leh-nerd skin-erd

That would be awesome. Btw there still is all the tasty morsels of national security interest that DJT has at his disposal. He knows where bodies are buried, he knows who did what to whom and when. He knows the dirty secrets of intelligence, the FBI, our allies and leadership in Washington. He knows dirt on Obama, Bush, Clinton inc and of course they have become strange bedfellows along the way. If he was a Russian asset, he's the most dangerous man on the planet. Since hes clearly not that, the deal seems to be to make him out to be dirty through insinuation. There is no reason for upper echelon feds to leak some nickle and dime story about encouraging Cohen to lie to Congress, especially in light of the fact that if they have that data they don't need to leak it. Regardless, he's got the ultimate ace in the hole to bring down the whole den of thieves. What a wild ride with this guy. All Americans should be grateful he was elected....the swamp is deep indeed.

In your opinion, is political manipulation/shaping the world in their image the goal, or are they all about clicks and Benjamins? Buzzfeed, that is.

Wait, do you mean the President Clinton the actual President Clinton who the men of the world ordered their wives and daughters to vote for, or the President Clinton who was supposed to be President Clinton who never became President Clinton because she forgot that there were 50 states in the Union?

The shoelace is often referred to as the quotation mark of outerwear. Often misunderstood, frequently used incorrectly.

But this isn't what we have, we have Checkpoint Charlie. Before the whole shebang, we often have human behavior technology or some such thing. Before/during "Citzenship?" comes profiling. Where appropriate, profiling leads to "Papers please..." and where appropriate..."Sir...pull over there where my associates will remove key structural/non-structural components from your vehicle." . And, to boot, if you opted to hop out of the vehicle and bypass the pesky Customs fellow and skip the whole fandango, they are often less kind in inquiring about your plans. we do agree though that "bingo and Chinese food" works virtually every time. Some sort of ghost in the machine.

If your friends listened to Trump and supported him during the last election, it's odd that they would turn on him now. The groundswell that resulted in his improbable election was based in large part on getting certain things accomplished, and dealing with the border was one of those key issues. I understand if they are government employees directly impacted by the shutdown, and I understand how you feel personally, but to sit and watch this silly game continue and lay it all at the feet of Trump makes me wonder what they were hoping for to begin with. I admire the strength of your conviction on preferring to stay out of work v. the dems negotiating further on the wall funding. I don't understand it, given your perilous financial condition, and in light of the fact that it's not all that long ago most of those refusing to give an inch were willing to go a mile. Honestly, it seems like the John McCain approach, all thumbs up and hard charging until something actually can be accomplished and then the maverick is just another establishment govt gelding. In response to your questions, yes, I think it's highly likely that Trump would push the envelope further if he wins this battle on funding. Yes, i think if he wins this skirmish it will play well with virtually everyone but the open border crowd. That is his job. I think the dems by and large could give less than a crap about sensible border security and less than that about people assaulted or killed as a result of this crisis. I think a fair amount of republicans are complicit in it as well, and I think many, many people in positions of power are rewarded handsomely for looking the other way. I think any dem appearing at the border with ice officials would be banished to a political gulag. As for people supporting Trump,I say the same thing over and over and have yet to hear a reasonable reply. Every president and politician lies, distorts or morphs what he/she says. Every single one. You mentioned health care, and Obama lied at just about every turn on the ACA. And while many complained about it, the simple fact is that while we were on the losing end, this boondoggle blows chunks. When it was shown to suck, the architects including BO just changed the narrative, moved the goal posts and lied. Hell, and correct me if I'm wrong...but didn't Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton state emphatically that GWB manufactured evidence and sent young Americans to fight and die in Iraq? That sounds an awful lot like a war criminal to me. How did that play out? What we hear now is how they have become best friends over cough drops at Barbara's funeral...best cough drop buddies...and Bill and HW were pals too. Liars...all. i have no interest in squabbling over who's liar is better than someone else's. I was very interested in the SC nominee, and watched as the opposition party attempted a very public and contrived late term abortion on a guy who just happened to be conservative. The oppo party in that case runs from Obama on down. Is THAT the party with the moral high ground? When and if RBG is to be replaced by Trump, regardless of who the nominee is the battle will be escalated. Amy Barret? Watch for the story about indiscretions when she was babysitting. I'd think the safe play is diddling with the hubby, but honestly that seems too pedestrian for today's modern dem party. Who knows what they come up with--but it will no doubt be a doozy. I also trust that the judges being appointed to the federal courts are conservative, though much of my impression on that comes from what I read. Could be disappointed I suppose. I particularly enjoy deregulation, the work that's been done on the economy and unemployment, and the tax cuts benefited me and people I care about directly. Anyway, I digressed there a bit. Speaking only for me, it's more about the truths he tells than anything else. Best of luck to you and your family.

Tragic. Pathetic. And just a little but ironic.

Thanks for the reply. I was on hold when I sent the last response and figured I might get an "f u" reply in response to questions about income etc. I was just trying to get a gauge on what your situation looked like. This whole shutdown thing seems another wedge that politicians use to drive people apart. I read your comments and thoughts about the wall, and while I respect what you have to say, here's where it hits home for me. Something has to be done, everyone knows it and there is no perfect solution. There never is. If the argument is "we can do better" than I would suggest that argument is always going to be there. The natural follow up question to me is "Are you willing to remain furloughed for an extended period of time in order to get what you want as a citizen?". This is where I think you're being played. The truth likely is that most people directly impacted by the shutdown would trade the $5b for a return to work. I have seen no evidence that furloughed people are taking yo the streets demanding the dems hold the line regardless of cost. Likewise, those not impacted by the shutdown fall into one of four categories: 1. Those that care and want the shutdown to end; 2. Those that may care but feel the fight is worth it; 3. Those that dont care and feel the fight needs to happen; 4. Those that don't even know it's happening. All other things being equal, understanding you see this as a Trump issue...would you prefer the dems acquiesce or hold the line in spite of the problems you are facing?

Sorry you are going through a tough time. I think you're wrong about border security, and this issue is no more Trumps fault than it is yours. This issue has been percolating for decades and the mantra to the public has always been "sign the bill, we can deal with this later.". I'm wondering if you're willing to share more details. How long have you and your wife worked for the govt? What's your combined annual income, and what do your retirement plans look like? Pension, health insurance etc? What age will you retire? Is the lack of a safety net because you just started for TSA making $15 an hour, or it just wasn't something that seemed to be a priority?

I'm not disputing that, nor am I suggesting anything about Incognito. I read the text messages that were linked to the post, and they painted a picture that was different than what I had read. Just an observation.

I thought there was a fair amount of commentary from JM during the time preceding the Wells report. I don't really care enough to look, but I thought part of Incognitos complaint back was the stuff that went back and forth. And, honestly, it seems that this guy had some long simmering issues going back just about as far as he goes back in life.

The approach here has been used since the beginning of time...."you should feel badly about you because you are ypu, and since I'm not you I'm better than you.". The analyst is paid to agitate. She blamed her staff for the failure to advise her that DW is not white, which by extension means she had this whole thing loaded to go. Reject stupidity.

You can never rationalize with a zealot, and it's taking you away from the important work you do so that I can walk the streets claiming your work product as my own. Let's get your priorities back on track. ?

In fairness maybe Spartacus Booker is only at notch one. Context matters.

I think its because supporting him aligns with their political ideology. Consider the stories about dutiful Uncle Joe Biden. For all the rhetoric about Trump, Biden is on tape actually using racially offensive terminology, but we will hear most about the death of his son, his hardscrabble roots and so on. Trump is jabbing a finger in their eye daily, pointing out the hypocrisy and calling them out. What has been revealed is how really soft these people can be.

Agreed. An honest accounting by most media outlets would have suited me just fine, with the chips falling as they may after all was said and done. The MSM was revealed as Obama apologists on that matter, up to and including the infamous debate where the chubby moderator spoke in defense of BO, and in opposition to the truth. Disgraceful, but not criminal.

I agree with this, though I felt it was entirely fair to hammer Obama Inc for the false propaganda story they manufactured after the event. He was way better at spreading disinformation than the Russians.

Yes, and we've entered the nuclear age of political warfare. Nothing is too brash, too outlandish to accuse people of coupled with the willingness of the nations top law enforcement agencies to do whatever it takes to make sure the status quo is maintained. Add to that a populace willing to be lead along by their noses and you get what we have today. Taminy (Sp?) Hall on a massive scale.

Maybe. The media is reporting he is a Russian asset, running the country for 25 months. He's hiding in plain sight. No one can catch him, not even the FBI after investigating for 2.5 years. But...soon, soon. Example to your point re the media: Many outlets have speculated endlessly about when he might fire Mueller. They reference sources within the govt. Question...are the media outlets that reported firing was pending incompetent, spreading false information or something else? Because it seems clear that Herr Mueller plods on. You tell me.

Look, it's not complicated if you're an independent thinker. A quick glance at the history of the world reveals that governments are corruptible and people in positions of power may not be 4 square folks in the middle. A quick glance at the history of corporations in the US reveals that companies and their people are corruptible and people in positions of power may not be 4 square folks in the middle. Public side: Spitzer/Schneiderman/Skelos/Silver/Percoco/Kalyeros Private side: Weinstein/Fay/Ciminelli/madhoff And so on. I have some friends at the NYS govt level and it was apparently common knowledge that Schneiderman in particular had a drug problem. On top of that, in the wake of his departure a local news reporter suggested it was pretty well known on their side of things that he bought drugs, used them and may have had an issue with women. So...of everyone knows, why no reporting on it? Where are the reports about that failure to prosecute Spitzer? Incompetence, or selective reporting?

First, your post starts out on a very weak note as you acknowledge being under-informed, and take an odd turn to Fetish Mountain with this licking thing. Second, if you were not under-informed, you would know that there is no "everyone" Here. Third, as a reasonable man willing to listen to your thoughts, here is what I still do not follow from your logic: You seem to believe that Trump is a Russian Asset, that the FBI and Mueller got the goods on him. You're passionate enough to come to this thread, acknowlede you're behind the curve as you do so, and lay out (flimsy)case for ouster of the president. Why is he still in office? Where are the American patriots picking up the mantle for dear James Comey who had so much dirt on 45 that he was fired? I'd think with all the troglodytes willing to set D.C. aflame just based on the things Trump says, surely the greatest intelligence agency in the world could button the Trump case up in a month or so post-Comey. i'll answer your question as well. This is the first time we know a candidate for president was targeted for surveillance by his political adversaries, the first time we have seen the leadership of the FBI exposed as partisan political operatives, and if you're correct, the first time DOJ, FBI, Congress and the US military/joint chiefs of staff have knowingly allowed a "Russian asset" to act as president, no doubt worried sick that it's taking Mueller so long to button up a case that was so obviously treason 3 or 4 months before Trump took office. Sadly, it's also the first time a whole bunch of dipshits knowingly, willingly and with no hesitation decided that it was perfectly acceptable to weaponize intelligence so long as it was against "the other guy". If this had happened to Obama, I'd be a democrat by now. Along the way, I'd have been wondering how the $)&@ it is taking so long when we know the guy is a "Russian asset". You so seem to take every curveball they throw out and think "Yeah, that makes sense!".

Regulation is not a bad thing, taxation isn't a bad thing, and people working for the state of ny is most definitely not a bad thing. My complaint is not that Fireball is properly labeled. The good news news is that when weed gets to the point where I can walk into a dispensary and buy something for personal consumption, I may care a whole lot less about all the rest.

Thanks for the well thought out reply. I don't agree with any of it, and I understood your prior post to mean that you were undecided and awaiting the final word. I've been trying to think of the best way to respond. It's an anonymous message board but I'm really not interested in name calling or insulting someone. My biggest issue with your position is "The collusion stuff is up-for-grabs". It isn't, and if you think it is at this point, I think you're naive. If DJT is Boris Badinov, we have all been let down by the elected officials and law enforcement agencies entrusted to safeguard our process. In fact, if that's the case, the DOJ and FBI are either grossly incompetent or complicit in allowing DJT to serve as president if that's the case. if he's not Boris Badinov, as appears likely given the fact that Boy Scout Bob Mueller is taking his own sweet time sending his minions to kick down doors of people guilty of...anything they can turn up, then all you have is the weaponization of the intelligence community to disrupt and taint the opposition candidate supported by 60m Americans with the sole purpose being to deny them the power of their vote. Personally, I don't care if Trump is someone I'd hang out with or not. It's never been important to me. One of my liberal buddies said to me one day "Trump is despicable, but you know Obama is a good guy that you just disagree with on policy matters.". He was offended when I told him how limited his vision of the world was, that he was so tied up in his own judgement it was inconceivable that someone else might not like Obama as a human being. As for all the other anecdotal "facts" about Trump, it might help to be more specific than he's a worser liar than any of the previous liars that you like. I was just making this point in my prior message. If they were wrong, they are either grossly incompetent or knee deep in corruption. They are knee deep in corruption.

I've heard of the ATF, and one time I was outside in my baby pajamas eating chicken wings and drinking beer while climbing my ladder to paint the wood trim on my house. I took a selfie and can prove it. But that's not really the point, is it? my response was in regards to the narrative that republicans want to control people's lives but that legalizing/regulating marijuana is liberating us all from the nanny state. Chef Jim was more direct and 100% correct. For what it's worth, while I don't believe the narrative that smoking weed is harmless, when NY sorts this all out I've pretty much decided that I'm back in again for recreational use. I've long believed I'd much rather see my children smoke marijuana than fire down shots of Shnumpernagelz or whatever is the hot shot today. And, no sir, I am NOT spearheading a movement to return to Prohibition! Respectfully, Freddy's Special

Not really. If you've been unable to make up your mind about an administration using the power of the government to run intelligence operations on the opposition, and the DOJ launching an investigation simple for the purpose of creating an investigation ---couched with the unbelievably moronic allegation that "We thought maybe he was/is an agent of the Russian government but really had no idea how to proceed and decided the best way forward was to let him be President but take him apart with a series of paper cuts over the duration of his presidency"...you've already made your mind up. Apologies for the run-on sentence, but after all this, it makes you wonder why Watergate is anything more than a little misunderstanding between friends.