of War Manual, 5.18)


Skepticism mounts over evidence of 'imminent' threat that Trump says justified Soleimani killing


This is why Trump is fighting so desperately in court to keep his tax returns and other financial records secret. Time to come clean Mr President.


BREAKING: U.S. military says the situation at a Kenyan airfield used by U.S. forces is "fluid" as fighting reportedly continues


Reports suggest Trump changed his mind Wednesday, Jan 1, from pursuing a less intense option to assassinating Soleimani. This was the same day we informed Deutsche Bank we’d be publishing our piece Friday, Jan 3. Assassination took place hours before our piece dropped.


"Democrat" Dan Lipinski just co-signed this legal brief asking the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade "and, if appropriate, overrule" it: Donate to his progressive challenger, Marie Newman, here:


On the move from Ft Lauderdale, Florida - That Russian banker dude's plane... the one that caused a bit of a shit-storm yesterday


The documents suggest Cambridge Analytica was working for a political party in Ukraine in 2017 even while under investigation by #Mueller and reveal a “sophisticated infrastructure of shell companies that were designed to funnel dark money into politics”.


#BREAKING EU invites Iranian foreign minister to Brussels: statement


BREAKING: The U.S. military has confirmed that the attack on a military base in Kenya used by American troops was carried out by al Qaeda branch Al-Shabab


The body of a slain Iranian commander killed in a US drone strike arrived in Iran Sunday—as tens of thousands of mourners marched in the streets NOTE: Trump’s “Minister of Propaganda” Mike Pompeo lied when he claimed thousands celebrated death of Soleimani


Top military adviser in Iran says his country's response to the United States will certainly be a military response "against military sites...It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions.”


Trump says he's the 100% owner of Trump Org. He was unfundable in 08, then suddenly flush & paying cash for properties. A logical explanation is, he secretly sold Trump Org & is an employee. What better way for Russians to launder money than laundering it thru their own business.


All the Rs who bent themselves to bow and scrape to the magas didn’t really understand what was going on.


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.


Speaking as an Iraq vet what separated us from the terrorists is we follow the law. Whether it is pardoning war criminals or threatening to bomb cultural sites Trump has eroded the standards that make our military the greatest in the world. PS: @votevets is still blocked by him


Iranian officials will meet late Sunday to consider further steps to reduce the Islamic Republic’s commitments to the 2015 nuclear agreement, the foreign ministry spokesman said


1. Justice Kennedy retired abruptly to make way for Brett Kavanaugh. 2. Kennedy’s son Justin signed off on Trump’s loans at Deutsche Bank. 3. Trump’s loans were backed by Russian state-owned VTB Bank. Raise your hand if you call for House Dems to investigate this shady shit.


Iraqi lawmakers will hold a special parliamentary session today(Sunday), to push for a vote to expel US troops from the country—R/T Trump’s assassination of Soleimani. Since the US killings in Iraq, an unusual show of unity among factions has occurred.


Netanyahu, in apparent stumble, calls Israel 'nuclear power'


Saudi Deputy Defense Minister and MBS younger brother, Khalid Bin Salman, who had to leave DC when Congress raised questions on whether or not he knew about plans to kill Khashoggi, will now return to the WH with the perfect excuse-stability in the region.


JUST IN: Iran's foreign minister has responded to President Trump's threats against the country, calling Trump's claim that the U.S. has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" a "WAR CRIME"


White House defies court order, refuses to release 20 e-mails about Ukraine aid freeze


"Almost all of the staff of the US embassy has left. Almost all the staff of the embassy of the UK has left. Almost all of the international NGOs & UN personnel in Baghdad are on their way to leaving. How has that made anyone more safe?"


Donald Trump abandoned an ally on the battlefield; about the worst thing that he has done. I would be very surprised if any country would commit troops to Trump.


Australia's bushfire evacuees prepare for another night on the beaches


Israeli newspapers say Netanyahu gains the most from Trump’s assassination of Iran’s beloved general Soleimani. “Trump’s risky action brings a *security situation* back into the headlines—distracting everyone from Netanyahu’s corruption charges.”


Mapping the devastating brushfires in Australia


Currently in Atlanta airport! All jokes aside, real people & their families are affected by this stupid decision. Praying for their safety...I can’t imagine how they feel right now


The first station for #Soleimani’s funeral was #Ahvaz, the funeral continues in #Mashhad, then #Tehran, #Qom, and #Kerman... probably this is the biggest ever funeral in the history of #Iran


Yet another psychopath threatening a war crime. Sen. Lindsey Graham says U.S. should target Iranian oil fields and refineries: "The one thing the regime can't afford to lose"


Yes, AND as one willing to do the bidding for his #fossilfuel industry donors, despite what it means for the future of every living thing on this planet, I consider him to be a walking-crime-against-humanity. There's nothing about which he won't lie, even the AIR WE BREATHE


I wrote this just over 2 years ago and the Senate still hasn't passed comprehensive legislation to secure our elections. We cannot afford to do nothing. @senatemajldr, what’s it going to take to protect the 2020 election?


Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)