leh-nerd skin-erd

I literally just said I hope Smith doesn’t go to jail, and shared ny thoughts on why transparency is so important as we try to heal. I have no idea if he did anything wrong, though I would think the devil will be in the details. Oh, check that—I do think it was wrong to bring the charges and all that followed, but i do not think that’s illegal. I think Trump may have broken laws on maintaining classified documents but believe the argument that he can declassify at will seems reasonable as well. I think Biden broke the law, and in doing so as a senator, it was far more egregious than what Trump did. End of the day, it sounds to me like the government had a program of organizational anarchy when it comes to classified material, and only seemed to be concerned when a certain admin saw an opportunity for political gain. I believe I’m in the majority here.

I sincerely hope for the sake of his family, he doesn’t. If he crossed his i’s and dotted his t’s, followed the rules everything will be fine. Reasonable people can disagree, as Chi and I have been discussing. Personally, I think he’s done a very good job of laying out the case he wanted to bring, though the judge has had to make some course corrections along the way. I also think he did a masterful job in leaking the information he wanted release (perhaps without context) in an effort to shape public opinion, though it seemed to have been in a way he did not foresee, with unintended consequences. That’s yet another course correction, I think. I think what we’ll find is some things were done within the letter of the law, some things were done outside the law (purposefully or otherwise), and that as whole, he was ineffective in his role based on outcome. The cost to the taxpayer is likely quite high for those who care about such things. As for testimony before Congress, the challenge there is testimony is one-sided, without the benefit of the defense responding to accusations, allegations or interpretations. But as I said before, let’s get to transparency and dialogue however it shakes out.

I understand you’re dug in here, and I’m only thinking of the greater good. It was your point that special rules are followed, not mine. I scoured the internet to find an example, and found this story about former NYS AG Cuomo, speaking about one of the many cases against Trump. https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4734858-andrew-cuomo-donald-trump-alvin-bragg-hush-money-case-new-york/ “If his name was not Donald Trump and if he wasn’t running for president … I’m the former AG of in New York, [and] I’m telling you that case would’ve never been brought.” We can argue whether or not both parties are reasonable, but it is what it is. Representative Jim Jordan seems to be interested in looking into this case, and his education and subsequent experience certainly makes this noteworthy. I’m concerned, as I always am, that congressional committees are glorified dog and pony shows, but this seems to be the way to get answers Americans are looking for. If you’re correct—and you could be—-there’s certainly no harm in asking questions and rooting around in the details. We both agree there I would think, beyond concern for taxpayer funds obv.

The multi-second pause as though she was waiting for validation was weird, too. Honestly I can see her finding someone after an accident and breaking their feet to keep them from running away.

I don’t think it’s complicated at all. In fact, it’s actually pretty straightforward. As you said, people don’t get charged with a crime unless the prosecutors believe they can prove intent to a jury. I’m simply suggesting that a second review by a new, independent party may have a different view on intent. Bigger picture, relentless, aggressive and politically motivated prosecution seemed to move the needle in the opposite direction intended by the Dems.

It sounds like a very well organization, this democrat party. Trump has beaten them twice in three times in historic fashion, and the 81 year old guy they set up to fail out-politicked them. Sounds like it was Pelosi should have gotten out sooner.

Not at all. I would have thought the US Government would have had strict guidelines and rules for handling classified documents, but come to find out it was like one of those swinger parties where people just throw keys into a bowl and whomever goes with whom is ok. It seems to boil down to high ranking politicians can do whatever they want for however long they want, but if lines are crossed the likelihood of adverse consequences really depends on who is running the investigation. One guy, decades, cool, fine, you're a good man for stealing documents in such a classy way. The other guy, life in prison, mob rule. The way you restore trust is to get to the bottom of it. If criminal charges are appropriate, push forward. If Biden broke a law but it was kind of a only pretend law, that should be completely explainable. As you were trusting the system to do system things, I'm simply saying the same thing with the committee investigating. Seems pretty straight forward to me. I guess we'll see, but I would hope the Trump admin and AG would be as just as transparent as Biden's AG.

You may be right, but I think it might be a net gain for the country if the matter was pursued, even if it ends up in a loss. I think the perception of dem overreach on political persecution is one reason voters rejected the same old hash for another 4 years. As has been said so many times re: Trump and associates, if they have nothing to hide, they tell the truth and the chips fall as they do. One thing I wouldn't worry about is concern about wasting taxpayer money, that's a DC tradition. As for Smith, yeah, let's get it all out. Good, bad, ugly. Who they talked to. Who got squeezed. Tone and tenor of communication.

Maybe he shares a cell with JB? MG? Smith? Epic!

If the President has no control, then why are you suggesting he has to produce? He would simply have to educate, and you would probably do well in the class because you already know the answers.

Hmm, so voting for the status quo was the elaborately complicated and thought provoking solution brought to the table. And, “Citizens, your President is completely fine!” was actually the greatest con of all time.

You raise an excellent point here regarding Special Counsel Smith and potential wrongdoing. Members of the House have requested that he retain documents and records related to his investigation, and I’m sure there will be some interesting information in there should he comply. I think we all would agree that complete transparency is in order—notes, texts, court orders, witness interviews and interrogations. It’s also important to know , if possible, who leaked what to whom, and any efforts to find and punish leakers should they exist. With luck, everything was above-board with no impropriety and the country can finally put this ugliness to rest. If, instead, concerns are raised, they should be addressed. I don’t wish it on anyone but how ironic would it be if armed agents served a warrant on SC Smith’s house or Merrick’s place. Beyond that, we know the recommendations of Robt Hur as it relates to JB removing/possessing classified docs over his many decades in office. @ChiGoose has offered up that in spite of wrongdoing on the part of JB, the law allows for “special rules for electeds” presumably meaning some prosecutors would look the other while others might not. Now that we’re here, is it possible to re-evaluate the circumstances and press forward with prosecution when JB is out of office? If rules can be suspended, doesn’t it make sense that they could be interpreted differently by reasonable people? Thanks Tibsy for bringing this up—

eBay. Pawn shop. Strip club. Chuck E Cheese. It’s a big world and there is room for all!

Makes sense that Roundy and Comrade Kay T Perry wanted to see some bulldozing of the burbs, even with ecofriendly bulldozers powered by wind. Now what? If this Derek says it, take it to the bank. Other Dereks, who really knows?

I believe it was Frankish who wrote about the reliable Mainstream Ecosystem and the Alternate Scum Ecosystem. Either way, “ecosystem” makes everything sound pretty sciencey.

Seriously, with the celebrity/billionaire endorsements they had…they don’t have the cash for expenses associated with elections? Kamala gotta sell some heels and earrings.

I didn’t “suffer” through Biden, Andy, I went about living a good life. Yes, I was hoping for a change but try not to sweat that stuff. I was prepared for a Harris/Walz win, though admit to being a bit worried that Tim is suffering from PTSD from almost being at Tiananmen Square during the uprising—it’s unreal and scary that he was there a few months earlier at the Ho Lee Fuk Happy Buffett and could have been in harm’s way were time travel possible. You are absolutely correct on the pendulum, it damn near swung your way for to the democrats based on the razor sharp margin of victory for Team Trump. I mean, have you ever considered if Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee was one big state? Illinowamisskenessee might have taken 35 votes off the Trump board and placed them in the Harris tally. Trump only would have won by 16 EC votes! Crazy, right? For now, I’m good with this.

Excellent point Tibsy: Landslide brought it down.

Oh my goodness, the takedown of the guy claiming an increase in hate speech on his twitter feed was absolutely brutal. Simple, elegant, direct, and passively confrontational. Reminds me of an @Irv post.

My goodness, the hubris of this lady. I especially love the family counseling angle and advice to go to a foreign country if children are in the plan. She may be Tibsy's sister.

Frank says he's a Bernie bro.

That makes sense, though Putin hijacking tractor-trailers and dumping ballots north of Des Moines is a lot better story.

Reasonable take, perhaps.

I understand what you're trying to say, but you're simply missing the much larger point.

Dear SectionC3, I think the intoxicating allure of counting your benjamins has you all hopped up like a meth head. Instead of slap fighting the air, consider sharing more of what you have with those less fortunate. 💝 Warm regards and fondly, Leh-nerd