User-Supported News Commentary Hosted by Craig Crawford
Obama, Don’t Go Away
Once upon a time there was a rule that former presidents should disappear. This is not such a time. Barack Obama has chosen to stay in Washington. He should stay in the mix.
Author: craigcrawford
Trail Mix Host. Lapsed journalist, author & retired pundit happily promoting nothing but the truth for Social Security checks.
View all posts by craigcrawford
I’m sure he’ll be in demand. After all, an ex-prez who was given a Nobel Prize (apparently, just for getting elected) is unique.
He looks like he’s aged a lot in just the past, six months. I hope he takes some time off to relax.
Hey, there’s still an opening on the SC. Donald has done some weird things; nominating Obama is certainly in his wheel house when it comes to surprising behavior.
bid, “nominating Obama” would be a way for the twit to keep him quiet since it’s not seemly for judges to speak their political minds to the press. Obama could still be used as a whipping boy to blame for all ills without the worry of a response. not likely that the goper senate would confirm him so this would be a short lived circus distraction.
WASHINGTON—Top U.S. intelligence officials are set to appear before Congress Thursday morning in the first public hearing about Russian interference in the 2016 election.
James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, Adm. Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, and Marcel Lettre, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence, also are likely to explain in more detail why U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia was to blame.
The hearing, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, comes on the same day that President Barack Obama is expected to receive a report from the intelligence agencies laying out their conclusions on the cyberattacks. A U.S. official said that Mr. Trump will be briefed on the same report on Friday.
cnn:Donald Trump’s fight with America’s spies But the clash is ultimately a battle of wits between Trump, who never likes to admit he is wrong, and intelligence agencies that insist they have the evidence to back up their conclusions about the Kremlin’s alleged election operation. The confrontation, and the political divisions it has opened, will be center stage on Thursday when Sen. John McCain presides over a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on foreign cyber hacking that will include testimony from the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
“This is a power struggle like we have never seen before between an incoming president and the intelligence community,” Rod Beckstrom, former head of the National Cybersecurity Center, told CNN’s Brooke Baldwin Wednesday on “Newsroom.” “In this case, Trump is making very clear from day one, ‘I am the leader here, sit down and listen to me.’ He’s putting the (intelligence community) in an extremely difficult position.”
sooo, will they trust him enough to tell him everything or will they hold back in fear he’ll twitter it away?
politico: McCain, Graham to take on Trump over Russia hacking The two GOP mavericks take center stage Thursday with a hearing on cyber threats.
…. McCain said Wednesday that he wants to hear Tillerson’s views on the Russia hacking before saying whether he will support him. The two were scheduled to meet on Wednesday, and while McCain said that it’s possible he could back Tillerson, the senator added that “there’s also a realistic scenario that pigs fly.”
Ya Know, one thing Trump needs to learn is being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world is a lot less powerful than being the owner of your own LLC. Just cause you say you want it doesn’t make it happen. It will be interesting how that bunch of bush leaguers do in the big leagues.
KGC
Good catch. I think that sums up what Mrs Jack can’t put into words when she says ” I just can’t understand. How………? ” When talking about co-workers she respects who voted and supported Trump. It has caused a re-evaluation.
patD – It seems they could test Trump with some dis-information. Give him an intelligence briefing with something he’ll bite at & see if he can keep his mouth shut.
bid, not good to establish his trust of them since his buddy putin will tell him it’s disinformation. should be something factual, glitzy to spark his ego but maybe not so risky to hurt our security.
Alright I won’t go into a whole dissertation on how the meaning of the song completely changes when you have a pure unrhymed translation of Jaques Brel rather than the beautiful but rather sweet but squishy lyrics of Rod McKuen (who we lost in 2015), but you can read about the “Cowardice of Men” at the link under background. lol
Jamie, you’re right. in my hurry I just grabbed the 1st brel I came to…. was tempted to link Streisand’s version which isn’t quite as “squishy” as mckuens.
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Thursday that “every American should be alarmed” by Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, and lawmakers pressed intelligence officials about foreign cyberthreats.
There is “no escaping the fact that this committee meets today for the first time in this new Congress in the aftermath of an unprecedented attack on our democracy,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
[….]
In prepared testimony, intelligence officials said Russia poses a major and growing threat to U.S. government, military, diplomatic and commercial operations — as well as America’s critical infrastructure. Russia is among at least 30 nations that are developing capabilities to launch cyberattacks, according to their statement.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault.
Ya know rereading the sentence above, it would make a great opening line for a noir novel now if I could just write.
Jack
So Mitch-y got up on his high petard to criticize Schumer for saying the were going to block Trump’s nominees to the supremes. I think someone should do a reel of all the obstructionist things the moron from Ky has said about blocking, obstructing and generally being an asshole.
Hey Mitch
all new rules now – no one is backing down from anything. of course doing nothing is right up your cup of tea but that is not going to work for Vlad Trump our first ever president with allegiance to a foreign country
I wonder if President Vlad Trump R(ussian) Amerika, has grabbed Kellyann Condom by the pussy and someone should ask Sarah Huckabee the same question
Trump can’t admit the truth of the Russian meddling because it means he only won by cheating and is an illegitimate sitting in an office he stole, lied and cheated to obtain.
You are right. Maybe we could turn it into “provide the next line” project. lol
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red.
I watched the hearing start to finish on CNN–it was brilliant. Today, the senior senator from SC made-up for the rest of the limp legislators from my state (yes, they are all males).
I’m sure this was the type happening that makes Trump crazy; that’s a good thing. Thank you Senator McCain.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather.
The wealthy Ms. Messing fails to realize that Trump was addressing concerns of Americans who have been pushed closer to the edge.
Much like Bernie & Stein, Trump spoke to those people that did not feel that Hillary heard them. Different messages, but Bernie is the one who could’ve beaten Trump because he was addressing those people.
Shame on Ms. Messing for being so dismissive of the day-to-day concerns of the 99%.
I’m still disappointed that Bernie backed Hillary, but I appreciate that he is holding Trump’s feet to the fire with his own tweets. Hands off Social Security! May Donald’s tweet peck him in his behind if he does anything to gut it.
How long before Trump gets charged with treason?
My health insurance just saved me $1.99 on my meds. ~Yippee.~
Trump barely won by 80k votes over three states and lost the popular vote bigly
He does not represent the 99% of anything
But he did make fun of disabled people, he did make racist comments and suggestions and he is a sexist pig. And he lied about everything he said on the campaign trail – including draining the swamp –
But hey it looks like he is your guy so keep defending him- but try to do it with facts
Hillary & the DNC pushed Trump to the top. Bernie & Trump had the populist messages.
About today’s post: Are the Obama’s staying in DC so that their daughters can finish school there? Aside from giving speeches, writing books, what is he planning to do there, or, is this a decision made for kids?
Na. He only showed that Blue Collars were pissed off. HRC’s campaign failed to take note.
Absconding with 75,000 Wayne Cty., MI ballots, and disenfranchising 300,000 voters in the Madison-Milwaukee Axis of WI accomplished the groper victory.
The Prez has 2 only weeks left to arrest the deadbeat for failing to file as a foreign agent and engaging in espionage or sabotage. pence, jebus h, cruz, rubio, runt pol, slick willard, julie annie, & christ christie probably would support the Prez in such a move.
Obama is Yuge-ly popular and Trump not so much. I hope Obama second guesses Trump everyday on twitter on instagram wherever and whenever I hope he hounds Trump everyday and he should always remind people that Trump is only in office because he cheated.
my contribution in the ongoing saga: “you don’t know jack or jake as the case maybe” ….
please join us adding to jack’s mystery:
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?
fyi: above mystery started with whiskyjack at 11:48, Jamie inspired us at 12:46 and kgc added a marvelous twist at 1:03. Jamie again thickens the plot at 4:20.
Fake news was part of the Russian government’s attempt to influence the U.S. presidential election, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said in a Senate hearing Thursday morning.
Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, asked Clapper about allegations that Russian government–backed groups had created or propagated false news stories as part of a broader campaign that included hacking and stealing emails. Clapper replied:
This was a multifaceted campaign. So the hacking was only one part of it, and it also entailed classical propaganda, disinformation, fake news.
Asked whether those disinformation efforts have continued in the election’s wake, Clapper said “yes.”
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?
But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?
RR, it’s snowing and cold (20s) here and people are freaking out. And well they should – there must be close to an inch of snow on the ground and maybe that much or a little more to come. (How do you make one of those “rolling eyes” emojis?)
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?
But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?
But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks. So I take out my pipe and put on Madame Butterfly on my old victrola – I needed time to contemplate what these signs meant. As the smoke started curling around my head I had an epiphany.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks. So I take out my pipe and put on Madame Butterfly on my old victrola – I needed time to contemplate what these signs meant. As the smoke started curling around my head I had an epiphany.
My reasoning began with the premise that I had not delivered the body or I would have known about it before Jake did. At the very least, I would have written myself a note. Next, I ruled Jake out because he is too small to lug a human out of the house and down those steps. He also never wears boots, although he does have white stockings. However, he would probably not be able to carry the body around from the front of the house and through the back gate either.
Stumped, I phoned my friend Solar Homes, a famous detective of Bakoda Yards. He said to meet him at Nino’s on the Lincoln Highway for a Bud brainwash and sardine pizza. Fish is brain food, he says.
Ima tired and cold, just finished painting a room….so now that im finished im resting on my sofa….when all of a sudden i get a call from Minnesota….its Xr wanting some ninos and some buds…..we can do that….but please no sardines in my pizza.
He tells me about Jacks delima…and wants to know if i can help with this riddle……What a mistake i started reading all of this from the middle…..so i think that i have…we all have to start from the beginning………I think that jack i wrong when he thinks that the cat tells him its all bullshit and to fix it now…….with all of the hints…..that are all over the fence and the snow….we better take another look to see if mrs Jack is involved in this riddle….she just got back from one of her trips and brought back……………..
the ongoing saga: “you don’t know jack or jake as the case maybe…….”
Our Story So Far
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks. So I take out my pipe and put on Madame Butterfly on my old victrola – I needed time to contemplate what these signs meant. As the smoke started curling around my head I had an epiphany.
My reasoning began with the premise that I had not delivered the body or I would have known about it before Jake did. At the very least, I would have written myself a note. Next, I ruled Jake out because he is too small to lug a human out of the house and down those steps. He also never wears boots, although he does have white stockings. However, he would probably not be able to carry the body around from the front of the house and through the back gate either.
Stumped, I phoned my friend Solar Homes, a famous detective of Bakoda Yards. He said to meet him at Nino’s on the Lincoln Highway for a Bud brainwash and sardine pizza. Fish is brain food,
he says.
Ima tired and cold, just finished painting a room….so now that im finished im resting on my sofa….when all of a sudden i get a call from Minnesota….its Xr wanting some ninos and some buds…..we can do that….but please no sardines in my pizza.
He tells me about Jacks delima…and wants to know if i can help with this riddle……What a mistake i started reading all of this from the middle…..so i think that i have…we all have to start from the beginning………I think that jack i wrong when he thinks that the cat tells him its all bullshit and to fix it now…….with all of the hints…..that are all over the fence and the snow….we better take another look to see if mrs Jack is involved in this riddle….she just got back from one of her trips and brought back……………..
I check out Mrs Jack, she has an iron clad alibi, She was out of town sitting on a warm beach, But she did bring Jack a bottle of cheap scotch, which he gave to me as he doesn’t drink. Lucky me.
As Jake the cat walked around the corpse, sniffing and eyeing me with suspicion, I grabbed the scotch and a red solo cup poured three finger in it and took a long drink. It was 7 in the morning but I needed that burn. It was going to be a long day for I knew the wearer of the boots and the owner of the cape and the police weren’t going to buy my story. For like Jake they are going to believe that I’m the one that put the body where he likes to take his morning dump
Poor Craig is going to drop in and wonder what in the world has high “jacked” his website. Does anyone know if either he or David have an opera cape? Mask? Get Away Gondola?
In the early 1960’s a required course was Propaganda, or how the Soviets are going to take over the U.S. Actually, it was a very good course on propaganda. It should still be a required course which would have prevented much of the crap of the Reagan, Bush and Drumpf (I just read where we should not call him names) administrations from even occurring.
Something a few of us have as our histories is having the Soviets and KGB “interested” in you. If your life has had them as part of it you know how much you dislike the bastards. Now that the KGB has retired, just like a lot of Cold War warriors, the GRU/FSB/SVR have taken over to do the dirty to America. That the great lunatic is now preparing to take over the reins many of us old timers are getting quite nervous from his pronouncements (tweets).
For some of us he is on the edge of treason for his support of the Russians/Putin and the disparagement of the CIA and other intelligence agencies. If your support and praise is for the country which wants to destroy America and your antagonism is to the United States you have a very serious problem.
Here is something to consider. Are the orange lunatics computers so secure around the world that the Russians have not hacked him? Considering that there is no physical way those businesses cannot be using computers on the internet, why has he not been hacked.
He has not even experienced a minor disruption due to the Russians. Consider they have attacked and broken into government agencies. They have broken into political and commercial systems. They are even attacking private American citizens websites. And yet Trump and Trump Industries has not experienced what it is like to be attacked or even annoyed by the Russian hackers.
Is this circumstantial evidence of complicity with the Soviets/Russians/KGB/Putin?
Or is the orange lunatic the most lucky person on Earth?
So as I pondered my fate, realizing that I was likely to be the prime suspect when the police became involved and wondering how in world I could convince them that I knew nothing about the body in the snow in my back yard I poured three fingers more scotch and sipped as I watched Homes closely examining the body. He stood bolt upright and exclaimed, “Aha!”
I was starting to think I was the only one who had a propaganda course in HS in 1960 since no one else I knew had ever mentioned it. Mine was part of an elective International Relations class. To this day my hackles rise every time I hear a supposition phrased as a factual query. Between Faux Spews panels and push/pull polls of the Kelly Conway type, the various forms are alive and well in modern politics.
Tonight Rachel Maddow did a full blown expose of National Enquirer and what everyone was seeing at the check out line up to election day and the constant hit job they did on Hillary Clinton, their constant praise of Trump, and showing his belief (or use for the gullible) in speeches and tweets of Enquirer exposes’
… our story continues…
So as I pondered my fate, realizing that I was likely to be the prime suspect when the police became involved and wondering how in world I could convince them that I knew nothing about the body in the snow in my back yard I poured three fingers more scotch and sipped as I watched Homes closely examining the body. He stood bolt upright and exclaimed, “Aha!” He seemed frozen, about to sneeze. Or, perhaps the smell had gotten to him.
Now, I don’t want to give anyone the idea that I’m prejudiced against our Extinct American neighbors – some of my best friends have gone over to it – but after a several days dead folks, like house guests, begin to stink. I mean, even Mark Twain said so, and he’s dead. With this thought, it occurred to me that if Miss Wrong insists on occupying Jake’s defecatorium until morning, maybe I should phone my old pal Tony, who cleans up for a living. Homes appeared to agree for he again exclaimed, “Aha!” and pulled out a hankie.
Why doesn’t someone in the Intellience Community leak Teump’s tax returns? When are we going to see those? Will we only lay our peepers on them when Vlad leaks them to Hannity?
but, boss, won’t he be a lightning rod and a convenient distraction for the twit to make use of when said twit screws up?
plus there is something in that old saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder”
speaking of the twit, speaker ryan’s description of ass-ange is more than applicable to the tweeting twit too:
“sycophant for Russia…. He leaks, he steals data and compromises national security”
well, maybe not the stealing part. but 3 outta 4 on the mark.
🙂
I’m sure he’ll be in demand. After all, an ex-prez who was given a Nobel Prize (apparently, just for getting elected) is unique.
He looks like he’s aged a lot in just the past, six months. I hope he takes some time off to relax.
Hey, there’s still an opening on the SC. Donald has done some weird things; nominating Obama is certainly in his wheel house when it comes to surprising behavior.
bid, “nominating Obama” would be a way for the twit to keep him quiet since it’s not seemly for judges to speak their political minds to the press. Obama could still be used as a whipping boy to blame for all ills without the worry of a response. not likely that the goper senate would confirm him so this would be a short lived circus distraction.
The only “wheelhouse” Trump is in ..his is own
so far the only thing he has done is make a bad deal with carrier and take credit for jobs created by Obama
from Deborah Messing she speaks for me
before Jamie beats me to it, here’s “if you go away… then you might as well take the sun away”
https://youtu.be/E7zgNye6HTE
Please associate me with Debra Messing’s comments.
wall st journal:
WASHINGTON—Top U.S. intelligence officials are set to appear before Congress Thursday morning in the first public hearing about Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The officials are expected to describe the Russian government’s role in directing a cyber campaign that divulged emails from the Democratic National Committee, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and other political organizations, and set off an unprecedented postelection feud between President-elect Donald Trump and the intelligence community he is about to lead.
The hearing also may shed light on plans under consideration by Mr. Trump and his aides to reorganize some of the 17 U.S. intelligence agencies.
[….]
James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, Adm. Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, and Marcel Lettre, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence, also are likely to explain in more detail why U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia was to blame.
The hearing, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, comes on the same day that President Barack Obama is expected to receive a report from the intelligence agencies laying out their conclusions on the cyberattacks. A U.S. official said that Mr. Trump will be briefed on the same report on Friday.
cnn: Donald Trump’s fight with America’s spies
But the clash is ultimately a battle of wits between Trump, who never likes to admit he is wrong, and intelligence agencies that insist they have the evidence to back up their conclusions about the Kremlin’s alleged election operation. The confrontation, and the political divisions it has opened, will be center stage on Thursday when Sen. John McCain presides over a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on foreign cyber hacking that will include testimony from the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Trump in 2010: WikiLeaks ‘disgraceful’
“This is a power struggle like we have never seen before between an incoming president and the intelligence community,” Rod Beckstrom, former head of the National Cybersecurity Center, told CNN’s Brooke Baldwin Wednesday on “Newsroom.” “In this case, Trump is making very clear from day one, ‘I am the leader here, sit down and listen to me.’ He’s putting the (intelligence community) in an extremely difficult position.”
sooo, will they trust him enough to tell him everything or will they hold back in fear he’ll twitter it away?
politico: McCain, Graham to take on Trump over Russia hacking
The two GOP mavericks take center stage Thursday with a hearing on cyber threats.
….
McCain said Wednesday that he wants to hear Tillerson’s views on the Russia hacking before saying whether he will support him. The two were scheduled to meet on Wednesday, and while McCain said that it’s possible he could back Tillerson, the senator added that “there’s also a realistic scenario that pigs fly.”
let it all hang out prove what an ignorant asshole he is
Based on yesterday’s post, whomever follows Trump as POTUS (providing it’s not Pence due to Donald’s misbehavior & removal) should be amazing.
Ya Know, one thing Trump needs to learn is being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world is a lot less powerful than being the owner of your own LLC. Just cause you say you want it doesn’t make it happen. It will be interesting how that bunch of bush leaguers do in the big leagues.
KGC
Good catch. I think that sums up what Mrs Jack can’t put into words when she says ” I just can’t understand. How………? ” When talking about co-workers she respects who voted and supported Trump. It has caused a re-evaluation.
Jack
patD – It seems they could test Trump with some dis-information. Give him an intelligence briefing with something he’ll bite at & see if he can keep his mouth shut.
bid, not good to establish his trust of them since his buddy putin will tell him it’s disinformation. should be something factual, glitzy to spark his ego but maybe not so risky to hurt our security.
Patd
Alright I won’t go into a whole dissertation on how the meaning of the song completely changes when you have a pure unrhymed translation of Jaques Brel rather than the beautiful but rather sweet but squishy lyrics of Rod McKuen (who we lost in 2015), but you can read about the “Cowardice of Men” at the link under background. lol
LOL, talk bout a worthless retread, I assuming he is a place holder.
Jamie, you’re right. in my hurry I just grabbed the 1st brel I came to…. was tempted to link Streisand’s version which isn’t quite as “squishy” as mckuens.
ap at msn:
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Thursday that “every American should be alarmed” by Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, and lawmakers pressed intelligence officials about foreign cyberthreats.
There is “no escaping the fact that this committee meets today for the first time in this new Congress in the aftermath of an unprecedented attack on our democracy,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
[….]
In prepared testimony, intelligence officials said Russia poses a major and growing threat to U.S. government, military, diplomatic and commercial operations — as well as America’s critical infrastructure. Russia is among at least 30 nations that are developing capabilities to launch cyberattacks, according to their statement.
Still have to throw in Brel’s commentary on modern life interpreted brilliantly by Amanda McBroom from her album Chanson that is all Brel songs.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault.
Ya know rereading the sentence above, it would make a great opening line for a noir novel now if I could just write.
Jack
Debra Messing…. yup… that’ll work for me too.
A bit chilly here too…. but it is winter time in NH…
thank you, sen McCain. good hearing. hope the media reports the best of it and not just continue stoking feud fires.
kudos to clapper.
I think the best strategy for getting rid of Trump is to foment dissent among Republicans
So Mitch-y got up on his high petard to criticize Schumer for saying the were going to block Trump’s nominees to the supremes. I think someone should do a reel of all the obstructionist things the moron from Ky has said about blocking, obstructing and generally being an asshole.
Hey Mitch
all new rules now – no one is backing down from anything. of course doing nothing is right up your cup of tea but that is not going to work for Vlad Trump our first ever president with allegiance to a foreign country
I wonder if President Vlad Trump R(ussian) Amerika, has grabbed Kellyann Condom by the pussy and someone should ask Sarah Huckabee the same question
Trump can’t admit the truth of the Russian meddling because it means he only won by cheating and is an illegitimate sitting in an office he stole, lied and cheated to obtain.
Jack
You are right. Maybe we could turn it into “provide the next line” project. lol
Next? 🙂
I watched the hearing start to finish on CNN–it was brilliant. Today, the senior senator from SC made-up for the rest of the limp legislators from my state (yes, they are all males).
I’m sure this was the type happening that makes Trump crazy; that’s a good thing. Thank you Senator McCain.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather.
The wealthy Ms. Messing fails to realize that Trump was addressing concerns of Americans who have been pushed closer to the edge.
Much like Bernie & Stein, Trump spoke to those people that did not feel that Hillary heard them. Different messages, but Bernie is the one who could’ve beaten Trump because he was addressing those people.
Shame on Ms. Messing for being so dismissive of the day-to-day concerns of the 99%.
I’m still disappointed that Bernie backed Hillary, but I appreciate that he is holding Trump’s feet to the fire with his own tweets. Hands off Social Security! May Donald’s tweet peck him in his behind if he does anything to gut it.
How long before Trump gets charged with treason?
My health insurance just saved me $1.99 on my meds. ~Yippee.~
I think you need to re-read the message she did none of the things you claim
And Bernie is taking enough Twitter bows to soothe his ego from now until the Doomsday he helped create with the Trump election.
Trump barely won by 80k votes over three states and lost the popular vote bigly
He does not represent the 99% of anything
But he did make fun of disabled people, he did make racist comments and suggestions and he is a sexist pig. And he lied about everything he said on the campaign trail – including draining the swamp –
But hey it looks like he is your guy so keep defending him- but try to do it with facts
Hillary & the DNC pushed Trump to the top. Bernie & Trump had the populist messages.
About today’s post: Are the Obama’s staying in DC so that their daughters can finish school there? Aside from giving speeches, writing books, what is he planning to do there, or, is this a decision made for kids?
“. . . he helped create with the Trump election.”
Na. He only showed that Blue Collars were pissed off. HRC’s campaign failed to take note.
Absconding with 75,000 Wayne Cty., MI ballots, and disenfranchising 300,000 voters in the Madison-Milwaukee Axis of WI accomplished the groper victory.
The Greatest Shoplift in World History
The Prez has 2 only weeks left to arrest the deadbeat for failing to file as a foreign agent and engaging in espionage or sabotage. pence, jebus h, cruz, rubio, runt pol, slick willard, julie annie, & christ christie probably would support the Prez in such a move.
BiD
Did you swallow the Right Wing Talking Points Playbook? You’ve been spouting from it for months.
Obama is Yuge-ly popular and Trump not so much. I hope Obama second guesses Trump everyday on twitter on instagram wherever and whenever I hope he hounds Trump everyday and he should always remind people that Trump is only in office because he cheated.
my contribution in the ongoing saga: “you don’t know jack or jake as the case maybe” ….
please join us adding to jack’s mystery:
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?
fyi: above mystery started with whiskyjack at 11:48, Jamie inspired us at 12:46 and kgc added a marvelous twist at 1:03. Jamie again thickens the plot at 4:20.
from slate:
Fake news was part of the Russian government’s attempt to influence the U.S. presidential election, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said in a Senate hearing Thursday morning.
Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, asked Clapper about allegations that Russian government–backed groups had created or propagated false news stories as part of a broader campaign that included hacking and stealing emails. Clapper replied:
Asked whether those disinformation efforts have continued in the election’s wake, Clapper said “yes.”
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?
But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?
RR, it’s snowing and cold (20s) here and people are freaking out. And well they should – there must be close to an inch of snow on the ground and maybe that much or a little more to come. (How do you make one of those “rolling eyes” emojis?)
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.
The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?
But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?
But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks.
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks. So I take out my pipe and put on Madame Butterfly on my old victrola – I needed time to contemplate what these signs meant. As the smoke started curling around my head I had an epiphany.
Our Story So Far
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks. So I take out my pipe and put on Madame Butterfly on my old victrola – I needed time to contemplate what these signs meant. As the smoke started curling around my head I had an epiphany.
My reasoning began with the premise that I had not delivered the body or I would have known about it before Jake did. At the very least, I would have written myself a note. Next, I ruled Jake out because he is too small to lug a human out of the house and down those steps. He also never wears boots, although he does have white stockings. However, he would probably not be able to carry the body around from the front of the house and through the back gate either.
Stumped, I phoned my friend Solar Homes, a famous detective of Bakoda Yards. He said to meet him at Nino’s on the Lincoln Highway for a Bud brainwash and sardine pizza. Fish is brain food, he says.
Ima tired and cold, just finished painting a room….so now that im finished im resting on my sofa….when all of a sudden i get a call from Minnesota….its Xr wanting some ninos and some buds…..we can do that….but please no sardines in my pizza.
He tells me about Jacks delima…and wants to know if i can help with this riddle……What a mistake i started reading all of this from the middle…..so i think that i have…we all have to start from the beginning………I think that jack i wrong when he thinks that the cat tells him its all bullshit and to fix it now…….with all of the hints…..that are all over the fence and the snow….we better take another look to see if mrs Jack is involved in this riddle….she just got back from one of her trips and brought back……………..
I just wanted to tell Blue how sorry I am about Texas now having bathroom problems.
the ongoing saga: “you don’t know jack or jake as the case maybe…….”
Our Story So Far
It is 11 degrees out with snow on the ground. Jake, the cat is standing on the top step of the back porch looking back at me flipping his tail saying “this is bullshit, fix this now”. As usual it is all my fault if you don’t include the body at the bottom of the stairs staining the white snow bright red. It was a nice looking body too, except for being dead, nice clothes for the beach not this weather. Apparently, bare back and face down in the snow, he or she had fallen, nay tripped, over the garden gnome on the way to the only shelter visible during last night’s blizzard.The potting shed door was open, beckoning survival or at least pot. Unfortunately, the now gnome slain and dome crushed would not be comforted by either possibility leaving the viewer with one question. Was the gnome placed capriciously, maliciously or suspiciously?But what the hell am I thinking? I put the damn gnome there years ago when I thought garden gnomes were cool because I liked how it looked there. And no one was seeking shelter in the potting shed from any snow storm when I put it there five, or was it six summers ago? And why do there appear to be two sets of footprints between the body and the rear gate that someone left open? I ain’t a detective, but no way the small bare feet of that body made what looks to me to be two sets of tracks made by large boots?But what really caught my eye was the scarlet and black opera cape snagged and left hanging on the gate. It was definitely not mine–I hadn’t been to the opera in weeks. So I take out my pipe and put on Madame Butterfly on my old victrola – I needed time to contemplate what these signs meant. As the smoke started curling around my head I had an epiphany.
My reasoning began with the premise that I had not delivered the body or I would have known about it before Jake did. At the very least, I would have written myself a note. Next, I ruled Jake out because he is too small to lug a human out of the house and down those steps. He also never wears boots, although he does have white stockings. However, he would probably not be able to carry the body around from the front of the house and through the back gate either.
Stumped, I phoned my friend Solar Homes, a famous detective of Bakoda Yards. He said to meet him at Nino’s on the Lincoln Highway for a Bud brainwash and sardine pizza. Fish is brain food,
I check out Mrs Jack, she has an iron clad alibi, She was out of town sitting on a warm beach, But she did bring Jack a bottle of cheap scotch, which he gave to me as he doesn’t drink. Lucky me.
As Jake the cat walked around the corpse, sniffing and eyeing me with suspicion, I grabbed the scotch and a red solo cup poured three finger in it and took a long drink. It was 7 in the morning but I needed that burn. It was going to be a long day for I knew the wearer of the boots and the owner of the cape and the police weren’t going to buy my story. For like Jake they are going to believe that I’m the one that put the body where he likes to take his morning dump
Poor Craig is going to drop in and wonder what in the world has high “jacked” his website. Does anyone know if either he or David have an opera cape? Mask? Get Away Gondola?
lol
yep, strange shit happens around here
It was fun thanks for the suggestion Jamie. It was fun reading looks like we have chapter one written. And I’ve paid good money for worse.
Jack
Your welcome Jack. It was fun. An attack of group silliness was overdue. Thanks for getting the goofy ball rolling.
In the early 1960’s a required course was Propaganda, or how the Soviets are going to take over the U.S. Actually, it was a very good course on propaganda. It should still be a required course which would have prevented much of the crap of the Reagan, Bush and Drumpf (I just read where we should not call him names) administrations from even occurring.
Something a few of us have as our histories is having the Soviets and KGB “interested” in you. If your life has had them as part of it you know how much you dislike the bastards. Now that the KGB has retired, just like a lot of Cold War warriors, the GRU/FSB/SVR have taken over to do the dirty to America. That the great lunatic is now preparing to take over the reins many of us old timers are getting quite nervous from his pronouncements (tweets).
For some of us he is on the edge of treason for his support of the Russians/Putin and the disparagement of the CIA and other intelligence agencies. If your support and praise is for the country which wants to destroy America and your antagonism is to the United States you have a very serious problem.
Here is something to consider. Are the orange lunatics computers so secure around the world that the Russians have not hacked him? Considering that there is no physical way those businesses cannot be using computers on the internet, why has he not been hacked.
He has not even experienced a minor disruption due to the Russians. Consider they have attacked and broken into government agencies. They have broken into political and commercial systems. They are even attacking private American citizens websites. And yet Trump and Trump Industries has not experienced what it is like to be attacked or even annoyed by the Russian hackers.
Is this circumstantial evidence of complicity with the Soviets/Russians/KGB/Putin?
Or is the orange lunatic the most lucky person on Earth?
… our story continues…
So as I pondered my fate, realizing that I was likely to be the prime suspect when the police became involved and wondering how in world I could convince them that I knew nothing about the body in the snow in my back yard I poured three fingers more scotch and sipped as I watched Homes closely examining the body. He stood bolt upright and exclaimed, “Aha!”
Bronc
I was starting to think I was the only one who had a propaganda course in HS in 1960 since no one else I knew had ever mentioned it. Mine was part of an elective International Relations class. To this day my hackles rise every time I hear a supposition phrased as a factual query. Between Faux Spews panels and push/pull polls of the Kelly Conway type, the various forms are alive and well in modern politics.
50 Types of Propaganda gives a good short form overview.
Tonight Rachel Maddow did a full blown expose of National Enquirer and what everyone was seeing at the check out line up to election day and the constant hit job they did on Hillary Clinton, their constant praise of Trump, and showing his belief (or use for the gullible) in speeches and tweets of Enquirer exposes’
Check out her website tomorrow if you missed it tonight.
… our story continues…
So as I pondered my fate, realizing that I was likely to be the prime suspect when the police became involved and wondering how in world I could convince them that I knew nothing about the body in the snow in my back yard I poured three fingers more scotch and sipped as I watched Homes closely examining the body. He stood bolt upright and exclaimed, “Aha!” He seemed frozen, about to sneeze. Or, perhaps the smell had gotten to him.
Now, I don’t want to give anyone the idea that I’m prejudiced against our Extinct American neighbors – some of my best friends have gone over to it – but after a several days dead folks, like house guests, begin to stink. I mean, even Mark Twain said so, and he’s dead. With this thought, it occurred to me that if Miss Wrong insists on occupying Jake’s defecatorium until morning, maybe I should phone my old pal Tony, who cleans up for a living. Homes appeared to agree for he again exclaimed, “Aha!” and pulled out a hankie.
Why doesn’t someone in the Intellience Community leak Teump’s tax returns? When are we going to see those? Will we only lay our peepers on them when Vlad leaks them to Hannity?