Comey Fired

[Skjellyfetti]

Not the best "optics"

[Skjellyfetti]

What a fucking shitshow:

From the Washington Post:

BREAKING: Deputy attorney general threatened to quit after being cast as impetus of Comey's firing, which was already decided, sources say

[BDKJMU]

Here's what the Deputy AG said about Comey, absolutely ripping him in detail for his botched handling of the Clinton case. In the concluding paragraph he sums up by clearly calling for Comey to be canned:
"...Although the President has the power to remove an FBI director, the decision should not be taken lightly. I agree with the nearly unanimous opinions of former Department officials. The way the Director handled the conclusion of the email investigation was wrong. As a result, the FBI is unlikely to regain public and congressional trust until it has a Director who understands the gravity of the mistakes and pledges never to repeat them. Having refused to admit his errors, the Director cannot be expected to implement the necessary corrective actions."
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ar ... ed/526116/

[BDKJMU]

Maxine Waters: I Don't Support Trump Firing Comey, I Would Support Hillary Clinton Firing Comey

phpBB [video]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... comey.html

[Skjellyfetti]

Here's what the Deputy AG said about Comey, absolutely ripping him in detail for his botched handling of the Clinton case. In the concluding paragraph he sums up by clearly calling for Comey to be canned:
"...Although the President has the power to remove an FBI director, the decision should not be taken lightly. I agree with the nearly unanimous opinions of former Department officials. The way the Director handled the conclusion of the email investigation was wrong. As a result, the FBI is unlikely to regain public and congressional trust until it has a Director who understands the gravity of the mistakes and pledges never to repeat them. Having refused to admit his errors, the Director cannot be expected to implement the necessary corrective actions."
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ar ... ed/526116/

Now compare it to Jefferson Sessions's letter.

Therefore, I must recommend that you remove James B. Comey, Jr.

Look, I don't think Rosenstein was forced to write the letter. I think he believed there was argument to fire Comey and truly believed every word he said. The point is that he was the one tasked with making the argument. Not the one starting this whole charade.

I do not think that he was the impetus for the firing as the White House claimed and that PISSED him off.

Sounds like Trump wanted Comey fired and Rosenstein was tasked with making the argument. That's it. He did it and did a good job. But, the White House's claim that Rosenstein started it is losing credibility rapidly.

[BDKJMU]

Not the best "optics"

Trump probably did that on purpose to troll the left (visibly meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister & Ambassador to the US after firing Comey). And it is working- the donks are becoming absolutely unhinged.

[Skjellyfetti]

[Ibanez]

Not the best "optics"

Trump probably did that on purpose to troll the left (visibly meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister & Ambassador to the US after firing Comey). And it is working- the donks are becoming absolutely unhinged.

May I ask a serious question - Why do you have blind loyalty to Trump? At least you appear to exhibit it. You defend everything he says and does at every turn. I'm just trying to understand your position, that's all.

[Skjellyfetti]

Republicans starting to come around.

Though, opening up a court seat for Trump wouldn't be the best thing... Garland would be an ideal FBI director.

[Gil Dobie]

[BDKJMU]

Trump probably did that on purpose to troll the left (visibly meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister & Ambassador to the US after firing Comey). And it is working- the donks are becoming absolutely unhinged.

May I ask a serious question - Why do you have blind loyalty to Trump? At least you appear to exhibit it. You defend everything he says and does at every turn. I'm just trying to understand your position, that's all.

I don't have blind loyalty to Trump. You're wrong- I haven't defendded everything he says and does at every turn. I think much of what he's done (most executive appointments & orders, pushing for tax reform) have been pretty good. Don't like:
-screwed up the initial visa ban rollout- I've said that on here.
-backed an Obamacare light plan- I criticized that on numerous posts.
-back off insistence on wall funding for the recent 5 month budget bill passed..I criticized that while stating willing to give a pass if he gets the funding in the FY 18 bill next fall.
-appeared to flip flop on NATO & China vis a vi his campaign statements..

I think its funny as shit when he says & does stuff to get the left completely unhinged..

[BDKJMU]

Republicans starting to come around.

Though, opening up a court seat for Trump wouldn't be the best thing... Garland would be an ideal FBI director.

I think an ideal director would be one with law enforcement experience who came up through the ranks of the FBI, intimately knowing the organization & culture. I see (had to look up) the last one of those was Clarence Kelley, a 1/2 doz (excluding short term acting) directors ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_M._Kelley

[Skjellyfetti]

I don't disagree. And Kelley was also appointed after a controversial FBI director. Would make sense here as well.

I'm not saying Garland is the only option. Mainly got a kick out of a conservative Republican from Utah calling for him. And, if Trump appointed Garland it would slow the blowback from the Comey firing. It would make it look above board. There's also no way it would actually happen... so, mainly just amusing suggestion from a Republican.

[Grizalltheway]

May I ask a serious question - Why do you have blind loyalty to Trump? At least you appear to exhibit it. You defend everything he says and does at every turn. I'm just trying to understand your position, that's all.

I don't have blind loyalty to Trump. You're wrong- I haven't defendded everything he says and does at every turn. I think much of what he's done (most executive appointments & orders, pushing for tax reform) have been pretty good. Don't like:
-screwed up the initial visa ban rollout- I've said that on here.
-backed an Obamacare light plan- I criticized that on numerous posts.
-back off insistence on wall funding for the recent 5 month budget bill passed..I criticized that while stating willing to give a pass if he gets the funding in the FY 18 bill next fall.
-appeared to flip flop on NATO & China vis a vi his campaign statements..

I think its funny as shit when he says & does stuff to get the left completely unhinged..

Says the guy who was literally foaming at the mouth over Obama for 8 solid years.

[BDKJMU]

Republicans starting to come around.

Though, opening up a court seat for Trump wouldn't be the best thing... Garland would be an ideal FBI director.

I think an ideal director would be one with law enforcement experience who came up through the ranks of the FBI, intimately knowing the organization & culture. I see (had to look up) the last one of those was Clarence Kelley, a 1/2 doz (excluding short term acting) directors ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_M._Kelley

Trump reportedly considering Mike Rogers:
-4 years Army
-5 years FBI special agent
-6 years Michigan Senate (2 years as majority leader)
-14 years US House (01'-15') winning what had been a donk district held by Debbie Stabenow. Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence
-Currently CNN National Security Commentator. In June 2016, he presented a six-part series on CNN, titled Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Roge ... olitician)

[Ibanez]

Republicans starting to come around.

Though, opening up a court seat for Trump wouldn't be the best thing... Garland would be an ideal FBI director.

I think an ideal director would be one with law enforcement experience who came up through the ranks of the FBI, intimately knowing the organization & culture. I see (had to look up) the last one of those was Clarence Kelley, a 1/2 doz (excluding short term acting) directors ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_M._Kelley

I agree with you there. Put someone in there that is familiar with the culture and the job.

[Skjellyfetti]

Trump tells Lester Holt that he made decision to fire him.

Recommendation played no role. Not driven by DOJ.

NBC posted a clip of their interview. Just bizarre.

[BDKJMU]

What are your assumptions?

That the timing with Comey asking DOJ for more funding specifically to widen the Russia investigation and now a grand jury in Virginia sending out subpoenas isn't coincidental. I think the Russia investigation is finding out way more than Trump originally assumed.

l search for a competent person and then allow Comey to take his leave.

At least let Comey know you're going to fire him before it's blasted all over CNN and Drudge.

Yeah, there is also an internal investigation into Comey's actions by the inspector general. Let that process finish and it would likely be highly critical and the timing would be much less questionable.

Fake news:
"...The Department of Justice refuted the report Wednesay saying Comey DID NOT ask Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein for more resourses for the Russian conspiracy probe.
https://twitter.com/BretBaier/status/86 ... n-video%2F
On Thursday Acting FBI Director McCabe was asked if Comey had requested additional funding for the Russia investigation.

McCabe reponded:

“I strongly believe the Russia investigation is adequately resourced.”

McCabe went on to say a request for funding for an individual investigation would be highly irregular..."
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/05 ... ion-video/

[BDKJMU]

Trump tells Lester Holt that he made decision to fire him.

Recommendation played no role. Not driven by DOJ.

NBC posted a clip of their interview. Just bizarre.

Eh, for a typical sitting president maybe a little bizarre to even sit down for an interview like that. But for Trump (obviously not your typical president) that's not that bizarre, esp considering Holt wasn't lobbing him soft balls. I don't think that hurts or helps Trump..

[Skjellyfetti]

He says they went to dinner... and discussed whether Comey would stay on at FBI... and Trump asked Comey if he was a target of the investigation.

Either REALLY bad for Comey. Or REALLY bad for Trump.

I think Trump is full of it and panicking big time.

[kalm]

What if the media is a greater long term threat to Democracy than Trump or the Republicans?

Interesting take...

The problem is that so much has been said and printed on the topic that was unsubstantiated, that if actual ties are proven, that news will be blurred by what was insinuated before. You made your bed, guys.

A lot of sources today talk about how Trump was reportedly frustrated with the constant focus on the alleged Russia ties, but assuming those allegations are not true, and remember nothing has been proven after a year of echo-chambering, isn’t it at least a little understandable that he would be?

Comey was already compromised from 10 different angles, and many wanted him gone, though not necessarily at the same time . The same Democrats, and their media, who now scream murder because he was fired, fell over themselves clamoring for his resignation for months. That does not constitute an opinion, it’s the opposite of one: you can’t change your view of someone as important as the FBI director every day and twice on Sundays without losing credibility.

And yes, many Republicans played similar games. It’s the kind of game that has become acceptable in the Washington swamp and the media that report on it. And many of them also protest yesterday’s decision. Ostensibly, it all has to do not with the fact that Comey was fired, but with the timing. Which in turn would be linked to the fact that the FBI is investigating Trump.

But what’s the logic there? That firing Comey would halt that investigation? Why would that be true? Why would a replacement director do that? Don’t FBI agents count for anything? And isn’t the present investigation itself supposed to be proof that there is proof and/or strong suspicion of that alleged link between Russia and the Trump election victory? Wouldn’t those agents revolt if a new director threw that away with the bathwater?

Since we still run on ‘innocent until proven guilty’, perhaps it’s a thought to hold back a little, but given what we’ve seen since, say, early 2016, that doesn’t look like an option anymore. The trenches have been dug.

These are troubled times, but the trouble is not necessarily where you might think it is. America has an undeniable political crisis, and a severe one, but that’s not the only crisis.

https://www.theautomaticearth.com/2017/ ... versation/

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

What if the media is a greater long term threat to Democracy than Trump or the Republicans?

Interesting take...

The problem is that so much has been said and printed on the topic that was unsubstantiated, that if actual ties are proven, that news will be blurred by what was insinuated before. You made your bed, guys.

A lot of sources today talk about how Trump was reportedly frustrated with the constant focus on the alleged Russia ties, but assuming those allegations are not true, and remember nothing has been proven after a year of echo-chambering, isn’t it at least a little understandable that he would be?

Comey was already compromised from 10 different angles, and many wanted him gone, though not necessarily at the same time . The same Democrats, and their media, who now scream murder because he was fired, fell over themselves clamoring for his resignation for months. That does not constitute an opinion, it’s the opposite of one: you can’t change your view of someone as important as the FBI director every day and twice on Sundays without losing credibility.

And yes, many Republicans played similar games. It’s the kind of game that has become acceptable in the Washington swamp and the media that report on it. And many of them also protest yesterday’s decision. Ostensibly, it all has to do not with the fact that Comey was fired, but with the timing. Which in turn would be linked to the fact that the FBI is investigating Trump.

But what’s the logic there? That firing Comey would halt that investigation? Why would that be true? Why would a replacement director do that? Don’t FBI agents count for anything? And isn’t the present investigation itself supposed to be proof that there is proof and/or strong suspicion of that alleged link between Russia and the Trump election victory? Wouldn’t those agents revolt if a new director threw that away with the bathwater?

Since we still run on ‘innocent until proven guilty’, perhaps it’s a thought to hold back a little, but given what we’ve seen since, say, early 2016, that doesn’t look like an option anymore. The trenches have been dug.

These are troubled times, but the trouble is not necessarily where you might think it is. America has an undeniable political crisis, and a severe one, but that’s not the only crisis.

https://www.theautomaticearth.com/2017/ ... versation/

I think a lot of the entertainment shows on either Fox or CNN do way too much jumping ahead and insinuating outcomes for sure. I don't really consider the prime time nighttime news show really that much news. They are more like a sit around and discuss topics entertainment show in my book but I suppose they are considered news.

[kalm]

What if the media is a greater long term threat to Democracy than Trump or the Republicans?

Interesting take...

I think a lot of the entertainment shows on either Fox or CNN do way too much jumping ahead and insinuating outcomes for sure. I don't really consider the prime time nighttime news show really that much news. They are more like a sit around and discuss topics entertainment show in my book but I suppose they are considered news.

Yep. And it's becoming the same in print media as well.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I think a lot of the entertainment shows on either Fox or CNN do way too much jumping ahead and insinuating outcomes for sure. I don't really consider the prime time nighttime news show really that much news. They are more like a sit around and discuss topics entertainment show in my book but I suppose they are considered news.

Yep. And it's becoming the same in print media as well.

On CID's recommendation I use Reuters in my flash briefing on Alexa. It's pretty good.

I'm not much of a reader or into that fancy book lernin'.

[Ibanez]

Yep. And it's becoming the same in print media as well.

On CID's recommendation I use Reuters in my flash briefing on Alexa. It's pretty good.

I'm not much of a reader or into that fancy book lernin'.

readin's fo rich folks